Page:Economic History of Virginia Vol 1.djvu/652

been introduced into Virginia by a vessel on which fevers had broken out in consequence of the decayed meat and beer distributed among the passengers as their daily allowance. Time only enlarged the proportions of the evil. It was found necessary to increase the number of precautions to remove it. Thus in 1626, Governor Yeardley was instructed to examine the charter party of every shipmaster to discover whether he had complied with the condition as to the number of passengers whom he might transport, and also had provided victuals ample in quantity and wholesome in quality.^[1] Eleven years later, the Governor of the Colony was directed to certify to the Privy Council the names of those who were notoriously delinquent in furnishing food and drink to the passengers in their ships for Virginia. A number of presentments were made in accordance with these orders, and punishments were inflicted.^[2] These active steps to compel the owners and masters of vessels to provide proper accommodations for their inferior passengers, passengers of means being able to secure whatever was needed to promote their comfort and to protect their health by the payment of large fees,^[3] had their origin in the suggestion of Governor West. A report was drawn up by this official concerning the great mortality from which the Colony had suffered at various times, in consequence of the introduction of persons who had become diseased during the voyage by the use of unwholesome food.^[4] The strictest instructions were given

1. Instructions to Yeardley, 1626, McDonald Papers, vol. I, p. 408, § 8, Va. State Library.
2. The presentment of Robert Page, cape merchant of the George, is given in British State Papers, Colonial, vol. IX, No. 44, I, II, III, IV; Sainsbury Abstracts for 1637, p. 187, Va. State Library.
3. See, for circumstances attending the voyage of Miss Fitzhugh, Letters of William Fitzhugh, Jan. 30, 1686-87.
4. Governor West to Lords Commissioners for Plantations, British State Papers, Colonial Papers, vol. IX, No. 7; Sainsbury Abstracts for 1636, p. 150, Va. State Library.