Williamsburg^ Virginia 



Williamsburg is the capital of Virginia: it is situ- 

 ated between two creeks, one falling into James, the 

 other into York river; and is built nearly due east 

 and west.* The distance of each landing-place is 

 something more than a mile from the town; which, 

 with the disadvantage of not being able to bring up 

 large vessels, is the reason of its not having increased 

 so fast as might have been expected. It consists of 

 about two hundred houses, does not contain more 

 than one thousand souls, whites and negroes; and is 

 far from being a place of any consequence. It is 



is packed, the initials of his name; and it is from thence called the 

 E. D. tobacco, and sells for a proportionably higher price. Some 

 time ago, Colonel Diggs having a tract of land, seemingly of the 

 same quality, and under the same exposure and aspect as the plan- 

 tation producing the E. D. tobacco, from which it was separated 

 only by a small rill of water, he directed it to be planted; and as 

 the produce was apparently similar in quality, colour, flavour, and 

 every other particular, he thought himself warranted to delineate 

 E. D. upon the hogsheads in which it was packed. Accordingly, 

 it was sent to market with this recommendatory mark or token. 

 But some time after, he received a letter from his factor or mer- 

 chant in London, informing him that his inspector or agent had 

 been guilty of some great oversight or error, as the tobacco con- 

 tained in certain casks, which he specified, though marked with 

 E. D., was of a different and very inferior quality to that com- 

 modity; and that if the same fault should be again committed, it 

 would ruin the reputation and sale of the E. D. tobacco. It is to 

 be observed, that the soil or mould had been carefully analysed and 

 examined previous to its being planted; and that not the smallest 

 difference could be perceived between that of the old and new 

 plantation. The experiment, it will easily be believed, was not re- 

 peated. 



* See Note I. 



[33] 



