Page:Economic History of Virginia Vol 1.djvu/543

 This would signify about two and two-fifths shillings an acre, or, raising this sum to the purchasing value which it would probably have to-day in American currency, two dollars and eighty-five cents. In addition, the tract acquired was covered with an enormous growth of prim&aelig;val forest, which made necessary a great expenditure of labor and a considerable expenditure of money to clear the ground. If the right was secured by the introduction of a servant, not only must the charge for his passage be taken into account, but also the amount required to clothe him. The cost of his apparel alone in 1649 was three pounds and seven shillings. When it grew common for the planters to sue out patents on the basis of head rights acquired by the purchase of persons brought over by the