Travels Through North America 



July 3. We had fine weather, with a gentle 

 breeze at N. W. We were now, according to the 

 commodore's reckoning (which we afterward found 

 to be true) about sixty leagues from land. The air 

 was richly scented with the fragrance of the pine- 

 trees. 



July 4. We saw a great many sloops, from 

 whence we imagined that we were near the coast. 

 The wind was at east-by-north. 



July 5. About six in the morning we caught 

 some green fish: upon this we sounded, and found 

 eighteen fathom water. At ten we discovered land, 

 which proved to be Cape Charles; and about three 

 hours afterward sailed through the capes into Chesa- 

 peake Bay. The commodore took his leave to go 

 upon a cruise; and at eight in the evening we came 

 to an anchor in York river, after a tedious and dis- 

 agreeable voyage of almost ten weeks. 



The next morning, having hired a chaise at York, 

 a small inconsiderable town, I went to Williamsburg, 

 about twelve miles distant. The road is exceed- 

 ingly pleasant, through some of the finest tobacco 

 plantations* in North America, with a beautiful 

 view of the river and woods of great extent. 



* The tobacco growing upon York river, is esteemed superior to 

 any other in North America; particularly that which is raised upon 

 the plantations belonging to Colonel Edward Diggs, which is said 

 to have a flavour excelling all others. Of the growth of one plan- 

 tation, distinguished from the rest, the tobacco is in such high esti- 

 mation, that Colonel Diggs puts upon every hogshead in which it 



[32J 



