{Great Age Of Americans.}
I Had Heard (Before I Knew This New World) That The Natives Of America
Were A
Short-liv'd People, which, by all the Observations I could ever make,
proves quite contrary; for those who are born
Here, and in other Colonies,
live to as great Ages as any of the Europeans, the Climate being free
from Consumptions, which Distemper, fatal to England, they are Strangers to.
And as the Country becomes more clear'd of Wood, it still becomes
more healthful to the Inhabitants, and less addicted to the Ague;
which is incident to most new Comers into America from Europe,
yet not mortal. A gentle Emetick seldom misses of driving it away,
but if it is not too troublesome, 'tis better to let the Seasoning have
its own Course, in which case, the Party is commonly free from it ever after,
and very healthful.
And now, as to the other Advantages the Country affords,
we cannot guess at them at present, because, as I said before,
the best Part of this Country is not inhabited by the English,
from whence probably will hereafter spring Productions that this Age
does not dream of, and of much more Advantage to the Inhabitants
than any things we are yet acquainted withal: And as for
several Productions of other Countries, much in the same Latitude,
we may expect, with good Management, they will become familiar to us,
as Wine, Oil, Fruit, Silk, and other profitable Commodities,
such as Drugs, Dyes, &c. And at present the Curious may have
a large Field to satisfy and divert themselves in, {Collections.}
as Collections of strange Beasts, Birds, Insects, Reptiles,
Shells, Fishes, Minerals, Herbs, Flowers, Plants, Shrubs, intricate Roots,
Gums, Tears, Rozins, Dyes, and Stones, with several other that yield
Satisfaction and Profit to those, whose Inclinations tend that Way.
And as for what may be hop'd for, towards a happy Life and Being,
by such as design to remove thither, I shall add this;
That with prudent Management, I can affirm, by Experience, not by Hear-say,
That any Person, with a small Beginning, may live very comfortably,
and not only provide for the Necessaries of Life, but likewise for those
that are to succeed him; {Provisions very cheap.} Provisions being
very plentiful, and of good Variety, to accommodate genteel House-keeping;
and the neighbouring Indians are friendly, and in many Cases
serviceable to us, in making us Wares to catch Fish in, for a small matter,
which proves of great Advantage to large Families, because those Engines take
great Quantities of many Sorts of Fish, that are very good and nourishing:
{Indians Hunters.} Some of them hunt and fowl for us at reasonable Rates,
the Country being as plentifully provided with all Sorts of Game,
as any Part of America; the poorer Sort of Planters often get them
to plant for them, by hiring them for that Season, or for so much Work,
which commonly comes very reasonable. Moreover, it is remarkable,
That no Place on the Continent of America, has seated an English Colony
so free from Blood-shed, as Carolina; but all the others have been
more damag'd and disturb'd by the Indians, than they have;
which is worthy Notice, when we consider how oddly it was first planted
with Inhabitants.
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