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.

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out their licence; nor any person, under the degree of a subsidy man, without a certificate from a justice of the peace, that he had taken the oath of allegiance, and a like certificate from a minister of the parish, of his conversation and conformity to the orders and discipline of the church of England.*

The preamble to this order, disclosed some of the reasons, on which, not only the order, but the commission itself was founded. It declared, that great numbers of his majesty's subjects, have been and are every year, transported into those parts of America, which had been granted by patent, to several persons, and there settled themselves, some of them, with their families and whole estates; amongst which number, there are many "idle and refractory humours, whose only end is, to live as they can, without the reach of authority." Various complaints at that early period, were made against the people of Massachusetts, particularly for extending their claim beyond their charter limits, including lands granted to others; for their conduct towards those, who differed from them in religion, and for their supposed wish for independence. The commissioners therefore, determined to make a complete alteration of their government, by the appointment of a governor general, to reside in the colonies.

This created great alarm among the colonists; and in Massachusetts the opinion of the clergy was requested by the governor and assistants, on the important question what should be done, if a governor general should be sent from England? It was unanimously agreed, that if such a governor be sent, they ought not to accept him, but defend their lawful possessions, if they were able, "otherwise to avoid and protract."†

Some of the principal members of the great council of Plymouth, were in favor of the court party; and in 1635, through their influence, and at the request of the king and his privy council, their charter was surrendered to the crown. The principal reasons assigned for this surrender were, that the people of Massachusetts, had improperly extended the limits of their patent, so as to include lands granted to others, and that in civil and ecclesiastical

* Hazard, vol. 1, and Hutchinson, vol. 1, appendix. + Winthrop's Journal, p. 78.

affairs had made themselves independent of the council, as well as the crown. They had not only extended their limits, the council say, but, "wholly excluded themselves from the government of the council, appointed for those affairs, and made themselves a free people, and for such hold of themselves at present; whereby they did rend in pieces, the first foundation of the building, and so framed unto themselves, both new laws and new conceits of matter of religion, and forms of ecclesiastical and temporal orders and government, punishing divers that would not approve thereof, some by whipping, and others by burning their houses over their heads, and some by banishing, and for the like; and all this, partly under other pretences, though, indeed, for no other cause, save only, to make themselves absolute masters of the country, and unconscionable in their new laws." These evils, the council said they were unable to remedy; and therefore deemed it necessary for his majesty "to take the whole business into his own hands."*

This surrender, however, was not made, until the whole sea coast, from the river St. Croix, to the Hudson, and extending many miles into the interior, had been divided, by lot, to twelve of the original patentees, into as many separate provinces; and which in their petition to the king, they pray may be confirmed to them, by new grants from him, with such privileges and further royalties as had been given to Lord Baltimore, "saving only," they say, "that we submit ourselves to the governor general, now presently to be established by his majesty, for the whole country." They also requested, that, after the decease of the first governor general, three be chosen, by lot, from the lords of these twelve provinces, one of whom to be selected by the king, to be governor general, to continue for three years only, and to reside in the country in person or by deputy. They, likewise, proposed, that the patent or charter of Massachusetts, should be revoked, and that those holding grants in any of the provinces, should pay a reasonable acknowledgment, as freeholders, to the lords of the province, from whom they were to take new grants. They also recommended that a city be built, for the seat of the new

* Hazard, vol. 1, p. 390.