The _Roman_ Colonies were for the greatest Part inhabited by the Nations to whom the Countries belonged before the Approach of the _Roman_ Legions, who first subdued them, and then made them as Slaves rather than Fellow Subjects; so that when the Forces that kept them in Awe and Slavery were removed, they then readily embraced the joyful Opportunity of recovering their antient Rights and Laws, and reassuming their old Religions and Liberties, and rescuing themselves and their Country from Slavery and Bondage, wherewith they had been captivated by the _Roman_ Conquests.
But in our Colonies and Plantations the Case is vastly different; we have there few or none of the _Indian_ Inhabitants intermix'd with us; the Country is capacious enough for our Reception in the Islands and along the Coasts, and there is sufficient Room for the _Indians backwards_ upon the Continent. Our Colonies are all inhabited for the most Part by _Britons_ and _Irish_; their Trade and Interest, Customs, Laws, and Religion are agreeable to, or the same with ours; neither is there any Necessity for Fleets or Armies to keep them in Subjection and Awe.
Instead of forsaking _England_, it may be in the Power (as well as it would be the Interest) of the Plantations to assist _England_ against any foreign Force, that in future Ages may injure, insult, or molest it.
The greatest Occasion that the Plantations have or may require for powerful Assistance from _England_, is upon Account of the Pyrates who abominably infest their Seas and Coasts; but a competent Number of bold and active _Men of War_ might soon take all those Nests of Robbers; and Contrivances for proper Employment for such wild and extravagant People, and more honest Work for Sailors in the Plantations, might in a great Measure prevent Pyrates. Several come in upon _Acts of Grace_; the rest might be subdued by Force, and confined to proper Labour and Industry; and Encouragement and Work might be found for all such as may be suspected to be inclinable for _the Account_, as they call it; thus if we cannot, or rather will not execute proper Measures for the Extirpation of Pyrates in the _American_ Seas, yet certainly we should put a Stop to their Encrease, and not suffer them to swarm one Year more than another, which surely may be made very practicable by apt Endeavours, courageous Care, and good Conduct; as may most remarkably be evidenced by the well concerted Expedition from _Virginia_ to _North Carolina_ against _Blackbeard_ and his Crew, and the most successful Efforts of the celebrated Captain _Ogle_, who made such effectual Use of his Commission and Opportunity.