The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1804-11-24

make room for prosrsiiive and increaGny po-
pulation: and focal villages orpopulous towns
will foon arife to give new dignity and grace to
the surrounding landscape.
But 1t is not evcry diftria of the country,
which is to exhibit this fpirt of agricultural and
elegant improvement. The eye will not every
where behold the folitary habitations of the far
mer, or the clufered buildings of the merchant
and mechanic. Thefe would require CONT
n,ied exertion of induftry and art to produce,
and 1t is not at the primitive fettlenent of
country that induftry and art can difplay their
full effect. We mutt not even expect that thofe
parts ofthe country will firft be fettled and i'm
proved, which are mott remarkable for the fer
tiity ottheir foil orthe falubrity of the climate
There are other caufes which are powerful
enough to overcome the influence of theie adj
vantaees, and which will uniformly prefcribe
different progreis of fettlement and cultivation.
Every Hand, or every part of an inhabited
continent, mutt find its firit fettlers in the co.
ionies of fome other country. To prelerve as
intimate communication with the civilized
world, as their new iituation will admit and to
maintain commerce with enterpriiing nations,
who may tupply them with the productions of
theirown arts, * receive theirfuperfluou produce
In exchange, will be the firit and mot impor-
tant object OF every young GettIement. Even
when the policy of the mother country does not
interfere with their colonization, and force the
itrean of emigration to fertilize thofe parts,
which are mott accefiibIe TO its own power and
commerce fuch will be the interef and en-
ilghtened policy of the primitive fettlers. But
as this communication can be chablifhcd with
greater cafe and at lefs expence by water than
by land carriage, it will be the obvious interef
Of the letters, r to colonie thofe parts of their
Country, where they can mott eahly enjoy this
method Of conveyance. 1t is hence that the fea
COATS, and the mouths of the navigabe rivers
will always exhibit the firf efforts of the ge-
MUS, indufry and patience of a nafcent COLONY.
Here will the foreits be hrt cleared: farms be
laid out, and farm houfes ere6ed: and here will
the hrit towns be feen on the map, or rather the
chart of the rifng nation.
Perhaps another csufe may confpire to give
this particular defamation TO the wealth and in
duftry OF the fettlement. The country, which
they have colonifed, may have already con-
tanned wandering or uncivilizcd race of men,
who are jealous of their real or progrei1ive DOW
er. Iheiewill lofeno opportunity of arreiting the
riting fettlement. The ftraggling inhabitants of
the frontier who fall into their hands, are carri
ed into captivity, or mercilefsly put to DEATH
! fie fear or this iavase enemy arrefts the wan
dering fteps ofthe colonif. 1t is to no purpofe
that ne hears the mott animated descriptions of
the richneis of the country, which is far remo-
we'd from his habitation. Fear triumphs over all
his curioiity and avarice; and he is obliged to
wait until the congregated force or the humane
policy of his nation fhall have extended its from
tier and acquired more valuable territory
Such has been the hifory of all the u States.
On the COATS of the Tea or at the mouths of our
navgable rivers, have the frft germs of our po-
puiation and PROPERTY been planted and from
them have principally fprung up thofe nume-
rous hords of men and MATES of agricultural
capital, which have dilIcminated 70 much life
and wealth and activity over the face of our
country.
When this primitive fettement has once
been formed. the prr,yrefs of the nation NAV be
cahiy defcribed. An incrcahng capital and po-
pulation extends the frontier of agricultural i'm
Provement More land is brought into cult
walton, and new towns and villages are laid out
But population fill crecps along the banks of
the navigable rivers. Lands contiguous to them
are firft fele6ted; and there the principal towns
are erected. It is not until thefe fettlements
are made that the intermediate country between
the rivers is flled up by inhabitants. K is then
that convenient communication is formed be-
tween the towns on different rivers by roads
which interieet the country. Thele towns are
the centres of 70 many circles, from which the
roads diverge like 70 many radii in various d.
rections.
A nezv ara at length appear, in the hiftorv of
improvement. The country is at length cult
waited as far back as the tide water of navigable
rivers extends. Here the falls of the river pre-
fent new impeachment to navigation, and give
new turn to the Improvement of the country.
If the cultivation of its lands and the PROPERTY
of its towns are materially regulated by its COM
merce, it is eafy to conceive the influence of
caufe, which mutt 70 materially affect its COM
mercc. A fhort ketch is fufficient to ilufrate
the kind, if not the degree, of this influence
w LETTER Cd.
TO THE VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE.