The American Nations, Vol. I.: Or, Outlines of a National History of the Ancient and Modern Nations of North and South America — John Shaqi
The American Nations, Vol. I.: Or, Outlines of a National History of the Ancient and Modern Nations of North and South AmericaRafinesque, C. S. (Constantine Samuel)
History
The American Nations, Vol. I.: Or, Outlines of a National History of the Ancient and Modern Nations of North and South America
Rafinesque, C. S. (Constantine Samuel)
Indians; Indians -- Origin; Taino Indians; Taino language
Be wise and just in time, if cupidity does not blind you, imitate the
happy policy of Mexico, Guatimala, Peru &c. that has admitted the natives
to equality and citizenship. Do better still, allow them to form peculiar
states and territories, preserving their languages and laws, and admit
these states into your confederacies. Then you will be secure, and both
live in peace, increasing and multiplying as time rolls on. There is land
enough for all, and to spare. What need has a man of 1000 acres of land;
while 100 can support a large family! in the cold climates, and 10 acres
in the fruitful tropical climates, where thrive the banana and the sugar
cane. If hunters require a large wilderness to sustain their mode of life,
greedy worshippers of mammon wish for 10,000 acres to hold waste for
speculation! or to fill with plantations of slaves and tenants, in order
to become lords of future generations; but the real wise and active men,
the props of society, are content with moderate, secure estates, which
they may improve and beautify into smiling gardens.
The modern intercourse of the two hemispheres has been productive of much
more misery, than mutual benefit. The Americans have received the European
cattle without imparting to Europe, their equally useful Peruvian cattle;
they have received the horse, and often adopted him as a friend, to become
Tartars and Arabs by his help, so as to retaliate mischief on the cruel
Spaniards. Some European fruits and grains have been received and
cultivated: while all have been introduced into the colonies. Woolen
cloth, blankets, iron and copper kettles, tools, trinkets, guns and
gunpowder, with the liquid poisons of the still, have been spread by
trade. These last with horses and guns, have been the chief deadly weapons
of Europe against America.(14)
In return, Europe has received gold, silver and precious furs: pearls and
diamonds, cochineel, annato, indigo, die woods, vicunia wool, cacao,
vanilla, gum elastic and many other useful or medical articles. Maize,
returning east whence it came; with tobacco, a loathsome weed of heathen
growth and rites. Human knowledge has been increased, and trade greatly
enlarged; the tame cavias, with turkeys and musky-ducks have been
transmitted. Thus Europe has been the gainer, and was for a long while
jealous of these treasures.(15)
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account