subscribed the following written constitution. "In the name of God, amen. We, whose names are under-written, the loyal subjects of our dread Sovereign, Lord King James, &c. 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 mutually, in the presence of God, and of one another, covenant and combine ourselves together, into a civil body politic, for our better ordering and preservation and furtherance of the ends aforesaid; and by virtue hereof to enact, constitute, and frame such just and equal laws and ordinances, acts, constitutions and officers, from time to time, as shall be thought most meet and convenient for the general good of the Colony; unto which we promise all due submission and obedience."* This brief but comprehensive constitution of civil government, was signed by forty-one persons. It contained the elements of those forms of government peculiar to the new world. Under this system John Carver was by general consent chosen their first governor, "confiding," as the electors say, “in his prudence, that he would not adventure upon any matter of moment without the consent of the rest, or at least, advice of such as were known to be the wisest among them." The climate was found much more severe than that to which these adventurers had been accustomed; and it is a melancholy fact, that for want of comfortable habitations, wholesome provisions and other causes, their sufferings were such that one half of this little band perished in the course of the first winter. And it cannot be imagined how the survivors could have had the resolution any longer to continue on this desolate spot. Nothing but the same spirit which led them to this wilderness, could have induced them under these circumstances to continue. Before they left England, these new settlers had formed a connection or partnership with a number of merchants and other adventurers, to continue for seven years; by which, not only their *Hazard, vol. 1. commerce, but all their business was to be carried on in common, and for their joint benefit. At the end of the seven years, the shares of the adventurers in England, were purchased by the colonists, and the joint property was divided among them.* The Plymouth colonists were fortunate in being able to form a "league of peace," with Massasoit, the great Sachem of the country. They were, however, for some years without a patent on which they relied for security in their possession. In 1629, a second patent from the great Plymouth company was obtained in the name of William Bradford and his associates, granting them a tract of country lying between the river Conahasset towards the north, and Naragansets on towards the south, and the great western ocean towards the east, and between and within straight lines, extending up into the main land, towards the west, from the mouths of those rivers to the utmost limits and bounds of a country or place in New-England, commonly called Pokenacutt, alias Sowamsett, westward, doth extend, &c. They attempted at this time to obtain a royal charter, similar to that granted to Massachusetts, but without success.† These colonists had serious disputes with Massachusetts and Rhode Island, relative to boundaries. Under the constitution which they had formed, the governor was chosen by the people annually; and seven persons were elected to aid him in his duties, called assistants, a name peculiar to New England, given to those who were elected to aid the governors by their advice and counsel. The government was first a pure democracy; the whole body of the people often met and decided upon affairs, both executive and legislative. As their numbers increased, this was found inconvenient; and in 1639, a House of Representatives was established, and Representatives elected from the several towns; Plymouth at first being allowed four, and the other towns two each. The number from Plymouth was afterwards reduced to two.‡ * Morton's Memorial, edited by Judge Davis. Hutchinson, vol. 2, p. 414, appendix. The Dutch, whose principal object, in their settlement on the Hudson, was commerce, had kept up a traffic with the natives along the coast; and had visited Rhode Island and Narragansett Bay. In 1627, the Dutch governor Minuit, sent a formal embassy to the new colonists, with a letter congratulating them on the success of their praise-worthy undertaking, with an offer of their good services; and desiring "to fall into a way of some commerce and trade." To this embassy Governor Bradford returned a polite answer, accepting their offer of commercial intercourse. He at the same time, intimated to the Dutch governor, that the Plymouth colonists, by their patent, had the sole right of trading with the natives within their limits, and desired him not to trade in that bay, and the river of Narragansett, which was at their very door. In answer to this, the Dutch governor insisted on their right to trade at the places mentioned; "and as the English," he said "claimed authority under the King of England, so we, (the Dutch) derive ours from the States of Holland, and will enforce it."* Notwithstanding these different claims, another more formal embassy was sent by the Dutch governor, accompanied by soldiers and by trumpeters, in October of the same year; and a friendly interview was had between the Dutch ambassador and the Plymouth governor. At this interview, it was evident that the Dutch were acquainted with Connecticut river, then called by them Fresh river. as they urged the people of Plymouth to leave the barren spot on which they had planted themselves, and to remove to the fertile banks of that river; recommending it as a "fine place, both for plantations and trade."t The political affairs of this colony, afterwards became connected with those of the other New-England colonies, in consequence of an union between them, as will be hereafter noticed. Massachusetts was the second colony in New England. Discontents on account of religion still prevailing in England, an additional number of the puritans, determined to seek an asylum in * Moulton, part II. and Morton by Davis. Hutchinson, vol. 2, p. 416, appendix, and Moulton, part II. p. 384. the new world. In March, 1628, the Plymouth company granted to Sir Henry Roswell, Sir John Young, Thomas Southcoat, John Humphry, John Endicot and Simon Whetcomb, their heirs and associates, that part of New England, lying three miles south of Charles river, and three miles north of Merrimack river, and extending from the Atlantic to the south sea. Powers of government were, the next year, granted them by Charles I, who had now succeeded to the throne, and they were made a corporation by the name of the governor and company of Massachusetts bay, in New England, with power to elect annually, a governor, deputy governor and eighteen assistants; four "great and general courts" were to be held every year, to consist of the governor, or in his absence, the deputy governor, the assistants, or at least six of them, and the freemen of the company. These courts were authorized “to appoint such officers, as they should think proper, and, also, to make laws and ordinances for the good and welfare of the company, and for the government of the colony, as to them should seem meet;" provided such laws and ordinances should not be contrary or repugnant to the laws of England. Immediately after the grant from the Plymouth company, Mr. Endicot, one of the grantees, was sent over with a number of persons, and commenced a settlement at Salem. Under this charter the government was at first, established in England. Matthew Craddock, was named the first governor in the charter, and was afterwards elected by the company. The arbitrary proceedings of the British Court, in affairs both of church and state, induced many gentlemen of wealth and distinction to join the company and remove to New England. In 1629, many persons of this character, and among them the distinguished names of Isaac Johnson, John Winthrop, Thomas Dudley and Sir Richard Saltonstall, proposed to the company to remove, with their families, on condition that the charter and government should be transferred to New England. To this the company assented, and in the course of the next year, John Winthrop, who had been chosen governor, with about one thousand five hundred persons embarked, and planted themselves at Boston and its neighborhood. Many others soon followed, particularly after the appointment of Laud to the archbishoprick of Canterbury. Under the direction of this bigoted Prelate, the laws against non-conformity were enforced with the utmost rigor, and the king was determined to enforce uniformity in religious worship and discipline. In consequence of this, thousands were driven from their native land, with a hope of enjoying civil and religious liberty in a wilderness. The king, however, seemed determined to pursue them even here, and deprive them of those privileges, for the enjoyment of which, they had made such sacrifices. In April, 1634, he placed the colonies under the government of the archbishops of Canterbury and York, and a select number of his councillors, by the name of "commissioners of the colonies and plantations." This board were authorized to make laws and ordinances, in all matters ecclesiastical as well as civil, and particularly, for the relief and support of the clergy, by assigning them a convenient maintenance, "by tythes, oblations and other profits accruing." They were vested also, with power, (with the assent of the king,) to make and unmake governors; to constitute such civil and ecclesiastical tribunals, and courts of justice, and to give them such powers as they should judge proper; to revoke all letters patent, previously granted, which had been surreptitiously or unduly obtained, or which contained any privileges or liberties, injurious to the crown, or to any foreign princes, and generally to do any thing necessary "for the wholesome government and protection of the colonies, and the people therein abiding." This extraordinary commission had reference principally to the New England colonies, to which thousands were now removing, to avoid the despotic proceedings of the star-chamber. This vast emigration was highly displeasing to the court, and one of the first acts of the commissioners, was an order to prevent it. In December, 1634, the wardens of the cinque ports and others, were directed by the commissioners, not to suffer any person being a subsidy man, to embark for the plantations, withVOL. I. 6 |