nt, but overlooked their
right way of redress. All they could do was to cause looms and
workhouses to be set up in the several counties, at the county charge.
They renewed the rewards of silk, and put great penalties upon every
neglect of making flax and hemp. About this time they sustained some
damage by the Dutch war; for which reason they ordered the forts to be
rebuilt of brick. But having yet no true notion of the advantage of
towns, they did not oblige the ships to ride under them. Which thing
alone, well executed, would have answered all their desires.
Sec. 90. Sir William Berkeley, who was always contriving and industrious
for the good of the country, was not contented to set a useful example
at home, by the essays he made of potash, flax, hemp, silk, &c., but was
also resolved to make new discoveries abroad amongst the Indians.
For this end he employed a small company of about fourteen English, and
as many Indians, under the command of Captain Henry Batt, to go upon
such an adventure. They set out together from Appomattox, and in seven
days' march reached the foot of the mountains. The mountains they first
arrived at, were not extraordinary high or steep; but, after they had
passed the first ridge, they encountered others that seemed to reach the
clouds, and were so perpendicular and full of precipices, that sometimes
in a whole day's march, they could not travel three miles in a direct
line. In other places they found large level plains and fine savannas,
three or four miles wide, in which were an infinite quantity of turkies,
deer, elks and buffaloes, so gentle and undisturbed that they had no
fear at the appearance of the men, but would suffer them to come almost
within reach of their hands. There they also found grapes so
prodigiously large, that they seemed more like bullace than grapes. When
they traversed these mountains, they came to a fine level country again,
and discovered a rivulet that descended backwards. Down that stream they
travelled several days, till they came to old fields and cabins, where
the Indians had lately been, but were supposed to have fled at the
approach of Batt and his company. However, the captain followed the old
rule of leaving some toys in their cabins for them to find at their
return, by which they might know they were friends. Near to these cabins
were great marshes, where the Indians which Captain Batt had with him
made a halt, and would positively proceed no farther. Th
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