The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-05-14

| ways. -.
FIRST came the expectation OF great
riches IN the gold and silver mines. Many
| wonderful tales had been brought BACK
| stories OF fabulous wealth I'm Mexico
From this II was easy for the vivid imagl-
| nation of the time TO conjure up visions
/ OF veins Of gold IN every river bank. Many
| OF the earlier expeditions brought over
| professional miners and jewellers. Smith,
| however. with his sound common
sense. pvt a stop 10 good deal OF
this waste OF time. The gold fever was
never more than secondary motive. Far
more important than this was the search
for the passage TO the South sea lndla
produced many things that were regard
| cd as comforts and luxurics in England.
All commodities common to very warm
climates were to be found there. Spices.
and silks. pearl and ivory were among
! the many products OF that fruitful LAND.
| The trade with India had been very
lucrative. and in this England had had
| large share. II so happened. however.
| that Just at this time their trade was In
| terfered with. The Spaniards were in
| possession OF Cape Horn. and the Portu-
| guese, stationed at the Cape OF Good
Hope, threatened those who would go by
| Southern Africa for cargoes OF spices and
| ornamental woods.
THE NORTHWEST PASSAGE.
This necessitated the discovery OF
new route. Many expeditions were sent
to make the search for the northwest
passage. These had failed. but about this
time many things were heard from the
Indians OF Il river whose head waters
were not many days march from the
Atlantic coast and whose course was to-
wards the West. This offered n new in
70 procppcfft-o cotflorc for cf,ch
a colony might be a sort Of supply sta
tion to such as were attempting the long
journey from England to the Indies Via
| the South sea. Since the decrease OF the
trade with India many English sailors
were without employment and often had
10 take service under foreign flags. II the
English could find and hold this new and
direct passage they could control this
valuable carrying trade, their ships need
no longer lilo idle at their wharves, their
sailors could work for home interests,
and a new lease of life would be given TO
their commerce.
But the prospect Of gold, and OF pos
sible passage TO India. were both second
airy in Importance when compared TO the
resources Of the new country itself.
Two circumstances made these re-
sources especially valuable. In the fret
population Of England was getting over
crowded. Those who tried TO be far
sighted feared the possible results Of so
many people in such a small place. IN
der these circumstances, as n famous
preacher Of the time said. IL seemed that
God had opened up Virginia as an asy-
| lum for this excess Of inhabitants.
Furthermore. England's trade with con-
tinental Europe had been much hamper
ed by export duties and presents de-
| manded by different powers. Many Of the
farmers began to turn their farms into
sheep pastures so as to raise wool for
the Dutch looms. These circumstances
had thrown many people out Of employ
ment, and II did seem that the settle
ment OF Virginia was the only thing that
| could bring prosperity TO the English ma
ton.
EYES ON AMERICA.
For the overplus OF her citizens NIGH
find there homes and fertile soil where
they could live prosperous, thrifty lives.
The farm laborers, thrown out OF en-
ployment at home. could find work there
in plenty All the products needed by
| England, and which it cost her so much
TO obtain from her neighbors. grew here
in abundance. IT was also hoped that the
Indians would imbibe with Christianity
love for the comforts and luxuries or
| civilization, and hence would become
| large purchasers Of English manufac'
| lures The English colonists would also
| need many things in exchange for the
tobacco and silks which they were ex-
| pected to raise. So. in all respects, the
new country once completely occupied
would be an advantage to England.
All these things contributed TO make
| popular the sentiment for colonization,
and it was interesting to notice how
many Of the predictions Of that day have
been filled through divers ways and means
they knew not Of.
For the explorers and settlers have won
for themselves an undying name. the
! glory OF England has far exceeded that
| OF Spain. California has furnished untold
| gold, and the fields and forests OF Anne
RIGA material for her factories. Cargoes
| Of English goods daily reach our shores.
| while the Panama end Pacific railroads
| have made passage by which we may
| reach the South sea, not. indeed. upon
| the restless waters. but upon rails or
| glittering steel. and. 10 crown all. God
! has snatched Virginia from the bosom OF
| savagery and idolatry and set II fash
| Ing gem in the diadem II Christianity
ESTABLISHMENT OF THE COLONY.
Mr.. ]. II. Parker, Of Portsmouth, was
next introduced, and, taking up the thread
OF history where his predecessor left off,
spoke of the establishment Of the colony.
Mr.. Parker said:
THE early part Of the seventeenth cen
tury was prominently d period of ad-
| venture and colonization A new world
| had been found that furnished food for
the imagination, and lent inspiration TO
the most prosaic mind. The paradise
of this newly discovered land was Nir-
ginia, named in 1884, in honor Of the
Queens unmarried condition. Although
the adventures Of Sir Humphrey Gilbert
and Sir Richard Grenville had been sadly
unsuccessful although the anxious Gov
ernor White had searched in vain for the
one hundred and seventeen colonists
whom he had left on Roanoke Island
and whose fate is one Of the mysteries
of history, yet all these Disbursements
did not destroy the desire Of colonizins
Virginia.
The scheme for settling this land was
entered into by worthy and energetic
gentlemen. Bartholomew Gosnold, assist
ed by such men as Sir Thomas Gates
Sir George Somers. John Smith. and
Richard Hockey. prebendary Of West
minister. matured the plan; and James
! ]. Of England drew up the royal charter
for the government OF the colony. on
April TO- 1906 this Oldest of American
charters, was ready. and the association
governing the colony was styled the Lon
don Company.