The Delaware gazette. [volume] (Wilmington [Del.]) 1809-1810, 1809-10-18

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%saoA 7AE sxr1os ~ ISrELLlcEscER.
THxtNEW WORLD.
AN ENQUIRY INTO THE NAy1eFAL CHAaAc-
TER OF THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED
STATES or AMERICA.
As the American people have, as II were,
carved their productive country our OF the stu
pcndous forest which covered their commons,
10 have they made out Of the systems oil policy,
morals and religion of the old world, their own
plan of Justice and civilization in relation TO the
indian aborigines their own penal code for
unhappy criminals: a complete extinction OF
the commerce in men their own constitutions
of social freedom and of federative union, and
their own blessed establishment OF religious
liberty. Since, however, this enquiry ought
to be so conducted, as to satisfy the most m
4ellirent among ourselves, and to carry conv'c-
zion 10 the sagacious and the candid III the To-
reign world, it may be well TO discontinue these
.carsory views OF important facts, however IN
.dicative Of ratiosal character. They will arise,
ina more impressive manner, in the course OF
Ihe Investigation. -.
1t is a matter If dispensble to truth IN this
enquiry astentively to consider what this coun-
ivy really was between its FIRST settlement IN
-the beginning OF the seventeenth century ana
its separation lroga the: British connection to-
Yards the close orthe eighteenth. This coun-
trv certainly was, during that period, strongly
of thr colonial charActer1 but it wall be found
inaccurate 10 consider it as a mere and eXclu-
siye English establishment, AS to the birth OF
its stock of Inhabitants, as to the institutions 1t
established, and as to the letter and spirit OF
It's laws. The EYelih materials 10 our compo-
.,tion were very considerable; but we derived
much from other kingdoms, states, and church.
.es: much from our own necessities, occasions,
,isnositioos and faculties. ii some OF The lam-
lies planted in the late American provinces were
from the land CT Newton, hliton, Bacon, Coke,
Shakespeare and Marlborough, others were
fom the countries of Luther, Calvin and Men
no. Grotius, pufeaaotff and Vsstel, De Witt,
Gus,ayus and the great Frederick, Leibnltz,
Boerhave and ,inncns, Swift, Burke. flutche-
son, Hume, Stuart, Ferguson, Napier, Knox,
buchanan, Hunter and hlonro. Let us re.
yive, then, with attention, certain historical
tra,hs, remembering that it is no worse tc
have been derived from all the nations OF the
wise, the learned an the good, than to have
been derived from ono alone; AND that salutary
institutions and principles, obtained from the
British kingdoms las they arc now cai'ed) oil
from the continent OF Europe or from the re-
sources If CIR own minds, are TO dcrcgatloi
from the n.cfils Of those, which are really An
slican. They have all contributed to the pre-
sen, conformation e(enr national character
The authors and founders Of empires natu
rally ;.,.sact the public regard. The unne'
h9,cpcans revere the mare Of the Genoes
Tomum5av, and cherish his memory as cnmmo
..seat,wtnt--da uuive,salEelips They zealous
resist lie Justice Of the rretcnsions OF the'ktre
rian 4imcrcse TO give his name to their country
: As Tic second order of their dis,overers the
respect both the Venetian ;'ahols and Amcrlcu
Fesputi.is- Ihe fame CT discovering this nes
world IS yielded wifi raL'.or and affection i
these teui an,errrisng Italians, who Belongs
not to any OF the nations that have given set
tixrs 10 this. country. The enthusiasm Wit
which Columbus, the Cabots and Americu
are respectively regarded, is felt equally BY III
native and the nasuraized for the consequer
advantages Of those discoveries, at such CT
sis as the close Of the fifteenth century, equal
benefit our whole population. At the memo
able cpncha CT the first effectual North Amer
can settlements, the Inonstrous Colossus
ecclesiastical tyranny bcstyodc all Christendon
exercising its sacrlegious force, through du
gcona, fines, tortures and murders, in dire
.coipslop Win me GHfhoFHl or HcaptR, over u
human conscience. Considering the soleu
and astonishing truth, that in the first Gig
teen long centuries Of the christian ssa, no OF
government beyond the Atlantic conceded Il
freedom of religion to its citcens or subjec
il ought.not to be matter of any surprise, tn
shr united Americans unanimously look ba'
with reverence 1T the enterprise of Columbl
Well indeed may they consider him as 4
blessed guide, under Divine Providence, VI
led the oppressed children of conscience Of NJ
ny nations 10 this land of religious peace.
COLUMBIANUS.
Eyonr fhe Same