Colony

[Fr. colonie; Lat. coloni a, from colo, to cultivate. An establishment formed in foreign countries by a body of men who emigrate from their mother-country, but retain with it a certain political connection. The name is applied either to the body of inhabitants in a territory colonized, or to the territory itself. Various motives have, at different periods, led to the formation of colonies. Sometimes, as in the case of most parts of the ancient Greek colonies, they were formed by citizens driven from their native country by the violence of political factions; sometimes, as in the case of the Roman colonies, they were formed for the purpose of bridling subjugated provinces; the latter, indeed, were a species of camps or military stations, forming, as it were, the advanced posts of that mighty army which had its head quarters at Rome. Sometimes, again, as in the case of the Phœnician colonies, and of most of those established in modern times, they have been formed for commercial purposes, or in the view of enriching the mother country, by opening new markets from which she might, if she chose, exclude foreigners. Most of the Greek colonies being founded by private adventurers, who received no a istance from the government of the parent state, were really independent; the duty which they owed to their metropolis being such only as is due to kinsmen and friends, and not that due by subjects to their rulers. The Roman colonies, on the other hand, being founded. by the State for an important political purpose, were always dependent upon Rome. They formed the great bulwarks of the empire. Nor was the conquest of any province ever supposed to be completed, till colonies had been established in it, and roads had rendered it acce ible to the legions. The colonies established for commercial purposes have generally been subjected to such regulations as were deemed most for the advantage of the parent state. Their growth has thus in many instances been retarded; and they have been rendered le serviceable to their founders than they would have been had they been treated with greater liberality. Col'ony, in Mi ouri, a post-village of Knox co., about 36 m. W.S.W. of Keokuk. Colony, in Iowa, a post-township of Delaware co. Coloph'any. See COLOPHONY. Col'ophene, n. (Chem.) A liquid obtained by the distillation of colophony. It boils at 600°, and its sp. gr. is 0-940, being so much heavier than turpentine, from which it is also distinguished by its indigo-blue color, when seen obliquely, though it is colorle by directly transmitted light. Col'ophon. (Anc. Geog.) A town of Ionia, at a small distance from the sea, first built by Mopsus, the son of Manto, and colonized by the sons of Codrus. It was the native country of Mimnermus, Nicander, and Xenophanes, and one of the cities which claimed the honor of having given birth to Homer. Apollo had a temple in it.