America: Being the Latest, and Most Accurate Description of the Nevv VVorld / Containing the Original of the Inhabitants, and the Remarkable Voyages Thither. The Conquest of the Vast Empires of Mexico and Peru, and Other Large Provinces and Territories, with the Several European Plantations in Those Parts. Also Their Cities, Fortresses, Towns, Temples, Mountains, and Rivers. Their Habits, Customs, Manners, and Religions. Their Plants, Beasts, Birds, and Serpents. With an Appendix, Containing, Besides Several Other Considerable Additions, a Brief Survey of What Hath Been Discover'd of the Unknown South-land and the Arctick Region.

by John Ogilby

Fourteen Miles from this River Northward lies York-River, which is Navigable sixty or seventy Miles, but with Ketches and small Barques thirty or forty Miles farther.

Passing hence to the North you discover a third stately River, call’d Rappahanock, which is Navigable about a hundred and thirty Miles—from whence following the Shore to the North you enter into Patomeck-River, which is already describ’d in the precedent Discourse of Mary-land, to which Province this River belongs, whose Southerly Bank gives Bounds to that part of Virginia and Mary-land.

To these Rivers many other Inland Branches and Rivulets are reduc’d, the chief of which are hereafter specifi’d.

Nature of the Countrey.

The Countrey is generally even, the Soil fruitful, the Climate healthful, and agreeable with English Constitutions, especially since the increase of Inhabitants, and accommodation of good Diet and Lodging, which the first Planters found great want of heretofore. For many years, till of late, most New-comers had the first Year in July and August, a Disease which is call’d A Seasoning, whereof many died, like to what is mention’d before in the Description of Mary-land, though more mortal and common than in Mary-land, because Virginia is a lower Countrey, and somewhat hotter, insomuch that formerly divers ill of that Distemper have come purposely from Virginia to Mary-land, to recover their Health; but now, since the Countrey is more open and clear from Wood, few die of it, and many have no Seasonings at all.

This Countrey affordeth generally all such Roots, Herbs, Gums, and Balsoms, as are express’d before in the Relation of Mary-land.

Trees

All sorts of Trees for Building and Husbandry, Fruit-Trees, Vines, &c. are found in both Countreys, equal in goodness and quantity, onely in such things as require more Sun, and that may be produc’d by Industry, there may be some little difference, because Virginia is somewhat more to the Southward of Mary-land, as in Vines, Oranges, Lemmons, Olives, Silk, &c.

Silk-Grass.

There is a Plant grows naturally in this Countrey, and in Mary-land, call’d Silk-Grass, which will make a fine Stuff with a silky Gloss, and better Cordage than Hemp or Flax, both for strength and durance.