'Twixt the two Capes, the Southern, call'd the _Cape Henry_, the more Northerly call'd _Cape Charles_, there runs up a great Bay, call'd the Bay of _Cheesepeak_; nine Leagues over in some places, in most Seven, lying much West, Nore and South, dividing _Virginia_ into two unequal Parts. On the East side of this Bay there lies a narrow neck of Land, which makes the Counties of _Northampton_ and _Accomack_. On the West side of the Bay there branches forth four great Rivers, _James River_, _York River_, _Rapahanack_ and _Potomack_, that rise from a ridge of Mountains, whereof more in the Sequel. These Rivers plentifully water all the other parts of _Virginia_, emptying themselves into the great Bay. The Mouth of _James River_, which is the most Southerly of them, the Mouth of _Potomack_, which is the most Northerly, may be a hundred Miles distance: But as I have been credibly inform'd that the Falls of _James River_ are not past thirty Miles from _Potomack_, which is a vast large River nine Miles over in many places. I have been told it was Navigable nigh two hundred Miles, much higher than any of the other Rivers: Whence I conclude in future times, it will be the most considerable for Trade when the Country comes to be inhabited further up into the main Land. The other Rivers are much about three Miles over a piece. And _James River_ is Navigable at least eighty Miles. Within four or five Miles of _James Town_, _James River_ and _York River_ are not past four or five Miles asunder. Yea, Sloops of considerable Carriage may Sail up the Branches of the two Rivers, till they come within a Mile the one of the other; for I take it to be no more from Col. _Bollards_ to Major _Troop_'s Landing, and I believe they may come much what as near again as Col. _Coles_, and several other places. _York_ River is distant from _Rapahanack_ in some places not past ten or twelve Miles, _Rapahanack_ from _Potomack_ not past seven Miles in one place, tho' it may be sixty in others. The Heads of the Branches of the Rivers interfere and lock one within another, which I think is best expressed after the manner that an _Indian_ explained himself once to me, when I enquired how nigh the Rivers of _Carolina_, _Virginia_ and _Maryland_ arose out of the Mountains? from those that ran Westerly on the other side of the Mountains, he clapt the Fingers of one Hand 'twixt those of the other, crying, they meet thus; the Branches of different Rivers rising not past a hundred Paces distant one from another: So that no Country in the World can be more curiously watered. But this conveniency, that in future times may make her like the _Netherlands_, the richest place in all _America_, at the present I look on the greatest Impediment to the advance of the Country, as it is the greatest Obstacle to Trade and Commerce. For the great number of Rivers and the thinness of the Inhabitants distract and disperse a Trade. So that all Ships in general gather each their Loading up and