The Fortunes and Misfortunes of the famous Moll Flanders Read Online

Yes said I, it was I indeed, then I told him the particulars which I had observ'd of him there. Why then said he, it was you that sav'd my Life at that time, and I am glad I owe my Life to you, for I will pay the Debt to you now, and I'll deliver you from the present Condition you are in, or I will die in the attempt.

I told him by no means; it was a Risque too great, not worth his running the hazzard of, and for a Life not worth his saving; 'twas no matter for that, he said, it was a Life worth all the World to him; a Life that had given him a new Life; for, says he, I was never in real Danger, but that time; till the last Minute when I was taken: Indeed his Danger then lay in his believing he had not been pursu'd that way; for they had gone off from Hockley quite another way, and had come over the enclos'd Country into Brickhill, and were sure they had not been seen by any Body.

Here he gave a long History of his Life, which indeed would make a very strange History, and be infinitely diverting: He told me that he took the Road about twelve Year before he marry'd me; that the Woman which call'd him Brother, was not any Kin to him; but one that belong'd to their Gang, and who keeping Correspondence with them, liv'd always in Town, having great Acquaintance, that she gave them perfect Intelligence of Persons going out of Town, and that they had made several good Booties by her Correspondence; that she thought she had fix'd a Fortune for him, when she brought me to him, but happen'd to be Disappointed, which he really could not blame her for: That, if I had had an Estate, which she was inform'd I had, he had resolv'd to leave off the Road, and live a new Life, but never to appear in Publick till some general Pardon had been pass'd, or 'till he could, for Money, have got his Name into some particular Pardon, so that he might have been perfectly easy, but that as it had prov'd otherwise he was oblig'd to take up the old Trade again.

He gave a long Account of some of his Adventures, and particularly one, where he robb'd the West Chester Coaches, near Litchfield, when he got a very great Booty; and after that, how he robb'd five Grasiers, in the West, going to Burford Fair in Wiltshire to buy Sheep; he told me he got so much Money on those two Occasions, that if he had known where to have found me, he would certainly have embrac'd my Proposal of going with me to Virginia; or to have settled in a Plantation, on some other of the English Colonies in America.

He told me he wrote three Letters to me, directed according to my Order, but heard nothing from me: This indeed I knew to be true, but the Letters coming to my Hand in the Time of my latter Husband, I could do nothing in it, and therefore gave no Answer, that so he might believe they had miscarried.

Being thus disappointed, he said, he carry'd on the old Trade ever since, tho' when he had gotten so much Money, he said, he did not run such desperate Risques as he did before; then he gave me some Account of several hard and desperate Encounters which he had with Gentlemen on the Road, who parted too hardly with their Money; and shew'd me some wounds he had receiv'd, and he had one or two very terrible Wounds indeed, particularly one by a Pistol Bullet which broke his Arm; and another with a Sword which run him quite thro' the Body, but that missing his Vitals he was cur'd again; one of his Comrades having kept with him so faithfully, and so friendly, as that he assisted him in riding near 80 Miles before his Arm was Set, and then got a Surgeon in a considerable City, remote from the Place where it was done, pretending they were Gentlemen travelling towards Carlisle, that they had been attack'd on the Road by Highway-Men, and that one of them had shot him into the Arm.

This, he said, his friend manag'd so well, that they were not suspected, but lay still 'till he was cur'd: He gave me also so many distinct Accounts of his Adventures, that it is with great Reluctance, that I decline the relating them: but this is my own Story, not his.

I then enquir'd into the Circumstances of his present Case, and what it was he expected when he came to be try'd; he told me, that they had no Evidence against him, for that of the three Rob beries, which they were all Charg'd with, it was his good Fortune, that he was but in one of them, and that there was but one Witness to be had to that Fact, which was not sufficient; but that it was expected some others would come in, and that he thought when he first see me, I had been one that came of that Errand; but that if no Body came in against him, he hop'd he should be clear'd; that he had some intimation, that if he would submit to Transport himself, he might be admitted to it without a Tryal, but that he could not think of it with any Temper, and thought he could much easier submit to be Hang'd.

I blam'd him for that; first, because if he was Transported, there might be an Hundred ways for him that was a Gentleman, and a bold enterprising Man to find his way back again, and perhaps some Ways and Means to come back before he went: He smil'd at that Part, and said he should like the last the best of the two, for he had a kind of Horror upon his Mind at his being sent to the Plantations as the Romans sent Slaves to Work in the Mines; that he thought the Passage into another State, much more tolerable at the Gallows, and that this was the general Notion of all the Gentlemen, who were driven by the Exigence of their Fortunes to take the Road; that at the Place of Execution there was at least an End of all the Miseries of the present State, and as for what was to follow, a Man was in his Opinion, as likely to Repent sincerely in the last Fortnight of his Life under the Agonies of a Goal, and the condemn'd Hole, as he would ever be in the Woods and Wildernesses of America; that Servitude and hard Labour were Things Gentlemen could never stoop to, that it was but the way to force them to be their own Executioners, which was much worse, and that he could not have any Patience when he did but think of it.

I used the utmost of my endeavour to persuade him, and joyn'd that known Woman's Rhetorick to it, I mean that of Tears: I told him the Infamy of a publick Execution, was certainly a greater pressure upon the Spirits of a Gentleman, than any Mortifications that he could meet with Abroad; that he had at least in the other, a Chance for his Life, whereas here, he had none at all; that it was the easiest thing in the World for him to manage the Captain of a Ship, who were generally speaking, Men of good Humour, and a small matter of Conduct, especially, if there was any Money to be had, would make way for him to buy himself off, when he came to Virginia.

He look'd wishfully at me, and I guess'd he meant, that he had no Money, but I was mistaken, his meaning was another way; you hinted just now, my Dear said he, that there might be a way of coming back before I went, by which I understood you, that it might be possible to buy it off here; I had rather give 200 l. to prevent going, than 100 l. to be set at Liberty when I came there. That is my Dear said I, because you do not know the Place so well as I do: That may be, said he, and yet I believe as well as you know it, you would do the same, unless it is because, as you told me, you have a Mother there.

I told him, as to my Mother, she must be dead many Years before; and as for any other Relations that I might have there, I knew them not: That since my Misfortunes had reduc'd me to the Condition I had been in for some Years, I had not kept up any Correspondence with them; and that he would easily believe, I should find but a cold Reception from them, if I should be put to make my first visit in the Condition of a Transported Felon; that therefore if I went thither, I resolved not to see them; but that I had many Views in going there, which took off all the uneasy Part of it; and if he found himself oblig'd to go also, I should easily Instruct him how to manage himself, so as never to go a Servant at all, especially since I found he was not destitute of Money, which was the only Friend in such a Condition.

He smil'd, and said he did not tell me he had Money; I took him up short, and told him I hop'd he did not understand by my speaking, that I should expect any supply from him if he had Money; that on the other Hand, tho' I had not a great deal, yet I did not want, and while I had any I would rather add to him, than weaken him, seeing whatever he had, I knew in the Case of Transportation he would have Occasion of it all.

He express'd himself in a most tender manner upon that Head; he told me what Money he had was not a great deal, but that he would never hide any of it from me if I wanted it; and assur'd me he did not speak with any such Apprehensions; that he was only intent upon what I had hinted to him; that here he knew what to do, but there he should be the most helpless Wretch alive.

I told him he frighted himself with that which had no Terror in it; that if he had Money, as I was glad to hear he had, he might not only avoid the Servitude, suppos'd to be the Consequence of Transportation; but begin the World upon such a new Foundation, as he cou'd not fail of Success in, with but the common Application usual in such Cases; that he could not but call to Mind, I had recommended it to him many Years before, and propos'd it for restoring our Fortunes in the World; and I would tell him now, that to convince him both of the certainty of it, and of my being fully acquainted with the Method, and also fully satisfy'd in the probability of Success, he should first see me deliver myself from the Necessity of going over at all, and then that I would go with him freely, and of my own Choice, and perhaps carry enough with me to satisfy him; that I did not offer it, for want of being able to live without Assistance from him; but that I thought our mutual Misfortunes had been such, as were sufficient to Reconcile us both to quitting this part of the World, and living where no Body could upbraid us with what was past, and without the Agonies of a condemn'd Hole to drive us to it, where we should look back on all our past Disasters with infinite Satisfaction, when we should consider that our Enemies should entirely forget us, and that we should live as new People in a new World, no Body having any thing to say to us, or we to them.

I press'd this Home to him with so many Arguments, and answer'd all his own passionate Objections so effectually, that he embrac'd me, and told me, I treated him with such a Sincerity, as overcame him; that he would take my Advice, and would strive to submit to his Fate, in hope of having the Comfort of so faithful a Counsellor, and such a Companion in his Misery; but still he put me in mind of what I had mention'd before; Namely, that there might be some way to get off, before he went, and that it might be possible to avoid going at all, which he said would be much better: I told him he should see, and be fully satisfy'd that I would do my utmost in that Part too, and if it did not succeed, yet that I would make good the rest.

We parted after this long Conference, with such Testimonies of Kindness and Affection as I thought were Equal, if not Superior to that at our parting at Dunstable; and now I saw more plainly the Reason why he then declin'd coming with me toward London; and why when we parted there, he told me it was not convenient for him to come to London with me, as he would otherwise have done: I have observ'd that the Account of his Life, would have made a much more pleasing History than this of mine; and indeed nothing in it, was more strange than this Part (viz.) that he carried on that desperate Trade full five and Twenty Year, and had never been taken, the Success he had met with, had been so very uncommon, and such, that sometimes he had liv'd handsomely and retir'd, in one Place for a Year or two at a time, keeping himself and a Man Servant to wait on him, and has often sat in the Coffee-Houses, and heard the very People who he had robb'd give Accounts of their being robb'd, and of the Places and Circumstances, so that he cou'd easily remember that it was the same.

In this manner it seems he liv'd near Liverpool at the time, he unluckily married me for a Fortune: Had I been the Fortune he expected, I verily believe, he would have taken up and liv'd honestly.

He had with the rest of his Misfortunes the good luck not to be actually upon the spot, when the Robbery was done, which they were committed for; and so none of the Persons robb'd cou'd swear to him; but it seems as he was taken, with the Gang, one hard-mouth'd Country Man swore home to him; and according to the Publication they had made, they expected more Evidence against him, and for that Reason he was kept in hold.

However, the offer which was made to him of Transportation, was made, as I understood upon the intercession of some great Person who press'd him hard to accept of it; and as he knew there were several that might come in against him, I thought his Friend was in the Right, and I lay at him Night and Day to delay it no longer.

At last, with much difficulty he gave his consent, and as he was not therefore admitted to Transportation in Court, and on his Petition as I was, so he found himself under a difficulty to avoid embarking himself as I had said he might have done; his Friend having given Security for him that he should Transport himself, and not return within the Term.

This hardship broke all my Measures, for the steps I took afterwards for my own deliverance, were hereby render'd wholly ineffectual, unless I would abandon him, and leave him to go to America by himself; than which he protested he would much rather go directly to the Gallows.

I must now return to my own Case, the time of my being Transported was near at Hand; my Governess who continu'd my fast Friend, had try'd to obtain a Pardon, but it could not be done unless with an Expence too heavy for my Purse, considering that to be left empty, unless I had resolv'd to return to my old Trade, had been worse than Transportation, because there I could live, here I could not. The good Minister stood very hard on another Account to prevent my being Transported also; but he was answer'd, that my Life had been given me at his first Solicitations, and therefore he ought to ask no more; he was sensibly griev'd at my going, because, as he said, he fear'd I should lose the good impressions, which a prospect of Death had at first made on me, and which were since encreas'd by his Instructions; and the pious Gentleman was exceedingly concern'd on that Account.

On the other Hand, I was not so sollicitous about it now, but I conceal'd my Reasons for it from the Minister, and to the last he did not know, but that I went with the utmost reluctance and affliction.

It was in the Month of February that I was with thirteen other Convicts, deliver'd to a Merchant that Traded to Virginia, on board a Ship, riding in Deptford Reach: The Officer of the Prison deliver'd us on board, and the Master of the Vessel gave a Discharge for us.

We were for that Night clapt under Hatches, and kept so close, that I thought I should have been suffocated for want of Air, and the next Morning the Ship weigh'd, and fell down the River to a Place call'd Bugby's Hole, which was done, as they told us, by the agreement of the Merchant, that all Opportunity of Escape should be taken from us: However when the Ship came thither, and cast Anchor, we were permitted to come upon the Deck, but not upon the Quarter-Deck, that being kept particularly for the Captain, and for Passengers.

When by the Noise of the Men over my Head, and the Motion of the Ship, I perceiv'd they were under Sail, I was at first greatly surpriz'd, fearing we should go away, and that our Friends would not be admitted to see us; but I was easy soon after, when I found they had come to an Anchor, and that we had Notice given by some of the Men, that the next Morning we should have the Liberty to come upon Deck, and to have our Friends come to see us.

All that Night I lay upon the hard Deck, as the other Prisoners did, but we had afterwards little Cabins allow'd for such as had any Bedding to lay in them; and room to stow any Box or Trunk for Cloaths, and Linnen if we had it, (which might well be put in) for some of them had neither Shirt or Shift, Linnen or Woollen, but what was on their Backs, or one Farthing of Money to help themselves; yet I did not find but they far'd well enough in the Ship, especially the Women, who got Money of the Seamen for washing their Cloaths, & c., sufficient to purchase any thing they wanted.

When the next Morning we had the Liberty to come upon Deck, I ask'd one of the Officers, whether I might not be allow'd to send a Letter on Shore to let my Friends know where we lay, and to get some necessary Things sent to me. This was the Boatswain, a very civil courteous Man, who told me I should have any Liberty that I desir'd, that he could allow me with Safety; I told him I desir'd no other; and he answer'd, the Ship's Boat would go up to London next Tide, and he would Order my Letter to be carry'd.

Accordingly when the Boat went off, the Boatswain came and told me the Boat was going off, that he went in it himself, and if my Letter was ready, he would take Care of it; I had prepar'd Pen, Ink, and Paper before-hand, and had gotten a Letter ready directed to my Governess, and enclos'd another to my fellow Prisoner, which however I did not let her know was my Husband, not to the last; in that to my Governess, I let her know where the Ship lay, and press'd her to send me what Things she had got ready for me, for my Voyage.

When I gave the Boatswain the Letter, I gave him a Shilling with it, which I told him was for the Charge of a Porter, which I had entreated him to send with the Letter, as soon as he came on Shore, that if possible I might have an Answer brought back by the same Hand, that I might know what was become of my Things, for, SIR, says I, if the Ship should go away before I have them, I am undone.

I took care when I gave him the Shilling, to let him see I had a little better Furniture about me, than the ordinary Prisoners, that I had a Purse, and in it a pretty deal of Money, and I found that the very Sight of it, immediately furnish'd me with very different Treatment from what I should otherwise have met with; for tho' he was Courteous indeed before, in a kind of natural Compassion to me, as a Woman in distress; yet he was more than ordinarily so, afterwards, and procur'd me to be better treated in the Ship, than, I say, I might otherwise have been; as shall appear in its Place.

He very honestly deliver'd my Letter, to my Governess own Hands, and brought me back her Answer; and when he gave it me, gave me the Shilling again, there, says he, there's your Shilling again too, for I deliver'd the Letter my self; I could not tell what to say, I was so surpriz'd at the thing; but after some Pause, I said, Sir, you are too kind, it had been but reasonable that you had paid yourself Coach Hire then.

No, no, says he, I am over paid: What is that Gentlewoman, is she your Sister?

No, Sir, said I, she is no Relation to me, but she is a dear Friend, and all the Friends I have in the World: Well, says he, there are few such Friends: Why, she crys after you like a Child; Ay, says I again, she would give a Hundred Pound, I believe, to deliver me from this dreadful Condition.

Would she so? says he: for half the Money, I believe, I could put you in a way how to deliver your self, but this he spoke softly that no Body could hear.

Alas! Sir, said I, but then that must be such a Deliverance as if I should be taken again, would cost me my Life: Nay, said he, if you were once out of the Ship, you must look to yourself afterwards; that I can say nothing to; so we drop'd the Discourse for that Time.

In the mean time, my Governess faithful to the last Moment, convey'd my Letter to the Prison to my Husband, and got an Answer to it, and the next Day came down herself, bringing me in the first Place, a Sea Bed, as they call it, and all its ordinary Furniture; she brought me also a Sea Chest, that is, a Chest, such as are made for Seamen, with all the Conveniences in it, and fill'd with every thing almost that I could want; and in one of the Corners of the Chest, where there was a private Drawer, was my Bank of Money, that is to say, so much of it as I had resolv'd to carry with me; for I order'd part of my Stock to be left behind, to be sent afterwards in such Goods as I should want when I came to settle; for Money in that Country is not of much Use where all things are bought for Tobacco, much more is it a great Loss to carry it from Hence.

But my Case was particular; it was by no Means proper for me to go without Money or Goods, and for a poor Convict that was to be sold as soon as I came on Shore, to carry a Cargo of Goods would be to have Notice taken of it, and perhaps to have them seiz'd; so I took part of my Stock with me thus, and left the rest with my Governess.

My Governess brought me a great many other things, but it was not proper for me to appear too Well, at least, till I knew what kind of a Captain we should have: When she came into the Ship, I thought she would have died indeed; her Heart sunk at the Sight of me, and at the Thoughts of parting with me in that Condition, and she cry'd so intolerably, I could not for a long time have any talk with her.

I took that time to read my fellow Prisoner's Letter, which greatly perplex'd me; he told me it would be impossible for him to be discharg'd time enough for going in the same Ship, and which was more than all, he began to question whether they would give him leave to go in what Ship he pleas'd, tho' he did voluntarily transport himself; but that they would see him put on Board such a Ship as they should direct, and that he would be charg'd upon the Captain as other convict Prisoners were; so that he began to be in Dispair of seeing me 'till he came to Virginia, which made him almost desperate; seeing that on the other Hand, if I should not be there, if any Accident of the Sea, or of Mortality should take me away, he should be the most undone Creature in the World.

This was very perplexing, and I knew not what Course to take; I told my Governess the Story of the Boatswain, and she was mighty eager with me to treat with him; but I had no mind to it, till I heard whether my Husband or fellow Prisoner, so she call'd him, could be at liberty to go with me or no; at last I was forc'd to let her into the whole matter, except only, that of his being my Husband; I told her that I had made a positive Agreement with him to go, if he could get the liberty of going in the same Ship, and I found he had Money.

Then I told her what I propos'd to do when we came there, how we could Plant, Settle; and in short, grow Rich without any more Adventures, and as a great Secret, I told her we were to Marry as soon as he came on Board.

She soon agreed chearfully to my going, when she heard this, and she made it her business from that time to get him deliver'd in time, so that he might go in the same Ship with me, which at last was brought to pass, tho' with great difficulty, and not without all the Forms of a Transported Convict, which he really was not, for he had not been try'd, and which was a great Mortification to him: As our Fate was now determin'd, and we were both on Board, actually bound to Virginia, in the despicable Quality of Transported Convicts, destin'd to be sold for Slaves, I for five Year, and he under Bonds and Security not to return to England any more, as long as he liv'd; he was very much dejected and cast down; the Mortification of being brought on Board as he was, like a Prisoner, piqu'd him very much, since it was first told him he should Transport himself, so that he might go as a Gentleman at liberty; it is true he was not order'd to be sold when he came there, as we were, and for that Reason he was oblig'd to pay for his Passage to the Captain, which we were not; as to the rest, he was as much at a loss as a Child what to do with himself, but by Directions.

However, I lay in an uncertain Condition full three Weeks not knowing whether I should have my Husband with me or no; and therefore not resolv'd how, or in what manner to receive the honest Boatswain's Proposal, which indeed he thought a little strange.

At the End of this time, behold my Husband came on Board; he look'd with a dejected angry Countenance, his great Heart was swell'd with Rage and Disdain; to be drag'd along with three Keepers of Newgate, and put on Board like a Convict, when he had not so much as been brought to a Tryal; he made loud complaints of it by his Friends, for it seems he had some Interest; but they got some Checque in their Application, and were told he had had Favour enough, and that they had receiv'd such an Account of him since the last Grant of his Transportation, that he ought to think himself very well treated, that he was not prosecuted anew: This answer quieted him, for he knew too much what might have happen'd, and what he had room to expect; and now he saw the goodness of that Advice to him, which prevail'd with him to accept of the offer of Transportation, and after his chagrin at these Hell Hounds, as he call'd them, was a little over, he look'd more compos'd, began to be chearful, and as I was telling him how glad I was to have him once more out of their Hands, he took me in his Arms, and acknowledg'd with great Tenderness, that I had given him the best advice Possible: My Dear, says he, Thou hast twice sav'd my Life, from hence forward it shall be employ'd for you, and I'll always take your Advice.

Our first business was to compare our Stock: He was very honest to me, and told me his Stock was pretty good when he came into the Prison, but that living there as he did like a Gentleman, and, which was much more, the making of Friends, and soliciting his Case, had been very Expensive; and in a Word, all his Stock left was a Hundred and Eight Pounds, which he had about him in Gold.

I gave him an Account of my Stock as faithfully, that is to say what I had taken with me; for I was resolv'd what ever should happen, to keep what I had left in Reserve; that in Case I should die, what I had was enough to give him, and what was left in my Governess Hands would be her own, which she had well deserv'd of me indeed.

My Stock which I had with me was two Hundred forty six Pounds some odd Shillings; so that we had three Hundred fifty four Pound between us, but a worse gotten Estate was never put together, to begin the World with.

Our greatest Misfortune as to our Stock, was that it was in Money, an unprofitable Cargoe to be carryed to the Plantations; I believe his was really all he had left in the World, as he told me it was; But I who had between seven and eight Hundred Pounds in Bank when this Disaster befel me, and who had one of the faithfulest Friends in the World to manage it for me, considering she was a Woman of no Principles, had still Three Hundred Pounds left in her Hand, which I had reserv'd, as above; besides I had some very valuable things with me, as particularly two gold Watches, some small Peices of Plate, and some Rings; all stolen Goods; with this Fortune, and in the Sixty-first Year of my Age, I launch'd out into a new World, as I may call it, in the Condition only of a poor Convict, order'd to be Transported in respite from the Gallows; my Cloaths were poor and mean, but not ragg'd or dirty, and none knew in the whole Ship that I had any thing of value about me.

However, as I had a great many very good Cloaths, and Linnen in abundance, which I had order'd to be pack'd up in two great Boxes, I had them Shipp'd on Board, not as my Goods, but as consign'd to my real Name in Virginia; and had the Bills of Loading in my Pocket; and in these Boxes was my Plate and Watches, and every thing of value, except my Money, which I kept by itself in a private Drawer in my Chest, and which cou'd not be found, or open'd if found without splitting the Chest to peices.

The Ship began now to fill, several Passengers came on Board, who were embark'd on no Criminal account, and these had Accommodations assign'd them in the great Cabbin, and other Parts of the Ship, whereas we as Convicts were thrust down below, I know not where; but when my Husband came on Board, I spoke to the Boatswain, who had so early given me Hints of his Friendship; I told him he had befriended me in many things, and I had not made any suitable Return to him, and with that I put a Guinea into his Hand; I told him that my Husband was now come on Board, that tho' we were under the present Misfortunes, yet we had been Persons of a differing Character from the wretch'd Crew that we came with, and desir'd to know whether the Captain might not be mov'd, to admit us to some Conveniences in the Ship, for which we would make him what Satisfaction he pleas'd, and that we would gratifie him for his Pains in procuring this for us. He took the Guinea as I cou'd see with great Satisfaction, and assur'd me of his assistance.

Then he told us, he did not doubt but that the Captain, who was one of the best humour'd Gentlemen in the World, would be easily brought to Accommodate us, as well as we cou'd desire, and to make me easie, told me he would go up the next Tide on purpose to speak to him about it: The next Morning happening to sleep a little longer than ordinary, when I got up, and began to look Abroad, I saw the Boatswain among the Men in his ordinary Business; I was a little melancholly at seeing him there, and going forwards to speak to him, he saw me, and came towards me, but not giving him time to speak first, I said smiling, I doubt, Sir, you have forgot us, for I see you are very busy; he return'd presently, come along with me, and you shall see, so he took me into the great Cabbin, and there sat a good sort of a Gentlemanly Man writing, and a great many Papers before him.

Here, says the Boatswain to him that was a writing, is the Gentlewoman that the Captain spoke to you of; and turning to me, he said, I have been so far from forgetting your Business, that I have been up at the Captain's House, and have represented faithfully what you said, of your being furnish'd with Conveniences for your self, and your Husband; and the Captain has sent this Gentleman, who is Mate of the Ship, down on purpose to show you every thing, and to Accommodate you to your Content, and bid me assure you, that you shall not be treated like what you were expected to be, but with the same Respect as other Passengers are treated.

The Mate then spoke to me, and not giving me time to thank the Boatswain for his Kindness, confirm'd what the Boatswain had said, and added, that it was the Captain's Delight to shew himself kind, and charitable, especially, to those that were under any Misfortunes, and with that he shew'd me several Cabbins built up, some in the great Cabbin, and some partition'd off, out of the Steerage, but opening into the great Cabbin, on purpose for Passengers, and gave me Leave to choose where I would; I chose a Cabbin in the Steerage, in which were very good Conveniences to set our Chest, and Boxes, and aTableto eat on.

The Mate then told me, that the Boatswain had given so good a Character of me, and of my Husband, that he had Orders to tell me, we should eat with him, if we thought fit, during the whole Voyage on the common Terms of Passengers; that we might lay in some fresh Provisions if we pleas'd; or if not, he should lay in his usual Store, and that we should have Share with him: This was very reviving News to me, after so many Hardships, and Afflictions; I thank'd him, and told him, the Captain should make his own Terms with us, and ask'd him Leave to go and tell my Husband of it, who was not very well, and was not yet out of his Cabbin: Accordingly I went, and my Husband whose Spirits were still so much sunk with the Indignity (as he understood it) offer'd him, that he was scarce yet himself, was so reviv'd with the Account I gave him of the Reception we were like to have in the Ship, that he was quite another Man, and new Vigour and Courage appear'd in his very Countenance; so true is it, that the greatest Spirits, when over whelm'd by their Afflictions, are subject to the greatest Dejections.

After some little Pause to recover himself, my Husband came up with me, and gave the Mate Thanks for the Kindness which he had express'd to us, and sent suitable Acknowledgments by him to the Captain, offering to Pay him by Advance, whatever he demanded for our Passage, and for the Conveniencies he had help'd us to; the Mate told him that the Captain would be on Board in the Afternoon, and that he would leave all that to him; accordingly in the Afternoon, the Captain came, and we found him the same courteous obliging Man, that the Boatswain had represented him; and he was so well pleas'd with my Husband's Conversation, that in short, he would not let us keep the Cabbin we had chosen, but gave us one that, as I said before, open'd into the great Cabbin.

Nor were his Conditions exorbitant, or the Man craving and eager to make a Prey of us, but for fifteen Guineas we had our whole Passage and Provisions, eat at the Captain's Table, and were very handsomely Entertain'd.

The Captain lay himself in the other part of the Great Cabbin, having let his round House, as they call it, to a rich Planter, who went over with his Wife, and three Children, who eat by themselves; he had some other ordinary Passengers, who Quarter'd in the Steerage; and as for our old Fraternity, they were kept under the Hatches, and came very little on the Deck.

I could not refrain acquainting my Governess with what had happen'd, it was but just that she, who was really concern'd for me, should have part in my good Fortune; besides I wanted her Assistance to supply me with several Necessaries, which before I was shy of letting any Body see me have; but now I had a Cabbin and room to set things in, I order'd abundance of good things for our Comfort in the Voyage, as Brandy, Sugar, Lemons, & c., to make Punch, and Treat our Benefactor, the Captain; and abundance of things for eating and drinking; also a larger Bed, and Bedding proportion'd to it; so that in a Word, we resolv'd to want for nothing.

All this while I had provided nothing for our Assistance, when we should come to the Place, and begin to call ourselves Planters; and I was far from being ignorant of what was needful on that Occasion; particularly all sorts of Tools for the Planters-Work, and for building; and all kinds of House-Furniture, which if to be bought in the Country, must necessarily cost double the Price.

I discours'd that Point with my Governess, and she went and waited upon the Captain, and told him, that she hop'd ways might be found out, for her two unfortunate Cousins, as she call'd us, to obtain our Freedom when we came into the Country, and so enter'd into a Discourse with him about the Means and Terms also, of which I shall say more in its Place; and after thus sounding the Captain, she let him know, tho' we were unhappy in the Circumstance that occasion'd our going, yet that we were not unfurnish'd to set ourselves to Work in the Country; and were resolv'd to settle, and live there as Planters: The Captain readily offer'd his Assistance, told her the Method of entering upon such Business, and how easy, nay, how certain it was for industrious People to recover their Fortunes in such a manner: Madam, says he, 'tis no Reproach to any Man in that Country to have been sent over in worse Circumstances than I perceive your Cousins are in, provided they do but apply with good Judgment to the Business of the Place when they come there.

She then enquir'd of him what things it was Necessary we should carry over with us, and he like a knowing Man, told her thus: Madam, your Cousins first must procure some Body to buy them as Servants, in Conformity to the Conditions of their Transportation, and then in the Name of that Person, they may go about what they will; they may either Purchase some Plantations already begun, or they may purchase Land of the Government of the Country, and begin where they please, and both will be done reasonably; she bespoke his Favour in the first Article, which he promis'd to her to take upon himself, and indeed faithful[ly] perform'd it; and as to the rest, he promis'd to recommend us to such as should give us the best Advice, and not to impose upon us, which was as much as could be desir'd.

She then ask'd him, if it would not be Necessary to furnish us with a Stock of Tools and Materials for the Business of Planting, and he said, yes, by all means; then she begg'd his Assistance in that, and told him she would furnish us with everything that was Convenient whatever it cost her; he accordingly gave her a List of things Necessary for a Planter, which by his Account came to about fourscore, or an Hundred Pounds; and in short, she went about as dexterously to buy them, as if she had been an old Virginia Merchant; only that she bought by my Direction above twice as much of every Thing, as he had given her a List of.

These she put on Board in her own Name, took his Bills of Loading for them, and endors'd those Bills of Loading to my Husband, Ensuring the Cargo after wards in her own Name; so that we were provided for all Events, and for all Disasters.

I should have told you that my Husband gave her all his own Stock of 108l., which as I have said, he had about him in Gold, to lay out thus, and I gave her a good Sum besides; so that I did not break into the Stock, which I had left in her Hands at all, but after all we had near 200l. in Money, which was more than enough for our purpose.

In this Condition very chearful, and indeed joyful at being so happily accommodated, we set Sail from Bugby's Hole to Gravesend, where the Ship lay about ten Days more, and where the Captain came on Board for good and all. Here the Captain offer'd us a Civility, which indeed we had no Reason to expect, Namely, tolet us go on Shore, and refresh our selves, upon giving our Words, that we would not go from him, and that we would return peaceably on Board again: This was such an Evidence of his Confidence in us, that it over come my Husband, who in a meer Principle of Gratitude, told him as he could not be in any Capacity to make a suitable Return for such a Favour, so he could not think of accepting it, nor could he be easy that the Captain shou'd run such a Risque: After some mutual Civilities, I gave my Husband a Purse, in which was 80 Guineas, and he put it into the Captains Hand: There Captain, says he, there's part of a Pledge for our Fidelity; if we deal dishonestly with you on any Account, 'tis your own; and on this we went on Shore.

Indeed the Captain had Assurance enough of our Resolutions to go, for that having made such Provision to Settle there, it did not seem Rational that we would chuse to remain here at the Peril of Life, for such it must have been: In a Word, we went all on Shore with the Captain, and Supp'd together in Gravesend, where we were very Merry, staid all Night, lay at the House where we Supp'd, and came all very honestly on Board again with him in the Morning. Here we bought ten Dozen of Bottles of good Beer, some Wine, some Fowles, and such Things as we thought might be acceptable on Board.

My Governess was with us all this while, and went round with us into the Downs, as did also the Captain's Wife, with whom she went back; I was never so sorrowful at parting with my own Mother as I was at parting with her, and I never saw her more: We had a fair Easterly Wind the third Day after we came to the Downs, and we sail'd from thence the 10th of April; nor did we touch any more at any Place, till being driven on the Coast of Ireland by a very hard Gale of Wind, the Ship came to an Anchor in a little Bay, near a River, whose Name I remember not, but they said the River came down from Limerick, and that it was the largest River in Ireland.

Here being detain'd by bad Weather for some time, the Captain who continu'd the same kind good humour'd Man as at first, took us two on Shore with him again: He did it now in kindness to my Husband indeed, who bore the Sea very ill, especially when it blew so hard: Here we bought again, store of fresh Provisions, Beef, Pork, Mutton, and Fowls, and the Captain stay'd to Pickle up five or six Barrels of Beef to lengthen out the Ships Store: We were here not above five Days, when the Weather turning mild, and a fair Wind; we set Sail again and in two and Forty Days came safe to the Coast of Virginia.

When we drew near to the Shore, the Captain call'd me to him, and told me that he found by my Discourse, I had some Relations in the Place, and that I had been there before, and so he suppos'd I understood the Custom, in their disposing the convict Prisoners when they arriv'd; I told him I did not, and that as to what Relations I had in the Place, he might be sure I would make myself known to none of them while in the Circumstances of a Prisoner, and that as to the rest, we left ourselves entirely to him to assist us, as he was pleas'd to promise us he wou'd do. He told me I must get some Body in the Place to come and buy me as a Servant, and who must answer for me to the Governor of the Country, if he demanded me; I told him we should do as he should direct; so he brought a Planter to treat with him, as it were for the Purchase of me for a Servant, my Husband not being order'd to be Sold, and there I was formally sold to him, and went a Shore with him: The Captain went with us, and carried us to a certain House whether it was to be call'd a Tavern or not, I know not, but we had a Bowl of Punch there made of Rum, &c. and were very Merry. After some time the Planter gave us a Certificate of Discharge, and an Acknowledgment of having serv'd him faithfully, and I was free from him the next Morning, to go whether I would.

For this Peice of Service the Captain demanded of me 6000 weight of Tobacco, which he said he was Accountable for to his Freighter, and we bought for him, and made him a present of 20 Guineas besides; which he was abundantly satisfy'd with.

It is not proper to Enter here into the particulars of what Part of the Colony of Virginia we Settled in, for divers Reasons; it may suffice to mention that we went into the Great River of Potomack, the Ship being bound thither; and there we intended to have Settled at first, tho' afterwards we altered our Minds.

The first thing I did of Moment after having gotten all our Goods on Shore, and plac'd them in a Store-house, which with a Lodging we hir'd at the small Place or Village, where we Landed; I say the first thing was to enquire after my Mother, and after my Brother, (that fatal Person who I married as a Husband, as I have related at large); a little enquiry furnish'd me with Information that Mrs. ––, that is my Mother was Dead; that my Brother, (or Husband) was alive, and which was worse, I found he was remov'd from the Plantation where I liv'd, and liv'd with one of his Sons in a Plantation just by the Place where we Landed, and had hir'd a Warehouse.

I was a little surpriz'd at first, but as I ventur'd to satisfy myself, that he could not know me, I was not only perfectly easy, but had a great mind to see him if it was possible, without his seeing me; in order to that I found out by enquiry the Plantation where he liv'd, and with a Woman of the Place, who I got to help me, like what we call a Chairwoman, I rambl'd about towards the Place, as if I had only a mind to see the Country, and look about me; at last I came so near that I saw the Dwelling-house: I ask'd the Woman whose Plantation that was, she said, it belong'd to such a Man, and looking out a little to our right Hands, there says she, is the Gentleman that owns the Plantation, and his Father with him: What are their Christian Names? said I. I know not said she, what the old Gentleman's Name is, but his Sons Name is Humphry, and I believe, says she, the Fathers is so too; you may guess, if you can, what a confus'd mixture of Joy and Fright possest my Thoughts upon this Occasion, for I immediately knew that this was no Body else, but my own Son, by that Father she shewed me, who was my own Brother: I had no Mask, but I ruffled my Hoods so about my Face, that I depended upon it, that after above 20 Years absence, and withal not expecting any thing of me in that part of the World, he would not be able to know me; but I need not have us'd all that Caution, for he was grown dim Sighted, by some Distemper, which had fallen upon his Eyes, and could but just see well enough to walk about, and not run against a Tree or into a Ditch: As they drew near to us, I said, does he know you, Mrs. Owen? so they call'd the Woman, yes, she said, if he hears me speak, he will know me; but he can't see well enough to know me, or any Body else; and so she told me the Story of his Sight, as I have related: This made me secure, and so I threw open my Hoods again, and let them pass by me; It was a wretch'd thing for a Mother thus to see her own Son, a handsome comely young Gentleman in flourishing Circumstances, and durst not make herself known to him; and durst not take any notice of him; let any Mother of Children that reads this, consider it, and but think with what anguish of Mind I restrain'd myself; what yearnings of Soul I had in me to embrace him, and weep over him; and how I thought all my Entrails turn'd within me, that my very Bowels mov'd, and I knew not what to do; as I now know not how to express those Agonies: When he went from me I stood gazing and trembling, and looking after him as long as I could see him; then sitting down on the Grass, just at a Place I had mark'd, I made as if I lay down to rest me, but turn'd from her, and lying on my Face wept, and kiss'd the Ground that he had set his Foot on.

I cou'd not conceal my Disorder so much from the Woman, but that she perceiv'd it, and thought I was not well, which I wasoblig'd to pretend was true; upon which she press'd me to rise, the Ground being damp and dangerous, which I did, and walk'd away.

As I was going back again, and still Talking of this Gentleman, and his Son, a new Occasion of melancholy offer'd itself thus: The Woman began, as if she would tell me a Story to divert me; there goes, says she, a very odd Tale among the Neighbours where this Gentleman formerly liv'd: What was that, said I? why, says she, that old Gentleman going to England, when he was a young Man, fell in Love with a young Lady there, one of the finest Women that ever was seen here, and Married her, and brought her over hither to his Mother, who was then living: He liv'd here several Years with her, continu'd she, and had several Children by her, of which the young Gentleman that was with him now, was one; but after some time, the old Gentlewoman his Mother talking to her, of something relating to herself, and of her Circumstances in England, which were bad enough; the Daughter-in-Law began to be very much surpriz'd and uneasy, and in short, in examining further into things, it appear'd past all Contradiction, that she (the old Gentlewoman) was her own Mother, and that consequently, that Son was her own Brother, which struck the Family with Horror, and put them into such Confusion, that it had almost ruin'd them all; the young Woman would not live with him, he for a time went Distracted, and at last, the young Woman went away for England, and has never been heard of since.

It is easy to believe that I was strangely affected with this Story; but 'tis impossible to describe the Nature of my Disturbance; I seem'd astonish'd at the Story, and ask'd her a Thousand Questions about the particulars, which I found she was thoroughly acquainted with; at last I began to enquire into the Circumstances of the Family, how the old Gentlewoman, I mean, my Mother, died, and how she left what she had; for my Mother had promis'd me very solemnly, that when she died, she would do something for me, and leave it so, as that, if I was Living, I should one way or other come at it, without its being in the Power of her Son, my Brother and Husband to prevent it: She told me she did not know exactly how it was order'd; but she had been told, that my Mother had left a Sum of Money, and had tyed her Plantation for the Payment of it, to be made good to the Daughter, if ever she could be heard of, either in England or elsewhere; and that the Trust was left with this Son, who we saw with his Father.

This was News too good for me to make light of, and you may be sure fill'd my Heart with a Thousand Thoughts, what Course I should take, and in what manner I should make myself known, or whether I should ever make myself known, or no.

Here was a Perplexity that I had not indeed skill to manage myself in, neither knew I what Course to take: It lay heavy upon my mind Night and Day, I could neither Sleep or Converse, so that my Husband perceiv'd it, wonder'd what ail'd me, and strove to divert me, but it was all to no purpose; he press'd me to tell him what it was troubled me, but I put it off, till at last importuning me continually, I was forc'd to form a Story, which yet had a plain Truth to lay it upon too; I told him I was troubled because I found we must shift our Quarters, and alter our Scheme of Settling, for that I found I should be known, if I stay'd in that part of the Country; for that my Mother being dead, several of my Relations were come into that Part where we then was, and that I must either discover myself to them, which in our present Circumstances was not proper on many Accounts, or remove, and which to do I knew not, and that this it was that made me melancholly.

He joyned with me in this, that it was by no means proper for me to make myself known to any Body in the Circumstances, in which we then were; and therefore he told me he would be willing to remove to any part of the Country, or even to any other Country if I thought fit; but now I had another Difficulty, which was, that if I remov'd to another Colony, I put myself out of the way of ever making a due Search after those Things which my Mother had left: Again, I could never so much as think of breaking the Secret of my former Marriage to my new Husband; it was not a Story, would bear telling, nor could I tell what might be the Consequences of it; it was impossible too, without making it publick all over the Country, as well who I was, as what I now was also.

This Perplexity continu'd a great while, and made my Spouse very uneasy; for he thought I was not open with him, and did not let him into every Part of my Grievance; and he would often say, he wonder'd what he had done, that I would not trust him, whatever it was, especially if it was grievous and afflicting; the Truth is, he ought to have been trusted with every Thing, for no Man could deserve better of a Wife; but this was a thing I knew not how to open to him, and yet having no Body to disclose any Part of it to, the Burthen was too heavy for my Mind; for let them say what they please of our Sex not being able to keep a Secret; my Life is a plain Conviction to me of the Contrary; but be it our Sex, or the Men's Sex, a Secret of Moment should always have a Confident, a bosom Friend, to whom we may communicate the Joy of it, or the Grief of it, be it which it will, or it will be a double Weight upon the Spirits, and perhaps become even insupportable in it self; and this I appeal to Human Testimony for the Truth of.

And this is the Cause why many times Men, as well as Women, and Men of the greatest, and best Qualities other ways, yet have found themselves weak in this Part, and have not been able to bear the Weight of a secret Joy, or of a secret Sorrow; but have been oblig'd to disclose it, even for the mere giving Vent to themselves, and to unbend the Mind, opprest with the Weights which attended it; nor was this any Token of Folly at all, but a natural Consequence of the Thing; and such People had they struggl'd longer with the Oppression, would certainly have told it in their Sleep, and disclos'd the Secret, let it have been of what fatal Nature soever, without regard to the Person to whom it might be expos'd: This Necessity of Nature, is a Thing which Works sometimes with such Vehemency, in the Minds of those who are guilty of any atrocious Villany; such as a secret Murther in particular, that they have been oblig'd to Discover it, tho' the Consequence has been their own Destruction: Now, tho' it may be true that the divine Justice ought to have the Glory of all those Discoveries and Confessions, yet 'tis as certain that Providence which ordinarily Works by the Hands of Nature, makes Use here, of the same natural Causes to produce those extraordinary Effects.

I could give several remarkable Instances of this in my long Conversation with Crime, and with Criminals; I knew one Fellow, that while I was a Prisoner in Newgate, was one of those they called then Night-fliers, I know not what Word they may have understood it by since; but he was one, who by Connivance was admitted to go Abroad every Evening, when he play'd his Pranks, and furnish'd those honest People they call Thief-Catchers with Business to find out the next Day, and restore for a Reward, what they had stolen the Evening before: This Fellow was as sure to tell in his Sleep all that he had done, and every Step he had taken, what he had stolen, and where, as sure as if he had engag'd to tell it waking, and therefore he was oblig'd after he had been out to lock himself up, or be locked up by some of the Keepers that had him in Fee, that no Body should hear him; but on the other Hand, if he had told all the Particulars, and given a full Account of his Rambles and Success to any Comrade, any Brother Thief, or to his Employers, as I may justly call them, then all was well, and he slept as quietly as other People.

As the publishing this Account of my Life, is for the sake of the just Moral of every Part of it, and for Instruction, Caution, Warning, and Improvement to every Reader, so this will not pass I hope for an unnecessary Digression, concerning some People, being oblig'd to disclose the greatest Secrets either of their own, or other Peoples Affairs.

Under the Oppression of this Weight, I labour'd in the Case I have been Naming; and the only Relief I found for it, was to let my Husband into so much of it, as I thought would convince him of the Necessity there was, for us to think of Settling in some other Part of the World, and the next Consideration before us was, which Part of the English Settlements we should go to? my Husband was a perfect Stranger to the Country, and had not yet so much as a Geographical Knowledge of the Situation of the several Places; and I, that till I wrote this, did not know what the Word Geographical signify'd, had only a general Knowledge from long Conversation with People that came from, or went to several Places; but this I knew, that Maryland, Pensilvania, East and West Jersy, New York, and New England, lay all North of Virginia, and that they were consequently all colder Climates, to which, for that very reason, I had an Aversion; for that as I naturaly lov'd warm Weather, so now I grew into Years, I had a stronger Inclination to shun a cold Climate; I therefore consider'd of going to Carolina, which is the most Southern Colony of the English on the Continent; and hither I propos'd to go, the rather, because I might with ease come from thence at any time, when it might be proper to enquire after my Mother's Effects, and to demand them.

With this Resolution, I proposed to my Husband our going away from where we was, and carrying our Effects with us to Carolina, where we resolv'd to Settle; for my Husband readily agreed to the first Part (viz.) that it was not at all proper to stay where we was, since I had assur'd him we should be known there, and the rest I conceal'd from him.

But now I found a new Difficulty upon me: The main Affair grew heavy upon my Mind still, and I could not think of going out of the Country, without some how or other making Enquiry into the grand Affair of what my Mother had done for me; nor could I with any Patience bear the Thought of going away, and not make my self known to my old Husband (Brother), or to my Child, his Son; only I would fain have had it done without my new Husband having any knowledge of it, or they having any Knowledge of him.

I cast about innumerable Ways in my Thoughts how this might be done: I would gladly have sent my Husband away to Carolina, and have come after my self; but this was impracticable, he would not stir without me, being himself unacquainted with the Country, and with the Methods of settling any where: Then I thought we would both go first, and that when we were settled I should come back to Virginia; but even then I knew he would never part with me, and be left there alone; the Case was plain, he was bred a Gentleman, and was not only unacquainted, but indolent, and when we did Settle, would much rather go into the Woods with his Gun, which they call there Hunting, and which is the ordinary Work of the Indians; I say he would much rather do that, than attend the natural Business of the Plantation.

There were therefore Difficulties unsurmountable, and such as I knew not what to do in, I had such strong Impressions on my Mind about discovering my self to my old Husband, that I could not withstand them; and the rather, because it run in my Thoughts, that if I did not, while he liv'd, I might in vain endeavour to convince my Son afterward, that I was really the same Person, and that I was his Mother, and so might both lose the Assistance and Comfort of the Relation, and lose whatever it was my Mother had left me; and yet on the other Hand, I could never think it proper to discover the Circumstances I was in; as well relating to the having a Husband with me, as to my being brought over as a Criminal; on both which Accounts it was absolutely Necessary to me to remove from the Place where I was, and come again to him, as from another Place and in another Figure.

Upon those Considerations, I went on with telling my Husband, the absolute necessity there was of our not Settling in Potomack River, that we should presently be made Publick there, whereas if we went to any other Place in the World, we could come in with as much Reputation, as any Family that came to Plant: That as it was always agreeable to the Inhabitants to have Families come among them to Plant, who brought Substance with them, so we should be sure of agreeable Reception, and without any possibility of a Discovery of our Circumstances.

I told him too, that as I had several Relations in the Place where we was, and that I durst not now let my self be known to them, because they would soon come to know the Occasion of my coming over, which would be to expose my self to the last Degree; so I had Reason to believe that my Mother who died here had left me something, and perhaps considerable, which it might be very well worth my while to enquire after; but that this too could not be done without exposing us publickly, unless we went from hence; and then, where ever we settled, I might come as it were to visit and to see my Brother and Nephews, make my self known, enquire after what was my Due, be receiv'd with Respect, and at the same time have Justice done me; whereas if I did it now, I could expect nothing but with Trouble, such as exacting it by Force, receiving it with Curses and Reluctance, and with all kinds of Affronts; which he would not perhaps bear to see: That in Case of being oblig'd to legal Proofs of being really her Daughter, I might be at a Loss, be oblig'd to have Recourse to England, and it may be to fail at last, and so lose it: With these Arguments, and having thus acquainted my Husband with the whole Secret so far as was needful to him, we resolv'd to go and seek a Settlement in some other Colony, and at first Carolina was the Place pitch'd upon.

In order to this we began to make enquiry for Vessels going to Carolina, and in a very little while got information, that on the other side the Bay, as they call it, namely, in Maryland, there was a Ship, which came from Carolina, loaden with Rice, and other Goods, and was going back again thither: On this News we hir'd a Sloop to take in our Goods, and taking as it were a final farewel of Potowmack River, we went with all our Cargo over to Maryland.

This was a long and unpleasant Voyage, and my Spouse said it was worse to him than all the Voyage from England, because the Weather was bad, the Water rough, and the Vessel small and inconvenient; in the next Place, we were full a hundred Miles up Potowmack River, in a part they call Westmorland County; and as that River is by far the greatest in Virginia, and I have heard say, it is the greatest River in the World that falls into another River, and not directly into the Sea; so we had base Weather in it, and were frequently in great Danger; for tho' they call it but a River, 'tis frequently so broad, that when we were in the middle, we could not see Land on either Side for many Leagues together: Then we had the great Bay of Chesapeake to cross, which is where the River Potowmack falls into it, near thirty Miles broad, so that our Voyage was full two hundred Mile, in a poor sorry Sloop, with all our Treasure, and if any Accident had happen'd to us, we might at last have been very miserable; supposing we had lost our Goods and saved our Lives only, and had then been left naked and destitute, and in a wild strange Place, not having one Friend or Acquaintance in all that part of the World? The very thoughts of it gives me some horror, even since the Danger is past.

Well, we came to the Place in five Days sailing, I think they call it Philip's Point, and behold when we came thither, the Ship bound to Carolina, was loaded and gone away but three Days before. This was a Disappointment, but however, I that was to be discourag'd with nothing, told my Husband, that since we could not get Passage to Carolina, and that the Country we was in, was very fertile and good; we would see if we could find out any thing for our Turn where we was, and that if he lik'd things we would Settle here.

We immediately went on Shore, but found no Conveniences just at that Place, either for our being on Shore, or preserving our Goods on Shore, but was directed by a very honest Quaker, who we found there, to go to a Place, about sixty Miles East; that is to say, nearer the Mouth of the Bay, where he said he liv'd and where we should be Accommodated, either to Plant, or to wait for any other Place to Plant in, that might be more Convenient, and he invited us with so much kindness that we agreed to go, and the Quaker himself went with us.

Here we bought us two Servants, (viz.) an English Woman-Servant just come on Shore from a Ship of Liverpool, and a Negro Man-Servant, things absolutely necessary for all People that pretended to Settle in that Country: This honest Quaker was very helpful to us, and when we came to the Place that he propos'd, found us out a convenient Storehouse, for our Goods, and Lodging for ourselves, and Servants; and about two Months, or thereabout afterwards, by his Direction, we took up a large peice of Land from the Government of that Country, in order to form our Plantation, and so we laid the thoughts of going to Carolina wholly aside, having been very well receiv'd here, and Accommodated with a convenient Lodging, till we could prepare things, and have Land enough cur'd, and Materials provided for building us a House, all which we manag'd by the Direction of the Quaker; so that in one Years time we had near fifty Acres of Land clear'd, part of it enclos'd, and some of it Planted with Tobacco, tho' not much; besides, we had Garden ground and Corn sufficient to supply our Servants with Roots, and Herbs, and Bread.

And now I perswaded my Husband to let me go over the Bay again, and enquire after my Friends; he was the willinger to consent to it now, because he had business upon his Hands sufficient to employ him, besides his Gun to divert him, which they call Hunting there, and which he greatly delighted in; and indeed we us'd to look at one another, sometimes with a great deal of Pleasure, reflecting how much better that was, not than Newgate only, but than the most prosperous of our Circumstances in the wicked Trade we had been both carrying on.

Our Affair was now in a very good posture, we purchased of the Proprietors of the Colony, as much Land for 35 Pound, paid in ready Money, as would make a sufficient Plantation to us as long as we could either of us live; and as for Children I was past any thing of that kind.

But our good Fortune did not End here, I went, as I have said, over the Bay, to the Place, where my Brother, once a Husband liv'd; but I did not go to the same Village, where I was before, but went up another great River, on the East side of the River Potowmack, called Rapahannock River, and by this means came on the back of his Plantation, which was large, and by the help of a Navigable Creek, that run into the Rapahannock, I came very near it.

I was now fully resolv'd to go up Point-blank to my Brother (Husband) and to tell him who I was; but not knowing what Temper I might find him in, or how much out of Temper rather, I might make him by such a rash visit, I resolv'd to write a Letter to him first to let him know who I was, and that I was come not to give him any trouble upon the old Relation, which I hop'd was entirely forgot; but that I apply'd to him as a Sister to a Brother, desiring his Assistance in the Case of that Provision, which our Mother at her decease had left for my Support, and which I did not doubt but he would do me Justice in, especially considering that I was come thus far to look after it.

I said some very tender kind things in the Letter about his Son, which I told him he knew to be my own Child, and that as I was guilty of nothing in Marrying him any more than he was in Marrying me, neither of us having then known our being at all related to one another; so I hop'd he would allow me the most Passionate desire of once seeing my own, and only Child, and of showing something of the Infirmities of a Mother in preserving a violent Affection for him, who had never been able to retain any thought of me one way or other.

I did believe that having receiv'd this Letter, he would immediately give it to his Son to Read; his Eyes being I knew so dim, that he cou'd not see to read it; but it fell out better than so, for as his Sight was dim, so he had allow'd his Son to open all Letters that came to his Hand for him, and the old Gentleman being from Home, or out of the way when my Messenger came, my Letter came directly to my Son's Hand, and he open'd and read it.

He call'd the Messenger in, after some little stay, and ask'd him where the Person was who gave him that Letter? the Messenger told him the Place, which was about seven Miles off, so he bid him stay, and ordering a Horse to be got ready, and two Servants, away he came to me with the Messenger: Let any one judge the Consternation I was in, when my Messenger came back and told me the old Gentleman was not at Home, but his Son was come along with him, and was just coming up to me: I was perfectly confounded, for I knew not whether it was Peace or War, nor cou'd I tell how to behave: However, I had but a very few Moments to think, for my Son was at the Heels of the Messenger, and coming up into my Lodgings, ask'd the Fellow at the Door something, I suppose it was, for I did not hear it, which was the Gentlewoman that sent him? for the Messenger said, there she is Sir, at which he comes directly up to me, kisses me, took me in his Arms, embrac'd me with so much Passion, that he could not speak, but I could feel his Breast heave and throb like a Child that Cries, but Sobs, and cannot cry it out.

I can neither express or describe the Joy, that touch'd my very Soul, when I found, for it was easy to discover that Part, that he came not as a Stranger, but as a Son to a Mother, and indeed a Son, who had never before known what a Mother of his own was; in short, we cryed over one another a considerable while, when at last he broke out first, MY DEAR MOTHER, says he, are you still a live! I never expected to have seen your Face; as for me, I cou'd say nothing a great while.

After we had both recover'd ourselves a little, and were able to talk, he told me how things stood, he told me he had not shewed my Letter to his Father, or told him anything about it; that what his Grand-mother left me, was in his Hands, and that he would do me Justice to my full Satisfaction; that as to his Father, he was old and infirm both in Body and Mind; that he was very Fretful, and Passionate, almost Blind, and capable of nothing; and he question'd whether he would know how to act in an Affair, which was of so nice a Nature as this; and that therefore he had come himself, as well to satisfy himself in seeing me, which he could not restrain himself from, as also to put it into my Power, to make a Judgement after I had seen how things were, whether I would discover myself to his Father, or no.

This was really so prudently, and wisely manag'd, that I found my Son was a Man of Sense, and needed no Direction from me; I told him, I did not wonder that his Father was as he had describ'd him, for that his Head was a little touch'd before I went away; and principally his Disturbance was, because I could not be perswaded to live with him as my Husband, after I knew that he was my Brother: That as he knew better than I, what his Fathers present Condition was, I should readily joyn with him in such Measures as he would direct: That I was indifferent, as to seeing his Father, since I had seen him first, and he cou'd not have told me better News, than to tell me that what his Grand-mother had left me, was entrusted in his Hands, who I doubted not now he knew who I was, would as he said, do me Justice: I enquir'd then how long my Mother had been dead, and where she died, and told so many particulars of the Family, that I left him no room to doubt the Truth of my being really and truly his Mother.

My Son then enquir'd where I was, and how I had dispos'd myself; I told him I was on the Maryland side of the Bay, at the Plantation of a particular Friend, who came from England in the same Ship with me, that as for that side of the Bay where he was, I had no Habitation; he told me I should go Home with him, and live with him, if I pleas'd, as long as I liv'd: That as to his Father, he knew no Body, and would never so much as guess at me; I consider'd of that a little, and told him, that tho' it was really no little concern to me to live at a distance from him; yet I could not say it would be the most comfortable thing in the World to me to live in the House with him; and to have that unhappy Object always before me, which had been such a blow to my Peace before; that tho' I should be glad to have his Company (my Son), or to be as near him as possible, yet I could not think of being in the House where I should be also under constant Restraint, for fear of betraying myself in my Discourse, nor should I be able to refrain some Expressions in my Conversing with him as my Son, that might discover the whole Affair, which would by no means be Convenient.

He acknowledged that I was right in all this, but then, DEAR MOTHER, says he, you shall be as near me as you can; so he took me with him on Horseback to a Plantation, next to his own, and where I was as well entertain'd as I cou'd have been in his own; having left me there, he went away home, telling me he would talk of the main Business the next Day, and having first called me his Aunt, and given a Charge to the People, who it seems were his Tenants, to treat me with all possible Respect; about two Hours after he was gone, he sent me a Maid-Servant and a Negro Boy to wait on me, and Provisions ready dressed for my Supper; and thus I was as if I had been in a new World, and began almost to wish that I had not brought my Lancashire Husband from England at all.

However, that wish was not hearty neither, for I lov'd my Lancashire Husband entirely, as I had ever done from the beginning; and he merited it as much as it was possible for a Man to do: but that by the way.

The next Morning my Son came to visit me again almost as soon as I was up; after a little Discourse, he first of all pull'd out a Deer skin Bag, and gave it me, with five and fifty Spanish Pistoles in it, and told me that was to supply my Expences from England, for tho' it was not his Business to enquire, yet he ought to think I did not bring a great deal of Money out with me, it not being usual to bring much Money into that Country: Then he pull'd out his Grand-mother's Will, and read it over to me, whereby it appear'd, that she left a Plantation, on York River, to me, with the Stock of Servants and Cattle upon it, and had given it in Trust to this Son of mine for my Use, when ever he would hear of me, and to my Heirs, if I had any Children, and in default of Heirs, to whomsoever I should by Will dispose of it; but gave the Income of it, till I should be heard of, to my said Son; and if I should not be living, then it was to him, and his Heirs.

This Plantation, tho' remote from him, he said he did not let out, but manag'd it by a head Clerk, as he did another that was his Fathers, that lay hard by it, and went over himself three or four times a Year to look after it: I ask'd him what he thought the Plantation might be worth, he said, if I would let it out, he would give me about sixty Pounds a Year for it; but if I would live on it, then it would be worth much more, and he believ'd would bring me in about 150l. a Year; but seeing I was likely either to Settle on the other side the Bay, or might perhaps have a mind to go back to England, if I would let him be my Steward he would manage it for me, as he had done for himself, and that he believ'd he should be able to send me as much Tobacco from it, as would yield me about a 100l. a Year, sometimes more.

This was all strange News to me, and Things I had not been us'd to; and really my Heart began to look up more seriously, than I think it ever did before, and to look with great Thankfulness to the Hand of Providence, which had done such Wonders for me, who had been my self the greatest Wonder of Wickedness, perhaps that had been suffered to live in the World; and I must again observe, that not on this Occasion only, but even on all other Occasions of Thankfulness, my past Wickedness and abominable Life never look'd so Monstrous to me, and I never so compleatly abhorr'd it, and reproach'd my self with it, as when I had a Sense upon me of Providence doing good to me, while I had been making those vile Returns on my Part.

But I leave the Reader to improve these Thoughts, as no doubt they will see Cause, and I go on to the Fact; my Sons tender Carriage, and kind Offers fetch'd Tears from me, almost all the while he talk'd with me; indeed I could scarce Discourse with him, but in the Intervals of my Passion; however, at length I began, and expressing my self with wonder at my being so happy to have the Trust of what I had left, put into the Hands of my own Child; I told him, that as to the Inheritance of it, I had no Child but him in the World, and was now past having any if I should Marry, and therefore would desire him to get a Writing drawn, which I was ready to execute, by which I would after me give it wholly to him, and to his Heirs; and in the mean Time smiling, I ask'd him, what made him continue a Batchelor so long; his Answer was kind, and ready, that Virginia did not yield any great Plenty of Wives, and that since I talk'd of going back to England, I should send him a Wife from London.

This was the Substance of our first Days Conversation, the pleasantest Day that ever past over my Head in my Life, and which gave me the truest Satisfaction: He came every Day after this, and spent great part of his time with me, and carried me about to several of his Friends Houses, where I was entertain'd with great Respect; also I dined several Times at his own House, when he took Care always to see his half dead Father so out of the Way, that I never saw him, or he me: I made him one Present, and it was all I had of Value, and that was one of the Gold Watches, of which, I said I had two in my Chest, and this I happen'd to have with me, and gave it him at his third Visit: I told him, I had nothing of any Value to bestow but that, and I desir'd he would now and then kiss it for my sake; I did not indeed tell him that I stole it from a Gentlewoman's Side, at a Meeting House in London, that's by the way.

He stood a little while Hesitating, as if doubtful whether to take it or no; but I press'd it on him, and made him accept it, and it was not much less worth than his Leather Pouch full of Spanish Gold; no, tho' it were to be reckon'd, as if at London, whereas it was worth twice as much there; at length he took it, kiss'd it, told me the Watch should be a Debt upon him, that he would be paying, as long as I liv'd.

A few Days after, he brought the Writings of Gift, and the Scrivener with him, and I sign'd them very freely, and deliver'd them to him with a hundred Kisses; for sure nothing ever pass'd between a Mother, and a tender Dutiful Child, with more Affection: The next Day he brings me an Obligation under his Hand and Seal, whereby he engag'd himself to Manage the Plantation for my Account, and to remit the Produce to my Order where ever I should be, and withal, oblig'd himself to make up the Produce a hundred Pound a Year to me: When he had done so, he told me, that as I came to demand before the Crop was off, I had a Right to the Produce of the current Year, and so he paid a hundred Pound in Spanish Pieces of Eight, and desir'd me to give him a Receipt for it as in Full for that Year, ending at Christmas following; this being about the latter End of August.

I stay'd here above five Weeks, and indeed had much a-do to get away then. Nay, he would have come over the Bay with me, but I would by no means allow it; however he would send me over in a Sloop of his own, which was built like a Yacht, and serv'd him as well for Pleasure as Business: This I accepted of, and so after the utmost Expressions both of Duty, and Affection, he let me come away, and I arriv'd safe in two Days at my Friends the Quakers.

I brought over with me for the Use of our Plantation, three Horses with Harness, and Saddles; some Hogs, two Cows, and a thousand other Things, the Gift of the Kindest and tenderest Child that ever Woman had: I related to my Husband all the Particulars of this Voyage, except that I call'd my Son (my Cousin:) and first I told him, that I had lost my Watch, which he seem'd to take as a Misfortune; but then I told him how kind my Cousin had been, that my Mother had left me such a Plantation, and that he had preserv'd it for me, in Hopes some time or other he should hear from me; then I told him that I had left it to his Management, that he would render me a faithful Account of its Produce; and then I pull'd him out the hundred Pound in Silver, as the first Years Produce, and then pulling out the Deer Skin Purse, with the Pistoles, and here my Dear, says I, is the Gold Watch: Says my Husband, So is Heavens Goodness sure to Work the same Effects, in all sensible Minds, where Mercies touch the Heart; lifted up both his Hands, and with an Extasy of Joy, What is God a doing! says he, for such an ungrateful Dog as I am! Then I let him know, what I had brought over in the Sloop, besides all this; I mean the Horses, Hogs, and Cows, and other Stores for our Plantation; all which added to his Surprize, and fill'd his Heart with thankfulness; and from this time forward I believe he was as sincere a Penitent, and as thoroughly a reform'd Man, as ever God's Goodness brought back from a Profligate, a HighwayMan, and a Robber. I could fill a larger History than this, with the Evidences of this Truth, and but that I doubt that Part of the Story will not be equally diverting, as the wicked Part.

But this is to be my own Story, not my Husbands, I return therefore to my own Part; we went on with our own Plantation, and manag'd it with the Help and Direction of such Friends as we got there, and especially the honest Quaker, who prov'd a faithful, generous, and steady Friend to us; and we had very good Success; for having a flourishing Stock to begin with, as I have said; and this being now encreas'd by the addition of a hundred and fifty Pound Sterling in Money, we enlarg'd our Number of Servants, built us a very good House, and cur'd every Year a great deal of Land. The second Year I wrote to my old Governess, giving her part with us of the Joy of our Success, and order'd her how to lay out the Money I had left with her, which was 250l. as above, and to send it to us in Goods, which she perform'd, with her usual Kindness and Fidelity, and all this arriv'd safe to us.

Here we had a Supply of all Sorts of Cloaths, as well for my Husband as for my self; and I took especial Care to buy for him all those Things that I knew he delighted to have; as two good long Wigs, two Silver Hilted Swords, three or four fine Fowling Pieces, a fine Saddle with Holsters and Pistols very handsome, with a Scarlet Cloak; and in a Word, everything I could think of to oblige him; and to make him appear, as he really was, a very fine Gentleman: I order'd a good Quantity of such Houshold-Stuff, as we wanted, with Linnen for us both; as for my self, I wanted very little of Cloaths, or Linnen, being very well furnish'd before: The rest of my Cargo consisted in Iron-Work of all Sorts, Harness for Horses, Tools, Cloaths for Servants, and Woollen-Cloth, Stuffs, Serges, Stockings, Shoes, Hats, and the like, such as Servants wear; and whole Pieces also, to make up for Servants, all by Direction of the Quaker; and all this Cargo arrived safe, and in good Condition, with three Women Servants, lusty Wenches, which my old Governess had pick'd up for me, suitable enough to the Place, and to the Work we had for them to do, one of which happen'd to come Double, having been got with Child by one of the Seamen in the Ship, as she own'd afterwards, before the Ship got so far as Gravesend; so she brought us a stout Boy, about seven Months after our Landing.

My Husband you may suppose was a little surpriz'd at the arriving of this Cargo from England, and talking with me one Day, after he saw the Particulars; my Dear, says he, what is the Meaning of all this? I fear you will run us too deep in Debt: When shall we be able to make Returns for it all? I smil'd, and told him that it was all paid for, and then I told him, that not knowing what might befal us in the Voyage, and considering what our Circumstances might expose us to; I had not taken my whole Stock with me, that I had reserv'd so much in my Friend's Hands, which now we were come over safe, and settled in a Way to Live, I had sent for as he might see.

He was amaz'd, and stood awhile telling upon his Fingers, but said nothing, at last he began thus; Hold let's see, says he, telling upon his Fingers still; and first on his Thumb, there's 246l. in Money at first, then two gold Watches, Diamond Rings and Plate, says he, upon the fore Finger, then upon the next Finger, here's a Plantation on York River, a 100l. a Year, then 150 in Money, then a Sloop load of Horses, Cows, Hogs, and Stores, and so on to the Thumb again; and now, says he, a Cargo cost 250 l. in England, and worth here twice the Money, well, says I, What do you make of all that? make of it, says he, why who says I was deceiv'd, when I married a Wife in Lancashire? I think I have married a Fortune, and a very good Fortune too, says he.

In a Word, we were now in very considerable Circumstances, and every Year encreasing; for our new Plantation grew upon our Hands insensibly, and in eight Year which we lived upon it, we brought it to such a pitch, that the Produce was, at least, 300l. Sterling a Year: I mean, worth so much in England.

After I had been a Year at Home again, I went over the Bay to see my Son, and to receive another Year's Income of my Plantation; and I was surpriz'd to hear, just at my Landing there, that my old Husband was dead, and had not been bury'd above a Fortnight. This, I confess, was not disagreeable News, because now I could appear as I was in a marry'd Condition; so I told my Son before I came from him, that I believ'd I should marry a Gentleman who had a Plantation near mine; and tho' I was legally free to marry, as to any Obligation that was on me before, yet that I was shye of it, least the Blot should some time or other be reviv'd, and it might make a Husband uneasy; my Son, the same kind dutiful and obliging Creature as ever, treated me now at his own House, paid me my hundred Pound, and sent me Home again loaded with Presents.

Some time after this, I let my Son know I was marry'd, and invited him over to see us, and my Husband wrote a very obliging Letter to him also, inviting him to come and see him; and he came accordingly some Months after, and happen'd to be there just when my Cargo from England came in, which I let him believe belong'd all to my Husband's Estate, and not to me.

It must be observ'd, that when the old Wretch, my Brother (Husband) was dead, I then freely gave my Husband an Account of all that Affair, and of this Cousin, as I call'd him before, being my own Son by that mistaken Match: He was perfectly easy in the Account, and told me he should have been easy if the old Man, as we call'd him, had been alive; for, said he, it was no Fault of yours, nor of his; it was a Mistake impossible to be prevented; he only reproach'd him with desiring me to conceal it, and to live with him as a Wife, after I knew that he was my Brother, that, he said, was a vile part: Thus all these little Difficulties were made easy, and we liv'd together with the greatest Kindness and Comfort imaginable; we are now grown Old, I am come back to England, being almost seventy Years of Age, my Husband sixty eight, having perform'd much more than the limitted Terms of my Transportation: And now notwithstanding all the Fatigues, and all the Miseries we have both gone thro', we are both in good Heart and Health; my Husband remain'd there some time after me to settle our Affairs, and at first I had intended to go back to him, but at his desire I alter'd that Resolution, and he is come over to England also, where we resolve to spend the Remainder of our Years in sincere Penitence, for the wicked Lives we have lived.

WRITTEN IN THE YEAR 1683.

Finis.

1 The Bell of St. Sepulchre's, which Tolls upon Execution Day.