In the same space it would have
been difficult to compress more absurd concession and of ruinous
restraint. The clause requiring all things to be held in common was
destructive of the most powerful stimulus that urges man to labor; the
semblance of mercy which forbade war upon the savages often held the hand
of the settler when raised in self-defence; and the church establishment,
forced by the arm of the law upon reckless adventurers, made religion a
hated bondage and the tithe-gatherer more odious than the author of evil.
But notwithstanding the defects and deformities of a charter which, in
modern times, would have been indignantly rejected as an invasion of the
rights of man, the London Company eagerly prepared for their proposed
scheme of settlement. Sir Thomas Smith was elected treasurer--a gentleman
who had amassed great wealth by merchandise, who was one of the assignees
under Raleigh's patent, and was soon afterward made governor of the East
India Company. Much has been said against him; but he was a man of public
spirit and expanded views, and urged forward the enterprise with his
influence and his contributions. The means of the company were at first
very limited; three ships only were prepared, the largest of which was of
not more than one hundred tons burden, and Christopher Newport was
selected for the command.
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