years old, exceeded the number under
sixteen in all the northern and middle
states, including Maryland. In the south-
ern states there was a difference in fa-
vour of those under sixteen, and this dif-
ference was greater in North Carolina
than in any other state, except Kentucky,
This difference might be explained by
supposing that the duration of human
life is shorter in the southern states, and
that sixteen years is nearer the middle
of the general extent; but this solution
cannot be admitted, because in the most
healthy parts of the southern states, the
difference was greatest in favour of the
class under sixteen. The greater propor-
tion of people below sixteen must be the
combined effect of early marriage and a
good climate. Families are easily sup-
ported where the lands are good, and
the winters mild. In this case people
marry young, and have many children:
NORTH CAROLINA. 209
but early marriage alone will not pro-
duce a great proportion of children when
compared to that of grown persons, be-
cause sickly climates are not less fatal to
infants than to those who are more ad-
vanced in years. This distinction is
fully supported by the census in North
Carolina. The number of males in the
whole state, below sixteen, was to that
above sixteen, nearly as eleven to ten;
but this difference cannot be the effect
of early marriage alone, or the facility of
maintaining a family; it depends very
much on the salubrity of the climate.
People live in the district of Edenton
with more ease than in the district of
Salisbury; for their cattle require less
feeding in winter,* and they have a plen-
* The flat lands near the coast, except such of them as
are composed of sand, are generally covered by a thick
growth of canes. The leaves of this plant are green all
winter. They are long and succulent, and cattle in ge-
neral are greatly attached to them.
vol. it. 2 n
210 THE HISTORY OF
tiful supply of fish; but the proportion of
persons under sixteen, was to that above
sixteen, in Salisbury district, compared
to that in Edenton district, nearly as
three to one. In Salisbury district there
were fifteen thousand eight hundred and
twenty-six males under sixteen, and thir-
teen thousand nine hundred and eight
above sixteen. The difference is nearly
equal to a seventh part of the whole
number of the older class. In Edenton
district, the number of males under six-
teen, was eight thousand six hundred and
ninety-six, and the number above six-
teen, was eight thousand three hundred
and ninety-four. The difference being less
than a twenty-seventh part of the num-
ber of the older class. This remarkable
excess, in favour of Salisbury district,
can only be explained by the greater sa-
lubrity of the climate. There are some
very old people in the western parts of
Carolina, but they were not born in that
NORTH CAROLINA. 211
country; they are older than the settle-
ment. After the country shall have been
planted two or three centuries, and the
natives shall have attained the length of
years that corresponds with the climate,
a greater proportion of 9 the inhabitants
above sixteen years will doubtless be
found.
There is not a state in the Union so
fortunate as North Carolina in the variety
of its staple. Wheat, barley, rye, and
every other grain that is produced in
the northern states, grow here in great
perfection. The rice of this state is also
of the best quality. The Indian corn, in
this state, is not so heavy as that which
crows to the northward, but it is much
sweeter: it is cultivated Avith more ease,
and in greater abundance.* "White oak
* There are five ports of entry in North Carolina, viz.
Edenton, Cambden, Washington, Newbern, and Wil-
212 THE HISTORY OF
trees, for making pipe and hogshead
staves, are much taller and clearer from
knots than what are usually found to the
northward; and the thick extensive forests
of juniper and cypress for making shin-
gles, can hardly be exhausted. The large
tracts of sandy barren land, that in other
countries would be deemed worthless,
are covered in Carolina with trees of
pitch pine, (pinus echenata) fit for boards;
or trees of a smaller size, that yield a
mington; formerly called Port Roanoke, Currituck, Bath,
Beaufort, and Brunswick. The average exports for the
years 1785, 6, 7, and 8, were nearly as follows,.
20 millions of shingles,
2 millions of staves and heading,
5 millions feet of boards and scantling,
100,000 barrels of tar, pitch, and turpentine.
The exports from the port of Edenton alone for the
year 1787, beside pork, bacon, wheat, flaxseed, hides, deer
skins, snake root, beeswax, furs, and tobacco, were
134,107 bushels of Indian corn,
8,924 bushels of pease,
5,328 barrels of herrings.
NORTH CAROLINA . 213
plentiful crop of tar.* While we contem-
plate the advantages that are enjoyed hy
* It is well known that Carolina tar is in great disre-
pute in foreign countries. Pipe and hogshead staves are
in the same predicament. They bring little more than
half price. This does not proceed from any fault in the
materials of which they are made, but from a defect in
the inspection laws, and a culpable negligence in the
makers. White oak trees, that abound in the flat lands,
are remarkably tall and free from knots. The skeletons
of decayed pine trees are fitted to produce tar at least
equal to any that comes from Russia or Sweden. But men
who begin to work in a careless manner are not easily
reformed. Hence it is, that the exports of a country have
seldom acquired a good character, except by the diligent
attention of government. The inspection laws are little
regarded in Carolina; for the inspectors, instead of being
broke by giving their sanction to imperfect produce, are
apt to court popularity by passing the worst that comes.
A small defect in the length or thickness of a stave is not
regarded, although they know that such defect must be
fatal in a foreign market.
When Carolina tar is landed in Europe, the external
appearance of the barrel is disgusting, but the contents
are supposed to be worse. A barrel of tar from the Baltic
is delivered in England or France as neat and clean as a
barrel of beef or pork; but the Carolina barrel is covered
214 THE HISTORY OF
the citizens of this state, and the facility
with which the planter may support his
and colored with tar. The leakage however is not the only
tax on the shipper, for it is supposed to contain some gal-
lons of sand, chips, pine leaves, and water. This may not
be true of every barrel; but the inspectors in England es-
timate and mark the sufifiosed quantity in each barrel, ac-
cording to the rule they have taken from the general de-
fects; and nothing but a complete reformation in our tar
burners, will compel them to do otherwise. In France bur
tar is generally condemned. An attempt was made, after
the American revolution, under the patronage of a French
nobleman, to introduce American tar into France. But the
tar shipped on that experiment, was so filthy that it did
not pay expenses. The tar burner in Carolina performs
every operation in the most hasty and slovenly manner.
He works now, as he formerly did, when there was a
bounty on tar; a bounty that respected the number of bar-
rels, not the quality of the tar. His tar kiln is usually
built upon light sandy land. The builder will not line the
trench with tempered mortar, that conveys the tar to the
external cistern. And the cistern itself, instead of being
a tight wooden vessel, is nothing more than a large hole
dug in the sandy ground. The operator is aware that he
loses much tar by his negligence, but he supplies the
loss by the addition of sand. A poor expedient, for every
pint of sand wUl condemn a gallon of tar. Clean tar should
NORTH CAROLINA. 015
family and become independent, it is not
to be dissembled that in many cases the
industry or prudence of individuals is not
proportioned to their means of acquiring
property. The first settlers availed them-
selves of a temperate climate and luxuri-
ous range; they had little occasion to feed
be shipped in tight barrels; but the Carolina tar barrels
are extremely defective. They are always made of soft
wood, and that wood, in many cases, is not seasoned. The
heading is badly fitted, and the barrel leaks at every
joint. Let us calculate the loss of tar at the first cooper-
age, when it is shipped in Carolina; the second loss be-
fore it is shipped in a northern port, and the subsequent
leakage on its passage to Europe. To this we must add
the owner's loss, by paying freight for barrels that are
not full, and the subsequent deduction, perhaps twenty per
cent., from the apparent remainder, upon the supposition
that it is not clean. All these deductions being made, it
will appear, that Carolina tar, by obstinate perseverance
in bad habits, is more than half of it lost.
Defects in the barreling of pork, are also very injurious
to the North Carolina planter. He suffers by bad habits
and a bad inspection; for mast and corn being very abun-
dant in Carolina, their pork ought to bring the best in-
stead of the worst price.
216 THE HISTORY OF
or shelter their stock. By the want of
constant employment they become inat-
tentive to their farms or their cattle. As
the settlements increase the range de-
creases and the soil is exhausted.* But
old customs prevail, and the present race
of planters are not sufficiently careful to
obviate the effects that naturally arise
* While new lands could be taken in at discretion, the
planter never took the trouble of manuring his field.
While food for his stock was plenty in the woods, he
never thought of sowing his fields with clover or other
succulent grass for pasture. He did not consider that
such grass is equally profitable to the soil and the stock.
His labor is now increased in cultivating more land, than
otherwise would have been sufficient. The first planters
never housed their cattle. And though cattle at present,
are not raised with so much ease as formerly, there is
not a planter in ten Avho provides shelters for his neat
cattle; and a great proportion of them do not provide dry
stables for their horses. They are not aware, that by
sheltering their stock from stormy weather and cold rains,
they would have larger cattle, and those cattle would
thrive upon two thirds of the food they now consume.
They would gain much by a little care.
NORTH CAROLINA. 217
from the increase of settlers and decrease
of range.
Navigable rivers are so numerous
through all the flat country, that vessels
are tempted to load in a hundred places;
and the want of any port, that can be ap-
proached by vessels of a large burden, has
prevented the commerce of the state from
being drawn to a particular point. Hence
it is that no large city has ever risen nor
is ever likely to obtain celebrity in the
state: a circumstance that is balanced by
some advantages. It retards the increase
of luxury and the rivalship in folly. The
smaller vessels that enter the inlets on
the coast are fitted for the West India
commerce; and the "produce of the flat
country, the naval stores excepted, is
generally fitted for the same market.
By the want of large towns, and by the
sparse settlements along the public roads,
that are usually conducted along the high-
VOL. II. 2 E
218 THE HISTORY OF
est and poorest land, strangers are usu-
ally deceived concerning the population,
wealth and importance of the state.
i
Although it appears, hy the face of
the map, that Carolina is well watered
by numerous rivers that run through
the state, yet those rivers are of little
use in promoting the commerce of the
greater number of the inhabitants. The
Yadkin, Catawba and Broad rivers, that
originate in the mountains, pass into
South Carolina, and are of little use for
transporting produce. Clarendon, ISTeus
and Tar rivers have their sources near
the borders of Virginia; Roanoke origi-
nates in the mountains. This river is na-
vigated by boats that carry one hundred
and fifty or two hundred barrels from
Albemarle sound to Halifax. Clarendon
is navigated by similar boats from tide
water to Fayette ville; Neus to Kingston;
and Tar river to Tarborough. The delays
NORTH CAROLINA. 219
however of this tedious river naviga-
tion, which terminates in small towns,
of little trade, interferes exceedingly with
the objects of the planter. Hence it fol-
lows, that the greater part of the tobacco,
flour, and pork from the high grounds,
in the eastern part of the state, are sent
to Virginia; and the produce from the
western part of the state, is sent to
Charleston in South Carolina. Hence too
it follows, that the customhouse books, in
North Carolina, give a very imperfect
account of the produce and exports of the
From this short account of the imper-
fect state of commerce, in the most
healthy and fertile part of the country,
the reader will discover how probable it
is that the citizens of North Carolina, in
a short time, will turn their attention to
domestic manufactures. There is not, as
we conceive, a state in the Union better
220 THE HISTORY OF
calculated, few of them are so well calcu-
lated, as North Carolina for increasing
their wealth by extensive manufactures.
All the necessary materials for manu-
factures are found in the state; and pro-
visions are remarkably cheap. In the flat
country, near the coast, there is a want of
running streams, and machinery, for sav-
ing labor, cannot be wrought by water;
but people who live in the middle and
upper part of the state have a plentiful
supply of small streams, fit for mills and
for machinery of every kind. Those peo-
ple can support their laborers at a small
expense; for many of them live above
one hundred miles from a shipping port.
Hence it follows, that Indian corn, of
which they raise large crops with little
labor, and other provisions, may be pur-
chased among them for little more than
half their value on the coast. The raw
materials that are used in the chief manu-
factures are produced in the state. They
NORTH CAROLINA. 221
have iron ore in abundance, and the iron
is excellent in quality. Flax grows well
in the state, and the wool of their sheep
is of a good quality. It is hardly necessa-
ry to observe, that they raise, or can
raise, in every part of the state, all the
cotton they can use in the most exten-
sive manufactories. It is certainly to be
presumed, that people who live in a
healthy climate where provisions are re-
markably cheap, who are well supplied
with good streams of water that are
easily managed, and who have an ample
supply of all the raw materials, will avail
themselves of those advantages. It is to
be presumed, we say; for the Moravians,
who are remarkably prudent and indus-
trious, have lately made considerable pro-
gress in the manufacture of cotton; and
in the course of the last year, (18 It)
several gentlemen in the low country,
where they work under great disadvan-
tages, have introduced machines for
222 THE HISTORY OF, &c.
spinning cotton. This spirit, as we infer
from the manner in which it spreads,
will soon pervade the community: a cir-
cumstance that must produce a balance
of trade in favor of the state.
Lime stone is not found in any part of
North Carolina near the coast, but there
is a belt of lime stone that crosses the
state, a few miles to the northward of
the Moravian settlement. It runs near-
ly parallel to the mountains.
PROOFS AND EXPLANATIONS.
R.
PAGE 8.
Extract from Depositions taken before the court of Ad-
miralty, for hearing and determining Piracy, for the
colony of Virginia; for the trial of James Blake and
others, late of the crew of Edward Theach.
Basilica Hand, late master of the sloop Adventure,
commanded by Edward Theach, sworn, says: That in
the month of August 1717, he was on board when they
took two French ships; all the prisoners were put on
board of one of the ships, which was plundered of some
cocoa and sent off. The other ship was brought into
North Carolina, called a wreck. That soon after
Theach's arrival at Ocacoke inlet, he went in a peri-
auger with four of the prisoners to Mr. Tobias Knight's,
secretary of North Carolina, carrying with him a pre-
sent of chocolate, loaf sugar and sweetmeats; being part
of what they had taken from on board the French ships.
And that upon Theach's return from Mr. Knight's the
deponent saw divers goods brought in the periauger,
which Theach said he bought in the country, but which
he since understands he had taken by robbery from
324 PROOFS AND EXPLANATIONS.
Willian Bell. The four prisoners being interrogated, say
that they went as alleged to the house of Tobias
Knight, with three or four kegs of loaf sugar, &c.
That three miles below Knight's, at Chester's landing,
they boarded a periauger, which they robbed of a cask
of brandy or rum, some linen, &c.
N. B. Those four prisoners were all negroes.
William Bell, of the precinct of Currituck, swore,
That being on board his periauger at Chester's landing,
in Pamlico river, 14th of September last, a periauger
passed him standing up the river; that a little before
day the same periauger returned and rowed on board.
That a white man, whom he since learned was Edward
Theach, boarded him and commanded him to tell him
where his money was. That the deponent asked who
he was, and whence he came? He replied, he came
from hell, where he would carry him presently. That
Theach called for his sword, and the deponent laid hold
of him. Theach called for assistance; and having opened
his chest he took from it his pistols, and sixty-six
pounds in cash; robbed him also of a piece of crape, a box
of pipes, a barrel of brandy, and several other things, and
a remarkable silver cup, since found in Theach's ves-
sel. The robber towed his periauger into the middle of
the river, threw over his sails and oars, and proceeded.
That he verily believes Theach had intelligence of his
having money, otherwise he would have passed by in
PROOFS AND EXPLANATIONS.
225
returning from, as he did in going to, Mr. Knight's,
without concerning himself with the periauger.
N. B. William Bell's oath should be suspected. He could
not know that Theach had been at Knight's.
Vol. II.
2F
226 PROOFS AND EXPLANATIONS
R. r.
PAGE 9.
Copy of a letter found in T/ieach's possession when he
was killed.
my friend, November 17, 1717.
If this finds you in the harbor, I would have you
make the best of your way up as soon as possible your
affairs will let you. I have something more to say to
you than at present I can write. The bearer will tell you
the end of our Indian war, and Ganet can tell you in
part what I have to say to you, so refer you in some
measure to him.
T really think those three men are heartily sorry at
their difference with you, and will be very willing to
ask your pardon. If I may advise, be friends again; its
better so than falling out among yourselves. I expect
the governor this night or to-morrow, who I believe
would be likewise glad to see you before you go. I have
not time to add, save my hearty respects to you, and
am your real friend,
T. KNIGHT.
Edward Chamberlain, being examined before the
governor and council of North Carolina, concerning
PROOFS AND EXPLANATIONS.
227
the visit Theach was supposed to have made to Knight,
swore:
That he had constantly resided at the house of Tobias
Knight since the latter end of August last. He was
there the fourteenth of September, and for several days
before and after. Is positive that no person came into
Knight's house that night; and that Knight was in too
bad a state of health to go out. That he was then par-
ticularly watchful on account of an alarm from the
Indians. That he heard Bell examined before Knight,
who then suspected Thomas Udney and Richard Spel-
ling for two of the company, all the others being negroes
or disguised like negroes. He never knew that Knight
or any of his family received any presents from Theach,
except a gun worth about forty shillings.
N. B. This man appears also to have sworn to an un-
truth, for Theach must have been frequently at Knight's,
and made him other presents than a small gun.
I
228 PROOFS AND EXPLANATIONS,
S.
PAGE 16.
Extracts from the Docket of the General Court.
1724, March 3\st. Court sitting at Edenton.
Joseph Castleton was indicted for defamation of go-
vernor Burrington, saying, " He was a damned rogue
and villain, and that he had beat and abused a man who
came to him for justice."
1726, March 29th. Court sittoig at Edenton.
George Burrington was indicted, for that on the
fifteenth of November 1725, he seditiously and mali-
ciously aspersed governor Everard, at Edenton, saying,
that " He was no more fit for a governor than a hog,"
and that, " he was a noodle and an ape."
Also, that on the second of December 1725, he riot-
ously with others knocked at the door of sir Richard
Everard in the night time, bidding him, " come out for
a calf-head," and threatening to scalp his " damned
thick skull," saying also, that В« he was no more fit for
a governor than Sancho Pansa."
PROOFS AND EXPLANATIONS. 229
At the same Court.
George Burrington was indicted, for that on the fourth
of January 1725, in the night, he assaulted Thomas
Parris, of Edenton, breaking his windows, and threaten-
ing to kill Adam Cockburn, a lodger in his house.
At the same Court.
George Burrington was indicted, for that about the
second of December 1725, with Cornelius Harnet of
Chowan and others, in the night he assaulted the house
of sir Richard Everard and also the house of Joseph
Young, constable; broke open the doors and beat him,
affrighted his wife (so as to endanger her life), and as-
saulted James Porter who came to the relief of Joseph
Young; also assaulted and broke into the house of
Thomas Parrish and abused him.
At the same Court.
George Burrington was indicted, for that about the
fourth of March 1725, at Bath, he did assault Robert
Kenyon and threaten to burn his house; and did assault
and beat Robert Rawle esq. the provost marshal, who
attempted to preserve the peace, and afterwards sent
him a challenge.
Burrington being bound by recognizance, appears by
James B. Ashe, his attorney, and prayed day till next
230 PROOFS AND EXPLANATIONS.
court to answer; and it is ordered that he have a copy
of his several indictments.
At a Court, iJfc. October 25th, 1726.
George Burrington did not appear to take his trial.
James B. Ashe offering to plead for him, was refused by
the court unless he entered special bail.
Alias and Pluries writs issued to compel the appear-
ance of George Burrington.
1728, October 29th. At a Court, Vc.
An order was received from the governor and coun-
cil, by the attorney general, to enter a * noli prosequi,"
in the cases of prosecutions pending against George
Burrington, Cornelius Harnet, Edmd. Porter, Thomas
Blount, Sec.
PROOFS AND EXPLANATIONS. 231
PAGE 21.
Proposals for adjusti?ig the Dispute between the Colony
of Virginia and North Carolina; concerning their true
boundary. Approved of by his Majesty in Council)
28th March 1727.
That from the mouth of Currituck river, setting the
compass on the north shore thereof, a due west line shall
be run and fairly marked; and if it happens to cut Cho-
wan river between the mouths of Nottoway river and
Wiccacon's creek, then shall the same direct course be
continued towards the mountains, and be ever deemed
the dividing line between Virginia and Carolina.
That if the said west line cuts Chowan river to the
southward of Wiccacon's creek, then from that point of
intersection the bounds shall be allowed to continue up
the middle of Chowan river to* the middle of the entrance
into said Wiccacon's creek, and from thence a due west
line shall divide the two governments.
That if said west line cuts Black Water river to the
northward of Nottoway river, then from the point of
intersection the bounds shall be allowed to continue
232 PROOFS AND EXPLANATIONS.
down the middle of said Black Water river to the middle
of the entrance into said Nottoway river, and from thence
a due west line shall divide the two governments.
That if a due west line shall be found to pass through
islands, or to cut out small slips of land, which might
much more conveniently be included in the one province
or other by natural water bounds, in such case the per-
sons appointed for running the line shall have power to