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Is it not probable, that this sensible and amiable woman, perceiving the superiority of the Europeans, foreseeing the probability of the subjugation of her countrymen, and anxious as well to soften their destiny, as to save the needless effusion of human blood, desired, by her marriage with Mr. Rolfe, to hasten the abolition of all distinction between Indians and white men; to bind their interests and affections by the nearest and most endearing ties, and to make them regard themselves, as one people, the children of the same great family? If such were her wise and benevolent views, and I have no doubt but they were, how poorly were they backed by the British court? No wonder at the resentment and indignation with which she saw them neglected; no wonder at the bitterness of the disappointment and vexation which she expressed to captain Smith, in

London, arising as well from the cold reception which she herself had met, as from the contemptuous and insulting point of view in which she found that her nation was regarded.

Unfortunate princess! She deserved a happier fate! But I am consoled by these reflections: first, that she sees her descendants among the most respectable families in Virginia; and that they are not only superiour to the false shame of disavowing her as their ancestor; but that they pride themselves, and with reason too, on the honour of their descent; secondly, that she herself has gone to a country, where she finds her noble wishes realized; where the distinction of colour is no more; but where indeed, it is perfectly immaterial "what com"plexion an Indian or an African sun may "have burned" on the pilgrim.

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Adieu, my dear S.............. This train of thought has destroyed the tone of my spirits; when I recover them you shall hear farther from me. Once more, adieu.

LETTER V.*

Richmond, September 23.

THIS town, my dear S..... is the residence of several conspicuous characters; some of whose names we have heard on the other side of the atlantick. You shall be better acquainted with them before we finish this correspondence. For the present, permit me to introduce to your acquaintance, the ...... of the commonwealth of Virginia, and the of the United States.

* The donee of the manuscript begs that he may not be considered as responsible for the accuracy with which certain characters are delineated in this letter. He selects it purely for the advantage which, he supposes, youthful readers may derive from the writer's reflections on the -characters attempted to be drawn by him.

These gentlemen are eminent political opponents; the first belonging to the republican, the latter leading the van of the federal, party. Such is the interest which they both have in the confidence and affections of their respective parties, that it would be difficult, if not impossible, for any Virginian to delineate either of their characters justly. Friendship or hostility would be almost sure to overcharge the picture. But for me, I have so little connexion with this country, or her concerns, either at present or in prospect, that I believe I can look on her most exalted characters without envy, or prejudice of any kind; and draw them with the same cool and philosophick impartiality, as if I were a sojourner from another planet. If I fail in the delineation, the fault must be in the hand or in the head, in the pencil or the judgment: and not in any prepossession near my heart.

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