The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-08-04
AMERICAN ANNIVERSARIES.

1920 cannot fail to remind us that the embarkation
Of the Pilgrims their landing and settlement, we're
anticipated by the English colony Of Jamestown
which commenced the settlement Of Virginia thence
called the Ancient Dominion"-more than thirteen
years before the Pilgrims of New England set their
feet on the shores at Plymouth 1t seems strange,
that while 30 much has been done to awaken and
keep alive patriotic and ancestral feeling towards
the early settlers Of New England but little Is said
or done to commemorate the events connected with
the settlement of the first English colony in North
America-namely, that of jamestown, in Virginia
1t is quite time that the Virginians should wake up
on this subject, and not suffer the names and the
memory of the first settlers Of their State-the terri
tory OF the Oldest c0lony--to be neglected or for
gotten.
The contrast between these two earliest English
settlements in Ameriea-Plymoutha and jamestown
is no less remarkable than the character of the
two classes of Engiishmen-Puritans and Cavaliers
by which these settlements were effected. Ply
mouth situated on the sterile coast of Massachusetts,
Bay, has but few natural advantages, resources or
attractions, and the inhabitants, from the earliest
settlement. have depended mainly on the fisheries
and the coastiIg trade for subsistence Still, the
town has always fOurshed, and sustained consi-
derable population, now numbering more than six
thousand souls; and the territory comprised in the
old Plymouth colony now contains over one hundred
End sixty five thousand souls jamestown, situated
on the alluvia soil of the valley Of the James river,
in Virginia. was supposed originally to possess pecu
liar advantages as settlement on tine navigable
river, with an extensive and fertile back country,
and mild climate. But few ruins are all that re-
main to mark this ancient town, and the population
of that section Of Virginia it is well known is sparse
and far from being the most hourishing part of the
State in agriculture or commerce. Richmond, Pc
tersburg and Norfolk in the vicinity are, it is true,
1ourishing cities, with population respectable in
numbers and character; but Williamsburg, the an
cient capital Of Virginia, and near jamestown, has
only 1000 inhabitants, and the agricultural popula
ton in the adjacent counties are few in numbers.
The Puritans having settled Plymouth and New
England, and the Cavaliers jamestown and Virginia.
the respective characters Of these two classes of
Englishmen have doubtless had their influence on
the progress and position OF these two sections of this
county. Both OF these classes of stern adventurers
warriors and patriots were distinguished by pecu-
larites- virtues as well fanlts-which they have
transmitted to their descendants marking those op-
posite traits Of character which distinguish Northern
from Southern men in our own times
The rise and progress of Virginia, the Oldest Of
the British colonies this contineat, and as State
prominent in the part she has taken in the confede
racy and the Union subjects of great interest to
every American; and we cannot but think that the
sons Of the Old Dominion have yet much to do to
call attention to the interesting and important points
OF ber history. The date OF the first settlement at
jamestown is but little known, compared with that
Of the landing Of the Pilgrims ut Plymouth The
22d Of December is day familiar in AmeF
can annals; but who thinks OF connnemorating the
Gath of May the anniversary Of the landing of the
Cavaliers at jamestown, in 1G07. We believe the
day has been celebrated in Virginia. but If so, it has
not been often repeated as to be fixed on our
memory. But whatever has been done III this re.
spect, We propose that the virginians should CON-
memorate hereafter the day when their ancestors,
the gallant Cavaliers of those times, and the irst
successful founders of an English colony in America,
embarked from the shores Of Old England for the
coast Of Virginia That day was the thirtieth Of
December, lGO6, Tor the 10Th OF old style
ul~-esass the North American continent had
been discovered by Englishmen, under Cabot, one
hundred and nine years before the first successful
attempt was made to plant British colony these
shores; the attempt OF Sir Walter Raleigh, in 1885,
to plant colony in North Carolina, having proved
disastrous. The colonization of Virginia was the re-
suit Of commercial adventure, and in that respect
distinct from the which influenced the settle
ment Of New England. No religious persecution
drove the Cavaliers from their native country for
they were of the party OF King James, his court and
followers, ana members OF the established Church of
England. The London Company, which obtained
patent from King James for the colonization of vir
ginia, was composed Of noblemen, gentlemen, aud
merchants, in aud about London. The superinten-
Gence of the whole colonial system confined to
council in England the local administration Of each
colony to be iDtrusted to council within its limits
The members OF the council in England were APP
pointed by the King To the emigrants themselves
the charter OF Virginia conceded not one OF the
rights Of selfgovernment They we're subject to the
ordinances OF commercial corporation, OF which
they could not be members-tO q council which did
not sympathize with them, and finally to the arbi-
trary will of the King. fhe code Of laws for the
colonists was drawn up by King James, and the
summer of lG06 was spent in preparations for the
colony. Not an element Of popular liberty was
introduced into the form Of government pro-
posed. Religion was specially enjoined to be
established according to the doctrine and rites Of the
Church Of England; aud no emigrant could withdraw
his allegiance from King James, avow dissent
from the royal creed. Lands were to descend &C
cording to the English common law.
The political forms Of the proposed colony being
prepared, and the company having been previously
organized, feet of three ships was provided to
transport the emgrants to Virginia. Bat though
many persons Of distinction were included among the
proprietors residing in England their funds at first
were limited, and their first efforts proportionably
feeble. The largest Of the fleet Of three small vessels
was not more than one hundred tons burthen. This
squadron, under the command Of Capt Christopher
Newport, sailed from the River Thames, on the 30th
Of December, 1907, with one hundred and five men,
destined to settle in Virginia. Several of these emf
grants members Of distinguished families, par.
EculaIlv GeorGe Percy. a hrnther of the Earl of