and, by their means, many useful objects may be accomplished, which, without them, would be unattained.

But, while we thus press forward in the career of useful ness-while we aim to accomplish for our fellow-men all the amount of good in our power, let us moderate our expectations of reward here, by the consideration that Colum bus died the victim of ingratitude and disappointment.

Another consideration, of still deeper interest, is suggested by the story of Columbus. We who live to mark the wonderful events which have flowed from his discovery, within the short space of three centuries, cannot but advert with awe to HIM, who attaches to the actions of a single individual, a train of consequences so stupendous and unexpected. How lightly soever, then, we may think of our conduct, let us remember, that the invisible hand of Providence may be connecting with our smallest actions the most momentous results to ourselves and others.

With respect to Americus Vesputius, it may be observed, that, although he deprived Columbus of the merited honor of giving his name to the new world, and gained this dis tinction for himself-still, his name will ever remain stigmatized, as having appropriated that to himself, which fairly belonged to another.

UNITED STATES.

PERIOD II.

DISTINGUISHED FOR SETTLEMENTS.

Extending from the first permanent English settlement at Jamestown, Virginia, 1607, to the accession of William and Mary to the throne of England, 1689.

Sec. 1. Prior to the year 1607, a period of 115 years from the discovery of San Salvador by Columbus, several attempts, some of which we have noticed, were made to effect settlements in various parts of North America, but none had proved successful.

It may appear surprising, perhaps, that, among the attempts made to effect permanent settlements in the northern part of the continent, through a lapse of so many years, not a single one should have succeeded. But it is to be remembered, that they were undertaken upon individual responsibility, with bad calculations, and intrusted, in most instances, to men of mercenary views. But it may be asked, Why the sovereigns of Europe should have so long neglected the plantation of colonies in a country, in respect to which they were, at first, so eager to make discoveries, and to obtain a title? To this it may be replied, that the unsettled state of the nations of Europe, for a long period, demanded all the attention and resources of their respective sovereigns. Henry VIII of England was occupied with affairs con nected with his divorce, marriage, and the reformation. Several of his successors also found sufficient employment at home. The long and bloody wars between Charles V., emperor of Germany, and Francis I., gave the court of France ample occupation. Besides, no prince or statesman

in Europe appears to have foreseen the advantages of planting colonies in this northern continent. It presented no mines of gold or silver, nor were its mountains covered with spicery and balm. It was not conceivable, at that period, how numerous, hardy colonies, could give such strength, opulence, and grandeur, to empires, as could never be de rived from the gold and rich productions of the southern regions. One advantage, however, resulted to the nations of Europe, and which for many years they enjoyed in common, viz. the fishery on the banks of Newfoundland. For a time, it was prosecuted to an inconsiderable extent; but, at length, it ripened into a system, and became a source of national emolument.*

Sec. 2. The year 1607 marks the era, when the first permanent settlement was effected by Europeans in North America. In the month of May of this year, a colony from England, consisting of one hundred and five persons, arrived in Virginia; and, on a beautiful peninsula in James river, began a settlement, which they called Jamestown.

Sec. 3. This name was given to the above settlement, in honor of James I. of England, who, the year previously, had granted to two companies, called the London and Plymouth companies, the lands in North America embraced between the 34th and 45th degrees of north latitude-the southern part, called South Virginia, to the London, and the northern, called North Virginia, to the Plymouth company.

The London company consisted of Sir Thomas Gates, Sir George Somers, Richard Hackluyt, Edward Maria Wingfield, &c. These were authorized to make a settlement at any place between the 34th and 41st degrees of latitude, and in them was vested the right of property in the land extending fifty miles each way from their place of ha bitation; reaching one hundred miles into the country. The Plymouth company consisted of Thomas Hanham, Raleigh Gilbert, William Parker, George Popham, and others, prin

* Trumbull.

cipally inhabitants of Bristol, Plymouth, and the eastern parts of England. To this company was granted the lands between the 38th and 45th degrees of latitude. They were vested with the right of property in lands to the same extent as in the southern colony: neither company, however, were to form settlements within one hundred miles of the other."

Sec. 4. Under the auspices of the London company, the first settlement in Virginia was commenced. The expedition was commanded by Capt. Christopher Newport, but the government of the colony was framed in England, before it sailed. It was to consist of a council of seven persons, with a president to be elected by the council from their number. Who composed it was unknown at the time the expedition sailed, their names being carefully concealed in a box, which was to be opened after their arrival.

The original intention of the colony was to form a settlement at Roanoake; but, being driven by a violent storm north of that place, they discovered the entrance of Chesapeake bay, the capes of which they named Charles and Henry. Entering this, they at length reached a convenient spot upon which to commence a settlement.

The code of laws hitherto cautiously concealed, was now promulgated, and, at the same time, the council appointed in England was made known. It consisted of Bartholomew Gosnold, John Smith, Edward Wingfield, Christopher Newport, John Ratcliffe, John Martin, and George Kendall., Mr. Wingfield was chosen president.

Among the most enterprising and useful members of this colony, and one of its magistrates, was Capt. John Smith. As he acted a distinguished part in the early history of the colony of Virginia, a brief sketch of his life will be interesting.

He was born in Willoughby, in Lincolnshire, England, in 1579. From his earliest youth, he discovered a roving and romantic genius, and appeared irresistibly bent on extravagant and daring enterprises. At the age of thirteen, becoming tired of study, he disposed of his satchel and books,

* Pitkin.

But the death of his

with the intention of escaping to sea. father, just at that time, frustrated his plans for the present, and threw him upon guardians, who, to repress the waywardness of his genius, confined him to a counting-room. From a confinement so irksome, however, he contrived to escape not long after; and, with ten shillings in his pocket, entered the train of a young nobleman, travelling to France. On their arrival at Orleans, he received a discharge from further attendance upon Lord Bertie, who advanced him money to return to England.

With the money

Smith had no wish, however, to return. he had received, he visited Paris, from which he proceeded to the Low Countries, where he enlisted into the service, as a soldier. Having continued sometime in this capacity, he was induced to accompany a gentleman to Scotland, who promised to recommend him to the notice of King James. Being disappointed, however, in this, he returned to England, and visited the place of his birth. Not finding company there suited to his romantic turn, he erected a booth in some wood, and, in the manner of a recluse, retired from society, devoting himself to the study of military history and tactics, diverting himself, at intervals, with his horse and lance.

Recovering about this time a part of his father's estate, which had been in dispute, he once more commenced travelling, being at this time only seventeen years of age. His first stage was Flanders, where, meeting with a Frenchman, who pretended to be heir to a noble family, he was prevailed upon to accompany him to France. On their arrival at St. Valory, in Picardy, by the connivance of the shipmaster, the Frenchman and attendants robbed him of his effects, and succeeded in making their escape.

With

Eager to pursue his travels, he endeavored to procure a place on board a man of war. In one of his rambles, searching for a ship that would receive him, he accidentally met one of the villains concerned in robbing him. out exchanging a word, they both instantly drew their swords. The contest was severe; but Smith succeeded in wounding and disarming his antagonist, and obliged him to confess his guilt. After this rencounter, having received pecuniary assistance from an acquaintance, the Earl of Ployer, he travelled along the French coast to Bayonne; and thence crossed to Marseilles, visiting and observing every thing in his course, which had reference to naval or military architecture.