IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) V /. y. 1.0 I.I 1.25 1: 1^ 12.0 2.2 il8 LI IIIIII.6 V] <^ ^^ A.. //a Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTEK.N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 iV iV -b <^ '^ » ^s' dp. (/. ^ CIHM/ICMH Microfiche Series. CIHM/ICMH Collection de microfiches. Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions / Institut Canadian de microreproductions historiques Technical and Bibliographic Notes/Notes techniques et bibliographiques The Institute has attempted to obtain the best original copy available for filming. Features of this copy which may be bibliographically unique, which may alter any of the images in the reproduction, or which may significantly change the usual method of filming, are checked below. L'Institut a microfilm^ le meilleur exemplaire qu'il lui a 6t6 possible de se procurer. Les details de cet exemplaire qui sont peut-dtre uniq- s du point de vue bibliographique, qui peuvent modifier une image reproduite, ou qui peuvbnt exiger une modification dans la mdthode normale de filmage sont indiqu^s ci-dessous. D D n n n n Coloured covers/ Couverture de couleur Covers damaged/ Couverture endommagde Covers restored and/or laminated/ Couverture restaurde et/ou pelliculde Cover title missing/ Le titre de couverture manque Coloured maps/ Cartes gdographiques en couleur Coloured ink (i.e. other than blue or black)/ Encre de couleur (i.e. autre que bleue ou noire) Coloured plates and/or illustrations/ Planches et/ou illustrations en couleur Bound with other material/ Relid avec d'autres documents Tight binding may cause shadows or distortion along interior margin/ Lareliure serr^e peut causer de I'ombre ou de la distortion le long de la marge intdrieure Blank leaves added during restoration may appear within the text. Whenever possible, these have been omitted from filming/ II se peut que certaines pages blanches ajoutdes lors d'une restauration apparaissent dans le texte, mais, lorsque cela §tait possible, ces pages n'ont pas dtd film^es. □ Coloured pages/ Pages de couleur D D n n Pages damaged/ Pages endommagdes Pages restored and/or laminated/ Pages restaurdes et/ou pellicul6es Pages discoloured, stained or foxed/ Pages ddcolordes, tachetdes ou piqudes Pages detached/ Pages ddtachdos Showthrough/ Transparence Quality of print varies/ Qualitd in6gale de I'impression Includes supplementary material/ Comprend du matdriel supplementaire Only edition available/ Seule Edition disponible Pages wholly or partially obscured by errata slips, tissues, etc., have been refilmed to ensure the best possible image/ Les pages totalement ou partiellement obscurcies par un feuillet d'errata, une pelure, etc., ont 6t6 film^es d nouveau de faqon d obtenir la meilleure image possible. S Additional comments:/ Commentaires suppldmentaires; Irregular pagination: [iiij - xii, [1] - 52, 55 • 56, 53 - 54, 57 - 410 p. This item is filmed at the reduction ratio checked below/ Ce document est filmd au taux de reduction indiqud ci-dessous. 10X 14X 18X 22X 26X 30X V 12X 16X 20X 24X 28X 32X ire details . s du modifier ler une filmage ^es The copy filmed here has been reproduced thanks to the generosity of: National Library of Canada The images appearing here are the best quality possible considering the condition and legibility of the original copy and in keeping with the filming contract specifications. Original copies in printed paper covers are filmed beginning with the front cover and ending on the last page with a printed or illustrated impres- sion, or the back cover when appropriate. All other original copies are filmed beginning on the first page with a printed or illustrated impres- sion, and ending on the last page with a printed or illustrated impression. The last recorded frame on each microfiche shall contain the symbol -^ (meaning "CON- TINUED"), or the symbol V (meaning "END"), whichever applies. Maps, plates, charts, etc., may be filmed at different reduction ratios. Those too large to be entirely included in one exposure are filmed beginning in the upper left hand corner, left to right and top to bottom, as many frames as required. The following diagrams illustrate the method: L'exemplaire filmd fut reproduit grdce d la g6n^rosit6 de: Bibliothdque nationale du Canada Les images suivantes ont 6t6 reproduites avec le plus grand soin, compte tenu de la condition et de la nettet6 de l'exemplaire film6, et en conformity avec les conditions du contrat de filmage. Les exemplaires originaux dont la couverture en papier est imprimde sont film^s en commenpant par le premier plat et en terminant soit par la dernidre page qui comporte une empreinte d'impression ou d'illustration, soit par le second plat, selon le cas. Tous les autres exemplaires originaux sont filmds en commenpant par la premidre page qui comporte une empreinte d'impression ou d'illustration et en terminant par la dernidre page qui comporte une telle empreinte. Un des symboles suivants apparaitra sur la dernidre image de cheque microfiche, selon le cas: le symbole — ^ signifie "A SUIVRE ", le symbole V signifie "FIN". Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent dtre film^s d des taux de reduction diff^rents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour etre reproduit en un seul cliche, il est film6 d partir de Tangle supdrieur gauche, de gauche d droite, et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'images ndcessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la m6thode. errata J to e pelure, on d n 32X 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 h- r- y - \ r. Philosophical and Political HISTORY OFT II E BRITISH SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE I N NORTH AMERICA. i« I From /A^ I. «■ - V '4'- VI PREFACE. llty ; aii.i a power hath arlfen that attra£ls the a^lmiration of the prefent age. I AM forry, our juflly celebrated Author fliould fjcmingly countenance an opinion, prevalent i ulecil among the vulgar, viz. That men and other animals, carried from the Eafterii conti- nent, degenerate in the Weftcrn ; an aflertion contrary to known experience. He fays, the Americans have never yet fhewn any particular turn for arts or fclences ; yet, more than once, mentions the learned Frank/in (page iio, &c.) as great a philofopher and politician as ever this or any other age hath produced : — A name equal to any of antient or modern times, a man who hath boldly explored the receffes of the fky. ■ ' ' nee fulmina^ tiec mimtant't Murmure cotnprejjtt ca^um. LuCR. And by giving lightning a direction at plea- fure, hath taught us to preferve the public edi- fices and private habitations of mankind from its fatal efFe£ls. And do we not fee at this day, America abounding in Philofophers *, Statef- men. Generals, ana Soldiers, refifting with fuc- cefs, one of the greateft nations of Europe, whofe arms were lately vidtorious in every quarter of the Globe. In fine, men whofe great a£lions mud refcue the prefent age from oblivion and contempt. And had our author been acquainted with the biftory of New England, a country always produ<^ive of great men, ever fince its fir{b * Vide tranfaaion3 of the Philofophlcal Society at Phila^ PREFACE. vri firfl: fettlemcnt, he would not have cafily cm- braced this notion, worthy only of a dull, heavy German Mifanthrope *, who, from his clofet, dog- matically aflcrts this abfurd opinion concerning rhe Americans whom he never faw, and whofe country is only known to him byhear-fay. Hi fherto thehifloryof ourNorth American fettlements has been fcarcely, if at all attCiided to, and even our Miniilers fecm to have known little or nothing of it, but were content with the information given them by felf-interefted, defign- ing, or perhaps ignorant men : Indeed the admi- niftration of public affairs in this country, as well as in fome others, is too often committed to the care of men, who are not the moft capable of difcerning its true intereft. — Men obftinately wed- ded to their own opinions, deaf to good advice, warpt by prejudice and fa6lion, who are more anxious to keep down their rivals than to follow the di£lates of reafon ; by which it frequently happens, that powerful dates, from the ill ma- nagement of thofe who fit at the helm, are brought to a fudden and fatal decline. May future ages and nations \^^ taught, from the fatal experience of the prelei t times, never rafhly to undervalue or contemn a people at large, as has been unfortunately the cafe at the beginning of the prefent unhappy conteft, be- twixt the government of Great Britain and the American States ; mere force was then thought fuflicient, and political meafures never once thought it :n Ml ith it^ ^'•)i t ;■;■ '4 i ■^ Rccherchcs fur les Americans, par M. Pawe, BetUn, il •'J 1» ^lii PREFACE. thought of, though it is now too apparent, that the latter ihould have been only ufcd in the firft indance. But to enter into a further difcufTion of this melancholy fubjed, will only ferve to detain the reader from the perufal of the following very agreeable Performance, a work equally calculated to pleafe and inftru£b i in which the writer will be found to poflefs a great fund of knowledge, and to be mafter of that philofophic reafoning and conclufion, which a fubjefl, fo very impor- tant, muft neceflarily demand. C O N- CONTENTS [of the History of the British Settle- MENTs in America. INTRODUCTION, Page i to 26 J. Firfl expeditions of the Englifli in North Ame- rica, I 2. The continent of America is peopled by the religi- ous wais that dlHurb England, 4 Parallel between the old and the new world, 11 ComparifoB between civilized people and favaces, ij In what (late the Englifli found North America, and what they have dune there, 25 BOOK I. British Colonies fettled at Hudson's Bay, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, New England, New York, and New Jersey. Chap. I. Of HUDSON'S BAY, 27 to 39 1. Climate. Cufloms of the inhabitants. Trade, a7 a. Whether there is a paflage at Hudfon's Bay, lead- ing to the Ead ludlcb, 1^ Chap. 1 1. Of NEWFOUNDLAND, 39 to 52 1. Defcription, 39 i. Fiflicries, 4» Chap. HI. Of NOVA SCOTIA, 53 to 64 I. The French give up Nova Scotia to Britain, after having been a long time in pofleflion of it thcm- fclvcs, 53 a. Manners of the French who remained fubje«5k to the Biitifli government in Nuva Scotia, 57 3. Piefent flate of Nova Scotia, 6t Chap. IV. Of NEW ENGLAND, 64 to 79 I. Foundation, (J4 a. Fanaiicifm occafions great calamities there, 67 3. Government lii" I ill !!' I> I X CONTENTS. 3. GoTcrnmcnt, population, cultures, manufa©• Chap. II. Of VIRGINIA and MARYLAND. 1 14 to 131 X. Wretched Aate of Virginia at its fird fettlement, 114 X. Adminiflration of Virginia, 3. Maryland is detached from Virgiuia, 4. Virginia and Maryland cultivate the fame produc tions, J. Of the Tobacco-trail«, Chap. III. Of CAROLINA, 131 to 14a 1. Origin of Carolina, 13I a. Syflem of religious and civil government cftablifli- ed by Locke in Carolina, '3* 3. Climate and produce of Carolina, i3S Chap. IV. Of GEORGIA, 142 to 148 I. Foundation of Georgia, »4* a. Impediments that have prevented the progrefs of Georgia, i4S Chap. 117 Ii4 117 CONTENTS. Chap. V. Of FLORIDA, 148 to 155 I. li'idoty. Its ccHion from the Spaniardft to the Hritilh, 148 a. Hy what meant Britain may render Florida ufcful to her, 153 BOOK III. Of Canada, acquired from the French. Chap. I. General face of the country. Cli- mate. Government, cuftoms, virtues and viccR of the Indians, ^^R^ '5^ Chap. IF Wars of the Indians. The coloniils en.oroil themfelves therein, 182 Chap. III. Of the Furs, 185 Chap. IV. In what places, and what manner, the Fur- trade was carried on, 197 Chap. V. Stateof Canada atthepeaccof Utrecht, 202 Chap. VI. Population, agriculture, manners, government, filheries, induftry, and reve- nues of Canada, 203 Chap. VII. Advantages which France might have derived from Canada. Errors which P*-^ deprived her of them, 2 15 Chap. VIII. Origin of the wars between the Britifh and the French in Canada, 222 C H A p . IX. Conqueft of Cape- Breton b y the British, 2 23 Chap. X. The Briti(h attack Canada, 227 Chap. XI. Taking of Quebec by the Britifli, 233 Chap. XII. Canada is ceded to Britain ; What advantages flie might derive from that pof- feffi on. 236 BOOK IV. General Reflections and Remarks on all the Colonies. I. Extent of the Britifh dominions in North America, 239 II. Trees i i ill \n CONTENTS. V II. Trees peculiar to North America, III.; Birds peculiar to North America, IV. The Englifh fupply North America with domellic animals, V. European grain carried into North America by the Englifh, VI. The Englifh find the neceflity of having their nava! ftores from North America, VII. England begins to get iron from North America, VIII. England endeavours to procure wine and filk from North America, IX. What kind of men Britain peoples her North- American Colonies with, X. Prcfent ftate of population in the Britifli provinces of North America, XI. Happinefs of the inhabitants in the Britifh colonies of North America, XII. What kind of government is eftabliflied in the Britifli colonies of North America, XIII. The coin current in the Britifh colonies of North America, XIV. The Britifh colonies in North America are fliackled in their induftry and com- merce, 280 XV. Of the taxation of the colonies, 284 I. The mother country has attempted to cHablini trtxes in her colonics of North America : Whe- ther (he had a right to do this, ib a. Whether the colonics fliculd fubniit to be taxed, 193 3. How far the colonics ought to carry their oppofi- tion to taxation, 2p5 4. Whether it would be of ufc to the colonies to break through the ties which unite them to the mother country, ipp 5. Whether it would be proper for the European nations to endeavour to render the Britifli colo- nies independent of the mother country, 3c© 24r 243 245 246 247 250 253 255 266 270 273 A » #-■ iW Philosophical and Political ■i' HISTORY OF THE BRITISH Settlements and Trade in America. Wi y-f'i :-J^' INTRODUCTION. 1. Firjl Expeditions of the Englifh in North- America I ENGLAND w?.s only known in America by her piracies, which were often fuccefsful and al- ways brilliant, when Sir Walter Raleigh con- ceived a project to make his nation partake of the pro- digious riches which for near a century paft flowed from that hemifphere into ours. That great man, who was born for bold undertakings, caft his eye on the eaftern coaft of North-America. The talent he had for fubduing the mind by reprefenting all hia propofals in a ftriking light, foon procured him af- lociates, both at court and amongtt the merchants. The company that was formed upon the allurements of his magnificent promifcs, obtained of government, in 1584, the abfolute difpofal of all the difcoverics that (liould be made ; and without any further en- couragement, they fitted out two (hips in April fol- lowing, that anchored in Roanoak bay, which now A makes f\i 'fi I'liH {■' Hi -i 2 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH makes a part of Carolina. Their commanders, wor- thy of the trull rcpofcd in them, behaved with re- markable affability in a country where they wanted to fettle their nation, and left the favages to make their own terms in the trade they propofed to open ' with them. Every thing that thefe fucccfj^ful navigators re- ported on their return to Europe, concerning the temperature of the climate, the fertility of the foil, and the difpofition of the inhabitants, encouraged the fociety to proceed. They accordingly fent feven ihips the following fpring, which landed a hundred and eight free men at Roanoak, for the purpofe of commencing a fettlcment. Part of them were mur- dered by the favages, whom they had infulted; and the reft, having been fo improvident as to neglect the culture of the land, were perifhing with mifery and hunger, when a deliverer came to their afliftance. This was Sir Francis Drake, fo famous amonc^ feamcn for being the next after Magellan who failed round the globe. The abilities he had Ihewn in that grand expedition induced queen Elizabeth to make choice of him to humble Philip II. in that part of his domains which he made nfe of to diflurb the peace of other nations. Few orders were ever more punctually executed. The Englifh fleet feizcd upon St Jago, Carthagcna, St Domingo, and feveral other important places ; and took a great many rich fliips. His inftrudlions were, that, after thefe operations, he (hould proceed and offer his affiftance to the co- lony at Roanoak. The wretched few, who had fur- vived the numbcrlcfs calamities that had befallen them, were in fuch dcfpair, that they refufed all af- fiftance, and only begged he would convey them to their native country. The admiral complied with their rcqucft ; and thus, the cxpenccs that had been difburfed till that time were loft. The afTociates, however, were not difcouraged by this uuforefeen event. From time to time they fcnt over a few colgnifts, who by the year 1589 a- mounted ^'#i < a>. d SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. 3ers, wor- d with rc- ry wanted i to make ;d to open gators re- erning the )f the foil, ncouraged ■ fcnt fevcri a hundred piirpofe ui were mur- ulted; and nccleirt the p. , mitery ana fiftancc. [)U5 amon^c^ 1 who failed ewn in that h to make hat part or difturb the e ever more eizcd upon everal other r rich fliips. operations, to the 00- 10 had fur- ad befallen "ufed all af- cy them to plied with had been dlfcouraged o time they :ar 1589 a- mountcd >;! mounted to a hundred and fifty perfons of both fexcs, under a regular government, and fully provided with all they wanted for their defence, and for the pur- ^.jfcs of agriculture and commerce. Thefc begin- nings raifcd fome expeAations, but they were lofh in the difgrace of Raleigh, who fell a vi£\ini to the caprices of his own wild imagination. The colony, having loft its founder, was totally forgotten. It had been thus neglefted for twelve years, when Gofuold, one of the firft aflbciates, refolved to vifit it in 1602. His experience in navigation made him fufpcdl, that the right tra6l had not been found out ; and that, in fleering by the Canary and Caribbcc iflands, the voyage had been made longer than it need have been by above a thoufand leagues. Thcfc conjectures induced him to lleer away from the fouth, and to turn more weftward. The attempt fiiccecded ; but when li • reached the American coaft, he found himfelf further north than any who had gone before. The region where he landed, lince in- cluded in New- England, afforded him plenty of beau- tiful furs, with which he failed back to England. The fpeed and fuccefs of this undertaking made a Urong imprcflion upon the Englifh merchants. Se- veral joined in 1606 to form a fcttlement In the coun- try that Gofnold had difcovered. Their example recalled to others the remembrance of Roanoak ; and this gave rife to two charter companies. As the continent where they were to excrcife their monopoly was then known in England only by the general r.ame of Virginia, the one was called the South Vir- ginia, and the other the North Virginia Company. The firft. zeal f«on abated, and there appeared to be more jealoufy than emulation between the two companies. Though they had been favoured with the firfl lottery that ever was drawn in England, their progrefs was fo flow, that in 1614 there were not above four hundred perfons in both fettlements. That fort of competency which was fufficient for the fimplicity of the manners of the times, was then fo A 2 general I ^' m i> M ' .*'f 'U N-«^ A HISTORY OF THE BRrnSH' general in England, that no one was tempted to go abroad by the profpcA of a fortune. It is a fcnfe o£ misfortune, ftill more than the thirft of riches, that gives men a diflike to their native country. Nothing jcfs than an extraordinary ferment could then have peopled even an excellent country. This wag at length brought about by fuperftition, and excited by ihccoUifion of religious opinions. -I 3-. T/^e continent of America is peopled hy the religious nuars that dijlurb England, The firft priefts of the Britons were the Druids, fo famous in the annals of Gaul. To throw a my- iterious veil upon the ceremonies of a favage worfhip, their rites were never performed but in dark rccelfes, and generally in gloomy groves, where fear creates fpecftres and apparitions. Only a few perfons were initiated into thcfe myfteries, and intruded with the facred do6lrines ; and even thefe were not allowed to commit any thing to writing upon this important fabje6l, left their fecrets fhould fall into the hands of the profane vulgar. The altars of a formidable dei- ty were ftalned with the blood of human viftims, and enriched with the moft precious fpoils of war. Though the dread of the vengeance of heaven was the only guard of thefe treafures, they were always reverenced by avarice, which the druids had artfully reprefied by the fundamental doftrine of the endlefs tranfmigratioB of the foul. The chief authority of government refided in the minlfters of that terrible religion ; becaufe men are more powerfully and more laftingly fwayed by opinion than by any other mo- tive. The education of youth was in their hands ; and the afcendency they affumcd at that period re- mained through the reft of life. They took cogni- zance of all civil and criminal caufes, and were as ibfolutc in their decifions on ftate affairs as on the private differences between man and man. Whoever dared » ^ '■h 1. >#-«** SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. tlared to refifl their decrees, was not only excluded from all parlicipatlon in the divine myllcrics, but even from the focieiy of men. It was accounted a crime and a reproach to hold any converfe or to have ar)y dealings with him : he was irrevocably deprived of the protedlion of the laws, and nothing but death could put an end to his miferics. The hiftory ef liuman fuperftitions affsrds no inllance of any one fo tyrannical as that of the druids. It was the only one that provoked the Romans to ufe feverity, as none oppofed the power of thofc conquerors with iuch violence as the druids. That religion, however, had loll much of its Influ- ence, when it was totally baniflied by Chriftianity iu the fevcnth century. The northern nations, that had fucceflively invaded the fouthern provinces of Europe, had found there the feeds ©f that new religion, in the ruins of an empire that was falling on all fides. Whe- ther it was owing to their indifference f»r their di- ftant gods, or to their ignorance which was eafily perfuaded, they readily embraced a wordiip which from the multiplicity of its ceremonies could not but attradl the notice of rude and favagc men. The SaxoMS, who afterwards invaded England, followed their example, and adopted without difficulty a reli- gion that fecurcd their conqueft by abolifhing their old forms of worfhip. The effedts were fuch as might be expecled from a religion, the original fimplicity of which was at: that time fo much disfigured. Idle contemplations were foon fubftituted in lieu of active and focial vir- tues ; and a llupid veneration for unknown faints, to the worfliip of the Supreme Being. Miracles daz- zled the eyes of men, and diverted them from at- tending to natural caufcs. They were taught to be- lieve that prayers and offerings would atone for the mod heinaus crimes. Every fcntimcnt of reafon was perverted, and everv principle of morality corrupt- ed. Thofe who had been at Icaft the promoters of this A 3 confufion, n\ m I' ^ i It i ). ,' » - I ■-.V- I( 6 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH confufion, knew how to avail themfclvcs of it. The pricfts obtained that refpc6l which was denied to kings ; and their perfons became facrcd. The Ma- giftrate had no infpe6licn over their conduft, and they even evaded the watchfulnefs of the civil law. Their tribunal eluded and even fupcrfeded 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 liftened, in filent attention, to its inexplicable oracles. Such was the infatuation of thofe dark ages, that the fcandalous exceffes of the clergy did not weaken their authority. This was owing to its being already founded oa great riches. As foon as the priefts had taught that religion depended principally upon facrifices, and re* quired firfl of all that of fortune and earthly poffef- fions, the nobility, who were fole proprietors of all ellates, employed their flaves to build churches^ and allotted their lands to the endowment of thofe foun- dxitions. Kings gave to the church all that they had extorted from the people ; and ftripped themfelves to fuch 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 ne- ver made wp by thofe who were the caufe of them. They bore no fliare in the maintenance of fociety. Tiie payment of taxes with church money would have been a facrilege, and a proftitution of holy things ta profane purpofes. Such was the declaration of the clergy, and the laity believed them. The pofleflion of the third part of the feodal tenures in the kingdom, the free-will offerings of a deluded people, and the price fet upon the prieftly offices, did not fatisfy the enormous avidity of the clergy, ever attentive to their ©wn intereft. They found in the. Old Teftament> that by divine appointment the pricfts had an un- doubted right to the tithes of the produce of the land. Tiis claim was fo readily admitted, that they cxttrnded it to the tithe of induJlry, of the profits on m A r^*-U! SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. founded oa taught that :es, and re- thly poflef- etors of all Lirches, and thofe foun- at they liad I themfclves ficiency for the other ss were ne- 'e of them, of fociety, vould have things ta ion of the poffeflion kingdom, and the fatisfy th« ve to their eftament,. id an un- jce of the that they irolus on tradcj n trade, of the wages of labourers, of the pay of fol- diers, and fometimes of the falaries of place men. Rome, who at firft was a filent fpedator of thefc proceedings, and proudly enjoyed the fuccefs that at- tended the rich and haughty apoftles of a Saviour born in obfcurity, and who died an ignominious death, foon coveted a (hare in the fpoils of England. The firft ftep fhc took was to open a trade for relics, which were always ufhered in with fomc llriking mi- racle, and fold in proportion 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 purchafc a place in heaven fuitable to the rank they lield on earth The popes by degrees af- fumed the prefcntation to church preferments, which at firft they gave away, but afterwards fold. By thefe means, their tribunal took cognizance of all ccclefiaftical caufes, and in time they claimed a tenth of the revenues of the clergy, who themfclves levied the tenth of all the fubftance of the realm. When thefe pious extortions wcr« carried as far a* they poflibly could be in England, Rome afpired to the fupreme authority over it. The frauds of her am- bition were covered with a facred veil. She fappcd the foundations of liberty, but itwasbyemployingthe influence of opinion only. This was fetting up men in oppofition to themfclves, and availing herfelf o£ their prejudices In order to acquire an abfolutc do- minion over them. She ufurped the power of a def- potic judge between the altar and the throne, be- tween the prince and his fubjcdts, between one po- tentate and another. She kindled the flames of war with her fpiritual thunders. But fhe wanted cmifla- ries to fpread the terror of her arms, and made choice of the monks for that purpofc. The fecular clergy, liotwithftanding their celibacy, which kept them fioM worldly conncdlions, had ftill an attachment to. the world by the ties of intcfeft, often ilronger than thofe of blood. A fet of men, fecluded from focie- !y by Angular inftitutions which muft incline them to tv ■ ■i} h f#-IH. HISTORY OF THE BRITISH ;i| ■ 31 it: ^- to fanatlciTm, and by a blind fubmlflTion to the dic- tates of a foreign pontiff, were belt adapted to fccond the Yicws of fuch a fovcreign. Thefe vile and ab- jedl tools of fuperftition fulnllcd their fatal employ- ment but too fuccefsfully. With their intrigues, feconded by favourable occurences, England, w^hich had fo long withftood the conquering arms of the ancient Roman empire, became tributary to modern Rone. At length the paflions and violent caprices of Henry VIII. broke the fcandalous dependence. The abufe of fo infamous a power had already open- ed the eyes of the nation. The prince ventured at once to fhake off the authority of the pope, abolifh monafteries, and affume the fupremacy over his own church. This open fchifm was followed by other alterati- ons in the reign of Edward, fon and fuccefibr to Henry. The religious opinions, which were then changing the face of Europe, were openly difcuffed. Something was taken from eve y one. Many do6lrines and rites of the old religfjn were retained; and from thefe feveral fyitems or tenets arofe a new com - munion, diftinguiftied by the name of The Church of England. Elizabeth, who completed this important work, found theory alone too fubtle; and thought it moft expedient to captivate the fcnfes, by the addition of fomc ceremonies. Her natural talte for grandeur, and the defire of putting a ftop to the difputes about points of doftrine, by entertaining the eye with the external parade of worfhip, made her inclined to a- dopt a greater number of religious rites. But ftic was reftrained by political confidcrations, and was obliged to facrifice fomcthing to the prejudices of a party that had raifed her to the throne, and was able to maintain her upon it. Far from fufped^ing that James I. would execute what Elizabeth had not even dared to attempt, it might be cxpeftcd that he would rather have been inclined V ^#--m- SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. inclined to reflrain ccclefiaflical rites and ceremonies. That prince, who had been trained up in the piin- ciples of the Prcfbyterians, a fe£l who, with much fpiritual pride, afFc6led great fimpliclty of drefs, gra- vity of manners, and aufterity of doctrine, and loved to (peak in fcripture phrafes, and to make ufe of none but fcripture names for their children. One would have fuppofed that fuch an education muft have pre- judiced the king againfl; the outward pomp of the catholic worfliip, and every thing that bore any af- finity to it. But the fplrit of fyftem prevailed in him over the principles of education. Struck with the epifcopal jurifJiftion which he found cftabliftied in England, and which he thought conformable to his own notions of civil government, he abandoned from convi(£lion the early impreflions he had received, and grew paflionately fond of a hierarchy modelled upon the political ceconomy of a well conftltuted em- pire. In this enthufiafim, he wanted to introduce this wonderful difciplinc into Scotland, hie native country ; and to unite to it a great many of the Englifh, who ftill diffented from it. He even intended to add the pomp of the mod awful ceremonies to the majeftic plan, if he could have carried his grand pra- jefts 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 con- tented himfelf with recommending to his fon to re- fume his views, whenever the times ftiould furnlfli a favourable opportunity ; and reprefeatcd the Prcf- byterians to him as alike dangerous to religion and to the throne. Charles readily adopted his advice, which was but too conformable to the principles of defpotifm he had imbibed fiom Buckingham his favourite, the moft cor- rupt of men, and the corrupter of the courtiers. To pave the way to the revolution he was meditating, he promoted feveral bifhops to the higheft dignities in the government, and conferred on them moft of the offices that gave the greateft influence on public meafares. M V .1- in II-' mi would n«ither (loop to yield, nor take the pains to refill, turned their views towards North-America, to feek. for that civil and religious liberty which their ungrateful country denied them. The enemies of their peace attempted to (hut this retreat againft thcfe devout fugitives, who wanted to worfhip God in their own way in a defcrt land. Eight (hips that lay at anchor in the Thames ready to fail, were Hopped; and Cromwell is faid to have been detain- ed there by that very king whom he afterwards brought to the fcaffold. Enthufiafm, however, ftrong- cr than the rage of perfecution, furmountcd every obftacle ; aad that regioh of America was foon (illed with Pre(bytcrians. The comfort they enjoyed in their retreat, gradually induced all thole of their party to follow tliem, who were not attrocious enough to take delight in thofe dreadful cataftrophes vvhicli foon after made England a fcene of blood and horror. Many were afterwards induced to remove thither in more peaceable times, with a view to advance their fortunes. In a word, all Europe contributed greatly to increafe their population. Thoufands of unhappy men, oppre(red by the tyranny or intolerant fpirit of their fovereign, took refuge in that hemifphcre. Let us now endeavour to acquire fome information re- fpe6ling that country. * m i l! 3. Parallel hetiveen the Old and the iVL !i; •I'' i If 1 1 .t v'j I ill r v. 14 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH When we confidcr the map of the world, and fee the local correfpondcnce there is between the ifthmus of Suez and that of Panama, between the cape of Good Hope and cape Horn, between the Archipe- lago of the Eail- Indies and that of the Leeward Iflands, and between the mountains of Chili and thofe of Monomotapa, we are flruck with the fimilarity of the feveral forms this pidture prefents. Everywhere we imagine we fee land oppofite to land, water to water, iflands and peninfula* fcattered by the hand of nature to ferve as a counterpoife, and the fea by its fluctuation conflantly maintaining the balance of the whole. But if, on the other hand, we compare the great extent of the Pacific Ocean, which parts the Eaft and Wefl Indies, with the fmall fpace the Ocean occupies between the coaft of Guinea and that of Brafil ; the vail quantity of inhabited land to the Korth, with the little we know towards the South ; the dircftion of the mountains of Tartary and Eu- rope, which is from Eafl to Wefl, with that of the Cordileras which run from North to South ; the mind 3S at a fland, and we have the mortification to fee the order and fymmetry vanifh with which we had rmbelliflicd our fyflem of the earth. The obferver is Hill mere difpleafed with his conjedlures, when he vonfidcrs the immcnfe height of the mountains of Peru. Then, indeed, he is afloniOied to fee a conti- Tient ^o high and fo lately difcovered, the fea fo far below its tops, and fo recently come down from the knds that feemed to be effeftually defended from its iiltacks by thofe tremendous bulwarks. It is, how- ever, an undeniable fa6t, that both continents of the 3iew hemifphere have been covered with the fe«. The air and the land confirm this truth. The broad and long rivers of America ; the im- menfe fore lis to the South ; the fpacious lakes and U vafl moraffes to the North ; the eternal fnows between the tropics ; few of thofe pure fands that feem to be the remains of an cxhaufted graund ; no men entire- ly black J very fair people under the line ; a cool and SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. and mild air in the fame latitude as the fiiltry and uninhabitable parts of Africa ; a frozen and fevere climate under the fame parallel as our temperate cli- mates ; and, laftly, a difference of ten or twelve dc- o-rees in the temperature of the old and new hcmi- fpheres ; thefe arc fo many tokens of a world that vj (till in its infancy. Why fliould the continent of America be fo much warmer and fo much colder in proportion than that of Europe, if it were not for the moiflure the occnu has left behind, by quitting it long after our conti- nent was peopled ? Nothing but the fea can poflibly have prevented Mexico from being inhabited as early as Afia. " If the waters that flill moillen the bowels of the earth in the new hcmifpherc had not covered its farface, man would very early have cut down the woods, drained the fens, confolidatcd a foft and wa- tery foil by f^Irring it up and expofing it to the rays of the fun, opened a free paffage to the winds, and ralfcd dikes along the rivers : In (hort, the climate would have been totally altered by this time. But a rude and unpeopled hemifphere denotes a recent world ; when the fea, rolling in the neighbourhood of Its coafts, flill flows obfcurelyin its channels. The fun lefs fcorching, more plentiful rains, and thicker and more ftagnating vapours, betray either the decay or the infancy of nature. The difference of climate, arlfing from the wa- ters having lain fo long on the ground in America, could not but have a great influence on men and ani- mals. From this diverlity of caufes mufl neceffarily arlfe a very great dlverfity of efFeds. Accordingly we fee more fpecles of animals, by two thirds, in the old continent than in the new ; animals of the fame kind coafiderably larger ; fiercer and more fa- vage monftcrs, in proportion to the greater incrcafe of mankind. On the other hand, nature feems to have flrangcly negleded the new world. The men have lefs ftrength and lefs courage ; no beard and |iio hair : they are degraded in all the tokens of man- B 2 hoed; i' 11 ra ! . I ll; " M i6 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH liood ; and but Jittlc fufceptlble of the lively and j)ovv'eifa) fcntlmcnt of love, which is the principle of every attachment, the firft inftina, the iirtt band of focieiy, without which all the other faditious tics have neither energy nor duration. The women, V ho are ftill more weak, are neither favourably treat- el by nature nor by the men, who have but little Jove for them, and confider them as the inftruments that are to furnifh to their wants ; they rather facri- ficc them to their own indolence, than confecrate them to their pieafures. This indolence is the great delight and fupremc felicity of the Americans, of V hich the women are the vidims by the continual ]al)our3 impofed upon them. It muft, however, be confelfed, that in America, as in all other parts, the men, when they have fentenced the women to work, have be-n fo equitable as to take upon themfelves the perils of v/ar, together with the toils of hunting and hdiiiig. But their indifference for the fex which nature has intrufted with the care of reproducing the ipecies, implies sfn imperfeftion in their organs, a ii)\X of ftate of childhood in the people of America, a? in thofe of our continent who are not yet arrived to the age of puberty. This is a radical vice in the other hemifphere, the recency of which is difcovcre^ by this kind of imperfection. But if the Americans are new people, arc they a race of men originally diitin^t from thofe tliat co- ver the face of the old world ? This is a queftlon which ought not to be haftily decided. The origin of the population of America is involved in inextri- cable difficulties. If we affert that the Greenlander* firfl came from Norway, and then went over to the coaft of Labrador ; others will tell us, it is more na- tural to fuppofe that the Greenlanders are fprung from the Efquimaux, to whom they bear a greater refemblance than to the Europeans. If we fliould fuppofe that California was peopled from Kamtfchat- ka, it may be aiked what motive or wkut chance would have led the Tartars to the north-weft of Ame- rica. W'^' SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. t; rica. Vet it is imagined to be from Greenland or from Kamtfchatka that the inhabitants of the old world mud have gone over to the new, as it is by thofe two countries that the two continents are con- nei^ed, or at lead approach neareil 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 fouth ; but it mull naturally have begun under the equator, where life is cheriflied by warmth. If the people of America could not come from our continent, and yet appear to be a new race, we muffc have recourfe to the flood, which is the fource and; the folution of all difficulties in the hiftory of na- tions. Let us fuppofe, that the fea liaving overflowed the other hemifphere, its old inhabitants took refuge upon the Apalachian mountains, and the Cordilerad, which are fur higher than our mount Ararat. But how could they have lived upon thofe heights, cover- ed with fnow, and furrounded with waters ? How is it poflible, that men, who had breathed in a pure and delightful climate, could have furvived the mi- feries of want, the inclemency of a tainted air, and thofe numberlefs calamities whi^h mull be the una- voidable confequences of a deluge ? How will the race have been preferved and propagated in thofe times of general calamity, and in the fucceeding ages of a languid exillence ? In defiance of all thefe ob- ilacles, we muft allow that America has been peopled by thefe wretched remains of the great devaftation. Every thing carries the veiligea of a malady, of which the hunian race ftill feels the eff^efls. The ruin of that world is ftill imprinted on its inhabi- tants. They are a fpecies of men degraded and de- generated in their natural conftitution, in their fta- ture, in their way of life, and in their underfland- ings, which have made fo little progrefs in all the arts of civilization. A damper air, and a more marfhy ground, muft nccefiarily infcd the very roots B 3 and; I A »■ :■ i ■ ■ ii^ « f < I ' I 1 / 18 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH and feeds both of the fubfiftence and multiplication of mankind. It muft have required fome ages to rcftore population, and ftill a greater number before the ground could be fettled and dried fo as to be fit for tillage and for the foundation of buildings. The earth muft neceflarily be purified before the air could clear, and the air muft be clear before the earth could be rendered liabitable. The imperfeftion therefore of nature in America is not a proof of its recent origin, but of its regeneration. It was pro^ bably peopled at- the fame time as the other hemi- fphere, but may have been overflown later. The large foflil bones that are found under ground in A- merica, {hew that it formerly had elephants, rhino- ccrofes, and other enormous quadrupeds, which have fmce difappeared from thofe regions. The gold and filver mines that are found juft below the jfurface, are figns of a very ancient revolution of the globe, but later than thofe that have overturned our hcmifphere. Suppofe America had, by fome means or other, been repeopled by our roving hords, that period would be fo remote, that it would ftill give great antiquity to the inhabitants of that hemifphere. Three cr four centuries will not then be fufficient to allovv for the foundation of the empires of Mexico and Peru ; for though we find no trace in thefe countries of our arts, or of the opinions and cuftoms that prevail in t)tlier parts of the globe, yet we have found a police and a fociety eftabliflied, inven-tions and. practices, v/hich, though they did not fhcw any marks of times anterior to the deluge, yet they implied a long feries of ages fubfequent to this cataftrophe. For though in Mexico, as In Egypt, a country furrounded with waters, mountains, and other invincible obftacles, mull have f(xrced the men inclofed in it to unite after a time, though they might at firft' live in altercations and in continual and bloody wars, yet it was only in jprocefs of time that they could invent and eftablifh A worihip and a legiflation, which they could ncet pofllbly ^«|-- »> SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. 19 poflibly have borrowed from remote times or countries. The fingle art of fpeech, and that of writing, though but in hieroglyphics, required, more ages to train up an unconneftcd nation that muft have created both thofe arts, than it would take up days to perfed^ a- child in both. Ages bear not the fame proportion to the whole race as years do to individuals. The former is to occupy a vaft field, both as to fpace and duration ; while the other has only fome moments or inftants of time to fill up, or rather to run over. The likenefs and uniformity obfervable in the features and manners of the American nations, plainly fiievv that they are not fo ancient as thofe of our continent which differ fo much from each other; but at the fame time this circumftance feems to confirm that they did not proceed from any foreign hcmifphere, with which they have no kind of affinity that can in- dicate an immediate defcent. 1, 4. Couiparifon betijoeen civilized people and favages* Whatever may be the cafe with regard to their origin or their antiquity, which arc both uncertain, a more interefting obje^ of inquiry, perhaps, is, to determine whether thefe untutored natious are more or lefs happy than our civilized people. Let us, therefore, examine whether the condition of rude man left to mere animal inftincl, whofe day, which ia fpcnt in hunting, feeding, producing his fpecies, and repoling himfelf, is the model of all the reft of his days, is better or worfe than the condition of that wonderful being, who makes his bed of down, fpina and weaves the thread of the fUk-worm to clothe him- felf, has exchanged the cave, his original abode, for a palace, and has varied his indulgences and his wants in a thoufand different waya. It is in the nature of man that we muft look for bis means of happinefs. What does he want to be as kaj->py as he can be ? Prefent fubiiftence j and, if he thifikd n :,,d- ,!'' i f 1 i 20 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH thinks of futurity, the hopes and certainty of enjoy- ing that blefling. The favage, who has not been driven to the friged zones, is not in want of this firfl of neceflaries. If he lays in no ftores, it is becaufe the earth and the fea are refervoirs always open to fupply his wants. Fifii and game are to be had all the year, and will make up for the deficiency of the dead feafons. The favage has no clofe houfes, or commodious fire-places ; but his furs anfwer all the purpofes of the roof, the garment, and the (love. He works but for his own benefit, flecps when he is weary, and is a ftran^er to watchings and rcfllefs nights. War is a matter of choice to him. Dan- ger, like labour, is a condition of his nature, not a profeflion annexed to his birth ; a duty of the nation, not a family bondage. The favage is feri©us, but not melancholy ; and his countenance feldom bears the imprelfion of thofe paffions and diforders that leave fuch fhocking and fatal marks on ours. He cannot feel the want of what he does not defiie, nor can he defire what he is ignorant of. Molt of the conveniences of life are remedies for evils he docs not feel. Pleafures are a relief to appetites which are not excited in his fenfatlons. He feldom expe* riences any of that wearinefs that arifcs from unfatis- iied defires, or that emptlnefs and uneafinefs of mind that is the the offspring of prejudice and vanity. In a word, the favage is fubjedl to none but natural evils. But what greater happlnefs than this does the ci- vilized man enjoy ? His food is more wholefome 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 peo- ple, who are to be the bafis and objedt of civil fociety, thofe numbers of men who in all ftates bear the burden of hard labour, cannot be fald to live happy, cither in thcfc empires vrhere t ' .; confequences of war and the imperfedlion of the police has reduced them to a Hate of flavcry, or in thofe governments where the progrefs of luxury and policy has reduced them * I u SETILEMENTS IN AMERICA. 21 to a ftate of ferritudc. The mixed goverments fomc- times afford fome fparks of happlnefs, founded on a fhadow of liberty ; but this happinefs is purchafed by torrents of blood, which repel tyranny for a time only to let il fall the heavier upon the devoted nation, foon- er or later doomed to opprefiion. Let U8 but ob* ferve how Caligula and Nero have revenged the ex- pulfion of the Tarquins and the death of Cacfar. Tyranny, we arc told, is the work of the people, and not of kings. But if fo, why do they fuffer it ? Why do they not repel the encroachments of def- potifm ; and while it employs violence and artifice to enflave all the faculties of men, why do they not op- pofe it with all their powers ? But is it lawful to murmur and complain under the rod of the oppreffor? Will it not exafperate and provoke him to purfue the vidlim to death ? The cries of fervitude he calls re- bellion ; and they are to be flifled in a dungeon, and fometimes on a fcafFold. The man who fhould aflert the rights of man, would perifh in negledl and infa- my. Tyranny, therefore, muft be endured, under the name of authority. If fo, to what outrages is not the civilized man ex- pofed ! If he is poffefTed 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 tftate, the lawyer who muft be paid for teaching him how to prefcrve it, the foldiet who may lay it wafte, and the collector who comes to levy unlimited taxes. If he has no property, how can he be affured of a permanent fublirtence ? What fpecies of ioduftry is there fecured againft the viciflitudes of fortune, and the encroachments of government ? In the forefts of America, if there is a fcarcity ia the north, the favages bend their courfe to the fouth. The wind or the fur. will drive a wandering clan to more temperate climates. Between the gates and bars that fhut up our civilized ftates, if famine, war, or peftilence, ftiould confumc an empire, it is a prifon where all mull exped to perilh in mifery, or in the horrors •■ ■■!•''. [yiSi.jp mi sa V SK 22 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH horrors of (laughter. The man who is unfortunately borii there mud endure all extortions, all tlie feveri- ties that the inclenncncy of the feafons and the in- jufticc of government may bring upon him. In our provinces, the vafTal, or free mercenary, digs and ploughs the whole year round, on lands that arc not his own, and whofe produce does not belong to him ; and he is even happy, if his affiduous labour procures him a (hare of the crops he has fown and reaped. Obferved and harraffcd by a hard and reftlefs landlord, who grudges him the very ftraw on which he reds his weary limbs, the wretch is daily expofed to difeafes, which, joined to his poverty, make him wifli for death, rather than for an expen- five cure, followed by in(irmitics and toil. Whether tenant or fubjeft, he is doubly a (lave : if he has a few acres, his lord comes and gathers where he has not fown ; if he is worth but a yoke of oxen or a pair of horfes, he mud go with them upon fervices ; ifhe has nothing but his perfon, the prince takes him for* a foldicr. Every where he meets with maftcrs, and always with oppredion. In our cities, the workman and the artid who have edablifliments are at the mercy of greedy and idle maftcrs, who by the privilege of monopoly have pur- chafed of government a power of making indadry 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 mortifies and tramples upon them. Even fuppofing that the dangerous labours of our quarries, mines, and forges, with all the arts that are performed by fire, and that perils of navigation and commerce were lefs pernicious than the roving life of the favages, who live upon hunting and fiihing ; fup- pofe that men, who are ever lamenting the forrows and affronts that arife merely from opinion, are lefs unhappy than the favages, who never fhed a tear in the I' I i 0^'-^^^ SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. 23 the midfl of the mod excruciating tortures; there would llill remain a wide difference between the fate of the civilized man and the wild Indian, a difTereiicc entirely to the difadvantage of fecial life. This is the injuftice that reigns in the partial dift ''nition of fortunes and ftations ; an Inequality which is at once the effett and the caufe of opprefllon. In vain docs cuftom, prejudice, ignorance, and liard labour, (lupify the lower clafs of mankind, fo as to render them infenfible of their degradation ; nei- ther religion nor morality can hinder them from fee- ing and feeling the injuftice of political order in the dillribution of good and evil. How often have we heard the poor man expoftulating with Heaven, and afliing what he had done, that he iliould deferve to be born in an indigent and dependent ilation. Even if great conflifts were infeparable from more exalted nations, which might be fufficient to balance all the advantages and all the fuperiority that tlie focial ftatc claims over the ftate of nature, llill the obfcure man, who is unacquainted with thofe conflitls, fees nothing in a high rank but that affluence which is the caufe of his own poverty. He envies the rich man thofe plea- fiires to which he is foaccuftomed, that he has loft all relifh for them. What domeftic can have a real af- fedion for his mafter, or what Is the attachment of a fervant ? Was ever any prince truly beloved by his courtiers, even when he was hated by his fubjc6ls T If we prefer our condition to that of the favages, it is becaufe civil life has made us Incapable of bearing fome natural hardftiips which the favage is more ex- pofed to than we are, and becaufe we are attached to lome indulgences that cuftom has made neceflary to us. Even in the vigour of life, a civilized man may accuftom himfclf to live among favages, and return to the ftatc 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 be was fo taken up with fupplying his wants, ?s to forget his own country, his language, his name, and ' ^^m\ 1 ^^H* |l "1 ^ H ' ^W^ ■(: r *,.■. • I i mm " . . < ! r II 24 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH and even the utterance of words. After four years, he felt himfclf eafed of the burden of fecial life, when he had loft all reflexion or thought of the paft, and ai! anxiety for the future. Ladly, the confcioufnefs of independence being one of the firll inftindts in man, he who enjoys this primitive right, with a moral certainty of a compe- tent fubfiftence, is incomparably happier than the rich man, reftrained by laws, maflers, prejudices, and fa- fhions, 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 queltion that has been fo warmly debated by philofophers, concerning the advantages of the ftate of nature, and that of fo- cial life. Children, notwithllanding the reftraints of education, are in the happieft age of human Life. Their habitual ^heerfulnefs, whrn they are not under the fchoolmafter's rod, is the l>i»ell indication of the happinefs they feel. After all, s Single word may de- termine this great queftion. Let us afl< the civilized man, whether he is happy ; and the favage, whether he is unhnppy. If they both anfwer in the negative, the dlfpute is at an end. Civilized nations, this parallel mufl; certainly be mortifying to you : but you cannot too ftrongly feel the weight of the calbisnities under which you groan. •The more painful this fenfation is, the more will it awaken your attention to the true caufes of yourfuf- ferings. You may at laft be convinced that they pro- ceed from the coufufien of your opinions, from the flcfefts of your political conilitutlons, and from ca- pricious laws, which arc in continual oppofition to the laws of nature. After this inquiry into the moral ftate of the Ame- ricans, let us return to the natural ttate of their country. Let us fee what it was before the arrival of the Englifli, and what it is become under their do- minion. 5. tn SETTLEMENTS IN AME. ^A. 25 c. /// luht JiaU' the Engl:J}> found No h Ame> and fwhat they have done there. -» The firft Europeans who went over to fettle Eii- |pli(h colonic!, found immcnfe forclls. The vail tree?, that grew up to the cloudi, were fo cncun^bered with creeping plants, that they could not be got at. Tlio wild bealh made thefe woods dill more irncccflible. They met only with a few favages, clothed wirh tlio (kins of thofe monlters. The human race, thinly fcattered, fled from each other, or purfucd only with intent to dollroy. The earth feemed ufelcfs to man ; unJ its powcts were not exerted fo much for hii Inp' port, as in the breeding of animals, more obedient lto the laws of nature. The earth produced ever/ thing at pleafurc witliout alfiilance, and without di- reclion ; it yielded all its bounties with uncontrolled profufion for the benefit of all, not for the plcafure ior conveniences of one fpccies of beings. The ri- vers now glided freely thro* the forefts ; now fjja'ad themfclves quietly in a wide morafs ; from hence ilTuing in various flreams, they formed a multitude of iflands, encompafled with th'.ir channel j. The fpring was reftorcd from the fpoili of autumn. Tlie Jleaves dried and rotted at the foot of the trees, fun- Iplied them with frefh fap to enable them to flioot out [new bloflbms. The hollow trunks of trees afforded la retreat to prodigious flights of birds. The fca, laihing againfl the coafts, and indenting the gulphs, [threw up flioals of amphibious monllers, cnormou-s [whales, crabs, and turtles, that fported uncontrolled )n the defert (horcs. Their nature exerted her pla- llic power, incelfantly producing the gigiintic inha- bitants of the ocean, and nUerting the freedom of the :arth and the fca. Bat man appeared, and immediately changed the face of North America. He introduced fymmctry, ")y the afliftancc of all the inflruments of art. The Impenetrable wgods were inftaiuly cleared; and made room Q 'ill In ''I Wi mA I ^Hi KM \'h i w T\ ^m^ m Bfs- i ' 25 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH room for commodious habitations. The wild beads vrcre driven away, and flocks of domedic animals fup- plied their place ; whilft thorns and briars made way for rich harvefta. 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 coads were covered with towns, and the bays with fhips ; and thus the new world, like the old, became fubjefl to man. What powerful engines have raifed that wonderful drufture of European indudry and policy ? Let U8 proceed to the particulars. hr BOOK SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. BOOK I. ENGLISH COLONIES SETTLED AT HUDSON'S BAY, NEWFOUNDLAND, NOVA SCOTIA, NEW ENGLAND, NEW YORK, AND NEW JERSEY. CHAP. L Of H UD s o N*s Bay, ^n•^ I. Clhnate, Cufloms of the inhalitants. Trade, IN the remotcft part (lands a folltaryobjeft, d\ftin£t from the whole, which is called Hudfon's bay. Tliis bay, of about ten degrees in length, s formed by the ocean in the diftant and northern p .rts of A- merica. The breadth of the entrance is about fix leagues ; but it is only to be attempted from the be- ginning of July to the end of September, and is even then extremely 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 winters of five or fix years duration in, little gulphs conftantly filled with -fnow, are forced out of them by north-weft winds, or by fome other extraordinary caufe. The bed way of avoiding them is to keep as near as poflible to the northern coaft, which muft neceiTarily be lefs obllru^led and moft free by the natural dircdlions of both winds and currents. The north- weft wind, which blows almoft con- ftantly in winter, and very often in fummer, frequent- ly ralfes violent ftorms within the bay itfelf, which is rendered ftill more dangerous by the number of fhoals -t. \\ \. aS HISTORY OF THE BRITISH (lioals thiit are found there. Happily, hovi'cver, fmall groups of iflande are met with at different dillanccs, which arc of a fulHcicnt height to afford a fhelter from the ftorm. Befides thefe fmall Archipelagos, there lire in many places large piles of bare rock ; but, except the Alga Marina, the bay produces as few vegetables as the other northern feas. Throughout fell the countries furrounding this bay, the fun ne- ver rifes or fets without forming a great cone of light ; this phenomenon is fucceeded by the Aurora Borealis, which tinges the hemifphere with coloured rays offuch a brilliancy, that the fplendour of them is not effaced even by that of the full moon. Not- wlthftanding this, there is feldom a bright fky. In fpiing and autumn, the air is always filled with thick fogs ; and in winter, with an infinite number of imnU icicles. Thouf h the heats In the fummer are pretty con- f;dtr«b)e for fix weeks or two months, there is feldom any thunder or lightning, owing, no doubt, to the great number of fulphureous exlialations, which how- tver, are fometimes fet on fire by the Aurora Bo- realis ; and this light flame confumes the barks of the trees, but leaves their trunks untouched. One of the effedls of the extreme cold or fnow that prevails in this climate^'Is that of turning thofe animals white in winter, which are naturally brown or grey. Nature has beftowed upon them all, foft, long, and thick furs, the hair of which falls off as the weather grows rnilder. In moft of thefe quadru- peds, the feet, the tail, the ears, and generally fpcak- ing all thofe parts in which the circulation is flower becaufethey are mofl remote from the heart, are ex- tremely fliort. Wherever they happen to be fome- what longer, they are proportionably well covered. Under this heavy flcy, all liquors become folid by freezing, and break whatever veffels contain them. Even fpirits of wine lofes its fluidity. It is not un- common '^^o fee fragments of large rocks loofencd and detached frcra the great mafs, by the force of the froft. \^^- U! SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. 29 froft. All tliefe phenomena, common enough during the whole winter, are much more terrible at the new and full moon, which In tliefe regions has an Influence upon the weather, the caufes of which are not known. In this frozen zone, Iron, lead, copper, marble, and a fubftance refembling fea-coal, have been dlfco- vered. In other refpedls, the foil Is extremely bar- ren. Except the coafts, which are for the moil part marfhy, where there grows a little grafs and fome foft wood, the reft of the country offers nothing but very high mofs and a few weak fhrubs thinly fcattered. This llerility of natureextcnds itfelf to every thing. The human race are few in number, and fcarce any of Its individuals above four feet high. Their heads bear the fame enormous proportion to the reft; of their bodies, as thofe of children do. The fmallaefs of their feet makes them aukward and tottering in their gait. Small hands and a round mouth, which in Europe are reckoned a beauty, fecm almod a.dc*- formlty In thefe people, becaufe we fee nothing here but the cffedls of a weak organization, and of a cold that contracts and reftralns the fprlngs of growth, and is fatal to the progrefs of animal as well as of vegetable life. Befides this, all their men, though they have neither hair nor beard, have the appearance of being old- This Is partly occafioned from the for- mation of their lower lip, which Is thick, flefliy, and projefting beyond the upper. Such are the Efqui- maux, which inhabit not only the coaft of Labrador, from whence they have taken their name, but like- x^ife all that traft of country which extends itfelf from the point of Belle- Illc to the moll northern parts of America. The Inhabitants of Hudfon's bay have, like the Grcenlanders, a flat face, with fhort but flattened nofes, the pupil of their eyes yellow and the iris black. Their women have marks of deformity pe- culiar to their fex : amonefl others, very lone and very long flabby breads. This defeat, which Is not natural, iirifes from their cultoi.*? of giving fuck to their chiU C 3 dren 1 M%m fj ! i< \l*4 i'^ 30 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH (Iren tiil they are five or fix years old. Thecliildren pull their mothers breafts with their liands, and ai- med fufpend- themfelves by them. It is not true that there arc races of the Efqui- maux entirely black, as has been fincc fuppofed, and afterwards accounted for ; nor that they live under ground. How fhould they dig into a foil, which the cold renders harder than flone ? How is it pofllble they iliould live in caverns where they would be infallibly drowned by the firft melting of the fnows ? What, liovvever, is certain, and almoft equally furprifing, is, that they fpend the winter under huts run up in haftc, and made of flints joined together with cements of ice, where they live withour any other fire but that of a lamp hung up in the middle of the fhed, for the purpofc of dreffing their game and the fifh they feed upon. The heat of their blood, and of their breath, added to the vapour arifing from this fmall flame, is fufficient to make their huts as hot as lloves. The Efquimaux dwell conftantly near the fea, which fupplies them with all their provifions. Both their v"on(titution and complexion partake of the *]uality of their food. The flefli of the feal is their food, and the oil of the whale is their drink ; which produces in them all aa olive complexion,' a iirong fioell of fifh, an oily and tenacious fweet, and Ibmetimes a fort of fcaly Icprofy. This laft is, pro- bably, the reafon why the mothers have the fame cuftom as the bears of licking their young ones. This nation, weak and degraded by nature, is not- withllanding mod intrepid upon a fea that is conftant- ly dangerous. In boats made and fewed together in the fame manner as goat- fl^in bottles, but at the fame time fo well clofcd that it is impofliblc for water to penetrate them, they follow the flioals of herrings thro' the whole of tlieir polar emigrations, and at- tack the whales and feals at the peril of their lives. One ftroke of the whale's tall is fufficient to drown a hundred of them, and the feal is armed with teeth io devour liiofc he caunot drown i but the hunger o; &rr nsH SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. 'ii The children mds, and al- nf the Efqui- fuppofed, and ley live under "oil, which the t poflible they i be infallibly nows ? What, furprifing, is, an up in haftc, th cements of ■ fire but that the fhed, for I the firti they and of their Dm this fmall hot as lloves. near the fea, i^lfions. Both irtakc of the if the feal is i their drink ; omplcxion,* a us fweet, and s laft is, pro- ave the fame ing ones. ature, is not- irtis conllant- together ia t at the fame for water to of herrings ns, and at* their lives. t to drown with teeth hunger oi ■'?1 the Efquisnaux is fuperior to the rage of thefe mon- flers. They have an inordinate thirft for the whale's oil ; which is nccefTary to preferve the heat in their flomachs, and defend them from the feverity of the cold. Indeed whales men, birds, and all the qua- drupeds and fifli of the north, are fupplied by nature with a degree of fat which prevents the mufclcs from freezing, and the blood from coagulating. Every thing in thefe artid regions is either oUy o-^ummy, and even the trees are refinous. The Efquimaux are notwithftanding fubjeft to two fatal diforders ; the fcurvy, 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, dazzled their eyes in fuch a manner, that they are almoft conftantly obliged to wear fhadcs made of very thin wood, through, which fmall apertures for the light have been bored with fifh-boneB. Doomed to a fix-months night, they never fee the fun but ob- liquely ; and then it feems rather to blind them, than to give them light. Sight, the moll delightful blef- fing of nature, is a fatal gift to them, and they are generally deprived of it when young. A ftill more triiel evil, which is the fcurvy, con- fumes them by flow degrees. It infinuates itfelf into their blood, changes, thickens, and impoveriflies the whole mafs. The fogs of the fea, which they infpire; the denfe and inelaltic air they breathe in their huts, which are fliut up from all communication with the external air; the continued and tedious ina6.ivity of their winters ; a mode of life alternately roving and fedcntary ; every thing, in fhort, ferves to increafe this dreadful illnefs ; which in a little time becomes contagious, and, fpreading itfeif throughout their ha- bitations, isbut too probably tranfffilttedby the means of generation. Notwithilanding thefe InconvenIej;iccs, the Efqui- maux is fo pafilonately fond of his country, that no inhabitant of the moil favoured fpot under heave a quits it with more reluctance than he docs his fro- zen •nXui 'J. lv\ n>% ' \. ;('■ iii> m fj^- ut 3^ HISTORY OF THE BRITISH zen deferts. One of the reafons of It may be, that he finds it difficult to breathe in a foftcr and cooler climate. The fky of Amflcrdam, Copenhagen, and London, though conftantly obfcured by thick and fetid vapours, is too clear for an Efquimaux. Per- haps, too, there may be fomething in the change of life and manners ilill more contrary to the health of favages than the climate. It is not impoffible but that the indulgences of an European may be a poifon to the Efquimaux. Such were the inhabitants of the country difco- vercd in 1610 by Henry Hudfon. This intrepid mariner, in fearching after d north-weft paffagc to the fouth-feas, difcovercd 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 pniparing to explore all its parts, when his treacherous fhip*s c©mpany put him into the long-boat, with feven others, and left him without either arms or provifions cxpofed to all the dangers both of fea and land. The barbarians, who refufed him the neceflarles of life, could not, how- ever, rob him of the honour of the difcovery ; 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 forget thia diftant country, which had nothing to attraft them. More quiet times had not yet brought it to their re- membrance, when Grofeillers and RadifTon, two French Canadians, who had met with fome difcontent at home, informed the Englifh, who were engaged in repairing by trade the mifchiefs of difcord, of the profits arifing from furs, and of their claim to the country that furniflaed them. Thofe who propofed the bulinefs ftiewed fo much ability, that they were intrufted with the execution ; and the firft eftablifh- ment they formed fucceeded fo well, that it furpaf- fcd their own hopes as well as their promifes. This fuccefs alarmed the French j wlio were afraid,, ' and I SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. 33 and with rcafon, that mod of the fine furs which they CTot from the northern parts of Canada, would be carried to Kudfon's bay. Tlieir alarms were con- firmed by the unanimous teilimony of their Couvcurs i\e Bols, who fince 1656 had been four times d,'i far as the borders of the llrait. It would have been a (lefirablc thing to have gone by tlie fame road to at- tack the new colony ; but the diftance being thought too confiderablc, notwithftanding the convenience of tlie rivers, it was at length determined that the tx- pedittoH fliould be made by fea. The fate of it was trufted to Grofeillers and RadifTon, who had been cafily brought back to a regard for their country. Thefe two bold and reftlefs men failed from Qjjc- bec in 1682, upon two veluis badly fitted out ; but on their arrival, finding themfelves not ftrong enough to attack the enemy, they were contented with eredi- ing a fort in the neighbourhood of that they thought to iiave taken, ^rom this time there began a rival- /liip between the ,\vo companies, one fettled at Ca- nada, the other in England, iov the exclufive trade of the bay, which v^as ccnftantly fed by the difputes it gave birth to, till at lafl, after each of their fct- tlements had been frequently taken by the other, all hoftilities were terminated by the treaty of Utrecht, which gave up the whole to Great, Britain. Hudfon's Bay, properly fpeaking,"is only a mart for trade. The feverity of the climate having de- ftroyed all the corn fovvn there at different times, has frufirated every hope of agriculture, and confcquent- ly of population. Throughout the whole of thid extenfive coaft, there are not more tha» ninety or a hundred foldiers, or fadlors, comprifcd in four bad forts, of which York fort is the principal. Their bufinefs is to receive the furs which the neighbouring favages bring in exchange for merchandifc, of vvhitli they have been taught the value and ufe. Though thefe fkins arc of much more value than thofc which come out of countries not fo Tar north, yet they arc cheaper. The favages give ten beaver ikins mi 34 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH fltins for a gun, two for a pound of powder, one fcr four pounds of lead, one for a hatchet, one for fix knives, two for a pound of glafs beads, fix for a cloth coat, five for a petticoat, and one for a pound of fnufF. Combs, looking-glafles, kettles, and bran, dy, fell in proportion. As the beaver is the eommoa meafure of exchange, by another regulation as frau- dulent as the firit, two otter's flclns and three martins are required inftead of one beaver. Befides this ty. ranny, which is authorised, there is another which is at leaft tolerated, by which the favages are con- ilantly defrauded in the quality, quantity, and mea- fure of what is given them ; and the fraud amounts to about one third of the value. From this regular fyftem of impofition it is eafy to guefs that the commerce of Hudfon's bay is a mo. noply. The capital of the company that is in pof. feflion of it was originally no more than 10,565!. 12 s. 6 d. and has been fucceffively increafed to 104,1461. I2s. 6d. This capital brings them in an annual return of forty or fifty thoufand flcins of bea- vers or other animals, upon which they make fo ^x. orbitant a profit, that it excites the jealoufy and cla- mours of the nation. Two thirds of thefe beautiful furs are either confumed in kind in the three king, doms, or made ufe of in the national manufadlurcs. j The reft arc carried into Germany, where the climate | makes them a valuable commodity. 2. Whether there is a pajfage at HudforCs Bay leadbm to the Baft Indies, But it is neither the acquifition of thefe favagel riches, nor the ftill greater emoluments that might be drawn from this trade if it were made free, which has 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-Indics, and to the richeft parts of Afia. Cabot' m #'■'■«! SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. 35 Cabot was the firft who entertained an idea of a Liorth-weft paflage to the fouth feas ; but his difco- series ended at Newfoundland. After him followed ja crowd of Engiifli navigators, many of whom had the glory of giving their names Lo favage coafts which |no mortal had ever vifited before. Thefe bold and memorable expeditions* were more brilliant than really ufeful. The moft fortunate of them did not ever fiir- ni(h a frefli conjefture on the end that was propofed. The Dutch, lefs frequent in their trials, lefs animat- ed in the means by which they purfued them, were of courfc not more fuccefsful, and the whole began to be treated as a chimaira, when the difcovery of Hudfon's Bay rekindled all the hopes that were near- ly extinguiflied. At this period the attempts were renewed with frefli ardour. Thofe that had been made before in vain by the mother country, now taken up with her own inteftine commotions, were purfued by New England, whofe fituation was favourable to the enter- prize. Still, however, for fome time there were more voyages undertaken than difcovcries made. The na- tion was a long time kept in fufpenfe by the different accounts of the adventures divided amongft thcm- felves. While fome maintained the poflibility, others the probability, and others again afferted the certain- ty of the paffage ; the accounts they gave, inftead of clearing up the point, involved it in ftill greater darknefs. Indeed, thefe accounts are fo full of ob- fcurity and confufion, fo many things are concealed in them, and they difplay fuch vifible marks of ig- norance and want of veracity, that with the utmoft defire of deciding, it is impoffible to build any thing like a folid judgment upon teftimonies fo fufpicious. At length, the famous expedition of 1746 threw fome kind of light upon a point which had remained inveloped in darknefs for two centuries pafl. But upon what grounds have the later navigators taken up better hopes ? What are the experiments on which they found their conjedlurcs ? Let us proceed to ^■if 'I r « r1 M'. \ 3(5 HlSrORY OF THE BRITISH to give .111 account of their argumcnt3. There are three fa''*'- SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. 37 fcruple to allow it, if they only conficlercd, that the tides are much lower in Davis'tt flraits, and in BalHn'd bay, than in Hudfon'a. But if the tides in Hudfon*s bay can come neither from the Atlantic ocean, nor from any other nor- thern fca, in which they arc conftantly much Weaker, it follows that they muft come from iome part in the fouth fea. And this is Hill further apparent fron\ another leading faft, which is, that the higheft tides cvcrobferved upon thefe coafts are always occafioned by tht north- weft winds, which blow dircdlly agalnfl the mouth of the ftralts. Having thus determined, as much as the nature of the fubje6t will permit, the exiftencc of this pafTage {o lon^ and fo vainly wiflied for, the next point is to find out in what part of the bay it is to be expedccl. Every thing inclines ua to think, that the attempts, hitherto made without either diolce or method, ought to be diredled towards Welcome bay, on the weTtcrn coaft. Firft, the bottom of the feu is found there at the depth of about eleven fathom ; which i* in evident fign that the water comes from fome ocean, ns fuch a tranfparency is incompatible either with th^ waters difcharged from rivers, or with melted fnow or rain. Secondly, the current keeps this place al- ways free from ice, whilll all the reti of the bay is covered with it ; and their violence cannot be ac- counted for but by fuppofing them to come from fame weftern fea. Laftly, the whales, who towards autumn always go in fearch of the warmcll climates, are found in great abundance in thefc parts towards the end of fummer ; which v/ould feem to indicate, Itliat they have a way of going from thence to the I fouth feas, not to the northern ocean. It is probable, that the paflage is very fliort. All Ithe rivers that empty thcmfelves int© jhe weilera coaft of Hudfon's bay are fmall and flow, which feems to prove that they do not come from afar ; and that confequently the lands which part the two feas are of b fniall extent. This argument is ftrenotheBcd by D ' the w i 1 •■'\ 1 i ■'1 i "' 1 il ../! l-ll: t- i r I r ! Il I \ w, il It 3« HISTORY OF THE BRITISH ! 'I ihe hci^lit and regularity of the tides. Wiicrever there IS no other difference hctwccn tlic times of the thb and flow, hut that wlilth lb occaiioned by the re- laidea proojcffion of the moon in her return to the meridian, it 'm a certain fign tkat the ocean from u'hcnce thofe tides come is very near. If the palT.ige 13 fho:t, and not very far to the iiorih, as every ihlnp; leenis to promife, we may alfo prcfmuc tliat it is not very difficult. The rapidity of the currents obfcr- vablc In thcfe latitudes, which do not allow any cakes of ice to continue in them, canuot but give fume weight to this conje(5lure. The dffcovcrlcft that Hill remain to be made are of fo much importance, that ic would be folly to give them up. If the pafTage fo long fought for were once found, communications would be opened be- tween parts of the globe which hitherto feem to have been fcparated by nature from each other. They would foon be extended to the continent of the foutli feas, and to all the numerous Iflands fcattered u])on that immenfe ocean. I'he intercouvfe which has fubfifted nearly for three centuries between the com- mercial nations of Europe and the moll remote parti c*f India, being happily freed from the inconveniences of a long navigation, would be much brifl' SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. 43 bellies. The ftomach, indeed, does not digeft thefe hard fubftances, as it hath long been thought ; bnt it hath the power of inverting itfelf, like a pocket, and thus difcharges whatever loads it* The cod Afli is found in the northern feas of Eu- rope. The fifhery is carried on by thirty Englifli, fixty French, and 150 Dutch vefTels, one with another from 80 to 100 tons burden. Their competitors are the Irifli, and efpecially the Norwegians. The latter are employed, before the fifliing feafon, in col- leAing upon the coaft the eggs of the cod, which is a bait neceffary to catch pilchards. They fell, com- inunihus annUy from twenty to twenty-two thoufand tons of this fifh, at 78. lod. half-penny per ton. If it could be difpofcd of, a great deal more would be caught ; for an able naturalift, who has had the pa- ticnce to count the eggs of one finglc cod, has found 9, 344,000 of them. This profufion of nature mud ftili be increafcd at Newfoundland, where the cod fifti is found in infinitely greater plenty. The fifli of Newfoundland is alfo more delicate, though not fo white ; but it is not an objeft of trade when frefli, and only ferves for the food of thofe who are employed on the fiihery. When i* is falted and dried, or only falted, it becomes an ufeful article to a great part of Europe and America. That which is only falted is called green cod, and is caught upon the great bank. This flip of land is one of thofe mountains formed under water by the earth which the fea is continually wafhing away from the continent. Both its extre- mities terminate fo much in a point, that it is diffi- cult to affign the precife extent of it ; but it is gene- rally 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 been called the Ditch. Throughout all this fpace, the depth of water is very different; in fome places there are only five, in others above fixty fathom. The fun fcarce ever (hews itfelf^ there, and thcfky is generally covered with a thick cwld '►; .i: \ -'i <^ I 44 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH • cold fog. TliQ waves are always agitated, and the winds always impetuous around it, which oiuft be owing to the fea being irregularly driven forward by currents, which bear fometin:ies on one fide, fomc' times on the other, and llrike againft the borders, which are every where perpendicular, and repel them with equal violence. This is moll likely to be tlio true caiife ; becaufe on the bank itfelf, at fomc di. llance fiom the coidl, it is as quiet as in a bay, ex- cept when there happens to be a forced wind which comes from a greater dillancc. From the middle of July to the latter end of Au- guft there is no cod found cither upon the great bank or any of the fmall ones near it ; but all the reil of the year the fiihery is carried on. The fhips employ- ed In it are commonly from 50 to 150 tons, and carry not lefs than twelve or more than twenty -five men aboard. Thefe fiihermen are provided with lines, and before they fet to work, caHQh a filh called the caplin, which is a bait for the cod. Previous to their entering upon the fiflicry, they build a gallery on the outfide of the fhip, which reaches from the main mad to the ftern, and forae- times ,thc whole length of it. This gallery is fur- niflied with barrels, of which the top is beaten out. The fifhermen place themfelve • within thefe, and are jflieltered from the weather by a pitched covering faftcned to the barrels. As foon as they catch a cod, they cut out its tongue, and give It to one of the boys to carry to a pcrfon appointed for the purpofe, who immediately llrlkes olY the head, plucks out the liver and entrailii, and then lets it fail thro* a fmall hatchway between the decks ; when another maa takes it* and draws out the bone as far as the navel, and then lets it fink tiir.ugh another hatchway into the hold; whcie it is faittd and ranged In piles. The pcrfon who falls it, is a.tentive to leave fait enough between the rows ol filh which form the piles, to pre- vent iluir touching ea h other, and yet not to leave too much, as cithtjr cxcefs would fpoil the cod. Ig. \#^^-^!^^ i*'' SETILEMENTS IN AMERICA. 45 lo the right of nature, the fifhing upon the great bank ought to have been common to all mankind : notwithftanding which, the two powers who have co- lonies in North-America have made very little diffi- culty of appropriating it to themfelves ; and Spain, who alone could have any claim to it, and who from the number of her monks might have pleaded the neceffity of aflerting it, entirely gave up the matter at the laft peace ; fince which time the Englifti and French are the only nations who frequent thefe lati-' tudes. ' In 1768, France fet out 145 fhips ; the expence of which is valued at 1 1 1,431 /. 5 j, Thefe veffcls, which carried in all 8830 tons, were manned by 1 7C0 men; who upon an average, and according to cal- culations afcertalned by being often repeated, muft have caught each 700 fi{h ; fo that the whole of th^ lilTiery muft have produced 1,190,000. Thcfe cod are divided into three feparate clafles ; ^ firil confilts of thofe which are twenty- four iaches length or upwards, the fecond comprehends thofe which meafurc from nineteen to twenty-four, and the third takes in all that are under nineteen inches. If the fifhery has yielded, as it commonly does, two fifths of good fifh, two fifths of moderate fifh, and one fifth of bad, and if the fifh has been fold at the common price, which is 6 /. 1 1 /. 3 J. the hundred weight, the produce of the whole fifhery will araouf.t to 45j937 /. lo/. The hundred weight is compofcd of 136 cod of the firil quality, and of 272 of the fecond ; which two forts taken together fell for 7/. \1 s. 6 d. the hundred. Only 136 cod are re^ quired 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 2 /. 12 /. 6 d. when the firft is worth 7/. 17 j. 6 d, Confe- quently the 1,190,000 cod really caught, and re- duced ifi this manner, make only 780,000 cod, which 2i\. b t. 11/. 3 590 tons ; the prime coft of which, together wi;h the firft expences of fctting out, had amounted to 247,668/. 15/. The united crews, half of which were employed In taking the filli, and the other half in curing it, confifted of 8022 men. Every fifherman muft have taken for his fhare 6o©o cod, and confequcntly the produce of the whole mull have been 24,066,000 cod. Experience fliews that there are 125 cod to each quintal. Confequently 24,066,00© muft have made 162,528 quintahj, £ach quintal upoa ?.n average fold aulii^ut 14/. 5/' E v/hi?h n !!;<'■• ^■•■'lil^ I I mm ; !■ % i\ i-iv .> i1 n •■ U i .»v.«* )**'■ m^m-' > ^>* if«> HISTORY OF THE DUITISH which makes for the whole Tale 1.^8,875/. '7^"* '^^' three farthings. As every hundred quintal of cod yields one barrel of gil, 192,528 quintals mull have yielded 1 925 barrels, which at ^l. $ t.i barrel, makei 10,106/. 5;. Add to thef^', the profita of freight made by the. (hips in returning home from the portt ivliere they fold their cargoes, which are elliinatcd at 8662A 10/. and the total profits of the fjihcry Avill not be found to have amounted to more than 157,644/. lis. 2iL three farthings. We may fpare our readers a detail of the cxpencc, of unloading, which are as troublefome in their min- iitenefs ai in their infignificancy. The calculatio;i; cf thefe have been made with the greatell care aiui attention, and the accounts confirmed by very inttjlii- gent and difinterell:ed men, who from their profeffioii; mult have been the proper judges of this matter. They amount in the whole to ^50,436/. ioj-. 9^. M that the neat produce of the fifliery amounted on- to 127,208/. Ms. id. Iialfperiny. From thefe profits the inruraucc- money muil he ci^'- dudied, which at 6 per cent, upon a capital of 247, 663/. 15/-. amounts to 14,860/. 2s. 6ci. We niuil alfo reckon the interefl of the money ; making at 5 per cent. I2>383/. 8/. 9^. Neither muft we omi: the wear of the Ihlps ; the prime coil of which, mak- ing half the whole capital, mud be fet down at 12:, S34/. 7/. 6 d. This wear therefore, which cannor, be reckoned at lefs than 6 per cent, mufl: amount to 6191/. T4/. 4^. halfpenny. Admitting all thefo circum (lances, which indeed cannot be called in que- ib'on, it follows that the French have loll upon this filhery, in 1768, 30,061 /. i /. 8^. and confequcnt- Jy 10/. 7 i/. three-eights per cent, of their capital. Such loiTes, which unfortunately have been but j too)pften repeated, will wean the nation more and I more from this ruinous branch of trade. Individuals who Ilill carry it on, will foon give it up ; and it is even probable, that, in imitation of the Englilh, they would have done fo already, if like them they had| been iJl^i m;: SETTLEMENTS IN :.MERICA. 51 been able to make tlicmfelves amends by ibc flatlon* Hvy nfli«ry. By Stationary Fifhcry, \vc are to underftand that which is made by the Eurof. .ans who have fettlc- mcnls on thofe coa(l« of America where the cod ij moft plentiful. It is iafinitely more profitable than the wandering fifheiy, becaufe it requires much lefs expence, and may be continued much longer. Thefe advantage* tlie French enjoyed as long as they remained peaceable poffefTors of Acadia, Cape Bre- ton, Canada, and part of Newfoundland They have loll them one afcer another by the errors of govern- ment; and, frcm the wreck of thef^ riches^ have only preferved a right of faking and drying their fifli to the north of Newfoundland, from cape Bona Villa to Point Rich. All the fixed eflablifhments kf: by the peace of 1763, are reduced to the ifland of St Peters^ and the two inlands of Mlquelon, which they are not even at liberty to build fortifications upon. There h\c Soo inhabitants at St Peters, not more than one liuridred at great Miquelon, and only one family on the fmaller. The fifiiery, which is extremely coiive- iiiept upon the two firft, is entirely inipradicabk on thej^fier ifland ; but this latt fupplies them both with wood, and particularly St Peters, which had none of its own. Nature, however, has made amends for this deficiency at St Peters, by an excellent harbour, which indeed is the only one iatkis fmall archipelago. In 1768; they took 24,390 quintals of coJ : but this quantity will not much increafc : becaufe the Eng* lifh not only refufc the French the liberty of fifhing in the narrow channel which fepaiater, thcfe iflands from the fo^ithtrn coafls of Newfoundland, but have even fe.'zed fome of thefloops xs^liich attempted it. This feverity, which is not warranted by treaty, and only maintained by force, is rendered Hill more cdious by tfie extenfivenefs of their own pofTcflionE, which rcadi to all the iflands where the filh is to be found, Their^ principal fcttlement is at Newfound' land, v^here th^re are about 8coc EngliHi, who are- E 2 all W 1, "I t»^ > ■ 1 1 'I !')■■■ ■•*■ \m ^' •*' 52 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH all employed in tic fifticry. No more than nine or ten fhip8 a- year are fent out from the mother country for this purpofe ; and there are fomc few more which engage in other articles of commerce ; but the greater part only exchange the produiStions of Europe for fifti, or carry off the fruit of the induftry of the inhabitants. Before 1755, the fifheries of the two rival nations were nearly equal, from their own accounts ; with this difference only, that France, on account of its population and religion, confumed more at home, and fold lefs : but Ance (he has loft her poffciTions in North America, one year with another, the two fiftierics, tluit is the Stationary and the Wandering, united, have not yielded more than 216,918 quintals of dry cod; which is barely fufficient for the con- fumption of its fouthcrn provinces at home, and of courfe admits of no exportation to the colonifs. It may be affcrteu, that the rival nation, on the contrary, has increafed its fifliery two thirds fince its conquells, making in all 65 [,115 quintals; the pro- fits of which, valuing each quintal at no more thaa 12 J. 3 ^. a difference owing to its being cured with Itfs care than the French fifli, will amount to 398,807/. 6 s. 6d. One fourth of this is fufficient fur the confumption of Great Britain and her colo- nies ; confcquently what is fold in Spain, Portugal, and all the fugar-iflands, amounts to a fum of 399,105/. 9/. \Qd. halfpenny returned to the mo- ther country either in fpccie or commodities. This objed. of exportation would have been ftlll more con- iiderable, if, when the court of London made the conquell of Cape Breton and St John's, they had not been fo inhuman as to drive out the French whom they found fettled there ; who have never yet been replaced, and probably never will be. The fame bad policy has alfo been followed in Nora Scotia. CHAP. ifi m m SE'ITLEMENTS IN AMERICA. 55 This colony was yet in its infancy, when the fet- tlement which has fincc become fo famous under the name of New-England wa» firll made in its neigh- bourhood. The rapid fuccefs of the cultures in this new colony did not much attraA the notice of the French. This kind of profpcrity did not excite any jealoufy between the two nations. But when they began to fufpeft that there was likely to be a competition for the beaver trade and furs, they en- deavoured to fccure to thcmfelvea the foJe property of it ; and they were unfortunate enough to fuc- ceed. At their firil arrival in Acadia, they had found the peninfula, as well as the forefts of the neigh- bouring* continent, peopled with fmall nations of fa- vages who went under the general name of Abena- kies. Though equally fond of war as other favage nations, they were, however, more fociable in their manners. The miflionaries, cafily infmuating them- fclves amongd them, had fo far inculcated their te- nets, as to make enthufiafts of them. At the fame time that they taught them their religion, they in- fpired them with that hatred which they themfelves enteriained for the Englifh name. This fundamental article of their new wor(hip, being that which moft exerted its influence on their fenfes, and the only one that favoured their paflion for war ; they adopt- ed it with all the rage that was natural to them. They not only refufed to make any exchange with the Englifh, but alfo frequently attacked and plun- dered their fcttlcments. Their attacks became more frequent, more obftinate, and more regular, fince they had chofen St Cafteins, formerly captain of the regiment of Carignan, for their commander ; he having fettled among them, married one of their women, and conforming in every refpe6t to their mode of life. When the Englifh faw that all efforts either to re- concile the favages, or to deflroy them in their fo- refts, were ineffc^ual, they fell upon Acadia, which they i. ' 1' S6 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH they looked upon with reafon a« the only caiifc of all thcfe calamities. WhcMCver the Icali hoftility took place between the two mother countries, the peniiifiila was attacked. Having no defence from Canada, from which it was too far dillant, and very little from Port -royal, which was only furrounJtd hy a few weak pallifadoes, it was conltantly taken. It undoubtedly afforded fome fatisfa»flion to the New- Englanders to ravage this colony, and to 'retard its ]>ro.;ref8 ; but ftill this was not fulacient to difpel the fufpicions excited by a nation almofl: more for- midable by what (he is able to do, than by what flit really does. Obliged as they were, however unwil- lingly, to reftore their conqueft at each treaty of peace, they waited with impatience till Great Bri- tain fhould acquire fuch a fuperiority as would enable lier to difpenfe with this reilltution. The end of the war on account of the Spanilh fucciflion brought on the decifive moment ; and the court of Verfaillcij was for ever deprived of a poflcflion of which it had never known the importance. The ardour which the Engllfh had (hewn for the poflcflion of this territory did not manifeft itfelf after- wards in the care they took to maintain or to Improve it. Having built a very flight fortification at Port- royal, which had taken the name of Annapolis in honour of Queen Anne, they contented themfelvcs with putting a very fmall garrifon in iK The indif- ference fliewn by the government infected the nation, a circumftancc not ufual in a free country. Not more than five Englifli families came over to Acadia, which ftill remained inhabited by the firft colonills ; who were only perfuaded to fl:ay 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. Cherjfl.cw L>y the government, refpedled by foreign nations, and attached to their king by a fc- i-ies of profperitics which ad rendered them illuftri- ous, and aggrandized them, they were infpired with that. ^1^^^ ^- "1 \V( SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. 53. CHAP. HI. Of Nova Scotia. \m I. Th French give it up to Englandy after having- leen a long time in pojjejion of it themfelves. NOvA Scotia, by which is at prefent to be underftood all the couil of 300 leagues in length contained between the I'lnits of New Eng- land and the fouth coaft of the ivei St Lawrence, fecmed at f:rH to have comprehended only the great triangular peninfLila lying nearly in tne .middle of this fpace. . This peninfula, whic.i the t'rcnch ai- led "icadie, is extremely well iituatcd for thr i^ps which come from the Caribbees to water at. It of- fers them a great number of excelleut p •- » . in which fliips may enter and go oat of with all ^■'.nds. There is a great quantity of cod upon the coaft, and flill more upon fmall banks at the dillaiice of a few league*. The foil, which is very gravelly, is ex- tremely convenient for drying the cod > it abounds befides with good wood, and land fit for feveral forts of cultivation, and extremely well fituated for the fur trade of the neighbouring continent* Though this climate is in the temperate zone, the winters are long and fevere ; and they a. . r)llowed by fuddea and 'xo':flive heats, to which gv,nerally fuccecd very thick fogs, which laft a long time. Thefe circuna- ftances make this rather a lifagreeable country, tha' it cannot be reckoned ?n unwholefomc one. It was in 1604 ^^^ ^^^ French fettled in Acadie, four years before they had built the fmallefl hut in Canada. Inftead of fixing towards the eaft of the peninfula, where they w uld have had larger feas, an eafy navigation, and plenty of cod, they chofc a fmall bay, afterwards calicd tUt French bay, which had none of thefe adrantages. It ha§ been faic^ E '', th.a il l' ■-! 54 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH that they were Induced by the beauty of Port Royal, ■where a thoufand (hips may ride in fafety from every wind, where there is an excellent bottom, and at all times four or five fathom of water, and eighteen at tlie entrance. It is mod probable that the founders of this colony were led to chufe this fituation, from its vicinity to the countries abounding in furs, of which the exclufive trade had been granted to them. This conjeV. who wiftied to make their matter refpettablc that they might reflect fomc ^Jignity on themfelves, perceived that they fhould not fucceed without the fupport of riches ; and that a people to whom nature has not given any mines, can- not acquire wealth but by agriculture and commerce. Both thefe refources had been hitherto choked up in the colonies by the rcftraints laid upon all things from an improper interference. Thefe impediments "were at laft removed ; but i^.cadia either knew not how^ or wa« not able, to make ufc of this liberty. This \m^^ SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. 57 t'liat fpirit of patriotifm which an'fes from fucccfs. They confidered it as glorious to bear the name of Frenchmen, and could not think of foregoing the ti- tle. The Acadiana, therefore, who, in fubmitting to a new yoke, had fworn never to bear arm* againlb their former ftandards, were called the French Neu- trals. There were twelve or thirteen hundred of them fettled in the capital, the reft were difperfed in the neighbouring country. No magillratc was ever fct over them ; and they were never acquainted with the laws of England. No rents or taxes of any kind were ever exa^ed from them. Their new fovcreign Icemed to have forgotten them ; and he himfelf was a total tlrangcr to them. 2. Manners of the French ivho rejnained fuhje^ to the Englljh governmait in Nova Scotia, HuNTiKG and fifliing, which had formerly been the delight of the colony, and might have dill fup- plied it with fubfiftence, had no furthdr attrad^ion for a firaple and quiet people, and gave way to agri- culture. It had been eftablirtied in the marlhes and the low lands by repelling the fea and rivers, which covered thefe plains, with dikes. Tbefe grounds yielded fifty for one at firft, and afterwards fifteen or twenty for one at leaft. Wheat and oats fucceed- cd bcft in them ; but they likewife produced rye, barley, and maize. There were alfo potatoes in great plenty, the ufc of which was become commen. At the fame time the imraenfe meadows were co- vered with numerous flocks. They computed as much as fixty thoufand head of horned cattle ; and moll families had feveral horfes, though the tillage was carried on by oxen. The habitations, built all of wood, were extremely convenient, and furniflied as ticatly as a fubftantial farmer^s houfe in Europe. They bred a great deal of poultry of all kinds, which made I t \ y ;' i' I. 5 % ' «jfi f. \ >\ t'^' lL^^^'mJL^ ms^>M>'^*^- i8 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH ii made a variety in their food for the moft part whole fome and plentiful. Their common drink was bcci nd cyder, to which they fomctimcs added rum. Their ufual clothing was in general the produce of their own flax, or the fleeces of their own flieep. With thefe they made common linens and coarfe cloths. If any of them had a defire for articles of jijrcater luxury, they drew them from Annapolis or Louifl)ourg, and gave in exchange corn, cattle, cr furs. The neutral French had nothing clfc to give their neighbours, and made ftill fewer exchanges among themfclves, becaufe each feparate family was able and had been ufed to provide for its own wants. They, therefore, knew Rothing of paper-currency, which uas fo common throughout the reft of North- America. Even the fmall quantity of fpecie which had flipped into the colony did not infpirc that a(fli- vity in which confifts its real value. Their manners were of courfe extremely fimple. There never was a caufe, cither civil or criminal, of importance enough to be carried before the court of judicature cftablifhed at Annapolis. Whatever little differences arofe from time to time among them were amicably adjufled by their elders. All their public adls were drawn by their paftors, who had likewife the keeping of their wills, for which and their reli- gious fervicts the inhabitants paid a twenty-fevcnth part of their harveft. Thefe were always plentiful enough to afford more means than thfre were objedls for generofity. Real imifery was unt.rely unknown, and benevolence pre- "•'cnted the demands of poverty. Erery misfortune was relieved, as it were, before it could be felt, with- out oftentation on the one hand, and without mean- nefs on the other. It was in fhort a fociety of bre- tkreii, every individual of which was equally ready to giveand to receive what he thought the common right of mankind. So pcrfedt a harmony naturally prevented all thole »^ii^^i^-^!\ii- SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. 59 thofe connexions of gallantry which are la often fatal to the peace of families. There never was an intlancc in this fociety of an unlawful commerce be- tiveen thf, I o fexes. This evil was prevented by early marriages ; for no one pafTed his youth In a o Ihce of celibacy. As foon as a young man came t the proper age, the community built him a houfe, broke up the lands about it, fowed them, and fup- plied them with all the neccfiaries of life for a twelve- nonth. Here he received the partner whom he had (i.offn, and who brought him her portion in flocks. "i his new family grew and prolpered like the others. Ill 1749, all together made a population of eighteen ihoufand fouls. At this period Great Britain perceived of what ronfcquence the poflefiion of Acadia might be to her commerce. The peace, which neceffarily left a s;reat number of men without employment, furniflied :;n opportunity, by the dKbanding of the troops, for peopling and cultivating a vait and fertile territory. TIsc Britirti miniftry offered particular advantages to ail who would go over and fettle in Acadia. Every loldier, failor, and v.'orkman, was to have fifty acres of land himfelf, and ten for every perfon he carried over in his family. All non-commiflioned officers were allowed eighty for thcmfclves, and fifty for their wives and children ; enfigns, 2CO ; lieutenants, 300 ; captains, 460 ; and all clhcers of a higher rank, 600 ; together with thirty for each of their dependents. The land was to be tax-free for the firil ten years, and never to pay above one (hilling for fifty acres. Befidcs this, the government engaged to advance or reimburfc the expeuces of paiiage, to build houfes, to furnlfh all the neceffary inftruments for fifhery or agriculture, and to defray the expences of fubfiftence^ for tlie firil yc;ir, Thefe encouragements determined three thoufand fcven hundred and fifty perfons, in the month of May i 749, to go to America, rather than run the rifle of ilarving in Europe. The new colony was intended to form an eflablifh- ment to the fouth-eatl of Acadia, In a place whicli the I ^ ?lli >£t i Jpff ? r . ^«^ ,'M t t do HISTORY OF THE BRITISH the favagcs had formerly called Chebu6lo, and the Englifh Halitax. This fituatlon was preferred to feveral others vyherc the foil was better, for the fake of ellablifhing in its neighbourhood an excellent cod fifhery, and fortifying one of the fined harbours in Araeric. But as it was the fpot mod favourable for the chaee, the Engliih were obliged to difpute it with the Micmac Indians, who moftly frequented it. Thefe favages defended with obftinacy a territory they held from nature ; and it was not till after very great loffes that the Englifh drove them out from their pofTefiions. This war was not entirely finifhed, when there was fome agitation difcovcred among the neutral French. A people, whofe manners were fo fimple, and who enjoyed fuch liberty, could not but perceive that it was impofiible there fhould be any fcrious thoughts in fettling in c jntries fo near to them without their independence being afFcfted by it. Tu this appvehenlion was added that of feeing their religion in danger. Their priefts, either heated by their own eiithufiafna, or I'ecrctly iniligated by the governors of Canada, perfuadcd them to credit every thing they chofe to fuggell againft. the Englifh, whom they called Heretics. This word, which has fo powerful an Influence on deluded minds, detcr^ mined this happy American colony to quit their ha- bitations and remove to Mew France, where they were offered lands. This refolution many of them executed immediately, without confidering the con- i'equeUces of it ; the reft v/ere preparing to follow, as foon as they had provided for their fafety. The Englifli government, either from policy or caprice, determined to prevent them by an ad of treachery, always bafe and cruel in thofe to whom power afforda milder methods. Under a pretence of cxaAing a renewal of the oath which they had taken at the time of their becoming Englifli fubje6ls, they affembled thofe together who were not yet gone ; and when they had coiledted them, immediately embarked them \)i^^i«'mi--*»' SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. 6« them on board of fiiips, which tranfportcd them to the other Englllh colonies, where the greater part of themdiedof grief and vexation rather than want. Such are the fruits of national jealoufies, of that ra- pacioufnefs inherent to all governments which incef- fantly preys both upon mankind and upon land ! What an enemy lofes is reckoned a gain ; what he gains, is looked upon as a lofs. When a town can- not be taken, it is ftarved ; when it qannot be main- tained, it is burnt to afhes, or its foundation rafed. Rather than furrender, a fhip or a fortification ia blown up by powder and by mines. A defpotlc ^rovernment feparates its enemies from its flaves by immenfe dcferts, to prevent the eruptions of the one and the emigrations of the other. Thus Spain chofe rather to make a wildcrncfs of her own country, and a grave of America, than to divide its riches with any other of the European na» tions. The Dutch have been guilty of every public and private crime to deprive other commercial nations of the fpice- trade. They have oftentimes even thrown whole cargoes into the fca, rather than they would fell them at a low price. France rather choi.; to give up Louifiana to the Spaniards, than to let it fall into the hands of the Englifh ; and England deflroyed the French veffels, to prevent their return- ing to France. Can we affert, after this, that policy and fociety were inftitutcd for the happinefs of man - kind ? Ycs^ they were inftituted to fcreen the wicked man, and to fecurc the man in power. 3. Prefentjiate of Nova Scoila, Since the emigration of a people who owed their happinefs to their virtuous obfcurity, Nova Scotia has been but thinly inhabited. It feems as if the envy that depopulated the country had blafted it. At lead the punifhment of the injuftice falls upon the authors of it j for there is not a fingle inhabitant F to 1 I 61 HISTORY OF THE. BRITISH f ; tl ' t to be feci! upon all tliat length of coait between the river St Lawrence and the peninfula ; nor do the rocks, the lands, and marlhes, with which it is at prefent covered, make it probable that it ever will be peopled. The cod, indeed, which abounds in fomc of its bays, draws every year a fmall number of iifhermen during the feafon. There are only three fettlemcnts in the reft of the province. Annapolis, the moft ancient of thecn, waits for freih inhabitants to take the place of the unhappy Frenchmen who were driven from it ; and it feems to promife them rich returns from the ferti- lity of her foil. L.unenburgh, the fecond fettlement, was founded ^ few years ago by 800 Germans come from Halifax. At firft, it did not promife much fuccefs ; but it is confiderably improved by the unremitted indullry of that warlike and wife people, who, contented with <]efending 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 Engllfh dominion, wherever chance had conducted them. Halifax will always continue to be the principal place of the province ; an advantage it owes to the cncour^f^ements lavifhed upon it by the mother coun- try, 1 heir expences for this fettlement from its firil foundation to the year 1769, amounted to more than 3937/. 10 J. per annum. Such favours were not ill beftowed upon a city, which, from its fitua- tion, is the natural rendezvous of both the land and fea forces which Great Britain fometimes thinks her- felf obliged to maintain in America, as well for the defence of her fifheries and theprotedion of her fugar- iilands, as for the purpofe of maintaining her con- iie6lion8 with her northern colonies. Halifax, in- deed, derives more of its fplendor from the motion and adivity which is conftantly kept up in its ports, than cither from its cultivation which is trifling, or from its fiftierics which have not been confiderably improved, III tl fd P P- fe) it I thi hi th SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. 63 improved, though they confift of cod, mackerel, and the fcal. It is not even In the ftatc it (hould be as a fortified town. The miilvcrfations of perfons em- ployed, who inftead of the fortifications ordered and paid for by the mother country, have only ere(fled a few batteries without any ditch round the city, make it liable to fall without refiftance into the hands of the firft enemy that attacks it. In 1757, the inha- bitants of the county of Halifax rated the value of their houfes, cattle, and merchandifc, at about 295,312 /. 10/. This fum, which makes about two thirds of the riches of the whole province, has not increafcd above one fourth fince that time. The defire of putting a ftop to this ftate of languor was, probably, encof the motives which induced the Britifh government to conftitute a court of admiralty for all North America, and to place the feat of it at Halifax, in 1763. Before this period, the juftlces of peace ufed to be the judges of all violations of the ad of navigation ; but the partiality thefe magiftrates ufed to flievv in their judgements for the colony where they were born and which had chofen them, made their miniftry ufelefs, and even prejudicial to the mother country. It was prcfumed, that if cnlight-' cned men were fent from Europe, and well fupport- cd, they would imprefs more refpeft for their deter- mination. The event has juftified this policy. Since that regulation, the commercial laws have beea better obfervd; but ftill great inconveniences have enfued from the diftancc of many provinces from the feat of this new tribunal. It is probable, that, to remedy thefe, adminiftration will be forced to multi- ply the number of the courts, and difperfe them in places convenient for the people to have accefs to them. Nova Scotia will then lofc the temporary advantage it gains from being the refort of thofc who come for juftice ; but it will, probably, find out other natural fources of wealth within itfclf. It has fome, indeed, that are peculiar to it. The exceeding fine flax it produces, of which the thrfe kingdoms are fo F 2 much. I' 'I ..'^ fti. iiT' \feR»>;iw^ C4 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH much in want, mud haftcn the progrcfs of its im- provement. C H A P. IV. Of New England. I. Foundation* NEw England, like the mother country, has fignalizcd itfelf by many afts of violence ; and %va8 aAuated by the fame turbulent fpirit. It took it8 rife in troublefome times, and its infant-ftate was difturbed with many dreadful commotions. It wae difcovercd 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 direfted, did not fuccecd ; and for fome time after, there were only a few adventurers \Tbo came over at times in the fummer, built thcmfclvcB temporary huts for the fake of trading with the fa- vages, and like them difappeared again for the reft of the year. Fanaticifm, which had depopulated America to the fouth, was deftined to repopulate it in the north. At length fome Englifh prefbyterlans, who had been driven from their own country, and had taken refuge in Holland, that univerfal afylura of liberty, refolved to found a church for their fed in a new hemlfphcre. They therefore purchafed, in 1621, the charter of the Englifh North Virginia Company : for they were not poor enough to wait in patience till their virtues fhould have made them profperous. Forty-one families, making in all 120 perfons, fet out, guided by enthufiafm, which, whether founded upon error or truth, is always pro- duftive of great adion.^. They landed at the begin- ning of a very hard wiiter ; and found a country entirely covered with wood, which offered a very me- lancholy SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. 6^ lancholy profpeft to men already exhaufted with the fatigues of their journey. Near one half perirtied cither from the cold, the fcurvy, or diftrefs ; the red were kept alive for fome time by a fpirit of cnthufi- afm, and the ftcadinefs of charadler they had con- traded under the pcrfecution of cpifcopal tyranny. But their courage waa beginning to fail, when it waa revived by the arrival of iixty favagc warriors, who came to them in the fpring, headed by their chief. Freedom feemed to exult that (lie had thus brought together from the extremities of the world two fuch different people ; who immediately entered into a re- ciprocal alliance of friendfhip and proteflion. The old tenants afllgned for ever to tlie new ones all the lands in the neighbourhood of the fettlement they had formed under the name of New Plymouth ; and one of the favages, who underftood a littlj Engliftin ftaid with them to teach them how to cultivate the maize, and inftruA them in the manner of fifhing up- on their coail. This ^kindncfs enabled the colony to wait for the companions they cxpefted from Europe, with feeds and all forts of domellic animals. A.t firtl they came but flowly ; but the perfecution of the puritans in England incrcafed the number of profelytes (as la always the cafe) to fuch a degree in America, that in 1630, they were obliged to form different fettle? m^cnts, of which' Bofton foon became the principal. Thefe firft fettlers were not merely ecclcfiaftics, who had been driven ©ut of their preferment for their opi- nions ; nor thofc feftaries, influenced by new opi- nions, that are fo frequent among the common peo- ple. There were among them feveral perfons of high rank, who having embraced puritanifm eithc-r from motives of caprice, ambition, or even of cob- fcience had taken the precaution t© fecure themfclves an afylum in thefe diftant regions. They had caufed houles id be built, and lands to be cleared, with a view of retiring there, if their endeavours in the caofe of civil and religious liberty fliould prove abortive, F 3 The .'^ P If :i ( ■;'(■ ! i 1'+ \ f 66 HISTORY OF TFIE BRITISH The fame fanatical fpirlt that had introduced anar- chy into the mother country, kept the colony in a llaic of fuboriiination ; or rather, a feverity of man- ners had the fame effedl aa laws in a favage climate. The inhabitants of New England lived peaceably for a long time without any regular form of polity. It was not that iheir charter had not authorifed them to eftablifli any mode of government they might chufe ; but thefe enthufiafta were not agreed amongil themfelves upon the plan of their republic, and go- vernment was not fufiiclently concerned about them to urge them to fecure their own tranquillity. At length they grew fenfibleof the neceffity of a regular Jegifla- tion; and this great work, which virtue and genius united, have never attempted but with diffidence, was boldly undertaken by blind fanaticifm. It bore the ftamp of the rude prejudices on which it had been formed. There was In this new code a fmgular mixture of good and evil, of wifdom and folly. No man was allowed to have any (hare in the government, except he was a member of the eftablifhed church. Witch-, craft, perjury, blafphemy, and adultery, were made capital offences ; and children wete alfo punifhed with deaths either for curling or ftriking their pa- rents. On the other hand, marriages were to be fo- lemnizcd by the magiftrate. The price of corn was fixed at 2/. 11^. halfpenny per bufhel. The favages who negledltd to cultivate their lands were to be de- prived of them by law. Europeans were forbidden under a heavy penalty to fill them any ftrong liquors or warlike ftores. All thofe who were detected eithcir in lying, or drunkenncfs, or dancing, were ordered to be publicly whipped. But at the fame time that amufcmcnts were forbidden equally with vices and crimes, one might fwear by paying a penalty of a ihiiling, and break the fabbath for three pounds. It was efteemed an indulgence to be able to atone by inoney for a negle Icfs violent than their brethren, ventured to deny the coercive power of the magiilratc in matters of reli- gion, were \ -rfecuted with ftill greater rigour. This appeared a blafphemy tothofe divines who had rather chofen to quit their country than to fliew any defe- rence to epifcopal authority. By that natural ten- dency of the human heart from the love of inde- pendence to that tyranny, they changed their opi- nions as they changed the climate ; and only feem- cd to arrogate freedom of thought to themfelves in order to deny it to others. This fyilem was fup- portcd by the fevcrities of the law, which attempted to put a Itop to every difference in opinion, by im- pofing capit:^l puniHiment on all who diiTented. Whoever was either convi\>J<^* " lii t * mIH 1; 68 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH who In the midft of tortures *an^t Ignominy pralfcd Godt and called for bleifings \>.. m m<:ny ir.ipired a reverence for their pcrfons and ' !k .ons, and gain- ed them a number of prorclytcs. This rticumftancc exafperated their perfccutor?, and hurried them on to the moil atrocious a6^s of violence ; and they caufcd five of them, who had returned clandeftinely from banifhmcnt, to be hanged. It fcemed as if the Englifh had come to America to exercife upon their own countrymen the fame cruelty the Spaniards had ufed againfl the Indians. This fpirit of perfe- cution was at lai^ fuppreifed by the interp«fition of the roothet C3untry, from whence it had been brought. Cromwell was no more : enthufiafm, hypocrify, and fanaticifm, which compofed his character ; fac> tions, rebellions, and profcriptions ; were all buried with him, and England had the profpeA of calmer days. Charles the fecond, at his refloration, had in« troduced amongft his fub]e£l8 a focial turn, a tafle for convivial pleafures, gallantry, and diverfions, and for all thofe amufements he had been engaged in while he was wandering from one court to another in Europe, to recover the crown which his father had loft upon a fcaffold. Nothing but fuch a total change ©f manners could poffibly have fecurcd the tranquil- lity of his government upon a throne marked with blood. He was one of thofe voluptuaries, whom the love of fenfual pleafures fometimcs excites to fentiments of compaffion and humanity. Moved with the fufferings of the Quakers, he put a ftop to theni by a proclamation in f66i ; 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 Hsnry Vane, who had had fuch a remarkable (liare in the difturbances of his country. This obftinate and enthufiaftic young man, in every thing refcrrihling his father, unable either to live peaceably himfelf, or to fuffcr others to remain quiet, had \»M-»..iH SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. 69 had contrived to revive iheobfcurc and obfolctc quef- liona of grace and free will. The difputes upon thefe pointi ran very high ; and would, probably, have plunged the colony into a civil war, if fevcral of the favage nations united had not happened at that very time to fall upon the plantations ot thedif- putants, and to malTacre great nunnbers of them. The coloniits, heated with their theological contefls, paid at Brft very little attention to this confiderable iofs. But the danger at length became fo urgent and To general, that all took up arms. As foon as the enemy wat» repulfed, the colony rcfumcd its former diffentions ; and the frenzy which they ex- cited, broke out, in 1692, in a war, marked with as many atrocious inftances of violence as any ever recorded in hillory. There lived in a town of New England, called Salem, two young women who were fubjeft to con- vulfions, accompanied with extraordinary fymptoms. Their father, miniftcr of the church, thought that ihey were bewitched ; and having in conicquence Cult his fufpicions upon an Indian girl who lived in his houfe, he compelled her by harfh treatmeat to cunfefs that (he was a witch. Other women, upon hearing this, feduced by the pleafurc of exciting the public attention, immediately believed that the con- viilliona which proceeded only from the nature of their fex, were owing to the fame caufe. Three ci- tizens, pitched upon by chance, were immediately thrown into prifon, accufed of witchcraft, hanged, and their bodies left expofed to wild beafts and birds of prey. A few days after, fixtcen other pcrfons, together with a counfellor, who, becaufc he refufed to plead againft them, was fuppofed to (hare in their guilt, fufFered in the fame manner. From this in- ftant, the imagination of the multitude was inflamed with thftfe horrid and gloomy fcenes. The inno- cence of youth, the infirmities of age, virgin mo- dffty, fortune, honour, virtue, the mod dignified employmentjj of the Hate, nothing was fufficicnt to exempt U1 III:-; 4 1^' \V I ') . I i m. i>i 70 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH exempt ftom the fufpiclons of a people infatuated with vifionary fuperllition. Children of ten years of age were put to death ; young girls were dripped naked, and the marks of witchcraft fearched for upon their bodies with the moft indecent curiofity ; thofe fpots of the fcurvy which age impreffes upon the bodies of old men, were taken for evident figns of the infernal power. Fanaticifm, wickednefs, and vengeance, united* felefled out their viftims with plcafure. In default of witnefTes, torments were employed to extort confeffions dictated by the exe- cutioners ihemfelves. If the magiftrates, tired out with executions, refufed to punifh, they were them- felves accufed of the crimes they would no longer purfue ; the very minifters of religion raifed f: ufe witnefTes againft them, who made them forfeit ^\lth their lives the tardy lemorfc excited in them by hu- manity. Dreams, apparitions, terror and confterna- tion of every kind, increafcd thefe prodigies of foU ly and horror. The prifons were filled, the gibbets left {landing, and all the citizens involved in gloomy apprchenfions. The moft prudenr perfons quitted a country imbrued with the blood of its inhabitants ; and thofe that remained fought for nothing but reft in the grave. In a word, nothing Icfs than the to- tal and immediate fubvcrfion of the colony was ex- pcfted J when on a fudden, in the height of the ftorm, the waves fubiided, and a calm enfued. All eyes were opened at once, and the exccfs of the evil awakened the minds which it had at firft ftupified. Bitter and painful remorfe was the immediate confe- qucnce ; the mercy of God was implored by a gene- ral fall, and public prayers were offered up to aUc forgivenefs for the prefumption of having fuppofed that heaven could have been pleafed with facrifices with which it could only have been offended. Poftcrity will probably never know exactly what was the caufe or remedy of this drcavlful diforder. It had, perhaps, its firfl origin in the melancholy which thefe pcrfccutcd enthufiafts had brought with them SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. 71 tliem from their own country, which had increafed with the fcurvy they had contra6Ved at fca, and which had gathered fre(h ftrcngth from the vapours and exhalations of a foil newly broken up, as well as from the inconveniences aad hardfhips infcparable from a change of climate and manner of livu^g. The contagion, however, ceafed like all other epi- demical diiiempers, cxhaufted by its very communi- cation ; as all the diforderS of the imagination are difpciled in the tranfports of a delirium. A perfe6l calm fucceeded this agitation ; and the puritans of New- England have never fince been feized with fa gloomy a fit of enthufiafm. 3. Government., Papuiatio?jf Cultures , ManufaSIures^ Trade and Navigation^ of Ne'w England, This colony, bounded to the north by Canada, to the weft by New York, and to the eaft and fouth by Nova Scotia and the ocean, extends full three hun- dred miles on the borders of the fe.i, and upv/ards oF fifty miles in the inland parts. The clearing of the lands is not done by chance as in the other provinces. From the firfl they were fubjefted to laws which are ftill religioufly obfervcd. No citizen whatever has the liberty of fettling even upon unoccupied land. The government, which was defirous of preferving all its members from the inroads of the favages, and that they fhould be at hand to partake of the fuccours of a well regulated focicty, hath ordered that whole villages fliould be formed at once. As foon as fixty families offer to build a church, maintain a clergyman, and pay a fchooKmaltcr, the gen«ral congrefs allot them a fituaticn, and permit them to have two reprefenta- tives in the legiflative body of the colony. The diftritl aiTigned them always borders upon the lands already cleared, and generally contains fix thoufand tare acres. Thefe new people chufe put the fpot in oil I t #*W^%i^v:uiv M 72 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH , moft convenient for their refpeftive habitations, and it is ufually of a fquare figure. The church is pla. ced in the centre ; and the colonifts dividing the land among themfelves, each inclofcs his property with a hedge. Some woods are referved for a com- mon. It is thus that New-England is continually aggrandizing itfelf, without difcontinuing to make one complete and well-conllituted 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 are under the fame parallel. The winters are longer, an-' more cold ; the fummers fhorter, and more hot. The ll 11 m^'' 'f' lll ! IW \^^>*M;#»|f-^'Mti^^^ 74 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH In default of thefe, the maize, which ii ufnally con- lumcd in making beer, is the refource of the common people. There are large and fruitful meadowo, which are covered with numerous flocks. 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 agriculture. There are not more than four or live manufaAures of any importance. The liril which was formed, was that for building cf Ihips. It maintained for a long time a degree ot reputation. The veffels out of this dock were in great eftimation, the materials of which they were con{lru(5led being found much lefs porous and much lefs apt to fplit than thofe of the mof^ fouthern pro- vinces. Since 1730, the numbers of them arc confi- derably diminifhed, becaufc the woods for building have been little attended to, and ufed for other pur- pofes. To prevent this inconvenience, it was pro- pofcd to forbid the cutting of any of them within teii miles of the fea ; and we know not for what reafon this lsiw> the neceflity of whichwas fo evident, was r.cver put in force. The dillilliog of rum has fuc- cccded better than the building of ihips. It was begun from the facility the New-Englanders had of importing large quantities of melaflcs from the Ca- ribbees. The melaffes were at firft ufed in kind for various purpofes. By degrees they learnt to diflil them. When made into rum, they fupplied the neighbouring favages with it, as the Newfoundland fifliermen did the other riorthern provinces, and Tai- lors who frequented the coaft of Africa. The degree of imperfeftion in which this art hatli ilill remained in th'" colony, has not diminifhed the falc of it ; be- caufe they have always been able to afford the rum at a very low price. The fame reafon has both fupported and increafcd the manufatfture of hats. Though limited by the regulations of the mother country to the internal confumption of the colony, the merchants have found means «lll_-_ lally con- e common meadowo, degree of he others, jriculture. lufud-ures r buiidinfr degree ot c were in they were ind mucli hern pro- arc confi- r building 3ther pur- was pro- within ten hat real'on :lent, was has fuc- It was ra had of ii the Ca- kind for to diftil lied the )unc31and and fai" he degree Iremained |f it ; be- the rum Increafed by the internal re found mean* SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. /5 means to furmount thefe obftacles, and to fmugglc pretty large quantities of them into the neighbouring fettlements. The colony fells no cloths, but it buys very few. The fleeces of its flocks, as long, though not qui^e fo fine, as the Englifh ones, make coarie (luffs, which do extremely well for plain men who live in the country. Some Prefbyterians who were driven from tlie north of Ireland by the perfccutions either of the government or of the clergy, firil taught the New Englanders to cultivate hemp and flax, and to manu- faAure them. The linens made of them are fincc become one of the great refources of the colony. The mother country, whofe political calculations have no* always coincided with the high opinion en- tertained of her abilities, has omitted nothing to thwart thefe feveral manufadlurcs. She did not per- ceive, that, by this oppreflivc condu6l of the govern- ment, thofe of her fubjedts who were employed in clearing thiaconfiderable part of the new world mull be reduced to the alternative cither of abandoning fo good a country, or procuring from among themfcl- ves the things of general ufe and of immediate necef- fitv. Indeed, even thefe refources would not have been fufficient to maintain them, if they had not had the good fortune and the addrefs to open to them- fslves fcvera) other channels of fubfillencc, the origin and progrelo oi which we muil endeavour to trace. The firfl refource they met with from without, was in the iifhery. It has been eacouraged to fuch a degree, that a regulation has taken place, by which every family who fhould declare that it had lived up- on falt-fifli for two days in the week during a whole year, fhould be difburdened of part of their tax. Thus commercial views enjoin abiUnence from meat to th'" ^jro'eftants, in the fame manner as religion ptcfcribes t U) the catholic^;. Macker.d is caught only in the fpring at the mouth of the Pentagoue , a confiderable river which empties G 2 itftlf > ii b/^.U' . 1> )6 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH iifclf in Fuiidy bay, towards the extremity, of tlie «.-olony. In the very centre of the coaft, a:iJ near iBofton, tli cod- fill 18 always in fuch plenty, that Cape Cod, notwithftanding the ftcrility of its foil, ts one of the moi-l populous parts of the country. Not content, however, with the fifh caught in its own latitudes, New England fends every year about two hundred vcfl'els, from thirty-five to forty toni each, to the great bank, to Newfoundland, and to Cape Breton, which commonly make three voyages a feafou, and bring back at leail a hundred thoufand quintals of cod. Belides, there are larger vefTcls which i«il from the fame pons, and exchange previfions for the produce of the Hfhery of thofe Englifh who are fct. tied in thele frozen and barren regions. All this cod is afterwards diftribuied in the fouthern parts of Eu- rope and America. This is not the only article with which the Brltllli iflands in the new world are fupplied by New Eng- land. It fiirnlrties them, befides, horfes, oxen, hogs, lalt meai, butter, tallow, cheefe, fiour, bifcuit, In- dian corn, peafe, fruits, cyder, hemp, flax, and woods of all kinds. The fame commodities pafi into the iflands belonging to the other nations, fome- tiines openly, fometimes by fmuggling, but always in Icffer quantities during peace than in time of war. Honduras, Surinam, and other parts of the Ameri- can continent open fjmilar markets to New England. I'his province alfo fetches wines and brandies from the Madeiras and the Azores, and pays for them with cC'd-fifh and corn. The ports of Italy, Spain, and Portugal, receive annu?)ly hxty or feventy of their fhips. They come li.cre kdeii with cod, wood for fhip-building, naval itores, corn, ii..vi fifh- oil; many of them return with ciive-oil, fait, wine, and money, immediately to New England, where they land their cargoes clandellinely. By this mtth^i, they elude the cuftoms they would be obliged to pay in Great Britain, if they went theie, as in purfuance of a pofitive order ihey ought to ■ ■■ -^a' ■: "■ WB M SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. 77 to do. The fhlpa which do not return to the origi- nal port are fold in thofe where they difpole ol" their cargo. They have frequently no particular aoldreli;, but are freighted ixdifFerently for every mere' int hwd every port, till they meet with a proper purchafer. The mother country receives from this colony vards and mafts for the royal navy, planks, pot-afhcs, pitch, tar, turpentine, a few furs, and, in years oF fca-city, fome corn. Thefc cargoes come home \r\ fhips built by her own merchants, or bought by thcHi of privateers, who build upon fpeculation. Befides the trade New England makes of her ov. ri produdlions, fhe has appropriated great part of the conveying trade between North and South America, in confequence of which the New Englanders are looked upon as the brokers or Hollanders of that part of the world. Notwithftanding this lively and continued exertior. New England has never yet been able to free herfcU from debt. She has never been able to pay exaftly for what fhe received from the mother country, cither in produdlions of her own or of foreign induftry, cr in thofe from the Eaft Indies ; all which articles of trade amount annually to 393»75'o/. She has ftill, however, trade enough to keep Ci)i thoufand failors in conilant employment. Her ma- rine confifts of rive hundred large vefTels, which carry all together forty thoufand tons burden ; befides a great number of fmaller vcflels for fifliing- ai.d for \he coafting trade, which come o*it indifferently from all the open roads wliich are fpread all over the coa{l> Almoft all of them load and unload at Bofton. Boston, the capital of New England, is fituatcd in a peninfula, about four miles long, at the bottom of the fine bay of Maflachufet, which reac^ies about; eight miles within land. The opening of the bay 13 iheltercd from the impetuofity of the waves by a num- ber of rocks which rife above the water ; and by a tiozen of fmall ilknds, the greater part of which arc 1 C^3 f' rr,^^ ;utu 78 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH f fruitful and inljabited. Thcfe dykes and natural rampaits will not allow more than three (hips to come in together. At tlic end of the lad century, a regular citadel, named Fort William, was erected ia one of the iflands upon this narrow channel. There are one hundred pieces of cannon, carrying forty-two ])ounders each, upon it, which arc difpofed in fuch a manner, iliat they can batter a fliip fore and aft be. i'ore it is pofflble for her to bring her guns to bear. A league further on, there is a very high light-houfe, the lignals from which, in cafe of invafion, are per- ceived and repeated by t^e fortrefles along the whole coaft ; at tlie fame time that Bollon has her own li;iht-houfes, which fpread the alarm to all the inland country. Except in the cafe of a very thick fog, which a few (hips may take advantage of to get into fome of tlie fmallcr iflands, the town has always five or fix hours to prepare for the reception of the ene- my, and to get together ten thoufand militia, which can be ralfed at four and twenty hours notice. If a fleet Hiould ever be able to pafs the artillery of Fort "William, it would infallibly be ftopped by a couple of batteries, which being eredled to the north and fouth of the place, command the whole bay, and would give time for all the veffels and commercial flores to be fheltercd from cannon fhot in tke rivey Charles. Bollon port is large enough for fix hundred veffels to anchor in it fafely and commodioufly. There 15 a magnificent pier conftrufted, far enough advan- ced in the fea for the fliips to unload their goods Vv'iihout the afliilance of a lighter, and to difcnargc thtm into the warehoufes which are ranged on the Dorth fide. At the extremity of the pier the town appcarS; built in the form of a crefcent round the harbour. According to the bills of mortality, which are become with reafon theonly rule of political arith' meilc, it contains about thirty thoufand inhabitantFj compofed of Anabaptifts, Quakers, French rcfu' *;ees, Engliih Prelbjterians, and Church of England mtn. SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. 79 rnen. The houfcs, furniture, drefs, food, convcrfa* lion, ctilloms and manners, are fo cxadlly fimiiar to ibc mode of living in London, that it is impofliblc to find any other difference but that which arife* from the overgrown population of large capitals. CHAP, X. ¥M Of New York and New Jersey. I. Neiu Torki founded by the Dutchy pajfes into thi hands of the Englifn, NEW. YORK, limited to the caft by New-Eng- land, and bounded to the weft by New-Jerfey, occupies at firft a very narrow fpace of twenty miles along the fea-fhore, and, infenfibly enlarging, ex- tends above a hundred and fifty miles northward in the inland country. This country was difcovered by Henry Hudfon ill 1609. That celebrated navigator, after having made vain attempts under the patronage of the Dutch. E&ft- India company for the difcovery of a north- weft pafidge, veered about to the fouthward, and coafted along the continent, in hopes of making fome ufc- fiil difcovery that mi;i^ht prove a kind of indemnifi- cation to the fociety for the truft they had repofed in him. He entered into a confiderable river, to which he gave his name ; and after having recon- noitred the coaft and its inhabitants, returned to Amiterdam from whence he had fet fail. According to the European fyftem, which confi- ikrs the people of the new world as nothing, this country (liould have belonged to the Dutch. It had been difcovered by a man in their ferjace, who had taken polfeflion of it in their name, affi given up to them all the claims which he himfelf might have to it, Hi3 being au Englifliman did not in the lead inva* 1:! «i,'Uy»i 8o HISTORY OF THE BRITISH , i: m invalidate thefe uncontrovertable titles. It muft, therefore, have occafioncd great furprife, whtn James I. afTcrtcd his prctenfions to it, upon the principle that Hudfon vv'as born his fubjedl ; as if the real country of any man was not that in which he earns his fubfiftence. The king was fo convinced of ihi$, that he foon gave up the mutter ; and the republic fcnt in 1610 to lay the foundation of the colony in a country which was to be called New Belgia. Every thing profpcred here. Fortunate beginnings feemcd to announce a ftill greater progrefs, when in 1664 the colony was expofcd to a ftorm which it could not poflibly forcfee. England, which had not at that time thofe inti- mate connexions vrith Holland that the ambition and fuccefles of Lewis XIV. have given birth to fince, had long feen with a jealous eye the profperity of a fmall ftate in its neighbourhood, which, though but juft formed, was alwiiys extending its profpcrous trade to all parts of the world. She was fecretly difturii- cd at the thoughts of not being on an equality with a power to whom, in the nature of things, fhe ought to have !)een greatly fuperior. Thefe rivals in com- merce and navigation, by their vigilance and oeco- nomy, gained the advantage oyer her in all the large markets of the whole univerfc. Every effort ihe made to cftablifli a competition turned either to her lofs or difcredit, and fhe was obliged only to aft a fecondary part, whilfl all the trade then known was evidently centering itfelf in the republic- At length, the nation felt the difgracc of her merchants ; and rcfolved, ihat. v hat they could not compafs by in- duflry fhould be fecured to them by force. Charles II. notwithilanding his averfion for bufinefs, and his immoderate love of pleafure, eagerly adopted a mea- fure which gave him a profpeft of acquiring the riches of thefe diftant regions, together ./ith the maritime empire of Europe. His brother, more aftive and more enterprifing than himfelf, encou- raged him in thefe difpofitions 5 and the deliberatioa con- [ [t muft, n James )rinciple the real he earns of this, republic jlony in Every feemcd in 1664 )uld not ofe inti- :ion and :o fince, Ity ©f a Ligh but us trade difturi^. ty with e ought n com- oeco- e large rt (he to her aft a n was length, and |by in- harles d his mea- the the more cou- ation SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. Gi concluded with their ordering the Dutch ftu'ps to be attacked, without any previous declaration of war. An Englifli fleet appeared before New Belgia in the month of Augu(t. It had three tlioufand men oil board ; and fo numerous a force precluding tvtry iilca as well as every hope of reliftance, the colony fiihmitted as foon as it was fummoned. The con- (jiicft was fecured to the vidlors by the treaty of Bre- da ; but it was again taken from them in . 673, when the intrigues of France had found means to fct two powers at variance, who for their mutual intercfts (iii"ht always to be friends. A fecond treaty reflored New Belgia to the Englifh, who have remained in ^jiet pofTeflion of it ever fir under the name of New York. It had taken that name from the duke of York, to whom it had been given by the king in 1664. As foon as he had recovered it, he governed it upon llie fame arbitrary piinciplcs which afterwards de- ])rived him of the throne. His deputies, in whofe liandd were lodged powers of every kind, not con- tented with the cxercife of the public authority, con- Rituted thcmfelves arbitrators in all private difputes. The country was then inhabited by Hollanders who had preferred thcfe plantations to their own country, and by colonifts who had come from New England. I'hefe people had been too long accuftomed to liber- ty, to fubmit patiently for any time to fo arhitrciry an adminiftratlon. Every thing feemed lending ei- ther to an infurredllon or an emigration, when in 1683 the colony was invited to chufe reprefentatives to fettle Its form of government. Time produced fome other changes ; but it was not till 1691 that a fixed plan of government was adopted, which iaas been followed ever fince. At the head of the colony 's a governor appoint- ed by the crown ; which likewifc appoints twelve counfellors, without whofe concurrence the governor can fign no a6l. The commons are reprefented by twenty-feven deputies, chofen by the inhabitants ; and thefe feveral bodies couilitute the geusral af- fembiy, 1;. "! t • •>l U It ' \^^i-U!J^*. • >»^^ ^>. IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) .^'.<^ 1.0 I.I lillM 112.5 1^ 1^ 2.0 1.8 1.25 1.4 1.6 -« 6" - ► 3 V2 VI /y ? Photographic Sciences Corporation d ,\ V 4.^ o i\^ 6^ ^ ^^ V <^ 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 I o 5^>:v >s^\% .V ^.T' «:-p % r/i ^ 1 •4 I ^ S2 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH fcmbly, in which every power is lodged. The au- ration of this aflembly, originally unlimited, was af- terwards fixed at three years, and now continaes for fcven, like the Britifh parliament, whofe revolutions it has followed. 2 Flourijhing Jlate of Neio Tgrk. Canfes of its profperity. Supported upon a government fo folld, fo favou- rable to that liberty which makes every thing pro- fper, the colony gave itfelf up entirely to all the la- bours which its fituation could require or encourage. A climate much milder than that of New England, a foil fuperior to it for the cultivation of corn, and equally fit for that of every other production, foon enabled it to vie fucccfsfully with an eftabliihment that had got the dart of it in all its productions and in all the markets. Tf it was not equal in it« manu- failures, this inferiority was amply compenfated by a fur-trade infinitely more confidcrable. Thefe means of profpcrity, united to a very great degree of tole- ration in religious matters, have raifed its population to one hundred and fifty thoufand inhabitants ; five and twenty thoufand of whom are able to bear arms, and conflitute the national militia. The colony would ftill have flouriflied much more, had not its profperity been obftruCted by the fanati- cifm of two governors, the opprelTive conduct of fome others, and the extravagant grants made to foms individuals in too high favour ; but thefe inconve- niences, which arc only temporary under the Britifh government, have fomc of them ceafed, and the reft of them are leflened. The province may, therefore, cxpeft to fee her produftions doubly increafed, if the two thirds of its territory, which ftill remain un- cleared, fhould yield as much as the one third which haj» already been cultivated. It is impofliblc to forefce what influence ihele riches SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. 83 riches may have upon the minds of thr inhabitants ; but it is certain they have not yet abufcd thofe they have hitherto acquired. The Dutch, who were the tirft founders of the colony, planted in it that fpirit of order and oeconomy which is the charaderiftic of their nation ; and as they always made up the bulk of the people, even after thefe had changed mailers, the example of their decent manners was imitated by all the new colonifts brought amongd them by the conqueft. The Germans, compelled to take refuge in America by the perfecution which drove them out of the Palatinate, or from the other provinces of the empire, were naturally inclined to this fimple and modcft way of life; and the Engliili 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 expen- live and more familiar than that which is regulated oy fdfhion and parade. What lias been the confequence,? That the colony has never run in debt with the mother country; that it has by that means prefervcd an entire liberty in its kilea and purchafes, and been enabled always to give to its affairs the direction which has been moft ad- vantageous to them. Had the reprefentatives car- ried the fame principles into their adminiftration, the province would not have entered precipitately into engagements, the burden of which it already feels. Both the banks of Hudfon's river are laid out in tho plantations of the colony, which enliven and de- corate thefe borders. It is upon this magnificent canal, which is navigable day and night, in all fea- foHF, and where the tide runs up above a hundred and fixty miles in the land, that every thing which is intended for the general market is embarked in vef- fels of forty or fifty tons burden. The flaplc ilfelf, which is near the fea, is extremely well fituated for receiving all the merchandifc of the province, and all that comes from Long Island, which is only fepa- rated from the continent by a narrow channel. This i!K, U i ' (I ♦ '; '1 U^ : I J' iml ili I ',' 1 «4 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH Thl3 ifland, which takes Its name from Its figure, I:, one hundred and twenty miles in length by twelve in breadth. It was formerly very famous for the great number of whales and fea-calves taken in its neigh- bourhood ; but whether it is that the frequent filh- erles have driven away thefe animals> which generally feck quiet feas and defcrt fliores^ they have difap- pcared, and another branch of induftry has been found to fupply their lofs. As the paftures are mod excellent, the breeding of all kinds of cattle, and particularly horfes, has been much attended to, without negleftlng any other branch of cultivation. All thefe different riches flow to the principal mar- ket, which is alfo increafed by productions brought froiii a (greater diftance. Some T)art8 of New En?- land and New Jerfey find their account in pouring their {lores into this magazine. This mart is a very confidcrable town, \^hich at prefent has the fame name as the colony, and is call- ed New York. It was formerly built by the Dutch, vJio gave it the name of New Amftcrdam, in an ifland called Manahatton, which is fourteen leagues long and not very broad. In 1 756, its population amounted to 10,468 whites, and 2,275 uc^g>'*^^s. There Is not any town where the air is better, or where there is a more general appearance of eafe and plenty. Both the public edifices and private houfcs convey the idea of folidity united to convenience. If the city, however, were attacked wlthvigour, it would hardly hold out twenty-four hours, having no other defence of the road or the town except a bad fort and a flonc retrenchment. New York, which ftands at the diflance of about two miles from the mouth of Hudfon's river, has, properly fpeaking, neither port or bafon ; but it does not want either, becaufe its road is fufiicient. It is from thence that 250 or 300 fliips arc difpatched every year for the different ports of Europe and A- mcrica. England receives but a fm.all part of thcm> but they are the richtfl, becaufe they arc thofe whofc cargo SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. 8j cargo confifts in furs and beaver fl3 ! ■"' mi '*, ■ ■ 98 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH This virtuous Icgiflator made toleration the bafis of his focicty. He admitted every one who acknow- ledged a God to the rights of a citizen, and made every Chriftlan eligible to ftate employments. But he left every one at lil)erty to invoke the Supreme Being as he thought proper; zjnd neither cftablillied a reigning church in l^enfylvania, nor cxatf^ed con- tribi^iions for building places of public worfliip, nor compelled any perfons to attend them. Jealous of immortalizing his name, he veiled in Ills family the right of nominating the chief govcr- nor of the colony : but he ordained that no profits fhould be annexed to his employment, except fuch as were volu-ntarily granted ; and that he fhould have no authority without the concurrence of the deputies of the people. All the citizens, wh® had an interefl in the law, by having one in the circumftance the Jaw was intended to regulate, were to be eleftors and might be chofen. To avoid as much as pofiible every kind of corruption, it was ordained that the reprefentatives fhould be chofen by fuffrages private- ly given. To eftablifb a law, a plurality of voices was fufficient ; but a majority of two thirds was ne* ceflary to fettle a tax. Such a tax as this was cer- tainly more like a free gift than a fubfidy demanded by government; but was it pofTible to grant Icfs in- dulgences to men who were come fo far in fearch of peace ? Such was the opinion of that real philofophcr Pcnn. He gave a thoufand acres to all thofe who could afford to pay twenty pounds for them. Every one who could not, obtained for himfelf, his wife, each of his children above fixtecn years, and each of his fervants, fifty acres of land, for the annual quit-rent of about one penny per acre. To fix thefe properties for ever, he eftablifhed tri- bujials to protc8: the laws made for the prefervation of property. But it is not protefting the property of lands to make thofe who are in poffeffion of them purchafe the law that feeures thera ; for; in that cafe, one SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. 99' one Is obliged to give away part of one's property in order to fccare the reft ; and law, in protefs of time, exhauft* the very treafures it fhould prefcr"e, and the very property it (hould defend. Left any perfon fhould be found whofe intereft it might be to encou- rage or prolong law-fiiits, he forbade, under very ftricl penalties, all thofe who were engaged in the adminiftration of juftlce, to receive any falary or gra- tification whatfoever. And further, every dlftridl was obliged to chufe three arbitrators whofe bufinefs it was to endeavour to prevent, and make up, any difputcs that might happen, before they were carried into a court of juftice. This attention to prevent law-fuits fprang from the defirc of preventing crimes. All the lavt's, that they might have no vices to punifti, were directed to put a (tap to them even in tl 'jlr very fourccs, poverty and idlenefs. It was enafted, that every child above twelve years old ftiould be obliged to learn a profef- iion, let his condition be what it would. This regu- lation, at the fame time that it fecurcd the poor maa a fubfiftence, furnifhcd th« rich man with a refource againft every rcverfe of fortune ; and preferved the natural equality of mankind, by recalling to every man's remembrance his original deftination, which is that of labour either of the mind or of the body. Such primary inftitutions wruld be neceflarily produftlve of an excellent Icgiflation ; and accord- ingly the advantages of that eftabliftied by Pcnn ma- nifefted itfelf in the rapid and continued profperity of Pcnfylvania, which, without either wars, or con- quefts, or ftruggles, or any of thofe revolutions which attraft the eyes of the vulgar, foon became an objcft fit to excite the admiration of the whole univerfe. Its neighbours, notwithftanding their favage ftatc, were foftened by the fweetnefs of its manners ; and diftant nations, notwithftanding their corruption, paid homage to its virtues. All were delighted ta fee thofe heroic days of antiquity realized, which Eu- ropean manners and laws had long taught every one to con fid er as entirely fabulous. I 2 5^. Extent^ loo HISTORY OF THE BRITISH It 3. Extent, elimatCi and foil t §f Penfyhania, Its profpertty, Pensylvania is defended to the eaft by the ocean, to the north by New York and New Jerfey, to the fouth by Virginia and Maryland, to 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 njiJes ; and the breadth of it, which has no other li- mits than its population and culture, already com- prehends T45 miles. The iky of the colony is pure and ferenc j the climate, very wholcfome of itfclf, has been rendered ftill more fo by cultivation ; the waters, equally falubrious and clear, always flow up- on a bed of rock or fand ; the year is tempered by the regular return of the feafons. Winter which be- gins in the month of January, lafts till the end of March. As it is feldom accompanied with clouds or fogs, the cold is, generally fpeaking, moderate; fometimcs, however, {harp enough to freeze the larg- cft rivers in one night. This revolution, which is as fhort as it is fudden, is occafioned by the north- weft winvJs, which blow from the mountains and lakes of Canada. The fpring is ufhered in by foft rains, and by a gentle heat which increafes gradually till the end ot June. The heats of the dog days would be infuppor table, were it not for the refrcfhing breezes of the fouth weft wind; but this fuccour, though pretty conftant, fometimes. expofes them to hurricanes that blow down whole forefta and tear up trees by the roots, cfpecially in the neighbourhood of the fea, where they are moft violent. The three au- tumnal months arc commonly attended with no other inconvenience but that of being too rainy. Though the country is unequal, it is not lefs fer- tile. The foil in fome places confifts of a yellow black fand, in others It is gravelly, and fometimes it i» a greyi{h aih upon a ftony bottom ; generally fpeaking, i\ " \ i4 SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. loi fpeakin^^', it is a rich earth, particularly between thi rivulets, which, interfering it in all dircdllons, con- tribute more to the fertility of the country than na- vigable rivers would. When the Europeans firfl came Into the country, they found nothing in it btit wood for building, and iron mines. In procefs of time, by cutting do\!n the trees, and clearing the ground, they covered it with innumerable herds, with a great variety of fruits, with plantations of flax and hemp, with many kinds of vegetables, with every fort of grain, and efpeclally with rye and maize ; which a happy experience had fhewn to be particularly proper to the climate. Cul- tivation was carried on in all part« with fuch vigour and fuccefs as excited the aftoniihment of all na« tions. From whence could arlfe this extraordinary pro- fpcrity ? From that civil and religious liberty whicli has attracted the Swedes, Dutch, French, and parti- cularly fome laborious Germans, into that country. It has been the joint work of Quakers, Anabaptifts, Church- of- England men. Methodifts, Prcfbyterlana, Moravians, Lutherans, and Catholics. Among the numerous fefts which abound In this country, a very diftinguiflied one is that of the Dum- plers. It was founded by a German, who difgufted with the world, retired to an agreeable folitude within fifty miles of Philadelphia, in order to be more at liberty to give himfelf up to contemplation. Curl- ofity brought feveral of his countrymen to vilit his re- treat ; and by degrees his pious, limple, and peace-: able manners induced them to fettle near him, and they all formed a little colony, whicli they called Euphrates, in allufion to the Hebrews, who ufed to fmg pfalms on the borders of that river. This little city forms a triangle, the outfides of which are bordered with mulbery and apple trees, planted with regularity. In the middle of the town is a very large orchard ; and between the orchard aad thefe ranges of trees are houfes, built of wood, I 3 three I'M 1m i' hS }!• t' 111 '»f , 1 i 1l '* I 1 1 ■ 102 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH I three (lories high, where every Dumpier is left ts ciijyy ihc plcafurcs of his meditations without dillur- bance. Thcfe contemplative men do not amount to above five hundred in all ; their territory is about 250 acres in extent, the boundaries of which arc 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 afTemblies of any kind but for public bufincfs. Their life is taken up in labour, prayer, and flecp. Twice every day and night they are called forth from their cells, to attend divine fcr- vice. Like the Methodilts and Quakers, every indi- vidual among them poffrfles the right of preaching when he thinks himfelf infpired. The favourite fub- je£ls on which ihey love to difcourfe in their aflem- blies, are humility, temperance, chaility, and the other Chriftian virtues. They never violate the red of the Sabbath, which is fo much the delight of labo- rious as well as idle men. They admit a hell and a paradifc ; but rejt^l the eternity of future punifli- jnents. The doctrine of original lin is with them an impious hlafphemy which they abhor, and in ge- neral every tenet cruel to man appears to them injuria ous to the Divinity. As they do not allow merit to any but voluntary works, they adminifter baptifm on- ly to the adult. At the fame time they think bap- tifm fo effentially necefTary to falvation, iliat they imagine the fouls of Chrirtians in another world are employed in converting thofe who have not died un- der 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 being expofed to any retaliation, or even any complaint from them. Religion has the fame effeft on them that phiiofophy had upon the Stoics ; it makes them infcnfible to every kind of infult. Nothing can be plainer than their drcfs. Jo win- SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. lo tcr, it c- iHUa of a long white gown, from whence there hangs a hood to ferve inltcad of a iiat, a coarfc ftiirt, thick flioes, and very wide breeches. There is no great difference in funnmer, only thai linen is ufed inllcad of woolen. The women are drcffed much like the men except the breeches. Their common food is only vegetable, not becaufc it is uniaw£Ltl to make ufe of any other, but becaufe that kind of abftmence ii looked upon as more con- formable to the fpirit of Chriftianity, which has an averfion for blood. Each individual follows with cheerfulnefs the branch of bufinefs allotted to him. The produce of all their labours is depofited into a common ftock, in order to fupply the ntccITities of every one. Befidea the cultivation, manufadlures, and all the arts neceffary to the little focicty, which arc thus produced by united induftry, it affords a fuperfluous part for exchanges proportioned to the population. Though the two fexcs live feparate at Euphrates, the Dumplcrs do not on that account fooliihly re- nounce matrimony. But thofe who find themfelves dirpofcd to it, leave the city, and form an eftabliHi- ment in the country, which is fupported at the public expence. They repay this by the produce of their labourS; which is all thrown intvi the public treafury, and their children are fent to be educated in the mother country. Without this wife privilege, the Dumplers would be nothing more than monks, and in procefs of time would become either favages or libertines. What is moft edifying, and at the fame time moft extraordinary, is, the harmony that fubfifta between all the fe^s eftabliihed in Pcnfylvania, notwithdand- ing; the difference of thtir rellgiouB opinions. The' they arc noA 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 brothers, b^caufc they had the liberty of thinking as men. It is to this delightful harmony that muft be attributed more particularl;^ the rapid progrefs of the colony. At iiyiif.il:.. : 104 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH At the beginning of the year [766 its population amounted to 150,000 white people. The number muft have been confiderably increafed from that pe- riod, fincc it is doubled every fifteen years, according to Mr Franklin's calculations. There wercftill thirty thoufand blacks in the province, who met with lefs ilUufage in this province than in the others, but who were Itill exceedingly unhappy. A circumftance, however, not eafily believed, is, that the fubjedlion of the negroes has not corrupted the morals of their mailers ; their manners are dill pure, and even au- ftere, in Penfylvania. Is this Angular advantage to be afcribcd to the climate, the laws, the religion, the emulation conftantly fubfiiling between the different feds, or to fomc other particular caufe I Let the reader determine this queilion. The Penfylvanians are in general well made, and their women of an agreeable figure. As they fooner become mothers than in Europe, they fooner ceafc breeding. If the heat of the climate fcems on the one hand to haften the operations of nature, its in- conftancy weakens them on the other. There is no place where the temperature •f the flcy is more un- certain, 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 dcftroy the harvcfts, there is a conftant plenty, and an univerfal appearance of eafe. The oec©nomy which is fo par- ticularly attended to in Penfylvania doe& not prevent both fexcs from being well clethed ; and their food is ftill preferable in its kind to their clothing. The families, whofe circumflances are the lead eafy, have all of them bread, meat, cyder, beer, and rum. A very great number are able to afford to drink con- ftantly French and Spanifh wines, punch, and even liquors of a higher price. The abufe of thefe ftrong drinks is lefs frequent than in oiKcr places, but is not without example. The pleafing view of this abundance is never dif- turbed SETTLEiMENTS IN AMERICA. 105 urbcci by the melancholy fight of poverty. There are no poor in all Penfylvania. All ihofc whofc birth or fortune have left them without refourccs, are fiiftably provided for out of the public treafury The fpirit of benevolence is carried ftill farther, and ii ex- tended even to the mod engaging hofpitality. A traveller is welcome to (lop in any place, without the apprehenfions of giving the Icaft uneafy fcnfa- lion, except that of regret for Iiia departure. The happincfs of the colony is not difturbed by the oppreflive burden of taxes. In 1766, they did not amount to more than 12,256/. 2s. 6ng in private families whiM ihey are in a (late ncircll to that of nature. It is not the dying maa himfelf who exadtd ihefc honours ; it is lus parents, his wife, his children, who voluntarly pay them to the afhcs of a hulband and father that has dcfervcdto be lamented. Thefe ceremonies have always more nunnerous attendants in fmall focieties than in larger ones ; bccaiife, though there are fewer families upon the whole, the number of individuals there is much larger, and all the ties that conne Ji .' I,' I I! ! ii I' I I J 108 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH leather, furs, linfecd oil, marts and yards ; for whicli it returns thread, wool, fine cloths, tea, IrilTi and India linens, hardware, and other articles of luxury or nccelCty. As thefc, however, amount to a much greater fum than what it buys, Britain may be confidered as a gulph in which all the metals Pen- fylvania has drawn from the other parts of the world are funk again. In 1 723, Britain fent over goods to Penfylvania only to the value of 10,93 7/. ^^•^' '^^^ prefcnt fne furnifhes to the amount of 437,500/. This fum is too confidcrable for the colonics to b: able to pay it, even in depriving themfelves of all the gold they draw from other markets ; and this Jnabliity mufl continue as long as the improvement of their cul ures fhali require more confiderable ad- vances ihan tlicir produce yitlds. Other colonies ivhtch enjoy alnoft exclufively fome branches of trade, fucli as rice, tobacco, and indijjo, mufl have pro\vn rich very rapidly. Penfylvania, whofe riches are founded en agiiculture and the increafe of her flocks, will acquire them more gradually ; but her profperity will be fixed upon a more firm and permanent bafis. If any circumftance can retard the progrefs of the colony, it mud be the irregular manner in v^^iich the plantations are formed. Penn's family, who are the proprietors of all the lands, grant them in- difcriminate'y in all parts, and in as large a propor- tion as they arc required, provided they are paid 6/. 11/. 3^. for each hundred acres, and that the purchafers agree to give an annual rent of about one halfpenny. The confequence of this is, that the province wants that fort of conne£llon which is ne- cefiary in all things, and that the fcattered inhabi- tants eafily become the prey of the moll infigniii- cant enemy that will venture to attack them. The habitations are cleared in different ways ia the colony. Sometimes a huntfman will fettle in the midft of a foreit, or quite clofe to it. His neareil neighbours affill him in cutting down tr?;es, and heap- ing them up one over another : and this conftltutea a '■511'' SETTLEMENTwS IN AMERICA. ic^ ahoufe« Around this fpot he cultivates, wlihout any aflillaiice, a garden or a field, fufficieut to fub- rut liimfelf and his family. A fi?w years after the firft labours were finifhed, fome more adtive and richer men arrived from the jnoth^r country. They paid the huntfman for his pains, and agreed with the proprietors of the pro- vinces for fome lands that had not been paid for. They built more commodious habitations, and clear- ed a greater extent of territory. At length fome Germans, who came into the new world fi^om inclination, or were driven into it byper- LcLitlon, completed thefc fettlements that were as yet unfinLihed. The firfl and fecond order of plant- ers removed their induHry into other parts, with a more confiderable (lock for carrying on their culturei than they had at f^rft. The annual exports of Penfylvania may be valued at 25. coo toFiS. it receives four hundred fliips, and Ills out about an equal number. They all, or alraoll all, come into Philadelphia., which is the capita], from whence they are alfo difpatched. Thij famous city, whofe very name recalls ever^ humane feeling, is fituated at the conflux of the De- laware and the Schuylkill, about 120 railes from the fea. Pcnn, who dell incd it for the metropolis of a threat empire, defigncd it to be one mile In breadth, and two in length between the rivers ; but its popu- laiion has proved infufncient to cover this extent of ground. Hitherto they have built only upon the ijanl^ws of the Delaware ; br.t without givijng up the ideas of the legiflator, or deviating frora his plan. Thefe precautions are highly proper : Philadel- phia mull became the moll confiderable city of A- inerica, becaufe it is impoffible that the colony fhould not improve greatly, and its produdlous muft paf* through the harbour of the capital before they arrive at the fea. The ftreets of Philadelphia, which are all regular, are in general fifty feet broad ; the two principM ones arc a hundred. On each fuk of K. ihcm. mvf m ' ■< ■' ! . il ;: I no HISTORY OF THE BRITISH them, there are foot-paths, guarded by ports placed at different diftances. The houfes, each of which has its garden and orchard, are commonly two Hories high ; and are built either of brick, or of a kind of foft ftone, which grows hard by being expofed to the air. Till very lately the walls had but little thick- nefs, bccaufc they were only to be covered with a very light kind of wood. Since the difcovery of ilatc quarries, the walls have acquired a folidity propor- tioned to the weight of the new roofs. Theprefent buildings have received an additional decoration from a kind of marble of different colours, which is found about a mile out of the town. Of this they make ta- bles, chimney-pieces, and other houfhold furniture: befides which it is become a pretty confidcrable ob- je(R of commerce with the greatefl part of America. Thefe valuable materials could not have been commonly found in the houfes, if they had not been laviflied in the churches.- Every fe6l has its own church, and fome of them have feveral. The town-houfe is a building held in as much ve- neration, though not fo much frequented, as the churches. It is conftrufted in the raoft fumptuoiis magnificence. It is there that the legiflators of the colony aflemble every year, and more frequently, if neccffary, to fettle every thing relative to public bu- finefs ; the whole of which is fubmltted to the au- thority of the nation in the perfons of its reprefen- tatives. Next to the town-houfe is a moft elegant library, which owes its cxiftcncc to the care of the learned Doftor Franklin. In it are found the beft Englifh, French, and Latin authors. It is only- open to the public on Saturdays. Thofe who have founded it have a free accefs to it the whole year. The reft pay a trifle for the loan of the books, and a forfeit if they are r^ot returned in due time. This little fund conllantly accumulating, is appropriated to the increafe of the library ; to Avhich have been late- ly added, in order to make it more ufeful, fome mathematical and philofophical inftruraents> with a very fine cabinet of natural hiflory. The \^ti'^\.h SETTLEMENrS IN AMERICA.' iii The college, which is intended to prepare the mind for the attainment of al! the fciences, was found- ed in 1749. At firft, it only initiated the youth in the Belles Lettr«s. In i 764. a clafs of medicine was ellablifhcd there. Knowledge of every kind and a- dcpts in the fciences will increafe in proportion as the lands, which are become their patrimony, fhall yield a greater produce. If ever defpotifm, fuper- llition, or war, iliould plunge Europe again into that ilate of barbarifm from whence philofophy and the arts have drawn it, the facred fire will be kept alive in Philadelphia, and come from thence to enlighten ;he world. This city is amply fupplied with every afliflance human nature can require, and v/ith all the refources induftry can m«ke ufe of. Its keys>, the principal of which is two hundred feet wide, prcfent a fuite of convenient warehoufes and rccefles iiigcnioufly contrived for fhip -building. Ships of five hundred tons may land there without any dif- ficulty, except in the times of froft. There they load the merchandife which has cither come down the Schuylkill and Delaware, or along roads better than arc to be met with in moft parts of Europe. Police has made a greater progrefs in this part of the new world, than among the moft ancient nations of the old. It is impolTiblc to determine precifely the po- pulation of Philadelphia, as tb.e bills of mortality are not kept with any exad^nefs, and there are fcveral fc(fts who do not chriftcn their children. It appears . a fad, however, that in 1766 it contained twenty thoufand inhabitants. As moft of them are employ- ed in the fale of the produ6lions of the colony, and ia fupplying it with what they draw from abroad, it is impoflible that their fortunes fhould not be very conliderable ; and they muft increafe ftill further, in proportion as the cultivation advances in a country where hitherto not above one fixth of the land has been cleared, Philadelphia, as well as Newcaftle apd theolhef lUles of Penfylvania, is entirely open. The whole K 2 country t 'i. i-hi \:tl )r'.i'[ ■»* ■ ^i ^nro, M ^ J 12 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH country is equally without defence. This is a ne> cefl'ary confequcnce of the principles of the Quakers, who have always maintained the principal influence in the public deliberations, though they do not form above one third part of the population of the colony, Thefe fc6\aries cartnot be too much favoured on ac« count of theirmodefty, probity, ^oveof labour, and be- nevolence. One might, perhaps, be tempted to accufc their legiflation of imprudence and temerity. When they cllablifhed that civil liberty which pro- te£ls one citizen from another, ought not the found- crs of the colony to have taken fomc pain* for the maintainaiice of political liberty alfo, which protefts one ilate from the encroachments of another ? The authority which exerts itfclf to maintain peace and good order at home, feems to have done nothing if it has not prevented invafion from abroad. To pre- tend that the colony would never have any enemies, was to fnppofe the world peopled with Qiiakers. It was encouraging the ftrong to fall upon the weak, leaving the lamb to the mercy of the wolf, and giv- ing up all the country to the oppreffive yoke of the ftril tyrant who (hould ihink proper to fubdue it. But, on the other hand, how ftvali we reconcile the ilriflnefs of the gofpel maxims, by which the Quakers arc literally governed, with that appearance of force, either for ciFence or defence, which puts all ChriRian nations in a continual ilate of war with each other? Belides, what could the French or the Spani- ards do if they were to enter Peniylvania fv^ord in hand ? Unlef« they fliould deftroy in one night, or in ©ne day, all the inhabitants of that fortunate region, they would not be able to cut off the race of thofe mild and charitable men. Violence has its bounda- ries in its very excefs ; it confunics and extinguifhea itfclf, as the fire in the aOies that feed it. But vir- tue, when guidtd by humanity and brotherly love, reanimates itfclf as the tree Under the edge of the pruning knife. Wicked men ftand in need of nmn bcri SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. 113 bcrs to execute their fanguinary projc(£ls. But the juft man, or the Qu^aker, requires only a brother from v-hom he may receive, or to whom he may give, afiillance. Let. then, the warlike nations, people who are either flaves or tyrants, go into Penfylvania : there they will find all avenues open to them, all pro- perty at their difpofal; not'a lingle foldier, but num- bers of merchants and farmers. But if they arc tor- mented, reftraincd, or opprefTed, they will fly, and leave their lands uncultviated, their manufa(5lurc3 dc- ftroyed, and their ware-houfcs empty. They will go and cultivate, and fpread population in fome new land ; they will go round the world, and expire in their progrefs rather than turn their arms againit their purfuers, or fubmit to bear their yoke. Their enemies will have acquired nothing but the hatred of mankind and the curfes of pofterity. It is upon this profpeft and on this forcfight, that the Penfylvanians have founded the opinion of their future fecurity. At prefent they have nothing to fear from behind, fincc the French have loft Cana- da ; and the flanks of the colony arc fufhciently co- vered by the Britifh fettlements As for the reft, as they do not fee that the moft warlike ftates arc the moil durable ; or that miftruft, which is always awake, makes them reft In greater quiet; or that there is any kind of fatisfaftion in the enjoyment of that which is held with fo much fear; they live for the prefent mo- ment, without any thought of a future day. Per- haps, too, they may think themfelves fecured Vythofe very precautions that are taken in the colonies that furround them. One of the barriers or bulwarks that preferves Penfylvania from a maritime invafion to which it is expofed, is Virginia. I': y •■. i'Sii n <> n- K3 CHAP. (^ 111 114 HISTOHY Of THE BftlTISH CHAP. II. Of Virginia and Maryland. I > 1 I ! I . Wretched J} ate of Virginia at its frft fettUment, \1 IRGINIA, wlu'ch was intended to denote all that extenfivc fpace which the Engh'fii propo- fed to occupy in the continent of North America, ia at I relent confined within mucli narrower Hniitss. It now comprehends only that country which n hounded to the north by Maryland, to the fonlh by Carolina, to the welt by the Apalachian mountains, and to the rail by the ocean. This fpace contains two hundred and forty miles in length, and two hundred in breadth. It was in 1606 that the Englifli firft landed at Virginia; and there firil fettleraent was Jame«-Town. Unfortunately the firll objeft that prefented itfelf to them was a rivulet, which, ifluing from a fand'haok, drew after it a quantity of talc, which glittered at the bottom of a clear and running water. In an age when gold and filvcr mines were the only obje<^s of mens re- fcarches, this dcfpicable fubttance wag imm.ediately taken for filver. Every other labour was inftantly fti/pcnded to acquire it. And the illulion was fo complete, that two (hips, which had arrited 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 in- fatuation lafted, the colonifls difdained to employ themfclvcs in c^ea-. ing the lands ; fo that a dreadful famine wasat lall the confequence of this foolifh pride. *:ixty men only remained alive out of five hundred that had come from Europe. Thefe fcAV, h'.v'-ig only a fortni;^ht''s provifion left, were upon the point i^f embarK-ing for Newfoundland, when lord Delaware crrived there with three ihips, a ir<:^ colony, and fu^plies of all kinds. HiiVory t % ■d:i " SETTLIMElsrTS IN AM'^.RICA. ii^ ^iftory has dffci'bed this nobl'mnn to nq ai Jl inar whole ji« nius raiftd 'ilm above the common pre- judices of the times. His difiiitereftelnefs was equal to Ins knowledge. In accejuing the gnvtrn nent of the colony, which was fUll in it^ infancy, his only motives had been to gratify the inclination a virtuous mind has to do good, and to fecure the eftcem of pof- terity, which h the fccond reward of that generofity that devotes itfelf totally to the fervicc jf the public. As foon as he appeared, the knowledge of his cbarac* ter procured him univerfil refpe6l. He beiran by en- deavouring to reconcile the wretched colonifts to their fatal country, to comfort them in :heir fufferings, to make them hope for a fpcedy concUifion of them. Af- ter this, joining the firmnefs of an enlightned magiftrate TO the tendernefs of a good father, he taught them how to dircfl their labours to an ufefnl end. Fof the misfortune of the reviving colony, Delawiirc'a de- clining health foon obliged tiim to return to Europe ; but he never loft fight of his favourite colonilts, 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 cirCnmilance that was attributed to the oppreffion of oiclufive privileges. The company which exevcifed them was diflblved up- on Charles T.'s acceffion to the throne ; and from that time Virginia was under the immediate direftion of the crown, which exa^^ed no more than a rent of 2 s. upon every hundred acres that were cultivated. Till this moment the colonifts had known no true Enjoyment of property. Every Individual wandered where chance directed him, or fixed hinifelf in the place he liked beft, without confulting any titles or agree- ments. \t length, boundaries were afcertained ; and thofe Vvlio had been fo long wanderers, now become citizen«"5, had determined limits to their plantations. The cftab ifliment of this firft law of fociety changed the appearance of every thing. New buildings arofc en all fides, and were fnrroundeJ by frcfh cultivations. This aftivity dn,w great numbers of entcrprifing men ever to Virginia, who came in feurch cither of fortune, mm mi ii6 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH or of liberty, which is the only compenfatiari for the want of it. The memorable troubles that produced a change in the conflitution of England added to thefc a multitude of Royalifts, who went there with a refo- lution to wait with Berkley, the governor of the co- lony, who was alfo attached to king Charles, the de- cilion of that dcferted monarch's fate. Berkley ilill continued toprotedl them, even after the king's death ; but fome of the inhabitants, either feduced or intimi- dated, and feconded by the approach of a powerful fleet, delivered up the colony to the ProteAor. If the governor was compelled to follow the ftrcam a- gainit his will, he was at lead, among thofe whom Charles had honoured with pofts of confidence and rank, the laft who fubmitted to Cromwell, and the lirft who fhook off his yoke. This brave man was finking under the oppreflion of the times, when the voice of the people recalled him to the place which bis fucceffor's death had left vacant ; but far from yielding to thefe flattering folicitations, he declared that he never would fcrve any but the legitimate heirs ef the dethroned monarch. Such an example of magnanimity, at a time when there were no hopes of the reftoration of the royal family, made fuch an impreflion upon the minds of the people, that Charles II. was proclaimed in Virginia before he had been proclaimed in England. The colony did not, however, receive all the be- nefit from fuch a flep which might naturally have been expedled from it. Whilft the courts on one hand, granted to rapacious men of family exorbi- tant privileges, which fwallowed up the proper - tics of feveral obfcure colonifts ; the parliament, on the other, laid exccflive taxes upon both the ex- ports from and imports to Virginia. This double oppreflion drained all the refources and difpelled all the hopes of the colony ; and, to complete ita mif- fortune, the favages, who had never been fufficiently carcflcd, took that opportunity to renew their incur- iions with a fpirit and uniformity of defign that had Hcvcr beea yet known. Suoh ll-'l. ifiiSA^h SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA, uj Such a complication of misfortunes drove th« Virginians to defpair. Berkley, who had fo long been their idol, was accufed of wanting fortitude to icfift the opprefiions of ihc mother country, and activity to repel the irruptions of the favagcs. The cyts of all were immediaitly fixed upon Bacon, a young officer, full of vivacity, eloquence, and in- trepidity, of an infinuatiiig difpofition and an agree- able perfon. They chofe him for their general in a;) irregular and tumultuous manner. Though his military fucceffes might have juftlfied this prepoffef- fjon of the licentious multitude, yet this did not pre- vent the governor from declaring Bacon a traitor to his country. A fentence fo feverc, and which waft imprudent at the time, determined Bacon to affiimc a power by force which he had excrcifcd peaceably and without oppofition for fix months. His death put a (lop to all his proj.dls. Twe maleconienta, difLinited by the death of their chief, and intimi- dated by the troops which were coming from Eu- rope, ,were induced to fue for pardon, which was readily granted them. The rebellion, therefore, was attended with no bad confequences. Mercy in- fjred obedience; and fince that remarkable crifis, the hlllory of Virginia has been confined to the account of its plantations. *'i. i\ 2, Adininlftraiion of Virginia, This great ellabliiliment was governed at the be- ginning by perfons placed at the head of it by the company. Virginia afcrwards attracted the atten- tion of the mother country ; which in. 1620 gave it a regular form of government, compofed of a chief, a council, and deputies from each county ; to whofe united care the ijiierells of the province were com- mitted. At fi\ il, the council and reprefentatives of the people ijfed to meet in the fame room : but in 1689 they divided, and had each their feparate chamber^ is . :i : y * n8 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH 4' ii in imitation of the parliament of England. Tliij cuftom has been continued ever fince. The governor, who is always appointed by the king, and for an unlimited period, has the fole dil". pofal of the regular troops, the militia, and of all military employments, as well as the power of ap. proving or rejc<^Ing whatever laws are propofed by the general alFcmbly. Befides this, with the con- currence of the council, to which he leaves very lit- tle power in other matters, he may either prorogue or entirely diflblve this kind of parliament : he chufcs all magiftrates, and all the collectors of the revenue ; he alienates the unoccupied lands in a manner fuitable to the eftabliflied forms, and difpofes of the public treafure. So many prerogatives, which lead on to ulurpation, render government more arbitrary at Vir- ginia than it is in the more northern colonics ; they frequently open the door to oppreffion. The council is compofed of twelve members, created either by letters patent, or by particular or- der from the king. When there happen to be lefs than nine in the country, the governor chufes three out of the principal inhabitants to make up the number. They form a kind of uppe^-houfe, and are at the fame time to affid the adminiihation, and to counteraft tyranny They have alfo the power of rejefting all afls paficdin the lower houfe. The fa- l^ries of the whole body amount to no more than 384/. 10/. 10^/. halfpenny. 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 one, which make up in all 52. Every inhabitant pof- fefled of a freehold, except only women and minors, has the right of eleftion, and that of being elefted. Though there is no time fixed by law for holding the general affembly, it commonly meets either once a year, or once in every two years ; and the meeting is very feldom deferred till three. The frequency of ihefe meetings is infallibly kept up by the precaution of :M\%i .SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. up ©r granting fuppUcs only for a fhort tinrjc. All adls naficJ in the two lioufcs mull be fcnt orcr to the fo- vercign, to receive his fandlion ; but till that re- turns, they are always in force> when they have been approved by the governor. The public revenues of Virginia are collcfted from different fources, and appropriated in different man- ners. Th€ tax of 1/. I Ft/, halfpenny upon every quintal of tobacco ; that of 14/. Q)d. per ton, which every vclfgl f'jll or empty is obliged to pay at its re- turn from a voyage ; that of 9/. lod, a-head exafl- cd from all paifcngers, flaves as well as free men, upon their arrival in the colony j the penalties and forfeitures appointed by different afts of the pro- vince ; the duty upon both the lands and perfonal eilates of thofe who leave no legitimate heir ; thefe different articles, which together amount to 3,062/. 10/. are to be employed in tlie current expences of the colony, according to the dirc(ftion of the gover- nor and the council. The general affembly has nothing more to do in this matter but to audit the accounts. This affembly, however, has rcfefved to itfelf the fole difpofition of the funds raifed for extraorjiinary fervices, Thefe arife from a duty of entrance upon ftrong liquors, from one of 19/. 8 ihem. So good a fyftem did not continue long ; in 1692 all ihe ftatules and formalities of ilie mother country wtre adopted, and all the chicanery of it ua» introduced along with them. Since that time every county hat its diUinrM m ■ ^1 .' \ (M ^ 1 f 5 i ' ,^oS^^ ^^«''l)h^ fm n 130 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH four, and even fix months in completing their cargo. This delay arifes from feveral very evident cauft s. Firft, as there are no magazines or general receptacles for the tobacco, it is n.ecefPary to go and fetch It from the feveral plantations. 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 upon one bottom. In fhort, as the price of the freight is fixed, and is always the fame whether the articles are ready for embarkation or not, the planters wait till they are prefled by the captains themfelves to haften the exportation. All thefe feveral reafons are the caufe why veflels only of a moderate fize are ge- nerally employed upon this fervice. The larger they would be, the longer time they would be detained in America. Virginia always pays i /. 19^. 4^. halfpenny freight for every barrel of tobacco, and Maryland only 1 /. 14/. 5 ^farthing. This difference is owing to the lefs value of the mcrchandife, and to the greater expedition made in loading it. The Englifh merchant lofes by the carriage, but it is made up to him by the commiflions. As he is always employed in all the fales and purchafes made for the colonlfta, he is amply compenfated for his lofTes and his trouble, by an allowance of five per cent, upon thefe commiflions. This navigation employs two hundred and fiftjr fhips, which make up 30,000 tons. They take In a hundred thoufand barrels of tobacco from the two colonics, which, at the rate of eight hundred pounds a-barrel, make eighty millions of pounds weight. That part of the commodity which grows between York and James rivers, and in fome other places, Is cxtemely dear ; but the whole taken upon an average fells only for about 2d, farthing a pound in England, which makes in all 738,284/. 5/. Befides the ad- vantage it is of to Britain to exchange its manufac- tures to the amount of. this fum, it gains another by the re exportatlop of four-fifths of the tobacco. This alone is an objeft of 442,968/. 15J. befides what Is to be reckoned for freight and commifTion. The "'^n!^' iiiw. heir cargo, ufes. Firft, iptacles for it from the T3 are able they were, fhole upon the freight the articles anters wait jmfelves to reafons are ize are gc- larger they detained in nny freight id only 1 /. ing to the he greater h merchant him by the in all the e is amply le, by an iflions. and fifty y take in the two Jed poundb Is weight. between places, is n average lEngland, Is the ad- jmanufac- (other by :o. This what is SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. 131 The cuftom-houfe duties are a ftlll more confidc- irible obj<;(ft to government. There is a tax of about 6d. farthing upon every pound of tobacco that enters the kingdom. This, fiipp ling the whole eighty millions of pounds imported to remain in it, would bring the ftate 2,078, 124/. ijj.t^d, three farthings ; but as four fifths are re-exported, and all the dutiea .lie remitted upon that portion, the public revenue gains only 831,250/. los. id. farthing. Experi- ence teaches, that a third of this mud be deducted for prompt payment of what the merchant has a right to be eighteen months in paying, and to allow for the fmuggling that is carried on in the fmall ports aj well as in the large ones. Thig dedu<5lion will amount to 27 7? 084/. 2 r. 11^. farthing, and there will Gonfequcntly remain for government no more than 554, 168/. 16/. 4^. half-penny. Notvvithftanding thefe lad abufes, Virginia and Maryland are much more advantageous t® Great Britain than the other northern colonics, more fo even than Carolina. CHAP. iir. Of Carolina, 1. Origlfu CAROLINA extends three hundred miles along the coaft, which is two hundred miles broad, as far as the Apalachian mountains. It was dif- covered by the Spaniards, foon after the firfl expe- ditions in the new world ; but as they found no gold there to fatisfy their avarice, they dcfpifed it. Ad- miral Coligny, with more prudence and ability, opened an afylum there to the induilry »f the French pro- ' I-, The ,:i:0>i.*- <». J-rJ *''*♦!' • IIIM. 5 134 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH |ity, but under new and unprecedented titles. Fur inllance, tlicy were to create in each county two Caciquto, each of whom was to be pofleircdof twenty four thoufand acres of land, and a Landgrave, who M-as to be pofTefTed of fourfcorc thoufand. The pcrfons «n whom thefe honours fhould be bellowed were to compofe the upper honfe ; and their poflefllon* were made unalicnablr, a ciicumltance totally inconfiftent with good policy. They had only the right of farming or letting out a third part of them at the moft for the continuance of ihiej lives. The lower houfe was formed of the deputies from the fevcral counties and towns. The number of this reprefcntative body was to be increafed in proportion as the colony grew more populous. No tenant was to pay more than one (hilling per acre, and even this rent was redeemable. All the inhabitants, however, both flaves and freemen, were under an obligation to take arms upon the iirft order they fhould receive from the Palatine Court. I\ was not long before the faults of a conftitution, in which the powers of the (late were (o unequally divided, began to difcover themfc'ves. The proprie- tary lords, influenced by defpotic principles, ufed every endeavour to eftabliih an arbitrary government. On the other hand, the colonids^ who were not igno- rant of the general rights of mankind, exerted theni- felves with equal zeal to avoid fervitude. From ihli llruggle of oppofite interefts arofe an inevitable con- fufion, which put a (lop to every uftful effort of induf- try. The whole province, diflradcd with quarrels, dif* fentions, and tumults, was rendered incapable of mak- ing any progrefs, /whatever improvements had been expelled from the peculiar advantages of its fituatioii. Nor were thefe evils fufficient : new ones arofe, as if a remedy could only be attained from an cxcc^fs of grievances. Granville, who, as the oldefl of the proprietors, vas in 1705, fole governor of the colony, formed the rcfolution of obliging all the non- conformifls, who made up two-thirds oi" the people,, to embrace the forms of worfhip ellabliflicd in Eng- land. al wl \\\ ,^<^M,: Mu<: SEFTLEMENrS IN AMERICA. 135 land. This aA of violence, though cllfavowcd and rcjc^^ed by tlic mother country, inflamed the minds of the people. In 1720, while tliis animofity was Aill prevailing, the province was attacked by feveral bands of favages, driven to defpair by a continued courfe of the motl attrocious iniolencc and injudice. Thofe unfortunate wretches were all conquered, and all put to the fword : but the courage and vigour which this war revived in the brcafts of the colonills was the prelude to the fall of their opprcflors. Thofe tyrants having rcfufed to contribute to the expencea of an expedition, the immediate benefits of which they claimed to themfelves, were all, excepting Carteret, who dill prefervcd one eighth of the coun- try, llripped in 1728 of their prerogatives, which they had only known how to make an ill ufc of. They received, however, 23,625 /. by way of com- pcnfation. From this time the crown refumed the government ; a^d in order to give the colony a forc- ufte of its moderation, bcftowed on it the fame con- ftitution as on others. It was further divided into two feparate governments, under the names of North and South Carolina, in order to facilitate the admini- ftration of it. It is from this happy period that the profpcrity of this great province is to be dated. is 3. Climate and produce. There is not, p'crhaps, throughout the new world, a climate to be compared with that of Carolina. The two feafons of the year, which, for the moil part, only moderate the exceffes of the two others, are here delightful. The heats of the fammer are not cxceflive ; 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 dif- perfcd before the middle of the day. But on the o- ther hand here, as well as in every other part almoll of America, the inhabitants are fubjedl to fuch fud- M 2 den ,Si|' w ■ II m ^*^»f»!'* Illu 'M\ J 36 HISTORY OF THE BRIIISH den and violent changes of weather, as oblige t\cin 10 obferve a regularity in their diet and clothing which would be unnccceffary in a more fettled climate. Another inconvenience, peculiar to this traft of the northern continent, is that of being tormented with hurricanes ; but thefe arc lefs frequent and lefa violent than in the iflands. A vait, melancholy, uniform^ unvaried plain ex- tends from the fea-fhore fourfcorc or a hundred miki within land. From this diftancc the country, be- ginning to rife, affords a more pleafing profpcdl, a purer and drier air. This part, before the arrival ot the Englifh, was covered with one iramenfe foreft, reaching as far as the Apalachian mountains. It confilled of large trees growing, as nature had cad them, without order or defign, at unequal diftanccs, iiud not encumbered with underwood ; by which means more land could be cleared l;iere in a week than in feveral months among us. The foil of Carolina is very various. On the coaft, and about the mouths of the rivers, which fall into the fea, it is either covered with impradlicable and unhealthful morafles ; or made up of a pale, light landy earth, which produces nothing. In one part, it is barren to an extreme ; in another, among the numberlefs dreams that divide the country, it is ex- cefli^-ely fruitful. At a dillance from the coaftj, ihcre yre found fometimes large waftes of white fand, which produce nothing but pines ; at others there are lands, where the oak and the walnut-tree an- nounce fertility. Thefe variations ceafe when you get into the inland parts, and the country every where is agreeable and rich. Admirably adapted as thefe fpots are for the pur- pofes of cultivation, the province does not want 0- thers equally favourable for the breeding of cattle. Thoufands of horned cattle are raifed here ; which go out in the morning, without a hcrdfman, to feed in the woods, and return home at night of their 4)wn accord, Thtir hogs, which arc fuffered to fat- ten .>U>li,^:-*i|iHi^ "'4 '»m\r-inu. SH >bllgc thcrn (i clothing cd climate, raft of the cnted with lefft violent d plain ex* idred milei Lintry, be* irofpcft, a the arrival lenfe foreft, ntains. It re had call 1 diftanccs, by which in a week n the coaft, :h fall into icable and ale, light i one part, among the I, it is ex* |hc coafti, hitc fand, ers there -tree an- hen you ry every the pur- want 0- )f cattle, which I, to feed of tlicii' id to fat- ten SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. 13; ten thcmfelves in the fame manner, are ftill more nu- merous and much better in their '.ind. But mutton degenerates there both in flefli and woel. For this reafon it is lefs common. In 1723, the whole colony eonfifted of no more than four thoufand white people, and thirty-two thoufand blacks. Its exportations to other parts of America and to Europe did not exceed 216,562 A 10/. Since that time it hath acquired a degree of fplendor which it owes intlrely to the enjoyment of liberty. South Carolina, though it hath fucceeded in cfta- blifhing a confiderable barter trade with the favages, hath gained a manufafture of linens by means of the French refugees, and invented a new kind of ftufFby mixing the filk it produces with its wool ; yet is its progrefs principally to be attributed to the produce of rice and indigo. The firft of thefe articles was brought there by an accident. A fhip, on its return from India, ran a- ground on this coaft. It was laden with rice ; which, being toffed on fhore by the waves, grew up again. This unexpe6lcd good fortune led them to try the cult: vation of a commodity ,fv^hich the foil feemed of itfelf i.0 require. Far a long time little progrefs was made iu it : becaufe the colonifts being obliged to fendthei) crops to the mother country, from whence they were fliipped agian for Spain and Portugal, where the confumption was, fold them at fo low a price that it fcarce anfwered the expenccs of cultiva- tion. Since i 730, when a more enlightened miniftry gave them permiffion to export and fell their grain themfelves at foreign markets, an increafe of profit has produced an additional growth of the commo- dity. The quantity is at prefent greatly augmented, and may be ftill more ; but whether fo much to the benefit of the colony, is doubtful. Qf all produ<5ti- ons, rice is the moil detrimental to the falubrity of the climate : at leaft, it hath been cfteemed foin the Milanefc, where the peafants on the rice-sjrounds arc '^ M3 r.n ,: :, 'l!.: il .^)i>J n.y ::■■ '►■ i. 1 1^ ■'];;' H H»M ■^:'! IP I', 4'. .' iff .«^l.«.r- 'iiiU;' -HU- 1^.8 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH lim ■! ji]] of them fallow compleAioned anddropfical; and in France, where that article hath been totally prohibited, Isgypt had without doubt its precautions againft the ill efFe<^s of a grain in other rcfpe£l3 fo nutritious. China mud alfo have its prefervatives, which art fcls lip againft nature, whofe favours are fometimes at» tended with pc rnicious confequcnces. Perhaps alfo vnder the torrid zone, where ric€ grows in the great- eft abundance, the heat, which makes it flouriflvin the midft of water, quickly diiperfco the moift and nox- ious vapours that exhale from the rice- fields. But if the cultivation of rice fhould one day come to be ne- glefted in Carolinia, that of iadigo will make ample amends for it. This plant, which is a native of Indoftan, was iirft brought to pcrfefllon in Mexico and the Lee- ward iflands. It was tried later, and, with lefs fuc- cefs, in South Carolina. This principle i.'v^redient 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 dcfpair In time of fupplanting both the Spaniards and French at every market. The goodnefs of their climate, the extent of thtir lands, the plenty and cheapncfe of their provifionfj, the opportunities they have of fupply- ing themfelves with utenfils and of procuring flaves ; every thing, in (hort, flatters their cxpeAafion : and the fame hope has always extended itfclf to the in- habitants of North Carolina. It is well known, that this country was the firft, ©n the continent of the new world, on which the Englifh landed ; for here is the bay of Roanoak, which Raleigh, took pofTeffion of In is^S' A total emigration, in a ftiort time, left it deftitute of colo- nifts ; nor did It begin to be repeopled, even when large fettlements were eftabllftied in the neighbour- ing countries. We cannot otherwife account for this dereliction, than from the obftacles which trading veflelt had to encounter In this beautiful region. None ati its rivers are deep enough to admit flilps of IPQV5 SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. 139 more than fcventy or eighty tons. Thofe of great- er burden arc forced to anchor between the conti- nent and fome adjacent iflands. The tenders, which are employed in lading and unlading them, augment the expence and trouble both of their exports and importi. . • From this circumftance, probably, it was, thai North -Carolina in the beginning was inhabited only by a fct of wretches without name, laws, or pro- fcflion. In proportion as the lands in the neigh- bouring colonies grew more fcarce, thofe who were not able to purchafc them betook themfelves to a country where they could get lands without pur- chafe. Refugees of other kinds availed themfelvca of the fame refource. Order and property became cftablifhcd at the fame time ; and this colony, with fewer ady^antages than South-Carolina, obtained a greater number of European fcttlers. The firi*. r oolc, whom chance difperfed along thcfc favage - j, confined themfelves to the breed- ing of cattle, aiid cutting wood, which were taken off their hands by the merchants of New- England. In a fhort time they contrived to make the pine-tree produce them turpentine, tar, and pitch. For the turpentine, they had nothing to do but to make two flits in the trunk of the tree, about a foot in length, at the bottom of which they placed veflels to receive it. When they wanted tar, they raif«d a circular platform of potter's earth, on which they laid piles of pine-wood : to thefe they fet fire, and the rofin diftilled from thc«i 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 (late. This labour, however, was not fufficient 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 (ubjccl to mildew, and to cxhauft ilfelf in ilraw, never ■;i. ■ 3 i I k^'^'\^ i M/ M "' '^ 'iL'. 1 1 I ^ 1 I 140 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH never throve. But feveral experiments having proved to the North. Carolinians that they were not liable to the fame inconvenience, they fucccded fo far in the cultivation of that grain, that they were even able to fupply a confiderable exportation. Rice and indigo have been but lately introduced into this pro- vince, 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 territo- ry belonging to the two Carolinas that is cleared ; and, at this time, the only cultivated fpots are thofe which arc the moft fandy and the neareft to the fea, The reafon why the colonifts have not fettled farther back in the country is, that of ten navigable rivers, there is not one that will admit (hipping higher than fixty miles. This inconvenience is not to be reme- died but by making roads or canals ; and works of thait kind require fo many hands, and fo much ex* pence and knowledge, that the hopes of fuch an im- provement are ftill very diftant. Neither of the colonies, however, have reafon to complain of their lot. The impofts, which are all levied on the exportation and importation of mer- chandife, do not exceed 5,906/* 5J. The paper- currency of North Carolina does not amount to more than 49,118/. 15/. and that of South Carolina, which is infinitely more wealthy, Is only 246,093/. J^s. Neither of them it in debt to the mother country ; and this advantage, which is not common even in the Englifh colonies, they derive from the great amount of their exportations to the neigh- bouring provinces, the Leeward iflands, and to Ku- rope. In 1754, there were exported from South Caro- lina, feven hundred and fifty-nine barrels of turpen- tine, two thoufand nine hundred and forty three ot taj* ; five thoufand eight hundred and fixty- nine of pitch or rofin ; four hundred and fixteen barrels of bcefj fifteen hundred and fixty of pork ; fixteen thoufand, 5H ring proved not liable fo far in were even Rice and > this pro- ia to thofe ut yet in le terriio. cleared ; » arc thofe the fea. ed farther bic rivers, gher than be rcmc- works of much ex* "h an im- r«afon to h arc all of mer- e paper- ■ to more I^arolina, 46,093/. mother common 'rom the - neigh- 1 to Ku- SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. 141 ihoufand four hundred buflicls of Indian corn, and nine thoul'and one hundred and fixty two of peafc ; four thoufand one hundred and eighty tanned hides, and twelve hundred in the hair ; one millicn one hundred and forty thoufand planks, two hundred and fix thoufand joilts, and three hundred and eighty- Hvc thoufand feet of timber; eight hundred andcighiy- two hogs- heads of wild deer-fliins ; one hundred and four thoufand fix hundred and eighty-two barrels of rice ; tw© hundred and fixtecn thoufand nine hun- dred and eighty- four pounds of indigo. In the fame year North Carolina exported fixty- one thoufand five hundred and twenty-eight barrels {>( tar, twelve thoufand and fifty- five of pitch, and itn thoufand four hundred and twenty- nine of tur- pentine ; feven hundred and fixtytwo thoufand three hundred and thirty plunks, and two thoufand fix hun- dred and forty-fcven feet of timber ; fixty-onc thou*- fand, five hundred bufhels of wheat, and ten thou- fand of peafe ; three thoufand three hundred barrels of beef and pork; one hundred hogfheads of tobacco ; ter. thoufand hundred -weiglit of tanned hi,des, and thirty thoufand il^ins of different kind?. In the above account, there is not a fingle article that has not been confiderably incrcafed fince that time. Several of them have been doubled; and the moil valuable of all, the indigo, has increafed to three limes the quantity. Some produftions of North Carolina are exported to Europe and the Caribbees, iho* there is no ftaplc town to receive them, and that Edinton, the ancient capital of the province, as well as that which has been built in lieu of it upon the river Neus, can fcarce be confidered as fmall villages. The largeft and moll valuable part of its exports Is conveyed to Charles- town, to incrcafe the riches of South Carolina. This town lies between the two navigable rivers, Cooper and Alhley; furrounded by the moil beauti- ful plantations of the colony, of which it is the cen- tre and the capital. It is well built, intcrfcCled with feveral i . 'f ; hU t-Y' '4 ill kr tM\ if^<' -iA..iM\iH ■■'i h- • w ^ iiMMm, ' u 142 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH fevcral agreeable ftreets, and its fortifications are tolerably regular. The large fortunes that have been made there from the accemon and circulation of its trade, muft neceflarily 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 moft to be met with. But the difadvan- tage its road labours under, of not being able to admit of fliips of above two hundred tons, will make it lofc its prefent fplendor. It will be deferted for Port Royali which admits veffels of all kinds into its liarbour, and in great numbers. A fettlement has already been formed there, which is continually in- creafing, and may moft probably meet with the great- eft fuccefs. Befides the produAions of North and South Carolina, that will naturally come to its market, it will alfo receive thofc of Georgia, a colony that has been lately eftablifhcd near it. CHAP. IV. Of Georgia. I . Foundation. CAROLINA and Spanlfh Florida are feparated from each other by a great traft of land which extends one hundred and twenty miles upon the fea- coaft, and three hundred mileo from thence to the Apalachian mountains, and whofe boundaries to ihc north and fouth arc the rivers Savannah and Alata* maha. The Englifli miniilry had been long defirous of erecting a colony on this traft of country, that was confidered as dependent upon Carolina. One of thofc inftances of benevolence, which liberty, the fource of every patriotic virtue, renders more frequent in England than in any other country, ferved to de- termine the views of government with regard to this place. SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. 143 rtlace. A rich and humane citizen, at his death, left the whole of his eilate to fet at liberty fuch In- folvent debtor* as were detained in prifon by their creditors. Prudential rcafons of policy concurred ia the performance of this will dictated by humanity; and the government gave orders, that fuch unhappy nrifoners, as were rcleafed, Ihould be tranfplanted into that defert country, that was now intended to be peopled; it was named Georgia ^ in hc^nqur of.the reigning fovereign. ' • This inflance of refpeft, the more pleafing as it was not the effedl of flattery, and the execution of a dtfign of fo much real advantage to the ftate, were entirely the work of the nation. The parliament added 9843/. r^s, to the eftate left by the will of the citizen j and a voluntary fubfcription produced a much more confidcrablc fum. General Oglethrope, a man who had diftinguifhed himfelf in the houfe of commons by his taile for great defigns, by his zeal for his country, and his paflion for glory, was fixed upon to direft thefe public finances, and to carry in- to execution fo excellent a project. Defirous of maintaining the reputation he had acquired, he chofe to condu(fl himfelf the firft colonifls that were to be fent to Georgia j where he arrived in January 1733, and fixed his people on a fpot at ten miles diftancc from the fca, in an agreeable and fertile plain on the banks of the Savannah; This rifing fettlement was called Savannah from the name of the river; and inconfiderable as it was in its infant flate, was, how- ever, to become the capital of a flourifhing colony. It confided at firft of no more than one hundred per- fons, but, before the end of the year, the number was increafed to 618, 127 of whom had emigrated at their own ex pence. Three hundred men and 1 13 women, 102 lads and 83 girls, formed the beginning of this new population, and the hopes of a numerous pofterlty. This fettlement was increafed in I 735 by the arri- val of fome Scotch highlanders. Their national courage \i n ^Jl-Vlli SM< 144 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH courage induced them to accept an cliablirfimcnt ^ered them upon the borders of the Alatamaha, < defend the colony, if necefl'ary, egainft the attackil of the neighbouring Spaniards; Here they built the towns of Darieu and Frederica, and fcveral of| their countrymen came over to fettle among them. In the fame year, a great number of proteftantsj driven out of Saltzburgby a fanatical prieft, embarked for Georgia to enjoy peace and liberty ofcohfciencc, At firft they fettled on a fpot fituated jull abo»c| that of the infant colony j but they afterwards chofc to be at a greater diftance, and to go as far down aj ihe 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 perfeculed. They alfo fettled on the banks of the! Savannah ; but at the diltance of four and thirty miles from the Germans* Their colohy, confiding of a hundred habitations, was named Purjhurgl:^ from Pury their founder, who, having been at ihc expence of their fettlement, was defervedly chofcu their chief, in teftimony of their gratitude to him. In thefe four or five colonics, fome men were found more inclined to trade than agriculture. Thefe, therefore, feparated fr'Om the reft in order to build the city Augufla, two hundred and thirty- fix miles diftant from the ocean. The goodnefs of the foil, though excellent in itfelf, was not the mo- tive of their fixing upon this fituaiion ; but the fa- cility it afforded them of carrying on the peltry trade with the favages. Their projcft was fo fuccefsfu!, that, as early as the year 1739, fix hundred people were employed in this commercCk The fale of the ikins was with much greater facility carried on, from the circumftance of the Savannah admitting the largeft Ihips to fail upon it as far as the walls of Augufta. The mother country ought, one would imagine, to Jitavc formed great expe<^ation3 from a colony, wbnc ..ii>U\^ " i SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. 145 (he had fent near five thoufand men, and laid out 64, 968/. 15/. independent of the voluntary contribu- tions that hid been raifcd by zealous patriot". But to her great furprife, fhe received information in 1741, that there remained fcarce a fixth part of that numersus colony fent to Georgia ; who beinp; now totally difcouraged, feemed only defiroiis to fix in a more favourable fituation. The reafons of thefe ca- lamities were inquired into and difcovered. 2. Impedhvents that have prevented the progrefs of Georgia* This colony, even in its infancy, brought with it the feeds of its decay. The government, toge- ther with the property of Georgia, had been ceded to individuals. The example of Carolina ought to have prevented this imprudent fcheme ; but nations as well as individuals do not learn inftru6lion from ]»;\(l mifcondudt. An enlightened government, tho' checked by the watchful eye of the people, is not always able to guard againil every mifufe of its con- ilidence. The Englifh miniftry, though zealoufly at- tached to the common welfare, facrificed the pub- lic intercll to the rapacious views of interefted indi- viduals. The firflufe that the proprietors of Georgia made of I the unlimited power they were invefted with, was to ellablini a fyftem of legiflation, that made them en- tirely mafters not only of the police, juftice, and fi- nances of the country, but even of the lives and dates of its inhabitants. Every fpecies of right was withdrawn from the people, who are the origi- nal poffeflbrs of them all. Obedience was required of the people, though contrary 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 mother colonies from large pofrclTions, it was thought Fopcr in Georgia to allow each family only fifty N acrci it!' 'i'\- nil ft* 146 • HISTORY OF THE BRITISH acres of land ; which they rvcre not permitted to mortgage, or even to difpofc of by will to their female ifliie. 7'his laft regulation of making only the male iffue capable of inheritance, was foon aho- liOied; but there Hill remained too many obftaclcs to excite a fpirit of emulation. It feldom happens, .that a man refolves to leave Irs country but upon the profpeft of fome great advantage that works ftrongly upon his imagination. Whatever limits arc prefcrib- ed to his induftry, are, therefore, fo many checks vhich prevent him from engaging in any prf)jci- ii^iij '^t !«' riii' iJ'll^-'- <5 :■ IV ! lit- >:J, ■ anili^ :^-^ ^^'^! ill. I' ? ,v. ; i 152 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH was the laft place where one might expedt to meet with inhabitants. But avarice being frequently a dupe to ignorance, fome Spaniards fettled there. Thofe Spaniards who had formed an eftablifh- ment at the bay of Penfacola upon the borders of Liouifiana, 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 bell (hips that arrived there had not foon bi^en worm-eaten. Thefc five colonies, fcattered over a fpacc fufficient to have formed a great kingdom, did not contain more than three thoufand inhabitants furpaffing each other in floth and poverty. They were all fupport- cd by the produce of their cattle. The hides they fold at the Havannah, and the provifions with which i they fsrved their garrifon, whofe pay amounted to 32,822/. lOi. enabled them to purchafc cloths and whatever clfe their foil did not furnilh them with. Notwithftanding the miferable ftatc in which they had been left by the mother country, the greateft part of them chcfe to go to Cuba, when Florida was ceded to Britain by the treaty of 1763. This acquifition, therefore, was no more than a defart ; yet ftill it was fome advantage to have got rid of a number of lazy^ indolent, and difaffe^ed inhabi* tants. Great Britain was pleafed with the profpcdl of peopling a vaft province, whofe limits have been ex- tended even to the Miffifippi by the ceffion France has made of part of Louifian . The better to fulfil her project, (he has divided it into two governments, under the nam*, of Eafl and Weft Florida. The Britifli had long been defirous of eftablifliinn; thcmfclves in that part of the continent, in order to open a free communication with the wealthieft cole* xiies of Spain. At firft they had no other view but in the profits arifmg from a contraband trade. But an advantage fo precarious and momentary, was not MjilvJ-^ailf^: I : to meet uently a here. eaablHh- orders of choice of are ; and le deeper a good not (bon I fufficient )t contain fling each I fupport- ides they ith which * ounted to :loth8 and lem with, hich they c greateft in Florida 3. This a defart ; rid of a inhabi* rofpe£l of been ex- France ir to fulfil jrnments, [ablifiilng order to left cole* Ivicw but trade. |ary, was nol SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. 153 not an objc^l of fufficient importance, nor any way fuitable to the ambition of a great power. Cultiva- tion alone can render the conquefts of an induftrious people flouriiliing. i^en. ble of this, the Britifh give every encouragement to promote culture in the fincfl part of their dominions. In one year, 1769, the j)arllamcnt voted no lefs than 9,007/. 10 s. "Jd. half- penny for the two Florldas. Here, at leaft, the niothcr for fomc lime adminifters to her new-born children ; whereas, in other nations, the govern- ment fucks and exhaufts at the fame time the milk of the mother country and the blood of the colonies. 1. By IV hat means Britain may render Florida ufeful to her. It is not cafy to determine, to what degree of fplcudoui' this indulgence, with time and good ma- nagement, may raife the Floridas. Appearances, however, are highly promifing. The air is healthy, and the foil tit for every kind of grain. Their firlt trials of rice, cotton, and indigo, were attended with fuch fuccefs, that the number of colonills was greatly increafed by it. They pour in from the neighbour- ing provinces, the mother country, and all the Pro- teflant dominions in Europe. How greatly might this population be increafed, if the foverelgns of North America would depart from the maxirns they have uniformly pnrfued, and would condefcend to iii'.crmavriagcs with Indian families ! And for what reafon (hould this method of civilizing the favage tiibes, which has been fo fuccefsfully employed by the mod enlightened politicians, be rejedted by a free people, who from their principles mull admit a grea- ter equality than other nations ? Would they then be (till reduced to the cruel alternative of feeing their crops burned, and their labourers maflacred, or of pcrfecuting without intermlflion, and exterminating without pity, thofe wandering bands of natives ? Surely .11 i\ i^lMt it'^ «v \ , l -ill ^'ri.iT^ \ , S i \ 1 i w u? W ,a\«ij-'^* »»^«»«v 154 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH Surely a generous nation, which has made fuch great and fuch continued efforts to reign without a rival over this vaft traft of the new world, fhould prefer to fanguinary and inglorious hoftilities, a humane and infallible method of difarming the only enemy that remains to difturb her tranquillity ! The Brltifii flatter themfelves, that without the afTiftaRce of thefe alliances they (hall foon be freed from the little interruption that ramains. 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 fubfiltence from the chace, they are reduced to the neceffity of abandoning all thofe trads of land which induftry and aftivity have undertaken to clear. This is ac- tually the cafe with all the natives bordering on the European fettlements. They keep aaily retiring further into the woods ; they fall Lack upon the Aflenipouals and Hudfon's bay, where they muft neceffarily encroach upon each other, and in a fhort time muft perifli for want of fubfiftence. But before this total deAruftion is brought about, events of a very ferious nature may occur. We havs not yet forgot the generous Pondiack. That for- midable warrior had broken with the Britifh in 1762. Major Roberts, who was employed to reconcile hira, fcnt him a prefent of brandy. Some Iroquois, who were ftanding round their chief, fhuddered at the fight of this liquor. Not doubting that it was poi- foned, they inlifted that he fhould not accept fo fufpi- cious a prefent. ** How can it be,'* faid their lead- er, " that a man, who knows my efteem for him, ** and the fignal fervices I have done him, fliould ** entertain a thought of taking away my life r" 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. SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. 155 Pondlack. His defign was to unite them in a body for the defence of their lands and independence. Se- veral unfoitnnate circumftances concurred to defeat this grand projeA ; but it may be refumed, and it il not impoffible but it may fucceed. Should this be the cafe, the Englifh will be under a ncceffity of pr©- icfting their frontier againft an enemy, that hath none of thofe expences to fuftain, or evils to dread, which war brings with it among civilized nations ; and will find the advantages they have promifed them- fclvcs from conquefts made at the expence of fo much ircafure and fo much blood, confidcrably retarded, at kaft, if not entirely cut off. BOOK il'-" t 'i '1^ -4 1 ,1^ visl h I $6 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH BOOK. III. OF CANADA, ACQUIRED FROM THL FRENCH. ^■'.i if I CHAP. I. Face of the country. Climate. Government, cuftoms, virtues, and vices, of the Indians. THE unbounded fpace that opened Itfclf to the view of the firft fcttlers, difcovered only dark, thick, and deep forefts, whofe height alone was a proof of their antiquity. Numberlefs large rivers came down from a confiderable diftancc to water thcfe immenfe regions. The intervals between them were full of lakes. Four of thefe meafured from two to five huudred leagues round. Thefe fort of ialand feas communicated with each other; and their waters, after forming the great river St Lawrence, confidera- bly increafed the bed of the ocean. Every thing in this rude part r^ the new world appeared grand and fublime. Nature here difplayed fueh luxuriancy and majefty as commanded veneration ; and a thou- fand vrild graces, far fupcrior to the artificial beauties of our climates. Here the imagination of a painter or a poet woud have been raifed, animated, and Blled with thofe ideas which leave a lafting impreflion on the mind. All thefe countries exhaled an air fit to prolong life. This temperature, which from the pofition of the climate muft have been extremely plea- fant, loft nothing of its wholefomenefs by the Angu- lar feverity of a long and intenfe winter. Thofe who impute this fingularity merely to the woods, fprings, and mountains, with which this country abounds, have not taken every thing into confidcration. O- thcrs add to thefe caufcs of the cold, the elevation of the '^\^^ inn ISH )M THL )vernment, Indians. tfclf to the only dark, lone was a arge rivers water thefc them were om two to of inland leir waters, confidera- very thing red grand uxuriancy a thou- 1 beauties a painter and filled effion OH air lit to Vom the ly plea- c fingu- ofc who fprings, pounds, n. O- tion of the SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. 15/ the hnd, a pure aerial atmofphere feldom loaded with vapours, and the direction of the winds which blow from north to fouth over frozen feas. Yet the inhabitants of this (harp climate were but thinly clad. A cloak of buffalo or beaver dun, bound with a leathern girdle, and ftockings made of roe buck flcin, was the whole of their drefs bcfur'^ their intercourfe with us. What they have added fince, gives great offence to their old men, who are ever lamenting the degeneracy of their manners. Few of thefe favagcs knew any thing of hnPoand- ry : they only cultivated maize ; and that they left entirely to the management of the v/onv^n, as bein^; beneath the dignity of independent men. Their hit- terell imprecation againfl an enemy wa?, tn^t Ic m'Ait be reduced to till the g-round. Some timer, they would condefcend to go a-(i(hing ; but the eni- ployment of their life and their glory was hunting, [•"or this purpofe the whole nation went out as they did to war ; every family, every hut, marclicd in fcarch of fuilenancc. I'hey prepared for the cx;-:- ilition by fevere fading, and never tlirred out till they had implored the aitiilance of their fod ; they did not pray for llrength to kill the beads, but that they might be fo fortunate as to irseet with them. Noperfons (laid at home, e;:cept infirm and old men : all the reil fallicd forth, the men to kill the game, and the women to dry and bring it home. They imagined that the winter was the linelt feafon of the year : the bear, the roe- buck, the ilag, and lac eli;., could not then run with any degree of fwiftnei"? through fnow that was four or five feet dee[) on the ground. The favages, who were (lopt neither by the b'ofhes, the torrents, the ponds, nor the rivers, and who could out-run mofl of the fwifter animals, were feldom unfuccefsful in the chacc. Wiien they failed in their fnorc, they lived upon acorns ; and for want of thefe, they fed upon the fap or inner h<\n that grows between the wood and the bark of the afpen tree and the birch. O In - paim ■ 'f ^H K' 1 ■ ■ II i I I'U -I ■ 'jiU^'^'^iHt* ■ t» 153 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH In the interval hetvcen their hunting parties, tlicy made or mt-ndtd their bows and arrows, the rackets Jor nintiiii^ij iip(»n the fnow, and the canoes for crof- ilwg tlie lakes and rivera. Thcfe travelling imple- ments, and a few earthen pots, were all the arts of thcfe wandering nations. Thofe among them who ■were colle^^cd in towns, added to thefe the labours Teqiiifite for tlicir fedentry way of life, for the fen- cing of their huts, and fecuring them from being at- tacked. The fav?ges then gave tliemfelverj up to a totaJ inaClion, in the mod profound fccurity. Tin's people, content with their lot, andfatisfied with what nature afforded them, were unacquainted with that relllcfsnefs which arifes from a fenfe of our own weak- nefs, that loathing of ourfelves and every thing about lis, that necelfity of flying from folitudc, and eafmg ourfelves of the burden of life by throwing it upon others. Their ftature in general was beautifully propor- tioned ; but tliey had more agility than ttrength, and were better calculated for fwiftnefs than hard labour. Their features were regular, with that fierce coun- tenance which they contraded in war and hunting. Their complexion was copper- colour ; and they had it from nature, which tans all men who arc conftant- ]y expofed to the open air. This complexion was rendered ftill more difagreeable by the abfurd cuftom that all favagcs have of painting their bodies and faces, cither to diftinguifh each other at a diftance, or to make themfelves more agreeable to their mi- ilreifes, or more formidable in war. Befidcs this varnifli, they rcibbed themfelves with the fat of qua- drupeds, or the oil of fifli, which prevented the in- tolv'Table ftings of gnats and infefts that fwarm l\\ uncultivated "countries. I'hefc ointments were pre- pared and mixed up with certain red juices which were fiippofed to be a deadly poifon to the mofchet- 'toes. To thcfe feveral methods of anointing them- felvcF, which penetrate and .difcolour the ilvin, may be added the fumigations they made in their huts to keep ■i ^>i|ili;-MU|; SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. i:,} keep off thore infefla, and the fmoke of the fircr> they kept all winter to warm thenifclves and to dry hcr may (ludy man i.i his natural ilatc. They were divided into feveral fmall 'nations, vvk )fe form of government was nearly fimilar. Some ha i hereditary chiefs; others eledled them ; the great- er part were only directed by their old men. rhcy were mere aflociationc, formed by chance, and always free ; united, indeed, but bound by no tie. The will of individuals was not even over-ruled by the general one. All decifions were confidered only as matter of advice, which was not binding, or enfor- ccd by any penalty. If, in one of thefe fingular republics, a man was condemned to death, it v/as rather a kind of war againft a common enemy, than fln at\ of juliice cxercifed againlla fubjeft. Inftead of coercive power ; good manners, example, educa- tion, a refpe^l for old men, and parental affection, maintained peace in thofe focleties, that had neither laws nor property. Reafoii, which had not been inifled by prejudice or corrupted by paffion, as it is with us, frrved them inftead of moral precepts and legulations of police. Harmony and fecurity were inaintained without the interpofition of government, /Authority never incroached upon that powerful in- fiindl of nature, the love of independence, which fnlighiened by reafon produces in us the love of c- tj^uality,, Htncc- ;^^iiUit-^*U\|i^ d jailc ihcni foil. IVc O; 'en lie • fathers y ons coul ' nth Amc- ;ivlty and rtliern na^ : of a dif. i but juft vilization, : fpace of hat a phi* •nations, ir. Some the grcat- n. rhcy nd always tie. The d by the d only ai) or enfor- fingular 1, it v/a$ y, than liiRead educa- ifPcdllon, neither )ot been as it is [pts and ity were Irnmcnt, :rful in- which ;e of e- Htncc- SEITLEMENTS IN AMERICA. 163 Hence arlfes that regard which the favagci have for each other. They lavilh their cxpreflK>ns of ef- teem, and cxpe<^ the fame in return. They arc obliging, but referved ; they weigh their words, and liiken with great attention. Their gravity, which looks like a kind of melancholy, is particularly ob- fervable in their national afTembliea. Every one fpeaks in his turn, according to his age, his expe- rience, and his fervices. No one is ever interrupted, cither by indecent rcfledliotjs, or ill-timed applaufe. Their public affairs are managed with fuch difintc- reftcdncfs as is unknown in our governments, where the welfare of the (late is hardly ever promoted but from felfifh views, or party fpirit. It is no uncom- mon thing to hear one of thcfe favage orators, when his fpeech has met with univerfal applaufe, telling thufe who agreed to his opinion, that another man 13 more deferving of their confidence. This mutual refpefi amongft the inhabitants of the fame place prevails between the feveral nations, when they arc not in aftual war. The deputies are received and treated with that friendiliip which is due to men who come to treat of peace and alliance. Wandering nations, who have not the leaft notion of a domain, never negotiate for a projedl of con- quell, or for any intcrells relative to dominion. E- ven thofe who have a fettled home, never quarrel with others for coming to live in their dillridl, pro- vided they do not molell them. The earth, fay they, is made for all men ; no one muft pofTefs the fhare of two. All the politics, therefore, of the favages confift in forming leagues again II an enemy who is too numerous or too ftrong, and in fufpending hofti- litles that become too deftrudlive. When they are agreed upon a truce or league of amity, it is ratified by mutually exchanging a belt or firing of beads, which are a kind of fnail-fhclls. The white ones are very common ; but the purple ones, which arc fcarcer, and the black, which arc ftill more io^ are niuc.h cfteemcd. They work them into a cylindrical form> If < fi'v id ^ 11 4lf i '. I! *? i'5va uUl ^ii*- i I 164 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH form, bore them, and then make them up into branches or necklaces. The branches are about a foot long ; and the beads are ftrung upon them in ftralght rows. The necklaces are broad belts*, on which the beads are placed in rows, and neatly tack- ed down with little flips of leather. The meafure, weight, and colour of the fliells, determine the import- ance of the bufinefs. They ferve as jewels, as re- cords, and as annals. They are the bond of union between nations and individuals. They are the fa- cred and inviolable pledge which gives a fandlion to words, to promifcs, and to treaties. The chiefs of towns are the keepers of thefe records. They know their meaning ; they interpret them ; and by means of thefe ligns, they tranfmit the hiilory of the coun- try to their young people. As the favages pofTcfs no riches, they are of a be- nevolent turn. A ftriking inflance of this appears in the care they take of their orphans, widows, and infirm people. They liberally fliarc their fcanty pro- vifion with thofe whofe crops have failed, or who have been unfuccefsful in hunting or fifhing. Their tables and their huts are open nigh, and day to ftpangers and travellers. This generous hofpitality, which makes the advantages of a private man a pub- lic bleffing; is chiefly confpicuous in their entertain- jnents, A favage clarms refpeft, not fo much from what he poffcfTes as from what he gives away. Ac- cordingly the whole provifion of a fix months chafe is often expended in one day, and he who treats en- joys more pleafure than his guefts. None of the writers who have defcrlbed the man- ners of the favages have reckoned benevolence amongit their virtues, liut this may ^be owing to prejudice, which has made them confound antipathy and refent- ment with natural temper. Thefe people neither love nor eftecm the European^, nor are they very kind to them. The inequality of conditions, which we think fo ncceffary for the well-being of fociety, is xn their opinion the greatest folly. They are (hocked to f up into about a them in )elts, on LJy tack- meafure, : import- J, as re- of union : the fa- [i6lion to chiefs of icy know ly means be coun- of a be- appears Dws, and inty pro- , or who Their I day to fpitality, n a pub- tertain- ch from Ac hs chafe cats en- le man- lamongtl rejudite, refent" neither ley very which :iety, is Shocked to SETTLUMENTS IN AMERICA. 165 to f.'e> that, amongft us, one man has more property than fcveral others put together ; and that this firft injuflice is produ6llve of a fccond, which is, that the man who has moil riches is on that account the mod rcfpcdled. But what appears to tliem a meannefs l)!.'low that of the brute creation is, that men who arc Kiuij by nature (hould Hoop to depend upon the will or the caprice of another. The refpeft we fhow to titles, dignities, and elpecially to hereditary nobility, they call an infult, an injury to liuman nature. Who- ever knows how to guide a canoe, to beat an enemy, to build a hut, to live upon little, to go a hundred leagues in the woods, with no other guide than the wind and fun, or any provifion but a bow and ar- rows ; he is a man, and what more can be expected of him ? That reftlefs difpofition which prompts us to crofs fo many fcas, to feek a fortune that flies be- fore us, appears to then^ rather the cffc6t of poverty than of induftry. They laugh at our arts, our man- ners, and all thofe cufloms which infpire us with va- nity in proportion as they remove us from the (late of nature. Their franknefs and honefty is rouzed to indi'::nation at the tricks and cunning which have bcc^n pra6lifed in our dealings with them. A multi- tude of other motives, fome founded on prejudice, but mod on reafon, have rendered the Europeans odious to the Indians. They have ufed reprifuls, and are become harfh and cruel in their dealings with us. That averfion and contempt they have con- ceived for our morals, has always made them fhun our fo :iety. We liave never been able to reconcile any of them to the indulgences of our way of life ; whereas we have feen fome Europeans forego all the conveniences of civil life, go into the forcils, and take lip the how and the club of the favage. An innate Ipuit of benevolence, however, fometimes brings them back to us. At the beginning of the winter, a French vcfTel was wrecked upon the rocks of Anti- codi. Such of the failors as had cfcaped, in this ^d':tt, ^T\d ^-^ ge iOaud, the rigour of the fcafon and the ■\n C'/i 'i '1^ llAiyillitn^Jll i66 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH i ! ! the dangers of famine, conftrufted, from the remains of their (hip, a bark, which in the fpring feafon con- veycd them to the continent. They were obferved in a languid and expiring ftate by a canoe full of favages. Brethren^ faid the chief of this folitary family, addrcfling hirafelf affedllonately to them, the nvretched are entitled to our pity and our ajfijiance. We are menf and the misfortunes incident to the human race affeCl us as much in others as in ourfehes. Thefe humane expreffions were accompanied with every kind of help thefe generous favages had it in their power to beftow. One thing was w^anting to complete the happlnefs of the free Americans ; they were not paflionately fond of their wives. Nature indeed has bcftowed on their women a good (hape, beautiful eyes, pleafinp features, and long black hair. All thefe accomplifh- ments are no longer regarded than whilft they are in a ftate of independence. They no fooner fubmit to the matrimonial yoke, but that even their hufband> who is the only man they love, grows infenfible to thofe charms they are fo liberal of before marriage. Indeed, they are doomed to a way of life that is not favourable to beauty. Their features alter, md they ]ofe at once the dcfire and the power of pleafing. They are laborious, indefatigable, and adllvC' They dig the ground, fow, and reap ; whilft their hufbands, who difdain to ftoop to the drudgeries of hufbandry, amufe themfelves with hunting, fifhing, (hooting with a bow, and exercifing the dominion of man over the earth. Many of thefe nations allow a plurality of wives ; and e 'cn thofe that do not praflife polygamy, admit of divorce. The very idea of an indlffolublc tic never once entered ihe thoughts of the^c people who arc \ free till death. When thofe who are married diia- gree, they part by confent, and divide their children between them. Nothing appears to them more re- pugnant to nature and reafon than the contrary fyftcm which, prevails among Chriftians. The great fplritf SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. 167 fiirii, fay they, /:ath created us all to be happy ; and (iveJJ^ould offend hiniy ijoere nve to live in a perpetual Jiate of confiraint and tweajinefs. This fyflcm agrees with what one of the Miamis faid to one of our mifliona- rifs : My 'wife and I ivere continually at variances My ntig-bour difugrced equally nuith his* IVe have chan^id 'iviie.i and are all Jatisfied, It has ht'cii generally faid, that the favages are not much addiclied to the pleafures of love. But if they arc not fo fond of women as civilized people are, it Is not, perhaps, for want of powers or incli- nation to population. But the firfl: wints of na- ture may, perhaps, check in them the claims of the il'cond. Their llrength Is alraoil all exhaufted In procuring their food. Hunting and other expediti- ons leave them neither the opportunity nor the lel- lure of attending to population. No wandering na- tion can ever be populous. What mull become of wo- men obliged to follow their hulbands to the diftancc of a hundred leagues, with children at their breaft or in their arms ? What would become of the chil- dren themfelves if deprived of the milk that mull ne- ceflarily dry up in the courfe of the journey ? Hunt- inj7, then, prevents the increafe of nnankind, and even deftroys it. A favage warrior refifts the feducing arts of young woman who llrive to allure him. When nature compels this tender fex to make the fir(t advan- ces, and to purfiie the men that fly them, thofe who are lefs inflamed with military ardour, than with the charms of beauty, yield to the temptation. But the true warriors who have been early taught that aa In- tercouife with women enervates fi:rength and courage, do not give way. Canada, therefore, is not a defert from natural dcfeds, but from the trad of life which Its inhabitants purfue. Though they are as fit for procreation as our northern people, all their llrengt'i IS employed for their own prciervatlon. Hungtr does not allow them to attend to the lofter paffions. If the people of the fouth facritice every thing to this deHre, it is becaufe the firft is eafjly fatisfied. In a country where nature Is very prolific; and man con- fumes !. < -- 1 68 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH fumes but little, the overplus of his ftrength is turn- ed wholly to population, which is Hkewife afiiiled by the warmth of the climate. In a climate where men confume more than nature affords them with cafe, the time and the faculties of the human fpecies are exhaufled in fatigues that arc detrimental to po- pulation. But a farther proof that the favages are not lefs in- clined to women than we are, is, that they are much fonder of chcir children. Their mothers fuckle them till they are four or fi^^e year« old, and fometimes tolix or few^n. From their carhell infancy, their parciUs rc''"pt<^'t: their natural independence, and never beat or chid.e them, becaufe they will not check that free and martial fplrit which is one day to conllitute their principal charaft ; and that it fhould have loft that charad^^riftic in civilized countries, where it feems to be reduced to a fet of fteps with- ?^iit meaning. But it is with dasv.es as with lan- P guages, '; fl ml ■j^ • Hvi T"" 4{ ^ T/O HISTORY OF THE BRITISH il jf^uagcs, they grow abftra^leil like ihc Ideas they arc intended to rcprefent. Tl»e figns of tlietu are more villeqorica], as the minds of the people become mor. refined. In the fame nanncr as a fingle word, iti al learned language, exprcfles fever al ideas ; fo, in an allegorical dance, a fingle (lep, a finglc attitude isl fufficient to excite a variety of fenfalioiis. It Is o\v. ing to want of Imagination either In the dancers, or the fpectators, if a figured dance is not, or dots not| appear to be, cxprcfiive. Befidcs, the favages cai exhibit none but flrong paflions and fiercer manners ;| and thefe mud be rcprefentcd by more llgnihcar.f, J mages in their dances, which are the language o: geilure, the fivil and fimpleft of all languages. Na- tions living In a llatc of civil foclety, and in peace, liave only the gentler pafHons to rcpreient ; which are befl expreflcd by delicate images, fit to convey re- lined ideas. It might not, however, be impropc fometimes to bring back dancing to its tiril origin, to exhibit the old limplicity of manners, to revive thi:| firfl fcnfations of nature by motions which reprcfcnt them, and to depart, from the antiquated and Icienti. he mode of the Greeks and Romans, and adopt tlicl ilvely and fignlficant Images of the rude Canadians. Thef'e favages, always wholly taken up with llicl prefent paflion, are extravagantly fond of gaming, as is ufual with all idle people, and efpecially of gama of chance. Thefe men, who are commonly fo fedate,] to moderate, fo difmtercllcd, and have fuch a com- man j of themf/^lves, arc outrageous, greedy, and u:r bnlcnt at play ; they loi'e the'r peace, their fcnfes, and '.*..U they are worth. Deilitute of almoil every thing) coveting all they fee, and, when they like It, eager! to have and enjoy it, th^y give themfelvcs up entire- ly to the quickeil and falieil means of acquiring it,j This is a confeouence or iheir manners, as well asofi theh: character. I'he fight of prefent happinefs al-l ways blinds them as to the evils that may enfiie,] Their forecail does not even reach from day to nighty 1'hey are alternately filly children and terrible men. All depends with them on the prefent moment. Gamiojl ''^M'}^ SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. 171 Gaming alone would incline them to fuperftltion, even if they had not a natural propcnfity to that bane of the happinefs of mankind. But as they have few phyficians or quacks to have rccourfe to, they fuffei' icfs from this malady than more polillicd nations, and are more open to the voice of rcafon. The Iro- quois have a confufed notion of a Firft Being who governs the world. They never grieve at the evil which this being permits. When fome mifchance hefals them, they fay. The man above imquU have it fo; and there is, perhaps, more philofophy in tliia ftibitlflion than In all the reafiHiings and declamati- tions of onr pnilofophers. Moil other favage nati- ons wor(hip thofe two firft principkc:, which occur to the human mind as foon as it iiai> acquired any con- ception of invifible fubft.ances. Sometimes they wor- (hip a I'ivcr, a foreft, the fun or the moon ; in fliort, any beings in which they have obferved a certain power and motion ; becaufe wherever they fee moti- on, which they cannot account for, there they iup- I pofe a foul. They fecm to have fome notion of a future itate ; but as they have no principles of morality, they do I not think that the next life is a ftate of reward for virtue and punifhment for vice. Their opinion ot it confills In believing, that the indefatigable huutfman, and the fearlefs and mcrcllefs warrior, the man who has flaln 01 burnt many enemies, and made his owu town vi<^oriou8, will after death go into a country where he will find plenty of all kinds of animals to afTuage his hunger ; whereas thcfe who are grown old in indolence and without glory, will be for ever baniflied into a barren land, where they will be eter- nally tormented with famine and ficknefs. Their tenets are fuited to their manners and their wants. They believe in fuch pieafuies and fuch fufferings as they are acquainted with. They have more hopes than fears, and are happy even in their dclufions. Yet., they are ohan tormented with dreams. Ignorance Is prone to look for fomething myfteri- «iis in dreams, and to afcribe them to the agency of P 2 lomc hM m I ! pmm .' fV. \ all I' •!l 172 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH fome powerful being, who takes the opportunity, when our faculties are fufpendcd and lulled aflcep, of watching over us in the abfence of our fenfcs. It is as it were a foul, diilinft from our own, that glides into us, to inform us of what is to come, when wc cannot yet fee it '^ whereas futurity n always prefent to that Being who created it. In the (harp climates of Canada, where the people live by hunting, their nerves arc apt to be overftrain- ed by the inclemency of the weather, and by fatigue and long abftinence. When thefe favages have me- lancholy and troublefome dreams, they fancy they arc furrounded with enemies ; they fee their town furprifed, and fwimming in blood ; they receive in- juries and wounds ; their wives, their children, their friends, are carried off. When they awake, they take thefe vilions for a warning from the gods ; and that fear which firil infpired them with this notion, makes them look more fierce and gloomy. The old women, who arc ufelcfs in the world, dream for the fafety of the commonwealth. Some weak old men, too, dream on public affairs, in which they hare no fhare or influence. Young men who arc unfit for war or laborious exercifes, will dream too, that they may bear fome part in the adminiHration, of the clan. In vain hath it been attempted, during two centuries, to difpel illufions fo deeply rooted. T'ou Chrijiiansy have always anfwered the favages, you laugh at the faith 'Oi^ have in dreams^ and yet require us to believe things infinitely ?nore improbable. Thus we fee in thefe untutored nations the feeds of prieftcraft with all its train of evils. Were it not for thefe melancholy fits and dreams, there wonld fcarce ever be any contentions amongft them. Europeans who have lived long in thefe countries, affure us they never faw an Indian in a paf- fion. Without fuperftition, there would be as few national as private quarrels. Private differences are mofl commonly adjufted by the bulk of the people. The refped fhewn by the Ration m -4-mU1|.»vvL SETTLEMENrrS IN AMERICA. 173 nation to tlie nggrievcd party, foolhes his fclf-lovc, and ditpofcs him to peace. It is more difficult to prevent quarrels, or put an end to hoftilities, between ivvo nations. War often takes its rife from hunting. When two companies, which were feparated by a forcft, a hun- dred IcapjU'S in extent, happen to meet, and to inter- fere with each other^s fport, they foon quarrel, and turn thofc weapons againll one another, which were intended for the deliru6lion nf bears. This (light, ficirmifh is a feetl of eternal diTcord. The tanquifhed party fwears implacable vengeance againll the con- querors, a national liatred which will live in their polterity, and revive out of their adiCo. Thefc quar- rels, however, are fometimea llifled in the wounds of both parties, when on each fide there happen to be only fome liery youths, who are defirous of trying their fltill, and whofe impatience han hurried them too far. But the rage of whole nations is not eafily kindled. When there is a caufe for war, it is not left to the judgment and dccifion of one man. The nation meets, and the chief fpeaks. He ftates the grievances. The matter is confidered, the dangers and tlie confequen- cca of a rupture are carefully balanced. Thefpcak- ers enter dire^^ly on the fubjcft, without Hopping,, without digreflion, or miftaking the cafe. The fc- veral interefts are difcuffed with a llrength of reafon- ing and eloquence that arifes from the evidence and . fimplicity of the objedls : and even with an impar- tiality that is lefs biaffed by their ftrong palfions, than it is with us by a complicatio; of ideas. If" they unanimoufly decide for war by an univcrfal fhout, the allies are invited to join them, whiclvthey feldom lefufc, as they always have fome injury to rcvengCj, or fome dead lo replace by prifoncrs. They next proceed to the election of a chief, or captain of the expedition ; and great ftreis is laid upon phyfiQgnomy. This might be a fallacious and ?ven ridiculous way of judging of men, where they P 3 have. •If, t!! m- i: 174 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH have been trained up from their infancy to dlfgHife their real fentirhents, and where, by a conftant prac- tice of dinimulation and fa(flitiou9 paflions, the coun« tenance is no longer exprcfllvc of the mind. But a favage, who is folcly guided by nature, and is ac- quainted with its workings, is feldom miftaken in the judgment he forms at tirft fight. The chief re- quifite, next to a warlike afpeft, is a ftvong voice ; becaufe in armies that march without drums or cla- rions, the better to furprife the enemy, nothing is fo proper to found an alarm, or to give the fignalfor the onfet, as the terrible voice of a chief who fhouts and ftrikes at the fame time. But the bed recom. mendations for a general, are his exploits. Every «ne is at liberty to boatt of his victories, in order to march foremoft to rrieet danger ; to tell what he has done, in order to fliew what he will do ; and the favages think felf- commendation not unbecoming a hero who can (hew his fears. He that is to head the reft in the r jad to vIAory, never fails to harangue them. *^ C:>mrades, (fays " he), the bones of our brethren are ftill uncovered. They cry out againft us ; we muft fatisfy them. Young men, to arms j fill your quivers ; paint yourfelves with gloomy colours that may llrike ** terror. I^et the woods ring with our warlike •* fangs. Let us foothe the dead with the fiiouts of vengeance. Let us go and bathe in the blood of our enemies, take prifoners, and fight as lorg as water (hall flow in the rivers, and as long ac> the '* fun and moon fliall remain fixed in the firmament." At thefe words, the brave men who long to en- counter the hazards of war, go to the chief, awd fay, / ou/// n'/k ivith thee. So you J^yally replie§ the chief, nue nvill rijk togt'ther. But as no one has*been folicited, left a falfe point of honour fhould induce towards to march, a man muft undergo many trials before he can be admitted as a foldier. If a young smnn, who has never yet faced the enemy, fhould betray the Icaft impatience, when,., after long abfti- «C mKmw SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. 175 nence, he ii cxpofed to the fcorching heat of the fun, the intcnfc frolls of the night, or the bloody iUngs of infedls, he would be declared incapable and unworthy to bear arms. Are our militias and armies formed in this manner ? On the contrary, what a mournful and omineus ceremony is ours ! Men who have not been able to fave themfelves, by flight, from being preflcd into the fervice, or could not pro- cure an exemption by purchafe or by claiming fome privilege, drag themfelves heavily along, with down cad looks, and pale deje^ed faces, before a delegate, whofe funftions are odious to the people, and whofe honeily is doubtful. The afflicicd and trembling pa- rents feem to be following their fon ♦^o the grave. A black fcroll, ifluing from a fatal , points out the vid^ims which the prince devotes to war. A diltrafted mother in vain prefles her fon to her bofom, and ftrives to detain him ; he is torn from her arms, and (he bids him farewel for ever, curfing the day of her marriage and that of her delivery. It is not, firely, thus that good foldiera are to be formed. It is not in this mournful way, and with fuch con- fternation, that the favages meet vidlory. They march out in. the midll of feftivity, finging, and dancing. The young married women follow their hufbands for a day or two, but without fhowing any figns of grief or forrow. Thefe women, who never once cry out in the pangs of child-birth, would fcorn t*o foften the minds of the defenders and avengers of their country, by their tears, or even by their en- dearments. Their weapons are a kind of fpcar armed with {harp bones, and a fmall club of very hard wood, with one cutting edge. Inflead of this laft, fince their acquaintance with the Europeans, they make ufe of a hatchet, which they handle with amazing dexterity. Moft of them have no inftrun.fnt of de- fence ; but if they chance to attack the pales that furround a town, they cover their body with a thick If>lank. Some ufed to. wear a kind of tuirafs made with 11 ' 4 J- m IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) /. y %// /^/^ < <;^ % <^ U>< L^ y ^ %o 1.0 I.I 11.25 12.2 lU 1^ U IIIIII.6 i Photographic Sciences Corporation 33 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, NY. 14580 (716) 872-4503 ,\ •1>' :\ \ V <*7*^. -o" ,* '•^ •^ t^ ■#•'■ C?r C/a 176 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH with plaited reeds ; but they left it off, when they faw it was not proof againli firc-arn^s. The army is followed by dreamers, who afiume the name of jugglers, and are too often foffcrcd lo determine the military operations. They march without any colours. All the warriors, who fight almoft naked to be the more alert, daub their bodies with coals, to appear more terrible, or clfc wiiii mould, to conceal themfelves at a diltance, and the better to furprife the enemy. Notwithftanding their natural intrepidity, and averfion for all difgnife, their wars degenerate into artifice. Thcfe deceitful arts, common to all nations whether favage or civi- lized, arc become neceffary to ,the petty nations of Canada. They would liave totally deftroyed one another, had they not made the glory of their chiefs to confiH in bringing home all their companions, rather than in fhedding the blood of their foes. Honour, therefore, is to be gained by falling upon the enemy before he is aware. Thefe people, whofe fenfcs have never been impaired, are extremely quick fcent- cd, and can difcover the places where men have trod. By the kcennefs of their fight or fmcU, ft is faid they can trace footfteps upon the fliorteft grafs, upon the dry ground, and even upon ftone ; and from the nature of the footfteps, can find out what nation they be- long to. Perhaps they may difcover this by the leaves with which the forefts always ftrew the ground. When they are fo fortunate as to furprife the ene- my, they difcharge a whole volley of arrows, and fail upon him with their clubs or hatchets in their hands. If he is upon his guard, or too well in- trenched, they retreat if they can ; if not, they muft fight till they conquer or die. The vi>^!lM|r n- 5H SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. 179 11 .; They mud he objeft of tune. Th« TC bonds of to hlmfclf friends ob- n ihofe that ire to fight d than thofe fame roof. ndred which 1 by, choice, with chains Cuftom and ingular law, • foner rcfufes Lcludcd from everal of liis 8 not noticed /bom he wai r ; hui in the defend us, of ly preferahU. theny replied i to thejiake. of our family as a man of epthis word, uel torments :t them all at k him ; but fupplied him lis fufferings. |ery thing is avcd. This Irrors and its )pt, are foon ■prepared for it it by every thing that may tend to infpire them with a regret for life. The beft fare, the kindeft ufage, the mod endearing names, are lavifhed upon them. They are even fonielimes indulged with women to the very moment of their fentence. Is this compaf- fion, or is it a refinement of barbarity ? At laft a herald comes, and acquaints the wretch that the nile is ready. Brother, fays he, he patient, thou art noiri'T to be burnt. Very *welly hrotker, fays the prifo- ner, / thank thee. (, Thefe words are received with general applaufe ; Milt the women are the moll eager in the common ioy. She to whom the priloner is delivered up, in- itantly invokes the fliade of a father, a hufband, a ton, the deareft friend whofe death is lliil unrevenged. Drciav near, he cries, I a7n preparing a fcaji for thee. Come and drink large draughts of the broth J intend to 'jive thee. This ivarrior is going to be put into the cauldron. They nxjill apply hot hatchets all over his hody: They ivill pull off his hair: They mH|r. I i I'V i j 1 80 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH is a confli£l between the vIAIm and his tormentors, a dreadful challenge between conftancy in fufFering and obftinacy in tormenting. But the fenfc of glory predominates. Whether this intoxication of cnthu- liafm fufpends or wholly benumbs all fcnfe of pain, or whether cuftom and education alone produce ihefc prodigies of heroifm, certain it is, that the patient dies without ever fhedding a tear or heaving a figh. How (hall we account for this infenlibility ? Is it owing to the climate, or to their manner of life ? No doubt, colder blood, thicker humours, a confticutiou rendered more phlegmatic by the dampnefs of the air and the ground, may blunt the irritability of the ner. vous fyftem in Canada. Men who arc conftanily cx^ pofed to all the inclemencies of the weather, the fa- tigues of hunting, and the perils of war, contra0iU\fi; , ai "ffV'*<«riM Va fJ ^! , tm ti i 1 88 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH be very white and well flavoured ; but he is hunted chiefly for the fake of his fkin : the hair of which is very long, and of a ftne light grey ; but lefs efteem- ed than that of 7. The Fox. This carnivcrous and mifchievouj animal 13 a native of the frozen climates, where nature affording few vegetables feems to oblige all animals to eat one another. In warmer climates, he has loil much of his original beauty, and his hair has dege- nerated. In the north it has remained long, foft, and full, fometimes white, fometimes brown, and often red or fandy. The fineft by far is black ; but this is more fcarce in Canada than in Mufcovy, which Ties further north, and is not fo damp. 8. Befides thefe fmaller furs, North -America fup. plies us with flcins of the Stag, the Deer, and the Roe-buck ; o£ the Mooze deer, called there Caribou ; and of the Elk, which they call Orignal. Thefe two laft kinds, which in our hemifphere are only found towards the polar circle, the elk on this fide, and the mooze-deer beyond, are to be met with in America in more fouthern latitudes. This may be owing to the cold being more intenfe in America, from fingular caufes which make an exception to the general law ; or, poflibly, bccaufe thefe frefli lands are lefs frequented by deflruAive man. Their ftrong, foft, and warm fliina make excellent garments, which are very light. All thefe animals, however, are hunted for the Europeans ; but the favages have the chafe that belongs to them, and is peculiarly their favourite. It is that of 9. The Bear ; which is beft; adapted to their war- like manners, their fl;rength, and their bravery, and efpecially to their wants. In a cold and feverc climate, the bear is mod com- fionly black- As he is rather fliy than fierce, infteaa of a cavern, he chufcs for his lurking place the hollow rotten trunk of an old tree. There he takes his lodgement in winter, as high as he can climb, hi ke is very fat at the end of autumn, takes no exer? cife^ ,4hlv:'."»Jiii|,i., .. n SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. 189 clfe, and is almoft always afleep, he miifl lofc but lit- tle by perfpiration, and confeqiiently muft fcldom want to go abroad in quefl of food. But he is forced out of his retreat by fetting fire to it ; and as foon as he attempts to come down, he falls under a fhower of arrows before he can reach the ground. The In- dians feed upon his flc(h, rub themfelves with his (Treafe, and clothe themfelves with his n<;in. Such was the intent of their purfuit after the bear, when a new interell direfted their inftlnft towards 10. The Beaver. This animal pofleffes all the friendly difpofitions fit for fociety, without any of the vices or misfortunes attendant upon it. Formed by nature for focial life, he is endued with an in- ib'iid adapted to it for ihe prefervation and propaga- tion of his fpecies. This animal, whofe tender plain- tive accents, and whofe ftriking example, draw tears of aJnilration and pity from the humane phiiofopher who contemplates his life and manners ; this harm- lefs animal, which never hurts any living creature, and is neither carnivorous nor fanguinary ; is become the objcft of man's mod earned purfuit, and the prey which the favages hunt after with the grcateft cagre- nefs and cruelty : a circumftance owing to the un* merciful rapacioufnefs of the mod polifhed nations ia Europe. The beaver is about three or four feet long; but his weight amounts to forty or fixty pounds, which is the confequence of the largenefs of his mufcles. His head, wh ch he carries downwards, is like that of a rat ; and his back, raifed ia an arch above it, like that of a moufe. Lucretius has obferved, not that man has hands given him to make ufe of them; but that he had hands given him, and has made ufe of them. Thus the beaver has webs at his hinder feet, and he fwims with them. The toes of his fore-feet' are feparate, and anfwcr the purpofe of hands ; the tail, which is flat, oval, and covered with fcales, he ufes by way of a hoc and trowel ; he has four (harp incifor teeth, which ferve him inftcad of carpenter's tools. All thefe inftruments, which arc in a manner ufelcfs ! ;-i( J' ■ "i'M; ^^m^i: il 11: If ' ■' I- ;t: I < li .-1 , n ii: I 190 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH ufelefs whilft he lives alone, and do net then dlftln- guifli him from other animals, are of infinite feivicc when he lives in fociety, and enable him to difplay a degree of ingenuity fuperior to all inftin<5^. Without paflion*, without a defire of doing injury to any, and without craft, when he does not live in Ibciety ; he fcarccly ventures to defend himfelf. He never bit 8, unlefs he is catched. But in the fecial ftate, in lieu of weapons, lie has a variety of con- trivances to fecure himfelf without fighting, and to live without committing or fuffcring any injury. This peaceable and even tame animal is neverthelefs inde- pendent ; he is a flave to none, becaufe all his wants are fupplied by himfelf: he enters into focitty ; but will not ferve,^ nor does he pretend to command : and all his labours are dired^ed by a filent inftindt. It is the common want of living and multiplying that calls the beavers home, and coUcdls them toge- ther in fummer to build their towns againft winter. As early as June or July, they come in from all quarte' s, and aflemblc to the number of two or three hundred ; but always by the water fide, becaufethefe republicans are to live on the water to fecure them- felves from invafion. Sometimes they give the pre- fereuce to ftill lakes in unfrequented diftrifts, bccaufe there the watt -s are always at an equal height. When they find no pools of itanding water, they make one in the midll of rivers or ftreams ; which they do by means of a caufeway or dam. The mere planning of this contrivance implies fuch a complication of ideas, xis our ftiort-fighted reafon would be apt ^o think above any capacity but that of an intelligent being. The firft thing to be ereft- cd is a pile an hundred feet long, and twelve feet thick at the bafis, which (helves away to two or three feet in a flope anfwcrable to the depth of the waters. To fave work, or to facilitate their labour, they chufe the fhalloweft part of the river. If they find a large tree by the water-fide, they fell it in fuch a manner as it may fall acrofs the ftrcam. If it (hould b2 s.dlft<"'^Mi\\|r jen dlftin- ite fervicc to difplajr ing injury lot live in felf. He the focial ;y of COR. ig, and to iiry. This elefs indc- his wants Mtty ; but ;ommand : inftlnft. lultiplying hem togc- ft winter. I from all 70 or three caufe thefe ure them- the pre- , bccaufe height, er, they ; which m. The fuch a d reafon but that be ereft- elvc feet or three e waters. )ur, they ey find a fuch a lit (hould U :s V SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. 191 be larger in circumference than a man's body, ihcy faw it through, or rather gnaw the foot with their four (harp teeth. The branches are foon lopped off by thefe induftriouS work- men, who want to fafhion it into a beam. A multitude of lefTcr trees are felled and cut to pieces for the Intended pile. Some drag thefe trees td the river fide, others fwim over with them to the place where the caufeway is to be raifed. But the queftlon is, how thefe animals arc to fink. them in the water with the afliftancc only of their teeth, a tail, and feet. The following Is the manner in which they contrive it. With their nails they dig a hole in the ground, or at the bottom of the water. With their teeth they reft the large end of the ftake againft the bank of the river, or againft the great beam that lies acrofs. With their feet they ralfe the ftake, and fink it with the (harp end downwards i;!to the hole, where it ftands upright. With their tails they make mortar, with which they fill up all the vacancies between the ftakes, which are bound together with twifted boughs ; and thus the pile is conftrufted. The flope of the dam is oppofite to the current, the better to break the force of the water by a gradual refiftance; and the ftakes arc driven in obliquely, in proportion to the inclination of the plane. The ftakes are planted perpendicular- ly on the fide v*'hcre the water is to fall ; and In order to open a drain which may lefltn tl^e adllon of the flope and weight of the caufeway, they make two or three openings at the top of it, by which part of the waters of the river may run off. When this work is finiftied by the whole body of the republic, every member confiders of a lodging for himfelf. Each company builds a hut in the wa- ter upon the pite. Thefe huts are from four to ten feet in diameter, upon an oval or round fpot. Some are two or three ttories high, according to the num- ber of families or houfholds. Each hut contains at ieaft two or three, and fome ten or fifteen. The walls, whether high or low, are about two feet thick, an«d 'i' ii '. ^■n': ;|:: i ; J 1/1 41 .lifts: >^M|i\|: "tfiM in»f tpa HISTORY OF THE BRITISH and arc all arched at the top, and perfeAly neat and folid both within and without. The outfide is var- nifhed with a kind of ftucco, impenetrable both to the water and to the external air. Every apartment has two openings, one on the land fide, to enable them to go out and fetch provifions ; the other on that next the fticam, to facilitate their efcape at the approach of the enemy, that is, of man, the de- llroyer of cities and commonwealths. The window of the houfe opens to the water. There they take the frcfh air in the day time, plunged into the river up to their middle, hi winter it ferves to fence them againft; the ice, which gathers to the thicknefs ot two or three feet. The flielf, which is to prevent its flopping up this window, refts upon two ftakes that (lope in fuch a manner as may beft carry off the water from the houfe, and leave an outlet to creep out at, or to go and fwim under the ice. The inilde of the houfe has no other furniture than a flooring of grafs, covered with the boughs of the fir-tree. No iilth of any kind is ever feen in thefc, apartments. The materials for thefe buildings are always to be found in their neighbourhood. Thefe are alders, poplars, and other trees delighting in watery places, as thefe republicans do who build their apartments of them. Thefe citizens have the fatisfaftion, at the fame time that they fafhion the wood, to nourifh themfelves with it. In imitation of certain favages of the frozen ocean, they eat the bark. The favages, indeed, do not like it till it is dried, pounded, and properly dreffed ; whereas the beavers chew it and fuck it when it is quite green. They lay up a provi- fion of bark and tender twigs in feparate ftorehoufes for every hut, proportionable to the number of its .inhabitants. Every beaver knows his own ftore- houfe, and not one of them pilfers his neighbour's. Each party lives in its own habitation, and is content- ed with it, though jealous of the property it has ac- quired in it by its labour. The provifions of the community are collc^ed and expended without dif- fern: ic OS ,^mv.^^liH^,- M SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. i^j fentions. They are fatisfied with that fimple foofl which their labour prepares for them. The only pafiion they have is that of conjugal afFeition, the hafis and end of which is the reprodu<^ion of their fpeclcs. Towards the end of winter, the mothers bring forth their young ones, bred in autumn ; and whilft the father ranges all the woods, allured by the fleets of tlie fpring, leaving to his little family the room he took up in' his narrow cell, the dam fucklei and nurfes them, to the number of two or three. Then (he takes them cut along with her in her cxcurfions, in fearch of cray and other ffh, and green bark, to recruit her own llrength and to feed them, till the feafon of labour returns. This republican, induflrious, intelligent people, fkilled in architefture, provident and fyllcmatical in its plans of police and fociety, is the beaver, v/hofe gentle and exemplary manners we have been defer ib- ing. Happy if his covering did not tempt mercilei^ and favagc man to deftroy his buildings and his race. Frequently, when the Americans have demoHfhed the fettlements of the beavers, thofe indefatigable animals have had the refolution to build them up again, for feveral fummers fuccefiively, upon the ver^/ fame fpot. The winter is the time for attackint* them. Experience warns them of their danger. At the approach of the huntfmen, one of them ftrikes a hard ftroke with his tail upon the Vt-ater ; this fignal fpreads a general alarm throughout all the huts of the commonwealth, and every one tries to fave him- fdf under the ice. But it is very difficult to efcape all the fnares that are laid for this harmlefs tribe. Sometimes the huntfmen lie in wait for them ; but as^thefe animals fee and hear at a great diflance, they can feldom be fhot by the water-fide, and they never venture fo far from it as to be caught by fur- prife. -Should the beaver be wounded before he has got under water, he has always time enough to plunge in ; and if he dies afterwards, he is loft, becaufc he finke, and never rifcs again. R A ■il- M' m 'If' ' mm M rc>4 HISTORY OF TPiE BRITISH A more certain way of catching beavers is, by laying traps in the woods, where they eat tender bark of young trees. Thefe traps arc baited with frefli flips of wood ; and as foon as the beavers toucli them, an enormous weight falls and crufhes their loins. The man, wh© is concealed near the place, hailens to it, fclzes his prey, and having difpatched it, carries it off. Other methods are ftill more commonly and more fuccefsfully pradlifed. The huts are fornetlmcs at- tacked, in order to drive out the inhabitants, ami then wait for them at the edges of the holes they have bored in the ice, where they cannot avoid com- ing to take in frefli air. The moment they appear, they are knocked on the head. At other times the animal, driven out of his lodgement, is entangled in the nets that are fpreadall round, by breaking up the ice for fome toifes round his hut. If ihcy want to *;atch the whole colony at once, inftead of breaking down the fluices to drown the inhabitants, as it might be done in Holland, they open the caufeway, to drain off^ the water from the pool where the beavers live. "When they are thus left dry, defencelefs, and unable to efcape, they may be caught at pleafure and de- stroyed at any time : but care is always taken to leave a fuflicient number of males and females to preferve the breed ; an a6l of generofity which In reality proceeds only from avarice. The cruel fore- iight of man only fparcs a few in order to have the more to deftroy. The beaver, whofe plaintive cry leems to implore his clemency and pity, finds in the favage, whom the Europeans have made barbarous, only an implacable enemy, who no longer fights fo much to fupply his own wants, as to furnifli fuper- fluitles to another \^orld. If we compare the manners, the police, and the induftry, of the beavers with the wandering life of the favages of Canada ; we fliall be inclined to allow, .admitting for the fuperiority of man's faculties above thofe of anImaU, that the beaver was much further advanced SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. 195 advanced in the arts of focial life than his purfuer, when the Europeans firll brought their talents and improvements to North- America. The beaver, an older inhabitant of that world than man, and the quiet poffeflbr of thofe regions fo well adapted to his fpecies, had employed that quiet he had enjoyed for many ages, in the improvement of his faculties. In our hemifphere, man has feized upon the moll wholefome and fertile regions, and has driven out or fubdued all other animals. If the bee and the ant have preferved their laws and government from the jealous and deftruAive dominion of tyrant man, this has been owing to thefmallnefs of their lize. It is thus we fee fome republics, having neither fplendor nor ilrcn^th, maintain themfelves by their very weakncfs, in the midft of the vaft monarchies of Europe, which mud fooner or later fvvallow them up. But the fociable quadrupeds, baniflied into uninhabited climates unfit for their increafe, have been unconnected in all places, incapable of uniting into a community, or of improving their natural fagacity ; whilil man, who has redaced them to ihat precarious Hate, exults in their degradation, and prides himfelf in that fuperior nature and thofe ration- al powers which conftitute a perpetual dillinClioiv between his fpecies and all others. The brutes, we are told, bring nothing to perfec- tion : their operations, therefore, can only be me- chanical, and fuppofe no principle llmilar to that which a6tuates man. Without examining in what particulars perfe6lion confills ; whether the moft civilized being is in reality the moft pcrfedl; whether what he acquires in the property of things, he does not lofe in the property of his pcrfon ; or, whe- ther all he adds to his enjoyments is not fo much fubtrafted from his duration ; we cannot but confefs, that the beaver, which in Europe is a wandering, folitary, timorous, and ftupid animal, was in Canada acquainted with civil and domeftic government, knew how to diftinguifh the proper feafons for labour and reft, was acquainted with fome rules of architedare, R 2 and I- |5 •f} i'-^ mm ! .y ) ': 196 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH and with the curious and learned art of conftru^^in't dikes. Yet he had attained to this degree of im- provement with feeble and impcrfedl tools. He caij liardly fee the work he docs with his tail. His teeth, which anfwer the purpofcs of a variety of tools, are circular, and confined by the lips. Man, on the contrary, with hands fit for every purpofe, hath in thih lingle organ of the touch all the combined povvcrg of ftrength and dexterity. Is it not to this advantage of organization that he owes the fuperiority of his fpecies above all others ? It is not becaufe his eyes aie turned towards heaven, as thofc of all birds are, that he is the lord of the creation ; it is bccau(e he is provided with hands that are fupple, pliable, indu- lirious, formidable, and weapons of defence, and ever ready to uiTift him. His hand is his fceptre : it is with that he marks his dominion over the earth, by deftroying and ravaging the face of the globe. The furell fign of the population of mankind is the depo- pulation of other fpecies. That of beavers gradually decreafes and difappears in Canada, fincc the Euro- peans have been in requeft of their fliins. Their fkins vary with the climate, both in colour and kind. In the fame diitridl, however^ where the colonies of civilized beavers are found, there arc fome that are wild and folitary. Thcfe animals, who arc iaid to be turned out of focitty for their ill behaviour, live in a channel under ground, and have neither lodging nor ftorehoufe. Their coat in dirty, and the hair is worn off of their backs by rubbing againll the cave which they dig for their habitation. This flip, which comrn* nly opens into fome pond er ditch full of water, fometimes extends above a hundred feet in length, and flopes up gradually to facilitate their tfcape from inundations when the waters rife. Some of thefe beavers are fo wild as to fly from ail commu- nication with their natural clement, and to live entire- ly on land. In this they agree with our otters in Europe. Thefe wild bearers have not fuchfleek hair as thofc that live in focieties ; thcirfurs are aniwerable to their manners. Beavcrj SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. 197 Bea .' :t's are found in Amerua from the thirtieth ta the fixtieth decree of north latitude. There are but few towards the font'., but they Incrcafe and grow darker as we adrancc towards the north. In the country of the Illinois, thijy are yellow and llraw- coloured ; higher up, they are of a light chefnut ; to the north of Canada, of a dark chefnut; and fom« are even found that are quite black, and thefe are reckoned the fined. Yet Iij this climate, the coldeft that is inhabited by this fpecles, there arc fomc among the black ones that are quite white ; others white fpeckled with grey, and fomctimes with landy fpots Oil the rump : fo much does nature delight In (hewing the gradations of warmth and cold, and their various influences not only on the figure but on the very clothing of animals. The value that men fet on their lives, depends upon the colour of their flilns. Some they negledl to that degree, that they will not even kill them ; but this is uncommon. CHAP. IV. In what places, and in what manner the Fur* trade was carried on. THE fur-trade was the firft the Europeans car- ried on in Canada. It was firft opened by the French colony at Tadoufac, a port fituatcd thirty leagues below Quebec About the year 1640, the town of Les Trois Rivieres, at the diftance of twenty-five leagues from the capital, and higher up, became a fecond mart. In procefs of time all the fur-trade centered in Montreal. The fltins were brought thither on canoes made of the bark of trees in the month of June. The number of Indians whp reforted to that place increafcd, as the fame of the French fprcad further. The account of the receptioa they had met with, the fight of the things they had received in exchange for their goods, every thing R 5 • contributed J! 51, • I 19« HISTORY OF THE BRITISH contributed to incrcafc the concourfe. Whenever they returned with a frefh fupply of furs, they always !)rought a new nation along with them. Thus a kind of fair was opened, to which the feveral tribes of that vaft continent reforted. The Englifli grew jealous of this branch of wealth ; and the colony they had founded at New York foon found means to divert the (Ircam of this great circulation. As fotjn as they had fecured a fubfidence, by beftowing their firll attention upon agriculture, they began t® think of the fur-trade, which was at firft confined to the country of the Iroquoii. The five nations of that name would not fufFer tht'ir lands to be traverfed in order to give an opportunity of treating with other favage nations who were at conftant enmity with them ; nor would they allow thofe nations to come upon their territo- ries to (hare in competition with them the profits of the trade they had opened with the Europeans. IBut time having extinguifhed, or rather fufpended, the national hoA^ilities between the Indians, the lEnglifh fpread all over the country, and the favages ilocked to them from all quarters. This nation had infinite advantages for obtaining the preference over their rivals the French. Their navigation was cafier, and confcquently they could afford to underfell them. They were the only manufafturers of the coarfe cloths that befl fuited the favages. The beaver- trade was free among them ; whereas, among the Trench, it was, and ever has been, fubjeft to the tyranny of monopoly. At this time the French in Canada Indulged them- felves more freely in a cuftom which at firfi had been confined within narrow bounds. Their inclination ibr frequenting the woods, which was that of the firft colonifts, had been wifely reflrained within the limits «f the territory belonging to the col©ny. Permiflion was, however, granted everv year to twenty five ■perfons to extend beyond ihefe limits, to trade with the Iqdians. The fuperlority which New York was acquiring) -mt^ SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. 199 acjuiring, was the caufc of increafing the number of thcfc pcrmiflion3. They were a kind of patent, which the patentees might make ufe of cither in ncrfon or by proxy, and vvhicli lalled a year ot more. Th;y were fold; and the produce waa diflributcd by the governor of the colony to the oiEcers or their widows and children, to hofpitaU and miflionaries, to fiiclj as had dillinguifhed themfelves by fome great aftion or fome ufeful undertaking, and fometimcs even to the creatures of the governor who fold the patents himfelf. The money which he did not give away, or did not diufe to keep, was put into the public coffers ; but he was accountable to none for his adminiftration. This cuilom was attended with fatal confequence». Many of thefe traders fettled among the Indians, to defraud their partners wbofc goods they had difpofed of. Many more went and fettled among the Englifh, where the profits were greater. Several of the French were loft upon iinmenfe lakes, frequently agitated with violent ftorms ; among the cafcades, which render navigation fo dangerous up the broad- ell rivers in the whole word; under the weight of the canoes, the provilions, and the bales of goods, which they were forced to carry upon their fhouldera at the carrying places , where the rapidity or fhallow- ncfs of the water obliged them to quit the rivers, and purfue their journey by land. Numbers perifhed in the fnow and on the ice, by hunger, or by the fword of the enemy. Thofe who returned to the colony with a profit of fix or feven hundred per cent, were not always the more ufeful members, as they gave themfelves up to the greateft exceffes, and by their example difgufted others from aflidious labours. Their fortunes diiappeared as quickly as they had been a- nnaffed, like thofe moving mountains which a whirl- wind raifes and deftroys at once on the fandy plains of Africa. Moft of thefe travelling traders, fpent with the cxceffive fatigues which their avarice prompted them to undergo, and the licentioufnefs of II liuli r u % !**. I'! \u ( 1 \ w 1! 200 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH a wandering and diflblutc life, dragged on a premature old age in indigence and infamy. The government took notice of thefe irregularities, and put the fur- trade upon a better footing. France had for a long time been inceflantly em- ployed in erefting a number of forts, which were thought neceflaiy for her prcfervation and aggran- dizement in North America. Thofe they had built to the weft and fouth of the river St Lawrence, were large and ftrong, and were intended to confine the ambition of the Englifli. Thofe which were con- ilrudled on the feveral lakes in the moft important pofitions, formed a chain which extended northward to the diftance of a thoufand leagues from Quebec ; but they were only miferabic palifades, intcncled to keep the Indians in awe, and to fecure their alliance and the produce of their chafe. There was a garri- fon in each, more or lefs numerous according to the importance of the poft and of the enemies who threa- tened it. It was thought proper to intruft the com- mandant of each of thele forts with the exclufive right ©f buying and felling in the whole diftrift under his dominion. This privilege was purchafed ; but as it was always productive of profit, and fometimes of a confiderable fortune, it was granted to none but fuch officers as were moft in favour. If any of thefe had not a ftock fufficient for the undertaking, he could ea fily get fome monied men to join with him. It was pretended, that this fyftem, far from being contrary to the benefit of the fervice, was a means of promo- ting it ; as it obliged the gentlemen of the army to keep up more conftant connections with the natives, to watch their motions, and to negleCl nothing that could fecure their friendfhip. Nobody forefaw, or chofe to forfee, that this could not fail of ftifling every fentiraent but that of felf-intercft, and would be a fource of perpetual oppreffion. This tyranny, which foon became univerfal, was feverely felt at Frontenac, at Niagara, and at To- SQUto. The farmers of thofe three forts, abufing their privilege. SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA, aoi privilege, fct fo low a value upon the goads that were brought them, and rated their own fo high, that by degrees the Indians would not ftop there. TUcy went m vail numl)crs toChouaguen, nn the lake On- tario, where the Englifh dealt with them upon more ailvantageous tcnni. Tiief(r new tonncd^ions were leprefented as alarming to the court of France, who joiind means to wealcm them by luking the trade of ihefc three pods into her own hands, and treating the Indians ttiil better than they were treated by the rival nation. Tl»e confcquence was, that the king acquired the fole poflelHon of all the refufe of the furs ; and got the il •1 pi: I ] 202 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH gcs, than they grew paflionately fond of it. It was equally impolfible for them to abftain from it, or to ufe it with moderation. It was foon obferved that this liquor difturhcd their domeftic peace, deprived them of their judgement, made them furious ; that it occafioned hufbands, wives, children, ' brothers and /iilcrs, to abufe and quarrel with one another. In vain did fome fober Frenchmen expoftulate with them, and endeavour to fhame them out of thtfc excefles. *.* It is you (anfwcrcd they) who have taught us to *' drink this liquor; and now we cannot do without *' it. If you refufe to give it to us, we will go and " get it of the Englifli. It is you have done the mif. " chief, and it cannot be repaired." The court of France, upon receiving contradi<^ory Information with refpedl to the diforders occafioned by this pernicious trade, hath alternately prohibited, tx>lerated, and authorifed it, according to the light in which it was reprefented to the miniftry. In the Hiidft of thefe variations, the intereft of the merchants was feldom at a Hand. The fale of brandy was at all times nearly the fame. Rational men confidered it, however, as the principle caufe of the diminution of the human race, and confequently of the ilcins of beaftd, which became every day more and more evident. CHAP. V. State of Canada at the peace of Utrecht. AT the peace of Utrecht, this vaft country was in a date of weaknefs and mifery not to be conceived. This was owing to the French who came there firft, and who rather threw therafelves in- to this country than fettled upon it. Mod of them had done nothing more than runabout the woods ; the more reafonable among them had attempted fome cul* tares, but without choice or plan. A picceof ground, haftily jilHi^^HH!»^l--i SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA, 203 baftlly tilled and built upon, was as haftlly forfakcn. However, the expences the government was at, to- gether with the profits of the fur- trade, at times af- forcL'd the inhabitants a comfortable fubfillencc ; but a fcries of unfortunate wars foon deprived them of thefe enjoyments. In 1714, the exports from Cana- da did not exceed 13,125/, This fum, added to 15,312/. 10/. which the government fent over every year, was all the colony had to depend upon for the payment of the goods they received from Europe. And indeed thefe were fo few, that mod people \vere reduced to wear fl<:ins like the Indians. Such was the deplorable fituation of the far greater part of twenty thoufand French inhabitants, who were luppofed to be in thefe immenfe regions. CHAP. VI. Population, agriculture, manners, government, fiflieries, induftry, and revenues of Canada. TRECHT. BUT the happy fpirit which at that time animated the feveral parts of the world, roufed Canada from the languid ftate in which it had been fo long plunged. It appears from the eftlmates taken ia 1753 and 1758, which were Hearly equal, that the population amounted to 91,000 fouls, exclufive of the regular troops, whofe numbers varied according to the different exigencies of the colony. This calculation did not include the many allies difperfed throughout an extent of i2©o leagues In length, and of confiderable breadth ; nor yet the 16,000 Indians who dwelt in the centre of the French fettlements, or in their neighbourhood. None of thefe were ever confidered as fubjefts, tho' they li- ved in the midft of a great European colony : the fmalleft clans Hill preferveJ their independence. All men talk of liberty, but the favage alone enjoys it. Not Bit . >Mil<^^*?llM^*v-^«i«*- ijr?ic«?r^ nw ^.h V ;; i :o4 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH Not only the whole nation, but every individual, i' truly free. The confcioufnefs of his independence o.| perates upon all his thoughts and aftions. He won! enter the palace of an Afiatic monarch juft as he vvou! come into a pcafant's cottage, and neither be darzle by his fplendor nor awed by his power. It is hi own fpccies, it is mankind, it is his equal, that 1 loves and rcfpefts j but he would hate a mafter, and! deflroy him. Part of the French colony was centured in three] cities. Quebec, the capital of Canada, is i 500 lea- gues diftant from France, and 120 leagues from the i'ea. It i^ built in the form of an amphitheatre, 011 a peninfuia made by the river St Lawrence and ihc rcver Ow Charles ; and commands a profpcft over ex. tcnfivc fields which ferve to enrich it, and a very fafc road thai will aimit upwards of two hundred fhips. It is ♦hrce miles in circumference. Two thirds of thi^ vjrcuit are dt-fejided by the water and the rocks, which are a better iecurity than the fortifications c- reeled on the v.mparts that cut the peninfuia. The houfes are tolerably well confl uiSted. The inhabi- tants, were computed at about io>coo fouls at the beginning of the year 1759. It was the centre of commerce, and tlie feat of government. The ciiy of the Trols Rivieres, built ten years la- ter than (Quebec, and fituated thirty leagues higher, was raifcd with a view of encouraging the trade with the northern Indians. But this fettlement, though brilliant at firfl, never attained to more than 1500 inhabitants, becaufe the fur-trade was foon diverted from this market, and carried entirely to Montreal. Montreal is an ifland, ten leagues long and four broad almofl^, formed by the river St Lawrence, fixty leagues above Quebec. Of all the adjacent country, this is the mildeft, the moil pleafant and the mcft fruitful fpot. A few fcattcrcd huts, ercfted by chance in 1640, advanced to a regular built town, which contained four thoufand inhabitants. At firil it lay expofed te Am cx)n{lltutc the merit and the charm of beauty. live- ly, gay, coquettes, and addifted to gallantry, they were more gratified with iufpiring than feeling the tender pafiion. In both fcxcs might be obferyed a greater degree of devotion than virtue, more religioa than probity, a higher fenfe of honour than of real honefty. Superftition took place of morality, as it does wherever men are taught to belicvo that ccremo- liies will compenfate for good works, and that crimes are expiated by prayers. Idlenefs, prejudice, and levity, would never have taken fuch an afcendant in Canada, had the govern- ment been careful to employ the minds of the peo- ple upon folid and profitable objects. But all the colonifts were required to pay an Implicit obedience to a mere military authority. They were unac- quainted with the flow and fure procefs of the laws. The will of the chief, or of his delegates, was an- oracle, which they were not even at liberty to inter- pret ; an awful decree, which they were to fubmit to without examination. Delays, rcprefentations, excufes of honour, were fo many crimes In the eyes of a defpotic ruler, who had ufurped a power of punllhing or abfolving by his bare word. Pie held in his own hands all favours and penalties, rewards and punifhments ; the right of imprlfonlng without the fhadow of a crime, and the ftill more formida- ble right of inforcing a reverence for his decrees as fo many a£ls of juftice, tho' they were but the ir- regular failles of his own caprice. In early times, this unlimited power was not con- fined to matters relative to military difcipllne and po- litical admlnlflratlon, but was extended even to civil jurlfdidion. The governor decided r.rbitrarily and without appeal upon all differences arifing between the colonills. Fortunately thefe contefts were very rare, in a country where all things were almoft, as it were, in common. This dangerous authority fub- fifted till 1663, at which period a tribunal was eredt- ;d in the capita!, for the definitive trial of all caufcj S. 3 depf^ndin;''- hlT^ .-ifi^<^^^^llllliv^-^4: wmmm ■' !• r 210 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH depending throughout the colony. The cuftom of Paris, modified luitably to local combinations, form- ed 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 took up a few fines of alie- nation ; a trifling contribution from the inhabitants of Quebec and Montreal towards keeping up the fortifications ; and fome duties upon all goods im- ported and exported, which, indeed, were too high. In 174.7, all thcfe feveral articles brought no more than 11,583/. 15/. into the treafury. The lands were not taxed by the government, nor did they enjoy an entire exemption. A great mif- take was made at the firft fettling of the colony, in granting to officers and gentlemen a piece of land, from two to four leagues in front, and unlimited in depth. Thefe great proprietors, who were men of moderate fortunes, and unfkilled in agriculture, were unable to manage fuch vaft eftates, and were therefore under a neceffity of making over their lands to foldiers or planters upon condition they fiiould pay them a kind of ground rent or homage for ever. This was introducing into America fomething very iike the feudal government, which was fo long fatal to Europe. The lord ceded ninety acres to each of }iis vafials, who on their part engaged to work in his mill, to pay him annually one or two fols per acre, and s\. buftiel and a half of corn for the entire grant. This tax, though but a fmall one, maintained a great number of idle people, at the expencc of the only clafs with which a colony ought to have been peo- pled. The true inhabitants, the laborious men, found the burden of maintaining an annuitant nobi- lity increafed by the additional exaftions of the cler- jry. In J 667, the tithes were impofed. They were, indeed, reduced to a twenty-fixth part of the crops, notwithftanding the clamours of that rapa- cious body ; but ftill this was an oppreflion, in a country where the clergy had a property allotted itiena, which was fufficicnt for their maintenance. So 'U«K.-^llMlHv=Ui- SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. 2 1 1 So many impediments thrown in the way of agri- culture, difablcd the colony to pay for the neceflaries that came from the mother country. The French miniftry were at laft fo fully convinced of this truth, that after having always obftinately oppofcd the ella- blilhment of manufaftures in America, they thought It their intereft even to promote them, in 1706. But thefe too tardy encouragements had very little cffeft ; and the united induftry of the colonifls could never produce more than a few coarfe linens, and feme very bad woollen (luffs, The fi(hfric8 were not much more inviting than the manufadlures. The only one that could be an objeA of exportation, was that of the Seal. This animal has been ranked in the clafs of fifh, though he is not dumb, is always born on land, and lives more on dry ground than in the water. His head is fomc- what like that of a maRiff. He has four paws, which are very fhort, efpecially the hinder ones, which fcrvc him rather to crawl than to walk upon. They arc fliaped like fins, but the fore -feet have claws. His fkin is hard, and covered with fhort hair. He rs born white, but turns fandy or black as he grows up. Sometimes he is of all the three colours. There are two diftinA forts of feals. The larger fort will fometimes weigh no Icfs than two thoufand weight, and feem to have a fliarper fnout than the others. The fmall ones, whofe fl4iili.-^UllM.vii»V: 212 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH enough to fwim of themfclves. Mod little birch flutter about from fpray to fpray before they venture to fly abroad ; the eagle carries her young, to train them up to encounter the boillcrous winds ; it is not therefore furprifing, that the feal, born on land, fhould exercife her little ones in living under water. The manner of fiHiing for thefc amphibious animals is Vw*ry fimple. Their cuftom is, when they are *out at fea, to enter into the creeks with the tide. As foon as fome place is difcovered where they refort in (hoals, they furround it with nets and (lakes, only taking care to leave a little opening for them to get in. At high water this opening is Hopped up, and when the tide is gone down the prey remains on dry ground. There is nothing more to do but to knock them down. Sometimes the fiftiermen get into a canoe, and follow them to their lurking places, where they fire upon them the moment they put their heads out of the water to take in air. If they ar^^ only wounded, they are eafily caught ; if they are killed they fink directly, but are fetched up by great dogi that are trained vp to dive for them fevcn or eight fdthom under water. The flcin of the feal was formerly ufed for muffs ; but afterwards to cover trunks, and to .t.ake ftioes and boots. When it is well tanned, the grain is not unlike that of morocco leather. If on the one hand it is not quiet fo fine, on the other it keeps 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. Fre- quently nothing more is done than to fpread the fat upon large fquares made of boards, where it melta 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 does not gather drofs. It is ufed for burning and for drefling of leather. Five or fix fmall fhips were fitted out yearly from Canada for the feal-fifhery in the gulph of St Law- renccj ittlc bircij cy venture g, to train ; it is not on land, er water, ^us animals ey are •cut tide. As :y refort in akes, only :iem to get led up, and ains on dry It to knock get into a aces, where their heads sy ar.^ only y arc killed great dogs en or eight for muffs ; fhoes and rain is not je one hand s longer, wed to be it is boiled ;cient to fet ffcl. Fre- ead the fat ere it melts n opening for a long ,ther drofs. eather. yearly from of St Law- rence; SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. 213 rence, and one or two lefs for the Caribbec iflands; They received from the iflands nine or ten veflela laden with rum, melalTes, coffee, and fugar ; and from France about thirty fhips, whofc lading together might amount to nine thoufand tonu. In the interval between the two laft wars, which was the mod flourifhing period of the colony, the exports did not exceed 525,000/. in furs, 35,000/. in beaver, 10,937 /. 10/. in feal oil, the fame in flour and peafe, and 6562/. 10/. in wood of all kinds. Tliefe feveral articles put together, amounted but to 115,937/. 10/. a year, a fum infufficicnt to pay for the commodities they drew from the mother country. The government made up the deficiency. When tfee French were in poffeflion of Canada, tiicy had very little money. The little that was brought in from time to time by the new fettlers did not (lay long in the country, becaufe the neceflities uf the colony fent it away again. This was a great obllaclc to the progrefs of commerce and agriculture. In 1670, the court of Vcrfailles coined a particular fort of money for the ufe of all the French fcttlements in America ; and fet a nominal value upon it, a fourth part above the value of the current coin of ihc mother country. But this expedient was not pro- duftlve of the advantages that were expefted, at leaft with regard to New France. They therefore con- trived to fubftitute paper currency to metal, for the payment of the troops and other cxpcnccs of govern- ment. This fucceedcd till the year '713* when they were no longer true to the engagements they had entertd into with the adminiftrators of the colony. The bills of exchange they drew upon the treafury of the mother country were not honoured, and from that lime fell into difcredit. They were at laft paid Oifin 1*720, but with the lofs of five-eighths. This event occafioned the ufe of money to be re- fanned in Canada ; but this expedient lafted only two years. The merchants found it troublefome, charge. able, and hazardous, to fend money to France, and fo 'A. ^liH.-^mUU vtUi, '»?»» Id If fHHiHnu s s ■1911 ' 1- lHI "] 111 i 1 ilH| ;1 |y 1! t l^^l^l^l 1 1 n Hll ^ 1 I'mi'' i 1 ' 'IIP 1 ■ I ™i^ ' i i ' il ' Slli''^ ) ' 'f 9lll'i t ! 1 ' ^eHi'I i 1 : .fljHJll ' ' 'i ' uH Hl< r 1 1 1 || IH'^'.il'' 1 ; ^flflf^p: [^ ill ' 1 i ill i ( M 11 ^K r III ! 1 Ini 1 ' iiH \ i r i^ls^BV 1 I'ajB^Hjfl |- \. jM^^W \ |l ' 1 \9 ^^H^H Ir r i ^ it!^H i^H^^^^B K I'M Hill \\ i. firlBMim '■ .] j; 'J "VHn hI H ^! '^'p-^^H|| :1 itlii - ^ ^^BsIokI k l|-H!| ■ 1 i'.f ^ -'^kIb it ' li 'ft '^ ^'Uifi . )' ' ii li M l^^m. ^ j li h m. '{■Kb I j: , j il' w J^M '. f It JJIfllil ■' il' a 14 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH fo did all the colunies who had any remittances to make ; fo that they were the firll to folicit the rc-c- ftablifliment of paper currency. This money con- fided of cards, on which was ftampcd the aims of France and Navarre ; and they were figned by the governor, the intendanl, and the comptroller. They were of i /. i /. lOi. df. §j. ^d. 2s. id, halfpenny, and of J/. 3 j SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. 215 year 1751, 118,125/. the year 1752, 178,9^7/. 10/. the year 1753, 231,875/. the year 1754, 194,687/. 10/. the year 1755, 266,875/. the year 1756, 494, 375/. the year 1757, 842, 187/. the year 1758, i, 220,625/. the year 1759, 1,137,500/. the firflt eight monthi of the year 1760, 590,625/. Of thefe prodigious fums, 3,5001000/. were owing at the peace. This difhoneft debt was traced up to its origin, and tlie enormities that had given rife to it were in- quired..into as far as the diftance of time and place would allow. The greatell delinquents, who were become fo in confequence of the unlimited power and jrcdit given them by the government, were legally condemned to make conliderable reftitutions, but Hill too moderate. Tixe claims of private creditors were all difcufled. Fortunately for them and for the na- tion, the miniftry intruded with this important and iiecefTary bufinefs, were none but men of known in- tegrity, who were not to be intimidated by the threats of power, nor bribed by the offers of fortune ; who could not be impofed upon by artifice, or wearied out by difficulties. By fteadily and impartially hold- ing an even balance between ths interell of the pub- lic and the rights of individuals, they reduced the fum total of the debts to 1,662,000/. ♦ CHAP. VII. Advantages which France might have derived from Canada. Errors which have deprived her of them. IT was the fault of France if Canada was not worth the immenfe fums that were bellowed upon It. It had long fince appeared, that this vaft region was every where capable of yielding prodigious crops; yet no more was cultivated than what wag barely fufficient for the fuftenance of the inhabitants. Wiik «!' 1 1 I MU^^^HliH^ ny u I'i m m ijU> ■ . 1^ m 1 J mdiyi m w^^mft 2i6 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH With moderate labour they might have raifed corn enough to fupply all the American iflands, and even fome parts of Europe. It is well known, that in 1751 the colony fent over two fhip-loads of wheat to Marfeilles, which proved very good, and fold very well. This exportation ought to have been encou- raged the more as the crops arc liable to few acci- dents in that country, where the corn is fownin May, and gathered in before the end of Auguft. If hufbandry had been encouraged and extended, the breed of cattle would have been increafed. They have fo much pafture ground, and fueh plenty ct acorns, that the colonies might eafily have bred oxen and lio^s, fufficient to fupply the French iflands with beef and pork, without having recourfe to Irifh beef. Polfiblvj they might in time have increafed fo much as to be able to vidlual the fliips of the mother coun- try. Their fiicep would have been no lefs advantageom to France. They were eafily bred in Canada, where the dams commonly bear twins : and if they did not multiply farter, it was becaufe the ewes were left with the ram at all fcafons ; becaufe, as they moltly brought forth in February, the feverity of the wea- ther dcllroyed a ,'Tjreat many lambs; and becaufe they were obliged to feed them with corn, and the inha- bitants found this fo chargeable, that they did not much care to rear them. AH this might have been prevented by a law, enjoining all farmers to part the ram from the ewes from September to February. The lambs dropped in May would have been reared without any expence or hazard, and in a iliort time the colony would have been covered with numerous flocks. Their wool, which is known to be very fine and good, would have fupplicd the manufatfturts of Fr?nce, inO.?ad of tha*: which they import from An* dalufia and Cuftile. The ftate would have been en- riched by this valuable commodity; and, in return, the cokny would 'lavc received a thouiand new and delirable articles from the mother coimtry. ■i*^^ -Vlilll;: vU, raifed corn ds, and even )Yvn, that In ds of wheat ind fold very been cncou- to few acci- fownin May, jft. .nd extended, eafed. They ich plenty ct ive bred oxen h iflands with to Iri(h beef. a fed fo much mother coun- SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. 217 The Ginfeng would have been a great acnnifition to both. This plant, which the Chincfe procure from the Corca, or from Tartary, and which they buy at the weight of gold, was found in 1720, by the Jefuit Lafitau, in the forefts of Canada, where it grows very common. It was foon carried to Can- ton, where it was much eftcemed, and fold at an ex- travagant price. The Gin-feng, which at firil fold at Quebec for about is. 6^. a- pound, immediately rofc to I /. is. 10 d. halfpenny. In 1752, the Cana- dians exported this plant to the value of 21:875/. There was fuch a demand for it, that they were in- d iced to gather in May what ought not to have beer, gathered till September, and to dry in the oven wha^ (hould have been dried gradually in a fhade. Thii fpoilt tlie falc of the Gin-feng of Canada in the only country in the world where it could find a market : »nd the colonifts were feverely punished for their ex- ceflivc rapacioufnefs, by the total lofs of a branch of commerce, which, if rightly managed, might have proved a fourec of opulence. Another and a furer fource for the encouragement of induftry, was the working of the iron mines which abound in thofe parts. The only one that has ever attraded the notice of the Europeans, lies near the town of the Trois Rivieres. It was difcovered near the furface of the ground ; there are no mines that yield more, and the bed in Spain are not fuperior to it for the pliability of the metal. A fmith from Europe, who came thither ini 739, greatly improved the working of this mine, which till then had been hut unflcilfully managed. From that time no other iron was ufed in the colony. They even exported fomc famples ; but France would not be convinced that this iron was the beft for fire-arms. The dcfign lof ufing this iron would have been very favourable to the project which, after much irrefolution, had at lad Ihecn adopted, of forming a marine cftablifiiment iu iCanada. The firfl: Europeans who landed on that vaft regi- |cP; found it all over covered with forefts. The T principal ' ■i n V pr, riT 11 :|| 1 ! rill -^»Hlt- WW^mii :i8 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH pilncipal trees were oaks of prodigious height, and pines of all fize?. Thefe woods could have bcci-\ <:onveyed with eafe down the river St Lawrence, and the numberlefs rivers that difcharge Into it. By an ■inaccountcible fatality, all thcfc trcafures were over- :*ooked or defpifcd. At lall the court of Verfaillcs thought proper to attend to them. They gave or- ders for eredling docks at Quebec for building men of war; but unfortunately trufted the bufinefs to :igents, who had nothing in view but their own pri- vate intereft. The tln:iber fhould have been felled upon the hi!)';, where the cold air hardens the v/ood by contrading its fibres ; whereas it was conftantly fetched from jnarfliy grounds, and from the banks of the rive.rs, where the moKture gives it a loofer texture, and makes it too rich. Inftead of conveying it in barges, they floated it down on rafts to the place of its deftlna- tion ; where being forgotten and left in the water, it gathered a kind ot mofs that rotted it. It ought to have been put under flieds when it was landed ; but it was left expofed to the fun in fummer, to the inow in winter, and to the rains in fpring and an. tumn. From thence it was conveyed into the dock- yards, where it again fuftained the inclemency of the feafons for two or three years. Negligence ordifho- nefty enhanced the price of every thing to fuch a ■degree, that they got their fails, ropes, pitch, and tar, from Europe, in a country, which, with a little induflry, might have fupplled the whole kingdom of France with all thefc materials. This bad manage- ment had totally brought the wood of Canada into difrepute, and effedlually ruined the refources which that country afforded for the navy. ' This colony furnlfhed the manufaiStures of the mother country with a branch of induftry that might almoll be called an exclufive one, which was the preparation of the beaver. This commodity at firft ivas fubjcftcd to the burden and reftralnts of mono^ poly. The India company could not but make an <.-^lM!fn .'jiii SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. ai^ ill ufe of their privilege, an<^ really did fo. What they bought of the Indians .as chiefly paid for ia Englifli fcarlct cloths, which thofc people were very- fond of appearing in. But as they could make twenty- five or thirty per cent, more of their commo- dities in the Englilti fettleraents than the company chofe to give, they carried thither all they could conceal from the fearch of the company's agents, and exchanged their beaver for Englifh cloth and India calico. Thus did France, by the abufc of an inllitution which fhe was by no means oblige 'I l>!'i< II T 2 been ♦i\«i^,-^!mii:- '-■■m' ': 1^ ■ill I 1^' i ! l^^Ki(lii.6 P i. I i 220 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH been the fa^e of this colony, tliat the bcA fchemej relatrve to it have not been brought to bear ; and this in particular of a whale fifhery, which would have fingularly rouzed the a(^ivity of the coloullls, and would have proved an excellent nurfery for fcd. men, has never met with the countenance of the government. The fame remiffnefs has baffled the fclieme, fo of. ten planned, and two or three times attempted, of fiihing for cod on both fides of the river St Law. rence. Very poflibly the fucccfs would not have fully anfwered their expectation, becaufe the fifli is but indifferent, and proper beaches are wanting to dry it. P it the gulph would liave made ample a« mends. It abounds with cod, which might have been carried to Newfoundland or Louifbourg, and advautageoufly bartered for produ6lions of the Car- ribbee illands and European commodities. Every thing confpircd to promote the profperity of the fettlements in Canada, if they had been feconded by the men who feemed to be the mod intcrefled in them. But whence could proceed that inconceivable inattcn, and was Vt that period the Ohio, the ur years pall, ook Its nam^ lit it. iihout concern which joim'fl rround them, chian moim- oundaries he* fufiicient bar- and warlike , they tlieni- o difpute tlic ation. Thii [everal partit'S ted ; and the uilt tlicm. nts, and re^ [mother coun* er under the le fummer of attack fort d 600 men* [the place by lall his army wa3 SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. 229 was cut to pieces. This unaccountable mifchance put a (lop to the ma.cn of three numerous bodies that were advancing to fall upon Canada. The ter- ror occafioncd by t\m accident made them haileii back to their quarters, and in the next campaign all their motions were guided by the moll timorous cau- tion. The French were emboldened by this perplexity ; and, though very much inferior to them, ventured t<> appear before Ofwego in Auguil 1756. It was ori- ginally a fortified magazine at the mouth of the river Onondago on the lake Ontario. It ilood nearly in the centre of Canada, in fo advantageous a fituation, that many works had from time to lime been crcdlec! there, which had rendered it one of the capital polU in thofe parts. It was guarded by 1800 men, witii 121 pieces of cannon, and great plenty of (lores of all kinds. Though fo well fupported, it I'urrendered iii a few days to the briflc and bold attacks of 3000 men who were laying ficge to it. In Augud 1757, 5500 French and 1800 Indiana marched up to Fort George, fituated on lake Sacra- ment, which was jullly confidcred as the bulwark of the Englidi fcttlements, and the rendezvous of all the forces dedined againll Canada. Nature and art had confpired to block up the roads leading to that place, and to make all accefs impraclicuble. Thefe advan- tages were further fupported by fcveral bodies of troops placed at proper diftances in the bed pofitions. Yet thefe obllacles were furmountsd with fuch pru- dence and intrepidity, as would have been memora- ble in hiftory, had the fcene of a6lion lain in a more known (pot. The French, after killing or diiperfing all thefmall parties they met with, arrived before the place, and forced the garrifon, confiding of 2^64 [men, to capitulate. This fredi difader roufed the Britifh. Their gene- rals applied themfelves during the winter feafon to the [training up of their men, and bringing the fcveral |troops under a proper difcipline. They made them cx- U ercifc t ii .( i' ! ^^UM(^^i»i. i U KB M I ! '/-If 1 1 230 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH crclfe in th'e woods, in fighting after the Indian man ner. In the fpring. the army, conlilling of 6300 regu. ]ars and 1 :;ooo militia belonging to the colonies, af. fembledon the ruins of Fort George. They embarked on lake Sacrament, which parted the colonies of both nations ; and marched up to Carrillon, diftant but four leagues. That fort, which had been but lately ereAed on ihe breaking out of the vvav;, was notextenfive enough to withfland the forces that were marching againft it. They therefore quickly formed entrenchments under the cannon of the fort, with ftems of trees heaped up one upon another j and in front they laid large trees, iind the branches being cut and fharpened anfwcred the purpofc of chevaux de frifei The colours were planted on the top of ramparts, behind which lay 3500 men. The Englifh were not difmayed at thefe formida- ble appearances, being fully determined to remove the difgrace of their- former mifcarriages in a country ■»vhere the profperity of their trade depended on the luccefs of their arms. On the 8th of July 1 758, they lufhcd upon thefe palifades with the wildeft fury. Tn vain did the French fire upon them from the top of the parapet, whilft they were unable to defend therafelvcs. They fell upon the fliarp fpikes, and were entangled among the ftumps and boughs through which their eagcrnefs had made th'em rufh. AH thefe loffes ferved but to increafe -their furious violence. It continued for upwards of four hours, and coil them above 4000 of their brave men before they would give up this ra(h and defperate undertaking. They were equally unfuccefsful iniefler aftions. They did not infult one poll without meeting with a repulfe. Every party they fent out was beaten, and every convoy intercepted. The depth ©f winter, which ought to have been their proteftion, was the very feafon in which the Indians and Canadians car- ried fire andfword to the frontiers and into-the very heart of the Englifh colonies. Ail -nmu SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. : Indian man- of 6300 regu. ; colonies, af. hey embarked denies of both iftant but four i\y ereAed on tenfive enough ling againft 'f. :hmcnt5 under ees heaped up lid large trees, ;ncd anfwered : colours were lind which lay hefe formida- led to remove es in a country pendcd on the Lily 1758, they wildeft fury. from the top ble to defend fpikes, and )ughs through (h. AUthefc s violence. It and coil thcni e they would Ling. Ilefier adions. leeting with a Ls beaten, and [h cf winter, Lion, was the Canadians car- 1 into- the very All All thefe difailers were owing :nt. Tlie Britifh mini I falfe had a! princij ys e hva of governme tertained a notion that the fuperiprity of their was lavi alone fufficient to affert their dominion in Ame- rica, as it afforded a re^dy conveyance for fuccours, and could eafily intercept the enemy's forces. Though experience had flievvn the fallacy of thefc notions, the minillry did not even endeavour to di- niinifli the ill effcds of them by the choice of their ^ fnencrals. Almoft all thofe who were employed in this fervice were deficient in point of abilities and ac- tivity. The armies were not fuch as would make amends for the defeats of their commanders. The troops indeed were not wanting in that daring fpirit and invincible courage which is the chara6lcri(lic of thci Britidi foldicrs, arifing from the climate, and IHU more from the nature of theii^ government ; bun thefe national qiialities were counterbalanced or ex- tinguifhed by the hardfhips they underwent, in i\ country deftitute of all the conveniences that Europe affords. As to the militia of the colonic?, it waw made up of peaceable hufbandmen, vvho v/erc lot inured to flaughter, like moll of tlic P^cnch colonills, by a habit of hunting and by military ardor. To thefe difadvantages, ariiing from the nature of things, were added others altogether owing to mif- condud. The pofts erected for the faf^'ty of the feveral Engliih fettlements, were not fo contrived as to fupport and afiiil each other. The provinces having all feparate interefts, and net being united under the authority of one head, did n6t concur ia thofe joint efforts for the good of the whole, and that unanimity of fcntiments which alone can infure the fuccefs of their meafures. The fcafon of aftion was walled in vain altercations between the governors and the colonills. Every plan of opetDtion that me^ was (' )pp( ly aflembly • pp( any one was agreed upon, it was certainly made public before the execution ; and by thus divulging r\ M. ! u iti mm ih 'ffv in./ . i 232 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH it, they made it mifcarry. Laflly, they were in ir- reconcileable enmity with the Indians. Thefe nations had always fliewn a vifible partiality for the French, in return for the kindnefs tliey ha^l - fliewn them in fending milfionaries, whom they con- fidered rather as ambafladors from the prince than as feat from God. Thefe milfionaries, by ftiidying the language of the favages, conforming to their temper and inclinations, and putting in pradlice every atten- tion to gain their confidence, had acquired an abfo- lute dominion over their iriinds. The French colo. rifts, far from communicating the European man- ners, had adopted thofe of the country they lived in ^' their indolence in time of peace, their aftivity in war, and their conftant fondnefs for a wanderinff lift., . • ^ ^ 1 heir flrong attachment to the French was pro- du6live of the raoil inveterate hatred againft the Kngliih. In their opinion, of all the Zuropean favages thefe were the hardeft to tame. Their aver- fion foon rofe to madnefs ; and to a thirft for EnglilTi blood, when they found that a reward was offered for their deftrudlion, and that they were to be turned out of their native land by foreign aflaffins. The fame hands which had enriched the Englifh colony with their furs, now took up the hatchtt to deftroy it. The Indians purfued the Englifli with as much cagernefs as they did the wild bealts. Glory was no longer their aim in battle, their only obje6l was flaughter. They deftroyed armies which the French wifhed only to fubdue. Their fury rofe to fuch a height, that an Englifli prifoner having been con- dueled into a lonely habitation, the woman immedi* ately cut off his arm, and made her family drink the blood that ran from it. A mifiionary Jefuit reproach- ing her with the atrociouTnefs of the adlion, (he an- fwered him. My children mujlhe 'warriors^ and thers- fore they mvji be fed 'with the blood of their ene?ities. CHAP. psosB^^rae 'liiiv. .^IUI^^ lAi SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. 233, CHAP. XL Taking of Quebec by the British. SUCH was the ftate of things, when an Eng!i{Ti fleet entered the river St Lawrence in June 1 759. No fooner was it anchored at the iile of Orleans, than eight fire-fhips were fent off to confiime it. Had they executed their orders, not a fhip or a man would have efcaped; but the captains who condLj. Iri ^Hk-^IIIU^ >*j a \ 234 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH were pofteJ within a few leagues of the field of battle, to join the vanqulfhed army, and march up to the conqueror with a force fupcrier to the former. This was the opinion of the French general Mont- calm, who, being mortally wounded in the retreat, had time enough, before he expired, to think of the fafety of his men, and to encourage them to repair their difafler. This generous motion was over-ruled by the council of war. They removed ten leagues off. The Chevalier dc Levy, who had hallened from his pott to replace Montcalm, blamed this in- Itance of cowardice. They were afhamed of it, and wanted to recall it, and make another attempt for viftory ; but it was too late. Quebec, three parts deftroyed by the firing from the (hips, had capitu- lated on the 17th. All Europe thought the taking of this place had put an end to the great conteft of North America. They never imagined that a handful of Frenchmen, in want of every thing, who feemed to be in a def- perate condition, would dare to think of protracting their inevitable fate. They did not know what thefe people were capable of doing. They haftily com- pleted fome intrenchments that had been begun ten leagues above Quebec, There they left troops fuf- ficlent to Hop the progrefa of the enemy ; and pro- ceeded to Montreal, to concert meafures to cancel their difgrace. It was there agreed, that in the fpring they fhould piarch out with an armed force againft Quebec, to retake it by furprife ; or if that (hould fail, to be- ii£ge it in form. They had nothing in readinefs for that purpofe ; but the plan was fo concerted, that they fliould enter upon the undertaking juft at the inllant when the fuccours they txpefted from France could not fail of coming. Though the colony had long been in dreadful want of every thing, the preparatives were already made, when the ice, which covered the whole river, began to give w?.y towards the middle, and opened a SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. 235 a fmall canal. They dragged fome boats over the ice, and flipped them into the water. The army, confifting of citizens and foldiers, who made bwt one body, and were animated with one foul, fell down this ftream, with inconccirable ardour, on the 12th of April 1760. The Britifh thought they ftill lay quiet in their winter quarters. The army, already landed, was juft come up with an advanced guard of 1500 raen polled 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 forfce. 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 fwam dowa the ftream. As he palled by Quebec, clofe to the (hore, he was feen by a centincl ; who, obferving a man in diftrefs, called out for help» They flew to his affiftance, and found him motionlcfs. They knew: him by his uniform to be a French foldicr, and car- ried him to the governor's houfe, where by the help of fpirituous liquors they recalled him to life for a moment. He -juft recovered his fpeech enough to tell them that an army of 10,000 French was at the gates, and expired. The governor immediately difpatched orders to the advanced guard to come within the walls with all expedition. Notwithftand- ing their precipitate retreat, the French had time to attack their rear. A few moments later, they would have been defeated, and the city retaken. The affailants, however, marqhed on with an in- trepidity which feemed as if they expefted 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 ftop them. The onfet was ftiarp, and the refiftancc obftinate. The Eng- HHi were driven back within their walls, leaving 1800 of their braveft men upon the fpot, and their artille- ry in the enemy's hands. The ^m-i I MiMMv I () .. i r jl p I I 236 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH The trenches were Immediately opened before Quebec j but as they had none but field-pieces, as no fuccours came from France, and as a ftrong Eng- llfh fquadron was coming up the river, they were o- bilged to ralfe the fiege on the 16th of May, and to retreat from pod to poft, as far as Montreal. Three formidable armies, one of which was come down, and another up the river, and a third proceeded over the lake Champlain, furrounded thefe troops, which were not very numerous at firft, were now exceeding- ly reduced by frequent flclrmlfhes and continual fa- tigues, and were In want both of provlfions and warlike ftores. Thefe miferable remains of a body of 7000 men, who had never been recruited, and had fo much fignallzed themfelves, with the help of a few militia and a few Indians, were at left forced to capitulate, and for the whole c©lony. The conquell was con- firmed by the treaty of peace, and this country In» creafed the pofieiHons of the Britiih In North-Ameo rica. C H A Pi XII. Canada is ceded to Britain. What advan- tages (he might derive from that pofleflion. ^W " HE acqulfitlon of an Immenfe terrltory'is not Jl the only advantage accruing to Great Britain from the fuccefs of her arms. The confiderable po- pulation (he has found there is of ftlll greater import- ance. Some of thefe numerous inhabitants, it is true, have fled from a new dominion, which admitted no other difference among men but fuch as arofe from perfonal qualities, education, fortune, or the property of being ufeful to foclety. But the emi- gration of thefe contemptible pcrfons, whofe impor- tance was founded on nothing but barbarous cuftom, cannot furely have been confidered as a misfortune. Would not the colony have been much benefited by getting mm ik h mm Uh.. , [SH encd before i-piecc3, as ftrong Eng- hey were o- ^lay, and to eal. Three come down, )ceeded over •oops, which V cxceeding- ontinual fa- and warlike ody of 7000 had fo much a few militia o capitulate, eil was con- 3 country In» North-Ame« lat advan- )ofreffion. Itory'is not reat Britain iderable po- ater import* tants, it is ch admitted ich as arofe une, or the ut the emi« hofc impor- 0U8 cuftom, misfortune, enefited by getting SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. 237 (retting rid of that indolent nobility that had encum- bered it fo long, of that proud nobility that kept up the contempt fur all kinds of labour ? The only things neceffary to make the colony profper, arci that its lands fhould be cleared, its forefls cut down, its iron mines worked, its fifheries extended, its In- dudry and exportations improved. The province of Canada has been convinced of this truth. And indeed, notwithftanding the ties of blood, language, religion, and government, which are ufually fo itrong ; notwithftanding that variety of connections and prejudices which affume fo powerful an afcendant over the minds of men ; the Canadians have not fhewn much concern at the violent feparatlon by which they were detached from their ancient coun- try. They have readily concurred in the means cm- ployed by the Englllh miniftry to eftablifh their hap- plnefs and liberty upon a folid foundation. The laws of the Englifh admiralty were firft given them. But this innovation was fcarcely perceived by them ; becaufe it fcarce concerned any except the conquerors, who were in poffclfion of all the mari- time trade of the colony. They have paid more attention to the eftablifh* ftient of the criminal laws of England, which was one of the rnoft happy circumftances Canada could experience- To the impenetrable myllerlous tran- fadions of a cruel inquifition, fucceeded a cool, ra- tional, and public trial ; a tribunal dreadful and ac- cuftomed to fhcd blood was replaced by humane judges, more difpofed to acknowledge innocence than to fuppofe criminality. The conquered people have been ftill more delight- ed on finding the liberty of their perfons fecured for ever by the famous law of Habeas Corpus. As they had too long been victims of the arbitrary wills of ihofe who governed them, they have bleffed the beneficent hand that drew them from a ftate of flavery, to put them under the proteftion of the laws. The attention of the Britifli miniftry was after- wards »m*-^>'lMU^t a* ■f ' ill'/ -0:-^-^- 238 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH wards taken up in fupplying Canada with a code of civil laws. Thia important work, though intruftcd to able, induftrious, and upright lawyers, hath not yet obtained the fan6lion of government. If the fuccefs anfwerg the expedations, a colony will at lafl be found which will have a leglfl.ntive fyftem a- daptcd to its climate, its population, and its labours. Independent 6f thefc parental views. Great Bri- tain has thought it her political intereft to introduce, by fecret fprings, among her new fubjefts, an incll- riatlon for the culloms, the language, the worfhip, and the opinions, of the mother country. This kinc of analogy is, in faft, generally fpeaking, one of the ftrongeft bands that can attach the colonicr, to the mother country. But we imagine that the prefent fituation of things ought to have occafioned a preference to another fyftem. Britain has at this time fo much rcafon to be apprehenfive of the fpirit of independence which prevails in North America, that perhaps it would have been more for her advan- tage to malnta^'n Canada in a kind of diftindl ftate from the other provinces, rather than bring them nearer to each other by affinities which may one day unite them too clofely. However this may be, the Britifli miniftry have given the English government to Canada, fo far as it was conlillcnt with an authority entirely regal, and without any mixture of a popular adminiftration. Their new fubjeds, fecure from the fear of future wars, eafed of the burden of defending dlftant ports which removed them far from their habitations, and deprived of the fur trade which has returned into its natural channel, have only to attend to their cultures. As thefe advance, their intercourfe with Europe and with the Caribbee iflands will increafe, and foon be- come very conliderable'. It will for the fnture be the only rcfource of a vaft country, into which France formerly pdured immenfe fums, confidering it as the chief bulwark of her fouthern iflands, BOOK di«<^^^!|yi^ SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. ^39 B O O K IV. GENERAL REFLECTIONS AND REMARKS ON ALL THE COLONIES. I. Extent of the British dominions in North America. THE two Florldas, part of LouiTiana, and all Canada, obtained at the fame aera either by conqiicil or treaty, have rendered Britain miftrefs of all that fpace which extends from the river of St Lawrence to the Miflifipi ; fo that, without reckon- ing Hudfon's Bay, Newfoundland, and the other iflandij of North America, fhe is in pofTeflion of the mod cxtenfive empire that ever was formed upon the face of the globe. This vaft territory 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. tradl of land of an hundred and fifty, two hundred, and fometimes three hundred miles in breadth. Be- yond thcfe Apalachian mountains Is an immenfe de- fert, into which fome travellers have ventured as far as eight hundred leagues without finding an end to it. It Is fuppofed that the rivers at the extremity of thefe uncultivated regions have a communication with the South Sea. If this conjedture, which Is not deftltute of probability, fhould be confirmed by experience, Britain would unite in her colonies all the branches of communication and commerce of the new world. By her territories, extending froai one American Tea to the other, (lie may be fald to joi« the 1! la .11 diHi-Wt^^ •♦ f'.i ^ If I '1 : ■■<; 1 1 \\ ! f '(' ; I 240 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH the four quarters of the world. From all her Euro. pean ports, from all her i^frlcan fettlements, flif freights and fends out Hiips to the new world. From her maritime fettlements in the Eaft fhe would have a dircft channel to the Weft Indies by the Pacific ocean. She would difcover thofc flips of land or branches of the fea, the ifthmus or the ftrait which lies between the northern extremities of Afia and America. By the vaft extent of her colonies (he would have in her own power all the avenues of trade, and would fecure all the advantages of it by her numerous fleets. Perhaps, by having the empire of all the fcaa, ftie might afpirc to the fupremacy of both worlds. But it *3 not in the deftiuy of any fingle nation to attain to fucli a pitch of greatnefs. Is then extent of dominion fo flattering an objcd, when conquefts are* made only to be loft again ? Let the Romans fpeak ! Does it conftitute power to pof. fefs fuch a ftiare of the globe that fome part Ihall always be enlightened by the- rays of the fun, if ■while we reign in one world we are to languifti in ob- fcurity in the other ? Let the Spaniards anfwer ! The Englifh will be happy if they can preferv?, by the means of culture and navigation, an empire whieh muft ever be found too extenflve when it cannot be maintained without bloodfhed. But as this is tlic price which ambition muft always pay for the fuccefs of its interprizes, it is by commerce alone that con- quefts can become valuable to a maritime power. Never did war procure for any conqueror a territory ' more improveable by human induftry than that ot the northern continent of America, Although the land in general is fo low near the fea, that in many parts it is fcarcely diftinguift'iable from the top of the main maft, even after bringing in fourteen fathom, yd the coaft is vcryeafyof accefs, becaufe the depth dimi- nifties infenfibly as you advance. From this circumftancc it is eafy to determine exadtly by the line the diftance of the main land. Bcfides this, the mariner has ano- therfign, which is the appearane of trees, that, feem- in^ -ni<:u^iHiH; .:ai »^. SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. 24I ing to arifc out of the fca, form an Inchantlng ob'''ft to his view upon a fhore which prcfcnts roads and harbourg without number for the reception and pre- fcrvation of (hipping. The produftions of the earth arifc in great abun- dance from a foil newly cleared ; but in return they are a long time coming to maturity. Many plants arc even fo late in flower, 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 fliould be the caufc of this phaenomenon ? Before the arrival of the Europeans, the North A- mcricani, living upon the produce of their hunting and fifhery, left their lands totally uncultivated. The whole country was covered with woods and thickets. Under the (hade of thcfe foreds grew a multitude of plants. The leaves, which fell every winter from the trees, formed a bed three or four inches thick. Before the damps had quite rotted the fpecies of ma- nure the fummer came on ; and nature, left entirely to herfelf, continued heaping inceflantly upon each other thcfe effefts of her fertility. The plants buried under wet leaves, through which they with difficulty made their way in a long courfe of time, became ac- cullomed to a flow vegetation. The force of culture has not yet been able to fubdue this habit fixed and confirmed by ages, nor have the dlfpofitions of nature qiven way to the in(!nence of art. But this climate, io long unknown or neglected by mankind, prefents them with advantages which fupply the defects and ill confequcnces of that omilfion. n. Trees peculiar to North America. IjT produces alm©ft all the trees that arc natives of our climate. It has alfo others peculiar to itfclf ; sniong thefe are the fugar maple, and the candle- X berry ij '■• mi^^mii^ m «■ i) n tt 24 i HISTORY OF THE DRITISH hcrry myrtle. The candlcberry myrtle U a Hirub which delights in a moift foil ; and is, therefore, fcl- dom found at any dillance from the fea. It» 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 arifes a vifcuous body, which fwim8 at the top, and is fl 'ff' iiiii ^S. 244 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH tc rear the young ones ; 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 beci. Sometimes it buries itfclf in the calix of the largcll flowers. Its flight produces a buzzing noife like that of a fpinning- wheel. When it is tired, it lights up- on the neartil tree or ftake ; reds a few minutes, and flies again to ihe flowers. Notwithfl;anding its weak- nefs, it does not appear timid ; but will fuffer a man to approach within eight or ten feet of it. Who would imagine, that fo diminutive an animal could be malicious, paflionate, and quarrclfome ? They arc often fecn fighting together with great fury and obftlnacy. The ftrokes they give with their beak are fo fudden and fo quick, that they are not diftin- guifliable by the eye. Their wings move with fuch agility, that they fcem not to move at all. They arc more heard than fcen ; and their noife refcmble* that of a fparrow. Thefe little birds are all impatience. When they come near a flower, If they find It faded and withered, they tear all the leaves afundcr. The precipitation, with which they peck it, betrays, as it is fald, the rage with whi :h they are animated. Towards the end of the furamer, thoufauds of flowers may be feen iliipt of all their leaves by the fury of the fly-birds. It may be doubted, however, whether this mark 0.^ refcntment is not rathf r an effedl of hunger than of an unneceffarlly defl:ruftive infl.ii Ji. North America formerly was devoured by infedls. As the air was not yet purified, nor the ground clear- ed, nor the woods cut down, nor the waters drained off", thefe little animals deftroyed without oppofltion all the produ6lIons of natuie. None of them was ufeful to mankind. There is only one at prefent, which is the bee : but this is fuppofed to have been carried from the old to the new world. The favagC'J call it, the Engltflj fiy ; and it is only fcund near the coafts. Thefe clrcumftances announce It to be of fo- reign ^ii^t^^Hiiii^v.^a» SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. 245 reign original. The bees fly In numerous fwarms through the forefls of the new world. They increafe every day. Their honey is employed to fevcral ufcs. Many perfons make it their food. The wax becomes daily a more confiderable branch of trade. IV. The English fupply North America with domeilic animals. THE bee Is not the only prefent which Europe has had 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 affociatcd beafts with men in the labours of culti- vation, when the Europeans carried over thither in their fhips feveral of our fpecies of domeftic animals. They have multiplied there prodigloufly ; but all of them, excepting the hog, whofe whole merit confifts in fattening hlmfelf, have loft; much of that ftrength and iize which they enjoyed In thofe countries from whence they were brought. The oxen, horfes, and Ihcep, have degenerated in the northern Britifh colo- nies, though the particular kinds of each had beea 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 firft attacked by epidemical diforders. If the contagion did not, as in the men, affedl the principles of generation in them, fevcral fpecies of them at leaft were with much difEeulty reproduced. Each generation fell fhort of the laft ; and as it hap- pens to American plants In Europe, European cattle continually degenerated in America. Such is the law of climates, which wills every people, every animal and vegetable fpecies, to grow and flourlfh in its na? iive foil. The lore of their own country fe':fms aj X 5 crd'- 'P ill i V ]!■> i I'^tt ^iUv,uHliHNvviJii I ■( . ' '. 24<> HISTORY OF THE BRITISH ordinance of nature prefcrlbed to all beings, like the dcfire ©f prcfcrving their cxillcDce. V. European Grain carried into North Ame- rica by the English. YET there are certain correfpondences of climate which form exceptions to the general rule againft tranfporting aninnials and plants. When the Englifh lirft landed on the North American conti- nent, the wandering inhabitants of thofe defolate regions had fcarccly arrived at the cultivation of a fmall quantity of maize. This fpecies of corn, un- known at that time in Europe, was the only one knovn in the new world. The culture of it was by no means difficult. The favages contented them- felves with taking off the turf, making a few holes in the ground with a ftick, and throwing into each of them a fingle grain, which produced 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 ftone mortar, and made it into a pafte, which they baked under embers. They ate it boiled, or toafted merely upon the coals. The maize has many advantages. Its leaves are nfeful in feeding cattle ; a circumftance of great mo- ment wher<* there arc very few meadows. A hungry, light, fandy foil agrees bed with this plant. The feed may be frozen in the f] ring two or three times ■without impairing the harvelu In ihort, it is of all j)lants the on that h leait injured by the excefs of drought or moifture. Thefe caufes, which introduced the cultivation of it in that part of the world, induced the Englifh to prefcrve and even promote it in their fcttlcmcntJ. They fold it to Portugal, to South America, and 4he fugar i (lands, and had fuificient for their own iife. They 'H«-.^imri;-Hi '"" «iM . :isH Llll of WOOCJ; iot vapours ; c infefta loo iro(lu6lion to tiftj, and all J ambition!, will be lotif' them with a from France, to contribut-' re anxious to ain has otlicr 3 of attaininr; ler emuhtiun I on an article attcrs of the ,t little worm 3 of trees di- Is prodigy of s annually cx- Irchafe of thi* thirty yean arolina. Thv^ abundance of the projeft, to atlraft ore fuccefsful \e progrcfs of 'werable to fj Ix-cn laid on ing only ne- mmcdiateantl n, who with d in bringing the weaknels ut it ought g from ano- ted country, vat ion of cf- culent nt SE rXLEMEN rS IN AMERICA. 25^ culent plants, breeding cattle, and the toils of im- mediate necelfity. This is the natural and conflant proceeding of well-governed dates. From agricul- ture, which is the fourcc of population, they rife to the arts of luxury ; and the arts of luxury nourifii commerce, which is the cliild of induflry and father of wealth. The time is perhaps come, when Britain may employ whole colonies in the cultivation of filk. This is, at leafl, the national opinion. On the i8th cf April 1769, the parliament granted a bounty of 25 pfr cent, for feven years on all raw filks im.portcd from the colonies ; a bounty of 20 per cent, for fev^a years following, and for feven years after that a boun- ty of 15 per cent. If this encouragement produces fuch improvements as may reafonably be expefked from it, the next ftep undoubtedly will be the culti- vation of cotton and olive cices, which feem particu- larly adapted to the climate and foil of the Britifli colonies. There are not, perhaps, any rich produc- tions either in Europe or Afja, but what may be tranfplanted and cultivated with fuccefs on the valt 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 obje<5i of the mother country at prefcnt is the peopling of her colonies. What kind of Men Britain peoples her North American Colonies with. THE firft perfons who landed in this defcrt and favage regioh were Engliflimen who had been perfecuted at home for their civil and religious opi- nions. It was not to be expe£led that this firft emigration v.'ould be attended with important confequences The inhabitants of Great Britain arc fo ftrongly attached Y 2 to I It f HI iM -ib *>^^.->'lllU^;-jAi lli! i 7s6 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH to their native foil, that nothing lefs than c' II waii or revolutions can induce thole amonr ' .-^m who have any property, charader, or induftry, f . • c -ange of climate and country; for which reafon the rc-cft;i blKhment of public tranquillity in Europe was likely to put an unfurmountable bar to the progrefs of A- rHerlcaii cultivation. Add tJ this, that the Englifh, though naturally ad^ive, ambitious, and enterprifing, were ill- adapted to the bufmcfs of clearing the grounds. Accuftomcd to a quiet life, eafe, and many conveniences, nothing but the enthufiafm of religion or politics could fup* port them under the labours, miferies, wants, and ca< iamities, infeparable from new plantations. It is further to be obferved, that though England might have been able to overcome thefc difficulties, it was not a defirable objedl for her. Without doubt, llic founding of colonics, rendering them flourifhing, and enriching herfelf with their produ£lions, was an advantageous profpefk to her ; but thofe advantages would be dearly purchafcd at the cxpence of her owu population. Happily for her, the intolerant and defpolic fpirit, that fwayed moll countries of Europe, forced num- berlefa vitStlms to take refuge in an uncultivated trad, which, in its ftate of defolation, fcemed to implore that afllftance for Itfclf which it offered to the unfor- tunate. Thefe men, who had efcaped from the rod of tyranny, in croffing the feas, abandoned all hopes of return, and attached thcmfelves for ever to a coun* try which at the fame time afforded them an afylum and an eafy quiet fubfiftence. Their good fortune could not remain for ever unknown. Multitudei flocked from diifercnt parts to partake of it. Nor has this eagernefs abated, particularly in Germany, where nature produces men for the purpofes either of con/|uering or cultivating the earth. It will even in- creafc. The advantage granted to emigrants through- out the Britifh dominions of being naturalized by a relidence of fevcn years in the colonics, fuf&ciently warrants this oredidion. While •s^^-1HJ(»-. -U* '»f iUfi iui SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. 257 While tyranny and perfccution were dcftroying po- pulation in Europe, Britifh America was hcginninj; to be peopled with three forrt of inhabitants. The firll clafs confifts of freemen. It is the mod nume- rous ; but hitherto it has vifibly degenerated. The Creoles in general, though habituated to the climate from their cradle, arc not fo robuft and fit for labour, nor fo powerful in war, as the Europeans ; whether It be that they have not the in-'provemcnts of educa- tion, or that they are foftencd by nature. In that fo- reign clime the mind is enervated as well as ihc body : endued with a quickncfs and early penetration, it ca- fiiy apprehends, but wants fteadinefa, and is not ufed to continued thought. It muft be a matter of allo- nifhment to find that America has not yet produced a good poet, an able mathematician, or a man of ge- nius in any fingle art or fcicnce. They pofltfs in general a readinefs for acquiring the knowledge of every art or fcience, but not one of them fl)cws any decilive talent for one in particular. More early ad- vanced at firft, and acrlving at a ftate of maturity fooncr than we do, they arc much behind us in the later part of life. Perhaps it will be fald, that their population Is not very numerous in comparifon with that of all Europe together ; that they want aids, mafters, models, in- ftrumcnts, emulation in the arts and fcienccs ; thwt education with them is too much neglefted, or too little improved. But we may obfervc, that in pro- portion we fee more perfons in Ameiica of good hirth, of an eafy competent fortune, with a greater fhare of leifure and of other means of improving their natural abilities, than are found in Europe, where even the very method of training up youth is often repwgnant to the progrefs and unfolding of reafon and genius. Is it pofTible, that although the Creoles educated with ns have every one of them good fcufc, or at lead the moft part of them, yet not ohj: fliould liave arifen to any great degree of peifcdion in tho fl'ghtell purfuit } and that among fuch as have {laid Y ^ in. 111 I I 1 ■ di:\iiA^iliU(^^ ^-1^' w^ 'nmviiiii uu if' V li i: \re to one another not only dcferters, who for the moft part, inlifted by compulfion or by fraud, have a good right to efcape ; not only rogues, who in reality ought not to find a refuge any where ; but indifferently all their fubjecls, whatever may be the motive that obliged them to quit th^ ir country. Thus all you unhappy labourers, who find neither fubfiftcnce nor work in your own countries, after they have been ravaged and rendered barren by the €xaly thefe families Ijy their produce, it will appear that in lefs than two centuries the Brltifd northern colonies will arrive at an irn ■ menfe degree of population, uulefs the mother country contrive fome obilacles to impede its natural progref-;-, Z 2 'XI, r- 'H :-^Ulitti)i)lilil)tlKl 'ff»t'''';|rir/.M.-,t,, 2<58 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH XI. Happlnefs of the Inhabitants in the British Colonies of North America. wm THEY are now peopled with healthy aiid robuft men, of a ftature above the common fize. Thefe Creoles are more quick, and come to their full growth fooner, than the Europeans : but they are not fo long- Jived. The low price of meat, fifh, grain, game, fruits, cyder, vegetables, keeps whe inhabitants in a c^rcat plenty of things merely for nourifhment. It js neceffary to be more careful with refpeft to cloth- ing, which is iliil very dear, whether brought from Europe, or made In the country. Manners are in the Hate they Ihould be among young colonies, and people given to cultivation, not yet polifhed nor cor- jupted by the refort of great cities. Throughout the families in general, there reigns oeconomy, neat- riefs, and regularity. Gallantry and gaming, tl.e paflions of eafy wealth, feldom break in upon that happy tranquillity. The fex are ftill what they fhould be, gentle, modcil, compafiionate, and ufcful ; tlicy are in pofTefTK^n of thofe virtues which continue the empire of their charms. The men are employed in their original duties, the care and improvement of their plantations, which will be the fupport of thei; poftcrity. The general fentiment of benevolence unites every family. Nothing contributes to this uniwn fo much as a certain equality of (lation, a fe- curity that arifes from property, a general hope which every man has of increali.'ig it, and the facility of fucceeding in this expedlation ; in a word, nothing contributes to it fo much as the reciprocal indepen- dence in which all men live, with refpe^l to their wants, joined to the neceffity of foclal connections for the purpofes df their pleafures. InRead of luxu- rv, which brings mifery ia its train, inllead of tiiat affliding SETTLEMENTS IN AMEPJCA. 269 afili\5ling and fliDcking tra(^, an unlvcrfal welfare, u'iltly dealt out in llic original diftribution of llie lands, has l)y the irflncncc of indullry given rife in every brcall to the dtfire of jjleafing one another ; a ddire, without doubt, more faiisfaftory than the fe- cret difpolUion to injure our brethren, which is info- parable from an extrcnae inequality of fortune and con- ditio:). Men never meet without falirfaftion when tiiev are neither in that ftate of mutual diftance which ItaJi to indifference, nor in that way of rivalfliip which borders on hatred. They come nearer to- cx'thtr, and colledt iir focicties. In iliort, it is in the colonics that men lead fuch a country-life as was the original delllnation of itiankind, beft fuited to the health and lucreafe of the fpecies : ^rob.i' they eiijoy all the happinefs confiilent wi:h the irailty oT human nature. We do not, indeed, find there thofc graces, thofe talents, thofe refined enjoyments, the means and expence of which wear out and fatigue ihc fprings of the foul, and bring on the vapours of mtlancholy which fo naturallv follow an induleence }a ardent pleafure : but there are the pleafures cf domellic life ; the mutual attachments of parent and cliildrcn ; and conjugal love, tliat paffion fo pure and fo delicious to the foal that can talle it a.vj defpife ail other gratifications. This is the enchanting pro- ipeft exhibited throughout North America. It is in tlie wilds of Florida, and Virginia, even in the fo- relts of Canada, that men arc enabled to continue tc* love, their whole life long, what was the objedt of their firft affec^tion, innocence and virtue, which ue- .ver entirely lofe their beauty. If any thing be wanting in Britifli America, it \i its not forming prccifcly one people. Families are iliere found fometimes re-uuited, fometimes difper- fed, originating from all the different countries of Europe. Thefe colonics, in what ever fpcL chance or difeernment may have placed them, all prtferve, with a prejudice not to be worn out, their mcthtr- tongue, the partialities and the cuftoms cf their own country. Separate fchools and churches hinder iheui Z 3 fiom I I ti 'i'l !■ \,!t it ' 3 : [4 ■ h if' if fi' I? .' IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 I.I 1.25 ;p& iiiiiM ■^ !■- 1 2 2 :: 1^ III 2.0 1.8 U III 1.6 c* fe^ (3 V] v: > s^ y ^^ Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, NY. 14SB0 (716) 872-4503 Q, ■jT ■■■. *- i' i irU: W"'^-' W2 T*i SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. 27 i excluded, on For want of experience, whlcli alone forms our rca- fon, as they arc incapable of governing tlicn^felvea throughout ihc ch?,np;eR of tilings, and the various con- cern'^ thatbeloiig toarifing focicty, govenrmcntfliould )e en iohtcned with rcif ard to the m, an( niK ie tl icnn by authority to years of matui-ity. Jull fo barbarous nations are under the rod, and as It were in the lead- ing firings of defpotifm, till in the advance of foclcty their intereds teach them to condu(^t themfelvcs. Civilized nations, like young men, more or lefs advanced not in proportion, to their abilities, but from the conduft of their early education, as foon as th-ey come to their own ftrength, and thelrown prctenfions, require being managed and even refpedled by their governors. A fon well educated fhould engage in no undertaking without confulting his father ; a prince, on the contrai-y, fiiould make no regulations without confulting his people. Further, the fon, in refolu- tions where he follows the advice of his father, fre- quently hazards nothing but his own happinefs ; in all that a prince ordains, the happinefs of his people is concerned. The opinion of the public, in a nation that thinks and fpeaks, is the rule of the govern- ment ; and the prince fhould never (hock that opini? on without public reafons, nor drive againft it with- Giit convi6tion. Government is to model all its forms according to that opinion: opinion, it is well known, varies with manners, habits, and information. So' that one prince may, without finding the lead i-efid- ance, do an adl of authority, not to be revived by his fiicc^flbr without exciting the public indignation. From whence does this difference arlfe ? The prede- ceffor cannot have fliocked an opinion that was not- fprung up in his time, while a fucceeding prince may have openly countera6led it a century later. The firfl, if I may be allowed the expreflion, without the know- ledge of the public, may have taken a dep whofe violence he may have foftened or made amends for by the happy fuccefs of his government \ the other fhall, perhaps, ha,Ye increafed the public calamities by fuch. unjufi; ' i t! J I ^■■i iu, H ft 272 .HISTORY OF THE BRITISH unjuft adls of wilful autliorlty as may perpetuate In firil aL)uff8. Public remonflrance is generally the cry of opinion ; and tlic general opinion is the rule of government ; and becaufe public opinion governs mankind, kings for this rcafon became rulers of men. Governments then, as well as opinions, ought to im- jirovc and advance to pcrfc6lion. But what is the rule for opinions among an enlightened people ? It is the permanent intereil of focicty, the fafety and advantage of the nation. Tin's interefl; is modified by the turn of events and fituations ; public 0])Inion and the form of the government follow thefe feveral modifications. This is the fourcc of all the forms of government, cftablifhed by tlie EngHfli, who are ra- tional and free, throughout North America. The government of Nova Scotia, of one of the j)ro- vinces in New England, New York, New Jcrf^rchafed for a man in power the right ttf fovereignty, or governing as he pleafed, in an un- kcowr^ 'I'^^^^^IHlMv :M» icrpctuate Its erally llie cry s the rule of nicii governs -ulers of men. ought to im- ; what is the ] people ? It le fafety and [I is modified ublic 0])inion f thefc f'jvcral 1 the forms of , who are ra- lerica. ne of the pro- New Jerfcy, rgia, is ft vied s there veiied itatives of tlic ther country: , intended to reprefents the efentation hv iguiftied per- fit. A go- s their afTem- deliberations, force of law, tted, has re- 1 takes place )f prcpiiitary ttled in thofe avourite eufi* c as large as liout bounds, e txaficd by kver the right ;dj in an iin« SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. 273 known country : fuch was the origin of government in the greater part of the colonies. At prefent Maryland and Pcnfylvania arc the only provinces un- der this fingular form of government, or rather this irregular foundation of fovereignty. Maryland, in- deed, 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, ill Penfylvania, the governor named by the proprie- tary family, and confirmed by the crown, is not fiipportcd by a council which gives a kind of fuperi- lifiiy ; and he is obliged to agree with the commons, in whom is naturally vefted all authority. A third form, llyled by the Englifli, charter go- vernmcni^ feems more calculated to adduce harmony in the conft^itution. After having been that of all the provinces of New England, it now fubfifts only in Connedicut and in Rhode ifland. It may be con- iideicd as a mere democracy. The inhabitants of themfelves eledl, depofe all their officers, and make iill laws they think proper, without being obliged to Ji2ve the afTcnt of the king, or his having any right to annul them: At length the conqueft of Canada, joined to the p.cquiiition of Florida, has given rife to a form ofle- piflaiion hitherto unknown throughout the realm of Great Britain. Thofe provinces have been put. or left under the yoke of military, and confequently ab- folute, authority. Without any right to adenible ia a national body, they receive iiJimediatcly from the court of London every motion of government. This diverlity of governments is not the work of t!ie mother country. We do not find liie traces of a rcafonable, uniform, and regular legiflalion. It i^ chance, climate, tlie prejudices of the times and of the founders of the colonies, that have produced this mutely variety of conflitutions. It is not for men, who are call by chance upon a dcfert coail, to con- ftltiitc a legiflation. All legiflalion in its nature, fliould aim at the hap* piaefa of focletv. The meai;s bv which it is to at- tarn ! • ■ i ;«'K; ■^lUllv; . ffi iQ-' f til ill ! !. ffh'xtnino 574 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH tain that fingular elevated point, depend entirely on it« natural qualities. Cllantc, that is to fay, the fky and the foil, are the firfl rule for the Icgiflator. Hii refources dilate to him his duties. In the fnft in. ftance, the local pofiiion fhould be confukcd. A number of peo|>le thrown on a maritime coaft, will have laws more or Icfs relative to agriculture or navi. gation. In proportion to the influence the fea or land may have on the fubfiftence of the inhabitants wljo are to people that dcfert coaft. If the nevr colony is led by the cov:rfe of fome large river far vi-ithin land, a legiflator ought to have regard to their race, and the degree of tlieir fecundity, and the conne6\i. ons the colony will have either within or without by the traffic of commodities moft advantageous to ils profperity. But It is efpecially in the diftributlon of property that the wifdom of legiflallon will appear. In gene- ral, and throughout all the countries in the world, when a colony i.> founded, land is to be given to every perfon, that is to fay, to every one an extent fufB- cient for the maintenance of a family : more fliould be given to thofe who have abilities to make tlie ncceffary advances for improvement : fome fhould be kept vacant for pofterity, or for additional fettlers, with which the colony may in time be augmented. The fjrfl olJc£l of a rifing colony is fubfiftence and population ; the next is the profperity likely to flow from thcfe two fources. To avoid occafions ot war, whether offenfive or defenfive ; to turn indufiiy towards thofe obje^ls which produce moft ; not to form connexions around them, except fuch as are unavoidable, and may be proportioned to the ftability which the colony acquires by the number of its inha- bitants and the nature of its refources; to introduce, above all things, a partial and local fpirit in a nation which is going to be eftablifiied, a fpirit of union within, and of peace without j to refer every inftitn- tion to a diftant but lading point ; and to make every oceafional lav; fubfervient to the fettled regula- tion, ^h*<^^^lMiM;^v;Uj ffh''*>iin//-'.-,iiiu>,, :'isH id entirely on fay, the Trv jlfldtor. Hi* 1 ihc fiift in- :onrulteJ. A T\e coaft, will ilture or navl. he fea or land labltants who ic new colony ivcr far within to their race, ihc conned\i. or without by ilageous to lis >n of property ;ar. In gene- in the world, : given to every an extent fuffi- : more flioiild J to make the ome fhould be tional fettlers, augmented, is fubfiftence erity likely lo ,d occafions ot turn induQry mod ; not to It fuch as are jo the ft ability cr of its inha- to introduce, it in a nation ;nrit of union every inftitti- nd to make |cttled regula- tion, SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. 27$ tior>, which alone is to cffcft an incrcafc of numbers, and to give (lability to the fettlemcnt ; thefe cir- ciimflanccs make no more than a fl^etchof a legiflation. The moral fyftem is to be formed on th'! nature of the climate, A large field for population is at tirit t J be laid open by facilitating marriage, which de- pends open the facility of procuring fubfillence. Sandlity of manners Ihould be ellablilhed by opinion. In a barbarous ifland, which is to be (locked witli children, no more would be neccfTary than to leave rhe fird dawning-j of truth to enlarge themfelves, as vjafon unfolds itfelf. With proper precautions >iTain(l idle fears proceeding from ignorance, the errors of fuperftition ^ jM be removed, till that period when the warmth of the natural pafiions, fuitunately uniting with the rational powers, difli- pates every phantom. But when people, already ;alvanced in life, are to be cilablifhcd in a new coun- try, the ability of legiflation confills in not leaving behind any injurious opinions or habits, which may he cured or corredlcd. If we wifh that they ilioulJ not be tranfmitted to pofterity, we fliould watch over the fecond generation by a general and public edu- cation of the children. A prince or lcg:iflator fliould never found a colony, without i-jrevloufly fending thither fome proper perfons for the education of youth ; that is, fome governors rather than teachers ; fjr it Is of lefs moment to teach them what Is good, ♦han to guard them from evil. Good education ar- rives too late, when the people are already corrupted. The feeds of morality and virtue, fown in- the infancy of a race already corrupted, are annihilated, In the early flages of manhood, by debauchery, and the contagion of fuch vices as have already become habi- tual in focicty. The bell educated vounp- men can- not come mto the world without making engage- ments and contra<5ling acquaintance, on which the remainder of their lives depends. If they marry, tollovv any profelFion or purfnit, they find the feeds ^Uvil and corruption rooted in every condition ; a condu«Ii^. li ]iW r in ll '■ i 1 li H 1 1 i fl iil '^B^B ' 1 u '• I: .iiU^^^UHM. .Ui ■JMHtSLLTA-Si'c!- I I mi*' inu 27i5 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH condud entirely oppofitc to their principles, exam- ple, awd difcourfe, which difconccrts and combat] their bed refolutions. But, in a rifing colony, the influence of the firfl generation may be correfled by the manners of tin; fucceeding. The minds of all are prepared for vir tue by labour. The neceflities of life remove a!! vices proceeding from leifurc. The ovcrflovNings of fuch population have a natural tendency towards iho mother country, where luxury continually iuvius and feduces the rich and voluptuous planter. All means are open to the precautions of a Icsriilutt.'r, who intends to refine the conllitution and manners of the c(jlony. Let them but have genius and viiti;'-, the lands and the people he has to nianaire will i'uggcll to his mind a plan of focicty, that a wntcr can only mark out in a vague manner, liable to all the uncertainty of hypothefes that arc varied ai,d complicated by an infinity of circumHances too dilTi- cult to be forefcen and put together. But the firii: foundation of a fociety Tor cultivation or commerce Is property. It is the feed of good ami evil, natr.ral or mural, confequerit on the focial Hate. Kverv nation feems to be divided into two irrccon- cileable parlies. The rich and the poor, the men of j)roperty and the hirelings, that is to fay, niaflcr; and fli ves, foim tv.-o clafles of citizens, unfortunately in oppofition with one another. Jn vain have fomc modern authors wiflRd by fophllry to eftablifli a treaty of peace between tlklo two dates. The rich on all occafions are difpofcd to get a great deal from the poor at little expence; and the poor are ever iiuiined to fet a higher value on their labour: while the rich man mull always pive the law in that too unequal bargain. Hence arifcs the fyftem of countcrpoife cftabllflied in fo many countries. The people have not defired to attack pvopertv, which they confidered as facred; but they have made attempts to fetter it, and to check h natural tendency to abforb the whole. Thefe conn. terpoifef wmm ifc remove a! unfortunately Lence anlcs fired to attack Lred: but tiicy SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. 277 terpolfes have almoft always been ill applied, as they were but a feeble remedy againll the original evil in fociety. It i3 then to the repartition of lauds that a leciHator will turn his principal attention. The more \rifcly that diHribution fhall be managed, the more jimple, uniform, and precifc, will be tliofe laws of the country which principally conduce to the prefer- vation of property. The Britifli colonies partake, in that ref{)e6l, of the ladical vice inherent in the ancient conllitution of the mother country. As its prefeut governmcut is but a reformation of that feudal government which had opprefled all Europe, it /lill retains many ufages, which, being originally but abufes of iV-r- \itL:de, are ftill more feniible by their contrail with tl e liberty which the people have recovered. It has, tiierefore, been found neceflary to join the laws which left many rights to the nobility, to thofc which mo- llify, Icffen, abrogate, or foften, the feudal rights. Hence fo many laws of exception for one of prin- ciple ; fo many of interpretation for one fundameU' tal; fo many new laws that are at variance with the old. So that it is agreed, there Is not in the whole world a code fo diffufe, fo perplexed, as that of the civil law of Great Britai .. The vvlfeil men of that enlightened nation have often exclaimed againfl tliia diiorder. They have either not been heard, or th^^ changes which have been produced by their re- monllrances have only ferved to increafe the confufion. By their d<. pcndenee and their ignorance, the colonies have blindly adopted that deformed and ill- digelled mafs whofe burden oppreffed their anceftors ; they have added to that obfcure heap of materlaitj by every new law that the times, manners, and place, could introduce. From this mixture has refuUed a chuos the mod difiicuk to unfold ; a collection of contradidtions that require much pains to reconcile. Imtnediately there fprang up a numerous body of lawyers to devour the lands and inhabitants of thofc ncw-fettlcd climates. The fortune and influence they have ac(|uired in a fliort time, have brought into fub- A a jedlion itiH;-^^lHll?.v^JM I M ' 6 if nff" mn . i , 1 il 17S HISTORY OF THE BRITISH ioclion to their rnpacioufiiefs tlic valuable clnfs of ci- tizens cmj)ir)yt(l in aj^rlcultuie, commerce, In all the arts and toils moll indifpcnfablyr ncccflary for all fo- t iety, but almoll fingularly effontial to a riling com. muniiy. To the fcvcre evil of chicane, which has attached itfcif to the branches in order to fcize on the fruit, has fuccceded the fcourge of finance, M'hich preys on the heart and root of the tree. XIII. 'J'he cola current in the Br i T ish Colonics in North America. IN the origin of the colonies, the coin bore the fame value as in the motlier country. The fear- city of it foon occafioned a rife of" one third, 'i'iiat inconvenience was not remedied by the abundance 0: ipecic which came from the Spanilh colonics ; be* caufe they were obliged to tranfmit that into Eng- land in order to pay for the merchandife they want- ( (I from thence. This was a gulph that fucked up the circulation in the colonies. The confiifion occa- fioned by this continual export furnilhcd a pretence ior the employing of paper-money. There are two forts of it. The firft has in view the encouragement of agriculture, trade, and induf- try. Every colonill who has more ambition than means, obtains from the province a paper credit, provided he confents to pay an intereft of 5 per cent. furnidies a fufficient mortgage, and agrees to repay every year a tenth of the capital borrowed. By means of this mark, which is received without dif- pute into the public treafury, and which their fellow- citizens cannot refufe, the bufinefs of private pcrfons becomes more briik and eafy. The government it- felf draws confidcrable advantages from this circu- lation ; hecaufe as it receives intereft. and pays nore, it can without the aid of taxes apply this fund to the important objedls of public utility. But ^J'H^^^^lOlHi 7*.^ rfJ^. !» Miy *^iiiiV' i ill irl I k' 280 HISTORY OF THE BRIT.oH of the colonies. Though for forty years their con. fiimption has increafcd four times as much as ihelr j)opulutlon, from whcticc it Is apparent that the abi- llties of each fwbjeft are four times what they were; yet one may foretcl, that thefe large ellablifhmentg will never rife to that degree of fplendour for which nature dcfigns them, unicfs their fetters are broken whicli couHne both their interior induftry and their foreign trade. XIV. The British Colonies in North America are Ihackled in their Indultry and Commerce. THE firft colonlfts that peopled North America applied thcmfelves in the beginning folcly to agriculture. It was not long before they perceived that their exports did not enable them to buy what they wanted ; and they, therefore, found themfclvci in a manner compelled to fet up fome rude manu- fadurcs. The interelts of the mother country feem* ed liurt at this innovation. The circumftance was brought Into parliament, and there dlfcuffed with all the attention it delcrved. There were men bold c- nough to defend the caufe of the colonlfts. They urged, tliut us the bufinefs of tillage did not employ men all the year round, it was tyranny to oblige them to wafte in idlcnefi the time which the land did not require : that as the produce of agriculture aiid hunting did not furniih them to the extent of their wants, it was reducing them to mifery to hin- der the people from providing againtt them by a new fjKcies of indullry : in fhort, that the prohibition of manufa*5tures only tended to occafion tlie price of all provifions in a riling ftate to be enhanced ; to lef- fen, or perhaps ftop, the fale of them, and keep off fuch perfons as might intend to fettle there. The evidence of thefe principles was not to be contro' i:Ll_ ved to the colonifts to carry dl- A a rc6ll y;. fli'-ilUk 282 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH rcdlly foiith of Cape Finillerre, 2'*^i"> meal, rice, ve- getables, fruit, fait, fifh, planks, and timber. All other produN^^v^Hllf^ v-K SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. 28^ look out for, among the obje£l$ of general confump- tloB and abfolute ncceflity. Duties were laid on the drink of the common pt^^ple, on malt, cyder, and beer. Every fpring was {trained : every power of the body politic had been extended to its utmoft llretch. Materials and workmanfhip had fo prodigi- oufly rifcn in price, that foreigners, whether rivals or conquered, which before had not been able to fupport a contefl with the Britlfh, were enabled to fupplant them in every market, even in their own ports. The commercial advantages of Britain with every part of the world could not be valued at more than 2,450, coo/, and that fituation obliged her to draw from the balance i>535.625/. to pay the arrears of 51, 187,500/. which foreigners had placed In her public funds. The criiis vras a violent one. It was time to ^ive the people fome relief. They could not be eafed by a diminution of expences, thofe being Inevitable, ei- ther for the purpofe of improving the conquefts pur- chafed by fuch a lofs of blood and treafure ; or to mitigate the feelings of the Houfe of Bourbon, foiired by the humiliations of the late war, and the facrifices of the late peace. In default of other means, to manage with a ftcady hand as well the prefent fecurity as future profperity, the expedient occurred of calling in the colonies to the aH of the mother country, by making them bear a part of her burden. This determination feemed to be found* edonreafonsnot to be controverted. It is a duty Impofed by the avowed maxims of all focleties and of every age, oa the different members which compofe a ftate, to contribute towards all ex- pences in proportion to their refpedllve abilities. The fecurity of the American provinces requires fuch a fhare of afTutance from them, as may enable the mo- ther country to protect them upon all occafions. It was to deliver them from the uneafinefs that moleiled them, that Britain had engaged in a war which has multiplied her debts : they ought then to aid her in bearing :B!'i m'''iini. v> ■'■ i86 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH bearing or leflenlng the weight of that overcharge. At prefent, when they are freed of all apprehcnlion from the attempts of a formidable adverfary, which they have fortunately removed, can they without injuftice rcfufe their deliverer, when her neccflities are prefling, that money which purchafed their p'-eferva. tion ? Has not that generous proteftor, for a confi. derable time, granted encouragement to the Improve- ment of their rich produ4*^-^i|li(^; .':»ii Ui'13 292 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH than thofe enjoyed by the fuhjtfts of the mothe: country ? The colonies, in anfwer to this, deny that they wifh for fuperior indulgences ; they only want to fliare them in common with their brethren. Ii Great Britain, a perfon who enjoys a freehold ot forty fliillings a-year is confulted in the framing of a tax- bill, and (hall not the man who poflefles an ini. menfe trafi of land in America have the fame privi. Je^e ? No : That which is an exception to a law, a deviation from the general rule of the mother coun- try, ought not to become a fundamental point of conllitution for the colonics. Let the Englifh, who wiih to deprive the provinces in America of the riglit of taxing thcmfclves, fuppofe for a moment, that the houfe of commons, inllcad of being chofen by them, i& an hereditary and eftablifhed tribunal, or even arbitrarily appointed by the crown ; if this body could levy taxes upon the whole nation with- out confulting tii'* public opinion and the general inclinations of the people, would not the Englilh look upon themfelves to be as much flaves as any o- ther nation ? However, even in this cafe, five hun- dred men, furrounded by fcvcn millions of their fel- low-fnbjcdls, might be kept within the bounds of modiMarton, if not by a principle of equity, at leall by a well-grounded apprehenfion of the public re- fentment, which purfues the opprelTors of their coun- try even beyond the grave. But the cafe of Ameri- cans taxed by the great council of the mother coun- try would be irremediable. At too great a diftance to be heard, they would be opprefled with taxes without regard to their complaints. Even the ty- ranny exercifed towards them would be varnifhcd o- ver with the glorious appellation of patriotifm. Under pretence of relieving the mother country, the colonies would be overburned with impunity. : . irk- SErn.EMENTS IN AMERICA. 293 2. Whether the Coknie^ Jfjoiildfuhmit to he taseJ, With this alarmlnc^ profpcifl before them, they will never fuhmit to give up the right of taxing thcm- felves. So long as they debate freely on the fubjt'6l of public revenue, their interefts will be attended to ; or if their rip^hts (hould fometimes be violated, tluy will foon obtain a redrefs of their grievances. But their rennondranccs will no longer have any weight with governnneni, when they are not fupportcd by the right of granting or refufing money towards the exigences of the (late. The fame power which will have ufurped the right of levying taxes, will eafdy ufurp the diftribntion of them. As it did^ates what proportion they fh dl raife, it will likewife dictate how'that (hall be laid out ; and the funis apparently defigned for their fervice, will be employed to enflavc them. Such has been the progreflion of empires in all ages. No foci-ety ever preferved its liberty, after it had loft: the privilege of voting in the confirmation or eftablifhment of laws relative to the revenue. A nation mull for ever be enfluvcd, in which no afTembly or body of men remains who have the power to defend it8 rights agalnft the encroachments of the ftate by which it i« governed. The provinces in Britifli America have every rea- fon imaginable to dread the lofs of thcirindependence. Even their confidence may betray them, and make them fall a prey to the defigns of the mother country. They are inhabited by an infinite number of honeft an d upright people who have no fufpicion that thofe v^ho hold the reins ©f empire can be hurried awav by iinjijft and tyrannical paflions. They take i' for granted that their country cherifhes thofe fentimcnts of rhaternal tendernefs which are fo confonant to her true interefts, and to the love and veneration which they entertain for her. To the unfufpe^ling credulity of thefe honeft; fubjecls, who cherilh fo agreeable a dtlufion, may be added the acqulcfcence of thofe who BH3 think. 1A Ill' i i j 1 '1 fl ; # 1- 294 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH think it not worth while to trouWc their repofe en account of inconfiderable taxes. Thcfc .'ndolent pen pic do not perceive that the plan was, at firft, to lull their vigllaace aflecp by impofing a moderate duty ; that Britain only wanted to cllablifh an example of fubmiflion, upon which it might ground future pre- tcnfions ; that if the parliament has been able to raifc one guinea, it can raife ten thoufand ; and that there will be no more rcafon to limit this right, than there would bejullice in acknowledging it at prefent. But the greatett injury to liberty arifes from a fet of am- bitious men, who, purfuing an intereft diftinft from that of the public and of pollerily, are wholly bent on increafing their credit, their rank, and their eftatcs. The Briiifh miniftry, from whom they have procured employments, or expecl to receive them, finds them always ready to favour their odious projefts, by the contagion of their luxury and their vices, by their artful infinuations and the flexibility of their conduit. Let all true patriots then firmly oppofe the fnares of prejudice, indolence, and fedudlion ; nor let them defpair of being viilorious in a conteftin which their virtue has engaged them. Attempts will, perhaps, be made to fhake their fidelity, by the plaufible pro- pofal of allowing their reprefentatives a feat in par- liament, in order to regulate, in conjunction with thofe of the mother country, the taxes to be railed by the nation at large. Such, indeed, is the extent, populoufnefs, wealth, and importance, of the colo- nies, that the legifiature cannot govern them with wifdom and fafety without availing itfelfof 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 expoflula- tions of a few men would be eafily overborne by the Dumerous reprefentatives of the mother country; and the provinces, whoff^ inftruments they would be, would, in this confufed jumble of interefts and opi- nionsj be laden with too heavy and too -unequal a pari ^UHH .j*i ♦If'' ilV' fitii ITISH iclr repofc on : .'ndolent pco at firft, to lull lodcrate duty ; an example of nd future pre- ;n able to raife and that there rht, than there t prefent. But m a fet of am^ I dIftinA from wholly bent on d their eftatcs. have procured em, finds them rojefts, by the vices, by their " their conduft. pofe the fnares ; nor let them in which their will, perhaps, plaufible pro* a feat in par* ijunflion with 8 to be railed is the extent, :, of the cole- :rn them with If of the advice ^es. But care fe deputies to "tune and the ^'he expoflula- :rborne by the her country; hey would be, :refts and opi- too unequal a pari SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. 295 part of the common burden. Let, then, the right of appointing, proportioning, and raifing the taxeiy continue to be exclufivcly velted in thur provincial af- fcniblics ; who ought to be the more jealous of it at the prefent jundture, as the power of depri ing them of it feems to have gained ftrength by the con- quella made in the laft vrar. From its late acquifitions, the mother country has derived the advantage of extending her fifheries, and ilrengthening her alliance with the favages. But as if this fuccefs pafFed for nothing in her eftima- tion, (he perfiils in declaring, that this increafe of territory has anfwered no end, and produced no ef- fed, but to fecure the tranquillity of the colonies; The colonies, on the contrary, maintain, that their lands, Qn which their whole welfare depended, have decreafed con 'erably in their value by this immenfc extent of territory ; that, their population being diminiftied, or at lead not increafcd, their country is the more cxpofed to invafions ; and that the mod: northern provinces arc rivalled by Canada, and the nioft fouthern by Florida. The colonifts, who judge of future events by the hiftory of the paft, even go fo far as to fay, that the military government efta- blifhed in the conquered provinces, the numerous troops maintained, and the forts erefted there, may one day contribute to enflave countries which have hitherto flouriihed only upon the principles of li- berty. Great Britain pofTefle'; all the authority over her colonies that fhe ought to wifh for. She has a right to difannul any laws they fhall make. The executive power is entirely lodged in the hands of her dele- gates ; and in all determinations of a civil nature, i\n appeal lies to her tribunal. She regulates at dif- cretion all commercial connexions, which are allow- ed to be formed and purfued by the colonifts. To ilraln an authority fo wifely tempered, would be to plunge a rifmg continent afrefh into that ftate of con- I'uAun from which it had with difficulty emerged in the pU\ If 1^1 J'^v '^lUUi .1*1 p1r' * f|;i n M la M m m^'ilKr 296 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH the courfc of two centuries of inceflant labour ; and to reduce the men, who had laboured to clear the ground, to the neceflity of taking up arms In the de- fence of thofe facred rights to which they are equally entitled by nature and the laws of fociety. Shall the BritiHi, who a;e fo paflionately fond of liberty, that they have fometimes protected it in regions widely remote in climate and intcrcll, forget thofe fentiments, which their glory, their virtue, their natural feelingr, and their ftcurity, confpire to render a perpetual ob- ligation ? Shall they fo far betray the rights they hold fo dear, as to wifh to enflave their brethren and their children ? If, however, it (hould happen, that the fpirit of fadlion fhould devife fo fatal a defign, and fhould, in an hour of madnefs and intoxication, get it patronized by the mother country, what ftcps ©ught the colonies to take to fave ihemfelves fromtha itate of the moll odious dependence ? 3. Hoiv far the colonies ought to carry their oppo/s' tion to taxation^ Before they turn their eyes on this political com^ buftion, they will recall to memory all the advan- tages they owe to their country. Britain has alwayj been 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 difien- tions which jealoufy and rivallhip too frequently ex- cite between neighbouring plantatk)ns in their riling ftate. It is to the influence of its excellent conftitu- tion that they owe the peace and profperity they crjoy. While the colonies live under fo falptary and mild an adminillration, they will continue to make a rapid progrefs in the raft field of improvement that opens itfelf to their view, and which their induftry will extend to the remoteft dcferts. Let the love of their country, however, be accom- panied with a certain jealoufy of their liberties ; and let their rights be condantly examined into, cleared mi. SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. 297 up, and difcufTed. Let them never fail to confider thofc as the be(l citizens, who are perpetually calling their attention to thofe points. This fpirit of jea- ioufy is prop'«:r in all free dates; but it is particularly peccffary in complicated governments, where liberty is blended with a certain degree of dependence, fuch as is required in a connection between countries fe- parated by an immenfc ocean. This vigilance will be the fureft guardian of the union which ought ftrongly to cement the mother country and her colonics. If the miniilry, which is always compofed of am- bitious men, even in a free Itate, fliould attempt to incrcafe the power of the crown, or the opulence of the mother country, at the expence of the colonies, ihc colonies ought to refill fuch an ufurping power with unremitted fpirit. When any mcafure of go- vernment meets with a warm oppofition, it feldom fails to be rcdlified ; while grievances, which are fuf- fercd for want of courage to redrefs them, are con- ftantly fucceeded by frelh indances of oppreffion. Nations, in general, are more apt to feel than to re- fled ; and have no other ideas of the legality of a power than the very exercife of that power. Accuf- lomcd to obey without examination, they in general become familiarized to the hardihips of government ; and, being ignorant of the origin and defign of fo- ciety, do not conceive the idea of fetting bounds to authority. In thofe it ues efpecially, where the prin- ciples of legiflation are confounded with thofc of re- ligion, 2i$ ©ne extravagant opinion opens the door for the reception of a thoufand among thofe who have been once deceived, fo the iirit'encroachments of go- vernment pave the way for all the reft. He who be- lieves the molt, believes the lead ; and he who caa perform the mod, performs the lead : and to this double midake, in regard cither to belief or power, it is owing, that all the abfurdities and ill practices in religion and politics have been introduced into the world, in order to opprefs the human fpecies. The fpirit of toleration and of liberty which has hitherto prevailed '-- }', J I r;r**'' m>' iini ■■ h 11 f 1 ' f *! ■ ■I I r 298 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH prevailed in the Bn'tifh colonies, has happily preferv. €cl them from falling into this extreme of folly and mifery. They have too high a fenfc of the dignity *f human nature not to refift opprcfiTion, though at the hazard of their lives. A people fo intelligent do not vv'ant to be told, that dcfperate refolutions and violent meafiires cannot be juftifiablc till they have in vain tried every poflible method of reconciliation. But, at the fame time, they know, that, if they are reduced to the neceflity of chufing flavery or war, and taking arms in defence of their liberty, they ought not to tarnifh fo glori. ous a caufe with all the horrors and cruelties atten* dam on fedition ; and, though refolved not to fheath the fword till they have recovered their rights, that they fliould make no other ufe of their vi6lory than to procure the re-cftabli(hment of their original (late of legal independence. Let us, however, take care not to confound tlic refiftance vvhicli the Britifti colonies ought to make to their mother country, with the fury of a people excited to revolt againit 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 decifion of the fword, they are obliged to mafTacre the tyrant, to extermi- nate his whole race, and to cliange the form of that government under which they have fuffered for many ages. If they venture not thus far, they will fooncr or later be punilhcd for having been courageous on- ly by halves. The blow will be retorted upon them with greater force than ever ; and the affcdled cle- mency 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 fadlions in an abfolute government, that neither prince nor people fet any bounds to their refentment ; becaufe they know none in the exercife of their power. But a conflitution qualified like that of the Britidi co- lonicp, carries in its principles and the limitation of its m^'^'iiW'. ,Hio i SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA; 299 iu power a remedy and prcfervative agalnft the evils ofanarcky. When the mother country has removed iheir complaints by reinftaling them in their former f'tiiation, they ought to proceed no further ; becaufe nieh a fituation is the happieft that a wife people have a right to afpire to. 4. Whether it 'would he of life to the Colonies to hreak through the ties nuhlch unite them to the inother country. They could not embrace a plan of abfolute Inde- pendence, without breaking thro' the tics of religion, oaths, laws, language, relation, intertft, trade, and habit, which unite them together under the mild authority of the mother country. Is it to be imagi- ned that fuch an avuUion would not afFe«5i the heart, the vitals, and even the life, of the colonics ? If they rtiould Hop fliort of the violence of civil wars, would thcycafily be brought to agree upon a new form of go- vernment ? If each fettlcmcnt compo''^£.d a dldiudl Hate, what divifions would enfue ! We may judge of the animofities that would arifc from their fepa- ration by the fate of all communities whicli nature has made to border on each other. But, could it bcfuppofed that iomany fettlements, where adivcrfity of laws, different degrees of opulence, and variety of pofTcfiions, would fovv the latent feeds of an oppofi- tion of intcrefts, were dcfirous of forming a confe- clracy ; how would they adjull the rank which each v/ould afpire to hold, and the influence it ought to have, in proportion to the riik it incurred, and the forces it fuppHed \ Would not the fame fpirit of jealoufy, and a thoufand other paiTions, which in a (hort time divided the \\\\t dates of Greece, raife difcord between a mulsude of colonies affociated radier by the tranfient and brittle ties of pilfion and refentmcnt, than by the fo! tr principljn wf a natural aad lading combination ? All thefe coafiderations feem I ! .m-'^tlUr'^' t 300 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH fcem to demonftrate, that an eternal feparatlon from the mother country would prove a very great mif. fortune to the Britilh colonies. 5. Whether it ivoula be proper fir the European vatioju to endeavour to render the Britijh colonies indepen- dent of the mother country. We will go one ftep further, and affirm, that, were it in the power of the European nations w!io have poffeffions in the new world, to effedl this 8;reat revolution, it is not their intereft to wifti it. This will, perhaps, be thought a paradox by thofe powers, who fee their colonies perpetually threatened with an invafion from their neighbours. They, doubt- lefs, imagine, that if the power of the Britifh in A* merica were lefTened, they fliould peaceably enjov their acquifitions, which frequently icxcite 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 provin- ces ; which enable them always to attack with advan- tage the iflands and continental poflcfiions of other nations, to conquer their territories, or ruin their trade. But, after all, this crown has interefts in o- ther parts of the globe which may counteraft their progrefs in America, reftrain or retard their enter- prizes, and fruftrate their conquefts by the reftituti- ons they will be obliged to make. When the ties fublKling betvveen old and new Bri- tain are once broken, the northern coi< nies will have more power when fingle, than when united with the mother country. This great continent, freed with all connexions with Europe, vi'ill have the full com- mand of all its motions. It will then become an im- portant as well as an eafy undertaking to them, to invade thofe territories whole riches will make an^enda for the fcantinefs of their productions. By ihe inde- pendent nature of its fituation, it will be enabled to get »tfi''. "illil ^ Ui i nsH rparation from !ry great mif- iropean nation, ■/lo flies indepen- \ affirm, that, 1 nations vlio ffedl this great wifli it. This J thofe powers, ircatened with They, doubt- 2 Britifh in A- caceably enjoy cite their envy, inot be denied, ions arifes from ■)rthern provin- ck with advan- iions of other or ruin theic interefts in o- ounteraft their rd their enter- y the reftituii- 1 and new Bri- nies will have nited with the t, freed with the full com- ccome an im- g to them, to llnnakearr.ends By the inde- be enabled to SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. 301 fret every thing in readinefs for an invafiun, before any account arrives in Europe, 'lliis nation will carry on their military operations with the f])irit pe- culiar to new focietics. 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 furprife, and upon thofe feas that are lead guarded by foreign powers ; who will find the countries they vvifhed to defend conquered before any fuccours can arrive. It will be impoiFible to recover ihcm by treaty, without making j^rcat conceflions ; or, when recovered for a time, to ])revent their falling again under the fame yoke. The colonies belonging to our abfolute monarchies, will, perhaps, be inclined to meet a mafter with open arms, who cannot propofe harder terms than their own government impofcs ; or, after the example of the Britifli colonies, will break the chain that rivets ihem fo ignominioufly to Europe. Let no motive by any means prevail upon the na- tions who are rivals to Britain, cither by inhnuations, or by clandeltine helps, to haftcn a revolution, which would only deliver them from a neighbouring enemy, by giving them a much more formidable one at a di- Ihnce. Why accelerate an event which mufl one day r.aturally take place from the unavoidable concurrence of fo many others ? For it would be contrary to the iiature. of things, if the province, fubjedl to a prefidincj nation, fliould continue under its dominion, when equal to it in riches and the number of inhabitants. Or, indeed, who can tell whether this difunion may not happen fooner ? Is it not likely, that the diftrull and hatred which have of late taken place of that re- gard and attachment which the provinces formerly idt for the parent country, may bring on a feparati- on ? Thus every thing confpires to produce this great ditruption, the acra of which it is impoflible to know. Every thing tends to this point ; the progrcfs of good in the new hemifpherc, and the progrefs of evil ^■^' ■ in the old I I ^1 mm> fff'- mo ri 3©i HISTORY OF THE BRITISH, ^i;. Alas ! the fudden and rapid decline in our man. ncrs and our powers^ th€ crimes of princes, and the fiifTeringfi of the pcoplci will mal.e this fatal cata- ilrophc, which is to divide one part of the globe from the other, univerfal. The foundations of our tottering empires are fapped ; materials arc hourly tollcfting and preparing for their deftru6lion, com- pofed of the ruins of our laws, the ferment of con. tending opinions, and the fubverfion of our rights which were the foundation of our courage j the lux- nry of our courts, and the mifcries of the country ; the lafling animofity between indolent men who en- ^nofs all the wealth, and vigorous and even virtuous men who have nothing to lofc but their lives. In proportion as our people are weakened and refign ihcmfelves to each other's dominion, population and agriculture will flourirti in America :■ the arts, tranf. planted by our means, will make a rapid ptogrcfd; and that country, rifing out of nothing, will be fired with the ambition of appearing with gtory, in fts turn, on the face of the globe, and in the hiftory of the world. O pofterity I ye, peradventure, will be more happy than your unfortunate and contemptible unceftors. May this laft wifli be accomplifhed, and confole the prefent expiring race with the hopes that a better will fucceed it ? ^iiDcfc*h. History o/t/)ff British Settlements /'; America. >M^ ^-Ha) m^'<. iiw ' II SH, eiTi. ■ « e in our man. inccs, and the his fatal cata- L cf the globe idations of our ials arc hourly huftion, com. ermcnt of con- 1 of OUT rights irage ; the lux- af the country ; it men who en- d even virtuous their lives. In ened and ^ refign , population and :r the arts, tranf. rapid piogrcfd; Ing, will be fired th glory, in its in the hiftory of venture, will be ,nd contemptible complilhed, and vthc hopes that Settlements AN A N IMPARTIAL HISTORY or TUB PRESENT WAR IN A M E R I C A. INTRODUCTION IN writing hlflory of every kind, there is nothiti;^ more to be commended than impartiality ; and fcarce any thing is more difficult to be obfcrved. It is hardly pofiible for the hiftorian to avoid intered- ing himfelf on that fide which appears the mod juft and equitable. When this is done, the paflions, na- tural to all mankind, will prompt him toreprefent the other party in colours perhaps much blacker than they I dcfcrve ; or may even fo fir prevail, as to caufc him milVeprefent fails, and derive them from motives ne- rer thought of by thofc whofe hiftory he writes. This Is particularly the cafe in writincr the hlllory of a civil war, efpecially by a native of the country where that war is carried on. There are few peo- ple deftitute of affedlion for their native country ; indeed it is in a manner Impofllhle that any perfon lioald be fo, except thofe who have totally call off I all pretenfions to humanity. Every attack, there- tore, on any man*8 country, is neceflarily confidered by him as an attack upon himfelf. If a war unhap- C c pily Hi" \'^l M > in !i I ■ ai|:i 'n illO 302 HISTORY OF THE PRESENT pily breaks out in that country, it is impoflible to iland neuter. Some part or other mull be chofcn by every one. An attack then upon the party which a man choofes is an attack upon himfelf ; and wlicti an hidorlan writes the hillory of fuch a war, his book muft neceflarily be conlldcred as a kind of judgment in his own caufe. The annals of hiflory can fcarcc afford flrongcr in- fiances of this kind of partiality than the prefcnt tontcfl with the Americans. It hath been difputed, Whether the people who are at war with tlic Kinq are in rebellion againfl him or not ? According to the difpofition of the difputants, the very fame fafti have been rcprcfcnted in the moft oppofite b'ghts. If one is any how conneftcd with the minillry, hath a place under the government, or hatli any friends tliat are fo ; with him, the Americans arc re- bels, traitors, and utterly deflitute of every good principle. On the other hand, if the difputant, or the writer, is any how difcontented with the public management of affairs at prefent ; with him, the Americans are an injured and oppreffed People, making the mofl glorious ftruggles for Liberty, a- gainll a wicked and tyrannical Miniftry. Not with (landing the difficulty, however, wliich I have jull now Hated, I think it i^^JH poiTibic •fwr an hidorian to be abfolutely impartiff, even when he relates matters refpedling his own country. This may eafily be done, by laying down fome maxim or tirft principle known to be jull; by comparing oil which with the aftions of thofe he writes, they may be certainly known to be right or wrong. In the following abflrad of the Hiftory of this very I important and intcrefling War, I fliall only lay down the following principle, which furcly can be denied by nobody ; viz. " That Peace is always preferable to War, where it can be obtained upon honourable Terms." By ftedfaflly keeping in view this prifl- ciple, I hope to avoid the invcftives which have been io liberally bellowed on both fides : And though I 'ff ' iiHf ut SENT impofliblc to I be chofcn by )arty which a If; and when :h a war, his as a kind uf )rd ftronger in. in the prefcnt been dilputed, with the Klnc; ccording to ihe cry fame fafts :)ppofite b'ghts, h the minillry, t, or hath any (iiericans arc re- of every good le difputant, or with the public with him, the iprefled Peopic, for Liberty, a- by. lowever, which isgAill poiTibk ,rt^, even when country. Tins fome maxim or comparing oi •rites, they may wrong. In the! of this very 1 only lay down y can be denied Uvays preferable ipon honourable view this prla- Iwhich have beer. And though I an' WAR IN AMERICA. 30J am afraid we mud at laft conclude the Amcricani to have been tha offending party, I believe they have not been guilty of any offence but what other men would have committed, had they been in their places. The (late of mankind in this world renders quar- rels, both public and private, abfolutely unavoid- able. That nation, or that individual, doth not ex- ill, who hath not quarrelled with another. From the exiftence of a war between two nations, therefore, we ought not to Imagine that either of them arc compofed of worfe men, or led by worfe men than the other. We can only conclude this, when one offers an honourable peace, and the other rcfufes. The latter is then undoubtedly to be blamed ; and the leading men of it are defervedly to be charader- ilcdaD wicked and infamous pcrfon3. CHAP. I. Origin and Progrefs of the Difcontents in America^ till the commencement of Hojlilities in i 775. THE origin of the prefent war Js to be traced from two paflions deeply rooted in every human bread ; namely, (^love of power over others, and a love of freedom and independency for ourfelvts. I fliall not enter into a difquifition how far it is allowable to fol- low cither of thefe paflions. Certain it is, that, in fome cafes, both of them are not only lawful, but ncceffary ; and confidering matters in this light, we may readily excufe the Britiih miniflry for dcfiring to keep the colonies in fubje^lion, as well as the colonies for fhewing a delire to iliake off the yoke. This fpirit of Independency began to fiiew itfelf in the Britifli colonies almoft from their tirft founda- tion ; and fome of them difputed the fovereignty of the mother country as early as the reign of King Charles II. At that time, it was only the want of ftrcngth in the infant colonies, that prevented the !i* iJ Cc 2 flame ■M^^^^^^iiiiH.^Hij' ■iT: • -^ 3«4 HISTORY OF THE PRESENT flame from breaking out with the fame violence as now. With regard to the qucflion of right in this cafe, it can fcarcc be denied, That people who arc prote.ncnts as tlireatened the utter ruin of the Britifli colonies, if rot fpeedily put a (lop to. It was therefore neceffary, that money fliould be levied through the different colonies for the defence of the whole. Thequeilion uas, By what power it was to be ralfed ? If the go- vernors of Great Britain were alfo the governors of America, it is plain this money was to be levied by the authority of the Britifli legiflature ; but, il C)therwife> no doubt the Americans themfelvcs were the proper perfons. lo fettle this very important point, commilTioncrs from a number of the colonics were appointed to meet at Albany in the province of New York. At this meeting, it was agreed, that a grand council iliould be chofen by the different afTem- blies, and fent from all the colonies ; and that this council, to^qether with a governor-general appointed by WAR IN AMERICA. 305 t)y the Crown, fliould be impow'crcd to make lawa for railing money throughout the whole continent. This plan was fent to England for the aj)prol)ation of the Britifli minillry. By them it was rcje<^led, and a new one formed in its (lead. It was now propofed, that an afiembly fliould be formed, not of the rcpre- fcntatives of the American people in their provincial airemblies, but of their governors^ attended by one or two of their council. Thefe were to concert mca- fures for the good of the whole, ere6l forts wherever they pleafed, and raife what troops they thought neccflary. To defray their expences they had power to draw on the Britifli treafury ; and the fnms fo drawn were to be reimburfcd by a tax laid on the colonies by adl of parliament. It is fcarce neceffary to obferve that tliis propofal was reje6led by the Americans. Thefe two fchemes were in faf debt had been contracted, and an increafe of terri- tory, without any addition of revenue to enable the nation to defend it, was a burden rather than nn ad- vantage. The flourifhing Hate of the American colonics made them at that time a defireable objedl ; and accordingly, in 1764, a new tax was laid upon America to the amount of L. 34i»377. This was to be raifed by new imports and duties on the American trade ; and, though the taxes were laid chiefly upon articles (>f luxury, it gave great offence to the colo- nirts. But they were much more chagrined by ano- ther aft v/hich rellralned them from exporting their fuperfluous commodities to the French and SpaniOi Jettlemeuts. A contraband trade of this kind had been c.'xrried on till now, and was of great fervice to all parties concerned, though forbid by the laws of France and Spain. The total ftoppage of this trade proved a more grievous ftro';e to the Americans than almoft any tax that could be laid upon them. The leafon was this. Though a mutual exchange of goods took place between Britain and America, yet tha balance was always greatly in favour of the former, and confequcntly the Americans were conllaiitly in- debted to the merchants of this country. This balance was to be paid in cafh, and there was a ne« cefiity for them to procure this fomewhere. Their country does not produce gold or filver ; and if they were totally prolubited from trading with any other Bation than Britain, it was. impoirible they could hava lany money at all. We cannot blame the miniftry for putting a. Hop to this trade with the French and Spa- ST icr colonic* h the Amc- ;hemc above f the BritHh being pof- hc minlftry. :ompclled to tlon was ex- any millionj eafc of terri- enable the than en ad- ic American :able objedl ; IS laid upon This was to he American chiefly upon 1 to the colo- ined by ano- )orting their and Spanidi lis kind had at fcrvice to the laws of of this trade i^ricans than them. The nge of goods |ica, yet tha the former, lonllaiitly in- try. This e was a ne- ere. Their and if they |h any other could havg minlftry for |ch and Sp»- WAR IN AMERICA. 307 tiiili colonies which was difagrccablc to their mother countries ; but fome method of removing fo great an inconvenience as that above mentioned ougiit un-' dt)ubtedly to have been tiled. The meihod of put- ting the law in execution gave ftill greater offence. A number of armed cutters were fitted out and fta- tioned on the coalU of America to prevent this con- tiaband trade; and the ca^ tains of thefe cutlers wfre to adl in the character of revenue officers, and to determine what (hips were liable to tlie penalties of the a6l, and what were not. It can fcarce be ima- gined but thefe captains would frequently detain iliips unjullly ; and when a lawful trader was injured, it was not eafy to obtain redrefs. The Lords of the Admiralty, or of the Treafury In England could only remove the grievance; but confideiing the diftancc cf place, and the manner of application, the whole trade might have been ruined before redrefs could lave been obtained. Great difturbances were occa- fioncd by this law, many a6ts of violence were com- mitted, and both parties rcprefentcd the Injuries they fuffered with the utmoft acrimony and aggravation. Another hardlhip on the Americans was the obli- ging them to make payment in fpcclc to the Exchequer of the duty upon fuch goods as they were allov/ed to trade in. This was a method of draining the whole money from the colonies, and leaving them nothing for circulation ; and what was ftill worfe, another bill was preferred two weeks after, by which it wr.s declared that no paper bills fliould be a legal tender for payment of any kind ; and that fuch bills as were already pafled, {hould after a limited tinie be called in and funk. As a kind of balance to this law, how- ever, feveral others were enabled at the fame time, which it was hoped would be of fervlce to the colo- nies. Thefe were, a bill to grant Jeave for a limited timi to carry rice from the provinces of South Caro- lina and Georgia to otlier parts of America on pay- ii}g Britlfh duties ; an a6l for granting a bounty upon llifi importatio:! of hemp, and rough undrefTed fla.^ froni f 1 1 1 II '• \^M J' 1 vr 1 ! ^H li^i ' it ' ill 1 M II 1 1 1 i i|' iH 1 1 1 1 H 1 . \ i ..il! i mi'rr.ii/f//.,-.bout the ftree" Vj\ WAPv IN AMERICA. 309 by the name of the Fo//v of F.ngland^ and the Huln tf America, Papers and pamphlets without number verc wrote on the fubjedt ; and by the time the a6l had reached America, the people were wrought up to the higheft pitch of averfion againft it, and treat- ed it with the utmoft contempt. In many places this hated aft was publicly burnt, together with the ef- figies of the firll ])romoters of it, who, had they been prefent, would i)robably have fharcd the fame fate. In fhort the difcontent was fo great, that when the news of it arrived in England, there were fevr mailers of fliips to be found that would venture to carry over any ftamped paper to the continent. Such as were fo hardy as to do fo, were obliged to de- liver up their cargoes into the hands of the enraged populace, who committed it to the flames ; or to take fheltcr under fuch of the king's (hips as hap- pened to be nearcft to protect them. Thofe who came over to colledl the revenue were treated in the feverell manner ; and the gentlemen who defigned to a6l as diftributors of the llamps were made forcly to repent their having any concern in the matter. Many of them were made to renounce upon oath all manner of concern in the flamps ; others wifely re- turned to the placet; from whence they came ; while thofe who ftrenuoufly perfifted in attempting to put the aft in execution, were treated as enemies of the coun:ry, had their houfes plundered, their ef- fcfts ueliroyed, &c. Some of the colonies indeed fubmitted to this hnv ; but when fhips arrived from any of thcfc to the refraftory ones, the (lamps tliey brought along with them for their own vindication at the cullom-houfe were fcized, (luck up in taverns and coffee-houfes by way of fcorn, and afterwards burnt. In this behaviour the Americans were pri- vately encouraged by the leaders of the oppofitlon in that country ; and fome of them adverlifed pub- licly that they were refolvcd to pay no duties but what were laid on by their own reprefentatives. This was ioQw avowed by the provincial alTembliep. In- ilcad t. i-3 \M \-M. ixLriJ!; il I! W S| i ^1 i y §1 8 N'i I ' :(i '■ 'if 'M\ i|pii 310 HISTORY OF THE PRESENT Head of endeavouring to fupprefs the riotous beha. viour of the common people, they began to patro- nize it ; and affirmed, that If there were any diforders committed, thofe were chargeable with them who endeavoured to promote fo iniconftltu^ional a law. At laft they came to a rcfolution to petition tlie Britlfh legiflature againii tliL' (lamp ad. They pleaded their incapacity to pay any fuch tax as was now impofed upo. them ; but at the fame time they neve; owned thai they were at all fubjecft to parlia- mentary authority ; and this rendered their petition ofFenfive to the majority. At thi;^ time, however, thecolonlfts began lo take more efPeftual meafures for oppofing the ftamp ad. They formed afl'ociations, and appointed committees for the fake of a general correfpondence throughout the whole continent. From thefe committees depn. ties were appointed to meet In congrcfs at New York ; and when thefe deputies met, they were found to be fo unanimous in their fentiments, that they had lit- tle more to do than congratulate one another, and fet their hands to one general declaration of their rights, and the grievances they laboured under, and to a petition, exprefllng a fenfe of their grievances to the King, Lords, and Commons of Britain. In a fhort time even thofe whofe Interefl feemed to ly mofi ontheoppofitefidc, began tojoln the difcontentedpeo- pie. The jufticcs of Weftmoreland In Virginia gave public notice that they had refigned their officer, and even the lawyers chofc rather to give up their bufinefs than to write on (lamped paper. Before the firft of November 1765, when the a6l was to take place, there was not a fheet of (lamped paper to be found throughout the whole colonies of New Eng- land, New York, New Jerfcy, Pennfylvannia, Vir- ginia, Maryland, or the two Carolinas, except a parcel at New York, which the governor was obliged to deliver up to the corporation, on condition that it fhould not be deilroyed like the reft. Thus all bufinefs that cowld not be carried on without damps, was WAR IN AMERICA. 3t« was put entirely to a ftand, except news-papers, which the printers, for fear of the \ jpulace, were obliged to continue without {lamps. But in Canada where ftamps were ufed, the printers were in a worfc condition ; for few or none would buy a news-paper on account of its being ftampcd ; and the whole lay upon their hands. The courts of juilice were now Ihut up as well as the ports ; and even in thofe co- lonies where (lamps were ufed, the people of the beft rank fubmitted to be called in churches rather than take out licences for private marriages. The evil confequences of the total ftagnation in bufinefs which now took place, foon began to be felt feverely ; but the colonifts feeraed determined to fuffcr any thing rather than fubmit. Some curious expedients, however, were tried to evade the influence of this new law ; and among others, the bark of a tree was difcovered which might be ufed as ai fuccedaneum for paper. It was fent to the printers at Bofton for their approbation 4 and as it was neither paper, parch- ment, nor vellum, the difcoverer wanted to knovr whether deeds written upon this bark might not be valid though they were not ftamped. The moft ef- fedlual method of oppofing thefe obnoxious a6ls, however, was the following : The merchants through- out all the colonies entered into the moil folemn en- gagements, to order no more goods from Great Bri- tain, whatever fliould be the confequence, and to rc- cal the orders they had already given, if not execu- ted before the firil of January 1766 ; and they fur- ther refolved not to difpofe of any Britifh goods fent them upon commiflion, that were not fiiipped before that time ; or if they confented to any relaxation from thefe engagements, it was not to take place till after the llamp-a6l and fome other obnoxious ones were repealed. It was refolved at Philadelphia by a great majority, that till fuch a repeal fhould hap- pen, no lawyer fliould be put in fult for a demand for money, owing by a refident In America to any one in England, nor any perfon in America, how- ever r'ifi \ IM ii' \: I-' ! r.t m' I ■ 1i g I Pi ^ ^ m U i ill li: iflU ? '■]; ■ p 11 11 i-i i •rfii''*i/i^-' * 31a HISTORY OF THE PRESENT ever indebted to England, make any remlttanccrg there. This refolution was adopted by the retailers, who unanlmoufly agreed not to buy any more Eng. Hill goods (hipped contrary to thefe refolutions. Thii controvcrfy, in the mean time was of great advantage to Ireland. What goods the Americana could not poflibly want they ordered from that coun- try, in exchange for their hemp and flax feed, of which thty exported a great quantity annually. They did not fail, however, to take meafures at the fame time for freeing tliemfelvcs from this depen- dance upon other nations for the necelTarics uf life. A fociety of arts, manufactures, and commerce was inllituted at New York, in imitation of that of Lon- don, and markets were opened for the fale of home- made manufactures. Many refolutions were formed in order to encourage thefe manufactures, and In a fiiort time It became very probable that the Ameri- can colon* s would be able to fupply thcmfelves with all the necefl'arles of life. They next refolved to il:op the exportation of tobacco from Virginia and South Carolina to Great Britain ; and conlidering the vail quantities of that article which are confumed In the llland, or re-exported from It to other coun- tries, fuch a refolutlon could not fail greatly to affcd both the Britiih trade and revenue. The conTequences of thefe refolutions were lefs felt by the Americans than the inhabitants of Britain. The former were already in pofieflion of large quan- tities of Britifh goods, and enjoyed an extenfiv*? country abounding with naany of the neccfTarles of life. The latter were dirtreffed by the ftagnatioii of their trade. The Americans were indebted to Brllidi merchants upwards of four millions Sterling for goods they had already received, and which they were neither able nor willing to pay ; and the want I of this money proved ruinous to many. At lall, it was feen to be neceffary, either to enforce the exe- cution of the llamp aCt by a military power, or to repeal it alton^cther. The latter opinion prevailed in parliament, ^^^^^■■mi\. riy mi''- ill'' '<:• iNT remlttanceg the retailers, more Eng- lutlons. was of great e Americana m that coun- flax feed, of ty annually. ;afures at the \ this depen- Favies of life. ommerce was that of Lon- fale of home- \ were formed tires, and in a it the Amcii- icmfelves with :t refolvcd to Virginia and jd conlidering are coniumcd o other conn- eatly to afFcd were lefs felt Its of Britain. [f large quan- an exten fivi^ Ineccffarles of le ftagnatiou indebted to lions Sterling Id which they land the want ly. At hit, force the cxe- lower, or to prevailed in parliament, WAR IN AMERICA. 3^3 parliament, and the a6l was repealed, but fome others equally obnoxious to the Americans were left, It may eafily be imagined that the repeal of one obnoxious law could only procure a temporary tran- quillity ; and the Americans having as they inu- gined, gained a vi6lory over the Britifh miniftry, would not fail to exult in it, and become more un- tra6lable afterwards. This accordingly happened ; for though the obnoxious a^ts were repealed in 177c, yet the leaving of a fingle duty of 3 d. a pound 011 tea imported from Britain into America, was doomed to be the fatal bone of contention between the mo- ther country and her colonies. This, it muft be con- fc'fled, will at firil light feem to be a very flight cauic fcr embroiling themfclves in fuch a dangerous fchcme. But we mull confider, that the American;? having once begun to contend for what they ima- gined to be their liberties, could not r .rad. The power of parliament to tax them in any manner of way whatever, was what they utterly denied. The prcfent tax was indeed very trilling, but if parlia- ment was allowed to tax them in one article they might do fo in every other ; and thus, as the Ame- ricans thought, reduce them to flavery, by taking their property without any confent given on thtiv part either by thcmfelves or reprefentatives. It would be tedious, indeed impoffible, to enume- rate all the ways in which the difconteut of the peo- ple now fliowed itfelf. Numberlefs mobs, tumults, and riots were excited. Refolutions were entered into throughout moll of the colonies againft the uie of Eatl India tea, and whoever w^as fo hardy as to lland out againll the general voice was foon con- vinced of his error by tarring and featherinr^. It appears, however, that at this time, and probably long before, the colonies had defigned to altert tbrnr j independence. This feems probable from the ex- treme obftinacy with which they always refilled the leaft tho appearance of fubje($lion to parliamentary au- nty, and the rcadincfs with which they entered I Hi': li* Dd into .*l>^i.-HyiM:;>A' fff' iin> i 314 HISTORY OF THE PRESENT mto rt'rolution<; ac!;ainfi; Iniportiug any Brltifh goods, tKongh tlicy ftoad ever fo much in need of then;. Tlielc rcfoliitions were now entered into more than ever, Slid a ipirit of unanimity very furprifing in modern ages pervaded the whole continent. The j;ovcrnors, in tlie mean time, were in a perpettia! liate of wRr with their people. AfTemblies were rep,.atedly called, and fuddenly difiolved ; and durirrr tlie fiiort time they fat, their time was wholly taken wp in recounting their grievances, and framing re- monilranccs. The tea-bill was confulered merely as a fchcmc to delude them into a compliance with tlie revenue laws, and to open the door for unlimited taxation. It was eafdy fecn, that if <'«nce the tea was landed, and lodged in the hands of the config. tices appointed by the Eaft India company to receivo it, no effectual method whatever could be fallen upoi to hinder its falc and confiimption. It was therefor; iudgrd necefTury to prevent any Eail India tea ixo\Vi being landed on the continent. 1 he tea conhgnee>, who had been appointed by the Ea(l India company, were obliged in moll places to relinquifli their sp- ]iointments, and to enter into public engagemc:,i: not to act in that capacity. Committees were ap- pointed by the people in different towns, to uho:;; they delegated powers which they ihemfelves coulil not leijallv beltow. Thefe committees were autho- rized to infpe6l merchants books ; to propole telh: to punilh fiich as they thought contumacious, by lieclarinsj them enemies to the liberties of America, and to alTemble the people as often as they faw occp.- (ion. In fuch tumultuous aifemblies, it was impoil!- ble but every thing muft have been carried on in th;' mod violent manner. Inflammatory hand-biliii anJ other feditious papers were continually publifiia! throughout all the colonics; it was at Bofton, how- ever, that the fird outrage was committed, and which feemed to bring matti-TS to a crifis fooncr tha';! ihcy otherwife would have been. The inhabitantil of this town had long been obnoxious to govern'nen:| ci:| d^^^..oaii{<.. .;,. SENT Britifli goocls need of llieir,. nto more thai? f furprlfing in iiitinent. Tie in a perpcttiul {Tembllcs wcr^ !(1 ; and durinr^ .s wholly taken nd framing re- lered merely as llancc with Ui'.- or for iinlimltcci if once the tea , of the CO n fig- ipany to receive d be fallen upon It was therefor; : India tea from e tea confignee>, India company, nquifli their ap- lie engagem£!,i3 mlttces were ap- owns, to \vho:u ihcmfelves could ees were antho- o propofe tcih ; j jntumacio'js, by ies of America, I |3 they faw occy it was impoll!' arned on in Uv:\ hand -bills anJ mally publi{l''et'| [at Bofton, how- coramittcdj andl jriiis fooncr tba". The inhabitant)" s to governmer.:! cr. WAR IN AMEPJCA. 3r en account of their remarkable obllinacy in refilling all manner of parliamentary authority. On the pre- fent occafion they did not fail to exert themfilvcs in their ufual manner. Three fliips laden with tea having arrived in tlie port of Bofton, the captains were treated in fuch a manner that they promlied to return with their cargoes to England, provid- ed they were permitted by the confignees, the board of cuftoms, and the fort of caftle William. Thefe concellions, however, could not be obtained. The confignees refufcd to difchargc the captains from the obligations under which they were chartered for the delivery of their cargoes ; tlie cullom-houfe re- fiifed them a clearance for their return ; and the go- vernor to grant them a paJTport for clearing the fort. In this fituation the Boltonians eafily faw, that if the Hiips were fuffered to ly fo near, it would be impoflible for them, with all their precautions, to prevent the tea from being landed by degrees, and if it was once land- ed, it would be equally impoflibleto prcventit from be- ing difpofed of. For thefe reafons, a number of arm- ed men, difguifed like Mohawk Indians, boarded the (hips, and threw their whole cargoes of tea into the fea, without doing any other damage, or offering any injury to the captains or crews. This happen- ed on the 1 8th of December 1773, and it was remark- ahle, that no attempt was made to prcfcrvc the tea from being deftroyed, cither by the civil government, the garrifon of Fort William, or the armed flilps in the harbour. Some fmaller quantities of tea met with the fame fate :>t BoRon and other places. But, in general, the commiflioners for the fale of that commodity, having been obliged to rclinquifli their employment, and no other perfons daring to receive the cargoes configned to them, the mafters of the tea- veffcls knowing their danger, and the determined re- fulution of the people, readily complied with tlie terms prcfcribed them, of returning to England im- iTiediately, without entangling themfelves by an en- try at the cullom-houfes. D d 2 Matters f ■ .F- !^ iiU,-:imu. • «- nwrjiiiif.o'Ji '}\6 HISTORY OF THE PRESENT Llatters being now brought to fuch a pafs, that either Britain imilt fubmit to her ct)h)nies, or the co- h)nies to her, it was rcfolved in parliament, to tnkc the mofl: effei^tual meafures for puniniing tlie fcditious fpirit of the Americans, and reducing them to wliat was thought their duty, but what they thcmfelvcs called flavery. For this purpofe, feveral laws were pafled, the mod remarkable of which was an a6l for fluittuig up the port of Bofton after the firft of June 1774. This meafure it was hoped would prove the means of dividing the councils of the Americans, and putting a ftop to that unanimity which threatened to give the mother country fo much trouble. It was expected, that the fliutting up this port would naturally prove a gratification to the neighbouring towns that were rivals in commerce to Boiton. It was alfo thought that this punifhment, inflidled on a particular province, would prove a terror to the reft. Thefe opinions, however, fhewed a great degree of weaknefs in the judgement of theMiniftry. It might eafily have been feen, that people fo ready to refill the fmalleft encroachments of parliamentary autho- rity, would be Irritated to the laft degree by fuch an exertion of it, as to fhut up and ftop all the com- merce of one of their principal ports. They muft nowconfidcr themfelves as abfolute flaves to Britain; and were the parliament to pafs an aft for taking away their lives, as well as their commerce, fubmlf- Con mull be thought their duty. On the other liand, it was certainly very hard for the Minlftry, or indeed any body elfc, to know what was proper to be done. To have yielded at once, and let the Americans enjoy abfolute independency, would, n9 doubt, have been accounted a piece of weaknefs, and refled^ed great difhonour on the Britifh nation ; and it was now plain, that unlefs this independency was in effeft granted, no other terms would be complied with on their part. Perhaps the beft method would have been at this time, to have declared them rebelsj ynd attacked them vigoroufly with a force they could not ^I^n.-tjji|fj;;.;,, WAR IN AMERICA, 317 not poflibly refid. Tliis would hnve quaflicd the re- i;ellion (for fuch It then was, as much as now) at once, and in all human probability, with much lefa bloodlTied than has happened lincc that ti I me. wo things, however, feem to have liinderid this mcafuic ; the one, the (Irength of oppofition to Miniilcrial counfels at home ; and the other, an ill -grounded opinion of the cowardice, or wcaknefs of the Ame- ricans. This lad opinion feems at that time, and In- deed almod ever inice, to have prev.iiled in this coun- try, cvc^n to a dtgrce of infatuation. Some pcojilc even imagined, that three or fcjur thoufand rc- f^mlar troops were fuflicient for the conquell of the wnolc continent. It was therefore thought abundant- ly fufiicient for quelling all tumults or infurreflionj that might arife in that quarter, to fend four regiments 10 Bollun, along with General Gage, who was ap- the room of Hutcliinfon, and at nder in chief of all the forces pointed governor the fame time comma ,11 America. Matters, however, turned out direftly oppofite to the views of the Miniftry. The neighbouring town?, jnftead of attempting to profit by the misfortunes of Boflon, ufcd their utmoit endeavours for her relief; and the other colonies feemed to have their afFe»Stlon and fympathy raifed in proportion to the efforts of the Minlilry againft their filler. As matters were now come to a crifis, it will here be proper, for a right underftanding of what produ- ced the final breach between Great Britain and her colonies, to give a fhort abltra6l of the moil offenfive acts, and fome of the American refolutions and ani- madverfions concerning them. In the preamble to the Bollon Port Bill, it was de- clared. That as dangerous Commotions and Infurrec- tions had been fomented and raifed in the town ot Botlon, by ill-affe^^ed perfons, to the fubverfion of p;overnment, and to the utter deftruftion of the pub- lic peace ; in which commotions, certain valuable cargoes of teas, the property of the Eafl India com- ?■■ ''['T if- 'i\ Dd >anv i- .;i;i i *i Il' Ki' !; iil m: jT'/*^^- , 'I I" mtiimi' 31a . HISTORY OF THE PRESENT pany, and on boarO vcfTtls lying within the bay or harbour of Bofton were feized and deftroyed ; and aa in tlie condition in which the town and harbour at that time were, the commerce of his Majcdy's fub- j*:fts could not be fafeJy carried on, nor his Majefty'j cuftom« duly collected ; it was tliereforc expedient that ilie officers of thefe cuftoms fhould immediately be removed from the faid town ; therefore It was <'na(5^pd, that after the ift of June 1774, no merchan- dife fhould be landed at, or fhippcd from Boflon, under penalty of forfeiting the fliip and cargo. This prohibition, however, was not to extend to any mi- litary (lores brought for his Majefly's ufe, or to any fuel or vidlual brought coaft-wifc from any part of the continent of America, provided the fhlps were fi:rnlflied with a proper pafs. All feizures and for- feitures inflifted by this a£t, were to be made and profccuted by any admiral or commiffioned officer of his Majefly's fleet, or by the officers of the cuf- toms, or fome other perfon appointed by the Lord High Treafurer. But, whenever it was made to ap- pear to his Majefty in his privy- council, that peace and obedience to the laws were fo far reftored In the town of Bofton, that the trade of Great Britain might be fafely carried on there, and his Majefly's rufloms duly collected. It fhould be lawful for his Majefly by proclamation, or by order of the council, to affign and appoint the bounds and limits of the port and harbour of Boflon, and of every creek or haven within the fame, or in the illands within the precinfls thereof; and alfo to appoint fuch and fo many officers of the ccfloms as his Majefly fhould ihink fit ; after which it fhould be lawful to land goods at thefe places, and no other. But fuch appointments were altogether out of his Majefly's power to make, before fatlsfadllon was made to the Eafl India Company for the lofs fhe had fuflalned by the deflru6^Ion of the tea. Another a6l, which was greatly refented by the Americans, was entitled, ** An a6l for the better rr^ulatingthegovernme:;itof t•heprovInccofMaf^achu• f7 Ec 3 '.VYS Wh- Si v-iH ) i H^ 1 1 Pt !1 .1' 'tl iliii^i ■'. ji i ::tm I' «P \m HISTORY OF THE PRESENT hws arrived at Bofton about the beginning of Au- euft. Tliirty-fix new counfcllors were appointed by fjls Majefty, agreeable to the lad n\adc regulations. Twenty-four of thefe accepted their offices, which was a fufficient number for carrying on the bufinefs of government. But all who accepted of any offices un* der the new laws, or prepared to aft in conformity to them, were now every where declared enemies to their country. The new jiidgea were in all places render. cJ incapable of proceeding in their office. Upon opening the courts, the great and petty Juries una. iiimoufiy refufed to be fworn, or to adl in any man. ner undct the ;iew judges and the new laws. The ailing olherwife, was deemed fo heinous an offence, that the clerks of the courts found it neceffary to ac- knowledge iheir repentance in the public papers for ifiuing the warrants, by which the Juries were funi- iTioncd to attend ; and to promife, that if their coun- trymen would forgive them at that time, they ne- ver would be guilty of the like offence again. At Great Barrington -nd fome other places, the people iiffemblcd in numerous bodies, and filled the court- houfe and avenues in fuch a manner, that neither the judges nor their officers, could obtain admittance. On the Ihcriffs commanding them to. make way for the court, they anfvvered,. that they knew of no court nor other eftablifhment, independent of liie ancient lav.-3 nnd ufages of thei*- country ; and to none other would they fubmit, or give way upon any terms. The new counfellors were It ill moreunfortunatethan the judges. Their houfes were furrounded by great bodies of . people, to whom they muft either fubmit, or luffer the fury of an enraged populace. Moft of them fubmit- t-ed to the former condition ; but fome had the good luck to efcape to Bollon, by which they evaded the danger. The old conftitution being taken away by a«ft of parliament, and the new one rejed\ed by the people, an end was put to all forms of law whatever in the jiro'unu/e of MalTachufet's-bay. But though tk peopls >ENT nning of Au- : appointed hj dc regulations, offices, which the bufinefs of any offices un- \ conformity to nemies to their places render. office. Upon tty Juries una* i in any man« ;w law8. The 3US an offence, neceffary to ac^ iblic papers for ries were fun> It If their coun- time, they ne- »ce again. At ices, the people illed the court- hat neither the dmittance. Ob e way for the )f no court nor e ancient ]av,3 e other would ma. The new |han the judges, cat bodies of t, or luffer the them fubmil- had the good ty evaded the [way by a£l of )y the peoplo, latever in the though iht peopls WAR IN AMERICA. w i. 33» people were now reduced to the fame flate of anarchy in which all nations arc fuppofed to have been origi- nally, yet fuch is the cfFeft of long eftabliOied cuftom and fubmiffion to laws, that no marks of difo.Jcr were perceived in this province, farther than the general oppcfition to goYCrnment, which had plainly enough appeared before. General Gage, in the mean time, thought It necef- fary to take fome means for the prefervation of himfelf and the troops that were with him. He therefore fortified the Ifthmus whirh afforded the only communication between the town and the con- tinent by land. This ralfed a prodigious outcry among the Americans, which we cannot but loojt upon as exceedingly unreafonable ; they themfelves having given fuch abundant proofs of their hoftile difpofition. Another meafurc produced yet greater dillurbances. The feafon of the year now arrived for the annual mullerof the militia ; but the general being fufpicious of their condudl when affembled, feized upon the ammunition and (lores lodged In fht provincial arfenal at Cambridge, and had them brought to Bofton. At the fame time he feized on the powder which was lodged in the magazines at Charleftown and fome other places, being partly private, and partly provincial property. The conir- plalnts of the Americans on this occafion alfo muft appear to every fober perfon to be very unreafonabltf. 1 hey had avowed in the mod open manner a defign to make war on the King, if their terms were not complied with. For this purpofe, they had colled^ed t.hele quantities of ammunition which were now feized: yet, as if all their own outrages ought to have gone for nothing,- the fclzing of thefe (lores v/as held out to be as great an Invafion of proper- ty as if they had been taken from private perfons in the time of profound peace. I'he people now affembled to the number of feveral thoufands ; arid it was with the utmoft difficulty that fome of the ©ore moderate and leading men of li-^e country v/ttc I i f :,fl ir I IS \ 332 HISTORY OF THE PRESENT able to prcTcnt them from march'ng dlrcdlly to Boiloni there to demand a delivery cf the (lores, or, in cafe of a rcfufal, to attack the troops. A falfc report was at this time intentionally fpread and ex- tended to Connedlicut, probably to try the temper of the people, that the (hips and troops had attacked the town of Bofton, and vrere firing upon it when the pretended meffengers came away. On this fcve- ral thoufanda of armed people immediately affembled, and marched with great expedltioH to the relief of their diftrefled brethren as they imagined : nor were they convinced of their miftake till they were got to a confiderable diilance. So general was the fplrit of lifobedience and refifl- ancc to the Britifh government now become, that about this time the Governor's company of cadets, confifting wholly of gentlemen of Bofton, and fuch as had been always well affe£led to government, dif- banded themfelves and returned General Gage the flandard, with which, according to cuftom, he had prefented them on his arrival. This proceeded from the general's having deprived John Hancock, who was colonel of that corps, of his commiflion ; and at the fame time, a colonel Murray having accepted of a feat in the new council, 24 officers of his regiment refigned their places in one day. The late meafure of feiziog the powder, as wtrll as the fortifying Bofton- neck, occafioned the holding of an aflembly of delegates from all the towns In the county of Suffolk, of which Bofton Is the capital. In this, the moft firm and ©bftinate refiftance was determined. It was recommended^ (which in the prefent ftate of things was equal to conmianding in the moft peremptory manner) to the colleftors of the taxes, and all other receivers and holders of the public money, not to pay it as ufual to the treafurer ; but to detain it in their hands until the civil govern- ment of the province was placed on a conftitutional foundation : or until It fllould be othcrwlfe ordered i)y the provincial Congrefs. Still however, they profefled '■^Aia ?n NT dircflly to e Ilorcs, or, 8. A falle ead and cx- • the temper lad attacked pon it when On this fcve- ly affembled, the relief oi d : nor were f were got to nee and refift- become, that ny of cadets, ton, and fuch irernment, dif- ral Gage the Liftom, he had roceeded from ancock, who IfTion ; and at g accepted of If his regiment WAR IN AMERICA. 333 profefrcd their loyalty, and on the 9th of September, appointed a committee to wait on the governor with a remonftrance againll fortifying Bo(ton-neck. In this they declared, that though the loyal people of the county thought themfelves oppreffcd by fome laic a6ts of the Britifh parliarrtent, and were rcfolvcd, through divine afliftancc, never to fubmit to them, yet they had no inclination to commence war with his Majefty*s troops. They totally difclaimed every Idea of independency, and attributed all the prefcnt troubles to mifuiformation at home, and the evil dcfigRs of particular perfons. Somt time before this, the governor, by the advice of his new council, had iffued writs for the holding of a general afiembly to meet in the beginning of 0£lober ; but by rcafon of the fuccecdiug ferments, it was thought expedient to countermand the writs by proclamation, and defer the holding of the aflcm- biy to a more proper opportunity. The legality of this proclamation, however, was denied, and the clc6lions took place every where without regard to It. The new members accordingly met at Salem purfuant to the precepts ; but having waited a day, without the governor, or :ny fubftitute for him at- tending, they voted themfelves into a provincial Congrefs to be joined by fuch as had been, or fhould be afterwards, eleded for that purpofe. After thli, Mr Hancock was chofen chairman, and the afiembly adjourned to Concord, about 20 miles from Bofton. Among the earlieft proceedings of this affembly, was their appointing a committee to wait upon the governor with an apology for their meeting contrary to his proclamation. They rcprcfentcd that the dillrefled ftate of the province had rendered It nccef- fary to take the opinion of the people by their dele- gates, in order to fall upon fome method to prevent impending ruin, and provide for the public fafcty. They then cxprefTcd the moll grievous apprehenfions from the meafures then purfuing. They affcrted that even the rigour of the Bofton-port-bill was exceeded by f nil' !l<' (I :M ' ':! \ ! '5 hi w t 334 HISTORY OF THE PRESENT by the manner in which it was carried into execution, They complained of the late laws, calculated not only to abridge the people of their rights, but to licenfe murders ; of the number of troops in the capi. ta), which were daily increafing by new acceflions drawn from every part of the continent ; together with the formidable and hoftile preparations in Bo. fton-neck ; all tending to endanger the lives, liber- ties and properties, not only cf the people of Boflon, but of the whole province in general. To this Gene- ral Gage replied, by exprclTing his indignation that any idea fhould be formed, that the lives, liberties or property of the people fliould be in danger from EngiiHi troops. That notwithftanding the enmity fhewn to the troops, by with- holding from them al- moft every necefiary for their prefervation, they had not yet difcovered the refentmcnt which might juflly be expedled from fuch hoflile treatment. He re- minded the Congrefs, that, while they made com- plainta of the alterations of their charter by adls of parliament, they thcmfelves were, by their affembling in that manner, fubverting their charter, and now adling in diredi violation of their own conftitution ; and in the ftrongeft terms, advifed them to dcfill from fuch illegal and unconftitutional proceedings. On the approach of winter, the General had order- ed temporary barracks to be eredled for the troops, partly for fafety, and partly to prevent the difordcrs and mifchiefs which muft enfue if they were quar- tered upon the inhabitants. Such, however, was the general diflatisfadlion' with their being provided lor in any way, that the feleft men and the committees, obliged the workmen to quit their employment though the money for their labour would have been paid by the Crown. It was found impoflible alfo to procure carpenters from New-York ; fo that the General had the greatefl difficulty in getting thefc temporary lodg- ments creeled ; and having endeavoured alfo to pro- cure fome winter covering from Nev\'-York, the offer to purchafe it was prefented to every merchant there, who WAR IN AMERICA. 33S who to a man refufcJ their compliance, returning for anfwer, that ** they never would fupplyany article for the benefit of men who were fent as enemies to their country." While things remained in this deplorable fituation, the mutual animofiiici were rendered, if pofliblei worfe, l)y a meafure which fcarce feems to have l)een nccef- fary. A detachment of failors from the (hips of war were landed by night, who fpiked up all the cannon OH one of the principal batteries belonging to the town. In the mean time, the provincial Congrefs, notwithftanding the admonitions of the Governor, con- tinued their aflcmblies. Their refolutions, thro* the difpofition of the people, now acquired the force of laws, and they feemed in faft to have founded a new and independent government. Under the pretence of recommendation and advice, they fettled the militia ; regulated the public treafures, and provided arms. They appointed alfo a day of public thankfgiving, in which, among other bleflings, they mentioned the hap- py union which prevailed among the colonies, and for which they particularly returned thanks to God. Thefe, and fimilar meafures, induced General Gage to jfTiie a proclamation, dated Nov. lo. 1774, in which, though the dired terms of treafon and vehellion arc avoided, the Congrefs was indirectly charged with thefe crimes, and the inhabitants of the province were, in the King's name, forbid to comply with any of the rcquifitions of that unlawful alTembly. In the mean time, the general Congrefs had be*", held at Philadelphia, on the 5th of September, ajr was propofed. To avoid prolixity, I fliall here only take notice of the three mod remarkable a^s ct this famous aflembly. The firft was the American aflb- ciation, or non-importation Agreement ; and as no abridgement can be fufficiently exp:cflive of their meaning, we fhall give it in their own words : " We, his Majcfty's mod loyal fubjefts, &c. having taken under our moft ferious deliberation the ftate of the v.'hole continent, find, that the prcfent unhappy fitu- ation . \, .< ;| if W\ ill i 'il ^ \ \\ '%■ • fii J il': 1 1, ., II f^:w fw i|;; 4 ^1 l,Mi-i- I 1 ImI :;■ i i mmi I il P^Hr ' 'i^ " ■ l^|Hn ' ^ iJ \M;'it 336 HISTORY OF THE PRESENT atlon of our affairs is occafioned by a ruinous fyflem of colony adminlftration adopted by the Britifh Mi- niftry about the year 1763, evidently calculated for enflaving thtfe colonies, and with them, the Britifa Empire. In profccution of which fyflcm, various ads of parliament have been paffed for raifing a revenue in America, for depriving the American fubjeds, in many inftances of the conllltutional trial by Jury, ex- pofing their lives to danger by diredling a new and illegal trial beyond the feas, for crimes alledgcd to have been committed In America ; and. In profecu- lion of the fame fyllem, feveral late, cruel, and op- prcflive a<^s have been paffed refpcdling the -town of Bofton and the MafTachufet's bay, and alfo an ail for extending the province of Quebec, fo as to bor- der on the weltern frontiers of thefe colonies, clta- bliOiing an arbitrary government therein, and difcou- raging the fettlement of Britifli fubjefts in that wide extended country: thu3, by the influence of civil prin- ciples and ancient prejudices, to difpofe the Inhabi- tants to aft with hoftility againft the free Proteftant volonies, whenever a wicked minillry ihall chufc la to direft them. *' To obtain redrefs of ihefe grievances, which thr<''^:en dcflruftion to the lives, liberty, and proper- ty of his Majcfly's fubjefts in North America, we arc of opinion, that a non-importation, non-confumplion, 'and non- exportation agreement, faithfully adhered to, will prove the mofl fpeedy, effcdlual, and peaceable meafurc ; and therefore we do, for ourfelves, and the inhabitants of the feveral colonies, whom we reprc- fent, firmly agree and affoclate, under the facred ties of virtue, honour, and the love of our country, as follows : ** Firft, That from and after the firfl day of De- cember next, we will not import Into Brififli Ameri- ca, from Great Britain or Ireland, any goods, wares, or merchandize whatfoever, or from any other place, any fuch goods, wares, or merchandize, as fhall have been exported from Great Britain or Ireland ; nor will ^».»^ ^-mui. ir country, as WAR IN AMERICA. will we, after thaf /i, ■ f^om any pa,t of tI,7^'o,M ^"''^ '"^ Eaft I„dU tea. ■•■'ps. panelcs, cofFef „ •' "■■ '"^ '"ol»m», fy. 'p'-tatio„s. o; f^rDojii'^r"':' '"•'" ""= «''■'''" de-ra, or the wellern Ifland L J ""■"" ^™™ Ma- Sfc,„J, That we w nel i.' "^ ^"'"S" ^"'"g'l. >"y flave imported, aft",tr T^,°"' ""' P""^^-^' n«xt, after which t,Wwe\^m ''7 °f ^^^mber 'I'e lave trade, and wTlI ne.'hr *'"'">' ''''''=«'"■•"«« ourfelves, nor will w, I." ^^ concerned i„ ;, commodities or manuTaa,"' ""' '''^'^'^ ""^ ^1 o, ,- Mrned i„ it. ""'""'^«"res, to thofe who are co!,! ="« of the ^^n. or (hall b^e plid °''?Y" ^^Ich a duty 1, ,, La't India tea whatever • n, t, ^ °'" P"chafe any P"*"- for. or unde u ' "ch J''' '''' ""^ <^^» any Soods, wares, or merrl/i- ''^ °' "^c any of thoZ 'yon, which wel fr„t' r 'r "^''^^ "o o 'pea, were imported after 7' c^ i'"*^ ""^ to fu. «cept fuch a,?ome under the f ''"^ °^ December. "■y«th article herein afe'ten";' 'f '""^'""^ o} - fellow.fntal'c^t' -,>>--, not ,o ;„j,,, n^eft Indies, induces ua to ?r'^""' ^"-''and, or thf ,"«. the h of 4 X't;,"c " "°""Po«aS - trt ^ff ""'' °^ »«-' 'he's "■'"^^ "'^ - 0, con,njodft'y wh tt vl '''to"r'"" T "'-^''-- V^ ^"A trade wIm "?"^<^'"'"ts, and ufe , ,i b„V faa^r : ale tf '?"/''"%« foon arpoffible"" ■ I p ^ ""P 2ny goods to them on |i 'lii P ' , ( Ml T^n -":>" HISTORY OF THE PRESENT on any pretence whatever, as they cannot be reccivcti In America : and if any merchant, refiding in Great Britain or Ireland, ihall, direflly or indircclly, fiiip any good», wares, or merchandize for America, in or- der to break the faid non-importation agreement, or in any manner contravene the fame, on fuch unwor- tby conduA being well attefled, it ought to be made public ; and, on the fame being fo done, we will not Irom thenceforth, have any commercial connexion with fuch merchant. Sixthf That fuch as are owners of veffels, will give pofitive order* to their captains or mailers, not to receive onboard their veffels, any goods prohibited by the faid non-importation agreement, on pain of im- mediate difmiflion from their fervice. Seventh^ We will ufe our utmoft endeavours, to improve the breed of fliecp, and increafe their num- ber to the greateft extent ; and to that end, we wil! kill them as fparing as may be, efpecially thofe ot the moft profitable kind ; nor will wc export any to the Wcfl Indies or elfewhere : and thofe of U3 wlio are, or may become over- {locked with, or can conve* iiiently fpare any fiieep, will difpofe of them to our neighbours, efpecially to the poorer fort, on mode- rate terms. Eighth t That we will, in our feveral flat ions, en- courage frugality, ceconoray, and induftry ; and pro- mote agriculture, arts, and the manufaftures of this country, efpecially that of wool ; and will difcoun- tenance and difcourage, every fpecies of extravagance and difllpaticn ; efpecially all horfe- racing, and al kinds of gaming, cock-fighting, e hibitions of ihewJ,! plays, and other expenfive divcrfions and entertains ments. And, on me death of any friend or relation, none of us, or any of our families, will go into any further mourning drefs, than a black crape or ribbon on the arm or hat for gentlemen, and a black ribboni and necklace for ladies j and we will difcontinue tli«| civing of gloves and fcarfs at funerals. WAR IN AMERICA. 33^ Ninth, That fiich as are venders of goods or mer- chandize, will not lake advantage of the fcarcity of goods that raay be occafioned by this affociation, but will fell the fame at the rates v .-, :\ ve been refpcfkive- ly accuftomed to do for twelve vnonlhs laft pall. And if any vender of goods or merchandize, fhall fell any fuch goods on higher terms, or fhall in any manner, or by any device vvhalfoevcr, violate or depart from this agreement, no perfon ought, nor will any of us. deal with any fuch perfon, or his or her faftor or a- gcnt, at any time thereafter, for any commodity whatever. Teiithy In cafe any merchant, trader, or other perfons, fhall import any goods or merchandize after the firft day of December, and before the firil day of February next, the fame ought forthwith, at the elec- tion of the owner, to be cither re-fliipped, or deliver- ed up, to the committee of the county or town where- in they fhall be imported, to be flored at the rifque of the importer, until the non importation agreement fliall ceafe, or be fold under the dired^ion of the com- mittee aforefaid ; and, in the laft UTentioned cafe, the owner or owners of fuch goods, fliall be reimburfed (out of the fales) the firft cofts and charges ; the pro- fit, if any, to be applied towards relieving and cm-, ploying fuch poor inhabitants of the town of Bofton 38 are in^^iiediate faffcrcrs by the Bofton-port-bill ; and a particular account of all goods fo icturned, ftored, or fold, to be inferted in tiie public papers ; and if any goods or merchandizes fliall be imported after the faid firft day of February, the fame ought forthwith to be fent back again, without breaking any of the packages thereof. Ekvev.tk, That a committee be chofen in every county, city and town, by thofe who are qualified to vote for reprefentatives in the leglflature ; whofe bu- linefs it fhall be attentively to obferve the condu<^ of all perfons touching this affociation ; that fuch ma- joriiy do forthwith caufc the truth of the cafe to be piiblifhed in the Gazette, to the end, that all fuch foes F f 2 to ; Mi wm lij I! If! '•)■ \i •■•\ < I < ; \ U A Mi «i' Hi I (' I HI i i*! \ \ \ ' 1 'r : p \ ■ v ill ■ t% ■ ! 1 J . N 'li ■m L,l t, [•ii'ii 34a HISTORY OF THE PRESENT to the rights of Brltifli America, may be publicly known, and unlverfally contemned as the enemies of American liberty ; and thenceforth, we refpeftively will break off all dealings with him or her. %welftky That the committee of correfpondence In tlie refpeftivc colonies, do frequently infpcft the eii- trles of their cuftom-houfes, and inform each other from time to time, of the true (late thereof, and of every other material circumftance that may occur re- lative to their affociation. Thirteenth^ That all manufaftures of this country be fold at reafonable prices ; fo that no undue advan- tage be taken of a future fcarclty of goods. Fourteenth^ And we do further agree and refolvc, that we will have no trade, commerce, or dealings, or intercourfe whatfoever, with any colony or province in North America, which fhall not accede to, or which fhall hereafter violate this affociation, jut will hold them as unworthy of the rights of freemen, and as inimical to the liberties of their country." From this Congrefs, an addrefs was alfo fent to the inhabitants of Great Britain ; the mod remark- able parts of it are the following : " We confidcr ourfelves," fay they, " and do infill, that we are, and ought to be, as free as our fellow fubjedts in Britain, and that no power on earth has a right to take our prop rty from us without our confent. That we claim all the benefits fecured to the fubjeft by the Engllfli conltltutlon, particularly, that inettimable one, of trial by Jury. That we hold it eflential to Englifh Hbtr- ty, that no man be condemned unheard, or puniflicd for fuppofed offences, without having an opportuni- ty of making his defence. That we think the legi- flature of Great Britain is not authorifed by the con- ilitutlon to ertablifli a religion fraught with fanguln- ary and impious tenets, or to ere6t an arbitrary form of government in any quarter of the globe. Thefe rights, we, as well as you, deem facred. And yet, facred as they are, they have, with many others, been repeatedly and flagrantly violated. Are Hot the pro* WAR IN AMERICA. own property? Can It be t4e„ f ' 'Z"''^' «' "'^.V thcr confent > Will they ySd,", , T "'^"? *"'"•<"" Pofal of any man, or number of "'\^'-''""ry diC W^ they 'will n'ot. wfc^fenT "t^'"-^' You of the foil of Americr4 lord! f"i' .P^°P"'«o^^ than you arc of yours • or 11 I ?^ '''"■■ Pfopertv '0 the difpof,! of ;«"; ZZl'^r^^ ""'>• '■"'""it i^ ■ament or council « "L world '."""/".^ ""''" P"" Can the intervention o theta'.h^ 'i'^f"' ^'^^'O"-' 'l-rpanty of rights • or Jn , ^' ''"'"'« "s, caufe Engh-ftVubjels;:.;hrh^V,'o7o mf "/" ^'''^''' "^'y Palace, ftculd enjoy lefs 1& A '^T ""' R^/al 300 miles diflant from i, ' ^ """ "'°'"^ "^o are " Be/ore we had recovfr,.^ r wh'ch attend war, an attempt I/™", ""^ '""^''^es country of all it, money byt"'t' '°.''"''" ""» P^'"t. glafs, and other com' "fP""^'' "'"Paa. «ould not permit us to pTZt"'r' r^''^ V" «'"e taxed , „ay, ,i,,,°. P^*^^' ?f other nations " country fubjea to the BrhkZ7 " '"^'^' '" "V our procuring it pf foreiK"ers ^? ' J-"" Prohibited unpofed by ypur parJiamen ' T,^ °n' ^'^ "^ » 'a., Thefe and many other imnrrV- ^" "'^ 'mported "Oft unjuftly and unconZi '""f,"'"' '="'' "Po" ua ?»rpore of raifmg a reveZ "?">'' '^^"- '^^ -^^preft "-Pla nt. it «vas1ndeed provided .h'*^", ■"• ^'''"'^ defence" ^rr''" '" ^-°'^' t i '': :J,!-"""^ S :• ^hefe exaaions, howevVr '^ ^'^"'" ="'1 l»ftificalion from a pretend^H /^' '"" '■=<^ei''e no »nd defending „s. ^H "t, M'^°^ P'^'^'^in^ coun favourites and minift ";,? "f^ ^^luandered on fy avowed enemies To a1 • ''"P'='"'a«ts, gene- •hemfelves by part al reprelm';'"' ""^ ^■"ploy.nf' *l>roil the cc^onies. For thl""?" ''="'"« and government here, we ever , "^«"ary fupport of fdy to provide. Ar^l""'"' ""d ^ver "l°ail ^ ^ "ate may requirf Jwrtir" ""^ l^'S-^'" "f f« done, chearfuliy comrib.f "' T,''^'^ ''"'to- •' '^-'n and moAey. ^ """"'^"te our full proportion I F f ! I ! :! , I .i f^MH ' f : ■ M ■ ESI r i ^^H ^^^^^^^^E^H^I ^R ! i ^H I^^^^^KwBSm * w ' mm^^m ^H if W^Hf^^BIIH 1 n^^^HPl w H 1 1 F^ISm^BB 1 ir'^^Hl ilHI IbI'' 1^91 ijll^ 1 t 1 iwl^ffl K vl'^IHJ ifll 1 'I'Sl f rnilfiH'l IHIIill ffilHiilil . -(' f^s^^Bw Jiffi'iffi 1 Viiil Hi Hi 1 1 Fj^Hi ia^H^iHH' 1 mi 'iflR ! Hi! H 1 •vWm li'lBj; ffli 1 '; I^^k' ' ■ 1 . ' Ifl^HE 1 ,' iHB: ' ^Bf ]■ '^^B/9^ pw ' jf f^^Sf^^^^Kn ' '■■ "'mH> ' ffi:. ■. iWffijB pi; ^ u.||^M HI w^ it ^iwi^^^Hflii IbH ||]S-' I^MB^P'iwK |ii^ Ih^K) IH;| 111' IJ^Rr; 4I % X' '■ \Wp ■ i if^' '^^^^H^^HMfip.i ffft ! lgi^[ TCT^^^MMm: i'^B 1 -'fti'- ■■ ' ''^9r a i'w™ ■ ■ ^911 W'j liii ' ' Wmn IIk^ i •M ' i'i- 'I^BpM: [|:] |i , f \-i£- j^^MA ^'' -- {'"'Jwr *■ Sf '' ■ ' 'JI^V'^hFv ' 'i 11^ ' '' '■ m ■! ''ttw-ii 1 }^;: ^^M|! «|iii i^ii ii-: k^^^B3^H^^K £ k *^^. yj II:, V ^f',l'-J/i' 342 HISTORY OF THE PRESENT ** When the defign of raifing a revenue from the duties impofed on the importation of tea into Ame- rica had in a great mcafure been rendered abortive by our ceafing to import that commodity, a fcheme wai concerted by the miniftry with the Eaft India Company, and an adpaflcd, enabling and encouraging them to tranfport and vend it in the colonics. Aware of the danger of giving fuccefs to this infidious manoeuvre, and of permitting a precedent of taxation thus to be eftablilhed among us, various methods were taken to elude the flroke. The people of Bo- llon, then ruled by a governor, whom, as well as his predccefTor, Sir Francis Bernard, all America confi- ders as her enemy, were exceedingly embarafled. The fhips which had arrived with the tea were by his management prevented from returning. The duties would have been paid ; the cargoes landed, and ex- pofcd to fale ; a governor's influence would have j.)rocured and protected many purchafers. While the town was fufpended by deliberations en this important fubjeft, the tea was deftroyed. Even fup- pofe a trefpafs had been committed, and the proprie- tors of the tea intltlcd to damages, the courts of law were open, and judges appointed by the Crown prc- fided in them. The F-ft India Company, however, did not think proper to commence any fuits, nor did they even demand fatisfaftion cither from Individual?, or the community In general. The miniftry, it ft^ems, ofiiciaufly made the cafe their own ; and the ^reat council of the nation defcended to intermeddle with a difpute about private property. Divers pa- pers, letters, and other unauthcnticated ex parte evi- ilence were laid before them ; neither the perfons who deftroyed the tea, nor the town of Bofton were edled upon to anfwer the complaint. The miniftry, inccnf^d by being difappolnted in a favourite fchcmc, ^vere determined to recur, from the little arts of fiiieffe, to open force and unmanly violence. The port of Bofton was blocked up by a fleet, and an army placed in the town. Thck, trade v^^as to bej fufpcndeci WAR IN AMERICA. 343 fufpendcd, and thosfands reduced to the neceffity of gaining fubfillence from charity, till they fhould fubmit to pafs under the yoke, and confent to be- come flaves, by owning the omnipotence of parlia- ment, and acqiiiefcing in whatever difpofition they might think proper to make of their lives and pro- perty. " Let juftlce and humanity ceafe to be the boafi: of your nation ! confult your hiilory, examine your records of former tranfaAions, nay, turn to the many annals of the many arbitrary ftates and kingdoms that furrounJ you, and fhew us a lingle inftance of men being condemned to fufFer for crimes unhcarJy unqueflionedf and' without even the fpecioua forma^ I'lty of a trial ; and that too by laws made cxprcfsly for the purpofe, and which had no cxiftencc at the time of the fa6t being committed. ** Now mark the progreffion of the minlfterial plan for enflaving us. " Well aware that fuch hardy attempts (to take our property from us — to deprive us of that valuable right, of trial by jury — to feize our perfons, and carry us for trial to Great Britain — to blockade our ports — to deftroy our charters, and change our forms of government) would occafion, and had already occafioned great difcontent in all the colonies, which might produce oppofition to thcfe meafares, an a6t was paffed, " to proteft, indemnify, and fcreen from punifliment fuch as might be guilty even of murder, in endeavouring to carry their oppreflive edi), let us befeech you to confidcr to what end they lead. ** Admit that the mioirtry, by the powers of Gr^at Britain, and the aid of our Roman Catholic neighbours, fhould be able to carry the point of taxation, and reduce ui to a flate of perfed humilia- tion and flavery : fucli an enterprize would doubtlcfs make fome addition to your national debt, which already preffcs down your liberties, and fills you with penfioncra and place-men. We prefumc alfo that your commerce will be fomcwhat diminifhcd : how- ever, fhould you prove vIAorious, in what condition •will you then be ? What advantages, or what laurels will you reap from fuch a conqueft ? ** May not a miniftry, with the fame armies, cn» (lave you ? It may be faJd, ** you will ceafe to pay them ; — but remember the taxes from America, the wealth, and, we may add, the me/tt and particularly, the Roman Catholics of this vaft continent, will then be in the power of your enemies ; nor will you have reafon to exped, that after making flaves of us, many among us (hould refufe to aifiil :in reducing you to the {amt abjed (late. *' Do not treat this as cKimerical : — Know that in lefs than half a century, the quit -tents referved to the Crown, from the numberlefs grants of this vaft continent, will pour large ftreams of wealth into the Royal coffers ; and if to this be added, the power of taxing America at pleafure, the Crown will be ren- dered independent on you fpr fupplies, and will pof- fefs more treafure than may be neceflary to purchafc the remains of liberty in your ifland. In a word, take care that you do not fall into the pit that is prepar- ing for us. ** But if you are determined, that your minilR:ers (hall wantonly fport with the rights of mankind, if neither the voice of jultice, the dictates of the law, the principlei of the ponftitution, nor the fL'ggeflions Qf humanity, .can reftrain your hands from fhedding Human bloed in fuch an impious caufe', we raufi. then ICil WAR IN AMERICA. 345 (( <( t«11 you, " That we never will fubmit to be hewers of wood and drawers of water, forany miniilry or nation in the world.'* This addrefs was dated 061. 20. 17741 and, fix (lays after, another was fcnt to the inhabitants of Ca- nada, in which they fet forth the bleflings of liberty, and the danger of being enflaved by the Britifli mlni- flry ; and endeavoured to perfuade them to (land neu tcr in the conteft. In November, a petition was fcnt to the King, part of which, as being very remark- able, and containing a full account of the American grievunceG as they themfelves viewed them. " To the King's mod excellent Majcfty. Moll gracious Sovereign, We your Majefty's faithful fubjedls of the co- lonies of New-Hamplhirc, MufTachufct's-bay, Rhode Ifland, and Providence Plantations, Connefticut, New York, New Jerfey, Pcnnfylvania, the Counties of Newcaflle, Kent, and Suffex on the Delaware, Ma- ryland, Virginia, North Carolina and South Ca- rolina, in behalf of ourfelves, and the inhabitants of thefe colonies, who have deputed us to reprefent them in general Congrefs, b^ this our humble petition, beg leave to lay our grievances before the throne. ** A Handing army has been kept in thefe colo- nies ever fmcc thccondufion of the late war, without the confent of our aflemblies ; and this army, with a confiJerable naval armament, has been employed to enforce the colletftion of taxes. ** The autliority of the commander in chief, and, under him, of the brigadiers general, has, in time of peace, been rendered fupreme in all the civil go- vernments in America. " The commander in chief of all your Majefty's forces in North America, has, in time of peace, been appointed governor of a colony. The charges ©f uiual offices have been greatly increafed, and new, expenfive, and opprcflive offices, have been multiplied^ •* The mm\ ii!!l ! m 1VI rt h 345 HISTORY OF THE PRESENT ** The judges of admiralty and vice-admlralty courts, arc empowered to receive their falarics and feet, uom the effefts condemned by themfelves. The officers of the cuftoras are empowered to break open and enter houfcs without the authority of any civil jnagiftrate founded on legal information. ** The judges of courts of common law have been made entirely dependent on one part of the Icgifla- ture for their falaries, as well as for the duration of their commiflions. Counfcllors, holding their com- miffions during pleafurc, cxercife legillativc autho* why. ** Humble and i^afonable petitions from tiie re- prefentatives of the people have been fruitlcfs. " The agents of the people liave been dlfcoun- tenanced, and governors have been inftrufted to prevent the payment of their falaries : affemblics have been repeatedly and injurioufly diffolved, and commerce burdened with many ufelefs and opprcffivc reftri^^ions. ** By feveral afts of parliament made in the fourth, fifth, fixth, fcventh, and eight years gf your prcfent Majefty's reign, duties arc impofed on us for the purpofe of raifing a revenue, and the powers of ad- miralty and vice-admiralty courts are extended beyond their ancient limits ; whereby our property is taken from us without our confent, the trial by jury in many civil cafes is abolifhed, enormous forfeitures are incur- red for flight offences ; vexatious informers are ex- empted from paying damages to which they are juftly liable, and opprefiive fecurity is required from owners before they are allowed to defend their right. ** Both houfes ©f parliament have refolved that colonifts may be tried in England for offences al- Jedged to have been committed in America, by vir- tue of a ftatute paffcd in the thirty-fifth year of Henry VIII. and, in confequence thereof, attempts have been made to enforce that ftatute. A ftatufe was paffed in the twelfth year of your Majelly's reign, direAing that perfons charged with commit- ting ESENT vice-admiralty icir falarlcs and lemfclves. The i to break open iiy of any civil tion. n law have been t of the Icgifla- the duration of ding their com- jgiliativc autho. ns from tlie re- fruitlcfs. e been difcoun- n inftrufted to ries : affemblics ly diflblved, and ft and opprcflivc 3c in the fourth, gf your prcfent I on us for the powers of ad- xtended beyond |roperty is taken [by jury in many iturcs are incur- ■ormers arc ex- |h they arejuftly ed from owner* r right. refolved that or offences al- merica, by vir« |y. fifth year of reof, attempts lite. A ftatufe lyour Majetly's with commit- ting WAR IN AMERICA. 347 ♦ •Mg any offences therein defcrlbed, In any place out «f tlie realm, may be indl£led and tried for the fame in any (hire or county within the realm ; whereby the inhabitants of thefe colonics may, in fundry cafes, hy that flatute, made capital, be deprived of a trial ;iy their peers of the vicinage. " In the laft Seffions of Parliament, an acl v;as pafTed for blocking up the harbour of Boflon ; inother empowering the Governor of Maffachufet's- bay to fend perfons Indldled for murder in that pro- vince to another colony, or even to Great Britain for trial, whereby fuch offenders may efcape legal pu- nifliment ; a third, for altering the chartered confti- tution of government in that province ; and a fourth, Tor extending the limits of Qj,iebec, abolifhing the Englllh, and refloring the French laws ; whereby ?;reat numbers of Britifh frecmer are fubjedled to the latter, and ellablifhing an abfolute government, and the Roman Catholic Religion throughout thofe vaft regions, that border on the weiterly and northerly boundaries of the free Proteftant Engllfh fettlements; and a fifih, for the better providing fuitable quarters for officers and foldiers in his Majefty's fcrvice in North America. ** To a fovereign ** who glories In the name of Briton,'' the bare recital of thefe adits muft, we pre- fume, juftify the loyal fubjefts who fly to the foot of his throne, and implore his clemency for prote«ftion againll them. *^ From thl« deftru6llve fyflcm of colony adnilni- Ilratlon, adopted fince the conclufion of the lafl war> have flowed thofe diftrefTes, dangers, fears and jea- loufies, that overwhelm your Majcfty's dutiful colo- nies with afHIftion ; and we defy our moft fubtle and inveterate enemies to have the unhappy differences be- tween Great Britain and thefe colonies from an ear- lier period, or from other caufes than we have af- figncd. Had they proceeded on our part from a reitlcfs Ifvity of temper, unjufl impulfes of ambition, or artful fuggeflions of feditioUs perfons, vrz fhould men't i 111 - |! ii WAR IN AMERICA. '\9 V. '■1 i\ice of their caufe, it cannot l)e denied, tliat the peti- tion and addicfTes from the Congrefs were cxccatcd with uncommon energy and aMHty, and with ro- fpedl to language, vigour of mind, and fcntimt'nt s of patriotifm, /vWtWt'*/, at lead, would have done ho- nour to any orational alfombly that ever exIlUd. No great cnfcdts, however, were produced on th'* minds of the Britiih by any of the performances of the Congrcfs. The minds of the people fecmed it be quite indifferent, nor did even the great commer- cial bodies fecm to he much intcrefltd in an event that threatened to affedt them fo vcrv much. TIk* faft was, that mofl people imagined the Americans would not venture to make war on the mother coun- try. It was thought that the Americans themfelvc;? would grow tired ; and perhaps an opinion of the invincible power of Great Britain infenlibly occupied the minds of moll people, fo that no doubt was entertained of conquefl, provided the matter was ii« nally to be determined by force of arms. On Sept. 50. 1774, the parliament had been dlflblved by pro- clamation, and a new one appointed to meet on Odi. 29. following. American buiinefs, however, was not entered upon immediately. The Miiuftry, though determined to adhere to coercive meafurcs, were iomcwhat apprehenfive of meeting with a vigorous oppolition at lafl ; and thefe fears, indeed, appeared to be well founded. During the recefs of parlia- ment, a general alarm took place, and the merchants of London and Briftol, finding themfelves likely to become great fufFercrs, prepared petitions to parlia- ment. — The firft thing of any confequence was the appearance of the Earl of Chatham in the Huufe of Lords, Jan. 20. 1775. He had for a long time been abfent ; and this, together with the charafter he had formerly born with the nation, contributed to make his appearance in the prefent crifis, feem to be a matter of greater Importance. He moved an ad- dref* to his Majefty, for immediately recalling the troops fvom Bolton. An hour, he faid, loil at that G g timei ■ \'. Ill *:p ^,50 HISTORY OF THE PRESENr time, in allaying the fcrincnts In America, might pro- tiucc years of calamity ; the fituation of them with the Americans made them continually liable to events which would cut off all poflibility of reconciliation ; but this conciliatory meafure, as it flewcd good will •dnd afTcdiion on the part of the Biitifh, could not iail of producing the happltll effects. TIjc motion, however, was rcjcAed by a majority of 68 to i8. This dlvlfion was rendered remarkable, by having .\' Prince of the Blood, (his Royal Highnefs the Duke of Cumberland) for the firft time in the mi- nority. Jan. 23. The petition from the merchants of Lon- don was prcfented to the Houfc of Commons, by an Alderman who was alfo a member of parliament. At the fame time, lie moved, that It might be referred to the committee who were appointed to take the Ame- rican papers into coiifideration. The Miniftry, how- ever, perceiving that now they were in danger of be- ing overwhelmed with petitions from all quarters, ap- pointed a feparatc committee to examine ' nem. The reafon cjlven for this meafure was, that thcfe petitions were to be viewed in a commercial, and not in a po- litical light ; and therfforc, ic would be the highcil ijbfurdlty to fuppofe that '\ commltte, whofe thoughts were occupied by politics, fhould have their medita- lioni difturbed by commerce ; as if tlie commercial luterefts of Britain were diftlnft, or could ever be fe- parated from her political ones. The point, however, being carried by a great majority, a committee was appointed to infpecl the petitions ; and as no notice was ever taken of any of them by this committee, It was by the cppofitlon called the Comfnittee of Oblivi- tn. On the 26th of the fame month, a petition was of- fered from Mr Bollon, Dr Franklin and Mr Lcc, tliree American agents ; ftating, that they were au- thorifed by the Congrcfs, toprefent apctltion from the Congrc''^ to the King ; which petition, his Majefty kad rcfcrrc ' to that Houfc j that they vcre enabled to throw ''^mi'\m%. m> WAR IN AMERICA. 351 throw great light upon thefubjc(5l; and prayed to be heard at the bar in fupport of the faid petition. This produced a violent debate, which ended in the rejcdion of the petition, by a majority of 2i8 to 6S, Feb. I. The Earl of Chatham brought in a bill, which, he faid, he hoped would anfwer the falutary purpofe exprefled in its tit!?. It was entltuled, ** A proviiional a6\ for fettling the troubles In America, y and for aflerting the fupremc leglllative authority and fuperlntending power of Great Britain over the colo- nies.'* This bill legalized the holding a Congrefs In the cnfuing month of May, for the double purpofe of duly recognizing the fupreme legiflative authori- ty and fuperlntending power of parliament over the colonies, and for making a free grant to the King, his heirs and fucccflbrs, of a certain and perpetual revenue, fubje^l to the difpofition of parliament, and to be applied to the alleviation of the national debt. Suppofing that this free aid would bear an honour- able proportion to the great and flouriihing Hate of the colonies, the necemties of the mother country, and their obligations to her ; on thefe conditions, it rcftrained the powers of the Admiralty court* to their ancient limits, and, without repealing, fufpended for a limited time thofe late a6ls, or parts of a6ls which had been complained of in the petition from the Con- grefs. It placed the judges on the fame footing with refpedl to the holding their falaries and offices with thofe In England ; and fccured to the colonies ?11 the privileges, franchifes and immunities granted by their leveral charters and conlHtutions. It was laid down, however, as a maxim not to be controverted, that the fiiprcmacy of the Britifh legillature, and the fuperln- tending power of parliament, was to be acknowledged by the Americans. He did not abfolutely decide on the right of taxation, but as a matter of compromife declared, that no tallage, tax, or other charge (liould be levied but b"* the common confent of their provin- cial airemblies. a 'e aflertcd as an undoubted prero- gative the royui right, to fend any part of a legal G g 2 army Ml 11 H I 1 i 'n 'nB H s if«; t.-i ' tj lis ' ' I 352 HISTORY OF THE PRESENT army to any part of lils dominions at all timep, and in all feafons. He condemned a pafTage in the Amcri- ran petition which mfh'tates with tliat tight ; but, as a falvo, he declared, that no military force, however le- jE^ally raifcd and kept, could ever be lawfully employ- ed to violate and deftroy the juft rights of the peo- ple. This laft declaration, however, it was faid, n'ould afford little relief to a people groaning under the prcfl'iire of a military government ; as whoever held the fvvord, would decide upon the quelHon of Jaw. This conciliatory plan, however, and fomc others, were rejected, and oh Feb. 10. a bill was brought in to reflrain the trade and commerce of the provinces of Maffachufet^s bay and New-Hampfliire ; the colo- nies of Connefticut, Rhode Ifland, and Providence plantations, to Great Britain, the Britifli Iflands and the Wefl Indies: and to p»-ohibit them from carrying on any fifhery on the banks of Newfoundland, or 0- ther places therein to be mentioned, under certain conditions, and for a limited time. This bill met with great oppofition, but was at laft carried, not- withftanding fome petitions againft it were prcfented during the time of the debate. While matters were thus haftening towards the fa- tal conclufion to which they have fince arrived, Lord North furprifed both parties by making the follow- ing conciliatory motion, ** That when the governor, council, and aifembly, or General Court of his Ma- jclly's provinces or colonies fhall propofe to make pro* vlfion, according to their rcfpe«ftive conditions, clr- cumftances, and fituatlons, for contributing their pro- portion to the common defence of the country, fnch proportion was to be raifed under the authority of the general court, or general aflembly of fuch province or colony, and dlfpofablc by parliament ; and fhall en- gage alfo to make provlficn for the fupport of the ci- vil government, and the adminiftration of juftice in fuch province or colony, it will be proper, if fuch propofal fliould be approved of by his Majefty in par* liament, and for fo long as fuch provifion Oiall be made ■pv^4^i«** ilmer, and in 1 the Amcri- ht ; but, as a , however le- al] y employ - J of the peo- it was iaid, WAR IN AMERICA. 353 oanmg under ; as whoever le quellion of 1 fomc others, vas brought In le provinces ot re ; the colo- nd Providence ifh Iflands and from carrying )undland, or o- under certain This bill met carried, net- were prefented lowards the fa- arrived, Lord [ng the foUovv- the governor, ^urt of his Ma- fe to make pro- [onditions, cir- iting their pro- country, fuch lUthority of the ich province or ; and (hall en- »port of the Cl- in of juftice in • roper, if fuch lajcfty in par- rifion flull be ma-k jnade accordingly, to forbear in rcfpcdl of fuch pro- vince or colony, to levy any duties, tax, or afTcfrmcnt, except only fuch duties as it might be expedient to lay on for the regulation of commerce ; the net pro- duce of the duties laft mentioned to be carried to the account of fuch province, colony, or plantation re- fpedlively. On the 9th of March, another bill was brought In to reftrain the trade of the fouthern colonies to Great Britain and the BrltlHi Iflands in the Weft Indies, under certain condition* and limitations, ani for a limit. d time. On this bill there happened no great debate;, for though even the minlllerial party took notice of the ftrlking contraditillon between the con- ciliatory plan, and thefe coercive meafures. Lord North explained every thing fo much to thtir fatls- fadlion, that all his propofals were carried by a great majority. The fhort limits of this treatlfe will not allow us to give a full account of all the conciliatory propo- fals, petitions, &c. concerning the Americans, which were now laid before the Icglflature. It Is fufliclent to fay, that as all the meafures adopted by govern- ment, either dlredly afferted, or at leaft implied a right of unlimited taxation, none of them could be a- greeable to the Americans. They now repofed en- tire confidence in the determinations of the Congrels, and a moft furprlfing unanimity prevailed throughout the continent. Great hopes, however, were placed on the fuccefs of the petition from the Congrefs, and their addrcfs to the people of England ; and a ftlU greater reliance was placed on the efFeCla which the unanimity and determinations of the Congrefs would produce on public opinions in England. Thcfc hopes had for fomc time a confiderable efl'e^l in rc- ilralulng thofc violences which afterwards took place. The principal leaders, however, and more experienced men, did not appear to build much upon them, and accordingly made preparations for the word ; and ::3 foon as advice was received of. a proclamation ilfu- G g 3 c 1 ■« Mi\ if < It vmmmmm' I ' ' fk m I m I 35^ HISTORY OF THE PRESENT d I'ti England to prevent the exportation of arms and ammuMition to America, meafures were fpcedily taken to fupply that defedi. For this purpofe, and to render themfelves as independent as pofliblc of foreigners for the fupply of thefe effential articles, mills were crefted, and manufaftorics formed both in Philadelphia and Virginia, for the making of gun- powder, and the fabrication of arms of all forts. Great difficulties, however, attended thefc begin« Dings ; and the fupply of powder. both from the home manufadlure and importation was for a long time both fcanty and precarious.— As foon as an account ■was received at Rhode Ifland of the prohibition on the exportation of military ftores from Great Bri- tain, the people fcizcd upon and removed all the ord- nance belonging to the Crown in that province, and thus they were furnifhed with above forty pieces of cannon of different fizes. A captain of a man of war having waited upon the governor to know the meaning of this proceeding, was frankly informed, that the people had feized the cannon to prevent their falling into the hands of the King's forces ; and that they meant to make ufe of them to defend themfelves againft any power that fhould offer to moleft them. The affembly alfo pafTed refolutlons for procuring arms and military ftores by all means, and from every quarter in whi^h they could be obtained. This example was foon imitated in other places. On December 14. i 774, a body of armed men af- femblfd in the province o*" New-Hampfhire and ai» tacked a fmall fort in the province called Williara and Mary. This was yielded without bloodfhed, and the Provincials were fupplied with a- quantity of powder. No other i^s of violence, however, enfued, only, as intelligence of the proceedings In parliament "vvas gradually brought to^ America, the firm deter- minations of the colonifts for refiftance feemed to in- creafe ; and the more clearly they faw the refolutl- ons of the Britlfh Icgiflaturc to reduce them by force, the more ftrenuQiiOy vhey fecracd determined to refill?. ^ The Tff 'I I WAR IN AMERICA. 3S5 The a/Tembly of New-Yory only fecmcd an cxceptl- They met on January lo. 1775, and, inftead on. ef acceding to the refolutions of the Congrefs j refol- ved to lay their grievances before the King, and for fome time, flattered themfelves that they would b« able to procure a lafting reconciliation. Thefe hopes, however, were built on a very flight foundation. The new provincial Congrefs of Maf- fachufet*8-bay, which met Feb. i. followed precifcly the line chalked out by their predeceffors. They in- culcated in the ftrongell manner the ncccflity for the militia, and efpecially the minute men *, to perfe(^ themfelves in military difcipline. Other refolutions were pafled for the providing and making of fire arms and bayonets ; and agalnft fupplying the troops at Bofton with any military florcs. — A circular let- ter was fent from the Secretary of State for the Ame- rican department, forbidding, in the King's name, and under pain of his difpleafure, the eledlion of de- puties for the cnfuing general Congrefs. But this produced no cfFcdi, the elections took place every where, even in the province of New-York^ notwith- ftanding the late refolutions of their affembly. This letter not being attended to, General Gage refolved to deprive the Americans, as much as pofli- ble, of the means of refiftance, by feiz^ing their can- non and military ftores. Accordingl)', on the 26th of Feb. he fent a detachment, under the command of a field officer on b.- srd a tranfport, tofeijteand bn:\g to Bofton fome brafs cannon the provincials had at Salem. The troops having landed at Marble-head, pi'oceeded to Salem, but did not find the cannon. However, as they imagined they had only been re- moved that morning, they marched farther into the country, in hopes of overtaking them. In this pur- fuit, they arrived at a c' w-hridge over a fmall river, where a number of the country -people were aflVm- bled; • The mlnule men are a fclei^ nutabcr of militia who im- J^rtake to hold themfelves ready on alltKCifijas, and at the flicrtcft notice. I'' J '^ i: ' i 'I ; f !i ¥ l» f MT^*^-y ^frj : V^' m.. ! f 356 HISTORY OF THE PRESENT bled i and thofc on the oppofitc fide had taken up the bridge in order to prevent the paflage of the military. The commanding officer ordered the bridge to be let down, which the people peremptorily refufed, telling him that it was a private road, and he had no right to pafs that way. On this refufal, the officer determined to make ufe of a boat in order to get pofTeffion of the bridge ; but fome of the people jumping into the boat, cut holes in her bottom, by which the officer was difappointed. In doing this, a fculfle cnfut J, and things* were on the point of being carried to extremities, when a clergyman, who wan prcfent, prevailed on the Americans to let down the brio^jC. This being complied with, the foldicrs paf- fed the river ; but as it was too late to pro*'jcute the dt agn of fcizing the cannon, he returned in a Hiort time. though this firft expedition ended v/ithout blood- i.*Aeds the following ones were not nil equally fortunate. Op the i8th of March indeed, the General had the good fortune to fccure 3C00 jpounds weight of ball, and 1^^,425 mufket carriages, which had been collec- ted by the Americans, without meeting with any oppofition ; but on the 19th of April, having fent a party to feize fome cannon and other military ftores at Concord, a village near Bofton, the event was very different. This party was commanded by Lieutenant Coh nel Smith, and Major Pitcairn of the marines. It was fuppofed to conftil of 900 men, who cmbarl.ed in boats the prcceeding night, and having g-ne a little way up Charles' River, landed at a pl'ice called Phipps' farm, from whence they proceeded with great :iii;ncc and expedition towards Concord. Several cffioeri on iiorfe^j-ck, in the mc-n time, fcoured the roads, and fecurcd fuch country people as they could meet with- Notwithftanding thefe precautions, however, they difcovcred by the firing of guns, and the ringing of bells, that the country was alarmed, and the people aftually began to aflcmble in the neighbouring^ towns and villages bcfoK .> 1 WAR IN AMERICA. on, the event 357 before oay. light." On the arrival of the troops at Lexington, about five in the morning, they found the company of miiitia belonging to that town aflembled o.i a green near the road. Upon this, an officer in the van called out, " Dlfpcrfe you rebels ; throw down your arms and difperfe." The foldiers at the fame time ran up with loud huzzas ; fomc fcattcring fhots were firft fired, and thefe were immediately fuc- cecdcd by a general difcharge, which killed eight of the militia, and wounded feveral more. Both parties were afterwards very eager to prove each other the aggreflbrs in this affair ; but, notwith- ilundlng all the inquiries that could be made, it ftill renkaliis in obfcuritv. Neither indeed is it a matter of auy great eonfequence, for war had long before been declared in the brealls of both parties ; and this feemed only to be fetting fire to the train. The detachment now proceeded to Concord, where they executed their commillion by rendering ufelefa the cannon they found there, and throwing fome o- ther (lores into the river. A body of militia, who obferved feveral fires in the town, which they imagin- ed to proceed from houfes on fire, returned that way. The troops fired on them and killed two. The pro- vincials returned the fire; but not being able to cope with the King's troop?, they were forced to retreat with the lofs of feveral mtn killed and wounded, and a lieutenant and fome others taken. The country now refer, and the troops found them- fclves attacked from every quarter. All the way back to Lexington, which was fix miles, the road was filled on both fides with armed men, who firing from behind houfes, old walls, and other coverts, exceedingly annoyed them. In all probability, the whole party had been cut off, had not General Gage tortunately detached Lord Piercy with i6 compa- nies of foot, a detachment of marines, and two pieces of cannon to fupport Colonel Smith. They arrived at Lexington by the tin)e the reft were re- iiirned thither 5 and by ibis po.v^rful fupport, the pro- vincials ! I '!ii; i^ :. fl II in ' I' mm ' .'III I '-i I I I !•' ;<■ Mt ,1 '^ :U ill 358 HISTORY OF THE PRESENT vinclals were repulfed. As foon, however, as the ar- my began their marchi the provincials renewed their attack, which they continued all the way to Charlcf- town; from whence the King's troops pafTed dircftly over to Bofton, having loft 273 men, killed, wound- ed, and taken prifoners. The Provincials eilimated their lofy only at 40 killed, and 20 taken. CHAP. II. Hijlory of the War^ from the commencement of Hoji Hi- ties in IT] Si to the beginning of the year 1779. THE fkirmifh at Lexington fufficicntly flicwed how much thofe weremiilaken who had thought the whole continent of America could be fubdued with three or four thoufand troops. By the neareft calcula- tion that can be made, there were upwards of 1800 of the heft troops the King had, were employed in th« Concord expedition, and yet thefe were obliged to re- treat with great precipitation, having marched near 55 miles in one day. It muft be obferved, however, that this difficulty of conquering America proceeds not from the valour of the Americans themfelves. On all oc- cafions, it hath been evident, that the latter arc by na means a match for Britifli-foldiers even though ihey greatly exceed them in number. It is the nature of the country itfelf which proves the infuperable obfta- cle, and which no human power can remove. It af- fords fo many coverts, and hiding places, that the provincials, who are well acquainted with them, have numberlefs opportunities of deftroying their enemies without any danger to themfelves ; and of thefe they have taken care to avail themfelves, as we fliall hare occafion to obferve in the fequel. The affair at Lexington immediately called up the whole province in arms; and though a fufficient num- ber were quickly a^Tsmbled to inveit the troops in Bo- fton, "*«»*»*: tilJM:. SENT ever, as the ar- renewed their 'ay to Charlcf- pafled dircdlly killed, woiind- icials eilimated ken. WAR IN AMERICA. nent of HoJlHi- • year 1779* ntlyflicwcdhow lad thought the c fubducd with ncarcll cakula- /ards of 1800 of mployed in th« :e obliged to re- arched near 55 , however, that oceeda not from les. On all oc- llatter arc by na n though ihcy s the nature of [uperable obfta- emove. It af- aces, that the ith ihem, have their enemies fd of thefe they we fliall hare called up the Ifufficient num- troops in Bo- (Ion, 359 iton, It was with difficulty that the crowds, who were haftily afTembling for this purpofe, could be prevailed upon t o return home. The town was Jnvelled by 20,000 men under the command of Colonels Ward, Pribble, Heath, Prefcot, and Thomas, who for the prefent, acted as Generals ; and having ftated their head-quar- ters at Cambridge, and formed a line of encampment, cxltiiding 30 miles in length. This line they ftrcngth- cncd with artillery, and were foon reinforced with a large body of troops under the command of Colo- nel Putnam, an old officer, and one who had acquired reputation in the two lafl wars. General Gage, in the mean time, was, by the pro- vincial Congrefs, declared a public enemy, and, as far as was in their power, depofed from his government. For fome time he continued with the troops clofely blocked up in Bofton ; and being cut off from all fup- plies of frefii provifions, began foon to experience a real dillrcfs. The provincials, knowing that the in- iiabitants had now no other refource for fubfiftence tlian the King's (lores, continued the blockade the more clofely, hoping that a fcarcity of provifions would at laft oblige the General to confent to the re- moval at IcaPi of the women and children, and for this application was repeatedly made. At laft a kind of capitulation was entered into with the inhabitants ; the terms of which were, that on delivering up their iirms, they were to have free leave to depart with their other effedts. The arms were accordingly delivered I'P; but after this was done, the governor (hamefully rcfufcd to fulfil the conditions on his fide. This breach of faith was very much complained of, and certainly with great reafon. A particular account of the whole tranfa6lion was publifhed by the Ameri- cans ; and as no oppofite one appeared on the govern- ment fide, we mayjuftly conclude that the American complaints were well founded. On the 25th of May, a ftrong reinforcement arrived at Boilon from England, along with the Generalt Howe, Burgoyne, and Clinton, fo that the force there ( 1/ I r % ii * T ff^^- M I Ir ' i i 3. ,npa- iilcs of light infantry and grenadiers, the 47ih regi- ment, and the fivd battalion of marines, amounting in the whole, according to General Gage's account, to more than 2000 men. The attack was begun by a mod fevere fire of cannon and houltzers, under which the troops ad- vanced very flowly to meet the enemy, and halted icverai times to give the artillery an opportunity of ruining the works, and throwing the Provin-ciali in- to oonfufion. As the Britifli troops were greatly outnumbered by their enemies, they found a great deal of difRculty in accomplifliing their purpofe. The Provincials threw fome men Into the houfes of Charledown, which covered their right flank. By this means. General PIgot, who commanded tl»e left wing of the Britifli army, was engaged at once with the lines, and with the men in the houfes. In this confli(9:, the town was fet on fire, whether by the carcafles thrown from the fliips, or by the troops, is uncertain ; and as the fire broke out in fevcral places, and no means were, or could be ufed for ^x- tinguiihingit, the whole town was burnt to the ground. The Provincials behaved with great refolution. They did not return a fliot until the King's forces had al- moft approached the works, when a mod dreadful fire took place, by which a great number of the 1 i braved ii I i.:::ii '<■; I m'$m IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) /. 1.0 I.I 1.25 '-life t 1^ 1.4 |||20 1= 1.6 ■7] vice of the Governor's defeat, immediately abandoned him, fo that he was forced to make the beft of his way to Quebec with the Emigrants. The fort of St John's was now foon obliged to furrender, and the garrifon were made prifoners of war, and fent to Ticonderago. The Provincials found a confiderable quantity of artillery and ufcful ftorcs in the place. — On the retreat of M*Lean, the party by whom he was defeated, immediately eredled bat- teries on a point of land at the jundlion of the Sorel with the river St Lawrence, in order to pre- vent the efcape down the latter of a number of arm- ed veflels which General Carleton had at Montreal ; for the fame purpofe, they alfo conftruftcd armed rafts and floating batteries. By thefe meafures, the pafFage of General Carleton's armament to Quebec was cffedlually prevented. They were not only foiled in fevcral attempts, but purfued, and driven from their anchors by the Provincials. Soon after, Montgome- ry himfelf arrived at Montreal, which was forced to fubmit, their being no forces there capable of defcr.d- "git. This happened on the 13th of Nov. 1775 ; and no- thing could now give the leaft hope of preferving tiic fmalleft part of Canada but the latenefs of the fca- fon. There remained but a handful of troops in the province ; and the taking of General Carleton, which feemed almoft certain, would infallibly deter- nai'K WAR IN AINIERICA. 169 mine its fate. The Governor, however, found means t() make Ills efcape in a dark night in a boat, withmuf- Mcd paddles ; and having paffcd the enemies gnards and batteries, arrived faiely at ^iiebcc. The whole of the naval force, confilling of eleven armed vefTels, together w ith all the olHccrj, and feveral foldiers, who h.jd taken refnge on board, when General Montgo- mery approached, now became prifoners of war. In the mean time, anotlicr expedition was under- taken again ft Quebec from the New- England fide, 1 y a route which had hitherto been untried and deem- ed impraflicable. This expedition was undertaken by CjJoncl Arnold, wlio, about the middle of Sep- tember, marched from the camp near BoUon, at the head of i 100 men to Newbury-port at the mouth of the river Merrimack, where vefTels were in readiiiefs to convey them by fea to the mouth of the river Ken- nebec in New-Hampfhire ; a voyage of about 40 leagues. On the 22d of the fame month, they cm- barked their ftores and troops in 200 batteaux at Gardiner^s town on the Kennebeck, and proceeded with great difficulty up that river ; their batteaux being frequently filled with water and overfet ; in confcquence of which, part of their arms, ammuni* tion and provifions, were fometimes loft. Their paf- f.ige by land alfo was attended with prodigious dif- ficulties. They had to encounter thick woods, deep fwamps, fteep mountains and precipices, and were f)mctlmes obliged to cat their way through the thick- ets for feveral miles together. From all thefe impedi- ments, their progrcfs was very liov, being In general only from four or five to nine or ten miles a day. The conftant fatigue and labour cauffa^ many of their mea to fall fick ; and proviiions grew at length fo fcarce, tiiat fomc of the men eat their dogs, antl whatever die of any kind could be converted into food. When they arrived at the head of the Kennebeck, they fent back their lick, and one of the Colonels took that opportunity of returning with his divifion, under pretence cf the fciircity of proviiicns, without the ' 'i « {! t : .1*'; 1 t ''•'■.. ■f i '1: r J* D 1 1 'r n 1 1 t. 1 'C 1 li ' i i" 1 ii ' 1 1' fll I ' H +-44- III i 1 P|H|li]H| -^& i ^iM?| 1 370 HISTORY OF THE PRESENT the confent or knowledge of the commander in chief, who had marched forwards. By this defertion, and the return of the fick, Arnold's detachment was very confidcrably weakened. They proceeded, however, with their ufual conflancy ; and furmounting all dif- ficulties, on Nov. 3. they came to a houfc, which >\a8 the firfl they had fecn for 3 1 days ; having fpent all that time in traverfing a hideous wildernefs, without meeting with any thing human. Here they were received with the utmoft kindncfs by the Canadians ; and Arnold immediately publifh- cd an addrcfs to the people, figned by General Wafh- ington, of the fame nature with that which had before been iffued by Schuylei* and Montgomery. The city of Quebec was at this time in a Itatc of great weak- nefs, as well as in great internal difcontent and difor- der, being divided into two parties, one of which fided with the Britifh Legiflature, the other with the Ame- ricans. Nor does it appear that any great dependence could then be placed on the French inhabitants for the defence of the city. Many of them were waver- ing, and fome worfe ; and as to other matters, there ■were no troops of any fort in the place, till M*Lean*s handful of new raifed Emigrants arrived from the Sorel. Some marines, which Carlcton had fcnt for to Bofton, were refufed by a naval council of war, from the latenefs of the feafon, and the danger of the navi- gation. The militia, however, had been lately em- bodied by the Lieutenant-Governor. Such was the fituation of Qu^ebec, when Arnold and his party appeared at Peint Levi, oppofite to the town, on Nov. 9. The river was fortunately between them and the town, and the boats fecured ; other- wife, it is highly probable, that they would have be- come mailers of it in the firft furprife and confufion. They were indeed fupplied with velTels in a few days by the Canadians ; and they paffed in a dark night, notwithftanding the vigilance of the armed veffels in the river. The critical mement was now paft. The inhabitants united in their common defence. Two flags SENT ander in chief, dcfcrtion, and imcnt was very dcd, however, anting all dif- ufc, which was aving fpent all crnefs, without itmoft kindncfs liatcly publifh- Gencral Wafh- hich had before lery. The city of gre*^ weak- ntent and difor- le of which fided • with the Ame- reat dependence inhabitants for cm were wavcr- [r matters, there till McLean's ived from the n had fent for to ilof war, from yer of the navi- xen lately em- WAR IN AMEFICA. 37« ri flags were fent to fummon them to furrenderi but they were fired at, and no meffagc admitted. General Montgomery, in the mean time, did not fail to inved the town as foon as he arrived; but Go- Carleton took fuch meafnres for its defence, vernor rhat all his endeavours proved abortive. His firft ftcp was to oblige all thofe to quit the place who refufed :o take arms in its defence. The garrifon, including ill orders who did duty, confided of about 1500 men ; a number, even fuppoting them to have been the bcft rroops imaginable, extremely unequal to the defence uf fuch cxtenfive works, had not an equal weakncfs prevailed on the fide of the befiegcrs. On Dec. 5. Montgomery fent a letter to the Go- vernor, magnifying his own (Irength, and fctting forth 'A\c weaknefs of the garrifon, (hewing the impoflibili- ty of relief, and recommending an immediate furren- (Icr. Thij flag was fired at as well as the reft; but Montgomery found other means to convey a letter to tiie fame purpofe into the town, and get it delivered to the Governor ; which, however, had no effedl. In a few days, a fix gun battery was opened a- gainft the town; but the cannon were too fmall to produce any confiderablc effeft. In the mean time, the fnow lay fo deep on the ground, and the climate was fo excellively fevere, that the American General perceived there was an abfolute impoflibility of con- tinuing the fiege for any length of time, and that there was a neceflity for doing fomething decifive immedi- ately. For this reafon, he determined to give an af- fault without lofs of time, though his troops were fcarce fuperior in number to the garrifon, and very little, if any thing, better difciplined. However, de- pending on the good fortune which had hitherto at- tended him, and alfo on the difpofition of the garri- fon itfelf, he refolved to attempt the place by efca- iade. Whilft he was making the preparations for this purpofe, it is faid that the garrifon received intelli- gence of his defigns by fomc dcferters ; and that he perceived m^ iP •,i" H^ j ■ !(i lil! 37i HISTORY OF THE PRESENT perceived they knew not only his general dcfign, birt the particular mode by which he intended to put it in execution. This rendered a total change of his difpofitions neccfTary, and it is poflibic that thi^ might fomewhat influence the fucceeding events. On the lad day of December 1775, and under cover of a violent fnovv llorm, he began the affault. He divided his army into four parties ; two of which car- ried on falfe attacks againii the upper town, whilll himfclf and Arnold carried on two real ones againfl oppofite parts of the lower town. About five o'clock Montgomery himfclf advanced at the head of the New- York troops, agalnll the lower town ; but from fomc difficulties which intervened, the lignal for en- gaging had been given, and the garrllon alarmed before he could reach the place. He, however, prefled on in a narrow defile with a precipice on one hand, and a hanging rock over him on the other- He feized and paflld the firft barrier ; but the fecond being much Wronger, and defended by cannon loaded with grape-fhot, an end was at once put to his hopes and life. Montgomery himfelf, his aid-dc-camp, fomc other officers, and moll of thofe who were near iilm, were killed. After his death, the command devolved on a Mr Campbell, who immediately retired, without making any farther attempt. Arnold's party, in the mean time, ignorant of Montgomery's misfortune, attacked another part of the town with great vigour ; but their commander was likewife difablcd, having his leg fliattered, fo that he was carried offtcJ the camp. Notwilhftanding this, however, the attack was carried on by his offi- cers ; till the garrifon having recovered from their furprize, and having nothing to fear from any other quarter, cut off the retreat of the whole party, fo that they were obliged to furrender themfelves pri- foners of war. In this attack, the Americans owned they had loft upwards of 800 men. After this difafter, the befiegers immediately quit- ted their camp, and retired about three miles from tlie ;;r SENT :ral dcfign, birt ;nded to put it change of his fiblc that ihU ceding events, md under covt-r »c afTault. He ;o of which car- )cr town, whilll cal ones agaiall out five o'clock he head of tlic town ; l>ut from le lignal for cn- rarrilon alarmed He, however, precipice on one m on the other: ; but the fecond jy cannon loaded put to his hopes Ills aid-dc-camp, fe who were near the command ncdiately retired, It, ignorant of another part of llheir commander leg fliattered, fo iNotwilhftanding on by his offi- ivered from their from any other [whole party, fo themfelves pri- Americans owned imediately qult- hrcc miles from til': WAR IN AMERICA. 3:3 the cliy. Here they fortified thcmfclvca in the bell: manner til ey wfrc a bl< >eing appre hen I ivc or a f purfuit from the garrifon. 'i'he ri^ovcrnor, lunv- cver, not thinking thorn fit fur fuch a fciviro, con- tented himfelf with keeping on the dcfcnlive, as well knowing that lie would foon l)e relieved by' powerful fuccours from England.— But thoii^>h the provincials were now no longer in a capacity to llorm the town, they continued for lome lime to b<; very formidablf. The i'legc wss converted into ;i blockade, and Arnold found means cffertiinlly to cut (^Ifthe means of obtaining fupplies cither of provi- Jions or any other necefraries. Dining the coiirfe of thij year, the flame of w.t had fpread through all the northern colonies. In Virginia a long altercation took place between the people and their Governor, I^ord Dunmore, vhic'i at laft terminated in afta of open hollility, and a ruinous prxdatory war. On the 8th of June, his Lordlhip retired on board the Fowey man of war, where his family had been fent before. This re- d h movai occalioned many mellagcs between liim an; the Houfe of Burgefl'es, who were then fitting to deliberate on I^ord North's conciliatory pr'>pofai. Lord Dunmore rcfolutely pcrGfted in his defign of remaining on board, notwithftanding of his prefence being required in the affembly. At laft, the bufinefs of the fcfUon being finifhed, he was finally dcfircd to come on fhore, and give his afient to fuch bills as he approved ; but he ilill rcfufed to trull himfelf amongthem in thecapital; however,he was wiliingto meet them for that purpofc at his own houfe, or on board the man of war, if they thought proper to wail on im. On receiving this mcfl'age, the Bur- geffes immediately refolved, that it was a high breach of privilege ; and that the Governor's condu(fl gave them reafon to think, that he meditated fome hollile defigns againft the colony. The aftembly now broke up, flill proftfllng their loyalty to the King ; but the Britifh Government K k was I'fl ' I i > djji '^'.'i^ I I'll '"'fii 4 .S74 HISTORY OF THE PRESENT was put an end to, and an alTcmbly of delegates fupplied the place of the Houfe of Burgefles^ The new afTcmhly began immediately to prepare for war, as did alfo the Governor, who ftlll imagined himfelf able, by means of iho armed veffcls, to retain at lealt part of tlie country under his fubjedtion. The firft ho- ililitiee on his part were pioduced by neceflity ; for as the Virginians rcfufed to fupply him with provifions, lie was obliged to take them by force. On the 25tii {)^ October, however, he made an attempt to burn a port-town in an important fituation named Hamp- ton. But in this he was difappointed, and repulfed with the Icfs of a tender which was taken, and fome men killed. On November 7. his Lordfhip ifTued a procla- mation by which martial law was eftabliflied in the country, and all the indented fervants, negroes, &c. belonging to rebelp, were declared free, and In- vited to join his Majcfty's forces. — In confequencc of this proclamation, the Governor was foon joined by i'ome hundreds both of blacks and whites ; many o- thers alfo abjured the a6ls of the Congrefs ; and his liordihip hoped that it might be in his power to fub- due one part of the province by means of the other, without any foreign affiftance. For this purpofe, he took polTenion of a poft called the Great Bridge, which lay at fome diftance from the town of Norfolk, and was a pafs of great confe- tjuence ; a large party of rebels had formed themfelves under the command of Colonel Woodford, with a de- fign to oppofe his Lordfhip ; but he conftrufted a fort on the Norfolk fide of the bridge, which he put into fuch a pofture of defence, that they did not think proper to attack him. At this time, the whole force under the command of Lord Dunmore did not exceed 200 regulars, the reft being a mixture of blacks and whites, upon whom no dependence could be placed. The rebels likewife fortified themfelves ; and Lord Dunmore rafhly form- ed the refolution of furprizing them in their intrench- ments, KS-?,^ ENT of delegatcj geffes. The pare for war, gined hlmfelf retain at lealt The firft ho- efllty ; for as ill provifions, On the 25th npt to burn a imed Hamp- and repulfed ten, and fome ued a procla- blifhed in the negroes, &c. free, and In- n confequencc foon joined by ites ; many o- reis ; and his power to fub- of the other, pf a poft called f diftance from If great confe- ncd themfelves prd, with a de- conftrufted a which he put they did not the command the whom WAR IN AMERICA. regular ,, upon rebels likewifc raftily form- leir intrench- mcnts, i/> ments, tho' he knew tlieir numbers were greatly f a • perior to his own. Tiie attack, was made on the 9th of December. Captain Fordyce with his company of grenadiers, amounting to about 60 men, led on the reft; but they were all either killed, taken, orwounded. The fire from the fort allowed the rell an opportuni- ty of retiring without being purfued ; but the above* mentioned difailer obliged his Lordihip to relinquifli his poft at Great Bridge, and again retire on ihip- board ; and the number of his vefieb being confide- rably increafed by thofe he found in the port of Nor- folk, he formed a fleet confiderable in .cgard to the number of vefT^ls, and lilccwife of the people who were on board, by reafon that many had takf providing for defence, of raifing, arming, and iupporting forces, and of training the militia. In the province of Mafl'achufets-bay, things went urs previous notice to the inha- bitants to provide for their fafety ; and the time was further enlarged till next morning, under the pretence of a ncgociation for delivering up their artillery and fmall arms, on condition of faving the town. This, however, they at laft refufed to perform; but had made ufe of the interval for the removal of their cffedts. About nine in the morning, a cannonade was bepun. and continued with little intermiflioa through the day. The principal part of the town was deftroyed ; but when the failcrs landed, to com- pleat the dell ru£lion, they were repulfed. On the 13th of November, the affembly of Mafia- chufet's-bay pafled an a6l for granting Letters of Marque and Reprifal, and the eflablifliment of Courts of Admiralty for the trial and condemnation of Britiih fhips. Still, however, the people prcfefTed an attachment to Great Britain ; for though thev took up arms againft the government, it was ftill with a view to the redrefs of grievances ; and no declaration of Independency was iffucd this year. It would be tedious to recount the difputes which now cnfued in Parliament on the fubje<5l of Ame- rican affairs. It is fufficient to take notice, that all oppolition was borne down, and coercive Tieafures determined on. Twenty- five thoufand men were deftined for America, and the feamen were increafed to 28,000 ; a bill was paffed, forbidding all inter- courfe with the rebellious colonies ; and though the Congrefs fent a petition by Mr Penn, governor of Pennfylvania, no notice wa< taken of it ; and he was informed that no anfwer would be given to it. This gentleman, in a long examination before the Lords, discovered many particulars concerning the ftrength and determined refolution of the Americans, which the Miniftry feem to have difbelieved, or thought to be exaggerated ; as no regard was ever paid to them. And though no proof had been brought of the delin- K k 3 qucnjry i '>i w 'f I' '*( 'Ing begun a. retreat on the fir! appear » «l 1 'if t P <<♦ 1 1 Ill Uj MVi i fl -T^-7- tic'-' it *t-| •t . 1 .!! llflR II mHm r i^fti If f!' ^HH ml ^Hft[ll Aya^^Bii 1 380 HISTORY OF THE PRESENT appearance of the (hips, they fled with the utmoft precipitation, abandoning their artillery, military ttores, fcaling ladders, &c. The King's troops, however, were in no condition to purfue. Some of the fmaller (hips, however, made their way up the river with fuch expedition and fuccefs, that they took feme of the (hips belonging to the c- ncmy, and retook the Gafpee Hoop of war, which had been feized upon in the beginning of the preceding winter. Thus ended the American expedition againft the province of Quebec. General Carleton fhewed hlm- ielf worthy of his fuccefs, by a very humane procla- mation, iffued immediately after. Underftanding that a number of the fick and wounded provincials lay fcattered about, and hid in the neighbouring woods and villages, where they were in the greateft danger of perifhing ; he commanded the proper officers to find out thofe unhappy perfons, and to afford them all neceffary relief and affiftance at the public expence; and, in the mean time, to prevent obftinacy or ap- prehenfion from marring its effed^, he aflured them, that, as foon as they were recovered, they fliould have liberty to return home. Towards the latter end of May, General Carleton received confiderable reinforcements from England, fo that his force amounted to 131000 men. The Pro- vincials continued their retreat till they arrived at the river Sorel, where they joined fome of thofe reinforce- ments that had not been able to proceed farther in their march towards them. Though the fpirits of the foldiers were greatly funk by their late bad fuc- ceiTes, and they were alfo diftreffed by the fmall-pox breaking out among them, the enterprifing genius of their leaders ftill continued. They formed a fchemc for furprifing the King's forces at the Three Rivers, a place about half way between Quebec and Mon- treal. This was attempted by General Thomfon, but without fuccefs. He was taken, on the 8th of June, vith the lofs of 200 of their men. The reft fled with lh2 WAR iN AMERICA. 38' tlic iitmod precipitation. They difmountecl t}»e bat- tcrico they had raiftJ at Sore), and carried off their artillery and (lores. Here a part of the Britifh forces were landed under General Burgoyne, with orders to advance along the Sorel to St John's, while the re- mainder of the fleet and army failed up the river to Longueil, the place of paffage from the Ifland of Montreal, to Prairie on the continent. Here they difcovered that the rebels had abandoned the city ;ind ifland of Montreal on the preceding evening. The rell of the army was immediately landed on the continer»i:, and marching by La Prairie, croifed the peninfula formed by the St I^awrence and the Sorel, ii) order to join General Burgoyne at St John's, where they cxpcdted that the rebels would have made fome re fill a nee. B iurpovne arrived at :goy St Jol in s on the evening of June jS. where he found the buildings in ilames, and ulmod every thing deltroycd that could not be carried off. The fame thiny: was done at Chamblee ; and fuch vefTe's were burned as they were not able to dr^-^g up the rapids in their way to Lake Chaniplain, where they embarked immediately for Crown Point. Thus an ead was put to the war in Canada ; but as the Americans were mafters of the Lake Cham- plain, it was impofiihle for the Britifli forces to pro- ceed foutiiward, until fuch a number of vcflels were con(lru6ted, or otherwife obtained, as would afford a fuperiovity, and enable ihem to crofs that Lake with fafety. Th.is difficulty, however, was removed by the activity of thofe concerned in the expedition. I'hc tafli indeed was very arduous. A f^cetof above30 fight- ing veffcls was to be conilrud^ed, in a manner without materials. After this diJBiculty was remove tl, they were to be tranfported over land, and dragged up the rapids of Therefe and St John's, together with 30 long boats, a number of flat boats of confiderablc burden, a gondola weighing 30 tons, with above 400 battocfi. In thij work, both foldiers and failors were employed, and the peafaiits and farmers of Canada were •iM" Ni 'h 1 1 '1 ! It 1 f Hi .1' i h *i p ' it' H 1: 1^ ft" I;* [i {■ p-} 5 m m m Ml W In 382 HISTORY OF THE PRESENT were taken from their ploughs, and compelled to bear a (hare in the work. This equipment was completed in about three months, but the nature of the fcrvice required, if pof- fible, greater difpatch than even that by which the armament had been conftru6led. The winter was faft approaching, two great lakes to be croffed, the unknown force of the enemy on each to be fubdued, and the llrong pods of Crown Point and Ticondera- go defended and fiipportcd by an army, to be at- tacked fword in hand. To add to thefc impediments, the communication betwccii the lakes ChampJaln and George, did not admit the paflage of thofc veflcls of force, which, after being fuccef&ful on the one, might be equally wanted on the other. And, fuppofing all thofe difficulties overcome, and Lake George pafl'cd, thereftij] remainedalonganddangerousmarch through intricate forcfts, extejifive morafles, and an uncleared country before they could reach Albany, which was the firlt place that could afford them reft and accom- modation. The fchcme was profccutcd with the mod unre- mitting ardour ; but it was not till the month of 06lober that the fleet was in a condition to feek the enemy on the Lake Champlain. The force was very confiderable, and what a few ages ago would have been reckoned very confiderable even on the European feas. The (hip Inflexible, which may be confidered as Admiral, (he had been reconftruded «t St. John's, from whence (he failed in 28 days after laying her keel, and mounted )8 twelve poun- ders. One fchooner mounted 14, and another 12, fix pounders. A flat bottomed radeau carried fix 24, and fix 12 pounders, befidcs howitzers ; and a gondola, fcven nine pounders. Twenty fmaller vef- fels, under the denomination of gun-boats, carried brafs lield-pieces from 9 to 24 pounders, or were armed with howitzers. Some long boats were fur- nifhed in the fame manner. About an equal num- ber of large boats adled as tenders. Thefe were all intended 5ENT lelled to beai* about three uivcd, if pof- >y which the I winter was ; crofFed, the ) be fubdued, d Ticondera- ly, to be at- impcdiments, ham plain and lofc veflels of le one, might fuppofing all }corge palled, narch through I an uncleared ly, which was ft and accom- WAR IN AMERICA. 38J intended for h.tJe, and bcfidcs thefe, there were a vaft number dellincd for tranfporting the army with it8 ftores, provifions, artillery, and baggage. The armament was condudled by Captain Pringlc, and the fleet navigated by above 700 prime feamcn, f)f whom 200 were volunteers from the tranfports, who boldly and freely partook with the reft in the dangers of the expedition. The enemy's force was by no means equal cither with refpedl to the goodnefs of the veffels, the num- ber of guns, furniture of war, or weight of metal. Senfible, though they were of the necellity of pre- ferving the dominion of the Lakes, and had the advantage of long pofTefllon, they ftill laboured under many elTential, and fome irremediable defe^ls. They wanted timber, artillery, fhip-builders, and all the materials neceffary for fuch an equipment. Carpen* ters, and all others concerned in the bufinefs of (hip- ping, were fully engaged at the fea-ports, in the con- ftrudion and fitting out of privateers, whilft the remotenefo and difficulty of communication rendered the fupply of bulky materials extremely tedious. When we confider the difficulties, however, which the Americans laboured under, we cannot deny their having overcome in part at leaft, thefe difficulties with an affiduity and fpirit highly praife-worthy. Their fleet amounted to 15 vefl*els of different kinds, confifting of two fchooners, one floop, one cutter, three gailies, and eight gondolas. The principal fchooner mounted 12 fix and four pounders ; and the whole fleet was commanded by Benedict Arnold, who was now to fupport on the vvatry element, that renown which he had before acquired on land. On the iith of October, General Carleton pro- ceeded up the lake, and difcovcred the American fleet drawn up with great judgement. It was very ad- vantageoufly polled, and formed a ftrong line to defend the paflage between the ifland of Valicour and the weftern main. Indeed, they had, at the beginning pofted therafelves with fo much art behind the ;! :i *' , ( '1 I r I 384 HISTORY OF THE PRESENT lifci'ti J 1 the Ifland, that an accident only difcovcred ihffr iituation, without this feaforiable difcovery the king's Ihips would have left them behind ; an event, which would undoubtedly have been attended wich the molt I'erious conf«quencc8. A warm adion cnfued, and was vigoroudy fupported on both fides for fomc hours ; but the wind being unfavourable, fo that fome vefTels of force were hindered from coming up to the enemy, the weight of the adlion fell upon the fchooner Carleton and the gun-boats, which they fuftaincd with the grcateft bravery. In this engage- ment, the bell fcliooner belonging to the enemy was burnt, and a gondola carrying three or four guns funk. At the approach of night the whole lleet anchored in a line, and as near as poflible to the enemy, in order to prevent their retreat. From this danger, however, they found means to make their cfcape ; and took the opportunity of the davknefs of the night to pafa the fleet unobferved. Arnold concert- ed and executed this dcfign with ability ; and fortune at firll fLcmed fo favourable to his purpofe, that th^ fhips wereoutof fightby the nextmorning. The chacc, being, however, continued all that and the fucceeding day, the Americans were at length overtaken, and brought to a£lion a few leagues from Crown Point. Here the combat was renewed with great fury, and continued for two hours, during which time thofc veflcls that were mod a- head pufhed on with the ut- moft Ipeed, and pafling Crown Point efcaped to Ti- conderago ; but two gallics and five gondolas which remained with Arnold, made a defperate refiftance. During this a6lion, the Wafiiington galley, having Waterburg, a brigadier general, and the fccond in conimand, on board, llruck and was taken. Arnold at length finding it impoflible to refift the force and flcill of his adverfaries, run the vefTcls afliore, and blew them up In fpite of the utmoft efforts of the Britifli to prevent both. Thus was Lake Champlain recovered, and the ene- my's force nearly deftroyed } a galley, and thrc? fmail War in AMERICA. .1,1 r t'-houfea. and deli™;,"';, ,'*;,f.—V:, ht f.r/to "h'ch thty could not carrlTfT f^ "' '^'•"»" P°f't foon j,„.K-d Ly the armv A , "'■ ''''"' '"= «^* to«.ard3 thtcndof themon^h^ /•".'"";""'^^J '!'"■: ti^l ■I'e redua.on of tll^uTV '"''"■ "' ""-"P^ «". Ihiit thi, pod coulc'^'; I ,' ""J^"'. liovv. "'"at.-on without a v-rv ^^ r1 '^'f';"' ''" ''» P^'.-f-^t -''"* .!,c benefit a.lfin^/r/i''"?'''^ '"<■» "f Mood. -°"l.l be compa.at.vV„„'^",™ '''%r-!"«fon "^ '^ "ow far advanced, fo tL, 'f ^' ^ *" *"l°" w,., pcrds of a winter hr^^Z^tT? "'^ ^™y '" '!'= cljmate. General CaH f„„ th 'r '" ""^'-^P'^Mc W'tLout makingany attempt ,'''"1°" ^'-'""barked "turn.ng into Canada, can 0^1" J"""'^"''*"'' '-'"l bcft man.,„ he could. "'"''""1 '''<•• troops i„ the: ■n of North Car.dlna formed ^i^/- S'""™"'- ^^ar- hat province to obedie ce In ,^ "^" '"" «''"<='nff l^y Ihe knowledge he had .1 I r" """ '•""firmed f "-ar. under the^ cond. ft of r V'^?"^''™" of me,. i'Ord Cornwalli,, were foon to "i ^''" /'^^^'^r, and ■>,» an expedition agai,:ft the f .1'^'" ^""" ^^^lancl ■ ",^?':'iCaroIinf .v,' "vr''"" =»'onies , and '-'Pal obj,a. He knew afn ,- ■^' A*^ ""' "'"'•• Priu- -■"> a fmall detachment from n"a ^''"'' ^''^^o^, ■Kx-fltauatehispurnofe r- = conneaion with a'^body of^l""°^ M"^"" forme,! ^'gf^Un. Thefe had la,.! 1 *'" P™l''' "amed "bel, agalnft the Kint', ^ '''"" '-■'"'Wered a. equally fS againft the p^ ' R^vernment, and werlnol thefc and thf ffigh la d^K-r'-'''' '"'•W.Vhment W.tll ""= "hole provfncc eve,r'^':^""''''''"'P»J'ored ce L 1 ''"* ^'^^ rKJioned the «) J i: ! I i'ft |i fi<' ^- f '1 'i :"! J; i 386 HISTORY OF THE PRESENT the wrakcil colony In America, except Gcorglii. By the middle of February, the Royal Standard wa« crcdled ; the command was given to General M*Donald and a confiderable army colleAed, a- ihountlng, according to fonie accounts, to 15CO ; according to oth.rs, 10 3000. Thcfc, however, were utterly defeated and difperfed twelve days after, by a pirty of Americans greatly inferior to them in Miinher ; and this vi^lory proved a matter of no iuiall exultation to their party. The expedition agalnfl the Carollnas by Sir Peter Parker was attended with very little better fnccef*^. 'J 'he fleet failed from Ireland in the clofc of the year 1775; but from an unexpefled delay in Ireland, aud bad weather afterwards, they did not arrive ai Cape Tear till the beginning of May, where, from various caufes, they were detained till the end of the month. Here they found General Clinton, who had already been at New- York, and from thence proceeded to Virginia, where he had fcen Lord Dunmorc ; but finding he could be of no fervice at cither place with his fmall force, came tliithcr to wait for them. At this time, tlie feafon of the year proved very much againft the operations of the troops. The exceflivc heat rendered them fickly even at Cape Fear, notwithftanding the plenty of refrcfhments they had procured, and the little labour they had upon their hands. As It waa. necclTary, however, to do fomethhig, they refolvcd to attack Charlef- town, the capital of South Carollnti. The fleet anchored off Charlcftown-bar in the beginning of June. Before they proceeded to aftlon, they were joined by the Experiment man of war ; and the naval force then confided of Sir Peter Parker, the Commodore's fliip of 50 guns, the Experiment of the fume force, the Adive, Solcbay, Adaeon and Syren frigates, of 28 guns each, the Sphynx of 20, a hired armed fliip of 22, a fmall fioop of war, an armed fchooner, and the Thunder bonab ketch. — ■ The _ iJ#A< ENT pt Georgia. Standard wa« to General colleAed, a- I, to 15CO; kowevcr, were aj'R after, by r to tlicm ill matter of no , by Sir Peter better fuccef^. Ic of the year y ill Ireland, 1 not arrive at , where, fvom till the end of [ Clinton, vriio ,d from thence ad fccn Lord f no for vice at me thither to 'WAR IN AMERICA. 87 The land forcei were commanded by General Clin* ton, Lord Cornwalliw, and Brig. General Vaughan.' — At the time that General Clinton failed fron\ Dofton, Lee, the American GencTi*^ fct out at the head of a llrong detachment from the irmy before that place, in order to fccurc New- York from an attempt which it was fuppofed the former would make on that city. On his arrival in Virginia, Clinton found Lee in the fame pofturc of defence in which he had left him at New York. On the departure of the Biitifh for Cape Fear, Lee again traverfed the continent with the utmoft expedition to fccure North Carolina ; and when the forces pro- ceeded Southward, Lee, with equal celerity, pro- ceeded to the defence of Charleftown. The palling of the bar was not ^fTefted without mudi titnc, difficulty and danger, cfpecially to the twD large (hips j which, notwithilauding the taking out of their guns, and ufng every other pofliblc means to lighten them, both touched the ground fcvcral times. The firll objcd^ of our forces, after paffing the bar, was the attack of a fort which had been lately creAed, though not made altogether complete, upon the fouth-weft point of Sullivan's ifland. This fort commanded the pafTage to Charlef- town, which lay about fix miles farther weft ; and notwithftanding the latenefs of its conftruftion, was, with propriety, confidered aa the key of that harbour. The troops were landed on Long Ifland, which lies nearer, and to the eallward of Sullivan's ; being feparated only by fome flioals, and a creek called the Breach^ which are deemed paiTyble at low water, the ford being reprefcnted to our officers as only 18 inches deep in that ftate. The Carolinians had polled fome forces, with a few pieces of cannon, near the north cadern extremity of Sullivan's ifland, at the diftance of near two miles from the fort, where they threw up works to prevent the paflage of the royal army over the Breach. General Lee was eu camped with a confiderable body of forces on the L 1 2 continent^ r •i: ! It ^ -I I m Sm r I ■J !!■ ■■* ' I tI-- I.. ) 388 HISTORY OF THE PRESENF continent, at the back, and to the northward of the ifland, wlih which he held a communication open by n eans of a bridge of boats ; and could by that jncans at any time march the whole, or any part of liis force, to fupport thai poll which was oppofed to the pafrage of the Britifh troops from Long IHand. 1 he la*:ttr is a naked barning fand, where the troops fvffVred greatly from their expofure to the intcnfe iteat of the fun. Both the fleet and army were greatly diltrefTcd through the badncis of the water ; iliat which is> found t^-'on the fca coafts of Carolina being every where brackiih. Nor were they in a xruch better condition with rcfpeft either to the quantity or quality of their provilions. Though thefe inconveniences rendered all manner of difpatch ncccflary, fome unavoidable delays occur- red, by which the attack of Sullivan's Ifland was put off till the end of the month ; and this interval the enemy moil afliduouliy employed in completing their works. Every thing being at length fettled between the Commanders by fea and land, the Thunder-bomb, covered by the armed (hip, took her llation in the morning of June 28. and began the attack, by throwing fliells al the fort as the fleet advanced. About eleven o'clo.k the Biiflol, Expe- riment, AAive and Soltbay, brought up direftly againft the fort, and began a mod furious and in- ccffant cannonade. The Sphynx, Aftaeon and Sy- i\.n were ordered to take their ftation between the end of the ifland and Charleftown, partly thereby to enfilade the works of the fort, and partly, if pofliblc, to cut ott' the communication between the ifland and the continent, which would of courie cut oft' the re- treat of the garrifon, as well as all fuccours from the latter, and partly to prevent any attempts that might be made by iire-fliips or otherwife, to interrupt the grand attack. This part of the defign was rendered unfucccfsful by the unfliilfulncfs of the pilot, who entangled the frigates in the faoals, called the middle grounds, where they all ftuck fail ; and though t\v of ^^' ^'^i .^i*1"'^ " l|^ |} . iNT hwardof the tion cpen by )uld by that r any part of as oppofcd to Long Ifland. ere the troops the intenfc 1 army were 3f the water ; s of Carolina re they in a either to the ed all manner : delays occur- »'s Ifland was i this interval in completing length fettled ind land, the ed (hip, took 8. and began [ort as the fleet riftol, Expc- t up dire^ly "urious and in- aeon and Sy- between the [tly thereby to ily, if pofliblc, the ifland and ut off the rc- ours from the ts that might interrupt the was rendered c pilot, who ed the middle d though t\v« of WAR INT AMERICA. 389 of them were afterwards got off with difficulty and damage, it was then too late, and they were befidcs in no condition to execute the intended fervice. The A<5laEon could not be got off; and was therefore burnt to prevent her falling into the enemy's hands. In the mean time, the fire from the fort was con- tinued flowly ar.d deliberately, and with the great- cll cffedl. The fhins fuffcred prodigioufly. The fprings of the Briftol's cable being cut by the (hot, /he lay for feme time expofed in fuch a manner to the enemy's fire, tliat (he was moft dreadfully raked. It is faid th( "deck of this (lii quarter-decJc ot tnis iiup was time cleared of every perfon, but the Commodore a- lone; all the reft being either killed, or carried down to have their wounds dreffed. The other (hips like- wife fuffcred very much, though none were fo greatly damaged as the Briftol. The American fortificati- ons in the mean time fuffered very little ; their low- nefs preferving them in a great meafure from the fliot of the Briti(h (hips. They were compofed of palm- trees and earth ; and the merlons were of an unufual thicknefs. The guns, however, were at one time fo long filenced, that it was thought the fort had been abandoned. This, however, according to the •Provincial account, was owing to their having ex- pended all their ammunition ; and as foon as a new fupply was got from the continent, the fire was re- newed, and kept up till between nine and ten at night. Sir Peter Parker then finding all hope of fuccefs at an end, drew off his (battered veffels, ha- ving 1 1 1 men killed and wounded aboard his own ve(rcl, and 7y on board the Experiment. In the northern colonies, however, matters went on more fuccefsfully. — The fituatlon of General Howe with his army at Halifax, was by no means agreeable. The country was In no condition to af- ford them a fufficlent fupply of provifions or neceffa- ries ; nor was the place even capable of providing quarters for the private men, who were obliged to ijontinue on board the (hips during the whole of their I V i i' k 1^' Ll ilay« 390 HISTORY OF THE PRESENT .1-1 II fiay. Accordingly, the General growing I'mpatlcnS without waiting for his brother, who was expefted with powerful reinforcements, departed with Admiral Shuldham, and the fleet and army from Halifax, a- bout the I oth of June ; and near the end of the month arrived at Sandy- Hook, a point of land that (lands at the entrance into that confluence ©f founds, roads, creeks and bays, which are formed by New- York, Statcn, and Long Iflandsj thecontinent on either fide, with the North and Rareton Rivers. On their paffage, they were joined by fix tranfports with Highland troops on board, who had been feparated from feye- ral of their companions on the voyage, andfoon after it appeared, that fome of the miffing (hips, with a- bout 450 foldiers, and feveral officers, were taken by the American cruizers. The General found every part of the ifland of New- York ftrongly fortified, defended by an army, and fupplicd with a large train of artillery. The* the extent of Long-Ifland did uot admit of its being fo ftrongly fortified, or fo well guarded, it was, however, in a powerful ftatc of defence. On the end of the ifland, near New -York, there was an encampment of a confiderable force ; and feveral works were thrown up on the mod acceffible parts of the fea-coaft, as well as at the ftrongeft internal pafles. — Staten-Ifland being of Icfs confequence, had not been attended to ; and here the General landed without oppofition, to the great joy of thofc inhabi* tants who had fufi^cred on account of their loyalty 5 and the troops being cantoned in the villages, recei- ved plenty of thofe lefrcihracnts which they fo much wanted. Lord Howe arrived at Halifax about a fortnight after his brother^s departure, and from thence cams before Staten Ifland in the beginning of July. His firft aft was to ifl"ue a proclamation of pardon to all who (hould fpeedily return to their duty, whatever their deviations from it might hitherto have been ; and at the fame time, rewards were promifed to thofc who fliuuld affift in relioring public tranquillity. Thefc '.'■j^^tLT-'r.^ ^ „ g impatlcnS vas expcfted nih Admiral Halifax, a- of the month i that ftands junds, roads, r New-York, )n either fide, their paffagc, th Highland ed from fctc- andfoon after lips, with a- vcre taken by d found every ngly fortified* I a large train ng-Ifland did led, or fo well Late of defence. L, there was an ; and fever al zceflible parts [ngeft internal ifequence, had eneral landed thofe inhabi- |heir loyalty J illages, recei- they fo much ft a fortnight thence cam« )f July. His [pardon to all ry whatever have been ; Ifed to thofc tranquillity. TheCc WAR IN AMERICA. 39r Tlicfc papers were immediately fent by General Wafhington to the Congrefs, by whom they were publifhed in the news-papera with fuch comments as they thought proper. Some letters vrerc fent to Ge- neral Wafhington ; but as they were directed only ** to George Wafhington, Efq ;" or *' to George Wafhington, Sec. &c. &c." he rcfufcd to accept them. A conference, however, took place between him and Adjutant- general Paterfon ; but as the latter in- filled on the expediency of accepting Lord Howe's propofals, and fubmitting to the Britlfli Legiflature, nothing of confcquence could happen. Here it is proper to take notice, that fome little time before the arrival of the fleet and army at New- York, plots were difcovered in that city and in Albany in favour of the Royal Caufe. On this account, fomc few were executed, great numbers were imprifoned ; and many, abandoning their habitations through fear, were pur- fucd as outlaws and enemies to their country. The eflates of thefe people, againft whom'^there were any proofs, were feized ; and in the mean time, the de- claration of Independence and renunciation of allegi- ance to Britain, was publifhed thro* all the colonies, new forms of government inftituted through the whole continent, and thefe innovations were received with the greateft figns of joy by all ranks and degrees of men. All the forces being at laft arrived from England, except about one half of the Heifians, which were not expedcd to come fpcedily, it was refolved to at- tack Long Ifland. Accordingly, the neceflary mea- fures being taken by the fleet for covering the de- fcent, the army was landed without oppoCtion near Utrecht and Gravefend, on the fouth weft end of the Ifland, and not far from the narrows where it ap- proaches clofcft to Staten Ifland. General Putnam was at that time with a ilrong party, encamped at Brooklyn at a few miles diftance on the north coaft, where his works covered the breadth of a fmall pe- ninfula, having what is called the Eaft River, which (cparated him (rom New- York, on his left ; a marfli on < ' I' I I ;; ...i it . ^ 392 HISTORY OF THE PRESENT on the right ; with the bay and Governor's Tfland at his back. The armie* were icparaied by a range of hills covered with wood, which intcifc6l the country from eall to well, and are in that part, called the Heights of Guana. The dirc6l road to the enemy lay through a village called Flat-bu{h, where the hills commenced, and near which was one of the mod im- portant pafics. To fccure this and other pafies, Ge- neral Putnam had detached a confiderable part of hii army ; but through the negligence of the officers employed in this krvice, a pafs of the grcateft confe- quencc was left unguarded, and the whole army pafled the hills without the leall noife or impediment, and descended by the town of Bedford into the level country which lay between them and Putnam's lines. In the mean time, the Hefllans attacked thofe at Flat- bufti ; and they being foon fenGble of the danger they were in, being inclofed between the Heffians in front, and the main body who had paifed the hills in the manner above mentioned, began their retreat in large bodies, carrying off their artillery, and marching in tolerable order, driving if pofUble, to regain their camp. In this, however, they were difappointed. They met with a furious attack from the King** troops, and were driven back into the woods; there they were again attacked by the Heflians, who drove them back upon the main body of the King's army. Thus they were alternately driven backward and for- ward, and flaughtered for many hours. In thefe dc- fperate circumftances, fomc of their regiments forced their way to the lines, and arrived fafe at the camp ; others perifhed in the attempt; many kept in the woods and efcaped ; others perifhed ; fome threw themfelves into the marfh already mentioned and were drowned, or perifhed in the mud: a confiderable part, however, made their efcape this way to the lines, though they were thinned every moment by the fire of the purfuers. This was by far the worfl difafter which had be- fallen the Americans. Their \oU was reprcfented in the ENT ir'8 Ifland at jy a range of : the country rt, called the :o tlic enemy irhcrc the hllU the moll im- cr pafTes, Gc- jle part of hii f the officers rrcateft confc- Ic army pafled pediment, and into the level •utnam's lines. I thofe at Flat- be danger they flians in front, ic hills in the retreat in large id marching in o regain their difappointed. II the King*» woods; there ns, who drove King's army. ward and for- In thefe de- iments forced at the camp ; y kept in the fome threw ned and were derablc part, to the lines, t by the fire Ihich had be - reprcfcntcd in the WAR IN AMERICA. 3^3 the Gazette account, as exceeding 5C00 men, includ- ing about 1000 who were taken prifoners. Almoft a whole regiment from Maryland, confiding entirely of young men of the bcft families in the country, was cut to pieces. The Americans, indeed, never owned that they lod fo many men ; but it is certain, that this defeat exceedingly broke their fpirits, and loft them that confidence in their own prowefs, and af- furance of vI£):ory, which are fo cflcntial to the fuc- cefs of military enterprifes. The viftorious army encamped in the front of Putnam** lines on the 24th, and were preparing to attack them. Nothingv how- ever, now remained, but to prefcrve the remainder of the army on Long Ifland l)y a retreat ; and even this was now rendered exceedingly precarious and dange- rous. The taflc however was undertaken and execu- ted by General Wafhington in a very efFei^ual man- ner. In the night of the 29th, all the American troops were withdrawH from the camp, and their different works ; and, wilh their baggage, (lores, and part of their artillery, were conveyed to the water fide, embarked andpafTed over a long ferry to New- York, with fuch furprifing filence and order that the Britifii army did not perceive the leail motion, and were amazed at finding the lines abandoned in the morning, and feeing the laft of the rear-guard, (or, as the Americans fay, a party which had returned to carry off fome ftores that had been left behind) in their boats, and out of danger. Soon after this tranfadllon. General Sullivan, who had been taken prifoner in the late aAIon, was font upon parole with a niefTage to the Congrefs. The general purport of this mcfl'age, was to defire a con- ference with fome of the members of that aflembly as private perfons ; his inftruftions from government not allowing him to treat with the Congrefs as an independent legiflative body. But this propofal was rejected ; and the Congrefs replied, that being the re- prefentatives of the free and independent dates of America, they could not, with propriety, fend any of their ji' 394 HISTORY OF THE PRESENT their members to confer with him in a private capaci- ty ; but that, at they were always defirous of reclla* blifhing peace on reafonable terms, they would fend a committee of their body, to know whether he had any authority to treat withperfons authorifed by Con- grefs for that purpofe, and to hear fuch propofilions ai he fhould think it reafonable to make. Accord- ingly Dr Franklin, Mr Adams and Mr Rutlidgc, were appointed to wait on Lord Howe in Staten Ifland. The negociation, however, came to nothing; as no propofals were made, excepting fuch as had in cfTeA been offered already, namely, a promife of indemnity and pardon, upon condition of abfolute fubmiffion. Propofals of this kind, however, could not be accept- ed by the Americans, unlefs they had owned them- fclvcs tranfgrcflbrs, which they never yet have done. All hopes of peace being thus at an end, the Royal Army, now divided from New- York only by the Eaft River, became very impatient to pafs that boun- dary, and make themfelvcs maflcrs of the city. They were pofted along the coaft wherever they could fee or front the enc;Tiy, and ereAed many batteries to anfwer, if not to filence theirs. A fleet, confifting of more than 300 fail, including tranfports, covered the face of the waters ; while the flilps of war threaten- ed deftrudlion to every part of the ifland, and were continually enjjaged with one or other of the batteries with which it was furrounded. The fmall iflands between the fliores were perpetually contefled, until, by dint of a well fcrvcd artillery, and the fuperiovi- ty of the Britifti troops, they fccured fuch as bed fuitcd their purpofe. The Americans, now being quite dilheartened, abandoned the city to their ene- mies, and retired to the north part of the ifland, where they had very ftrong works, particularly at King's- bridge, where they feemed fuflicient to defy the attempts of any force whatever. Their neareii encampment was on the Heights of Harlem, at the diftance of about a mile and an half. M'Gowan*s-pafs, and the llrong grounds, called Morris' heights, lay between ESENT I private capaci- firousof reefta- thcy would fend wliether he had ihorlfedby Con- iich propofilions :iakc. Accord - d Mr Rutlldgc, in Statcnldand. nothing ; as no as had in effc£i life of indemnity "olutc fubmiflion. d not be accept- ad owned them- r yet have done, at an end, the York only by the 3pafs that boun- thecity. They r they could fee any batteries to |eet, confiding of rts, covered the war threaten- and, and were of the batteries le fmall iflands ontefted, until, d the fuperiori- d fuch as belt ns, now being y to their ent- of the ifland, particularly at fhcient to defy Their neareli arlem, at the Gowan's-pafs, heights, lay between WAR IN AMERICA. 39; between them and King'sbridgc, and were dcfen- fiblc agalnft a very great force. In this fituation, frequent flilrmlflics happened between the two ar- mies ; and the Americans fecmed at laft to recover from their confternation. In the mean time, fomc Incendiaries, who had pro- bably (laid behind for that purpofc, refolved to fet fire to the city of New-York, in order to render it as little ufeful to the conquerors as pofliblc. For this purpofc, they prepared fome combuftibles with great art and Ingenuity; and taking advantage of dry wea- ther, andabriikwind, on the lothof September, fetfirc 10 the city about midnight, in feveral places at the fame time. Thus, near a third part of this beauti- ful city was reduced to afhes; and nothing lefs than the courage ahd ailivlty of the troops, as well as the failors, who were difpatched from all parts, could liave faved the remainder. Many of the wretches who were concerned in this bufinefs, being detected, were, without any trial, thrown into the flames by the enraged foldlers. On the 1 2th of Oftobcr, General Howe, having refolved to diilodge the enemy from the corner of Yorkifland they itill pofTeffed, embarked the great- er part of the army in flat-bottomed boats, and o- ther veffcls proper for the fervice, paffed fuccefsfully through the dangerous navigation, called Hell -Gate, which forms a communication between the Eaft river und the found, and landed on Frog's-neck, near the town of Weft Chcfter, which lies on that part of the continent belonging to New- York on the fide of Con- ne6licut. The llrft objedl of this expedition wa?, to cut off the communications between Wafhlngton and the eafteni colonies ; and then, if this meafure did not bring him to an engagement, to iaclofe him on all fides in his faftneffes on the north end of the Ifland. I The King's troops were now matters of the lower road to Connc6Hcut and Bofton ; but, to gain the upper, !t was neceflary to advance to the high grounds, called the White plains j a rough, ftony, and moun- tainous 11 H- it: ; 11 39 greater and more fo mTd'^^^l^ ^"^^^"'x raifed one had been. formidable than their regular Jfi, the mean time. General R -- - the neighbourhood 0/ Fo'rTid'' T^"u "^^ Inexperience thofc difiicuh.Vc ^ °'f f ^^^'-^rd, began -eaed till they be n ^'",^^3t"\^"'"'^'^y '- ^hefe cI.fTicuIties began with . J ffi ""^".^"^"""table. P^oviiions. No mofe hin CO t^^"'^>;^" Procuring f ^ procured in all the couniv T "/ ?'"^" ^-"^^ taiy inadequate to the n? ^V^"'^ '^"^^ ^^re to- f-^): -nf-ptfon of Hie'a 1 °' /"PP'^-^ ^hc ^^''^^'"g fuch a magazine a^T' '"V'^' °f^^l^' P^^-Pof^. Their uSeLrTr ^^r^^''/ ^^r their continuedfori5dayrfuccem '^^^ '^'^ P^'-pofc ^^ure no more fhan^/our d fs'n ^' -7^^' ^^^^^ to p^o- ten batteaux in Hudfon's Riv.r^''""^ '^ ^^-^-^^-ci SoyneXrmin?^ General Bur- -!th Colonel St Lele'r tt ? f l"^ ' J""^-" -Hh a con/iderable b?dy of j" i^'^ ^7" ^^^^^^^^^ and fome reguhir troop^s to ? r i^^ ^''^"^^''^"s. y^ng up the^MohawkTiv r Th^' ^'"^ ^tanwix ^"^Praa.cable, unlef, a f 11 f^^' ^''r'''> was ^ome way or other be obtain^/ a P'"°"'^°"^ could ^as refolved to attemnr rV'"'^/^' ^^^' ^nd ; ft -^g-ine the AmeSs h d at'r''^- ^' ^ ^''"^ ^^ was attempted by Colonel B. ^^"^'"^ton. This "len ; but the Ameriln. h "" ""'"'^ ^^°"t 500 ;^^\the deiign, tt ^ tT/th^°' ''''''^^^^^^ to be atfnrl.^,1 ......1 . . "'^'^ round them tnn /f. >e attacked with his fo em too fti •ong areinforcemen t. Anmh ri"\"^' f'^^^^-^ ^- f- .'-an, was ^-medilff ^T^^^^^^^^^^^^ Brey- ^"t, by reafon of th/ U fir ^'^ 5° ^^'^ affirtance cond P'-^rty did not an the^ badnefs of the tve 111 time ; and both roads, this fc. Were at- tacked t^M-^ 408 HISTORY OF THE PRESENT tacked by the Americans one after another, and de- feated with great flaughter. St Leger, in the mean time, gained a confiderable vi*Slory over a party of Americans who were marching to the relief of fort Stanwix. The Indians, however, fuftaincd fo great a lofs in the engagement, that from that moment, they became quite fullen and untrac- tablc. They murdered the unhappy prifoners In cold blood, and St Leger ufed his utmoft endeavours to in- timidate the garrifon into a furrendcr, by magnifying his own power, and the hopelefs fituation the Ameri- cans were in. The governor, however, could not be intimidated ; and in the mean time, the Indians hav- ing received intelligence, that Arnold was advancing with a confiderable body of troops to the relief of Fort Stanwix, forced the Colonel to abandon thefiege; moil of them at the fame time abandoning the army, and plundering the foldlers and officers of whatever they could carry off. The bad fuccefs at Bennington was only a prelude to greater midfortunes to General Burgoyne and his once vlftorlous army. General Gates took the com- mand of the Annerlcan army. They had a great opi- nion of his abilities, and thtir fplrlts being now raifed by the fucctffcs they had met with, they no longer Hood on the defenfive, but attacked the King's army very fiercely. They even attempted to recover the fort of Ticondcrago, and thus they would have cut off all pofUbility of retreat from the unhappy Gene- ral. This expedition Indeed, was unfuccefsful, but it abundantly fliewed the Americans were not the con- temptible enemies they had all along been thought ; and the fituation of General Burgoyne became every day more hopelefs. In the mean time, frefh bodies of militia pc3(ured in from all quarters to the alTiflance of General Gates. The numbers of his troops increafed fo much, and their attacks were fo vigorous, that the dcftru6lion of the whole army feemcd unavoidable. In one of thefe was killed the brave Brigadier Gene- iiij ^SS ESENT mother, and de- ?d a confiderablc were marching ndians, however, ement, thatfrom lUen and untrac- prifoners in cold endeavours to in- •, by niagnifying tion the Ameri- er, could not be he Indians hav- 1 was advanciuGT s to the relief of )andon thefiege ; oning the army, :crs of whatever s only a prelude urgoyne and his [3 took the com- lad a great opi- jeing now raifed hey no longer he King's army to recover the would have cut nhappy Gene- uccefsful, but re not the con- 3cen thought ; became every militia po^ured ce of General in ere a fed fa Drous, that the 1 unavoidable, gadiei" Gene- ruj WAR IN AMEPJCA. 409 ral Frafer, and fomc other officers of diftinftion were wounded and taken prifoners. General Bur- goync did every thing for the fafety of his men that pofTibly could be done ; but the difficulty of obtaining provifions increafmg every day, his retreat being intercepted on all fides, his camp being almoft furiounded by an army near four times as numerous as his own, who kept up an inceflant cannonade ?^gainft him, he was obliged at length to fubmit with his whole army. The capitulation took place on the 17th of Odober. The foldiers were to be fliipped from Bofton for England, as foon as BritifU tranfports were procured to carry them ; on condi- tion of their not ferving in America during the pre- fent war. The Canadians were to be returned to their own country on the fame conditions ; and in other rcfpcfts every poflible honour was allowed. This terrible difaftcr feemed in a manner to decide the fate of America. All the fucceffes hitherto attending the Britifh arms feemed quite infignificant and trifling. They amounted indeed to no more than the taking of a few paltry towns and forts at the expcnce of much blood, and a great deal more money thaa would have bought them. Since the rime of this capitulation, nothing remarkable hath been accomplirtied, or indeed attempted for the fub- duing of America. In the end of the year 1777, it was known to the Britifh Miniftry, that the Ameri- cans were about to enter into a treaty with France. Gn this Commiffioncrs were fent to America, with very advantageous propofals of peace. But it was now too late. The treaty with France was already concluded, and the terms of the Commiffioners were rejected with fcorn. On this account, the Americans have been defervedly blamed, as they have preferred war topeacc, when the latter couldhave been obtained on very honourable and advantageous terms. — Con- cerning the event of the war, it is impoffible to fay any thing. — Philadelphia hath been evacuated, and again taken poffeffion of by the Britifh j but wo N n cannot ■7, '^t^^^ 410 HISTORY OF THE PRESENT, ^c. cannot reafonably fuppofe the pofleflion of this, or any other town, to be attended with any permanent ad- vantage, unlefs it 13 accompanied iviih the fubmiffion of the adjacent country. Some fuccefs hath indeed attended Colonel Campbell in the fouth ; and the colony of Georgia is thought to be in the pofTefllon of his Majefty*8 troops ; but how far this Oiall be a permanent conqueft, or in what refpcdls it may ope- rate towards a total fubmiflion of the colonies, is diffi- cult, indeed, impoflible, to fay. History oj^the Prefent War in America, troughs tip to Juke 1779. '■'■ I n of this, or ?ny permanent ad- h the fubmiffion ;efs hath indeed fouth ; and the in the pofTeffion • this fliall be a :dls it may ope- lolonies, is difH* ERICA, Irou^hZ