t came in, a Dutch man-of-warre that
sold us twenty negars."

Most writers are of the opinion that this was in 1620, one of whom
says "in the same year that the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth, slaves
landed in Virginia." Another writer says of the introduction of slave
labor into the Plantations,
"Is there not a probability that the
vessel was under control of Argall, if not the ship
Treasurer? If twenty negroes came in 1619, as alleged, their
increase was very slow, for according to a census of 16th of
February, 1624, there were but twenty-two then in the
colony, distributed as follows: eleven at Flourdiew Hundred,
three at James City, one at James Island, one at the
plantation opposite James City, four at Warisquoyok, and two
at Elizabeth City."

About the same time that "negars" landed in the colony, commenced the
arrival of starving boys and girls picked up out of the streets of
London. The "negars" are described as follows by an early writer of
the colony.
"The negroes live in small cottages called quarters, in
about six in a gang, under the direction or an overseer or
baliff; who takes care that they tend such land as the owner
allots and orders, upon which they raise Hogs and Cattle,
plant Indian Corn (or maize) and Tobacco for the use of
their Master; out of which the overseer has a dividend (or
share) in proportion to the number of hands including
himself; this with several privileges in his salary, and is
an ample recompense for his pains, and encouragement of his
industrious care, as to the labor, health, and provision of
the negroes. The negroes are very numerous, some gentlemen
having hundreds of them of all sorts, to whom they bring
great profit; for the sake of which they are obliged to keep
them well, and not overwork, starve, or famish them, besides
other inducements to favor them, which is done in a great
degree, to such especially that are laborious, careful, and
honest; though indeed some Masters, careless of their own
interest and reputation, are too cruel and negligent.

"The negroes are not only increased by fresh supplies from
Africa and the West India Islands, but also are very
prolific among themselves; and they that are born there talk
good English, and effect our language, habits, and customs;
and