Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1844-03-07
MISCELLANEOUS.
THE HANSEATIC LEAGUE.

One of the most remarkable episodes
IN the history of man is to be found in
the rise and growth of the Haaseatic
League. During the early part Of the
18th century, we fad few practical
merchants Of few scattered towns, uni
ting to extend commercial intercourse
over the world. At this time the Ger
man Ocean and other northern seas were
infested with pirates, while their shores
were inhabited by robbers. Even the
st. Georges and other English channels
were alike unsafe as highways of trade.
The northern nations were rude and
unciyilized people, and all general com
merce in their seas was a little better
than mutual pluader. All wrecked YES
sells and tieir cargoes became the entire
property of the first discoveries. All
trade was in confusion, and without fix
ed laws, when this remarkable League
came into exstance, and in one or two
centuries rose toimmense power and IN
Huenee. 'fhey broke up piracy in the
the North seas, placed commerce on an
equ,s@Lis inating; established the most
whoiesurfeTe rec ufatiuv- for its government.
and gase itan elevation and. dignity I'll
had never before ACC rirsd.
BIanyof their laws on trade exis: to
this day in tie commercial codes of oil
civilized nations. They did for com
merce what the authoTs AMI philosophers
OF the 18Th century did for science and
literature: ahd with their great extension
OF commerce, they did more to cjvilize
and eHii.hten mlnkind. and especially
the northern portiors Of Europe, than
was ever accomplished by any other
means whatever. There is no agent
more powerfully cigiIizing in its effects.
than free, wide. AMI unrestricted CEN
incrce.
This great mercantile League ic favor
Of reiosming and extending trade over
the whole world, while civilizing and
benefi;ng those with WHOM, they had IN
tercourse, grew rich and powerful at
hrinc.
We fad IN TIE time Of Edward ~. Of
Eu.laad. in it74. that thew embraced
il HER League fsen. 80 to 80 oitics.and
so e, eat had their power become. that
they carried OH successful wars with the
most powerful monarC is: and coming to
q rupture with Edward ". they forced
hsa. to excepta peace on their own terms.
The had great many extensive estab-
iishments 10 various cities over the civ
iIized world. IN connection with which.
they had succeeded in gaining from gov
eminent Important privileges in the way
Of trade. 'ftev held fee simple proper
tv to large amount in London, and had
f.,f, ~
and Lynn-whiie they extended thcir
trade tii.ou..i Russia to China, making a
rreaI depot at Stroveood, which city I'm.
der their influence, rose from hamlet
TO 7OO,0 900 inhabitants, but was destroy
ed subsequently by Ivan, barbarols
monarch Of Russia. who made war upon
II: and it nov contains only 1000 or
eooo people. 81.
The League did much for. and were
indeed. the first TO carry civilization in
"a Russia, Norway, and other wild coun-
@a6t Of The North. They had a congress
rracticai men, none or very few Law
xefs were amongst them. This bod
.,st only once in three years at Serbeek
All We will venture to affirm, as FAR as
fha interest Of commerce and their
,aaoue vas concerned, the wisdom of
u,e;r legislation, and their tact and Anowl.
..lae Of commercial affairs has never been
excelIeL.
We lave presented TO US the rcmarka-
~ fact. that a set Of plain common sense
merchants, uniting themselves together
an,ier The name Of League. elect from
themselves congress, which only meets
~, Il fasss pears, doing more for trade,
90" .'I that too, with greater wisdom than
a'.a has been equaIIed by any other leg
ssas body. They made Bruges IL
H. mother land. one Of The greatest fra
s u's,a cities of Europe from the simple
s usns that this made il an entrepot for