PART II. BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES. PERIOD III. FROM THE UNION OF THE NEW ENGLAND COLONIES, IN 1643, 1643. colonies. THIS is the memorable epoch of the first Union of the New Union of England colonies. A confederacy had been in agitation several the N. Eng. years. As early as the year 1637, the subject was discussed and, the following year, articles of union, for amity, offence and defence, mutual advice and assistance upon all necessary occasions, were drawn, and referred to the next year for farther consideration. Difficulties, however, occurred, which retarded the execution of the design until the present year. The colonies of Connecticut, New Haven, and Plymouth, despatched commissioners to Boston in May, at the time of the session of the Massachusetts general court. This court appointed commissioners to meet those of the other colonies. A spirit of harmony and mutual condescension was auspicious to the great object; and on the May 19. 19th of May, the articles were completed and signed at Boston. signed. The reasons assigned for this union were the dispersed state of the colonies; the vicinity of the Dutch, Swiss, and French, who Reasons for were inclined to encroachments; the hostile disposition of the the union. neighbouring Indians; the appearance of a general combination of these savage tribes, to extirpate the English colonies; the commencement of civil contests in the parent country; the impossibility of obtaining aid from England in any emergence; and, in fine, the alliance, already formed between these colonies by the sacred ties of religion. The commissioners declared, that, as in nation and religion, so in other respects they be and continue Articles 1643. Advanta union. one; and henceforth be called by the name of THE UNITED COLONIES OF New England.1 The members of this league were deemed by all their neighbours as one body, with regard to their public transactions, though the peculiar affairs of each continued to be managed by its own courts and magistrates. On the completion of the colonial confederacy, several Inges of the dian sachems came in, and submitted to the English government; among whom were Miantonomoh, the Narraganset, and Uncas, the Moheagan chief. The union rendered the colonies formidable to the Dutch, as well as Indians, and respectable in the view of the French; maintained general harmony among themselves, and secured the peace and rights of the country; preserved the colonies during the civil wars and unsettled state of England; was the grand instrument of their defence in Philip's war; and was essentially serviceable in civilizing and Christianizing the Indians.3 The proportion of men, assigned to the colonies by this alliance, was 100 to Massachusetts, and 45 to each of the other three colonies, Plymouth, Connecticut, and New Haven.1 Massachusetts was divided this year into four counties, or Mass. into shires; Essex, Middlesex, Suffolk, and Norfolk.5 Division of 4 counties. The first legislative provision was made for the attendance of grand juries, at the particular or judicial court of Connecticut. The act required a grand jury to make presentment of the breaches of any laws or orders, or other misdemeanours that should come to their knowledge, within the territorial jurisdiction of the government. 1 Records of the United Colonies of New England, in Hazard, ii. 1—6. Winthrop, i. 237, 284; ii. 101-106. Morton, 229. Trumbull, Conn. i. 126, 127. Hutchinson, i. 124, 126. Hubbard, c. 52. Brit. Emp. i. 281-287. Neal, N. Eng. i. 223. The articles of Union are in Winthrop, Hubbard, Brit. Emp. and Neal. They are entitled, "The Articles of Confederation between the plantations under the government of the Massachusetts, the plantations under the government of New Plimouth, the plantations under the government of Connecticut and the government of New Haven, with the plantations in combination therewith." The articles were signed at this time by all the commissioners, excepting those from Plymouth," who, for want of commission from their general court, deferred their subscription till the next meeting;" and then (Sept. 7.) they also subscribed them. These articles were" allowed by the general courts of the several jurisdictions," and their agreement to them certified at the next meeting held at Boston in September.This union subsisted, with some alterations, until the year 1686, when all the charters were in effect vacated by a commission from king James II. This confederacy was acknowledged and countenanced by the authority in England, from its beginning until the Restoration; and in letters from king Charles II. notice is taken of it, without any exception to the establishment. Hutchinson. 2 Johnson, 183. 3 Trumbull, i. 129. 4 Brit. Emp. i. 84. 5 Hutchinson, i. 117. 6 Day's Hist. of the Judiciary of Connecticut. Several persons, arriving at Boston, attempted to establish 1643. presbyterian government under the authority of the assembly of divines at Westminster, which met this year; but they were Presbytebaffled by the general court.1 rians. ants. The Massachusetts general court ordered, that, in the yearly Manner of choice of assistants, the freemen should use Indian corn and balloting beans; the Indian corn, to manifest elections; the beans, the for assistcontrary; with a penalty of £10 for putting in more than one Indian corn or bean, for the choice or refusal of any public officer. The same court ordered, that Wampampeag should Wampampass current in the payment of debts to the amount of 40 shillings; peag made a legal tenthe white, at 8 a penny, the black at 4, excepting in payment of der. country rates.2 The assembly of Virginia passed an act for the preservation of Act of Virpurity and unity of doctrine and discipline in the church, and the ginia, requiring right administration of the sacraments. By this act, no minister ministers to might be admitted to officiate in this country, but such as should conform. produce to the governor a testimonial that he had received his ordination from some bishop in England, and should then subscribe to be conformable to the orders and constitutions of the church of England, and the laws there established. Upon the compliance of a minister with these conditions, the governor was requested to induct him into any parish that should make presentation of him; and if any other person, pretending himself a minister, should, contrary to this act, presume to teach or preach publicly or privately, the governor and council were desired and empowered to suspend and silence him, and, upon his obstinate persistance, to compel him to depart the country.3 Mr. Rigbee, a wealthy gentleman in England, a counsellor at Plough Palaw, and a member of the long parliament, having purchased tent at Sagadahock. the Plough Patent, at Sagadahock, called Ligonia, sent over Mr. Cleaves with a commission to govern the people there, as his deputy. A legal controversy respecting the right to this territory ensued. Rigbee, or his agent, and assignees, at length relinquished their title to any part of it.1 The township of Wells, in the province of Maine, was granted Township by Thomas Gorges, deputy governor, as agent to Sir Ferdinando of Wells. Gorges, lord proprietor of that province, and was confirmed by a court holden at Saco the following year.5 1 Chalmers, b. 1. 165. Massachusetts Laws. Hutchinson, i. 117. 2 Massachusetts Laws. 3 Trott's Laws of Brit. Plantations, Art. VIRGINIA. The act was passed 2 March 1642; but it appears to have been O. S. which brings it to 1643, N. S. See A. D. 1642. If the unwelcome visit made by the ministers from Massachusetts to Virginia, the last year, were not the cause of this act; it was, unquestionably, this act which caused their return home "this summer." 4 Hubbard, c. 44. 5 Coll. Mass. Hist. Soc. iii. 138. 1643. Gorton. antonomoh. On complaints against Gorton and his adherents, for injuries done to the natives, and other crimes, they were sent for, to appear at the general court at Boston. On their refusal to acknowledge the jurisdiction of Massachusetts, Gorton and several of his adherents were taken, carried to Boston, and imprisoned; and the next year were banished from the jurisdiction and from the lands purchased of the Indians, on pain of death.1 Suspicions It was strongly suspected, that Miantonomoh had, the last against Mi- year, contrived to draw all the Indians throughout the country into a general conspiracy against the English. On being sent for by the Massachusetts government, he readily appeared, and declared his innocence with respect to a conspiracy; and the English were satisfied.2 War between Miantonomoh This year Miantonomoh made war on Uncas, the Pequot sachem, who had been uniformly friendly to the English, and was and Uncas. still their ally. With 1000 Narragansets, Miantonomoh gave Uncas battle; but Uncas, with less than half that number of Moheagans, obtained the victory, and took Miantonomoh prisoner. Uncas applied to the commissioners of the United Colonies for advice how to proceed against him. From historical Records it appears, that Miantonomoh, in coming suddenly upon Uncas, without denouncing war or complaining to the English, had violated an agreement previously made between them at Hartford; that he had murdered one of Uncas's men, whom he had promised to send to him; and that he had plotted a conspiracy against the English. The Commissioners, having ascertained the facts, and deliberately considered them, gave it as their opinion, that Uncas could not be safe while Miantonomoh lived; that he ought to be put to death, but in Uncas's jurisdiction; and that, if Uncas should refuse to do it, then Miantonomoh should be sent in a pinnace to Boston, there to be kept until moh killed. further consideration. Uncas, soon after, cut off his head.3 Miantono 1 Winthrop, ii. 137-140. Callender, 36. Hutchinson, i. 119-122. Adams, N. Eng. 66. Hubbard [c. 47.] says, Gorton encouraged the Narragansets to rise in rebellion against the United Colonies; but I do not find this charge alleged at the trial. See a letter, written by him in his own defence, in Hutchinson, i. Appendix, No. xx. 2 Hubbard, Ind. Wars, 44. See A. D. 1646. 3 Records of the United Colonies, in Hazard, ii. 7-9. Morton, 1643, & Note, p. 234. Winthrop, ii. 130-134. I. Mather, Ind. Troubles, 56. Hubbard, Ind. Wars, 42, 45; N. Eng. c. 51. Callender, 72. Mass. Hist. Soc. ix. 77, 84. Hubbard describes Miantonomoh as "a very goodly personage, of tall stature, subtil and cunning in his contrivements, as well as haughty in his designs.' An historian may leave this case (if reviewed after the lapse of near two centuries) to lawyers and judges; but it is his duty to inform them, that, of the eight commissioners, governor Winthrop, of Connecticut, was president; and that of their number were Edward Winslow, of Plymouth, Edward Hopkins, governor of Connecticut, and Theophilus Eaton, governor of New Haven-all of them eminent for wisdom and integrity. The pleading of an advocate may be seen in a Note upon Winthrop, and the opinion of a judge, in a Note upon Morton. The house of commons passed a memorable resolve in favour 1643. of New England, exempting its imports and exports from custom, subsidy, or taxation.1 governor The English parliament passed an ordinance, appointing the E. of Warearl of Warwick governor in chief, and lord high admiral of the wick made American colonies, with a council of five peers, and twelve com- and admiral moners. It empowered him, in conjunction with his associates, of the colo to examine the state of their affairs; to send for papers and persons; to remove governors and officers, and appoint others in their places; and to assign over to these such part of the powers that were now granted, as he should think proper.2 nies. The English New Haven colonists, in all their attempts to Complaints settle a plantation at Delaware, found the Swedes open enemies, ofN. Haven against the and the Dutch secret underminers of their interest. This year Dutch and Mr. Lamberton, in their name, complained to the commissioners Swedes. for the United Colonies of many gross injuries, which they sustained from both; of the Dutch, for burning down their trading house on the river; and of the Swedes, for disturbing their agents. Governor Winthrop of Massachusetts, president of the commissioners for the United Colonies, wrote in September to William Kieft, the Dutch governor of New Netherlands, and to John Prinz, the Swedish governor at Delaware, on the subject of these injuries; and soon after received answers, "but without any satisfaction." The commissioners, however, authorized Mr. Lamberton to treat with the Swedish governor, and gave him a new commission to proceed with the trade and plantation at Delaware; and harmony was restored.* College ap The government of Harvard College had been committed by Governors the general court to all the magistrates and the ministers of the of Harvard three nearest churches, with the president; but the court now pointed. enacted, that all the magistrates and the teaching elders [ministers] of the six nearest towns, and the president for the time being, should be governors of the college forever.5 Some of the inhabitants of Watertown began a plantation at Lancaster Nashaway, which was called Lancaster.6 1 Chalmers, b. 1. 174. Hutchinson, i. 114, where the order is inserted. The introduction of it is remarkable: "Whereas the plantations in New England have, by the blessing of the Almighty, had good and prosperous success, without any public charge to this state" &c. The ordinance is also in Hazard, i. 114, dated, "Veneris Decimo Martii 1642," which, N. Style, is 1643. 2 Chalmers, b. 1. 176. This ordinance is entire in Hazard, i. 533–535. 3 Hazard, Coll. ii. 320. 4 Hubbard, c. 50. 5 Winthrop, ii. 150. Mass. Hist. Soc. vii. 21. The "six nearest towns" were Cambridge, Watertown, Charlestown, Boston, Roxbury, and Dorchester. The " governors or overseers of the college met the first time, by virtue of this act, 27 December 1643, "considered of the officers of the college, and chose a treasurer." settled. |