We now have forty thousand people in Virginia, of whom six thousand are white servants and two thousand negro slaves.

Since 1619, only three ship-loads of negroes have been brought here, yet by natural increase the negroes have grown a hundredfold." The cavalier, who delighted in long morning talks over his pipe, paused a moment to rest, and Robert sat wondering what all this could have to do with him.

After a moment, Hugh Price resumed: "The freemen of Virginia number more than eight thousand horse, and are bound to muster monthly in every county, to be ready for the Indians; but the Indians are absolutely subjugated, so there need be no fear of them.

There are five forts in Virginia, mounted with thirty cannon, two on James River, and one each on the other three rivers of York, Rappahannock, and Potomac; but we have neither skill nor ability to maintain them.

We have a large foreign commerce.