580 Assembly Proceedings, May 26-June 11, 1697.

L. H. J.

Inhabitants of the Lower Countyes on Delaway Bay and
Pensilvania. And indeed the low price which the planter hath
of late been constrained to accept of from the Merch' hath
obliged many here finding their Industry would not supply
their necessityes to try their fortunes else where to the appar-
ent and considerable diminution of the number of our Inhab-
itants compared with preceding years and lists.

p. 148

6^th Generally all the Inhabitants of this province being
Labourers are imployed in planting Tob^o except Coopers and
Carpenters, and some few that navigate Sloops and a very
Small number of other Artificers having relation to Tobacco all
which (excepted by estimation) make not above the 60^th part
of such Labourers.
7^th From this province to England is Exported Tob^o except
in inconsiderable Quantity of Furrs and Sassafrix Roots.
8^th This province hath little Traffique with any other his
Matys Colonyes in America or Elsewhere. And the little
traffique which is used is by exporting hence, porke, beefe,
pipe Staves, Timber and such like together with Wheate
flower and some small quantity of Tob^oto Barbadoes either by
small craft belonging to this province or to new England who
trade here for Rume, Sugar and Molassis most especially
some parcells of ffish and some inconsiderable Wooden Wares
of theire own Manufacture.
And this province hath no supply of any Woolen Manufac-
ture else where but from England except that of the native
woole of this province, our necessityes having taught us to
make some coarse Stockings for Servants and Slaves &c.
9^th The trade of this province ebbs and flowes according to
the rise and fall of tob^o in the Markett of England. But yet it
is manifest and apparent that universally less Cropps are made
of late then formerly, that is to say of Tob^o for that the most
and best land for that purpose is cleared and worne out which
indeed thereby becomes better for Tillage, And the late
grievous losses sustained by the death of Cattle hath suffici-
ently cautioned the inhabitants by Tillage to make better pro-
visions ag^t the late unusuall hard winters and to plant less
tob^o and especially the Country is in want of Servants and
Slaves.
10^th The present Method against illegall trade is to make
diligent Search and Enquiry after illegall Traders, and to have
present and Impartiall Justice done upon them when found
according to the Strictness of Law, tho'gh it be to the disad-
vantage of this only province, Such Traders (as we Suppose)
finding a more remiss prosecution in our Neighbouring Col-
onyes, so that we believe them all discouraged from frequent-
ing this province.