Travels Through North America 



colonies as independent states, not connected with 

 Great Britain, otherwise than by having the same 

 common king, and being bound to her by natural 

 affection. There are but few of them that have a 

 turn for business, and even those are by no means 

 expert at it. I have known them, upon a very 

 urgent occasion, vote the relief of a garrison, 

 without once considering whether the thing was prac- 

 ticable, when it was most evidently and demonstra- 

 bly otherwise.* In matters of commerce they are 

 ignorant of the necessary principles that must pre- 

 vail between a colony and the mother country; they 

 think it a hardship not to have an unlimited trade 

 to every part of the world. They consider the duties 

 upon their staple as injurious only to themselves; 



* The garrison here alluded to, was that of Fort Loudoun, in the 

 Cherokee country, consisting of a lieutenant, and about fifty men. 

 This unfortunate party being besieged by the Cherokee Indians, 

 and reduced to the last extremity, sent off runners to the governors 

 of Virginia and Carolina, imploring immediate succour; adding, 

 that it was impossible for them to hold out above twenty days 

 longer. The assembly of Virginia, commiserating their unhappy 

 situation, very readily voted a considerable sum for their relief. 

 With this, troops were to be levied; were to rendezvous upon the 

 frontiers 200 miles distant from Williamsburg; were afterward to 

 proceed to the fort 200 miles farther through a wilderness, where 

 there was no road, no magazines, no posts, either to shelter the 

 sick, or cover a retreat in case of any disaster; so that the unfor- 

 tunate garrison might as effectually have been succoured from the 

 moon. The author taking notice of these difficulties to one of the 

 members, he frankly replied, " Faith, it is true: but we have had an 

 opportunity at least of showing our loyalty." In a few days 

 after arrived the melancholy news, that this unfortunate party was 

 entirely cut off. 



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