e intention of cultivation, can
establish the possession. Now as the savages (probably from never having
read the authors above quoted) had never complied with any of these
necessary forms, it plainly follows that they had no right to the soil,
but that it was completely at the disposal of the first comers, who had
more knowledge, more wants, and more elegant, that is to say artificial,
desires than themselves.

In entering upon a newly discovered, uncultivated country, therefore, the
new comers were but taking possession of what, according to the aforesaid
doctrine, was their own property--therefore in opposing them, the savages
were invading their just rights, infringing the immutable laws of nature,
and counteracting the will of Heaven--therefore, they were guilty of
impiety, burglary, and trespass on the case--therefore, they were hardened
offenders against God and man--therefore, they ought to be exterminated.

But a more irresistible right than either that I have mentioned, and one
which will be the most readily admitted by my reader, provided he be
blessed with bowels of charity and philanthropy, is the right acquired by
civilization. All the world knows the lamentable state in which these poor
savages were found. Not only deficient in the comforts of life, but, what
is still worse, most piteously and unfortunately blind to the miseries of
their situation. But no sooner did the benevolent inhabitants of Europe
behold their sad condition than they immediately went to work to
ameliorate and improve it. They introduced among them rum, gin, brandy,
and the other comforts of life--and it is astonishing to read how soon the
poor savages learn to estimate those blessings--they likewise made known
to them a thousand remedies, by which the most inveterate diseases are
alleviated and healed; and that they might comprehend the benefits and
enjoy the comforts of these medicines, they previously introduced among
them the diseases which they were calculated to cure. By these and a
variety of other methods was the condition of these poor savages
wonderfully improved; they acquired a thousand wants of which they had
before been ignorant, and as he has most sources of happiness who has most
wants to be gratified, they were doubtlessly rendered a much happier race
of beings.

But the most important branch of civilization, and which has most
strenuously been extolled by the zealous and pious fathers of the Roman
Church, is the in