Page:Economic History of Virginia Vol 2.djvu/446

 These laws had the effect of promoting ship-building in Virginia, to some extent. In 1655, Secretary Ludwell wrote to Secretary Bennett that there had been recently constructed in the Colony several small vessels which could safely make voyages along the coast, and he expressed the hope that ships able to take part in the carrying trade between Virginia, and England would soon be built. This hope was realized. In 1667, only two years subsequently to Secretary Ludwell&#8217;s communication, the King in Council was petitioned by the widow of Captain Whitty, with a view of obtaining a license for the return to Jamestown of the ship America, owned by her and other Virginians, the America having been built in the Colony by her husband. This vessel carried thirty or forty guns, and in workmanship and appearance was so admirable an example of its class, that expectations were raised in England that the Virginians might soon become as skilful in ship-building as the English themselves were. The tonnage of the America was probably very moderate, if any reliance can be placed on the general statement of Berkeley in 1671. In answer to one of the interrogatories of the English Commissioners, sent him in the course of that year, as to the condition of the Colony, he declared that at no time had its people owned more than two vessels, and that the burden of these vessels did not exceed twenty tons. He went so far as to say that no ships, either large or small, were built in Virginia. This sweeping assertion, however, like his famous