Source: Robert Beverley, "Of the Servants and Slaves in Virginia," The History and Present State of Virginia, London, 1705. Robert Beverley was born in Virginia, the son of an elite planter. [1] Their Servants, they distinguish by the Names of Slaves for Life, and Servants for a time. Slaves are the Negroes, and their Posterity [children], follow the condition of the Mother. They are call'd Slaves, in Respect of the Time of their Servitude, because it is for Life. Servants are those which serve only for a few years, according to the time of their Indenture or the Custom of the Country.... [2] The Male-Servants, and Slaves of both Sexes, are employed together in tilling and manuring the Ground, in sowing and planting Tobacco, Corn. Some Distinction indeed is made between them in their Clothes and Food, but the work of both is no other than what the Overseers, the Freemen, and the Planters themselves do.... [3] Sufficient Distinction is also made between the Female-Servants, and Slaves; for a white Woman is rarely or never put to work in the Ground, if she be good for any thing else; and to discourage all Planters from using any Women so, their Law imposes Taxes upon Female-Servants working in the Ground, while it suffers [allows] all other white Women to be absolutely exempted; Whereas on the other hand, it is a common thing to work a Woman Slave out of Doors; nor does the Law make any Distinction in her Taxes, whether her Work be Abroad [outside] or at Home.... [4] Because I have heard how strangely cruel, and severe the Service of this Country [use of slaves and servants in Virginial is presented in some Parts of England, I can't forbear affirming that the Work of their Servants and Slaves is no other than what every common Freeman does.

Source: Robert Beverley, "Of the Servants and Slaves in Virginia," The History and Present State of Virginia, London, 1705. Robert Beverley was born in Virginia, the son of an elite planter. [1] Their Servants, they distinguish by the Names of Slaves for Life, and Servants for a time. Slaves are the Negroes, and their Posterity [children], follow the condition of the Mother. They are call'd Slaves, in Respect of the Time of their Servitude, because it is for Life. Servants are those which serve only for a few years, according to the time of their Indenture or the Custom of the Country.... [2] The Male-Servants, and Slaves of both Sexes, are employed together in tilling and manuring the Ground, in sowing and planting Tobacco, Corn. Some Distinction indeed is made between them in their Clothes and Food, but the work of both is no other than what the Overseers, the Freemen, and the Planters themselves do.... [3] Sufficient Distinction is also made between the Female-Servants, and Slaves; for a white Woman is rarely or never put to work in the Ground, if she be good for any thing else; and to discourage all Planters from using any Women so, their Law imposes Taxes upon Female-Servants working in the Ground, while it suffers [allows] all other white Women to be absolutely exempted; Whereas on the other hand, it is a common thing to work a Woman Slave out of Doors; nor does the Law make any Distinction in her Taxes, whether her Work be Abroad [outside] or at Home.... [4] Because I have heard how strangely cruel, and severe the Service of this Country [use of slaves and servants in Virginial is presented in some Parts of England, I can't forbear affirming that the Work of their Servants and Slaves is no other than what every common Freeman does.

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What is one perspective about labor in Virginia expressed in the document? explain one specific historical event or development that led to the labor system depicted in the document.

Source: Robert Beverley, "Of the Servants and Slaves in Virginia," The History and
Present State of Virginia, London, 1705. Robert Beverley was born in Virginia, the
son of an elite planter.
[1] Their Servants, they distinguish by the Names of Slaves for Life, and Servants for a time. Slaves are
the Negroes, and their Posterity [children], follow the condition of the Mother. They are call'd Slaves,
in Respect of the Time of their Servitude, because it is for Life. Servants are those which serve only
for a few years, according to the time of their Indenture or the Custom of the Country....
[2] The Male-Servants, and Slaves of both Sexes, are employed together in tilling and manuring the
Ground, in sowing and planting Tobacco, Corn. Some Distinction indeed is made between them in
their Clothes and Food, but the work of both is no other than what the Overseers, the Freemen,
and the Planters themselves do....
[3] Sufficient Distinction is also made between the Female-Servants, and Slaves; for a white Woman is
rarely or never put to work in the Ground, if she be good for any thing else; and to discourage all
Planters from using any Women so, their Law imposes Taxes upon Female-Servants working in the
Ground, while it suffers [allows] all other white Women to be absolutely exempted; Whereas on the
other hand, it is a common thing to work a Woman Slave out of Doors; nor does the Law make any
Distinction in her Taxes, whether her Work be Abroad [outside] or at Home....
[4] Because I have heard how strangely cruel, and severe the Service of this Country [use of slaves
and servants in Virginial is presented in some Parts of England, I can't forbear affirming that the Work
of their Servants and Slaves is no other than what every common Freeman does.

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