Ancient inhabitants, &c.— book ii. 
145 
society becomes extensive, and its occupations, relations and in¬ 
terests, more numerous, people less acquainted with each other, 
the laws must be more complex. The trial by jury, is foreign 
to the customs and manners of their ancestors; it is therefore 
not to be expected that they should at once comprehend its util* 
ity and importance. 
The chief advantages which accrued from the change of go¬ 
vernment* may be summed up in a few words The inhabitants 
derived a security from the Indians; a more extensive field, 
and a greater reward was offered to industry and enterprise; 
specie became more abundant, and merchandise cheaper.— 
Landed property was greatly enhanced in value. In opposition* 
it may be said, that formerly they were more content, had less 
anxiety; there was more cordiality and friendship, living in the 
Utmost harmony, with scarcely any clashing interests. This per¬ 
haps, is not unlike the notions of old people, who believe that in 
their early days every thing was more happily ordered. 
The idea of their becoming extinct, by dissolving before a 
people of a different race, and of losing their bioeurs cheries * 
might excite unhappy sensations. Already the principal vil* 
lages look like the towns of the Americans. Are not the cus¬ 
toms and manners of our fathers, and of our own youth, dear 
to us all ? Would it not fill our hearts with bitterness, to see 
them vanish as a dream ? Sentiments like these, doubtless, 
sometimes steal into their hearts. They awake, and their hqAie 
has disappeared. 
But is it likely that this state of society could have been of 
long continuance ? The policy which had been commenced of 
encouraging American settlers, would by this time have over¬ 
whelmed them with a torrent of emigration. Isolated as they 
were, they could not have withstood this accumulating wave of 
population. Had they been transferred to France, they would 
have suffered from exactions and conscriptions; had they re¬ 
mained attached to Spain, what miseries might not have assail¬ 
ed them from the convulsed state of the Spanish monarchy!— 
And is it nothing to exchange the name of colonists, creoles, for 
that of Americans, for that of a citizen of ah independent state, 
where they can aspire to the highest employments and honors.! 
T 
