Page:Economic History of Virginia Vol 1.djvu/82

 would shake off her yoke and erect an independent government of their own, have been shown to be correct by the issue of subsequent events. But England gained incalculable advantages from the erection of these colonies. From the foundation of the settlement at Jamestown in 1607 until the present day, she has, in spite of the protective system of the United States, possessed a market in this country which has added in the course of that long period of time countless millions to her accumulated wealth.

It was very justly anticipated by those who were interested in the London Company, that the growth of the Colony on the Powhatan would promote the growth of British shipping by swelling the volume of ocean freight. The more prosperous that Colony became, the greater would be the demand for English vessels in the transportation of merchandise from England to Virginia, and in the transportation of agricultural products from Virginia to England. A new school for the training of sailors would thus be created, an advantage that would be felt not only by the merchant marine of the kingdom, but also in its naval defence in case of an attack by a foreign power. At the time when the formation of the Virginia Companies was under consideration, the complaint was publicly urged that the English seamen were daily running to other nations &#8220;for wante of employment and cannot be restrained by anie law when necessatie in-forseth them to serve, and hire of a stranger rather than serve at home.&#8221; In consequence of the unprofitableness of shipping, the merchants were disposing of their large vessels and retaining only their