[
179]
abor without a demand; silk-worms could not be cared
for where every comfort of household existence required to be created.
Still less was the successful culture of the vine possible.
The company had repeatedly sent vine-dressers, who had been set to work under the terrors of martial law, and whose efforts were continued after the establishment of regular government.
But the toil was in vain.
The extensive culture of the vine, unless singularly favored by climate, succeeds only in a dense population; for a small vineyard requires the labor of many hands.
It is a law of nature, that, in a new country under the temperate zone, corn and cattle will be raised, rather than silk or wine.
The first culture of cotton in the
United States de-
serves commemoration.
This year the seeds were planted as an experiment; and their ‘plentiful coming up’ was, at that early day, a subject of interest in
America and
England.
1
Nor did the benevolence of the company neglect to establish places of education, and provide for the support of religious worship.
The bishop of
London collected and paid a thousand pounds towards a university; which, like the several churches of the colony, was liberally endowed with domains.
2 Public and private charity were active;
3 but the lands were never occupied by productive laborers; and the system of obtaining a revenue through a permanent tenantry could meet with no success, for it was not in harmony with the condition of colonial society.
Between the Indians and the
English there had
been quarrels, but no wars.
From the first landing
