A History of New-York (Volume 1); From the Beginning of the World to the End of the Dutch Dynasty Containing Among Many Surprising and Curious Matters, the Unutterable Ponderings of Walter the Doubter, the Disastrous Projects of William, the Testy, and the C (Paperback)

Book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1835. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER V. In which the Author puts a mighty question to the rout, by the assistance of the Man in the Moon--which not only delivers thousands of people from great embarrassment, but likewise concludes this introductory book. The writer of a history may, in some respects, be likened unto an adventurous knight, who having undertaken a perilous enterprise, by way of establishing his fame, feels bound in honour and chivalry, to turn_ back for no difficulty nor hardship, and never to shrink or quail, whatever enemy he may encounter. Under this impression, I resolutely draw my pen, and fall to, with might and main, at those doughty questions and subtle paradoxes, which, like fiery dragons and bloody giants, beset the entrance to my history, and would fain repulse me from the very threshold. And at this moment a gigantic question has started up, which I must needs take by the beard and utterly subdue, before I can advance another step in my historic undertaking; but I trust this will be the last adversary I shall have to contend with, and tha in the next book I'shall be enabled to conduct my readers in triumph into the body of my work. - The question which has thus suddenly arisen, is, what right had the first discoverers of America to .and and take possession of a country, without first gaining the consent of its inhabitants, or yielding them RIGHTS OF THE DISCOVERERS. 63 an adequate compensation for their territory ?--a question which has withstood many fierce assaults, and has given much distress of mind to multitudes of kind-hearted folk. And indeed, until it be totally vanquished, and put to rest, the worthy people of America can by no means enjoy the soil they inhabit, with clear right and title, and quiet, unsullied consciences. The first source of right, by which property is ac qu...