Campbell's History of Virginia [pp. 209-220]

Campbell's History of Virginia.
with a theory, which they seek to estab lish by all the facts within their reach.
MIr. Campbell adopts a different policy.
lie is fully convinced of the superiority
of the present over the past; but he
deems it to be his duty to record ficts
just as they occurred; and in this view
he is sustained by Lord Bacon, whom he
properly quotes, in the following words:
"It is the office of history," says the
great philosopher, "torepresent theevents
themselves, together with the counsels,
and to leave the observations andl conclu sions thereupon, to the liberty and facul ty of every man's judgment."
What we want in Virginia history is
a clear aid full statement of leading
facts and affairs, illustrated by the know ledge, but unbiassed by the preconcerted
opinions of the writer. With a proper
respect for the philosophy of history in
its true place, we cannot but see that a
favourite tlheo-ry of at hist(orian is some times dangerous to the cause of truth
and justice. It insensibly leads to the
misstatement of the whole truth, and
even to the suppression of' facts which
might war with the favourite idea. Now
the whole and only value of history con sists in its truth. WVithout truth it is
not only not the source of g,ood, but becomes the source of positive evil. Impressed with these views, Mr. Campbell
has performed his office faithfully. Sometimes with manifest reluctance he discloses filects about persons an(i things of
an unpleasant nature; but remembering
that he is dealing with truth, and not
with fiction, with the future as well as
with the past and the present, he makes
the cause of justice triumph over a sense
of delicacy. His conduct on such occasions will receive the approbation of all
candlid readers and of all honest men.
The work opens with an account of the
early voyages to America and of Sir
Walter Raleigh's discovery; and here
the author shows the origin of the common error of Sir Walter's having visited
Virginia. The second chapter contains
an interesting account of the early life
and adventures of Capt. John Smikh.
The third records the landing at Jamestown, and the settlement of Virginia
proper. The fourth details the explo rations of Capt. Smith, and pays a just
compliment to our great captain for the
accuracy and judgment displayed in the
construction of his map, which has been
the foundation of all subsequent maps to
this day. The fifth contains the thrilling
adventures of Smith with the Indians,
an account of his administration, and his
departure from the colony, with a sketch
of his character and writings. Through out the narrative Pocahontas appears in
all iher grace and sweetness and purity a being so beautiful and so pure, that,
if she had appeared in the pages of Ile rodotus, or even in those of Livy, we
might have deemed her the twin sister
of Egeria, the counsellor of Numa, or
the creation of genius in its finest aspira tions. We wish our author had stated
that her descendants still survive, and
are to be numbered by thousands, and
that some of our people, most distinguish ed for the graces of eloquence, for per sonal beauty, and for intrinsic moral
worth, are proud that her blood courses
in their veins.
The tenth chapter embraces an accu rate and affecting narrative of the life
and services of Sir Walter Raleig,h, con cluding with a striking picture of his
sufferings, arrest, condemnation and ex ecution. Our readers, old and young,
will rise fi'omn the perusal of this chapter
with renewed love and admiration of the
noblest character of the century in which
hlie lived-a character which will ever
appeal with irresistible power to the
heart of every Virginian. The eleventh
chapter opens with an allusion to the
election of Sir Edward Sanrdys over Sir
Tho-imas Smith as Treasurer of the Virginia Company, and gives us at bird's
eye view of the contests in the Company,
which involved the essential principles of
free government, and which, in the long
discontinuance of parliaments, afforded
a vent to the liberal spirit of the British
nation. Our author here records the
first meeting of a Legislative Assembly
in the New World, which was summoned
by Governor Yeardley, and met at Jamestown, on Friday, the thirteenth day of
July, 1619; and he metes out due praise
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