ding several years in trying to increase it, I found that it
was every day growing less. I found, after three years engaged in
farming, that my three thousand pounds was only worth two. I was told
that this sum would go much farther in America--that it would purchase
me a fine home--and, with thoughts of providing well for my family, I
embarked with my wife and children for New York.

"There I found the very man whom I wanted--that was, some one to advise
me how to begin life in the New World. My predilections were in favour
of agriculture; and these were encouraged by the advice of him whom I
had met. He told me that it would be unwise for me to lay out my money
upon new or uncleared land; as, with my want of experience as a farmer,
I would have to pay more for clearing it of its timber than the land
would be worth. `It would be better for you,' continued my new
acquaintance, `to buy a tract already cleared and fenced, with a good
house upon it, where you will be at home at once.'

"I admitted the truth of all this reasoning; but would my money be
sufficient for this? `Oh, yes,' answered he; and then he told me that
he `knew of a farm in the State of Virginia,'--a plantation, as he
called it, that would suit me exactly. It could be purchased for five
hundred pounds. With the remainder of my money I should be able to
stock it handsomely.

"After some farther conversation, I found that the plantation belonged
to himself. So much the better, thought I; and in the end I bought it
from him, and set out immediately after for my new home."

CHAPTER SIX.

THE VIRGINIA PLANTATION.

"I found the farm everything he had described it--a large plantation
with a good wooden house, and well-enclosed fields. I immediately set
about `stocking' it with my remaining cash. What was my surprise to
find that I must spend the greater part of this in _buying men_! Yes--
there was no alternative. There were no labourers to be had in the
place--except such as were slaves--and these I must either buy for
myself, or hire from their masters, which, in point of morality,
amounted to the same thing.

"Thinking that I might treat them with at least as much humanity, as
they appeared to receive from others, I chose the former course; and
purchasing a number of blacks, both men and women, I began life as a
planter. After such a bargain as that, I did not deserve to prosper;
and I did not prosper, as you shall see.

"My first