The Present State of Virginia

"The Present State of Virginia" by Hugh Jones is a historical exploration of Virginia in the 1700s. The book shines a light on the diverse groups living there, including Native Americans, Europeans, and enslaved Africans, examining their beliefs, habits, government, jobs, and everyday lives, while describing the colony's landscapes. It also puts forward ideas to boost education, business, and progress in different areas. At the start, the author explains why he wrote the book, wanting to fix the incorrect ideas people in England had about Virginia and to show how it could be made better. He points out the big steps forward made under important governors, especially Colonel Spotswood, in areas like trade, arts, and science. Jones wants to offer a correct picture of Virginia, challenging misunderstandings and pushing for its success, which leads into the detailed look at the people and their situations that comes later in the book.