Among the various events recorded in the history of past ages, there are
few more interesting and important than the discovery of the western
world. By it a large field for adventures, and a new source of power,
opulence and grandeur, opened to European nations. To obtain a share of
the vast territories in the west became an object of ambition to many of
them; but for this purpose, the maritime and commercial states possessed
the greatest advantages. Having first discovered the country, with
facility they transported people to it, settled colonies there, and in
process of time shared among them the extensive wilderness.
[Sidenote] Most men pleased with the history of their ancestors.
All accounts relating to these settlements afford pleasure to curious and
ingenious minds, in what quarter of the globe soever they live; but to
the posterity of the first adventurers they must be peculiarly
acceptable. In the lives of our ancestors we become parties concerned;
and when we behold them braving the horrors of the desert, and
surmounting every difficulty from a burning climate, a thick forest, and
savage neighbours, we admire their courage, and are astonished at their
perseverance. We are pleased with every danger they escaped, and wish to
see even the most minute events, relating to the rise and progress of
their little communities, placed before us in the most full and
conspicuous light. The world has not yet been favoured with a particular
history of all these colonies: many events respecting some of them lie
buried in darkness and oblivion. As we have had an opportunity of
acquiring some knowledge of one of the most valuable and flourishing of
the British settlements in that quarter, we propose to present the world
with a particular, but imperfect, detail of its most memorable and
important transactions.
[Sidenote] A notion early entertained of territories in the west.
To pave the way for the execution of this design, it may not be improper
to cast our eyes backward on the earliest ages of European discoveries,
and take a slight view of the first and most distinguished adventurers to
the western world. This will serve to introduce future occurrences, and
contribute towards the easier illustration of them. Beyond doubt, a
notion was early entertained of territories lying to the westward of
Europe and Africa. Some of the Greek historians make mention of an
Atlantic island, large in extent, fertile in its soil, and full of
rivers. These historians assert, that the Tyrians and Carthaginians
discovered it, and sent a colony thither, but afterwards, from maxims of
policy, compelled their people to abandon the settlement. Whether this
was the largest of the Canary islands, as we may probably suppose, or
not, is a matter of little importance with respect to our present
purpose: it is enough that such a notion prevailed, and gained so much
credit as to be made the grounds of future inquiry and adventure.
With the use of the compass, about the close of the fifteenth century,
the great era of naval adventures commenced. Indeed the Tyrian fleet in
the service of Solomon had made what was then esteemed long voyages, and
a famous Carthaginian captain had sailed round Africa: the Portuguese
also were great adventurers by sea, and their discoveries in Africa
served to animate men of courage and enterprise to bolder undertakings:
but the invention of the compass proved the mariner's best guide, and
facilitated the improvements in navigation. Furnished with this new and
excellent instructor, the seaman forsook the dangerous shore and launched
out into the immense ocean in search of new regions, which, without it,
must long have remained unknown. Even such expeditions as proved
abortive, furnished observations and journals to succeeding navigators,
and every discovery made, gave life and encouragement to brave
adventurers.
[Sidenote] A project of Columbus for attempting a discovery.
About this period Christopher Columbus, a native of Genoa, appeared, who
was a man of great ingenuity, courage, and abilities, and had acquired
better notions of the globe, and greater skill in navigation, than any of
his cotemporaries. Imagining there might be territories in the west to
balance those in the east he directed all his views to that quarter, and
was eagerly bent on a voyage of discovery. He drew a plan for the
execution of his project, which, together with a map of the world, he
laid before his countrymen, shewing them what grandeur and advantage
would accrue to their state, should he prove successful. But the leading
men of the republic considered his project as wild and chimerical, and
shamefully treated him with neglect. Though mortified at this ill usage,
he nevertheless remained inflexible as to his purpose, and therefore
determined to visit the different courts of Europe, and offer his service
to that sovereign who should give him the greatest encouragement and
assistance.
While he resolved to go in person to France, Spain and Portugal, he sent
his brother Bartholomew to England; which nation had now seen an end of
her bloody civil wars, and begun to encourage trade and navigation. But
Bartholomew, in his passage, was unfortunately taken by pirates, and
robbed of all he had; and, to augment his distress, was seized with a
fever after his arrival, and reduced to great hardships. After his
recovery, he spent some time in drawing charts and maps, and selling
them, before he was in a condition to appear at court. At length, being
introduced to the king, he laid before him his brother's proposals for
sailing to the west on a voyage of discovery. King Henry, who was rather
a prudent manager of the public treasure, than an encourager of great
undertakings, as some historians say, rejected his proposals: but others
of equal credit affirm, that the king entered into an agreement with
Bartholomew, and sent him to invite his brother to England; and that the
nation in general were fond of the project, either from motives of mere
curiosity or prospects of commercial advantage.
[Sidenote] A. D. 1492.
[Sidenote] The discovery of Columbus.
In the mean time Columbus, after surmounting several discouragements and
difficulties, found employment in the service of Spain. Queen Isabella
agreed with him on his own terms, and went so far as to sell her jewels
in order to furnish him with every thing requisite for his intended
expedition. Accordingly he embarked in August 1492, and sailed from Palos
on one of the greatest enterprises ever undertaken by man. Steering
towards the west, through what was then deemed a boundless ocean, he
found abundance of scope for all the arts of navigation of which he was
possessed; and, after surmounting numberless difficulties, from a
mutinous crew and the length of the voyage, he discovered one of the
Bahama islands. Here he landed, and, after falling on his knees and
thanking God for his success, he erected the royal standard of Spain in
the western world, and returned to Europe.
[Sidenote] 1494.
[Sidenote] The discovery of John Cabot.
Upon his arrival in Spain, the fame of this bold adventurer and the
success of his voyage, quickly spread through Europe, and excited general
inquiry and admiration. John Cabot, a native of Venice, (at that time one
of the most flourishing commercial states of the world), resided at
Bristol in England, and, having heard of the territories in the west,
fitted out a ship at his own expence and steered to that quarter on a
voyage of discovery. Directing his course more to the northward, he was
equally successful, and, in the year 1494, discovered the island of
Newfoundland. He went ashore on another island, which he called St.
John's, because discovered on the festival of St. John the Baptist. Here
he found inhabitants clothed with skins, who made use of darts, bows and
arrows, and had the address to persuade some of them to sail with him to
England. On his return to Bristol he was knighted by the king, and
reported that the land appeared rocky and barren, but that the sea
abounded with fish of various kinds.
King Henry was no sooner made acquainted with the success of John Cabot,
than he gave an invitation to mariners of character and ability to enter
his service, for the purpose of attempting further discoveries. Cabot
declared, he doubted not to make discoveries for him equally honourable
and advantageous as those Columbus had made for Ferdinand and Isabella.
Accordingly, terms were proposed and agreed on between them. "Henry, in
the eleventh year of his reign, gave a commission to John Cabot and his
three sons, Sebastian, Lewis, and Sancius, and their heirs, allowing them
full power to sail to all countries and seas of the east, west, and
north, under English colours, with five ships of such burden and force as
they should think proper, and with as many mariners as they should chuse
to take on their own cost and charges, to seek out and discover all the
isles, countries, regions and provinces of heathens and infidels they
could find, which to all Christians before that time had remained
unknown." In these letters-patent though it appears that Henry granted
them a right to occupy and possess such lands and countries as they
should find and conquer, yet he laid them under an obligation to erect
the English standard in every place, and reserved to himself and his
heirs the dominion, title and jurisdiction of all the towns, castles,
isles and lands they should discover; so that whatever acquisitions they
should make, they would only occupy them as vassals of the crown of
England. And lest they should be inclined to go to some foreign port, he
expressly bound them to return to Bristol, and to pay him and his heirs
one fifth part of all the capital gains, after the expences of the voyage
were deducted: and, for their encouragement, he invested them with full
powers to exclude all English subjects, without their particular licence,
from visiting and frequenting the places they should discover.
[Sidenote] A. D. 1497.
[Sidenote] The discovery of Sebastian Cabot.
Soon after receiving this commission from the king, John Cabot died; and
his son Sebastian, who was also a skilful navigator, set sail in 1497,
with the express view of discovering a north-west passage to the eastern
spice islands. Directing his course by his father's journals to the same
point, he proceeded beyond the 67th degree of north latitude; and it is
affirmed, that he would have advanced farther, had not his crew turned
mutinous and ungovernable, and obliged him to return to the degree of
latitude 56. From thence, in a south-west course, he sailed along the
coast of the continent, as far as that part which was afterwards called
Florida, where he took his departure, and returned to England. Thus
England claims the honour of discovering the continent of North America,
and by those voyages of John and Sebastian Cabot, all that right and
title to this extensive region, founded on prior discovery, must be
vested in the crown of England.
[Sidenote] 1498. The discovery of Americus Vespuccius.
In the year following, Americus Vespuccius, a native of Florence, having
procured a commission, together with the charts of the celebrated
Columbus, sailed to the southern division of the western continent. In
this voyage he discovered a large country, and drew a kind of map of
those parts of it he visited. He also kept a journal, making several
useful remarks on the coast and inhabitants; which, on his return to
Europe, were published for general instruction. By this means he had the
good fortune to perpetuate his name, by giving it to the whole western
world. Posterior writers naturally following the same tract, and using
the same names found in the first performance, America by accident became
the denomination by which the western continent was distinguished, and
probably will be so through all succeeding ages.
[Sidenote] A.D. 1500. The discovery of Cabral.
Not long after this, Don Pedro Alvarez Cabral, admiral of the Portuguese
fleet, bound for the East Indies, was driven by a storm on the coast of
that country now called Brazil. There he found fine land, inhabited by
savages, of which he took possession in name of his king. This discovery
he deemed of great consequence, and therefore having put a native or two
of the new-found land on board, he sent Gasper Lamidas back to Portugal
with the news. He reported, at the same time, the gentle treatment he
received from the natives of the country, the excellent soil and
beautiful prospects it exhibited; and, upon his report, a settlement was
soon after made, which advanced by rapid degrees in riches and
population, and soon became the most valuable of the Portuguese
possessions.
[Sidenote] America inhabited.
This vast territory of America being now discovered by different nations,
in every place they found it inhabited by human creatures; but from what
country they derived their origin, or by what means they were conveyed to
this distant region, has been the subject of much speculation and
inquiry, not only in that, but also in every future period. History
claims not the province of peremptorily determining inquires, which can
have no better foundation than the probable opinions and uncertain
conjectures of ingenious men, and therefore must leave every man to adopt
such accounts as appear to him least absurd or liable to exception. Yet,
as the subject is curious, it may be amusing to some readers to present
them with the different conjectures respecting it, especially such as are
supported by late observations and discoveries.
[Sidenote] Various conjectures about the first population of America.
One person fancies that this country was peopled from Britain, and has
recourse to a romantic story of a Welsh historian in support of his wild
conjecture. This author gives an account of a discovery made in the year
1170, by Maddock, a younger son of Owen Guineth, prince of Wales. That
prince, observing his brethren engaged in civil war about the succession
to his father's throne, formed a resolution to abandon his country.
Having procured a ship, with plenty of necessaries for a long voyage, he
embarked, and sailed far to the westward of Ireland, where he discovered
a rich and fertile country, in which he resolved to establish a
settlement. With this view he returned to Wales, prepared ten sail of
ships, and transported a number of both sexes to this western territory.
Some men, who have been rather too zealous for proofs in confirmation of
this conjecture, have industriously traced, and flattered themselves with
having found a striking resemblance between several words in the native
language of some Indian nations and the old Welsh tongue.
Other authors are of opinion, that the American tribes are the
descendants of the ancient Phenicians and Carthaginians, who early formed
settlements on the coast of Barbary and the Canary islands. The Tyrians
and Carthaginians, beyond doubt, were a commercial people, and the first
who distinguished themselves by their knowledge in navigation. They built
ships which carried vast numbers of people. To plant a colony on the west
of Africa, Hanno, a Carthaginian captain, embarked in a fleet of sixty
ships, containing no fewer than thirty thousand persons, with implements
necessary for building and cultivation. While he sailed along the stormy
coast of Africa, it is not improbable that some of his ships might be
driven out of sight of the land. In this case, the mariners finding the
trade winds blowing constantly against them, might necessarily be obliged
to bear away before them, and so be wafted over to America. The
complexion of the inhabitants of the African islands resembled those
Columbus found in the West Indies: The bows, arrows, spears, and lances
of both were also nearly similar, only those of the latter were pointed
with flints and the bones of fishes: There were also some resemblance in
their religious rites and superstitions to those of the ancient
Carthaginians, which afford some presumptive evidences that they might
have derived their origin from nations where such arms were used, and
such superstition prevailed. That America might receive some of its first
inhabitants from the best and boldest navigators of the east, is a thing
neither impossible nor incredible; and, if this be acknowledged, they had
many hundred years to multiply and increase, before the period in which
Columbus visited them.
Other authors of considerable merit and ingenuity have contended, that
America was first peopled by Norwegians, and the northern countries of
Europe, formerly so populous and enterprising. They considered the route
by Iceland and Greenland, where the sea is covered with ice and snow, as
the most easy and practicable. They affirm, that colonies were planted in
Greenland, by adventurers from the north of Europe; that the north-west
coast of Greenland is removed at no great distance from America, and that
it is not improbable these two territories may, in places yet
undiscovered, be contiguous. In support of which conjecture, an affinity
between the language of the Esquimaux Indians and that of the
Greenlanders has been discovered by modern Danish travellers. It is
asserted, that they understand each other in their commercial
intercourses. Besides, so great is their likeness in features and
manners, in their boats and darts, that late geographers have not
scrupled to believe that the lands are united, as the inhabitants of both
sides so manifestly appear to be descended from the same nation.
Other writers, with greater probability and reason, suppose, that the
western continent must have received its first inhabitants from the
north-east parts of Asia and Europe. Some ancient Greek historians say,
that the Scythians, from whom the Tartars derived their origin, were all
painted from their infancy, and that they flayed the heads of their
enemies, and wore their scalps, by way of triumph, at the bridles of
their horses. Sophocles speaks of having the head shorn, and of wearing a
skull-cap, like the Scythians. These indeed bear a faint resemblance to
some customs of the Indian tribes in America; but late discoveries
furnish us with the best proofs in favour of this conjecture. Some
Russian adventurers, on the sea of Kamschatka, have discovered the coast
of America, and reported, that the distance between the two continents is
so small and inconsiderable, that a passage between them, at certain
seasons, is easy and practicable, and that, though it be yet uncertain,
it is by no means improbable that these two great territories are united.
It is remarkable, that the aspect, language, and manners of the people,
on each side of the narrow channel, are nearly similar; that the arms
they use for procuring subsistence are the same; that their boats and
method of fishing are exactly alike; that both make use of a wooden
instrument for procuring fire by friction; that neither attack their
enemies in the open field, but take all advantages of ensnaring them by
wiles and stratagem; and that the vanquished, when taken prisoners, are
tortured without mercy. These observations indicate a striking
resemblance between the Tartars and the savages of America. One thing is
certain, that emigrations to the western world by this narrow channel are
easier accounted for than by any other route, and it is to be hoped a few
years more will remove every difficulty attending this curious and
important inquiry.
Notwithstanding all these conjectures, various may have been the ways and
means of peopling this large continent. It is not improbable that several
nations may have contributed towards supplying it at different times with
inhabitants. The Scripture affirms, that all mankind originally sprung
from the same root, however now diversified in characters and
complexions. In the early ages of the world, as mankind multiplied they
dispersed, and occupied a greater extent of country. When thus divided,
for the sake of self-preservation and mutual defence, they would
naturally unite and form separate states. The eager desire of power and
dominion would prove the occasion of differences and quarrels, and the
weaker party or state would always be obliged to flee before the
stronger. Such differences would necessarily promote distant settlements,
and when navigation was introduced and improved, unforeseen accidents,
sea-storms, and unfortunate shipwrecks, would contribute to the general
dispersion. These, we may naturally suppose, would be the effects of
division and war in the earlier ages. Nor would time and higher degrees
of civilization prevent such consequences, or prove a sufficient remedy
against domestic discord and trouble. Ambition, tyranny, factions and
commotions of various kinds, in larger societies, would occasion
emigrations, and all the arts of navigation would be employed for the
relief and assistance of the distressed. So that if America was found
peopled in some measure nigh 5,500 years after the creation, it cannot be
deemed a thing more wonderful and unaccountable, than the population of
many eastern islands, especially those lying at a considerable distance
from the continents. The great Author of nature, who first framed the
world, still superintends and governs it; and as all things visible and
invisible are instruments in his hand, he can make them all conspire
towards promoting the designs of his providence, and has innumerable
methods, incomprehensible by us, of diffusing the knowledge of his name,
and the glory of his kingdom, throughout the spacious universe.
[Sidenote] The natural proprietors of the country.
Those scattered tribes of savages dispersed by Providence through the
American continent, occupied its extensive forests; and it must be
confessed, that no inhabitants of Europe, Africa or Asia could produce a
better title to their possessions. Their right was founded in nature and
Providence: it was the free and liberal gift of heaven to them, which no
foreigner could claim any pretension to invade. Their lands they held by
the first of all tenures, that of defending them with their lives.
However, charters were granted to European intruders, from kings who
claimed them on the foot of prior discovery; but neither the sovereigns
who granted away those lands, nor the patentees who accepted their
grants, and by fraud or force acquired possession, could plead any title
to them founded on natural right. Prior discovery might give foreigners a
kind of right to lands unoccupied, or possessions relinquished, but
neither of these was the case of the American territories. Nations who
lived by hunting like the savages in America, required a large extent of
territory; and though some had more, others less extensive districts to
which they laid claim, yet each tribe knew its particular division, and
the whole coast was occupied by them. Indeed, in a general view, the
whole earth may be called an inheritance common to mankind; but,
according to the laws and customs of particular nations, strangers who
encroach on their neighbours property, or attempt to take forcible
possession, have no reason to wonder if they obtain such property at the
risque of life. In justice and equity, Indian titles were the best ones;
and such European emigrants as obtained lands by the permission and
consent of the natives, or by fair and honourable purchase, could only be
said to have a just right to them.
In the centre of the continent the people, comparatively speaking, were
numerous and civilized; the tribes farther removed from it on each side
lived more dispersed, and consequently were more rude. Some historians
have represented them as naturally ferocious, cruel, treacherous and
revengeful; but no man ought to draw conclusions, with respect to their
original characters, from their conduct in later times, especially after
they have been hostilely invaded, injuriously driven from their natural
possessions, cruelly treated, and barbarously butchered by European
aggressors, who had no other method of colouring and vindicating their
own conduct, but that of blackening the characters of those poor natives.
To friends they are benevolent, peaceable, generous and hospitable: to
enemies they are the reverse. But we forbear entering minutely into this
subject at present, as we shall have occasion afterwards to make several
remarks on the character, manners and customs of these tribes. Just views
of them may indeed excite compassion; yet, for our instruction, they will
exhibit to us a genuine picture of human nature in its rudest and most
uncultivated state.
[Sidenote] Religious divisions the primary cause of emigrations to
the west.
With the revival of learning in Europe, towards the close of the
fifteenth century, a more free and liberal way of thinking, with respect
to religion, was introduced and encouraged, than had taken place during
many preceding ages. At this period several men of genius and courage
appeared, who discovered to the world the gross absurdity of many of the
tenets and practices of the Romish church; but were unwilling totally to
overturn her established jurisdiction and authority. At length Luther
boldly exposed her errors to public view, and the spirit of the age,
groaning under the papal yoke, applauded the undertaking. Multitudes, who
had long been oppressed, were ripe for a change, and well disposed for
favouring the progress of that reformation which he attempted and
introduced. By this means great commotions were excited throughout
Christendom, and thousands united and entered warmly into designs of
asserting their religious liberty. Hence a spirit of emigration arose and
men seemed bent on visiting the remotest regions of the earth, rather
than submit to spiritual oppression at home.
Instead of improving the discoveries made in America during the reign of
his father, Henry the eighth was busily engaged in gratifying the
cravings of licentious appetites, or in opposing by writings the progress
of the reformation. In his reign Sebastian Cabot, that eminent mariner,
finding himself shamefully neglected by the capricious and voluptuous
monarch, went over to Spain. There he got employment for several years,
and made some new and useful discoveries in America for the Spanish
nation. After the young Prince Edward ascended the English throne, the
enterprising merchants of Bristol invited Cabot to return to Britain; and
he, having a natural fondness for that city in which he was born, the
more readily accepted their invitation. King Edward, having heard of the
fame of this bold navigator, expressed a desire of seeing him; and
accordingly Cabot was sent for and introduced to the king by the Duke of
Somerset, at that time Lord protector of England. The king being highly
pleased with his conversation, kept him about court, and from him
received much instruction, both with respect to foreign parts, and the
ports and havens within his own dominions. In all affairs relating to
trade and navigation Cabot was consulted, and his judgment and skill
procured him general respect. A trade with Russia was projected, and a
company of merchants being incorporated for carrying it on, Sebastian
Cabot was made the first governor of the company. In 1549, being advanced
in years, the king, as a reward for his services, made him Grand Pilot of
England, to which office he annexed a pension of _L_. 166: 13: 4 _per
annum_, which Cabot held during his life, together with the favour of his
prince, and the friendship of the trading part of the nation.
When Mary, that cruel and inflexible bigot, succeeded to the throne,
domestic troubles and ecclesiastical persecution were so prevalent in
England, that commerce sunk into decay, and navigation was despised and
neglected. The spirit of murmur and discontent pervaded the country, and
multitudes wished for some foreign settlement, as an asylum against
domestic trouble and persecution; and, had they been sufficiently
acquainted with the western territories, would certainly have emigrated
to that quarter. After Elizabeth ascended the throne, the bloody scene of
violence closed, and national affairs took a more successful turn. During
her reign the reformation advanced to a peaceable establishment in
England, and commerce was encouraged and protected.
[Sidenote] Coligni's settlement in Florida.
In France the reformation met with greater obstacles, and was productive
of more serious and fatal consequences. It occasioned a civil war between
the Protestant and Catholic parties of that kingdom, which raged for
several years with great violence. During these domestic troubles, Jasper
de Coligni, one of the chief leaders of the Protestant army, formed a
project for carrying a colony to America. Forseeing the dangers to which
he and his followers would be exposed, should the cause in which they
were engaged prove unsuccessful, it is probable he intended this foreign
settlement as a retreat. Accordingly, having fitted out two ships, he
gave the command of them to Jean Ribaud, and sent him with a colony of
Protestants to America. Ribaud landed at the mouth of the river now
called Albemarle, which was then considered as part of Florida, where he
built a fort, for the security of himself and followers, and called the
country Carolina. By this time the Spaniards had incurred the
irreconcilable hatred and resentment of the Indian nations by their
cruelty and treachery in the heart of the continent. Ribaud found means
of acquainting the Indians that he was an enemy to the Spaniards, and of
consequence he was the more kindly received by them. He had the address
to engage their affections, insomuch that in a little time they became
fond of his alliance. But while the flames of war continued in France,
Coligni could find no leisure to send supplies to his infant colony, and
Ribaud was obliged to abandon the settlement. Great were the extremities
to which he was reduced in returning to Europe: one of his crew was
killed for subsistence to the rest, who had scarcely done eating him,
when an English vessel providentially appeared, took the emaciated crew
on board, and carried them to England.
[Sidenote] Extirpated by Spaniard.
Mean while, a peace being patched up between the Papists and Protestants
in France, Admiral Coligni, who was seemingly received into favour by
that political court, fitted out three ships, loaded them with provisions
and arms, and sent them to Carolina. Rene Laudoner to whom he had given
the command, embarked with a number of adventurers. On his arrival he
found the spot Ribaud had relinquished; but despaired of being able to
keep possession of it without regular supplies. When he found his
provisions beginning to fail, he had formed resolutions of returning to
Europe. While he was making preparations to embark, Ribaud fortunately
arrived with seven ships, a large supply of necessaries, and a
considerable body of settlers. This animated them to enter with greater
vigour on clearing and cultivating lands, and making provision for their
future subsistence. The Indians rejoiced at Ribaud's return, and waited
on him with their assurances of friendship. But while this French colony
were beginning to flatter themselves with some faint hopes of success,
Peter Melandez, who pretended a right to the whole territory, came
against them with an armed force, killed Ribaud and seven hundred of his
men, and compelled the remainder to return to France. M. de Gorgues, a
Gascoon, afterwards, to avenge the disaster of his countrymen, dislodged
Melandez, but made no attempt toward planting a colony in that quarter.
This extensive country remained a wilderness until the reign of Charles
the second of England. To keep possession, the Spaniards supported a
small garrison at Augustine, on the most barren spot of the whole
territory, upon which, together with the discovery of Ponce de Leon, they
ever after founded their claim to all the southern parts of North
America.
[Sidenote] A traffic in negroes.
About the same time a traffic in the human species, called Negroes, was
introduced into England; which is one of the most odious and unnatural
branches of trade the sordid and avaricious mind of mortals ever
invented. It had indeed been carried on before this period by Genoese
traders, who bought a patent from Charles the fifth, containing an
exclusive right of carrying Negroes from the Portuguese settlements in
Africa, to America and the West Indies; but the English nation had not
yet engaged in the iniquitous traffic. As it has since been deeply
concerned in it, and as the province, the transactions of which I
narrate, owes its improvements almost entirely to this hardy race of
labourers, it may not be improper here to give some account of the origin
and first inventor of this trade.
William Hawkins, an expert English seaman, having made several voyages to
the coast of Guinea, and from thence to Brazil and the West Indies, had
acquired considerable knowledge of the countries. At his death he left
his journals with his son John Hawkins, in which he described the lands
of America and the West Indies to be exceedingly rich and fertile, but
utterly neglected for want of hands to improve them. He represented the
natives of Europe as unequal to the task in such a scorching climate; but
those of Africa as well adapted to undergo the labours requisite. Upon
which John Hawkins immediately formed a design of transporting Africans
into the western world; and having drawn a plan for the execution of it,
he laid it before some of his opulent neighbours for encouragement and
approbation. To them it appeared promising and advantageous. A
subscription was opened, and speedily filled up, by Sir Lionel Ducket,
Sir Thomas Lodge, Sir William Winter and others, who plainly perceived
the vast profits that would result from such a trade. Accordingly three
ships were fitted out, and manned by an hundred select sailors, whom
Hawkins encouraged to go with him by promises of good treatment and great
pay. In the year 1562 he set sail for Africa, and in a few weeks arrived
at the country now called Sierra Leona, where be began his commerce with
the negroes. While he trafficked with them, he found some means of giving
them a charming description of the country to which he was bound; the
unsuspicious Africans listened to him with apparent joy and satisfaction,
and seemed remarkably fond of his European trinkets, food and clothes. He
pointed out to them the barrenness of the country, and their naked and
wretched condition, and promised, if any of them were weary of their
miserable circumstances, and would go along with him, he would carry them
to a plentiful land, where they should live happy, and receive an
abundant recompense for their labours. He told them, that the country was
inhabited by such men as himself and his jovial companions, and assured
them of kind usage and great friendship. In short, the negroes were
overcome by his flattering promises, and three hundred stout fellows
accepted his offer, and consented to embark along with him. Every thing
being settled on the most amicable terms between them, Hawkins made
preparations for his voyage. But in the night before his departure, his
negroes were attacked by a large body from a different quarter; Hawkins,
being alarmed with the shrieks and cries of dying persons, ordered his
men to the assistance of his slaves, and having surrounded the
assailants, carried a number of them on board as prisoners of war. The
next day he set sail for Hispaniola with his cargo of human creatures;
but, during the passage, treated the prisoners of war in a different
manner from his volunteers. Upon his arrival he disposed of his cargo to
great advantage; and endeavoured to inculcate on the Spaniards who bought
the negroes the same distinction he observed: but they, having purchased
all at the same rate, considered them as slaves of the same condition,
and consequently treated all alike.
When Hawkins returned to England with pearls, hides, sugar and ginger,
which he had received in exchange for his slaves, multitudes flocked
after him, to inquire into the nature, and learn the success of the new
and extraordinary branch of trade. At first the nation was shocked at the
unnatural trade of dealing in human flesh, and bartering the commodities
and trinkets of Europe for the rational race of Africa. The queen, though
a patroness of commerce, was doubtful of the justice and humanity of this
new branch, it appearing to her equally barbarous as uncommon, and
therefore sent for Hawkins to inquire into his method of conducting it.
Hawkins told her, that he considered it as an act of humanity to carry
men from a worse condition to a better, from a state of wild barbarism to
another where they might share the blessings of civil society and
Christianity; from poverty, nakedness and want to plenty and felicity. He
assured her, that in no expedition where he had the command should any
Africans be carried away without their own free will and consent except
such captives as were taken in war and doomed to death; that he had no
scruple about the justice of bringing human creatures from that barren
wilderness, to a condition where they might be both happy themselves and
beneficial to the world. Indeed it would appear that Hawkins had no idea
of perpetual slavery, but expected they would be treated as free
servants, after they had by their labours brought their masters an
equivalent for the expence of their purchase. Queen Elizabeth seemed
satisfied with his account, and dismissed him, by declaring, that while
he and his owners acted with humanity and justice, they should have her
countenance and protection.
Soon after Hawkins made preparations for a second voyage, in which the
Queen offered him a ship of war for his assistance and protection. But he
declined accepting her offer, by telling her Majesty, that the profits of
the trade would answer for all the risque and expences attending it. In
his passage, however, he fell in with the Minion man of war, which
accompanied him to the coast of Africa. After his arrival he began as
formerly to traffic with the negroes, endeavouring by persuasion and the
prospects of reward to induce them to go along with him. But now they
were more reserved and jealous of his designs, and as none of their
neighbours had returned, they were apprehensive he had killed and eat
them. The crew of the man of war observing the Africans backward and
suspicious, began to laugh at his gentle and dilatory methods of
proceeding, and proposed having immediate recourse to force and
compulsion. The sailors belonging to his own fleet joined those of the
man of war, and applauded the proposal. But Hawkins considered it as
cruel and unjust, and tried by persuasion, promises and threats to
prevail on them to desist from a purpose so unwarrantable and barbarous.
In vain did he urge his authority and instructions from the Queen: the
bold and headstrong sailors would hear of no restraints. Drunkenness and
avarice are deaf to the voice of humanity. They pursue their violent
design, and, after several unsuccessful attacks, in which many of them
lost their lives, the cargo was at length compleated by barbarity and
force.
[Sidenote] Reflections on it.
Hence arose that horrid and inhuman practice of dragging Africans into
slavery; which has since been so pursued, in defiance of every principle
of justice and religion: Though Hawkins was the first Englishman who
engaged in this traffic, so repugnant to the spirit of the English
constitution; though he made use of such fraudulent arts even in his
first method of conducting it, as few men can have the assurance to
vindicate; yet, as he was a man of prudence and humanity, he is no ways
chargeable with those diabolical abuses which have since crept into this
trade. Had men continued to conduct it according to his plan and
proposal, and hands been transported by their voluntary consent to labour
in burning climates, where Europeans are disqualified by nature for the
task; had the Spaniards allowed them the common privileges of servants,
after they had cleared the charges they cost them; had negroes been
bought from the flames, to which in some countries they were devoted on
their falling prisoners of war, and in others sacrificed at the funeral
obsequies of the great and powerful among themselves; in short, had they
been by this traffic delivered from torture or death, European merchants
might have some excuse to plead in its vindication. But, according to the
common mode in which it has been conducted, we must confess it a
difficult matter to conceive a single argument in its defence. It is
contrary to all laws of nature and nations to entice, inveigle and compel
such multitudes of human creatures, who never injured us, from their
native land, and dispose of them like flocks of sheep and cattle to the
highest bidder; and, what compleats the cruelty and injustice of the
traffic, to consign them over to ignorance, barbarism, and perpetual
slavery. After this, where will insatiable avarice stop? As a free and
independent people, they had unquestionably an equal right to make slaves
of the inhabitants of Europe. Nature has given the people of the one
continent no superiority over those of the other; the advantages of
Europeans were the effects only of art and improvement. And though policy
has given countenance and sanction to the trade, yet every candid and
impartial man must confess, that it is atrocious and unjustifiable in
every light in which it can be viewed, and turns merchants into a band of
robbers, and trade into atrocious acts of fraud and violence.
[Sidenote] A.D. 1584. Virginia settled.
We shall now return to those naval adventurers, whose object was the
establishment of colonies in America. About the year 1584, Sir Walter
Raleigh, an able statesman and gallant officer, formed a project for
planting an English colony in America. His penetrating genius easily
discerned the great advantages which would accrue from a successful
foreign settlement. He applied to the Queen, and having obtained from her
letters-patent, immediately began to carry into execution what his
ingenuity had projected. He fitted out two vessels, and gave the command
of them to Philip Amidas and Arthur Barlow, and sent them to America.
They landed at the island Roanock, and took possession of the country in
the name of the Queen of England, and Sir Walter called it Virginia, in
honour of his virgin Queen. The favourable report made by these two
mariners, encouraged Sir Walter to pursue his design with resolution.
Great minds are fond of new schemes and grand enterprizes, but it
commonly falls to posterity to reap the advantages resulting from them.
Sir Richard Grenville, one of Sir Walter's intimate companions,
afterwards visited this country, and left one hundred and eight men in it
to keep possession of the territory. But they running short of
provisions, and having no source of supply, were reduced to great
straits. Happily for them, admiral Drake, who had been sent with a fleet
to Spanish America in search of treasure, had instructions to touch at
Virginia in his return to England. On his arrival he found the infant
colony in great distress, and at their request carried them back to
England.
Some years afterwards another attempt was made, and fifty men were left
to begin a settlement. Whether these suffered death by hunger, or the
hands of savages, is uncertain; but, on the arrival of another
embarkation, none of the fifty could be found. They observed the word
Croatan marked on some trees, from which the conjectured that the colony
had moved to a place called by that name, and left this as a mark to
conduct their friends to it. But a storm afterwords arising, these
adventurers were driven out to sea, and, without finding their
unfortunate countrymen, returned to England.
From this period till the year 1606 Virginia was left without an
inhabitant, except its original savages. In the mean time, Sir Walter
Raleigh, having incurred the displeasure of the king and the jealousy of
the court, fell a sacrifice to the malice and power of his enemies.
However, some merchants of London and Bristol kept trading to the western
world, and bartered beads, knives, hatchets and coarse cloths for the
skins and furs which the Indians brought them. The immense profits
arising from this commerce encouraged them to enlarge it. For this
purpose two companies were incorporated for trading to America and
establishing settlements in it, the one was called the Virginia Company,
the other the Plymouth Adventurers. King James granted them all the
territory which lies between the 34th and 45th degrees of north
latitude. The former of these corporations laid the foundation of
James-Town in Virginia, which was the first British settlement in America
which proved permanent and successful. So after Sir Walter Raleigh had
projected and spent forty thousand pounds, in vain attempts to establish
a colony in this quarter, this company reaped the first advantages of his
enterprising spirit and great design.
[Sidenote] Its progress.
However, for many years, finall and inconsiderable was the progress of
this distant settlement. Their object was rather Indian trade than
cultivation, till Lord Delawar was appointed governor of the colony.
After his arrival in Virginia, he turned the attention of the settlers to
industry and application. From the rivers which abounded with fish, and
the woods with game, he taught them the arts of procuring a plentiful
supply of provision. He showed them the profitability of chastising those
Indian tribes who presumed to harass the colony, pointed out the methods
of defence in the woods, and by his example inspired them with revolution
and perseverance. At length, having by his zeal and indefatigable labours
brought the colony to a growing and hopeful condition, at the risque of
his own health, he appointed his son deputy-governor, and returned to
England.
By this time several men of opulence and distinction in England had begun
to form the most sanguine hopes with respect to this settlement, and
united in a plan for carrying inhabitants to it. Sir Thomas Yates and Sir
George Somers embarked with 500 men for Virginia: the latter being driven
by a storm within sight of the island called Bermuda, formed a design of
settling it. This embarkation proved a great acquisition to the colony in
Virginia. On their arrival the colonists began to think themselves
strong, and therefore, not content with the lands about James-Town, they
forced their way up the large rivers, and made bold excursions into the
country, in search of the most convenient and fertile spots of ground.
The wisdom of their governor was no less conspicuous in the division of
property, than in the distribution of justice. His tenderness and
indulgences set the springs of industry in motion, which spread through
the settlement, and excited a spirit of emulation with respect to the
culture of lands. By degrees little spots were cleared and planted, which
rewarded the diligent, and the country began to make some feeble advances
towards improvement. In proportion as the colony multiplied, the
inhabitants spread themselves through the country, yet abundance of land
still remained for additional numbers, with which it might in time be
augmented.
[Sidenote] Disturbances in England promote foreign settlements.
During the reign of the family of Stuart, a series of weak and oppressive
measures, pursued in England, occasioned domestic troubles and discontent
to the nation, and contributed greatly to promote American settlements.
James the first, surrounded by a crowd of flatterers, began to entertain
high ideas of his power and prerogative, to inculcate the extravagant
doctrines of divine indefeasible right, passive obedience, and
non-resistance, on a people whom he was ill qualified to govern, and who
had conceived an irreconcilable aversion from such political principles.
The consequence was, he lost by his weakness and pedantry the affections
of the nation, yet his reign is memorable for giving rise to many foreign
settlements. From him the East-India Company received a new patent, which
encouraged the corporation to enlarge their stock, and to fit out a
greater number of ships for that trade. In his reign Barbadoes was
settled by an association of noblemen, of whom the Earl of Pembroke was
the chief. And though it afterwards changed its master, and fell into the
hands of the Earl of Carlisle, yet it prospered from its first
population, and soon became a rich and flourishing island. St.
Christophers may also date its origin from the close of this king's
reign. The Plymouth Adventurers, who had carried a colony to New-England,
at different times added numbers to it, and, notwithstanding every
difficulty, it grew and prospered. Sir William Alexander received a grant
of that territory now called Nova Scotia from the same king, but never
made and serious attempts towards settling it.
During the succeeding reign several thousands emigrated to the western
continent. Both the King and Queen were attached to the Popish religion,
which vast multitudes of the nation abhorred. This served to alienate the
people's affections not a little from the royal family; but the
tyrannical and oppressive regulations established by the rulers of the
church, doubled the distress of the people, and served to complete their
disaffection to their native country. The Puritans, so called for their
taking, or affecting to take, the pure and simple word of God for the
rule of their faith and practice, regardless of ecclesiastical authority
and institutions, were a numerous party in the nation. These people had
begun their struggles for religious liberty, and as they afterwords
occasioned such commotions in England, a general sketch of their
character, and the rise and progress of their party, may not perhaps be
unacceptable.
[Sidenote] New England peopled by Puritans.
From the great aera of the Reformation the English nation had been
distracted with religious disputes, and divided into contending parties.
One part of the people adhered to the old superstitious system of the
Romish church, and strictly observed all the absurd tenets and practices
of that establishment. Another party, of which the church of England was
composed, seceded several steps from popery, but maintained the hierarchy
in its full power and authority. The third sect were Puritans, who had
imbibed such high notions of civil and religious liberty, as struck at
the foundation of both hierarchy and monarchy. On all occasions they
discovered a strong tendency towards a republican form of government and
an irreconcileable aversion towards the whole fabric of the Episcopalian
church. This party, during the two preceding reigns being chiefly
composed of the dregs of the people, were regarded as of little
consequence, and treated with supercilious contempt by the
administration. But in the reign of King Charles the first they had
amazingly increased, and many men of opulence and distinction had joined
them, from motives of discontent or ambition, or from a passion for
singularity and popular applause. When the religious disputes became warm
in the nation, the zeal of this party broke out, and burned with such
amazing ardour that it levelled all distinctions. To increase the
confusion, Archbishop Laud insisted on conformity, and persecuted all who
refused obedience to his mandates with the utmost rigour. But
persecution, for the most part, proves destructive to the cause it is
intended to promote. The miseries the Puritans endured, and their
firmness and perseverance in the midst of sufferings, contributed to give
them that merit and importance in the eyes of the nation, which otherwise
perhaps they had never attained. Their sober and rigid manner of life,
the plainness of dress which they affected, and the strong tendency they
shewed towards religion in all their words and actions, had great weight
with the vulgar and credulous part, and induced them to entertain high
notions of their sanctity, and to venerate them as the peculiar people of
God. Their number increased and became formidable. Many men of rank,
disgusted at the measures of court, and apprehensive that the liberties
of the nation were in danger, turned zealous republicans, and seemed to
aim at a total subversion of the constitution, both in church and state.
The King, though a well-wisher to religion, hated the principles of the
Puritans, and considered them as dangerous and deceitful. Those
enthusiasts, on the other hand, were determined to endure the severest
persecutions, rather than admit the common prayer, organs, and surplices
into their worship, and conform to the popish ceremony of kneeling at the
sacrament. In short, the dispute about trifling ceremonies became serious
on both sides, and augured no good to the nation. Dr. Laud, observing not
only the laity but the clergy also infected with puritanical principles,
deprived many of their livings, merely for not conforming to all the
ceremonies of the church. During these troubles many fled to New England;
and others caused houses to be built and lands cleared for them, with a
view of retiring there, should their contention for religious freedom in
England prove unsuccessful. In vain did Dr. Laud obtain an order of court
to put a stop to emigration. There was not a corner of the globe to which
these people would not flee, rather than conform to ceremonies which they
thought savoured of popery and idolatry, and endangered their salvation.
To these disturbances New-England owed its population. Enthusiasm has
often stimulated men to bold and arduous undertakings, and animated them
to perseverance amidst great difficulties. Of this truth the first
emigrants to New-England afford us a striking example. They seemed to bid
defiance to the hardships to which they were exposed, having what they
valued most of any thing in the world, I mean, liberty of conscience.
Amidst cold, hunger, toil, disease, and distress of every kind, they
comforted themselves with the thoughts of being removed far out of the
reach of tyrants, and triumphed in their deliverance from an idolatrous
and wicked nation. Neither the hideous gloom of the thick forest, nor the
ravages and depredations of savage neighbours, appeared to them so
grievous and intolerable as conformity to the that of England, and an
implicit obedience to civil authority.
[Sidenote] Who turn persecutors.
It might reasonably have been expected, that those emigrants who made
New-England their asylum from what they deemed civil tyranny and
ecclesiastical persecution, would have guarded against every degree of
oppression and persecution in that form of government they were about to
establish among themselves. This, however, was far from being the case.
Some of their first laws favour of a degree of persecution and
intolerance unknown in the most despotic governments of Europe; and those
who fled from persecution became the most bitter persecutors. Those who
were found dancing or drunk were ordered to be publicly whipped, in order
to deter others from such practices. The custom of wearing long hair was
deemed immodest, impious and abominable. All who were guilty of swearing
rashly, might purchase an exemption from punishment for a schilling; but
those who should transgress the fourth commandment were to be condemned
to banishment, and such as should worship images, to death. Children were
to be punished with death, for cursing or striking their father or
mother. Marriages were to be solemnized by magistrates; and all who
denied the coercive authority of the magistrate in religious matters, or
the validity of infant baptism, were to be banished. Blasphemy, perjury,
adultery, and witchcraft, were all made capital offences. In short, we
may challenge the annals of any nation to produce a code of laws more
intolerant than that of the first settlers in New-England. Unlimited
obedience was enjoined to the authority of the magistrate, by the same
men who had refused such submission in England, and fled from their
native country because it was demanded. Thus, however incredible it may
appear, blind fanatics became public legislators, and those who were
unable to endure tyranny in England, became the most insupportable
tyrants in America.
This oppressive rigour of their first laws was soon heavily felt by many,
but especially by that peaceable society of people called Quakers. Some
of this sect, who had been banished on account of their religion, out of
mere zeal for making proselytes, returned to the country. They were
instantly seized by those oppressors, condemned and hanged, to prevent
the clandestine incursions of others. Those who had the misfortune to be
taken with convulsions, or any disorder to which vulgar ignorance was a
stranger, were accused of witchcraft, and condemned to death. No age nor
sex were secure from such suspicions, when ignorance, malice and phrenzy
joined in framing accusations, and selecting victims at pleasure. Dreams,
apparitions and tortures were all employed as evidences against persons
accused, and served to increase the number of horrid executions. The
clergy were often accused, and sometimes the judges themselves. The jails
were filled with infants, old men and women, the people were distracted
with gloomy apprehensions, and the country was stained with innocent
blood. At last the popular phrenzy began to subside, and gave way to
painful remorse. The eyes of the blinded fanatics were opened, so as to
discern their guilt; and a general fast was appointed to implore the
pardon and mercy of God for their enormous crimes and horrible delusions.
[Sidenote] Divide into different governments.
This colony, which was planted by oppression, in process of time owed its
extension to the same cause, Dissenters, who all claim an equal right to
liberty in religion, with respect to private judgment and opinion, were
not likely to remain long in harmony and peace among themselves. Though
they reprobated the doctrine of uniformity in England, yet they became
the most bigoted sticklers for it in their new settlement. The tenets of
others, who differed from their mode of worship, were condemned without
scruple or hesitation, insomuch that the oppression from which they fled
in Britain was like gentle toleration, when compared with that to which
they subjected their fellow-refugees. Hence various sectaries arose in
their settlement, who claimed the same right to dissent from them, which
they formerly did from the church of England. But their claim was
rejected, and of consequence a persecution for conscience sake commenced
among that people, who had become separatists in defence of universal
toleration. However, these sprigs, torn by violence from the old root,
had the same resource left; they separated, and planted themselves in a
new soil, and spread their branches over the country. Hence different
governments took their origin, and different colonies were settled, by
persons who were denied religious freedom, and the right of private
judgment, in Massachuset's bay.
[Sidenote] A colony planted in Maryland.
From the same source, I mean, a division in England, another colony of
catholics took its rise. The king not only lost the affections of his
Protestant subjects, but was also obliged to give the Roman catholics up
to the rigour of those laws enacted against them in the preceding reigns.
Lord Baltimore therefore resolved to leave England, and settle a colony
on lands which had been granted to his father a few years before his
death. This territory he called Maryland, in honour of the queen, who
gave him all the assistance in her power towards forwarding the
settlement.
[Sidenote] General remarks on colonization.
From the establishment and progress of these foreign settlements, and the
spirit of emigration which prevailed in England, discerning men early
foreboded ill consequences to the mother country. They were no strangers
to the troubles which the colonies of Greece and Rome occasioned those
ancient republics. Such vast territories as America contained, opened a
boundless field for the encouragement of emigration, and every addition
which these colonies received from Britain was prejudicial to her
interest, as it served to weaken her, in proportion as it strengthened
them. The riches of every country unquestionably depend on the number of
its industrious inhabitants. America could furnish employment for
innumerable hands, and emigrations from the mother country would in
process of time dry up the sources of her wealth and power. England,
though populous, could spare none, without prejudice to herself, but such
as had either no employment at home, or no inclination to labour: for all
industrious men serve to enrich their country, and whatever they earn by
their labour, be it more or less, so much doth the nation profit by them.
It is true, a number of idle and indolent people, like voracious drones
in the hive, are a burden to every community. Such indeed might be spared
for the purpose of colonization, without any detriment to the parent
state; but every diligent and honest labourer that emigrates from his
native country, helps to depopulate, and of course to impoverish it.
Had England at that time been too populous for its extent, or incapable
of employing and maintaining its inhabitants, in that case, her planting
foreign colonies might have served the purpose of public utility, and
given relief from domestic hardship, just as bees send off their young
swarms without injuring the industrious hive. Britain, no doubt, might
reap some advantages from her foreign plantations, especially such of
them as are situated in a different climate, and produce such commodities
as luxury obliged her to purchase from strangers; and while she
maintained her supreme jurisdiction over them, she could bind them by
laws to continue her customers for taking off her manufactures, and so
extend her commerce and navigation. By such policy she might make the
wealth of her laborious colonies center in herself, and add greatly to
her opulence and power. In every other case, numerous and extensive
foreign settlements must prove hurtful, if not troublesome and dangerous:
for while they are draining her of her useful inhabitants, they are
growing on her ruins; and if they turn not headstrong and ungovernable,
they will at least oblige her to keep a much larger army and fleet than
otherways she would have any occasion for, and double her expence for
their protection.
From Charles the first Sir Robert Heath obtained a grant for an immense
territory lying to the southward of Virginia, which is now divided into
several distinct provinces, but made no settlement on it. Excepting a
small garison the Spaniards supported at Augustine, this country remained
a rude wilderness, the habitation of savages and wild beasts, till the
restoration. Soon after that important event several leading men of the
nation, actuated by a pious and laudable zeal for the propagation of the
Gospel, associated, and formed a design of settling it at their own
expence. To give an account of the rise and progress of this settlement,
especially of that division now called SOUTH CAROLINA, shall be our
business in the following pages of this history.