undred men, women and children, who had
fled from France on account of their religion.

Those who went over the first year, were advised to seat on a piece of
very rich land, about twenty miles above the falls of James river, on
the south side of the river; which land was formerly the seat of a great
and warlike nation of Indians, called the Manicans, none of which are
now left in those parts; but the land still retains their name, and is
called the Manican town.

The refugees that arrived the second year, went also first to the
Manican town, but afterwards upon some disagreement, several dispersed
themselves up and down the country; and those that have arrived since
have followed their example, except some few, that settled likewise at
the Manican town.

The assembly was very bountiful to those who remained at this town,
bestowing on them large donations, money and provisions for their
support; they likewise freed them from every public tax, for several
years to come, and addressed the governor to grant them a brief, to
entitle them to the charity of all well disposed persons throughout the
country; which together with the king's benevolence, supported them very
comfortably, till they could sufficiently supply themselves with
necessaries, which now they do indifferently well, and have stocks of
cattle and hogs.

The year 1702, they began an essay of wine, which they made of the wild
grapes gathered in the woods; the effect of which was a strong bodied
claret, of good flavor. I heard a gentleman, who tasted it, give it
great commendation. Now if such may be made of the wild vine in the
woods, without pruning, weeding, or removing it out of the shade, what
may not be produced from a vineyard skilfully cultivated? But I don't
hear that they have done any thing since towards it, being still very
poor, needy, and negligent.

CHAPTER XIV.

OF THE CURRENCY AND VALUATION OF COINS IN VIRGINIA.

Sec. 64. The coin which chiefly they have among them, is either gold, of
the stamp of Arabia, or silver and gold, of the stamp of France,
Portugal or the Spanish America: Spanish, French and Portuguese coined
silver is settled by law at three pence three farthings the pennyweight.
Gold of the same coin, and of Arabia, at five shillings the pennyweight.
English guineas at twenty-six shillings each, and the silver two pence
in every shilling advance, English old coin goes by weight as the other
gold and silver.

OF