Restoration of this Bookprovided by the
arcjarct CCoverL Symonds
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Nonhwesrem Unive?sirv-1926
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HISTORY
THE UNITED STATES,
FROM THEIR
FIRSr SETTLEMENT AS COLONIES
TO THE
CLOSE OF THE ADMINISTRATION OP MR. MADISON
IN 1817.*
BY SALMA HALE.
IN TWO VOLUMES.
VOL. J.
NEW YORK:
HARPER tc BROTHERS, PUBLISHERS,
339 A 331 PEARL STREET,
PnANKLIH SQDAKK.
1 8.^7-
Entered according to the Act of Coneress, m the year 1840,
Br Salma Hals,
la the Clerk's Office of the District Coart of New Hampshire.
' m f
X
PREFACE.
If it be true, as doubtless it is, that every nation
should possess a full and particular history of the
events which have distinguished its whole career,
for the perusal of its hundreds of statesmen and
scholars, it is not the less true, that it ought to
possess a compendious history, for the perusal of
its thousands, whom want of time or means must
preclude from all access to the former. The au¬
thor of the latter yields precedence, of course, to
his voluminous competitor; for useless would it
be for him to allege, that though the toil of re¬
search may be less, yet the labor of composition
is as great, and the task of selection greater. Hp
must content himself with the reflection, that, in¬
stead of impartihg pleasure and instruction to the
few, he, if his talents are equal to the task, dis¬
penses them, doubtless less in degree, to the many.
• During all his labors,-—and they have not been
^^ight, — the author of this com^ndium has been
mindful that a work of this kind is more necessary
'^in this than in any other country; that here it may
effect greater good or greater evil ; and, therefore,
that high responsibilities rest iq(on him who at
IV
PREFACE.
tempts it^ ( He has certainly not equalled his own
conceptions of what it ought to be.
That the space he has assigned to himself has
been too narrow to permit the introduction of
moral, political, and philosophical reflections, is
not the sole reason why they have not found a
place. He considers them beyond the sphere of
legitimate history. The historian who attempts to
teach, except by exhibiting examples, subjects him¬
self to the imputation of arrogance; and never
fails to transfer to his pages his own prejudices as
well as opinions. It is the duty of the historian
to narrate facts; it is the duty, and the privilege,
of the reader, to make his own reflections, and de¬
duce his own inferences.
Since 1817, sufficient time has elapsed to fill
another volume; but this time has been distin¬
guished less by important and interesting events
than by party strife and new political combinations.
Of these the history should not be attempted, until
the passions they have excited, and the prejudices
they have implanted, have, in part at least, died
away. The author hopes to be able to add, here¬
after, tjiis volume to those now presented to his fel¬
low-citizens.
The statistical tables in the Appendices are such
as are not usually found in histories ; but they be¬
long to history, and many readers will find them
interesting, and all, instructive.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
INTRODUCTION.
North America discovered by the Northmen, 1. Lief in Ne»
England, 1. Thorwald's voyage, 2. Thorfinii s voyage, 2.
Portugese discoveries, 3. Chnstopber Columbus, 4. Applies
to the King of Portugal, 4. To Spain, 5. Patronized by Uueen
Isabella, 6. Sails on his first voyage, 5. Discovers land, 7.
Returns to Spain, 8. His subsequent voyages, 8. The continent
discovered by the Cabots, 9. Florida discovered, 9. Visited
by Ferdinand de Soto, 10. Protestants sent by Coligni, 11.
Murdered by Melendez, 12. Avenged by Gourges, 13. Voy¬
ages of Gilbert, 13. First settlement m Virginia under Lane, 14
Voyage of Gosnold, 15. Patents to London and Plymouth
Companies, 16. French settlements in North America, 17.
Cbamplain founds Quebec, 17.
CHAP. II.
VIRGINIA.
London Company sends settlers, 18. John Smith, 19. James¬
town settled, 20. Sickness and famine, 21. Smith captured
by Indians, 21. Pocahontas saves his life, 22. He explores
the Chesapeake, 23. Elected president, 23. First marriage, 23.
New charter granted, 24. Smith returns to Ei^land, 25.
Steirving time, 25. Lord Delaware arrives, 25. Pocahontas
detained by Argal, 26. Marries Rolfe, 27. Argal conquers the
Dutch at New York, 27. First assembly, 28. Girls sent out
for wives, 28. Convicts and slaves, 29. Indian massacre, 30.
Corporation dissolved, 31. King James appoints Yeardly gov¬
ernor, 31. Harvey thrust out of office, 32. Sir William Berke¬
ley, 32. Intolerance, 32. Virginia reduced by the house of
commons, 33. Berkeley resumes the office of governor, 33.
Act banishing Quakers, 34. Bacon's rebellion, 35. His death,
37. Berkeley's cruelties, 37. Tobacco, 38. Population antl
manners, 39. Attempts to suppress slavery, 40.
CHAP. in.
MASSACHUSETTS
ISettlement at Kennebec, 41. Voyage of John Smith, 41. Rob¬
inson's congregation. 42. Residence in HoUsutd, 43. I..eave
n
CONTENTS.
Southampton for America, 44. Firat written constitution, 49.
Landing at New Plymouth, 49. Governor Carver dies and
Bradford succeeds, 4o. Association at Dorchester and London,
47. Settle Salem, 47. Obtain a charter, 47. Other emigranU
sent over, 4S. Sickness, 49. Boston founded, 49. Death of
Lady Arabella, 49. Church members only allowed to vote, 90.
Representatives chosen, 91. Roger Williams, 91. Peters and
Vane, 9S. Mrs. Hutchinson, 92. Exeter and Rhode Island
setded, 93. Plymouth " Fundamentals," 93. Plymouth erects
a trading-bouse at Windsor, 94. Emigrants travel through the
Woods to Connecticut River, 94. New Haven settled, 94.
Pequod war, 99. Colonial league, 97. Assembly forms two
branches, 98. New England and the parliament, 98. Massa¬
chusetts extends her jurisdiction over New Hampshire, 98. As¬
sertion of political rights, 99. Maine granted to Gorges, and
settlement at Saco, 6(X Massachusetts assumes jurisdiction over
Maine, 60. The Ciuakers, 60. Charles il. proclaimed, 62.
Whalley and Goffe, the regicides, 62. Navigation act passed, 64.
Commissioners sentover, 69. King Philip's war, 67. Great bat¬
tle, 69. Philip killed, 70. Massachusetts loses New Hampshire,
71. First inspector of the customs, 71. Charter annulled, 72.
Andres appointed governor, 72. Andres and Randolph con-
£ned by the petmle and sent home for trial, 73. Expedition
against Canada, 73. Paper money, 74. New charter, 74. Sir
William Phipps appointed governor, 74. Witches at Salem,
79. Laws passed, 77. Indian wars, 77. The Rev. Mr.
Williams ancT his family captured, 78. Expeditions against the
French settlements, 78. Peace, taxes, and paper money, 80.
Shute governor, 80. Parties for public bank and private bank,
80. Dispute about speaker, 80. About goveniors salary, 82.
Shirley appointed governor, 83. War widi France, 83. Expe¬
dition against Louisburgh, 83. French fleet sent against New
England, 86. Peace, 86. Bills of credit redeemed, 87.
CHAP. IV.
NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Gorges and Mason, 87. Settlements at Dover and Portsmouth,
88. At Exeter, 88. Price of oxen, 89. John Underbill, 89.
New Hampshire unites with Massachusetts, 90. Waldron's
stratagem to catch Indians, 90. At request of Robert Mason,
New Hampshire disunited from Massachusetts, 91. Act against
foreign taxation, 91. Edward Randolph appointed collector of
customs, 91. His deputy indicted, 92. Cranfield governor,
92. Mason's suits, 92. Extortion of Cranfield, 93. Persecu¬
tion of Moody, 93. Indians take revenge on Waldron, 94.
Indian war, 96. Setdement of Londonderry, 96. Lovewell'»
war, 97. Mast timber, 97. The heirs of Mason sell their claim,
and disputes cease, 98.
CONTENTS.
vii
CHAP, v..
RHODE ISLAND.
Roger Willieims banished from Salem, 98. Repairs to Seekoak,
98. Then to Providence, 99. Allows unlimited religious free¬
dom, 99. Conciliates the savages, 99. Coddington settles on
the island, 99. Williams goes to Englsmd and bbtains a patent,
100. Civil government established, fOO. Charter granted, 100
Andres deposed, and Rhode Island resumes her charter, 101
Brown University founded, 101.
■ CHAP. VL
CONNECTICUT.
Granted to Warwick and assigned to Say and Seal, &c., 105!.
Bounded west by PaciBc Ocean, 102. Plymouth erects a
trading-house at Windsor, 102. Dutch build a fort at Hartford,
102. Wethersfield and Windsor settled by emigrants from
Dorchester and Watertown, 103. Winthrop erects a fort at the
mouth of Connecticut River, 103. Journey of Hooker and his
congregation from Cambridge to Hartford, 103. Pequod war,
101.. Freemen adopt a constitution, 101. Fenwick settles at
Saybrook, 103. New Haven settled, 105. Constitution of
New Haven, 105. Disputes with the Dutch, 106. Laws passed,
106. Treaty with the Dutch, 106. Plots of the Dutch, 106.
Connecticut and New Haven propose to the commissioners of
the league to declare war, 107. They refuse, 107. Connecti¬
cut obtains a charter including New Haven, 108. Andros and
Bull at Saybrook, 108. Statistical facts, 109. Andros de-
mtuids the charter, which is hidden in a hollow tree, 109.
Charter resumed, 110. Colonel Fletcher and the militia, 110.
Yale college founded. 111. Saybrook platform. 111.
CHAP. VH.
NEW YORK.
Attempts made to discover north-west passage, 112. Hudson's
voyages, 112. Sailing along the coast, he enters the harbor of
New York, and ascends the Hudson, 113. The Dutch traffic
with the natives, 113. Build forts at New York and Albany,
113. The Dutch West India Company, 113. The country
between Delaware Bay and Connecticut River called the New
Netherlands, 113. Dutch make grants and plant colonies, 114.
Disputes with the English on the Connecticut, and Swedes on
the Delaware, 114. Kieft's war with the Indians, 114. Captain
Underbill victorious, 115. Stuyvesant appointed governor, 115.
Makes a treaty with the English, 116. Conquers the Swedes,
116. Political ferment, 116. The territory of the New Nether¬
lands granted to the duke of York and Albany, by King James.
vin
CONTENTS.
116. Possession taken and Nichols appointed governor. 111
Dutch retake the country, 117. English again take posses
sion, 118. The duke of York appoints Andros governor, 118
Rensselaer appointed minister at Albeuiy, 118. l^e Protestants
refuse to receive him, and Leister imprisons him, 118. Androi
imprisons Leisler, 119. People demand an assembly, 119.
Dongan appointed governor, and people authorized to choose
representatives, 119. Charter of liberties, 119. The Six Na¬
tions, 120. Hostile to the French, 120. De la Barre's expedi¬
tion, 121. Garran^a's speech, 121. De Nonville defeated,
123. The duke of York ascends the throne, 124. Counte¬
nances the Catholics, 124. Appoints Andros governor, 124.
Andros deposed, and Leisler assumes the government, 124
Civil distiubances, 125. War with the French and Indians, 127.
Massacre at Schenectady, 128. Expedition against Canada,
which fails, 129. Slaughter arrives as governor, 130. Leislei
arrested, tried, and executed, 130. Sloughter dies, and Colonel
Fletcher appointed governor, 131. Religious disputes, 132.
Captain Kidd, 132. Leislerians and anti-Leislerians, 133.
Lord Combury governor, 133. Removed for his shameful con¬
duct, 133. Free principles asserted, 134. Quarrel between the
fovemor and assembly, 135. Biu-net appointed governor, 135.
luilds a fort at Oswego, 136. The French erect forts at
Niagara and Crown Point, 136. Cosby appointed governor,
136. Controversy between him and Van Dam, 137. Zenger's
trial for libel, 137. Clark lieutenant-governor, 138. Contro¬
versy between him and the assembly, 139. Negro plot, 140.
Clinton appointed governor, 141. War with the French and
Indians, 142. William'Johnson appointed agent of Inditui af¬
fairs, 142. Peace, 142.
CHAP. VIII.
NEW JERSEY.
Territory claimed by the Dutch West India Coinpany as a part
of the New Netherlands, 143. Settlement at Cape May, 143.
Swedes and Finns, 143. English settlers driven on, 144.
Stuyvesant drives off the Swedes, 144. The E^lish conquer
the country, 144. Settlers invited from New England, 144
The duke of York conveys the territory to Berkeley and Car¬
teret, 145. A constitution formed, 145. Disputes about titles
to land, 145. Berkeley conveys his share to Fenwick, and he to
Penn, Lauri^ and Lucas, all Quakers, 145. The territory
divided into East Jersey and West Jersey, 146. The duke of
York claims the territory, and disputes arise, 146. Referred to
commissioners, 146. Carteret sells East Jersey to Penn and
others, 147. Emigrants from Scotland, 148. Harassing dis¬
putes about titles to land, 148. East and West Jersey united
148. Princeton college founded, 149.
CONTENTS.
CHAP. ÏX.
PENNSYLVANIA.
Parent^e and youth of William Peon, 149. Joins the Quakers, 149.
Obtains a grant of unoccupied territory, in requital of services
rendered by his father, Iw. Provisions of the charter, 150.
Terms on which he offered his lands, 151. Sends out settlers,
151. His letter to the Indians, 151. Publishes a frame of gov¬
ernment and a body of laws, 151. Purchases Delaware, 152.
Sails for America, 152. Conference with the Indians at Kensing¬
ton, 152. Lays out Philadelphia, 152. Rapid increase of popu¬
lation, 153. Frame of government altered, 153. Regulations,
153t Peno returns to England, 154. Adheres to King James,
is twice intprisoned, and nis government taken from him, 154.
Restored to favor, again visits his province, and grants a new
charter, 154. Delaware allowed a distinct assembly, 155. Penn
returns to England, 155. Reduced to poverty, dies, and his
widow assumes the management of the province, 156. After¬
wards, it passes to bis sons, 156. Continues to prosper and the
people to murmur, 157. Paper money, 157. Franklin shows
its ^eat utility, 157. Pennsylvania forms a new constitution,
and purchases all the rights of the proprietor, 158.
CHAP. X.
DELAWARE.
De Vries plants a colony from Holland, near Lewistown, 158.
Colonists all killed by the Indians, 159. Gustavus Adolphus,
king of Sweden, determines to plant a colony in America, 159.
Oxenstiera executes his determination, 159. A few Swedes
and Finns land at Cape Henlopen, 159. Build a fort on the
Island of Tinicum, 160. Capture the Dutch fort at Newcastle,
160. Stuyvesant, the Dutch governor of the New Netherlands,
conquers the Swedes, 160. The duke of York takes posses¬
sion, 160. Lord Baltimore claims the country, 161. The duke
relinquishes his claim to Peim, 161. Baltimore, by compromise,
relinquishes his, 161. At 6rst governed as a pcut of Pennsyl¬
vania, 162. Afterwards hdd a separate assembly, but the same
governor, 162.
CHAP. XI.
MARYLAND.
Early Ufe of George Calvert, Lord Baltimore, 162. Visits Vir¬
ginia to find an asylum for his brethren, the Catholics, 163.
^fisses to take the oath of supremacy, lf>3. Obtains a grant
of Maryland, 163. Dies, and the patent issues to Cecil, his
eldest son, 163. Liberal provisions of the charter 163. Sends
out emigrants, mostly Catholics, 164. They purchase an Indian
village, 164. WiUiam Clayborne annoys the emigrants, 164.
1
CONTENTS.
The colony prospers, 165. House of assembly conslkulcd,
165. Divided into two branches, 166. Clayborne foments a
rebellion, which is suppressed, 166. The parliament deprives
the proprietor of his powers, 166. The Puritans deny reli^ous
freedom to Catholics, 167. At the restoration. Lord Baltimore
resumes all his riyhts, 167. Dies, 167. Catholics excluded from
all offices, 168. iCing William assumes the supreme authority
i69. The proprietor again restored to his rights, which he en
joys until the revohition, 169.
CHAP. XXL
NORTH CAROLINA.
Grant to Sir Robert Heath, 169. Emigrants from Virginia to
Albemarle, 169. Settlement at Clarendon, 170. Grant to Lord
Clarendon and others, 170. Mr. Drummond, governor, and
assembly, meet at Albemarle, 170. Constitution of Locke, 171.
Settlement at Charleston, 17^ Separate government over it,
172. Law against collection of debts, 172. Civil disturbances,
173. Sothel appointed governor, 174. Banished for his cor¬
rupt and oppressive conduct, 174. The constitudon of Locke
abrogated, 174. French and German Protestants arrive, 174.
Surprised and many killed by the Indians, 175. The proprie¬
tors sell their right of soil and Jurisdiction to the crown, 176.
Settlements rapidly increase, 176.
CHAP. XIH.
SOÜTH CAROLINA.
First settlement, 176. Negroes mtroduced, 177. Site of Charles¬
ton changed, 177. Indian war, 178. French Protestants per¬
secuted, 178. Church of England established, 179. Spanish
and Indian wars, 180. Irish emigrants, 181. Rebellion against
the proprietors, 182. The crown assumes the government, 182
Insurrection of the negroes, 182. Emigrants, 183.
CHAP. XIV.
GEORGIA.
Benevolent project for planting a colony, 183. First emigrants,
184. Wesley visits the colony, 185. Whiteñeld, 185. Trus¬
tees render an account, 186. Oglethoipe ^pointed genera],
186. Expedition ag^st Florida, 186. Spaniards invade
Georgia, 186. Successful stratagem, 187. Charter surren¬
dered, 189. Cultivation of rice and indigo, 189.
CHAP. XV.
GENERAL TOPFÄS'
Two leading motives of emigration, 190. Anrio-Saxon, 190.
Anglo-Norman, 191. Scotch, Dutch, &c., Itf. Spirit of en-
CONTENTS. XI
lerprise, 191. Commerce, 192. Acts of trade, 192. Odious in
the colonies, 193. Goveniors required to enforce them, 193.
Board of trade and plantations^ 194. Sugar act, 194. Act
against exporting hats, taking apprentices, &c., 194. Trade,
195. Population, 195.
CHAP. XVI.
FRENCH WAR OF 1756-63.
French settlements in North America, 196. Ohio Company
formed, 197. Traders seized by the French, 198. Mission of
George Washington, 198. Expedition of Washington, 198.y
Obliged to capitulate, 199. Albany plan of union, 199.
Braddock arrives, 200. Three expeditions agreed on, 200.
Neutnd French expelled from Nova Scotia, 200. Braddock's
expedition against Du Quesne, 201. Shirley's against Niagara,
203. Johnson's against Crown Point, 204. Dieskau defeated,
204. Indian ravies, 205. Shirley removed and Loudon ap¬
pointed, 206, 207. Oswego surrenders to Montcalm, 207.
Washington ^pointed commander-in-chief in Virginia, 208.
Fort William Henry teiken and prisoners massacred, 209. Pitt
appointed prime minister, 211. Louisburgh taken, 211. Aber-
"crombie repulsed at Ticonderoga, 212. Frontenac taken, 212.
Du Quesne ttiken, 213. Niagara taken, 214. Ticonderoga
abandoned by the enemy, 214. Wolfe's expedition agtiinst
Quebec, 214. Wolfe killed and Quebec taken, 217. Montreal
surrenders, 218. Peace, 218.
CHAP. XVII.
REVOLUTION.
Increase of the English debt, 219. Colonies considered sut ordinate,
219. Encroachments on their rights, 220. Writs of assistance,
220. Argument of Otis, 221. Sugar act remodeled, 222.
Stamp act proposed, SSZ. Instructions and remonstrances,
223. Arguments of the colonists, 223. Debate on stamp act,
224. Barre's speech, 225. Act passed, 226. Proceedings in
Virginia, 226. A congress proposed, 229. Sons of Liberty,
229. Mobs, 230. Stamps arrive, 230. Stanm officers com¬
pelled to resign, 231. Congress meet at New York, 232. Non¬
importation agreement, 232. Change of ministry , 232. Pitt's
speech, 232. Stamp act repealed, 234. Rejoicings in the
colonies, 234. Mutiny act disobeyed, and New York assembly
suspended, 235. Duty on tea, &c., 236. Commissioners of
the customs, 236. Massachusetts circular, 237. The general
court required to rescind it, 237. Refuses and is dissolved, 237.
Non-importation agreements, 238. Convention in Massachu¬
setts, 238. Troops sent to Boston, 239. Virginia assembly
dissolved, 240. Boston massacre, íil. Trial of the soldiers,
242. All the duties repealed but that on tea, 243.
xii
CONTENTS.
CHAP. xvin.
REVOLUTION.
The non-importation agreements restricted to te^ 244. Hutchin¬
son admits regular troops into the castle, 240. The governor and
judges of Massachusetts consent to receive their salary of the king,
24.5. The Gaspee burnt, 246. Committpes of correspondence,
247. Franklin sends over Hutchinson's letters, 247. Tea sent
to America, 248. Mr. Quincy's speech, 249. Tea thrown into
the sea, 250. Boston port bill, 250. Fast, 251. Quebec act,
251. Continental congress, 252. Whigs and tories, 256.
Gage appointed governor of Massachusetts, 256. Fortifies
Boston, 257. Massachusetts Provincial congress, 257.
CHAP. XIX.
REVOLUTIONARY WAR.
Proceedings in parliament, 257. Second Provincial congress in
Massachusetts, 262. Warlike stores purchased and deposited
at Concord, 262. Regulars sent to destroy them, 262. Battle
of Lexington and Concord, 263. Militia invest Boston, 264.
Spirit displayed in other colonies, 264. Ticonderoga captured,
265. Troops arrive from England, 266. Battle of Bunker
Hill, 267. Continental congress, éS9. Washington chosen
commander-in-chief, 270. Paper money issued, 270. Declara¬
tion, 270. Other proceedings, 272. Washington repairs to
Boston, 273. Lord Dunmore and Patrick Henry, 274. North
Carolina, 274. Bouth Carolina, Georgia, and New York,
275. New Hampshire adopts a constitution, 276. Falmouth
burnt, 277. Privateering authorized, 278. Dorchester Heights
fortified, 279. Boston evtuiuated, 279.
CHAP. XX.
EXPEDITION AGAINST CANADA.
General Schuyler appointed commander, 280. Montgomery de-
^atched against St. Johns, 280. BIness of Schuyler, 280.
Ethan Allen made prisoner, 281. St. Johns surrenders, 282.
Montgomery enters Montreal, 282. Marches towards Quebec,
283. Arnold marches up the Kennebec, 283. Sufierings of his
troops, 283. Reaches the St. Lawrence and crosses it, 284.
Montgomery joins him, 285. Assaults Quebec, 286. Is Idlled,
287. Arnold enters the city, 287. Is wounded and his parly
surrenders, 288. He takes post near the city, 288. Is refin-
forced, 289. Small-pox, 289. English troops arrive, 289.
Americans retreat, 289. Affair at the Cedars, 290. General
Sullivan takes the command, 290. Retreats to Crown Point,
291.
APPENDIX.
Table of the trade between the colonies and Great Britain from
1697 to 1776, 292.
THE UNITED STATES
CHAPTER L
INTRODUCTION.
America is often denominated the New World.
That it emerged from the ocean at a later period than
the eastern continent, is an opinion to which the re¬
cent discoveries and discussions of geologists have
given some degree of plausibility. The inhabitants
of other regions first acquired a knowledge of its exist¬
ence shortly before the year 1000 after Clmst. Biame,
a native of Iceland, then left that island for Greenland ;
but, losing his reckoning in a fog, and sailing he knew
not in what direction, he at length saw land, which,
from the account he gave of his course on his return,
is now supposed to have been some part of the coast
of North America. He did not leave his ship, but
continued his voyage, and arrived at length at Green
land.
Lief, a native of that country, having heard of Biame's
voyage, bought his ship, and, in the year 1000, sailed
towards the point from which Biame returned. He
soon discovered land, and went on shore, somewhere,
it is supposed, on the coast of Labrador or Nova Sco¬
tia. Sailing thence, and passing between an island,
probably Nantucket, and a promontory, he landed
at a place supposed to be in Massachusetts or Rhode
von. i. 1
2
HISTORV OF THE UNITED STATES.
Island. Here he erected huts, or booths, and passed
the winter ; and, finding an abundance of grapes in the
vicinity, he called the country Vinland, or Winela:, i.
In 1002, Lief having returned to Greenland, Thor-
wald, his brother, undertook a voyage in the samo
direction. He reached Vinland, discovered Lief's
booths, there passed the winter, and continued some
time in the country. In the summer of 1004, Thor-
wald was killed in a contest with the natives. In the
spring of 1005, the remainder of the party returned to
Greenland.
Two years afterwards, an expedition, consisting of
three ships and one himdred and forty men, sailed for
the same country. After coasting along the shore
from Labrador to Rhode Island, they there landed,
passed the winter, and had considerable intercourse
with the natives. During their stay at this place,
Gudrida, the wife of Thorfinn, the commander of the
expedition, bore a son, who was called Snorre, frord
whom has descended many distinguished individuals,
of whom Thorwaldsen, the great sculptor, is one.
Other voyages from Greenland were afterwards made
to this coimtry ; but no account has reached us of any
made after the year 1347. Narratives of the voyages,
of which a very brief abstract is here given, have been
lately published, under the superintendence of the
Royal Society of Antiquaries, at Copenhagen, from
manuscripts recently discovered in northern libraries.
They are not universally credited; but the reasons
for believing them are more cogent than those by
which many undoubted historical facts are supported.
It has not been ascertained that the knowledge ac¬
quired by the Greenlanders of the existence of Amer¬
ica was ever communicated to the inhabitants of the
eastern continent. It is known, however, that a con¬
stant intercourse was kept up between Greenland and
Iceland, and that the English often visited the latter
island for the purposes oí traffic. And it is mentioned
in the journal of the expedition of Thorfinn, that a
party of eight men, going in seai-ch of the settlement
INTRODUCTION.
3
of Lief, were driven by westerly gales to the coast
of L-eland, and there made slaves. This gives some
coimtenance to the tradition that the chieftain Madoc,
with a portion of his followers, came to this country
from Wales.
At tliis period, the mariners of Northern Europe
were more adventurous, if not more skilful, navigators
than those of more southern latitudes. The latter
were accustomed to cruise, in frail barks, along the
coast, not daring to lose sight of land; but the in¬
crease <Jf the arts among them, the extension of geo¬
graphical knowledge, and more especially the invention
of the mariner's compass, about the year 1300, gave
an impetus to navigation which led to important dis¬
coveries. The first was that of the Canary Islands.
Af'tei'wards, a squadron, sent by the Portuguese to ex
plore the coast of Africa, passed beyond Cape Non,
which had not before been doubled, and reached Cape
Bojador. Thus encouraged, they sent out other ex¬
peditions for the same purpose, which were successful,
discovering, in 1418, the Island of Porto Santo, and, in
"419, the Island of Madeira. Soon after, the Islands
of Cape de Verd and the Azores were discovered by
companies of merchants.
John IT., who ascended the throne of Portugal in
1481, partook of the enthusiasm for discovery which
had begun to animate his whole people. In 1484, a
powerful fleet was despatched to cruise along the
coast of Africa, which advanced fifteen himdred miles
beyond the equator, and discovered the kingdoms of
Benin and Congo. In 1487, Bartholomew Diaz, in
command of another fleet, discovered the Cape of
Good Hope, the southern extremity of Africa.
Exalted ideas of the wealth of the East Indies were
then entertained by Europeans ; and it was the darling
object of all engaged in commerce to find a less ex¬
pensive route to that country than the one by land
then pursued. The information obtained in these ex¬
peditions, and in one by land to Abyssinia and the
coast of Malabar, gave rise to the hope that India
4 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES.
might be reached by sailing first along the westein
coast of Africa, doubling the Cape of Good Hope, and
then sailing northward to the region of riches. This
voyage, now so easily accomplished, was then only
contemplated as a possible achievement, difiicult if
possible, and sure to crown him who should first per¬
form it with never-ending fame.
Among the navigators of that age was Christopher
Columbus, a native of Genoa, but a resident of Lisbon.
He was distinguished for experience and skill in his
profession, for extensive knowledge, and for a bold
and original genius. Reflecting that the earth was
round, he conceived the project of seeking India by
sailing directly west No sooner had he conceived
the project, than his mind and his industry gathered
arguments aiid facts which convinced him that it was
feasible. Some ancient writer had declared that the
diameter of the earth was not so great as was gene¬
rally supposed ; from the accounts of others he was
led to believe that India extended farther eastward
than geographers had laid it down ; and in his inter¬
course with manners and others, he had learned that
pieces of carved wood, reeds of immense size, trunks
of huge pine trees, and, most important of ail, the bod¬
ies of two dead men, whose features diflèred from any
known race of people, all driven towards Europe by
westerly winds, had been taken from the sea at various
places. All these, acting upon an enthusiastic tem¬
perament, not only confirmed his belief, but impelled
him to devote all his energies to the accomplishment
of his project He even considered himself singled
out by the Deity, as its agent, to execute this, its own
, stupendous design.
Being unable to defray the expenses of an expedition,
Columbus obtained an audience of the king of Portu¬
gal, explained to him his project, and solicited aid.
It has been said that he first applied to his native city ;
but recent investigation throws doubt upon this state¬
ment. The king listened to his application with favor,
and referred it to his council ; but they, instead of
INTRODUCTION. 5
reporting favorably upon it, recommended that Colum¬
bus should be kept in suspense, and a vessel de¬
spatched to make discoveries in the route which he
had designated. One was accordingly sent, but re¬
turned unsuccessful. Indignant at this unworthy con¬
duct, he immediately left Portugal, and, repairing to
the court of Spain, sought an audience of its joint
sovereigns, Ferdinand and Isabella.
By the friendship of the archbishop of Toledo, he
at length obtained access to the sovereigns ; but he
remained a long time in Spain, following the court
from city to city, tantalized by encouragement often
held out and as often withdrawn, without succeeding
in his object. When hope had tdmost deserted him,
two of his friends made a last attempt to persuade the
«pieen to furnish the necessary funds. By their zeal
and eloquence her generous spirit was enkindled, and
she declared she would undertake the enterprise for
her crown of Castile, and would pledge her private
jewels to raise means to fit out the expedition.
On the 17th of April, 1492, Columbus was appointed
admiral, viceroy, and governor of all the islands and
continents which he might discover,—which offices
were made hereditary in his family, — and other pow¬
ers, rights, and privileges were granted to him. Two
armed vessels were provided, to which a third was
afterwards added, he furnishing a part of the expenses ;
and on Friday, the 3d day of the following August,
he set sail from the port of Palos, steering towards the
Canary Islands.
He arrived there on the 9th, remained there three
weeks to refit his vessels, and then departed, steering
directly west, and boldly venturing into seas which no
vessel had yet entered. As the heights of the westcrir-
most island faded from view, the hearts of the crews
feiled them. They were leaving every thing dear to
the heart of man — country, friends, and relatives ; be¬
fore them every thing was mystery and periL Many
■bed tears, and some broke into loud lamentations. The
edmiral, to soothe their distress, described to them the
6 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES.
couutries, teeming with gold and precious stones, to
which he was about to conduct tliem, and promised
them lands, and riches, and every thing that could en¬
courage them or inflame their imaginations.
Apprehensive that the crews would be alarmed if
they knew how fast they receded from home, he kept
two reckonings — one private and correct, for his own
guidance ; tlie other, which was open to general in¬
spection, exhibited a daily progress several leagues
less than the actual sailing of the ship. On the 13th
of September, having sailed about six hundred miles
from the Canaries, he noticed \he variation of the
needle, which had never before been remarked. He
made no mention of the circumstance ; hut, a few days
afterwards, it attracted the attention of the pilots, and
filled tliem with consternation. They apprehended
that the compass was about to lose its mysterious vir¬
tues ; and without this, their only guide, what was to
become of them in this vast and trackless ocean ?
He tasked his ingenuity for an explanation ; and that
which he gave, although it did not perfectly satisfy
himself, quieted the alarm of his companions.
They soon arrived within the influence of the trade
wind, which blows constantly from the east to the
west between the tropics, and then advanced rapidly
over a tranquil sea. After proceeding about one thou¬
sand miles from the Canaries, they met with indica¬
tions of land, such as weeds and birds, which animated
and encouraged the crews. They continued to sail
onward ; hut their expectations were disappointed,
and they became agitated and alarmed at the distance
left behind them, and at the thought that it might be
impossible to return. They recalled to mind that the
scheme had been condemned by the learned, and rid¬
iculed by the ignorant Some proposed that Colum¬
bus should be compelled to return ; others, that he
should be thrown into the sea, and his friends in¬
formed, upon their return to Spain, that he had fallen
overboard while taking observations of the stars.
Amidst these difficulties, Columbus displayed those
INTRODUCTION.
7
traits of character which proved the greatness of his
mind, and his peculiar fitness for the arduous duties
of his station. He appeared among the crew with a calm
and cheerful countenance, as if satisfied that he should
succeed in Iiis undertaking. Sometimes he soothed
them by holding out the prospect of riches and fame,
and by reminding them of the gratuity which had
been oifered to him who should first discover land.
Sometimes he assumed a tone of authority, and threat¬
ened the most refractory with the vengeance of their
sovereigns, should they compel him to relinquish the
undertaking.
These encouragements and threats prevented open
resistance to his authority. Meanwhile the squadron
proceeded onward ; the indications of land became
more frequent ; but none being discovered, the crews
again became turbulent and clamorous ; they insisted
upon abandoning the voyage as hopeless, and return¬
ing home. Columbus endeavored to pacify them ; but
finding their clamor increase, he told them it was use¬
less to murmur, and that he was determined to perse¬
vere imtil he had accomplished the enterprise.
Fortunately, the next day, the signs of land were
such as to remove all doubt, and every eye was strained
to discover it At ten o'clock in the evening, Colum¬
bus saw a light glimmering at a distance. It soon
disappeared, but at two o'clock in the morning of the
12th of October, a gun from the Pinta gave the joy¬
ful signal of land. Passing fi-om one extreme to the
other, they who, a few days before, had reviled and
insulted their commander, now regarded him as one
whom the Deity had endowed with knowledge and
peneti-ation above the common lot of mortals.
At sunrise, Columbus, in a rich and splendid dress,
landed, and with a drawn sword in his hand, and
displaying the royal standard, took possession of the
bland for the crown of Spain, all hb followers kneel¬
ing on the shore, and kissing the groimd with tears ot
joy. The natives, who had assembled in great ntun
s HISTORY OY THE UNITED STATES.
bers on the first appearance of the ships, stood around
the Spaniards, gazing in speechless astonishment
" The Europeans were hardly less amazed at the
scene before them. Every herb, and shrub, and tree
was diffèrent from those which flourished in Europe.
The inhabitants appeared in the simple Innocence of
nature — entirely naked. Their black hair, long and
imcurled, floated upon their shoulders, or was bound
in tresses around their heads. Though not tall, they
were well shaped and active. They were shy at first,
through fear, but soon became familiar with the Span¬
iards ; from whom, with transports of joy, they re¬
ceived various trinkets, for which in return they gave
such provisions as they had, and some cotton yam, the
only commodity of value they could produce."
To tills island Columbus gave the name of San Sal¬
vador. The natives called it Guanahani, and by that
name it is now known. It is one of the Bahama isles,
and is above three thousand miles fi-om Gomera, the
most western of the Canaries. From the poverty and
ignorance of the inhabitants, Columbus was convinced
that he had not yet arrived at the rich country which
was the object of his search. Leaving Guanahani, he
discovered and visited several other islands, and at
length arrived at one called Hayti, and by him Hispan-
iola. Here he remained a few weeks, and then re¬
turned to Spain.
The news of his wonderful discovery filled the king¬
dom with astonishment and joy. His reception at
court was accompanied by flattering and splendid
ceremonies ordained for the occasion ; and he was
honored by many proofs of royal favor. He made
three subsequent voyages, and, in 1498, discovered the
continent of America, at the mouth of the Oronoco, a
river of the third or fourth magnitude in the New
World, but ihr surpassing the largest in the Old.
The honor, however, of first discovering the conti¬
nent, must, without diminishing the merit of Columbus,
lie given to John Caliot and his son Sebastian. They
intkouuction.
»
9
were Venetian merchants, resident in Bristol, but,
soon after the result of the &st voyage of Columbus
was known, were sent, by the king of England, on an
expedition of discovery, in the same direction. In
June, 1497, they arrived at the island of Newfoimdland,
in North America, and, proceeding westward, soon
after reached the continent. It being their object,
also, to find a direct passage to the East Indies, they
first sailed northwardly, in search of it, as far as the
57th degree of latitude ; then, returning, cruised along
the coast to East Florida ; and thence sailed to Eng¬
land, without having made any settlement Upon the
discoveries made in this voyage the English founded
their claim to the eastern portion of North America.
In 1499, Alonzo de Ojeda, a companion of Colum¬
bus in his first expedition, discovered the continent
at Paria. Americus Vespucius, a Florentine gentle¬
man, who accompanied him, published, on his return,
an account of the voyage, and a description of the
country which they had visited; and from him it de¬
rives the name it bears.
In 1504, several adventurous navigators, from dif¬
ferent parts of France, came, in small vessels, to fish
on the banks of Newfoundland. In 1524, John Ver-
razzani, a Florentine, in the employment of the king
of France, sailed along the coast of America, from
Florida to the 50th degree of north latitude. He is
supposed to have entered the harbors of New York
and Newport. He made, the next year, another voy¬
age, from which he never returned ; nor is it known
by what disaster he perished. During the next forty
years, frequent voyages were made to the coast of
North America. Of some, the object was fishing; of
others, trade with the natives. In 1540, the French
made an attempt to plant a colony m Canada, which
was unsuccessful.
Florida was discovered by Juan Ponce de Leon,
in 1512. He had been governor of Porto Ricoi, and had
heard and believed the report, almost universally
credited in that age of wonders, that, somewhere in
Vol. I.—3
10 HISTORY OF THE CNITED STATES.
A
that quarter of the world, a fountain poured forth
waters which would give perpetuity of youth tt him
who should drink of them. Sailing in pursuit of this
fountain, he, on Easter Sunday, which the Spanünds
call Pascua Florida, discovered land a few miles north
of St. Augustine. He went on shore, took possession
of the territory for Spain, remained several weeks on
the coast, and then returned to Porto Rico.
The same coast was afterwards visited by other
Spaniards ; and in 1537, Ferdinand de Soto, a favorite
companion of Pizarro in the conquest of Peru, re«
ceived from Charles the Fifth a commission to conquer
and govern Florida. He embarked with about nine
hundred men, and, in May, 1539, arrived at Spiritu
Santo. Being told by the natives that gold might be
found in abundance in the interior, he proceeded with
his whole force to search for iL An account of this
expedition has been published ; but the places visited
not now bearing the same names, it is difficult to de¬
scribe his route. It is supposed that he passed into the
country east of Flint River, in Gfeorgia, and north of
the head of the Bay of Appalachee. The next spring,
he directed his course north-eastwardly, passed the
Alatamaha, and came to the Ogeechee. In July, 1540,
he was on the Coosa, near its sources, and afterwards
at a considerable town on the Alabama, above the
junction of the Tombigbee, where a battle was fought
m which 2500 Indians perished. The Spaniards then
proceeded towards the north, and passed the winter
of 1540-1 in the upper part of the state of Mississippi.
Thence they proceeded to the river of that name, and
crossed it^ probably at the lowest Chickasaw Bluffs.
They appear to have visited the high-lands of Wliite
River, two hundred miles beyond the Mississippi, and
to have -wintered on tlie Washita. In the spring of
1542, they descended the Washita and Red Rivers, and
near the junction of the latter with the Mississippi De
Soto died. In the hope of reaching New Spain by land,
they proceeded westward as far as Natchitoches; then
returned to the Mississipi>i, constructed seven brigati
INTRODTOTION.
i)
nues, in which they descended that river, and, coasting
along the western shore of the Gulf of Mexico, ar¬
rived, on the 10th of September, 1543, at a Spanish
settlement on the River Panuco, having been wander¬
ing in the wilderness nearly four years. Of those
who entered Florida with De Soto, only 311 arrived
at Panuco. Wherever they stopped, they inquired for
gold, and the Indians, to get rid of tmwelcome visitors,
directed them to other and distant places.
In 1562, that illustrious statesman, Jasper Ooligni,
the hnad of the Protestant sect in France, projected
a settlement in America, to which his brethren might
retire fiom the persecution of the Catholics. He fitted
out two ships, and gave the command of them to John
Ribaut, who proceeded to America, and landed at a
place siyposed to be within the limits of South Car¬
olina. He there buUt a fort, which he called Carolina,
in honor of Charles IX., then king of France ; left a
Cart of his men, and returned home. The men left
ehind soon after mutinied, killed their commander,
built and equipped a vessel, and sailed for home. In
their eagerness to return, they neglected to provide
sufiicient stores, and suffered, on the voyage, the ex¬
tremity of famine. At length they met an English
vessel, which carried a part of them to France, and
the rest to England. This was the first attempt to
plant a colony within the limits of the United States ;
and it is worthy of remark, that to secure an asylum
from religious persecution was the object in view.
In 1564, Coligni made aaiother attempt to plant a
Protestant colony in America. Three ships were sent,
under Laudonniere, who lemded and built a fort on
the banks of the St. John's, in Florida. At first, the
natives were friendly ; unjust treatment made them
hostile ; but the French soon found a more potent
enemy in the Spaniards, ti 1565, the ferocious and
bigoted Melendez, having received from the king of
Spain a commission to subjugate and govern Florida,
arrived with a strong force on the coast, and ap¬
proached the French ships at anchor. To the in>
Líí msi'ORV OF THE UNITED STATES.
íjuir}', who he \va«, and what were his objects, he
replied, "I am Melcndez of Spain, sent with strict
orders Irom iny king to gibbet and behead all tlie
Protestants in these regions. The Frenchman whô
is a Catholic f.will spare; every heretic shall die."
The French fleet fled, and, though jim-sued, escaj.'cd
Melendez returned to the hai'bor of St. Augustine,
went on shore, and, with the usual ceremonies, pro¬
claimed Philip II. king of all North America. Ribaut,
who had been sent out to take command of the French
settlement, determined to put to sea and attack the
Spaniards. A furious tempest arose and wr-ecked
eveiy French ship on the Florida coast. Melendez,
knowing the settlement on the St. John's was in a de¬
fenceless state, led his troops through marshes and
forests to attack iL He sm-prised the ganisou, and
nearly two hundred men, wom¿n, and childi-en were
killed. A few escaped into the woods. Of these, a
part returned, gave themselves up, and were imme¬
diately massacred; the others, after severe sufferings,
found means to return to France.
After the carnage was completed, mass was said, a
cross raised, and a site for a church selected on groimd
still moist with the blood of a peaceful colony.—It is
possible tliat these Spaniards were unconscious of the
atrocity of their actions. It is possible that they be¬
lieved that the religion of Christ justified and required
such enormities. How much of the guilt was theirs,
and how much must be attributed to tbe ignorance
and bai'barism of the age, it is difficult to decide.
The shipwi-ecked men were soon discovered, and,
after a parley, capitulated, upon receiving. what they
understood to be a promise of safety: "If they would
surrender, and place themselves at his mercy, he would
do with them what God should give him grace to do."
Tliey were received by Melendez in divisions, and
transported, in boats, across a river that separated the
parties. In these divisions, wdth their hands tied, they
were marched to St Augustine, and, as they approached
the fort, upon a signal given, were massacred. A few
INTRODUCTION.
IB
Catholics were spared. The whole number butchered
was said, by the French, to be nine hundi-ed ; by the
Spaniards, not so many.
Dominic ,de Gourges, a bold soldier of Gascony,
burning with the thirst of revenge, sold his property,
obtained contributions from his friends, and equijtping
three ships, embarked for Florida. He gained posses¬
sion of two forts near the mouth of the St Jolm, and
a larger one near the site of the French colony. Not
being able to keep possession of the country, and re¬
venge being his only object, he hanged his prisoners
upon trees, and returned to Europe.
Soon after the return of De Gourges, a civil war
between the Catholics and Protestants broke out in
France ; and Walter Raleigh, then a young man, but
afterwards distinguished in the histoiy of England,
abruptly left the university to leam the art of war
imder the veteran Coligni. He must have imbibed
fi'om his leader and his companions the indignation
excited by the massacre which De Gourges had
avenged, and gathered from them some knowledge
of Florida. It is known that he became acquainted
with the painter De Morgues, who was one of those
that escaped from the massacre. In 1578, Sir Hum¬
phrey Gilbert, the half brother of Raleigh, obtained,
from Queen Elizabeth, a grant of any eoimtry which he
might discover in America, and exclusive jurisdiction
over it, provided a plantation should be established
within six yetu-s. He collected a company of volun¬
teer adventurers, equipped a fleet, and put to sea ; but
one of his ships was lost, and misfortune compelled
the remainder to retm-n. In 1583, assisted by Raleigh,
he equipped a second squadron, and sailed for America.
On arriving before St John, in Newfoundland, he found
thirty-six vessels fishing in the harbor, which shows
how early that place was known to be a good fishing
station. Sailing south, his largest ship was wrecked
off Wiscasset, and one hundred men lost their lives.
He then determined tdret im to England, and perished
on the voyage home.
14
IIISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES.
In 1584, Raleigh, then the favorite of the queen, whc
had conferred on him the honor of knighthood, ob¬
tained a patent similar to that which had been granted
to Sir Humphrey. The next year, he sent two ships,
under the command of Captains,Amidas and Barlow,
to explore the country. In July, they landed on an
island called Wocoken, in the inlet to IVmUco Sound,
then proceeded to the Island of Roanoke, at the mouth
of Albemarle Sound, in North Carolina, and at both
places were treated with great respect by the natives.
Having freighted their ships with furs, sassa&as, and
cedar, they returned to England, where they published
marvellous accounts of the beauty of the country, the
fertility of the soil, the mildness cd" the climate, and the
innocence of the natives. The queen was so charmed
with the description, that, as a memorial that the
country had been discovered during the reign of a
virgin queen, she called it Virginia.
The next year, Raleigh sent from England á fleet of
seven vessels, commanded by Sir Richard GrenviUe,
and carrying upwards of one hundred persons, destined
to begin a settlement They were left under Ralph
Lane, on Roanoke Island. The success of the Span¬
iards in finding gold in South America, led these ad¬
venturers to employ their time in a fiuitless search
for it here. In 1586^ they were visited by Sir Francis
Drake, who, at their request, conveyed them back to
England. Lane carrying home a quantity of tobacco,
the Indian custom of smoking it was adopted by Ra¬
leigh, a man of gayety and fashion, and introduced at
court
Soon after Drake departed, Grenville again arrived
with provisions for the settlement Findmg it aban¬
doned, he left fifteen men to keep possession of the
countiy. In 1587, three other ships were sent to the
same place ; but the men who had been left cotdd not
be found, having probably been murdered by the sav¬
ages. On board these ships came John White, who
had been appointed governor of the colony, eighty-
nine men, and seventeen women. Of the women, one
INTRODUCTION.
15
was Eleanor Dare, daughter of White, and wife of one
of the magistrates. Soon after her arrival, she gave
birth to a female child, which was named Virginia,
and was the first child born in the United States of
English parents. When the ships were ready to de¬
part for England, the emigrants, becoming gloomy
with apprehensions, besought White to remrn home,
and hasten back with reënforcements and supplies.
He at first refused to desert his post, but, after much
imporipnity, consented and embarketi Soon after his
arrival in England, Raleigh fitted out two vessels, in
which he set sail for America, but was compelled to
return ; and all England being then fi-antic with con¬
sternation at the approach of the Spanish Armada, the
colony at Roanoke was forgotten. And when the
Armada was defeated, Raleigh, having exhausted his
means, was imable to send assistance. Nearly three
years elapsed before White returned; and when he
arrived at Roanoke, not one of the colonists was there.
Whether they had been killed or captured by the
Indians, or had voluntarily sought reftige from starva¬
tion among them, are questions which the imagina¬
tion has been tasked to decide, but tasked in vain. It
is stated that Raleigh, at his own charge, sent five
several times to search for his lost colonists ; but all
search proved fruitless.
These successive misfortunes withdrew, for several
years, the attention of thé English from these distant
regions. In 1602, Bartholomew Gosnold made a voy¬
age to America. Instead of taking the circuitous, but
usual route, by the. West India Islands, he steered di¬
rectly west fi'om England, shortening the voyage at
least one third, and arrived, in May, on the coast of
Massachusetts. He discovered a headland, and taking
a great quantity of codfish near it, called it Cape Coi
Proceeding southwardly, he passed Gay Heai entered
Buzzard's Bay, and upon an island within it erected a
small fort, the ruins of which were visible so late as
1797. After trading a while with the Indians, he re¬
turned home.
It) HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES.
The report made by Gosnold revived the spirit of
adventure. Li 1603 and 1605, two voyages were made
in the same direction, and Penobscot Bay, Massachu¬
setts Bay, and the rivers between them, were discovered.
Tiie accounts given by the last navigators confirmed
tlie report of jSosnold, and led to a more extensive
scheme of colonization than had yet been attempted.
Of this scheme, Mr. Richard ïïaklujt was the most
active promoter. By his persuasion an association
of gentlemen, in different parts of the kingdom, was
formed for the purpose of sending colonies to Ameri¬
ca. Upon,their apjdication to King James, he, by let¬
ters patent, dated in 1606, divided the country of
Virginia, then considered as extending from the south¬
ern boimdaiy of North Carolina to the northern boun¬
dary of Maine, into two districts, and constituted tivo
companies for planting colonies within them.
The southern district he gi'anted to Sir Thomas
Gates and his associates, chiefly resident in London,
and therefore styled the London Company. This dis¬
trict extended northwai-d to the southern boundary of
Maiyland. The northern district he granted to Thom¬
as Hanham and his associates, who were styled the
Plymouth Company, probably because the principal
members resided in tliat city. This district extended
from near the southern boundary of New York to the
Bay of Passamaquoddy, a region intervening between
the two districts, more than one hundred and fifty
miles in width. The two districts were called South
and North Virginia. The membei-s of these companies
were principally merchants; their objects were the
extension of commerce and the discoveiy of mines of
the precious metals, which were supjiosed to abound
in North as well as South America.
For the supreme government of the colonies, a
grand council was instituted, the members of which
were to reside in England, and to be appomted by
the king. The subordinate jurisdiction was committetl
to a council in each colony, the members of which
were to be appointed by the grand council in England.
INTRODUCTION.
17
till to be governed by its instructions. To the em¬
igrants and their descendants were secured the enjoy¬
ment of all the rights of denizens or citizens, in the
same manner, and to the same extent, as if they had
remained or been bom in England.
By the French, many more voyages than have been
mentioned were made to the coast of North America.
The Banks of Newfoundland were more frequently
visited by the hardy fishermen of Brittany and Nor¬
mandy than by those of any other nation. In 1534,
James Çaitier discovered the Sl Lawrence ; and in
subsequent voyages ascended it to Montreal, and built
a fort at Quebec. In 1604, Hemy IV. of France grant¬
ed to the Sieur de Monts all the country between the
40th and the 46th degrees of north latitude, or between
New Jersey and Nova Scotia. By virtue of this grant,
a settlement was made on the south-eastern side of
the Bay of Fundy, at a place then, by the French,
named Port Royal, since, by the English, Annapolis.
In 1608, Samuel Champlain, sent out by a company
of merchants at Dieppe and Sl Malo, founded Quebec.
The next year, he, with two other Europeans, joined a
party of savages in an expedition against the Iroquois,
ascended the Sorel, and explored the lake which bears
his name. The settlements in Nova Scotia, then
called Acadie, and in Canada, continually received
additions to their population from France ; the French
settlers mingled with the savages, and obtained over
them an influence greater than those of any other
nation ; and always when war existed between Eng¬
land and France, and sometimes when it did not, in¬
cursions were made from those settlements and the
adjoining wilderness into New England and New York.
In these expeditions the homes of the frontier settlers
were often burnt, their cattle killed, or driven away
and themselves, their wives and children massacred
18 HISTORY OP TOE ÜNITED STATES.
CHAPTER H.
HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.
Hdrino the 15th and 16th centuries, Europe ■wit¬
nessed a revolution in the manners, opinions, and
pursuits of its inhabitants, greater and more beneficial
than ever occurred in the same period of time. The
earliest and most efficient cause of this revolution ■was
the discovery of the art of printing. How efficient
this cause must have been, may be imagined by re¬
flecting to what depth of ignorance the world would
soon sink were that discovery entirely and irretrieva¬
bly lost It carried light to the dark regions of the
intellect, excited it to intense actmty, and multiplied
rapidly and incessantly the number of those who
claimed the pri^vilege of becoming actors on the theatre
of the world. The Reformation followed as a neces¬
sary eflect, and became itself a cause propelling, with
a more rapid motion, and extending, the revolution
which had begun. The mariner's compass, which,
although discovered about the year 1300, was, for a
long time, but little used, offered to instructed reason
and daring enterprise the means of safely and speedily
visiting distant regions, and revived and gave energy
to the spirit of commerce. It was fortunate for this
part of America that, when the Old World began to
pour itself upon the New, mankind had advanced, and
was advancing, in the career of improvement, and that
our shores were fii-st settled by emigrants from that
countiy in which improvement had been greatest.
The members of the London Company consisted
principally of merchants ; but connected with them
were many distinguished noblemen and several ele¬
gant scholars. In December, 1606, they despatched
three ships, having on board one hundred and five
emigrants, destined to begin a settlement in South Vir¬
ginia. Christophe r Newport commanded the squad-
TIRGINIA.
19
ron, and he was accompanied by Captain Gîosuold and
other distinguished individuals ; some allured by cu¬
riosity, and some by the prospect of gain, to visit a
country said to be inhabited by a new race of beings,
and to abound in silver and gold.
A sealed box was delivered to Newport, with direc¬
tions that it should not be opened until twenty-four
hours after the emigrants had landed in America.
During the voyage, violent dissensions arose among
the pnueipal personages on board the squadron. Of
most of ftiem John Smith, one of the adventurers,
incurred the distrust and hatred. His superior talents,
and the fame be had acquired by his exploits in wár,
excited their envy, and probably caused him to claim
lor himself greater deference than they were willing
or bound to yield.
In his youth he was a merchant's apprentice. At
the age of fifteen, he quitted his master, travelled in
Europe and Egypt, and enlisted in the army of Aus¬
tria, then at war with the Turks. As a reward for a
successful stratagem, he received the commission of
captain ; and afterwards, in three personal combats
with Turkish champions, he was victorious, at each
time killing his adversary. Being taken prisoner in a
subsequent battle, he was compelled to labor as a
slave ; he killed his master, escaped, and, after again
wandering over Europe, returned to England, be¬
came acquainted with Gosnold, and was easily per¬
suaded to embark in an expedition to a country he
had not yet visited, in search of new scenes and new
adventures. While yet at sea, he was accused of an
intention to murder the cotmcil, usurp the government,
and make himself king of Virginia ; and upon this ab
surd accusation was put in confinement
The place of their destination was the disastrous
position at Roanoke. A storm fortunately drove them
to the mouth of Chesapeake Bay, which they entered
on the 26tli of April, 1607. Discovering a large
and beautiful river, they gave it the name of James
River, ascended it, and on its banks had several inter-
20 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES.
views with the natives. In one of these a chief caiue
forward, holding in one hand his bow and arrows, in
the other a pipe of tobacco, and demanded the cause
of their coining. They made signs of peace, and were
received as friends. Paspiha, another chief, when in¬
formed or their wish to settle in the country, offered
them as much land as they wanted, and sent them a
deer fbr their entertainment.
On the 13th of May, they debarked at a place which
they called Jamesto¿vn. On opening the sealed box,
it was found to contaiu the names of the council and
instructions for their guidance. In the list were the
names of Gosnold, Smith, Wingfield, and Newport.
Wingfield was elected president, and a vote was
passed excluding Smith from his seat at the board.
He was, however, released from confinement.
The whole coimtry was then a wilderness, in which
a few Indians roamed in pursuit of their enemies, or
of wild beasts for food. In color they were darker
than the European, but not so black as the negro.
They possessed all the vices and virtues of the savage
state ; were cunning in stratagem, ferocious in battle,
cruel to their conquered enemies, kind and hospitable
to their friends. They had no written language ; they
were unacquainted with the use of iron and the other
metals ; their weapons of war were a bow and arrows,
a stone hatchet, which they called a tomahawk, and a
club. They lived principally by hunting, but some¬
times cultivated small patches of Indian corn.
While the men were busy in felling timber, and
providing freight for the ships, Newport, Smith, and
twenty others ascended James River, and visited the
Indian chieftain Powhatan, at his principal seat, just
below the present site of Richmond. , The savages
murmured at this intrusion of strangers ; but Powha¬
tan restrained and soothed them. About the middle
of June, the ships returned to England, leaving the
emigi-ants to contend with difficulties greater than
they had foreseen. They were weak in numbers,
witliout habits of industry, and sun'oimded by distrust-
VIRGINIA.
21
mg neighbors. The summer heats were intolerable,
and the moisture of the climate generated disease.
At one time, nearly all were sick. Provisions were
scanty ; much of what they had brought with them
was damaged ; and it was too late to sow or plant.
Before autumn, titty perished, and among them Gos-
nold, the projector of the settlement
These dreadful distresses led them to reflect upon
their situation and conduct. Having become sensible
of their injustice to Smith, they had, at his request,
granted rum a trial, which resulted in an honorable
acquittal. His personal talents and activity now en¬
forced, in adversity, the same regard and deference
which, in prosperous times, are yielded only to official
station. By his advice, a fort was erected to protect
them from the attacks of the Indians. To procure
provisions and explore the country, he made frequent
and distant excursions into the wilderness. In one of
these, he seized an Indian idol made of skins stufled
with moss,, for the redemption of which as much com
was brought him as he required. Sometimes he pro¬
cured supplies by caresses, sometimes by purchase,
and when these means failed of success, he scrupled
not to resort to stratagem and violence.
At this period, the South Sea, now called the Pa¬
cific Ocean, had been discovered; and the colonists
were instructed to seek a communication with it by
ascending some stream which flowed from the north¬
west. This instruction must have been given on the
presumption that no great distance intervened between
the Atlantic and the Pacific. The Chickahominy
flowed from the north-west ; and Smith, to fulfil those
mstructions, ascended it as far as it was navigable
with boats, and then proceeded on foot He was sur¬
prised by Indians, two of his men killed, and himself
made prisoner. His exulting captors conducted him
in triumph through several towns, to their king, Pow¬
hatan. At the end of six weeks, their chiefs assem¬
bled to delibera! e on his fate. They decided that he
22 HISTDRÏ OF THE UNITED STATES.
should die. He was led forth to execution ; his head
Was placed upon a stone, and an Indian stood near
with a club, the instrument of death. At this instant,
Pocahontas, the young and favorite daughter of the
king, appeared, and rushing between the executionei
and the prisoner, folded his head in her arms, and en¬
treated her father to spare his life. Powhatan relent¬
ed, directed Smith to be conducted to his wigwam, or
hut, and soon afterwards sent him, escorted by twelve
guides, to Jamestown.
On his arrival there, he found the number of settlers
reduced to thirty-eight ; and most of these had deter¬
mined to abandon the country. By persuasions and
threats, he induced a majority to relinquish their de¬
sign. The remainder, more resolute, went on board a
small vessel in the river. Against these he instantly
directed the guns of the foit, when, to avoid the dan¬
ger of being sunk, they hastened back to their com¬
panions.
Sustaining now a high reputation among the Indians,
he obtained from them occasional supplies of pro¬
visions, which preserved the colony from famine. The
Princess Pocahontas, also, remembering him whose life
she had saved, frequently sent him such articles as
were most needed. The settlers were thus enabled to
subsist until Captain Newport, who had returned to
England, again arrived at Jamestown, with a quantity
of provisions, and one hundred and twenty persons,
who came to reside in the colony.
All danger being in appearance over, tbe emigrants
no longer submitted to the authority nor listened to the
advice of Smith. Disorder and confusion followed;
and about this time, that raging passion fbr gold, which
first impelled Europeans to resort to this country, was
again excited. In a stream north of Jamestown, a
glittering earth was discovered, which was supjrosed to
be gold dust " immediately," says Stith, in his History,
" there was no thought, no discourse, no hope, and no
work, but to dig gold, wash go'd, refine gold, and load
VIRGINIA.
23
gold." And notwithstanding the remonstrances of
Smith, a ship was freighted with this worthless coia*
modity and sent to England.
Disgusted at the follies which he had vainly opposed,
and unwilling to be idle. Smith set out upon an expe¬
dition to explore the coasts of Chesapeake Bay. After
an absence of seven weeks, in which he examined all
the inlets and rivers as far as the mouth of the lläppa-
hannock, he returned to Jamestown to procure a sup¬
ply of provisions. He found the people discontented
and turbulent Believing that the president had squan¬
dered the public property, they deposed him, and having
in vain urged Smith to accept the office, they elected
his friend, Mr. Scrivener, vice-president
Keniaiuing but three days at Jamestown, he again
departed to complete his undertaking. He visited all
the countries on both shores ; he ascended the Poto¬
mac, and passed Mount Vernon, and the site of Wash¬
ington city ; he traded with some tribes, fought with
others, and left among all the highest admiration of
his own character and of that of his nation, in both
voyages he satiled nearly three thousand miles. He
published an account of the tribes he visited, and of
the territory he explored, and constructed a map of the
country, upon which all su'bsequent delineations and
descriptions have been formed.
Upon his return, he was chosen president, and con¬
sented to accept the office. Under his administration
habits of industry and subordination were formed, And
peace and plenty smiled upon the colony. Again, in
1608, Newport arrived at Jamestown, and brought
with him seventy emigrants, among whom were two
females, Mrs. Forrest, and Ann Burras, her maid.
Soon after, the latter was married to John Laydon :
and this, it is said, was the first marriage of Europeans
celebrated in Virginia.
The attention of the English nation, and especially
of many of its eminent men, had been attracted to the
colony, and they felt a lively sorrow for its misfortunes.
Many more of the gentry and nobility, anxious for its
24 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES.
success, became members of the company; and in
1609, at the request of the corporation, a new charter
was granted. This gave to the stockholders them¬
selves, instead of the king, the power to choose the
gi'and council in England. This council were em¬
powered to appoint a governor and other necessary
officers, and to make laws for the government of the
colony, not contrai-y to the laws of England. The
colonists were declared to be entitled to all the rights
of natural subjects. And to the corporation was
granted the absolute property of all the land on the
coast, two hundred miles north, and the same distance
south, of Point Comfort, and " up into the land,
throughout, from sea to sea, west and north-west"
The grand council appointed Lord Delaware gov¬
ernor, and despatched to Virginia nine ships, carrying
five hundred emigrants, under the command of New¬
port, who, with Sir Thomas Gates and Sir George
Somers, was commissioned to admiiuster the affairs
of the colony until the arrival of Lord Delaware. The
vessel carrying the three commissioners was stranded
on the rocks of the Bermudas ; another was sunk ; and
seven only arrived in Virginia.
A great part of those who came in these vessels
" were unruly sparks, packed off by their fi'iends to
escape worse destinies at home. Many were poor
gentlemen, broken tradesmen, rakes, and libertines,
footmen, and such others as were much fitter to spoil
and ruin a commonwealth than to help to raise or
maintain one." They brought information that the old
charter was abrogated ; and as no one in the settlement
had authority from the new corporation, they assumed
the power of disposing of the government, conferring
it sometimes on one and sometimes on another.
This state of confusion had not continued long, when
Smith, with the decision that belongs to vigorous
minds, determined that his own authority was not
legally revoked until the arrival of the new commis¬
sion, and resumed, with a strong hand, the reins of
government. He boldly imprisoned the leaders of the
virginia.
25
«édition, and restored for a-time legularity and obe¬
dience.
The Indians, jealous of the increasing power of the
strangers who had invaded their country, concerted a
plot to destroy them. Pocahontas, the constant friend
of Virginia, hastened, in a dark and dreary night, to
Jamestown, and infbrmed Smith of his danger. Meas¬
ures of precaution were instantly taken. The Indians,
perceiving tliat their design was discovered, again
brought,presents of peace to the English.
Soon after. Smith, having received by accident a
severe wound, returned to England to procure the aid
of a surgeon. Disastrous consequences followed. The
Indians, learning that the man whom they dreaded
most had left the colony, attacked it with united forces.
A dreadful fttmine ensued. To such extremity were
the settlers reduced, that they devoured the skins of
the horses, the bodies of the Indians whom they had
killed, and at last those of their own companions, who
had sunk under accumulated miseries. These tre¬
mendous sufferings were recollected long afterwards
with horror, and the period was remembered and dis¬
tinguished by the name of the " starving time."
m six months, the colony, from frve himdred per
sons, was reduced to sixty ; and these were exceed¬
ingly feeble and dejected. In this situation they were
visited by those who were shipwrecked at Bermudas.
All immediately determined to return to England.
For this purpose the renmant of the colony emlmrked
\ on hoard the ships just arrived, and sailed down the
river. Fortunately they were met by Lord Delaware,
who, having brought with him a supply of provisions,
persuaded them to return to Jamestown.
All were impressed with a deep sense of the dis¬
pensations of Providence, in which grievous sufibr-
mgs had been tempered by saving mercies. After tlie
solemn exercises of religion, Lord Delaware caused his
commission to he read. Faction was hushed by the
lenity of his administration and the dignity of his vir¬
tues. The colonists, who, it must he remembered,
vol. i. 3
20 HISTORY OF THE UN YED STATES.
were but servants of the- company, performed theit
tiisks with alacrity. In the morning, they assembled
in the little church, which was kept neatly trimmed
with the wild flowers of the country ; next, they re¬
turned to their houses to receive their allowance of
food. The appointed hours of labor were from six in
the morning till ten, and from two in the afternoon
until four. Affluence began to return, and the Indiana
were again taught to respect and lear the English.
But the health of Lord Delaware failing, he returned
to England, and was soon after succeeded by Sir
Thomas Dale. The colony at this time consisted of
about two hundred men. The new governor, on the
recurrence of disorderly conduct, proclaimed martial
law, which was rigidly enforced. He wrote home for
new recruits. "Let me," said he, "commend unto
your carefulness the pursuit of this business. Take
four of the best kingdoms in Christendom, and put
them all together, they may no way compare with this
country, either for commodities or goodness of soiL"
Sir Thomas Gates was sent over with six ships, three
hundred emigrants, and one hundred cattle ; and he
was also appointed to succeed Governor Dale.
In the same year, (1612,) a new charter was granted,
by which it was ordained that quarterly general
courts, or meetings of all the stockholders, should be
held in London, in which all affairs of importance
should be determined, and weekly meetings for the
transaction of common business. A license to draw
lotteries was also granted ; and from this source twenty-
nine thousand pounds were received into the treasury
of the company.
In 1612, Captain Argal, having learned, while on a
trading voyage to the Potomac, that Pocahontas was in
the neighborhood, visited and persuaded her to go on
board his vessel. He treated her respectfully, but de¬
tained and carried her to Jamestown. He presumed
that the possession of Pocahontas would give the Eng¬
lish an ascendency over Powhatan, who was known
to feel a strong attachment to his daughter. In this,
VmcilNIA.
27
Lowever, lio was disappointed. Powhatan, noble by
nature, felt indignant at this instance of treaehery in
the Englisln He ofiered a ransom for his daughter,
but refused to consent to any terms of peace until slie
was restored.
Urning her stay at Jamestown, her beauty, her art¬
less simplicity, and those graces of manner which ever
accompany dignity of imnd and imiocence of heart,
won the affections of Mr. Rolfe, a young and respect¬
able planter. He succeeded in producing a reciprocal
attach»ient. They were married with the consent of
Powhatan. The consequence of this marriage was
peace with her father, and with all the tribes who stood
in awe of his power.
Rolfe and his princess made a voyage to England,
where she was received by the king and queen with
the attention due to her rank. For her virtues, and
her disinterested services, she was universally beloved
and respected. She died when about to return to
America, leaving one son, from whom are descended
some of the most respectable families in Virginia.
In 1613, Captain Argal was sent, with a naval force,
to drive the French from the settlements they had
begun in Acadie, which were considered to be within
tlie limits of North Virginia. He accomplished the
object of the expedition, and, when retmning, visited
a Dutch trading establishment on Hudson's River, which
was also within the same limits. The governor, too
feeble to resist, acknowledged himself subject to the
king of England.
The king, in his instructions given at the time of
the first emigration to Jamestown, directed that all the
land should be owned in common, and that the pro¬
duce of the labor of all should be deposited in the
public stores. In such cfrcumstances no one wo dd
labor with the same steadiness and animation as if he,
and he alone, was to possess and enjoy the fruit of his
industry. A different regulation was now adopted.
To each inhabitant three acres of land were assigned
hi full property, and he was permitted to employ, in
2ê HISTWtï W THE UNITED fe'TATES,
the cultivation of it, a certain portion of his time. The
effects of this alteration were immediately visible, and
demonstrated so clearly its wisdom, that, soon after,
another assignment of fifty acres was made ; and the
plan of working in a common ñeld, to fill the public
stores, was entirely abandoned.
Since the year 1611, the colcmy had been governed
by martial law, which was administered by Deputy-
Governor Argal with so much rigor as to excite uni¬
versal discontent. The council in England, listening
to the complaints of the Virginians, appointed Mr,
Yeardly governor, and instructed him to inquire into
and redress their wrongs. He arrived in April, 1619,
and immediately, to the great joy of the inhabitant^
called a general assembly of the colony. It met at
Jamestown, on the 19th of June, and was composed
of delegates fi-om the boroughs, then amounting to
seven. They, the governor, and the council, sat and
deliberated in the same apartment, and acted as one
body. The laws they enacted could not be of force
imtil ratified by the company in England; but this
participation in the legidative power gratified the col¬
onists; they forgot their griefs, and ceased to com¬
plain. Two years afterwards, the company passed an
ordinance establishing a written constitution for the
colony. It provided that the governor and a perma¬
nent council should be appointed by the corporation ;
that a general assembly should.be convened yearly, to
consist of the council and two delegates from each of
the boroughs or plantations. No law was to be valid
unless approved 1^ the governor and ratified by the
company. With great liberality it was also conceded
that no regulations of the company should bind the
colonists unless ratified by the general assembly.
Emigrants continued to arrive frequently from
England, but nearly all were men, who came for the
purpose of obtaining wealth, and intended eventu¬
ally to return. With such views, they were evidently
less useful to the colony than if they should be in¬
duced to re«ard it as their home, and as the abode
viae (NIA.
•f their posterity. To produce this desii-able attach¬
ment to the country, ninety girls of spotless char¬
acter were sent over, at the expense of the company,
in the year 1620, and sixty more in the subsequent
year. The company required that, when married to
planters not in the service of the corporation, the
husbands should pay the expense of transportation,
which was first established at one hundred, and after¬
wards at one hundred and fifty, pounds of tobacco,
then Billing at three shillings the pound ; and it was
ordained that debts contracted for wives should be paid
in preference to all others.
About the same time, another measure of a different
character was adopted. The company were ordered
by the king to transport to Virginia one hundred idle
and dissolute persons then in custody for their offences.
They were distributed through the colonies, and em¬
ployed as laborers. Being removed from the tempta¬
tions which surrounded them in England, and ftunished
with constant employment, they abandoned their vi¬
cious courses, and many became usefiil and respectable
citizens. Afterwards, banishment to the plantations
was not an uncommon punishment for minor offences.
As the company defi'ayed all the expenses of settling
the colony, they reserved the exclusive right of carry¬
ing on its commerce. In 1620, they relinquished this
monopoly. The fi-ee competition produced by this
change was advantageous to the colony ; but in the
absence of restiiction, a traffic was introduced dis¬
graceful to civilization, and now affiicting the soul
with the constant fear of the terrible visitations of re¬
tributive Justice. A Dutch vessel brought into James
River twenty Afi'icans, who were immediately pur¬
chased as slaves.
It is a fact, of sufficient importance to be recorded,
that the first attempt to cultivate cotton, now the prin¬
cipal article of export from the republic, was made in
the year 1621. The seeds were planted as an experi¬
ment, and their " plentiful coming up ' was a subject
of interest both in America and in England.
ÍÍO lllHTOKY Ol' TlIE UNiTliD S'J'ytT íiS.
'íiic colony »vas now in tlic full tide of prosperity
its numbers iiad greatly increased, and its settlements
were widely extended. At peace witli the Indians, it
reposed in perfect security, and enjoyed without alloy
all the happiness which its Ibrtunate situation and
iàvorable prospects afforded. It was doomed to ex¬
perience a reverse of fortune, sudden, distressing, and
ten-ible.
Powhatan, the friend of the English, was dead.
Opecaneanough, a chief endowed with all those qual¬
ities which give rank and reputation to an Indian
wanior, had succeeded him in his influence and
power, but he was the secret and implacable enemy
of the whites By his art and eloquence, he united
all the neighboring tribes in the homble design of
destroying every man, woman, and child in the Eng¬
lish settlements.
The plan was concerted and matured with all the
secrecy and dissimulation which characterize the sav¬
ages. Wiiile intent on their plot, they visited the
settlements, lodged in the houses, bought arms of the
English, and even borrowed their boats to enable them
to accompliáh their barbarous purpose. On the even¬
ing before the fatal day, they brought them presents
of game, and the next morning came freely among
them, behaving as usual. Suddenly, precisely at mid¬
day, the blow fell, at the same instant, upon the un¬
suspecting settlers ; and three hundred and forty-seven
men, women, .and children were victijns to savage
treachery and cruelty.
The massacre would have been more extensive had
not a domesticated Indian, residing in one of the vil¬
lages, revealed the plot to his master, whom he had
been solicited to murder. Infornjation was instantly
given to some of the nearest settlements, and just in
rime to save theni from the calamity which fell upon
the others.
The horrid spectacle before them roused the English
from repose to vengeance. A vindictive and exter¬
minating war succeeded» Tiic whites were victorious,
VIRGINIA,
31
destroying many of their enemies, and obliging the
remainder to retire far into the wilderness. But their
own number melted away before the miseries of War ;
their settlements were reduced from eighty to eight,
and famine again visited them with its afflicting
scourge. In 1624, out of nine thousand persons, who
had been sent fi-om England, but eighteen hundred
existed in the colony.
These continual misfortunes furnished to King
James a pretext for interfering in the concerns of the
compaay. It contained many men of rank and talents,
some belonging to the court and some to the country
party ; and they were accustomed, in their meetings,
to discuss the measures of the crown with all the
freedom of a popular body. Several attempts which
he had made to control the decisions of the company
had been defeated. He now gave them notice that,
unless they should surrender their charter, a suit
would be instituted to dissolve the corporation. They
refused to surrender it ; a suit was instituted ; and
the court of King's Bench, in 1624, dissolved the cor¬
poration, and all its powers were revested in the
crown.
The king thereupon issued a special commission
appointing a governor and twelve councillors, to whom
the entire direction of the colony was committed.
He began to prepare a legislative code for the colony,
but died before he had completed it His successor,
Charles I., appointed Sir Gleorge Yeardly governor, to
whom, and to his council, he committed the whole
legislative and executive power, and instructed them
to conform exactly to such orders as should be re¬
ceived from him. They were empowered to seize
the property of the late company, and apply it to the
public use ; and to transport accused colonists tq Eng¬
land, to be punished there for crimes committed in
Virginia. The king also exacted a monopoly of the
trade in tobacco, — almost the only article of expon
from the colony, — and appointed agents to whose
management it was entirely intrusted.
32
HISTORY OP THE UNITED S'lATES.
Under such arbitrary regulations the people lived
and sufTered until the year 1636 Sir John Harvey
then held the office of governor. He was haughty,
rapacious, unfeeling, and fitted, by his disposition, to
exercise power in the spirit of his instructions. The
council " thrust him out of his office," and appointed
Captain John West to officiate until the king's pleas¬
ure should be known. And they sent to England two
deputies to represent to the king the grievances oí
the colony and the governor's misconduct Harvey
consented to go, also, and there meet his accusers.
The king, indignant that his officer should be thus
treated by his colonial subjects, received the deputies
sternly, and sent back the governor invested with all
his former powers. He was, however, superseded, in
1639, by the appointment of Sir Francis Wyatt ; and
in 1641, Sir William Berkeley was appointed governor.
Me was respectable for his rank and abilities, and dis¬
tinguished by his integrity and the miioness of his
temper. At this time, dissension existed between the
king and parliament ; and soon after the civU war be¬
gan, which, continuing several years, ended in tho
execution of the king, and the establishment of the
commonwealth, with Cromwell for Protector of its
liberties. During this war, many Cavaliers, as the ad¬
herents of the king were called, sought refuge from
danger in Virginia, or repaired thither after being
ruined by misfortunes and casualties inseparable from
civil commotions. Nearly the whole population en¬
tertained the same religious opinions as themselves,
and they found in Berkeley a man of courtly manners
and congenial political sentiments ; and so popular
was he with all the people, and so judicious and cor¬
rect was his administration of public aifairs, that the
colonists, through all the troubles in England, adhered
to the royal cause, and continued faithful even after
the king was dethroned, and his son driven into exile.
Virginia was not free from the intolerant spirit of
tlie age. In 1643, it was specially ordered that no
minister should preach or teach, publicly or privately.
VIRGINIA.
33
except iu conformity to the constittitions of the Church
of England, and non-conformists were banished from
the colony. Certain ministers of Boston, having come
by invitation to Virginia, to preach to Pmitan congre¬
gations there, were silenced by those in authority, and
compelled to leave the country.
In 1649, Charles tlie First was beheaded, and the
house of lords suppressed. The house of commons,
now exercising the supreme power in England, was
not disposed to permit its authority to be questioned
in Virginia» In 1652, a fleet, imder Sir George Ayscue,
was sent to reduce it to obedience. Berkeley collect¬
ed a force to resist this fleet ; but foreseeing that re¬
sistance woidd be unavailing, he agreed to capitulate,
and obtmned the most favorable terms for himself and
the colony. Retiring from all public affairs, he lived
beloved and respected by the people. Richard Ben¬
nett, who, imder the administration of Berkeley, had
'been compelled to leave Virginia, and who had now
returned in tlie fleet, was chosen governor by the as¬
sembly.
So long as the house of commons and the Protector
retained the control over England, Virginia appears
to have been ruled by governors professing the same
political principles ; yet no public demonstration was
made of attachment to Cromwell. Churchmen and
Cavaliers, unwilling to remain where their adversaries
in religion as well as politics reigned triumphant, con¬
tinued to flock to the colony. Virginia was, therefore,
less favored by the paramount government than New
England, whose inhabitants, like the predominant
party in Great Brittiin, were republicans in politics
and Pmitans in religion. At length the sudden death
of Governor Matthews, in March, 1660, afibrded the
adherents of the royal cause a favorable opportunity,
which they gladly seized, to invite Berkeley to resume
the authority of governor. He was elected by the
assembly, accepted the ofiice, and Charles IL, who was
restored and proclaimed king a few months after¬
wards, immediately sent him a royal commission.
3i HISTORY OF TUE UNITED STATES.
He was instructed to summon an assembly; and to
give assurance of the king's intention to grant pardon
to all who were not attainted by parliament, piovided
all acts passed during the rebellion, derogating from
the obedience due to the king, should be repealed.
Tiie assembly, when met, proceeded to revise the
laws, assigning, as a motive, their wish " to expunge
all unnecessary acts, and chiefly such as might keep
in memory tlieir forced deviation from his majesty's
obedience." The Church of England was established
by law, and no one was permitted to preach unless
ordained by some bishop in England. The day of
the execution of Charles 1 was ordered to be kept as
a fast, and the anniversaries of the birth and of the
restoration of Chaides 11 to be celebrated as holy-
days. Other laws, regulating the interior affairs of
the colony, were passed ; among which was one to
encom-age the manufacture of silk. Every person
was enjoined to plant a number of mulberry trees pro¬
portioned to his quantity of land ; and a premium of
tifty pounds of tobacco was promised for every pound
of silk manufiictiu-ed.
An act was also passed ordaining that all Quakers
should be banished from the colony ; and that those
who should obstinately persist in retm-niug, should be
prosecuted as felons. In 1663, John Porter, one of
the bm-gesses, was represented to the assembly as
being " loving to the Quakers." He confessed he was
well affected towards them ; upon which the oaths of
allegiance and supremacy were tendered to him, which
he refused to take, and was expelled.
Charles IL, with characteristic ingratitude, neglected
tlie interests of the colony which had been faithful to
him beyond all others. He imposed restrictions upon
its commerce, and granted to his favorites large tracts
of land which belonged to the colony. Exorbitant
taxes were levied, and the avails appropriated to pay
extravagant salaries, or foolishly squandered. The peo¬
ple became discontented and clamorous ; and riunors
of Indian hostilities, fi-om which the govemmcnt took
VIllüINIA.
35
no active measures to defend them, influced them to
take up arms, which they felt as well disposed to use
to relieve themselves from oppression as to resist or
attack the savages.
In tliis state of excitement and alarm, the people
looked around for a leader ; and their attention was
soon fixed upon Nathaniel Bacon. He was young,
liad been educated in London as a lawyer, had re¬
cently emigrated to Virginia, and established himself
on a plantation near Richmond. He soon became
distinguisheà for his eloquence, activity, and talents ;
and though " popularly mclined," and for that reason
distnisted by the governor, was, after a short residence
in the colony, appointed a member of the council.
He partook of the general excitement, mingled with
the people, and was chosen their leader. He imme¬
diately communicated to the governor all the circum¬
stances attending his election, and requested that a
commission might be issued confirming it In ex¬
pectation of receiving this commission, he collected
about six hundred men, and marched at their head
against the Indians. But the governor, instead of
granting the commission, issued a proclamation com¬
manding the insurgents to disperse, on pain of being
punished as traitors ; and he moreover summoned to
his standard such men as were yet faithful, and pur¬
sued them. He had not proceeded far when intelli¬
gence overtook him of a formidable insurrection in
the neighborhood of Jamestown. He returned to the
capital, and there found that the inhabitants of the
central and lower counties had risen in arms, and, un¬
der the command of Ingram and Walklate, were ex¬
ercising the powers of government.
The haughty spirit of the governor was compelled
to stoop to concession. He granted some of the de¬
mands of the insurgents, dissolved the old assembly,
which had become unpopular, and issued writs for a
new election. In this election, the malcontents were
Eucco.ssful, —. a strong pi oof that the people were suf-
leiing under oppression, — and Bacon himself was
36 insTORY OF THE UNITF.D STATES.
chosen a member from Heiiru a. In the mean time, he
had surprised some of tiie suspected Indians, and made
them prisoners ; and hearing, on his return, of the in¬
surrection at Jamestown, he left his army, and set out,
with a few followers, for that place, hoping to procure
the recall of the proclamation. On his way, he was
taken prisoner, and sent as such to Jamestown.
The new assembly was then in session, and Bacon
was surrounded by his friends. The proclamation
was recalled, and Bacon admitted to his seat in the
council; but tlie governor refused to grant him the
commission of general. Fearing treachery, he se¬
cretly withdrew, collected and harangued the people,
and in a few days reappeared in the city at the head
of five hundred men. The governor, advancing to¬
wards the troops, and baring his breast, cried, "A
fair mark I shoot !" "1 will not," said Bacon, " hmt a
hair of yoiu* head, nor of any man's ; we are come for
the commission, to save our lives fiom the Indians."
The governor at length yielded, signed the commis¬
sion, and Bacon and his followers again prepared to
march against the savages.
A transient calm succeeded; but when the troops
were on the point of marching, the wounded pride of the
governor impelled him to issue another proclamation,
denouncing Bacon as a traitor. Bacon tlien requested
the people to meet in convention at Williamsburg, to
devise means to rescue the colony from the tyraimy of
Berkeley. The convention met, many distinguished
men attending it, and an oath was taken by all present
to assist General Bacon, not only in his war with the
Indians, but against all his enemies. He and bis troops
then marched into the country of the savages, met
them near the falls of James Kiver, attacked and de¬
feated them.
In the mean time, the governor, who had retired to
Accomac, gained, by stratagem, possession of several
armed vessels which lay in the river, and collected a
force of six hundred men, with which he resolved to
recover his former authority. He entered the capital
VIRGINIA.
37
«Vitliout difficulty ; but Bacon, returning from his In¬
dian expedition, compelled him to abandon it He
then set it on fire, and it was wholly consumed.
Berkeley retimied to Accomac. Bacon dismissed his
followers, exacting from them a promise to return to
his standard on the first notice of any new attempt of
the governor to disturb the public tranquillity. Short¬
ly atlerwards he was taken sick and died; and, no
person being found among the insin-gents qualified to
supply his place as the general of an army or as a
popular loader, they laid down their arms and dis¬
persed.
Gioyernor Berkeley again assumed the supreme
authority, and finding the rebels in his power, pursued
them with unsparing rigor. His nature seems to
have been changed ; nothing gave him so much de¬
light as the sufferings of his defenceless victims.
Many were tried by courts martial and executed.
The assembly at length interfered, praying him to
stop the work of death, and enacted laws which grad¬
ually restored tranquillity. Soon after. Sir William
returned to England, expecting to receive the applause
of his sovereign, with whom he had been a favorite ;
but he received censure for his cruelty, which inflicted
so deep a wound as to cause his death a few months
after he landed. His authority devolved upon Colonel
Jeffreys, the lieutenant-governor, by whom peace was
concluded with the Indians; and thus was removed
one of the causes which prevented the prosperity of
the colony.
dust after the execution of Charles I., a grant was
made to a company of Cavaliers of that part of Virginia
called the Northern Neck; in 1669, this grant was
surrendered, and another issued for the same territory
to Lord Culpepper, who had purchased the shares of
the company ; and in 1673, Charles H, with thought¬
less prodigality, made to the same lord, and to the earl
of Arlington, the lavish grant of « all the dominion of
land and water called Virginia," for the full term of
thirty-one years. These grants were among the causes
SS IIISTORY OF TUE UNITED STATES.
of the discontent which preceded Bacon's rébellion.
Lord Culpepper, represented as one of the most cun¬
ning and covetous men in England, was afterwards
appointed governor for life, and arrived in the colony
early in the year 1660. He persuaded the assembly,
at its fii-st session, to pass an act imposing a perpetual
export duty of two shillings a hogshead on tobacco,
the proceeds to be applied to the support of govern¬
ment, and to be accounted for, not to the assembly,
but to the king. Thus was the colony deprived of the
strongest safeguard of liberty, and the most efficient
check to the tjTanny of rulers.
Lord Culpepper was not less careful of his own
interests than of those of the crown. The salary of
governor was before one thousand pounds ; for him,
being a peer, it was doubled ; and an additional grant
of one hundred and sixty poimds" was made for house-
rent ; amoimting in all to ten thousand dollars of our
money. After spending the summer thus profitably in
Virginia, he embarked, in August, for London.
The price of tobacco, the chief product of the colo¬
ny, was continually faffing ; the taxes were continually
increasing ; of course, distress was felt, and murmurs
followed. To remedy the evil of tlie depreciation of
tobacco, the project was discussed of uniting with
Maryland in forbidding the planting of it for one year.
As this could not be effected in time, bands of people
visited different parts of the colony, and destroyed the
young plants, when it was too late to replace tliem.
It cannot be doubted that severe suffering drove the
people to this violation of law, as absurd as it was
criminal. Several of these plant-cutters, as they were
called, were tried, convicted, and hung.
At the command of tire king. Lord Culpepper re¬
turned to the colony ; he restored quiet, not by grant¬
ing relief, but by increase of severity. Again leaving
the colony, and neglecting for some time to return to
it, his commission was taken fi'om him, and Lord How-
Bi'd of Effingham was appointed his successor. The
Virginians hoped to derive benefit from tlie change.
VIRGINIA. 39
f)ut were disappointed. Lord Howard, like most of
the governors sent from England to the colonies, came,
not to promote the prosperity of his people, but to re¬
trieve his fortune, or to gratify his avarice; and his
conduct was in conibrmity with his views.
But yet Virginia continued to increase in population,
and doubtless also in wealth. The climate was agree¬
able, the land fertile, and various causes impelled
various classes of people — the unfortunate, the op¬
pressed, the dissatisfied, and the adventurous — to
repair thither. Under James IL, many, convicted of
political offences, and many rogues and pilferers, were
transported to the colony, and indented to the plant¬
ers. In 1688, the population was estimated at 60,000.
Nearly all of these were actual laborers ; and labor upon
a virgin soil yielded rich returns.
The people, even at this late period, did not live in
towns nor villages : a cluster of three houses was not
often witnessed. They dwelt in lonely cottages scat¬
tered along the streams, or on pathways rather than
roads. These cottages were of wood, often of logs,
and most of them ivithout windows of glass. Visits
were made in boats or on horseback, and the traveller
paid his expenses, when he paid any thing, in tobacco.
Many parishes were a day's journey in extent; and
numbers lived so remote from churches that they
seldom visited them. No schools existed ; learning
was therefore a distinction confined to the few who
had been educated in England, or who had parents
able and willing to perform the task of teacher. No
printing-press was allowed ; few books were accessi¬
ble ; no newspaper came daily or weekly to enliven
the monotony of the family, to enlighten the intellect,
nor to cherish the noble or excite the baneful passions.
A few of the planters were wealthy, and, surrounded
by indented servants and slaves, lived like feudal
barons. The lofty spfrit of the colonists often im¬
pelled them to resist oppression when it became in¬
tolerable ; but their veneration for the monarch and
tlie church blinded them to 'the encroachments of
40 HISTOlir OF THE UNITED STATES.
;,ower, and led them to sinrender, without knowing
t, the surest safeguards of liberty.
From this time to the commencement of the French
war of 1756, an account of which wiU be found in a
subsequent chapter, but few events occurred in the
colony of sufficient importance to find a place in his¬
tory. Its position, remote from the settlements of the
French in Canada, and of the Spaniards in Florida,
was favorable to its quiet New England and New
York on the one hand, Georgia and the Carolinas on
the other, protected it from savage incursions. Its
affairs were administered by governors appointed by
the king, and representatives chosen by the people.
The laudable eflforts of these representatives to ar¬
rest the progress of slavery in the colony, ought not to
be passed over in silence. Convinced of its inhumanity,
and foreseeing the dreadful evils which it must produce,
they often passed laws prohibiting the importation of
slaves ; but those who were higher in authority, yield¬
ing to the wishes of merchants engaged in the traffic,
persisted, with criminal obstinacy, in withholding their
assent England, not America, is responsible for the
wretchedness, which her kings and her officers were
often importuned, but refused, to avert.
CHAPTER IIL
MASSACHUSETTS.
It has already been stated, that to the Plymouth
Company, so called because the principal members
resided in and near Plymouth in England, was granted
all the country between the southern boundary of
New York and the Bay of Passamaquoddy. This
country, at that time, was called North Virginia. In
1606, the company despatched a ship to make discov-
MASSACHUSETTS.
41
eries within the limits of its grant Before the voyage
was completed, she was captured by the Spaniards,
Who claimed the exclusive right of navigating the seas
of the new hemisphere. Another ship, afterwards
sent for the same purpose, brought back such favor-
airie accounts of the territory, that the company were
encouraged to make fmlher efibrts.
The next year, two ships, commanded by Raleigh
Gilbert, were sent over, with forty-five men, to establish
a plantation imder the presidency of George Popham.
Those most active in despatching this expedition were
Popham, chief justice of England, and Gorges, gov-
enior of Plymouth. The men landed near the mouth
of the Kennebec, called their settlement St. George,
and the ships returned home. The winter was in¬
tensely cold ; the emigrants, by an accidental fire, lost
a part of their provisions ; they grew weary of their
solitude ; and, in 1608, returned to England, in ships
which brought them provisions and succors.
For several years, no more emigrants were sent
over ; but vessels often came to fish on the coast, and
the traffic with the Indians in furs was pursued with
profit In 1614, John Smith, the same who acted a
conspicuous part in the settlement of Virginia, en¬
gaged, with four others, in a trading adventure on
their own account, and sailed to the coast of Maine.
While some of the men were fishing, he surveyed the
coast from the Penobscot to Cape Cod, carrying on,
at the same time, a traffic in furs with the Indians.
What is now Cape Ann he called Tragabigzanda, in
honor of the Turkish lady to whom he had formerly
been a slave ; the three small islands, near this cape,
he called the Three Turks' Heads, in honor of his vic¬
tory over the three Turkish champions. He discov¬
ered the islands now called the Isles of Shoals, and
named them Smith's Isles. On his return to England,
after a profitable voyage of seven months' duration, he
presented to Prince Charles a map of the country, and
gave him such a glowing description of its beauty and
vol.. 1. 4
42 ^ uisTony of the united states.
excellence, that he, in the warmth of his admiration,
declared it should bear the name of New England,
Smith afterwards made an attempt to transport a
colony thither, which was unsuccessful; and New
England might long have remained the abode of wild
beasts and savages only, had not motives more power¬
ful than the love of gain, or of perilous adventures,
impelldft men, differing from all others who had been
the founders of colonies, to select it as the place of
their residence.
In the beginning of the seventeenth centiu^, James
the First asserted and maintained a despotic power
over the consciences of his English subjects. All who
presumed to dissent from the creed which he had
adopted were persecuted with extreme rigor. In that
age, the maxim was avowed by ecclesiastics of all sects,
as Tvell as politicians, that uniformity in religion was
essential to the repose of society, and that it was there¬
fore the right and duty of every sovereign to preserve
it in his dominions, by the exercise of all his powers
of restraint and punishment.
But free inquiry had lately received such an impulse
from the success of Luther and the other reformers,
that the civil authority was unable to arrest or control
iL Various sects arose, dissenting from the established
religion, and all distinguished by their democratic
tenets respecting church govemmenL Persecuted at
home, a small number, belonging to a sect which were
afterwards called Independents, determined to remove
to Protestant Holland, which bad lately, after a long
contest, succeeded, by the aid of England, in achieving
its independence of Catholic Spain. They composed
a congregation, whose pastor was the Rev. John Rob¬
inson, and whose ruling elder was William Brewster,
who had served as a diplomatist in Holland. Their
first attempt to leave their country was resisted and
prevented by officers of the govemmenL The next
spring, 1608, they assembled on an imfi-equented heath
in Lincolnshire, to prepare to embark in the night
MASSACHUSETTS.
43
The weather was tempestuous, and while a part were
on their way in boats to the ship, a troop of horsemen
appeared, and seized the women and children, who
had not yet adventured on the suril But these were
released by the magistrates, the men having got be¬
yond their reach, and were permitted to depart with
tlieir husbands and fathers. — Such was the beginning
of the wanderings of the Pilgrims.
They remained at Amsterdam one year, and then
removed to Leyden. In this seat of learning, they
were regaided and treated with high respect. In the
disputes against Arminianism, Robinson was selected as
the champion of Orthodoxy. But their residence there
soon became unpleasant. For their support, many
were compelled to learn mechanical trades. They
feared lest the dissolute manners of the disbanded
sol diers and sailors should contaminate their children ;
and more that, by intermarriages with the Hollanders,
the little band should melt away, and the true faith be
lost. They heard, in their retreat, of the voyages of
Gosnold, Smith, and Hudson ; of the enterprises of
Raleigh, Delaware, and Gilbert ; and resolved to seek, in
the New World, a place of abode for themselves alone,
where none could molest nor contaminate them, and
into which error could not enter.
They despatched Robert Cushman and John Carver
to England, to obtain a grant of land from the London
or South Virginia Company. These agents carried
with them a letter from Robinson and Brewster.
" We are well weaned," said they, "from the delicate
milk of the mother country, and inured to the difficul¬
ties of a strange land ; we are knit together by a strict
and sacred bond, by virtue of which we hold ourselves
bound to take care of the good of each other and of
the whole. It is not with us as with other men, whom
small things can discourage, and small discontents
cause to wish themselves home again."
A grant was promised ; but the king declined giving
an explicit assurance that they should enjoy their re¬
ligious opinions unmolested. The most they could
4
HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES
obtain was an intimation that he would forbear ta
molest them. The agents returned to consult the
congregation. They concluded, after deliberation, to
proceed. A grant was obtained ; and an arrangement
was made with merchants of London to furnish tlie
means of transportation. Two small ships were pro¬
vided ; but as these could not carry the whole congre¬
gation, it was determined that Robinson and a part of
the brethren should remain, for the present, at Ley-
den, and that Brewster, the elder, should conduct the
emigrants. They were to repair to Southampton, in
England, and to sail thence for America.
&ibre their departure from Leyden, a solemn fiist
was held. " I charge you before God and his blessed
angels," said Robinson, in his farewell sermon, " that
you follow me no farther than you have «een me fol¬
low the Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord has more truth
yet to break forth out of his holy word. I cannot
suiScien.tly bewail the condition of the reformed
churches, who are come to a period in religion, and
will go at present no farther than the instruments of
their reformation. — Luther and Calvin were great
and shining lights in their times, yet they penetrated
not into the whole counsel of God. — 1 beseech you
remember it, 'tis an article of your church covenant,
that you be ready to receive whatever truth shall be
made known to you from the written word of God."
Most of the brethren accompanied the emigrants to
the harbor, when Robinson, kneeling in prayer by the
sea side, gave to their embarkation the sanctity of a
religious rite. At Southampton, they went on hoard
the Speedwell and Mayflower, and set sail for America.
But they had not gone far from land when some he-
came disheartened, and the captain of the Speedwell
pretended that his ship was too weak for the service.
They put back to Plymouth, and left behind them all
the hesitating and the timid. On the Gth of Septem¬
ber, 1620, the Mayflower, bearing the most resolute,
consisting in the whole of one hundred and two per¬
sons, took her final departure for America.
MASSACHUSETTS.
45
The captain was directed to steer for Hudson's River,
near which the land which had been granted to them
was situated ; but the Dutch, who claimed the exclu¬
sive right of trading in that region, had promised him
a reward, when in Holland, if he would carry them
fiirther north. After a long and boisterous voyage of
sixty-five days, during which one person died, they
entered the harbor of Cape Cod.
Some symptoms of faction having appeared among
the sei-vants on the voyage, a solemn voluntary com¬
pact, after iflature deliberation, was formed, to serve
as a basis of government "lir the name of God,
amen ; we, whose names are underwritten, the loyal
subjects of our dread sovereign King James, having
undertaken, for the glory of God, and advancement of
the Christian faith, and honor of our king and country,
a voyage to plant the first colony in the northern parts
of Virginia, do by these presents solemnly and mu¬
tually, in the presence of God, and one of another,
covenant and combine oiurselves together into a civil
body politic, for our better ordering, and preservation,
and furtherance of the ends aforesaid ; 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 convenient
for the general good of the colony. Unto which we
promise all due submission and obedience."
All the men, forty-one in number, signed this first
of written constitutions ; and John Carver was unani¬
mously chosen governor for the year.
The emigrants were well aware that they were be¬
yond the limits of the South Virginia Company ; but
it was now too late in the season to put again to sea :
and they determined to land at the first place they
could find suitable for a settlement. While exploring
the coast, they suffered much from cold and fatigue
At length, on the 11th of December, old style, they
landed at a place which they called New Plymouth
Here and around all was desolate and gloomy. Thi
ocean, sterile sands, and dismal forests, were the only
40 HISTOftY OF THE UNITED STATES.
objects that met their view. The severity of the cold,
greater than they had ever experienced, admonished
them to seek protection against it ; and their first em¬
ployment was the erection of huts in the most con¬
venient and sheltered situations. In these miserable
abodes they passed the winter—those at least who siy-
vived iL By the succeeding spring, one half of their
number had perished, exhausted by continual suffer
iiig, and by the privation of every worldly comfort
which they had been accustomed to enjoy.
Among those who died was John Carver, the gov¬
ernor ; William Bradford was chosen his successor.
The next spring, other emigrants came, but unprovided
with food ; and for six months the whole colony was
put upon half allowance. Once they were saved from
tiimishing by the benevolence of fishermen off the
coast ; sometimes they were compelled to pay exorbi¬
tant prices for provisions ; but, in a few years, their
provident care in cultivating the earth secured to
them a sufficiency of food.
The Indians who dwelt in the vicinity of the settle¬
ment were not numerous. Massasoit, sachem of the
IVampanoags, whose territory lay between Taunton
and Providence Rivers, came to visit them. He had
had some intercourse with English traders, and was
desirous of opening a traffic with the settlement ; and,
being at war with the Narragansetts, he was moreover
anxious to strengthen himself by seeming the friend
ship of the English. A treaty was made which was
long and faithfully observed. Canonicus, sachem of
the Narragansetts, at -first proffered friendship, but
afterwards sent a bimdle of arrows wTapped in the
skin of a rattlesnake, in token of defiance. Bradford
sent back the skin stuffed with powder and ball, and
the sachem, terrified, then solicited peace.
Upon application of the emigrants, the Plymouth
Company made them a grant of land ; but they were
never incorporated by the king. Their voluntary
compact was their only charter. To aid their gov¬
ernor, they chose, at first five, and afterwards seven,
MASSACHUSETTS.
47
assistants. The excellent Robinson died at Leyden ;
but the remainder of his people, and with them his
wife and children, emigrated to New Plymouth. In
the year 1630, their whole number amounted to three
hundred.
In the mean time, the same causes that drove Mr.
Robinson and his congregation from England had
continued to operate. A class of dissenters, denomi¬
nated Puritans from the austerity of their manners, and
from their claims to superior purity in worship and
discipline, had become numerous ; and as, by their
new mode of worship, they violated the laws of the
land, they were prosecuted as criminals. Their faith
was confirmed and their zeal increased by their suf¬
ferings; and having learned that complete religious
freedom was enjoyed at New Plymouth, in America,
they naturally directed their thoughts to that country
as a secure asylum from persecution.
In 1628, an association of men of that sect, residing
at Dorchester and London, was formed for the purpose
of planting a colony in New England, to which they
and "the best" of their brethren might repair, and in
seclusion and safety worship God according to the
dictates of conscience. Among them were Endicott,
Winthrop, Dudley, Johnson, Pynchon, Saltonstall, and
Bellingham — names afterwards distinguished in early
colonial annals. They availed themselves, by pur¬
chase, of a grant made by the Plymouth Company to
two of their number and others, of a tract of Itmd now
constituting a part of the state of Massachusetts, ano
sent over, under the direction of John Endicott, e
small number of people to begin a plantation. These,
in September, landed at a place called, by the Indians,
Naumkeag, and by themselves, Salem ; a place which
had before been selected by Roger Conant, an enthu¬
siast of courage and energy.
The next year, they obtained a charter from the
crown, by which the usual powers of a corporation
were conferred upon the grantees, by the name of the
"Governor and Company of Massachusetts Bay, in
48 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES.
New England." It ordained, that the officers of the
company should be a governor, a deputy-governor,
and eighteen assistants, to be named, in the first in¬
stance, by the crown, and afterwards elected by the
corporation. Four stated meetings of all the members
were to be held annually, under the denomination of
the General Court, at which they were authorized to
admit freemen or members, and to make such ordi¬
nances or laws, not repugnant to the laws of England,
as they might deem expedient. The colonists, and
their descendants, were declared to be entitled to all
the rights of natural bom English subjects.
At a General Court, held at London, in 1629, the
ofiicers prescribed by the charter were elected, and
several ordinances were adopted for the government
of the company. In their instructions to Endicott,
they say, " If any of the salvages pretend right of in¬
heritance to all or any part of the lands granted in our
patent, we pray you endeavor to purchase their tytle,
that we may avoid the least scruple of intrusion."
" Particularly publish that no wrong or injury be of¬
fered to the natives." Two hundred people were sent
over, increasing the number to three hundred, of whom
one hundred, dissatisfied with the situation of Salem,
removed to Charlestown. Religion was the first ob-
ject of their care in the country they had adopted. A
religious covenant was agreed upon, and a confession
of faith drawn up, to which their assent was given.
Pastors were chosen, and were, from necessity, in¬
stalled into their sacred offices by the imposition of
the hands of the brethren.
Among the emigrants were two, John Brown and
Samuel Brown, who insisted upon the use of the lit
urgy of the Episcopal church. Both were members
of the colonial council, and were favorites of the cor¬
poration in England. But it was to escape from
bishops, and the forms and ceremonies of that church,
that they had abandoned their native land. Should
not the forests of Massachusetts be safe from the in
trusión of the persecuting and dreaded hierarchy?
MASSACHUSETTS.
49
The charter conferred on the company the right of
expelling from the land they had purchased any per¬
son whose presence might be deemed prejudicial to
Its welfare. Endicott sent back the Browns to Eng¬
land in the returning ships.
The ensuing winter was a period of uncommon
suffering and sickness. The cold was intense ; the
houses were unfinished ; the provisions were insuf¬
ficient and unwholesome. Before spring, nearly half
their number perished, "lamenting that they could
not live t« see the rising glories of the faithful."
These calamities had some effect in deterring others
from joining them ; but the consideration that the
general courts were held, the officers elected, and the
laws enacted, in London, had still greater influence.
It did not comport with the views and feelings of
those who disdained to submit to authority in matters
of faith, to consent to remove to the New World, and
there be governed by laws which they could have no
part in enacting. Representations to this eflèct were
made to the company, who resolved that the govern¬
ment and patent should be removed to Massachusetts.
This wise resolution gave such encouragement to
emigration, that, in 1630, more than fifteen hundred
persons came over, and founded Boston and several
adjacent towns. Of these persons, all were respect¬
able, and many were from illustrious and noble fam¬
ilies. Having been accustomed to a life of ease and
enjoyment, their sufferings, the first year, were great,
and proved fatal to many ; among others, to the Lady
Arabella, who, to use the words of an early historian
of the country, " came from a paradise of plenty and
pleasure, in the family of a noble earl, into a wilder¬
ness of wants, and, although celebrated for her many
virtues, yet was not able to encounter the adversity
she was surrounded with ; and, in about a month
after her amval, she ended her days at Salem, whero
she first landed." Mr. Johnson, her husband, over¬
come with grief, survived her but a short time.
Before December, two hundred perished. On the
VOL. I. 5
50
HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES.
24th of that month, the cold became intense. Such a
Christmas eve they had never before known. Vet the
inclemency of the weather continued to increase.
They were almost destitute of provisions, and many
were obliged to subsist on clams, muscles, and other
shell-fish, with nuts and acorns instead of bread.
Many more died ; but, in this extremity, that ardor of
conviction which impelled them to emigrate, remained
in full force, and they met, with a firm, unshaken
spirit, the calamities which assailed them.
One great object of the Puritans, in retiring to the
unoccupied regions of New England, was the estab¬
lishment of a religious commonwealth, as nearly upon
the model ofthat of the Jews as the difference of cir¬
cumstances would admit. To accomplish this object,
they deemed it necessary, and at a general court, held
in 1631, they ordained, that none but those who had
made a profession of reUgion, and had become mem¬
bers of some church, should be admitted members of
the corporation, or enjoy the privilege of voting.
This law has been too severely censured by those
who have lived in more liberal and enlightened times.
It contradicted none of the professions of the Puritans.
It was in strict accordance with the avowed motives
of their emigration. It exliibited less intolerance than
was then displayed by every other nation. It violated
the rights of no one, for no one could claim a right to
come into the territory which they had purchased.
And it was doubtless essential — such was then the
temper of men's minds — to the repose of their little
society.
The colonists had frequently been alarmed, but
never yet attacked, by the Indians. These were not,
in fact, in a condition to do much injury. A few
years before the arrival of the English, a contagious
distemper swept away a great number, almost exter¬
minating several tribes. In 1633, the small-pox de¬
stroyed many who had survived the pestilence ; and
the territory contiguous to the first settlements of the
English seemed to have been providentially made
MASSACHUÍSETTS.
51
racaiit Ibr their reception. As an attack from this
quarter was, however, possible, and as the French,
who had a trading establishment at Acadia, had dis¬
covered some symptoms of hostility, it was thought
advisable to erect fortifications at Boston and other
places, and to open a correspondence with their neigh¬
bors at New Plymouth.
So far from the capital had the settlements extend¬
ed, that it was found extremely inconvenient for all
the freemen to assemble and transact the necessary
public bBsiness. In 1634, the mode of legislation was
altered by the general consent of the towns. They
delegated to twenty-four representatives the authority
granted, by the charter, to the whole body of freemen.
This important alteration was adopted the more read
ily, as the emigrants had been familiar, in their na¬
tive country, with the representative system. The ap
pellation of General Court, which had been applied to
all the freemen when assembled, was now transferred
to their representatives.
In 1631, a young clergyman, Hoger Williams, ar¬
rived at Boston from England, a fugitive from perse¬
cution. He was gifted as a preacher, singular in
many of his notions, and fond of manifesting his sin¬
gularities. He, as well as those among whom he
came, entertained the opinion "that every man had a
right to worship God according to the dictates of his
own conscience ; and he had the merit of going even
a step farther, believing that the civil authority had
no right to enact any law whatever in regard to re¬
ligion. The people of Salem desired him for their
teacher, but were dissuaded by the magistrates of
Boston from electing him ; and he withdrew to New
Plymouth. Upon the death of the Rev. Mr. Shelton,
of Salem, he returned to that town, and was then cho¬
sen its pastor. His singularities then became impor¬
tant in the eyes of the magistrates of the colony. He
had refused, and taught others to refuse, to take the
Ireeman's oath ; he caused the church of Salem to
ill HISTOKY OF THE UNITED STATES,
send lettera of admonition to the church at Boston^
and several others, accusing the magistrates, who wem
members, of divers offences, and admitting no church
to he pure hut that of Salem ; he persuaded Mr. En-
dicott to cut the cross out of the king's colors, as be¬
ing a relic of antichristian superstition ; and many of
the militia refused to train under colors so mutilated.
Much uneasiness and excitement were occasioned by
his conduct; and, endeavors made to reclaim him
failing of success, he was banished. He repaired at
first to Seekonk, and afterwards to Providence, and
became the founder of Rhode Island.
In 1635, Massachusetts received from England a
large number of inhabitants ; and among them came
two who afterwards acted conspicuous parts in the
affairs of their native country. One was Hugh Peters,
who was subsequently a chaplain of Oliver Cromwell ;
the other was Mr. Vane, afterwards Sir Henry Vane,
The latter was hut twenty-five years of age ; hut, by his
show of great humility, his grave and solemn deport¬
ment, and his ardent professions of attachment to lib¬
erty, he stole the hearts of the Puritans, and, the year
after his arrival, was made governor of the colony.
His popularity, however, was transient During
his administration, the celebrated Mrs. Hutchinson, a
woman who was distinguished for her eloquence, and
had imbibed the enthusiasm of the age, instituted
weekly meetings for persons of her own sex, in which
she commented on the sermons of the preceding
Sunday, and advanced certain mystical and extrava¬
gant doctrines. These spread rapidly among the peo-
]jle, and many became converts.
Governor Vane, with Mr. Cotton and Mr. Wheel¬
wright, two distinguished clergymen, embraced them
with ardor ; but Lieutenant-Governor Winthrop, and a
majority of the churches, deemed them heretical and
seditious. Great excitement was produced among the
people ; many conferences were held ; public fasts
were appointed; a general synod was summoned,
MASSACHUSETTS.
and, añer much intemperate discussion, her opiui
were determined to be erroneous, and she and s(
of her adherents were banished from the colony.
Not being again chosen governor. Vane returne
disgust to England, engaged in the civil wars, wl
soon after afllicted»that country, sustained high oft
in the republican party, and, after the restoration
Charles IL, was accused of high treason, convicted,
executed. Peters pursued a similar career, and
with the same fate.
AmoAg those "who belonged to the party of M
and Mrs. Hutchinson, were the Rev. John Wheelwri
who was her brother, John Clark, and William (
dingten. Wheelwright removed beyond the limits oi
colony, and founded Exeter, in Ne w Hampshire. C
and Coddington, intending to settle on Long Islan
Delaware Bay, proceeded south ; but, meeting '
Roger Williams, he persuaded them to remain '
him, and they purchased Aquetneck, now es
Rhode Island, of the chief of the Narragansetts.
the same time, Williams obtained from the Ind
a deed of the land where Providence is situated.
By the settlement of Massachusetts, the atteutioi
emigrants was diverted from the colony of Plymo
where the soil was less fertile.. If nevertheless i
tinued to increase, though slowly, in populal
In 1636, a body of laws was adopted by
colony, styled " The General Fundamentals."
the first article, they enact " that no act, imposii
law, or ordinance, be made or imposed upon u
present, or to come, but such as has been or shal
enacted by the eonsent of the body of freemen oi
sociates, or their representatives legally assemb
tvliich is according to the free liberties of the freel
peo{)le of England." The opinion then enterta;
of the relation between the colony and the mo
country is here very clearly indicated. There ci
hardly be a more distinct assertion of entire indepc
eacc. In 1624, the assembly of Virginia had \'i
54 IIISTORÏ OI' THE UNITLJ) STATES.
that the governor sliouhl lay no taxes upon that col¬
ony without the consent of the general assembly.
The government of Plymouth, which had before
carried on a profitable trade with the Indians on Coii-
necticut River, principally in beaver and otter skins,
determined, at their solicitation, to establish a trading-
house among them. The house was framed at Plym¬
outh, in 1633, and sent round by water. The Dutch,
who had a settlement at New York, and claimed the
counti-y on that river, heard of this project of the Eng¬
lish, and, determining to anticipate them, hastily de¬
spatched a party, who built a slight fort at Hartford.
When the Plymouth vessel, carrying the frame of the
house, came near this fort, "the Dutch stood by their
ordnance, threatened hard, but did not shoot." The
vessel passed up, and the house was erected at Wind¬
sor. This was the firet dwelling-house erected within
the boundaries of Connecticut. In 1635, about sixty
persons, from Dorchester, Watertown, and Newtown,
intending to settle on Connecticut River, travelled
thither through the woods, being fourteen days on
their journey. Those from Dorchester settled at
Windsor, those from Watertown at Wethersfield, and
those from Newtown at Hartford. The next year.
Hooker and Stone, ministers of Newtown, with their
whole church and congregation, removed to Hartford.
And William Pynchon and others, going from Rox-
bury, settled Springfield. Plymouth complained of this
interference of the people of Massachusetts, and the
emigrants from Dorchester paid them a comj)ensation
for their claims. In 1637, Eaton, Davenport^ Hopkins,
and others, from London, amved at Boston, in search
of a place for a settlement. They selected Quinnipiae,
now New Haven, removed thither the next year, and
they, and those who afterwards joined them, formed,
for several years, a separate colony.
The rapid progress of the English settlements ex¬
cited the jealousy of the natives. They had welcomed,
without fear, the emigrants who first landed, not an
MASSACHUSETTS,
55
ticipating their future encroacbraeuts, and desirous
of exchanging what to them was almost worthless for
articles like those which they had obtained from tra¬
ders who had visited the coast, and which they valued
highly. The experience of a few years convinced
them that they must either exterminate these invaders
■of their country, or be themselves exterminated.
Within the boundaries of Rhode Island and Con¬
necticut lived two warlike tribes, the Pequods and
Narragansetts. The former were hostile, the latter
friendly,»to the whites. Between the two tribes an
inveterate enmity existed ; but the more sagacious and
politic Pequods proposed that all animosities should
be forgotten, and their united strength directed against
their invaders, before they had become too strong to
be resisted. At first the Narragansetts wavered; but
their hatred of the Pequods overpowered tlie sugges¬
tions of policy. They disclosed the proposal to the
English, and invited them to join in a war against their
common enemy.
The colonies were roused to a sense of their danger.
In 1637, Massachusetts, Plymouth, and Connecticut,
agreed to unite their forces, and attempt the entire
destruction of the Pequods. Captain Mason, with
eighty men, principally from Connecticut, and three
hundred friendly Indians, wa^ immediately sent into
the country of the enemy. Early in the morning of the
26th of May, he attacked one of the principal villages,
which had been surrounded with palisades. The re¬
sistance was brave and obstinate, and the issue of the
battle for some time doubtful ; but the whites, forcing
their way into the enclosure, set fire to the wigwams,
and then, retreating a short distance, surrounded the
town. Many of the Indians perished in the ñames ;
others were shot in their attempts to flee. Of five or
six hundred within the enclosure, but few escaped.
The English troops, of whom two were killed and
sixteen wounded, returned in triumph to Hartford.
In June, another body of troops, principally from
Massachusetts, marched into the enemy's country, sur-
56 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES.
rounded a swamp, into which a party of them had
retired, and took eighty captive. Some escaping, they
were pursued to another swamp, situated near New
Haven, where the whole strength of the tribe was col¬
lected. This was, in like manner, surrounded ; a sharp
contest ensued ; but the whites were again victorious.
Two hundred Pequods were killed or made prisoners.
The remainder fled to the country of the Mohawks.
The brilliant success of the English, in this first and
short war with the natives, gave the neighboring tribes
such an exalted idea of their prowess, that, for nearly
forty years, they were neither attacked nor molested.
Ten years had now elapsed since the first settle¬
ment was made at Salem. It has been computed that,
within that time, twenty-one thousand persons arrived
in Massachusetts. The dissenters in England having
obtained the ascendency in the government, all mo¬
tives for emigration ceased ; and it is supposed that,
for many years afterwards, more persons returned to
England, than came from England to the colonies.
Such, however, were the character and virtues of
the emigrants, such the power over difficulties which
their resolute minds, and bodies hardened by labor,
had imparted to them, that they continued to increase,
with astonishing rapidity, in wealth and numbers;
and a vote of the housa of commons, stating that "the
plantations in New England had had good and pros¬
perous success, without any public charge to the state,"
is quoted, by an historian of those times, as an honorable
testimony of the high merit of the colonists.
Circumstances and events had already impressed a
character upon them, which, though softened in its
worst features by the progress of refinement, still dis¬
tinguishes their descendants. Persecution made them
bigots ; piety made them moral ; poverty made them
frugal ; incessant toil made them hardy and robust,
dreary solitudes made them gloomy and superstitious,
their numerous clergy and well-educated leaders made
them venerate literature and the sciences.
The dangers apprehended from the Dutch at New
MASSACHUSETTS.
57
York, írom the French in Nova Scotia and Acadia,
and from tiie Indians, led to discussions on the expe¬
diency of forming a league between the several colo¬
nies of New England. It was first proposed in 1637;
in 1638, articles were di-awn up, but they were not
satisiactory to all ; in 1643, a confederacy was formed
between MassSbhusetts, Plymouth, Cormecticut, and
New Haven. It was agreed that each colony should
appoint two commissioners, who should assemble
annually, by rotation, in the respective colonies ; that
the agreement of six should bind the whole ; that they
should have power to make ordinances relative to
intercourse between the English and the Indians, to
fugitives from one colony to another, and to othér
matters of like nature. In case of war, the respective
colonies were bound, upon the application of three
magistrates of the invaded colony, to furnish aid,
Massachusetts a hundred men, and the other three
colonies forty-five each. The expenses of a war were
to be apportioned according to the number of male
inliabitants between sixteen and sixty years of age.
In consequence of this league, the colonies were
more respected and feared by their civilized and savage
neighbors. Several Indian sachems came in, and sub¬
mitted to the English. Massachusetts had had a long
and troublesome dispute with D'Aulney, the French
governor of Acadia, which, in 1644, was adjusted by a
treaty concluded between him and Governor Endicott,
and afterwards ratified by tbe commissioners.
Wben representatives were first chosen, they sat
and voted in the same chamber with the assistants.
In 1635, when Mr. Hooker applied for permission to
form a settlement on Connecticut River, a majority of
the assistants voted against granting permission ; but a
majority of the whole assembly was in favor of it The
representatives contended that a majority of the as¬
sistants was not necessary, and that the vote had passed
in the affirmative. The assistants claimed to be a dis¬
tinct branch of the legislature, and contended tliat it
had passed in the negative.
53
HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES.
No provision having been made for a case of this
Kind, an adjournment for a week took place ; a public
fast was appointed, and the divine direction implored
in all the congregations. When the assembly again
met, a sermon was preached by Mr. Cotton, which
induced the representatives to yield to the claim of
the assistants. In 1644, the dispute was renewed, and
tlie assistants were again victorious. The representa¬
tives then proposed that the two classes should sit
apart, and form distinct bodies ; and in this proposition
the assistants concurred.
The contest between the king and parliament at
length resulted in open war; and the New England
colonies, actuated by the same feeling as the Puritans
in England, embraced with ardor the cause of the
latter. The parliament rewarded this attachment by
exempting them from all taxes ; and when the supreme
authority devolved upon Cromwell, as protector of
the liberties of England, they found in him a friend no
less sincere and zealous. After the conquest of Ire¬
land, he invited them to return and settle in that coun-
tiy ; and, subsequently, having conquered Jamaica, he
endeavored to persuade them ,to remove to that fertile
island, and more genial climate. But his arguments
and solicitations were unavailing. They enjoyed, in
their present abode, complete religious freedom, and
that privilege they were unwilling to hazard in pursuit
of advantages less essential to their happiness.
Several settlements had been made beyond the
present limits of Massachusetts, and within those of
New Hampshire. Massachusetts contended that her
charter gave her all the territory extending " from the
northernmost part of the River Merrimac, and tliree
miles more north, from the sea, and then upon a strait
line east and west to each sea ; " and that, of course,
these settlements were within her limits. In 1641,
they submitted to her claim, and placed themselves
under her jurisdiction. They were situated at Ports¬
mouth, Dover, Exeter, and Hampton. In 1645, a negro,
who had been " fraudulently and injuriously taken and
MASSACHUSETTS.
59
brought froru Guinea," and sold to Mr Williams of
jfiscataqua, was demanded by the gcmeral court, that
he might be sent back to his native country.
About this time, several persons of considerable in¬
fluence in the colony presented a petition to the gen¬
eral court, complaining of the law which denied civil
privileged to all who were not church members, and
of the regulations of the churches, by which all who
were not members of some church were debarred
from the Christian privileges of the Lord's supper for
themselves,* and of baptism for their children, ana
praying that members of the churches of England and
Scotland might be admitted to the privileges of the
churches of New England. The petition contained
expressions disrespecttul to the government ; and the
general court, instead of granting their request, sum¬
moned them to appear and answer for contempt.
They appeared, and, refusing to make an apology, were
fined. They appealed from the sentence of the gen¬
eral court to the commissioners of plantations ; but
tlieir appeal was not allowed. Apprehensive that
efforts would be made in England, by the petitioners,
to injure the colony, the «general court, through their
agent, Mr. Winslow, addressed a discreet but frank
remonstrance to parliament, in which they say, " We
have not admitted appeals to your authority, being
assured they cannot stand with the liberty and power
granted us by our charter." In the same spirit, Mr.
Winslow declared that " if the parliament should im¬
pose laws upon us, having no burgesses in the house
of commons, nor capable of a summons by reason of
the vast distance, we should lose the liberties and
freedom of English indeed." The committee of par¬
liament replied, "We encourage no appeals from
your justice. We leave you with all the freedom and
latitude that may, in any respect, be duly claimed by
you."
Among those whosts attentioil was, at an early
period, attracted to the coast of North America, was
Sir Ferdinaido Gorges. He had been an officer in the
60 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES.
navy of Queon Elizabeth, was intimately connected
with Raleigh, and was actuated hy the same adventu¬
rous spirit. In conjunction with others, he despatched
several ships to the coast. He was governor of Plym¬
outh, and displayed so much zeal in establishing the
Plymouth Company, that he was chosen its president,
and afterwards took an active part in all its transac¬
tions. In 1635, this company, then on the point of
surrendering its charter, granted to Gorges all the
land from Piscataqua to Sagadahoc ; and in 1639 this
grant was confirmed hy Charles L In compliment to
the queen. Gorges called the territoi-y the Province of
Maine, that being the name of her estate in France.
At this time, several settlements had been made on
the coast : at Saco the number of inhabitants was sup¬
posed to be about one hundred and fifty ; but all were
without law and without government until 1636, when
the patentee sent over his nephew, William Gorges,
to officiate as his deputy. In that year, a court was
held at Saco, the first ever held in Maine. In less
than two years, William Gorges returned to England,
leaving the country destitute of a government.
In 1640, a general court was held at Saco, under the
auspices of the lord proprietor. The next year, he
incorporated Agamenticus — which he called Georgia¬
na, and which is now called York — às a city, providing
for a mayor, aldermen, and municipal courts, although
the number of inhabitants was less than three hundred.
He soon after died. The people wrote repeatedly to
his heirs, but, receiving no answer, they formed them¬
selves into a body politic fbr the purposes of self-gov¬
ernment. In this state of affairs, Massachusetts ad¬
vanced her claim to the country, upon the same
ground that she had claimed New Hampshire, sent
commissioners to settle the government, and, in 1652,
the several settlements readily submitted to her au¬
thority.
A sect of religionists, generally called Quakers, ap¬
peared in England in the year 1652. At this time of
intense mental activity and intellectual anarchy, George
MASSACHUSETTS, , 61
Fox, the son of a weaver, distinguished even in boy¬
hood for his frankness, inflexibility, and deep religious
feeling, perplexed by the claim of every sect to l>6 the
only true interpreter of the will of God, after long
wrestling with doubt and despair, embraced as divine
truth the dogm^l, that the voice of God in the soul
announced bis will to man, and was the only law
which he was botmd to obey. His boldness in preach¬
ing raised up enemies, and multiplied converts. He
left the jail, the stocks, and the whipping-post, with
strength reflewed and resolution increased, to proclaim
his doctrines. In the conventicle, the alehouse, and
the field, he preached to all who would hear him, and
))reached with such earnest fervor, and prayed with
such awful sublimity, that immense multitudes of the
common people embraced his doctrines. It is not
surprising that, obeying the impulse of the spirit,
many of his ignorant followers committed extrava¬
gances which rendered them proper subjects of the
discipline of the magistrates.
In 1G56, several of this sect came into Massachusetts.
They were apprehended under the law against here¬
tics ; their books, which they brought with intent to
circulate them among the people, were burnt, and
themselves compelled to quit the colony. At the next
session of the general court, a severe law was passed
against Quakers in particular, and heavy penalties
imposed upon any one who should bring them or
their books into the colony, or should harbor them, or
be present at their meetings. But their number in¬
creased, and their conduct became more oflTensive.
They reviled magistrates and ministers, and, entering
churches on the Sabbath, disturbed the solemnities of
public worship- In 1658, an additional law was passed,
making it a capital offence for any Quaker to return
after banishment Three, after having been once tried
and banished, returned, were again tried, and, "for
their rebellion, sedition, and presumptuous obtruding
themselves after banishment upon pain of death,"
were .sentenced to die, and were executed. Subse-
G'í HISTORY OF THE VNITED STATES.
•
quent]y another was banished, but returned ; was
again apprehended ; was offered permission to leave
the colony, and repeatedly lu-ged to accept it, but, re¬
fusing to go, and declaring to the court that "their
ministers were deluded, and themselves murderers,"
was tried, convicted, and executed.
fliany more Quakers came into the colony, wére tried
and banished, returned, were again tried, and variously
disposed of ; but no others were executed. The se¬
vere and cruel law against them was undoubtedly
passed in the eonfident expectation that, by means of
it, the colony would be freed of these intruders, and
that no occasion for executing it would ever arrive ;
and it was carried into execution fi-om a fancied ne¬
cessity of enforcing a law so daringly violated. The
natural feeling of man rose up in opposition to the law,
and it was repealed. When the agitation in men's
minds subsided, the Quakers became calm with the
rest; and their leading tenet seems to have had a
favorable influence, in an educated age, upon their
morals and conduct
Cromwell, who had governed England with greater
ability and higher merit than most of her kings, died
in 1658 ; and, after an interval of two years, Charles IL,
a prince destitute of honor and virtue, was recalled
from exile, and placed upon the throne. He was reluc¬
tantly acknowledged by the colonies of New England
They had been the favorites of the parliament and the
Protector, and apprehended, with good reason, the loss
of their civil and religious privileges.
A short time after, Whalley and Goffe, two of the
judges who had sentenced Charles I. to be beheaded,
having fled before the return of his successor, arrived
in New England Their first place of residence was
Cambridge ; but they often appeared publicly in Bos¬
ton, particularly on Sundays and other days of religious
solemnities. They had sustained high rank in Crom¬
well's army, were men of uncommon talents, and, by
their dignified manners and grave deportment, eom-
manded universal respect.
MASSACHUSETTS.
G3
As soon as it was known that they were excepted
from the general pardon, the governor suggested to
the ^îoul•t of assistants the expediency of arresting
them. A majority opposed it, and many members of
the general court gave them assurances of protection.
Considering themselves, however, unsafe at Cambridge,
they removed to New Haven, where they were re¬
ceived with great respect by the clergy and magis¬
trates.
After a short residence there, enjoying, in private,
tlie society of their friends, the governor of Massachu¬
setts received a mandate to arrest them. A waiTant
was immediately issued, authorizing two zealous loy¬
alists to search for and seize them, wherever found in
New England. They hastened to the colony of New
Haven, exliibited the warrant to the governor, who re¬
sided at Guilford, and requested him to furnish au¬
thority and assistants to pursue them. Desirous of
favoring the exiles, he affected to deliberate until the
next nioi-ning, and then utterly declined acting offi¬
cially, without the advice of his council.
In the mean time, they were apprized of their dan¬
ger, and retb-ed to a new place of concealment. The
[lursuers, on arriving at New Haven, searched every
suspected house, except the one where the judges
were concealed. This they began to search, but were
induced, by the address of the mistress of it, to desist.
When the pursuers had departed, the judges, retiring
into the woods, fixed their abode in a cave. Hearing
there that their friends were threatened with punish¬
ment for having afforded them protection, they came
from their hiding-place for the purpose of delivering
themselves up ; but their friends, actuated by feelings
equally noble and generous, persuaded them to relin-
iiuish their intention. Soon áfter, they removed to
Milford, where they remained about two years.
Upon the arrival of other persons, instructed to ap¬
prehend them, they repaired privately -to Hadley, in
Massachusetts, where they resided fifteen or sixteen
years, but few persons being acquainted fvith the place
61 mSTOKY Ol' THK UNITED STATES.
of their concealment There is, in that neighborhood,
a tradition, that, many years afterwards, two graves were
discovered in the minister's cellar ; and in these, it was
supposed, they had been interred. At New llaven,
two graves are shown, said to be those of the two
judges. It is not improbable that their remains were
removed to this place fi'om lladley.
A singular incident, which occurred at the latter
place, in 1675, shows that one of these illustrious exiles
liad not forgotten the avocations of his youth. The
people, at the time of public worship, were alarmed
by an attack from the Indians, and thrown into the
utmost confusion. Suddenly, a grave, elderly person
appeared, diftering in his mien and dress fi'om all
around him. He put himself at their head, ralhed,
encouraged, and led tliem against the enemy, who
were repulsed and completely defeated. As suddenly
the deliverer of Hadley disappeared. The people were
lost in amazement, and many verily believed that an
angel sent from heaven had led them to victory.
As soon as Holland became independent, she devoted
all her energies to commerce ; and her citizens, by
their proverbial economy, were enabled to monopolize
almost all the commerce of the world. While the
ships of England lay rotting in her harbors, those of
Holland carried to England the wines of France and
Spain, the spices of the Indies, and even the various
products of the American colonies. The parliament,
therefore, in 1651, passed the famous Navigation Act,
by which ships not owned by Englishmen, and not
navigated principally by Englishmen, were prohibited
from bringing into English ports any articles of mer¬
chandise, except such as were the products of the
country to which the ships belonged. From this law
the kingdom derived great benefit, the colonies suffered
little injury ; it merely excluded foreign ships from the
direct trade between them and the mother country.
On the restoration of the king, this law was continued
in force : and it was also enacted that the principal pro¬
ducts of the Ei^lish colonies should not be carried fi-ora
MASSACHUSETTS.
6â
ihem to ftiÉy other country than such as belongea to the
crown of England j and, in 16f!3, it was still further
enacted, that no commodities of the growth, production,
or manufacture of Europe should be imported into
the colonies except from Ëntish ports ; thus comj)el-
ling the colonists to sell what they produced, and buy
what they wanted, in the markets ol' England alone.
These restraints upon their trade were highly inju¬
rious to the colonies. That they were profitable to
England did not, in their view, relieve them from the
charge of odious injustice. England, as a nation, had
expended nothing in settling or protecting the colonies :
by what right, then, could she claim to render their
interests subservient to hers ? They resorted to com¬
plaints and remonstrances ; but these were disregarded ;
and the colonists, on their side, disregarded, as much
as they dared, the laws of trade. Their distance from
the mother country favored them ; and, notwithstand¬
ing tliese enacted restrictions, the offspring of selfish¬
ness and pride, if not of liostility, they continued to
prosper.
Their treatment of the king's judges, and in truth all
their conduct, evinced the republican spirit of the col¬
onists. By the royal government of England they
could not, therefoi-e, be regarded with favor. They
had enemies, too, among themselves. After the res¬
toration, Samuel Maverick, who had been long in
Massachusetts, and always in opposition to the au¬
thorities, repaired to England, and solicited that com¬
missioners might be sent over to examine into their
conduct, to hear complaints, and decide upon them.
In 1664, commissioners were accordingly appointed.
Maverick being one ; and they were also directed to
take possession of New York, then occupied by the
Dutch. Their fii-st session was at Plymouth, where
but little business was transacted ; the next in Rhode
Island, where they heard complaints from the hidians,
and made divers determinations respecting titles to
land, which were but little regarded. On arriving in
Massachasetts, it appeared that, as a part of their dutv
VOL. I 6
60 HISTOKY OF THE UNITEU STATES.
tliey were instructed to require, tint all persons .'sliould
take the oath of allegiance ; that all who should desire
it should be permitted to use the Book of Common
Prayer ; that persons of good and honest conversation
should enjoy the privileges of voting and being elect¬
ed to office ; and that the act of navigation should be
punctually observed. The general comt complied with
such of their requisitions as they thought proper;
but, professing sincere loyalty to his majesty, declined
acknowledging their authority, and protested against
the exercise of it within their limits. In consequence
of this manly assertion of their chartered rights, an
angry correspondence took place between them, at
the close of which the cotmnissioners told the general
court " that they would lose no more of their labors
upon them," but would represent their conduct to his
majesty.
From Boston, the commissioners proceeded to New
Hajnpshire, where they exercised several acts of gov¬
ernment, and offered to release the inhabitants Irora
the jurisdiction of Massachusetts. This offer was
almost unanimously rejected, in Maine, they excited
more, disturbance. They encoin-aged the people to
declare themselves independent, and found many dis¬
posed to listen to their suggestions ; but Massachusetts,
by a prompt and vigorous exertion of power, constrained
the disaffected to submit to her authority.
Connecticut appears to have been the favorite of
the commissioners. She treated them with respect,
and complied with their requisitions. In return, they
made such a representation of her merits to the king,
as to draw from him a letter of thanks. "Although,"
says he, " your carriage doth of itself most justly de¬
serve our praise and approbation, yet it seems to be
set off with more lustre by the contrary behavior of
the colony of Massachusetts."
It may give some insight into the manners and
feelings of the people, and throw some light upon tlie
character of the commissioners, to relate an occurrence,
otlicrwise trivial, which happened while they were in
MASSACHUSETTS.
67
Boston. They sometimes met at tiie Ship Tavern,
and, being there one Saturday evening, which was a
violation of law, a constable visited them ; an alter¬
cation took place ; they beat him, and afterwards
adjourned to a private house in the neighborhood.
Another constable, more zealous and courageous,
hastened to tlic tavern, and, not finding them there,
sought them at the house to which they had repaired.
He told them he was glad to find them there ; for, if
he had found them at the tavern, he should have car¬
ried them all before a magistrate ; and he reproved
them sharply for heating a constable and abusing
authority. He was asked if he should have dared to
meddle with the king's commissioners. " Yes," said he ;
" and if the king himself had been there, I should have
earned him away." " Treason ! " cried one of them ; and
the next day he sent a note to the governor, charging
the constable with high treason, and demanding his
aiTest. Criminal proceedings were therefore instituted
against him, which, after continuing some time, ended
in a sentence, that he " should be admonished in a
solemn manner by the governor."
At the end of fifty years from the arrival of the
emigrants at Plymouth, the New England colonies
were supposed to contain one hundred and twenty
towns, and as many thousand inhabitants. The acts
of parliament not being rigidly enforced, their trade
had become extensive and profitable. The habits of
industry and economy, which had been formed in less
happy times, continued to prevail, and gave a compe¬
tency to those who had nothing, and wealth to those
who had a competency. The wilderness receded be¬
fore adventurous and hardy laborers, and its savage
inhabitants found their game dispersed, and their fa¬
vorite haunts invaded.
This was the natural consequence of the sales of
land which were, at all times, readily made to the
whites. But this conseqtience the Indians did not
foresee ; and when they felt it in all its force, the
strongest passions were awrkened which can animatq
03 HISTORY OF TUE UNITED STATES.
civilized or savage man — the love of country and of
independence.
A leader only was wanting to concentrate and direct
their exertions; and Philip of Pokanoket, sachem of a
tribe living within the boundaries of Plymouth and
ithode Island, assumed that honorable but dangerous
station. His father was the friend, but he had ever
been the enemy, of the whites ; and this enmity, aris¬
ing from causes of national concern, had been imbit-
tered to vindictive hatred by their conduct towards his
elder brother. This brother, being suspected of plot¬
ting against tliem, was seized by a detachment of
soldiers, and confined ; and the indignity so wrought
upon his proud spirit, as to produce a fever that pirt
an end to his life.
Philip inherited the authority and proud spirit of
his brother. He exerted all the ai'ts of intrigue, and
powers of persuasion, of which he was master, tt
induce the Indians, in all parts of New England, to
unite their efforts for the destruction of the whites.
He succeeded in forming a confederacy, able to send
into action between three and four thousand wairiors.
The English were apprized of the plots of the In¬
dians, and made preparations to meet their hostilities.
They hoped, however, that the threatened storm would
pass by, as others had, and that peace would be pre¬
served. But the insolence of Philip, and the number
of his adherents, increased daily ; and, in June, 1675,
some of them entered the town of Swanzey, in Plym¬
outh, where, after slaughtering the cattle and plun¬
dering the houses, they fired upon the inhabitants,
killing and wounding several.
The troops of that colony marched immediately to
Swanzey, and were soon joined by a detachment fiom
Massachusetts. The Indians fled, and marked the
course of their flight by burning the buildings, and
fixing on poles, by the way-side, the hands, scalps,
and heads ofthe whites whom they had killed. The
troops pursued, but, unable to overtake them, returned
^o Swanzey. The whole country was alarmed, and
MABSACHliSET FS.
<Í9
tbe uumber of troops augmented. By this array of
force, Philip was induced to quit his residence at
Mount Hope, and take post near a swamp at Pocasset,
now Tiverton. At that place, the English attacked
him, but were repulsed. Sixteen whites were killed ;
and the Indians, by this success, were made bolder.
At this time, most of the settlements were sur¬
rounded by thick forests, and the Indians lived inter¬
mixed with the whites. The former were acquainted,
of course, with the dwellings of the latter, with their
roads, aftd places of resort ; could watch their motions,
and fall uiwn them in their defenceless and unguarded
moments. Many were shot dead as they opened their
doors in the morning ; many while at work in their
fields, and others while travelling to visit their neigh¬
bors, or places of worship. At all times, at all places,
in all employments, were their lives in jeopardy ; and no
one could tell but that, in the next moment, he shoidd
receive his death-shot from his barn, the thicket, or
the way-side. Whenever the enemy assembled in
forces detachments were sent against them ; if weaker
than these, they would retreat; if stronger, assault and
conquer them. Defenceless villages were suddenly
attacked, the houses burned, and the men, women,
and children killed or carried into captivity. Their
ruin was the work of a moment ; and when accom¬
plished, its authors vanished.
The colonies, losing individuals, families, and vil¬
lages, found their numbers sensibly diminished, their
strength impaired, and began to apprehend even total
extinction. Nothing but a vigorous effort could save
them. The commissioners met, and determined to
despatch an army of a thousand men, to attack the
principal position of tlie enemy. Josiah Winslow,
governor of Plymouth, was appointed commander-in-
chief ; and a solemn fast, to invoke the divine aid, was •"
proclaimed throughout New England.
On the 18th of December, the difièrent bodies of
troops formed a junction at a place in the country of
tlie Narragansetts, about fifteen miles from the enemy
70 HISTORY OF THE UNITE» STATES.
Tlie weather was extremely cold, out tlie mçn, fron
necessity, passed tlie night, uncovered, in the fields.
At dawn of day, they began their march, wading
through the deep snow, and, at one o'clock, arrived
near the enemy's post, which was upon a rising
ground, in the midst of a swamp. It was surrounded
by palisades, and on the outside of tliese was a fence
of brush, a rod in width.
Here was fought the most desperate battle recorded
in the early annals of the country. It continued three
hours. The English obtained a decisive victory. One
thousand Indian warriors were killed ; three hundred
fnore, and as many women and children, were made
prisoners. But dearly was the victory purchased.
Six brave captains and eighty men were killed, and
one hundred and fifty were wounded.
From this blow the confederated Indians never re¬
covered ; but they still remained sufficiently strong to
harass the settlements by continual inroads. In re¬
taliation, the English sent several detachments into
their territories, nearly all of which were successfuL
Captain Church of Plymouth, and Captain Dennison
of Connecticut, were conspicuous for their bravery
and good fortune.
In the midst of these reverses, Philip remained firm
and unshaken. His warriors were cut off ; his chief
men, his wife and family, were killed or taken prison¬
ers ; and at these successive misfortunes he is repre¬
sented to have wept with a bitterness which proved
him to possess the noblest of human virtues and af¬
fections. But he disdained to listen to any offers of
peace; he even shot one of his men, who proposed
submission. At lengtli, after being bunted from swamp
to swamp, he was himself shot, by the brother of the
Indian he had killed. After his deatii, the remnant of
his followers either submitted to the English or united
with distant tribes.
Never was peace more welcome, fbr never had war
been more distressing. The whole population was in
nsourning for relatives slain. Nearly a tliousaiu houses
MASSACHUSETTS.
71
had beeu burned, and goods and cattle of great value
bad been plundered or destroyed. Tlie colonies had
contracted a heavy debt, which, their resources having
been so much diminished, they found an almost in¬
supportable burden. But, in their deepest distress,
they forbore to apply to the mother country for assist¬
ance ; and this omission excited surprise and jealousy.
"You act," said a privy counsellor, "as though you
were independent of our master's crown ; and though
poor, yet you are proud."
The construction of her charter by which Massa¬
chusetts claimed and obtained jurisdiction over New
Hampshire, was not submitted to by the heir of Ma¬
son. On application to the king, a decision, after
long delay, was made in his favor. Apprehending
the loss of Maine also, Massachusetts purchased of
the heirs of Gorges their claim to the soil and juris¬
diction for twelve hundred and fifty pounds. Con¬
sidering that she now stood in the place of the patentee,
she appointed Thomas Danforth to be president of
the province, as deputy of the proprietor. It was af¬
terwards divided into two counties, York and Cumber¬
land, and governed as a part of Massachusetts.
The disregard of the acts of trade had given great
offence to the mother country, and the governors of
New England were peremptorily required to enforce
them. But, being enacted by a parliament in which
the colonies were not represented, they were regarded
as violations of their rights, and continued to be eva¬
ded with impunity. Edward Randolph was therefore
sent over, commissioned as inspector of the customs
in New England. He was also the bearer of a letter
from the king, requiring tliat agents should be sent
to the court of London, fully empowered to act for the
colonies.
It was well understood to be the intention of the
king to procure, from the agents, a surrender of the
charters, or to annul them by a suit in his courts, that
he nnght himself place officers over the colonies, who
would be subservient to his views. He had by in-
72
UISTORY OF THE UNITED SI ATES.
timidation procured the surrender, oi by suits the
annulment, of many charters in England and tlie
colonies. The people felt that to he deprived of
theirs, vehich secured to them the rights of self-gov¬
ernment, would he the greatest of calamities. But
they were aware that they were weak, that the king
was arbitrary and all-powerful, and they hesitated
what course to pmrsue. Agents were despatched,
hut instructed not to surrender the charter; and a
fast was appointed to he observed through the colony.
The agents wrote hack that the case of the colony
was desperate, and intimated that it might he advisa¬
ble to submit to the king's mercy by surrendering.
The subject was fully discussed, not only by those in
office, hut among the people ; the opinion of many
of the ministers was given in writing ; and the result
seemed to he a determination rather " to die by the
hands of others than by their own." At a late period,
the assistants voted to surrender, hut the representa¬
tives voted not to concur. Seeing no prospect that the
colony would submit, the king caused a suit to he
instituted, and in June, 1684, the charter was declared
forfeited.
All impediments to the exercise of the royal will be¬
ing thus removed. King Charles XL appointed Colonel
Kirk, infamous for hii atrocities, governor over Mas¬
sachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, and Plymouth;
hut, Charles dying soon after, the appointment became
void, and Joseph Dudley, who had been one of the
agents in England, was appointed by his successor,
James II. Dudley was soon superseded by the ap¬
pointment of Sir Edmund Andros, who arrived in
December, 1686. This ajipointment caused the most
gloomy forebodings. Sir Edmund had been governor
of Kew York, and it was known that his conduct there
had been arbitrary and tyrannical.
Having secured a majority in the council, he as
sumed control over the press, appointing Randolph
licenser. He established new and oppressive regu
lations concerning taxes, public worship, marriages,
MASSACHUSETTS.
73
aAd the settlement of estates. He and, by his per¬
mission, his subordinate officers extorted enormous
fees for their services. He declared that, the charter
being cancelled, the old titles to land were of no
validity, and compelled the inhabitants, in order to
avoid suits before judges dependent on his will, to
take out new patents, for which large sums were de¬
manded.
The hatred of the people was excited in proportion
to their sufferings. In the beginning of 1689, a ru¬
mor reaahed Boston, that William, prince of Orange
had invaded England, with the intention of dethron¬
ing the king. Animated by the hope of deliverance, the
people rushed spontaneously to arms, took possession of
the fort, seized Andres, Randolph, and other obnoxious
persons, and placed them in confinement. A council
of safety, consisting of their former magistrates, was
then organized, to administer the government until
authentic intelligence should be received from Eng¬
land.
In a few weeks, a ship arrived, bringing the glad
tidings that William and Mary were firmly seated o?i
the throne. They were immediately proclaimed, in
all the colonies, with unusual rejoicings. The people
of Massachusetts applied for the restoration of their
old, or the grant of a new, charter. A definite answer
was deferred, but the council was authorized to ad¬
minister the government, according to the provisions
of the old charter, until further directions should be
given. Andres, Randolph, and others, were ordered
home for trial.
The northern and eastern Indians having, at the
instigation of the French, made incursions into the
colonies of New England and New York, and mas
sacred many of the inhabitants, an attack, by land and
water, upon Canada was resolved upon. The army,
raised principally by New York and Connecticut, pro¬
ceeded no farther than Lake Charnplain. The fleet,
fitted out by Massachusetts, and commanded by Sir
William Phipps, anoeared before Quebec, but, hearing
74
HISTORY OF THE CNITED STATES.
that the army had retreated, returned unsuccessful to
Boston. Great expense had been incurred, the treas¬
ury was empty, and the men could not be dismissed
without pay. In this emergency, the general court
voted that the requisite sum should be raised by a tax,
and authorized an emission of colony notes, for stuns
from two shillings to ten pounds, which were passed
to the men in discharge of their wages. These notes
were to be received in payment of the tax which had
been voted, and for all other payments into the treas¬
ury. At first, they fell below par, but rose to par
when the time an-ived for the payment of the tax.
This was the first issue of paper money, or bills of
credit — an expedient which was afterwards often re¬
sorted to, and, though it afforded relief at the moment,
produced, in its consequences, extensive and compli¬
cated mischief
In tlie mean time, a new charter had been granted
to Massachusetts, which added Plymouth, Maine, and
Nova Scotia to her territory. The only privilege it
allowed to the people was, the choice of representa¬
tives. These were to elect a council, and both bodies
were to constitute the legislative power. It reserved
to the king the right of appointing the governor and
lieutenant-governor. To the governor it gave the
power of rejecting laws, of negativing the choice of
councillors, of appointing all military and judicial
officers, of adjourning, and even of dissolving, the as¬
sembly at pleasure. Laws, although approved by him,
might be abrogated by the ting, within three years
after their enactment. The right of voting, instead
of being confined to church members, was granted to
freeholders whose income was forty shillings sterling
a year, and to all who had forty pounds sterling of
personal estate.
The king, to render the new charter more accepta¬
ble, appointed Sir William Phipps, a native of the
province, governor ; and, in 1692, he arrived at Boston.
The new government went into operation without any
opposition from the inhabitants ; and almost the first
MASSACHUSETTS.
75
act of Sir William and his council was the institution
of a court to try the unfortunate victims of popular
delusion, accused of witchcraft, at Salem.
The belief in this supposed crime had been so prev
aient in England, that parliament had enacted a law
punishing it with death. Under this law, multitudes
had been tried and executed in that country, and two
or three in Massachusetts, some of whom acknowl¬
edged tiiey were guilty. Accounts of these trials and
confessions, and particularly of some trials before Sir
Matthetv Hale, a judge revered ia- the colonies, had
been published and distributed throughout the country.
They were read, in a time of deep distress and gloom,
by a people naturally sedate, and accustomed to regard
with awe the surprising and unaccountable incidents
and appearances which, in this new world, were often
presented to their contemplation.
In February, 1692, a daughter and a niece of Mr.
Paris, the minister of Salem, were afflicted with disor¬
ders affecting their bodies in the most singular manner.
The physicians, unable to account for their contortions,
pronounced them bewitched ; and the children, hearing
of this, declared that an Indian woman, who lived in
the house, was the cause of their torments. Mr. Paris
concurred with the physicians. Several private fasts
were kept at his house, and the gloom was increased
by a solemn fast throughout the colony.
The Indian woman confessed herself guilty. The
children were visited, noticed, and pitied. This en¬
couraged them to persevere, and other children, either
from sympathy or the desire of similar attentions, ex¬
hibited similar contortions. A distracted old woman,
and one who had been a long time confined to her bed,
were added to the list of the accused ; and, in the
progress of the infatuation, women of mature age
united with the children in their accusations.
The accused were multiplied in proportion to the
accusers. Children accused their parents, and parents
their children. A word from those who were supposed
to be afflicted occasioned the arrest of the devoted
76 HISTORÏ OP THE CNITED STATES.
victim ; and so firmly convinced were the magistrates
that the prince of darkness was in the midst of them,
using human instruments to accomplish his purposes,
that the slightest testimony was deemed sufficient to
justify a commitment for trial.
The court specially instituted for this purpose held
a session in June, and afterwards several others by ad¬
journment. Many were tried, and received sentence
of death. A few pleaded guilty. Several were con¬
victed upon testimony which, at other times, would
not have induced suspicion of an ordinary crime,
and some upon testimony retracted after conviction.
Nineteen were executed, and many yet remained to
be tried.
At this stage of the proceedings, the legislature
established, by law, a permanent court, by which the
other was superseded, and fixed a distant day for its
first session at Salem. In the mean time, the accusa¬
tions multiplied, and additional jails were required to
hold the accused. The impostors, hardened hy im¬
punity and success, ascended from decrepit old
women to respectable characters, and at length, in
their ravings, named ministers of the gospel, and even
the wife of the governor.
The community were thrown into consternation.
Each felt alarm for himself, his family, and friends.
The shock roused them to reflection. They consid¬
ered more closely the character of the accusers ; the
nature of the alleged crime ; the testimony, often con¬
tradictory, and never explicit ; and, more than all these,
the high standing of some who were implicated ; and
began to doubt whether they had not been too cred¬
ulous and precipitate.
At the next term, the grand jury found indictments
against fifty ; but, on trial, all were acquitted except
three, and them the governor reprieved. He also di¬
rected that all who were in prison should he set at
liberty. A belief, however, of the truth of the charges,
still lingered among the people, and prevented any
prosecution of the impostors. That all were impoa-
MASSACHUSETTS.
77
lors, cannot be believed. Many must have acted under
the influence of a disordered imagination, which the
attendant circumstances, were well calculated to pro-
luce.
In the first general court, under the new charter,
were many of those who were members of the last
under the old, and they made an almost hopeless at¬
tempt to secure the privileges they had enjoyed. They
passed an act declaring " that no tax or imposition
whatever shall be laid or levied on any of their ma¬
jesties' "Subjects, or their estates, it)ut by the act and
consent of the governor, council, and representatives
of the people assembled in general court." This act
was immediately disallowed. They passed another
act prescribing the punishment of death for idolatry,
blasphemy, incest, and manslaughter; thus showing
that their abhorrence of crime was greater than their
regard for life. This also was disallowed. Another
act provided that the real and personal estate of all
who died intestate should be divided into equal shares,
of which the eldest son should take two, and each
of the other children one ; thus making an important
alteration of the common law, which gave all the real
estate to the eldest son, displaying the love of equality
which then prevailed, and sufficient of itself to intro¬
duce and perpetuate fi"ee institutions. This law was
allowed, as were also many others, of less importance,
passed at the same session.
The war with the French and Indians, which be¬
gan in 1690, was not yet terminated. For seven years
were the frontier settlements harassed by the savages,
and the English employed in expeditions against them.
A history of these would consist only of repeated ac¬
counts of Indian cunning and barbarity, and of Eng¬
lish enterprise and fortitude. Peace between England
and France, which took place in 1697, was soon fol¬
lowed by peace with the savages.
But in a few years, war again broke out in Europe,
which was the signal for hostilities in America. The
first blow fell UDon Deerfield. In February, 1704, it
78 HISTORY OF TUE UNITED STATES.
was surprised in the night ; alxmt forty persons wer»
killed, and more than one hundred made prisoners,
among whom were Mr. Williams, the minister, and
his family. The killed were scalped, and the prison¬
ers commanded to prepare for a long march to Canada.
On the second day, Mrs. Williams was so exhausted
with fatigue, that she could go no farther. Her hus¬
band solicited permission to remain with her ; but the
retreating savages, according to their custom in such
cases, killed her, and compelled him to proceed. Be¬
fore the terminatidh of their journey, twenty more
became unable to walk, and were in like manner
sacrificed. Those who survived the journey to Canada
were treated by the French with humanity ; and after
a captivity of many years, most of them were redeemed,
and returned to their friends.
New York having agreed with the French and the
western Indians to remain neutral, these were enabled
to pour their whole force upon Massachusetts and
New Hampshire, the inhabitants of which, for ten
years, endured miseries peculiar to an Indian war,
and more distressing than their descendants can well
imagine. The enemy were at all times prowling
about the frontier settlements, watching in conceal¬
ment for an opportunity to strike a sudden blow and
fly with safety. The women and children retired into
the garrisons ; the men left their fields uncultivated,
or labored with arms at their sides, and with sentinels
at every point whence an attack could be apprehended.
Yet, notwithstanding these precautions, the enemy
were often successful, killing sometimes an individual
only, sometimes a whole family, sometimes a band of
laborers ten or twelve in number ; and so swift were
they in their movements, that but few fell into the
hands of the whites. It was computed that the sum
of one thousand pounds was expended for every Indian
killed or made captive.
In 1707, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode
Island despatched an armament against Port Royal, in
Nova Scotia, which was then in possession of the
MASSACHUSETTS.
79
French. It returned without accomplishing its object
In 1710, New England, assisted by a fleet furnished
by the mother country, succeeded in reducing the
place ; and its name, in compliment to Queen Anne,
was changed to Annapolis.
The success of this enterprise encouraged the com¬
mander, General Nicholson, to visit England and pro¬
pose an expedition against Canada. His proposition
was adopted, and in June, 1711, Admiral Walker, witli
a fleet of fifteen ships of war and forty transports,
bringing an army of veteran troops, arrived at Boston.
Taking on board two additional regiments, he sailed
from that port about the last of July. At the same
time, General Nicholson repaired to Albany to take
command of the troops that were to proceed by land.
When the fleet had advanced ten leagues up the
River St. Lawrence, the weather became tempestuous
and foggy. A diflference of opinion arose concerning
the course to be pursued, the English pilots recom¬
mending one course, and the colonial another. The
admiral, entertaining, like all other English oflicers,
an opinion of the abUities of the colonists correspond¬
ing with their dependent condition, adopted the ad¬
vice of his own pilots. Pursuing the comse they
recommended, nine transports were driven, about mid¬
night, upon the rocks, and dashed to pieces.
From every quarter cries of distress arose, convey¬
ing, through the darkness, to those who were yet
afloat, intelligence of the fate of their comrades and
of their own danger. The shrieks of the drowning
pleaded powerfully for assistance, but none could be
afforded until the morning dawned, when six or seven
hundred, found floating on the scattered wrecks, were
rescued from death, more than a thousand having
sunk to rise no more. Not a single American was
lost.
Weakened by this terrible disaster, the admiral de¬
termined to return to England, where he arrived in
the month of October. Thither misfortune attended
him. On the 15th, his ship blew up, and four hundred
80
HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES.
seamen perished. The New England troops returned
to their homes, and Nicholson, haying learned the
fate of the fleet, led back his troops to Albany. The
next year, the colonies found no repose. In 1713,
France and England made peace at Utrecht, and,
in the same year, peace was concluded with the
Indians. *
Such was the destruction of lives in this war, that
the population of New England was sensibly retard¬
ed. Her expenses were also enormous. Although
the annual taxes paid by the inhabitants were greater
than in any other portion of the British empire, yet
the colonies most exposed were burdened, at the
close of the war, with a heavy debt, in the shape of
bills of credit or paper money, which impeded their
prosperity, perplexing individuals an^ the government
in all their transactions.
In 1716, Samuel Shute, a colonel in the army of
the celebrated duke of Marlborough, was appointed
governor. On his arrival in the province, he found
the people divided into two parties, one in favor of a
public bank, which had just been established, the other
of the incorporation of a private bank. He joined the
former ; the latter of course became hostile, and, led
by a Mr. Cooke, opposed with virulence aU his meas¬
ures.
In 1720, this party, embracing a majority of the rep¬
resentatives, elected their leader speaker. The choice
was communicated to the governor, who interposed
his negative. The house persisted in their choice,
denying his right to interfere. The controversy con¬
tinued several days, when the governor dissolved the
assembly, and directed that a new electioñ should be
made by the people.
The charter not giving, in express terms, to the
governor the power to reject a speaker, the people
resolved to support their representatives, and nearly
all of them were again elected. When met, to avoid
a second dissolution, they chose a Mr. Lindall speaker ;
but, in a warm remonstrance to the governor, con
MASSACHUSETTS.
8]
detnned his conduct, and reasserted their sole and
exclusive right to choose their presiding officer. The
session was short, and but little was done that did not
display the angry feelings of the house. Instead of
six hundred pounds, the usual grant to the governor
for half a year's salary, they appropriated but five hun¬
dred, and, as a mark of their displeasure, deferred
that act until near the close of the session.
At their next meeting, the same leelings prevailed,
and the same diminished sum was voted. The gov¬
ernor then informed them, that he had been instructed
by tlie king to recommend to the assembly, to estab¬
lish for him a permanent and honorable salary. The
house, aware of the importance of retaining the power
of granting such sums as the governor might merit by
his conduct, replied, that the subject was new, and ex¬
pressed a wish that the court might rise. With this
request the governor complied.
This disagreement continued, the ill temper of both
parties increasing, through several subsequent sessions.
The representatives, confident of the support of the
people, refused to establish a permanent salary for
the governor, and often withheld the pittance they
gave until he had sanctioned those measures which
they desired should be adopted. His residence in the
province being rendered, by this dispute, unpleasant,
he suddenly and privately quitted it, in December,
1722. Upon his arrival in England, he exhibited
charges against the house, of having made various en¬
croachments upon the king's prerogative, which the
agents of the province were instructed to answer and
repeL
He remained in England until 1728, when he re¬
signed his office, and William Burnet, then governor
of New York, was appointed his successor. In his
first speech, he informed the house that he had re¬
ceived positive instructions from the king to insist on
a permanent salary. The representatives, generous
of their money, but tenacious of their rights, appropri-
voi,. r. 7
82 HISTORY OP THE UNITED STATES.
ated three hundred pounds for the expenses of his
journey, and fourteen hundred pounds towards his
suppoit, not specifying for what time. The first sura
he accepted, but absolutely declined receiving any
compensation for his services, except in the mode of
a fixed salary.
The delegates were equally decided, and, having
transacted all their necessary business, requested the
governor, by message, to adjourn them. He replied,
that he could not comply with their request, as, if he
did, he should put it out of their power to pay imme¬
diate regard to the king's instructions. A few days
afterwards, the request was again made, and again de¬
nied. Messages, containing arguments and repUes,
Were often interchanged by the parties. After two
months had been consumed in the controversy, the
governor, imagining the members were influenced by
the citizens of Boston, transferred the general court to
Salem. They were detained there two months ; were
then allowed to return to their homes ; were again as¬
sembled, after a short recess ; and, having sat seventeen
days, were again adjourned without exhibiting any
symptoms of compliance.
A new assembly was elected, and held several
sessions in the summer of 1729, displaying the same
spirit as the former. In the mean time, inibrmation
was transmitted fi-om England, that the king approved
the conduct of the governor, and condemned that of
the house. Still the members continued inflexible.
In August, they were removed to Cambridge, which
served to exasperate rather than to convince them.
Here, however, the controversy was suspended, for a
time, by the death of the governor, which was sup¬
posed to have been hastened by his unsuccessful con¬
test with the house of representatives.
His successor was Mr. Belcher, then agent in Eng¬
land. As he belonged to the popular party, his
appointment gave rise to the expectation, that the
instruction to obtain a permanent salary was with
MASS ACHUS KTT6.
83
drawn. But from his first speech it appeared, that it
was not only unrescinded, but enforced by a threat of
punishment in case of refusal.
The house, unintimidated by the threat, refused.
The governor, during the fii'st two years of his admin¬
istration, made several attempts to induce them to
comply. All tailing, he endeavored to obtain a relaxa¬
tion of his instructions. Permission was at length
granted that he might receive a particular sum, which
had been voted, and a similar permission was after¬
wards linnually given. Thus ended a contest which
prepared the people of Massachusetts to embark in
another, in which more important rights were to be
defended.
These turbulent times were succeeded by a calm
which continued several years ; during which, how¬
ever, the enemies of Governor Belcher, by incessant
misrepresentation, deprived him of the favor of the
ministry in England. In 1740, he was removed from
office, and Mr. William Shirley appointed in his place.
In 1744, war again broke out between England and
France, and the colonies were involved in its calam¬
ities. Their commerce and fisheries suffered great
injury from privateers, fitted out at Louisburg, a
French port on Cape Breton. Its situation gave it
such importance, that nearly six millions of dollars
had been expended on its fortifications. Mr. Vaughan,
of New Hampshire, who had often visited that place
as a trader, conceived the project of an expedition
against it. He communicated it to Governor Shirley,
and, being ardent and enthusiastic, convinced him
that the enterprise was practicable, and inspired him
witJi his own enthusiasm.
Having exacted of the general court an oath of
secrecy, the governor, in January, 1745, communicated
to tiiem the project Many heard it with amazement
So strong was the place, and so weak, comparatively,
tvere the colonies, that the thought of attacking it
seemed rash and presumptuous. From respect to
him, however, his proposal was referred to a commit-
84 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES.
tee : they reported against it ; the house accepted the
report, and the members dismissed from their minds
all thoughts of the expedition.
During the secret deliberations, the people watched
with anxiety to ascertain their object. The disclosure
was made by an honest member, who incautiously, in
his family devotions, prayed for the divine blessing
on the attempt, should it be made. The people were
instantly struck with the advantage of possessing the
place. When the decision was made known, a pe¬
tition, signed by a large number of merchants, was
presented to the general court, praying them to com¬
ply with the governor's proposal. The subject was
again discussed, and a vote in favor of the expedition
was passed by a majority of one.
The question was now decided ; and all who were
before averse to the enterprise, imited heartily with
its supporters to caiTy it into execution. The other
New England colonies were solicited, and agreed to
furnish assistance ; and a boat was despatched to Com¬
modore Warren, in the West Indies, to invite his
cooperation. Colonel PeppereU was appointed com¬
mander-in-chief, and Roger Wolcott, of Connecticut,
second in command.
In two months, an army of more than four thousand
men was enlisted, clothed, victualled, and equipped
for service, in the four New England colonies, which did
not then contain four hundred thousand inhabitants. On
the 23d of March, the despatch-boat returned from the
West Indies, with advdce that Commodore Warren
declined furnishing aid. This intelligence was kept
secret The troops of Massachusetts embarked, as
though nothing discouraging had happened ; and about
the middle of April, they, as well as those sent by
Connecticut and New Hampshire, arrived safe at Canso.
Commodore Warren had but just despatched his
answer, when he received orders to repair to Boston
with such ships as could be spared, and concert
measures with Governor Shirley for his majesty's
service in North America. He sailed instantly; but
MASSACHUSETTS.
85
learning, in his course, that tlie transports had left
Boston for Canso, he steered directly lor that place,
where he amved on the 23d of April. He added much
to their naval strength, and much to that confidence
which, by promising, insures, victory.
Seversd vessels of war, which had been sent to
cruise before Louisburg, had captured a niunber of
French ships, and prevented any intelligence of the
expedition from reaching the enemy. These vessels
were daily in sight of the place, but were supposed to
be privateers, and caused no alarm. The appearance
of the fleet, on the 30th of April, gave the French the
first intimation of their danger.
The troops immediately landed ; and the next day
a detachment of four hundred, marching round the
hills, approached within a mUe of the grand battery,
setting fire to all the houses and stores on the way.
Many of these contained pitch and tar, which pro¬
duced a thick smoke, that completely enveloped the
invaders. The fears of the French were increased
by their uncertainty. They imagined the whole army
was coming upon them, and, throwing their powder
into a well, deserted the battery, of which the New
England troops took possession without loss.
This was uncommon good fortune ; but the most
difficult labors of the siege remained to be performed.
The cannon were to be drawn nearly two miles, over
a deep morass, in plain view, and within gunshot,
of the enemy's principal fortifications. For fourteen
nights, the troops, with straps over their shoulders,
and sinking to their knees in mud, were employed in
this service.
The approaches were then begun in the mode which
■seemed most proper to the shrewd understandings of
untaught militia. Those officers who were skilled in
the art of war, talked of zigzags and epavlements ; but
the troops made themselves merry with the terms,
and proceeded in their own way. By the 20th of
May, they had erected five batteries, one of which
86 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES.
mojnted five forty-two pounders, and did great oxe
cutiou.
Meanwhile the fleet, cruising in the harbor, had
been equally successfiil. It captured a French ship
of sixty-four guns, loaded with stores for the garrison,
to whom the loss was as distressing as to the besieg¬
ers the capture was fortunate. English ships-of-war
were, besides, continually arriving, and added such
strength to the fleet, that a combined attack upon the
town was resolved upon. The enemy, discovering
this design, deemed it unwise to abide the hazard of
an assault On the 15th of June, the French com¬
mander proposed a cessation of hostilities, and, on the
17th, capitulated.
Intelligence of this event, flying swiftly through the
colonies, diffused great and universal joy. And well
might the citizens of New England be elated with" the
glad tidings. Without even a suggestion from the
mother country, they had projected, and, with but
little assistance, had achieved, an enterprise of vast
importance to her and to them. Their commerce and
fisheries were now secure, and their maritime cities
relieved from all fear of attack from that quarter.
France, fh-ed with resentment at her loss, made
extraordinary exertions to retrieve it, and to inflict
chastisement on New England. The next summer,
she despatched to the American coast a powerful fleet,
carrying a large number of soldiers. The news of its
approach spread terror throughout New England,
but an uncommon succession of disasters, which the
pious of that time attributed to the special interposition
of Providence, deprived it of all power to inflict in-
jm-y. After remaining a short time on the coast, it
returned to France, having lost two admirals, both of
whom, it was supposed, put an end to their lives
through chagrin ; having also, by tempests, been re¬
duced to one half its force, and effected nothing.
In 1748, peace was concluded, each party restoring
all its prisoners and conquests — a striking, but not un-
NEW HAMPSHIRE.
87
common, illusti-ation of the folly of war. Louisburg,
though conquered by the colonies, was exchanged, by
Great Britain, for territories which she had lost in
Europe. New England murmured at this injustice;
but what avail the murmurs of the weak ?
From this period to the commencement of the next
French war, but few important events occurred in
Massachusetts. The bills of credit, which the colony
had issued to defray its enormous expenditure, were
redeemed by the government, at their depreciated
value. This example was followed, though tardily,
by the other governments. At the time of their re¬
demption, they were worth no more, in some colonies,
than one tenth, and in others, one twentieth, of the
sum for which they had been issued.
CHAPTER IV.
NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Two of the most active members of the council of
Plymouth were Sir Ferdinande Gorges, and Captain
John Mason. Gorges was governor of Plymouth, in
England ; and, having taken into his service three
Indians brought from America, he learned from them
many particulars of their country, and conceived san¬
guine hopes of making his fortune by despatching ships
to explore it, and by carrying on trade with the natives.
His first enterprises were unsuccessful ; but, neverthe¬
less, he persevered. Mason was a merchant of Lon¬
don ; was afterwards governor of Newfoundland,
where he acquired some knowledge of America ; was
governor, also, of Portsmouth, in Hampshire ; and,
a vacancy occurring in the council, he was elected a
member, and soon after appointed its secretary.
In 1621, Mason obtained from the council a grant
ys HISTORY OP THE UNITED STATES.
of all the land between the Rivers MerrimaG and
Naumkeag, which district was called Mariana. The
next year, Gorges and Mason obtained jointly a grant
of the land between the Rivers Merrimac and Saga¬
dahoc, extending back to the great lakes and the River
of Canada; and this tract was called Laconia. In
1623, designing to establish a fishery at the River Pis
cataqua, they sent over David Thompson, Edward and
William Hilton, fishmongers, with several others, in
two divisions. One landed on the southern shore of
the river, called the place Little Harbor, erected salt
works, and built a house, which they called Mason
Hail ; the other, led by tlie Hiltons, set up their stages
eight miles farther up the river, and called the place
at first Northatn, and afterwards Dover. Fishing and
trade being the sole object of both parties, these set¬
tlements increased slowly.
In 1629, Mason procured another patent, granting
the land between Piscataqua and Merrimac Rivers,
and extending sixty miles into the country ; and this
tract he called New Hampshire. Subsequently the
council granted to Edward Hilton the land about Hil¬
ton's Point ; and to Gorges, Mason, and others, the
land about Little Harbor. For what reasons these
several patents were granted, is not easily understood
at this day, and the question is not important. Trading
with the natives, fishing, and the making of salt, were
carried on at both places. In 1631, a house, called the
Great House, was built at Strawberry Bank, now
Portsmouth.
The death of Mason, which occurred in 1635, re¬
tarded the progress of the settlement at Little Harbor,
which was under his particular management. The
principal part of his estate in New Hampshire he be¬
queathed to his grandson, Robert Tufton, on condition
that he took the surname of Mason. In 1638, John
Wheelwright, the brother of Mrs. Hutchinson, banished
from Massachusetts for his Antinomian principles,
came, with a number of his adherents, to Squamscot
Falls, where they made a settlement, and called it
NEW HAMPSHIRE.
89
Exetet. Believing themselves to be out of the juris¬
diction of Massachusetts, they combined into a sep
arate body politic, chose rulers, and took an oath to
obey tliem. Wheelwright purchased of the Indians
a tract of land round the falls thirty miles square. It
is now ascertained that this purchase was not made
until 1638, and that the deed hearing date previous to
the grant to Mason was a forgery.
The widow and executrix of Mason, Unding the
expense of managing the estate in New Hampshire
greater than the income, relinquished the care of it ;
and the men in her employment divided among them¬
selves the goods and cattle. It is said that a hundred
oxen were driven to Boston, and there sold for twenty-
five pounds, equal to about one hundred and twenty-
five dollars, apiece, that being the current price of the
best oxen in New England at that time. They were
of a large breed imported from Denmark.
Among the Antinomians who were banished from
Massachusetts was Captain John Underbill. He had
been a soldier in the Netherlands; was brought to
Massachusetts, by Governor Winthrop, to train the
people in military discipline ; served in the Pequod
war ; and was once chosen a representative from
Boston. He was a singular compound of enthusiasm
in religion, turbulence in social life, licentiousness in
conduct, and bravery in war. After he and two con¬
tending clergymen, Knollys and Larkham, had, for
some time, kept Dover and Strawberry Bank in com¬
motion, he returned to Boston, and, in a large public
assembly, made humble confession of his sins, and es¬
pecially of a crime severely punished by our ancestors.
The church restored him to their communion, and
afterwards, at their own expense, sent him, at the re¬
quest of the Dutch, to New York, where, in a war with
the Indians, he distinguished himself for his bravery
and success. Knollys, after publicly confessing him¬
self guilty, and Larkham, dreading the exposure, of the
same crime, returned to England, and there proved the
sincerity of their religious opinions, by adhering to
VOL. I. 8
90 HISTORÏ OF TUE UNITED STATES.
theiu, though persecuted for non-conformity. Ëntltu*
siasm, even when sincere, is often only the result of
natural fervor of temperament, and the same natural
fervor often impels to the commission of wickedness.
The people of Dover and Strawberry Bank, not
having any established government, combined them
selves separately into a body politic, after the example
of their brethren at Exeter. But the more considerate,
sensible of their weakness, proposed to place them¬
selves under the protection of Massachusetts. That
colony contended that, by the most natural construc¬
tion of her charter, they were within her limits ; and,
in 1641, she gladly received them. They and aU the
settlements in New Hampshire were governed as a
part of that colony until the year 1680.
The Indian war, called Philip's war, which raged in
the years 1675 and 1676, extended to New Hampshire;
and the settlers on Piscataqua and Oyster Rivers suf¬
fered severely. Major WaJdron, of Dover, holding a
commission from Massachusetts, conducted the war,
in this region, on the part of the whites. In the win¬
ter of 1675, some of the eastern tribes sued to him for
peace, and by his mediation a treaty was concluded.
After the death of Philip, many of his followers en¬
deavored to conceal themselves among these tribes ;
but were pursued, and some, being caught, were exe¬
cuted. Others, rendered desperate, joined with the
Indians farther east in committing depredations upon
the settlers in Maine and New Hampshire. Massa¬
chusetts sent a body of troops against them, which, on
arriving at Dover, found there about four hundred
Indians, belonging principally to the tribes with which
VValdron had made peace. The officers from Massa¬
chusetts, being ordered to seize all Indians who had
been concerned in the war, insisted on attacking them
at once ; but Waldron dissuaded them, and contrived
a stratagem to effect their object. He proposed to the
Indians to unite in a training and sham fight, added
his own troops to those from Massachusetts, and, after
the Indians had discharged their muskets, surrounded
NEW ii.vMPSHinr,.
91
them, made them all prisoners, and, separating those
with whom he had made peace from those who had
joined them, sent the latter to Boston, where some
were executed, and the rest sold into slavery in foreign
parts. The friendly Indians, though unharmed, ac¬
cused Waldron of breach of faith, alleging that those
sent to Boston had been received, according to their
usage, into their tribes, and since then had committed
no hostilities. His conduct was highly applauded by
the whites, but the Indians never forgave him.
In 1675, Robert Mason,-grandson and heir of John
Mason, applied to the king to obtain possession of the
territory and rights which had been granted to his an¬
cestor. Notice of this application was given to Mas¬
sachusetts, and the parties were heard before the king
in council. In 1679, a decree was passed, that New
Hampshire should be constituted a separate province,
to be ruled by a president and council, who were to
be appointed by the king, and a house of representa¬
tives, to be chosen by the people. No decision was
marie affecting the titles to land.
John Cutt was appointed president, and, in 1680, the
first assembly, consisting of eleven members, met at
Portsmouth. At this session, a code of laws was
adopted, of which the first, in a style worthy of free¬
men, declared, " that no act, imposition, law, or ordi¬
nance, should be imposed upon the inhabitants of the
province, but such as should be made by the assembly,
and approved by the president and council." This
was twelve years previous to the enactment of a
similar law in Massachusetts. By another law, idola¬
try, blasphemy, witchcraft, manstealing, cursing and
rebelling against parents, and many other crimes, were
iiiade capital.
In the same year, Edward Randolph, a kinsman of
Mason, came over with the appointment of collector
of the customs throughout New England. It was his
duty to enforce the acts of trade and navigation, which,
in New Hampshire as well as in all the other colonies,
were considered violations of their rights, and oi)pres-
'J:i HISTCfKr OF THE UNITED STATES.
sively unjust, because, for the sole benefit of England^
they confined the trade of the colonies to English ports.
Having seized a vessel belonging to Portsmouth, and
bound to Ireland, he was prosecuted by the owner, and
judgment obtained against him. Afterwards, he being
absent, his deputy, Walter Barefoot, published an ad¬
vertisement requiring that all vessels should be entered
and cleared with him. He was thereupon indicted
" for having, in a high and presumptuous manner, set
up his majesty's office of customs without leave iron»
the president and council," was conidcted, and sen¬
tenced to pay a fine of ten pounds. The men of that
day were indeed men of nerve.
Mason, who had been appointed a member of the
council, arrived at the same time in the colony. He
assumed the title of lord proprietor, claimed the soil as
his property, and threatened to proseeute all who would
not take from him leaseä of the lands they oceupied.
His pretensions were resisted by most of the inhab¬
itants, who claimed the fee simple of the soil by pur¬
chase from the Indians — a more righteous, if not more
le^l, title.
Discouraged by the opposition he met with, he re¬
turned to England, and solicited a change in the gov¬
ernment of the colony. Edward Cranfield was ap¬
pointed lieutenant-governor. He was to receive, for
his compensation, all the fines and forfeitures due and
accruing to tlie king, and one fifih of all the rents due
and accruing to Mason, He was authorized, by his
commission, to negative all acts of the assembly, to
suspend councillors, and to appoint a deputy-governor
and all colonial officers. He did not hesitate to avow
that he accepted the office with the expectation of
enriching himself.
On his arrival, in 1G82, he suspended two councillors,
Waldron and Martyn, who had been active in opposing
Mason; and in a short time, by new appointments,
filled all the offices with his adherents. Mason then
brought a suit against Waldron, to try the validity of
his title. Waldron made no defence, aud judgment
NEW HAMPSmilE-
Was rendered against hiin. Many other suits were
brought ; no defence was made ; executions were is¬
sued, but only two or three were levied, and these levies
were ineíTectual, for no one would purchase or take a
lease of the lands, and the former claimants continued
to enjoy them.
The tyranny and extortion of Cranfield and his sub¬
ordinates goaded the people to desperation ; and they
secretly sent an agent, Nathaniel Weare, to England
with petitions for his removal. Major Vaughan ac¬
companied him to Boston ; and, it being known that he
had been employed to procure depositions to be for¬
warded to the agent in London, he was, on some pre¬
text, committed to prison when he returned, and was
kept nine months in confinement.
Greedy for more money than he could gain by ex¬
tortion, Cranfield summoned an assembly, and laid
before them a bill for raising money to defend the
province and to defray other necessary charges. The
assembly refused to pass the bill ; when he, in a rage,
told them that they had been to consult Moody and
other enemies of the king and church of England, and
dissolved them. In a spirit of revenge, he persuaded
the courts of sessions to appoint several of the mem¬
bers constables for the ensuing j'ear ; some of whom
took the oath, and others paid the fine, which was ten
pounds, and was one of his perquisites.
This Moody was a Puritan clergyman, who had
rendered himself obnoxious by the plainness of his
pulpit discourses, and had, moreover, given offence by
a highly-honorable enforcement of church discipline
against a man whose cause Cranfield had espoused.
The penal laws against non-conformists were then
executed with great rigor in England ; and the gov¬
ernor, believing that his conduct would not be disa¬
vowed by his sovereign, declared, by proclamation,
that all ministers, who should refuse to administer the
Lord's supper, according to the Book of Common
Prayer, to any one requiring it, should suffer the pen¬
alty imposed by the statute of nnifbrmity. A short
{)! HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES,
time after, he gave notice to Moody that he intended
to partake of tlie Lord's supper the next Sunday, and
required him to administer it according to the Liturgy.
Moody refused, and was indicted for his refusal. At
first, four of the six justices were for acquitting him ;
but the trial being adjourned, Cranfield found means
to change the opinions of two of the four ; and he was
sentenced to six months' confinement The two jus¬
tices, who remained inflexible, were removed from all
their offices.
Notwithstanding the governor's efforts to prevent it,
depositions proving his misconduct were forwarded to
London; the lords of trade made a report censmang
his conduct ; and he, having previously solicited leave
of absence, was allowed to return, and, on his arrival
in England, was made collector of Barbadoes. Walter
Barefoot was appointed deputy-governor, and held the
office until Joseph Dudley was commissioned president
over all New England.
For several years, the same governor presided over
Massachusetts and New Hampshire. After Andros
was deposed, the inhabitants of the latter colony de¬
sired to be incorporated with their former brethren.
Their request was opposed by Samuel Allen, who had
purchased 3Iason's title, and was refused. Allen was
made governor of tlie colony, and, by his influence,
John Usher, his son-in-law, was appointed lieutenant-
governor. Under his administration, the disputes oc¬
casioned by adverse claims to land continued to rage
with increased violence. Other suits were instituted,
and judgments obtained; but the sheriff was forcibly
resisted by a powerful combination, whenever he at¬
tempted to put the plaintiff in possession.
From Indian wars this colony suffered more than
any of her sisters. The Indians who had been dis¬
missed unharmed by ÄlajorWaldron bad not forgotten
what they considered his breach of faith : some of
those who had been sold into slavery had returned, and
thirsted for revenge. New causes of offence had been
given by Cranfield ; and Castine, a Frenchman, who
NEW HAMPSHIRE.
95
had a trading establishment east of the Penobscot,
having been wronged, as he thought, by Andros, in-
tiamed their animosity. In 1G89, though peace pre¬
vailed, several tribes united to surprise Ûover, and
take vengeance on Waldron.
Having determined upon their plan of attack, they
employed more than their usual art to lull the suspi¬
cions of the inhabitant^. So civil and respectful was
their behavior, that they often obtained permission to
sleep in the fortified houses in the town. On the
evening of^the fatal night, they assembled in the neigh¬
borhood, and sent their women to apply for lodgings
at the houses devoted to destruction ; who were not
only admitted, but were shown how they could open
the doors should they have occasion to go out in the
night.
When all was quiet, the doors were opened, and
the signal given. The Indians rushed into Waldron's
house, and hastened to his apartment. Awakened by
the noise, he seized his sword, and drove them back, but,
when retm-ning for his other arms, was stunned with
a hatchet, and fell. They then dragged him into his
hall, seated him in an elbow-chair, upon a long table,
and insultingly asked him, "Who shall judge Indians
now.'" After feasting upon provisions which they
compelled the rest of the family to procure, each one,
with a knife, cut gashes across his breast, saying, "1
cross out my account." When, weakened with the
loss of blood, he was about to fall from the table, his
own sword was held under him, which put an end to
his misery.
At other houses, similar acts of cruelty were perpe¬
trated. In the whole, twenty-three persons were killed,
twenty-nine carried prisoners to Canada, and mostly
sold to the French. Remembering kindness as well
as iiijiuy, they spared one woman, who, thirteen years
before, had conferred a favor on one of the party.
Many houses were burned ; much property was plun¬
dered ; and so expeditious were the Indians, that they
96 UISTORY OF THE ENITED STATES.
had fled beyond reach before the neighboiing people
could be collected.
The war thus commenced was prosecuted with great
vigor. The French, by giving premiums for scalps,
and by purchasing the English prisoners, animated the
Indians to exert all their activity and address, and the
frontier inhabitants endured the most aggravated suf¬
ferings. The settlements on Oyster River were again
surprised ; twenty houses were burned, and nearly one
hundred persons were killed or made prisoners. Other
towns were attacked, many persons slain, and many
carried into captivity. The peace of Ryswick, in 1697,
closed the distressing scene. In 1703, another war
began, which continued ten years.
A colony of Scotch Presbyterians had removed to
Ireland in the reign of James I. The persecutions
which they suffered ra subsequent reigns induced
many of them to seek a home in America ; and in
1718, about one hundred families arrived, in five ships,
at Boston. After inquiry, a part of them determined
to settle at a place called Nutfield, in New Hampshire.
In the spring of the next year, they repaired to that
place, and, on the first evening after their arrival,
listened to a sermon, tmder a large oak, from James
M'Gregor, whom they afterwards'called to be their
minister. They introduced the foot spinning-wheel,
the manufacture of linen, and the culture of potatoes.
The town was afterwards incorporated by the name
of Londonderry, from a city of that name in Ireland,
in which some of the emigrants had endured the hard¬
ships of a memorable siege.
These emigrants, unable to procure any other title,
obtained such as Colonel Wheelwright could give by
virtue of a license granted, nearly one hundred years
before, by the Indians, to John Wheelwright, his ances¬
tor. The people witnessed with dissatisfaction this
appropriation, by foreigners, of land which they had
defended. It was the interest of all that the settle¬
ments should be extended ; many residents of the col
NEW HAMPSHIRE.
97
ony were anxious to obtain grants ; but the claim
of the assignees of Mason was in the way. At length,
petitions being presented, notice to all claimants given,
and no objections made, the governor, in 1722, granted
the townships of Chester, Nottingham, Barrington, and
Rochester. Previously, but few settlements had been
made beyond the original limits of Exeter, Portsmouth
and Dover.
From 1722 to 1726, the inhabitants again suffered
tbe afflictions of an Indian war. Following the ex¬
ample of thaFrench, the government offered premiums
for scalps, which induced several volunteer companies
to undertake expeditions against the enemy. One of
these, commanded by Captain Lovewell, was greatly
distinguished, at first by its success, and allerwards by
its misfortunes.
A history of tliese Indian wars might he interesting,
but would not be instructive. An account of the con¬
tinual quarrels between the assignees of Mason and
the people ; between the governors and the asemblies ;
between the governors and lieutenant-governors ; and
between Massachusetts and New Hampshire con¬
cerning boundaries, would be neither. It may not be
unimportant to allude to the frequent contests between
the surveyors of the king's woods and the people. It
was the duty of this officer to mark, with a broad arrow,
all pine trees suitable for the royal navy ; and these the
people were forbidden to cut. The prohibition was often
violated, and prosecutions were frequently instituted.
Sometimes logs were seized at the mill, and then for¬
cible resistance was not unusual. Once the surveyor,
with his assistants, went to Exeter to seize logs, but
on the evening of his arrival was attacked by a party
dressed and painted like Indians, and severely beaten.
The dispute about boundaries was decided, by the
king, contrary to the plain letter of the charters, in
favor of New Hampshire, for the reason, it has been
hinted, that, by so deciding, tlie land bearing the best
of mast trees would be assigned to her, in which case
98
history of the united states.
they would be the property of the crown, while all
that grew in Massachusetts belonged to that colony.
Long after the transfer Irom Mason to Allen, some
defect in the conveyance was discovered, which ren¬
dered it void. In 1746, John Tufton Mason, a de¬
scendant of the original grantee, claiming the lands
possessed by his ancestors, conveyed them, for fifteen
hundred pounds, to twelve persons, subsequently called
the RIasonian proprietors. They, to silence opposition,
voluntarily relinquished their claim to the lands already
occupied by others.
They also granted townships on the most liberal
terms. Reserving certain portions of the land for
themselves, for the first settled ministers, and for
schools, they required merely that the grantees should,
within a limited time, erect mills at:d meeting-houses,
clear out roads, and settle ministers of the gospel. In
process of time, nearly all the Masonian lands, being
about one fourth of the whole, were, in this manner,
granted; and contention and lawsuits ceased to dis¬
turb the repose, and to impede the prosperity, of the
colony.
CHAPTER V.
RHODE ISLAND.
In the history ^/-Massachusetts it has been stated
that Roger Williams, a clergyman of Salem, was, in
16.34, banished from that colony. He did not imme¬
diately depart ; but in January, 1636, learning that prep¬
arations were made to send him to England, he left
his home, and, after wandering in the woods, and re¬
siding many weeks with the Indians, arrived and
seated himself at Seekonk. The governor of Plym¬
outh warned him that the place was within the limits
of that colony ; an^he»Hhereiore, m June, descended
the Pawtucket, ax\Ä, «turning retrnd-j^*- Faiat, slake(|
his thirst at a spriigiSn the.haul^tyhich is yet shoT^
to the curious in m-aditionary To^^ Nfebr -ifeA-spriñ^
he erected his haWtation ; and, io ^ç^çfu^ acknowl-y
edgment of " God's\;je^ful providence to hinein hj«
distress," he called the^ 4^,yro-vic lençe-,
He found the land on vmh»kl¡¡^|OTÍ^gi»d-ttímself
to be within the territory of the Narraganset Indians.
In 1638, he purchased it of Canonicus and Miantono-
moh, two of their chiefs. He divided it freely among
all who would come and dwell upon it, " reserving to
himself not one foot of land, nor one tittle of political
power." Many soon settled around him ; magistrates
were not known ; the people in a body exercised legis¬
lative, judicial, and executive power. It was one of
the charges against him in Massachusetts, that he had
avowed the doctrine that " to punish a man for matter
of conscience is persecution." In his exile, he ad¬
hered to that doctrine ; he welcomed all who came ;
and the patriarch of the settlement would allow no
one to be held answerable ibr his religious opinions at
any tribunal but his Maker's. The charter of Mary¬
land was the first that secm-ed liberty of conscience to
all Christian sects ; the charity of Roger Williams em
braced Jews, Mohammedans, and all the heathen.
His benevolence was not confined to his civilized
brethren. He labored to enlighten, improve, and con¬
ciliate the savages. He learned then- language, trav¬
elled among them, and gained the entire confidence
of their chiefs. He had often the happiness, by his
influence over them, of saving from injury the colony
that had proclaimed him an outlaw, and driven him
into the wilderness.
In 1638, William Coddington, and seventeen others,
being persecuted for their religious tenets in Massa¬
chusetts, followed Williams to Providence. By his
advice, they purchased of the Indians the Island of
Aquetnec, now called Rhode Island, and removed
«hither. Coddington was chosen their judge, or chief
100 HISTOllY OF THE ÜNITED STATES.
magistrate. The fertility of the soil, and the toleration
of all Christian sects, attracted numerous emigrants
from the adjacent settlements. ^
When the New England colonies, in 164-3, formed
their memorable confederacy, Rhode Island applied
to be admitted a member. Plymouth objected, as¬
serting that the settlements were within her bounda¬
ries. The commissioners decided that Rhode Island
might enjoy all the advantages of the confederacy, if
she would submit to the jurisdiction of Plymouth.
She declined, proudly prefei-ring independence to all
the benefits of dependent union.
In 1643, Williams went to England as agent for
both settlements ; and the next year obtained, by the
influence of Sir Henry Vane, a patent from the par¬
liament, then exercising the supreme power, by which
the towns of Providence, Newport, and Portsmouth
were mcorporated, with the power of governing them¬
selves. In 1647, all the freemen met at Portsmouth,
enacted a code of laws, and established a civil govern¬
ment. An assembly was constituted, to consist of six
representatives from each town; and the executive
and supreme judicial power was vested in a president
and four assistants. Town courts were established
for the trial of small causes, with an appeal to the
president and assistants.
The executive committee of parliament had given
to Coddington a commission to govern the islands in
the bay. This interfered with the patent which had
been granted at the solicitation of Williams, and
threatened the dismemberment of the colony. In
1651, he and John Clarke were appointed agents, and
sent to England to persuade the committee to with¬
draw the commission. Again he sought the assist¬
ance of Vane, and again succeeded. He returned to
Rhode Island ; Clarke remained in London, and long
acted as the faithful agent of the colony.
Upon the application of the inhabitants, the king, in
1663, granted a charter incorporating the colony of
Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. It declared
rniODE ISLAND.
IUI
tliat no person snould be molested or called in question
for any difference in matters of religion. For the gov¬
ernment of the colony, it vested the supreme power
in an assembly, to consist of a governor or deputy-gov¬
ernor, ten assistants, and representatives from the
several towns, all to be chosen by the freemen. This
charter still remains in force ; the state not having,
like her sisters, formed a constitution for herself.
The benevolence, justice, and pacific policy of Wil¬
liams secm-ed to the colony an almost total exemption
Irom Indian Jjostility. He continued to reside at Prov¬
idence, sometimes, by the choice of the people, hold¬
ing the office of president, sometimes that of assistant,
and sometimes that of deputy. He died in 1683, in
the eighty-fourth year of his age.
When Andres was made governor of New Eng¬
land, he dissolved tlie charter government of Rhode
Island, and ruled the colony with the assistance of a
council appointed by himselfi After he was deposed
and imprisoned at Boston, the freemen met at New¬
port, and voted to resume their charter. All the
officers who had been displaced three years before,
were rechosen ; and all accepted the several offices,
but Walter Clarke, who was rechosen governor. In his
stead, the assembly appointed Henry Bull, a Quaker,
the only one living of all who came with Coddington,
in 1638
The colony, nappily situated for commerce, cheaply
governed, too small to attract the cupidity of England,
increased continually in wealth and population. In
1730, the number of inhabitants was eighteen thousand ;
in 1761, it was forty thousand. Brown University was
founded at Warren in 1764, and was removed, a few
years after, to Providence. It takes its name fi'om
Nicholas Brown, who gave to the institution five thou-
... .,1
t02 HISTORÏ OF THE UNITED STATES.
CHAPTER VL
CONNECTICUT.
L\ the year 1630, the Plymouth Compauy granted tc
the earl of Warwick, and in 1631, the earl assigned to
Viscount Say and Seal, Lord Brook, and others, the
territory which now constitutes the state of Connecti¬
cut. Among the assignees, besides those mentioned,
were Rich, Fiennes, Pym, andHambden, distinguished
Puritans, and active friends of liberty in the contest
between King Charles and the parliament. So little
was then known of the geography of the country, that
the grant was made to extend, iu longitude, from the
Atlantic to the South Sea or Pacific Ocean. It was
upon this clause in her charter, that Cormecticut, long
afterwards, founded her claim to land in Pennsylvania
and Ohio.
About the time of the date of the grant, a chief of
an Indian tribe which owned the country on Connecti¬
cut River, visited Plymouth and Boston, and eeu-nestly
solicited the respective governors to make a settlement
on that river. He described the country as exceedingly
fertile, and pronaised to pay eighty beaver-skins a year
to the one who should comply with his request It is
supposed that his object was, not only to profit from
the trade of the English, but to secure their aid to
protect his tribe from their enemies, the Pequods. Mr
Winslow, the governor of Plymouth, and a few others,
accordingly visited the country, and selected a place
near the mouth of the little river in Windsor, for the
establishment- of a trading house.
The Dutch at New York, apprized of this project of
the English, determined to anticipate them, and im¬
mediately despatched a party, who erected a foil at
Hartford. In September, 1633, a company from Plym¬
outh, having prepared the frame of a house, put it on
Doard a vessel, and, passing the fort, cr nveyed it to the
CONNECTICUT.
103
place previously selected, in October, they raised,
covered, and fortified it tvith palisades. The Dutch,
considering them intruders, sent, the next year, a band
of seventy men to drive them from the country ; but,
finding them strongly posted, they relinquished tJie
design.
In the autumn of 1G35, many of the inhabitants of
Dorchester and Watertown, in Massachusetts, having
heard of the fertile meadows on Connecticut River,
removed thither, and began settlements at Weathers-
field and Wihdsor. During the next winter, their suf¬
ferings from famine were extreme. So destitute were
they of provisions, that many, in dread of starvation,
returned, in December, to Massachusetts. In their
journey through the dreary wilderness, at this in¬
clement season, they encountered indescribable hard¬
ships.
In the same year, the assignees above named, desirous
of commencing a settlement, sent over, as their agent
and governor, Mr. John Winthrop, son of Governor
Winthrop, of Massachusetts, with instructions to erect
a fort at the mouth of the river, and commodious
houses, as well for settlers as for such gentlemen of
quality as might determine to emigrate. Hearing, at
Boston, where he landed, that the Dutch were prepar¬
ing to take possession of the same place, he repaired
tliither immediately, began his fort, and mounted his
cannon. A few days aftenvards, a party of Dutch
troops arrived, but were not permitted to land.
The next spring, those who had been compelled by
famine to revisit Massachusetts, returned to Connecti¬
cut. In June, the Rev. Thomas Hooker, of Cambridge,
" the light of the western churches," and about one
hundred men, women, and children, belonging to his
congregation, left their homes to establish themselves
on Connecticut River. Their route lay through an un¬
explored wilderness. They travelled on foot, drove
their cattle before them, and subsisted on the milk of
their cows. They had no guide but the compass, no
shelter, no pillow, and no guard. Many had recently
104 HIsTyUY OK TU tí t'MTEIJ STATES.
left England, where they had lived in comfort and
afHuence, Mrs. Hooker was borne on a litter. They
were nearly a fortnight on their journey, travelling but
ten mUes a day. They seated themselves at Hartford,
having first purchased lands of the Indians.
In 1637, all the settlements in New England were
involved in hostilities with the Pequods, a tribe of Li¬
diaos inhabiting New London and the country aroimd
it. Some account of this war has been given in the
history of Massachusetts. Previous to any expedition
against them, they had killed many of the emigrants to
Connecticut, had captured others, and tortured them
to death. In the short war which followed, their sur¬
viving brethren, for bravery in battle and fortitude in
suffering, were not suroassed by any portion of the
English troops.
At first, the emigrants acknowledged the authority
of Massachusetts. In January, 1639, the freemen,
having convened at Hartford, adopted a constitution
for themselves. They ordained that two general couns,
or assemblies, should be held annually, one in April,
the other in September ; that at the court held in April,
styled the Comt of Election, all the freemen should as¬
semble together and choose a governor, six magistrates,
and all the public officers; that the several towns
should choose deputies, who should meet, as well
when the court of election was held, in April, as in
September, and they, in conjunction with the governor
and magistrates, should have power to enact laws, and
perform all necessary public duties. The magistrates
were authorized to administer justice according to
established laws, " and, for want thereof, according to
the rule of the word of God." At this time, the colony
consisted of only three towns, Windsor, Hartford, and
Wethersfield ; each of which was empowered to send
four deputies.
In the same year, George Fenwick, one of the pat¬
entees, came over with his family, and settled .at the
mouth of the river. In honor of Lord Say and Seal,
and Lord Brook, he called the place Saybrook. Others
CONNECT IC UT>
105
Afterwards joined him ; and for several years they
were governed by their own magistrates and laws. In
1644, Mr. Fenwick, for seven thousand dollars, assigned
to the general court of Connecticut the fort at Say-
brook, and all the rights conferred by the patent from
the Plymouth Company in England, This settlement
then became a part of the colony. The elaim of
Plymouth colony, founded upon their having first
made an establishment at Windsor, had been pre¬
viously purchased.
In tiie mean time, another colony had been planted
within the limits of the Connecticut patent. In June,
1637, two large ships arrived at Boston, from England,
having on board Mr. Davenport, Mr. Eaton, and many
others, whom pious motives had impelled to emigi-ate
to New England. Being highly respectable, and some
of them possessing great wealth, the general court of
Massachusetts, desirous of detaining them in the col¬
ony, offered them any place they might select for a
plantation.
Wishing, however, to institute a civil and religious
community, conforming in all things to their peculiar
principles, they removed, the next year, to Quinnipiac,
which they called New Haven. Soon afler their ar¬
rival, at the close of a day of fasting and prayer, they
subscribed what they termed a Plantation Covenant,
solemnly binding themselves, " until otherwise ordered,
to be governed in all things, of a civil as well as reli¬
gious concern, by the rules which the Scripture held
forth to them," They purchased of the natives large
tracts of land, and laid out their town in squares,
designing it for a gi-eat and elegant city.
In 1639, all the free planters, assembled in a large
barn, proceeded to lay the foundation of their civil and
religious polity. They resolved that none but church
members should be allowed the privilege of voting, or
be elected to office ; that all the freemen should an¬
nually a.ssemble and elect the officers of the colony;
and that the word of Cîod should be the only rule for
ordering the affairs of the commonwealth. Such was
VOT.. T. 0
lOÖ HISTÜKY OK THE »jmTED STATE».
the original constitution of New Haven ; but a» the
population increased, and new towns were settled,
different regulations were adopted, and the institutions
and laws became gradually assimilated to those ot
Connecticut.
With the Dutch at New York both colonies had
constant and vexatious, disputes. The former claimed
all the territory as far east as Connecticut River : the
latter complained that the Dutch often plundered their
property ; that they sold guns and ammimition to the
Indians, and even encouraged them to make war upon
the English. The fear of attack fi-om tíiat quarter was
one of the reasons which, in 1643, induced the colonies
of New England to form a confederation for their
mutual defence.
The criminal code of Connecticut was completed
in the year 1642. Idolatry, blasphemy, witchcraft, un-
natimal lusts, manstealing, cursing and smiting father
or mother, and several other- crimes, were made pun¬
ishable with death. In the statute, the several passages
of Scriptm-e, upon which the various enactments were
founded, were referred to.
Tobacco having just begun to come into use, a law
was passed, in 1647, that no person under twenty years
of age, nor any other who had not already accustomed
himself to the use of it, should take any, without having
obtained a certifícate from a physician that it was use¬
ful for him, and also a license from the court. The
penalty was a fíne of sixpence, which was ordered to
be paid "without gainsaying."
In 1650, a treaty of amity and partition was con¬
cluded at Hartford, between the English and Dutch,
the latter relinquishing their claim to the territorj'of
Connecticut, except the lands tvhich they actually oc¬
cupied. Soon afber, England and Holland were in¬
volved in war with each other, but their colonies in
America agreed to remain at peace. Notwithstanding
this agreement, the Dutch governor was detected in
concerting with the Indians a plot for the total extir¬
pation of the English.
CONNECTICUT,
107
Connecticut and New Haven were alarmed; a
meeting of the commissioners of the united colonies
was called, and evidence of the plot laid before them.
A majority was in favor of war ; but the colony of
Massachusetts, being remote from the danger, was
averse to it. As she was much stronger than either
of the others, it was, at the suggestion of her deputies,
resolved that agents should first be sent to demand of
the Dutch governor an explanation of his conduct.
The agents obtained no satisfactory explanation.
On their return, another meeting of the commissioners
was held at Boston, additional testimony was laid be¬
fore them, and several ministers of Massachusetts were
invited to assist at their deliberations — a practice not
unusual at that period. The ministers, after consider¬
ing the subject, declared, " that the proofs of the exe¬
crable plot, tending to the destruction of the dear saints
of Grod, were of such weight as to induce them to be¬
lieve the reality of it; yet they were not so fully con¬
clusive as to bear up their hearts with the fulness of
persuasion which was meet in commending the case
to God in prayer, and to the people in exhortations ;
and that it would be safest for the colonies to forbear
the use of the sword." But all the commissioners,
except one, were of opinion that recent aggressions
justified, and self-preservation dictated, an appeal to
the sword. They were about to declare war, when the
general court of Massachusetts, in direct violation of
one of the articles of the confederation, resolved, " that
no determination of the commissioners, though all
should agree, should hind the colony to engage in
hostilities."
At this declaration, Connecticut and New Haven
felt alarmed and indignant. They considered the other
colonies too weak, without the assistance of Massa¬
chusetts, to contend with the Dutch and their Indian
allies: They argued, entreated, and remonstrated, but
she continued inflexible. They then represented their
danger to Cromwell, and implored his assistance. He,
with his usual promptitude, sent a fleet fi>r their pro-
108 HISTORY OP THE UNITED STATES.
tection, and for the conquest of their enemies; nut
peace in Europe, intelligence of which reached New
England soon after the arrival of the fleet, saved the
Dutch from subjugation, and relieved the colonies from
the dread of massacre.
After Charles IL was restored to the throne, Con¬
necticut applied to him for a royal charter. A trifling
circumstance induced him, forgetting all his arbitrary
maxims, to comply with her wishes to their utmost
extent. Her agent, Mr. Winthrop, having an extraor¬
dinary ring, which had been given to his grandfather
by Charles L, presented it to his son. He immediately
granted a charter more liberal in its provisions than
any that had yet been granted, and confirming, in
every particular, the constitution which the people had
themselves adopted.
This charter comprehended New Haven; but, for
several years, the people of that colony utterly refused
to consent to the union. In this opposition to the
commands of the king and the remonstrances of Con¬
necticut, they persevered until 1665, when the appre¬
hension of the appointment of a general governor, and
of their being imited with some other colony, having a
charter less favorable to liberty, impelled them, though
reluctantly, to yield.
In the war with Philip, which began in 1675, Con¬
necticut suflered less than her sister colonies. Her aid,
however, in full proportion to her strength, was always
freely aflforded ; and no troops surpassed her volunteers
in bravery and enterprise. A large number, and many
of them oflicers, were killed at the assault upon the
fort at Narraganset.
When Charles IL, in 1664, granted the New Nether¬
lands to the duke of York, the territory of Connecticut
was included in the same patent. In 1675, Major An-
dros, who had been appointed his governor by the duke,
came by water, with an armed force, to Saybrook, to
take possession of the fbrt at that place. Information
of his purpose had been communicated to Deputy-Gov¬
ernor Leet, who despatched Captain Bull, with a de-
CONNECTICUT.
109
nchment of the militia of Hartford, to oppose him.
On his arrhiJ there, he found the fort already manned
hy the militia of the place. Major Andros, being per¬
mitted to land, directed his secretary to read his com
mission in presence of the assembled people. Captain
Bull, with resolute voice and manner, commanded the
secretary to forbear ; and proceeded himself to read a
protest which had been forwarded by the assembly,
then sitting at Hartford. The major, seeing himself
the weakest, and pleased with Bull's boldness and
soldier-lik» appearance, told him his horns ought to be
tipped with gold, desisted, and returned to New York.
The lords of trade and plantations, desirous of ob¬
taining information concerning the colonies, forwarded
certain queries to the several governors, which they
were requested to answer. By the reply of the gov¬
ernor of Connecticut, dated in 1680, it appears tliat
the colony then contained twenty-six towns ; that the
mihtia consisted of two thousand five hundred and
seven; that the annual exports amounted to forty-four
thousand dollars; that the whole number of tradhig
vessels was twenty-seven, the tonnage of which was
one thousand and fifty tons. The population is sup¬
posed to have been about twelve thousand.
In 1686, King James U., desirous of annulling, not
only the charters which had been granted to his Eng¬
lish cities, but those also which had been granted to
his American colonies, summoned the governor of
Connecticut to appear and show cause why her charter
should not he declared void ; and Sir Edmund An¬
dros, who had been appointed governor of New Eng¬
land, advised the colony, as the course best calculated
to insure the good-will of his majesty, to resign it
voluntarily into his hands, he having been instructed
to receive it. But the people estimated too highly the
privileges it conferred to surrender it until necessity
compelled them.
Sir Edmund, therefore, repaired, with a body of
troops, to Hartford, where the assembly were in ses
sion, and demanded of them the charter. They hes
110 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES.
itated and debated until evening. It was then pro¬
duced, and laid upon the table, a lai-ge number of
people being present Suddenly, the candles were
extinguished. With counterfeited haste, they were
again relighted ; hut the charter could no where he
found. In the dark, it had been privately carried off
by a Captain Wadsworth, and concealed in a hollow
tree. Sir Edmund, however, assumed the government
of the colony, and ruled with the same absolute sway,
though not with the same oppressive tyranny, as in
Massachusetts.
When James was driven from his throne and king¬
dom, and his governor deposed, Connecticut resumed
her fornier government. The assembly voted a flat¬
tering address to King William. The suit, instituted
for the purpose of annulling her charter, was aban¬
doned ; and her inhabitants, while enjoying greater
privileges than any of their brethren, had reason to
congi-atulate themselves upon their address and good
fortune in preserving them.
But, not long afterwards, they were again called
upon to defend these privileges from encroachment.
In 1692, Colonel Fletcher was appointed governor of
New York, and was authorized, by his commission, to
take command of the mUitia of Connecticut This
power having been given, by the charter, to the gov¬
ernor of the colony, he determined not to relinquish
it, and in this determination was supported by the
people.
The next year, when the general court were in ses¬
sion, Colonel Fletcher repaired to Hartford, and re¬
quired that the militia of the colony should be placed
under his command. This was resolutely refused.
He then ordered the train-bands of the city to be as¬
sembled. This being done, he appeared before them,
and directed his aid to read to them his commission
and instructions from the king.
Captain Wadsworth, the senior oflicer of the militia,
present, instantly ordered the drums to beat ; and such
was the noise, that nothing else could be beard.
CONNECTICUT
111
Colonel Fletcher commanded silence ; and again his
aid began to read. " Drum, drum, I say ! " exclaimed
Wadsworth ; and a command so acceptable to the
players was obeyed with spirit Once more the
colonel commanded silence, and a pause ensued.
" Drum, drum, I say ! " cried the captain,and, turning to
Governor Fletcher, addressed him, with energy in his
voice, tgid meaning in his looks — " If I am interrupted
again, I will make the stm shine through you in a mo¬
ment !"
Deeming it unwise to contend with such a spirit,
Colonel Fletcher desisted, left Hartford the next night,
and returned to New York. A representation of the
opposing claims being made to the king, he decided
that the governor of Connecticut should have the com¬
mand of the militia; but in time of war, a certain
number should be placed under the orders of Fletcher.
In 1700, Yale College was founded. It owes its
existence to the beneficence and public spirit of the
clergy. It was first established at Saybrook ; and, in
1702, the first degrees were there conferred. Elihii
Yale made several donations to the institution, and
from him it derives the name it bears. A succession
of able instructors has raised it to a high rank among
the literary institutions of the country.
In 1708, an act was passed by the legislature, re
quiring the ministers and delegates of churches to
meet and form an ecclesiastical constitution for the
colony. A meeting was in consequence held at Saj'-
brook, the result of which was the celebrated Saybrook
Platform. At the subsequent session of the legislature,
it was enacted that all the churches, united according
to this Platform, should be owned as established by
law, allowing, however, to other churches the right
of exercising worship and discipline in their own way,
according to their consciences.
In the several abortive attempts to reduce the French
settlements in Canada, and in the expedition against
Louisburg, Connectiqut furnished her full quota of
iToqps, and bore her proportion of the mqienses. Of
112 history of the tjnited states.
these a history is elsewhere given. After the death
of Philip, most of the Indians abandoned her territory,
and seldom returned to molest the inhabitants ; who,
living in the enjoyment of all the privileges they de-
sired, felt no inducement, and were aftbrded no op.-
portimity, to perform stich actions a^ enliven the pages
of history.
CHAPTER VIL
NEW YORK.
The object of Columbus, in his first voyage, was to
arrive at the East Indies by sailing directly west By
the discoveries then and afterwards made, it was as-
ceitained that a continent or large island lay in that
route ; and, as its extent was not known, subsequent
navigators imagined that those rich countries might
be reached by sailing around its northern extremity.
Among those who then endeavored to discover this
North-West Passage, in search of which heroism and
fortitude have been displayed in recent times, was
Henry Hudson, an Englisliman. fot this purpose, in
the beginning of the seventeenth centiu*y, he made, in
the employment of English merchants, two voyages
into the seas around Spitzbergen and Greenland.
His employers were discouraged his iU success;
but he, still animated by hope, soon after proposed to
the Dutch East India Company to sail, in search of
the passage, in their service.
They pi-ovided a small vessel, with which, in the
spring of 1609, he departed on his third voyage. Pass¬
ing beyond Greenland, he came to the Arnerican con¬
tinent, and then, turning south, sailed along the coast
as far as Chesapeake Bay, in the hope, of which we
now see the folly, of finding some strait leading to the
ocean which washes the shores of Hindostán. Ha
NEW YORK.
113
then turned back, entered, first, Delaware Bay, and, in
September, "the harbor of New York. He sailed up
the river which bears his name, until he had passed
the highlands, and sent a boat to explore it farther,
which ascended above Albany. He traded and fought
with the natives who dwelt on its banks, returned to
the ocean, and, near the close of the year, arrived at
Dartmouth, in England.
He sent to his employers a flattering account of the
countries which he had visited, and in subsequent
years shipspwere despatched by merchants of Amster¬
dam to traffic with the natives on the banks of the
Hudson. Upon the Island of New York, then called
Manhattan, a fort was erected in 1614, and the next
year another, called Fort Orange, on an island just be¬
low Albany. Trade with the natives, not planting a
colony, was the sole object of these voyages.
It has already been related, that Argal, coming from
Vii-ginia to Manhattan m 161.3, obliged the Dutch tra¬
ders to submit to the English. They yielded only to
superior force, and, as soon as he lefl them, ceased to
think of English supremacy. In 1614, the government
of the Netherlands granted to a company tlie exclusive
right, for a short period, of trading with newly-dis¬
covered lands. In 1618, a charter was granted to
another company, but under it no measures were un¬
dertaken. In 1621, the Dutch West India Company
was incorporated, to which was granted the exclusive
right of trading to the American coast. This company
directed their attention principally to that part of the
country, visited by Hudson, between Delaware Bay
and Connecticut River, which became known by the
name of New Netherlands. Delaware River was
called South River ; the Hudson, sometimes, the North
River; and the Connecticut, Fresli River. In 1623,
they built a fort on the Delaware, a few miles below
Camden, and called it Fort Nassau. Peter Minuits
was sent over by the company, as their commercial
agent, and for six years perfbrmed the duties of gov¬
ernor. The trade s dwelt in huts on the Islau<l of
114 HISTORY OF THE ÜNITED STATES.
Manhattan. Fort Orange was an outpost for the con¬
venience of trading with the Indians, who roamed the
forests between that place and the great river of Can¬
ada. It is not known that any ikmily came to the
country before 1625, when a cUld of European par¬
entage was bom on Long Island.
In 1629, the company began to think of planting a
colony in the New Netherlands. An ordinance was
adopted that any one who, within foiu- years, should
-transport fifty souls, and pinchase the Indian title,
should become lord of the manor, or patron, and have
the absolute projierty of the land he should colonize.
The tract might extend, if lying on one side of the
«dver only, sixteen miles ; if on both sides, eight miles
tnereon, and indefinitely into the country. Several
tracts were taken up, or patented ; and it was about
this time that five Indian chiefs, for parcels of goods,
sold to an agent of Van Rensselaer a tract extending
fi-om the mouth of the Mohawk to twelve miles south
of Albany. Peter Minuits was displaced, and Walter
van Twiller appointed in his stead.
In 1633, Van Twiller built a fort at Hartford, which
he called the Hirse of (iood Hope; and the Dutch,
for many years, maintained a trading establishment at
that place. In 1638, 'William lüett was appointed
governor. He had petty, but troublesome, contests
with the English on Connecticut River, and with the
Swedes who had begun a settlement on the Delaware.
With the Indians he had severer conflicts. A Dutch¬
man was killed by an Indian who had been robbed.
The chiefs could not give up the murderer, but oflTered
two hundred fathoms of wampum to purchase peace.
Kielt preferred vengeance, and, seeking a fiivorable
opportunity, desjiatched to one of their towns a party
of soldiers, who fell upon the unsuspecting Indians,
and barbarously massacred nearly a hundred. A fierce
and furious war followed. Dutch villages were laid
waste ; and many men, women, and children were
killed, and many made captive.
The colony was threatened with ruin, and sought
NEW YORK.
115
ibr peace. At a conference held on Long Island
between Dutch agents and Indian chiefs, one of the
latter addressed the former — " When you first arrived
on our shores, you were destitute of food; we gave
you our beans and our com ; we fed you with oysters
and fish ; and now, for our recompense, you murder
our people. The traders whom your first ships left
on our shores to traffic till their return, were cherished
by us ; we gave them our daughters for their wives ;
among those whom you have murdered were children
of your own blood." By the mediation of Roger Wil¬
liams, then fortuitously at Manhattan, a peace was
concluded.
But the tliirst of vengeance was not appeased, and
the war was renewed. Kieft appointed Captain Un-
derhill, who had been a soldier in Europe, and had
made himself conspicuous in New Hampshire for his
eccentricities in religion and conduct, to the command
of his troops. Collecting a flying party of one hun¬
dred and fifty men, he was enabled to preserve the
settlements from total destruction. The number of
Indians whom he killed in the course of the war was
supposed to exceed four hundred. A severe battle
was fought on that part of Horseneck called Sfrick-
land's Plain. The Dutch were victorious: on both
sides great numbers were slain; and for a century
afterwards the graves of the dead were distinctly vis¬
ible.
Peace was again concluded, to the great joy of the
colony ; but Kieft was execrated as the guilty cause of
their sufferings. In 1648, he set sail for Holland, but
suffered shipwreck on the coast of Wales, and per¬
ished. He was succeeded by Peter Stuyvesant, the
most able and intelligent of all the Dutch governors.
Hitherto the company had retained a monopoly of
the trade of the colony : now it was made free to all ;
export duties were substituted; and the change had
a fiivorable influence upon the prosperity of the colony.
But the Puritans pressed upon their eastern boun¬
dary, and they trembled for their establishment at
1 16 HISTORY OF THE UNITEll STATES.
•
Hartford. In 16^3, Stuyvesant met the commissioners
of the New England colonies at that place, where,
after much altercation, a line of partition between
their respective territories was agreed upon. Long
Island was divided between them ; the Dutch retained
the lands which they actually occupied in Connecti¬
cut, and surrendered all claim to the residue.
The Swedes, on their south-western boundary, were
not so powerful as the Puritans. The Dutch had
built a fort at New Castle, which Risingh, the gov¬
ernor of the Swedes, having for the moment the
superiority of numbers, attacked and captured. Stuy¬
vesant collected a force of six hundred men, subju¬
gated the Swedes, and established over the country
the jiu-isdiction of the Dutch.
The mercantile èorporation which governed the
New Netherlands took little thought of the religious
belief of its inhabitants. All sects were tolerated;
and immigrants came from all quarters. Many came
from New England, and brought with them the ac¬
tivity of mind and love of freedom which distin¬
guished that region. The leaven was sufficient to
produce fermentation. A meeting of the people was
helel, at which a memorial, drawn up by George Bax¬
ter, a Puritan, was unanimously adopted, demanding
" that no new laws should be enacted but with con¬
sent of the people, and that none should be appointed
to office but with the approbation of the people."
Stuyvesant pronounced these "the visionary notions
of a New England man." " We derive our authority,"
said he, " from God and the West India Company, not
from the pleasure of a few ignorant subjects;" and
he commanded the assembly to disperse on pain of
arbitrary punishment.
But the time was near when a change of masters
would bring in its train the enjoyment of English lib
erties. England had always claimed the whole country
since its discovery by the Cabots, and Charles II. now
determined to assert his right to it. In 1664, he granted
to his brother James, duke of York and Albany, sev-
NEW YORK
117
eral tracts of land in America, and among them Long
Island, and all the territory between Connecticut
River and Delaware Bay ; and, though England and
Holland were then at peace, immediately sent three
ships and six hundred troops to put him in possession
of his grant. Colonel Robert Nichols conducted the
expedition. The squadron, having visited Boston,
reached the place of its destination in August, and
Nichols immediately sent to the governor a sum¬
mons to surrender. Stuyvesant refused ; and there¬
upon Nichols, aware of the discontents which existed
among the people, published a proclamation, promis¬
ing that, should the place be peaceably surrendered,
they should enjoy their property, and all the rights of
English subjects. The burgomasters and people as¬
sembled in the town hall, and there agreed upon
terms of capitulation, which were afterwards ratified
by Nichols and Stuyvesant. Soon afterwards, de¬
tachments from the fleet took possession of Fort
Orange and the forts on the Delaware. In compli¬
ment to the duke, the name Manhattan was changed
to New York, and Orange to Albany.
Nichols assumed the government of the country, and
continued, for three years, to rule over it with absolute
power, but with great lenity and justice. To secure
the Indians from fraud, he ordained that no purchase
of land from them should be valid, if made without
the governor's license. He incorporated the inhabit¬
ants of New York, ordaining that the officers should
be a mayor, five aldermen and a sheriff ; before, they
were a scout, burgomasters, and schepens. In 1667,
he was succeeded by Colonel Fi-ancis Lovelace. He
is represented as a moderate and just man ; but many
of the people complained that the privileges of Eng¬
lishmen were withheld, and refused to pay the taxes
which he imposed. That the discontent was general,
is probable, from the known arbitrary principles of
the duke of York, and the love of freedom of the
population.
In 1673, England and Holland being then at war,
118 HISTORY OF THE DNITED STATES.
several Dutch ships were despatched to reconquer the
country. On their arrival at Staten Island, a few
miles below the city, John Manning, who had com¬
mand Of the fort, sent down a messenger, and treach¬
erously made terms with the enemy. The Dutch
sailed up the harbor, landed their men, and took
possession of the fort and city without firing or re¬
ceiving a shot. The forts on the Delaware subnfitted
also without resistance.
Captain Anthony Colve was appointed governor;
but he remained in authority for a few months only.
The next year, peace was concluded, and the country
restored to the English. The duke of York, appre¬
hensive that the conquest by the Dutch deprived him
of all his rights, and that they were not restored to
him by the treaty, obtained a new patent, confirming
his title to the province, and appointed Major An¬
dres, the same who was afterwards the tyrant of
New England, to be governor over his territories in
America.
Andros was inducted into office on the 31st of
October, 1674. From his official acts, he seems to
have been invested with supreme power. The next
year, he appointed a mayor, aldermen, and sherift| for
the city of New York, and ordered that four alder¬
men should constitute a court of sessions; he im¬
posed taxes at pleasure ; and, moreover, on the rec¬
ommendation of the duke, appointed one Nicholas
Rensselaer, a Dutch clergyman, and claiming the
manor of Rensseiaerwick, to be minister of a church
at Albany. As the duke was a Catholic, and as the
Catholics, from their numerous bloody persecutions
and universal intolerance, were regarded by the
people, who were nearly all Protestants, with dislike
and dread, the congregation were not disposed to
receive for their minister a man recommended by
him and appointed by his governor. A quarrel en¬
sued ; the magistrates of Albany, among whom was
one Jacob Leisler, imprisoned Rensselaer upon a
charge of uttering certain "dubious words' in a
NEW ÏORK.
119
■ernion. Andres released him, and caused warrants
to be issued to compel the magistrates to give securi¬
ty, in the sum of five thousand pounds, to appear and
justify themselves for confining Rensselaer. Leisler
refused to give the security, and was imprisoned.
Andros, fearing to increase the excitement, desisted
fi-om his pretensions. The obnoxious minister re¬
turned home, and the manor was afterwards con¬
firmed to his relative, Killian van Rensselaer.
As the privileges of Englishmen, promised at the
time of the surrender to Nichols, had never yet been
enjoyed, the people evinced their discontent. Long
Island was settled principally from New England.
Before the grant to the duke, the eastern part of it be¬
longed to Cormecticut, and then of course exercised
the privilege of choosing representatives. Several
towns on the island held public meetings, and ex¬
pressed their desire to enjoy their promised privileges ;
and some of the merchants of New York denied the
legality of duties imposed arbitrarily. Dyer, the col¬
lector, was indicted as a traitor, for encroaching upon
the liberties of English subjects, and was sent to
England for trial. Disturbed by the opposition of the
people, Andros niade a voyage to London for instruc¬
tions. The duke conceded nothing, but that the pres¬
ent duties should expire at the end of three years.
After the governor's return, the duties were increased ;
and, regardless of former experience, he interfered in
religious matters, by attempting to exercise control
over the Reformed Dutch Church, which increased the
disgust and jealousy of the people.
In 1683, Andros was recalled, and Colonel Thomas
Dongan appointed governor , in his stead. He was a
Catholic, but, being a wise and just man, had proper
conceptions of his duties as governor, and disdained to
submit to be, in all things, the instrument of the duke.
It is said that William Fenn advised the duke to allow
the people to choose representatives. He, in fact, gave
such instructions to Dongan. He sent over by him a
"Charter of Liberties," which declared, that "supreme
120 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES.
legislative power shall forever reside in the governor,
Council, and people, met in general assembly. Every
freeholder and freeman shall vote for representatives
without restraint. No freeman shall suffer hut by
judgment of his peers ; and all trials shall be by a jury
of twelve men. No tax shall be assessed, on any pre¬
tence whatever, but by the consent of the assembly
No martial law shall exist No person, professing faith
in God by Jesus Christ, shall, at any time, be any ways
disquieted or questioned for any differences of opinion."
The first assembly, consisting of seventeen members,
met in the following August, and enacted many im¬
portant laws. The people were pacified, and enjoyed
the prospect of a happy futurity. Jîut for several sub¬
sequent years, no assembly, it is believed, was held in
the colony.
During the whole of Colonel Dongan's administra¬
tion, most of his time was occupied in the management
of Indian affairs, in which he was sagacious, and gen¬
erally successful. The interior of the colony was
originally inhabited by a confederacy which consisted
at first of five, and afterwards of six, nations of Indians,
the Senecas, Cayugas, Onondagas, Oneidas, Mohawks,
and Tuscaroras. This confederacy, tradition declares,
was formed for mutual defence against the western
Indians, and displayed much of the wisdom and sa¬
gacity which mark the institutions of a civilized people.
By their union they had become formidable to the
surrounding tribes. Their territory was prolific of
game ; they were brave, in battle, and, beyond all other
Indians, were eloquent in counciL By some authors
they are styled Iroquois, by others, Mingoes.
When Champlain was at Quebec, he, with a body
of Frenchmen, accompanied a party of Canada Indians
in an expedition against the confederates. The latter
were defeated, and this defeat implanted in their bosoms
an inveterate hostility against the French. The Dutch
and English the more easily acquired and preserved
. their friendship ; they enjoyed the profit of their trade,
and were aided by them in all their wens. The gov-
NEW YORK.
121
emors of Canada oñen sent Jesuits and emissaries to
convert them and gain their good will ; but, not suc¬
ceeding, they determined at length to treat them as
enemies.
In 1684, De la Barre, the governor of Canada, marched
to attack them, with an army of seventeen hundred men.
His troops suffered so much from hardships, famine,
and sickness, that he was compelled to ask peace of
those whom he had come to exterminate. He invited
the chiefs of the Five Nations to meet him at his camp,
and those of three of them accepted the invitation.
Standing in a circle, formed by the chiefs and his own
officers, he addressed a speech to Garrangula, of the
Onondaga tribe, in which he accused the confederates
of conducting the English to the trading grounds of
the French, and threatened them with war and exter¬
mination if they did not alter their behavior.
Garrangula, knowing the distresses of the French
troops, heard these threats with contempt After,
walking five or six times round the circle, he ad¬
dressed the following bold and sarcastic language to
De la Barre, calling him Yonnondio, and the English
governor, Corlear.
" Yonnondio, I honor you, and the warriors that are
with me likewise honor you. Your interpreter has
finished your speech ; I now begin mine. My words
make haste to reach your ears; hearken to them.
Yonnondio, you must have believed, when you left
Quebec, that the sun had consumed all the forests
which render our country inaccessible to the French ;
or that the great lakes had overflown their banks, and
surrounded our castles, so that it was impossible for
us to get out of them. Yes, Yonnondio, you must
have dreamed so, and the curiosity of so great a won¬
der has brought you so far. Now, you are undeceived ;
ibr I, and the warriors here present are come to assure
you, that the Senecas, Cayugas, Onondagas, Oneidas,
and Mohawks, are yet alive.
" I thank you, in their name, for bringing back into
their country the pipe of peace, which your predeces-
VOL. 1. 10
125i HISTORY OF THE tJNlTED STATES.
sor receÎYed from their bands. It was happy for yon
that you left under gi-ound that murdering hatchet
■which has been so often dyed in the blood of the
French. Hear, Yonnondio; Ido not sleep; I have my
eyes open ; and the sun, which enlightens me, discovers
to me a great captain, at the head of a company of
soldiers, who speaks as if he was dreaming. He says
that he only came to smoke the great pipe of peace
■with the Onondagas. But Garrangula says that he
sees the contrary ; that it was to knock them on the
head, if sickness had not weakened the arms of the
French.
"We carried the English to our lakes, to hade there
with the Utawawas, and Quatoghies, as the Adirondacs
brought the French to our castles to carry on a trade
which the English say is theirs. We are bom free ;
we neither depend on Yonnondio nor Corlear. We
may go where we please, and buy and sell what we
please. If yoim allies are your slaves, use them as such ;
command them to receive no other but your people.
"Hear, Yonnondio; what I say is the voice of all
the Five Nations. When tliey buried the hatchet at
Cadaracqui, in the middle of the fort, they planted the
tree of peace in the same place, to be there carefully
preserved, that, instead of a retreat for soldiers, the
fort might be a rendezvous for merchants. Take care
that the many soldiers who appear there do not choke
the tree of peace, and prevent it from covering your
country and oius ■with its branches. I assure you that
our warriors shall dance under its leaves, and will
never dig up the hatchet to cut it down, till their
brother Yonnondio or Corlear shall in^vade the coun¬
try which the Great Spirit has given to our ancestors."
De la Barre was mortified and enraged at this bold
and sarcastic reply, but, submitting to necessity, con¬
cluded a treaty of peace, and returned to Montreal.
Soon after. De Nonville ■was appointed his successor.
He brought over a reenforcement of troops; strength¬
ened Fort Cadaracqui, afterwards called Fort Frontinac,
and situated at the outlet of Lake Ontario, on the north
NEW VORK.
123
shore ; and called to his aid the Indians around the
Lakes Michigan and Huron, with the purpose of de*'
stroying, at hrat the Senecas, and then the rest of the
conifederated tribes. In the mean time, he sent emis¬
saries among them to allay their jealousy. But Colo¬
nel Dongan suspected his object ; and though instructed
by the duke — who was blindly attached to the French
king — to cooperate with De Nonville, he, mindful of
his duty to the province, admonished the Indians to
be on their guard. In June, 1687, an army of French
and Indians, nearly 3000 strong, proceeded from Mon¬
treal to attack tho Senecas. They landed at Tirondi-
quai, marched to the villages of the Senecas, which
tliey found deserted, and hastened forward in pursuit
of the fugitives. But suddenly, from the trees, and
bushes, and high grass around, a deadly fire was poiu-ed
upon them from an invisible enemy. The terrible war-
whoop, arising on all sides, increased the confusion.
The French troops, scattering, sought safety in the
woods ; their Indian allies, less frightened, fought the
Senecas in their own way, and at length compelled
them to retire. De Nonville collected his troops, but,
disheartened by the reception he had met with, pro¬
ceeded no farther that day. On the next, he continued
his march, but found no enemy to contend with.
After destroying all the com in that region, he led his
troops to Niagara, and employed them in erecting a
fort near the fidls. In this fort, he left one hundred
men, and returned to Monti-eaL It was afterwards
besieged by the Iroquois, and all of the men but eight
perished with hunger.
The Five Nations, enraged by treachery, and stimu¬
lated by success, assembled in great numbers, and made
Incursions into Canada. They compelled the French
to abandon Fort Cadaracqui, and twice attacked Mon¬
treal, massacring more than a thousand of the inhab¬
itants, and taking many prisoners, all of whom were
tortured and bumk These wars kept Colonel Dongan
continually employed, and served to perpetuate the
124 HISTUUV OF THE UNITED STATES.
enmity of the Iroquois against the French, and their
attachment to the English.
In the mean time, the duke of York had ascended
the throne of England. Claiming unlimited authority
as king, and professing the Catholic religion, he was
hated and feared by a great portion of the inhabitants,
who were devoted to the cause of freedom and to the
principles of the Protestants. The governor was also
the object of their dislike and distrust. Catholics,
countenanced by him, repaired in great numbers to
the colony, and pious Protestants trembled for their
religion. He was recalled in the beginning of 1688 ;
but the appointment of Sir Edmund Andros to be
governor over New York as well as New England,
did not tend to lessen their discontent nor their fears.
In the spring of 1689, information was received
from England, that the people had resolved to de¬
throne their sovereign, and offer the crown to Wil¬
liam, prince of Orange, the husband of Mary, daughter
of King James ; and fi'om Massachusetts, that the cit¬
izens had deposed and imprisoned Sir Edmund An¬
dros, their governor. A rumor ran through the city
that, on the next Sunday, the Catholics would attack
the peojile while at church, massacre them, and de¬
clare for King James ; and messengers came from
Long Island, increasing the alarm by expressing doubts
and fears. Many of that class, who, as their enemies
afterwards said, " were not worth a groat," assembled
in a tumultuary manner, repaired to the house of
Jacob Leisler, a captain of one of the militia com¬
panies, and a wealthy Gemían merchant, and re¬
quested him to lead tliem to attack the fort He at
first declined ; but a party, led by Ensign Stoll, having
taken possession, he, on the 2d of June, entered it as
Stoll's superior oflScer, and was joyfully received by
those who were present
As yet, Leisler's party was not strong. No man of
wealth or consideration had joined it A report was
circulated that three ships, with orders from the
NEW YORK.
125
prince, were sailing up the harbor. All the militit,.
companies immediately joined him ; a large number of
the citizens assembled, and, following the example of
the Bostonians, chose a " Committee of Safety." Colo¬
nel Nicholson, who bad been appointed lieutenant-
governor by Andres, made some attempts to preserve
his authority, but soon, absconding in the night, set
sail for England. It was agreed that the captains of
the several militia companies should, in daily rotation,
have command of the fort; but Leisler, from his age
or standing in society, was regarded as the leader.
Two delegates from Connecticut brought a copy of
the proclamation, which had been issued in England,
declaring William and Mary sovereigns of Great
Britain, and delivered it to Leisler, who immediately,
with all proper ceremony, proelaimed King William
and Queen Mary, at first at the fort, and afterwards at
the city hall, in the presence of the rejoicing people.
The men in authority, and "the men of figure,"
though friendly to the new sovereigns, were dissatis¬
fied that all power should be usurped by the militia
and their captains ; and, unfortunately, the latter made
no efforts to induce the former to unite with them.
The mayor endeavored to exercise authority, but in
vain; Nicholas Bayard, who was colonel of the militia,
repaired to the Bowling Green, where they were then
paraded, and ordered them, after placing a guard at
the fort, to disperse ; but his commands were disre¬
garded, and he was ordered to depart. Leisler wrote
to the govermnent in England, giving an account of
his conduct, and also a private letter to the king, de¬
tailing, in broken English, many unimportant partic¬
ulars. In August, Milbom-ne, his son-in-law, arrived
from England, and afterwards acted as his secretary.
He was more capable of managing affairs than his
father-in-law, and was considered the efficient leader.
Heretofore the mayor, sheriff, and clerk, had been
appointed by the governor, and the aldermen and
assistants elected by the people. At the election in
September, the neople chose new aldermen and as-
126 HISTORV OP THE UNITED STATES.
Rstouts, and also, by order of the committee of safety
a mayor, sherifÇ and clerk ; and, in October, Leisler, by
proclamation, announced tliat, being authorized, by
the committee, to confirm such officers as should be
chosen by the Protestant freemen of the city, he ac¬
cordingly confirmed by name the persons who had
been elected. Van Cortlandt, the former mayor, and
Colonel Bayard fied to Albany. Instinctions ûom
England had not yet been received ; and they were
waited for, by all classes, with great anxiety.
At Albany, the city government continued to exer¬
cise their former powers, but indecisively, as subor¬
dinates act when deprived of their leader. They
gladly recognized William and Mary; but from them
they liad received no authority. They were kept in a
state of alarm by intelligence that the savages were
preparing to attack them ; and they sent messengers
to Leisler and the New England colonies for-aid.
Leisler, declaring that he had nothing to do with the
civil power, forwarded some powder to the militia
captains.
A suspicion was entertained at Albany that Leisler
intended to send up troops, take possession of the
fort, and govern in that city as well as in New York.
A convention of the people was held, at which they
voted to maintain the existing city government untU
orders came from their majesties, and appointed Colo¬
nel Schuyler, the mayor, commander of the fort
Soon after, Milboume arrived from New York with
fifty men, and asked to be admitted into the ibrt
He was referred to a convention of the people, then
sitting, who received him cordially ; and be addressed
them at length, declaring that their charter was null,
being granted by a Papist king ; that their present
officers had no authority ; and that new officers ought
to be elected by the people. He exhibited his com¬
mission, but was told that, being signed by private
individuals, it would not be .regarded. He gained
many friends among the people, to whom he often
appealed; and, when he returned to New York, left
NEW TOKK.
127 '
his company under the command of an officer elected
by themselves.
In the beginning of December, a letter arrived from
the ministry in England, directed "to Francis Nichol¬
son, or such as, for the time being, takes care for pre¬
serving the peace, and administering the laws, in his
majesty's province of New York," and containing the
wished-for instructions. The bearer had been long
on the way, and, when he arrived, hesitated to whom
he ought to deliver the letter. It happened that Colo¬
nel Bayard, who had returned privately to the city,
heard that such a letter had arrived. He procured an
interview with the bearer, and endeavored to get pos¬
session of it, promising to deliver it to Van Cortlandt,
who, he alleged, was the only legal mayor ; but the
bearer, on consideration, declined, and delivered it to
Leisler. It was immediately laid before the committee
of safety, who advised Leisler to assume the style of
lieutenant-governor, which he accordingly did, ap¬
pointed his council, and proceeded to exercise all the
powers of chief magistrate. The attempt of Bayard
to gain possession of the letter, betrayed his presence
in the city. He was arrested, committed to prison,
and put in irons.
Soon after, Leisler wrote to the civil and military
officers at Albany, that he had received orders from
King William to take care of the province, and had
commissioned Joachim Staats, whom Milbourne had
left in command of his company, to take possession
of " Fort Orange," and keep the soldiers in good order
and discipline; but the Albany convention, doubting
whether the king had sent any orders to Jacob Leis¬
ler, refused to acknowledge his authority.
The dethronement of King James brought on a war
between England and France ; and the usual conse¬
quence followed—a war between the Canadian Indians
and the English colonies. De Nonville had been re¬
called, and Count Frontinac appointed governor of
Canada. He was the ablest and most active of all the
Canadian governors. In January, 1690, he despatched
- t'i8 HISTORY or THE UNITED STATES.
several parties against the English settlements. One
of these, consisting of Frenchmen and Caghnuaga
Indians, was sent against Albany, but resolved to at¬
tack Schenectady. To the inhabitants of this viliagt!
information was given of their danger ; but they, judg¬
ing it impossible for the enemy to march severtd hun¬
dred miles in the depth of winter, disregai-ded the
intelligence. No regular watch was kept, nor military
order observed.-
The French and Indians arrived near the town
on the 8th of February. They divided their number
into small parties, that every house might be invested
at the same time. On Saturday night, at eleven
o'clock, they entered at the gates, which they found
unshut The inhabitants having retired to rest, uni¬
versal stillness reigned. Suddenly, in every quarter,
the horrid yell was heard. They sprang from their
beds, conscious of the danger which surrounded them.
Opening their doors, they met the savages, with up-
lilled tomahawks, on the threshold. Each, at the
same instant, heard the cry of his affrighted neighbor.
Soon succeeded the groans of the dying. In a few
minutes, the buildings were on fire. Women were
butchered, and childi-en thrown alive into the flames.
The Indians, frantic from slaughter, ran, with fatal
haste, through the village, massacring many, who, in
their attempts to escape, were betrayed by the light ot
their own houses.
Some eluded their pursuers ; but a fate almost as
dreadful awaited them. They were naked ; a furious
storm came on ; Albany, their only reflige, was at a'
distance ; and often their teiTor converted into savages
the trees and wild beasts which they saw in their
flight Part arrived in safety; twenty-five lost their
limbs by the severity of the cold. At Schenectady,
sixty were killed, and twenty-five made prisoners.
Had not distractions prevailed in the colony, this
distressing calamity would doubtless have been pre¬
vented. It was unibrtimate that he, who wielded the
chief power of the province, had not a clearer title to
NEW YORK.
129
exercise that power; and it was equally unfortunate
that those opposed to him did not cast aside all self¬
ish considerations, and yield him their cordial support.
Among his most active opposers at Albany was Robert
Livingston. Leisler having issued a warrant to ap¬
prehend him, he fled to Connecticut ; and, when Mil-
bom-ne returned to Albany in the spring, he found
there no opposition. The property of the prominent
individuals belonging to the opposition was confisca¬
ted — a measure which was never forgiven by the suf¬
ferers nor their posterity.
Leisler, having silenced or driven atvay his adver¬
saries, now exerted all his faculties to fulfil the duties
he had assumed. He sent agents to Connecticut and
Massachusetts, to persuade them to imite with New
York in an expedition against Canada. It was at
length agreed that Massachusetts should despatch a
fleet against Quebec, and the two other colonies an
army against Montreal. The army, under General
Winthrop, of Connecticut, proceeded as far as Wood
Creek, which empties into Lake Champlain ; but, find¬
ing no boats in readiness, and the Indians expected
not appearing, they were obliged to return. The fleet,
under Sir William Phipps, appeared before Quebec ;
but the return of the army to New York allowing the
whole force of the province to repair to the assistance
of the garrison, he was obliged to abandon the enter¬
prise.
The enemies of Leisler attributed the failure of this
expedition to his imbecility. He attributed it to the
intrigues and misconduct of his adversaries, particu¬
larly of Livingston, and Allyn, the secretary of Con¬
necticut. Upon the return of the army to Albany, he,
in a fit of passion, caused Winthrop to be arrested and
imprisoned, although he had acted according to the
advice of a council of his officers. He was forcibly
released by a party of Mohawks, and permitted to re¬
turn to Connecticut
Leisler, with reputation diminished and temper
soured by ill success, continued to exercise all the
VOL. I. H
130 mSTORÎ OF THE UNITED STATES
powers of lieutenant-governor. King William, liar»
assed by important cares at home, found little time
to attend to his distant province of New York. At
length, in January, 1691, a Captain Ingoldsby arrived,
with a company of troops, and stated verbally to
Leisler, that Henry Sloughter had been appointed
governor, and was on his way to New York. His
enemies, now more bold, if not more numerous, than
before, flocked around Ingoldsby, flattered him by
their attentions, and influenced his conduct He de¬
manded the surrender of the. fort Leisler desired to
see some commission or order from the ministry or
the governor, but Ingoldsby could show none; and,
not being permitted to enter the fort, he landed his
men, and besieged it While thus in durance, Leisler,
in several proclamations, avowed his readiness to sur¬
render all authority, whenever he coifld do so with
propriety and safety.
Sloughter arrived on the 18th of March, 1691. The
state of the province required an able and honest gov¬
ernor: this was destitute of talents, dissolute, avari¬
cious, and poor. He was immediately surroimded by
the enemies of Leisler, appointed his council from
among them, and sent Ingoldsby to demand posses¬
sion of the fort. Of the conduct of Leisler, on this
day and the next, no account, deserving of implicit
belief, has been given. His enemies declared that he
peremptorily and contemptuously refused to surrender
the fort He may have required a written order to do
so fl-om the governor, and, being an uneducated Ger¬
man, may have used language to Ingoldsby, the force
of which he did not understand. From the records of
the council, it appears that he and Milbourne- were
arrested and committed to prison.
These men were now in the power of their enraged
enemies. They were accused of murder and rebel¬
lion ; a special court was organized to try them ; they
were convicted, and received sentence of death. But
Sloughter hesitated to sign the warrant for their exe-,
cution. He knew that they had many warm friends
Nir\V YORK.
131
among the people ; and that, though they had some¬
times erred, they had served King William and the
Protestant cause with undoubted fidelity, and the most
ardent zeal. When about to leave New York ibr Al¬
bany, he asked advice on the subject of his council.
They, being mostly their bitter foes, advised him to
sign the warrant Still he hesitated; but their ene¬
mies, thirsting for vengeance, invited him to a feast ;
and there, when intoxicated, they presented to him
the warrant, which he signed ; and when he recovered
his senses, the prisoners had ceased to live. The be¬
havior of Leisler on the scaffold is represented to have
been cahn and dignified. He declared his innocence
of purpose, prayed for his enemies, and recommended
his family to the charity of the world. And bitterly
did he lament that he had been persuaded to assume
duties which he was incompetent to discharge. Sub¬
sequently, on application to the king, the estates of
Leisler and Milbourne, which had been confiscated,
were restored to their heirs ; their bodies were taken
up and reinterred, with great pomp, in the old Dutch
church ; and their descendants were considered hon¬
ored rather than disgraced by the part they had acted.
In July, 1691, Slaughter, having returned from Al¬
bany, ended, by a sudden death, a short, weak, and
turbulent administration. About the same time. Major
Peter Schuyler, at the head of three hundred Mohawks,
made a sudden and bold attack upon the French set¬
tlements at the north end of Lake Champlain. An
army of eight hundred men was despatched fi'om
Montreal to oppose him. With these he had several
irregular, but successful conflicts, in which he killed
a number of the enemy greater than that of his whole
party.
In 1692, Colonel Fletcher arrived as successor to
Sloughter. He was a good soldier, was active, avari¬
cious, and passionate. From the talents and informa¬
tion of Major Schuyler, he derived great assistance,
and was governed by his advice, particularly in trans¬
actions relative to the Indiana.
132
HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES.
As a great portion of the inhabitants were Dutch, all
the governors, to produce uniformity in religion and lan¬
guage, had encouraged English preachers and school¬
masters to settle in the colony. No one pursued tliia
object with more zeal than Fletcher, who was devoted
to the Church of England. At two successive sessions,
he recommended the subject to the attention of tlie
assembly ; but the members, being generally attached
to the Church of Holland, disregarded his recommen¬
dations. For this neglect, he gave them a severe rep¬
rimand.
The subject being laid before them, at a subsequent
session, they passed a bill providing for the settlement,
in certain parishes, of ministers of the gospel, to be
chosen by the people. The coimcil added an amend¬
ment, giving to the governor the power of approval or
rejection. The house refused to concur in the amend¬
ment, at which Fletcher was so much enraged, that he
commanded them instantly to attend him, and, ad¬
dressing them in an angry speech, prorogued them to
the next year. The bül, however, as passed by the as¬
sembly, afterwards became a law.
In 1697, a peace, which gave security and repose to
the colonies, was concluded between Great Britain and
France. The next year, the earl of BeUamont was
appointed governor. He was particularly instructed
to clear the American seas of the pirates who infested
them, and who, it was suspected, had even received
encouragement from Fletcher.
The government declining to furnish the necessary
naval force, the earl engaged, with others, in a private
imdertaking against them. The associates, procming
a vessel of war, gave the command of it to a Captain
Kid, and sent him to cruise against the pirates. He
had been but a short time at sea, when, disregaiiling
his instructions, he made a new contract with his crew,
and, on the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, became him¬
self a daring, atrocious, and successful pirate.
Three years afterwards, he retiuned, burned his
ship, and, with strange infatuation, appeared publicly
NEW YORK
133
«t Boston. He was recognised there by Lord Bella-
mont, who caused him to be apprehended, and sent to
England, where he was tried, tuid executed. The earl
and his partners, many of whom were noblemen re¬
siding in England, were accused of sharing in his
plunder ; but in all his examinations he declared them
innocent Afterwards, silver and gold, valued at about
fourteen thousand dollars, and a quantity of jewels,
were discovered on Gardiner's Island, and delivered
to Lord Bellamont .
Notwithstanding the death of Leisler, the people
were still divided into Leislerians and anti-Leislerians.
Fletcher had been the instrument of the latter ; Lord
Bellamont espoused the cause of the former. He,
however, persecuted no one, but exercised authority
with justice and moderation. He died in 1701.
The next year. Lord Cornbury was appointed gov¬
ernor. He presented a striking proof of the folly of
hereditary distinctions. He was the grandson -oí the
celebrated eafl of Clarendon, but possessed not one
of the virtues of his ancestor. Mean, profligate, and
unprincipled, he was a burden to his friends at home,
and was sent to Ajnerica to be beyond the reach of
his creditors.
He declared himself an anti-Leislerian ; and the first
assembly that he siunmoned was composed principally
of men of that party. They presented him two thou¬
sand pounds to defray the expenses of his voyage.
They raised several sums of money for public pur¬
poses ; but, the expenditure being intrusted to him as
governor, he appropriated most of it to his own use.
His acts of injustice and oppression, his prodigality,
his indecent and vulgar manners, rendered him uni¬
versally odious. In 1708, the assemblies of New York
and of New Jersey, of which colony he was also gov¬
ernor, complained to the queen of his misconduct.
She removed him fi-om office. He was soon after ar¬
rested by his creditors, and remained in custody imtil
the death of his father, when he returned to England,
and took his seat in the house of lords.
i34 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATE».
A proceeding of the house of representatives, near
the close of his administration, ought not to be passed
over without notice. Wearied by tlieir sufferings, they
appointed a committee of grievances, who reported a
series of resolutions having reference to recent trans¬
actions, which resolutions were adopted by the house.
One of them, in explicit language, asserted the princi¬
ple, "that the imposing and levying of any moneys
upon her majesty's subjects of this colony, under any
pretence or color whatsoever, without consent in gen
eral assembly, is a grievance, and a violation of the
people's property." It is not uninstructive to observe
how early, in some of the colonies, were sown the
seeds of the American revolution. ■
In 1710, General Hunter, who had been appointed
governor, arrived in the province. He brought with
him near three thousand Germans, some of whom
settled in New York, and some in Pennsylvania. The
latter transmitted to their native land such favorable
accounts of the comitry which they had chosen for
their residence, that many others followed, and settled
in that colony. The numerous descendants of these
Germims are honest, industrious, and useful citizens.
The prodigality of Lord Cornbury had taught the
assembly an important lesson. Before his removal,
they had obtained from the queen permission, in cases
of special appropriations, to appoint their own treas¬
urer. They now passed a bill confiding to this officer
the disbursement of certain sums appropriated for ordi¬
nary purposes. The council proposed an amendment.
The house denied the right of that body to amend a
money bill. Both continuing obstinate, the governor
prorogued them, and at them next session dissolved
them.
At this time, war existed between England and
France. In 1709, expensive preparations were made
for an attack upon Canada, but the promised assistance
not aniving from England, the enterprise was aban¬
doned. In 1711, the project was resumed. A fleet
sailed up the St. Lawrence, to attack Quebec t and au
NEW YORK.
135
army of four thousand men, raised by New York, New
Jersisy, and Connecticut, mai-ched to invade Canada,
by the route of Lake Cbamplain. The fleet, shattered
by a storm, was compelled to return. The army, in¬
formed of the disasters of the fleet, returned also, bav-
ing^accomplisbed nothing.
The people, approving the conduct of their repre¬
sentatives in relation to the revenue, had reëlected
nearly all of them, and they were now in session. To
defray the expenses of the late expedition, they passed
several bills, which were amended in the council. Be¬
tween these two bodies another contest ensued. The
representatives, deriving their authority from the peo¬
ple, considered themselves bound to watch over the
expenditure of their money. The council, deriving
their authority from the same source as the governor,
were desirous of increasing his influence by giving him
the management of the revenue. During this and a
subsequent session, both continued inflexible. The
governor, provoked at the obstinacy of the representa¬
tives, dissolved the assembly.
At the ensuing election, which was warmly con¬
tested, most of the members chosen were opposed to
the governor. This assembly was dissolved by the
death of the queen. The next was dissolved by the
governor, soon after it first met, a majority of the rep¬
resentatives being known to be unfriendly to his views.
The people became weary of contending. Most of the
members chosen at the succeeding election were his
friends and partisans, and, for several years, the utmost
harmony existed between the different branches of the
government.
Governor Hunter quitted the province in 1719, and
his authority devolved on Peter Schuyler, the eldest
member of the council. The next year, William
Burnet, son of the celebrated bishop of that name, was
appointed governor. Turning his attention towards
the wilderness, he perceived that the French, in order
to connect their settlements in Canada and Louisiana,
to secure to themselves the Indian trade, and to confine
136 HISTORY OP TUE UNITED Sl'ATES.
the English to the sea-coast, were busily employed in
erecting a chain of forts from the St. Lawrence to the
Mississippi.
He endeavored to defeat their design, by building a
trading-house, and afterwards a fort, at Oswego, on
Lake Ontario. But the French had the command of
more abundant resources, and applied them to the ac¬
complishment of their object with great activity and
zeal. They launched two vessels upon that lake, and,
going farther into the wilderness, erected a fort at Ni¬
agara, commanding the entrance into it. They had pre¬
viously erected Fort Frontinac, commanding the outlet
The assembly elected in 1716, had been so obse¬
quious to the governor, that he conliirued it in existence
until the clamors of the people induced him, in 1727, to
dissolve it. That which next met was composed en¬
tirely of his opponents. The court of chancery, in
which he presided, had become exceedingly unpopular.
It had been instituted by an ordinance of the governor
and council, without the concurrence of the assembly :
the mode of proceeding was novel ; and some of the
decisions had given great ofience to powerful indi¬
viduals. The house passed resolutions declaring it " a
manifest oppression and grievance," and intimating
that its decrees were void. The governor instantly
called the assembly before him, and dissolved it.
Being soon after appointed governor of Massachu¬
setts, he was succeeded by Colonel Montgomery, upon
whose death, in 1731, the supreme authority devolved
upon Rip Van Dam, the senior member of the council.
Under his short and inefficient administration, the
French were permitted to erect a fort at Grown Point,
within the acknowledged boundaries of New York,
from which parties of savages were often secretly
despatched to destroy the English settlements.
Van Dam was superseded by William Cosby, who
an-ived in August, 1732. Having been the advocate,
in parliament, of the American coloides, "he was, at
first, popular, but soon lost the affections and con¬
fidence of the people. When he came, having then
NEW YORK.
137
Aeld his commission thirteen months, he brought in¬
structions from the ministry that, during that time, the
salary and perquisites of the office should be shared
equally by him and Van Dam. He demanded half
of the salary which the latter had received ; but Van
Dam, having ascertained that the governor had received,
in perquisites, much more than the salary, demanded a
balance of Cosby. Both persisted in their claims. The
governor proceeded against his adversary in the court
of chancery, where two of the judges were his parti¬
sans, and» he himself presided. Van Dam employed
the most able counsel in the colony, who excepted to
the jurisdiction of the comt. Chief-Justice Morris
gave his opinion in favor of the exception ; Delancey
and Philipse decided against it. Morris was removed,
and, without advice of council, Delancey was appointed
chief justice, and Philipse second judge, to hold their
commissions during pleasure. Ultunately this coin-t
decided in favor of the governor.
While the trial of this cause was going on, the
whole population took sides with one or the other of
the litigant parties. At this time, Bradford, formerly
of Philadelphia, published a newspaper in New York,
which was the organ of the governor's party; and
John Peter Zenger another, which was the organ of
Van Dam's or the popular party. The ballads, squibs,
and serious charges in the latter irritated the governor
and his council to madness. They passed an order
directing the city magistrates to cause the paper to be
burnt by the common whipper ; but the magistrates
not only refused to obey this order, but forbade any
of their officers to execute it. Chief-Justice Delancey
strove to induce the grand jui-y to indict Zenger, but
failed. He was then committed to prison by order of
the council, on the charge of publishing seditious
libels ; and, the grand jury again refusing to indict
him, the attorney-general prosecuted him by informa¬
tion. At the first term, the same counsel who had
been retained by Van Dam were employed to defend
Zenger. They obiected to the competency of the
138 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES.
court to try him, the judges having been appointed
during the pleasure of the governor, and without ad¬
vice of council. This objection was urged with such
bohhiess, that the judges, after overruling it, dismissed
the advocates from the bar.
Zenger pleaded not guilty; and, at the next term,
on the day of the trial, Andrew Hamilton, an eloquent
lawyer of Philadelphia, who had been secretly engaged,
appeai-ed in court to speak in his defence. His friends
anticipated that, according to the decision of English
judges, all evidence ofiered to prove the truth of the
publications would be rejected; and every citizen bad,
in various modes of public jmd private discussion,
been made fully acquainted with the circumstances
of the case. The evidence,:was offered and rejected ;
but the jtiiy — after listening-with delight to a bold and
imimated address from thei«loquent advocate, in which
he animadverted freely «nAthe decision of the court,
appealed to their own Jsndvyledge of the truth of the
charges, and uttered, in fervid language, those cardi¬
nal principles of universal liberty and free discussion,
which, though then heresies, are now acknowledged
doctrines — gave a verdict of acquittal. Applause re¬
sounded through the hall. The court threatened to im¬
prison tiie leader of the tumult; but from the same lips
an applauding shout, longer and louder than before,
again burst forth. Mr. Hamilton was conducted from
the hall to a splendid entertainment. A salute of can¬
non was fired at his departure from the city ; and the
corporation presented him the freedom of the city, in
a gold box, "for his learned and generous defence of
the rights of mankind and the liberty of the press."
Governor Cosby died in 1736; and, as Van Dam
was supposed to be senior councillor, his party exult¬
ed in the expectation that he would again preside
over the colony ; but a document was exhibited, bear¬
ing the signature of Cosby, and then first known to
exist, dismissing him fi-om the council. George Clark,
the next in seniority, took the chair, and was soon
after appointed lieutenant-governor. Again was re-
\
NEW YORK.
139
Tived the contest which had ended, twenty years
before, in the victory gained by Governor Hunter
over the house of representatives. The colony being
in debt, the hbuse voted to raise the sum of six thou¬
sand pounds ; but, in order to prevent its misapplica¬
tion, declared that it should be applied to the payment
of certain specified debts. Offended by this vote,
Clark resorted to the expedient which had usually
been adopted to punish or intimidate ; he immediately
dissolved the assembly.
At the next election, great exertions were made by
the opposing parties. The popular party was trium¬
phant. At their second session, the house voted an
address to the lieutenant-governor, which is worthy
of particular notice. In bold and explicit language,
they state some of the vital principles of free govern¬
ment, refer to recent misapplications of money, and
proceed —
"We therefore beg leave to be plain with your
honor, and hope you will not take it amiss when we
tell you, that you are not to expect that we will either
raise sums imfit to be raised, or put what we shall
raise into the power of a governor to misapply, if we
can prevent it ; nor shall we make up any other de¬
ficiencies than what we conceive are fit and just to be
paid ; nor continue what support or revenue we shall
raise, for any longer time than one year ; nor do we
think it convenient to do even that, until such laws
are passed as we conceive necessary for the safety of
the inhabitants of this colony, who have reposed a
trust in us for that only purpose, and which we are
sure you will think it reasonable we should act agree¬
ably to ; and, by the grace of God, we shall endeavor
not to deceive them."
With a body of men so resolute in asserting their
rights, the lieutenant-governor wisely forbore to con¬
tend. He thanked them for their address, and prom¬
ised his cordial cooperation in all measures calculated
to promote the prosperity of the colony. He gave his
assent to a law providing for the more frequent election
140 HISTORY OP THE UNITED STATES.
of representatives; which law, however, two years
afterwards, was abrogated by the king.
But between a liouse of representatives and a
chief magistrate deriving their authority from different
sources, harmony could not long subsist. Mr. Clark,
in his speech at the opening of the next session, de¬
clared that, unless the revenue was granted for as long
a time as it had been granted by former assemblies,
his duty to his majesty forbade him from assenting to
any act for continuing the excise, or for paying the
colonial bills of credit The house unanimously re¬
solved, that it would not pass any bill for the grant of
money, unless assurance should be given that the
excise should be continued and the bills of credit re¬
deemed.
The lieutenant-governor immediately ordered the
members to attend him. He told them that "their
proceedings were presumptuous, daring, and unpre¬
cedented; that he could not look upon them without
astonishment, nor with honor suffer the house to sit
any longer ; " and he accordingly dissolved it. Little*
more than a year had elapsed since the members
were chosen ; but in that time they had, by their
firm and spirited conduct, in support of the rights of
the people, merited the gratitude of their constituents.
About this time, a supposed " negro plot " occa¬
sioned great commotion and alarm in the city of New
York. The frequent occurrence of fires, most of
which were evidently caused by design, first excited
the jealousy and suspicion of the citizens. Terrified
by danger which lurked unseen in the midst of them,
they listened with eager credulity to the declaration
of some abandoned females, that the negroes had
combined to bum the city and make one of their
number governor. JMany were arrested and commit¬
ted to prison. Other witnesses, not more respectable
than the first, came forward ; other negroes were ac¬
cused, and even several white men were designated
as concerned in the plot.
When the time of trial arrived, so strong was the
NEW YORK.
141
|irt>jUdice against the miserable negroes, that every
lawyer in the city volunteered against them. Igno¬
rant and unassisted, nearly all who were tried were
condemned. Fourteen were sentenced to be burned,
eighteen to be hanged, seventy-one to be transported ;
and all these sentences were executed. Of the whites,
two were convicted^ and suffered death.
All apprehension of danger having subsided, many
began to doubt whether any plot had, in fact, been
concerted. None of the witnesses were persons of
credit; thdïr stories were extravagant, and often con¬
tradictory; and the project was such as none but
fools or madmen would form. The two white men
were respectable ; one had received a liberal educa¬
tion, but he was a Catholic, and the prejudice against
Catholics was too violent to permit the free exercise
of reason. Some of the accused were doubtless
guilty of setting fire to the city ; but the proof of the
alleged plot was not sufficiently clear to justify the
numerous and cruel punishments that were inflicted.
In April, 1740, the assembly again met. It had
now risen to importance in the colony. The ad¬
herence of the representatives to their determination,
not to grant the revenue for more than one year,
made annual meetings of the assembly necessary.
This attachment to liberty was mistaken for the de¬
sire of independence. Lieutenant-Governor Clark, in
a speech delivered in 1741, alludes to "a jealousy
which for sonae years had obtained in England, that
the plantations were not without thoughts of throwing
off their dependence on the crown."
In 1743, George Clinton was sent over as governor
of the colony. He was an admiral in the navy, the
younger son of an earl, had many noble relatives,
needed the salary to replenish his purse, and knew
little else than how to manage a ship. He was not,
however, an unfavorable specimen of the men appoint¬
ed by the English ministry to be plantation governors.
Like most of his predecessors, he was welcomed with
joy ; and one of his earliest measures confirmed the
142 inSÏOKY OK -THE UNITED STATES.
favorable accounts, which had preceded him, oí his
talents and liberality. To show his^willingness to re¬
pose confidence in the people, he assented to a bill
limiting the duration of the present and all succeeding
assemblies. The house manifested its gratitude by
adopting the measures he recommended for the de¬
fence of the province against the French, who were
then at war with England.
In 1745, the savages in alliance with France made
frequent invasions of the English territories. The in¬
habitants were compelled to desert Iloosick ; Saratoga
was destroyed ; the western settlements in New Eng¬
land were often attacked and plundered. Encouraged
by success, the enemy became more daring, and small
parties Ventured within the suburbs of Albany, and
there lay in wait for prisoners. It is even said that
one Indian, called Tomonvvilemon, oflen entered the
city and succeeded in taking captives.
. Distressed by these incursions, the assembly, in
1746, determined to unite with the other colonies and
the mother country in an expedition against Canada.
They appropriated money to purchase provisions for
the army, and offered liberal bounties to recruits.
Governor Clinton endeavored to persuade the Mo¬
hawks to take up arms against the French ; but as he
had quarrelled with Delancey, and dismissed Schuyler
from being agent of Indian affairs, he found them
less tractable than formerly. In the place of Schuyler,
he had appointed William Johnson, a nephew of Com¬
modore Warren. He had lately emigrated from Eng¬
land, purchased a tract of land in the midst of the
Indians, adopted their dress and manners, and taken
several princesses for wives. But success or failure
of the efforts made in the colony became unimportant.
The fleet from England did not arrive at the appointed
time ; the other colonies were dilatory in their prep¬
arations, and before they were completed, the season
for military operations had passed away.
Early in the next year, a treaty was concluded, and
the inhabitants were, for a short period, relieved from
N'EW JERSEY.
143
the burdens and distresses of war. During the inter¬
val of peace, no event of importance happened in the
colony. Upon the recurrence, a few years afterwards,
of hostilities, its territory was the theatre of sanguinary
conflicts. But of that war, in which all the colonies
acted in concert, a connected history will be hereafter
given.
CHAPTER VHL
NEW JERSEY.
Hudson, in his voyage made in 1609, discovered
and entered the Bay of Delaware, and sailed along the
coast of New Jersey, before he entered the harbor of
New York. The Dutch West India Company, in
whose service he sailed, claimed, therefore, the terri¬
tory of this state, as a part of the New Netherlands.
Soon after New York was settled, some Dutch families
seated themselves on the west shore of the Hudson,
near that city. In 1623, Cornelius Jacobse Mey, whom
the company sent out with a small number of people,
landed at Cape May, and at the mouth of Timber
Creek, a few miles below Philadelphia, on the eastern
shore of the Delaware, erected a fort, which he called
Nassau.
In 1630, Godyn and Bloemart, with the sanction of
the company, purchased of the natives a tract of land
at Cape May, but made no settlement. In 1634, Sir
Edmund Ployden obtained from the king of England
a grant of the country on the Delaware, which he called
New Albion, and attempted, it is said, to plant a colony
there. In 1638, a small number of Swedes and Finns
came over, purchased land of the natives on both banks
of the Delaware, but made their principal settlements
on its western shore. In 1640, New Haven, then a
sepsj'ate colony, purchased land in the same region.
144 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES.
for purposes of trade, and "for the settlement of
churches in gospel order and purity." That they ef¬
fected a settlement, has been asserted and denied. It
is certain that, in 1643, their agent complained to the
commissioners of the United Colonies of New England
of molestations suffered from the Dutch and Swedes
on the Delaware, and that, subsequently, a vessel,
wkh adventurers on board, destined to the place pur¬
chased, was seized by Governor Kieft, at New York,
and compelled to return. It is agreed, that, about this
time, a settlement was made, at Elsingburgh, by the
English ; but whether by New Haven or by Sir Ed¬
mund Ployden is uncertain. The Swedes, in concert
with the Dutch, drove them out of the country. The
former built a fort at the place whence the English
had been driven ; and, gaining thus the command of
the river, claimed and exercised authority over all
vessels that entered it, even those of the Dutch who
had lately assisted them.
They and the Dutch continued in possession of the
country until 1655, when Peter Stuyvesant, governor
of the New Netherlands, having obtained assistance
from Holland, conquered all their posts, and trans¬
ported most of the Swedes to Europe. But the Dutch
did not long retain possession. In 1664, Charles IL
granted to his brothèr, the duke of York, all the terri-
toi7 between the Connecticut and Delaware Rivers,
and sent, the same year, a squadron to wrest it from
the Dutch. New York was first conquered, and then
the settlements on the Delaware immediately sub¬
mitted. Nichols, who commanded the expedition, and
assumed the authority of governor, encouraged farm¬
ers from Long Island and New England to emigrate
to the country south of the Hudson, by authorizing
them to purchase land directly from the natives, and
by confirming their title by a patent ; and many seated
themselves at Elizabetbtown, Newark, Middleton, and
Shrewsbury. But in the same year, and before the
date of Nichols's patent, the duke conveyed the terri¬
tory between the Hudson and the Delaware to Lord
NEW JERSEY.
145
ßcrkelBy and Sir George Carteret. To this tract the
name of New Jersey was given, in compliment to Sir
George, who had been governor of the Island of Jer¬
sey, and had held it for King Charles in his contest
wit!) the parliament.
The two proprietors formed a constitution for the
colony, securing equal privileges and liberty of con¬
science to ail, and appointed Philip Carteret governor.
He came over in 166o, fixed the seat of government at
Elizabethtown, purchased land of the Indians, and
sent ag«nts. into New England to invite settlers from
that quarter. The terms offered were so favorable
that many accepted the invitation. One of the in¬
ducements held out, was a bounty of seventy-five acres
of land for every able-bodied slave introduced. But
the emigrants werè of a class accustomed and willing
to labor ; many of them came from a country where
man-stealing was punishable by law ; and but few took
measures to entitle themselves to the bounty.
A few years afterwards, the repose of the colony
was disturbed by domestic disputes. Those of the
inhabitants who had purchased lands of the Indians,
and received aconfirmation of their titlefrom Nichols,
before the conveyance from the duke was known, re¬
fused to pay rent to the proprietors. Others were
discontented from different causes. In 1672, the peo¬
ple assumeil the government, and chose James Carteret,
the son of Philip, their governor. The father returned
to England, and obtained from the proprietors such
concessions and promises as quieted the people, and
induced them again to submit to his authority.
Lord Berkeley, in 1675, disposed of his property,
rights, and privileges, to John Fenwick, in trust for Ed¬
ward Billinge, both Quakers ; and the former imme¬
diately sailed, with his family and a large company, to
the Delaware, established himself at a place near El-
singburg, and called it Salem. Billinge, being involved
in debt, consented that his property and rights should be
sold for the benefit of his creditors ; and William Penn,
Gawen Laurie, and Nicholas Lucas, were appointed
Î- W
146 HISTORTi' UF THE UKITED SI/.TES.
trustee» for that purpose. Being all Quakers, they
resolved to secure, in New Jersey, an asylum for their
persecuted brethren ; and being desirous of possessing
the sole power to institute a government, they and Sir
George Cm'teret agreed to make partition of the terri¬
tory. The western portion was assigned to them, the
eastern to Carteret.
West Jersey was then divided into one hundred
shares, which were separately sold. Some of the pur¬
chasers emigrated to the country, and all made great
exertions to promote its population. Pos8e.ssing the
powers of government, as well as the right of soil, they
formed a constitution, in which, for the encouragement
of emigrants, they secured to them ample privileges.
In 1677, a large number, principally Quakers, came
from England, and seated themselves at Burlington,
and its neighborhood.
But previous to the transfer from Berkeley to Bil-
linge, the Dutch, being at war with England, recon¬
quered the country, and retained it until 1674, when it
was restored by treaty. A new patent was then
granted to the duke, including tlie same territory
as the former. In 1678, Sir Edmund Andres, who
had been appointed his sole governor in America,
claimed jurisdiction over the Jerseys, insisting that the
conquest by the Dutch divested the proprietors of all
their rights ; that the reconquest again vested the title
in the crown t and that the duke again acquired it
entire by his second patent. He forcibly seized, trans¬
ported to New York, and there imprisoned, those ma¬
gistrates who refused to acknowledge his authority, and
he imposed a duty upon all goods imported, and upon
the property of all who came to settle in the country.
Of this injustice the inhabitants, especially those of
West Jersey, loudly complained to the duke ; and at
length their repeated remonstrances constrained him
to refer the matter to commissioners. Before them
agents of the proprietors appeared. In strong lan¬
guage they asserted, and by strong arguments sup¬
ported, their claim to the privileges of freemen. They
NEW JIRSEY.
147
represented that the king had granted to the duke
the right of government as well as the right of soil,
that the duke had transferred the same rights to
Berkeley and Carteret, and they to the present pro¬
prietors.
" That only," they added, " could have induced us
to purchase lends and emigrate. And the reason is
plain : to all prudent men, the government of any
place is more inviting than the soil ; lor what is good
land without good laws.-" What but an assurance
that W0»should enjoy civil and religious privileges,
could have tempted us to leave a cultivated country,
and resort to a gloomy wildernessWhat have we
gained, if, alter adventuring in this wilderness many
thousands of pounds, we are yet to be taxed at the
mere will and pleasure of another ? What is it but
to say, that people, free by law under their prince at
home, are at his mercy in his plantations abroad ?
"We humbly say, that we have lost none of our
liberty by leaving our country ; that the duty imposed
upon us is without precedent or parallel ; that, had
we foreseen it, we should have preferred any other
plantation in America. Besides, there is no limit to
this power: since we are, by this precedent, taxed
without any law, and thereby excluded from our
English right of assenting to taxes, what security
have we of any thing we possess.!' We can call
nothing our own, but are tenants at will, not only for
the soil, but for our personal estates. Such conduct
has destroyed governments, but never raised one to
any true greatness."
The commissioners adjudged the duties illegal, and
they were not afterwards demanded. Emigrants con¬
tinued to arrive, and the country to prosper. In 1681,
the governor of West Jersey summoned a general as¬
sembly, by which several fundamental laws were
enacted, establishing the rights of the people, and de¬
fining the powers of rulers.
In 1682, the territory of East Jersey passed from
Carteret to William Penn and twenty-three associates.
i48 HISTORY OP THE UNITED STATES.
mostly of the Q,jaker persuasion. Robert Barclay,
author of the "Apology for the Quakers," was ap¬
pointed governor, and active measures were adopted
to fill it with inhabitants. At this time, the Presby¬
terians of Scotland were persecuted by the Stuarts,
with infuriated bigotry. Certainly the annals of our
father-land contain no other pages from which the
reader turns with such instinctive horror as from
those which recount the remorseless cruelties of Clav-
erhouse. Kirk, and Jeffries, of which ministers and
people, men, women, and young maidens, were the
heroic victims. To them an asylum was offered in
East Jersey ; and many, pure in heart and strong in
faith,—for they had been tried by severer tests than
even the Pilgrims of New England, — came over, and
blessed the country with their piety, their industry,
and their virtues. They found a more fertile soil, a
more genial climate, and, what to them was dearer,
the safe enjoyment of their faith. Dispersed among
Puritans and Quakers, they could but feel contented ;
and with such a population the colony saw that it had
an assurance of prosperity.
But the cup of happiness is never full. The mul¬
titude of proprietors, and the frequent transfers and
subdivisions of shares, occasioned vexatious confusion
in titles to land, and harassing uncertainty as to the
rights of government ; and fbr twenty years all the
evils which naturally flow from such bitter sources,
continued to afflict the people. In 1702, the proprie¬
tors, weary of contending with each other, and with
the people, surrendered the right of government to
the crown. Q leen Anne reunited the two divisions,
and appointed Lord Cornbury governor over the col¬
onies of New Jersey and New York.
For several years, these provinces continued to be
ruled by the same governor, but each chose a separate
assembly. In 1708, the inhabitants, by petition to the
king, requested that they, might have a separate gov¬
ernor. Their request was granted, and soon after
Lewis Morris was appointed. In the s£.me year, a
pennsylvania.
149
Orillege was founded at Princeton, and called Nassau
Hall. New Jersey then contained about forty thou¬
sand inhabitants. Being remote from Canada, the
source of most of the Indian wars which afflicted the.
northern colonies, it enjoyed a complete exemption
from that terrible calamity, and, until the commence¬
ment of the revolution, furnished no materials for his¬
tory.
CHAPTER IX.
PENNSYLVANIA.
William Penn, the founder of Pennsylvania, was
the son of Sir William Penn, an admiral in the British
navy. Having, while a student at Oxford, violated the
rules of the college, by attending the meetings of Qua¬
kers, he was at first fined, and afterwards expelled.
His father chastised him, and banished him from his
home ; but, relenting, sent him to the continent to
complete his education. He remained a short time
at the college of Saumur, and, upon the appointment
of his father to the command of a squadron, was re¬
called home to superintend the estates of the family.
For a while, he studied law at Lincoln's Inn ; mingled
with London society, and acquired such skill in fen¬
cing, as to be able with ease to disarm any antagonist.
In 1666, being then in his twenty-second year, and
on a journey in Ireland, he listened to the preaching
of an eloquent Quaker, and imbibed all his enthusiasm.
He joined the sect ; was imprisoned as a nonconform¬
ist ; returned to England, and was again turned out
of doors by his father. He repaired to court with his
hat on his head, claimed indulgence for the Friends,
and was consigned to close imprisonment in the Tower.
The duke of York, his father's friend, obtained his
release ; and the next year he was arraigned for having
150 HISTORY or THE UNITEU STATES.
spoken at a Quaker meeting. When put on trial, he
addressed the jury and the court with so much elo¬
quence and boldness, that the former, after a confine¬
ment of two days and two nights, disregarding the
law, brought in a verdict of acquittal; and the latter
fined the jury ibr returning a verdict against law, and
fined and imprisoned Penn for contempt of court. He
was discharged ; again oflfended ; and was again im¬
prisoned. From Newgate he addressed the people in
favor of liberty of conscience ; and, when discharged,
increased his exertions to propagate his doctrines, and
to obtain for his brethren the protection of the laws.
He travelled in Holland and Germany to distribute
tracts and make converts ; and on his return appeared
before the house of commons to plead for universal
liberty of conscience.
Being constituted a trustee of Billinge, one of the
part owners of New Jersey, his attention was drawn
to America ; and he conceived the project of trying,
on its shores, the "holy experiment" of commingling
all Christian sects in one political community, all
equally unrestrained and unprivileged by the laws.
He applied to the king for the grant of a tract, which
he had ascertained was not included in any previous
patent. The nation was indebted to his father for his
seiTices; and he, on his death-bed, had asked and
received from the duke of York, the brother of the
king, a promise to protect and befriend his son. The
want of personal favor at court being thus supplied,
he obtained, in 1681, the grant he solicited; and the
king insisted on calling the province Pennsylvania.
The charter contained some provisions not found
in those previously granted. The king reserved the
power, should not the laws of trade and navigation be
observed, to seize the government, and retain it unti
compensation should be made; and to the parliament
was reserved the ])ower of irtiposing taxes on the peo¬
ple. Experience had shown the government that such
powers were essential to accomplish the objects they
aimed at Unlimited freedom of conscience to all
PENNSYLVANIA.
151
Christian sects, and the right to be governed by laws
enacted by ibemselves, were secured to the people.
Desirous of selling bis lands and founding a colony,
he, in a public advertisement, described the country,
and set forth the ailvantages which it ofiered to emi¬
grants. Many persons, chiefly Quakers, but natives
of England, Wales, Ireland, and Germany, were induced
to purchase. His first terms, which were afterwards
raised, were forty shillings for every hundred acres,
subject to a quittent of one penny per acre forever.
Before the emigrants embarked, certain "conditions
and concessions" were by them and the proprietor
agreed on and subscribed.
In the fall, three ships, carrying settlers, sailed for
Pennsylvania. The pious and philanthropic proprietor
sent by William Markham, his relation, a letter to the
Indians, informing them that "the great God had been
pleased to make him concerned in their part of the
world, and that the king of the country where he lived
had given him a great province therein ; but that he
did not desire to enjoy it without their consent ; that
he was a man of peaces and that the people whom he
sent were of the same disposition ; and if any differ¬
ence should happen between them, it might be ad¬
justed by an equal number of men chosen on both
sides." In compliance with his instructions, Mark-
ham purchased of the Indians as much land as the
circumstances of the colony required. The position
selected for a settlemeht was above the confluence of
the Delaware and the Schuylkill. The Welsh seated
themselves on the present sites of Merrion, Haverford,
and Radnor ; the Germans laid the foundation of Ger-
mantown.
In April, 1682, Penn published a Frame of Govern¬
ment, the chief object of which was declared to be " to
support power in reverence with the people, and to
secure the jteople from the abuse of power." He
published also á Body of Laws, which had been ex¬
amined and approved by the emigrants in England-
»nd which, says an eminent historian, "does great
152 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES.
honor to their wisdoni as statesmen, to their morals as
men, and to their spirit as colonists." From the duke
of York, he obtained the relinquisiiment of a tract of
land lying on the south shle of the Delaware, and now
constituting the state of that name, a part of which
was already settled, and, in August, accompanied by
about one hundred emigrants, set sail for America.
He landed first at New Castle, which was a part of
the " Territories," as the land conveyed to him by the
duke was called. Upon this tract he found about three
thousand Dutch, Swedes, and Finns. He proceeded
to Chester, where he called an assembly on the fourth
of December. This assembly annexed the Territories
to the province, adopted the Frame of Government,
and enacted in form the Body of Laws. Penn also
held a conference with the Lidians, at which speeches
were delivered, and the purchase made by Alarkham
was confirmed. This conference was held at Ken¬
sington, under a large elm, which was afterwards re¬
garded with veneration. The Indians, according to
their custom, gave him a name, which was Onas, and
by that name the governors of Pennsylvania were af¬
terwards called ; but he was always, in all conferences
with his successors, referred to by them as the great
and good Onas. He then selected the site, and marked
out the plan, of an extensive city, to which he gave the
name of Philadelphia, or tlie city of love. Before the
end of the year, it contained eighty houses and cottages,
some of which were brought from Enghmd.
The settlement of none of the colonies commenced
under such favorable auspices as that of Pemisylvania.
The experience of half a century had disclosed the
evils to be avoided, and pointed out the course to be
pursued. The Indians, having been already taught to
tear the })ower of the whites, were the more easily
conciliated by their kindness. The soil being fertile,
the climate temperate, and the game abundant, tlie
first emigrants escaped most of the calamities which
nfilicted the more northern and southern provinces.
The increase of population exceeded, of course,, all
PENNSYLVANIA.
153
former example. Crowds flocked CO it from all quar¬
ters, and particularly from Germany and Holland.
Tlie first frame of government or charter established
a council of seventy-two members, one third to be
chosen annually, and an assembly, to consist, at first
of all the freemen, ailerwards of two hundred, and
never to exceed five hundred members. The pro¬
prietor was to he perpetual president of the council,
and to have therein a treble vote. The council had
the sole power of originating bills ; and these were to
be published before the meeting of the asseftibly, that
the representatives might come together prepared to
ex|)ress thereupon the sentiments of their constituents.
The people began to think that such a numerous as¬
sembly would be a burden to the province ; the pro¬
prietor, fearing that bis patent migbt be jeoparded by
legislative doings, was desirous of possessing more
power to control tbem. In 1G83, a new charter was
adopted, by which, and by a vote of the assembly, the
number of the council was reduced to eighteen, and
of the assembly to thirty-six members ; and to the
proprietor was given a controlling vote in the council,
so that no law could be proposed without his assent.
Some of the regulations proposed by Penn, and
adopted, bear the impress of his singular genius and
benevolent disposition. It was ordained "that, to
prevent lawsuits, three arbitrators, to be called peace¬
makers, should be chosen by the county coiu-ts, to
bear and determine small differences between man
and man ; that children should be taught some use¬
ful trade, to the end tliat none might be idle, that the
])oor might work to live, and the rich, if they should
become poor, might not want ; that factors, wronging
their employers, should make satisfaction and one
third over ; that every thing which excites the peo¬
ple to rudeness, cruelty, and irreligion, should be dis¬
couraged and severely punished; that no one, ac¬
knowledging one God, and living peaceably in society,
should be molested for his opinions or his practice, or
compelled to frequent or maintain any ministry what-
154 HIsrORT OF THE ÜN1TED STATES.
ever; that all estates might be devised by will, and,
if no will was made, they should descend equally to
all the children.
These judicious regulations attracted numerous
emigrants; and to their salutary influence must be
attributed the qualities of diligence, order, and econ¬
omy, for which the Pennsylvanians are so justly cel¬
ebrated. Within four years from the date of the grant
to Penn, the province contained twenty settlements,
and Philadelphia two thousand inhabitants.
In 1684, the proprietor returned to England. He left
the province in profound tranquillity, committing the
executive authority to the council, — of which Thom¬
as Lloyd, a Quaker from Wales, was made president, —
and afterwards to five selected members of the coun
cil. The unfortunate James the Second soon after
ascended the throne. "As he has," said Penn, "been
my friend, and niy fathei-'s friend, I feel bound in jus¬
tice to be a friend to him." He adhered to him while
seated on the throne ; and for two years after he was
expelled from his kingdom, the government of the
province was administered in his name.
By this display of attachment to the exiled monareh,
he incurred the displeasure of King William. On
vague suspicion, and unfounded charges, he was four
times imprisoned. The government of his colony
was taken from him, and given to Colonel Fletcher,
the governor of New York. But, by the severest
scrutiny, it was rendered apparent, that he had, in all
his conduct, been actuated as much by the love of his
country as by personal gratitude. He regained the
good opinion of King William; and, being permitted
to resume and exercise his rights, appointed William
Markham to be his deputy-governor.
In 1699, he again visited Pennsylvania, and found
the people discontented. They complained that his
powers and their rights were not defined with suf¬
ficient precision, and demanded a new charter. In
1701, he prepared and presented one to the assembly,
which was accepted. It gave tho whole power of
¿NNSYLVANIA.
155
legislation to the governor and assembly, the governor
being authonzed to propose bills and to reject those
passed by the assembly. It made no provision for
tlie election, by the people, of members of the council,
and scarcely recognized that body as a part of the gov
eminent. To the assembly it gave the power to
originate bills 5 to amend or reject those which might
be laid before them ; to adjourn at pleasure, and to
meet at such times as it might appoint ; and generally
to do whatever might be done by the assemblies of
other colonies in America. It authorized the people
in each county to choose two persons for sheriâ^ and
the justices to choose three persons for clerk of the
peace, out of which the governor was to appoint one ;
and it made various other provisions, the intent of
which was to secure the people from the abuse of
power.
The inhabitants of the Territories had complained
that, sending but iëw representatives to the assembly,
their peculiar interests had been neglected. A sup¬
plemental article was therefore added, giving them the
privilege of dissolving the union at any time within
three years. They-decided in favor of a dissolution,
and were allowed a distinct assembly, but the same
governor presided over both.
Immediately after this third charter was accepted,
Perm appointed Andrew Hamilton deputy-governor,
and a council consisting of ten members, and returned
to England, being much better pleased with a residence
in London than in Pennsylvania. From this time the
history of the colony ceases to be interesting. No
glorious, nor disastrous, nor striking event occurred-
With an account of petty quarrels between the pro¬
prietor and the people — the landlord and his tenants
— a volume might be filled ; but it would only serve
to prove the oft-asserted truths, that the long pos¬
session of power renders the best men less worthy to
possess it ; that a people, situated as these colonists
were, are inore disposed to make encroachments upon
power than to submit to encroachments from it ; and
156 HISTORY Of THE UNITED STATES.
/hat, if men may be restrained by principle from com¬
mitting great wickedness, it is impossible to eradicate
from the human heart the passion of envy and the
love of gain. But if it cannot be said tliat either the
proprietor or the people were perlect, it may with
truth be said that in few colonies were tiie actions of
the people subject to so little restraint, and in none
was there so great prosperity.
The almost continual absence of the proprietor
from his province, basking in the smiles of James and
Anne, with both of whom he was a favorite, sundered
the ties which once bound to him his people. Many
had never seen him ; and many, not being Quakers,
were connected with him by no religious sympathy.
They knew him only as the receiver of rents, and felt
less grateful for the favors he bestowed, than dissatis¬
fied at those he withheld. They believed him to be
rich, and the quitrents" which they owed him, though
trifling and just, were grudgingly paid. He was, in
fact, suffering from poverty. He had expended upon
his province more than he had received ; he had ex¬
pended much at court, and more in his exertions to
sustain and protect his persecuted brethren ; and he
was compelled to require of his tenants all that he
could legally claim. In 1708, he was imprisoned for
debt, and could obtain his discharge only by mortga¬
ging Pennsylvania. In 1712, he entered into a nego¬
tiation with the crown for transferring to it the gov¬
ernment of his province ; and finally agreed to accept
for it twelve thousand pounds; but before the legal
forms were completed, he was reduced, by an apo¬
plectic stroke, to the imbecility of infancy. In this state
be lingered until 1718, when he died. His widow, as
executrix of his will, assumed the management of the
province, and retained it until 1732, when it passed
into the hands of his sons, John, Thomas, and Richard
Penn. At this time, an anonymous author estimates
the population at thirty thousand, but it was probably
greater.
Under deputy-governors appointed by these young
PENNSYLVANIA.
157
men, the colony continued to prosper and the people
to murmur; but their discontents never rose to tlie
dignity of rebellion. They had more causes of dis¬
satisfaction than before ; but these causes were trifling,
for they knew not what oppression was. The wars
carried on by the neighboring colonies against the
French and Indians, and the measures of protection
adopted against apprehended incursions of the Indians
into her own borders, increased the expenses of the
colony; the proprietors refused to pay any part of
these expenses ; and their deputy refused, as instructed
by them, to assent to any act levying taxes which did
not exempt their own lands from its operation. This
unwise, and indeed unjust, claim of exemption occa¬
sioned greater disgust than injury, and imbittered all
the enjoyments of the inhabitants.
Most of the colonies, and this among them, had, to
defray their expenses or to furnish a currency, made
frequent emissions of paper money. The English
Earliament enacted a law prohibiting further issues ;
ut Pennsylvania was not included in the prohibition.
In 1752, the assembly passed a bill authorizing the
emission of forty thousand dollars ; but the governor
withheld his assent, from the fear, as he alleged, of
offending the parliament, which had so lately disap¬
proved of this species of currency. His objections
were refen-ed to a committee, of which Benjamin
Franklin was chairman. In their report, the commit¬
tee took a comprehensive view of the effect of a paper
currency. They demonstrated that, by its aid, the
commerce, population, and internal improvements of
the province had greatly increased. They stated that,
in 1723, when the first emission was made, the num¬
ber of vessels cleared from Pennsylvania was but
eighty-five ; in 1751, it was four hundred and three : —
that the imports from England, in 1723, amounted to
but sixteen thousand poimds ; in 1751, they amounted
to one hundred and twenty-nine thousand:—that the
exports had trebled, being, in 1751, one hundred and
eighty-seven thousand pounds :—that the price of labor
158 historï op tue united 6tate9.
iiad been raised, agricultural improvements had been
rapidly made, and, in twenty years, the population
had doubled.
The governor persisted in withholding his assent ;
and several bills, of the same purport, subsequently
passed by the assembly, were also negatived. Frank*
lin continued to be the champion of paper money ; and
it is remarkable that, during this period of our history,
that species of currency was often demanded by the
poor, and opposed by the rich. In a mew country, de¬
ficient in capital, and with resources which may be
rapidly developed, paper may be well employed as a
substitute for specie ; but the enormous issues made
during the revolutionary war demonstrated very clearly
that the imlimited power to issue is liable to great
abuse.
It will be seen hereafter that the people of Pennsyl¬
vania took an active part in the revolutionary contest
In the early part cd" the war, they adopted a new con¬
stitution, by which the proprietor was excluded from
all share in the government He was ofiered, and
finally accepted, five himdred and seventy thousand
dollars in discharge of all quitrents due item the in-
habitanta
CHAPTER X.
DELAWARE.
It has already been stated that Hudson, sailing in
the service of the Dutch West India ComjJany, dis¬
covered the River Delaware. In 1629, one Godyn, a
director of that company, purchased of the natives a
tract of land near t le mouth of that river, on its west-
em bank.. The next year, he, in connection with
others, sent De Vries, with about thirty persons, to
make a settlement, and they seated themselves near
DELAWARE.
15Ô
Lewistown. In 1632, De Vries returned to Holland,
and, soon añer bis departure, a quarrel arose between
the emigrants and the natives, in which every emigrant
was killed.
Gustavos Adolphus, the best and greatest of Swedish
kings, partaking of the spirit which actuated his brother
sovereigns, resolved to plant a colony in America, for
the benefit " of all oppressed Christendom." A com¬
mercial company, to whom was granted the right to
plant colonies, was incorporated ; the king invested four
hundred thousand dollars, and reserved to the crown
the right of government. Colonists were invited from
all Europe, and the introduction of slaves, if not for¬
bidden, was discouraged. " Slaves," it was said, " cost
a great deal, labor with reluctance, and soon perish
from hard usage : stirely we shall gain more by a free
people, with wives and children."
Aller the death of Gustavus, at the battle of Lützen,
Oxenstiern, the celebrated Swedish minister, then ad¬
ministering the government for the young queen,
Christina, in a special appeal to Germany in favor of
the enterprise, announced himself to be but the exec¬
utor of the wishes of his late sovereign, and declared
that the accomplishment of the design "would be
favorable to all Christendom, to Europe, to the whole
world." Minuits, who had been the Dutch governor
of Manhattan, was selected to conduct the first expedi¬
tion. In 163Í8, with a small number of Swedes and
Finns, he arrived in Delaware Bay. They landed,
early in the season, at Cape Henlopen ; and so de¬
lighted were these emigrants from the cold regions
of the north with the country and the climate, that
they named it Paradise Point They purchased of the
natives the soil from the cape to the fulls near Trenton,
and erected a fort at the mouth of Christiana Creek,
not far from Wilmington. The country they called
New Sweden, and the river New Swedeland Stream.
Kieft, the governor of the New Netherlands, [ro-
tested against this encroachment upon the territory of
his sovereigns, the Dutch AVest India Company, but
16D HISTORY OP THE UfJITED STATES.
dared not then molest them. Such were the tidings
borne back to the north, that many of the peasants of
Sweden and Finland eagerly hastened to this beautiful
and fertile garden of the New World. The Dutch,
who had deserted, reoccupied their fort at Nassau, in
New Jersey ; and Printz, the Swedish governor,
erected one, of huge hemlock logs, on the island of
Tinicum, a few miles below Philadelphia, where he
established his head-quarters. A few Englishmen
seated themselves below, on both sides of the river ;
but they were not made welcome by the Swedes or
the Dutch, and were soon driven away.
The Swedish colony increased in numbers. The
Dutch, still claiming the country, built Fort Casimir,
at Newcastle, five miles from Christiana- Printz, in
his turn, protested ; and Risingh, his successor, in
1654, going with thirty men on pretence of making a
friendly visit to the commander, took possession of
it while enjoying his hospitality. Tiiis dishonorable
action did not remain long unavenged. Stuyvesant,
the governor of the New Netherlands, returned, the
next year, the visit of Risingh. He came with no
friendly pretence, but with an armament furnished
in part by the city of Amsterdam, which had pur¬
chased the territory on the Delaware. He first re¬
duced the fort at Newcastle, then that at Christiaîia
Creek, and subsequently the others. Some of the
Swedes were sent to Europe ; the rest, on taking the
oath of allegiance to Holland, were permitted to re¬
main. Many of their descendants yet continue in
Delaware, living memorials of the transient connec¬
tion with the territory of the United States of the vir¬
tuous Oxenstiem and the brave Gustavus.
The settlements on the Delaware continued under
the control of the Dutch until the New Netherlands
were conquered by the English, in 1664. The duke
of York then came into possession of all the Dutch
had occupied. The English laws were established on
both sides of the river; Newcastle was incorporated;
and merchants were relieved from the duty of enter-
0ei.AWAKK.
16]
ing their goods ut New York, as before tliey were
obliged to do. Afterwards Dutch privateers, ascend¬
ing the Delaware, committed depredations on the in¬
habitants ; and they were authorized, to collect, as a
recompense, a duty on imports at the Hoarkills.
Lord Baltimore had always claimed the country on
the west side of the river as a part of his grant, which
extended to the fortieth degree of north latitude, but
excepted tracts already occupied. Incursions had
been made from Maryland with the view of driving
away the setders ; and once possession was taken, and
for some time kept, of the post at the Hoarkills. At
length William Perm, having obtained a grant of Peim-
sylvania, and being desirous of owning the land on
the west bank of the lielaware, from his province to
the sea, procured from the duke a release of all his
title and cltdm, in one deed, to Newcastle and the
laud twelve miles roimd it, and, in another, to the
land between this tract' and the sea. In October,
1682, he arrived at Newcastle, and, in the presence
of a crowd of Dutch, Swedes, and English, produced
and read his deeds. The agent of the duke surren¬
dered to him the territory : he addressed the multitude,
promising them liberty of conscience and civil free¬
dom ; and then ascended the Delaware to take posses¬
sion of his province of Pennsylvania.
Lord Baltimore still asseited his claim; but Perm
resisted it on the ground that, at the time of the grafit
of Maryland, the territory was occupied. In 1685, the
ords of trade and plantations decided that the claim
of Baltimore was unfounded ; and though the duke of
York had no title but that derived from occupancy,
his grant extending only to the east bank of the bay,
yet no one else appeared to dispute the title of Perm ;
iiiid the boundary between him and Baltimore was
afterwards adjusted by compromise.
The two tracts now constituting the state of Dela¬
ware, Perm called his Territories. They were divided
into three counties, and for twenty years were gov¬
erned as a part of Pennsylvania, each sendiqg six
VOL. r. 13
IÜ2 HISTOUy OF THE UNITED STATES.
delegates to the general assembly. In 1703, these
delegates, not being willinj| to act with an assembly
which neglected their peculiar interests, obtained lib¬
erty to secede ; and the Territories were ever after¬
wards allowed a distinct assembly. The proprietor,
however, until the commencement of tlie revolution,
retained all his rights, and the same governor uniform¬
ly presided over his province and the Territories.
Sheltered by the surrounding colonies, Delaware
enjoyed an entire exemption from wars, except those
in which, as a part of the British empire, she was
obliged to participate. In the war with France, which
terminated in 1763, she was second to none in active
zeal to assist the parent state. In the revolutionary
war, the Delaware regiment was considered the most
efficient in the Continental army.
CHAPTER XI.
MARYLAND.
Geokge Cauvert, one of the secretaries of state
under James I., had, from early life, shared in the gen¬
eral enthusiasm in favor of plantations in America.
He was a Protestant in his youth ; but, being convinced
that the Catholic was the true faith, he avowed his
conviction and resigned his office. The king, how¬
ever, confiding in his integrity, retained him as a
member of his privy council, and afterwards placed
him in the hst of Irish peers, with the title of Lord
Baltimore. While secretary of state, he had obtained
a special patent of the southern promontory of New¬
foundland, and made repeated, but unsuccessful, ef¬
forts to plant a colony there. Having been a mem¬
ber of the South Vii-ginia Company, he then visited
that part of the continent, in the hope of finding a
MARYLAND.
163
retreat fi>r his persecuted brethren. Upon his arrival,
the assembly directed that the usual oath of allegiance,
and another oath prescribed by an English statute
acknowledging the king to be the only supreme gov¬
ernor, in all his dominions, as well in temporal as
ecclesiastical matters, should be tendered to him. As
the Catholics then believed the pope to be the supreme
and only head of their ch'irch, I.'^rd Baltimore refused
to take these oaths.
Not being received in Virginia with the welcome
he expected, he returned to England, and solicited
from Charles L a grant to himself of the territory,
then uninhabited, on both sides of Chesapeake Bay.
Charles assented ; a patent was prepared, doubtless .
according to the suggestions of Lord Baltimore ; but
he died before the king's signature was afiixed. It
was afterwards, in 1632, issued to Cecil, his eldest son,
and heir of his estate and title.
For the liberal provisions of this chfu-ter. King
Charles, as well as Lord Baltimore, deserves special
commendation. It granted and seciu'ed to all Chris¬
tiair sects equal protection and equal privileges. In
England, the Catholics were then odious, and the ob¬
jects of bitter persecution ; by this charter, the sove¬
reign set apart a fertile and delightful territoiy to
which they might retire and worship God according
to the dictates of conscience. By placing, not tacitly
hut expressly, all sects upon a level, it displayed an
advance in liberality for which he who gave and he
who solicited and accepted it are entitled to the high¬
est credit, and to the higher credit from its being
the first charter which contained similar provisions.
It secured, moreover, to the people the right to enact
their own laws, by themselves or their representatives,
«object only to the negative of the proprietor; and it
conceded to the inhabitants the inestimable favor of
perpetual exemption from all English taxes. To the
colony the name of Maryland was given, in honor of
Henrietta Maria, the Catholic wife of Charles.
The territoiy being within the limits of Virginia, as
Ití4 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES.
liescribed in lier charter, several inhabitants of tiiat
colony, who probably carried on trade with the In
dians on the Chesapeake, remonstrated against the
grant to Lord Baltimore, But tlie Virginia charter
had been forfeited, and the king refused to rescind
his grant. The proprietor ap))ointed Leonard Calven,
his brother, governor, and despatched him, near the
close of the year 1633, to America, accompanied by
about two hundred emigrants, mostly Roman Cath¬
olics.
They arrived, in February, 1634, at the mouth of the
River Potomac. At a conference with the Indians
who dwelt on the shore, they purchased Yoamaco, a
considerable village, the site of which St. Mary's now
occupies. By this measure, wise as well as just, the
rightful proprietors of the soil were satisfied, conve¬
nient habitations and some cultivated land were ob¬
tained. Arriving at a favorable season, instead of
searching for gold, they planted corn, and raised
enough for their own consumption, and some to ex¬
change for the fish of New England.
But Maryland, in William Clayborne, had its evil
genius, as well as New England in Edward Randolph.
He was a member of the council, and secretary of the
colony of Virginia ; and in 1631 obtained a license
from the king to trade with the Indians in places
where the exclusive right to trade with them had not
been granted. Under this license, he had made a
small settlement on the Island of Kent, and another
near the mouth of the Susquehannah. He pretended
to regard the grant to Lord B.altimore as an infringe¬
ment of his rights; he had good reason to appreliend
from it a diminution of his profits. Upon the first
arrival of the emigrants, he attempted to alarm them
by representingthe natives as decidedly hostile. To the
natives he represented the " new comers " as Span¬
iards and enemies to the Virginians ; and these repre¬
sentations had the effect of rendering them suspicious
and unfriendl}'.
Not content with this mode of annoying the- emi
MARYLAND.
grants, he directed Warren, one of his men, to seize
any vessel he might meet with belonging to Lord
Baltimore's party. Li the spring of 1635, Warren
attempted to seize two pinnaces, was resisted, himself
and two men slain, and his own party killed one of
the emigrants.. For this murder. Clay borne, though
not present, was indicted ; and, fleeing to Virginia, wa.s
demanded of the governor of that colony, who refused
to deliver him up, but sent him to England that the
ease might be determined there.
Shortly aller this event, the people assembled to
exercise the legislative power conferred by the char¬
ter. Every fi-eeman was probably present by himself
or by proxy. No record of their doings has been pre¬
served. It is known that they passed an act confls-
cating the property of Clayborne; and subsequent
documents show that they passed some acts which
the proprietor negatived. Clayborne applied to the
king for redress, but, aller a full hearing,Vas dismissed
without obtainmg any order in his favor.
With the exception of the enmity of Clayborne, and
the unfriendliness of the Indians produced by his in¬
trigues, every thing conspired to render the colony
prosperous. The emigrants wisely sought their sup¬
port from agriculture rather than from mines ami
trade. The proprietor was generous with his means,
and indefatigable in his eflbrts to insure success ; he
offered the most favorable terms to emigrants ; the
soil and climate were inviting ; from abroad Catholics
came as to a secure asylum ; from the south Church¬
men drove Puritans, from the north Puritans drove
Churchmen, into her borders, where all were willingly
received, protected, and cherished.
At first, all the freemen, attending in a body, by
themselves or by proxy, passed such laws as the wel¬
fare of the colony required. The increase of popula¬
tion soon rendered it necessary to adopt a different
mode of legislation. In 1639, an act was passed, con¬
stituting a " house of assembly," to be composed of
such as should be chosen by the people, of such as
ÍOb HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES
should be summoned or appointed by the proprietor,
and of the governor and secretary. These were to sit
together, and the laws which they should enact were
to possess Jhe same validity as though the proprietors
and all the people had concurred in enacting them.
In 1650, a second alteration was made, The legisla¬
tive body was divided into two branches, the delegates
chosen by the people constituting the lower house,
and the persons summoned by the proprietors, the
upper house.
When the civil war between the king and parlia¬
ment began, Claybome embraced the cause of the
latter, returned to Maryland, and by his intrigues
fomented, in 1645, a rebellion against its rulers, who
were attached to the royal cause. Calvert, the gov¬
ernor, was compelled to fly to Virginia, and the insur¬
gents assumed the powers of govermnent. The next
year, however, the revolt was suppressed and tran¬
quillity restored.
Watching the progress of the contest in England,
the proprietor, desirous probably of strengthening him¬
self with the rising party by following examples of
Puritan rigor, and fearful, perhaps, that the Catholics
might lose their privileges, approved a law, which the
assembly had passed, declaring that any one, who
should blaspheme Gíod or deny the Holy Trinity,
should suffer death ; and declaring also that no per¬
son professing to believe in Jesus Christ should be in
any way molested for his religion, or in the free exer¬
cise thereof
But when the parliament triumphed over the king,
they appointed coimnissioners for "reducing and
governing the colonies within the Bay of Chesapeake
and among them was Clayborne. After much alter¬
cation with Stone, the lieutenant of Baltimore, they
deprived him of his commission ; but afterwards a
compromise was effected, by which he, with three of
his council, was allowed to exercise the executive
power imtil instructions should arrive from England ;
and the commissioners repaired to Virginia. This
MARYLAND.
167
«ate of aíFairs continued two years, when Stone, upon
the dissolution of the long parliament, which bad ap¬
pointed the commissioners, believing their authority
extinguished, restored his old council, and, by a railing
and tbolish proclamation, declared that the colony,
while governed as it had been, was in a state of re¬
bellion. This irritated the Puritans, and recalled the
commissioners from Virginia. They removed Stone
substituting ten persons, whom they authorized to ad¬
minister the government. Party spirit was rife in the
colonyf the people dividing according to their religious
sentiments.
The next assembly was composed principally of
Puritans. «They acknowledged the authority of Crom¬
well, and passed an act which in effect denied religious
freedom to all believers in "Popery and Prelacy."
Thus were the Catholics ungratefully disfranchised in
a colony they had founded, and by men whom they -
had taken to their bosom. A portion of the people
refused to obey the new government ; Stone attempted
to restore the authority of Lord Baltimore, but was
taken prisoner and kept long in confinement Dis¬
traction and disorder continued to prevail imtil the
restoration, in 1660, when Lord Baltimore resumed
all his rights, and appointed Philip Calvert governor.
At this time the colony contained about twelve
thousand inhabitants. Under the mild and beneficent
rule of the proprietor, the number rapidly increased.
« Acts of compromise " favorable to the colonists were
passed, by which the power of the proprietor to levy
taxes was defined and restrained ; the assembly
granted a custom of two shillings a hogshead on all
tobacco exported, of which one half was to be appro¬
priated to the defence of the colony, and the other
half to be retained by the proprietor.
In 1676, Cecil Lord Baltimore, the original proprie¬
tor, died. He had well earned the title of the father
of the province. For more than forty years, he had
directed its affairs as proprietor, and displayed, in all
his conduct, a benevolent heart and enlightened un-
1Ö8
HISTORY OP THE UNITED STATES.
derstanding. Although he lived in an age of bigotry
he was liberal in his opinions ; and for all his exer¬
tions to contribute to the happiness of his fellow-
beings, he desired no reward but their gratítude.
This reward he received. The records of tlie Mary¬
land assembly contain frequent memorials of the
respect and affection of the people. He was suc¬
ceeded, as proprietor, by his eldest son, Charles, who
had, for several years, been governor of the colony,
and displayed the same amiable qualities which had
rendered his father respected and beloved.
But the relation of proprietor and people was not
one which the inhabitants of the New World were
disposed long to endure with complaceppy. Their
pride, and the spirit of independence natural to men
who had been bred in forests and among mountains,
revolted at their dependent condition, and stifled all
the promptings of justice and duty. Protestants were
numerous in the colony ; in the kingdom they had a
decided preponderancy ; and, wherever they were,
they regarded Catholics with hatred and distrust.
English prelates demanded that the Episcopal church
should be established; and the ministry, yielding to
the clamor which beset them on all sides, and not
unwilling to derive advantage from the proprietor's
weakness, issued, in 1681, an order that all offices in
Maryland should be intrusted exclusively to Protes¬
tants. Thus were the Catholics, a second time, dis¬
franchised in the colony they had founded.
C But let us not judge too harshly the conduct of
men who lived in times so different from our own.
The massacre of St. Bartholomew, and the persecn-
tion of Protestants in France and Holland, had not
yet faded from the recollections of men. It was well
understood that Catholics viewed Protestants as guilty
apostates from the true faith; and that they did not
consider that they owed any allegiance, fi-oin which the
pope could not release them, to Protestant sovereigns.
The refusal of the first Lord Baltimore to take the
oaths of allegiance and supremacy in Virginia, was
north carolina.
169
probably etill remembered, ^et us be ^teful that
Catholics as well as Protestants have rejected many
of tlie errors, and forgotten the feelings, of a benight¬
ed age. "
In the year 1689, the epoch of the revolution in
England, the repose of Maryland was tigain distiu'bed.
A rumor was artfully circulated, that the Catholics
had leagued with the Indians to destroy all the Prot¬
estants in the province. An armed association was
immediately formed, for the defence of the Protestant
religion, and for asserting the rights of King William
and Queen Mary. The magistrates attempted to oppose
by force this association, but, meeting with few sup¬
porters, were compelled to abdicate the government.
King William directed those who had assumed the
supreme authority to exercise it in his name ; and for
twenty-seven years the crown retained the entire con¬
trol of the province. In 1716, the proprietor was re¬
stored to his rights % and he and his descendants con¬
tinued to enjoy them imtil the commencement of the
revolution. The people then assumed the govern¬
ment, adopted a constitution, and refused to admit the
claims of Lord Baltimore to jurisdiction or property
CHAPTER XII.
WORTH CAROLINA.
In 1630, Charles L granted to Sir Robert Heath all
the territory between the 30th and 36th degrees of
north latitude, and extending from the Atlantic Ocean
to the South Sea, by the name of Carolina. Under
this grant, no settlement was made. Between 1640
and 1650, persons sufiering from religious intolerance
in Virginia fled beyond her limits, and, without license
from any sotuce, occupied that portion of North Caro-
vol. I. 14
170 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES.
lina north of Albemarle Sound. They ibund the
winters mild and the soil fertile. As their cattle and
swine procured their own sujiport in the woods, and
multiplied fast, they were enabled, with little labor, to
live in the enjoyment of abundance. Their number
was annually augmented ; they acknowledged no
superior upon earth, and obeyed no laws but those
of God and nature.
In 1C61, another settlement was made, near the
mouth of Clarendon River, by adventurers from Mas¬
sachusetts. The land being sterile, and the Indians
hostile, they, in 1663; abandoned it. Immediately
afterwards, their place was supplied by emigrants
from Ilarbadoes, who invested Sir John Yeomans
with the authority of governor.
Sir Robert Heath having neglected to comply with
the conditions of his patent, the king, in 1663, granted
the same teiTitory to the historian and prime minister.
Lord Clarendon, the duke of Albemarle — who, when
General Monk, took the lead in the restoration, — the
c. irl of Shaftesbury, Lord Craven, Sir George Carteret,
all eminent men, and to several associates, and in-
vested them with ample powers of government over
those who should inhabit it. They sent out an ex¬
pedition t(j explore the country, and finding that the
settlement at Albemarle was beyond their northern
boundary, obtained another charter, which included
it. To encourage emigration, they gave public assur¬
ances, that all who should remove to their territory
should enjoy unrestricted religious liberty, and be
governed by a free assembly. The settlers at Albe¬
marle were, on certain conditions, allowed to retain
their lands. A government over them was organized,
at the head of which a Mr. Drummond was placed ;
and a legislative assembly met there in 1667. Of its
doings nothing is known, except that it petitioned the
proprietors that the settlers might hold their lands on
more favorable conditions, which was granted.
The grantees were men eminent for their talents,
exalted in station, and rendered self-confident by their
NORïlI CAKOLINA.
171
success in life : their pride was, perhaps, not t nmixed
with benevolence ; and they sought to gratify both,
und to render their fame immortal, by laying the
foundation of a state which should surpass, in its
realities, the fabled Oceana and Arcadia. Their vast,
uninhabited wilderness afforded a fine opportunity
for an experiment. They applied to John Locke,
whose political writings were then much read and
admired, to prepare, for their colony, a constitution of
government
It divided their territory into coimties, each to con¬
tain 480,000 acres of land ; it created two hereditary
orders of nobility, landgraves and caciques, assigning
one landgrave and two caciques to each coimty, and
reserving for the proprietors one fifth, for the nobility
one fifth, and for the people the remaining three fifths
of the land within it The olfice and powers of the
proprietors were to be hereditary ; they, with forty-
two councillors, were to constitute a grand council,
over which the eldest proprietor, to be called the
palatine, was to preside ; and this coimcU was to ex¬
ercise the sovereign power. The landgraves, the
caciques, one deputy of each proprietor, and deputies
to be chosen every two years by the people, were to
constitute a parliament, or legislative body, all sitting
together, and each member having one vote : this par¬
liament could deliberate and act only on bills proposed
by the grand council ; and the proprietors might neg¬
ative all laws. Various courts were established, and
many minor regulations adopted.
This constitution was signed by the proprietors, it?
tlie beginning of the year 1670. However wise it
might seem to English politicians, it was by no
means adapted to the sentiments and habits of the
jteople for whom it was prepared. It was not such a
form of government as they had been led to expect
its aristocratic features displeased them, and the
measures adopted to introduce and enforce it pro-
duced general discontent.
In 1670, William Sayle, under the direction of the
i 72 HISTOEY OF THE UNITED STATE»,
proprietors, made a settlement at Port Royal, whbm
tlie limits of South Carolina. The next year, dissatis'
fied with this station, he removed his colony north'
ward, to a neck of land between Ashley and Cooper
Rivers, where he laid out a town, which, in honor of
the king then reigning, he called Charleston. Dying
soon alter. Sir John Yeomans, who had for several
years been governor at Clarendon, was appointed to
succeed him. This new settlement attracted at first
many inhabitants from that at Clarendon, and at length
entirely exhausted it Being remote from Albemarle,
the proprietws established a separate government
over it ; and hence arose the distinctive appellations
of North and South Carolina.
The proprietors considered themselves the owners of
the soil. They had expended large sums in the com¬
mencement of their undertaking, and naturally expected
to receive remuneration, and eventually to increase their
fortunes. The terms on which they sold their land, to
those who jiaid in advance, were, for every thousand
acres, twenty pounds, (about one hundred dollars,) and
an annual quitrent of one shilling for every hundred
acres ; and to others an annual quitrent of one penny
for every acre. They supplied the settlers with cattle
and provisions upon credit, and to be paid for in the
products of the country. When the time of payment
arrived, the ability or the inclination was often want¬
ing. Many of the settlers were not of a description
to feel, in its full force, a legal or moral obligation.
They bad no schoolmaster, no clergyman, and no
printing press, among them. If laws are an index of
character, some knowledge of theirs may be gained
from one in force before the constitution of Locke
was adopted. It declared " that no subject should be
sued within five years for any cause of action that
may have arisen out of the county ; and that-no person
should receive a power of attorney to collect any debt
contracted out of the county." The officers appointed
to collect rents and taxes were complained of, perhaps
with reason, as oppressive ; and so imbittered became
NORTH CAROLINA.
173
the feefings of tlie people, that but little wîis wanting
to impel them to open insurrection.
One Miller, who had become obnoxious to die peo¬
ple, was arrested on some charge of misconduct, and
sent to Virginia to be tried by Sir William Berkeley,
who was a proprietor. Ha was acquitted, went to
England to seek redress, and was sent back with the
appointment of deputy of one of the proprietors, and
collector of the customs. It became his duty to en¬
force the acts of trade, absurdly unjust and unpopular
in all the colonies, by one of which acts the commerce
of each colony was confined to the mother country.
An illicit trafile had, few some time, been carried on
between the people of New England and of North
Carolina, the former bringing "some necessaries,
many triiles, and a plentiful supply of ardent spirits,"
and exchanging them ' for tobacco, the staple of the
colony. This traffic the proprietors and government
had endeavored to suppress, not only because it was
illegal, but because it impoverished the people; but
they, on their psut, encouraged it Miller was a man
of violent passions, had no disposition to indulge the
people, performed his duty with rigor, and of course
exasperated them.
About this time, one Culpepper, compelled to flee
from South Carolina, appeared at Albemarle, joined
the disafiected, and by noisy declamation increased
the excitement. The New England traders joined
the same party. In 1677, Captain Gillam arrived from
the north with a cargo of such goods as had usually
been brought He was arrested, by order of the pres¬
ident, upon the charge of a breach of the revenue laws.
The people, espousing his cause, assembled, seized and
imprisoned the president and six members of- the
council, of whom Miller was one, and assumed the
control of the colony. Culpepper, who had been the
chief actor in the insurrection, discharged for a while
the profitable duty of collector. Eastchurch, who had
been appointed governor, arrived soon afier, but the
insurgents refused to receive hinx He applied to
174 HISTOKY OF TUE UÍ^ITED STATES.
Virginia for assistance to quell the insurrection, bul
died before the troops could be raised. The insur¬
gents, becoming alarmed, despatched Culpepper to
England with a promise of submission, and a demand
for the punishment of RDller. But Miller appeared
there also, having, with his fellow-prisoners, escaped
from confinement. Culpepper was indicted and tried
for high treason, but was acquitted upon his plea that
the disturbance could only be considered a rioL
The proprietors, not having the means either to
punish or enforce obedience, gave to one of their
number, Seth Sothel, who had purchased the share of
Lord Clarendon, the appointment of governor, and
sent him to receive the submission of the people and
to restore harmony. No appointment could have been
more unfortunate. He is represented as the most cor¬
rupt and rapacious of colonial governors. He plun¬
dered tlie innocent, and received bribes from felons.
For six years, tlie inhabitants endured his injustice
and oppression. They then seized him, with a view
of sending him to England for triaL At his request,
be was detained and tried by the assembly, who ban¬
ished him from the colony.
His successor was Philip LudweU, of Virginia ; and
to him succeeded John Archdale, who was a Quaker,
and one of the proprietors. Both were popular gov¬
ernors: under their administration, the colony pros¬
pered, and the people were happj'. In 1693> at tlie
request of the Carolinians, the constitution of Locke
was abrogated by the proprietors, and each colony
was aftei-wards ruled by a governor, eouncd, and house
of representatives. This famous constitution left no
trace behind it.
Li 1707, a company of French Protestants arrived,
and seated themselves on the River Trent, a branch of
the Neuse. In 1710, a large number of Palatines,
fleeing from religious persecution in Germany, sought
refuge in the same part of the province. To each of
these the proprietors granted one hundred acres of
land. They lived happy, for a few years, in the ea-
NORTH CAROLINA.
175
ioyment of liberty of conscience, and in the prospect
of competence and ease. But suddenly a terrible
calamity fell upon them. The Tusc-arora and Coree
Indians, smarting under recent injuries, and dreading
total extinction from the encroachment of these stran¬
gers, plotted, with characteristic secrecy, their entire
destruction. Sending their families to one of their
fortified towns, twelve hundred bowmen sallied forth,
and, in the same night, attacked, in separate parties,
the nearest settlements of the Palatines. Men, women,
and (^dren, were indiscriminately butchered. The
savages, with the swiftness and ferocity of wolves, ran
from village to village. Before them was the repose
of innocence ; behind, the sleep of death. A few, es¬
caping, alarmed the settlements more remote, and
hastened to South Carolina for assistance.
Governor Craven immediately despatched, to the
aid of the sister colony, nearly a thousand men, under
the command of Colonel Barnwell. After a fatiguing
march through a hideous wilderness, they met the
enemy, attacked, defeated, and pursued them to their
fortified town, which was immediately besieged. In a
few days, peace, at their solicitation, was concluded,
and Colonel Barnwell returned to South Carolina.
The peace was short ; and, upon the recommence¬
ment of hostilities, assistance was again solicited from
the southern colony. Colonel James Moore, an active
young officer, was immediately despatched, with forty
white men and eight hundi'ed friendly Indians. He
found the enemy in a fort near Cotechny River. After
a siege, which continued more than a week, the fort
was taken and eight hundred Indians made prisoners.
The Tuscaroras, disheartened by this defeat, migrated,
in 1713, to the north, and joined the celebrated con¬
federacy denominated the Five Nations. The others
sued for peace, and afterwards continued friendly.
Until 1729, the two Carolinas, though distinct for
many purposes, remained under the superintendence
and control of the same proprietors. Neither had been
prosperous; and the interests of the governors and
170 HISTORY OP THE UNITED STATES.
governed being apparently adverse to each other
the latter became discontented and refractory. They
complained to the king, who directed inquiry to be
made in his courts. The controversy was closed by
an agreement, between the government and seven of
the eight proprietors, by which the latter conveyed to
the crown all their rights of soil and jurisdiction, and
transferred to it the quitrents then due, for about one
hundred thousand dollars, a sum probably insufficient
to rémunerate them for their expenditm-es. The ter¬
ritory was then divided into two colonies, and each
was afterwards governed by executive officers appointed
by the king, and an assembly chosen by the people. '
Lord Carteret, the other proprietor, surrendered his
right to jurisdiction, but retained his right of soil, and
his descendants have never yet parted with iL
Soon after this event, the soil in the interior of North
Carolina was found to be superior in fertiUty to that
on the sea-coasL The settlements, consequently, ad¬
vanced rapidly into the wildemessi. From the north-
em colonies, particularly Pennsylvania, multitudes were
allured to this region by the mildness of the climate,
and by the facility of obtaining in abundance aU the
necessaries of life. At peace with the Indians, and
fortunate in her governors, the colony continued to
prosper until the commencement of the troubles which
preceded the revolution.
, CHAPTER Xm.
SOUTH CAROLINA.
This colony and that of North Carolina were, as
'las already been stated, included in the same cha^r.
In January, 1670, William Sayle, who had been ap¬
pointed governor by the proprietors, accompanied by
SOrTH CAROLINA.
177
Joseph West, their cominerclal agent, set sail from
England, conducting a small body of emigrants, des¬
tined to Carolina. They first landed at or near Beau¬
fort; but, that place not being suitable for a settlement,
they proceeded to Ashley River, where, on the first
high land, they began to erect habitations. Soon aller,
a convention was held, by which five members of the
grand council were elected, — the proprietors having
appohited the same number,—and twenty delegates or
deputies were chosen. Governor Sayle, the ten mem¬
bers the grand coimcil, and the twenty deputies,
constituted the government. This was a compliance,
as near as was then practicable, with the constitution
of Mr. Locke, of which some account has been given
in the history of North Carolina.
The next year. Sir John Yeomans arrived fromBar-
badoes, with a cargo of African slaves. It was then
thought tliat none but negroes could endure to labor
in that fervid climate ; and the settlers, willing to sub¬
sist on the labor of others, did not care to inquire
whether the necessity of planting a colony there was
sufficient to justify holding their fellow-men in bond¬
age. Others were afterwards introduced, and in a
very lew years the number of slaves considerably ex¬
ceeded that of the free. Upon the death of Sayle,
Yeomans was appointed governor.
Several circumstances contributed to promote the
settlement of this colony. The conquestof New York
induced many of the Dutch to resort to it. From
England, Puritans came to avoid the profanity and
licentiousness which disgraced the court of Charles
the Second ; and Cavaliers, to retrieve their fortunes,
exhausted by the civil wars. The arbitrary measures
of Louis XIV. drove many French Protestants into
exile, some of whom crossed the Atlantic and settled
in Carolina. Many of these exiles were rich ; all
were industrious, and by their exemplary demeanor
gained the good will of the proprietors.
The situation of Charleston being found inconve¬
nient, the inhabitants, in 1680, removed to Oyster
178 HISTORY DJ' THE UNITED STATES.
Point, at the confluence of Ashley and Cooper Rivers,
where a new city was laid out, to which the naine of
the other was given. In the same year commenced
a war with the VVestoes, a powerful tribe of Indians,
which threatened great injury to the colony. Peace,
however, was soon restored. In 1690, Seth Sotliel,
one of the proprietors, having, for corrupt conduct,
been driven from North Carolina, appeared suddenly
at Charleston, and, aided by a powerful faction, as¬
sumed the reins of government. Two years after¬
wards, he was removed from ofiice.
The proprietors, having observed the good conduct
of the French Protestants, directed the governor to
permit them to elect representatives— a privilege which
they bad not yet enjoyed. The English Episcopalians,
from national antipathy and religious motives, op¬
posed the concession with zeal. In their discussion
of the subject, warmed by opposition, — for the whole
people became excited and angry, — they insisted that,
by the laws of England, the French Protestants were
aliens ; that they could not possess real estate in the
colony ; that their marriages, being solemnized by
ministers not ordained by bishops, were void ; and
that their children could not inherit the property of
their fathers. By this display of a spirit so illiberal,
these strangers were alarmed and discouraged. They
knew not for whom they labored. But, countenanced
by the governor, they remained in the colony, and,
for the present, withdrew their claim to the right of
suffrage.
Yet the ferment did not subside on the removal of
the cause which produced it. Such was the general
turbulence and disorder, the people complaining of
their rulers, and quarrelling among themselves, that, in
1695, John Archdale was sent over, as governor of
both CiU-olinas, and invested with full power to re¬
dress all grievances. He succeeded in restoring order,
but found the antipathy against the unfortunate exiles
too great to be encountered, with any hope of success,
until softened by time and their amiable deportment.
SOÜTH CAROLINA.
179
These produced the eífects which he anticipated. In
a few years, the French Protestants were admitted, hy
the general assembly, to all the rights of citizens and
freemen.
Although the proprietors, by the regulations which
were in force before the constitution of Locke was
adopted, and which were restored upon its abrogation,
had stipulated, that liberty of conscience should he
universally enjoyed, yet one of them, Lord Granville,
a bigoted Churchman, and James Moore, the governor,
resolved toieíTect, if possible, the establishment, in the
colony, of the Episcopal religion. They knew that
a majority of the people were dissenters, and that by
art and intrigue only could their design be accom¬
plished. The governor, who was avaricious and venal,
became the tool of Granville. He interfered in the
elections, and, by bribing the voters, succeeded in pro¬
curing a majority in the assembly who would be sub¬
servient to his wishes.
A law was passed excluding dissenters from a seat
in the assembly; and a majority being thus secured,
another law was subsequently passed establishing
the Episcopal religion. Both were laid before the
proprietors, without whose sanction they could not
possess permanent validity. Archdale, who had re¬
turned to England, opposed their confirmation with
ability and spirit. He insisted that good faith, policy,
interest, even piety, concurred to dictate their re¬
jection. But Lord Granville declared himself in favor
of them, and they received confirmation.
The dissenters saw themselves deprived of those
privileges for which they bad abandoned their native
country, and encountered the dangers and hardships
of the ocean and a wilderness. Some prepared to
leave the colony and settle in Pennsylvania. Others
proposed that a remonstreuice against the laws should
he presented to the house of lords, and this measure
was adopted. The lords, by vote, expressed their dis¬
approbation of the law excluding dissenters from the
assembl)'; the queen concurred in their reiisure; and
180 HISTORY OF THE UNITEI» STATES.
that law was afterwards repealed ; but the Episcopal
religion long remained the established religion of the
colony, and all were compelled to contribute to sup¬
port its ministers.
In ITOáJ war then existing between England and
Spain, Grovernor Moore, thirsting for Spanish plunder,
led an expedition against St Augustine. It was badly
planned, worse executed, and faded. Returning from
defeat abroad, he met, at home, the reproaches of his
people. To sdence these, he marched, at the head of
a body of troops, against the Appalachian Indians, who
had become insolent and hostUe. In this expedition
be wets successful, taking many prisoners, and laying
their towns in ashes. By his victories over the sav¬
ages, he retrieved bis ebaracter ; and, by selling the
prisoners as slaves, obtained what he most coveted—
considerable personal emolument
In 1706, the Spaniards, from Florida, invaded Caro¬
lina. The governor, Nathaniel Johnson, having re¬
ceived intimation of their approach, erected fortifica¬
tions, and made arrangements to obtain, on short
warning, the assistance of the mditia. When the
enemy's fleet appeared before Charleston, the whole
strength of the colony was siunmoned to defend it
A force so formidable insured its safety. After burn¬
ing a few detached buildings, the enemy retired with¬
out inflicting other injury. One of their ships, having
ninety men on board, was captured by the Carolinians.
In 1715, after several years of profound peace, an
Indian war broke out All the tribes, from Florida to
Cape Fear, had been long engaged in a conspiracy to
extirpate the whites: In the morning of the 15th of
April, the first blow was struck. At Pocataligo, and
the settlements around Port Royal, ninety persons
were massacred. The inhabitants of the latter place
escaped, by embarking precipitately on board a vessel,
which was then in the harbor, and sailing directly to
Charleston.
This massacre was perpetrated by the southern In¬
dians. The northern, at the same time, attacked ths
SOUTH CAROLINA.
181
settlc/nents near tlieai. Many of the inhabitants were
killed, and tnany fled to Charleston. At a plantation
on Goose Creek, seventy whites and forty faithful
negroes, being protected by a breastwork, determined
to maintain their post. On the first attack, their cour¬
age tailed, and they agreed to surrender. The instant
they were in the power of the enemy, all were barba¬
rously murdered.
Governor Craven, at the head of twelve hundred
men, marched against the savages. He discovered in
tlie wilderness seveml small parties, who fled before
hiiu. At Saltcatchers, he found them all assembled ;
and there an obstinate and bloody battle was fought.
The whites were victorious, driving the enemy before
them, and compelling them to leave the province.
Most of them fled to Florida, where they were re¬
ceived in the most fl-iendly manner by the Spaniards.
In this short war, four hundred whites were killed,
property of great value destroyed, and a large debt
contracted. The proprietors, though earnestly soli¬
cited, refused to afibrd any relief; or to pay any portion
of the debt. The assembly determined to remunerate
the colony, by disposing of the land from which the
Indians had been driven. The terms offered were so
favorable, that five hundred Irishmen immediately
came over, and planted themselves on tlie frontiers
The proprietors, refusing to sanction the proceedings
of the assembly, deprived these emigrants of their
lands. Some, reduced to extreme poverty, perished
from want ; others resorted to the northern colotiies.
A strong barrier between tlie old settlements and the
savages was thus removed, and the country again ex¬
posed to their incui-sions. The people were exasper¬
ated, and longed for a change of masters.
The corrupt and oppressive conduct of Trott, the
chief justice, and Rhett, the receiver-general, increased
the discontent Of the former, the governor and coun¬
cil complained to the proprietors, and solicited his re¬
call. Listead of removing him, they thanked him fc r
his services, and removed those members of the cour-
182 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES.
cil Yv^ho had been most active against him. The pa¬
tience of the people was exhausted, and they waited
only for a favorable opportunity to tlirow oíF their op¬
pressive yoke. In 1719, at a general review of the
militia at Charleston, occasioned by a threatened in¬
vasion of the colony from Florida, the officers and
soldiers bound themselves, by a solemn compact, to
support each other in resisting the tyranny of the pro¬
prietors ; and the assembly, which was then in session,
requested the governor, by a respectful address, tc
consent to administer the government in the name ot
the king.
He refused, and, by proclamation, dissolved the as¬
sembly. The members immediately met as a conven¬
tion, and elected Colonel James Moore their governor.
He was a bold man, and exceedingly well qualified for
a popular leader in a turbulent season. He accepted
the appointment, and, assisted by the convention, and
supported by the people, administered the aflTairs of
the colony.
The conduct of the proprietors and people was
brought before his majesty in council. After a full
hearing, it was decided, that both colonies should be
taken under the protection of the crown. Several
years afterwards, seven of the proprietors sold to the
king their claim to the soil and rents, and all assigned
to him their right of jurisdiction. The government
was subsequently administered by executive officers
appointed by the crown, and by assemblies chosen
by the people; and under their control the colony
prospered.
In 1738 occurred an alarming insurrection of the
negroes. A number of them assembled at Stono, sur¬
prised and killed two men who had charge of a ware¬
house, from which they took guns and ammunition.
They then chose a captain, and, with drums beating
and colors flying, marched south-westward. They
burned every house on their way, killed all the whites
they could find, anil compelled other negroes to join
them.
georgia.
183
Govenior Bull, who was returning to Charleston
fi-om the southward, accidentally naet them, hastened
out of their fíay, and spread an alarm. The news soon
reached W dtown, where, fortunately, a large congre¬
gation were attending divine service. The men hav¬
ing, according to a law of the province, brought their
arms to the place of worship, marched instantly in
quest of the negroes, who, by this time, had become
Ibrmidable, and spread terror and desolation around
them.
While, in an open field, they were carousing and
dancing, with frantic exultation at their late success,
they were suddenly attacked by the whites. Some
were killed ; the remainder fled. Most of the fugitives
were taken and tried. They who had been compelled
to join the conspirators, were pardoned ; but all the
leaders and first insurgents suflered death. About
twenty whites were murdered.
From this period until the era of the revolution, no
important event occurred in the colony. It was some¬
times distressed by Indian wars ; but the number of
inhabitants and tlie means of subsistence and comfort
were constantly increasing. Emigrants came princi¬
pally from the northern colonies; but often large
bodies of Protestants arrived from Europe: in one
year, 1752, the number who came exceeded sixteen
hundred.
CHAPTER XIV.
GEORGIA.
Upon the southern part of the territory included in
the Carolina charter no settlement was made until
several years after that charter was forfeited. In
June, 1732, several benevolent gentlemen, in England,
coBcerted a project for planting a colony in that unoc-
184 history of he united states.
cupied region. Their jirincipal object was to relieve,
by transporting thither, the indigent subjects of Great
Britain ; but their plan of benevolence embraced also
the persecuted Protestants of all nations.
To a project springing from motives so noble and
disinterested, the people and the government extended
their encouragement and patronage. A patent was
granted by the king, conveying to twenty-one trustees
tlie territory now constituting the state of Georoja,
which was to be apportioned gratuitously among the
settlers ; and liberal donations were made by the
cliaritable, to detray the expense of transporting them
across the Atlantic, and of providing for their support
the first season.
The concerns of the colony were managed by the
trustees, who freely devoted much of their time to the
undertaking. Among other regulations, they provided
tiiat the land should not be sold nor devised by the
owners, but should descend to the male children only ;
they forbade the use of rum in the colony, and strictly
prohibited the importation of negroes. But none of
these regulations remained long in force.
In November, 1732, one himdred and thirteen emi¬
grants embarked fiir Georgia, at the head of whom the
trustees had placed James Oglethorpe, a zealous and
active promoter of this scheme of benevolence. In
January, they arrived at Charleston ; and the Carolin¬
ians, sensible of the advantage of having a barrier
between them and the Indians, gave the adventurers a
cordial welcome. They supplied them with provis¬
ions and with boats to convey them to the place of
their destination. Yamacraw Bluff, since called Sa¬
vannah, was selected as the most eligible place for a
settlement.
The next year, five or six hundred poor persons ar¬
rived, and to each a portion of the wilderness was as¬
signed. But it was soon found that these emigrants,
who were the refuse of cities, had been rendered poor
by idleness, and irresolute by poverty, were not fitted
to fell the mighty groves of Georgia. A race more
GEORGIA.
1S5
hardy and enterprising was necessary. 'I'lie trustees,
therefore, offered to receive, also, such as had not, by
persecution or poverty, been rendered objects of com¬
passion, and to grant to all, who should settle in the
colony, fifty acres of land. In consequence of this
offer, more than four hundred persons from Germany,
Scotland, and Switzerland, arrived in the year 1735.
The Germans settled at Ebenezer, the Scotch at New
Inverness, now Darien.
In 1736, John Wesley, a celebrated Methodist, made
a visit to^eorgia, for the purpose of preaching to the
colonists, and -converting the Indians. He was then
young and ardent: the people around him felt less
ardor than himself, and his pious zeal soon brought
him into collision with some of the principal settlers.
He was accused of diverting the people from their
labor to attend bis religious meetings, tind of exerci¬
sing unwarranted ecclesiastical authority. Persecuted
by his enemies, and finding he could render no further
service to the cause of religion in the colony, he re¬
turned to England, and there, for many years, pursued
a distinguished career of piety and usefulness.
Two years afterwards, George Whitefield, another
and more celebrated Methodist, arrived in the colony.
He had already made himself conspicuous in England
by bis numerous eccentricities, his ardent piety, his
extraordinai-y eloquence, his zeal and activity in prop¬
agating his opinions. He came to Georgia for the
benevolent purpose of establishing an orphan house,
where poor children might be fed, clothed, and edu¬
cated in the knowledge of Christianity. In prosecution
of tliis purpose, he often crossed the Atlantic, and
traversed Great Britain and America, soliciting aid
from the pious and charitable. Wherever he went,
he preached, with sincerity and fervor, his peculiar
doctrines, making proselytes of most who heard him,
and founding a sect which has since become numerous
and respectable. His orphan house, during his life,
did not flourish, and, after his death, was entirely
abandoned.
TOI» T. 15
186 lUSTOllY OF TUE UNITED STATE»
In 1740, the trustees rendered an account of their
administration. At that time, two thousand four hun¬
dred and ninety-eight emigrants had arrived in the
colony. Of these, fifteen hundred and twenty-one
were indigent Englishmen, or persecuted Protestants.
The benefactions, from government and from indi¬
viduals, had been nearly half a million of dollars ; and
it was computed that, for every person transported and
maintained by the trustees, more than three hundred
dollars had been expended.
The hope which the trustees had cherished, that the
colony, planted at such vast expense, would be pros¬
perous, and the objects of their benevolence happy,
was completely disappointed. Such was the charac¬
ter of the greater part of the settlers, and such the re¬
strictions imposed, that the plantations languished,
and continued to require the contributions of the char¬
itable.
War having been declared against Spain, Mr. Ogle¬
thorpe was promoted to the rank of general >n the
British army, and, at the head of two thousand men.
partly from Virginia and the Carolinas, undertook an
expedition against Florida. He took two Spanisti forts,
and besieged St. Augustine ; but, encoimtering an ob¬
stinate resistance, was compelled to return imsuciess-
ful to Georgia.
Two years afterwards, the Spaniards, in retaliation,
prepared to invade Georgia ; and they intended, if
successful tliere, to subjugate the Carolinas and Vir¬
ginia. On receiving information of their apptoach
General Oglethorpe solicited assistance from Êouîl^
Carolina. But the inhabitants of that colony, enter¬
taining a strong prejudice against him, in consequence
of his late defeat, and terrified by the danger winch
threatened themselves, determined to provide only for
tlieir own safety.
Meanwhile General Oglethorpe made preparations
for a vigorous defence. He assembled seven hundred
men, exclusive of a body of Indians, fixed his head-quar¬
ters at Frederica, on the Island of St. Simon, and, with
«GEORGIA.
187
this small baud, determined to enoounter whatever
force might be brought against him. It was his ut¬
most hope that he might be able to resist the enemy
until a reëntbrcement should aitive from Carolina,
which he daily and anxiously expected.
On the last of June, the Spanish fleet, consisting of
thirty-two sail, and having on board more than three
thousand men, came to anchor oflT St. Simon's bar.
Notwithstanding all the resistance which General
Oglethorpe could oppose, they sailed up the River
Alataraaha, landed upon the island, and there erected
fortifications.
General Oglethorpe, convinced that his small force,
if divided, must be entirely inefficient, assembled the
whole of it at Frederica. One portion he employed
in strengthening his fortifications: the Highlanders
and Indians, ranging night and day through the woods,
often attacked the outposts of the enemy. The toil
of the troops was incessant; and the long delay of
the expected succors, so cruelly withheld by South
Carolina, caused the most gloomy and depressing ap¬
prehensions.
Learning that the Spanish army occupied two dis¬
tinct positions, Oglethorpe conceived the project of
attacking one by surprise. He selected the bravest of
his little army, and in the night marched, entirely un¬
observed, to within two miles of the camp which he
intended to assaiL Directing his troops to halt, he
advanced, at the head of a small body, to reconnoitre
the enemy. While thus employed, a French soldier
of his party, firing his musket, deserted to the Span¬
iards. Discovery destroying all hope of success, the
general immediately returned to Frederica. He was
not only chagrined at this occurrence, but apprehended
instant danger from the disclosure which the deserter
would doubtless make of his weakness.
In this embarrassment, he devised an expedient
which was attended with the most happy success.
He wrote a letter to the deserter, instructing him to
acquaint the Spaniards with the defenceless state of
188 HISTOKV OI' THE UNITED STATES.
Fredcrica ; to ui ge them to attack the place, and, if he
could not succeed, to persuade them to remain tlu'eo
days longer on the island ; for, within that time, ac¬
cording to late advices from Carolina, he should re¬
ceive a reënforcement of two thousand men and sis
ships of war. lie cautioned him against dropping
any hint of the attack meditated, by Admiral Vernon,
upon St. Augustine, and assured him that the reward
for his services should be ample.
For a small bribe, a soldier who had been made
prisoner in one of the numerous skirmishes, engaged
to deliver this letter to the deserter, and was then set
at liberty. As was foreseen, he carried it directly to
the Spanish general, who immediately suspected the
deserter to be a spy from the English camp, and or¬
dered him to be put in irons. But although his sus¬
picions were awakened, he was yet uncertain whether
the whole might not be a stratagem of his antagonist.
While hesitating what to believe, three small vessels
of war appeared off the coast. Supposing they brought
the reënforcements alluded to in the letter to the de¬
serter, he hesitated no longer, but determined to make
a vigorous attack upon the English, before these reën¬
forcements could arrive and .be brought into action.
General Oglethorpe, by mere accident, obtained in¬
formation of their design. A small party was instantly
placed in ambuscade ; the Spaniards advanced near
them, halted to rest, and laid aside their arms. A
sudden and well-directed fire, killing many, threw the
enemy into confusion. After a few more discharges,
they fled to their fortifications, which they demolished,
and, hastily embarking, made every possible effort to
escape from the reënforcements that were supposed to
be approaching.
Thus was Cieorgia, with trifling loss, delivered from
the most imminent danger. General Oglethcrpe not
only retrieved, but exalted his reputation. From the
Carolinians, grateful for their preservation, and from
the governors of most of the northern colc-nies, he
received cordial congratidations upon his address and
UCNEKAL -fOPIC'S.
189
good fortune. And so mortified were the Spaniards
at the result of the expedition, that the commander,
ort his return, was arrested, tried, and cashiered for
misconduct
But the prosperity of the colony was retarded by
these disturbances. For ten years longer, it remained
under the management of the trustees, who, embar¬
rassing it by too much regulation, discouraged the
emigrants and checked its growth. At length, disap¬
pointed in their hopes, and wearied by complaints,
they sdrrendered their charter to the crown ; and, in
1754, a royal government was established over the
colony.
New regulations being adopted, Georgia began to
flourish. Among her governors, James Wright de¬
serves honorable notice for his wisdom in discerning,
and his zeal in pursuing, her true interests. The cul¬
tivation of rice and inthgo was prosecuted with aug¬
mented industry, skill, and profit ; and in every suc¬
ceeding year, an increased amount of these staple
cómmodities was exported to the mother country.
The Florida Indians were sometimes troublesome,
but were as often chastised, and compelled to sue for
peace.
CHAPTER XV.
«ENERAL TOPICS,
The incidents which attended the first settlement
of the original Thirteen Colonies, and the most im¬
portant events which occurred in each, until nearly a
century and a half had elapsed after the landing of
Smith at Jamestown, have been gathered and recorded.
They have struggled through the perils which beset
them in iniancy ; they have gained courage and self-
confidence amid sanguinaiy conflicts and terrible aufi
f30 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES.
ferings ; have acquired wisdom from the teachiwgs of
varied and stern experience ; have matured their civil
institutions, and, in their sti-uggles with maternal au¬
thority, have lost few of their privileges, and forgottea
none that they have lost.
Two leading motives, the most powerful, doubtless,
of all motives in their operation on men in masses,
impelled the people of the Old World to pour them¬
selves upon the New — the love of wealth and the
desire of religious freedom. The former gave exist¬
ence to the colonies of Virginia, the Carolinas, New
York, and New Hampshire j the latter to those of
Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Pennsyl¬
vania, and Maryland. In their progress during infancy,
both motives aided to swell the population of all ; but
probably nuM-e, in the whole, came over impelled by
religious than by wwldly motives. But few were
induced to emigrate by the love of political, discon¬
nected with religious, freedom. That passicm had its
growth, if not its lurtb, in the New World. To what¬
ever raiik the emigrants might have belonged at home,
here they could not remain long tc^ether without per¬
ceiving the foUy of hereditary distinctions, ntH" without
discovering that all, who were equal in mind and
muscle, were equally useful in their young communi¬
ties. Insensibly freedom became to them like the air
they breathed. They thought not of it until they felt
the strange sensation of some foreign restraint upon
their actions and pursuits.
The emigrants were of different classes as well as
of different nations. New England was settled prin¬
cipally from Old England. In that country, the Nor¬
man and Saxon races were never completely amalga¬
mated. In the Cavaliers the Norman, in the Puritans
the Saxon, blood prevailed; and New England was
settled by the Puritans. In those colonies again
appeared the Anglo-Saxon complexion, tenures, and
dialect, whh less admixture than had existed else¬
where for centuries. Habits of serious, devout con¬
templation, and of profound thought ; a slight pmoe-
GENERAL TOPICS.
191
ness to superstition ; a willingness to labor ; ftirtitude
to endure ; and firmness, and even obstinacy, of pur¬
pose,— distinguished the settlers of that region, and
perhaps abo those of New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
In the emigrants to Virginia, the Carolinas, and
Maryland! the Anglo-Norman blood prevailed. The
grantees of those colonies were principally high in
rank, noble by title, and followers of the court
Thither flocked Cavaliers at all times, and especially
when Puritanism bore sway at home; they brought
thither feudal tenures, and the law of primogeniture ;
there they established the religion of the court, and
there they found or introduced the same kind of so¬
ciety as that to which they had been accustomed at
home; they formed a landed aristocracy, could live
without labor, command obsequious servants and
slaves, enjoy the royal sport of himting, and again act
the parts of the Norman nobles under tlie early suc¬
cessors of William the Conqueror.
At this time Ireland had not begun to overflow upon
America. Scotland sent some of her worthiest chil¬
dren, and every colony welcomed all who came. From
Holland and Germany migrated fiunilies and associated
companies, and the states of New York and Pennsyl¬
vania bear witness to their skill and success in agri¬
culture, to then- industry, economy, and thrill. The
bigoted Louis, misnamed the Great, drove thousands
of French Protestants into exile ; the best of them
came to America ; their descendants have illustrated
the annals of Carolina ; and Jay, Boudinot, and Bow-
doin, have, by their services and munificence, well
rewarded the northern colonies for the protection
aflbrded to their ancestors.
For one trait of character, and that which is even
now most conspicuous, all the emigrants'must have
been distinguished. The mere fact of their leaving
the abodes of civilization and crossing the ocean to
throw themselves into an untried state of existence,
which they knew was beset with perils, proves that
they were animated by the spirit of enterprise. The
193 HISTORY OP THE UNITED STATES.
blood did not move feebly in the veins of those who
left the Old for the New World, whether they came to
add to their wealth, to worship God in their own way,
to prey upon their own species, to hunt in magnificent
forests, or to seek romantic adventures where all was
new, and wild, and wonderful. Of the timid, the idle,
the lazy, and the sickly, none came to America ; or, if
they came, they soon disappeared from among her
population. The fathers and mothers of our people
were of strong muscles and stout hearts, and their
immediate descendants were made hardier, bolder, and
more active, by the labors and perils among which
they were reared.
The Indians of course receded, the wild beasts fled,
and the trees of the forests fell, before them. The
virgin earth yielded its increase, even a hundied
fold; lofty pines floated down the rivers and across
the ocean to a market; the beaver parted with its
beautiful fur ; and the sea gave up its myriads of fish.
The ports of Europe, of the West Indies, and of South
America, witnessed the arrival of ships freighted with
the commodities of the English colonies, — of which the
Indian weed was most coveted abroad, — and the de¬
parture of ships carrying to them the manufactures
of the Old World, or the tropical productions of the
New.
England, prompted by commercial avarice, deter¬
mined to cast her net over this growing commerce,
and draw it all into her own ports. By several stat¬
utes, successively enacted, and frequently referred to
in our colonial history as the Acts of Trade, the first
of which was passed in the year 1660, all ibreignei-s
were prohibited from importing merchandise into the
colonies ; the exportation of certain " enumerated
commodities," the produce of the colonies, was con¬
fined to countries belonging to the British crown ; the
exportation of commodities not enumerated was con¬
fined to the same countries or to ports south of Cape
Finisterre ; no commodity could be imported into the
colonies except in English ships and from English
UËNERAL TOPICS.
19J
ports; and duties were required to be paid on com
■nodities exported from one colony to another. The
navigation act, passed in 1650, had prohibited for¬
eign vessels from bringing any commodities to Eng¬
land except such as were the produce of the country
to which the vessel belonged.
Therefore, though the Dutch might be willing,
as they actually were, to carry commodities to and
from the colonies for less freight than the English, yet
they were not permitted to do it ; and however high
might bePthe price of the enumerated commodities,
of which tobacco was one, in the markets of Europe,
still the colonists could sell them only in England;
and however low might be the price, in European
markets, of such articles as the colonists were obliged
to procure from abroad, for their own consumption,
still they could purchase them only of English mer¬
chants. To consider and treat her colonies only as
the means of enriching the mother country, was the
policy of England, as well as of every other European
nation.
These acts of trade were odious in all the colonies,
but most so in New England ; for more of her inhab¬
itants were engaged in navigation, and they were in¬
dignant at being restrained from visiting those markets
where they could sell at the highest and buy at the
lowest prices. In most of the colonies they were
considered violations of their charters ; in Massachu¬
setts, for a time, they were entirely disregarded ;
elsewhere they were offen violated ; and the perpetual
conflicts between those who were commissioned to
enforce them and those who chose to break them,
sustained, as the latter were, by nearly the whole peo¬
ple, spread far and wide the seeds of disaffection, and
caused the colonists to regard England rather as the
partial oppressor than as the benignant parent.
About the year 1675, the English trurchants and
manufacturers complained to the king that the inhab¬
itants of New England, disregarding these acts, freely
traded to all parts of Europe. An act was immediately
194 niSTORT OP THE UNITED STATES.
passed requiriug the governors of all the colon.es to
take an oath to cause tliem to be enforced ; more cus¬
tom-house officers were appointed ; and his majesty's
cruisers were instructed to seize and bring in of¬
fenders.
As the wealth and population of tlie colonies in¬
creased, their importance to the nation became* more
apparent, and the management of them more laborious
and difficult In 1696, a " Board of Trade and Planta¬
tions " was established, to which all correspondence
with the colonies was committed; and it was specially
directed to inquire, not how their prosperity could be
promoted, but " how they might be rendered most ben¬
eficial to the kingdom." To attain this object, other
laws, restricting their trade, were passed, and other
articles were added to the list of enumerated commod¬
ities, which could be exported only to English markets;
New England carried on a i)rofitable trade with the
French, Spanish, and Dutch islands in the West In¬
dies, supplying them with fish, lumber, and grain, and
receiving in exchange rum, sugar, and molasses. The
planters in the British islands complained. Imme¬
diately England, with the view of compelling her con¬
tinental to trade wholly with her insular colonies, laid
a duty, so heavy as, if not evaded, to amount to a pro¬
hibition, on rum, sugar, and molasses, imported into
the plantations from foreign colonies. This, in efliect,
deprived New England of a market for a portion of
her fish, lumber, and grain.
In 1731, the Board of Trade and Plantations reported
to parliament that, among the manufactures carried on
in the colonies injurious to the interests of the parent
country, were those of wool and flax, iron, paper, hats,
and leather. Upon the petition of the London hatters,
an act was passed prohibiting the exportation of hats
from the colonies to foreign ports, and even from one
colony to another ; and, that not being satisfactory, it
was made unlawful for any person in the colonies, who
had not served an apprenticeship of seven years, to
make hats, and for any hatter to have more than one
GENERAL TOPICS.
apprentice at a time, and for any negro to work at the
business. The manufacturers of iron were also grati¬
fied with an act prohibiting the making of steel, and
the erection or continuance of any slitting or rolling
mill, or plating forge, in the colonies, declaring all such
mills and forges to be nuisances, and making it the
duty of the governors to abate them or forfeit five hun¬
dred pounds. These are given but as samples of the
restraints imposed, by the mother country, upon co¬
lonial industry.
No accurate statement can be given of the amount
or value of the trade of the colonies previous to the
revolution. Much rf it was carried on contrary to
law, and of this the custom-house books give no ac¬
count. Their commerce with Great Britain and Ire¬
land was doubtless most valuable ; then that with the
West Indies; then that with the south of Europe ; and
next that with the Spanish colonies of South America.
The latter was prohibited by Spanish as well as Eng¬
lish laws, but, in proportion to its amount, was most
profitable. The chief articles of export were tobacco,
bread, flour, wheat, and com ; of these the value was
greater than that of all the other articles; then fol¬
lowed (the order in which they are placed indicating
their relative importance) fish, rice, lumber, indigo,
furs, whale oil, iron, beef and pork, pot and pearl ashes,
horses, deer skins, flax seed. New England rum, &c.
&c. The total value of all articles exported, in 1750,
could not have been less than ten millions of dollars.
The number of inhabitants can be given only from
estimates made by contemporary writers, or by the
several governors in their answers to queries tran^
mitted to them by the lords of trade and plantations.
An estimate for 1749 states the whole number, inclu¬
ding slaves, at 1,046,000, thus apportioned to the sev •
eral colonies : —
New Hampshire,.
Massachusetts,...
Rhode Island,....
30,000
220,000
35,000
196 HISTORY OP THE UNITED STATES.
Oonnecticut, 100,000
New York 100,000
Jerseys, 60,000
Pennsylvania and Delaware, 250,000
Maryland, 85,000
Virginia, 85,000
North Carolina, 45,000
South Carolina, 30,000
Georgia, 6,000
Thus these young communities, which, but a short
time ago, were struggling into existence, have, like
young pines planted in their chosen soil, become
farmly rooted and sent forth vigorous shoots. The peo¬
ple have begun to feel their strength, to know their
rights, and to perceive the utter selfishness of their
hereditary rulers. The great tide of modem events
has begun its perceptible flow. Henceforth it will
move on, resistless, increasing in volume and force,
receiving no new impulse, developing no new princi¬
ple, and aflbrding to the profound searcher after the
causes of events, the philosophical historian, no oppor¬
tunity to display his sagacity except in divining and
declaring the laws which direct the course, sometimes
straight forward and sometimes in mazes, of the indi¬
vidual objects which are borne on its surface, and
float at its mercy.
CHAPTER XVL
FRENCH WAR OF 1756-63.
The settlements of the French in North America
had sensibly impeded the growth and prosperity of
the English colonies. That people more readily as¬
similated with the Indians ; they felt less horror of
their religious rites; they had too much worldly wis-
FRENCH WAR OF 1756-6;î.
197
dorn to neglect the means of conciliating their fKend-
sbip, or of inflaming their animosity against their own
hereditary rivals. Whenever the two nations were at
war, the frontiers of the English colonies were sure to
be cruelly afflicted by the incursions of the interior
Indians'; and those who suflered never doubted by
whose instigations tire cruelties were perpetrated.
The treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle; concluded in 1748,
oetween England and France, was followed by peace
between the colonists and the Indians. At this time,
the English settlements had not advanced far into the
wildemess, but extended along the coast fi-om New¬
foundland to Flotada. At the north, the French had
settlements at Cape Breton, Quebec, and Montreal;
and they had forts or trading-houses at Crown Point,
on Lake jChamplain ; at the outlet of Lake Ontario,
on the Canada shore ; at the Falls of Niagara; and at
3Iichilimackinac. At the south, they had planted New
Orleans, and had established ports and trading-houses
at several places above, on the Mississippi ; in 1680, they
built Fort Crevecoeur, on the River Illinois; and at
various other places in the western country, they had
established posts and trading-houses. The whole
number of their colonists in America was estimated
at fifty-two thousand.
The River Mississippi was discovered by the French ;
at first, in 1673, near its source, by travellers from
Quebec ; afterwards, by La Salle, at its mouth. Upon
this discovery they founded their claim to the fertile
and delightful valley through which it runs, from its
mouth to the sources of its tributary streams. As
some of these approach near to the great lakes, they
formed the project of connecting their northern and
southern settlements by a chain of posts extending
from Lake Ontario to the Ohio, and down that river
and the Mississippi to New Orleans, thus placing a
barrier to the extension of the English settlements
beyond the Alleghany Mountains.
While they were intent upon this project, a com¬
pany of Englishmen, some residing in London and
I9f IIISTORÏ Ol- THE UNITED STATES.
Borne in Virginia, having obtained fiom the king t
grant of six hundred thousand acres of land on the
Ohio, established trading-houses on the banks of that
river. The French, considering this an fencroachment
Upon their territory, seised some of the traders and
conveyed them to Canadcu As the land had been
granted as a part of Virginia, the company complained
to the governor of that colony, who determined to send
a messenger to the commander of the French forces in
the disputed territory, and require him to withdraw
his troops. For this mission he selected Cieorge
Washington, who was then, though but twenty-one
years of age, a major in the militia, and who after¬
wards became illustrious in the annals of his country.
This was in the year 1753. Washington began his
journey from Williamsburgh on the 31st of^ctober;
on the 14th of November, he arrived at Wills's Creek,
now Cumberland, which was then the frontier post of
the English ; and on the 22d of December, he arrived
ut the French head-quarters, on a fork of French Creek,
in tlie north-west part of Pennsylvania, and delivered
the governor's letter. He returned with the answer from
the French commander, that he had taken possession
of the country by order of the governor of Canada, to
whom he should send the letter he had received, and
whose future orders he should implicitly obey.
This reply not being satisfactory to the governor of
Virginia, he directed preparations to be made to main¬
tain, by force, the rights of the British crown. Troops,
constituting a regiment, were raised, the command of
whom, on the death of the colonel first appointed,
devolved on Washington, who had been promoted to
the office of lieutenant-coloneL At the head of about
four hundred men, he advanced, early in 1754, into
the territory in dispute. On his route, he met, at¬
tacked, and defeated, a French party, who approached
him in a manner indicating hostile intentions. He
proceeded towards Fort Du Quesne, then recently
erected at the junction of the Alleghany and Mononga-
hela Rivers, on the spot now occupied by Pittsburgh.
FRENCH WAR OF 1756-63 199
From tili» fort, De Villier, at the head of nine hundred
men, marched out to attack him.
Hearing of the approach of this party. Colonel
Washington halted and hastily erected, at the Little
Meadows, some imperfect works, which he called Fort
Necessity, by which means he hoped to prolong his
defence until the arrival of reë'nforcements. He was
closely besieged by De Villier, but, making a resolute
defence, was offered the most honorable terms of ca¬
pitulation, which he accepted, and returned with his
troops to Virginia.
In this year, delegates from seven of the colonies
met at Albany, for the purpose of holding a conference
with the Six Nations of Indians, and securing their
friendship. This business being finished, a confeder¬
ation of the colonies was proposed, by the delegates
from Massachusetts. A " Plan of Union," drawn up by
Benjamin Franklin, who was present as a delegate ti'om
Pennsylvania, was, on the fourth day of July, agreed
upon, to be submitted to the colonial legislatures and
to parliament for their adoption.
This plan provided that delegates to a general
council should be chosen, by the representatives of
the people, in the colonial assemblies, none choosing
more than seven nor less than two ; and that a presi¬
dent-general should be appointed by the crown. The
council was to possess the power to appoint ofiicers, to
declare war and make peace with the Indians, and to
concert all measures for the common protection and
safety. The president-general was to have a negative
upon the proceedings of the delegates ; and the king
might abrogate all laws witfiin three years after their
enactment. The plan was rejected by parliament, be¬
cause the delegates were to be chosen by the represen¬
tatives of the people. It was rejected by the colonies,
because it placed too much power in the hands of the
king. In England, apprehensions were already enter¬
tained of the growing importance of the colonial as¬
semblies. In America, the people began, perhaps un¬
consciously, to be actuated by the spirit of independence.
200 HISTORÏ OF TUE UNITED STATES.
The conduct of the French, on the Ohio, convinced
the cabinet of London tliat their claim to the country
through which that river flows must be relinquished,
or maintained by the sword. They did not hesitate
which alternative to choose. Early in the spring of
1755, they despatched General Braddock to America,
with a respectable force, to expel the French, and keep
possession of the territory. And preparations having
been made by France to despatch a reeuforcement to
her armies in Canada, Admiral Boscawen was ordered
to endeavor to intercept the French fleet before it
should enter the Gulf of Sl Lawrence.
In April, General Braddock met the governors of
the several provinces, to confer upon the plan of the
ensuing campaign. Three expeditions were resolved
upon — one against Du (iuesne, to be commanded by
General Braddock; one against Forts Niagara and
Frontinac, to be commanded by Governor Sltirley;
and one against Crown Point, to be commanded by
General Johnson. This last originated with Massa¬
chusetts, and was to be executed by colonial troops,
raised in New England and New York.
While preparations were making for these expedi¬
tions, another, which had been previously concerted,
was carried on against the French forces in Nova
Scotia. This province was settled by the French, but
was ceded to the English by the treaty of Utrecht. Its
boundaries not having been defined, the French con¬
tinued to occupy a portion of the territory claimed by the
English, and had built forts for their defence. To gain
possession of these was the object of the expedition.
About two thousand militia, commanded by Colonel
Winslow, embarked at Boston, and, being joined on
their passage by three hundred regulars, arrived, in
April, at the place of destination. The forts were in¬
vested ; the resistance made was trifling and ineffect¬
ual ; and in a short time tlie English gained possession
of the whole province, according to their own definition
of its boundaries.
Within these boundaries lived'about seven thousand
FRENCH WAR OF 1756-63.
201
French inhabitants, mild and inoffensive people, but
ignorant, bigoted, and devotedly attached to their
country. At the time of the cession, they had been
permitted to remain, upon taking an oath not to bear
arms against the English. Some of them were found
in arms when the country was now subdued, and others
had, in various ways, aided their countrymen in their
hostile operations against the English and the
colonies. They were now called upon to take the
oath of pllegiance without any qualification. This
they refused to do; and it was then determined, by
the civil authorities of Nova Scotia and the English
admirals on the station, to disperse them among the
English colonies. This unpleasant duty was imposed
upon Colonel Winslow, who endeavored, in performing
it, to lessen, as much as possible, the wretchedness of
their fate. " It is the hardest," said one who was put
on shore at Boston, "that has happened since our
Savior was upon eartln" They were distributed
among the several towns, and supported as paupers.
Many of our respectable citizens may trace their pedi¬
gree to the Neutral French.
The preparations of General Braddock had. pro¬
ceeded slowly. It had been found extremely difficult to
procure horses, wagons, and provisions. Impatient
of delay, he determined to set out with twelve hun¬
dred men selected from the different corps, and pro¬
ceed as rapidly as possible towards Fort Du Quesne.
The residue of the army and the heavy baggage were
left under the command of Colonel Dunbar, who was
directed to follow as soon as the preparations were
completed. Having learned that Washington, dis¬
gusted with an order which had been promulgated
from England, that regular should take rank of pro¬
vincial officers, of the same grade though holding
older commissions, had sent in his resignation. Brad-
dock tendered him the appointment of his aid, which
he, desirous of studying the art of war under an ex¬
perienced commander, gladly accepted.
This general had been educated in }he English
TOI- I. Iß
202 history oc the united states
army; and in the science of war, as then taught in
Tiurope, he deserved and enjoyed the reputation of
more than ordinary skill. Of this reputation he was
vain, and disdained to consider that his skill was
totally inapplicable to the mode of warfare practised
in the forests of America. Before he left England, he
was repeatedly admonished to beware of a surprise ;
and on his march through the wilderness, the pro¬
vincial officers frequently entreated him to scour the
surrounding thickets. But he held these officers and
the enemy in too much contempt to listen to this
salutary counsel.
On approaching Fort Du (íuesne. Colonel Wash¬
ington made a last attempt to induce him to change
his order of march. He explained the Indian mode
of warfare, represented his danger, and offered to
take command of the provincials, and place himself
in advance of the army. This offer was declined.
The general proceeded, confident of the propriety of
his conduct ; the provincials followed, trembling for
the consequences.
On the ninth of July, the army crossed the Monon-
gahela, within a few miles of Du Quesne. Their
route led through a defile, which they had nearly
passed, when a tremendous yell and instantaneous
discharge of fire-arms suddenly burst upon them from
an invisible foe. The van was thrown into confusion.
The general led the main body to its support. For a
moment, order was restored, and a short cessation of
the enemy's fire, occasioned by the death of their
commander, seemed to indicate that all dtmger was
over.
But the attack was soon renewed with increased
fury. Concealed behind trees, logs, and rocks, the
Indians poured upon the troops a deadly and inces¬
sant fire. Officers and men fell thickly around, and
the survivors knew not where to direct their aim to
revenge their slaughtered comrades. The whole
body was again thrown into confusion. The general,
obstinate and courageous, refused to retreat, but bent
FRENCH WAR OF 175(>-Ö3.
203
his wliolf-.. efforts to restore and maintain order. He
persisted in these efforts, until five horses had been
shot under him, and every one of his officers on horse¬
back, except Colonel Washington, was either killed or
wounded.
The general at length fell, and the rout became
universal. The troops fled precipitately until they
met the division under Dunbar, then sixty miles in
the rear. To this body the same panic was commu¬
nicated. Turning about, they fled with the rest ; and
although no enemy had been seen during the engage
ment, nor afterwards, yet the army continued retreat¬
ing until it reached Fort Cumberland, one hundred
and twenty miles from the place of action. There
they remained but a short time. With the remnant
of the army, amounting to fifteen hundred men. Col¬
onel Dunbar, upon whom, on the death of Braddock,
the command devolved, marched to Philadelphia,
leaving the frontiers of Pennsylvania and Virginia
destitute of defence.
The provincial troops, whom Braddock had so
much despised, displayed, during the battle, the ut¬
most calmness and courage. Though placed in the
rear, they alone, led on by Washington, advanced
against the Indians, and covered the retreat. Had
they been permitted to fight in their own way, they
could easily have defeated the enemy. In this battle,
sixty-four out of eighty-five officers were either
killed or wounded, and at least one half of the pri¬
vates.
The two northern expeditions, though not so disas¬
trous, were both unsuccessful. General Shirley, who
had been appointed to command that agaiiist Niagara,
met with so many delays that he did not reach Oswe¬
go imtil late in August While embarking there to
proceed against Niagara, the autumnal rains began,
his troops became discouraged, his Indian allies de¬
serted him, and he was compelled to relinquish his
design.
The forces destined to attack Crown Point, and the
204 HISTORY QF THE UNITED STATES.
requisite military stores, could not be collected aj
Albany until the last of August. Thence the army
under the command of General Johnson, proceeded
to the south end of liake George, on their way to the
place of destination. There he learned, that the
armament, fitted out in the ports of France, eluding
the English squadron, had arrived at Quebec, and
that Baron Dieskau, commander of the French forces,
was advancing with an army towards the territories
of the English. He halted, erected slight breastworks,
and detached Colonel Williams, with a thousand men.
to impede the progress of the enemy.
Dieskau, who was near, was immediately informed
of tiie approach of this detachment. Without losing
a moment, he directed his troops to conceal them¬
selves. The English advanced into the midst of
their enemy, and, from every quarter, received, at the
.«ame moment, a sudden and unexpected fire. Their
leader fell, and the men fled in disorder to the camp.
Tliey were followed closely by the enemy, who aj)-
proached within one hundred and fifty yards of the
breastwork ; and, had they made an immediate as¬
sault, would, probably, such was the panic of the Eng¬
lish, have been successful. But here they halted, to
make dispositions for a regular attack. The Indians
and Canadians were despatched to the flanks, and the
regular troops began the attack with firing, by platoons,
at the centre. Their fire was ineflectual, and the pro¬
vincials gradually resumed their courage.
Johnson was wotmded in the beginning of the
action ; and General Lyman of Massachusetts as
su med the command. A few discharges of the ar¬
tillery drove the Canadians and Indians to the swamps.
The regulars, although deserted by the auxiliaries,
maintained the conflict for more than an hour, with
much steadiness and resolution. Dieskau, convinced
that all his efforts must be unavailing, then gave
orders to retreat. This produced some confusion.,
which being perceived by the provincials, they
simultaneously, and without orders or concert. leaped
inENcii WAR OF 1750-63.
205
over the intrenchments, fell upon the French soldiers,
and killed, captured, or dispersed them. The baron
was wounded and made prisoner. It is worthy of
remark that General Johnson, in his official account
of the repulse, did not mention the name of Gîeneral
Lyman. Colonel Williams, while at Albany, had
made his will, by which he devised a large tract i)f
land for the protnotion of education, thus laying the
foundation of Williams College.
The next day, Colonel Blanchard, who commanded
at Fort Èdward, despatched Captains Folsom and
M'Ginnis, with two hundred men, to the assistance of
General Johnson. On their way, they discovered
between three and four hundred of the enemy seated
round a pond, not far from the place where Colonel
Williams had been defeated. Notwithstanding their
inferiority of numbers, they determined to attack this
body. So impetuous was the onset, that, after a short
contiict, the enemy fled. In the several engagements,
the provincials lost about two hundred men ; the
enemy, upwards of seven hundred.
General Johnson, though strongly importuned by
the government of Massachusetts, refused to proceed
upon his expedition, which was abandoned, and most
of his troops returned to their respective colonies.
Thus ended the campaign of 1755. It opened with
the brightest prospects ; immense preparations had
been made ; yet not one of the objects of the three
great-expeditions had been attained.
During the fall and winter, the southern colonies
were ravaged, and the usual barbarities perpetrated
upon the frontier inhabitants by the savages, who, on
the defeat of Braddock, and the retreat of his army,
saw nothing to restrain their fury. In Virginia and
Pennsylvania, disputes existed between the governors
and legislatures, which prevented all attention to the
means of defence. Scarcely a post was maintained,
or a soldier employed in their service.
The colonies, far from being discouraged by the
misfortunes "of the last campaign, determined to renew
200 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES.
and increase their exertions. General Shirley, to
whom the superintendence of all the military opera¬
tions had been confided, assembled a council of war
at New York, to concert a plan for the ensuing year.
He proposed that expeditions should be carried on
against Du Quesne, Niagara, and Crown Point, and
that a body of troops should be sent, by the way of
the Rivers Kennebec and Chaudiere, to alarm the
French for the safety of Quebec. This plan was
unanimously adopted by the council.
Shirley, on the last of Januai-y, returned to Boston,
to meet the assembly of Massachusetts, of which
colony he was governor. He endeavored to persuade
them to concur in the measures proposed ; but, dis¬
gusted with the proceedings of the last campaign, and
especially at General Johnson's neglecting to pursue
li s advantages, they were unwilling to engage in
uñensive operations, unless the command of their
forces should be given to General Winslow, who had
acquired popularity by bis success in Nova Scotia.
Their wishes were complied with, and their concur¬
rence was then granted.
In April, news arrived from Great Britain, that the
conduct of General Johnson, instead of being censured,
wiis considered highly meritorious ; that, as a reward
for his success, the king had conferred upon him the
title of baronet, and parliament a grant of five thousand
{lounds sterling ; that his majesty disapproved of the
conduct of Shirley, and had determined to remove
him from command.
This information not being oflScial, General Shirley
continued his preparations with his usual activity and
zeal. While engaged in collecting, at Albany, the
troops from the different colonies. General Webb
brought from England official information of his re¬
moval. On the ^th of June, General Abercrombie
arrived, and took command of the army. It now
consisted of about twelve thousand men, and was
more numerous and better prepared for the field than
any army that had ever been assembled in America.
FRENCH WAR OF 1756-63.
207
Singular as it may ap[)ear, while this sanguinary
war raged in America, the intercourse between the
two nations in Europe not only continued uninter¬
rupted, but seemed more than usually friendly. This
unnatural state of things could not long continue
Great Britain declared war in May, and France in
June.
The change of commanders delayed the operations
of the English army. The French were active ; and
on the läth of July, General Abercrombie received
intelligence that they meditated an attack upow Os¬
wego, a post of the utmost importance. General
Webb was ordered to prepare to march with a regi¬
ment lor the defence of that place. In the mean
time, Lord Loudon, who had been appointed com¬
mander-in-chief over all the British forces in the col¬
onies, arrived in America.
Amidst the ceremonies which followed, the affairs
of the war were forgotten. General Webb did not
begin his march until the 13th of August. Before he
had proceeded far, he learned that Oswego was actu¬
ally besieged by a large army of French and Indians.
Alarmed for his own safety, he proceeded no farther,
but employed his troops in erecting fortifications for
their defence.
General Montcalm, the commander of the French
troops in Canada, began the siege of Oswego on the
12th of August. On the 14th, the English commander
having been killed, terms of surrender were proposed
by the garrison, and were agreed.to. These terms
were shamefully violated. Several of the British
officers and soldiers were insulted, robbed, and mas¬
sacred by the Indians. Most of the sick were scalped
in the hospitals, and the French general delivered
twenty of the garrison to the savages, that being the
number they had lost during the siege. Those tin-
happy wretches were, doubtless, according to the In¬
dian custom, tortured and burnt.
General Webb was permitted to retreat, unmolested,
to Albany. Lord Loudon pretended it was now too
208 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES.
late in the season to attempt any thing further, though
the troops under General Winslow were within a
few days' march of Ticondcroga and Crown Point,
and were sufficient in number to justify an attacit
upon those places. He devoted the remainder of the
season to making preparations for an early and vig¬
orous campaign the ensuing year.
The western Indians, sustained and instigated by
the French garrison at Du Quesne, made frequent
incursions into Pennsylvania and Virginia, killing
and capturing many, and driving the English from
most of the frontier settlements. Soon after the defeat
of Braddock, Virginia raised a regiment of troops, and
appointed Washington colonel and commander-in-
chief of all the forces raised and to be raised in the
colony. For more than two years he was constantly
occupied in the laborious duty of protecting an exten¬
sive and exposed frontier, and, by his skilful disposi¬
tions and incessant activity, accomplished all that his
inadequate means permitted. In his correspondence
with the governor of Virginia and others, he pointed
out Du Quesne as the source of all their afflictions,
and repeatedly urged the necessity of an expedition
against it.
This spring had opened with still more brilliant
prospects than the last ; and the season closed without
the occurrence of a single event that was honorable to
the British arms, or advantageous to the colonies.
This want of success was justly attributed to the re¬
moval of the provincial officers, who were well ac¬
quainted with the theatre of operations, but whom the
ministry, desirous of checking the growth of talents
in the colonies, were unwilling to employ. Yet the
several assemblies, though they saw themselves tiius
slighted, and their money annually squandered, made
all the preparations that were required of them for
the next campaign.
The reduction of Louisburgh was the object to which
the ministry directed the attention of Lord London.
In the spring of 17.57, he sailed from New York, with âx
FRENCH WAR CP 175(3-63. 20y
thousand men, and, at Halifax, met Admiral Uolboum,
with transports containing an equal number of troops,
anda naval force consisting of fifteen ships of the line.
When about to proceed to their place of destination,
intelligence arrived that the garrison at Louisburgh
had received a large reënforcement, and expected and
desired a visit from the English. Disheartened by this
intelligence, the general and admiral abandoned the
expedition.
While the English commanders were thus irresolute
and idfe, the French were enterprising and active. In
March, General Montcalm made an attempt to surprise
Fort William Henry, at the south end of Lake George,
but was defeated by the vigilance and bravery of the
garrison. He returned to Crown Point, leaving a party
of troops at Ticonderoga. Against tliis post, near four
hundred men were sent from the fort, under the com¬
mand of Colonel Parker.
The colonel was deceived in his intelligence, de¬
coyed into an ambuscade, and attacked with such fury,
that but two officers and seventy privates escaped.
Encouraged by this success, Montcalm determined to
return and besiege Fort William Henry. For this
purpose, he assembled an army consisting of regular
troops, Canadians and Indians, and amounting to near
ten thousand men.
Major Putnam, a brave and active partisan, obtained
information of the purposes of Montcalm, which he
communicated to General Webb, who, in the absence
of Lord Loudon, commanded the British troops in that
quarter. The general enjoined silence upon Putnam,
and adopted no other measure, on receiving the intel¬
ligence, than sending Colonel Monro to take command
of the fort. The day after this ofiicer, ignorant of what
was to happen, had arrived at his post, the lake ap¬
peared covered with boats, which swiftly approached
the shore. Montcalm, with but little opposition, efi
fected a landing, and immediately began the siege.
The garrison, consisting of two thousand five himdred
Von. 1. 17
210 HISTORY OP THE UNITED STATES.
men, aniinated by the expectation of relief, made a gal
lant defence.
General Webb had an army at Fort Edward, of more
than four thousand men ; and it was in his power to
;all in a large number of provincial troops from New
York and New England. To him Colonel Monro sent
repeated and pressing solicitations for immediate suc¬
cor. These he disregarded, seeming entirely indiffer¬
ent to the distressing situation of his fellow-soldiers.
At length, on the ninth day of the siege, in compliance
with the entreaties of the friends of Alonro, General
Webb despatched Sir William Johnson, with a body
of men, to his relief They had not proceeded three
miles, when the order was countermanded. Webb
then wrote to Monro that he could afford him no as¬
sistance, and advised him to surrender on the best
terms that he could obtain. This letter was inter¬
cepted by Älontcalm, who, in a conference which he
procured, handed it himself to the commander of the
fort All hope of relief being extinguished, articles of
capitulation were agreed to. In these it was expressly
stipulated by Montcalm, that the prisoners should be
protected from the savages by a guard, and that the
sick and wounded shoidd be treated with humanity.
But, the next morning, a great .number of Indians,
having been permitted to enter the lines, began to
plunder. Meeting with no opposition, they fell upon
the sick and wounded, whom they immediately mas¬
sacred. This excited their appetite for carnage. The
defenceless troops were surrounded and attacked with
fiend-like furj'. Monro, hastening to Montcalm, im¬
plored him to provide the stipulated guard.
His entreaties were ineffectual, and the massacre
proceeded. All was turbulence and horror. On ev¬
ery side, savages were butchering and scalping their
wretched victims. Their hideous yells, the groans of
the d}dng, and the fhmtic shrieks of others shrinking
from the uplifted tomahawk, were heard by the French
unmoved. The fury of the s.a\Tiges wr.s permitted to
niENcii WAti Ol' 1 ríilMCí.
■211
rage viitliuut restraint, until a large iiTiniber v erc kiileil,
or luirrieil captives into the wihlerness. •
Tlie day after this awfhl tragedy, Major I'ntnain was
sent, witii his rangers, to watch the motions of the
enemy. When he came to tiie shore of the lake, their
rear was liardly beyond the reach of musket shot The
prospect was shocking and horrid. Tiie fort was de¬
molished. The barracks and buildings were yet burn¬
ing. Innumerable fragments of human carcasses still
broiled in the decaying fires. Dead bodies, mangled
with ftnnahawks and scalping-knives, in all the wan¬
tonness of Indian barbiwity, were every where scattered
around.
General Webb, ajiiirehetisive of an attack upon
himself, sent expresses to the provinces for reënforce-
ments. They were raised and despatched with expe¬
dition; but as Montcalm returned to Ticonderoga, they
were kept in service but a few weeks. And thus ended
the third campaign in America.
These continual disasters resulted from folly and
mismanagement, rather than from want of means and
military strength. The British nation was alarmed
and indignant, and the king found it necessary to
change his councils. At the head of the new myiis-
try, he placed the celebrated William Pitt, who rose,
by the force of his talents alone, from the humble post
of ensign in the guards to the control of the destinies
of a mighty empire. Public confidence revived, and
the nation seemed inspired with new life and vigor.
For the next campaign, the ministry determined
upon three expeditions — one of twelve thousand men,
against Louisburgh ; one of sixteen thousand, against
Ticonderoga and Crown Point ; and onejof eight thou¬
sand, against Fort Du Quesne. The colonies were
called upon to render all the assistanc.e in their power.
Lord Loudon having been recalled, the command of
the expedition against Louisburgh was given to Gen¬
eral Amherst, under whom General Wolfe served as a
brigadier. The place was invested on the 12th of
June. Amherst made his approaches with much cir-
212
HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES,
cumspectioD ; and^ without any memorable mcideni
the siege terminated, on the 26th of July, by the sur¬
render of the place. Whenever an oppoitunity oc-
euired, General Wolfe, who was then young, displayed
all that fire, impetuosity, and discretion, which after¬
wards immortalized his name.
The expedition against Ticonderoga was com¬
manded by General Abercrombie. He was accom¬
panied by Lord Howe, whose military talents and
amiable virtues made him the darling of the soldiery.
This army consisted of seven thousand regular troops
and ten thousand provinciala When approaching the
ibit, a skirmish took place with a small party of the
enemy, in which Lord Howe was killed at the first
fire. On seeing him fall, the troops moved forward
with an animated determination to avenge his death.
Three hundi-ed of the enemy werp killed on the spot,
and one hundred and forty made prisoners.
The ardor of his men, and the intelligence gained
from the prisoners, induced General Abercrombie to
make an assault upon the works. It was received with
undaunted bravery, and was persevered in with singu¬
lar olistinaey. For four hours, the troops remained be¬
fore, the walls, attempting to scale them, and exposed
to a destructive fire of musketry and artillery. The
general, despairing of success, then directed a retreat.
Near two thousand of the assailants were killed or
wounded. The loss of the French was not great, and
most of the killed were shot through the head, the
other parts of their bodies being protected by their
works.
After this bloody repulse, Abercrombie despatched
Colonel Bradstreet, with thi'ee thousand men, mostly
provincials, against Fort Frontenac, which was situated
on Lake Ontario, and contained a large quantity of
merchandise, provisions, and military stores. It fell
an easy conquest, and the. loss was severely felt by the
French. The western Indians, not receiving their
usual supply of merchandise, relaxed in their exer¬
tions ; and tlie ti'oops at Du Queene- suftbred fi-om the
FRENCH -WAR OF 175(5-63.
213
want of (lie provisions and military stores. Tliese
circum^ances contributed essentially to ßicilitate tlie
operations of the third expedition.
This was placed tinder the command of (ïeneral
Forbes, who was accompanied by Colonel Washing¬
ton, with his regiment of Virginia troops. He left
Philadelphia in the beginning of July, and, after a
laborious inarch, through deep morasses and over
onexplored mountains, arrived at Raystown, ninety
miles from Du Quesne. An advanced party of eight
hundred men, under the command of Major Grant,
was met by a detachment Irom the fort, and defeated,
with great slaughter. Forbes, admonished by this
disaster, advanc^ with cautious and steady perse¬
verance. The enemy, observing his circumspection,
determined not to aliide the event of a siege. After
dismantling tlie fort, they retired down the Ohio, to
their settlements on the Mississippi. General Forbes,
taking possession of the place, changed its name to
Pittsburgh.
The campaign of 1758 was highly lionorable to the
British arms. Of the three expeditions, two had com¬
pletely succeeded, and the leader of the third had made
an important conquest. To the commanding talents
of Pitt, and the confidence which they inspired, this
change of fortune must be attributed ; and in no re¬
spect were these talents more strikingly displayed, than
iirtlie choice of men to execute his plans.
Encouraged by the events of this year, the English
anticipated still greater success in the campaign which
was to follow. The plan marked out by the minister
was indicative of the boldness and energy of his genius.
Three differerft armies were, at the same time, to be
led again^ the three strongest posts of the French in
America—Niagara, Ticonderoga, and Quebec. The
latter post was considered the stronger; and it was
therefore intended that, should Tico^eroga be con¬
quered, the victorious army should press forward to
assist in its reduction.
In the hegimimgofJuly, General Prideaux embarked
214 HISTORy OF THE UNITED STATES.
on Lake Ontario, with the army destined against Ni*-
agara, and, on the 6th, -lauil(;d about three miles
from the fort. He immediately commenced a siege,
in the progress of which he was killed, by the bursting
of a shell. The command devolved upon Sir Wil¬
liam Johnson. An army of French and Indians ap¬
proaching soon after, he detached a part of his forces
to meet them. A battle ensued ; tlie English gained
the victorj', which was followed by the surrender of
the fort.
General Amherst, to whom was assigned the expe¬
dition against Ticonderoga, foimd so many difficulties
to surmount, that he was unable to present himself
before that place until late in July. It was imme¬
diately abandoned by the enemy. The British general,
after repairing the works, proceeded against Crown
Point On his approach, this was also deserted, the
enemy retiring to the Isle aux Noix. To gain posses¬
sion of this post, great efforts were made, and much
time consumed ; but a succession of storms on Lake
Cliamplain prevented success. General Amherst was
compelled to lead back his army to.Crown Point, where
he encamped for the winter.
The expedition against Quebec was the most daring
and important That place, strong by nature, had
been made still stronger by art, and had received the
appropriate appellation of the Gibraltar of America.
Every expedition against it had faded. It was nbw
commanded by Montcalm, an officer of distinguished
reputation ; and an attempt to reduce it must have
seemed chimerical to any one but Pitt. He judged,
rightly, that tlie boklest and most dangerous enter¬
prises are often the most successful. They arouse the
energies of man, and elevate them to a level with the
dangers and difiiculties to be encountered, especially
when committed to ardent minds, glowing vrith en¬
thusiasm, and emulous of glory.
Such a mind he had discovered in General Wolfe,
whose conduct at Louisburgh had attracted his atten¬
tion. He appffinted him to conduct the expedition^
FRKNCH WAR OF 1756-63.
2(5
and gave him, for assistants, Brigadier-Gíenerals Mono
ton, Townshend, and Murray ; all, like himself, young
and ardent. Early in the season, he sailed from Ilal-
ilax, with eight thousand troops, and, near the last of
June, landed the whole army on the Island of Orleans,
a few miles below Quebec. From this position he
could take a near and distinct view of the obstacles to
be overcome. These were so great, that even the bold
and sanguine Wolfe perceived more to fear than to
hope. In a letter to Mr. Pitt, written before com¬
mencing operations, he declared that he saw but little
prospect of reducing the place.
Quebec stands on the north side of the SL Lawrence,
and consists of an upper and lower town. The lower
town lies between the river and a bold and lofty emi¬
nence, which runs parallel to it, far to the westward.
At the top of this eminence is a plain, upon which the
upper town is situated. Below, or east of the city, is
the River St. Charles, whose channel is rough, and
whose banks are steep and broken. A short distance
fiirther down is the River Montmorency ; and between
these two rivers, and reaching from one to the other,
was encamped the French army, strongly intrenched,
and at least equal in number to that of the English.
General Wolfe took possession of Point Levi, on
the bank of the river opposite Quebec, and from that
position cannonaded the town. Some injury was done
to the houses ; but his cannon were too distant to make
any impression upon the works of the enemy. He re¬
solved to quit this post, to land below Montmorency,
and, passing that river, to attack the French general in
his intrenchments.
He succeeded in landing his treops, and, with a
portion of his army, crossed the Montmorency. A
partial engagement took place, in which the French
obtained the advantage. Relinquishing this plan, he
then determined, in concert with the admiral, to de¬
stroy the French shipping and magazines. Two at¬
tempts were unsuccessful ; a third was more fortunate ;
yet but little was effected. At this juncture, intelligence
216 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES.
arrived that Niagara was taken, that Ticonderoga and
Crown Point had been abandoned, but that General
Amherst, instead of pressing forwai^ to their assist¬
ance, was preparing to attack the Isle aux Noix.
Wolfe rejoiced at the triumph of his brethren in
arms, but could not avoid contrasting their success
with his own ill fortune. His mind, alike lolly and
susceptible, was deeply impressed by the disasters at
Montmorency ; and the extreme chagrin of his spirits,
preying upon his delicate frame, sensibly affected bis
health. He was observed frequently to sigh ; and, as
if life was only valuable while it added to his glory, he
declared to his intimate friends, that he would not
survive the disgrace which he imagined would attend
the failure of his enterprise.
Despairing of success below the town, he next di¬
rected his efforts towards effecting a landing above it.
He removed a part of his army to Point Levi, and the
remainder higher up the river. He now found that, on
this quarter, the fortifications were not strong; and
discovered that the heights behind them might possi¬
bly be gained, by ascending the precipice in a narrow
path, which was defended only by a captain's guard.
The difficulties attending this enterprise were nume¬
rous. The current was rapid, the shore shelvmg, the
only landing-place so narrow that it might easily be
missed in the dark, and the steep above, such as troops,
even when unopposed, could not ascend without diffi¬
culty. Yet the plan, though bold and hazardous, was
well adapted to the desperate situation of affairs, and
was determined on.
To conceal their intention, the admiral retired seve¬
ral leagues up the river. During the evening, a strong
detachment was put on hoard the boats, and moved
silently down, with the tide, to the place of landing,
where they arrived an hour before daybreak. Wolle
leaped on shore, was followed by the troops, and all.
instantly began, with the assistance of shrubs and
projecting rocks, to climb up the precipice. The
guard was dispersed, and, by the dawn of day. the
FRENCH WAR OF 1756-63.
217
whole amy gained the Heights of Abraham, where
the different corps were fomed under their respective
leaders.
Montcalm, at first, could not believe that the Eng¬
lish had ascended the heights. When convinced of
the fact, he comprehended the full advantage they had
gained. He saw that a battle was inevitable, and pre¬
pared for it with promptness and courage. Leaving his
camp at Montmorency, he advanced towards the Eng¬
lish army» which was formed in order of battle to re¬
ceive him.
The French advanced briskly. The English re
served their fire until the enemy were near, and then
gave it with decisive effect Early in the engagement,
Wolfe was wounded in the wrist ; but, preserving his
composure, he continued to encourage his troops.
Soon after, he received a shot in the groin. This
painful wound he also concealed, placed himself at
the head of the grenadiers, and was leading them to
the charge, when he received a third and mortal
wound.
Undismayed by the fall of their general, the Eng
lish continued their exertions under Moncton, who, in
a short time, was himself wounded, and the command
devolved upon Townshend. About the same time,
Montcalm received a mortal woimd, and the second
in command also fell. The left wing and centre of
the French gave way. Part were driven into Quebec,
and part over the River St Charles.
On receiving bis mortal wound, Wolfe was con¬
veyed into the rear, where, careless about himself, he
discovered, in the agonies of death, the most anxious
solicitude concerning the fete of the day. From ex*
b-eme faintness, he had reclined his head on the arm
of an officer, but was soon aroused by the cry of,
« They fly, they fly." " Who fly ? " exclaimed the dy¬
ing hero. "The French," answered his attendant
"Then," said he, "I die contented," and immediately
expireÁ A death so glorious, and attended by cir-
218 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES.
t.'jnistances so interesting, has seldom been recorded
in history.
Five days after the battle, the city surrendered, and
received an English garrison. The French concen¬
trated their remaining forces at Montreal, and, early
in the spring, made attempts to regain possession of
Quebec. Unsuccessful in these, they returned to
Montreal, towards which the whole British force in
America, under thi command of General Amherst,
was approaching. This force was too strong to he
resisted. In September, 1760, that city surrendered,
and soon after all the French posts in Canada fell into
the power of the English.
In the other parts of the world, their arms were
equally successful ; and, in 1762, negotiations for peace
were opened at Paris. In England, the question was
freely discussed, whether it was expedient to retain
Canada or restore it to France. In an anonymous
pamphlet, the policy of restoring it was distinctly
maintained, on the ground that it would, in the pos¬
session of France, serve as a check to the growth of
the English colonies, which would otherwise " extend
themselves, almost without botmds, into the inland
i)arts, become a numerous, hardy, independent people,
iving wholly on their own labor, and, in process of
time, knowing or inquiring little about the mother
country." Benjamin Franklin, then in London as the
agent of Pennsylvania, published a reply in which he
forcibly represented the ingratitude and cruelty of
leaving this " check " upon the back of the colonies,
which had incurred expenses and made exertions un¬
surpassed in modern times to procure exemption from
Indian massacre ; and plainly intimated that, if de¬
serted by England, they might seek that exemption
by throwing themselves into the arms of France. If
the English ministry ever entertained such intention,
it was abandoned; the French displayed no repug¬
nance to the cession ; and in the beginning of 1763, a
treaty was concluded by which France ceded to Eng-
REVOLUTION.
219
laud all her northern settlements in America. Li this
relief from all future dread of savage incursions, the
colonies found a full compensation for all their losses
and sufferings.
CHAPTER Xm
«
REVOLUTION.
In the late brilliant contest, England had made
unprecedented exertions. At its close, she found
that, though she had encircled her name with glory,
and added extensive territories to her empire, she
had increased, in proportion, the burdens of her sub¬
jects, having added three hundred and twenty millions
of dollars to the amomit of her debt. To'find the
means of defraying the annual charges of this debt,
and her other increased expenditures, was the • first
and difficult task of her legislators.
Regard for their own interest and popularity im¬
pelled them to avoid, if possible, imposing the whole,
burden upon themselves and their fellow-subjects at
home ; and their thoughts were turned to the colonies,
as the source whence alleviation and assistance might
be derived. On their account, it was alleged, the
contest had been waged; they would share the ad¬
vantages of its glorious termination, and justice re¬
quired that they should also defray a portion of the
expenses.
To adopt this expedient, the British ministry were
the more naturally led by the opinion which all the
European governments entertained of the relation
between the mother country and her colonies. They
were sujtposed to be dependent on her will, their in¬
habitants a distinct and subordinate class of subjects,
and their interests entirely subservient to her aggran¬
dizement and jtrosperity.
220 HISTORY OY THE TNITED STATES.
Acting upon these principles, Great Britain had, by
her laws of trade and navigation, confined the com¬
merce of the colonies almost wholly to herself. To
encourage her own artisans, she had even, in some
cases, prohibited the establishment of manufactories
in America. These restrictions, while they increased
her revenues and wealth, greatly diminished the
profits of the trade of the colonies, and sensibly im¬
peded their internal prosperity. They were most
injurious to New England, where the sterility of the
soil repelled the people from the pursuits of agricul¬
ture ; there they were most frequently violated, and
there the arbitrary means adopted to enforce them
awakened the attention of a proud and jealous people
to their natural rights ; to their rights as English sub¬
jects ; and to the rights granted and seciured by their
charters.
Even before the treaty with France was signed,
but not Until afler the conquest of Canada, the spirit
of resistance to arbitrary vexations was manifested, in
Boston, in a manner which ought to have been re¬
ceived as a warning hy the ministry. It had been
usual, for the officers of the customs, when they sus¬
pected contraband goods were concealed in ware-
bouses or dwelling-houses, to enter and search for
them, by the authority merely of their commissions.
This authority was doubted ; some merchants re¬
sisted, and some brought suits against the officers for
illegal entries. The governor was then applied to,
and, as the chief civil magistrate, sometimes granted
seai'ch-vvarrants ; but his authority being questioned,
he desisted, and referred the officers to the superior
court This court, supposing it had all tlie powers
exercised by the superior courts in England, then,
upon special application, issued writs of assistance,
similar to writs of that name which the court of
exchequer was authorized by statute to issue, and
granting the same power as search-warrants.
But the validity of these writs was also doubted.
In 1761, such a writ being applied for, objection ■waa
REVOLUTION.
221
made ; and the court, at the request of James Otis,
appointed a day to bear an argumutt upon the power
of the court to grant it The merchants of Boston
and Salem, considering the question important to
their interests, employed Mr. Otis and Oxenbridgo
Thatcher to argue against the power of the court
The latter was not only eminent as a lawyer, but
distinguished for hk love of science tmd literature,
devoted to his country, and fearless in expressing bis
detestation of the avarice and ambition of the men in
power, and his apprehension of their designs against
the liberties of the people. Mr. Otis was a younger
man, of ardent passions, lofty spirit, and generous
disposition; he held the office of advocate-general
in the court of admiralty, and, as such, was requested,
by the custom-house officers, to sustain their applica¬
tion ; but this he refused, and immediately resigned
his office.
The nature of the question drew to the court-house,
on the day appointed, an immense concourse of peo¬
ple. The attorney-general spoke first in favor of the
application ; Mr. Thatcher replied, and Mr. Otis fol¬
lowed. His address is represented to have been one
of surpassing eloquence. He spoke of the inherent
rights of man, of the rights secured to Englishmen
by Magna Charta, and to the emigrants by the colonial
charters. He expatiated upon the navigation act and
the acts of trade ; sho^ved that they originated in self¬
ishness, that they violated the rights of the colonists,
and that to enforce them was, and must be, tyranny
and unmitigated oppression. He declaimed against
writs of assistance, likened them to general warrants,
referred to instances in which they had been used
to gratify personal malice, and contended that they
were contrary to the common law, and unauthorized
by any statute of England or Massachusetts.
He spoke between four and five hours, " and in a
style of oratory," says John Adams, who was present,
" that I never heard equalled in this or in any other
country. Everv man of a crowded audience appeared
S!?.2 IIISTOKV OF THE UNITEU STATES.
M> me to go away, as I did, ready to take arms against
writs of assistance. The seeds of patriots and heroes
were then and there sown. Then and there was the
first scene of the first act of opposition to the arbitrary
claims of Great Britain." — The court declined to issue
the writ.
Among the acts of trade was one, passed at the
solicitation of the planters in the British islands in the
West Indies, imposing a heavy duty on rum, sugar,
and molasses, when imported into the colonies from
the French islands. This act, if rigidly enforced,
would have destroyed a profitable trade with those
tslands, which received, in exchange Ibr those articles,
the fish and lumber of New England.. The custom¬
house olficers, convinced of the injustice of the duty,
had forborne to exact the whole of it, receiving,
without strict inquiry, whatever was willmgly oflfered.
In 1763, special instructions were sent to America
that this act must be rigidly enforced. " The publica¬
tion of these instructions," says Minot, "occasioned
an alarm in the-northern colonies greater than that
occasioned by the capture of Fort William Henry,
m 1757."
The act before mentioned, being, when passed,
limited in its duration, would expire in 1764 ; and the
preamble declared that the object of it was to afford
relief to the British West India islands. It was there¬
fore considered an act, not to raise a revenue, but to
regulate trade, and as such, though oppressive, within
the power of parliament to pass. In the beginning
of that year, the act was remodelled ; the preamble
was made to declare that "it was just and necessary
that a revenue should be raised in America ; " a duty
was laid on coffee, silk, calico, and some other com¬
modities when imported into the colonies ; and in this
shape it was made perpetual. Mr. Grenville, the
prime minister, also proposed a resolution, "-that it
would be proper to charge certain stamp duties on
the colonies," but postponed the consideration of that
subject to a future session As it was foreseen that
REVOLUTION.
223
the law would be disregarded, if extraordinary meas¬
ures were not adopted to enforce it, provision was
made that all penalties for violations of it, and of all
other revenue laws, migWt be recovered in the ad¬
miralty courts. The judges of these courts were
dependent solely on the king, and decided the causes
brought before them, without the intervention of a
jury-
Intelligence of these proceedings occasioned, in
America, great and universal alarm. They were con¬
sidered the commencement of a system of taxation,
which, if not vigorously resisted, would, in time, be
extended to every article of commerce, and to every
internal source.of income ; and if the colonists could
be deprived in one class of causes, why not in all, of
that inestimable privilege, the trial by jury ?
The general court of Massachusetts, at their session
in June, took this law into consideration. The house
of representatives sent a spirited letter of instructions
to their agent, in England, in which they denied the
right of parliament to impose duties and taxes upon
the people not represented in the house of commons ;
and directed him to remonstrate against the duties
imposed, and the stamp act in contemplation. They
also acquainted the other colonies with the instruc¬
tions they had given to their agent, and desired their
concurrence in the mode of opposition adopted. In
the course of the year, several other colonies, par¬
ticularly New York and Virginia, remonstrated, in re¬
spectful but decided terms, against the proceedings of
parliamenL
In these several state papers, the right of Great
Britain to collect a tax in the colonies, was explicitly
denied; and the denial was supported by clear and
powerful arguments. It was stated that the first
emigrants came to America with the undoubted con¬
sent of the mother country ; that all the expenses of
removal, of purchasing the territory, and, for a long
time, of protection from savage warfare, were defrayed
by private individuals, except in the single instance of
224 HISTOKV Ol' THE liMTEÜ STATES.
the settleiuent of Georgia; that charters, under Uia
great seal, were given to the emigrants, imparting and
securing to them, and to their descendants, all the
rights cd* natmal bom English subjects ; that, of these
rights, none was more IndisputaUe, and none more
highly valued, than that no subject could be deprived
of his property but by his own consent, expressed in
person or by bis representative; that faxes were but
grants, by the representative, of a portion of his own
pioperty, and of that of those who had authorized him
to act in their behalf. Could it be just, it was asked,
that the representatives of Englishmen should " give
and grant " the property of Americans ? With what
safety to the colonies could the right of taxing them
be confided to a body of men three thousand miles
distant, over whom they had no control, none of whom
could be acquainted with their situation or resources,
and whose interests would impel them to make the
burdens of the colonists heavy, that their own might
be light ?
But, besides infringing the rights of firemen, the
measure wets neither equitable nor generous. The
colonies hatl domestic governments which they alone
supported ; in the late war, their exertions had been
greater, in proportion to their ability, than those of
England ; they also had contracted debts which they
must themselves pay ; the taxes laid by many of the
assemblies were higher than those paid by the inhab¬
itants of England ; if the war had been waged on
their account, it was because, as colonies, they were
beneficial to the mother countiy ; and from its happy
termination they derived no advantage which was not
the source of ultimate profit to her.
Upon men who entertained the strictest notions of
colonial dependence, and parliamentary supremacy,
these arguments had little efiecL The minister was
not diverted from his purpose. In March, 1765, he
laid before parliament a bill, imposing stamp duties
on certain papers and documents used in the colonies.
At the first reading, it was warmly opposed ; by some
REVOLUTION.
225
because it was in.politic, by two only because it was a
violation of right
The bill was supported by Charles Townshend, a
brilliant orator, on the side of the ministry. At the
conclusion of an animated speech, he demanded —
" And these Americans, children planted by our care,
nourished by our indulgence, protected by our arms,
until they are grown to a good degree of strength and
opulence, — will they grudge to contribute their mite to
relieve us from the heavy load of national expense
which we lie under ? "
Colonel Barre, immediately rising, indignantly and
eloquently exclaimed — " Chüdren jßankd oyyovr care !
No. Your oppressions planted them in America-
They fled from your tyranny into a then uncultivated
land, where they were exposed to all the hardships to
which human nature is liable; and, among others, to
tlie cruelties, of a savage foe, the most subtle, and, 1
will take upon me to say, the most terrible, that ever
inhabited any part of God's earth. And yet, actuated
by principles of true English liberty, they met all
these hardships with pleasure, when they compared
them with those they suflfered in their own country,
from men who should have been their friends.
" They nourished by your indulgence ! No. They
grew by your neglect. When you began to care
about them, that care was exercised in sending per¬
sons to rule over them, who were the deputies of
some deputy sent to spy out their liberty, to misrepre¬
sent their actions, and to prey upon them ; whose
behavior, on many occasions, has caused the blood of
those sons of liberty to recoil within them ; men pro¬
moted to the highest seats of justice, some of whom
were glad, by going to a foreign country, to escape
being brought to the bar of justice in their owm
" They protected by your arms ! They have nobly
take 1 up arms in your defence. They have exerted
their,valor, amidst their constant and laborious in¬
dustry, for the defence of a country which, while its
frontier was drenched in blood, has yielded all its
VOL. I. 18
2vi<) lítSTOKY OK TÍIE UNITED STATES-
little savings to your emolument. Believe me,—and
remember I this day told you so,—the same spirit
which actuated that people at first, still continues
with them ; but prudence forbids rne to explain my¬
self further.
" God knows 1 do not at this time speal» from party
heat. However superior to me in general knowledge
and experience any one here may be, I claim to know
more of America, having been conversant in that
country. The people there are as truly loyal as any
subjects the king has ; but they are a people jealous
of their liberties, and will vindicate them if they should
be violated. But the subject is delicate : I will say no
more."
Eloquence and argument availed nothing. The
bill was almost unanimously passed. The night after.
Doctor Franklin, then in England as agent Ibr Penn^
sylvania, wrote to Charles Thompson — " The sun of
liberty is set ; you must light up the candles of indus¬
try and economy." " Be assured," said Mr. Thompson
in reply, "that we shall light up torches of quite an¬
other sort;" thus predicting the commotions which
followed.
The act provided that all contracts and legal pro¬
cesses should be written on stamped paper, which
was to be furnished, at exorbitant prices, by the gov¬
ernment, or should have no force in law. Information
of its passage was received in all the colonies with
sorrow and dismay. They saw that they must either
surrender, without a struggle, their darling rights, or
resist the government of a nation, which they bad
been accustomed to regard with filial respect, and was
then the most powerful in the world.
The general assembly of Virginia was in session
when this intelligence arrived. The principal mem¬
bers— those who took the lead in the debate and
guided the deliberations — at that time, and for many
years before, belonged to the rich landed aristocracy
of the colony. At this session, Patrick Henry, chosen
to supply a vacancy, took his seat for the first time.
REVOLUTlUtv.
227
He was then a young man, almost destitute of fortune,
with little education, of rustic manners, and had lately
been licensed to practise as an attorney. A few
months previously, before a county court, he had ar¬
gued a cause, the decision of which depended upon
the extent of the powers of the king, and of the rights
of the colonial legislature — in other words, of the peo¬
ple ; and he had sustained the cause of the people with
such boldness and impassioned eloquence, as aston¬
ished and captivated the audience. Soon aller taking
his seat in the house of burgesses, he resisted and de¬
feated a project for establishing a loan-office, intro¬
duced and supported for selfish purposes, by the aris¬
tocratic leaders of the assembly ; thus, at one effort,
wresting the reins from their hands, and transferring
the control of the house to the other class of repre¬
sentatives. Near the close of the session, having
waited, as he observed, until he found that no other
member was disposed to step forth, he introduced the
following resolutions : —
"Resolved, that the first adventurers and settlers of
this his majesty's colony and dominion, brought with
them, and transmitted to their posterity, and all other
his mfsjesty's subjects, since inhabiting in this his ma¬
jesty's said colony, all the privileges, franchises, and
immunities tliat have, at any time, been held, enjoyed,
and possessed by the people of Great Britain.
" Resolved, that by two royal charters, granted by
King James the First, the colonists aforesaid are de¬
clared entitled to all the privileges, liberties, and im¬
munities of denizens and natural born subjects, to all
intents and purposes, as if they had been abiding and
born within the realm of England.
" Resolved, tliat the taxation of the people by them- ■
selves, or by persons chosen by themselves to repre¬
sent them, who can only know what taxes the people
are able to bear, and the easiest mode of raising them,
and are equally affected by such taxes themselves, is
the distinguishing characteristic of British freedom,
and without which the ancient constitution cannot
subsist
228 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES.
" Resolved, that his majesty's liege people of this
most ancient colony have uninterruptedly enjoyed the
right of being thus governed by their own assembly,
in the article of their taxes and internal police, and
that the same hath never been forfeited, or any other
way given up, but hath been constantly recognized by
the king and people of Great Britain.
" Resolved, therefore, that the general assembly of
this colony have the sole right and power to lay taxes
and impositions upon the inhabitants of this colony;
and that every attempt to vest such power in any per¬
son or persons whatsoever, other than the general as¬
sembly aforesaid, has a manifest tendency to destroy
British as well as American freedom."
These resolutions were seconded by George John¬
ston. The debate which followed was able, vehe¬
ment, and eloquent They were opposed by Randolph,
Bland, Pendleton, W^ythe, and others, who were after¬
wards able and active advocates of the rights of their
country. These members did not controvert the prin¬
ciples asserted in the resolutions, but contended that it
was inexpedient to adopt them, the same sentiments,
in more conciliatory language, having been, at their
preceding session, expressed in their petition and me¬
morials, to which no answers had yet been received.
The sublime eloquence of Henry and the solid rea¬
soning of Johnston prevailed. The resolutions were
adopted ; the last, however, which distinctly denied a
right which parliament had exercised, was carried by
a majority of one vote only.
It is deeply to be regretted that no particular ac¬
count of this debate has been transmitted to us. Fre¬
quent bursts of sublime eloquence, and the bold ex¬
pression of important political truths, before seldom
uttered, must have rendered it interesting to the
scholar and the patriot. A single passage in Henry's
speech is all that tradition has furnished ; and this
may present some idea of the orator's manner, and of
the character of the debate. While descanting on the
tyranny of the obnoxious act, he exclaimed, " Caesar
REVOLUTION.
229
had his Brutus—Charles the First his Cromwell — and
George the Third'—" ("Treason!" cried the speaker
and others.) Ilenry, pausing a moment, and fixing his
eye on the speaker, finished the sentence — "may
profit by their example. If that be treason, make the
most of it''
Mr. Henry left the seat of government the evening
after the resolutions were adopted. The next morn¬
ing, a motion was made to erase the last from the
journals ; and as Henry was absent, and as some
members, who had voted for it, had, on reflection, be¬
come alarmed at its boldness, the motion prevailed.
But by this debate, as well as by the argument of Mr.
Otis, at Boston, in 1761, "the seeds of patriots and
heroes were sown," which afterwards sprang up and
flourished abundantly. The resolutions were indus¬
triously but privately circulated, in the principal cities,
until they arrived in New England, where they were
fearlessly published in all the newspapers.
Nearly at the same time, and before the proceed¬
ings of Virginia were known in Massachusetts, her
general court adopted measures to procure a com¬
bined opposition to the ofl^nsive laws. They passed
a resolve proposing that a congress of delegates from
the several colonies should be held at New York, and
addressed letters to the other assemblies, earnestly
soliciting their concurrence.
These legislative proceedings took place in May
and June, 1765. They were the moderate and digni¬
fied expression of feelings which animated, in a more
intense degree, a great majority of the people. In
New England, associations, for the purpose of resbt-
ing the law, were organized, assuming, from Barre's
speech, the appellation of " Sons of tiberty ; " pam¬
phlets were published vindicating the rights of the col¬
onies ; and the public journals were filled with essays
pointing out the danger which threatened the cause
of liberty, and encom-aging a bold and manly resist¬
ance.
Excited by the.se publications, a multitude as-
230 HISTORY OF TUE UNITEt BÍATES.
eeinbled in Boston, on the 14th of August, burned
tlie effigy of Andrew Oliver, who had been appointed
stamp distributer, and demolished a building which
they supposed he had erected for his office. Fearful
of further injury, Mr. Oliver declared his intention to
resign, when the people desisted I'roni molesting him.
Several days afterwards, a mob beset the house of
Mr. Story, an officer of the detested admiralty, court.
They broke his windows, destroyed his furniture, and
burned his papers. They then proceeded to the
house of Lieutenant-Governor Hutchinson, by whose
advice, it was supposed, the stamp-act had been
passed. They entered it by ibrce. Himseffi his wife,
and children, fled. His elegant furniture was carried
off or destroyed. The partitions of the house were
broken down, and the next morning nothing but the
bare and desolate walls remained.
When intelligence of these proceedings reached
Newport, in Rhode Island, the people of tliat place
assembled and committed similar outrages. Two
houses were pillaged, and the stamp distributer, to
preserve his own, was obliged to give to the leader
of the exasperated populace a written resignation of
his office. In Connecticut, similar commotions were
also quieted by the resignation of the distributer of
stamps for that colony.
In New York, the people displayed equal spirit,
but less turbulence and rage. Tlie obnoxious act
was printed, under the title of "The Folly of England,
and the Ruin of America," and thus exhibited for sale
in the streets. At an early period, the stamp-distrib¬
uter prudently resigned his office ; and, when the
stamped paper arrived, it was deposited for safe-keep¬
ing in the fort A mob required the lieutenant-gov¬
ernor to place it in their hands. He refused ; but,
terrified by their menaces, consented to deliver it to
the magistrates, who deposited it in the city halt
Ten boxes, which afterwards arrived, were seized by
the people, and committed to the flames.
At a session of the superior court held at Perth
REVOLUTION.
231
Amboy, in New Jersey, the lawyers practising at that
court united in declaring that they would not purchase
nor use stamps, and that all the gold and silver in the
colony was not suiBcient to pay the duties for one
year. The freemen of Essex county, having met in
convention, resolved that they would " detest, abhor,
and hold in eontem}«," all persons who would accept
of any office under the act, or would take any advan¬
tage of it ; and would have no communication with
them, "^nless it be to inform them of their vileness."
The assembly of Pennsylvania, being in session in
September, passed a series of resolutions, in which
they asserted the same rights that other colonies had
claimed, and declared, moreover, "that to vest in
courts of admiralty power to decide suits relating to
the stamp act is highly dangerous to the liberties of his
majesty's American subjects, and destructive of the
trial by jury." When the ships bringing the stamped
paper arrived in sight of Philadelphia, sdl the vessels
in the harbor hoisted their colors half mast high, and
the bells were muffled and tolled. The citizens as¬
sembled, and procured from Mr. Hughes, the stamp
distributer, a promise that he would sell no stamps
until the act had been put in execution in the other
colonies.
In Virginia, public sentiment was manifested with
equal distinctness. The justices of the court of West¬
moreland county resigned their offices, because they
might be compelled, in obedience to their oaths, to
aid in executing the stamp act ; and George Mercer,
the stamp distributer, was induced to declare that he
would not perform any official duty witliout the assent
of the assembly.
So general was the opposition to the law, that the
stamp officers, in all tire colonies, were compelled to
resign, or engaged trot to perforin any official duty.
In Boston, care was taken, on the one hand, to pre¬
vent the reeuirence of violent proceedings, and, on
the other, to keep in full vigor the spirit of resistance.
A newspaper was established, having for its device a
'2'áÍ2 HISTORY- OF THE UNITED STATES.
eimke divided into as many parts as there were col¬
onies, and for its motto, "Join or die." Mr. Oliver
was required to resign his office, with more ceremony
and solemnity, under a lai'ge elm, which had, from the
meetings held under it, received the name of the tree
of liberty.
In October, the congress recommended by Massa
chusetts convened at New York. Delegates from six
provinces only were present. Their first act was a
Declaration of Rights, in which they asserted, that
the colonies were entitled to all the rights and liberties
of natural born subjects within the kingdom of Great
Britain, the most essential of which were the exclu¬
sive right to tax themselves, and the privilege of trial
by jury. A petition to the king, and a memorial to
both houses of parliament, were also agreed on ; and
the colonial assemblies were advised to appoint spe¬
cial agents to solicit, in concert, a redress of grievances.
To interest the people of England in the cause of the
colonies, the merchants of New York directed their
correspondents, in that country, to purchase no more
goods until the stamp act should be repealed. Im¬
mediately after, non-importation agreements were
adopted in the other colonies, and associations were
organized for the encouragement of domestic manu¬
factures. To avoid the necessity of stamps, proceed¬
ings in the courts of justice were suspended, and dis¬
putes were settled by arbitration.
In the mean time, an entire change bad taken place
in the British cabinet, and a proposition to repeal the
stamp act was, by the new ministry, laid before par¬
liament. An interesting debate ensued. Mr. Gren-
vUle, the late prime minister, declared, that to repeal
the act under existing circumstances, would degrade
the government, and encourage reliellion. "When,"
he demanded, " were the Americans emancipated ?
By what law, by what reason, do they ungrateftdly
claim exemption from defraying expenses inciu-red in
nrotecting thern ? "
William Pitt — he who had wielded, tvith such
KEVOLUTIOW.
233
mighty effect, the power of England in the late war
— rose to reply. He regretted that he had not been
able to attend in his place, and oppose the law on its
passage. « It is now an act that has passed. I would
speak with decency of every act of this house ; but
I must beg the indulgence of this house to speak of
it with freedom. Assuredly a more important sub¬
ject never engaged your attention ; that subject only
excepted, when, nearly a century ago, it was the ques
tion whether you yourselves were bond or free ?
" Those who have spoken before me, with so much
vehemence, would maintain the act because our honor
demands it. But can the point of honor stand op¬
posed against justice, against reason, against right ?
It is my opinion that England has no right to tax the
colonies. At the same time, I assert the authority of
this kingdom over the colonies to be sovereign and
supreme, in every circumstance of government and
legislation whatsoever.
" Taxation is no part of the governing or legislative
power. The taxes ore a voluntary gift and grant of
the commons alone; when, therefore, in this house,
we give and grant, we give and grant what is our
own. But in an American tax, what do we do.'
We, your majesty's commons of Great Britain, give
and grant to your majesty—what.' Our own prop¬
erty ? No. We give and grant to your majesty the
property of your commons in America. It is an ab¬
surdity in terms.
" It has been asked, ' When were the Americans
emancipated ? ' But I desire to know when they were
made slaves. 1 hear it said, that America is obstinate ;
America is almost in open rebellion. I rejoice that
America has resisted. Three millions of people, so
dead to all the feelings of liberty as voluntarily to sub¬
mit to be slaves, would have been tit instruments to
make slaves of ourselves.
"The honorable member has said, — for he is fluent
in words of bitterness,—that America is ungrateful.
He boasts of his bounties towards her. But are not
234 HISTORY OF THE ÜNITED STATES.
these bounties intended finally for the benefit of »his
kingdom? The profits of Great Britain, from her
commerce with the colonies, are two millions a year.
This is the fund that carried you triumphantly through
the last war. The estates that were rented at two
thousand pounds a year, seventy years ago, are at
three thousand pounds at present. You owe this to
America. This is the price she pays you for pro¬
tection.
"A great deal has been said without doors, and
more than is discreet, of the power, of the strength
of America. In a good cause, on a sound bottom, the
force of this country can crush America to atoms.
But on the ground of this tax, when it is wished to
prosecute an evident injustice, I am one who will
lift my hands and my voice against it. In such a
cause, your success would be deplorable, and victory
hazardous. America, if she fell, would fall Hke the
strong man. She would embrace the pillars of the
state, and pull down the constitution along with her."
The sentiments of this great statesman prevailed
in parliament. The stamp act was repealed ; but
another act was passed declaring that " the legislature
of Great Britain has authority to make laws to bind
the colonies in all cases whatsoever." The merchants
of London rejoiced at this repeal. They had lelt the
effects of the colonial non-importation agreements,
and dreaded that still more injurious consequences
would follow.
But far greater were the rejoicings of the Ameri¬
cans. They had obtained the object for which they
had contended. They regarded the declaratory act
as the mere reservation of wounded pride, and wel¬
comed with transport the opportunity of again cher¬
ishing their former affection for the land of their
fathers. The assemblies of several colonies voted
their thanks to Mr. Pitt, and to others in England,
who had supported their cause ; and that of Virginia
resolved to erect an obelisk to their honor, and a
marble statue of the king, as a memorial of gratitude.
REVOLUTION.
23¿
By the people of New England and New York les»
joy was lelt and less gratitude displayed. The lawt
iiii|iosing duties ou their trade were still in force
The courts of admiralty, sitting without juries, still
retained jurisdiction of all revenue causes. Theii
repeated contests with their governors had weakened
their attachment to the nation that appointed them,
and confirmed their republican principles. They
still remembered the past and entertained suspicions
of thoifuture.
The very next year, events occurred which justified
these suspicions. A law of parliatnent, called the
mutiny act, which yet remained in force, contained
a provision, that, whenever troops should be marched
into any of the colonies, quarters, rum, and various
necessary articles, should be furnished for them at
the expense of the colony. So long as the troops
sent over were employed to defend the colony, no
complaint was made of this provision ; but this year,
an additional body of troops being ordered to New
York, the assembly, on the application of the govern¬
or, refused to comply with it, on the ground that, in
effect, it taxed the people without their consent, and
was therefore not obligatory. To punish this diso¬
bedience, parliament prohibited the assembly from
passing any law until that provision of the mutiny act
should be complied with. It was easily seen that
nothing had been gained, if this power of suspending,
for such a cause, the most important functions of a
colonial legislature, existed, and could be exercised at
pleasure.
Another act, passed almost contemporaneously,
confirmed their suspicions, and increased their alarm.
The Rockingham ministry, under whose auspices the
stamp act had been repealed, had been dismissed, and
another, of which the duke of Graffon, General Con¬
way, and Charles Townshend, were prominent mem¬
bers, had been appointed. The new ministry found
the treasury empty, provisions dear, the taxes burden¬
some, and the people discontented and riotous. Ic
23G
HISTORY OP THE DNITED STATES.
the distresses of the nation, the people, were dissatis¬
fied that the colonies were not compelled to contribute
their proportion ; the opposition in parliament echoed
the complaints of the people, and Grenville, in one of
his speeches, tauntingly told the ministry that they
dared not tax them. Townshend, who was chancello!
of the exchequer, willing to relieve his English fellow
citizens, and provoked by the taunt, immediately re
plied that he dared to tax them, and would tax them,
believing it could be done in a way which would not
conflict with their piinciples.
He remembered that, in the late disputes, a dis¬
tinction had been made by Mr. Pitt and some of the
colonial writers between internal and external taxes.
The stamp tax was then the principal topic of discus¬
sion ; that was. an internal tax ; and the writers had
contented themselves with showing that it was, for
that reason, unauthorized ; and probably some had
admitted tliat external taxes were not liable to the
same objection. He indulged the hope, therefore,
that tlie colonies would submit to the latter, and soon
after brought in a bill, which was passed in June,
1767, imposing a duty on paper, glass, tea, and other
enumerated articles, when imported into the colonies.
The duty imposed on tea was three pence a pound;
and to render this tax palatable, a drawback of a shil¬
ling a pound was allowed on the exportation of the
tea from England ; thus in fact diminishing the whole
duty nine pence the pound, but providing that three
pence should be paid in the colonial ports, where none
had been paid before. And provision was made that
the duties collected should be expended in governing,
protecting, and securing the colonies.
It had always been difficult to collect duties, or in
any way enforce the acts of trade, in the colonies.
Distant from the mother country, and obnoxious to
public odium, the custom-house officers acted without
energy, and often connived at the violation of the laws.
Parliament therefore passed another act, authorizing
the appointment of a board of commissioners of the
REVOLUTION.
237
customs in America, with extensive powers. It was
determined that the place of their sessions should be
at Boston ; and in the beginning of November three
of them arrived at that place, the other two being
already there. They were regarded by the people
vs the instruments of usurped authority to enforce
odious laws, and their presence in the country in¬
creased the general irritation.
The general court of Massachusetts did not now
admit «ny distinction between external and internal
taxes. In January, 1768, pursuing the same course
ae in 1764, they addressed a petition to the king, and
also a letter to their agent in London, containing many
and able arguments against the duties imposed, and
requested him to communicate the letter to the min¬
istry. They also sent to the other colonial assemblies
a circular letter, in which those arguments were re¬
peated, and suggested the expediency of acting in
concert in all endeavors to obtain redress.
These proceedings incensed and alarmed the' min¬
istry. They feared that a union of the colonies would
give them strength and confidence, and determined,
if possible, to prevent it. They instructed Sir John
Bernard, then governor of Massachusetts, to require
the general court to rescind the vote directing the
circular letter to be sent, and, in case of refusal, to
dissolve it. The governor communicated these in¬
structions to the house of representatives, which, by a
vote of ninety-two to seventeen, refused to rescind,
and was accordingly dissolved. Instructions were
also sent to the governors of the other colonies, com¬
manding them "to exert their utmost influence to de¬
feat this flagitious attempt to disturb the public peace,
by prevailing on the several assemblies to take no
notice of it, which will be treating it with the con¬
tempt it deserves." Whatever efforts were made by
these governors, none or but few of them succeeded.
Some, of the assemblies addressed to the king petitions
against the law ; and from many, letters were sent to
338 HISTORÏ OF THE UNITED STATES.
the general court of Massachusetts, approving its pro¬
ceedings.
These attempts to intimidate did but strengthen
opposition. Non-importation agreements were again
resorted to. In August, the merchants of Boston
agreed nut to import any goods from Great Britain,
nor purchase such as should be imported, for one year
after the first day of the next January ; and not to im-
])ort, nor purchase of any one who should import,
from any other colony, paper, glass, tea, &c., which
had been imported from Great Britain ; and, soon
alter, the merchants of Connecticut and New York
entered into similar agreements.
The general court of Massachusetts being dis¬
solved, the patriots of Boston found that they could
not pursue their usual mode of diffusing the principles
of liberty and a knowledge of the designs of the min¬
istry among the people, by means of their representa¬
tives. A town meeting was called, and a committee
appointed, to request the governor to issue precepts
for the election of a new assembly. He replied that
he could issue no precepts until he had received his
majesty's commands. The meeting thereupon chose
a committee, consisting of their late representatives,
to act as delegates to a colonial convention; and
the selectmen were instructed to invite, by a circular,
the other towns in the province to choose committees
or delegates. Nearly every town complied with the
invitation. The convention met in September, and,
though it disclaimed all legal authority, was regarded
with the same respect as a legitimate assembly. Its
proceedings were unimportant ; but, by its sessions in
the metropolis of New England, the people became
accustomed to pay deference to a body of men de¬
riving all their authority from the instructions of their
constituents.
On so many occasions had the refractory spirit of
the citizens of Boston been displayed, that General
Gage, who was commander-in-chief of all the tioops
REVOLUTION.
239
iu the colonies, was ordered to station a regiment in
that town, as well to overawe the citizens, as to pro¬
tect the officers of the revenue in the discharge of
their duty. Belbre the order was executed, the seizure
of the sloop Liberty, belonging to Mr. Hancock, a
popular leader, occasioned a riot, in which those
officers were insulted and beaten. The general, on
receiving information of this event, sent two regiments,
instead of one ; and on the first of October they arrived
in the harbor.
The ships that brought them, taking a station that
commanded the whole town, lay with their broadsides
towards it, ready to fire, should resistance be attempted.
The troops, with loaded muskets and fixed bayonets,
then landed ; and, the selectmen having refused to
provide quarters, they took possession of the state-
house. All the rooms, except one reserved ibr the
council, were filled, and two pieces of cannon were
placed near the principal entrance.
With indignant and exasperated feelings, the people
witnessed this threatening display of military force.
They saw the hall of their venerated legislature pol¬
luted by the tread of foreign mercenaries. They saw
soldiers parading their streets, and guards mounted
at the corners. They were challenged as they passetl,
and the unwelcome din of martial music often dis¬
turbed their repose. They knew that intimidation
was the object, and felt a stronger determination to
resist than had before animated their bosoms.
Upon the arrival of the troops at Boston, the com¬
manding officer had applied to Governor Bernard to
provide for them the articles mentioned in the muti¬
ny act. The general court not being in session, he
laid the application before the council, who advised
him to authorize some person to supply them, "pro¬
vided such person will take the risk of being paid by
the province such sums as may be expended for tnat
purpose." No person could be found, as the counci.
well knew, who would take the risk ; and the articles
were provided at the charge of the crown.
940 HISÏOUY OP THE UNITED STATES.
Resolutions, in the mean time, had been adc pted in
parliament, censuring, in the strongest tertns, the con¬
duct of the people of Massachusetts, and directing tho
governor to make strict inquiry as to all treasons
committed in that province since the year 1767, in
order that the persons most active in committing tliera
might be sent to England for trial. By these it was
rendered sufficiently evident that Great Britain had
determined to adhere to the system of measures she
had adopted. In May, they were taken into consider¬
ation by the house of burgesses of Virginia. In sundry
resolutions, they reasserted the right of the colonies
to be exempted from parliamentary taxation, and de¬
clared that seizing persons in the colonies, suspected
of having committed crimes therein, and sending
them beyond sea to be tried, violated the rights of
British subjects, as it deprived them of the inestimable
right of being tried by a jury of the vicinage, and of
producing witnesses on their trial.
While these resolutions were under discussion, the
house, apprehensive of an immediate dissolution,
should the subject of their deliberations be known to
the governor, closed their doors. The instant they
were opened, a message was announced, requesting
their attendance before him. "Mr. Speaker," said he
"and gentlemen of the house of burgesses, I have
heard of your resolves, and augur ill of their effects
You have made it my duty to dissolve you, and you
are dissolved accordingly."
This, like evei-y previous measure of intimidation,
excited .to a still higher degree the spirit of opposition.
I'he members assembled at a private house, elected
their speaker to preside as moderator, and unanimously
formed a non-importation agreement similar to those
previously adopted at the north. In a few weeks, the
example of Virginia was followed by most of the
southern colonie.s.
At the time prescribed by the charter of Massachu¬
setts for the election of representatives, only five of
the seventeen rescindera, but nearly all of the non
RF.VOLUriON.
241
rescinders, were reclioseu This very clearly indicated
the sentiments of the great body of the people. At
their session held in the summer of 1769, the governor,
by message, desired them to make provision for paying
the expenses already incurred in supplying the troops
with the articles mentioned in the mutiny act, and also
for supplying them in future. In their answer, the
house, aAer dwelling at length upon the provisions of the
act, observe that "of all new regulations, the stamp
act not excepted, this under consideration is most
excessively unreasonable. For, in effect, the yet free
representatives of the free assemblies of North America
are called upon to repay, of their own and their con¬
stituents' money, such sums as persons over whom
they can have no control, may be pleased to expend."
And they closed by saying, "Your excellency must
therefore excuse us in this express declaration, that,
as we cannot, consistently with our honor or interest,
and much less with the duty we owe our constituents,
so we never shall, make provision for the purpose in
your message mentioned."
To the citizens of Boston, the troops quartered
among them were a painful and irritating spectacle.
Quarrels occurring daily between them and the pop¬
ulace, increased the animosity of each to ungovernable
hatred. At length, on the evening of the fifth of March,
an affray took place in King Street, (since called State
Street,) in which a detachment of the troops com¬
manded by Captain Preston, after being insulted, pelt¬
ed with snow-balls, and dared to fire, discharged their
muskets upon the multitude, killing four persons and
wounding others.
The drums were instantly beat to arms, and sev¬
eral thousand people assembled, who, enraged by the
sight of the dead bodies of their fellow-citizens, slain
in a cause dear to them all, prepared to attack a larger
detachment, which had been sent to support their
comrades. In this state of excitement, they were ad¬
dressed by Lieutenant-Governor Hutchinson, who ap¬
peared in the midst of them. Though personally
vol.. I- to
242 HISTOUV OF lllF UNITED STATES.
obaoxious, lie calmed their liiry, and prevailed r.]X)D
them to disperse until morning.
The next daj', Cajitain Preston and his party were
arrested and committed to prison. The citizens met
and appointed a committee to demand the immediate
removal of the troojis from the town. At this meeting,
Samuel Adams, one of the earliest patriots, and even
then avowing himself in favor of iudejiendence, was
distinguished for his elecision and boldness. After
some hesitation on the part of the commanding
officer, they were sent to Ca.stle William, and were
accompiuiied by several officers of the customs, who
dreaded the indignation ol" the people.
Tliree days afterwards, the funend of the deceased
took place. It was conducted with great pomp and
unusual ceremonies, expressive of the public leeliug.
The shops were closed. The bells of Boston, Box-
bury, ami Charlestown, were tolled. F our processions,
moving from difierent parts of the town, met at the
fatal spot, and proceeded thence towards the place of
interment. This united procession comprised an im¬
mense number of people on foot and in carriages, all
displaying the deepest grief and indignation. The
bodies were deposited together in the same vault.
When the passions of the people had in some de¬
gree subsided. Captain Preston and eight of his sol¬
diers were brought to trial. They were defended by
John Adams and Josiah Quincy, two able lawyers and
distiiiguished leaders of the popular party. For near¬
ly six weeks the court were employed in examining
witnesses and in listening to the arguments of coun¬
sel. Captain Preston, not having ordered his men to
fire, was acquitted by the jury. Of the soldie^ six
were also acquitted, there being no positive testimony
that they fired upon the people ; and two were acquit
ted of murder, as great provocation was offered, but
found guilty of manslaughter—a result evincing the
integrity of the jury and the magnanimity and upright¬
ness of tiie counsel for the accused.
The imexjiected opposition of th-j colonists to the.
RlJVOLUl'luN.
new duties cominced the ministry that it was r;X¡)e-
dient to chanfçe their measures. Near the close of the.
year 1769, they, by circular letters to the several gov¬
ernors, which were published, declared that they liad
at no time entertained a design to propose any further
taxes upon the colonies, for the purpose of raising a
revenue ; and that they intended to propose, at the
next session of parliament, to take off" the duties on
glass, paper, and colors, " upon consideration of such
duties «being contrary to the true principles of com¬
merce." The reason assigned deprived their declared
intention of most of its merit. The merchants of
Boston, in a general meeting, unanimously voted that
repealing the duties on those articles only would not
be satislactoiy, and confirmed their former non-im¬
portation agreement.
At the next session of parliament. Lord North, who
had lately been appointed first minister, proposed a bill
to repeal all the duties but that on tea. Some mem¬
bers of the opposition strongly m-ged him to take oft"
all the duties, and not preserve contention while ho
relinquished revenue. But " Can it be proper," he re¬
plied, " to acquiesce in the argument of illegality, and,
by the repeal of the whole law, give up our power ?■
No. The proper time to exert our right of taxation is
when the right is denied. A total repeal cannot be
thought of until America is prostrated at om* feet."
The bill, as proposed, was passed by parliament, and
on the 12th of April, 1770, received the royal assent.
CHAPTER XVIIL
REVOLUTION.
The partial repeal of the revenue duties had nu
effect upon a large portion of the American people.
244 HISTORÏ OF THE UNITED STATES.
Their resistance to the cJaitns of Great Britain was
fbnnded on principle. They believed that those claims
were unfounded, and felt that to submit to them would
degrade them from the rank of freemen. They had
become convinced that the prosperity of the colonies
depended on their retaining the exclusive right to tax
themselves ; and the free and fearless discussions which
had been carried on had even led them to the conclu¬
sion, to which they had no expectation of arriving when
the disputes beg.-m, that, whatever might be the power
of the king, the parliament had no right to legislate
for the colonies in any case whatsoever. They be¬
lieved that their assemblies were their own parlia¬
ments, the king standing in the same relation to them
tliat he did to those of England and of Ireland.
Individuals who entertained this opinion were found
in all the colonies ; but they were much the most nu¬
merous in New England. There, commercial restric¬
tions were most sensibly felt ; there free principles
ivere most early and most deeply implanted ; and
there too prevailed, more than elsewhere, deep-rooted
Hostility to the Church of England, and real dread of
iieiug made subject to its power. The southern Col¬
onies were differently situated. In them but few were
engaged in commerce ; they were settled by a different
class of people ; in most of them the Church of England
was established by law ; and the mass of the inhab¬
itants were less conversant with political topics.
A rigid adherence, for a long time, to tlie non-im¬
portation agreements, was perhaps more than could be
expected of men living in distinct and remote com¬
munities, and accustomed to the luxuries and con¬
veniences which could only be obtained from abroad.
At first, they were faithfully observed ;'in time, a few
transgressed ; reports were circulated in one city,
probably by the adherents of the royal cause, that
another was faithless, and this was received as an ex¬
cuse by the first to depart from the compact. Before
the close of the year 1770, the sternest patriots were
obliged to consent that the agreements should be con-
REVOLUTION.
245
fined to the single article of tea, which should be
excluded from the country so long as it should be
liable to a duty.
In Massachusetts, various causes contributed to pre¬
vent the restoration of tranquillity. Just before the
repeal of the duties, Governor Bernard left the prov¬
ince, having taken leave of the house in an angiy
speech ; and his duties devolved upon Lieutenant-Gov¬
ernor Hutchinson. When the troops were in Boston,
the hoqge refused to transact any business while sur¬
rounded by a military force ; and, to remove the ^com¬
plaint, he had directed the clerk to adjourn them to
Cambridge. Against this they remonstrated, and,
though they held their sessions there, did little else
than carry on a spirited controversy with the lieu¬
tenant-governor, upon the right of the executive to
prescribe the place as well as the time of their meeting ;
and for a long time he positively refused to permit
them to sit at Boston. While they were in this state
of irritation, he gave them a new occasion, which they
seized with avidity, to remonstrate and condemn.
He removed the provincial troops from the castle, and
admitted into it a body of British troops, under the
command of Colonel Dalrymple. They declared that
surrendering the government of this fortress to the
military power, independent of the civil power of the
colony, was such an essential alteration of the consti¬
tution as most justly to alarm a free people.
And before long another cause of dissatisfaction and
controversy arose, which had a powerful influence in
sundering the ties which had bound the colonists to
the mother country. The governor, lieutenant-govern
or, and the judges of the superior court, had hereto¬
fore been paid out of the colonial treasury ; and the
house possessed the power of voting annually such
salaries as the conduct of these officers might seem to
merit At the last session before the departure of
Bernard, they not merely neglected but refused to vote
him any pay. In 1771, Mr. Hutchinson was appointed
governor, RÍr. ''Iliver lieutenant-governor ; and the king
24G HISTORY OR THE UNITED STATES.
ossigned to them and to the judges salaries greater
than they had before received, to bo paid out of tlie
national treasury. By this measure, those otiicers were
made dependent on tiie crown, and released Ifom ail
dependence on the people. And when it was known
that they had rejected the money of the people, and
consented to receive that of the king, the house was
unsparing in its sarcastic criminations, and the colony
resounded with one loud peal of indignation.
'J'o enforce the acts of trade and prevent ».nuggling,
armed vessels were stationed on the American coast.
Of these, the Gaspee, commanded by Lieutenant Dud-
diiigton, cruised in the waters of Rhode Island. This
officer had incurred the resentment of the traders,
and of all who navigated those waters, by his vigilance,
and more by haughtily requiring that evei-y vessel, that
crane within reach of his guns, should strike her flag.
A Providence packet came near with colors flying;
the Gaspee fired a shot, which was disregarded ; she
tiion made sail in chase, and the packet designedly led
her into shoal water, where she grounded. In the
night, she was boarded by a large party from Provi¬
dence, set on fire, and burnt. A reward of five hundred
pounds was offered to the peraon who should give in-
fbi ination of any one concerned in the transaction ;
and a special court was constituted, by the king, to try
the offenders. No information was obtained, although
the actors were known to many; several persons were
arrested and confined, that they might be examined as
witnesses, but were set at liberty by the patriots; and
tlie special court, after two long sessions, was dissolved
without accomplishing any thing. The creation of
this court by the king, while competent courts of jus¬
tice e.xisted in the colony, was complained of as a vio¬
lation of the charter, and an arbitrary exercise of un
constitutional power.
Samuel Adams has already been mentioned as one
of the most resolute of the Boston patriots. He was
educated for the ministry, but became a trader, though
with sjnall means ; and, relinquishing that pursuit, ao-
REVOLUTION.
247
cepted the office of collector of town taxes. In h i in
Were concentrated the virtues and peculiarities of the
Puritans. He was tenacious of his opinions, inde->
fatigable in pursuing his purposes, unambitious of
wealth or office, pious, and thoughtful ; he associated
with all, was intimate with few, suggested expedients,
and guided when he seemed to follow. For many
years, he was a representative to the general court ;
and most of the messages and remonstrances of the
house —^tate papers scarcely equalled in the English
language — were from his pen. He lamented the
prospect of returning quiet, for he feared it would
give England an opportunity to destroy American
liberty. Visiting his brother patriot, James Warren,
of Plymouth, they together concerted a plan to restore •
animation to the contest. This was to procure the
appointment, in every town, of committees of corre¬
spondence. He returned to Boston, and immediately
began, and by assiduous labor executed the plan. By
the agency of these, resolutions and addresses, some¬
times inflammatory and always spirited, were speedily
conveyed through the country, arousing the attention
of all, and exhorting, to perseverance in the cause of
liberty. This example was soon after followed in
other colonies; and, in 1773,,at the suggestion of the
Virginia assembly, standing, committees were ap¬
pointed by the colonial legislatures, to correspond
with each other. This institution, when more active
opposition became necessary, was found extremely
useful, and contributed, perhaps, as much as any other
means, to accomplish the great object which its pro¬
jectors aimed at.
In this year. Dr. Franklin obtained in London a
number of original letters from Gîovernor Hutchinson,
Lieutenant-Governor Oliver, and others, to their corre¬
spondents in parliament. In these letters, the opposi¬
tion in Massachusetts was stated to be confined to a
few factious individuals, who had been imboldened
by the weakness of the means used to restrain them.
Measures more vigorous were recommended ; an«!
248 WISTORY OP THE UNITED STATES.
the ministry were urged to take from the people, and
exercise themselves, the power of appointing council¬
lors and all colonial magistrates. These letters he
transmitted to Boston.
The source and occasion of the offensive proceed¬
ings of parliament were now disclosed. The passions
of the people were highly inflamed, and the weight of
popular indignation fell upon the_ authors of these
letters. The central committee of correspondence, at
Boston, sent printed copies, enclosed in a spirited
circular, to all the towns in the province ; and tlie
general court, in several resolutions, which were also
published, animadverted with severity upon the mis¬
representations and advice contained in the letters,
ihus increasing the initation which their discovery
and perusal had occasioned.
Meanwhile the tea of the East India Company, not
finding a market in America, accumulated in their
•varehouses in England. Encouraged by the govern¬
ment, they resolved to export it on their own account,
and appointed consignees in the various seaports in
the colonies. Those in Philadelphia were induced,
by the disapprobation expressed by the citizens, to
decline their appointment In New York, spirited
handbills were circulated, menacing with ruin every
person who should be concerned in vending tea, and
requiring the pilots, at their peril, not to conduct ships,
loaded with that article, into the harbor. Intimidated
by these proceedings, the captains of the tea ships,
bound to those ports, returned with their cargoes to
England.
In Boston, inflammatory handbills were also circu¬
lated, and meetings beld ; but the consignees, being
mostly relatives of the governor, and relying on his
support, refused to decline their appointments.. Their
refusal enraged the citizens, and the community be¬
came agitated'by the operation of highly-excited \»as-
sions. Meetings were more frequently held. The
committees of correspondence were every where
active. The people of the country exhorted their
RUVOLUTIO.V,
«49
orethren iu Boston to act worthy of their former
character, worthy of " Sons of Liberty," upon whose
conduct, in the present emergency, every tuing de¬
pended.
On the 29th of November, a ship laden with tea
came into the harbor. Notifications were immediately
posted up inviting every friend to his country to meet
forthwith, and concert united resistance to the arbitrary
measures of Britain. A crowded meeting was held,
and a resolution adopted, " that the tea should not bo
landed, that no duty should be paid, and that it should
be sent back in the same vessel." A watch was also
organized to prevent it from being secretly brought on
shore.
A short time was then allowed for the captain to
prepare to return home with his cargo. Governor
Hutchinson refused to grant him the requisite per¬
mission to pass the castle. Other vessels, laden with
tea, arrived. The agitation increased, and on the 18th
of December, the inhabitants of Boston and the ad¬
joining towns assembled to determine what course
should be pursued. At this important meeting,
Josiah Quincy, desirous that the consequences of the
measures to be adopted should be first seriously con¬
templated, thus addressed his fellow-citizens : —
" It is not, Mr. Moderator, the spirit that vapors
within these walls that will sustain us in the hour of
need. The proceedings of this day will call forth
events which will make a very different spirit ne¬
cessary for our salvation. Whoever supposes that
shouts and hosannas will terminate our trials, enter¬
tains a childish fancy. We must be grossly ignorant
of tlie value of the prize for which we contend ; we
must be equally ignorant of the power of those who have
combined against us ; we must be blind to that invet¬
erate malice and insatiable revenge which actuate our
enemies, abroad and in our bosom,—to hope that we
shall end this controversy without the sharpest, sharpest
conflicts, or to flatter ourselves that popular resolves,
popular harangues, and popular acclamations, will
VOL. I. 20
209 IIISTORÏ or THE UNITED STATES.
vanquish our foes. Let us consider the issué; let us
look to the end ; let us weigh and deliberate, before we
advance to those measures which must bring on the
most trying and terrible struggle this coimtry ever
saw."
In tiie evening, the question was put, "Do you
abide by your former resolution to prevent the landing
of the tea 7 " The vote was unanimous in the affirm¬
ative. Application was again made to the governor
for a pass. After a short delay, his refusal was com¬
municated to the assembly. Instantly a person, dis¬
guised like an Indian, gave tlie war-whoop from the
gallery. At this signal, the people rushed out of the
house and hastened to the wharves. About twenty
persons, in the dress of Mohawks, boarded the ves.sels,
and, protected by the crowd on shore, broke open
three hundred and forty-two chests of tea, and emptied
their contents into the ocean. Their purpose accom¬
plished, the multitude returned without tumult to
their habitations.
These proceedings excited the anger of parliameni
and the displeasure of the British nation. Punish¬
ment, not a change of measures, was resolved upon.
An act prohibiting the landing of any goods at Boston,
and removing the custom-house and seat of govern¬
ment to Salem, was passed, and was to continue in
force until compensation should be made for the tea
destroyed ; another act was passed taking from the
general court and giving to the crown the appointment
of councillors, and vesting in the governor alone the
appointment of all colonial officers ; and a third, de-
"lai ingthat, without leave in writing from the governor,
no town meeting should be held in any town in Mas¬
sachusetts, except for the choice of officers or repre¬
sentatives, and at such meetings " no other matter
should he treated of." And General Gage was made
governor in the place of Mr. Hutchinson.
Intelligence of the Boston port bill occasioned a
meeting of the citizens of the town ; they were sensi¬
ble that " the most trying and terrible struggle " was
REVOLUTION.
•251
aideed now approaching, but felt unawed by its ter¬
rors. They sought not to shelter themselves from the
storm by submission, but became more resolute as it
increased. They declared the act to be unjust and
inhuman, and invited their brethren in the other col¬
onies to unite with them in a general non-importation
agreement.
A similar spirit pervaded and animated the whole
country. Addresses trorn the adjacent towns, and
from «every part of the continent, were sent to the
citizens of Boston, applauding their resolution, ex¬
horting them to perseverance, and assuring them that
they were considered as suffering in a common cause.
In Virginia, the first day of June, when the law began
to operate, was observed as a public and solemn fast.
With devout feelings, the divine interposition was im¬
plored, in all the churches, to avert the evils of civil
war, and to give to the people one heart and one mind,
firmly to oppose every invasion of their liberty.
The same day was observed, with similar solemnity,
in most of the other colonies; and thus an opportu¬
nity was presented to the ministers of the gospel to
dispense political instruction, to paint, in vivid colors,
the sufferings of the citizens of Boston, and to warn
their congregations, that, should Great Britain succeed
in her schemes, the danger to their religious would be
as great as to their civil privileges; that a tame sub¬
mission to the will of parliament would inevitably be
followed by bishops, tithes, test acts, and ecclesiastical
tribunals.
An act of parliament, then recently passed, had ex¬
cited the religious as well as political jealousy of the
people. It so extended the boundaries of the province
of Quebec as to include all the territory north of
the Ohio, which was claimed by Virginia, and so
much of what then belonged to Massachusetts as lay
between the high lands in the north part of Maine
and the St. Lawrence ; it established a legislative
body, for the province, to consist of a council only to
be appointed by the king ; Roman Catholics were
Í j- history of the cniteo states
permitted to hold a seat in i ; Catholic priests wer«
allowed to collect tithes from all of that faith 3 and in
civil causes, trials by jury, in compliance with French
usaj^es and prejudices, were dispensed with.
The Boston jiort bill occasioned distress as severe
as the ministry could have expected or intended.
Nearly all were compelled to be idle. Many, by loss
of employment, lost their sole means of support. In
this extremity, contributions in money and provisions
were forwarded to them from all the colonies, as
proofs of sympathy in their distresses, and of appro¬
bation of their having met and manfully withstood the
first shock of arbitrary power.
Gradually and constantly had the minds and flel-
ings of the Americans been pi-eparing for this impor¬
tant crisis. That enthusiastic patriotism which elevates
the soul above all considerations of interest or dan¬
ger had now become their ruling passion. The in¬
habitants of Salem spurned advantages to be derived
fiorn the punishment inflicted on a sister town, for its
zeal in a sacred and common cause. " We must,"
said they, in a remonstrance to the governor,-" b -
dead to every idea of justice, lost to all feelings of
humanity, could we indulge one thought to seize on
wealth, and raise our fortunes from the ruin of our
suffering neighbors."
In June, the general court assembled at Salera; and
among their first acts were, the recommendation of a
Continental congress, which had been suggested by
the committee of correspondence in Virginia, and the
choice of delegates to attend it While engaged, witli
closed doors, in this business, Governor Gage, who
had received a private intimation of their purposes,
dissolved the court a proclamation, which was read
upon the steps. In all the other colonies, except
Georgia, delegates were also chosen.
It would be unjust to those who were distinguished
members of this congress, and continued active in tlie
cause of liberty, to pass on without recording their
names. John Sullivan, of New Hampshire; Samuel
«ETOLUTIOIÍ
-253
Adams and John Adains, of Massachusetts ; Stepbea
Hopkins, of Rhode Island ; Roger Sherman, of Con¬
necticut; John Jay, of Netv York; William Living
eton, of New Jersey ; John Dickinson, Thomas Mifflin,
and George Ross, of Pennsylvania ; Csesar Rodney
and Thomas M'Kean, of Delaware ; Safnuel Chase,
of Maryland ; Peyton Randolpli, Richard H. Lee,
tJeorge Washington, and Patrick Henry, of Virginia;
ilenrv Middleton and John Rutledge, of South Caro-
lina,''were members. TJie whole number was fifty-
one.
On the fifth of September, 1774, this congress met
at Philadelphia. Peyton Randolith was unanimously
elected president, aiid Charles Thompson secretary,
it was determined that each colony should have but
one vote, whatever might be the number of its dele¬
gates; tliat they should sit with closed doors; and
that all their transactions, except such as they should
resolve to publish, should be kept secret
Resolutions were then adopted, expressing the
sympatiiy of congress in the sufierings of their coun¬
trymen in Massachusetts, and highly approving the
wisdom and fortitude of their conduct. They de¬
clared that every person, who shotdd accept of any
commission under the act changing the form of gov¬
ernment in Massachusetts, "ought to be held in ah-
iiorreiice, and considered as the wicked tool of that
<lespotism which was preparing to destroy those rights
which God, nature, and compact, had given to Amer¬
ica." They also resolved that the importation of
goods from Great Britain should cease on the first
<iay of the succeeding December, and all exports to
that country on the tenth of September, 1775, unless
American grievances should be sooner redressed.
And feeling the inconsistency of dealing in slaves,
while professing attachment to liberty, they also re¬
solved that, after the first of December, they would
not import any slave, nor purchase any itnported by
othei's. These resolutions posse.ssed no legal force;
hut never were Jaws more faithfully observetL
2ö4 HISTORY OF TUE UNITED STATE».
Li otlier resolutions, they enumerated certain rights^
•which, as men and Englisli subjects, " they claimed,
demanded, and insisted on." These rights 'were, in
most respects, the same as those claimed by the
colonial assemblies. Going farther than some of
them, the congress claimed for them the exclusive
right of internal legislation ; and not so far as others,
it yielded to parliament the right to regulate external
commerce. The several acts of parliament, triolating
the rights claimed, were then enumerated, and the
repeal of them declared to be " essentially necessary
to restore hai'mony between Great Britain and the
colonies." Addresses to the people of Great Britain,
to the inhabitants of Canada, and to their constituents,
were prepared and published ; and an affectionate
petition to the king was agreed on.
In these able and important state papiers, the claims,
principles, and feelings, of their constituents are clearly
and eloquently set forth. They glow ■with the love of
hberty; they display a determination, too firm to be
shaken, to defend and preserve it at every hazard ;
they contain the strongest professions of attachment to
the mother countiy, and of Io}'alty to the king. A de¬
sire of independence is expressly disavowed. " Place
us," say the congress, "in Ûie situation we were in at
tlie close of the last ■war, and our former harmony will
be restored." "We ask," say they in their petition,
"but for peace, liberty, and safety. We ■wish not a
diminution of the prerogative, nor do we solicit the
grant of any new right in our favor. Your royal au¬
thority over us, and our connection with Great Britain,
we shall always cai'efully and zealously endeavor to
support and maintain."
These papers, going forth to the world, made the
cause of the colonies known throughout Europe, and
conciliated those who had embraced liberal principles
in politics, or felt displeasure at the pride and haugh¬
tiness of Britain. Their tone of manly energy, and
the knowledge they displayed of political science, ex¬
cited univei^sal applause and admiration.
REVOLUTION.
*255
" When your lordships," said Mr. Pitt, in the British
•enate, "have perused the papers transmitted to us
from America; when you consider the dignity, tlie
firmness, and the wisdom, with which the Ameri¬
cans have acted,—you cannot but respect their cause.
History, my lords, has been my favorite study; and
in the celebrated writings of antiquity I have often ad¬
mired the patriotism of Greece and Rome ; but, my
lords, I must'declare and avow, that in the master
states of the world, I know not the people nor the
senate, who, in such a complication of difficult cir¬
cumstances, can stand in preference to the delegates
of America assembled in general congress at Phila¬
delphia. I trust that it is obvious to your lordships,
that all attempts to impose servitude upon such men,
to establish despotism over such a mighty continental
nation, must be vain, must be futile."
The resolve of the congress to sit with closed doors
has withheld from the historian the power of describ¬
ing the deportment and eloquence of the members, and
of assigning to each that rank among those fearless
patriots which his talents and zeal entitled him to hold.
When only glimpses can be afforded, they will not
therefore be considered beneath the dignity of history.
Among the members not named was Joseph Galloway,
of Pennsylvania. He afterwards deserted the cause,
and went to England, where he published a work on
the " American Rebellion." In speaking of this con¬
gress, he says of Samuel Adams, " He eats little, drinks
little, sleeps little, thinks much, and is most indefati¬
gable in the pursuit of his object. It was this man,
who, by his superior application, managed at once the
factions in congress at Philadelphia, and the factions
of New England." Of John Adams it is related, that,
when advised by a friend not to accept of the appoint¬
ment of delegate, as Great Britain was determined to
subdue the colonies, and her power was irresistible,
he replied that, " as to his fate, the die was cast ; the
Rubicon was passed ; sink or swim, live or die,—to
survive or perish with his country was .his uualterabla
256 niSTORÏ OF THF. LNITEO STATES.
resolutioa" When Patrick Henry returned home, he
was asked whom he thought the greatest man in the
congress. " If you speak of eloquence," he replied,
not thinking what rank others might assign to him¬
self, " Mr. Rutledge is by far the greatest orator ; but
if you speak of solid iniurmation and sound judgment.
Colonel Washington is unquestionably the greatest
man." It is known that John Adams and Patrick
Henry were then of opinion that the contest must ulti¬
mately be decided by Ibrce ; and that Washington and
Lee thought that the measures then adopted would
obtain a redress of grievances.
In America, the proceedings of congress were read
with enthusiasm and veneration. Their reasonings
confirmed the conviction, strongly felt by nearly the
whole people, of the perfect justice of their cause. In
the address to themselves, they were admonished " to
extend their views to mournful events, and to be in all
respects prepared for every contingency." Great ef¬
forts were consequently made to provide arms and all
the munitions of war. Independent companies were
formed ; voluntary trainings were frequent ; the old
and the young, the rich and the poor, devoted their
hours of amusement and of leisure to exercises calcu¬
lated to fit them to act a part in the anticipated con¬
flict The country was alive with the bustle of-prep¬
aration, and in every countenance could be read the
expectation of important transactions, in which all
must participate.
Complete unanimity, however, did not exist. Some
of the late emigrants from Hngland, the most of those
who held oflices by her appointment, many whose
timidity magnified her power, clung to her authority,
and, as the crisis approached, declared themselves her
adherents. These were denominated tories ; the friends
of liberty, whigs-.—names by which the advocates of
arbitrary power, and the friends of constitutional hb-
erty, were distinguished in England.
General Gage, who had been recently appointed
governor of Massachuset ;s, withdrew, from other posts
revolutionary war.
257
on the conti , everai regiments of troops, and en¬
camped tliem on the Common, in Boston. He after¬
wards erected fortifications on the Neck, a narrow
isthmus which unites the town with the main land ;
and on the night of the first of September, he seized
the powder deposited in the provincial arsenal at
Cambridge.
The people, meanwhile, were not idle. They ap-
])ointed delegates to a provincial congress, which as-
setiibied in the beginning of October. Mr. Hancock
was chosen president ; and the delegates resolved, that,
for the defence of the province, a military force, to
consist of one fourth of the mditia, should be organized
and stand ready to march at a minute's warning ; that
money should be raised to purchase military stores ;
and they appointed a committee of supplies, and a
committee of safety, to sit during the recess.
The more southern provinces, particularly Pennsyl¬
vania, Virginia, and Maryland, displayed the same love
of liberty and determination to resist ; provincial con¬
gresses were convened, committees appointed, and
resolutions passed, designed and adapted to animate
those who, in Massachusetts, stood in the post of dan¬
ger, and to excite in all hearts that devotion to country
which is alone capable of sustaining a people in an
arduous struggle with a superior foe.
CHAPTER XIX.
RE VOLUTIONAEY WAR.
In the parliament of Great Britain, American affairs
tame on to be discussed in the beginning of the year
1775. At the opening of the session, in the preceding
November, the king had indicated, with sufficient
clearness, his own feelings, by announcing that "a
258 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES.
most daring spirit of resistance and disobedience to
the laws still unhappily prevailed in the province of
31assachusetts, and had broken forth in fresh violences
of a very criminal nature ; that these proceedings had
been countenanced in other colonies; and unwar¬
rantable attempts had been made to obstruct the com¬
merce of his kingdoms by unlawful combinations."
Addresses to the king, echoing the sentiments of the
speech, were, after long and spirited debates, agreed
to in both houses.
Soon afterwards, the proceedings of the congress at
Philadelphia arrived in England. Mr. Pitt, who had
been created Lord Chatham, and had long retired
from public life, now resumed his seat in the house
of loi'ds, and moved an addi-ess to the king, praying
him, in order to open the way to a happy settlement
of the dangerous troubles in America, to give orders
to General Gage to remove the troops from Boston ;
and he supported his motion by one of bis most elo¬
quent speeches. It was opposed by the ministry, and
rejected by a large majority.
He made, however, another efibrt. He presented a
bill setting forth, in detail, his plan for " settling the
troubles in the colonies," the principal features of
which were, asserting the supreme legislative authority
of parliament, and relinquishing in effect the right of
taxation. Had it passed, it would not, probably, have
satisfied the colonies. Lord Sandwich moved that it
should be immediately "rejected with the contempt
it deserved. I cannot beUeve," said he, " that it is the
production of a British pen. I fancy I have in my
eye " (turning to Dr. Franklin, who was in the lobby)
" the person who drew it up, one of the bitterest and
most mischievous enemies this coimtry ever knew."
Lord Chatham replied that the plan was entirely his
own; and this declaration he felt the more bound
to make, because it had been so severely censured.
" But," said he, " if I were the first minister of this
country, I should not be ashamed of calling publicly
to my assistance a person so perfectly acquainted
REVOLUTIONARY WAR.
259
with the whole of American affairs as the gentleman
alluded to ; one whom all Europe holds in estimation
for his knowledge and wisdom, and ranks with our
Newtons and Boyles; who is an honor, not to the
English nation only, but to human nature." The bill
was rejected at the first reading, the lords not being
disposed even to consider it.
The principal trading and manufacturing towns in
the kingdom, which were suffering from the effects
of the non-importation agreements, poured in their
petitions in favor of conciliation with the colonies ;
the Quakers appealed to parliament in behalf of their
brethren of Nantucket; Eranklin, Bollan, and Lee,
requested to be heard at the bar of the house before
decisive measures were adopted ; but the ministry,
before they heard, proceeded at once to condemn and
to punish. It is now believed that they acted accord¬
ing to the explicit commands of the king ; and the
vacillation apparent in the councils of the nation at
this period must doubtless be attributed to difference
of opinion and feelings between him and them. They
introduced a bill confining the trade of the colonies of
New England tp Great Britain, Ireland, and the West
Indies, and prohibiting those colonies from fishing
on the Banks of Newfoundland ; and soon after they
introduced another, subjecting the trade of all the
colonies represented in the late congress, except New
York and North Carolina, to the same restriction.
Why North Carolina was excepted is not knownu
That favor was extended to New York, because the
assembly of that colony, less patriotic than the people,
had refused to send delegates to the congress, — those
who went being chosen at county meetings, — and had
afterwards, by a small majority, refused to accede to
the non-importation agreements proposed by that
body.
At the same session. Lord North, to the surprise of
many of the supporters of parliam« ntary supremacy,
proposed his conciliatoiy plan. I provided that if
any colony would engage to contr hute a sum satis
260 history of tue united states.
factory to his majesty, lor the ecHunoo defence, tlie
parliament would forbear to tax that colony so long
as the contribution should be punctually paid. At
first, some of his supporters, believing that it yielded
too much, opposed it ; but an intimation being given
that the object of the plan was to weaken the colonies
by dividing them, it was adopted by the usual majority.
Appropriations were afterwards made for enlarging
the naval and military force ; and several ships of the
line and ten thousand troops were sent to America.
Me. Burke and Mr. Hartley brought forward plans
of conciliation ; but both were rejected. The debates
on these several questions were long, able, and occa¬
sionally ill tempered and violent. In favor of meas¬
ures of coercion and punishment, it was urged, that
the colonists had lately evinced a spirit of independ¬
ence, and it was necessary to crush this spirit in its
birth ; tliat they began by denying the right of parlia¬
ment to impose internal taxes, then to impose either
internal or external taxes, and now to legislate for
them in any case whatsoever; that as government
yielded they had advanced, at every surrender higher
claims had been asserted, and a crisis had now arrived
when the only question was, " Shall an eftbrt be made
to enforce ob^ence, or shall all power over them be
relinquished fijrever ? " that it would be disgraceful to
Englishmen to permit the empire to be dismembered
without a struggle ; that it was just that tliey should
pay the taxes imposed, as they now contributed less
in proportion to their wealth than the inhabitants of
Great Britain ; that the measures proposed were nei¬
ther unjust nor cruel, as tbey were legitimate means
to enforce obedience to just laws ; that their very se¬
verity made tliem expedient, as the greater the suf¬
fering, the sooner would it compel submission ; that
the Americans were incited to resistance by factious
partisans at home, were cowardly, spiritless, constitu¬
tionally feeble, incapable of discipline, and nothing
but stern resolution and united efforts were necessary
to insure success.
REVOLUTIONARY WAR.
261
Tlie speiikers on the other side contended, that the
tourse jtujsued towards the colonies, since the close
of the war with France, was inconsistent with the
free principles of the English constitution ; that the
conduct of the Americans was such as ought to be
expected of the descendants of Englishmen, and not
of a nature to be visited with vindictive punishment :
that, by their enterprise, industry, and hraveiy, they
iuid contributed largely to the wealth and glory of the
iialfon ; that they still professed loyalty to the king,
and, until parliament began to tax them, displayed
devoted loyalty in all their actions ; that the measures
proposed were cruel, because to exclude the people
of New England from the fisheries, would be to de¬
prive many of the means of living, and tmjust, because
the innocent were involved in suffering with the
guilty ; that they were impolitic, because their effect
would be to diminish the commerce of England, and
deprive the debtors of English merchants of the ability
to pay ; because to conquer the country would be to
ruin it, to cut down the tree which had yielded golden
fruit ; and because an opportunity would be given to
their hereditary rival to interfere in a family quarrel,
effect the dismemberment of the empire, and glory in
the national disgrace.
At the close of the last of the several debates, a
young nobleman of the highest rank, who had never
before spoken, took the opportunity to utter his senti¬
ments on so important a question. "He disclaimed
every idea of policy and of right internally to tax
America- He disavowed the whole system. It was
commenced in iniquity, pursued in resentment, and
could terminate in nothing but blood."
In the house of commons, upon the several ques¬
tions decided, the votes on the ministerial side varied
from 304 to 188 ; on that of the whigs or opposition,
from 106 to 58, about three to one. In the house of^
lords, the proportion in favor of ministers was greater.
In America, the friends of liberty continued to be
watchful and active. To be prepared for the worst.
•26"2 HISTORY OF THF, UNITED STATES.
they gathered irom all quarters arms and military
stores. The people around Boston withheld from the
royalists such articles as were needed for the support
of the troops; and the merchants of New York and
Philadelphia refused to supply them. When intelli¬
gence was received of the proceedings in parliament,
many of the inhabitants of Boston quitted it, and
sought a residence in the country.
A new Prov incial congress had been elected in Mas¬
sachusetts, and met on the first of February. They
directed the committee of supplies "to purchase aU
the powder they could, and also all kinds of warlike
stores, suificient for an army of fifteen thousand men."
For such as had been, or should be, purchased. Con¬
cord, about twenty miles from Boston, was appointed
one of the places of deposit. In each of the towns of
Charlestown, Cambridge, and Roxbury, two men were
stationed to watch the movements of the troops in
Boston ; expresses were kept in readiness to convey
intelligence into the country ; and private signals were
agreed on.
Samuel Adams and John Hancock had retired to
Lexington. A " daughter of libertjV' the wife of a
royalist, sent privately a message to the former that a
body of troops would leave Boston in a few days.
On the 18th of April, a number of British ofiicers
placed themselves on tlie various routes to Concord to
intercept such expresses as the whigs might send into
the countiy. Late in the evening, a body of eight him-
dred troops began their march towards Concord. Ex¬
presses were immediately despatched ; several were
intercepted ; but one, sent by Dr. Warren, who re¬
mained in Boston, succeeded in passing the officers.
The ringing of bells and the firing of signal guns
brought the minute-men together. Early the next
morning, those of Lexington assembled on the green
near the meeting-house. A few minutes afterwards,
the advanced body of the regulars approached within
musket-shoL Major Pitcairn, riding forward, ex¬
claimed, " Disperse, v'ou rebels ; throw down yoiii
REVOLUTIONARV WAR.
263
arms and disperse." Not being instantly obeyed, he
discharged his pistol, and ordered his men to fire
They fired, and killed several. The militia dispersed ;
but the firing continued. In the whole, eight were
killed, some of whom were shot in their concealment
behind the fences.
The detachment proceeded to Concord. The
minute-men of that town had also assembled ; but,
being few in number, they retired on the approach of
the regulars. These entered the town, and destroyed
the provisions and stores. The minute-men were
reënforced, and advanced again towards the regulars.
A skirmish ensued, in which Captain Davis, of Ac¬
ton, was killed. The British troops were compelled
to retreat, leaving behind them several killed and
wounded.
The whole country was now in arms, and the troops
retreated with precipitation. The militia not only
pressed upon their rear, but placed themselves singly
behind trees and stone walls, and, from these secure
coverts, fired upon them as they passed. At Lexing¬
ton, they met a reenforcement under Lord Percy,
which General Gage had despatched on receiving in¬
formation of the occurrences there in the morning.
After resting a moment, the whole body proceeded
towtu-ds Boston. In their progress, they were more
and more harassed by the provincials, whose number
hourly increased, and who became in proportion more
adventurous. Having an intimate knowledge of all
the roads, they could pursue with less fatigue, and
meet the enemy unexpectedly at the various wind¬
ings ; and, being all experienced marksmen, their
shots seldom failed of effect At sunset, the regulars,
almost overcome with fatigue, passed along Charles-
town Neck, and found on Bunker's Hill a place of se¬
curity and repose.
In this engagement, sixty-five of the royal forces
were killed, one hundred and eighty woimded, and
Iwenty-eight made prisoners. Of the provincials,
fifty were killed, thirty-four were wounded, and four
264 IIISTORV OK THE UNITED STATES.
were missing. The killed were lamented and hon¬
ored as the first martyrs in the cause of liberty. In
the various sections of country from which they came,
hatred of Great Britain took still deeper root; and
New England, connected more than any other part
of the world, as one great family, by the closest in¬
timacy of all the inhabitants, universally felt the dep¬
rivation with a mixed feeling of sorrow and rage.
Intelligence of the battle of Lexington spread rap¬
idly through Massachusetts and the adjoining prov¬
inces. The farmer left his plough in the furrow, the
mechanic dropped the utensil in his hand, and, seizing
their arms, all hastened to the environs of Boston.
In a few days, a large army was assembled, which,
under the command of General Ward, of Massachu¬
setts, and General Putnam, of Connecticut, closely
invested the town, and alarmed General Gage for the
safety of his garrison.
In the remoter provinces, the intelligence was con¬
sidered of solemn and alarming import The great
drama was opened, and the part which each should
take must immediately be chosen. By many a resort
to arms had never been anticipated. To them the de¬
cision was more painful ; but in all the colonies it
had the effect to inflame the determined, and to
arouse in others the latent love of liberty. In New
York, Philadelphia, and Baltimore, the people, assem¬
bling, prohibited the departure of vessels to places
fiiendly to the royal cause ; and no commander dared
to sail. In New Jersey, they took possession of the
money, then large in amount, in the public treasury.
In Maryland and South Carolina, the royal magazines
were forcibly entered, and their contents seized for
the use of the whigs.
The assembly of Pennsylvania was at that time in
session. On the 6th of May, they elected Dr. Frank¬
lin, who returned on the 5th from England, an ad¬
ditional deputy to the next Continental congress.
John Penn, one of the proprietors, was then governor.
He was supposed to be not unfriendly to the Ameri-
«EVOLUTIONARY WARs
265
can cause ; but, in obedience to instructions, he laid
before them the conciliatory plan of Lord North, and
observed to them that, " as they were the first assem¬
bly to whom it had been communicated, they would
deservedly be revîred by the latest posterity, if by any
means they could be instrumental in restoring public
tranquillity, and rescuing both countries from the
horrors of a civil wai*." They replied, that "they
chose to leave the character of the plan to be deter-
miaed by the governor's good sense ; but, if it were
unexceptionable, they should esteem it dishonorable
to adopt it, without the advice and consent of their
sister colonies, who, united by just motives and mu¬
tual faith, were guided by general councils."
Connecticut had poured forth her full proportion of
hardy yeomanry to man the lines aiound Boston ; but
several, who remained at home, conceived the project
of surprising Ticonderoga, a fortified post on the west
ern shore of Lake Champlain, and commanding the
entrance into Canada. They communicated their
design to Colonel Ethan Allen, of Vermont, who,
upon their arrival at Castleton with fbrty men, met
them there at the head of two hundred and thirty
Green Mountain boys. The next day. Captain Ben¬
edict Arnold, of Connecticut, who, upon the first
alarm, ha<l hastened to Boston, arrived from that
place, having conceived the same project, and been
authorized, by the committee of safety in Massachu
setts, to undertake it
Allen and Arnold, at the head of the Green Moun¬
tain boys, hastened to Ticonderoga, and the remainder
of the party to Skeensborough. On the night of the
9th of May, about eighty — all that the boats could
carry — crossed the lake, and, at dawn of day, landed
near the fortress. They advanced to the gateway-
A sentinel snapped his fusee at Colonel Allen, and
retreated. The Americans, following, found the com¬
mander in bed. Colonel Allen demanded the sur¬
render of the fort. "By what authority do you
demand it.'" "In the nanje," replied Allen, "of
VOL. I. 21
266 HISTORY OP TUE CN'ITEU STATES.
the great Jehovah and the Continental congress."
The British officer, having but fifty men, saw tlial
resistance would be vain, and agreed to surrender
When the remainder of the party arrived, they were
despatched, under Colonel Seth Warner, to take pos¬
session of Crown Point ; and Arnold, hastily manning
a schooner, sailed to capture a sloop-of-war lying at
the outlet of the lake. These ttvo expeditions, as
well as that against Skeensborough, were successful;
and thus was obtained, without bloodshed, the com¬
mand of those important posts, together with more
than one hundred pieces of cannon, and other muni¬
tions of war. The unexpected news of this brilliant
success imparled higher courage and animation to the
Americans.
Most of the militia, who had repaired to Boston,
returned soon after to their homes ; but a sufficient
number remained, posted near the Neck, to prevent
the British from leaving the town by land. Between
detachments from these and parties of regulars, who
were often sent to collect forage on the islands in the
harbor, frequent skirmishes took place, in most of
which the Americans were successful.
In the begiiming of June, several transports, filled
with troops, commanded by Generals Howe, Clinton,
and Burgojne, arrived from England, and General
Gage began to act with more decision and vigor. He
issued a proclamation, declaring those in arms, and all
who aided them, rebels and traitors, and threatened to
punish them as such, unless they immediately returned
to their peaceful occupations. He promised his ma-
jestj-'s pardon to all who should in this manner give
proof of their repentance and amendment, excepting
Samuel Adams and John Hancock, whose crimes, he
alleged, were too flagitious to admit of pardon.
This proclamation, and the arrival of the troops, far
from dismaying, aroused the people to greater activity
and watchfulness. Again the militia assembled and
surroimded Boston. Unwilling to endure the incon¬
venience and disgrace of this confinement, General
nEVOLIJ'flOjVARY WAR.
2Ö7
Gage mode preparation to penetrate, with a portion
of his army, into the country. To prevent this, the
provincial generals resolved to occupy Bunker's Hill,
an eminence in Charlestown, situated on a peninsula
that approaches near to Boston.
On the evening of the 16th of .Tune, a thousand men,
under the command of Colonel Present, of Massachu¬
setts, Colonel Stark, from New Hampshire, and Cap¬
tain Knowlton, from Connecticut, were despatched on
this service. They were conducted, by mistake, to
Breed's Hill, which was nearer to the water and to
Boston than Bunker's. At twelve o'clock, they began
to throw up intrenchments, and by dawn oí day had
completed a redoubt eight rods sqiuire. As soon as
they were discovered, they were fired upon from a
ship-of-war and several fioating batteries lying near,
and from a fortification in Boston opposite the redoubt.
The Americans, nevertheless, encouraged by General
Futnsitn, who often visited them on the hill, continued
to labor until they had finished a slight breastwork
extending fi-om the redoubt eastward to the water;
and in the morning they received a refe'nforcement of
five hundred men.
The temerity of the provincials astonished and in¬
censed General Gage ; and he determined to drive
them immediately from their position. About noon, a
body of tliree thousand regulars, commanded by Gen¬
eral Howe, left Boston in boats, and landed in Charles-
town, at the extreme point of the peninsula. Generals
Clinton and Burgoyne took their station on an emi¬
nence in Boston, commanding a distinct view of the
hill. The spires of the churehes, the roofs of the
bouses, and all the heights in the neighborhood, were
covered with people, waiting, in dreadful anxiety, to
witness the approaching battle.
The regulars, forming at the place of landing,
marched slowly up the hill, halting frequently to
allow time to the artillery to demolish the works.
While advancing, the village of Charlestown, con¬
taining about four hundred hotises, was set on fire
268 instorï op the dntted states
by order of Gleneral Gíage. The flames asconCe^
to a lofty height, presenting a sublime and magnificent
spectacle. The Americans reserved their fire unty
the British were within ten rods of the redoubt ; then,
taking a steady aim, they began a furious discharge
Entire ranks of the assailants fell. The enemy halted,
and returned the fire ; but that from the redoubt con
tinning incessant, and doing great execution, thej
retreated in haste and disorder down the hill, some
even taking refuge in their boats.
The officers were seen running hither and thither
collecting, arranging, and addressing, their men, whr
were at length induced again to ascend the hill. The
Americans now reserved their fire until the enemy
had approached even nearer than before, when »
tremendous volley was at once poured upon them.
Terrified by the carnage around them, they agair
retreated with precipitation ; and such was the panic,
that General Howe was left almost alone on the hilt
side, his troops having deserted him, and nearly every
officer around him being killed.
At this moment. General Clinton, who had observe«'
from Boston the progress of the battle, feeling thai
British honor was at stake, hastened with a reenforce-
ment to the assistance of his coimtrymen. By hir
exertions, the troops were a third time rallied, and
were compelled by the officers, who marched behind
them with drawn swords, to advance again towards
the Americans. The fire from the ships and batteries
was redoubled, and a few pieces of cannon had bee»
so placed as to rake the interior of the breastwork
from end to encL
The provincials, having expended their ammiuiitioi^
awaited in silence the approach of the regulars. Th»
latier entered the redoubt. The former, having no
bayonets, defended themselves, for a short time, with
the butt-ends of their muskets. From this unequal
contest they were soon compelled to retire. As they
retreated over Charlestown Neck, the fire from the
floating batteries was mcessant ; but. providentially, a
REVOLUTIONARY WAR.
269
few only were killed. The enemy bad sustained too
much injury to think of pursuit.
In this desperate and bloody conflict, the royal
forces consisted, as has been stated, of three thousand
men, and the provincials of but Alteen hundred. Of
the former, one thousand and flfty-four were killed
and wounded; of the latter, four hundred and flfty-
three. This disparity of loss, the steadiness and
biavery displayed by their recent, undisciplined levies,
occasioned among the Ameñcans the highest exulta¬
tion, and, in their view, more than counterbtdanced
the loss of position. " If this is a British victory, how
many such victories," they triumphantly asket^ " can
their army achieve without ruin ? "
But deep and heart-felt sorrow was intermingled
with their rejoicings. Among tlie killed was Doctor
VVarreij, a patriot, who, at an early period, had es¬
poused with warmth the cause of freedom ; who had
displayed great intrepidity in several skirmishes ; had
four days before been elected major-general ; and had,
on the fatal day, hastened to the fleld of battle, to
serve his country as a volunteer. For his many vir¬
tues, his elegant manners, his generous devotion to
his country, his high attainments in political science,
he was beloved and respected by his republican as¬
sociates; and to him their afl!ections pointed as a
foture leader, in a cause dear to their hearts, and in¬
timately connected with their glory.
In the midst of these military transactions, a Conti¬
nental congress assembled at Philadelphia. It com¬
prised delegates from twelve colonies, all of whom
were animated with a determined spirit of opposition
to parliamentary taxation. A majority, however, had
not yet formed the hardy resolution to separate
from the mother country, and aim at independence.
The measures partook of the opposite feelings of the
members. Mr. Hancock, the proscribed patriot, was
chosen president ; they resolved that another humble
petition for redress of grievances should be presented
to the king: but thev also resolved that means of
270 history of the united states.
defence should be immediately prepared, and pro¬
ceeded to the choice of oflicers to command their
united forces
To induce tne friends of liberty in the southern
provinces to embark more warmly in the cause of
resistance, the northern delegates determined to give
their suffrages, for a commander-in-chiefj to a person
residing in that quarter. Fortunatel}', one was found
eminently qualiñed for the office. By unanimous vote
of the congress, George Washington, then pres¬
ent as delegate from Virginia, was elected. He had
served, with high reputation, in the -late war with
France ; was distinguished in his native province for
his military knowledge, his great wealth, the dignity
of his deportment, his unsuspected integrity, and his
ardent attachment to the interests of his country.
The president, addressing him in his seat, announced
to him the choice which the congress had made.
Washington declared his acceptance with a diffidence
which gave to his great talents a brighter lustre, and
assured congress that, as no pecuniary compensation
could have tempted him to accept the office, at the
sacrifice of bis domestic ease and happiness, he would
receive no pay, and would ask only the remuneration
of his expenses! Artemas Ward, Charles Lee, Philip
Schuyler, and Israel Putnam, were then chosen inajoi-
generals, and Horatio Gates adjutant-general. Lee
had lately held the office of colonel, and Gates that of
major, in the British army.
Congress also resolved that, for defraying the ex¬
penses which might be incurred, bills of credit, or
paper money, to the amount of three millions of dol¬
lars, should be issued, and pledged the colonies for
their redemption. A solemn and dignified declara¬
tion, setting forth the causes and necessity of taking
up arms, was prepared to be published to the army in
orders, and to the people from the pulpit. After par¬
ticularizing the aggressions of Great Britain, with the
energy of men» feeling unmerited injury, they ex¬
claim —
revolutionary war.
271
" But why should we enumerate our injuries in de¬
tail? By one statute it is declared that parliament
can of right make laws to bind us in all cases what¬
soever What is to defend us against so enormous, so
unlimited a power ? Not a single man of those who
assume it was chosen hy us, or is subject to our con¬
trol or influence; hut, on the contrary, they are ail
of them exempt from the operation of such laws, and
an American revenue, if not diverted from the osten-
^hle purposes for which it is raised, would actually
lighten their own burdens, in proportion as it increases
ours. We saw the misery to which such despotism
would reduce us. We, for ten years, incessantly and
ineffectually besieged the throne as supplicants; we
reasoned, we remonstrated with parliament in the
most mild and decent language.
" We are now reduced to the alternative of choosing
an unconditional submission to the will of irritated
ministers, or resistance hy force. The latter is our
choice. We have counted the cost of this contest,
and find nothing so dreadful as voluntary slavery.
Honor, justice, and humanity, forbid us tamely to sur¬
render that freedom which we received from our gal¬
lant ancestors, and which our innocent posterity have
a right to receive from us. We cannot endure the
infamy and guilt of resigning succeeding generations
to that wretchedness which inevitably awaits them if
we basely entail hereditary bondage upon them.
" Our cause is just ; our union is perfect. Our in¬
ternal resources are great ; and, if necessary, foreign
assistance is tmdoubtedly attainable. We gratefully
acknowledge, as a signal instance of the divine favor
towards us, that his providence would not permit us
to be called into this severe controversy, until we were
grown up to our present strength, had been previously
exercised in warlike operations, and possessed the
means of defending ourselves.
" With heai-ts fortified by these animating reflections,
■we most solemnly, before God and the world, declare,
llia^ exerting the utmost energy of those powers which
272 BISTORT OF TBE UNITED STATES.
our beneficent Creator hath graciously bestowed, the
arms we have been compelled by our enemies to as¬
sume, we will, in defiance of every hazard, with una-
batiug firmness and perseverance, employ for the
preservation of our liberties, being, with one mind,
resolved to die freemen rather than to live slaves,"
Early in May, the Provincial congress of Massachu¬
setts resolved tJiat General Gage bad utterly disqual¬
ified himself to act as governor of the colony, and
that, therefore, no obedience was due to him. After¬
wards they addressed a letter to the Continental con¬
gress, setting forth the difficulties arising from the
want of a regular government, and requesting ex¬
plicit advice in what way they should remedy, the
evil. In reply, a resolution was adopted, declaring
that DO obedience was due to the act of parliament
altering the charter of Massachusetts, nor to a gov¬
ernor who should endeavor to subvert it ; and recom
mending that the Provincial congress, conforming as
near as might be to the spirit and substance of the
charter, should summon representatives from the sev¬
eral towns; that they, when met, should choose a
council, and that these two bodies should exercise the
powers of government until a governor appointed by
the king would consent to act according to the charter.
This advice was followed ; the people discovered that
they could manage their affiiirs without the aid of a
royal governor ; and many beheld, with secret pleas¬
ure, the legal ties giving way which connected Great
Britain with her colonies.
The congress continued in session, performing such
duties as usually devolve on the executive of a nation;
appointing officers, providing means, devising plans,
and giving orders. They established a post-office
department, and placed at the head of it Dr. Franklin,
who had held the same office under the king, and
been removed in 1774. They chose a committee on
Indian affairs, and directed a "talk "to be addressed
to the several tribes, stating the origin of the " family
quarrel," and urging them to remain neutral in. the
REVOLUTIONARY WAR.
273
contest. The Indians, however, were so fond of war,
that, being invited by the British, they joined their
standard.
Soon after his election, General Washington, ac¬
companied by General Lee and several other officers,
set out for the camp at Cambridge. In every place
through which he passed he received the highest
honors. At New York, the Provincial congress, in a
respectful address, declared their confidence in his
abilities and virtue, and feeling, in their devotion to
liberty, a just jealousy of military power, expressed
the fullest assurance that, when the contest was ended,
"he would reassume the character of our worthiest
citizen." A committee from the Provincial congress
of Massachusetts met him at Springfield, and conducted
him to head quarters, where he was received by an¬
other committee with all the ceremonies due to his
station.
He found the army, consisting of fourteen thousand
men, posted on the heights around Boston, forming a
line which extended from Roxbury on the right to
the River Mystic on the left — a distance of twelve
miles. The troops were ardently devoted to the cause
of liberty, but destitute of discipline, averse to subor¬
dination, without powder, without tents, and without
most of the conveniences usually provided for regular
armies.
With the assistance of General Gates, he introduced
some degree of regularity and system. Several bar¬
rels of powder were obtained from New Jersey ; and
Captain Manly, commander of the privateer Lee, cap¬
tured an ordnance ship, containing arms, ammimition,
and a complete assortment of such working tools as
were most needed in the American camp. This prov¬
idential capture was followed by others, which sup¬
plied the most pressing wants of the army, enabled it
to continue, through the year, the blockade of Bos¬
ton, and contributed greatly to distress the enemy, for
whose use the cargoes were destined.
Events occurring, this year, in the so i hem colonies,
274 HISTORY OF THE UNITEO STATES.
Still further weakened the attachment of the people to
Great Britain. In Virginia, Lord Diinmore, the gov¬
ernor, seized, by night, some powder belonging to the
colony, and conveyed it on board a British ship in
James River. Intelligence of this transaction reach¬
ing Patrick Henry, he placed himself at the head
of the independent companies in his vicinity, and
marched towards the seat of government, with the
avowed purpose of obtaining, by force, restitution of
the powder, or its value. He was met by a messen¬
ger, who paid him the value of the powder, when he
and the militia returned to their homes.
Alarmed by this display of spirit and patriotism.
Lord Dunmore fortified his palace. From tliis castle
he issued a proclamation charging Heniy and his as¬
sociates with rebellious practices, which offended the
people, who highly approved their conduct. Other
causes increasing the popular ferment, he quitted his
palace, and repaired to a ship-of-war then Ijing at
Vorktotvn.
In November, he issued another pixtclamation, offer¬
ing freedom to those slaves belonging to rebel mas¬
ters, who should join his majesty's troops at Yorktown.
Several hundred, in consequence, repaired to that
place. A body of militia immediately assembled, and,
while posted near the city, were attacked, with great
bravery, by the regulars, royalists, and negroes. The
militia, repelling the attack with equal bravery, gained
a decisive victory. Lord Dunmore then evacuated
the city, and, followed by his white and black forces,
sought refuge on board the ships of his majesty.
Soon after, Norfolk, set on fire by his order, was
mostly consumed, and its destruction was completed
by the provincials, to prevent the enemy from deriving
supplies from that quarter.
The governor of North Carolina, following the ex¬
ample of Lord Dunmore, fortified his palace at New-
bern. This caused a commotion among the people,
which induced him to retire on board a ship in the
harbor. While -there, he made zealous exertions to
REVOLUTIONAUY WAR.
275
organize a party in favor of the royal cause ; and
a band of Scotch Highlanders, settled in the inte
rior country, listened tp his persuasions. On their
march to the sea-coast, they were met by a party of
militia, who attacked and dispersed them. This early
victory secured the predominance of the whigs, and
crushed the hopes and spirits of the tories.
South Carolina had always, with great iinanimitj
and zeal, resisted parliamentary taxation; and soon
after the battle of Lexington, the governor. Lord Wil¬
liam Campbell, apprehensive of danger to his person,
retired from the province. In July, Georgia chose
delegates to the Continental congress, increasing to
THIRTEEN the numbcr of the united colonies.
The province of New York contained many warm
advocates for freedom ; but its capital had so long
been the head-quarters of the British army in America,
that many of tlie principal inhabitants, having con¬
tracted intimate relations with British officers, had
become devoted to the royal cause. The assembly,
acting under their influence, declined to choose del¬
egates to the Continental congi-ess held in May, 1775 ;
but the people, a majority of whom were actuated by
different feelings, elected a Provincial congress, by
whom those delegates were chosen.
When intelligence of the battle of Lexington reached
the city. Captain Sears, an active and intrepid leader
of the "sons of liberty," took effectual measures to
prevent vessels bound to ports in America where the
royal cause prevailed, from sailing. An association
was also formed, con-sisting of one thousand of the
principal inhabitants, who bound themselves to assist
in carrying into execution whatever measure might be
recommended, by the-Continental congress, to prevent
the execution of the oppressive acts of the British par¬
liament.
The ministry, desirous of retaining in obedience
this important colony, appointed Mr. Tryon to be
governor over it. He had before filled the same
office ; was a man of address, and greatly beloved by
27(? HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES.
the people. He came fully empowered to gain ad¬
herents by dispensing promises and money at his
discretion. The success of his intrigues alarmed
congress, who, having particular reference to him,
recommended that "all persons whose going at large
might endanger the liberties of America, should be
arrested and secured." Gaining early intelligence of
this, he also sought refuge on board a ship in the
harbor.
Although the autumn of 1775 was not distinguished
by any brilliant exploit, yet the time of congress and
of the commander-in-chief was not unprofitably em¬
ployed. Constant attention was paid to the discipline
of the troops ; arrangements were made to obtain a
supply of military stores ; the building and equipment
of a naval force was commenced; two expeditions
were organized and despatched against Canada, one
by the way of Lake Champlain, the other of the River
Kennebec; and General Lee, with twelve hundred
volunteers from Connecticut, was directed to proceed
to New York, and, with the aid of the inhabitants, for¬
tify the city and the high lands.
The abolition of all legal authority in the colonies
was an evil for which, though less than bad been an¬
ticipated, it was yet expedient to provide a remedy.
New Hampshire applied to congress for advice on
this subject. A favorable opportunity was thus pre¬
sented to the zealous patriots in congress, to propose
a remedy for the evil, which should, at the same time,
exhibit in practice the fundamental principle of their
political creed, that all legitimate authority must be
derived from the people ; and should also prepare the
way for their darlin"' ob-ect—a declaration of inde¬
pendence.
A resolution was introducen, recommennmg tnat a
convention of representatives, freely elected by the
people of that colony, should bo called, for the purpose
of establishing such a form of government as they
might deem proper. It was warmly opposed by those
members who were yet desirous of an accommodation
REVOLUTIONARY WAR.
277
with the mother country. An amendment being
made, providing that the government established
should continue in force no longer than the existing
contest with Great Britain, the resolution passed.
Representatives were accordingly chosen, who, on
the 5th of Janutuy, 1776, adopted a written constitu¬
tion, acknowledging no source of power but the peo¬
ple. In other colonies, the same course was soon
afterwards pursued.
A transaction displaying the vindictive feelings of
the British occurred in October. The ministry had
issued orders to officers of the navy, to proceed as in
the case of actual rebellion against such colonial sea¬
ports accessible to ships-of-war as should attempt to
seize any public magazines of arms or other storea
Falmouth, a flourishing town in that part of Massa¬
chusetts now the state of Maine, having, in comphance
with a resolve of the Provincial congress, prevented
some tories from sending their property, consisting
of masts suitable for the navy, out of the country, its
destruction, under color of these orders, was resolved
on. Captain Mowatt, with four ships, appeared before
the place, and gave notice to the inhabitants that they
must leave it in two hours, as he had been ordered to
destroy it. They sought by negotiation to avert their
ruin, but were told that their town could be saved
from destruction only by their delivering up all their
arms and ammunition, engaging not to unite with
their countrymen in any opposition to Great Britain,
and surrendering four of their principal citizens as
hostages. They asked time to give an answer, and
he allowed them until the next morning. The night
was spent, not in deliberation, but in removing their
families and effects. Not receiving any answer. Cap¬
tain MoWatt, the next day, set the town on fire, and
more than four hundred dwelling-houses and stores
were consumed. It was aflerwards rebuilt, and its
name changed to Portland.
This wanton act of devastation served to exasperate,
rather t to intimidate, the people. It probably
Ô7S HISTORY OF THE UNITEH STATES,
accelerated the passage, by the Provincial congress
of Massachusetts, of an act " for encouraging the fit¬
ting out of armed vessels to defend the sea-coast of
America, and for erecting a court to try and condemn
all vessels that shall be found infesting the same."
Under such guise did the shrewd politicians of the
time, while professing allegiance to Great Britain,
cover the grant of a license to privateers to cruise
against and capture British vessels. Several were
fitted out, and were successfuL
As the year 1775 drew near to a close, the condition
of the army, employed in the blockade of Boston,
engaged the attention of congress. A speedy adjust¬
ment of the dispute being at first expected, the men
had been enlisted to serve only imtU the 1st of Jan¬
uary. No prospect now appeared of an immediate
accommodation. It was therefore resolved to form a
new army, to consist of twenty thousand men, and
to be raised, as far as practicable, from the troops then
in service. Unfortunately, it was determined that the
enlistments should be made for one year only—an
error the consequences of which were afterwards very
severely felt
It was supposed that most of those whom patriotism
had impelled to join the army, would continue in the
service of their country; but, when the experiment
was made, it was found that their ardor had consid¬
erably abated. The blockade of Boston presented no
opportunity of acquiring glory, by deeds of noble
daring ; the fatiguing duties of the camp wore upon
their spirits, affected their health, and produced an
unconquerable longing to revisit their homes. Not¬
withstanding the great exertions of General Washing¬
ton, no more than half the estimated number had been
enlisted at the close of the year.
The people and the troops, supposing the army to
be stronger than it was, expressed great dissatisfaction
at the inactivity of the commander-in-chief, which
some imputed to dishonorable motives. An attack
upon Boston was loudly demanded. Washington
REVOLUTIONARY WAR.
279
üiree times proposed it to a council of war ; but in
evei-y instance the decision was unanimous against it.
At the last time, however, the council recommended
that the town should be more closely invested. On
the evening of the 4th of March, 1776, the attention
of the enemy being diverted, by a brisk cannonade, to
a different quarter, a party of troops, under the com¬
mand of General Thomas, took possession, in silence,
of Dorchester Heights, and, with almost incredible
industry, erected, before morning, a line of fortifica¬
tions which commanded the harbor and the town.
The view of these works, raised like an exhalation
fi-om the earth, excited the astonishment of General
Howe, who, on the resignation of General Gage, had
been appointed commander-in-chief He saw that he
must immediately dislodge the Americans or evacuate
the town. The next day, he ordered three thousand
men to embark in boats, and proceeded, by way of Cas¬
tle Island, to attack the works on the heights. A fu¬
rious storm dispersed them ; the fortifications, in the
mean time, were rendered too strong to be forced;
and General Howe was compelled to seek safety in
an immediate departure from Boston.
Of the determination of the enemy to evacuate the
town. General Washington was soon apprized. The
event being certain, he did not wish by an attack to
hasten it, as the fortifications at New York, to which
place he presumed they would repair, were not in
sufficient forwardness tó protect iL The embarkation
was made on the 17 th of March : a few days after, the
whole fleet set sail, and the American army hastened,
by divisions, to New York.
The acquisition of this important town occasioned
great and general rejoicing. The thanks of congress
were voted to General Washington and his troops, for
their wise and spirited conduct ; and a medal of gold
was ordered to be struck in commemoration of the
event The British fleet, instead of conveying the
troops to New York, steered for Halifax, having on
board a large number of tories and their baggage.
280 history of the united stater,
CHAPTER XX.
EXPEDITION AGAINST CANADA.
It has been already stated, that two detachments
were despatched against Canada. The command of
that which was to proceed by way of Lake Cham
plain, was given to General Schuyler, of New York
The number of troops to be emf)loyed was fixed at
three thousand ; and they were to be drawn from New
York and New England. Governor Carleton, gaining
intelligence of the project, despatcJied about eight
hundred men to strengthen the works at St. Johns,
on the River Sorel — a position commanding the usual
entrance into Canada.
Brigadier-General Montgomery, a young officer of
brilliant talents, and ambitious of glory, was ordered
to proceed in advance, with the troops, then in read¬
iness, and attack this important position, before it had
been made too strong to be taken. When com¬
mencing his career, the glory and fate of Wolfe weio
present to his thoughts, and to his wife his parting
words were, "You shall never blush for your Mont¬
gomery." General Schuyler soon followed ; and, on
arriving at Isle aux Noix, in the vicinity of the British
works, he addressed a proclamation to the Canadians,
exhorting them to join their brethren in tlie cause of
freedom, and declaring that the American army came
as friends of the inhabitants, and as enemies only of
the British garrisons.
The fortifications at St Johns being found stronger
than was anticipated. General Schuyler returned to
Albany to hasten the departure of the remaining
troops, artillery, and munitions of war. He was pre¬
vented, by a severe illness, from again joining the
army, and the chief command devolved upon Mont¬
gomery. On receiving a reenforcement, he invested
St Johns ; but, being yet almost destitute of battering
REVOLUTIONARY WAR.
281
cannon and of powder, he made no progreei in the
siege ; and the soldiers, carrying with them into the
field that attachment to liberty and equality which
gave birth to the contest, displayed such utter aver¬
sion to discipline and subordination, as increased, in a
great degree, his difiSculties and vexations.
Colonel Allen, the hero of Ticonderoga, had a com¬
mand under Montgomery. Having been despatched,
with Major Brown, into the interior of Canada, he
was, on his return, persuaded by the lutter to under¬
take the rash project of attacking Montreal. He
divided his detachment, consisting of less than three
hundred men, into two parties, intending to assail the
city at opposite points. Major Brown was prevented
from executing his part of the enterprise. Colonel
Allen and his small party, opposed by the whole
force of the enemy under Governor Carleton, fought
with desperate valor. Many were killed ; the sur¬
vivors, overpowered by numbers, were compelled to
surrender. The governor, viewing Allen, not as the
intrepid soldier, but as a factious rebel, loaded him
with irons, and sent him to England for trial.
On the 18th of October, a fortunate event bright¬
ened the prospects of the Americans. Fort Cbamblee,
situated several miles north of St Johns, was sup¬
posed to be beyond their reach, and was but slightly
guarded. A detachment under Majors Brown and
Livingston, attacking it unexpectedly, gained posses¬
sion of it with little loss. Several pieces of cannon,
and one hundred and twenty barrels of powder, were
the fruits of the victory. The Americans, encouraged
by success, immediately, in defiance of the continual
fire of the enemy, erected a battery near Fort Sl
Johns, and made preparations for a severe cannonade,
and an assault, if necessary.
At this juncture, Montgomery received intelligence
of an action between Governor Carleton and a body
of Green Mountain boys commanded by Colonel
Warner. The former, elated by his victory over Al¬
len, collected about eight hundred regulars, militia
VOL. I. 22
282 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES.
and Indians, with the view of raising the siege of
St. Johns. In full confidence of success, they left
Montreal, embarked in boats, and proceeded towards
the southern shore of the St. Lawrence. In the
bushes at the water's edge. Colonel Warner, having
received information of their purpose, concealed three
hundred men, who, when the enemy approached the
shore, poured upon them a fire so unexpected and
destructive, that the flotilla returned, in confusion, to
Montreal.
On the 1st of November, Montgomery commenced
a heavy cannonade of the enemy's works, which was
continued through the day. In the evening, he sent
to the British commander, by one of Governor Carle-
ton's men, who had been made prisoner by Colonel
Warner, intelligence of the governor's defeat, and de¬
manded the surrender of the fort. It was accordingly
surrendered, and the next morning entered by the
American troops.
Montgomery hastened to Montreal, and, at the same
time, despatched down the Sorel, the mouth of which
is below that city, a naval force, to prevent the escape
of the British to Quebec. Governor Carleton, believ¬
ing the city not tenable, quitted it in the night, and, in
a boat with muffled oars, was conveyed through the
American squadron. The next day. General Mont¬
gomery entered the city; and, although no terms were
granted to the inhabitants, he treated them with the
kindness of a fellow-citizen, declaring that the prop¬
erty, rights, and religion, of every individual should be
sacredly respected.
By his benevolence and address, he gained the
affections of the Canadians, many of whom joined his
standard. More, however, of his own troops, whose
term of enlistment had expired, insisted on returning
to their homes. So dear to them were the delights of
the domestic fireside, and so vividly were they recalled
to memory by the severe duties of the campaign, that
the high character of the commander, his address, his
entreaties, availed nothing to induce them to proceed
aeVOLUTIONAKY WAR.
283
on the expedition. With tlie remnant of his army
eousisting of no more than three hundred men, he
began his march towards Quebec, expecting to meet
there another body of troops, sent to act in concert
witii him.
These troops were a detacliment from the army
before Boston, consisting of one thousand men, and
commanded by Colonel Arnold ; who, as a soldier,
was adventurous, impetuous, and fearless; as a man,
overbearing, avaricious, and profligate. Their route
lay along the coast to the mouth of the Kennebec, in
Maine, thence up that river to its source, and thence,
over lofty mountains, through a wilderness unexplored
by civilized man, to the River St. Lawrence. They
were unable to begin their march before the middle
of September ; on the 22d, they embarked in boats, at
Gardiner, on the Kennebec, and proceeded to ascend
that river.
They found the current rapid, and the navigation
interrupted by frequent cataracts. Around these they
were obliged to draw, by hand, their provisions, arms,
and even their boats. Nor was their route on land
less difficult. They had deep swamps to pass, and
craggy mountains to ascend. The toil was so inces¬
sant, and the fatigue so great, that many, falling sick,
were sent back ; and along with these the rear division,
commanded by Colonel Enos, returned without the
knowledge of Arnold.
Before they reached the height of laud, provisions
became scarce. Dogs, cartridge-boxes, and shoes,
were eaten. At the summit, the whole stock was
divided equally among them, each receiving but two
quarts of flour as his portion. The order of march
was no longer observed. The soldiers were dh-ected
to proceed, singly or by companies, as they might
choose, slowly or with speed, as they were able, to the
nearest Canadian settlement, then one hundred miles
distant. When the company, whose superior strengtli
enabled them to keej) in advance, were thirty miles
234 HláTOKY OF TUE UNITED STATES-
from any human habitation, the last morsel of food
had been consumed.
In this extremity, Arnold, with a few of the most
vigorous, made a forced march to the first village, and
returned to his almost famished companions, with
food sufficient to satisfy the first wants of nature.
Refreshed and strengthened, they hastened forward,
and, on the 4th of November, arrived at the French
settlements on the Chaudiere, having been thirty-two
days without seeing the abodes of civilized man, and
having, in that time, performed a march unexampled
for its temerity and hardship.
The inhabitants welcomed them with cordial hos
pitality. Though separated, in a great measure, from
the world, they had heard of the dispute ' between
Great Britain and her colonies ; and, as the very name
of liberty is dear to the heart of man, their sympathies
were all enlisted on the side of the latter. Arnold
distributed proclatnations among them similar to
those issued by General Schuyler. As soon as the
scattered soldiers were assembled, he continued his
march, and, on the 9th of November, arrived at
Point Levi, opposite Quebec.
Nothing could exceed the surprise and astonishment
of the citizens on seeing a body of hostile troops
emerging from the southern wilderness. Had Arnold,
at this moment of panic, been able to cross the river,
the city must have fallen an easy conquest ; but boats
were not at hand, and a furious storm, occurring at
the time, rendered crossing impossible.
Having procured boats, and the storm having
abated, be crossed the river on the night of the 13th,
and landed near the place where Wolfe had landed
in the preceding war. Mounting the same steep
ascent, he formed his troops on the Plains of Abra¬
ham, and marched towards the city. Convinced, by
a cannonade from the walls, that the garrison were
ready to receive him, he returned, encamped on the
plain, and. on the IStli, marched to Point aux Tiem-
REVOLUTIONARY WAR.
285
Wes, twenty miles from Quebec, where he deiermlned
to await the arrival of Montgomery.
He came on the 1st of December. How great was
the joy, and how lively the gratulations, they only
can imagine, who, after long absence and suifering,
have met, in a foreign land, their friends and former
companions. Arnold's troops had, indeed, great
cause of rejoicing. They were entirely destitute of
winter clothing, and had endured exti-eme distress
from the severity of the cold. Montgomery had
brouglit a supply from Montreal, which he imme¬
diately distributed among them.
Their united force amounted to no more than nine
hundred effective men. On the 5th, the general, at
the head of these, appeared before the city, and sent a
flag with a summons to surrender. The delay which
had taken place had enabled Governor Carleton to
increase the strength of the works, and to change the
sentiments of the citizens from friendship for the
Americans to hostility. He ordered his troops to fire
upon the bearer of the flag.
Montgomery soon discovered the defection of his
friends, and perceived that he must depend upon his
own force alone for the accomplishment of his object
When he compared this force with that of the enemy,
who were fifteen hundred strong ; when he reflected
that his troops were recent levies, whose term was
nearly expired, and whose thoughts were fixed upon
their homes, — his hopes of success became faint, and
his forebodings gloomy. He believed, however, that
success was possible, and his high sense of honor and
of duty impelled him to hazard every thing tç obtain
it for his coimtry.
He at first determined to batter the walls, and
harass the city by repeated and ftirious attacks,
hoping that an opportunity might occur of striking
some decisive blow. He raised a mound, composed
of snow and water, which soon became ice, and there
planted his cannons, six only in number. After a
286 HIöTORV OF TUE UNITED STATES.
short trial, they were fciind inadequate ; and this jdai-i
was abandoned.
Meanwhile, tlie snow fell incessantly ; the coiJ
became intense ; and the sufferings of tiie troops, from
the rigor of the season and their continual toil, sur¬
passed all that they had ever before felt, or witnessed,
or imagined. To increase their distress, the sinall-
])ox broke out in the camp, presenting death in a new
shape, and adding to the severity of their labors, by
lessening the number to bear them. In the midst of
these trials, their attachment to the cause, and devotion
to their commander, remained tmabated ; but these, he
reflected, must soon give way before such severe and
constant suffering ; and for himself, he determined to
make immediately a bold and desperate effort.
Assembling his ofiicers, he proposed to storm tlie
city, lie placed before them the motives which ope¬
rated upon his own mind. He did not deny that the
enterprise was highly difficult and dangerous, but
maintained that success wets possible. He addressed
a band of heroes whose sentiments were congenial
with his own ; and the decision was unanimous in favor
of his proposition. The plan and time of attack were
concerted, and to each officer was assigned bis particir-
lar duty
On the last day of December, at four o'clock in the
morning, while a violent snovv-storm was raging, the
troops marched from the camp in four columns, com¬
manded by Montgomery, Arnold, Livingston, and
Brown. The two latter were directed to make feigned
attacks upon the upper town, in oi-der to distract the
attention of the garrison, while the two former pro-
ceeiled to assault the lower town at opposite points.
Livingston and Brown, impeded by the snow, did
not arrive in season to execute their feints. Mont¬
gomery, advancing, at the head of his column, along
the bank of the river, came to a barrier or stockade of
strong posts. Two of these he sawed off with his own
hands. The guard within were alarmed, and fled to- a
revolutionary war.
287
block-house, fifty yards distant, where several pieces
of cannon were stationed. He passed through the
opening in the barrier, encouraging his men to follow.
The troops at the block-house, to whom the guard had
communicated their terror, began to desert it.
At this moment, Montgomery halted, to allow the
troops near him to form in a body. Observing this
delay, a Canadian, who lingered behind, returned to
the block-house, seized a match which was burning,
and discharged a cannon loaded with grape-shot, and
fcrtuitously pointed at the little band. The discharge
was instantly fatal to Montgomery, and to several
favorite officers standing around him. The men,
seeing their beloved leader fall, shrunk back. Colonel
Campbell, the next in command, ordered a retreat ; and
that portion of the garrison stationed at the block¬
house, was left at liberty to hasten to another part of
the city, already in commotion from the attack of
Arnold.
This officer, marching, like Montgomery, at tiie
head of his column, had entered the town. Advancing
along a narrow street, which was swept by the grape-
shot of the enemy, he received a severe wound in the
leg, and was carried to the hospital. Captain Morgan,
afterwards distinguished by his exploits at the south,
assumed the command. Placing himself at the head
of two companies, he boldly approached the enemy's
works, and, entering through the embrasures, drove the
men from their guns.
Here he halted until the rear of the column came
up. When time was given for reflection, the danger
of their situation—a small band in the heart of a hostile
city — filled even the bosoms of the brave with dread.
Morgan retained his firmness ; and, when the morning
dawned, with a voice that resoimded through the city,
summoned his troops to the assault of a second bat¬
tery, a short distance in advance of the first
Before this, a fierce combat ensued. Many of the
enemy were killed, but more Americans, who were
exposed to a destructive fire of musketry from the
288 uisTORy op the united states.
windows of the houses. Some of the most daring
mounted the wall ; but, seeing, on the other side, two
ranks of soldiers, with their muskets on the ground,
presenting hedges of bayonets to receive them should
they leap forward, they recoiled and descended.
Weary with exertion, and benumbed with cold ; ex¬
posed to a deadly fire from every quarter; their arms
rendered useless by the snow which continued to fall,
— the soldiers sought refuge in the houses. Perceiving
that all further attempts would be vain, Morgan gave
the signal of retreat. Some of the men fled, but most
were unwilling to encounter another tempest of shot
They refused, however, to yield, imtU assured of the
fate of Montgomery ; when, losing all hope of success
and escape, they surrendered themselves prisoners
of w^u•.
The loss of the Americans, in this desperate enter¬
prise, was above four hundred, of whom one hundred
and fifty were killed. The whole continent bewailed
the death of Montgomery. He was conspicuous, even
in those times of enthusiasm, for his ardent devotion
to the cause of fi-eedom. He was endeared to the
good, by the exercise, in the midst of war, of the most
amiable virtues. His soldiers adored him for his lofty
spirit and daring bravery. The enemy respected him
for his honorable conduct and distinguished military
qualities. Until his last enterprise, continual success
bore testimony to the greatness of his talents ; and
defeat, when he was no more, confirmed the testimo¬
ny of success. Congress resolved that a monument
should be erected to perpetuate his fame. It lives yet
fresh in the memory of Americans. In 1818, New
York, his adopted state, removed his remains from Que¬
bec to her own metropolis, wliere the monument had
been placed ; and near that they repose.
Some of the Americans, on their escape from Que¬
bec, retreated precipitately to Montreal. Arnold, with
difficulty, detained about four hundred, who, breaking
up their camp, retired three miles fi'om the city. Here
this heroic band, though much inferior in number to
REVOLUTIONARY WAR. jíBií
tlie garrison, kept it in continual awe, and, by prevent¬
ing all communication with the country, reduced it to
great distress for the want of provisions.
Congress, on receiving information of the disaster
of the 31st of December, directed reënforcements to he
sent to Canada; and, after the beginning of March,
Arnold's party was almost daily augmented by the
arrival of small bodies of troops. But its strength did
not increase with its numbers. The small-pox still
continued its ravages ; fatigue, without hope, depressed
the spirits of the soldiers ; the difficulty of obtaining
provisions became every day greater ; and the harsh
measures adopted by Arnold to procure them, exasper¬
ated the inhabitants around him.
On the 1st of May, General Thomas, who had been
appointed to succeed Montgomery, arrived from the
camp at Roxbmy. On reviewing his army, he found
it to consist of less than two thousand men, of
whom half were not fit for duty. A council of war
was held, who resolved that it was expedient to take
a more defensible position higher up the St. Lawrence.
To this decision they were led by the knowledge that
the ice was leaving the river, and by the expectation
that reënforcements from England would immedi¬
ately come up. The next morning, in fact, while the
Americans were engaged in removing the sick, several
ships appeared in sight, and entered the harbor. A
multitude of troops were immediately poured into
the city.
At one o'clock, Carleton mtide a sortie at the head
of a thousand men. Against these. General Thomas,
at that moment, could oppose but three hundred.
A 1 the stores, and many of the sick, fell into the power
of the enemy. The latter were treated by the gov¬
ernor with great tenderness, and, when restored to
health, were assisted to return to their homes. The
Americans retreated to the mouth of the Sorel, where
they were joined by several regiments, and where
their worthy commander died of the srnall-pox, which
yet prevailed in the camp.
2y0 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES.
While patriotism and valor were, in this quarter,
unsuccessfully contending with a superior force, the
Americans sustained a heavy and unexpected calamity,
resulting from cowardice, in another. At a fortified
place, called the Cedars, forty miles above Montreal,
Colonel Bedell was stationed, with four hundred men
and two pieces of cannon. Assembling a force of six
hundred, mostly Indian warriors, Captain Foster, who
commanded at Oswegatchie, descended the river to
attack this post.
Colonel Bedell, leaving Major Butterfield in com¬
mand, repaired to Montreal to obtain assistance.
Shortly afterwards. Captain Foster appeared, and in¬
vested the fort. He had no artillery ; and, in the course
of two days, but one man was wounded. More effi¬
cient than his arms was the intimation, that, if any
of the Indians should be killed, it would not be in his
power to restrain them from the massacre of the gar¬
rison. Intimidated by this. Major Butterfield sur¬
rendered his whole party prisoners of war, stipulating
only for their baggage and their lives.
Upon the representation of Colonel Bedell, a reën-
forcement was ordered to march from Montreal; but
he declined returning with it, and the command was
given to Major Sherburne. The day after the sur¬
render of the fort, of which event the major was igno¬
rant, and about four miles from it, he was met by a
large body of Indians, to whom, after an obstinate and
bloody conflict, he was obliged to surrender. The
whole loss of the Americans was at least five hundred.
€!eneral Sullivan was appointed to succeed General
Thomas, and, on the 1st of June, arrived at tlie River
Sorel, where he found between four and five thousand
men. But the army of the enemy had, in the mean
time, been augmented to thirteen thousand. Com¬
manding a force so decidedly superior. Governor
Carleton pressed forward in pursuit and the Ameri¬
cans retreated slowly and reluctantly before him. At
Sl Johns, the pursuit ceased ; but General Sullivan,
in obedience to orders from General Schuyler, con-
REVOLUTIONARY WAR.
291
tinned his inarch to Crown Point, at the head of Lake
Champlain.
Thus terminated the expedition against Canada. In
its conception it was singularly bold and romantic.
In its progress were displayed fortitude and bravery
seldom equalled in military annals. Its failure was a
painful disappointment to the patriots of the day. It
is now consoling to reflect, that success would probably
have proved injurious to the cause of independence.
To protect the province, the military force of the con¬
federacy must have been too much extended, and col¬
onies more important have been left defenceless.
AJb'Jr'l^lNJJlÄ.
AMERICAN COLONIAL TRADE. a
X
Trade between Great Britain and the Ameriean Colonies, from 1697 to 1776, showing the
Exports from, and Imports into, the then Çolonies. ^
[From Hazard's United States' Commercial and Statistical Register.] O
New England.
New York.
Pennsylvania.
Virginia and
Maryland.
Carolina.
Georgia.
Export,.
ImporU.
Export*.
Imports.
Export*.
Import*.
Exporto.
Import*.
Export*.
Import*.
Exporto.
Imports,
1697
1698
1699
1700
1701
1702
1703
1704.
1705
1706
1707
£
26,282
31,254.
26,660
41,486
32,656
37,026
33,539
30,823
22,793
22,210
38,793
£
68,468
93,517
127,279
91,918
86,322
64,625
59,608
74,896
62,504
57,050
120,631
£
10,093
8,763
16,818
17,567
18,547
7,965
7,471
10,540
7,393
2,849
14,283
£
4,579
25,279
42,792
49,410
31,910
29,991
17,562
22,294
27,902
31,588
29,855
£
3,347
2,720
1,477
4,608
5,220
4,145
5,160
2,430
1,309
4,210
786
£
2,997
10,704
17,064
18,529
12,003
9,342
9,899
11,819
7,206
11,037
14,365
£
227,756
174,053
198,115
317,302
235,738
274,782
144,928
264,112
116,768
149,152
207,625
£
58,796
310,135
205,078
173,481
199,683
72,391
196,713
60,458
174,322
58,015
237,901
£
12,374
9,265
12,372
14,058
16,973
11,870
13,197
14,067
2.698
8;652
23,311
£
5.289
18,462
11,401
11,003
13,908
10,460
12,428
6,621
19,788
4,001
10,492
New England.
Now York.
Pennsylvania.
Virginia and
Maryland.
■
Carolina.
Georgia
Export».
Import».
EsjwU.
Importa,
Erporta.
Import».
Import».
Export.,
Import».
Export».
Import»,
1708
1709
1710
1711
1712
1713
1714
1715
1716
1717
1718
1719
1720
1721
1722
1723
1724
1726
1726
1727
1728
1729
1730
£
49,635
29,559
31,112
26,415
24,699
49,904
51,541
66,555
69,595
58,898
61,591
54,452
49,206
50,483
47,955
59,339
69,585
72,021
63,816
75,052
64,689
52,512
54,701
£
115,505
120,349
106,338
137,421
128,105
120,778
121,288
104,650
121,150
132,001
131,885
125,317
128,769
114,524
133,722
176,486
168,507
201,708
200,882
187,277
194,590
161,102
208,196
£
10,847
12,259
8,203
12,193
12,460
14,428
29,810
21,316
21,971
24,534
27,331
19,596
16,836
15,681
20,118
27,992
21,191
24,976
38,307
31,617
21,141
15,833
8,740
£
26,899
31,577
31,475
28,856
18,524
46,470
44,643
54,629
52,173
44,140
62,906
56.355
37,397
50,754
57,478
53,013
63,020
70,650
84,866
67,452
81,634
64,760
64.356
£
2,120
617
1,277
38
1,471
178
2,663
5,461
5,193
4,499
6,588
6,564
7,928
8,037
6,882
8,332
4,057
11,981
5,900
12,823
15,2;i0
7,434.
10,582
£
6,723
5,881
8,594
19,408
8,404
17,037
14,927
17,182
21,842
22,505
22,716
27,068
21,531
21,548
26,397
15,992
30,324
42,209
57,6.34
31,979
37,478
29,799
48,592
£
213,493
261,668
188,429
273,181
297,941
206,263
280,470
174,756
281.343
296,884
310,576
332,009
331,482
357,812
283,091
287,997
277.344
214,730
324,767
421,588
413,089
386,174
346,823
£
79,061
80,268
127,639
91,535
134,583
76,304
128,873
199,274
179,599
215,962
191,925
164,030
110,717
127,376
172,754
123,833
161,894
195,884
185,981
192,965
171,092
108,931
150,931
£
10,340
20,431
20,793
12,871
29,394
32,449
31,290
29,158
46,287
41,275
46,385
50,373
62,736
61,858
79,650
73,103
90,504
91,942
93,453
96,055
91,175
113,329
161,739
£
11,996
28,521
19,613
20,406
20,015
23,907
23,712
16,631
27,272
25,058
15,841
19,630
18,290
17,703
34,374
42,246
37,839
39,182
43,934
23,254
33,067
58,366
64,785
1731
1732
1733
1734
1735
1736
1737
1738
1739
1740
1741
1742
1743
1744
1745
1746
1747
1748
1749
17.50
1751
17.52
1753
New England.
Ejppru. Importa.
£
49,048
64,095
61,983
82,252
72,899
66,788
63,347
59,116
46,604
72,389
60,052
53,166
63,185
50,248
38,948
38,612
41,771
29,748
39,999
48,4.55
63,287
74,313
83,395
£
183,467
216,600
184,570
146.460
189,125
222,158
223,923
203,233
220,378
171,081
198,147
148,899
172.461
143,982
140,463
209,177
210,640
197,682
238,286
343,659
305,974
273,340
345,523
New York.
Exporta. ÍTnporta,
£
20,756
9,411
11,626
15,307
14,155
17,944
16,833
16,228
18,459
21,498
21,142
13,536
15,067
14,527
14,083
8,841
14,992
12,358
23,413
36,632
42,363
40,648
40,5.53
£
66,116
65,540
65,417
81,758
80,405
86,000
125,833
133,438
106.070
118,777
140,430
167,591
134,487
119,920
54,957
86,712
137,984
143,311
265,773
267,130
248,941
194,030
277,864
Pennsylvania.
Exports. Iinports.
£
12,786
8,524
14,776
20,217
21,919
20,786
15,198
11,918
8,134
15,048
17,158
8,527
9,596
7,446
10,130
15,779
3,832
12,363
14,944
28,191
23,870
29,978
38,527
£
44,260
41.698
40,665
54,392
48,804
61,513
56,690
61,450
64,452
56,751
91,010
75,295
79,340
62,214
54,280
73.699
82,404
75,330
238,637
217,713
190,917
201,666
245,644
Virginia and
Maryland.
Exporta. Importa.
£
408,602
310,799
403,198
373,090
394,995
380,163
492,246
391,814
444,654
341,997
577,109
427,769
557,821
402,709
399,423
419,371
492,619
494,852
434,618
508,939
460,085
569,453
632,575
£
171,278
148,289
186,177
172,086
220,381
204,794
211,301
258,860
217,200
281,428
248,582
264,186
328,195,
234,855
197,799
282,545
200,088
252,624
323.600
349,419
347,027
326,151
356,776
Carolina.
Exporta. Importa.
£
159,771
126,207
177,845
120,466
145,348
214,083
187,758
141,119
236,192
265,560
236,830
154,607
235,136
192,.594
91,847
76,897
107,500
167,305
120,499
191 ¡607
245,491
288,264
164,634
Exports. Importât
£
71,145
58,298
70,466
99,658
117,837
101,147
58,986
87,793
94,445
181,821
224,270
127,063
111,499
79,141
86,815
102,809
95,529
160,172
164,085
134,037
138,244
150,777
213,009
Ceorgia.
to
203
18
3,010
17
2.33
924
1,622
2
51
1,942
355
1,526
3.057
828
1,695
1,921
12,112
2,012
5,701
6,496
3,324
3,524
2,553
17,018
2,291
769
939
984
24
1,314
5
2,125
2,065
3.163
14,12.3
New England.
New ifork.
Pennsylvania.
Virginia and
Maryland.
Carolina.
Georgia.
Esporiê, Import*.
1754
1755
1756
1757
1758
1759
1760
1761
1762
1763
1764
1765
1766
1767
1768
1769
1770
1771
1772
1773
1774
1775
1776
£
66,.538
59,533
47,359
27,556
30,204
25,985
37,802
46,225
41,733
74,815
88,157
145,819
141,733
128,207
148,375
129,353
148,011
150,381
126,265
124,624
112,248
116,588
762
Erporta, Import*.
£
329,433
341.796
384,371
363.404
465,694
527,067
599,647
334,225
247,385
258,854
459,765
451,299
409,642
406,081
419.797
207,993
394,451
1,420,119
824,8,30
527,055
562,476
71,625
55,050
£
26,663
28,055
24,073
19,168
14,260
21,684
21,425
48,648
58,882
63,998
53,697
54,959
67,020
61,422
87,116
73,466
69,882
95,875
82,707
76,246
80,008
187,018
2,318
Erport*. Import*
£
127,497
151,071
250,425
353,311
356,555
630,785
480,106
289,570
288,016
238,560
515,416
382,349
330,829
417,957
182,930
74,918
475,991
653,621
343,970
289,214
437,937
1,228
£
30,649
32,336
20,091
14,190
21,383
22,404
22,754
39,170
38,091
38,228
36,258
25,148
26,851
37,641
69,406
26,111
28,109
31,615
29,133
36,652
69,611
175,962
1,421
Esport$. Import».
£
244,647
144,456
200,169
168,426
260.953
498,161
707,998
204,067
206,199
284,152
436,191
363,368
327,314
371,830
432,107
199,906
134,881
728,744
507,909
426,448
625,652
1,366
365
£
573,435
489,668
337,759
418,881
454,362
357,228
504,451
455,083
415,709
642,294
559,508
505,671
461,693
437,926
406,048
361,892
435,094
577,848
528,404
589,803
612,030
758,3.46
73,226
Export*. Import*.
£
323,513
285,157
334,897
426,687
438,471
459,007
605,88
545,350
418,599
555,391
515,192
383,224
372,548
437,628
475,984
488,362
717,782
920,-326
793,910
328,904
528,7.38
1,921
£
307,238
325,525
222,915
130,889
150,511
206,534
162,769
253,002
181,695
282,366
341,727
385,918
293,587
395,027
608,108
387,114
278,907
420,311
425,923
456,513
432,302
579,349
13,668
Export*. Import*.
£
149,215
187,887
181,780
213,949
181,002
215,255
218.131
254,587
194,170
250.132
305,808
334,709
296,732
244,093
289,868
306,600
146,273
409,169
449,610
344,859
378,116
6,245
£
3,236
4,437
7,155
6,074
12,198
5,764
6,522
14,469
31,325
34,183
53,074
35,856
42,402
82,270
55,532
63,810
66,083
85,391
67,647
103,477
12,569
£
1,974
2,630
536
2,571
10,212
15,178
24,279
23,761
44,908
18,338
29,165
67,268
23,334
56,562
58,340
.56,193
70,493
92,406
62,932
.57,^18
118,777
973 HI641
iiiiiliiiiii
3 5556 010 259 075