be met by the example of the East India Company, and asked if I apply this reasoning to their case. My answer is two-fold-first, I certainly do so apply the reasoning, and can, out of the story of British India, fearfully prove its accuracy; but, secondly, the East India Company have never been colonizers. They were first merchants,

then conquerors and rulers. They had a country densely peopled to rule over, and that dense population were in a state of civilization very unlike and very inferior to that of England. But what I am now speaking of is a colonizing company, and of subject colonists having the habits, feelings, intelligence, and capacity of the people of England; and my assertion is, that a mercantile company is wholly unfit to exercise legislative and administrative functions over such a body of colonists; and that, in the first instance, such a company would be a mischievous instrument if employed to plant a colony; and in the next, if employed as an instrument to rule over it, when with difficulty and danger it has struggled into life, the evil will be increased ten-fold; and these assertions, I assert, are remarkably borne out, not only by the history of Virginia, but by the history of every one of the proprietary governments established in America. Some of those governments were far superior to others; but the worst of all were those which took the form of chartered companies of mercantile adventurers ruling the colony from England.* I now proceed, however, with my historical illustrations.

* In a subsequent part of this work I shall endeavour to explain in what way a company may be of use in the work of colonizing.

For a time, martial law was established in Virginia. This system of coercion did not improve the condition of the colonists. Then it was thought that probably mild measures might be more successful, and Mr. George Yeardley, who had previously been deputy-governor, was appointed governor a mild and benevolent person, though not distinguished by any great ability. Under his rule, great political changes occurred. In the early days of the settlement many mistakes were naturally made in the various modes of cultivation adopted. Vineyards were planted. The colonists attempted to make soap, and glass, and tar, and ashes; but were unable to compete with the people in the north of Europe in the production of these things. The sect of gold-finders died out about 1615. At length, tobacco was discovered, and the fortunes of Virginia improved; but with improvement came a desire on the part of the colonists for the power of managing their own concerns. The martial law did not suit the convenience of Englishmen, and successful Englishmen were not likely to submit to such a rule without a struggle. With Yeardley, under the direction of the London Company, a council was associated, and shared his authority; and he, without any direction, but of his own motion, conferred on the colonists a share in the government. This circumstance is memorable, as the first step taken on the American continent towards the establishment of a popular rule—the rule that, over every part of the vast territories which the English race has occupied on that quarter of the earth, is now firmly established. The experiment which, at the present moment, those young

communities are making in the science and art of government is of the highest interest to the whole of mankind. We are, indeed, living in times when all appears prosperous with respect to it. In the early days, however, of which we are now speaking, there were doubt, and resistance, and fear. The beginnings of so extraordinary a trial and result cannot fail to interest. every reflecting mind.

In June, 1619, the first colonial assembly met in Jamestown, Virginia. This consisted of the governor and his council, and two representatives from each of the eleven boroughs then established, which representatives were called burgesses. The adoption of this popular portion of the government marks the predominant feelings of the time; and though Yeardley's sanction was necessary, the proposal to elect burgesses evidently came from the colonists themselves. In this assembly all matters were debated appertaining to the colony. Their laws, however, required to be formally ratified by the company in England.* The consequence of this change was immediately apparent. They fell to building houses and planting corn, and fearlessly resolved to perpetuate the colony."

66

The next circumstance to which the historian refers

* Bancroft, vol. i. p. 153. I may say at once, that I shall quote Mr. Bancroft throughout, when referring to this early history of America. He most carefully adduces his authorities, and is conscientious in the use of them. A safer guide could not be found. The history of Virginia is a curious chapter in the history of England, and illustrates the latter in a remarkable manner. Mr. Bancroft does not state whether the burgesses sat apart from the council, or whether they assembled in one chamber.

D

is of the highest interest, and tends to show that all the great questions respecting the planting of colonies were discussed carefully by the sagacious men who then founded ours, and who have left us little to discover in the so-called " art of colonization." I will quote again, in this instance, the words of Mr. Bancroft. The subject is of primary importance, and deserves to be supported by the most weighty authority:

"The patriot party in England now possessed the control of the London company, engaged with earnestness in schemes to advance the population and establish the liberties of Virginia; and Sir Edward Sandys, the new treasurer, was a man of such judgment and firmness, that no intimidations-not even threats of bloodcould deter him from investigating and reforming the abuses by which the colony had been retarded. At his accession to office, after twelve years' labour, and an expenditure of eighty thousand pounds by the company, there were in the colony no more than six hundred persons, men, women and children; and now in one year he provided a passage to Virginia for twelve hundred and sixty persons. Nor must the character of the emigration be overlooked. The people of Virginia had not been settled in their minds;' and, as before the recent changes, they had gone there with the design of ultimately returning to England, it was necessary to multiply attachments to the soil. Few women had as yet dared to cross the Atlantic; but now the promise of prosperity induced ninety agreeable persons, young and incorrupt, to listen to the wishes of the company and the benevolent advice of Sandys, and to embark for the colony,

where they were assured of a welcome. They were transported at the expense of the corporation, and were married to the tenants of the company, or to men who were well able to support them, and who willingly defrayed the costs of their passage, which were rigorously demanded. The adventure, which had been in part a mercantile speculation, succeeded so well, that it was designed to send the next year another consignment of one hundred; but before these could be collected, the company found itself so poor, that its design could be accomplished only by a subscription. After some delays, sixty were actually despatched, maids of virtuous education, young, handsome, and well recommended. The price rose from one hundred and twenty, to one hundred and fifty pounds of tobacco, or even more, so that all the original charges might be repaid. The debt for a wife was a debt of honour, and took precedence of any other; and the company, in conferring employments, gave a preference to the married men. Domestic ties were formed, virtuous sentiments and habits of thrift ensued; the tide of emigration swelled; within three years, fifty patents of land were granted, and three thousand five hundred persons found their way to Virginia, which was a refuge even for puritans.”*

The formation of a popular power in the colony was, though not openly approved, silently permitted by the company. At length, the company, in 1621, by an ordinance dated July of that year, promulgated a constitution for the colony. Every constitution framed by Eng

*Bancroft, History of America, vol. i. p. 155-157.