'to the Small-Pox, it was once in my Grandfathers 'time, and it could not be the English that could send 'it us then, there being no English in the Country, and 'it was once in my Fathers time, they could not send it

us then neither; and now it is in my time, I do not 'believe that they have sent it us now: I do believe it 'is the Man above that hath sent it us.

Some are apt to ask, How we can propose safely to live amongst such a Heathen People as the Indians, whose Principles and Practices leads them to War and Bloodshed, and our Principles and Practices leading us to love Enemies, and if reviled, not to revile again; and if smitten on the one cheek to turn the other, and we being a peaceable People, whose Principles and Practices are against Wars and Fightings?

I Answer: That we settled by the Indians consent and good liking, and bought the Land of them, that we settle on, which they conveyed to us by Deed under their Hands and Seals, and also submitted to several Articles of agreement with us, viz. Not to do us any Injury; but if it should so happen, that any of their People at any time should injure or do harm to any of us, then they to make us satisfaction for the Injury done; therefore if they break these Covenants and Agreements, then they may be proceeded against as other Offendors, viz. to be kept in subjection to the Magistrates Power, in whose hand the Sword of Justice is committed to be used by him, for the punish

ment of Evil-doers, and praise of them that do well; therefore I do believe it to be both lawful and expedient to bring Offendors to Justice by the power of the Magistrates Sword, which is not to be used in vain, but may be used against such as raise Rebellions and Insurrections against the Government of the Country, be they Indians or others, otherwise it is in vain for us to pretend to Magistracy or Government, it being that which we own to be lawful both in Principle and Practice.

Q. Whether there be not Bears, Wolves, and other Ravenous Beasts in the Country?

I Answer: Yes. But I have travell'd alone in the Country some hundreds of Miles, and by missing of my way have lain in the Woods all night, and yet I never saw any of those Creatures, nor have I heard that ever man, woman or child were hurt by them, they being afraid of Mankind; also, encouragement is given to both Indians and others to kill Wolves, they being paid for every Wolfs head that they bring to the Magistrate, the value of ten Shillings; and the Bears the Indians kill for the profit of their Skins, and sake of their Flesh, which they eat, and esteem better than Deers flesh.

Q. Whether there be not Snakes, more especially the Rattle-Snake?

Ans. Yes, but not many Rattle-Snakes, and they are easily discovered; for they commonly lie in the

Paths for the benefit of the Sun, & if any Person draws nigh them, they shake their Tail, on which the Rattles grow, which make a noise like a childs Rattle; I never heard of but one Person bitten in Pennsilvania or New-Jersey with the Rattle-Snake, and he was helpt of it by live Chickens slit assunder and apply'd to the place, which drew out the Poyson; and as to the other Snake, the most plentiful is a black Snake, its bite, 'tis said, does no more harm than the prick of a Pin.

I have mentioned before, that there are a sort of troublesom Flies call'd Musketoes (much like the Gnats in England) in the lower parts of the Country, where the great Marshes are, but in the upper parts of the Country seldom one is seen.

There are Crows and Black birds, which may be accounted amongst the inconveniences, they being destructive to the Indian Corn, the Crows by picking up the Corn just as its appearing in the blade above ground, and the Black-birds by eating it in the Year, before it be full hard, if not prevented by looking after; but other sorts of Corn they seldom hurt.

It is rational to believe, that all considerate Persons will sit down and count the cost before they begin to build; for they must expect to pass through a Winter before a Summer, but not so troublesom a Winter as many have imagined; for those that come there to settle now, may purchase Corn, Cattel, and other

72

PENNSYLVANIA AND NEW JERSEY.

things at the prices mentioned, and many have Houses in some of the Towns of Pennsilvania and New-Jersey on Rent, until they build for themselves, and WaterMills to grind their Corn, which are such Conveniences that we that went first partly missed of.

Thus, Kind Reader, I have given thee a true Description of Pennsilvania and New-Jersey, with the Rivers and Springs, Fish and Fowle, Beasts, Fruits, Plants, Corn and Commodities that it doth or may produce, with several other things needful for thee to know, as well Inconveniences as Conveniences, by which I keep clear of that just Reflection of such as are more apt to see faults in others, than to amend them in themselves.

.T. B.

W

Hereas I unavisedly published in Print a Paper (see note No. 19), dated the 13th of July, 1685. entituled, A true and perfect Account of the disposal of the one hundred Shares or Proprieties of the Province of West New-Jersey, by Edward Bylling: In which Paper I gave an Account of the purchasers Names, and the several Proprieties granted to them, part of which I took from the Register, the remainder from a List given in by Edward Bylling, to the Proprioters, as mentioned on the said Paper, which Paper I find hath proved Injurious to the aforesaid Edward Bylling, although not so intended by me. Therefore in order

to give him Satisfaction, and all others that are concerned, I do acknowledge he hath, since the publishing of that Paper, shewed me some Deeds, wherein he hath several Proprieties conveyed back to him again, from the original Purchasers and Judge, he may make good Titles to the same.

A Letter by Thomas Budd, sent to his Friends in Pennsilvania and New-Jersey.

Dear Friends;

You

our

Ou are often in my Remembrance, and at this time I feel the tender Bowels of our heavenly Father's Love flowing in my Heart towards you, in a sence of those great Exercises that many of you have, do and may meet withal in your Spiritual Travel towards the Land of Promise.

I am also sensible of the many Exercises and inward Combats that many of you met withal, after you felt an inclination in your Hearts of Transplanting your selves into America: Oh the Breathings and fervent Prayers, and earnest Desires that were in your Hearts to the Lord, That you might not go except it was his good Pleasure to remove you, for a purpose of his own: This you earnestly desired to be satisfied in, and many of you received satisfaction, that it was your places to