dangers incident to infant settlements were
over, people of better condition retired thither with their families,
either to increase the estates they had before, or else to avoid being
persecuted for their principles of religion or government.

Thus, in the time of the rebellion in England, several good cavalier
families went thither with their effects, to escape the tyranny of the
usurper, or acknowledgement of his title. And so again, upon the
restoration, many people of the opposite party took refuge there, to
shelter themselves from the king's resentment. But Virginia had not many
of these last, because that country was famous for holding out the
longest for the royal family, of any of the English dominions. For
which reason the Roundheads went, for the most part, to New England, as
did most of those that in the reign of King Charles II were molested on
account of their religion, though some of these fell likewise to the
share of Virginia. As for malefactors condemned to transportation, tho'
the greedy planter will always buy them, yet it is to be feared they
will be very injurious to the country, which has already suffered many
murders and robberies, the effect of that new law of England.

CHAPTER XVI.

OF THE BUILDINGS OF VIRGINIA.

Sec. 68. There are three fine public buildings in this country, which are
said to be the most magnificent of any in the English America: one of
which is the college before spoken of, another the capitol or state
house, as it was formerly called; that is, the house for convention of
the general assembly, for the sitting of the general court, for the
meeting of the council, and for keeping of their several offices,
belonging to them.

Not far from this, is also built the public prison of the country for
criminals, which is a large and convenient structure, with partitions
for the different sexes, and distinct rooms for petty offenders. To this
is also annexed a convenient yard to air the criminals in, for the
preservation of their life and health, till the time of their trial; and
at the end of that, another prison for debtors.

The third is a house for the governor, not the largest, but by far the
most beautiful of all the others. It was granted by the assembly in
Governor Nott's time, begun in President Jennings' time, but received
its beauty and conveniency for the many alterations and decorations, of
the present governor, Colonel Spotswood; who, to the lasting honor and