The guardian., 1955-12-03


of Empire to grind. The Salem
Settlers served that purpose,
and so were Liberated out of
the Frying Pan into the Fire.
Historians make a Big
Deal about the Enforced
independence Of the COL
Onists and the Largesse of
the British Royal Family.
1t is not likely that the
COlOnists stood up and
cheered on either count.
The lot of an Axe Grind
ing Emory Wheel is not
a happy one!
While the Private Enter
prisers were interested only in
profits, and had no scruples
about the color thereof, the
Politicians were Just as mer-
cenary and ruthless about ac-
quiring Power. The Colonists
got the worse of two evils.
They couldn't win!
Trading Post Profits in areas
where the pickings are slim
involves keeping peace with
the neighbors while exploiting
them and the country. This
is living dangerously, but life
as a political pawn is more
hazardous. Peace is out Of the
question:
Although this neck of
woods had little to create
a stir on foreign markets,
working for the Private
Enterprisers was not with
out advantages. The area
was so barren that Visit
ing Indians and French
gave it a wide berth and
competitive peace. Life
was hard, but simple!
The British Crown had a
Power Angle in wanting to
keep the Colony alive. EN-
pireS are not expanded by
living in peace with the neigh
bors, but by warning on them.
The Colony was thus con-
secrated to expanding the
Westward Course of Empire
The Salem Settlers were
considered expendabIe
cannOn-fOdder. Irritation
became a way of life. The
SO-called British Lend
Lease, which Mr.. Hatch
mentions, was anything
but bountifuI. 1t was no
better than begrudged
Starvation Rations for a
shaky Frantier Outpost.
OBVIOUSLY, the Colonists
had to be kept alive for rea-
sons of military strategy, but
not so much alive as to be-
come peaceful and content.
An unhappy and Warlike Buff
Ter Settlement was required
o serve the purpose Of an
expanding British Empire.
Far from being encouraged
20 build a better world for
themselves and their child
zen, the Salem Settlers were
orbidden to do so. They were
lept hungry and irritable, and
heir neighborS fearful and
hostile. This was q Cold War!
Legitimate in ustry,
trade, and commerce were
SO restricted with political
red-tape as to be virtually
existent for many
years. Everything possible
was imported from Bri-
tain, and nothing remotely
was exported to Britain.
The People were Patsies!
Prices and profits were
geared to the advantage of
The Mother" country, and
amounted to whatever the
traffic would bear. The Colon
lists were allowed to do little
for themselves except fight,
Starve, and pay taxesl
Under the circumstances. 1t
is not surprising that Colonial
adyenturing consist
ed largely Of Smuggling, Pir-
acy, Privateering, and the
Slave Trade. Of these hobbies.
the latter, which began with
New Guinea in 1645, was the
most Profitable.
Manufacture for export or
trade with other British Col
onies was frowned on in some
instances and forbidden in the
others. The means of manu-
tacture were embargoed by a
British Iron Curtain around
the Colony. Local commerce
was handicapped by lack of
coinage or coinage facilities.
The British Government
was a harsh Master, but
so were all the other EN-
pire-seeking countries of
the period. COlonizers
were, and are, mainly in
terested in wealth and
power. 1t was, and is, con-
sidered bad politics to let
Colony become even re-
mOtely self-sufficient.
Massachusetts Settlers were