Chesapeake-Bay 



The character of the inhabitants is much the same 

 as that of the Virginians; and the state of the two 

 colonies nearly alike. Tobacco, to speak in general, 

 is the chief thing attended to in both. There have 

 been some attempts to make wine; and it is certam, 

 that the country is capable of producing almost any 

 sort of grapes. Col. Tasco, a gentleman of dis- 

 tinction in these parts, attempted to make Burgundy, 

 and succeeded tolerably well for the first trial. I 

 drank some of the wine at the table of Mr. Hamilton, 

 the governor of Pennsylvania, and thought it not 

 bad. But whether, as this gentleman is now de- 

 ceased, any other person will have spirit to prose- 

 cute his plan, I much doubt. The currency here 

 is paper money, and the difference of exchange 

 about fifty per cent. The duty upon negroes is 

 only forty shillings currency per head at their im- 

 portation; whereas in Virginia it is ten pounds. 



June 13. I hired a schooner of about ten ton, 

 and embarked for the head of the bay, distant 

 twenty-three leagues; we made sail with a fresh 

 breeze, and after a pleasant passage of sixteen hours, 

 in one of the most delightful days imaginable, ar- 

 rived at Fredericktown upon Sassafras river, about 

 twelve in the evening. I never in my life spent a 

 day more agreeably, or with higher entertainment. 

 The shores on each side of the bay, and the many 

 little islands interspersed in it, afford very beautiful 

 prospects; we were entertained at the same time by 



[85] 



