EAST OF THK MISSISSIPPI RIVER. 21 



hunger and the inclemency of the seasons better; the wool is straight 

 and longer, much less fine, and much inferior in value. An examina- 

 tion of the native wool from the various parts of South America gives 

 evidence of a descent from two different classes of sheep, from which it 

 is inferred by some that one class has descended from the Merino, de- 

 generated, it is true, and the other class from the long-legged churros, 

 or common sheep, of Spain. 



Jamestown, Va., was settled in 1607, and in Aiigust, 1G09, the Lon- 

 don company provided the colonists with sheep. How many is not 

 known, but when John Smith, later in the year, sailed for England, it 

 is stated that there were in the colony " 6 mares and a horse, 500 or 

 600 swine, with some goats and sheep." The sheep did not increase 

 very rapidly, or were largely destroyed by wolves, for in 1648 the num- 

 ber in the whole colony was only 3,000, but producing good wool, it is 

 said. In 1657 it was enacted " that no mares nor sheepe be transported 

 out of the collonie upon such penalties as shall be thought fltt by the 

 governor and council," and in 1662, Virginia, by statute, prohibited the 

 exportation of wool, and as an encouragement to the raising of sheep 

 and the establishment of manufactures offered 5 pounds of tobacco (at 

 that time Virginia currency) for every yard of woolen cloth made in 

 the colony, 10 pounds for every good hat made of wool or fur, and for 

 every dozen pair of woolen or worsted stockings. In 1664, because of 

 the "nakedness of the country," occasioned by the low price of tobacco, 

 caused by overproduction, and the failure of all efforts to raise the 

 price, and also in order to diversify industries, the general assembly 

 established in each county looms and weavers, each county at its own 

 expense to set up a loom and provide a weaver, and in 1668, for the 

 better converting of wool, flax, and hemp, the commissioners of the 

 county courts were empowered to build houses for educating poor chil- 

 dren in the art of spinning and weaving, and they were likewise author- 

 ized to set at this work all children of indigent parents. 



The various acts for the improvement of the sheep and iron industry 

 could not alienate the Virginia colonist from the continued culture of 

 tobacco, and in September, 1671, this repealer was put on the statute 

 book: 



Whereas it was hoped that weavers, tanners, and smiths would have heon encour- 

 aged with greater diligence and cheerfulness to have improved their several callings 

 for the good of the country when they were sencible what tender care was taken for 

 supplying them with materials for to work upon, in reference to which the exporta- 

 tion of wool, hides, and iron was, by an act of assembly (continued the three and 

 twentyeth of March, 1661-2) and under great penalties prohibited, and tbat act 

 strengthened by diverse others since, but noe successe answering the conceived 

 hopes and apparent losses accruing to all inhabitants by the refusal of those con- 

 cerned to buy the commodytes aforesaid « * * all acts tending to the restriction 

 of selling or exporting of any of the aforesaid commodities stand repealed and 

 everyone permitted to make the best he can of his owne commodity. 



