You are correct Lewis.* The dregs were transported at one time to the American Colonies, these became the building*blocks that built the richest and the most free country in the world. From Independence onwards, the poor and starving and illiterate*of Ireland, Germany, Poland, Russia, joined the British and poured into the States, including this writer at age 22 who left school at 15, entered the States, proudly became a citizen on his first day able to, and has never looked back, and I have had a life, beyond my wildest dreams had I stayed in Walthamstow, London, where I was born.
I spent 13 of my winters, their summers, six months out of the year in OZ.*(I retired at 46). Obviously I loved*it and the people. I've been around,*it down it, across it, and over to Tassie. I've got news for you mate, those convicts dumped on the shores and told to make the best of it DID.* And did it have the population, and the diverse topography of the United States, it would be just as rich and powerful as the U.S..
The words by Emma Lazarus on the base of the Statue of Liberty (a gift to the USA from France by the way) "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses, yearning to be free.." The dregs, me included, came. People*emigrated from their "Old Country", me at 20, because they were not content with their lot in life. And those that never returned "Home" enjoyed, and are enjoying*a better life than if they had stayed. I know I am.
Cheers, Rodney