86 BACON'S ESSAYS 



with some counsel ; and let them have commission to 

 exercise martial laws, with some limitation. And above 

 all, let men make that profit of being in the wilderness, as 

 they have God always, and his service, before their eyes. 

 Let not the government of the plantation depend upon too 

 many counsellors and undertakers in the country that 

 planteth, but upon a temperate number ; and let those be 

 rather noblemen and gentlemen, than merchants ; for they 

 look ever to the present gain. Let there be freedoms 

 from custom, till the plantation be of strength ; and not 

 only freedom from custom, but freedom to carry their 

 commodities where they may make their best of them, 

 except there be some special cause of caution. Cram not 

 in people, by sending too fast company after company ; 

 but rather harken how they waste, and send supplies pro- 

 portionably ; but so as the number may live well in the 

 plantation, and not by surcharge be in penury. 



It hath been a great endangering to the health of some 

 plantations, that they have built along the sea and rivers, 

 in marish and unwholesome grounds. Therefore, though 

 you begin there, to avoid carriage and other like discom- 

 modities, yet build still rather upwards from the streams, 

 than along. It concerneth likewise the health of the 

 plantation that they have good store of salt with them, 

 that they may use it in their victuals when it shall be 

 necessary. If you plant where savages are, do not only 

 entertain them with trifles and gingles ; but use them 

 justly and graciously, with sufficient guard nevertheless ; 

 and do not win their favour by helping them to invade 

 their enemies, but for their defence it is not amiss ; and 

 send oft of them over to the country that plants, that they 

 may see a better condition than their own, and commend 

 it when they return. When the plantation grows to 

 strength, then it is time to plant with women as well as 

 with men; that the plantation may spread into generations, 

 and not be ever pieced from without. It is the sinfullest 

 thing in the world to forsake or destitute a plantation once 

 in forwardness ; for besides the dishonour, it is the guilti- 

 ness of blood of many commiserable persons. 



