Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1853-06-07

land, that the great work OF the sevonteenth cen-
tury was performed-slowy, toilsomely effective
y. A mighty work for America and man
kind, of which even we. foud asd proud of it
as we are, do but family guess the magnitude =
1t could hardly be said, at the time to prosper in
any of its parts. 1t yielded no return to the Pc
cuniary capital invested. The political relations
of the colonies from the first were those of en-
croachment and resistance; aud even the moral
principle as far as there was one, on which they
were founded, was not consistently carried out.
There was conflict with the savages-war with
the French and Spanards-j Earring mud feuds be-
tween neighboring colonies-persecution of dis
sentng individuals and sects-perpetual dscord
with the Crown and the proprietaries. Yet 10
the main and on the whole, the work went on.-
Things that did not work singly worked together /;
or if they did not work together, they worked by
reaction and collision. Feeble germs of settle
ment grew to the consistency of powerful colo
nies habits of civil government rooted themselves
in q soil that was continually stirred; the frame
of future republics knit itself as it were in en-
bryo, under a monarchcal system OF colonial
rule; and 10 the middle of the eighteenth century
the approach of mighty changes began to be dim
ly foreseen by gifted spirits. A faint streak of
purple light brushed along the Eastern sky.
Two things worth mentioning contributed to
the result. One was the absence of the precious
metals. The British Colonies were rich in the
want of the gold. AS the abundance of gold and
silver in Mexico and Peru contributed, in vari-
GUS ways to obstruct the prosperity OF the Span
ish Colonies the want of them acted not less
favorabIy here. 10 the first settlement of a saw
age wilderness, the golden attraction is too pow
erful for the ordinary routine of life. 1t produ-
ces a feverish excitement unfavorable to the
healthy growth and calm action of the body po-
little. Although California has from the first had
the advantage Of being Incorporated into stable
political system, of which as sister State she
forms an integral part, it is quite doubtful
whether, looking to her permanent we'll being,
the gold is to be blessing to her. 1t will has
ten her settlement but that would at any rate
have advanced with great rapidity. One Of the
most intellectual men in this country, the author
of Que of the most admirable works in our Ian
guage, mean 1.-Two Years before the Mast"
once remarked to me, that california would be
of the finest countries In the world to live in
if it were not for the gold.''
The other circumstance which operated in the
most favorable manner upon the growth of the
Anglo American Colonies was the fact that they
were called into existence less by the Government
than the people; that they We're settled not by
bodies of Colonists, but by individual emigrants.
The Crown gave charters of government and
grants of land; and considerable expenditure
was made by some of the companies and proprie-
tors who received these grants; but, upon the
whole, the United States are settled by individ-
uals--.the adventurous, resolute, high spirited.
and in many prosecuted men and women,
who sought home and refuge beyond the sea;
and such was the state of Europe in the seven
teenth aud eighteenth century, that it furnished
succession of victims of long series of politi~
cal and religious disasters, who found, one after
another, a safe and congenial retreat in some
one Of the American Colonies.
This noble theme has been treated with
beauty aud power by one whom need not name
in this presence. (the Historian of the United
States) which, without impairing their authenti-
city, have converted the severe pages of history
into magnificent Odyssey of National Adven-
ture. Lean but glance at the dates. The first
settlement, that of Virginia, was commenced in
the spirit of worldly enterprise, with slight
| dash however of chivary and romance on the
| part of its lender. La the next generation this
! Colony became the fayorite resorts of the royal
cavaliers aud gentlemen, who were disguised by
the austerties of the Eugsh Commonwealth or
! fell under its suspicion. In the meantime New
| England was founded by those who suffered the
penalties of non conformity. The mighty change
of 1910 stopped the tide of emigration to New
England, but recruited Virginia with those who
we're disatf'ected to Cromwell. la 1924 the Is
land of Manhattan, OF which you have perhaps
| heard, aud il not, you will find its history relav
ted with learning, Judgment, and good taste by a
loyal descendant OF its early settlers. (Mr. Brod
| head,) was purchased of the Indians for twenty
four dollars. sum of money, by the way, which
seems rather low for twenty two thousand acres
of land, including the site of this great nletropo-
lis, but which would, if put out at compound in>
terest, per cent, in 1924, not perhaps fall so
very far short even Of its present value, though
admit that dollar for Thousand acres is quite
cheap for choice spots on the Fifth av. Mary
land next attracted those who adhered to the an
cient faith of the Christian world. New Jersey
and Pennsyyan were mainly settled ny perse-
cuted Quakers; but the latter offered an asylum
to the Germans whom the sword of Louis XIV
drove from the PaIatinate The French Hu-
guenots, driven out by the revocation of the
edict of Nantes, scattered themselves from Mas
sachusetts to Carolina. The Dutch and Swedish
settlements ON the Hudson and the Delaware
provided kindred home for such of their coun :
trymen as desired to try the fortune of the new
Word.-The Wings of England, who rebellsd
against James ii in 1856 and were sent to the
transatlantic colonies lived long enough to meet in
exile the adherents of his son, who rebeed against
George l. in 1715. The oppressed Protestapts of
Salzburg came with Oglethorpe to Georgia and
the Highlanders. who fought for Charles Edward
in 1745, were deported by hundreds to North
Carolina. They were punished by being sent
from their bleak hills and sterile moores to Il
land of abundance and liberty; they wei ban
ished from oatmeal porridge to meat twice day.
The Gaelic language is still spoken by their de>
scendan,s, aud thousands of their kindred at the
present day would no doubt gladly share their
exile
There is no doubt shat tho hardshps which
awaited the emigrant at that early day were nei-
Their few slight, though greatly exaggerated
for want of in!ormation. Goldsmith in THE De.
serted Village" published in 1869, gives u.
somewhat amusing picture Of the state Of
things, as he supposed it to exist beyond the
ocean at that time. As his local alluson to
Georgia, it is probable that he formed his i'm
pressions from the accounts which were published
at London ahnus the middle of the last certurx hu