Page:The Life of George Washington, Volume 1.djvu/86

 SQ INTRODUCTION. chap, h. contained in the royal instructions, which di- 1613. rected the colonists, for five years, to trade together in one common stock. Its effect was such as ought to have been foreseen. Industry itself, deprived of its due reward, exclusive property in the produce of its toil, felt no suf- ficient stimulus to exertion ; and each indi- vidual, believing that his efforts could add but little to the general fund, and that he must be fed although idle, sought to withdraw himself as much as possible from the labours assigned him. It was computed that while this ill judged regulation was in force, less work was accom- separate plished in a week, than misrht have been per- property in ox lands and formed in a day, had each individual laboured labour in J ' estabifsh g ed. e on his own account. To remove this cause of perpetual scarcity, sir Thomas Dale divided a considerable portion of the land into lots of three acres, and granted one of them in full property to each individual. Although still required to devote a large portion of labour to the public, yet a sudden change was made in the appearance and habits of the colonists. Industry, having from this moment the certain prospect of recompense, advanced with rapid strides, and the inhabitants were no longer in fear of wanting bread, either for themselves, or for the emigrants who came annually from England. r r Robertson.„.Chalmer...*Stith.. ..Beverly.