47Cf NATURAL AND CIVIL 



to seek the same kind of assistance. A depeti^ 

 dence on and subjection to the European powers 

 and monarchs of course took place, which ex- 

 cluded every idea, and every desire of indepen- 

 dence ; and the colonies viewed their relation 

 and connection with the European governments 

 from which they descended, as a matter of ne- 

 cessity, safety, and the highest honor. The 

 British kings and ministers believed that the 

 science of government contained such profound 

 and sacred mysteries, that the people could nei- 

 ther understand nor manage them : the people 

 in the colonies were in such a state of political 

 impotency and submission, that they were in 

 fact looking to the European kings and minis- 

 ters, frequently unacquainted with any part of 

 the business, to manage and direct their govern- 

 ments. This dependence of the colonies on the 

 European kings was attended with many, and 

 with great disadvantages. It embarrassed and 

 perplexed their own governments, encouraged 

 the ambitious and intriguing to be perpetually 

 complaining and meddling, restrained their trade 

 and commerce, prevented the most necessary 

 and useful manufactures, subjected them to inju- 

 rious restraints, confined their business and 

 pursuits within narrow limits ; and was calcula- 

 ted to keep their minds in a state of perpetual 

 infancy, inactivity and weakness. And it was 

 not their own desires and inclinations, but the 

 folly and oppressive policy of the British minis- 

 tct^ :\nd l-"ng, that taught them to study their 

 righ' and tc understand the danger of submis- 

 ^^^:)n r heir European masters. 



Sucii 'as the colonial system of war. Hav^ 



