Washington to the Scocialists

[alice wellintown]

The writer of a history may, in some respects, be likened unto an
adventurous knight, who having undertaken a perilous enterprize, 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 take by the beard and utterly subdue, before
I can advance another step in my historick undertaking -- but I trust
this will be the last adversary I shall have to contend with, and that
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 land, and take possession of a
country, without asking the consent of its inhabitants, or yielding
them an adequate compensation for their territory?

My readers shall now see with astonishment, how easily I will vanquish
this gigantic doubt, which has so long been the terror of adventurous
writers; which has withstood so many fierce assaults, and has given
such great distress of mind to multitudes of kind-hearted folks. For,
until this mighty question is totally 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.