furs and skins. They had been three years out of Cadiz, in Spain, and were now bound home. We told them the first news of the peace, which rejoiced them. They were very civil, and paid well for what little things they had of us. Each galleon was about five hundred tons, and had forty guns a piece mounted, and full of men. Their reckoning and ours agreed very well together." * * * * * *
26th May, 1715.—About nine of the clock in the morning we saw the land, about twelve we were up with Cape Henry. I saw a ship bound for London, and sent a word by them to my father to say I was well.
27th.—We continued, wind being fair, and before night we passed over the horse-shoe, and by two in the morning we came by the wolf-trap, and about ten we entered the mouth of Potomac river, which is made by Virginia on the west side, and Maryland on the east side. The rivers here are the finest I ever was in; all the borders are covered with noble trees.
I have not been on shore as yet, but the planters, who have been on board, inform me that there is not much tobacco in the country this year.
28th.—In the morning, about ten of the clock, I landed in Virginia, and walked about four miles to the Collector's, one Mr. MacCartney, where I stayed till night, and then got a permit to land my things, which cost me an English crown. I inquired if my men would do well there, but I found no encouragement.
A guinea passes for twenty-six shillings, and all foreign coin goes by weight. An ounce of silver passes for six shillings and threepence, and four pennyweights of gold for twenty shillings.
