Berkeley And Jefferson Intelligencer

BOTANY BAY.

We are in possession of seven of the first newspapers printed at Botany Bay. The mind actuated by levity may treat such a communication with contempt. But whether we view this new colony commercially or politically the reflections produced are such as befit the Philosopher, the statesman or the Philanthropist. The papers although printed in a style, that 40 years ago would have seemed elegant in this country are not noticed by us as literary productions but as the first essay of a colony.

It is now 18 years since the first establishment was made in South Wales; and the colony is already England in miniature. It is little more than two centuries since the Europeans were settled on the continent of North America which is this day, one of the countries in the world that maintains its independence and dignity in the most decided and honorable manner.

We are ignorant as to the settling of colonies in the ancient world. Fable and fictions have enveloped those transactions in a state of darkness; but since Europe got connected with India and South America, we have had some very striking examples of the impossibility of what is termed colonizing a country already inhabited and enjoying a polished state of society.

We may send thousands of our most energetic and brave compatriots to the East Indies. They will either return home, or they will assimilate themselves to the inhabitants; and their children will resemble the natives of the country. The Spaniards experience the same with regard to South America, and time makes no change in the manners of the inhabitants.

In settling a colony in North America England shed less blood, and performed fewer of those actions, which a misapplication of language has dignified with the title of great and brilliant; but it laid the foundation for a mighty state, already amounting to above eight millions of inhabitants, and affording by far the most extensive market for English manufactures that exists. The fair complement of inhabitants for the U. States will amount to above 150 millions. Men who will speak the English language, live under English laws, and continue to prefer English manners to those of other countries. Thus England has already established one of the greatest states in the world; and this new country follows with rapidity that passes all example.

The first public effort of the inhabitants of Botany Bay towards assuming a national character cannot be passed over without feeling and observation. It is a period that naturally leads to reflection; and the thinking mind cannot look forward
without seeing the same things happen that have taken place in America, with this difference, that this infant colony increases in wealth and convenience much more rapidly than that colony did which is now termed the U. States of America.

Besides the reflections suggested to the speculative politician, the man who possesses either humanity or religion must be happy to find that those characters, whom bad company and a number of concomitant circumstances, of which they could not get rid, rendered profligate and dangerous in this country, are become good and exemplary members of society in their new situation, where a guilty man shakes off shame, and becomes a fresh, worthy, and industrious inhabitant of the new country.

A century will not pass over till this new colony, feeling its own strength, will imitate the Americans, and become in the east, a great and powerful nation. What the consequence of this will be in our Asiatic possession, we can no more tell, than what the independence of America will one day produce with respect to our West India islands. We must keep in mind that the men we are planting are Englishmen, and will possess all their ambition and all their energy.

It appears clearly from the papers now before us, which are much occupied by advertisements, like a provincial English newspaper, that the state of society at Botany Bay, is already greatly advanced. Public sales, articles lost and found, and servants wanted, and articles of millinery and jewelry, and all other such matters are advertised in the same manner as in the most extensive and wealthy English settlements; and thus arises to the intellectual view a very wide field of reflection.

The extent of New South Wales, is very imperfectly known; but the difficulties which attended the first settlement disappear daily; so that in a short time there will be few impediments in the way of its increase. The advantage it will enjoy over America is, that the new settlers are not scattered abroad as they were there, but, by extending from one spot, will do it with much more ease and advantage.

The publishing of a paper is an act which gives a sort of unity and character to the establishment; and we see in that the beginning of a country which will in a short time exceed in power and energy, Italy, Greece, Turkey and those parts of the world that at one time held all the rest in subjection and contempt. It is impossible to reflect on the past, and look at the future without being impressed with feelings of those changes which take place in human affairs, and in the family of the world. We must consider this new branch as one that promises to maintain its importance in a manner that will not disgrace the nation from which it sprang.

There is without doubt a disagreeable idea attending the mention of Botany Bay; and there are those whose levity will lead them to look contemptuously on the country; but when we consider that such an establishment is raised from that part of society that was lost to the country, and had justly forfeited their rights, how highly ought we to admire the humanity and justice of those who converted the rigour of justice into so mild a channel, and from the crimes and misfortunes of mankind, raised a society that promises to become so respectable and worthy of protection.