Colonialism
Nathaniel Hawke lifted his face, closed his eyes to the sun and breathed in the salty tang of the wind,
their ship "The Molly Jane" had spent 7 weeks crossing the Atlantic from Plymouth, and now
they could see a faint line of darker blue on the horizon, seabirds cries could be heard
on the breeze as they flew above the masts. A loud crack came from the mainsail as the wind
bellied it out pushing "The Molly Jane" towards the green and verdant coastline ahead.
"A fine sight sir", Nathaniel called out to Mr Graves who stood closer to the rail, "we should be
in harbour by nightfall." "Indeed, Sir" the reply came back, "and the natives of this land
will be feeding from our hands by tomorrow night!" Graves gave a hearty laugh as he stepped across
towards his companion in this enterprise, "these folks are simple and easily gulled by more
sophisticated commercial gentlemen like ourselves, their ignorance will be our
fortune."
The following morning, a raucous crowd was gathering in the market place, hawkers shouting
above each other, the smells of cooked pies and meat, bread and fish mingling with the smells
of salt water, rotting fish and fruit, men and women, children, ragamuffins, beggars and gentry
all looking for trade, to buy and sell, look and eat.
Nathaniel and Mr Graves slowly walked through, their eyes ever wandering, looking at the products
for sale, but mostly at the customers, marking out mentally the people they would be looking to
exploit later - they exuded an air of casual indifference, dressed like a couple of wealthy
young gentlemen, of distinguished banks or companies, out about their new town. "Mr Graves,
I believe we are going to enjoy our time in Charlestown very much indeed", Nathaniel said to
his companion as he watched a wealthy looking couple stroll past.
Later that afternoon, the two men addressed a gathering of well to do young men,
"Gentlemen, we are assured that your are all men of discernment and respectability in this fine
town, Mr Graves and I are here as representatives of the London firm of Fleecem and Scarper, a
company with a great reputation for honesty and integrity, maybe some of you fine Gentlemen have
heard of it? No? Well it is of no matter, we bring to you an opportunity to exlore and,
God willing, invest in our scheme, one that cannot fail but to make you a fortune". Nathaniel Hawke
looked around at the eager faces in front of them, turned to Mr Graves with a knowing smile,
their game was afoot and their next willing victims waiting eagerly to part with their money.
|