LAWSON*S HISTORY 109 



to cohabit with them for relief and conversation ; 

 and that in process of time, they conformed them- 

 selves to the manners of their Indian relations ; 

 and thus we see how apt human nature is to de- 

 generate. 



I cannot forbear inserting here a pleasant stoivy 

 that passes for an uncontested truth amongst the 

 inhabitants of this place ; which is, that the ship 

 which brought the first colonies does often appear 

 amongst them, under sail, in a gallant posture, 

 which they call Sir "Walter Ealeigh's ship. And 

 the truth of this has been affirmed to me by men 

 of the best credit in the country. 



A second settlement of this country was made 

 about fifty years ago, in that part we now call Al- 

 bemarl county, and chiefly in Chuwon precinct, 

 by several substantial planters from Virginia and 

 other plantations ; who finding mild winters, and 

 a fertile soil beyond expectation, producing every- 

 thing that was planted to a prodigious increase ; 

 their cattle, horses, sheep, and swine, breeding 

 very fast, and passing the winter without any as- 

 sistance from the planter; so that everything 

 seemed to come by nature, the husbandman liv- 

 ing almost void of care, and free from those fa- 

 tigues which are absolutely requisite in winter 

 countries, for providing fodder and other necessa- 

 ries ; these encouragements induced them to stand 

 their ground, although but a handful of people, 

 seated at great distances one from another, and 

 amidst a vast number of Indians of diflerent na- 



