Page:History of the Indian Archipelago Vol 2.djvu/436

 39^ PORTUGUESE HISTORY which their domination has produced on the charac-^ ter and destinies of the native inhabitants, and not to furnish a detail of the revolting and disgusting scenes of colonial intrigue, a topic, which, even were it compatible with the nature of my under- taking, would little interest the greater class of readers* The power of European nations has been felt or established in the Indian islands for more than three centuries, and although its influence has not been co-extensive with its duration, it has, upon the whole, produced effects essential and important. It is instructive to contemplate the difference which has characterized the policy pursued by European na- tions in these countries, and in America, which became known to Europeans nearly about the same time. Avarice was the main spring of their policy with respect to both countries, but it took a differ- ent direction, and was differently modified accord- ing tp the circumstances in which they found the nations which occupied them. The gold of America was soon exhausted ; — the persecution of the natives which followed the search of it soon ceased ; — the Americans had no rich commerce to persecute ; — their soil furnished no productions on which Euro- peans put an extraordinary estimate ; — colonization was consequently early resorted to, and consequently the prosperity of America has been comparatively great and progressive. The Indian islands, on the