An History of Jamaica

Discovery of the New World, an important Event.-Impossibility of determining at present, whether it will ultimately be beneficial to Mankind.—Narrow Knowledge of the Ancients.-Sudden and great Exertions of Europeans.-Consequences of the Discoveries of Columbus.-His great and unsuccessful Efforts.--Causes of their Failure. Unsettled State of Europe.-Ultimate Success of Columbus.—Advantages derived from it by the Spaniards.

THE discovery of America forms a grand epoch in the history

of the world. No event, hitherto recorded, has been productive of consequences, so important in their nature, and extensive in their influence. Its effects have not been confined to one nation only, or even to one hemisphere; but important changes on all the civilized world have been produced, while the condition of untutored men, in every discovered portion of the globe, has been materially affected. Yet the present consequences of this

most extraordinary event, though already important, and sufficient to excite the astonishment, and the investigation of every thinking mind, may be deemed, compared with those which will certainly succeed, the precursors only of important changes in the earth.

Whether this discovery has increased the happiness of the human race, is a question, which, from our limited experience, it would be improper to decide. Every event which influences the conduct and the condition of multitudes, must be productive of various effects, according to the power, situation, and intention of the agents. Good often springs from apparent evil; and, such is the imperfection of our knowledge, that the conduct which is contrary to justice, and which seems to us to be productive only of misery to mankind, tends frequently to advance the general happiness, and to promote the true interests of society.

Previous to this æra, the human mind, even in the most enlightened ages, remained comparatively dark; the extent, form, and motion of the earth, and the laws by which the heavenly bodies are regulated, were unknown; intercourse between neighbouring nations was difficult and dangerous, and betwixt those which were distant from each other, almost impracticable; human nature was little studied; the principles of justice were scarcely thought of; knowledge was consequently very partially diffused; and the great mass of mankind were buried in the most lamentable and debasing ignorance.

But man now awoke as from a dream. The faculties of his mind seemed to be refreshed by the long torpor in which they had been sunk. The fables of antiquity appeared to be realized; and the search after the philosopher's stone was no longer deemed ridiculous, or its discovery impossible. Several maritime nations of Europe were seized with an ardent love of

adventure. Nothing seemed to them improper to be attempted, or impossible to be accomplished. Almost ignorant of the most important principles of navigation, they ventured on an unknown sea, in search of distant lands, as yet undiscovered, with a resolution, which, had it happened in the dark ages of antiquity, would have been celebrated by the greatest of poets, and handed down to posterity, as the most astonishing exertion of human genius and industry. Yet though disappointment often succeeded to their too sanguine hopes, they were seldom altogether unsuccessful. They acquired the riches which were the object of their search; they beheld a new race of men; saw nature in a different form, and society in a new state: Their minds, by comparison and reflection, were improved; their industry was awakened; their exertions were extended; their cupidity was gratified.

Man, naturally ambitious, has now a wider field for exertion. His mind capacious, and delighting in the vast, views with rapture the various properties of a distant world; and sympathizing with his fellow-men, wherever scattered, and however different in language, manners, and mental acquirements, he is powerfully affected by their happiness and misery. The state of the new world has furnished him with abundant means of investigation, and its various productions have excited and gratified his curiosity. The boundaries of science have been enlarged; commerce has been extended; wealth, with unexampled profusion and rapidity has been poured into Europe, has enriched millions who would otherwise have remained sunk in poverty and wretchedness, whilst luxuries have been placed within the reach of the lowest classes of society; new empires have been founded, and flourish even in their infancy; and fertile regions, unpeopled and uncultivated, have afforded an asylum to the persecuted, and a refuge to the oppressed.

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An History of Jamaica: With Observations on the Climate, Scenery, Trade ...