The History Of Nantucket

Front matter

iy History O Nantucket

Obed Macy

The History of Nantucket Obed Macy

Preface

Ir has long been a subject of surprise to the author, that no person has written a history of Nantucket. Such a work, commencing with the settlement of the island by the English, and continued to the present day, could not fail of containing much both of interest and instruction. There are few places of equal magnitude, the annals of which would afford matters for a more valuable volume.

The occasion which drew some of the first families to settle at Nantucket, was that of avoiding the rigors of the law against the people called Quakers. T'o enjoy the exercise of the rites of hospitality and of religious freedom, they were willing to leave their homes, their friends and connexions, to sacrifice their property, and to settle in a place inhabited by some thousands of savages, from whom, in case of assault, no retreat could be made. Driven from civilized society for no crime, but for their virtues rather, they took refuge in a land of barbarians ; and, without vessels for flight, or arms for defence, they erected their altars and traced their furrows with all that confidence and fearlessness, which is inspired by unwavering trust in the blessing of heaven. They committed themselves to the guidance of divine power, believing that, under His influence, they would succeed in their undertaking. They did succeed ; and so rapidly and so peaceably, that, in a few years, they found themselves in possession of the whole island, while neither record nor tradition affords a single instance of hostility between them and their savage neighbors.

iv PREFACE.

The Whale Fishery will be found a leading topic in the following pages, and, it is presumed, one of the most interesting parts of this history. Reflecting at how early a period this business was commenced after the island was settled, the speedy acquisition of knowledge, as to the best mode of carrying it on, and the success in its progress, are considerations which must strike the reader with astonishment. The sight of whales playing near the shores led the inhabitants to contemplate the advantages which would arise, could they become possessed of the proper means of taking them. These means were gradually obtained, consisting partly of information derived from Cape Cod, but principally drawn from their own enterprising disposition and indefatigable industry. At first they had neither boats nor craft suitable for the business, and very few mechanics capable of making them. The shore, from which it was most proper to go in pursuit of whales, was on the ocean side-of the island, where the surf, constantly breaking, required that they should have good boats and skilful hands to manage them. The whale fishery had its rise amidst these and other difficulties ; it succeeded, as will be seen in the following pages, in a surprising manner, and in a few years after its commencement it became the principal business of the place, and the greater part of the people was engaged in its various branches.

A community situated like that of Nantucket, and pursuing a business almost as insulated as their location, must necessarily have some peculiarities. Their manners and customs have often been noticed by travellers, and, it may be, placed in a more striking contrast with those of the continent than comports with strict truth. There is one trait in their character, however, to which they may claim undisputed right; it is a settled, strong, and almost universal opinion, that wars are wrong. This aversion to the spirit of war, by so great @ portion of the people, has often proved of material benefit. Their peaceable character has recommended them to the clemency of the common enemy, and in some instances secured to them favors instead of injuries, Situated, in a time of war, beyond the protecting arm of government, they have been exempted from taking an active part in our national contests ; surrounded often by the enemy, and always utterly defenceless, they enjoyed a greater immunity from plunder and devastation than fortified seaports or even many inland towns.

Probably the reader, who may be personally acquainted with some of the incidents herein stated, will discover some omissions : these may be accounted for in two ways ; first, the author has been studiously careful rather to omit some trifling affairs, than to wound the feelings of individuals by their recital : secondly, although he has taken considerable pains, notwithstanding the work is of so small magnitude, to collect materials from every authentic source, yet, greatly to his mortification, there is very little on record and few documents relating to much of the time embraced within the limits of the History.

To write a history of any country or place must be a pleasing task to persons possessed with endowments, and qualifications necessary for the right performance of such a work. History may be properly said to contribute to the necessities of our species, inasmuch as the experience of past generations is oftentimes the only criterion by which to judge of the consequences of present acts. To encourage every performance of this kind, is, therefore, the duty of all civilized people. It is not pretended, that the work now presented to the public is free from errors. It is rendered incomplete by want of knowledge on many material points. Having neither the records nor other manuscripts to appeal vi PREFACE.

to for the knowledge necessary to a complete history, the author is aware that some errors may have crept into the work. Tradition, too often replete with errors, has sometimes necessarily been appealed to; but as there is no wilful deviation from truth, it is trusted that the reader will be favorable in his censure of the work, and consider it as it is really meant to be,—A statement of such facts and information as have come to the knowledge of the author ; tritended for the edification of his family, and such others into whose hands it may chance to fall. With this view, he is willing to trust to the candor of every considerate reader, without further apology.

TO THE READER.

This History is substentially the work of Mr. Osep Macy. My connexion with it has been limited to such additions and verbal alterations, as seemed necessary in the progress of preparing it for the press. This notice seems to be due to Mr. Macy, as my name was associated with his in the proposals for the publication.

WILLI : Nantucket, June 6, 1835. AM OPE

Chapter II

Settlement of the Island by the English—Biography of Thomas Macy, the first settler—His removal to Nantucket, accompanied by Edward Starbuck—Number of Natives, and their means of subsistence—Edward Starbuck returns to Salisbury; and thence proceeds again to Nantucket—Extracts from the Salisbury records—Removal of the first purchasers from Salisbury to Nantucket—Treatment of the Indians— Esquire Kadooda— Mode of improving the land, and keeping sheep—-Divisions of land from 1669 to 1822—Peter Folger—Early customs of the settlers—Indian war previous to the settlement by the English—Indian mode of Fishing—Firat whale killed-—James Lopar’s engagement to carry on the whale fishery—John Savage employed as cooper—Ichabod Paddock employed to jnatruct the inhabitants in the best mode of killing whales and extracting their oil—Indians employed in the whaling boatse— Cod Fishery—Method of saving whales; and how they were descried from the shore—Spermaceti whale found on the shore—Prophecy at the Folly Hill House—Choice of a site for the town—The Island included within the lines of the

Vill CONTENTS.

Province of Massachusetts—First spermaceti whale killed— Vessels began to whale “out in the deep”—First wharf— Encouraging prospects—Whaling to the “ southward” and mear the Grand Bank. . - «6 e+ © ee + # Gow

CHAPTER?’ III.

Religion of the early inhabitants—Their social intercouree— Zaccheus Macy—King Philip's visit to the Island—Habits of the Indians—Their religious societies—-Indian sickness— Their final extinction—Threatened insurrection—Court of inquiry into the legality of the purchases of land.

Chapter IV

Increase of the whale fishery—Exportation of oil to London— Loss of several vessels—Vessels sent to Davis’ Straite—Encouragement to carry on the whale fishery in England—Places visited by whalers before the Revolutionary War—Importations of oil between the years 1762 and 1772—Prices of oil in England between 1742 and 1753—Removals from the Island— Social intercoursee—Method of adjusting difficulties—Origin of the Society of Friends on Nantucket—Visits of Friends to the Island—-Thomas Chalkley-—Thomas Story—John Griffith—Longevity of the Inhabitants—Diseases—Smal! Pox —Inoculation—Executions of criminals—Author's views of capital’ punishments. «4. 5a was coe

Chapter V

Progress of the whale fishery—First manufactory of sperm candles in America in Nantucket—Cod Fishery—Jefferson's statement of the whale fishery in Massachusetts from 1771 to 1775— Anticipations of war—Petition of the Friends in England, in behalf of Nantucket—Census between 1719 and 1830 —Views on war—Value of certain articles in 1712, and several succeeding years—Value of certain articles in 1774— Precautions for the security of property in case of war— Sensations produced by accounts of the battle of Lexington— Cessation of the whaling business—Employment of the inhabitants—Saltworks—West India trade commenced—Conimunication with the continent by boats—Prison-ships—Dietress for bread and fuel—Valuation for 1778—Plunder by the Refu-

CONTENTS. ix geee—Committee sent to the British to ask relief—Sir John Collier’s answer—Threatened attack on the town; by what means averted—Policy of the people in relation to self-de- PORE AKERS os oe 5) el see 16.9 te ee

Chapter VI

Sufferings during the hard winter of 1780—Expedients to procure fuel—Scarcity of food—Clothing—Swamps laid out for digging peat—Petition to the British commander-in-chief for certain indulgences—Another petition—Permite granted by the British commander, to carry on the whale fishery—Vessels under permits taken and released-—Continental money— Peacz—Tonnage captured duringthe war. . . . . . . 107

CHAPTER VI1.

Preparations for recommencing the whaling business—Valuation of 1784—Prices of oil, provisions, and rea! estate—Light-houses on Great Point, and Brant Point—Cod fishing commenced and abandoned—Discouragements to the whale fishery—Petition to the Legislature for relief—Bounty granted on oil—Its ill effects—Removals to Halifax—Voyages extended—Act of the Legislature requiring the oath of allegiance to be taken by certain town officers—Petition for relief from that act—Increased consumption of oil—Colored persons engaged in the

- gervice—Effects of the war on the habits of the people—Prospect of a market for oil in France—Sealing voyages—First whaling voyage from Nantucket to the Pacific—Difficulties arising from the European war—Nantucket Bank incorporated —Bank robbery—Name of the town changed—Consequences of war to Nantucket—Voyage to the East Indies—Burning of two barns—French spoliations—Shipe detained at St. Mary’s —Whales killed near the island and Herm into the harbor— Academy incorporated. . . . . ; ‘ Pe

Chapter VIII

Nantucket Bar—Increased consumption of oi] and candles— Pacific Bank and two insurance officcs incorporated—Ships detained by the Spaniards—Embarrassments—Encouragements —Embargo—Anticipations of war—Removale—Embargo of 1812—Memorial to Congress—War—Plans to secure @ continp 4 CONTENTS.

vance of the whale fishery—Removale—Namber of vessels belonging to the island—British cruisere—Scarcity of provisions—Distrese— Distrust of the banks—Petition to the President of the United States—Farming. ....... . 32

Chapter IX

Inocalation—Miail Packet taken by the enemy—Whaling sloop taken on the shoals, and afterwards loet—Direct tax—Petition of the town to Congress—Aoxiety for the arrival of whale shipe—Effects of the Embargo of 1813—The Istand invested with British cruisere—Remarks on privateering—Selectmen authorized to import provisions—Gale—Depredations committed by a small privateer, and a tender of a British frigete— Lights discontinued and buoys removed—Deputation to the British naval commander-in-chief—Their instructions—Private deputation—Visit of the Brig Nimrod to Nantucket— Negotiations for Neutrality—Town Meeting and its resolutions on the occasion—Stipulation of Neutrality—Passports to vessels to bring provisions, &c.—Return of the town's deputation and their report—Town Meeting—Petition to Cogress for exemption from direct taxes and internal duties—Letter to Commodore Hotham—His reply—Resolutions of the town— Battle between the Privateer Neufchatel and the barges of the Endymion Frigate. . ...... eee asin Lee

Chapter X

Peace—Preparations for business—Taxes—Shipe leave on whale voyages—Newspaper established—Distreas in 1617 and measures for relief—Prospects more cheering—Other places embark in the whale fishery—Census of 1810—Vessels and tonnage in 182i1—-Concluding remarks... . . . . . . . . 208

Part Second

Captain Benjamin Worth and ides i Gardner’ 8 lara service...

Description of the ontéits of a “whale ship and: the t manner of killing whales, &c. . i> vehyauieg 0 Sy ras Lael

Description of the right-whale. : eo

CONTENTS.

Progress of the whale fishery at Nantucket. . Produce of the whale fishery from 1904 to 1884. Loss of a sloop and schooner.

Loss of the ship Union.

Logs of the ship Essex. .

Loes of the ship Henry. .

Loss of the ship Commerce. , 4 Loes of a boat’s crew on Nantucket Bar. . Loss of the ship General Lincoln.

Loes of the ship Two Brothers.

Loss of the ship Lady Adams.

Loes of the ship Lydia. .

Loss of the ship Franklin. ee

Vessels Jost since the settlement of the island.

Proposals from the French wide to the people of Nantucket to remove to Dunkirk . . . : 258 Fishing stages... . . . . - 29 Biasconset, wey 260 Zaccheus Macy, seovast of Nantacket ina ‘letter = the Hist.

Becietiian: . Uapet hae ee Gar, s Fie 262 Education. so.5 Se icLewe' im wevenid, 4 ° aja Coffin School. . . . . . «. + + o # 272 Nantucket Atheneum. . . . ..- + . 276 Slavery. . . Oa, Le ee See, ? Se | Religious Societien. ae weauey ede Fae eteengslt 281 Fires. . . . SS rte ae a eee 288

£54504 gif. sl Ae. eee

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET.

Chapter I

Tue Island of Nantucket was first discovered, in 1602, by Captain Bartholomew Gosnold, an Englishman. He sailed from England in a small bark, with thirty-two persons bound to Virginia, in search of a proper seat for a plantation. Having fallen in with the Cape shore, he pursued his course south till he came up with Sandy Point, the southern extremity of the county of Barnstable, in the state of Massachusetts. It being late in the day, to avoid danger, he stood off to sea, and in the night came in sight of the white cliffs, at the east end of Nantucket, now called Sankota Head, the highest land on that part of the island.

Whence arose the name of the island, we are not certain, but it is generally supposed that Nauticon, known by ancient voyagers, and Nantucket, are the same.

We find no other record concerning Nantucket until the year 1641, at which time the whole island was deeded to Thomas Mayhew and his son Thomas by James Forrett, agent to William, Earl of Sterling, or Lord Sterling.

se HISTORY OF NANTUCKET.

This being the first deed, of which we have any knowledge, respecting the purchase of the island, we think it is reasonable to gratify our readers with a copy of it. Though not remarkable in itself, it may be interesting to some, since, among other circumstances, it shows the origin of the ownership of the island, and the consideration for which it was bought. It is as follows:

THESE PRESENTS DO WITNgEsS, That I, James Forrett, Gent!". who was Sent over into These parts of America by the Honourable the Lord Sterling, with a Commission for the ordering and Disposal of all y* lands that Ly between Cape Codd and Hudson’s River, (and have hitherto Continued my Agency without any contradiction) Do hereby Grant unto Thomas Mayhew of Water Town Merchant & to Thomas Mayhew: his Son, free Liberty, and full power to Them and Their Associates, to plant and inhabit upon Nantucket and Two other Small Islands adjacent and To Enjoy the Said Islands, To Them, their heirs and assigns for ever, provided that They the Said Thomas Mayhew and Thomas Mayhew his son, or Either of Them, or their associates, Do Render and give yearly unto the Hon? the Lord Sterling, his heirs or assigns, Such an acknowledgment as shall be Thought fit by John Wintrop the Eld’. Esq‘! or any Two Magistrates in the Massachusetts Bay, being chosen for that End and purpose, by the Hon** the Lord Sterling, or hig deputy, and by the said Thomas Maybew & Thomas Mayhew his son, or Their Associates. It is agreed That the Government that the Said Thomas Mayhew, and Thomas Mayhew his Son, and Their Associates, Shall Set up There, shall be such as is now Establisht, in the Massachusetts

‘HISTORY OF NANTUCKE®, 3 aforesaid; and That the Said Thomas Mayhew and Thomas Mayhew his Son, and Their Associates, shall have as much Privilig, Touching Their Planting, Inhabitants and Enjoying of all and every part of the premises, as by Patent is granted to the Patentees of the Massachusetts aforesaid, and Their Associates.

In witness hereof, I, the said James Forrett, have hereunto set my hand and Seal, this 18th day of October, 164].

James Forrert. [u. 8.]

Signed, sealed, and delivered, in the presence of us,

This is a true copy of the record, as is attested this 14th day of pate 1674, per me,

Matruias Nicouts, Seec’y.

Although we find, in the body of the deed, that it was made to the Mayhews and their associates, yet it was not: conveyed to the associates until the 2d of the fifth month, 1659 ; the reason of which was, that the Mayhews could not purchase of the natives the Sachem right, until the ‘beforementioned date, and those who intended to join the association were not disposed to engage until that was effected. It may be observed, that the place of record of the foregoing instrumeft is not mentioned ; but, on reference to other documents, it is placed heyoud doubt that it was done in New York. At that early period the island was under the jurisdiction of New York; which will be shown more particularly in its proper place.

The following instrument being the principal conveyance by which the owners of the island became legally possessed of it, it is thought expedient to insert it at large.

MR. MAYHEW’S BILL OF SALE.

Be it known, unto all men, by these presents, that I, Thomas Mayhew, of Marther’s Vineyard, merchant, do hereby acknowledge, that I have sold unto Tristram Coffin, Thomas Macy, Christopher Hussey, Richard Swain, Thomas Barnard, Peter Coffin, Stephen Greenleaf, John Swain, and William Pile, all that right and interest that I have in the island of Nantucket by Patent, the right I bought of James Forrett, steward to the Lord Sterling, and Richard Vines, sometimes of Saco, gentleman, steward general to Sir Fardinando George, knight, as by conveyance, under their bands and seals, appeareth, for them, the aforesaid, to enjoy, and their heirs and assigns for ever, with all the privileges thereunto belonging, for and in consideration of the sum of Thirty pounds of currevt pay, unto whomsoever I, the said Thomas Mayhew, my heirs or assigns, shall appoint, and also, two Beaver hats, one for myself and one for my Wife ; and further, this is to declare, that I, the said Thomas Mayhew, have reserved to myself that neck upon Nantucket, called Masquetuck, or that neck of Land called Nashayte, the neck but one northerly of Masquetuck, the aforesaid sale in any wise notwithstanding; and further I, the said Thomas Mayhew, am to.bear my part of the charges of the said purchases above named, and to hold one twentieth part of all lands purchased already, or shall be hereafter purchased, upon the Island, by the Purchasers aforesaid, to their heirs and assigns forever; because it is that I really sold all my Patent right to the aforesaid nine men, and they are to pay me, or whomsoever I shall appoint them, the sum of Thirty pounds in merchantable pay, in the Massachusetts, under which Government they now Inhabit, and two Beaver Hats; and I am to bear one twentieth part of the charges of the purchase; and to have a twentieth part of all lands and privileges, and to have which of the necks abovesaid that I will, myself paying for it only, the Purchasers are to pay what the Sachem is to have for Masquetuck, though I take the other neck.

And, in witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal, this second day of July, [which was then the fifth month according to the style,] 1659.

Perme, Tuomas Maruew. [L. s.]

_ Although there was a verbal agreement made by the Sachems, to sell Thomas Mayhew a large part of the island, yet it was not formally concluded until a number of families had moved and settled there, at which time it was conveyed by the Sachems to the associates, by the following instrument, which is the first to be found on the records of the island :

These presents witness, May the tenth, sixteen hundred and sixty, that we, Wanackmamack and Nickanoose, bead Sachems of Nantucket island, do give, grant, bargain, and sell, unto Mr. Thomas Mayhew of Martin’s Vineyard, ‘Tristram Coffin, seniors, Thomas Macy, Christopber Hussey, Richard Swain, Peter Coffin, Stephen Greanleaf, Thomas Barnard, John Swain, and William Pile, all the Land, Meadow, Marshes, Timber and Wood, and all appurtenances thereunto belonging, and being and lying from the west end of the island of Nantucket, unto the Pond, called by the Indians, Waqutuquab, and from the head of that Pond, upon a straight line, unto the Pond situated by Monomoy Harbour or Creek, now called Wheeler’s Creek, and so from the northeast corner of the said Pond to the Sea, that is to say, all the right that we, the aforesaid Sachems, have in the said tract of Land, provided that none of the Indian Inhabitants, in or about the wood land, or whatsoever Indians, within the last purchase of land, from the head of the Pond to Monomoy Harbour, shall be removed without full satisfaction. And we, the aforesaid Sachems, do give, grant, bargain, and sell, the one half of the remainder of the Meadows and Marshes upon all other parts of the Islands. And also, that the English people shall have what grass they shall need for to mow, out of the remainder of the Meadows and Marshes on the island, so Jong as the English remain upon the Island, and also free liberty for Timber and Wood, upon any part of the island within the jurisdiction. And also, we, the aforesaid Sachems, do fully grant free liberty to the English for the feeding all sorts of Cattle on any part of the island, after Indian harvest is ended until planting time, or until the first day of May, from year to year for ever, for and in consideration of twelve pounds already paid, and fourteen pounds to be paid within three months after the date hereof.

To have and to hold the aforesaid purchase of land, and other appurtenances, as aforementioned, to them, Mr. Thomas Macy, Tristram Coffin, Thomas Mayhew, and the rest, aforementioned, and their heirs and assigns, for ever.

In witness whereof, we, the said Sachems, have hereunto set our hands and seals, the day and year above written.

The sign of Wanacxmamacc, [ S. ] The sign of Nickanoose. [S.] Signed, sealed and delivered, in the presence of us, Perer Foucer, Feuix Kurrasuamaquat, Epwarp STarsuck.

I do witness this deed to be a true deed, according to the interpretation of Felix the interpreter ; also, I heard Wanackmamack, but two weeks ago, say that the sale, made by Nickanoose and he, should be good, and that they would do so, whatever comes of it.

Witness my hand; this 17th of first month, 1664.

Peter Foucer.

Witness,

Mary Srarsuck, The mark of Joun (J. C.) Corrin.

Wanackmamack and Nickanoose acknowledged the above written to be their act and deed, in the presence of the General Court, this 12th of June, 1677, as attest.

Matruew Mayuew, Secretary to the Gen. Court.

The island was now fairly purchased of the orginal patentee, and a greater part of it of the natives. It was owned by an association, most of whom resided at Salisbury, in the county of Essex, in Massachusetts. The purchasers immediately began to make their arrangements to move thither with their families, and to improve the land. Accordingly, in the year 1659, the first family settled in the place, of which family a more gemcig account will hereafter be given.

The Island of Nantucket is situated about 30 miles south of the main or continent; 60 miles S. E. from New Bedford; 100 miles S. S. E. from Boston; and 382 miles E. N. E. from Philadelphia. It lies in north latitude 41° 15’ 22”; in west longitude 70° 756”. It contains nearly 30,000 acres of land, and is about 14 miles long, east and west, and 3} broad, on an average, north and south. The principal harbor is on the north side, in the bottom or bend of an extensive bay, which is formed by two projecting points, one at the N. E. and the other at the N. W. part of the island; both of which extend in a northwesterly direction. The most western of these points is called Smith’s Point, the other Sandy or Great Point; on the latter stands a light-house. The harbor is nearly landlocked by two points of beach, about three quarters of a mile apart, one on the east called Coetue, the other on the west, called Brant Point. Within these points, and on the west side, are the wharves and town. Nearly two miles from the shore, to the northward of the harbor, is a bar, which all vessels, coming in or out, are under the necessity of passing. Vessels drawing nine feet of water may, with good pilots, pass over this bar and into the harbor. When a vessel comes to the bar drawing too great a draft of water to admit of her passing it with safety, lighters are sent, into which her cargo is discharged till she is sufficiently lightened.

The many shoals to the eastward of the island, and the great South Shoal to the southward, render the navigation difficult and compel those not acquainted to keep a safe distance at sea, Although there are no ledges of rocks, nor rocky shores, around the island, yet it is not unfrequent, especially in the winter, that vessels lose their way and are wrecked on some part. Such misfortunes, though causing much destruction of property, are not frequently attended with loss of lives.

The channel or sound, between the island and continent, is safe for vessels drawing sixteen feet of water; a greater depth would subject them to danger.

On the north of Smith’s Point, before mentioned, which projects several miles in a northwesterly direction, is Tuckernuck, an island containing about 1,000 acres of land, and inhabited by a few families. This island was once covered with wood, but is now bare except about a hundred acres, from which sheep and cattle have, for a few years, been excluded, and which are now occupied by thriving forest trees. There are two other islands a little to the north and west of Tuckernuck, one called Muskeeket, the other Gravelly Island ; both are small and sandy, and without inhabitants.

The Island of Nantucket is generally of a sandy soil, and would not rate above a middling quality, compared with the adjacent continent, although, when first settled by the English, the soil was good and produced equal to any part of the country. In proof of this, the following account of the luxuriancy of the soil, though many years after the island was settled, will show, in some degree, the great contrast between that time and the present. Ebenezer Barnard, a man of strict veracity, in the year 1729, tilled five acres in the general cornfield, at that time on the north side of the island, between the Long Pond, so called, and the west end of the town, a tract of land below the medium quality. -From these five acres he gathered 250 bushels of good corn, and this quantity was considered rather less than an average for that year’s growth. This may be accounted an uncommon growth for any country, still we are inclined to believe in the correctness of the account. The following will show the diminished fertility of the land from that time. _ In the year 1773, the cornfield was at Madaket and Smith’s Point, at the northwesterly part of the island. The lend then produced 20 bushels, on an average, to the acre, which was considered a remarkably good crop. Since that time the crops have gradually lessened, and within a few years they would not average more than 10 or 15 busbels to the acre. There are many reasons which might be assigned for this declension : amongst these, the following may be worthy of consideration. At the time of the settlement of the island it was covered with wood, which protected the crops from the raw easterly winds, and by @ continued supply of falling leaves and other decaying vegetation preserved the richness of the soil. The frequent ploughing of the land, since it was cleared of trees, bas exposed the soil to the action of bleak winds, to which the island is very subject, and by which it is blown into the sea. Besides the plentiful production of corn, mouch wheat was raised. These and other productions sometimes exceeded the wants of the inhabitants, aud were carried to Boston and other places to be exchanged for other articles of merchandise.

The land, weakened by the causes above-mentioned, has in many places been overrun by beach grass, which has advanced from the margin of the sea towards the interior, and covered large tracts. This kind of grass grows best in a sandy soil ; it rises to the height of about two feet, and is better calculated for brooms than for fodder: early in the spring, however, when it begins to grow, it is tender and wholesome food for all kinds of stock. Notwithstanding the many causes which have operated to diminish the natural fertility of the soil, there are many hundreds of acres under good improvement, which produce heavy growths of hay, corn, and the commoon culinary vegetables. There are some excellent farms and fine gardens, in which some of the luxuries, as well as many of the necessaries, of life are annually raised. The cultivation of the grape has, within a few years, attracted the attention of several agriculturists, and it has ’ been proved that both the soil and climate are admirably adapted to the cultivation of this delicious fruit. Hundreds of bushels of the Isabella, and considerable quantities of other kinds, are annually produced.