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[Page 8]
they are not so very materially felt. This Island does not produce a single Blade of Grass; but the cattle (Sheep and Goats) flourish greatly, and are always in good order, upon no other Pasture than Browze. The Pines are truly stately, and, in appearance, awfully magnificent. Some of them measure from 160 to 220 feet in length, from 60 to 120 feet, clear from the Branches, and from 20 to 40 feet in Circumference; the other trees on the Island, which any where else would be thought large, are, in appearance, only like underwood. They are, by far, in greater abundance near the Sea Coast, than inland, where few are only found here; and then they're, in account of this Island, exalted to a degree confirming them fit for masting the whole British Navy. This follows, in Quantity, but for the Quality, I shall here give the opinion of the only Person in the Settlement, that can be accounted a Judge. He, at once, affirms them perfectly unfit for such purposes; that they are, not in the least, like the grain of the Norway Pine, (as expressed in the account) that, in that respect, its as short as Beach, (but of very different quality, that it snaps like a carrot, and, when cut with the finest 2 Edged Tools, across the Grain, it scratches and becomes ragged, instead of being smooth and clear: and, in his Opinion, it bears a nearer resemblance to the Cypress of America, than any other wood, however worked upon. He allows it to be very fit, and every neat stuff for house Building. The turpentine (which is also mentioned) is contained between the Bark and the Wood, seems destitute of any (Bright) Quality, except when mixed with Tallow, which makes an indifferent Coat for Boat Bottoms &c. The wood contains a sap of delicate white, but has not even the properties of bad Gum.
As
[In left margin]
The Person's name alluded to is Levington [Livington] the Master Carpenter of this Settlement & a Freeman.
[Note from left hand margin of page] The persons named alluded to is serving for the Master Carpenter of this settlement and a Freeman