35(5 NATURAL AND CIVIL 



Cortcz and Pizarro performed the most accursi 

 ed transactions that ever were done by man. 

 And wherever the Europeans have settled, 

 misery, calamity, and destruction, have been en- 

 tailed on that unhappy race of men. The viqes 

 we have taught them, the diseases we have 

 spread among them, the intemperance they have 

 learnt of us, and the destruction of, their game, 

 are evils for which the savage is unable to find 

 a remedy. A contempt of our morals, a horrour 

 at the knavery that has attended our commerce 

 ^vith them, and the constant advances we hav« 

 made ii'ito their countn% have filled their minds 

 with prejudices against our arts and improve- 

 ments. This, added to the frequency and bit- 

 terness of their wars, to their constant hardships 

 and suiferings, and to a defective population^ 

 but too plainly denote the event. The constant 

 w^aste and decay of this people, must end in 

 tlieir total destruction : According to the pre- 

 sent course and tendency of things, in two or 

 three centuries, the whole race must become 

 extinct. Instead of wishing for such an event,, 

 it would add to the glory of the United States 

 to make a serious attempt to prevent it. It has 

 been the practice of arbitrary governments to 

 sport with the liberties, and lives of men. A 

 government of reason and nature • ought to at- 

 tempt to conciliate the affections of a free, brave, 

 independent, and generous people. It would be 

 a greater glory than we have ever yet attained, 

 if we could find out a way to impart the bles- 

 sings of the civil state, to a people whose great* 

 est miseries and misfortunes have been derived 

 from the superior arts, the policy, and the povTs 

 er of civilized nations. 



