A HISTORY THE UNITED STATES; USE OF SCHOOLS AND ACADEMIES. A NEW EDITION, BEVTSED AND CONTINUED TO THE PRESENT TIME. BY JOHN FROST. Battle of Resaca de la Falma. PHILADELPHIA: THOMAS, COWPERTHWAIT & CO. 1849. ADVERTISEMENT TO THE SECOND EDITION. As the alterations and corrections in this edition refer chiefly to single words and dates, it will be found to contain nothing which will prevent its being conveniently used in the same class with the first edition. As the work is now stereotyped, its present form, paging, &c. will of course be permanently retained. ENTERED according to Act of CongreM, in the year 1837, by JOHN FROST, in the Office of the Clerk of the District Court of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. PREFACE. THE utility of history as a branch of school instruction is now so generally admitted, that it is hardly necessary to offer any arguments in its favour ; and the necessity of giving the history of our own country the first place, is equally obvious to the reflecting reader. The manner in which this interesting subject should be presented to the mind of the young student, is the only point of inquiry with writers and teachers. In preparing the following history, the author has pursued that course which appeared to him best adapted to unite sound and thorough instruction with entertainment. Beginning with the discovery of the New World, and endeavouring to present the series of events in a clear and connected narrative, rejecting whatever he deemed irrelevant or unimportant, and dwelling chiefly on those striking features of the subject which give it vividness and character, he has brought it down to the present day. Although the considerable period embraced, the multitude of characters and events delineated, and the extent of the field in which they figure, have rendered the preservation of historical unity no easy task, he has laboured to give the work such a degree of compactness as would enable the student to perceive the relation of all it Darts, and to grasp the whole without any very difficult exercise of com- prehension. Instead of dividing the history into periods, according to an arbitrary arrangement of events, he has chosen to adopt the ordinary system of chapters, founded on the natural divisions of the subject. The table of contemporary sovereigns, instead of being distributed in small portions at the end of each chapter, is thrown into the appendix for more convenient reference ; 1* 5 6 PREFACE. and a variety of illustrative matter, which could not be em bodied in the text, without disturbing the continuity of the narrative, and distracting the attention of the student, has also been placed at the end of the volume. A leading title at the top of each page has been inserted, with a view to direct the attention of the young reader to the principal events, and to assist him in referring to them ; and questions are placed at the bottom of every page, for those teachers who prefer the use of them to the practice of ex- amining the student without any such auxiliary. A number of illustrations, from original Drawings, are given, from a conviction of their utility in fixing on the mind of the pupil a lasting impression of the events to which they relate. The aid which is thus affordecfto the memory and the imagina- tion, will be readily understood by any person who will take the trouble to compare the vivid impressions of historical characters and scenes, which he has been fortunate enough to receive from graphic illustrations, with the faint ones which he may have derived from mere narrative. Nothing hr3 been omitted in the adaptation of the volume to the purposes of school instruction, which was considered essential to its utility ; and if any deficiencies in this respect should be found, they ought to be referred rather to an error of judgment in the author, than a willingness to spare himself the care and attention requisite for making the work complete. The volume is submitted to the public with profound de- ference ; and in the hope that it may meet with the same kind indulgence which has been awarded to previous productions of the author, which have cost a much smaller expenditure of labour, and whose destiny has been regarded with far less solicitude. CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. DISCOVERT OF AMERICA.. Columbus, p. 13 Portuguese Discoveries in Africa, 14 Columbus in Spain, 15 Columbus's Outfit, 17 Landing of Columbus at San Salvador 1 8 Vespucius, 19 Fate of Columbus, 20. CHAPTER II. NORTH AMERICA DISCOVERED AND SETTLED. The Continent discovered by the Cabots, p. 20 French discoveries, 21- Cartier, 21 Champlain, 22 Quebec settled, 23. CHAPTER III. THE SPANIARDS TAKE POSSESSION OF FLORIDA. Ponce de Leon, p. 23 Narvaez, 24 Soto's Expedition, 26 Soto in Georgia and Alabama, 26 In Missouri, 27 The French in Carolina, 28 Massacre of the French in Florida, 29 St. Augustine settled, 29 CHAPTER IV. ENGLAND ATTEMPTS TO COLONISE THE UNITED STATES. Drake, p. 31 Gilbert, 31 English in North Carolina, 32 First Settle- ment of Roanoke, 32 Virginia Dare, 34 Gosnold, 34 Pring, Wey- mouth, 35. CHAPTER V. COLONISATION OF VIRGINIA. A company formed, p. 35 First Charter of Virginia, 36 Newport sails, 38 Settlement of Jamestown, 38 Adventures of Captain Smith, 39 The Gold Mania, 41 Second Charter, 42 Lord Delaware, 43 Departure of Captain Smith, 44 The Starving Time, 45 Arrival of Lord Delaware, 46 New patent created, 47 Marriage of Pocahontas, 47 Tobacco cultivated, 4 Tyranny of Argall, 49. CHAPTER VI. VIRGINIA ACQUIRES CIVIL FREEDOM. Governor Yeardly arrives, p. 50 First colonial Assembly, 50 The Vir- ginians acquire Homes, 50 Introduction of Slavery, 52 The Indians, 52 Great Massacre, 53. CHAPTER VII. INDIAN "WAR DISSOLUTION OF THE LONDON COMPANY. The great Massacre avenged, p. 55 Dissolution of the London Company, 56 -Progress of civil freedom, 57 Designs of Charles 1,58 Indian War, 8 CONTENTS. 59 Episcopacy established, 59 Virginia adheres to Charles I, 59 Capk ulates to the Commonwealth, 60. CHAPTER VIII. TIHOrSTIA AFTER THE RESTORATION. The Restoration, p. 61 Restrictions on Commerce, 61 Discontent of the Virginians, 62 Bacon's rebellion, 64 Heroism of Berkeley, 65 Civil War, 65 Virginia retains her Freedom, 67. CHAPTER IX. SETTLEMENT OF MARYLAND. Clayborne's Exploration, p. 67 Sir George Calvert, 68 -Charter of Maryland, 68 Settlement of St. Mary's, 70 Clayborne's Disturbances, 70 Maryland during the Civil War, 71. CHAPTER X. FIRST SETTLEMENT OF NEW ENGLAND. Raleigh Gilbert, p. 72 Settlement on Kennebec river. 72 Smith's Voyages to New England, 72 The Plymouth Council, 72 The Brownists. 73 Voyage of the Pilgrims, 73 Landing, 77 Massasoit, 80 Exploit of Standish, 80 Treachery of Pierce, 81. CHAPTER XL PROGRESS OF THE NEW ENGLAND COLONIES. Gorges and Mason's patent, p. 83 Settlement of Maine, 83 Of Salem and Charlestown, 84 Of Boston, 85 Banishment of Roger Williams, 86 Arrival of Peter and Vane, 87 Aristocracy rejected, 88 Connecticut settled, 89 The Pequod War, 90. CHAPTER XII. THE COLONIES OF NEW ENGLAND UNITED. Attempt to revoke the Charters, 92 Persecution of the Puritans in Eng land, 93 New England colonies united, 94 Roger Williams's mission to England, 95 Maine united with Massachusetts, 96 Persecution of Quakers, 97. CHAPTER XIII. NEW ENGLAND AFTER THE RESTORATION. The Restoration announced, p. 98 Arrival of the Regicides, 98 The Kind's Letter, 99 New Charter granted, 100 Charters endangered, 101 King Philip's War, 101 Administration of Andros, 103 Revolution of 1688, 103 Border Wars, 104 Controversy with the Crown, 106 Capture of Louisbourg, 108 Question of Boundaries, 110 State of the New Eng- land Colonies in 1754, 111. CHAPTER XIV. COLONISATION OF NEW YORK. Henry Hudson's Voyage, p. 1 1 1 Settlement of New York, 1 1 1 ArgalL 112 The New Netherlands, 112-^Governor Stuyvesant, 113 Colonel Nichols, 114 New York acquires civil Freedom, 115 The Five Nations, 117 Jacob Leisler, 120 Burning of Schenectady, 121 Fall of Leisler 122 The Mohawk Warrior, 124 Affair of Fletcher and Wadsworth, 124- Piracy Captain Kidd, 126 -Lord Combury, 127 Administrations of Hun ter and Bumet, 128 Of Cosby, 128 Of Clinton, 129. CONTENTS. CHAPTER XV. COLONISATION OF NEW JEIISET. Settlements of the Swedes and Dutch, p. 129 New Jersey granted to Berkeley, and Carteret, 129 Philip Carteret, 130 Andros, 131 Bur- lington settled, 132 New Jersey under James II, 133 Under William and Mary, 133. CHAPTER XVI. COLONISATION OF DELAWARE. The Swedes at Cape Henlopen, p. 134 The Dutch, 134 Stuvvesant 135 Penn's purchase, 135 Separation from Pennsylvania, 135. CHAPTER XVII. COLONISATION OF PENNSYLVANIA. William Penn, p. 136 His Charter, 137 Landing of Penn, 138 Treaty with the Indians, 138 ^-Pennsylvania under William and Mary, 139 Death of Penn, 141 Franklin's Mission to London, 141. CHAPTER XVIII. COLONISATION OF NORTH CAROLINA. Heath's Patent, p. 142 Albemarle Settlers, 142 Culpepper's Insur- rection, 144 Separation of the Carolinas, 145. CHAPTER XIX. COLONISATION OF SOUTH CAROLINA. Sayle'a Settlement, p. 146 Hostility of the Spaniards, 147 Settlement of Charleston, 148 Sothel's Usurpation, 148 Abolition of Proprietary Government, 150. CHAPTER XX. COLONISATION OF GEORGIA. Charter, p. 151 Oglethorpe, 151 Whitefield, 153 Spanish Hostilities, 153 Invasion, 154 Retirement of Oglethorpe, 155. CHAPTER XXI. COMMENCEMENT OF THE OLD FRENCH WAH. Origin of the French War of 1754, p. 156 The Ohio Company, 158 Fort Du Quesne built, 160 Conquest of Nova Scotia, 160 -Braddock's Defeat, 161 Victory of Colonel Johnson, 163 Campaign of 1756, 164 Campaign of 1757, 164. CHAPTER XXII. CONQUEST OF CANADA. Pitt's Ministry, p. 166 Campaign of 1758, 166 General Wolfe, 16? Fall of Quebec, 169 Results or the Campaign of 1760, 170. CHAPTER XXIII. THE REVOLUTION. Scheme for Taxing the Colonies, p. 172 The Stamp Act, 173 First Continental Congress, 174 Repeal of the Stamp Act, 174 New Taxes imposed, 176 Opposition to the Taxes, 176 Affair of the Sloop Liberty, 177 British troops in Boston, 178 Boston Massacre, 180- Hutchinson's Letters, 182 Destruction of the Tea, 183 Boston Port 10 CONTENTS. Bill, 185 Proceedings of the Continental Congress, 186 Approach of War, 188. CHAPTER XXIV. COMMENCEMENT OF THE BEVOLT7TIONAHT WAR. Battle of Concord, p. 189 Boston besieged, 193 Ticonderoga and Crown Point taken, 194 Battle of Breed's Hill, 195 Falmouth burnt, 198 CHAPTER XXV. EXPEDITION AGAINST CANADA. Invasion Montreal taken, p. 201 Escape of Governor Carlton, 201- Arnold before Quebec, 202 Montgomery before Quebec, 203 Death of Montgomery, 204 Arnold's Operations, 204 The Americans retreat, 20& Operations in Upper Canada, 206. CHAPTER XXVI. CAMPAIGN OP 1776. Attack on Charleston, p. 208 Defeat of the British, 210 Indian War, 212 Declaration of Independence, 213 Arrival of the British at New York, 217 Defeat on Long Island, 220 Washington's Plan of Operations, 222 Battle of White Plains, 222 Retreat through the Jerseys, 223 Washington appointed Dictator, 224 Battle of Trenton, 225 Battle of Princeton, 226 Washington reconquers the Jerseys, 227. CHAPTER XXVII. CAMPAIGN OP 1777. The Confederation, p. 228 American Privateers, 229 La Payette, 230 The Prison Ships, 230 Capture of General Prescott, 232 Operations in New Jersey, 232 Battle of the Brandywine, 233 Battle of German- town, 234 Battle of Redbank, 235 Operations in the North, 23fr Loss of Ticonderoga, 23S Advance of Burgoyne, 238 Battle of Bennington, 240 Fort Schuyler invested, 241 Murder of Miss Macrea, 242 Bur- foyne at Saratoga, 243 Battles of Stillwater 244 Burgoyne's Retreat, 44 Surrender of Burgoyne, 246 The Army at Valley Forge, 246 CHAPTER XXVIII. CAMPAIGN OP 1778. Conciliatory Offers of England, p. 248 Death of Chatham, 249 General Reed, 250 Retreat of Barren Hill, 251 Battle of Monmouth, 252 Attempt to recover Rhode Island, 253 Massacre at Wyoming, 254 Defeat of Ge- neral Howe, 255 Loss of the Randolph, 255. CHAPTER XXIX. CAMPAIGN OF 1779. Virginia ravaged, p. 257 Putnam's Ride, 257 Storming of Stony Point, 258 Operations in the South, 259 Defeat of General Lincoln, 260 General P re vost before Charleston, 261 Siege of Savannah, 262 Achieve- ments of Paul Jones, 263. CHAPTER XXX. CAMPAIGN OF 1780. War in the South, p. 265 Capitulation of Charleston, 266 Condition of South Carolina, 267 Treachery of the British. 267 Gates's March to the South, 268 Battle of Camden, 270 Proceedings of Cornwallis, 273^ Battle of King's Mountain, 273 General Gates superseded, 274 Dis- contents in the Army, 275 The Army relieved and reinforced, 276 Arrival of the French Fleet, 276 Arnold's Treason, 277 Capture of Andre, 278 Mutiny in the American Camp, 280 CONTENTS. 1 1 CHAPTER XXXI. CAMPAIGN OP 1781. General Greene in the South, p. 282 Battle of Cowpens, 283 Morgan's Retreat, 284 Greene's Retreat, 285 Battle of Guilford, 2S6 Greeno marches for South Carolina, 287 Siege of Ninety-Six, 287 -Battle of Eutaw Springs, 289 Affair of Colonel Hayne, 289 Comwallis in Virginia, 290 Arrival of the French Fleet, 292 Preparations for the Siege of New York, 292 Washington marches South, 293 Capture of Fort Griswold, 294 Siege of Yorktown, 294 Surrender of Comwallis, 297 Its Effects, 298 Lord North resigns, 299 Treaty of Peace, 300 Discontent of the Army, 301 New York evacuated, 301 Retirement of Washington, 302 Character of the Revolutionary War, 304. CHAPTER XXXH. FORMATION OF THE FEDERAL CONSTITUTION. State of the Country, p. 305 Insurrections, 306 Shay's Rebellion, 307 Convention at Alexandria, 308 Federal Convention, 309 Federal Constitution, 310 Formation of Parties, 311 Washington elected Presi- dent, 312. CHAPTER XXXIII. WASHINGTON'S ADMINISTRATION. Washington receives notice of his Election, p. 312 His Journey to New York, 313 Proceedings of the first Congress, 316 Washington's Tour through New England, 316 Debts of the States, 317 Indian War, 319 Defeat of General St. Clair, 320 Washington re-elected President, 321 Citizen Genet, 322 Insurrection in Pennsylvania, 323 Jay's Treaty, 324 Pacific Policy of Washington, 325 Proceedings of the French Di- rectory, 326 Washington's Retirement, 327 His Character, 328. CHAPTER XXXIV. ADMINISTRATION OF JOHN ADAMS. Relations with France, p. 330 Intrigues of Talleyrand, 330 Prepa- rations for War with France, 331 Death of Washington, 332 Election of Jefferson, 334. CHAPTER XXXV. JEFFERSON'S ADMINISTRATION. Effects of Peace in Europe, p. 336 Acquisition of Louisiana, 337 War with Tripoli, 338 Burr's Conspiracy, 340 Depredations on American Commerce, 341 Affair of the Chesapeake, 342 Berlin and Milan Decrees, 343 Embargo, 344 Retirement of Jefferson, 344. CHAPTER XXXVI. COMMENCEMENT OF MADISON'S ADMINISTRATION. Character of Madison, p. 345 Repeal of the Embargo Law, 346 Mis- sions of Erskine and Jackson, 346 Affair of the Little Belt, 348 Indian War Battle of Tippecanoe, 349 Henry's Mission, 349 War declared, 350 Effects of the Declaration of War, 350. CHAPTER XXXVII. CAMPAIGN OF 1812. Military Force of the Country, p. 352 The Navy, 352 General Hull'g Expedition, 353 Governor Brock's Proclamation, 354 Surrender of Ge- neral Hull, 355 General Smyth's Operations. 357 Naval Victories, 358. 12 CONTENTS. CHAPTER XXXVIII. CAMPAIGN OF 1813. Operations on the North Western Frontier, p. 361 Siege of Fort Melgs, 362 Capture of York, 363 Attack on Sacketfs Harbour, 364 Operations on the Niagara Frontier, 365-^ Expedition against Montreal, 366 Battle of Chrystler's Fields, 366British Ravages on the Sea-coast, 367 Sacking of Hampton, 368 Affair of the Hornet and Peacock, 369 Defence of Fort Sandusky, 371 Battle on Lake Erie, 372 Battle of the Thames, 373 Creek War, 374. CHAPTER XXXIX. CAMPAIGN OF 1814. Russian Offer of Mediation, p. 375 Battle of Chippewa, 377 Siege of Fort Erie, 378 New York invaded, 379 Battle on Lake Champlain, 379 Flight of General Prevost, 380 Arrival of the British in the Chesapeake, 383-;-Capture of Washington City, 383 Maryland invaded, 384 Battle of Baltimore, 385 Connecticut and Maine invaded, 386 Hartford Conven- tion, 387 The British expelled from Florida, 388 Attack on New Orleans, 390 Defeated, 392 Peace of Ghent, 393 United States Bank Chartered, 394. CHAPTER XL. ADMINISTRATION OF JAMES MONROE- Relations with Florida and Spain, p. 394 Amelia Island taken, 394 Seminole War, 395 Acquisition of Florida, 395 Admission of Missouri into the Union, 396 La Fayette's Visit Vote of Congress respecting his Services, 396. CHAPTER XLI. ADMINISTRATION OF JOHN O.UTWCT ADAMS. Inaugural Address, 397 La Fayetteat Bunker's Hill, 398 Indian Trea- ties, 398 Treaty with Denmark, 399 Death of Jefferson and Adams, 399 The Tariff, 399. CHAPTER XLII. ADMINISTRATION OF ANDREW JACKSON. Commercial Treaty with Great Britain, 400 Indian War, 401 Tariff, 402 Nullification, 402 Compromise Bill, 403 Bank Question, 403 French War threatened, 404 Florida War, 404 Public Debt extinguished, 404. APPENDIX. Declaration of Independence, ------- 406 Constitution of the United States, ----- 408 Amendments to the Constitution, .-.-.- 414 Population of the American Colonies, - - - - - 416 Expense of the Revolutionary War, - - - - - 416 Troops employed during the Revolution, - - - - 416 Standing Army of the United States in 1836, ... - 417 7 Navy of the United States in 1836, - - - - - 418 Indian Tribes in the United States, ..... 419 Troops furnished by the respective States, from 1775 to 1783, - 421 Population of the United States, -..--. 422 Commerce of the United States, ..... 423 Table of contemporary Sovereigns, ... - - 424 Chronological Table, ...... 426 List of Authorities, ...... 432 HISTORY or THE UNITED STATES. CHAPTER I. DISCOVERY OF AMERICA. SEVERAL of the European nations have laid claim to the discovery of America, prior to the expedition of Columbus. The Welsh historians affirm that Madoc, a prince of their country, embarked from his native land as early as 1170, and, sailing westward, discovered those regions to which the name of America was afterwards given. But this claim rests upon remote and unfounded traditions, and is, there- fore, entitled to no credit. Similar pretensions are urged in favour of the Norwegians and Icelanders ; but a careful examination of all the authori- ties on the subject has led recent historians to the conclusion that the discoveries of these nations extended no farther than Greenland ; to the more southern portion of which territory they gave the name of Vinland. To Christopher Columbus, therefore, belongs the glory of having made the first discovery of the western world. At a time when geographical science had long slept in Eu- rope, when distant voyages were rare, and discoverers were few, timid, and ignorant, this extraordinary man formed the noble design of crossing the Atlantic Ocean in search of new regions. His opinion, that such an enterprise would be attended with success, was not unsupported by plausible facts and reasonings. Though, in the fifteenth century, the information of geographers was incorrect as well as scanty, certain observations had been recorded which supported Who have laid claim to the discovery I Are these claims well founded ? of America ? I Who was the discoverer ? 2 a3 14 THE PORTUGUESE D1SCOVEK1E his theory. From the form of the earth's shadow on the moon in an eclipse it had been inferred that its shape was globular ; and tolerably accurate ideas had been conceived of its magnitude. It was, therefore, apparent that Europe, Asia, and Africa could occupy but a small portion of its surface, and it seemed highly improbable that the remain- ing portion was one vast ocean.- Travellers in the east had reported that Asia extended very far in that direction, and the rotundity of the earth being known, it was inferred that the East Indies might be reached by holding a course directly west from Europe. These reasonings were not unsupported by striking facts. Pieces of wood, nicely carved, and apparently borne from a far country, had been thrown on the western coast of the Madeiras. A tree of an unknown species had been taken out of the ocean near the Azores ; and the bodies of two men, of strange colour and unusual appearance, had been found upon the coast. From these circumstances Columbus inferred the exist ence of the regions which he afterwards discovered, and the possibility of reaching them by sailing to the west. At this period the favourite object of discovery was a passage to the East Indies by sea. The Venetians had, by their advantageous position, and their great commercial ac- tivity, hitherto engrossed the profitable trade of that coun- try ; and thus excited the envy and jealousy of the other nations of Europe. Their communication with the East Indies was principally over land. Others were attempting a passage by sea. From the commencement of the fif- teenth century, the Portuguese had been extending their discoveries along the western coast of Africa towards the south, and had nearly doubled -the Cape of Good Hope. They were destined soon to attain this grand object, and establish a lucrative trade in the rare productions of the East. To find a shorter and more direct route to India was the Immediate object of Columbus in proposing to undertake a voyage of discovery. The rich returns of oriental com- merce formed the chief inducement which he urged upon those sovereigns, to whom he submitted his project, with a view to gain their support and patronage. What led him to the undertaking ? What facts supported his opinions ? What was the grand object of disco- very in Columbus's time ? What is said of the Venetians ? The Portuguese ? What was Columbus's immediate ob- ject ? COLUMBtJS IN SPAIN. 15 He first applied to the government of Genoa, his native country ; but here his offer was rejected, probably in conse- quence of the decline of commercial enterprise among the Genoese. He then made application to King John II, of Portugal, a monarch who had liberally encouraged voyages of discovery. Here he met with no better success ; for the king, having referred the ' matter to his counsellors, was by them discouraged from lending his support to a project which they represented as extravagant and visionary. This wise opinion did not, however, prevent the Portuguese govern- ment from secretly fitting out an expedition, which was intended to deprive Columbus of the glory of his discovery. The return of this expedition, without success, having ap- prized Columbus of the treachery designed against him, he left the country in disgust. It was about this period that he despatched his brother, Bartholomew Columbus, to Eng- land, for the purpose of gaining the patronage of Henry VII in support of his project. The voyage, however, was attended with so much delay, that that sovereign was not enabled to complete his arrangements, and make known his favourable disposition to Christopher Columbus, until the discovery had actually been effected. Disappointed in his applications to other courts, Colum- bus, in 1486, applied to that of Spain. The sovereigns of this country, Ferdinand and Isabella, were at that time en- gaged in expelling the Moors from Granada, their last strong- hold on the peninsula ; and it was not until the war was terminated that Columbus was enabled to obtain a favoura- ble hearing. He had been for upwards of six years urging his suit without success, and was about quitting the country for England, when, by order of Isabella, he was desired to relinquish his intention of applying to other courts, and invited into her presence, with distinguished marks of con- descension and respect. ' The character and disposition of Columbus,' observes a recent writer,* ' were such as highly recommended him to the rulers of Spain. To that quickness and decision which are the usual indications of genius, he added that solemnity To whom did he first apply ? With what success ? To whom next ? Of what treachery were the Portu- guese guilty ? Who was sent to England ? What was his success ? To whom did Columbus next apply ? What was the result ? What were Columbus's character av deportment ? * In the Edinburgh Encyclopedia. 16 COLUMBUS IN SPAIN. of aspect, and gravity of manners, which the Spanish cul- tivate with so much care, and which serve to distinguish them from the other nations of Europe. His appearance was dignified, and his behaviour respectful ; he was reso- lute in his purposes, and firm in his demands.' At his interview with Isabella, he relaxed in nothing of what he had originally proposed : the conditions on which he declared himself willing to undertake the expeditiop were still the same : ' that he should be appointed admiral of all the seas which he might explore, and governor of alt' the continents and islands which lie might visit ; that these offices should be hereditary in his family ; and that the tenth of every thing bought, bartered, found, or got, within the bounds of his admiralship, abating only the charge of the conquest, should be settled upon him, and should descend to his heirs in case of his death.' He desired that a small fleet should be equipped, and put under his command, for the proposed discovery ; and, to show his own confidence in the undertaking, he offered to advance an eighth part of the money which would be neces- sary for building the ships, provided he should be allowed a proportionate share of the profits resulting from the enter- prise. Juan Perez, guardian of the monastery of La Rabida, near the town of Palos, one of the earliest friends of Co- lumbus in Spain, had obtained for him the honour of an interview with Isabella. Perez was the queen's confessor, and an ecclesiastic of great influence and respectability. By his representations, together with those of Alonzo de Quintanilla and Luis de St. Angel, officers of distinction under the Spanish crown, a favourable hearing was granted to the propositions of Columbus. They stated to the queen that he was a man of commanding talents and high integrity, well informed in geography, and skilled in navigation ; they spoke to her of the glory which would result from the enterprise, and which would for ever attach to her reign ; and of the extension of the Christian religion, which would be disseminated in the countries to be discovered. These representations of Quintanilla and St. Angel, and the favourable state of the kingdom, just freed from the last -remnant of the Moorish invaders, afforded prevailing motives with the queen for engaging Columbus in her service on his own terms. A fleet was ordered to be fitted out from the What terms did he offer to the queen ? I What was their success ? Who were his friends at court > Describe Columbus 's outfit. COLUMBIA'S OUTFIT. 17 port of Palos. It consisted of three vessels of inconsiderable size, such as would by no means be deemed suitable for a voyage across the Atlantic at the present day. They were victualled for twelve months, and had on board ninety mari- ners, with several private adventurers and servants ; amount- ing in all to one hundred and twenty persons. The whole expense of the expedition was but about twenty thousand dol- lars. But even this Was considered by the statesmen of the time too great an expenditure for so uncertain an enterprise. When the squadron was ready for sailing, Columbus, with his officers and crew, went in solemn procession to the monastery of La Rabida, and after confessing their sins and partaking of the communion, they committed themselves to the protection of Heaven, and took leave of their friends, whom they left full of gloomy apprehensions with respect to their perilous undertaking. It was on the morning of the 3d of August, 1492, that Columbus set sail from the harbour of Palos, in the Santa Maria, the largest vessel of his squadron. The others were called the Pinta and the Nina : the former commanded by Martin Alonzo Pinzon, and the latter by Vincent Yanez Pin- zon, his brother. On the 6th of August they came in sight of the Canaries. Among these islands they were detained more than three weeks, endeavouring to procure another vessel to supply the place of the Pinta, which had suffered some injury in her rudder. The Pinta was finally repaired, and on the 6th of September, Columbus set sail from Go- mera, one of the Canaries, and began his voyage on the unknown deep. On the 13th of September, the squadron was distant nearly 200 leagues from the most westerly of the Canaries. Here the magnetic needle was observed to vary from its direction towards the polar star, a phenomenon which had not before been observed ; and which, of course, filled the mariners with alarm, since it appeared to withdraw from them their only guide upon the pathless ocean. Columbus was by no means disheartened by this appearance. He invented ' plausible reason for it; and succeeded in reconciling hi.; crew to their further progress. Their discontent, howeve.r. speedily broke forth anew, and all the self-possession an I How did Columbus prepare for em- barking ? Where was he detained ? Wheie was he on the 13th of Septem- ber ? 2* What alarmed the crew ? How were they reconciler 1 to !/"{' further progress ? hat followed ? 18 COLUMBUS AT SAN SALV address of the admiral were scarcely sufficient to preserve his ascendency and ensure the completion of his voyage. When their patience was nearly exhausted, the signs of land began to appear. The water had become more shallow ; flocks of strange birds were observed ; a curiously wrought staff was taken up by the men of the Pinta ; and weeds were seen floating in the water, of a kind different from any which were known to the voyagers. During the night of the llth of October, a light was observed by Columbus himself, at a distance, moving as if carried by some fisherman or traveller. This last appearance was considered by him as decisive evidence of land ; and, moreover, that the land was inha- bited. They continued their course till two o'clock in the morning, when a gun from the Pinta gave the signal that land was in sight. It proved to be one of the Bahama islands. On the morning of the 12th of October, Columbus, richly attired in scarlet, and bearing the royal standard, entered his own boat, accompanied by the other commanders in their boats, and landing on the island took possession of it OR behalf of the Castilian sovereigns, giving it the name of Sap Salvador. The landing was accompanied with every demonstration of joy and gratitude to Heaven. The admiral and his fol- lowers knelt on the shore, and kissed the ground, with tears and thanksgiving. The natives, who had assembled in great numbers on the first appearance of the ships, were struck speechless with astonishment. They stood around the Spaniards, unable to comprehend the import of those ceremonies with which the newly discovered land was claimed by these formidable visiters. They considered them as beings of a superior order, children of the sun, de- scended from heaven to dwell among the inhabitants of the earth ; little imagining that they were speedily to extermi- nate the peaceful nations who then possessed the western Archipelago. The island was called, by the inhabitants, Guanahani. It is one of the Bahama group, and is distant about 3000 miles from the most westerly of the Canaries. Columbus afterwards discovered and touched at other islands in the What signs of land appeared ? Who first saw the light ? When ? When did Columbus land in the New World ? What is said of the natives ? What was the island called ? Where is it ? What other discoveries did Columbus make on his first voyage ? VESPUCCI. 19 Landing of Columbus. same group, and also added the extensive islands of Cuba and Hispaniola to the possessions of the Spanish sove- reigns, before completing his first voyage. All these newly discovered lands he supposed, conformably to the theory which he had adopted, to be at no great distance from In- dia ; and as they had been reached by a western passage, they were called the West Indies. Even when the in- crease of geographical science had discovered the error, the name was retained, and it is continued to the present day. Columbus's return to Spain was hailed with acclamations of joy. His journey from Palos to Barcelona, where he was to meet the sovereigns, was a perfect triumph, and his reception by Ferdinand and Isabella was attended with marks of favour and condescension proportioned to the magnitude and importance of his services. Columbus afterwards undertook several voyages to the New World, planted colonies, and built cities and forts. In his third voyage, he visited the continent of America, landed at different places on the coasts of Paria and Cumana. But his discovery of the continent had been anticipated by an English voyager, Cabot, as will hereafter be related. Amerigo Vespucci, a Florentine gentleman, who had sailed with Columbus, visited the continent some years afterwards ; and published an account of his expedition, so plausibly written as to lead his contemporaries to the sup- position that he was the real discoverer. The continent, in consequence, received the appellation of America ; at what What is the origin of the name West Indies ? How was Columbus Spain? received in What was done by Columbus in his subsequent voyages ? Who first discovered the continent ot America ? What is said of Vespucci ? 20 NORTH AMERICA DISCOVERED AND SETTLED. period is not well ascertained. Although we cannot but regret the injustice of this proceeding, which deprives Co- lumbus of an honour so nobly earned, yet the consent of all nations has given the name a sanction, which it were vain to dispute or disregard. It was the lot of Columbus to receive injustice and neg- lect in return for the greatest benefits. He was deprived of the rewards and honours promised him by Ferdinand and Isabella, superseded in the government of the colony which he had founded, and sent home in chains from the New World which he had ' found for Castile and Leon ;' and, after having attracted the admiration and applause of the whole civilized world by the brilliancy of his achieve- ments, he was suffered to die in comparative poverty and neglect CHAPTER II. NORTH AMERICA DISCOVERED AND SETTLED. ALTHOUGH Columbus discovered the New World, he was not the first navigator who reached the American continent. This was the achievement of John Cabot and his son Se- bastian ; who conducted an expedition of five ships, under a commission from Henry VII, of England, to search foi unknown islands and countries, and take possession of them in the king's name. The expedition was fitted out from Bristol, in England, and reached the American continent, probably in 56 degrees of north latitude, on the coast of Labrador, June 14th, 1497, nearly fourteen months before Columbus, on his third voyage, came in sight of the main land. If the right of discovery be valid, a point which it is hardly worth while to discuss here, England had certainly the best right of any of the nations of Europe to plant colonies in North America. Her claim, however, was warmly disputed by Spain, Portugal and France. The Cabots made another voyage to North America in 1498, and explored the coast as far south as Maryland ; How was Columbus treated by the sovereigns of Spain ? What is said of the Cabots ? When did they discover the conti- ent of America ? What nations disputed the claim of England to the discovery of North America ? What was done by the Cabots i* 1498 ? THE FRENCH IN NORTH AMERICA. Cabot describing his discovery to Henry VII. and Sebastian Cabot, who, on account of his nautical skill and enterprise, was called the Great Seaman, sailed, in 1517, up the straits and bay which afterwards received the name of Hudson, until he reached the latitude of sixty-seven and a half degrees, expecting to find a north-west passage to India. A mutiny of his crew compelled him to return. The Portuguese, who at this period were very active in prosecuting distant voyages of discovery, fitted out an ex- pedition under Caspar Cortereal. He explored the coast for 600 miles, as far to the north as the 50th degree, and brought off upwards of 50 Indians, whom he sold as slaves on his return. (1501.) The French were among the early voyagers to North America. The banks of Newfoundland were visited by their fishermen as early as 1504, and in 1523 John Verra- zani, a Florentine, was sent on a voyage of discovery by Francis I. He explored the American coast from North Carolina to Nova Scotia, and held friendly intercourse with the natives. The French claims to their American territo- ries were founded upon his discoveries. Another expedition, under James Cartier, was fitted out in 1534, and the gulf and river of St. Lawrence were visited, many of the harbours and islands explored, and the country declared a French territory. The next year, Cartier sailed up the St. Lawrence again, and discovered and named the island of Montreal. He passed the winter in Canada, and in the spring erected a cross with a shield upon it, bearing the arms of France, and an inscription declaring Francis I to be By Sebastian in 1517 ? What was done by the Portuguese ? When ? By the French ? When? 22 THE FRENCH IN ACAUIA AND CANADA. the sovereign of the territory ; to which he gave the name oi New France. In 1540, Francis de la Roque, Lord of Roberval, obtained from Francis I a commission to plant a colony in America, giving him a viceroy's authority over the territories and islands on the gulf and river St. Lawrence. Cartier was, at the same time, commissioned as captain general and chief pilot of the expedition, with authority to raise recruits for the colony from the prisons of France, a circumstance by no means favourable to the permanence of the proposed settlement. These lead- ers were rather too independent of each other. They did not even depart from Europe in company. Cartier left France in May, 1541, sailed up the St. Lawrence, built a fort near where Quebec was subsequently founded, passed the winter there, and returned in June, 1542. About the time of his return, Roberval, with a colony, arrived in Canada, or No- rimbega, as it was then sometimes termed, remained till the next year, and then abandoned his vice-royalty and returned home. He afterward sailed again for Canada, but is sup- posed to have perished on the sea. The civil wars of France prevented any further attempts at colonization in America till 1598, when the Marquis de la Roche, a nobleman of Brittany, formed a temporary set- tlement on the isle of Sable. His colony had been peopled by sweeping the prisons of France ; and it was of very short duration. In 1603, an expedition was fitted out by a company of merchants of Rouen, and placed under the command of Samuel Champlain, an able and enterprising officer, who ' became the father of the French settlements in Canada.'* On his first expedition, he made considerable geographical researches, observed carefully the nature of the climate and soil, and the character of the natives ; and selected the posi- tion of the future capital of the province. ' After he returned to France, a charter was granted to De Monts to settle Acadia, under which name was included all the country from the 40th to the 46th degree of north latitude. His expedition left France in 1604 in two ships ; and, after their arrival in Nova Scotia, Poutrincourt, one of the leaders who accompanied De Monts, made choice of the spot where Describe Roberval and Cartier's ex- peditions. De la Roche's. What is said of Champlain ? His first expedition ? De Monts ? What was included in Acadia ? Bancroft. THE SPANIARDS IN FLORIDA. 23 Annapolis now stands as the site of a settlement, to which he gave the name of Port Royal. De Monts settled on the island of St. Croix, at the mouth of the river of the same name, but afterward abandoned this situation and removed to Port Royal, which was the first permanent French settlement made in North America. (1605.) Three years afterwards (1608) Champlain, acting in the service of a private company of merchants, occupied the site of the city of Quebec by raising some cottages and clearing a few acres of land. He afterwards took a part in the Indian wars, sailed up the river Sorel, and explored the lake which now bears his name. To his enterprise and courage the French were indebted for their colonies in this country.* CHAPTER III. THE SPANIARDS TAKE POSSESSION OF FLORIDA. As the Spaniards had been the first nation to attempt the discovery of the New World, so they were the most enter- prising and adventurous in their endeavours to conquer and colonize its extensive and fertile countries. The history of their warlike achievements in Mexico and Peru presents ex- amples of the most heroic bravery and perseverance, dark- ened by many shadows of avarice and injustice. The whole nation seems to have been fired with the spirit of foreign adventure, and the New World was the grand theatre for its display. Previous to the expeditions of Cortes and Pizarro, Florida had been discovered by Juan Ponce de Leon. This adven- turer had accompanied Columbus in his second voyage ; and afterwards had been successively appointed governor of the eastern province of Hispaniola, and of Porto Rico. When he had been displaced from the government of the latter island, in consequence of the paramount claims of Colum- bus's family, he fitted out an expedition with the romantic Where was the first permanent French settlement in North Ame- rica made ' When ? By whom ? When was Quebec settled ? Who were the earliest European set- tlers in the New World ? Who was Juan Ponce de Leon ? Where had he served ? Under what leader ? For what purpose did he fit out at expedition f * Bancroft. 24 DISCOVERY OF FLORIDA. design of searching for a country in which, according to inform- ation received from the Caribs, there was a fountain whose waters imparted to those who bathed in them the gift of per- petual youth. Having sailed about among the Bahamas and touched at several of them, in pursuit of this fairy land, he at length, (March 27, 1512,) came in sight of the continent. As this discovery was made on Easter Sunday, which the Spaniards call Pascua Florida, the land was called Florida. Its verdant forests and magnificent flowering aloes may have afforded another reason for assigning it this name. It was not till the 8th of April that he was able to effect a landing in the latitude of thirty degrees and eight minutes, a little to the north of St. Augustine. He claimed the territory for Spain, remained some weeks exploring the coast, and then returned to Porto Rico, leaving a part of his company in the newly discovered country. The King of Spain rewarded him with the government of Florida, on condition that he should conquer and colonise it. This he attempted in 1521, but was resisted with great fury by the Indians, who killed many of his followers, drove the survivors to their ships, and compelled him to relinquish the enterprise. Ponce de Leon himself was wounded with an arrow, and died shortly after his return to Cuba. In 1510, the southern coast of the United States was par- tially explored by Grijalva; and in 1520, Lucas Vasques de Ayllon fitted out two slave ships, from St. Domingo, visited the coast of South Carolina, then called Chicora, discovered the Combahee river, to which the name of the Jordan was given; and finally, having decoyed a large number of the Indians on board his ships, set sail with them for St. Do- mingo, leaving behind the most determined purpose of revenge among the injured natives. His sovereign rewarded this atrocious enterprise by ap- pointing Ayllon to the. conquest of Chicora. In attempting this, he lost one of his ships and a great number of his men ; who were killed by the natives in revenge for former wrongs. He was finally compelled to relinquish his undertaking. In 1526, Pamphilo de Narvaez, the same officer who had What country did he discover ? What was the origin of its name ? When did he land ? For whom did he claim the country ? On what condition was he made gover- nor ? What prevented his retaining the country r What was his fate ? What was done by Grijalva ? When ? By Ayllon ? When ? How was he rewarded ? What was his success ? What was attempted by Narvaez f When? FERDINAND DE SOTO. 25 Ponce de Leon repulsed by the Indians. been sent by Velasquez to supersede Cortes in Mexico, attempted the conquest of Florida. This expedition was signally disastrous. The Spaniards landed near Appalachee bay, marched into the interior, and spent six months, in various hardships and conflicts with the Indians, and at last found their way back to the sea shore, somewhere near the bay of Pensacola. Here they fitted out boats, and embark- ing were shipwrecked near the mouth of the Mississippi. Only four or five out of three hundred reached Mexico to tell the story of their disasters. These men gave such flattering accounts of the riches of the country, that their sufferings by no means deterred others from attempting its subjugation. The next Spanish adventurer on the shores of the United States was Ferdinand de Soto, a highly distinguished officer, who had shared the glory and wealth obtained by Pizarro in the conquest of Peru. Returning to Spain after the most orilliant succepa in that country, he demanded of Charles V o conquer Florida at his own cost ; and received from that nonarch ? commission for that purpose, together with the jovernrr.ent ci Cuba. (1537.) Multitudes of adventurers flocked to his standard. Ex- pectation had been raised to the greatest height by the exaggerated accounts of the wealth of Florida ; and men of all classed aold their possessions in Spain to fit themselves out for a conquest which promised to outshine those of Mexico and Peru, in the brilliancy of its results. Describe his expedition. How many of his 300 men survived ? Who was Ferdinand de Soto ? 3 Under whom had he served ? In what country ? What did he offer to Charlei Vf 26 SOTO'S EXPEDITION. Soto selected six hundred of the choicest men for his companions, and sailed to Cuba. (1538.) Here he was joined by other adventurers, and having completed his pre- parations, he embarked for Florida in May, 1539. Having arrived in the bay of Spiritu Santo, he sent back most of his ships to Havanna, and commenced his march into the interior a march which has no parallel in the history of adventure. Fired by the example of their countrymen in the more southern regions, the Spaniards advanced as if to certain conquest and wealth. They were abundantly supplied with provisions and munitions of war, horses for the cavalry, and blood hounds for hunting the natives; and their numbers exceeded those of the armies which had conquered Mexico nnd Peru. But they were destined for a far different fate. Their grand error, the pursuit of gold, was the source of endless disasters and sufferings. The Indians, who were determined in their hostility to the invaders, had recourse to stratagem, as well as force, in order to get rid of them. They continually deceived the Spaniards by representing to them that, by continuing their march into the interior, they would at last arrive at a region abounding with gold and deluded, again and again, by this plausible story, Soto passed onward from tribe to tribe, and from river to river, until his splendid and well appointed army had melted away to a mere handful of men, worn out with sufferings, and destitute of the means of subsistence or defence. Setting out from the bay of Spiritu Santo in June, 1539, they spent the time in wandering through forests and morasses, until October, when they found themselves in the neighbourhood of Appalachee bay. The men were dis- pirited ; and desired to return home ; but Soto would not hear of such a measure ; he sent to Cuba for supplies for the next year's expedition. In March, 1540, deluded by the promise of an Indian guide to conduct him to a country where gold was abundant, Soto set forth again and marched towards the north-east, till they reached the Ogechee, and then through the country of the Cherokees, now a part of the gold region ; but without dis- covering any of the precious metal. From Georgia the How many adventurers accompanied him > When did he sail ? Where did he land ? Describe his army. What was his error ? When did his march begin ? Where were the Spaniards in October .' Whither did they march in the suc- ceeding spring ? SOTO IN MISSOURI. 27 Spaniards passed into Alabama, and in October fought a severe battle with the Indians, at a town which was then called Mavilla or Mobile, on the Alabama, above the junction of the Tombecbee. In this engagement 2500 Indians are said to have fallen. The town was burned. The Spaniards had 18 killed and 150 wounded, and lost a part of their horses and all their baggage, which was burned in the town. Having received supplies from Cuba, Soto now marched towards the north and west. In December, 1540, he had reached the upper part of the Mississippi, where he wintered in a deserted town of the Chickasaws. In the spring he demanded of them 250 men, to carry the baggage of the soldiers. The Indians, instead of complying with this unwarrantable requisition, set fire to the town in which the Spaniards were encamped, in the night, and attacked them with great fury. The loss of men in this encounter was trifling, but the Spaniards suffered severely from the destruc- tion of their clothing, their arms, and a part of their horses. The Indians knew not how to follow up their first advantage, and the invaders were soon in a condition to continue their progress to the west. In April, 1541, Soto discovered the Mississippi, being the first European who visited that river. In June he had crossed it ; and reached Missouri ; and during the summer he is supposed to have penetrated as far as the highlands of the White river, 200 miles from the Mississippi. Thence he turned towards the south, and passed through Arkansas into Louisiana. His wanderings and contests with the Indians continued until May 21st, 1542, when, worn out with sickness and fatigue, the unfortunate Soto died, on the banks of the great river which he had discovered. To con- ceal his death from the Indians his followers sunk fiis body in the middle of the stream. ' The discoverer of the Mississippi,' says Bancroft, from whose eloquent history we have condensed this brief account of his expedition ' the discoverer of the Mississippi siept beneath its waters. He had crossed a large part of the con- tinent in search of gold, and found nothing so remarkable as his burial place.' Where did they fight a battle with the Indians ? When ? What was the result ? What transpired in December ? In the spring ? What did the Spaniards lose ? How did the Indians use their advan tage ? What did Soto discover in April, 1541 ? How far did he go to the west ? To what place did he return ? When did he die ? 28 THE FRENCH IN CAROLINA. He had been the soul of the enterprise ; and when 1 e had perished, the remnant of his followers were only anxious for a safe passage to their countrymen. Under the conduct of Moscoso, their new leader, they attempted to reach Mexico, and marched 300 miles westward from the Mississippi. But the Red river was swollen so as to present an impassable barrier to their further progress, and they were compelled to return and prepare boats for passing down the Mississippi to the gulf of Mexico an undertaking of great difficulty and danger, which was not accomplished until July 18th, 1543. Fifty days afterwards the remnant of Soto's splendid company of adventurers, now reduced to 311 in number, arrived at the province of Panuco in Mexico. Thus far the Spaniards, although they claimed the whole coast of the United States under the name of Florida, had not effected a single settlement on the soil. For some years after Soto's failure the design seems to have been abandoned ; until an attempt of the French to establish a colony in Florida awakened the jealousy of the Spaniards, and brought them forward once more, to revive and make good their claim to the land which had cost them so much blood and treasure. Gaspard de Coligny, admiral of France, conceived the design of establishing a colony of French Protestants in America, which should afford a refuge to those who were persecuted for their religious opinions, during the civil wars with which his country was disturbed in the reign of Charles IX. He obtained a commission for this purpose from the king; and intrusted the expedition to John Ribault, who sailed with a squadron in February, 1562. Having arrived on the coast of Florida in the latitude of St. Augustine, Ribault explored the coast, discovered the river St. Johns, which he called the river of May, and visited Port Royal entrance, near Beaufort, and having left a colony of 26 persons at a fort which he named Carolina in honour of Charles IX, he returned to France. The civil wars in that kingdom being revived, no reinforcements were sent out to the colony, and it was speedily abandoned. On the return of peace (1564) Coligny was enabled to send out a new expedition under Laudonniere, an able and intelli- gent commander, who arrived on the coast of Florida in June, What course did his followers take ? Under what commander ? What caused their return ? How did they reach Mexico ? When ? How many of the Spaniards survived ? What nation next attempted the set tlement of Florida ? Where did Admiral Coligny plant a colony ? When ? What occasioned its failure ? MASSACRE OF THE FRENCH. 2i* began a settlement on the river May, and erected a new Fort Carolina, many leagues to the south of its predecessor. Here they had to encounter the usual hardships and privations of settlers in a new country, till December of the same year, when a part of the colonists, under pretence of escaping from famine, obtained permission from Laudonniere to equip two vessels and sail for Mexico. But instead of doing so, they began to capture Spanish vessels. They were taken and punished, as pirates. When the colony was nearly exhausted by the scarcity of food, relief was brought by the fleet of Sir John Hawkins, who furnished a supply of provisions, and made the offer of one of his vessels to convey the French to their own country. Just as they were preparing to embark, Ribault arrived with a reinforcement and ample supplies of every kind. The colony had now a fair prospect of ultimate success. But it had been planted in a territory to which the Spanish had a prior claim, which, although dormant, was by no means extinct. An expedition was soon fitted out for the occupation of Florida; and its departure from Spain was hastened by the report, that the country was already in possession of a com- pany of settlers doubly obnoxious to the Spaniards on account of their nation and their religion. They were not only Frenchmen, but Protestants. This expedition, commanded by Pedro Melendez, came in sight of the Florida shore in August, 1565. A few days afterwards Melendez discovered and named the harbour of St. Augustine, and learned the position of the French. Before attacking them, he landed at St. Augustine, and took pos- session of the continent in the name of the King of Spain, and laid the foundation of the town. This interesting event took place on the 8th of September, 1565 ; more than forty years before the settlement of Jamestown in Virginia. St. Augustine can, therefore, boast a higher antiquity than the Ancient Do- minion. Meanwhile the French, having learned the arrival of their enemies, nearly all abandoned the settlement on the river May, embarked in their fleet, and were shipwrecked on the coast. The remnant were attacked and massacred by the Where did Laudonniere make a set- tlement ? What was done by a part of the set- tlers ? Who relieved the colony ? What did he offer to the French ? 3* Who threatened its extinction ? When did Melendez arrive ? What town did he found ? What is said of it ? How were the French colonists treat* ed by Melendez ? 30 MASSACRE OF THE SPANIARDS. Spaniards, who, in honour of the saint on whose festival the victory had been obtained, gave the river May the name of St. Matheo, or St. Matthew. Those Frenchmen who had survived the shipwreck of the fleet, surrendered to Melendez on a promise of safety ; but they were nearly all put to death, many of them were hung on gibbets with the inscription over their heads, 'Not as Frenchmen, but as Protestants.' A few Catholics were saved from the massacre. After thus extirpat- ing the French colony, the Spaniards sailed for their native country, leaving a force in possession of the settlement. As the French government took no measures for punishing this aggression, Dominic de Gourgues, a French officer of some distinction, fitted out an expedition of three ships and one hundred and fifty men at his own cost, (1568,) for the express purpose of avenging his murdered countrymen. He surprised the forts on the river St. Matheo, and captured a considerable number of prisoners, who were forthwith hanged upon trees with the inscription over their heads, ' / do not this as unto Spaniards or mariners, but as unto traitors, robbers, and murderers.' He then embarked without at- tempting to keep possession of his conquest. His acts were disavowed by the French government, and the Spaniards continued to hold the colony. Thus it appears, that up to the year 1568, the Spaniards were the only nation holding possessions within the territory at present belonging to the United States. It was nearly forty years after this that England began the settlement of Virginia. CHAPTER IV. ENGLAND ATTEMPTS TO COLONIZE THE UNITED STATES. THE fisheries of Newfoundland appear to have been visited frequently, if not annually, by the English as well as the French navigators, during the early part of the sixteenth century ; and both nations cherished the design of founding colonies in North America. We have already shown that Nova Scotia was settled by the French in 1605, and Canada in 1608. How was this revenged ? By whom f What part 01 North Americs. was visited by the French and English in the early part of the 16th cen- tury ? SIR FRANCIS DRAKE. 31 Previous to these settlements the English were by no means inactive in the career of western adventure. The discovery of a north-west passage to India was a favourite project with them, notwithstanding the failure of the Cabots in attempting it. An expedition for this purpose was fitted out by Martin Frobisher, under the patronage of Dudley, Earl of Warwick, in 1576. It consisted of two small barks, of twenty and twenty-five tons burden, one of which was lost on the outward passage. With the remaining vessel Frobisher pursued his voyage ; landed on the coast of Labrador, and brought away some of the mineral productions of the country. On his re- turn one of the stones he had found was thought, by the English refiners, to contain gold. This circumstance gave a new direction to British enterprise, and gold became now the grand object of discovery. Queen Elizabeth contributed to the fitting out of a new expedition, which returned laden with what was supposed to be gold ore, but was soon discovered to be worthless earth. (1577.) Not discouraged by this result, the queen lent her aid to a new enterprise, which had for its objects the permanent settlement of that high northern region, and the working of its supposed mines of gold. Fifteen vessels, carrying one hundred settlers, many of whom were sons of the English gentry, were despatched in pursuit of boundless wealth in the New World. The fleet encountered great difficulties and dangers among the currents and islands of ice, with which the northern seas abounded ; the settlers were afraid to remain in so dreary a region ; and their hopes of bringing home cargoes of gold ore were, of course, as futile as those of their predecessors. While these attempts were made on the eastern coast of North America, Sir Francis Drake, in one of his cruises in search of Spanish merchantmen in the Pacific, thought proper to explore the western coast in hopes of finding the supposed northern strait connecting the two oceans. He sailed as far as the forty-third degree of north latitude, and was conse quently the first Englishman who visited the Oregon territory. (1579.) The plan of colonisation was, meanwhile, revived by Sir Humphrey Gilbert, a man of intelligence and singular intre- pidity, who, having obtained a charter from Queen Elizabeth, What was the object of Frobisher's expedition ? Where did he land ? What did he bring away ? What occasioned a new expedition ? What was the result ? What was the result of the third expedition ? What discovery was made by Drake ? 32 ENGLISH IN NORTH CAROLINA. sailed from England with a small fleet in 1579, in hopes of establishing a permanent colony : but the loss of one of his ships and other disasters compelled him to return. A new ?quadron was fitted out by the joint exertions of Gilbert and his step-brother, Walter Raleigh, in 1583. Nothing more was accomplished by this expedition, than the empty cere- mony of taking possession of Newfoundland in the queen's name, and the discovery of some earth which was falsely supposed to contain silver. On the passage home, the small vessel in which the unfortunate Gilbert sailed was foundered. Her companion reached England in safety. Not disheartened by the sad fate of his step-brother, Raleigh determined to found a colony farther to the south. For this purpose, having obtained a patent from the queen, he de- spatched two vessels under the command of Amidas and Barlow, who arrived on the shores of Carolina in July, 1584, and after sailing along the coast for a distance of one hundred miles, landed on the island of Wococken, the southernmost of the islands forming Ocracock inlet. They were delighted with the rich and verdant appearance of the country, and the mild and gentle manners of the natives ; and having explored Albemarle and Pamlico sounds and Roanoke island, and induced two of the natives to accompany them, they returned to England. The accounts, which they gave of the beauty and fertility of the country, were so flattering, that Queen Elizabeth considered it an important addition to her dominions, and gave it the name of Virginia, in reference to her own un- married state. Raleigh, who had now received tha honour of knighthood, soon fitted out a new expedition of seven vessels, carrying one hundred and eight settlers under the direction of Ralph Lane, who was appointed governor of the colony. Sir Richard Grenville, Hariot, Cavendish, and other distinguished men accompanied him. Arriving on the coast, the fleet was in some danger of shipwreck near a head land, to which they gave the name of Cape Fear. It escaped, however, and arrived at Roanoke. After landing, the men of science, attached to the expedition, made an excursion, to When did Gilbert's first expedition take place ? What was the result ? What was accomplished by Gilbert and Raleigh's expedition ? What was Gilbert's fate ? Who were sent out by Raleigh in /584? Where did they land ? What followed ? What name did the queen give the country ? Who commanded the next expedi- tion ? What distinguished persons accom- panied it ? FIRST SETTLEMENT OF ROANOKE 33 examine the country ; and in revenge for some petty theft, Sir Richard Grenville ordered an Indian town to be burnt. He soon after sailed for England, leaving Lane and his company behind. Hariot, who was an accurate observer of nature, paid considerable attention to the native productions of the soil. Among these were tobacco, maize or Indian corn, and potatoes, which, till then unknown to the English, have since become important sources of subsistence and wealth in every part of the country. The Indians were at first considered by no means formi dable to the colonists. Their weapons were bows and arrows, and wooden swords. They were divided into numerous small tribes, independent of each other. The largest of these tribes could scarcely muster a thousand warriors. Their terror at the effects of the English fire-arms was only equalled by the superstitious reverence which they professed for beings who were so much their superiors in knowledge and arts. Their fears, however, did not restrain them from attempts to destroy the intruders, as soon as they began to suspect them of a design to supplant themselves in the possession of the soil. They formed a conspiracy to massacre the English, and even thought of abandoning their fields in order to drive them away by famine. When the situation of the colony had become critical, and the people were beginning to despond, Sir Francis Drake, with a fleet of twenty-three vessels, on his way from the West Indies to England, paid them a visit ; and the whole colony abandoned the soil, and returned to their native country. (1586.) A few days afterwards, a ship, which had been sent out by Raleigh, arrived with supplies for the colony, and soon after, Sir Richard Grenville, with three more ships, sought in vain for those whom he had so recently left full of hope and reso lution, to hold permanent possession of the land. He left fifteen men on the island of Roanoke, who were afterwards ascertained to have been murdered by the Indians. Next year (1587) Raleigh sent out a colony of emigrants with their wives and families, hoping thus to ensure their permanent residence. They were directed to settle on Chesa- peake bay, but the governor, White, was compelled b^ he Tho was left in command of the colony ? iVhat important productions of the soil were discovered ? What is said of the Indians ? What did they attempt ' What caused the abandcnment of tht colony? When i 1 Who arrived soon afterwards ? What befell the colonists left by him How did Raleigh endeavour to rende the next roloiy permanent ? 34 GOSNOLL IN NEW ENGLAND. commander of the fleet to remain on Roanoke. The emigrants net with tho usual hardships, and many of them only remained '11 the close of the summer. During their stay, Virginia Jare, the grand-daughter of the governor, was born, the firs descendant of English parents in our country. She remained with her parents after the governor had eturned to England, and with them she perished in the land of her birth. The threatened invasion of England by the Spanish armada, prevented Raleigh from sending out rein- forcements; and when, in 1590, governor White returned to search for his daughter and grand-child, Roanoke, the place of their settlement, was deserted. The fate of the colony was never precisely ascertained. When the English had succeeded in defeating the Spanish fleet, Sir Walter Raleigh, finding his fortune too much dimi- lished to continue the project of colonising Virginia, made use of the privilege granted in his patent to form a company of merchants and adventurers, for the purpose of effecting his original design. Among the members of the new company was Richard Hakluyt, prebendary of Westminster, a man of distinguished learning and intelligence, and the author of an extensive collection of voyages. He contributed more than any other individual to awaken among his countrymen that spirit of foreign enterprise, for which they have ever since been distinguished. Although the design of the new company was not immediately executed, yet to them we are chiefly indebted for the expedition which finally effected a permanent settlement, as we shall hereafter relate. While their operations were suspended, a voyage took place, which had nearly given to New England a priority over Virginia in the period of its settlement. This voyage was undertaken in 1603, by Bartholomew Gosnold, who, aban- doning the usual route to America by the Canaries and West [ndies, sailed directly across the Atlantic and landed in Massachusetts Bay, discovered and named Cape Cod, the Elizabeth Islands, and Buzzard's Bay, which he called Gos- ild's Hope. On the westernmost of the Elizabeth Islands, > which he gave the name now applied to the whole group, i,e landed some men with a design of settling. A fort and store house were built; and preparations were made for a Did he succeed ? Who was the first Anglo-American ? What is said of Hakluyt ? What discoveries were made by Gos- nold in New England ? Did he make a permanent scttlemenl in New England ? VOYAGES OF PRING AND WEYMOUTH. 35 permanent residence on the spot. But the courage of the colonists failed, and the whole company returned to England after a short voyage of four months. In 1603, and 1606, Martin Pring made two voyages to the American coast, which he explored from MarJha's Vineyard to the north-eastern part of Maine. His object was to traffic with the natives, and in this he was successful. Nearly the same ground was passed over in 1605, by George Weymouth, who discovered and ascended the Penobscot river; and on his return brought away five of the natives, whom he had decoyed on board his ship. Thus far the attempts of the English to form permanent settlements on our snores were unsuccessful. Still these expeditions served to keep alive the claims which were founded on the discovery of the Cabots ; and the extent of the explorations made by English voyagers on the coast, was subsequently considered a sufficient ground for expelling, or incorporating with their own establishments, the colonies which were planted by other nations on the soil of the United States. CHAPTER V. COLONISATION OF VIRGINIA. ALTHOUGH the attempts to form a permanent colony in Virginia had not hitherto succeeded, many persons of distinc- tion in England still entertained sanguine hopes of ultimately effecting this grand object. Gosnold, whose voyage to New England we have already noticed, succeeded in forming a company consisting of himself, Wingfield, a merchant, Hunt, a clergyman, and the celebrated Captain John Smith ; and they were, for more than a year, engaged in considering the project of a plantation. At the same time Sir Ferdinand Gorges was forming a similar design, in which he was joined by Sir John Popham, lord chief justice of England. Hakluyt, who was a participator in the privileges of Ra- leigh's patent, was desirous of proceeding with his plan ol Why not ? I What is said of all these unsuccessful What is said of Pring * expedition ? ! expeditions of the English ? Of Weymouth's ? What persons now formed the design ' of colonising Virginia ? 36 FIRST CHARTER OF VIRGINIA. :olonisation ; and the King of England, James I, was favour- ably disposed towards the design of enlarging his dominions. A. company was formed by Gates, Somers, Gosnold, Smith, Hakluyt, Gorges, and Popham ; application was made to the king for a charter ; and one was readily obtained which secured ample privileges to the colonists. On the 10th of April, 1606, the charter was issued under the great seal of England, to the petitioners, Sir Thomas Gates and his associates, granting to them those territories in America, lying on the sea coast between the 34th and 45th degrees of north latitude, (that is, from Cape Fear to Halifax,) and which either belonged to James I, or were not then pos- sessed by any other Christian prince or people ; and also the islands adjacent to, or within one hundred miles of the coast. The French settlement already noticed in Nova Scotia, then called Acadia, was of course excepted by these terras. The petitioners were divided by their own desire into two companies ; one consisting of certain knights, gentlemen, merchants and other adventurers of the city of London, and elsewhere, was called the first colony, and was required to settle between the 34th and 41st degrees of north latitude ; the other consisting of certain knights, gentlemen, merchants and other adventurers of Bristol, Exeter, and other places in the west of England, and called the second colony, was ordered to settle between the 38th and 45th degrees of north latitude. The intermediate region from 38 to 41 degrees was open to both companies, and to prevent collision, each was to pos- sess the soil extending fifty miles north and south of its first settlement. Thus, neither company could plant within one hundred miles of a colony of its rival. The patent also empowered the companies to transport to the colonies as many English subjects as should be willing to accompany them, who with their descendants were to retain the same liberties, within any other dominions of the crown of England, as if they had remained or were born within the realm. The land of the colonies was to be held on the con- dition of homage to the crown, and a rent consisting of one- fifth of the net produce of gold and silver, and one-fifth of the copper which might be taken from the mines to be discovered. VVho obtained the first charter ? From what king ? When ? What terri'ories did it grant ? Did this include French America ? How were the petitioners divided ? What was required of the first com- pany ? Who composed it ? What was required of the second f Who composed it ? What privileges were granted to the colonists ? 30VERNMENT UNDER THE FIRST CHARTER. 37 The right of coining money was also conferred on the colo- nies. The government of the colony, the king retained as much as was possible in his own hands ; for it was one of his foi- bles, to imagine that he possessed the most consummate skill, not only in the construction of laws, but in the policy of government. Accordingly the superintendence of the whole colonial sys- tem was placed in the hands of a council in England ; and the administration of affairs in each colony was confided to a council residing within its limits. The king reserved to him self and his successors the right of appointing the members of the superior council, and of causing those of the colonial councils to be ordained or removed according to his own instructions. He also took upon himself the task, so agree- able to his vanity, of framing a code of laws both general and particular. Thus the legislative and executive powers were all virtually reserved to the crown of England. ' At this time,' says a late writer,* ' the English were accustomed to the arbitrary rule of their monarchs, and the limits of the royal prerogative were unknown. It was either not perceived, or not attended to, that by placing the legislative and executive powers in a council nominated by the king, every settler in America was deprived of the chief privilege of a freeman that of giving his voice in the election of those who frame the laws which he is to observe, and impose the taxes which he is to pay.' By the code of laws, which the king prepared, it was pro- vided that the superior council in England might name the colonial council, with power to elect its own officers and fill its own vacancies. The religion of the church of England was established for the colony. Lands were to descend by the common law. Murder, sedition, and some other crimes were punishable by death after trial by jury. But civil causes, requiring corporeal punishment, were decided by the council, which was also empowered to enact such additional .aws as the condition of the colony might require. Com- merce with foreign nations was not restrained either by the terms of the patent or the laws. What is said of the king ? What was the form of government under the rirst charter of Virginia ? Where were the legislative and ex- ecutive powers vested > What remaiks on this subject are quoted ? What were the provisions of the laws made by King James for Vii ginia .' Hodgson. 4 38 NEWPORT SAILS FROM ENGLAND Such were the regulations under which the patentees pro ceeded to the arduous task of founding a colony at the distance of three thousand miles from the mother country, in a region filled with powerful tribes of savages, who, if they should at first receive them as friendly visiters, would not be slow to discover that their occupation of the soil was dangerous to themselves and their posterity. Having procured their charter, the patentees proceeded to fit out a squadron of three small vessels, the largest not ex- ceeding one hundred tons burden, bearing one hundred and five men destined to remain. This squadron was placed under the command of Captain Newport; and sailed from England on the 19th of December, 1606, one hundred and nine years after the discovery of the continent by Cabot. Among the emigrants were some gentlemen of distin> guished families, particularly Mr. Percy, brother to the Earl of Northumberland ; but there was a great deficiency of arti- sans, mechanics, and labourers, so absolutely necessary in a new settlement, and none of the men brought families with them, which at the present day we should consider quite essential to the success of such an enterprise. On the voy- age, dissensions arose ; and as King James had concealed the names and instructions of the council in a box, which was not to be opened till their arrival, no one could assume the authority necessary to repress disorders. Smith, on account of his superior merit and ability, was particularly obnoxious to the other adventurers. Captain Newport pursued the old track by the way of the Canaries and the West Indies, and, as he turned to the north, he was carried by a severe storm beyond Roanoke, whither he had been ordered, into Chesapeake bay. Having disco- vered and named Cape Henry and Cape Charles, in honour of the king's sons, he sailed up the noble bay. All the com- pany were filled with admiration of its extent, the fertility of its shores, and the magnificent features of the surrounding scenery. They soon entered the river Powhatan, which in honour of the king was called James river ; and, after seventeen days' search, fixed 'upon the peninsula of Jamestown, about fifty miles above the mouth of the stream, as a suitable site for the colony. They landed on the 13th of May, 1607; and, hav- Who commanded the first expedition under this charter ? When did it sail ? What happened on the voyage ? What bay, capes, and river were dia covered ? Where did they land ? When ? SETTLEMENT OF JAMESTOWN. Captain Smith showing the compass. ing learned, from the papers contained in the king's box, who were the appointed members of the council, that body elected Wingfield for their president, and excluded Captain Smith from their number, on a charge of sedition. A few huts were raised to protect them from the incle- mency of the weather, and a small fort for defence against the natives. A part of the men were employed in cutting timber and loading the ships for England, while Newport and Smith with a small party ascended the river, and visited the Indian king, Powhatan, in his capital, which consisted of twelve wigwams. His subjects regarded the English as intruders, but the king himself manifested a friendly disposition. In a month, Newport set sail for England ; and then the difficulties of the colonists began to be apparent. Their pro- visions were spoiled, and the climate was soon found to be as uncongenial to European constitutions as the wild country was to their idle and dissipated habits. During the summer, nearly every man was sick, and, before autumn, fifty of their number had died. Among them was Bartholomew Go&nold, the original projector of the settlement, and one of the ablest and best men in the council. The incapacity and dissensions of the council made it necessary to confide the management of affairs to Captain Smith, whose energy and prudence soon revived the hopes Who was excluded ? Who was intrusted with the com- mand of the colony ? What were their first proceedings ? Who visited Powhatan ? How were they regarded by his sub- jects ? By himself ? What did the colonists endure after the ships left them ? Who died ? Who was afterwards intrusted with the management of affairs ? 40 ADVENTURES OF CAPTAIN SMITH. of the colonists. In the autumn the Indians brought them a supply of provisions ; and abundance of wild fowl and game was found in the woods. It had been enjoined upon them, by the London company, to explore some stream running from the north-west, in hopes of finding a passage to the Pacific Ocean ; and Smith, with probably very little expectation of making such a discovery, obeyed this injunction by sailing up the Chickahominy as far as he could in boats ; and then, to gratify his own fondness for adventure and research, he landed and proceeded into the interior. The party was surprised by the Indians, and all but Smith were put to death. In this emergency, the self-possession and courage of this remarkable man preserved his life. Taking out a pocket compass, he showed it to the Indians, explained to them its wonderful properties, and amused and astonished them by such ideas as he was able to convey of the system of the uni- verse. They already believed him a superior being, and granted him the permission which he desired, to send a letter to his friends at Jamestown. The effect of this letter made him a still greater object of wonder. He was conducted through their villages, and finally brought to the king, Pow- hatan ; who, after detaining him some time, would have put him to death, if his daughter, Pocahontas, a child of twelve years old, had not rushed between him and the executioner, and begged her father to spare his life. At her intercession he was saved. The Indians now sought to attach him to themselves, and gain his assistance in destroying the colony ; but he had suf- ficient address to induce them to abandon this hostile design, and permit his return. This event was followed by a better understanding, and a more frequent intercourse between the Indians and his countrymen. On his return to Jamestown, Smith found but forty of the colonists alive, and a part of these were preparing to desert with the pinnace. This he prevented at the peril of his life. Soon after, Newport arrived with a supply of provisions and instruments of husbandry, and a reinforcement of one hundred persons, composed of many gentlemen, several refiners, gold What discovery was attempted ? What befell the party ? How did Smith escape ? vVhither was he conducted ? What prevented the Indians from murdering him ? What events followed ? What was the condition of the colon} on Smith's return to Jamestown ? What did he prevent ? What relief arrived ? THE GOLD MAMA. 41 Captain Smith rescued by Pocahontas. smiths and jewellers, and a few labourers. The hopes of the colonists were revived by this seasonable relief. Not long after their arrival, there was unfortunately dis- covered, in a small stream of water near Jamestovyn, some shining earth, which was easily mistaken for gold dust. This was a signal for abandoning all the profitable pursuits of in- dustry, in the search for gold. ' There was no thought,' says Stith, in his history, ' no discourse, no hope, and no work, but to dig gold, wash gold, refine gold, and load gold. And, notwithstanding Captain Smith's warm and judicious repre- sentations, how absurd it was to neglect other things of im- mediate use and necessity, to load such a drunken ship with gilded dust, yet was he overruled, and her returns were made in a parcel of glittering dirt, which is to be found in various parts of the country, and which they very sanguinely con- cluded to be gold dust.' Finding himself unable to prevent this folly, Smith em- ployed himself in surveying the Chesapeake bay and its tri- butary rivers. The two voyages which he made in an open boat, for this purpose, lasted three months, and embraced a navigation of nearly three thousand miles. The map which he delineated and sent to the London company still exists, and presents correctly the great natural features of the country which he explored. On his return, (Sept. 10, 1608,) Smith was made presi- dent of the council, and was performing the duties of that office with his usual energy and good judgment, when New port returned with seventy emigrants, two of whom were What diverted the colonists from pro- fitable industry ? How did Smith employ himself ? 4* What did he effect ? To what office was he elected ? What kind of emigrants now arrived .' 42 SECOND CHARTER OF VIRGINIA females. The men were not the description of persons re quired in a new country ; and Smith entreated the company to send him rather, ' but thirty carpenters, husbandmen, gar- deners, fishermen, blacksmiths, masons, and diggers up of trees' roots, than a thousand such as they had.' After the departure of the ships, Smith exerted himself to bring the people into industrious habits ; requiring them tp work six hours in the day ; but they were still so unskilful in agriculture, that the principal dependence of the colony for provisions was on the Indians. The number of deaths during the season was only seven, out of a population of two hundred. The company in England had anticipated great and sudden wealth from the discovery of mines, as well as from its com- merce with India, which they expected their ships to reach by sailing up the Chesapeake and its tributary rivers. Al- though disappointed in these sanguine hopes, they were by no means discouraged from pursuing their career of adven- ture ; and in order to increase their funds, their numbers, and their privileges, they petitioned for a new charter, which was granted on the 23d of May, 1609. It was not more favour- able to civil liberty than that which it superseded. The change which now took place in the constitution of the colony was a remarkable one. The new charter gave to the company the powers which had previously belonged to the king. The council in Virginia was abolished. The stock- holders were allowed to choose the supreme council, resident in England, and to exercise the powers of legislation and government. The governor was subject to their instructions, but might rule the colonists even in criminal and capital cases without any other controul. He might also declare martial law, whenever he should deem it necessary for the suppres- sion of mutiny and rebellion. The people were thus deprived of all power of self government. They were entirely at the mercy of the company in London ; holding their fortunes and their lives subject to the controul of masters who could be but imperfectly acquainted with their condition and wants. The territory of the colony was extended by a grant of all the lands from Cape or Point Comfort along the sea coast, two hundred miles to the northward, and from the same point, along the sea coast two hundred miles to the southward, and What is observed of their habits ? I What were the chief provisions of the What is said of the Virginia company | second charter ? in England ? I What extent of territory did it When did they obtain a new charter ? grant ? LORD DELAWARE. 43 up into the land, throughout, from sea to sea, west and north- west, and also all islands lying within one hundred miles of the coast of both seas. By placing a pair of dividers over the map of the United States, with one foot on the coast two him dred miles south of Old Point Comfort, and the other two hundred miles north of the same point, and drawing the in strument across the continent to the Pacific Ocean, one may satisfy himself that the territory of the Ancient Dominion was pretty extensive. At the time when this charter was granted, the company was enlarged by the addition of some of the first nobility and gentry, most of the companies in London, and a great number of merchants and tradesmen ; and they were all incorporated by the name of ' The Treasurer and Company of Adventurers of the City of London, for the first Colony in Virginia.' The scheme of colonisation was now exceedingly populai in England. Great numbers of adventurers offered them selves to the company; and the highest enthusiasm prevailed among all classes of people, in favour of rendering the settle- ment permanent and effective. Lord Delaware was consti- tuted governor and captain-general for life, with a retinue of officers and attendants, which would have been more suitable for a viceroy of Mexico, at a much later period of history. Nine ships and five hundred emigrants were soon ready foi departure ; and the expedition was placed under the direction of Captain Newport ; who, with Sir Thomas Gates and Sir George Somers, was empowered to supersede the existing administration, and govern the colony till the arrival of Lord Delaware. These three gentlemen embarked in the same vessel, which was parted from the rest of the fleet and driven on Bermudas in a storm ; having on board not only the appointed directors of the colony, but one hundred and fifty men, a great portion of the provisions, and the new commission and instructions of the council. The rest of the fleet arrived safely in Virginia. 'A great part of the new company,' according to the au- thority of an old writer, ' consisted of unruly sparks, packed off by their friends to escape worse destinies at home. And the rest were chiefly made up of poor gentlemen, broken trades- men, footmen, and such as were much fitter to spoil and ruin What persons were added to the company What was its name ? Who was governor ? Who were to govern in his absence ? How many emigrants came over ? What befell the deputy governors Who arrived safely ? What was the character of the new emigrants ? 44 CAPTAIN SMITH LEAVES VIRGINIA. a commonwealth than to help to raise or maintain one. They were led by their seditious captains into many mischiefs and extravagances. They assumed to themselves the power of disposing of the government ; and conferred it sometimes on one, and sometimes on another. To-day the old commission must rule, to-morrow the new, and next day neither. So that all was anarchy and distraction.' These disorders were speedily repressed by the energy and decision of Captain Smith. He declared, very justly, that his own authority could only terminate with the arrival of the new commission, and he therefore resolved to continue its exercise. He imprisoned the most active of the seditious leaders, and, to rid Jamestown of the turbulent rabble with which it was crowd- ed, he detached one hundred men to the falls of James river, under the command of West, and as many more to Nanse- mond, under that of Martin. These settlers soon incurred the hostility of the Indians, and were obliged to apply to Smith for assistance. Of course it was promptly rendered. On his return from one of his visits to the settlement at the falls, he was so severely wounded by an explosion of gunpowder, as to render it necessary for him to proceed to England for sur- gical aid. At his departure the colony consisted of about five hundred people. They possessed three ships and seven boats, com- modities suitable for the Indian trade, provisions for several weeks, an abundance of domestic animals, fanning utensils, and fishing nets, one hundred disciplined soldiers, and twenty- four pieces of ordnance, with small arms and ammunition. This provision was every way adequate for support and defence, had the prudent administration of Captain Smith continued ; but with him departed the fair prospects of the colony. The licentious spirits, who had only been restrained by his energy, now rioted without controul. Captain Percy, who succeeded him, was by no means equal to the task of governing so turbulent a community, and anarchy soon pre vailed. The Indians, no longer restrained by the presence of Smith, became hostile. They attacked the settlements of West and Martin, and compelled them, after losing their boats and half their men, to take refuge in Jamestown. The provisions of What was their behaviour ? How did Captain Smith repress dis- orders ? What befell him ? Whither did he retire ? In what state did he leave the co- lony ? What ensued on Smith's departure ? What misfortunes were the conse- quence of this bad conduct ? THE STARVING TIME. 45 the colony were exhausted; and famine ensued, witL its at- tendant horrors and crimes. This was the most trying period in the history of the colony, and was for many years after distinguished by the name of The Starving Time. Contrasted with that of the administration of Smith, the history of this season conveys a most impressive lesson. It shows us that no abundance of resources can supply the place of prudence in the management of affairs; and that a large supply of provisions, arms, and soldiers are not so essential to the preservation and welfare of a community as a wise and efficient government. The commanding genius of Smith had done more for the establishment and continuance of the colony than the exertions of all the other adventurers. But he fought and toiled only for the community. ' Extreme suffering from his wounds, and the ingratitude of his employers,' says Mr. Bancroft, ' were the fruits of his services. He received, for his sacrifices and his perilous exertions, not one foot of land, not the house he himself had built, not the field his own hands had planted, nor any reward but the applause of his conscience and the world. He merits to be called the father of the settlement, which he had re- peatedly rescued from destruction. His judgment had ever been clear in the midst of general despondency. He united the highest spirit of adventure with consummate powers of action. His courage and self-possession accomplished what others esteemed desperate. Fruitful in expedients, he was prompt in execution. Though he had been harassed by the persecutions of malignant envy, he never revived the memory of the faults of his enemies. He was accustomed to lead, not to send his men to danger; would suffer want rather than borrow, and starve sooner than not pay. He had nothing counterfeit in his nature ; but was open, honest, and sincere. He clearly discerned that it was the true interest of England not to seek in Virginia for gold and sudden wealth, but to enforce regular industry. " Nothing," said he, " is to be expected thence, but by labour." In six months after the departure of Smith, the colony was reduced by various distresses to sixty persons, who would soon have perished, but for the arrival of Sir Thomas Gates, Sir George Somers, and Captain Newport, from Ber- muda, (May 24, 1610.) All determined to abandon the coun- What lesson is conveyed by these facts ? To what number was the colony re duced 'Vbat was Captain Smith's character What did they resolve to do ? 46 ARRIVAL OF LORD DELAWARE. try, and they accordingly embarked on board the vessel' jiid sailed for England. As they drew near the mouth of the river, they were met by the long-boat of Lord Delaware, who had arrived on the coast, with a reinforcement of emigrants, and abundant supplies of provisions. They immediately returned to Jamestown, and were prevailed on by Lord Dela ware to remain. This nobleman was well qualified for his station. His mildness, dignity, and diligent attention to business, soon restored order, and inspired confidence. The colonists were regular and industrious ; and the Indians were taught once more to respect the English character. His wise administration was of short continuance. Ill health compelled him to relinquish the government ; and having resigned his authority to Mr. Percy, he sailed for the West Indies. Although he left the colony in a flourishing state, yet, on the 10th of May, 1611, when Sir Thomas Dale, the new governor, arrived with a fresh supply of men and provisions, he found it relapsing into its former state of idle- ness, disorder, and want. He was obliged to resort to the declaration of martial law in order to save the settlement from utter anarchy and ruin. In the month of August, 1611, Sir Thomas Gates, who had been appointed the successor of Sir Thomas Dale, arrived with six ships, three hundred emigrants, and a plentiful sup- ply of provisions. On receiving this reinforcement, which increased the numbers of the colony to seven hundred, de- lachments were again sent up the James river, and several new settlements were made. A more important change took place in the new arrange- ments with respect to property. Hitherto the land had been possessed by all the colonists in common. Every man was required to work a certain number of hours in the day, and all shared equally the produce. Now a few acres of ground were assigned to each man, as his private property, to plant as an orchard or garden for his own use, though some labour was still devoted to fill the public stores. This new regula- tion gave a powerful impulse to industry and enterprise ; and How was this prevented .' Whavwas Lord Delaware's character? How did he govern .' Who succeeded him ? Who superseded Percy ? Whai obliged him to declare martial law? Who succeeded Dale ? When did Gates arrive ? What reinforcement did he What new regulation of prone ty wa made ? What was its effect ? MARRIAGE OF POCAHONTAS. 47 the best effects were soon perceived to flow from assigning to each individual the fruits of his own labour. Industry, impelled by the certainty of recompense, advanced with rapid strides ; and the inhabitants were no longer in fear of wanting bread, either for themselves or for the emigrants from Eng- land. In consequence of the extravagant accounts which had been sent to England of the fertility of Bermudas, the company became anxious to include it within the colony ; and accord- ingly a new patent was issued comprehending this island. This was a matter of trifling importance, as the connexion soon ceased ; but the new patent conferred new civil rights ; it established four general courts, comprising all the members of the London corporation, to be assembled annually, at which all officers should be elected, and all laws passed relating to the government, commerce, and real estate of the colony. Weekly or more frequent meetings might be convened for the transaction of ordinary business. This change, of course, ave no political power to the colonists themselves. Lotteries, the first ever drawn in England, were granted for the benefit of the colony. They brought twenty-nine thou- sand pounds into the treasury of the company ; but were soon abolished as a public evil. About this time (1614) an event took place which has always been regarded with great interest by the Virginians. This was the marriage of Pocahontas. The circumstances which led to it were these : A party from Jamestown, headed by Argall, went with two vessels round to the Potomac for a cargo of corn. While obtaining the cargo, Argall managed to decoy Pocahontas on board his vessel, where she was de- tained respectfully, and brought to Jamestown. By keeping possession of his favourite child as a hostage, the English hoped to dictate to Powhatan what terms of alliance or sub- mission they pleased. In this they were disappointed. ' Powhatan,' says Marshall, ' offered corn and friendship, if they would restore his daughter, but with a loftiness of spirit which claims respect, rejected every proposition for concilia- tion which should not be preceded by that act of reparation. While she was detained at Jamestown, Mr. John Rolfe, a young Englishman, gained the favour of the princess, and What caused the granting of a new patent to the Virginia company ? What new rights did it grant ? For what purpose were lotteries first established in England ? Why were they established ? What event took place in 1614 ? How did it happen ? Who was Pocahontas's husband ? 48 TOBACCO FIRST CULTIVATED IN VIRGINIA. desired her in marriage. Powhatan consented, and with his daughter the noble-spirited prince gave his heart. He was ever after the firm and sincere friend of the colony. The powerful tribe of the Chickahominies also 'sought the friend- ship of the English, and demanded to be called English- men.' Though the marriage of Pocahontas was hailed as an auspicious event at the time, and has always been celebrated in the annals of the colony, it never operated as an example. The English and Indians would not intermarry, and the races have always remained distinct. It was in 1613 that the famous expedition of Argall took place, which seems to have been prompted by a determina- tion on the part of the English to assert their claim to the whole coast of America north of Virginia. In a time of pro- found peace, Argall sailed from Jamestown to Acadia, (Nova Scotia,) and surprised the small colony at Port Royal on the bay of Fundy. This was the oldest French settlement in North America, having been founded, as we have already observed, in 1605. He found the inhabitants engaged iu their peaceful occupations, and in amity wilh the natives They were, of course, totally unprepared for defence, and could not prevent Argall from seizing the ships and plunder- ing the colony. This was the first act of aggression ; which was followed by a series of disputes between France and England for the possession of the Ameiican soil. After Argall had sailed, the French returned to their settlement. Argall, on his return, went into New York, then called New Amsterdam, where the Dutch had established a small colony, and by a show of superior force compelled the Dutch governor to submit ' himself and his colony to the King of England, and the governor of Virginia under him,' and to consent to the payment of a tribute. Argall then returned to Jamestown. The tribute and homage, however, were both refused when a new governor had arrived from Holland with better means of defence. The culture of tobacco was now, for the first time, becom- ing an object of attention. Although the use of it was strongly opposed by the company, and by King James I, who went so far as to write a book against it ; and although the effects of it were always unpleasant, at first, to persons not accustomed to it, tobacco has surmounted all opposition, Was Mr. Rolfe's example followed ? WTien did Argyll's expedition take plate f What did he accomplish in Acadia ? Tn New York ? What is said of tobacco ' TYRANNY OF AKGALL. 49 and become a regular article of commerce and consumption throughout the world. In 1614, Sir Thomas Gates had been succeeded by Sir Thomas Dale, who sailed for England in 1616, and was suc- ceeded by Mr. George Yeardley. His term of office lasted but one year, and he was then succeeded by Captain Argall, an able, but avaricious and tyrannical governor. He conti- nued martial law in time of peace ; and, having sentenced Mr. Brewster to death for contumely, gave occasion to the first appeal ever made from America to England. It came before the London company, by whom the sentence of Argal was reversed. The following extract from Judge Marshall's history shows the arbitrary and vexatious nature of the laws which this governor enforced at the point of the bayonet : ' While martial law was, according to Stith, the common law of the land, the governor seems to have been the sole legislator. His general edicts mark the severity of his rule. He ordered that merchandise should be sold at an advance of twenty-five per centum, and tobacco taken in payment at the rate of three shillings per pound, under the penalty of three years' servitude to the company ; that no person should traffic privately with the Indians, or teach them the use of fire-arms, under pain of death ; that no person should hunt deer or hogs without the governor's permission ; that no man should shoot, unless in his own necessary defence, until a new supply of ammunition should arrive, on pain of a year's personal ser- vice ; that none should go on board the ships at Jamestown without the governor's leave ; that every person should go to church on Sundays and holidays, under the penalty of slavery during the following week for the first offence, during a month for the second, and during a year and a day for the third. The rigour of this administration necessarily exciting much discontent, the complaints of the Virginians at length made their way to the company. Lord Delaware being dead, Mr Yeardley was appointed captain-general, with instructions to examine the wrongs of the colonists, and to redress them * Who became governor in 1616 ? I How did he govern ? Who was his successor ? | By whom was he superseded ? 50 VIRGINIA ACQUIRES CIVIL FREEDOM. CHAPTER VI. VIRGINIA ACQUIRES CIVIL FREEDOM. THE new governor arrived in April, 1619 ; and began his administration by granting privileges of great importance to the colonists. He abolished the practice of labouring for the common stock of the colony, a most inconvenient and onerous method of raising a revenue ; he confirmed the early planters in the possession of their estates ; he removed the burdens imposed by the tyrannical Argall ; and he abolished martial law. By order of the London company, the power of the go- vernor was limited by a council, which acquired the right to redress any wrongs which he might commit. Last and greatest of all, the people of the colony were admitted to a share in legislation by the institution of a COLONIAL AS- SEMBLY. The first colonial assembly ever convened in America, assembled at Jamestown on the 19th of June, 1619. This may, therefore, be considered the birth-day of civil freedom in our country. The members were elected by the different boroughs, and the representative or popular branch of the legislature was, therefore, called the house of burgesses, a name which it retained so long as Virginia remained a colony of England. The entire legislature or assembly, composed of the go- vernor, the council, and the burgesses, met together in one apartment, and there transacted the public business of the colony. The laws which they then enacted were sent to England for the approbation of the London company. Hitherto but a small number of females had emigrated to Virginia. The colonists, therefore, could hardly be said to have their home in the country. Those domestic ties, which attach men most firmly to the soil they inhabit, did not exist ; and each man directed his thoughts towards the mother coun- try as the retreat of his old age. A new state of things now ensued by the arrival of a large number of females, ninety Wnat new privileges did Yeardley grant? What was ordered by .ue London company ? What waj the greatest of all ? When did the first colonial assembly meet ? How were the members elected ? Who sanctioned their laws ? What gave the Virginians hornet ? THE VIRGINIANS ACQUIRE CIVIL FREEDOM. 51 of whom were sent out from England in 1620, and sixty more the-next year. Being persons of irreproachable charac- ter, they were married by the planters ; and the colony thus acquired the best of all guarantees of permanence in its insti- tutions and patriotism in its citizens. The necessity of establishing seminaries of learning was now apparent, and preparations were made for founding the college afterwards established by William and Mary. About the same time one hundred convicts were trans- ported from England to Virginia, being the first persons of this class sent to America by order of the government. Re- moved from the temptations which had been too strong for their virtue at home, and placed in a new scene of action, many of them became honest men and useful citizens. The colonial assembly convened by Sir George Yeardley had not yet received the express sanction of the London company. This was granted July 24th, 1621, oy an ordi- nance which may be considered as the written constitution of the colony. It was the model on which, with some modifications, the political systems of the other colonies were founded. It provided for the appointment of a governor and a permanent council by the company ; it ordained a general assembly, consisting of this council, and two burgesses from each borough to be elected by the people, with power to enact laws subject to the veto of the governor and the ratifica- tion of the company in England. Orders of the court in London were not to be binding on the colony unless ratified by the general assembly a very important concession. The trial by jury, and the other judicial rights of Englishmen, were also granted to the colonists. This constitution was brought over by Sir Francis Wyatt, who had been appointed to succeed governor Yeardley. Thus the Virginians had acquired civil freedom. The rights, secured by this, their fourth charter, were sufficient to form the basis of complete political liberty. Representative government and trial by jury are justly regarded as the ele- ments of freedom ; and when a community has acquired these, its future destinies depend, in great, measure, on the virtue, intelligence, and patriotism of its citizens. What provision for education was made ? What new species of population ar- rived ? When were colonial assemblies sanc- tioned by the London company ? What were the provisions of the ordi- nance ? Who succeeded Yeardley ? What had the Virginians now ac- quired ? 52 THE INDIANS. The year 1620, so fruitful in interesting events, was marked by one which will long exert a momentous influence on our destinies. This was the introduction of negro slavery. The commerce of Virginia, which had before been entirely mono- polised by the London company, was now thrown open to free competition; and in the month of August, a Dutch man of war sailed up the James river, and landed twenty negroes, for the purpose of having them sold into slavery. Although domestic slavery was thus introduced into the colony, its increase was very slow ; the traffic in slaves was almost entirely confined to the Dutch ; and laws of the colony dis- couraged its progress by taxation. At this period the colony was in a highly flourishing state. The inhabitants enjoyed civil rights, free commerce, peace, and domestic happiness. The cultivation of tobacco and cotton, hereafter to become so important to the southern country, had already been introduced ; and the Indians, their most powerful neighbours, were their friends and allies. Indeed they had never regarded the Indians with much ap- prehension. They were not supposed to be very numerous ; only five thousand souls or fifteen hundred warriors being found within sixty miles of Jamestown ; and the use of fire- arms by the English had enabled fifteen of them, headed by Smith, to put to flight seven hundred of the savages. They were therefore regarded with contempt; and no care was taken to preserve their friendship, or guard against their enmity. A law, which had made it penal to instruct them in the use of fire-arms, had become a dead letter. Security is too often the parent of danger. In the present instance, it was the cause of a terrible calamity. The Indians had secretly become hostile to the colonists. Powhatan, the old king, had died in 1618; and his son, Oppaconcanough, did not inherit the friendly dispositions of his father. A deliberate plan was concerted for annihilating the colony at a blow, and it nearly succeeded. The story is thus told by an old writer : ' Upon the loss of one of their leading men, (a war captain, as they call him,) who was supposed to be justly put to death, however, their king, Oppaconcanough, appeared enraged, and in revenge laid the plot of a general massacre of the English How was slavery introduced into Virginia ? Did it increase rapidly ? Was it encouraged .' What was the state of the colony ? What is said of the Indians ? Of a law concerning them ? What was their disposition ? What plan did they form ? THE GREAT MASSACRE. 53 to be executed on the 22d of March, 1622, a little before roon, at a time when our men were all at work abroad in their plantations, dispersed and unarmed. This conspiracy was to have taken effect upon all the several settlements at one and the same instant, except on the eastern shore, whither this plot did not reach. The Indians had been made so familiar with the English as to borrow their boats and canoes to cross the river, when they went to consult with their neighbouring Indians upon this execrable conspiracy ; and to colour their designs the better, they brought presents of deer, turkeys, fish, and fruits, to the English, the evening before. The very morning of the massacre, they came freely and unarmed among them, eating with them, and behaving them- selves with the same freedom and friendship as formerly, till the very minute they were to put their plot in execution ; then they fell to work all at once, every where surprising and knocking the English on the head, some with their hatchets, which they call tomakawks, others with the hoes and axes of the English themselves, shooting at those who escaped the reach of their hands ; sparing neither age nor sex, but de- stroying man, woman, and child, according to their cruel way of leaving none behind to resent the outrage. But whatever was not done by surprise that day, was left undone, and many that made early resistance escaped. ' By the account taken of the Christians murdered that morning, they were found to be three hundred and forty- seven, most of them falling by their own instruments and working tools. ' The massacre had been much more general had not this plot been providentially discovered to the English some hours before the execution. It happened thus : ' Two Indians, that used to be employed by the English to hunt for them, happened to lie together the night before the massacre in an Englishman's house, where one of them was employed. The Indian that was the guest, fell to persuading the other to rise and kill his master, telling him that he would do the same by his own the next day ; whereupon he dis- covered the whole plot that was designed to be executed on the morrow. But the other, instead of entering into the plot and murdering his master, got up, (under pretence of going to execute his comrade's advice,) went into his master's chamber and revealed to him the whole story that he had been told. The master hereupon arose, secured his own How was it executed ? | What prevented its complete SUCMH 5* 54 THE GREAT MASSACRE. house, and before day got to Jamestown, which, together with such plantations as could receive notice time enough, were saved by this means ; the rest, also, who happened to be watchful in their defence, escaped. Captain Croshaw, in his vessel at Pawtomack, had notice given him by a young Indian, by which means he came off untouched. ' The occasion of Oppaconcanough's furious resentment was this : The war captain, mentioned before to have been killed, was called Nemattanow. He was an active Indian, a great warrior, and in much esteem among them ; insomuch that they believed him to be invulnerable and immortal, because he had been in many conflicts, and escaped untouched from them all. ' He was also a very cunning fellow, and took great pride in preserving and increasing this their superstition concerning him ; affecting every thing that was odd and prodigious to work upon their admiration : for which purpose he would often dress himself up with feathers, after a fantastic manner, and by much use of that ornament, obtained among the English the nickname of Jack of the Feather. ' This Nemattanow, coming to a private settlement of one Morgan, who had several toys, he had a mind to persuade him to go to Pamunky to dispose of them. He gave him hopes what mighty bargains he might meet with there, and kindly offered him his assistance. At last Morgan yielded to his persuasion, but was no more heard of; and it is believed that Nemattanow killed him by the way, and took away his treasure ; for, within a few days, this Nemattanow returned to the same house with Morgan's cap upon his head, where he found two sturdy boys, who asked for their master, and would have had him before a justice of the peace, but he refused to go, and very insolently abused them ; whereupon they shot him down, and as they were carrying him to the governor, he died. ' As he was dying, he earnestly pressed the boys to promise him two things : 1st, that they would not tell how he was killed ; and, 2dly, that they would bury hini among the English. So great was the pride of this vain infidel, that he had no other views but the being esteemed after his death (as he had endeavoured to be while he was alive) invulnerable and immortal, though his increasing faintness sufficiently con vinced him of the falsity of both. He imagined, that being buried among the English, perhaps, might conceal his death from his own nation, who might think him translated to some What was the cause a* the Indian king's hostility ? INDIAN WAR. 55 nappier country. Thus he pleased himself to the last gasp with the boys' promises to carry on the delusion. The killing this Indian champion was all the provocation given to that haughty and revengeful man, Oppaconcanough, to act this bloody tragedy, and to take such indefatigable pains to engage in such horrid villany all the kings and nations bor- dering upon the English settlement on the western shore of Chesapeake.' The effects of this massacre were highly disastrous to the colony. It restricted the pursuits of agriculture, and occa- sioned the abandonment of most of the settlements, so that from eighty they were reduced to six or seven in number. Sickness was the consequence of crowding many people into a few small settlements, and some of the colonists were so far discouraged as to return to England. CHAPTER VII. INDIAN WAR DISSOLUTION OF THE LONDON COMPANY. THIS treachery of the Indians was terribly revenged. The whole people were intent on the means of destroying so merciless an enemy. The men took arms. A war of exter- mination was commenced against the Indians, in which neither old nor young were spared. That elegant historian, Dr. Robertson, thus describes this relentless war : ' The conduct of the Spaniards, in the southern regions of America, was openly proposed as the most proper model to imitate ; and regardless, like them, of those principles of faith, honour, and humanity, which regulate hostility among civilised nations, and set bounds to its rage, the English deemed every thing allowable that tended to accomplish their design. They hunted the Indians like wild beasts rather than enemies ; and as the pursuit of them to their places of retreat in the woods, which covered their country, was both difficult and dangerous, they endeavoured to allure them from their inaccessible fastness by offers of peace and promises of oblivion, made with such an artful appearance of sincerity as deceived their crafty leader, and induced them to return to To what number were the settle- I How was the treachery of the Indians ments reduced ? revenged ? 56 DISSOLUTION OF THE LONDON COMPANY. their former settlements, and resume their usual peaceful occupations. (1623.) The behaviour of the two people seemed now to be perfectly reversed. The Indians, like men acquainted with the principles of integrity and good faith, on which the intercourse between nations is founded, confided in the reconciliation, and lived in absolute security without suspicion of danger ; while the English, with perfidious craft, were preparing to imitate savages in their revenge and cruelty. On the approach of harvest, when they knew a hostile attack would be most formidable and fatal, they fell suddenly upon all the Indian plantations, murdered every person on whom they could lay hold, and drove the rest to the woods, where so many perished with hunger, that some of the tribes nearest to the English were totally extirpated. This atrocious deed, which the perpetrators laboured to represent as a necessary act of retaliation, was followed by some happy effects. It delivered the colony so entirely from any dread of the Indians, that its settlements began again to extend, and its industry to revive.' While these events were passing in Virginia, the London company was rapidly hastening towards its final dissolution This body had become quite numerous, and its meetings fur- nished occasion for discussions on government and legislation, which were by no means pleasing to so arbitrary a sovereign as King James I. Having sought in vain to give the court party the ascendency in the company, he began to charge the disasters and the want of commercial success in the colony to the mismanagement of the corporation. Commissioners were appointed by the privy council to in- quire into the affairs of Virginia from its earliest settlement. These commissioners seized the charters, books, and papers of the company, and intercepted all letters from the colony. Their report was unfavourable to the corporation, who were accordingly summoned, by the king, to surrender their charter. This being declined, the cause was brought before the court of king's bench, and decided against them. The company was dissolved, and its powers reverted to the king. More than one hundred and fifty thousand pounds sterling nad been expended on the colony, and nine thousand emi grants had been sent out to people it ; yet the annual imports What was the state of the colony after this ? 'Vhat rendered James I hostile to the London company ? Relate the circumstances of its dis- solution. What had the colony cost the com pany ? PROGRESS OF CIVIL FREEDOM. 57 from it did not exceed twenty thousand pounds, and the num- ber of inhabitants was only eighteen hundred. While the controversy between the king and the company was going forward, the colonists were continuing to exercise the right of self-government. The general assembly met in February, 1624. Their most important act was a solemn declaration that the governor should not impose any taxes on the colony, otherwise than by authority of the general assembly ; and that he should not withdraw the inhabitants from their private labour to any service of his own.' Other measures, for the protection of the colonists against arbitrary power, were passed ; and ' the laws of that session generally,' says Judge Marshall, ' are marked with that good sense and patriotism which are to be expected from men perfectly un- derstanding their own situation, and legislating for themselves.' They resisted the attempt of the royal commissioners to extort from them a declaration of unlimited submission to the king ; but transmitted a petition to him praying for a confir- mation of the civil rights then enjoyed, together with the sole importation of tobacco. They also petitioned to have the direction of any military force which the king might station in the country. All the acts of this assembly indicate a remarkable progress of the colonists in the knowledge and appreciation of their civil rights. King James I was not disposed to yield up a second time the unlimited controul of the colony. He issued a special commission, appointing a governor and twelve councillors, to whom the entire direction of the affairs of the province was committed. He did not recognise the assembly as a part of the government; but attributing the late disasters to the in- fluence of that body, he determined on its discontinuance. He granted to Virginia and the Somers Isles (Bermudas) the exclusive right of importing tobacco into England and Ireland, as had. been desired, but totally disregarded the wishes of the colonists respecting the continuance of their civil freedom. His death prevented the completion of a code of laws in which he proposed to carry out his favourite principles of government. Charles I inherited the arbitrary disposition and despotic principles of his father. He appears, however, to have at- tached very little importance to the political condition of the What did it produce ? What is said of the general assembly ? Of their acts ? What was done by the king .' What prevented his completing hit arbitrary designs ? 58 DESIGNS OF CHARLES I. Virginians. His principal aim was to derive profit from their industry. He neither granted nor restricted franchises ; but his first act was to confirm the exclusive trade in tobacco to Virginia and the Somers Isles, aud his next was to proclaim himself, * through his agents, the sole factor of the planters.' Sir George Yeardley was the successor of governor Wyatt. (1626.) The assemblies were, of course, continued under the administration of the man who had first introduced them. The king did not disturb the Virginians in the exercise of this important civil right. Emigrants continued to arrive in great numbers, and the agriculture and commerce of the colony were in a most flourishing state. On the death of governor Yeardley, which took place in November, 1627, the council elected Francis West to succeed him. During his administration, the king proposed to the assembly to contract for the whole crop of tobacco ; but this attempt to monopolise the chief staple of the colony was met by a decided refusal. In 1629, John Harvey, the governor who had been com- missioned by the king, on the decease of Yeardley, arrived in Virginia. He had formerly resided in the colony, and was personally unpopular. A strong party was formed in opposi- tion to him, and when, in some dispute about land titles, he was found to favour the court, in opposition to the interests of the colonies, he was removed from the government and West appointed in his place. He subsequently consented to go to England, with two commissioners on the part of the colonists, in order that their complaints might be heard by the king. Instead of listening to them, Charles reappointed Harvey, who remained in office till 1639. He has been stigmatised by most of the old historians as a tyrant ; but it does not ap- pear that he attempted to deprive the colonists of any of their civil rights. The assemblies were continued as before, and exercised all the powers which they had acquired in Yeardley's time. His successor was Sir Francis Wyatt, who continued in office till February, 1642, when Sir William Berkeley, having been appointed to succeed him, arrived and assumed the go- What were the views of Charles I ? What was his first act ? His next ? What is said of Yeardley's admi- nistration ? Of West's ? What governor came out in 1629 ? What occasioned his return to Eng- land ? What was done by the king ? What was Harvey's character f What is said of Berkeley ? INDIAN WAR. 50 verament. He recognised and confirmed the privileges which the Virginians had previously enjoyed, and received the cordial support of all parties. Some abuses in the construction and administration of the laws were reformed. Religion was provided for ; the mode of assessing taxes was changed for a more equitable one ; and the people, under this able and popular governor, enjoyed their civil liberties without dis- turbance from any quarter. We must not omit to mention an order of the assembly establishing Episcopacy as the religion of the colony, and banishing all non-conforming ministers. Missionaries from New England, who had come on for the purpose of preaching to the puritan settlements in Virginia, were silenced and or- dered to leave the colony. This intolerance was in accord- ance with the spirit of the age ; and examples of a similar character are not wanting in the history of Massachusetts. In 1644 the Indians, against whom a hostile spirit had been kept up since the great massacre of 1622, made a sudden attack upon the frontier settlements, and killed about three hundred persons, before they were repulsed. An active war- fare was immediately commenced against the savages, and their king, the aged Oppaconcanough, was made prisoner, and died in captivity. The country was soon placed in a state of perfect security against further aggressions from that quarter. In 1646 a treaty, accompanied with a cession of lands, was concluded between the inhabitants of Virginia and Neconto- wanee, the successor of Oppaconcanough. The colony was now in a flourishing state. Its commerce had increased, so that upwards of thirty ships were engaged in the traffic with different ports in New England and Europe The inhabitants, in 1648, had increased to twenty thousand. In the dispute between Charles I and the parliament of England, Virginia espoused the cause of the king ; and when the republicans had obtained the ascendency, a fleet was fitted out from England, for the purpose of reducing the colony to submission. In the mean time, an ordinance of parliament, of 1650, which forbade all intercourse between the loyal colonies at.*! foreign countries, was rigorously enforced, as well as the ac' of 1651, which secured to English ships the entire carrying Of his measures ? What act of intolerance was passed ? Relate the events of the Indian war of 1644. What is said of the commerce of Yir ginia ? Of the civil war in England ? For what purpose was a fleet fitte* out? 60 VIRGINIA CAPITULATES. trade with England. When the fleet arrived, commissioners were instructed to reduce the colony to submission. It was found that parliament offered to the colonists, provided they would adhere to the commonwealth, all the liberties of Eng- lishmen, with an amnesty for their past loyalty to the deposed king, and ' as free trade as the people of England.' On the other hand, war was threatened in case of resistance. The Virginians, with their accustomed gallantry, ' refused to surrender to force, but yielded by a voluntary deed, and a mutual compact.' All the rights of self-government, formerly enjoyed, were again guaranteed. Richard Bennet, who had been one of the commissioners of parliament, was elected governor, and Berkeley retired to private life. In 1655, and 1658, the assembly of burgesses exercised the right of electing and removing the governor of the colony ; and, on occasion of receiving intelligence of the death of Cromwell, they were careful to reassert this right, and re- quire the governor, Matthews, to acknowledge it, in order, as they said, ' that what was their privilege now, might be the privilege of their posterity.' On the death of Matthews, the government of England being in an unsettled state, the assembly elected Sir William Berkeley for governor ; and, as he refused to act under the usurped authority of the parliament, the colonists boldly raised the royal standard, and proclaimed Charles the Second, as their lawful sovereign. This was an act of great temerity, as it fairly challenged the whole power of Great Britain. The distracted state of that country saved the Virginians from its consequences, until the restoration of Charles to the British throne gave them a claim to his gratitude, as the last among his subjects to renounce, and the first to return to their alle- giance. What terms were offered to the Vir- ginians on its arrival ? Were they accepted ? Who was elected governor ? What was done by the burgesses in 1655 and 1658 Who succeeded Matthews ? What bold act was performed during Sir William Berkeley's administra- tion? Why was it unpunished ? NAVIGATION ACT. 61 CHAPTER VIII. VIRGINIA AFTER THE RESTORATION. THE intelligence of the Restoration was received with en- thusiasm in Virginia. It naturally excited hign hopes of favour, which were increased by the expressions of esteem and gratitude, which Charles found no difficulty in addressing to the colonists. These hopes they were, for a short time, permitted to indulge. The assembly introduced many im- portant changes in judicial proceedings ; trial by jury was restored ; the Church of England, which of course had lost its supremacy during the protectorate, was again established by law ; and the introduction of Quakers into the colony was made a penal offence. The principles of government which prevailed in England during the reign of Charles II, were extended to the colonies, which were now considered as subject to the legislation of parliament, and bound by its acts. The effects of this new state of things were first perceived in the restrictions on commerce. Retaining the commercial system of the Long Parliament, the new house of commons determined to render the trade of the colonies exclusively subservient to English commerce and navigation. One of their first acts was to vote a dut) of five per cent, on all merchandise exported from, or imported into any of the dominions belonging to the crown. This was speedily followed by the famous ' Navigation Act? the most memorable statute in the English commercial code. By this law, among other things, it was enacted, that no commodities should be imported into any British settlement in Asia, Africa, or America, or exported from them, but in vessels built in England, or the plantations, and navigated by irevvs, of which the master and three-fourths of the mariners should be English subjects, under the penalty of forfeiture of ship and cargo ; that none but natural born subjects, or such as dad been naturalised, should exercise the occupation of mer- chant, or factor, in any English settlement, under the penalty of forfeiture of goods and chattels ; that no sugar, tobacco, cot- How did the Virginians regard the Restoration in England ? What was done by the assembly ? What was now the policy of the British government ? 6 What act of parliament was pass ed? What were the provisions of the na- vigation act ? 62 RESTRICTIONS ON COMMERCE. ton, wool, indigo, ginger, or woods used in dyeing, produced or manufactured in the colonies, should be shipped from them to any other country than England; and to secure the obser- vance of this regulation, the owners were required, before sail- ing, to give bonds, with surety, for sums proportioned to the rate of their vessels. Other articles of merchandise were subsequently added to the list, as they became important to the colonial trade. As some compensation to the colonies for these commercial restrictions, they were allowed the exclusive privilege of sup- plying England with tobacco, the cultivation of which was prohibited in England, Ireland, Guernsey, and Jersey. In 1663, the navigation act was enlarged, by prohibiting the im- portation of European commodities into the colonies, except in vessels laden in England, and navigated and manned ac- cording to the provisions already quoted. At the same time the principle was assumed, and declared, that the commerce of the colonies ought to be confined to the mother country, and that the colonies themselves should be retained in firm and absolute dependence. Not content with this, the parliament proceeded to tax the trade of the several colonies with each other, by imposing a duty on the exporta- tion of the commodities enumerated in the navigation act, from one colony to another, equivalent to what was levied on the consumption of those articles in England. This colonial system was considered highly conducive to the interests of England ; and was, of course, popular in that country, but it was felt to be unjust and injurious to the colo- nists, and excited their indignation, as well as a determination to evade it in every possible way. The Virginians, who had naturally expected distinguishing favours from the restored government, were highly exaspe- rated at this selfish and cruel attack upon their .prosperity. They remonstrated against it as a grievance, and petitioned for relief. But Charles, instead of listening to their request, enforced the act with the utmost rigour, by erecting forts on the banks of the principal rivers, and appointing vessels to cruise on the coast. Relief was sought by entering into a clandestine trade with the Dutch, on Hudson river. This, however, was of trifling importance. A conspiracy for throw- ing off the yoke of England, which has received the name What was allowed to the colonists ? ".Vhat principle was assumed ? How was the colonial system regarded in England t How in America ? What was done by the Virginians ? By Charles II ? By Birkenhead and others ? DISCONTENT OF THE VIRGINIANS. 63 of Birkenhead's plot, was entered into by some banished sol- diers of Cromwell ; but it was easily suppressed by the prudence of Sir William Berkeley, and the leaders were executed. (1663.) The colonial assembly, by way of retaliation on the mother country, enacted a law that, in the payment of debts, coun- try creditors should have the priority, and that all courts of justice should give precedence in judgment to contracts made in the colony. Acts were passed to restrain the cultivation of tobacco, and to introduce the production and manufacture Of silk. These designs were unsuccessful. The people would raise tobacco as long as they found a ready market for it ; and the price of labour, in a new country, was found to be wholly incompatible with the profitable culture of the silk worm. The discontents, occasioned by the commercial restric- tions, were further increased by the inconsiderate grants of land which the king made to his favourites, in violation of the rights of the Virginians, and the grants which had pre- viously been made. In the beginning of the year 1675, there occurred some slight out-breakings of popular discontent, which, though easily suppressed by the prudence and decision of the go- vernor, gave a significant intimation of the state of public feeling. To avert the crisis, and obtain some redress, a deputation was sent to England ; who, after a tedious nego- tiation with the king and his ministers, had nearly succeeded in their object, when they received the intelligence of a for- midable rebellion in the colony. A tax, imposed by the assembly to defray the expenses of the deputation, had caused some irritation, which the delay of the government in affording relief exasperated into fury. A war with the Susquehannah Indians, which had distressed the frontiers for some time, now burst forth with new vio- lence, and threatened additional expense and distress to the people. The governor, Sir William Berkeley, whose popu- larity had been hitherto equal to his spirit and integrity, was now pronounced too old and infirm for his office. He was ungratefully ' accused of wanting honesty to resist the op- pressions of the mother country, and courage to repel the hostility of the savages.' These charges were urged with great artifice, eloquence, and address, by an adventurer who By Governor Berkeley ? By the assembly ? What increased the discontents ? What happened early in 1675 ? With whom did a war break out ? 64 BACON'S REBELLION. nad arrived in the colony about three years before, Nathaniel Bacon. This man had been bred to the law, and had gained, by his talents and insinuating manners, a seat in the council, and the rank of colonel in the militia. He was not satisfied with these distinctions, but aspired to greater things. He had been concerned in the insurrection of the preceding year, and had been taken prisoner, but was pardoned by the governor This circumstance had cut him off from all hope of promo- tion by the regular government of the colony ; and his am- bition took another direction. He inveighed, with much warmth and eloquence, against what he termed the inertness and neglect of the governor, in the conduct of the frontier war ; and, declaring that the whole Indian race might easily be exterminated, he exhorted the people to take up arms in their own defence, and, by one vigorous campaign, to ter- minate the war. His harangue was successful. A great number of the peo- ple were soon embodied "for an expedition against the In- dians ; and, having elected Bacon for their general, placed themselves entirely at his disposal. To sanction the autho- rity he had acquired, or to create an open breach with the existing government, he applied to the governor for a con- firmation of his election, and offered instantly to march against the common enemy. Berkeley temporised, and, when pressed for a decision, issued a proclamation, com- manding the multitude, in the king's name, to disperse im- mediately, under the penalties of rebellion. Bacon, by no means disconcerted at this turn of affairs, marched directly to Jamestown, at the head of six hundred of his followers ; and, surrounding the house where the go- vernor and assembly were met, he demanded the commission in a tone not to be mistaken. Berkeley refused with firm- ness ; and, presenting himself to the conspirators, who had charged him with cowardice, he undauntedly exposed his breast to their weapons, and awaited the result. The coun- cil, less courageous than their leader, hastily prepared a com- mission, appointing Bacon captain-general of all the forces in Virginia, and, by dint of earnest entreaty, prevailed on th* governor to sign it. Who slandered the governor, and fo- mented disturbances ? What was Bacon's character ? How did he inflame the minds of the people } Wjiat did they do ? To whom did they apply for a c firmation of their acts ? What was Berkeley's answer ? How did Bacon then proceed ? How did the governor behave ? Who made out the commission f CIVIL WAR IN VIRGINIA. 65 The insurgents raised a shout of triumph, and relfced ; and the assembly, feeling their courage suddenly revive with the departure of the danger, voted a resolution annulling the commission they had just granted, as having been extorted by force, denouncing Bacon as a rebel, and commanding his followers to deliver him up. The governor readily con- firmed this act of the assembly. Bacon and his army could now charge their opponents with baseness and treachery ; and give their own cause a colour of justice. They returned to Jamestown ; and the governor was obliged to retire to Acomac, on the eastern shore of the Chesapeake. Some of the councillors accom- panied him ; the rest returned to their plantations ; and the government of the colony remained in the hands of the popular leader. Having acquired the actual power, Bacon now sought to give it a legitimate form. He, therefore, assembled the gen- tlemen of the country in convention, and prevailed on a large number of them ' to pledge themselves, by oath, to support his authority, and resist his enemies.' A declaration was published, in the name of the convention, charging the origin of the civil war upon Sir William Berkeley, setting forth that he had given information to the king that the general and his followers were rebels ; and requiring the people to support the general, by aid and allegiance, against all forces whatso- ever, till the king should be informed of the true state of the case. This declaration united the great body of the people in Virginia, and even found some advocates in England. Berkeley, in the mean time, retaining some adherents among the planters, induced them to take up arms ; and, haring raised some recruits among the crews of the English hipping on the coast, with their united force he commenced a series of attacks on the insurgents, with various success. The colony was now in a state of civil war. Jamestown was burnt by Bacon's party ; the estates of the loyalists were plundered, their families seized as hostages, and the richest plantations in the province ravaged. The governor retali- ated these outrages, and executed some of the insurgents by martial law. A war of extermination was threatened. Meantime, intelligence of the rebellion had reached Eng land. The king had issued a proclamation, declaring Bacon How did the assembly then behave ? What was the consequence ? Who retained the government ? How did he seek to strengthen it ? 6* How did Berkeley proceed ? What was the state of the colony t What was done by the King of Eng- land ? 66 VIRGINIA RETAINS HER FREEDOM. a traitor, and the sole author of the insurrection, granting pardon to those of his followers who would forsake him, and offering freedom to all slaves who would aid in suppress- ing the revolt. An armament, under Sir John Berry, had Bailed from England to assist the governor in his warfare. Bacon heard the intelligence of these operations without dismay. He counted on the devotion of his adherents, and determined to resist to the last extremity. He had already proclaimed a general forfeiture of all the property of his op- ponents, and was preparing to take the field anew, when his career was suddenly arrested by an unforeseen contingency "When just ready to strike the blow which was to annihilate the opposition of his enemies, he suddenly sickened and died. So completely had he been the soul of his party, that his death was the signal for its immediate dissolution. Without any attempt at reorganization without any choice of a new leader, they entered into terms with Sir William Berkeley, and laid down their arms on condition of receiving a general pardon. (1676.) This rebellion, which had placed the colony for seven months under the direction of a most reckless usurper, might have terminated in its complete ruin. It cost many valuable lives, and occasioned the loss of property to a very large amount. It failed, however, to convey to the mother country the lesson that it was unsafe and impolitic to oppress the colonies by restrictions on their commerce. Had the signs which it held forth been properly understood by the British government, the revolution of 1776 might have been delayed to a much later period. The succeeding period in the history of Virginia is marked with few incidents of importance. The succession of the different governors and the continuance of the commercial restrictions are the only circumstances of note during the subsequent portion of the reign of Charles II and that of James II. The revolution of the British government which took place in 1688 was highly beneficial to Virginia, in common with the other American colonies. The new sovereigns, William and Mary, gave their patronage and their name to a college which had been projected in the preceding reign, and which By Bacon ? What ended his rebellion ? How did his followers proceed after his death ? What was the effect of this rebellion ? Wha/ wis the effect of the revolution of 1688, on tnc affairs of Virgi- nia? SETTLLMENT OF MARYLAND. 67 is to this day one of the most respectable literary seminaries in the country. The political freedom, which the revolution confirmed anci established in England, extended many of its blessings to Virginia. The province became less dependent on the will of the sovereign, and although he had still the appointment of the governors, the influence of the colonial assemblies was sufficient to restrain those functionaries within such boundaries of authority as were requisite for the well being of the colony. Favouritism and religious intolerance dis- appeared ; and a better understanding prevailed with the other provincial governments. The population had increased to upwards of 60,000 souls ; and the increasing healthfulness of the settlements promised a still more rapid augmentation of their numbers. In 1688, the province contained forty-eight parishes, embracing upwards of 200,000 acres of appropriated land. Each parish contained a church, with a parsonage house and glebe attached ; and each clergyman was by law assigned a salary of 16,000 pounds of tobacco. Episcopacy continued to be the established religion, but dissenters were increasing so rapidly, that before the American revolution they amounted to two-thirds of the whole population. The statutes against them, though un- repealed, had become a dead letter. CHAPTER IX. SETTLEMENT OF MARYLAND. BY its second charter, Virginia included the whole territory which at present forms the state of Maryland. The country was explored by the Virginia settlers as early as 1621; a settlement was formed, and a trade with the Indians in furs established. An attempt was made to monopolise this trade by William Clayborne, a man of active and turbulent dispo- sition, who long exerted an extensive and injurious influence over the fortunes of the rising state. He had come out from England as a surveyor in 1621, and had sustained important offices in Virginia till 1629, when he was employed to survey the Chesapeake bay. Theinforma- What was the population ? ; In what state was Maryland originally included ? What was done in 1621 t Who was William Clayborne ? How was he employed in 1628 f 68 CHARTER OF MARYLAND. tion which he obtained in executing this undertaking, induced him to form a company in England for trading with the Indians, and he obtained a royal license, giving him the direction of an expedition for this purpose in 1631. Under these auspices trading establishments were formed on Kent Island in Maryland, and also near the mouth of the Susque- hannah. Clayborne's authority was confirmed by a commis- sion from the government of Virginia, and that colony claimed the advantages which were expected to result from commer- cial speculation extending far to the north of the present limits of the state of Virginia. But a distinct colony was now formed on her borders under the auspices of the Calvert family. Sir George Calvert, a Roman Catholic nobleman of enlarged capacity and liberal views, had become interested in American colonisation. He had spent a large amount of time and money in unsuccessful attempts to form settlements on Newfoundland. In 1628, he visited Virginia ; but was deterred from settling within its limits by the intolerance of the colonial government towards his religious opinions. He therefore turned his attention towards the country beyond the Potomac ; and, finding it at the disposal of the King of England, he easily obtained from him a charter for colonising it. This charter was of a liberal character, afford- ing ample guarantees for the freedom of the colonists, and the rights and privileges of the proprietary. The boundaries which it prescribed were the Atlantic ocean, the fortieth parallel of north latitude, the meridian of the western fountain of the Potomac, the river itself from its mouth to its source, and a line drawn due east from Watkin's Point to the ocean. The name given to the new colony was Maryland, in honour of Henrietta Maria, daughter of Henry IV of France, and wife of Charles I of England. The charter assigned the country to Calvert, Lord Balti- more, his heirs and assigns, as absolute lord and proprietary, on payment of a feudal rent of two Indian arrows, and one-fifth of all gold and silver ore which might be discovered. The T n 1631 ? Where did he form trading establish- ments ? Under what colonial government did he act ? (Jpder whose auspices was a distinct colony formed ? Who was Sir George Calvert ? What prevented his settling in Vir- ginia ? For what country did he obtain a charter ? From whom ? What did it afford ? What were the boundaries of the new colony ? What was its name ? What were the terms of the char- ter? CHARACTER OF SIR GEORGE CALVERT. 69 right of legislation was given to the emigrants who should settle on the soil. They were also protected from injury by the proprietary, to their lives, liberty, or estates. Although Sir George Calvert was a Roman Catholic, he allowed the most perfect religious liberty to the colonists under his charter ; and Maryland was the first state in the world in' which perfect religious freedom was enjoyed. All English subjects, without distinction, were allowed equal rights in respect to property and religious and civil franchises. A royal exemption from English taxation was another singular privilege obtained by Lord Baltimore for the people of his colony. All the extraordinary features of his charter owe their origin to the political foresight and sagacity of this remarkable man. ' Calvert,' says Mr. Bancroft, ' deserves to be ranked among the most wise and benevolent lawgivers of all ages. He was the first in the history of the Christian world to seek for religious security and peace by the practice of justice, and not by the exercise of power ; to plan the establishment of popular institutions with the enjoyment of liberty of con- science ; to advance the career of civilisation by recognising the rightful equality of all Christian sects. The asylum of papists was the spot, where, in a remote corner of the world, on the banks of rivers, which, as yet, had hardly been ex- plored, the mild forbearance of a proprietary adopted religious freedom as the basis of the state.' Before the patent was executed Sir George Calvert died, and was succeeded by his son, Cecil Calvert, the second Lord Baltimore ; who became the proprietor of Maryland, and transmitted his proprietary rights to many generations of his heirs. Virginia remonstrated against what she considered an in- fringement of her rights and an invasion of her territory ; but the remonstrance was disregarded at court ; and in November, 1633, Leonard Calvert, the brother of Lord Baltimore, sailed from England with about two hundred Roman Catholics for America. He arrived in February of the following year at Point Comfort, in Virginia, and was courteously received by the governor, Harvey. From this Point he sailed up the Potomac to the Indian town of Piscataqua, nearly opposite What religious rights were allowed by Calvert ? What is observed of Maryland ? What was Calvert's character ? Who was his successor ? What was done by Virginia ? Who was sent out with the settlers under the charter of Maryland ? Where did he arrive ? 70 SETTLEMENT OF ST. MARY'S. Mount Vernon, the chieftain of which told him * he might use his own discretion about settling in his country.' Calvert, however, chose a site lower down the river, at the Indian town of Yoacomoco, on the St. Mary's river, which he named St. George's river. The Indians were induced, by presents, to give them up half the town, and promise the abandonment of the whole after harvest. Quiet possession of the place was accordingly taken by the colonists, and the town was named St. Mary's. The Indians now entered into a permanent treaty with the settlers ; their women taught the wives of the English to make bread of maize, and the men instructed their visiters in the arts of the chase. The ground being already tilled, and a supply of food and cattle from Virginia being always within reach, the province advanced rapidly in wealth and industry. In six months it had increased more than Virginia had done in as many years. The proprietary was liberal in his dis- bursements, spending forty thousand pounds in the first two years. In 1635, the first colonial assembly was convened, and passed laws for protecting its righft * against the encroach- menis of Clayborne. He had made an attack on the colonists on one of the rivers near the isle of Kent, but his men had been defeated and taken prisoners. Clayborne himself fled to Virginia, and when reclaimed by the governor of Mary- land, was sent by Harvey to England. He was declared a traitor, and his estates were pronounced forfeited by an act of the Maryland assembly. His attempts to obtain redress in England were unavailing ; and the right of Lord Baltimore to the jurisdiction of Maryland was fully confirmed by the British government. Meantime the assembly of Maryland was labouring in the cause of civil liberty ; at the same time that it recognised the sovereignty of the king of England, and the rights of the proprietary, it confirmed the rights of Englishmen to the in- habitants of Maryland ; established a representative govern- ment ; and asserted for itself similar powers to those of the British House of Commons. In 1642, the gratitude of the colonists towards Lord Balti- more was manifested by the grant of such a subsidy as thoy could afford. Where did he settle ? What is saiu of the Indians ? (If the increase of the colony ? Of the proprietary ? What is related of CUyborne ? Of Lord Baltimore ? Of the assembly ? Of the colonists .' FIRST SETTLEMENT OF NEW ENGLAND. 71 About the same time, the Indians, instigated by Clayborne, commenced hostilities, but were reduced to submission with- out much difficulty, and measures were taken by the assem- bly to insure the future tranquillity of the colony. In 1643, Clayborne succeeded in raising a rebellion, which kept the province in a state of disturbance for three years ; and at one time the governor was compelled to fly, and the public records were lost or embezzled. The government, however, was eventually triumphant, and confirmed its victory by the wise and humane expedient of a general amnesty. The civil wars of England extended their influence to Maryland as well as the other colonies. When the authority of Cromwell was defied by the Virginians, and commis- sioners were sent to reduce them to obedience, Clayborne, the ever active enemy of the Marylanders, seized the occa- sion for extending his authority over them ; and a long series of fresh troubles and disturbances were brought on by his measures. Stone, the deputy of Lord Baltimore, was re- peatedly deprived of his commission ; the Catholic in- habitants were persecuted for their religious opinions, and the province was kept for years in a state of alarm 165g and confusion. The authority of the proprietary was, however, finally restored. In 1660, the representatives of Maryland declared their right of independent legislation, and passed an act making it felony to disturb the order thus established. From that time forward the province enjoyed comparative repose. Their population had already reached the number of twelve thou- sand. CHAPTER X. FIRST SETTLEMENT OF NEW ENGLAND. SEVERAL abortive attempts were made to colonise the country now called New England, before the famous expedi- tion of the Pilgrim Fathers, which planted the earliest per- manent colony. Of the Indians ? Of Clayborne ? Of the governor ? Of the government ? What transpired during the civil wars of England ? What was done in 1660 ? What followed ? 73 THE PLYMOUTH COUNCIL. Two expeditions were sent out from the west of England as early as 1606, neither of which left settlers ; but in 1607, two ships, commanded by Raleigh Gilbert, sailed with a colony of emigrants under the presidency of George Popham. These adventurers landed and formed a settlement near the mouth of Kennebec river, which they called St. George. "Forty-five persons were left here by the ships on their return to England, in December. During the winter the little colony suffered many hard- ships and misfortunes. Their president died ; and on the return of the ships with supplies, Gilbert, who had suc- ceeded to the presidency, learning that chief justice Popham, the principal patron of the colony, was dead ; and that he himself had, by the decease of his brother, become heir to a considerable estate, abandoned the plantation ; and the whole company returned to the mother country. In 1614, Captain John Smith, the hero whose name is so celebrated in Virginia history, set sail with two ships for the coast north of Virginia, and performed a prosperous voyage, during which he explored the coast, and prepared a map of it, from the Penobscot river to Cape Cod. He gave to the country the name of New England. His success in this enterprise encouraged him to attempt the settlement of a colony for Sir Ferdinand Gorges and others, of the Plymouth company. But after two attempts he WPS intercepted on his voyage by French pirates, lost his vessel, and finally escaped from the harbour of Rochelle, alone, in an open boat. Smith was a perfect hero of romance. Wucrever we hear of his being, we are sure to find him per- forming some extraordinary act, some feat of chivalry or herculean labour, such as no ordinary man would ever have thought of attempting. His fortune was as extraordinary as his genius. On his return home from France, he published his map and description of New England ; and by his earnest soli- citations engaged the western company for colonising Ame- rica, to solicit and obtain a charter for settling the country. The company was called ' The council established at Ply- mouth, in the county of Devon, for the planting, ruling, ordering, and governing New England, in America.' The Where was a colony planted in 1607? What occasioned its abandonment ? What was done by Captain Smith in 1614? What bcfel) him afterwards ? What is observed of Smith ? What was done by him on his return to England ? What company was formed under his auspices ' THE BROWN1STS. 73 charter gave this company the absolute property and un- limited controul of the territory included between the fortieth and forty-eighth degrees of north latitude and the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. A glance at the map will show that this included the Canadas, all the Eastern and nearly all the Mid- dle States, and a country of immense extent to the west. All this territory, with its commercial and internal resources, were placed under the absolute controul of some forty mer- chants and gentlemen, who composed the company, and re- sided in England. The extent of these powers, vested in the company, de- layed emigration ; and in the mean time, the first permanent colony in New England -was established without regard to this charter, or even the knowledge of the company who had obtained it. A sect of puritans, distinguished by the democracy of its tenets respecting church government, and denominated Brownisls, from the name of its founder, had sprung up in England, and after suffering much persecution from the go- vernment, had taken refuge at Leyden, in Holland. Here its members having formed a distinct society under the charge of their pastor, Mr. John Robinson, resided for some years in obscurity and safety ; but not finding their situation con- genial to their feelings as Englishmen, and fearful of losing their national identity, they had come to the determination of removing in a body to America. They accordingly sent two of their number, Robert Gush- man and John Carver, to England, for the purpose of obtain- ing the consent of the London company to their emigration to Virginia. Permission was promised, and a formal application, signed by the greatest part of the congregation, was transmit- ted to the company. The language used on this occasion indicates the state of feeling which prompted the application. ' We are well weaned from the delicate milk of our mother country, and inured to the difficulties of a strange land ; the people are industrious and frugal. We are knit together as a body in a most sacred covenant of the Lord, of the violation whereof we make great conscience, and by virtue whereof we hold ourselves straitly tied to all care of each other's good, and of the whole. It is not with us as with men whom small What was granted in their charter ? What delayed emigration ? What took place in the mean time ? Who were the Brownists ? Where did they take refuge ? Who was their pastor ? Wh> did thev determine to leave Holland ? To whom did they apply for permis- sion to settle in America ? What was their character t 74 VOYAGE OF THE PILGRIMS. things can discourage.' Such was the character of the far- renowned Pilgrims of New England, as described by them- selves. They were desirous that their enterprise should receive the formal approbation of the king. But James I was hostile to all the puritans ; and the utmost that he would promise was neglect. A patent under the company's seal was, however, obtained through the influence of Sir Edwin Sandys, and a tract of land assigned them within the limits of the Virginia charter. The funds necessary for defraying the expenses of the expedition were obtained in. London, on terms by no means favourable to the borrowers ; but this circumstance could not deter men who were actuated by the spirit of the Pilgrims. Two vessels, the Speedwell, of sixty tons, and the May- flower, of one hundred and eighty tons burthen, were hired in England. Only a part of the congregation could be accom- modated in these ; and Robinson was obliged to remain at Leyden, while Brewster, an elder, conducted the company. It was on the morning of the 22d of July, 1620, when Robinson, kneeling in prayer on the sea shore at Delfthaven, consecrated the embarkation of the Pilgrims. The beginning of their -voyage was prosperous. They touched at South- ampton, in England, and sailed thence on the fifth of August. Their prospect soon darkened ; they were obliged to put back twice in order to repair the smaller of their vessels, and final- ly to abandon her with such of their company as were too cowardly to continue the voyage ; so that it was not until the 6th of September, 1620, that they took their final departure from England in the Mayflower. ' Could,' says a celebrated orator of our own times, Could a common calculation of policy have dictated the terms of that settlement, no doubt our foundations would have been laid beneath the royal smile. Convoys and navies would have been solicited, to waft our fathers to the coast ; armies to de- fend the infant communities ; and the flattering patronage of princes and lords, to espouse their interests in the councils of the mother country. * Happy, that our fathers enjoyed no such patronage ; hap- py, that they fell into no such protecting hands ; happy, thai our foundations were silently and deeply cast in quiet insig- What was done by James I ? .-Jow did they obtain their patent ? Where did tfcey raise morey ? What ships did they hire ? Who was their leader ? When did they leave Holland ? What occasioned the abandonment ot one of their ships ? Describe the vovage. VOYAGE OF THE PILGRIMS. 75 nificance, beneath a charter of banishment, persecution, and contempt ; so that when the royal arm was at length out- stretched against us, instead of a submissive child, tied down by former graces, it found a youthful giant in the land, born amidst hardships, and nourished on the rocks, indebted for no "avours, and owing no duty. ' From the dark portals of the star chamber, and in the stern texts of the acts of uniformity, the Pilgrims received a com- mission, more efficient than any that ever bore the royal seal. Their banishment to Holland was fortunate ; the decline of their little company in the strange land was fortunate ; the difficulties which they experienced, in getting the royal con- sent to banish themselves to this wilderness, were fortunate ; all the tears and heart-breakings of that ever memorable part- ing at Delfthaven, had the happiest influence on the rising destinies of New England. 'All this purified the ranks of the settlers. These rough touches of fortune brushed off the light, uncertain, selfish spirits. They made it a grave, solemn, self-denying expedi- tion, and required those who engaged in it to be so too. They cast a broad shadow of thought and seriousness over the cause, and if this sometimes deepened into melancholy and bitterness, can we find no apology for such a human weakness ? ' It is sad indeed to reflect on the disasters which the little band of pilgrims encountered. Sad to see a portion of them, the prey of unrelenting cupidity, treacherously embarked in an unsound, unseaworthy ship, which they are soon obliged to abandon, and crowd themselves into one vessel ; one hun- dred persons, besides the ship's company, in a vessel of one hundred and sixty tons. One is touched at the story of the long, cold, and weary autumnal passage ; of the landing on the inhospitable rocks at this dismal season ; where they are deserted, before long, by the ship which had brought them, and which seemed their only hold upon the world of fellow- men, a prey to the elements and to want, and fearfully igno- rant of the numbers, of the power, and the temper of the savage tribes that filled the unexplored continent upon whose verge they had ventured. ' But all this wrought together for good. These trials ol wandering and exile of the ocean, the winter, the wilderness and the savage foe, were the final assurance of success. It was these that put far away from our fathers' cause all patri- cian softness, all hereditary claims to pre-eminence. ' No effeminate nobility crowded into the dark and austere ranks of the Pilgrims. No Carr nor Villiers would lead on 76 VOYAGE OF THE PILQRIMS. the ill-provided band of despised Puritans. No well endowed clergy were on the alert, to quit their cathedrals, and set up a pompous hierarchy in the frozen wilderness. No craving governors were anxious to be sent over to our cheerless El Dorados of ice and of snow. 'No, they could not say they had encouraged, patronised, or helped the Pilgrims ; their own cares, their own labours, their own counsels, their 6wn blood contrived all, achieved all, bore all, sealed all. They could not afterwards fairly pretend to reap where they had not strewn ; and as our fathers reared this broad and solid fabric with pains and watchfulness, un- aided, barely tolerated, it did not fall when the favour, which had always been withholden, was changed into wrath ; when the arm, which had never supported, was raised to destroy. 4 Methinks I see it now, that one solitary, adventurous vessel, the Mayflower of a forlorn hope, freighted with the prospects of a future state, and bound across the unknown sea. I behold it pursuing, with a thousand misgivings, the uncer- tain, the tedious voyage. Suns rise and set, and weeks and months pass, and winter surprises them on the deep, but brings them not the sight of the wished-for shore. ' I see them now, scantily supplied with provisions, crowded almost to suffocation in their ill-stored prison, delayed by calms, pursuing a circuitous route and now driven in fury before the raging tempest, on the high and giddy waves. The awful voice of the storm howls through the rigging. The labouring masts seem straining from their base the dismal sound of the pumps is- heard the ship leaps, as it were, madly, from billow to billow the ocean breaks, and settles with engulfing floods over the floating deck, and beats with deadening, shivering weight, against the staggered vessel. ' I see them, escaped from these perils, pursuing their all but desperate undertaking, and landed at last, after a five months' passage, on the ice clad rocks of Plymouth weak and weary from the voyage poorly armed, scantily provisioned, depend- ing on the charity of their ship-master for a draught of beer on board, drinking nothing but water on shore without shel- ter without means surrounded by hostile tribes. ' Shut now the volume of history, and tell me, on any prin- ciple of human probability, what shall be the fate of this handful of adventurers. Tell me, man of military science, in how many months were they all swept off by the thirty savagb tribes, enumerated within the early limits of New England? Tell me, politician, how long did this shadow of a colony, or CONSTITUTION OF THE PILGRIMS. 77 which your conventions and treaties had not smiled, languish on the distant coast? ' Student of history, compare for me the baffled projects, the deserted settlements, the abandoned adventures of other times, and find the parallel of this. Was it the winter's storm, beating upon the houseless heads of women and children ? Was it hard labour and spare meals was it disease was it the tomahawk was it the deep malady of a blighted hope, a ruined enterprise, and a broken heart, aching in its last mo- ments, at the recollection of the loved and left beyond the sea : was it some or all of these united, that hurried this for- saken company to their melancholy fate? ' And is it possible that neither of these causes, that not all combined, were able to blast this bud of hope ? Is it possible, that from a beginning so feeble, so frail, so worthy, not so much of admiration as of pity, there has gone forth a progress so steady, a growth so wonderful, an expansion so ample, a reality so important, a promise, yet to be fulfilled, so glorious ?' The destination of the Pilgrims was the mouth of the Hud- son ; but by the treachery of their captain, who is supposed to have been bribed by the Dutch, interested in the colony of New Amsterdam, they were conducted to the inhospitable coast of Massachusetts. They did not make the land till the ninth of November. On the next day they cast anchor in the harbour of Cape Cod. Before landing, they adopted a solemn compact or consti- tution of government in the following words : ' In the name of God, amen ; we, whose names are under- written, the loyal subjects of our dread sovereign King James, having undertaken for the glory of God, and advancement of the Christian faith, and honour of our king and country, a voyage to plant the first colony in the northern parts of Vir- ginia, do by these presents, solemnly and mutually, in the presence of God, and of one another, covenant and combine ourselves together, into a civil body politic, for our better ordering and preservation, and furtherance of the ends afore- said ; and by virtue hereof, to enact, constitute, and frame such just and equal laws, ordinances, acts, constitutions, and offices, from time to time, as shall be thought most conve- nient for the general good of the colony. Unto which we promise all due submission and obedience.' What was the destination of the Pil- grims Why did they not land there ? 7* Whither were they conducted ? What was their constitution ? 78 LANDING OF THE PILGRIMS. This instrument was signed by the men, forty-one in number ; and they, with their families, amounted to one hun- dred and one persons. As soon as their covenant or contract was signed, Mr. John Carver was unanimously chosen their governor for one year The inclemency of the season was very unfavourable to their undertaking. Several days were spent in searching for a suitable place to land, and much hardship was endured by those who went in the boats for this purpose. Some traces of the Indians were discovered a heap of maize, a burial place, and four or five deserted wigwams. On the 8th of December, Carver, Bradford, "Winslow, Standish, and eight or ten seamen, being on shore near Namskeket, on Great Meadow Creek, were assailed by a party of Indians, who welcomed them with the war whoop, and a flight of arrows. On the same day, they were near being wrecked in their shallop as they were seeking a harbour. They escaped this danger, however, and landed at night on a small island. Here they kept the Christian Sabbath with strict observance, and on the day following, December 11, found the long sought harbour, to which, in grateful remembrance of the friends they had left at their last port in England, they gave the name of Plymouth. In a few days the Mayflower was safely moored in Ply- mouth harbour ; the surrounding country was then explored, and a high ground facing the bay, where the land was cleared and the water good, was selected for building. On the morning of the 20th of December, 1620, after im- ploring the divine guidance and blessing, the Pilgrims landed on the rock of Plymouth. The spot which their footsteps first touched, on this memorable occasion, has ever since been regarded by their descendants as sacred, and the day is still celebrated with all the enthusiasm of religion and patriotism. When the landing of the Pilgrims was effected, their diffi- culties and distresses were but just begun. We are to recol- lect that it was in the depth of a New England winter, that their company was already suffering with colds, lung fevers, and incipient consumptions, contracted by their exposure to snow, rain, and the beating surf, in exploring the coast ; that their stock of provisions was scanty ; and that the care of their wives and children was added to hardships which man- hood was hardly able to encounter. Who was chosen governor ? What befell a party of them on the Rth of December ? What passed on the llth ? When did the Pilgrims land ? DISTRESSES OF THE PILGRIMS. Landing of the Pilgrims. The month of January was spent in erecting such tene- ments as their scanty means afforded. Sickness atte'nded them, and mortality thinned their numbers through the winter : and it was not until the spring was far advanced that health re- visited the remnant of the colony. Half their number had perished. Carver, their first governor, died in March, and William Bradford was chosen to succeed him. Privation and want were still to be endured. A reinforce- ment of emigrants, which came out in the autumn of 1621, brought no supply of provisions, and the colony was com- pelled to subsist, for six months longer, on half allowance. The scarcity of provisions continued, with only occasional relief, for two years longer. A mistaken policy," or a desire to conform to the simplicity of apostolic times, had induced the Pilgrims to adopt the system of community of property. This was one of the causes of scarcity. In the spring of 1623, each family was allowed a parcel of ground to cultivate for itself; and after the harvest of that year, no general want of food was ex- perienced. , A profitable commerce was established with the Indians. European trinkets were exchanged for furs, and the colonists were at length enabled to barter corn with them for the pro- ducts of the chase. The Indians were not numerous in the vicinity of Plymouth, for before the arrival of the English, a sweeping pestilence had carried off whole tribes of them, but How was their first winter passed ? When did Carver die ? Who succeeded him ? When did a reinforcement arrive ? What cause of distress remained ? For how long a time ? What mistake was made by the Pil gnms f When was it rectified ? How ? With whom did they trade ? In what commodities ? What had thinned the Indians / 80 ASSA60IT. enough were left to render a sort of military organisation necessary for the defence of the colony, and Captain Miles Standish, a man of great courage and fortitude, obtained tho chief command. In March, 1621, the colonists were visited by Samoset, a chief of the Wampanoags, who bade them welcome, and in the name of his tribe gave them permission to occupy the soil, which there was no one of the original possessors alive to claim. In the same month, Massasoit, the greatest king of the neighbouring Indians, paid them a visit, and entered into a league of friendship, which was inviolably observed for upwards of fifty years. This event was followed by others of the same character. A sachem who had threatened hostilities was compelled to sue for peace, and nine chiefs subscribed an instrument of submission to King James. Canonicus, the sachem of the Narragansetts, sent a bundle of arrows wrapped in a rattle- snake's skin to the governor, in token of defiance ; but Brad- ford coolly stuffed the skin with powder and shot, and re- turned it. The Indian's courage failed at the sight of this unequivocal symbol ; and he followed the example of his countrymen by subscribing a treaty of peace. Another colony was the means of involving the Plymouth settlers in an Indian war. Weston, one of the London ad- venturers, had been induced, by the hope of a lucrative trade, to obtain a patent for land near Weymouth in Massachusetts Bay, and sent over a company of sixty men, who settled on the soil, intruded themselves on the hospitality of the Ply- mouth colony, were idle and dissolute, and finally exasperated 1623 ^ e I n dians so muc h by their repeated aggressions, that a plot was formed for the entire extermination of the English. This plot was revealed by Massasoit. The governor, on receiving intelligence of it, ordered Standish to take a party with him to the new settlement, and, if he should discover signs of a plot, to fall on the conspirators. Standish took but eight men; and, proceeding at once to the scene of action, was insulted and threatened by the natives. Watching a favourable opportunity, he attacked them, kill- ed several, and put the rest to flight. The Indian wo- Who was the military leader of the Pilgrims > Who visited them ? Who made a treaty with them ? What events followed ? Tell the story of Canonicus. What is said of the Weymouth co- lony ? Of the Indians ? Of Slandish ? TREACHERY OF PIERCE 8i Treaty with Massasoit. men were treated kindly, and sent away. This decisive action broke up the conspiracy, and dispersed the tribes who had formed it. The Weymouth colony was soon after aban- doned, and the settlers returned to England. The London merchants, who had lent money to the Pil- grims on their departure from England, had been admitted to a sort of partnership in the colony, which was afterwards productive of much inconvenience. These merchants used their power for the purpose of making severe restrictions and exactions. They refused a passage to Mr. Robinson, who wished to join his friends in Plymouth ; endeavoured to force upon the colony a clergyman whose religious opinions were at variance with their own ; and even attempted to injure their commerce by rivalry, extorting from them exorbitant profits on supplies, and excessive usury on money. The emigrants bore all this patiently, and at last succeeded in buying out the entire rights of the London adventurers, and relieving themselves from debt, and its unpleasant conse- quences. The first patent of Plymouth had been taken out at the instance of Sir Ferdinand Gorges, in the name of John Pierce, as trustee for the adventurers. When the enterprise assumed a promising aspect, this man secretly procured an- other patent of larger extent, for his own benefit, intending to hold the adventurers as his tenants. He accordingly sent out ships for New England ; but they were driven back repeatedly by storms ; and the losses he What was the end of the Weymouth colony ? What is said of the London mer- chants ? How were their exactions ended ? How did the trustee of the Pilgrimi abuse his trust ? What misfortunes befell him ? 82 GOVERNMENT OB THE OLD COLONY. underwent compelled him to sell his patent and his property to the company. A patent was afterwards granted for the lands about the Kennebec river, where a trading establishment had been formed ; but no charter could ever be obtained from the king, who still retained his hostility to the Puritans. The population of the old colony, at Plymouth, increased slowly. Ten years after the first settlement there were only three hundred inhabitants. But they had spread over a wide territory, and become firmly rooted in the soil. The government of the old colony was strictly republican. The governor was elected by the people, and restricted by a council of five, and afterwards of seven, assistants. The legislature was at first composed of the whole body of the people. But, as the population increased, they adopted the representative system. CHAPTER XI. PROGRESS OF THE NEW ENGLAND COLONIES. THE old Plymouth company ' for the planting, ruling, ordering, and governing New England, in America,' whose extensive and very exclusive charter has already been men- tioned, had made no other use of its inordinate privileges than an attempt to exclude from the trade and fisheries all who would not pay the company a heavy tax. No mono- poly could be more odious to the people of England than this. Their privileges were violently assailed in the house of commons, and the patentees were finally compelled tc relinquish their claims. They continued, however, to issue patents for portions of their immense territory, to different companies and individuals. One of these having been granted to Robert Gorges, the son of Sir Ferdinand, for a tract extending ten miles on Mas- sachusetts Bay, and thirty miles into the interior, he was appointed by the company lieutenant-general of New Eng- or what country was a patent after- wards granted ? What is said of the population of the Plymouth colony ? What is said of the government ? What use did the old Plymouth com pany make of its charter ? Who opposed their claims ? Were they abandoned ? What practice did they continue ? What is said of Gorges's patent .' SETTLEMENT OF MAINE. 83 land, with extensive powers. But this grant was productive of no permanent settlement, and the powers of Gorges were never exercised. In 1622, Sir Ferdinand Gorges and John Mason took a patent for a territory called Laconia, extending from the At- lantic to the St. Lawrence, and from the Merrimac to the Kennebec. Under this patent Portsmouth and Dover were settled, in 1623. A fresh patent, for the country between the Merrimac and Piscataqua, was obtained by Mason in 1629. This was the patent for New Hampshire. Its early progress was so slow that, in thirty years after its settle- ment, Portsmouth contained no more than sixty families. In 1628, a number of settlements were commenced on the coast of Maine, under a succession of patents granted by the Plymouth council. But, as most of these were merely tem- porary, having for their object the pursuits of hunting and fishing, they were soon abandoned. A district of forty miles square, which was called Lygonia, and situated between Harpswell and the Kennebunk river, was settled in 1630 and given up the next year, the settlers retiring to Massachusetts. Sir Ferdinand Gorges obtained, in 1635, a patent for the district lying between the Kennebec and the Piscataqua, and sent his nephew, William Gorges, to govern the territory, who found some settlers on the Saco and Kennebec ; but he remained in the country only two years, and it was then left without a government. Sir Ferdinand still continued his schemes for colonisation, and was subsequently constituted iord proprietary of the country by a royal charter. New England would have increased but slowly in wealth and population, had not the same causes which drove the Brownists from England still continued to operate. The Puritans were constantly the objects of persecution in Eng- land, and numbers of them were desirous to seek an asylum in the new world. Several emigrations were consequently made to Massachusetts. Mr. White, a Puritan minister of Dorchester, in England, had induced some merchants and gentlemen to join him (1624) in sending out a small colony, who began a planta- tion at Cape Ann, recognising, however, the supremacy of the Plymouth settlers. When was New Hampshire settled ? By whom ? What fact proves its slow progress ? What was done in Maine ? What was done by Gorges in 1635 > By Mr. White in 1624 ? 84 SETTLEMENT OF SALEM AND CHARLESTOWN. In 1627, Mr. White and his company concluded a treaty, with the council of Plymouth, for the purchase of that part of New England lying three miles south of Charles river, and three miles north of Merrimac river, and extending from the Atlantic to the Pacific. A small number of emigrants, under the direction of John Endicott, were soon afterwards sent out, who laid the foundation of Salem, the first perma- nent town in the Massachusetts colony, in 1628. The adventurers did not deem themselves able to effect all their objects without the aid of more opulent partners. Some London merchants joined them, and a charter was obtained from the crown confirming the grant from the council of Ply- mouth, and conferring powers of government. The supreme authority was vested in persons residing in London, a most unwise provision, as the history of the Virginia company sufficiently proved. The patentees were styled ' The Gover- nor and Company of Massachusetts Bay in New England.' The executive power was vested in a governor, deputy governor, and eighteen assistants, to be nominated by the crown, and afterwards elected by the company. The go- vernor and assistants were to meet monthly for business. The legislative power was vested in the body of the pro- prietors, who were to assemble four times a year, under the denomination of the General Court, for electing officers, and making laws for the cpmmon weal. The colonists were exempted from taxes and duties, and declared entitled to all the rights and privileges of Englishmen, as had already been done in the charter of Virginia. Under this charter three vessels sailed in May, 1628, with about two hundred persons, who reached Salem in June, where they found a colony of one hundred planters under the government of John Endicott. Not satisfied with the situation at Salem, one hundred of the company, under the direction of Thomas Graves, removed to Mishawum, where they laid the foundation of a town, to which they gave the name of Charlestown. Both settlements were united under the same government; and one of their first acts was to form a church and ordain their minister and In 1627 ? When was Salem settled ? By whom ' What new company was formed ? What form of government wag es- tablished by their charter ? What exemptions and privileges did it grant ? How many emigrants came over ia 1628? Who founded Charlestown ? What was one of their first acts ? SETTLEMENT OF BOSTON. 85 ruling elder, in which solemnity they were joined by a repre- sentation from the Plymouth colony. The inconveniences, which would have resulted from that provision of the charter which required the government of the colony of Massachusetts to be resident in London, had already been foreseen, and in consequence of representations to that effect, the charter was transferred to those of the freemen who should themselves reside in the colony. This gave a new impulse to emigration, and many persons of various ranks prepared for their departure to the New World. The next year (1630) brought a fleet with eight hundred and forty emigrants, among whom were governor Winthrop, deputy governor Dudley, and many other persons of wealth and respectability. In September, of the same year, a set- tlement was formed at a place on the south side of Charles river, called by the Indians Shawmut, and by the English, Trimountain, to which the name of Boston was now given. The succeeding autumn and winter were marked by severe distress. Sickness visited the colony, and before December, two hundred of their number had died. Among these was the lady Arabella Johnson, the daughter of a noble house in England, who had left the quiet and luxury of her home, but to leave a memorial of her virtues and misfortunes in the new country. The colonists were by no means disheartened by their sufferings, but bore all with fortitude, in the hope of transmitting free institutions to their posterity. In May, 1631, at the first court of election in Massachu- setts, _' that the body of the commons might be preserved of good and honest men,' it was ordered that, from that time, no persons be admitted to the freedom of the body politic, but such as were members of some of the churches within its limits. This provision has been much censured by historians and statesmen, and the right of the government to make it has been questioned. It was subsequently productive of much dissension. It was, however, by no means inconsistent with the spirit of the age, and was unquestionably adopted from the most upright and conscientious motives. The settlements gradually extended in the neighbourhood of Boston and Charlestown to such remote points, that the purely democratic form of government, which admitted every gave a new impulse to etnigra- What tion Who came over in 1630 ? What town was then settled ? What ensued in the autumn ? Who died ? When was the first court of ejection held in Massachusetts f What law was made ? What is said of it ? 36 BANISHMENT OF ROGER WILLIAMS. fieeraan to a share in the deliberations respecting the public welfare, was found to be very inconvenient ; and accordingly, in 1634, a representative form of government was adopted. The whole body of the freemen assembled but om:e a year for the election of magistrates, and the freemen of each town chose deputies to the general court, who were vested with the full power of all the freemen, and were required to assemble in general court four times a year. This form of government was retained, with but slight alterations, during the continu- ance of the charter. We have here the second instance of a house of representatives in America, the first having been , convened in Virginia, June 19, 1619. Roger Williams, a minister of Salem, having put forth cer- tain tenets, which were considered heretical and seditious, 1634 ' teno< ing equally to sap the foundations of the estab- lishment in church and state,' and refusing to recant and conform to the opinions of the ruling powers, was banished the colony. The heresy which he promulgated was, ' that the civil magistrate should restrain crime, but never controul opinion ; should punish guilt, but never violate the freedom of the soul.'* His firmness on this occasion made him the founder of a state, and classed him among the most celebrated asser tors of intellectual freedom. His exile was not a mere transfer from one agreeable resi- dence to another as agreeable. He was obliged to go into the wilderness of woods in the depth of winter ; and when cast out from the society of civilised men, for asserting the noblest right of humanity, he found a shelter among the untutored savages. Pokanoket, Massasoit, and Canonicus, welcomed him to their rude wigwams, and thus confirmed a constant friend and benefactor. In the spring he began to build and plant at Seekonk, but finding that this place was within the patent of Plymouth, he passed over the water with five com- panions, and settled on a spot which, in token of his humble reliance on the Divine favour, he called PROVIDENCE. Under these circumstances was commenced the settlement of Rhode Island a state, whose history is marked throughout with the strongest evidences of the attachment of its people to the prin ciples of civil and religious liberty. What form of government was adopted I What is said of Roger Williams ' in 1634 ? I What town and state did he found ? * Bancroft. ARRIVAL OF PETER AND VANE. 87 Banishment of Roger Williams. In 1635, three thousand emigrants were added to the puri- tan colony of Massachusetts. Among them were two persons who were afterwards remarkably distinguished by their cha- racters and fortunes ; these were Hugh Peter, and Henry Vane the younger. Peter, who had formerly been pastor of a church of English exiles at Rotterdam, was a man of high spirit, great energy, eloquence and ability. Vane, who suf- fered much censure during his active career, is now pro- nounced by impartial historians to have been a man of spotless integrity and pure mind, and a genuine martyr for liberty. The freemen of Massachusetts, captivated by the talents and fascinating manners of Vane, and flattered by his aban- donment of ease and high rank in England, for a residence on their own soil, elected him for their governor. He was too young and too little acquainted with the country to fulfil with success the duties of so arduous an office. The arrival of Vane was followed by certain negotiations with other men of noble rank in England, who were desirous to emigrate to Massachusetts, provided they could continue there in the enjoyment of those hereditary powers and offices, which were guaranteed to them and their families by the British constitution. Their proposals were received and considered by the leaders and freemen of the colony ; but, fortunately for their posterity, these sagacious republicans foresaw the evils which would result from such an arrange ment, and the proposal was accordingly declined. The colony was not so fortunate in respect to another source Who came over in 1635 ? To what office was Vane elected ? What proposal was made by certain English noblemen ? How was it treated ? 88 RELIGIOUS DISSENSIONS. of disorder, religious dissensions. A controversy arose con cerning faith and works, in which a Mrs. Anne Hutchinson and two clergymen, Mr. Wheelwright and Mr. Cotton, es- poused one side of the question, and received the support of governor Vane, while the lieutenant governor Winthrop, and a majority of the ministers and churches, contended as earnest ly for the opposite opinions. Mrs. Hutchinson held weekly conferences for persons of her own sex, and commented with great asperity on the ser- mons delivered by preachers of the opposite party, whom she pronounced to be ' under a covenant of works.' The number and quality of her adherents soon gave the affair a degree of political importance, which it could never have acquired in a community where the church and state were not intimately connected. The general court took up the matter, and censured Wheel- wright for sedition. This measure embroiled the parties still further ; and the ' party question' of the day was made the test of elections, and interfered with the discussion and deci- sion of every public measure. The controversy lasted till 1637, when Anne Hutchinson, Wheelwright, and Aspinwall were banished the colony, and their adherents were required to deliver up their arms. Many of the Antinomians, as the minority were called, emigrated to the neighbouring colonies. A considerable num- ber found shelter with Roger Williams ; and, by his influence and that of Vane, obtained from Miantonomoh, the chief of the Narragansetts, a gift of the beautiful island of Rhode Is- land. Wheelwright and some of his friends removed to the Piscataqua, and founded the town of Exeter. Thus the into- lerance of Massachusetts became instrumental in scattering new settlers over the face of the country, and founding new communities of men, who were ready to sacrifice all the de- lights of social intercourse to the preservation of the rights of conscience. Such men were worthy to become the founders of new states, and to be remembered with gratitude by those who are now enjoying the blessings which they so dearly purchased. Vane, not being elected governor a second time, and having witnessed the persecution and exile of the party to which he had been conscientiously attached, soon after returned to Eng- land, became conspicuous in the civil wars, and suffered death What cause of disorder now began to operate ? What B said of Mrs. Hutchmson ? How did the controversy end ? Where did the exiles settle ? What became of Vane ? CONNECTICUT SETTLED. 89 for his attachment to the republican cause. Peter became chaplain to Oliver Cromwell, and, after the Restoration, suf- fered the same fate. The valley of the Connecticut had already attracted atten- tion, by its fertility and its convenient location for an exten- sive internal trade in furs. The first proprietary under the Plymouth council, the Earl of Warwick, had assigned his grant to Lords Say and Seal, Lord Brook, and others, in 1631. The people of the old colony at Plymouth had built a trading house at Windsor (1631) for the purchase of furs ; and the Dutch had settled Hartford, under the name of Good Hope, in 1633. The proprietaries sent out John Winthrop, in 1635, who erected a fort at the mouth of the Connecticut, and founded Saybrook. Before his arrival, parties of emigrants from Mas- sachusetts had already formed settlements at Hartford, Wind- sor, and Wethersfield. The settlers marched through the forest to their new abode, accompanied by their wives and children. This appears to have been the first example of ' western emigration,' which was conducted in this manner. The march of the vanguard of sixty Pilgrims, which took place late in autumn, was attended with much suffering and privation. Next year a government was organised under a commis- sion from Massachusetts ; and, in June, a company of one hundred new emigrants, under the direction of the Rev. Thomas Hooker, commenced its march from Massachusetts towards the new settlement on the Connecticut, travelling through the pathless woods at the slow rate of ten miles a day, encumbered with their families and flocks, and sleeping at night with scarce any shelter but what the woods afforded. This pilgrimage is not less remarkable for its romantic daring, than for the high character of its leaders. The new settlement was surrounded with perils. The Dutch, who were established on the river, were anxious to exclude the English ; and the natives, who were numerous and powerful in that neighbour- hood, had begun to entertain hostile dispositions towards all European intruders. The Pequods, residing in the vicinity of the Thames river, could bring seven hundred warriors into the field. They had What other places had been set- tled ? Describe the pilgrimage of Mr. Hook- er and his followers. What dangers did they encounter ? What is said of the Pequods ? Of Peter ? What settlements had been made in Connecticut ? By whom ? When was Saybrook settled ? By whom ? 8* 90 IHB PEiUOD WAR. already committed repeated aggressions on the whites, with- out suffering any chastisement, and they now proposed to tlif Narragansetts and Mohegans to unite in a league for the uttei extermination of the race. Fortunately this design became known to Roger Williams, who communicated it to the go- vernor of Massachusetts ; and having received, from th* governor and council, letters, requesting his personal exertions in dissolving the league, he went directly to the house of the sachem of the Narragansetts, and, although the Pequod chiefs were already there, he succeeded, at great hazard of his life, in breaking up the conspiracy. Such was the service which the persecuted man was able to render to those who had been his persecutors. The Pequods, when the Narragansetts and Mohegans were detached from their alliance, foolishly resolved to prosecute the war alone. They commenced hostilities by murdering the white people on their borders ; but the Connecticut settlers promptly raised a force of ninety men, who were placed under the command of John Mason. The Massachusetts and Plymouth colonies proceeded to furnish their contingent of troops ; but before they could arrive, the Connecticut party were on their way to the scene of action. By a rapid march they succeeded in surprising the Pequods, in their camp of palisades, before daybreak, and, but for the barking of a watch dog, would have destroyed them without resistance. The warriors rose at the alarm, and defended themselves with their bows and arrows. Their superiority of numbers gave them some chance of escape, until Mason cast firebrands upon the Indian cabins, and set the whole encampment in a blaze. The confusion that ensued gave the English an easy victory. Six hundred of the Indians, men, women, and children, perished ; most of them by the fire. Only two of the assailants were killed. The following account is given by Robertson, of the cause which delayed the arrival of the force from Massachusetts. ' The march of the troops from Massachusetts, which formed the most considerable body, was retarded by the most singu- lar cause that ever influenced the operations of a military force. When they were mustered, previous to their departure, it was found that some of the officers, as well as of the private sol- diers, were still under a covenant of works ; and that the Who leagued with them ? What did they design ? Who broke up the league ? Who remained hostile ? Who marched against them ? What was the result ? NEW HAVKN SETTLKP. 91 Destruction of the Pequods. blessing of God could not be implored, or expected to crown the arms of such unhallowed men with success. The alarm was general, and many arrangements necessary in order to cast out the unclean, and to render this little band sufficiently pure to fight the battles of a people who entertained high ideas of their own sanctity.'* These troops, consequently, only arrived in time to hunt out a few of the fugitives, burn their remaining villages, and lay waste their corn-fields. Sassacus, the sachem of the Pe- quods, fled to the Mohawks, and was murdered. The rem- nant of the tribe, two hundred in number, surrendered, and were either enslaved to the English, or mingled with the Mo- hegans and Narragansetts. The Pequods no longer existed as a distinct tribe. It is worthy of remark, that the Indians were never danger- ous enemies to the colonists, until they had learnt the use of fire-arms. A handful of English could always march into their territory, and conquer a whole tribe, before the Euro- pean weapons were brought into use among them. The successful termination of the Pequod war, was fol- lowed by a long season of uninterrupted peace, during which the colonies of New England continued to flourish, increas- ing in wealth and population. Settlements were constantly forming, and fresh emigrants arriving from England. In 1638, a Puritan colony was planted at New Haven, under the direction of John Daven- port, its pastor, and Theophilus Eaton, who, for twenty years, What became of the remnant of the I What followed the Pequod war ? Pequods ? | When was New Haven settled ? * Ncal, i. 168. 92 THE THREE CONNECTICUT COLONIES. sustained the office of governor. This was a separate juris- diction from that in the interior, so that, at this time, there were no less than three distinct political communities in the territory now called Connecticut, viz. Saybrook, under the proprietaries, Connecticut colony, under a commission from Massachusetts, and New Haven colony, claiming its territory by purchase from the Indians, and governing itself by virtue of a social contract. CHAPTER XII. THE COLONIES OF NEW ENGLAND UNITED. THE increase of the colonies in New England, had already attracted considerable attention in the mother country. Some of those who had fallen under the censure of the government in Massachusetts, had returned to England, and busied them- selves in exciting animosity against the colony. Gorges and Mason, who were rivals to the leaders of that colony, joined in the clamour against them. But there were friends of the colonists in England, who pleaded their cause with success. Notwithstanding their exertions, however, an order in council was obtained, for preventing the departure of ships bound with passengers to New England ; and a requisition was made for producing the letters patent of the company in England. This requisition was evaded. A special commis- sion was then issued to the archbishop of Canterbury and others, for regulating the civil and ecclesiastical affairs of the colonies, with power to revoke charters. When intelligence of this proceeding reached Boston, coupled with the rumour that a governor-general was on his way to assume the controul of affairs, the colonists began to prepare lor resistance. Money was raised for erecting forti- fications, and the boldest measures were determined on. Mean time the council of Plymouth had resigned its char- ter, after parcelling out the territory among its members, which they had already granted by patents to others. They Enumerate the separate political communities existing in Connec- ticut. What is said of the New England co- lonies ? Of Gorges and Mason ? What hostile measures were threat- ened in England ? What was the effect of this news in New England ? What is said of the council of Ply mouth ? PERSECUTION ON THE PURITANS. were not able, however, to take possession of the territory thus claimed, without the aid of government. At their in- stance a quo warranto was issued against the company of Massachusetts' Bay, and judgment was pronounced against its members. The other patentees of the Plymouth company were outlawed. But the death of Mason, their most active enemy, and the civil disturbances in England, prevented any further proceedings for the time. The persecution of Puritans raged with great fury in Eng- land. The punishments of scourging, mutilation, imprison- ment, and the pillory were inflicted on great numbers of them ; and when they attempted to fly from their persecutors to the safe asylum of the New World, the ships in which they proposed to embark were detained. In 1638, a squad- ron of eight ships, preparing to sail for New England, was detained in the Thames, by order of the privy council. This detention lasted, however, but a few days. It has been affirmed by historians, that Hampden and Cromwell were about to embark in this fleet ; but Mr. Ban- croft, in his history, has conclusively shown that this asser- tion is without foundation. During the civil wars of England, the colonies were left in a state of peace and prosperity. The population increased rapidly. Twenty-one thousand two hundred emigrants had arrived before the assembling of the Long Parliament, and a million of dollars had been expended on the plantations. Agriculture, ship building, the fisheries, and an extensive commerce in furs, lumber, grain, and fish were the chiefs pursuits of the inhabitants. Their institutions of religion and civil government were highly favourable to habits of in- dustry and economy ; labour rendered their soil productive, and the natural result was a rapid increase of wealth and population. The members of the Long Parliament, being Puritans themselves, were disposed to extend every encouragement to the Puritan colonies. They freed the colonists from all taxation on exports and imports, and declared their ap- probation of the enterprise in which they were engaged. The colonists accepted the courtesy, but were careful to avoid too close a connection with these unsought friends. What prevented further proceedings ? What is said of the Puritans ? Of Hampden and Cromwell ? Of the population of New England ? The pursuits and institutions of the people ? Of the Long Parliament ? Of the colonists ? 94 NEW ENGLAND COLONIES UNITED. In 1641, New Hampshire was annexed to Massachusetts, by request of the people, and on equal terms ; the inhabitants of the former province not being required to qualify its free- men or deputies, for a participation in the business of legisla tion, by church membership. As early as 1637, a union of the colonies of New England had been proposed at a meeting of the leading magistrates and elders of Connecticut, held in Boston ; but it was not until 1643, that a confederation was effected, embracing the separate governments of Massachusetts, Plymouth, Connec- ticut, and New Haven, under the title of the United Colonies of New England. Their declared object was the protection of the lives, property, and liberties of the whole, against foreign or internal dangers. The local jurisdiction of the several states was carefully guarded. Two commissioners from each colony were to assemble annually to deliberate on the affairs of the confederacy. The measures which they determined were merely recommended to the several colonies, to be carried into effect by their local authorities. Rhode Island was excluded from the union, because it declined to come under the jurisdiction of Plymouth; and the people of Providence Plantations and Maine were not admitted on account of the want of harmony between their religious views and those of the members of the confederacy. One of the chief offices of the commissioners of the United Colonies was the regulation of Indian affairs ; and their in- tervention was required soon after they had become organised. Miantonomoh, the sachem of the Narragansetts, prompted by an ancient grudge against Uncas, chief of the Mohegans, suddenly gathered his warriors, to the number of 1000, and fell upon the hated tribe with great fury. He was defeated and taken prisoner ; and Uncas applied to the commissioners for advice respecting the manner in which he should be dis- posed of. They inquired into the circumstances of the affair and finding that Miantonomoh had killed a servant of Uncas in time of peace, they pronounced him guilty of murder. How far an independent chieftain was amenable to their tri- bunal may be doubted. The Indian customs warranted his execution, and accordingly he was put to death by Uncas himself, on a spot beyond the jurisdiction of the colony. Of New Hampshire ? What was done in 1637 ? In 1643? What was the object of this union ? What colonies were excluded ? Why? Relate the affair of Miantonomon and Uncas. ROGER WILLIAMS IN ENGLAND. 95 His tribe were greatly exasperated, but durst not attempt to avenge his death. In 1646, the people of Connecticut purchased the territory at the mouth of the river, from the assigns of the Earl of Warwick. Rhode Island, having been excluded from the union of the colonies, sought the immediate protection of the mother country. For this purpose the government despatched Roger Williams himself, the founder of the colony, to England. He was warmly received by the republicans, who had then the controul of affairs, and found no difficulty in obtaining from parliament, a free and absolute charter of civil government. On his return, he took letters of safe conduct from parlia- ment, and landed at Boston, whence, it will be recollected, he had been banished with an ignominy as signal as his return was now triumphant. His return to his own state was marked with every demonstration of joy and welcome. On his arrival at Seekonk, he was met by a fleet of canoes, manned by the people of Providence, and conducted joyously to the opposite shore. The affairs of Rhode Island were not yet finally settled. The executive council in England had granted to Coddington a separate jurisdiction of the islands. Justly apprehending that this would lead to the speedy dissolution of their little state, and the annexation of its ports to the neighbouring go- vernments, the people sent Williams again to England, ac- companied by John Clark; and the danger was removed by the rescinding of Coddington's commission, and the confirma- tion of the charter. (1652.) The province of Maine had made but little progress under the auspices of Sir Ferdinand Gorges, as lord proprietary. He had granted a city charter to the town of York, which contained some 300 inhabitants, and sent out his cousin Thomas, to support the dignity of a deputy governor. He had expended much time and money on his favourite scheme of colonisation, but died at an advanced age, without realis- ing any benefit from it. After his death a dispute arose between the colonists who were settled under his charter, and those who had settled under Rigby's patent, for Lygonia. The magistrates of the What took place in 1646 ? What is related of Roger Williams ? How was he received on his re- turn? What was the occasion of his second visit to England ? What was the result ? What is related of Gorges ? What dispute arose after his death t 00 MAINE UNITED WITH MASSACHUSETTS. neighbouring colony of Massachusetts were appealed to by both parties ; and after a hearing, the litigants were informed that neither had a clear right, and were recommended to live in peace. The heirs of Gorges seemed to have forgotten the care of his colony, and his agents withdrew. Under these circumstances, the inhabitants of Piscataqua, York, and Wells accepted the offer of Massachusetts to place themselves under 1650 her protection. The province was formally annexed to the Bay colony, and the towns, situated farther east, readily sent in their adhesion. In 1655, Oliver Cromwell offered the people of New Eng- land a settlement in the Island of Jamaica, provided they would emigrate thither, and possess its fertile lands, and orange groves. But the people were too much attached to the country of their adoption to listen to such a proposal. They would have considered it a species of sacrilege, to abandon to the savages the consecrated asylum of their religion. The protector's offer was respectfully declined. The religious sentiments of the Puritan colonists gave a peculiar character to all their institutions. Religion was with them an affair of state ; and to preserve its purity was considered a paramount duty of the civil magistrate. We have seen the effects of this principle in the history of the Antinomian controversy, which led to the expulsion of Anne Hutchinson, and her disciples. It was now applied to the Anabaptists and Quakers. Clarke, a baptist of Rhode Island, of exemplary character, was fined for preaching at Lynn, and Holmes, for refusing to pay a fine, inflicted for his religious opinions, was publicly whipped. The union of church and state had become so intimate that offences against religion, as it was understood by the governing powers, were treated as civil crimes. Absence from public worship was punished by a fine. The utterance of certain opinions was denounced as blasphemy, and visited with fine, imprisonment, exile, or death. Ministers not ordained in the regular manner, were silenced by the public authorities ; and the very men, who had fled from England to gain an asylum for religious freedom, were refusing the slightest toleration to any religious opinions but their own. It is not surprising that, in this state of the colony, certain How was it settled ? What sects were now persecuted ? To what colony was Maine annexed ? Why ? What offer was made by Cromwell ? What measures were taken by tb Was it accepted ? government ? PERSECUTION OF QUAKERS. 97 members of the society of Friends, who came into Massachu setts, and made known their sentiments, were dealt with in a summary manner. Mary Fisher and Ann Austin, members of the society, who arrived in Boston in July, 1656, were put in close custody for five weeks, and then banished. A special law was passed, prohibiting their admission into the colony; and a fine was imposed on such as should entertain them. The Quakers not being deterred from visiting the forbidden ground by these regulations, a law was finally passed which banished them on pain of death. Several persons were actually hanged under this enactment. Such proceedings evince at once the peculiar delusion of the times, :md the dangerous tendency of a union of church and state. i is fortunate that this delusion was temporary ; and that the unnatural combination which led to it, was soon dissolved. The people of New England were early impressed with the importance of a provision for general instruction. In 1647, a law was passed for the establishment of public schools, requiring one in every township containing fifty householders ; and a grammar school where boys could be fitted for college in every town containing one hundred families. A sum equal to a year's rate of the whole colony of Massachusetts had been voted for the erection of a college, in 1636; and in 1638, John Harvard, who died soon after his arrival in this country, bequeathed half his estate and all his library to the college. The institution has ever since borne his name. It was supported with great zeal not only by the inhabitants of the Bay colony, but by all the other members of the New England confederacy ; and the example of Massachusetts was followed by the others in the establish ment of public schools. The benefits of this early and con stant attention to education have been felt in every period of their history ; and the character which it has impressed on the people of New England has given them a degree ot influence and importance in the Union, which could have been acquired by no other means. What Quakers were persecuted ? What is observed of these proceed- ings ? What law was passed in 1647 ? For what was a sum of money voted ? 9 Who was the founder of Harvaitt College ? What other colonies founded school* and colleges ? 8 THE REGICIDES IN NEW ENGLAND. CHAPTER XIII. NEW ENGLAND AFTER THE RESTORATION. THE restoration of Charles II could hardly be considered an auspicious event by the people of New England. On the ICCA contrary, it afforded them the strongest reason to ex lOOO i i e \ i pect an abridgment of their commercial advantages, and an attack upon their religious and political privileges. They were accordingly in no haste to recognise the royal authority In July, 1660, Whaley and Goffe, two of the late king's judges, arrived in Boston, and announced the restoration of Charles II, but represented the mother country as being in a very unsettled stale. They were freely permitted to travel through New England, and received many attentions from the inhabitants. When, at length, it was known that the king's authority was firmly established in England, and that complaints against the colony of Massachusetts had been presented to the privy council and both houses of parliament, by Quakers, royalists, and others adverse to its interests, the people became con- vinced of the necessity of decisive action. A general court was convened, and an address was voted to the king, vin- dicating the colony from the charges of its enemies, professing the most dutiful attachment to the sovereign, and soliciting protection for their civil and ecclesiastical institutions. A similar address was made to parliament, and the agent of the colony was instructed to exert himself to obtain a continuance of the commercial immunities which had been granted by the Long Parliament. Before he had time to obey these instructions, a duty of five per cent, on exports and imports had already been im- posed ; and before the session closed, the famous navigation act was reenacted. The king returned a gracious answer to the colonial address, accompanied by an order for the appre- hension of Goffe and Whaley. This small measure of royal favour was joyfully received, and a day of thanksgiving was appointed, to acknowledge the favour of Heaven in disposing the king to clemency. A What is said of the Restoration ? What happened in July, 1660 ? What was at length done by the ge- neral court ? By parliament ? By the king ? By the colonists ? THE KING'S LETTER. 99 formal requisition for the regicide judges was sent to New Haven, whither they had gone ; but matters were so ar- ranged that they escaped from their pursuers, and lived in New England to the end of their days. Apprehensions of danger to their civil and religious rights were still felt by the colonists, notwithstanding the bland professions of the king. Rumours of a meditated attack on their commercial privileges, and of the coming of a governor- general for all North America, were seriously believed. This led to the famous Declaration of Rights on the part of Massachusetts, in which the powers and duties of the colony were very clearly and ably defined. Having thus declared the terms on which his authority should be recognised, the general court caused the king to be solemnly proclaimed at their undoubted prince and sovereign lord. Agents were then sent over to England to protect the inte rests of the. colony, who were favourably received, and sooh returned to Boston, bringing a letter from the king confirm- ing the colonial charter, and granting an amnesty to all po litical offenders who were not already attainted for high trea son ; but requiring that he oath of allegiance should be administered; that justice should be distributed in the king'? name ; that the church of England should be tolerated ; ano that the qualification of church membership for civil officers should be dispensed with. Of all these requisitions, the only one which was com- plied with was that which directed the judicial proceedings to be conducted in the king's name. The others were pub- lished, but reserved for deliberation. The agents, Brad- street and Norton, who had returned with the letter, were so severely reproached for not being able to procure better terms of acceptance with the king, that one of them, Norton, actu- ally died of a broken heart. His unhappy fate seemed to convince the colonists of their injustice, and his death was universally and sincerely mourned. Rhode Island was not backward in acknowledging the restored king. He was early proclaimed in the colony, and an agent, being despatched to England, soon succeeded in obtaining a charter which granted the most ample privileges. What is said of the regicides ? Of the declaration of rights ? Of the general court ? Of the agents sent to England ? What terms were offered by the king ? How were they disposed of ? What is said of the agents after their return ? Of Rhode Island and its new char- ter? 100 NEW CHARTERS GRANTED. It gave to the patentees the title of the Governor and Com pany of the English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence The form of government, prescribed by it, was the usual one of a governor, assistants, and representatives elected by the freemen. It was received with the greatest satisfaction, as it confirmed to the colonists the democratical constitution to which they had always been accustomed. Connecticut deputed John Winthrop, son of the celebrated governor of Massachusetts, as their agent at court, who had no difficulty in obtaining a charter in almost every respect the same with that which had been granted to Rhode Island. It differed from it, however, in requiring the oaths of alle- giance and supremacy to be administered to the inhabitants. By the new charter New Haven was united with Connecti- cut ; an arrangement which was for some time opposed by the people of the former colony, although they finally con- curred in it. Winthrop, on his return, was cprdially wel- comed ; and was annually chosen governor of the colony during the remainder of his life. The privileges confirmed by these charters were subse- quently of immense importance to the cause of liberty. The English government had i 'ways questioned the righ of the Dutch to their settlements in what are now called the Middle States ; the history and extent of which we shall notice in another place. Charles II now resolved to dispos- sess them, and accordingly granted the territory to his bro- ther, the Duke of York, who sent Colonel Nichols, with four ships and three hundred soldiers, for i'ne purpose of taking possession. In the same ships came /our commissioners, 4 empowered to hear and determine complaints and appeals in causes, as well military as ci>fi, witnin New England, and to proceed for settling the peace and security of the country.' Their real object was to find pretexts for recall- ing the liberal charters of the colonies. (1664.) The people and government of Massachusetts were awaks to their danger, and exhibited an admirable mixture of firm- ness, and address in a crisis so alarming. On the arrival of the commissioners in Boston, their credentials were laid before the council, with a letter from the king, requiring Conrftecticut ? Of John Winthrop ? For what purpose was Colonel Ni- chols sent from England to Ame- rica ? For what pretended objects t commissioners sent with hira .' What was their real object? What is said of Massacnuseccs i Of the commissioner* .' COLONIAL CHARTERS ENDANGERED. 101 orompt assistance in the expedition against New Nether- lands. The general court was convened, and, after declaring their loyalty and their attachment to the charter, voted a sub- sidy of two hundred men. Meantime Colonel Nichols pro- ceeded to Manhattan, and reduced the colony before the Massachusetts troops could arrive, so that their services were never required. The commissioners now called the attention of the general court to the king's letter, received two years before, but not much regarded. Their recommendation was complied with so far, that a law was passed extending the elective franchise to persons who were not church members. The assembly next transmitted a letter to the king, expressive of their ap- prehension of danger to their rights, from the extraordinary powers of the commissioners, and concluding with these remarkable words : ' Let our government live ; our patent live ; our magistrates live ; our religious enjoyments live ; so shall we all yet have farther cause to say from our hearts, let the king live for ever.' The commissioners, meantime, had proceeded to the other colonies. In Plymouth and in Rhode Island they met with no opposition. In Connecticut they were rather civilly re- ceived, and found no reason for complaint. In New Hamp- shire and Maine they decided in favour of the claims of Gorges and Mason, and erected a royal government in those provinces. They then returned to Boston, and renewed their disputes with the general court, which were continued with great animosity until the commissioners were recalled, and Massachusetts was ordered to send agents to England to answer complaints against their proceedings. This order was evaded. Massachusetts, soon afterwards, resumed her authority over New Hampshire and Maine. After the departure of the commissioners, New England enjoyed a season of prosperous tranquillity. The king was too much engrossed by the calamities and discontents of his subjects at home to disturb the colonies. This state of repose was interrupted by the famous war of King Philip. This prince was the second son of Massa- The general court ? Colonel Nichols ? Of the king's letter ? What law was passed ? What was expressed in the letter to the king .' What was done by the commissioners in the other colonies ? What passed on their return to Bos- ton ? After their departure for England .' What war ensued ? 02 KINO PHILIP S WAR. soil, but he was far from inheriting the pacific and friendly disposition of his father. He was engaged for five years in maturing an extensive conspiracy, which had for its object the utter extermination of the English colonies. In 1675, he commenced hostilities, and, by means of alliance with other tribes, he was able to bring three thousand warriors into the field. Massachusetts, Plymouth, and Connecticut united in opposing him. The war raged with great fury, and with various success, until August, 1676, when Philip, after a series of disasters, in which his family and chief counsellors were all destroyed, himself fell a victim to the treachery of one of his own tribe. The tribes bordering of Maine and New Hampshire, who had risen at the same time, abandoned the war on receiving the news of Philip's death. While this war was raging, the King of England was en- deavouring to wrest from Massachusetts the controul of New Hampshire and Maine. He had been for some time treating for the purchase of these provinces from the heirs of Mason and Gorges, intending to bestow them on his son, the Duke of Monmouth; but while he delayed to complete the negotia- tion, Massachusetts purchased Maine for 1,200 pounds, and refused to give it up. New Hampshire having become a distinct colony, the legislature expressed a lively regret at being obliged, by the will of the sovereign, to relinquish their connection with Massachusetts. The laws restricting commerce were made the subject of dispute between the colony of Massachusetts and the crown. Randolph, an active enemy of the colonial government, was sentover to act as collector at Boston. He was almost always unsuccessful in his suits for the recovery of duties, and finally returned to England. The controversy lasted until Massa- chusetts was compelled to relinquish her charter. (1684.) Charles II died before completing his system for the complete subjugation of New England. His successor, James II, appointed a president and council as a temporary government for Massachusetts, New Hamp- shire, Maine, and the Narragansetts. These commiss' oners proceeded with great moderation, and were superseded by the appointment of Sir Edward Andros, as captain-general and What was Philip's force ? How long did the war rage ? How did it terminate ? Relate the circumstances attending the purchase of Maine. What became a subject of dispute ? What sta^e lost its Charter f Who succeeded Charles II ? What sort of government did he ap- point ? What office did he give to Andros ? REVOLUTION OF 1688. 103 vice-admiral of Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, New Plymouth, Pemaquid, and Narragansett, with a council to be appointed by the crown, to make laws and lay taxes. Andros arrived in Boston in 1685, and revoked the charter of Rhode Island, notwithstanding the submission of that colony. Connecticut would have shared the same fate, but the charter was concealed in a tree until the danger was past. The charter oak was, for ages after, held in remembrance. The administration of Andros was rendered odious to the people by a variety of exactions and oppressive regulations. Their land titles were declared void, and new patents were offered at enormous prices. The object of the royal governor appears to have been to amass a fortune for himself, to break the charters, and unite the several colonies in one, for the purpose of effectually resisting the encroachments of the French from Canada. Mather, an ancient divine and politician, was sent to Eng- land to obtain redress ; but the king was inflexible in his purpose of uniting the colonies, and annexed New York and the Jerseys to the government of Andros. The relief which he denied was brought by the revolution of 1688, which was no sooner known in Boston than the inhabitants joyfully proclaimed the new sovereigns, William and Mary. They had already, on the first rumour of the arrival of the sovereigns in England, imprisoned Andros and fifty of his adherents, and restored the government to the ancient magistrates. This example was speedily followed by Connecticut and Rhode Island. . New Hampshire was re-annexed to Massachusetts by its own act ; but subsequently separated by the desire of King William. The revolution of 1688 afforded the people of Massachu- setts grounds for expecting the restitution of their charter. Agents were sent to England for this purpose, but their efforts were not attended with success. The king was determined to retain at his own disposal the appointment of governor. He was, however, at length induced to grant a new charter, How did Andros proceed with Rhode Island ? Hov was the charter of Connecticut saved ? What were the acts of Andres's ad- ministration ? What was his object ? Who was sent to England ? For what purpose ? With what success ? What brought relief ? How was the news received ? What had the Bostonians done ? What was done in the other New England colonies ? 104 BORDER WARS. although of a less liberal character than the former one. Tt gave to the king the power of appointing a governor, who might call, adjourn, prorogue, and dissolve the legislature at pleasure. He had also the appointment of all military officers, and with the consent of his council, of all officers belonging to the courts of justice. The charter also annexed Plymouth and Nova Scotia to Massachusetts; but omitted New Hampshire, which always afterwards remained a sepa- rate government. On the arrival of the new governor, Sir William Phipps, the general court was convened, and accepted the charter. (1692.) While these events were passing, a war with France was raging, which involved New England and New York in a series of bloody and desolating actions with, the Canadians and Indians. Among other atrocities, the village of Schenec- tady was surprised by a party of French and Indians, and many of the inhabitants massacred. The borders of New Hampshire and Maine experienced similar horrors from the same unrelenting enemies. Determined to carry the war into the enemy's country, the general court of Massachusetts planned and executed a descent upon Port Royal, under Sir William Phipps, which was con- pletely successful ; and all Acadia was subjugated. Another against Quebec, in which they had the assistance of New York and Connecticut, failed for want of decision and energy in the commander. The general court was obliged to issue bills of credit to pay the expenses of the army a measure which was afterwards productive of much inconvenience and discontent, as the bills suffered a heavy depreciation in the hands of the soldiers. In 1693, an expedition against Martinique, undertaken by the colonists, failed ; and in 1696, Port Royal was recovered by France, and all Acadia resumed its allegiance to that country. The peace of Ryswick afforded the colonists of each country, as well as the belligerent powers in Europe, a brief repose. When hostilities were renewed in Europe, in 1702, the terrible border war was recommenced. A treaty of neutrality Who granted to Massachusetts a new charter ? How did it differ with the former one ? Who was the first royal governor ? With whom was a war raging ? What colonies suffered by it ? What was done by the general court ? Sir William Phipps ? What is said of the bills of credit ? What was done in 1693 and 1696 ' In 1702 ? INDIAN INCURSIONS. 105 oetween the governor of Canada, and the Five Nations of Indians, having been negociated, New York was left un- molested ; and the whole weight of the war fell on New England. An ineffectual attempt was made to reduce Acadia in 1707, by governor Dudley of Massachusetts, with an army of 1000 men raised in the colonies east of Connecticut; and in 1708, Haverhill in Massachusetts was burnt by the Indians, and about one hundred persons killed, and many more carried into captivity. Similar incursions were made along the whole northern border, from the river St. Croix to the great lakes ; and the history of those times abounds with stories of scalping and plundering parties of Indians, attacking the defenceless villages, burning the houses, killing numbers of the helpless inhabitants, without distinction of age or sex,* and then hurrying back to Canada with a handful of captives, before a force could be raised sufficient to resist or punish the aggression. The brave colonists were by no means passive under these injuries. We arc surprised, in reading the annals of this early period of their settlement, at the energy of character and extent of resources displayed by them. Believing that the French were the instigators of all the Indian hostilities, they were constantly raising large fleets and armies for the purpose of depriving them of their American possessions. Expeditions were repeatedly fitted out for Canada and Nova Scotia, at the sole expense of the New England colonies. The British government was too much occupied in humbling the pride of Louis XIV, to render more than occasional and insufficient aid to the colonists in their arduous struggle. Some regiments were furnished for the expedition, which took Port Royal in 1710, and this grace was acknowledged by giving the captured place the name of Annapolis in honour of Queen Anne A few regiments of Marlborough's veterans were sent over to assist in the grand expedition against Quebec and Montreal, which took place in 1711; and failed, notwithstanding the unsparing efforts of the colonies in raising men, and the lavish expenditure of bills of credit. When the treaty of Utrecht at length afforded them a breathing time, the colonists found themselves weakened in numbers, exhausted of funds In 1707? Whatis said of the colonists? The British government ? What is said of the expedition to Port Royal ? Of the expedition against Quebec and Montreal ? Of the exertions of tne colonists ? 106 CONTROVERSY WITH THE CROWN and encumbered with a heavy public debt. They, no doubt, considered it a hard case that they should be compelled to depend so much upon their own resources. But this was the most fortunate circumstance of their condition. Had they been perfectly protected, they would scarcely have taken the trouble to learn the art of war. The exertions they were compelled to make in their own defence, rendered them a young nation of soldiers ; and paved the way for the successful assertion of their independence. After the return of peace, the New England colonies found themselves embarrassed with a heavy public debt, the conse- quence of the unavoidable emission of bills of credit for the payment of the soldiers. Various expedients were proposed 'for relief; but the evil proved a lasting one; and all the exer- tions of the different legislatures could not prevent a constant depreciation of the paper, and consequent loss to the holders. In Massachusetts a controversy arose, (1619,) which is worthy of particular attention, as it evinces in the people that jealous guardianship of their rights, and that determined adhe- rence to a principle of freedom, once adopted, which runs through the whole of their history ; and which rendered that state on all occasions of collision with the mother country, the acknowledged champion of the New England confederacy. When, by their new charter, the people of this colony were constrained to receive a governor appointed by the king, they established a system of donations and free gifts to this func- tionary, undoubtedly with a view to attach him to their own cause, and identify his interests with those of the colony. Determined to break up this system, Queen Anne gave pe- remptory orders that the governors should receive no more gifts ; and required that the legislature should fix their salaries permanently at a sum named by herself. The wary republicans regarded this as an inordinate stretch of arbitrary power ; and offered the most determined resist- ance. This led to constant misunderstanding between the governor and his council, and the legislature. One of the disputes related to the right of the governor to negative the appointment of the speaker, and the right of the house to adjourn. An appeal was carried to England, and the conse- quence was an explanatory charter favouring the governor's views, which after some difficulty the legislature accepted. Of the public debt ? I What gave rise to a controversy with Of its effects ? the crown ? I Give iU history FRENCH WAR. 107 In 1728, Mr. Burnet, who had been appointed governor of Massachusetts and New Hampshire, arrived in Boston, and was received with great pomp. When the legislature met, he communicated the king's instructions to insist on an esta- olished salary, and his own determination to adhere to them. This was the signal for a new contest, and a long series of vexatious proceedings followed. The legislature would readily vote him a large sum of money ; but they firmly declined to bind themselves to any annual payment ; and the governor, to exhaust their patience, changed the place of their meeting from town to town. The contest lasted for three years, ex- tending into governor Belcher's administration ; and at length was terminated by the governor's obtaining from the king permission to accept such sums as might be given by the assembly. The people by inflexible firmness had gained their point. In 1744, war broke out between France and England. This was immediately followed by a descent on Nova Scotia, which had been ceded to Great Britain by the treaty of Utrecht. The French governor of Cape Breton took possession of Can- seau in Nova Scotia, and made the garrison and inhabitants prisoners of war. He then attacked Annapolis, but was de- feated by the arrival of a reinforcement from Massachusetts. These offensive operations determined the English colonists to attempt the complete subjugation of the French possessions in North America. The island of Cape Breton was at that time deemed a high- ly important post for the protection of the French commerce and fisheries. Its fortifications had already cost thirty mil- lions of livres, and twenty-five years of labour. It was the bulwark of the French colonies. Shirley, who was at this time governor of Massachusetts, had conceived the project of conquering this island. Informa- tion of the position and strength of Louisbourg, the principal fortress on Cape Breton, and of the design of the French to send a large fleet for the conquest of Nova Scotia, had been brought to him by prisoners who had returned from captivity, and this confirmed Shirley in his design. He accordingly made application for assistance to the Bri- tish admiralty, and obtained a promise of the co-operation of Commodore Warren with a large fleet. Mr. Vaughan, SOP How did it terminate ? What took place in 1744 ? What was done by the French gover- nor of Cape Breton ? What is said of that island ? Of governor Shirley ? Of the admiralty ? 1 08 EXPEDITION AGAINST LOUISBOCRG. of the lieutenant governor of New Hampshire, had convinced himself of the practicability of the conquest of Cape Breton, and his strong representations served to confirm tire governor still further in his favourite purpose. He now proceeded to act with a decision corresponding with his high hopes of success. Having enjoined secrecy on the members of the general court, he laid before them his project. They deliberated upon it, but soon pronounced the enterprise too hazardous and uncertain to warrant their engaging in it. One of their mem- bers, who performed family devotion in his lodgings, so far forgot the governor's injunction of secrecy as to pray for the Divine blessing on the proposed expedition. It thus became known to the people; and numerous petitions were sent in to the general court, praying for a reconsideration of their vote, and the adoption of the governor's design. The colonists were anxious to acquire Louisbourg, in order to save their fisheries from ruin. Carried away by the enthusiasm of the people, the legisla- ture resolved to prosecute the enterprise, and all classes were intent on the business of preparation. A general embargo was laid ; funds were raised by voluntary contributions and by an emission of bills of credit ; troops were embarked from Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, and Connecticut ; and by the middle of April, 1745, an army of four thousand men, under the command of Colonel Pepperel, was assembled at Canseau, where they were soon joined by Admiral Warren with a considerable part of his fleet. They soon embarked for Chapeaurouge bay, and the fleet cruised off Louisbourg. A landing being effected near Louisbourg, with little oppo- sition, Vaughan, with four hundred men, marched round to the north-east part of the harbour, and set fire to some ware- houses containing spirituous liquors and naval stores. The smoke concealed the number of the assailants, which being exaggerated by the fears of the French garrison, they aban- doned the fort and fled into the town. Next morning, Vaughan was enabled to surprise a battery, and hold possession of it until the arrival of a reinforcement. The troops were now occupied for fourteen nights in drag- ging cannon from the landing place, two miles through a deep Of Mr. Vaughan ? Of the general court ? llo\f wa the project divulged ? What was the consequence ? What preparations were made ? How did the army commence oper* tions ? What was done by Vaughan ? Bv the troops ? CAPTURE OF LOUISBOURG. 109 morass, to the encampment. While the siege was thus proceeding, the British fleet, off the harbour, captured the Vigilant, a French frigate, having on board a reinforcement of five hundred and sixty men, and supplies for the garrison. Soon after this an attack was made on the island battery by four hundred men, which failed with the loss of sixty killed, and one hundred and sixteen taken prisoners. But even this disaster seems to have been fortunate ; for the prisoners united in giving the French a most exaggerated and formidable ac- count of the English force. Deprived of his expected supplies of men and provisions, and apprehending an immediate assault, the French governor of Louisbourg, Duchambon, determined to surrender, and in a few days sent in his capitulation. An examination of the fortress after its surrender, convinced the victors that it would have proved impregnable against any assault. It may well be supposed that the news of this important conquest spread universal joy through New England. It had been the people's own enterprise; undertaken at their own earnest solicitation ; fitted out from their own resources of men and money, and accomplished by their own courage and perseverance. It was a noble triumph of New England spirit and resolution. Pepperel and Shirley were rewarded by the British govern- ment with the honours of knighthood ; and parliament ordered reimbursements to be made for the expenses of the expedition. When Duvivier, the French admiral, charged with a fleet and army to attempt the conquest of Nova Scotia, heard of the fall of Louisbourg, he relinquished the expedition and returned to Europe. Shirley now wrote to the British government for reinforce- ments of men and ships, for the purpose of attempting the conquest of Canada, and raised a large body of forces in the colonies. But before offensive operations could be com- menced, news was brought that the Duke d'Anville had ar- rived in Nova Scotia with a formidable armament, intended for the invasion of New England. The apprehensions caused by this intelligence were soon after dissipated by the arrival of some prisoners set at liberty by the French, who reported By the fleet ? What resulted from the attack on the island battery Why did Duchambon surrender ? How was the news received in New. How were Pepperel and Shirley re warded ? What was Shirley's design after this ? How was it frustrated .' England ? 10 110 QUESTION OF BOUNDARIES that the fleet had suffered so severely by storms on its passage, and the sickness of the troops, that it was in no condition to make a descent on New England. It sailed from Chebucto, however, for the purpose of attacking Annapolis, and was again overtaken and scattered by a terrible storm. The ships which escaped destruction, returned singly to Franoe. The French and Indians, who had invaded Nova Scotia, were afterwards expelled by the Massachusetts troops. The French war was soon after terminated by the treaty of Aix la Chapelle, which restored to both parties all the posses- sions taken during the war, so that the colonists had the mortification of seeing their dear-bought conquest of Cape Breton restored to the French. After the return of peace, the legislature of Massachusetts redeemed her bills of credit ; and thus restored stability and vigour to her commerce, which had languished for some years in consequence of the depreciation of the currency. The treaty of Aix la Chapelle left the question of the bound- aries between the American possessions of France and Eng- land unsettled ; and the controversies concerning it were as- suming an aspect more serious in proportion to the increasing wealth and importance of the respective territories. The right of discovery was pleaded on both sides, and the right of prior possession was urged wherever it existed ; but so large a part of the country was still unsettled, and even unvisited, that the question of boundaries opened a wide field for discussion. The line between Canada and New England, the bounda- ries of Nova Scotia, and the extent of Louisiana were all sub- jects of dispute. The last mentioned territory had been acquired by the French in 1722, when New Orleans received the remnant of a colony of that nation, which had been planted near Mobile. It was now beginning to flourish ; and settle- ments were extending up the Mississippi, towards the great lakes. This circumstance gave rise to a grand project for connecting New Orleans with Canada by a chain of forts ex- tending along the whole western and northern frontier of the British colonies. Such a design was too important not to receive the most earnest attention of both nations. Its execution became the grand object of desire to one and dread to the other ; and was What saved New England from inva- sion ? What were the consequences of the treaty of Aix la Chapelle ? What was done by Massachusetts ? subject of dispute and England r What was a new between France and England ? What design was entertained France ? CHARACTER OF THK NEW ENGLANDERS. Ill the central point of all the operations of the succeeding French war, which will become the subject of attention in another part of this history. At the period to which we have now brought our narrative, the New England colonies had acquired no small importance, not only in view of the other North American communities, but of Europe. The inhabitants had displayed a degree of hardihood and perseverance in their early settlements, an ac- tivity and enterprise in their commercial operations, a firmness in defence of their liberties, and an indomitable courage in their wars, which could not pass unnoticed. Their resources in agriculture and trade were greatly developed ; and their popu- lation exceeded a million of souls. The influence which they exercised on the subsequent destinies of the whole country was commensurate with these important advantages of cha- racter and ability. CHAPTER XIV. COLONISATION OF NEW YORK. THE territory now occupied by the middle states of the American Union, was originally settled by the Dutch and Swedes. In 1609, Henry Hudson, an Englishman, in the service of the East India company of Holland, set sail from the Texel for the discovery of a north-west passage to India. On his voyage he touched at Long Island, and sailed a consi- derable distance up the river to which his own name was afterwards given. The right of discovery, supposed to be thus acquired, and the favourable reports of subsequent voyagers, induced a company of Dutch merchants to establish a trading settlement ; and the States-general promoted the enterprise by granting them a patent for the exclusive trade of the Hudson river. They built a fort near Albany, which they called Fort Orange,, and a few trading houses on Manhattan island, which is now called the island f New York. These events took place in 1613. The claim thus established by the Dutch, was regarded by What was the state of New England at this period ? Who first colonised the middle states ? Who discoveied Hudson river? When? Where did the Dutch form settle- ments ? When ? 112 THE NEW NETHERLANDS. them as valid ; but in the same year the English, who consi dered themselves entitled to all North America, because the continent was first discovered by Cabot, sent Captain ArgaL from Virginia to dispossess all intruders on the coast. Having taken possession of Port Royal, St. Saviour, and St. Croix, French settlements in Acadia, Argall paid a visit to the Dutch at Manhattan, and ordered them to surrender the place. The Dutch governor, having no means of defence, submitted him- self and his colony to the British authority, and consented to pay tribute. In the year following, however, a new governor having arrived at the fort, with a reinforcement of settlers, the claim of the English to dependence was forthwith defied, and the payment of tribute, imposed by Argall, resisted. For the better protection of their claim to the country, they erected a fort at the south-west point of the island. Here they were left undisturbed by the English for many years ; maturing their settlements, increasing their numbers, and establishing a prosperous and ' quiet little colony.' In 1621, the attention of the government of Holland being directed to the importance of this settlement in America, they granted a patent to the Dutch West India Company, embrac ing the territory from the Connecticut river to the Delaware, under the title of the New Netherlands. Under this com pany, the colony was considerably extended. The city of New Amsterdam, afterwards called New York, was built on Manhattan island; and in 1623, at the distance of 150 miles higher up the Hudson river, the foundations were laid of the city of Albany. Their first fort in this place was called fort Aurania, a name which was afterwards changed to Fort Orange. The same year they built a fort on the east side of the Delaware, which they named Fort Nassau. Ten years afterwards, they erected a fort on the Connecticut river near Hartford, and called it Fort Good Hope. Their possessions were thus extended, or rather scattered, from the Connecticut to the Delaware. The Swedes were already settled on the Delaware ; and the claims of the two nations were afterwards the subject of controversy, until the final subjugation of the whole territory by the Dutch. The English extended their settlements to Relate Argall's proceedings What happened next year ? Vhat was done in 1621 ? fn 1623 How far were the Dutch possessions extended in 1633 ? Where were the Swedes settled I Who dispossessed them ? GOVERNOR STUYVESANT. 113 tne Connecticut, and after disputes, which lasted many years, finally ejected the Dutch from their fort on that river. During their occupancy of this post, however, the Dutch received frequent assistance from their English neighbours, in their wars with the Indians. So little accustomed were the Dutch to this species of warfare, that, on one occasion, their governor, Kieft, was obliged to engage the services of Captain Underbill, who had been banished from Boston for his eccentricities in religion. This commander, with one hundred and fifty men, succeeded in making good the defence of the Dutch settlements. In 1646, a great battle was fought on Strickland's Plain, in which the Dutch gained the victory. In 1650, Peter Stuyvesant, the governor of New Nether- lands, went to Hartford, and demanded from the commission- ers of the United Colonies of New England a full surrender of the lands on Connecticut river. Several days were spent in controversy on the subject, and articles of agreement were finally signed, by which Long Island was divided between the parties ; and the Dutch were permitted to retain only those lands on the Connecticut which they held in actual possession. On the Delaware, Stuyvesant defended the claims of his country against both the English and the Swedes. In 1651, he built fort Casimir, on the river, near New Castle. The Swedes, claiming the country, protested against this invasion of their rights ; and Risingh, their governor, treacherously surprised it, and taking possession, compelled the garrison to swear allegiance to Christina, Queen of Sweden. Stuyvesant, taking fire at this outrage, determined to invade and subdue the whole Swedish settlement. He accordingly proceeded to execute his purpose, and easily succeeded in so far intimidat- ing the Swedes, that they quietly surrendered the whole of their establishments, and soon became incorporated with the conquerors. During the next ten years, Stuyvesant was occupied in strengthening and extending the colony of New Netherlands. But he was only rendering it a more valuable acquisition for his powerful neighbours. Charles II was now (1664) king of England, and forgetting the friends who had afforded him shelter during his long exile, he sought every pretext for a Who took the Dutch fort on the Con- necticut ? Who aided the Dutch in their wars with the Indians ? 10* What was done in 1650 ? In 1651 ? Who was the conqueror of New Sweden ? Give an account of the conquest 114 COLONEL NICHOLS S ADMINISTRATION. quarrel with Holland. Among others he asserted his claim to the province of New Netherlands; and, without regarding the claims of the actual occupants, he executed a charter con- veying to his brother, the Duke of York, the whole territory lying between the Connecticut and the Delaware. No sooner did the Duke of York obtain this grant, than he conveyed to Lord Berkeley and Sir George Carteret, all that portion now constituting the state of New Jersey. To carry the king's grant into effect, Colonel Nichols was sent out with a fleet and army. After touching at Boston he sailed for New Amsterdam, and, anchoring before the place, demanded its surrender from the governor. Stuyvesant was for making the best defence he could, but being overruled by the fears of the people, who dreaded the storming and sacking of their city, he was induced to sign a treaty of capitulation of the most favourable character. Private property was respected, and Dutch vessels were still permitted to come to the colony for the purpose of trading or bringing settlers. The inhabi- tants retained their estates, and became incorporated with the new comers. Stuyvesant himself remained in the colony to the end of his life. Out of compliment to the patentee, New Amsterdam was thenceforward called New York ; and this name was extended to the whole province. Fort Orange was soon after surren- dered, and received the name of Albany. Carteret, who had been despatched to reduce fort Orange, effected a treaty with the Indians of the Five Nations, which was productive of lasting benefits to the colonists. Sir Robert Car received the surrender of the garrison on the Delaware, on the first of October, and the entire subjugation of New Netherlands to the English was thus completed. Colonel Nichols was the first English governor of New York. His government was absolute, but paternal. On the judicial institutions of the Dutch, he ingrafted the trial by- jury ; and having caused the laws to be revived, improved, and formed into one code, he transmitted them to England ; where they received the confirmation of the Duke of York. On the 12th of June, 1665, New York became an incorporated city. During Colonel Nichols's administration, (1666,) a war with When, and by whom were the New Netherlands conquered ? Relate the aifair. What was the new name of city and province ? What was done by Carteret ? Relate the events of Governor Ni- chols's administration. ANDROS S ADMINISTRATION. 115 Holland having broken out, apprehensions were entertained of an attempt to recover New York by the Dutch. Heavy taxes were laid for the purpose of defence, and the people complaining, Nichols nobly sacrificed his private property for the public service. No attack took place, however; and at the peace of Breda, the colony was ceded to England in exchange for Surinam. Next year Colonel Nichols found himself compelled, by the sacrifices of property he had made, to resign his appointment. He was succeeded by Colonel Lovelace, during whose ad- ministration of six years, the colony was happy and prosper- ous. Towards the close of his term of office, war with Holland having again broken out, a small squadron was de- spatched to destroy the commerce of the English colonies. After having accomplished this purpose to a considerable extent, the commander made a sudden descent on New York, and Lovelace being absent, Colonel Manning, who had been left in command, sent down a messenger, and treacherously surrendered the place without the least opposition. It re- mained in the hands of the Dutch but a few months, being restored to the English again at the treaty of Westminster, in 1674. The Duke of York now took out a new patent. It em- powered him to govern the inhabitants by such ordinances as he or his assigns should establish, and to administer justice according to the laws of England, allowing an appeal to the king in council. It prohibited trade without his permission, and imposed the usual duties on exports and imports. Under the authority of this charter, the Duke of York retained the government of New York until his accession to the throne of England, as James II. He first commissioned Andros, who was afterwards the oppressor of New England, to be governor, under his authority, of all his territories, from the Connecticut to the Delaware. In October the Dutch resigned their au- thority to Andros, who forthwith entered upon the duties of his administration. During its continuance he exhibited much of that harshness, severity, and rapacity which afterwards rendered him so odious in the eastern colonies. In 1682, Colonel Thomas Dongan was appointed governor. His ad- ministration is memorable as the era of the commencement of representative government in the colony. The royal proprie- Of Governor Lovelace's. What were the terms of the new pafoiit ? Give an account of Governor Andros's administration. Who succeeded him ? NEW YORK ACQUIRES CIVIL FREEDOM. tary having perceived in the people pretty unequivocal symp toms of discontent with the arbitrary system which prevailed m Andros's time, and being solicited by the council, court of assizes, and corporation, consented to grant New York the same form of government which hitherto was enjoyed in the colonies, and accordingly transferred the legislative power to an assembly of the representatives of the people. The as- sembly was to consist of a council of ten members, and a house of representatives chosen by the people, composed of eighteen members ; but its laws were to be ratified by the proprietary before they could take effect. This free constitu- tion was received by the people at the very period when the colonists of New England were deprived of their charters. As an admission of the principle of representative government it was important ; but the people, having gained their point, seem to have settled down into that happy and contented stale, which required very little attention either to the fram- ing or executing of laws, since they only had two sessions of the legislature for the next six years. Although we are not fond of statistical details, we cannot refrain from presenting an extract from Graham's history, exhibiting the condition of the province at this period. It is particularly interesting when we contrast these small begin- nings with the present extent and resources of that powerful state. 1 The city of New York, in 1678, appears to have con- tained three thousand four hundred and thirty inhabitants, and to have owned no larger navy than three ships, eight sloops, and seven boats. No account appears to have been collected of the population of the whole province, which con- tained twenty-four towns, villages, or parishes. About fifteen vessels, on an average, traded yearly to the port of New York, importing English manufactures to the value 50,000, and exporting the productions of the colony, which consisted of land produce of all sorts, among which are particularised beef, pease, lumber, tobacco, peltry, procured from the Indians, and sixty thousand bushels of wheat. Of servants the number was small, and they were much wanted. Some unfrequent and inconsiderable importations of slaves were made from Barbadoes ; and there were yet but very few of these unfortu- nate beings in the colony. Agriculture was more generally followed than trade. A trader worth 1000, or even 500, What remarkable change in the form of government now took place ? What is said of the people ? What account is given of the condi- tion of New York at this period } Its commerce ? THE FIVE NATIONS. 11? was considered, a substantial merchant , and a planter worth half that sum in moveables was accounted rich. All the estates in the province were valued at 150,000. "Minis- ters," says Andros, " are scarce, and religions many." The duke maintained a chaplain at New York ; which was the only certain endowment of the church of England. There were, about twenty churches or meeting places, of which half were vacant. All districts were liable by law to the obligation of building churches and providing for ministers, whose emoluments varied from 40 to 70 a year, with the addition of a house and garden. But the Presbyterians and Independents, who formed the most numerous and substantial portion of the inhabitants, were the only classes who showed much willingness to procure and support their ministers. Marriages were allowed to be solemnised either by ministers or by justices of the peace. There were no beggars in the province : and the poor, who were few, were well taken care of. The number of the militia amounted to two thousand, comprehending one hundred and forty horsemen: and a standing company of soldiers was maintained, with gunners and other officers for the forts of Albany and New York. Such was the condition of the province about four years pre- ceding the period at which we have now arrived. Four years after, (in 1686,) it was found to have improved so rapidly, that the shipping of New York amounted to ten three masted vessels, twenty sloops, and a few ketches of intermediate bulk. The militia had also increased to four thousand foot, three hundred horse, and a company of dragoons. The aug- mentation of inhabitants, indicated by this increase of military force, appears the more considerable, when we keep in view, that some time prior to this last mentioned period, the Dela- ware territory had been partly surrendered to Lord Baltimore and partly assigned to William Penn.' The administration of Colonel Dongan was chiefly distin- guished by the attention which he bestowed on Indian affairs. The confederacy of the Five Nations had long existed in the neighbourhood of the colony, and, by a system of wise and politic measures, had succeeded in acquiring a degree of power and importance never attained by any other associa- tion of the North American tribes. They had adopted, among other practices, that of incorporating numbers of their conquered enemies among themselves ; and the consequent What is said of Colonel Dongan's ad- I Of the Five Nations ? ministration ? 118 TREATY WITH THE FIVE NATIONS. was the acquisition of many hardy warriors, and even distin- guished sachems and chiefs. When, subsequently to the period of which we are now writing, the Tuscarora tribe was vanquished by the South Carolina troops, it was adopted entire, and thus gave to the confederacy the name of the Six Nations. Before the arrival of Champlain in Canada, they had drjven the Adirondacs to a position near Quebec ; but the aid ren- dered by that adventurer, and the use of fire-arms in several battles, turned the tide of war, and compelled the Five Na- tions to retreat into their own country in the greatest distress. The arrival of the Dutch in the Hudson river, at this critical juncture, affording them a supply of the fire-arms to which their enemies had been indebted for success, they revived the war with such impetuosity and determination, that the nation of the Adirondacs was completely annihilated. Hence ori- ginated the hatred entertained by the confederacy against the French, and their grateful attachment to the people of New York. In 1665, a party of French, under Courcelles, the governor of Canada, marching into their country, lost their way, and arrived in the greatest distress at Schenectady, where Cor- laer, a Dutchman of some consideration, had founded a village. This man, by a simple artifice, saved them from the ven- geance of the Indians, who were at that village in sufficient force to have destroyed their invaders. He gave them re- freshments, and sent them away. This circumstance was gratefully remembered by Courcelles ; and, in 1667, a treaty of peace was signed between the Five Nations and the French, which lasted till the beginning of Colonel Dongan's adminis- tration. Meantime the French had advanced their settlements along the St. Lawrence, and in 1672 built Fort Frontignac on its north-west bank, near Lake Ontario; and the Jesuits were conciliating the neighbouring Indians, and converting many *f them to the Catholic religion. Colonel Dongan, perceiving the danger of these encroach- ments to the interests of the colonies, entered, in conjunction f the new sovereigns should be known. He then despatched a messenger to King William, and, by negotiations with Massachusetts and Connecticut, suc- ceeded in interesting the governments of these colonies on his side. A report at the same time being spread that an English fleet was approaching to assist the insurgents, all classes in New York immediately joined themselves to Leis- ler's party ; and Nicholson, afraid of sharing the fate of the imprisoned Andros, fled to England. Soon after Leisler's elevation to power, a letter came from the British ministry, directed ' to such as, for the time, take care for administering the laws of the province,' and giving authority to perform the duties of lieutenant-governor. Leis- ler regarded this letter as addressed to himself, and accord- ingly assumed the office, issued commissions, and appointed his own executive council. A few of Nicholson's adherents, Courtlandt, the mayor of the city, Colonel Bayard, Major Schuyler, and a number of other gentlemen, jealous of the elevation of a man of inferior rank to the supreme command, retired to Albany, and, seiz- ing the fort there, declared that they held it for King Wil- What ended it ? Who now usurped the government of New York ? Relate the circumstances of his usurp- ation. What circumstance gave a temporary sanction to his proceedings ? Who retired to Albany and re- nounced Leisler ? BURNING OF SCHENECTADY. 12 fiam, and would have no connection with Leisler. Mil bourne, the son-in-law of Leisler, was despatched to Albany to dislodge them ; and an irruption of French and Indians happening at the same time, they gave up the fort, and re- tired to the neighbouring colonies. Leisler, to revenge him- self for their defection, confiscated their estates. A convention was now called, consisting of deputies from all the towns and districts, who proceeded to enact various regu- lations for the temporary government of the colony. The proceedings of Leisler were of so arbitrary a character, how- ever, that a strong party was formed in opposition to him, and every measure of his government was questioned with deter- mined hostility. It was fortunate that the Dutch inhabitants were divided between these two parties, so that national antipathy was not superadded to party discord. Such was the state of affairs in New York, when the miseries of foreign war and hostile invasion were added to the calamity of internal dissension. The condition of the French in Canada had been suddenly changed from the depth of distress and danger to comparative security, by the arrival of a strong reinforcement from the parent state, under the command of a skilful and active general, the old Count de Frontignac, who now became governor, and speedily retrieved the affairs of his countrymen. He first succeeded in obtain- ing a treaty of neutrality from the Five Nations; and, war having been declared between France and England, he col- lected a body of French and Indians, and despatched them in the depth of winter against New York. This party having wandered for twenty-two days through deserts, ren- dered trackless by the snow, approached the village of Sche- nectady in so exhausted a state, that they had determined to surrender themselves as prisoners of war. But arriving at a late hour on a stormy night, and finding, by means of their spies, that the inhabitants were asleep, without a guard, they suddenly resolved to refuse the mercy which they had been just on the point of imploring, and dividing themselves into several parties, they set fire to the village in various places, and attacked the inhabitants as they fled from the flames. Men, women, and children, shared the same fate. Sixty persons were massacred, and twenty-seven carried into cap- tivity. Of the fugitives who escaped, half clad, and made How were they disposed of ? What was done by the convention ? By Leisler ? By his opponents ? Wha* new misfortune befell the co- lony ? Relate the circumstances of the burn- 11 ing of Schenectady 122 FALL OF LEISLER. their way through a storm of snow to Albany, twenty-five lost their limbs by the intensity of the frost. The French, having destroyed the village, retired, laden with plunder. This atrocious proceeding roused the indignation of all the colonies. Extensive preparations were immediately com- menced, in New York and New England, for a general in- vasion of Canada. An expedition against Quebec, under Sir William Phipps, sailed from Boston ; and the united forces of Connecticut and New York, under the command of General Winthrop were to march against Montreal. But Leisler's son-in-law, Milbourne, who acted as commissary-general, having failed to furnish supplies, and the Indians not bringing the requisite number of canoes, for crossing the rivers and lakes, the general was obliged to order a retreat. The expe- dition against Quebec was equally unsuccessful. Leisler, transported with rage when he was informed of the retreat, caused Winthrop to be arrested, but was instantly compelled, by the indignation of all parties, to release him. This man was intoxicated with his elevation, and began to betray his utter incapacity for the supreme controul of a colony. The government of Connecticut, incensed at the affront to one of their ablest officers, warned him that his state needed prudence ; and that be had urgent occasion for friends. King William received the messenger, who had been sent to him by Leisler, very graciously, and admitted him to the honour of kissing his hand, as a testimony of his approbation of the proceedings at New York. But Nicholson, arriving in England, found means to prejudice the royal mind against the insurgents both of Boston and New York. The king returned thanks to the people of New York, for their fidelity; but, without recognising the governor of their choice, he committed the administration of the province to Colonel Slough ter, in 1689, who did not arrive in the province, how- ever, till 1691. The new governor, on his arrival, summoned Leisler to deliver up the fort. Unwilling to relinquish the power which he had so long held, he replied that he would not give it up, but to an order under the king's own hand. Finding, how- ever, that parties were strong against him, he abandoned his desperate design of defending the fort ; and, on surrendering How did the colonists prepare to re- venge this massacre ? How was the design frustrated ? What was doi.e by Leisler ? By the government of Connecticut ? By King William ? Whom did he appoint to be governo) of New York ? EXECUTION OF LEISLER. 123 It, he was instantly denounced as a rebel, and cast into prison, with Milbourne, and others of his adherents, on a charge of high treason. Sloughter then called an assembly who voted an address, censuring the conduct of Leisler, and passed an act annulling the regulations which had been in force during his adminis- tration. They also passed a law declaring the assembling of a representative body to be an inherent right of the people, and that all the other liberties of Englishmen belonged of right to the colonists. This act was afterwards annulled by King William. Leisler and Milbourne were now brought to trial; and, after vainly pleading their loyalty and public services, were convicted of treason, and sentenced to death. The governor still hesitated to destroy the two persons, who, of all the in- habitants, had been the first to declare themselves in favour of his sovereign. Their enemies resorted to a most unjusti- fiable stratagem. They prepared a sumptuous feast, to which Colonel Sloughter was in ited ; and when his reason was drowned in wine, the eni -eaties of the company prevailed with him to sign the deal -warrant ; and, before he recovered from his intoxication, the prisoners were executed. The best act of Sloughter's administration was the execu- cution of a new treaty, offensive and defensive, with the Five Nations. On his retui i from the conference with their de- puties he suddenly die J. He was a man of profligate cha racter, and mean abilities. At the close of the year 1691, Major Schuyler, who had acquired, by his courage and courtesy, an extraordinary de- gree of influence over the Indians of the Five Nations, un- dertook an expedition against Montreal, at the head of a con- siderable body of colonial and Indian forces. Though the invaders were compelled to retreat, the French suffered heavy losses, in several encounters, and the spirit and animosity of the Five Nations was excited to such a pitch that when their allies retired, they continued to wage incessant and harassing hostilities with the French through the whole winter. Count Frontignac succeeded in capturing two of their warriors, of the Mohawk nation, whom he condemned to die by torture. Give an account of the fall of Leis- ler. What was done by the assembly ? Helate the circumstances of the death of Leisler and Milbourne. What was Sloughter's character ? What was the best act of Sloughter'c administration ? What ended it ? What was his character ? What was done in 1691 .' What was done by Frontignac ? 124 HEROISM OF A MOHAWK. One of them despatched himself, with a knife, which some Frenchman threw into the prison ; but the other, disdaining such pusillanimity, walked boldly to the stake, singing, in his death chaunt, that he was a Mohawk warrior, and that all the power of man could not extort an indecent expression of suffering from his lips ; and that it was ample consolation to him to reflect that he had made many a Frenchman suffer the same pangs that he must now himself undergo. When at- tached to the stake he looked round on his executioners, their instruments of torture, and the assembled multitude of spec- tators, with the composure of heroic fortitude, and after en- during for some hours, a series of barbarities too atrocious to be recited, his sufferings were terminated by the intercession of a French lady, who prevailed with the governor to order that mortal blow to which human cruelty has given the name of coup de grace, or stroke of favour. Colonel Fletcher was the next governor of New York. He arrived in 1692. He was an able soldier, but avaricious and passionate. The king, who had refused to grant a charter to New York, was anxious to encroach on the privileges of Con- necticut, by placing the militia of that colony under the con- troul of Fletcher. To effect this object, Fletcher sent a com- mission to Governor Trent, of Connecticut, who was already commander of the colonial force by virtue of his office. The acceptance of a commission, from the governor of New York, would have made him subject to his orders. It was of course refused. Incensed at such contumacy, Fletcher proceeded, with his usual impetuosity, to Hartford, and commanded the assembly of the colony, who were then in session, to place their militia under his orders, as they would answer it to the king. He even threatened to issue a proclamation calling on all who were for the king to join him, and denouncing all others as traitors. Finding his menaces disregarded, he pre- sented himself with one of his council, Colonel Bayard, to the militia, at their parade, and commanded Bayard to read his commission from the king aloud. But Captain Wads worth, a tried patriot, stepped forward, and commanded the drums to beat, so that the reade.r could not be heard. When Fletcher attempted to interpose, Wads worth supported his orders with such determination, that his antagonist was com- pelled to give up the point, and make a hasty retreat to his (live an account of the death of the Mohawk warrior. Who was the next governor of New York? What was his character ? Give an account of his adventure Connecticut. FLETCHER AND WADSWORTH. 125 Affair of Fletcher and Wadaworth. own jurisdiction. The king ordered the matter to be sub- mitted to the attorney and solicitor general of England, who decided in favour of Connecticut. It was fortunate for New York that Fletcher made use of the prudent counsels of Colonel Schuyler, in his intercourse with the Indians. His promptitude, skill, and intelligence, were of essential service, in preserving the attachment of the Five Nations, during an expedition against the French, iu which they were assisted by the New York militia, in 1693. Fletcher laboured hard with the assembly to render Epis- copacy the established religion of the colony. The Dutch, and other Presbyterians, naturally opposed him in this design. He at length succeeded in carrying a bill through the assembly of representatives, for settling ministers in the several parishes. But when the council added the clause, which gave the people the privilege of electing their own ministers, and a proviso, that the governor should exercise the episcopal power of ap- proving and collating the incumbents, this amendment was directly negatived by the assembly. The governor, exas- perated at their obstinacy, called the house before him, and prorogued their sitting with a passionate harangue. ' You take upon you,' said he, ' as if you were dictators. I sent down to you an amendment of but three or four words in that bill, which, though very immaterial, yet was positively denied. I must tell you, it seems very unmannerly. It is the sign of a stubborn, ill temper. You ought to consider that you have but a third share in the legislative power of the government ; and ought not to take all upon you, nor be so peremptory. You ought to let the council have a share Who was Fletcher's advisei ? I What was done in relation to eccle- How was he serviceable .' siastical affairs ? 11* 126 CAPTAIN KIDD. They are in the nature of the house of lords, or upper house but you seem to take the whole power in your hands, and set up for every thing. You have sat a long time to little purpose, and have been a great charge to the country. Ten shillings a day is a large allowance, and you punctually exact it. You have been always forward enough to pull down the fees of other ministers in the government. Why did not you think it expedient to correct your own to a more moderate allowance ?' The members of assembly endured his rude- ness with invincible patience ; but they also obstructed his pretensions with immovable resolution. Having no better success in his subsequent attempts to overawe the assembly, he at length gave up the point, and maintained a good correspondence with that body, during the remainder of his administration. The peace of Ryswick, which took place in 1697, gave repose to the colonies, but left the Five Nations exposed to the hostilities of the French. Count Frontignac prepared to direct his whole force against them ; and was only prevented from executing his purpose by the energy and decision of the Earl of Bellamont, who had now succeeded Fletcher in the government of the colony. He not only supplied the Five Nations with ammunition and military stores, but notified Count Frontignac, that, if the French should presume to attack them, he would march the whole disposable force of the province to their aid. This threat was effectual, and a peace between the French and the Five Nations was soon afterwards concluded. Piracy had increased to an alarming extent on the Ameri- can shores, during the administration of Fletcher ; and he was even suspected of having encouraged it. Lord Bella- mont was instructed to put an end to this evil ; and, consult- ing with his friends on the best means of accomplishing this desirable end, he was advised to employ one Kidd, who was represented to him as a man of honour and integrity, and well acquainted with the persons and haunts of the pirates. Kidd was accordingly engaged to undertake the office, as the agent of a company, of which the king, the lord chancellor, and some other noblemen, were members. He received an ordinary commission, as a privateer, with directions to pro- ceed against the pirates, and hold himself responsible to Lord What was the effect of the peace of Ryswick ? What was done by the Earl of Bella- mont ? What is said of piracy ? Who was employed to suppress it ? In what capacity ? LORD CORNBURY. 127 Bellamont. But instead of attacking the pirates, he turned pirate himself, and became the most infamous and formidable of them all. After continuing his depredations for three years, he had the audacity to appear publicly in Boston. He was seized, and sent to England, where he was tried and executed. The noblemen who had procured his commission, were charged with participating in his crimes and profits ; but no exertions of their enemies could fix the imputation upon them, so as to gain credit with the public at large. The death of Leisler had not entirely extinguished the civil feuds to which his elevation gave rise. They had continued through the administration of Fletcher, and now broke forth with fresh violence, upon occasion of young Leisler's applica- tion for indemnification for the losses sustained by the family. Lord Bellamont favoured his claims, and was instrumental in procuring a grant of 1000 for his benefit. The faction, how- ever, was not quieted by this measure. Lord Bellamont's administration was terminated by his death, in 1701 ; and he was succeeded by Lord Cornbury, grandson of the great chancellor, Lord Clarendon ; but a most degenerate and unworthy descendant of that illustrious man. Parties ran high under his administration, and he was a violent supporter of the anti-Leislerian faction. He was also an over-strenuous supporter of the Church of England ; and did not scruple to persecute, with unrelenting hate, the members of all other denominations. He embezzled the public money, ran in debt on his own private account, and evaded payment by the privileges of his office. All parties became disgusted with his unprincipled conduct; and, for- getting their former animosities against each other, united in earnestly petitioning for his recall. In 1709, Queen Anne, the new sovereign of England, was induced to supersede his commission, and appoint Lord Lovelace to succeed him. Deprived of his office, he was instantly arrested, and thrown into prison, by his enraged creditors, and remained there until the death of his father, by elevating him to the peerage, entitled him to his liberation. He then returned to England, and died in the year 1723. The brief administration of How did he behave ? What was his fate ? What is said of his employers ? What was done by Leisler's son ? How did he succeed" ? Who succeeded Lord Bellamont ? What was Lord Cornbury 's character J What were his acts ? What occasioned his removal ? Who succeeded him ? What is said of Cornbury's subse- ruent career ? 128 ADMINISTRATIONS OF HUNTER AND BURNET. Lord Lovelace, distinguished by no remarkable occurrence, was terminated by his sudden decease. General Hunter, who was appointed to succeed Lord Love- lace, arrived in 1610, and brought with him three thousand Germans, a part of whom settled in New York, and the re- mainder in Pennsylvania. His administration is remarkable only for his frequent and unsatisfactory disputes with the assembly, concerning the custody and disbursement of the public money. An unsuccessful invasion of Canada, by the united forces of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, took place in 1711. William Burnet, son of the celebrated Bishop Burnet, suc- ceeded to Hunter. He was well apprised of the danger to be apprehended from the French upon the north-western frontier, and soon penetrated their design of forming a line of forts 'Vom the St. Lawrence to the Mississippi. He erected a fort at Oswego, on Lake Ontario, in hopes of defeating their design. But the French were not thus to be foiled. They erected Fort Frontignac, at the outlet of Lake Ontario, and another at Niagara, at the entrance of the Niagara river into the lake. The remainder of his administration appears to have chiefly been occupied by contentions with the assembly concerning the court of chancery, which had become so odious that an act of the legislature was passed, declaring its proceedings void. Burnet, being appointed governor of Massachusetts, was succeeded by Colonel Montgomery. His short administration was not distinguished by any remarkable event. He died in 1731, and Rip Van Dam, the senior member of the council, became acting governor. He was superseded, in 1732, by William Cosby, having, in the mean time, permitted the French to erect a fortification at Crown Point, within the boundaries of the colonies, which served as a rallying point for hostile Indians - Cosby was at first a popular governor, but having impru- dently attacked the liberty of the press, he lost favour with the people. His successor, Clark, was not more fortunate, as he excited the hostility of the assembly by his arbitrary at- tempts to controul the public treasure. He carried matters so Who succeeded Lord Lovelace ? What events transpired during Hunt- er's administration ? Who succeeded Hunter ? What wa* done during Burnet's ad- ministration ! Who was his successor ? What is said of his administration ? Of Rip Van Dam ? Of Cosby? Of Clark ? ADMINISTRATION OF CLINTON. 129 far, as to charge the colonies with a design to throw off their dependence on the crown. George Clinton succeeded Clark, in 1743. He seems to have retained the popularity with which most of the governors commenced their administrations, by timely concessions to the people. He gave his assent to a law which limited the duration of the assemblies ; and succeeded in raising recruits and subsidies for a vigorous prosecution of the war which had commenced with France. Before his preparations were com- pleted, however, a treaty was concluded. In the middle of the eighteenth century the population of the whole colony of New York was scarcely 100,000 inhabi- tants less than one-half the number now contained in the metropolis of that state. The Indian wars, which were al- most constantly raging on the frontier, were an effectual check to the extended settlement of the interior. CHAPTER XV. COLONISATION OF NEW JERSEY. WE have already referred to the early settlements of the Swedes and Dutch, on the Delaware river. It was not until 1640 that any attempt was made, by the English, to colonise this region ; and then it was successfully resisted. Their set- tlement at Elsingburgh was broken up by the united efforts of the Swedes and Dutch. The Swedes took possession of the place, built a fort, commanded the navigation of the river, and exacted duties from the ships of other nations passing on its waters. This lasted till their subjugation by the Dutch, under Peter Stuyvesant, which has already been related. When New York was given to the Duke of York, by Charles II, the country between the Delaware and Hudson was included in the grant. It was immediately afterwards conveyed, by the duke, to Lord Berkeley and Sir George Carteret. In compliment to Carteret, who had defended the Of Clinton ? Of New York in the middle of the eighteenth century ? Who first settled in New Jersey, on the Delaware ? -When did the English first attempt to settle there ? What was the result .' Who dispossessed the Swedes ? Who granted New Jersey to Berkeley and Carteret ? 130 FAVOURABLE CONDITIONS OF SETTLEMENT. island of Jersey against the Long Parliament in the civil war, it was called Nova-Cesaria, or New Jersey. To invite set- tlers to the country, the proprietaries gave assurance that the province should enjoy a representative government ; freedom from all taxes, except such as were imposed by the general assembly ; and the undisturbed enjoyment of liberty of con- science. This last provision was undoubtedly intended for the benefit of the society of Friends, who had been much molested by the Dutch in the neighbouring colony ; and many of whom were already settled in New Jersey. Lands were also offered, at a quit rent of a half-penny an acre, after the year 1670, with the further condition, that one able-bodied male servant should be maintained for every 100 acres of land, thus affording a guarantee for the actual cultivation of the land. This condition was probably intended to prevent the appro- priation of large tracts by speculators. New provisions were added to this constitution, by subsequent proclamations of the proprietors, and the whole code was denominated, by the people, the Laws of the Concessions, and regarded by them as the great charter of their liberties. Philip Carteret, the first governor of New Jersey, purchased from the Indians their titles to all the lands which were occu- pied. This proceeding was afterwards approved by the proprietaries, who then established the rule, that all lands should be purchased from the Indians by the governor and council, who were to be reimbursed by the settlers, in pro- portion to their respective possessions. Colonel Nichols, the first English governor of New York, while yet unacquainted with the duke's grant to Berkeley and Carteret, had granted licenses to persons to purchase lands of the Indians, and make settlements in New Jersey ; and the towns of Elizabethtown, Woodbridge, and Piscataway were accordingly settled. But the hopes which he had entertained of increasing the value of the duke's territories by this mea- sure, were soon dissipated by intelligence of his having parted with his claim to all the lands south-west of the Hudson. The measures which Nichols had already taken, gave rise to disputes between his settlers and the proprietaries, which disturbed the colony for more than half a century. Nichols endeavoured to prevail on the duke to revoke the grant; but this was not done, and the government was surren dered to Philip Carteret, who arrived in 1665, with thirtv What privileges did they offer to set- tlers ? What was done by Philip Carteret ? By Colonel Nichols ? By the Duke of York ? ANDROS. 131 settlers, and fixed his residence at Elizabethtown, the first capital of the colony. Here he remained for several years, while the little state grew and flourished under his prudent administration. Its free institutions, fertile soil, and fortunate situation for commerce, all contributed to invite settlers, and advance its prosperity. In 1670, the earliest quit-rents fell due. The first demand of this tribute excited general disgust. A numerous party, in- cluding those who had settled under Nichols, refused to ac- knowledge the title of the proprietors, and in opposition to it set up titles which they had obtained from the Indians. The governor struggled hard to maintain the rights of the pro- prietaries for two years, till at length an insurrection broke forth, and he was compelled to return to England, abandbning the government ; which was immediately conferred on a son of Sir George Carteret, who had favoured the popular party. In 1673, the Dutch recovered New Jersey, together with New York, but soon afterwards it was restored to the English by the treaty of London. After this event the Duke of York obtained a new charter for New York and New Jersey ; ap- pointed Andros governor over the whole reunited province, and investing all the legislative power in the governor and council, established the same arbitrary government in New Jersey which he had all along maintained in New York. He promised Sir George Carteret, however, to renew his grant of New Jersey. But when he finally performed his promise, he still ordered Andros to maintain his prerogative over the whole territory. In 1675, Philip Carteret retmrned to New Jersey, and was willingly received by the inhabitants, who had become hearti- ly weary of the tyranny of Andros. As he postponed the payment of quit-rents to a future day, and published a new set of concessions from Sir George Carteret, peace and order were once more restored to the colony. The only subject of uneasiness arose from the arbitrary proceedings of Andros, who interdicted and finally destroyed their commerce, exacted trioute, and even arrested governor Carteret, and conveyed him a prisoner to New York. He was only released by the interposition of the Duke of York. What was the first capital of New Jersey ? What is said of Carteret 's administra- tion f What is said of the quit-rents ? Of the Dutch ? Of the Duke of York ? Of Philip Carteret ? How was he insulted ? How released ? 132 BURLINGTON SETTLED. In 1674, Lord Berkeley, one of those who had received the grant from the Duke of York, sold his share of New Jersey to two English Quakers, named Fenwicke and Byllinge, con- veying it to the first of them in trust for the other. A dispute arising between them, the matter was referred to the cele- brated William Penn, who decided in favour of Byllinge. Fenwicke came over with his family in 1675, and settled in the western part of New Jersey. Byllinge subsequently became embarrassed in his pecuni- ary affairs, and made an assignment of his claims on New Jersey to William Penn, Gawen Lawrie, and Nicholas Lewis, who assumed the direction of the territory thus con- veyed. Their first care was to effect a division of the pro- vince between themselves and Sir George Carteret; and, accordingly, the eastern part of the province was assigned to Carteret, under the name of East New Jersey ; the western part to Byllinge's assigns, who named their portion West New Jersey. The western proprietors then divided their territory into one hundred lots, ten of which they assigned to Fenwicke, and the remaining ninety they reserved to be sold for the benefit of Byllinge's creditors. They then gave the settlers a free constitution, under the title of Concessions, granting all the important privileges of civil and religious liberty. In 1677, upwards of four hundred Quakers, many of them possessed of considerable property, arrived from England, and settled in West New Jersey, giving their first settlement the name of Burlington. The claims of the Duke otYork to jurisdiction over New Jersey continued to be urged, to the great annoyance of the inhabitants, until 1680, when, after repeated remonstrances to the English government, and a legal decision in their favour, the people finally succeeded in procuring a formal recognition of their independence. West Jersey now rapidly filled with inhabitants, most of them being of the Quaker persuasion. Their first represent- ative assembly met in 1681. It was convoked by Samuel Jennings, the deputy of Edward Byllinge, their first governor. 'l .. whom did Lord Berkeley sell his pai . of New Jersey ? What events followed ? To whom did Byllinge assign his part ? FJow was the province divided ? How were the parts named ? How was the western part divided ? What was granted to the settlers ? When and by whom was Burlington settled ? What took place in 1680 ? When was the first assembly con- voked ? ANARCHY WITHOUT OISORDEft* 133 In this assembly was enacted a body of Fundamental Con- stitutions, which formed the future basis of their govern- ment. In 1682, William Penn, and eleven other persons of the society of Friends, purchased from Sir George Carteret the whole province of East New Jersey. Twelve other per- sons, of a different religious persuasion from their own, were then united with the purchasers, and to these twenty-four proprietaries the Duke of York executed his third and last grant of East New Jersey ; on receiving which, they pro- ceeded to organise a proprietary government. The first go- vernor was the celebrated Robert Barclay, author of the Apology for the Quakers ;' who was appointed for life. Under his brief administration a large number of emigrants arrived from Scotland. Barclay died in 1690. On his accession to the throne, James II, utterly disregard- ing ihe engagements he had entered into as Duke of York, attempted to deprive New Jersey of its chartered privileges, and was only prevented from the execution of his purpose by the revolution, which deprived him of the throne in 1688. From that period till 1692, Chalmers asserts, that no go- vernment whatever existed in New Jersey ; and it is highly creditable to the society of Friends, whose members com- posed the main part of the population, that the peace of the country and the prosperity of its inhabitants were promoted during this interval by their own honesty, sobriety, and industry. The pretensions of New York to jurisdiction over New Jersey were revived under William and Mary, which cir- cumstance led to much angry discussion, until, at the com- mencement of the reign of Queen Anne, the proprietaries, wearied with continual embarrassments and disputes, surren- dered their powers of government to the crown. The queen forthwith united East and West New Jersey into one pro- vince, and committed the government of it, as well as of New York, to her kinsman, Lord Cornbury. His adminis- tration here, as well as in the neighbouring colony, was only distinguished by his arrogant attempts to overawe and dictate to the colonial assemblies, and their firm and resolute resist ance of his assumptions of arbitrary power. What was done by it ? Who purchased East New Jersey in 1682 ? Who was the first governor ? What was attempted by James II ? How was his design frustrated ? 12 What is said by Chalmers .' What is said of the Friends ? What was done by the proprieta* ries ? By Queen Anne ? By Lord Cornbury ? i34 NASSAU HALL FOUNDED. After his recall, New York and New Jersey continued for many years to be ruled by the same governor, each choosing a separate assembly ; and it was not till 1738, that a separate governor for New Jersey was appointed at the instance of the people. Lewis Morris was the first governor under this new arrangement. The college of Nassau Hall, at Prince- ton, was founded the same year. After this period, no remarkable circumstance transpired in this province, until the middle of the eighteenth century, the period to which we are now bringing up the history of the several colonies, with a view to proceed afterwards with an account of their united operations in the French war of 1754. CHAPTER XVI. COLONISATION OF DELAWARE. DELAWARE was first settled in 1627. William Usselin, an eminent Swedish merchant, being satisfied of the advantages of colonising the country in the neighbourhood of New Netherlands, gained the permission of Gustavus Adolphus, King of Sweden, to form a company for the purpose. Large sums of money were accordingly contributed, and a colony of Swedes and Finns sent out, who first landed at Cape Henlopen, the delightful appearance of which induced them to give it the name of Paradise Point. They, soon after, bought of the natives the land from that cape to the falls of the Delaware ; and scattered their settlements along the shores of the river. Their first settlement was near Wilmington, at the mouth of Christina creek, and they afterwards built forts at Lewis- town and Tinicum isle : which last was the seat of govern- ment of their colony of New Swedeland, or New Sweden, as they were pleased to call it. Here John Printz, their governor, built himself a spacious mansion, which he called Printz Hall ; and supported the dignity of a colonial viceroy. The empire was destined, however, to a speedy termina- tion. The Dutchmen of New Netherlands could not bear How were affairs managed after his recall ? What took place in 1738 ? When was Delaware first settled ? Give an account of the settlement. Where did the Swedes build forts ? What is said of Printz ? Of the Dutch ? THE LOWER COUNTIES OF THE DELAWARE. 135 the presence of so formidable a rival. They built a fort in 1651 at New Castle, in the very centre, as it were, of New Sweden, and, notwithstanding the protestations of Printz, held it till the accession of Risingh, his successor. This governor employed a most unworthy stratagem for displacing the intruders. Being on an apparently friendly visit to the commander of the fort, and observing the weakness of the garrison, he incontinently took possession of it, disarmed the soldiers, and made them swear allegiance to his sovereign. An account of this important affair, coloured to the life, may be found in Knickerbocker's celebrated History of New York. Peter Stuyvesant, the Dutch governor of New York, in revenge for this insult, fitted out a grand armament, invaded New Sweden, and reduced the whole colony to complete subjection ; sending many of the inhabitants to the mother country, while the remainder quietly mingled with the con- querors, and adopted their government, laws, and manners. When the English conquered New Netherlands, after- wards called New York, they also obtained Delaware, which was considered a part of that territory. In 1682, New Cas- tle, and the country for a compass of twelve miles round it, were purchased of the Duke of York by William Penn, who afterwards extended his purchase to Cape Henlopen. This country, called the Lower Counties of the Delaware, re- mained a portion of William Penn's colony of Pennsylvania for twenty years afterwards. In 1703, the Lower Counties were separated from Penn- sylvania ; and have since retained their independence of any other colony, under the name of Delaware. The limited extent of its territory gives this state rather a diminutive appearance on the map; but its soldiers have ever been among the bravest in defence of our liberties, and its statesmen have at all periods exerted a commanding influence in the councils of the nation. Of Risingh ? Of Stuyvesant ? Of the inhabitants of New Sweden ? Of the English ? I )f William Penn ? Of the Lower Counties on the Dela- ware ? Of the soldiers and statesmen of De- laware ? 136 WILLIAM PENN. CHAPTER XVII. COLONISATION OF PENNSYLVANIA. THIS colony was founded by the celebrated William Peun in 1681. He was the son of Sir William Penn, a British admiral, who, under the protectorate of Cromwell, effected the conquest of Jamaica, for the British crown. He also performed important services for the Stuart family, and, after the Restoration, enjoyed high favour at the court. Young Penn was early entered as a commoner at Oxford university, but having imbibed a strong predilection for Quaker senti- ments, he espoused the cause of that sect with so much warmth that he, with several others, was expelled from the university. His father, wishing to divert his mind from religious sub- jects, sent him to travel in France, and this scheme seems to have been attended with partial success ; but, after his return, having gone to Ireland, to inspect an estate that belonged to his father, he there met with the same preacher who had first attracted his attention to the principles of Quakerism, ten years before, and the consequence was a new and determined adoption of his former belief. His father, disappointed in his hopes of worldly advancement for his son, abandoned him to his own course. He then commenced preacher, and gained many proselytes. Though often imprisoned, and constantly persecuted, he still persevered ; and such was his sincerity, zeal, and patience, that his father finally became reconciled to him. In 1670, he was tried at the Old Bailey, for preaching in the street, and pleaded his own case with such firmness and resolution, that he was honourably acquitted. On the death of his father he became heir to a handsome estate, but he continued to preach, write, and suffer persecu- tion as before. The attention of Penn was attracted to colonisation, by the interest which he took in the affairs of New Jersey. Learn- ing that a large tract of land, lying between the possessions When was Pennsylvania founded .' What is said of Admiral Penn ? Of William Penn ? What transpired in France ? In Ireland ? What is said of his father ? Of his career as a preacher ? Of his" trial ? HOWT'WM Penn's ? ttention first direct- ed to colonisation > CHARTER OF PENNSYLVANIA. 137 Penn laying out the plan of Philadelphia. of the Duke of York, and those of Lord Baltimore, was stil) unoccupied, he formed the noble design of founding there a new state, in which the liberal ideas he had formed of civ'it and religious liberty should be fully realised. He accordingly presented a petition to Charles II, urging his claim for a deb* incurred by the crown to his father, and soliciting a grant of the land on which he desired to settle. A charter was readily granted by the king. This charter constituted William Penn and his heirs true and absolute proprietaries of the province of Pennsylvania, saving to the crown their allegiance, and the sovereignty. It gave him and his heirs, and their deputies, power to make laws, with the advice of the freemen, and to erect courts of justice, for the execution of those laws, provided they should not be repugnant to the laws of England. Penn now invited purchasers ; and a large number, chiefly of his own persuasion, prepared to emigrate. Some merchants forming a company, purchased 20,000 acres of land at the rate of twenty pounds for every thousand acres. In May, 1681 he despatched Markham, his relative, with a company of emi- grants, to take possession of the territory. He at the same time despatched a letter to the Indians, assuring them of his just and friendly intentions with respect to themselves. In the following April, Penn published ' the frame of go- vernment for Pennsylvania,' and, in May, a body of law? which had been agreed upon by himself, and the adventurers in England, which was intended as a great charter, and which How did he obtain his charter ? What were its terms ? Who purchased lands ? Who emigrated ? When ? To whom did Penn write a letter .' What did he publish in April, 1681 f What is said of thess laws ? 138 PENN'S TREATY WITH THE INDIANS. says Chalmers, ' does great honour to their wisdon* as states- men, to their morals as men, to their spirit as colonists.' To prevent future claims to the province by the Duke pf York, or his heirs, Penn obtained from him his deed of re- lease for it ; and, as an additional grant, he procured from him also, his right and interest in that tract of land, which was at first called the ' Territories of Pennsylvania,' and afterwards, the ' Three Lower Counties on Delaware.' This constitutes, as we have already remarked, the present state of Delaware. Penn, having completed these arrangements, embarked, in August, for America, accompanied by a large number of emi- grants, chiefly of his own religious persuasion. He landed at New Castle, on the 24th of October. The next day the people were summoned to the court house ; possession of the country was legally given to the proprietary ; and the people were acquainted by him with the design of his coming, and the nature of the government which he came to establish. He then proceeded to Upland, now called Chester, and there called an assembly on the 4lh of December. This assembly passed an act of union, annexing the Three Lower Counties to the province, and an act of settlement in reference to the frame of government. The foreigners, residing in the pro- vince, were naturalised, and the laws, agreed on in England, were passed in form. Penn then selected the site of an ex- tensive city, to which he gave the name of Philadelphia, and laid out the plan on which it should be built. Before the end of the year it contained eighty dwellings. Penn's next step was to enter into a treaty with the Indian tribes in his neighbourhood. Regarding them as the rightful possessors of the soil, he fairly purchased from them their lands, giving in exchange valuable European goods and com- modities, such as were useful to them. This treaty, executed without the formality of an oath, was inviolably preserved for a period of seventy years. Within a year, between twenty and thirty vessels, with passengers, arrived in the province. The banks of the Dela- ware were rapidly settled, from the falls of Trenton, to Ches- ter. The emigrants were chiefly Quakers from England, Wales, and Ireland. A party from Germany settled in and What did Penn obtain from the Duke of York ? When did he embark for America ? Where did he land ? What was done next day ? What was done at Chester ? Of what city did he then lay out the plan ? With whom did he make a treaty ? What is said of it ? What settlers arrived ? Where did they establish themselves ? PENNSYLVANIA UNDER WILLIAM AND MARY. 139 near Germantown, in 1682. On landing, they set about pro- curing shelter. Some lodged in the woods under trees, some in caves which were easily dug on the high banks of the Wissahiccon and the Delaware, and others in hastily built huts. They were abundantly supplied with wood, water, and fertile land ; and they brought with them the implements for building and husbandry. They soon formed plantations of Indian corn and wheat. The forests furnished deer, wild turkeys, and pigeons ; and the rivers abounded with fish. The settlers endured some hardships, it is true, but they were in a rich country, and their knowledge of its resources, and of the free institutions which they were to transmit to their posterity, enabled them to conquer all difficulties. A second assembly was held at Philadelphia, in March, 1683. During this session, Penn created a second frame of government, differing in some points from the former, to which the assembly readily granted assent. They also enact- ed a variety of salutary regulations, by which the growing prosperity of the province was promoted, and its peace and order preserved. Within four years from the date of the grant to Penn, the province contained twenty settlements, and Philadelphia 2,000 inhabitants. Having received information from his agent that his pre- sence was required in England, Penn departed from America in August, 1684, leaving the province under the government of five commissioners, chosen from the provincial council. Soon after his return, James II ascended the throne. Penn's attachment to the Stuart family, induced him to adhere to this unfortunate monarch till long after his fall ; and for two years after the revolution which placed William and Mary on the throne, the province was administered in the name of James. This could not fail to draw down the indignation of King William on the devoted head of the proprietary, who suffered much persecution for his unflinching loyalty. He was four times imprisoned. The king took the government of Pennsylvania into his own hands ; and appointed Colonel Fletcher to administer the government of this province, as well as that of New York. It, at length, became apparent to the king, that Penn's attachment to the Stuarts was merely personal, and not attended with any treasonable designs ; and he was restored to favour. Being permitted to resume and Describe their operations. What was done in 1683 ? What is said of the increase of the colony ? When did Penn return to England ? To what family was Penn attached i What was the consequence ? How >?id be recover his rights ? 140 NEW CHARTERS GRANTED. exercise his rights, he appointed William Markham to be his deputy governor. In 1696, the assembly complained to Governor Markham of a breach of their chartered privileges ; and, in consequence of their remonstrance, a bill of settlement, prepared and passed by the assembly, was approved by the governor, forming the ihird frame of government of Pennsylvania. In 1699, Penn again visited his colony, accompanied by his family, with the design of spending the remainder of his life among his people. He was disappointed, however, by finding the colonists dissatisfied with the existing state of things. Negro slavery, and the intercourse with the Indian tribes, those prolific sources of disquiet in all periods of oui history, were the subjects of much unpleasant altercation be tween the proprietary and the colonists. Certain laws, which he prepared for regulating these affairs, were rejected by the assembly. His exertions, in recommending a liberal system to his own sect, were attended with better success, and the final abolition of slavery, in Pennsylvania, was ultimately owing to their powerful influence. Penn soon determined to return to England, and he naturally desired to have some frame of government firmly established before his departure. In 1701, he prepared one which was readily accepted by the assembly. It gave them the right of originating laws, which had previously been vested in the governor : it allowed to the governor a negative on bills passed by the assembly, together with the right of appointing his own council, and of exercising the whole executive power. This new charter the Three Lower Counties refused to ac- cept ; and they were consequently separated from Penn- sylvania ; electing an assembly of their own, but acknowledg- ing the same governor. Immediately after the acceptance of his fourth charter, Penn returned to England. Here he was harassed by complaints against the administration of his deputy governor, Evans, whom he finally displaced, appointing Charles Gookin in his place. Finding the discontents were still not allayed, Penn, now in his sixty-sixth year, addressed the assembly for the last time, in a letter, which marks the mild dignity and wis- dom of his character and the affectionate concern which he \Vnat was done in 1696 ? In 1699 ? Describe the form of government adopted in 1701. What is said of the Lower Coun- ties ? When did Penn return to England ? What followed ? FRANKLIN S MISSION TO LONDON. felt for the future welfare of the province. This letter is said to have produced a powerful effect ; but before this could be known to the illustrious founder, he had been seized with the disease which terminated his active and useful life. By the universal consent of historians and statesmen, Penn has been placed in the very highest rank among the benefactors and moral reformers of mankind. The influence of his character has never ceased to be felt in the institutions of the state which he founded ; and his memory will be cherished by a grateful people to the remotest ages. The legislatures and governors of Pennsylvania, acting on the principles of their founder, acquired by equitable pur- chases from the Indians, a most extensive and unembarrassed territory, which was rapidly filled with settlers. The only subject of disquiet in the colony, for many years, was a dis- pute between the governors and assembly, on the question of exempting lands of the proprietary from general taxation, a claim which the people resisted as unjust. After many dis- putes on this subject, the assembly deputed the celebrated Benjamin Franklin, as an agent to London, to petition the king for redress. The subject was brought before the privy council, and finally adjusted by a compromise; Franklin, as agent, entering into engagements that the taxes should be assessed in a fair and equitable manner ; and the governor assenting to the bill for levying them. After the commencement of the revolutionary war, a new constitution was adopted by the people, which excluded the proprietary from all share in the government. His claim to quit-rents was afterwards purchased for 570,000 dollars. Pennsylvania, which, excepting. Georgia, was the last of the colonies settled, had a more rapid increase than any of her competitors, in wealth and population. In 1775, she possessed a population of 372,208 inhabitants, collected and raised in less than a century. What is said of his last letter, and its effect ? When did he die ? What was his character ? How did the legislatures and govern- ors of Pennsylvania extend then territories ? What was a subject of dispute ? How was the matter adjusted ? What is said of the increase of tlw colony I 142 HEATH'S PATENT. CHAPTER XVIII. COLONISATION OF NORTH CAROLINA. THE unsuccessful attempts of the French, under Admiral Coligny, to form permanent settlements on the coast of Caro- lina, have already been noticed. Those which were made under Elizabeth, by Raleigh and Gilbert, have been comprised in the history of Virginia, of which colony Carolina was then considered a part. But for the removal of the settlers into Virginia, Carolina would have been the first permanent Eng- lish colony in America. It was not till the year 1630, that Sir Robert Heath, at- torney general of Charles I, obtained a patent for the regior* south of Virginia, bounded north by the 36th degree of nortK latitude, and extending to Louisiana. This immense territory was named Carolina. Heath's patent led to no settlements however, and was consequently declared void. Between the years 1640 and 1650, a considerable numbet of persons, suffering from religious intolerance in Virginia, fled beyond her limits ; and, without a grant from any quarter, settled that portion of North Carolina which lies north of Albemarle Sound. They found a mild climate, and a fertile soil; and, as their cattle and swine procured their own sub- sistence in the woods and multiplied rapidly, they were able to live in comparative ease and abundance. They ac- knowledged no sovereign, and obeyed no laws, but such as resulted from their own sense of right and wrong. Several families, from Massachusetts, settled soon after near Cape Fear, but their lands and fisheries proving unproductive, they were under the necessity of obtaining relief from their parent colony. The final settlement of Carolina originated with Lord Clarendon, and other courtiers of Charles II. On their ap- plication for a charter, he granted them, in 1663, all the lands lying between the 31st and 36th degrees of north latitude, and extending from the Atlantic to the Pacific. The charter granted the usual power to make laws, with the approbation of the freemen of the colony ; and reserved to the crown the -n what colony was North Carolina originally included ? What is said of Heath's patent ? Describe the earliest permanent settle- ment at Albemarle. To whom did Charles II grant charter .' REVOLT OF THE PEOPLE OF ALBEMARLE. 143 right of sovereignty. Religious freedom was also specially provided for. The proprietaries, by virtue of this charter, claimed all the lands of Carolina, and jurisdiction over all who had settled on them. The settlers in Albemarle, being placed under the superintendence of Sir William Berkeley, governor of Vir- ginia, he visited the colony, confirmed the land titles, ap pointed civil officers, authorised the calling of a general as- sembly ; and, when these arrangements were completed, entrusted the government to Mr. Drummond. The inhabitants of Albemarle were not satisfied with the new order of things. They petitioned to hold their lands on the same tenure as lands were held in Virginia; and, no/ receiving a favourable answer, they broke out in insurrection, and remained in open revolt for nearly two years ; but they returned to their allegiance on receiving assurance that their petition was granted, and that Samuel Stephens, who, in 1667, had been appointed governor, would give them lands in Albemarle, on the same terms as they were usually granted in Virginia. A constitution was at the same time fixed, pro- viding for the annual election of a legislature, the appoint- ment of the governor and half the council by the proprieta- ries, and the right of the assembly to regulate taxation. In 1669, governor Stephens convoked the first assembly under this constitution. It was in the same year that the Earl of Shaftesbury, being commissioned to prepare the fundamental constitutions of Carolina, employed, for that purpose, the celebrated John Locke. His system, however, was found to be totally inap- plicable to the purposes for which it was designed. It was ultimately abrogated by consent of the legislature. Meantime some settlers near Cape Fear were formed into a separate county, called Clarendon, under the direction of Sir John Yeamans, as commander in chief. North Carolina was, in fact, divided into two distinct colonies, Albemarle and Clarendon, with a governor to each ; but this arrange- ment was not of long duration. In 1670, William Sayle, being sent out by the proprieta- ries of North Carolina, settled at Port Royal ; and in the following year, being dissatisfied, he formed another settle- ment on the banks of the Cooper and Ashley rivers, which, What was done by Sir William Berkeley ? By the inhabitants of Albemarle ? How were they satisfied i When was the first assembly con- voked ? By whom ? What is said of Locke's constitution } Of the settlers near Cape Fear ? 144 CULPEPPER 8 INSURRECTION. in honour of the king, was called Charleston. This ulti- mately led to the establishment of a separate colony, which was called South Carolina. Sir John Yeamans was, soon after, made governor of this new colony. Clarendon and Albemarle were united, and formed the original foundation of the present State of North Carolina. The settlers of this northern colony were scattered along the coast, the sounds, and the rivers. Their progress was slow, and, in 1702, the population was no more than 6,000. Their prosperity was hindered by some disadvantages of local situation ; but still more by civil dissensions. In 1677, the dissatisfaction of the colonists with the mea- sures of the deputy governor, led to an open insurrection, headed by one Culpepper, who imprisoned the proprietary officers, seized the royal revenue ; and, in fact, exercised all the powers of an independent government. After two years of successful revolt, the insurgents, apprehending an inva- sion from Virginia, sent Culpepper and Holden to England, to offer submission, on condition of having their past pro- ceedings ratified. But Culpepper was seized, and tried for high treason. The influence of Lord Shaftesbury saved him from conviction ; and the proprietaries sent out Seth Sothel to restore order in the colony. His administration was ut- terly corrupt and tyrannical ; and the inhabitants., after six years' endurance of his oppression, seized him in order to send him to England for trial ; but, at his request, he was detained and tried by the assembly, who banished him from the colony. He was succeeded by Philip Ludvvell. After this event, we find few transactions of much interest in the colony, excepting the arrival of some German se*ilers at Roanoke, in 1710, until the year 1712, when the 7 uscarora and Coree Indians, alarmed at the increase of the white population, formed a conspiracy for destroying the colony by a general massacre. Twelve hundred warriors united in this plot, and agreed to commence their attack on the same night. When the time came, they severally entered the houses of the planters, asked for provisions, and, affecting to be displeased with them, murdered men, women, anc children, without distinction or mercy. Their measures were Of North Carolina ? When was Old- Charleston settled ? Bj whom .' What did this lead to ? What is said of the northern colony, and its progress ? Give an account of Culpepper's ix surrectioii. How did it terminate ? What took place in 1710 ? In 1712? SEPARATION OF THE CAROLINAS. 145 taken with such secrecy and despatch, that no alarm was spread until each house was the scene of a murderous tra- gedy. At Roanoke, one hundred and thirty-seven of the settlers were massacred. A few escaped to the other settle- ments ; and they were placed in a posture of defence, until assistance should arrive from South Carolina. Colonel Barnwell of South Carolina was sent, with 600 militia and 366 Indians, to their relief. After marching through a wilderness of 200 miles, he arrived at the encamp- ment of the Indians, attacked and defeated them, killing 300 of their number, and taking 100 prisoners. The survivors sued for peace. Hostilities were soon after renewed, and the Indians suffered another terrible defeat from a party under Colonel James Moore. Disheartened by these re- peated disasters, the Tuscaroras abandoned their ancient haunts, and, migrating to the north, united themselves with the Five Nations, constituting the sixth of that famous con- federacy. After South Carolina was settled, that colony and North Carolina had remained distinct, so far as to have separate governors and assemblies ; but they had remained under the same proprietaries. In 1729, seven of the proprietaries sold their rights, and they were completely separated. This measure promoted the peace, security, and happiness of both colonies. The last of the proprietary governors of North Carolina was Sir Richard Everhard. The first royal go- vernor was George Barrington. The population of North Carolina increased but slowly for the first hundred years. About the middle of the eighteenth century, it was ascertained that the lands of the interior were far more fertile than those on the coast. From this time emigrants, chiefly from Pennsylvania, poured into that re- gion in great numbers, and the lands were speedily brought into a state of high cultivation. In 1775, the population of the colony was estimated at a quarter of a million. What is said of Colonel Barnwell ? Of the Tuscaroras ? How was the separation of North and South Carolina effected ? What was its effect ? Give the subsequent remarks North Carolina. 13