It has been observed in a preceding page of this chapter, that when Columbus departed from Hispaniola to convey the impor..

another; and we suffer ourselves at length to be captivated with vices, which are the more dangerous when they are abstracted from their grossness. The extremes are nevertheless widely dissimilar. We perceive the contrast, when we make the comparison; but unhappily, while testifying our abhorrence of that which appears the most detestable, we forget that its rival partakes of the same nature; and thus we proceed, till we mistake vice for virtue. In no point perhaps will this delusion of the mind appear more conspicuous, than in noticing the contrariety which we perceive between the ferocity of the Charaibeans and the indolent tranquillity of the inhabitants of the Leeward Islands. That the former were cannibals, is sufficiently attested both by the inhabitants of the latter, and by the facts which occur in their own history. But we may hence infer, that of this vice the natives of Hispaniola were not guilty, especially as they mentioned the circumstance to Columbus with horror. It is probable that from beholding the latter as exempted from some of the prevailing traits in savage manners, we are tempted to view them in a more favourable light than truth will justify, and induced to give the colouring of virtue to that which is nothing but vice, either concealed by being varnished, or deprived of some of its deepest shades. The scriptures assure us that "all have sinned," and that "the carnal mind is enmity against God." We have therefore only to pull off the mask which vice assumes, to be convinced of this truth by discovering its native deformity,

The Mexicans, when Cortez first entered their territories, were represented as having emerged from savage darkness and barbarity; and their history at that time excited the astonishment of mankind. Yet among all their boasted perfections, few nations have been guilty of greater abominations. "The men (says Raynal) were in general addicted to that shameful kind of debauchery, which shocks nature, and perverts animal instinct," (vol, ii. p. 268.) and the contempt with which they treated their women in consequence of this depravity, contributed in no small degree to overthrow the Mexican empire. In their system of idolatry they had some observances peculiar to themselves: "A slave was annually chosen, and shut up in the temple; to him they paid adoration, offered incense, invoked him as a god, and concluded the scene by cutting his throat with great solemnity. Their prisoners of war were sacrificed in the temple of the god of battles; the priests afterwards ate them, and sent portions to the emperor and the principal lords of the realm. When peace had lasted for some time, they took care to have it insinuated that the gods were hungry; and war was commenced with no other view than to make prisoners." (Raynal, vol. ii. p. 280.)

The natives of Otaheite, celebrated for their benevolent virtues, were represented to Europe on their first discovery in such glowing colours, that they were thought to be farther removed from the vices than from the dominions of the Old World. A nearer inspection of their character has however detected the fallacy, and placed them in a light which rather excites our abhorrence than commands our respect. Bougainville, who visited this island, describes the lasciviousness of its inhabitants in such terms as I dare not translate. This writer's having asserted that the inhabitants of Otaheite occasionally offered up human sacrifices, induced Captain Cook on one of his voyages to inquire into the fact; and the result was a confirmation of its truth. Captain Cook, in company with Captain Furneaux, and with a sailor who spoke the language, and some of the natives, visited one of their morias, and was personally assured that " they offered bad men to their eatooas or gods." On a subsequent voyage he attended one of these inhuman ceremo nies at Attahooroo. The victim was slain before his arrival: he examined

tant intelligence of his discoveries to Europe, he left behind him a small detachment of men to protect that fort, which,

the corpse, and found that he had been beaten to death. No crime however was assigned as the cause of his sufferings. He had been selected by the caprice of the priests, and murdered without ceremony or trial. Captain Cook found in this moria forty-nine skulls, none of which appeared to have been injured; which demonstrates that these sacrifices frequently happen. And it is more than probable that this horrid custom prevails in all the Pacific Islands. More recent observations have not only confirmed the preceding accounts, but have given to the national character of those Otaheitean savages, who were thought to be above the vices and infirmities of hu man nature, a still deeper shade. The missionaries who have been established among them, assert, that nearly one-third part of their infants were offered in sacrifices to their idols; and that the crime which brought fire from heaven on the cities of Sodom, was even authorized by law.

Of the Pellew Islands, we have no account but through the narrative of Captain Wilson. The inhabitants of these he represents in an amiable light. But much allowance must be made. He was received with unexpected humanity by savages in a moment of the utmost distress: gratitude therefore urged him to descant upon their compassion. Flattering however as the account of Captain Wilson is, he has noticed that they were much addicted to theft, and that they actually stole some of the iron which was necessary to the building of the vessel in which he afterwards sailed to Canton. And in addition to this, notwithstanding their humanity, they murdered those prisoners whom they took in war. An acquaintance with these islanders, similar to that which the missionaries have had with the Otaheiteans, would, it is more than probable, have developed many of those shades in their character, which deform that of the savages of America, and of the natives of the Pacific ocean.

The Leeward Islands present us with a race of human beings, whose passions were rather sensual than ferocious; who indulged in savage voluptuousness without invading the territories of the neighbouring tribes; and monopolized their national vices, without attempting to import new ones, or to impart their own to others. Mr. Edwards asserts that "an excessive sensuality was among the greatest defects in their character; and to this cause alone is imputed, by some writers, the origin of that dreadful disease, with the infliction of which they have almost revenged the calamities brought upon them by the avarice of Europe." Vol. i. p. 76. To what extent these excesses were carried, we have no means of knowing with accuracy; it is much to be feared that they were not confined within the bounds of natural criminality; but of this we have no direct evidence. Neither was the humanity which Columbus experienced, of universal application. Peter Martyr has observed" that on the death of a cacique, the most beloved of his wives were immolated at his funeral. On the grossness of their idolatry it is needless to expatiate; their religious rites afford us a melancholy lesson of the barbarism into which human nature sinks, when deprived of the genial light of the Sun of righteousness, as displayed by the gospel to all that cordially embrace it. Nor is the scene much brightened, when, without revelation, the mind is illuminated by science. Mr. Edwards justly observes, when comparing their idolatry with that of Greece and Rome,- "So nearly allied, in religious researches, is the blindness of uncultivated nature to the insufficiency of mere cultivated reason."

If then sensuality, and that too of the grossest nature, is a vice, must we not conclude, notwithstanding their compassion and hospitality, that the inhabitants of the Leeward Islands afford us an awful comment on those scrip

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through the assistance of the natives, he had been enabled to raise; and that, on his return, he found his soldiers had been all massacred, and his fort utterly demolished.

The men who accompanied him on his second voyage to the New World, were clamorous for instant revenge. But Columbus, who had the address to overcome these instant sallies of resentment, advised them to postpone their vengeance to a more favourable moment; because he was fully convinced that the murdered Spaniards had been the aggressors, and had only been treated with that summary justice, which might naturally be expected from an enraged Indian tribe.

These civilized robbers therefore spent their time in exploring the country; in scrutinizing the mines of gold; in endeavouring to obtain every necessary information; in erecting forts, and distributing their forces in such directions as might best protect their labours, or enable them to act towards the natives as occasional circumstances might dictate. But while they were thus employed in feeding on their golden dream, they discovered among themselves a calamity of a most serious nature. The provisions which they had brought with them from Europe, had felt the powerful influence of the climate, and were either completely spoiled, or so far damaged as to be rendered useless. And those husbandmen who had been sent from Spain for the purpose of raising such vegetables for an instant supply as the country promised to favour, were either dead, or so disabled through sickness, as to be unable to accomplish the task for which they embarked.

In this situation there was no choice but to desire the soldiers to supply their place. But the age of chivalry was not yet gone. Indolence was, at that time, an honourable distinction in Spain. And unfortunately, to do nothing was the distinguishing characteristic of a gentleman. Even the common soldiers felt this

tures which speak of the total and universal depravity of mankind? And if neither the natives of South America, of Otaheite, of the Pellew Islands, nor of Hispaniola, the only portions of the globe which stand as candidates for an exemption, can claim any immunity, must we not conclude that the whole world stands guilty before God?

We are not however to conclude from hence that the guilt of Hispaniola can either justify or palliate the enormities of Spain. Though God makes evil subservient to his purposes, he is not its author; neither are those who prac tise such enormities, either exonerated from the charge of guilt or the justice of punishment. For the idolatries, licentiousness, and inhumanities of the western world, God might have seen fit to punish its inhabitants; and the wickedness of the Spaniards, originating in different motives, and directed by different counsels, might have been the rod of his anger. Were it not for the bloody deeds of the invaders, the pestilence or the earthquake might have accomplished the work of the sword, and Spain in some other quarter of the globe might have filled up the measure of its guilt.

lazy ambition, and disdained an employment upon which their lives depended. In these circumstances they applied to the natives. The poor Indians offered them all they had, but their new friends wanted more. The natives were constantly at work to supply their real and artificial wants; but avarice and gluttony were not soon to be cloyed. They were constantly teazing them with a repetition of the same request; they were continually in want of provisions and gold.

The natives wearied with such unceasing importunity, soon grew weary in exerting themselves for strangers, whose wants seemed to increase in proportion to the supplies which they received. A relaxation in their laborious efforts soon followed that indifference which the ungrateful Spaniards had produced by their perpetual solicitude. From remissness the natives proceeded to negligence; and would no longer work to supply the wants of those men who were above using any exertions to supply themselves. But this conduct only tended to irritate the soldiers, who now considered the Indians as in a state of actual rebellion; and that as their behaviour was criminal, to punish them was both necessary and just.

Columbus, who had been absent while these things were transacting, finding that affairs wore a serious aspect in the island, returned from prosecuting his discoveries, in hopes of bringing about a reconciliation between the parties; of adjusting their differences, and of bringing all their contentions to an amicable issue. On his arrival, he found that the Indians. were highly exasperated with the treatment which they had received; while the soldiers, mutinous and ungovernable, breathed nothing but carnage.

Affairs now assumed a most awful appearance. Both parties were highly enraged; and reconciliation could only be obtained upon such terms as had already made the Indians withdraw, and to which they would not consent to submit. The clamours of a fierce and rapacious soldiery, who now thirsted for Indian blood, soon overpowered the peaceable disposition of Columbus, and obliged him to have recourse to arms, though against his better judgment, both as a politician and a man.

The Spanish army consisted of about 200 foot, and 20 horse. These were drawn up in proper order, and had to attack an army of Indians, said to consist of one hundred thousand men. Thus far however it was military parade, without its fatal consequences. The unfortunate Indians were conquered before the engagement began; they were seized with a panic, and rendered incapable of making any resistance. They looked upon the Spaniards as a superior race of beings, and soon fell victims to the mingled emotions of astonishment and fear.

The European armour, the glittering of the arms of which they had occasionally seen the power, and the cannon which now opened their horrid mouths towards them, shot such terror through their souls as they were unable to overcome.

But the sight of the Spanish horse, completely equipped, became absolutely irresistible; they were amazed at such an uncommon appearance beyond all conception; and many of them were simple enough to believe, that the man and horse were only one animal, made perhaps on purpose for war; and capable of performing exploits which their fears had magnified beyond all calculation. There were others among them who carried these extravagant notions still higher, and supposed that the man and horse was a kind of deity actually become visible, and which had now descended from the skies, to protect those favourites of Heaven from the calamities of war. Terrified beyond all conception with these appearances, and their own apprehensions, they fled in all directions. They demanded. peace, and were willing to submit upon almost any terms. This surrender was accepted by their enemies, upon condition that they should cultivate their own lands for the Spaniards, and furnish them with a certain quantity of gold every month.

By this surrender they averted for the moment the calamities which awaited them; but it was only to reserve them for a more ignominious fate. But even admitting that they had made the utmost resistance in their power, they could not have withstood the cannonading, musketry, and military tactics of the Spanish soldiers, notwithstanding the immensity of their army. Without order, without discipline, and almost without arms, their vast numbers would only have increased the carnage, without adding to the annoyance of that enemy whom they at once reverenced, hated, and feared.

The terms upon which the natives surrendered, soon however became uneasy and irksome. They groaned under a burden which had been imposed upon them by strangers, and to which they had been obliged reluctantly to accede, in order to preserve their lives. Conditions of peace which are received from the point of the bayonet, are always severe, and rarely productive either of those benefits to the conqueror, or that tranquillity to the conquered, which both parties promise themselves when they ratify the unnatural treaty. This at least was the case with the Spaniards and the natives of Hispaniola.

Unaccustomed as they had been to the labours which were connected with their new servitude, they soon felt it a weight which they were unable to support, and were obliged to abandon that treaty, to the terms of which they had only submitted through force. Considered by the Spaniards as a captive peo