University of Virginia Library

1348. COLONIES (The American), Beginning of the.—

America was conquered, and her settlements made, and firmly established,
at the expense of individuals, and not
of the British public. Their own blood was
spilt in acquiring lands for their settlement,
their own fortunes expended in making that
settlement effectual; for themselves they
fought, for themselves they conquered, and
for themselves alone they have right to hold.
No shilling was ever issued from the public
treasuries of his Majesty, or his ancestors,
for their assistance, till of very late times,
after the colonies had become established on a
firm and permanent footing.—
Rights of British America. Washington ed. i, 126. Ford ed., i, 430.
(1774)
See Rights of British America, Appendix.