n the same bay, producing the same sort of commodities, and being
fallen into the same unhappy form of settlements, altogether upon
country seats, without towns. Virginia, thus considered, is bounded on
the south by North Carolina, on the north by Potomac river, which
divides it from Maryland, on the east by the main ocean, called the
Virginia seas, and on the west and northwest by the Californian sea,
whenever the settlements shall be extended so far, or now by the river
Mississippi.

This part of Virginia, now inhabited, if we consider the improvements in
the hands of the English, it cannot upon that score be commended; but if
we consider its natural aptitude to be improved, it may with justice be
accounted one of the finest countries in the world. Most of the natural
advantages of it, therefore, I shall endeavor to discover, and set in
their true light, together with its inconveniences, and afterwards
proceed to the improvements.

CHAPTER II.

OF THE WATERS.

Sec. 4. The largeness of the bay of Chesapeake, I have mentioned already.
From one end of it to the other, there is good anchorage, and so little
danger of a wreck, that many masters, who have never been there before,
venture up to the head of the bay, upon the slender knowledge of a
common sailor. But the experience of one voyage teaches any master to go
up afterwards without a pilot.

Besides this bay, the country is watered with four great rivers, viz:
James, York, Rappahannock, and Potomac rivers, all which are full of
convenient and safe harbors. There are also abundance of lesser rivers,
many of which are capable of receiving the biggest merchant ships, viz:
Elizabeth river, Nansemond, Chickahominy, Pocoson, Pamunkey, Mattapony,
(which two last are the two upper branches of York river,) North river,
Eastermost river, Corotoman, Wiccocomoco, Pocomoke, Chissenessick,
Pungotegue, and many others. But because they are so well described in
the large maps of Virginia, I shall forbear any farther description of
them.

These rivers are of such convenience, that for almost every half dozen
miles of their extent, there is a commodious and safe road for a whole
fleet, which gives opportunity to the masters of ships to lie up and
down straggling, according as they have made their acquaintance, riding
before that gentleman's door where they find the best reception, or
where 'tis most suitable to their business.

Sec. 5. These rivers are made up by the