UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
AT LOS ANGELES
N -
' BRANCH,
>.. CALIFORNIA,
LIBRARY,
JLOS ANGELES, CALIF. '
A
PHILOSOPHICAL AND POLITICAL
HISTORY
O F T H E
SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
F T H E
EUROPEANS
1 N T H E
EAST AND WEST INDIES*
Tranflated from the French of the
ABBE RAYNAL,
By J. J U S T A M O N D, M. A.
THE THIRD EDITION:
REVISED AND CORRECTED.
WITH MAPS ADAPTED TO THE WORK,
AND A COPIOUS INDEX.
VOLUME THE FIFTH.
LONDON:
Printed for T. CAD ELL, in the Strand,
MDCCLXXVII.
52887
1-77-7
v.5~
CONTENTS
OF THE
FIFTH VOLUME.
BOOK XVI.
Page
ACCOUNT of the French fettlements in
North-America continued I
BOOK XVII.
Englijh colonies fettled at Hudforfs Bay, New-
foundland, Nova Scotia, New England, New
Tork, and New Jerfey 99
BOOK XVIII.
Englijb colonies founded in Penfylvania, Vir-
ginia, Maryland, Carolina, Georgia, and
Florida. General reflexions on all thefe fet-
tlements 213
BOOK XIX.
A view of tie effects, pr -educed by the connexions
of the Europeans with the Americans, on the
Religion, Government, Policy, War, Navy,
Commerce, Agriculture, Manufactures, Popu-
lation, Public Credit, Fine Arts and Belles
Lettres, Philojophy, and Morals of Europe 375
A
PHILOSOPHICAL AND POLITICAL
HISTORY
F T H E
SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
O F T H E
EUROPEANS
1 N T H E
EAST AND WEST INDIES.
BOOK XVI.
Account of the French Settlements in North- America^
continued.
THE war carried on for the Spanifh fuccef-
fion, had raifed a ferment in the four quar-
ters of the world, which for the two laft centuries
have felt the effects of that reftlefs fpirit with which
Europe hath been agitated. All kingdoms were
Ihaken by the contefts excited on account of one,
which under the dominion of Charles V. had flruck
terror into them all. The influence of a houfe whofc
fovereignty extended over five or fix dates, had
raifed the Spanifri nation to a pitch of greatnefs
which could not but be extremely flattering to her.
At the fame time another houfe, whofe power was
itill fuperior, as its dominions were more connecl-
VOL. V. B ed
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
K ed together, was ambitious of giving the law to
' that haughty nation. The names of Auftria and
Bourbon, which had been rivals for two hundred
years, were now exerting their laft efforts to ac-
quire a fuperiority, which fhould no longer be
confidered as precarious or doubtful between them.
The point of conteft was, which fhould have the
greateft number of crowns, to boaft the pofleffion
of. Europe, divided between the claims of the
two houfcs, which were not altogether groundlefs,
was inclined to allow them to extend their branches,
but would not permit that feveral crowns fhould
center in one houfe, as they formerly did. Every
power took up arms to difperfe or divide a vaft in-
heritances and refolved to difmember it, rather
than fuffer it to be attached to one, which, with
this additional weight of ftrength, muft infallibly
deftroy the balance of all the reft. As the war
was fupported by each party with numerous forces
and great fkill, with warlike people and experi-
enced generals, it continued a long time: it defo-
lated the countries it fhould have fuccoured, and
even ruined nations that had no concern in it.
Victory, v/hich fhould have determined the con-
teft, was fo variable, that it ferved only to increafe
the general flame. The fame troops that were luc-
cefsful in one country, were defeated in another.
The people who conquered by fea, were worfted
on land. The news of the lofs of a fleet and the
gaining of a battle arrived at the fame time. Sue-
cefs alternately favoured ea,ch party, and by this
inconftancy ferved only to complete the mutual de-
ftruclion of both. At length, when the blood and
treafurc
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 3
treafure of the feveral ftates were exhaufted, and B v *
after a feries of calamities and expences that had * v '
lafted near twelve years, the people who had pro-
fited by their misfortunes, and were weakened by
their contefts, were anxious of recovering the loffes
they had fuilained. They endeavoured to find in
the New world the means of peopling and re-efta-
blifliing the old. France firft turned her views
towards North- America, to which fhe was invited
by the fimilarity of foil and climate, and the ifland
of Cape-Breton became immediately the objedof
her attention.
THE Englifh confidered this pofleffion as an The French
equivalent for all that the French had loft by the S e 7 r co f ; e _ r
treaty of Utrecht, and not being entirely recon- / p |^" d
ciled to them, ftrongly oppofed their being allow- J ri e '" y Br-
ed to people and fortify it. They faw no other ton; and
method of excluding them from the cod-fifliery, 2im
and making the entrance into Canada difficult for J^ es
their fhips. The moderation of queen Anne, or,
perhaps, the corruption of her minifters, prevent-
ed France from being expofed to this frefh mortifi-
cation : and fhe was authorifed to make what
alterations fhe thought proper at Cape-Breton.
THIS ifland is fituated at the entrance of the
gulph of St. Lawrence, between the 45th and 47 th
degrees of north latitude. Newfoundland lies to
the eaft, on the fame gulph, and is only 15 or
1 6 leagues diftant from it -, and to the weft, Acadia
is only feparated from the ifland by a ftreight, not
more than three or four leagues over. Cape-Bre-
ton thus fituated between the territories ceded to
its enemies, threatened their pofiefiions, while it
B a protected
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
protected thofe of France. The ifland meafures
about 36 leagues in length, and 22 in its greateft
breadth. It is furrounded with little fharp-pointed
rocks, feparated from each other by the waves,
above which fome of their tops are vifible. All
its harbours open to the eaft, turning towards the
Ibuth. On the other parts of the coafl there are
but a few anchoring-places for fmall veffels, in
creeks, or between iflets. Except in the hilly
parts, the furface of the country has but little
folidity, being every where covered with a light
mofs and with water. The dampnefs of the foil
is exhaled in fogs, without rendering the air un-
wholefome. In other refpecls, the clirhate is very
cold, owing either to the prodigious quantity of
lakes, which cover above half the ifland, and re-
main frozen a long time, or to the number of
forefts, that totally intercept the rays of the fun ;
the effeft of which is befides decreafed by perpe-
tual clouds.
THOUGH fome fifhermen had long reforted to
Cape-Breton every fummer, not more than twenty
or thirty had ever fixed there. The French who
took pofieffion of it in Auguft 1713, were pro-
perly the firft inhabitants. They changed its
name into that of Ifle Royale, and fixed upon
fort Dauphin for their principal fettlement. This
harbour was two leagues in circumference. The
{hips which came to the very fhore, were Iheltered
from winds. Forefts affording oak fufficient to
build and fortify a large city, were near at handj
the ground appeared lefs barren than in other
parts, and the fiihery was more plentiful. This
harbour
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 5
ha*bour might have been made impregnable at a 2 . v K
trifling expence, but the difficulty of approaching ' v - ^
it, (a circumftance that had at firft made a ftronger
imprefilon than. the advantages refulting from it),
occafioned it to be abandoned after great labour
had been beftowed upon it. They then turned
their views 'to Lou ifbourg, the accefs to which was
eafier, and convenience was thus preferred to fe-
curity.
THE harbour of Louifbourg, iituated on the
eaftern coaft of the ifland, is at lead a league in
depth, and above a quarter of a league broad in
the narrowed part. Its bottom is good, tire
foundings are ufuaily from fix to ten fathom, and
it is eafy to tack about in it either to fail in or out
even in bad weather. It includes a fmall gulph
very commodious for refitting fhips of all fizes,
which may even winter there, with proper pre-
cautions. The only inconvenience attending this
excellent harbour is, that it is frozen up from No-
vember till May, and frequently continues fc> till
June. The entrance, which is naturally narrow,
is alfo guarded by Goat ifland ; the cannon of
which playing upon a level with the furface of
the water, would fink fhips of any fize, that
fhould attempt to force the pafiage. The batte-
ries, one of thirty-fix, the other of twelve twenty-
four pounders, erected on the two oppofite fhores a
would fupport and crofs this formidable fire.
THE town is built on a neck of land that runs
into the fea, and is about half a league in circuit;
the ftreets are broad and regular. Almoft all the
houfes are made of wood. Thofe that are of
B 3 ftone,
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
xvi. K fo>ne, were conilrufted at the expence of the go-
y ' yernment, and are deftined for the reception of
the troops. A. number of wharfs have been ereft-
ed, that project a confiderable way into the har-
bour, and are extremely convenient for loading
and unloading the fhips.
THE fortification of Louifbourg wa's only begun
in 1720. This undertaking was executed upon
very good plans, and is fupplied with all the works
that can render a place formidable. A fpace of
about a hundred toifes only, was left without ram-
parts on the fide next the fea, which was thought
furHciently defended by its fituation. It was clofed
only with a fjmple dyke. The fea was fo fhallow
in this place, that it made a kind of narrow canal,
inacceffible from the number of its reefs to any
Ihipping whatever. The fire from the fide baf-
tions completely fecured this fpot from any attack.
THE neceflity of bringing ftone from Europe*
and other materials proper for thefe great works,
fometimes retarded their progrefs, but never made
them be difcontinued. More than thirty mil-
lions* were expended upon them. This was not
thought too great a fum for the fupport of the
fifheries, for fecuring the communication between
France and Canada, and for obtaining a fecurity
or retreat to fhips in time of war coming from the
fouthern iflands. Nature and found policy re-
quired that the riches of the fouth fliould be pro-
tected by the ftrength of the north.
IN the year 1714, fome fifhermen, who till then
ftad lived in Newfoundland, fettled in this ifland.
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 7
It was expected that their number would foon have BOOK.
been increafed by the Acadians, who were at li- ^ '
berty, from the treaties that had been granted
them, to remove with all their effects, and even
to dilpofe of their eftates; but thefe hopes were
difappointed. The Acadians chofe rather to re-
tain their poflefllons under the dominion of Eng-
land, than to give them up for any precarious
advantage they might derive from their attach-
ment to France. Their place was fupplied by
forae diftreffed adventurers from Europe, who
came over from time to time to Cape-Breton, and
the inhabitants of the colony gradually increafed
to the number of four thoufand. They were fet-'
tied at Louifbourg, Fort Dauphin, Port Touloufe,
Nericka, and on all the coafts where they found a
proper beach for drying the cod.
THE inhabitants never applied themfelves to
agriculture, the foil being unfit for it. They
have often attempted to fow corn, but it feldom
came to maturity; and when it did thrive fo much
as to be worth reaping, it had degenerated fo con-
fiderably, that it was not fit for feed for the next
harvefL They have only continued to plant a few
pot-herbs that are tolerably well tailed, but muft
be renewed every year from abroad. The poor-
nefs and fcarcity of paftures has likewife prevented
the increafe of cattle. In a word, the foil of
Cape-Breton feemed calculated to invite none but
filhermen and foldiers.
THOUGH the ifland was entirely covered with
forefts before it was inhabited, its wood has fcarce
jcver been an object of trade. A great quantity,
B 4 however,'
* HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
B o^o K however, of foft wood was found there fit for
t~L v J_' firing, and fome that might be ufed for timber;
but the oak has always been very fcarce, and the
fir never yielded much refin.
THE peltry trade was a very inconfiderable ob-
ject. It confifted only in the fkins of a few lynxes
elks, mufk rats, wild cats, bears, otters, and foxes,
both of a red and filver grey colour. Some of
thefe were procured from a colony of Mickmac
Indians who had fettled on the ifland with the
French, and never could raife more than fixty
men able to bear arms. The reft came from St.
John's, or the neighbouring continent.
GREATER advantages might poflibly have been
derived from the coal mines which abound in the
ifland. They lie in a horizontal direction, and
being no more than fix or eight feet below the
furface, may be worked without digging deep, or
draining off the waters. Notwithstanding the
prodigious demand for this coal from New- Eng-
land, from the year 1745 to the year 1749, thefe
mines would, probably, have been forfaken, had
not the fhips which were fent out to the French
iflands wanted ballaft. In one of thefe mines a
fire had been kindled, which could never be ex-
tinguifhed, and will one day probably occafion
fome extraordinary explofion. If the careleffhefs
of one man could by a fingle fpark kindle a fire,
which for feveral years pair, has been conftantly
devouring the bowels of the earth, how little ex-
ertion does nature require to produce a volcano,
able to, confume a whole country with its inhabi-
tants!
THE
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
THE whole induftry of the colony has conflant-
ly been exerted in the cod filhsry. The lefs weal-
thy inhabitants employed yearly two hundred boats
in this fifhery, and the richeft fifty or fixty veflels
from thirty to fifty tons burthen. The fmall craft
always kept within four or five leagues of the
coaft, and returned at night with their fifh, which
being immediately cured, was always in the utmoft
degree of perfection it was capable of. The
larger fmacks went to fifh further from fhore,
kept their cargo for feveral days, and as the cod
was apt to be too fait, it was lefs valuable. But
this inconvenience was compenfated by the advan-
tage it gave them of purfuing the fifh, when the
want of food compelled it to leave the ifland;
and by the facility of carrying during the autumn
the produce of their labours to the fouthern
iflands, or even to France.
BESIDES the fifhermen fettled on the ifland,
others came every year from France to dry their
fifhj either in the habitations, in confequence of an
agreement made with the owners, or upon the
beach, which was always referved for their ufe.
THE mother-country regularly fent them fhips
laden with provifions, liquors, wearing apparel,
houfehold goods, and all things neceflary for the
inhabitants of the colony. The largeft of thefe
fhips, having no other concern but this trade, re-
turned to Europe as foon as they had bartered
their lading for cod. Thofe from fifty to a hun-
dred tons burden, after having landed their little
cargo, went a fifhing themfelves, and did not re-
turn till the feafon was over,
THE
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
THE people of Cape-Breton did not fend all
their fifh to Europe. They fent part of it to the
French foutherniflands, on board twenty or twenty-
five fhips, from feventy to a hundred and forty-
tons burthen. Befides the cod, which made at
leaft half their cargo, they exported to the other
colonies, timber, planks, thin oak boards, faked
falmon and mackarel, train oil, and fea coal. All
thefe were paid for in fugar and coffee, but chiefly
in rum and molafles.
THE ifland could not confume all thefe commo-
dities. Canada took off but a fmall part of the
overplus j it was chiefly bought by the people of
New-England, who gave in exchange fruits, ve-
getables, wood, brick and cattle. This trade of
exchange was allowed, but a fmuggling trade was
added to it, confuting of flour, and a confiderable
quantity of fait fifh.
NOTWITHSTANDING this circulation, which was
all carried on at Louifbourg, mod of thecolonifts
were extremely poor. This was owing to the de-
pendence their indigence had fubjecled them to
on their firft: arrival. Unable to procure the ne-
ceflary implements for the fifhery, they had borrow-
ed fome at an exceflive interefl. Even thofe who
were not at firft reduced to this neceffity, were
foon obliged to fubmit to the hard terms of bor-
rowing. The dearnefs of fait and provifions, to-
gether with the ill fuccefs of their fifhery, foon
compelled them to it, and they were inevitably
ruined by being obliged to pay twenty or five and
twenty per cent, a year for every thing they bor-
rowed, It is one of the many hardfhips attending
an
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. u
$.n equality of ftations in life, that thofe born B ^ r K
to a fortune can feldom acquire one but by vio- ' w~" - '
lence or fraud, the means by which the moft opu-
lent families have amaffed their riches. Even
commerce can fcarce exempt men from thefehard-
(hips by induflry and afliduous labour. But all
the French colonies of New France were not from
their firft eftablifhment deftined to fuch diftrefs.
THE ifland of St. John, more favourably fituat- s^^t
ed, has been more favourable to its inhabitants. ofthe .
It lies further up the gulph of St. Lawrence, is the ifland
twenty-two leagues long, and not much above a
league at its greateft breadth. It bends in the
form of a crefcent, both ends terminating in a
{harp point. Though the right of this ifland had
never been difputed with France, yet fhe feemed
to pay no regard to it till the peace of Utrecht.
The lofs of Acadia and Newfoundland drew their
attention to this fmall 'remaining fpot, and the go-
vernment began to inquire what ufe could be
made of it.
IT appeared that the winters were long there,
the cold extreme, with abundance of fnow, and
prodigious quantities of infects; but that thefe de-
feels were compenfated by a healthy coafr, a good
fea-port, and commodious harbours. The country
was flat, enriched with fine paftures, watered by
an infinite number of rivulets and fprings; the
foil exceedingly diverfiried, and fit for the culture
of every kind of grain. There was plenty of
game, and multitudes of wild beafts; amazing
Jhoals of fifh of all forts i and a greater num-
ber of favage inhabitants than were found on
any
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
any other of the iflands. This circumftance alone
was a proof how much it was iuperior to the reft.
THE report that was fpread of this in France,
gave rife to a company in 171 9, which formed
the defign both of de~' 3 ...-rtile ifland, and
of eftablifhing a pr . :::hery there. Unfor-
tunately, intereit, ,.ijch had brought the adven-
turers together, fet them at variance again, before
they began to execute the plan they had projected.
St. John was again forgotten, when the Acadians
began to remove to that ifland in 1749. In pro-
cefs of time they increafed to the number of 3 1 54.
As they were for the moft part hufbandmen, and
particularly accuftomed to the breeding of cattle,
the government thought proper to confine them
to this employment; and the cod fifhery was only
allowed to be carried on, by thofe who fettled at
Traeadia, and St. Peter.
PROHIBITIONS and monopolies, while they are
a reftraint upon induftry, are equally detrimental
to the labours they permit, and to thofe they for-
bid. Though the ifland of St. John does not
afford a fufficient extent of fea-fhore, fit for dry-
ing the vafl quantities of cod that come in Ihoals
to the coafts, and though the fifh is too large to
be eafily dried, yet it was incumbent upon a power
whofe fifheries are not fufficient for the confump-
tion of its own fubjefts, to encourage this kind of
employment. If there were too few drying-places
for the quantity that could be caught, that which
is called green cod might eafily have been pre-
pared, which alone would have made a valuable
branch of commerce.
Bv
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 13
BY confining the inhabitants of St. John to agri- B o^o K
culture, they were deprived of all refource in thofe ^ -v-- '
unfortunate feafons that happen frequently on the
ifland, when the crops are devoured by the field
mice and grafshoppers. The exchanges which
the mother-country could and ought to have made
with her colony, were reduced to nothing. Lafl>
ly, in attempting to favour agriculture, its pro-
grefs was obftrucled, by laying the inhabitants
under an impofllbility of procuring the neceflary
articles for extending it.
ONLY one or two fmall vefiels came annually
to the ifland from Europe, and landed at Port La-
Joie, where they were fupplied with all they want-
ed from Louifbourg, and paid for it in wheat,
barley, oats, pulfe, black cattle and fheep. A
party of fifty men ferved rather to regulate their
police, than to defend them. Their commanding-
officer was dependent on Cape-Breton, which was
itfelf under the controul of the governor of Ca-
nada. The command of this lad officer extended
to a great diftance, over a vaft continent, the
richeft part of which was Louifiana.
THIS province, which the Spaniards formerly Difcomy
comprehended under the name of Florida, was of tb .w if -
not difcovered by the French till the year 1673. theFrcaciu
They were told by the favages, that to the weft of
Canada, there was a great river, which flowed nei-
ther to the north nor to the eaft, and they con-
cluded that it muft therefore empty itfelf into the
gulph of Mexico, if its courfe were fouthward,
or into the South Sea, if it were weftward. The
communication with thefe two feas was of fuch
importance,
14 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AfrD TRADE*
BOOK importance, as to deferve fome inquiry. This un-
r. v ' dertaking was committed to Joliet, an inhabitant
of Quebec, a man of fenfe and experience, and
to the Jefuit Marquette, whofe virtues were re-
Ipecled by all the nations inhabiting that continent.
THESE two men, whofe intentions were equally
honeft, always lived in the moil friendly intimacy
with each other. They went together from the
lake Michigan, entered the river of the Foxes,
which empties itfelf into that lake, and went up
almoft to the head of the river, notwithstanding
the currents which render that navigation difficult.
After fome days march, they again embarked on
the river Ouisconfing, and keeping always weft-
ward, came to the MifTifipp!, and failed down that
river as far as the Akanfas, about the 33 d degree
of latitude. Their zeal would have carried them
further, but they were in want of provifions. It
would have been imprudent to have ventured too
far, with only three or four men, in an unknown
country, and moreover, as they were perfectly
convinced that the river difcharged itfelf in the
gulph of Mexico, they returned to Canada. Upon
entering the river of the Illinois, they found the
people pretty numerous, and inclined to a friendly
intercourfe with the French nation. Without
concealing or exaggerating any particular, they
communicated to the chief man of the colony all
the information they had procured.
AMONG the inhabitants of New France at that
time, was a Norman,' named La Salle, who was
equally defirous of making a great fortune, and
of eftablifhing a brilliant reputation. This man
had
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
had fpent his younger years among the Jefuits,
where he had contracted that activity, enthufiafm,
and firmnefs, which thofe fathers fo well know
how to inftil into their difciples, when they meet
with young men of quick parts, with whom they
are fond of recruiting their order. La Salle, who
was a bold and enterprifing man, fond of availing
himfelf of every opportunity to diftinguifh himfelf,
and anxious even to feek out fuch opportunities,
perceived that the new governor of Canada neg-
lected to purfue the difcovery that had been made.
He embarked for Europe, went to the court of
Verfailles, was liftened to, almoft even with admi-
ration, at a time when both the prince and the
people were infpired with a pafiion for great ac-
tions. He returned loaded with favours, and with
orders to complete what had been fo fortunately
begun.
BUT in order to infure fuccefs to-his fcheme, he
had the prudence to proceed with the greateft
caution. The diftance was confiderable from the
further French fettlements in Canada to the banks
of the river that was to be the object of inquiry.
It was a matter of prudence to fecure this tract.
His firft ilep, therefore, was to erect feveral ports,
which took up more time than he imagined, the
works being often interrupted by unforefeen inci-
dents. When time and caution had difpofed every
thing to his wilhes, he failed down the Mifllfippi
in 1 65 2, and found that it ran into the gulph of
Mexico, as had been before conjectured.
THIS information was of great confequcnce. La
who well knew what remained to be done,
haftened
16 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
haftened back to Quebec, and went over to France,,
to propofe the difcovery of the Mifilfippi by fea,
and the eftablifhment of a colony, which could ',
not fail of being a very important one. His
fcheme was approved, and he obtained four Ihips
of different rates, with about 150 men. He
miffed his point by fleering too far weftward, and
on the loth of January, 1685, found himfelf in
th,e bay of St. Barnard, diftant a hundred leagues
from the Mifiifippi. This error might have been
rectified; but La Salle, who was of a haughty and
unfociable temper, had quarrelled with the com-
mander of his little fleet, and being unwilling to
owe any obligation to him, hedifmifled him. Being
befides prepofTeiTed with the idea that the river he
had entered muft certainly be an arm of the great
one he was commiflioned to reconnoitre, he ima-
gined he could execute the defign he had been fent
upon without any other afiiftance; but he was foon
undeceived. He neglected the object of his expe-
dition. Inftead of looking for guides among the
favages, who would have directed him to the place
of his deftination, he chofe to go nearer the Spa-
niards, and inform himfelf of the famous mines
of St. Barbe. He was wholly taken up with this
abfurd project, when he was mafTacred by fome of
his companions, who could no longer bear with
the harlhnefs of his character, his oLftinacy, and
haughtinefs.
THE death of La Salle foon occafioned the reft
of his company to difperfe. The villains who
had murdered him, fell by each other's hand. Se-
veral incorporated with the natives. Many pe-
3 rifhed
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 17
rrihed by hunger and fatigue. The Spaniards of B ^> K
New Mexico, alarmed at the report of this under- '
taking, had advanced up the country in order to
Oppofe it, took fome of thefe adventurers, and fent
them to work in the mines, where they perifhed.
Thofe who had fhut themfelvesup in the little fort
which had been erected, fell into the hands of the
favages. Only feven efcaped, who embarked on
the Miflifippi, which had at laft been difcovered
by land, and came to Canada. Thefe diftrefles
foon made the French lofe fight of Louifiana.
THE attention of the miniftry was again awak-
ened in 1697, by Yberville, a gentleman of Ca-
nada, who had diftinguifhed himfelf by fome very
bold and fortunate attempts at Hudfon's bay, in
Acadia and Newfoundland. He was fent out from
Rochfort with two fhips, and entered the Mifli-
fippi on the id of July 1669. He failed up the
river high enough to take a full view of the beau-
ty and fertility of its banks. He contented him-
felf, however, with erecting a fmall fort, which
did not long continue, and proceeded to another
fpot to fettle his colony, chiefly confifting of Ca-
nadians.
BETWEEN the mouth of the Miflifippi and Pen- The
facola, a fettlement newly erected by the Spaniards %i\i n the
in Florida, is a coaft of about forty leagues in c un"y
T i r n i , that is wa-
extent. It is every where lo flat, that trading tcred by
fhips cannot come within four leagues of the iJppi^ifd
Ihore, or even the lighteft brigs within two "<!iifii n
leagues. The foil, which is entirely fandy, is
equally unfit for agriculture and the breeding of
cattle. Nothing grows there but a few cedars
VOL. V. C and
18 HISTORY OF. SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
r trees> T ^ e c ^ mate ls exceedingly hot,
when the rays of the fun fhine upon thefe fandsj
that in fome feafons the heat v, r ould be unfupport-
ablCj were it not for a light breeze, which fprings
up regularly at nine or ten in the morning, and
never falls but in the evening. In this large tract,
there is a place called Biloxi, from the name of a
favage nation, that formerly fettled there. This
fituation, the rnoft barren and mod inconvenient
upon the whole coafl, was made choice of for the
refidence of the few men Yberville had brought
thither, and who had been allured by the moil
fanguine expectations.
Two years after a new colony arrived, and fet-
tled thirteen leagues to the eaft of Biloxi, not far
from Perifacola. The banks of the Mobile, which
though a river of feme extent is no where navi-
gable but for boats, were judged to be worth in-
habiting. The poornefs of the grounds, was not
thought a fufficient objection. It was determined
that the connections which might be formed with
the Spaniards and neighbouring Indians, would
compenfate all thefe difadvantages. An ifland
fituated oppofite to the Mobile at the diftance of
four leagues, offered a harbour, which might be
confidered as the fea-port of the new colony. It
was named the ifle of Dauphin. It was very con-
venient for unloading the French goods, which be-
fore it had been necefTary to fend afhore in boats.
This ifland, though a barren one, was foon peo-
pled, and became the chief fettlement of the colo-
lony; till the lands, by which it had been origi-
nally formed, were heaped up to fuch a degree by
tht
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
the winds in 1717, as to deprive it of the only B
advantage that had given it fome kind of reputa- ^
&
tion.
IT could not reafonably be expected that a co-
lony fixed upon fuch a territory fhould make any
progrefs. The death of Yberville at fea, who
prerifhedgloriou fly before the Havannah in 1702,
in the fervice of his country, put an end to the
fmall remaining hopes of the colonifts. France
was fo deeply engaged in an unhappy war, that
no afliftance, could be expected from her. Thfe
colonifts thought themfelves totally forfaken, and
thofe who entertained fome hopes of finding a fet-
tlement in another place, haftened to go in fearch
of it. The few whom neceflity compelled to ftay
behind, fubfifted upon vegetables, or lived by
excurfions among t;he Indians. The colony was
reduced to twenty- eight wretched families, when
Crofat petitioned for and obtained the exclufive
trade of Louifiana in 171 2.
CROSAT was one of thofe men born for great
enterprifes. He pofiefled a fuperiority of talents
and fentiments which enabled him to undertake
the greateft actions, and condefcend to the leaft
for the fervice of the ftate, and wifhed to derive
all his fame from the glory of his country. The
foil of Louifiana was not the object of this active
genius. He could not be ignorant of its barren-
nefs, nor did it ever appear that he had any idea
of attempting to improve it. His intention was
to open communications both by land and fea
with Old and New Mexico, to pour in all kinds of
merchandife into thofe parts, and to draw from
C 2 thence
20 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
B xvi K *hence a .great quantity of piaftres. The place he
v . ^-Lj had afked for, appeared to him to be the natural
and neceffary mart for his vaft operations ; and all
the Heps taken by his agents were regulated upon
this noble plan. But being undeceived by feveral
unfuccefsful attempts, he relinquished his fcheme,
and in 1717, refigned his privilege to a company
whofe fuccefs aftonifhed the world.
THIS company was formed by Law, that cele-
bewmes brated Scotchman, of whom no fettled judgment
mou$ f in could be formed at the time he appeared, but whofe
uw^'vf* name now ft an( k between the crowd of mere ad-
um. " venturers and the fhort lift of great men. This
daring genius had made it his bufmefs from his
infancy to obferve attentively the feveral powers of
Europe, to examine their feveral fprings, and to
calculate the ftrength of each. He was fmgular-
ly firuck with the confufion into which the am-
bition of Lewis XIV. had thrown the kingdom
of France. To remedy this, was, as he imagined,
a tafk worthy of him, and he flattered himfelf he
could accomplifh it. The greatnefs of his plan
could not fail of recommending it to the regent,
who held the reins of government, fmce the de-
mife of the monarch had reftored peace to Eu-
rope. The fcheme was, by fpeedily paying off the
national debt, to clear the public revenue of the
enormous interefts which abforbed it. The in-
troduction of paper credit could alone effect this
revolution, and the exigencies of the times feem-
ed abfolutely to require it. The public creditors
came into this new fcheme the more readily, as
they knew they might at any time change thefe
notes
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 21
notes for fliares in the company. On the other B ^ K
hand, there was no doubt that the company would * w '
be able to anfwer its feveral engagements; fmce,
independent of the produce of the taxes which
was to center in their hands, as being a company
of finance, they had procured a new channel as a
commercial company, through which immenfe
riches were expected to come in.
SINCE the Spaniard, Ferdinand dc Soto, pe-
riflied on the banks of the Miffifippi, about the
year 1538, it was generally believed that thofe
regions contained immenfe treafures. It was a
matter of doubt where thefe riches were to be
founds but ftill the celebrated mines of St. Barbe
were talked of with rapture. If they feemed to
be forgotten at times, this temporary neglect ferv-
ed only to quicken the attention of the people to-
wards them. Law availed himfelf of this credu-
lity, and endeavoured to encourage and increafe it
by myfterious reports. It was rumoured as a fe-
cret, that thefe and many other mines had at length
been difcovered, but that they were far richer than
they were generally fuppofed to be. To give the
greater weight to this falfe report, which had al-
ready gained too much credit, a number of mi-
ners were fent over to work thefe mines, which
were imagined to be fo valuable, with a body of
troops fufficient to defend them.
IT is inconceivable what a fudden imprefilon
this ftratagem made upon a nation naturally fond
of novelty. Every one was eager to obtain a fhare
in the new company. Every fpeculation, fcheme,
and expectation was directed to this channel.
C 3 The
2 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
o o jc The Miffifippi became the grand object and the
Y> ultimate end of all purfuits. The adventurers
were not content with a bare affociation with the
company which had obtained the difpofal of that
fine country: they were applied to from all quar-
ters for large tracts of land for plantations, which,
it was given out, were to yield in a few years the
centuple of what fhould be laid out upon them.
Whether they were led by motives of intereil, or
acted from conviction, or were feduced by flattery,
certain it is that thofe who were accounted the
moil intelligent men in the nation, the richefl and
the higheft in repute, were the moil forward in
forming thefe fettlements. Others were induced
by their example, and thofe whofe fortunes would
not permit them to become proprietors, folicited
to have the management of the plantations, or, at
leail, to work in them.
DURING this general infatuation, all perfons
who offered themfelves, whether natives or fo-
reigners, were promifcuoufly and carelefsly crowded
into {hips. They were landed upon the fands of
the Biloxi, where they periihed by thoufands,
with want and vexation. They might have been
conveyed up the Miflifippi, and landed imme-
diately upon the country they were to clear; but
the managers of the enterprife never thought of
fending proper boats for that purpofe. Even
after they found that the fhips coming from Eu-
rope could fail up the river, the head-quarters ilill
continued to be fatal to thofe unhappy and nu-
merous victims that had fallen a facrifice to a po-
litical impofture. The head-quarters were not
removed
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 2J
removed to New-Orleans tiJl five years after, that BOOK
is, till hardly any were left of thofe unfortunate j
people who had v been weak enough to quit their
native country upon fuch uncertain profpects.
BUT at this period, when it was too late, the
charm was diffblved, and the mines vanifried.
Nothing remained but the lhame of having been
mifled by chimerical notions. Louifiana fhared
the fate of thofe extraordinary men who have been
too highly extolled, and are afterwards punilhed
for this unmerited fame, by being degraded be-
low their real worth. This inchanted country
was now held in execration. Its very name be-
came a reproach. The Miffifippi was the terror
of free men. No recruits were to be found to fend
thither, but fuch as were taken from prifons and
houfes of ill fame. It became the receptacle of the
loweft and moft profligate perfons in the kingdom.
WHAT could be expecled from a fettlement
compofed of fuch perfons? Vicious men will nei-
ther people a country, nor labour; nor continue
long in any place. Many of thofe miferable per-
fons who had beentranfported into thele favage cli-
mates, went into the Englifh or Spanifh fettle-
ments, to exhibit the difagrecable view of their
diftrefs and mifery. Others foon periihed from
the infection they were tainted with, before rhey
had left Europe. The greater number wandered
in the utmoft diftrefs in the woods, till hunger
and wearinefs put an end to their exiftence. No-
thing was yet begun in the colony, though twenty-
live millions of livres* had been funk there.
* 1,093,750!.
C 4 The
24 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AKD TRADE
BOOK The managers of the company that advanced
^ ^^ thefe vaft fums, ridiculoufly pretended that in the
capita] of France they could lay the plan of fuch
undertakings as were fit for America. Paris, un-
acquainted with its own provinces, which it de-
fpifes and exhaufls, would have fubmitted every
thing to the operations of thefe hafty and frivolous
calculators. From the office of the company,
they pretended to regulate and direct all the inha-
bitants of Louifiana, and to impofe various re-
flraints upon them, which were all to the advan-
tage of the exclufive charter. Had they granted
fome trifling encouragements to citizens of cha-
racter, who might have been invited to fettle in
the colony, by fecuring to them that liberty which
every man covets, that property which every man
has a right to expect from his own labour, and
that protection which is due from every fociety to
its members j fuch encouragements as thefe,
i given to proprietors well informed of their real
interefl and property, directed by the circum-
flances of the place, would have been productive
of far greater and more lading effects; and would
have eftablifhed more extenfive, iblid, and pro-
fitable fettlements, than any the company could
ever have formed with all.their treafures, difpenfed
and managed by agents who could neither have
the knowledge requifite to conduct Ib many va-
rious operations, nor even be influenced by any
immediate interefl in their fuccefs.
THE miniflry, however, thought it conducive
to the welfare of the ftate, to leave the concerns
pf Louifiana in the hands of the company; which
was
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 25
was under a necefllty of exerting all its intereft, to B K
"obtain permiffion to alienate that part of its pri- \ ^-J
vilege. It was even obliged to purchafe this
favour in 1731, by paying down the fuin of
1,450,000 livres*: there being fome ftates where
the right of being involved in ruin, that of being
exempt from it, and that of acquiring a fortune,
are equally fold ; becaufe good or evil, whether
public or private, may prove an object of finance.
But after all, what was to become of this country,
which had been alternately fo highly extolled*
and fo much depreciated, when it came to be in
reality a national pofleflion ?
LOUISIANA is a vaft country, bounded on the Extent,
fouth by the fea; on the eaft by Carolina ; on the fcSy,
weft by New Mexico -, and on the north by that part , d JJJ"
of Canada whofe unknown lands are fuppofed to wtantsof
Looi&uuu
extend as far as Hudfon's bay. It is impoflible to
afcertain the exact length of it; but it is thought
to be about two hundred leagues broad, between
the Englifh and Spanifh fettlements.
IN fo extenfive a country, the climate cannot be
every where the fame. It was in no place found
to be fuch as might have been expected from its
latitude. Lower Louifiana, though in the fame
degree with the coaft of Barbary, is no hotter than
the fouth of France; and thofe parts of it that are
fituated in the 35th and 36th degrees, are no
warmer than the northern provinces of the mother-
country. This phenomenon, which feemsfo extra-
ordinary to a common obferver, may be accounted
for by a natural philofopher, from the thick forefts
which
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
K which prevent the rays of the fun from heating the
ground; the numberlefs rivers which keep it con-
ftantly damp; and the winds which blow from
the north over a vaft extent of land.
THE fky is feldom clouded; the fun, which
gives life to every thing, fhining almofl every
day. Whenever it rains, the fhowers are heavy :
but as they feldom happen, the want of them is
amply compenfated by copious dews.
THE air in general is pure, but much more fo
in Upper than in Lower Louifiana. In this happy
climate, the women are bleffed with a pleafmg
figure, and the men are lefs fubject to diforders in
the vigour of life, and have fewer infirmities in
old age, than the Europeans.
THE foil muft have appeared excellent before
it was tried. It abounded with wild fruits, very
pleafant to the tafle. It furnifhed a liberal pro-
vifion for a great number of birds and wild beafls.
The meadows, on which no art or labour had
been beflowed, were covered with roebucks and
bifons. Perhaps, no trees are to be found com-
parable to thofe of Louifiana for height, variety,
and thicknefs. If it affords no woods for dying,
it is becaufe they are only produced between the
tropics. Since the foil has been tried in feveral
diftricts, it has been found to be fit for all kinds
of culture.
THE fource of that famous river which divides
this immenfe country almofl in two equal parts,
from north to fouth, has never yet been difco-
vered. The boldefl travellers have not gone
higher than about a hundred leagues above the
fall
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. ??
fall of St. Anthony, the courfe of which is inter- B Q v K -
cepted by a pretty high cafcade, about the 46th u -...*
degree of latitude. From thence to the fea,
which is about 700 leagues diflant, the navigation
is not liable to be interrupted. The Miffifippi,
after being enlarged by the river of the Illinois,
the Mifiburi, the Wabache, and a great number
of fmaller rivers, maintains an interrupted courfe,
till it falls into the ocean. All circumftances con-
cur to prove, that the bed of this river is widened
near a hundred leagues, and that its bottom is
almoft recent ground, fmce not a fmgle flone is
to be found in it. The fea throws up here a
prodigious quantity of mud, leaves of reeds,
boughs and ftumps of trees, that the Miffifippi is
continually wafhing down;' which different mate-
rials being driven backward and forward, and be-
ing collected together, form themfelves into a folid
mafs, continually tending to the prolongation of
this vaft continent. Another ftill more ftriking
fingularity, and, perhaps, no where elfe to be
met with, is that the waters of this great river,
when once they are diverted from their channel,
never return into it. The reafon is this :
THE Miffifippi is annually fwelled by the melt-
ing of the northern Ihows, which begins in
March, and continues for about three months.
The bed of the river being very deep at the up-
per part, it feldom overflows on the eaft fide, till
it comes within fixty leagues of the fea, nor on
the weft, till within a hundred leagues; that is to
fay, in the low lands which we imagine to be re-
cent, Thefe rriuddy grounds, like all others that
have
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
not ^ et acc l u i rec * a ^ ue confidence, produce
a prodigious quantity of large reeds, in which
all extraneous bodies wafhed down the river, are
entangled. Thefe bodies all joining together,
and added to the flime that fills up the interftices,
in procefs of time form a mafs, which raifes the
banks higher than the adjacent ground j fo that
the waters, once overflowed, are prevented by
this obftacle from the poflibility of returning into
their former channel; and are therefore, forced
to make a paflage for themfelves through the
fands into the fea.
WHEN the breadth and depth of the Miflifippi
are alone confidered, the navigation appears to be
eafy; but this is an error. It is very tedious,
even in coming down, becaufe it would be dan-
gerous by night in dark weather, and becaufe the
light canoes made of bark, which are fo conve-
nient on all other rivers, are ufelefs upon this. It
requires larger boats, which are confequently hea-
vier, and not fo eafily managed. Without thefe
precautions, as the river is always full of trees
that fall from its own banks, or float into it from
other rivers it receives, the boats would be in
continual danger of ftriking againft the boughs
or roots of fome tree lying under water. The
difficulties are greater ftill in going up the river.
AT a certain diftance from land, before the en-
trance of the Miflifippi, care muft be taken to
keep clear of the floating wood that is come down
from Louifiana. The coaft is fo flat, that it can
hardly be feen at the diftance of two leagues, and
it is not eafy to get up to it* The river empties
itfelf
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 2
itfelf into the fea, by a great number of openings. B . v K
Thefe openings are conftantly varying, and moft < v-
of -them have but little depth of water. When a
veffel has happily furmounted all thefe obftacles,
fhe may fail without any great difficulty, ten or
eleven leagues, by an open and fandy countiy.
The boats on each fide are covered with thick
forefts, that wholly intercept the winds. Such a
dead calm prevails, that it commonly takes up a
month to fail twenty leagues ; and this is only to
be effe&ed, by fucceffively fattening the cordage
to fome great tree. The difficulty is increafed in
failing beyond the foreft, which terminates at the
detour belonging to the Englifh, by a crefcent
that fhuts almoft clofe. The reft of the naviga-
tion, upon a ftream fo rapid, and fo full of cur-
rents, is performed in boats that go with oars and
fails, and are forced to pafs on from one point of
land to another; and though they fet out by
break of day, are thought to have made a con-
fiderable progrefs, if they have advanced five or
fix leagues by the clofe of the evening. The Eu-
ropeans engaged in this navigation, are attended by
fome Indian huntfmen, who follow by land, and
fupply them with fubfiflence during the three
months and a half that are employed in going
from one extremity of the colony to the other.
THESE are the only difficulties the French have
met with, in forming fettlements in the vaft re-
gion of Louifiana. The Englifh fettled in the
eaft were too afliduoufly employed in their plan-
tations, to negleft them for the fake of ravaging
diftant regions, and have feldom fucceeded in fe-
ducing,
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
ducing, even for a fhort time, the fmall wandering
nations between the two colonies. The Spaniard?,
unfortunately for themfelves, were more turbulent
in the weft. The defire of removing a neighbour
wiiofe reftlefs difpofition might one day be preju-
dicial to them in New-Mexico, induced them in
1 7 20 to form the plan of a fettlement far beyond
the lands which till then had terminated their
boundaries. The numerous caravans that were
to compoie- this new colony, fet out from Santa
Fe, with all the requifites for a permanent habita-
tion. They directed their march towards the
Ozages, whom they wanted to induce to join with
them in extirpating an indigenous nation, who
were neighbours and enemies to the Ozages, and
whofe territory they intended to occupy. The
Spaniards accidentally miffed their way, and came
direclly to that nation whofe ruin they were me-
ditating 5 and midaking thefe Indians for the
Ozages, communicated their defigns without any
refei-ve.
THE chief* of the MhTourys, who became ac-
quainted by this fingular miflake with the danger
that threatened him and his people, difiembled his
refentment. He told the Spaniards he would gladly
concur in promoting the fuccefs of their under^
taking, and only defired two days to afiemble his
warriors. When they were armed to the num-
ber of two thoufand, they fell upon the Spa~
niards, whom they had amufed with feafting and
dancing, and whom they found fail afleep, and
maffacred them all, without diftinction of age
or fex. Tl.e chaplain, who alone efcaped the
(laughter,
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
flaughter, owed his prefervation to the fingularity c
of his drefs. This cataftrophe having fecured the
tranquillity of Louifiana, on the fide where it was
moil threatened, it could only be molefled by the
natives; but tliefe were not much to be feared.
THESE favages were divided into feveral na-
tions, none of them very populous, and all at en-
mity with each other, though feparated by im-
menfe deferts, Moll of them had a fixed abode,
and generally worfhipped the fun. Their houfes
were only made of leaves interwoven with each
other, and fattened to a number offtakes. Thofe
who did not go quite naked, were only covered
with the (kins of wild beafts. They lived upon
the produce of hunting and fifhing, upon maize,
and fome fpontaneous fruits. Their cuftoms were
nearly the fame as thofe of the favages of Canada,
but they had not the fame degree of ftrength and
courage, of quicknefs and fagacity ; and their
character was lefs marked. Whatever natural
caufes might contribute to this difference, the fa-
vages of Louifiana were under the dominion of
chiefs who excrcifed almott an abfolute authority
over them.
AM^NG thefe nations, the Natches were the
only people that excited any attention. They
paid obedience to one man, who ftyled himfelf
GREAT SUN; becaufe he bore upon his breaft
the image of that luminary, from which he claim-
ed his defcent. The whole bufmefs of govern-
ment, war, and religion depended upon him. The
whole univerfe could not, perhaps, have fhewn
fuch a tyrant. The wife of this Sun, as he was
I called,
3 2 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK, called, was inverted with the fame authority as
' himfelf. When any of thefe enflaved favages had
the misfortune to difpleafe any of his fuperiors,
they ufed to fay to their guards, Rid me of that
dog, and were inflantly obeyed. All labour was
undertaken in common, and entirely for the be-
nefit of the ruler, who diftributed the produce as
he thought proper. On the demife of either the
hufband or the wife, their guards always killed
themfelves, that they might attend and ferve them
in the next world. The religion of the Natches,
which had much the fame tenets as that of other
farages, had more ceremonies, and confequently
was attended with more mifchievous effects.
There was, however, but one temple for the
whole nation : and accidentally it once caught
fire, which occafioned a general confirmation.
They tried in vain to flop the progrefs of the
flames. Some mothers threw their children into
them, and at length the fire was extinguifhed.
The next day thefe barbarous heroines were ex-
tolled in a difcourfe delivered by the defpotic pon-
tiff. It is thus that his authority was maintained.
It is aflonifhing how fo poor and fo favage a na-
tion could be fo cruelly enflaved. But fuperfli-
tion accounts for all the unreafonable actions of
men. That alone could deprive a nation of its
liberty, which had little elfe to lofe.
THE country inhabited by the Thatches, on the
banks of the Mifiifippi, was however pleafant and
fertile. It drew the attention of the firft French-
men who failed up the river. Far from oppofmg
their intention of fettling there, thefe people affift-
2 cd
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
ed them in it. A mutual interchange of good B r
offices laid the foundation of a lading friendship v-1
between the two nations. This might have taken
place had not the avidity of the Europeans weak-
ened the connection. They at firft defired only
to agree for the productions of the country ; but
afterwards fet their own price upon them; and at
laft they found it would be more convenient to
have them for nothing. Their audacity increafed
to fuch a degree, that they drove the old inhabi-
tants from the fields they had cleared.
THESE acts of tyranny incenfed the favages. In
vain had they recourfe to intreaties, and to force.
Every expedient was either ufelefs or prejudicial
to them. Driven to defpair they at length endea-
voured to engage all the eaftern nations, whofe
difpofitions they were acquainted with, to join in
the common caufe of vengeance, and towards the
latter end of the year 1729, they fucceeded in
forming a univerfal league, the purport of which
was to affafiinate all their oppreflbrs at the fame
inftant. As the art of writing was unknown to
the confederate nations, they agreed to count a
certain number of bits of wood. One of thefe
was to be burnt every day, and the laft was to be
the fignal for the maflacre.
THE wife of the great chief was informed of
the plot, by a fon fhe had by a Frenchman. She
mentioned it three or four times to the French
commanding officer in the neighbourhood, and
acquainted him with all the particulars. This in-
telligence was difregarded; but fhe ftill perfifted
in her refolution of faving thofe ftrangers whom af-
VOL. V. D fedion
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRAttE
K fection had made her confider as natives. Though
-' fhe interefted herfelf fo warmly for the whole na-
tion merely from attachment to the French fettled
in her own town, yet fhe determined to fave thofe
Ihe had never feen, even at the peril of thofe fhe
was acquainted with. Her authority as wife of the
Sun, giving her free accefs to the temple, where
the bits of wood were depofited, fhe took away
one or more of them every day, at the hazard of
haflening the deftruction of thofe French who
were near her, fince this was necelTary in order
to infure the fafety of the reft. Every thing hap-
pened as fhe expected. - The Natches on the day
indicated by the fignal agreed upon, not doubt-
ing but all their allies were at that inftant per-
petrating the fame tragical fcene, fell upon the
French and deftroyed them: but as the bits of
wood had not been ftolen from the other confpira-
tors, all remained quiet; and this circumftance
alone faved the rifmg colony. In cafe of a furprife,
they had nothing to oppofe to fo many enemies, but
a few rotten pales, ill- defended by a handful of
undifciplined vagabonds, almoft unarmed.
BUT Perrier, in whom the authority was vefted,
did not lofe that prefence of mind which courage
infpires. The lefs he was able to refill, the more
haughtinefs he affected. Thefe appearances had
fuch an effect, that either for fear of being fuf-
pected, or in hopes of pardon, many of the con-
fpirators joined with him to deftroy the Natches.
This nation was put to the fword, their houfesr
were burnt, and no remains of them were left but
the place they had formerly occupied.
SOMB
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 35
SOME few, however, of this unfortunate peo- B , v K
ple> who happened to be difperfed at a diftance ' -y'^
from the center of their dominions, had time to
take refuge among the Chickafaws, the moft in-
trepid nation in Louifiana; This nation had en-
tered with greater warmth into the league againft
the French, than the reft 5 their undaunted and
generous fpirit made the laws of hofpitality, which
are inviolable among all favages, ftill more facred
to them; fo that no perfon dared at firft to infift
on their delivering up the Natches, to whom they
had afforded refuge. But Bienville, who foon after
fucceeded Perrier, had the boldnefs to demand
that thofe fugitives fhould be given up. The In-
dians had the courage to refufe; and he immedi-
ately lent out all the troops of the colony againft
tljem in 1736. They formed two feparate corps;
one was repulfed with confiderable lofs before the
principal fort of the Chickafaws > the other was to-
tally defeated in the open field. A fecond attempt
was made four years after to fubdue them with
frefli forces from Europe and Canada. The French
arms were as imfuccefsful as before, till fbme for-
tunate incidents brought on an accommodation
with the Indians. Since that period, nothing has
diflurbed therepofeof Louifiana. We fhall now
fee to what degree of profperity this long peace
has raifed the colony*
THE coafts of Louifiana, which are all fituated what the
on the gulph of Mexico, are in general flat, ElT^n*
often overflowed, and every where covered with j," a LouiIi "
fine fand, as white as fnow, and entirely barren.
They are neither inhabited nor capable of being
D 2 fo.
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
fo. No forts have ever been erected upon thefe
coafts, becaufe there is no poflibility of invading
or making a defcent upon them. The French
have not eftablifhed anyfettlements on the weft fide
of the Mifiifippi. They had, indeed, formed fome
defigns on the bay of St. Barnard in 1721; but
they mifcarried by the neglect of the officer who
was intruded with the execution of them. In-
itead of obeying the orders that had been given
him, he entered the river Magdalena, which lay
in his way, failed up five or fix leagues of it, car-
ried off a few favagesj and returned to the place
from whence he came. The next year, when an
attempt was . made to correct this miftake, the
poft was occupied by fome Spaniards from Vera
Cruz.
To the eaft of the Mifiifippi is fituated Fort
Mobile, on the banks of the river of the fame
name, the courfe of which extends no lefs than
one hundred and thirty leagues. It is intended as
a check upon the Chactaws, the Alibamous, and
fome fmaller tribes, to keep them in alliance with
France, and to fecure their fur trade. The Spa-
niards of Penfacola buy up fome provifions and
merchandife at this fettlement.
THERE are a great number of outlets at the
mouth of the Mifiifippi, which are not always to
he found in the fame fituation. Many of them
are often dry. Some will only admit boats and
canoes, and there is but one that can receive fhips
of five hundred tons burden. On the channel
through which they muft fail, a kind of citadel
is built, which is called La Balife. Twenty leagues
higher
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. v;
Jiigher up are two forts which flank both fides of B K
the river, and defend it from all attacks. Though
in themfelves but indifferent, they would yet be
able tooppofe the paiTage of a hundred (hips, cf-
pecially as only one fliip could come in at a time,
and even that could neither caft anchor, nor come
to a mooring at that place.
NEW ORLEANS is the firfb fettlement that pre-
fents itfelf. It is thirty leagues diftant from the
fea. It was begun in 1717, but made no pro-
grefs till 1722, when it became the chief place of
the colony. At this period, the plan of a hand-
fome city was traced out, v/hich has been gra-
dually and infenfibly, as it were, raifed. The
ilreets are all ftraight, and crofs each other at
right angles. They form fixty-five detached pieces
of ground, each containing 'fifty toifes fquare,
which are divided into twelve parcels for as many-
inhabitants to build upon. The huts which
formerly covered this great fpace are now tranf-
formed into commodious houfes moftly buiit with
brick. They are all furrounded with canals, which
communicate with each other. This was thought
to be a neceffary precaution againft the floods.
This city, intended to be the center of all inter-
courfe between the mother-country and the colony,
was built on the eail fide of the river. The landing
is fo eafy that the largeft ihips need only make a
little bridge with planks in order to unload their
goods. But when the waters are high, it is ne-
cefiary they fhould haften their departure, becaufe
the quantity of wood that floats down die river -at
D -\ that
38 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
t ^ at t ' me wou ^ accumulate in the anchoring-
place, and cut the largeft cables afunder.
THE buildings are ranged in an uninterrupted
line en both fides of the river. Below New Orleans,
they extend but five leagues, and are not very
confiderable. Lower down the land begins to di-
minifh in width, and continues conftantly to de-
Creafe till it comes to the fea. Upon this neck of
land, nothing is to be feen but fands and marfhes
which afford no ihelter to the human fpecies, and
are only fit for the reception of water-fowls and
Mofchettoes. The plantations up the Mifliiippi,
reach ten leagues above the town. The mod dif-
tant have been cleared by Germans, who with inde-
fatigable labour have creeled two villages, inha-
bited by the moft induftrious men in the colony.
In all this extent of fifteen leagues of cultivated
land, the river has been embanked, to preferve
the lands from the inundations, which return
regularly every fpring. The bank is preferved
by broad ditches, cut round every field, to drain
jofr the waters, which might otherwife overthrow
this dyke,
THROUGHOUT the whole fpace, the foil is very
muddy, and extremely proper for productions that
require a moift fituation. When it becomes necefla-
ry to break up any frefh ground, the great reeds
with which it was overrun are firft cut down. As
foon as they are dry, they are fet fire to. If the
earth is then but ever fo flightly ftirred, it pro-
duces great plenty of rice, Indian corn, and all
forts- of grain, pulfe, or other vegetables., that are
fqwn
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES,
fown upon it, except wheat, which rims to grafs B v
from the too great luxuriancy of the foil. v v-l
POSSIBLY the inhabitants, which are fcattered
along the banks of the river, might have been more
judicioufly difpofed four or five hundred paces fur-
ther off, or even at the diftance of half a league>
upon fome little eminences, which are very frequent
near that fpot. A more pure air and a good bot-
tom would have been found there, and, probably,
wheat would have fucceeded, when the woods had
been cleared. The fertility of the grounds, if
left open to the annual inundation of the river,
could not have been equalled, becaufe the wa-
ters, as they fubfided, would conftantly have en-
riched them with a frefh fupply of flime, which
would have greatly promoted vegetation. In pro-
cefs of time, both fides of the Miflifippi would
have been enriched by extenfive paftures covered
with innumerable flocks and herds; a range of
gardens, orchards, and plantations of rice, fuffi-
cient for a great number of inhabitants. This glo-
rious profpecl: might have been extended from
New Orleans, all over the lower Louifiana ; and
thus a fecond France would have appeared in
America.
INSTEAD of this delightful prpfpect, ten leagues
above New Orleans, begins an immenfe defert,
where there are only two wretched towns, inha-
bited by favages. This defert extends thirty
leagues, as far as the place called' Pointe Coupee,
which is the work of European induftry. Here
the MifTifippi formerly made a conliderable bend,
Some Frenchmen, by digging at the bottom of a
D 4 rivulet
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
t ri
xvi.
* K rivulet that ran behind a point of land, brought
the waters of the river into it. They flowed with
fuch impetuofity into this new channel, that they
entirely cut off the remainder of the point, and
by this circumilance the navigation has been made
fhorter by fourteen leagues. The old bed of the
river was foon dry, and was covered with fuch
large trees as aftonifhed all who had feen them
fpring up. This happy change gave life, ftabi-
lity, and fame to. one of the beft fettiements in that
country.
THE inhabitants, fettled on both fides of the ri-
ver, have embelliflied their habitations with all
kinds of European fruit-trees, none of which have
degenerated. For their own confutation they cul-
tivate rice and maize, and for exportation cotton,
and efpecially tobacco. The fale of their timber
is likewife a profitable article.
TWENTY leagues above the Pointe Coupee, the
Red river falls into the Miffifippi ; upon which
the French have built a fort thirty-five leagues
from the mouth of it. It was in the country of
the Natfitoches that this foundation of power and
commerce was laid. The defign was to convey
into the colony through this channel the gold
and filver of New-Mexico, which had already
circulated near the fpot. But thefe hopes were
fruftrated by the poverty of the inhabitants, and
the little intercourfe they had with richer places.
The only advantage reaped from that neighbour-
hood was, that it fupplied oxen and horfes, which
were not to be had in Louifiana. Since they have
multiplied there, and no fupplies are wanted from
abroad^
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 41
abroad, that poll, the inhabitants of which had BOOK
not attended to agriculture, has continually dege-
Derated; and this lofs is the more to be la-
mented, as the colony of the Natches is frill in a
greater decline.
ITS fituation, which is at a hundred and ten
leagues from the fea, was the moft favourable
that Yberville could meet with in failing up the
river. He found no fpot more eligible for the
cr.pital of the intended colony. All who viewed
it after him, were equally delighted with the ad-
vantages it prefented. The climate was healthy
and temperate; the foil fit for tobacco, cotton,
indigo, and every kind of culture 3 the ground
high enough to be in no danger from the inunda-
tions ; the country open, extenfive, well wa-
tered, and within reach of every fettlement that
might be made. Its diftance from the ocean was
no impediment to the arrival of fhips. So flatter-
ing a proipe<5t very foon engaged a colony of five
hundred men to fettle there, when their intole-
rable ambition occafioned their total deftruction by
the hands of the exafperated favages. Thofe who
came after to fupply their place, and avenge their
death, did not bring this fettlement to any greater
degree of profperity, either becaufe they were
negligent, or met with frefh difficulties.
A HUNDRED and twenty leagues above the Nat-
ches is the colony of the Akanfas. It would have
become very confiderable, if the nine thoufand
Germans, raifed in the Palatine with a view to
form it, had arrived there fafe. They were an
honeft and induftrious people, but they all perifh-
ed
4s HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK e d before they arrived at the place of their defti-
v^^v^j nation. The Canadians who fixed there in com-
ing down the river, found a delightful climate, a
fruitful foil, eafe and tranquillity. As they had
been accuftomed to live with favages, they were
not averfe from marrying the daughters of the
Akanfas, and thefe alliances were attended with
the happieft confequences. There never was the
lead coolnefs between the two nations united by
thefe intermarriages, though fo different from
each other. They have lived in that flate of com-
merce, and that intercourfe of good offices, which
the fluctuating ftate of affairs occafionally required,
THE like harmony, though in a lefs degree,
fubfifts among the Illinois, who are three hundred
leagues diftant from the Akanfas : for in America
the nations are not contiguous as they are in Eu-
rope, and are on that account more independent,
both at home and abroad. They have no chiefs who
combine together, either to wreft them from,
orfacrifice them to each other j and render their
condition fo miferable, that they are indifferent to
which they belong. The nation of the Illinois,
die raoft northern in Louifiana, was conftantly
-overcome, and always in danger of being deftroyed
by the Iroquois and other nations from the
north, when the French arrived among them from
Canada. Thefe Europeans, who were renowned for
their valour in that part of the new continent,
were favourably received and their intereft court-
ed, as being able to make the moil vigorous op-
pofition againft an old and inveterate enemy. The
ilrangers have fo much increafed, that they fill
5 fix
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
fix conliclerable villages, while the natives, who
were formerly very populous, are now limited to
three towns, which do not contain above two
thoufand fouls. Both have forfaken the river which
gave its name to the country, in order to fettle
towards the fouth of it on the more pleafant and
fertile banks of the Miffifippi. This fettlement,
the fertility of which it is impoflible to exagge-
rate, is become the granary of the whole colony,
and might fupply it with plenty of corn, if it were
peopled even as far as the fea. But it is far from,
being in ib profperous a ftate,
NEVER did Louifiana in its greateft fplendor rec-
kon more than five thoufand white people, includ-
ing twelve hundred men who compofed the mili-
tary force of the colony. This frnall number was
difperfed through the banks of the MifTifippi,
along an extent of five hundred leagues, and de-
fended by two or three bad forts conflicted at
different distances : it did not, however, confift of
the dregs of Europe, which France had fent over
into America, at the time when Law's fyftem was
eftablifhed. All thofe miferable men had fortu-
nately periflied without leaving any pofterity. The
colonifts of Louifiana were robuft men, arrived from
Canada, or difbanded foldiers, who had fenfibly
preferred the labours of agriculture to a life of
idlenefs, the natural confequence of pride and pre-
judice. Every inhabitant received from the go-
vernment, not only a piece of ground, with feed
to low it, but likewile a gun, an ax, a mattock, a
co\v and a calf, a cock and fix hens, with a plenti-
ful fupply of wholefome provisions for three years.
Some
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
Some officers and a few men of fubftance had im-
proved thefe rifing fettlements by confiderable
plantations, which employed fix thoufand flaves.
BUT the produce of their labour was very in-
confiderable. The annual exports of the colony
did not exceed 200,000 crowns*. They confift-
ed of rice, planks, maize, and pulfe for the fu-
gar iflands ; cotton, indigo, tobacco and furs for
the mother- country.
what the THIS fettlement, which feemed intended by na-
mighthave ture for a capital one, would, probably, have
Lorifiua. profpered, had it not been for an original error
adopted of granting lands indifcriminately to eve-
ry perfon who applied for them, and in the man-
ner in which he defired them. There would not
then have been "any colonifts feparated from each
other by deferts of feveral hundred leagues, and
defirous of forming fuch a fettlement as would
have conftituted a fmall ftate in Europe. Had
they fixed in a common center, they might have
affifted each other, and living under the fame laws,
have enjoyed all the advantages of a well-regulated
fociety. As population increafed, the lands would
have been cleared to a greater extent. Inftead of
a few hordes of favages, we fhould have feen a
rifing colony, which might in time have become a
powerful nation, and procured infinite advantages
to France.
THE French, who annually purchafe from fo-
reign powers feventeen millions weight of to-
bacco, would eafily have been fupplied with that
commodity from Louifiana. Twelve or fifteen
* 26,250!,
thoufand
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
thoufand men fkilled in the cultivation of it,
would have furnilhed a fufficient quantity for the
confumption of the whole kingdom. Such were
the hopes the government entertained, when they
ordered all the tobacco plantations in Guiana to
be deftroyed. Convinced that the lands in that
province were adapted to more important and
richer cultures, and would produce necefTary ar-
ticles of greater confequence, they thought it
would be advantageous both to the mother-coun-
try and the colony, to fecure to Louifiana, then
in its infant ftate, a market for that production,
which would more eafily fucceed and bring in
greater returns, as it required lefs time, expe-
rience and expence. When Law, the projector
of this undertaking, fell into difcredit, his moft
rational fchemes were laid afide, and fhared the
fame fate as thofe which were merely the offspring
of a difordered imagination. The farmers of the
revenue, who were gainers by this miftake,
omitted nothing to encourage it; and every pa-
triot muft be allowed to fay, that this is not one
of the lead mifchiefs the finance has done to the
monarchy.
THE wealth which tobacco would have pro-
cured to the colony, would have made it fenfible
of the advantages that might be derived from the
fpacious and beautiful meadows with which that
country abounds. They would foon have been
covered with cattle; whofe hides would have fup-
plied the mother-country with leather, without
importing any from abroad, and whofe flelh when
prepared and faked, would have been difpofed of
in
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
the iflands > infteadof Irifh beef. Horfes and
mules, multiplying in the fame proportion as the
horned cattle, would have freed the French colo-
nies from the dependence they have always had
upon the English and Spaniards for this necefTary
artfcle.
As foon as the colonifls had begun to exert
themfelves, they would have proceeded from one
branch of induftry to another. They could not
poflibly avoid building fhips, becaufe they had
the materials at hand. The country was covered
with wood fit for the hull, and the fir-trees that
grew in great plenty along the coaft, would have
afforded mafts and tar. There was no want of
oak for the planks, and if there had been, it might
have been fupplied by cyprefs, which is lefs apt
to fplit, bend or break, and whofe additional
thicknefs might have compenfated for its want of
ftrength and hardnefs. They might eafily have
grown hemp for the fails and rigging. Nothing,
perhaps, need have been imported but iron; and
it is even more than probable that there are iron
mines in Louisiana. It is likely that the govern-
ment, encouraged by the fuccefs of individuals,
would foon have creeled docks for fhip-building,
and ftorehoufes ready for equipping and fitting
out fleets in America.
THE forefts being felled for thefe purpofes
without any expence, and even with advantage,
the ground would have been laid open for corn,
cotton, indigo, flax or olive-trees, and even filk
might have been undertaken with fuccefs, when
once the colony had been fufficieatly populous to
attend
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
attend to an employment, which the mildnefs of B
the climate, the increafe of mulberry trees, and
fome fuccefsful trials had conftantly invited them
to undertake. In fhort, what might not have
been expected from a country, where the air is
temperate, and ground even, frefh, and fertile;
and which properly fpeaking had never yet been
inhabited, but traverfed carelefsly, by vagabonds
equally deflitufe of fkill and conduct.
HAD Louifiana attained to that degree of per-
fection it was capable of, its harbour would foon
have been made more eafy of accefs and more
commodious j and this might have been done by
attending conftantly to it, without incurring any.
great expence. For this purpofe it would have
been fufficient to have flopped up all thofe ufelefs
pafTes, which are rather a hindrance than a help
to navigation, with the floating trees wafhed down
by the river. The whole force of the ftream be
ing thus confined to one channel, it would have
become deeper at the mouth of the river, and the
bar which almoft fhuts it up, would, probably,
have been removed. The hirgeft fhips might
then have failed into the Mifiifippi with more eafe
and fafety than the fmalleft do at prefent. After
this, thofe thick forefts that intercept the wind
might have been felled, and the navigation up
the river to New-Orleans rendered lefs tedious.
Every art and fcie.nce and uleful improvement,
would have fucceflively appeared to form a flou-
rifhing and vigorous colony in that fpacious
plain.
BUT
48 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK. BUT France overlooked all thefe advantages
Y V?
. v ^> when fhe ceded that country, which alone could
f^Lou- compcnlatc her former loffes, and gave it up to
ifiana to Spain, to whom it could only be a burthen. It
the Spa. - . J . .
riards. may, perhaps, for a long time remain a political
jKad" problem, whether this ceflion was not alike detri-
right to do menta } to both kingdoms, which were equally
weakened by it; the one, by giving up what fhe
ought to have retained, and the other by accept-
ing what fhe could not keep. But in a moral
view, may it not be confidered as an illegal act
thus to have fold or given away the members of
the community to a foreign power? For what
right has a prince to difpofe of his fabjects with-
out their confent ?
WHAT becomes of the rights of the people, if
all is due from the nation to the prince, and no-
thing from the prince to the nation? Are there
then no rights but thofe of princes? Thefe pre-
tend to derive their power from God alone. This
maxim which is invented by the clergy, only with a
defign of raifing kings above the people, that they
themfelves may command even kings in the name
of the deity, is no more than an iron chain, to
bind a whole nation under the power of one man.
It is no longer a mutual tie of love and virtue, of
intereft and fidelity, that gives to one family the
rule in the midft of a fociety.
BUT why fnould the fovereign authority wifh to
conceal its being derived from men? Kings are
fufficiently informed by nature, experience, hif-
tory, and their own conicioufnefs, that it is of the
people they hold all they poflfefs, whether con-
quered
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
quered by arms, or acquired by treaty. As they
receive from the people all the marks of obe-
dience, why fhould they refuie to accept from
them all the rights of authority? Nothing is to be
apprehended from voluntary fubmifllon, nor is any
thing to be obtained by the abufe of ufurped power.
It can only be fupported by violence; and is it pof-
fible that a prince can be happy who commands
only by force, and is obeyed only through fear ?
He cannot fit eafy upon his throne^ when he can-
not reign without afierting that he holds his crown
from God alone. Every man may more truly af-
firm, that he holds from God his life, his liberty,
the unalienable right of being governed only by
reafon andjuftice. The welfare then and fecurity
of the people is the fupreme law on which all
others depend. This is, undoubtedly, the real
fundamental law of all fociety. It is by this we
muft interpret every particular law which muft be
derived from this principle, and ferve to explain
and fupport it.
IF we apply this rule to the treaties of divifion
and ceflion which kings make between them-
felves, will it appear that they have the right, of
buying, felling or exchanging their fubie&s with-
out their confent? Shall princes then arrogate to
themfelves the barbarous right of alienating or
mortgaging their provinces and their fub^edts as
they would their etfecls or eflates; while the fup~
plies granted for the fupport of their houfe, the
foreftsof their domain, the jewels of their crown,
are all facred unalienable effects, which we muft
never have recourfe to, even in the moft prefTmg
VOL. V E exigencies
50 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
B v K exigencies of the (late. Methinks I hear the
i v -J voice of a numerous colony exclaiming from Ame-
rica, and addreffing the mother-country, in the
following terms.
f c What have I done to thee, that thou fhouldft
<c deliver me up into the hands of a ftranger ?
" Did I not fpring from thy loins? Have I not
<f fown, planted, cultivated, and reaped for thee
" alone? When thy (hips conveyed me to thefe
" fhores, fo different from thy own happy cli-
ce mate, didft thou not engage for ever to protect
" me with thy fleets and armies ? Have I not
c fought in fupport of thy rights, and defended
<c the country thou gaveft rne ? After having fer-
<c tilized it by my labour, have I not maintained
rc it for thee at the expence of my blood ? Thy
<{ children were my parents or my brethren; thy
<c laws my boaft> and thy name my pride : that
(t name which I have ftriven to render illuftrious
" among nations to whom it was unknown. I
" have procured thee friends and allies among
* f the favages. I flattered myfelf with the
" thought that I might one day come in compe-
<e tition with thy rivals, and be the terror of thy
" enemies. But thou haft forfaken me. Thou
* f haft bound me without my confent by a treaty,.
" the very concealment of which was a treachery.
t{ Unfeeling, ungrateful parent, how couldft thou
* e break, in oppofition to the dictates of nature,
* f the ties by which I v/as attached to thee, even
" ' from my birth ? While with inceflant and pain-
'* ful toil I was reftoring to thee the tribute of
*' nourifhment and fubfiftence I had received
ff from.
IN THE -EAST AND WEST INDIES.
tc from thee, I wifhed for no other comfort than fi v
cc that of living and dying under thy law* That * /
Cf comfort thou haft refufed me. Thou haft torn
<f me from my family to deliver me up to a maf-
tc ter whom I did not approve* Reftore my pa-
c< rent to me ; reftore me to him whofe name I
cf have been ufed to call upon from my earlieft
tc infancy. It is in thy power to make me fub-
lc mit againft my will to a yoke which I abhor;
" but this fubmifiion will only be temporary. I
rf lhall languifa and perifh with grief and weak-
C nefs; or if I fhould recover life and vigour, it
cf will only be to withdraw myfelf from con^
" nections I deteft > though I fhould even be com-
f{ .pelled to deliver myfelf up to thy enemies?"
LOUISIANA being in fact cppreffed by her new
m afters, was defirous of (halting off a yoke which,
ihe abhorred even before it was impoiedj but be-
ing rejected by France when Hie endeavoured to
put herfelf again under her protection, fhe re-
turned under the dominion of the fame power
from whofe chains fhe had attempted to free her-
felf. The cruelties fhe has experienced from the
refentment of an incenfcd government, have
ferved only to.increafe a hatred already too inve-
^terate to be forgotten. With fuch difpofitions,
the colony can fcarce flatter itfelf with the profpedt
of any degree of profperity. Canada, though it
has likewife changed its mother-country, will not
meet with the fame obftacles to its improvement.
AT the peace of Utredit, this vaft country was s .. teof
in a ftate of weaknefs and mifery not to be con- Can*ji a
ccived. This was owing to the French who firft of uwct
E 2
came
BOOK
XVI.
Population*
sgriculturr,
manners,
govern-
ment,
fiftieriej,
iniuftry,
and reve-
nues of
Canada.
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
came there, and who rather threw themfelves into
this country, than fettled in it. Moft of them
had done nothing more than run about the
woods j the more fenfible among them had at-
tempted fome cultures, but without choice or
plan. A piece of ground, haftily tilled and built
upon, was as haftily forfaken. The expences,
however, the government had laid out, together
with the profits of the fur trade, afforded fome-
times the inhabitants a tolerable fubfiftence ; but
a feries of unfortunate wars foon deprived them of
thefe advantages. In 1714, the exports from
Canada did not exceed a hundred thoufand
crowns*. This fum, added to 350,000 livresf,
which the government fent over every year, was
all the colony had to depend upon, for the pay-^
ment of the goods they received from Europe.
And indeed thefe were fo few, that the generality
were reduced to wear fkins like the Indians.
Such was the diftrefsful fituation of the far greater
part of twenty thoufand French, fuppofed to in-
habit thefe immenfe regions.
THE happy fpirit which at that time animated
the feveral parts of the world, rouzed Canada
from that ftate of indolence and inactivity in which
it had fo long been plunged. It appears from the
eftimates taken in 1753 and 1758, which were
nearly equal, that the inhabitants amounted to
91,000, exclufive of the regular troops, whole
numbers varied according to the different exigen-
cies of the colony.
* 15,1251, f 1,5,312!, 10$,
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
THIS calculation did not include the many al- B
lies difperfed throughout an extent of 1200 lea-
gues in length, and of confiderable breadth, nor
the 16,000 Indians who dwelt in the center of the
French fettlements, or in their neighbourhood.
None of thefe were ever confidered as fubjects,
though they lived in the midtr. of a great Euro-
pean colony : the fmalleft clans flill preferved
their independence. All men talk of liberty,
but the favage alone enjoys it. Not only the
whole nation, but every individual is truly free.
The confcioufnefs of his independence influences
all his thoughts and aftions. He would enter the
palace of an Afiatic monarch, in the fame manner
as he would the cottage of a peafant, and neither
be dazzled with his fplendor, nor awed by his
power. It is his own fpecies, it is mankind, it is
his equal that he loves and refpecls, but he would
hate a matter and deftroy him.
PART of the French colony was centered in
three cities. Quebec, the capital of Canada, is
1 500 leagues diftant from France, and 1 20 leagues
from the fea. It is built in the form of an
amphitheatre, on a peninfula, made by the river
St. Lawrence, and the river St. Charles, and com-
mands a profpec~b over extenfive fields, which
ferve to enrich it, and over a very fafe road that
will admit upwards of two hundred fhips. It is
three miles in circumference. Two thirds of this
circuit are defended by the water and the rocks,
which are a better fecurity than the fortifications
creeled on the ramparts that divide the peninfula.
The houfes are tolerably well built, The inhabi-
E 3 rants
54. HISTORY OF 'SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
B o^o K tants were computed at about 10,000 at the be-
w-v ginning of the year 1759. This place was the
center of commerce, and the feat of govern-
ment.
THE city of the Trois Rivieres, built ten years
later than Quebec, and fituated thirty leagues
higher, was raifedwith a view of encouraging the
trade with the northern Indians. But this fettle-
men t, though promifmg at firft, never contained
more than 1500 inhabitants, becaufe the fur trade
was loon diverted from this market, and carried
entirely to Montreal.
MONTREAL is an ifland, ten leagues long and
almoft four broad, formed by the river St. Law-
rence, fixty leagues above Quebec. It is the moft
temperate, pleafant and fruitful fpot in all the
country. A few huts thrown up there as it were
by chance in 1640, were improved to a regular
built town, which contained four thoufand inha-
bitants. At firfr. it lay expofed to the infults of
the favages, but was afterwards inclofed with
flight pallifades, and then with a wall, conilructed
about fifteen feet high, with battlements. It fell
to decay, when the inroads of the Iroquois obliged
the French to erect forts higher up the country,
to fecure the fur trade.
THE other colonifts, who were not contained
within the walls of thefe three cities, did not live
in towns, but were fcattered along the banks of
the river St. Lawrence. None were to be feert
near the mouth of that river, where the foil is
rugged and barren, and where no corn will ripen.
The firft habitations to the fouth, were built at
.fifty
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. j
fifty leagues, and to the north, at twenty leagues BOO
below Quebec -, they were at a great alliance from v v-L
each other, and their produce was but indifferent.
No very fertile fields were to be found but in the
neighbourhood of its capital, and they improved
as one approached Montreal. There cannot be a
more beautiful profpect than the rich borders of
that long and broad canal. Detached woods add-
ing beauty to the tops of the verdant mountains*
meadows covered with flocks, fields crowned with
ripening corn, fmall ftreams of water flowing
down to the river, churches and caftles feen at
intervals through the trees, exhibited a fucceffion
of the moft inchanting views. Thefe would have
been ftill more delightful, if the edict of 1745
had been obferved, which forbad the coloniil
from dividing his plantations, unlefs they were an
acre and a half in front, and thirty or forty acres
in depth. Indolent heirs would not then have
torn in pieces the inheritance of their fathers.
They would have been compelled to form new
plantations ; and vaft fpaces of fallow land would no
longer have feparated rich and cultivated plains.
NATURE herfelf directed the labours of die
hufbandman, and taught him that watery and
fandy grounds, and thofe where the pine, the fir
tree and the cedar grew folitary, were unfavour-
able to agriculture j but wherever he found a foil
covered with maple, oak, beach, hornbeam and
fmall cherry trees, he might reafonably expect
that his wheat would yield twenty times, and his
Indian corn thirty times as much as before, with-
out the trouble of manuring.
E 4 THB
6 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
OOK THE plantations, though not equally large, all
^ ' afforded a fufficient fupply for the wants of their
refpective owners. There are few of them that
did not yield maize, barley, flax, hemp, tobacco,
pulfe, and pot-herbs in great plenty, and excel-
lent in their kind.
MOST of the inhabitants had a fcore of Hieep
whofe wool was very valuable to them, ten or a
dozen milch cows, and five or fix oxen for the
plough. The cattle were fmall, but their fielH
was excellent, and thefe people lived much better:
than our country people do in Europe.
WITH this kind of affluence, they could afford
to keep a good number of horfes; which were
not fine, but fit for drudgery, and able to per-
form journeys of amazing length upon the fnow.
And indeed the colonifts took fuch delight in in-
creafmg the breed of them, that in winter time they
would feed them with the corn which they them-
felves wanted fometimes at another feafon.
SUCH was the fituation of the 83,000 French,
difperfed or collected on the banks of the river
St. Lawrence. Above the head of the river, and
in what is called the Upper-country, there were
8000 more, whp were rather addicted to hunting
and trade than to hufbandry.
THEIR firft fettlement was Catarakui, or fort
.Frontenac, built in 1671 at the entrance of the
lake Ontario, to flop the inroads of the Englifn
end Iroquois. The bay of this place ferved as a
harbour for the men of war and trading veflels be-
longing to this great lake, which might with more
propriety be called a fea, and where ftorms axe
almoft
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. $7
almoft as frequept and as dreadful as on the B r K.
ocean. > ^ *
BETWEEN the lafces Ontario and Erie, each of
which meafures 300 leagues in circumference, lies
a tract of land fourteen leagues in extent. This
tract is interfered towards the middle by the fa-
mous fall of Niagara, which from its height,
breadth and fhape, and from the quantity and
impetuolity of its waters, is juflly accounted the
moft wonderful cataract in the world. It was
above this grand and awful water-fall, that France
had creeled fortifications, with a defign to prevent
the Indians from carrying their furs to the rival
nation.
BEYOND the lake Erie is an extent of land, dif-
tinguifhed by the name of the flreight, which ex-
ceeds all Canada for the mildnefs of the climate,
the beauty and variety of the profpects, the rich-
nefs of the foil, and the profuliqn of game and
filh. Nature has layifhed all her bleffings to en-
rich this delightful fpot. But this was not the
motive that determined the French to fettle there
in the beginning of the prefent century. It was
the vicinity of feveral Indian nations, who could
fupply them with confiderable quantities of furs;
and, indeed, this trade increafed very fafl.
THE fuccefsof this new fettlement proved fatal
to the poft of Michillimakinach, a hundred leagues
further, between the lake Michigan, the lake
Huron, and the lake Superior, which are all three
navigable* The greateft part of the trade which
ufed to be carried on there with the natives, was
transferred to the Streight, where it continuedo
% BESIDES
~ HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
o Q K BESIDES the forts already mentioned, there are
^L-j forne of lefs note, built in different parts of the
country, either upon rivers, or at the openings
between the mountains. The firft fentiment in-
terefl infpires, is that of miftruft, and its firft im-
pulfe, is that of attack or defence. Each of thefe
forts was provided with a garrifon, which de-
fended the French who were fettled in the neigh-
bourhood. There were in all 8000 fouls, who
inhabited the upper country.
THE manners of the French colonifts fettled in
Canada were not always anfwerable to the climate
they inhabited. Thofe that lived in the country,
fpent their winter in idlenefs, penfively fitting by
their fire-fide. When the return of fpring called
them out to the indifpenfable labours of the field,
they ploughed the ground fuperficially without
ever manuring it, fowed it carelefsly, and then
returned to their former indolent manner of life
till harveft-time. As the people were too proud
or too lazy to work by the day, every family was
obliged to gather in their own crops; and nothing
was to be feen of that fprightly joy, which on a
fine fummer's day enlivens the reapers, while they
are gathering in their rich harveft. That of the
Canadians was confined to a fmall quantity of
corn of each kind, a little hay and tobacco, a few
cyder-apples, cabbage and onions. This was the
whole produce of a plantation in that country.
THIS amazing negligence might be owing to
feveral caufes. The exceffive cold in winter,
which froze up the rivers, totally prevented them
from exerting their abilities. They contracted
fuch
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 59
fuch a habit of idlehefs during the continuance of B K
the fevere weather for eight months fucceftively, < >^>
that labour appeared iniupportable to them even
in the fineil weather. The numerous feftivals
prefcribed by their religion, which owed its in-
creafe to their eftablifhment, prevented the firft
exertion, as well as interrupted the progrefs of in-
duftry. Men are ready enough to comply with
that ipecies of devotion that flatters their indo-
lence. Lailly, a paffion for war, which had been
purpofely encouraged among thefe bold and
courageous men, made them averfe from the la-
bours of hufbandry . Their minds were fo entirely
captivated with military glory, that they thought
only of war, though they engaged in it without
pay.
THE inhabitants of the cities, efpecially of the
capital, fpent the winter as well as the fummer,
in a conftant fcene of diflipation. They were
alike infenfible to the beauties of nature, and to
the pleafures of imagination; they had no tafte
for arts or fciences, for reading or inflruction.
Their only paflion was amufement, and perfons
of all ages were fond of dancing at affemblies.
This manner of life confiderably increafed the in-
fluence of the women, who were poflefied of every
attraction, except thofe foft emotions of the foul,
which alone constitute the merit and the charm of
beauty. Lively, gay, and addicted to coquetry
and gallantry, they were more fond of infpiring
than feeling the tender paflions. There appeared
in both fexes a greater degree of devotion than
virtue, more religion than probity, a higher fenfe
of
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
of honour than of real honefty. Superftition took
place of morality, which will always be the cafe
wherever men are taught to believe that ceremo-
nies will compenfate for good works, and that
crimes are expiated by prayers.
IDLENESS, prejudice, and levity would never have
gained fuch an afcendant in Canada, had the go-
vernment been careful to turn the attention of the
people to lading and ufeful objects. But all the
colonifls were required to pay an implicit obedi-
ence to a mere military authority. They were un-
acquainted with the flow and fure proceis of laws.
The will of the chief, or of his delegates, was an
oracle, which they were not even at liberty to in-
terpret; an awful cjecree, which they were to
fubmit to without examination. Delays, repre-
fentations, excufes of honour, were fo many crimes
in the eyes of a defpotic ruler, who had ufurped
a power of punifhing or abfolving merely by his
word. He had in his own power all favours and
penalties, rewards and punifhrnentsj the right of
jmprifoning without the lhadow of a crime, and the
flill more formidable right of enforcing a reve-
rence for his decrees as fo many acts of juftice,
though they were but the irregular fallies of his
own caprice.
IN eady times, this unlimited power was not
exercifed in matters of military difcipline and po-
litical adminiflration only, but extended even to
civil jurifdidlion. The governor decided abfolutely
and without appeal, all differences arifmg between
the colonifts. Thefe contefts were fortunately very
rare, in a country where all things might almoft
be
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
be faid to be in common. This dangerous au-
thority fubfifted till 1663, at which period a tri-
bunal was ereded in the capital for the' definitive
trial of all caufes depending throughout the colony.
The cuftom of Paris, modified in conformity to
local circumftances, formed the code of their laws.
THIS code was not mutilated or disfigured by a
mixture of revenue laws. The adminiftration of
the finances in Canada, only required a few fines
of alienation j a trifling contribution from the in-
habitants of Quebec and Montreal towards main-
taining the fortifications 3 and fome duties upon
all goods imported and exported, which, indeed,
were too high. In 1747, all thefe feveral articles
brought no more than 260,200 livres* into the
treafury.
THE lands were not taxed by government, but
were not on that account entirely exempt from
taxes. A great error was committed at the firil
fettling of the colony, in granting to officers and
gentlemen a piece of land, from two to four
leagues in front, and unlimited in breadth.
Thefe great proprietors, who were men of mo-
derate fortunes, and unlkilled in agriculture, were
unable to manage fuch vaft eftates, and were
therefore under a necefTity of making over their
lands to foldiers or planters, upon condition that
they fliould pay them a kind of ground -rent or
homage for ever. This was introducing into
America fomething (imilar to the feudal govern-
ment, which was fo long fatal to Europe. The
lord ceded ninety acres to each of his vaffalSj who
* u, 383!. i 5 s.
on
62 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK on their part engaged to work in his mill, to pay
. him annually one or two fols per acre, and a
bulhel and a half of corn for the entire grant.
This tax, though but a fmall one, maintained a
.confiderable number of idle people, at the ex-
pence of the only clafs with which a colony ought ;
to have been peopled. The truly ufeful inhabi-
tants who were engaged in laborious employments,
found the burthen of maintaining an annuitant
nobility increafed, by the additional exactions of
the clergy. In 1667, the tithes were impofed.j
They were, indeed, reduced to a twenty-fixth part i
of the crops, notwithstanding the clamours of that.'
rapacious body; but flill this was an oppreiTion in]
a country where the clergy had property allotted
them which was fufEcient for their maintenance. ' ;
So many impediments previoufly oppofed to the
progrefs of agriculture, difabled the colony from
paying for the neceffaries that came from the
mother-country. The French miniftry were atl
laft fo fully convinced of this truth, that afterl
having always obftinately oppofed the eflablifh- \
ment of manufactures in America, they thought. it
their intereft even to promote them in 1706. But
thole late encouragements had very little effect,.:
and the united induftry of the colonifls could ne* ,
ver produce more than a few coarfe linens, and i
fome very bad woollens.
THE fifheries were not much more attended tol
than the manu failures. The only one that could
become an objedl of exportation was that of the }
feal. This animal has been ranked in the clafs o)
fifh, though he is not dumb, is always produced
5 on
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 6 3
on land, and lives more on dry ground than in the
water. His head is fomewhat like that of a mai-
tifF. He has four paws which are very Ihort, ef-
pecially the hinder ones, which ferve him rather to
crawl than to walk upon. They are ihaped like
fins, but the fore-feet have claws. His fkin is
hard and covered with fhort hair. He is at firft
white, but turns fandy or black, as he grows up.
Sometimes he is of all thefe three different co-
lours.
THERE are two different kinds of feals. The
larger one fometimes weighs two thoufand pounds,
and feems to have a fharper fnout than the others.
The fmall ones, whofe fkin is commonly marbled,
are active, and more dexterous in extricating
themfelves out of the fnares that are laid for
them. The Indians have the art of taming them
fo far as to make them follow them.
THEY couple upon the rocks, and fometimes
on the ice, and it is there alib that the dams bring-
forth their young. They commonly bear two,
and they ufually iuckle them irt the water, but
more frequently on land. When they want to
teach them to fwim, it is laid they carry them up-
on their backs, drop them now and then into the
water, then take them up again, and proceed in
this manner till they are flrong enough to fwim of
themfelves. Moil little birds Mutter about from
ipray to Ipray, before they venture to fly abroad;
the eagle carries her young, to train them up to*
encounter the boifterous winds; it is not there-
fore furprifing, that the leal produced on land,
ihould ufe her little ones to live under water.
THERE
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TltADE
THERE is a very fimple manner of fifhing far
thefe amphibious animals ; who are ufed, when
they are in the fea, to enter into the creeks with
the tide. As foon as fome place is difcovered
where they refort in fhoals, it is furrounded with
nets and flakes, only taking care to leave a little
opening for them to get in. At high- water this
opening is flopped up, and when the tide is gone
down, the fifh remains on dry ground. All that is
neceflary is to kill them. Sometimes the fifhe-
men get into a canoe, and follow them to their
lurking-places, where they fire upon them the mo-
ment they put their heads out of water to take in
air. If they are only wounded, they are eafily
caught j if they are killed, they fmk directly, but
are fetched up by great dogs, that are trained up to
dive for them feven or eight fathom under water.
THE fkin of the feal was formerly ufed for
muffs, but afterwards to cover trunks, and to
make fhoes and boots. When it is well tanned,
the grain is not unlike that of Morocco leather.
If it is not quite fo fine, however it preferves its
colour longer.
THE flefh of the feal is generally allowed to be
good, but it turns to better account if it is boiled
down to oil. For this purpofe, it is fufficient to
fet it on the fire in a copper or earthen veflel. It
is thought frequently fufficient to fpread the fat
upon large fquares made of boards, where it melts
of itfelf, and the oil runs off through an opening
made for that purpofe. It keeps clear for a long
time, has no bad fmell, and leaves no fediment.
It is ufed for burning and drefling leather,
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
FIVE or fix fmall fhips were fitted out yearly from B , v o
Canada for the feal fifhery in the gulph of St. Law- * ^
rence, and one or two lefs for the Caribbee iflands.
It received from the iilands nine or ten veflels laden
with rum, molafies, coffee, and fugar; and from
France about thirty fhips, wliofe lading together
might amount to nine thoufand tons.
IN the interval between the two laft wars, which
was the mofl flourifhing period of the colony, the
exports did not exceed 1,200,000* livres in furs,
800,000 f in beaver, 250,000 J in feal oil, the
fame in flour and peas, and 150,000 livres in
Wood of all kinds. Thefe feveral articles put to-
gether, amounted but to 2,650,000 livres || a year,
a fum inefficient to pay for the commodities fent
from the mother-country. The government made
up the deficiency.
WHEN the French were in pofiefiion of Cana-
da, they had very little fpecie. The little that
Was brought in from time to time by the new fet-
tlers, did not continue in the country, becaufe the
necefTitous ftate of the colony foon occafioned it
to return. This was a grdat obflacle to the pro-
grefs of commerce and agriculture. In 1670, the
court of Verfailles coined a particular fort of mo-
ney for the ufe of all the French fettlements in
America, and fet a nominal value upon it, one-
fourth above the Current coin of the mother-coun-
try. But this expedient was not productive of the
advantages that were expecled, at leaft with re-
gard to New France. They, therefore, contriv-
* 52, 500!. f35jOool. Ji>937l tos.
6,562!. ios. 1! 115,937!. los.
VOL. V, F ed
66 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
ibftitute paper currency inftead of metal,
:he payment of the troops, and other expences
of government. This fucceeded till the year 1713,
when the engagements that had been made with
the administrators of the colony were not faithfully
obferved. Their bills of exchange drawn upon
the treaiury of the mother-country were not ho-
noured, and from that time fell into difcredir.
They were at lafr paid off in 1720, with the lofs
of five-eighths.
THIS event occafioned the revival of the ufe of
fpecie in Canada: but this expedient lafted only
two years. The merchants found it troublefome,
chargeable and hazardous to fend money to France,
and io did all the colonies who had any remittances
to make; fo that they were the firft to folicit the
re-eftablifhment of paper-currency. This confift-
ed of cards, on which were ftamped the arms of
France and Navarre, and they were figned by the
governor, the intendant and the comptroller.
They were of twenty- four*, twelve f, fix J, and
three livres; and of thirty ||, fifteen f, and fe-
ven ibis and a half**. The value of the whole
number that was made out, did not exceed a mil-
lion of livresff . When this fum was not fuffi-
cient for the demands of the public, the defi-
ciency was made up by orders figned only by the
intendant. This was the firft abufe; but one
of ftill greater confequence was that their number
was unlimited. The fmalleft were of twenty folsJJ,
* il. is. f IDS. 6d. 155. 3d. 2s. 7d. f.
His. 3 d. I. H 7 d. {.ths. ** 3 d. |. ff 43,750!.
'ttiod. -.
and
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 7
and the higheft of a hundred livres*. Thefe dif- B
ferent papers circulated in the colony, and fup-
plied the want of fpecie till the month of Octo-
ber. This was the lateft feafon for the fhips to
fail from Canada. Then all this paper-currency
was turned into bills of exchange payable in
France by the government, which was fuppofed
to have made ufe of the value. But they were fo
multiplied by the year 1754, that the royal trea-
fury could no longer anfwer fuch large demands,
and was forced to protract the payment. An un-
fortunate war that broke out two years after, fo
increafed their number, that at laft they were pro-
hibited. This prefently raifed the price of all
commodities to an immoderate degree; and as>
on account of the enormous expences of the war,
the king was the chief confumer, he alone bore
the lofs arifmg from the difcarded paper, and from
the dearnefs of the goods. In 1759, the miniftry
were obliged to flop payment of the Canada bills,
till their origin and their real value could be
traced. They amounted to an alarming nurhber.
THE annual expences of government for Cana-
da, which in 1729 did not exceed 400,000 li-
vres t, and before 1749 never were greater than
1,700,000:};, were immenfe after that period.
The year 1750 coft 2, 100,000 , the year 1751,
3,7 00,000 1|; the year 1752, 4,090,000 f; the year
*753> 5>3> 000 **; the year 1754,4,450,000^?
the year 1755, 6, 100,000 JJ; the year 1756,
* 4 1. 7 s. 6d. f 17,500!. t74>375 L 49i 8 75 L
JIu8,i25l. i7S,937l. ios. **23i,87sl.
ft 194,687 1. ios. U 266,875!.
F'a 1 1, .300,000;
63 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
xv?.
B K * the Y ear J 757> 19,250,000-^;
the year 1758, 27 > 900,000 J; the year 17 59,
26,000,000 ; the firft eight months of the
years 1760, 13, 500,000 j|. Of thefe prodigious
iums, ninety millions^ were owing at the peace.
THIS infamous debt was traced up to its origin,
and the enormities that had given rife to it were
inquired into, as far as the diftance of time and
place would allow. The greateft delinquents, who
were become fo in confequence of the unlimited
power.and credit given by the government, were
legally condemned to make confiderable reftitu-
tions. They were however ftill too moderate.
The claims of private creditors were all difcufied.
Fortunately for them and for the nation, the mi_
niftry intrufted with this important and neceftary
bufmefs, were men of known integrity; who were
not to be intimidated by the threats of pow-
er, nor bribed by the offers of fortune;, who
could not be impofed upon by artifice, nor wea-
ried out by difficulties. By fteadily and imparti-
ally holding an even balance between the intereft
of the public and the rights of individuals, they
reduced the fum total of the debts to thirty-eight
millions**.
Adv3nra- IT was the fault of France if Canada was not
r"nce :ch worth the immenfefums that were beftowed upon
Sved have ic ' It: had lon S fince a PP eared tha t this vaft region
from c-a- W as every where capable of yielding prodigious
rors which crops, yet no more was cultivated than what was'
priVed ha barely fufficient for the fuftenance of the inhabi-
iem ' *494,37 5 1. f 842, 187!. j i, 220,625!. 1,137,500!.
1(590,6251. ^3,500,000!. ** 1,662,000!.
tants,
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
tants. With moderate labour corn enough might BOO
have been raifed to fupply all the American iflands, < ^-
and even fome parts of Europe. It is well known
that in 1751, the colony fent over two Ihip-loads of
wheat to Marfeilles, which proved very good, and
fold very well. This exportation ought to have
met with the greater encouragement, as the crops
are liable to few accidents in that country, where
the corn is fown in May, and gathered in before
the end of Auguft,
IF hufbandry had been encouraged and extend-
ed, the breed of cattle would have been increafed.
There is fuch plenty of pafture ground, and of
acorns, that the colonies might eafily have bred
oxen and hogs, fufficient to fupply the French
iflands with beef and pork, without having re-
courfe to Irifh beef. PofTibly, thefe cattle might
in time have increafed fufficiently to fupply the
fhips of the mother-country.
THEIR fheep, which are eafily bred in Canada,
would have been no lei's advantageous to France.
If their number were not confiderable in a coun-
try where the dams commonly bear twins, it was
owing to the ewes being left at all fealbns with
the ramj and as they generally brought forth
in February, the feverity of the weather deftroyed
a great many lambs: the inhabitants being alfo
obliged to feed them with corn, found this fo
chargeable, that they did not much care to rear
them. This might have been prevented by a law,
enjoining all farmers to part the rams from the
ewes from September to February. The lambs
F 3 dropped
7<?> HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
B xvi K dropped m May would have been reared without
v v ' any expence or hazard, and in a fliort time the
colony would have been covered with numerous
flocks. Their wool, which is known to be very
fine and good, would have fupplied the manufac-
tures of France, inftead of that which is imported
from Andalufia and Caftile. The ftate would
have been enriched by this valuable commodity 5
and in return, the colony would have received
variety of new and defirable articles from the mo-
ther-country.
THE Gin-feng would have been a great acqui-
fition to both. This plant, which the Chinele
procure from the Corea, or from Tartary, and
which they buy at the weight of gold, was found
in 1720, by the Jefuit Lafitau, in the forefls of
Canada, where it grows very common. It was
foon carried to Canton, where it was much efteem-
ed, and fold at an extravagant price. The Gin-
feng, which at firft fold at Quebec for thirty or
forty ibis* a pound, rofe to twenty-five livresf.
In 1752, the Canadians exported this plant to the
value of 500,000 livres J. There was fuch a de-
mand for it, that they were induced to gather in
May what ought not to have been gathered till Sep-
tember, and to dry in the oven what fhould have
been dried gradually in the fhade. This fpoilt
the fa!e of the Gin-feng of Canada in the only
country in the world where it could find a mar-
ket 3 and the colonifts were feverely puniflied for
their exceffive rapacioufnefs, by the total lofs of a
* About is. 6d. on an average. f il. is. lod. $.
; 21,875 1.
branch
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 71
branch of commerce, which, if rightly managed, n K
might have proved a fource of opulence. v v
ANOTHER and a Hirer plan for the encourage-
ment of induftry, was the working of the iron
mines which abound in thofe parts. The only one
that has ever attracted the notice of the Europe-
ans, lies near the town of the Trois Rivieres ; and
was difcovered near the furface of the 'ground.
There are no mines that yield a greater quantity,
and the heft in Spain are not fuperior to it for the
pliability of the metal. A fmith. from Europe,
who came thither in 1739, greatly improved the
working of this mine, which till then had been
but unflulfully managed. From that time no
other iron was ufed in the colony. They even ex-
ported fome famplesj but France would not be
convinced that this iron was the beft, for fire-
arms. The fcheme that was in agitation of making
ufe of this iron would have been very favourable
to the projedl which, after much irrefolution had
at laft been adopted, of forming a naval eftablifh-
ment in Canada.
THE firft Europeans who landed on that vaft re-
gion, found it entirely covered with forefls. The
principal trees were oaks of prodigious height,
and pines of all fizes. Thefe woods when felled
might have been conveyed with eafe down the ri-
ver St. Lawrence, and the numberlefs rivers that
fall into it. By an unaccountable fatality, all thefe
treafures were overlooked or defpifed. At length
the court of Verfailles thought proper to attend
to them. They gave orders for erecting docks at
Quebec for building men of war, but unfortu-
F 4 nately
72 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
o
VI
BOOK. na tely trufted the bufmefs to agents, who had no w
thing in view but their own private mtereft.
THE timber fhould have been felled upon the
hills, where the cold air hardens the wood by con-
tracting its fibres; whereas it was conftantly
fetched from marfhy grounds, and from the banks
of the rivers, where the moifture gives it a loofer
and a richer texture. Inftead of conveying it in
barges, they floated it down on rafts to the place
of its deftination, where, being forgotten and left
in the water, it gathered a kind of mofs that
rotted it. Inftead of being put under fheds when
it was landed, it was left expofed to the fun in
fummer, to the fnow in winter, and the rains in
fpring and autumn. From thence it was Conveyed
into the dock-yards, where it again fuftained the
inclemency of the feafons for two or three years.
Negligence or diihonefty enhanced the price of
every thing to fuch a degree, that'fails a ropes,
pitch and tar were imported from Europe into a
country which, with a little induftry, might have
fupplicd the whole kingdom of France with all
thefe materials. This bad management had
brought the wood of Canada entirely into difre-
pute, and effectually ruined the refources which
that country afforded for the navy.
THE colony furniihed the manufactures of the
mother-country with a branch of bufmefs that
might almoft be called an exclufive one, which
was the preparation of the beaver. This commo-
dity at firfl was fubjected to the oppreflive re-
ftraints of monopoly. The India company could
not but make an ill ufe of their privilege, and
really did fo. What they bought of the Indians
wa
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES,
was chiefly paid for in Englifh fcarlet cloths,
which thofe people were very fond of wearing,
But as they could make twenty-five or thirty per
cent, more of their commodities in the Englilh
fettlements than the company chofe to give, they
carried thither all they could conceal from the
fearch of the company agents, and exchanged
their beaver for Englifh cloth and India callicoe.
Thus did France, by the abufe of an institution
which Hie was by no means obliged to maintain,
deprive herfelf of the double advantage of fur-
nifhing materials to fome of her own manufac-
tures, and of fecuring a market for the produce of
others. She was equally ignorant of the facility
of eflablifhing a whale fifnery in Canada.
THE chief fources of this fifhery are Davis's
Streights and Greenland. Fifty fhips come every
year into the former of thefe latitudes, and a hun-
dred and fifty into the latter. The Dutch are
concerned in more than three-fourths of them.
The reft are fitted out from Bremen, Hamburgh
and England. It is computed that the whole ex-
pence of fitting out 200 fhips of 350 tons bur-
den, upon an average muft amount to 10,000,000
of livres*. The uiual produce of each is rated
at 80,000 livres f, and confequently the whole
amount of the fifhery cannot be lefs than
3,200,000 livres J. If we deduct from this the
profits of the feamen who are employed in thefe
hard and dangerous voyages, very little remains
for the merchants concerned in this trade.
THESE circumftances have by degrees influenced
$e Bifcayans to difcontinue a trade, in which
* 437o I t 3>5 o1 - t 140,000!.
they
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
they were the firft adventurers. Other French-
men have not been induced to take it up, info-
much that the whole fifnery has been totally
abandoned by that nation, which of all others
confumed the greateft quantity of blubber, whale-
bone, and fpermaeeti. Many propofals have been
made for reluming it in Canada. There was the
fineft profpect of a plentiful fifhery in the river
St. Lawrence, attended with lefs danger and lefs
expence than at Davis's Streights or Greenland.
It has ever been the fate of this colony, that the
beftfchemes relative to it have beenunfuccefsfulj
and this in particular, of a whale fifhery, which
would not have failed to excite the activity of the
colonifts, and would have proved an excellent
nurfery for feamen, has never met with the coun-
tenance of government.
THE fame remifihefs has baffled the fcheme, fo
often planned, and twice or thrice attempted, of
fifhing for cod on both fides of the river St. Law-
rence. Very poflibly the fuccefs would not have
fully anfwered the expectations of thofe who pro-
pofed it, as the fifh is but indifferent, and proper
beaches are wanting to dry it. But the gulph
would have made ample amends. It abounds
with cod, which might have been carried to New-
foundland or Louifbonrg, and advantageoufly bar-
tered] for the productions of the Caribbee iflands
and for European commodities. Ever} 7 circum-
flance confpired to promote the profperity of the
fettlements in Canada, if they had been afilfted by
the men who feemcd to be moil interefted in
them. But whence could proceed that incon-
ceivable
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 7s
ceivable want of induftry, which fuffered them to BOOK
remain in the fame wretched flate they were in at - - Y ' J
firft?
IT muft be confefled fome obftacles arofe from
the very nature of the climate. The river St.
Lawrence is frozen up for fix months in the year.
At other times it is not navigable by night, on
account of the thick fogs, rapid currents, fand-
banks, and concealed rocks, which make it even
dangerous by day-light. Thefe difficulties in-
creafe from Quebec to Montreal to fuch a aegree,
that failing is quite impracticable, and rowing fo
difficult, that from the Trois Riviers, where the
tide ends, the oars cannot refill the violence of
the current, without the affiftance of a very fair
wind, and then only during a month or fix weeks.
From Montreal to the Lake Ontario, traders
meet with no lefs than fix water-falls, which
oblige them to unload their canoes, and to con-
vey them and their lading a confiderable way by
land.
FAR from encouraging men to furmount the
difficulties of nature, a mifmformed government
planned none but ruinous fchemes. To gain the
advantage over the Englilh in the fur trade, they
erected three and thirty forts, at a great diftance
from each other. The building and victualling
of them diverted the Canadians from the only la-
bours that ought to have engrafted their attention.
This error engaged them in an arduous and peri-
lous track.
IT was not without fome uneafmefs that the In-
dians faw the formation of thefe fetdements,
which
7<5 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
B xv?
? K which might endanger their liberty. Their fufpi"
'cions induced them to take up arms, fo that the
colony was feldom free from war. Neceffity made
all the Canadians foldiers. Their manly and mili-
tary education rendered them hardy from their
youth, and fearlefs of danger. Before they had
arrived to the age of manhood, they would tra-
verfe a vaft continent in the fummer-time in ca-
noes, and in winter on foot, through ice and
fnow. Having nothing but their gun to procure
fubfiftence with, they, were in continual danger of
flarving; but they were under no apprehenfion,
not even of falling into the hands of the favages,
who had exerted all the efforts of their imagina-
tion in inventing tortures for their enemies, far
worfe than death.
THE fedentary arts of peace, and the conftant
labours of agriculture, had no attraction for men
accuftomed to an aftive but wandering life. The
court, which forms no idea of the fweets or the
utility of rural life, increafed the averfion which
the Canadians had conceived for it, by bellowing
all their favours and honours upon military aclions
alone. The diftinflion that was chiefly lavifhed
was that of nobility, which was attended with the
moft fatal confequences. It not only plunged the
Canadians in idleneis, but alfoinfpired diem with
an unconquerable paflion for every thing that was
fplendid. Profits which ought to have been kept
facred for the improvement of the lands, were
laid out in ornament, and a real poverty was
concealed under the trappings of deftru&ive
Juxury.
SUCK
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 7?
SUCH wastheftate of the colony in 1747, when B K
La Galiflbniere was appointed governor. He was * -v '
a man pofiefled of very extenfive knowledge, ac- X"^", /
tive and refolute, and of a courage the more Jj**^"
fteady, as it was the effect of reafon. The lifted the
, , ... - - T French in
Englim wanted to extend the limits of Nova Canada.
Scotia, or Acadia, as far as the fouth fide of the
river St. Lawrence. He thought this an unjuft
claim, and was determined to confine them within
the peninfula, which he apprehended to be the
boundary fettled even by treaties. Their ambi-
tion of incroaching en the inland parts, particu-
larly towards the Ohio, or Fair river, he like-
wife thought unreafonable. He was of opinion
that the Apalachian mountains ought to be the
limits of their pofTefTions, and was fully deter-
mined they fhould not pafs them. His fuccelTor,
who was appointed while he was preparing the
means of accomplifhing this vaft defign, entered
into his views with all the warmth they deferved.
Numbers of forts were immediately erected on all
fides, to fupport the fyftem which the court had
adopted, perhaps, without forefeeing, or, at
leaft, without fufficiently attending to the confe-
quences.
AT this period began thofe hoftilities between
the Engliih and the French in. North America,
which were rather countenanced than openly
avowed by the refpective mother-countries. This
clandeftine mode of carrying on the war was per-
fectly agreeable to the miniftry at Verfailles, as it
afforded an opportunity of recovering by degrees,
and without expofing their weaknefs; what they
I had
7* HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK had loft by treaties, at a time when the enemy
v- v---' * ia d impofed their own terms. Thefe repeated
checks at laft opened the eyes of Great Britain,
and difcloled the political defigns of her rival.
George II. thought that a clandeiline war was in-
confiftent with the fnperiority of his maritime
forces. His l"hips were ordered to attack thofe of
the French in all parts of the world. The Engliftj
accordingly took or difperfed all the French ftiips
they met with, and in 1758, fleered towards Cape-
Breton.
Cwmftof THIS ifland, the key of Canada, had already
0p T*h ! ~ k een attacked in 1745, and the event is of fo fm-
EngiiA. gular a nature, that it deferves a particular detail.
The plan of this firft invafion was laid at Boilon,
and New-England bore the expence of it. A
merchant, named Pepperel, who had excited, en-
couraged and directed the enthufiafm of the co-
lony, was intruded with the command of an army
of 6000 men, which had been levied for this ex-
pedition.
THOUGH thefe forces, convoyed by a fquadron
from Jamaica, brought the firft news to Cape-
Breton of the danger that threatened it 5 though
the advantage of a furprife would have fecured.
the landing without oppofitionj though they had
but 600 regular troops to encounter, and 800 in-
habitants haftily armed, the fuccefsof the under-
taking was {till precarious. What great exploits,
indeed could be expected from a militia fuddenly
aflembled, who had never feen a fiege or faced an
enemy, and were to act under the direction of fea-
officers only. Thefe unexperienced troops ftoo4
in
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
in need of the afliftance of fome fortunate in-
cident, which they were indeed favoured with in a
fmgular manner.
THE conftruution and repairs of the fortifica-
tions had always been left to the care of the gar-
rifon of Louifbourg. The foldiers were eager of
being employed in thefe works, which they con-
fidered as conducive to their fafety, and as the
means of procuring them a comfortable fubfift-
ence. When they found that thofe who were to
have paid them, appropriated to themfelves the
profit of their labours, they demanded juftice. It
was denied them, and they determined to affert
their right. As thefe depredations had been
fliared between the chief perfons of the colony and
the fubaltern officers, the foldiers could obtain no
redrefs. Their indignation againft thefe rapacious
extortioners rofe to fuch a height that they de-
fpifed all authority. They had lived in open re-
bellion for fix months, when the Englifh appeared
before the place.
THIS was the time to conciliate the minds of
both parties, and to unite in the common caufe.
The foldiers made the firft advances; but their
commanders miftrufted a generofity of which they
themfelves were incapable. Had thefe mean op-
prefibrs conceived it pofiible that the foldiers
could have entertained fuch elevated notions as to
facrifice their own refentment to the good of their
country, they would have taken advantage of this
difpofition, and have fallen upon the enemy while
they were forming their camp and beginning to
open their trenches. Befiegers unacquainted with
2 the
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
rinciples of the art of war, would have
been difconcerted by regular and vigorous attacks.
The firft checks might have been fufficient to dif-
courage them, and to make them relinquilli the
undertaking. But it was firmly believed that the
foldiers were only defirous of fallying out, that
they might have an opportunity of deferring; and
their own officers kept them, in a manner pri-
foners> till a defence fo ill-managed had reduced
them to the neceffity of capitulating. The whole
iOand fhared the fate of Louifbourg, its only bul-
wark. '
THIS valuable pofleffion, reflored to France by
the treaty of Aix la-Chapelle, was again attacked
by the Englifli in 1758. On the id of June, a
fleet of twenty-three fhips of the line and eighteen
frigates, carrying 16,000 well-difciplined troops,
anchored in Gabarus bay, within half a league of
Louifbourg. As it was evident that it would be
to no pufpofe to land at a great diftance, becaiife
it would be impoffible to bring up the artillery
and other necerTaries for a confiderable fiege, it
had been attempted to render the landing imprac-
ticable near the town. In the prudent precautions
that had been taken, the befiegers faw the dangers
and difficulties they had to expect; but far from
being deterred by them, they had recourfe to ftra-
tagem, and v/hile by extending their line they
threatened and commanded the whole coaft, they
landed by force of arms at the creek of Cor-
moran.
THIS place was naturally weak. The Frencl
had fortified it with a good parapet planted wit!
cannon.
IN THE EAST' AND WEST INDIES. 8*
Cannon. Behind this rampart they had polled B <J *
2000 excellent foldiefs and fome Indians. In * yrl
front they had made fuch a clofe hedge with
branches of trees, that would have been very dif-
ficult to penetrate, even if it had not been de-
fended. This kind of pallifade^ which concealed
all the preparations for defence, appeared at a
diftance to be nothing more than a verdant
plain*
THIS would have preferved the colony, had the
afiailants been fuffered to complete their landing,
and to advance with the confidence, that they had
but few obftacles to furmount. Had this been
the cafe, overpowered at orice by the fire of the
artillery and the fmall arms, they would infallibly
have perifhed on the fhore, or in the hurry of
embarking; efpecially as the fea was juft then
very rough. This unexpected lofs might have in-
terrupted the whole project,
BUT all the prudent precautions that had been
taken, were rendered abortive by the impetuofity
of the French. The Englidi had fcarce begun to
move towards the fhore, when their enemies haf-
tened to difcoverthe fnare they had laid for them.
By the brifk arid hafty fire that was aimed at their
boats, and ftill more by the premature removal
of the boughs that mafkedthe forces, which it was
fo much the intereft of the French to conceal,
they guefled at the danger they were going to rufh
into. They immediately turned back, and fa\v
no other place to effect their landing but a rock,
which had been always deemed inacceflible. Ge-
neral Wolfe, though much taken up in re-im-
VOL. V, G barking
8z HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK barking his troops, and fending off the boats,
< y > gave the fignal to Major Scot to repair thither.
THE officer immediately removed to the fpot
with his men. His own boat coming up firft,
and finking at the very inftant he was ilepping
out, he climbed up the rock alone. He was in
hopes of meeting with a hundred of his men who
had been fent thither fome hours before. He
found only ten. With thefe few, however, he
gained the fummitof the rock. Ten Indians and
fixty Frenchmen killed two of his men, and mor-
tally v/ounded three. In fpite of his weaknefs, he
flood his ground under cover of a thicket, till his
brave countrymen, regardlefs of the boifterous
waves and the fire of the cannon, came up to
him, and put him in full poffefiion of that im-
portant poll, the only one that could fecure their
landing.
THE French, as foon as they faw that the enemy
had got a firm footing on land, betook themfelves
to the only remaining refuge, and fhut themfelves
up in Louifbourg. The fortifications were in a
bad condition, becaufe the fea fand, which they
had been obliged to ufe, is by no means fit for
works of mafonry. The revetements of the fe-
veral curtains were entirely crumbled away.
There was only one cafemate and a fmall maga-
zine that were bomb proof. The garrifon which
was to defend the place confided only of 2,900
men.
NOTWITHSTANDING all thefe difadvantages, the
befieged were determined to make an obflinate re-
fiftance. While they were employed in defend-
2 ing
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
ing themfelves with fo much firmnefs, the fuc- B v
cours they expected from Canada might poffibly '
arrive. At all events this refiftance might be the
means of preferving that great colony from all
further invafion for the remainder of the cam-
paign. It is fcarce credible that the French were
confirmed in their refolution by the courage of a
woman. Madame de Drucourt was continually
upon the ramparts, with her purfe in her handj
and firing herfelf three guns every day, feemed to
difpute with the governor her hufband the glory
of his office. The befieged were not difmayed at
the ill-fuccefs of their feveral fallies, or the mafterly
operations concerted by admiral Bofcawen and
general Amherrt. It was but at the eve of an
aflault, which it was impoffible to fuftain, that
they talked of furrendering. They made an ho-
nourable capitulation, and the conqueror fhewed
more rcfpeft for his enemy and for himfelf, than
to fully his glory by any aft of barbarity or
avarice.
THE conquefl of Cape-Breton opened the way The r
into Canada. The very next year the feat of war M *'**
was removed thither, or rather the fcenes of
blbodfhcd which had long been afbed over that
immenfe country were multiplied. The caufe of
thefe proceedings was this.
THE French, fettled in thofe parts, had carried
their ambitious views towards the north, where
the fineft furs were to be had, and irvthe greateft
plenty. When this vein of wealth was exhaufted,
or yielded lefs than it did at firft, their trade
turned fouthward, where they difcovered the
G a Ohio,
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
to which they gave the name of the Fair
river. It laid open the natural communication
between Canada and Louifiana. For though the
fhips that fail up the river St. Lawrence go no
further than Quebec, the navigation is carried on
in barges to lake Ontario, which is only parted
from lake Erie by a neck of land, where the
French upon their firft fettling built Fort Niagara.
It is on this fpot, in the neighbourhood of lake
Erie, that the fource of the river Ohio is found,
which waters the finefl country in the world, and
increafing by the many rivers that fall into it, dif-
charges itfelf into the Miffifipppi.
THE French however made no ufe of this mag-
nificent canal. The trifling intercourfe that fub-
fifted between the two colonies was always carried
on by the northern regions. The new way,
which was much fliorter and eafier than the old,
firft began to be frequented by a body of troops
that were fent over to Canada in 1739, to aflift
the colony of Louifiana, then engaged in an open
war with the Indians. After this expedition, the
ibuthern road was again forgotten, and was never
thought of till the year 1753. At that period,
feveral fmall forts were erected along the Ohio,
the courfe of which had been traced for four
years paft. The moft confiderable of thefe forts
took its name from governor Duquefne who built
it.
THE Englilh colonies could not fee without
concern French fettlements raifed behind them,
which joined with the old ones, and feemed to
furround them. They were apprehenfive left the
Apalachian
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
Apalachian muontains, which were to form the B
natural boundaries between both nations, fhould
not prove a fufficient barrier againft the attempts
of a reftlefs and warlike neighbour. Urged by
this motive, they themfelves patted thefe famous
mountains, to difpute the polTeiTion of the Ohio
with the rival nation. This ftrfl ftep proved un-
fuccefsful. The feveral parties that were fuccef-
lively fent out, were routed ; and the forts were
demoliihed as faft as they built them.
To put an end to thefe national affronts, and
revenge the difgrace they reflected on the mother-
country, a large body of troops was fent over,
under the command of General Braddock. In the
fummer of 1755, as this general was marching to
attack Fort Duquefne with 36 pieces of cannon
and 600 men, he was furprifed, within four
leagues of the place, by 250 Frenchmen and 650
Indians, and all his army cut to pieces. This un-
accountable diiafter put a flop to the march of
three numerous bodies that were advancing to fall
upon Canada. The terror occafioned by this ac-
cident, made them haften back to their quarters,
and in the next campaign, all their motions were
guided by the mod timorous caution.
THE French were emboldened by this per-
plexity, and though very much inferior to them,
ventured to appear before Ofwego in Auguft
1756. It was originally a fortified magazine at
the mouth of the river Onondago on the lake On-
tario. It flood nearly in the center of Canada, in
fo advantageous a fituation, that many works had
from time to time been ereded there, which had
G 3 rendered
86 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
ren d e red it one of the capital pofts in thofe parts.
It was garrifoned by 1800 men, with 121 pieces
of cannon, and great plenty of ftores of all kinds.
Though fo well provided it furrendered in a few
days, to the impetuous and bold attacks of 3000
men who were laying fiege to it.
IN Auguft 1757, 5500 French and 1800 In-
dians marched "up to Fort George, fituated on
lake Sacrament, which was juftly confidered as
the bulwark of Bnglifh Settlements, and the
rendezvous of all the forces deflined againft Ca-
nada. Nature and art had confpired to block up
the roads leading to that place, and to make all
accefs impracticable. Thefe advantages were
further ftrengthened by feveral bodies of troops,
placed at proper diftances in the bed petitions.
Yet thefe obilacles were furmounted with fuch
prudence and intrepidity, as would have been
memorable in hiftory, had the fcene of action
lain in a more diflinguifhed fpot. The French,
after killing or difperfing all the fmall parties
they met with, arrived before the place, and
forced the garrifon, confifling of 2264 men, to
Capitulate.
THIS frefh difafter roufed the Englilh. Their
generals applied themfelves during the winter to
the training up of their men, and bringing the
feveral troops under a proper difcipline. They
made thetoi exercife in the woods, in righting after
the Indian manner. In the fpring, the army, confifl-
ing of 6300 regulars and 13,000 militia belonging
to the colonies, aflembled on the ruins of Fort
George. They embarked on lake Sacrament,
which
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 87
which parted the colonies of both nations, and B v K
inarched up to Carillon, diftant but four leagues. * v '
THAT fort which had been but lately erected
on the breaking out of the war, was not of fuf-
ficient fize to withstand the forces that were
marching againft it. Intrenchments were formed
haftily under the cannon of the fort, with Items
of trees heaped up one upon another, and large
trees were laid in front, whofe branches being cut
and fharpened, anfwered the purpofe of chevaux-
de-frife. The colours were planted on the top of
the ramparts, behind which lay 3500 men.
THE Englifh were not difmayed at thefe for-
midable appearances, being fully determined to
remove the difgrace of their former mifcarriages
in a country where the profperity of their trade
depended on the fuccefs of their arms. On the
8th of July 1758, they rumed upon thefe palli-
fades with the moil extravagant fury. Neither
were they difconcerted by the French firing upon
them from the top of the parapet, while they
were unable to defend themfelves. They fell
upon the fharp fpikes, and were entangled among
the flumps and boughs through which their eager-
nefs had made them rufh. All thefe loMes ferved
but to increafe their impetuous rage, which con-
tinued upwards of four hours, and cod them
above 4000 of their brave men before they would
give up this rafh and defperate undertaking.
THEY were equally unfuccefsful in fmaller ac-
tions. They did not attack one pofl without meet-
ing with a repulfe. Every party they fent out was
beaten, and every convoy intercepted. The feve-
G 4 rity
8g HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
B xv? K rit Y of the winter might have been fuppqfed to fe-
v cure them, but even in this rigorous feafon the In-
dians and Canadians carried fire and fword to the
frontiers, and into die very heart of the Englifh
colonies.
ALL thefe diiafters were owing to a falfe princi-
ple of government. The Englifh minifter had al-
ways entertained a notion that the fuperiority of
their navy was alone fufficient to afTert their domi-
nion in America, as it afforded a ready convey-
ance for fuccours, and could eafily intercept th$
enemy's forces.
THOUGH experience had {hewn the fallacy of
this idea, the miniftry did not even endeavour by
a proper choice of generals, to rectify the fatal ef-
fects it had produced. Almoft all thofewho were
employed in this fervice were deficient in point of
abilities and activity.
THE armies were not likely to make amends
for the defects of their commanders. The troops
indeed were not wanting ii} that daring fpirit and
invincible courage, which is the characteriftic of
the Englifh foldiers, ariling from the climate, and
ftill more from the nature of their government;
but thefe national qualities were counterbalanced
or extinguished by the hardfhips they underwent,
in a country deftitute of all the conveniencies that
Europe affords. As to the militia of the colonies,
it was compofed of peaceable hufbandmen, who
were not, like moft of the French colonifts, inured
to (laughter by a habit of hunting, and by military,
ardor.
To
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 9
To thefe difadvantages, arifmg from the nature B V C J K
of things, were added others altogether owing to u ^l-
mifcondu6t. The pofts erected for the fafety of
the fevei al Englifh fetclements, were not fo con-
trived as to fupport and afllft each other. The
provinces having all feparate interefts, and not
being united under the authority of one head, did
not concur in thofe joint efforts for the good of
the whole, and that unanimity of fendments, which
alone can infure the fuccefs of their meafures.
The feafon of action was wafted in vain alterca-
tions between the governors and the colonifts.
Every plan of operation that met with oppofition
from any fet of men was dropped. If any one was
agreed upon, it was certainly made public before
the execution^ and by that means rendered abor-
tive. To this may be added, the irreconcileable
hatred fubfifting between them and the Indians.
THESE nations had always fhewn a vifible par-
tiality for the French, in return for the kindnefs
they had fhewn them in fending them mifiionaries,
whom they confidered rather as ambafladors from
the prince, than a$ fent from God. Thefe miflio-
naries, by ftudying the language of the favages,
conforming to their temper and inclinations, and
putting in practice every attention to gain their
confidence, had acquired an abfolute dominion
over their minds. The French colonifts, far from
communicating the European manners, had adopt-
ed thofe of the favages they lived with : their in-
dolence in time of peace, their activity in war, and
their conftant fondnefs for a wandering life. Seve-
ul officers of diftinction had even been incorpo-
6 rated
90 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
B xvi K ratec * w ^ r ^ em - The natre( i and jealoufy of the
i. , L_ Englifh has traduced them on this account, and
they have not fcrupled to affert that thefe generous
men had given money for the fkulls of their ene-
mies, that they joined in the horrid dances that
accompany the execution of their prifoners, imi-
tated their cruelties, and partook of their barba-
rous feftivals. But thefe enormities would be bet-
ter adapted to people who have fubftituced natio-
nal to religious fanaticifm, and are more inclined
to hate other nations than to love their own go-
vernment.
THE ftrong attachment of the Indians to the
French was productive of the moft inveterate ha-
tred againft the Englifh. Of all the European
favages, thefe were, in their opinion, the hardeft
to tame. Their averfion foon rofe to madnefs j and
. they even thirfted for Englifh blood, when they
found that a reward was offered for their deftruc-
tion, and that they were to be expelled their na-
tive land by foreign afiaflins. The fame hands which
had enriched the Englifh colony with their furs,
now took up the hatchet to deflroy it. The In-
dians purfued the Englifri with as much eagernefs
as they did the wild beafts. Glory was no longer
their aim in battle, their only object was flaughter.
They deftroyed armies which the French only
wifhed to fubdue. Their fury role to fuch a
height, that an Englifh prifoner having been con-
ducted into a lonely habitation, the woman imme-
diately cut off his arm, and made her family drink
the blood that ran from it. A miflionary Jefuit
reproaching her with the atrocioufnefs of the ac-
tion,
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 9 ,
tion, her anfwer was ; my children tnufi be war- BOOK
riours, and therefore muft be fed with the blood of
their enemies,
SUCH was the ftate of things, when an Englifh Tak .; ngof
'fleet entered the river St. Lawrence in June 1759.
It had no fooner anchored at the ifle of Orleans,
than eight fire-fhips were lent off to deftroy it.
Had they executed their orders, not a fhip or a
man would have efcapedj but the captains who
conducted the affair were feized with a panic.
They let fire to their veffels too foon, and hurried
back to land in their boats. The affailants had
feen their danger at a distance, but were delivered
from it by this accident, and from that moment
the conqueft of Canada became almoft certain.
THE Britifh flag foon appeared before Quebec.
The defign was to land there, and to get a firm
footing in the neighbourhood of the town, in or-
der to lay fiege to it. But they found the banks
of the river fo well intrenched, and fo well de-
fended by troops and redoubts, that their firfc en-
deavours were fruitleis. Every attempt to land was
attended with the lofs of many lives, without be-
ing productive of any advantage. They had per-
fiited for fix weeks in thefe unfuccefsful endea-
vours, when at laft they had the fingular good
fortune to land unperceived on the i2th of Sep-
tember, an hour before break of day, three miles
above the town. Their army, confifling of 6000
men, was already drawn up in order of battle, when
it was attacked the next day by a coups that was
weaker by one-third. For fome time ardour fup-
plied the want of numbers. At laft, French vi-
vacity
92 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
B xvi K vac ^7 S ave U P tne victory to the enemy, who had
^J loft the intrepid Wolfe their general, but did not
lofe their confidence and refolution.
THIS was gaining a confiderable advantage,
but it might not have been decifive. The troops
that were polled within a few leagues of the field
of battle, might have been collected in twelve
hours, tojoin the vanquifhed army, and march up
to the conqueror with a fuperior force. This was
the opinion of the French general Montcalm, who
being mortally wounded in the retreat, had time
enough before he expired, to confult the fafety of
his men, and to encourage them to repair their
difafter. This generous motion was over- ruled
by the council of war. They removed ten leagues
off. The Chevalier de Levy, who had haftened
from his poft to replace Montcalm, cenfured this
want of courage. The French were alhamed of
it, vufhed to recall it, and make another attempt
for victory, but it was too late. Quebec, three
parts deftroyed by the firing from the fhips, had
capitulated on the iyth.
ALL Europe thought the taking of this place
had put an end to the great contefl in North-
America. They never imagined that a handful of
Frenchmen, in want of every thing, who feemed
to be in a defperate condition would dare to think
of protracting their inevitable fate. They did not
know what thefe people were capable of doing.
They haflily completed fome intrenchrnents that
had been begun ten leagues above Quebec. There
they left troops iufficient to flop the progrefs of
the enemy; and proceeded to Montreal, to con'
cert meafures to retrieve their difgracc.
IT
IN THE EAST A\ 7 D WEST INDIES. 93
IT was there agreed that in the fpring they BOOK
Ihould march with an armed force againft Que- v__ v-l->
bee, to retake it by furprife, or if that fhould fail,
to befiege it in form. They had nothing in readi-
nefs for that purpofe, but the plan was fo concert-
ed, that they fhould enter upon the undertaking
juft at the inftant when the fuccours expected from
France muft neceiTarily arrive.
THOUGH the colony had long been in want of
every thing, the preparations were already made,
when the ice, which covered the whole river, be-
gan to give way towards the middle, and opened
a fmall canal. They dragged fome boats over the
ice, and put them into the water. The army,
confifting of citizens and foldiers, who made but
one body, and were animated with one foul, fell
down this dream, with inconceivable ardour, on
the 1 2th of April 1760. The Englifh thought
they ftill lay quiet in their winter quarters. The
army, already landed, came up with an advanced
guard of 1500 men, pofted three leagues from
Quebec. This party was juft upon the point of
being cut to pieces, had it not been for one of
thofe unaccountable incidents, which no human
prudence can forelee.
A gunner, attempting to ftep out of his
boat, had fallen into the water. He caught hold
of a flake of ice, climbed up upon it, and was car-
ried down the ftream. As he pafied by Quebec,
clofe to the fhore, he was feen by a centinel, who
obferving a man in diftrefs, called out for help.
The Englifh flew to his afliftance, and found him
jnotionlefs They knew him by his uniform to be a
French
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
o^o K. French foidier, and carried him to the gover-
^ nor's houfe, where by the help of fpirituous
liquors, they recalled him to life for a mo-
ment. He juft recovered his fpeech enough tc
tell them that an army of 10,000 French was
at the gatess and expired. The governor im-
mediately dispatched orders to the advanced
guards to retire within the walls with all ex-
pedition. Notwithftanding their precipitate re-
treat, the French had time to attack their rear.
A few moments later, they would have been
defeated, and the city retaken.
THE aflailants however marched on with an in-
trepidity which indicated that they expected every
thing from their valour, and thought no more of
a furprife. They were within a league of the
town, when they were met by a body of 4000
men, who were fent out to intercept them. The
onfet was (harp, and the refiftance obftinate. The
Englifh were driven back within their walls, leav-
ing 1800 of their braveft men upon the fpot, and
their artillery in the enemy's hands.
THE trenches were immediately opened before
Quebec; but as the French had none but field-
pieces, as no fuccours came from France, and as
a ftrong Englifh fquadron was coming up the river,
they were obliged toraife the fiege on the 1 6th of
May, and to retreat from poft to poft till they arriv-
ed at Montreal. Thefe troops, which were not very
numerous at firft, were now exceedingly reduced by
frequent fkirmifhes and continual fatigues, were
in want both of provifions and warlike ftores, and'
found themfelves incloled in an open place 3 be-
ing
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 95
ing furrounded by three formidable armies, one BOOK
of which was come down, and another up the v__ -y -
river, while the third had pafled over lake Cham-
plain. Thefe miferable remains of a body of
7000 men, who had never been recruited, and had
fo much fignalized themfelves with the help of a
few Militia and Indians, were at laft forced to ca-
pitulate for the whole colony. The conqueft was
confirmed by the treaty of peace, when this coun-
try was added to the poffeilions of the Englilh
in North-America.
THE acquifition of an immenfe territory is not, Canada I*
however, the only advantage that Great Britain ^eEng-
could derive from the fuccefs of her arms. The 'i*'
What ad-
confiderable population fhe has found there is of vantages
n .,, . _ r , c they might
itill greater importance, borne or thele numerous derive
inhabitants, it is true, have fled from a new domi- JSion!
nion, which admitted no other difference among
men but fuch as arofe from perfonal qualities, edu-
cation, fortune, or the advantage of being ufeful
to fociety. But the emigration of thefe contempt-
ible perfons, whofe importance was founded on
nothing but barbarous cuftom, cannot furely be
confidered as a misfortune. Has not the colony
been much benefited by getting rid of that nobi-
lity whofe indolence had encumbered it fo long,
and whofe pride encouraged a contempt for all
kinds of labour? The only things neceffary to
make the colony profper, are, that its lands fhould
be cleared, its forefls cut down, its iron mines
w.orked, its fifheries extended, its induflry and
exportation improved.
TK*
96 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
B o^o K. THE province of Canada has been convinced of
y j this truth. And, indeed, notwithftanding the ties
of blood, language, religion, and government,
which are ufually fo ftrong; notwithftanding that
variety of connections and prejudices which have
fo powerful an afcendant over the minds of men;
the Canadians have not ihewn much concern at
their violent feparation from their ancient coun-
try. They have readily concurred in the meafures
employed by the Englifli miniftry to eftablifh their
happinefs and liberty upon a folid foundation.
THE laws of the Englifh admiralty were foon
introduced. But this innovation was fcarce per-
ceived by them ; becaufe it fcarcely concerned any
except the conquerors, who were in pofieflion of
all the maritime trade of the colony.
THEY have paid more attention to the eftablifti-
ment of the criminal laws of England, which was
one of the moft happy circumftances Canada
could experience. Deliberate, rational, public
trials took place of the impenetrable myfterious
tranfaftions of a cruel inquifition; and a late
dreadful and fanguinary tribunal was filled with
humane judges, more difpofed to acknowledge in-
nocence than to fupport criminality.
THE conquered people have been ftill more
delighted to find the liberty of their perfons fe-
cured for ever by the famous law of Habeas Cor-
pus. As they had too long been victims of
the arbitrary wills of their governors, they have
blefled the beneficent hand that raifed them from
a ftate of flavery, to place them under the pro-
te&ionof the laws.
THE
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 97
THE attention of the Britiih miniftry was after- BOOK
wards taken up in fupplying Canada with a code yl_?
of civil laws. This important work, though in-
truded to able, induftrious, and upright lawyers,
hath not yet obtained the fanftion of government.
If the fuccefs anfwers expectation, a colony will
at laft be found with a legiflative fyftem adapted
to its climate, its population, and its labours.
INDEPENDENT of thefe parental views, Great
Britain has thought it her political intereft, by fe-
cret meafures, to create in her new fubjedls, a
fondnefs for the cuftoms, the language, and the
opinions of the mother-country. This [kind of
fimilitude is, in fafb, generally fpeaking, one of
the ftrongeft bands that can attach the colo-
nies. But in our opinion the prefent fituation
of things ought to have occafioned a prefer-
ence to another fyftem. England has at this
time fo much reafon to be apprehenfive of the
fpirit of independence, which prevails in North-
America, that, perhaps, it would have been more
to her advantage to have kept up a diftindtion be-
tween Canada and her other provinces, rather than
to have given them that kind of affinity and refem-
blance which may one day unite them too clofely.
HOWEVER this may be, the Britifh miniftry
have given the Englifh government to Canada, fo
far as it was confiftent with an authority entirely
regal, and without any mixture of a popular ad-
miniftration. Their newfubjedb, fecure from the
fear of future wars, eafed of the trouble of de-
fending diftant pofts which removed them far
from their habitations, and deprived of the fur
VOL. V, H trade*
98 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK trade, which has returned into its natural channel,
, v ^' have only to attend to their plantations. As thefe
advance, their intercourfe with Europe and with
the Caribbee iflands will increafe, and foon become
very confiderable. They will for the future be
the only refource of a vaft country, into which
France formerly poured immenfe fums, confider-
ing it as the chief bulwark of her fouthern iflands.
The truth of this political opinion, which has been
overlooked by fo many negociators, will appear
evident, as we proceed to explain the advantages
of the Englifh fettlements on the continent of
North-America,
B 0.0 K
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 99
BOOK XVII,
Englijh colonies fettled at Hudfon's Bay, Newfound-
land Nova Scotia, New -England, New Tork,
and Ncw-Jerfey.
NGLAND was only known in America by BOOK
JL_> her piracies, which were often fuccefsful and t
always bold, when Sir Walter Raleigh conceived Fult cx f e -
n I n r ditions of
a project to procure his nation a lhare of the pro- the j- ng ,
digious riches which, for near a century pail, had North-
flowed from that hemi phere into ours, r This Amctica
great man, who was born for bold undertakings,
caft his eye on the eaftern coaft of North-Ame-
rica. The talent he had of bringing men over to
his opinion, by reprefenting all his propofals in a
ftriking light, foon procured him aflbciates, both
at court and among the merchants. The .com-
pany that was formed in confequence of his mag-
nificent promifes, obtained of government in 1584
the abfolute difpofal of all the difcoveries that
fhould be made ; and without any further encou-
ragement, they fitted out two (hips in April fol-
lowing, that anchored in Roanoak bay, which now
makes a part of Carolina. Their commanders,
worthy of the truft repofed in them, behaved with
H 2 remarkable
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
B xv?i K remarkable affability in a country where they
Jr - v ' wanted to fettle their nation, and left the favages
at liberty to make their own terms in the trade?
they propofed to open with them.
THE reports made by thefe fuccefsful naviga-
tors on their return to Europe, concerning the
temperature of the climate, the fertility of the
foil, and the difpofition of the inhabitants, en-
couraged the fociety to proceed. They accord-
ingly fent feven ihips the following fpring, which
landed a hundred and eight free men at Roanoak,
for the purpofe of commencing a fettlement. Part
of them were murdered by the favages whom
they had infulted, and the reft, having been fo
improvident as to neglect the culture of the land,
were perilhing with mifery and hunger, when a
deliverer came to their afliftance.
THIS was Sir Francis Drake, fo famous among
feamen for being the next after Magellan who
failed round the globc v The abilities he had
fhewn in that great expedition, induced quegn
Elizabeth to make choice of him to humble Phi-
lip II. in that part of his extenfive dominions
where he ufed to difturb the peace of other na-
tions. Few orders were ever more punctually
executed. The Engliili fleet feized upon St.
Jago, Carthagena, St. Domingo, and feveral other
important places, and took a great many rich
fhips. His inftruftions were, after thefe opera-
tions, to proceed and offer his afliftance to the co-
lony at Roanoak. The wretched few who fur-*
vived the numberlefs calamities that had befallen
them, were in fuch defpair, that they refufed all
3 afliftance^
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
afliflance, and only begged he would convey B
them to their native country. The admiral com- *>
plied with their requeft; and thus the expences
that had been hitherto beftowed oh the fettlemcnt
were entirely thrown away.
THE aflbciates were not difcouraged by this
unforefeen event. From time to time they fent
over a few colonifts, who, in the year 1589,
amounted to a hundred and fifteen perfons of both
fexes, under a regular government, and fully
provided with all they wanted for their defence,
and for the purpofes of agriculture and com-
merce. Thefe beginnings raifed fome expecta-
tions, but they were fruftrated by the difgrace of
Raleigh, who fell a victim to the caprices of his
own wild imagination. The colony, having loft
its founder, was totally forgotten.
IT had been thus neglected for twelve years,
when Gofnold, one of the firft aflbciates, refolved
to vifit it in 1602. His experience in navigation
made him fufpect that the right track had not
been found out, and that in fleering by the Ca-
nary and Caribbee iflands, the voyage had been
made longer than it need have been by above a
thoufand leagues. Thefe conjectures induced him
to fleer away from the fouth, and to turn more
weflward. The attempt fucceeded; but when he
reached the American coafl, he found himfelf
further north than any navigators who had gone
before* The country where he landed, which
now makes a part of New-England, afforded him
plenty of beaiatiful furs, with which he failed back
to England.
H v
to* HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
5 xvii. K ^ HE ra pidity anc * fuccefs of this undertaking
v ' made a flrong impreffipn upon the Englifh mer-
chants. Several of them joined in 1606 to form a
fettlement in the country that Gofnold had dif-
covered. Their example revived in others the
memory of Roanoak; and this gave rife to two
charter companies. As the continent where thej
were to carry on their monopoly was then known
in England only by the general name of Virginia,
the one was called the South-Virginia, and the
other the North-Virginia company.
THE zeal that had beenfhewn at firftfoon abated,
and there appeared to be more jealoufy than emula-
tion between the two companies. Though they had
been favoured with the firft lottery that ever was
drawn in England, their progrefs was fo (low, that
in 1 6 1 4, there were not above four hundred perfons
in both fettlements. That fort of competency which
was anfwerable to the fimplicity of the manners of
the times, was then fo general in England, that no
one was tempted to go abroad in queft of a for-
tune. It is a fenfe of misfortune, that gives men
a diflike to their native country, ftill more than
the defire of acquiring riches. Nothing lefs than
forne extraordinary commotion could then have
lent inhabitants even into an excellent country.
This emigration was at length occafioned by fuper-
ilition, which had given rife to the commotions
from the collifions of religious opinions.
The con- -j' H fa Q. pr i e fl- s c f t h e Britons were the Druids,
tine fit of
.Amerxa i* fa famous in the annals of Gaul. To throw a
Sequence myfterious veil upon the ceremonies of a favage
gfou^wS- worfliip, their rites were never performed but in
thatdiftuib dark
England.
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
ttark recefies, and generally in gloomy groves,
where fear creates fpectres and apparitions. Only
a few perfons were initiated into thefe myfteries,
and intruited with the facred doctrines; and even
thefe were not allowed to commit any thing to
writing upon this important fubject; left their fe-
crets fhould fall into the hands of the prophane
vulgar. The altars of a formidable deity were
flamed with the blood of human victims, and en-
riched with the mod: precious fpoils of war.
Though the dread of the vengeance of .heaven
was the only guard of thefe treafures, yet they
were always held facred, becaufe the Druids had
artfully repreffed a thirft after riches by inculcat-
ing the fundamental doctrine of the endlefs tranf-
migration of the foul. The chief authority of
government was vefted in the minifters of that ter-
rible religion} becaufe men are more powerfully
and more conftantly fwayed by opinion than by
any other motive. They were intrufted with the
education of youth, and they maintained through
life the afcendency they acquired in that early age*
They took cognizance of all civil and criminal
caufes, and were as abfolute in their decifions on
ftate affairs as on the private differences between
individuals. Whoever dared to refill their de-
crees, was not only excluded from all participa-
tion in the divine myfteries, but even from the
fociety of men. It was accounted a crime and a
reproach to hold any intercourfe with him; he
was irrevocably deprived of the protection of the
laws, and nothing but death could put an end to
his miferies. ' The hiftory of human fuperftitions
H 4 affords
io 4 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
B xv?j K a ^ orc k no i n ftan ce of an y one f tyrannical as that
v > of the Druids. It was the only one that provoked
the Romans to ufe feverity; with fo much vio-
lence did the Druids oppofe the power of thofe
conquerors.
THAT religion, however, had loft much of its
influence, when it was totally abolifhed by chrif-
tianity in the feventh century. The northern na-
tions, that had fucceffively invaded the fouthern
provinces of Europe, had found there the feeds
of that new religion, amidft the ruins of an em-
pire that was fhaken on all fides. Their indif-
ference for their diftant gods, or that credulity
which is ever the companion of ignorance, induced
them readily to embrace a form of worlhip which,
from the multiplicity. of its ceremonies, could not
but attract the notice of rude and favage men.
The Saxons, who afterwards invaded England,
followed their example, and adopted without dif-
ficulty a religion that juftified their conquefts, ex-
piated the criminality of them, and inlured their
permanency by abolifhing the ancient forms of
worfhip.
THE effects were fuch as might be expected
from a religion, the original fimplicity of which
was at that time fo much disfigured. Idle con-
templations were foon fubftituted in lieu of active
and focial virtues j and a ftupid veneration for un-
known faints, took place of the worfhip of the Su-
preme Being. Miracles dazzled the eyes of men,
and diverted them from attending to natural caufes.
They were taught to believe that prayers and of-
ferings would atone for the moft heinous crimes.
Every
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
Every fentiment of reafon was perverted, and B
every principle of morality corrupted.
THOSE who had been the promoters of this
confufion, knew how to avail themfelves of it.
The priefts obtained that refped which was de-
nied to kings j and their perfons became facred.
The magiftrate had no power of infpeding into
their conduct, and they even evaded the watch-
fulnefs of the civil law. Their tribunal eluded
and even fuperfeded all others. They found
means to introduce religion into every queftion of
law, and into all ftate affairs, and made themfelves
umpires or judges in every caufe. When faith
fpoke, every one liflened in filent attention to its
inexplicable oracles. Such was the infatuation of
thofe dark ages, that the fcandalous excefies of the
clergy did not diminifh their authority.
THIS authority was maintained by the immenfe
riches the clergy had already acquired. As foon
as they had taught, that religion was preferved
principally by facrifices, and required firft of all
that of fortune and earthly poflefilons, the nobi-
lity, who were fole proprietors of all eftates, em-
ployed their flaves to build churches, and allotted
their lands to the endowment of thofe foundations*
Kings gave to the church all that they had ex-
torted from the people; and flripped themfelves
to fiich a degree, as even not to leave a fufficiency
for the payment of the army, or for defraying the
other charges of government. Thefe deficiencies
were never made up by thofe who were the caule
of them. They were not concerned in any of the
public expences. The_ payment of taxes with the
revenues
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
revenues of the church would have been a facrilege,
and a proftitution of holy things to profane pur-
pofes. Such was the declaration of the clergy,
and the laity believed them* The pofTefTion of
the third part of the feudal tenures in the king-
dom, the free-will offerings of a deluded people,
and the large fees required for all prieftly offices,
did not fatisfy the enormous avidity of the clergy,
ever attentive to their own intereft. They found
in the Old Teflament, that by divine appointment
they had an undoubted right to the tithes of the
produce of the land. This claim was fo readily
admitted, that they extended it to the tithe of in-
duftry, of the profits on trade, of the wages of
labourers, of the pay of foldiers, and fometimes
of the falaries of placemen.
ROME, which at firft was a filent fpeftator of
tliefe proceedings, and proudly enjoyed the fuc-
cefs that attended the rich and haughty minifters
of a Saviour born in obfcurity, and condemned to
an ignominious death, foon coveted a fliare in the
fpoils of England. The firft ftep fhe took was to
open a trade for relics, which were always ufhered
in with fome ftriking miracle, and fold in propor-
tion to the credulity of the purchafers. The great
men, and even monarchs, were invited to go in
pilgrimage to the capital of the world, to purchafe
a place in heaven fuitable to the rank they held on
earth. The popes by degrees ailumed the prefen-
tation to church preferments, which at firft they
gave away, but afterwards fold. By thefe means
their tribunal took cognizance of all ecclefiaftical
caufcs, and in time they claimed a tenth of the
revenue^
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES,
revenues of the clergy, who themfelves levied the
tenth of all the Jubilance of the realm.
WHEN thefe pious extortions were carried as far
as they poflibly could be in England, Rome af-
pired to the fupreme authority over it. Her am-
bitious deceit was covered with a facred veil.
She fapped the foundations of liberty, by employ-
ing the influence of opinion only. This was fet-
ting men at variance with themfelves, and avail-
ing herfelf of their prejudices, in order to acquire
an ablblute dominion over them. She ufurped
the power of a defpotic arbitrator between the
altar and the throne, between the prince and his
fubjecls, between one potentate and another.
She kindled the flames of war with her fpiritual
thunders. But fhe wanted emiflaries to fpread the
terror of her arms, and made choice of the monks
for that purpofe. The fecular clergy, notwith-
ftanding their celibacy, which kept them from
forming connections in the world, were ftill at-
tached to it by the ties of interefl, often ftronger
than thofe of blood. A fet of men, fecluded from
fociety by fmgular inftitutions, which muft incline
them to fanaticifm, and by a blind fubmiffion to
the dictates of a foreign pontiff, were belt adapted
to fecond the views of fuch a fovereign. Thefe
vile and abjeft tools of fuperftition executed their
fatal employment fuccefsfully. By their intrigues,
aflifted with the concurrence of favourable circum-
ftances, England, which had fo long withftood
the conquering arms of the ancient Roman em-
pire, became tributary to modern Rome.
AT
,o3 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
e P a ffi ns anc * violent caprices of
Henry VIII. broke the fcandalous dependence^
The abufe of fo infamous a power had already
opened the eyes of the nation. This prince ven-
tured at once to fhake off the authority of the
pope, abolifh monasteries, and affume the fupre-
macy over his own church.
THIS open fchifm was followed by other altera-
tions in the reign of Edward, fon and fucceflbr to
Henry. The religious opinions, which were then
changing the face of Europe, were openly difcufled.
Something was taken from every onej many doc-
trines and rites of the old form of worfhip were re-
tained; and from thefe feveral fyftems or tenets
arofe a new communion, diftinguilhed by the
name of the church of England.
ELIZABETH, who completed this important
work, found theory alone too fubtle, and thought
it rnoft expedient to captivate the fenfes, by the
addition of fome ceremonies. Her natural tafle
for grandeur, and the defire of putting a flop to
the difputes about points of doctrine, by entertain-
ing the eye with the external parade of worfhip,
inclined her to adopt a greater number of religious
rites. But flic was reftrained by political confider-
ations, and was obliged to facrifice fomething to
the prejudices of a party that had raifed her to the
throne, and was able to maintain her upon it.
FAR from fufpecting that James I. would exe-
cute what Elizabeth had not even dared to at-
tempt, it might be expected that he would rather
have been inclined to reflrain ecclefiaftical rites
and ceremonies : that prince, having been trained
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. lop
up in the principles of the prefbyterians, a feet, B Jvii*
which with much fpiritual pride, affected great .. ^t
fimplicity of drefs, gravity of manners, and au- ;
fterity of doftrine, which loved to fpeak in fcrip-
ture phrafes, and gave none but fcripture names
to their children. One would have fupopfed that
fuch an education muft have prejudiced the king
againft the outward pomp of the catholic worfhip,
and every thing that bore any affinity to it. But
the fpirit of fyftem prevailed over the principles of
education. Struck with the epifcopal jurifdiction
which he found eftablifhed in England, and which
he thought conformable to his own notions of civil
government, he abandoned from conviction the
early impreffions he had received, and grew paf-
fionately fond of a hierarchy modelled upon the
political ceconomy of a well-conftituted empire,
Inftigated by his enthufiafm, he wanted to intro-
duce this wonderful fyftem into Scotland, his na-
tive country, and to engage a great many of the
Englifh, who ftill diflented to embrace it. He
even intended to add the pomp of the moft awful
ceremonies to the majeftic plan, if he could have
carried his grand projects into execution. But
the oppofition he met with at firft fetting out,
would not permit him to advance any further in
his fyftem of reformation. He contented himfelf
with recommending to his fon to refume his views,
whenever the times ihould furnifh a favourable
opportunity} and reprefented the prefbyterians
to him as alike dangerous to religion and to
the throne,
CHARLES
ua HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
B XV?!* 1 CHARLES readily followed his advice, which
1 v ' was but too conformable to the principles of def-
potifm he had imbibed from Buckingham his fa-
vourite, the moft corrupt of men, and the cor-
rupter of the courtiers. To pave the way to the
revolution he was meditating, he promoted feveral
bilhops to the higheft dignities in the govern-
ment, and conferred on them moft of the offices
that imparted a great {hare of influence in all
public meafures. Thefe ambitious prelates, now
become the mafters of a prince who had been
weak enough to be guided by the inftigations of
others, betrayed that fpirit fo frequent among the
clergy, of exalting ecclefiaftical jurifdiftion under
the fhadow of the royal prerogative. They mul-
tiplied the church ceremonies without end, under
pretence of their being of apoftolical inftitution,
"and to enforce their obfervance, had recourfe to
adts of arbitrary power exercifed by the king. It
was evident that there was a fettled defign of re-
floring, in all its fplendour, what the proteftants
called Romifh idolatry, though the moft violent
means fhould be necefiary to compafs it. Thi$
projeft gave the more umbrage, as it was fup-
ported by the prejudices and intrigues of a pre-
fumptuous queen, who had brought from France
an immoderate pafiion for popery and arbitrary
power.
IT can fcarce be imagined what acrimony thefe
alarming fufpicions had raifed in the minds of the
people. Common prudence would have allowed
time for the ferment to fubfide. But the fpirit of
fanaticifm endeavoured even in thefe troublefome
times
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. ui
times to reftore every thing to the unity of the B ,o K
church of England, which was become more < v
odious to the difTentcrs, fmce fo many cuftoms
had been introduced into it which they confidcred
as fuperftitious. An order was iffued, that both
kingdoms Ihould conform to the worfhip and dif-
cipline of the epifcopal church. This law included
the prefbyterians, who then began to be called
puritans, becaufe they profeffed to take the pure
and fimple word of God for the rule of their faith
and practice. It was extended likewife to all the
foreign Calvinifts that were in the kingdom, what-
ever difference there might be in their opinions.
This hierarchal worfhip was enjoined to the regi-
ments, and trading companies difperfed in the fe-
veral countries of Europe. The Englifh ambaf-
fadors were alib required to feparate from all com-
munion with the foreign proteftants, fo that Eng-
land loft all the influence fhe had abroad, as the
head and fupport of the reformation.
IN this fatal crifis, moft of the puritans were
divided between fubmiftion and oppofition. Thofe
who would neither ftoop to yield, nor take the
pains to refill, turned their views towards North-
America, in fearch of that civil and religious li-
berty which their ungrateful country denied them.
Their enemies, in order to have an opportunity of
perfecuting them more at leifure, attempted to
preclude thefe devout fugitives from this afylum,
where they wanted to worfhip God in their own
way in a defert land. Eight fhips that lay at an-
chor in the Thames ready to fail, were flopped;
and Cromwell is faid to have been detained there
by
ii 2 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK by that very king, whom he afterwards brought
i^^Lj to the fcaffbld. Enthufiafm, however, ftronger
than the rage of perfecution, furmounted every
obftackj and that part of America was foon rilled
with prefbyterians. The fatisfaction they enjoyed
in their retreat, gradually induced all thofe of
their party to follow them, who were not fo evil-
minded as to delight in the view of thofe dreadful
fcenes, which foon after made England a fcene
of blood and horror. Many were afterwards in-
duced to remove thither in more peaceable times,
with a view of advancing their fortunes. In a
word, all Europe contributed greatly to increafe
- their population. Thoufands of unhappy men,
opprefled by the tyranny or intolerant fpirit of
their fovereigns, took refuge in that hemifpherej
concerning which we fhall now purfue our inqui-
ries, and endavour, before we quit the fubject, to
throw fome light upon it.
Paraiki be- * T * s ^ ur P r ^ ln g tnat * ^^ c fhould have been
.tween the known of the New world, for fo loner a time after
Old and the . . '
New world, it was difcovered. Barbarous foldiers and rapa-
cious merchants were not proper perfons to give
us juft and clear notions of this hemifphere. It
was the province of philofophy alone to avail it-
felf of the informations fcattered in the accounts
of voyages and miffionaries, in order to fee Ame-
rica fuch as nature hath made itj and to find out
its analogy to the reft of the globe.
IT is now pretty certain that the new continent
has not half the extent of furface that the old has.
At the fame time, the form of both is fo fingu-
larly alike, that we might cafily be inclined to
draw
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES*
draw confequences from this particular, if it were
not always necefiary to be upon our guard againft
the fpirit of fyftem which often flops us in our
refearches after truth, and hinders us from attain-
ing it.
THE two continents feem to form as it were
two broad tracts of land that begin from the arctic
pole, and terminate at the tropic of Capricorn,
divided on the eaft and weft by the ocean that
furrounds them. Whatever may be the ftructure
of thcfe two continents, and the quality or fym-
metry of their form, it is plain their equilibrium
does not depend upon their pofition. It is the in-
conftancy of the fea that cortftitutes the folid form
of the earth. To fix the globe upon its bafis, it
leemed neceflary to have an element which, float-
ing incefiantly round our planet, might by its
weight counterbalance all other lubftances^ and
by its fluidity reftore that equilibrium which
the conflict of the other elements might have
didurbed. Water, by its natural fluctuation and
weight, is the moil proper element to preferve
the connection and balance of the feveral parts of 4
the globe round its center. If our hemifphere has
a very wide extent of continent to the north, a
mafs of water of equal weight at the oppofite part
will certainly produce an equilibrium; If under
the tropics we have a rich country covered with
men and animals j under the fame latitude Ame^
rica will have a fea filled with fifh* While forefts
full of trees, bending with the largeft fruits,
quadrupeds of the greateft fize, the moll populous
nations, elephants and men, are a load upon the
VOL. V. I furface
ii 4 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
B o^o K fufface of the earth, and feem to abforb all its
-v^~ fertility throughout the torrid zone j at both poles
are found whales with innumerable multitudes of
cods and herrings, clouds of infects, and all the
infinite and prodigious tribes that inhabit the feas,
as it were to fupport the axis of the earth, and
prevent its inclining or deviating to either lide :
if, indeed, elephants, whales, or men can be faid
to have any weight OTI a globe, where all living
creatures are but a tranfient modification of the
earth that compofes it. In a word the ocean rolls
over this globe to fafhion it, in conformity to the
general laws of gravity. Sometimes it covers a
hemifphere, a pole or a zone, which at other
times it leaves bare ; but in general it feems to af-
fect the equator, more efpecially as the cold of
the poles in fome meafure contracts that fluidity
which is eftential to it, and from which it receives
all its power of motion. It is chiefly between the
tropics that the fea extends itfelf and is agitated,
and that it undergoes the greateft change both in
its regular and periodical motions, as 1 well as in
thofe violent agitations occafionally excited in it
by tempeftuous winds. The attraction of the
fun, and the fermentations occafioned by its con-
tinual heat in the torrid zone, muft have a very
re.narkable influence upon the ocean. The mo-
tion of the moon adds a new force to this in-
fiue->ce 3 ?nd the Ibv, to conform itfelf to this dou-
ble inipu'fe, rnuft, it fhould feem, flow towards
the equator. Nothing but the flatnefs of the
globe at the poles can poflibly account for that
immenfe extent of water, that has hitherto con-
cealed
IN T THE EAST AXD WEST INDIES.
ccaled from us the lands near the fouth pole.
The fea cannot eafily pafs the boundaries of the
tropics, if the temperate and frozen zoaes are not
nearer the center of the earth than the torrid zone.
It is the fea therefore that maintains an equili-
brium with the land, and difpofes the arrange-
ment of the materials that compofe it. Ond
proof that the two analogous portions of land,
which the two continents of the globe pfefent at
firft view, are not efTentially necefTary to its con-
formation, is, that the new hemifphere has remain-
ed covered with the waters of the fea, a much
longer time than the old. Befides, if there is an
evident fimilarity between the two hemifpheres,
there are alfo differences between them, which
will perhaps deftroy that harmony we think we
obferve.
WHEN we confider the map of the world, and
fee the local correfpondence beween the iithmus
of Suez and that of Panama, between the Cape of
Good Hope and Cape Horn, between the Archi-
pelago of the Eaft-Indies and that of the Ca-
ribbee iflands, and between the mountains of Chili
and thofe of Monomotapa ; we are ftruck with the
fimilarity of the feveral forms this picture pre-
fents. Land feems on all fides to be oppofed to
land, water to water, iflands and peninfulas fcat-
tered by the hand of nature to ferve as a counter-
poife, and the fea by its fluctuation conftantly
maintaining the balance of the whole. But if on
the other hand we compare the great extent of the
Pacific ocean, which feparatcs the Eaft and Weft
Indies, with the fmall fpace the Ocean occupies
I 2 between
n6 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
B xvir. K b etween tne coaft of Guinea and that of Brazil ;
v tf i the vail quantity of inhabited land to the North,
with the little we know towards the South j the
direction of the mountains of Tartary and Europe,
which is from Eaft to Weft, with that of the Cor-
deleras which run from North to South j the mind
is in fufpenfe, and we have the mortification to fee
the order and fymmetry vanifh with which we had
cmbellifhed our fyftem of the earth. The obfer-
ver is ftill more difpleafed with his conjectures,
when he confiders the immenfe height of the
mountains of Peru. He is then aftonifhed to fee
a continent fo recent, and yet fo elevated, the fea
fo much below the tops of thefe mountains, and
yet fo recently come down from the lands that
fecmed to be effectually defended from its attacks
by thofe tremendous bulwarks. It is, however,
an undeniable fact, that both continents of the new
hemifphere have been covered with the fea. The
air and the land confirm this truth.
THE rivers which in America are wider and of
greater extent j the immenfe forefts to the South j
the fpacious lakes and vaft morafies to the North ;
the almoft eternal fnows between the tropics ; few
of thofe pure fands that feem to be the remains of
an exhausted ground 5 no men entirely black ; ve-
ry fair people under the line ; a cool and mild air
in the fame latitude as the fultry and uninhabitable
parts of Africa j a frozen and fevere climate un-
der the fame parallel as our temperate climates ;
and laftly, a difference of ten or twelve degrees,
in the temperature of the old and new hemifpheres ;
thefe are fo many tokens of a world that is ftill in
its infancy.
5 WHY
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
WHY fhould the continent of America be much
warmer and much colder in proportion than that
of Europe, if it were not for the moiflure the
ocean has left behind, in quitting it long after our
continent was peopled? Nothing but the fea can
poflibly have prevented Mexico from being inha-
bited as early as Afia. If the waters that ftill
moiften the bowels of the earth in the new hemi-
fphere had not covered its lurface, the woods would
very eafily have been cut down, the fens drained,
a foft and watery foil would have been made firm,
by ftirring up, and expofmg to the rays of the
fun, a free paffage would have been open to the
winds, and dikes raifed along the rivers , in fhort,
the climate would have been totally altered by this
time. But a rude and unpeopled hemifphere de-
notes a recent world j when. t|ie fea, about its coafts,
ftill flows obfcurely in its channels. A .lefs fcorch-
ing fun, more plentiful rains, and thicker -vapours
more difpofed to ftagnate, are evident marks of
the decay or the infancy of nature.
THE difference of .climate, arifing from the wa-
ters having lain fo long on the ground in America,
could not but have a great influence on men an.d
animals. From this diverfity of caufes muft ne-
ceflarily arife a very great diverfity of effects. Ac-
cordingly we fee more fpecies of animals by t\vo
thirds, in the old continent than in the new j ani-
mals of the fame kind confiderably larger; mon-
fters that are become more favage and fierce, as the
countries have become more inhabited. On the
other hand, nature feems to have ftrafigely neglect-
ed the New world. The men have lefs ftrength and
I 3 lefs
H8 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK i e f s courage; no beard and no hair; they have
< w ' lefs appearances of manhood; and are but little
fufceprible of the lively and powerful fentiment
of love, which is the principle of every attach-
ment, the fir ft inftinct, the firft band of fociety,
without which ail other artificial ties have neither
energy ncr duration. The women who are ftiU
more weak, are neither favourably treated by na-
ture nor by the men, who have but little love for
them, and confider them merely as fubfervient to
their will: they rather facrifice them to their indo-
lence, than confecrate them to their pleafures. This
indolence is the great delight and fupreine felicity
of the Americans, of which the women are the
victims from the continual labours impofed upon
them. It muft, however, be confeffed, that in
America, as in all other parts, the men, when
they have fentenced the women to work, have been
fo equitable as to take upon themfelves the perils
of war, together with the toils of hunting and
fifhing. But their indifference for the fex, which
nature has intrufted with the care of multiplying
the fpecies, implies an imperfection in their or-
gans, a fort of ftate of childhood in the people of
America, fimilar to that of the people in pur con-
tinent who are not yet arrived to the age of pu-
berty. This feems to be a natural defect prevail-
ing in the continent of America, which is an indi--
cation of its being; a new country.
BUT if the Americans are a new people, are
they a race of men originally diftinct from thofe
who cover the face of the Old world? This is a
queftioh which ought nqt to be too haftily de-
cided.
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
cided. The origin of the population of America B
is involved in inextricable difficulties. If we affert
that the Greenlanders firft came from Norway,
and then went over to the coaft of Labrador}
others will tell us it is more natural to fuppofe
that the Greenlanders are fprung from the Efqui-
maux, to whom they bear a greater refemblance
than to the Europeans. If we fhould fuppofe
that California was peopled from Kamtfchatka, it
may be afked what motive or what chance could
have led the Tartars to the north-weft of America.
Yet it is imagined to be from Greenland or from
Kamtfchatka that the inhabitants of the Old world
muft have gone over to the New, as it is by thofe
two countries that .the two continents are connect-
ed, or at leaft approach neareft to one another.
Befides, how can we conceive that in America the
torrid zone, can have been peopled from one of
the frozen zones? Population will indeed fpread
from north to Couth, but it muft naturally have
begun under the equator, where life is cherifhed
by warmth. If the people of America could not
come from our continent, and yet appear to be a
new race, we muft have recourfe to the flood,
which is the fource and the folution of all difficul-
ties in the hiftory of nations.
LET us fuppofe that the fea having overflowed
the other hemifphere, its old inhabitants took re-
fuge upon the Apalachian mountains, and the
Cordeleras, which are far higher than our mount
Ararat. But how could they have lived up-
on thofe heights, covered with Cnow, and iiir-
jroiinded with waters ? How is it poflible that men
I 4 who
J2 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK who had breathed in a pure and delightful cli-
n. v-i-j mate, could have furvived the miieries' of want,
the inclemency of a tainted atmoiphcre, and thofe
numberlefs calamities, which muft be the unavoid-
able confequences of a deluge ? How will the race
have been preferved and propagated in thofe \
times of general calamity, and in the miferable
ages that muft have fucceeded? Notwithftanding
all thefe objections, we muft allow that America
has been peopled from thefe wretched remains of
the great devaftation. Every thing carries the
veftiges of a malady, of v/hich the human race
ftill feels the effects. The ruin of that world is
ftill imprinted on its inhabitants. They are a fpe-
cies of men degraded and degenerated in their na-
tural conftitution, in their ftature, in their way of
life, and in their underftanding, which is but little
advanced in all the arts of civilization. A damp-
er air, and a more marfhy ground, muft necef-
farily have infected the firft principles of the fub-
fiftence and increafe of mankind. It muft have
required fome ages to reftore population, and ftill
2 greater number before the ground could be fet-
tled and dried, fo as to be fit for tillage, and for
the foundation of buildings. The air muft ne-
ceflarily be purified before the fky could dear,
and the fky muft neceflarily be clear before the
earth could be rendered habitable. The imper-
fection therefore of nature in America is not fa
much a. proof of its recent origin, as of its rege-
neration. It was probably peopled at the fame
time as the other hemifphere, but may have been
overflown later, The large foffil bones that are
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. &&
found under ground in America, fliew that it had BOOK
formerly elephants, rhinoceros, and other enor- .
mous quadrupeds, which .have fmce difappearcd
in thofe regions. The gold and filver mines that
are found jiift below the 'furface, are iigns of a
very ancient revolution of the globe, but later
than thofe that have overturned our hemifphere.
SUPPOSE America had, by fome means or other,
been repeopled by our roving hords, that period
would have been fo remote, that it would ilill give
great antiquity to the inhabitants of that hemi-
fphere. Three or four centuries will not then be
fufficient to allow for the foundation of the em-
pires of Mexico and Peru; for though we find no
trace in thefe countries of our arts, or of the opi-
nions and cufloms that prevail in other parts of the
globe, yet we have found a police and a focicty
eftablifhed, inventions and practices which, though
they did not fhew any marks of times anterior to
the deluge, yet they implied a long fcries of ages
fubfequent to- this cataftropke. For, though in
Mexico, as in Egypt, a country furrounded with
waters, mountains, and other invincible obftacles,
muft have forced the men inclofed in it to unite
after a time, though they might at firft deftroy
each other in continual and bloody wars; yet it
was only in procefs of time that they could invent
and eftablifli a worfhip and legiflation, -which they
could not, pofiibly, have borrowed from remote
times or countries. It required a great number
of ages to render familiar the fmgle art of fpeech,
and that of writing, though but in hieroglyphics, to
fi whole nation unconnected with any other, and
which
312 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK which muft itfelf have created both thofe arts, than
u__ v _L> it would take up days to perfect a child in them.
Ages bear not the fame proportion to the whole
race as years do to individuals. The whole race
is to occupy a vaft field, both as to fpace and du-
ration, while the individuals have only fome mo-
ments or inftants of time to fill up, or rather to
run over. The likenefs and uniformity obferv-
able in the features and manners of the Ame-
rican nations, plainly {hew that they are not fo an-
cient as thofe of our continent which differ fo much
from each other; but at the fame time this cir-
cumftance feems to confirm that they did not pro-
ceed from any foreign hemifphere, with which
they have no kind of affinity that can indicate an
immediate defcent.
Campari- WHATEVER may be the cafe with regard to their
civilized" 11 origin or their antiquity, which are both uncer-
peopic^and ^m y it is perhaps a more interefting object of in-
quiry, whether thofe untutored nations are more
or lefs happy than our civilized people. Let us,
therefore, examine whether the condition of rude
man left to mere animal inftind:, who pafles every-
day of his life in hunting, feeding, producing his
fpecies, and repofing himfelf, is better or worfe
than the condition of that wonderful being, who
makes his bed of down, fpins and weaves the thread
of the filk-worm to clothe himfelf, has exchanged
the cave his original abode, for a palace, and has
varied his indulgences and his wants in a thoufand
different ways.
IT is in the nature of man that we muft look
for his means of happinefs. What does he want
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. I2J
to be as happy as he can be? Prefent fubfiftencej B v j K
and, if he thinks of futurity, the hopes and cer- u w t
tainty of enjoying that blcffing. The favage, who
has not been driven into and confined within the
frigid zones by civilized ibcieties, is not in want of
this firft of neccflaries. If he lays in no (lores, it
is becaufe the earth and the fea are refervoirs al-
ways open to ftipply his wants. Fifii and game
are to be had all the year, and will fupply the
want of fertility in the dead feafons. The iavage
has no houfe, well fecured from the accefs of the
external air, or commodious fire-places; but his
furs anfwer all the purpofes of the roof, the gar-
ment and the flove. He works but for his own
benefit, fleeps when he is weary, and is a ftranger
to watchings and reftlefs nights. War is a matter
of choice to. him. Danger, like labour, is a con-
dition of his nature, not a profefllon annexed to
his birth, a national 'duty, not a dcmeftic fervi-
tude. The favage is feribus but not 'melancholy;
and his countenance feldom bears the impreflion
of thofe pafiions and diforders that leave luch
Shocking and fatal marks on ours. He cannot
feel the want of what he does not defire, nor can
he defire what he is ignorant of. Moil of the
conveniencies of life are remedies for evils he does
not feel, Pleafure is the mode of fatisfying appe-
tites which his fenfes are unacquainted with. He
feldom experiences any of that wearinefs that arifes
from unfatisfied defires, or that emptinefs and un-
eafinefs of mind that is the offspring of prejudice
and vanity. In a word, the favage is fubjeft to
none but natural evils.
BUT
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BUT what greater happinefs than this does the
civilized man enjoy ? His food is more whole-
fome and delicate than that of the favage. He
has fofter clothes, and a habitation better fecured
againft the inclemencies of the weather. But the
common people, who are to be the fupport and
bafis of civil fociety, thofe numbers of men who
in all ftates bear the burden of hard labour, can-
not be faid to live happy, either in thofe empires
where the confequences of war and the imperfec-
tion of the police have reduced them to a itate of
flavery, or ip thofe governments where the pro-
grefs of luxury and police fy.as reduced them to a
ftate of fervitude. The mixed governments feem
to prefent fome profpefts of happinefs under the
protection of liberty; but this happinefs is pur-
chafed by the moft fanguinary exertions, which
repel tyranny for a time only, that it may fall the
heavier upon the devoted nation, fooner or later
doomed to oppreflion. Obferve how Caligula
and Nero revenged the expulfipns of the Tarquins,
and the death of Casfar,
TYRANNY, we are told, is the work of the peo-
ple, and not of kings. But if fo, why do they
fuffer it? Why do they not repel the encroac|i-
ments of defpotifm j and while it employs violence
and artifice to enflave all the faculties of men,
why do they not oppofe it with all their pow-
ers? But is it lawful to murmur and complain un-
der the rod of the oppreffor? Will it not exafpe-
rate and provoke him to purfue the victim to
death? The complaints of (laves he calls rebel-
lion, and they are to be ftified in a dungeon, and
fometimes
Ilf THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. , 2 . 5
fometimes put an end to on a fcaffold. The BOOK
man who fhould afteft the rights of man uJl^L/
would perifh in neglect and infamy. Tyranny,
therefore, muft be endured, under the name of
authority.
IF fo, to what outrages is not the civilized man
expofed ! If he is pofTefled of any property, he
knows not how far he may call it his own,
when he muft divide the produce between the
courtier who may attack his eftate, the lawyer who
muft be paid for teaching him how to preferve it,
the foldier who may lay it wafte, and the collector
who comes to levy unlimited taxes. If he has no
property, how can he be allured of a permanent
fubfiftence? What fpecies of induftry is fecured
againft the viciflitudes of fortune, and the en-
croachments of government ?
IN the forefts of America, if there is a fcarcity
in the north, the favages bend their courfe to the
Touth. The wind or the fun will drive a wander-
Sng clan to more temperate climates. But if in
our civilized ftates, confined within gates, and re-
ftrained within certain limits, famine, war,, orpef-
tilence fhould confume an empire, it is a prifon
where all muft expect to perifn in milery, or irt
the horrors of (laughter. The man who is unfor-
tunately born there, is compelled to endure all ex-
tortions, all the fever ities, that the inclemency of
the feafons and the injuftice of government may
bring upon him.
IN our provinces, the vafial, or free mercenary,
digs and ploughs, the whole year round, hmis that
are not his own, and whofe produce does not
belong
12 6 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
B o^o K belong to him, and he is even happy, if his la*
< y-L j bour procures him a fliare of the crops he has fown
and reaped. Obferved and harafied by a hard
and refllefs landlord, who grudges him the very
fcraw on which he refts his weary limbs, the wretch
is daily expofed to difeafes, which, joined to his po-
verty, make him wiih for death, rather than for
an expenfive cure, followed by infirmities and toil.
Whether tenant or fubjeft, he is doubly a flavej if
he has a few acres, his lord comes and gathers
them where he has not fownj if he is worth but a
yoke of oxen or a pair ofhorfes, he muft employ
them in the public fervice; if he has nothing but
his perfon, the prince takes him for a foldier. Eve-
ry where he meets with matters, and always with
oppreffion.
IN our cities, the workmen and the artifl who
have no manufacture of their own are at the mer-
cy of greedy and idle matters, who, by the privi-
lege of monopoly, have purchafed of government
a power of making induftry work for nothing, and
of felling its labours at a very high price. The
lower clafs have no more than the fight of that
luxury of which they are doubly the victims, by
the watchings and fatigues it occafions them, and
by the infolence of the pomp that humiliates and
opprefles them. <
EVEN fuppofing that the dangerous labours of
our quarries, mines, and forges, with all the arts
that are performed by fire, and that the perils
which navigation and commerce expofe us to, were
lefs pernicious than the roving life of the favages,
who live upon hunting and fiihingj fuppofe that
men
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
who are ever lamenting the forrows and af-
fronts that arife merely from opinion, are lefs un-
happy than the favages, who never fried a tear in
the mofl excrutiating tortures j there would flill
remain a wide difference between the fate of the
civilized man and the wild Indian, a difference
entirely to the difadvantage of focial life. This
is theinjuftice that prevails in the partial diftribu-
tion of fortunes and ftations; an inequality which
is at once the effeft and the caufe of oppreffion.
IN vain does cuftom, prejudice, ignorance, and
hard labour ftupify the lower clafs of mankind, fo
as to render them infenfible of their degradation;
neither religion nor morality can hinder them from
feeing and feeling the injuftice of the arrange-
ments of policy in the diftribution of good and
evil. How often have we heard the poor man
expostulating with heaven, and afking what he
had done, that he fhould deferve to be born in
an indigent and dependant ftation ? Even if great
conflicts were infeparable from the more exalted
ftations, which might be fufficient to balance all
the advantages and all the fuperiority that the
focial ftate claims over the ftate of nature, ftill the
obfcure man, who is unacquainted with thofe
conflicts, fees nothing in a high rank, but that af-
fluence which is the caufe of his own poverty. He
envies the rich man thofe pleafures to which he
is fo accuftomed, that he has loft all relilh for
them. What domeftic can have a real affection
for his mafter, or what is the attachment of a fer-
vant ? Was ever prince truly beloved by his cour-
tiers, even when he was hated by his fubjecls? If
4 we
S HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
OOK we prefer our condition to that of the favages, it
vJ i is becaufe civil life has made us incapable of bear-
ing fome natural hardships which the favage is
more expofed to than we are, and becaufe we are
attached to fome indulgences that cuftom has made
neceffary to us. Even in the vigour of life, a ci-
vilized man may accuilom himielf to live among
favages, and return to the Hate of nature. We
have an inftance of this in that Scotchman who
was caft away on the ifland of Fernandez, where
he lived alone, and was happy as foon as he was fo
taken up with fupplying his wants, as to forget his
own country, his language, his name, and even
the articulation of words. After four years, he
felt himfelf eafed of the burthen of focial life,
when he had loft all reflection or thought of the
paft, and all anxiety for the future.
LASTLY, the confcioufnefs of independence be-
ing one of the firft inftincts in man, he who en-
joys this primitive right, with a moral certainty
of a competent fubfiftence, is incomparably happi-
than the rich man, reftrained by laws, mailers,
prejudices and faihions, which inceffantly remind
him of the lofs of his liberty, To compare the
(late of the favages to that of children, is to
decide at once the queilion that has been fo warm-
ly debated by philcfophers, concerning the advan-
tages of the ftate of nature above thofe of focial
life. Children, notwithftanding the reftraints of
education, are in the happieft age of human life.
Their habitual cheerfulnefs, when they are not
under the fchoolmafter's rod, is the furefl indica-
tion of the happinds they feel. After all, a finglc
5 word
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 129
U'ord may determine this great queftion. Let us BOOK
afk the civilized man whether he is happy : and v - y -*
the favage whether he is unhappy. If they both
anfwer in the negative, the difpute is at an end.
YE civilized nations, this parallel muft certainly
be mortifying to you ! but you cannot too ftrongly
feel the weight of the calamities under which you
are opprefTed. The more painful this fenfation is,
the more will it awaken your attention to the true
caufes of your fufferings. You may at laft be
convinced that they proceed from the confufion of
your opinions, from the defects of your political
conftitutions, and from capricious laws, which are
in continual oppofition to the laws of nature.
AFTER this inquiry into the moral ftate of the
Americans, let us return to the natural ftate of
their country. Let us fee what it was before the
arrival of the Englifh, and what it is become
under their dominion.
THE firft Englifhmen who went over to Ame- J w ^t
rica to fettle colonies, found immenfe forefls. EngH/h
The vaft trees that grew up to the clouds, were Sonh
fo furrounded with creeping plants, that they ^"^"t
could not be approached. The wild beafts made yy h ' ve
thefe woods ftill more inaccefiible. A few favages
only were met with, clothed with the fkins of thofe
menders. The human race, thinly fcattered,
fled from each other, or purfued only with intent
to deftroy. The earth feemed ufelefs to man,
and its powers were not exerted fo much for his
fupport, as in the breeding of animals, more obe-
dient to the laws of nature. It produced fponta-
neoufly without afiiftance and without direction ;
VOL. V. K it
1.30 HKTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
B xvi K lt yielded all its bounties with uncontrouled pro-
< * ' fufion for the benefit of all, not for the pleasures
or conveniences of one fpecies of beings. The
rivers in one place glided freely through the fo-
refts, in another, fcattered their unruffled waters
in a wide morafs, from whence ifluing in various
flreams they formed a multitude of iflands, en-
compafied with their channels. Spring was re-
newed from the decay of autumn. The withered
leaves rotting at the foot of the trees, fupplied
them with frefh fap to enable them to Ihoot out
new blofibms. The hollow trunks of trees af-
forded a retreat to prodigious numbers of birds.
The fea, dafhing againft the coafts, and indent-
ing the gulphs, threw up fhoals of amphibious
monfters, enormous whales, crabs and turtles,
that fported uncontrouled on the defert fhores.
There nature exerted her plaftic power, incefTantly
producing the gigantic inhabitants of the ocean,
and afferting the freedom of the earth and the
fea.
BUT man appeared, and immediately changed
the face of North- America. He introduced fym-
metry by the afiiftance of all the inftruments of
art. The impenetrable woods were inftantly
cleared, and made room for commodious habita-
tions. The wild beafts were driven away, and
flocks of domeflic animals fupplied their place ;
while thorns and briars made way for rich harvefts.
The waters forfook part of their domain, and
were drained off into the interior parts of the land,
or into the fea by deep canals. The coafts were
covered with towns, and the bays with fhips 5 and
thug
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 13!
thus the new world, like the old, became fubjed B v K
to man. What powerful engines have raifed that v-*-*
wonderful ftru&ure of European induftry and po-
licy ? Let us refiime the particulars. In the re-
motefl part ftands a fol'.tary fpot, diftin<fb from the
whole, and which is called Hudfon's b*y.
THIS bay, of about ten degrees in length, is ]jJJJ!?i 0f
formed by the ocean in the diftant and northern ^ av *
parts of America. The breadth of the entrance i inhabi-
is about fix leagues, but it is only to be attempted ^rlde car-
from the beginning of July to the end of Sep- J^ r n
tember, and is even then rather dangerous. This
danger arifes from mountains of ice, fome of
which are faid to be from 15 to 18 hundred feet
thick, and which having been produced by win-
ters of five or fix years duration in little gulphs
conflantly filled with fnow, are forced out of them
by north-weft winds, or by fome other extraordi-
nary caufe. The beft way of avoiding them is to
keep as near as poflible to the northern coaft,
which muft necefiarly be lefs obftructed and moft
free by the natural directions of both winds and
currents.
THE north-weft wind, which blows almoft con-
ftantly in winter, and very often in fummer, fre-
quently raifes violent ftorms within the bay itfelf,
which is rendered ftill more dangerous by the
number of fhoals that are found there. Happily,
however, fmall groups of iflands ace met with at
different diftances, which are of afufficient height
to afford a flicker from the ftorm. Betide thefe
fmall Archipelagoes, there are in many places
large piles of bare rock. Except the Alga Ma-
K a rina,
1 32 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
B xv?r K r * na > ^ ie bay produces as few vegetables as the
* v other northern Teas.
THROUGHOUT all the countries furroimding this
bay, the fun never rifes or fets without forming a
great cone of light ; this phenomenon is fuc-
ceeded by the Aurora Borealis, which tinges the
hemifphere with coloured rays of fuch a brilliancy,
that the fplendour of them is not effaced even by
that of the full moon. Notwithstanding this
there is feldom a bright fky. In fpring and au-
tumn, the air is always filled with thick fogs, and
in winter, with an infinite number of fmall icicles.
Though the heats in the fummer are pretty confi-
derable for fix weeks or two months, there is fel-
dom any thunder or lightning, owing, no doubt,
to the great difperfion of the fulphureous exhala-
tions, which, however, are fometimes fet on fire
by the Aurora Borealis ; and this light flame con-
fumes the barks of the trees, but leaves their
trunks untouched.
ONE of the effects of the extreme co-Id or fnow
that prevails in this climate, is that of turning
thofe animals white in winter, which are naturally
brown or grey. Nature has bcftowed-upon them
ail, foft, long, and thick furs, the hair of which
falls off as the weather grows milder. In moft of
thefe quadrupeds, the feet, the tail, the ears, and
generally fpeaking all thofe parts in which the
circulation is flower, becaufe they are the moft
remote from the heart, are extremely fliort.
Wherever they happen to be fbmething longer,
they are proportionably well covered. Under this
gloomy i~ky, all liquors become folid by freezing,
and
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 133
and break the vefiels they are in. Even fpirit of B j> K
wine lofes its fluidity. It is not uncommon to fee -v '
fragments of large rocks loofened and detached
from the great mafs, by the force of the froft.
All thefe phenomena, common enough during
the whole winter, are much more terrible at the
new and full moon, which in rhefe regions has an
influence upon the weather, the caufes of which
are not known.
IN T this frozen zone, iron, lead, copper, mar-
ble, and a fubftance 'refembling fea-coal, have
been difcovered. In other refpefts, the foil is ex-
tremely barren. Except the coafts, which are for
the moft part marfhy, and produce a little grafs
and fome foft wood, the reft of the country af-
fords nothing but very high mofs and a few weak
flirubs very thinly fcattered.
THIS deficiency in nature extends itfelf to every
thing. The human race are few in number, and
there are fcarce any perfons above four feet high.
Their heads bear the fame enormous proportion to
the reft of their bodies, as thofe of children do.
The fmallnels of their feet makes them aukward
and tottering in their gait. Small hands and a
round mouth, which in Europe are reckoned a
beauty, feem almoft a deformity in thefe people,
becaufe we fee nothing here but the effects of a
weak organization, and of a cold climate, thac
contracts and reftrains the principles of growth,
and is fatal to the progrefs of animal as well as of
vegetable life. All the men, even the youngeft
of them, though they have neither hair nor beard,
have the appearance of being old. This is partly
K 3 occafioned
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
occafioned from the formation of their lower lip,
which is thick, flefhy, and projecting beyond the
upper. Such are the Efquimaux, which inhabit
not only the coaft of Labrador, from whence they
have taken their name, but likewife all that tract
of country, which extends from the point of Belle-
ifle to the moft northern parts of America.
THE inhabitants of Hudfon'b bay have, like the
Greenlanders, a flat face with fhort but not flat-
tened nofes, the pupil yellow and the iris black.
Their women have marks of deformity peculiar to
their fex, among others very long and flabby
breafts. This defect, which is not natural, arifes
from their cuftom of giving fuck to their children
till they are five or fix years old. As they often
carry them at their backs, the children pull their
mother's breads forcibly, and almoft fupport
themfelves by them.
IT is not true that there are hords of the Efqui-
maux entirely black, as has been fuppofed, and
then accounted for, nor that they live under
ground. How fhould they dig into a foil, which
the cold renders harder than Hone ? How is it pof-
fible they fhould live in caverns where they would
be infallibly drowned by the firft melting of the
fnows ?
IT is, however, certain, that they fpend the
winter under huts haftily built with flints joined
together with cements of ice, where they live
without any other fire but that of a lamp hung in
the middle of. the fried, for the purpofe of drefling
their. game and the fifh they feed upon. The
Jieat of ^heir blood^ and of their breath added to
the
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
the vapour arifing from this fmall flame, is fuf-
ficient to make their huts as hot as ftoves.
THE Efquimaux dwell conftantly upon the Tea,
which fupplies them with all their provifions.
Both their conftitution and complexion partake of
the quality of their food. The flefh of the feal is
their food, and the oil of the whale is their drink,
which produces in them all an olive complexion,
a ftrong fmell of fifh, an oily and tenacious fweat,
and fometimes a fort of fcaly leprofy. This is,
probably, the reafon why the mothers have the
fame cuftom, as the bears, of licking their young
ones.
THESE people, weak and degraded by nature,
are notwithftanding moil intrepid upon a fea that
is conftantly dangerous. In boats made and fowed
together like fo many Borachios, but at the fame
time fo well clofed, that it is impoflible for the
water to penetrate them, they follow the fhoals of
herrings through the whole of their polar emigra-
tions, and attack the whales and feals at the peril
of their lives. One ftroke of the whale's tail is
fufficient to drown a hundred of them, and the
feal is armed with teeth to devour thofe he cannot"
drown j but the hunger of the Efquimaux is fupe-
rior to the rage of thefe monllers. They have an
inordinate defire for the whale's oil, which is ne-
ceflary to preferve the heat in their ftomachs, and
defend them from the feverity of the cold. Indeed
whales, men, birds, and all the quadrupeds and
fifh of the north are fupplied by nature with a
quantity of fat which prevents the mufcles from
freezing, and the blood from coagulating. Every
K 4 thing
136 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
o o
XVII.
K thing in thefe artic regions is either oily or gum-
my, and even the trees are refmous.
THE Efquimaux are notwithftanding fubjecl to
two fatal diforders, the fcur.vy and the lofs of
fight. The continuation of the fnows on the
ground, joined to the reverberation of the rays of
the fun on the ice } dazzle their eyes in fuch a
manner, that they are almoft conftantly obliged
to wear (hades made of very thin wood, through
which fmall apertures for the light are bored with
fifh-bones. Doomed to a fix-months night, they
never fee the fun but obliquely, and then it feems
rather to blind them than to give them light.
Sight, the mqft delightful blefling of nature, is a
fatal gift to them, and they are generally deprived
of it when young.
A STILL more cruel evil, which is the fcurvy>
confumes them by flow degrees. It infmuates it-
felf into their blood, changes, thickens and im-
poverifhes the whole mafs. The fogs of the fea,
which they infpire, the denfe and inelaflic air they
breathe in their huts, which exclude all commu-
nication with the external air, the continued and
tedious inactivity of their winters, a mode of life
alternately roving and fedentary, in a word every
circumftance ferves to increafe this dreadful illnefs;
which in a little time becomes contagious, and
fpreading itfeif throughout their habitations, is
alfo probably entailed upon their pofterity.
NOTWITHSTANDING thefe ir.conveniencies, the
Efquimaux is fo pafllonately fond of his country,
that no inhabitant of the moft favoured fpot under
heaven quits it with more reluctance than he does
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
his frozen deferts. One of the reafons of this may B
be that he finds it difficult to breathe in a fofter
and more temperate climate. The fky of Am-
fterdam, Copenhagen, and London, though con-
flantly obfcured by thick and fcetid vapours, is too
clear for an Esquimaux. Perhaps too, there may
be fomething in the change of life and manners ftill
more unfavourable to the health of favages than the
climate. It is not impofTible but that the delights
of an European may be poifon to the Efquimaux.
SUCH were the inhabitants of the country dif-
covered in 1610 by Henry Hudfon. This intre-
pid manner, in fearching after a north-weft paf-
fage to the fouth-feas, difcovered three ftreights,
through which he hoped to find out a new way to
Afia by America. He failed boldly into the midft
of the new gulph, and was preparing to explore
all its parts, when his treacherous crew put him
into the long-boat, with feven others, and left
him without either arms or provifions expofed to
all the dangers both of fea and land. The barba-
rians who refufed him the necelfaries of life could
not, however, rob him of the honour of the dif-
covery; and the bay which he firft found out will
ever be called by his name.
THE miferies of the civil war which followed
foon after, had, however, made the Englifh for-
get this diftant country, which had nothing to at-
tract them. A fucceflion of more quiet times had
not yet induced them to attend to it, when Gro-
feillers and RadilTon, two French Canadians, hav-
ing met with fome difcontent at home, informed
the Engliih who were engaged in repairing the
mifchiefs
138 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
B xvn K mi fchie& of difcord by trade, of the profits arifing
v v J from furs, and of their claim to the country that
furnifhed them. Thofe who propofed this under-
taking fhewed fo much ability, that they were in-
trufted with the execution of it, and the firft efta-
blilhment they formed fucceeded fo well, that it
furpafied their own hopes as well as their promifes.
THIS fuccefs alarmed the French, who were
afraid, and with reafon, that moft of the fine furs
which they got from the northern parts of Canada,
would be carried to Hudfon's bay. Their alarms
were confirmed by the unanimous teftimony of
their Coureurs de Bois, who fmce 1656 had been
four times as far as the borders of the (height.
It would have been an eligible thing to have gone
by the fame road to attack the New colony j but
the diftance being thought too confiderable, not-
withftanding the convenience of the rivers, it was
at length determined that the expedition fhould be
made by fea. The fate of it was trufted to Gro-
feillers and Radiflbn, who had been eafily pre-
vailed upon to renew their attachment to their
country.
THESE two bold and turbulent men failed from
Quebec in 1682, in two veflels ill-equipped, and
on their arrival, finding themfelves not ftrong
enough to attack the enemy, they were contented
with erecting a fort in the neighbourhood of that
they defigned to have taken. From this time
there began a rivalfhip between the two compa-
nies, one fettled at Canada, the other in England,
for the exclufive trade of the bay, which was con-
ftantly kept up by the difputes it occafioned, till
at
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
at laft, after each of their fettlements had been
frequently taken and recovered, all hoftilities were
terminated by the treaty of Utrecht, by which the
whole was ceded to Great-Britain.
HUDSON'S bay, properly fpeaking, is only a
mart for trade. The feverity of the climate hav-
ing deftroyed all the corn fown there at different
times, has fruftrated every hope of agriculture,
and confequently of population. Throughout the
whole of this extenfive coaft, there are not more
than ninety or a hundred foldiers, or factors, who
live in four bad forts, of which York fort is the
principal. Their bufmefs is to receive the furs
brought by the neighbouring favages in exchange
for merchandife, of which they have been taught
the value and ufe.
THOUGH thefe fkins are much more valuable
than thofe which are found in countries not fo far
north, yet they are cheaper. The favages give
ten beaver fkins for a gun, two for a pound of
powder, one for four pounds of lead, one tor a
hatchet, one for fix knives, two for a pound of
glafs beads, fix for a cloth coat, five for a petti-
coat, and one for a pound of fnufF. Combs,
looking-glafies, kettles and brandy fell in propor-
tion. As the beaver is the common meafure of
exchange by another regulation as fraudulent as
the firft, two otter fkins and three martins are
required inftead of one beaver. Befides this op-
prefiion, which is authorifed, there is another
which is at leaft tolerated, by which the favages
are conftantly defrauded in the quality, quan-
tity, and meafure of what is given them;
and
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
and by which they lofe about one-third of the
value.
FROM this regulated fyflem of impofition it is
eafy to guefs that the commerce of Hudfon's bay
is a monopoly. The capital of the company that
is in pofleffion of it was originally no more than
241,500 livres*, and has been fuccefiively in-
creafed to 2,380,500 f. This capital brings them
in an annual return of forty or fifty thoufand fkins
of beavers or other animals, upon which they
make fo exorbitant a profit, that it excites the jea-
loufy and clamours of the nation. Two-thirds of
thefe beautiful furs are either confumed in kind in
the three kingdoms, or made ufe of in the na-
tional manufactures. The reft are carried into
Germany, where the nature of the climate makes
them a valuable commodity.
whether BUT it is neither the acquifition of thefe favage
^ffage* * riches, nor the ftill greater emoluments that might
fon^ ud " be drawn from this trade, if it were made free,
totheEaft- w hich have fixed the attention of England as well
as that of all Europe upon this frozen continent.
Hudfon's bay always has been and is ftill looked
upon as the neareft road from Europe to the Eaft-
Indies, and to the richeft parts of Afia.
CABOT was the firft who entertained an idea of
a north-weft pafTage to the South-Seas ; but his dif-
coveries ended at Newfoundland. After him fol-
lowed a crowd of Englifti navigators, many of
whom had the glory of giving their names to
favage coafts which no mortal had ever vifited be-
10,565!. 12 s. 6 d. f 104,146!. 12 s. 6d.
fore.
JN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 141
fore. Thefe bold and memorable expeditions BOOK
were more flriking than really ufeful. The moft *_.
fortunate of them did not furnifli a fmgle idea re-
lative to the object of purfuit. The Dutch, lefs
frequent in their attempts, and who purfued them
with lefs ardour, were of courfe not more fuccefs-
ful, and the whole began to be treated as a chi-
masra, when the difcovery of Hudfon's bay re-
kindled all the hopes that were nearly extin-
guiflied.
FROM this time the attempts were renewed with
frefli ardour. Thofe that had been made before
in vain by the mother-country, whofe attention
was engrofled by her own inteiline commotions,
were purfued by New England, whofe fituation
was favourable to the enterprife. Still, however,
for fome time there were more voyages undertaken
than difcoveries made. The nation was a long
time kept in fufpenfe by the contradictory ac-
counts received from the adventurers. While
fome maintained the poffibility, fome the proba-
bility, and others afTerted the certainty of the paf-
fage; the accounts they gave, inftead of clearing
up the point, involved it in ftill greater darknefs.
Indeed, thefe accounts are fo full of obfcurity and
confufion, they are filent upon fo many important
circumftances, and they difplay fuch vifible marks
of ignorance and want of veracity, that however
impatient we may be of determining the queftion,
it is impoflible to build any thing like a folid judg-
ment upon teftimonies fo fufpicious. At length,
the famous expedition of 1746 threw fome kind
of light upon a point which had remained enve-
loped
2 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
o^o K loped in darknefs for two centuries paft. Bui
Y 't upon what grounds have the later navigators enter-
tained better hopes ? What are the experiments on
which they found their conjectures.
LET us proceed to give an account of their ar-
guments. There are three facts in natural hif-
tory, which henceforward muft be taken for
granted. The firfl is, that the tides come from
the ocean, and that they extend more or lefs into
the other feas, in proportion as their channels
communicate with the great refervoir by larger or
fmaller openings; from whence it follows that
this periodical motion is fcarce perceptible in the
Mediterranean, in the Baltic, and other gulphs
of the fame nature. A fecond matter of fact is,
that the tides are much later and much weaker in
places more remote from the ocean, than in thofe
which are nearer to it. The third fact is, that
violent winds, which blow in a direction with the
tides, make them rife above their ordinary boun-
daries, and that thofe which blow in a contrary
direction retard their motion, at the fame time
that they diminifh their fwell.
FROM thefe principles, it is moft certain that if
Hudfon's bay were no more than a gulph inclofed
between two continents, and had no communica-
tion but with the Atlantic, the tides in it would
be very inconfiderablej they would be weaker in
proportion as they were further removed from the
fource, and would be much lefs ftrong wherever
they ran in a contrary direction to the wind. But
it is proved by obfervations made with the greateft
Ikill and precifion, that the tides are very high
2 throughout
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
throughout the whole bay. It is certain that they
are higher towards the bottom of the bay than
even in the ftreight itfelf, or at leaft in the neigh-
bourhood of it. It is proved that even this height
increafes whenever the wind blows from a corner
oppofite to the ftreight -, it is, therefore, certain,
that Hudfon's bay has a communication with the
ocean, befide that which has been already found
tout.
THOSE who have endeavoured to explain thefe
very ftriking facts, by fuppofing a communica-
tion of Hudfon's with Baffin's bay, orwithDavis'a
ftreights, are evidently miftaken. They would
not fcruple to reject this opinion, for which in-
deed there is no real foundation, if they only con-
fidered that the tides are much lower in Davis's
ftreights, and in Baffin's bay, than in Hudfon's.
BUT if the tides in Hudfon's bay can come nei-
ther from the Atlantic ocean, nor from any other
northern fea, in which they are conftantly much
weaker, it follows that they muft have their ori-
gin in the South Sea. And this is flill further ap-
parent from another leading fact, which is, that
the higheft tides ever obferved upon thefe coafts,
are always occafioned by the north-weft winds,
which blow directly againft the mouth of the
ftreight.
HAVING thus determined, as much as the na-
ture of the fubject will permit, the exiftence of
this paflage fo long and fo vainly wifhed-for, the
next point is to find out in what part of the bay it
is to be expected. From confidering every cir-
cumftance, we are induced to think that the at-
tempts,
144 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK tempts, which have been hitherto made without
\ ir l~> either choice or method, ought to be dire&ed to-
wards Welcome bay, ontheweftern coaft. Firft,the
bottom of the fea is to be feen there at the depth of
about eleven fathom, which is an evident fign that
the water comes from fome ocean, as fuch a tranf-
parency could not exift in waters difcharged from
rivers, or in melted fnow or rain. Secondly, the
currents keep this place always free from ice,
while all the reft of the bay is covered with itj
and their violence cannot be accounted for but by
fuppofmg them to come from fome weftern fea.
Laftly, the whales, who towards the latter end of
autumn always go in fearch of the warmeft cli-
mates, are found in great abundance in thefe parts
towards the end of the fummer, which would
feem to indicate that there is an outlet for them
from thence to the fouth feas, not to the northern
ocean.
IT is probable, that the pafiage is very fhort.
All the rivers that empty themfelves on the wef-
tern coaft of Hudfon's bay are fmall and flow,
which feems to prove that they do not come from
any diftance; and that confequently the lands
which feparate the two feas are of a fmall extent.
This argument is ftrengthened by the height and
regularity of the tides. Wherever there is no other
difference between the times of the ebb and flow,
\>ut that which is occafioned by the retarded pro-
grerTion of the moon in her return to the meridi-
an, it is a certain fign that the ocean from whence
thole tides come is very near. If the paflage is
fhort, and not very far to the north, as every thing
4 feems
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 145
feems to promife, we may alfo prefume that it is BOOK
not very difficult. The rapidity of the currents *
obfervable in thefe latitudes, which prevents any
flakes of ice from continuing there, cannot but
give fome weight to this conjecture.
THE difcovery that ftill remains to be made is
of fo much importance, that it would be folly to
neglect the purfuit of it. If the paflage fo long
fought for were once found, communications
would be opened between parts of the globe
which hitherto feem to have been fcparated by na-
ture from each other. They would foon be ex-
fended to the continent of the fouth feas, and to
all the numerous iflands fcattered upon that im-
menfe ocean. The intercourfe which has fubfift-
ed nearly for three centuries between the com-
mercial nations of Europe, and the moft remote
parts of India, being happily freed from the in-
conveniencies of a long navigation, would be much
quicker, more conftant, and more advantageous-
It is not to be doubted that the Englifh would be
defirous of fecuring an exclufive enjoyment of the
benefits arifing from their activity and expences.
This wifh would certainly be very natural, and
would be very powerfully fupported. But as the
advantage obtained would be of fuch a nature,
that it would be impoffible always to preferve the
fole poflefiion of it, we may venture to foretell
that all nations muft in time fhare it with them.
Whenever this happens, both the flreights of Ma-
gellan and Cape-Horn will be entirely deferted,
and the Cape of Good-Hope much lefs frequented.
Whatever the confequences of the difcovery may
VOL. V. L be,
145 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK be, it is equally the intereft and dignity of Great-
. v ',./ Britain to purfue her attempts till they are either
crowned with fuccefs, or the impoflibility of fuc-
ceeding is fully demonstrated. The refolution fhe
has already taken in 1745 of promifmg a confider-
able reward to the feamen who fhall make this
.important difcovery, though it be an equal proof
of the wifdom and generofity of her councils, is
not alone fufficient to attain the end propofed.
The Englifh miniflry cannot be ignorant that all
..the efforts made either by government, or indivi-
duals, will prove abortive, till the trade to Hud-
fon's bay fhall be entirely free. The company in
.whofe hands it has been ever fmce 1670, not con-
tent with negledling the object of its inftitution,
by taking no fteps themfelves for the difcovery
of the north-weft paftage, have thrown every im-
pediment in the way of thofe who, from love
of fame, or other motives, have been prompted
to. this great undertaking. Nothing can ever alter
this iniquitous fpirit, for it is the very fpirit of
monopoly.
Defenption HAPPILY the exclufive privilege which prevails
mi New- at Hudfon's bay, and feems to preclude all na-
ftwnalacd, . ,. I i j
tions from the means or acquiring knowledge and
riches, does not extend its oppreffion to Newfound-
land. This ifland, fituated between 46 and 52
degrees of north latitude, is feparated from the
coair. of Labrador only by a channel of moderate
breadth, known by the name of Belleifle flreights.
It is of a triangular form, and fomething more
than three hundred leagues in circumference. We
tan only fpeak by conjecture of the inland parts
of
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
of it on account of the difficulty of penetrating B v ,
far into it, and the apparent inutility of fucceed- ' *
ing in the attempt. The little that is known of
this ftreight, is that it is full of very fleep rocks,
mountains covered with bad wood, and fome very
narrow and fandy valleys. Thefe inacceffible pla-
ces are flocked with deer, which multiply with the
greater eafe, on account of the fecurity of their fi-
tuation. No favages have ever been feen there
except fbme Efquimaux, who come over from the
continent in the hunting feafon. The coaft abounds
with creeks* roads and harbours j is fometimes co-
vered with mols, but more commonly with fmall
pebbles, which feem as if they had been placed
there by defign, for the purpofe of drying the fifri
caught in the neighbourhood. In all the open
places, where the flat ftones reflect the fun's rays,
the heat is exceflive. The reft of the country is
entirely cold; lefsfo however from its fituation, than
the heights, the forefts, the winds, and above all
the vafl mountains of ice which come out of the
northern feas, and fix on thefe coafls. The fky
towards the northern and weftern parts is conftant-
ly ferene, but is much lei's fo towards the eaft and
fouth, both of thefe points being too near the great
bank, which is enveloped in a perpetual fog.
THIS ifland was originally difcovered in 1497,
by Cabot, a Venetian, at that time in the fervice
of England, who made no fettlement there. It
was prefumed from the feveral voyages under-
taken after this, with a view of examining what
advantages might be derived from it, that it was
fit for nothing but to carry on the fifhery of cod,
L 2 which
8 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
xvn K w hi c k abounds in that fea. Accordingly the Eng-
v ' lift ufed to fend out at firft fmall veflels in the
Spring, which returned again in Autumn, with
thgjr freight of fifh, both fait and frefli. The
confumption of this article became almoft univer-
fal, and there was a great demand for it, particu-
larly among the Roman Catholics. The Englifh
took advantage of their fuperfcition, to enrich
themfelves at the expence of the clergy, who had
formerly acquired their wealth in England. They
conceived an idea of forming fettlements there.
The firft that were eftablifhed at confiderable dif-
tances of time from each other, were unfuccefs-
ful, and were all forfaken foon after they were
founded. The firft that became of any importance
was 1608, the fuccefs of which raifed fuch a fpirit
of emulation, that within forty years, all the fpace
which extends along the eaftern coaft, between
Conception bay and Cape Ras, was peopled by' a
colony amounting to above four thoufand fouls.
Thofe who were concerned in the fifhery, being
forced both from the nature of their employment,
and that of the foil, to live at a diftance from each
other, opened paths of communication through
the woods. Their general rendezvous was at St.
John's, where in an excellent harbour formed be-
tween two mountains at a very fmall diftance from
each other, and large enough to contain above two
hundred Ihips, they met with privateers from the
mother-country, who fupplied them with every
neceffary in exchange for the produce of their
fifhery.
TH*
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. i 49
THE French had turned their views towardsNew- BOOK.
foundland, before this profperity'of the Englifh > '_*
trade. They had for a long time frequented the
fouthern parts of the ifland, where the Malouins* in
particular came every year to a place called the
Petit Nord. After this fome of them fixed promif-
cuoufly upon the coaft from Cape Ras to Chapeau
Rouge, and at lengt'h they became numerous
enough to form fomething like a town in the bay
of Placentia, where they had every convenience
.that could make their filheries fuccefsful.
BEFORE the bay is a road of about a league
^nd a half in breadth, not however ufficiently
flickered from the N. N. W. winds, which blow
there with extreme violence. The ftreight which
forms the entrance of the bay is fo confined 'by
rocks, that only one veffel can enter at a time, and
not without being towed in. The bay itfelf is
about 1 8 leagues long, and at the extremity of k
there is a very fecure harbour which contains 150
Ihips. Notwithftanding the advantage of fuch a
fituation, which might fecure to France the whole
filhery of the fouthern coaft of Newfoundland, the
miniftry of Verfailles paid very little attention to
it. It was not till 1687 that a fmall fort was built
at the mouth of the ftreight, in which a garrifon
was placed of about fifty men.
TILL this period., the inhabitants whom necefTity
had fixed upon this barren and favage coaft, had
been happily forgotten; but from that time began
a fyftem of oppreflion which continued increafing
every day from the rapacioufnefs of the iucceffive
governors. This tyranny, by which the colonifts
L 3 were
150 HISTORY QF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
B XVII K were P re vented from acquiring that degree of
* v ' competency that was necefiary to enable them to
purfue their labours with fuccefs, muft alfo hinder
them from increafmg their numbers. The French
fifhery, therefore, could never profper fo well as
that of the Englifh. Notwithftandirigthis, Great-
Britain, at the treaty of Utrecht, did not forget th$
inroads' that had fo often been made upon her
territories by her enterprifing neighbours, who,
Supported by the Canadians accuftomed to expe-
ditions and to the fatigues of the chace, trained up
in the art of bulb-fighting and exercifed in fudden,
attacks, had feveral times carried devaftation into
her fettlements. This was fufficient to induce her
to demand the entire porTefTion of the ifland ; and
the misfortunes of the times obliged the French
to give it up; not however without referving to
themfelves not only the right of fifhing on one
part of the ifland, but alfo on the Great Bank,
which was confidered as belonging to it.
Fifhmes THE fifli for which thefc latitudes are fo famous,
in New-' is the cod. ' The length of this fifh does not ex-
toundiand. cee d three feet, and is often lefs; but the fea does
riot produce any with mouths as large in propor-
tion 'to their fize, or who are fo voracious. Bro-
ken pieces of earthen ware, iron and glafs, are
often found in their bellies. The flomach, in-
deed, does not, as has been imagined, digeft
thefe hard fubftances, but by a certain power of
inverting itfelf, like a pocket, difcharges whatever
loads it.
THE cod fifh is found in the northern feas of
Europe. The fifhery is carried on there by thirty
Engliih,
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 15
Englifh, fixty French, and 150 Dutch veflels, B v K
which taken together carry from 80 to 100 tons *- -v^
burden. Their competitors are the Irifh, and
above all the Norwegians. The latter are em-
ployed before the fulling feafon, in collecting
upon the coaft the eggs of the cod, which is the
ufual bate for pilchards. They fell, cotmnunibus
annis, from twenty to twenty-two thoufand tons
of this filh, at nine livres* per ton. If markets
could be found for it 3 it might be taken in greater
quantity: for an able naturalift, who has had the
patience to count: the eggs of one fingle cod, has
found 9,344,000 of them. This bounty of na-
ture muft be ftill more confiderable at Newfound-
land, where the cod-fifh is found in infinitely
greater plenty.
THE fifh of Newfoundland is alfo more delicate,
though not fo white > but it -is not an object of
trade when frefh, and only ferves for the food of
thofe who are employed in the filhery. When it
is faked and dryed, or only faked, it becomes a
ufeful article- to a great part of Europe and Ame-
rica. That which is only faked is called green
cod, and is caught upon the great bank.
THIS bank is one of thofe mountains that are
formed under water by the earth which the fea is
continually wafhing away from the continent.
Both its extremities terminate fo much in a point,
that it is difficult to alTign the preciie extent of it,
but it is generally reckoned to be 160 leagues
long and 90 broad. Towards the middle of it on
the European fide is a kind of bay, which has
* 7*. icd. 4.
L 4
5 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
xvii K k een ca ^ ec * tne ditch. Throughout all this fpace,
v- i the depth of water is very different ; in fome places
there are only five, in others above fixty fathom.
The fun fcarce ever Ihews itfelf there, and the fky
is generally covered with a thick cold fog. The
waves are always agitated, and the winds always
high ab6ut this fpot, which muft be owing to
this circumflance, that the fea being irregularly
driven forward by currents, bearing fometimes on
one fide, and fometimes on the other, ftrikes with
impetuofity againft the borders which are every
where perpendicular, and is repelled from them
with equal violence. This is moft likely to be
the true caufe, becaufe on the bank itfelf, at a
little diftance from the borders, the fituation is as
tranquil as in a harbour, except when a violent
wind which comes from a greater diftance, hap-
pens to blow there,
FROM the middle of July to the latter end of
Auguft there is no> cod found either upon the
Great Bank or any of the fmall ones near it, but
all the reft of the year the fifhery is carried on.
The fhips employed in it are commonly from 50
to 150 tons, and carry no lefs than twelve or more
than twentyrfive men. Thefe fiihermen are pro-
vided with lines, and as foon as they arrive are
employed in catching a filh called the caplin,
v/hich they ufe as a bait for the cod.
PREVIOUS to their beginning the fifhery, they
build a gallery on the outfide of the Ihip, which
reaches from the main maft to the ftern, and
fometimes the whole length of the veffel. This
gallery is furnilhed with barrels, with the tops
beaten
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
beaten out. The fifhermen. place themfelves B
within thefe, and are flickered from the weather
by a pitched covering fattened to the barrels. As
foon as they catch a cod, they cut out its tongue,
and give the fifh to one of the boys to carry it to
a perfon appointed for the purpofe, who immedi-
ately flrikes off the head, plucks out the liver and
entrails, and then lets it fall through a fmall hatch-
way between the decks; when another man takes
it, and draws out the bone as far as the navel, and
then lets it fink through another hatchway into
the hold: where it is falted and ranged in piles.
The perfon who falts it, takes care to leave fait
enough between each row of fifh, but not more
than is fufficient to prevent their touching eacii
other, for either of thefe circumftances neglected
would fpoil the cod.
ACCORDING to natural right, the fifhery upon
the Great Bank ought to have been common to all
mankind; notwithftanding which the two powers
that have colonies in North America, have made
very little difficulty of appropriating it to them-
felves; and Spain, who alone could have any
claim to it, and who from the number of her
monks might have pleaded the necefiity of affert-
ing it, entirely gave up the matter at the laft
peace; fmce which time the Englilh and French
are the only nations that frequent thefe latitudes.
IN 1768, France fent out 145 fhips, the ex-
pence of which is eftimated at 2,547,000 livres*.
Thefe veffels, which all together carried 8,830 tons,
were manned with 1700 men, each of whom, ac-
* 111,431!. 55.
cording
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
cording to calculations, the accuracy of which has
been confirmed by repeated experiments, muft
have caught 700 fifh; fo that the whole of the
fifhery muft have produced 1,190.000.
THERE are three different kinds of cod. The
firft confifts of thofe which are twenty-four inches
in length or upwards, the fecond comprehends
thofe which meafure from nineteen to twenty four,
and the third takes in all that are under nineteen
inches. If the fifhery yields two-fifths of good
fifh, two-fifths of moderate fifh, and one-fifth of
bad, and if the fifh is fold at the common price of
1 50 livres* the hundred weight, the produce of
the whole fifhery will amount to 1,050,000 li-
vres f. The hundred weight contains 136 cod of
the firft quality, and 272 of the fecond; which
two forts taken together fell for 180 livres J per
hundred. Only 136 cod are necefTary to make up
the hundred weight of the third clafs, but this
hundred weight fells only for one-third of the
other, and is worth only 60 livres^, when the firft
is worth iSojj. Confequently the 1,190,000 cod
really caught and reduced in this manner, make
only 700,000 cod, which at 150 livres ^f per
hundred weight, the mean price of the three forts
of fifh, will produce only 1,050,000 livres**.
Out of this the crew muft receive for their fhare,
which is one-fifth, 210,000 livres j"f, confe-
quently there remains only 840,000 livres JJ pro-
fit for thofe who are concerned in the manage-
*61. us. 3d. f 45,977!. IDS. t?l' "7 s - 6d.
$2!. I2s. 6d. || 7 1. i-s. 6d. f 61. iis. 3d.
**45'957 L ICS - tt9' lSJ 7 1 - IOS - tt& 75 L
ment
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
rnent of the trade, which may eafily be proved to
be infufficient. For in the firft place we mud de-
duct the expences of unloading 145 fhips, which
cannot be reckoned at lefs than 8,700 livres *.
The infurance of 2,547,000 livres f at five per
cent, muft amount to 127,350 livres J. As
much alfo muft be deducted for the intereft of the
money. The value of the fhips muft be eftimat-
ed at two-thirds of the capital advanced, and
will therefore be 1,698,000 livres . If we al-
low no more than five per cent, for the annual re-
pair of the fhips, we fhall ftill be obliged to fub-
tract 84,900 livres || from the profits. All thefq
(urns added together make a lofs of 357*300 li-
vres**, which being aflefTed upon a capital of
2,547,000 livres ff, amounts to a lofs of 14 livres
and 6 deniers J J per cent.
THOSE who think this lofs will be compenfated
by the oil extracted from the cod's liver, and by
the tongues and bowels which are likewife falted
and fold, will find themfelves much miftaken, as
thefe trifling articles are fcarce fufficient to pay the
falaries of the captains, and the duties laid upon
the commiffions of fale.
THE French miniftry muft, therefore, either
abfolutely give up the fifhery of the green cod,
which is confumed in the capital, and in the nor-
thern provinces of France, or muft take off the
enormous duties which are at prefent impofcd
upon this kind of confumption. If they delay
* 380!. izs. 6d. 1411,1311.53. J 5,571 1. us. id.
74,287!. ios. 113,714!. 7 s. 6 d. ** 15,631!. 175. 6d.
ft 111,431 153. JJ i2. 3d. .
6 much
! 5 6 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
* xvi K muc ^ longer to facrifice this infigriificant portion
v ' of the public revenue to ib valuable a branch of
trade, they will ibon have the mortification to fee
the revenue difappear, together with the trade that
produced it. The only motives that induce the
traders ftill to continue the cod fifliery, are, the
habit of trading, the hopes of amendment, the
aVerfion they have for felling their fhips and (lock
under prime coil. But thefe motives will certain-
ly ceaie, and if we may judge from the general
appearance of difTatrsfaclion, this event is not very
far off.
THE Englifh, the produce of whofe fifhery is
fubje<5t to no tax, have not the fame realons for
giving it -up. They have alfo this further advan-
tage, that not coming from Europe, as their
competitors do, but only from Newfoundland or
other places not much more diftant, they can em-
ploy very fmall veflels, which are eafily managed,
do not rife high above the water, whofe fails may
be brought level with the deck, and which are
very little affected even by the mofl violent winds;
fo that their woik is feldom interrupted by the
roughnefs of the weather. Befides, they do not,
as other feamen, lofe their time in procuring baits,
which they bring along with them. In a word,
their failors, are more inured to fatigue, more ac-
cuftomed to the cold, and better difciplined.
THE Englifh, however, attend very little to the
fifhery of the green cod; becaufe they have no
mart for difpofmg of it. In this branch they do
not fell half fo much as their rivals. As their cod
is prepared with very little care^ they feldom make
up
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 157
up a complete cargo of it. For fear of its fpoil- B v K
ing, they commonly quit the Great Bank, with < . v
two-thirds and very often with not more than half
their lading, which they fell to the Spanifh and
Portuguefe, and in their own country. But they
fmd a compenfation for this inconfiderable trade
in the article of green cod, by the greater quan-
tity of dry cod they fell in all the markets.
THIS branch of trade is carried on in two dif-
ferent ways. That which is called the wandering
fifliery belongs to vefTels which fail every year
from Europe to Newfoundland, at the end of
March, or in April. As they approach the ifland,
they frequently meet with a quantity of ice, dri-
ven by the northern currents towards the fouth,
which is broken to pieces by repeated fhocks, and
melts,fooner or later at the return of the heats.
Thefe portions of ice are frequently a league in
circumference j they are as high as the loftieft
mountains, and extend above fixty or eighty fa-
thom under water. When joined to fmaller
pieces, they fometimes occupy a fpace of a hun-
dred leagues in length, and twenty-five or thirty
in breadth. Intereft, which obliges the mariners
to come to their landings as foon as poflible, that
they may have their choice of the harbours moft
favourable to the fiihery, makes them brave the
rigour of the feafons and of the elements, which
are all in a confpiracy againft human induftry.
The moft formidable rampart creeled by military
art, the dreadful cannonade of a befieged town,
the terrors of the moft fkilful and obftinate fea-
fight, require lefs intrepidity and experience to
2 encounter
i 5 S HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK encounter them, than thefe enormous floating bul-*
c. - / -^ warks which the Tea oppofes to thefe frnall fleets of
fifhermen. But the moil infatiable of all paflions,
the thirftof gold, furmounts every obftacle, and
carries the mariner acrofs thefe mountains of ice
to the fpot where the fhips are to take in their
lading.
THE firft thing to be done after landing is to
cut wood and erect fcaffblds. All hands are em-
ployed in this work. When it is finifhed, the
company divide - 3 one half of the crew flays afhore
to cure the fifh, and the other goes on board in
fmall boats. The boats defigned for the fiihery of
the caplain carry four men, and thofe for the cod,
three. Thefe laft boats, of which there is the
greatefl number, fail before it is light, generally
at the diflance of three, four or five leagues from
the coafl, and return in the evening to the leaf-
folds near the fea-fide, where they depofit the
produce of the day.
WHEN one man has taken off the cod's head
and gutted it, he gives it to another, who flices it
and puts it in fait, where it remains eight or ten
days. After it has been well wafhed, it is laid on
gravel, where it is left till it is quite dry. It is
then piled up in heaps, and left for fome days to
drain. It is then again laid on the flrand, where
it continues drying, and takes the colour we fee it
have in Europe.
THERE are no fatigues whatever to be compa-
red with the labours of this filhery, which hardly
leaves thofe who work at it four hours reft in the
night. Happily, the falubrity of the climate pre-
ferves
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
ferves the health of the people under fuch fevere
trials; and thefe labours would be thought no-
thing of, if they were rewarded by the produce.
BUT there are fome harbours where the ftrand
is at fo great a diftance from the fea, that a great
deal of time is loft in getting to it; and others, in
which the bottom is of Iblid rock, and without
Varec, fo that the fifh do not frequent them.
There are others again, where the fifh grow yel-
low from a mixture of frefli water with the fait;
and fome, in which it is fcorched by the reverbe-
ration of the fun's rays reflected from the moun-
tains. Even in the mod favourable harbours, the
people are not always fure of a fuccefsful fifhery.
The fifh cannot abound equally in all parts: it is
fometimes found to the north, fometimes to the
fouth, and at other times in the middle of the
coaft, according as it is driven by the winds or at-
tracted by the caplain. The fifhermen, who hap-
pen to fix at a diftance from the places which the
filh frequent, are very unfortunate, for their ex-
pences are all thrown away, becaule it is impof-
fible for them to follow the filh with all their ne-
cefTary apparatus.
THE filhery ends about the beginning of Sep-
tember, becaufe at that time the fun has not
power enough to dry the fifh; but when it has
been fuccefsful, the managers give over before that
time, and make the beft of their way either to the
Caribbee iflands, or to the Roman catholic ftates
in Europe, that they may not be deprived of the
advantages of the firft markets which might be
loft by an overftock.
160 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK I N 1768, France fent out on this trade 114
v ^ ; veiTels, amounting in the whole to 15,590 tons
burthen; the prime cofl of which, together with
the firft expences of fetting out, was 5,66i a ooo
livres*. The united crews, half of which were
employed in takjng the fifh, and the other half in
curing it, confifted of 8,022 men. Every fifhcr-
man muft have taken for hjis lhare 6000 cod, and
confeqnently, the produce of the whole muft have
been 24,066,000. Experience fhews that -there
are 125 cod to each quintal. Confequently
24,066,000 muft have made 192,528 quintals.
Each quintal upon an average, fold at 16 livres
9 fols and 6 deniersf, which makes for the
whole fale 3ji74j35 livres 8 folsj. As every
hundred quintal of cod yields one barrel of oil,
192,528 quintals muft have yielded 1925 barrels,
which at 120 livres a barrel, makes 231,000 li-
vres |j . Add to thefe, the profits of freight made
by the {hips returning home from the pofts where
they fold their cargoes, which are eftimated at
198,000 livres**, and the total profits of the
fifhery will not be found to have amounted to
more than 3,603,305 livres 8 folsff.
WE may fpare our readers a detail of the ex-
pences of unloading, which are troublefome on
account of their minutenefs as well as their infig-
nificancy. The calculations of thefe have been
made with the greateft care and attention, and the
accounts confirmed by very intelligent and difm-
* 247,668!. 155. f About 1 45. 5 d.
J 138,875!. 17 s. 2 d.f. 51.58. ||io,io61.5S.
** 8,662!. 10 s. ft 157,644!. 12 s. zd. |.
terefted
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
terefted men, who from their profefiions muft B
have been the proper judges of this matter; They
amount in the whole to 695,680 livres, 17 fols,
6 deniers*, fo that the net produce of the fifhery
amounts only to 2,907,624 livres, 10 fols, 6 de-
niersf.
FROM thcfc profits, the afTurance money muft
be deduced, which at fix per cent, upon a capital
of 5,661,000 livres J, amounts to 339,660 li-
vres . We muft alfo reckon the intereft of the
money, making at five per cent. 283,050 livres||.
Neither muft we omit the wear of the fhips, the
prime coft of which making half the whole ca-
pital, muft be fet down at 2,830,500 livres ** :
this wear therefore, which cannot be reckoned at
lefs than 5 per cent, muft amount to 141,525 li-
vresft- Admitting all thefe circumftances, which,
indeed, cannot be called in queftion, it follows
that the French have loft upon their wandering
rifhery in 1768, 687,110 livres, 9 fols, 6 de-
niersJJ, and confequencly 1 2 livres, 2 fols, 9 de-
niers per cent, of their capital.
SUCH lofles which unfortunately have been but
too often repeated, will wean the nation more and
more from this ruinous branch of trade. Indi-
viduals who ftill carry it on, will foon give it up j
and it is even probable, that in imitation of the
Englifh they v/ould have done fo already, if like
them they had been able to make themfelves
amends by the ftationary fifhery.
30,436!. os. pd. f 127,208!. us. 3d. |. J 247,668!. 15$.
14,860!. 2s.6d. || 12,383!. 8s. 9 d. * 123,8341.73.64,
ft 6,191!. 145. 4d.|. U 30,061!. is. 8d, ios.7d. f.
VOL. V. M Br
z HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
xv?i K ^ Y ft at i nai 7 fifhery we are to underftand that
s-Lj which is carried on by the Europeans who have
fettlements on tliofe coafts of America where the
cod is moft plentiful. It is infinitely more profit-
able than the wandering fifhery, becaufe it is attend-
ed with much Ids expence, and may be continued
much longer. Thefe advantages the French en-
joyed as long as, they remained peaceable poflerTors
of Acadia, Cape Breton, Canada, and part of
Newfoundland. They have loft them one after
another by the errors of government, and from
the wreck of thefe riches, have only preferred a
right of faking and drying their fifh to the north
of Newfoundland, from Cape Bona Vifta to Point
Rich. All the fixed eftablifhments left them by
the peace of 1763, are reduced to the ifland of
St. Peters, and the two iflands of Miquelon, where
they are not even at liberty to build fortifications.
There are 800 inhabitants in St. Peters, not more
than 100 in great Miquelon, and only one family
in the fmaller. The filhery which is extremely
convenient upon the two firft, is entirely impracti-
cable on the laft-mentioned ifland, which however
fupplies them both with wood, and particularly St.
Peters, which has none of its own. Nature how-
ever has made amends for this circumftance at St.
Peters, by an excellent harbour, which indeed is
the only. one in this large Archipelago. In 1768,
2.4,390 quintals of cod were taken, but this quan-
tity will not much increafe, becaufe the Englifli
not only refufe the French die liberty of fifhirrg in
the narrow channel, which feparates thefe inlands
from the fouthern coafts of Newfoundland, but
have
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 163
have even feized fome of the floops which attempt- B
ed it.
THIS rigorous treatment, which is not warranted
by treaty, and only maintained by force, is the
more oppreffive, as Great-Britain extends its em-
pire over all the coafts, and all the iflands frequent-
ed by the fifh. Her principal fettlement is at New-
foundland, where there are about 8000 Englifh,
who are all employed in the fifhery. ' No more
than nine or ten ihips a year are fent out from the
mother-country for this purpofej and there are
fome few more which engage in other articles of
commerce; but the greater part only exchange the
productions of Europe for flfh, or carry off the
produce of the induftry of the inhabitants.
BEFORE 1755, the fiftieries of the two rival na-
tions were nearly equal, with this difference only,
that France confumed more at home, and fold lefs,
in proportion to her population and her religion;
but fmce fhe has loft herpoffeffions in North Ame-
rica, one year with another, the two fifheries, that
is the ftationaiy and the wandering united, have
not yielded more than 216,918 quintals of dry
cod, which is barely furTicient for the confumption
of the fouthern provinces of the mother-country,
and of courle admits of no exportation to the co-
lonies.
IT may be afferted that the rival nation, on the
contrary, has increafed its fifhery two-thirds fmce
its conquefts, making in all 651,1 14 quintals, the
profits of which, valuing each quintal at no more
than 14 livres*, a difference owing to. its being
* I2S. 3 d.
M 2 cured
164 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
cured with lefs care than the French fifh, will
amount to 9,1 15,596 livres*. One fourth of this
is fuflicient for the confumption of Great-Britain
arid her colonies ; confequently what is fold in
Spain, Portugal, and all the fugar iflands, amounts
toafum of 6,836,697 livresf returned to the mo-
ther-country, either in fpecie or commodities.
This object of exportation would have been flill
more confiderable, if, after the conqueft of Cape-
Breton and St. John's, the court of London had
not been fo inhuman as to drive out the French
they found fettled there; who have never yet been
replaced, and probably never will. The fame bad
policy has alfo been followed in Nova-Scotia.
TheFrenh NOVA-SCOTIA, by which at prefent is under-
sStfctT ftd all tne coa ft f 3 leagues in length, in-
frtS'hi eluded between the limits of New-England and
ing been the fouth coaft of the river St. Lawrence, feemed
? n poffbffil e at firft to have comprehended only the great trian-
thtafjL. g ular peninfula, lying nearly in the middle of this
fpace. This peninfula, which the French called
Acadia, is extremely well fituated for the fliips
which come from the Caribbee iflands to water
at. It has a number of excellent ports, which
fhips may enter and go out of with all winds.
There is a great quantity of cod upon this coaft,
and ftill more upon fmall banks at the diflance of
a few leagues. The foil, which is very gravelly,
is extremely convenient for drying itj it abounds
likewife with good wood, and land fit for feveral
forts of cultivation, and is extremely well-fituated
for the fur trade of the neighbouring continent.
* 398,807 1. 6s, 6d. t 299,105!. 95. lod. |.
Though
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 165
Though this climate is in the temperate zone, the B
winters are long and fevere, and followed by fud-
den and exceffive, heats, to which generally fucceed
very thick fogs, that laft a long time. Theie cir-
cumftances make this rather a difagreeable coun-
try, though it cannot be reckoned an unwholefome
one.
IT was in 1604 that the French fettled in Aca-
dia, four years before they had built the fmalieft
hut in Canada. Inftead of fixing towards the eaft
of the peninfula, where they would have had larger
feas, an eafy navigation, and plenty of cod, they
chofe a fmall bay, afterwards called French bay,
which had none of thefe advantages. It has been
faid, that they were invited by the beauty of Port
Royal, where a thoufand fhips may ride in fafety
from every wind, where there is an excellent bot-
tom, and at all times four or five fathom of wa-
ter, and eighteen at the entrance. It is more pro-
bable that the founders of this colony were led to
chufe this fituation, from its vicinity to the coun-
tries abounding in furs, of which the exclufive
trade had been granted to them. This conjecture
is confirmed by the following circumftance: that
both the firft monopolizers, and thofe who Suc-
ceeded them, took the utmoft pains to divert the
attention of their countrymen, whom an unfettled
difpofition or necefiity brought into thefe regions,
from the clearing of the woods, the breeding of
cattle, fifhing, and every kind of culture j chufing
rather to engage the induftry of thefe adventurers
in hunting or in trading with the favages,
M 3 THE
166 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
O O F
XVII.
BOOK THE mifchiefs arifmg from a falfe fyftem of ad-
miniftration, at length difcovered the fatal effefts
of exclufive charters. It would be inconfiftent
with truth and dignity of hiflory to fay that this
happened in France, from any attention to the
common rights of the nation, at a time when thefe
rights were mod openly violated. Thefe facred
rights, which only can fecure the fafety of the peo-
ple, while they give a fanition to the power of
kings, was never known in France. But in the
moil abfolute governments, a fpirit of ambition
fometimes effects what in equitable and moderate
ones is done from principles of juftice. The
miniflers of Lewis XIV. who wifhed, by mak-
ing their matter refpectable, to reflect fome ho-
nour on themfelves, perceived that they ihould
not fucceed without the fupport of riches j and
that a people to whom nature has not given any
mines, cannot acquire wealth but by agriculture
and commerce. Both thefe refources had been
hitherto precluded in the colonies by the univerfal
reftraints that are always impofed, when the go-
vernment interferes improperly in every minute
concern. Thefe impediments were at laft remov-
ed; but Acadia either knew not how, or was not
able to make ufe of this liberty.
THIS colony was yet in its infancy, when the
fettlement which has fince.become fo famous under
the name of New-England, was firfl eftablifhed in
its neighbourhood. The rapid fuccefs of the
plantations in this New colony did not much attract
the notice of the French. This kind of profpe-
rity did not excite any jealoufy between the two na-
tions.
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. i6 7
tions. But when they began to fufpect that there BOOK
was likely to be a competition for the beaver trade v.J v ' .t
and furs, they endeavoured to fee lire to themfelves
the fole property of it, and were unfortunate
enough to fucceed.
AT their firft arrival in Acadia, they had found
the peninfula, as well as the forefts of the neigh-
bouring continent, peopled with fmall iavage na-
tions, who went under the general name of Abe-
nakies. Though equally fond of war as other
favage nations, they were more fociable in their
manners. The miflionaries eafily infmuating them-
felves among them, had fo far inculcated their
tenets, as to make enthtifiafts of them. At the
fame time that they taught them their religion, they
infpired them with that hatred, which they them-
frlves entertained for the Englifli name. This fun-
damental article of their new worfhip, being that
which made the ftrongeft impreflion on their fenfes,
and the only one that favoured their paffion for
war; they adopted it with all the rage that was na-
tural to them. They not only refufed to make
any kind of exchange with the Englifh, but alfo
frequently attacked and plundered their fettle-
ments. Their attacks became more frequent,
more obilinate and more regular, after they had
chofen St. Cafteins, formerly captain of the re-
giment of Carignan for their commander; who
was fettled among them, had married one of their
women, and conformed in every refpecl to their
mode of life.
WHEN the Englifh faw that all efforts either to
reconcile the favages, or to deftroy them in their
M 4 forefts
168 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
B xvii K f re ft s were ineffectual, they fell upon Acadia,
\ rr -^ r -.j which they looked upon with reafon as the only
caufe of all thefe calamities. Whenever the leaft
hoftility took place between the two mother-coun-
tries, the peninfula was attacked. Unable to pro^
cure any affiftance from Canada, on account of its
diflance, znd having but a feeble defence in Port-r
Royal, which was only furrounded by a few pal-
lifadcs, it was conftantly taken. It undoubtedly
afforded fome fatisfadlion to the New-Englanders,
to ravage this colony and to retard its progrefs ;
but ftill this was not fufficient to remove the fuf-
picions excited by a nation always more formidable
by what ihe is able to do, than by what fhe really
does. Obliged as they were, however unwillingly,
to reftore their conqueft at each treaty of peace,
they waited with impatience till Great-Britain
iliould acquire fuch a fuperiority as would enable
her to difpenfe with this reflitution. The end of
the war on account of the Spanifh fucceffion
brought on the decifive moment; and the court
of Verfailles was for ever deprived of a poiTeffion
of which it had never known the importance.
THE ardour which the Englifh had fhewn for the
pofleflion of this territory did not manifeft itfelf
afterwards in the care they took to maintain or to
improve it. Having built a very (light fortifica-
tion at Port-Royal, which they called Annapolis,
in honour of queen Anne, they contented them-
felves with putting a very fmall garrifon in it. The
indifference {hewn by the government was adopted
by the nation, a circumftance not ufual in a free
country. Not more than five or fix Englifh fa-
miliej
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 169
milies went over to Acadia, which ftill remained B v K
inhabited by the firft colonifts; who were only per- * y '
fuaded to flay upon a promife made them of never
being compelled to bear arms againft their ancient
country. Such was the attachment which the
French then had for the honour of their country.
Gherifhed by the government, refpected by foreign
nations, and attached to their king by a feries of
profperities which had rendered their name illuftri-
ous and aggrandized their power, they pofiefled
that patriotic fpirit which is the effect of fuccefs.
They efteemed it an honour to bear the name of
Frenchmen, and could not think of foregoing the
title. The Acadians, therefore, who, in fubmit-
ting to a new yoke, had fworn never to bear arms
againft their former ftandards, were called the
French neutrals.
THERE were twelve or thirteen hundred of them
fettled in the capital, the reft were difperfed in the
neighbouring country. No magiftrate was ever
appointed to rule over them j and they were never
acquainted with the laws of England. No rents
or taxes of any kind were ever exacted from them.
Their new fovereign feemed to have forgotten
them; and they were equally ftrangers to him.
HUNTING and fiftiing, which had formerly been M)innet ,
the delight of the colony, and might ftill have of thc
fupplied it with fubfiftence, had no further at- who re-
traction for a fimple and quiet people, and gave frbjeit ta
way to agriculture. It had been begun in the J^ ' ; ,^J.
marines and the low lands, by repelling the fea, ^ ' v *
and rivers which covered thefe plains, with dikes.
Thefe grounds yielded fifty times as much as be-
fore,
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
^ orCj anc ^ a f terwar ds fi^en or twenty times as
much at leaft. Wheat and oats fucceeded beft in
them, but theylikewife produced rye, barley, and
maize. There were alfo potatoes in great plenty,
the ufe of which was become common.
AT the fame time the immenfe meadows were
covered with numerous flocks. Sixty thoufand
head of horned cattle were computed there ; and
moil of the families had feveral horfes, though the
tillage was carried on by oxen. The habitations,
built entirely with wood, were extremely con-
venient, and furnilhed as neatly as a fubltantial
farmer's houfe in Europe. The people bred a
great deal of poultry of all kinds, which made a
variety in their food, which was in general whole-
fome and plentiful. Their common drink was
beer and cyder, to which they fometimes added
rum. Their ufual clothing was in general thej
produce of their own flax, or the fleeces of their:
own fheep. With thefe they made common li-
nens and coarie cloths. If any of them had any
inclination for articles of greater luxury, they
procured them from Annapolis or Louifbourg, and
gave in exchange, corn, cattle, or furs.
THE neutral French had no other articles to dif-
pofe of among their neighbours, and made ftill
fewer exchanges among themfelves, becaufe each
feparate family was able, and had been ufed to pro-
vide for its wants. They, therefore, knew no-
thing of paper currency, which was fo common
throughout the reft of North- America. Even the
fmall quantity of fpecie, which had ftolen into the
colony, did not promote that circulation, which is
the greateft advantage that can be derived from it.
THEIR
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
TKEIR manners were of courfe extremely iim-
ple. There never was a caufe either civil or cri-
minal of importance enough to be carried before the
court of judicature eftabliflied at Annapolis. What-
ever little differences arofe from time to time among
them, were amicably adjufled by their elders. All
their public afts were drawn by their paftors, who
had likewife the keeping of their wills, for which
and their religious fervices the inhabitants paid a
twenty-feventh part of their harvefts.
THESE were plentiful enough to fupply more
than a fufficiency to fulfil every aft of liberality.
Real mifery was entirely unknown, and benevo-
lence prevented the demands of poverty. Every
misfortune was relieved, as it were, before it could
be felt; and good was univerfally difpenled with-
out orientation on the part of the giver, and with-
out humiliating the perfon who received. Thefe
people were in fhort a fociety of brethren, every
individual of which was equally ready to give and
to receive what he thought the common right of
mankind.
So per feel: a harmony naturally prevented all
thofe connections of gallantry which are fo often
fatal to the peace of families. There never was
an inftance in this fociety of an unlawful com-
merce between the two fexes. This evil was pre-
vented by early marriages ; for no one parTed his
youth in a (late of celibacy. As foon as a young
man came to the proper age, the community
built him a houfe, broke up the lands about it,
fowed them, and fupplied him with all the ne-
cefiaries of life, for a twelvemonth. Here he re-
ceived
1 72 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK ceived the partner whom he had chofen, and who
i v ' . brought him her portion in flocks. This new fa-
mily grew and profpered like the others. In
1749 they altogether amounted to eighteen thou-
fand fouls.
AT this period Great Britain perceived of what
confequence the poflefiion of Acadia might be to
her commerce. The peace which neceflarily left
a great number of men without employment, fur-
nifhed an opportunity, by the difbanding of the
troops, for peopling and cultivating a vaft and
fertile territory. The Britiih miniflry offered par-
ticular advantages to all perfons who chofe to go
over and fettle in Acadia. Every foldier, failor,
and workman was to have fifty acres of land for
himfelf, and ten for every perfon he carried over
in his family. All non-commiflioned officers were
allowed eighty for themfelves, and 1 5 for their
wives and children; enfigns 200 j lieutenants
300; captains 460; and all officers of a higher
rank 600 ; together with thirty for each of their
dependents. The land was to be tax free for the
firft ten years, and never to pay above one livre,
two fols, fix deniers*, for fifty acres. Befides
this, the government engaged to advance or re-
imburfe the expences of paffage, to build houfes,
to furnifh all the neceflary inftruments for fifhery
or agriculture, and to defray the expences of fub-
fiftence for the firft year. Thefe encouragements
determined three thoufand feven hundred and
fifty perfons in the month of May 1749 to go to
America, rather than run the rifque of ftarving in
Europe.
* About one Shilling.
IT
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 173
IT was intended that thefe new inhabitants B v K
fhould form a fettlement to the fouth-eaft of Aca- < w *
dia, in a place which the favages formerly called
Chebucto, and the Englifh Halifax. This fitua-
tion was preferred to feveral others where the foil
was better, for the fake of eftablifhing in its neigh-
bourhood an excellent cod fifhery, and fortifying
one of the fineft harbours in America. But
as it was the part of the country mod favourable
for the chace, the Englilh were obliged to difpute
it with the Micmac Indians, by whom it was moft
frequented. Thefe favages defended with obfti-
nacy a territory they held from nature ; and it was
not without very great lofles that the Englifh
drove them out from their pofieflions.
THIS war was not entirely fmifhed, when fome
difturbances began to break out among the neu-
tral French. Thefe people, whofe manners were
fo fimple and who enjoyed fuch liberty, had al-
ready perceived that their independence muft ne-
ceflarily fuffer fome encroachments from any power
that Ihould turn its views to the countries they in-
habited. To this apprehenfion was added, that of
feeing their religion in danger. Their priefls,
either heated by their own enthufiafm, or fecretly
inftigated by the governors of Canada, made them
believe all they chofe to fay againft the Englifh,
whom they called heretics. This word, which
has fo powerful an influence on deluded minds,
determined this happy American colony to quit
their habitations and remove to New France,
where lands were offered them. This refolution
many of them executed immediately, without
confidering
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
confidering the confequences of it; the reft were
preparing to follow as foon as they had provided
for their fafety. The Englifh government, either
from policy or caprice, determined to prevent
them by an act of treachery, always bafe and cruel
in thofe whofe power gives them an opportunity
of purfuing milder methods. Under a pretence
of exacting a renewal of the oath which they had
taken at the time of their becoming Englifli fub-
jects, they called together all the remaining in-
habitants, and put them on board of friip. They
were conveyed to the other Englifh colonies,
where the greater part of them died of grief and
vexation rather than want.
SUCH are the effects of national jealoufies, arid
of the rapacioulhefs of government, to which
men as well as their property become a prey.
What our enemies lofe is reckoned an advantage,
what they gain is looked upon as a lofs. When
a town cannot be taken, it is ftarved ; when it
cannot be kept, it is burnt to afhes, or its
foundations rafed. A fhip or a fortified town is
blown up, rather than the iailors, or the garrifon
will furrender. A defpotic government feparates
its enemies from its flaves by immenfe deferts, to
prevent the irruptions of the one, and the emigra-
tions of the other. Thus it is- that Spain has ra-
ther chofen to make a wildernefs of her own coun-
try, and a grave of America, than to divide its
riches with any other of the European nations.
The Dutch have been guilty of every public and
private crime to deprive other commercial nations
of the fpice trade. They have frequently thrown
whole
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
whole cargoes into the fea, rather than they would
fell them at a low price. France rather chofe to
give up Louifiana to the Spaniards, than to let it
fall into the hands of the Englifh j and England
deftroyed the neutral French inhabitants of Aca-
dia to prevent their returning to France. Can we
aflert after this, that policy and fociety were infti-
tnted for the happinefs of mankind ? Yes : they
were inftituted to fcreen the wicked, and to fecurc
the powerful.
SINCE the emigration of a people who owed
their happinefs to their virtuous obfcurity, Nova
Scotia has been but thinly inhabited. The fame
rage which depopulated the country, feems to
have blafted it. At leaft the punifhment of the
injuftice falls upon the authors of it ; for there is
not a fmgle inhabitant to be feen upon all that
length of coaft between l&e river St. Lawrence,
and the peninfula j neither is it probable, from
the number of rocks, fands and morafies which
cover it at prefent, that it ever will be peopled.
The cod, indeed, which abounds in f6me of its
bays, invites every year a fmall number of fiiher-
men during the feafon.
THERE are only three fettlements in the reft of
the province. Annapolis, the mod ancient of
them, fituated at the mouth of a long bay, waits
for frefh inhabitants to fupply the place of the
unhappy Frenchmen who were driven from it ;
and it feems to promife them rich returns from
the fertility of its foil.
LUNENBURGH, the fecond fettlement, was
founded a few years ago by 800 Germans from
2 Halifax,
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
Halifax. At firft, it did not promife fuch fuc-
cefs; but is confiderably improved by the unre-
mitted induftry of that warlike and wife people,
who contented with defending their own territory,
feldom go out of it, but to cultivate others which
they are not ambitious of conquering. They
have fertilized all the countries under the Englifh
dominion, wherever chance has conducted them.
HALIFAX will always continue to be the prin-
cipal place in the province; an advantage it owes
to the encouragements laviihed upon it by the
mother-country. Their expences for this fettle-
ment, from its firfl foundation to the year 1769,
amounted to more than 90,000 livres* per an-
num. Such favours were not ill-beftowed upon
a city, which from its fituation is the natural
rendezvous of both the land and fea forces
Great-Britain fometimes thinks herfelf obliged to
maintain in America, as well for the defence of
her fifheries, and the protection of her fugar
iflands, as for the purpofe of preferving her con-
nections with her northern colonies. Halifax, in-
deed, derives more of its fplendour from the mo-
tion and activity which is conftantly kept up in its
ports, than either from its agriculture which is
trifling, or from its fifheries which have not been
confiderably improved, though they confifl of
cod, mackarel, and the feal. It is not even in
the ftate it fhould be as a fortified town. From
the malverfations of perfons in office, who, inftead
of the fortifications ordered and paid for by the
mother- country, have only erected a few batteries
* 3,937!. ios.
without
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 177
without any ditch round the city, it is not likely B _ v K
to make the lead refiftance to any enemy that at- ' ^-l^
tacks it. In 1757? the inhabitants of the country
of Halifax rated the value of their houfes, cattle,
and merchandife at about 6,7505000 livres*.
This fum, which makes about two-thirds of the
riches of the whole province, has not increafed
above one-fourth fmce that time.
BUT will the province continue in this weak
flate for any length of time ? Is it not with a view
of preventing this, that in 1763 the Britilh go-
vernment conftituted a court of admiralty for all
North America, and fixed it at Halifax ? Before
this period, the juftices of peace were the judges
of all violations of the aft of navigation; but the
partiality thefe magiftrates ufed to fhew in their
decifions for the colony where they were born,
and by which they had been chofen, rendered
their miniftry ufelefs, and even prejudicial to the
mother-country. It was prefumed, that men of
underftanding fent from Europe, and properly
fupported, would be treated with greater refpect,
and keep the people more in awe. The event has
juftifkd this policy. Since that regulation, the
commercial laws have been better obferved; but
ftill great inconveniencies have been occafioned by
the diftance of many provinces from the feat of
this new tribunal. It is probable that, to remedy
thefe, adminiilration will be forced to multiply the
number of the courts, and difperfe them in places
convenient for the people to have accefs to them.
Nova Scotia will then lofe the precarious ad van-
* 295,312!. ios.
VOL. V. N tage
178 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADB
B xvn. K ta e ' lt &^ ns fr m Determining all caufes relative
* -v ' to the navy; but it will, probably, find out other
natural fources of wealth within itfelf. It haa
fome, indeed, that are peculiar to it. The ex-
ceeding fine flax it produces, of which the three,
kingdoms are fo much in want, muft haften the
progrefs of its improvement. Nova-Scotia muft
not, however, expect ever to vie with New-
England,
Founda. NEW-ENGLAND, like the mother- country, has
New-Eng- fignalized itfelf by many acts of violence j and has
been actuated by the fame turbulent fpirit. It
'took its rife in troublefome times, and its infant
ftate was difturbed with many dreadful commo-
tions. It was difcovered in the beginning of the
laft century, and called North- Virginia, but no
Europeans fettled there till the year 1608. The
firft colony, which was weak and ill-directed, did
not fucceed, and for fome time after, there were
only a few adventurers who came over at times in
the fummer, built themfelves temporary huts for
the fake of trading with the favages, and like
them, difappeared again for the reft of the year.
Fanaticifm, which had depopulated America to the
fouth, was deftined to repeople it in the north.
..Some Englifh prefbyterians, who had been driven
from their own country, and had taken refuge in
Holland, that univerfal afylum of liberty, refolved
to found a church for their feet in the new hemi-
fphere. They, therefore, purchafed in 1621 the
charter of the Englifh North- Virginia company :
for they were not reduced to fuch a ftate of po-
verty, as to be obliged to wait till profperity be-
came
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
came the reward of their virtues. Forty-one fa-
milies, making in all 120 perfons, fet out under
the guidance of enthufiafm, which, whether
founded upon error or truth, is always produc-
tive of great actions. They landed at the begin-
ning of a very hard winter, and found a country
entirely covered with wood, which offered a very
melancholy profpect to men already exhaufled
with the fatigues of their voyage. Near one half
perilhed either by cold, the fcurvy, or diftrefs ;
the reft were kept alive, for fome time, by a fpi-
rit of enthufiafm, and the ftcadinefs of character
they had acquired under the perfecution of epif-
copal tyranny. But their courage was beginning
to fail, when it was revived by the arrival of fixty
favage warriors, who came to them in the fpring,
headed by their chief. Freedom feemed to exult
that fhe had thus brought together from the ex-
tremities of the world two fuch different people;
who immediately entered into a reciprocal alliance
of friendfhip and protection. The old tenants
afiigned for ever to the new ones all the lands in
the neighbourhood of the fettlement they had
formed under the name of New-Ply mouth j and
one of the favages, who underftood a little Eng-
lifh, flayed to teach them how to cultivate the
maize, and inflruct them in the manner of fifhing
upon their coail.
THIS kindnefs enabled the colony to wait for
the companions they expected from Europe, with
feeds, with domeftic animals, and with every af-
fiftance they wanted. At firft thefe fuccours ar-
rived but flowly, but the perfecution of the puri-
N 2 tana
i-8o HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
* xv?i. K tans * n England increafed, as tifual, the number
' w- : ' of profelytes to fuch a degree in America, that in
1630, they were obliged to form different fettle-
rnenrs, of which Boflon foon became the prin-
cipal. Thefe firft fettlers were not merely ecclc-
fiaftics, who had been deprived of their prefer-
ment on account of their opinions, nor thofe fec-
taries influenced by new opinions, that are fo fre-
quent among the common people. There were
among them feveral perfons of high rank, who
having embraced puritanifm either from motives
of caprice, ambition, or even of confcience, had
taken the precaution to fecure themfelves an afy-
lum in thefe diftant regions. They had caufed
houfes to be built, and lands to be cleared, with
a view of retiring there, if their endeavours in the
caufe of civil and religious liberty fhould prove
abortive. The fame fanatical fpirit that had intro-
duced anarchy into the mother-country, kept the
colony in a (late of fubordination, or rather a feve-
i ity of manners, had the fame effect as laws in a
favage climate.
THE inhabitants of New-England lived pea-
ceably for a long time without any regular form of
policy. Not that their charter had not authorized
them to eftablilh any mode of government they
might chufe, but thefe enthufiafts were not agreed
among themfelves upon the plan of their republic;
and government did not pay fufficient attention to
them to urge them to fecure their own tranquil-
lity. At length they grew fenfible of the necefiity
of a regular legiflation, and this great work which
virtue arid genius united have never attempted but
with
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. ,gj
with diffidence, was boldly undertaken by blind BOCK
fanaticifm. It bore the ftamp of the rude preju- v L/
dices on which it had been formed.
THERE was in this new code a fingular mixture
of good and evil, of wifdom and folly. No man
was allowed to have any (hare in the government,
except he were a member of the eflabiiflied
church. Witchcraft, perjury, blafphemy, and
adultery were made capital offences; and children
were alfo puniflied with death, either for curfing
or ftriking their parents. Marriages, however,
were to be folemnized by the magiftrate. The
price of corn was fixed at 3 livres, 7 fols, 6 de-
niers* per bufhel. The favages who neglected to
cultivate their lands were to be deprived of them*
and Europeans were forbidden, under a heavy pe-
nalty, to fell them any ftrong liquors or warlike
ftores. All thofe who were detected either in ly-
ing, drunkennefs, or dancing, were ordered to be
publicly whipped. But at the fame time that
amufements were forbidden equally with vices <md
crimes, one might be allowed to fwear by paying
a penalty of one livre, two fols, fixdeniersf, and
to break the fabbath for 67 livres, lofolsj. Ano-
ther indulgence allowed, was, to atone by a fine for
a neglect of prayer, or for uttering a rafh oath.
But it is ftill mo re extraordinary that the worfhip of
images was forbidden to the puritans on pain of
death, which was alfo inflicted on sRoman catholic
priefts, who fhould return to the colony after they
had been banifhed; and on quakers who fhould
* 2s. i id. . fnd. |. t zl. 195. pd. -.
N 3 appear
i8z HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK appear again after having been whipped, branded
* ^v ' and expelled. Such was the abhorrence for thefe
fectaries, who had themfelves an averfion for every
kind of cruelty, that whoever either brought one
of them into the country, or harboured him but
for one hour, was liable to pay a confiderable
fine.
ranatkifm THOSE unfortunate members of the colony,
great h- who, lefs violent than their brethren, ventured to
ifcw-Eag. deny the coercive power of the magiitrate in mat-
ters of religion, were perfecuted with ftill greater
rigour. This was confidered as blafphemy by
thole very divines who had rather chofen to quit
their country than to fhew any deference to epif-
copal authority. By that natural propensity of the
human heart which leads men from the love of
independence to that of tyranny, they had changed
their opinions as they changed the climate ; and
only feemed to arrogate freedom of thought to
themfelves, in order to deny it to others. This
fyftem was fupported by the fervices of the law,
which attempted to put a Hop to every difference
in opinion, by inflicting capital puniihment on all
who diflented. Thofe who were either convicted,
or even fufpected of entertaining fentiments of to-
leration, were expofed to fuch cruel opprefiions,
that they were forced to fly from their firft afylum,
and feek refuge in another. They found one on
the fame continent, and as New-England had been
firft founded by perfecution, its limits were ex-
tended by it.
THIS intemperate religious zeal extended itfelf
to matters in themfelves of the greateft indiffer-
ence
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 185
ence. A proof of this is found in the following B J^^
public declaration, tranfcribed from the regifters ' v '
of the colony.
; " Iris acircumftariceuniverfally acknowledged,
<' that the cuflom of wearing long hair, after the
<( manner of immoral perfons and of the favage
<c Indians, can only have been introduced into
Cf England, but in facrilegious contempt of the
" exprefs command of God, who declares that it
Cf is a fliameful practice for any man who has
ft the leaft care for his foul to wear long hair.
" As this abomination excites the indignation of
" all pious perfons; we, the magiflrates, in our
" zeal for the purity of the faith, do exprefsly
" and authentically declare, that we condemn the
tf impious cuflom of letting the hair grow; a
cf cuflom which we look upon to be very indecent
cc and difhonefl, which horribly difguifes men, and
<c is offenfive to mode ft and fober perfons, in as
cc much as it corrupts good manners. We, there -
cc fore, being juftly incenfed againft this fcandalous
" cuflom, do defire, advife, and earnellly requefl
" all the elders of our continent, zealoufly to fliew
<f their averfion from this odious practice, to ex-r
f( ert all their power, to put a flop to it, and ef-
tc pecially to take care that the members of their
tc churches be not infected with it; in order that
ef thofe perfons, who, notwithftanding thefe ri-
<c gorous prohibitions, and the means of correc-
" tion, that fhall be ufed on this account, fhall flill
" perfifl in this cuflom, fhall have both God and
f( man at the fame time againft them."
N 4 THIS
184 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
THIS feverity, which a man exercifes agafnft:
himfelf, or againft his fellow-creatures, and which
makes him firft the victim, then the oppreflbr, foon
exerted itfelf againft the Quakers. They were
whipped, banifhed, and imprifoned. The proud
fimplicity of thefe new enthufiafts, who in the
midft of tortures and ignominy praifed God, and
called for biddings upon men, infpired a reverence
for their perfons and opinions, and gained them
a number of profclytes. This circumftance ex-
afperated their perfecutors, and hurried them on
to the moft atrocious a<5ls of violence. They
cauled five of them, who had returned clandeftinely
from banilhment, to be hanged. It feemed as
if the Englifh had come to America to exercife
upon their own countrymen the fame cruelties the
Spaniards had ufed againft the Indians; whether
it was that the change of climate had rendered the
Europeans more ferocious; or that the fury of re-
ligious zeal can only be extinguiflied in the de-
ftruction of its apoftles and its martyrs. This
fpirit of perfecution was, however, at laft fupprefT-
ed by the interpofition of the mother-country,
from whence it had been brought,
CROMWELL was no more. Enthufiafm, hypo-
crify, and fanaticifm, which compofed his cha-
rafter i factions, rebellions, and profcriptions were
all buried with him, and England had the profped
of calmer days, Charles the Second, at his re-
ftoration, had introduced among his fubjefts a fo-
cial turn, a tafte for convivial pleafures, gallantry,
#nd diverfions, and for all thofe amufements he
had been engaged in while he was travelling from
one
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 185
bne court to another in Europe, to endeavour to B K
regain the crown which his father had loft upon a < y - '
IcafTbld. Nothing but fuch a total change of
manners could poflibly have fecured the tran-
quillity of his government upon a throne ftained
with blood. He was one of thofe voluptuaries,
whom the love of fenfual pleafures fometimes ex-
cites to fentiments of compadion and humanity.
Moved with the fufferings of the Quakers, he put
a flop to them by a proclamation in 1661; but he
was never able totally to extinguifh the fpirit of
perfecution that prevailed in America.
THE colony had placed at their head Henry
Vane, the fon of that Sir Henry Vane, who had
had fuch a remarkable fliare in the difturbances of
his country. This obftinate and enthufiaflic young
man, in every thing refembling his father, unable
either to live peaceably himfelf, or to fufFer others
to remain quiet, had contrived to revive the ob-
fcure and obfolete queftions of grace and free
will. The difputes upon thefe points ran very
high, and would probably have plunged the
colony into a civil war, if feveral of the favage
nations united had not happened at that very time
to fall upon the plantations of the difputants, and
to maflacre great numbers of them. The coloni(ls>
heated with their theological contefls, paid at firft
very little attention to this confiderable lofs. But
the danger at length became fo urgent and fb ge-
neral, that all took up arms. As foon as the
enemy was repulied, the colony refumed its for*
mer diiFentionsj and the phrenzy which they ex-
cited, broke out in 160.2 in a war, marked with
as
186 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
B xvn K as man 7 Atrocious inftances of violence, as any
* y^ ' ever recorded in hiftory.
THERE lived in a town of New England, called
Salem, two young women, who were fubjecr. to
convulfions, accompanied with extraordinary fymp-
toms. Their father, miniiler of the church, thought
that they were bewitched j and having in confe-
quence caft his fufpicions upon an Indian girl, who.
lived in this houfe, he compelled her by harlh
treatment to confefs that fhe was a witch. Other
women upon hearing this, feduced by the pleafure
of exciting the public attention, immediately be~
lieved that the convulfions which proceeded only
from the nature of their fex, were owing to the
fame cauie. Three citizens, cafually named, were
immediately thrown into prilbn, accufed of witch-
craft, hanged, and their bodies left expofed to
wild beads and birds of prey. A few days after,
fixteen other perfons, together with a counfellor,
who becaufe he refufed to plead againfl them, was
fuppofed to fhare in their guilt, fuffered in the
fame manner. From this inftant, the imagination
of the multitude was inflamed with thefe horrid
and gloomy fcenes. The innocence of youth, the
infirmities of age, virgin modefry, fortune, ho-
nour, virtue, and the moft dignified employments
of the ftate, were no fecurity againit the fufpicions
' of a people infatuated with vifionary fuperflidon.
Children of ten years of age were put to death,
young girls were flripped naked, and the marks
of witchcraft fearched for upon their bodies with
the moft indecent curiofityj thofe fpots of the
icurvy which age imprdTes upon the bodies of old
IN THE EAST AND WEST. INDIES.
men, were taken for evident figns of the infernal B
power. Fanaticifm, wickednefs and vengeance '
united, felected their victims at pleafure. In de-
fault of \vitneffes, torments were employed to ex-
tort confefllons dictated by the executioners them-
felves. If the magiftrates, tired out with execu-
tions refufed to punifh, they were themfelves ac-
cufed of the crimes they tolerated ; the very mi-
nifters of religion railed falie witneffes againft
them, who made them forfeit with their lives the
tardy remorfe excited in them by humanity.
Dreams, apparitions, terror and confirmation of
every kind increafed thefe prodigies of folly and
horror. The prifons were rilled, the gibbets left
{landing, and all the citizens involved in gloomy
apprehenfions. The mofl prudent quitted a coun-
try ftained with the blood of its inhabitants; and
thofe that remained wilhed only for peace in the
grave. In a word, nothing lefs than the total and
immediate fubverfion of the colony was expected,
when on a fudden, in the height of the ftorm, the
waves fubfided, and a calm enfued. All eyes were
opened at once, and the excefs of the evil awak-
ened the minds which it had firft ftupified. Bitter
and painful remorfe was the immediate cpnfe-
quence; the mercy of God was implored by a
general faft, and public prayers were offered up to
afk forgivenefs for the prefumption of having fup-
pofed that heaven could have been pleafed with fa-
crifices with which it could only have been offended.
POSTERITY will, probably, never know exactly
what was the caufe or remedy of this dreadful dif-
order. It had, perhaps, its firft origin in the me-
lanchojy,
J88 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
lancholy, which thefe perfecuted enthufiafts had
brought with them from their own country, which
had increafed with the fcurvy they had contracted
at fea, and had gathered frefn flrength from the
vapours and exhalations of a foil newly broken
up, as well as from the inconveniences and hard-
fhips infeparable from a change of climate and
manner of living. The contagion, however, ceafed
like all other epidemical diftempers, exhaufted by
its very communication; as all the di ford ers of the
imagination are expelled in the tranfports of a de-
lirium. A perfect calm fucceeded this agitation;
and the puritans of New England have never lince
been feized with fo gloomy a fit of enthufiafm.
Seventies ^ UT tnou g n t - e colony has renounced theper-
iuu fubfift- fecutingfpirit which hath ftained all religious feels
ing in the .,,,,- i C AC ' -C
laws of with blood, it has prelerved iome remains, if not
fcew-Eng- ^ intoleration, at lead, offeverity, which reminds
us of thofe melancholy days in which it took its
rife. Some of its laws are ftill too fevere.
[!N fupport of this pofition the author in-
troduces the ftory of Polly Baker, who was
brought before the magiftrat'es and convicted the
fifth time of having had a baftard child. He
gives the fpeech fhe is faid to have made on this
occafion at full length. But as this fpeech is in
the hands of every Englifh reader, the tranflator
has judged it unneceffary to fwell his tranflation
with it. The author's reafoning upon it is as
follows:]
THIS fpeech produced an affecting change in
the minds of all the audience. She was not only
acquitted of either penalty or corporal punilhment,
Jbut her triumph was fo complete, that one of her
judges
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 189
judges married her. So fuperior is the voice of B o^ic
realbn to all the powers of ftudied eloquence. But v__ y-L*
popular prejudice has reiumed its influence; whe-
ther it be, that the reprefentations of nature alone
are often ftifled by an attention to political advan-
tages, or to the benefit of fociety; or that, under
the Englifh government, where celibacy is not en-
joined by religion, there is lefs excufe for an illicit
commerce between the fexes, than in thofe coun-
tries, where the clergy, the nobility, luxury, po-
verty, and the fcandalous example given by the
court and the church, all concur in degrading and
corrupting the married Hate, in rendering it bur-
thenfome, and deterring many perfons from enter-
ing into it.
NEW-ENGLAND has fome remedy agajnft bad
laws in the conftitution of its mother-country,
where the people who have the legiflative power in
their own hands are at liberty to correct abufes; and
it has others derived from its fituation, which
open a vaft field to induftry and population.
THIS colony, bounded on the north by Canada, Govern,
on the weft by New- York, and on the eaft and ""J'J^"
fouth by Nova Scotia and the ocean, extends full cuitum,
three hundred miles along the fea-coafts, and up- '"*, "-ade
wards of fifty miles in the inland parts* "Soli* *7
THE clearing of the lands is not directed by 'd." ED| "
chance as in the other provinces. This matter
from the firft was fubjected to laws which are
ftill religioufly obferved. No citizen whatever has
the liberty of fettling even upon unoccupied land.
The government, defirous of preferring all its
members from the inroads of the favages, and of
placing
190 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK placing them in a condition to fhare in the pro-
v - W r-L- tection of a well-regulated fociety, hath ordered
that whole villages fhould be formed at once. As
foon as fixty families offer to build a church, main-
tain a clergyman, and pay a fchool-mafler, the
general afTembly allot them a fituation, and per-
mit them to have two representatives in the legif-
lative body of the colony. The diftrict affigned
them always borders upon the lands already clear-
ed, and generally contains fix thoufand fquare
acres. Thefe new people chufe the fituation moft
convenient for their habitation, which is ufually
of a fquare figure. The church is placed in the
center j the colonifts divide the land among them-
felves, and each inclofes his property with a hedge.
Some woods are referved for a common. It is thus
that New-England is conftantly enlarging its ter-
ritory, though it ftill continues to make one com-
plete and well-conftituted province.
THOUGH the colony is fituated in the midft of
the temperate zone, yet the climate is not fo mild
as that of fome European provinces, which arc
under the fame parallel. The winters are longer
and colder ; the fummcrs ihorter and hotter. The
fky is commonly clear, and the rains more plentiful
than lading. The air has grown purer fmce its
circulation has been made free by cutting down the
woods i and malignant vapours, which at firft car-
ried off fome of the inhabitants., are no longer
complained of.
THE country is divided into four provinces,
which at firft had no connection with one another.
The neceflity of maintaining an armed force againft
5 the
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 191
the favages obliged them to form a confederacy in B
1643, when they took the name of the united co-
Ionics. In confequence of this league, two de-
puties from each eftablifhment ufed to meet in a
ftated place to deliberate upon the common affairs
of New-England, according to the inftructions
they had received from the aflembiy, by which
they were fent. This aflbciation laid no conftraint
upon the right of every individual to act entirely
as he pleafed, without either the permifiion or ap-
probation of the mother-country. All the fub-
miflion required of thefe provinces was merely to
acknowledge the kings of England for their lb-
vereigns.
CHARLES II. wiflied to make them more de-
pendent. The province of MafiTachufet's bay,
which, though the fmalleft, was the richeft and
the mod populous of the four, being guilty of
fome mifdemeanour againft government, the king
feized that opportunity of taking away its charter
in 1684 j and it remained without one till the re-
volution ; when it received another, which, how-
ever, did not anfwer its claims or expectations.
The crown referved to itfelf the right of nomi-
nating the governor, and appointing to all military
employments, and to all principal pofts in the ci-
vil and juridical departments : it allowed the peo-
ple of the colony their legiflative power, and gave
the governor a negative voice and the command
of the troops, which fecured him a fufficient in-
fluence to enable him to maintain the prerogative
of the mother-country in all its force. The pro-
vinces of Connecticut and Rhode-Ifland by timely
fubmiflion
i 9 2 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
B oo K fubmiffion prevented the punifhment that of Maf-
v ^ ; fachufet had incurred, and retained their original
charter. That of New-Hampfhire had been al-
ways regulated by the fame mode of adminiilration
as the province of MafTachufet's bay. The fame
governor prefides over the whole colony, but with
regulations adapted to the conflitution of each
province. According to the mofl exaft calcula-
tions, the prefent number of inhabitants in New-
England is computed at four hundred thoufand,
but the fouthern parts of the colony are better
peopled than the northern, where the foil is lefs
fertile. Among fuch a number of citizens, there
are few proprietors wealthy enough to leave the
care of their plantations to ftewards or farmers :
mofl of them are planters in eafy circumflances,
who live upon their eftates, and are employed in
the labours of the field. This equality of fortune,
joined to the religious principles and to the nature
of the government, gives this people a more re-
publican caft, than is to be obferved in the other
colonies.
No European fruits have degenerated in New-
England ; it is even faid, that the apple is im-
proved, at leaft it has multiplied exceedingly and
made cyder a more common drink there, than in
any other part of the world. All European roots
and garden-fluff have equally profpered -, but the
feeds have not thriven quite fo well. Wheat is
apt to be blighted, barley grows dry, and oats
yield more flraw than grain. In default of thefe
the maize, which is commonly ufed in making
beer, is the drink of the common people. There
4 are
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES* 193
are large and fruitful meadows, which are covered B J V I K
with numerous flocks. v y *
THE arts, though carried to a greater degree of
perfection in this colony than in any of the others,
have not made near the fame progrefs as agricul-
ture. There are not more than four or five ma-
nufactures of any importance.
THE nrft which was formed was that for build-
ing (hips. It maintained for a long time a degree
of reputation. The vefiels which came out of
this dock were in great eflimation, the materials of
which they were conftrufted, being found much
kfs porous, and much lefs apt to fplit than thofe
of the more fouthern provinces. Since 1730, the
numbers of them are confiderably diminished, be-
caufe the woods for ihip-building have been little
attended to, and ufed for other purpofes. To
prevent this inconvenience, it was propofed tQ
forbid the cutting of any of them within ten
miles of the fea, and we know not for what reafon
this law, the neceflity of which was fo evident,
was never put in force. The diflilling of rum has
fucceeded better than the building of fhips. The
opportunity the people of New-England had of
importing large quantities of molafies from the
Caribbee iflands, gave rife to this branch of trade.
The molafles were at firft ufed in kind for various
purpofes. By degrees they learnt to diftil them.
When made into rum, they fupplied the neigh-
bouring favages with that liquor, as the Newfound-
land fifliermen did the other northern provinces,
and failors who frequented the coaft of Africa.
The imperfect ftate of this art in the colony has
VOL. V. O not
194 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
B xvn K not diminifhed the fale of the fpirit ; becaufe it
<^ v ' has always been able to afford it at a very low
price.
THE fame reafon has both fupported and in-
creafed the manufacture of hats. Though this
was limited by the regulations of the mother-coun-
try to the internal confumption of the colony, the
merchants have found means to furmount thefe
obflacles, and to fmuggle pretty large quantities
into the neighbouring fettlements.
THE colony fells no cloths, but it buys very
few. The fleeces of its flocks, which are as long,
though not quite fo fine as the Engliih ones, make
coarfe fluffs, which are very convenient for plain
men who live in the country.
SOME Prefbyterians who were driven from the
north of Ireland by the perfecutions either of the
government or of the clergy, firft taught the peo-
ple of New-England to cultivate hemp and flax,
and to manufacture them. The linens made of
them are fmce become one of the great refources
of the colony.
THE mother-country, whofe political meafures
have not always coincided with the high opinion
entertained of her abilities, has omitted nothing to
thwart thefe feveral manufactures. She did not
perceive that by this oppreffive conduct of the go-
vernment, thofe of her fubjets who were employ-
ed in clearing this confiderable part of the new
world, muft be reduced to the alternative either
of abandoning fo good a country, or procuring
from among themfelves the things of general ufe,
and of immediate neceffity. Indeed, even thefe
refources
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. I 9i
refources would not have been fufficient to main- B v K
tain them, if they had not had the good fortune v v '..-v
and the addrefs to open to themfelves feveral other
channels of fubfiftence, the origin and progrefs of
which we mud endeavour to trace.
THE firft external refource they met with was in
the fifhery. It has been encouraged to fuch a de-
gree, that a regulation has taken place, by which
every family who fhall declare that it has lived upon
falt-filh for two days in the week during a whole
year, fhall be disburdened of part of their tax.
Thus commercial views enjoin abftinence from
meat to the proteftants, in the fame manner as
religion prefcribes it to the catholics.
MACKAREL is caught only in the fpring at the
mouth of the Pentagouet, a confiderable river
which empties itfelf in Fundy bay, towards the
extremity of the colony. In the very center of
the couft, and near Bofton, the cod-fifh is always
in fuch plenty that Cape-Cod> notwithstanding
the fterility of its foil, is one of the moft populous
parts of the country. Not content, however, with
the fifli caught in its own latitude,' New-England
fends every year about two hundred veflels, from
thirty-five to forty tons each, to the great bank, to
Newfoundland, and to Cape-Breton, which com-
monly make three voyages a feafon, and bring
back at lead a hundred thoufand quintals of cod.
Befides, there are larger veflels which fail from the
fame ports, and exchange provifions for the fifh
caught by the Englifli who are fettled in thefe
frozen and barren regions. All this cod is after-
O 2 wards
1 9 6 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK, v/ards distributed in the fouthern parts of Europ
XVII.
*_ v i and America.
THIS is not the only article with which the Bri-
tifh iflands in the New world are fupplied by New
England. It furnifties them befides with horfes,
oxen, hogs, fair meat, butter, tallow, cheefe,
flour, biicuit, Indian corn, peas, fruits, cyder,
hemp, flax, and woods of all kinds. The fame
commodities pafs into the iflands belonging to the
other nations, fometimes openly, fometimes clan-
deftinely, but always in lefs quantities during
peace, than in war time. Honduras, Surinam, and
other parts of the American continent are alfo mar-
kets open to New-England. This province like-
wife imports wines and brandies from the Ma-
deiras and the Azores, and pays for them with
cod-fifh and corn.
THE ports of Italy, Spain, and Portugal receive
annually fixty or feventy of their fliips.. They
come there laden with cod, wood for ihip-build-
ing, naval flores, corn and fifli oil ; many of
them return with olive-oil, fait, wine and money
immediately to New-England, where they land
their cargoes clandeftinely. By this method, they
elude the cuftoms they would be obliged to pay in
Great-Britain if they went there, as in purfuance
of a pofitive order they ought to do. The fhips
which do not return to the port from whence they
firft fet out, are fold in thofe where they difpofe
of their cargo. They have frequently no particular
defti nation,, but are freighted indifferently for every
merchant and very port, till they meet with a
proper purchafer.
THE.
TN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 197
THE mother-country receives from its colony BOOK
yards and mafts for the royal navy, planks, pot- v v- '
aihes, pitch, tar, turpentine, a few furs, and in
years of fcarcity fome corn. Thefe cargoes come
home in fhips built by her own merchants, or
bought by them of perfons who fit out privateers
upon fpeculation.
BESIDES the trade New-England carries on with
her own productions, Ihe has appropriated to hei -
felf part of the produce both of North and South
America, by undertaking to convey the feveral ex-
changes made between thefe countries. On this
account the New-Englanders are looked upon as
the brokers or Hollanders of that part of the
world.
NOTWITHSTANDING this lively and continued
exertion, New-England has never yet been able
to difcharge her debts. She has never been able
to pay exactly for what fhe received from the mo-
ther-country, either in productions of her own,
or of foreign induftry, or in thofe from the Eaft-
Indies; all which articles of trade amount an-
nually to 9,000,000 of livres*.
SHE has ftill, however, trade enough to keep
fix thoufand failors in conftant employment. Her
navy confifts of five hundred large veflels, which
carry altogether forty thoufand tons burden ; be-
fides a great number of fmaller veiTels for fifhing
and for the coafting trade, which fail out indifcri-
minately from the numerous harbours that are
open on the coaft. Almoft all of them load and
unload at Bofton.
* 393>75 L
O 3 BOSTON,
193 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
B xv?i K BOSTON, the capital of New-England, is fituated
w on a peninfula, about four miles long, at the bot-
tom of the fine bay of Maffachufet, which reaches
about eight miles within land. The opening of
the bay is flickered from the impetuofity of the
waves by a number of rocks which rife above the
water, and by twelve fmall iflands, the greater
parts of which are fruitful and inhabited. Thcfe
dikes and natural ramparts will not allow more
than three fhips to come in together. At the end
of the laft century, a regular citadel, named Fort
William, was erected in one of the inlands upon
this narrow channel. It is defended by a hundred
pieces of cannon of forty-two pounders each,
which are difpofed in fuch a manner, that they can
rake a fhip fore and aft before it is poiTible for her
to bring her guns to bear. A league further on,
is a very high light-houfe, the fignals from which,
in cafe of invafion, are perceived and repeated by
the fortrefs along the whole coaft, at the fame
time that Bofton has her own light-houfes, which
fpread the alarm to all the inland country. Except
when a very thick fog happens to prevail, which
ibme Ihips might take advantage of to flip jnto the
iflands, the town has always five or fix hours to
prepare for the reception of an enemy, and to af-
femble ten thoufand militia, which can be raifed
-at four and twenty hours notice. If a fleet fhould
ever be able to pafs the artillery of Fort William,
it would infallibly be ftopt by a couple of bat-
teries, which being creeled to the north and fouth
of the place, command the whole bay, and would
give time for all the vefTels and commercial ftores
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
to be flickered from cannon fhot in the river
Charles.
BOSTON port is fo large that fix hundred vef-
fels may anchor in it fafely and commodioufly.
There is a magnificent pier conftructed, projecting
fufficiently into the fea to allow the fhips to un-
load their goods without the affiftance of a lighter,
and to depofit them into the warehoufes which are
ranged on the north fide. At the extremity of the
pier, the town appears in the form of a crefcent
round the harbour. According to the bills of
mortality, which are properly become the only
rule of political arithmetic, it contains about thirty
thoufand inhabitants, compofed of Anabaptifts,
Quakers, French refugees, Englifh Prefbyterians,
and church of England men. The houfes, furni-
ture, drefs, food, converfation, cuftoms and man-
ners are fo exactly fimilar to the mode of living in
London, that it is impoflible to find any other
difference but that which arifes from the numbers
of people there are in large capitals.
NEW-ENGLAND, which refembles the mother- New-York
country in fo many refpects, is contiguous to
New- York. The latter bounded on the eaft by Sf"
this principal colony, and on the weft by New- f the
Jerfey, occupies at firft a very narrow fpace of
twenty miles along the fea-fhore, and infenfibly
enlarging, extends to the north above a hundred
and, fifty miles up the country.
THIS country was difcovered by Henry Hudfon
in 1609. That celebrated navigator, after having
made vain attempts under the patronage of the
Dutch Eaft-India company to difcover a north-
O 4 weft
aoo HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
xv?i K WC ^ P afi * a e5 veere d about to the fouthward, and
v-^y ; coafted along the continent, in hopes of making
fome ufeful difcovery that might prove a kind of
indemnification to the fociety for the truft they
had repofed in him. He entered into a confider-
able river, to which he gave his name, and after
reconnoitring the coaft and its inhabitants, re-
turned to Amfterdam from whence he failed.
ACCORDING to the European fyftem, which
never pays any attention to the people of the New
world, this country fhould have belonged to the
Dutch. It was difcovered by a man in their fer-
vice, who took poflfeffion of it in their name, and
gave up to them any perfonal right he might have
in it. His being an Englifhman ' did not, in
the leaft invalidate thefe uncontrovertible titles.
It muft therefore have oceafioned great furprife,
when James the firfl afferted his pretenfions to it,
upon the principle that Hudfon was born his fub-
jeftj as if any man's country was not that in
which he earns his fubfiftence. The king was fo
convinced of this that he foon gave up the matter;
and the republic fent fome peribns in 1610 to lay
the foundation of the colony in a country which
was to be called New-Belgia. Every thing pro-
fpered here; and this fortunate beginning feemed
to promife greater fuccefs, when in 1664 the co-
lony was expofed to a ftorm which it could not
poffibly forefee.
ENGLAND, which had not at that time thofe in-
timate conne<5tionswith Holland, that the ambition
and fucceffes of Lewis the XIV. have given birth
to fince^ had long feen wit;h a jealous eye the
profperity
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. *oi
profperity of a frnall (late in its neighbourhood,
which, though but juft formed, was already ex-
tending its flouriihing trade to all parts of the
world. She was fecretly diflurbed at the thoughts
of not being on an equality with a power to whom,
in the nature of things, fhe ought to have been
greatly fuperior. Her rivals in commerce and
navigation by their vigilance and ceconomy, fu-
perfeded them in all the confiderable markets of
the univerfe. Every effort fhe made to come in
competition turned either to her lofs or difcredit,
and fhe was obliged only to act a fecondary part,
while all the trade then known was evidently cen-
tering itfelf in the republic. At length, the na-
tion felt the difgrace of her merchants, and re-
folved that what they could not obtain by induftry,
fhould be fecured to them by force. Charles the
Second, notwithftanding his averfion for bufmefs,
and his immoderate love of pleafure, eagerly
adopted a meafure which gave him a profpect of
acquiring the riches of thefe diilant regions, to-
gether with the maritime empire of Europe. His
brother, more active and more enterprifing than
himfelf, encouraged him in thefe difpofitions, and
the deliberation concluded with their ordering the
Dutch fhips to be attacked without any previous
declaration of war.
AN Englifh fleet appeared before New-Belgia,
in the month of Auguft, with three thoufand men
on board; and fo numerous a force precluding every
jdea, as well as every hope, of refinance, the colony
fubmitted as foon as it was fummoned. The con-
queft was fecured to the Englifh by the treaty of
Breda;
sos HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK Breda; but it was again taken from them in 1673,
c_ .^-1_> when the intrigues of France had found means tofet
thefe two maritime powers at variance, who for
their mutual interefts ought always to be friends.
A fecond treaty reftored New-Belgia to the Eng-
liih, who have remained in quiet porTeflion of it
ever fmce under the name of New- York.
IT took its name from the duke of York, to
whom it was given by the king in 1664. As loon
as he had recovered it, he governed it upon the
fame arbitrary principles which afterwards de-
prived him of the throne. His deputies, in whofe
hands were lodged powers of every kind, not con-
tented with the exercife of the public authority,
inftituted themfelves arbitrators in all private
difputes. The country was then inhabited by
Hollanders, who had preferred thefe plantations
to their own country, and by coloniits who had
come from New-England. Thefe people had been
too long accuflomed to liberty, to fubmit pa-
tiently for any time to fo arbitrary an adminiftra-
tion. Every thing feemed tending either to an in-
furrection or an emigration, when in 1683 the
colony was invited to chufe reprefentatives to fet-
tle its form of government. Time produced fome
other changes; but it was not till 1691 that a
fixed plan of government was adopted, which has
been followed ever fmce.
AT the head of the colony is a governor ap-
pointed by the crown, which likewife appoints
twelve counfellors, without whofe concurrence the
governor can fign no aft. The commons are re-
prefented by twenty-feven deputies, chofen by the
inha-
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 203
inhabitants, and thefe feveral bodies constitute the E ^o K.
general aflembly, in which every power is lodged. ...- v '/
The duration of this afiembly, originally unli-
mited, was afterwards fixed at three years, and
it now continues feven, like the Britifh parlia-
ment, whofe revolutions it has followed.
SUPPORTED by a form of government fo folid, F ] ourlft .
fo favourable to that liberty which makes every 5!fw*?oj
thing profper, the colony purfued in tranquillity faufei of
all the labours which its fituation could require or iiiy! 1
encourage. A climate much milder than that of
New-England, a foil fuperior to it for the cultiva-
tion of corn, and equally fit for that of every
other production, foon enabled it to vie fuccefs-
fully with an eftablifhment that had got the ftart
of it in all its productions, and in all the markets.
If it was not equal in its manufactures, this infe-
riority was amply compenfated by a fur trade in-
finitely more considerable. Thefe means of pro-
fperity united to a very great degree of toleration
in religious matters, have increafed its inhabitants
to one hundred and fifty thoufand, five and twenty
thoufand of whomare able to bear arms, and con-
ftitute the national militia.
THE colony would (till have flourished much
more, had not its profperity been obftructed by
the fanaticifm of two governors, the oppreflive
conduct of fome others, and the extravagant
grants made to fome individuals in too high fa-
vour j but thefe inconveniences, which are only
temporary under the Englifh government, have
fome of them ceafed 3 and the reft of them are lef-
fened. The province may, therefore, expect to
fee
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
fee her productions doubly increafed, if the two-
thirds of its territory, which ftill remain un-
cleared, fhould yield as much as that part which
has already been cultivated.
IT is impoffible to forefee what influence thefc
riches may have upon the minds of the inhabi-
tants; but it is certain they have not yet abufed
thofe they have hitherto acquired. The Dutch,
who were the firft founders of the colony, efta-
blifhed in it that fpirit of order and ceconomy,
which is the characteriftic of their nation; and as
they always conftituted the majority of the people,
even after thefe had changed matters, the example
of their decent manners was imitated by all the
New colonifts brought among them fmce the
place had been conquered. The Germans, com-
pelled to take refuge in America by the perfe-
cution which drove them out of the palatinate, or
from the other provinces of the empire, were na^-
turally inclined to this fnnple and modeft way of
life; and the Englifh and French, who were not
accuftomed to fo much frugality, foon conformed,
either from motives of wifdom or emulation, to a
mode of living lefs expenfive, and more familiar
than that which is regulated by fafhion and
parade.
WHAT has been the confequence? That the
colony has never run in debt with the mother-
country; that it has by that means preferved an
entire liberty in its fales and purchafes; and been
enabled always to give the moft advantageous
turn to its affairs. Had the reprefentatives car^-
ried the fame principles into their adminiftration,
4 the
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 20^-
the province would not have entered precipitately BOOK.
into engagements, the burthen of which it already v_ - v -L-
feels.
THE borders of Hudfon's river are decorated
and enlivened by the plantations of the colony.
It is upon this magnificent canal, which is navi-
gable day and night, in all feafons, and -where
the tide runs above a hundred and fixty miles
within the land, that every thing which is intended
for the general market is embarked in vefTds of
forty or fifty tons burthen. The ftaple itfclf,
which is near the fea, is extremely well-fituated for
receiving all the merchandife of the province and
all that comes from Long Ifland, which is only ie-
parated from the continent by a narrow channel.
THIS illand, which takes its name from its
figure, is one hundred and twenty miles in length
and twelve in breadth. It was formerly very fa- -
mous for the great number of whales and fea-
calves taken in its neighbourhood ; but whether
the frequent fifheries have driven away thefe ani-
mals, which generally feek quiet feas and defert
ftiores, it is certain they have difappeared, and
another fpecies of induflry has been found to fup-
ply their lofs. As the paftures are moft excellent,
the breeding of all kinds of cattle, and particu-
larly horfes, has been much attended to, without
neglecting any other branch of cultivation. All
thefe different riches flow to the principal market,
which is alfo increafcd by productions brought
from a greater diftance. Some parts of New-
England and Ncw-Jerfey find their account in
pouring their (lores into this magazine.
206 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
COOK THIS mart is a very confiderable town, which
* v > at prei'ent has the fame name as the colony, and is
called New-York. It was formerly built by the
Dutch, who gave it the name of New-Amfter-
dam, in an ifland called Mariahatton, which is
fourteen leagues long and not very broad. In
1756? its inhabitants amounted to 10,468 white
men, and 2,275 negroes. There is no town
where the air is better, or where there is a more
general appearance of eafe and plenty. Both the
public edifices and private houfes convey the idea
of folidity united to convenience. If the city,
however, were attacked with vigour, it would
fcarcely hold out twenty-four hours, the roads and
the town having no other defence except a bad
fort and a retrenchment of ftone.
NEW-YORK, which ftands at the diftance of
about two miles from the mouth of Hudfon's ri-
ver, has, properly fpeaking, neither port nor
bafon, but it does not want either, becaufe its
road is fufficient. Two hundred and fifty or three
hundred fhips are difpatched from thence every
year for the different ports of Europe and Ame-
rica. England receives but a fmall part of them,
but they are the richeft, becaufe their cargo con-
. fifts of furs and beaver fkins. The manner in
which the colony gets poiTeflion of thefe peltries
is now to be explained.
As foon as the Dutch had built New-Amfter-
dam in a fituation which they thought favourable
for the intercourfe with Europe, they next endea-
voured to eftablifh an advantageous trade there.
The only thing at that time in requeft from North
America
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
America was furs; but as the neighbouring fa- B
vages offered but few, and thofe indifferent ones,
there was a neceflity of going to the north to have
them better and in larger quantities. In confe-
quence of this a project was formed for an efla-
blilhment on the banks of Hudfon's river, at 150
miles diftance from the capital; and the circum-
ftances fortunately proved favourable for obtain-
ing the confent of the Iroquois, to whom the ter-
ritory that was wanted, belonged. This brave
nation happened to be then at war with the French,
who were juft arrived in Canada. In confequence
of an agreement to fupply them with the fame
arms that their enemies ufed, they allowed the
Dutch to build fort Orange, which was afterwards
called fort Albany. There was never the leaft
difpute between the two nations; on the contrary,
the Dutch, with the affiflance of their powder,
lead and guns, which they ufed to give in ex-
change for fkins, fecured to themfelves not only
what they could get by their own hunting in all
the five countries, but even the fpoils collected by
the Iroquois warriors in their expeditions.
THOUGH the Englilh, upon their taking pof-
fefiion of the colony, maintained the union with
the favages, they did not think ferioufly of extend-
ing the fur trade, till the revocation of the edict
of Nantes in 1685, introduced among them the
art of making beaver hats. Their efforts were
for a long time ineffectual, and there were chiefly
two obllacles to their fuccefs. The French were
accuftomed to procure from Albany coverlids,
thick worded fluffs, different iron and copper ma-
2 nufadurcs,
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
nufaftures, even arms and ammunition; all which
they could fell to the favages with the greater ad-
vantage as thefe goods bought at Albany cofl them
one-third lefs than they would have done any other
way. Beiides, the American nations, who were
feparated from New-York by the country of the
Iroquois, in which nobody chofe to venture far,
could hardly treat with any but the French.
BURXET, who was governor of the Englifh
colony in 1720, was either the firft who faw the
evil, or the firft who ventured to ftrike at the root
of it. He prevailed with the general affembly to
forbid all communication between Albany and Ca-
nada, and then obtained the confent -of the Iro-
quois to build and fortify the factory of Ofwego
at his own expence, on that part of the lake On-
tario, by which moft of the favages muft pafs in
their way to Montreal. In confequence of thefe
two operations, the beavers and other peltries were
pretty equally divided between the French and
Englifh. The accefllon of Canada cannot but in-
Creafe at prefent the fhare New- York had in the
trade, as the latter is better fituated for it than the
country which difputed it with her.
IF the Englifti colony has gained by the acqui-
fition of Canada, it does not appear to have loft
any thing by being feparated from New-Jerfey,
which formerly made apart of New Beigia, under
the title of New Sweden.
in what THE Swedes were, in faft, the firft Europeans
New"jerfe y wno fettled in this region, about the year 1639.
the hTds Neglected by their own country, which was too
of t^e weak to be able to extend its protection to them
its prefent at fo great a diftance, they were obliged, at the
<ute,
end
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
end of fixteen years, to furrender to the Dutch,
who united this acquifition to New-Belgia. When
the duke of York received the grant of the two
countries, he feparated them, and divided the lead
of them, called New-Jerfey, betwen two of his
favourites.
CARTERET and Berkley, the firft of whom had
received the eaftern, and the other the weftern
part of the province, folicited this vaft territory
with no other view but to put it up to file. Se-
veral fpeculative pertbns accordingly bought large
diftrifts of them at a low price, which they di-
vided and fold again in fmaller parcels. In the
midft of thefe fubdivifions, the colony became
divided into two diftincl: provinces, each feparately
governed by the heirs of the original proprietors.
The exercifeof this right growing at length incon-
venient, as, indeed,' it was ill adapted to the fitua-
tion of a fubject, they gave up their charter to
the crown in 1702; and from that time the two
provinces became one, and like the greater part
of the other Englifh colonies, were under the di-
rection of a governor, a council, and a general
afTembly.
NEW-JERSEY, fituated between 39 and 40 de-
grees north latitude, is bounded on the eaft by
New-York, on the weft by Penfylvania, on the
north by unknown land, and on the fouth eaft by
the ocean, which waflies its coafts through an ex-
tent of 1 20 miles. This large country before the
laft revolution contained only fixteen thoufand in-
habitants, the dependents of Swedes and Dutch,
\yho were its firft cultivators, and who were joined
VOL. V, P by
aio HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
B o OK by ibme Quakers and fome church of England men,
*,_' v '^ with a greater number of Prefbyterians. The faults
of government flopped the progrefs and occafioned
the indigence of this fmall colony. It might there-
fore have been expected that the sera of liberty
fhould have been that of its profperity; but almoft
all the Europeans who went to the New world in
iearch either of an afylum or riches, preferring
the milder and more fruitful climates of Carolina
and Penfylvania, Ncw-Jerfey could never recover
from its primitive languor. Even at this day, it
does not contain above fifty thoufand white men,
united in villages, or difperled among the planta-
tions, and twenty thoufand blacks.
THE poverty of this province not fuffering it
at firft to open a direct trade with the diftant or
foreign markets, it began to fell its productions
at Philadelphia, and efpecially at New- York, with
which there was an eafy communication by rivers.
It has continued this practice ever fmce, and re-
ceives in exchange from the two cities fome of the
productions of the mother-country. Far, how-
ever, from being able to acquire any articles of
luxury, it cannot even afford to purchafe all the
neceflaries of life; but is obliged itfelf to manu-
facture the greateft part of its clothing.
THERE is of courfe very little fpecie in the
colony, which is reduced to make ufe of paper-
currency. All its bills together do not amount
to more than 1,350,000 livres*. As they are
current both in Penfylvania and New- York, which
do not take any of each other's bills, they bear an
* 59,062!. 10$,
advanced
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
advanced premium above the bills of the fe two
colonies, by being made ufe of in all the pay-
ments between them.
BUT fo trifling an advastage will never give any
real importance to New- Jerky. It is from its
own botbm, that is, from the culture of its
immenfe tract of defert country, that it is to
draw its vigour and profperity. As long as it
Hands in need of intermediate agents, it will never
recover from the ftate of languor into which
it is plunged. This the colony is thoroughly
fenfible of, and all its efforts are now directed
to enable it to act for itfelf. It has even already
made fome with fuccefs. As far back as the year
1751, it found means to fit out, at its own ex-
pence, thirty-eight veflels bound to Europe, or to
the fouthern ifles of America. Thefe veflels car-
ried one hundred and iixty-eight thoufand quintals
of bifcuits, fix thoufand four hundred and twenty-
four barrels of flour, feventeen thoufand nine
hundred and forty- one bufhels of corn, three hun-
dred and fourteen barrels of fait beef and pork,
fourteen hundred quintals of hemp; together
with a pretty large quantity of hams, butter, beer,
linfeed, bar iron, and wood for building. It is
imagined that this direct trade may have increafed
one third fince that time.
THIS beginning of profperity muft raife the
emulation, the induftry, the hopes, the projects^
and the enterprifes of a colony, which hitherto
has not been able to fuflain the part in trade,
which its fituation feemed to promife it. If there
are fome poor and feeble ftatcs that draw their
P 2 fubfiftence
212 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
fubfiftence and fupport from the vicinity of others
more rich and more brilliant than themfelves,
there are a far greater number whom fuch a
neighbourhood entirely crufhes and deftroys.
Such, perhaps, has been the fate of New-Jerfey,
as will appear from the hiflory we are going to
give of Penfylvania, which, lying too clofe to
this colony, has fometimes concealed it with its
fometimes eclipfed it with its fplendour,
BOOK
JN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
BOOK XVIIL
colonies founded in Penfyhania, Virginia^
Maryland, Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. Ge-
neral reflexions on all thefe fettlements.
LUTHER ANlSM, which wasdeftined to caufe * o 6 K
a remarkable change in Europe, either by its t XV " l j J
own influence, or by the example it gave, had oc- The Qua-
eafioned a great ferment in the minds of all men* p e nf y iva-
when there arole in the midft of the commotions a r ', JJ an "
it excited, a new religion, which at firft appeared that feftt
much more like a rebellion guided by fanaticifm,
than like a feel: that was governed by any fixed
principles. In fact, the generality of innovators in
religion follow a regular fyftem, compofed of doc-
trines connected with each other, and in the be-
ginning, at leaft, take arms only to defend them-
felves. The Anabaptifts, on the contrary, as if
they had only looked into the bible for the word
of command to attack, lifted up the ftandatd of
rebellion, before they had agreed upon a fyftem
of doctrine. It is true, indeed, their leaders had
taughtj that it was a ridiculous and ufelefs practice
to adminifter baptifm to infants, and afferted that
their opinion upon this point was the fame as that
of the primitive church; but they had not yet
ever reduced to practice this article of belief, which
P was
i4 HISTORY OF. SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
xv?ii K was ^ e on ty one t ^ iat fornifl 16 ** a pretence for their
-v - ' feparation. The fpirit of fedition prevented them
from paying a proper attention to the fchifmatic
tenets on which their divifion was founded. To
lhake off the tyrannical yoke of church and ftate,
was their law and their faith. To enlift in the
armies of the Lord, to join with the faithful, who
were to wield the fword of Gideon, this was their
device, their motive, and their fignal for rally-
ing.
IT was not till after they had carried fire and
fword into a great part of Germany, that the. ana-
baptifts thought at laft of marking and cementing
their confederacy by fome vifible fign of union.
Having been united at firft by infpiration to raife
a body of troops, in 1525 they were united to
compofe a religious code, and the following were
the tenets they adopted.
IN the mixed fyftem of intolerance and mildnefs
by which they are guided, the anabaptifl church,
being the only one in which the pure word of God
is taught, neither can nor ought to communicate
with any other.
THE fpirit of the Lord blowjng wherefoever it
lifleth, the power of preaching is not limited to
one order of the faithful, but is diipenfed to all.
Every one likewife has the gift of prophecy.
EVERY feel; which has riot preferved a commu-
nity of all things which conftituted the life and fpi-
rit of primitive chriftianity, has degenerated, and
is for that reafon an impure fociety.
MAGISTRATES
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. * i$
MAGISTRATES are ufelefs in a fociety of the BOOK.
truly faithful. A chriftian never has occafion for ./ -
any j nor is a chriftian allowed to be one himfelf.
CHRISTIANS are not permitted to take up arms
even in their own defence, much lefs is it lawful
for them to enlift as foldiers in mercenary armies.
BOTH law-fuits and oaths are forbidden the dif-
ciples of Chrift, who has commanded them to let
their yea, be yea, and their nay, nay.
THE baptifm of infants is an invention of the
devil and the pope. The validity of baptifm
depends upon the voluntary confent of the adults,
vho alone are able to receive it with a confciouf-
refs of the engagement they take upon them-
flves.
SUCH was in its origin the religious fyftem of the
/nabaptifts. Though it appears founded on cha-
rcy and mildnefs, yet it produced nothing but vi-
oence and iniquity. The chimerical idea of an
duality of ftations, is the moft dangerous one that
c;n be adopted in a civilized fociety. To preach
ths fyftem to the people, is not to put them in
rrind of their rights ; it is leading them on to af-
faTmation and plunder. It is letting domeftic ani-
rrals loofe, and transforming them into wild beafts.
Tie rulers of the people muft be more enlighten--
ea, or the laws by which they are governed muft
le foftened j but there is in fad: no fuch thing in
lature as a real equality j it exifts only in the fyf-
em of equity. Even the favagcs thernfelves are
lot equal when once they are collected into hords.
7hey are only fo while they wander in the woods;
aid then the man who fuffers the produce of his
P 4 chace
ci6 HISTORY OP SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK chace to be taken from him, is not the equal of
v .yJ-* him who deprives him of it. Such has been the
origin of all ibcieties.
A DOCTRINE, the bafis of which was the com-
munity of goods and equality of ranks, was hardly
calculated to find partifans any where but among
the poor. The peafants therefore adopted it with
the greater enthufiafm, in proportion as the yoke
from which it delivered them was more infupport-
able. The far greater part, efpecially thofe who
were condemned to flavery, rofe up in arms on
all fides, to fupport a doctrine, which, from being
vaffais, made them equal to their lords. The ap-
prehenfion of feeing one of the firft bands of fo
ciety, obedience to the magiftrate, broken, unitec
all other fects againft them, who could not fubfi
without fubordination. After having carried on ,
more obftinate refiflance than could have been ex
peeted, they yielded at length to the number cf
their enemies. Their feel:, notwithilanding it hal
made its way all over Germany, and into a pat
of the north, was no where prevalent, becaufe t
had been every where oppofed and difperfed. .'t
was but juft tolerated in thofe countries, in whici
the greateft latitude of opinion was allowed ; ard
there was not any ftate in which it was able to fettb
a church, authorifed by the 1 civil power. This c
courfe weakened it r and from obfcurity it fell into
contempt. Its only glory is that of having, per-
haps, contributed to the foundation of the feet of
quakers.
THIS humane and peaceable feet arofe in Eng-
land amid ft the confufions of that bloody war
whici
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 217
which terminated in a monarch's being dragged to BOOK
the fcaffold by his own fubjects. The founder of ^ v ^
it, George Fox, was of the lower clafs of the peo-
ple ; a man who had been formerly a mechanic,
but whom a fingular and contemplative turn of
mind had induced to quit his profeffton. In order
to wean himfelf entirely from all earthly affections,
he broke off all connections with his own family ;
and for fear of being tempted to renew them, he
determined to have no fixed abode. He often
wandered alone in the woods, without any other
amufement but his bible. In time he even learned
to go without that, when he thought he had ac-
quired from it a degree of infpiration fimilar to
that of the apoftles and the prophets.
HE then began to think of making profelytes,
in which he found no difficulty in a country where
the minds of all men were filled and difturbed
with enthufiaftic notions. He was, therefore, foort
followed by a multitude of difciples, the novelty
and fingularity of whofe opinions upon incompre-
henfible fubjects could not fail of attracting and
fafcinating all thofe who were fond of thre mar-
vellous.
THE firft thing by which they caught the eye,
was the fimplicity of their drefs, in which there
was no gold or filver lace, no embroidery, laces,
or ruffles, and from which they affected to banifh
every thing that was fiiperfluous or unneceflary.
They would not fuffer cither a button in the hat,
or a plait in the coat, becaufe it was pofiible to do
without them. Such an extraordinary contempt
for eftablifhed modes reminded, thofe who adopted
it,
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
it, that it became them to be more virtuous than
the reft of men, from whom they diftinguifhed
themfelves by this external modefty.
ALL outward marks of deference, which the pride
and tyranny of mankind exa<5b from thofe who are
unable to refufe them, were difdained by the
quakers, who difclaimcd the names of mafter and
fervant. They condemned all titles, asbeingtokens
of pride in thofe who claimed them, and as mean-
nefs in thofe who beftowed them. They did not
allow to any perfon whatever the appellation of
eminence or excellence, and fo far they might be
in the right j but they refufed to comply with thofe
reciprocal demonstrations of relpecl: which we call
politenefs, and in this they were to blame. The
name of friend, they faid, was not to be refufed
by one chriftian or citizen to another, but the ce-
remony of bowing they confidered as ridiculous
and troublefome. To pull off the hat they held
to be a want of refpect to a man's felf, in order to
fhew it to others. They carried this idea fo far,
that even the magiftrates could not compel them to
any external mark of reverence ; but they addrefT-
ed both them and princes according to the ancient
majefty of language, in the fecond perfon and in
the fingular number.
THE aufterity of their morals ennobled the fm-
gularity of their manners. The ufe of arms,
confidered in every light, appeared a crime to
them. If it was to attack, it was violating the
laws of humanity, if to defend one's felf, it was
breaking through thofe of chriftianity. Univerfal
peace was the gofpel they had agreed to profefs.
If
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 219
If any one fmote a quaker upon one cheek, he im- B
mediately prefented the other j if any one afked
him for his coat, he offered his waiftcoat too.
Nothing could engage thefe equitable men to de-
mand more than the lawful price for their work,
or to take lefs than what they demanded. An oath,
even before a magiftrate, and in fupport of a
juft caufe, they deemed to be a profanation of the
name of God, in any of the wretched difputes that
arife between weak and perifhable beings.
THE contempt they entertained for the outward
forms of politenels in civil life was changed into
averfion for the ritual and ceremonial parts of re-
ligion. They looked upon churches merely as the
oftentatious edifices of prieflcraft, they ccnfidered
the fabbath as a pernicious and idle inftitution, and
baptifm and the Lord's fupper as ridiculous fym-
bols. For this reafon they rejected all regular
orders of clergy. Every one of the faithful they
imagined received an immediate illumination from
the Holy Ghoft, which gave a character far fupe-
rior to that of the priefthood. When they were
aflembled together, the firft perfon who found
himfelf infpired arofe, and imparted the lights he
had received from heaven. Even women were of-
ten favoured with this gift of fpeech, which they
called the gift of prophecy ; fometimes many of
thefe holy brethren fpoke at the fame time ; but
much more frequently a profound filence prevail-
ed in their alTemblies.
THE enthufiafm occafioned both by their medi-
tations and difcourfes, excited fuch a degree of
fenfibility in the nervous fyftem, that it threw
them
22d HrSTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK them into convulfions, for which reafon they were
< tf1-' called quakers. To have cured thefe people in
procefs of time of their folly, nothing more was
requifite than to turn it into ridicule -, but inftead
of this, perfecution contributed to make it more
general. While every other new feel: met with
encouragement, this was expofed to every kind of
punifhment ; imprifonments, whippings, pillories,
mad-houfes, were none of them thought too terrible
for bigots, whofe only crime was that of wanting to
be virtuous and realbnable over-much. The con-
ftancy with which they bore their fufferings, at firft
excited companion, and afterwards admiration for
them. Even Cromwell, who had been one of
their moil violent enemies, becaufe they ufed to
infmuate themfelves into his camps, and difiuade
his foldiers from their profeffion, gave them pub-
lic marks of his efteem. His policy exerted it-
felf in endeavouring to draw them into his party,
in order to conciliate to himfelf a higher degree of
refpect and confideration j but they either eluded
his invitations or rejected them, and he afterwards
confeffed that this was the only religion which
was not to be influenced by bribery.
AMONG the feveral perfons who caft a tempo-
rary luftre on the feet, the only one who deferves
to be remembered by pofterity, is William Penn.
He was the fon of ari admiral, who had been for-
tunate enough to be equally diilinguifhed by Crom-
well, and the two Stuarts, who held the reins of
government after him. This able feaman, more
fupple and more infinuating than men of his pro-
feftion ufually are, had made feveral confiderable
advances
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
advances to government in the different expedi-
tions in which he had been engaged. The mif-
fortunes of the times had not admitted of the re-
payment of thefe loans during his life, and as af-
fairs were not in a better fituation at his death, it
was propofed to his fon, that inftead of money, he
ihould accept of an immenfe territory in America.
It was a country, which, though long fince difco-
yered and furrounded by Englifh colonies, had al-
ways been neglected. A fpirit of benevolence
made him accept with pl'eafure this kind of pa-
trimony, which was ceded to him almoft as a fo-
vereignty, and he determined to make it the abode
of virtue, and the afylum of the unfortunate.
With this generous defign, towards the end of
the year 1681, he fet fail for his new pofTeflions,
which from that time took the name of Penfyl-
vania. All the quakers were defirous to follow
him, in order to avoid the perfecution raifed
againft them by the clergy, on account of their
not complying with the tithes and other ecclefiaf-
tical fees; but from prudential motives he de-
clined taking over any more than two thou-
fand.
His arrival in the New world was fisrnalized by U P wl)a
n f t-i i- f i principle*
an adt of equity, which made his perfon and prm- Penfyiva-
ciples. equally beloved. Not thoroughly fatisfied feJ^JS.
with the right given him to. his extenfive terri-
tory, by the grant he had received of it from the
Britifh miniftry, he determined to make it his own
property by purchafmg it of the natives. The
price he gave to the favages is not known; but
though fome people accufe them of ftupidity for
J confenting
22Z HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
B K y K confenting to part with what they never ought to
w y-1^ have alienated upon any terms; yet Penn is not
lefs entitled to the glory of having given an ex-
ample of moderation andjufliccin America, which
was never thought of before by the Europeans.
He made himfelf as much as poffible a legal pof-
feflbr of the territory, and by the ufe he made of
it fupplied any deficiency there might be in the
validity of his title. The Americans entertained
as great an affection for his colony, as they had
conceived an averfion for all thofe which had been
founded in their neighbourhood without their con-
fent. From that time there arofe a mutual confi-
dence between the two people, founded upon
good faith, which nothing has ever been able to
lhake.
PENN'S humanity could not be confined to the
fnvages only, it extended itfelf to all thofe who
were defirous of living under his laws. Senfible
that the happinefs of the people depended upon
the nature of the legislation, he founded his upon
thofe two firft principles of public fplendour and
private felicity,' liberty and property. The mind
dwells with pleafure o^ri this part of modern hifto-
ry, and feels fome kind of compensation for the
difguft, horror, or melancholy, which the whole
of it, but particularly the account of the Euro-
pean iettlements in America infpires. Hitherto
we have only feen thefe barbarians depopulating
the country before they took poflefiion of it, and
laying every thing wafte before they cultivated. Ic
is time to obierve'the dawnings of reafon, happi-
nefsj and humanity riling from among the ruins of
a hemi*
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
a hemifphere, which Hill reeks with the blood of
all its people, civilized as well as favage.
THIS virtuous legislator made toleration the ba-
fis of his ibciety. He admitted every man who
acknowledged a God to the rights of a citizen, and
made every chriflian eligible to ftate employments.
But he left every one at liberty to invoke the Su-
preme Being as he thought proper, and neither
eilablifhed a reigning church in Penfylvania, nor
exacted contributions for building places of pub-
lic worfhip, nor compelled any perfons to attend
them.
DESIROUS of immortalizing his name, he vefted
in his family the right of nominating the chief go-
vernor of the colony; but he ordained that no
profits fhould be annexed to his employment, ex-
cept fuch as were voluntarily granted -, and that he
fhould have no authority without the concurrence
of the deputies of the people. All the citizens
who had an intereft * in the law, by having one hi
the object of it, were to be electors and might be
chofen. To avoid as much as poflible every kind
of corruption, it was ordained that the reprefen-
tatives fhould be chofen by fuffragcs privately
given. To eilablifh a law, a plurality of voices
was fufficient ; but a majority of two-thirds was
necefiary to fettle a tax. Such a tax as this was
certainly more like a free gift than a fubfidy de-
manded by government ; but was it poflible to
grant lefs indulgences to men who were come fo
far in fearch of peace ?
SUCH was the opinion of that real philofopher
Penn. He gave a thoufand acres to all thofe who
5 could
a^a HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK could afford to pay 430 livres* for them. r Every
u v -' one who could not, obtained for himfelf, his wife,
each of his children above fixteen years old, and
each of his fervants, fifty acres of land, for the an-
nual quit- rent of one fol ten deniers and a halff,
per acre.
To fix thefe properties for ever, he eftablifhed
tribunals to maintain the laws made for the pre-
fervation of property. But it is not protecting the
property of lands to make thofe who are in pof-
fefiion of thempurchafe the decree of juftice that
.fecures them: for in that cafe every individual is
obliged to part with fomeof his property, in order to
fecure the reft; and law, when protracted, exhaufts
the very treaiures it fhould prelerve, and the pro-
perty it fhould defend. Left any peribns fhouid
be found whofe intereft it might be to encourage
or prolong law-fuits, he forbad under very ftricl
penalties all thofe who were engaged in the adrr.i-
niftration of juftice, to receive any falary or grati-
fication whatfoever. And further, every diilruft
was obliged to chufe three arbitrators, whofe bu-
finefs it was to endeavour to prevent, and accom-
modate any difputes that might happen, before
they were carried into a court of juftice.
THIS attention to prevent law-fuits fprang from
the defire of preventing crimes. All. the laws,
that they might have no vices to punifh, were cal-
culated to put & flop to theai even in their very
fources, poverty and idlenefs. It was enacted that
every child above twelve years old, fhould be
obliged to learn a profeflion, let his condition be
* 19-!, 135. 6 d. f About one penny.
what
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 2
what it would. This regulation at the fame time B x ^j
that it fecured the poor man a fubfiitence, fur- v.^^.
nifhed the rich man with a refource againft every
reverfe of fortune, preferved the natural equality
of mankind, by recalling to every man's remem-
brance his original deftination, which is that of
labour, either of the mind or of the body.
SUCH primary inftitutions would be necefiarily
productive of an excellent legiflation; and ac-
cordingly the advantages of that eftablifhed by
Penn, were manifested in the rapid and continued
profperity of Penfylvania, which, without either
wars, conquefts, druggies, or any of thofe revo-
lutions which attract the eyes of the vulgar, foon
excited the admiration of the whole univerfe. Its
neighbours, notwithstanding their favageflate, were
foftened by the fweetnefs of its manners, and dif-
tant nations, notwithflanding their corruption,
paid homage to its virtues. All were delighted to
fee thofe heroic days of antiquity realized, which
European manners and laws had long taught every
one toconfideras entirely fabulous.
PENSYLVANIA is defended on the eaft by the profpfritf
ocean, on the north by New- York and New-Jer- an f a e . nf>1 '
fey, on the fouth by Virginia and Maryland, on
the weft by the Indians] on all fides by friends,
and within itfelf by the virtue of its inhabitants.
Its coafts, which are at firft very narrow, extend
gradually to 120 miles, and the breadth of it,
which has no other limits than its population and
culture, already comprehends 145 miles. Thefky
of the colony is pure and ferene, and the climate
naturally very wholefome, has been rendered flilf
VOL. V. CL more.
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
** mn
xv Hi.
B K more fo by cultivation; the waters equally falu-
brious and clear, always flow upon a bed of rock
or fand: and the year is tempered by the regular
return of the fcafons. Winter, which begins in
the month of January, lafrs till the end of March.
As it is feldom accompanied with clouds or fogs,
the cold is, generally fpeaking, moderate; fome-
times, however, fharp enough to freeze the largeft
rivers in a night's time. This change, which is
as fhort as it is fudden^ is occafioned by the
north- weflvvinds, which blow from the mountains
and lakes of Canada. The fprin.g is ufhered in by
ibft rains and a gentle heat, which increafes gra-
dually till the end of June. The heats of the
dog-days would be infupportable were it not for
the refrefning breezes of the fouth-weft wind; but
this relief, though pretty conftant, fometimes ex-
poles the inhabitants to hurricanes that blow down
whole forefts, and tear u.p trees by the roots, efpe-
ciallyin the neighbourhood of thefea, where they
are molt violent. The three autumnal months
are commonly, attended with no other inconve-
nience but that of being too rainy.
THOUGH the country is unequal, it is not on
that account lefs fertile. The foil in fome places
confifts of a yellow and black fand, in others it is
gravelly and fometimes it is a greyiihafh-colour up-
on, a flony bottom j generally fpeaking, it is a rich
earth, particularly between the riyulets, which inter-
jecting it in all directions, contribute more to the
fertility of the country than navigable rivers would*
WHEN the Europeans firft came into the coun-
try, they found nothing but wood for building
and
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 227
and iron mines. In procefs of time, by cutting BOOK
down the trees, and clearing the ground, they '-''
covered it with innumerable herds, a great variety
of fruits, plantations of flax and hemp, many kinds
of vegetables, every fort of grain and efpecially
rye and maize ; which a happy experience had
fhewn to be particularly proper to the climate.
Cultivation was carried on in all parts with fuch
vigour and fuccefs as excited the aftonifhment of
all nations.
FROM whence could arife this extraordinary
profperity ? From that civil and religious liberty
which have attracted the Swedes, Dutch, French,
and particularly fome laborious Germans into that
country. It has been the joint work of Quakers,
Anabapdfts, members of the church of England,
Methodifrs, Prefbyterians, Moravians, Lutherans,
and Catholics.
AMONG the numerous feels which abound in
this country, a very diftinguiflied one is that of
the Dumplers. It was founded by a German,
who, weary of the world, retired to an agreeable
folitude within fifty miles of Philadelphia, in order
to be more at liberty to give himfelf up to con-
templation. Curiofity brought feveral of his coun-
trymen to vifit his retreat, and by degrees his
pious, fimple, and peaceable manners induced
them to fettle near him, and they all formed a
little colony which they called Euphrates, in allu-
fion to the Hebrews, who ufed to fing pfalms on
the borders of that river.
THIS little city forms a triangle, the outfides of
which are bordered with mulberry and apple-trees,
Q^2 planted
228 HISTORY O? SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
B XVJ. K pl ante d with regularity. In the middle of the
* v ' town is a very large orchard, and between the or-
chard and thefe ranges of trees are houfes, built
of wood, three ftories high, where every Dumpier
is left to enjoy the pleafures of his meditations
without diflurbance. Thefe contemplative men
do not amount to above five hundred in alii their
territory is about 250 acres in extent, the boun-
daries of which are marked by a river, a piece of
ftagnated water, and a mountain covered with
trees.
THE men and women live in feparate quarters
of the city. They never fee each other but at
places of worfhip, nor are there any arTemblies of
any kind but for public brjfinefs. Their life is
fpent in labour, prayer, and fleep. Twice every
day and night they are called forth from their
cells to attend divine fervice. Like the Metho-
difts and Quakers, every individual among them
has the right of preaching when he thinks himfelf
infpired. The favourite fubjects on which they
difcourfe in their aflemblies, are humility, tem-
perance, chaftity, and the other chriftian virtues.
They never violate that day of repofe, which all
orders of men, whether idle or laborious, much
delight in. They admit a hell and a paradiie;
but reject the eternity of future punifhments.
They abhor the doftrine of original fin as an im-
pious blafphemy, and in general every tenet that
is fevere to man appears to them injurious to the
divinity. As they do not allow merit to any but
voluntary works, they only adminifter baptifm to
the adult. At the fame time they think baptifm
fo
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 229
fb efientially neceflary to falvation, that they ima- BOOK
gine the fouls of chriflians in another world are ' <~-*J
employed in converting thofe who have not died
under the law of the gofpel.
STILL more difmterefted than the Quakers
they never allow themfelves any law-fuits. One
may cheat, rob and abufe them without ever be-
ing expofed to any retaliation, or even any com-
plaint from them. Religion has the fame effect on
them that philofophy had upon the Stoics ; it
makes them infenfible to every kind of infult.
NOTHING can be plainer than their drefs. In
winter, it is a long white gown, from whence
there hangs a hood, which ferves inftead of a hat,
a coarfe fhirt, thick fhoes, and very wide breeches.
The only difference in fummer, is, that linen is
ufed inftead of woollen. The women are drefled
much like the men, except that they have no
breeches.
THEIR common food confifts wholly of vege-
tables, not becaufe it is unlawful to eat any other,
but becaufe that kind of abflinence is looked upon
as more conformable to the fpirit of chriftianhy
which has an averfion for blood. Each individual
follows with cheerful nefs the branch of bufmefs al-
lotted to him. The produce of all their labours is
depofitecl in a common flock, in order to fupply
the neceffities of every one. This union of in-
duftry has not only eftablifhed agriculture, manu-
factures, and all the arts neceflary for the fupport
of this little fociety, but hath alfo fupplied for the
purpofes of exchange, fuperfluities proportioned
to the degree of its population.
THOUGH
230 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
B xvm K THOUGH the two fexes live feparate at Euphra-
< - v '-J tes, the Dumplers do not on that account foolifh-
ly renounce matrimony: but thofe who find them-
felves difpofed to it leave the city, and form an
eftablifhment in the country, which is fupported
at the public expence. They repay this by the
produce of their labours, which is all thrown into
the public treafury, and their children are fent to
be educated in the mother-country. Without this
wife privilege the Dumplers would be no better
than monks, and inprocefs of time would become
either favages or libertines.
THE mod edifying, and at the fame time the
moil extraordinary circumftance, is the harmony
that fubfifts between all 'the feels eftablifhed in
Penfylvania, notwithftanding the difference of their
religious opinions. Though not all of the fame
church, they all love and cherifh one another as
children of the fame father. They have always
continued to live like brethren, becaufe they had
the liberty of thinking as men. To this delight-
ful harmony muft be attributed more particularly
the rapid progrcfs of the colony.
AT the beginning of the year '1766 its popula-
tion amounted to 150,000 white people. The
number mud have been confiderably increafed
fmce that period, having doubled every fifteen
years, according to Mr. Franklin's calculations.
There were thirty thoufand blacks in 'the pro-
vince, who though they met with lefs ill-ufage
in this province than in the others, were ftill ex-
ceedingly unhappy. A circumftance, however not
cafily believed is, that the fu ejection of the ne-
groes
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. -
groes has not corrupted the morals of their maf- B ,? v t rr
ters; their manners are ftill pure, and even an- * A v '
ftere, in Penfylvania. Is this fmgular advantage
to be afcribed to the climate, the laws, the reli-
gion, the emulation conftantly fubfilling between
the different fects, or to fome other particular
caufe? Let the reader determine this queftion.
THE Penfylvanians are in general well made,
and their women of an agreeable figure. As they
iboner become mothers than in Europe, they fooner
ceafe breeding. If the heat of the climate feems
on the one hand to haften the operations of na-
ture, its inconftancy weakens them on the other.
There is no place where the temperature of the
fky is more uncertain, for it fometimes changes
five or fix times in the fame day.
As however thefe varieties neither have any dan-
gerous influence upon the vegetables, nor deftroy
the harvefts, there is a conilant plenty, and an
univerfal appearance of eafe. The ceconomy which
is fo particularly attended to in Penfylvania, does
not prevent both fexes from being well-clothed;
and their food is ftill preferable in its kind to their
clothing. The families, whofe circumftances are
the leafl eafy, have all of them bread, meat, cy-
der, beer, and rum. A very great number are able
to afford to drink conftantly French and Spanifh
wines, punch, and even liquors of a higher price.
The abufe of thefe ftrong drinks is Ids frequent
than in other places, but is not without ex-
ample.
THE pleafing view of this abundance is never
difturbed by the melancholy appearance of pover-
ty.
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
* There are no poor in all Penfylvania. All
thofe whofe birth or fortune have left them with-
out refources are fuitably provided for out of the
public treafury. The fpirit of benevolence is car-
ried Hill further, and is extended even to the moil
engaging hofpitality. A traveller is welcome to
flop in any place, without the apprehenfions of
giving the leaft uneafy fenfation, except that of
regret for his departure.
THE happinefs of the colony is not difturbed
by the oppreffive burden of taxes. In 1766, they
did not amount to more than 280,140 livres*.
Moft of them, even thofe that were defigned to
repair the damages of war, were to ceafe in 1722.
If the people did not experience this alleviation at
that period, it was owing to the irruptions of the
favages, which had occafioned extraordinary ex-
pences. This trifling inconvenience would not
have been attended to, if Penn's family could
have been prevailed upon to contribute to the
public expences, in proportion to the revenue they
.obtain from the province: a circumftance required
by the inhabitants, and which inequity they ought
to have complied with.
THE Penfylvanians, happy poflfefibrs, and peace-
able tenants of a country that ufually renders them
twenty or thirty fold for whatever they lay out
upon it, are not reftrained by fear from the pro-
pagation of their fpecies. There is hardly an un-
married perfpn to JDC met with in the country.
Marriage is the more happy and the more reve-
renced for it; the freedom as well as the fanftily
* 12,256!. 2s. 6d.
of
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
pf it depends upon the choice of the parties: they
chufe the lawyer, and the prieft rather as witnefTes,
than as the means to cement their engagement.
Whenever two lovers meet with any oppofition,
they go off on horfeback together, the man gets
behind his miftrefs, and in thisfituation they pre-
fent themfelves before the magiftrate, where the
girl declares fhe has run away with her lover, and
that they are come to be married. So folemn an
avowal cannot be rejected, nor has any perfon a
right to give them any moleflation. In all other
cafes, paternal authority is exceffive. The .head
of a family, whofe affairs are involved, is allowed
to fell his children to his creditors; a punifhment
one fhould imagine very fufficient to induce an af-
fectionate father to attend to his affairs. An adult
difcharges in one year's fervice a debt of 120 li-
vres, 10 fols*: children under twelve years of age
are obliged to ferve till they are one and twenty,
in order to payoff 135 livresf. This is an image
of the old patriarchal manners of the eaft.
THOUGH there are feveral villages, and even
fome cities in the colony, moft of the inhabitants
may be faid to live feparately, as it were, within
their families. Every proprietor of land has his
hpufe in the midft of a large plantation entirely
furrounded with quickfet hedges. Of courfe each
parifh is near twelve or fifteen leagues in circum-
ference. This diftance of the churches makes the
ceremonies of religion have little effect, and ftill
Jefs influence. Children are not baptifed till a
* 4!. igs. 8d. .1, f 5]. i8s. id. I,
few
234 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK f ew months, and fornetimes not till a year or two
* s J after their birth.
ALL the pomp of religion feems to be referred
for thelaft honours man receives before he is Unit
up in the grave for ever. As foon as any perfon
is dead in the country, the neareft neighbours
have notice given them of the day of the burial.
Thefe fpread it in the habitations next to theirs,
and within a few hours the news is thus conveyed
to a diftance. Every family fends at leaft one
perfon to attend the funeral. As they come in
they are prefented with punch and cake. When
the affembly is complete, the corpfe is carried to
the burying-ground belonging to his feet., or if
that fhould be at too great a diftance, into one of
the fields belonging to the family. There is ge-
nerally a train of four or five hundred perfons on
horfeback, who obferve a continual filence, and
have all the external appearance fuitable to the
melancholy nature of the ceremony. One fingu-
lar circumftance is, that the Penfylvanians who are
the greateft enemies to parade during their lives,
feem to forget this character of modefty at their
deaths. They are all defirous that the poor re-
mains of their fhort lives fhould be attended with
a funeral pomp proportioned to their rank or for-
tune.
IT is a general obfervation, that plain and virtu-
ous people, even thofe that are favage and poor,
pay great attention to the ordering of their fune-
rals. The reafon is, that they look upon thefe
laft honours as duties of the furvivors, and the du-
ties themfelves as fo many diftin6t proofs of that
principle
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. z$$
principle of love, which is very ftrong in private B 9 I K '
families while they are in a flate neareft to that of * ^-J
nature. It is not the dying man himfelf who exacts
thefe honours i his parents, his wife, his children
voluntarily pay them to the aflies of a hufband
and father that has deferved to be lamented.
Thefe ceremonies have always more numerous at-
tendants in fmall focieties than in larger ones, be-
caufe though there are fewer families upon the
whole, the number of individuals there is much
larger, and all the ties that connect them with each
other are much ftronger. This kind of intimate
union has been the reafon why fo many fmall na-
tions have overcome larger ones; it drove Xerxes
and the Perfians out of Greece, and it will fome
time or other expel the French from Corfica.
BUT from whence does Penfylvania get the arti-
cles neceffary for her own confumption, and in
what manner does fhe contrive to be abundantly
furnifhed with them ? With the flax and hemp
that is produced at home, and the cotton fhe pro-
cures from South America, fhe fabricates a great
quantity of ordinary linens; and with the wool
that comes from Europe fhe manufactures many
eoarfe cloths. Whatever her own induftry is not
ableto furnifh, fhe purchafes with the produce of
her territory. Her fhips carry over to the Eng-
lifh, French, Dutch, and Danifh iflands,' bifcuit,
flour, butter, cheefe, tallow, vegetables, fruits,
fait meat, cyder, beer, and all forts of wood for
building; The cotton, fugar, coffee, brandy, and
money received in exchange, are fo many mate-
rials for a frefh commerce with the mother-coun-
try,
236 HISTORY OF ^SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
B o^ K tr y y an d with other European nations as well as
-v / with other colonies. The Azores, Madeira, the
Canaries, Spain and Portugal, open an advanta-
geous market for the corn and wood of Penfylva-
nia, which they purchafe with wine and piaftres.
The mother- country receives from Penfylvania iron,
flax, leather, furs, linfeed oil, mails and yards,
for which it returns thread, wool, fine cloths, tea,
Irifh and India linens, hardware, and other arti-
cles of luxury or neceflity. But as England fells
a greater quantity of merchancliie to the colony
than fhe purchafes from it, fhe may be confidered
as a gulph in which all the fpecie Penfylvania has
drawn from the other parts of the world is loft. In
1723, England fent over goods to Penfylvania on-
ly to the value of 250,000 livres*; at prefent fhe
furnifhes to the amount of 1 0,000,000 f. It is
impofiible that the colonifts fhould pay fo confi-
derable a fum, even though they fhould deprive
themfelves of all the gold they receive from other
markets; nor will they ever be able to do this r
while the clearing of their lands requires greater
expences than the produce will enable them to an-
fwer. Our colonies, which enjoy almoft exclufive-
ly fome branches of trade, fuch as rice, tobacco,
and indigo, muft have grown rich very rapidly.
Penfylvania, whofe riches are founded on agricul-
ture and the increafe of her flocks, will acquire
them more gradually j but her profperity will be
fixed upon a more firm and permanent bafis.
IF any circumftance can retard the progrefs of
the colony, it muft be the irregular manner in
* 10,937!. io3. t 437>5 o1 '
which
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. * 3
which the plantations are formed. Penn's family, B o o
who are the proprietors of all the lands, grant i. ,- v
them indifcriminately in all parts, and in as large
a proportion as they are required, provided they
are paid fifty crowns* for each hundred acres, and
that the purchafers agree to give an annual rent of
about one folf. The confequence of this is, that
the province wants that fort of connection which is
fo neceflary in all eftablifhments, and that the fcat-
tered inhabitants eafily become the prey of the
moft infignifkant enemy that ventures to attack
them.
THERE arc different ways of clearing the lands
which are followed in the colony. Sometimes a
huntfman will fettle in the midft of a forefl, or
quite clofe to it. His neareft neighbours affift him
in cutting down trees, and placing them one above
another: and this conflitutes a houfe. Around
this fpot he cultivates, without any affiftance, a
garden or a field, fufficient to fubfift himfelf and
his family.
A FEW years after the firft labours are fmifliecf,
fome more aclive or richer men arrive from the
mother-country. They indemnify the huntfman
for his labour, and agree with the proprietors of
the provinces for fome lands that have not yet
been paid for. They build more commodious
habitations, and clear a greater extent of terri-
tory.
AT length fome Germans, who come into the
New world from inclination, or are driven into it
by perfection, complete thefe fettlements that are
* 61. us. 3d. f About one halfpenny.
as
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
B >vii' K as y et un ^ n ^ e d- The firft and fecond order of
v v ' planters remove into other parts, with a more con-
fiderable ftock for carrying on agriculture than
they had at firft.
THE annual exports of Penfylvania may be va-
lued at 25,000 tons. It receives four hundred
fhips, and fits out about an equal number. They
all in general come into Philadelphia, which is the
capital, from whence they are alfo difpatched.
THIS famous city, whole very name recalls eve-
ry humane feeling, is fituated at the conflux of
the Delaware and the Schuylkill, about 120
miles from the fea. Penn, who deftined it for the
metropolis of a great empire, defigned it to be one
mile in breadth and two in length between the
rivers; but its population has proved inefficient
to cover this extent of ground. Hitherto the
banks of the Del-aware are only built upon; but
without giving up the, ideas of the legifiator, or
deviating from his plan. Thefe precautions are
highly proper. Philadelphia muft become the moft
confiderable city of America, becaufe the colony
muft neceffarily improve greatly, and its pro-
duiflions muft pafs through the harbour of the
* capital before they arrive at the fea.
THE ftreets of Philadelphia, which are all regu-
lar, are in general fifty feet broad ; the two princi-
pal ones are a hundred. On each fide of them there
are foot-paths defended by pofts, placed at diffe-
rent diftances. The houfes, each of which has its
garden and orchard, are commonly two ftories
high, and are built either of brick, or of a kind
of foft ftone, which grows hard by being expofed
to
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
to the air. Till very lately the walls had but lit-
tie thicknefs, becaufe they were only intended to
fupport a covering of a very light kind of wood.
Since the difcovery of (late quarries, the walls
have acquired a. folidity proportioned to the weight
of the new roofs. The pr-efent buildings have re-
ceived an additional decoration from a kind of
marble of different colours, which is found about
a mile out of the town. Of this, tables, chimney-
pieces, and other houfehold furniture are made;
befides which it is become a pretty confiderable
article of commerce with the greateft part of
America.
THESE valuable materials could not have been
found in common-, in the houfes, unlefs they had
been lavifhed in the churches. Every feel: has its
own church, andfome of them have feveral. But
there are a pretty confiderable number of citizens,
who have neither churches, priefts, nor any pub-
lic form of worfhip, and who are ftill happy, hu-
mane, and virtuous.
THE town-houie is a building held in as much
veneration, though not fo much frequented as. the
churches. It is conftructed with the greateft
magnificence. There the legiflators of the colony
afTemble every year, and more frequently if ne-
ceffary, to fettle every thing relative to public bu-
fmefs. All matters debated in this afifembly are
fubmitted to the authority of the nation, and are
difcufled by its reprefentatives. Next to the town-
houfe is a moft elegant library, formed in 1742
under the care of the learned Dr. Franklin, and
confifting of the beft Englilh, French, and Latin
2 authors.
240 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
E xvm K authors. It is only open to the public on Satur-
u ' days. The founders have free accefs to it the
whole year. Others pay a trifle for the loan of
the books, and a forfeit if they are not returned
at a flated time. This little fund, which is con-
ftantly accumulating, is appropriated to the in-
creafe of the library, to which have been lately
added, in order to make it more ufeful, fome ma-
thematical and philofophical inftruments, with a
very fine cabinet of natural hiftory.
THE college, which is intended to prepare the
mind for the attainment of all the fciences, was
founded in 1749. At firft, it only initiated the
youth in the Belles Lettres. In 1764, a clafs- of
medicine was eftablifhed there. Knowledge of
every kind, and matters in every fcience will in-
creafe, in proportion as the lands, which are be-
come their patrimony, (hall yield a greater pro-
duce. If ever defpotifm, fuperilition, or war
fliould plunge Europe again into that ftate of bar-
barifm out of which philosophy and the arts have
extricated it, the facred fire will be kept alive in
Philadelphia, and come from thence to enlighten
the world.
THIS city is amply fupplied with every afliftance
human nature can require, and with all the re-
fources induftry can make ufe of. Its keys, the
principal of which is two hundred feet wide, pre-
ient a fuite of convenient warehonfes and docks
ingenioufly contrived for fhip-building. Ships of
five hundred tons may land there without any dif-
ficulty, except in times of froft. There is taken
on board the merchandife which ha.s either been
3 brought
IN THE EAST ANft WEST INDIES.
brought by the rivers Schuylkill and Delaware) or
carried along better roads than are to be met with
in moft parts of Europe. Police has made a
greater progrefs in thispart of the New world, than
among the moft ancient nations of the Old.
IT is impoflible to determine precifely the popu*
lation of Philadelphia, as the bills of mortality are
not kept with any exaftnefs, and there are feveral
feels who do not chriften their children. It ap*
pears a fact, however, that in 1766 it contained
20,000 inhabitants. As moft of them are em-
ployed in the fale of the productions of the colony,
and in fupplying it with what they draw from
abroad, their fortunes muft neceflarily be very
Confiderable j and they muft increafe ftill further,
in proportion as the cultivation advances in a coun-
try where not above one-fixth of the land has hi-
therto been cleared.
PHILADELPHIA, as well as Newcaftle and the
other cities of Penfylvania, is entirely open. The
whole country is equally without defence. This
is a neceffary confequence of the principles of the
Quakers, who have always maintained the princi-
pal influence in the public deliberations, though
they do not form above one-third part of the in*
habitants of the colony. Thefe fectaries cannot
be too much favoured, on account of their mo-
defty, probity, love of labour, and benevolence. One
might, perhaps, be tempted to accufe their legif.
lation of imprudence and temerity*
IT may, perhaps, be faid, that when- the foun-
ders of the colony eftablifhed that civil fecurity
which protects one citizen from another, they
Voj.. V. R fliould
242 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
B x vni K fo u ld a tf nave eftablifhed that political fecurity,
^ \r ' which protects one ftate from the encroachments
of another. The authority which hath been exerted
to maintain peace and good order at home, feems
to have done nothing if it has not prevented inva-
fion from abroad. To pretend that the colony
would never have any enemies, was to fuppofe the
world peopled with Quakers. It was encouraging
the ftrong to fall upon the weak, leaving the lamb
to the mercy of the wolf, and fubmitting the whole
country to the oppreffive yoke of the firft tyrant
who fhould think proper to fubdue it.
BUT on the other hand, how fhall we reconcile
the ftrictnefs of the gofpel maxims by which the
Quakers are literally governed, with thofe military
preparations either offenfive or defenfive, which
maintain a continual ftate of war between all chrif-
tian nations. Befides, what could the French or Spa-
niards do, if they were to enter Penfylvania fword
in hand ? Unlefs they maffacred in the fpace of a
night or a day's time, all the inhabitants of that
fortunate region, they would not be able totally to
extirpate the race of thofe mild and charitable
men. Violence has its boundaries in its very ex-
cefs j it is confumed and extinguifhed, as the fire
in the afhes that feed it. But virtue, when guided
by humanity and by the fpirit of benevolence, is
revived as the tree under the edge of the prun-
ing knife. The ambitious ftand in need of num-
bers to execute their fanguinary projects. But the
Quaker, who is a good man, wants only a brother
from whom he may receive, or to whom he may
'give afiiftance. Let then the warlike nations, let
* people
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 24$
people who are either flaves or tyrants, go into B v n *
Penfylvania ; there they will find all avenues open v v -*
to them, all property at their difpofal ; not a fm-
gle foldier, but numbers of merchants and far-
mers. But if thefe inhabitants are tormented, re-
ftrained or opprefled, they will fly, and leave their
lands uncultivated, their manufactures deftroyed,
and their warehoufcs empty. They will cultivate,
and fpread population in fome new land; they
will go round the world, and perifh in their pro-
grefs, rather than turn their arms againft their pur-
fuers, or fubmit to bear the yoke. Their ene-
mies will have only gained the hatred of mankind,
and the execration of pofterity.
IT is upon this view of things and on this fore-
fight, that the Penfylvanians found the opinion of*
their future fecurity. At prefent they have nothing
to fear from the country that lies behind them, fmce
the French have loft Canada ; and the flanks of
the colony are fufficiently defended by the Eng-
lifh fettlements. Befides, as they do not perceive
that the mod warlike ftates are the moft perma-
nent j that miftruft, which is ever upon its guard,,
makes men reft with greater tranquillity j or that
there can be any fatisfaclion in the pofleffion of any
thing that is kept with fuch apprehenfions ; they en-
joy the prefent moment, without any concern for the
future. Perhaps too, they may think themfelves fe-
cured by thofe very precautions that are taken in
the colonies that furround them. One'of the bar-
riers or bulwarks that preferves Penfylvania from a
maritime invafion to which it is expofed, is Vir-
ginia.
R 2 VIRGINIA,
244 HISTQRY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
B xvm K VIRGINIA, which was intended to denote a
* v ' that extenfive (pace which the Englifh propofed
StHf ed occupy in the continent of North-America, is
itt'Trl^fet* P re * ent confined within much narrower limits. It.
tiement. now comprehends only that country, which is
bounded to the north by Maryland ; to the fouth
by Carolina j to the weft by the Apalachian
mountains, and to the eaft by the ocean. This
tract is two hundred and forty miles in length,
and two hundred in breadth.
THE Engliih landed at Virginia in 1606; and
their firft fettlement was James-Town. Unfortu-
nately, the object that firft prefented itfelf to them
was a rivulet, which, iffuing from a fand-bank,
carried along with it a quantity of talc, which
glittered at the bottom of a clear and running
water. In an age when gold and filver mines
were the only objects of mens refearches, this def-
picable fubftance was immediately taken for
filver. The firft and only employment of the new
colonifts was to collect it; and the illufion was
carried fo far, that two fhips which arrived there
with neceflaries were fent home fo fully freighted
with thefe imaginary riches, that there fcarce re-
mained any room for a few furs. As long as the
infatuation lafted, the colonifts difdained to em^
ploy themfelves in clearing the lands ; fo that a
dreadful famine was at laft the confequence of this
foolifh pride. Sixty men only remained alive out
of five hundred that came from Europe. Theft
few, having only a fornight's provifion left, we
upon die point of embarking for Newfoundland
whe
;
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
when Lord Delaware arrived there with three fliips, B
a frefh colony, and fupplies of all kinds.
HISTORY has defcribed this nobleman to us as
a man whofe genius raifed him above the common
prejudices of the times. His difmtereftednefs was
equal to his knowledge. In accepting the go-
vernment of the colony, which was {till in its in-
fancy, he had no motive but to gratify the incli-
nation a virtuous mind has to do good, and to fe-
cure the efteem of pofterity, which is the fecon4
reward of that generofity that devotes itfelf totally
to the fervice of the public. As foon as he ap-
peared, the knowledge of his charcter procured
him univerfal refpect. He firft endeavoured to
reconcile the wretched coloniits to their fatal coun-
try, to comfort them in their fufferings, to make
them hope for a fpeedy conclufion of them. Af-
ter this, joining the firmnefs of an enlightened
magiftrate to the tendernefs of a good father, he
taught them how to direct their labours to an ufe-
ful end. Unfortunately for the reviving colony,
Delaware's declining health foon obliged him to
return to Europe j but he never loft fight of his
favourite colonifts, nor ever failed to make ufe of
all his credit and intereft at court to fupport them.
The colony, however, made but little progrefs, a
circumftance that was attributed to the oppreffion
of exclufive privileges. The company which ex-
ercifed them was diflblved upon Charles the Firft's
accefiion to the throne, and from that time Vir-
ginia was under the immediate direction of the
crown, which exacted no more than a rent of 2
R 3 livres,
246 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
B xvm K l* vres > 5 *1 S * J u P on evei T hundred acres that were
v^-^y > cultivated.
TILL this time the colonifts had known no true
enjoyment of property. Every individual wan-
dered where chance directed him, or fixed himfelf
in the place he liked beft, without confuhing any
titles or agreements. At length boundaries were
afcertained, and thofe who had been fo long wan-
derers, now become citizens, had determined li-
mits to their plantations. The eftablifhment of
this firft law of fociety changed the appearance of
every thing. New buildings arofe on every fide,
and were furrounded by frelh plantations. This
activity drew great numbers of enterprifing men
over to Virginia, who came either in fearch of for-
tune, or of liberty, which is the only compenfa-
tion for the want of it. The memorable troubles
that produced a change in the conftitution of Eng-
land added to thefe a multitude of Royalifts, who
went there with a refolution to wait with Berkley,
the governor of the colony, who was alio attached
to king Charles, the fate of that deferted mo-
narch. Berkley ftill continued to protect them,
even after the king's death ; but fome of the in-
habitants either brought over or bribed, and fup-
ported by the appearance of a powerful fleet, de-
livered up the colony to the Protector. If the
governor was compelled to follow the ftream
againft his will, he was, at lead, among thofe
whom Charles had honoured with pofts of con-
fidence and rank, the laft who fubmitted to
Cromwell, and the firft who fhook off his yoke.
* About 2 s.
This
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
This brave man was finking under the oppreffion B
of the times, when the voice of the people re-
called him to the place which his fucceflbr's death
had left vacant ; but far from yielding to thefe
flattering folicitations, he declared that he never
would ferve any but the legitimate heirs of the
dethroned monarch. Such an example of magna-
nimity, at a time when there were no hopes of the
refloration of the royal family, made fuch an im-
prefllon upon the minds of the people, that
Charles the Second was proclaimed in Virginia be-
fore he had been proclaimed in England. .
THE colony did not, however, receive all the
benefit from fuch a ftep that might naturally have
been expected from it. While the court, on one
hand, granted to rapacious men of family exorbi-
tant privileges, which abforbed the property of
feveral obfcure colonifls ; the parliament, on the
other, laid excefiive taxes upon both the exports
from, and imports to, Virginia. This double op-
preflion flopped all the refources, and difpelled all
the hopes, of the colony j and to complete its mif-
fortunes, the favages, who had never been fuffi-
ciently attended to, took that opportunity to re-
new their incurfions, with a fpirit and uniformity
of defign, that had never yet been known.
SUCH a complication of misfortunes drove the
Virginians to defpair. Berkley, who had ib long
been their idol, was accufed of wanting fortitude
to refifl the opprefllons of the mother-country,
and activity to repel the irruptions of the favages.
The eyes of all were immediately fixed upon Ba-
cen, a young officer, full of vivacity, eloquence,
R 4 and
248 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
O O I
xyin.
5 K and intrepidity, of an infmuating difpofition, and
an agreeable perfon. They chofe him for their
general in an irregular and tumultuous manner.
Though his military fucceffes might have juftified
this prepoffefllon of the licentious multitude, yet
this circumflance did not prevent the governor
from declaring Bacon a traitor to his country. A
fentence fo fevere, and which was ill-timed, de-
termined Bacon to afllime a power by force, which
he had exercifed peaceably and without oppofition
for fix months. His death put a itop to all his
projects. The malecontents, difumted by the
death of their chief, and intimidated by the troops
which were coming from Europe, were induced
to fue for pardon, which was readily granted
them. The rebellion, therefore, was attended
with no bad confequences. Mercy infured obe-
dience j and fmce this remarkable crifis the hif-
tory of Virginia has been confined to the account
of its plantations.
Seirt'Uf This great eftabliftiment was governed at the
Virginia, fl r ft. by perfons placed at the head of it by the
company. Virginia afterwards engaged the at-
tention of the mother-country, which in 1620
gave it a regular form of government, compofed
of a chief, a council, and deputies from each coun-
ty ; to whofe united care the interefts of the pro-
vince were committed. At firft, the council and
reprefentatives of the people ufed -to meet in the
fame room, as they did in Scotland. But in 1689^
they divided, and had each their feparate chamber,
in imitation of the parliament of England. This
cuftojn has been continued ever fmce,
THE
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
THE governor, who is always appointed by the
king, and for an unlimited period, has the fole
tlifpofal of the regular troops, the militia, and of
all military employments, as well as the power of
approving or rejecting whatever laws are propofed
by the general affembly. Befides this, with the
concurrence of the council, to which he leaves
very little power in other matters, he may either
prorogue or entirely diffolve this kind of parlia-
ment: he chufes all the magiftrates, and all the
collectors of the revenuej he alienates the unoc-
cupied lands in a manner fuitable to the eftablifh-
ed forms, and difpofes of the public treafure. So
many prerogatives, which lead to nfurpation, ren-
der government more arbitrary at Virginia, than
it is in the more northern colonies: they frequent-
ly open the door to oppreflion,
THE council is compofed of 12 members,
created either by letters patent, or by particular
order from the king. When there happen to be
lefs than nine in the country, the governor chufes
three out of the principal inhabitants to complete
the number. They form a kind of upper houfe,
and are at the fame time to afiift the adminiftra-
tion, and to counteract tyranny. They have alfo
the power of rejecting all acts paffed in the lower
houfe. Thefalaries of the whole body amount to
no more than 7,875 livres*.
VIRGINIA is divided into 25 counties, each of
which fends two deputies. James-town, and the
college have each of them feparately the right of
naming oncj fo that they amount in all to 52,
* 384!. ios. iod. f.
4 Every
$e HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
xv?ii K ^ ver y inhabitant poffeffed of a freehold, except
^^-L* only women and minors, has the right of electing,
and being elected. Though there is no time fixed
by law for holding the general affembly, it com-
monly meets either once a year, or once in every
two years; and the meeting is very feldom de-
ferred till three. The advantage arifmg from
meeting fo frequently is fecured by the precau-
tion of granting fupplies only for a fhort time.
All acts paffed in the two houfes mull be fent over
to the fovereign for his fanction; but till that is
received they are always in force, when they have
been approved by the governor.
THE public revenues of Virginia are collected
from different fources, and appropriated in dif-
ferent manners. The tax of 2 livres, 5 fols*,
upon every quintal of tobacco; that of 16 livres,
17 fols, and 6 deniersf per ton, which every vef-
fel, laden or unladen, is obliged to pay at its re-
turn from a voyage; that of n livres, 5 folsj, a
head, exacted from all paflengers, flaves as well as
freemen, upon their arrival in the colony; the
penalties and forfeitures appointed by different
acts of the province; the duty upon both the
lands and perfonal eftates of thofe who leave no
legitimate heir; thefe different articles, which
together amount to 70,000 livres , are to be em-
ployed in the current expences of the colony, ac-
cording to the direction of the governor and the
council. The general affembly has no further
concern in this bufmefs than to audit the accounts.
* is. lid. |. f 145. pd.
1 95. iod. 3,062!. IDS.
THIS
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
THIS afiembly, however, has referred to itfelf
the fole difpofition of the funds raifed for extraor-
dinary fervices. Thefe arife from a duty of en-
trance upon ftrong liquors, from one of 22 livres,
10 fols*, upon every flave, and one of 16 livres,
lyfolsf, upon every fervant, not an Englifhman,
that enters the colony. A revenue of this nature
muft be extremely variable, but in general it is
pretty confiderable, and has been ufually well ad-
miniftered.
BESIDES thefe taxes, which are paid in money,
there are others paid in kind. There are a fort of
a triple poll-tax on the article of tobacco, which
the white women only are exempted from. The
firft is raifed by order of the general afTembly, for
the purpofe of paying the expences of its meeting,
for that of the militia, and for fome other national
exigencies. The fecond, which is called provin-
cial, is impofed by tire juftices of the peace in
each county for its particular ufes. The third is
parochial, raifed by the chief perfons of the com-
munity, upon every thing that has more or lefs
connection with the eftablilhed form of worlhip.
JUSTICE was at firft adminiftered with that kind
of difintereftednefs, which was itfelf the fecurity
for the equity obferved in it. One fmgle court
had the cognizance of all caufes, and ufed to de-
cide them in a few days, leaving only an appeal
to the general aflembly, which was not lefs expe-
ditious in terminating them. So laudable a fyftem
did not continue long. In 1692 all the ftatutes
and formalities of the mother-country were
* 195. td. |, f About 141. gd.
adopted,
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TR^ADE
adopted, and all the chicanery of it was intro_
duced along with them. Since that time every
county has its diftinct tribunal, compofed of a
iheriff, his under-officers, and juries. From thefe
courts all caufes are carried to the council, where
the governor prefidrs; who has the power of de-
termining finally in all litigations where the pro-
perty in queftion does not exceed 6,750 livres*.
If the fums contended for are more confiderable,
the conteft may be referred to the king. In all
criminal matters, the council pronounces without
appeal, not that the life of a citizen is of lefs con-
fequence than his property, but becaufe the appli-
cation of the law is much eafier in criminal, than
in civil cafes. The governor has the right of
pardoning in all cafes but thofe of wilful murder
and high treafon, and even in thefe he may
fufpend the execution of the fentence, till he
knows the king's pleafure.
WITH rcfpect to religion, the inhabitants at
firft profefTed that of the church of England. In
1642 the general affembly even pafled a decree,
which indirectly excluded all thofe who were not
of this communion from the province. The ne-
ceffity of peopling the country foon occasioned the
repeal of this law, which was rather of a hierar-
chical than of a religious nature. A toleration
granted fo late, and evidently with reluctance,
produced no material eFect. Only five non-con*
formift churches were added to the colony, one of
which confifted of Prefbyterians, three of Qua-
kers, and one of French refugees.
* About 295 1
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
THE mother-church has 39 parifhes. Every
parifli chufes its minifter, who muft, however, be
approved of by the governor before he takes pof-
iVflion. * In fome parifhes he is paid in land, and
furnifhed with all the neceffary inflruments for cul-
tivating itj in others, his falary is 16,000 pounds
weight of tobacco. v Befides this, he receives either
5 livres, 12 fols, 6 deniers*, or fifty pounds of
tobacco for every marriage; and 45 livresf, or
tour hundred pounds of tobacco for every funeral
fermon,, which he is obliged to make over the
grave of every free man. With all thefe advan-
tages, moft of the clergy are not contented, be-
caufe they may be deprived of their benefices by
thofe who conferred them.
AT firft the colony was inhabited only by men;
foon after they grew defirous of fharingthe fweets
of their fituation with female companions. They
gave at firft 2,250 livres J for every young per-
fon that was brought them, from whom they re-
quired no other dowry than a certificate of their
prudence and virtue. When the falubrity and
fertility of the climate were afcertained, whole fa-
milies, and even fome of refpedtable condition,
went over to fettle in Virginia. In time they in-
creafed to fuch a degree, that fo early as the year
1703 there were 66>6o6 white people in the co-
lony. If fince that time they have not increafed
above a fixth, it muft be attributed to a pretty
confiderable emigration occafioned by the arrival
of the blacks.
* About 45. i id. f il. 195. 4d. |.
t 9& L I s. 9 d.
THESE
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
THESE (laves were firft brought into Virginia by
a Dutch Ihip in 1621. Their number was not
confiderable at firft, but the increafe of this
inhuman traffic has been fo confiderable fmce the
beginning of this century, that there are at prefent
110,000 negroes in the colony j which occafions
a double lofs to mankind, firft by exhaufting the
population of Africa, and fecondly by preventing
that of the Europeans in America.
VIRGINIA has neither fortified places nor re-
gular troops: they would be ufelefs in a province,
which from its fituation and the nature of its pro-
ductions, is protected both from foreign invafions,
and the incurfions of the favages wandering about
this vaft continent, who have long been too weak
to attack it. The militia, which is compofed of
all the free-men from fixteen to fixty years of age,
is lufficient to keep the flaves in order. Every
country reviews all its troops once, and the fepa-
rate companies three or four times a year. Upon
the leaft alarm given in any particular part of the
country, all the forces in it march. If they are
out more than two days, they receive pay; if not,
it is reckoned a part of their ftated fervice. Such
is the government of Virginia, and fuch is very
nearly -that of Maryland; which, after having
been included in this colony, was feparated from
it for reafons which muft be explained.
CHARLES the firft, far from having any aver-
lion for the catholics, had fome reafon to protect
them, from the zeal, which, in hopes of being to-
lerated, they had fhewn for his intereft. But
when the accufation of being favourable to po-
pery
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
pery had alienated the minds of the people from B
that weak prince, whofe chief aim was to eftablifh
a defpotic government, he was obliged to give the
catholics up to the rigour of the laws enacted
againft them by Henry the eighth. Thefe cir-
cumftances induced lord Baltimore to feek an afy-
lum in Virginia, where he might be indulged in a
liberty of confcience. As he found there no to-
leration for an exclufive fyftem of faith, which
was itfelf intolerant, he formed the defign of a
new fettlement in that uninhabited part of the
country, which lay between the river of Potow-
mack and Penfylvania. His death, which hap-
pened foon after he had obtained powers from the
crown for peopling this land, put a Hop to the
project for that time, but it was refumed from the
fame religious motives by his fon. This young
nobleman left England in the year 1633, with
two hundred Roman catholics, moft of them of
good families. The education they had received,
the caufe of religion for which they left their coun-
try, and the fortune which their leader promifed
them, prevented thofe difturbanc'es which are but
too common in infant fettlements. The neigh-
bouring favages, won by mildnefs and acts of be-
neficence, concurred with eagernefs to affift the
new colonifts in forming their fettlement. With
this unexpected help, thefe fortunate perfons, at-
tached to each other by the fame principles of re-
ligion, and directed by the prudent councils of
their chief, applied themfelves unanimoufly to
every kind of ufeful labour: the view of the peace
and happinefs they enjoyed, invited among them
a num-
256 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK a number of men who were either perfecuted for
XVIII. .. ... f j.^p . .
._. the lame religion, or for dirrerent opinions.
THE catholics of Maryland gave up at length
the intolerant principles, of which they themfelves
had been the victims, after having firft fet the ex-
ample of them, and opened the doors of their co-
lony to all feds of what religious principles foever.
Baltimore alfo granted the mod extenfive civil li-
berty to every ftranger who chofe to purchafe
lands in his new colony, the government of which
was modelled upon that of the mother-coun-
try.
THESE wife precautions, however, did not fe-
cure the governor, at the time of the fubverfion
of the monarchy, from lofing all the rights and
concefiions that he had obtained. Deprived of
his pofTeflions by Cromwell, he was reftored to
them by Charles the Second] after which they
were again difputed with him. Though he was
perfectly clear from any reproach of mal-admi-
niftration ; and though he was extremely zealous
for the Tramontane doctrines, and much attached
to the interefts of the Stuarts > yet he had the
mortification of rinding the legality of his charter
attacked under the arbitrary reign of James II.
and of being obliged to maintain an aftion
at law for the jurifdiftion of a province which
had been ceded to him by the crown, and which
he himfelf had peopled. This prince, whofe
misfortune it had always been not to diftinguilh
his friends from his foes, and who had alfo the
ridiculous pride to think that regal authority was
fufficient to juftify every aci of violence, was pre-
paring
TN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES,
paring a fecond time to deprive Baltimore, of B
what had been given him by the two kings, his
father and his brother; when he was himfelf re-
moved from the throne, which he was fo unfit to
fill. The fuccefTor of this weak defpotic prince
terminated this conteft, which had arifen before
his acceflion to the crown, in a manner worthy of
his political character. He left the Baltimores in
poffeffion of their revenues, but deprived them of
their authority, which, however, they alfo reco-
vered upon becoming members of the church of
England.
THE province is at prefent divided into eleven
counties, and inhabited by 40,000 white men and
60,000 blacks. It is governed by a chief, who is
named by the proprietor, and by a council and
two deputies chofen in each county. The go-
vernor, like the king in the other colonies, has a
negative voice in all acts propofed by the arlembly,
that is to fay, the right of rejecting them.
IF Maryland were re-united to Virginia, as their Virginia
common intereft feems to require, no difference Ji2
could be found between the two fettlements* ^ tethe
]. me pro-
They are fituated between Penfylvania and Caro-
lina, and occupy the great fpace that extends
from the fea to the Apalachian mountains. The
air, which is damp on the coaft, becomes light,
pure and fubtle, as you approach the mountains.
The fpring and autumn months are of an excel-
lent temperature, in fummer there are fome days
exceflively hot, and in winter fome extremely
cold ; but neither of thefe excefTes lafts above a
week at a time, The moft difagreeable circum-
VOL. V. S fiance
258 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
B ,7, K ftance in the climate is the abundance of naufeous
A V 111.
* v ' infects that are found there.
ALL the domeftic animals multiply prodigi-
oufly; and^all forts of fruits, trees and vegetables
fucceed there extremely well. It produces the
beft corn in all America. The foil, which is rich,
and fertile in the low lands, is always good, even
in thofe places where it becomes fandy; more ir-
regular than it is defcribed by fome travellers,
but tolerably level till you come near the moun-
tains.
FROM thefe mountains an incredible number of
rivers flow, mod of which are feparated only by
an interval of five or fix miles. Befides the ferti-
lity which thefe waters impart to the country they
pafs through, they alfo make it infinitely more
convenient for trade than any other part of the
New world, by facilitating the communications.
MOST of thefe rivers afford a very extenfive in-
land navigation for merchant fhips, and fome of
them for men of war. One may go near two hun-
dred miles up the Potowmack, above eighty up
the James, the York, and the Rapahannock, and
upon the other rivers to a diftance that varies ac-
cording as the cataracts are more or lefs diftant
from their mouths. All thefe navigable canals,
formed by nature, meet in the bay of Chefapeak,
which has from feven to nine fathom water both at
its entrance and in its whole extent. It reaches
above two hundred miles into the country, and is
about twelve miles in its mean breadth. Though
it is full of fmall iflands, moft of them covered
with wood, it is by no means dangerous, and fo
5 large
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
large that all the fhips in the univerfc might ride B ,
there with eafe. i
So uncommon an advantage has prevented the
formation of any large towns in the two colonies, and
accordingly the inhabitants who were certain that
the (hips would come up to their warehoufes, and
that they might embark their commodities with-
out going from their own houfes, have difperfed
themfelves upon the borders of the feveral ri^
vers. In this fituation, they found all the plea-
fures of rural life, united to all the affluence
that is brought into cities by trade j they found
the facility of extending cultivation in a country
that had no bounds, together with every affiftance
which the fertilization of the lands receive from
commerce. But the mother-country fuffered a
double inconvenience from this difperfion of the
colonifts; firft, becaufe her failors, being obliged
to collect their cargoes from thefe fcattered habita-
tions were longer abient , and fccondly, becaufe
their (hips were expofed to injury from thofe dan-
gerous infects, which in the months of June and
July infeft all the rivers of this diftant region.
The miniftry has therefore neglected no means of
engaging the colonifts to eftablifh ftaples for the
reception of their commodities. The conftraint
of the laws has not had more effect than perfua-
fion. At length, a few years ago, forts were or-
dered to be built at the entrance of every river, to
protect the loading and unloading of the fhips. If
this project had not failed in the execution from
the want of a fufficient fund, it is probable that
the inhabitants would have gathered together by
S a degrees
&> HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
B xvni K Degrees ' in tne vicinity of thefe fortreffes. But it
.s- v ' may flill be a queftion whether this circumftance
would not have proved fatal to population; and
whether agriculture might not have loft as much,
as commerce would have gained by it.
BE this as it may, it is certain that there are
but two towns at prefent of any kind of note in
the two colonies. Even thofe which are the feat
.of government are of no great importance. Wil-
liamfburg, the capital of Virginia, and Annapo-
lis, that of Maryland, the firft rifen upon the ruins
of James town, the other upon thofe of St. Ma-
ry, are neither of them fuperior to one of our
common villages.
As in all human affairs, every good is attended
with fome kind of evil, fo it has happened that the
multiplicity of habitations, at the fame time that it
prevented the cities from becoming populous, has
alfo prevented any artifts or manufacturers from
being formed in either of the provinces. With all
the materials necefiary to fupply them with moft
of their wants, and even with feveral of their con-
veniences, they are itill obliged to import from
'Europe their cloths, linens, hats, hardware, and
even furniture of the moft ordinary kind.
: THESE numerous and general expences have
exhaufted the inhabitants ; befides which they have
vied with each other in difplaying every kind of
luxury before all the Engliih merchants, who vifit
their plantations from motives of commercial in-
tereft. By thefe means, they have run fo much
in debt with the mother-country, that many of
them have been obliged to fell their lands j or, ia
order
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 261
>rder ftill to keep pofieffion of them, to mortgage
hem at an ufurious intereft of eight or nine per
ent.
IT will be no eafy matter for the two provinces
:ver to emerge from this defperate ftate. Their,
hipping does not amount to above a thoufand
ons, and all the corn, cattle and planks they fend
o the Caribbee iflands j all hemp, flax, leather,
)eltry and walnut-tree or cedar- wood they fhip for
lurope does not bring them a return of more
han a million of livres*. The only relburce they
lave left is tobacco.
TOBACCO is a fliarp cauftic, and even poifonous
)lant, which has been formerly of great repute,
tnd is ftill ufed in medicine. Every one is ac-
juainted with the general confumption of it, by
:hewing, fmoking, or taking fnuff. It was dif-
:overed in the year 1520 by the Spaniards, who
bund it firft in the Jucatan, a large peninfula in
:he gulph of Mexico, from whence it was carried
nto the neighbouring iflands. Soon after, the ufe
}f it became a matter of difpute among the learn-
xl, which the ignorant alfo took a part in ; and
:hus tobacco acquired fome reputation. By de-
grees fafliion and cuftom have greatly extended
ts confumption in all parts of the known world,
[t is at prefent cultivated with more or lefs fuccefs
in Europe, Afia, Africa, and feveral parts of
America.
THE item of this plant is ftraight, hairy, and
vifcous ; its leaves are thick, flabby, and of a pale
green colour, They are larger at the bottom than
* 43>75 ol
83 at
z6z HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
at the fummitof the plant. It requires a binding
foil, but rich, even and deep, and not too much
expofed to inundations. A virgin foil is very fit
for this vegetable, which requires a great deal of
moifture.
THE feeds of the tobacco are fown upon beds.
When it has grown to the height of two inches,
and has got, at leafl, half a dozen leaves, it is
gently pulled up in damp weather, and tranfplant-
ed with great care into a well-prepared foil, where
the plants are placed at the diftance of three feet
from each other. When they are put into the
ground with thefe precautions, their leaves do not
fuffer the leaft injury; and all their vigour is re-
newed in four and twenty hours.
THE cultivation of tobacco requires continuaF
attention. The weeds which grow round it mult
be plucked up; the head of it muft be cut off
when it is two feet and a half from the ground, to
prevent it from growing too high; it muft be
ilripped of all fprouting fuckers; the leaves which
grow too near the bottom of theftem, thofe that are
in the leaft inclined to decay, and thofe which the
infects have touched, muft all be picked off, and
their number reduced to eight or ten at moft. One
induftrious man is able to take care of two thou-
fand five hundred plants, which ought to yield one
thoufand weight of tobacco. It is left about four
months in the ground. As it advances to matu-
rity, the pleafant and lively green colour of its
leaves is changed into a darker hue; the leaves are
alib curved, the fcent of them grows ftronger, and ,
extends
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 263
extends to a greater diftanCe. The plant is then B x o vl O j K
ripe, and muft be cut. -.
THE plants, when collected, are laid in heaps
upon the fame ground that produced them, where
they are left to exfude only for one night. The
next day they are laid up in warehoufes conflruct-
^ed in fuch a manner, that the air may have free
accefs to them on all fides. Here they are left fe-
parately fufpended as long a time as is necefiary to
dry them properly. They are then fpread upon
hurdles, and well covered over, where they fer-
ment for a week or two. At laft they are ftrip-
ped of their leaves, which are either put into bar-
rels, or made up into rolls. The other methods
of preparing the plant, which vary according to
the different taftes of the feveral nations that ufc
it, have nothing to do with its cultivation.
OF all the countries in which tobacco has been
planted, there is none where it has anfwered fo
well as in Maryland and Virginia. As it was the
only occupation of the firft planters, they often
cultivated much more than they could find a fale
for. They were then obliged to flop the growth
of the plantations in Virginia, and to burn a cer-
tain number of plants in every habitation through-
out Maryland. But in procefs of time the ufe of
this herb became fo general, that they have been
obliged to increafe the number both of the whites
and blacks who were employed in preparing it.
At prefent each of the provinces furniihes nearly
an equal quantity. That of Virginia, which is
the mildeft, the moft perfumed, and the deareft ;
is confumed in England and in the fouthern parts
84 of
364 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
B xvi?i K ^ Europe. That of Maryland is fitter for the
v v ' northern climates on account of its cheapnefs. and
even its coarfenefs, which makes it adapted to lefs
delicate organs.
As navigation has not yet made the fame pro-
grefs in thefe provinces, as in the reft of North-
America, the tobacco is commonly tranfported in
the fhips of the mother-country. They are very
often three, four, and even fix months in com-
pleting their cargo. This delay arifes from feve-
ral very evident caufes. Firft, as there are no ma-
gazines or general receptacles for the tobacco, it
is necefTary to procure it from the feveral planta-
tions. Secondly, few planters are able to load a
whole fhip if they would, and if they were, they
would not chufe to venture their whole capital upon
one bottom. In ihort, as the price of the freight is
fixed, and is always the fame, whether the arti-
cles are ready for embarkation or not, the planters
wait till they are prefTed by the captains themfelves
to haften the exportation. For thefe reafons vef-
fels only of a moderate fize are generally employed
upon this fervice. The larger they are, the lon-
ger time they would be detained in America.
VIRGINIA always pays forty-five livres* freight
for every barrel of tobacco, and Maryland only 39
livres, 5 fols, 6 deniersft This difference is
owing to the lefs value of the merchandife, and
to the great expedition made in loading it. The
Englifh merchant lofes by the carriage, but he
finds his account in the commiflions. As he is al-i
ways employed in all the fales and purchafes made
t jl. icjs. 4<1. J, f 1 1. 143, 5 d. '.
for
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 256
for the colonifts, he is amply compenfated for his BOOK.
lofles and his trouble, by an allowance of five per ^^Lj
cent, upon thefc commifiions.
THIS trade employs two hundred and fifty fhips,
which make up in all 30,000 tons. They take in
a hundred thoufand barrels of tobacco from the two
colonies, which, at the rate of eight hundred pounds
a barrel, make eighty millions of pounds weight.
That part of the commodity that grows between
York and James rivers, and in forne other places
is extremely dear j but the whole taken upon an
average fells only for four fols, three deniers*, a
pound in England, which makes in all 1 6, i 25,000
livresf. Befides the advantage England experi-
ences in exchanging its manufactures to the amount
of this fum, it gains another by the re-exporta-
tion of four-fifths of the tobacco. This alone is
an object of 10,125,000 livresj, befides what is
to be reckoned for freight and commiflion,
THE cuftom-houfe duties are ftill a more con-
fiderable object to government. There is a tax of
1 1 fols, 10 deniers and a half j|, upon every pound
of tobacco that enters the kingdom ; this, fuppof-
ing the whole eighty millions of pounds imported
to remain in it, would bring the ftate 47,499,997
Jivres, 10 fols f 3 but as four-fifths are re-export-
ed, and all the duties are remitted upon that por-
tion, the public revenue gains only 19,000,000
livres, 2 fols, 7 deniers. Experience teaches that
a third of this muft be deducted on account of
the allowance made to the merchant who pays
*Not2d. {. t 738,28ll. 55. 1442,9681.15$.
yAbout6d. J. ^2,78,i24l, 175. jd,^. 831,2501.05. id.
ready
266 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
B xvm. K reac ty money, inftead of availing himfelf of eigh-
* w ' teen months credit which he has a right to take,
and on account of the fmuggling that is carried on
in the fmall ports as well as in the large ones.
This deduction will amount to 6,333,351 livres,
1 8 fols, 6 deniers*, and there will coufequently
remain for government no more than 12,666,715
livres, 17 fols, 6 deniersf.
NOTWITHSTANDING thefe laft abufes, Virginia
and Maryland are much more advantageous to
Great Britain than the other northern colonies,
more fo even than Carolina.
Ongin of CAROLINA extends three hundred miles along
the coaft, and two hundred miles in the country,
as far as the Apalachian mountains. It was difco-
vered by the Spaniards, foon after the firft expe-
ditions in the New world j but as they found no
gold there to fatisfy their avarice, they paid no at-
tention to it. Admiral Coligny, with more pru-
dence and ability, opened an afylum there to the
induftry of the French proteftants j but the fanati-
cifm that purfued them foon deftroyed all their
hopes, which were totally loft in the murder of
that juft, humane, and enlightened man. Some
Engliih fucceeded them towards the end of the
1 6th century : who, by an unaccountable caprice,
were induced to abandon this fertile region, in or-
der to go and cultivate a more ungrateful land, in
a lefs agreeable climate.
THERE was not a fingle European remaining in
Carolina, when the Lords Berkeley, Clarendon,
Albemarle, Craven, and Afhley ; Sir George Car-
* 277,084!. 2$. ud. {. f 554,168 1. i6s. 4d. .
teret,
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 267
teret, Sir William Berkeley, and Sir William Colle- BOOK
ton obtained from Charles II. in 1663, a grant of c^-v-1-/
that fine country. The plan of government for this
new colony was drawn up by the famous Locke.
A philofopher, who was a friend to mankind, and
to that moderation and juflice which ought to be
the rule of their actions, could not find better
means to oppofe the prevalence of fanaticifm, than
by an unlimited toleration in matters of religion;
but not daring openly to attack the prejudices of
his time, which were as much the effect of the
virtues as of the crimes of the age, he endeavour-
ed, at leaft, to reconcile them, if poiTible, with a
principle of reafon and humanity. The wild in-
habitants of America, faid he, have no idea of a
revelation ; it would, therefore, be the height of
extravagance to make them fuffer for their igno-
rance. The different feels of chriftians, who might
come to people the colony, would, without doubt,
expect a liberty of confcience there, which priefts
and princes refufe them in Europe : nor fhould
Jews or Pagans be rejected on account of a blind-
nefs, which lenity and perfuafion might contribute
to remove. Such was Mr. Locke's reafoning with
men prejudiced and influenced by opinions, which
no- one had hitherto taken the liberty to call in
queflion, Difgufted with the troubles and misfor-
tunes which the different fyftems of religion had
given birth to in Europe, they readily acquiefced
in the arguments he propofed to them. They
admitted toleration in the fame manner as intole-
rance is received, without examining into the me-
rits of it. The only reftriction laid upon this fav-
ing
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
ing principle was, that every perfon, claiming the
protection of that fettlement, fhould at the age of
feventeen regifter himfelf in fome particular com-
munion.
THE Englifh philofopher was not fo favourable
to civil liberty. Whether it were, that thofe, who
had fixed upon him to trace out a plan of govern-
ment, had reftrained his views, as will be the cafe
of every writer, who employs his pen for great
men, or minifters ; or whether Locke, being more
of a metaphyfician than a ftatefman, purfued phi-
lofophy only in thofe tracts which had been opened
by Defcartes and Leibnitz j it is certain that the
fame man, who had difiipated and deftroyed fo
many errors in his theory concerning the origin of
ideas, made but very feeble and uncertain ad-
vances in the path of legiflation. The author of
a work, the permanency of which will render the
glory of the French nation immortal, even when
tyranny ftiall have broken all the fprings, and all
the monuments of the genius and merit of a people
efteemed by the whole world for fo many amiable
and brilliant qualities j even Montefquieu himfelf
did not perceive that he was making men for go-
vernments, inftead of making governments for
men.
THE code of Carolina, by a fingularity not to
be accounted for in an Englishman and a philo-
fopher, gave to the eight proprietors, who found-
ed the fettlement, and to their heirs, not only all
the rights of a monarch, but likewife all the powers
of legiflation.
THE
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
THE court, which was compofed of this fove-
reign body, and was called, the Palatine Court,
was invefted with the right of nominating to all
employments and dignities, and even with that of
conferring nobility j but with new and unprece-
dented titles. For inftance, they were to create,
in each county, two Caciques, each of whom was
to be pofiefied of twenty-four thoufand acres of
land; and a Landgrave, who was to have four-
fcore thoufand. The perfons, on whom thefe ho-
nours fhould be beftowed, were to compofe the
upper houfe; and their pofleffions were made un-
alienablej a circumftance totally inconfiftent with
good policy. They had only the right of farming
or letting out a third part of them at the moll for
the term of three lives.
THE lower houfe was compofed of the deputies
from the feveral counties and towns. The num-
ber of this reprefentative body was to be increafed
in proportion as the colony grew more populous.
No tenant was to pay more than one livre, two
Ibis and 6 deniers*, per acre; and even this rent
was redeemable. All the inhabitants, however,
both (laves and freemen, were under an obligation
to take up arms upon the firfl order they fhould
receive from the Palatine Court.
. IT was not long before the defects of a conftitu-
tion, in which the powers of the flate were fo un-
equally divided, began to be difcerned. The
proprietary lords, influenced by defpotic prin-
ciples, ufed every endeavour to eftablifh an arbi-
trary government. On the other hand, the colo-
* About it.
nifts,
270 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK nifls, who were not ignorant of the general rights
y ' ' of mankind, exerted themfelves with equal zeal
to avoid fervitude. From this ftruggle of oppo-
fite interefts arofe an inevitable confufion, which
put a flop to every ufeful exertion of induftry. The
whole province, diftraded with quarrels, difien-
tions and tumults, was rendered incapable of ma-
king any progrefs, though great improvements
had been expected from the peculiar advantages of
its fituation.
NOR were thefe evils fufficient to call for a re-
drefs, which was only to arife from the excefs to
which they were carried. Granville, who, as the
oldeft of the proprietors, was in 1705 fole go-
vernor of the colony, formed the refolution of
obliging all the non-conformifts, who were two-
thirds of the people, to embrace the forms of wor-
fhip eftablifhed in England, This acl: of violence,
though difavowed, and rejected by the mother-
country, inflamed the minds of the people. In
1720, while this animofity was ftill fubfifting, the
province was attacked by feveral bands of favages,
driven to defpair by a continued courfe of the
moft atrocious infolence and injuftice. Thefe un-
fortunate wretches were all conquered and all put
to the fword: but the courage and vigour, which
this war revived in the breads of the colonifts,
was the prelude to the fall of their oppreffors.
Thofe tyrants having refufed to contribute to the
expences of an expedition, the immediate benefits
of which they claimed to themfelves, were all,
excepting Carteret, who ftill preferved one-eighth
of the country, ftrippedin 1728 of their preroga-
tives,
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
tives, which they had only made an ill ufe of.
They received however 540,000 livres* by way
of compenfation. From this time, the crown re-
fumed the government, and in order to give the
colony a foretafle of its moderation, gave it the
fame conftitution as the reft. It was likewife di-
vided into two feparate governments, under the
names of North and South Carolina, in order to
facilitate the adminiflration of it. It is from this
happy period, that the profperity of this great
province is to be dated.
THERE is not, perhaps, throughout the New ciimtte
world a climate to be compared with that of Ca- duce P of"
rolina. The two feafons of the year, which, for Carolina *
the moft part, only moderate the excefles of the
two others, are here delightful. The heats of the
fummer are not exceflivej and the cold of the
winter is only felt in the mornings and evenings.
The fogs, which are always common upon a coaft
of any length, are difperfed before the middle of
the day. But on the other hand, here, as well as
in almoft every other part of America, the inha-
bitants are fubjeel: to fuch fudden and violent
changes of weather, as oblige them to obferve a
regularity in their diet and clothing, which would
be unneceflary in a more fettled climate. Another
inconvenience, peculiar to this tract of the north-
ern continent, is that of being expofed to hurri-
canes; but thefe are lefs frequent and lefs violent
than in the iflands.
A VAST, melancholy, and uniform plain ex-
tends from the fea-Ihore fourfcore or a hundred
* 23,625!.
miles
272 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
B xvm K m ^ es within land. From this diftance, the coun-
c,, y ~ / try beginning to rife, affords a more pleafmg
profpeft, a purer and drier air. This part, be-
fore the arrival of the Englifh, was covered with
one immenfe foreft, reaching as far as the Apala-
chian mountains. It confided of large trees grow-
ing as nature had caft them, without order or
deiign, at unequal diftances, and not encumbered
with underwood : by which means more land could
be cleared here in a week, than in feveral months
among us.
THE foil of Carolina is very various. On the
coaft and near the mouths of the rivers, which
fall into the fea, it is either covered with ufelefs
and unhealthy moraffes, or compofed of a pale,
light, fandy earth, which produces nothing. In
one part it is barren to an extreme; in another,
among the numberlefs ftreams that divide the
country, it is exceffively fruitful. At a diftance
from the coafts, there are found fometimes large
waftes of white fand, which* produce nothing but
pines; in other places there are lands, where the
oak and the walnut-tree announce fertility. Thefe
alternatives and variations are not obfervable in
the inland parts ; and the country every where is
agreeable and rich.
ADMIRABLY adapted as thefe fpots are for the
purpofes of agriculture, the province does not
want others equally favourable for the breeding of
cattle. Thoufands of horned cattle are bred here,
which go out in the morning without a herdfman
to feed in the woods, and return home at night of
their own accord. Their hogs, which are fuf-
fered
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES*'
fcredto fatten themfelves in the fame manner, afe
ftill more numerous and much better in their kind.
But mutton degenerates here both in flefh and
wool. For this reafonj it is lefs common.
IN 1723, the whole colony confuted of rto more
than four thoufand white people* and thirty-two
thoufand blacks. Its exports to other parts of
America and to Europe did not exceed 4,950,000
livres*. Since that time it hath acquired a de-
gree of fplendour, which it owes entirely to the
enjoyment of liberty.
SOUTH-CAROLINA, though it hath fucceeded in
eftablilhing a confiderable barter trade with the
favages, hath gained a manufacture of linens by
means of the French refugees, and invented a new
kind of Huff by mixing the filk it produces with
its wool; yet its progrefs is principally to be at-
tributed to the produce of rice and indigo;
THE firft of thefe articles was brought there by
accident. A fliip, on its return from India; ran
aground on this coaft* It Was laden with ricej
which, being thrown on Ihore by the waves, grew
up. This unexpected good fortune led the colo-
nifts to attempt the cultivation of a commodity,
which the foil itfelf feemed to invite them to try.
For a long time little progrefs was made in itj
becaufe the colonifts being obliged to fend, their
crops to the mother-country, from whence they
were (hipped again for Spain and Portugal; where
the confumption was fold them at fo low a price,
that it fcarce anfwered the expences of cultivation.
Since 1730, when a more enlightened miniftry
* 216,562!. ies,
VOL, V, T gave
= 7* HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK gave them permiffion to export and fell their grain
v w . themfelves at foreign markets, an increafe of pro-
fit has produced an additional growth of the com-
modity. The quantity is at prefent greatly aug-
mented, and may be Hill increafed; but it is a
queftion whether this will always be for the advan-
tage of the colony. Of all productions rice is the
moil detrimental to the falubrity of the climate j
at leaft, it hath been efteemed fo in the Milanefe,
where the peafants on the rice-grounds are all of
them fallow complexioned and dropfical; as well
as in France, where that article hath been totally
prohibited. Egypt had, without doubt, its pre-
cautions againft the ill effects of a grain in other
refpecls fo nutritious. China muft alfo have its
prefervatives, which art provides againft nature,
whofe favours are fometimes attended with perni-
cious, confequences. Perhaps, alfo, under the
torrid zone, where rice grows in the greater!
abundance, the heat, which makes it flourifh in
the midft of water, quickly difperfes the moift and
noxious vapours that exhale from the rice-fields.
But if the cultivation of rice fhould come to be
neglected in Carolina, that of indigo will make
ample amends for it.
' THIS plant, which is a native of Indoftan was
firft brought to perfection in Mexico, and the Ca-
ribbee iflands. It was tried later and with lefs
tfuccefs in South-Carolina. This principal ingre-
dient in dying is there of fo inferior a quality,
that it is fcarce fold at half the price it bears in
other places. Yet thofe, who cultivate it, do not
defpair, in time, of fupplanting both the Spa-
niards
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
:
niards and French at every market. The good-
nefs of their climate, the extent of their lands, the
plenty and cheapness of their provifions, the op-
portunities they have of fupplying themfelves with
utenfils, and of procuring flaves; every thing, in
.fhort, flatters their expectation : and the lame
hopes have always been entertained by the inha-
bitants of North-Carolina*
IT is well known that this country was the firft
on the continent of the New world, on which the
Englifh landed \ for here is the bay of Roanoak,
which Raleigh took poffeffion of in 1585. A total
emigration, in a fhort time, left it deftitute of co*
loniftsj nor did it begin to be repeopled, even
when large fettlements were eflablilhed in the
neighbouring countries. We cannot otherwife
account for this defertion, than from the obftacles
which trading veflels had to encounter in this
beautiful region. None of its rivers are deep
enough to admit fhips of more than feventy or
eighty tons. Thofe of greater burthen are forced
to anchor between the continent and fome adja-
cent iflands. The tenders which are employed in
lading and unlading them augment the expence
and trouble both of their exports and imports.
FROM this circumftance, probably, it was, that
North-Carolina was at firft inhabited only byafet
of miferable men without name, laws, or profef-
fion. In proportion as the lands in the neigh-
bouring colonies grew more fcarce, thofe, who
were not able to purchafe them, betook them-
felves to a country where they could get lands
without purchafe. Refugees of other kinds avail-
T 2 ed
6 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
o o K e d themfeives of the fame refource. Order and
v ' property became eftablifhed at the fame time;
and this colony, with fewer advantages than South-
Carolina, obtained a greater number of European
fettlers.
THE firft people, whom chance difperfcd along
thefe favage coafts, confined themfeives to the
breeding of cattle, and the cutting of wood,
which were taken off their hands by the merchants
of New-England. Inafhorttime they contrived
to make the pine-tree produce them turpentine,
tar, and pitch. For the turpentine they had no-
thing to do but to make two flits about a foot in
length, in the trunk of the tree, at the bottom of
which they placed vefiels to receive it. When
they wanted tar, they raifed a circular platform of
potters earth, on which they laid piles of pine-
wood:, to thefe they fet fire and the refm diftilled
from them into cafks placed underneath. The
tar was converted into pitch, either in great iron
pots, in which they boiled it, or in pits formed of
potter's earth, into which it was poured while in
a fluid ftate. This labour, however, was not fuf-
ficient for the maintenance of the inhabitants : they
then proceeded to grow corn; and for a long time
were contented with maize, as their neighbours in
South-Carolina were obliged to be, where the
wheat being fubject to mildew, and to exhauft it-
felf in ftraw, never throve. But feveral experi-
ments having proved to the North- Carolina inha-
bitants that they were not liable to the fame in-
convenience, they fucceeded fo far in the cultiva-
tion of that grain, that they were even able to
fupply
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
iupply a confiderable exportation. Rice and in-
digo have been but lately introduced into this
province to join the harvefts of Africa and Afia
to thofe of Europe. The cultivation of them is
but yet in its infancy.
THERE is fcarce one twentieth part of the terri-
tory of the two Carolinas that is cleared -, and, at
this time, the only cultivated fpor.3 are thofe,
which are the moft fandy and the neareft to the
fea. The reafon why the colon ifts have not fet-
tled further back in the country is, that of ten na-
vigable rivers, there is not one that will admit
Shipping higher than fixty miles. This inconve-
nience is not to be remedied but by making roads
or canals; and works of that kind require fo
many hands, and fo much expence and know-
ledge, that the hopes of fuch an improvement are
ftill very diftant.
NEITHER of the colonies, however, have rea-
fon to complain of their lot. The imports, which
are all levied on the exportation and importation
of merchandife, do not exceed 135,000 livres*.
The paper-currency of North-Carolina does not
amount to more than 1,125,000 livres f, and
that of South-Carolina, which is infinitely more
wealthy, is only 5,625,000 J. Neither of them
are in debt to the mother-country ; and this ad-
vantage, which is not common even in the Eng-
lijh colonies, they derive from the great amount
of their exportations to the neighbouring pro-
vinces, to the Caribbee iQands, and to Europe.
* 59 61 - 5 s - t 49>n 81. 155. J 246,09^ !. 155.
T 3 I*
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
^ N J 754 J tnere were exported from South-Ca-
rolina, feven hundred and fifty-nine barrels of
turpentine, two thoufand nine hundred and forty-
three of tar; five thoufand eight hundred and
fixty-nine of pitch or roiin; four hundred and fix-
teen barrels of beef; fifteen hundred and fixty of
pork; fixteen thoufand four hundred bufhels of
Indian corn ; and nine thoufand one hundred
and fixty-two of peas 5 four thoufand one hun-
dred and eighty tanned hides, and twelve hundred,
in the hair; one million one hundred and forty
thoufand planks ; two hundred and fix thoufand
joifts; and three hundred and eighty-five thoufand
feet of timber j eight hundred and eighty-two
hogfheads of wild deer^-fkinsj one hundred and
four thoufand fix hundred and eighty-two barrels
of rice; and two hundred and fixteen thoufand
nine hundred and eighty-four pounds of indigo,
IN the fame year North-Carolina exported fixty-
one thoufand five hundred and twenty-eight
barrels of tar; twelve thoufand and fifty-five of
pitch; and ten thoufand four hundred and twen-
ty-nine of turpentine; feven hundred and fixty- two
thoufand three hundred and thirty planks; and
two thoufand fix hundred and forty-feven feet of
timber; fixty-one thoufand five hundred bufhels
of wheat, and ten thoufand of peas ; three thou-
fand three hundred barrels of beef and pork; one
hundred hogfheads of tobacco; ten thoufand hun-
dred weight of tanned hides, and thirty thoufand -
fkins of different kinds.
IN the above account, there is not a fmgle ar-
ticle that: has no.t been confiderably increafed fince
that
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 279
that time. Several of them have been doubled, BOOK
and the moft valuable of all, the indigo, has in- < ^-l-*
creafed to three times the quantity.
SOME productions of North Carolina are ex-
ported to Europe and the Caribbee iflands, though
there is no ftaple town to receive them; and that
Edinton, the ancient capital of the province, as
well as that which hath been built in lieu of it
upon the river Neus, can fcarce be confidered as
fmall villages. The largeft and moft valuable
part of its exports is conveyed to Charles-town to
increafe the riches of South-Carolina.
THIS town lies between the two navigable ri-
vers, Cooper and Aihley; furrounded by the moil
beautiful plantations of the colony, of which it is
the center and the capital. It is well built, inter-
fedted with feveral agreeable ftreets, and its forti-
fications are tolerably regular. The large fortunes
that have been made there from the acceflion and
circulation of its trade, muft necefTarily have had
fome influence upon the manners of the people:
of all the towns in North- America, it is the one
in which the conveniences of luxury are moil to
be met with. But the difadvantage its road la-
bours under, of not being able to admit {hips of
above two hundred tons, will make it lofe its
prefent fplendour. It will be deferted for Port
Royal, which admits veflels of all kinds into its -
harbour, and in great numbers. A fetdement has
already been formed there, which is continually
increafmg, and will moft probably meet with the
greateft fuccefs. Befides the productions of North
and South Carolina, that will naturally be fent to
T*4 its
230 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
B ^1 K * ts mar ^ et ' lt W1 ^ a ^ receive thofe of Georgia,
< v~-> % colqny that has been lately eftablifhed near it.
round., jon CAROLINA and Spanifh Florida are feparated
<*f Georgia. f rom each o ther by a great trad of land which exr
tends one hundred and twenty miles upon the fea
coaft, and three hundred miles from thence to the
Apalachian mountains, and whofe boundaries to
the North and South are the rivers Savannah and
Alatamaha. The Englifh miniitry had been long
clefirous of erecting a colony on this tract of coun-
try, that was cqufidered as dependent upon Caro-
lina. One of thofe inftances of benevolence,
which liberty, the fource of every patriotic virtue^
renders more frequent in England than in any
other country ^ ferved to determine the views of
government with regard to this place. A rich and
humane citizen, ap his death, left the whole of
his eftate to let at liberty fuch infolvent debtors as
were detained in prifon by their creditors. Pru-
dential reaiqns of policy concurred in the perform-
ance of this will didated by humanity; and the
government gave orders, that fuch unhappy pri-
foners as were releafed, {hould be tranfplanted into,
that defert country, that was now intended to be
peopled. It was named Georgia in honour of the
reigning fovereign.
THIS inftance of refped, the more pleafmg, as
it was not the effect of flattery j and the execution
pf a defign of fq much real advantage to the ftate,
were entirely the wqrkqf the nation. The parlia-
ment added 2:25,000 livres* tq the eftate left by
the will of the citizen; and a voluntary iubfcrip-
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
tion produced a much more confiderablefum. Ge-
neral Oglethorpe, a man who had difdnguifhed
himfelf in the houfe of commons by his tafte for
great defigns, by his zeal for his country, and his
paffion for glory, was fixed upon to direct thefe
public finances, and to carry into execution fo ex-
cellent a project. Defirous of maintaining the re-
putation he had acquired, he chofe to conduct
himfelf the firft colonifts that were fent to Geor-
gia j where -he arrived in January 1733, and fixed
his people on a fpot ten miles diftant from the
fea, in an agreeable and fertile plain on the banks
of the Savannah. This rifmg fettlement was call-
ed Savannah from the name of the river; and in-
confiderable as it was in its infant ftate, was, how-
ever, to become the capital of a flourifhing colo-
ny. It confitted at firft of no more than one hun-
dred perlbns, but before the end of the year the
number was increafed to 6 1 8 j of whom 1 27 had
emigrated at their own expence. Three hundred
men, and 113 women, 102 lads, and 83 girls,
formed the beginning of this new population, and
the hopes of a numerous pofterity.
THIS fettlement was increafed in 1735 by the*
arrival of fome Scotch highlanders. Their natio-
nal courage induced them to accept an eftablifh-*
ment offered them upon the borders of the Ala-
tamaha, to defend the colony, if neceflary, againft
the attacks of the neighbouring Spaniards. Here
they built the towns of Darien and Frederica, and
feveral of their countrymen came over to fettle
them,
IN*
zSz HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
B o^o K I N the fame year, a great number of proteftants
' driven out of Saltzburg by a fanatical prieft, em-
barked for Georgia to enjoy peace and liberty
of confcience. At firft they fettled on a fpot
juil above that of the infant colony; but they
afterwards chofe to be at a greater diftance, and
to go as far down as the mouth of the Savannah,
where they built a town called Ebenezer.
SOME Switzers followed the example of thefe wife
Saltzburghers, though they had not, like them,
been perfecuted. They alfo fettled oo the banks
of the Savannah j but at the diit.ini-e of four and
thirty miles from the Germans. Their colony con-
fiding of a hundred habitations, was named Pu-
ryfburg, from Pury their founder, who having
been at the expence of their fettlement, was de-
fervedly chofen their chief, in teftimony of their
gratitude to him.
IN thefe four or five colonies, fome men were
found more inclined to trade than agriculture.
Thefe, therefore, feparated from the reft in order
to build the city Auguita, two hundred and thirty-
fix miles diflant from the ocean. The goodnefs
of the foil, though excellent in itfelf, was not the
motive of their fixing upon this fituation; but they
were induced to it by the facility it afforded them of
carrying on the peltry trade with the favages. Their
projeift was fo iuccefsful, that as early as the year
1739, fix hundred people were employed in this
commerce. The fale of thefe fldns was with much
greater facility carried on, from the circumftance
of the Savannah admitting the largeft (hips to fail
upon it as far as the walls of Augufta.
3, THE
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 2
THE mother-country ought, one would imagine, B j^,
to have formed great expectations from a colony, * v
where fhe had fent near five thoufand men, and
laid out i, 485,000 -livres*, exclufive of the volun-
tary contributions that have been railed by zealous
patriots. But to her great furprife, fhe received
information in 1741, that there remained fcarce a
fixth part of that numerous colony fent to Geor-
gia; who being now totally difcouraged, feemed
only defirous to fix in a more favourable fitnation.
The reafons of thefe calamities were enquired into
and difcovered.
THIS colony, even in its infancy, brought with imH'-
it the feeds of its decay. The government, to- KJ^J
gether with the property of Georgia, had been jjjjlfj
ceded to individuals. The example of Carolina Geor s ia '
ought to have prevented this imprudent fcheme;
but nations any more than individuals do not learn
inftru&ion from their paft mifconduft. An en-
lightened government, though checked by the
watchful eye of the people, is not always able to
guard againft every mifufe of its confidence. The
Ehglifh miniftry, though zealoufly attached to the
common welfare, facrificed the public intereft to
the rapacious views of interefted individuals.
THE firft ufe that the proprietors of Georgia
made of the unlimited power they were inverted
with, was to eftablifh a fyftem of legiflation, that
made them entirely matters not only of the police,
juftice, and finances of .the country, but even of
the lives and eftates of its inhabitants. Every
fpecies of right was withdrawn from the people,
* 64,968!. 155.
who
284 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK, who are the original pofTeflbrs of them all. Obe-
v' v ' ; dience was required of the people, though con-
trary to their intereft and knowledge; and it was
confidered here, as in other countries, as their
duty and their fate.
As great inconveniences had been found to arife
in other colonies from large porTeffions, it was
thought proper in Georgia to allow each family
only fifty acres of land i which they were not per-
mitted to mortgage, or even to difpofe of by will
to their female ifTue. This laft regulation of mak-
ing only the male ifTue capable of inheritance, was
foon abolifhed; but there ftill remained too many
obflacles to excite a fpirit of emulation. It fel-
dom happens, that a man refolves to leave his
country, but upon the profpcft of fome great ad-
vantage that works flrongly upon his imagination.
All limits, therefore, prefcribed to his induftry,
are fo many checks which prevent him from en-
gaging in any project. The boundaries afiigned
to every plantation mud neceflarily have produced
this baid effect. Several other errors ftill affected
the original plan of this country, and prevented
its increaie.
THE taxes impofed upon the mod fertile of the
Englifh colonies, are very inconfiderable, and even
thefe are not levied till the fettlements have acquir-
ed fome degree of vigour and proiperity. From
its infant ftate, Georgia had been fubjected to the
fines of a feudal government, with which it had
been as it were fettered. The revenues railed by
this kind of fervice increafed prodigioufly> in pro-
portion as the colony extended itfelf. The foun-
ders
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
ifers of it, blinded by a fpirit of avidity, did not B
perceive that the fmalleft duty impofed upon the
trade of a populous and flonrifning province, would
much iboner enrich them, than the largefl fines laid
upon'a barren and uncultivated country.
To this fpecies of opprefiion was added another,
which, however incredible it may appear, might
arife from a fpirit of benevolence. The planters
of Georgia were not allowed the ufe of (laves. Ca-
rolina and fome other colonies having been efla-
blifhed without their affiftance, it was thought
that a country deftined to be the bulwark of thofe
American poffeflions, ought not to be peopled by
a fet of flaves, who could not be in the leaft in-
tended in the defence of their oppreffors. But
it was not at the fame time forefeen, that colonifls,
who were lefs favoured by the mother-country,
than their neighbours, who were fituated in a
country lefs fufceptible of tillage, and in a hotter
climate, would want ftrength and fpirit to under-
take a cultivation that required greater encourage-
ment.
THE indolence which fo many obftacles gave
rife to, found a further excufe, in another prohi-
bition that had been impofed. The diihirbances
produced by the ufe of fpirituous liquors over all
the continent of North-America, induced the
founders of Georgia to forbid the importation of
rum. This prohibition, though well intended,
deprived the coloniits of the only liquor that could
correct the bad qualities of the waters of the coun-
try, which were generally unwhotefome j and of
the only means they had to reftore the wafte of
6 ibength
2 86 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK ftrcngth and fpirits that muft be the confequence"
v__ ^-L of inceffant labour. Befides this, it prevented their
commerce with the Antilles, as they could not go
thither to barter their wood, corn, and cattle, that
ought to have been their moft valuable commodi-
ties, in return for the rum of thofe iflands.
THE mother-country, at length, perceived how
much thefe defects in the political regulations and
inftitutions had prevented the increafe of the co-
lony, and freed them from the reftraints they had
before been clogged with. The government in
Georgia was fettled upon the fame plan as that
which had rendered Carolina fo flourifliing j and
inftead of being dependent on a few individuals,
became one of the national pofTeflions.
THOUGH this colony has not fo extenfive a terri-
tory, fo temperate a climate, nor fo fertile a foil
as the neighbouring province, and though it can
never be fo flourifhing as Carolina, notwithfland-
ing it cultivates rice, indigo, and almoft all the
fame productions, yet it will become advantage-
ous to the mother- country, when the apprehen-
fions arifmg from the tyranny of its government,
which have with reafon prevented people from
fettling there, are removed. It vrill one day no
longer be aflerted, that Georgia is the lead popu-
lous of all the Englifh colonies upon the continent,
notwithftanding the fuccours government has fo am-
ply beftowed upon it. All thefe advantages will
fortunately be increafed by the acquifition of Flo-
rida ; a province, which from its vicinity muft ne-
cefTarily influence the profperity of Georgia, and
which
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 2*7
which claims our attention from ftill more impor- BOOK
xvnr.
tant reafons. > v *
UNDER the name of Florida the ambition of H ;ftor y cf
Spain comprehended all that tracl: of land in Ame- JJ2^
rica, which extends from Mexico to the northern fayhe
regions. But fortune, which fports with the va- to the EDJ,-
nity of nations, has long fmce confined this vague
defcription to the peninfula formed by the fea on
.the channel of Bahama, between Georgia and Loui-
fiana. The Spaniards, who had often contented
themfelves with preventing the population of a
country they could not inhabit, were defirous in
1565 of fettling on this fpot, after having driven
the French from it, who had begun the year be-
fore to form a fmail eftablifhment there.
THE moft eafterly fettlement in this colony was
known by the name of San Mattheo. The con-
querors would have abandoned it, notwithftanding
it was fituated on a navigable river at two leagues
diftance from the fea, on an agreeable and fertile
foil, had they notdifcovcred the fafTafras upon it.
THIS tree, a native of America, is of a better
kind in Florida than in any other part of that con-
tinent. It grows equally on the borders of the fea
and upon the mountains j but always in a foil that
is neither too dry, nor too damp. It is ftraight
and lofty like the fir-tree, it has no branches, and
its top is formed fomewhat in the fhape of a cup.
It is an ever-green, and its leaves refemble thofe of
the laurel. Its flower, which is yellow, is taken
in infufion as the mullein and tea. Its root,
which is well known in trade, being very fervice-
able in medicine, ought to be ipungy, light, of
a greyifh
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
a greyifh colour ; of a. fharp, fweetifh and aro-
matic tafte ; and fhould have the fmell of the fen-
nel and anife. Thefe qualities give it the virtue of
promoting perfpiration, refolving thick and vif-
cous humours, and relieving palfies and catarrhs.
It was formerly much ufed in venereal com-
plaints.
THE firft Spaniards who fettled there, would,
probably, have fallen a facrifice to this laft dif-
order, without the affiftance of this powerful re-
medyj they would at leaft not have recovered
from thofe dangerous fevers they were generally
fubject to at St. Mattheo; either in confequence
of the food of the country, or the badnefs of the
waters. But the favages taught them, that by
drinking in a morning fading, and at their meals,
water in which faiTafras had been boiled, they
might certainly depend upon a fpeedy recovery.
The experiment, upon trial, proved fuccefsful.
But ftill the village never emerged from the ob-
fcurity and diftrefs which were undoubtedly the
natural and insurmountable evils that attended the
conquerors of the New world.
ANOTHER eftabliihment was formed upon the
fame coaft, at fifteen leagues diftance from San
Mattheo, known by the name of St. Auguftine.
The Englifh attacked it in 1747, but were obliged
to .clefift their attempts. Some Scotch High-
landers, in endeavouring to cover the retreat of
the aflailants, were repulied and flain. A fer-
geant, who fought among the Spaniards, was
fpared by the Indian favages, only that he might
be referved to undergo thoie torments which they
inflict
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 289
inflict upon their prifoners. This man, it is faid,
on feeing the horrid tortures that awaited him,
addreffed the blood-thirfty multitude in the fol-
lowing manner:
<c HEROES and patriarchs of the weftern world,
" you were not the enemies that I fought for 5 but
t{ you have at lait been the conquerors. The
" chance of war has thrown me in your power.
" Make what ufe you pleafe of the right of con-
" queft. This is a right I do not call in quef-
<f tion. But as it is cuitomary in my country to
" offer a ranfom for one's life, liflen to a propofal
<f not unworthy your notice.
<c KNOW then, valiant Americans, that in the
c< country of which I am a native, there are fome
cf men who poffefs a fuperior knowledge of the
<f fecrets of nature. One of thofe fages, connected
" to me by the ties of kindred, imparted to me,
<f when I became a foldier, a charm to make me
<f invulnerable. You mud have obferved how I
" have efcaped all your darts. Without fuch a
<c charm would it have been poflible for me to
" have furvived all the mortal blows you have
" aimed at me ? For I appeal to your own valour,
<c to teflify that mine has fufficiently exerted it-
" felf, and has not avoided any danger. Life is
" not fo much the object of my requefi:, as the
fc g^ or 7 ^ having communicated to you a fecret
" of fo much confequence to your fafety, and of
<f rendering the moft valiant nation upon the
<{ earth invincible. Suffer me only to have one
" of my hands at liberty, in order to perform the
VOL. V. U " ceremonies
, HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
" ceremonies of inchantment, of which I will now
<f make trial on myielf before you."
THE Indians liflened with eagernefs to this dif-
courfe, which was flattering both to their warlike
character, and their turn for the marvellous.
After a fhort confutation, they untied one of the
prifoner's arms. The highlander begged that they
would put his broad fword into the hands of the
moil expert and flouted man among them ; and
at the fame time laying bare his neck, after having
rubbed it, and muttering fome words accompanied
with magic figns, he cried aloud with a cheerful
countenance. " Obferve now, O valiant Indians,
ff aninconteflibleproofofmy honefly. Thou war-
" rior, who now'holdefl my keen cutting wea-
ff pon, do thou now ftrike with all thy ftrength:
ec far from being able to fever my head from my
Cf body, thou wilt not even wound the fkin of my
" neck."
HE had fcarcely fpoke thefe words, when the
Indian aiming the mod violent blow, flruck off
the head of the ferjeant, to the'diflance of twenty
feet. The favages aflonifhed, flood motionlefs,
viewing the bloody corpfe of the flrangerj and
then turned their eyes upon one another, as if to
reproach each other with their blind credulity.
But admiring the artifice the prifoner had made
ufe of to avoid the torture by haflening his death,
they beflowed on his body the funeral honours of
their country. If this fact; the date of which is
too recent to admit of credit, has not all the
marlys of authenticity it fhould have, it will only
be
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
be one falfehood more to be added_to the accounts
of travellers.
THE Spaniards who in all their progrefs
through America, were more employed in de-
flroying the inhabitants, than in creeling build-
ings, had formed only thofe two fettlements w$
have taken notice of at the mouth of the channel
of Bahama. At fourfcore leagues diftance from
St. Auguftine, upon the entrance of the gulph of
Mexico, they had raifed that of St. Mark, at the
mouth of the river Apalache. But this fituation,
well adapted to maintain a communication be-
tween the two continents of the New world, had
already loft all the little confequence it had at rft
obtained, when the Englifh fettled at Carolina in
1704, and entirely deftroyed it.
AT the diftance of thirty leagues further was
another colony, known by the name of St. Jofeph,
but of lefs confequence than that of St. Mark.
Situated on a flat coaft, expofed to every wind,
and on a barren foil and an uncultivated country;
it was the laft place where one might expeft to
meet with inhabitants. But avarice being fre-
quently a dupe to ignorance, fome Spaniards fet-
tled there.
THOSE Spaniards who had formed an eftablifh-
ment at the bay of Penfacola upon the borders of
Louifiana, were at leaft happier in their choice of
fituation. The foil was fufceptible of culture ;
and there was a road which, had it been a little
deeper at its entrance, might have been thought a
good one, if the beft Ihips that arrived there had
not foon been worm-eaten.
U 2 THESE
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
THESE five colonies, fcattered over a fpace fuf-
ficient to have formed a great kingdom, did not
contain more than three thoufand inhabitants fur-
pafllng each other in floth and poverty. They
were all fupported by the produce of their cattle.
The hides they fold at the Havannah, and the
provifions with which they ferved their garrifon,
whofe pay amounted to 750,000 livres* enabled
them to purchafe cloths and every article which
their foil did not fupply. Notwithftanding the
miferable ftate in which they had been left by the
mother-country, the greateft part of them chofe to
go to Cuba, when Florida was ceded to England
by the treaty of 1763. This acquifition, there-
fore, was no more than a defert, yet ftill it was
fome advantage to have got rid of a number of
lazy, indolent, and difarredled inhabitants.
GREAT BRITAIN was pleafed with the profpecl
of peopling a vaft province, whofe limits have
been extended even to the Miffifippi, by the cef-
fion France has made of part of Louifiana. The
better to accomplifli her defign, fhe has divided
it into two governments, under the names of Eaft
and Weft Florida.
THE Englilh had long been defirous of efta-
blifhing themfelves in that part of the continent,
in order to open a free communication with the
wealthieft colonies of Spain. At firft they had no
other view except the profits arifmg from a con-
traband trade. But an advantage fo precarious
and momentary, was not an object of fufficient
importance, nor any way fuitable to the ambition
* 32,822!. ios.
of
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 293
of a great power. Cultivation alone can render n x y K
the conqnefts of an induftrious people flourifhing. * v -*
Senfible of this the Englifh give every encourage-
ment to promote agriculture in the fined part of
their dominions. In one year, 1769, the parlia-
ment voted no lefs than 205,875 livres* for the
two Floridas. Here at leaft, the mother for
fome time adminifters nourilhment to her new-
born children j whereas, in other nations, the go-
vernment fucks and exhaufts at the fame time the
milk of the mother-country and the blood of the
colonies.
IT is not eafy to determine, to what degree of By what
fplendour this indulgence with time and good ma-
nagement may raife the Floridas. Appearances,
however, are highly promifing. The air is ulefult *
healthy, and the foil fit for every kind of grain.
The firft trials of rice, cotton, and indigo, were
attended with fuch fuccefs, that the number of co-
lonifts was greatly increafed by it. They pour in
from the neighbouring provinces, the mother-
country, and all the proteftant dominions in Eu-
rope. How greatly might this population be in-
creafed, if the fovereigns of North America would
depart from the maxims they have uniformly pur-
fued, and would condefcend to intermarriages
with Indian families ! And for what reafon fhould
this method of civilizing the favage tribes, which
has been fo fuccefsfully employed by the moft en-
lightened politicians, be rejecled by a free people,
.who from their principles muft admit a greater
equality than other nations ? Would they then be
* 9,007!. os. 7<1. ,
U 3 Hill
294 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
B xvm K ^^ reduced to the cruel alternative of feeing their
v v ' crops burned, and their labourers maflacred, or
of perlecu ting without intermiffion, and extermi-
nating without pity, thofe wandering bands of
natives ? Surely, a generous nation, which has
made fuch great and fuch continued efforts to
reign without a rival over this vaft trad of the
New world, fhould prefer to fangurnary and inglo-
rious hoftilities, a humane and infallible method of
difarming the only enemy that remains to difturb
her tranquillity!
THE Englifh flatter themfelves, that without
the affidance of thefe alliances they fhall foon be
freed from the little interruption that remains. It
is the fate of favage nations, fay they, to wafte
away in proportion as the people of civilized ftates
come to fettle among them. Unable to fubmit to
the labour of cultivation, and failing of their
ufual fubflftence from the chace, they are reduced
to the neceflity of abandoning all thofe traces of
lands which induflry and activity have undertaken
to clear. This is actually the cafe with all the
natives bordering on the European fettlements.
They keep daily retiring further into the woods;
they fall back upon the Affenipouals and Hud-
ion's bay, where they muft neceffarily encroach
iipon each other, and in a fhort time muft perifh
for want of fubfiftence.
BUT before this total deftruclion is brougl
about, events of a very ferious nature may occui
We have not yet forgotten the generous Pondiacl
That formidable warriour had broke with
Engliih in 1762. Major Roberts, who was em-
ployee
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 29?
ployed to reconcile him, fent him a prefent of B v JJ f K
brandy. Some Iroquois, who were {landing round v.. ~ y ~ j
their chief, fhuddered at the fight of this liquor.
Not doubting that it was poifoned, they irtfifted
that he fliould not accept fo fufpicious a prefent.
How can it be, faid their leader, that a man, who
knows my efteem for him, and the fignal fervices I
have done lnm y Jbould entertain a thought of taking
a'jjay my life ? Saying this, he received and drank
the brandy with a confidence equal to that of the
moft renowned hero of antiquity.
BY many inftances of magnanimity fimilar to
this, the eyes of the favage nations had all been
fixed upon Pondiack. His defign'was to unite
them in a body for the defence of their lands and
independence. Several unfortunate circumftances
concurred to defeat this grand projecl; but it may
be refumed, and it is not impoflible that it may
fucceed. Should this be the cafe, the Englifh will
be under a necefiity of protecting their frontier
againft an enemy, that hath none of thofe expen-
ces to fuftain or evils to dread, which war brings
with it among civilized nations -, and will find the
advantages they have promifed themfelves from
conquefts made at the expence of fo much trea-
fure and fo much blood, confiderably retarded,
at leaft, if not entirely loft.
THE two Floridas, part of Louifiana, and all ErtMltof
Canada, obtained at the fame sera, either by con- J^jjJJJ
queft or treaty, have rendered the Englifh mailers in North
of* all that fpace, which extends from the river
St. Lawrence to the Miffifippi; fo that without
reckoning Hudfon's bay, Newfoundland, and the
U 4 other
29^ HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
B XVJ?I K Ot ^ er ifl an ds of North- America, they are in poflef-
' -v ' fion of the mofl extenfive empire that ever was
formed upon the face of the globe. This vaft ter-
ritory is divided from north to fouth by a chain of
high mountains, which alternately receding- from
and approaching the coaft, leave between them
and the ocean a rich tract of land of a hundred
and fifty, two hundred, and fometimes three hun-
dred miles in breadth. Beyond the Apaiachian
mountains is an immenfe defert, into which fome
travellers have ventured as far as eight hundred
leagues, without finding an end to it. It is fuppo-
fed that the rivers at the extremity of thefe uncul-
tivated regions have a communication with the
South- fea. If this conjecture, which is notdefti-
tute of probability, fhould be confirmed by expe-
rience, England would unite in her colonies all the
branches of communication and commerce of the
world. As her territories extend from one Ame-
rican fea to the other, fhe may be faid to join the
four quarters of the world. From all her Euro-
pean ports, from all her African fettlements, fhe
freights and fends out fhips to the New world.
From her maritime fettlements in the eaft fhe would
have a direct channel to the Weft Indies by the
Pacific ocean. She would difcover thofe flips of
land or branches of the fea, the ifthmus of the
ftreight, which lies between the northern extremi-
ties of Afia and America. By the vaft extent of
her colonies fhe would have in her own power all
the avenues of trade, and would fecure all the ad-
vantages of it by her numerous fleets. Perhaps,
by having the empire of all the feas fhe might af-
pire
IN THE *E AST AND WEST INDIES.
pire to the fupremacy of both worlds. But it is
not in the deftiny of any fingle nation to attain to
fuch a pitch of greatnefs. Is then extent of domi-
nion fo flattering an object, when conquefts are
made only to be loft again ? Let the Romans
fpeak ! Does it conftitute power, to pofiefs fuch a
fhare of the globe, that fome part fhall always be
enlightened by the rays of the fun, if while we
reign in one world we are tolanguifh in obfcurity
in the other ? Let the Spaniards anfwer !
THE Englifh will be happy, if they can preferve
by the means of culture and navigation, an em-
pire, which muft ever be found too extenfive,
when it cannot be maintained without bloodfhed.
But as this is the price, which ambition muft al-
ways pay for the fuccefs of its enterprifes, it is by
commerce alone that conquefts can become valu-
able to a maritime power. Never did war pro-
cure for any conqueror a territorry more improve-
able by human induftry than that of the northern
continent of America. Although the land in ge-
neral is fo low near the fea, that in many parts it
is fcarcely diftinguifhable from the top of the main-
maft, even after anchoring in fourteen fathom, yet
the coaft is very eafy of accefs, becaufe the depth
diminilhes infenfibly as you advance. From this
circumftance it is eafy to determine exactly by the
line the diftance of the main land. Befides this,
the mariner has another fign, which is the appear-
ance of trees, that, feeming to rife out of the lea,
form an enchanting object to his view upon a
ihore, which prefents roads and harbours v/ithout
number,
29* HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
B xvm K num ' oer J f r tne reception and prefer vation of ihip-
TKE productions of the earth arife in great
abundance from a foil newly cleared j but on the
other hand they are a long time before they come
to maturity. Many plants are even fo late in flow-
er, that the winter prevents their ripening ; while
on our continent, both the fruit and the feed of
them are gathered in a more northern latitude.
What can be the caufe of this phenomenon ? Be-
fore the arrival of the Europeans,, the North- Ame-
ricans, living upon the produce of their hunting
and fifnery, left their lands totally uncultivated,
The whole country was covered with woods and
thickets. Under the fhade of thefe forefts grew
a multitude of plants. The leaves which fell
every winter from th-e trees, formed a bed three
or four inches thick. Before the damps had quite
rotted this fpecies of manure, the fummer came
on i and nature, left entirely to herfelf, continued
heaping incerTantly upon each other thefe effects
of her fertility. The plants buried under wet
leaves, through which they with difficulty made
their way in a long conrfe of time, became ac-
cuftomed to a long vegetation. The force of cul-
ture has not yet been able to fubdue the habit fixed
and confirmed by ages, nor have the difpofitions
of nature given way to the influence of art. But
this climate, fo long unknown or neglected by
mankind, prefents them with advantages, which
fupply the defects and ill confequencs of that
omifiio.
IT
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 299
IT produces almoft all the trees that are natives
of our climate. It has alfo others peculiar to it-
felf, among which are the fu gar maple, and the
candleburry myrtle. The candleburry myrtle is a
fhrub which delights in a moift foil, and is, there-
fore, feldom found at any diftance from the fea.
Its feeds are covered with a white powder, which
looks like flour. When they are gathered towards
the end of autumn, and put into boiling water,
there rifes a vifcous body, which fwims at the top,
and is (kimmed off. As foon as this is come to a
confiftence, it is commonly of a dirty green co-
lour. To purify it, it is boiled a fecond time,
when it becomes tranfparent, and acquires an
able green colour.
THIS fubftance, which in quality and confiftence
is a medium between tallow and wax, fupplied
the place of both to the firft Europeans that land-
ed in this country. The dearnefs of it has occa-
fioned it to be lefs ufed, in proportion as the num-
ber of domcftic animals hath increafed. Never-
thelefs, as it burns flower than tallow, is lefs fub-
je6t to melt, and has not that difagreeable fmell,
it is Hill preferred, wherever it can be procured at
a moderate price. The property of giving light
is, of all its ufes, the leafc valuable. It ferves to
make excellent foap and plaifters for wounds : it
is even employed for the purpofe of fealing letters.
The fugar maple merits no lefs attention than the
candleburry myrtle, as may be conceived from its
name.
THIS tree, whofe nature is to flourifh by the fide
of ftreamsj or in marlhy places, grows to the
5 height
5 co HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS ATvD TRADE
B xv?ii K height f an oa k* * n tne montn f March, an
* v ' - incifion of the depth of three or four inches is made
in the lower part of the trunk. A pipe is put into
the orifice, through which the juice, that flows
from it, is conveyed into a veffel placed to receive
it. The young trees are ib full of this liquor, that
in half an hour they will fill a quart bottle. The
old ones afford lefs, but of much better quality. No
more than one incifion or two at moft can be made
without draining and weakening the tree. If three
or four pipes are applied, it foon dies.
THE fap of this tree has naturally the flavour
of honey. To reduce it to fugar, it is evaporated
by fire, till it has acquired the confidence of a
thick fyrup. It is then poured into moulds of
earthen ware or bark of the birch-tree. The fy-
rup hardens as it cools, and becomes a red kind of
fugar, almoft tranfparent, and pleafant enough to
the tafte. To give it a whitenefs, flour is fome-
times mixed up with it in the making; 'but this
ingredient always changes the flavour of it. This
kind of fugar is ufed for the fame purpofes, as
that which is made from canes j but eighteen or
twenty pounds of juice go to the making of one
pound of fugar, fo that it can be of no great ufe in
trade.
Kr*s p?cu- AMIDST the multitude of birds which inhabit
the forefts of North America, there is one ex-
tremely fingular in its kind; this is the humming
bird, a fpecies of which, on account of its fmall-
nefs, is called foifeau mouche> or the fly bird. Its
beak is long and pointed like a needle -, and its
claws are not thicker than a common pin. Upon
its
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. J0f
its head it has a black tuft of icomparable beauty. BOOK.
Its breaft is of a rofe colour, and its belly white as '
milk. The back, wings and tail are grey, bor-
dered with filver, and flreaked with the brighteft
gold. The down, which covers all the plumage
of this little bird, gives it fo delicate a caft, that
it refembles a velvet flower, whofe beauty fades on
the flighted touch.
THE fpring is the only feafon for this charming
bird. Its neft, perched on the middle of a bough,
is covered on the outfide with a grey and greenifli
mofs, and on the infide lined with a very foft down
gathered from yellow flowers. This neft is half
an inch in depth, and about an inch in diameter.
There are never found more than two eggs in it
about the fize of the fmalleft peas. Many at-
tempts have been made to rear the youngones; but
they have never lived more than three weeks or a
month at moft.
THE humming bird lives entirely on the juice
of flowers, fluttering from one to another, like
the bees. Sometimes it buries itfelf in the calix of
the largeft flowers. Its flight produces a buzzing
noife like that of a fpinning-wheel. When tired,
it lights upon the neareft tree or flake j refts a few
minutes, and flies again to the flowers. Notwith-
ftanding its weaknefs, it does not appear timid ;
but will fuffer a man to approach within eight or
ten feet of it.
WHO could imagine, that fo diminutive an ani-
mal could be malicious, paflionate, and quarrel-
fome ? Thefe birds are often feen righting together
with
302 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK w ith great fury and obftinacy. The ftrokes they
t .'_ give with their beak are fo fudden and fo quick,
that they are not distinguishable by the eye. Their
wings move with fuch agility, that they feem not
to move at all. They are more heard than feen;
and their noife refembles that of a fparrow.
THESE little birds are all impatience. When
they come near a flower, if they find it faded and
withered, they tear all the leaves afunder. The
precipitation with which they peck it, betrays, as
it is faid, the rage with which they are animated.
Towards the end of the fummer, thoulands of
flowers may be feen ftript of all their leaves by the
fury of the humming birds. It may be doubted,
however, whether this mark of refentment is not
rather an effect of hunger than of an unnecefiarily
deftructive inftinct.
NORTH AMERICA formerly was devoured by in-
fects. As the air was not then purified, the ground
cleared, the woods cut down, nor the waters drain-
ed off, thefe little animals deftroyed without oppo-
fition all the productions of nature. None of them
was ufeful to mankind. There is only one at pre-
fent, which is the bee; but this is fuppofed to have
been carried on from the Old to the New world.
The favages call it, the Englifh fly; and it is only
found near the coafls. Thefe circumitances an-
nounce it to be of foreign original. The bees fly
in numerous fwarms through the forefts of the new
world. Their numbers are continually increafing,
and their honey, which is converted to feveral
ufes, fupplies many perfons with food.
THE
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
THE bee is not the only prefent which Europe
has had it in her power to make to America. She
has enriched her alfo with a breed of domeftic
animals, for the favages had none. America had
not yet afibciated beafts with men in the labours of
cultivation, when the Europeans carried over thi-
ther in their fhips feveral of their fpecies of do-
meftic animals. They have multiplied there pro-
digiouflyj but all of them, excepting the hog,
whofe whole merit confills in fattening himfelf,
have loft much of that ftrength and lize which
they enjoyed in thofe countries from whence they
were brought. Theoxen, horfes and Iheep, have
degenerated in the northern colonies of England,
though the particular kinds of each had been
chofen with great precaution.
WITHOUT doubt, it is the climate, the nature
of the air and the foil which has prevented the
fuccefs of their tranfplantation. Thefe animals,
as well as the men, were at iirft attacked by epi-
demical diforders. If the contagion did not, as in
the men, affect the principles of generation in
them, feveral fpecies of them at leaft were with
much difficulty reproduced. Each generation fell
fhort of the laftj and as it happens to American
plants in Europe, European cattle continually de-
generated in America. Such is the law of cli-
mates, whith wills every people, every animal
and vegetable fpecies to grow and flonrifli in its
native foil. The love of their native foil feems an
ordinance of nature prefcribed to all beings, like
the defire of preferving their exiftence.
* YET
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
YET there are certain correfpondences of cli-
mate, which form exceptions to the general rule
againft tranfporting animals and plants. When
the Englifti firfl landed on the North-American
continent, the wandering inhabitants of thole de-
folate regions had fcarcely arrived at the cultiva-
tion of a fmall quantity of maize. This fpecies of
corn, unknown at that time in Europe, was the
only one known in the New world. The culture
of it was by no means difficult. The favages con-
tented themfelves with taking off the turf, making
a few holes in the ground with a (lick, and throw-
ing into each of them a fingle grain, which pro-
duced two hundred and fifty or three hundred.
The method of preparing it for food was not more
complicated. They pounded it in a wooden or
Hone mortar, and made it into a pafte, which they
baked under embers. They often ate it boiled or
toalted merely upon the coals.
THE maize has many advantages. Its leaves
are ufeful in feeding cattle , a circumftance of
great moment where there are very few meadows.
A hungry, light fandy foil agrees bed with this
plant. The feed may be frozen in the fpring two
or three times without impairing the harveft. In
ihort it is of all plants the one that is lead injured
by the excefs of drought or moifture.
THESE caufes, which introduced the cultivation
of it in that part of the world, induced the Eng-
lilh to preferve and even promote it in their fet-
tlements. They fold it to Portugal, to South
America, and the fugar iflands, and had fufficient
for their own ufe. They did not, however, ne-
glect to enrich their plantations with European
grains,
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
grains, all of which fucceeded, though not fo per- *xvm
fectly as in their native foil. With the fuperftuity ' M
of their hrrvefts, the produce of their herds, and
the clearing of their forefls, the colonilts formed
a trade with all the wealthicft and mofl populous
provinces of the New world.
THE mother- country, finding that her northern
colonies had fupplanted her in her trade with
South-America, and fearing that they would foon
become her rivals even in Europe at all the mar-
kets for fait and corn, endeavoured to divert their
induflry to objects that might be more ufeful to
her. She wanted neither motives nor means to
bring about this purpofe, and had foon an oppor-
tunity to carry it into execution.
THE greateft part of the pitch and tar the Eng- i^ n " s "
lifh wanted for their fleet, ufed to be furnifhed by the ne(
Sweden. In 1703, that ftate was fo blind to its in? their
true intereft, as to lay this important branch of from'
commerce under the reftrictions of an exclufive An ' erjca *
patent. The firft effect of this monopoly was a
fudden and unnatural increafe of price. England
taking advantage of this blunder of the Swedes,
encouraged by confiderable premiums the impor-
tation of all forts of naval (lores which North-
America could furnifn.
Thefe rewards did not immediately produce
the effect that was expected from them. A bloody
war, raging in each of the four quarters of the
world, prevented both the mother-country and
the colonies from giving to this beginning revo-
lution in commerce, the attention which it me-
rited.
VOL. V- X THE
3 o6 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK THE modern nations, whole interefts were united,
\ v > talcing this inaction, which was only occafioned
by the hurry of a war, for an abiblute proof of
inability, thought they might without danger lay
every reftrictive claufe upon the exportation of
marine ftores, that could contribute to enhance
the price of them. For this end they entered into
mutual engagements which were made public in
1718, a time, when all the maritime powers flill
felt the effects of a war, that had continued four-
teen years.
ENGLAND was alarmed by fo odious a conven-
tion. She difpatched to America men ofiufficient
ability to convince the inhabitants how neceffary
' it was for them to affift the views of the mother-
country j and of fufficient experience to direct
their firit attempts towards great objects, without
making them pals through thofe minute details,
which quickly extinguiih an ardour excited with
difficulty. In a very fhort time fuch quantities of
pitch, tar, turpentine, yards, and mafls were
brought into the harbours of Great Britain, that
fhe was enabled to fupply the nations around
her.
THIS fudden fuccefs blinded the Britiih govern-
ment. The cheapnefs of the commodities fur-
nilhed by the colonies, in comparifon of thofe
which were brought from the Baltic, gave them
an advantage, which iesmed to infure a eonftant
preference. Upon this the minifhy concluded
that the bounties might be withdrawn. But they
had not taken into their calculation the difference
of freight, which was entirely in favour of their
rivals.
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
rivals. A total flop enfued in this branch of
trade, and made them fenfible of their error. In
1729, they revived the bounties j which, though
they were not laid fo high as formerly, were fuf-
ficient to give to the vent of American flores the
greateft fuperiority at leaft in England, over thofe
of the northern nations.
THE woods, though they conflituted the prin-
cipal riches of the colonies, had hitherto been
overlooked by the governors of the mother-coun-
try. The produce of them had long been ex^
ported by the Englifh to Spain; Portugal, and the
different markets in the Mediterranean, where i c
was bought up for building and other ufes* As
thefe traders did not take in return merchandife
fufficient to complete their cargoes^ it had been a
practice v/ith the Hamburghers, and even the
Dutch, to import on their bottoms the produce of
the moft fertile climates of Europe. This double
trade of export and carrying the merchandife of
other nations had confiderably augmented the Bri-
tifh navy. The parliament, being informed of
this advantage, in the year 1722, immediately ex-
empted the timber of the colonies from all thofe
dutiesof importation, to which Ruffian, Swtdi : h,
and Danifh timber are fubjecT:. This rirft favour
was followed by a bounty, which, at the fame
time that it comprehended every fpecies of wood
in general, was principally calculated for thofe,
which are employed in fhip-building. An advan-
tage, fo confiderable in itfelf would have been
greatly improved ; if the colonies had built among
themfelves vefTels proper for tranfporting cargoes
X 2 of
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
weight; if they had made dock-yards,
rom which they might have furniihed complete
freights j and finally, if they had abolilhed the
cuftom of burning in the fpring the leaves which
had fallen in the preceding autumn. This abfurd
pra&ice deftroys all the young trees, that are be-
ginning in that feafon to fhoot out ; and leaves
only the old ones, which are too rotten for ufe.
It is notorious, that veffeis conftructed in Ame-
rica, or with American materials, laft but a very
fhort time. This inconvenience may arife from
feveral caufes j but that, which has juft been
mentioned, merits the greater attention, as it may
be eafily remedied. Befides timber and mafts far
fhips, America is capable of furnilhing likewife
fails and rigging, by the cultivation of hemp and
flax.
THE French proteftants, who, when driven
from their country by a victorious prince, become
infected with a fpirit of bigotry, carried their na-
tional induftry into all the countries of his ene-
mies, and taught England the value of two com-
modities of the utmoft importance to a maritime
power. Both flax and hemp were cultivated with
ibme fuccefs in Scctknd and Ireland. Yet the
manufadtures of the nation were chiefly fupplied
with both from Ruflia. To put a flop to this fo-
reign importation, it was propofed to grant a
bounty to North- America of 135 livres*, for
every ton of thefe articles. But habit, which is
averfe from every thing that is new, however ufe-
ful, prevented the colonifts at firir. from being al-
* 61.
lured
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
hired by this bait. They are fince reconciled to
this bounty ; and the produce of their flax and
hemp ferves to keep at home a confiderable part
of 45,000,000* of livres, which went annually
out of Great Britain for the purchafe of foreign
linens. It may, perhaps, in time be improved fo
far as to fupply the whole demand of the king-
dom, and even to fupplant other nations in all the
markets. A foil entirely frefh, which cofts no-
thing, does not ftand in need of manure, is inter-
fedted by navigable rivers, and may be cultivated
by (laves, affords ground for immenfe expecta-
tions. To the timber and canvas requifite for
Ihipping, we have yet to add iron. The northern
parts of America furnifh this commodity which
affifts in acquiring the gold and filver that flow fo
abundantly in the fouthern.
THIS moil ferviceable of metals, fo necefTary to
mankind, was unknown to the Americans, till
the Europeans taught them the moft fatal ufe of
it, that of making weapons. The Englilh them-
felves long neglected the iron mines, which na-
ture had lavifhed on the continent, where they
were fettled. That channel of wealth had been
diverted from the mother-country by being
clogged with enormous duties. The proprietors
of the national mines, in concert with thoi'e of the
coppice woods, which are ufed in the working of
them, had procured impofts to be laid on them
that amounted to a prohibition. By corruption,
intrigue, and fophifhy, thefe enemies to the pub-
lic good, had flifled a competition, which would
* 1,968,750!,
X 3 have
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
, K have been fatal to their interefts. At length the
-w governrqent took the firft ftep towards a right
conduct. The importation of American iron into
the port of London was granted, duty free : but
at the fame time it was forbidden to be carried to
any other ports, or even more than ten miles in-
land. This whimfical reftridion continued till
1757. At that time the general voice of the peo-
ple called upon the parliament to repeal an ordi-
nance fo rnanifeftly contrary to every principle of
public utility, and to extend to the whole king-
clom a privilege which had been granted exclu-
lively to the capital.
,THOUGH nothing could be more reafonable
than this demand, it met with the ftrongeft oppo-
fition. Combinations of interefted individuals
were formed to reprefent, that the hundred and
nine forges worked in England, not reckoning
thofe of Scotland, produced annually eighteen
thoufand tons of iron, and employed a great num-
ber of able workmen ; that the mines which were
inexhauftible, would have fupplied a much greater
quantity, had not a perpetual apprehenfion pre-
vailed that the duties on American iron would be
taken off j that the iron works carried on in Eng-
land confumed annually one hundred and ninety-
eight thoufand cords of underwood, and that thofe
woods furnifhed moreover bark for the tanneries
and materials for fhip-building i and that the
American iron, not being proper for fteel, for
making fharp inftryments, or many of the utenfils
of navigation, would contribute very little to lef-.
fen the importation from abroad, and would have
no
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
no other effeft than that of putting a flop to the B
forges of Great Britain.
THESE groundlefs reprefentations had no weight
with the parliament, who faw clearly that unlefs
the price of the original materials could be lef-
Jenecl, the nation would foon lofe the numberlefs
manufactures of iron and fteel, by which it had fo
long been enriched; and that there was no time
to be loft in putting a flop to the progrefs other
nations were making in thefe works. It was
therefore refolved that thfc free importation of iron
from America fhouldbe permitted in all the ports of
England. This wife refolution was accompanied
with an act of juftice. The proprietors of cop-
pices were by a llatute of Henry the eighth forbid-
den to clear their lands; but the parliament took
off this prohibition, and left them at liberty to
make ufe of their eftates as they fhould think
proper.
PREVIOUS to thefe regulation? Great Britain
ufed to pay annually to Spain, Norway, Sweden,
and Ruffia, ten millions of livres* for the iron fhe
purchafed of them. This tribute is greatly lef-
fened, and will ftill decreafe. The ore is found
infuch quantities in America, and is fo eafily fepa-
rated from the ground, that the Englilh do not
defpair of having it in their power to furnifh Por-
tugal, Turkey, Africa, the Baft-Indies, and every
country in the world with which they have any
commercial connexions.
PERHAPS, the Englifh may be too fanguine in
their reprefentations of the advantages they expeft
* 437>5 o! -
X 4 from
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
from fo many articles of importance to their navy.
But it is fufficient for them, if by the affiftance of
their colonies they can free themfelves from that
dependence in which the northern powers of Eu-
rope have hitherto kept them, with regard to the
equipment of their fleets. Formerly their enter-
prifes might have been prevented or at leaft inter-
rupted by a refufal of the neceffary materials.
From this time nothing will be able to check
their natural ardour for the empire of the fea,
which alone can infure to them the empire of the
New world.
ineiand AFTER having paved the way to that grand ob-
endeavours jecl,- by forming a free, independent navy, fuper-
vine and nor to that of 'every other nation ; England has
North adopted every meafure, that can contribute to her
America. enjoyment of a fpecies of conqueft fhe has made
in America, not fo much by the force of her arms
as by her induflry. By bounties judicioufly be-
ftowed, lhe has fucceeded fo far as to draw an-
nually from that country twenty million weight of
pot-afhes. The greateft progrefs has been made
in the cultivation of rice, indigo, and tobacco. In
proportion as the fettlements, from their natural
tendency, ftretched further towards the fouth,
frefh projects and enterprifes fuitable to the nature
of the foil fuggefted themfelves. In the temperate
and in the hot climates, the ieveral productions
were expected which necefTarily reward the labours
of the cultivator. Wine, was the only article that
feemed to be wanting in the new hemifphere ; and
the Englifh, who have none in Europe, were
eager to produce fome in America,
UPON
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 313
UPON that immenfe continent the Englifh are B 3 J ) V JJ I IC
in poffefiion of, are found prodigious quantities of u v ~--
wild vines, which bear grapes, different in co-
lour, fize and quantity, but all of a four and dif-
agreeable flavour. It was fuppofed that good ma-
nagement would give thefe plants that perfec-
tion, which unaffifted nature had denied them;
and French vine-drefiers were invited into a coun-
try, where neither public nor private impofitions
took away their inclination to labour by depriving
them of the fruits of their induftry. The repeated
experiments they made both with American and
European plants, were all equally unfuccefsful.
The juice of the grape was too watery, too weak,
and almoft impofiible to be preferved in a hot cli-
mate. The country was too full of woods, which
attract and confine the moid and hot vapours;
the feafons were too unfettled, and the infects too
numerous near the forelts to furrer a production to
grow up and profper, of which the Englifh and
all other nations who have it not are fo ambitious.
The time will come, perhaps, though it will be
long firft, when their colonies will furnifh. them
with a liquor, which they envy and purchafe from
France, repining inwardly that they are obliged to
contribute towards enriching a rival, whom they
are anxious to ruin. This difpoiition is cruel.
England has other more gentle and more honour-
able means of attaining that profperity fhe is am-
bitious of. Her emulation may be better and
more ufefully exerted on an article now cultivated
in each of the four quarters of the globe; this is
filk ! the work of that little worm which clothes
mankind
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
trees digefted in its
entrails: filk! that double prodigy of nature and
of art.
A very confiderable fum of money is annually
exported from Great Britain for the purchafe of
this rich production; which gave rife about thirty
years ago to a plan for obtaining filk from Caro-
lina; the mildnefs of the climate, and the great'
abundance of mulberry trees feemed favourable to
the project. Some attempts made by the govern-
ment to attract fome Switzers into the colony,
were more fuccefsful than could have been ex-
pected. Yet the progrefs of this branch of trade
has not been anfwerable to fo promifing a begin-
ning. The blame has been laid on the inhabitants
of the colony, who buying only negro men, from
whom they receive an immediate and certain
profit, neglected to have women, who with their
children might have been employed in bring-
ing up filk-worms, an occupation fuitable to the
weaknefs of that lex, and to the tendereft age.
But it ought to have been confidered, that men
coming from another hemifphere into a rude un-
cultivated country, would apply their firft care to
the cultivation of efculent plants, breeding cat-
tle, and the toils of immediate neceffity. This is
the natural and conftant proceeding of well-go-
verned ftates. From agriculture, which is the
fonrce of population, they rife to the arts of
luxury; and the arts of luxury nourifh commerce,
which is the child of induftry and parent of
wealth. The time is, perhaps, come, when the
Engiifti may employ whole colonies in the culti-
vation
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
vation of filk. This is, at leaft, the national opi-
nion. On the 1 8th of April 1769, the parliament
granted a bounty of 25 per cent, for fcven years
on all raw filks imported from the colonies; a
bounty cf 20 per cent, for feven years following,
and for feven years after that a bounty of 1 5 per
cent. If this encouragement produces fuch im-
provements as may reafonably be expected from
it, the next ftep undoubtedly will be the cultiva-
tion of cotton and olive trees, which feem parti-
cularly adapted to the climate and foil of the Eng-
lifh colonies. There are not, perhaps, any rich
productions either in Europe or Afia, but what
may betranfplanted and cultivated with fuccefs on
the vail continent of North America, as foon as
population fhall have provided hands in proportion
to the extent and fertility of fo rich a territory.
The great object of the mother-country at prefcnt
is the peopling of her colonies.
THE firll perfons, who landed in this defert and withwkjt
favage region were Englifhmen, who had been kind of
perfecuted at home for their civil and religious land peo-
ples her
opinions. North
IT was not to be expected that this firft emigra- *n"" n
tion would be attended with important confequen-
ces. The inhabitants of Great Britain are fo
ftrongly attached to their native foil, that nothing
lefs than civil \yars or revolutions can incline thofe
among them, who have any property, character,
or induftry, to a change of climate and country : for
which reafon, the re-eftablifhment of public tran-
quillity in Europe was likely to put an infurmount-
able bar to the progrefs of American cultivation.
ADD
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
^ DD t0 ^' 1S ' t ^ iat t ^ C ^ n ^> though natu-
rally active, ambitious, and enterprifmg, were ill-
adapted to the bufmefs of clearing the grounds.
Accuftomed to a quiet life, eafe and many conve-
niences, nothing but the enthufiafm of religion or
politics could fupport them under the labours, mi-
ieries, wants and calamities infeparable from new
plantations.
IT is further to be obferved, that, though Eng-
land might have been able to overcome thefe dif-
ficulties, fhe ought not to have wiihed to do it.
Without doubt, the founding of colonies, render-
ing them flourifhing, and enriching herfelf with
their productions, was an advantageous profpect
to her; butthofe advantages would be dearly pur-
chafed at the expence of her own population.
HAPPILY for her, the intolerant and defpotic
fpirit, that prevailed in moil countries in Europe,
forced numberlefs victims to take refuge in an un-
cultivated tract, which, in its ftate of defolation,
feemed to implore that affiilance for itfelf which it
offered to the unfortunate. Thefe men, who had
efcaped from the rod of tyranny, in croffing the
leas, abandoned all the hopes of return, and at-
tached themfelves for ever to a country, which at
the fame time afforded them an afylum and an
cafy quiet fubfiftence. Their good fortune could
not remain for ever unknown. Multitudes flocked
from different parts to partake of it. Nor has
this eagernefs abated, particularly in Germany,
where nature produces men for the purpofes either
of conquering or cultivating the earth. It will
even increafc, The advantage granted to emi-
grants.,
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 317
grants, throughout the Britifh dominions, of be- BOOK
Wlf T
ing naturalized by a refidence of feven years in > ' *
the colonies, fufficiently warrants this prediction.
WHILE tyranny and perfecution were deftroying
population in Europe, Englifh America was be-
ginning to be peopled with three forts of inhabi-
tants. The firfl clafs confifts of freemen. It is
the mofl numerous; but hitherto it has vifibly de-
generated. The Creoles in general, though ha-
bituated to the climate from their cradle, are not
fo robuft and fit for labour, nor fo powerful in war
as the Europeans j either becaufe they have not
the improvements of education, or are foftened by
nature. In that foreign clime the mind is ener-
vated as well as the body : endued with a quick-
nefs and early penetration, it hath a ready concep-
tion, but wants fteadinefs, and is not ufed to con-
tinued thought. It muft be a matter of aftonifh-
ment to find that America has not produced one
good poet, able mathematician, or man of genius
in any fmgle art or fcience. The Americans pof-
fels in general a readinefs for acquiring the know-
ledge of every art or fcience, but not one (hews any
luperior talent for any one in particular. More
early advanced, and arriving at a Hate of maturity
fooner than we do, they are much behind us in the
latter part of life.
PERHAPS, it will be faid, that their population
is not very numerous, in comparifon of that of all
Europe together -, that they want aids, mafters,
models, inftruments, emulation in the arts and
fciencesj that education is too neglected, or too
little improved. But we may obferve, that in pro-
portion
3 i8 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
B o o K portion, we fee more perfons in America of good-
i. - T -.jj birth, of an eafy, competent fortune, with a greater
fhare of leifure and of other means of improv-
ing their natural abilities, than are found in Eu-
rope, where even the very method of training up
youth is often repugnant to the progrefs and un-
folding of reafon and genius. Is it pofllble that
although the Creoles educated with us have every
one of them good fenfe, or, atleaft, the majority
of them, yet not one fhould have arifen to any
great degree of perfection in the flighted pnrfuitj
and that among fuch as have ftaid in their country
no one has diftinguiflied himfeif by a confirmed fu-
periority in thofe talents which lead to fame ? Has
nature then punifhed them for having crofied the
ocean ? Are they a race of people for ever dege-
nerated by tranfplanting, by growth, and by mix-
ture ? Will not time be able to reconcile them
to the nature of their climate? Let us beware to
judge of future events, before we have the expe-
rience of feveral centuries. Let us wait till
education has corrected the infurmountable ten-
dency of the climate towards the enervating plea-
fures of luxury and fenfuality. Perhaps we fhall
then fee that America is propitious to genius, and
the arts that give birth to peace and fociety. A new-
Olympus, an Arcadia, an Athens, a new Greece
will produce, perhaps, on the continent, or in the
Archipelago that furrounds it, another Homer, a
Theocritus, and efpecially an Anacreon. Per-
haps, another Newton is to arife in New Britain.
From Englifti America without doubt will pro-
ceed the riot rays of the fciences, if they are at
6 length
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 319
length to break through a fky fo long obfcured with
clouds. By a fingular contract with the Old world,
in which the arts have patted from the fouth to-
wards the north, we Ihall find that in the New
world, the north lerves to enlighten the fouthern
parts. Let the Englifh clear the ground, purify
the air, alter the climate, improve nature, and a
new univerfe will arife out of their hands for the
glory and happinefs of mankind. But it is necef-
lary that they ihould take ileps conformable to this
noble defign, and aim by juftice and laudable
means to form a fet of people fit for the creation
of a New world. This is what they have not
done.
TnEfecond clafs of their_colonifts was formerly
compofed of malefactors which the mother-country
tranfported, after condemnation, to America, and
who were bound to a iervitude of feven or four-
teen years to the planters who had purchafcd
them from the. courts of juftice. Thefe corrupt
men, always diipofed to commit frefh crimes, have
at length been univerfally neglected.
THEY have been replaced by indigent persons,
whom the impofiibility of fubfifting in Europe has
driven into the New world. Having embarked
without being able to pay for their palFage, thefe
wretched men are at the difpofal of their captain,
who fells them to whom he pleafes.
THIS fort of flavery is for a longer or fhorter
time ; but it can never exceed eight years. If
among thefe emigrants there are any who are not
of age, their fervitude lafts till they arrive at that
period,
2o HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
xvm K P er id> which is fixed at twenty one for the boys,
and eighteen for the girls.
NONE of thofe who are contracted for, have a
right to marry without the approbation of their
mafter, who fets what price he chufes on his con-
fent. If any one of them runs away, and is re-
taken, he is to ferve a week for each day's abfence,
a month for every week, and fix months for one.
The proprietor who does not think proper to re-
ceive again one who has deferted from his fervice,
may fell him to whom he pleafes, but that is only
for the term of the firft contract. Befides, neither
the fervice nor the fale carry any ignominy with
it. At the end of his fervitude, the contracted
perfon enjoys all the rights of a free citizen. With
his freedom, he receives from the matter whom he
has ferved, either implements for hufbandry, or
utenfils proper for his work.
BUT with whatever appearance of juftice this
fpecies of traffic may be coloured, the greateft part
of the ftrangers who go over to America under
thefe conditions, would never go on board a fhip,
if they were not inveigled away. Some artful kid-
nappers from the fens of Holland fpread them-
felves over the Palatinate, Suabia, and the can-
tons of Germany, which are the befl peopled or
leaft happy. There they fet forth with raptures
the delights of the New world, and the fortunes
eafily acquired in that country. Simple men, fe-
duced by thefe magnificent promifes, blindly fol-
low thefe infamous brokers engaged in this fcanda-
lous commerce, who deliver them over to factors
at Amfterdam, or Rotterdam. Thefe, either in
pay
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
>ay with the ^ritifh government, or with compa-
nies who have undertaken to flock the coloiftes
with inhabitants, give a gratuity to the men em-
ployed in this fervice. Whole families are fold
Without their knowledge to mailers at a diflance,
who impofe the harder conditions upon them, as
hunger and neceflity do not permit the fufferers to
give a refufal. The Englifh form their fupplies of
men for husbandry, as princes do for war 5 for a
purpofe indeed more ufeful and more humane,
but by the fame artifices. The deception is per-
petually carried on in Europe, by carefully fup-
preffing all correfpondence with America, which
might unveil a myflery of impoflure and iniquity,
too well difguifed by the interefted principles
which gave rife to it.
BUT in fhort, there would not be fo many dupes,
if there were fewer victims. It is the oppreflion
of government which makes thefe chimerical ideas
of fortune be adopted by the credulity of the peo-
ple. Men, unfortunate in their private affairs,
vagabonds, or contemptible at home, have nothing
worfe to fear in a foreign climate, eafily embrace
the profpecflofa better lot. The means made ufe
of to retain them in a country, where chance has
given them birth, are only calculated to excite in
them a defire to quit it. It is vainly fuppofed that
they are to be confined by prohibitions, menaces,
and punifhments : thefe do but exafperate them,
and drive them to defertion by the very forbidding
of it. They fhould be attached by milder means,
and by future expectations ; whereas they are im-
prifoned, and bound : man, born free, is reilrairi-
VOL. V. Y ed
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
F 'xvm K ed from attempting to exift in regions, where
v ' heaven and earth offer him an afylum. It has
been thought better to ftifle him in his cradle than
to ]et him feek for his fubfiftence in fome favour-
able climate. It is not judged proper even to
leave him the choice of his burial-place. Tyrants
in policy ! thefe are the effects of your laws! Peo-
ple, where then are your rights ?
Is it then become neceffary to lay open to the
nations the fchemes that are formed againfl their
liberty ? Muft they be told, that by a confpiracy
of the moll odious nature, certain powers have
lately entered into an agreement, which muft de-
prive even defpair.itfelf of every refource ? For
thefe two centuries paft, all the princes of Europe
have been fabricating in the fecret receffes of the
cabinet that long and heavy chain with which the
people are encompafled on every fide. At every
negociation frefh links were added to the chain fo
artificially contrived.. Wars tended not to make
itates more extenfive, but fubjects more fubmif-
five, by gradually fubflituting military govern-
ment in lieu of the mild and gentle influence of
laws and morality. The feveral fovereigns have
all equally ftrengthened themfelves in their tyran-
ny by their conquefls, or by their loffes. When
they were victorious they reigned by their ar-
mies j when humbled by defeat/ they held the
command by the mifery of their pufillanimous fub-
jects ; if they were either competitors or adverfa-
ries from motives of ambition, they entered into
league or alliance, only to aggravate the fervitude
of their people. If they ceded a province, they
exhaufted
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
exhaufted every other that they might either reco-
ver it, or indemnify themfelves by the lofs. If
they acquired a new one, the haughtinefs they af-
fected out of it, was the occafion of cruelty and
extortion within. They borrowed one of another
by turns every art and invention, whether of peace
or of war, that n.ight concur fometimes to foment
natural antipathy and rivalfhip, fometimes to obli-
terate the character of the nations j as there had
been a tacit agreement among the rulers to fubject
the nations one by means of another to the defpo-
tifm they had conilantly been preparing for them*
Ye people, who all groan more or lefs iecretly, be
not' blinded with refpect to your condition -, thofe
who never entertained any affection for you, are
come now not to have any fear for you. In the
extremity of wretchednefs one fmgle refource re-
mained for you -, that of efcape and emigration.
Even that has been fhut againft you.
PRINCES have agreed among themfelves to re-
ilore to one another deferters, who for the moft
part enlifted by compulfion or by fraud, have a
right to efcape ; not only villains who in reality
ought not to find a refuge any where j but indiffe-
rently all their fubjects, whatever may be the mo-
tive that obliged them to quit their country.
THUS all ye unhappy labourers, who find nei-
ther fubfiftence nor work in your own countries,
after they have been ravaged and rendered barren
by the exactions of finance j thus ye die where ye
had the misfortune to be born, ye have no refuge
but in the grave. All ye artifts and workmen of
every fpecies, harafied by monopolies, who are
Y 2 refufed
!H HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
'XVHI* refufed the right of working at your own free dif-
v ' pofal, unlefs you have purchafed the privileges of
your calling : ye who are kept for your whole life
in the workfhop, for the purpofe of enriching a
privileged factor : ye whom a court-mourning
leaves for months together without bread or
wages ; never expect to live out GI a country where
foldiers and guards keep you imprifoned ; go
wander in defpair, and die of regret. If ye ven-
ture to complain, your cries will be re-ecchoed and
loft in the depth of a dungeon j if ye make your
efcape, ye will be purfued even beyond moun-
tains and rivers : ye will be fent back, or given
up, bound hand and foot, to torture ; and to that
eternal reftraint, to which you have been con-
demned from your birth. Do you likewife, whom
nature has endowed with a free fpirit, independent
of prejudice and error, who dare to think and talk
like men, do you erafe from your minds every
idea of truth, nature, and humanity. Applaud
every attack made on your country and your fel-
low-citizens, or elfe maintain a profound filencein
the receffes of oblcurity and concealment. All ye
who were born in thofe barbarous Hates, where
the condition for the mutual reftoration of de-
ferters has been entered into by the feveral princes,
and fealed by a treaty -, recollect the infcription
Dante has engraven on the gate of his infernal re-
gion : Voi ch* entrate^ lafdate omai ogni fperanza :
Tou 'who enter here, leave behind you every hope.
WHAT ! is there then no afylum remaining be-
yond the feas ? Will not England open her colo-
nies to thofe wretches, who voluntarily prefer her
dominion
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES, 325
dominion to the infupportable yoke of their own BOOK
country ? What occafion has Ihe for that infamous ^v~>
band of contracted (laves, feduced and debauched
by the fhameful means employed by every flate to
increafe their armies ? What need has Ihe of thofe
beings ftill more miferable, of whom fhe compofes
the third clafs of her American inhabitants ? Yes,
by an iniquity the more fhocking as it is appa-
rently the lefs necefTary; her northern colonies
have had recourfe to the traffic and flavery of the
negroes. It will not be difowned, that they may
be better fed, better clothed, lefs ill-treated, and
lefs overburthened with toil, than in the iflands.
The laws protect them more effectually, and they
feldom become the victims of the barbarity or
caprice of an odious tyrant. But Mill what muft
be the burthen of a man's life who is condemned
to languifti in eternal flavery ? Some humane fec-
taries, chriftians who look for virtues in the go-
fpel, more than for opinions, have often been de-
firous of reftoring to their flaves that liberty for
which they cannot receive any adequate compenfa-
tionj but they have been a long time withheld by
a law of the Hate, which directed that an align-
ment of a fufficiency for fubfifience fliould be made
to thofe who were let at liberty.
LET us rather fay, they have been prevented
from doing this by the convenient cuflom of be-
ing waited on by flaves j by the fondnefs they
have for power, which they attempt- to juttify by
pretending to alleviate their fervitude; and by the
opinion fo readily entertained that they do not
complain of a ftate, which is by time changed
Y 3 into
326 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
B o^o K. i nto nature: thefe are the fophifms of felf-love,
< v ' calculated to appeafe the clamours of confcience.
The generality of mankind are not born with evil
difpoiitions, or prone to do ill by choice , but
even among thofe whom nature feems to have
formed juft and good, there are but few who pof-
fefs a foul fuffieiently difmterefted, courageous
and great, to do any good action, if they mult
faerifice fome advantage for it.
BUT ftill the quakers have lately fet an example
which ought to make an epocha m the hiftory of
religion and humanity. In one of their affem-
blies, where every one of the faithful, who con-
ceives himfelf moved by the impulfe of the holy
fpirit, has a right of fpeaking; one of the bre-
thren, who was himfelf undoubtedly infpired on
this occafion, arofe and faid : " How long then
" fhall we have two confciences, two meafures,
tc two fcales; one in our own favour, one for the
" ruin of our neighbour, both equally falfe ? Is it
* c for us, brethren, to complain at this moment,
" that the parliament of England wifhes to en-
" Have us, and to impofe upon us the yoke of
" fubjects, without leaving us the rights of ci-
" tizensj while for this century paft, we have
<f been calmly acting the part of tyrants, by keep-
!< ing in bonds of the hardeft (lavery men who
" are our equals and our brethren ? What have
" thofe unhappy men done to us, whom nature
" had feparated from us by barriers fo formidable,
" whom our avarice has fought after through
( ftorms and wrecks, and brought away from the
* ( midft of their burning fands^ or from their dark
" forefts
IN THE* EAST AND WEST INDIES.
" forefts inhabited by tygers? What crime have
<( they been guilty of, that they fhould be torn
" from a country which fed them without toil,
f< and that they fhould be tranfplanted by us to a
" land where they perifh under the labours offer-
et vitude? Father of Heaven, what family haft
" Thou then created, in which the elder born,
" after having feized on the property of their bre-
" thren, are ftill refolved to compel them, with
" ftripes, to manure with the blood of their veins
" and the fv/eat of their brow that very inheritance.
<f of which they have been robbed? Deplorable
" race, whom we render brutes to tyrannize over
cc themj in whom we extinguifli every power of
" the foul, to load their limbs and their bodies
ff with burthens; in whom we efface the image of
f c God, and the ftamp of manhood. A race mu-
<c tilated and difhonoured as to the faculties of
<c mind and body, throughout its exigence, by
<e us who are chriftians and Englifhmen! Eng-
<c lifhmen, ye people favoured by Heaven, and
<c refpefted on the feas, would ye be free and ty-
" rants at the fame inftant? No, brethren! it is
<f time we fhould be confident with ourfelves.
" Let us fet free thofe miferable victims of our
" pride: let us re (lore the negroes to that liberty,
<c which man fhould never take from man. May
" all chriflian focieties be induced by our example
<c to repair an injuftice authorifed by the crimes
<c and plunders of two centuries! May men too
" long degraded, at length raife to Heaven their
" arms freed from chains, and their eyes bathed
t: in tears of gratitude! Alas! thefe unhappy
Y 4 c f mortals
328 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
B v ?,,?r K " mortals have hitherto fried no tears butthofe of
A V1J.1,
* v ' " defpair!"
THIS difcourfe awakened remorfe, and the
flaves in Penfylvania were fet at liberty. A revo-
lution fo amazing muft necefiarily have been the
work of a people inclined to toleration. But let
us not expect fimilar inftances of heroifm in thofe
countries which are as deep funk in barbferifm by
the vices attendant on luxury, as they have for-
merly been from ignorance. When a govern-
ment, at once both prieftly and military, has
brought every thing, even the opinions of men,
under its yoke; when man, become an impoftor,
has perfuaded the armed multitude that he holds
from Heaven the right of opprefimg the earth;
there is no fhadow of liberty left for civilized na-
tions. Why fhould they not take their revenge
on the favage people of the torrid zone ?
NOT to mention the population of the negroes,
fl*teof_ which may amount to 300,000 flaves, in 1750 a
Fn P the' 101 million of inhabitants were reckoned in the Bri-
pr'wi'^es ti^ 1 provinces of North- America. There muft be
of North at prefent upwards of two millions; fmce it is
.America.
proved by undeniable calculations that the number
of people doubles every 1 5 or 1 6 years in fome of
thofe provinces, and every 18 or 20 in others.
So rapid an increafe muft have two fources; the
fifft is that number of Irifhmen, Jews, French-
men, Switzers, Palatines, Moravians, and Saltz-
burghers, who, after having been worn out with
the political and religious troubles they had expe-
rienced in Europe, have gone in fearch of peace
and quietnefs in thefe diftant climates. The fe-
cond
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
eond fource of that amazing increafe arifes from
the climate itfclf of the colonies, where experience
has fhewn that the people naturally doubled their
numbers every five and twenty years. The ob-
fervations of Mr. Franklin will make thefe truths
evident.
THE numbers of the people, fays that philo-
fopher, increafe every where in proportion to the
number of marriages j and that number increafes
as the means of fubfifting a family are rendered
more eafy. In a country where the means of fub-
fiftence abound, more people marry early. In a
fociety, whofe profperity is a mark of its antiquity,
the rich alarmed at the expences which female
luxury brings along with it, engage as late as pof-
fible in a ftate, which is difficult to enter into,
and expenfive to maintain ; and the perfons, who
have no fortunes, pafs their days in a celibacy
which difturbs the married ftate. The mafters
have but few children, the fervants have none at
all; and the artificers are afraid of having any.
This circumftance is fo evident, efpecially in great
towns, that the population in them is not kept up
to its ufual ftandard, and that we conftantly find
there are a greater number of deaths than births.
Happily for us this decreafe has not yet penetrated
into the country, where the conftant practice of
making up the deficiency of the towns, gives a
little more fcope for population. But the lands
being every where occupied, and let at the higheft
rate, thofe who cannot acquire property of their
own, are hired by thofe who are in pofTeflion of it.
Rivalfhip, owing to the multitude of workmen,
lowers
330 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK lowers the price of labour, and the fmallnefs of
* . -v-Lj their profit takes away the defire and the hope of,
as well as the abilities requifite for increafe by
marriage. Such is the prefent flate of Europe.
THAT of America prefents an appearance of a
quite contrary nature. Tracts of land, wafte and
uncultivated, are either given away, or may be
obtained for fo moderate a price, that a man of the
leaft turn for labour, is furnifhed in a fhort time
with an extent, which, while it is fufficient to rear
a numerous family, will maintain his poflerity for
a confiderable time. The inhabitants, therefore,
of the new world, induced likewife by the climate,
marry in greater numbers, and at an earlier time
of life, than the inhabitants of Europe. Where
one hundred enter into the married ftate in Eli-
rope, there are two hundred in America -, and if
we reckon four children to each marriage in our
climates, we Ihould allow, at leaft, eight in the
new hemifphere. If we multiply thefe families by
their produce, it will appear that in lefs than two
centuries, the Britifh northern colonies will arrive
at an immenle degree of population, unlefs the
mother-country fhould contrive fome obftacles to
impede its natural progrefs.
Happinefs THEY are now peopled with healthy and robuft
hlbiuntT men > f a ft ature above the common fize. Thefe
in the Eri- Creoles are more lively, and come to their full
tim colo- ' |
niesof growth fooner, than the Europeans, but do not
America, live fo long. The inhabitants are fupplied with
great plenty of every thing requifite for food, by
the low price of meat, fifh, grain, game, fruits,
cyder, vegetables. Clothing is not fo eafily pro-
cured,
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 33 1
cured, that being ftill very dear, whether it be n ^ v ^
brought from Europe, or made in the country. v
Manners are in the flate they fhould be among
young colonies, and people given to cultivation,
who are not yet polilhed nor corrupted by re-
fiding in great cities. Throughout the families in
general, there reigns ceconomy, neatnefs, and re-
gularity. Gallantry and gaming, the paffions of
indolent opulence, feldom interrupt that happy
tranquillity. The fex are ftill what they fhould
be, gentle, modeft, compaMionate, and ufeful ,
they are in poffeffion of thole virtues which per-
petuate the empire of their charms. The men are
engaged in their firft occupations, the care and
improvement of their plantations, which will be
the fupport of their pofterity. One general fenti-
ment of benevolence unites every family. No-
thing contributes to this union fo much as a cer-
tain equality of ftation, a fecurity that arifes
from property, hope, and a general facility ofin-
creafing it; in a word, nothing contributes to it
fo much as the reciprocal independence in which
all men live, with refpect to their wants, joined to
the necefnty of focial connections for the purpofcs
of their pleafures. Inftead of luxury, which
brings mifery in its train, inftead of this afflicling
and fhocking contrail, an univerfal eafe wifely
dealt out in the original diftribution of the lands,
has by the influence of induftry given rife in every
breafb to the mutual defire of pleafmg ; a defire,
without doubt, more fatisfactory than the fecret
difpofition to injure our brethren, which is infe-
parable from an extreme inequality of fortune and
condition.
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
condition. Men never meet without fatjsfaftion
when they are neither in that Hate of mutual dif-
tance which leads to indifference, nor in that way
of rivalfhip which borders on hatred. They come
nearer together and unite in focietiesj in fhort, it
is in the colonies that men lead fuch a rural life as
was the original deftination of mankind, beft
fuited to the health and increafe of the fpecies :
probably they enjoy all the happinefs confiftent
with the frailty of human nature. We do not,
indeed, find there thofe graces, thofe talents,
thofe refined enjoyments, the means and expence
of which wear out and fatigue the fprings of the
foul, and bring on the vapours of melancholy
which fo naturally follow the difguft arifmg from
fenfual enjoyment : but there are the pleafures of
domeftic life, the mutual attachments of parents
and children, and conjugal love, that paffion fo
pure and fo delicious to the foul that can tafte it,
and defpife all other gratifications. This is the
enchanting profpect exhibited throughout North
America. It is in the wilds of Florida and Vir-
ginia, even in the forefts of Canada, that men are
enabled to continue to love during their whole
life what was the object of their firft affetflion,
that innocence and virtue, which never entirely
lofe their beauty.
IF there be any circumftance wanting to the
happinefs of Britifh America, it is that of form-
ing one entire nation. Families are there found
fometimes re-united, fometimes difperfed, origi-
nating from all the different countries of Europe.
Thefe colonifls, in whatever fpot chance or dif-
i cernment
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 33
cernment may have placed them, all preferve, B o^ K
with a prejudice not to be worn out, their mother- * - y
tongue, the partialities and the cuftoms of their
own country. Separate fchools and churches
hinder them from mixing with the hofpitable peo-
ple, who afford them a place of refuge. Still
eftranged from this people by worfliip, by man-
ners, and probably by their feelings, they har-
bour feeds of diflention that may one day prove
the ruin and total overthrow of the colonies,
The only prefervative againfl this difafter depends
entirely on the conduct of the governments they
belong to.
BY governments muft not be underftood thofe what kinj
ftrange constitutions of Europe, which are an ab- nS*'
furd mixture of facred and profane laws. Englifli
America was wife or happy enough not to admit
any ecclefiaflical power : being from the begin- North
ning inhabited by prefbyterians, fhe rejected with Am '
horror every thing that might revise the idea of
it. All affairs that in the other parts of the globe
are determined by the ecclefiaflical courts, are
here brought before the civil magiftrate, or the
national aflemblies. The attempts made by the
members of the Englifh church to eftablifh their
hierarchy in that country, have ever been abor-
tive, notwithftanding the fupport given them by
the mother-country: but Hill they are equally
concerned in the adminiflration as well as thofe of
other fects. None but catholics have been ex-
cluded, on account of their refufing thofe oaths'
which the public tranquillity feemed to require.
In this view American government has deferved
the
in the Bri-
tiftceio-
3H HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK the greateft commencjation ; but in other refpects,
'.. it is not ib well combined.
POLICY, in its aim and principal object, re-
fembles the education of children. They both
tend to form men, and fhould be in feveral re-
fpects fimiiar to each other. Savage people, firft
united in fociety, require as much as children to
be fometimes led on by gentle means, and fome-
times reftrained by compulfion. For want of ex-
perience, which alone forms our reafon, as thefe
iavages are incapable of .governing themfelves in
the feveral changes of things and the various con-
cerns that belong to a rifing fociety, the govern-
ment that conducts them fhould itielf be enlight-
ened, and guide them by authority to years of
maturity. Thus it is that barbarous nations arc
naturally fubject to the oppreffive yoke of def-
potic power, till in the advanced ftate of fo-
ciety their interefts teach them to conduct them-
felves.
CIVILIZED nations, like young men, more or
lefs advanced, not in proportion to their abilities,
but from the conduct of their early education, as
foon as they become fenfible of their own flrength,
and right, require to be managed and even attended
to by their governors. A ion well educated Ihould
engage in no undertaking without confulting his
father: a prince, on the contrary, fliould make no
regulations without confulting his people : fur-
ther, the fon, in refolutions where he follows the
advice of his father, frequently hazards nothing
but his own happinefs; in all that a prince or-
dains, the happinefs of his people is concerned,
2 The
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
The opinion of the public, in a nation that thinks
and fpeaks, is the rule of the government : and
the prince Ihould never thwart that opinion with-
out public reafons, nor oppofe it without having
firft convinced the people of their error. Govern-
ment is to model all its forms according to public
opinion : this, it is well known, varies with man-
ners, habits, and information. So that one prince
may, without finding the lead refiftance, do an act
of authority, not to be revived by his fucceffori
without exciting the public indignation. From
whence does this difference arife? The firft can-
not have thwarted an opinion that was not fprung
up in his time, but the latter may have openly
counteracted it a century after. The firil, if I
may be allowed the expreflion, may, without the
knowledge of the public, have taken a ftep, the
violence of which he may have foftened or made
amends for by the happy fuccefs of his govern-
ment i the other lhall, perhaps, have increafed
the public calamities by fuch unjuft acts of wilful
authority, as may perpetuate its firft abufes. Pub-
lic remonftrance is generally the refult of opi-
nion j and the general opinion is the rule of go-
vernment : and becaufe public opinion governs
mankind, kings for this reafon become the rulers,
of men. Governments then as well as opinions
ought to improve and advance to perfection. But
what is the rule for opinions among an enlight-
ened people ? It is the permanent intereft of ib-
ciety, the fafety and advantage of tlie nation.
This intereft is modified by the turn of events and
fituationsj public opinion and the form of the go-
vernment
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
vernment follow thefe feveral modifications. This
is the fource of all the forms of government, efta-
blifhed by the Englifh, who are rational and free,
throughout North America.
THE government of Nova-Scotia, of one of the
provinces in New-England, New- York, New-Jer-
fey, Virginia, the two Carolinas and Georgia is
ftiled royal 3 becaufe the king of England is there
vefted with the fupreme authority. Reprefenta-
tives of the people form a lower houfe, as in the
mother-country: a felect council, approved by
the king, intended to fupport the prerogatives of
the crown, reprefents the houfe of peers, and
maintains that reprefentation by the fortune and
rank of the moft diflinguifhed perfons in the
country, who are members of it. A governor
convenes, prorogues, and diffolves their affem-
bliesj gives or refufes afient to their deliberations,
which receive from his approbation the force of
law, till the king, to whom they are tranfmitted,
has rejected them.
THE fecond kind of government which takes
place in the colonies, is known by the name of
proprietary government. When the Englifh firft
fettled in thofe diftant regions, a rapacious and
active court-favourite eafily obtained in thofe
waftes, which were as large as kingdoms, a pro-
perty and authority without bounds. A bow and
a few (kins, the only homage exacted by the
crown, purchafed for a man in power the right of
fovereignty, or governing as he pleafed in an un-
known country: fuch was the origin of govern-
ment in the greater part of the colonies. At pre^
fent,
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 33f
fcnt, Maryland and Penfylvania are the only pro-
vinces under this fmgular form of government; or
rather this irregular foundation of fovereignty.
Maryland, indeed, differs from the reft of the
provinces only by receiving its governor from the
family of Baltimore, whofe nomination is to be
approved by the king. In Penfylvania, the go-
vernor named by the proprietary family, and con-
firmed by the crown, is not fupported by a coun-
cil, which gives a kind of fuperiority, and he is
obliged to agree with the commons, in whom is
naturally vefted' all authority.
A THIRD form, ftyled by the Englifh, charter
government, feems more calculated to produce
harmony in the conftitution. Atprefentthisfub-
fifts only in Connecticut and Rhode-Ifland -, but
it was formerly extended tt all the provinces in
New-England. It may be confidered as a mere
democracy. The inhabitants of themfelves elect
and depofe all their officers, and make whatever
laws they think proper, without being obliged to
have the affent of the king, or his having any
right to annul them.
AT length the conqueft of Canada, joined to
the acquifition of Florida, has given rife to a form
of legiflation hitherto unknown throughout the
realm of Great Britain. Thofe provinces have
been put or left under the yoke of military, and
confequently abfolute authority. Without any
right to aiTemble in a national body, they receive
immediately from the court of London every or-
der of government.
VOL. V. 2 THIS
338 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
B ? v K THIS diverfity of governments is not the work
u..-. y -. -i of the mother-country. We do not find in it the
traces of areafonable, uniform, and regular legifla-
tion. It is chance, climate, the prejudices of the
times and of the founders of the colonies that
have produced this motley variety of conftitutions.
It is not the province of men, who are caft by
chance upon a defert coaft, to conftitute legifla-
tion.
ALL legiflarion, in its nature, fhould aim at the
happinefs of fociety. The means by which it is
to attain this great end, depend entirely on its
natural qualities. Climate, that is to fay, the fky
and the foil, are the firft rule for the legiflator.
His refources dictate to him his duties. In the
firft inftance, the local pofition fhould be con-
fulted. A number"of people thrown on a mari-
time coaft, will have laws more or lefs relative to
agriculture or navigation, in proportion to the in-
fluence the fea or land may have on the fubfiftence
of the inhabitants who are to people that defert
coaft. If the new colony is led by the courfe of
fome large river far within land, a legiflator ought
to have regard to the quality of the foil, and the
degree of its fertility, as well as to the connections
the colony will have either at home or abroad by
the traffic of commodities moft conducive to its
profperity.
BUT the wifdom of legislation will chiefly ap-
pear in the diftribution of property. It is a gene-
ral rule, which obtains in all countries, that when a
colony is founded, an extent of land be given to
every perfon fufjicient for the maintenance of a fa-
mily;
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 339
mily ; more Ihould be given to thofe who have BOOK
abilities to make the neceffary advances towards ' v J
improvement; and fome fhould be referved for
pofterity, or for additional fettlers, wit'.i which the
colony may in time be augmented*
THE firll object of a riling colony is fubfiftence
and population : the next is the profperity likely
to flow from thefe two fources. To avoid occa-
fions of war, whether ofFenfive or,defenfive; to turn
induftry towards thofe objects which are moft ad-
vantageous; not to form connections around them,
except fuch as are unavoidable, and may be pro-
portioned to the liability which the colony ac-
quires by the numbers of its inhabitants, and the
nature of its refources; to introduce above all
things a partial and local fpirit in a nation which is
going to be etlablifhed, a fpirit of union within,
and of peace without; to refer every inftitution to
a diftant but fixed point; and to make every oc-
cafional law fubfervient to the fettled regulation
which alone is to effect an increafe of numbers,
and to give (lability to the fettlement : thefe cir-
cumftances make no more than the fketch of a le-
giflation.
THE moral fyftem is to be formed on the na-
ture of the climate; a large field for population is
at firil to be laid open by facilitating marriage,
which depends upon the facility of procuring fub-
fiftence. Sanctity of manners Ihould be eitablilh-
ed by opinion. In a barbarous ifland, which is to
be flocked with children, no more would be ne-
ceffary than to leave the principles of truth to un-
fold themfelves with the natural progrefs of rea-
Z 2 ion.
34 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
B xvm K ^ on * ^Y proper precautions againft thole idle
* * ' fears, which proceed from ignorance, the errors of
fuperftition fhould be removed, till that period
when the warmth of the natural pafiions, fortu-
nately uniting with the rational powers, difiipates
every phantom. But when people, already ad-
vanced in life, are to be eftablifhed in a new coun-
try, the ability of legiflation confifts in removing
every injurious opinion or habit, which may be
cured or corrected. If we wifh that thefe fhould
not be tranfmitted to pafterity, we fhould attend
to the fecond generation by inftituting a general
and public education of the children. A prince or
legiftator fhould never found a colony, without
previoufly fending thither fome proper perfons for
the education of youth; that is, fome governors
rather than teachers: for it is of lefs moment to
teach them what is good, than to guard them from
evil. Good education is ineffectual, when the
people are already corrupted. The feeds of mo-
rality and virtue, fown in the infant ftate of a ge-
neration already vitiated, are annihilated in the early
ftages of manhood by debauchery, and the conta-
gion of fuch vices as have already become habitual
in fociety. The belt educated young men cannot
come into the world without making engagements
and formingconnections which will wholly influence
them during the remainder of their lives. If they
marry, follow any profeflion, or purfuit, they find
the feeds of evil and corruption rooted in every con-
dition; a conduct entirely oppofitc to their princi-
ples j example and difcourfe which difeoncerts and
combats their beft refolutions.
BUT
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
BUT in a rifing colony, the influence of the firfl
generation may be corrected by the manners of the
Succeeding one. The minds of all are prepared
for virtue by labour. The neceffities of life re-
move all vices proceeding from want of employ-
ment. The overflowing of its population have a
natural tendency towards the mother-country,
where luxury continually invites and feduces the
rich and voluptuous planter. A legiflator, who in-
tends to refine the conftitution and manners of
a colony, will meet with every afliftance he can
require. If he is only pofTefled of abilities and
virtue, the lands and the people he has to manage,
will fuggeft to his mind a plan of fociety, that a
writer can only mark out in a vague manner, liable
to all the uncertainty of hypothefes that are varied
and complicated by an infinity of circumftances
too difficult to be forefecn and combined.
BUT the chief bafis of a fociety for cultivation
or commerce, is property. It is the feed of good
and evil, natural or moral, confequent on the
facial ftate. Every nation feems to be divided in-
to two irreconcileable parties. The rich and the
poor, the men of property and the hirelings, that
is to fay, mafters and (laves, form two clafles of
citizens, unfortunately in oppofition to one ano-
ther. In vain have fame modern authors wilhed
by fophifhy to eilablifh a treaty of peace between
thefe two Hates. The rich on all occafions are
dilpofed to obtain a great deal from the poor at
little expencej and the poor are ever inclined to
let too high a value on their labour: while the rich
man rnuit always- give the law in this too unequal
Z 3 bargain.
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
bargain. Hence arifes ths fyftem of counterpoife
edablifhed in fo many countries. The people have
not wifhed to attack property which they confi-
dered as facred, but they have made attempts to
fetter it, and to check its natural tendency to uni-
verfal power. Thefe counterpoifes have almoft
always been ill-applied, as they were but a feeble
remedy againft the original evil in fociety. It is
then to the repartition of lands that a legiflator
will turn his principal attention. The more wifely
that diftribution fhall be managed, the more fim-
ple, uniform, and exact v/ill be thofe laws of the
country which chiefly conduce to the prefervation
of property.
THE Englifh colonies partake, in this refpect,
of the radical vice inherent in the ancient conftitu-
tion of the mother-country. As its prefent go-
vernment is but a reformation of that feudal fyf-
tem which had oppreffed all Europe, it ftill re-
tains many ufages, which being originally nothing
more than abufes of fervitude, are dill more fen-
fibly felt by their contrail with the liberty which the
people have recovered. It has, therefore, been
found neceflary to join the laws which left many
rights to the nobility to thofe which modify, lef-
fen, abrogate or foften the feudal rights. Hence
fo many laws of exception for one original law; fo
many of interpretation for one fundamental; fo
many new laws that are at variance with the old.
Hence it is agreed, there is not in the whole
world a code fo diffufe, fo perplexed as that of the
civil law of Great Britain . The wifeft men of that
enlightened nation have often exclaimed againft
this
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 343
this diforder. They have either not been heard, or B 3 [ ) V [5 I K
the changes which have been produced by their * ^.'t
remonftrances, have only ferved to increafe the
confufion.
BY their dependence and their ignorance the co-
lonies have blindly adopted that deformed and ill-
digefted code, the burden of which oppreffed their
anceftors : they have added to that obfcure heap
of materials by every new law that the times,
manners, and place could introduce. From this
mixture has relulted a chaos the moft difficult to
put in order ; a collection of contradictions that
require much pains to reconcile. Immediately
there fprang up a numerous body of lawyers to
prey upon the lands and inhabitants of thofe new
fettled climates. The fortune and influence they
have acquired in a fhort time, have brought into
fubjection to their rapacioufnefs the valuable clafs
of citizens employed in agriculture, commerce, in
all the arts and labours moft indifpenfibly necef-
fary for every fociety ; but almoft fingularly eflen-
tial to a rifing community. To the fevere evil of
chicane, which has fixed itfelf on the branches, in
order to feize on the fruit, has fucceeded that of
finance, which deftroys the heart and the root of
the tree.
IN the origin of the colonies, the coin bore the 1^^\ n
fame value as in the mother-country. The fear- th , e En e 1 . ifll
colonies in
city of it foon occafioned a rife of one-third. That North -
-, , | i , , America*
inconvenience was not remedied by the abundance
of fpecie which came from the Spanifli colonies ;
becaufe it was necefiary to tranfmit that into Eng-
land in order to pay for the merchandife wanted
Z 4 from
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
xv?n K fr m tnence - This was a gulph that abforbed the
vr ' circulation in the colonies. The confufion occa-
fiqned by this continual export furnifhed a pretence
for the ufe of paper currency.
THERE are two forts of it. The firft has in
view the encouragement of agriculture, trade, and
induftry. Every colonift who has more ambition
than wealth, obtains from the province a paper
credit, provided he confents to pay an interell of
5 per cent., furnifhes a iufficient mortgage, and
agrees to repay every year a tenth of the capital
borrowed. By means of this mark, which is re-
ceived without difpute into the public treafury, and
which their fellow-citizens cannot refufe, the bufi-
nefs of private perfons is carried on with greater
difpatch and eafe. The government itfelf draws
confiderable advantages from this circulation; be-
caufe as it receives intereft and pays none, it can,
without the aid of taxes, apply this fund to the im-
portant object of public utility.
BUT there is another fort of paper, the exiftence,
of which is folely owing to the neceffitics of go-
yernrqent. The fevera.1 provinces of America had
formed projects and contracted engagements be-
yond their abilities. They thought to make good
the deficiency of their money by credit. Taxes
were impofed to liquidate thofe bills that preffed
for payment ; but before the taxes had produced
that falutary effect, new wants arofe that required
frefh loans. The debts therefore accumulated, and
the taxes were not fufficient to anfwer them. At
length, the amount of the government bills exceeded
all bounds after the latehoflilities, during which the
6 colonies
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 545
colonies had raifed and provided for 25,000 men, BOOK
and contributed to all the expences of fo long and * ' v '.._
obftinate a war. The paper thus fell into the utmpft
difrepute, though it had been introduced by the
confent of the feveral general aftemblies, and each
province was to be anfwerable for what was of
its own creation.
THE, parliament of Great Britain obferved this
confufion, and attempted to remedy it. They re-
gulated the quantity of paper-currency each colo-
ny fhould create for the future, and as far as their
information went, proportioned the quantity of
it to their riches and refources. This regulation
gave univerfal difguft, and in the year 1769, it
was amended.
PAPER, of the ufual figure of the coin, ftili
continues to pafs in all kind of bufmefs. Each
piece is cqmpoled of two round leaves, glued to
each other, and bearing on each fide the (lamp
that diftinguifhes them. .There are fomc of every
value. In each province befidesapublicbuildingfor
{he making of them, there are private houfes from
whence they are diftributed : the pieces which are
much worn or foiled, are carried to thefe houfes,
and frefh cnes received in exchange. There ne-
ver has been an inftance of the officers employed
in thefe exchanges having been guilty of the lead
fraud.
BUT this honefty is not fufficient to infure the
profperity of the colonies. Though for forty years
their conCurnption has increafed four times as much
as their population, (from whence it is apparent
fhat the abilities of each fubject are four times
greater
3*6 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
D K greater than they were), yet one may foretel that
v v -> thefe large eftablifliments will never rile to that
degree of fplendour for which nature defigns
them, unlefs the reftraints are removed, which
confine both their interior induflry and their fo-
reign trade.
i!ftS~ THE fir ft c l n i es tnat peopled North- America
No!th n A a PP^ e< ^ themfelves folely to agriculture. It was
merica are not lonff before they perceived that their exports
fliackled in ...
their in- did not enable them to buy what they wanted, and
commerce. tnev > therefore, found themfelves in a manner
compelled to fet up fome rude manufactures. The
intereils of the mother-Country feemed to be af-
fected by this innovation ; which was made a mat-
ter of parliamentary inquiry, and difcufled with all
the attention it deferved. There were men bold
enough to defend the caufe of the colonifts. They
urged, that as the bufmefs of tillage did not em-
ploy men all the year, it was tyranny to oblige
them to wafte in idlenefs the time which the land
did not require : that as the produce of agriculture
and hunting did not furnifh them to the extent of
their wants, the preventing them from providing
againft them by a new fpecies of induftry, was in
fact reducing them to the greateft diftrefs : in
fliort, that the prohibition of manufactures only
tended to enhance the price of all provifions in a
riling ftate, to leflen, or, perhaps, flop the fale of
them, and to deter fuch perfons as might intend to
fettle in it.
THE evidence of thefe principles was not to be
controverted : they were complied with after great
debates. The Americans were permitted to manu-
facture
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
facture their own cloaths themfelves, but with fuch
reflections as betrayed how much avarice regret-
ted, what an appearance of juftice could not but
allow. All communication from one province to
another on this account was feverely prohibited.
They were forbidden under the heavieft penalties
to traffic with each other for wool of any ibrt,
raw, or manufactured. However, fome manufac-
turers of hats ventured to break through thefe re-
ftrictions. To put a flop to what was termed a
heinous diforderly practice, the parliament had re-
courfe to the mean and cruel expedient of law. A
workman was not at liberty to fet up for himfelf
till after feven years apprenticefhipj a mailer was
not allowed to have more than two apprentices at a
time, nor to employ any Have in his work-
fhop.
IRON mines, which feem to put into mens hands
the inflruments of their own independence, were
laid under reftrictions ftill more fevere. It was
not allowed to carry iron in bars, or rough pieces
any where but to the mother-country. Without
being provided with crucibles to melt it, or ma-
chines to bend it, without hammers or anvils to
fafhion it, they had ftill lefs liberty of converting
it into Heel.
IMPORTATION was fubjected to ftill further re-
flraints. All foreign veffels, unlefs in evident dif-
trefs or danger of wreck, or freighted with gold or
filver, were not to come into any of the ports of
North- America. Even Englifh veflels are not ad-
mitted there, unlefs they come immediately from
fome port of the country. The Ihips of the co-
lonies
34 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK Ionics going to Europe, are to bring back no mer-
vj^!!l. chandife but from the mother-country, except
wine from the Madeiras and the Azores, and fait
for their fisheries.
ALL exportations were originally to terminate
in England: but important reafons have deter-
mined the government to relax and abate this ex-
treme feverity. The colonifts are at prefent al-
lowed to carry directly fouth of Cape Finifterre,
grain, meal, rice, vegetables, fruit, fait, fifli,
planks, and timber. All other productions be-
long exclufively to the mother-country. Even
Ireland, that afforded an advantageous vent for
corn, flax, and pipe ftaves, has been fhut againft
them by an act of parliament of 1766.
THE parliament, which reprefents the nation,
affumes the right of directing commerce in its
whole extent throughout the Britifii dominions.
It is by this authority it pretends to regulate the
connections between the mother-country and the
colonies, to maintain a communication, an advan-
tageous reciprocal re-action between the fcattered
parts of the immenfe empire. There iliould, in.
fact, be one power to appeal to, in order to de-
termine finally upon the concerns that may be
ufeful or prejudicial to the general good of the
whole ibciety. The parliament is the only body
that can afTume fu,ch an important power. But it
ought to employ it to the advantage of every
member of fociety. This is an inviolable maxim*
efpecially in a Hate where all the powers are
formed and directed for the prefervation of na-
tural liberty.
THAT
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
THAT principle of impartiality was unattended B
to, which alone can maintain an equal Mate of in-
dependence among the feveral members of a free
governments when the colonies were obliged to
vent in the mother- country all their productions,
even thofe which were not, for its own confump-
tion: when they were obliged to take from
the mQther-country all kinds of merchandife,
even thofe which came from foreign nations.
This imperious and ufelefs refcraint, loading the
fales and purchafes of the Americans with unne-
ceiTary and ruinous charges, has necefiarily lef-
lened their induflry, and confequently diminished
their profits -, and it has been only for thepurpofe
of enriching a few merchants, or fome factors at
home, that the rights and interefts of the colonies
have thus been facrificed. All they owed to Eng-
land for the protection they received from her,
was only a preference in the fale and importation
of all fuch of their commodities as fhe fhould
confume; and a preference in thepurchafe and in
the exportation of all fuch merchandife as came
from her hands : fo far all fubmiffion was a return
of gratitude} beyond it all obligation was vio-
lence.
IT is thus that tyramiyj^s_-giy_en birth to con-
traband trade. Tranfgreffion is the firft effect
producedjoy unreaionable laws. In vain has it
frequently been repeated to the colonies, that
imuggling was contrary to the fundamental in-
- Bereft of their fettlements, to all reafon of govern-
ment, and to the exprefs intentions of law. In
vain has it been continually laid down in public
writings
350 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
writings that the fubjecl who pays duty is op*
prefled by him who does not pay it; and that the
fraudulent merchant robs the fair trader by diiap-
pointing him of his lawful profit. In vain have
precautions been multiplied for preventing fuch
frauds, and frefh penalties inflicted for the pu-
nifhment of them. The voice of intereft, reafon,
and equity has prevailed over all the numberlefs
clamours and various attempts of finance. Fo-
reign importations fmuggled into North- America,
amount to one-third of thofe which pay duty.
AN indefinite liberty, or merely retrained with-
in proper limits, will flop the prohibited engage-
ments of which fo much complaint has been made.
Then the colonies will arrive at a ftate of affluence,
which will enable them to difcharge a load of debt
due to the mother-country, amounting, perhaps,
to 150 millions*, and to draw yearly from thence
goods to the amount of 108 millions J, agreeably
to the calculation of American confumption Hated
by the parliament of Great-Britain in 1766. But
inftead of this pleafmg profpect, which one would
imagine muft naturally arife from the conftitution
of the Englifh government, was there any necef-
fity, by a claim not to be fupported among a free
people, to introduce into the colonies with the
hardfhips of taxation, the feeds of diforder and
difcord, and perhaps to kindle a flame which it is
not fo eafy to extinguifh as to light up.
The mother ENGLAND had juft emerged from a war, which
a u em7te h d as ma Y be called univerfal, during which her fleets
to eftabiifc h ac [ b een victorious in all the leas, and her con-
taxes in the
* 6,562,500!. t 4,725,000!.
quefts
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 351
qnefts had enlarged her dominions with an immenfe BOOK.
territory in the Eaft and Weft-Indies. Such a
fudden increale gave her, in the eyes of all the
world, a fplendour that muft inevitably excite envy
and admirations but within herfelf fhe was con- ftebada
tinually obliged to lament her triumphs. Op- this?
prefTed with a load of debt to the amount of
3,330,000,000 livres*, that coft her an intereft of
1 1 1,577,490 livresf a year, fhe was with difficul-
ty able to fupport the current expences of the
fbate, with a revenue of 240,000,000 livres J;
and that revenue was fo far from increafing, that
it was not even certain it would continue.
THE land was charged with a higher tax than
it had ever been in time of peace. New duties
on houfes and windows reduced the value of that
kind of property j and an increafe of ftock on a
review of the finances funk the value of the whole.
A terror had been ftruck even into luxury itfelf
by taxes laid on plate, cards, dice, wines, and
brandy. Commerce could not raife any further
expectations, fmce it paid in every port, at every
ifTue, for the merchandife of Afia, for the pro-
duce of America, for fpices, filks, for every ar-
ticle of export or import, whether manufactured
or unwrought. Heavy duties had fortunately re-
ftrained the abufes of fpirituous liquors ; but that
was partly at the expence of the public revenue.
To compenfate this lofs, one of thofe expedients
was adopted which are- always eafily found, but
dangerous to chafe from the articles of general
* 145,687,500!. f 4,881,515!. 35. 9 d.
j 10,500,000!.
I confumption,
523 HISTORY OP SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
B xv?n K confumption, and abfolute neceflity. Duties were
v ' laid on the ordinary drink of the common people,-
on malt, cyder, and beer. Every fpring was
drained: every power of the body politic had
been extended to its utmoft ilretch. Materials
and workmanfhip had fo prodigioufly rifen in
price, that foreigners, whether rivals or con-
quered, which before had not been able to fupport
a competition with the Englifh, were enabled to
fupplant them in every market, even in their own
ports. The commercial advantage of Britain with
every part of the world could not be valued at
more than fifty-fix millions of livrcs*, and that
fituation obliged her to draw from the balance
35,100,000 livres f, to pay the arrears of
i , 1 70,000,000 livres J which foreigners had placed
in her public funds.
THE crifis was a violent one. It was time to
give the people fome relief. They could not be
eafed by a diminution of expences, thofe being in-
evitable, either for the purpofe of improving the
conquefts purchafed by ftich a lofs of blood and
treafurej or to reftrain the refentment of the
Houfe of Bourbon, foured by the humiliations of
the late war, and the facrifices of the late peace.'
As other means did not occur that might fecure
the prefent as well as future profperity of the na-
' tion, it was thought proper to call in the colonies
to the aid of the mother-country, by making
them bear a part of her burthen. This determi-
nation feemed to be founded on regions not to be
controverted.
* 2,450,000!. fi,535 62 5 L J 51, 187,500 L
. IT
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 35;
IT is a fundamental principle of all focieties and B K
of every age, that the different members which v -*
compofe a ftate, ought to contribute towards all
its expences in proportion to their refpeftive abi-
lities. The fecurity of the American provinces
requires that they fhould furnifh fuch a fhare of
affiftance, as may enable the mother-country to
protect them upon all occafions. It was to de-
liver them from the moleftations they were ex-
pofed to, that England had engaged in a war
which has multiplied her debts : they ought then
to aid her in bearing or leflening the weight of
that increafe of expence. At prefent, when they
are freed from all apprehenfion of the attempts of
a formidable adverfary, which has been fortu-
nately removed, can they without injuftice refufe
their deliverer, when her neceflities are preffing,
that money which purchafed their prefervation ?
Has not that> generous ftate, for a confiderable
time, granted encouragement to the improvement
of their rich productions ? Has it hot liberally and
gratuitoufly advanced fums of money to thofe
countries whofe lands are yet uncultivated ? Do
not fuch benefits deferve to meet a return of re*
lief and even of fervices ?
SUCH were the motives that perfuaded the Bri-
ti(h government that they had a right to eftablifh
taxation in the colonies* They availed themfelves
of the event of the late war to aflert this claim fo
dangerous to liberty. For if we attend to it, we
(hall find that war, whether fuccefsful or not,
ferves always as a pretext for every ufurpation of
government > as if the chiefs of warring nations
VOL. V. A a rather
3?4 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
E xvni K ratner intended to reduce their fubjects to more
t- -v-' confirmed fubmifiion, than to make a conqueft
over their enemies. The American provinces
were therefore ordered to furnifti the troops fent
by the mother-country for their fecurity with a
part of the necefiaries requifite for an army. The
apprehenfion of difturbing that agreement which
is fo neceflary among ourfelves, when furrounded
by adverfaries from without, induced them to
comply with the injunctions of the parliament ;
but with fuch prudence as not to fpeak of an act
they could neither reject without occafioning civil
diiTention, nor recognize without expofmg rights
too precious to be forfeited. New- York alone
ventured to difapprove the orders fent from Eu-
rope. Though the tranfgreflion'was flight, it was
punifhed as a difobedience by a fufpeiifion of her
privileges.
IT was moil probable, that this attack made on
the liberty of the colony would excite the remon-
ftrances of all the reft. Either through want of
attention or forefight, none of them complained.
This filence was interpreted to proceed from fear,
or from voluntary fubmiffion. Peace, that fhould
leffen taxes every where, gave birth, in the year
1764, to that famous flamp-act, which, by lay ing
a duty on all marked paper, at the fame time for-
bad the ufe of any other in public writings, whe-
ther judicial or extra-judicial.
ALL the Englifli colonies of the new continent
revolted againft this innovation, and their difcon-
tent manifefted itfelf by fignal acts. They entered
into an agreement or conJpiracy, the only one that
was
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
was perhaps confiflent with moderate and civilized B
people, to forego all manufactures made up in the
mother-country, till the bill they complained of
was repealed. The women, whofe weaknefs was
moft to be feared, were the firft to give up what-
ever Europe had before furniflied them with,
either for parade or convenience. Animated by
their example, the men rejected the commodities
for which they were indebted to the Old world.
In the northern countries, they paid as much for
the coarfe fluffs, made in the country, as for fine
cloths which were brought over the feas. They
engaged not to eat lamb, that their flocks might
increafe, and in time be fufficient for the clothing
of all the colonifts. In the fouthern provinces
where wool is fcarce and of an inferior quality,
their drefs was to be cotton and flax furniflied by
their own climate. Agriculture was every where
neglected, in order that the people might qualify
themfelves for the bufmefs of the manufactures.
THIS kind of indirect and paflive oppofition,
which ought to be imitated by all nations who
may hereafter be aggrieved by the undue exercile
of authority, produced the defired effect. The
Englifh manufacturers who had fcarce any other
vent for their goods than their own colonies, fell
into that ftate of defpondency, which is the na-
tural confequence of want of employment ; and
their complaints, which could neither be flifled nor
concealed by adminiftration, made an impreflion
which proved favourable to the colonies. The
llamp-act was repealed after a violent ftruggle
that hfted two years, and which in an age of fa-
A a 2 naticifm,
3S 6 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
VJm K naticifm, would, doubtlefs, have occafioned a
**-*
' v ~ v civil war.
BUT the triumph of the colonies did not laft
long. The parliament had given up the point
with the greateft reluctance : and it clearly ap-
peared they had not laid afide their pretenfions,
when in 1767, they threw the duties which the
ftamp-act would have produced, upon all glafs,
lead, tea, colours, pafteboard, and flamed paper
exported from England to America. Even the
patriots themfelves, who feemed moft inclined to
enlarge the authority of the mother-country over
the colonies, could not help condemning a tax,
which in its confequences mud affect the whole
nation, by difpofing numbers to apply themfelves
to manufactures, who ought to have been folely
devoted to the improvement of lands. The co-
lonifts have not been the dupes of this, any more
than oT the firfl innovation. It has in vain been
urged that government had the power to impofe
what duties it thought proper upon exported
goods, fo long as it did not deprive the colonies
of the liberty of manufacturing the articles fub-
ject to this new tax. This fubterfuge has been
confidered as an infult with regard to a people
who, being devoted entirely to agriculture, and
confined to trade only with the mother-country,
could not procure either by their own labour, or
by their connections abroad, the neceflary articles
that were fold them at fo high a price. They
thought 'when a tax was to be impofed, it was no-
thing more than a nominal diftinction, whether it
were levied in Europe or America j and that
their
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
their liberty was equally infringed by a duty laid B
upon commodities they really wanted, as by a tax *
upon ftampt paper, which they had been made to
confider as a neceflary article. Thefe intelligent
people faw that government was inclined to de-
ceive them, and thought it an indignity to fuffer
themfelves to be the dupes either of force, or of
fraud. It appeared to them the fureft mark of
weaknefs and degeneracy in the fubjects of any
nation, to overlook all the artful and violent mea-
fures adopted by government to corrupt and en-
flave them.
THE diflike they have fhevvn to thefe new im-
pofts, was not founded on the idea of their being
exorbitant, as they did not amount to more than
one livre, 8 fols *, for each perfon : which could
give no alarm to a very populous community,
whofe public expence never exceeded the annual
fum of 3,600,000 livresf.
IT was not from any apprehenfion that their
fortunes would be affected by it : fmce the fecu-
rity they derived from the provinces ceded by
France in the laft war ; the increafe of their trade
with the favagesj the enlargement of their whale
and cod fifheries, together with thole of the lhark
and the feal; the right of cutting wood in the bay
of Campeachy j the acquifition of feveral fugar
iflandsj the opportunities of carrying on a contra-
band trade with the neighbouring Spanifli fettle-
ments: all thefe advantageous circumflances were
abundantly fufficient to furnifh the fmall proper-
* About is. jd. f 157,500!.
A a 3 tion
353 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
B xvin K ^ on ^ revenue which government ieemed fo
\_ J -, w - 1 _j anxious to raife.
IT was not owing to their concern left the colo-
nies fhould be drained of the fmall quantity of
fpecie which continued in circulation. The pay
of eight thoufand four hundred regular troops,
maintained by the mother-country in North Ame-
rica, muft bring much more coin into the country
than the tax could carry out of it.
NEITHER was it an indifference towards the
mother-country. The colonies, far from being
ungrateful, have demonftrated fo zealous an at-
tachment to her interefts during the laft war, that
parliament had the equity to order confiderable
fums to be remitted to them by way of reftitution,
or indemnification.
NOR, laftly, was it from ignorance of the obli-
gations that fubjects owe to government. Had
not even the colonies acknowledged themfelves
bound to contribute towards the payment of the
national debt, though they had, perhaps, been
the occafion of contracting the greateft part of it 5
they knew very well that they were liable to con-
tribute towards the expences of the navy, the
maintenance of the African and American fettle-
ments ; and to all the common expences relative
to their own prefervation and profperity, as well
as to that of the mother-country.
IF the Americans refufe to lend their affiftance
to Europe, it is becaufe what would have been
granted if afked, was exacted from themj and be-
caufe what was required of them as a matter of
obedience, ought to rjave been raifed by voluntary
contribution.
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 359
contribution. Their refufal was not the effect of B 3 J^ M I K
caprice, but of jealoufy of their rights, which i v*
have been afcertained in fome judicious writings,
and more particularly in fome eloquent letters,
from which we fhall borrow the principal facts we
are going to ftate on a fujbject which muft be in-
terefting to every nation on the globe.
DURING almoft two centuries that have paffed
fmce the Englifh eftabliihed themfclves in North-
America, their country has been harafied by ex-
penfive and bloody wars; thrown into confufion by
enterprifmg and turbulent parliaments; and go-
verned by a bold and corrupt miniftry, ever ready
to raife the power of the crown upon the ruin of
all the privileges and rights of the people. But
notwithftanding the influence of ambition, avarice,
faction, and tyranny, the liberty of the colonies to
raife their own taxes for the fupport of the public
revenue hath on all hands been acknowledged and
regarded.
THIS privilege, fo natural and confonant to the
fundamental principles of all rational fociety, was
confirmed by a folemn compact. The colonies
might appeal to their original charters, which au-
thorife them to tax themfelves freely and volunta-
rily. Thefe acts were, in truth, nothing more
than agreements made with the crown; but even
fuppofing the prince had exceeded his authority by
making concefiions which certainly did not turn to
his advantage, long pofTefiion, tacitly owned and
acknowledged by the filence of parliament, muft
conftitute a legal prefcription,
A a 4 JHE
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
^ HE American provinces have ftill more au-
thentic claims to urge in their favour. They af-
fert, that a fubjed of England, in whatever he-
mifphere he refides, is not obliged to contribute
to the expence,s of the flate without his own con-
fent, given either by himfelf, or his reprefenta-
tives. It is in defence of this facred right, that
the nation has fo often fpilt her blood, dethroned
her kings, and either excited or oppofed number-?
lefs commotions. Will Ihe chufe to difpute with
two millions of her children, an advantage which
has cofl her fo dear, and is, perhaps, the fole foun-
dation of her own independence ?
IT is urged againft the colonies, that the Ro-
man catholics refiding in England, are excluded
from the right of voting, and that their eftates
are fubjected to a double tax. The colonifts afk
in reply, why the papifts refufe to take the oath of
allegiance required by the flate? This conduct
makes them fufpefted by government, and the
jealoufy it excites^ authorifes that government to
treat them with rigour. Why not abjure a reli-
gion fo contrary to the free conftitution of their
country, fo favourable to the inhuman claims of
defpotifm, and to the attempts of the crown againft
the rights of the people? Why that blind pre-
poiTeflion in favour of a church which is an enemy
to all others ? They deferve the penalties which
the ftate that tolerates them impofes upon fubjects
of intolerant principles. But the inhabitants of
the New world would be punifhed without having
offended, if they were not able to become fubjefts
without ceafing to be Americans.
THES.S
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
THESE faithful colonies have likewife been told
with Ibme confidence, that there are multitudes
of fubjects in England who are not reprefented;
becaufe they have not the property required to in-
title them to vote at an election for members of
parliament. What ground have they to expect
any greater privileges than thofe enjoyed by the
fubjects of the mother-country? The colonies, in
anfwer to this, deny that they wifli for fuperior in-
dulgences ; they only want to fhare them in com-
mon with their brethren. In Great Britain a perfon
who enjoys a freehold of forty fhillings a year, is
confulted in the framing of a tax-bill, and fhall
not the man who poirefies an immenfe tract of land
in America have the fame privilege ? No. That
which is an exception to a law, a deviation from
the general rule of the mother-country, ought not
to become a fundamental point of conftitution for
the colonies. Let the Englifh who wifh to deprive
the provinces in America of the right of taxing
themfelves, fuppofe for a moment, that the houfe
of commons, inftead of being chofen by them, is
an hereditary and eftablifhed tribunal, or even ar-
bitrarily appointed by the crown j if this body
could levy taxes upon the whole nation without
confulting the public opinion, and the general in-
clinations of the people, would not the Engliih
look upon themielves to be as much flaves as any
other nation ? However, even in this cafe, five
hundred men, furroun4ed by feyen millions of their
fellow-fubjects, might be kept within the bounds
ofrfnoderation, if not by a principle of equity, at
Jeaft, by a well-grounded apprehenfion of the
public
3&5 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK public refentment, which purfues the opprefibrs
t. y '.- of their country even beyond the grave. But the
cafe of Americans taxed by the great council of
the mother-country would be irremediable. At
too great diflance to be heard, they would be
oppreffed with taxes without regard to their com-
plaints. Even the tyranny exercifed towards them
wuld be varnifhed over with the glorious appel-
lation of patriotifm. Under pretence of relieving
the mother-country, the colonies would be over-
burthened with impunity.
Whether WITH this alarming profpect before them, they
Sesfcotu w ^ never fubmit to give up the right of taxing
fubmit to themfelves. So long as they debate freely on the
fubject of public revenue, their interefls will be
attended to; or if their rights fhould fometimes
be violated, they will ibon obtain a redrefs of their
grievances. But their remonftrances will no longer
have any weight with government, when they are
not fupported by the right of granting or refufmg
fupplics towards the exigencies of the ftate. The
fame power which will have ufurped the right of
levying taxes, will eafily ufurp the diftribution
of them. As it dictates what , proportion they
fhall raife, it will like wife diet ate how it fhall be
expended j and the fums apparently defigned for
their fervice, will be employed to enflave them.
Such has been the progreffion of empires in all
ages. No fociety ever preferved its liberty, after
it had loft the privilege of voting in the confirma-
tion, or eftablifhment of laws, relative to the re-
venue. A nation muft for ever be enflavedt*. in
which no affembly or body of men remains, who
have
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 363
have the power to defend its rights againft the B x v L K
encroachments of the ftate by which it is govern- -v- '
ed.
THE provinces in Britifh America have every
reafon imaginable to dread the lofs of their inde-
pendence. Even their confidence may betray
them, and make them fall a facrifice to the de-
figns of the mother-country. They are inhabited
by an infinite number of honeft and upright peo-
ple, who have no fnfpicion that thefe who hold the
reins of empire can be hurried away by unjuft and
tyrannical paffions. They take it for granted, that
their mother-country cherilhes thofe fentiments of
maternal tendernefs, which are fo confonant to her
true interefls, and to the love and veneration which
they entertain for her. To the unfufpecling cre-
dulity of thefe honeft fubjects, who chcrifh fo
agreeable a delufion, may be added the acqui-
efcence of thofe who think it unneceffary to trou-
ble themfelves, or bedifturbed, on account of in-
confiderable taxes. Thefe indolent men are not
fenfible that the plan was, at firft, to lull their vi-
gilance by impofmg a moderate duty; that Eng-
land only wanted to eftablifh an example of fub-
miflion, upon which it might ground future pre-
tenfions ; that if the parliament has been able to
raife one guinea, it can raife ten thoufand j and
that there will be no more reafon to limit this right,
than there would bejuftice in acknowledging it at
prefent. But the greateft injury to liberty arifes
from a fet of ambitious men, who, purfuing an in-
tereft diftinft from that of the public and of pof-
terity, are wholly bent on increafing their credit,
their
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
their rank, and their eftates. The Britifh mini-
Ihy, from whom they have procured employ-
ments, or expect to receive them, finds them al-
ways ready to favour their odious projects, by the
contagion of their luxury and their vices j by their
artful infmuations, and the flexibility of their con-
dud.
LET all true patriots then firmly oppofe the
fnares of prejudice, indolence, and feductionj nor
let them defpair of being victorious in a conteft
in which their virtue has engaged them. Attempts
will, perhaps, be made to fhake their fidelity, by
the plaufible propofal of allowing the reprefenta-
tives of America a feat in parliament, in order to
regulate, in conjunction with thofe of the mother-
country, the taxes to be raifed by the nation in
general. Such, indeed, is the extent, populouf-
nefs, wealth, and importance of the colonies, that
the legislature cannot govern them with wifdom
and fafety without availing itfelf of the advice and
information of their reprefentatives. But care
fhould be taken not to authorife thefe deputies to
decide in matters concerning the fortune and the
contributions of their conftituents. The expof-
tulations of a few men would be ealily overborne
by the numerous reprefentatives of the mother-
country; and the provinces, whofe inftruments
they would be, would, in this confufed jumble of
interefts and opinions, be laden with too heavy and
too unequal a part of the common burthen. Let
then the right of appointing, proportioning, and
raifing the taxes continue to be exclufively veiled
in the provincial afiembliess who ought to be the
more
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 365
more jealous of it at the prefent juncture, as the B O y J> K .
power of depriving them of it feems to have * v-'
gained ftrength by the conquefts made in the laft
war.
FROM its late acquifitions, the mother-country
has derived the advantage of extending her fifhe-
ries, and ftrengthening her alliance with the fa-
vages. But as if this fuccefs was of little impor-
ance in her eftimation, fhe perfifts in declaring,
that this increafe of territory has anfwered no end,
and produced no effect, but to iecure the tranquil-
lity of the colonies. The colonies, on the con-
trary, maintain, that their lands, on which their
whole welfare depended, have decreafed confider-
ably in their value by this immenfe extent of
territory; that their population being diminifhed,
or, at leaft, not increafed, their country is the
more expofed to invafions; and that the mod
northern provinces are rivalled by Canada, and
the moft fouthern by Florida. The colonifls, who
judge of future events by the hiftory of the paft,
even go fo far as to fay, that the military govern-
ment eftablilhed in the conquered provinces, the
numerous troops maintained, and the forts creeled
there, may one day contribute to enflave coun-
tries, which have hitherto flourished only upon the
principles of liberty.
GREAT-BRITAIN poflefles all the authority over
her colonies that Ihe ought to wifh for. She has a
right to difannul any laws they lhall make. The
executive power is entirely lodged in the hands of
her delegates; and in all determinations of a civil
nature, an appeal lies to her tribunal. She regu-
2 lates
3 66 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK lates at difcretion all commercial connections, which
v_ Y i-> are allowed* to be formed and purfued by the co-
lonifts. To ftrain an authority fo wifely temper-
ed, would be to plunge a rifmg continent afrefh
into that ftate of confufion, from which it had with
difficulty emerged in the courfe of two centuries
of incefiant labour^ and to reduce the men, who
had laboured to clear the ground, to the neceflity
of taking up arms in the defence of thofe facred
rights to which they are equally intitled by na-
ture and the laws of fociety. Shall the Englifh,
who are fo pafiionately fond of liberty, that they
have fometimes protected it in regions widely re-
mote in climate and intereft, forget thofe fenti-
ments, which their glory, their virtue, their natu-
ral feelings, and their fecurity confpire to render a
perpetual obligation ? Shall they fo far betray the
rights they hold fo dear, as to wifh to enflave their
brethren and their children? If, however, it fliould
happen that the fpirit of faction Ihould devife fo
fatal a defign, and fhould, in an hour of madnefs
and intoxication, get it patronized by the mother-
country; what Heps ought the colonies to take to
fave themfelves from a ftate of the moft odious
dependence ?
HOW far the BEFORE they engage in this political revolution,
colonies they will recal to memory all the advantages they
carry their owe to their country. ngland has always been
to'untion. their barrier againft the powerful nations of Eu-
rope ; and ferved as a guide and moderator to watch
over their prefervation, and to heal thofe civil dif-
fentions, whichjealoufy and rivalfhip too frequent-
ly excite between neighbouring plantations in their
rifmg
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
rifing ftate. It is to the influence of its excellent
conftitution, that they owe the peace and profperity
they enjoy. While the colonies live under fo
falutary and mild an adminiftration, they will con-
tinue to make a rapid progrefs in the vaft field of
improvement that opens itfelf to their view, and
which their induftry will extend to the remoteft
deferts.
LET the love of their country, however, be ac-
companied with a certain jealoufy of their liber-
ties j and let their rights be conftantly examined
into, cleared up, and difcufled. Let them ever
confider thofe as the beft citizens, who are con-
ftantly calling their attention to thefe points. This
fpirit of jealoufy is proper in all free Hates j but
it is particularly necefiary in complicated govern-
ments, where liberty is blended with a certain de-
gree of dependence, fuch as is required in a con-
nection between countries feparated by an immenfe
ocean. This vigilance will be the fureft guardian
of the union which ought ftrongly to cement the
mother-country and her colonies.
IF the miniftry, which is always compofedof am-
bitious men, even in a free ftate, fhould attempt
to increafe the power of the crown, or the opu-
lence of the mother-country at the expence of the
colonies, the colonies ought to refift fuch an ufurp-
ing power with unremitted fpirit. When any
meafure of government meets with a warm oppo-
fition, it feldom fails to be rectified i while griev-
ances, which are fuffered for want of courage to
redrefs them, are conftantly fucceeded by frefh
inftances of oppreffion. Nations, in general, are
more
3 6 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
more apt to feel, than to reflect; and have no
other ideas of the legality of a power, thanthe very
exercife of that power. Accuftomed to obey
without examination, they, in general, become
familiarized to the hardfhips of governments and
being ignorant of the origin and defign of fociety,
do not conceive the idea of letting bounds to au-
thority. In thofe Hates efpecially, where the prin-
ciples of legiQation are confounded with thofe of
religion, as one extravagant opinion opens a door
for the reception of a thoufand among thofe who
have been once deceived - y fo the firft encroach-
ments of government pave the way for all the reft.
He who believes the moft, believes the kaft; and
he who can perform the moft, performs the leaft;
and from this double abufe of credulity and au-
thority, arife all the abfurdities and evils in religion
and politics which have been introduced into the
world, in order to opprefs the human fpecies. The
fpirit of toleration and of liberty, which has hi-
therto prevailed in the Englifh colonies, has hap-
pily preferved them from falling into this extreme
of folly and mifery. They have too high a fenfe
of the dignity of human nature not to refift op-
preflion, though at the hazard of their lives.
A PEOPLE fo intelligent do not want to be told
that defperate refolutions and violent meafures can-
not be juftifiable, till they have in vain tried every
poffible method of reconciliation. But at the fame
time, they know, that if they are reduced to the
necefllty of chufmg flavery or war, and taking up
arms in defence of their liberty, they ought not to
tarnifh fo glorious a caufe with all the horrors and
cruelties
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDJES.
cruelties attendant on fedition : and though re-
folved not to fheathe the fword till they have re-
covered their rights, they fhould make no other
ufe of their victory than to procure the re-efta-
blilhment of their original ftate of legal indepen-
dence.
LET us, however, take care not to confound
the refiftance which the Englifh colonies ought to
make to their mother-country, with the fury of a
people excited to revolt againft their fovereign by
a long feries of excefiive oppreflion. When the
flaves of an arbitrary monarch have once broken
their chain, and fubmitted their fate to the deci-
fion of the fword, they are obliged to maflacre the
tyrant, to exterminate his whole race, and to
change the form of that government, under which
they have fuffered for many ages. If they venture
not thus far, they will fooner or later be punilhed
for having wanted courage to complete the whole
of their defign. The yoke will be impofed upon
them with greater feverity than ever ; and the af-
fected lenity of their tyrants will only prove a new
fnare, in which they will be caught and entangled
without hope of deliverance. It is the misfortune
of factions in an abfolute government, that nei-
ther prince nor people fet any bounds to their re-
fentment ; becaufe they know none in the exer-
cife of their power. But a conftitution qualified
like that of the Englifh colonies, carries in its
principles and the limitation of its power, a re-
medy and prefervative againft the evils of anarchy.
When the mother-country has removed their com-
plaints by reinftating them in their former fitua-
tion, they ought to proceed no further : becaufe
VOL. V. B b fuch
570 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
B xv?n K ^ UC ^ a fo uat i n i g tne happieft that a wife people
v > have a right to afpire to.
^woS'be ^ HE c l n i es cou ld not adopt a plan of abfo-
of ufe to lute independence, without breaking through the
nieVto" ties of religion, oaths, laws, language, relation,
Jhe*V s hr ' intereft, trade, and habit which unite them toge-
hich ther under the mild authority of the mother-
unite them .""'.'
to the country. Is it to be imagined that fuch a rupture
mother- .. r* ~i_ i i i n
country. would not aiiect the principles, the conftitution,
and even the exiftence of the colonies ? Though
they iliould not proceed to the violence of civil
wars, would they eafily agree upon a new form
of government ? If each fettlement compofed a
diftincl ftate, what divifions would enfue ! We
may judge of the animofities that would arife
from their feparation, by the fate of all communi-
ties which nature has made to border on each
other. But could it be fuppofed that fo many
fettlements, where a diverfity of laws, different
degrees of opulence, and variety of porTe/Tions,
would fow the latent feeds of an oppofition of in-
terefts, were defirous of forming a confederacy j
How would they adjuft the rank which each would
afpire to hold, and the influence it ought to have
in proportion to the rifque it incurred, and the
forces it fupplied ? Would not the fame Ipirit
of jealoufy, and a thoufand other paflions, which
in a Ihort time divided the wife ftates of Greece,
raife difcord between a multitude of colonies, affo-
ciated rather by the tranfient and brittle ties of
paflion and reientment, than by the fober princi-
ples of a natural and lading combination ? All
thefe confiderations feem to demonftrate, that an
eternal
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES, 371
eternal reparation from the mother-country would B v f K
prove a very great misfortune to the Englifh co- * w '
lonies.
WE will go one flep further, and affirm that w i>s
* . it would be
were it in the power of the European nations who proper for
have polleilions in the New world to effect this pea n na tu
great revolution, it is not their intereft to wifh it. 3"aJ?nro
This will, perhaps, be thought a' paradox by ngH<h he
thofe powers, who fee their colonies perpetually f] OBie>
threatened with an invafion from their neigh- em of the
bours. They, doubtlefs, imagine that if the country".
power of the Englifli in America were leffened,
they fhould peaceably enjoy their acquifitions,which
frequently excite their envy, and invite them to
hoftilities. It cannot be denied that their influence
in thefe diftant regions arifes from the extent or
populoufnefs of their northern provinces : which
enable them always to attack with advantage the
iilands and continental pofTeflions of other nations,
to conquer their territories, or ruin their trade.
But, after all, this crown has interefts in other
parts of the globe which may counteract their
progrefs in America, reflrain or retard their enter-
prifes, and fruftrate their conquefts by the refti-
tutions they will be obliged to make.
WHEN the ties fubfifting between Old and New
Britain are once broken, the northern colonies
will have more power when fingle, than when
united with the mother-country. This great con-
tinent, freed from all connections with Europe,
will have the full command of all its motions.
It will tken become an important, as well as an
cafy undertaking to them, to invade thofe terri-
B b 2 tories a
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
tories, whofe riches will make amends for the fcan-
tinefs of their productions. By the independent
nature of its fituation, it will be enabled to get
every thing in readinefs for an invafion, before any
account arrives in Europe. This nation will car-
ry on their military operations with the fpirit pe-
culiar to new focieties. They may make choice
of their enemies, and conquer where and when
they pleafe*. Their attacks will always be made
upon fuch coafts as are liable to be taken by fur-
prife, and upon thofe feas that are leaft guarded
by foreign powers : who will find the countries
they wifhed to defend conquered before any fuc-
cours can arrive. It will be impoflible to recover
them by treaty, without making great conceflions^
or, when recovered for a time, to prevent their
falling again under the fame yoke. The colonies
belonging to our abfolute monarchies, will, per-
haps, be inclined to meet a matter with open
arms, who cannot propofe harder terms than their
own government impofes -, or, after the example
of the Englifh colonies, will break the chain that
rivets them fo ignominioufly to Europe.
LET no motive by any means prevail upon the
nations who are rivals to England, either by in-
finuations, or by clandeftine helps, to haften a re-
volution, which would only deliver them from a
neighbouring enemy, by giving them a much
more formidable one at a diftance. Why acce-
lerate an event which muft one day naturally take
place from the unavoidable concurrence of fo
many others ? For it would be contrary to the na-
ture of things, if the province, fubject to the
ruling
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 37J
ruling nation, ftiould continue under its domini-
on, when equal to it in riches, and the number of
its inhabitants. Or, indeed, who can tell whether
this difunion may not happen fooner ? Is it not
likely that the diftruft and hatred which has oflate
taken place of that regard and attachment which
the provinces formerly felt for the parent-country,
may conduce to haften fuch a feparation ? Thus
every thing confpires to produce this great dif-
ruption, the asra of which it is impoflible to know.
Every thing tends to this point : the progrefs of
good in the new hemifphere, and the progrefs of
evil in the old.
ALAS ! the fudden and rapid decline in our man-
ners and our powers, the crimes of princes, and
the fufFejrings of the people, will make this fatal
cataftrophe, which is to divide one part of the
globe from the other, univerfal. The foundations
of our tottering empires are fapped ; materials are
hourly collecting and preparing for their deftruc-
tion, compofed of the ruins of our laws, the fer-
ment of contending opinions, and the fubverfion
of our rights, which were the foundation of our
courage j the luxury of our courts, and the mi-
feries of the country ; the lafting animofity be-
tween indolent men who engrofs all the wealth, and
vigorous and even virtuous men, who have nothing
to lofe but their lives. In proportion as our people
are weakened, and refign themfelves to each other's
dominion, population and agriculture will flourifli
in America : the arts, tranfplanted by our means,
will make a rapid progrefs, and that country, rifing
out of nothing, will be fired with the ambition
Bb 3 of
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
of appearing with glory in its turn on the face of
the globe, and in the htftory of the world. O
pofterity ! ye, peradventure, will be more happy
than your unfortunate and contemptible anceflors.
May this laft wifh be accomplifhed, and confole
the prefent expiring race with the hopes that a bet-
ter will fucceed to it ! But leaving the confideration
of future times, let us take a view of the refult of
three memorable ages. Having feen in the begin-
ning of this work the ftate of mifery and ignorance
in which Europe was plunged in the infancy of
America; let us examine to what ftate the conquefl
of the New world has led and advanced thofe who
have made it. This was the defign of a book un-
dertaken with the hopes of being ufeful : if the
end is anfwered, the author will have difcharged
his duty to the age he lives in, and to fociety.
BOOK
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 375
BOOK XIX.
IN the firft part of this work we endeavoured to B o
defcribe the Hate of commerce in Europe before XIX>
the difcovery of the Eaft and Weft Indies. We
then proceeded to trace the flow, difficult, and ty-
rannical progrefs of the fettlements formed in thofe
diftant regions. Our deflgn will be concluded, if
we can now determine the influence which the in-
tercourfe eftablifhed with the New world has had
over the morals, government, arts, and opinions of
the Old. Let us begin with religion.
RELIGION in man is the effect of a fenfe of his Religion,
misfortunes, and of the fear of inviflble powers.
MOST legiflators have availed themfelves of
thefe motives to govern the people, and flill more
to enflave them. Some of them have aflTerted that
they held the right of commanding from heaven
itfelf, and it is thus that theocracy has been efta-
bliflied.
IF the religion of the Jews has had a more fub-
lime origin, it has not been always exempt from
thofe inconveniences which neceflarily arife from
the ambition of priefls in a theocratic form of
government.
CHRISTIANITY fucceeded the Jewifh inftitu-
tion. The fubje&ion that Rome, miftrefs of the
world, was under to the moft favage tyrants; the
B b 4 dreadful
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
dreadful miferies, which the luxury of a court and
the maintenance of armies had occafioned through-
out this vaft empire under the reign of the Neros j
the fuccefiive irruptions of the barbarians, who
difmembered this great bodyj the lofs of pro-
vinces either by revolt or invafion; all thefe na-
tural evils had already prepared the minds of men
for a new religion, and the changes in politics
muft neceffarily have induced an innovation in the
form of worihip. In paganifm, which had exift-
ed for fo many ages, there remained only the
fables to which it owed its origin, the folly or the
vices of its gods, the avarice of its priefts, and
the infamy and licentious conduct of the kings
who fupported them. Then the people defpairing
to obtain relief from their tyrants upon earth, had
recourfe to heaven for protection.
CHRISTIANITY appeared, and afforded them
comfort, at the fame time that it taught them to
fuffer with patience. While the tyranny and
licentioufnefs of princes tended to the deftruction
of paganifm as well as to that of the empire, the
fubje&s, who had been opprefled and fpoiled, and
who had embraced the new doctrines, were com-
pleting its ruin by the examples they gave of thofe
virtues, which always accompany the zeal of new-
made profelytes. But a religion that arofe in the
midft of public calamity, muft neceflarily give its.
preachers a confiderable influence over the un-
happy perfons who took refuge in it. f hus the,
power of the clergy commenced, as it were, with
the gofpel.
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 377
FROM the remains of pagan fuperftitions and B _ K
philofophic feclis a code of rights and tenets was <- v -
formed, which the fimplicity of the primitive
chriftians fan&ified with real and affe&ing piety j
but which at the fame time left the feeds of de-
bates and controversies, from whence arofe a va-
riety of paffions difguiled under and dignified with
the name of zeal. Thefe diflentions produced
fchools, doctors, a tribunal, and a hierarchy.
Chriftianity had begun to be preached by a fet of
fifhermen, deftitute of every knowledge but that
of the gofpeh it was entirely eftablifhed by
bifliops who formed the church. After this it
gained ground by degrees, till at length it at-
tracted the notice of the emperors. Some of thefe
tolerated chriftianity either from motives of con-
tempt or humanity -, others perfecuted it. Per-
fecution haftened its progrefs, for which toleration
had paved the way. Connivance and profcrip-
tion, clemency and rigour, were all equally ad-
vantageous to it. The fenfe of freedom fo natural
to the human mind, induced many perfons to
embrace it in its infancy, as it has made others
reject it lince it has been eftablifhed. This fpirit
of independence, rather adapted to truth than to
novelty, would necerTarily have induced a multi-
tude of perfons of all ranks to become converts to
chriftianity, if even the characters it bore had not
been calculated to infpire veneration and reipe6t.
CONSTANTINE, mftead of uniting the priefthood
to the crown, when he was can verted to chrif-
tianity, as they had been united in the perfons of
the pagan emperors, granted to the clergy fuch a
fhare
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
fhare of wealth and authority, and afforded them
fo many means of future aggrandizement, that
thefe blind conceffrons produced an ecclefiaftical
defpotifm, which in procefs of time became into-
lerable.
THIS defpotifm was carried to its greateft ex-
cefs, when a part of Europe ftiook off the yoke.
A monk fet almoft all Germany free from it; a
prieft one half of France j and a king one half of
England for the fake of a woman. In other ftates,
many men who chofe to follow their own ideas,
gave up the tenets of chriftianity, and the moft
virtuous among them, preferved only a kind of
attachment to the purity of its morals, though
they conformed externally to what was enjoined
them by the laws of the fociety in which they
lived.
FREEDOM of thought will never become general
and popular, unlefs the magiftrate, who is natu-
rally the infpector of every thing that is of fuch
public notoriety as to influence the policej fhould
recover the rights that originally belonged to him.
Doctrines cither of theory or practice are for this
reafon fubject to the controul of government -,
whofe power, as well as duty, is however con-
fined to the retraining of what is injurious to the
happinefs of the community, and to the permit-^
ting of every thing that does not difturb the peace
and union of mankind.
ALL ftates ought to have nearly the fame moral
fyftem of religious duties, and leave the reft not
to be difputed brtween men, becaufe that ought
to be prevented whenever public tranquillity is dif-
turbed
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 379
turbed by it, but to the impulfe of every man's BOOK.
confcience, thus allowing divines as well as philo-
fophers an entire freedom of thinking. This un-r
limited toleration, with regard to all tenets and
opinions that fhould not affec"b the moral code of
nations, would be the only method of preventing
orfappingthe foundations of that power, whether
fpiritual or temporal, which the clergy affumej
and which, in procefs of time, has made them be-
come formidable to the ftate. This is the only way
to extinguifh infenfibly tbe enthufiafm of the
clergy, and the fanaticifm of the people.
IT is partly to the difcovery of the New world
that we fhall owe that religious toleration which
ought to be, and certainly will be introduced in
the Old. Perfecution would only haften the down-
fall of the religions that are now eftablifhed. In-
duftry and the means of information have now
prevailed among the nations, and gained an in-
fluence that muft reftore a certain equilibrium in
the moral and civil order of fociety : the human
mind is undeceived with regard to its former fu-
perftition. If we do not avail ourfclves of the
prefent time to re-eftablifh the empire -of reafon,
it muft neceflarily be given up to new fuperfti-
tions.
EVERY thing has concurred for thefe two laft
centuries to extinguifh that furious zeal which ra-
vaged the globe. The depredations of the Spa-
niards throughout America, have fhewn the world
to what excefs fanaticifm may be carried. In
eftablifhing their religion by fire and fword
through exhaufted and depopulated countries, they
have
i8o HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK have rendered it odious in Europe j and their
v_^J_> cruelties have contributed to feparate a greater
number of catholics from the church of Rome,
than they have gained converts to chriftianity
among the Indians. The concourfe of perfons of
all feels in North- America has necefiarily diffufed
the fpirit of toleration into diftant countries, and
put a flop to religious wars in our climates. The
fending of mifilonaries has delivered us from thofe
turbulent men, who might have inflamed our
country, and who are gone to carry the firebrands
and fwords of the gofpel beyond the leas. Navi-
gation and long voyages have infenfibly detached
a great number of the people from the abfurd
' ideas which fuperflition infpires. The variety of
religious worfhips, and the difference of nations,
has accuflomed the moft vulgar minds to a fort of
indifference for the object that had the greateft in-
fluence over their imaginations. Trade carried on
between perfons of the moft oppofite fefts, has
leffened that religious hatred which was the caufe
of their divifions. It has been found that mora-
lity and integrity are not inconfiftent with any opi-
nions whatever, and that irregularity of manners
and avarice are equally prevalent every where;
and hence it has been concluded that the manners
of men have been regulated by the difference of
climate and of government, and by focial and na-
tional intereft.
SINCE an intercourfe has been eftablifhed be-
tween the two hemifpheres of this world, our
thoughts have been lefs engaged about that other
world, which was the hope of the few, and the
torment
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 381
torment of the many. The diverfity and multi- BOOK
plicity of obje&s induflry hath prefented to the *
mind and to the fenfcs, have divided the attach-
ments of men, and weakened the force of every
fentiment. The characters of men have been foft-
ened, and the fpirit of fanaticifm as well as that
of chivalry, muft necefTarily have been extin-
guifhed, together with all thofe finking extrava-
gancies which have prevailed among people who
were indolent and averfe from labour. The fame
caufes that have produced this revolution of man-
ne"rs, have yet had a more fudden influence on the
nature of government.
SOCIETY naturally refultsfrom population, and Govern,
government is a part of the focial flate. From
confidering the few wants men have, in propor-
tion to the refources nature affords them; the lit-
tle afliftance and happinefs they find in a civilized
ftate, in comparifon of the pains and evils they
are expofed to in it; their defire of independence
and liberty common to them with all other living
beings; together with various other reafons de-
duced from the conflitutions of human nature:
from confidering all thefe circumftances, it has
been doubted, whether the focial ftate was fo na-
tural to mankind as it has generally been thought.
BUT, on the other hand, the weaknefs and long
continuance of the infant ftate of man; the na-
kednefs of his body which has no natural cover-
ing, like that of other animals; the tendency of
his mind to perfection, the neceflTary confequence
of the length of his life; the fondnefs of a mother
for her child, which is increafed by cares and fati-
2 gues,
383 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK tigues, who, after fhe has carried it in the womb for
\. ' yj ; nine months, fuckles and bears it in her arms for
whole years; the reciprocal attachment arifmg
from this habitual connection between two beings
that relieve and carefs each other; the numerous
figns of intercourfe in an organization, which, be-
fides the accents of the voice, common to fo many
animals, adds alfo the language of the fingers
and of geftures peculiar to the human race ; na-
tural events, which in a hundred different ways
may bring together, or re-unite wandering and
free individuals; accidents and unforefeen wants,
which oblige them to meet for the purpofes of
hunting, fifhing, or even of defence; in a word,
the example of fo many creatures that live col-
lected together in great numbers, fuch as amphi-
bious animals and fea-monflers, flights of cranes
and other birds, even infects that are found in co-
lumns and in fwarms: all thefe facts and reafons
feem to prove, that men are by nature formed for
fociety, and that they are the fooner difpofed to
enter into it, becaufe they cannot multiply greatly
under the torrid zone, unlefs they are collected
into wandering or fedentary tribes ; nor can they
diffufe themfelves much under the other zones,
without afibciating with their fellow-creatures, for
the prey and the fpoils which the neceflities of
food and clothing require.
FROM the necefTity of aflbciation, arifes that of
cftablifhing laws relative to the focial ftate : that
is to fay, of forming, by a combination of all
common and particular inftincts, one general
combination, that fnall maintain the collective
body
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
body and the majority of individuals. For if na-
ture directs man to his fellow- creature, it is un-
doubtedly by a confequence of that univerfal at-
traction, which tends to the prefervation and re-
production of the fpecies. All the propenfitics
which man brings with him into fociety, and all
the imprefiions he receives in it, ought to be fub-
ordinate to this firft impulfe. To live and to pro-
pagate, being the detlination of every living fpe-
cies, it ftiould Teem that fociety, if it be one of
the firft principles of man, fhould concur in af-
fifting this double end of naturej and that inftinct,
which leads him to the focial ftate, fhould necef-
farily direct all moral and political laws, fo as that
they fhould be more durable, and contribute more
to the happinefs of the majority of mankind. If,
however, we confider merely the effect, we fliould
think that the principle or fupreme law of all fo-
ciety has been tofupport the ruling power. Whence
can arife this fingular contraft between the end
and the means, between the laws of nature and
thofe of politics ? The only anfwer that occurs to
this queftion is; that chance firft lays the plan of
governments, and reafon improves them. Upon
this principle, let us examine the nature of the
governments that have brought Europe to its pre-
lent ftate of policy.
ALL the foundations of thofe focieties that at
prefent exift, are loft by fome cataftrophe, or na-
tural revolution. In all parts we fee men driven
away by fubterraneous fires, or by war 5 by inun-
dations, or by devouring infects ; by want or fa-
mine j and joining again in fome uninhabited cor-
i ner
3 S 4 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK, ncr of the earth, or difpcrfmg and fpreading them-
felves in places already peopled. Civilization
always begins by plunder, and order arifes from
anarchy.
THE Hebrews, who were forced by the plagues
of Egypt to remove into Arabia Petrasa, were, at
leaft., forty years forming themfelves into a body
of troops, before they proceeded to ravage Pa-
leftine, in order to eftablilh themfelves there as a
nation.
THE ftates of Greece were founded by plun-
derers, who deftroyed fome monfters, and a great
number of men, in order to become kings.
ROME, it is faid, was founded by people who
cfcaped from the flames of Troy, or was only a
retreat for fome banditti from Greece and Italy j
but from this fcum of the human race, arofe a
generation of heroes.
WAR, which, from all the great nations of Eu-
rope together, had formed only the Roman em-
pire, made thefe very Romans who were fo nume-
rous, become barbarians again. As the dilpo-
fitions and manners of the conquering people are
generally imprefled upon the conquered, thofe
who had been enlightened with the knowledge of
Rome at the period when it was diftinguifhed by
its learning, now fank again into the blindnefs of
ilupid and ferocious Scythians. During the ages
of ignorance, when fuperior flrength always gave
the law, and chance or hunger had compelled the
people of the north to invade the fouthern coun-
tries, the various emigrations prevented laws from
being fettled in any place. As foon as a multi-
tude
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 385
tilde of fmall nations had deftroyed a large one, B o K
many chiefs or tyrants divided each vail monarchy ^ v ' _
in feveral fiefs. The people, who gained no ad-
vantage by the government of one, or of feveral
men, were always opprefied and trampled upon from
thefe divifions, occafioned by the anarchy of the
feudal fyftem. Trifling wars were continually
kept up between neighbouring towns, inflead of
thofe great wars that now prevail between na-
tions.
THIS continual ferment, however, induced all
nations to eftablifh themfelves into fome regular
and confiftent form of government. Kings were
defirous of raifmg themfelves upon the ruins of thofe
individuals, or of thofe powerful bodies of men,
by whom the commotions were kept up; and to
effect this, they had recourfe to the afiiftance of
the people. They were civilized, polifhed, and
more rational laws were given them. Slavery had
deprefTed their natural vigour, property reftored
it ; and commerce, which prevailed after the dif-
covery of the New world, increafed all their
powers, by exciting univerfal emulation.
THESE changes were attended with a revolution
of another kind. The monarchs could not in-
creafe their own power, unlefs they lefiened that
of the clergy, and encouraged or prepared the
way for the difcredit of religious opinions. All
innovators, who ventured to attack the church,
were fupported by the throne. From that time,
the human underftanding was ftrengthened by ex-
erting itfelf againft the phantoms of imagination,
and recovering the path of nature and of reafon,
VOL. V. C c * difcovered
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
difcovercd the true principles of government.
Luther and Columbus appeared -, the whole uni-
verfe trembled, and all Europe was in commo-
tion: but this ftorm left its horizon clear for the
future. The former awakened the underftand-
ings of men, the latter excited their activity.
Since they havelaid open all the avenues of induftry
and freedom, moil of the European nations have
attended with fome fuccefs to the correction or
improvement of legiflation, upon which the feli-
city of mankind entirely depends.
THIS fpirit of information and knowledge has
not however yet reached the Turks. They have
ever preferved a faithful attachment to the maxims
of Afiatic defpotifm. Thefcimitar, atConftanti-
nople, is ftill the interpreter of the . Coran.
Though the Grand Signior may not be feen
coming in and going out of the Seraglio, like the
tyrant of Morocco, with a bloody head in his
hand, yet a numerous body of guards is engaged
to execute thefe horrid murders. The people
fometimes mafTacred by their ruler,, at other times
afiaffinate the executioner in their turn j but fatis-
fied with this temporary vengeance, they think
not of providing for their future fafety, or for the
happinefs of their pofterity. Eaftern nations will
not be at the trouble of guarding the public fafety
by laws, which it is a laborious tafk to. form, to
fettle, and to preferve. If their tyrants carry
their oppreflions or cruelties too far, the head c^
the vizir is demanded, that of the defpot is flruck
off, and thus public tranquillity is reftored. The
janifiarics - make ufe of no other remonflrance.
Even
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 387
Even the mod powerful men in the kingdom have B o^ o K
not the leaft idea of the right of nations. As per- * v
fonal fafety in Turkey belongs only to people of
a mean and abject condition, the chief families
pride themfelves in the very danger they are ex-
pofed to from the government. A Bafhaw will
tell you, that a man of his rank, is not deftined,
like an obfcure perfon, to finilh his days quietly
in his bed. One may frequently fee widows,
whofe hufbands have been juft flrangled, exulting
that they have been deflroyedm a manner fuitable
to their rank.
THE Ruffians and the Danes do not entertain
the fame prejudices, though they are fubjefr. to a
power equally arbitrary; becaufe thefe nations
have the advantage of a more tolerable admini-
ftration, and of fome written laws. They can
venture to think, or even to fay, that their go-
vernment is limited j but they have never been
able to perfuade any fenfible man, that it was.
While the Ibvereign makes and annuls the laws,
extends or reftrains them, and permits or iufpends
the execution of them at pleafure; while his paf-
fions are the only rule of his conduct; while he is
the only, the central being to whom every thin^-
tends; while nothing is either juft or unjuft, but
what he makes fo; while his caprice is the law,
and his favour the itandard of public efteem; if
this is not a defpotic government, what other kind
of government can it poflibly be ?
IN fuch a ftate of degradation, what are men ?
Enflaved as they are, they can fcarce venture to
look up to heaven. They are infenfible of their
C c 2 chains,
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
chains, as well as of the fhame that attends them.
The powers of their minds, weakened by the effects
of flavery, have not fufficient force to difcover the
rights infeparable from their existence. It may be
a matter of doubt whether thefe flaves are not as
culpable as their tyrants j and whether the fpirit
of liberty may not have greater reafon to com-
plain of the arrogance of thofe who invade her
rights, than of the weaknefs of thole, who know
not how to defend them.
IT has however been frequently afferted, that the
moft happy form of government would be that of
a juft and enlightened defpotic prince. The ab-
furdity of this is evident; for it might eafily hap-
pen that the will of this abfolute monarch might
be in direct oppofition to the will of his fubjects.
In that cafe, notwithstanding all his juftice and all
his abilities, he would deferve cenfure to deprive
them* of their rights, even though it were for
their own benefit. No man whatfoever is entitled
to treat his fellow-creatures like fo many beafts.
Beads may be forced to exchange a bad pafture
for a better; but to ufe fuch compulfion with men
would be an aft of tyranny. If they fhould fay,
that they are very well where they are, or even if
they fhould agree in allowing, that their fituation
is a bad one, but that it is their will and pleafurc
to flay in it, we may endeavour to teach them, to
undeceive them, and to bring them to jufter no-
tions by the means of perfuafion, but never by
thofe of compulfion. The beft of princes, who
(hould even have done good againft the general
confent of his people, would be culpable, if it
were
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 389
were only becaufe he had gone beyond his right. B K
He would be culpable not only for the time, but v '
even with regard to poilerity: for though he
might be juft and enlightened, yet his fuccefibr,
without inheriting either his abilities or his virtues,
will certainly inherit his authority, of which the
nation will become the victim. Let not, there-
fore, thefe pretended matters of the people be al-
lowed even to do good againft the general con-
fent. Let it be confidered that the condition of
thefe rulers is exactly the fame as that of the ca-
cique, who being afked whether he had any (laves,
ani wered ; Slaves ! I know but one Jlave in all my
diftrifti and that is ntyfelf.
SWEDEN is fituated between Ruflla and Den-
mark, Let us examine the hiftory of its co'nftitu-
tion, and endeavour if pofiible to find out the na-
ture of it.
NATIONS that are poor are almoft necefTarily
warlike i becaufe their very poverty, the burthen
of which they conftantly feel, infpires them fooner
or later with a defire of freeing themfelves from
it; and this defire, in procefs of time, becomes
the general fpirit of the nation, and the fpring of
the government. '
IT only requires a fuccefllon of fovereigns for-
tunate in war, to change fuddenlythe government
of fuch a country, from the ftate of a mild mo-
narchy, to that of the molt abfolute defpotifm,
The monarch, proud of his triumph, thinks he will
t>e fuffered to do what he pleafes, begins to ac-
knowledge no law but his willj and his fbldiers,
whom he hath led fo often to victory, ready to
C c 3 fervc
390 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
B xix K f erve n ^ m i n a ^ things and againft all men, become,
* v ' by their attachment to the prince, the terror of their
-fellow-citizens. The people, on the other hand,
dare not refufe the chains when offered to them by ,
him, who, to the authority of his rank, joins that
which he holds from their admiration and gra-
titude.
THE yoke impofed by a monarch who has con-
quered the enemies of the ftate, is certainly bur-
thenfomej but the fubjecls dare not ftiake it off.
It even grows heavier under fucceffors, who have
not the fame claim to the indulgence of the peo-
ple. Whenever any confiderable reverfe of for-
tune takes place, the defpot will be left to their
mercy. Then the people, irritated by their long
fufferings, feldom fail to avail themfelves of the
opportunity of recovering their rights. But as
they have neither views nor plans, they quickly
pafs from flavery to anarchy. In the midft of this
general confufion, one exclamation only is heard,
and that is, Liberty. But, as they know not how
to fecure to themfelves this ineftimable benefit, the
nation becomes immediately divided into various
factions, which are guided by different interefts.
IF there be one among thefe factions, that de-
fpairs of prevailing over the others, that faftion
feparates itfelf from the reft, unmindful of the ge-
neral good; and being more anxious to prejudice
its rivals than to ferve its country, it fides with the
fovereign. From that moment there are but two
parties in the ftate, diftinguifhed by two different
names, which, whatever they be, never mean any
thing more than royalifts and antiroyalifts. This
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
is the period of great commotions and confpi-
racies.
THE neighbouring powers then act the lame
part they have ever acted at all times and in all
countries upon fnnilar occafions. They foment
jealoufies between the people and their prince;
they fuggeft to the fubjetts every poffible method
of debafing, degrading, and annihilating the fove-
reignty; they corrupt even thofe who are nearelt
the throne ; they occafioned fome form of adminif-
tration to be adopted prejudicial both to the whole
body of the nation, which it impoverifhes under
pretence of exerting itfelf for their liberty; and
injurious to the fovereign, whofe prerogative it re-
duces to nothing.
THE monarch then meets with as many autho-
rities oppofed to his, as there are ranks in the
ftate. His will is then nothing without their con-
currence. Aflemblies muft then be held, propo-
fals made, and affairs of the Icaft importance de-
bated. Tutors are afligned to him, as to a pupil
in his non-age; and thofe tutors are perfons whom
he may always exped to find ill-intentioned to-
wards him.
BUT what is then the itate of the nation ? The
neighbouring powers have now, by their influence,
thrown every thing into confufion; they have over-
turned the ftate, or feduced all the members of
it, by bribery or intrigues. There is now but one
party in the kingdom, and that is the party which
efpoufes the interefl of the neighbouring powers.
The members of the factions are all pretenders.
Attachment to the king is an hypocrify, and aver-
C c 4 fion
392 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
B xix K ^ lon ^ Or monarc hy another. They are two difFe-
^ -v ' rent mafks to conceal ambition and avarice. The
whole nation is now entirely compofed of infa-
mous and venal men.
IT is not difficult to conceive what muft happen
after this. The foreign powers that had corrupted
the nation muft be deceived in their expectations.
They did not perceive that they carried matters
too far; that, perhaps, they acted a part quite
contrary to that which a deeper policy would have
fuggefted; that they were deftroying the power
of the nation, while they meant only to reftrain
that of the fovereign, which might one day exert
itfelf with all its force, and meet with no refinance
capable of checking it , and that this unexpected
effect might be brought about in an inftant, and
by one man.
THAT inftant is come; that man has appeared:
and all thefe bafe creatures of adverfe powers
proftrated themfelves before him. He told thefe
men, who thought themfelves all powerful, that
they were nothing. Pie told them, I am your
mafter; and they declared unanimoufly that he
was. Fie told them, thefe are the conditions to
which I would have you fubmit; and they anfwer-
cd, we agree to them. Scarce one diffenting voice
was heard among them. It is impoffible for any
man to know what will be the confequence of this
revolution. If the king will avail himfclf of thefe
circumstances, Sweden will never have been go-
verned by a more abfolute monarch. If he is pru-
dent; if he underftands, that an unlimited fove-
reign can have no fubjects, becaufe he can have no
perfons
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 393
perfons under him poffefied of property; and that BOOK.
authority can only be exerted over thofe who have \ v JL/
fome kind of property; the nation may, perhaps,
recover its original character. Whatever may be
his defigns or his inclinations, Sweden cannot pof-
fibly be more unhappy than fhe was before.
POLAND, which has none but (laves within, and
therefore deferves to meet with none but oppreflbrs
from without, ftill preferves, however, the fha-
dow and the name of liberty. This kingdom is,
at prefent, no better than all the European ftates
were ten centuries ago, fubject to a powerful arif-
tocracy, which elects a king, in order to make
him fubfervient to its will. Each nobleman, by
virtue of his feudal tenure, which he preferves
with his fword, as his anceflors acquired it, holds
a perfonal and hereditary authority over his vaflals.
The feudal government prevails there in all the
force of its primitive inftitution. It is an empire
compofed of as many ftates as there are lands.
All the laws are fettled there, and all refolutions
taken, not by the majority, but by the unanimity
of the fuffrages. Upon falfe notions of right and
perfection, it has been fuppofed that a law was
only juft when it was adopted by unanimous con-
fent; becaufe it has undoubtedly been thought,
that what was right would both be perceived and
put in practice by all; two things that are impofli-
ble in a national afiembly. But can we even af-
cribe fuch pure intentions to a fet of tyrants? For
this conftitution, which boafls the title of a repub-
lic, and prophanes it, is only a league of petty ty-
rants againft the people. In this country, every
8 one
59+ HISTORY 'OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK one has the power to reftrain, and no one the pow-
iL^-Lj er to aft. Here the will of each individual may
be in oppofition to the general one; and here
only, a fool, a wicked man, and a madman, is fure
to prevail over a whole nation.
AND. indeed, this government has never pro-
fpered; and Poland, that enjoys the privilege of
electing its kings, merely from the jealoufy of its
nobles, has been only indebted to the jealoufy
of its neighbours, for not having an hereditary
defpot in the family of a foreign conqueror. It
was referved to our days to fee this ftate torn in
pieces by three rival powers, which have appro-
priated to themfelves fuch of its provinces as lay
moft convenient for them. May this crime of
ambition turn out to the advantage of mankind;
and by a glorious action of benevolence, may the
ufurpers break the chains of the moft laborious
part of their new people! Their fubjects will be
more faithful, by being more free; and being no
longer (laves, will become men.
IN a monarchy, the forces and wills of every
individual are at the difpofal of one fingle man; in
the government of Germany, each feparate ftate
conftitutes a body. This is, perhaps, the nation
that refembles moft what it formerly was. The
ancient Germans, divided into colonies by immenfe
forefts, had no occafion for a very refined legifla-
tion. But in proportion as their defcendents have
multiplied and come nearer each other, art has
kept up in this country what nature had eftablifh-
ed; the feparation of the people and their poli-
tical union. The fmall ftates that compofe this.
confederate
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 395
confederate republic, preferve the character of the B ^ K
firfl families. Each particular government is not * ^>
always parental, or the rulers of the nations are
not always mild and humane. But ftill reafon and
liberty, which unites the chiefs to each other, foft-
ens the feverity of their dilpofitions, and the ri-
gour of their authority: a prince in Germany can-
not be a tyrant with the fame fecurity as in large
monarchies.
THE Germans, who are rather warriors than a
warlike people, becaufe they are rather proficients
in the art of war than addicted to it from inclina-
tion, have been conquered but once; and it was
Charlemagne who conquered, but could not re-
duce them to fubjeclion. They obeyed the man,
who, by talents fuperior to the age he lived in, had
fubdued and enlightened its barbarifrn; but they
fhook off the yoke of his fucceffors. They pre-
ferved, however, the title of emperor to their
chief; but it was merely a name, fince, in fact, the
power redded almoft entirely in the barons that
pofTefTed the lands. The people, who in all coun-
tries have unfortunately always been enflaved,
fpoiled, and kept in a flate of mifery and igno-
rance, each the effect of the other, reaped no
advantage from the legiflation. This fubverted
that focial equality which does not tend to reduce
all conditions and eftates to the fame degree, but
to a more general diffufion of property; and upon
its ruins was formed the feudal government, the
characteriftic of which is anarchy. Every noble-
man lived in a total independence, and each people
under the molt abfolute tyranny. This was the
unavoidable
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
unavoidable confequence of a government, where
the crown was elective. In thofe Hates where it
was hereditary, the people had, at leaft, a bulwark
and a permanent refuge againft oppreffion. The
regal authority could not extend itfelf, without
alleviating for fome time the fate of the vaffals by
diminifhing the power of the nobles.
BUT in Germany, where the nobles take advan-i
tage of each interregnum to invade and to reftrain
the rights of the Imperial power, the government
could not but degenerate. Superior force decided
every difpute between thofe who could appeal to
the fword. Countries and people were only the
caufes or the objects of war between the proprie-
tors. Crimes were the fupport of injuftice. Ra-
pine, murder, and conflagrations not only became
frequent, but even lawful. Superftition, which
had confecrated tyranny, was compelled to check
its infolence. The church, which afforded an afy-
lum to banditti of every kind, fettled a truce be-
tween them. The protection of faints was im-
plored, to efcape the fury of the nobles. The
allies of the dead were only fufficient to awe the
ferocioufnefs of thefe people: fo alarming are the
terrors of the grave, even to men of cruel and
iavage difpofitions.
WHEN the minds of men kept in conftant
alarm, were difpofed to tranquillity through fear;
policy, which avails itfelf equally of reaibn and
the paiTions, of ignorance and underftanding, to
rule over mankind, attempted to reform the go-
vernment. On the one hand, feveral inhabitants
in the countries were infranchifed : and on the
other,
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
other, exemptions were granted in favour of the B
cities. A number of men in all parts were made
free. The emperors, who, to fecure their election
even among ignorant and ferocious princes, were
obliged to difcover fome abilities and fome virtues,
prepared the way for the improvement of the le-
giflation.
MAXIMILIAN improved the means of happinefs
which time and particular events had concurred to
produce in his age. He put an end to the anarchy
of the great. In France and Spain, they had been
made fubjeft to regal authority j in Germany, the
emperors made them fubmit to the authority of
the laws. For the fake of the public tranquility,
every prince is amenable to juftice. It is true, thar
thefe laws eftablilhed among princes, who may be
confidered as lions, do not fave the people, who
may be compared to lambs : they are ftill at the
mercy of their rulers, who are only bound one
towards another. But as public tranquillity cannot
be violated, nor war commenced, without the
prtnce who is the caufe of it being fubjedt to the
penalties of a tribunal that is always open, and
fupported by all the forces of the empire, the peo-
ple are lefs expofed to thofe fudden eruptions, and
imforefeen hoftilities, which, threatening the pro-
perty of the fovereigns, continually endangered the
lives and fafety of the fubjects. War, which
formerly eftablifhed right, is now fubjecl: to con-
ditions that moderate its fury. The claims of hu-
manity are heard even in the midft of carnage.
Thus Europe is indebted to Germany for the im-
provement of the legiflation in all ilates ; regularity
and
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
and forms even in the revenge of nations; a certain
equity even in the abufe of power; moderation
in the midrl of'vi<5lory; a check to the ambition
of all potentates ; in ftiort, freih obilacles to war,
and frelh encouragements to peace.
THIS happy conditution of the German empire
has improved with the progrefs of reafon ever fmce
the reign of Maximilian. Neverthelefs the Ger-
mans themfelves complain, that although they
form a national body, diftinguifhed by the fame
name, fpeaking the fame language, living under
the fame chief, enjoying the fame privileges, and
connected by the fame interefls, yet their empire
has not the advantage of that tranquillity, that
power, and confideration, it ought to have.
THE caufes of this misfortune are obvious. The
firft is the obfcurity of the laws. The writings
upon the jus publicum of Germany are numberlefs;
and there are but few Germans who are verfed in
the conftitution of their country. All the mem-
bers of the empire now fend their reprefentatives
to the national afiembiy, whereas they formerly
fat there themfelves. The military turn, which
is become univerfal, has precluded all application
to bufmefs, fupprefled every generous fentiment of
patriotifm, and all attachment to fellow-citizens.
There is not one of the princes, who has not fet-
led his court too magnificently for his income, and
who does not authorife the moft flagrant oppref-
fions to fupport this ridiculous pomp. In Ihort,
nothing contributes to the decay of the empire, fo
much as the too extenfive dominion of fome of its
princes. The fovereigns become too powerful, fe-
parate
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 399
parate their private interefts from the general good. B % K
This reciprocal difunion among the ftates, is the v v '
reafon, that, in dangers which are common to all,
each province muft defend itfelf. It is obliged to
fubmit to that prince, whofoever he may be, whofe
power is fuperior ; and thus the Germanic con-
ftitution degenerates infenfibly into flavery or ty-
ranny.
ENGLAND owes its national character to its na-
tural pofition, and its government to its national
character. It was invited by nature to the fea, to
commerce, and to liberty. This idol of men of
vigorous minds, which renders them ferocious in
a favage ftate, and proud in a civilized one, this
fpirit of liberty always reigned in the breafts of the
Englifh, even when they were ignorant of its rights
and advantages.
THIS was the nation that firft discovered the.
injuftice and infignificancy of ecclefiaftical power,
the limits of regal authority, and the abufes otthe
feudal government. This was the nation that
was the firft to revolt and throw off this triple
load of oppreffion. Until the reign of Henry
the Eighth, they had fought only for the choice
of their tyrants ; but at length, in chufing them,
they paved the way for abolifhing, punifhing, or
expelling them.
THE kings of England, however, thought them-
felves abfolute, becaufe all thofe of the reft of Eu-
rope were fo. The title of monarch deceived
James the Firft j he annexed unlimited authority to
it. He maintained this opinion with fo much
franknefs, fuch an infatuation, that led him even
5 not
400 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK not to diftruft his own pretenfions, fo far as to make
\^ J hi m think it neceffary to fupport them previoufly
by force. His courtiers and his clergy encouraged
him in this flattering illufion, which he perfevered
in to the end. He died full of felf-eftimation, and
defpifed by his people ; who knew the weaknefs
of the monarch, and were fenfible of their own
ftrength.
THE Englifh, to put an end to the fpirit of re-
venge and diffidence, which would have been per-
petuated between the king and the people after the
tragical end of Charles the Firft, chofc from a
foreign race a prince who was obliged to accept
of that focial compact, of which all hereditary
kings affect to be ignorant. William the Third re-
ceived the crown on certain conditions, and con-
tented himfelf with an authority eftabli(hed upon
the fame bafis as the rights of the people.
UNDER the reigns of the Stuarts, power and
liberty had maintained a perpetual conteft for the
prerogatives of the crown and the privileges of the
people. But fince a parliamentary or national title
is become the fole right of kings, whatever faction
difturbs the people, the force of the conftitution
prevails always in their favour.
THE government is formed between abfolute
monarchy, which is tyranny j democracy, which
tends to anarchy; and ariftocracy, which fluctu-
ating between one and^the other, falls into the
errors of both. The mixt government of the
Englilh, combining the advantages of thefe three
powers, which mutually obferve, moderate, afiift,
and check each other, tends from its very princi-
ples
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES;
pies to the national good. This conftitution, of B
which there is no inftance among the ancients, and
which ought to ferve as a model to pofterity, will
fupport itfelf a long timej becaufe it is not the
refult of manner and of tranfient opinions., but
of reafoning and experience.
YET the people are with reafon alarmed about
the duration of fo excellent a government. En-
croachments of the crown are not apprehended.
The fhare the king holds in the legislation is too
trifling, to prevail over the two houfes of parlia-
ment. His right of refufal or confent is at prefent
a mere matter of form. His greateft ftrength is in
the executive power, which is folely vefted in him.
But as he hath only the right and exercife of this
power, without having the inftruments and the
means, he cannot avail himfelf of it. If he were
once to abufe it, he would run the rifque of lofing
it for ever. The money that is levied arifes from
the taxes, and thefe are impofed by parliament. The
people fupply the prince with fubfidies, and he
accounts for the ufe that is made of them. Hence
the parliament, under whofe infpedion the reve-
nues and the difburfements pafs, is the real legifla-
tive power. It is the parliament that levies the
taxes, and determines how they lhall be employed.
But although the prince is in this refpect dependent
on the commons, yet he hath ftill a great af-
cendent over them by the power of difpenfing fa-
vours.
IN monarchies, kings are bribed; in England
they bribe. A philofophical and political writer,
well acquainted with the conftitution of his country,
VOL. V. D d affects,
4oa HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
B xix K a ^ erts J tnat tl" 5 bribery is neceflary to check the
v tf i tendency of the government to democracy j and
that the people would become too powerful, if the
king did not buy off the commons.
ON the other hand, if the prince were to raife
the richer members of the commons to the higheft
dignities by creating peers at pleafure, he would
make the government lean to ariftocracy. But
as the dignity of the peerage cannot be lavilhed
without degrading it, and that befides, commerce
will always keep the wealth of the Hate in conftant
circulation, it will fcarce happen that riches and
dignities will be accumulated and united in a few
individuals j for complaints, diflurbances, and
even feditions, will arife for the fecurity of the
people before fuch a misfortune can take place.
The intereft of the collective body in the houfe
of commons is retrained by the intereft of each
individual. The king is not rich enough to bribe
them all; he cannot openly buy them off without
difhonouring them, nor enflave diem without ir-
ritating the people. There will always be fome
Demagogues; and the nation (lands in need of
them to watch, to accufe, and even to keep the
parliament in awe.
BUT, if the enjoyments of luxury fliould happen
totally to pervert the morals of the nation j if the
love of pleafure fhould Ibften the courage of the
commanders and officers of the fleets and armies ;
if the intoxication of temporary fuccefles; if vain
ideas of falfe greatnefs fhould excite the nation to
enterprifcs above their ftrength; if they fhould be
deceived in the choice of their enemies, or their
allies;
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 43
allies j if they fhould lofe their colonies, either by BOOK
making them too extenfive, or by laying reftraints \__ w ~ f
upon them; if their love of patriotifm is not ex-
alted to the love of humanity; they will fooner
or later be enflaved, and return to that kind of in-
fignificancy from whence they emerged only
through torrents of blood, and through the cala-
mities of two ages of fanaticifin and war. They
will become like other nations whom they defpife,
and Europe will not be able to fhew the nniverfe
one nation in which fhe can venture to pride her-
felf. Defpotifm, which always opprefies moft
heavily minds that are fubdued and degraded, will
alone rife fuperior, amidft the ruin of arts, of
morals, of reafon, and of liberty.
THE hiflory of the united provinces is replete
with very fmgular events. Their combination
arofe from defpair, and almoft all Europe encou-
rage their eftablifhment. They had but juft tri-
umphed over the long and powerful efforts of the
court of Spain to reduce them to fubjection, when
they were obliged to try their ftrength againft the
people of Britanny, and difconcerted the fchemes
of France. They afterwards gave a king to Eng-
land, and deprived Spain of the provinces flie pof-
lefied in Italy and the Low Countries, to give them
to Auftria. Since that period, Holland has been
difgufted of fuch a fyftem of politics, as would
engage her in war; fhe attends folely to the pre-
iervation of her conftitution, but perhaps not with
fufficient zeal, care, and integrity.
THE conftitution of Holland, though previoufly
modelled on a plan that was the refult of reflection,
D d 2 is
404 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK is not lefs defe&ive than thofe that have been
formed by chance. The feven provinces compofe
a kind of heptarchy, the members of which are
too independent of each other. In the republic
each province is fupreme; in the provinces, the
cities are notfubjed. Alliances, peace, war, fub-
fidies, mufl all have the fanftion of the flates-ge-
neral; nor can thefe jlo any thing without the
confent of the provincial flares, nor thefe without
the determination of the cities. The firfl defect in
this conflitution arifes from the fovereign power
being diffufed into too many branches; the fecond
from the unanimity of fufFrages; and the third
from the equal number of votes. No regard is
paid to the difference of extent and population,
the province of Holland having no more votes
than that of Over-YfTel, though it bears twenty
times a greater fhare in the public expences. The
fuffrage of Amfterdam carries no more weight
with it than that of the mofl petty town; which
is a perpetual fource of difcord. If the obftinacy
of one fingle province breaks the union, there is no
legal mediator to reflore it; for the fladtholder
cannot be confidered as fuch.
THIS magiftrate, whofe bufmefs it is to termi-
nate religious difputes, has on that account a dan-
gerous influence, becaufe he may reciprocally in-
volve affairs of religion and of the flatewith each
other. Authorifed to determine upon the articles
of the treaty of union, whenever there is a fchifm
or divifion about them, the power he has of put-
ting an end to difcord makes it eafy for him to
foment it, and opens a vail field to his ambition.
THESE
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
THESE fears occafioned the fuppreflion of the B
ftadtholder's power towards the middle of the laft
century. But thofe who overthrew this phantom
of tyranny, were infenfibly proceeding to the efta-
blifhment of tyranny itfclf, by changing the de-
mocracy into an oligarchy. From that time, the
burghers of each town loft the liberties they en-
joyed, and the right of electing their magiftrates
and forming their fenate. The burgomaflers
chofe their officers and feized upon the finances,
of which they gave no account but to their equals
or dependents. The fenators arrogated to them-
felves the right of completing their own body.
Thus the magiftracy was confined within a few fa-
milies, who afifumed an almoil exclufive right of
deputation to the ftates-general. Each province
and each town were at the difpofal of a fmall num-
ber of citizens, who, dividing the rights and the
fpoils of the people, had the art of eluding their
complaints, or of preventing the effects of any
extraordinary difcontent.
THESE encroachments occafioned the reftora-
tion of the ftadtholder's power in the houfe of
Orange, and it has been made hereditary, even to
the women. But a ftadtholder is only a captain-
general. This magiftrate, in order to be ufeful to
the republic, ought to have an equal authority
over every branch of the ftate. If he had as much
influence in the general affembly, as he has in the
military council, he would have no other interefts
than thofe of his country; and would be as indif-
ferent to war as peace.
D d 3 BUT,
406 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK BUT, perhaps, it may be apprehended, that if
v. v ' i the civil power Ihould be united to the military
force in the ftadtholder, he might one day be-
come an inftrument of oppreflion. Rome is al-
ways quoted as an example to all our free flates,
that have no circumftance in common with it. If
the dictator became the oppreflbr of that republic,
it was in confequence of its having opprefied all
other nations; it was becaufe its power having
been originally founded by war, muft necefTarily
be defcroyed by itj and becaufe a nation, com-
pofed of foldiers, could not efcape the defpotifm
of a military government. However improbable
it may appear, it is yet certain, that the Roman
republic fubmitted to the yoke, becaufe it paid no
taxes. The conquered people were the only tri-
butaries to the treafury. The public revenues,
therefore, neceflarily remaining the fame after the
revolution as before, property did not appear to
be attacked j and the citizen thought he fhould
be ftill free enough, while he had the difpofal of
his own property.
HOLLAND, on the contrary, will maintain its
liberty, becaufe it is fubjefb to very coniiderable
taxes. The Dutch cannot preferve their country
without confiderable expences. The fenfe of their
independence alone excites an induftry proportion-
able to the load of their contributions, and to the
patience neceflary to fuppoi t the burthen of them.
If to the enormous expences of the ftate it were
neceflary to add thofe which the pomp of a court
requires; if the prince were to employ in main-
taining the agents of tyranny what ought to be
beftowed
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
beftowed on the foundations of a land obtained as B
it were from the fea, he would foon drive the peo-
pie to defpair.
AN inhabitant of Holland, placed upon a
mountain, and who oblerves at a diftance the fea
rifing eighteen or twenty feet above the level of
the lands, and dafliing its waves againft the dikes
he has raifed, confiders within himfelf, that fooner
or later this boifterous element will get the better
of him. He difdains fo precarious a dwelling,
and his houfe, made either of wood or ftone at Am-
fterdam, is no longer looked upon as fuch; it is his
fliip that is his afylum, and by degrees he acquires
an indifference and manners conformable to this
idea. The water is to him what the vicinity of
volcanos is to other people.
IF to thefe natural caufes of the decay of a pa-
triotic fpirit were joined the lofs of liberty, the
Dutch would quit a country, that cannot be cul-
tivated but by men who are free; and thefe peo-
ple fo devoted to trade would carry their fpirit of
commerce, together with their riches, to fome other
part of the globe. Their iflands in Afia, their
factories in Africa, their colonies in America, and
all the ports of Europe would afford them an
afylum. What ftadtholder, what prince, revered
by fuch a people, would wifh, or dare to become
their tyrant?
THE French, with a different fituation, have a
different kind of government, which hath under-
gone a variety of changes. Ever attached to a
king, becaufe their government was founded by a
military commander, a warlike difpofition pre-
D d 4 ferved
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
tnem * ra l n S t ^ me fr m political flavery-.
That natural courage ; that abhorrence from all
kind of meannefsj that franknefs which they de-
rived from the Germans, made them believe either
that they were free, or that they ought to be fo,
even under the dominion of kings. Jealous of
this idea they entertained of themfelves, the no-
bility, which compofed almoft all the nation,
claimed an independence not only of the monarch,
but even of their own body. Each nobleman
formed, in the midft of the irate, a kind of pri-
vate republic of his own family and his vafTals.
France had then a military government, impof-
fible to be defined, fomething between ariftocracy
and monarchy, having all the abufes of thefe two
conftitutions, without their real advantages. A
perpetual conteft between the kings and the no-
bles, an alternate fuperiority of the power of one
fmgle perfon, or of feveral; fuch was the kind of
anarchy that lafted, almoft without interruption,
to the middle of the fifteenth century.
THE character of the French was then changed
by a train of events that had altered the form of
government. The war, which the Englilh, in
conjunction with, or under the direction of, the
Normans, had inceffantly carried on againft France
for two or three hundred years pail, fpread. a ge-
neral alarm, and occafioned great ravages. The
triumphs of the enemy, the tyranny of the great*
all conipired to make that nation wilh that the
prince might be inverted with power fufficient to
expel foreigners out of the kingdom, and to keep
the nobles in fubjection. While princes diftin-
guifhed
5
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 469
guifhed by their wifdom and bravery were endea- BOOK
vouring to accomplifh this, a new generation v^^
arofe. Every individual, when the general alarm
was paft, thought himfelf happy enough in the
privileges that his anceftors had enjoyed. They
neglected to trace the fource of the power of
kings, which was derived from the nation ; and
Lewis XI. having few obftacles to furmount, be-
came more powerful than his predeceffors.
BEFORE his time, the hiftory of France prefents
us with an account of a variety of dates, fome-
times divided, and fometimes united. Since that
prince's reign, it is the hiftory of a great mo-
narchy* The power of feveral tyrants is centered
in one perfdn. The people are not more freej
but the conftitution is different. Peace is enjoyed
with greater fecurity within, and war carried on
with more vigour without.
CIVIL wars, which tend to make a free people
become (laves, and to reftore liberty to a nation
that is already enflaved, have had no other effect
in France that that of humbling the great, with-
out exalting the people. The minifters, who will
always be the creatures of the prince, while the
general fenfe of the nation has no influence in af-
fairs of government, have fold their fellow-citizens
to their matter; and as the people, who were pof-
feffedof nothing, could not be lofers by this fer-
vitude, the kings have found it the more eafy to
carry their defigns into execution, efpecially as
they were always concealed under pretence of
political advantage and even of felf-intcreft. The
jealoufy excited by a great inequality of conditions
and
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
OOK and fortunes, hath favoured every fcheme that
.. v V tended to aggrandize the regal authority. The
princes have had the art to engage the attention
of the people, fometimes by wars abroad, fome-
times by religious difputes at home; to fufferthe
minds of men to be divided by opinions, and their
hearts by different interefts; to excite and keep up
jealoufies between the feveral ranks of the flate;
to flatter alternately each party with an appear-
ance of favour, and to fatisfy the natural envy of
the people by the deprefiion of them all. The
multitude, reduced to poverty, and become the
objects of contempt, having feen all-powerful bo-
dies brought low one after another, have at leafl
loved in their monarch the enemy of their ene-
mies.
THE nation, though by inadvertency it has loft
the privilege of governing itfelf, has not however
fubmitted to all the outrages of defpotifm. This
arifes from the lofs of its liberty, not having been the
effect of a tumultuous and fudden revolution, but
gradually brought about in a fucceflion of feveral
ages. The national character which hath always
influenced the princes as well as the court, if it
were only by means of the women, hath efta-
blifhed a fort of balance of power: and thus it is
that polite manners having tempered the exertion
of force, and foftened the oppofition that might
be made to it, have prevented thofe fudden and
violent commotions, from whence refults either
monarchical tyranny, or popular liberty.
INCONSISTENCE, as natural to the minds of a
gay and lively people, as it is to children, hath
i fortunately
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES,
fortunately prevailed over the fyftems of fome def-
potic minifters. Kings have been too fond of
pleafure, and too converfant with the real fource
of it, not to be induced frequently to lay afide
the iron fceptre which would have terrified the
people, and prevented them from indulging in
thofe frivolous amufements to which they were ad-
dicted. The fpirit of intrigue, which hath ever
prevailed among them, fmce the nobles have been
invited to court, hath occafioned continual re-
movals of ftatefmen, and confequently fubverted
all their projects. As the change in government
has been imperceptibly brought about, the fub-
jects have preferved a kind of dignity, which the
monarch himfelf feemed to refpect, confidering it
as the fource, or confequence of his own. He
has continued the fupreme legiflator for a long
time, without being either willing or able to abufe
his whole power. Kept in awe by the bare idea
only of the fundamental laws of the nation he go-
verned, he has frequently been afraid to act con-
trary to the principles of them. He has been fen-
fible that the people had rights to oppole to him.
In a word, chere has been no tyrant, even at a
time when there was no liberty.
SUCH, and ftill more abfolute have been the go-
vernments of Spain and Portugal, of Naples and
Piedmont; and of the feveral fmall principalities
of Italy. The people of the fouth, whether from
inactivity of mind, or weaknefs of body, feem to
be born for defpotifm. The Spaniards, though
they are extremely proud; and the Italians, not-
withftanding all the powers of genius they poflefs,
have
4 r 2 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK have loft all their privileges and every idea of li-
y J v ' . befty. Wherever the monarchy is unlimited, it
is impofiible to afcertain with any degree of pre-
cifion what the form of government is, fmce that
varies not only with the character of each fove-
reign, but even at every period of the fame
prince's life. Thefe ftates have written laws,
and cuftoms and focieties that enjoy certain pri-
vileges; but when thelegiflator can fubvert the laws
and tribunals of juftice; when his authority is
founded only on fuperior flrength, and when he
calls upon God with a view to infpire his fubjects
with fear, inftead of imitating him in order to be-
come an object of affection; when the original
right of fociety, theunalienable right of property
among citizens, when national conventions, and
the engagements of the prince, are in vain appealed
to; in a word, when the government is arbitrary,
there is no longer any ftate ; the nation is no
more than the landed property of one fingle in-
dividual.
IN fuch countries, no ftatefmen will ever be
formed. Far from its being a duty to be ac-
quainted with public affairs, it is rather criminal
and dangerous to have any knowledge of the ad-
miniflration. The favour of the court, the choice
of the prince, fupply the place of talents. Ta-
lents, it is true, have their ufe; and are fometimes
wanted to ferve the defigns of others, but are
never fuffered to command. In thefe countries,
the people fubmit to the government their fupc-
riors impofe, if they ate only indulged in their
natural indolence. There is only one fyftem of
legiflation
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 4
legislation in thefe delightful parts of Europe, that B ^ix
merits our attention j which is the republic of -
Venice.
A GREAT, magnificent, and rich city, impreg-
nable, though without walls or fortifications, rules
over feventy-two iflands. They are not rocks and
mountains raifed by time in the midft of a vaft
feaj but rather a plain, parcelled out and cut into
channels by the ftagnations of a fmall gulph, upon
the flope of a low land. Thefe iflands feparated
by canals, are at prefent joined by bridges. They
have been formed by the ravages of the fea, and
the ravages of the war have occafioned them to be
peopled towards the middle of the fifth century.
The inhabitants of Italy flying from Attila fought
an afylum on the fea.
THE Venetian lagunes at firft neither made a
part of the fame city, nor of the fame republic.
United by one general commercial intereft, or ra-
ther by the neceflity of defending themfelves, they
were, however, divided into as many feparate go-
vernments as iflands, each fubjeft to its refpeclive
tribune.
FROM the plurality of chiefs contentions arofe,
and the public good was confequently facrificed.
Thefe people, therefore, in order to conftitiite one
body,chofe a prince, who,, under the title of duke
or Doge, enjoyed for a confiderable time all the
rights of fovereignty, of which he only now re-
tains the figns. Thefe Doges were elected by the
people till 1173, when the nobles having feized
upon the whole authority of the republic, named
its chief,
THE
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
THE government of Venice would be preferable
to every other, if an ariftocracy were not, per-
haps, the lead eligible of any. The feveral
branches of power are divided there among the
nobles, and admirably balanced among each other.
The great reign there in peace with a kind of
equality, as the flars fhine in the firmament du-
ring the filence of the night. The people view
their fplendour with fatisfaction, and are contented
if they can only gain a fubfiflence, and be in-
dulged in their amufements. The diftinftion be-
tween plebeians and patricians is lefs odious than
in any other republic ; becaufe the laws are parti-
cularly directed to reftrain and awe the ambition
of the nobles. Befides, as the profperity of Ve-
nice was founded upon its commerce, the people
might bear unconcerned the lofs of power, by
the hopes of riches, which they might acquire by
induftry and labour.
THE emulation excited by opulence among this
maritime people, enabled them to maintain power-
ful armies ; and the fpirit of patriotifm, which is
natural to republics, fupplied them with foldiers.
The variety of information refulting from the go-
vernment of many men, made them excel all
other people in politics. They learned the art of
forming and deflroying leagues, and of main-
taining themfelves againft the moft formidable
powers. But fmce the decay of their commerce
hath made them lefs converfant with other coun-
tries, and diminifhed their internal vigour, the
republic of Venice is degenerated and obliged to
obferve the moft timid circumfpeftion. Thefc
people
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
people have affiimed that jealoufy and miftruft B
which is the national character of all Italy, and
have carried them much further. With one half
of the treasures and care they have employed to
maintain that neutrality they have obferved for two
centuries, they would have freed themfelves for
ever rrom the dangers to which their very precau-
tions have expofed them. Their chief confidence is
in an inquifitor, who continually watches over the
conduct of every individual, ready to inflid punifh-
ment on any one who fhall dare to fpeak well or
ill of adminiltration. The cenfure or approbation
of government is one of the greateft crimes. The
fenator of Venice, concealed behind a grate, fays
to the fubject : Who art thou t that- dar'ft to approve
our condtiff ! A curtain rifes, and the poor trem-
bling Venetian beholds a carcafe tied to a gallows,
and hears a terrible .voice that calls out to him
from behind the grate : // is thus we treat thofe
who prefume to apologize for us ; go home, and be
Jilent. As the republic of Venice fupports itfelf
by its cunning, there is another in Europe which
fupports itfelf by its courage j this is the republic
of Switzerland.
THE Switzers, known in antiquity by the name
of_Helyetians, were, as the Gauls and the Britons,
only to be fubdued by Csefar, who was the greateft
of the Romans, if he had been more attached to
his country. They were united to Germany, as a
Roman province, under the reign of Honorius.
Revolutions, which are frequent and eafily accom-
plifhed in fuch a country as is the Alps, divided
colonies, that were feparated by large lakes or
great
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
great mountains, into feveral baronies. The mo
confiderable of thefe, occupied by the houfe of
Auftria, in procefs of time feized upon all the reft.
Conqueft introduced flavery, oppreflion excited
the people to revolt, and thus liberty arofe from
an unbounded exertion of tyranny.
THERE are now thirteen cantons of robuft pea-
fants, who defend almoft all the kings of Europe
and fear nones who are better acquainted with
their real interefts than any other nation j and
who constitute the mailjfenfLble-^eople-in all mo-
dern political ftates. Theie thkteejLxantons com-
pofe among thernfelve$,_nQt _axepublic_jLS_the feven
provinces of Holland, nor a fiiTiple_confederacy as
the Germanic body, but rather a league,, a natu-
ral aflbciation of fo many independent republics.
Each canton has its refpective iovereignty, its al-
liances, and its treaties feparate. The general diet
cannot make laws or regulations for either of
them.
THE three moft ancient cantons are immediately
connected with each of the other twelve. It is
from this union of convenience, not of conftitution,
that, if one of the thirteen cantons were attacked*
all the reft would march to its affiftance. But there
is no common alliance between the whole body
and each particular canton. Thus the branches of
a tree are united among themfelves, without hav-
ing an immediate connection with the common
trunk.
THE union of the Switzers was, however, in-
difibluble till the beginning of the i6th century;
when religion, which ought to be the bond of
peace
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 417
peace and charity, difunited them. The reforma- B ^ K
tion caufed a feparation of the Helvetic body, and **
the ftate was divided by the church. All public
affairs are tranflicted in the feparate and particular
diets of the catholic and protebant parties. The
general diets are afiembled only to preferve the
appearance of union. Notwithstanding this fourCe
of difcord, Switzerland has enjoyed peace much
more than any ftate in Europe.
UNDER the Auftrian government, opprefTion
and the raifmg of troops impeded population*
After the revolution, there was too great an in-
creafe of the number of people in proportion to
the barrennefs of the land. The Helvetic body
could not be enlarged without endangering its
fafety, unlefs it made fome excurfions abroad.
The inhabitants of thefe mountains, as the tor-
rents that pour down from them, were to fpread
themfelves in the plains that border upon the
Alps. Thefe people would have deftroyed each
other, had they remained fequeftered among them-
felves. But ignorance of the arts, the want of
materials for manufactures, and the deficiency of
money, prevented the importation of foreign mer-
chandife, and excluded them from the means of
procuring the comforts of life, and of encouraging
induftry. They drew even from their increafe of
numbers, a method of fubfifting and acquiring
riches, a fource, and an object of trade.
THE duke of Milan, mafter of a rich country
open on every fide to invafion, and not eafily de-
fended, was in want of foldiers. The Switzers,
who were his moft powerful neighbours, muft ne-
VOL. V. E e ceflarily
4iS HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
B xix K ce ^ ar ^7 become his enemies, if they were not his
< /-*-/ allies, or rather his protectors. A kind of traffic
was, therefore, fet on foot between thefe people
and the Milanefe, in which men were bartered for
riches. The nation engaged troops fuccefiively
in the fervice of France, of the emperor, of the
pope, of the duke of Savoy, and all the poten-
tates of Italy. They fold their blood to the moft
diftant powers, and to the nations moft in enmity
with each other ; to Holland, to Spain, and to
Portugal; as if thefe mountains were nothing
more than a repofitory of arms and foldiers, open
ro every one who wanted to purchafe the means
of carrying on war.
EACH canton treats with that power which offers
the moft advantageous terms. The fubjech of the
country are at liberty to engage in war at a diftance,
with an allied nation. The Hollander is, by the
Conflitution of his country, a citizen of the world ;
the Switzer, by the lame circumftance, a deftroyer
of Europe. The profits of Holland are in pro-
portion to the degree of cultivation, and the con-
iumption of merchandife ; the profperity of Swit-
zerland increafes in proportion to the number of
battles that are fought, and the (laughter that at-
tends them.
IT is by war, that calamity infeparable from
mankind, whether in a ftate of civilization or not,
that the republics of the Helvetic body are obliged
to live and fubfift. It is by this that they preferve
a number of inhabitants within their country pro-
portioned to the extent and fertility of their lands,
without forcing any of the fprings of government,
or
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES, 419
or reftraining the inclinations of any individual. B K.
It is by the traffic of troops with the powers at war * y -
with each other, that Switzerland has not been
under the neceffity of fudden emigrations, which
are the caufe of invafions, and of attempting con-
quefts, which would have occafioned the lofs of its
liberty, as it caufed the fubverfion of all the re-
publics of Greece.
IF we now take a review of what has been faid,
we fliall find that all the governments of Europe
are comprehended under fome of the forms we
have been defcribing, and are differently modelled
according to the local fituation, the degree of po-
pulation, the extent of territory, the influence of
opinions and occupations, and the external con-
nections and variety of events that act upon the
fyftem of the body politic, as the impreffion of
furrounding fluids does upon natural bodies.
WE are not to imagine, as it is often aflerted,
that all governments nearly refemble each other,
and that the only difference between them confifh
in the character of thofe who govern. This maxim
may, perhaps, be true in abfolute governments,
among fuch nations as have no principles of liber-
ty. Thefe take the turn the prince gives them }
they are haughty, proud, and courageous, under a
monarch that is active and fond of glory -, indolent
and ftupid under a fuperftitious king; full of hopes
and fears under a young prince ; of weaknefs and
corruption under an old defpot j or rather alter-
nately confident and weak under the feveral mi-
miters who are raifed by intrigue. In fuch flates,
the people are formed according to the character
Eel of
420 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
B v?v K f tne adminiftration ; but in free ftates it is jufl
j
< v ' the reverie.
WHATEVER may be faid of the nature and
fprings of the different fyftcms of government to
which men are fubject, the art of legiflation being
that which ought to be the moft perfect, is alfo
the moft proper to employ men of the firft genius.
The fcience of government does not contain ab-
ftracted truths, or rather it has not one fingle prin-
ciple which does not extend to all the branches
of adminiftration.
THE ftate is a very complicated machine, which
cannot be wound up or fet in motion without a
thorough knowledge of all its component parts.
If any one of the parts is too much ftraitened or
relaxed, the whole muft be in diforder. Every
project that may be beneficial to a certain number
of citizens, or, in critical times, may become fatal
to the whole nation, and prejudicial for a long con-
tinuance. If we deftroy or change the nature of
any great body, thofe convulfive motions which
are the effect of political intrigues, will difturb the
whole nation, which may, perhaps, feel the effects
of them for ages to come. All innovations ought
to be brought about infenfibly, they fhould arife
from neceflity, be the refult as it were of the pub-
lic voice, or atleaft agree with the general wilhes.
To abolifh old cuftoms, or to introduce new ones
on a fudden, tends only to increafe that which 1 is
bad, and to prevent the effect of that which is
good. To act without confulting the will of the
generality, without collecting as it were the plu-
rality of votes in the public opinion, is to alienate
the
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 421
the hearts and minds of men, and to bring every BO o K
thing into difcredit, even what is honeft and v '-^
good.
IT would be a defirable thing in Europe, that
the fovereigns, convinced of the necefiity of im-
proving thefcience of government, fhould imitate
a cuftom there is eftablilhed in China. In this
empire, the minifters are diftinguifhed into two
clafles, the thinkers, and \\\zfigners. While the
laft are employed in the arrangement and dilpatch
of public affairs, the firft attend only to the in-
vention of projects, or to the examination of fuch
as are prefented to them. This is the fource of
all thofe admirable regulations, which eftablifh at
China the moft enlightened legiflation, by the
wifeft adminiftration. All Afia is fubjed to a de-
fpotic government; but in Turky and Perlia, it
is a defpotifm that reflrains opinion by means of
religion; in China, it is the defpotifm of the laws
by the influence of reafon. Among the Moham-
medans, they believe in the divine authority of the
prince; among the Chinefe, they believe in na-
tural authority founded upon the law of reafon.
But in theie empires it is conviction that influences
the will.
IN the happy ftate of policy and knowledge to
which Europe has attained, it is plain that this
conviction of the mind, which produces a free,
ealy and general obedience, can proceed from no-
thing but a certain evidence of the utility of the
laws. If the governments will not pay thinkers*
who may, perhaps, become fufpicious or corrupt
as foon as they are mercenary j let them, at leaft,
E c 3 allow
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
xix ^ a ll w men f fuperior underftandings to watch in
v * fbme meafure over the public good. Every writer
of genius is born a magiftrate of his country; and
he ought to enlighten it as much as it is in his
power. His abilities gave him a right to do it.
Whether he be an obfcure or a diftinguifhed ci-
tizen, whatever be his rank or birth, his mind,
which is always noble, derives its claims from his
talents. His tribunal is the whole nation; his
judge is the public, not the defpot who does not
hear him, nor the minifter who will not attend to
him.
ALL thefe truths have, doubtlefs, their boun-
daries ; but it is always more dangerous to fupprefs
the freedom of thought, than to leave it to its
bent or impetuofity. Reafon and truth triumph
over thofe daring and violent minds, which are
rouzed only by reftraint, and irritated only by per-
fecution. Kings and minifters, love your people,
love mankind, and ye will be happy. Ye will have
then no reafon to fear men of free fentiments or
unfatisfied minds, nor the revolt of bad men. The
revolt of the heart is much more dangerous ; for
virtue, when foured and rouzed into indignation,
is guilty of the moft defperate acts. Cato and
Brutus were both virtuous; they were reduced to
the neceflity of chufing, between two actions of
violence, fuicide, or the death of Caefar.
THE interefts of government and thofe of the
nation are the fame. Whoever attempts to fe-
parate them, is unacquainted with their true na-
ture, and will only injure them.
THERE
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 423
THERE may fometimes be people diJTatisfied
under a good governments but where there are
many that are unhappy, without any general pro-
fperity, it is then the government is faulty in its
nature.
MANKIND are juft as we would have them to
be; it is the mode of government which gives
them a good or an evil propenfity.
A STATE ought to have one object only in
view; and that is, public felicity. Every ftatc
has a particular manner of promoting this end;
which may be confidered as its fpirit, its principle,
to which every thing elfe is fubordinate.
A NATION can have no induftry for the arts, nor
courage for war, without a confidence in, and an
attachment to, the government. But when the
principle of fear has controuled every other fpring
of the foul, a nation then becomes of no confe-
quence, the prince is expofed to a thoufand enter-
prifes from without, and a thoufand dangers from
within. Defpifed by his neighbours, and abhorred
by his fubjecls, he muft be in perpetual fear for
the fafety of his kingdom, as well as for that of
his own life. It is a happinefs for a nation, that
commerce, arts and fciences fhould flourifh within
it. It is even a happinefs for thofe who govern,
when they are not inclined to exert acls of tyran-
ny. Upright minds are very eafilyled; but none
have a greater averfion for violence and flavery.
Let good monarchs be blefied with enlightened
people; and let tyrants have none but brutes to
reign over.
& e 4 MILITARY
.
ic de-
424. HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
B jo o K MILITARY povrer is both the caufe and the
T__"^ V _/ ftruction of defpotifm j which in its infant ftate
may be compared to a lion that conceals his talons
in order to let them grow. In its full vigour, it*
may be confidered as a madman who tears his bo-
dy with his arms. In its advanced age, it is like
Saturn, who,, after having devoured his children,
is fhamefully mutilated by his own race.
foiicy. GOVERNMENT may be divided into legiflation
and -policy. Legiflation relates to the internal/
government of the ftate, and policy to 'its exter-
nal one.
SAVAGE nations, who are addicted to hunting,
have rather a policy than a legiflation. Governed
among. themfelves by manners and example, the
only conventions or laws they have, are between
one nation and another. Treaties of peace or al-
liance" are their only codes of legiflation.
SUCH were nearly the ibcieties ef ancient times.
Separated by deferts, without any communication
of trade or voyages, they had only a prefent and
immediate intereft to fettle. All their negocia-
tions .confifted in putting an end to a war by fixing
the boundaries of a ftate. As it was necefTary to
periuade a nation, and not bribe a court by the
miftreffes or favourites of a prince,, eloquent men .
were employed for .this purpofe, and the names of
orator' and ambaflador were fynonimous.
IN the middle ages, when every thing, even
juftice itfelf was decided by force; when the Go-
thic government divided by feparate interefts all
thofe petty ftates which owed their exiflence to its
conftitutionj negociations had but little influence
over
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
over a wild and reclufe people, who knew no
right but that of war, no treaties but for truces,
or ranfoms.
DURING this long period of ignorance and bar-
barifm, policy was entireJy confined to the court
of Rome. It had arrfeii from the artifices which
had founded the papal government. : As the pon-
tiffs, by the laws of religion and the fyftenxof the
hierarchy, influenced a very numerous clergy,
which profelytes extended perpetually in all the
ehriftian ftates, the correfpondenre kept *jp with
the bifhops, eftablifhed early at kom'e a center of
communication for. all the different churches, or
nations. All rights were i'ubordinate to a religion*
which exercifed an abfolute authority ov-er -the
mind of every individual , it had a fhare in-almoft
every tranfaction, either as the motive or the
means; and the popes by the Italian agents they
had placed in all prelacies of the chriftian ftate,
were conftantly informed of every commotion,
and availed themfelves of every event. They
had the higheft concern in this; that of attaining
imiverfal monarchy. The barbarifm of the times
in which this project was conceived, does not
leffen its greatnefs and- fubfrmity. '-How daring
was the attempt, to fubdue without troops nations
that were .'always in- arms ! What art to make even
the weaknefles^'the clergy refpeclable and fa-
cred! What Ikill -to/ agitate, -to fhake thrones one.
after the .other, in order- to-'keep them all in fub-
jection! So deep, foextenfivae-a-defign could only
be carried into execution, -by/being concealed;
and, therefore/ was inconfift'oftttwith an hereditary
monarchy i
4 26 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK monarchy; in which the paflions of kings and the
i v-Lj intrigues of minifters, are the caufe of fo much
inftability in affairs. This project, and the ge-
neral rule of conduct it requires, could not be
formed but in an elective government, in which
the chief is always chofen from a body animated
with the fame fpirit, and guided by the fame
maxims j in which an ariilocratic court rather go-
verns the prince, than fuffers itfelf to be governed
by him.
WHILE Italian policy was engaged in examining
all the ftates of Europe, and availing itfelf of
every opportunity to aggrandize and confirm the
power of the church, each fovereign law with in-
difference the revolutions that were taking place
without. Moft of them were too much engaged
in eftablifhing their authority in their own domi-
nions, in difputing the branches of power with the
feveral bodies that were in poffeffion of them, or
who were Itriving againft the natural bent that mo-
narchy has to defpotifm : they were not fufficiently
matters of their own inheritance, to interfere in
the difputes of their neighbours.
THE fifteenth century changed the order of
things. When the princes had collected their
forces, they were inclined to bring them to action,
and try their refpective ftrength. Till that time,
the nations had only carried on war with each other
upon their feveral frontiers. The feafon of the
campaign was loft in afTembling troops, which
every baron always raifed very flowly. There were
then only fkirmifhes between fmall parties, not any
regular battles between different armies. When a
prince^
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 427
prince, either by alliances or inheritance had ac- E ^ K -
quired pofiefTions in different ftates, the intercfls * '
were confounded, and contentions arofe among the
people. It was necefiary to fend regular troops in
the pay of the monarch, to defend at a diftance
territories that did not belong to the flate.
The crown of England no longer held provinces
in the midft of France ; but that of Spain acquired
fome rights in Germany; and that of France laid
fome claims in Italy. From that time all Europe
was in a perpetual alternative of war and negocia-
tion.
THE ambition, talents, and rivalfhip of Charles
V. and Francis I. gave rife to the prefent fyftem
of modern politics. Before thefe two kings, France
and Spain had difputed the kingdom of Naples, in
the name of the houfes of Arragon and Anjou.
Their difientions had excited a ferment throughout
all Italy, and the republic of Venice was the chief
caufe of that inteftine commotion that was excited
againft two foreign powers. The Germans took a
part in thefe difturbances, either as auxiliaries, or
as being interefled in them. The emperor and the
pope were concerned in them with almoft all
Chriftendom. But Francis I. and Charles V. en-
gaged in their fate, the views, the anxiety, the
defliny of all Europe. All the powers feemed to
be divided between two rival houfes, in order to
weaken alternately the moft powerful. Fortune
favoured the talents, the force and the artifice of
Charles V. More ambitious and lefs voluptuous
than Francis I. his character turned the fcale, and
2 Europe
4iS HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
b o.o K. Europe for a time inclined to his fide,, but did not
> continue always to favour the fame intereft.
PHILIP II. who had all the fpirit of intrigue,
but not the military virtues of his father, inherited
his projects and ambitious views, and found the
times favourable to his aggrandizement. He ex-
haufted his kingdom of men and fhips, and even
of money, though he v/as in poffeffion of the
mines of the New world ; and left behind him a
more extenfive monarchy, but. Spain itfelf in a
much weaker ftate than it had been under his fa-
ther.
His fon imagined he fhould again- make all Eu-
rope dependent by an alliance with that branch
pf his houfe which reigned in Germany. Philip
II. had through negligence relinquished this poli-
tical ideaj Philip III. refumed it. But in other
refpects he followed the erroneous, narrow, fuper-
flitious and pedantic principles of his predeceflbr.
Within the ftate, there was much formality, but
no order, and no ceconomy. The church was
perpetually encroaching upon the ftate. The in-
quifition, that'horrid monfter, which conceals its
head in the heavens, and its feet in the infernal re-
gions, ftruck at the root. of population, which at
the fame time fuffered confiderably from war and
the colonies. Without the ftate, there w,er.e ftill the
fame ambitious views, and lefs fkilful meafures.
Rafh and precipitate in his enterprifes, flow and
obftinate in the execution of them, Philip III. had
all thofe defects which are prejudicial to each other,
and occafion every project to mifcarry. He de-
ftroyed
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
ftroyed the fmall degree of life aAd f vigour the B
monarchy yet retained. Richelieu availed himfelf
of the weaknefs of Spain, and the foibles of the
king whom he ruled over, to fill that period with
his intrigues, and"caufe his name'to-defcend to
pofterity. Germany and Spain were in fome man-
ner connected to each other by the houfe of Auf-
tria: to this league, he oppofed that of FYanct
with Sweden, to counteract the effect of the
former. This fyftem would naturally have taken
place in his times, if it had not Leen the 'work of
his genius. Giiftavus Adolphus by his conquefts
enflaved all the north. All Europe concurred in
lowering the pride of the houfe of Auftriaj and
the peace of the Pyrenees turned the fcale againft
Spain in favour of France.
CHARLES V. had' been accufed of aiming' at
univerfal monarchy; and Lewis XIV; Syns raxed
with the fame ambition. But neither of the'in ever
conceived fo high and fo rafh a project. They
were both of them pafiionately defirous of extend-
ing their empire, by the aggrandizement of their
families. This ambition - is equally natural to
princes of common abilities, who are born with-
out any talents, as it is to monarchs of fuperior
underftanding, who have no virtues or moral, qua-
lifications. But neither Charles V. nor 'Lewi*
XIV. had that kind of fpi-rit of refolution, that
impulfe of the foul to brave every thing, ~whrch
conftitutes heroic conquerors: they bore no re-
femblance in any particular to Alexander. Ne-
verthelefs ufeful alarms were 'taken and fpread
abroad. Such alarms cannot be too foon conceiv-
430 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK e d } nor too f oon dirTufed, when there arife any
t y- j- powers that are formidable to their neighbours.
It is chiefly among nations, and with refpect to
kings, that fear produces fafety.
WHEN Lewis XIV. began to reflect on his
own fituation, perhaps, he might be furprifed at
feeing himfelf more powerful than he thought
he was. His greatnefs was partly owing to the
little harmony that fubfifted between the forces
and the defigns of his enemies. Europe had, in-
deed, felt the neceflity of a general union, but
had not difcovered the means of forming it. In
treating with this monarch, proud of fuccefs, and
vain from the applaufe he had received, it was
thought a confiderable advantage if every thing
was not given up. In fliort, the infults of France
which increafed with her victories; the natural
turn of her intrigues to fpread difiention every
where, in order to reign alone j her contempt for
the faith of treaties -, the haughty and authorita-
tive tone fhe ufurped, turned the general envy (he
had excited into deteftation, and raifed univerfal
alarms. Even thofe princes, who had feen with-
out umbrage, or favoured the increafe of her
power, felt the neceflity of repairing this error in
politics, and of combining and raifing among
themfelves a body of forces fuperior to thofe of
France, in order to prevent her tyrannizing over
the nations.
LEAGUES were, therefore, formed, which were
for a long time ineffectual. One man alone was
found capable to animate and conduct them.
Warmed with that public fpirit, which only great
and
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
and virtuous fouls can poffefs, It was a prince, B
though born in a republic, who for the general
caufe of Europe was inflamed with that love of
liberty, fo natural to upright minds. He turned
his ambition towards the greateft object and moft
worthy of the time in which he lived. His own
intereft never warped him from that of the pub-
lic. With a courage peculiar to himfelf he knew
how to defy thofe very misfortunes which he fore-
faw; depending lefs for fuccefs upon his military
abilities, than waiting for a favourable turn of
affairs, from his patience and political activity.
Such was the fituation of affairs when the fuc-
ceffion to the throne of Spain fet all Europe in
flames.
SINCE the empire of the Perfians and that of
the Romans, ambition had never been tempted by
fo rich a fpoil. The prince, who might have
united this crown to his own, would naturally have
rifen to that univerfal monarchy, the idea of which
raifed a general alarm. It was, therefore, necel-
fary to prevent this empire from becoming the
pofiefiion of a power already formidable, and to
keep the balance equal between the houfes of
Auftria and Bourbon, which had the only heredi-
tary right to the throne.
- MEN well verfed in the knowledge of the man-
ners and affairs of Spain, have afferted, if we may
believe Bolingbroke, that had it not been for the
hoftilities, which were then excited by England
and Holland, we Ihould have feen Philip V.
as good a Spaniard as his predeceflbrs, and that
the French miniftry would then have had no in-
fluence
4_ 3 2 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
B.'O'O K fluence upon the Spanifh admin iftration; but that
^L^L-j the war railed agatnft the Spaniards for the fake of
giving them a ruler, obliged them to have re-
courfe to the fleets and armies of a ftate that was
alone capable of affifting them in fixing upon fuch
a king as they wanted. This juft idea, the refult
of deep refleftion, has been confirmed by the expe-
rience of half a century. The turn of the Spa-
- niards has never been able to coincide with the
tafte of the French. Spain, from the character of
her inhabitants feems rather- to belong to Africa
than to Europe.
THE train of events, however, anfwered to the
general wifties. The armies and the councils of
the quadruple alliance gained an equal fuperiority
over the common enemy. Inftead of thofe lan-
guid and unfortunate campaigns which had tried
the patience of the prince of Orange, but not dif-
couraged him, all the operations of the confe-
derates were fuccefsful. France, in her turn,
humbled and defeated on every fide, was upon
the brink of ruin, when fhe was reftored by the
death of the emperor.
IT was then perceived, that if the archduke
Charles, crowned with the imperial diadem, and
fucceeding to all the dominions of the houfe of
Auftria, ihould join Spain and the Weft-Indies to
this vaft inheritance, he would be in pofTefiion of
that fame exorbitant power, which the houfe of
Bourbon had been deprived of by the war. But
the enemies of France ftill perfifted in their. defign
of dethroning Philip V. without thinking of
the. perjfon that was to fucceed him; while true
politicians,
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 4*3
politicians, notwithftanding their triumphs, grew B K
tireii of a war, the very fuccefs of which always <- v~ *
became an evil, when it could no longer do any
good.
This difference of opinions raifed difTentions
among the allies, which prevented them from
reaping all thofe advantages from the peace of
Utrecht, they . might reafonably have expected
from their fuccefs. The beft means that could be
devifed to protect the provinces of the allies, was
to lay open the frontiers of France. Lewis XIV.
had employed forty years in fortifying them,
and his neighbours had fuffered him quietly to
raife thefe bulwarks which kept them in continual
awe. It was necefTary to demolifh them: for
every ftrong power that puts itfelf in a poflure .of
defence, intends to form an attack. Philip re-
mained upon the throne of Spain; and the forti-
fications were left (landing in Flanders, and on
the borders of the Rhine.
SINCE this period, no opportunity hath offered
to rectify the miftake commited at the peace of
Utrecht. France hath always maintained its fu-
periority on the continent: but chance hath often
diminilhed its influence. The fcales of the poli-
tical balance will never be perfectly even, nor ac-
curate enough to determine the degrees of power
with exact precifion. Perhaps, even this balance
of power may be nothing more than a chimaera.
It can be only fixed by treaties, and thefe have
no validity, when they are only made between ab-
folute monarchs, and not between nations, Thefe
acts ought to be made by the people themfelves,
VOL. V. F f becaufc
4.54 HISTO&Y OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
B oo ic becaufe the objedt of them is their peace and
< v i fafety, which are their greateft advantages: but a
defpot always facrifices his fubjedts to his anxiety,
and his engagements to his ambition.
BUT it is not war alone that determines the fu-
periority of nations, as it has been hitherto ima-
gined j fmce during rhe laft half-century commerce
hath had a much greater influence in it. While
the powers of the continent divided Europe into
unequal portions, which policy by means of
leagues, treaties, and alliances always preferved in
a certain equilibriums a maritime people formed as
it were a new fyftem, and by its induflry made
the land fubject to the feaj as nature herfelf has
done by her laws. It formed, or brought to per-
fection that extenfive commerce, which is founded
on an excellent fyftem of agriculture, flourifhing
manufactures, and the richer! pofiefiions of the
four quarters of the world. This is the kind of
univerfal monarchy that Europe ought to wreft
from England, in reftoring to each maritime ftate
that freedom, and that power it hath a right to have
upon the element that furrounds it. This is a
fyftem of public good founded upon natural
equity, and in this cafe juftice is the voice of ge-
neral intereft. The people cannot be too much
warned to refurhe all their powers, and to employ
the refources offered them by the climate and the
foil they inhabit, to acquire that national and
diftinct independence in which they were born.
IF all Europe were fufficiently enlightened, and
each nation were acquainted with its rights and
its real advantages, neither the continent, nor the
ocean
. IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 435
ocean would mutually give laws to each other; B ^ *
but a reciprocal influence would be eftablifhed be- * v -*
tween the continental and maritime people, a ba-
lance of induftry and power, which would induce
a mutual intercourfe for the general benefit.
Each nation would fow and reap upon its proper
element* The feveral Hates would enjoy the fame
liberty of exportation and importation that fhould
fubfift between the provinces of the fame empire.
THERE is a great error that prevails in modern
politics, which is that every ftate fhould endea-
vour to weaken enemies as much as poflible*
But no nation can feek the ruin of another ftate,
without paving the way for and haftening its own
fiavery. There are certainly moments in which
fortune at once throws into the way of a people a
great increafe of powerj but fuch fudden eleva-
tions are not lafting. It is oftentimes better to
fupport rivals, than to opprefs them. Sparta re-
fufed to enflave Athens, and Rome repented of
having deftroyed Carthage.
THESE noble and generous fentiments which
fhould infpire nations ftill more than kings, would
prevent politicians from the neceffity of commit-
ting many crimes and averting many falfchoods ;
and would remove many impediments and diffi-
culties out of the way of negociators. At prefent,
the complication of affairs hath rendered nego-
ciations very intricate. Policy, like that infidious
infecl: that weaves its web in darknefs, hath
ftretched forth its net in the midft of Europe, and
faftened it, as it were, to every court. One fingle
thread cannot be touched without drawing all the
F f a reft.
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
The moft petty fovereign hath fome fecret
intereft in the treaties between the greater powers.
Two petty princes of Germany cannot exchange a
fief, or a domain, without being thwarted or fe-
conded by the courts of Vienna, Verfailles, or
London. Negociations muft be carried on in all
the cabinets for years together for every the moft
trifling change in the difpofition of the land. The
blood of the people is the only thing that is not
bargained for. War is determined upon in a day
or two -, the fettling of peace is protracted during
feveral years. This flownefs in negociations,
which proceeds from the nature of affairs, is alfo
increafed by the character of the negociators.
THESE are generally ignorant perfons engaged
with men of knowledge and abilities. There are,
perhaps, two or three wife and judicious councils
in Europe. The reft are in the poffefflon of intri-
guing men, raifed to the management of affairs by
the paffions and fhameful pleafures of a prince and
his miftreffes. A man is advanced to a ftiare in
the adminiftration, without any knowledge of the
fubjectj he adopts the firft fyftem that is offered
to his caprice; purfues it without underftanding
it, and with a degree of obftinacy proportionate
to his ignorance; he changes the whole plan of
his predeceffors, in order to introduce his own
fyftem of adminiftration, which he will never be
able to fupport. Richelieu's firft declaration,
when he became minifter, was, the council bath
altered its plan. This faying, which was once
found to be a good one, in the mouth of one
fmgle man, has, perhaps, been repeated, or
8 tnought
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
thought of, by every one of Richelieu's fucceflbrs. B
All men engaged in public affairs have the vanity,
not only to proportion the parade of their ex-
pence, of their manner, and of their air, to the
importance of their office; but even to raife the
opinion they have of their own underftanding, in
proportion to the influence of their authority.
WHIN a nation is great and powerful, what
fliould its governors be? The cour,: and the peo-
ple will anfwer this queftion, but in a very dif-
ferent manner. The minifters fee nothing in their
office but the enlargement of their rights; the
people the enlargement only of their duties. The
ideas of the latter are juft; for the duties and
rights arifmg from each mode of government
ought to be regulated by the wants and defires of
each nation. But this principle of the law of na-
ture is not applicable to the focial ftate. As fo-
cieties, whatever be their origin, are almoft all of
them fubjeft to the authority of one fmgle man,
political meafures are dependent on the character
of the prince.
IF the king is a weak and irrefolute man, his
government will change as his minifters, and his
politics will vary with his government. He will
alternately have minifters, that are ignorant or en-
lightened, fteady or fickle, deceitful or fmcere,
harih or humane, inclined to war or peace; fuch,
in a word, as the variety of intrigues will produce
them. Such a ftate will have no regular fyftem
of politics; and all other governments will not be
able to maintain any permanent defigns and mea-
fures with it. The fyftem of politics muft then
F f 3 vary
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
vaj y w j tn the day, or the moment ; that is, with
the humour of the prince.
BUT the fate of nations and political interefts
are very different in republican governments. As
the authority there refides in the collective body of
the people, there are certain principles and fome
public interefts attended to in every negociation.
In this cafe the permanency of a fyftem is not to
be confined to the duration of the miniftry, or to
the life of one fingle man. The general fpirit that
exifts and perpetuates itfelf in the nation, is the
only rule of every negociation. Not but that a
powerful citizen, or an eloquent demagogue, may
Ibmetimes lead a popular government into poli-
tical miftakej but this is eafily recovered.
Faults, in thefe inftances, may be confidered
equally with fucceffes as leflbns of inftruc"lion.
Great events, and not men, produce remarkable
periods in the hiftory of republics. It is in vain
to attempt to furprife a free people by artifice, or
intrigues in a treaty of peace, or alliance. Their
maxims will always make them return to their laft-
ing interefts, and all engagements will give way
to the fupreme law. In thefe governments, it is
the fafety of the people that does every thing,
while in others it is the will of the ruler.
THIS contrail of political principles has ren-
dered every popular government fufpicious or
odious to all abfolute monarchs. They have
dreaded the influence of a republican fpirit upon
their own fubjects, the weight of whofe chains
they are every day increafing. A kind of fecret
confpiracy may therefore be perceived between all
monarchies,
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 439
monarchies, to deftroy, or infenfibly to fap the B ^o K
foundations of all free ftates. But liberty will v J *
arife from the midft of opprefilon. It already
exifts in every bread j public writings will contri-
bute to inftil it into the minds of all enlightened
menj and tyranny into the hearts of the people.
All men will, at length, be fenfible, and this pe-
riod is at no great diftance, that liberty is the firft
gift of heaven, as it is the firft fource of virtue.
The inftruments of defpotifm will becom.e its de-
itroyers; and the enemies of humanity, thofe
who feem armed at prefent merely to oppofe it,
will exert themfelves in its defence.
WAR, as well as fociety, has exifted at all wr.
times and in all countries , but the art of war is
only to be found in certain ages of the world, and
among certain people. The Greeks eftablifhed it,
and conquered all the powers of Afia. The Ro-
mans improved it and fubdued the world. Thefe
two nations worthy to command all others, as
their genius and virtue were the caufes of their
profperity, owed this fuperiority to their infantry,
in which every fmgle man exerts his whole
ftrength. The Grecian phalanx and the Roman
legions were every where victorious.
WHEN a fuperior number of cavalry had been
introduced, rather from a principle of indolence
than inactivity, into the armies of the ancients,
Rome loft fome of its glory and fuccefs. Not-
withftanding the exacl difcipline of its troops, it
could no longer refift thofe barbarous nations, that
fought on foot,
F f 4 - THESE
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
THESE men, however, little better than fa-
vages, who, with arms only, and thofe powers
nature had taught them the ufe of, had fubdued
the mod extenfive and the moil civilized empire of
the univerfe, foon changed their infantry into ca-
valry. This was properly called the line of bat-
tle, or the army. All the nobility who were the
fole poflefTors of lands and of privileges, thofe
ufual attendants of victory, chofe to ride on horfe-*
back ; while the enflaved multitude were left on
foot, almoft without arms, and held in no eftima-
tion.
IN times when the gentleman was diftingujfhed
by his horfe; when the man himfelf was of little
confequence, and every idea of importance was
attached to the knight; when wars confided in
fmall incurfions, and campaigns lafted but a day;
when fuccefs depended upon the quicknefs of
marches; then the fate of armies was determined
by cavalry. During the thirteenth and fourteenth
centuries, there were fcarce any other troops in
Europe. The dexterity and flrength of men was
no longer Ihewn in wreftling, at the ceftus, in the
exercife of the arms, and of all the mufcles of the
body; but in tournaments, in managing a horfe,
and in throwing the lance at full fpeed. This fpe-
cies of war, better calculated for wandering Tar-
tars, than for fixed and fedentary focieties, was one
of the defects of the feudal government. A
race of conquerors, whofe rights were to be de-
termined by their fwordsj whofe merit and glory
was in their arms; whofe fble occupation was
hunting, could hardly avoid riding on horfeback,
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 44*
with all that parade and fpirit of authority which BOOK
muft neceflarily arife from a rude and uncultivated ._ - r -'.j
underftanding. But what could troops of heavy-
armed cavalry avail in the attack and defence of
caftles and towns, fortified by walls or by furround-
ing waters ?
To this imperfection of military knowledge,
muft be afcribed the duration of war for feveral
ages, without intermiflion, between France and
England. War continued incefTantly for want of
a fufficient number of men. Whole months were
required to collec"l, to arm, to bring into the field
troops that were only to continue there a few
weeks. Kings could not aflemble more than a
certain number of vafials, and thofe at dated
times. The lords had only a right to call under
their banners fome of their tenants, upon ftipu-
lated terms. The time that ought to have been
employed in carrying on war, was loft in forms
and regulations, in the fame manner as courts of
juftice confume thofe eftates they are to deter-
mine. At length the French, tired with being
conftantly obliged to repulfe the Englifh, like the
horie that implored the afliftance of man againft
the flag, fuffered the yoke and burthen to be im-
pofed upon them, which they bear to this day.
Kings raifed and maintained at their own expence
a conftant body of troops. Charles VII. after
having expelled the Englifli by the afliftance of
mercenary troops, when he difbanded his army,
kept nine thoufand horfe, and fixteen thoufand
jnfantry.
THIS
^ HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK THIS was the origin of the abafement of the no^
, **' j bility, and the elevation of monarchy ; of the po-
litical liberty of the nation without, and its civil
ftavery within. The people were delivered from
feudal tyranny, only to fall fome time or other
under the defpotifm of kings. So much does
human nature feem born for flavery! It became
necefiary to raile a fund for the payment of an
army; and the taxes were arbitrary, and unlimit-
ed as the number of foldiers, that were diftri-
buted in the different parts of the kingdom, under
a pretence of guarding the frontiers againft the
enemyj but in reality to reftrain and opprefs the
fubject. The officers, commanders and gover-
nors, were tools of government always armed
againft the nation itfelf. They, as well as their
foldiers no longer confidered themfelves, as ci-
tizens of the flate, folely devoted to the defence
of the property and rights of the people. They
acknowledged no longer any perfon in the king-
dom, except the king, in whofe name .they were
ready to maffacre their fathers and brothers. In
fhort, the body of troops ralfed by the nation was
nothing more than a royal army.
THE difcovery of gunpowder, which required
ponfiderable expence and great preparation, forges,
magazines, and arfenals, made arms more than
ever dependent on kings, and determined the ad-
vantage that infantry hath over cavalry. The
latter prefented the flank of the man and horfe to
the former. A horfeman difmdunted was either
loft or good for nothing; and a horfe without a
Jeader occasioned confufion and dilbrdcr among
6 the
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 4+}
the ranks. The havoc which the artillery and BOOK
fire-arms made in fquadrons, was more difficult to y '__*
repair than it was in battalions. In a word, men
could be bought and difciplined at a lefs expence
than horfesj and this made it eafy for kings to
procure foldiers.
THUS the innovation of Charles VII. fatal to
his fubjects, at lead in futurity, became from his
example prejudicial to the liberty of all the people
of Europe. Every nation was obliged to keep it-
felf upon the defence againft a nation always in
arms. The right fyftem of politics, if there were
any politics at a time when arts, literature, and
commerce had not yet opened a communication
among people, Ihould have been, for the princes
to have jointly attacked that particular power that
had put itfelf into a ftate of continual war. But
inftead of compelling it to fubmit to peace, they
took up arms themfelves. This contagion fpread
itfelf the quicker, as it appeared the fole remedy
againft the danger of an invafion, the only gua-
rantee of the fecurity of the nations.
THERE was however a general want of the
knowledge neceflary to difcipline a body of in-
fantry, the importance of which began to be per-
ceived. The manner of fighting which the Swit-
zers had employed againft the Burgundians, had
rendered them as famous as formidable. With
heavy fwords and long halberds, they had always
overcome the horfes and men of the feudal army.
As their ranks were impenetrable, and as they
marched in clofe columns, they overthrew all that
Attacked, and all that oppofed them. Every
power
ijjfc HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK power was then defirous of procuring fome Swifs
v y ' . foldiers. But, the Switzers, fenfible of the need
there was of their affiitance, and letting the pur-
chafe of it at too high a rate, it became necefiary
to refolve not to employ them, and to form in all
parts a national infantry, in order not to depend
upon thefe auxiliary troops.
THE Germans firft adopted a difcipline that re-
quired only flrength of body, and fubordination.
As their country abounded in men and horfes,
they almoft rivalled the reputation of the Swifs in-
fantry, without lofing the advantage of their own
cavalry.
THE French, more lively, adopted with greater
difficulty, and more flowly, a kind of military fyf-
tem that laid a reftraint upon all their motions,
and feemed rather to require perfeverance than
impetuofity. But the tafte for imitation and no-
velty prevailed among this light people, over that
vanity which is fond of its own cuftoms.
THE Spaniards, notwithstanding the pride they
have been reproached with, improved the military
art of the Switzers, by bringing to greater perfec-
tion the difcipline of that warlike people. They
formed an infantry which became alternately the
terror and admiration of Europe.
IN proportion as the infantry increafed, the
cuftom and fervice of the feudal militia ceafed in
all parts, and the war became more general.
The conftitution of each nation had for ages paft
fcarce allowed the different people to wage war
and maflfacre one another beyond the barriers of
their own ftatcs. War was carried on upon the
frontiers
TXT rn
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
frontiers only between the neighbouring powers. B
When France and Spain had carried their arms to v-
the moft remote extremities of Italy, it was no
longer poffible to call together the ban and arriere
ban of the nations ; becaufe it was not in faft the
people who made war againft each other, but the
kings with their troops, for the honour of them-
felves or their families, withont any regard to the
good of their fubjects. Not that the princes did
not endeavour to intereft the national pride of the
people in their quarrels ; but this was done merely
to weaken or totally to fubdue that fpirit of inde-
pendence which was ftill ftruggling among fome
fets of men, againft that abfolute authority which
the princes had gradually aflumed.
ALL Europe was in commotion. The Germans
marched into Italy ; the Italians into Germany ;
the French into both thefe countries. The Turks
befieged Naples and Nice; and the Spaniards
were at the fame time difperfed in Africa, in
Hungary, in Italy, in Germany, in France, and
in the Low-countries. All thefe people, inured
and praftifed in arms, acquired great (kill in the
art of fighting and deftroying each other with in-
fallible regularity and precifion.
IT was religion that caufed the Germans to con-
tend with the Germans ; the French with the
French; but which more particularly excited
Flanders againft Spain. It was on the fens of
Holland that all the rage of a bigotted and de-
fpotic king fell ; of a fuperftitious and fanguinary
prince ; of the two Philips, and of the duke of
Alva, It was in the Low-countries that a republic
arofe
4*6 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK afofe from the perfections of tyranny, and the
* Y/ flames of the inquifition. When freedom had
broken her chains, and found an afylum in the
ocean, fhe railed her bulwarks upon the continent*
The Dutch firft invented the art of fortifying
places : fo much doth genius and invention be-
long to free minds. Their example was generally
followed. Extenfive ftates had only occafion to
fortify their frontiers. Germany and Italy, di-
vided among a number of princes* were crowded
with ftrong citadels from one end to the other.
When we travel through thefe countries, we meet
every evening with gates fhut and draw-bridges at
the entrance- of the towns.
WHILE the Dutch were improving the art of
fortification, of the attack and defence of towns,
the Swedes were employed in forming, as it were,
the military fcience of the field. Guftavus Adol-
phus was eminently (killed in the art of war,
which other nations have acquired at times, but
which the Germans have always preferved, as pe-
culiarly attached to their climate. There are fol-
diers in other parts, but it is Germany alone that
furnilhes generals. ,
THIS art had been in conftant ufc for a century
paft, when it was remarkably improved by Lewis
XIV. He firil introduced the cuftom of wearing
a uniform ; of carrying a bayonet at the end of
the firelock ; of making ufe of the artillery to ad-
vantage j in a word, of increafmg to the utmoft
the definitive powers of fire and fword.
THE king of Pruffia hath invented a new me-
thod of difciplining armies, of leading on troops
to
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
to battle, and of gaining victories. This prince,
who would have been better ferved by another
nation, and certainly better commended than
he could poflibly be by his own ; who hath not
had, fince Alexander, his equal in hiftory for ex-
tent and variety of talents ; this prince, who with-
out having been himfelf formed by Greeks, hath
been able to form Lacedemonians; he, in a word,
who hath deferred, beyond all others, that his
name fhould be recorded in his age, and rendered
equally great and diflinguifhed as thofe of the
moft remarkable and brilliant ages of the world :
the king of PrufTia, in fhort, hath totally changed
the principles of war, by giving in fome meafure
to the legs an advantage over the arms ; tlvit is
to fay, that by the rapidity of his evolutions and
the celerity of his marches, he hath always excel-
led his enemies, even when he hath not conquered
them. All the nations of Europe have been ob-
liged to imitate his example, In order not to be ob-
liged to fubmit to him. He will enjoy the glory,
fince it is one, of having raifed the art of war to
a degree of perfection, from which fortunately it
cannot but degenerate.
It is not to him, but to Lewis XIV. that we
muft afcribe that prodigious number of troops,
which prefents us with the idea of a war even in the
midft of peace. In imitation of that monarch,
who had always a numerous army on foot, all the
princes of Europe, whether ruling over large or
fmall ftates, have maintained bodies of troops,
frequently more burthenfome to the fubjefb from
the expences that attended them, than ufeful for
the
4 4 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK the defence of the kingdom. Some of the moft
*-- y ' > politic among them have engaged thefe troops in
the pay of greater powers ; and thus by a double
advantage, they have contrived to raife large fums
of money for men, whofe lives were always fold
but never loft.
WHAT reafon then have we to exclaim againft
the barbarous manners that prevailed under the
feudal government ? War was then to be confi-
dered as a time of violence and confufion ; but at
prefent it is almoft a natural ftate. Moft govern-
ments are now military, or become fo. Even
the improvement in our difcipiine is a proof
of it. The fecurity we enjoy in our fields, the
tranquillity that prevails in our cities, whether
troops are pafiing through or are quartered in
them ; the police which reigns in camps and in
garrifon towns, proclaim, indeed, that arms are
under fome kind of controul, but at the fame
time indicate that every thing is fubject to their
power.
THOUGH the licentioufnefs and plunder of the
foldier are reftrained, the people are obliged to
purchafe this fecurity at a dear rate, by the levy-
ing of taxes and raifing of troops. It is not mere-
ly by battles that war is fatal. A million of men
killed or loft, are a very inconfiderable number
out of a hundred millions which Europe may, per-
haps, contain. But this million comprehends the
choiceft fubjects, the principal part of the youth,
the fource of population, the life of induftry and
labour. And in order to fupport and recruit this
million of troops, all the feveral orders of fociety
mud
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
muft be burthened ; which encroaching one upon
the other, muft necefiarily opprefs the loweft and
the moft ufeful, that of the hufbandman. The in-
creafe of taxes, and the difficulty of collecting
them, deftroy through want or diilrefs, thofe very
families, which are the parents and nurferies of
the manufactures and the armies.
ANOTHER inconvenience arifing from the in-
creafe of foldiers, is a decreafe of natural courage.
Few men are born fit for war. If we except La-
ccdemon and Rome, where women that were free
brought forth foldiers ; where children were lulled
to deep by, and awakened with the found of
trumpets and fongs of war ; where education ren-
dered men unnatural, and made them beings of a
different fpecies : all other nations have only had
a few brave men among them. And, indeed, the
lefs is the number of troops, the better will they
be. In the earlier ages of our anceftors, who
were lefs civilized but ftronger than we are, armies
were much lefs numerous than ours, but engage-
ments were more decifive. It was neceilary
to be a noble or a rich man to ferve in the ar-
my, which was looked upon both as an honour
and a privilege. None but volunteers entered in-
to the fervice. All their engagements ended with
the campaign ; and any man who diiliked the art
of war was at liberty to withdraw himfelf. Be-
fides, there was then more of that fpirit, of that
greatnefs of fentiment which conftitutes true cou-
rage. At prefent, what glory is there in ferving
under abfolute commanders, who judge of men
by their fize, eftimate them by their pay, enliit
VOL. V, G g them
450. HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
T / f rce or by ftratagem, and keeper dif-
charge them at pleafure without their confent, as
they have taken them ? What honour is there in-
afpiring to the command of armies under the bane-
ful influence of courts,, where every thing is given-
or taken away without reafon ; where men without
merit are raifed, and others, though innocent, are
degraded by mere caprice ? Therefore, except in
rifing empires, or in critical times, the greater
mimber there are of foldiers in the ilate, the more
i-s the nation weakened ; and in proportion as a.
flate is enfeebledj the number of its foldiers is in-
creafed.
A THIRD inconvenience is, that the increafe of
foldiers tends to defpotifm. A number of troops,
towns well fortified, magazines and arfenals, may
prevent invafions ; and though they preferve a
people from the excurfions of a conqueror, they
do not fccure them from the attempts of a defpo-
tic priryce. Such a number of foldiers ferve only
to keep thofe, that are already (laves, in chains.
The tyrant then prevails, and makes every thing
conform to his will, as everything is fubfervient
to his power. By the force of arms alone, he fets
the opinions of men at defiance, and controuls.
their will. By the affiftance of foldiers he levies
taxes > and by thefe he raifes foldiers. He ima-
gines that his authority is fliewn and excrcifed, by
defraying what he hath formed ; but his exertions
are vain and fruitlefs. He is perpetually renewing
his forces, without being ever able to recover the
national ftrength. In vain do his foldiers keep his
people in continual war; if his fubjefts tremble
at
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 45
at his troops ; his troops in return will fly from the B j K
enemy. But in thefe circumftances the lofs of a * / *
battle is attended with the lofs of a kingdom. The
hearts of all being alienated, are impatient of fub-
mitting to a foreign yoke > becaufe^ under the do-
minion of a conqueror, there is ftill hope left ;
under that of a defpot, nothing remains butfear.
When the progrefs of the military government
hath introduced defpotifm, then the nation is loft.
The foldiery foon becomes infolent and detefled.
Barrennefs, occafioned by wretchednefs and de-
bauchery, is the caufe of the extinction of fa-
milies. A fpirit of difcord and hatred prevails
among all Orders of men, that are either corrupted
or difgraced. Societies betray, fell, and plunder
each other, and give themfelves up one after ano-
ther to the fcourges of the tyrant, who plunders,
oppreffes, deftroys^ and annihilates them all. Such
is the end of that art of war, which paves the
way for a military government. Let us now con-
fider what influence the navy has.
THE ancients have tranfmitted to us almoft all Navy,
thofe arts that have been revived with the re-
ftoration of letters -, but we have furpafled them
in the military management of the navy. Tyre
and Sidon, Carthage and Rome, fcarce knew any
fea but the Mediterranean ; to fail through which
it was only necelTary to have rafts, gallies, and
men to row them. Sea engagements might then
be bloody ; but it required no great fkill to con-
ftrucl: and equip the fleets. To pafs from Europe
into Africa, it was only neceflary to be fupplied
with boats, which may be called flat bottom ones,
G g 2 which
4*2 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK which tranfmitted Carthaginians or Romans, the
v ^ ' / only people almoft who were engaged in fea-fights.
Commerce was fortunately a greater object of at-
tention to the Athenians and the republics of Afia
than victories at fea.
AFTER thefe famous nations had abandoned
both the land and the fea to plunderers and to pi-
rates, the navy remained during twelve centuries
equally neglected with all the other arts. Thofe
fwarms of barbarians, who over-ran and totally
deftroyed Rome in its declining ftate, came from
the Baltic, upon rafts or canoes, to ravage and
plunder our fea-coafts, without going far from the
continent. Thefe were not voyages, but defcents
upon the coafts that were continually renewed.
The Danes and Normans were not armed for a
cruize, andfcarce knew how to fight but upon land.
AT length, chance or the Chinefe fupplied the
Europeans with the compafs, and this was the
caufe of the difcovery of America. The needle,
which taught failors to know how far they were
diftant from the north, or how near they ap-
proached to it, emboldened them to attempt
longer voyages, and to lofe fight of land for
whole months together. Geometry and aftrono-
my taught them how to compute the progrefs of
the conftellations, to determine the longitude by
them, and to judge pretty nearly how far they
were advancing to the eaft and weft. Even at
that time, the height and the diftance of veflels
from the coaft might always have been known. -
Though the knowledge of the longitude be much
more inaccurate than that of the latitude, yet they
both
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES, 453
both foon occasioned fuch improvement to be B K
made in navigation, as to give rife to the art of t . v ' _*
carrying on war by fea. The firft efTay, however,
of this art was made between gallies that were in
pofleflion of the Mediterranean. The moft cele-
brated engagement of the modern navy was that
of Lepanto, which was fought two centuries ago,
between two hundred and five chriftian, and two
hundred and fixty Turkiih gallies. This prodi-
gious armament was entirely conftructed in Italy ;
a country from which almoft every invention of
art has been derived though not preferved in it.
But at that time, its trade, its population were
double what they are at prefent. Befides, thofe
gallies were neither fo long nor fo large as thofe
of our times, as we may judge from fome of the
old carcafes that are ftill preferved in the arfenal
of Venice. The number of rowers amounted to
one hundred and fifty, and the troops did not ex-
ceed fourfcore in one galley. At this day, Venice
has more beautiful gallies and lefs influence upon
that fea which the doge marries, and which other
powers frequent and trade upon.
GALLIES, indeed, were proper for criminals j but
ftrongervefiels were required forfoldiers. Theartof
conftructing fliips improved with that of navigation.
Philip II. king of all Spain and of the Eaftand
Weft Indies, employed all the docks of Spain and
Portugal, of Naples and Sicily, which he then pof-
feffed, in conftrucling fliips of an extraordinary
fize and ftrength; and his fleet alTumed the title of
the Invincible Armada. It confifled of one hun-
dred and thirty fhips, near one hundred of which
G g 3 were
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
were the largeft that had yet been feen on the
ocean. Twenty ftnall fhips followed this fleet,
and failed or fought under its protection. The
pride of the Spaniards in the fixteenth century
hath dwelt very much upon and exaggerated the
pompous defcription of this formidable armament,
But what fpread terror and admiration two centu-
ries ago, would now ferve only to excite laughter.
The largefl of thofe fhips would be no more than
a third-rate veffel in our fquadrons. They were fo
heavily armed, and fo ill managed, that they
could fcarce move, or fail near the wind, nor hoard
another veffel, nor could the {hip be properly
worked in tempeftuous weather. The faiiors were
as awkward as the fhips were heavy, and the pi-
lots almoft as ignorant as the failors.
THE Englifh, who were already acquainted with
the weaknefs and little (kill of their enemies arfea,
concluded that inexperience would occafion their
defeat. They carefully avoided boarding thefe
unwieldy machines, and burned a part of them.
Some of thefe enormous galleons were taken,
others difabled. A. florm arofe, in which moftof
the fhips loft their anchors, and were abandoned
by their crews to the fury of the waves, and caft
away, fome upon the weftern coafts of Scotland,
others upon thofe of Ireland. Scarce one half of
this invincible fleet was able to return to Spain,
where the damages it had fuffered, joined to the
terror of the failors, fpread a general confirma-
tion, from which Spain has never recovered. The
Spaniards were for ever deprefied by the lofs of
an armament that had coft three years preparation,
and
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 455
and upon which all the forces and revenues of the BOOK
kingdom were almoft exhaufted, v -^J
THE definition of the Spanifhnavyoccafioned
the dominion of the fca to pafs into the hands of
the Dutch. The pride of their former tyrants
-could not be more fignally puniftied than by the
profperity of a people, forced by oppreflion to
break the yoke of regal authority. When this re-
public began to emerge from its fens, the reft of
Europe was embroiled in civil wars by the fpirit
of fanaticifm. Perfecution drove men into Hol-
land from all other dates. The inquifition which
the houfe of Auilria wiihed to extend over all
parts of its dominions ; the perfecution which
Henry II. raifed in France; the emijTar-ies of Rome,
who were fu.pported in England by Mary -, eve-ry
thing, in a word, concurred to people Holland
with an immenfe number of refugees. This coun-
try had neither lands nor harveft for their fub-
fiftence. They were obliged to fcek it by fea
throughout the whole univerfe. Almoft all the
commerce of Europe was engroffed by Liftbon,
Cadiz, and Antwerp, under one fovereign, whofe
power and ambition rendered him a general object
of hatred and envy. The new republicans having
efcaped his tyranny, and being excited by refent-
ment and nec.efiity, became pirates, and formed a
navy at the expence of the Spaniards and Portu-
guefe, whom they held in utter averfion. France
and England, who in the progrefs of this rifing
republic, only perceived the humiliation of the
houfe of Auftria, ajJLfted Holland in preferving
the conqueft and fpoils fhe had made, the value
G g 4 ^
456 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK of which (he was yet unacquainted with. Thus
i. ' the Dutch fecured to themfelves, eftablifhments^
wherever they chofe to direct their forces j fixed
themfelves in thefe acquifitions before the jealoufy
of other nations could be excited, and impercep-
tibly made themfelves matters of all commerce by
their induftry, and of all the feas by the ftrength <
of their fquadrons.
THE domeftic contentions in England were for
a while favourable to this profperity, which had
been fo filently acquired in remote countries. But
at length Cromwell excited in his country an emu-
lation for commerce, fo natural to the inhabitants
of an ifland. To fhare the empire of the feas with
the Dutch was, in fact, to give up to them ; and
they were determined to maintain it. Inftead of
forming an alliance with England, they courage-
oufly refolved upon war. They carried it on for a
long time with unequal force j and this perfeverance
' againft misfortune preferved to them, at leaft, an
honourable rivalfhip. Superiority in the conftruc-
tion and form of the fhips often gave the victory
to their enemies] but the vanquifhed never met
with any deciuve loiTes.
THESE long and dreadful combats, however,
had exhaufted, or, at leaft, dim inifhed the ftrength
of the two nations, when Lewis XIV., willing to
avail himfelf of their mutual weaknefs, afpired to
the empire pf the fea. When this prince firft af-
fumed the reins of government, he found only
eight or nine veflels in his harbours, and thofe
very much decayed j neither were they fhips of
the firft or fecond rate. Richelieu had perceived
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 457
the neceflity of raifmg a pier before Rochelle, but BOOK
not of forming a navy; the idea of which muft, ^ v^
however, have been conceived by Henry IV. and
his friend Sully. But it was referved to the moft
brilliant age of the French nation to give birth to
every improvement at once. Lewis, who per-
ceived, at leaft, all the ideas of grandeur he did
not himfelf difcover, eftabliihed a council for the
conftruction of fhips in each of the five ports which
he opened to the royal or military navy. He
formed docks and arfenals; and in lefs than twen-
ty years, the French had one hundred fhips of the
line.
THE French navy firft exerted its power againft
the people of Barbary, who were beaten. It af-
terwards obtained fome advantages over the Spa-
niards. It then engaged the fleets of England and
Holland, fometimes feparately, and fometimes
combined, and generally obtained the honour and
advantage of the victory. The firft memorable
defeat the French navy experienced, was in 1692,
when with forty fhips they attacked 90 Englifh.
and Dutch fhips oppofite La Hogue, in order to
give the Fnglifh a king they rejected, and who
was not himfelf very defirous of the title. The
moft numerous fleet obtained the victory. James
the Second felt an involuntary pleafure at the tri-
umph of the people who expelled him j as if at
this inftant the blind love of his. country had pre-
vailed within him, over his ambition for the
throne. Since that day the naval powers of France
have been upon the decline, and have never been
re-eftablifhed,
FROM
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
FROM that period England acquired a fupe-
riority, which hath raifed her to the greateft pro-
fperity. A people, who are at prefent the moft
con-fiderable power at fea, eaiily perfuade them-
felves that they have always held that empire.
Sometimes they trace their maritime power to the
^ra of Julius Ccefar, fometimes they afler.t that
they have ruled over the ocean, at leaft, fince the
ninth century. Perhaps, fome day or other, the
Corficans, who are at prefent a nation of little con-
fequence, when they are become a maritime peo-
ple, will record in their annals that they have al-
ways ruled over the Mediterranean. Such is the
vanity of mankind, they muft endeavour to ag-
grandize themfelves in part as well as future ages.
Truth alone, that exifts before all nations and fur-
vives them all, informs us, that there hath been
no navy in Europe from the chriflian ra till the
1 6th century. The Eniglifh themfelves had no.
need of it, while they remained in poffeiTion of
Normandy and of the coafts of France.
WHEN: Henry VIII. was defirous of equipping
a fieel, he was obliged to hire vefTds from Ham-
burgh, Lubeck, and Dantzic; but efpecially from
Genoa and Venice, who alone knew how to con-
flruft and guide a fleet; who fupplied all the
failors and admirals j who gave to Europe a Co-
lumbus, an Americus, a Cabot, a Verezani^
thole wonderful men who by their difcoveries have
added fo much to the extent of the globe. Eli-
zabe.tri wanted a naval force againft Spain, and
permitted her fubje&s to arm fhips to aft againft
the enemies of the flate. This permifTion formed
failors
IN THE EAST AND 'WEST INDIES. 459
failorsfor the fervice. The queen herfelf went to B K
fee a fliip that had been round the world ; on
board of which Ihe embraced Drake, at the time
fhe knighted him. She left forty-two men of war
to her fuccerTors. James the firft and Charles the
firft added fome fhips to the naval forces they
had received from the throne; but the com-
manders of this navy were chofen from the no-
bility, who fatisfied with this mark of diftinction,
left the labours to the pilots; fo that the art of
navigation received no improvements.
THERE were few noblemen in the party that
dethroned the Stuarts. Ships of the line were at
that time given to captains of inferior birth, but
of uncommon (kill in navigation. They improv-
ed, and rendered the Britilh navy illuftrious.
WHEN Charles II. reafcended the throne, the
kingdom was porTerTed of fix and fifty fhips. The
navy increafed under his reign, to the number of
eighty-three, fifty-eight of which were fhips of
the line. Towards the latter days of this prince,
it began to decline again. But, his brother,
James II. reftored it to its former luflre, and
raifed it even to a greater degree of fplendour.
Being him-felf high admiral before he came to the
throne, he had invented the art of regulating the
manoeuvres of the fleet, by the fignals of the flag.
Happy, if he had better underflood the art of
governing a free people! When the prince of
Orange, his fon-in-law, became pofTerTed of his
crown, the Englifh navy confifted of one hundred
and fixty-three ve'flels of all fizes, armed with
feven thoufand pieces of cannon, and equipped
with
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK, .y^h forty-two thoufand men. This force was
v ^ doubled during die war that was carried on for
the Spanifh fucceflion. It hath fmce ib confider- ;
ably increased, that the Englifli think they are
able alone to balance, by their maritime forces, the
navy of the whole univerie. England is now at
fea, what Rome formerly was upon land, when
Hie began to decline.
THE Englifli nation confiders its navy as the
bulwark of its fafety, and the fource of its riches.
On this they found all their hopes in times of
peace as well as war. They therefore raife a
fleet more willingly, and with greater expedition
than a battalion. They fpare no expence and
exert every political art to acquire feamen.
REWARDS are firfl propofed to engage men to
enter into the iervice. The parliament in 1744
decreed, that all prizes taken by a man of war
fliould belong to the officers and crew of the con-
quering fliip. They likewife granted an additio-
nal gratification of five pounds flerling to every
Englishman, who in an engagement fhould
board, take, or link an enemy's {hip. To lucra-
tive motives, the government adds compulfive
meailires, if they are found necefTary. In times
of war, they feize upon failors of the mercantile
navy.
NOTHING is apparently fo contradictory to na-
tional freedom, as thefe exertions of authority
which affect men and commerce at the fame time.
When compulfive meafures are only employed on
account of the neceffities of the flate, they cannot
be conudered as encroachments upon liberty $ be-
caufe
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
caufe their objed is the public fafcty, and the
particular intereft even of thofe who appear to
fuffer by them; and becaufe the ftate of fociety
requires, that the will of each individual fhould be
fubfervient to the will of the whole community.
Befides, the failors receive the fame pay from the
government, they would have from the merchant,
which entirely juftifies this compulfive meafure;
a meafure which is always moft advantageous to
the ftate. The failor is no longer at the charge
of the public, but while he continues in its fervice.
The expeditions are by thefe means carried on
with greater fecrecy and difpatch; and the crews
are never idle. In a word, if it were an evil, it
is certainly not a greater one" than that perpetual
flavery in which all other European failors are
held.
THE navy is a new kind of power, which muft
change the face of the globe. It hath fubverted
the ancient idea of the balance of power. Ger-
many, which held this balance between the houfes
of Auftria and Bourbon, hath ceded it to Eng-
land; which ifland difpoies at prefent of the con-
tinent. As by means of its fhips it is in the vi-
cinity of all maritime countries, its power of af-
iifting or doing hurt is extended over a greater
number of ftates. It has, therefore, acquired a
greater number of allies, more importance and
influence. It is this ifland whofe empire is efta-
bliihed over America; becaufe it pofleiTes men
and encourages arts in that country, inftead of be-
ing fuppliecl with gold and the materials of luxury.
England is of herfelf, as it were, the lever of the
5 univerfe.
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
UI ^ veri " e - She paves the way for the greateft revo-
lutions; and carries the deftiny of nations upon
her fleets. She is accufed of afpiring to be fole
miftrefs of navigation and trade. This empire
which fhe might, perhaps, obtain foralhort time,
would occafion her ruin. Univerfal empire of the
feas as well as that of the land, are projects equal-
ly abfurd.
FRANCE is continually urging the neceflity of
eftablifriing an equilibrium of power at feaj but
fhe is fufpected of being defirous not to have any
matters upon it, in order -to have no longer any
rivals on the continent. Spain, however, is the
only power that has been hitherto perfuaded to
join her. It is a happy circumitance for Europe
that the maritime forces fhould caufe a diverfion
to thole of the land. Any power that has its
own coafls to defend, cannot eafily overcome the
barriers of its neighbours. For this purpofe im-
menfe preparations are required: numberlefa
troops, arfenals of all kinds, and various means
and refources are necefTary, to carry into execu-
tion projects of conqueit. Since navigation
hath prevailed in Europe, it enjoys greater fecu-
rity at home, and has obtained a more confider-
able influence abroad. Its wars are, perhaps, nei-
ther lefs frequent, nor lefs fanguinary ; but it fuffers
lefs ravage, and is lefs weakened by them. The
operations are carried on with greater harmony,
and with better connected plans, and there are
fewer of thofe great effects that throw all fyftems
into confufion. There are greater efforts and lefs
evils ariiing from them. All the various paflions
of
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 465
of men Teemed directed towards one general good, BOOK
one grand political view, one happy exertion of v ! j
all natural and moral faculties ; which is com-
merce.
IF the art of navigation arofe from rolling, as commerce,
that of war did from the chace, the navy then
owes its exiflence to commerce. The delire of
gain firft induced us to make voyages; and one
world hath been conquered to enrich another.
This object of conqueft has been the foundation
of commerce; in order to fupport commerce,
naval forces have become neceffitry, which arc
themfelves produced by the trading navigation.
The Phenicians, fituated on the borders of the
fea at the confines of Afia and Africa, to receive
and difpenfe all the riches of the ancient world,
founded their colonies and built their cities with
no other view but that of commerce. At Tyre,
they were the matters of the Mediterranean ; at
Carthage, they laid the foundations of a republic
that traded by the ocean upon the richeft of the
European coafts.
THE Greeks fucceeded the Phenicians, as the
Romans did the Carthaginians and the Greeks;
they held the dominion of the fea as well as of
the land; but they carried on no other kind of
commerce, except that of conveying into Italy y
for their own ufe, all the riches of Africa, Afia,
and the conquered world. When Rome had in-
vaded the whole world, and had loft all her ac-
quifitions, commerce returned, as it were, to its
original fource towards the eaft. There it was
eftabliflied, while the Barbarians over-ran Europe.
4 The
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
The empire was divided ; the din of arms, and
the art of war remained in the weft; Italy however
preferved its communication with the Levant,
where all the treafures of India were circulated.
THE Crufades exhaufted in Afia all the rage of
zeal and ambition, of war and fanaticifm, with
which the Europeans were poffefled : but they
were the caufe of introducing into Europe a tafte
for Afiatic luxury; .and redeemed by giving rife
to fome degree of traffic and induftry, the blood
and the lives they had coft. Three centuries,
taken up in wars and voyages to the eaft, gave to
the reftlefs fpirit of Europe a recruit it flood in
need of; that it might not perifh by a kind of in-
ternal confumption : they prepared the way for
that exertion of genius and aftivity, which fince
arofe, and difplayed itfelf in the conqueft and
trade of the Weft-Indies, and of America.
THE Portuguefe attempted by degrees to double
the African coaft. They fucceflively feized upon
all the points, and all the ports that muft necef-
farily lead them to the Cape of Good Hope,
They were engaged, for the fpace of fourfcore
years, in making themfelves mafters of all that
weftern coaft, where this great Cape terminates.
In 1497, Vafcode Gama furmounted this barrier;
and returning by the eaftern coaft of Africa, ar-
riving by a pafiage of twelve hundred leagues at
the coaft of Malabar, where all the treafures of
the richeft countries of Afia were to be circulated.
This was the fcene on which the Portuguefe dif-
played all their conquefts.
WHILE
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
WHILE this nation made itfelf matter of the
articles of trade, the Spaniards feized upon that
which purchafes them, the mines of gold and
filver. Thefe metals became not only a ftandard
to regulate the value, but alfo the object of com-
merce. In this double ufe they foon engroiFed all
the reft. All nations were in want of them to fa-
cilitate the exchange of their commodities, and
obtain the conveniencies they Hood in need of*
The luxury and the circulation of money in the
fouth of Europe, changed the nature as well as
the direction of commerce, at the fame time that
it extended its bounds.
BUT the two nations that had fubdued the Eafl
and Weft-Indies, neglected arts and agriculture.
They imagined every thing was to be obtained by
gold, without confidering that it is labour alone
that procures it : they were convinced, though
late, and at their own expence, that the induftry
which they loft, was more valuable than the riches
they acquired; and the Dutch taught them this
fevere inftruction.
THE Spaniards, though porTefled of all the gold
in the world, remained or became poor 3 the Dutch
prefently acquired riches, without either lands or
mines. Holland is a nation at the fervicc of all
the reft, but who fells her fervices at a high price.
As foon as fhe had taken refuge in the midft of
the fea, with induftry and freedom, which are her
tutelary gods, fhe perceived that (he had not a
fufficient quantity of land to fupport the fixthpart
of her inhabitants. She then chofe the whole
world for her domain, and refolved to enjoy it by
VOL. V. H h her
6 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
xix K ^ er nav ig ac i n am * commerce. She made all
v > lands contribute to her fubfiftence; and all na-
tions fupply her with the conveniencies of life.
Between the north and the fouth of Europe, fhe
became what Flanders had been before, from
which fhe had divided, in order to form an inde-
pendent ftate entirely unconnected with it. Bruges
and Antwerp had attracted Italy and Germany
into their ports j Holland in her turn became the
ftaple of all commercial powers, rich or poor.
Not fatisfied with inviting all other nations, me
vifited them herfelf, in order to procure from one
what was wanted by another; to convey to the
north, the merchandife of the fouth ; to fell to the
Spaniard fhips for cargoes, and to exchange upon
the Baltic wine for wood. She imitated the flew-
ards and farmers of large eftates, who by the im-
menfe profits they make in them, are enabled
fooner or later to buy them up. Spain and Por-
tugal have as it were been the caufe that Holland
has fucceededin taking from thofe powers part of
their conquefts in the Eaft and Weft Indies, and
almofl the whole of the profit of their colonies.
She availed herfelf of the indolence of thefe proud
conquerors ; and by her activity and vigilance
obtained the key of their treafures, leaving them
nothing but the cheft, which fhe took care to
empty as fafl as they replenifhed it. It is thus
that a people of little refinement ruined two na-
tions of polite and noble manners ; but at the
moft honeft and the moft lawful game that can be
met with in the feveral combinations of chance.
EVERY
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
EVERY circumftance was favourable to the rife
and progrefs of the commerce of this republic.
Its pofition on the borders of the fea, at the
mouths of feveral great rivers , its proximity to
the moft fertile or beft cultivated lands of Eu-
rope; its natural connections with England and
Germany, which defended it againft France ; the
little extent and fertility of its own territory which
obliged tfie inhabitants to become fifhermen,
failors, brokers, bankers, carriers, and commif-
faries; in a word, to endeavour to live by in-
duftry for want of territory. Moral caufes con-
tributed with thofe of the climate and the foil, to
eftablifh and advance its profperity. The liberty
of its government, which opened an afylum to all
ftrarigers difiatisfied with their own ; the freedom
of its religion, which permitted a public and quiet
profeflion of all other modes of worfhip; that is
to fay, the agreement of the voice of nature with
that of confcience, of interefts with duty; in a
word, that toleration, that univerfal religion of all
equitable and enlightened minds, friends to hea-
ven and earth; to God, as to their father; to
men, as to their brethren. In fhort, this com-
mercial republic found out the fecret of availing
itfelf of all events, and of making even the ca-
lamities and vices of other nations concur in ad-
vancing its felicity. It turned to its own advan-
tage the civil wars which fanaticifm raifed among
people of a reftlefs fpirit, or which patriotifm ex-
cited among a free people ; it profited by the in-
dolence and ignorance which bigotry fupported
H h 2 among
463 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
among two nations who were under the influence
of the imagination.
THIS fpirit of induftry in Holland., with which
was intermixed a confiderable fhare of that politi-
cal art which fows the feeds of jealoufy and dif-
cord among the nations, at length excited the at-
tention of other powers. The Englifh were the
firfl to perceive that traffic might be carried on
without the interpofition of the Dutch. England,
where the attempts of defpotifm had given birth
to liberty, becaufe they were antecedent to cor-
ruption and effeminacy, was deiirous of obtain-
ing riches by labour which alleviate the burden of it.
The Englifh firfl confidered commerce as the pro-
per fcience and fupport of an enlightened, power-
ful, and even a virtuous people. They confidered it
rather as an improvement of induftry than an ac-
quifition of enjoyments ; rather as an encourage-
ment and a fource of activity among the people,
than a promoter of luxury and magnificence. In-
vited to trade by their fituation, this became the
fpirit of their government, and the means of their
ambition. All their fchemes tended to this great
object. In other monarchies, trade is carried on
by the common peoples in this happy conflitution
by the ftate or the whole nation, fhe carries it on
indeed with a conftant defire of dominion, which
implies that of enflaving other people, but by
means, at leaft, that conftitute the happinefs of
the world before it is fubdued. By war, the con-
queror is little happier than the conquered ; be-
caufe injuries and mafTacres are their mutual ob-
ject; but by commerce, the conquering people
neceffarily
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 469
necefTarily introduce indufhy into the country, BOOK.
which they would not have fubdued if it had been * v
already indultrious, or which they would not main-
tain, if they had not brought induftry in along with
them. Upon thefe principles England had found-
ed her commerce and her empire, and mutually
and alternately extended one by the other.
THE French, fituated under as favourable a fky,
and upon as happy a foil, have for a long time
flattered themfelves wuh the idea that they had
much to give to other nations, without being
under a neceflity of afking fcarce any return. But
Colbert was fenfible that in the fermentation Eu-
rope was in at this time, there would be an evi-
dent advantage for the culture and productions of
a country that fhould employ thofe of the whole
world. He opened manufactures for all the arts.
The woollens, filks, dyes, embroideries, the gold
and filver fluffs, were brought to fo great a degree
of refinement in luxury and tafte in the hands of
the French, that they were in great requeft among
thofe nobles who were in pofieflion of the greateft
landed property. To increafe the produce of the
arts, it was neceflary to procure the firft materials,
and thefe could only be fupplied by dired com-
merce. The chances of navigation had given
France fome poflefTions in the New world, as they
had to all the plunderers that had frequented the
fea. The ambition of fome individuals had formed
colonies there, which had been at firfl fupported
and even aggrandized by the trade of the Dutch
aiid the Englifh. A national navy muft necefiarily
reftore to the mother-country this natural connec-
H h 3 don
470 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
B xix K tion with its colonifts. The government, therefore,
v--v/ eftablifhed its naval forces upon the ftrength of its
commercial navigation. The nation would then
neceiTarily make a double profit upon the mate-
rials and the workmanfhip of the manufactures.
The French purfued for a long time this precarious
and temporary object of commerce, with an acti-
vity and fpirit of emulation which muft have made
them greatly furpafs their rivals; and they ftill en-
joy that fuperiority over other nations, in all thofe
arts of luxury and ornament which procure riches
to induftry.
THE natural volatility of the national character
and its propenfity to trifling purfuits, hath brought
treafures to the flate, by the tafte that has fortunate-
ly prevailed for its fafhions. Like to that light
and delicate fex, which teaches and infpires us with
a tafte for drefs, the French reign in all courts, at
leaft, by the toilets and their art of pleafing is
one of the myfterious fources of their fortune and
power. Other nations have fubdued the world by
thofe fimple and ruftic manners, which conftitute
the virtues that are fit for wan to them it was given
to reign over it by their vices. Their empire will
continue, till they are degraded and enflaved by
their matters by exertions of authority equally ar-
bitrary and unlimited, when they will become con-
temptible in their own eyes. Then they will
lofe, with their confidence in themfelves, that in-
duftry, which is one of the fources of their opu-
lence and of the fprings of their activity. They
will foon have neither manufactures, colonies, nor
trade.
THIS
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 47 i
THIS tatte for luxury and eafe hath given rife B ^J K
to a new principle of the moral world, which hath * *
infmuated itfelf by degrees, till it is become, as
it were, neceffary to the exiftence of political bo-
dies: it hath produced the Jove of labour, which
at prefent conftitutes the chief ftrength of a ftate.
The fedentary occupations of the mechanic arts
indeed, render men more liable to be affected by
the injuries of the feafons, lefs fit to be expofed to
the open air which is the firft nutritive principle of
life. But flill, it is better that the human race
fhould be enervated under the roofs of the work-
fhops, than inured to hardfhips under tents; be-
caufe war dcftroys, while commerce on the con-
trary gives new life to every thing. By this ufe-
ful revolution in manners, the general maxims of
politics have altered the face of Europe. It is no
longer a people immerfed in poverty that becomes
formidable to a rich nation. Power is at prefent
an attendant on riches, becaufe they are no longer
the fruit of conqueft, but the produce of conftant
labour, and of a life fpent in perpetual employ-
ment. Gold and filver corrupt only thofe indolent
minds which indulge in the delights of luxury,
upon that ftage of intrigue and meannefs, that is
called greatnefs. But thefe metals employ the
hands and arms of the people - y they excite a fpirit
of agriculture in the fields; of navigation in the
maritime cities ; and in the center of the ftate they
lead to the manufacturing of arms, clothing, fur-
niture, and the conftruction of buildings. A fpi-
rit of emulation exifts between man and nature:
they are perpetually improving each other. The
H h 4 people
47$ HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
o o K people arc formed and falhioned by the arts they
v profefs. If there are fome occupations which
foften and degrade the human race, there are
others by which it is hardened and repaired. If it
be true that art renders them unnatural, they do
not, at leaft, propagate in order to deftroy them*
felves, as among the barbarous nations in heroic
times. It is certainly an eafy, as well as a capti-
vating fubjecl, to defcribe the Romans with the-
fmgle art of war, fubduing all the other arts, all
other nations indolent or commercial, civilized or
favage j breaking or defpifing the vafes of Corinth,
more happy with their gods made of clay, than
with the golden flatues of their worthlefs em^
perors. But ' it is a more pleafing, and perhaps
a nobler -fight, to behold all Europe peopled with
laborious nations, who are continuallyfailing round
the globe, in order to cultivate and render it fit
for mankind j to fee them animate, by the enliven-
ing breath of induftry, all the regenerating powers
of nature; feek in the abyfs of the ocean, and
in the bowels of rocks, for new means of fubfift-
ence, or new enjoyments j ftir and raife up the
earth with all the mechanic powers invented by
genius; eftablifh between the two hemifpheres, by
the happy improvements in the art of navigation,
a communication of flying bridges, as it were, that
re-unite one continent to the other; purfue all the
tracks of the fun, overcome its annual barriers, and
. pafs from the tropics to the poles upon the wings
of the wind; in a word to fee them open all the
dreams of population and pleafure, in order to
pour them upon the face of the earth through a
thoufand
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 473
thoufand channels. It is then, perhaps, that the BOOR,
divinity contemplates his work with fatisfaction, . - -'_r
and does not repent himfelf of having made
man.
SUCH is the image of commerce; let us now
admire the genius of the merchant. The fame
undcrftanding that Newton had to calculate the
motion of the ftars, he exerts in tracing the pro-
grefs of the commercial people that fertilize the
earth. His problems are the more difficult to re-
folve, as the circumftances of them are not taken
from the immutable laws of nature, as the fyltems
of the geometrician are; but depend upon the ca-
prices of men, and the uncertainty of a thoufand
events. That accurate fpirit of combination that
Cromwell and Richelieu muft have had, the one
to deftroy, the other to eftablifh defpotic govern-
ment, the merchant alfo poiTefles and carries it
further : for he takes in both worlds at one view,
and directs his operations upon an infinite variety
of relative confiderations, which it is feldom given
to the ftatefman, or even to the philofopher, to
comprehend and eftimate. Nothing muft efcape
him ; he muft forefee the influence of the feafons,
upon the plenty, the fcarcity, and the quality of
provifions; upon the departure or return of his
fhips; the influence of political affairs upon thofe
of commerce; the changes which war or peace
muft necefiarily occafion in the prices and de-
mands for merchandife, in the quantity and choice
of provifions, in the ftate of the cities and ports
pf the whole world; he muft know the conie-
quences that an alliance of the two northern na-
tions
474 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK tions may have under the torrid zone ; the pro-
t XI *' _, grefs, either towards aggrandizement or decay, of
the feveral trading companies -, the effect that the
fall of any European power in India, may have
over Africa and Americas the ftagnation that may
be produced in certain countries, by the blocking
up of fome channels of induftry; the reciprocal
connection there is between moft branches of
trade, and the mutual afliftances they lend by
the temporary injuries they feem to inflict upon
each other ; he muft know the proper time to be-
gin, and when to flop in every new undertaking :
in a word, he muft be acquainted with the art of
making all other nations tributary to his own, and
of increafing his own fortune by increafing the
profperity of his country; or rather he muft know
how to enrich himfelf by extending the general
profperity of mankind. Such are the objects that
the profefiion of the merchant engages him to at-
tend to.
IT is alfo the trader's peculiar bufmefs to fearch
into the receffes of the human heart, and to treat
with his equals apparently, as if they were honeft,
but, in reality, as if they were men of no probi-
ty. Commerce is a fcience that equally requires
the knowledge of men and of things. Its diffi-
. culty arifes undoubtedly lefs from the variety of
objects about which it is converfant, than from the
avidity of thofe who are engaged in it. If emu-
lation increafes the concurrence of efforts, jealoufy
prevents their fuccefs. If intereft is the vice that
deftroys profefiions in general, what muft be its
effects upon that in particular to which it owes its
exiftence ?
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 475
exiftence? The avidity with which it is carried on B o K
is the caufe of its deftruction. The third of gain ^~J
fpreads over commerce a fpirit of avarice that lays
a reftraint upon every thing, even the means of
amafiing.
Is that competition between different govern-
ments which induces them to reftrain general in-
duftry by mutual prohibitions, to be afcribed to
the merchant; or to that tyrannical exertion of
authority, which, in order to acquire riches withbut
the afliftance of commerce, lays a reftraint on
all branches of induftry by fubjecting them to
corporations? Certainly on the latter; for all thefc
focieties deftroy the very fpirit of commerce, which
is liberty. To compel the indigent man to pay
for the privilege of working, is to condemn him
at once to idlenefs by the indigence he is reduced
to, and to become indigent through idlenefs ; it is to
diminiih the fum total of national labour; toim-
poverifh the people by enriching the ftate; and to
deftroy them both.
THE jealoufy of trade between ftates is only a
fecret confpiracy to ruin each other, without any
particular benefit to any one. Thofe who govern
the people, exert the fame fkill in guarding againft
the induftry of the nations, as in preferving them-
felves from the intrigues of the great. One indi-
vidual alone, who is mean and deftitute of every
principle, is able to introduce a hundred reftraints
into Europe. New chains are contrived with as
much expedition as deftruftive weapons. Prohi-
bitions in commerce, and extortions in the finance,
have given rife to fmugglers and galley-flaves, to
2 cuftoma
476 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK cuftoms and monopolies, to pirates and excifemen.
y ' . Centinels and obftacles are placed in every part of
the fea and of the land. The traveller enjoys no
repofe, the merchant no proper ty, both are equally
expofed to all the artifices of an infidious legifla-
tion, that gives rife to crimes by its prohibitions,
and to penalties by crimes. They become culpable
without knowing it, or without defign : they are
arrefted, plundered and taxed, though innocent.
The rights of the people are violated by their
protectors; and thofe of the citizen by himfelf: the
courtier is conftantly endeavouring to difquiet the
ftatefman; and the contractor opprefles the mer-
chant. Such is the ftate of commerce in time of
peace. But what lhall we fay of commercial
wars ?
IT is natural enough, for a people pent up in
the icy regions of the north, to dig out iron from
the bowels of the earth that refufes them fubfift-
ence; and to reap the harveft of another nation
by force of armsj hunger, which is reflrained by
no laws, cannot violate any, and feems to plead an
excufe for thefe hoftilities. Men muft neceffarily
live by plunder, when they have no corn. But
when a nation enjoys the privilege of an exten-
live commerce, and can fupply feveral other ftates
from itsfuperfluity; what motive can induce it to
declare war againft other induflrious nations; to
obftruct their navigation and their labours; in a
word, to forbid them to live on pain of death ?
Why does it arrogate to itfelf an exclufive branch
of trade, a right of fifhing and failing, as if it
were a matter of property, and as if the fea were
to
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 477
to be divided into acres as well as the land ? The BOOK
motives of fuch wars arc eafily difcovered : we ^r -
know that the jealoufy of commerce is nothing
more than a jealoufy of power. But have any
people a right to obftruct a work they cannoc
execute themfelves, and to condemn another na-
tion to indolence, becaufe they themfelves chufe
to be entirely given up to it ?
How unnatural and contradictory an exprefiion
is a war of commerce \ Commerce is the fource
and means of fubfiftence -, war of deftruction.
Commerce may, poflibly, give rife to war, and
continue it j but war puts a flop to every branch
of commerce. Whatever advantage one nation
may derive from another in trade, becomes a mo-
tive of induftry and emulation to both : in war,
on the contrary, the injury affects both; for plun-
der, fire, and fword can neither improve lands, nor
enrich mankind. The wars of commerce are fo
much the more fatal, as by the prefent fuperiority
of the maritime powers over thofe of the con-
tinent, and of Europe over the three other parts
of the world, the conflagration becomes general;
and that the diflentions of two maritime powers
excite the fpirit of difcord among all their allies,
and occafion inactivity even among the neutral
powers.
COASTS and feas ftained with blood and covered
with dead bodies j the horrors of war extending
from pole to pole, between Africa, Afia, and
America, as well throughout the fea that feparates
us from the New world, as throughout the vaft
extent of the Pacific Ocean : fuch has been the
fpectaclc
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
fpectacle exhibited in the two Jaft wars, in which
all the powers of Europe have been alternately
fhaken, or have diftinguilhed themfelves by fome
remarkable exertion. The earth, however, was
depopulated, and commerce did not fupply the
loffes it had fuftained ; the lands were exhaufted
by taxes, and the channels of navigation did not
aflift the progrefs of agriculture. The loans of the
ftate previoufly ruined the fortunes of the citizens
by ufurious profits, the forerunners of bankruptcy.
Even thofe powers that were victorious, oppreffed
by the conquefts they had made, and having ac-
quired a greater extent of land than they could
keep or cultivate, were involved in the ruin of
their enemies. The neutral powers, who were de-
firous of enriching themfelves in peace, in the
midft of this commotion were expofed and tamely
fubmitted to infults more difgraceful than the der
feats of an open war.
How highly impolitic are thofe commercial wars,
equally injurious to all the nations concerned, with-
out being advantageous to fuch as are not engaged
in them j thofe wars where the failors become
foldiers, and the merchant fhips are turned into
privateers ; where the traffic between the mother-
jcountries and their colonies is interrupted, and the
price of their reciprocal commodities is raifed !
WHAT a fource of political abufes arifes from
thofe treaties of commerce which are productive
of war ! Thofe exclulive privileges which one na-
tion acquires from another, either for a traffic of
luxury, or for the necefTaries of life ! A general
freedom granted to induflry and commerce is the
only
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 479
only treaty which a maritime power fliould enforce
at home, or negociate abroad. Such a conduct
would make the people who purfued it be confider-
ed as the benefactors of the human race. The
more labour. was encouraged upon land, and the
greater number of (hips there were at fea, fo much
the more important to them would be the advan-
tages they purfue and obtain by negociations and
by war. For there will be no increafe of riches in
any country, if there be no induflry among its
neighbours, who can acquire nothing but by ar-
ticles of exchange, or by the means of gold and
filver. But without commerce and induftry nei-
ther metals, nor manufactures of value can be
obtained ; nor can either of thefe fources of riches
exift without liberty. The indolence of one nation
is prejudicial to all the reft, either by increafing
their labour, or by depriving them of what it
ought to produce. The effect of the prefent fyf-
tem of commerce and induftry is the total fubver-
fion of order.
THE want of the fine fleeces of Spain is re-
trieved by the flocks of England, and the filk
manufactures of Italy are carried on even in Ger-
many ; the wines of Portugal might be improved,
were it not for the exclufive privileges granted to
a particular company. The mountains of the
north and fouth would be fufficient to fupply Eu-
rope with wood and metals, and the vallies would
produce a greater plenty of rorn and fruits. Ma-
nufactures would be raifed in barren countries, if
thefe could be fupplied with plenty of the necef-
faries of life by a free circulation. Whole pro-
vinces
480 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK vinces would not be left uncultivated in the heart
uv-Lj of a country in order to fertilize fome unwholefome
morafles, where, while the people are fupported
by the productions of the land, the influence of
the air and the water tends to their deftruction.
We fhould not fee all the rich produce of com-
merce confined to particular cities of a large king-
dom, as the privileges and fortunes of the whole
people are to particular families.' Circulation
would be quicker, and the consumption increafed.
Each province would cultivate its favourite pro-
duction, and each family its own little field : and
under every roof there would be one child to fpare
for the purpofes of navigation and the improve-
ment of the arts. Europe, like China, would
i'warm with multitudes of induftrious people.
Upon the whole, the freedom of trade would in-
fenfibly produce that univerfal peace which a brave
but humane monarch once confidered not as merely
chimerical. The fyftem of the happinefs of na-
tions arifing from the improvement of reafon
would be founded on a turn for calculation and
the fpirit of ceconomy, which would prove a more
effectual fecurity of morals, than the vifionary
ideas of fuperftition. Thefe prefently difappear
as foon as pafiions exert themfelves, while reafon
gains ftrength and advances to maturity along
.with them.
Agrkui- COMMERCE, which naturally arifes from agri-
tur ** culture, returns to it by its own tendency and by
the circulation it occafions : thus the rivers re-
turn to the fea, which has produced them by the
exhalations of its waters into vapours, and by the
fall
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 481
fall of thofe vapours when 'changed into waters. B , o K
The quantity of gold brought by the tranfpor- < ^v^ '
tation and confumption of the fruits of the
earth, returns into its bofom, and reproduces all
the neceffaries of life, and the materials of com-
merce. If the lands are not cultivated, all com-
merce is precarious; becaufe it is deprived of its
principal iupplies, which are the productions of
nature. Nations that are only maritime or com-
mercial, enjoy, it is true, the fruits of commerce;
but the origin of it is to be found among thofe
people that are fkilled in the cultivation of land.
Agriculture is, therefore, the chief and real opu-
lence of a ftatc. The Romans in the intoxication
of their conquefts, by which they had obtained the
pofleffion of all the earth without cultivating it,
were ignorant of this truth. It was unknown to
the Barbarians, who, deftroying by the fword an
empire that had been eftabliihed by it, abandoned
to (laves the cultivation of the lands, of which
they referved to themfelves the fruits and the pro-
perty. Even in the age fubfequent to the difco-
very of the Eaft and Weft Indies, this truth was
unattended toj whether in Europe the people
were too much engaged in wars of ambition or re-
ligion to confider it; or whether the conquefts
made by Portugal and Spain beyond the feas, ha-
ving brought us treafures without labour, we
contented ourfelves with enjoying them by encou-
raging luxury and the arts, before any method
had been thought of to fecufe thefe riches.
BUT the time came, when plunder ceafed, ha-
ving no object on which it could be exercifed.
VOL. V. I i When
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
When the conquered lands in the New world,
after having been much contefted for, were di-
vided, it became neceflary to cultivate them, and
to fupport the colonifts who fettled there. As
thefe were natives of Europe, they cultivated for
that country fuch productions as it did not fur-
nifh, and required in return fuch provifions as
cuftom had made natural to them. In proportion
as the colonies were peopled, and that the num-
ber of failors and manufacturers increafed with the
increafe of productions, the lands muft neceflarily
furnifha greater quantity of fubfiftence for the in-
creafe of population; and an augmentation of in-
digenous commodities, for foreign articles of ex-
change and confumption. The laborious em-
ployment of navigation, and the fpoiling of pro-
vifions in the tranfport, caufing a greater lofs of
materials and produce, it became neceflary to cul-
tivate the earth with the greatefl care and afli-
duity, in order to render it more fruitful. The
confumption of American commodities, far from
leflening that of European productions, ferved
only to increafe and extend it upon all the feas, in
all the ports, and in all the cities where commerce
and induflry prevailed. Thus the people who
were the moft commercial, neceflarily became at
the fame time the greatefl promoters of agricul-
ture.
ENGLAND firfl conceived the idea of this new
fyftem. She eftablilhed and encouraged it by
honours and premiums propofed to the planters.
A medal was flruck and prefented to the duke of
Bedford, with the following infcription : For hav-
ing
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 4 ? 3
ing planted Oak. Triptolemus and Ceres were BOOK.
adored in antiquity only from fimilar motives; . - f - s _i
and yet temples and altars are flill erected to in-
dolent monks. The God of nature will not fuf-
fer that mankind fhould perilh. He hath im-
planted in all noble and generous minds, in the
hearts of all people and of enlightened monarchs,
this idea, that labour is the firft duty of man,
and that the moft important of all labours is that
of cultivating the land. The reward that attends
agriculture, the iatisfying of our wants, is the
beft encomium that can be made of it. If I had
afubjeft who could produce two blades of corn in/lead
of cne> faid a monarch, / Jbould prefer him to all
the men of political genius in the ft ate. How much
is it to be lamented that fuch a king and fuch an
opinion are merely the fiction of Swift's brain?
But a nation that can produce fuch writers, necef-
iarily confirms the truth of this fublime idea; and
accordingly we find that England doubled the
produce of its cultivation.
THE example of the Englifh has excited all
other nations that were fenfible of the value of in-
duftry, to direct it to its true origin and primary
deftination. After the peace of Aix-la-Chapelle,
the French, who, under the adminiftration of three
Cardinals, had fcarce been allowed to turn their
thoughts to public affairs, ventured at length to
write on fubjects of importance, and general uti-
lity. The undertaking of a Univerfal Dictionary
of Arts and Sciences, brought every great object to
view, and exercifed the thoughts of every man of
genius and knowledge. Montefquieu wrote the
I i 2 Spirit
484 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK Spirit of Laws, and the boundaries of genius were
i XI *'..j extended. Natural hiftory was written by a French
Pliny, who furpafled Greece and Rome in the
knowledge and defcription of nature. This hif-
tory, bold and fublime as its fubject, warmed the
imagination of every reader, and powerfully ex-
cited them to fuch inquiries, as a nation cannot
relinquifh, without returning into a ftate of bar-
barifm. In lefs than twenty years, the French
nation became fenfible of their real interefts.
They communicated their knowledge to govern-
ment, and agriculture, if it was not encouraged
by rewards, was, at leafr, patronized by fome
minifters.
GERMANY hath felt the happy influence of that
fpirit of information and knowledge which contri-
butes to fertilize the earth and to multiply its in-
habitants. All the northern climates have turned
their attention to the improvement of their lands.
Even Spain has exerted herfelf j and .though little
populous, has however engaged foreign hufband-
men to labour in her uncultivated provinces.
IT is a fact fbmewhat remarkable, though it
might naturally be expected, that men Ihould have
returned to the exercife of agriculture the firft of
the arts only after they had fucceflively tried the
reft. It is the common progreffion of the human
mind, not to regain the right path, till after it
hath exhaufted itfelf in purfuing falfe tracks. It
is always advancing -, and as it relinquiflied agri-
culture, to purfue commerce and the enjoyments
of luxury, it foon traverled over the different arts
of life, and returncdat lad to agriculture, which
is
TN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
is the fource and foundation of all the reft, and to
which it devoted its whole attention, from the lame
motives of intereil that had made it quit it before.
Thus the eager and inquifitive man, who volunta-
rily baniflies himfelf from his country^in his youth,
wearied with his conftant excurfions, returns at
laft to live and die in his native land.
EVBRY thing, indeed, depends upon, and arifes
from the cultivation of land. It forms the in-
ternal flrength of ftates j and occafions riches to
circulate into them from without. Every power
which comes from any other fource, is artificial
and precarious, either confidered in a natural or
moral light. Induftry and commerce which do
not directly affect the agriculture of a country,
are in the power of foreign nations, who may
either difpute thefe advantages through emula-
tion, or deprive the country of them through
envy. This may be effected either by eftablifhing
the fame branch of induftry among themfelves,
or by fuppreffing the exportation of their own un-
wrought materials, or the importation of thofe
materials when manufactured. But a country
well-cultivated occafions an increafe of popula-
tion a and riches are the natural confequence of
that increafe. This is not the teeth which the
dragon fows to bring forth foldiers to deftroy each
otherj it is the milk of Juno, which peoples
the heavens with an innumerable multitude of
ftars.
THE government, therefore, Ihould rather be
attentive to the f'upport of country villages, than
of great cities. The firft may be confidered as
I i 3 parents
486 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK parents and nurferies always fruitful; the others
y - ' only as daughters which are often ungrateful and
barren. The cities can fcarce fubfift but from the
fuperfluous part of the population and produce of
the countries. Even the fortified places and ports
of trade, which feem to be connected with the
whole world by their fhips, which diffufe more
riches than they poflefs, do not, however, attract
all the treafures they difpenfe, but by means of
the produce of the countries that furround them.
The tree muft, therefore, be watered at its root.
The cities will only be flourifhing in proportion
as the fields are fruitful.
BUT this fertility depends lefs upon the foil than
upon the inhabitants. Spain and even Italy,
though fituated under a climate the moft favour-
able to agriculture, produce lefs than France or
England j becaufe the efforts of nature are im-
peded in a thoufand ways by the form of their go-
vernment. In all parts where the people are at-
tached to the country by property, by the fecurity
of their funds and revenues, the lands will flou-
rifh, in all parts where privileges are not con-
fined to the cities, and labour to the countries,
every proprietor will be fond of the inheritance of
his anceftors, will increafe and embellifh it by
affiduous cultivation, and his children will be mul-
tiplied in proportion to his means, and thefe be
increafed in proportion to his children.
IT is, therefore, the intereft of government to
favour the hufbandmen, in preference to all the
indolent claffes of fociety. Nobility is but an
odious diftin&ion, when it is not founded upon
fervicc$
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 487
fervices of real and evident utility to the ftatej BOOK
fuch as the defence of the nation againft the en- *
croachments of conqueft, and againft the enter-
prifes of defpotifm. The nobles furnifh only a
precarious and oftentimes fatal affiftance; when,
after having led an effeminate and licentious life
in the cities, they can only afford a weak defence
for their country upon her fleets and in her armies,
and afterwards return to court, tofolicit as a re-
ward for their bafenefs, places and honours,
which are revolting and burthenfome to the na-
tion. The clergy are a fet of men ufelefs, at lead,
to the earth, even when they are employed in
prayer. But when, with fcandalous morals, they
preach a doctrine which is rendered doubly incre-
dible and impracticable from their ignorance and
from their example -, when, after having difgraced,
difcredited and overturned religion, by a variety
of abufes, of fophifms, of injuftices and ufurpa-
tions, they wifh to fupport it by perfecution; then
this privileged, indolent, and reftlefs clafs of men,
become the moft dreadful enemies of the ftate and
of the nation. The only good and refpectable
part of them that remains, is that portion of the
clergy who are moft defpifed and moft burthened
with duty, and who being fituated among the
lower clafs of people in the country, labour,
edify, advife, comfort, and relieve a multitude of
unhappy men.
THE hufbandmen deferve to be preferred by
government, even to the manufacturers, and the
profeflbrs of either the mechanical or liberal arts.
To encourage and to protect the arts of luxury,
I i 4 and
4 88 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK and at the fame time neglect the cultivation of the
land, that fource of induftry to which they owe
their exiftence and fupport, is to forget the order '
of the feveral relations between nature and fociety.
To favour the arts and to neglect agriculture, is
the fame thing as to remove the bafis of a pyra-
mid, in order to finifli the top. The mechanical
arts engage a fufficient number of hands by the
allurement of the riches they procure, by the
comforts they fupply the workmen with, by the
cafe, pleafures and conveniences that arife in cities
where the feveral branches of induftry unite. It
is the life of the hufbapdman that ftands in need
of encouragement for the hard labours it is ex-
pofed to, and of indemnification for the lofTes and
vexations it fuftains. The hufbandman is placed
at a diftance from every object that can either ex-
cite his ambition, or gratify his curiofity. He
lives in a ftate of feparation from the diftinctions
and pleafures of fociety. He cannot give his
children a polite education, without fending them
at a diftance from him, nor place them in fuch a
fituation as may enable them to diftinguifh and
advance themfelves by the fortune they may ac-
quire. He does not enjoy the facrifices he makes
for them, while they are educated at a diftance
from him. In a word, he undergoes all the fa-
tigues that are incident to man, without enjoying
his pleafures, unlefs fupported by the paternal
care of government. Every thing is burthenfome
and humiliating to him, even the taxes, the very
name of which fometimes makes his condition
more wretched than any other.
MIN
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 489
MEN are naturally attached to the liberal arts BOOK.
by their particular genius, whica makes this at- ' ^i^j
tachment grow up into a kind of pafiion; and
likewife by the reputation they reflect on thofe
who diftingiiifti themfelves in thepurfuit of them.
It is not poflible to admire the works of geniu^,
without efteeming and careffing the perfons en-
dowed with that valuable gift of nature. But the
man devoted to the labours of* hufbandry, if he
cannot enjoy in quiet what he poflefies, and what
he gathers j if he is incapable of improving the
benefits of his condition, becaufe the fweets of it
are taken from him; if the military fervice, if
vafialagc and taxes are to deprive him of his child,
his cattle, and his corn, nothing remains for him,
but to imprecate both the fky and the land that
torment him, and to abandon his fields and his
country.
A WISE government cannot refufe to pay its
principal attention to agriculture, without endan-
gering its very exiftence : the moft ready and ef-
fectual means of afiifting it, is to favour the mul-
tiplication of every kind of production, by the
moft free and general circulation.
AN unreftrainecl liberty in the exchange of com-
modities renders a people at the fame time comr
mercial and attentive to agriculture > it extends
the views of the farmer towards trade, and thofe
of the merchant towards cultivation. It connects
them to each other by fuch relations as are regular
and conftant. All men belong equally to the vil-
lages and to the cities, and there is, a reciprocal
communication maintained between the provinces.
The
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
The circulation of commodities brings on in rea-
lity the golden age, in which ftreams of milk and
honey are faid to have flowed through the plains.
All the lands are cultivated; the meadows are fa-
vourable to tillage by the cattle they feed; the
growth of corn promotes that of vines, by fur-
nifhing a conftant and certain fubfiftence to him
who neither fows nor reaps, but plants, prunes,
and gathers.
LET us now confider the effects of a contrary
fyftem, and attempt to regulate agriculture, and
the circulation of its produce, by particular laws ;
and let us obferve what calamities will enfue.
Power will not only be defirous of obferving and
being informed of every action, but will even
want to afTume every important act to itfelf, in
confequence of which nothing will fucceed. Men
will be led like their cattle, or tranfported like
their corn; they will be collected and difperfed at
the will of a tyrant, to be ftaughtered in war, or
perifli upon fleets, or in different colonies. That
which conftitutes the life of a ftate will become
its deftruction. Neither the lands, nor the people
will flourifh, and the ftates will tend quickly
to their diffolution; that is, to that feparation
which is always preceded by the mafiacre of the
people, as well as their tyrants. What will then
become of manufactures ?
AGRICULTURE gives birth to the arts, when it
becomes general, and is carried to that degree of
perfection which gives men leifure to invent, and
procure themfelves the conveniences of life; and
when it has occafioned a population fufficientry
numerous
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 49,
iumerous to be employed in other labours, befidcs B o^o K.
hofe which the land requires; then a people v y
nuft necefiarily become either foldiers, naviga-
ors, or manufacturers. As foon as war has chang-
:d the rude and favage manners of a laborious
people; as foon as it has nearly circumfcribed the
extent of their empire, thofe men who were before
engaged in the exercife of arms, muft then apply
themfelves to the management of the oar, the
ropes, the fciflars, or the fhuttle ; in a word, of
all the inftruments of commerce and induftry j for
,the land, which fupported fuch a number of men
jwithout the afliftance of their own labour, does
(not any more ftand in need of it. As the arts
ever have a country of their own, their peculiar
i place of refuge, where they are carried on and flou-
; rifh in tranquility, it is eafier to repair thither in
fearch of them, than to wait at home till they fhall
have grown up, and advanced with the tardy pro-
grefllon of ages, and the favour of chance which
prefides over the difcoveries of genius. Thus every
nation of Europe that has had any induftry, has
borrowed the moft confiderable lhare of the arts
from Afia. There invention feems to have been
coeval with mankind.
THE beauty and fertility of thofe climates hath
always produced a moft numerous race of people,
as well as abundance of fruits of all kinds.
There, laws and arts, the offspring of genius and
tranquillity, have arifen from the fettled ftate of
government i and luxury, the fource of every
enjoyment that attends induftry, has fprung out
pf the richnefs of the foil. India, China, Perfia
and
492 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
and Egypt were in pofiefllon not only of all tt
treafurcs of nature, but alfo of the moft brilli*
inventions of art. War in thefe countries hat
often deftroyed every monument of genius, but
they rife again out of their own ruins, as well
mankind. Not unlike thofe laborious fwarms
fee perifh in their hives by the wintry blail of
north, and which reproduce themfelves in fprinj
retaining ftill the fame love of toil and order j tl
are certain Afiatic nations which have ftill pre-
ferved the arts of luxury with the materials tl
fupply them, notwithftanding the incurfions
conquefts of the Tartars.
IT was in a country fucceffively fubdued by
Scythians, Romans, and Saracens, that the na-
tions of Europe, which not even chriftianity nor
time could civilize, recovered the arts and fciences
without endeavouring to difcover them. Thej
Crufades exhaufted the fanatic zeal of thofe who
engaged in them, and changed their barbarous
manners at Conflantinople. It was by journeying
to vifit the tomb of their Saviour, who was born -
in a manger, and died on a crofs, that they ac-
quired a tafte for magnificence, pomp, and wealth.
By them the Afiatic grandeur was introduced into
the courts of Europe. Italy, the feat from whence
religion fpread her empire over other countries,
was the firft to adopt a fpecies of induitry that
was of benefit to her temples, the ceremonies of
her worlhip, and thofe proceflions which ferve to
keep up devotion by means of the fenfes, when
once it has engaged the heart. Chriftian Rome,
after having borrowed her rites from the Eaftern
nations,
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 493
nations, was ftill to draw from thence the wealth B K
by which they are fupported. ^1*
VENICE, whole gallies were ranged under the
banner of liberty, could not fail of being induftri-
'ous. The people of Italy eftablifhed manufac-
tures, and were a long time in pofTeffion of all the
(arts, even when the conqueft of the Eaft and Weft
Indies had caufedthe treafures of the whole world
to circulate in Europe. Flanders derived her ma-
nual arts from Italy; England obtained thofe fhc
eftablifhed from Flanders ; and France borrowed
the general induflry of all countries. Of the
lEnglifh fhe purchafed her flocking looms, which
work ten times as faft as the needle. The number
of hands unoccupied from the introduction of the
loom, were employed in making of lace, which
was taken from the Flemings. Paris furpafied
iPerfia in her carpets, and Flanders in her tapeflry,
in the elegance of her patterns, and the beauty of
her dyes ; and excelled Venice in the tranfparency
and fize of her mirrors. France learned to di'penfe
with part of the filks fhe received from Italy, and
with Englifh broad cloths. Germany,- together
with her iron and copper mines, has always pre-
ferved the fuperiority fhe had acquired in melting,
tempering, and working up thofe metals. But t;he
art of giving the polifh and fafhion to every ar-
ticle that can be concerned in the ornaments of
luxury, and the conveniences of life, feems to
belong peculiarly to the French ; whether it be
that, from the vanity of pleafing others, they find
the means of fucceeding by all the outward appear-
ances of brilliant Ihew ; or that in reality grace
4 and
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
anc * ea *" e arc ^ con ^ ant attendants of a people
naturally lively and gay, and who by inftinct are
in porTeffion of tafte.
EVERY people given to agriculture ought to
have arts to employ their materials, and fhould
multiply their productions to maintain their artifts.
Were they acquainted only with the labours of
the field, their induftry mull be confined in its
caufe, its means, and its effects. Having but few
wants and defires, they would exert themfelves
but little, employ fewer hands, and work lefs
time. Their cultivation would neither be extend-
ed nor improved. Should fuch a people be pof-
fefled of more arts than materials, they muft be :
indebted to ftrangers, who would ruin their ma- -
nufactures, by finking the price of their articles of 1
luxury, and railing the value of their provifions.
But when a people, engaged in agriculture, join
induftry to property, the culture of their produce
to the art of working it up, they have then within
themfelves every thing necefiary for their exiftence
and prefervation, every fource of greatnefs and
profperity. Such a people is endued with a power
of accomplifhing every thing they wilri, and fti-
mulated with the defire of acquiring every thing
that is poflible.
NOTHING is more favourable to liberty than the
arts j it may be faid to be their element, and that
they are, in their nature, citizens of the world*
An able artift may work in every country, becaufe
he works for the world in general. Genius and
abilities every where avoid flavery, while foldiers
find it in all parts. When, through the want of
toleration
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
toleration in the clergy, the proteftants were driven
out of France, they opened to themfelves a refuge
in every civilized ftate in Europe : but when the
jefuits have been banifhed from their own country,
they have found no afylum any where ; not even
in Italy, the parent of monachifm and intole-
rance.
THE arts multiply the means of acquiring riches,
and contribute, by a greater diftribution of wealth,
to a more equitable repartition of property. Thus
is prevented that exceffive inequality among men,
the unhappy confequence of oppreffion, tyranny,
and blind infatuation of a whole people.
MANUFACTURES contribute to the advancement
of knowledge and of the fciences. The torch of
induftry ferves to enlighten at once a vaft horizon.
No art is fingle : the greater part of them have
their forms, modes, inftruments, and elements in
common. The mechanics themfelves have con-
tributed prodigioufly to extend the ftudy of ma-
thematics. Every branch of the genealogical tree
of fcience has unfolded itfelf with the progrefs of
the arts, as well liberal as manual. Mines, mills,
the manufacture and dying of cloth, have en-
larged the fphere of philofophy and natural hif-
tory. Luxury has given rife to the art of enjoy-
ment, which is entirely dependent on the liberal
arts. As foon as architecture admits of ornaments
without, it brings with it decorations for the infide
of our houfes : while fculpture and painting are
at the fame time employed in the embellifhment
and adorning of the edifice. The art of defign
is applied to our drefs and furniture. The pen-
2 cil,
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
ever ^ ert ^ e * n new defigns, is varying without
end its fketches and lhades on our fluffs and our
porcelain. The powers of genius are, exerted in
compofmg at leifure mafter-pieces of poetry and
eloquence, or thofe happy fyfterris of policy and
philofophy, which reilore to the peop.le their na-
tural rights ; and to fovereigns all their glory >
which confifts in reigning oVer the heart and the
mind, over the opinion and will of their fubjecls,
by the means of reafon and equity.
THEN it is that the arts produce that fpirit of
fociety which conftitutes the happinefs of civil
iife; which gives relaxation to the more ferious
occupations, by entertainments, fhews, concerts,
converfations, in fhort, by every fpecies of agree-
able amufement. Eafe gives to every virtuous
enjoyment an air of liberty, which connects and
mingles the feveral ranks of men. Bufmefs adds a
value or a charm to the pleafures that are its rc-
compence. Every citizen depending upon the pro-
duce of his induftry for fubfiftence, has leifure for
all the agreeable or toilforrie occupations of life, as
well as that repofe of mind which leads on to the
fweets of ileep. Many indeed fall victims to ava-
rice, but ftill lefs than to war or religious zeal ; the
continual fcourges of an idle people.
AFTER the cultivation of the land, the encou-
ragement of the arts and fciences is the next ob-
ject that deferves the attention of man. At pre-
fent, both ferve to conftitute the flrength of civil-
ized governments. If the arts have tended to
weaken mankind, then the weaker people muft
have prevailed over the ftrong j for the balance
of
IX THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 497
of Europe is in the hands of thofe nations, who B K.
are in poffeffion of the arts. v ^j
SINCE manufactures have prevailed in Europe,
the human heart, as well as the mind, have chang-
ed their bent and difpofition. The defire of wealth
has ariten in all pares from the love of pleafure.
We no longer fee any people fatisfied with being
poor, becaufe poverty is no longer the bulwark
of liberty. We are obliged, indeed, to confefs
that the arts in this world fupply the place of vir-
tues. Induftry may occalion vices; but it ba-
nifhes however, thofe of idlenefs, which are in-
finitely more dangerous. As information gradu-
ally difpels every fpeciesof fanaticifm, while men
are employed for the gratifications of luxury, they
do not deftroy one another through fuperftition.
At lead, human blood is never fpilt without fome
appearance of intereft, and war, probably, de-
ilroys only thofe violent and turbulent men, who
in every ftate are born to be enemies to and dif-
turbers of all order, without any other talent, any
other propenfity than that of doing mifchief. The
arts reftrain that fpirit of diflention, by fubjecting
man to flated and daily employments. They be-
ilow on every rank of life the means and the hopes
of enjoyment, and give even the meaneft a kind
of eftimation and importance by the advantage
that refults from them. A workman at forty has
been of more real value to the ftate than a whole
family of vaflfals who were employed in tillage un-
der the old feudal fyftem. An opulent manufac-
ture brings more benefit into a village than twenty
VOL. V. K k catties
49 g HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK caftles of ancient barons, whether hunters or war-
XIX. . r j
* nors, ever conferred on their province.
IF it be a fad, that in the prefent ftate of things
the people who are the moft induftrious, ought to-
be the moft happy and the moft powerful, either
becaufe, in wars that are unavoidable, they furnilb
of themfelves, or purchafe by their wealth, more
foldiers, more ammunition, more forces, both for
fea or land fervice > or that having a greater in-
tereft in maintaining peace, they avoid contefts> or
terminate them by negociation; or that, in cafe of
a defeat, they the more readily repair their lofles
by the effect of labour; or that they are blcfied
with a milder and more enlightened government,
notwithstanding the means of corruption and
flavery that tyranny is fupplied with by the effe-
minacy which luxury produces > in a word, if the
arts really civilize nations, a ftate ought to neglect
no -opportunity of making manufactures ffourifh.
THESE opportunities depend on the climate,
which, as Polybius fays, forms the character, com-
plexion, and manners of nations. The mofr tem-
perate climate muft necefiarily be the moft favour-
able to that kind of induftry, which requires lefs
exertion. If the climate be too hot, it is incon-
fiftent with the eftablifhment of manufactures,
which want the concurrence of feveral perfons to-
gether to carry on the fame work j and excludes
all thofe arts which employ furnaces, or ftrong
lights. If the climate prove too cold, it is not
proper for thofe arts which can only be carried
on in the open air. At too great or too fmall a
diftanee from the equator, man is unfit for feveral
labours,
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES,
labours, which feems peculiarly adapted to a mild B
temperature. In vain did Peter the Great fearch -
among the beft regulated ftates for all fuch arts
as were beft calculated to civilize his people:
during a period of fifty years* not one of thefe
principles of civilization has been able to flourifli
among the frozen regions of Ruffla. All artifts
are ftrangers in that land, and if they endeavour
to refide there, their talents and their works foon
die with them. When Lewis XIV. in his old age (as
if that were the time of life for feverity) perfecuted
the proteftantSj in vain did they introduce their
arts and trades among the people who received
themi they Were no longer able to work in the
fame manner as they had done in France. Though
they were equally active and laborious, the arts
they had introduced were loft or declined, from
not having the advantage of the fame climate and
heat to animate them.
To the favourable difpofitiori of climate, for the
encouragement of manufactures, ftiould be united
the advantage of the political fituation of the
ftate. When it is of fuch extent as to have no-
thing to fear or want in point of fecurity ; when
it is in the neighbourhood of the fea for the land-
ing of its materials, and the fale of its manufac-
tures j when it is fituated between powers that
have iron mines to employ its induftry, and others
that have mines of gold to reward it -, when it has
nations on each fide with ports and roads open on
every quarter] fuch a ftate will have all the ex-
ternal advantages neceflary to excite a people to
open a variety of manufactures.
K k a BUT
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
^ UT one ac * vanta 3 e ftiH more effentJal is fertility
of foil. If cultivation requires too many hands,
there will be a want of labourers, or the manu-
facturers will employ fo many hands, that there
will not be men enough to cultivate the fields; and
this mufboccafion a clearnefs of provifions, which,
while it raifes the price of workmanship, will alfo
diminifh -the number of trades.
WHERE fertility of foil is wanting, manufac-
tures require, at leaft, as few men to be employed
as pqiuble. A nation that Should expend much
on its mere fbbfiftence, would abforb the whole
profits of its induftry. When the gratifications
of -luxury are greater or more expensive' than the
means of Supplying them, the Iburce from which
they are derived is loft, and they can no longer be
Supported. If the workman will feed and clothe
himfelf like 'the manufacturer who employs him,
the manufacture is foon ruined. The decree of
iZ>
h. t rt-piiblicMii- nations adhere to from
rnonveiof virtue, the manufacturer ought to ob-
iirve from: views of parfimony. This may be the
Fedbn, perhaps, that the arts, even thofe of lux-
::r\r more adapted to republics than monar-
chies; .for; under monarchical inftitutions, poverty
is not always the fharpeft fpur with the people to
indul-ry. Libour, proceeding from hunger, is
narrow and confined, like the appetite it fprings
from ; but the work that arifes from ambition
fpreads and increafes as naturally as the vice it-
felf.
NATIONAL character has confiderable influence
over the progrefs of the arts relative to luxury and
4 ornament.
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 501
ornament. A particular people is fitted for in- B ,, v K
vention by thatlevity whichnaturally inclines them * ^
to novelty. The fame nation is fitted for the art:;,
by their vanity, which inclines them to the orna-
ment of drefs. Another nation lefs lively, has
lefs tafte for trivial matters, and is not fond of
changing fafhions. Being of a more ferious turn
thefe people are more inclined to indulge in ex / -
ceiTes of the table, and to drinking, which relieves
them from all anxiety and apprehenfion. Of thefe
nations, the one mutt fncceed better than its rival
in the arts of decoration, and muit have the pre-
ference over it among all the other nations which
are fond of the fame arts.
THE advantages which manufactures derive from
nature, are further feconded by the form of go*
vernment. While induftry is favourable to na-
tional liberty, that in return fhould affift induftry.
Exclufive privileges are enemies to commerce and
the arts, which are to be encouraged only by com-
petition. Even the rights of apprenticeship, and
the value fet on corporations, are a kind of mo-
nopoly. The ftate is prejudiced by that fort of
privilege, which favours incorporated trades ; that
is, petty communities are protected at the expence
of the greater body. By taking from the lower
clafs of the people the liberty of chufing the pro-
feffion that fuits them, every profeffion is filled
with bad workmen. Such as require greater ta-
lents are exercifed by thofe who are the moft
wealthy; the meaner, and lefs expenfive, fall often
to the (hare of men born to excel in fome fuperior
art. As" both are engaged in a profeffion for which
K k 3 they
5? HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
B j K they have no tafte, they neglect their work, and
^ ~v ' prejudice the art: the firft, becaufe they have nq
abilities j the latter, becaufe they are convinced
that their abilities are fuperior to it. But if we
remove the impediment of corporate bodies, we
lhall produce a rjvalfhip in the workmen, and con-
Fequently the work will increafe as well as be more
perfect.
IT may be a queftion, whether it be beneficial to
collect manufactures in large towns, or to difperfe
them over the country. This point is determined
by facts. The arts of primary neceflity have re-
mained where they were firft produced, in thofe
places which have furnifhed the materials for
them. Forges are in the neighbourhood of the
mine, and linen near the flax. JSut the complicated
arts of induftry and luxury cannot be carried on
in the country. If we difperfe over a large extent
of territory all the arts, which are combined in
watch and clock-making, we fhajl ruin Geneva
with all the works that fn'pport it. The perfection
of fluffs requires their being made in a town,
where fine dyes may at once be united with beau-
tiful patterns, and the art of working up woollens
and filks with that of making gold and filver lace.
If there are wanting eighteen hands to make a
pin, thrqugh how many manual arts, and artifi-
cers muft a laced coat, or an embroidered waifl>
coat, pafs? How (hall we be able to find amidftan
interior central province, the immenfe apparatus
of arts that contribute to the furnifhing of a pa-
lace, or the entertainments of a court. Thofe
arts, therefore, that are moil fnnple and connected
with
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
with others, mud be confined to the country; and
fuch clothes as are fit for the lower clafs of people
muft be made in the provinces. We muft efta-
blifti between the capital and the other towns a
reciprocal dependence of wants and conveniences,
of materials and works; but ftill nothing- muft
be done by authority or compulfion, workmen
muft be left to act for themfeives. Let there be
freedom of traffic, and freedom of induftry ; and
manufactures will profper, population will in-
creafe.
HAS the world been more peopled at one time
than another ? This is not to be afcertained from
hiftory, on account of the deficiency of hiftorians
in one half of the globe that has been inhabited,
.and becaufe one half of what is related by hifto-
rians is fabulous. Who has ever taken, or could
at any time take, an account of the inhabitants of
jhe earth ? She was, it is faid, more fruitful in
earlier times. But when was the period of this
golden age ? Was it when a dry fand arofe from
the bed of the fea, purged itfelf in the rays of
the fun i and caufed the (lime to produce vege-
tables, animals, and human creatures ? But the
*vhole furface of the earth muft alternately have
been covered by the ocean. The earth has then
always had, like the individuals of every fpecies,
an infant ftate, a ftate of weaknefs and fterility, be-
fore ihe had arrived at the age of fecundity. All
countries have been for a long time buried under
water, lying uncultivated beneath fands and mo-
rales, wild and overgrown with bulhes and fo-
refts, till the human fpecies, being thrown by ac^
K k 4 cident
o o
X!X.
$04 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK, cident on thefe deferts and folitudes, has cleared,
* v-1-^ altered, and peopled the land. But as all the
caufes of population are fubordinate to thofe na-
tural laws which govern the univerfe, as well as
to the influences of foil and atmofphere, which are
fubject to a number of calamities, it muft ever
have varied with thofe periods of nature that have
been either adverfe or favourable to the increafe of
mankind. However, as the lot of every Ipecies
feems in a manner to depend on its faculties, the
hiftory of the progrefs and improvement of hu-
man induftry muft therefore, in genera], fupply us
with the hiftory of the population of the earth.
On this ground of calculation, it is at leaft doubt-
ful, whether the world was formerly better inha-
bited and more peopled than it is at prefent.
LET us leave Afia under the veil of that anti-
quity which reports it to us ever covered with in-
numerable nations, and fwarms of people fo pro-
digious, that (notwithilanding the fertility of a
foil which flands in need but of one ray of the fun
to enable it to produce all forts of fruits) men did
but juft arife, and fucceed one another with the
utmoft rapidity, and were deftroyed either by
famine, peftilence, or war. Let us confider with
more attention the population of Europe, which
feems to have taken the place of Afia, by confer-*
ring upon art all the powers of nature,
IN order to determine whether our continent
was, in former ages, more inhabited than at pre-
fent, it is fufncient to examine, whether it was
* then more cultivated. Do any traces remain
among us of plantations that have been aban->
doned ?
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
doned ? What coaft is there where men could
land, what country that was accefiible, that is at
prefent without inhabitants ? If difcoveries are
made of the ruins of old towns, it is beneath the
foundations of cities as large as the former. But
though the population even of Italy and Spain '
Jhould be lefs than it was formerly, how much
are not the other ftates of Europe increafed in the
number of their inhabitants ? What were thofe
multitudes of people which Csefar reckoned up in
Gaul, but a fort of favage nations more formi-
dable in name than in number ? Were all thofe
Britons, who were fubdued in their ifland by two
Roman legions, much more numerous than the
Corficans at prefent ? Germany, indeed, as it
fhould feem, muft have been extremely well peo-
pled, as fhe alone brought into iubjedion, in the
compafs of two or three centuries, one half of the
fineft countries in Europe. But let us confider,
that thefe were the people of a territory ten times
as large, who porTefied themfelves of a country in-
habited at prefent by three or four nations only ;
and that it was not owing to the number of her
conquerors, but to the revolt of her fubjefts, that
the Roman empire was deflroyed and reduced to
fubjedtion. In this aftoniihing revolution, we
may readily admit that the victorious nations did
not amount to one twentieth, part of thofe that
were conquered -, becaufe the former made their
attacks with half their numbers of effective men,
and the latter employed no more than the hun-
dredth part of their effective inhabitants in their
defence. But a people, who engage entirely for
their
5 o6 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK their own defence and fupport, are more powerful
- \ J than ten armies raifed by kings and princes.
BESIDES, thole long and bloody wars, of which
ancient hiftory is full, are deftructive of that ex-
^ ceflive population they feem to prove. If on the
one hand the Romans endeavoured to fupply the
loffes their armies fuftained in confequence of the
victories they obtained, thatdefire of conquer! to
which they were devoted, deftroyed at leaft other
nations j for as foon as the Romans had fubdued
any people, they incorporated them into their own
armies, and exhaufted their ftrength, as much by
recruits, as by the tribute they impofed upon them.
It is well known with what rage wars were carried
on by the ancients : that often in a fiege, the
whole town was laid in afhes j men, women, and
children perifhed in the flames, rather than fall
under the dominion of the conqueror > that in af-
faults, every inhabitant was put to the fword $
that in regular engagements it was thought more
defirable to die, fword in hand, than to be led in
triumph, and be condemned to perpetual flavery.
Were not thefe barbarous cuftoms of war injurious
to population ? If, as we muft allow, fome un-
happy men were preferred to be the victims of
flavery, this was but of little fervice to the in-
creafe of mankind, as it eftablifhed in a ftafe an
extreme inequality of conditions among beings by
nature equal. If the divifion of focieties into fmali
colonies or ftates were adapted to multiply fami-
lies by the partition of lands ; it likewife more fre-
quently occafioned contefts among the nations ;
and as thefe fmall ftates touched one another, as
it
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES, 507
it were, in an infinite nymber O f points, in order B oe> K.
to defend them, eyery inhabitant was obliged to < v j
take up arms. Large bodies are not eafily put
into motion pn account of their bulk j fmall ones
are in a perpetual motion, which entirely deflroys
them.
IF war were deftructive of population in ancient
times, peace was not always able to promote and
re More it. Formerly all nations were ruled by de-
jfpotic or ariftocratic power^ and thefe two forms
of government are by no means favourable to the
jncreafe of the human fpecies. The free cities of
Greece were fubjed to laws fo complicated, that
there were continual diflentions among the citizens.
Even the inferior clafs of people, who had no
right of voting, obtained a fuperiority in the pub-
lic aflemblies, where a man of talents by the power
of eloquence was enabled to inflame the minds of
fo many perfons. Befides, in thefe flates popula-
tion tended to be confined to the city, in conjunc-
tion with ambition, power, riches, and in Ihort,
all the effects and fprings of liberty. Not but that
the lands under the democratical flates muft have
been well cultivated and well peopled. But the
Democracies were few j and as they were all am-
bitious, and could only aggrandize themfelves by
war, if we except Athens, whofe commerce, in-
deed, was alfo owing to the fuperiority of its
arms, the earth could not long flourifh, and in-
creafe in population. In a word, Greece and Italy
were at leaft the only countries better peopled
;han they are at prefent.
WHERE
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
WHERE indeed do we find fuch a degree of po-
pulation as bears any companion with what a tra-
veller meets with at this day on every fea coaft,
along all the great rivers, and on the roads to ca-
pital cities ; except in Greece, which repelled,
reftrafned, and fubdued Afia j in Carthage, which
appeared on the borders of Africa, and foon de-
clined to its former ftate ; and in Rome, which
brought into fubj eft-ion and deftroyed the known
world. What vaft forefts are turned to tillage ?
What harvefts are waving in the place of reeds that
covered marJriy grounds ? What numbers of civi-
lized people who fubfift on dried fifh, and faked
provifions ?
IN the police, in the morals, and in the politics
of the moderns we may difcern many caufes of
propagation that did not exift among the ancients :
but at the fame time we obferve likewife fome im-
pediments which may prevent or diminifli among
us that fort of progrefs, which, in our fpecies,
fliould be moft conducive to its being raifed to the
greateft degree of perfection. For population
will never be very confiderable, unlefs men are
more happy.
POPULATION depends in a great meafure on the
diftribution of landed property. Families are
multiplied in the fame manner as their pofTeffions,
and when they are too large, they are injurious to
population from their too great extent. A man of
confiderable property, working only for himfelf,
fets apart one half of his lands for his income,
and the other for his pleafures. All he appro-
priates to hunting is a double lofs in point of cul-
tivation,
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 509
tivation, for he breeds animals on the land that BOOK
fhould be appropriated to men, inftead of fubfift- ^-
ing men on the land which is appropriated to ani-
mals. Wood is necefiary in a country for repairs
and fewel: but is there any occafion for fo many
avenues in a park; or for parterres, and kitchen
gardens, offuch extent as belong to a large eftate?
In this cafe, does luxury, which in its magni-
ficence contributes to the fupport of the arts,
prove as favourable to the increafe of mankind,
as it might by employing the land to better pur-
pofes ? Too many large eftates, therefore, and too
few fmall ones; this is the firft impediment to po-
pulation.
THE next obftacle, is the unalienable domains
of the clergy: when fo much property remains for
ever in the fame hands, how fhall population flou-
rifh, when it entirely depends upon the improve-
ment of lands by the increafe of fhares among
different proprietors. What intereft has the in-
cumbent to increafe the value of an eftate he is
not to tranfmit to any fucceflbr, to fow or plant
for a pofterity not derived from himfelf? Far
from diminifiiing his income to improve his
lands, will he not rather impair the eftate, in
order to increafe the rents which he is to enjoy
only for life ?
THE entails of eftates in great families are not
lefs prejudicial to the propagation of mankind.
They leflfen at once both the nobility and the other
ranks of people. Juft as the right of primo-
geniture among the great, facrifices the younger
children to the intereft of the elder branch; en-
tails
5 , HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK tails deftroy feveral families for the fake of a fmgle
. xr y x ' . one. Almoft all entailed eftates are ill cultivated
on account of the negligence of a proprietor who
is not attached to a pofieffion he is not to difpofe
of, which has been ceded to him only with regret,-
and which is already given to his fuccefibrs, whom
he cannot confider as his heirs, becaufe they are'
not named by him. The right of primogeniture
and entail is then a law, one may fay, made on
purpofe to defeat the increafe of population in any
tote.
FROM the two firft obftacles to population pro-
duced by the defect of legiflation, there arifes a
third, which is the poverty of the people. "VVhere-
ever the fanners have not the property of the
ground-rent, their life is miferable, and their con-
dition precarious. Not being certain of their fub-
fiftence, which depends on their health, having
but frhall reliance on their ftrength, which is not;
at their own difpofal, and weary of their exiftence,
they are afraid of breeding a race of wretched be-
ings. It is an error to imagine that plenty of chil-
dren are produced in the country, when there die
as many, if not more, than are born every yean
The toil of the father, and the milk of the mo-
ther are loft to them, and their children} for they
will never attain to the flower of their age, or to'
that period of maturity^ which by its fervices will
recompence all the pains that have been beftowed
upon their education. With a fmall portion of
fand, the mother might bring up her child, and
cultivate her own little garden, while the father
by his labour abroad, might add to the conve-
niencies
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
niencies of his family. As he has no property and B
his gains are very fmall, they are iniufEcient for
the fupport of his family, who languifii in dif-
trefs, or the child periilies from the toils of the-
mother.
WHAT a variety of evils arife from a faulty or
defective legiflation? Vices and calamities are in-
finite in their effects, they mutually affift each
other in fpreading general deftruction, and arife
from one another, till they are both exhaufted.
The indigence of the country produces an increafe
of troops, a burthen ruinous in its nature, deftruc-
tivc of men in time of war, and of land in time of
peace. It is certain that the military are injurious
to agriculture, by their not aflifting in the culture
of the lands j becaufe every foldier deprives the
public of a labourer, and burthens it with an idle
or ufelefs confumer. He defends the country in
time of peace, merely from a pernicious fyflem,
which, under the pretext of defence, makes all na-
tions aggrefibrs. If all governments would, as
they eafily might, let thofe men, whom they de-
vote to the army, be employed in the labours of
hufbandry, the number of labourers and artifts
throughout Europe \vould in a ihort time be con-
fiderably increafed. All the powers of human in-
duflry would be exerted in improving the advan-
tages of nature, and in furmounting every obftacle
to improvement; every thing would concur in pro-
moting life, not in fpreading deftruction.
THE deferts of Ruflia would be cleared, and
the plains of Poland not laid wafte. The vail do-
minions of the Turks would be cultivated, and
. 6 the
5 i2 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK the blefiing of their prophet would be extended
* ^i-> over numberlefs people. Egypt, Syria, and Pa-
leftine would again become what they were in the
times of the Phenicians, in the days of their fhep-
herd kings, and of the Jews who enjoyed happi-
nefsand peace under their judges. The parched
mountains of Sierra Morena would be rendered
fertile, the heaths of Aquitania would be cleared
of infects and be covered with people.
BUT general good is merely the delufive dream
of benevolent men. This brings to my remem-
brance the virtuous prelate of Cambray, and the.
good Abbe of St. Pierre. Their works are com-
poled with a defign to make deferts inhabited,
not indeed with hermits, who fly from the vices
and misfortunes of the world, but with happy fa-
milies, who would proclaim the glory of God,
upon earth, as the ftars declare it in the firma-
ment. Their writings abound with focial views
and fentiments of humanity, and may be confi-
dered as truly infpiredj for humanity is the gift
of heaven. Kings will infure the attachment of
their people in proportion as they themfelves are
attached to fuch men.
IT is fcarcely neceflary to obferve that one of the
means to favour population is to fupprefs the ce-
libacy of the regular and fecular clergy. Monaftic
inftitutions have a reference to two seras remark-
able in the hiftory of the world. About the year
700 of Rome, Jefus Chrift was the founder of a
new religion in the eafti and the fubverfion of
Paganifm was loon attended with that of the Ro-
man empire itfelf. Two or three hundred years
after
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES* 513
after the death of Chrift, Egypt and Paleftirte BOOK
were filled with Monks. About the year 700 of v *-
the chriftian asra, Mohammed appeared, and efta-
blifhed a new religion in the eaft; and chriftianity
was transferred to Europe, where it fixed. Three
or four hundred years afterwards, there arofe mul-
titudes of religious orders. At the time of the
birth of Chrift, the books of David and thofe of
the Sybil foretold the deftruction of the world, a
deluge, or rather an univerfal conflagration, and
general judgment: and all people opprefied by
the dominion of the Romans, wifhed for and be-
lieved in a general difiblution. A thoufand years
after the chriftian sera, the books of David and
thofe of the Sybil ftill announced the laft judg-
ment: and feveral penitents, as ferocious and
wild in their extravagant piety as in their vices,
fold all their pofiefilons to go to conquer and die
tipon the tomb of their redeemer. The nations
groaning under the tyranny of the feudal govern-
ment wilhed for and ftill believed in the end of the
world.
WHILE one part of the chriftian world, ftruck
with terror, went to perilh in the Crufades, ano-
ther part were burying themfelves in cloyfters.
This was the origin of the monaftic life in Europe.
Opinion gave rife to monks, and it will be the
caufe of their deftruction. The eftates they pof-
fefled, they will leave behind them for the ufe and
increafe offociety: and all thofe hours, that are
loft in praying without devotion, will be dedicated
to their primitive intention, which is labour. The
clergy are to remember that, in the facred fcrip-
VOL. V* L 1 lures.
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
tureSj ^^ ^y s to man * n a ^- ate ^ innocence, In-
creafe and multiply: to man in a fallen Hate, Till
the earth, and work for thy fubfiftence. If the
duties of the priefthood feem yet to allow the
prieft to incumberhimfelf with the care of a fa-
mily and an eftate, the duties of fociety more
ftrongly forbid celibacy. If the monks in earlier
times cleared the defertsthey inhabited; they now
contribute to depopulate the towns where their
number is very great: if the clergy has fubfifted
on the alms of the people, they in their turn re-
duce the people to beggary. Among the idle
clafles of fociety, the moil prejudicial is that,
which, from its very principles, muft tend to pro-
mote a general fpirit of indolence among men;
make them wafte at the altar as well the work
of the bees, as the falary of the workmen; which
burns in day-time the candles that ought to be re-
ferved for the night, and makes men lofe in the
church that time they owe to the care of their fa-
milies; which engages men to afk of heaven the
fubfiftence that the ground only can give, or pro-
duce in return for their toil.
THERE is flill another caufe of the depopulation
of fome ftatesj which is, that want of toleration
which perfecutes and profcribes every religion but
that of the prince on the throne. This is a fpecies
of oppreflion and tyranny peculiar to modern po-
litics, to extend its influence even over mens
thoughts and confciences: a barbarous piety,
which, for the fake of exterior forms of worfhip,
extinguifties in fome degree the very idea of the
exigence of God, by deftroying multitudes of his
4 worfhippers ;
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
worfhippers: it is an impiety ftill more barbarous, B
that, on account of things To indifferent as religious
ceremonies muft appear, deftroys the life of man,
and impedes the population of ftates, which
fhould be confiderecl as points of the utmoft im-
portance. For neither the number nor the alle-
giance of fubjects is increafed by exacting oaths
contrary to confcience, by forcing into fecret per-
jury thofe who are engaged in the marriage ties,
or in the different profeflions of a citizen. Unity
in religion is proper only when it is naturally efta-
blifhed by conviction. When once that is at an
end, a general liberty, if granted, would be the
means of reftoring tranquillity and peace of mind.
When no diftinction is made, but this liberty is
fully and equally extended to every citizen, it can
never diflurb the peace of families.
NEXT to the celibacy of the clergy and of the
military, the former of which arifes from profef-
fion, the latter from cuftom, there is a third, de-
rived from convenience, and introduced by lux-
ury. I mean that of life annuitants. Here we
may admire the chain of caufes. At the fame time
that commerce favours population by the means of
induftry both by land and fea, by all the objects
and operations of navigation, and by the feveral
arts of cultivation and manufactures, it alfo de-
creafes it by reafon of all thofe vices which luxury
introduces. When riches have gained a fuperiority
over the minds of men, then opinions and man-
ners alter by the intermixture of ranks. The
arts and the talents of pleafing corrupt fociety,
while they polifh it. When the intercourfe be-
L 1 2 twecn
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
tween the fexes becomes frequent, they mutually
feduce each other, and the weaker are induced by
the ftronger to adopt the frivolous turn for drefs
and amufement. The women become cnDdiih and
the men effeminate. Entertainments are the fole
topic of their converfation, and the object of their
occupation. The manly and robuft exercifes, by
which the youth were trained up to difcipline, and
prepared for the moft important and dangerous
profeffions, give place to the love of public fhews,
where every paffion that can render a nation effe-
minate is caught, as long as there is no appearance
of a patriotic fpirit among them. Indolence be-
comes prevalent among that clafs of men who are
not obliged to labour, and among thofe that
fhould, lefs bufmefs is done. The variety of arts
multiplies fafliions, and thefe increafe our ex-
pences; articles of luxury become neceffary; what
is fuperfluous is looked upon as needful; and peo-
ple in general are better dreffed, but do not live
ib well; and purchafe cloaths at the expenceof the
neceffaries of life. Tiie lower clafs of men become
debauched before they are fenfible of the paffion
of love, and marrying later, have fewer or weaker
children: thetradefman feeks a fortune not a wife,
and his libertinifm deprives him of both. The
rich, whether married or not, are continually fe-
ducing women of every rank, or debauching girls
of low condition. The difficulty of fupporting
the charges of marriage, and the readinefs of find-
ing the joys of it without bearing any of its dif-
agreeable inconveniences, tends to increafe the
number
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 5 i 7
number of unmarried people in every clafs of life. BOOK.
The man, who renounces the hope of being the _ ^L_
father of a family, confumes his patrimony, and
in concert with the ftate, which increafes his in-
come, by borrowing money from him at a ruinous
intereft, he lavifhes upon one generation the fup-
port of many] he extingufhes his own pofterity
as well as that of the women by whom he is re-
warded, and that of the girls who are paid by
him. Every kind of proititution prevails at the
fame time. Honour and duty is forfeited in every
ranks the ruin of the women is but the forerunner
of that of the men.
THE nation that is inclined to gallantry, or ra-
ther to libertinifm, foon lofes its power and credit
in other countries, and is ruined at home. There
is no longer any nobility, no longer any body of
men to defend their own or the people's rights;
for every where divifion and felf-intereft prevails.
No one wifhes to be ruined alone. The love of
riches becomes the general object of attraction, the
honeft man is apprehenfive of lofing his fortune,
and the man of no honour is intent upon making
his: the one retires from the world, the other fets
himfelf up to fale, and thus the flate is loft. Such
is the conftant progrefs of commerce in a monar-
chical government. What its effects are in a re-
public we know from ancient hiftory. But ilill it is
neceflary at this period to excite men to commerce,
becaufe the prefent fituation of Europe is favour-
able to it, and commerce itfelf promotes popu-
lation.
BUT
8 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
OOK BUT it will be afked, whether a great degree of
- V .' -- population is of ufe to promote the happinefs of
mankind. This is an idle queftion. In fact, the
point is not to multiply men, in order to make
them happy j but it is fufficient to make them
happy, that they fhouid multiply. All the means
which concur in the profperity of any ftate, tend
of themfelves to the propagation of its people. A ,
legiflator defirous of an increafe of people merely
to have a greater number of foldiers, and of fub-
jects, only for the purpofe of fubduing his neigh-
bours, would be a monfter, and an enemy to the
human race, fince his plans of political increafe
would be folely directed to the deilruftion of
others. A legiflator, on the contrary, who, like
Solon, fhouid form a republic, whole multitudes
might people the defert coafts of the fea; or who,
like Penn, fhouid make laws for the cultivation
of his colony, and forbid war, fuch a legiflator
would undoubtedly be considered as a God on
earth. Even though his name mould not be im-
mortalized, he would live in happinefs, and die
contented, efpecially if he could be certain of
leaving behind him laws of fuch wifdom as to free
his people for ever from the vexation of taxes.
aw*. A TAX may be defined, a facrifice of a part
of a man's property for the prefervation of the
pther; from whence it follows, that there fhouid
not be any tax either among people in a flate of
flavery, or among favages: for the former no
longer enjoy any property, and the latter have not
yet acquired any,
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 519
BUT when a nation pofTefles any large and va- BOOK
iuable property, when its fortune is fufficiently '
eftablifhed, and is confiderable enough to make
the expences of government necefTary, when it has
pofTeffions, trade, and wealth capable of tempting
the avidity of its neighbours, who may be poor or
ambitious j then, in order to guard its frontiers,
or its provinces, to protect its navigation, and
keep up its police, there is a neceflity for forces
and for a revenue. It is but juft and requifite, that
the perfons who are employed in any manner for
the public good, fhould be maintained by all the
other orders of the fociety.
THERE have been countries and times, in which
a portion of the territory was afiigned for the
public expences of the ftate. The government
not being enabled of itfelf to turn fuch extenfive
poflefiions to advantage, was forced to entruft this
charge to adminiftrators, who either neglected the
revenues, or appropriated them to their own life.
This practice brought on ftill greater inconveni-
ences. Either the royal domains were too con-
ftderable in time of peace, or infufficient for the
calls of war. In the firft inftance, the liberty of
the ftate was opprefied by the ruler of it, and in
the latter, by ftrangers. It has, therefore, been
found necefTary to have recourie to the contribu-
tions of the citizens.
THESE funds were in early times not conlider-
able. The ftipends then allowed were merely an
indemnification to thofe whom public affairs pre-
vented from attending to thofe employments that
were necefiary for their fubfiftence. Their reward
L 1 4 arole
520 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK arofe from that pleafmg fenfation which we expe-
v ^J * rience from an internal confcioufnefs of our own
virtue, and from the view of the homage paid to
it by other men. This moral wealth was the greateft
treafure of rifmg focieties; a kind of coin which
it was equally the intereft of government and of
morality not to diminifli the value of.
HONOUR held the place of taxes no lefs in the
fiourifhing periods of Greece, than in the infant
ftate of focieties. The patriot, who ferved his
country, did not think he had any right to deftroy
it. The impoft, laid by Ariftides on all Greece,
for the fupport of the war againft Perfia, was fo
moderate, that thofe who were to contribute, of
themfelves, called it the happy fortune of Greece /
What times were thefe, and what a country, in
which taxes made the happinefs of the people!
THE Romans acquired power and empire almoft
without any afilftance from the public treafury.
The love of wealth would have diverted them
from the conqueft of the world. The public
fervice was attended to without any views of in-
tereft, even after their manners had been cor-
rupted.
UNDER the feudal government, there were no
taxes, for on what could they have been levied ?
The man and the land were both the property
of the Lord. It was both a real and a perfonal
fervitude.
WHEN knowledge began to nourifh in Europe,
the nations turned their thoughts towards their
own fecurity. They voluntarily furnifhed contri-
butions to reprefs foreign and domeftic enemies.
But
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 521
But thofe tributes were moderate, becaufe princes BOOK.
were not yet abfolute enough to divert them to the *
purpofes of their own capricious humours, or to the
advantage of their ambition.
THE Nc-* .- 1 I was difcovered, pnd thepafiion
for conqueft" engaged every nation. That fpirit
of aggrandizement was inconfiftent with the flow-
nefs with which affairs are managed in popular af-
femblies ; and fovereigns fucceeded without much
difficulty in appropriating to themfelves greater
rights than they had ever before enjoyed. The
impofition of taxes was the mod important of
their ufurpations, and it is that whofe confequences
have been the moft pernicious.
PRINCES have even ventured to render the marks
of fervitude apparent upon all their fubje&s, by
levying a poll-tax. Independent of the humili-
ation it is attended with, can any thing be more
arbitrary than fuch a tax.
Is the tax to be levied upon voluntary informa-
tion? But this would require between the monarch
and his fubjects an attachment to each other arifing
from a principle of duty, which (hould unite them
by a mutual love of the general good; or, at leaft,
a regard to the public welfare, to infpire the one
with confidence in the other, by a fmcere and re-
ciprocal communication of their intelligence, and
of their fentiments. Even then, upon what is this
confcientious principle to be founded, which is to
ferve as an inftructor, a guide, and a check in the
affairs of government ?
Is the fan&uary of families, or the clofet of the
citizen, to be invaded, in order to gain by fur-
2 prifc,
522 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK prife, and bring to light what he does not chufe
v ^ ',,> to reveal, what it is often of importance to him
not to difcover. What an inquifition is this !
What an injurious violence ! Though we fhould
even become acquainted with the revenues and
means of fubfiftence of every individual, do they
not vary from one year to another with the uncer-
tain and precarious productions of induflry ? Are
they not leffened by the incrcafe of children, by
the decay of ftrength through ficknefs, age, and
laborious occupations. The very faculties of the
human fpecies, which are ufeful and employed in
laborious occupations, do they not change with
thofe viciffitudes occafioned by time in every thing
that depends on nature and fortune ? The perfonal
tax is a vexation then to the individual, without
being a general benefit. A poll-tax is a fort of
flavery, opprefiive to the man, without being pro-
fitable to the ilate.
AFTER princes had impofed this tax, which is a
mark of defpotifm, or which leads to it fooner or
later, imports were then laid upon articles of conr-
fumption. Sovereigns have affected to confider
this new tribute as in fome meafure voluntary, be-
caufe it rifes in proportion to the expences of the
fubject, which he is at liberty to increafe or di^
minifh according to his abilities, or his propenfi-
ties, which are for the moil part factitious.
BUT if taxation ahTect the commodities which
are of immediate necefiity, it muft be confidered
as an act of the greateft cruelty. Previous to all
the laws of fociety, man had a right to fubfift.
And is he to ioie that right by the eftabiifliment
of
IN T THE EAST AND WEST INDIES,
of laws ? To fell the produce of the earth to the
people at a high price, is in reality to deprive them
of it : to wreft from them by a tax the natural
means of preferring life, is, in fact, to affect the
very principle of their exiftence. By extorting
the fubfiftence of the needy, the flate takes from
him his ftrength with his food. It reduces the
poor man to a ftate of beggary ; and the labouring
man to that of idlenefs j it makes the unfortunate
man become a rogue ; that is, it is the caufe of
bringing the man who is ready to ftarve to an un-
timely end, from the extreme diflrefs to which he
is reduced.
IF the imports affect commodities lefs necefiary,
how many hands, loft to tillage and the arts, are
employed, not in guarding the bulwarks of the
empire, but in crowding the kingdom with an in-
finite number of ufelefs barriers ; in embarrafling
the gates of towns j infefting the highways and
roads of commerce ; and fearching into cellars,
granaries, and ftorehoules ! What a ftate of war
between prince and people, between fubject and
fubject ! How many prifons, gallies, and gibbets
prepared for a number of unhappy perfons who
have been urged on to fraudulent practices, to
fmuggling, and even to piracy, by the iniquity of
the revenue laws !
THE avidity of fovereigns has extended itfelf
from the articles of confumption to thofe of traffic
carried on from one ftate to another. Infatiable
tyrants ! Will ye never be fenfible, that if ye lay
duties on what ye offer to the ftranger, he will buy
at a cheaper rate, he will give only the price
demanded
524 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK demanded by other ftates : if even your own fub-
y jects were the fole proprietors of that produce
you have taxed, they ftill would never be able to
make other nations fubmit to fuch exactions j for
in that cafe the demand would be for a lefs quan-
tity, and the overplus would oblige them to lower
the price, in order to find a fale for it.
THE duty on merchandife which one ftate re-
ceives irom another, is not lefs unreafonabie. The
price of the goods being regulated by the com-
petition of other countries, the duties will be paid
by the fubjects of that ftate which buys commo-
dities for its neighbours. Poflibly, the increafe in
the price of foreign produce may diminifli the
Confumption of it. But if a lefs quantity of mer-
chandife is fold to any country, a lefs quantity
will be purchafed of it. The profits of trade are
to be eftimated in proportion to the quantity of
merchandife fold and bought. Commerce is in
fact nothing more than an exchange of the value
of one commodity for that of another. It is not
pofiible then to oppofe the courfe of thefe ex-
changes, without lowering the value of the produc-
tions that are fold, by retraining the fale of them.
WHETHER therefore duties are laid on our own
or on foreign merchandife, the induftry of the fub-
jet will neceflarily fuffer by it. The means of
payment will be fewer, and there will be lefs raw
materials to work up. The greater diminution
there is in the annual produce, the greater alfo
will be the decreafe of labour. Then all the laws
that can be made againft beggars will be inef-
fedual,
IN THE EAST AND' WEST INDIES.
fe<5hjal, for man muft live on what is given him,
if he cannot live by what he earns.
BUT what then is the mode of taxation the moil
proper to conciliate the public intereft with the
rights of individuals ? It is the land-tax. An im-
poil is, with refpect to the perfon upon whom it
is charged, an annual expence. It can only,
therefore, be afTefTed on an annual revenue ; for
nothing but an annual revenue can difcharge an
annual expence. Now there never can be any an-
nual revenue, except that of the land. It is land
only which returns yearly what has been beftowed
upon it, with an additional profit that may be
difpofed of. It is but within thefe few years that
we have begun to be ienfible of this important
truth. Some men of abilities will one day be able
to demonftrate the evidence of it: and that go-
vernment which firft malges this the foundation of
its fyftem, will neceflarily be raifed to a degree of
profperity unknown to all nations and all ages.
PERHAPS, there is no Hate in Europe atprefent
whole fituation admits of fo great a change* The
taxes are every where fo heavy, the expences fa
multiplied, the wants fo urgent, the treafury of
the flate in general fo much indebted, that a fud-
den change in the mode of raifing the public re-
venues, would infallibly alter the confidence and
difturb the peace of the fubjecl. But an enlight-
ened and provident policy will tend by flow and
gradual fteps towards fo falutary an end. With
courage and prudence it will remove every ob-
ftacle that prejudice, ignorance, and private in-
tereft might have to oppofe to a fyftem of admi-
niftration,
526 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
B xix* K n ift rat i n J tne advantages of which appear to us
* v ' beyond all calculation.
IN order that nothing may leflen the benefits of
this happy innovation, it will be necefiary that all
lands without diflinction fhould be fubjected to
taxation. The public weal is a treafure in com-
mon, wherein every individual fhould depofit his
tribute, his fervice, and his abilities. Names and
titles will never change the nature of men and
their pofTeffions. It would be the utmoft meannefs
and folly to avail ourfelves of diftinctions received
from our anceftors, in order to withdraw ourfelves
from the burthens of fociety. Every mark of
diftinction that is not of general utility fhould be
confidered as injurious, it can only be equitable,
when it is founded on a fixed refolution of devoting
our lives and fortunes in a more particular man- .
ner to the fervice of our country.
IF in this age the tax were firft laid on the land,
would it not necefiarily be fuppofed that the con-
tribution fhould be proportioned to the extent
and value of the eftates ? Would any one dare to
allege his employments, his fervices, his digni-
ties, in order to fcreen himfelf from the tributes
exacted by the public weal ? What connection
have taxes with ranks, titles, and conditions ?
They relate only to the revenue : and this belongs
to the ftate, as loon as it becomes neceflary for the
public defence.
IT is not, however, fufficient that the impoft
be equally divided; it is further necefiary that it
be proportioned to the wants of government,
which are not always the fame. War hath ever
required
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
required in all countries and in every age more B
confiderable expences than peace. The antients
made a provifion for them by their ceconomy in
times of tranquility. Since the advantages of cir-
culation and the principles of induftry have been
better underflood, the method of laying up fpecie
for this purpofe has been profcribed; and that of
impofmg extraordinary taxes has been with reafon
preferred. Every flate that fhould prohibit them
would find itfelf obliged, in order to protract its-
fall, to have recourfe to the methods made ufe of
at Conftantinople. The Sultan, who can do every
thing but augment his revenues, is conftrained to
give up the empire to the extortions of his dele-
gates, that he may afterwards deprive them of
what they have plundered from his fubjects.
THAT taxes may not be exorbitant, they fhould
be ordered, regulated, and adminiftered by the re-
prefentatives of the people. The impoft has ever
depended on, and mud be proportioned to the pro-
perty polTeflcd. He that is not mafter of the pro-
duce is not mafter of the field. Tributes therefore
among all nations have always been firft impofed by
the proprietors only; whether the lands were divided
among the conquerors, or the clergy fhared them
with the nobles -, or whether they pafied, by means
of commerce and induftry, into the hands of the
generality of the citizens. Every where, thofe who
were in pofiefiion of the lands had referved to them-
felves the natural, unalienable, and facred right, of
not being taxed without their own confent. If we
do not admit this principle, there is no- longer any
monarchy^
8 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
OOK monarchy, or any nation; there is nothing remain-
-,-'__' ing but a defpotre mailer and a herd of flaves.
YE people, whofe kings command every thing
they pleafe, read over again the hiftory of your
own country. Ye will fee that your anceftors af-
fembled themfelves, and deliberated whenever a
fubfidy was in agitation. If this cuftom is neg-
ledted, the right is not loft; it is recorded in
heaven, which has given the earth to mankind to
poflefs : it is written on the field you have taken the
pains to inclofe, in order to fecure to yourfelves the
enjoyment of it : it is written in your hearts, where
the divinity has impreffed the love of liberty. Man
whofe head is raifed towards heaven, was not made
in the image of his creator to bow before man.
No man is greater than another, but by the choice
and confent of all. Ye courtiers, your greatnefs
arifes from your lands, and not from the power
and ftate of your matter. Be lefs ambitious, and
ye will be richer. Do juftice to your vaffals, and
ye will improve your fortunes by increafing the
general happmefs. What advantage can yepropofe
to yourfelves in eftablilhing a fyftem of defpotic
government upon the ruins of liberty, virtue, bene-
volence, and property ? Confider that ye will all fall
victims to this power. Around that formidable
Coloflus ye are no more than figures in bronze, re-
prefenting the nations chained at the feet of a ftatue.
IF the right of impeding taxes be in the prince
alone, though it may not be for his intereft to
burden and opprefs his people, yet they will be
burdened and oppreffed. The caprices, profu-
fions, and encroachments of the fovereign will no
longer
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
longer know any bounds when they meet with no
obftacles. A falfe and cruel fyftem of politics will
foon perfuade him, that rich fubjects will always
become infolent, that they miift be diftreffed, in
order to be reduced to fubjection, and that po-
verty is the firmeft rampart of the throne. He
will proceed fo far as to believe that every thing is
at his difpofal, that nothing belongs to his flaves >
and that he docs them a favour in every thing he
leaves them.
THE government will appropriate to itfelf all
the means and refources of induftry; and will lay
fuch reftraints on the exports and imports of every
article of trade, as will entirely abforb the profits
arifing from it. Commerce will be carried on by
the means and for the benefit of the treafury.
Cultivation will be neglected by mercenaries who
can have no hopes of acquiring property. The
nobility will ferve in the army only for pay. The
magiftrate will give judgment only for the fake of*
his fees and his falary. Merchants will hoard up
their fortunes in order to tranfport them out of a
land where there is no fpirit of patriotifm, nor any
fecurity left. The nation, then lofing all its im-
portance, will conceive an indifference for its
kings; will fee its enemies only in thofe who are
its matters; will be induced to hope that a change
of matter will tend to alleviate its fervitude; will
expect its deliverance from a revolution, and the
refloration of its tranquillity from an entire over-
throw of the ftate. Nothing need be added to
this reprefentation : let us now fpeak of a refource,
VOL. V. M m which
53 o HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK v/hkh fovereigns turn to the ruin of their people ;
,' that is, public credit.
Publics- IN general, what is called public credit, is only
dit< a delay allowed for .payment. Credit then fup-
pofes a double confidence j confidence in the per-
fon who is in want of it, and confidence in his abi-
lities to pay. The firft is the moil necefiary. It
is too common for a man in debt, who is deftitute
of honefly, to break his engagements, though he
is able to fulfil them ; and to diffipate his for-
tune by irregularity and extravagance. But the
fenfible and honed man may, by a variety of
fehemes well conducted, acquire or replace the
means that have failed him for a time.
THE chief end of commerce is confumption ;
but before the commodities have reached the places
where they were to be confumed, a confiderable
time often paflfes, and great expences mud be in-
curred. If the merchant is compelled to make his
purchafes with ready money, commerce will ne-
ceiTarily decline. The feller as well as the buyer
will be equally fufFerers by it. Thefe confidera-
tions have given rife to private credit among the
individuals of one foeiety, or even of feveral fo-
cieties. It differs from public credit in this parti-
cular, that the latter is the credit of a whole na-
tion confidered as forming one fmgle body.
BETWEEN public and private credit there is alfb
this difference, that profit is the end of the one,
and expence of the other. From hence it follows
that credit is gain with refpect to the merchant ;
becaufe it furnifhes him with the means of acqui-
ring riches; but with refpect to government it
is
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 531
is one caufe of impoverifhing them, fince it only BOOK
fupplies them with the means of ruining them- *
felves. A ilate that borrows, alienates a portion
of its revenue for a capital which it fpends. It is
then poorer after having thus borrowed, than it
was before it had recourfe to that deftructive ex-
pedient. Notwithftanding the fcarcity of gold and
filver, the governments in former ages were unac-
quainted with public credit, even in the periods
of the mod fatal and critical events. They
formed during peace a (lock that was referved
for times of diftrefs. The fpecie being by this
method circulated afrefh, excited induftry, and al-
leviated, in fome meafure, the inevitable calamities
of war. Since the difcovery of the -New world
has made gold and filver more comiYion,- thofe
who have had the adminiflration of public affiairs
have generally engaged in enterpriies above the
abilities of the people they governed; .and have
not fcrupjed to burthen pofterity with -debts they
had ventured to contract. That fyftem of op-
preflion has been continued ; it will affect the
lateft generations, and oppress all nations and all
ages.
THE ufe of public credit, though ruinous to eve-
ry ftate, is not equally fo to all. A nation that has
feveral valuable productions of its own* whole re-
venue is- entirely free; which has always fulfilled its
engagements; nor has 'been ambitions of ma^fng
conquefts; and which is not dependent upon a
foreign power for its government: fuch a nation
will raife money at an eafier rate, than a ftate
whofe foil is not fertile; whofe debts are confider-
M m 2 able,
532 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
o o
XIX.
BOOK able, and which engages in undertakings beyond
its ftrength ; which has deceived its creditors, and
groans beneath an arbitrary power. The lender,
who of courfe impofes the law, will always pro-
portion the terms to the rifques he muft run.
Thus, a people, whofe finances are in a ftate of
confufion, will foon fall into the utmoft diftrefs
by public credit : but even the bell regulated go-
vernment, will alfo experience a decline in its
profperity from it.
BUT fome political arithmeticians have afTerted
that it is advantageous to invite the fpecie of other
nations into that of your own country, and that
public funds produce that important effect. It is
certain, that it is a method of attracting the fpecie
of other nations; but merely, as if it were obtained
by the fale of one or more provinces of the empire.
Perhaps, it would be a more rational practice to
deliver up the foil to them, than to cultivate it
folely for their ufe.
BUT if the ftate borrowed only of its own fub-
jecls, the national revenue would not be given up
to foreigners. It certainly would not : but the
ftate would impoverifh fome of its members, in
order to enrich one individual. Muft not taxes be
increafed in proportion to the intereft that is to be
paid, and the capital that is to be replaced? Will
not the proprietors of lands, the hufbandmen and
every citizen find the burden greater, than if all
the money borrowed by the ftate had been de-
manded from them at once? Their fituation is the
fame, as if they themfelves had borrowed it, in-
itead of retrenching from their ordinary expences
as
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 533
as much as might enable them to fupply an acci- B ( K
dental charge. ^ '
BUT the paper-currency which is introduced by
the loans made to government, increafes the quan-
tity of wealth in circulation, gives a great exten-
fion to trade, and facilitates every commercial
operation. Infatuated men ! Reflect on the dan-
gerous confequences of your political fyftem. Ex-
tend it only as far as pofiible; let the Hate borrow
all it can; load it with intereft; and by thefe
means reduce it to the neceility of (training every
tax to the utmoft ; ye will foon find that with all
the wealth you may have in circulation, ye will
have no frelh fupply for the purpofes of confump-
tion and trade. Money and the paper which re-
prefents it, do not circulate of themfelves, nor
without the afliftance of other means. All the
different figns introduced in lieu of coin, acquire
a value only proportionate to the number of falcs
and purchafes that are made. Let all Europe, if
you pleafe, be filled with gold j if there is no mer-
chandife for traffic, that gold will have no cur-
rency. Increafe only the articles of commerce,
and be not concerned with regard to thefe repre-
fentations of wealth j mutual confidence and ne-
ceflity will foon occafion them to be eftablilhed
without your afliftance. But let your care be
principally directed in preventing their increafe
by fuch means as muft necefTarily diminifh the
mafs of your growing produce.
BUT the ufe of public credit enables one power
to give the law to others. Will mankind never
perceive that this relburce is in common to all na-
M m 3 tions?
534 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK tions? If it be a general mode bv which a ftate
VTV
__ y '_, may obtain a fuperiority over its enemies, may it
not be ierviceable to them for the lame purpofes ?
"Will not the credit of the two nations be in pro-
portion to their refpecYive wealth ; and will they
not be ruined without having any other advan-
tages over one another, than thofe they were in
poiTeffion of, independent of every loan ? When I
lee monarchs and empires furioufly attacking and
waging war againft each other with all their debts,
with their public funds, and their revenues already
deeply mortgaged, it feems to me, fays a philofo-
phical writer, as if I fawmen fighting with clubs
in a potter's Jhop furrounded with porcelain.
IT would, perhaps, be prefumptuous to affirm,
that in no circumftance whatfoever the public fer-
vice can ever require an alienation of part of the
public revenues. The fcenes that difturb the world
are fo various ; governments are expofed to fuch
extraordinary revolutions; the field of events is fo
extenfive; political intrigues occafion fuch ama-
zing changes in public affairs, that it is not within
the reach of human wifdom to forefee and calcu-
late every circumftance. But in this point, it is
the common practice of governments, which we
are difcufling, and not a particular fituation which
in ail probability may never prefent itfelf.
EVERY ftate which will not be diverted from
the ruinous courfe of loans by fuch confiderations
as we have juft been offering, will be the caufe of
its own deftruction. The facility of acquiring
large fums of money at once, will engage a go-
vernment in every kind of unreafonable, rafh, and
expenfive
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 5
cxpenfive undertaking; will make it mortgage its B o o
future expectations for prefent exigencies, and ^J
game with the prefent flock to acquire future
fupplies. One loan will bring on another, and
to accelerate the laft, the intereft will be more
and more raifed.
THIS irregularity will caufe the fruits of induf-
try to pafs into fome idle hands. The facility of
obtaining every enjoyment without labour, will
induce every perfon of fortune, as well as all vicious
and intriguing men, to refort to the capital; who
will bring with them a train of fervants, borrowed
from the plough; of young girls, deprived of their
innocence and of their rights of marriage ; of fub-
jectsof both fexes, devoted to luxury: all of them
the inflruments, the victims, the objects, or the
fport of indolence and voluptuoufnefs.
THE feducing attraction of public debts will
fpread more and more. When men can reap the
fruits of the earth without labour, every indivi-
dual will engage in that fpecies of employment
which is at once lucrative and eafy. Proprietors
of land and merchants will all turn annuitants.
Money is converted into paper currency eflablifhed
by the flate, becaufe it is more portable than
fpecie, lefs fubject to alteration from time, and
lefs liable to the injury of feafons, and the rapacity
of the farmers of the revenue. The preference
given to the reprefentative paper above the real
fpecie or commodity, will be injurious to agricul-
ture, trade, and induflry. As the (late always
expends what has been wrongfully acquired in an
improper manner, in proportion as its debts in-
M m 4 creafe,
5?6 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
B ?ix K crea f" e > tne taxes rnuft be raifed in order to pay
v y ' the intereft. Thus all the active and ufeful clafTes
of fociety are plundered and exhaufted by the idle
ufelefs clafs of annuitants. The increafe of taxes
raifes the price of commodities, and confequently
that of induftry. By thefe means, confumption
is leflened; becaufe exportation ceafes as foon as
merchandife is too dear to ftand the competition of
other nations. Land and manufactures are equally
affected.
THE inability the ftate then finds in itfelf to an*
fwer its engagements, forces it to extricate itfelf
by bankruptcy; a method the moft defrructive of
the freedom of the people, and of the power of
the fovereign. This fatal crifis of empires, by
which the fortunes of every individual are ruined,
will at length become necefifary; by which the
property of the creditor will be violently feized
upon, after every public fund has been abforbed
in ufurious intereft, and in edicts for loans } by
which the monarch, after having entered into the
rnoft folemn engagements, will be obliged tofub-
mit to the difgrace of breaking themj by which
the oaths of the prince and the rights of his fub-
jects are equally forfeited ; by which the fureft
bafis of aU government, public confidence, will be
irrecoverably loft. Such is the end of loans, from
whence we may judge of the principles on which
they are founded.
Fine a^ AFTER having examined the fprings and fup,
leu!'" P ort f every civilized fociety, let us take a view
of the ornaments and decorations of the political
edifice. Thefe are the fine arts, and polite lite-
rature,
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
rature. Two celebrated people raifed themfelves
by works of genius to a height of reputation
which they will ever enjoy, and which will always
reflect honour on the human fpecies.
CHRISTIANITY, after having demoliihed in Eu-
rope all the idols of Pagan antiquity, preierved
fome of the arts, to aflift the powers of perfuafion,
and to favour the preaching of the gofpel. But in
the place of a religion embellifhed with the gay
divinities of Greece and Rome, it erected monu-
ments of terror and gloominefs, fuited to the tragic
events which fignalized its birth and progrefs.
The Gothic ages have left us fome monuments, the
boldnefs and majefty of which ftill ftrike the eye
amidft the ruins of tafte and elegance. Every one
of their temples was built in the fhape of the crofs,
covered with a crofs, filled with crucifixes, deco-
rated with horrid and gloomy images, with fcaffolds,
tortures, martyrs, and executioners.
WHAT then was the progrefs of the arts, con-
demned as they were to terrify the imagination by
continual fpectacles of blood, death, and future
punifhments ? They became as hideous as the mo-
dels they were fprmed upon, barbarous as the
princes and pontiffs that encouraged them, mean
and bafe as thofe who worlhipped the productions
of them j they terrified children in their very cra-
dles; they aggravated the horrors of the grave by
an eternal perfpective of terrible fhadesj they
fpread melancholy over the whole face of the
earth.
AT length the period arrived for lefTening thofe
fcaffoldings of religion and focial policy. The fine
arts
53 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
B Six K arts returnec * w i tn literature from Greece into
v~j Italy by the Mediterranean, which maintained the
commerce between Afia and Europe. The Hunns,
under the name of Goths, had driven them from
Rome to Conftantinople ; and the very fame peo-
ple, under the name of Turks, expelled the
again from Conftantinople to Rome. That city,
deftined as'it was to rule by force or by ftratagem,
cultivated and revived the arts, which had bee
a long time buried in oblivion.
WALLS, columns, ftatues, vafes, were draw
forth from the dud of ages, and from the ruins o
Italy, to ferve as models of the fine arts at their
revival. The genius which prefides over defign
raifed three of the arts at once j I mean architec-
ture, fculpture, and painting. Architecture, in
which convenience itfelf regulated thofe propor-
tions of fymmetry that contribute to give pleafure
to the eye; fculpture, which flatters princes, and
-l-i* f/=rirr1 r\ nrrfaf m^n ir\r\ r-ninf-inrr iirKir-Ii
1,
I
is the reward of great men ; and painting, which
perpetuates the remembrance of noble actions, and
the examples of mutual tendernefs. Italy alone
had more fuperb cities, more magnificent edifices,
than all the reft of Europe. Rome, Florence, an
Venice gave rife to three fchools of original paint-
ers : fo much does genius depend upon the imagi-
nation, and imagination upon the climate. Had
Italy poflerTed the treafures of Mexico, and the
produce of Afia, how much more would the arts
have been enriched by the difcovery of the Eaft
and Weft Indies.
THAT country, of old fo fruitful in heroes, and
fmce in artifts, beheld literature, which is the
infeparable
;
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 539
infeparable companion of the arts, flourifli a fe- B . K
cond time. It had been overwhelmed by the bar- ^ v '
barifm of a latinity corrupted and disfigured by
religious enthufiafm. A mixture of Egyptian the-
ology, Grecian philofophy, and Hebrew poetry ;
fuch was the Latin language in the mouths of
Monks, who chanted all night, and taught by day
things and words they did not underiland.
THE mythology of the Romans revived in li-
terature the graces of antiquity. The ipirit of
imitation borrowed them at firft indifcriminately.
Cuftom introduced tafte in the choice of thole rich
treafures. The Italian genius, too fertile not to
invent, blended its enthufiafm and caprice with
the rules and examples of its old mailers, and
joined even the fictions of fairy land with thole
of fable. The works of imagination partook of
the manners of the age and of the national cha-
racler. Petrarch had drawn that cele/lial virgin,
beauty, which ferved as a model for the heroines
of chivalry. Armida was the emblem of the co-
quetry which reigned in her time in Italy. Ariofto
confounded every fpecies of poetry, in a work,
which may rather be called the labyrinth of poe-
try, than a regular poem. That author will ftand
alone in the hiitory of literature, like the enchanted
palaces of his own conftruftion in the defer ts.
LETTERS and arts, after eroding the fea, parTed
the Alps. In the fame manner as the Crufadcs had
brought the oriental romances into Italy, tiie wars
of Charles VIII. and Lewis XII. introduced into
France fome principles of good literature. Fran<-
cis I., if he had not been into Italy in order to
contend
540 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
contend for the Milanefe with Charles V. would
never, perhaps, have been ambitious of the title
of the Father of letters : but thefe feeds of know-
ledge and improvement in the arts were loft in the
religious wars. They were recovered again, if I
may be allowed the expreffion, in fcenes of war
and deftruction ; and the time came when they
were again to revive and flourifh. Italy was as
much diftinguifhed in the i6th century, as France
was in the fucceeding one, which by the victories
of Lewis XIV. or rather by the genius of the great
men that fiourifhed together under his reign, de-
ferves to make an epocha in the hiftory of the fine
arts.
IN France, all the powers of the human mind
were at once exerted in producing works of ge-
nius, as they had before been in Italy. Its powers
were difplayed in the marble, and on the canvas,
in public edifices and gardens, as well as in elo-
quence and poetry. Every thing was fubmitted
to its influence, not only the liberal arts which re-
quire manual labour, but thofe alfo which depend
folely on the mind. Every thing bore the ftamp
of genius. The colours difplayed in natural ob-
jects animated the works of imagination ; and the
human patfions enlivened the defigns of the pen-
cil. Man gave fpirit to matter, and body to fpi-
rit. But it deferves to be particularly obferved
that this happened at a time when a paflion for
glory animated the nation, great and powerful as
it was by its fituation, and the extent of its em-
pire. The fenfe of honour which raifed it in its
own eftimation, and which then diftinguifhed it in
the
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 541
the eyes of all Europe, was its foul, its inftinct, B ^ K
and fupplied the place of that liberty which had ' * *
formerly given rife to the arts of genius in the re-
publics of Greece and Rome, had revived them
in that of Florence, and compelled them to flou-
rifli on the bleak and cloudy borders of the
Thames.
WHAT would not genius have effected in France,
had it been under the influence of laws only, when
its exertions were fo great under the dominion of
the moft abfolute of kings? When we fee what
energy patriotifm has given to the Englifh, in fpite
of the inactivity of their climate, we may judge
what it might have produced among the French,
where a moft mild temperature of feafon leads a
people, naturally fenfible and lively, to invention
and enjoyment. We may conceive what its effects
would have been in a country, where, as in ancient
Greece, are to be found men of active and lively
genius, fitted for invention, from being warmed
by the moft powerful and enlivening rays of the
fun; where there are men ftrong and robuft in a
climate, in which even the cold excites to labour;
in which we meet with temperate provinces be-
tween north and fouth; fea-ports together with
navigable rivers; vaft plains abounding in corn;
hills loaded with vineyards and fruits of all forts ;
fait pits which may be increafed at pleafure; paf-
tures covered with horfes; mountains clothed with
the fineft woods; a country every where peopled
with laborious hands, which are the firft refources
for fubfiftence; the common materials for the arts,
and the fuper flumes of luxury; in a word, where
we
S4 2 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
B xix K> we meet w * r k ^ e commerce f Athens, the in-
^__ y __j. duftry of Corinth, the foldiery of Sparta, and the
flocks of Arcadia. With all thele advantages,-
which Greece once pofieifed, France might have
carried the fine arts to as great a height as that
parent of genius, had Ihe been fubject to the fame
laws, and given a fcope to the fame exercife of
reafon and liberty, by which great men, and the
rulers of powerful nations, are produced.
NEXT to the iuperiority of legiflation among
modern nations, to raife them to an equality with
the ancients in works of genius, there has, per-
haps, been wanting only an improvement in lan-
guage. The Italian, with tone, accent, and
numbers, is peculiary adapted to exprefs all the
images of poetry, and convey all the delightful
impreflions of mufic. Thefe two arts have con-
iecrated this language to the harmony of found, it
being the moil proper to exprefs it.
THE French language holds the fuperiority in
profe; if it is not the language of the Gods, it
is, at leaft, that of reafon and truth. Profe is
peculiarly adapted to convince the underftanding
in philoibphical refearches. It enlightens the mind
of thofe whom nature has bleffed with fuperior
talents, who feem placed between princes and their
fubjefts to inftruft and direcl: mankind. At a pe-
riod when liberty has no longer her tribunes, nor
amphitheatres, to excite commotions in vaft af-
femblies of the people, a language which fpreads
itfelf in books^ which is read in all countries, which
ferves as the common interpreter of all other lan-
guages, and as the vehicle of all forts of ideas; a
language
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 543
language ennobled, refined, foftened, and above
all, fixed by the genius of writers, and the polifh
of courts, becomes at length univerfally pre-
vailing.
r ^E Englifh language has likewife had its poets
and its profe- writers, that have gained it the cha-
racter of energy and boldnefs, fufficient to render
it i-nmorral. May it be learned among all nations
that afpire not to be flaves ! They will dare to
think, aft, and govern themfelves. It is not the
language of words, but of ideas j and the Eng-
lifh have none but fuch as are ftrong and forcible;
they are the firft who ever made ufe of the ex-
preiiion, the majefty of the pea-pie, and that alone
is fufficient to confecrate a language.
THE Spaniards have hitherto properly had neither
profe nor verfe, though they have a language
formed to excel in both. Brilliant and fonorous
as pure gold, its pronunciation is grave and regular
like the dances of that nation; it is grand and
decent like the manners of ancient chivalry. This
language may claim fome diftinction, and even
acquire a fuperior degree of perfection, whenever
there mall be found in it many fuch writers as
Cervantes and Mariana. When its academy fhall
have put to filence the inquifition and its univer-
fities, that language will raife itfelf to great ideas,
and to fublime truths, to which it is invited by the
natural pride of the people who fpeak it.
PRIOR to all other living languages is the Ger-
man, that mother tongue, that original native lan-
guage of Europe. From thence the Englifh and
French too have been formed, by the mixture
I of
5 H HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK of the German with the Latin. However, as it
w v > feems little calculated to pleafe the eye, or to be
pronounced by delicate organs, it has been fpoken
only by the people, and has been introduced but
of late into books. The few writers that have ap-
peared in it feemed to fhew that it belonged to a
country where the fine arts, poetry, and eloquence
were not deflined to flourilh. But on a fudden,
genius has exerted her powers, and originals, in
more than one fpecies of poetry, have appeared
in pretty confiderable numbers, fufficient to enter
into competition with other nations.
LANGUAGES could not be cultivated and refined
to a certain degree, but the arts of every kind
muft at the fame time acquire an equal degree of
perfection ; and indeed the monuments of thefe
arts have fo much increafed throughout Europe,
that the barbarifm of fucceeding people and of
future ages will find it difficult entirely to deftroy
them.
BUT as commotions and revolutions are fo na-
tural to mankind, there is only wanting fome
glowing genius, fome enthufiaft, to let the world
again in flames. The people of the eaft, or of the
north, are ftill ready to enflave and plunge all Eu-
rope into its former darknefs. Would not an ir-
ruption of Tartars or Africans into Italy, be fuffi-
cient to overturn churches, and palaces, to con*
found in one general ruin the idols of religion, and
the matter-pieces of art ? And as we are fo much
attached to thefe works of luxury, we Ihould have
the lefs fpirit to defend them. A city, which it
has coft two centuries to decorate, is burnt and
2 ravaged
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 545
avaged in a fingle day. Perhaps, with one ftroke BOOK.
of his axe, a Tartar may daih in pieces the ftatue * ^^- 1
of Voltaire, that Pigaile could not finifh within the
compafs of ten years -, and we flill labour for im-
mortality; vain atoms that we are. Ye nations,
whether artifans or foldiers, what are ye in the
hands of nature, but the fport of her laws, deftined
by turns to fet dun: in motion, and to reduce the
work again to dufl.
BUT it is by means of the arts that man enjoys
his exiftence, and furvives himfelf. Ages of ig-
norance never emerge from their oblivion. There
remains no more trace of them after their exift-
ence, than before they began to exift. There is no
poffibility of indicating the place or time of their
pafifage, nor can we mark on the ground belonging
to a barbarous people, it is here they lived-, for
they leave not even ruins to lead us to colled that
they have ever exifted. It is invention alone that
gives man power over matter and time. The ge-
nius of Homer has rendered the Greek characters
indelible. Harmony and reafon have placed the
eloquence of Cicero above the facred orators. The
pontiffs themfelves, polifhed and enlightened by
the information and attractive influence of the arts,
by being admirers and protectors of them, have
afiifted the human mind to break the chains of fu-
perftition. Commerce has haftened the progrefs
of art by means of the luxury which wealth has
diffufed. All the efforts of the mind and the ex-
ertions of manual labour have been united to
improve and render more perfect the condition of
the human fpecies. Induftry and invention, to-
VOL. V. N n gether
546 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
B xix K etn er with the enjoyments procured by the netf
* v * world, have penetrated as far as the polar circle,
and the fine arts are attempting to rife fuperior to
the obftacles of nature even at Peterfburgh.
Phiiofophy. To the train of letters and fine arts philofophy
is annexed, which one would imagine ought rather
to direct them : but appearing later than they did
can only be confidered as their attendant. Arts
arife from the very neceffities of mankind in the
earlieft ftate of the human mind. Letters are the
flowers of its youth: children of the imagination,
being themfelves fond of ornament, they decorate
every thing they approach: and this turn for em-
bell ilhment produces what are properly called the
fine arts or the arts of luxury and elegance, which
give the polifh to the primary arts of necefllty.
It is then we fee the winged genii of fculpturc
fluttering over the porticos of architecture ; and
the genii of painting entering palaces, reprefenting
the heavens upon a ceiling, fketching out upon
wool and filk all the animated fcenes of rural life,
and tracing to the mind upon canvas the ufeful
truths of hiftory as well as the agreeable chimosras
of fable.
WHEN the mind has been employed on the
pleafures of the imagination and of the fenfes, when
governments have arrived to a degree of maturity,
reafon arifes and beftows on the nations a certain
turn for reflection ; this is the age of philofophy.
She advances with gradual fteps and proceeds fi-
lently along, announcing the decline of empires
which fhe attempts in vain to fupport. She clofed
the latter ages of the celebrated republics of Greece
and
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
and Rome. Athens had no philofophers till the
eve of her ruin, which they Teemed to foretell:
Cicero and Lucretius did not compofe their wri-
tings on the nature of the gods, and the fyftem
of the world* till the confufion of the civil wars
arofe, and haflened the deftruclion of liberty.
THALES, Anaximander, Anaximenes, Anax-
agoras, had however laid the foundations of natural
philofophy in the theories of the elements of mat-
ter; but the rage of forming fyflems fucceffively
fubverted thefe feveral principles. Socrates then
appeared, who brought back philofophy to the
principles of true wifdom and virtue: it was that
alone he loved, practiced, and taught; perfuaded
that morality and not fcience was conducive to the
happinefs of man. Plato, his difciple, though a
natural philofopher, and inftruled in the myfleries
of nature by his travels into Egypt, afcribed every
thing to the foul, and fcarce any thing to nature^
he confounded philofophy with theological fpecu-
lations, and the knowledge of the univerfe with
the ideas of the divinity. Ariftotle, the difciple
of Plato, turned his inquiries lefs on the nature
of the deity, than on that of man, and of animals.
His natural hiftory has been tranfmitted to pofte-
rity, though his fyftem was little adopted by the
people of his age. Epicurus, who lived nearly
about the fame period, revived the atoms of De-
mocritus, a fyftem, which doubtlefs balanced that
of the four elements of Ariftotle, and as thefe
were the two prevailing fyftems at that time, no
improvements were made in natural philofophy.
The moral philofophers engaged the attention of
N n 2 the
548 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
o o
XIX.
the people, who underflood their fyftem better than
that of the natural philofopher. They eftabliihed
fchoolsj for as foon as opinions gain a degree
of reputation, parties are immediately formed
to fupport them.
IN thefe circumftances, Greece agitated by in-
terior commotions, after having been torn with an
inteftine war, was fubje&ed by Macedon, and
its government diffolved by Rome. Then public
calamities turned the hearts and imderftandings of
men to morality. Zeno and Democritus, who had
been only natural philofophers, became, a confi-
derable time after their death, the heads' of two
feels of moral philofophers, more addicted to the-
ology than phyfics, rather cafuifts than philofo-
phers; or it might rather be affirmed, that phi-
lofophy was given up and confined entirely to the
fophifts. The Romans, who had borrowed every
thing from the Greeks, made no difcoveries in the
true fyftem of philofophy. Among the ancients
it made little progrefs; becaufe it was entirely
confined to morality: among the moderns its firft
fleps have been more fortunate, becaufe they have
been guided by the light of natural knowledge.
WE muft not reckon the interval of near a thou-
fand years, during which period philofophy,
fcience, arts and letters, were buried in the ruins
of the Roman empire, among the afhes of Italy,
and the duft of the cloyfters. In Afia their mo-
numents were ftill preferved though not attended
to, and in Europe fome fragments of them re-
mained which Ihe did not know. The world
was divided into Chriftian and Mohammedan, and
every
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 549
every where covered with the blood of nations: BOOK
ignorance alone triumphed under the ftandard of ^-
the crofs or the crefcent. Before thefe dreaded
figns, every knee was bent, every fpirit trembled.
Philofophy continued in a (late of infancy, pro-
nouncing only the names of God and of the foul:
her attention was folely engaged on matters of
which fhe fhould for ever remain ignorant.
Time, argument, and all her application was wafted
on queftions that were, at leaft, idle; queftions,
for the moft part, void of fenfe, not to be de-
fined, and not to be determined from the nature of
their object ; and which, therefore, proved an
eternal fource of difputes, fchifms, feels, hatred,
perfecution, and national as well as religious
wars.
IN the mean time, the Arabs, after their con-
quefts, carried away, as it were in triumph, the
fpoils of genius and philofophy. Ariftotle fell into
their hands, preferved from the ruins of ancient
Greece, Thefe deftroyers of empires had fome
fciences of which they had been the inventors;
among which arithmetic is to be numbered. By
the knowledge of aftronomy and geometry they
difcovered the coafts of Africa which they laid
wafle and peopled again; and they were always
great proficients in medicine. That fcience
which has, perhaps, no greater recommendation
in its favour, than its affinity with chymiflry and
natural knowledge, rendered them as celebrated
as aftrology, which is another fupport of empirical
impofition. Avicenna and Averroes, who were
equally {killed in phyfic, mathematics, and philo-
N n 3 fophy
550 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
13 c o K fophy, preferved the tradition of true fcience by
.v -Y-l tranflations and commentaries. But let us ima-
gine what muft become of Ariftotle, tranflated
from Greek into Arabic, and after that, from
Arabic into Latin, under the hands of monks,
who wanted to adapt the philofophy of paganifm
to the fyflems of Moles and Chrift. This confu-
fion of opinions, ideas, and language, Hopped for a
confiderable time the progrefs of fcience, and the
reducing of it into a regular fyftem. The divine
overturned the materials brought by thephilofo-
pher, who. fapped the very foundations laid by his
rival. However, with a few flones from one, and
much fand from the other, fome wretched archi-
tects railed a flrange Gothic monument, called
the philofophy of the fchools. Continually
amended, renewed, and fupported from age to
age, by Irifh or Spanim metaphyficians, it main-
tained itfelf till about the time of the difcovery of
the New world, which was deftined to change the
face of the Old one.
LIGHT -fprang from the midft of darknefs. An
Englifh monk applied himfelf to the practice of
chymiftry, and paving the way for the invention
of gun-powder, which was to bring America into
fubjection to Europe, opened the avenues of true
fcience by experimental philofophy. Thus philo-
fophy iflfued out of the cloyfler, where ignorance
remained. When Boccacio had expofed the de-
bauched lives of the regular and fecular clergy,
Galileo ventured to form conjectures upon the fi-
gure of the earth. Superftition was alarmed at
it, and its clamours as well as its menaces were
heard :
TN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 55 i
heard: but philofophy tore off the mafk from the BOOK
monfter, and rent the veil under which truth had *
been hidden. The weaknefs and falfchood of popular
opinions was perceived, on which fociety was then
founded j but in order to put an effectual flop to
error, it was necefiary to be acquainted with the
laws of nature, and the caufes of her various phce-
nomena : and that was the objed philofophy had
in view.
As foon as Copernicus was dead, after he had,
by the power of reafon, conjectured that the fun
was in the center of our world, Galileo arofe, and
confirmed by the invention of the telefcope the
true fyftem of aftronomy, which either had been
unknown, or lay in oblivion ever fince Pythagoras
had conceived it. While Gaflendi was reviving
the elements of antient philofophy, or the atoms
of Epicurus, Defcartes imagined and combined
the elements of a new philofophy, or his ingeni-
ous and fubtile vortexes. Almoft about the fame
time, Toricelli invented, at Florence, the ba-
rometer, to determine the weight of the air;
Pafcal meafured the height of the mountains] of
Auvergne, and Boyle in England verified and
confirmed the various experiments of both.
DESCARTES had taught the art of doubting, in
order to undeceive the mind previous to inflruc-
tion. The method of doubting propofed by him
was the grand inflrumentof fcience, and themoft
fignal fervice that could be rendered to the human
mind under the darkneis which furrounded it, and
the chains which fettered it. Bayle, by applying
that method to opinions the beft authorifed by the
N n 4 fandlion
552 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK fanction of time and power, has made us fenfible
w of its importance.
CHANCELLOR Bacon, a philofopher, butunfuc-
cefsful at court, as friar Bacon had been in the
cloyfter, like him the harbinger rather than the
eftablifher of the new philofophy, had protefted
equally againft the prejudice of the fenfes and the
fchools, as againft thofe phantoms he ftyled the
idols of the underftanding. He had foretold
truths he could not difcover. In conformity to the
i refult of his reafoning, which might be confidered
as oracular, while experimental philolbphy was
difcovering facts, rational philofophy was in fearch
of caufes. Both .contributed to the ftudy of ma-
thematics, which were to guide the efforts of the
mindj and infure their fuc.cefs. It was, in fact, the
fcience of algebra applied to geometry, and the
application of geometry to natural philofophy,
which made Newton conjecture the true fyftem of
the world. Upon taking a view of the heavens,
he perceived in the fall of bodies to the earth, and
in the motions of the heavenly bodies, a certain
analogy which implied an univerfal principle, dif-
fering from impulfion, the only vifible caufe of
all their movements. From the ftudy of aftro-
nomy he next applied himfelf to that of optics,
and this led him to conjecture the origin of light;
and the experiments which he made in confequence
of this inquiry, reduced it into a fyftem.
AT the time when Defcartes died, Newton and
Leibnitz were but juft born, who were to finifh,
correct, and bring to perfection what he had be-
gun; that is to fay, the eftablifhing of found phi-
4 lofophy.
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 553
lofophy. Thefe two men alone greatly contributed BOOK
to its quick and rapid progrefs. One carried the i - v '
knowledge of God and the foul as far as reafon
could lead it; and the unfuccefsfulnefs of his at-
tempts undeceived the human mind for ever with
refpect to fuch falfe fyltems of metaphyfics. The
other extended the principles of natural philofophy
and the mathematics much further than the genius
of many ages had been able to carry them, and
pointed out the road to truth. At the fame time
Locke attacked fcientific prejudices even into the
intrenchments of the fchools : he diffipated all thofe
phantoms of the imagination, which Malebranche
fuffered to fpring up again, after he had pointed
out their abfurdity, becaufe he did not attack the
foundation on which they were fupported.
BUT we are not to fuppofe that philofophers
alone have difcovered and imagined every thing.
It is the courfe of events which has given a certain
tendency to the actions and thoughts of mankind.
A complication of natural or moral caufes, a gra-
dual improvement in politics, joined to the progrefs
of ftudy and of the fciences, a combination of
circumftances which it was as impofTibJe to haften
as to forefee, muft have contributed to the revo-
lution that has prevailed in the understandings of
men. Among nations as among individuals, the
body and foul act and re-act alternately upon each
other. Popular opinions infect even philofophers,
and philofophers are guides to the people. Galileo
had afierted, that as the earth turned round the
fun, there muft be antipodes; and Drake proved
the fact, by a voyage round the world. The
church
554 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK church ftyled itfclf univerfal, and the Pope called
iyj^ himfelf matter of the earth: and yet more than
two-thirds of its inhabitants did not fo much as
know there was any catholic religion, and parti-
cularly that there was a pope, Europeans, who
have travelled and trafficked every where, taught
Europe that one portion of the globe adopted the
vifionary opinions of Mohammed, and a frill larger
one lived in the darknefs of idolatry, or in the
total ignorance and unenlightened ftate of atheifm.
Thus philofophy extended the empire of human
knowledge, by the difcovery of the errors of fu-
perflition, and of the truths of nature.
ITALY, whofe impatient geniuspenetrated through
the obftacles that furrounded it, was the firft that
founded an academy of natural philofophy. France
and England, who were to aggrandize themfelves
even by their competition, raifed at one time two
everlafting monuments to the improvement of phi-
lofophy: two academies from whence all the learn-
ed of Europe draw their information, and in which
they depofit all their (tores of knowledge. From
hence have been brought to light a great number
of the myfterious points in nature j experiments,
phcenomena, difcoveries in the arts andfciences,the
fecrets of electricity, and the caufes of the Au-
rora Borealis. Hence have proceeded the inftru-
ments and means of purifying air on board of
fhips, for making fea-water fit to be drank ; for
determining the figure of the earth, and afcer-
taining the longitudes; for improving agriculture,
and for producing more grain with lefs feed and
Icfs labour.
ARISTOTL*
I\ T THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 5
ARISTOTLE had reigned ten centuries in all the B o o
fchools of Europe; and the chriftians, after lofmg v__^
the guidance of reafon, were able to recover it
again only by following his example. Their im-
plicit attachment to that philofopher had for a
confiderable time caufed them to err, in blindly
following him through the darknefs of theology.
But at length Defcartes pointed out the way, and
Newton fupplied the power of extricating them out
of that labyrinth. Doubt had difiipated preju-
dices, and the method of analyfis had found out
the truth. After the two Bacons, Galileo and
Defcartes, Locke and Bayle, Leibnitz and New-
ton, after the memoirs of the academies of Flo-
rence and Leipfic, of Paris and London, there
ftill remained a great work to be compofed, in
order to perpetuate the fciences and philofophy.
This work has now appeared.
THIS book, which contains all the errors and
all the truths that have ilTued from the human
mind from the doctrines of theology to the fpecu-
lations on infects i which contains an account of
every work of the hands of men from a fhip to a
pin ; this repofitory of the intelligence of all na-
tions will, in future ages, characterife that of
philofophy, which after fo many advantages pro-
cured to mankind ought to be confidered as a di-
vinity on earth. It is fhe who unites, enlightens,
aids, and comforts mankind. She bellows every
thing upon them, without exacting any worfhip.
in return. She requires of them, not thefacrifice
of their pafiions, but a reafonable, ufeful, and mo-
derate exercife of all their faculties. Daughter
of
556 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
of nature, difpenfer of her gifts, interpreter of
her rights, fhe confecrates her intelligence and her
labour to the ufe of man. She renders him bet-
ter, that he may be happier. She detefts only
tyranny and impoiture, becaufe they opprefs man-
kind. She docs not defire to rule, but fhe exacls
of fuch as govern, to confider public happinefs as
the only fource of their enjoyiment. She avoids
contefls, and the name of fects, but Ihe tolerates
them all. The blind and the wicked calumniate
her; the former are afraid of perceiving their er-
rors; and the latter of having them detected. Un-
grateful children, who rebel againft a tender mo-
ther, when fhe wilhes to free them from their er-
rors and vices, which occafion the calamities of
mankind !
LIGHT, however, fpreads infenfibly over a more
extenfive horizon. Literature has formed a kind
of empire which prepares the way for making
Europe be confidered as one fmgle republican
power. In truth, if philofophy is ever enabled to
infmuate itfelf into the minds of fovereigns or their
minifters, the fyftem of politics will be improved,
and rendered fimple. Humanity will be more
regarded in all plans; the public, good will
enter into negociations, not merely as an ex-
preffion, but as an objeft of utility even to kings.
PRINTING has already made fuch a progrefs
that it can never be put a Hop to in any ftate with-
out lowering -the people in order to advance the
authority of government. Books enlighten the
body of the people, humanife the great, are the
delight of the leifure hours of the rich, and in-
form
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
form all the claffes of fociety. The fcierices bring
to perfection the different branches of political ceco-
nomy. Even the errors of fyftematical perfons are
difpelled by the productions of the prefs, becaufe
reafoning and difcuffion try them by the teft of
truth.
AN intercourfe of knowledge is become necef-
fary for induftry, and literature alone maintains
that communication. The reading of a voyage
round the world has, perhaps, occafioned more
attempts of that kind ; for intereft alone cannot
find the means of enterprife. At prefent nothing
can be cultivated without fome ftudy, or without
the knowledge that has been handed down and
diffufed by reading. Princes themfelves have not
recovered their rights from the ufurpations of the
clergy, but by the afiiftance of that knowledge
which has undeceived the people with refpecl; to
the abufes of all fpiritual power.
BUT it would be the greateft folly of the human
mind to have employed all its powers to increafe
the authority of kings, and to break the feveral
chains that held it in fubjection, in order to be-
come the (lave of defpotifm. The fame courage
that religion infpires to withdraw confcience from
the tyranny exercifed over opinion, the honed
man, the citizen, and friend of the people ought
to maintain, to free the nations from the tyranny of
fuch powers as confpire againft the liberty of man-
kind. Unhappy is ' that Mate in which there is
not to be found one fingle defender of the public
rights of the nation. The kingdom, with all its
riches, its trade, its nobles, and its citizens, muft
foon
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
foon fall into unavoidable anarchy. It is the laws
that are to fave a nation from deftru&ion, and the
freedom of writing is to fupport and prefent laws.
But what is the foundation and bulwark of the
laws ? It is morality.
Morals THERE are whole libraries of morality. What
a number of ufelefs and even pernicious books !
They are, in general, the work of priefls and
their difciples, who not chufmg to fee that reli-
gion fhould confider men only in the relations they
Hand in to the divinity, it became neceffkry to
look for another ground for the relations they
bear to one another. If there is an tiniverfal
fyftem of morality, it cannot be the effe6r, of a
particular caufe. It has been the fame in pafl
ages, and it will continue the fame in future
times : it cannot then be grounded on religious
opinions, which, ever fince the beginning of the
world, and from one pole to the other, have con-
tinually varied. Greece had vicious deities, the
Romans had them likewife : the fenfelefs wor-
fhipper of the Fetiche adores rather a devil than a
god. Every people made gods for themfelves,
and gave them fuch attributes as they pleafed :
to fome they afcribed goodnefs, to others cruelty,
to fome immorality, to others the greateft fanctity
and feverity of manners. One would imagine that
every nation intended to deify its own paffions
and opinions. Notwithftanding that diverfity in
religious fyftems and modes of worfhip, all na-
tions have perceived that men ought to be juft :
they have all honoured as virtues, goodnefs, pity,
friendlhip, fidelity, paternal tendernefs, filial rc-
fped,
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 559
fpect, fmcerity, gratitude, patriotifm ; in fhort, all B K.
thofe fentiments that can be confidered as fo many > >-r *
ties adapted to unite men more clofely to one
another. The origin of that uniformity of judg-
ment fo conftant, fo general, ought not then to be
looked for in the midft of contradictory and fluc-
tuating opinions. If the minifters of religion have
appeared to think otherwife, it is becaufe by their
fyftem they were enabled to regulate all the actions
of mankind ; to difpofe of their fortunes ; and
command their wills ; and to fecure to thern-
felves, in the name of Heaven, the arbitrary go-
vernment of the world. The veil is now removed.
AT the tribunal of philofophy and reafon, mo-
rality is a fcience whofe object is the prefer vation
and common happinefs of the human fpecies. To
this double end all its rules ought to tend. Their
natural, conftant, eternal principle is in man him-
fclf, and in a refemblance there is in the general
organization of man, which includes a fimilarity of
wants, of plealures, and pains, of force and weak-
hefs i a refemblance from whence arifes the necef-
fity of fociety, or of a common oppofition againft
fuch dangers as are equally incident to each indi-
vidual, which proceed from nature herfelf, and
threaten man on all fides. Such is the origin of
particular duties and of domeftic virtues ; fuch is
the origin of general duties and public virtues j
fuch is the fource of the notion of perfonal and
public utility, the fource of all compacts between
individuals, and of all laws of government.
SEVERAL writers have endeavoured to trace the
firft principles of morality in the fentiments of
friendihip,
2
560 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK friendfhip, tendernefs, companion, honour, a
^ benevolence j becaufe they found them engrave
on the human heart. But did they not alfo fin
there hatred, jealoufy, revenge, pridej and the
love of dominion ? For what reafon therefore hav<
they founded morality on the former principl
rather than the latter ? It is becaufe they fou
that the former were of general advantage to f(
ciety, and the others fatal to it. Thefe phil
fophers have perceived the necefiity of morality
they have conceived what it ought to be, bu
have not difcovered its leading and fundament
principle. The very fentiments indeed, whic
they adopt as the groundwork of morality, be
caufe they appear to be ferviceable to the com
mon good, if left to themfelves would be ve
prejudicial to it. How can we determine to pu
nifh the guilty, if we liflen only to the pleas
compafiion ? How fliall we guard againft partia
lity, if we confult only the dictates of friendfhip ?
How lhall we avoid being favourable to idlenefs,
if we attend only to the fentiments of benevo-
lence ? All thefe virtues have their limits, beyond
which they degenerate into vices j and thofe limits
are fettled by the invariable rules of efTential juf-
tice ; or, which is the fame thing, by the common
interefts of men united together in fociety and the
conftant object of that union.
THESE limits, it is true, have not yet been
afcertained j nor indeed could they, fmce it has
not been poffible to fix what the common intereft
itfelf was. And this is the reafon why among all
people, and at all times, men have formed fuch
different
'
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 5 <i
different ideas of virtue and vice : why hitherto. B o o re
\ 1Y
morality has appeared to be but a matter of mere ^
convention among men. That fo many ages
fhould have pafled. away in an entire ignorance of
thefirft principles of a fcience fo important to our
happinefs, is a certain fact: ; but fo extraordinary
that it fhould appear incredible. We cannot ima-
gine how it has not been iboner difcovered, that
the uniting of men in fociety has not, and indeed
could not have any other defign, but the general
happinefs of individuals ; and therefore that there
is not, and cannot be any other focial tie between
them, than that of their common intereft : and
that nothing can be confiftent with the order of
focieties, unlefs it be confiftent with the common
utility of the members that compofe them : that it
is this principle which neceflarily determines virtue
and vice : and that our actions are confequently
more or lefs virtuous, according as they tend more
or lefs to the common advantage of fociety ; that
they are more or lefs vicious, according as the pre-
judice fociety receives from them is greater or
lefs.
Is it on its own account that valour is ranked
among the number of virtues ? No, it is on ac-
count of the fervice it is of to fociety. This is
evident from hence, that it is punifhed as a crime
in a man whom it caufcs to difturb the public
peace. Why then is drunkennefs a vice ? Becaufe
every man is bound to contribute to the common
good, and to fulfil that obligation, he has occafion
for the free exercife of his faculties. Why are
VOL. V. O o certain
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
certain a<5lions more blameable in a magiftrate or
general, than in a private man ? Becaufe greater
inconveniences refult from them to fociety.
As fociety ought to be beneficial to every one of
its members, it is but juft that each of its mem-
bers Ihould contribute to the advantage of fociety.
To be virtuous, therefore, is to be ufeful -, to be vi-
cious, is to be ufelefs or hurtful. This is morality.
THIS, indeed, is univerfal morality that mo-
rality which being connected with the nature of
man, is connected with the nature of fociety ;
that morality which can vary only in its applica-
tionsj but never in its efTence : that morality, in
fhort, to which all laws Ihould refer, and to which
they fhould be fubordinate. In conformity to this
common rule of all our private and public actions,
let us confider whether there ever were, or ever
can be, good morals in Europe.
SINCE the invafion of the barbarous nations
into this quarter of the globe, almoft all govern-
ments have been eftablifhed only on the intereft of
a fingle man, or a fmgle let of men, to the pre-
judice of the whole fociety. As they were foundec
on conqueft, the effect of fuperior power, th<
have only varied in the mode of keeping the pe(
pie in fubjection. At firft war made victims
them, devoted either to the fword of their rulei
or that of the enemy. How many ages ha\
pafled away in fcenes of blood and general
facre 3 that is to fay, in the diitribution of ei
pires, before terms of peace had induced the
pic to fuppofe that there was fomething of a di
vii
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 563
vine origin in that ftate of inteftine war called fo- BOOK
. xix.
ciety or government ! <_ v
WHEN the feudal government had for ever ex-
cluded thofe who tilled the ground from the right
of pofTeffing it: when, by a facrilegious collufion
between the altar and the throne, the authority of
God had been enforced by that of the {'word; what
effecl: had the morality of the gofpel, but to au-
thorize tyranny by the doctrine of paffive obe-
dience, but to confirm (lavery by a contempt of
all fcience and private property -, in a word, to add
to the terror of the great that of evil fpirits ? And
what were morals with fuch laws ? What they are
at prefent in Poland, where the people, being
without lands and without arms, are left to be
malTacred by the Ruffians, or enlifted by the Pruf-
fians, and having neither courage nor fentiment,
think it is fufficient if they are chriftians, and re-
main neuter between their neighbours and their
lords palatine.
To a fimilar ftate of anarchy wherein morals
had no diftinguifhing character, nor any degree
of liability, fucceeded the epidemic fury of holy
wars, by which nations were corrupted and de-
graded, by communicating the contagion of vices
with that of fanaticifm. Morals were changed
with the change of climate. All the pafllons were
inflamed and heightened between the tombs of
Jefus and Mohammed. From Paleftine was im-
ported a principle of luxury and pride, a ftrong
tafte for the fpices of the eaft, a romantic fpirit
which civilized the nobles of all countries without
making the people more happy or more virtuous:
O o 2 for
564 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
B xix. K f r if there is no happinefs without virtue; virtue
* v will never iupport itfelf without being founded DA
happinefs.
ABOUT two centuries after Europe had been
depopulated by Afiatic expeditions, its tranfmi-
gration in America happened. That revolution
introduced an univerfal confuf-on, and blended
the vices and productions of every climate with
our own. Neither was any improvement made in
the fcience of morality, becaufe men were then
deftroyed through avarice, inftead of being maf-
facred on account of religion. Thofe nations which
had made the largcftacquifitions in the New World,
feemed to acquire at the fame time all the flupidity,
ferocioufnefs, and ignorance of the Old. They
became the means of communicating the vices and
difeafes of thofe countries; poor and wretched
amidft all their gold; debauched, notwithstanding
their churches and their priefts; idle and fuper-
ftitious with all the fources of commerce, and the
means of being enlightened. But the love of riches
likewifc corrupted all other nations.
WHETHER it be war or commerce that intro-
duces great riches into a (late, they foon become
the object of public ambition. At firft men of tl
greateft power feize upon them: and as rich<
come into the hands of thofe who have the mi
nagement of public affairs, wealth is confoundc
with honour in the minds of the people: and tl
virtuous citizen, who afpired to employments onh
for the fake of glory, afpires, without knowing it
to honour for the fake of advantage. Neithei
lands nor treafurc, any more than conquefts, an
obtainc
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 565
obtained with any other view but to enjoy them; B J^ K
and riches are enjoyed only for pleafure and the -^
ofcentation of luxury. Under thefe different ideas,
they equally corrupt the citizen who pofleffes them,
and the people who are feduced by their attrac-
tion. As foon as men labour only from a motive of
gain, and not from a regard to their duty, the
inoft advantageous fi&uations are preferred to the
moil honourable. It is then we fee the honour of a
profeffion diverted, obfcured, and loft in the paths
that lead to wealth.
To the advantage of that filfe confideration at
which riches arrive, are to be added the natural
conveniences of opulence, a freili fort of corrup-
tion. The man who is in a public fituation is de-
firous of having people about him : the honours he
receives in public are not fufficient for him; he
wants admirers, either of his talents, his luxury,
or his profufion. If riches are the means of cor-
ruption by leading to honours, how much more
are they fo by diffufing a tafte for pleafure ! Mifery
offers its chaftity to fale, and idlenefs its liberty;
the prince fets the magiftracy up to fale, and the
magiftrates fet a price upon juftice : the court fells
employments, and placemen fell the people to the
prince, who fells them again to the neighbouring
powers either in treaties of war, or fubfidy; of
peace, or exchange of territory.
SUCH is the fordid traffic introduced by the love
of riches in any country where they can do every
thing, and where virtue is held in no eftimation.
But there is no effect without its caufes. Gold
does not become the idol of the people, and virtue
O o 3 does
$66 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
B xix K ^ oes not ^ * nto tonttm P^ unlefs the bad con-
v v> 'ftitution of the government occafion fuch a cor-
ruption. Unfortunately, it will always have this
effect, if the government is fo conflicted that the
temporary intereft of a fingle perfon, or of a
fmall number, can with impunity prevail over the
common and invariable intereft of the whole. It;
will always produce this corruption, if thofe, in
whofe hands authority is lodged, can make an ar-
bitrary ufe of it, can place themfelves above the
reach of all rules of jufrice, can make their power
adminifter to plundering, and their plunder to the
continuance of abufes occafioned by their power.
Good laws are maintained by good morals ; bu
good morals are eftabli/hed by good laws: mer
are what government makes them. To modify
them, it is always armed with an irrefiftible force,
that of public opinion: and the government wii
always make ufe of corruption, when by its natui
it is itfelf corrupt. In a won 1 , the nations of Eu-
rope will have good morals when they have go(
governments. Let us conclude.
NATIONS, I have difcourfed to you on youi
dearefl interefts. I have placed before your eyes
the benefits of nature, and the fruits of induftry.
As ye are too frequently the occafion of your mu-
tual unhappineis, you muft have felt how the jea-
loufy of avarice, how pride and ambkion remo>
far from your common weal the happinels that
prefents itfelf to you by peace and commerce,
have recalled that happinefs which has been re-
moved from you. The fentiments of my hear
have been warmly exprefled in favour of all man-
kinc
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES. 567
kind without diftinction of fed or country. Men BOOK
are all equal in my fight, by the reciprocal relation '
of the fame wants and the fame calamities: as they
are all equal in the eyes of the Supreme Being
through the relation between their weaknefs and
his power.
I AM aware that, fubject, as ye are to rulers, your
condition depends upon them, and to fpeak of
your evils was to reproach them with their errors
or their crimes. This reflection has not prevented
me from exerting my endeavours. I never con-
ceived that the facred refpect due to humanity
could poflibly be irreconcileable with that which
is due to thofe who Ihould be its natural protectors.
I have been tranfported in idea into the councils
of the governing powers of the world. I have
fpoken without difguife, and without fear, and
have no reafon to accufe myfelf of having betrayed
the honourable caufe I dared to plead. I have in-
formed princes of their duties, and of the rights
of the people. I have traced to them the fatal ef-,
feels of that inhuman power which is guilty of op^-
prefTion ; and of that whofe indolence and weak-
nefs fuffers it. I have fkctched all around them
portraits of your misfortunes, and they cannot but
have been fenHbly affected by them. I have warned
them, that if they turned their eyes away, thofe
true but dreadful pictures would be engraven on
the marble of their tombs, and accufe their afhes
while pofterity trampled on them.
BUT talents are not always equal to our zeal. '
Undoubtedly I have flood in need of a greater
{hare of that penetration which difcovers expedi-
O o 4
5 68 HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE, &c.
B o o K entSj an d O f that eloquence which enforces truth,
\_ - t ^ Sometimes, perhaps, the fentiments of my heart
have contibuted to raife my genius j but molt
frequently I have perceived myfelf overwhelmed
with my fubjecT:, and confcious of my own ina-
bility.
MAY writers on whom nature has beftowed
greater abilities, complete by their original works
what my eflays have begun ! Under the aufpices
of philofophy, may there be one day extended from
one extremity of the world to the other, that chain
of union and benevolence which ought to connect
all civilized people ! May they never more carry
among favage nations the example of vice and op-r
preflion ! I do riot flatter myfelf that, at the period
of that happy revolution, my name will be ftill in
remembrance. This feeble work, which will have
only the merit of having brought forth others bet-
ter than itfelf, will doubtlefs be forgotten. But
I fball, at leaft, be able to fay, that I have con-
tributed, as much as was in my power, to the
happinefs of my fellow-creatures, and pointed out
the way, though at a diftance, to improve their
condition. This agreeable thought will ftand me
in the ftead of glory. Ir will be the delight of
my old age, and the confolation of my lateft mo-
ments.
INDEX.
INDEX.
A
/] D E N (fituate at the moft fouthern extremity of Arabia)
^ was once the mrit flourifhing faclory in Afia, and con-
tinued to be for many ages, v. i. p. 339. Its prefent de-
cline and low ftate of its trade, which is removed to Mo-
cha, with an account of the articles and value of the trade
at that place, 340.
Afghans, their fituation in Candahar, a mountainous country,
Jy:ng north of India, v. i. p. 352. Their manners, revo-
lutions in government, and fingular method of lighting,
ibid. Invade Perfia, and are guilty of many horrid out-
rage?, produced by an infatiable zeal for the Turkifh fu-
perftition, ibid. Are attacked, defeated, and difperfed by
Thamas Kouli Khan, 353.
Africa, when firft vifued by the European inhabitants of the
Caribbee iflands in fearch of cultivators, v. iii. p. 358,
359. Its boundaries, with the opinions of the learned con-
cerning the eafiern coaft, 360. Opinions of the learned
concerning the northern coaft, and the revelations which
have taken place in it, ib. 369. Prefent ftate of its com-
merce with Europe, 369. 374. What is the climate of the
weftern coaft, known by the name of Guinea, 372. 376,
Nature and mode of electing to the fovereignties of Benin,
Juda, Mayuraba, Cilongo, Loango, and Congo, countries
on the coaft of Guinea, 379. View of the fyftem of war
and politics, adopted by its feveral ftar.es on the weftern
coaft, 381, 382. Different religions prevail in its different
provinces, and what they are, 383, 384.. Sketch of the
manners, cuftoms, and amufements of the inhabitants of
Guinea, 385. 390. What is the moft favourable feafon
for travelling in the interior parts of this country, 399.
What coafts arc moft frequented for the purpofe of carrying
INDEX.
on the flave trade, ib. What number of flaves it adlually
exported in 1768, and what it is fuppofed to export every
year, 400 Account of the different effefts produced by
the (mall-pox on the negroes born to the North of the Line
from thofe born to the South, 409. The wretched and
miferable ftate of its natives (the negroes) when carried to
America where an opinion univerfally prevails, that ne-
groes are incapable of reafon and virtue with an impar-
tial enquiry into the falfity of this opinion, proved by two
circumftantial fads, 412, 413, 414. Description of the
bifon, an anjmal found in moil parts of this country, 443,
444-
Agriculture, its reciprocal dependence upon, and union with,
commerce, v. v. p. 480. The chief and real caufe of opu-
lence in a nation, 481. Very much neglected by the Ro-
mans and the northern conquerors of Europe, ib. Much
encouraged in Europe, when the American colonies in-
creafed in population, 482. Its improved ftate among the
Englifli, French, Germans, Italians, and Spaniards, ib.
486. Deferves the principal attention of every wife go-
vernment, with the feveral teafons, 487. 489.
JUxandria, the mart of all merchandize from India to Bere-
nice in time of Ptolemy, v. i. p. 68.
dlphorfo Albuquerque, the moll fagacious of all the Portuguefe
in ihe conqueit of the Indies, v. i. p. 65. Projects the
turning the courfe of the Nile, and endeavours to perfuade
the emperor of Ethiopia to carry it into execution, with
his reafons, 80. Deprives the Turks of their tra-.ie to ln
dia, with the advantages which all Europe detived from
this meafure, ib. 83. A Jketch of his great character, and
the veneration which the Indians had for him, 99. Be-
ing traduced by his enemies, he died at Goa, in 1:15,
without riches and out of favour with his fovercign Ero;i-
nue!, ico.
*4max.ons, the mz/exiftjnce of the people known by this name,
proved to be uncertain, v. iii. p. 157, 158. Defc/ip;ion
frf the manners of the natives bordering upon this rive-,
with the ftate of the Portuguefe fettlement, 163, 164, 165.
Produce of the country adjacent to it, 167.
Amb.yna (one of the Moluccas), its value to the Dutch from
the culcivrition of cloves in it the encouragement given to
the planters and the method of increafing its trade by the
fuccefsful culture of pepper and iadjgo, v. i. p. 188. .in
account of a very extraordinary treaty between the Englilh
and Duich at this place in 1619, with iti fate, 506. 309.
America, v\hy called the Welt Indie, v. iii. p. 119, N
conquefts made in it by the Engtiih and Dutch during t
4 W
'
INDEX.
war for the Spanifh fucceffion, with the reafons, 310. 315,
Caufe of the war, in 1755, between the Englifh and
French, 323. 328. The general opinion which prevails
here of the negroes, that they are incapable of reafon and
virtue proved to be falfe and erroneous, 412, 413.
America, the different and refpeclive advantages which Eu-
rope derives from this country, as divided into North and
South with a general view of the different degrees of po-
pulation, climate, plantations, and commerce in each;
and the manners of the refpe&ive inhabitants of each coun-
try, v. iv. p. 122, 123,
America, what influence the religious difputes in England, in
xvi . cen:. produced in peopling this continent, v. v.
p 102. in. Reafons why fo little of it was known, for
fo long time after it was difcovered, 112. Its analogy to
the rett of the globe, exemplified in the fingular fimilarity
of the form in one part of the globe to the other: whilft,
at the fame time, tne extent of iurf ice in the old world
exceeds the furface of the new by one half, ib. Philofo-
phical obfervations on the manner by which tne equilibrium
of the earth is maintained in the old and new continents
with reafons for affirming that both continents have been
covered with the fea, 113. 116. Its climate more various
than the climate of Europe, arifing from the waters having
lain fo long on the ground in America, and having quitted
it Jong after our continent was peopled: with an account
of the influence which this circumftance hath on men and
animals in the new worlc^, 117, 118. Its origin and anti-
quity dilcufled, but not afcenained, although it may bs
proved not to be fo anticnt as our own continent with
reafons for fuppoling, that the natives of America do net
owe their defcent to a foreign hemifphere, iig, 120, 121.
Comparative view of the moral ftate and happinefs of
American favages and civilized people, with arguments in
favour of the favages, 122. 129. Its barbarous and fa-
vage nations governed rather by policy than a legiflation,
with an account of the difference between them, 424.
America North, no fettlements eflablifhed here by the French
for a long time after the Portuguefe and Spaniards were in
pofMion of valuable colonies in this country with the fe-
vera! reafons, v. iv. p. 423, 424.- Firft vifited by the
French in 1562 their arrival in Florida, and the caufe of
dilcovering it, 425, 426. Cuttoms, manners, govern-
ment, virtues and vices, religious worlhip anJ tenet.-, lu-
perftitious attachment to dreams, and mode of profecuting
war among-the favages of this country, 433. 465.
America,
INDEX.
America North, the natural ftate of it before the arrival of the
Jtnglifh, and :ts* prefent improved ftate under their fubjec-
tion, v. v. p. 129, 150, 131. Extent of the Britifh domi-
nions in this country from the river St. Lawrence to the
river Miffifippi, 295. Philofophical remarks on the ftate
of vegetation in it, 298. Produces all the trees which are
natural to the European foil: befides which, are found the
candieourry myrtle and the fugar maple; with a particular
defcription of the culture, properties, and ufe of each tree,
and the foil proper for it, 299, 300. What birds are pe-
culiar to this country with a particular defcription of the
humming bird, 300, ^ol. Was formerly KJ felted by in-
fedls, \\4iich have perifhed fiuce plantations and culture of
the land have taken place, 302. Supplied with domeflic
animals from England, with an account of the manner in
which fome of them have degenerated, fince they were
tranfpianted from Europe, 303. Obliged to the Englifti
fcr the importation of European corn into this country,
304.. Supplies England with nav.il ftores, and permitted
to export timber into the mother country (duty free)
3 C 5 36 Encouraged by the Englifh to cultivate the
growth of hemp and flax, with the pleating profpecl of fuc-
cefs in this culture, so3. Permitted to export into all the
ports of England (Jaty free) American iron, which is found
here in very great quantities, 30:?, 310, 311. The plant-
ation of vines much encouraged, but the climate unfa-
vourable to their growth, 312, 313. The cuhivation of
f:lk, though much promoted by the public bounties of
England, not anfwerable to the wifhed-for fuccefs, 313,
314. Its foil, properly cleared, accommodated to the
transplanting and cultivating with fuccefs any rich produc-
tions belonging to Europe or Afia, 3:5. Peopled from
Europe, by Englishmen who had fled hither to avoid perfe-
cution for their civil or religious opinions, ib. Genius
and character of the firft colcnhls who have emigrated from
England with the ftate of the prefent inhabitants, and
their real ufe to fociety, ib. 320. State of population in
the Britifh colonies fuppofed to amount to two millions of
inhabitants, with fome rules for forming a proper eftima'e
upon this fubjecl, 328, 329. The manners, benevolence,
hofphality and happinefs of the colonies ia Britifh Ame-
rica with the nature and forms of governments under
which they live, 330. 342. Nature and value of the coin
current in thefe fectlements, as well in fpecie as in paper
with the feveral purpofes to which the paper currency fs
applied, 343, 344, 345. Its manufactures and iron mines,
together with its exportation and importations, thrown
under
INDEX.
under great 'reftriiftions by the Britifh parliament with the
confequt-nce of this reft rict ion in producing or giving birth
to a very ext^nfive contraband trade in" the colonies, ve'y
injurious to the commerce and intenit of England, 346.
350. What good reafons mav be given, why the colonies
ihould be compelled to contribuie towards the fupport of
maintaining the credit and interell of the mother country,
and bearing their part in the rational debt, 353, 354.
Origin of the ftamp aft and imports on feveral articles of
commerce in the colouies the univerfal clamour and op-
pofuion which they produced and an impartial exami-
nation of the right, which the colonies aflumed, to oppofe
the Britim parliament upon this account, 356. 361.
Whether the ri^ht of appointing, proportioning, and
railing the taxes ihould not be veiled in the provincial af-
femblies, 362. 365. Gratitude for pair, favours and a pro-
per jealouly for their own liberties, are the due boundaries
to all opposition in the colonies to the mother country, and
its right to taxation, 366. 369. The dangerous confe-
quences of eftablifliing in thefe colonies an entire independ-
ence on the mother country; and the reafons, why it
would be inconfiftent with the real intereft of any European
nation (an enemy to Great Britain) to affift the American
colonies in fupporting this fpirit of independence, 369.
372.
American I/lands, reafons for fuppofing them to have been de-
tached from the continent with fome general obfervations
on the origin of ifland?, exemplified in various inftances,
v. iii. p. 237. 241. Their chief productions, and labours
of their flaves, 437. Mode of agriculture adopted in them,
with the neceffity of introducing the general ufe of the
plough, 438. 440. Their lands mould be improved by
manure, 440. Supplied, at firit, by the Spaniards with
domeftic quadrupeds from Europe with an enquiry into
the caufe of their degeneracy, ib. 441. The nature and
fpecies of horfes bred in thefe iflands the caufe of their
degeneracy and reafcns for fubftituting the bifon in the
room of the common ox; with a defcription of the bifon,
which is found only in the eaftern iflands, and in Africa,
442, 443. Account of the attempt made to introduce the
camel into this climate, which was tried without fuccefs
and the propriety of trying the buffalo, 443, 444. Their
ftate of vegetation, 445. Indebted to Africa for the fol-
lowing ufeful plants the Angola pea, and the manioc:
with a defcription of the manner in which the manioc is
cultivated, the foil proper for it, and the procefs by which
it is rendered fit for common food j being preferred by
fome
INDEX.
fome perfons to the b"eft wheat, 446, 447, 44?. Articles
cf commerce cultivated with more care and afliduity than
the necefiaries of life: of which the principal are, cocoa,
cotton, indigo, coffee, and fugar, 449. What method
and procefles are purfued in the culture of the fugar-cnne,
and in preparing fugar for general ufe, 450. 455. Cha-
rafter of the Europeans who fettled here, with fome re-
marks on the manners of the former and prefent colonifts,
458. 467. Exempt from many difeafes to which Europe
is very much fubjeft, and what difeafes are peculiar to this
climate, 467. 469.
American IJlands, fummary view of the clear annual advan-
tages and wealth imported into the following nations of
Europe, viz. four hundred thirty-feven thouiand and five
hundred pounds into Spain one hundred fifty-three
thoufand one hundred and twenty-five pounds into Den-
mark five hundred and twenty- five thoufand pounds into
Holland one million four hundred forty-three thoufand
(even hundred and fifty pounds into England five hun-
dred and twenty-five thoufand pounds into France, v. iv.
p. 405. 408. What fuperior advantages they would de-
live, from eflabliming a free and unlimited commerce,
from all the ports of America to all thofe of Europe ob-
jections to this fcheme confidered and obviated, with rea-
fons for fuppofing that this freedom of commerce will not
take place, 409, 410. Their dependence upon Europe,
for a fuppiy of apparel, implements of hufbandry, and for
Cvifions, is found to be fo great as to give rife to the fol-
ing faying " that they will never fail to capitulate
" with a fquadron ftored with barrels of flour inltead of
" gunpowder,'* 411, 412. Their great danger in cafe of
invafion, 412. Their want of affection to the mother
country, with their reafons, 413. Wretched ftate of their
fortifications, ib. Their fafety and profperity can only be
fecured by a powerful navy confequently That European
nation, which pofTeffes the greateft maritime force, will be
fuperior to all other European ftates in her extent of domi-
nion in thefe iflands: and what nation bids faireft for this
fupremacy of power, 414, 415-
Anabaptijls, brief account of the rife of this fed their reli-
gious principles and tenets the troubles and diftrefs in
which they involved Germany in xvi. cent, and the danger-
ous confequences of their religious fyftem; particularly
in the community of goods and equality of ranks, which
conftitute the bafis of all their religious doctrines, v. v.
p. 213. 216. Being every where oppofed and difperfed,
are now funk into obfcurity and contempt, 216, 217.
Andrada
INDEX.
AndraJa Ferdinand, the firft Portuguese who was fent to
China in 1518 his proper and prudent concluft upon this
occafion and admiration of the Chinefe: with th (tate of
their empire, civilization, agriculture and manners, v. i.
p. 104. 128. Is much elleemed by the Chinefe, who were
on the point of entering into a treaty of commerce with the
Portuguefe, but were prevented from concluding it by the
imprudence and infolent cruelty of Simon Andrada, 129.
Angola pea (a native of Africa) tranfplanted with great fuc-
cefs into the Caribbce ifiands, with a fhort account of its
virtues, culture, and foil proper for it, v. iii. p. 446.
Antigua, firft difcovered in 1629 by feme French, who fled
hither from St. Chriftopher's, but did not long continue in
this ifland, v. iv. p, 320. Vifited by the Englifh, who form
a fett'ement, ib. What method was taken by the Englifti
to fupply the want of fprings, ib. The rife, progrefs, and
fuccefs of its fugar plantations, and the quantity of fugaif
which they produce, 321. The infurre&ion of the colo-
nifts againft their governor, colonel Park, whom they niaf-
facred in 1710; with an account of the horrid caufe of this
infurre&ion, and the behaviour of tke mother country upon
this occafion, ib. 322. Subjedt to the power of the go-
vernor of St. Chriltopher's, 325.
Antilles, fee Caribbee ijlands.
Arabia, one of the largeft peninfulas in the known world,
v. i. p. 330. Is bounded by Syria, Diarbeck, and Irac-
Arabi on the North by the Indian ocean on the South-
by the gulph of Perfia on the Eaft and on the Weft by the
Red Sea, which feparates it from Africa; with an account
of the general trade of the Red Sea, and of the Englifh
there in particular, ib. Its divifion into three parts, ac-
cording to the nature of the foil in each of thefe Countries,
,ib. Peopled at a very early period, and its firft inhabit-
ants fuppofed to come from Syria and Chaldxa, 331. The
origin and date of the prefent form of government uncer-
tain, ib. Nature of the religion profefled in this country
before, and fince, the time of Mohammed, ib.
Arabs were oppofed, but could not be conquered by Charle-
magne, v. i. p. it. Their incurfions into the fouthernmoft
pms of Europe, and conquelb in Afia, Africa and Spain,
with a view of the caufes which contributed to make their
empire fo extenfive, 12. Produce great revolutions in the
affairs of Europe, ar>d occafion the revival of navigation
and commerce in it, ib. Cultivate the arts and polite li-
terature, and introduce many improvements in the fci-
ence of aftronomy, mechanics, medicine, algebra, and
poetry,
I N D E X
poetry, ib. and 331. Found in great numbers by the
Portuguefe on their arrival in India, where they pofTefTed
an extenfive empire, and propagated their religion and
trade, 59, 60. Piomote manufactures and fiaples, toge-
ther with their ccnquefts, 332. Their antient and prefent
fyltem of government, with an impartial account of their
manners and cuftoms, 333. Afford, at this day, no mo-
nument of genius, no produdlioqs of induftry, which can
confecrate their memory to future ages, 334. Their ru-
ling paflion is jealoufy, which is carried to the greateft ex-
cels, ib. Short account of their population, government,
and mode of fubfifting by plunder, 335, 336, 337. Were
the fole proprietors of all the trade in the Red Sea, before
the Portuguefe interrupted the navigation of it, 339. State
of thofe who are fettled at Madagafcar, v. ii. p. n, 12.
Archangel, a port for trade to Mufcovy, which was frequented
by the Englifh foon after its difcovery, v. i. p. 301.
Artca, a valuable article of commerce to the Dutch at Ceylon,
v. i. p. 209. Is a fruit (not much unlike the date) which
grows upon a fpecies of palm tree, not uncommon in moft
parts of Afia, and grows in great plenty at Ceylon, ib. Is
found to impoverifh the blood, and caufe the jaundice,
when eaten by itfelf, ib.
Ariojlo, fhort account of this writer, v. v. p. 539.
Arijiotle, brief character of the nature and tendency of his
philofophical works, v. v. p. 547.
Armenians, Iketch of their character and genius for commerce,
which they carried into the heart of the Perfian empire,
v. i. p. 312. Spread themfelves into Holland, England,
the Mediterranean, and the Baltic, for the fake of com-
merce, ib.
Arnetto, a red dye, called by the Spaniards acbiotte t v. iv.
p. 118. Defcription of the tree which produces it, its
culture, and the feveral proceffes by which it is made fit for
common ufe, 1 19.
AJia, geographically defcribed, with its extent between the
two poles, v. i. p. 29. Account of feveral phcenomena of
nature in this country, with a defcription of the Cafpian
fea, frozen ocean, and Indian ocean, 30, 31, 32. Hath
given rife to molt of the European arts and manufactures,
v. v. p. 491.
Ataida t his fuccefsful adminiltration of the Portuguefe affairs
in India, particularly at Goa, v. i. p. 148, 149. Re-
formed, for a time, many abnfes in the government of
the Portuguefe affairs in India, 150. His example neg-
lefted by future governors in that, country, where his na-
5 tion
INDEX.
tion have Joft all their former greatnefs, and been obliged
to refign their conquefts, 151. 155.
Athens employed her firft fliips in commerce with Afia, or in
planting colonies: but involved herfelf in wars by thefe
emigrations, v. i. p. 5.
Aujiria, genius of its inhabitants better adapted for projefls
of war and aggrandifement by conqueft, than for commer-
cial affairs, v. ii. p. 172. Soil and natural productions of
this country, ib. Arts, fciences, and manufactures very
much neglefted here, ib. Expeded to receive great ad-
vantages from the India companv eftabliflied at Oflend ;
with an account of the rife, progrefs, and ruin of this
company, 173. 177.
B
Bahama iJIanJs, fome account of the firfl appearance of Co-
lumbus on one of them, called by him San Salvador, his
kind behaviour to the natives, and the hofpitality and
kindnefs which they (hewed to him in return, v. ii. p. 340,
341. Were deferted, for a long time after their difcovery,
having no inhabitants upon them in 1672, when the Eng-
glifli firft landed, v. iv* p. 366. The right of dominion
over them, contefted for by the Englifh, Spaniards and
French; with their final fubjeftion to the Englifh, ib. 367.
State of their population, and manners of the prefent in-
habitants, with their peculiar advantages to the Englifh,
ib. 368.
Baharen (an ifland in the Perfian gulph), (ketch of its feveral
revolutions, the nature and value of its commerce, parti-
cularly for pearls; and what the amount of its annual re-
venue, v. i. p. 361, 362, 363.
Bambuck (fituated in the interior parts of Africa), its govern-
ment, climate, and foil defcribed, v. iii. p. 392. Abounds
with rich mines of gold, with the fingular method obferved
in working them, 393. What fraitlefs attempts have
been made by the Englifh and French to appropriate thefe
mines to themfelves, 394.
Sanda (iflands of), famous for the growth of the nutmeg,
with a defcription of its culture and properties, and the
feafon for gathering the nutmeg, and methods for difcover-
ing the bed fpecies of it, v. i. p. 189, 190. The only co-
lony where the Europeans are proprietors of lands, 190.
Character of the inhabitants, and nature of the climate,
191. What care has been taken by the Dutch for their
fecurity and improvement, ib.
Bantam (a Dutch fettlement in the ifland of Java), its feveral
revolutions and final fubmiffion to the Dutch ; the means
VOL. V. P p by
INDEX.
by which they became matters of the trade, and enjoy an
exclusive right of commerce, and the real value of thisfet-
tlemenr, v. i. p. 232, 233.
Barbadoes, difcovered by feme Englifh (in 1629) who came
from St. Chriftopher's and formed a. fettlement, v. iv.
p. 316. Its barren (late at the time of its difcovery, and
the excellent character of the full colonifts, ib. Its ex-
tent, ib. The particular period when it attained the fum-
mic of its profperity in population and commerce, ib.
Alarmed by a dangerous infurreftion of negroes and Ca-
ribs, and the caufe of it, 317. The decline of its trade,
with the reafons, and the prefent ftate of its produce, 318.
The general mart for the flave trade among the Englifh,
and the value of it to the colony, 319. Its ftate of de-
fence and fecurity, by nature and art, in cafe of invafion,
ib. The difproportion between the black and white in-
habitants upon this fettlement, 396.
Barbary (the antient Libya), its hiftory very little known, till
the arrival of the Carthaginians, with fome account of the
ftate and extent of its empire under them, v. iii. p. 361.
The Carthaginians being vanquifhed, it became fubjed to
the Romans, under whofe power it continued till the v.
cent, when it was fubdued by the Vandals afterwards it
fubmitted to the government of Belifarius, and enjoyed
(for a fhort time) its antient privileges, 362. Owned the
power of the Saracens in vii. cent. ib. Invites the Turks
to protect the empire, which is greatly oppreffed by them,
363. The turbulent manner in which elections are carried
on here, ib. The different manners of the inhabitants
in different parts of this country ; the one, amiable and
fupporting themfelves by agriculture and pafturage; the
other, turbulent and living by plunder and piracy, 364, 365.
The entire conqueft of this country propofed, the advan-
tages of this conqueft to the maritime ftates of Europe, and
the moft probable and eafy method for enfuring fuccefs to
this conqueft, confidered and explained, 365, 366, 367.
State of its trade (in Morocco) with the Englifh, Dutch,
and Swedes; and particularly with the Danes, who carry on
the moft extenfive trade of all the European nations, 370.
The commerce of Algiers, Tunis, and Tripoli with Eu-
rope, 371.
Bark, the moft valuable article of commerce in Quito, a Spa-
nifh colony in South America, v. ii. p. 564. Defcription
of the tree which produces it, and which fpecies of it is
the moft efficacious, ib. 565. Its virtues firft known and
experienced, in 1639, at Rome; and in the following year
at Madrid, 565. Suppofed to have been early difcovered
4 b /
INDEX.
by the natives of the country, who were afraid to reveal it
to the Spaniards, 566.
(fituate in Aiiatic Turkey near ihe gulph of Perfia),
its rife, n. aural productions, and ftate of its population,
v - ' P- 353 Nature and extent of iis commerce, manner
in which it is carried on, and the feveral icvolutions it has
undergone, 354, 355.
Batavia, the capital of all the Dutch fettkmentj in India,
with an account of this city, inhabitants, manners and
trade, v. i. p. 23 S'. Chinefe more encouraged here, than
the Europeans; of whom none* but Spaniards, are ad-
mitted as merchants, 245.
Malta:, rife and origin of this people, who fettled in the
count) y, known at prefent by the name of Holland, v. i.
p. i;8. Their government was a mixture of monarchy,
ariftocracy, and democracy, ib. Particularly diltinguiftied
by Casfar, and honoured by the appellation of the friends
and brethren of the Roman people, 159. Become fubjeft
to the Franks in v. cent. 160. Their country obtained the
name of Holland from the Normans, and (with Germany)
was allotted to the government of the family of Charle-
magne, 1 6 1. For a further account of this people, fee
Hollander t and Dutch.
Bear, che nature and properties of this animal defcrjbed,
v. iv. p. 486, 487.
Beaver, a philofophical defcription of this animal the man-
ner of catching it different fpecies of it in America, and
which is reckoned the molt valuable by the Europeans,
v. iv. p. 487. 497.
Bengal, defcription of the country with a brief view of its
hKLory, and the general traJe of this and adjacent places,
v. i. p. 402. 420. General tlate of the exports and imports
here, 421. Two harvefts here in every year, 459.
Berbice, origin and pleating profpel of :his Dutch fettlement
in South America, with the itate of its plantations of cot-
ton, cocoa, and fugar, v. iv. p. 59. Some account of the
dangerous infurreclion in 1763, with the preparations for
a general rebellion among the blacks and the means by
which it was difcovered and prevented, 70.
Bermudas ( flands of) difcoverea in 1527 by a Spaniard who
gave them his name, v. iv. p. 368. Firlr, inhabited in
1612 by fome Englifh who formed an eftablifhment upon
them, ib. State of their population greatly increafed by
the fuppofed falubrity and excellence of the climate with
an enquiry into the real nature of their foil and produce,
369. Amiable and benevolent manners of the inhabitants,
their excellence in building (hips, which cannot be equalled
P p a 'for
INDEX.
for fwiftnefs and duration with a {ketch of the laudable
fociety they have inllituted for the improvement of learn-
ing, arts, and agriculture; and for the fupport of the op-
prefTed and the aged induftrious poor, 369, 370.
Betel, an account of this plant, and its conitant ufe among
the Indians, v. i. p. 209.
Bi/oa, defcription of the nature and properties of this animal
(a native of Africa), and its great ufe in agriculture, v. iii.
p. 443, 444.
Bijfinpour, the nature, wifdom, and excellence of the political
fyftem of government eftablifhed in it, v. i. p. 404. The
manners cf the ancient Indians preferved here in their ut-
moll purity, 405. Secured by nature from conqueft, 406.
Liberty and property facrecl here in this country, where
humanity and juftice are the charafteriftics of the natives,
ib. The richcii and moft populous province in Bengal,
407.
Bombay, nature of the climate, which was formerly very
unhealthy, and its caufe and the fuccefsful methods ufed
to remove it, v. i. p. 379. The prefent ftate of its valu-
able and extenfive trade being the center of all the com-
merce which the Englifti carry on with Malabar, Surat, the
Perfian and Arabian gulphs, 380.
Borax, a faline fubftance, an account of it, with its ufe, v. i.
p. 422.
Borneo, one of the largeft iflands hitherto difcovered and
known, v. i. p. 198. Manners and character of the inha-
bitants in the inland part?, and upon the coafts, ib. Pro-
duces a moil valuable fpecies of camphire, its fupericr ex-
cellence to any other camphire its ufe and value among
the Japanefe and Chinefe, who purchafe it of the natives
at a very great price, ib. 199. The Portuguefe and Eng-
lifti have attempted to fettle here, but were repulfed and
maflacred, 199. The real value of this colony to the
Dutch, who enjoy an exclufive privilege of trading for
pepper with an account of the articles imported into this
ifland bv the Dutch, ib. 200.
Bourbon (ifle ofj, known formerly by the name of Mafcaren-
has, v. ii. p. 72. When firft inhabited by the French, ib.
Its former and prefeat ftate of population, and productions
in caflava, corn, rice, maize, and coffee and its import-
ance to the French, ib. 73.
Brama revered by the Indians as the founder of their civil and
religious polity, v. i. p. 41. Sketch of the religious tenets
he taught, and the principles upon which he enforced the
practice of them, 51, 52,
Bramint,
INDEX.
mixj, their inviolable attachment to fecrefy in their reli-
gious doctrines, with a remarkable inflance to this effeft,
v. i. p. 39, 40. So called from being the priefts of Brama,
whom the Indians believe to be a being fuperior in dignity
to the human race, 41, 42. Divifion of them into feveral
orders their character and moral principles considered
and their attachment to fuperflition and the dreams of me-
taphyfics, 42. Defcended from the antient Brachmans
the veneration in which the Brachrnans have been held
with a fhort view of the doclrinaj parts of religion which
they maintained, and the religious obfervanccs which they
enjoined, 43. Marry in their infancy, and their wives
eminent for their fidelity and conftancy, 52. Very much
attached to certain courtezans, called by the Europeans
Balliaderes with a particular defcription of thefe extraor-
dinary women, v. ii. p. 27. 30.
Brazil (an immenfe continent in South America) is bounded
on the north by the river of the Amazons, on the fouth by
Paraguay, on the weft by mountains that divide it from
Peru, and on the eail by the northern ocean, v. iii. p. 118.
Accidentally difcovered in 1500 by a Portuguefe, named
Peter Alvarez Cabral, 119. Nature and character of the
firft colonifls, who were condemned criminals and aban-
doned women, Tent hither from Portugal, 120. Formed into
a fettlement in 1 549, with the name and abilities of the
firft governor, 125. Character, cuftoms, and manners of
the natives exemplified in the plurality or wives, their ho-
fpitality to (bangers, kindnefs to the fick, affection for the
dead, and their art of war, ib. 135. The Aiccefs and
profperity of the Portuguefe in this country, owing to the
Jefuits, and their influence over the natives, 135. 138.
'J he wealth and commerce of this Portu^uefe fettlement ex-
cited the envy of the French, who have, in vain, at-
tempted to make feulements fucceflively at Rio-Janeiro,
Rio Grande, Paraiba, and the ifland of Maragnan, 140,
141. Former ftate of the Dutch feitlements in this coun-
try, and the means by which they were deprived of them,
and obliged to evacuate the country, 142. i?z. Situation
of the Portuguefe after the expulfion of the Dutch the
means they purfued to civilize the natives and to improve
the colony; which they have enjoyed without any molefta-
tion from the natives, from the year 1717 to 1756, 152,
155. Its natural pioducYions, particularly logwood its
trade, including its imports and exports to Portugal; with
the manner in which its commerce is carried on, and pro-
pofals for improving the prefent plan, 179, 180, 181.
Pefcription of its capital, manners of the inhabitants, and
P p 3 climate
INDEX,
climate of the country, 181. 184. Difcovery of the gold
and diamond mines, with fome account of the different pro-
portion of gold to filver, and a comparative value of the
Brazil diamonds with thofe of the Eaft-Indies, 184. 192.
Thefe mines are fiiuated in the captainships of St. Vincent
and Rio- Janeiro, and in the adjacent iflandj, 192. A
fketch of the various prudent meafures which have been
purfued by the court of Liibon for fecuring the produce of
thefe mines, 193. 19 >. Thefertiity of m foil the tem-
perature of its air, and fmall produce of its plantation?
and negleft of agriculture, which was at length abandoned
on account of the mines with a view of the falfe policy of
the Portuguefe in this refpecl, 197. 201. Rile, progrefs,
jtnd contequences of the monopolies eftablifhed for the trade
of Brazil, 2or. 204. What fhare the Englifh have in this
commerce, and the method of carrying it on : 209 The
great advantages of allowing a freedom of commerce and
liberty of confdence in this colony; with reafons why the
Portuguefe fhould repeal the law which forbids all fo-
reigners from refiding in this country, 22c, 226, 227
$ritijb I/lands, nfs and rapid pro, refs of their population
owing to the many emigrants from England, v\ ho tied hi-
ther to avoid the civil difputes and turbulent faclion,
which harafled that country in the reigns of James and
Charles I. v. iv. p. 300. 305. Manners and characters of
the firft colonifts, 306, 307. Their civil conitirution
formed upon the model of the mother country iheir go-
vernor reprefenting the king; their council, the peers;
sind the deputies of their feveral diilricls the commons of
England, 508. Their laws are enacted, tsxes regulated,
and admimilration approved and cenfured, by the general
affembly, ib. The nature of the office of their governors,
and their mutual dependence upon the king and the colo-
nifts, ib. 309. The important functions of their agents or de-
puties fettled in England, who refemble the representatives
of the people in the Britifh parliament, 309. Their cul-
ture and produce defcribed, 310. Enjoyed, at firlt, an
unlimited freedom of trade, which was ahnoit rr.o: opolized
by the Dutch greatly to the injury of the mother-coun-
try: from whence arofe the famous navigation afi in 1651,
that excludes all foreign fhips from entering tne hatbours
of the Englifh iflands, 311, 31.2. Rile, progrels, and iuc-
cefs of their fugar plantations; as apiears from entries
jnade in 1680; and from their exports from 1708 to.
1718, from 1718 to 1727, and from 1727 to 1733, with
their decline after that time; owing to the competition of
|lie French, and the fuccefs of their trade in this article of
fugar,
INDEX.
fugar, 312, 313. Their petition to the Britifh parliament
upon this decline of their trade, and the partial redrefs of
their grievances, 314, 315. The rife, progrefe, and (late
of the culture, commerce, and population of the Englilh
colony in the ifland of Barbadoes, 316. 319. Extent and
ftate of commerce and population in Antigua, 320, 321.
In Montferrat, 322. In Nevis, 323, 324. In St. Chri
topher's, 32;. 329. Firft fet dement, climate, culture,
produce, civil government, commerce with the mother-
country, and illegal trade with the Spaniards, and fecurity
of the English colony at Jamaica, 329, 330. 364. Settlement
of the Englifh at Lucays or Bahama iflands, 366, 367.
At the Bermudas, 368. 371. At Tobago, 371. 378. At
Granada, 379. 384. At St. Vincent, 385. 392. And
at Dominica, 393. 395. A view of their prefent ftate in
general, and their importance to the mother-country, ib.
400. Forbidden to hold any intercourfe or connexions
with the feveral nations of Europe with fome account of
the Jaws that have been made to enforce this prohibition,
401. Supplied with mod of the neceflaries of life from
New England; and fend thither, in exchange, rum, pi-
mento, ginger and melafTes, ib. Not permitted to export
fugar in kind to New England the political motives for
this order and the injurious confequences of it to England
and her colonies in the iflands of America, ib. Apply
to parliament for a prohibition of the fugar trade, which
was carried on between the Britifli colonies in North Ame-
rica and the French iflands and an account of the mea-
fures purfued by the Britifli parliament upon this occafion,
402. 403. Their connection and commerce with the mo-
ther-country, and manner in which they are carried on,
403. 405. Annual amount of their productions the num-
ber of men and fliips annually employed in their com-
merce the charges of navigation and other incidental ex-
pences and the clear income of the owners of the planta-
tions, which may be eftimated at one million four hundred
and forty-three thoufand fi<ven hundred and fifty pounds, 407.
Their fecumy and preftrvation againft the jnvafion of an
enemy, depend upon a formidable navy ftatior.ed by the
mother-country, in the Atlantic, for their defence, 416,
Buccaneers, cruel plunderers and pisates in the American feas,
v. iii. p. 277. Their origin, manners, expeditions, and
decler.fion, with the names of thofe who fignalized them-
felves in their excurfions, 279. 310.
Budzoifti, a religious feet among the Japanefe, who far fur-
pafs the European nations, and even the inquifitors of
Spain, in their cruelty and tyranny, v. i. p. 134, 135.
P p 4
INDEX.
nature, properties, and ufe of this anima], particu-
lc.r:y it. agriculture; with reafons why it fhould be intro-
duced into the Caribbee iflands, where it would be of
gifcater iervice than the common ox, v. iii. p. 444.
Calcutta, (hort account of the climate, population, commerce
and weal h of this Englifh fettlement on the coaft of Ben-
gal, v. i. p. 418.
California, nature and intent of the voyage made through its
gulph, in 1746, by Ferdinand Confag the advantages
which the Spaniards expeclqd to reap from it and how
far their expectations and advantages have been crowned
with fuccefs, v. ii. p. 387, 333. The extent, climate,
and foil of this country, 436. Pearl fifhery on its coafts
jnuch valued by the inhabitants of New Spain, ib. 437.
Sketch of the manners and cuftoms of the natives, 437.
Spaniards have made feveral attempts to form an eftablilh-
ment in this peninfula, but have never fucceeded, for want
of humanity, courage, and perfeverance in thefe enter-
prifes, ib. What laudable efforts have been ufed by
the Jefuits to civilize the natives by introducing manufac-
tures, agriculture, ufeful arts, and a few plain and falu-
tary laws, into the country which efforts have not been
entirety unfuccefsful, 438, 439. No mines have ever
been difcovered in this country, with ihe advantages of
this circumftance to the inhabitants, 439. How far addi-
tional fortifications are neceiTary, 440. What advantages
may be reaped from this province by the Spaniard?, ib.
Campeacky, origin of this Spanilh colony, v. ii. p. 447. A
vaiuable mart for commerce in the article of logwood, ib.
Its profperity interrupted by the fettling of the Englifh at
Jamaica, 448. Nature of its foil, which produces logwood
of a fupcrior quality to what is cut at the bay of Honduras,
ib.
Campbire, which is the beft fpecies of it, and whence it is;
brought, v. i. p. 198, 199.
Canada, when firft vitited by the French, with the character
and conduct of thefe adventurers, v. iv. p. 431, 432. Ex-
tent, rivers, woods, and climate of this councry, 433.
Cuftoms, languages, manners, government, virtues and
vices, religious worfhip and tenets, fuperflitious attach-
ment to dreams, and the rnoJe of profecuting military
pperat\ons among t,ke favages, who were found here by the
French. 433. 464. The imprudence of the French for
fm^rfctitfg in the wars between the tavages of different na-
;io.as in this country, 465. 469. French fetdements here
INDEX.
very flow in their progrefa: and the evils arifing from the
trade being; monopolized by a company, which enjoyed an
exclufive right of commerce and other valuable privileges
even to the detriment of the mother-country, 470, 471,
472. Enjoys, for tne firft time, a profound peace in 1668,
with the peculiar advantages of this peace to the trade and
plantations of this colony, 474. State of its population
and defence under the government of Denonville, and the
dilgrace he brought upon the character of the French na-
tion among the natives of Canada, 475* 476. What ad-
vantages it reaped from the peace of Ryfwick, which put
an end to the feveral cruelties, which had been lately ex-
ercifed by the Englilh and Fiencli, and their feveral adhe-
rents or friends among the favages, 480. 482. The furs
of this country gave rife to ~1! the connexions between the
French and natives with a philofophical defcription of the
Otter, the Pole-cat, the Ermine, the Martin, the Lynx,
the Bear, and the Beaver; with the refpeftive value of
each of thefe articles of trade, 433. 497. At what places,
and in what manner, this fur trade has been carried on by
the French, who have been oppofed by the Englifh (fettled
at New York) in this branch of commerce and the means
which the French have ufed to make this oppofuion inef-
fectual, 497. 506. Ceded to the Englifh at the latter
part of the reign of Lewis XIV. 508. Its low and wretch-
ed ftate, afcer it was reftored to the French, and particu-
larly at the peace of Utrecht, v. v. p. 51. Improved ftate
of population, acsording to eftimates taken in 175 3 and
1756 with its divifion into three feveral diftrkls, Quebec,
Trois Rivieres, and Montreal, and a (hort account of each
diftrift, 53, 54. What fuccefs has attended agriculture
and plantations here, 55. 57. Charadler and manners of
the inhabitants, 57, 158. Nature of its civil and military
laws, 58, 59. Nature and value of its fiflieries, particu-
larly tlie feal-fifhery, 62. 64. Its moft flouriming period
was between 1748 and 1756 with the uttnoft value of its
exports during that period, 65. State of its credit the
annual expences of government and the revenues which
it produced in the poffelfion of the French, ib. 68. Ca-
pable of yielding prodigious crops of corn, which, with a
moderate degree cf labour, might have been made fuffi-
cient to fupply all the American iflands with the neceffity
of attending to agriculture in general, particularly the
culture of the plant Gin-feng, which is natural to this foil,
68, 69, 70. Abounds with valuable iron mines, which
have been much neglefted by the French, 71. The
bad management of the wood of this country, which af-
forded
INDEX.
forded excellent materials for the navy, 72. The erro-
neous conduil cf the French miniftry in neglecting the
beaver trade, and the whale and cod fifheries on its coaft,
72. 74. Its general ftate under the government of La Ga-
h'ffoniere, and the war which it produced between the
Englifh and French, 77, 78. Attacked by the Englifti,
with their various defeats, 83. 91. Conquered, at length,
by the Englifli, and fecured to them by the treaty of peace,
in 1763, 91. 95. Its improved ftate in the hands of the
EnglHh, who have inftituted a wife and falutary fyftem of
maritime, penal, and civil laws, adapted to its climate
and population; with the great advantages which maybe
derived from it, 95, 96, 97.
Candlebury myrtle (a native of North America), the culture,
properties, and ufe of this plant, with an account of its
proper foil, v. v. p. 299, 300.
Cape-Breton became an objeft of the attention of the French
foon after their firft arrival in North America, v. v. p. 3.
Its advantageous lituation for the cod-fifhery, and for mak-
ing the entrance into Canada eafy for the French (hips,
made the Englifti (for a time) oppofe the French being
allowed to people and fortify it at the peace of Utrecht
although the French were afterwards authorized to make
any alterations and improvements, ib. Bounded on the
cafl by Newfoundland, and on the weft by Acadia its ad-
vantageous iituation for the French with an account of
its extent and climate, ib. 4. Its ftate upon the arrival
and fettlement of the French with a defcription of the
harbour and town of Louifbourg, its fortifications, and the
expences attending them, 4, 5, 6. Occupied chiefly by
fiftiermen, who came to this ifland fo early as 1714, and
fettled in it, 6. Its foil very unfavourable to agriculture,
which, upon this account, has been neglected by its inha-
bitant?, 7, 8. Abounds with valuable coal-mines, 8.
The value of the cod-filhery, which employs the whole at-
tention and induftry of its inhabitants, 9. Supplied with
provifions and the moft necefTary articles of life fiom
France, ib. Its exports and imports, 10. The low and
diftrefled ftate of the colonifis, and the reafons, ib. In-
vaded and taken by the Englifh in 1745, with a particular
account of this fmgular fiege, 78, 79. Reftored to the
French by the treaty of Aix la Chapelle, and taken again
by the Englifh in 1/58, in whofe poffeflion it now con-
tinue?, 80. 83.
C^raccas (a Spani(h fettlement in South America) produces
the bell fpecies of cocoa, in the greateft quantity, culti-
vated in America the value and extent of its commerce
and
INDEX.
and manner in which it is carried on, v. H. p. 582,
5*3-
Caribbee Ijlands^ their extent, and firft fettlement of the Eu-
ropeans upon them fome of them called the windward,
others the leeward iflands, with the reafons and an en-
quiry into the natural caufe of iflands in general, v. iii.
p. 236, 237. Snppofed to have been detached from the
continent, and why, 241, 242. The nature of the foil
and ftate of vegetation in them, 242. 246. The tempera-
ture of the climate and its feveral variations; their de-
pendence rather upon the wind than the changes of the
feafons; and a philofophica! enquiry into the caufes of the
eaftcrly wind, and the natural effects of the rain in thefe
jflandf, 247. 250. Hurricanes and earthquakes frequent
and dreadful here, and their caufes- according to the opi-
nion of the bed naturalifls, 251. 257. Curtoms, religion,
government, virtues and vices of the ancient inhabitants the
Caribs, found here by Columbus, 257. 262. The incur-
fions and firft fettlements of the Englifh and French, who
(according to the tenor of a treaty made in 1660) divided
thefe iflands among themfelves, and confined the natives to
St. Vincent and Dominica: the French obtained, by this
treaty, Gaudalupe, Martinico, Granada, and fome lefs
confiderable scquifitions; and the Englifh were confirmed
in the pofleflion of Barbadoes, Nevis, Antigua, Mont-
ferrac, and feveral other iflands of little value; St. Chrif-
topher's belonged to both nations, 263. 266. A fpirit of
activity and induftry appeared among the colonies foon
after the peace of Utrecht, which greatly promoted their
intereft, 315, 316. Their commerce and profperity in-
terrupted by the war begun in 1739, 316. Their Euro-
pean inhabitants feek cultivators of their lands in Africa,
and go thither for that purpofe, 359, 360. The expedi-
ency of introducing buffaloes into thefe iflands for the pur-
pofes of agriculture, 444, 445. Natuie of the difeafe
called the fetaxos, which feems peculiar to the torrid zone;
what diforders the Europeans are fubject to, and what pre-
cautions are neceflary for their obfervance on their firft ar-
rival in thefe iflands 467, 468, 469. Their advantages
(in a general view) to the feveral nations that are in pof-
feflion of them, 471, 472, 473.
Carolina, its extent, v. v. p. 266. Difcovered by the Spa-
niards, in their earlieft expeditions into America, but was
deferted as foon as they found it contained no gold mine?,
and was equally neglected by the Englifh and French till
the year 1603; when a royal grant of this country was
made to ceitain proprietors, ib. Nature of the firft civil
and
INDEX.
and rtligieut government eftablifhed in it by Mr. I.ocke ;
the defects of this fyftem, and the improvements which
have taken place, fince it has been in the hands of the
crown alone, 267. 270. Divided into two feparate govern-
ments, north and fouth, 271. Its climate equal, if not
fuperior, to the climate of any country in America, ib.
Its foil, various, though (in general) agreeable and rich,
272. Well adapted for agriculture and pafturage, ib. 273.
State of its population and trade, particularly in the South,
273. The advantages arising from the culture of rice
(which feems natural to this foil), and the effects which it
has on the climate, considered, 274. Origin and How
progrefs of the indigo plantations in both provinces, 275.
The manners and labours of the firft colojjifts in the north-
ern part of this colony, 276, 277. The impofts laid on
its trade, 277. The articles and value of its exports to
Europe and the Caribbee iflands, 278, 279. Defcription of
the plantations and wealth of its two principal cities,
Charles Town and Port Royal and the manners of the
inhabitants, ib.
Carthage, its deftrudtton by the Romans a misfortune to Eu-
rope, v. i. p. 4.
Cartbagena, difcovery and origin of this colony, which (after
various revolutions of government) is now fubject to the
Spaniards, v. ii. p. 571. Its natural, political, and com-
mercial ftate, and the diforders to which the colonifts are
fubject, and their feveral caufes, 572. 575. The real im-
portance of this fettlement to the Spaniards, 576, 577.
Ca/as, Bartholomew de las, fketch of his amiable character
his fingular benevolence and philanthropy to the wretched
natives of Mexico, who were doomed to the moft horrid
oppreflions and mifery by Cortez and his adherents and
the relief he obtained for them, by his reprefentation of
their ftate to the court of Spain, v. ii. p. 394. 396.
Cafpian fee., fhort account of its former and prefent Hate, v. i.
p. 30. Is undoubtedly the refervoir of thofe large rivers
that fall into it, and poflibly may have fome communica-
tion, by fubterraneous paffages, with the ocean and the
Mediterranean, 31. The track by which the north and
fouth, in the remoteft ages, communicated with each
other, v. ii. p. 226. Some conjectures for fuppofing, that
the countries, bordering upon this fea, were poflefled of
great fplendour in former times, ib. 227. Some account
of the various and unfuccefsful attempts made by the Eng-
lifh to open a way into Perfia by this fea, 227, 228, 229.
Ca/iro, Don Juan da t his great character and glorious admi-
niftrauon of the Portuguefe affairs in India, ac the tirae of
th<j
I N D E X.
the decline of their power in that country, v. i. p. 142.
Attempts to reftore the ancient valour of his countrymen,
ib. Inftitutes funeral games in honour of thofe who fell in
defence of their country, at the Cege of Diu, which (at
that time) was the key of India, 143. Having obtained a
iignal victory at Diu, he orders the honours of a triumph
for the viclorious army, to be prepared after the manner of
the ancients : with a particular defcription of this triumph,
144. The temporary fpirit, with which he animated the Por-
tuguefe, expired with him; and their empire in India was
foon annihilated and deftroyed after his death, 145. 148.
Cayenne (bounded by the Dutch colonies of Surinam on the
North, and the mouth of the river Amazon on the South)
fubmits, after various revolutions of government, to the
French, v. iv. p. 115, 116. Natural ftate of this ifland
its plantations and produce, 117, 118, 119. A candid
examination of the erroneous fyflem of policy adopted by
the French for the improvement and culture of this colony
and all their fettlements in Guiana, after the conclufion of
the peace, in 1763, with the Englifh, 120. 132.
Celebes (an ifland in the torrid zone), its extent and climate
defcribed, v. i. p. 193. The manners and religion of the
inhabitants, who are Mohammedans and the fingular me-
thod by which the tenets of the Alcoran were adopted by
them, and became the eftabliftied or national religion, ib.
196. Subjeft at firit to the Portuguefe, and afterwards to
the Dutch, who are the prefent and abfolute mafters of the
colony, 196, 197. Its commerce, revenues, and real va-
lue to the Dutch, and their reafons for keeping it in their
poffeflion at a very confiderable expence, 197, 198.
Cejlon, its extent, antient name, and fingular refpecl for the
laws eftablilhed here in the earlieft times, v. i. p. 87.
Found by the Portuguefe, on their firil arrival, to be well
peopled, and inhabited by two nations, who differed from
each other in their manners, government, and religion
with a particular defcription of each refpeclive nation, 88,
89. Formed by its fituation for a raoft convenient
mart for commerce with Europe, Arabia, and Perfia; and
the reafons why thefe advantages were overlooked by the
Portuguefe, 89, 90. Conquered by the Dutch, who expelled
the Portuguefe (in 1685) after a long, bloody, and ex-
penfive war, 206, 207. The nature and feveral articles of
commerce in this ifland, 207, 208. Cinnamon the moft
valuable branch of trade here j the culture and qualities of
this fpice, 2 1 1, 212, 213.
Chaco (fituate in South America) conquered by the Spa-
niards in 1536, with an account of its barren ftate, v. ii.
p. 567.
INDEX.
p. 5^7. Is become valuable to the Spaniards for the gold
mines difcovered in it, which are worked without much
expence, hazard, or difficulty, ib. 568.
Ckaxdernagortj brief account of the Hate of this French fet-
tlement on the coaft of Bengal, v. i. p. 419.
Charlemagne fubdues the Saxons, but is not equally fuccefs-
ful againft the Arabs, v. i. p. 1 1 . Revives, for a fliort
time, maritime commerce in France; and eftablifh.es great
fairs in that country, ib. His extenfive government was
only a tranfient gleam of glory his empire being divided
into feveral parts after his death, 160, 161. Sketch of
his character; which is fullied with fanguinary Ahemes of
conqueft, and with adls of cruelty and perfecution, v. ii.
p. 4.
Charles V. the melancholy flate of European affairs immedi-
ately previous to his acceffion to the empire of Germany,
and the troubles in which Europe was involved by the am-
bition of the houfes of Aultria and Bourbon, v. v. p. i, 2.
His ambition, talent?, and rivalfliip with Francis I. gave
rife to the prefent fyflem of modern politics in Europe,
42 7. _
Chili, its extent and boundaries, v. iii. p. i. Firft appear-
ance of the Spaniards in this country : manners of the na-
tives ; their military operations, and inveterate enmity
againft the Spaniards, who have never entirely fubdued
them, 2, 3, 4, 5. Agriculture much neglected by the
Spaniards, although the foil is fertile and capable of much
improvement, 6. Prefent low ftate of its population and
military eitablifhment, and the real ftate of its gold mine?,
. 7. Its climate temperate and falutary, and foil very fer-
tile, ib. 8. Enjoys no direft intercourfe with the mother-
country, and extends its commerce no farther than Peru,
Paraguay, and the country adjacent to Chili; with an ac-
count of its exports and imports, 8, 9, 10. Its political,
civil and military eftablifhment defcribed, 10, 11.
Chinefe the firft difcoverers of the clove and nutmeg in the
Molucca iflands, v. i. p. 99. Utterly unknown to the
Europeans, till the arrival of Mark Paul, a Venetian,
among them, 104. Firft vifited by the Portuguefe in
1518, and their mutual courtcfy towards each other, ib.
The boundaries, extent, and antiquity of their country,
105, 1 06. Purfue plans of utility rather than pleafure in
the improvement of their lands, 107. Their mines of
iron*, tin, and copper, 108. Mode of agriculture different
according to the difference of the foil and climate in this
country, 109, no. The vegetative fyftem of nature much
better underftood by them than any other people, no.
Their
INDEX.
Their character for induftry and religion, ib. in. Their
veneration for agriculture vifible, ia the annual cuftom of
their emperors becoming hufbandmen every fpring, in the
encouragement given to it by their laws, and in the ho-
nours conferred upon thofe who excel in cultivating the
ground, in, 112, 113. Their humane and equitable
method of raifing and levying taxes, and applying them
to the real benefit of fbciety, 114, 115. Slow progrefs of
population among them, explained, 116. Their emperors
pay an implicit attention and obedience to the laws, and
their reafons for it, 117. Their government nearly re-
fembles the patriarchal, 118. Nobility not hereditary,
but conferred according to perfonal and real merit
except in cafes of the crown, where it is affigned to the
heir of the emperor, only in confideration of his abilities,
1 20, 121. Character of their mandarins, out of which
clafs all the officers of ftate are elected, 121. Sketch of
the character of Confucius, the founder of their national
religion and the manner in which it is fupported, 122.
Their excellent fyftem of education, 123. Their manners
take their complexion from their laws, which inculcate
and enforce moderation, and humanity, ib. 124. Emi-
nent for a patriotic love of their country, 125. The low
ftate of learning and the polite arts among them, with the
feveral caufes of it, 127, 128. Not a warlike people,
with the reafons, 128. Their behaviour to the Portu-
guefe on their firil landing, and the permiffion they grant-
ed them of eftablifhing a fettlement at Macao, 129, 130,
3
Cbinefe, their country invaded and conquered by the Mogul
Tartars, who adopt the manners and cuftoms of the Chi-
nefe, v. ii. p. 220, 221, 222. Are alarmed .t the incur-
fions of the Ruffians into Chinefe Tarcary, oppofe them,
and terminate the difpute and conteft, and in what man-
ner, 222, 223. Mercenary and fraudulent in their traffic,
246, 247. Renounce the ufe of gold and filver coin, and
make ufe of copper money only, in their inland trade,
248. Nature and value of their commerce with the
Tartars, 250. With the lefs Bucharia, ib. With Ja-
pan, the Philippines, Batavia, Siam, Tonquin, and Co-
chinchina, 251. What privileges they granted to the firft
Europeans who traded with them, and the caufe of the
prefent reftraints upon this commerce, 251, 252. Uni-
verfally adopt the ufe of tea, and its falutary virtues ia
their country, 254. Some conjectures concerning their
origin, and the origin of the Egyptians, 256. Some
account of their different kinds of porcelain, and iheir dif-
ferent
INDEX.
ferent value; what attempts have been made to introauce
this manufacture into Europe, and thefuccefs; and the fu-
perior excellence of the Afiatic to European porcelain, 256.
265. The origin of the filk manufactures among them,
and the peculiar excellence of the Nanking, 266. 269.
Defcription of their varnifh, the tree (called Tfi-chu)
which produces it, and the two methods of ufing it, z~i.
273. Nature and procefs of making their paper, 274.
Their contempt and cruelties towards the Dutch in xvi.
cent. 277, 278. Their trade with the Englifli more con-
ftant and permanent than with any other Europeans, 278,
279. Annual returns of their trade with the feveral na-
tions of Europe, 280. More inclined to difcourage this
trade, than to open their ports to the Europeans, 281,
282. The proportion of gold to filver in their country,
v. iii. p. 187.
Chriftopber's, Si. the firft appearance of the French in it, the
origin and nature of the fettlement they formed, and their
trade, which was fubjeft to monopolies, v. iv. p. 100, 101.
Formerly a general afylum for the Englifh and French co-
lonifts in America, who fhared the ifland between them,
and engaged to affift each other againft the Spaniards, their
common enemy at that time, 325. Reciprocal jealoufy
between the Englifh and French continued for a long fe-
ries of years till, at length, the French were totally ex-
pelled in 1762, and their future return abfolutely for-
bidden by the treaty of peace at Utrecht: with the ttate of
. their population and cultures at their expulfion, ib. 326.
The character and amiable manners of the Englifh co-
lonifts in this ifland, and their exemplary kindnefs towards
their (laves, 327, 328.
Cimbrians, fketch of their extenfive pofiellions and victories in
the northern part of Europe, in the earlicil times; until
they were fubdued by the Romans, under the command of
Marius, v. ii. p. 157. Their country was peopled again
by the Scythians, who (after their defeat by Pompey)
marched towards the north and weft of Europe, and lub-
dued all the nations they found in their way, 158.
Cinnamon, the produce of the ifland Ceylon; with an account
of its growth, qualities, and the feafon proper for its cul-
tivation, v. i. p. 211. 213.
Clove, an account of its growth at Amboyna, its properties,
and the feafon for gathering it, v. i. p. 187, 188.
Cccbinchina, the origin and foundation of its empire, which
afterwards became very extenfive the amiable manners
and cufloms of its firft inhabitants the climate, and fer-
tility of the foil, v. ii. p. 47, 48, 49. Excellent cha-
racter
INDEX.
rafter of the founder of this nation, whofe example was
clofely imitated by fucceeding emperors v for a long period
of time; the defpotic and arbitrary principles of the pre-
fent emperors; the difcovery of gold mines in this coun-
try, which are more attended to than agriculture, 50, 51.
The prefent ftate of its trade with the Chinefe and French,
5. 5 2 -
Cochineal, nature of this infect, food, and methods for pre-
paring it for ufe, and the advantages of it to the Spaniards,
v. ii. p. 410. 414.
Cocoa tree, the produce of the Molucca I/lands, with a de-
icription of its natural properties, growth, and virtues,
v. i. p. 96, 97. Manner of its culture, and the beft
fpecies of it produced on the coaft of Caraccas in South
America, v. ii. p. 581, 582.
Coffee, its tree originally a native of Upper Ethiopia, where it
has been known time immemorial, and is ftill cultivated
with fuccefs, v. i. p. 340. Its virtues, ib. When in-
troduced among the Englifh, 342. Which is the bell fpe-
cies, 343. Value of this article exported into foreign coun-
tries, and ufe made of the profits arifing from its fale, 344.
Account of the feveral precedes by which it is made fit for
fale, v. iv. p. 60. Defcription of the tree which produces
it the climate and foil proper for its cultivation and the
care neceflary in bringing it to maturity, 61, 62.
Columbut forms a defign of difcovering America, which (for
fome time) was treated as chimerical, and rejected as ab-
furd by the Genoefe, Portuguefe, and the Englifh, v. ii.
p. 339. Propcfes to the Spaniards the aggrandizement of
their empire by new conquefts in a new world is fup-
ported and encouraged in his defign arrives in America
in 1492, and lands on one of the Bahama iflands, which
he called San Salvador, 340. Difcovers the ifland of
Hayti (afterwards called Hifpaniola) treats the natives
with great kindnefs and humanity receives every tefti-
mony of their gratitude, creels a fort with the affiltance of
the iflanders, and returns to Spain, where he is received
in triumph, 342. 346. Returns to Hifpaniob, and is
obliged (contrary to his own fentiments) to exercife cruel-
ties againft the natives, who had been made defperate by
the oppreffive behaviour of fome of his colleagues in his
abfence, 346, 347, 348. Peoples the new-difcovered co-
lonies with maletadiors, and foon experiences the ill con-
fequences arifing fiom it, 350. The unmerited infults,
contempt, and difgrace, which he experienced and the
miferies and opprefiions fuftained by the colonies after this
event, 352, 353, 354. His difcovery of the river Oro-
VOL. V. ' Q^q nooko
INDEX.
nooko and the bay of Honduras, 456. His laborious, but
fruitlefs, fearch after a paflage to the Eaft Indies, ib. 457.
Forms an eftablifhment at Domingo, and difcovers the Lefs
Antilles; with a philofophical account of the nature,
manners, government, and religion of the Caribs, who
were the antient inhabitants of the iflands known by their
name, and their oppofition to Columbus, v. iii. p. 2157,
258, 259. His diftrefled fituation at Jamaica; and the
excellent manoeuvre, by which he efcaped the danger and
death which threatened him, v. iv. p. 330, 331.
Commerce, what is its proper foundation, and in what manner
it has been carried on or purfued in antient and modern
times, v. v. p. 463. 470. Its advantages in a moral light,
and the revolutions it has produced in the manners and the
general maxims of politics in Europe, 471, 472. What
genius is requifite for the merchant, and what is his pecu-
liar province, 473, 474, 475. Nature and confequences
of conducting commerce by exclufive privileges granted to
incorporated focieties, 475. Its general date in time of
peace, ib. Commercial wars very impolitic and inju-
rious to the national trade, whether of neutral or the con-
tending power.*, with an enquiry into the caufe and effects
of commercial treaties, and the great advantages of a ge-
neral freedom of trade, 477. 480. The effects of the con-
ftant progrefs of commerce in a monarchical government,
517, 518.
Camera, I/lands of (fituate in the Mozambique channel, be-
tween the coaft of Zanguebar and Madagascar), their num-
ber, climate, and foil, v. i. p. 429. Population, religion,
and manners of the inhabitant?, 430. Serve as a place of
refrefhment to the Englifh in their voyages to Arabia and
Malabar, 431.
Ccmpafs (the), its advantages to navigation firfl difcovered in
xv. cent, by Henry, fon to John I. king of Portugal, who
was particularly concerned in the invention of the Aftro-
labe, and the firft in applying the compafs to the purpofe
of navigation, v. i. p. 28. In what manner navigation was
purfued before the invention of it, 69.
Conftantine, an examination of the civil tendency of fome
laws, which he enacted for encouraging chriftianity, and
fuppreffing Paganifm, v. i. p. 10.'
Cordeleras, fome account of the height of thefe mountains,
which run almoft the whole length of South America,
through the countries of Peru and Chili, and the enormous
mafles of fnow with which they have been covered (though
fituate in the warmeft climate of the earth) from time im-
memorial ;
INDEX.
memorial; to which is added a fhort defcription of the
ftate of the adjacent country, v. ii. p. 497, 498, 499.
Ceromandel, the firft arrival of the Dutch, with the ftate of
their trade, v. i. p. 206. Geographical and philofophi-
cal defcription of its coaft, climate, and manners of
the inhabitants, 3^5. Neglecled by the firft Europeans
who arrived in India, and the reafons, ib. General view
of trade and government, 386. Rife and progrefs of the
firft fettlements eftablifhed here, 387. Nature and extent
of the advantageous commerce of the Englifh, with a brief
account of the manufacture of cottons, 388, 389. What
are the annual exports, and how divided among the Eu-
ropeans, 393. 396. Prefent ftate of the French fettle-
ments ana factories, v. ii. p. 140. 145. Population and
commerce of the Danlfh territory, 168, 169.
CorttK prepares for the conqueft of Mexico ; with an account
of his abilities for this expedition, and the behaviour of the
natives to him off Tabafco, v. ii. p. 356. 360. Arrives at
Mexico; with the ftate of the natives he found there, 360.
His engagements with the province of Tlafcala, with a
{ketch of the manners of the natives, 366. 368. Advances
towards Mexico, and his conduft on this occafion examined,
369. 383.
Cotton-Jhrub t not cultivated in Jamaica, till the indigo-plan-
tations were in their decline, v. iv. p. 344. Produced in
various iflands of America, but this fort is of a very bad
fpecies, ib. The culture, foil, and feafon proper for
planting that fpecies which fupplies the Englifh manufac
tures, ib. 345, 346.
Credit public and private, defined its refpe&ive ufe and
abufe and fome enquiries into the nature, principles, and
effefts of paper currency and public loans, v. v. p. 530.
13 6 -
Cuba, extent, firft difcovery, and rife of this Spanifh fettle-
ment. v. iv. p. 25. Eafily conquered by the Spaniards,
26. Its importance on three accounts its natural produc-
tions and foil in refpeft of being the itaple of a great
trade, and being the key to the New World, 27. State of
its plantations, population, and manners of the inhabit-
ants, 28, 29, 30. The flow progrefs of its trade, and
the many impediments to it, produced by monopolies, 31.
Made the general rendezvous of the Spanifh mips failing
into the New World, ib. Advantages of its very fafe and
extenfive harbour in the port of the Havannah; with an
account of its prefent fortifications, and the plans for ma-
king it impregnable, 32. 39. The folly and evil confe-
Q^q 2 quences
INDEX.
quences of compelling the colonifts to become foldiers, 39;,
40.
CitraJJou (an ifland of the Lefs Antillesl formerly fubjeft to
the Spaniards, but now a Dutch fettlement, v. iv. p. 47.
Its extent and real importance confidered, ib. 48. I f s
convenient Situation for forming and carrying on a contra-
band trade with the Spanifh main, 53. Became in time
an immenfe magazine, to which the Spaniards reforted and
carried on an ex tcr.fi ve trade, with an account of the fe-
veral articles of this trade, ib. Its commerce with Do-
mingo and the windward iflands belonging to the French,
in the time of war between them and the Englifti, 54.
Nature of the impofts on all goods imported into this
ifland, ib.
D.
Dacca, its fituation, foil, and population defcribed, v. i.
p. 424. Manner of carrying on the trade and manufacture
of this place, ib. 425. What cottons are the molt valu-
able, 426. The time of planting the cotton ufed in the
manufacture, ib.
Danes defcended from the Scythiaris, and were originally pi-
rates; with an account of the antient revolutions of this
people, v. ii. p. 157. 160. Humanized on their conver-
fion to chriftianity become attached to agriculture and
fiming and extend their communication with the other na-
tions of Europe, 161. Origin of their commerce in India
and their colony in Tranquebar "(fituate' in the fmall king-
dom of Tanjour), and a uSort defcriptien of the ftate of
agriculture and manufactures in Tanjour, 162, 163. The
various interruptions and changes which their commerce in
India has undergone; with the privileges and (late of their
prefent India company, 164. 167. Population and com-
merce of their colony on the ccaft of Coremande!, and the
Ganges, 168, 169. Nature and (late of their trade to
China, and the value of the annual purchafes made by
them in this country, which (according to an eiiimate
made in 1766) amounted to ninety-four thoufand five hun-
dred and feventy-one pounds, 170, 171. 280. Eltimate
of their annual exportation of money to India, 291.
Danes, their trade to Morocco more exteniive than the trade
of any other European ftate to that country, and the man-
ner in which it is carried on, v. iii. p. 370. Nature and
ftate of their flave trade in Africa, 400. What is the ufaal
feafon for cutting their crops of fugar in the American fet-
tiements, 451.
Datits,
INDEX.
Danes, their firft expedition into America (in 1619) being
unfuccefsful, they neglected to form an American fettle-
ment for fome time afterwards, with the reafons, v. iv.
p. 83. Nature of their antient conftitution, tho' formed
upon the model of liberty, very inconfiftent with liberty,
84. Their prefent fyftem of government is abfolute mo-
narchy, 85. Rife and fl ate of their fettlement at St. Tho-
mas, and the means by which it became a valuable mart of
commerce, ib. 86. State of their colony at St. John's, 86.
The various revolutions of their colony at Santa Cruz,
which was at laft fecured to them by purchafe, and the pre-
fent ftate of its trade, 88, 89, 90. Examination of their
coaduft towards their fettlements in the iflands of America,
and manner of conducting commerce in them, 90. 92.
State of the commerce, foil, climate, population, taxes,
military, navy, monopolies and expectations of their Eu-
ropean fettlements and the reafons why they mould (hew
a Uriel attention to their colonies in America, and appro-
priate their produce to themfelves, 93. 99. An eftimate
of the annual value of the produce of their pofleffions in
America the number of mips employed in their American
trade, and the charges of exportation and importation,
406. Their government proved to be defpotic, v. v.
p. 387.
Darien (ifthmus of), its difcovery by Columbus, and the ex-
pe&ations he formed from this difcovery, v. ii. p. 456,
457. Defcription of the nature, complexion, and fingular
manners of the natives in the adjacent country, 458, 459.
Domingo (St.) famous for being the firft fettlement of the Spa-
niards in America, v. iv. p. 18. State of the gold mines
difcovered in it at that time, ib. The cruelty of the Spa-
niards and the infurreilion of the negroes in this ifland,
and the favourable confequences of it to the negroes, 19.
Its advantages, and produce in fugar, tobacco, cocoa, caf-
lia, ginger, and cotton, ib. The caufe of its depopula-
tion on the conquert of Mexico, with the evils that fol-
lowed it, 20, 21. Rife and fmall progrefs of the commer-
cial company trading to this place, 22. State of this co-
lony on its fouthern and northern coafts, which are fubjeft
to the French, ib. 23, 24, 25. Its extent, air, foil, and
inal fubmiflion to the French, 194. 197. Its progrefs
and profperity under the adminiilranon of Bertrand Do-
geron, 198, 199, 200. The civil jurifdiclion introduced
here by the French, not without oppofuion and the means
purfued to conciliate the affections of the colonifts and
planters, 202, 203. Rife of its fugar plantations, and
the encouragement given to agriculture, 204, 205. Suf-
Q_l 3 tained
INDEX.
tained great lofles by an univerfal blaft of all the cocoa*
trees upon this colony in 1715, and by a dangerous inlur-
reftion of the coionifts in 1722, with the proper and fuc-
cefsful meafures that have been purfued by government for
eftablifhing tranquillity and peace, 206, 207, 208. Its
prefent flate, capes and harbours, defcribed, 209. 212.
What improvements are further neceflary in the harbours,
agriculture, and fortifications of various parts of this
French fettlement, 213. 227. Its fertility, culture, pro-
dace, and population, 228. 231. Nature and value cf
the trade carried on between the French and Spaniards
fettled in this ifland, 231. Its fecurity againft invafion,
and prefervation of its connections with Europe, explained,
232, 333, 234.. Rife and progrefs of the warm difputes
which have fubMed (from the earlieft appearance of the
French in this ifland) between them and the Spaniards,
and the neceffity of feeding them, by fixing the boundaries
of each refpeftive colony; and at what period the en-
croachments of one party againft the other commenced,
235. 241. The prefent Hate of its defence agair.tt an
enemy, the neceffity of additional fortifications, and the
moft advantageous fituations for raifing them, 242, 253.
Its ftrenuous oppofition to the poll-tax, impofed by the
French on the negroes of this ifland, and their other Ame-
rican colonies, with an enquiry into the cruelty and want
of policy in this tax, 2:8, 259, 260. State of the mi-
litia, which the coloniils adopted with reluctance, 268.
Dominica afligned by the united confent of the Englifli and
French to the Caribs for their property: with a Iketch of
the manners and government of thefe favages among each
other at their firlt fettling upon this ifland, v. iv. p. 385,
386. Its extent and produce, and the population of
the French and Caribs in the year 1763, when it be-
came fubject to the Englifli, 393. Its fituation con-
venient to the Englifli for drawing all the commodities
of the French colonies hither, and for intercepting without
danger the navigation of France in her fettlements, 394,
395. Enjoys the privilege of being a free port, and per-
mitted to carry on a commercial inter.courfe with the fe-
veral nations of Europe, 400, 401.
Drake (Sir Francis), his fuccefsful expeditions againft the
Spaniards in America, and conqueft* of St. Domingo, St.
Jago, and Carthagena, v. v. p. 100, 101.
Druidt, fketch of their religious tenets and rites particularly
the human facriftces which they offered up to the deity,
arid the tranfmigration of fouls they inculcated upon the
minds of their difciples, v. v. p. 102. Were intrufted
3 with
INDEX.
with the care and education of youth, and were abfolute
in their determination of all civil and criminal caufes, 103.
Decline of their power and religion in vii. cent. 104.
Dumpier; (a religious feel in Philadelphia), their rife, aufte-
rity of manners pacific fentiments, religious tenets; and
attention to agriculture, manufactures, and the ufeful arts,
v. v. p. 227. 2:0.
Dutch, origin, antient revolutions, rife of the republic, and
firtt wars of this people with the Portuguefe in India, v. i.
p. 151. 173. Beginning of their trade with the Japanefe,
and the revolutions among this people, immediately pre-
vious to it, 178. 18). Affifted by the native^ of the coun-
try, they become matters of the Moluccas, and expel the
Portuguefe from thefe iflands, and monopolize the valuable
trade of fpices produced in them, 185. igo. Origin, ex-
tent, and value of their fettlement at Timor, 191, 192.
State of their colony at Celebes the manner by which
they became matters of it and a defcription of the cuf-
toms, religion, and education of the fuft inhabitants, 193.
197. Their motives for opening a communication with
Borneo, and value of their trade for camphire, 198, 199.
Form fettlements in the ifland of Sumatra, 200, 201.
Former and prefent ftate of their commercial affairs at
Siam, 202, 203. The means by which they eftablimed
themfelves at Malacca, and its real value to them, 204,
205. Become the fole matters of Ceylon; with an account
of the feveral articles of trade carried on here; of which,
cinnamon is the principal article: to which is fubjoined
the expence of fupporting this fettlement, and the fyttem
of government introduced into it by the Dutch, 206. 215.
The net produce of their trade on the coaft of Coromandel
explained, 216, 217, 218. Their conqueft of Malabar, and
real advantages of the commerce on its coatt, 218, 219.
Origin of their colony at the Cape of Good Ho^e, under
the conduft of Van Riebeck, who was obliged to purchafe
of the natives the land he wanted for the ufe of his matters,
220. 226. Their territories in the ifland of Java, which
were not obtained without treachery and cruelty; and a
particular defcription of the commerce, produce, and op-
preffive government of Bantam, Mataram and Madura,
provinces in the faid ifland; and the improvement of their
trade and dominion in the fame, 227. 237. Population,
wealth and manners of their colonifts fettled at Batavia,
which is the centre of all their commerce, and capital of
all their fettlements in India, 238. 242. Their commer-
cial affairs in India wholly conducted by a council at Ba-
tavia, which is fubjeft to the controul of the general af-
Q^q 4 fembly
INDEX.
fembly of the United Provinces, 247. 250. Their na-
lional debt veiy great, 287. Their former profperity arofe
from the civil and religious liberty eftablifhed among them,
from their fifheries, and navigation, and public fpirit,
288, 289, 290. Their prefent degeneracy exemplified in
various inftances, 291, 292, 293. Alarmed at the arrival
of the Englilh in India, and the kind behaviour of the
natives of Java towards them, they mifreprefent the cha-
rafter of the Englifti by falfe accufations, and proceed to
acts of violence, 305, 306. Conclude a very fingular and
extraordinary treaty with the Englifli at Amboyna, and an
examination of their behaviour fubfequent to it, 306, 307,
308. Drive the Englim, ignominioufly from Bantam: but
being terrified by a powerful Englifli armament, equipped
on purpofe to oppole them, they bribe the venal court of
Charles II. to prevent the expedition failing, and thus de-
feat the defigns of the Englifli Eaft-India company againft
them, 319, 320. Their extenfive trade for opium, and
manner of carrying it on, 413, 414.
Dutch, their ambitious views in China the melancholy con-
fequences produced in xvi. cent, and the prefent Mate of
their trade in that country, v. ii. p. 277, 278. Sufpe&ed
of endeavouring to monopolize the Chinefe trade, 281,
282. Eftimate of their annual exportation of money to
India, 291.
Dutch attempt to form fettlements in -Spanifli America, but
are disappointed by the appearance of famine and difeafe
among the adventurers, v. iii. p. 54, 55. Eltablifhment
of their Weft India company in 1621 its capital and
fuccefsful adventures in the Brazils; where they eftablifh
colonies, and reap many temporary advantages from them,
but are afterwards deprived of them by the Portuguefe,
142, 143. Nature and ftate of their flave trade in Africa,
400, 401. Attack the Portuguefe in Africa, and make
theiafclves mailers of their fettlements with an eftimate of
their real value, 404. Their conduct towards their flaves
in America, 416. Which is the ufual feafon for making
their crops of fugar in America, 451.
Dut(h, the means by which they revived the fpirit of com-
merce, population, and agriculture in Europe and at-
tained the univerfal monarchy of commerce, v. iv. p. 45,
46. Their conqueft of Curafibu, where they form a fet-
tleraent of fmall value, 47, 48. The produce, popula-
tion, c'imate, and real value of their colonies, St. Eufla-
tia, Saba, and St. Martin, 48. 55. Rife and progrefs of
their fettlements at Surinam, Berbice, and Eflequebe:
which produce exaclly the fame articles cotton, cocoa,
fugar,
INDEX.
fugar, and coffee, 55. 64. The dangerous fituatlon of
their colonies in Guiana being expofed (on the one hand)
to invafions from the Europeans or Indians, and (on the
other) to the rebellious fpirit of the negroes, who have
been greatly opprefled by the Dutch, 66. 70. Their lofs
of the Brazils decline of their trade fince the navigation
a8 pafled in England their enormous national debt low
Itate of their manufactures and fifheries their enormous
taxes and other caufes of their prefent decline evidently
fhew the neceflity of fecuring the pofleffion of their colo-
nies, and encouraging the produce of them, 71. Si. En-
joy a great (hare of the riches and produce of the Danifh
colonies, in which they poflefs valuable plantations, 93,
Their firft appearance in the French iflands, where they
deprived the French of great part of their commerce, 102.
Receive annually from their fettlements in the American
ifland-~, commodities to the value of one million and fifty
thoufand pounds the number of ftiips and men annually
employed in this trade the charges of navigation and
other expences incidental to this commerce, 407.
Dutch, the firft and original proprietors of New York (called
by them New Belgia), which was difcovered in 1609 by
Henry Hudfon, and put under the patronage of the Dutch
Eaft India company their right to this colony difputed by
the Englifh were deprived of it by conqueil and fecured
it to the Englifh by the treaty of Breda, v. v. p. 199, 200,
20 1. Nature of their conftitution inveftigated the feveral
errors and defects of it the extent of the former and pre-
fent power of the ftadtholder and the proper methods for
preferving their liberty, 403. 407. Naturally formed to
be a commercial people, 465. 469.
Dutch Company , (late of their fund and the manner of fell-
ing their (hares, the price of which depends much on the
Hate of their public itocks, v. i. p. 251. The temporary
profperity of this company, and its feveral caufes, uith
the Hate of the revenue arifing from their trade, 253. 259.
The future reduction of their dividend (hewed to be prc.
bable, 260. Their prefent decline, with the feveral caufes
for it, 262. 268. Their re-eftablifiiment propofed, and
meafures by which it may be accomplifhed, 269, 270.
The manner of conducting their forces by fea and land,
prejudicial to their real intereft, 277, 278. The vaft im-
portance of their fettlements, and the neceflity for the (late
granting every fupport to the company, 286, 287.
INDEX.
Egypt defigned by Alexander for the feat of h''s empire, and
the center of trade to the whole world ; and the means by
which this was prevented, v. i. p. 68. Its capital city
Alexandria, made the mart of all the merchandife from
India, by the Red Sea, to the port Berenice, under Pto-
lemy and his fucceflbrs, ib. The nature and articles of
this trade, and the channels by which it was carried on,
69, 70. Ceafes to be the feat of the Indian commerce,
which is transferred to Constantinople, 72. The reite-
ration of its trade attempted by the Venetians, but in vain,
74. Conquered by the Turks, and the dangerous confe-
quences of this conqueft to the European ftates, 81. Its
prefent low and melancholy Ha e defcnbed, v. iii. p. 360.
Embdtn (the capital of Eaft; F;iefland), iubjefl to Pruffia, and
when fubdued with an account of the antient flate of its
commerce, v. ii. p. 196. The rife, fund, progrefs, and
ruin of the Eaft India company eftablifhed at this place,
ib. 197, 198, 199.
Englijh, (ketch of the ancient (late of their, commerce, parti-
cularly in the reigns of William the Conqueror, and Henry
VII. v. i. p. 294, 295. Arrival of the Flemings amorg
them, with the advantages of it totrade, 299. 300. Their firft
voyages to India eftablifhment of their Eaft India com-
pany in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, with her fpeech on
a claufe in the aft for eftabliming it, 301, 302. Origin of
their difputes with the Dutch at Amboyna, and an extraor-
dinary treaty of alliance with them, 305. 307. Com-
mence hoftilities with the Portuguefe, and form connec-
tions with the Perfians againft them, 309, 310. Their
trade with the Armenians, and the commodities which the
latter carry to India and Ptrfia, 314. ,316. Decline of
their trade in India during the civil wars of Cbarles I. and
revival of it under Cromwell, 316, 319. Their various
misfortunes and mifconduft in the Indies in the reign cf
Charles II. and the iniquitous fchemes of Jofias and John
Child, 318.- 321. Difputes among ihcm relative to the
advantages and difadvamages of an inccrporattd Joeieiy of
merchants trading to the Indies, 323. 326. Engage in a
war with the French in ^744, which affecled the ilate of
their affairs both in India and Europe, 329. Their trade
in the Red Seawith a view of the general trade carried
on there; particularly from the ports of Mocha and Suez,
to Joppa, Surat, and Bengal, 339. 350. Their trade in
the Perfian gulph, with a general view of the commerce
carried on there, 3 50. 366. Trade on the coait of Ma-
labar,
INDEX.
labar, and the real advantages of that fettlement to them,
367. 382. Commerce on the coaft of Coromandel, 388.
Their fettlemem at Madras, the center of all their tranf-
a&ions on that coaft the produce of this fettlement and
others adjoining to it, 397. 399. Their trade at Bengal
and in the Bay, 411. 424. Form a fettlement at St. He-
lena in 1673, with the advantages of it to their commerce
at Bengal and other Afiatic colonies, 428. The advan-
tage they derive from the iflands of Comora in the Mo-
zambique channel (between the coafl of Zanquebar and
MadagafcHr), with an account of the climate and the inha-
bitants, 429, 430. Their incorporated company negleft
the country-trade, and leave it to private adventurers, 431.
Remit":, in fupporting a maritime force, 452. A view of
the capital of their company, and extent of their trade,
particularly in the article of tea, 434. 436. Dividends of
the proprietors of this company, at feveral periods of time,
440. A view of the real advantages they have de-
rived from the conqueft of Bengal, and an examination of
the conduct they have obferved in the government of it,
440. 450. What is their beft fecurity againft the natives
or India, 451. Their monopolies and oppreffions at Ben-
gal, with the feveral pretexts they have ufed in defence of
them, 4^;. 464. Authentic ftate of their company's af-
fairs, as appears from their receipts and difburfements,
from 1768 to 1772, 465. 468. The importance of this
commercial company to the ftate, 469.
Englijb attack Chandernagore and conquer it with the con-
iequence of this conqueft to all the French fettlements de-
pendent upon Chandernagore, v. ii. p. 108. Invade Pon-
dicherry, take and deftroy it, which is arterwards rebuilt
by the French, in. The ftate of their factories at Tel-
Jicherry and Cartenate on the coaft of Malabar, 134, 13;.
Their conduft towards the French at Bengal examined,
*37 *3 8 > '39- Reafons why they (in their prefent ftate
of affairs) mould obferve a Uriel neutrality in India, and
should cultivate the favour of the natives, 155, 156.
Their oppolition to the Eaft India company eftablilhed by
the Auftrians at Oftend, and the caufe of this oppofition,
172. Their fruitlefs attempt to open a way into Perfia,
the north of Indoftan, and the greateft part of Tartary, by
the Wolga and the Cafpian fea, 228, 229. More conftant
in their trade with China than any other European ftate,
with the annual purchafes of this trade, 278, 279, 280.
Eftimate of their annual exportation of money to India,
291. Their political conduft, on their firft appearance in
India, examined and approved, 296, 297.
Englijb,
INDEX.
Englijb, origin of their views towards making a fettlement in
the South Sea with the rife and eftablifhment of the South
Sea company, v. iii. p. 54, 55. A view of their advan-
tageous connections and commercial treaties with the Por-
tuguefe in their inland and commiffion trade, 208, 209,
210. Confirmed in the poffeflion of Barbadoes, Nevis,
-Antigua, and Montferrat, by a treaty (in 1660) between
them and the French ; with a view of their ftate at that
time, 266, 267. Their unfuccefsful attempts againit Do-
mingo, which were followed by the invafion and conqueft
of Jamaica which has proved to be one of their moft va-
luable pofleffions in the New World, 271 276. Unite with
the Dutch againft the French in a war, which was con-
cluded by the peace at Utrecht fince which time they
have become of the greateft importance in the political ftate
of Europe, 314. Their colonies, particularly Jamaica,
engage in a contraband trade with the Spanim fetclements,
give umbrage to the Spaniards in Europe, and are the caufe
of the war with the Spaniards in 1739, in which the
French are afterwards involved: with a view of the cen-
ducl: of the Englifh in this war, and the nature of the
peace concluded at Aix-la-Chapel!e, 316 322. Jealous
of the rapid improvements made by the French colonies,
commence hoftilities againft the French are unfuccefsful
at the beginning of the war in 1755 but afterwards ex-
perience a moft favourable change of affairs, 326 333.
Drive the French from Guadalupe, Granada, the other
leeward iflands, and Martinico; their conqueft of Cuba
from the Spaniards with a {ketch of Mr. Pitt's character
and adminiflration, 334 351. What advantages they de-
rived from the ceffion of the American iflands at the peace
in 1763 Their mifcondud in refioring the ifland of Cuba
and the ftate of the public debt at that time, 351 3^7.
Competitors with the French and Jews for the trade of Al-
giers, 370. Nature and ftate of their flave-trade with
Africa, 400. The utility of their fettlements on the coaft
of Africa examined, 403, 404. Their manner of treating
their flaves in America, 416. Which is the ufual feafon
for making their crops of fugar in America, 45 i, 452.
Englijh (hare, with the Danes themfelve , the produce of the
.Danifh fettlements, in which they have excellent planta-
tions, v. iv. p. 93. Make themfelves matters of Guadalupe,
and raife the ifland (with all its dependencies) to the great-
eft degree of profperity, and afterwards reftore it to the
French, 181 188. Their manner of difpofing of lands
in new colonies examined, 253, 254. State of agricul-
ture, trade, navigation and revenues among them, when
they
INDEX.
they began to form fettlements in the American iflands;
to which is fubjoined a fhort account of their ftate, pre-
vious to the reign of Henry VII. and a (ketch of his cha-
rafter, and reign, and the methods by which the royal pre-
rogative was increafed at that time, 298 301. Their na-
tional fituation at the acceflion of James I. to the Englifh
cro\vn, and the evils in which the nation was afterwards
involved by the unhappy difputes between the king and the
parliament in the reigns of James and Charles 1. parti-
cularly the general diicontent which prevailed at this time,
and was the caufe of many perfons emigrating to Ame-
rica, 301 305. Jealous of the laws patted in the colo-
nies, left they mould infringe on the rights of the mother
country, they bind their governors by oath to guard againft
the leaft infringement of this fundamental maxim, 308.
The decline of their infular territories, and its caufe, 313.
State of their colony at Barbadoes, and the importance of
it, 315319. Origin, extent, and ftate of their fettle-
ment at Antigua, with fome account of the remarkable in-
furreclion there in 1710, and the manner in which it fub-
lided, 320, 32 it Progrefs of their colony at Montferrat,
and at Nevis, with the amiable character of the inhabit-
ants at Nevis, 322, 323, 324. Settle at St. Chriftopher's
jointly with the French in 1625, but afterwards are vefted
with the fole power and pofleifion of it by the peace of
Utrecht, 325 327. Invade Jamaica and expel the Spa-
niards in 1605, and form a fett'ement, which has conti-
nued in their hands ever fince, 332 335. Their colony
at Lucay's or the Bahama iflands, with the ufe made of
them, 366, 367. Settlement at the Bermudas, with an
account of the manners and benevolence of the inhabit-
ants, 368 370. Make a conqueft and take' pofieflion of
the ifland of Tobago, with a view of the great advantages
of cultivating it, 371 '378. Become mafters of Granada,
which is ceded to them by the French : its importance, fer-
tility, and produce, 379 384. Take poflfeflion of St.
Vincent; with the reafons to expeft it will acquire firmnefs
and vigour under its prefent eflablifhment, 385 393.
Their fettlement at Dominica, with thedefign and peculiar
advantage of it to its prefent mafters, 393 395. Nature
and advantage of the military eftabliftiment in their infular
colonies ftate of the taxes in the fame and the venality
which attends their civil adminiftration at home and abroad,
397 39^ 399 The lands in their fettlements in the
Cafpian fea purchafed at a greater ex pence than thofe of
other nations; with an account of the competition between
the Europeans and Americans in buying them, and the
reafon,
INDEX.
rcafon, 402. Take every method to increafe the value of
the Britifh iflands in America, ib. Forbid their Nortk
American colonifts to trade with thefe iflands^or fugar in
kind, and the bad confequences of this prohibition, 401,
402, 403. Annual amount of the productions and real
value of their fettlements in thefe iflands, 407. The ad-
vantages of their maritime force for preferring their own
colonies, and attacking the colonies of other nations in
America, 414.
Englijh invade and conquer Cape Breton, with its value and
itate of defence, and reftoration to the French, v. v. p. 78.
8 1. -They invade Canada, and meet with many difficul-
ties in the invasion, 83. 89. Take Quebec, 93, 94.
Canada is ceded to themintroduce their own maritime
and criminal laws here, with an account of the advantages
which may be derived from this place, 95. 98. Their
firft expeditions into North America, which were projected
by Sir Walter Raleigh, 99. loz. Their fettlement at
Hudfon's Bay, 131. 145. Their fhare in the fifhery at
Newfoundland, 150, 156. Put into pofleffion of Nova
Scotia, which is furrendered to them by the French, 164.
169. Motives and principles of thofe who founded the
colony of New-England, 178. 182. Their conqueft of
New-York, which was fecured to them by the Dutch at
Breda in 1673, 203. Languid ftate of their colony at
Nevv-Jerfey, 208. 212. Foundation, eflabliihment, and
ftate of their colony in Penfylvania, 213. 243. In Vir-
ginia, 244. 266. In Maryland, 254. 266. In Carolina,
266. 279. In Georgia, 280. 286. and in Florida, 287.
294. Their dominions in North America extend from the
river St. Lawrence to the Miffifippi with a phiiofophical
examination of the advantages and difadvantages of a very
wide and extenfive empire, 295, 296, 297. Supply North
America with domeftic animals, 303. Enrich their North
American colonies with European grain, 304. Encourage,
by confiderable premiums, the importation of naval ftores
from thefe colonies, which they formerly received from
Sweden, 305 307. Permit a free importation of iron
from North America, which they purchafed (before this
time) in Spain, Norway, and Sweden, at a confiderable
expence, 310, 311. Encourage (though with little fuc-
cef?) the importation of wine and filk from Carolina, and
their other fettlements in North America, 312 313. Cha-
rafter and views of their firft coloniSls in North America,
315 328. Prefent ftate of population in their North
American colonies, 328, 329. Happinefs of thr co-
!onifts in thofe province?, 330 332. Nature and real uti-
lity
INDEX.
lity of the feveral governments eftablifhed in them, 333-^*
344. Nature of the current coin in thefe colonies, as well
in fpecie as in paper with the feveral purpofes to which
the paper currency is applied, 344, 345, 346. The ill
confequences of an impolitic reftraint impofed by the mo-
ther-country upon the indullry and commerce of its North
American colonies, 346 350. State of their public debt
at the conclufion of the peace in 1763, and the methods
they ufed, at that time, to raife the national fupplies par-
ticularly in making the colonies bear their part in this pub-
lic burthen of the nation, 351 354. Origin of \htjlamp
a&, and the oppofition it produced in the North American
colonies, 354, 355. New imports laid upon thefe colonies
(in lieu of the ftamp ai lukicb <wat repealed} excite uni-
verfal clamour in the fame ; with an impartial review of
their right to oppofe the meafures of the Englifh admini-
ftration, 3^6361. Whether the right of appointing,
proportioning, and raifing the taxes, mould be vefted in
the provincial aflemblies or the legifl iture of the mother-
country, 362 365. Whether they mould wifh to extend
their authority over the colonies beyond the prefent boun-
daries, 3^5, 366. Their paft favours to thefe colonies
ought not to be forgotten in the prefent conteft, 366 369.
Owe their national character to their natural portion, and
their government to their national character, 399. Were
the firit people who difcovered the injuftice of ecclefiaftical
power, the limits of regal authority, and the abufes of the
feudal government, ib. The excellent nature and prin-
ciples of their government not to be equalled and the
means by which the balance of the three feveral branches
of the conftitution is preferred, 400 403. The ajra from
which the fuccefs and profperity of their maritime power
may be dated with fome obfervations upon the manner of
fupplying their nary in cafes of emergency, 458 460.
The means by which they preferve the balance of power
in Europe, 461. Eminent for their encouragement of
agriculture, 482, 483. 485. Rife of manufactures among
them, 493. Sketch of the energy and boldnefs of their
language, 543. Famous for having produced fome of the
greateft philoibphers ever known in the world, 550, 551,
1552.
Englijb IJlands, See Eritijh IJlandt.
Efquimeaux (inhabitants of Labrador and Hudfon's Bay), their
manners and cuftoms defcribed; the time when, and the
perfon by whom, their country was firft difcovered, v. v.
P- 134. 13 5t 3fr-
European*,
INDEX.
Europeans, their firft fettlement and trace in the Eaft and Weft
Indies the revolutions produced in feveral ftates by it-
and the advantages of thefe revolutions, v. i. p. i, 2. This
matter proved and exemplified in taking a furvey of the fitua-
tion of the Phoenicians, 3. Carthaginians, 4. Grecians, 5.
Lombards in v. vi. vii. viii, ix. cent, 9. 11. The Arabs,
12, 13. The Saxons, 14. The inhabitants of Flanders
and the Hanfe towns, 16. The Venetians, 19. The
Spaniards under Ferdinand and Jfabella, 20. The French
under Lewis XI. 21. The Englifh, 22. The Turks, 24.
and the Portuguefe, 28.
Eurcptans, their connections and trade with the Chinefe, v. ii.
p. 246. 251. Purchafe tea at China, 253. Buy porcelain
in the fame country, with an account of the different kinds
of China, and which the moft valuable, with an account of
fome attempts in Europe to imitate this porcelain, 255.
265. Their trade with the Chi nefe for filks, with a com-
parative view of the filks manufactured in Europe and thofe
in India, 266. 269, 270. Buy lacquered ware and paper in
China, with an account cf this varnifh, and the manner of
ufing it, 271. 275. An abftract view of the fums they
have expended in their trade with China, 280. The.r
future trade with this nation very uncertain, and the jea-
loufy of the Dutch at the commerce of other European na-
tions with this people, 281, 28z The real utility of con-
tinuing their India trade, examined the objections to it,
obviated and an impartial view of its gradual fuccefs,
283. 293. Their fuccefsful conqueft and large eftablifti-
ments in India, prejudicial to their commerce, 294. 312.
Cannot carry on their India trade without aflbciations and
united companies, under the fanction of government: but
thefe companies mould not enjoy exclujt-ve charters, which
are injurious to trade, 313. 330.
Europeans, fhort view of their happy ftate for fome years fub-
fequent to the peace of Utrecht, and the revival of philo-
fophy, v. iii. p, 314, 315, 316. Nature and value of
their commerce in Barbary, 370, 371. Their trade for
flaves greatly increafed, 396. State of their fetdements
and factories on the coaft of Africa, 402 405. Their
African trade wholly managed by monopolies, except that
which is carried on by the Portuguefe, 406. Some proper
directions for the feafon and manner of making their voyage
to Africa, 407 410. Their depraved tite for negroe
women examined and accounted for, 427. Manners,
cuftoms, and genius of the firft European colonifls
and the prefent iettlers in America to which is fubjoined
an account of the difeafes to which they are fubject on their
firft
INDEX.
firft arrival in the Caribbee iflands, and feme feafonaMe
precautions againlr, them, 458 470. What advantages
have accrued to their feveral refpe&ive ftntes from their
fettlements and commerce in the American iflands, 471,
472, 473. and v. v. p. 3783*3-
Europeans, general view of their itate before the difcovery of
America, v. iv. p. 44. Much indebted to the Dutch for
the improvements and increafe of commerce, population,
and agriculture fince that time, 45. Comparative view of
the different properties and effects of taxes among them and
the inhabitants of the American colonies, 257, 258.
Eurcpeans involved in great calamities by the general war for
the Spanifh fucceffion, and endeavour to recover their
lofles, v. v. p. i. 3. A review of the effect, produced by
their connections with the Americans, on their religion,
375* 3 7 9 - ^ n( ^ government, comprehending a general
account of the origin of government and the feveral forms
eltablifhed in feveral European dates. 381. 423. And
policy, with its nature and life as managed by them, 424.
438. On their art of war, giving an account of its feveral
improvements among them, 439. 450- And maritime
affairs, with the ftate of their navy, at various times, 451.
461. Their commerce, with its revolutions in feveral pe-
riods, with the nature and fatal confequences of commer-
cial wars, 463. 479. Their agriculture, with its progress
among them, and the encouragement it has received from
the Englifh in particular, 480. 489. Their manufactures,
with their rife and progrefs, 490. 502. Their population,
and the caufes which promote and retard it, 503. 518.
Their taxes, with a view of their proper origin, ufe, and
abufe, 518. 529. Public credit, with the difference be-
tween public and private credit, and the utility of loans,
530. 536. State of the fine arts and belles lettres among
them, 536- 545. Philolbphy, with an account of the ages
in which it flourifhed, declined, and revived in Europe,
546. 597- And morals, mewing their different flate in
Europe, and connection with good government, 558, 569.
Euftatia (St.), fhort account of its feveral revolutions, and
final fubmiffion to the Dutch, to whom it is now fubject, v.
iv. p. 48, 49. Prefent Itate of its produce, population,
and trade, 49. The advantages which it derives from its
commerce with the French colonies in times of hoitilities
between the Englilh and French, 54, 55.
F.
Ftrnandtz Juan (an ifland in the South Sea), its climate,
fertility, and excellent harbour, v. ii. p. 215. What great
VOL, V. R r advan-
INDEX.
advantages the Spaniards might derive from fortifying thia
feitlement, 216.
Flanders, a free port, and the general mart of commerce to
moft of the European nations in the xvth cent, and the ad-
vantages of it to fociety in general, v. i. p. 17, 1 8.
Flemings, their arrival in England, and the improvements
they made in the commerce of that kingdom, v. i. p. 299,
Florida firft formed into a fettlement in 1562 by the French
with an account of the remarkable credulity of thefe firft
colonifts, v. iv. p. 425, 4.26. Its extent at that time, ib.
Reafons why it lay negltcled by the Spaniards, who had
pa/Ted it before it was difcovered by the French, 426. Its
Iky is clear its foil, fruitful and climate, temperate, 427.
Manners of the favages found here by the French the
character and ill conduct of the firft French colonifts and
the nature and caufe of the civil diflentions and theological
difputes which prevailed at that time in France, ib. Dif-
putes between the French and Spaniards, and the crueiti-s
they produced, ib. 428. Its former and prefent boun-
daries, v. v. p. 287. Becomes a Spaniih fettlement in
1565, ib. Eminent for producing the beft faftafras in all
the continent of America, with a defcription of this medi-
cinal tree and its virtues, ib. 288. Its wretched ftate under
the dominion of the Spaniards, who (in 1763) cede it to
the Englim, 291, 292. Its limits enlarged by the addi-
tion of part of Louifiana, which has been ceded to the
Englifh who have divided this colony into two diftincl
provinces, known by the names of Eaft and Weft Florida,
292, 293. Progrefs and fuccefs of agriculture in this,
country, exemplified in the culture of rice, cotton, and in-
digo and the great encouragement which is wifely and ju-
dicioufly given by the Englim parliament, 293, 294. Its
prefent increafed ftate of population, and a propofal for a
farther improvement of this colony, 294, 295.
Formofa (an ifland in the Pacific ocean), its extent, and man-
ners of its inhabitants, v. i. p. 175. Its profperous ftate
whilft it was fubjeft to the Dutch; who made it the center
of all the correspondence carried on between Java, Siam,
and the Philippine iflands, China, and Japan, 176. Taken
by the Chinefe, who have continued in pofleffion of it ever
fmce that time, and have not permitted any Europeans to
form a fettlement, 177, 178.
France (ifle of), languid and neglefted ftate of its firft colo-
nifts, v. ii. p. 73. Owes its prefent importance to la
Bourdonnais, who may be called the founder of this fettle-
ment with a fketch of this great man's character, and the
methods
INDEX.
methods by which he railed this ifland to its prefent prp-
fperity, ib. 74, 7;. What methods have been purfued for
its improvement fince his death, 145, 146. Prefent Hate
of its agriculture, particularly in the fuccefsful culture of
coffee, 147. Its importance to a commercial nation,
which trades with Afia, 148. Defcription of its climate
and foil, and its peculiar importance to the French, 149.
Its danger in cafe of an invafion, 150. The neccffity for
fortifying this ifland and Pondicherry, which mutually de-
pend upon each other for fafety if the French wifh to fe-
cure to themfelvei any fhare in the trade of India, 151,
152, i; 3 .
, their fiate under Lewis Xf. v. i. p. 21. Antient re-
volutions of cormnerce among them, more efpecially in the
reign of Charlemagne, v. ii. p i. 4. Their firft voyage
to the Eaft Indie?, 9. A company 'formed among them in
1642 for making a confiderable fettlement at Madagafcar,
which they afterwards reiinquifhed, 10. 15. EftabHfhment
of their Eaft India company in 1664, ar.d its privileges,
16. ) 8. Surat made the center of their company's trade,
18. Their a.tnck upon the iflands of Ceylon and St.
Thomas, and origin of their fettlement at Pondicherry,
35, 36. Their feulement at Siam, 37. Unfuccefsful defign
againfl Tonquin, 45. Turn their attention towards Co-
chinchina, with a fketch of the police, cuftoms, and trade
in that place, 47. 53. Their lof? and recovery of Pon-
dicherry, which became their chief fettlement in India,
54. 57. Decline of their company, and the abufe, 57.
The great fuccefs of their India affairs under the admini-
ftration of Dumas, and le Bourdonnai?, particularly at
Pondicheiry, the ifle of France, and Chandernagore, 69.
80. Their views to eftablifh their power and territories,
and their fuccefs under the conduct of Dupleix, 97. 102.
State of their commerce and power in Vifapour and the
Carnatic, 106, 107. Engage in wars with the Englifh,
and lofe all their fettlements with a view of their erro-
neous conduct in difmifling Dupleix from the>r fervice, 108.
no. Account of General Lally's conduct at the taking of
Pondicherry by the Englim, and the condemnation which
was pafled upon him, in, 112. Their misfortunes, and
the feveral caufes of them, 113. 115. Endeavour to re-
eflablilh their affairs in India, but unfuccefcful, 115. 133.
Their prefent ftate on the coaft of Malabar, and the ad-
vantages of their trade, 134. ic6. The prefent wretched
ftate of their commerce at Bengal, 137. 139. Their fet-
tlements and territories on the coaft of Coromandel, 140,
141, Colony at Podicherry, and reafons for rebuilding
R r 2 it,
INDEX.
it, after its capture and depopulation by the Englifh, 142.
144. Their advantageous fituation in the ifle of France,
and the various plans for improving it, particularly in the
Culture of coffee, and the growth of fpices, 145. 148.
Reafons why they mould fortify the if!e of France and
Pondicherry, -if they wifh to have any (hare in the trade of
India, 149. 151. Being once eftablifhed in India, they
will fhake off the opprefiion impofed on them by the Eng-
lifli, 152. 156. Some account of the porcelain manufac-
ture, particularly that which is direded by Count Laurai-
gais, 263, 264, 265. Nature arid value of their fjlks,
268. Annual returns of their trade to China, 280. Elti-
mate of their annual exportation of money to India,
291.
frencb attempt to make fettlements fucceflively at Rio-Ja-
neiro, Rio Grande, Paraiba, and the ifland of Maragnan;
and the reafons why they were not fuccefsfu!, v. iii. p. 140,
141. Origin of their fettlements, in conjunction with the
Englifti, on the windward iflands, where they deftroy the
Caribs, 263, 264. Rife of their colony at St. Domingo,
with the character of the Buccaneers who firft peopled this
ifland, 265, 272. Short fta^e of their affairs under Lewis
XIV. and the difficulties brought upon them by the war
for the Spanifh fucceflion, 312, 313. Engaged in a war
with the Englifh in 1744 their conduft at the peace of
Aix la Chapelle and their falfe policy in keeping up a
formidable army, and negledling their navy, after the
conclufion of that peace, 320. 325. Their improvements
in their colonies excite the jealouiy of the Engliflt, and are
the caufe of the war in 1755 in which (for a iliort time)
they are victorious, 328. Sketch of their general cha-
radler, 329. Their imprudence in involving themfelves
with German affairs, 330. Are unfuccefsfu! in Germany;
and vanquilhed in North America, Africa, and the Eaft
Indies with an account of the general diftrefs, and the
lofs of many of their colonies, 336, 337, 338. Their
ftate at the conclufion of the peace, in 1763, with the
Englilh ; and the ceflions made by each nation at that
time, 354. Competitors with the Englifh and Jews of
Leghorn for the trade f Algiers, 370. Engrofs great part
of the trade of Tunis, 371. Nature and itate of their
flave trade and factories, 400. 401;. More humane than
other Europeans in treating their flaves in America, and
the agreeable confequences of it, 417.
French make an attack upon the Dutch fettlement at Cu-
raflbu, and are repulfed with difgrace, v. iv. p. 47, 48.
Their full expeditions to the Caribbee iflands, and fe t tie-
men t
INDEX.
ment at St. Chriftopher's with the Hate of the trade car-
ried on there, 100, 101, 102. General ftate of their
trade under the adminiftration of Colbert, and the bad con-
fequences of encouraging monopolies 104, 105. Eva-
cuate Santa Cruz, which afterwards became fubjeft to the
Dutch, and give up St. Chriftophers to the Englifh. at the
peace of Utrecht, 112. State and produce of their colony
at Guiana, and the reafons why it has not attained to any
great degree of profperity, 112. 136. Revolutions and
ftate of their colony at St. Lucia, which was fecured to
them, in 1763, by the Englilh the improvements they
have fince made in it and the meal'ures they have purfued
for its fafety and profperity, 137. 149. Expel the Caribs
from Martinico, and fettle upon it, 149. 1^4. State of
their colony at Martinico, 154. 175. Origin and flow
progrefs of their fettlement at Guadalupe its various re-
volutions under the Frtnch and Englifh and the time of
its greateft profperity, 176. 193. Natural, civil, and
commercial ftatc of their colony at St. Domingo their
difputes with the Spanifh colonifts who divide this fettle-
ment with the French, about the boundaries of their re-
fpedive territories and the bell method of fettling thefe
difputes, 194. 251. Their mode of granting lands to the
proprietors of nc\vly-eftabli(hed colonies the reftraint of
their Agrarian laws and their impofition of labours on
their American vaflals impartially examined, 253, 254,
255. Their negro-tax, and other taxes in their American
fettlements proved to be unjuft, and cruel to the colonills,
and injurious to the mother country, 256. 264. The pre-
fent regulation of inheritance, in their colonies, ought to bt
abol'.Jbed, 271. 272, 273. Annual value of the imports
from their American fettlements, and an examination into
the policy and right of compelling their colonies to deliver
their produce to the mother-country only, 286. 288.
The rife and fuccefs of their fugar plantations in America
their competition with, and fuperiority over, the Engliflj in
this branch of commerce, 313, 314. Their conqueft of
the ifland of Tobago their negledt of cultivating this fet-
tlement and ceflion of it to the Englilh, who were con-
firmed in the pofleffion of it by the treaty of peace in 1763,
373* 375* Cede to the Englim the ifland of Granada,
with an account of its ftate, 379. State of their colony
at St. Vincent's, when they ceded it to the Englifl), and
the hardfhips fuftained by thofe French planters who con-
tinued in it after the cefiion, 390, 391. PofTefied of the
richeft iflands in the Weft Indies, and carried on a very
fxtenfive trade in /ugar in kind with the Britilh fettlemenu
R r 3 is
INDEX.
in North America the umbrage given to the Britifh ifianch
upon this account, and the conduct of the Englifh parlia-
ment upon this occafion, 401. 404. The expediency and
neceffity for them to maintain a formidable navy, by which
only an equilibrium can be eftablifhed in the dominion of
the fens; with a fhort view of their natural advantages for
extending their trade, and becoming a valuable commercial
ftate, 415, 416, 417. Their numerous population fuf-
fjcient at all times to fupply their navy with men, 418.
Their ignorance of navigation, ib. Their erroneous po-
licy in preferring a ftanding army to a powerful marine in
the reign of Lewis XIV. 4iQ> 420. The only nation
which can interrupt the Englifh in the univerfal dominion
of the fea, and the means by which this can be effected,
421, 422. Neglected for a long time to eltablifh fettle-
ments in America, with the caufes of this neglect, 423.
Their firft expeditions into North America difcovery of
Florida character of the firft navigators in North Ame-
rica and miferies fuftained by the firft colonifts in Florida
from the Spaniards, 424. 429. Their firft expedition into
Canada, and the umbrage it gave to the Spaniards and
Fortuguefe, 431, 432. Imprudently embroil themfelves
in the wars of the lavages of Canada, 466. 469. Iriftitute
an exclusive company, with particular privileges, for car-
rying on the fur trade in Canada, and the bad confequences
of this inftitution, 470, 471. Short account of the ftate of
this colony from 1643 to the peace of Ryfwick, 471. 482.
Their connections with the Indians originated from the fur
trade; with an accurate defcription of the animals which
fupply them with furs, 482. 497. In what places and man-
ner this trade has been earned on, and the opposition
which the Englifh made to it on their fettlemem at New
York, 497. 505. Compelled to cede, to the Englifh,
HudforTs Bay, Newfoundland, and Acadia; and the pro-
bable caufes of this decline of their power at the latter end
of the reign of Lewis XIV. 506. 508.
French people and fortify Cape-Breton, and eftablifti confider-
abfe fisheries there, particularly for cod, v. v. p. 3. JQ.
Their fettlement at the ifland of St. John, and the advan-
tages of it to the colonifts, 11. 13. Their firft difcovery
of the river Miffifippi, and a view of the country watered
by it, in which they fettle and call it Louifiana, 13. 47.
Cede this country to the Spaniards, with an examination
of their right to do it, 48. 50. State of their colony in
Canada, and what advantages they might have derived
from it, and the errors which prevented this from taking
place, 5$, 76. Lofe Cape-Breton* 78. 83. And Quebec,
5 with
INDEX.
wkh all Canada, 91. 98. Cede to England Nova Scotia,
which had been a long time fubjeft to them, 164. 169.
Nature of their conftitution, with its feveral changes ex-
plained, 408. 411. Former and prefent ftate of the fine
arts and belles lettres among them, 539. 542.
French company, an account of that which was inftituted in
1642, for making a confiderable fettlement at Madagafcar,
which they afterwards relinquifhcd, v. ii. p. 10. The ef-
tablifhment of one, in 1664, for trading to the Eaft Indies,
with the privileges annexed to it, 16. Decline of it, with
the feveral caufes, 57. Enjoys a fliort and temporary fuc-
cefs in its affairs, from Law's fyilem of politics; but foon
relapfes into obfcurity, 62. 68. Minifterial influence very
prevalent in the management of its affairs, and prejudicial
to its intereft, 116, 117. A fcheme to leflen this influence
and promote its harmony, independence, and intereft, with
the fuccefs, iig, 120. State of this company, and di-
vidends on their fhares from 1722 to 1764, 120. 222.
Affitled by the minittry in consideration of the exclusive
faie of tobacco granted to the latter, with a brief hiftory of
this trade for fome time' preceding the event, 123. 127.
Injured by the encouragement given to the trade of indi-
viduals, 128, 129. Confign their whole property, except
the capital which has been mortgaged to the {hares of the
proprietors, to the king, for a flipulated fum; with the
ftate of the company at this time, 130. 133.
French Ijlands, when the firft expeditions to them took place,
v. iv. p. 100. Opprefled under exclufive privileges, 101.
105. Recover their liberty from thefe monopolies, but are
prevented from attaining any great profperity, 106. 112.
The nature of the government eftablifhed in thefe iflands,
examined and condemned; particularly in the unjuft al-
lotment of lands in new colonies, and the intolerable bur-
thens impofed upon flaves, 2153. 255. The injudicious
and exceffive taxes levied in them, 256. 265. Nature of
the military fyftem efUblimed here, impartially examined,
266. 270. The jmpolitic law of an equal divifion of lands
among children ought now to be aboliflied, 269. 274.
Fair credit is neceflary In the connexions between the mo-
ther-country and her colonies; whilli fraudulent debtors
fhould be branded with infamy, 274. 282. The ill con-
fequences of obliging them to deliver their produce only
to the mother-country, and the expediency of indulging
them with a foreign trade, 283. 288. The neceflity of
rnaking them independent of military power, and per-
mitting them to be governed by their own colonifts infub-
ordination to the mother-country % 289. 297.
R r 4 Gama,
I N D E X.
G.
Gama, the firft Portuguefe who arrived in India for the pur-
pofe of making fettlements, v. i. p. 61. Arrives at Ca-
licut, the richeft port on the coait of Malabar at that time,
ib. Returns ro Lifbon, and by his favourable report of the
country induces many to embark forIndia, 62.
Georgia, bounded by. Carolina and Spanifli Florida, and the
rivers Savannah and Aiatamaha, v. v. p. 280. Originally
peopled by infolvent debtors from England with fome ac-
count of the benevolent plan, on which the colony was
founded and eftabliihed, ib. Rapid progrefs of its po-
pulation, and the great advantages it derived from general
Oglethorpe, 281. The peltry trade more encouraged
here than agriculture, 282. The fuccefs of this colony
checked by the abufe of the unlimited power veiled in the
proprietors by the laws relative to the right of inherit-
ance by fubjecling the colonifts to the fines of a feudal
government and by prohibiting the ufe of flaves, 283,
284, 285'. What care the mother-country hath taken to
remove thefe defcls, and the advantages which may be
reafonably expefted from it, 286, 287.
Germans, {ketch of their manners and genius for military ex-
ploits, v. i. p. 22, 23. The nature and principles of the
government eflablimed among them where each feparate
ilate conftitutes one part of the grand body politic, v. v.
p. 394.. Never conquered by any prince but Charlemagne,
who conquered them, but did not reduce them to fubjec-
tion, ib. What happinefs they enjoyed under the emperor
Maximilian, and the improvements which he introduced
into the national legislation of the feveral itates of Europe,
397' 39^' The defects and degeneracy of their preknt
conftitution, and the feveral caufes, 398. State and cha-.
rader of their language in the republic of letters, 543,
544'
Ginger, its culture, growth, and virtues defcribed, v, iv.
p. 346, 347.
Gin/eng, nature and properties of this fhrub proper foil for
ir.5 cultivation and its etfimation among the Chinefe, v. ii.
p. 249.
Goa (the capital of the Portuguefe fettlements, in India), its
fituation, extent, and climate, v. i. p. 6j, Nature of its
government before its conqueft, ib. Generous behaviour
of Idalcan (an Indian chief) to Albuquerque at the fiege
of this city, 66. Taken by ftorm and fubmitted to the
Porcuguefe, to whom it has been fubjedi ever fince, ib
f|$, Jts prefenc low and depreffed ftate, with reafons to
fuppof?
INDEX.
fappofe it will never recover its former glory and riches,
Goad Hope (Cape of) originally called the Cape of Storms, and
the reaioi>s for its prefent name, v. i. p. 29. Much fre-
quented by the Dutch, who form a fettlement here, with an
account or their motives for it, 220. Number of the
Europeans faid to be refident in it, 223. Value of this
fettlement to the Dutch, and its produce, 22^. Much
expofed to invafion, 283, 234. What advantages the
Englifh might derive from the conqueft of this place, 284,
285.
Gwirnment, nature, principles, and end of the molr. happy
eltablilhrnent defcribed in a general view, v. v. p. 381,
3^2, 383. Sketch of the foundation and nature of thofe
governments which have introduced and eftablilhed fae pre-
fent fyllem of policy in Europe with a fhort view of the
conftitutions adopted by the Hebrews, Greeks, Romans,
Scythians, Ruffian?, Danes, Swedes, Germans, Englifh,
Dutch, French, Spaniards, and other European nation^,
383. 419. Differently modelled in different nations, 420.
Its divifion into legiflation and policy, 424.
Granada, its extent, and firft eltabliihrncnc into a colony by
the French in 1651, who maflacred the natives, and were
juftly puniflied for their cruelties, v. iv. p. 379, 380.
Defcription of its air, culture, produce, and population,
380, 381, 382. Ceded to England, and fecured to them
by the treaty of peace in 1763 the conduct of the new
proprietors, and the misfortunes which followed in confe-
quence of it, 383, 384. The improvements which have
taken place, fince that time, in the population and proJuce
of the colony, and the advantages it receives from the de-
pendency of the Granadines, 384, 385.
Greece, very well adapted for a commercial (late, v. i. p. 5.
Superior to mod modern nations in her inftitutions, in her
plans of founding her colonies, and in principles of trade,
6, 7.
Greikt, antient, travelled for instruction into India, before the
age of Pythagoras, v. i. p. 35. Sketch of the principles
upon which their government was foanded, v. v. p. 384.
State of population among them, 507. State of philofophy
among them, 547.
Greeks, modern, much attached to the manufactures of Afia,
which they imitate, and monopolize (for a fhort time) the
riches of India, but afterwards refign their maritime com-
merce to the Genoefe, v. i. p. 12,
GrenaJa,
INDEX.
Grenada, new, its government detached from that of Peru
with an account of its extent, population, civil government,
and manners of the natives, v. ii. p. 556, 557, 558.
Guadalupc, origin of this colony, and the hardfliips which
the French experienced on their firft landing and fettling
here, v. iv. p. 176. 178. Its fuccefs impeded at firft by
the fituation of the place, which was unfavourable; and
its fiate at the time when it was taken by the Enjjlim,
179, 180. Its profperity when in pofleffion of the Eng-
]5{h with an account of its population, culture and
wealth, 181. 186. Is reftored to the French, and enjoys a
free and uninterrupted trade with the mother-country, and
made independent of Martinico, to which it had been hi-
therto fubject, 187. i g r. Its prefent ftate of defence in
their hands; 191. 193.
Guatemala, its conqueft and fubje&ion to the Spaniards, v. ii,
p. 443 Its extent, produce, and government, 444.
Eminent for producing the bed fpecies of indigo in itil
America, 445- Very much expofed to invafion, and the
bell method for removing this inconvenience, 446, 447.
Guiana, origin, extent, climate, productions, and commerce
of the Dutch fettlements at Surinam, Berbice, and Eflequebe
in this country and the dangers to which they are ex-
pofed, v. iv. p. 55. 71. Bounded, on the eaft, by the
ocean; on the ncrrh, by Oronooko; on the fouth, by the
Amazons; and, on the weft, by Rio-Negro, 112. Man-
ners of the natives found in it by the Spaniards, on their
firft arrival in 1499, 113^ 114. Rife and eftablifiiment of
the French colony at Cayenne in this country in xvii. cent,
and a defcription of its air, foil, navigation, and produce ;
and the improvements which may be made in it, 115.
137.
Guinea, defcription of the climate, with an enquiry into the
origin of the blacknefs of negroes, and the anatomical dif-
coveries made dpon this fubjeft, v. iii. p. 372. 375. Soil
and natural productions, 376, 377. Government, policy,
wars, religion, and manners of the people upon the coaft,
379- 39' ^ ts an 'i ent trade, particularly for gold in the
province cf Bambuck, 391. 393. Its new commerce of
the flave trade, 394. 399. For which article, fie SIav$
trade.
H.
Halifax, ftate of its commerce, extenfive maritime jurifdic-
tion, population, and produce, particularly in the cultiva-
tion of flax, v. v. p. 176, 177, 178.
Vamlrwk
INDEX.
Hamlroeck eminent for his exemplary and patriotic attachment
to his country at the fiege and conquefl of Formola by the
Chinefe, who appointed him to go to Zealand to prevail
with his countrymen to capitulate, when he recollected and
clofely imitated the example of Regulu?, v. i. p. 177.
Hayti, manners and cuftoms of the natives of liiis country,
afterwards called Hifpaniola, with the encouragement they
at firtt experienced in Columbus, v. ii. p. 3.^2. 3^5. The
calamities they afterwards fuftained from the foldiery of
Columbus, contrary to his own confent, 316. 355.
Helena (St.) difcovered in 1520 by the Po'tnguefe, who
formed no fettlement upon it, v. i. p. 428. When made
fubject to the Dutch, who were afterwards expelled by the
Englifh, the prefent matters of it; with an account of its
climate, population, and ufe, ib. 429.
Eiftory, parallel of antient and modern, v. ii. p. 331. 333.
Holland, an account of its antient revolutions, and of the
Battle who gave the name of Batsvia to this nation, and
were highly efteemed by Julius Csefar, v. i. p. 158, 159.
Subject to the power of the Franks in v. cent, and its
Hate at that time, 160. Receives the name of Holland
from the Normans, 161. Submits to the dominion of the
hcufe of Burgundy, and afterwards to the houfe of Auftria,
162. Becomes a republic; with the caufes which contri-
buted to it, 163. Its fuccefsful oppofition to the power and
tyranny of Philip II. and the caufe of refolving to extend
its commerce to India, 164.
Hollander! particularly celebrated for their knowledge of
maritime affairs, v. i. p. 157. Their natural genius (hewn
and exemplified by tracing their hiftory to its earlieit asra,
ib. Their firft voyage to India under the conduct of Cor-
nelias Houtman, 1 66. Make a fuccefsful voyage to Java
and the Moluccas, under the command of Van Neck, 168.
EUablifhment of their India company in 1602, which was
a model to all fucceeding focieries of the fame kind, 169.
Build factories in Java, and form, alliances with the princes
of Bengal, under the adminiltration of Admiral Warwick,
whom they ccnfider as the founder of their commerce and
power in the Eaft, 170. The origin and fuccefs of their
wars with the Portuguefe, 171, 172. Form a fctclement aC
Formofa, from which they were afterwards exp-lled by the
Chinefe, 175. 178. Their trade to Japan, and the prin-
cipal articles of it, and the reftri&ions of their prefent
commerce in that country, 178. 182. For further account
of this people, fee Dutch.
Hottentttt,
J N D E X.
Eottentcts, fuppofed to be divided into clans with the nature
of their habitations or huts, which they never enter except
in a rsiny feafon, v. i. p. 221. Employment in the ma-
nagement of cattle, ib. Very pacific among each other;
and attached to cuftoms and ufagef, which fupply the place
of policy end government among them, ib. tJtrenuoufly
oppofed the attempts of Van Riebeck to feize upon their
country, and obliged him to purchafe the land he wanted
for his matters (the Dutch) at the Cape of Good Hope,
222. Soil of their country fandy, and good only at inter-
vals, 223. Remarkable for their predilection in favour of
their own country and ufual mode of life, 224.
Hudson's Bay, its extent and climate, v. v. p. 131. Subject
to frequent and dangerous ftorms, ib. Some account of a
peculiar phcenomenon of the fun, which never rifes nor fets,
in all the countries adjacent to this bay, without forming a
great cone of light, which is followed by a fplendid Aurora
Boreaiis; although a bright fky is feldom feen here: to
which is fubjoined the fingular effect of the exceflive cold
in turning thole animals, which are naturally brown or
grey, white in winter, 132. Its weather very much af-
fedted by the new and full moon the caufes of which 2rc
not known, 133. Its foil extremely barren excepting the
iron, lead, copper, marble, and a fubftance refembling
fea-coal, which have been discovered here, ib. Ph\fkal
defcription of the natives, their manners, cuftoms, and the
diforders to which they are fubjecl, 134, 135, 136. Dif-
covered in 1610, and by whom, 137. Competition be*
tween the Englifh and French for the fur trade of this
place, which was fettled at the peace of Utrecht j when
this place was ceded to Great Britain, and has continued fub-
jecl to the Englifli ever fince, ib. 138. Value of the
fur traJe, and the manner of carrying it on, 139, 140.
f-hilofophical reafons for fuppofing that a pafTage to the
Eaft Indies lies through that pait of it, which is called
Welcome Bay, 140. 146.
J-
Jamaica, its extent, climate, and time of its firft difcovery
by Columbus, and the behaviour of the natives to him,
v, iv. p. 320, 350. When formed into a fettlement by the
Spaniards, ${2. Attacked and taken by the Englifh, who
fettled here in 1655 character of the firft Englifli colonifts,
and of the firft adminiftration of their firft governor, 333,
334. Provided (in 1682) with an excellent code of laws
which provided for the defence of the ifland, the increafe
pf population, and the improvement of agriculture, 334,
33S
INDEX.
335. Greatly enriched by the illegal trade it has carries!
on with Spanifh America, and the mcafures taken to re-
ftrain it, 336. 340. Made a free port, in 1766, by the
Englim, and the advantages confequent upon it, 340.
Has derived greater advantages fiom its own plan
than from its illicit trade with a particular description of
theie plantations, 341. 350. Prefent ftate of its popula-
tion, culture and produce with reafons 19 imagine that
greater improvements may Hill be made, 351, 352. In-
volved in the greateft diilrefs by a dreadful e.irtiiquake in
1692, and by a contagious diflemper that broke out ibon
after, 353, 354, 355. State of this colony, when it was
ceded to the Engliih the turbuknt fpirit of the negroes
and mulattces left upon it and the neceffity of enforcing
the military laws, by which the flaves were deftroyed, of
obliged to fly into the woods and other inacceffible places,
356, 357, 358. The dangers it has to apprehend from
this republic of independent negroes in the neighbourhood
of this colony, 359. 363. Its fituation convenient for ma-
king war upon the Spaniards, but inconvenient for navi-
gation, 364. 366. Reafons why this ifland fhould have,
in proportion, a greater number of white people than the
other fettlements (Barbadoes excepted) fubject to the Bri-
tifh empire, 396.
Japanefe, their empire founded by Sin-chti, and fuppofed to
be the molt antient of any in the world, except the Chinefe,
v. i. p. 132. Efteern the perfons of their fovereigns, or
Dairos, facred, ib. A fuperilitious people, but divided
into feveral fefts, 133, 134. Their mode of education ex-
plained, and compared with the Chinefe, 136. Encourage
fuicide as the moft heroic of all actions, ib. Received tUe
Portuguefe with the greateft hofpitality and kindnefs, ib.
Their country mountainous, and by no means fertile; but
abounds with mines of gold, filver, and copper, 137.
Their melancholy ftate and confufion under the tyranny of
Taycofama, who eftabliihed defpotifm by fanguinary laws,
178, 179. The effedls of Chrittianity (introduced among
them by the Portuguefe), and the bravery it infpired them
with, 1 80. Admit no ftrangers, except the Chinefe and Hol-
landers, to trade with them; and thefe are only under cer-
tain reilridions, 183. Forbidden, on pain of death, to
leave their country, and the inhuman policy of this edicl,
184. Refufe to admit the Englifh into their ports, and the
reafon, 318.
Java, its natives trace their origin from the Chinefe, though
different from them in religion and manners, v. i. p. 227.
The eftablifhed and national religion is a fuperllitious fpe-
cles
INDEX.
ties of M^hammedifm, 228. State of its government when
the Dutch arrived among them, :b. Depraved manners of
the inhabitants delineated, ib, View of the conduct of
the Portuguefe in this ifland, vvhilft it was fubjedt to them,
229. Reflections on the behaviour of the Dutch, who fuc-
ceeded the Portuguefe the mode of government they in-
troduced and the manner of carrying on their trade, 230,
231, 232, All its produce is carried to Batavia, the ca-
pital and the center of all the Dutch fettlements in India,
238. An account of a fmgular cuftom among the natives,
immediately afcer marriage, 306. The proportion of gold
to filver, in this ifland, confidered, v. iii. p. 18;.
Jews, their total expulfion from Spain, in 1611, produced a
vifible decay and decrease of power in the Spanifli empire,
v. iii. p. 71.
India, the manner in which trade was carried on here, before
the conquefls of the Portuguefe, v. i. p. 67. The ad-
vantages, which the Europeans derive from the trade with
this country, examined in a general view obfervations on
the benefits of commerce to fociety in general objections
to- the India trade examined and obviated and a review of
the progrefs and refult of thi ; trade, v. ii. p. 283 294.
Indian ocean, its feveral boundaries and divifions defcnbed,
v. i. p. 31, 32. The fingular effects of the dry and rainy
monfoons upon it, 34, 35.
Indigo^ a description of the nature and cultivation of this
plant the regular procefs of preparing it for ufe and the
various ufes to which it is applied, v. ii. p. 405. 409.
Indojtan, the proper boundaries of the country known by this
name, v. i. p. 32. Its natural hiftory, particularly the
caufe of its different feafons, which are produced by a ridge
of mountains running from north to fouth, 33, 34. Sci-
ence and arts introduced here in the earlieft periods of time,
35. Suppofed to have been peopled in the firft age of the
world, from the nature of its climate, air, and foil, ib.
36. The religious and fuperftitious character of the na-
tives defcribed, 37, 38. An inviolable fecrecy obferved
in refpeft of the eitablifhed religion of the country, and
exemplified in a very fingular inftance, 39, 40. Difference
of opinion in points of religion more general among the
Indians than Europeans, 41. Laws of government and
cuftoms conftitute a part of the national fyftem of religion,
ib. Brama is revered in this country as the founder of its
civil and religious polity, ib. Divifion of the inhabitants
into tribes or ca/ies, and the difadvantages of this divifion
to fociety, 42. The nation divided into four claffes the
Bramins, the military, the hufbandmep, and mechanics:
and
INDEX.
and their fubdivifion?, with a feparate account of each
clafs, ib. 46. Character and cuftoms of the Fakirs, a flj-
perltitious race of monks among the Indians, who exceed
all the Europeans in aullerities, 47. A fketch of their my-
thology, and the doctrines contained in the flultah, which
is a fummary of their religious principles, 48. The rife
and progrefs of the doctrine of the tranfmigration of fouls
among the Indians, 49, 50. When the fciences became
negledcd, and mechanics were almoft unknown here, 55.
Short defcription of their pagodas in this country, ib.
Some account of the Mohammedan Arabs found here by
the Portuguefe on their arrival; with its divifion at that
time, 59, 60, 61.
Jndoflan, fketch of its revolutions under the Macedonians,
Sandrocotus, and the Arabs, v. ii. p 81, 82. Under the
Patans and Tamerlane, 83. Under Babar and the Mogul
Tartars, 85 95. Its melancholy Itate and confufion,
when fubdued by Kouli Kan, 95, 96. Its Hate at the time
when the French firft appeared and made conquefts in this
country, and the conduct of Dupleix upon this occafion,
97, 98, 99. Civil and political flavery prevail here, and
the reafons, 298, 299. State of the military in this coun-
try, 300303.
JcJJa, nature and value of the trade carried on at this port
(fituate in the Arabian gulph) between the Europeans and
Arabians, v. i. p. 347, 348, 349.
John, St. I/land of \ its fituation and extent in the gulph of
St. Lawrence, v. v. p. n, 12. Its climate, foil, and ftate
in which it was found by the French on their firft fettling in
this ifland, 12. Its population, and employment of the in-
habitants in agriculture and the cod fiihery, 12, 13.
Italy, its flourishing ftate in the fifteenth cent, fuperior to all
other European nations, v. i. p. 20. The revival of the
polite arts and belles lettres in it, 25, 26. Some ac-
count of the filk manufactures eftablimed in this country,
with their value, v. ii. p. 367. 'The period and means
of reftoring polite literature in this country in the fifteenth
cent. v. v. p. 537, 538, 539.
K.
Kouli Kan, ftiort account of his expedition into India, and
conqueft of this country, v. ii. p. 95. The plunder he
made in India, and the inestimable treafures contained in
his palace, 293.
Ladrttttt,
INDEX.
Ladronts, or Marianne JJlandt, their firft difcovery by Magellan,
v. ii. p. 434. Their fituation, extent, climate, foil, po-
pulation, and ufe to the Spaniards, ih.
Laily (Genera!), his conduct at Pondicherry, and condemna-
tion by the French, with his real character, impartially ex-
amined, v. ii. p. in, 112, 113.
Lama, the (a domeftic ar,imal peculiar to Peru), a natural and
philofophical defcription of this animal, and its ufe, v. ii.
p. 517, 518. Different fpecies of it, particularly the gua-
naco, 519. The Spaniards have in vain attempted to pro-
pagate its fpecies in Europe, 521.
Lancafter, the firft of the Englidi, employed by the Eaft India
company in 1601 to go to India for the fole purpofe of ef-
tablifhing commerce with the natives his arrival and ho-
nourable reception at Achem is ,hofpitably received after-
wards at Bantam and returns to Europe with a valuable
cargo, of fpices and pepper, v. i. p. 303.
Lewis XIV. fketch of his characler, ambition, and defire of
conqueft, v. ii. p. 54, 55. Meets with a formidable op-
ponent in the prince of Orange Is deprived, fora time, of
Pondicherry, which is reftored at the peace of Ryfwick, 55.
The low rtate of his commerce in India and Europe in the
latter part of his reign, 57. 63. Short account of the
fhite of the French in his reign, v. iii. p. 312, 313. And
v. v. p. 430, 431. 446.
Liane, nature and poifonous qualities of this plant the man-
ner in which the Indians extract the poifon and a philo-
fophical enquiry into the caufes which produce infhntane-
ous death by poifoned arrows, v. iv. p. 12, 13.
Lima (the capital of Peru), its foundation, v. ii. p. 53^.
Deftroyed eleven times by earthquakes, which have given
rife to the introduction of arts in this city, ib. 1^37. Super-
fiitious and effeminate manners of its inhabitants, 538
544. Nature and immenfe value of its commercial tranf-
aftions, 545, S4^
Locke, an impartial examination of the code of laws which
he formed for the colony of Carolina the regard he has
fhewed therein to religious toleration, and the rcltridions he
has laid on civil liberty and the confequences it produced.
in that colony, v. v. p. 267 271.
Logwood, the nature of the tree which produces it, v. iii.
p. 179. Defcription of the principal ufes to which it is
applied, 180. Grows in dry, barren places, and among
the rocks and is found in moft provinces of the Brazils,
ib. Manner in which the trade for logwood is carried on
by
INDEX.
by the court of Liftcn, and the numoer of fhips employed
in it, ib.
Lombards, fome account of them, and their attention to com-
merce, and the methods by which they became agents for
all the fouthern parts of Europe in the fifteenth cent. v. i.
p. 16, 17.
L.ng I/land, its extent, and (hoft account of the ftate of its
cultivation, v. v. p. 205, 206.
Louifiourg, defcription of this place, its harbour, . fortifica-
tions anJ inhabitants, v. v. p. 5, 6.
Louljiana, the country which is watered by the Miflifippi, is
fo named by the French, who form a (ettLment there
with an account of i;s foil, v. v. p. 17. 19. Its trade ma-
naged by an incorporated company, which was inftituted
at the particular requeft of Law with a defcription of the
fucceffful ftate of this company for a Ihort time, and its
future decline and final difiblution, 20. 24. Its extent,
divifion into two provinces, climate and fertility, 25. 28.
V/hat difficulties the French have encountered in making
fettlements here, 28, 29. Manners, population, defpotic
government, religion, and wars of the natives with each
other and the French, 31. 35. Its prefent tranquil ftate,
with the nature, fuccefs, and advantages of the plantations
and colonies eftabliflied in it by the French, 35. 42. The
value of its annual exports, 44. Its profperity retarded
by an injudicious allotment of lands to every one indifcri-
minately, ib. The difadvantages which this colony has
undergone from neglecting the culture of tobacco; which
was propofed by Law, but laid afide on his difgrace, 45.
Its forefts abound with fir-trees, and are favourable to (hip-
building, 46. Reafons to think it capable of yielding
corn, cotton, indigo and flax, or olive-trees and fillc, and
affording a commodious harbour for /hips a'l which ad-
vantages have been neglected by the French, 46, 47.
Ceded to the Spaniards, without any juft right to make
this cefllon: with reafons to defpair that this colony can.
attain any great degree of profperity in the hands of the
Spaniards, 48. 51%
Lucay's I/lands, See Bahama iflands.
Lucia (St.) undergoes many revolutions in its government
being alternately fubject to the Englifh and French, v. iv.
p. 137. 139. Ceded in 1763, to the French, who have
enjoyed an uninterrupted pcfleffion of it fince that time, 140.
Its foil, air, produce, extent, and population, 141. 144.
Its prefent ftate of defence and fecurity, 146. 148.
VOL. V. S f Lutbframfm
INDEX.
Ltitkeranifm produced great changes in the religious fenti-
ments of the Europeans, and was the caufe of many reli-
gious fedts, v. v. p. 213.
Lynx, defcription of this animal, which is carnivorous and
mifchievous, v. iv. p. 485. Hunted chiefly for its fkin,
ib. The beft fpecies of it is found in the coldeft climates,
where its fur is the molt valuable, ib.
M.
Madagascar, the natural, civil, political, and religious fiate
of this ifland and its inhabitants, v. ii. p. 10. 15 Vifited
by the Fortuguefe, Dutch, and Englifh, who afterwards
defpifed it, ib. The French inftitute an incorporated
trading company to this place with peculiar privileges,
which is unfuccefsful in making fettlements upon the
ifland, in. 18. .
Madeira (IflandsJ, when, and by whom difcovered, v. i. p. 28.
Madrafs, the rife and progrefs of this colony, v. i. p. 397.
The articles and fuccefs of its trade, and the means by
which it is become the center of all the Engliih tranfaftions
on the coaft of Coromandel, and the moil fiourifliing fetde-
ment in India, 398, 399.
Madura, ftate of this Dutch fettlement in the ifland of Java,
and the oppreffions and fraud to which it is obliged to fub-
mit, v. j. p. 236.
Magdalena, firft difcovery of this great river in South Ame-
rica, v. ii. p. 578. Rife and origin of the Spanifh fettle-
ments between this river and Oronooko; together with
their produce and commerce, particularly in the article of
cocoa, which is far fuperior to the cocoa grown in any
other part of America, ib. 584.
Magellan, Straits of, when firft difcovered, v. ii. p. 556. Their
extent, ib. Continued, for a long time after their difco-
very, to be the only pafTage into the South Sea, ib. 557.
Malabar, the fettlement and trade of the Dutch in this coun-
try, with the value of its produce to this people, v. i.
p. 218, 219. Its extent, witft an account of the Maldives,
that are adjacent to this coaft, 364, 365. Its exports con-
fift only of cowries, fifh, and kayar, with a defcription of
each of them, 366. The nature and value of the Euro-
pean fettlements on this coalt, 367, 368. Nature of
its government, 369, 370. Principal articles of its trade
cor.iift of fantalum or fanderfwood, faffron, cardamom,
ginger, baftard cinnamon, and pepper, with a fhort ac-
count of each article, its value and properties, and the
foil proper for it, 370. 374 State of the feveral fettle-
ments on this coalt, particularly Bombay, 375. 384.
Malacca,
INDEX.
Malacca, a geographical and philofophical deCcription of this
place and its inhabitants, and the defpotic government
eftablifhed in ir, v. i. p. 91, 92.' The moft confiderable
irarket in India, when vifned by the Portuguefe, with the
rifc^of their fettlement, 92, 93. The favage manners of
the natives, or Malays, and the proper manner of treating
them, 94, 95.
Manilla ijlands. See Philippine ijlands.
Manioc, a valuable plant, tranfplanted from Africa into
America, v. iii. p. 446. Conftituted the principal food of
the Africans in general, 447. The manner of cultivating
it, and the foil proper for it, with the preparations necel-
fary for rendering it fit for common food, ib. 448.
Manufactures greatly contribute to the advancement of know-
ledge and arts, and the culture of the human mind, v. v.
p. 495. 498. The caufes of their fuccefs explained, 498.
S3'
Marattat, (ketch of the manners, incurfions, depredations,
and extenfive power of this people, whole fixed ftation is
at Malabar, v. i. p. 377. Dangerous enemies to the Eng-
Hfh who are fettled at Bombay, 384.
Margaretta, fhort account of the temporary profperity of this
Spanifh. fettlement on the banks of the river Oronooko
the population, manners, and wretched fituation of its pre-
fent inhabitants and the reafons why the Spaniards keep
it in their poffrffion, v. iv. p. 8, 9, 10. Its former trade
with Martinico, 157.
Marigalante, fubjeft to the French, who were much oppofed
by the natives on their firft fettling upon this ifland with a
fhort account of its plantations and produce, in fugar, co-
coa, coffee, and cotton, v. iv. p. 183.
Martin (St,), extent, foil, and air of this ifland defcribed, v.
iv. p. 50. Subject to the joint government of the Dutch
and French, who live in perfedl peace and harmony with,
each other, 51. Its population, produce, plantations, and
commerce, 52, 53.
Martin, philofophical defcription of this beaft in Canada, and
the value of its fur, v. iv. p. 484.
Martinico, the rife and eftablifhment of this French colony
upon the ruins of the Caribs, v. iv. p. 149. 152. The
feveral articles of its produce and trade, 152. 154. Its
former extenfive trade and profperity, with the feveral
caufes particularly the advantage of being made the center
of communication between the mother-country and her co-
lonies on the windward iflands, 154. 162. Its decline prin-
cipally owing to the rellrictions thrown upon its trade,
163. 165. Its prefent low and melancholy ftate with a
S f a fliorc
I N D E X.
Jhort view of the population, culture, and plantations upon
it, 165. 168. Cannot recover its former profperity with-
out the affiftance and generous fupport of the mother-coun-
try, which cannot be expected ; with the reafons, 169. 171.
Its ftate of defence by nature, with an account of the for-
tifications raifed by art, 172. 176.
Mary/artd, its rife and adminiflration -detachment from Vir-
ginia the principles on which it was founded the encou-
ragement it received at firft from the Indians and the na-
ture of the authority veiled in the proprietors, v. v. p. 254,
255, 256. Its divifion into eleven counties, and ftate of
its population, 257. Its air which is damp on the coalr,
becomes light, pure, and fubtle, as you approach the
mountains, ib. Excefles of heat in fummer, or cold in
winter, are of very (hort duration, 258. Excellent ftate
of its vegeta'ion and fertility of foil, particularly in pro-
ducing the beft corn in all America,' ib. Abounds with
many navigable canals, which make it a moft convenient
port for trade, ib. Its inhabitants are difperfed into va-
rious parts of the colony, and have not formed themfelves
into any collective bodies or focieties in large towns the
inconveniencies which the mother-country has received
from this difperfion and the methods taken to remove
them by eftablifhing ftaples for the reception of Englifh
commodities, and raifing forts for their fecurity, 259, 260.
Deflitute of artifts and manufacturers, and obliged to im-
port from Europe the moft neceflary articles of life, with
the difficulties produced by it, 260. Low ftate of its pro-
duce and trade in all articles, except tobacco, ib. Na-
ture and extent of its commerce for its tobacco the delays
occafioned in exporting it the number of fhips employed
in it and the advantages which the mother-country de-
rives fom this trade in freight and commiffion, in the re-
venue, and re-exportation of tobacco, 263, 264, 265.
Wiataram, an important colony belonging to the Dutch, in the
ifland of Java, with an account of its particular ufe in
fupplying them with wood for all their India fettlements,
v. i. p. 234.. 236.
Maximilian (emperor of Germany) eminent for the great im-
provements he introduced in the government and legislation
of Germany, and the great advantages of his plan to all
the European ftates, v. v. p. 397, 398.
Mexico, its foil, temperature of air, and fertility, v. ii. p.
369. The indolence and pufillanimity of their emperor
Montezuma, and the commotions which prevailed here, on
the arrival and fuccefs of Coruz, the Spaniard, 370, 371.
Tfce manners, fuperitition, government, and riches of this
empire,
I N D E X.
empire, 372. 379. The Spanifti defcription of this em-
pire, and an impartial examination of the credit which it
deferves, 380, 381, 382. Its boundaries enlarged by the
Spaniards after the conqueft of it, 384. 387. The natives
have never been entirely fubdued by the Spaniards, 388.
Defcription of its climate, foil, and population, 389, 390.
State of the Creoles and Meftees, 391, 392. 1 he natives
relieved (for a time) from the cruelties of the Spaniards,
by Bartholomew de las Cafas their manner of living, re-
markable temperance, and knowledge of the arts in the
province of Chiapa, 394. 400. Manufactures (particu-
larly in the province of Tlafcaia), agriculture, and various
productions of this country, 402. 414. The principal
mines in it, with introduftory remarks on mineralogy and
metallurgy, and the annual coinage of gold and fiiver at
the mint of Mexico, 414. 421. Oppreffive nature of the
taxes eltablifhed here, 421. 428. Its connections and
commerce with the reft of America, 429. With the Eaft
Indies, particularly the Philippines, 430. 441. and with
Europe, 443. 454.
MiJJljippi t its dikovery by the French, with the character of
La Salle, who fir It laid the fcheme of a colony, in the
country that is watered by it wtiere the French afterward
fettle, and call it Louifiana, v. v. p. 13. 17. Annually
fwelled by the melting of the northern fnows, 27. Its na-
vigation difficult and dangerous, 2^, 29. Nature of the
foil OD its banks, 38. European fruit-trees have been
planted on boch fides of this river, and met with fome iuc-
cefs, 39, 40.
Mocha (fituace in Arabia on the fouth-eaft fide of the Red Sea)
a molt valuable mart for commerce nature and articles of
its exports and imports and the manner in which its trade
is carried on, v. i. p. 344, 345, 346.
Molucca Ijlands, their fituation, number, and extent, v. i. p.
96. Alternately fubjedl to the Javans and the Malays, un-
til the arrival and conqueft of the Portuguefe, ib. Nature
of the government, religion, and manners of the inhabit-
ants, ib. Derive great advantages from the culture of
the cocoa-tree and fago, which laft plant is the peculiar
growth of thefe iilands with a defcription of them both,
ib. 97. The clove and the nu.meg accidentally difco-
vered here by the Chinefe, 99. When made fubjedl to
the Portuguefe, ib. The Portuguefe expelled from them,
and the trade transferred to the Dutch, with an account of
the nature and value of the trade, 185 190. Styled th?
gold mines of the Dutch Eatt India company; who have
formed two fatlemenu (Timor and Celebes) with a view,
S f 3 OIL
INDEX.
on purpofe, to fecure to themfelves the whole trade of
thefe iflands, 191, 192.
Man/Dons, their fingular effe&s, at two different feafons of the
year, on the Indian oceans, v. i. p. 34.
Montreal, its rife, extent, climate, foil, population, and
trade, v. v. p. 54, 55.
Montferrat difcovered in 1493 by the Spaniards, who named
this ifland after a mountain in Catalonia, but did not long
continue in ir, v. iv. p. 322. Occupied by the Englifh in
1632, who deftroyed the favages found in it, and formed
a fettlement upon it, ib. Its improved (late in the prefent
century, and fuccefs of its fugar plantations^ 323. Sub-
ject to the governor of St. Chritlopher's, 325.
Moors, their total expulfion from Spain very injurious to the
manufactures of that country, and one great caufe of the
prefent decline of power in iha; empire, v. iii. p. jc, 71,
72.
Murtx (the), which yields the purple fo celebrated by the an-
tients, is found to inhabit the rocks on the coaft of Guaquil
and Guatimala in Peru, v. ii. p. 533. Defcription of this
fiih, and the procefles by which ito liquor, ufed in dying
cloths, is extracted, ib. 534.
, a production peculiar to Thibet, near to Bengal, v. i.
p. 407. What it is in its original flate, and the trade
produced by this article, 408.
N.
Negroes^ a philofophical enquiry into the caufe and origin of
their blacknefs, and a (ketch of the anatomical difcoveries
made upon this fubjeft, v. iii. p. 372. 376. Unjuftly
fuppofed to be incapable of reafon and virtue, with two
Specimens of their behaviour on fome particular occafions,
412, 413* 414. Their real character, 414. To what
diforders they are fubjeft in America, and their effefls
upon the negroes, 417, 418, 419. Their natural tafte for
poetry and mufic, and the advantages which might be de-
rived from it, 422, 423. The expediency for encouraging
the love of propagation among them, and the means by
which it might be effeded, 425, 426. Their dangerous
infurrelion at Berbice, and the fatal confequences with
which it threatened the American colonies, v. iv. p. 70.
Nevis, rife and progrefs of this Englifh fettlement, with an
account of the amiable character of the inhabitants, v. iv.
p. 323, 324.
Ntiu England took its rife in troublefome time.*, and in its
infant Hate was difturbed with many dreadful commo-
tions, v. v. p. 178. Originally called by the name of
t North
INDEX.
North Virginia, and became an European fettlement in
1608, but continued in a weak and low ftate for fome
time, ib. 179. Character, manners, and religion of the
firft colonMs, who were chiefly puritans, and had fled
from Fnglnnd to avoid the civil war which prevailed there
at that time, 180. The harmony and peace in which its
firfl colonifts lived, without any regular and eftablifhed form
of policy; wrh fome account of the civil eftablifhment
which afterwards took place, ib. Exercifed much cruelty
againft the fel of the Quakers who fettled in this colony,
snd perfecuted thofe who denied the coercive power of
the civil magiftrate in matters of religion, 182. Attempts
to put a flop to every difference in religious opinions by
inflicting capital punilhments on all who diflented, ib.
Its intemperate zeal in matters of the greateft indifference
authenticated by the public records of the colony, ib. 183.
Reftrained by the mother-country in its cruelty againft the
Quakers, 184. Experienced the moft dreadful calamities
from a religious war, begun in 1692; which fhewed the
extraordinary fuperftition of the colonifts, 185, 186, 187.
Its boundaries and extent, 189. The mode of agriculture,
and eliablifhing new villages or diftridls, 190. Its climate
not fo mild as that of fome European provinces under the
fame parallel, ib. Its divifion into four provinces, and
what thefc provinces are and the manner by which a mu-
tual connection is preferved with each other, ib. Sketch
of the charter granted to it after the revolution, 191, 192.
Scate of its population, and its culture, which is favoirable
to European fruits tranfplanted into it, 192, 193. Pro-
grefs of the arts and manufactures, which have been muih
difcouraged and oppofcd by the mother-country, i< 3, 194,
195. Its fifheries, a great fource of wealth, 195. Nature
and ftate of its exports to the Britifa iflands in Ameiica
its imports from the Azores and the Madeiras and trade
with Italy, Spain, Portugal, and the mother country,
196, 197. State of its debt, and the number of men and
{hips annually employed in its commerce, 197. Defcrip-
tion of its capital (Boiton) its fecurity in cafe of invafion
and the manners of its inhabitants, 198, 199, 200.
Newfoundland enjoys an unlimited freedom of trade, v. v.
p. 146. Its extent, and climate, with a brief account of
the adjacent coaft, 147. Difcovered in 1497 by Cabot, a
Venetian, at that time in the fervice of England, ib.
Origin and time of the firft fettlement eftablifhed here by
the Englifli, who appointed St. John's for their general
rendezvous, 148, 149. Attacked by the French, but after-
wards fecured to the Englifh by the peace of Utrecht
S f 4 the
INDEX.
the French referring to themfelves the rigf.t of filing here
and on the Great Bank, 149. The nature and value of
the fifhertes eflabl'.fried on this coaft the proper feafonsfor
them the difierent fpecies of cod found here manner of
conducting the fjihenes and drying the cod and the na-
tional advantages arifing from them, 150. 163.
New Jtrfey, originally a fettlement of the Swede", was after-
wards furrendered to the Dutch, and is now fubjeft to the
Englifh, v. v. p. zc8. Its boundaries, 209. Languid
ftate of its population and trade, with the probable caufe
Of it, 210. 212.
jtoiv Orleans, fhort defcription of its rife and progrefs, v. v.
'' p. ?7 , 38.
New Tork, its boundaries, and firft difcovery in 1690, v. v.
p. 199. Was founded by the Dutch, and afterwards con-
quered by the Engliih, to whom it was fequred by the
treaty of Breda, 200, 201. Nature of its government,
202. D.efcription of its foil, climate, religious toleration,
and other caufes cf its profpority, 203. 209.
yew Zealand, brief account of this illand and its inhabitants,
v. iii. p. 237.
tforiuay, manners and education of its fiift inhabitants, who
were much accuftomed to plunder, and attached to Wodin,
v. ii. p. 159, 1 60. Agriculture and filhing introduced
here, and the favage manners of the natives humanized,
on the eiiablifhinent of Chriftianity in this co.ar.try, 161.
Formed a fettlement in Greenland, fo early as the ixth
Cent, with fome conjectures relative to the country of
(Greenland being united to the American continent, v. iv.
p. 82. When and how deprived of its fettlements in
Greenland, and all its connections with America, 83. Its
climate, defcribed, and compared with the climate of Am-
fterdam, Lubeck, and Hamburgh, 95.
Nova Scotia, its ex-rent, boundaries, loil and climste, v. v.
p. 164, 165. Known formerly by the name of Acadia,
and became a French colony in 1604, 165. Surrendered by
the French to the Englifh, with an account of the colony
at that time, 168. Agriculture encouraged and pradlifed
here with fuccefs, 169. Excellent character of the neutral
French who continued in it, after it was furrendered to the
Englifh the cruel behaviour of the Englifh to them, with
the confequences, 170. 174. Its prefent ftate, and the
advantage of encouraging the growth of flax in Halifax,
175- 177'
Nutmeg grows only in the iflands of Banda that are fubjeft to
the Dutch, v. i. p. 189. Its culture, proper feafon for ga-
thering it, manner or preparing it for common ufe, de-
fcribed,
INDEX.
fcribed, 190. Which is the raoft valuable of the different
kinds of i.u'.mrg, and what are its properties and ufe,
ibid.
O.
Ohio, its firft difcovery by the French, and the fertility of
the country bordering upon it defcribed, v. v. p. 84.
The French erect feveral forts upon this river, which ex-
cite the jealoufy of the Englifh. 84, 85.
Opium, a confiderable branch of commerce, in Bengal, v. i.
p. 412. Its natural ftate and growth, and the belt fpecies
of it defcnbed, ib. Is found in greater plenty at Patna
than any other place in the world, 413.
Ormus. fuuation, rife, riches, manners and luxury of the in-
habitants, v. i. p. 84, 85. Is invaded by Albuquerque,
and fubmits to the power of the Portuguefe, 85, 86, 87.
Oronooko, when and by whom the river was difcovered, v. iv.
p. i. Its fource and extent, 2. Enquiry into the caufe of
a fingular phcenomenon relative to the rife and fall of this
river at certain periods of the year, ib. 3. Sketch of the
manners of the Indians who inhabit the country bordering
upon it, 4, 5, 6. Prefent fmall importance of the fettle-
ment (St. Thomas) eitablimed by the Spaniards upon its
coaft, aod the great advantages which would be derived
from a due atcention to agriculture, 7, 8.
OjlenJ, origin of an India company eftablifhed at this place
by the Auftrians; with the capital, and value of the (hares
of the proprietors, and their great fuccefs for a time, v. ii.
p. 171. 174. This company was itrenuoufly oppofed by
the Englifh, French, and Dutch, and at length was en-
tirely deftroyed, 175. 177.
Otter, nature of this animal defcrib^d, v, iv. p. 483. Im-
properly ranked, in general, amongtr. amphibious animals,
ibid. Is more common and much larger in the northern
parts of America than any other climate, and his hair mod
valuable, becaufe the blackeft, in thofe parts of the world,
ibid.
P.
Pato, natural and phllofophical defcription of this animal,
peculiar to the country of Peru, v. ii. p. 519. The Spa-
niards have in vain attempted to propagate its fpecies in
Europe, 521.
Panama, foundation of this fettlemenf, and the value of the
pearls found upon its coaft, v. ii. p. 547, 548. The ge-
neral mart for the rich merchandife of Peru to Europe,
and from Spain to her American colonies, 548, 549. Its
prefent
INDEX.
prefent decline, and the sera from which it muft be dated,
556.
Paraguay, its boundaries and extent, v. iii. p. u. Its foil,
and manners of '-the natives, ib. 24. Prefent fituation of
the Spaniards in this country, 25, 27. -An account of its
trade, particularly for the medicinal herb (called Para-
guay) peculiar to this province, 28. 31. Famous for its
valuable hides, 31. Owes its fame to the fettlements
formed here by the Jefuits ; with a view of the excellent go-
vernments, civil and religious, which they introduced here,
33. 39. Extent of this empire; with an impartial enquiry
into the real caufes of its depopulation, and the eftablifh-
Bients made by the Jefuits among the Indian favages here,
39. 46. Motives on which the Jefuits made thefe efta-
blilhments, and introduced a fyftem of religious polity in
this com. try, examined and juftified, 46. 53.
Patna (a province in Bengal) famous for its opium, v. i.
p. 413. Some account of the borax found here, and its
ufe the value of its faltpetre, and the proceiTes by which
it is purified, 423. 42 1 .
Pegu, an Englifh lettltment in the gulph of Bengal, famous
for its topazes, faphires, amethyfts, and rubies, which are
efleemed the mcft valuable in the world, v. i. p. 411.
Pen/ylvania, rife and origin of this fettlement, with a fhort
character of it 1 founder, v. v. p. 213. 220. The fingular
moderation, equity, and benevolence by which this coun-
try was obtained of the natives who have (hewed as great
an affeclion for this colonv, as they have conceived an
averfion for all ; ther European fettlements,. 222. Its le-
giflanon founded upon tho'e rwo firft principles of public
fplendour and private felicity liberty and property: with
an account of the univerfal toleration in religious matters
eflabliftied in it, 223. In whom is vefted the right of no-
minating its governor, with the" extent of his power, ib.
The mode of elefting reprefentatives, eftablifning laws,
raifing taxes, allotting land to new colonifts, fecuring land
to its proprietor, and recovering it when loft, ib, 224.
Defended on the Eaft by the Atlantic ocean, on the north
by New York and New Jerfey, on the fouth by Vir-
ginia and Maryland, on the weft by the Indians, 225. Its
extent, climate, and fertility of foil, ib. 226. Flourifh-
ing ftate of its culture, plantations, and produce, 227.
Some account of a religious feel in this country, called
Dumplers, ib. 230. Its rapid and continued fuccefs more
immediately owing to the harmony among the different re-
ligious feels in it, 230. State of its population according
to the calculation of Dr. Franklin, ib. Nature and ex-
tent
INDEX.
tent of the paternal authority exercifed here, not unlike to
the patriarchal, 233. Articles and value of its trade and
exports, 235, 236, 237. Defcription of its capital, called
Philadelphia with the ftate of its trade, learning, arts,
population and defence, 238. 244.
Pepper plant, description of the culture, proper foil, and beft
fpecies of this plant, v. i. p. 373. The trade for this
article divided between the Dutch, Englifh and French,
Perjta, fketch of its hiftory, and the manners of the inhabit*
ants, v. i. p. 310. 312. Its connexions with the Englifh,
^12. 3l6.
Per/tan Gulph, general view of the trade in it, and that of
the Engliih in particular, v. i. p. 350. 364.
Peru, the manners, religion, laws, and civilization of the
natives a view of the origin, and antiquity, and real
founder of their empire its fubjeftion to the Spaniards,
and their exaggerated accounts of this country, conlidered,
v. ii. p. 463. 483. Its extent, climate, and population,
497. 499. Account of two extraordinary phceuomena of
nature, which frequently happen in this country with the
opinions of the learned upon this fubjeft, 500. 503. The
wretched ftate of the natives, and the profound Itupidity
into which they are fmk, by the cruel oppreffion of the
Spani.T-ds, 504. 510. Much more frequented by the Spa-
niards than Mexico from the foftnefs of the climate, the
falubrity of the air, and the goodnefs of the provifions in
Peru, 511. 515. What fpecies of cultivation, and what
induflry have been. introduced into this empire by the Spa-
niards; with fome account of the nature and ufe of the
lama and the paco domeftic animals, peculiar to Peru,
516. 523. A defcription of its feveral mines of gold,
filver and mercury, and their feveral value, 524. 532.
Mutual communication of the feveral provinces in this
country, explained with a particular furvey of the man-
ners and commerce of the people at Lima, 532. 545. The
channels by which her trade with Europe is carried on,
546. 5>i. The interruptions which the Spanifh commerce
with the Peruvians has received from the Englifh and
French and the rife of the Englifh South Sea company,
and the conceffions granted to it, 552. 556.
Peter I. (Czar of Mufcovy) attempted to form a communica-
tion between Siberia and India by independent Tartary,
and the reafon why he did not fucceed, v. ii. p. 226.
State of the taxes during his reign in Ruffia, 227, Greatly
improved the navigation of Ruffia, 234. Ambitious to
make his country a maritime power ; with a (ketch of the
4 meafures
INDEX.
roeafures He took for this purpofe, 237, 238. His cta-
rafler briefly and impartially defcribed, 241, 242.
Philip If. (king of Spain) a remarkable bigot to the church
of Rome, endeavours to fupport her tenets by perfecution
in the Low-Countries, v. i. p. 164. Meets with ftrong op-
pofition in Holland; which humbles the Spanifh flag, and
throwing off all fubmiffion to Philip, forms itfelf into a re-
public, 16;, 166.
Philippine I/lands (formerly called the Manillas), their extent,
and manners of the natives, v, ii. p. 202. Difcovered, in
1521, by Magellan, who died here, ib, The origin of
the Spaniaids fettling in them, 203, 204. State of their
population, 205. Subordinate to the power of the viceroy
of Mexico, 206. Nature and excellence of the antient in-
ititution of government here, and their prefent languid ftate
under the oppreffion of the Spaniards, 206, 207, 208. Their
fertility, and the advantages which might be derived from
them to trade and navigation, and the methods by which
this end may be attained, 210. 216. Nature and extent of
their connexions with Mexico, 430. 435.
Philosophical enquiry into, and obfervations upon, the nature
and effefts of animal and vegetable food upon the inhabit-
ants of different nation?, v. i, p. 56. The rife and progrefs
of the dodlrine of tranfmigrfuion of fouls, and its peculiar
influence on the mind of the Indian, v. ii. p. 299. The
feveral revolutions to which the earth is fubjecl, and
the caufes of earthquakes and inundations, 362, 363, 364.
The nature and origin of iflands, v. iii. p. 236. 242.
The rights of fovereigns to difpofe of their fubjecls to
a foreign power without their confent, v. v. p. 48, 49, 50.
The manner by which the equilibrium of the earth is fup-
ported in the old and new world, 113, 114, 115. The
difference of the climate in Europe and America, 117, 118.
The advantages and difadvantages of cultivating rice, and
the effecls it produces in the climate of the country which
abounds with it, exemplified in feveral inftances, 273.
The flate of vegetation in North .America, 298. Policy
and government in general with fome rules for eftablifh-
ing a wife and falutary legiflation, 338. 347. The nature,
end, and limits of univerfal morality their fluctuating
Hate in Europe at feveral periods of time their infeparable
connexion with good laws and good government, 558.
566.
Pkilo/ophj, its revival in Europe, pofterior to the revival of
the fine arts and belles lettres, v. v. p. 546. Its ftate
among the moft wife and celebrated of the antient philo-
fophers, and the reafons why it has been more fuccefsful
among
INDEX.
among the mrderns, 548. What improvements and difca-
veries have been made in it by the modern philofophers,
and who they were, 550, 55 1, 552. Inftiumental in ex-
tending the empire of human knowledge, and by what
means, 554. 557.
Phoenicians formed by their fnuation on the confines of Eu-
rope, Afia, and Africa, to extend their commerce, v. i.
p. 3.
Pimento the produce of Jamaica ; known in England by the
name of all-fpicej defcribed in refpeft of its growth and
culture, v. iv. p. 348. The art of managing its culture
introduced into Jamaica in 1668, being brought thither by
fome inhabitants of Barbadoes, ibid.
Pistarro (Francis), fhcrt account of the principles, character,
and fate of this Spanifh adventurer at the invafion and con-
quell of Peru, v. ii. p. 460. 468, 469. 486.
Poland t a {ketch of the government and conftitution efta-
bliftied in this country, with the evil confequences that
have attended it, v. v. p. 393, 394.
PonJicberry, origin of this French fettlement, v. ii. p. 37.
Its fuccefs under the administration of Martin (principal
director of India affairs) and Dumas, who were very inftru-
mental to its future glory, when it became the chief of all
the French colonies in India, 56 and 70. Befieged by the
Englifh, who were driven from it by Dupleix, 8 1. Taken
and deitroyed by the Englifh, in, 112. What refla-
tions were taken by the French to rebuild this town, and
reftore it to its former fplendour with a view of the natural
and advantageous fituation of the place, and reafons to
think it may regain its former greatnefs, 143, 144* The
great importance of this fettlement to the French, and the
neceflity of fortifying it, as one of the bed methods of fe-
curing to themfelves a valuable fhare in the trade of India,
149. 151.
Pofayan (a province of South America) valuable to the Spa-
niards for its gold mine?, which are worked without much
difficulty, expence, and hazard, v. ii. p. 567, 568.
Porto-Rico, its firft difcovery, extent, and conqueft, v. iv.
p. ii. Nature and venomous qualities of the mancheneel
tree, the natural produce of this place, 14, Its prefent
ftate of population, fertility, trade, and manners of the
inhabitants; and an account of what farther improvements
might be made, 16, 17, 18.
Purtuguefe, their firft expeditions to Barbary, and arrival in
the Indies in xv cent. v. i. p. 28. Double the Cape of
Good Hope, hitherto called the Cape of Storms fail along
the eaftern coafts of Africa, and attempt fcas before un-
known,
INDEX.
known, and land in Indoftan; where they found,
the natives, many Mohammedan Arabs, 29. 59. Eltablilh
a. fettlement on the coaft of Malabar, 61. 64. Looking
upon Goa as a moft important acquifition, they take it by
ilorm, and make it the metropolis of all their fettlements
in India, 65, 66, 67. Make themfeives mailers of the
Red Sea ; with a {ketch of the ftate of Europe at that time,
77. 82. Obtain a fovereign power over the Arabian and
Perfian gulphs, 84. 87. Form a fettlement at Ceylon ;
with a brief defcription of it, which they negleft to im-
prove to the utmoft of their power, 87. 9^. Their con-
queft of Malacca, and the means by which they effedled it,
91. 94. Receive congratulation upon this conqueft, with
offers of trade from the kings of Siam and Pegu, 95. Pre-
pare and effeft a fettlement in the Molucca iflands, 96.
99. The caufes of their enterprifing fpirit at this time,
ico. 102. Arrive among the Chinefe, 103, And
permitted to trade with them, and eftablifh a fettlement at
Macao, 130, 131. Encouraged to trade with the Japa-
nefe, ana fend among them miflionaries and merchants;
with the fuccefs of the merchants, 131. 136. Extent of
their dominions in India and Africa, 137, 138. Corrup-
tion introduced and prevalent among their agents and fac-
tors in India, with their decline in confequence of it, 139.
142. Short and temporary fuccefs of their Indian affairs
under Don Juan da Caftro, 143. 14;. Lofs of their power
and influence in India fo great, that their prefent fettle-
ments confift only of Macao, Diu and Goa, 154, 155.
Portuguefe, their firft difcovery of the Bra2ils, owing to ac-
cident, in xv cent. v. iii. p. 118, ug. Their firft colonifts
they fent to the Brazils, confifled of condemned criminals
and abandoned women, and their falfe policy in this re-
fpeft, 1 20. Referable the Spaniards in their maxims, and
adopt ibme of their worft inftitutions, particularly the in-
quiAtion, 121, 122, 123. Their fuccefs in the Brazils
owing to the labours of the Jefuits, 135. 140. Expel the
Dutch from the Brazils ; with an account of their fitua-
tion in it after this event, 152, 153, 154. Origin of their
fettlement on the river of the Amazons, 156, 157. Rife
and ftate of their colony on the river Plata, 169, 174.
Foundation and firft colonifts of their fettlement at St.
Paul, 175. 178. What meafures they have taken to fe-
cure the produce of the mines at Brazil, 192. 197. Their
decline at home and in their colonies, with the feveral
caufes, 204. 211. An account of what changes mould
take place in their civil, ccclefiaftical, and commercial
affairs
INDEX.
affairs before they can recover their antient dignity at
home and in their colonies, 212. 235.
PrvJJta, character of her prefent king, Frederic TIF. who en-
deavours to form connexions in India; and for this pur-
pofe eftablifhed an Eaft India company at Embden, with
an account of its nature and fate, v. ii. p. 1^,5. 201.
Quaker -s, feverely opprefled by the colonifls of New England,
v. v. p. 182. 184, 181;. Origin of this religious fed, with
a (hort character of iheir founder, 2-7 TVir extraqr-
dinary contempt for eftablifhcd modes of drefs, all outward
marks of deference, and reciprocal demonftrations of re-
fpecl, ib. Auilerity of their morals, and love of univerfal
peace, 218. Their conftancy and fortitude under the op-
prefllons and perfecutions they fuffered in England, and
the efteem they acquired upon this account^ 219, 220.
Their fettlement in Penfylvania, 221, 222.
Quito (a Spaniih colony in South America), defcription of the
air, foil, manufa&ures and trade, and corrupt manners of
the inhabitants, v. ii. p. 559. 563. Famous for its bark,
which is the only valuable production of the place, 564,
565.
R.
Raleigh (Sir Walter), fketch of his chandler, and fruitlefs
voyage to Guiana in Seuth America, v. iv. p. 114. The
firft projector of the Englifh expeditions into North Ame-
rica, v. v. p. 99.
Red Sea, the origin and caufe of its name, what, v. i. p. 78,
Js not much expofed to tempefts, but is dangerous to mips
of large burthen, 79. Its general trade with various na-
tions, and the Englifh in particular, 330. 350.
Religion, its revolution in theory and practice among the
Europeans, fmce an intercourfe has been eftablifhed be-
tween Europe and America, briefly demonftrated, v. v.
p. 375. 409.
Romans (antient), jealous of the attempts made by the Greeks
and Carthaginians to conquer Sicily, feize upon this coun-
try, and afterwards turn their arms againft each of thefe
ftates, v. i. p. 5. Their conquefts not advantageous to
commerce, 7.
Rome (modern), brief account of the progrefs by which the
papal government extended its power, v. v. p. 425, 426.
By what means it revived and cultivated the arts in Eu-
rope, 538.
Rum,
INDEX.
Kum t the method or procefs by which it is diililled from fu-
gar, v. iii. p. 456.
Ruffians, their incurfions into Tartary excite the jealoufy of
the Chinefe, v. ii. p. 222. Their frequent fkirmifhes and
contentions with the Chinefe; who, at length, conclude
a treaty of commerce (the firft treaty they made lince the
foundation of their empire) with them this treaty fub-
jeft to great reftridions, with a plan for improving it, 225.
226. Their onfuccefsful projeft (under Peter the Great)
to trade with India, through independent Tartary, 226.
Carry on an intercourfe with India by the Cafpian fea, ib.
229. The very large extent of their empire, and fmall
population of it, 230, 231. The neceffity of encouraging
agriculture, particularly in the Ukraine, as a fource of fu-
ture wealth to which fhould be added the working of their
iron mines, which are equal to thofe of Sweden, 232, 233.
The nature and extent of their trade, which is impeded by
the exorbitancy of the public revenues, 234. The expe-
diency of reducing their military and navy, and encou-
raging the peaceful arts, and changing the prefent fyftem
of government, as the beft means for attaining future pro-
iperity and happinefs, 235. 245.
S.
Sola, flate of the trade and manners of the inhabitants be-
longing tp this Dutch fettlement, v. iv. p. 49, 50.
Sago, the nature, culture, and virtues of this plant, which is
the produce of the Molucca iflands, v. i. p. 98.
Sait-petre, an account of this nitrous earth, and the manner
of refining it in Patna (a province of Bengal), and its va-
lue, v. i. p. 422, 423.
San-Salvador (one of the Bahama iflands), the firft place
which was difcovered by Columbus, who (in 1492) arrived
there and took pofleffion of it his conduct towards the na-
tives, and their grateful return for his kindnefs, v. ii. p.
340, 341. _
Santa Cruz, its extent, revolutions, and rapid progrefs under
the French, v. iv. p. 88, 89. Became fubjeft to the Danes
by purchafe, and its prefent ftate, 89. 92.
Sa/afras, an American tree, which is found in the greateft
pienty and excellence in Florida, v. v. p. 287. Its growth
and medicinal virtues defcribed, 287, 2?8.
Saxons, their origin, character, and fubmiffion to Charlemagne,
v. i. p. II.
Sfhilderop, fhort account of his fingular humanity and pro-
bity, which made him univerfally admired and revered in
Africa, v. iv. p. 90, 91.
Seal,
INDEX.
Seal, nature, different fpecies, and ufe of this amphibious
animal with the manner of conducting this fifhery, and
the number of mips annually employed in it, v. v. p. 62.
65.
Stam, ftate of the trade carried on by the Dutch in this city,
v. i. p. 202, 203. State of the French fettlement here,
v! ii. p. 38, 3Q. Very fertile in its own produaions, and
favourable to thofe which are transplanted into its foil, 40.
Its government arbitrary and defpotic, ib. 41. A {ketch of
the religion of the natives, and the fruitlefs labours of the
French miflionaries, 43, 44.
Sicily, commerce and agriculture introduced into it by the
Greeks and Carthaginians, v. i. p. 5. Cultivation of the
fugar-cane known and adopted in this country in the xii.
cent. v. iii. p. 449.
Slave-trade, account of the places and manner in which it is
carried on, v. iii. p. 399. 401. Forts neceflary in order
to procure flaves, 402. 406. Small veflels preferable to
large ones in this trade, 406. The moft favourable feafon
for it, from the beginning of September to the end of No-
vember, 407, 408. Manner of conducing their flaves on
their paflag'e, as adopted by the different nations con-
cerned in this trade and which method is moft confident
with humanity, 409, 410. Method of felling the flaves
in America, 411. Wretched condition of the flaves and
the diforders to which they are fubjeft, with an account of
the moft probable caufe to which they are owing, 412. 420.
Some wife and humane meafures propofed for alleviating
the miferies of flaves, with the advantages to their pro-
prietors in adopting them, 420. 426. Slavery entirely
inconfiftent with, and contrary to, found policy, humanity,
reafon, and juttice with MontefquieiTs opinion upon this
fubject, 427. 436. The oppreflive yoke 'and labours of
the flaves in the American iflands, 436, 437, 438.
South-Sea, origin of the views of the Englifti for making a
fettlement upon its coaft, and the rife of their commercial
company, v. iii. p. 55- Conjectures concerning the iflands
in ic having formerly compofed one entire continent,
Spain, a (ketch of its antient revolutions, under the Cartha-
ginians, Romans, Goths, and Moors or Saracens, who
were entirely fubducd in 1491, when Grenada was taken
by Ferdinand and Ifabella; under whom all the petty
kingdoms of Spain were united into one kingdom, v. ii.
Spain, her decay and miferies may be dated from the total
expulfion of the Moors and Jews from this country, and
VOL. V. T t from
INDEX.
From the defefts of civil, religious, and military inftf*
tutiom, v. iii. p. 69. 83. The neceffity of granting a
liberty of conference in religious matters, and encouraging
foreign manufactures and artifts in order to recover her
former greatnefs, 93. 104. What meafures ought to be
purfued for the re-ellsbhmment of her colonies pa:ticu-
larly the improvement of agriculture, working the mines,
and granting a free trade to her fettlements with an in-
troductory account of the value of her colonies, from 1402
to 1740, on the moil moderate computation, 105. 116.
To what caufes we muft attribute the decline, an;! ulmoft
total deftruftion of this monarchy, 272.
Spaniards', their fiate under Ferdinand and Ifabella, v. i. p.
20.
Spaniards, origin of the'r fettlement in the Philippines, v. 5i.
p. 202, 203. Nature of their connections in the La t and
Weft Indies briefly explained, 208, 209. Juftiy cenfurcd
for their neral ufe of the linen and cloths of foreign ma-
rmfadlures, and the wifdom they would (hew by un.
dian manufactures from their own colonies, 210. Their
invafion of Tvlexico under L'ortez, and t:ie Hate of this
empire at that time, 369. 3^3. Obtain an entire con-
qufft over Mexico, and extend its boundaries, 384,
389. M'ght reap great advantages from the ufeful and fa-
Jutary laws introduced and eftablifhed by the J-fuits in
California, 43;. 443. Nature and ufe of their expedi-
tions, which preceded the cifcovery of Peru, 456. 462^
The real ftate of Peru at the time it was d^fcoi-ered by
them, 463. 483. Their enormous cruelties and civi! wars
after the conqueit of this country, 485. 496. Their fitua-
tion and rumber of their fettlements here, wi'h the mo-
tives for eftabliihing them and what marlufafture?, culti-
vation, and induftry they have introduced into this em-
pire, 511. 523. State of their affairs in New Grenada,
which was derated from Peru, $58. State of their co].,i-y
at Quito, which they conquered in 1534, 555. 5-6.
Their valuable go!d mines in Popayan anJ Chaco, which,
are worked wkhout expence, diracuity, cr haza::' w::h
an account of the terms and privileges of the miners in
thefe provinces, 567, 568. Their colony ard t
Santa Fe, particulariy for the valuable emeralds,
are found here in great plenty wSch an enquiry into the
truth of the opinion, that emeralds of a bright gre< .
from the Eait indie?, 569. A furvey of their colony at
Carthagena, mewing its difcovery, the revoluiioiib
undergone, the climate, manners of the inhabitants, and
Hate of its commerce, 571. 577. Pvea.iks on t.-.e coun-
6 tr;es
INDEX.
tries fituated between the rivers Magdalena ard Oronooko
(fubjedl to the power of Spain), which are famous for no
production but Cocoa with a plan of improvements which
might take place, 578. 584.
Spaniards i an account of iheir conqueft at Chili, and the dif-
ficulty by which it was accompliflied, v. iii. p. i. 5. Un-
t."fcle to extend their cor.quefijs in this country, and negli-
gent in cultivating the foil, which is naturally fertile, 6, 7.
Deriv little or no advantage from the trade of Chili,
which is carried on only with the Indians, Peru, and Pa-
raguay with an account of the articles of trade, 8, 9, 10.
Efta'biim a fettlement at Paraguay with a brief furvey of
the extent, foil, commerce, and value of this colony, and
manners of the inhabitants, 11. 24. Their prefent fitua-
tjon in Paraguay, and the very excellent harbour for their
fhips in the port of Maldonado, which is reckoned one of
tbe fineil harbours in the world, 26. 28. Their internal
civifions, and the evil confequences of it, with other caufes
of their decline, 272. Their colony at Jamaica, which
haJ been in their pcfibiHon ever fince 1509, attacked and
taken by the Englifh in 1655 after having made an unfuc-
cefsful attempt upon St. Domingo, 272. 276. Their fet-
tlement at Campeachy invaded and taken in 1685 by the
Buccaneers; who make a conqueft of Carthagena, and
plunder it, although it was thought to be invincible, 301.
305. Their colony at Cuba invaded and conquered by the
iinglifti, who afterwards reftore it at the condafion of the
peace in 1763, 347. 351. 3^4.
Spaniards, the firit difcovery of the great Archipelago of the
Csribbec iflands, 2nd the f.rfl fettiers upon them, v. iv.
p. I. The rife of their colony on the banks of the Oro-
ncoko, with the ufe that has been, and may be made of
it a furprifing phasnomenon of this river and a Iketch
cf the manners of the people who border upon it, and the
want of population among them explained, 2. 7. Their
feltlemcnt at Trinidad and at Margaretta, and their fhame-
fol ncglecl at thefe places, 8. ic. The extent, fertility,
and natural productions (particularly the Liane plant and
IVlancheneel tree) of their fettlement at' Porto Rico, 11.
jS. The former and prcfint ftate of their fettlemeYit at
St. Domirgo, 18. 25. The extent, , foil, productions,
Hate, and importance of their colony at Cuba, and parti-
cularly in the extenfive harbour for their {hips in the Ha-
vaiinah: with an account of its flate of defence againft an
ecemy, 25. 41. Not incapable, as is foppofed, of bring-
ing their colonies to great perfection, and what are the
belt means to acconiplifh this end, 41. 44.
T t 2
INDEX.
Spaniards^ account of their f.rft eftablifhment of a colony in
Florida in 1565, after having driven the French from it,
and flow progrefs in cultivating it, and their ceffion of it,
in 1763, to the Enplifh, v. v. p. 287. 292. The nature
of their government and conftitution, which is abfolute,
411.
Spanifh America conflantly expofed to foreign inv:.fions, efpe-
cially from the South Sea, v. iii. p. 53. 56. Methods for
preventing them ; particularly by keeping a powerful ma-
ritime force in the South Seas, and another fqaadron which
might be eaiily fitted out in the ifland of Cuba, with the
proper ftations for thefe naval forces, 59. 69. The decay
of its colonies owing to the difcovery and working of the
mines, and the fraudulent trade and animofity between the
Meftces and the Europeans who refort hither, 83. 93.
The encouragement of agriculture, and the liberty of a
free trade, nsceflary for its future profperity, 107. n6.
Its malignant fertility in producing poifonous plants; to
whicli are added fome obferi'ations on the nature and fatal
efFeb of poiibned arrows, and a philofophical enquiry into
the caufr, v. iv. p. iz. Nature and extent of the con-
traband trade it carried on with Jamaica after its conqueft
by the Snglifli, and the reftraints which the court of Spain
afterwards laid upon it, 336 341.
Sagar, 'ts cultivation in the iflmds of America of more im-
portance than any other article of trade, v. iii. p. 449.
Defcription of the cane which produces it, the molt proper
foil for its culture, and the general method of cultivating
it, 450. Crops of fugar not made in all the colonies at
the fame time, 451, The feveral procefles by which it is
made fit for ufe, 452. 454. The different fpecies of it,
and which the moft valuable, 45 j. The preparation by
which rum is dialled from fugar, 456. Some rules for
eftimating the value of fugar plantations, 457.
Sugar-map*, the properties and ufe of this tree, and the foil
accommodated to its growth in North America, to which
country it is peculiar, v. v. p. 299, 300.
Sumatra, its air, commerce, and commotions which threw it
into the utmoft confufion, and put a flop to the foreign
trade, previous to the Dutch fettling upon this ifland
.he origin of their fett'.ement the prefent ftate and value
of its trade, v. i. p. 200. 202.
Surat (the capi'al of Guzarat) made the center of all the
French tranfa&ions and commerce in the Hither India,
v. ii. p. 1 8. Its extent, climate, and fertile foil, 19.
The caufe and origin of its profperity may be dated from
fome exile Peifians, by whofe induftry both the lands and
macu-
INDEX.
manufaflares of this city were brought to Co great perfec-
tion, as to excite the jealoufy and ambition of the Portu-
guefe and Moguls, 20, 21. Becomes a province of the
Moguls, who conquer the Portuguefe, and improve the cul-
ture of the lands, 2r, 22. Indians, Perfians, Arabs, Jews,
and Armenians refort hither for the purpofe of trade, 23.
The manners and education of the inhabitants, particularly
the Banians men eminent for their honelty, politencfs and
evennefs of temper, 24, 25. Nature of the pleaftues which
prevail in this city, and their dancers called Balliaderes,
26. 31. Former and prefent Hate of its trade, exports and
imports, 31. 35.
Surinam (capital of the Dutch colonies and fcttlements in
Guiana), fuccefs of its plantations, and its produce, which
confifts of cotton, cocoa, coffee, and fuoar, v. iv. p. 63.
The climate fo very pernicious to the Europeans, that the
faiflories are managed by the deputies of the planters, 64.
Englifh (hare the trade with the Dutch, 64, 65.
Sweden, its antient inhabitants were the Goths, that contri-
buted to the fubverflon of the Roman empire; with a
iketch of their government, or rather anarchy, v. ii. p. 178,
179. The internal divifions and natural genius of its in-
habitants, and flate under Guftavus Vala, 179. its feveral
improvements under Guftavus Adolphus, ib. Its ftate
under Charles XII. 180.' What attempts have been made
to introduce pcli:e arts and improvements of every kind,
ib. Cultivates the India trade inftitutes a company, with
exclufive privileges, to trade beyond the Cape of Good Hope,
xvhich is chiefly fupported by foreigner and renews the
charter two feveral times with the myfterious conduft of
the proprietors and directors of it, 181, 182, 183. its
extent and foil, 184. Declining ftate of its population,
which is much diminished by frequent emigration with an
enqui'y into the caufes of national attachments, 186.
Its agriculture, 187. Its mines and manufactures, ib. Its
agriculture, and fifheries, particularly the herring filhery,
188. Prohibits the importation of foreign commodities,
and the advantage of it to navigation, 189. State of its
military force, and the revenues by which it is fupperted,
190, 191. State of its public credit and private interelr,
and the meafures which prepared the way for the revolu-
tion under the prefent king, 192, 193, 194. Sketch of the
nature and principles of its antient confutation, and the
cafe with which the prefent revolution was accomplilhed
by the reigning monarch, v. v. p. 389. 393.
Switzerland, its antient inhabitants eminent for their (kill and
fortitude in war, \v:th a (ketch of their revolutions, v. v.
T t 3 p. 4.5.
INDEX.
p. 415. Its prefent divifion into thirteen cantons, with a
brief defcription of the nature and principles of their go-
vernment, ib. 416. Account of its general d:e:s, and lon^
prefervation of peace, 416, 417.
T.
Valafa, the natives of this place, are attacked and defeated by
Cortez, v. ii. p. 358. This Spaniard enters into an alliance
with them, sr.d carries away feveral of the American wo-
men with him, who were glatj to follow him, ibid. Th
moft lhameful and unnatural kind of debauchery is prac-
tifed by the men in general in this tity and in all America,
and the probable caufes to which this depravity may be at-
tributed, ib. The American women of this city w;ne fo
attached to the Spaniards, that they difregarded huftnnds
and children for their fake; ferved the Spaniards as guides;
frequently procured them fubiltfence; and fometimcs be-
trayed confpiracies to them; snd sre fiid, by alt hillo-
rianf, to have been very inilrumental in the conqueft of
Mexico, 360.
Tartary, known in the ^ailieft ag-es by the name of Scythla,
its fWeral boundaries defcribed, v. ii. p. 216. Its divifion
into three feveral parts, of which rne is fubjeft t> the
Chinefe ; another is under the dominion of Rufiia ; ihs
third is independent, ib. 217. The manners of the na-
tives, plain and fimp'e their origin and cuiloms, very an-
tient and their veneration for the great Lama who refides
at Putaii, ib. The religious cifciiies of Lama believe
him to be immortal, and the origin cf this belief the an-
tiquity, progrefs, and liability of the religion of Lama
and the influence which the priefts have in temporal and
fpiritual affairs, 218, 219, 210. The inroads of the
Tartars into Ch'na, 220, 231. Mogul Tartars fubmit
to the Chinefe, 222. Nature cf the contentions between
the Ruffians and the Chine.e in this country in xvi cent.
ib. 223.
Taxation of the Britifli colonies by the parliament of England,
and their right to impofe taxes without the free content of
the colonies, examined See North America.
Taxes, the true definition cf this term, and the origin of tax-
ation, v, v. p. 518, 519. Their flate in Greece and
Rome, and under the feudal governments of Europe, 520,
521. The various methods of railing them ccniidzred
with a brief view of their ufe and ahufe, 521, 522, 523.
The nature and propriety of thcfe which are laid upon
land, atid the expediency of levying them accoiding to the
value
INDEX.
value of the efhte?, 524, 525, 526. What perfons (Kould
be vefled with the power of impofing them, 527, 528.
^Tea t when, and by whom imported into England from Hol-
land, v. i. p. 435. Its price at the firft importation, 436.
General computation of the quantity imported into Eu-
rope in 1768, ib. Methods ufed by the Englifli govern-
ment to prevent the contraband trade of this article,
hitherto ineffectual, 457. This article paid for in money;
with an account ff the reftriclion laid upon the exporta-
tion of fpecie for this and ether Indian articles of com-
merce, and an enquiry iiuo the wifdom and policy of this
::e adopted by fuch a commercial ftate as England,
438, 439, 440. Tts culture, and virtues, and different
fpecies of it, defcribed, v. ii. p; 253, 254. The different
degrees of its perfection depend on the difference of foil in
which it is planted, and of the feafon in which it is ga-
thered and what feafon the moft ufual, 254. Univerfally
drunk by the Chinefe, from whom the Europeans firll
:cd their opi'.ion about its virtues, ib. 255. The
good and bad effects of this article cannot be well deter-
mined, till it is tranfplanted into our own climates; with
an account of Linnreus's attempt to cultivate this plant,
r.d the advantage which wculd follow the fuccefs of its
cultivation, 2\$, 256.
Ybcmcs (St.), the rile, and progrefc, and ufe of this Danifh
fett'ement, paitkularly in the excellent harbour it affords
for their (hips, and in being a general mart for receiving
the commodities of the neighbouring colonies, v. iv. p. 85,
86.
Timer, the extent, and trade, and fmall importance of this
fettlement to the Dutch, and their reafons for keeping a
garrifon in ir, v. i. p. 191, 192, 195.
Tla/cala, (a city in Mexico, and fubjecl "to Spain), the natives
cf this place, though enemies to the Mexicans, ftrenuoufly
oppofcd the dtfigns of Cortez againfl Mexico, and had
nearly defeated his army, v. ii. p. 366. An instance of
their remarkable end humane attention to thofe who die,
or are wounded, in the field of battle, 367. The very
finguiar nature of their government, ib. Their morals
very ievere; and military merit, highly efteemed, ib. Its
extent, population, and culture, 3^8. An alliance formed
between the Spaniards and natives, 369. State of the ma-
nufactures r.ere, /O2, 403.
Tobacco, the principal article of trade in Virginia and Mary-
land, v. v. p. 261. Its nature and properties, and full
<3if r o\ery, in 1520, by tVe Spaniards, ibid. The manner
of cultivating it, the foil proper for it, and the bell me-
thod
INDEX.
thod of preparing it for common ufe, 261, 262. Progrefs
of its culture, and description of the bed fpecies of it, 263.
The advantages to the nation and merchant, from the fale
of it, and the number of Ihips employed in it, 265, 266.
Tobago, its extent, foil, climate, population, and harbours
for fhips, v. iv. p. 371. Subjedt, at firft, to the Dutch,
\vho eftablifhed a colony upon it, 372. French feize upon
it, and expel the Dutch, but negleft its culture, 373, 374.
Englifh layclaim to it, conquer the French, and fecure
the poffeffion of it to themfelves by the peace in 1763, 375.
By what means this may be made an advantageous fettle-
ment, and reafons to imagine that it will profper in the
hands of the Englifh although their firft colonifts upon
this ifland were unfuccefsful, and died in great numbers,
376. 379*
Tonquin, manners, religion, and vices of the natives; who
had been inftrucled by the Chinefe, but were inferior to
them in every refpeft, v. ii. p. 46. Many Europeans
have attempted to form feulements here, but have been
unfuccefsful, 47.
Tertuga, extent, fertility, and produce of this fettlement, at
its firft eftablifhment, when fubjscl to the Knglifh and
French and the alarms of the Spaniards upon this account,
v. iv. p. 194, 195. Produces feveral contefls between the
Englifh, Fiench, and Spaniards with its final fubmiiHon
to the French, who negledl its cultivation and improve-
ment, 196, 197.
Tranquebar t the rife and favourable profpecl of eftabli filing an
extenfive commerce on this Danifh fettlement in Tanjour,
v. ii. p. 163. An account of the endeavours ufed by the
Danifh government to make it profper the feveral com-
panies, which have been formed with peculiar privileges,
for this purpofe and the flourifhing ftate of the laft incor-
porated company, 164. 167.
Tranfmi^ration of fouls, a free and impartial enquiry into the
origin and progrefs cf this doctrine, v. i. p. 49. Its fin-
gular influence on the mind of the Indian fa v age in making
him timid and cowardly, v. ii. p. 299.
Trinidad, when and by whom it was firil difcovered and the
realons why it continued, for a long time, to be neglected,
and was afterwards peopled by the Spaniards, v. iv. p. i,
2. Its extent and fertility of foil, and reafons to imagine
it might have become an important colony, if encourage-
ment had been given to the colonifts; with an account of
its prefent low ftate, 8, 9. Nature and ftate of its trade
with Martinico, 155,
Turks,
INDEX.
Turks, ftrangers to the polite arts, and knowledge of govern-
ment but eminent for military exploits, v. i. p. 24.
Subverted the empire of the Greeks, without adopting
their manners, ibid. Their conqueft of Egypt would have
been fatal to the interefls of all other nations, if they had
not been attacked and repulfed in their expeditions to
India, 81, 82. Invariably attached to the maxims of
Afiatic defpotifm, they have refund to admit any improve-
ment in their legiflation, v. v. p. 386.
U. and V.
Vanilla, defcription of the culture and virtues of this plant,
which is a native of Mexico, v. ii. p. 404, 405.
Fan-Nick, employed by the ftates of Holland to go upon an
expedition to the ifland of Java, arrives there, and is per-
mitted to trade with the inhabitants, v. i. p. 168. Arrives
at the Moluccas, eftablifties factories in feveral of the
iflands, and lays the foundation of feveral aflbciations for
commerce, ib. 169.
Van-Riebeck advifes the Dutch (in 1650) to form a fettle-
ment at the Cape of Good Hope, which might ferve as a
ftaple for the commerce of Europe and Afia, v. i. p. 220.
Undertakes this bufmefs, and fails for the Cape, with a
number of perfons to people it to whom certain privileges
are granted, and what thefe were, ib. The behaviour
of the Hottentots to him on his arrival, 222. Purchafea
the country he wanted to occupy, for a certain ftipulated
fum, and obtains a quiet and undiltarbed pofleflion of it to
the Dutch from that period to theprefent time, 223, 224.
Vedam (the) univerfally received among the Indians, as the
book that contains the principles of their religion; whilft
the generality differ on feveral points relative to faith and
praftice, v. i. p. 41.
Velafquez lays the foundation for the colony of Cuba, and
appoints Cortez for the conqueft of Mexico, v. ii. p. 355,
356.
Venetians fuperior to all oiher Europeans, in xv. cent, in the
extent of their commerce, v. i. p. 12, 13. 18. Check the
progrefs of the Turkiih power, 18. The firft projectors
of veiling money in the public funds and famous for their
manufactures of filk, gold, and filver; which were the
belt, and almoft the only ones of that time, 19. State
of their manners and literature, ib. Oppofed the attempts
of the popes with firmnefs and prudence, ibid. Alarmed
at the appearance of the Portuguefe in India, from which
time we may date their decline, 75. Injured by a league
3 formed
INDEX.
formed between feveral European nations to diflrefs them*
and almoft deftroyed by the viftory which Lewis the Xllth
obtained over them at Aignadelle, ib. S'renuoufiy oppofe
the Portuguefe, and unite with the Egyptians agaiuft them,
but with no fuccefs, 76, 77. The Cbinefe entirely un-
known to the Europeans, 'till their nation was difcove;ed
by a Venetian (Mark Paul) who had travelled hither by
. land, 104.
Venice, the extent of its power, v. v. p. 413. The origin of
this ftate took place in the Venetian lagunes, ib. The
doge, or duke, was elefted by the people til! 1173, w hen
the nobles feized upon the whole authority of the republic,
and named its chic!-, ib. The decay of its commerce haih
ib enervated the minds of the people, that they are ce^e-
njeratcd, timid, and fufpicious rcore efpecially ;n all af-
fairs relative to the public adminjiiration of government;
of which, no private individual dares to deliver his opi-
nion, 414, 415.
ftra Crux, the original defign cf this Spanifh feJtlement on
the gulph of Mexico, v. ii. p. 371. Made the gene/al
m.-.rc 'fur the Mexicans to receive ail the European merchan-
dize, 402. Defcription of the old and new towns of this
name, with the fortifications and hurbcar of the latter,
451, 452, The nature and value of its exports and im-
ports, 453, ^54.
fifuaa, natural and philofophical dtfciipt'on of this anlmv.i
(peculiar to the country of Peru), and fame account of the
fru.'tlefb attempts which the Spaniards have made to propa-
gate iis fpecies in Europe: the value of its wool, an j the
various ufes to which it is applied, v. ii. p. 520, 521,
give.
Vincent (St.) given, by a mutual agreement between the Eng-
Jifli and F'ench (in 1660) to the Caribs as their property,
v. iv. p. 3^5. Manners of the Caribs, with a defcription
of trre origin of the black and red Caribs, who were found
here at the time of the ifland being firft difcovered, 3^6.
Diffentions between ihefc people, ana the advantages which
the French derived from them ; who came and fettled here
with the Czrib ; -with an account of the revolution fhst
followed foon after, in ccnfequence of" the partition and Ale
of lands introduced into this ifland by the French, jfg,
300. Eng.ifh take polfeifion of it, 391. State of its plan-
tations and culture, and the improvements which rnsy be
made in it, 593.
firgiti'..!, its boundaries en the north by Maryland on the
fjuili by Carolina on tne weft by the Apalachian moun-
tains and on the call by the Atlantic a::d its prefcut cx-
INDEX.
tent defcribed, v. v. p. 244. When firfl vifited by the Eng*
Jim the origin of their firft fettlement at James-Town
the miferies of the new coloniib, and the caufes which pro-
duced them, ib. Its favourable progrefs under the ihort,
but excellent adminiftration of Lord De/aware, 245. Its
fuccefs impeded ly the extlujsve privileges of a company,
which was diflblved upon the acceiHon of Charles I. to the
throne; when this colony was placed under the immediate
direction of the crown ; with an account of its flate in that
reign, and under the ufurpation of Cromwell, 246, 247.
Opprefied by the mother-country, in the reign of Charles
If. invaded by the favag?s and faflained gieat troubles
by a rebellion in the colony, 247, 248. State of its civil,
religious, and military government, 248. 254. State of
its climate, foil, vegetation, and convenient fituation for
trade, 258. What encouragement has been given by the
Englifh miniftry to eftabliih fiaples for the reception of its
commodities, with their reafons, 259. Forts ordered to be
creeled, but this projeft failed, 260. The inhabitants
obliged to import from Europe many neceflary articles of
life, ib. Nature of its trade, navigation, revenues, com-
merce, and advantsges to England, 263, 264, 265.
\Jnited Provinces, fketch of the nature and principles of their
conltitudon, and the general afiiflance they received from
the European ftates in their ellabli (hment, v. v. p. 403.
\Jiredjt, the general advantages of the peace concluded at it,
to all the Europeans, with a fhort view of their itate for
ibme years fubfequent to this peace, v. iii. p. 314, 515.
W.
fPaywick (Admiral) confidered and acknowledged by the
Dutch, as the founder of their commc,C3, and of their
powerful colonies in the Eafl, v. i. p. i;o.
X.
jtinto, a religious feel among the Japanefe, \\hich teaches,
t'i-it the innocent pleafures of mankind are agreeable to the
d.'i r y, and tlut men fhould enjoy in this worid that hap-
pincls they enjoy in the next, v, ,i. p. 133. The abufes
committed in confequence of this doctrine by the Japanefe,
Z.
anguflar, nnture and value of the Portugticfe fettlcments on
tiiis coalr, and the fevcral mines of gold and filver which
are found thereon, v. i. p. 138, 139.
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