Page:Economic History of Virginia Vol 1.djvu/100

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recalled that they were the first persons of their race to look upon that beautiful expanse of river and forest, which, for a length of time almost incalculable, had existed just as they saw it then.^[1]

The charming impressions as to the physical aspect of the country were confirmed by subsequent observations. Sir Thomas Dale, writing in 1613, only a few years after the first colony was established on Jamestown Island, declared that his admiration of Virginia increased as his opportunities for informing himself about its resources enlarged, and that he believed that it would be equivalent to all the best parts of Europe taken together, if it were only brought under cultivation and divided among industrious people.^[2] Percy was equally emphatic in asserting that if the promoters of the Virginian enterprise would only extend the adventurers a hearty support, the new country would be as profitable to England in time as the Indies had long been to the King of Spain.^[3] Whitaker describes it as a place beautified by God with all the ornaments of nature, and enriched with his earthly treasures.^[4] “Heaven and Earth,”^[5] exclaimed Captain Smith, “never

↑ The explorations of Ralph Lane probably did not extend many miles beyond the modern Hampton Roads. It should be remembered that the first voyagers sailed as far up the Powhatan as the seat of the Appomattox tribe, perhaps to a point even beyond the mouth of the Appomattox River.
↑ New Life of Virginia, p. 12, Force’s Historical Tracts, vol. I. An extract from Dale’s letter will be found in Brown’s Genesis of the United States, p. 494. In a letter to Sir Thomas Smyth, Dale was still more emphatic. “I protest unto you by the faith of an honest man,” he exclaims, “the more I range the country, the more I admire it. I have seen the best countries of Europe; I protest unto you before the living God, put them altogether, this country will be equivalent unto them, if it be inhabited with good people.” Brown’s Genesis of the United States, pp. 639, 640.
↑ Percy’s Discourse, p. lxxi.
↑ Good Newes from Virginia, Brown’s Genesis of the United States, p. 583.
↑ Works of Capt. John Smith, p. 48.

[1] The explorations of Ralph Lane probably did not extend many miles beyond the modern Hampton Roads. It should be remembered that the first voyagers sailed as far up the Powhatan as the seat of the Appomattox tribe, perhaps to a point even beyond the mouth of the Appomattox River.

[2] New Life of Virginia, p. 12, Force’s Historical Tracts, vol. I. An extract from Dale’s letter will be found in Brown’s Genesis of the United States, p. 494. In a letter to Sir Thomas Smyth, Dale was still more emphatic. “I protest unto you by the faith of an honest man,” he exclaims, “the more I range the country, the more I admire it. I have seen the best countries of Europe; I protest unto you before the living God, put them altogether, this country will be equivalent unto them, if it be inhabited with good people.” Brown’s Genesis of the United States, pp. 639, 640.

[3] Percy’s Discourse, p. lxxi.

[4] Good Newes from Virginia, Brown’s Genesis of the United States, p. 583.

[5] Works of Capt. John Smith, p. 48.

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