tobacco culture in Massachusetts though well aware that 

 the first established colony, Virginia, had been saved 

 from failure by concentration on tobacco production. 

 These joint proprietors, undoubtedly influenced by the 

 royal opposition to smoking \igorously expressed by 

 the first Stuart kings, wrote to tlie governor at Plymouth 

 in April 1629. Their letter reveals, indirectly, that 

 Massachusetts-grown tobacco had been recently 

 exported to England. It reads, in part: 



. . . And as touching the old planters their 

 earnest desire for the present to continue the 

 planting of tobacco, (a trade hij the Companie 

 generally disavowed . . . by some of the [largest 

 investors] amongst us, who absolutely declared 

 themselves unwilling to have any hand in this 

 plantation if we intend to cherish or permit the 

 planting thereof except for a mans private use 

 for mere necessity) we are of the opinion that 

 the old planters will have smal encouragement 

 to [continue]. We find here, by late experience, 

 that it doth hardly produce the freight 

 [charges, and duty]. 



The writers go on earnestly to say that this export 

 trade is not likeh' to improve; so much tobacco is being 

 produced elsewhere that before long this commodit)' 

 will bring only low prices. However, if the old planters 

 —all others are excluded— insist that they must continue 

 the culture for their livelihood, let them go on with it 

 for a while, but under restrictions as to acreage. As soon 

 as possible the planting of tobacco should be "utterly 

 suppressed," except for a man's own needs. No servants 

 are permitted to sell it, and none to use it "except for 

 the benefit of health, when taken privately." 



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