mpton, Gangascoe, which is almost as numerous as all the
foregoing nations put together.

In Prince George Wyanoke is extinct.

In Charles City Appomattox is extinct.

In Surry. Nottawayes, which are about a hundred bowmen, of late a
thriving and increasing people.

By Nansemond. Meherrin has about thirty bowmen, who keep at a stand.

Nansemond. About thirty bowmen. They have increased much of late.

In King William's county two. Pamunky has about forty bowmen, who
decrease.

Chickahominy, which had about sixteen bowmen, but lately increased.

In Essex. Rappahannock extinct.

In Richmond. Port Tobacco extinct.

In Northumberland. Wiccomocca has but few men living, which yet keep up
their kingdom and retain their fashion, yet live by themselves, separate
from all other Indians, and from the English.

Sec. 49. Thus I have given a succinct account of the Indians; happy, I
think, in their simple state of nature, and in their enjoyment of
plenty, without the curse of labor. They have on several accounts reason
to lament the arrival of the Europeans, by whose means they seem to have
lost their felicity as well as their innocence. The English have taken
away great part of their country, and consequently made everything less
plentiful amongst them. They have introduced drunkenness and luxury
amongst them, which have multiplied their wants, and put them upon
desiring a thousand things they never dreamt of before. I have been the
more concise in my account of this harmless people, because I have
inserted several figures, which I hope have both supplied the defect of
words, and rendered the descriptions more clear. I shall, in the next
place, proceed to treat of Virginia as it is now improved, (I should
rather say altered,) by the English, and of its present constitution and
settlement.

OF THE PRESENT STATE OF VIRGINIA.

AS THIS BOOK MUST CONSIST OF TWO PARTS, FIRST, THE POLITY OF THE
GOVERNMENT; SECONDLY, THE HUSBANDRY AND IMPROVEMENTS OF THE
COUNTRY; I SHALL HANDLE THEM SEPARATELY.

BOOK IV.

PART I.

OF THE CIVIL POLITY AND GOVERNMENT OF VIRGINIA.

CHAPTER I.

OF THE CONSTITUTION OF GOVERNMENT IN VIRGINIA.

Sec. 1. I have already hinted, that the first settlement of this country
was under the direction of a company of merchants incorporated.

That the first constitution of government appointed by them was a
president and council, which council was nominated by the corporation or
com