Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1852-03-29
STRIKING PREDICTIONS.


The announcement that Thomas Richie, Esq,
is engaged in writing life of Pownall, who once
occupied large share of public consideration, in
connection with this country, whilst the present
Atlantic States were colonies of Great Britain,
will add interest to the following extract from the
recent speech of Mr.. Soule, in the Senate, in
which he makes some quotations from the wri-
tings of Pownall, containing remarkable predic
tions as to the future of America:
Sir I have mind to place before you the re-
cord of strange prophecies made on the future
growth, strength, prosperity and empire of these
States, at time when they were but dependent
and subordinate colonies of distant nation
They are to be found spread over the Memorials
of Lord Pownall, who lived eight years in the
lonies, from 1853 to 1856, and who held success
| sively the offices of lieutenant governor of New
Jersey, of governor of Mass, and of governor of
South Carolina, and who in those three capaci-
ties must be presumed to have been afforded
| ~ opportunity that could enable him well to ap-
preciate in the people that surrounded him, that
peculiar forwardness and energy of purpose
which has since realized, wonderfully, what
that great and wise man had contemplated in vis-
ion through the telescope of his far-seeing mind.
Sir, feel assured that the Senate will thank me
for trespassing yet moment upon its patience,
while shall read to you some of his most striking
revelations
'sNorth America has advanced, and is every day
| advancing, to growth of State, with steady and
continually accelerating motion, of which there
has never yet been any example in Europe"
at is young and strong" "Its
strength will grow with its years, and it will es-
tablish its constitution and perfect adultness in
growth of State. To this greatness of empire it
willcertainly arise"
'America will become the arbitress of the
commercial world, and perhaps the mediatrix of
peace and Of the political business Of the acorld."
''Whoever knows these people will consider
them as animated, in this new world, if may
so express it, Nth the spirit of the neu philosopty"
''Here one sees the inhabitants aboring after
the plough, Or with the spade and hoe, as though
they had not an idea beyond the ground they
dwell upon yet is their mind all the while enlarg-
ing all its powers, and their spirit rises their i'm
provements ADVANCE
"Ihe independence of America is fixed as fate
She is mistress of her own fortune knows that
she is so, and will actuate that power which she
feels both so as to establish her own system and
to change the system Of Ewope."
'sThose sovereigns of Europe who have been led
by the office system and worldly wisdom of their
mnsters-who, seeing things in those lights
have despised the unfashioned, awkward youth of
Amerca-when they shall find the system of this
new empire not Onty 0bStructlng but SuperSeding
heoLd systems Of Europe, and crossing upon the
effects of all their settled maxims and accustom-
ed measures, they will call upon these, their min
listers and wise men, Come curse me this people,
for they are too lghty for me- their statesmen will
be dumb; but the spiritof truth will answer, 'Hoao
shall curse a0hom God has not cursed p"
"America will come to market in its own ship
ping, and will claim the ocean as commonwealth
claim navigation restrained by no laws but the
laws of nations, reformed as the rising crisis re-
quires.
.'America will seem every day to approach
nearer and nearer to Europe. When the alarm
which the idea of going to strange and distant
country gives to the homely notions of a Euro
pean manufacturer peasant shall be thus worn
out, thousand repeated repulsive feelings re-
specting their present home, a thousand attrac-
tive motives respecting the settlementwhich they
will look to in America, will raise n spirit of adj
venture, and become the irresistible cause of an
almost general emigration to the neao l0orld."
''Whether the islands in those parts called
the West Indies, are naturally parts ofthis North
American communion, is question in the detail
of it, of curious speculation but of no doubt as to
the fact
Then, giving way to the enthusiasm ofhs pro-
guage to America:
"a nation to whome all nations will come, a
power whom all powers of Europe will court to
civil and commercial alliances; people to whom
the remnants of all ruined people will fly: whom
the oppressed and injured of every nation will
seek for refuge" he exclaims "AcruArE YOUR