From Captain John Smith's _Generall Historie of Virginia_ (Birmingham edition of the _Works_, 1884, page 527). The passage was published in 1616, when Smith was at odds with the Company; but he defends that body gallantly against unjust charges. This deare bought Land, with so much bloud and cost, hath onely made some few rich, and all the rest losers [which fate, however, does not deter their efforts, Smith explains] ... For the Nobilitie and Gentrie, there is scarce any of them expects anything but the prosperitie of the Action [success of the colony]; and there are some Merchants ... I am confidently persuaded, doe take more care and paines, nay, and at their continuall great charge, than they could be hired to for the love of money; so honestly regarding the generall good of this great Worke, they would hold it worse than sacrilege to wrong it but a shillinge. 14. John Smith's Last Plea for Colonization, 1631 Captain John Smith's _Works_ (Birmingham edition), 935, 962. ... and what hath ever beene the worke of the best great Princes of the world, but planting of Countries, and civilizing barbarous and inhumane Nations to civility and humanity; whose eternall actions fils our histories with more honour than those that have wasted and consumed them by warres. ... the _Portugals_ and _Spaniards_ that first began plantations in this unknowne world of _America_ [their "everlasting actions"] will testifie our idlenesse and ingratitude to all posterity, and neglect of our duty and religion we owe our God, our King, and Countrey.... Having as much power and meanes as others, why should English men despaire, and not doe as much as any? ... Seeing honour is our lives ambition, and our ambition after death to have an honourable memory of our life ... let us imitate their vertues, to be worthily their successors. * * * * * I speak not this to discourage any with vaine feares, but could wish every English man to carry alwaies this Motto in his heart,--Why should the brave Spanish Souldiers brag, The Sunne never sets in the Spanish dominions, but ever shineth on one part or other we have conquered for our King: ... but to animate us to doe the like for ours, who is no way his inferior. And truly there is no pleasure comparable to a generous spirit as good imploiment in noble actions, especially amongst Turks, Heathens, and Infidels; to see daily new Countries, people, fashions, governments, stratagems; releeve the oppressed, comfort his friends, passe miseries, subdue enemies, adventure upon any feazable danger for God and his Country. [The fine, idealistic motives of colonization, which have been treated in this Division (Nos. 2-14), are touched upon in many other documents. See especially the missionary purpose in No. 26 c, below.] FOOTNOTES: