ebooks Family in Buddhism by From State University of New York Press in History

Description

European settlement in Virginia ;not visited by whites until 1716; uncolonized till 1732; and organized less than a century and a half ago; appears to offer few materials for history. The Valley of Virginia; in the heart of which Augusta lies; was unknown to the whites for more than a hundred years after the landing at Jamestown. During this long period no effort was made to penetrate into what was supposed to be an impenetrable region lying beyond high and inaccessible mountains. No one ventured to overcome these obstacles of nature; and to enter a dismal solitude of irremediable barrenness and perpetual gloom; whose air was said to be infectious and mortal; the ground covered with serpents; the forests infested by wild beasts; and the indigenous inhabitants a race of fierce and brutal savages; hating strangers and implacable in their cruelty. It was only after the return of the Knights of the Golden Horseshoe from their successful expedition over the mountains and into the Valley; that all previous accounts were discovered to be fabulous; and what was hitherto considered an accursed land; was found to be a delightful region; blessed with a delicious climate; rich fields; groves; shades and streams. From this period many persons seriously considered the question of making their homes in these hesperian regions; and within less than twenty years of Spotswood sreturn the Valley became the permanent home of Europeans. The early history of the discovery and occupation of the country west of the great mountains; so far as the present County of Augusta is concerned; is illustrated by few traditionary legends or incidents of border warfare; beyond the ordinary privations attending a new settlement; but when the entire territory which bore her name from 1738 to 1790; comes under view; it is eminently worthy of historical relation. A small remnant only of the advent(Typographical errors above are due to OCR software and don't occur in the book.)