35

sail round the world; an undertaking hitherto achieved by round the Magellan only. Having successfully finished this formidable world. voyage, and acquired an accurate and distinct conception of the commodities both of the east and west, he inspirited his countrymen to bolder and more comprehensive schemes of naval and commercial enterprise, than any which they had n hitherto attempted. The English had formerly seen and act knowledged themselves far surpassed in seamanship by the Flemings and Italians, and recently by the Portuguese, who were the first for naval reputation in the annals of history. They how rivalled that country in its most splendid enterprise and having rapidly risen from inferiority to equality, they doubted not soon to attain a striking superiority. Having confirmed their skill, they felt their force; and perceived that the surrounding ocean, so long neglected, was an Englishman's element, on which he was destined to excel. They du formed a notion eventually true, bold, and beneficial, that no object attainable by human ability exerted in maritime effort, is beyond the reach of English seamen; a nautical and commercial enthusiasm, therefore, diffused itself through the country.fatahari 4046

English adventurers, having hitherto confined their efforts to First seeds visiting foreign and remote regions, and satisfied with present discovery and traffic, had made no attempt to form new settlements. Sir Humphry Gilbert, a gentleman of ingenuity and learning, enthusiastic for discovery, proposed to conduct a colony to America: and, having applied to the queen, obtained the first charter for a colonial establishment. The charter authorized him to discover and take possession of all remote and barbarous lands unoccupied by any christian prince and people; vested in him and his heirs the property of the soil of such countries, with the legislative power, and the eivil and criminal jurisdiction over those who should settle in the new plantations. The laws and their administration were to be conformable to the polity of England, on which the new colony was still to depend. Arbitrary as the powers thus confirmed were, such was the spirit of adventure now prevalent, that many agreed to conform to the conditions, and became Gilbert's associates, In his undertaking he was assisted and Walter accompanied by his half-brother Walter Raleigh, afterwards so Raleigh renowned in political and literary history. Two expeditions which Gilbert conducted to Newfoundland and Cape Breton ended disastrously. In the last, the leader himself perished. The undaunted spirit of Raleigh, not disappointed by this miscarriage, projected a new scheme of colonization. After procuring a similar charter from the queen, adopting his brother's ideas, but avoiding his errors, he resolved to steer a much more southern course, and also to send trusty officers to

1

explore the country, before he should attempt a settlement. On their return they reported, that they had found in southeru latitudes a most beautiful country, distinguished for fertility of soil, and mildness of climate; of which they had taken posi session in her majesty's name, and called it Virginia, as a me morial that this happy discovery had been made under a virgin queen. Raleigh accordingly fitted out a squadron, and planted in that country the first colony ever established by Englishmen. The new colonists, however, in the eagerness of their search after the precious mines with which they supposed the new world in every part to abound, neglected the means of subsistence. Being on the point of perishing with famine, they returned to England. Raleigh made a second attempt to establish a colony; but he and other patrons of the settlement being called to defend their country against the invasion of Wise in Philip, this colony also failed. Vigorous, beneficial, and gloternal poli- rious as the administration of Elizabeth proved, it was not very cy of the favourable to schemes of doubtful and contingent advantage, or to, what in modern mercantile language are called specu lations; and plans of new establishments, were in her reigu carried on at the expense and risk of individuals. Besides, the wisdom and felicity of her internal government promoted agriculture, manufactures, commerce, the means of subsist❤ ence, convenience, and comfort; and as it bestowed security on her subjects for the enjoyment of their manifold advantages, was not favourable to emigration. But though the first at tempts to plant colonies were unsuccessful, the spirit of co lonization excited in the reign of Elizabeth, continuing to prevail and increase afterwards, produced in colonies most abundant sources of British opulence and power. Eager as Elizabeth was for the encouragement and extension of trade, in order to cherish it in its infant state, she granted many monopolies; which, though probably necessary at the time, would, if they had continued, have proved destructive to that commerce they were intended to promote. The principal

queen.

q A law was made in the fifth of Elizabeth, allowing for the first time the exe portation of corn. To this enachment, Camden imputes the great improvement of agriculture.

སྙམ་༄།

Our g great commercial philosopher in a few words states the reasons for monopolies so clearly and strongly, and illustrates them by such apposite analogies, as to present at one view the extent and bounds which policy allows and prescribes to trading corporations. When,” says hé; "a company of merchants under? ! take at their own risk and expense to establish a new trade with some remote and barbarous 'nation, it may not be unreasonable to incorporate them into a jóin stock company, and to grant them, in case of their success, a monopoly of the trade for a certain number of years. It is the easiest and most natural way in which the state can recompense them for hazarding a dangerous and petensive experiment, of which the public is afterwards to reap the benefit. A temporary monopoly of this kind may be vindicated upon the same principles upon which a'

STATE OF ENGLAND.

companies established by Elizabeth, were the Russian and the CommerTurkish, and one which was destined far to surpass either in panies. the momentous interests that it involved. Near the close of this long and illustrious reign, John Lancaster proposing to measure part of the course of sir Francis Drake, undertook a dar trading expedition to India. A charter was granted to the adventurers, at whose expense the enterprise was undertaken, and they were formed into a corporation, under the naine of East India the East India Company. The first attempt by Englishmen company. to participate in the trade of India being eminently successful, encouraged future adventurers. Thus the reign of this princess very strongly and effectually promoted agriculture, internal and foreign trade, maritime skill and enterprise, the means of subsisting, enriching, and aggrandizing the people intrusted to www a bastain bois mind her care. Under this extraordinary personage, nautical effort was not merely encouraged as the means of opulence, but of defence, of security, and of power. France, at this time engaged in in testine wars by the bigotted frenzy of furious religionists, and with all her resources possessing scarcely any commerce, wast totally deficient in naval force Philip, who included in his dominions the experienced sailors of the Low Countries and of Italy; the Spaniards, who from their intercourse with the new world were inured to nautical exertion and enterprise; and by recent usurpation, the Portuguese, who far surpassed Telungitron all their neighbours in naval fame, appeared undoubted master of the ocean, and able to crush at a blow every opponent. llog This mighty engine, which, if moved and directed by wisdom dd and skill would have been so efficient and formidable, in the hands of bigotry, superstition, and impolicy, was at once enor nous and inert Part, indeed, of the machine, torn from the rest by Ayranny, recoiled upon its former owner. Philip's civil and ecclesiastical despotism rendered the bold and skilful sailors of the Low Countries eagerly hostile to a power which attempted to overwhelm their rights and liberties The gloomy zealot, enraged against Elizabeth for protecting her own religion and that of her people against his superstition; the imperious tyrant enraged against Elizabeth as the protect or of freemen who durst vindicate their own rights, though contrary to a despot's will; meditated a blow by which he expected to subjugate England, and to involve the country and its allies in civil and religious thraldom. For this purpose he Spanish equipped the Armada, which he vainly fancied and denominat- Armada. ed invincible Elizabeth, in preparing and strengthening a Elizabeth's navy, had not been guided solely by the general policy which wisdom and ity. dictated maritime force as the means of defence in insular magnanim

like monopoly of a new machine is granted to its inventor, and that of a now book to its authon; but upon the expiration of the term, the monopoly ought eers fainly to be determined: Wealth of Nations, vol. iii. p. 144 The led

patriotic enthusiasm of her sub

jects.

Armada

ed.

-*-*- --~ situation ; but having discovered the purposes, motives, and plans of her most potent neighbour and rival, she had recently di Loyal and rected her peculiar attention to the increase of a fleet. In this pursuit, she was seconded by the efforts of her subjects, who were inspired with that patriotic loyalty, which the wisdont and virtues of a sovereign exerted for the public good, choosing ministers and other executorial officers according to their fitness to promote the national welfare, and actually effecting the ease and happiness of the people, never fail to produce among Englishmen. These dispositions, guided by private and individus discomfit at skill, combining with armaments prepared by her foresight and headed by commanders selected by her sagacity, discomfi ted the operose equipment of her foe. From that time, Engs Hencefor- land became mistress of the ocean; her sailors thenceforward ward En- conceived themselves superior to those of all other nations. glish navy. The conception powerfully contributed to the attainment of reality. Since that time, defeat, disaster, and disgrace, have never failed to follow those who have presumed to brave England on her own element. The same reign witnessed the first regular formation of an English navy, and its supremacy over all other naval powers. So eminently and decidedly suc cessful in defensive effort, the English undertook repeated ex peditions to the coasts of their enemies; and though the issue of them was not always, it was generally prosperous. Spain was humbled, and England was exalted.

paramount.

Continental Respecting foreign politics, Elizabeth was placed in a situas policy of tion of infinitely greater difficulty than her father, or any of her Elizabeth.predecessors. Religious bigotry was the chief spring which

Supports the inde

moved the most powerful princes on the continent; their very ambition was subservient and instrumental to their theological fanaticism. France, instead of watching the motions and repressing the encroachments of the house of Austria, devoted her principal attention to the persecution of heretics, and joined in all the dark and nefarious designs of the pope, Spain, and the emperor. According to the sentiments and opinions of popish sovereigns and people, Elizabeth was not the rightful sovereignt of England, because she was not approved of by an Italian priest. The legitimate successor to the crown, according to popish interpretation, was the queen of Scotland, a bigoted catholic, and a near relation of the ablest and most ferocious champion of the catholic league. Elizabeth was not, like her father, so situated, as to trim the balance between the rival potentates of France and Austria, and to turn the scale according to her judgment or choice. Much more difficult was her part, to secure the independence of her people, and of others whose interests were closely connected with theirs, against a general confederacy of priests aud arbitrary princes, of bigotry and despotism, bandied in atrocious barbarity, in order to dissemi nate articles of theological belief. In the time of Henry VIH. England showed she could maintain the balance of power,'

STATE OF ENGLAND.

Under Elizabeth, in preserving that balance, England assumed pendence the character which she has, except in the reigns of the Stu- of Europe. arts, ever since maintained, of supporting the rights and independence of Europe against the powerful disturbers of its tranquillity. Such was the relation in which Elizabeth stood to foreign countries. Too vigorous in understanding and profound in wisdom to be a bigot, or to estimate modes of faith by any other test than their conduciveness to private and public welfare, in her choice of religion she was guided by prudent policy, founded in her own situation, and the sentiments and interests of the greater part of her people. It was expedient that she ea should be at the head of the protestants. Fortunately, in the two countries, more contiguous to her kingdom, and of which the sovereigns, both from joint and separate motives, were well H disposed to give her disturbance, the number of protestants was very great; so as in France to afford sufficient employment to the popish combination at home, and in Scotland to be fully established, and totally paramount to the party which from theological sympathy was favoured by the sovereign. So thoroughly wise and prudent was Elizabeth, that for twenty-nine years she discomfited all the designs and conspiracies of popish devotees against her person and kingdom; supported the protes tants in France, Germany, and the Low Countries; and fu rious, implacable, and savage, as was the hatred of the confederate princes to every supporter of the protestant cause, and above all to Elizabeth, she never involved herself in hostilities; anbiano but when the aggressive invasion of Philip rendered war unavoidable, she showed that the same wisdom and strength of st mind which had maintained peace so beneficial to rising indus try and commerce, could carry on war with effect when ne cessary for the security of her country. In her latter years, Security policy as well as kindred genius, and wisdom allied her to the the object illustrious Henry of France. The catholic league being now beth's war broken, and the power of Philip reduced, there being no longer a popish pretender to the crown, the chief difficulties of both her internal and foreign relations ceased; and the queen and country, which in such trying circumstances had arisen to a pitch of high importance, were regarded by foreign states with an admiration that never before had been so universally be stowed upon the efforts of Englandadele ason-balletes In her ecclesiastical conduct and establishments, Elizabeth, celesiasguided by policy, and not stimulated by bigotry, was usually tical policy moderate, but on certain occasions led to acts of intoleranceishunents As long as the Roman catholics confined themselves to their own theological doctrines, and did not disturb her government, she permitted them to enjoy their opinions without molestation est but when she found them engaged in conspiracies against her

See Hume's account of Elizabeth's reasons for re-establishing the protestant religion, vol. ii. p. 565