The Negroes are not only encreased by fresh supplies from Africa
and the West India Islands, but also are very prolific among themselves;
and they that are born here talk good English and affect our Language,
Habits and Customs . . . . Their work or Chimerical (hard Slavery) is not
very laborious; their greatest Hardship consisting in that they and their
Posterity are not at their own Liberty or Disposal, but are the Property of
their Owners; and when they are free they know not how to provide so well
for themselves generally; neither did they live so plentifully nor (many of
them) so easily in their own Country where they are made Slaves to one
another, or taken Captive by their Ennemies."*
* It is an English clergyman, the Reverend Hugh Jones, who is writing ("The
Present State of Virginia") in the year 1724. He writes and never sees
that, though every amelioration be true, yet there is here old Inequity.
The white Virginians lived both after the fashion of England and after
fashions made by their New World environment. They are said to have been in
general a handsome folk, tall, well-formed, and with a ready and courteous
manner. They were great lovers of riding, and of all country life, and few
folk in the world might overpass them in hospitality. They were genial,
they liked a good laugh, and they danced to good music. They had by nature
an excellent understanding. Yet, thinks at least the Reverend Hugh Jones,
they "are generally diverted by Business or Inclination from profound
Study, and prying into the Depth of Things .
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