AMERICAN ANNALS;
OR
A CHRONOLOGICAL
HISTORY OF AMERICA
JFROM ITS DISCOVERY IN MCCCCXCII TO MDCCCVL
IN TWO VOLUMES.
BY ABIEL HOLMES, D.D. A.A.S. S.H.S.
MINISTER OP THE FIRST CHURCH IN CAMBRIDGE.
SUUM QUJEQUE IN ANNUM REFERRE.
TACIT. ANNAL-,
VOL. I.
COMPRISING A PERIOD OF TWO HUNDRED YEARS.
CAMBRIDGE,
PRINTED AND SOLD BY W. HILLIARD.
1805.
DISTRICT OF MASSACHUSETTS, TO WIT.
it remembered, that on the fourteenth day of October, A. D. 1805,
in the thirtieth year of the Independence of the United States of America, ABIEL
HOLMES, of said district, has deposited in this office, the title of a book, the right
whereof he claims as author, in the words following, to wit : " AMERICAN
•* ANNALS ; or a Chronological HISTORY OF AMERICA from its discovery
"in 1492 to 1806, in two volumes. By ABIEL HOLMES, JD.D. A.A.S s.H.g.
" Minister of the First Church in Cambridge. Suum quaeque in annum re-
*« ferre — Tacit. Annal. Vol. I, comprising a period of two hundred years."
In conformity to the Act of the Congress of the United States, intitled, " An
" Act for the encouragement of learning, by securing the copies of maps, charts,
" and books, to the authors and proprietors of such copies, during the times there-
" in mentioned :" and also to an Act intitled, " An Act supplementary to an Act
" intitled, An Act for the encouragement of learning, by securing the copies of
" maps, charts, and books, to the authors and proprietors of such copies, during
" the times therein mentioned ; and extending the benefits thereof to the arts of
" designing, engraving, and etching historical and other prints."
N. GOOD ALE, Clerk of the District »f
Massachusetts.
A true copy of Record,
Attest, N. GOODALE, Clerk.
PREFACE.
A NEW WORLD has been 'discovered, which
has been receiving inhabitants from the old, more than
three hundred years. A new empire has arisen, which
has been a theatre of great actions and stupendous
events. That remarkable discovery, those events and
actions, can now be accurately ascertained, without re-
course to such legends, as have darkened and disfigur-
ed the early annals of most nations. But, while local
histories of particular portions of America have been
written, no attempt has been made to give even the
outline of its entire history. To obtain a genera!
knowledge of that history, the scattered materials,
which compose it, must be collected, and arranged in
the natural and lucid order of time. Without such
arrangement, effects would often be placed before
causes ; contemporary characters and events disjoined ;
actions, having no relation to each ofrher, confounded ;
and much of the pleasure and benefit, which History
ought to impart, would be lost. If history however,
without chronology, is dark and confused ; chronology,
without history, is dry and insipid. In the projection
therefore of this work, preference was given to that
species of historical composition, wiiich unites the es-
sential advantages of both.
It has been uniformly my aim to trace facts, as
much as possible, to their source. Original authori-
ties therefore, when they could be obtained, have al-
ways had preference. Some authors, of this charac-
ter, wrote in foreign languages ; and this circumstance
may be an apology for the occasional introduction of
passages, that will not be generally understood. While
originals possess a spirit, which cannot be infused into
a translation, they recite facts with peculiar clearness
M27G336
iv PREFACE.
and force. Quotations however in foreign languages are
always inserted in the marginal notes. There also are
placed those passages in English, which are obsolete,
either in their orthography, or their style. To some
persons they may, even there, be offensive ; but they
may gratify the historian, and the antiquary. The one
may be pleased with such marks of authentic docu-
ments ; the other, with such vestiges of antiquity.
The numerous references may have the appearance
of superfluity, perhaps of ostentation. The reason
for inserting so many authorities was, that the reader,
when desirous of obtaining more particular informa-
tion, than it was consistent with the plan of these An-
nals to give, might have the advantage of consulting
the more copious histories for himself. Should these
volumes serve as an Index to the principal sources of A-
merican history, they may render a useful though hum-
ble service to the student, who wishes to obtain a thor-
ough knowledge of the history of his country.
Professions of impartiality are of little significance*
Although not conscious of having recorded one fact,
without such evidence, as was satisfactory to my own
mind, or of having suppressed one, which appeared to
come within the limits of my design ; yet I do not flatter
myself with the hope of exemption from error. It is
but just however to observe, that, had I possessed the
requisite intelligence, more .names of eminence would
have been introduced ; more ancient settlements notic-
ed ; and the States in the Federal Union more propor-
tionally respected. For any omissions, or other faults,
which have not this apology, the extent of the under-
taking may obtain some indulgence.
Cambridge ) Massachusetts, 10 October, 1805.
AMERICAN ANNALS.
CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS, a na-
tive of Genoa, having formed a just idea of
the figure of the earth, had several years entertain-
ed the design of finding a passage to India by the
western ocean. ' He made his first proposal of at-
tempting this discovery to the republic of Genoa,
which treated it as visionary. He next proposed
his plan to John II. king of Portugal, who, at that
time, was deeply engaged in prosecuting discove-
ries on the African coast, for the purpose of find-
ing a way to India. In this enterprise the Portu-
guese king had been at so vast an expense, with
but small success, that he had no inclination to lis-
ten to the proposal. By the advice, however, of a
favourite courtier, he privately gave orders to a
ship, bound to the island of Cape de Verd, to at-
tempt a discovery in the west ; but the navigators,
through ignorance and want of enterprise, failing
in the design, turned the project of Columbus int6
ridicule.
Indignant at this dishonourable artifice, Colum-
bus left Portugal j and, having previously sent
i Some Spanish authors have ungenerously insinuated, that Columbus
was led to this great enterprise by information, which he received, of 3
country, discovered far to the west, with the additional advantage of a
journal of the voyage, in which the discovery was made by a vessel, driv-
en from its course by easterly winds. It is affirmed, however, with en-
tire credibility, that " Columbus had none of the West Islands set foorth
unto him in globe or card, neither yet once mentioned of any writer
(Plato excepted and the commentaries upon the same) from 942 yeeres be-
fore Christ, untill that day ; neither understood he of them by the report
of any other that had scene them ; but only comforted himselfe with this
hope, that the land had a beginning where the sea had an ending." Hafc-
luyt, iil 23. Robertson, i. Note xvii.
a
AMERICAN ANNALS.
his brother Bartholomew into England to Solicit
the patronage of Henry VII, repaired to Ferdinand
and Isabella, king and queen of Spain. It was not
till he had surmounted numerous obstacles, and
spent seven years in painful solicitation, that he ob-
tained what he sought. To the honour of Isabella,
and of her sex, the scheme of Columbus was first
countenanced by the queen; Through the influ-
ence of Juan Perez, a Spanish priest, and Lewis
Santangel, an officer of the king's household, she
was persuaded to listen to his request j and, after
he had been twice repulsed, to recall him to court*
She now offered to pledge her jewels, to defray the
expense of the proposed equipment, amounting to
no more than two thousand five hundred crowns ' ;
but this sum was advanced by Santangel, and the
queen saved from so mortifying an expedient. *
On the seventeenth day of April, 1492, an a-
greement was made by Columbus with their Cath-
olic majesties : That, if he should make any dis±
coveries, he should sustain the office of viceroy by
land, and admiral by sea, with the advantage of
the tenth part of the profits, accruing from the pro-
ductions and commerce of all the countries discov-
ered ; and these dignities and privileges were not
to be limited to his own person, but to be heredi-
tary in his family. 3
i This denomination of money, used by most historians, may, without
explanation, essentially mislead the readei-. They were doubtless gold
crowns. Vega [Commentaries of Peru, 413.] says, the expense was ** six
millions of maravadies, making the sum of 16000 ducats." A Spanish
ducat of exchange is equal to 45. nd. 1-2, and lacks therefore but a half
penny of being equal to an English crovn. If the 16000 ducats of Vega
be estimated as equal to so many English crowns, they make exactly
£4000 sterling ; and this is the very sum, which, Dr. Robertson says, the
expense of the equipment " did not exceed."
a Life of Columbus, c. xi, xii, xv, with the principal authorities, cited
under A. D. 1492.
3 Harris' Voyages, i. 5. The instrument, containing the terms of this
agreement, is inserted entire in Hazard's Collections, i. i — 3 ; but it is
.there dated April 30, 1492. Though the name of Ferdinand appears
connected with that of Isabella in this compact, he refused to take any
£art in th» enterprise, as king of Arragon. The whole expense of the ex*
AMERICAN ANNALS. 3
1492.
COLUMBUS, on the third day of August,1 set August 3.
sail from Palos in Spain, with three vessels 1 and g
ninety men, on a voyage the most daring and grand Spain.
in its design, and the most important in its result,
of any, that had ever been attempted. He, as ad-
miral, commanded the largest ship, called Santa
Maria ; Martin Alonzo Pinzon was captain of the
Pinta ; and Vincent Yanez Pinzon, of the Nigria.
When the fleet was about two hundred leagues to
the west of the Canary islands, Columbus observ-
ed that the magnetic needle in the compasses did
not point exactly to the polar star, but Varied to-
ward the west. 3' This discovery made an alarming
impression on his pilots and mariners ; but his fer- ^^ I4*
•i • i i it. • • 1-11 Variation
tile genius helped him to assign a plausible reason Of the com-
for this strange appearance, and to dispel their. Pass excites
fears. Expedients, however, at length lost their '
effect. The crew, with loud and insolent clamour,
insisted on his return, and some of the most auda-
cious proposed to throw him into the sea. When
his invention was nearly exhausted, and his hope
jjearly abandoned, the only event, that could ap-
• " '
pedition was to be defrayed by the crown of Gastile, and Isabella reserved
for her subjects of that kingdom an exclusive right to all the benefits,
that should accrue from its success. Robertson, i. book ii. Throughout
tills transaction, the conduct of Isabella was truly magnanimous ; and
though she did not, like the Tyrian queen, conduct the great enterprise
jn person, yet »he has strong claim to similar honour : I)ux fctmina facti.
I He sailed from Gomera, one of the most westerly of the Canary is-
lands, on the 6th of September, " which may be accounted the first set-
ting out upon the voyage on the ocean." Life of Columbus, c. xviii.'
% One of these vessels had a deck ; the other two, called Caravels, had
none. They are thus described by Peter Martyr : " Ex regio fisco desti-
hata sunt tria navigia : unum onerarium caveatum, alia duo levia merca-
toria sine cavei's, (juae ab Hispanis caravehe vocantur." De Nov. Orb. p. a.
3 Stow erroneously ascribes this discovery to Sebastian Cabot, five
years after this voyage of Columbus. It unquestionably was made in this
first voyage. With the correction of the name and date, the remark of
this venerable antiquarian is just : " Before his time, ever since the first
finding of the magneticall needle, it was generalize supposed to lie pre-
cisely in place of the meridian, and crosse the equator at rij<-ht angels,
respecting with the points dulie north and south." Stow's Chronicle,
4 AMERICAN ANNALS.
1492. pease the mariners, happily occurred. A light,
seen by Columbus at ten in the night of the
Friday,0ct. eleventn of October, was viewed as the harbinger
i z, land of the wished for land ; and early the next morn-
discovered. jng jand was Distinctly seen. * At sun rise, all the
boats were manned and armed, and the adventur-
ers rowed toward the shore, with warlike music,
and other martial pomp. The coast, in the mean
time, was covered with people,3 who were attract-^
ed by the novelty of the spectacle, and whose atti-
tudes and gestures strongly expressed their aston-
ishment. Columbus, richly dressed, and holding
a na^e(^ sword in his hand, went first on shore, and
goon shore, was followed by his men, who, kneeling down with
him, kissed the ground with tears of joy, and re-
turned thanks for the success of the voyage. The
land was one of the islands of the New World, cal-
led by the natives, Guanahana.3 Columbus, as-
suming the title and authority of admiral, called it
San Salvador ; and,, by setting up a cross, took
possession of it for their Catholic majesties.4
Many of the natives stood around, and gazed at
the strange ceremony in silent admiration. Though
shy at first through fear, they soon became famil-
iar with the Spaniards* The admiral, perceiving
that they were simple and inoffensive, gave them
i The voyage from Gomerawas 35 days; a longer time than any man
had ever been known to be from the sight of land.
2, They " appeared in the simple innocence of nature, entirely naked."
Robertson.
3 It is one of that cluster of the West India islands, called Bahamas,
lying in the ajth. degree of north latitude, above 3000 miles to the west
of Gomera. Robertson, i. book ii. Belknap Biog. i. 101. The authors of
the Universal History [xli. 350, 331.] erroneously affirm this first discov^
,ered island to be the one, now called New Providence, which is another
of the Bahama islands, in its neighbourhood. The island, discovered by
Columbus, still retains its original Indian name, though it is also denomi-
nated in maps, Cat Island. It is remarkable for nothing, but the event
that we have recited.
4 Life of Columbus, c. ii. xvi — xxi, xxiii. Peter Martyr, a. Herrera, i,
,47. Purchas, i. 729, 730. European Settlements in America, i. 3 — n,
Robertson, i, 1*9^ «8.
AMERICAN ANNALS. 5
hawksbells, strings of glass beads, and red caps, 1492.
which, though of small intrinsic worth, were by
them highly valued. The reason, assigned for
their peculiar estimation of these baubles, is, that,
confidently believing that these visitants had come
down from heaven/ they ardently desired to have
something left them as a memorial. They gave
the Spaniards, in return, such provisions, as they
had, and some cotton yarh^ which was the only
valuable commodity they could produce.*
Columbus, after visiting the coasts of the island,
proceeded to make farther discoveries, taking with °<a- **
him several of the natives of San Salvador. He
saw several islands > and touched at three of the
largest of them, which he named St. Mary of the
Conception, Fernandina, and Isabella. On the
twenty seventh of October, he discovered the island _
r^.1 i • i • i r v • i r Oct. 27.
of Cuba, which, m honour of the prince, the son or Cuba dis-
the Spanish king and queen, he called Juanna. covered.
Entering the mouth of a large river with his squa-
dron, he staid here to careen his ships, sending,, in
the mean time, some of his people, with one of the
natives of San Salvador, to view the interior parts
of the country. Returning to him on the fifth of No-
vember, they report, that they had travelled above
sixty miles from the shore ; that the soil is richer and
better, than any they had hitherto discovered ; and
that, beside many scattering cottages, they found
tme village of fifty houses, containing about a
thousand inhabitants. 3 Sailing from Cuba on the
fifth of December, he arrived, the next day, at an Dec. 6.
island, called by the natives Hayti, which, in hon-
our of the kingdom, by which he was employed,
be named Hispaniola.4
I — " Gentem essemissam e coelo aututnant." P. Martyr, p. 4.
a Life of Columbus, c. xxiiij'xxiv. Robertson, i. book ii. Herrera, J. 47.
3 Robertson, i. book ii. Herrera [i. 54,] says, " a -whole generation
Jived in a house."
4 " Ab Hispania • - - diminutive Hispaniola.' ' P. Martyr, 245. Her-
rera, i. 1 07, jfj 8.
fi AMERICAN ANNALS.
1492. On the shoals of this island, through the care-:
Dec. i4- lessness of his sailors, he lost one of his ships. The
One of the T ,. . . /-, i_ .
ships lost. Indian cazique, or prmce, Guacanahan, receiving
intelligence of this loss, expressed much grief, and
sent all his people with their canoes, to save what
they could from the wreck. V We lost not the val-
ue of a pin," says the admiral, " for. he caused all
pur clothes to be laid together near his palace,
\yhere he kept {.them till the houses, which he had
appointed for us, were emptied. He placed armed
men, to keep them, who stood there all day and all
night ; and all the people lamented, as if our loss
had concerned them much."
The port, where this misfortune happened, Co-
lumbus called Navidad [the Nativity], because he
entered it on Christinas day. Resolving to leave
a- colony here, he obtained liberty of the cazique to
Columbus erect a fort, which he accordingly built with the
builds a timber of the ship, that was wrecked ; and, leaving
it in the hands of three officers and thirty eigh^
men, prepared to return to Spain.2
*493-
Columbus, having taken every precaution for the.
Jan. 16. security of his colony, left Navidad on the fourth
Columbus r T j J c j« • j
returns to of January ; and, alter discovering and naming
Sp<tin. most of the harbours on the northern coast of His-
i This title, which signifies lord or prince, is rightly applied to the
princes of Hayti ; for, according to Clayigero, " it is derived from the
Haitin tongue, which was spoken in the island of Hispamola." But it
v/as afterwards inaccurately applied to the nobles of Mexico, who, though
divided into several classes, with appropriate titles to each, " were con-
founded together by the Spaniards under the general name of caziques."
Jiist. Mexico, i. 346,
a Life of Columbus, c. xxvii, xxx, xxxjii, xxxvi, xxxv. Herrera, i. j i —
75, 78. Purchas, i. 730. Univ. Hist. xli. 487. Robertson, i. book if.
In the Life of Columbus^ the port is said to be named Navidad ; but Her-
rera, and Robertson after him, say, that this name was given to the fort,
This fortification was finished in ten days ; the poor natives unwarily help-
ing it forward ; " that simple race of men," to use the words of Dr. R<p-
b^rtson, " labouring with inconsiderate assiduity in erecting this first mo-,
jumien; of their own servitude."
AMERICAN ANNALS. ?
pahiola, set sail, on the sixteenth, for Spain, taking 1493.
with him six of the natives. x On the fourteenth
of February, he was overtaken by a violent tem-
'pest, and, in the extremity of danger, united with
the mariners in imploring the aid of Almighty God,
mingled with supplications to tire Virgin Mary*
and accompanied by vows of pilgrimage; That
his discoveries, in case of shipwreck, might hot be
lost, he wrote an actount of them on parchment^
wrapped it in a piece of oiled cloth, and inclosed it
in a cake of wax, which he put into a tight cask^
and threw into the sea* Another parchment, se-
tured in a similar manner, he placed on the stern^
that, if the ship should sink, the cask might float,
and one or the other might possibly .be found.
But his precaution, though prudent, was fruitless ;
for he was providentially saved from the expected
destruction, and, on the fourth of March, arrived
safely at Lisbon; On his arrival at Palos on the
fifteenth, he was received with the highest tokens
of honour, by the king and queen, z who now con*
stituted him admiral of Spain.3
Columbus adhering to his opinion, that the
countries, which he had discovered, were a part of
those vast regipns of Asia, comprehended under
the name of India, and this opinion being adopted
in Europe^ Ferdinand and Isabella gave them the
name of Indies. 4
,*'•'•• . ' ' . • •''. J:': t« v-, »i ;.-
I iPurchas, i, 730. Two of these natives died on their passage to Spain ;
the other four were presented to his Catholic majesty by Columbus, to-
gether with a quantity of gold, which had been given to him by the ca*
zique at Hispaniola. Univ. Hist. xli. 487.
a «* Sedere ilium coram se publice, quod est maximum apud reges His-
panos amoris et gratitudinis, supremique obscquii signum, fecerunt." P.
Martyr, p. 8.
3 Robertson, i, book ii. Harris' Voyages, i, 6. Herrera, i, 84, 86, 93*
Belknap Biog. i. 102.
4 Robertson, i. Book ii: Names, however improperly applied, are apt
to be permanent. " Even after the error, which gave rise to this opinion,
was detected, and the true position of the New World was ascertained,
the name has remained, and the appellation of West Indies is given by ail
8 AMERICAN ANNALS.
1493. ^he Portuguese, having previously explored the
The Form- Azores and other islands, instantly claimed the new*
con- ly discovered world, and contended for the exclu-
s*on °f ^e Spaniards from the navigation of the
covered western ocean. x Their competitors, however, were
world* careful to obtain the highest confirmation possible
of their own claim* While orders were given at
Barcelona for the admiral's return to Hispaniola ; z
to strengthen the Spanish title to this island, and
to other countries that were or should be discovered,
their Catholic majesties, 3 by the admiral's advice,
applied to the Pope, to obtain his sanction of their
claims, and his consent for the conquest of the
West Indies. An ambassador was sent to Rome.
The Pope, then in the chair, was Alexander VI, a
Spaniard by birth, and a native of Valentia. Read-
Jly acceding to the proposal, he, on the third of
May,4 adjudged the great process, and made the
3- celebrated line of partition. He granted in full
right to Ferdinand and Isabella, all the countries,
inhabited by infidels, which they had discovered, or
should discover, extending the assignment to their
the peeple of Europe to the country, and that of Indians to its inhabit-
ants." Ibid.
I. Chalmers' Annals, i. 6.
a. The second commission to Columbus is dated May 18, 1493. It is
inserted entire in Hazard's Collections, i. 6 — 9. .
3. The king of Portugal, according to Peter Martyr, agreed with
them in a reference of the dispute to the Pope of Rome ; but it might be
at a subsequent period. By this contemporary historian it appears, that
the queen of Spain was a niece of the Portuguese king, and that this
connexion facilitated an adjustment of the controversy. " Dum ita in
confuso res tractaretur, pars utraque pacta est, ut a summo Pontifice de-
cerneretur quid juris. Futures se obtemperantes Pontificise sanctioni, fide
jubent utrinque. Res Castellae tune regina ilia magna Elizabetha cum vi-
ro regeb-*t, quia dotalia ejus regna Castells sint. Erat regina Joanni regi
Portugallije consobrina : propterea facilius res est composita. Ex utrius-
que partis igitur assensu, lineam ex plumbata bulla summus Pontifex Al-
exander sextus, &c." P. Martyr, p. 161.
4. One bull, granting their Catholic majesties " the sovereign dominion
of the Indies, with supreme jurisdiction over all that hemisphere," was
passed OH the ad of May. But the Great Bull (on every account entitled
to that name) was issued on the day following. A copy of it in the ori-
ginal Latin, with an English translation, is preserved in Harris' Voyages,
i, 6 — 8. It is also in Haz, Cojl. i, 3 — 6. See Herrera, i. 96.
AMERICAN ANNALS. 9
heirs and successors, the kings and queens of Cas- 1493.
tile and Leon. To prevent the interference of this
grant with one formerly made to the crown of Por-
tugal, he directed that a line, supposed to be drawn
from pole to pole, at the distance of one hundred
leagues westward of the Azores, should serve as a
boundary ; and bestowed all the countries to the
east of this imaginary line, not actually possessed
by any Christian prince, on the Portuguese, and all
to the west of it, on the Spaniards. '
How astonishingly great, at this period, was the Remark?,
influence of the Pope of Rome ! This sovereign
Pontiff, " in virtue of that power which he received
from Jesus Christ, conferred on the crown of Cas-
tile vast regions, to the possession of which he him-
self was so far from having any title, that he was
unacquainted with their situation, and ignorant
even of their existence."2 Although neither the
Spaniards, nor the Portuguese, now suspected the
validity of the Papal grant, yet the other nations of
Europe would not suffer them quietly to enjoy their
shares. 3 In the progress of these Annals, we shall
find different nations planting colonies in the New
World, without leave of the Catholic king, or even
of his Holiness. It early became a law among the
European nations, that the countries, which each
should explore, should be deemed the absolute prop-
erty of the discoverer, from which all others should
i Life of Columbus, c. xlii. Hen-era, i. 96. Robertson, i. book ii. Chal-
mers, i. 6. Belknap Biog. I. 103 ; and the authorities at the close of this
year. The Portuguese, it seems, were dissatisfied with the Papal partition.
The subject was therefore referred to six plenipotentiaries, three chosen
from each nation, whose conferences issued in an agreement, That the
line of partition, in the Pope's bull, should be extended two hundred and
seventy leagues farther to the west ; that all westward of that line should
fall to the share of the Spaniards, and all eastward of it, to the Portuguese.
This agreement was made 7 June, 1493. It was sealed by the king of
Spain i July that year ; and by the king of Portugal a; February, 1494,
Herrera, i. 116, 117. Harris' Voyages, i. 8.
a Robertson, i. book ii.
3 Montesquieu, Spirit of Laws, book xxi. c. xvli.
io AMERICAN ANNALS.
1493. be entirety excluded.1 Above a century5 after
this papal grant, the parliament of England insist-
ed, That occupancy confers a good title by the law
of nations and nature.
second On the twenty fifth of September Columbus
voyage of sailed from Cadiz, on his second voyage to the
New World. The equipment, made for him, proves
in what an advantageous light his past discoveries
and present enterprise were viewed. He was fur-
nished with a fleet of three ships of war and four*
teen caravels, with all necessaries for settlement or
conquest,3 and 1500 people, some of whom were
of the best families of Spain.4 On the Lord's day,
the third of November, he discovered one of the
He discov- Caribbee islands, which, because it was discover-
ers Domi- ed on that day, he called Dominica. s Going on
mca' shore at an adjacent island, he called it by his ship's
Mariga- name, Marigalante, and took solemn possession be-
fore a notary and witnesses/ On the fifth he dis-
joTttnd covered Guadaloupe;7 on the tenth, Montserrat8
other isi- and Antigua. After discovering, to the northwest,
ands. more islands, he came into the port of Navi-
Nov. 28. dad, ]sj0t a Spaniard, however, was to be seen :
Arrives at
Navidad, j Chalmers, i. 6. 2 A. D. 1621. Ibid.
3 Univ. Hist. xli. 487. " Ultra ducentos et mille armatos pedites — in-
ter quos omnium mechanicarum artium fabros et opifices innunieros-*—
t-quites quosd.im c;tteris armatis immixtos." P. Martyr, p. 9. This au-
thor is of primary authority on this article ; for he received and recorded
his information of the facts, relating to this voyage, soon after the depar-
ture of Columbus. *' H.-EC nohis intra paucos dies ab ejus discessu renun-
ciatafuerunt." Decade, i. dated, 1493.
4 Haklurt, iii. 4. Univ. Hist. xli. 34^, Two of the brothers of Co-
lumbus were among the passengers. Harris Voy. i. 269.
5 Herrera, i. 106. 6. Ibid.
7 This island was thus named, from its resemblance to a chain of
mountains of that name in Spain. It was the principal residence of the
Qtribbet's, who called it Carucueria. To these wild and savage people, the
Spaniards could obtain no access. " Hi, nostris visis, vel terrore, vel scele-
rum conscientia permoti, inter sese exorto murmure, alter in alterum oc-
ulos fiecu-ntes, cuneo facto ex insperato, celerrime,ut multitude aviurn, con-
eitati, ad nemorosas valles pcdem referunt." P. Martyr, p. 13, 266. Univ.
Hist. xli. 237.
8 Thus named, for its lofty mountains : " quoniam altis montibus in-
structa esset, Montem Serratum illam vocant." P. Martyr, p. 15.
AMERICAN ANNALS. u
and the fort, which he had built here, was entirely 1493.
demolished. The tattered garments, broken arms, and findsifc
and utensils, scattered about its ruins, too clearly m ruins,
indicated the miserable fate of the garrison. While
the Spaniards were weeping over these relics of
their countrymen, a brother of the friendly cazique
Guacanahari arrived, and confirmed all their dismal
apprehensions. He informed Columbus, that, on
Jiis departure, the men, whom he left behind, threw
off all regard to their commanding officer ; that, by
familiar intercourse with the Indians, they lessened
that veneration for themselves, which was first enter-
tained, and, by indiscretion and ill conduct, effaced
every favourable impression, that had first been
made ; that the gold, the women, the provisions of
the natives, became subject to their licentious prey ;
that, under these provocations and abuses, the ca-
zique of Cibao surprized and cut off several of them
as they straggled about, heedless of danger ; that
then, assembling his subjects, he surrounded the
fort, and set fire to it ; that some of the Spaniards
were killed in defending it ; and that the rest pe-
vished, in attempting to escape by crossing an arm
of the sea. x
Leaving Navidad, he sailed eastwardly ; and,Pec- 8-
i -11 i ^ i r c Lands at
at the same island, anchored before a town or another
Indians, where he resolved to plant a colony.
He accordingly landed all his men, provision's, and
utensils, in a plain, near a rock on which a fort
might be conveniently erected. Here he built a builds the
town, which, in honour of the queen of Castile, he f
called Isabella. This was the first town, founded indies.
by Europeans in the New World. z
I Robertson, i. book ii.
a Life of Columbus, c. ii. & xlv li. Herrera, i. 106 — 113. Pur-
chas, i. 731. P. Martyr, 1 1 — 13. European Settlements, i. 19, 20. Uni-
versal Hist. xli. aj8. Robertson, i. book ii.
AMERICAN ANNALS.
May 5.
Columbus
discovers
Jamaica.
Terrible
1494- .
Columbus in the spring dispatched twelve ves*
sels for Spain ; and after a prosperous voyage they
arrived safely in April at Cadiz. x
Leaving Peter Margarita the command of three
hundred and aixty foot and fourteen horse, to re-,
duce Hispaniola under obedience to their Catholic
majesties, he now sailed for Cuba, which he descri-
ed on the 29th of April. Sailing along its southern
shore, he discovered on the fifth of May another
island, called Jamaica. 2 Here, on landing, he met
with much opposition from the ferocious natives ;
but, after repeated defeats, they became tractable,
and even brought food to barter. 3 Although Co-
lumbus appears to have made no settlement at Ja-
maica ; yet, so favourable was the opinion, that he
entertained of the island, that he marked it out as
an estate for his family. 4
A hurricane, more violent than any within the rer
membrance of the natives, occurred in June at His-
paniola. Without any tempest, or fluctuation of
the sea, it repeatedly whirled around three ships,
lying at anchor in port, and plunged them in the
deep. The natives ascribed this disorder of the
elements to the Spaniards.5
j P. Martyr, 10.
1 Jamaica is probably an Indian word, for Oviedo mentions a river in
Hispaniola, of that name. Univ. Hist. xli. 346.
3 Univ. Hist. xli. 346. " Pluribus in locis volenti Prsefecto terram ca-
pere, armati ac minitantes occurrerunt, pugnasque ssepius attentarunt :
*ed victi scraper, amicitiam omnes cum Prsefecto iniere." P. Martyr, p.zy.
4 The son and family of Columbus, considering Jamaica as their own
property, built upon it St. Jago de la Vega, and several other towns, that
were abandoned on account of the advantages attending the situation of
St. Jago, which increased so greatly, as in a short time to contain, accord-
ing to report, 1700 houses, a churches, z chapels, and an abbey. The
court of Spain, notwithstanding its ingratitude to the father, granted both
the property and government of Jamaica to his family ; and his son Die-
go Columbus was its first European governor. But the descendants of
Columbus degenerated from h>s virtues, and they, or their agents, mur-
dered 6o,oco of the natives. Univ. Hist. xli. 348.
5 P. Martyr, 45. " Gentem hanc perturbasse elementa, atque porten«
t» h^ec tuiiwe, imiruinnur^baiit ir.sulares." Ibid.
AMERICAN ANNALS. 13
Columbus, on his return to Hispaniola, to his 1494.
inexpressible joy, met his brother Bartholomew at SeP5- ?9«
T i ii r J J r i • r™ He fands
Isabella, after a separation or thirteen years. I he his brother
brother's arrival could not have been at a more Barthoio-
seasonable juncture. Columbus essentially needed a^dLf
his .friendly counsels and aid ; for all things were
in confusion, and the colony was in the utmost
danger of being destroyed. Four of the principal
sovereigns of the island, provoked at the disorderly
and outrageous conduct of the Spaniards, had unit-
ed with their subjects to drive out their invaders. 2 ,.
^ , , ~ J * . . . , Marches a-
Columbus, first marching against a cazique, who gainst the
had killed sixteen Spaniards, easily subdued him ; natives.°f
, i r i • i • • Hispaniola.
and sent several of his subjects prisoners to Spain.3
I Herrera, i. 138. Bartholomew Columbus was so unfortunate, in his
yoyage to England, as to fall into the hands of pirates, who detained him
a prisoner for" several years. When he had, at length, made his escape,
and arrived at London, so extreme was his indigence, that he was obliged
to spend considerable time in drawing and selling maps, to procure mo-
ney sufficient to purchase a decent dress, in which he might venture to
appear at court. He then laid his brother's proposals before the king
[Henry VII] ; but with, little effect. " This prince," it has been justly
remarked, " was rather a prudent steward and manager of a kingdom,
than a great king, and one of those defensive geniuses, who are the last in
the world to relish a great but problematic design."* But, with all his
excessive caution and parsimony, he received the overtures of Columbus
with more approbation, than any monarch, to whom they had hitherto
been communicated. When Bartholomew had finished his negociation in
England, he set out for Spain, by the way of France, and at Paris receiv-
ed information of his brother's extraordinary discoveries in his first
voyage, and of his preparation for a second expedition. This intelli-
gence hastened him on his journey ; but before he reached Spain, the
Admiral had sailed for Hispaniola. He was received, however, with due
respect by Ferdinand and Isabella, who persuaded him to take the com*
mand of three ships, which they had appointed to carry provisions to the
colony at Isabella. Robertson, i. book ii.
* European Settlements, i. chap.- i.
a P. Martyr's account of the enormities of the Spaniards sufficiently
shows, why the poor natives were at once united and desperate : " Ea
gens, qua: Prxfectum in ea navigatione secuta fuerat majori ex parte in-
domita, vaga, cui nihil pensi esset, libertatem sibi, quoque modo posset,
quasritans, ab injuriis minime se abstinere poterat, Insularium fceminas, an-
te parentum, fratrum, et virorum oculos raptans, stupris rapinis que inten-
ta, animos omnium incolarum perturbarat. Quamobrem pluribus in locis
quotquot imparatos e nostris incolae reperiebant, rapide, et tanquam sacra
ofFerentes Deo, trucidaverunt." De Nov. Orb. p. 39.
3 Life of Columbus, c. liv — ki. Robertson, i. book ii. European Set*
Cements, i, 34.
14 AMERICAN ANNALS.
H95-
March 24. nf ne unsubdued caziques of Hispaniola still
war with showing a determination to destroy, if possible,
^e Spanish colony, Columbus set out from Isa-
bella, to carry on the war against them. His
army consisted of no more than " 200 Christians,
20 horses, and as many dogs ;" but the In?
dians are said to have raised already 100,000
men. The Spaniards soon routed the Indians, and
obtained a complete victory. The admiral spent a
year in ranging the island ; and, in this time, reT
duced it under such obedience, that all the natives
tribute, from fourteen years of age and upward, inhab-
iting the province of Cibao, where are gold mines,
promised to pay as a tribute to their Catholic
majesties, every three months, a hawk's bell full
of gold dust ; and every other inhabitant of the
island, twenty five pounds of cotton. *
™iefosf°~ The tranquillity of England, at this period, be-
Columbus ing propitious to the increase of its commerce and
tentiorTin manufectures, London now contained merchants
England, from all parts of Europe, The Lombards and
Venetians, in particular, were remarkably numerous.
Among these foreigners, John Cabot, a Venetian,
and his three sons, Lewis, Sebastian, and Sanctus,
were living in London. The father, perfectly
skilled in all the sciences requisite to form an ac-
complished mariner, was led by his knowledge of
the globe to suppose, that a shorter way from
England to India might be found by the northwest.
The famous discovery of the New World caused
great astonishment and much conversation in the
court of Henry VII, of England, and among the Eng-
i Life of Columbus, c. Ixi. Herrera, i. 14.5. The measure, said by Her-
rera to be " a small hawk's bell," is wrought up, unmercifully, by some
historians, into " a large horse bell." It was, in truth, a little bell, worn
by the hawk in the sport of a falconer. Herrera [i. 145.] says, that " on-
ly king Manicatex gave, every month, half a gourd full of gold, being
worth 150 pesos or pieces of eight."
AMERICAN ANNALS. 15
lish merchants ; and the specimens of gold, carried 1495*
home by Columbus, excited an ardent desire of
prosecuting this discovery. The adventurous spi-
rit of John Cabot was heightened by the ardour
of his son Sebastian, who, though young, was
ambitious, and, at the same time, well versed in e-
very science, subservient to a mathematical know-
ledge of the earth, and to navigation.
With these incitements to the meditated enter-
prise, he communicated to the king his project,
which was favourably received. A commission was
accordingly, on the fifth of March, granted to him
and his three sons,1 giving them liberty to sail to
all parts of the east, west, and north, under the
royal banners and ensigns, to discover countries
of the heathen, unknown to Christians ; to set up
the king's banners there ; to occupy and possess,
as his subjects, such places as they could subdue ;
giving them the rule and jurisdiction of the same^
to be holden on condition of paying to the king
one fifth part of all their gains. *
1496.
While Columbus was successfully establishing
the foundations of Spanish grandeur in the New
World, his enemies were assiduously labouring to
deprive him of his merited honour and emoluments.
The calamities, arising from a long voyage and an
unhealthful climate, were represented as the effects
I The style of the commission is, " Johanni Cabotto^ Civi Venetia-
rum, ac Ludov'uo^ Sebastiano, et Sancto, Filiis dicti Johannis" &c. Tt
is dated the 5th of March in the eleventh year of the reign of
Henry VII. Henry was crowned Oct. 30, 1485. If that year be reck-
oned the first of his reign, this commission is rightly placed by Hak-
luyt, Robertson, and others, in 1495 : but, if the first year of his reign be
reckoned from 1486, the commission must be placed, where Rymer and
some others have placed it, in 1496.
a Hakluyt, iii. 4, 5, 7 ; where may be seen the Letters Patent ; as al-
so in Rymer's Fcedera, xii. 595 ; and in Chalmers' Annals, i. 7. Chal-
mers says, it is the oldest American State Paper of England. See
also Purchas, i. 718. .Life of Columbus, c. Ixiii. P. Martyr, 46. Belknap
Biog.i.i49, 150. Robertson, book is. 16. Forster's Voyagesj 166.
1 6 AMERICAN ANNALS.
1496. of his ambition ; the discipline, maintained by his
prudence, as excess of rigour ; the punishments,
that he inflicted on the mutineers, as cruelty. Re-
solved to return to Spain, to vindicate himself
from these false charges, already made against him
to the Spanish court, he exerted the small remains
of his authority in settling affairs for the preven-
tion of such disorders, as had taken place during his
former absence. He built forts in the princi-
pal parts of the island ; established the civil gov-
ernment on a better footing ; and redoubled his
Columbus diligence for the discovery of mines. Having
sails for made these prudential arrangements, he set sail
Spain. from Isabella, on the tenth of March,1 with -225
Spaniards and 30 Indians ; leaving the supreme
power in the government of the Province to his
brother Bartholomew, with the title of Adelantado ;
and the administration of justice to Francis Roldan,
with the title of Alcalde. z
The natives of Hispaniola, by wars with the
Spaniards, and a pestilential disease, occasioned by
the damp places in which they concealed themselves
to shun their enemy, were already essentially re-
duced in numbers and in strength. It is asserted
by a very credible historian, that one third of these
wretched inhabitants had now perished. 3
Three ships having arrived in July at Isabella
with provisions from Cadiz, Bartholomew Colum-
bus, on dispatching them for their return to Spain,
sent on board three hundred Indian flaves. This
measure was in compliance with the royal mandate ;
for their Catholic majesties, on receiving informa-
tion, that some caziques had killed the Spaniards,
had ordered, that, whoever should be found guilty
of that crime, should be sent to Spain. 4
i He visited several of the West India islands, before his departure
for Spain, which was not till the aoth of April. Herrera, i. 154,
a P. Martyr, 8, 46. Herrera, i. 153.
3 Herrera, i, 147. 4 Ibid. i. 168,
AMERICAN ANNALS. tjf
The country on the southern coast of Hispanio-
la, appearing very beautiful, was judged an eligible
place for settlement. Bartholomew Columbus, hav-
ing received written orders from his brother Chris-
topher in Spain, to remove the colony from Isabel-
la to the south part of the island, now began a
settlement there,1 and, in memory of his father,
whose name was Dominick, called it Santo Domin-
go.'
1497.
Henry VII on the third of February gave per- Royal per-
mission to John Cabot, to take six English ships in T^hn°Ca£
any haven or havens of the realm of England, be- ot for sir
ing of the burden of two hundred tons or under, shlps*
with the requisite furniture, and all such masters,
mariners, and subjects of the king, as should be
willing to accompany him. 3 Whatever might have
been the cause, an equipment appears not to have
been made, to the extent of the royal licence.
In the beginning of May, 4 Cabot and his son Se- Voyage of
bastian and three hundred men5 with two carav- theCabot3-
els, freighted by the merchants of London and
Bristol, commenced a voyage of discovery. 6 On
the twenty fourth of June they were surprized by
the sight of land, which, being the first they had june 24.
seen, they called Prima Vista. This is generally Thex dis-
supposed to be some part of the island of New- cover
foundland. A few days afterward they discover-
ed a smaller island, to which, on account probably
I Herrera, i6S, 169.
a Life of Columbus, c. Ixxiii. P. Martyr, 66.
3 Hakluyt, i. 511, where is inserted a record of the rolls, relating to
this voyage,, entitled, " Billa signata Anno 13 Henrici 7." See Hazard
Coll. i. 10. Chalmers, i. 8. Brit. Emp. in America, i. Inirod. vi.
4 See Note !. at the end of the volume.
5 P. Martyr, 232.
6 Fabian, in his Chronicle, says, that one ship at Bristol was manned
and victualled at the king's cost ; that divers merchants of London ven-
tured in her small stocks ; and that in the company of the said ship sailed
also out of Bristol three or four small ships, " fraught with sleight and
grosse merchandizes." Hakluyt, i. 515.
D
I a AMERICAN ANNALS.
1497. of its being discovered on the day of John the
Baptist, they gave the name of St. John. Contin-
uing their course westwardly, they soon reached
the continent, and then sailed along the coast
c-ast along northwardly to the latitude of 67 and a half de-
thK-nt'of" grees. ' Finding that the coast stretched toward
the New the east, and despairing of making the desired dis-'
covery here, they turned back, and sailed along
the coast toward the equator, " ever with an intent
to find the passage to India,-" till they came to the
southernmost part of that tract of the continent,
which has since been called Florida. Their pro-
visions now failing, and a mutiny breaking out a-
Returnto niong the mariner's j they returned to England,
England, without attempting either settlement or conquest
in any part of the New World.;8
Through a singular succession of causes, sixty
one years elapsed from the time of this discovery of
the northern division of the Continent by the Eng-
lish, during which their monarchs gave little atten-
tion to this country, which was destined to be
annexed to their crown, and to be a chief source
of British opulence and power, till, in process of
time, it should become an independent empire.3
This remarkable neglect of navigating the coast,
and of attempting colonization, is in some measure
accounted for by the frugal maxims of Henry
VII, and the unpropitious circumstances of the
reign of Henry VIII, of Edward VI, and of the
bigotted Mary ; reigns peculiarly adverse to the
extension of industry, trade and navigation.4
1 For an illustration of the probable extent of this voyage, to the north
and south, see Note I. at the end of the volume.
^ P. Martyr, »jz. Haklnyt, i. 513 ; iii. 6— 9. Smith Hist. Virgin!*,
p. I. Purchas, i. 737, 738. Josselyn's Voyages, 2,50. Harris, 5. 860. Ro-
bertson, b.ix. 1 6, 17. Univ.Hist. xl. 378. Forster, 266, 431. Belknap Eiog.
i. 152. Mather's Magnalia, i. ;. Prince Chron. Introd. 80, Bitfg. Brita».
Art. GILBERT.
*, Robertson, book ix. p. 22.
A Univ. Hist, xxxix. 235, 406. Brit. Emp. Introd. vi, vii.
AMERICAN ANNALS. ij
1498.
While the testimonies of fidelity and good con-
duct, carried by Columbus to Spain, silenced the
personal calumnies of his enemies, the large speci-
mens of gold and pearl, which he produced, prov-
ed the falsity of their representation of the poverty
of the Indies. The court became fully convinced
of the importance of the new colony, the merit of
its governor, and the necessity of a vSpeedy supply.
Two ships were sent out in February with suc-
cours, under the command of Peter Fernandez Co-
ronel. The admiral staid to negotiate for a fleet,
adequate to his enlarged views and purposes. But
his enemies, though silenced, were not idle. All
the obstructions, which they could raise, were
thrown in his way. It was not therefore till after
a thousand delays and disappointments, that he was
enabled to set out again in prosecution of his
discoveries. He at length received commission
to carry, if he should think fit, five hundred men,
provided that all above three hundred and thirty1
should be paid otherwise, than out of the king's
revenue ; and was allowed for the expedition six
millions of maravedies ; four, for the provisions to
be put on board the fleet, and two, for the pay of
the men. It was now also provided, that none of
any nation, but the Castilian, should go over to
the West Indies. a
On the thirtieth of May he sailed from Spain,
on his third voyage, with six ships, loaded with Third voy-
pro visions and other necessaries, for the relief and
population of Hispaniola. 3 On the thirty first of
July, in the ninth degree of north latitude, he dis-
covered an island, which he called Trinidad. On
1 By advice of Columbus it was resolved, that 330 men should be
kept always on the island of Hispaniola, in the royal pay. Herrera, i. I j6.
2 Herrera, i. 156 — 158.
3 P. Martyr, 58. Europ. Settlements, i. 38, 39. Harris Voyages, i. 270.
20 AMERICAN ANNALS,
1498. the first of August he discovered the continent at
He discov- Terra Firma. Sailing along the coast westwardly,
ersthe .11 i r i v n» /r *
continent with the continent on the left, he discoveredMargan-
of America. ta> xhe Spaniards, finding that the oysters, brought
by the inhabitants of this island on board the ship
of Columbus, contained pearls, were inexpressibly
delighted ; and, hastening to the shore, found all the
natives decked in these rich ornaments, which they
disposed of to the Spaniards for mere trifles. z
Columbus, having discovered many other islands
for two hundred leagues to Cape Vela, anchored
on the twentieth off Hispaniola.* On the thirti-
eth he entered the harbour at that island, where
the lieutenant, agreeably to his brother's advice,
had appointed a new city to be built. 3 Until this
year, Isabella had been the chief place of the resi-
dence and government of the Spanish colony ; but
stDomin- tne capital was now transferred to this new city ;4
gobecomes which was long the most considerable European
the capital. settlement ;fl the New World.s
In the absence of the admiral, Roldan, a man of
obscure birth,6 and of base character, though now
high in office, had separated himself from Bartho-
lomew Columbus, and formed a faction. He had
virulently aspersed the characters, and misrepre-
sented the designs, of the two brothers. He had
sent his scandalous charges in writing to the court
of Spain ; intending to prevent, if possible, the return
of Christopher Columbus, and to destroy the autho-
I Univ. Hist. xli. 527.
a Life of Columbus, c. Ixv — Ixxiii. Purchas, 1.823, 837. Prince Chron.
Introd. 80. Europ. Settlements, i. 140.
3 Life of Columbus, c. Ixxiii.
4 Purchas, i. 731. Though Isabella was chosen in 1493, as a situation
more healthful and commodious than that of Navidad, yet its abandonment
is ascribed to the unhealthiness of the air, and the badness of the soil :
" Ce qui a fait abandonner cette ville, c'est que Pair en etoit malsain et
les terres mauvaises." Encyc. Methodique, Geog. Art. ISABELLE.
5 Robertson, i. book ii.
6 " Roldanum quendam — quern fossorum et calonum ductorem ex fa-
mulo suo, deinde justitiaj prassidem, Praefectus erexerat." P. Martyr, j6.
AMERICAN ANNALS.
rity of both. * He had been chosen the leader of a
considerable number of the Spaniards, whom he mutiny.
had excited to mutiny ; and, taking arms, had
seized the king's magazine of provisions, and en-
deavoured to surprise the fort at St. Domingo.*
It required all the address and vigour of Colum-
bus, to subdue this faction. He at length succeed-
ed ; and in November articles of agreement were
made between him and Roldan, with his insur-
gents. 3
1499.
Columbus, accompanied by his brother the lieu-
tenant, having set out in February to pass through
the island of Hispaniola, came in March to Isabel-
la, and in April to the Conception. It was his in-
tention to go early the next year to St. Domingo,
to make preparation for his return to Spain, to give
their Catholic majesties an account of all transac-
tions.4
The spirit of discovery beginning to spread itself
widely, private adventurers in Spain and Portugal,
stimulated by the gold remitted to Europe by Co-
lumbus, made equipments at their own expense.
Among the earliest of these adventurers was Alon- °Jeda'9
so de Ojeda, a gallant and active officer, who had g
accompanied Columbus in his first voyage. Aided
by the patronage of the bishop of Badajos, he ob-
tained the royal licence for the enterprise ; the bish-
op, at the same time, communicating to him the ad-
miral's journal of his last voyage, and his charts of
the countries, which he had discovered. Such was
Ojeda's credit with the merchants of Seville, that
I P. Martyr, 67. Purchas,i. 731.
a Robertson, i. book ii.
3 Life of Columbus, c. Ixxxi. By this agreement, the mutineers were
to have two ships, with provisions, to carry them to Spain, and each of
them might take a slave with him. Herrera, i. 2IO.
4 Life of Columbus ,c. Ixxxiv.
a* AMERICAN ANNALS.
1499. they equipped him with four ships, with which he
sailed from St. Mary's in Spain on the twentieth
Heisac- of May. Amerigo Vespucci, a Florentine gentle*
ct::arumea . ii-ir-i- n i
by Ameri- man, eminently skilful in all the sciences subservi-
goVespuc- ent to navigation, accompanied Ojeda in this voyage.
Pursuing the course of the great navigator for the
New World, they in twenty seven days discover-
ed land in about five degrees north latitude, on the
coast of Paria. Having tr acjed here with the na-
tives, they stood to the west, proceeded as far as
Cape Vela, and ranged a considerable extent of
coast beyond that, on which Columbus had touch-
ed. After ascertaining the truth of the opinion of
Columbus, that this country wa,s part of the conti-
nent, they sailed to Hispaniola, where they arrived
on the fifth of September, and soon after returned
who gives to Spain, The country, of which Amerigo was er-
rame to roneously supposed to be the discoverer, not long
World;7 a^ter unjustly obtained his name ; and, by univer-
sal consent, this new quarter of the globe has ever
since been called America. *
Voyage of Another voyage of discovery was undertaken by
Ni°no° Alonso Nigno, who had served under the admiral
in his last voyage. Having fitted out a single ship,
in conjunction with Christopher Guerra, a mer-
chant of Seville, they both sailed to the coast of
Paria. Though their discoveries were unimpor-
tant ; yet they carried home svjch a quantity of
I Robertson, i. book ii. Rrince Chron. Introd. 80. IJurop. Settlements,
i. 46. Belknap Disc, on Discovery of America, p. 115. This name is sup-
posed to have been fir^t given to the New World by the publication of
Vespucci's account of his Voyage ; but at what time is not certain. For
a refutation cf his claim to the honour of discovering the continent of
the New World, see Robertson, i. Note xxii, Herrera and all the earliest
and best Spanish historians uniformly ascribe this honour to Columbus.
Herrera, i. 214. Herrera says, that Americus Vesputius (so the name is
often written), " to make good his false and assumed claim to the dis-
covery of the Continent, suppressed the name of Dragon's Mouth, which
Columbus had given to the entrance into a bay near Trinidad" ; and that
he " confounded the passages of the two voyages," that, made before witii
Columbus, and thig, made with Ojeda, " in order to conceal the Admi-
ral's having discovered tht- continent." Ibid. 22J, 223. But English
AMERICAN ANNALS. ^3
gold and pearls, as inflamed their countrymen with
desire of engaging in similar enterprises. *
The mutineers at Hispaniola not daring to go to
Spain, a new contract was made with Roldan, by
virtue of which he was reinstated in his former of-
fice ; and his followers, amounting to one hundred
and two, were restored to whatever they had enjoy-
ed before their revolt. a In consequence of this a-
greement, lands were allotted to the mutineers in
different parts of the island ; and the Indians, set-
tled in each district, were appointed to cultivate a
prescribed portion of ground for their new masters.
This service was substituted for the tribute, for-
merly imposed ; and it introduced among the Span- Repartia.
iards the Repartiamentos, or distributions of In- mentos i
dians in all their settlements, which subjected that
wretched people to the most grievous oppression.3 moia.
1560.
Vincent Yanez Pinzon having, in connexion with Voyage
Ariez Pinzon, built four caravels, sailed from Palos °e pin4
for America. * He stood boldly toward the south,
and was the first Spaniard, who ventured to cross
the equinoctial line. 5 In February he discovered
a cape, in eight degrees south latitude, and called
it Cabo de Consolacion ; 6 but it has since been
called Cape Augustine^7 Here he landed, but
could obtain no interview with the natives.8 Sail-
historians remember, and it ought not to be forgotten, that the CABOTS
were the first discoverers of the Continent of America. See A. D. 1497.
I Robertson, i. book ii. 2 Herrera, i. 211. 3 Robertson, i. book ii.
4 Prince [Chron. Introd. 81.] says, he sailed from Palos 13 November,
1499 ; and Herrera [i. 233.], that he left the Cape Verd islands 13 Janu-
ary, 1500.
5 Robertson, i. book ii.
6 Herrera, i. 231.
7 Purchas, i. 828. Prince, ut supra.
8 P. Martyr, 81 — 83. Robertson [i. book ii.] says, that Pinzon " seems
to have landed on no part of the coast beyond the mouth of the Marag-
non, or river of the Amazons." But I rely on P. Martyr, who says, that
the Spaniards landed at the Cape ; that in the neighbourhood of it 32 of
the natives, armed with bows and arrows, came forth to meet them, fol-
24 AMERICAN ANNALS.
1500. ing northwestwardly, he discovered and named the
river of the Amazons* * Having sailed along the
coast to Trinidad, he returned to Spain. *
The fertile district of country, " on the confines
of which Pinzon stopt short," was very soon more
fully discovered. Pedro Alvarez Cabral, sent by
Emanuel, king of Portugal, with thirteen ships,
on a voyage from Lisbon to the East Indies, in or-
der to avoid the calms on the Guinea shore, fetch-
April »j. ecj a compass so far westwardly, as, by accident,
Cabral dii- ,. 1-1 T r T
covers Bra- to discover land in the tenth degree south or the
sil- equinoctial line. Proceeding along the coast several
days, he was led from its extent to believe, that it
must be a part of some great continent ; and, on
account of a cross, that he erected there with much
ceremony, he called it, The Land of the Holy
Cross ; but it was afterward called Brasil. 3 Hav-
ing taken possession of it for the crown of Portu-
gal, he dispatched a ship to Lisbon with an account
of this important discovery, and pursued his
voyage. 4
The Portuguese king, on receiving the intelli-
gence, sent ships, to discover the whole country,
and found it to be the land of America. A con-
troversy hence arose between him and the king of
Spain ; but they being kinsmen and near friends,
it was ultimately agreed, that the king of Portugal
should hold all the country that he had discovered,
lowed by others, armed in the same manner ; that the Spaniards endea-
voured to allure them by gifts, but in vain ; for, in the dead of night,
they fled from the places which they had occupied. " Omnem sermonem
rejiciunt, pantti semper ad pugnam. Nocte intempesta aufugiunt."
1 Vega [Commentaries of Peru 339.] says, the Pinzons gave the river
this name, " because they observed, that the women fought with as much
courage in defence of those parts as the men."
2 Prince, ut supra.
3 From a certain wood, which dies red, a name previously to this pe-
riod known to the Arabians. Forster's Voyages, 263.
4 Herrera, i. 235. Purchas. i. 835. Robertson, i. book ii. Forster, 263.
Prince, latrod. 81. Biblioth. Americana, p. 50.
AMERICAN ANNALS. 25
which was from the river of Maragnon, or Ama- 1500.
zons, to the river of Plate.1
The implacable enemies of Columbus renewing
their complaints against him, the king and queen .
of Spain sent Bovadilla as a judge, with power to
inquire into his conduct ; and with authority, if he
should find the accusations proved, to send him in-
to Spain, and to remain himself, as governor. Bov- Aus-
adilla, on his arrival at Hispaniola, thoroughly ex-
ecuted his commission. He assumed the govern- riyes at.
ment of the colony, and sent Columbus home in ^^"oc-
chahlS,1 . tobersend*
Portugal, at that time still in her glory, disre- JS^£
garding the donation made by the Pope, and the chains,
compromise for half the world, to which she had re-
luctantly agreed, viewed all the discoveries, made by
Spain in the New World, as so many encroachments
on her own rights and property. Under the in-
fluence of this national jealousy, Caspar de Corte-
real, a Portuguese, of respectable family, inspired
with the resolution of discovering new countries, and
a new route to India, sailed from Lisbon, with two
ships,3 at his own cost. In the course of his nav- v°ya?e to
igation, he arrived at Newfoundland, at a bay, ianT;°
which he named Conception Bay ; explored the
i Purchas, v. 1437.
a Life of Co'umbus, c. Ixxxv, Ixxxvi. Herrera, i. 235 — 243. Belknap
Disc, on Discovery of America, 115. The captain of the vessel, in which
Columbus sailed, touched with respect for his years and merit, offered to
take off the irons ; but he did not allow it. " Since the king has com-
" manded, that I should obey his governor, he shall find me as obedient
" to this, as I have been to all his other orders. Nothing, but his com-
" mands, shall release me. If twelve years hardship and fatigue ; if con-
" tinual dangers, and frequent famine ; if the ocean, first opened, and five
" times passed and repassed, to add a new world, abounding with wealth,
" to the Spanish monarchy ; and if an infirm and premature old age,
" brought on by those services, deserve these chains as a reward ; it i$
" very fit I should wear them to Spain, and keep them by me as memo-
" rials to the end of my life." Europ. Settlements, i. 43 — 45. He ac-
cordingly kept them until his death. " 1 always saw those irons in his
room," says his son Ferdinand, " which he ordered to be buried with
his body." Life of Columbus, c. Ixxxvi. Herrera, i. 244.
3 Herrera [i. 314.] says, they were Caravels.
£
36 - AMERICAN ANNALS.
Proceedsto whole eastern coast of the island; and proceeded
Canada; to the mouth of the great river of Canada. He af*
discovers tcrwards discovered a land, which he, at first, nam*
Terra ed Terra Verde, but which, in remembrance of the
since called discoverer, was afterwards called Terra de Corte*
Terra de real. That part of it, which, being on the south
Cortereal; sije Qf t|ie flf^^ degree of north latitude, he judg-
and Labra- e<^ to ^e ^ ^or cultivation, he named, Terra de Lab-
dor, rador. Returning, and communicating the news
of his discovery to his native country, he hastened
back, to visit the coast of Labrador, and to go to
India through the straights of Anian, which he im-
turnto »his raigined ne had just discovered. Nothing, howev-
country, he er, was afterward heard of him. It is presumed
i« lost. ^at ke was either murdered by the Esquimaux sav-*
ages, or perished among the ice. On this disas*
trous event, a brother of Cortereal undertook the
same voyage, with two ships ; but probably met
with a similar fate ; for he was heard of no more. '
1501.
Voyage of Roderigo de Bastidas, iii partnership with John
^e la Cosa, fitted out two ships from Cadiz. Sail-*
ing: toward the western continent, he arrived on the
0 -
coast of Paria ; and, proceeding to the west, dis-
covered all the coast of the province, since known
by the name of Terra Firma, from Cape de Vela
to the Gulf of Darien.8
second Not long after, Ojeda, with his former associate
°f Amerigo Vespucci, set out on a second voyage, and,
being unacquainted with the destination of Bastu
das, held the same course, and touched at the same
places. These voyages tended to increase the ar-*
dour of discovery. 3
1 Forster Voy. 460, 461. Harris Voy. 1.270. Venegas California,!. 1 18.
a Robertson, i. 199. Prince, Chron. Introd. 81. Harris Voy. i. 270;
but Galvano, cited by Harris, puts this voyage in 1502.
3 Robertson,!, book ii. Josselyn Voyages, 330. In BibHotheca Amer-
AMERICAN ANNALS. 27
1502.
Columbus exhibited so many charges at the
court of Spain against Bovadilla, demanding justice
at the same time for the injuries, which he had done
h'm, that their Catholic majesties resolved to send
another governor to Hispaniola. Nicholas de O-
vando, knight of the order of Alcantara, being ap-
pointed to this office, he sailed on the thirteenth of ,
February for America, with thirty two ships, in A^new *
which two thousand five hundred persons embark- Spanish go-
•i • i t • . r i • • i vernor sails
ed, with the intention of settling in the country. to America
This was the most respectable armament, hitherto with
fitted out for the New World. On the arrival of per
this new governor, Bovadilla, whose imprudent ad-
ministration threatened the settlement with ruin,
resigned his charge ; and was commanded to re-
turn instantly to Spain, to answer for his conduct. T
Ovando was particularly charged by the queen, that
the Indians of Hispaniola should be free from ser-
vitude, and protected, like the subjects of Spain ;
and that they should be carefully instructed in the
Christian faith. By command of their majesties,
both Spaniards and Indians were to pay tythes ;
none were to live in the Indies, but natives of
Castile ; none to go on discoveries, without leave
from their highnesses ; no Jews, Moors, nor new
converts, to be tolerated in the Indies ; and all, that
had been taken from the admiral and his brothers,
was to be restored to them. z
In the large fleet, that now arrived, came over
ten Franciscan Friars ; and these were the first ec-
clesiastics of that order, who came to settle in the
Indies. 3
icana is preserved the following title of a book ; rt Americi Vesputii Navi-
gatio tertiu a Lisbon:*; portu cum tribus Conservantix NavibusadNovum
Grbem ulterius detegendum, die Maii decima 1501."
j Herrera, i. 247 — 253. Robertson, i. 188,189.
a Herrera, i. 248, 250. 3 Ibid. i. 249.
§ AMERICAN ANNALS.
1502. Columbus, acquitted at the court of Spain with
the promise of restitution and reward, required but
few incentives to engage once more in discoveries.
His ambition was, to arrive at the East Indies ;
and thus to surround the globe. On this pros-
Pect> he was fitted out in Ma7 on his fourth and
^ last voyage, under the royal patronage, with a fleet
*"•' of four vessels, carrying one hundred and forty men
and boys, among whom were his brother Bartho-
. lomew, and his son Ferdinand, the writer of his.
life. ' In twenty one days after his departure from
Cacliz he arrived at Dominica ; and in twenty six
June 29. at liispariiola. Soon after his arrival at this island,,
apprehending an approaching storm, he advised a
fleet, then ready for sea, not to leave the port ; but
his advice was disregarded. The fleet, consisting
of eighteen sail, within forty hours after its depart-
ure was overtaken by a terrible tempest ; and of
the whole number of vessels, three or four only
were saved. Among those, that were lost, was
the ship, in which was Bovadilla, the governor,
who had sent Columbus, in a tyrannical and scan-
dalous manner, to Spain. z Roldan and the greater
part of the enemies of Columbus were swrallowed up
atf the same time, with the immense wealth, which
they had unjustly acquired. The fate of the Indian
king of Magua, now also lost, was less horrible, than
the outrage, that preceded it. He had offered to
I Life of Columbus, c. Ixxxvii, Ixxxviii. P. Martyr, 102, 206 ; but he
wys, there were 170 men : " cum hominibus centum septuaginta.'*
Herrera, i. 252. Belknap Biog. i. 116, 117.
a Life of Columbus, c. Ixxxviii. Europ. Settlements, i. chap. vii. Bel-
knap Biog. i. 1 1 6. Herrera [i. 253.] says, the fleet consisted of 31 ships;
the Author of Europ. Settlements says, it consisted of 20, and that 16 pe-
rished. I have followed Ferdinand Columbus. On board the ship, in
which Bovadilla perished, was a mass of gold, estimated at 3310 pesos,
which was designed as a present to the Spanish king and queen. P. Mar-
tyr ascribes the loss of the ship partly to the weight of the gold : " pras
nimio gentium et auri 'pondere, summersa interiit." De Nov. Orb. 101,
Purchas remarks, this is " a fit emblem for Christians, who, when they
will lade themselves with this thick clay, drown the soule in destruction
and perdition." Pilgrims, i. 723.
AMERICAN ANNALS. fi 9
till the ground, to the extent of fifty miles, for the 1502,
Spaniards, if they would spare him and his people
from the mines. A Spanish captain, in return for
this generous proposal, ravished his wife ; and the
unhappy king, who secreted himself, was taken and
sent on board the fleet, to be carried to Spain. '
After the storm Columbus sailed to the conti- -^"^J-
nent, and discovered the Bay of Honduras/ where the Bay of
he landed ; then proceeded along the main shore Honduras,
to Cape Gracias a Dios ; and thence to the isthmus
of Darien, where he hoped, but in vain, to find a
passage to the South Sea. 3 At the isthmus he
found a harbour, which he entered on the second
of November ; and, on account of its beauty and
security, called it Porto Bello. 4
Porto de la Plata, or the Haven of Silver, thir-
ty five leagues north of St. Domingo, was built this
year by Ovando. s
Hugh Elliot and Thomas Ashurst, merchants of
Bristol, with two other gentlemen, obtained letters
patent from Henry VII, for the establishment of co-
lonies in the countries newly discovered by Cabot.
Whether they ever availed themselves of this per-
mission, and made any voyages to the New World,
neither their contemporaries, nor subsequent writ-
ers, inform us.6 On this charter of licence, An-
I Purchas, i. 913.
Z Columbus called it, The Port of Casinas. Hcrrera, iii. 366.
3 Herrera, Ibid. Robertson, i. 203, 206. Prince, Introd. 82. Belknzp
Biog. i. 1 1 8.
4 Herrera, i. i6g. Life of Columbus, c. xcii. It was probably from
personal observation, that Ferdinand Columbus drew this description :
" The country about that harbour, higher up, is not very rough, but til-
led, and full of houses, a stone's throw or a bow shot one from the other/;
and it looks like the finest landscape a man can imagine." A water spout
near Porto Bello 13 December excited great alarm among the Spaniards.
The same writer remarks : " If they had not dissolved it by saying the
Gospel of St. John, it had certainly sunk whatsoever it fell upon." Ibid.
5 Univ. Hist. xli. 518. This haven was formerly reckoned the second
place of consequence in Hispaniola ; but in 1763 it was a mere fishing
village. Ibid.
6 Forster Voy. 289, 431. This commission, in the original Latin, is
la Hazard Coll. i. 11—19,
30 AMERICAN ANNALS.
derson observes, that king Henry pays no regard
to the imaginary line of division made between
Spain and Portugal by the Pope's authority ; and
that, according to his genius and former practice,
he does not pretend to give one penny toward the
enterprise. " It therefore," he subjoins, " suc-
ceeded no better than Cabot's voyage ; for private
adventurers rarely have abilities and patience suffi-
cient to perfect such undertakings, unless support-
ed by the public."*
Columbus, leaving Porto Bello, entered the riv-
er Yebra on the ninth of January. The beauty
Columbus and fertility of the adjacent country invited him to
setter co- beg*n a plantation. Remaining at Yebra, he sent
lony at his brother Bartholomew with sixty eight men in
Veraguay ; boats j-o t]je r jver Veraguay, whence they proceed^
ed to the river Duraba. Finding abundance of gold
here, it was concluded to establish a settlement.
The Spaniards actually began to erect houses ; but
their insolence and rapacity incensed the natives,
who, falling upon them, killed several of their
number, and obliged them to relinquish the de-
but isre- . ' . _ o. 1, j
pulsed by sign.2 These Indians were a more hardy race,
the natives. tjlan those of the islands ; and this was the first re-
pulse, sustained by the Spaniards. But for this ad*
verse occurrence, Columbus would have had the
honour of planting the first colony on the continent of
America. Leaving this hostile region, he now
sailed for Hispaniola ; but by the violence of a storm
. was obliged to run his ships ashore at Jamaica. In
^recked at his distress at this island, he sent some of the
Jamaica, hardiest of his men to Hispaniola, to represent his
I Hist. Commerce, ii. 7.
a P. Martyr, 114, 215. " Figere ibi pedem fuit consilium: sed inco*
lae futuram perniciem olfacientes, vetuerunt. Facto agmine, cum hor-
rendo clamore ruunt injnostros, qui domus xdificare jam cseperant." Ibid.
AMERICAN ANNALS. 31
calamitous situation to the governor, and to solic- 1503*
it vessels, to carry him and his people away. He
remained however at Jamaica eight months, without
the least intelligence from his messengers, or assist-
ance from the governor. The natives becoming
exasperated at the delay of the Spaniards, the bur*,
den of whose support was intolerable, the inven-
tive genius of Columbus had recourse to an admira-
ble device, to regain his authority. Assembling the
principal Indians around him, he caused them to
understand, that the God, whqni he served, pro-
voked at their refusal to support* the objects of his
favourite regard, intended to inflict on them a
speedy and severe judgment, of which they would
soon see manifest tokens in the heavens ; for on
that night the moon should withhold her light, and
appear of a bloody hue, as an omen of their ap*
proaching destruction. His menacing prediction
was ridiculed ; but its actual accomplishment, at
the precise time foretold, struck the barbarians
with terror. This eclipse of the moon, which he
had happily foreseen by his skill in astronomy, es-
tablished his character, as a prophet. The affright-
ed Indians brought him instantly a plenty of pro-
visions ; they fell at his feet, and besought him in
the most suppliant manner, to intercede with the
great Spirit, to avert the threatened calamity. Ap-
parently moved by their entreaties, he consoled
them ; but charged them to atone for their past
transgression by their future generosity. The
eclipse went of? ; and from that day the natives
were superstitiously cautious of giving offence to
the Spaniards.1
i Life of Columbus, c. xcv — ciii. Herrera, i. 294, 296. Purchtt, i.
731. Robertson, i.book ii. Bslknap Biog. i. 118, 119.
.
AMERICAN ANNALS*
1504.
When the fortitude and skill of Columbus had
been tried to the the utmost .extent, in repressing
the mutinies of his own people, and the violence of
the Indians • a ship, generously fitted out by a pri-
vate Person at Hispaniola, arrived at Jamaica, and
carried him to St. Domingo. Convinced, that a
dispute with a governor, in his own jurisdiction,
could bring him little advantage or honour, he has-
tened his preparation for returning to Spain. 2
On the second Off September he sailed from His-
Coiumbus paniola. Having encountered the most terrible
storms in the voyage, and sailed after losing his
mainmast seven hundred leagues, he with difficulty
reached the port of St. Lucar. Here, to his inex-
there in pressible grief, he learnt that his friend and patron-
Member. ess, queen Isabella, was dead.1 She had steadily
favoured and supported, while the Catholic king
had opposed and injured him. The value of the
Indies becoming daily more apparent, and also the
largeness of the share, that must fall to the admiral
by virtue of the stipulated articles, it had been the
selfish policy of Ferdinand to fix the absolute do-
minion in himself, and to dispose of all the employ-
ments, which belonged to the admiral, according to
his own pleasure. 3 The conduct of Isabella was
more just and generous, as became the greatness
of her character. This illustrious woman, " was
no less eminent for virtue, than for wisdom ; and
whether we consider her behaviour as a queen, as
a wife, or as a mother, she is justly entitled to the
high encomiums bestowed on her by the Spanish
historians."4
i Life of Columbus, xciv — cv. Europ. Settlements, i. 55 — 60. Univ.
Hist. xli. 347. Belknap Disc, on Discovery of America, 115.
a Life of Columbus, c. cxviii. Europ. Settlements, i. 60. Belknap Disc*
«n Discovery of America, 115.
3 Life of Columbus, c. cviii.
4 Robertson's Charles V. ii. book i. p. 6. " The Spaniards," says Me*
zeray, " lifs her above all other Heroines," Hist. France^ 540.
AMERICAN ANNALS. 33
Bastidas, with the leave of king Ferdinand, went
with two ships, to discover that part of Terra Fir-
ma, where lay Carthagena. * Landing on the is-
land Codego,z he took six hundred of the natives ;
proceeded to the Gulf of Uraba ; and returned
to St. Domingo, laden with flaves. 3
Some adventurous navigators from Biscay, Bre- Newfo«nd-
tagne, and Normandy, in France, came this year lahdfiahery.
in small vessels, to fish on the banks of Newfound-
land ; and these were the first French vessels, that
appeared on the coasts of North America. 4
.r5°5-.
The Indians of Hispaniola having made several war re-
attempts to recover their liberty, the Spaniards con- "ewedwhh
. i , , . , i •!• 1 the natives
sidered their conduct as rebellious, and took arms,
to reduce them to subjection. They made war a- iola*
gainst the cazique of Higuey,5 who, after signalizing
himself in defence of his countrymen, was igno-
miniously hung. Anacoana, the female cazique of
Xaraguay,6 being accused at this time of a design to
exterminate the Spaniards, Ovando, the Spanish go-
vernor, under pretence of making her a respectful
visit, marched toward Xaraguay with three hun-
dred foot and seventy horsemen. She received him
I This name had been given to that port by Columbus, on account of
its resemblance to a port of that name in Spain. P. Martyr, 105.
a It lay near the port ; and this was the Indian name. " Insulam vo-
cant inoolae Codego." Ibid. 3 Harris Voy. i. 270.
4 Anderson Hist. Commerce, ii. 9. Brit. Emp. in America, InfroJ. xlvi.
Encyc. Methodique, Geog. Art. CANADA. This fishery appears to have
been immediately productive. The French account is : " Des 1504, les
Basques, les Bretons et les Normands, utiles et andacieux navigateurs, se
hasardoient avec de foibles barques sur le bane de Terreneuve, et nouris-
•soient une partie de la France du fruit de leur peche." Ibid. These fish-
ermen are said to hare discovered at this time the Grand Bank of New-
foundland. Ibid. Commerce, Art. COMMUNAUTE DE BIENS.
5 A province at the eastern extremity of the island. Robertson.
6 This province extended from the fertile plain, where Leogane is now
situated, to the western extremity of the island. Anacoana, its highly res-
pected sovereign, had been uniformly friendly to the Spaniards. Her ac-
cusers were some of the adherents of Roldan, who had settled in her coun-
try, and were exasperated with her for endeavouring to restrain their ex-
jcesaes. Robertson.
34 AMERICAN ANNALS.
\\ith every token of honour, and feasted him -seve-
ral days. Amidst this security, the Spaniards, at
a preconcerted signal, drew their swords, and rush-
ed on the defenceless and astonished Indians. Their
princess was instantly secured. Her attendants
were seized and bound, and left to perish in the
flames of the house, where they were assembled,
which was set on fire. Anacoana was carried in
chains to St. Domingo, where, after the formality
of a trial, she was condemned to be hanged* This
atrocious conduct toward the Haytin princes com-
JetlVnT" pletety humbled the natives, who, in all the prov-
fiaai subju- Hices of Hispaniola, now submitted, without far-
gation. ther resistance, to the Spanish yoke. x
1506.
Death of Columbus, exhausted by age, fatigues, and dis-
Columbus. .'•" j. j T7 i? j rj • o •
appointments, died at valladolid m opam on the
twentieth of May, in the fifty ninth year of his
age, and was buried in the cathedral of Seville*
" He died with a composure of mind suitable to
the magnanimity which distinguished his character^
and with sentiments of piety, becoming that su-
preme respect for religion, which he manifested in
every occurrence of his life." On his tomb is this
Spanish inscription : A CASTILLA YA LEON,
I Robertson, i. book iii. B. de las Casas Relation, p. 14. Casas says,
that after this unjust war ended, with such a destruction and massacre,
the Spaniards, having reserved few beside the women and children, di-
vided these among themselves ; some keeping 30, others 40, others 100,
some 200, according to the interest they had with the tyrant [governor]
of the Island. Ibid. 1 6.
^ Robertson, i. book ii. Columbus was tall of stature, long visaged, of
a majestic aspect, his nose hooked, his eyes grey, of a clear complexion,
somewhat ruddy, his beard and hair, when young, fair, though through
many hardships they soon turned grey. He was witty and pleasant, well
spoken and eloquent, moderately grave, affable to strangers, to his own
family mild. His conversation was discreet, which gained him the affec-
tion of those he had to deal with ; and his presence attracted respect, hav-
ing an air of authority and grandeur. He was always temperate in eat-
ing and drinking, and modest in his dress. He understood Latin, and
composed verses. In religion he was very zealous and devout. He was-
a man of undaunted courage, high thoughts, and fond of great enterprises.
AMERICAN ANNALS. 35
vo MUNDO Dio COLON ; in English, cc To Cas-
tile and Leon Columbus gave a New World." *
Some slips of the sugar cane were now brought
from the Canary islands and planted in Hispaniola,
where they were found to thrive so well, as soon
to become an object of commerce. *
Jean Denys, a Frenchman, sailed with his pilot
Camart, a native of Rouen, from Honfleur to New- .
foundland, and drew a map of the Gulf of St. Law-
rence and of the coast of the adjacent country. 3
Ferdinand, king of Spain, established a Board Spanish
ef Trade, composed of persons, eminent for rank B°"d of
and abilities, to which he comiiiitted the adminis-
tration of American affairs. 4
Pursuant to bulls of the Pope, Father Garcia de
Padilla was nominated the first bishop of St, Dor
mingo. Their Catholic majesties ordered the Ca-
thedral church of that city to be magnificently
built at their own expense. s
The inhabitants of Hispaniola, computed to have
been, when Columbus discovered the island, at least
one million, were now reduced to sixty thousand. 6
Herrera, who gives this description and character of Columbus [i. 311,
312.], adds, " Had he performed such a wonderful enterprise in tiie an-
cient days, as the discovery of a New World, it is likely that he would
not only have had statues, and even temples, erected to his honour, but
that some star would have been dedicated to him, as was done to Hercu-
les and Bacchus."
1 Life of Columbus, c. cviii. Belknap Biog. i. 123.
2 Robertson, i. book iii. Anderson, ii. 13.
3 Forster Voy. 431, 432. Conduite des Francois, Note 9. Anderson,
Hist. Com. ii. 9. Univ. Hist, xxxix. 406 ; the Authors of which suppose,
that Cabot's discovery of Canada thus early attracted the attention of the
French.
4 Robertson, i. 226. The Spanish name of this court was Casa de Con-
trataclon. In Robertson, iii. 2,64, this establishment is, by a typographical
error probably, put in 1501.
5 Herrera, i. 318, whera are particular instructions to the Prelates on
ecclesiastical affairs.
6 Robertson, i. 217. An author, cited by Purchas [i. 914], says, that in
three or four months, while he was in a certain town in one of the West
India islands, 6000 children died for the want of their parents, who were
sent to the mine*. See B. de las Casus, Relat. p. 23.
36 AMERICAN ANNALS.
The natives of the Lucayo islands, to the num-
ber of twelve hundred thousand, waste.d in the,
mines of Hispaniola and Cuba,vor by diseases and
famine, had previously become extinct.1
1508.
Voy-ge of Juan Diaz de Solis and Vincent Yanez Pinzon
£HS atd sailed fr°m Seville, with two caravels, to the coast
v. Y. pin- of Brasil, and went to the thirty fifth degree south
zoa. latitude, where they found the great river Parana-
The name £>uazu> wkicn they called Rio de Plata, or River of
the Rio de Silver.3 Proceeding to the fortieth degree, they
Plata. erected crosses wherever they landed, to.ok formal
possession, and returned to Spain. In this voyage
they discovered an extensive province, known ai>
Discover J , r
Yucatan, terward by the name or Yucatan. 3
Cubadis- Sebast inn de Ocampo by command of Ovando
covered to sailed ai'ound Cuba, and first discovered with cer-
hnd.n '*" tainty, that this country, which Columbus once
supposed to be a part of the continent, is a large
island.4
Progress of The gold, carried from Hispaniola in one year,
Commerce, about this time, amounted to four hundred and six-
I Purch?.s, i. 904. The Spaniards, understanding it to be the opinion
of the Lucayans, that departed souls, after certain expiations on cold north-
ern mountains, would pass to a southern region, persuaded them to be-
lieve that they had come from that place, where they might see their de-
parted parents and children, acquaintance and friends, and enjoy every
delight. Thus seduced, they went with the Spaniards to Hispaniola and
Cuba. But, when they discovered that they had been deceived ; that
they had come to dark mines, instead of Elysian fields ; that they should
not find any one of their parents or friends, but be compelled to submit
lo a severe government, and to unwonted and cruel labours ; abandoned
to despair, they either killed themselves, or, obstinately rejecting food,
they breathed out their languid spirits. P. Martyr, 481. " Quando vero
se deceptos fuisse conspexerunt, nee parentibus aut optatorum cuiquam oc-
currerent, sed gravia imperia et insuetos ac ssevos labores subire cogeren-*
tur, in desperationem versi, aut seipsos necabant, aut electa inedia kngui-
dos emittebant spiritus, nulla ratione aut vi persuasi, ut cibum sumere
vellent. Ita miseris Lucais est finis impositus."
^ Though it now first received this name, it was previously discov-
ered by the Portuguese. See A. D. 1500.
3 Herrera, i. 333. Life of Columbus, c. Ixxxix. Robertson, i. 230.
4 Robertson,!. 231.
AMERICAN ANNALS. 37
ty thousand pieces of eight. Cotton, sugar, arid
ginger, now also became considerable articles of
exportation from the West Indies to Spain. '
The Spaniards, finding the miserable natives not Negrces
so robust and equal to the labour of the mines and imP°£ed
f i T r r ' -L i mto "1S"
fields, as negroes brought from Africa, began about
the same time to import negroes into Hispaniola
from the Portuguese settlements on the Guinea
coast.*
A hurricane demolished all the houses in St.
Domingo, and destroyed upward of t\venty vessels
in the harbour. *
Thomas Aubert, a shipmaster, made a voyage The French
from Dieppe to Newfoundland ; and, proceeding first sail «p
thence to the river of. St. Lawrence, was the first st.ei™w*
who sailed up this great river to the country of Ca- rence,
nada. On his return he carried over to Paris some
pf the natives.4
1509,
Don Diego, son of Christopher Columbus, now Don Die£*
i • 9s i • i r T T Columbus
succeeding Ovando in the government of Hispan- succeeds
iola,5 repaired to the island, accompanied by Ovancio as»
his wife, his brother and uncles, and a -numerous gov'
retinue of both sexes, many of whom were marri-
ed here, and the island began to be populated. He
placed a lieutenant over the island of Cuba. 6 A-
I Anderson Hist. Commerce, ii. 15.
z Ibid. Robertson [i. 278.] says, a few negro frjjves were sent to Ame-
rica in the year 1503.
3 Purchas, i. 910.
4 Univ. Hist, xxxix. 406. British Emp. IntroJ. xlvi. Anderson Hist.
Commerce, ii. 15. Forster [432] says, be made this voyage in a ship cal-
led the Pensee, belonging to his father, Jean Ango, Viscourt cf Dieppe.
5 For t>vo years after the death of Columbus, this son had tnade in-
cessant but fruitless application to king Ferdinand for the offices and rights,
to which he was legally entitled. He at last commenced a suit against
the king before the Council of the Indies, and obtained a decree, in con-
firmation of his claim of the viceroyalty, with all the other privileges,
Stipulated in the capitulation with his father. Robertson, i. book iii.
- 6 Harris Voy. i. 271. Robertson, i. book iii.
38 AMERICAN ANNALS.
greeably to instruction from the king, he set-
tled a colony in Cubagua, \vhere large fortunes
v/ere soon acquired by the fishery of pearls. x
An attempt Alonso de Ojeda, having sailed from Hispaniola
to settle with a ship and two brigantines, carrying three
hundred soldiers, to settle the continent, landed at
Carthagena ; but was beaten off by the natives.
While he began a settlement at St. Sebastian,* on
the east side of the gulf of Darien, Diego Nicues-
un- sa with six vessels and seven hundred and eighty
men began another at Nombre de Dios, on the
west side. 3 Both however were soon broken up
by the natives. 4
1510.
A small ^ The greater part of those, who had engaged with
SeTS die Ojeda and Nicuessa in the expedition for settling
gulf of the continent, having perished in less than a year,
a few, who survived, now settled, as a feeble colo-
ny, at Santa Maria on the gulf of Darien, under
the commund of Vasco Nunez de Balboa. 5
Juan Ponce de Leon, who had commanded in
the eastern district of Hispaniola, under Ovando,
now effected a settlement, by his permission, on
Puerto Puerto Rico. Within a few years this island was
Rico, , ^ . , .. J
subjected to the Spanisn government ; and the na-
tives, treated with rigour, and worn out with fa-
tigue and sufferings, soon became extinct.6
I Robertson, i. book iii,
1 Karris [i. 271.] from Galvano, calls it a fort, and says, it was the first
built by the Spaniards in Terra Firma.
3 Nicuessa obliged all his men, whether sick or well, to work on his
fort, and they died at their labour. The 780 men, whom he brought
from Hispariiola, were soon reduced to 100. Herrera, i. 359.
4 Herrera, ibid. Harris Voy. 1.271. Robertson [i. b. iii.] says, that
these Indians were fierce and warlike ; that their arrows were dipped in
a. po'Hon so noxious, that every wound was followed with certain death ;
that in one encounter they slew above 70 of Ojeda's followers ; and that
the Sparihrds, for the first time, were taught to dread the inhabitants of
the New World.
5 Robertson, book iii. Prince Chron. Jntrod. 83.
6 Herrera, i. 369. Robertson, i. book iii. This island was discovered
AMERICAN ANNALS.
John de Esquibel sailed from Hispaniola, and anaica.
began a settlement at Jamaica* '
1511.
Don Diego Columbus proposing to conquer t'hb Con«w
island of Cuba, and to establish a colony there; of Cul
many persons of distinction in Hispaniola engag-
ed in the measure. Three hundred men, destined
for the service, were put under the command of
Diego Velasquez/ who, with this inconsiderable
number of troops, conquered the island, without
the loss of a man, and annexed it to the Spanish
monarchy. 3
Hispaniola was not completely subdued until this
year.4 Two bishops were now constituted here,
one at St. Domingo, and another at the Concep-
tion. Three bishopricks had been previously erect-
ed in the island, but no bishops had been sent to
them. 5
Ferdinand established the Council of the Indies,
in which was vested the supreme government , of
all the Spanish dominions in America.6 He now'1
by Columbus in his second voyage. Juan Ponce passed over to it in 1508,
and penetrated into the interior part of the country. Ibid. B. de las
Casas [p. 4.] says, that above 30 islands, near this, were in like manner
entirely depopulated.
1 Prince Chron. Introd. 83.
2 He accompanied Christopher CoinrrfbtU in his second voyage. Rob*
3 Robertson, i. 241. Prince Chron. Introd. 83. The island is about 700
miles long, and at that time had two or three hundred houses, with seve-
ral families in each, as was usual in Hispaniola. Hatuay, a rich and po-
tent cazique, who, to avoid slavery or death, had fled from Hispaniola.to Cu~
ba, was taken in the interior part of this island, and carried to Velasquez,
who condemned fcim to the flames. When he was fastened to die stake.'
a Franciscan friar, labouring to convert him, promised him immediate ad-
mittance to the joys of heaven, if he would embrace the Christian faith ;
and threatened him with eternal torment, if he should continue obstinate
in his unbelief. The cazique asked, if there were any Spaniards in that
region of bliss, that he described. On being told, there were ; " I wilf
not go," said he, " to a place where 1 may meet with one of that accursed
race." B. de las Casas, 20, ai. F.obertson, i. book iii.
4 Univ. Hist. xli. 467. 5 Herrera, i. 375.
6 Robertson, iii. book viii. This, or a similar council, was in being
40 AMERICAN ANNALS.
permitted the importation of negroes in greater
numbers, than before, into his American colonies. *
1512.
^priia. Juan Ponce de Leon, sailing northwardly from
fuun Ponce puerto Rjco with three ships, discovered the con-
tliscovers -. .,. . ... , ,
Florida, tment in thirty degrees eight minutes north lati-
tude, and called it Florida. * Having gone ashore,
and taken possession, he returned to Puerto Rico
through the channel, afterward known by the
name of the Gulf of Florida, and discovered the
Bahama Islands, 3
Sept. 25. Vasco Nunez de Balboa, a Spaniard, employed
in the conquest of Darien and the Gulf of Ura-
ba, 4 having travelled across the isthmus of Darien
south sea. ^^ two hunc|red an(j ninety men,5 from the top
of a high mountain on the western side of the con-
tinent discovered an ocean, which, From the direc-
tion in which he saw it, took the name of the
South Sea. Falling on his knees, and lifting up his
hands to heaven, he gave thanks to God for be-
ing the first discoverer. Having proceeded with his
followers to the shore, he advanced up to his mid-
dle in the water with his sword and buckler, and
some years before, for we have already met with one of its decrees. See
A. 0.1509, Note 5.
I Robertson i. book iii.
l " Because" says Purchas, [i. 769.] " it was first discovered by the
Spaniards on Palm Sunday, or on Easter day, which they call Pasqua Flo-
rida [de Flores, Herfera^ ; and not, as Thevot writeth, for the flourishing
verdure thereof." P. Martyr [301.] agrees with Purchas : " Floridam
appellavit, quia resurrectionis festo repererit. Vocat Hispanus Pascha flo-
ridum resurrectionis diem."
3 Herrera, ii. 33, 34. Harris Voy. i. 271. Univ. Hist. xl. 378. Brit.
tenp. iii. 208. Robertson, i. 243. Prince Chron. Inirod. 83. Encyclop.
Methodique, Histoire, Art. CABOT ; and Geog, Art. FLO RIDE. Purcha?*
i. 769.
4 Venegss California,!. 119,
$ Harris Voy. 271.
AMERICAN ANNALS* 4*
took possession of this ocean in the name of the
king his master, vowing to defend it, with those
arms, against all his enemies. * In token of pos-
session he erected piles of stones on the shore. 3
Peter de Cordova, a Dominican Friar, having Friars go
obtained leave of the king, now went over from £° Cuma"
Spain to the continent of America, with other fri-
ars of his order, to preach to the Indians at Cu-
mana. 3
Ferdinand issued a decree of his privy council, Decree
declaring, that the servitude of the Indians is war-
ranted both by the laws of God and man ; and
that, unless they were subjected to the dominion
of the Spaniards, and compelled to reside under
their inspection, it would be impossible to reclaim
them from idolatry, and to instruct them in the
.principles of the Christian faith. 4
. 15 J 4-
Vasco Nunez having sent the king of Spain an
account of his discovery of the South Sea, and of
what he had heard of Peru, acquainting him at
the same time, that it would require a thousand men
to effect that conquest ; s his majesty ordered Pedro
Arias d' Avila to embark for America, as governor
of Darien. 6 He accordingly sailed from St. Lucar
i Herrera, ii. 53. P. Martyr, 178. Prince Chron. Introd. 83. Robert-
son, i. 251. Forster Voy. 263.
a P. Martyr, i8z. This [author says, that the Indians opposed his
passage over the mountains ; that they fled at the discharge of the,
Spanish guns ; that the Spaniards, pursuing them, cut them in pieces \
that 600 of them, together with their prince, were destroyed like brute
Leasts ; and that Vasco ordered about 50 to be torn to pieces by dogs.
** Canum opera," adds the historian, " nostri utuntur in pneliis contra nu-
das eas gentcs : ad quas rabidi infiliunt, ha'ud secus ac in feros apros aut
fugaces cervos." Ibid. 180, 181. Vasco returned in February, 1514, to
Darien, without the Idss of one man in any of his numerous actions witk
the natives. Ibid. 205.
3 Herrera, ii. 43. 4 Robertson, i. 166. 5 Herrera, ii. 68.
6 He. was the fourth governor of " Golden Castile," as the countries
•f-Parien, Carthagena, and Uraba xvere now denominated. Harris Voy.
42 AMERICAN ANNALS.
Pedro Ari- with fifteen vessels and fifteen hundred men ; ancf*
the Indian* ^7 n^s tyranny and exactions after his arrival, all
country, the country, from the gulf of Darien to the lake of
Nicaragua, was desolated.1
A dissension not long after arose between Vasco
Nunez and Arias. Vasco, charged with calumny
nezHs ^t" agamst tne government, was sent for by the gov-
to death, ernor, and put in chains ; and, after some formali-
ties of a trial, was condemned, and beheaded. *
Town of Puerto Rico, the chief town on the island of this
GO founded, name, was founded, and John Ponce de Leon ap-
pointed its governor. 3
Pearl is- Gasper Morales, sent by Pedro Arias d'Avila,
marched from Darien across the land to the South
Sea ; and discovered the Pearl Islands in the bay
of St. Michael in five degrees north latitude.4
John Arias began to people Panama on the
South Sea, and discovered two hundred and fifty
leagues on the coast to eight degrees thirty minutes
north latitude.5
Bermudas Gonsales Ferdinaiidus Oviedas discovered the is-
discovered. jands of Bermudas, 6 1 2 degrees north of Hispaniola.
/
i. 271. F. John de Quevedo, a Franciscan friar, came over with him, as
bishop of Darien, accompanied with several ecclesiastics of that order.
Herrera, ii. 69. Herrera, ii. 128. Robertson, i. 250, 251.
1 Herrera, ii. 68, 69. Robertson, i. 257. B. de las Casas [23—^26.] says,
that this " merciless governor" ran through above 50 leagues of the finest
country in the world, and carried desolation with him wherever* he
went ; that before his arrival there were many villages, towns and cities,
which excelled those of all the neighbouring countries ; that this country
abounded in gold, more than any that had yet been discovered ; that the
Spaniards in a little time carried away above three millions out of this
kingdom ; and that here above 800,000 people were slaughtered.
2 P. Martyr, 320.
3 Univ. Hist. xli. 520. Encyclop. Methodique, Geog. Art. JUAN DE
PUERTO Rico.
4 Harris Voy. i. 271. Prince Chron. Inlrod. 83.
5 Prince, ibid. 84.
6 Ibid, from Purchas. Many authors ascribe this discovery to John Ber*
mudez, a Spaniard, in 1522.
AMERICAN ANNALS. 43
1516.
Juan Diaz de Soils, at that time reputed the Voyage of
ablest navigator in the world, * was appointed by
the king of Spain to command two ships, fitted
out to discover a passage to the Molucca or Spice
Islands by the west, and to open a communication
with them. a Having sailed the preceding October
he entered the Rio de Plata in January. 3 In at- Jan. i
tempting a descent in the country4 about this river,
De Solis and several of his crew were slain by the Plata.
natives, who, in sight of the ships, cut their bodies
in pieces, roasted and devoured them. Discourag-
ed by the loss of their commander, and terrified by
this shocking spectacle, the surviving Spaniards The enter
sailed to Cape St. Augustin, where they loaded ^
•with Brasil wood, and set sail for Europe, without
aiming at any farther discovery. 5
1 Herrera, ii. 79.
2 Robertson, i. book iii.
3 Ibid. On the authority of Purchas I had concluded, that the Portu-
guese first discovered the river de La Plata about A. D. 1500 [See p-36, note
3.] ; but, on a careful inspection of Hakluyt and Purchas, I am led to
believe, that the honour of that discovery may belong to Juan Diaz de
Solis, in 1508. Kakluyt's account, taken from the same MS.* which Pur-
chas afterward more completely published, says, that Don Emanuel,
on hearing the news of Cabral's discovery in the west, " sent presently
" shippes to discover the whole countrey, and found it to be a part of
" America." But it does not satisfactorily appear, that these ships went
so far south as La Plata. A controversy arising between the kings of
Portugal and Spain, " they agreed in tie end, that the king of Portugal
" should holde all the country that he had discovered, the which was (as
" I have said) from the river of Marannon to the river of La Plate ; albeit
« the Spaniards affirme, that it stretcheth no farther then the Island of
M Santa Catalina." The ultimate agreement of the two kings may have
been subsequent to the discovery of Solis, and to the prejudice of his hon-
our, and of the Spanish interest. The same Portuguese writer, whose ac-
count is published by Hakluyt and Purchas, allows, that "the first Span-
" iard, who entered this river and inhabited the same, was called Solis."
See Hakluyt, iii. 786 — 788, and Purchas,'v. 1437.
* " A Discourse of the West Indies and South Sea, 'written by Lopez Vaz^a
Portugal"
4 This was probably some part of Paraguay, the discovery of which i*
ascribed to Solis in Encyclop. Methodique, Geog. Art. PARAGUAY ; though
its full discovery is justly to be ascribed to S. Cabot in 1526.
5 Herrera, ii. 81. Robertson, i. book iii.
44 AMERICAN ANNALS.
1516. Sir Sebastian Cabot and Sir Thomas Pert with
Xiscian two ships, fitted out by some merchants of Bristol,1
C^bpt s se- . . , A, r» T» #1 •» i i i • i i
cond voy- visited the coast or Brasil, ana touched at the islands
a-ratoA- Of Hispaniola and Puerto Rico. Although this
menca, -, , , ^ . , ,
voyage seems not to have been beneficial to the ad-
venturers ; yet it extended the sphere of English
navigation, and added to the stock of nautical
knowledge. *
B. de las Bartholomew de las Casas,3 having undertaken
to protect the American Indians, went for this
purpose from St. Domingo to Spain. The Catho-.
lie king being dead,4 Ximenes, archbishop of To-.
ledo, who had entered on the administration of the
government for the young king Charles, sent three
friars, of the order of St. Jerome, for the chief
management of affairs in the West Indies ; but the
negociations of Las Casas were deferred until the,
1 Robertson, book ix ; but from one account in Hakluyt [iii. 499.] it
is probable they " were set foorth by the king ;" and in another [ibid. 498.]
it is aiti'-r>ied, that the king furnished and sent them out.
2 Hakluyt, i. 512, 515, 516 ; iii. 498, 499 ; where there are accounts
of this voyage» Prince Chron. Introd. 84.^ Robertson, book ix. 22. Josse-
lyn, New Eug. Rarities, 103, and Voyages, 231. Biblioth. Americana, 52.
Some historians take no notice of this voyage, or confound it with a
voyage, made in the service of Spain in 1526. P. Martyr [De Orb. Nov.
23 3.]. mentions Sebastian Cabot, as being with him in Spain in 1515,
and expecting to go on a voyage of discovery the following year.
*' Familiarem habeo domi Cabottum ipsum, et contubernalem inter?
dum ; expectatque indies ut navigia sibi parentur. Martio mense an-
ni futuri M. D; XVI. puto ad explorandum discessururn." But he does
not determine, either from what port Cabot was to sail, or by whom he
was to be employed. It is probable, that he refers to preparations, CXT
pected to be made for him in England^ whence the accounts in Hakluyt
prove him to have sailed. " The faint heart" of Sir Thomas Pert is afr
firmed to have been " the cause that the voyage took none effect."
3 He was a native of Seville, and with other clergymen accompanied
Columbus in bis second voyage to Hispaniola, in order to settle in that
island. The design of this benevolent ecclesiastic was, to obtain ascenr
dency over the Indians of South America without force, by the preaching
of the Dominican and Franciscan friars ; and he possessed all the courage,
the talents, and activity, requisite in supporting such a desperate cause.
Herrera, ii. 159. Robertson, i. book iii.
4 Ferdinand died in 1516. By marrying, in 1469, Isabella of Castile,
the sister of Henry IV, he annexed the crown of Castile, of which Isabella
was heiress, to the throne of Arragon. Encyc. Methodique, Histoire, Art.
FEKJPJNANP. See p. 8, note 3, of these Annals.
AMERICAN ANNALS. 45
Arrival of the new king, who was daily expecte4
from the Low Countries. x
A Flemish favourite of Charles V, having ob- patent f<*
tained of this king a patent, containing an exclusive imPortin*
. , r . • r i i • slaves.
right or importing four thousand negroes mto Ame-
rica, sold it for twenty five thousand ducats to
some Genoese merchants, who first brought into a
regular form the commerce for slaves between Afr
rica and America. z
Francis Hernandez Cordova sailed from Havan- voyage qf
na3 on the eighth of February, with three caravels Cordova.
and one hundred and ten men, on a voyage of dis-
covery. The first land, that he saw, was cape
Catoche,4 the eastern point of that large peninsula,
on the confines of the Mexican coast, to which
the Spaniards gave the name of Yucatan. * As he Discovers
advanced toward the shore, he was visited by five Yucatan*
canoes, full of Indians, decently clad in cotton gar-
ments ; 6 a spectacle astonishing to the Spaniards,
who had found every other part of America pos-
sessed by naked savages. He landed in various
places ; but being assailed by the natives, armed
with arrows, he left the coast. Continuing his
course toward the west, he arrived at Campeachy.7
At the mouth of a river, some leagues to the north-;
I Herrera, ii. 101. Robertson, i. book iii.
a Robertson, i. 379.
3 This port is called in the language of Cuba, Agaruco ; B. Diaz, i. 3 ;
in that of Spain, LP. Havana. Purchas, v. 1415.
4 Bernal Diaz del Castillo, who was with Cordova in this expedition,
gays [i. 5.], an Indian chief, who came with 12 canoes to the Spanish vesi
sels, made signals to the captain, that he would bring them to land, saying1
*' Con-Escotoch, Con-Escotoch," which signifies, " Come to our town,' '
whence the Spaniards named it Punta de Catoche.
5 De Solis had previously seen this coast. See A. D. 1508.
6 The women of this place were remarkably delicate. " Foeminas a
cingulo ad talum induuntur, velaminibusque diversis caput et pectora te-
gunt, et pudice cavent ne crus, aut pes illis visatur." P. Martyr, 290.
7 The Indians called the place Quimfech, -whence the name of Cam-<
peachy. Herrera, ii. 113.
AMERICAN ANNALS,
ward of that place, having landed his troops, to
protect his sailors while filling their water casks,
the natives rushed on them with such fury, that
forty seven Spaniards were killed on the spot, and
one man only escaped unhurt. Cordova, though
wounded in twelve places, directed a retreat with
Sreat Presence °f mind, and his men, with much
difficulty regaining the ships, hastened back to Cu^
ba, where, ten days after their arrival, Cordova died
of his wounds. *
Newfound* The coc^ fishery on the banks of Newfoundland
land fishe- had already attracted the attention of several Eu-
ropean nations ; for fifty Spanish, French, and
Portuguese ships were employed in it this year. *
1518.
Voyage of Don Diego Velasquez, governor of Cuba, en-
Gnjaiva. COuraged by the account, that he received from
those, who went on the expedition with Cordova,
now fitted out a second armament. Juan de Gri-
ialva, to whom he gave the principal command of
Discovers J, . .,9 * : A»'i: '>• » ' .*% <• /-.
the Mexi- the enterprise, sailed on the fifth of April from St.
-nd cS ' ^a&° ^e Cuba, w^k f°ur ships and two hundred
the coun- Spanish soldiers, to Yucatan ; discovered the souths
try New ern coast of the bay of Mexico to Panuco toward
Florida 5 and first called the country New Spain.3
I Purchas,i. 783. P. Martyr, 289, 290. Herrera, Hi. 113 — 117. B.
Diaz, i. chap. i. Robertson, i. book iii. Univ. Hist. xli. 468.
7, Anderson Hist. Commerce, ii. 34. That respectable author says, this
is the first account we have of that fishery. But he allows, that French
vessels came on the coast of Newfoundland as early as 1504 ; and the
French writers are probably correct in affirming, that they came that year
to fish. See A. D. 1504. - If Hakluyt's conjecture is right, we are in-
debted to Sir Thomas Pert and Sebastian Cabot for the above information
respecting the Newfoundland fishery. He supposes that Oviedo, a Spanish
historian, alludes to their voyage [See A. D. 1516], when he says, " That
in the year 1517, an English rover under the colour of travelling to dis-
cover, came with a great ship unto the partea of Brasill on the coast of the
Firme Land, and from thence he crossed over unto this island of Hispanio-
]a" &c. This English ship, according to Anderson, had been at New-
foundland, and reported at Hispaniola the above statement of its fishery.
See Hakluyt, i. 516, and iii. 499.
3 Herrera, ii. 120. Purchas, 1.783, 812, 813. B. Diaz, i. chap. ii.
AMERICAN ANNALS. 4/
tn this voyage he discovered the island of Cozu-
mel ; also an island, which he called the Island of
Sacrifices ;z and another, which he called St.
Juan de Ulua ; 2 and heard of the rich and exten-
sive empire of Montezuma. *
Francis Garay, governor of Jamaica, having ob-
tained from the bishop of Burgos the government
of the country about the river Panuco, sent an ar-
mament of three ships with two hundred and forty
soldiers, under the command of Alvarez Pinedo,
"who sailed to Cape Florida, in twenty five
degrees north latitude, and discovered five hun-
dred degrees westward on the northern coast of
the bay of Mexico to the river Panuco, in twenty three
degrees north latitude, at the bottom of the bay. 4
This armament however was defeated by the In-
dians of Panuco, and one ship only escaped. s
Velasquez, anxious to prosecute the advantages,
presented to his view by the expedition of Grijalva,
having provided ten ships at the port of St. Jago,
appointed Hernando Cortes 6 commander of the ar^
De Soils, i. 20 — 34. Robertson, i. 297. Prince Chron. Inttod. 84. En-
cyclop. Methodique, Geog. Art. MEXIOUE.
I " Because, going in to view a house of lime and stone, which over-
looked the rest, they found several idols of a horrible figure, and a more
horrible worship paid to them ; for near the steps, where they were plac-
ed, were the carcases of six or seven men newly sacrificed, cut to pieces,
and their entrails laid open." De Solis, i. 29.
a " A little island, of more sand than soil ; and which lay so low, that
sometimes it was covered by the sea. But from these humble beginnings,
it became the most frequented and celebrated port of New Spain, on that
side, which is bounded by the North Sea." Ibid. 3 Ibid. 28.
4 Harris Voy. i. 271 Prince Chron. Introd. 84.
5 B. Diaz, ii. 162. This ship, says Diaz, "joined us at Villa Rica.1'
6 He was a native of Medellin in Estremadura. He possessed an es-
tate in the island of Cuba ; where he had been twice alcalde. B.Diaz, L
35. The Authors of the Universal History [xli. 468.] say, that Grijalva,
finding that the coast of New Spain furnished abundance of gold, and that
the inland country was immensely rich, formed a scheme for subduing
jhis great monarchy, and imparted it to Cortes. This may be true ; but
all the best historians agree in ascribing the first movements of Cortes,
in tins celebrated expedition, to Velasquez.
48
AMERICAN ANNALS.
for the in
Vasion of
Mexico.
Takes the
town of
Tabasco.
1519. mament. Cortes sailed from Cuba with eleveil
Cortes sails ships, and five hundred and fifty Spanish soldiers,
from Cuba an(J Janc|eJ £m at tjie {s\^ of Coziimel. x On
the thirteenth of March he arrived with the whole
armament at the river of Tabasco or Grijalva. Dis-
embarking his troops about half a league from the
town of Tabasco, he found the borders of the river
filled with canoes of armed Indians* Perceiving
them determined on hostilities, he prepared to at-
tack the town, in which above twelve thousand
warriors had already assembled. The Indians, ob-
serving this preparation, assailed his troops in pro-
digious numbers ; but were driven back by the
Spaniards, who, having effected a landing, entered
the town ; z and Cortes took formal possession of
the country for the king of Spain. 3 The next day
he marched out with his troops to a plain, where
he was met by an immense body of Indians, who,
falling furiously on the Spaniards, wounded above
seventy by the first discharge of their weapons.
The Spanish artillery did great execution ; but
when the cavalry came to the charge, the Indians, im-
agining the horse and rider to be one, were extremely
terrified, and fled to the adjacent woods and marsh*-
es, leaving the field to the Spaniards.4
I B. Diaz [i. 47, 48.] says, at a review of the troops at this island, they
•amounted to 508, the mariners (of whom, there were 109) not included ;
and subjoins, " We had 1 6 cavalry, II ships, 13 musketeers, 10 brass field
pieces, 4 falconets, and (as well as I recollect) 31 cross bows with plenty
of ammunition;"
1 Tobacco is said to have been first discovered by the Spaniards near this
place, though it is assigned to the next year : " Cette plante [Tabac] acre
et caustique trouvee, eri 1520, pres de Tabasco dansle golfe du Mexujue."
Precis Sur L'Amerique, p. 116.
3 Drawing his sword, he gave three cuts with it into a great ceiba
tree, which stood in the area of a large enclosed court, and said, that
against any, who denied his majesty's claim, he was ready to defend and
maintain it with the sword and shield, which he then held. B.Diaz,i.6f.
4 B. Diaz, i. 57 — 66. De Solis, i. 80 — 87. P. Martyr [308.] gives a
very lively description of this action : " Miraculo perculsi miseri hjesita-
bant, neque exercendi tela locus dabatur. Idem animal arbitrabantur
hominem equo annexum, uti de Centauris exorta est fabella." A town
was afterward founded on the spot where this battle wus fought, anil
named Santa Maria de La Vitoria. B. Diaz, i. 67.
AMERICAN ANNALS. 49
Cortes next sailed to St. Juan de Ulua, where he 1519*
disembarked his troops, and constructed temporary April 22
barracks. At this place he received ambassadors f ™
from Montezuma, king of Mexico, with rich pre- uka.
;£etits ; and a message, expressing the readiness of Receive*
that sovereign to render the Spaniards any services, ambassa-
_ ,. . ° «.,.,. . . J • • dors frcm.
but his entire disinclination to receive any visits at Mexico.
Iris court. After repeated and mutual messages and
gifts, Montezuma caused his ambassadors to declare,
that he would not consent, that foreign troops should
appear nearer his capital, nor even allow them to con-
tinue longer in his dominions. * " Truly this is a
great monarch and rich," said Cortes ; " with the
permission of God, we must see him." The bell
tolling for Ave Maria at this moment, and all the
Spaniards falling on their knees before the cross,
the Mexican noblemen were very inquisitive to
know what was meant by this ceremony. Father
Bartholome de Qlnredo,2 on the suggestion of
Cortes, explained to them the Christian doctrines ;
and they promised to relate all, that they had seen
and heard, to their sovereign. He at the same
time declared to them, that the principal design of
the mission of the Spaniards was, to abolish the
practice of human sacrifices, injustice, and idola-
trous worship.3 *
While at St. Juan de Ulua, the lord of Zempoalla
Sent five ambassadors to solicit the friendship of
Cortes, who readily agreed to a friendly correspon-
dence.4 Cortes now incorporated a town, and
named it Villa Rica de Vera Cruz, designing, how-
ever, to settle it at another place. s In the first
council, holden after this incorporation, Cortes re-
nounced the title of captain general, which he had
1 Robertson, ii. book v.
2 He was chaplain to the expedition, and not less respectable for wis-
dom than virtue. Robertson.
3 B. Biaz, i. 84, 85. De Soils, i. 122.
4 De Solis, i. 129, 130. 5 Ibid. 131, 132.
H *
50 • AMERICAN ANNALS.
1519. holden from Diego Velasquez, and the town Taut
people elected him to the same office. * The council
of Vera Cruz now wrote to the king of Spain, giving
an account of their new town, and beseeching him,
that he would grant Cortes a commission of captain
general in confirmation of that, which he now held
from the town and troops, without any dependence
July 16. oll Dieoro Velasquez. Cortes having written at the
Sends dis- .° . . , . r -,.
patches to same time to the king, giving mm assurance or nis
Spain. hopes of bringing the Mexican empire to the obe*
dience of his majesty, sent dispatches by one of his
ships to Spain, with a rich present to king Charles.-*
This present partly consisted of articles of gold and
silver, received from Montezuma ; and those were
the first specimens of these metals, sent to Spain,
from Mexico.3 Four Indian chiefs, with two fe-
male attendants, now went voluntarily to Spain.4
Cortes had some time since received the ultimate
order of Montezuma to depart instantly out of his
dominions ;s but that mandate, like the former
messages, being preposterously accompanied with
a present, served merely to inflame desires, already
kindled, and to renew the request of an audience.-
Intent on his design, he first marched through Zem-
poalla to Chiahuitzla, about forty miles to the
northward of St. Juan de Ulua, and there settled
SettiesVera the town of Villa Rica de Vera Cruz, and put it in
a posture of defence. 6 Determined to conquer, or
to die, he now completely destroyed his fleet, and
commenced his march toward Mexico.7 Having
I B. Diaz, i. 91. De Soils, i. chap. vii.
a De Soils, i. 168, 169.
3 Clavigero, i. 425, 426. 4 P. Martyr, 311.
5 Robertson, ii. book v.
6 " Till then it moved with the army, though observing its proper
distinctions as a republic." De Sohs, i. 152. It was now settled on the
plain between the sea and Chiahuitzla, half a league from that tovn [ibid.],
and 100 miles south east of the city of Mexico. It has since become a
city, remarkable for the great traffic carried on between the opulent coun-
tries of Spanish America and Old Spain. Europ. Settlements, i. 75.
7 De Solis, 171, 177, He took with him 500 men, 15 horse, and 6
AMERICAN ANNALS. 51
passed, unmolested, through several Indian towns,
which, / through the influence of Zempoalla and
Uti • i • i G • T r r • 11 CCS hi?
Chiaiiuitzla, were previously in the inendly con- march
federacy, he, with extreme difficulty, passed an .vvard
abrupt and craggy mountain, and entered the pro* K
vince of Zocothlan. Here he received information
of Tlascala, and resolved to pass through that pro-
vince on his way to Mexico. Approaching nigh
to its confines, he sent four Zempoallans, of great
eminence, as envoys, to obtain a passage through
the country. The messengers being detained,
Cortes proceeded in his march, and first successful-
ly engaged five thousand Tlascalan Indians, who
were in ambush ; and afterward the whole power
of their republic. The Tlascalans, after suffer-
ing great slaughter in repeated assaults on the
Spaniards, concluded a treaty, in which they yieldr
ed themselves as vassals to the crown of Castile,
and engaged to assist Cortes in all his future opera-
rations. He took the republic under his protect-
ion, and promised to defend the persons and pos- gept> ^^
sessions of its inhabitants from injury or violence; Enters the
and now entered its capital without molestation. '
Taking with him several thousand of his new
allies, he renewed his march ; 3 and, after having
forced his way through the most formidable oppo-
sition, and eluded various stratagems,3 formed by
field pieces ; and left the rest of his troops, as a garrison, in Villa Rica.
The lord of Zempoalla supplied him with provisions, and 2OO of those
Indians, called Tamemes, whose office was, to carry burdens, and perform
all servile labour. Robertson, ii. book v.
1 Robertson, ii. book v. De Solis, i. 178—230. B. DiaE, i. chap. vi.
" We entered the territory of Tlascala," says B. Diaz, " 24 days before our
arrival at the chief city, which was on the 23d of September, 1519."
2 He had remained about 20 days in Tlascala, to receive the homage
of the principal towns of the republic, and of their confederates. De Solis.
Authors differ in respect to the number of Tlascalans, that Cortes took
with him, B. Diaz saya 2OOO ; Herrera, 3000 ; Cortes himself says 6000.
De. Solis, i. 264.
3 At Chohsla in particular, a large city, j leagues distant from Tlasca-
la, and 20 from Mexico, a plot for the destruction of the Spaniards beinjj
discovered, Cortes directed his troops and allies to fall on the inhabitants,
AMERICAN ANNALS.
1519. Montezuma to obstruct his progress, he arrived a^
Iztapalapan,1 six miles distant from Mexico, and
made a disposition for an entrance into that great
city. z Meanwhile Montezuma, baffled in all his-
schemes for keeping the Spaniards at a distance,
found Cortes almost at the gates of his capital, be-
fore he was resolved, whether to receive him as a
friend, or to oppose him as an enemy. 3 The next
day Cortes marched his army, consisting of about
four hundred and fifty Spaniards and six thousand
confederate Indians, along the grand causeway,
which extended in a straight line to the city of
Mexico. It was crowded with people, as were also,
all the towers, temples, and causeways, in every
part of the lake, attracted to behold such men and
animals, as they had never before seen.4 To the
Spaniards every thing appeared wonderful. The
objects, great in themselves, were probably magni-
fied in their view by contrast with their own, weak-,
ness, and by perpetual apprehension of meeting a
desperate enemy in a monarch, the extent of whose
power was incalculable. As the Spaniards advanc-.
ed, beside numerous towns, seen at a distance on,
the lake, they discovered the great city of Mexico,
<c elevated to a vast degree above all the rest, and
carrying an air of dominion in the pride of her
buildings/' s When they drew near the city, a
great number of the lords of the court came forth
to meet them, adorned with plumes, and clad in
mantles of fine cotton \ and announced the ap-
6000 of whom were killed without the loss of a single SpaniaAl. Robert-
ion, ii. book v. Clavigero, ii. 52.
i A large and beautiful city, which contained at that time more than
I2,ooo houses, and was situated towards the point of a peninsula, from
which a paved causeway, 8. yards wide, extended, without varying the
least from a right line, to the southern gate of the great temple in Mexi-
co. Clavigero. ii. 62, 65. B. Diaz, i. 188. Clavigero says, this cause-
way extended more than 7 miles ; but the temple, to which it led, wa*
about a mile and a half within die city of Mexico. Ibid.
2- De Solis. i. 296. 3 Robertson, ii. book v.
4 B. Diaz, i. 188, 189. 5 De Solis, i, 2.90.,
X
AMERICAN ANNALS. 53
proach of Montezuma. Soon after appeared two 1519-
hundred persons, in a uniform dress, marching two
and two, in deep silence, barefooted, with their
eyes fixed on the ground. Next followed a com-
pany of higher rank, in showy apparel, in the midst
of wrhom was Montezuma, in a most magnificent
litter, borne by his principal nobility. When Cor-
tes was told, that the great Montezuma approach-
ed, he dismounted, and respectfully advanced to-
ward him. Montezuma at the same time alighted,
and, supported by some of his chief princes, ap-
proached with a slow and stately pace, in a superb
dress, his attendants covering the streets with cot-
ton cloths, that he might not touch the ground.
After mutual salutations, Montezuma conducted Nov- *•>
Cortes to the quarters,1 which he had prepared in Mexico,
the city for his reception, and immediately took
leave of him, with the most courtly expressions of
hospitality and respect. Cortes took instant pre-
caution for security. He planted the artillery so,
as to command the different avenues, that led to the
place ; appointed a large division of his troops to *be
always ou guard ; and posted sentinels at proper
stations, with injunctions to observe the same vigi-
lant discipline, as if they were in sight of an ene-
my's camp.3
Cortes, knowing that his safety depended on the Cortes re-
will of a monarch, in whom he had no right to so)ves to
confide, determined, with unexampled temerity, to tezum,i.°n
seize Montezuma in his own palace, and bring him,
as a prisoner, to the Spanish quarters. Having
properly posted his troops, he took five of his prime
officers and as many soldiers, thirty chosen men
1 A palace, built by king Axajacatl, the father of Montezuma ; which
was so large, as to accommodate both the Spaniards and their allies, who
together with their attendant women and servants exceeded 7000. Cla-
vigero, ii. 65.
2 Robertson, ii. book v. B. Diaz, i. chap. viii. De Solis, i. 209 — 310*
jGlavigero, ii. 63 — 66.
54 AMERICAN ANNALS.
*510-' following at a distance, as if without any other ob*
ject but curiosity, and, at the usual hour of visiting
Montezuma, went directly to the palace, where they
were admitted without suspicion. * An assault,
lately made on the garrison at Vera Cruz, and a,
treacherous attempt against the Spaniards at Cho-
lula on their march toward Mexico, were made the
pretext for a charge against Montezuma. Satisfac-
tion was demanded of the astonished sovereign, who
endeavoured to explain and exculpate. Nothing
satisfied. It v/as expected, that he would go to
the Spanish quarters, as an evidence of his confi-
dence and attachment. On his resenting this indig-
nity, an altercation of three hours succeeded, when
an impetuous young Spaniard proposing instantly
to seize him, or stab him to the heart, the intimi-
dated monarch abandoned himself to his destiny.
Consenting to accompany the Spaniards, he called
his officers and communicated to them his resolu-*
tion. Though astonished and afflicted, they pre-
sumed not to dispute his will, but carried him " in
s*lent PomP' a11 bathed in tears," to the Spanish
Spanish quarters. The principal persons, concerned in the
assault at Vera Cruz, who had been sent for by
Montezuma himself, having been tried by a Span-,
ish court martial, were burnt alive. Cortes, con-
vinced that they would not have ventured to make
the attack without orders from their master, put
Montezuma in fetters during their execution ; a
monitory sign, that the measure of his humiliation
and of his woes was nearly full. During six
months, in which the Spaniards remained in Mexi-
co, he continued in their quarters, attended by his
officers, with the external appearance and the an-
cient forms of government, but in personal sub-
jection to a foreign and intrusive power. By the
I This was eight days after the arrival of the Spaniards at Mexico
B. Diaz.
AMERICA^ ANNALS. 55
bersuasion of Cortes, Montezuma acknowledged °^ns him;
ir i p i i • r /^ • i i i j i • se" a vassa*
himselr a vassal or the king or Castile, to hold his Of Castile,
crown of him, as superior, and to subject his do-
minions to the payment of an annual tribute. * He
How firmly expressed his desires and expectations,
that Cortes, having finished his embassy, would
take his departure. *
1520.
At this juncture a fleet and army, sent against Cort**
Cortes by Velasquez, under the command of Parn- against
philo de Narvaez, made a fruitless attempt to re- Narvaez;
duce the Spaniards of Vera Cruz. Cortes, hav-
ing made overtures of peace, that were rejected by
Narvaez, departed from Mexico, leaving a part of
his forces in that city under Alvarado, and marched Conquer*
to Zempoalla, where he attacked Narvaez in him-
his quarters, obtained the victory, and obliged
his troops to serve under his banner. Receiv- _
11- i T -m/r • Returns td
ing intelligence, that the Mexicans had taken up Mexico i*
arms agahlst the Spaniards, whom he left with June*
Montezuma, he now marched back, strongly rein-
forced, to Mexico.3
Alvarado, it appears, in the apprehension of dan-
ger from the Mexicans, who were enraged at the
detention of their sovereign, had fallen on them
while they were dancing at a festival in honour of
their gods> and mutual hostilities had succeeded.
i Robertson, ii. book y. Montezuma accompanied this profession 6f feal-
ty and homage with a magnificent present to his new sovereign ; and his
subjects followed the example. The Spaniards now collected all the
treasure, which they had acquired by gift or violence ; and having melt-
ed the gold and silver, the value of these, without including jewels and
various ornaments, of curious workmanship, amounted to 600,000 pesos.
Robertson, ii. book v. B. Diaz [i. 248.] says, upwards of 600,000 crowns.
a Robertson, ii. book v. De Solis, i. book iii.
, 3 Robertson, ii. book v. Clavigero says, that 140 soldiers, v/ith all their
allies, had been left in Mexico ; that Cortes now returned to that city
with an army of 1300 Spanish infantry, 96 horses, and aooo Tlascalans J
and that his combined forces amounted to 9000 men. Hist. Mex. ii. 96,
1OJ, JOi. They inarched into Mexico 24 June. Ibid.
55 AMERICAN ANNALS.
T s2o. Cortes, on his arrival at Mexico, assumed a haugh-
ty air and indignant tone, both toward the captive
king and his people. Irritated afresh, the Mexicans
fell furiously on a party of Spaniards in the streets,
and attacked their quarters at the same moment.
Early the next morning the Spaniards, sallying
out with their whole force, wrere met by the whole
force of the Mexicans ; and after an action, fought
with mutual desperation, were compelled to retreat
to their quarters. Having spent oiie day in mak-
ing preparations, a hundred Spaniards at day break
sallied out again, and, amidst showers of arrows,
tngage- made their way to the great temple, in the upper
temple. area °^ which five hundred nobles had fortified
themselves, and were doing essential " injury with
stones and arrows. T After making three attempts
to ascend the temple, and as often receiving a vi-
gorous repulse, Cortes, though suffering from a
severe wound in his left hand, joined the assailants
in person, and, tying his shield to his arm, began
to ascend the stairs with a great part of his men.
Their passage was obstinately disputed ; but they
cit last gained the upper area, where a terrible en-
gagement, of three hours, ensued; " Every man
of us," says Bernal Diaz, " was covered with
blood ;5> and forty six Spaniards were left dead on
the spot. 2 Cortes, ordering the temple to be set on
fire, returned in good order to his quarters.
i Their station was " so very high and neighbouring," that it entirely
commanded the Spanish quarters. Clavigero, ii- 107* 108. Robertson
represents this action* at the temple, as after the death of Montezuma ;
but I follow Clavigero, who followed Cortes.
i B. Diaz, i. 310. Not one of the poor Mexicans, engaged in the
action survived it. Inflamed by the exhortations of their priests, and fight-
ing in defence of their temples and families, under the eye of their gods,
iind in view of their wives and children, they contemned death. Part of
them died by the point of the sword, and part threw themselves down
to the lower floors of the temple, where .they continued to fight until they
\vere all killed. Robertson, ii. book v. Clavigero, ii. 108. B. Diaz [$.311.-]
says, while the Spaniards were setting fire to the temple, above 3000 no*
Me Mexicans with their priests attacked thorn with great violence, which
*aus*d them to retreat.
AMERICAN ANNALS* 57
The violence of hostilities still continuing, and 1520.
tihe situation of the Spaniards soon becoming abso- *™l™**
lutely desperate, Cortes applied to Montezuma by rejected by
a message, to address his subjects from a terrace, the Mexi-
and request them to desist from their attacks, with "
an offer from the Spaniards to evacuate Mexico.
The captive monarch, standing at the railing of the
terraced roof, attended by many of the Spanish sol-
diers, affectionately addressed the people below him^
to that purpose. The chiefs aiid nobility, when
they saw their sovereign coining forward, called to
their troops to stop, and be silent* Four of them,
approaching still nearer to him, addressed him with
great sympathy and respect ; but told him, that
they had promised their gods, never to desist, but
with the total destruction of the Spaniards. A
shower of arrows and stones now fell about the
spot where Montezuma stood ; but he was protect-
ed by the Spaniards, who interposed their shields.
At the instant of removing their shields, that Mon-
tezuma might resume his address, three stones and
an arrow struck him to the ground. He was car-
ried to his apartment ; where he died, in a few Death of
days,1 " less of his wound, which was but incon- n^nte"u"
siderable, than of sorrow and indignation."3
I B. Diaz, i. 257 — 314. Clavigero, ii. 103-^-112. Robertson, ii.book
V. De Solis ii. book iv. chap, xiii — xv.
a Europ. Settlements, i. chap. xi. Clavigero [ii. no.] thinks it proba-
ble, that he died on the 36th of June. He was in the J4th year uf his
age. His body was honourably borne out, and delivered to the Mexicans,
who received it with strong expression's of sorrow. B. Diaz, i. 315. Cla-
vigero,ii.no. Of its treatment the accounts are various. P. Martyr
[366] stops here. w Corpus h'umandum civibus tradiderunt nostri. Quid
ultra nesciunt." Montezuma was a prince of majestic and graceful pres-
ence ; of vigorous understanding ; of martial genius, and distinguished
bravery. He was just, magnificent, and liberal ; but his justi«e often de-
generated into cruelty, and his magnificence and liberality were supported
by heavy burdens on his subjects. In every thing, pertaining to religion,
he was exact and punctual, and was jealous of the worship of his gods and
the observance of rites. Though often zealously urged by Cortes to re-
nounce his false gods, and embrace the Christian faith, he had always re-
jected the proposal with horror ; and to this rejection he inflexibly adher-
«?d in the prospect of death. Ste Clavigero and Robertson. Why did he
I
58 AMERICAN ANNALS.
1520. The Mexicans now most violently attacked the'
Spaniards, who, making another sally in return,
had twenty soldiers slain. Death being before
their eyes in every direction, the Spaniards deter-^
mined to leave the city during the night. On the
July i. first of July,1 a little before midnight, they silently
*>"fe' commeilced their march, but were soon discovered
Mex- by the Mexicans, who assailed them on all sides ;
ico- and it was witli great loss, and the utmost hazard
of entire destruction, that they effected their retreat.
On the sixth day, this maimed and wretched army,
pursued by- hosts of enraged enemies, was compeJ-
B-ittiaof led to give them battle near Otompan, toward the
otompun. collfines of the Thiscalan territories. This battle
was extremely bloody, and lasted upwards of four
hours ; but the Spaniards, with their Indian aux-
iliaries, obtained a decisive victory ever the whole
July 8. pov/er of Mexico ; and, proceeding in their march,
iards enter Cached the city of Tlascala, where, in the bosom
Tiascaia. of their faithful ally, they found entire security. a
Dec. 28. Cortes having subjugated the districts in the vi-
Cortes cinitv of Tlascala, and as opportunely, as fortuit-
marches to- J 7
** admit Cortes into his capital, and s:t!/jec£ himself to the grossest indigni-
ties, when he might unquestionably have e'xpeiled, if not annihilated, his'
army ? Antonio De Siolis, the Spanish historiographer, is at no loss for a
reas-un •- " The very eifects of it have since discovered, that God took the
reins into his own hand on purpo.se to tame that monster ; making his un-
•usuui gentleness instrumental to the first introduction of the Spaniards,
a Le vinn'in'S from iv/jsnce afleri'jard resulted tbr conversion of il^oss beuthsti na-
tions" Conquest Mexico, ii 141. We ought to adore that Providence,
which we cannot comprehend ; but it is impious to insult it hy assigning
such reasons for its measures, as are contradicted by facts. The natural
causes of the abject, submission of Montezuma- may perhaps be traced to
a lonof and traditionary expectation of the subjection of the Mexican em-
pire to a foreign power ; to the predictions of soothsayers, wirh their ex-
positions of recent and present omens ; to the forebodings of a supersti-
tious mind ; to the astonishment, excited by the view of a new race of
men with unknown and surprizing impleip.ents of war ; and to the ex-
traordinary success of the Spanish arms from the first momefat of the ar-'
rival of Cortes on the Mexican coast.
I This disastrous night v/as called by the Spaniards Node tristc ; and
by this name it is still distinguished in New Spain. Clavigero, ii. 114.
Robertson, ii. book v.
a Clavigero, ii. 113 — 120. B. Diaz, i. 317 — 333. These authors here
dll.sr.2rec ia their dates ; I follow CJavigero, who thus adjusted theltt aftct
AMERICAN ANNALS'. 59
otisly, received afresh succour of men and ammuni- 1520.
don,1 marched back toward the coast of Mexico,
six months after his disastrous retreat, and made an Enters
-entry into Tezcuco on the last day of the year. z Tezcuco.
Ferdinand Magellan, a Portuguese gentleman, on strata of
£ voyacre for the discovery of the Molucca or Spice Magellan
TIT- i • r r> i i r discovered.
Islands, in the service or cpam, entered the famous
Straits, which bear his name, on the eleventh of
November, and on the twenty eighth of that month,
•entered the great Southern Ocean, which he called,
The Pacific. 5 pi
1521.
Cortes, having fixed his quarters at Tezcuco, re- Expedition
solved to make an assault on the city of Iztapala- a?a:!18t Iz-
T ... { . tapalapan.
pan. 4 Leaving a garrison, or more than three hun-
a careful comparison. Be Soils, ii. 178 — 1^9. Herrera, iii. 74. Robert-
son, ii. book v. Dr. Robertson [ibid. Note xoi.], after examining the va-
jious accounts of the Spanish historians, gives it as his opinion, that the
loss of the Spaniards, in this retreat from Mexico, cannot \vc!l be estimated
at less than 600 men.. Clavigero [ii. ir6.], following the computation of
Gomara, inclines to the opinion, that " there fell/' on the sti/ n^btt " be-
side 450 Spaniards, more than 4000 auxiliaries, and- among them, as Cor-
tes says, all the Cholulans 4 almost all the prisoners the men and women,
who were in the service of the Spaniards, were killed, also 40 horses ;
.and all the riches, they had amassed, all their artillery, and all the manu-
scripts belonging to Cortes, containing an account of every thing which
had happened to the Spaniards until that period, were lorf." Many of
the Spanish prisoners were inhumanly sacrificed in the great temple of
Mexico. Ibid. 120.
I A merchantman from the Canaries, with fire arms, powder, and war-
like provisions, coming to trade at Vera Cruz, the captain, master, and
^3 Spanish soldiers, wlio had come to seek their fortunes, went with Cor-
ps' commissary to the camp, and joined the army. .Cortes received some
•other reinforcements about this- time, " beyond all expectation." De Soils,
ii. aj4, 255, Robertson, ii. book v.
^ a eiavigero, ii. 138, 139. Tezcuco was the second city of the empire,
•situated on jtfie 'banks of the Mexican lake, about twenty miles from Mex-
ico. 'Jlobejtson, ii. hook v.
3 Herrera, iii. ^yf, Encyc. Methodique, Geog. Art. PACIJTIQUE. Prince
Chron. Intrutl. 85. Harris Voy. i. ia — 19, w!u>re there is an entire account
of this voyage. Magellan sailed from Seville 10 August 1519, with 5
ships and 234 men ; and in Decembw; of that year discovered Patagonia.
See Herreru, ii. 175, 176. Robertson, ii. 375. Univ. Hist, xxxix. 215.
Biblioth. Americana, 53. Encyc. Methodise, Geog. Art. MAGELLAN.
Venegas California, i. 120,
4 This was in revenge for the offences, received from its ancient lord
•Cuitlahuatzin, whom Cortes knew to be the author of the memorable de-
feat of the first of July. Clavigero, ii. 142.
60 AMERICAN ANNALS,
1521. dred Spaniards and many allies, under the command
of Gonzales de Sandoval, he marched with upwards
of two hundred Spaniards, and more than three
thousand Tlascalans, with many of the Tezcucau
nobility, who were met by some troops of the ene-
my, that fought them, but retreated. The assail-
ing army, on entering Iztapalapan, and rinding it
almost entirely evaluated, began in the night to.
sack the city ; and the Tlascalans set fire to the
houses. The light of this conflagration discovering
to them the water overflowing the canals, and be-
ginning to inundate the city, a retreat was sound-
ed 5 but so far had the inundation risen, that
the Spaniards made their passage back with difficul-
ty ; some of the Tlascalans were drowned ; and
the greatest part of the booty was lost. * This
disaster was soon compensated by new confedera-
cies, formed with several neighbouring cities by
means of their ambassadors. a
Cortes, who never relinquished the thought of
Bncantmes , r _ , 111 i
transported the conquest or Mexico, had taken care to have
thirteen brigantines built, while he was at Tlascala,
in aid of the great enterprise. 3 These vessels he
now caused to be transported by land to Tezcuco.
The command of the convoy, consisting of two,
hundred foot soldiers, fifteen horsemen, and two
I Clavlgero, ii. 142, 143. B. Diaz, ii. 34, 35. The citizens, in order
to drown all their enemies, broke the mole of the lake, and entirely delug-
ed the city. Two Spaniards only and one horse were lost ; hut upwards
of 6000 of the hostile natives were slain. Ibid. B.Diaz, says [ii. 48.],
that he received a wound in hi* throat, " the marks of which," he adds,
<f I carry to this day."
1 Ibid.
3 He had obtained of the Senate 100 men of burden, for the transpor-
tation of the sails, cordage, iron, and other materials of the vessels, which
he had unrigged the preceding year, with a view to this very use ; and
for tar had extracted turpentine from the pines of a neighbouring;
mountain. The materials wer,e so prepared, that they might be carried
in pieces ready to be put together. ' The first brigantine was built by
JMartino Lopez, a Spanish soldier, who was an engineer in the army of
Cortes. After that model the other twelve were built by the Tlascalans.
Clavigero, ii. 135,146. Robertson.
AMERICAN ANNALS.
pieces, he gave to Sandoval. * Eight thousand
Tlascalans carried on their backs the beams, sails,
and other materials, necessary for their construc-
tion ; two thousand were loaded with provisions ;
and thirty thousand were armed for defence, under
the command of three Indian chiefs, * After seve-
ral expeditions into the neighbouring country ; 4
fruitless attempt at a negociation with Mexico ;
and the suppression of a conspiracy against his own
life ; Cortes made his final preparation for the
seige of Mexico. On the twenty eighth of April. T:
, o . . , 11.° ii/r • Launched,,
the bngantmes were Jaundice! into t|ie Mexican,
lake. Notice of the grand movements was given to the
allies, who now poured into Tezcuco, in great num-
bers, to the aid of the Spaniards. On the twentieth of
May Cortes collected his people in the great market
place of Tezcuco, and made a disposition of them for
the siege. The whole army, destined for this service, for the
consisted of nine hundred and seventeen Spaniards, ^Sko
and mor.e than seventy five tlious'and auxiliary
troops, which number was soon after increased to
more than two hundred thousand. 3 Cortes, resolv- May 30
ed to possess himself of the -three causeways B*8?nntn
of Tlacopan, Iztapalapan, and Cojolmacan, divid- siege.
ed his army into three bodies, and committed the
expedition of Tlacopan to Pedro de Alvarado ; that
of Cojohuacan to Christopher de Olid ; and that of
I Sandoval had orders to proceed by a place, called by the Spaniards
Puebla Moresca, to inflict an exemplary punishment on the inhabitants,
•ivho had robbed and put to death 40 Spanish soldiers, who w«>re on their
march from Vera Cruz to Mexico, for the relief of Alvarado. In the
temples at that place were found many traces of their blood upon the
walls ; their idols were besmeared with it ; " and we fcur.d," says E. Di-
az, " the skine of two of their facus with their beards, dressed like leather,
and hung upon the altars, as were also the shoes of four horses, together
with their skins, very well dressed." True Hist. Mex. ii. 40.
a Clavigero, ii. 146. U. Diaz, ii. 41. Robertson, ii. book v. ]3ut these
authors differ from each other in their account of the number of armed
Indians, that guarded this convoy. I have followed Clavigero. The line
of march, according to B. Diaz, extended in some places, above 6 miles ;
and the entire materials for i j bri^untines were thus carried over laud,
tiirough a mountainous country, 60 miles. 3 Clavigero, ii. j6o»
AMERICAN ANNALS.
Iztapalapan to Gonzalo deSandoval. Cortes him*
self took the command of the brigantines. l After
several days, spent in various acts of hostility, Cor-,
tes, with much difficulty, effected an entrance into
the great square of the city \ but was so violently
assailed by the citizens, that he found it expedient
to retreat.2 Twenty days having passed, during
which the Spaniards had made continual entrance
into the city, Cortes determined on a general as*
July 3. sault. On the appointed day he marched with
Attempt to t\yenty five horses, all his infantry, and more than
£kybV a hundred thousand .allies ; his brigantines, with
storm. more than three thousand canoes, forming the two
wings of his army on each side of the causeway.
Having entered the city with little opposition, and
commenced a most vigorous action, the Mexicans
made some resistance, and then feigned a retreat.
The Spaniards, pushing forward with emulation to
enter the square of the market, unwarily left be-
hind them a broad gap in the causeway, badly filled
up ; and the priests at this instant blew the horn
of the god Painalton,3 when a multitude of Mexi-
cans assembling, and pouring with fury upon the;
Spaniards and allies, threw them into confusion,
Repulse, and compelled them to retreat precipitately. In at-
tempting to pass the gap, apparently filled up with
faggots and other light materials, it sunk with the
weight and violence of the multitude ; when Span-
iards, Tlascalans, horsemen, and infantry, plunged
in promiscuously ; the Mexicans at the same mo-
ment rushing upon them fiercely on every side. A
I To Alvarado he assigned 30 horses, 168 foot soldiers, 20,000 Tlasca-
lans, and 1 pieces of .artillery ; to Olid, 33 horses, 168 foot soldiers, 3>
j>ieces of artillery, and more than 25,000 allies; to Sandoval, 24 horses,
163 Spanish infantry, 2 cannons, and more than 30,000 allies. Aniqng
the hrigantines he distributed 325 Spaniards, and 13 falconets ; assigning
to each brigantine a captain, 12 soldiers, and as many rowers. Clavigero,
ii. 160. 2 Ibid. 162 — 367.
3 This horn was reserved for times of extreme danger, to excite th$
people to arms. Clavi^ero,
AMERICAN ANNALS. 63
tremendous conflict ensued. Cortes, who had come
to the ditch, in aid of his defeated troops, was at
length bringing them off, when he was seized by
six chiefs, who had cautiously taken him alive, " t6
honour their gods with the sacrifice of so illustri-
ous a victim," and were already leading him away
for this purpose. His men, apprized of his capture,
flew to his aid ; and Christoval de Olea, cutting off
with one stroke of his sword the arm of a Mexican,
who held him, and killing four of the enemy ^ liberated
his general, at the expense of his own life* Other sol-
diers arriving to the assistance of Cortes* they took
him out of the water in their arms, and, placing
him on a horse, hurried him off from the crowd of
his enemies. *
Various acts of mutual and bloody hostility sue*
ceeded by land and on the Mexican lake. Quauh-*'
temotzin, the king of Mexico^ though reduced to
the greatest distress, still obstinately refusing to
surrender, on repeated proposals of terms more
honourable and indulgent, than, in such an extrem-
ity, he might perhaps have possibly expected ;*
I B. Diaz, 11.98 — 100. Clavigero, 11.174 — 176. The loss, sustained
by tke besiegers on that day, was 7 horses, a number of arms and boats,
and a piece of artillery, upwards of 1000 allies, and more than 60 Span-
iards, some of whom were killed in battle, but 40 were .taken" alive, and
immediately sacrificed in the great temple of Mexico. The Mexicans ce-
lebrated their victory eight successive days with illuminations and music
in their temples. Ibid, and Robertson, ii. book v. This celebration ap-
pears -to have commenced at the instant of victory. " Before we arrived
at our quarters," says B. Diaz, " and while the enemy were pursuing us,
we heard their shrill timbais, and the dismal sound of the great drum,
from the top of the principal temple of the god of war, which overlooked
the whole city. Its mournful noise was such as may be imagined the mu-
sic of the infernal gods, an<i it might be heard at the distance of almost three
leagues. They were then sacrificing the hearts of ten of our companions
to their idols." " Every charter of the city," says the descriptive Robert-
son, " was illuminated; the great temple shone with such peculiar splen-
dor, that the Spaniards could plainly see the people in motion, and the
priests busy in hastening the preparations for the death of the prisoners.
Through the gloom they fancied that they discerned their companions by
the whiteness of thdr skins, as they were stript naked, and compelled t*
dance before the image of the g6d, to whom they were «o be 6ffered."
a In addition to the daily loss of incredible numbers in action, famine
began to consume the Mexicans \vilHm die city. The brigantmes, hav-
64 AMERICAN ANNALS.
4521* Cortes began with most of his forces to attack
ditches and intrenchments ; and Sandoval with
another division attacked the city in the quarter of
the north. Terrible was the havoc made this day
among the Mexicans, more than forty thousand of
whom, it is affirmed, were slain. ' The stench of
the unburied carcases obliged the besiegers to with-
draw from the city ; but the next day they return-
ed, to make the last assault on that district of it,
which was yet in possession of the Mexicans. a All
last as- t|le three divisions of the troops, having penetrated
into the great square in the centre of the city, made
the attack at once, and pressed so hard on the fee-
ble, exhausted citizens., that* finding no place of
refuge, many threw themselves into the water, and
some surrendered themselves to the conquerors.
The Mexicans having previously prepared vessels^
to save themselves by flight from the fury of the
enemy, one of them, carrying the royal personages^
escaped ; but it was soon overtaken by a Spanish
brigantine, and surrendered. " I am your prison-
*c er," said Ouauhtemotzin, the Mexican king, to
the Spanish captain ; " I have no favour to ask,
" but that you will show the queen my wife, and
" her attendants, the respect due to their sex and
tc rank." When conducted to Cortes, he appeared
neither with the sullen fierceness of a barbarian,
ing the entire command 6f the lake, rendered it almost impossible to con-
Vey to the besieged any provisions by water. By means of the vast num-
ber of Indian auxiliaries, Cortes had shut up the avenues to the city by
land. The stores, laid up by Quauhtemotzin, were exhausted. The com-
plicated sufferings of this devoted people brought on infectious and mor-
tal distempers, " the last calamity, that visits besieged cities, and which
filled up the measure of their woes." Robertson, ii. bcok v. P. Martyr, de
Orb. Nov. 408.
i Clavigero, ii. 187, 1 88. On no day was so much Mexican blood
spilt. " The wretched citizens having :?ow neither arms to repel the mul-
titude and fury of their enemies, strength to defend themselves, nor space
t» fight upon ; the ground of the city was covered with dead bodies, and
the water of every ditch and canal purpled with blood." Ibid.
% Three fourths of the. city wer? already reduced, and laid in nun?.
Robertson,
AMERICAN ANNALS. 65
•or with the dejection of a suppliant. "I have 1521.
" done what became a monarch. I have defended
*6 rny people to the last extremity. Nothing now
** rerrviins but to die. Take this dagger," continu-
ed h % laying his hand on one, which Cortes wore
at his side, " plant it in my breast, and put an end
46 to a life, which can no longer be of use." x Cor-
tes now ordered, that all the Mexicans should leave
the city without arms or baggage ; and for three
days and three nights all the three roads, leading
from the city, were seen " full of men, women, and
children, feeble, emaciated, and dirty, who went
to recover in other parts" of the Mexican territory.*
I Robertson, ii. book v. B. Diaz, ii. ill. Clavigero, ut supra. P.
Martyr, 409. " En ferrum quo me potes et debes jup-ulare, exosum et
inolestum mihi jam erit vivere." But he was reserved for a more cruel
destiny. Quauhtemotzin was the eleventh and last king of Mexico. He
succeeded Cuitlahuatzin, a brother of Monteznma, formerly prince of Iz-
tapalapan, who was elected king, on the death of Montezuma ; but, after
a reign of three or four months, died of the small pox. This disease, to-
tally unknown before in the New World, was breught to the Mexican
country by a Moorish slave, belonging to Narvaez. He infected the
Chempoallese, and thence the infection spread through all the Mexican
empire, where many thousands perished, and some places were entirely
'depopulated. [Clavigero, i. 445; ii. 133.] No brother of the two last
kings surviving, the Mexicans chose Quauhtemotzin, a nephew of those
kings, then about 23 years of age. His name is commonly written Gua-
timoxin, or Guatimotzin. But in the article of language, and in some other
particulars, I give preference to the authority of the Abbe Clavigero, wh»
was a native of Vera Cruz ; resided nearly 40 years in the provinces of
New Spain ; and acquired the language of the Mexicans. Quauhtemot-
zin was in a few days put ignominiously to the torture, by the burning of
his feet slowly after they were anointed with oil, that he might declare
where the immense riches of the court and temple were deposited ; and
about three years after [15*5] was hanged, together with the kings of
Tezcuco and Tlacopan, on account of some suspicious circumstances in
their conduct. This most unjust and cruel act was blamed by all, and
« occasioned some watchings and melancholy to Cortes." Clavigero, ii.
193. B. Diaz, ii. 283, 284. Robertson, ii. book v.
1 Mexico contained at this time 60,000 houses. [Clavigero, ii. 72.]
There were at this city, during the siege, 200,000 confederate Indians,
900 Spanish foot, 80 horse, 17 pieces of small cannon, 13 brigantines, and
6000 canoes. [Herrera, iii. 179, 180. Purchas, i. 788.] The siege lasted
75 days, during which time there were 60 dangerous battles ; some thou-
•tands of allies perished ; more than 100 Spaniards were killed and sacrific-
ed ; and, according to the best computation, more than 100,000 Mexi-
cans were slain, beside upward of 50,000, who died by, famine or sick-
ness. ** The city appeared one complete ruin." Clavigero, ii. 192, 193,
4-42. Hen-era, iii. wo, 179. Robertson, ii, book v, Harris Voy. i. 774.
60 AMERICAN ANNALS.
1521. The fate of the capital decided the fate of the ent~
pire, which was soon after entirely reduced under'
the dominion of Spain.*
i/is Casas Bartholomew de las Casas, having obtained a
goes to Cu- commission from the king of Spain to m'ake a peace-
able religions- settlement at Cumana, with orders'
that ships and seamen be provided far him at the
royal charge, a now arrived there with three hun-
dred artificers, " all wearing crosses."** Gonzalo de~
Oc'impo not allowing him to execute his commission
without directions from the governor of Hispanic--
la, Las Casas went to that Island, to obtain the
governor's sanction. G'onzafy going there also from
New Toledo, followed by many of the inhabitants,
and some of the new colonists incautiously trading
along the coast, contrary to the express orders of
. Las Casas : the natives, seizin? this opportunity.,
Yherratives '
break up demolished the houses at CtniKma ; burned the
this settle- monastery : and killed all the golden knights, ancf
merit. / ' , . c
others, remaining there, excepting a few, who escap-
ed in a small vessel. Not one Spaniard was now
left alive, from the gulf of Paria to the borders oF
Darien. ?
T Clavigero, iL-lxx&-T. B. Diar, \\. 124 — 126. Robertson,!'., book-vi
;'ng v/ds want-id, but a good caust?, to render this conquest one of the-
most illustrious achievements, recorded in ancient or modern history. Bet,
while we admire the action, as great, we condemn it, as criminal. The
sanguinary customs of the Mexicans were indeed abolished by the intro-
duction of European principles and manrrers. But at what expense ? The
victors, in- one year of merciless massacre, sacrificed more human victims-
to avarice ar»d ambition, than the Indians, during- the existence of thair'
empire, devoted to their gods. The forms of justice were established.
J3ut by what means ? The Indian princes-were despoiled of their territo-
ry and tributes, tortured for gold, and their posterity enslaved. The-
Christian Religion was introduced. But in what manner, and with what
effect ? " H-i-r mild parental voice," to use the words of Clavigero, " va»
nuborned to terrify confounded savages ; and her gentle arm in violence
lifted up to raze their temples and hospitable habitaticns, to ruin ever>y
fond relic and revered monument of their ancestry and origin, and divorce
them in anguish from the bosom of their country." JFor a farther account
0f Mexico ) sec Note II, at the end of ibc volume*
2 Vega, 66z.
3 Herrera, Hi. 181, i8z. Vega, 66i, 6613. Robertson, i. book iu.
AMERICAN ANNALS. ; 67
Panama was constituted a city, with the proper
privileges, by Charles V.1
.
The emperor of Spain appointed Cortes captain Cortes »p-
eeneral and governor of New Spain : and certain p°inted £°-
0 . - . i f • • i vernor of
commissioners to receive and administer the royal New Spain.
revenue there, with independent jurisdiction. z
Villa del Spiritu Santo, in the province of Guas-
caca in New Spain, was built by Gonzales de San-
tloval. 3
Newfoundland, settled by different nations, is
said to have contained at this period fifty houses. 4
Cortes, with three hundred foot and one hun- Conquests
dred and fifty horse, conquered Panuco. On the river J^^J*"
Chila he built a town, called Santo Stephano del the Span-
Puerto, and left in it a hundred foot and thirty horse. 5
He now rebuilt the city of Mexico, on the model
of the European towns, dividing the ground amorig
the conquerors. The Spanish Quarter was now be-
gun with twelve hundred inhabitants. 6 Alvarado,
sent from Mexico with three hundred foot, seventy
horse, and four field pieces, to discover and con-
quer Quahutemallan, and other towns toward the
South Sea, discovered and subdued all that coun-
try ; and built' the city, called St. Jago Ouahutemal-
lan. Gonzales d'Avila discovered and peopled a
place in the bottom of Ascension bay, in fourteen
x Ifruv. Kist. xxxix. 15$.
a Herrera, ui. 323. Robertson, il. book V.
3 Encyc. Methotlique, Geog. Art. VILLA DEL SPIRITU SANTO.
4 Ibid. Art. TEHRS NJEUVE.
5 Herrera, iii. 278. Harris Voy. i. 272.
6 Herrera, iii. 2179, 2^°' Venegas California, i. 133. The city \v:u
altimately built with ico,ooo houses, « fairer and stronger than before."
788.
68
AMERICAN ANNALS.
degrees north latitude, and called the town Gil de
buena Vista.1
Baron de Lery formed the first project in prance
for obtaining a settlement in America. *
no in the
service of
?rance.
1524.
Voyage of John Verrazzano, a Florentine, having been
out fae prececjin{T year by Francis I, of I r
. , r J o J
"with four snips, to prosecute discoveries ra the
northern parts of America, now coasted from tre
twenty eighth to the fiftieth degree north latitude. *
In this voyage he discovered, with a considerable
degree of accuracy, the coast of Florida,4 The
•whole extent of his discovery was upwards of seven
I Harris Voy. i. 272.
a Minot Hist. Massachusetts, i. 126. The French Annotator on an
English work entitled, " The Conduct of the French with respect to No-
va Scotia," [note 4. p. 20.] says, the settlement pf Lery WHS projected iu
15 « 8 : " DCS 1518, le Baron de Lery &- de Saint Just, avoit erteipvis de
former une habitation sur les cotes de i' Amerique septentrion: )e." I pre-
fer a known to a dubious authority. The Annotator [p. 10.] also says,
Lery and St. Just landed cattle on the Isle of Suble. Charlevoix does not
mention either in his Pastes Chronologiques.
3 Hakiuyt, iii. 195 — 300, where is Verrazzano's own account of hli
yoyage, that he sent, to the king. Univ. Hist, xxxix. 406. Forster Vey,
432— -436. Prince Chron. Introd. 86. Belknap Biog. i. 33. Harris Vcy. i. '
810. Brit. Emp. Introd. xlvi, and i. 163. Some historians fix these disco-
veries in the years 1523, 1524, 1525. It appears, that Vemizzano wa*
sent out by the French king in 1523 ; that he at first cruized with suc-
cess against the Spaniards ; that he at length sailed with one of his four,
ships on a voyage of discovery ; that he " departed from the dishabited
rocke by the isle of Madeira the iyth of January the yeere 1524 ;" and
that he made another voyage in 1525, with the design of settling a colony,
but was heard of no more. Forster supposes, that in his yoyr.ge of 1524
he first arrived off that part of the American coast, where the town of
Savannah now stands ; " a new land," says Verrazzano, " never before
scene of any man either ancient or moderns." Having sailed thence to
the southward as far as to t;he 3Oth deg. north lat. it appears, that he then
sailed northwardly to the 34th deg. a.nd thence still northwardly, until he
found the coast " trend toward the east ;" that here he attempted to send his
boat ashore, but was prevented by the roughness of the sea* ; that pro-
ceeding to the eastward, he found a well cultivated islandf, and a little
beyond it a good harbour, in which were more than 20 canoes, belonging
to the natives ; that he proceeded still northwardly to 50 deg. along the
4 Chalmers, i. 512.
* Forster supposes this to have happened " somewhere about Nc"W Jersey, ir
Stafen Island" In lat- 40 dug. be entered a h arbour ^ ivbich, by bis descrif~\
tion. Dr. Belknap supposed, must be that of Nnv York.
| Supposed by fonter to be Nantueket, or Martha 't
AMERICAN ANNALS. 69
hundred leagues of the North American coast,* 1524,
which he named New France.3 He made another
voyage the next year ; but he and his crew were
lost by some unknown disaster ; 3 and neither the
king, nor the nation, thought any more of America
for several succeeding years. 4 .
Historians remark, that it is to the great honour Remari5.
of Italy, that the three Powers, which at this day
possess almost all America, owe their first discove^
ries to the Italians : Spain, to Columbus, a Geno-
ese ; England, to the Cabots, Venetians ; and
France, to Verrazzano, a Florentine ; " a circunii
stance which sufficiently proves, that in those times
no nation was equal to the Italians in point of ma-
ritime knowledge and extensive experience in navi-.
gation."5 It is however remarkable, that the Ital-
ians, with all their knowledge and experience, have
not been able to acquire one inch of ground for
themselves in America. This singular failure has
been ascribed to the penurious mercantile spirit of
the Italian republics ; to their mutual animosities
and petty wars ; and to their contracted selfish
policy. 6
Luke Vasquez, a Spaniard of Aylon, having pre- Voyage Of
viously sailed with two ships to Florida, and per- ^' fS^?
coast of the country ; and that then, on account of the failure of his pro-
visions he sailed directly to France. Purchas [i. 769.] says, Verrazzano
rather sought to discover all along the coast, Ifhau to search pr settle with-.
ia land.
I Hakluyt. 2 Belknap.
3 Some authors say, they were massacred and eaten by the savages.
Charlevpix [Hist. Nouv. France, i. 7.] thinks that the story is without foun-
dation. His account is : " Peu de terns apres son arrivee en France, il fit
See also Pastes Chronologiques, prefixed to his history, p. xviii. " 11 y per
fit : On ignore par quel accident."
4 Ce qu' il y a de plus certain, c'est que le iridiheureux ?ort de Veraza-
ni fut cause.que pendant plusieurs annees, ni le Roi, ni la Nation ne songe-
rent plus a 1' Amerique. Charlevoix Hist. Nouv. France, i. 8.
5 The remark appears to be original in Charltvoix fi. 4.] ; the infer-?
tnce is Forster's.
6 Forster Voy. 437. Purchas, i. 7^5.
Jo AMERICAN ANNALS.
..1524. fidiously carried off a number of the natives,1 for
which vile action he had obtained the reward of a
discoverer of new lands, instead of merited punish-
ment, now sent over several ships to Florida.
The year following he came over in person, with
three more ships ; but, as if in judicial punishment
«of his cruel perfidy, he lost two hundred of his
men, who v/ere cut off by the natives, and one of
his ships was wrecked near Cape St. Helena. These
losses, with his disappointments in the expected ad-
vantages of his discoveries, induced him to return
to Hispaniola, where he died of a broken heart. a
:vtexica* Papantzin, a Mexican princess, sister of Monte*
zuma, was baptised ; and she was the first person,
who received Christian baptism in Tlatelolco, 3
j A. D. 15*0. He made this 'voyage with some associates, in execu*
tion of the inhuman project of stealing Indians, to supply the scarcity of
hands in working the Spanish mines. Having at the place now called St.
Helena decoyed a large number on board his ships, he sailed off with them.
Most of these wretched captives pined to death, or were wrecked in one
of the ships, which foundered at sea. A few suffered a worse fate in Span-
ish slavery. Univ. Hist. xli. 379. P. Martyr, 470, 471. " Hospitii-fidem
violarunt Hispani tandem. Astu namque artibusque variis, post cuntta
diligenter vestigata, operam dederunt ut una dierum ad naves visendi cau-
*a multi concurreren*, implentur naves inspectantibus : ubi refertas viris
ac feeminis habuere, anchoris evulsis, velis protends, lugentes abduxerunt
in servitutem. Ita regiones eas universas ex amicis reliquerunt inimicas, efc
ex pacatis perturbatas, filiis a parentibus ablatis, ab uxoribus maritis.'*
Charlevoix [Hist. Nouv. France, i. p. xvii.] says, that Vasquez discovered
the Cape of St. Helena, at the mouth of a great river, which has since been
called, The Jourdain. In his map of the Coasts of French Florida [ibid. p.
514.] he makes the Jourdain the same as the Congaree, or Santff, of South
Carolina, and near its mouth puts these words : Id devoit etre le Cap Sf. He-
lene. I conjecture, that, instead of the Congaree, he should have taken the
Combabee, which empties itself into St. Helena Sound near the island of St.
Helena, whose inhabitants pronounce the name Sant He-lc-nah^ deriving
probably both the name and pronunciation from the Spaniards. I have
ffoiv no doubt, but that Vasquez landed on the Carolina coast ; and, but
for another St. Helena in the Spanish Florida, I should long since have
drawn the same conclusion from the following description of P. Mar-
tyr [Pe Orb. Nov. 471.], which refers to the place where Vasquez landed t
— « vel Bacchalaos anno abhinc vigesimo sexto ex Anglia per Cabotum
repertos, aut Bacchalais contiguas, arbitror esse illas terras."
a Univ. Hist. xl. 379, 3%°'
Q Clavigero, j. 231.
AMERICAN ANNALS. 7*
1525.
Charles V, emperor of Spain, jhaving sent &&
plien Gomez from Corunna, to find a passage to
the Molucca Islands by the way of America ; this
skilful navigator sailed to Cuba and Florida, and
thence northwardly to Cape Razo, ifl the forty
sixth degree north latitude, and returned, without
making the discovery. He was the first Spaniard,
who sailed along this northern coast/
Francisco Pizarro and Diego de Almagro, who
'had already distinguished themselves among the
Spanish conquerors of America, not satisfied with;
the glory of the past, resolved to perform still great-
er achievements. Pizarro, having inarched under
JBalboa across the isthmus of Darren at the time of
his discovery of the South Sea, a had received va-
rious hints from the natives concerning the opulent
country of Peru,3 He and Almagro associating
with them Hernando de Luque, a schoolmaster and
an ecclesiastic in Panama, who had amassed consi-
derable wealth, these three solemnly swore in pub-
lic, and entered into articles underhand and seal,
•"Bever to forsake each other in any dangers or discour-
agements whatever, until they should have made an
•entire conquest of that country. 4 Pizarro, by licence
I Prince Chron. Inirod. £6. Forster Voy. 447. P. Martyr [460,
461.] takes notice of this voyage : " Decretum est, ut Stephanus Gomez
alia via tendat, qua se inquit reperturum inter Baccalaos et Floridas iter
ad Cataium ; neque aliud habebit in mandatis, quam ut inquirat, an exi-
tus ad magnum vulgo Canem ex Oceani hujus nostri variis inflexibus, et
•vastis ambagibu* reperiatur. Is, nee freto neque a se promisso Cataio re-
pertis, regressus est intra mensum decimum a disceseu." Venegas [Kist*
Californ. i. 12,4.] affirms, that he was sent out in 1524, " and not in 15*5,
as Gomara says ;" and that he returned to Spain in 1525, carrying with
him some Indians. Gomez accompanied Magellan in his great voyage a
•few years before. Purchas, i. 738.
1 Robertson. See A. 0.1513. He was also with Ojeda, in his disas*
'treus expedition for settling the continent. See A. D. 1510.
3 All the people on the coast of the South Sea concurred in informing*
-Balboa, that there was a mighty and opulent kingdom, situated at a con-
siderable distance toward the south east. Robertson.
4 Vega, 418, 426,522. "Luque celebrated mass, divided a conse*
orated host into three, and reserving one part for hinudf, gave the othar
7 2 AMERICAN ANNALS.
of Peter Arias cTAvila, the Spanish governor, sailed
from Panama to Peru on this daring enterprise,
with one hundred and twelve Spaniards and some
Indians, and Almagro soon followed him ; but both
were repulsed, and compelled to leave the country,
which they had invaded. x
1526.
Voyage of Sebastian Cabot, not finding public patronage in
Cabot!** England, had passed over into Spain ; and was
now employed by Charles V, in a voyage for the
April i. discovery of the Molucca Islands. 3 Sailing from
Seville with five vessels,3 he first made the island
of Patos$ near cape St. Augustine in Brasil. The
loss of his principal ship in the bay of Patos, a mu-
tiny among his mariners, aud the want of provisions,
sufficient to carry him through the Straits of Ma-
gellan, induced him to resolve, not to proceed far-
ther on the projected voyage. Making a pinnace
here, to pass up the Rio de la Plata, he ascended
that river sixty leagues and came to some is-
lands which he called, The Islands of St. Gabriel*
Here he left his ships, and rowed up the Uraguay
in boats three leagues to a river on the right, which
two to his associates, of which they partook ; and thus, in the name of
the Prince of Peace, ratified a contract of which plunder and bloodshed
were the objects." Robertson.
I Robertson, iii. book vi. Purchas, v. 1491, where from p. 1491 to
p. 1497 is an account of " the conquest of Peru and Cusco." From these
authorities, and from Charlevoix [Hist. Nouv. France, i. Introd. xviii.] it ap-
pears, that Pizarro sailed from Panama 14 November 1524. But the
substance of the allied expedition was in 1525.
a He went to Madrid where he entered into a treaty with the empe-
ror, which was signed 4 March 1515. Its principal articles were, That
Cabot should have the command of a squadron of 4 ships, in quality of
captain general, and that Martin Mendez, who had been treasurer to Ma-
gellan's squadron, should serve under him, as lieutenant ; that he should
sail through the newly discovered Straits, then cross the South Sea to the
Molucca Islands, and thence proceed on the discovery of Tharsis, Ophir
and Cipango, which were then thought to be the islands of Japan ; and
th.it he should there load his ships with gold, silver, and the other pre-
cious commodities, which the country afforded. It was Cabot himself, wh»
proposed this expedition. Charlevoix Paraguay, i. 30, 31.
3 A private adventurer freighted the fifth vessel at his own expense-.
CJiarlevoix.
ta
AMERICAN ANNALS. 73
Ire called Rio de San Salvador ; built a small fort 1526.
on its banks ; and detached some soldiers up the
river, under the command of Alvarez Ramon. This
officer and some of his people were killed by the
natives. Cabot next sailed about thirty leagues up
the Paraguay, and built a fort at the mouth of a
river, issuing from the mountains of Tucuman, and
called it, The Fort Santi Spiritus ; but it is gen-
erally called by historians, Cabot's Fort. Send-
ing dispatches to the emperor, with the silver that he
had collected, he remained at Paraguay two years ;
discovered about two hundred leagues on that riv-
er ; and, leaving Nuno de Lara the command of the
fort Santi Spiritus with one hundred and twenty
men, returned to Spain. *
Previously to this time, Thomas Tisoft, an Eng- English
lishman, had found the way to the West Indies, trade in the
J \V. Indies*
I Herrera, iii. 381. Harris Voy. 1.373. Charlevoix Paraguay,!. 31
— 35. Charlevoix [ibid. 36 — -39.] tells an affecting story of the fate of
this garrison, which, though it has the air of romance, is not incredible.
Mangora, prince of the Timbuez (an Indian nation in the neighbourhood
of Cabot's fort), becoming enamoured with Lucy Miranda, a Spanish lady,
the wife of Sebastian Hurtado, (one of the principal officers of the fort), in
order to obtain possession of her, laid a plot for the destruction of the gar-
rison. Taking advantage of the absence of Hurtado, who was detached
with another officer, named Ruiz Moschera, and 50 soldiers, to collect pro-
visions, he placed 4000 men in .a marsh, and went with 30 others, loaded
with refreshments, to the gates of the fort, which were readily opened for
their admittance^ Lara, the Spanish governor, in token of gratitude, gave
them an entertainment, at the close of which, late at night, Mangora giv-
ing directions to his attendants to set fire to the magazines of the fort, the
4000 men, at this preconcerted signal, rushed in to the massacre. Most of
the Spaniards were killed in their sleep. Lara, though wounded, espying
the treacherous prince, made up to him, and ran him through the body,
but was intercepted in his flight, and killed. Not a living person was now
left in the fort, excepting Miranda, four other women, and as many chil-
dren, all of whom were tied, and brought before Siripa, the brother and
successor of Mangora. At the sight of Miranda, he conceived for her the
same passion, which had proved fatal to his brother. On the return of
Hurtado, Siripa ordered him to be tied to a tree, and there shot to death
with arrows. Miranda, throwing herself at the feet of the tyrant, by her
suppliant charms procured her husband's release. The Indian prince in-
dulged them a restricted intercourse ; but the boundaries being passed,
he instantly condemned Miranda to the flames, and Hurtado to the tortur-
ing death, which he had but lately escaped. Moschera now embarked
with the poor remnant of his garrison, and Cabot'* fort was abandoned,
fc
AMERICAN ANNALS.
and was resident there ; whence it is conjecture^
that the English merchants already carried on 3
clandestine trade with those parts of America.1
.
English Ihe scheme for discovering a passage to tlie East
voyage, Indies by the northwest being resumed in England,
May ao, a voyage was made, by the advice of Robert Thome
of Bristol, with two shipSj furnished out by king
Henry VIII ; but it proved disastrous. One of
the ships was lost in a dangerous gulf* between the
to New- northern parts of Newfoundland and the country,
foundiand, afterward called by queen Elizabeth, Meta Incogni-
ta. The second ship, after the loss of the first, sha-
ped its course toward Cape Breton 3 and the coast
and NO- Of Arambec or Norumbega.4 The navigators went
rumbegu.
I Hakluyt, iii. 500. This fact was discovered by JIakluyt in " a cer-
taine note or letter of remembrance, written 1.526, by master Nicholas
Thorne, a principall marchant of Bristol, unto his friend and factour Tho-
mas Midnall," then at St. Lucar in Andalusia. It appears, that to the Ti-
son above mentioned Thorne sent armour and other commodities, specifi-
ed in that letter. " This Thomas Tison," says Hakluyt, " (so farre as I
can conjecture) may seeme to have bene some secret factour for M. Thorne
and other English marchants in those remote partes ; whereby it is prob-
able that some of our marchants had a k:nde of trade to the West Indie*
even in those ancient times and before also/'
7, Gulf of St. Lawrence. Brit. Emp. Litrod. p. vii.
3 Forster [Voy. 289.] concludes, that as Cape Breton was called by this
name at so early a period, it must have been thus named by Sebastian Ca-
bot in his voyage of 1497. But it is more probable, that it received its
name from the Bretons, of Bretagne in France, who early fished on the
neighbouring coast. [See Annals, p. 33.] Forster himself [431.] mentions this
supposition, without stricture.
4 The situation of this coast Forster [Voy. 190.] confesses, is entirely-
unknown to him ; but he " rather supposes it to be the coast of what is now
called Nova Scotia, or perhaps of even a more southerly region." Pur-
chas fv. 1631.] says, " Pemptegoet is that place, so famous under the name
of Norombega." M. Rene Laudonniere [Hakluyt, i. 305.] says, that the
country, discovered by Verrazzano in 152.4, extends from 25 to 54 deg,
north lat. and in longitude from 210 to 330 ; and that " the easterne part
thereof is called by the late writers, The Land of Norumbega, which be-
ginneth at the Bay of Gamo, which separateth it from the Isle of Canada,'*
Charlevoix [Nouv. France, i. 113.] says, that M. Denys divided all the eas-
tern and northern parts of Canada into four provinces, the first of which
reached from Pentagoet to the river of St. John, and was what had before
been called Norumbega : " La premiere, depuis Pentagoet, jusqu' a la Ri-
viere de S. Jean il la nomme la Pro-vinct dcs Etccbeminst & c' est ce «ju* OH
appelloit auparavant la Norimbegue"
AMERICAN ANNALS. 75
frequently on shore, and explored those regions,
returned in October to England. '
1528,
Pamphilo de Narvaez, having obtained from ^d^
Charles V the indefinite grant of cc all the lands ly-
ing from the river of Palms to the Cape of Florida,"
sailed in March from Cuba with five ships and four
hundred men, for the conquest of that country. *
Landing at Florida, he inarched to Apalache, a vil- April 12.
lage, consisting of forty cottages,3 where he arriv-
ed on the fifth of June. Having lost many of his
men by the natives, who harassed the troops on
their march, and with whom they had one sharp
engagement, he was obliged to direct his course to-
ward the sea. Sailing to the westward, he was
lost writh many others, in a violent storm, about
the middle of November ; and the enterprise was
frustrated, 4
1 Hakluyt,i. 517 ; iii. 139. Robertson, book ix. 23. Forster, 289.
Biblioth. Americ. Anno 1527. Hakluyt informs us, that Master Robert
Thome, " a notable member and ornament of his country," exhorted the
king with " very waightie and substantiall reasons, to set forth a discovo-
rie even to the North pole ;" that " this his motion took present effect ;"
and that " a Canon of S. Paul in London, which was a. great mathemati-
cian, and a man indued with wealth, did much advance the action, and
went therein himself in person.1' The imperfection of the account of that
voyage Hakluyt ascribes to " the negligence of the writers of those times,
who should have used more care in preserving the memories of the wor-
thie acts of our nation."
2 He sailed from St. Lucar to Cuba 1 6 June, 1527, with 600 men, but
he left more than 140 at St. Domingo. Purchas, v. 1499. His commis-
sion authorised him to conquer and govern the^Provinces within the pre-
tcribed limits. Ibid,
3 ** Small low cottages, so built by reason of continual! tempests." Pur-
chas, i. 774.
4 Purchas, i. 769 ; and v. 1499 — 1528, where there is an entire account
of this voyage, as also in Harris Voy. i. 790 — 805. Univ. Hist. xl. 381 ;
xli. 469. Herrera, iii, 418 ; iv. 27, 28 ; v. 91—105. Charlevoix Ncifv.
France, i. p. six. Venegas California, i. 142. Prince Chron. Introd, 87.
From the bay of Santa Cruz, where they landed, to the place of their em-
barkation 22 September, it is computed, that they marched above 800
miles. Narvaez is supposed to have been lost near the mouth of the Mis- »
eisippi. His people, with great difficulty, provided a kind of boats, to
cross the rivers in their way, making their ropes of horse hair, and their,
AMERICAN ANNALS.
Pizarro, having made very extensive discoveries
in Peru, * went to Spain, by agreement of the joint
adventurers, to ask a commission from Charles V,
for the conquest and government of that country ;
and, on giving information to the emperor of his
discoveries and purposes, and presenting his request,
was appointed governor, captain general, and ade-
lantado of all the country, which he had discover-
ed, with supreme authority.1
1529.
Cortes, having gone to Spain the preceding
year,3 now signed an instrument, which had also
the signature of the empress of Spain, by which he
obliged himself to send ships at his own expense,
for the discovery of countries and lands in the
South Sea.4
sails of the soldiers' shirts. In conclusion, 15 only were left alive, 4 of
whom, after suffering almost incredible miseries, arrived 8 years afterward at
Mexico. The bay of Pensacola is said, by the Spaniards, to have been dis-
covered in this expedition by Narvaez, who landed there. Ibid.
1 See A. D. 1525. He was absent three years on these discoveries, and
returned to Panama about the end of 1527. Herrera, iv. 6. Charlevoix
[Nouv. France, i. p. xix.] says, he discovered about 200 leagues of the Pe-
ruvian coast, even to the port of Santo beyond the district of Quito. The
sickliness of those regions, and the hardships of the adventurers, may be
inferred from the extraordinary mortality, that prevailed among them.
Pizarro carried out 112 men, Almagro 70. In less than nine months 130
of these died. Few fell by the sword ; most of them perished by diseases.
Robertson, iii. Note II.
2 Vega, 435.
3 He went to Gastile in great pomp, carrying 250,000 marks of gold
and silver, and was honourably received by the emperor, who conferred on
him the vale of Atrisco in New Spain, with new titles, and extended pow-
ers. Herrera, iv. 22 — 26. Harris Voy. i. 272. Venegas California,!. 133.
4 Venegas, i. 133. Cortes had, in 1527, sent Saavedra with three
ships from New Spain, to find a passage that way to the Moluccas. Onei
of the ships arrived safely at these islands, and returned the same way
back to Panama this year (1529), laden with spices. This voyage prepar-
ed the Spaniards to possess themselves of the Philippine Islands, in the In-^
dian seas, which they hold to this day. Anderson, Hist. Commerce*
ji, 51. Harris Voy. i. 272.
AMERICAN ANNALS. 57
1530.
William Hawkins of Plymouth having commen- English in-
ced a friendly intercourse with the natives of Bra-
sil, one of the kings of that country voluntarily ac-
companied him to England, where he was introduc-
ed to Henry VIII at Whitehall.1
Pizarro, returning from Spain, landed at Nom-
bre de Dios, marched across the isthmus of Pana-
ma ; and joining Almagro and Luque, these three
enterprising associates, by the utmost efforts of their
combined interests, fitted out three small vessels,
•with one hundred and eighty soldiers. With this
contemptible armament Pizarro sailed, to invade a February.
great empire. ' Landing at the bay of St. Matthew, f
he advanced toward the south along the sea cost ; Peru.
and, after various disasters, reached the province of
Coaque, and surprised and plundered the principal
settlement. Continuing his march along the coast,
he attacked the natives with such violence, as com-
pelled them either to retire into the interior coun-
try, or to submit to the conqueror ; and met with
little resistance, until he attacked the island of Pu-
na, in the bay of Guayquil, whose inhabitants de-
fended themselves with such obstinate valour, that
he spent six months in their reduction. He next
proceeded to Tumbez, where he remained several
months. a
j Hakluyt, i. 520. Purchas, v. 1179."— at the sight of whome," say*
Hakluyt, " the king ard all the nobilitie did not a little niarveile, and not
•without cause : for in his cheekes were holes made according to their sav-
age manner, and therein small bones were planted, standing an inch out
from the said holes, which in his own countrey was reputed for a great
braverie. He had also another hole in his nether lippe, wherein was set
a precious stone about the bignesse of a pease. Allhisapparell, behaviour
and gesture, were very strange to the beholders." The change of air anc
«liet so affected him, that on his return with Hawkins he died at ?ea.
2 Robertson^ iij. bgok vi.
7 8 AMERICAN ANNALS
Founds the Pizarro, passing forward to the river Piuro, cs*
in Pei-u.°ny tablished near its mouth the first Spanish colony in
Peru, and named it St. Michael. ' Leaving a garri*
Sept. 4. son at this new town, he began his march, with a
toward the Ver7 slender and ill accoutred train of followers,*
quartet scf toward Cax'imalca, where Atahualpa, the Inca of
e mca. pcru^ v/as encamped with a considerable body of
troops, and soon met an officer, dispatched by the
Inca with a valuable present, and an offer of his al-
liance and assurances of a friendly reception at Cax-
amalca. Pizarro, advancing with pretensions of
coming as the ambassador of a very powerful mon-
arch united with professions of friendship, entered
the town, and having posted his troops in an advan-
tageous station, dispatched Hernando Soto and his
nus ai\c brother Ferdinand to the camp of Atahualpa, which
be mca. was about a league distant. He instructed them to
renew his assurances of a pacific disposition, and to
desire an interview with the Inca, that he might
more fully explain the intention of the Spaniards ia
visiting his country. They were treated with the
respectful hospitality, characteristic of the PeruvU
ans ; and Ahatualpa promised to visit the commaiii
der the next day in his quarters. Pizarro now re-
solved, with equal temerity and perfidy, to seize the
person of the Inca, in the interview, to which he
had invited him. For the execution of his scheme
he divided his cavalry into three small squadrons,
under the command of his brother Ferdinand, Soto,
and Belcanazar ; his infantry were formed in one
body, excepting twenty, of most tried courage,
whom he kept near his own person, to support
i Kerrera, iv. aai. Robertson, iii. ai.
1 It consisted of 6a horse and 106 foot, among whom were 10 cross
bow men. Herrera, iv. 236. In this dangerous enterprise Pizarro incited
his men to go forward by the singular argument, " that his main design
was the propagating of the Catholic faith, without injuring any person."
Had he been but ingenuous enough for the Arabian impostor, he would have
n-ude an admirable ™-Qpagator oftb? Mahometan faith.
AMERICAN ANNALS- 79
him in the dangerous service, which he reserved for 1532,
himself ; and the artillery, consisting of two field
pieces, and the cross bow men, were placed opposite
to the avenue, by which Atahualpa was to approach.
Early in the morning the Peruvian camp was all
In motion ; and late in the day the procession, which
had been arranged with care, to give an impressio'n
of splendour and magnificence, began to move. The
Inca at length approached. First of all appeared Approach
four hundred men, in a uniform dress* as harbin- °
gers, to clear his way. The Inca himself, sitting
on a throne or couch, adorned with plumes, and
almost covered with plates of gold and silver, en-
riched with precious stones, was carried on the
shoulders of his principal attendants. Behind him
came some chief officers of his court, borne in the
same manner. This cavalcade was accompanied by
several bands of singers and dancers ; and the whole
plain was covered with troops, amounting to more
than thirty thousand men. As the Inca drew near
the Spanish quarters, father Vincent Valverde, chap- Ad<jreMftf
Iain to the expedition, advanced with a crucifix in the Spanish
one hand, and a breviary in the other, and in a long Priestfo
i- i-i'ii- r> i "un>
discourse proposed to him the doctrines of the
Christian faith ; informed him of the donation,
made to the king of Castile by pope Alexander, of
all the regions in the New World ; and required
him to embrace Christianity ; to acknowledge the
supreme jurisdiction of the pope ; and to submit
to the king of Castile, as his lawful sovereign. *
Most of his harangue, mysterious in its nature,
and translated by an unskilful interpreter, was al-
together incomprehensible to Atahualpa ; and some
parts of it, of more obvious meaning, filled him with
astonishment and indignation. His reply, however,
was temperate. He asserted his right to his do-
minions by hereditary succession ; and added, that
I Vega, 450, 451. Robertson, iii. book ri.
*b AMERICAN ANNALS.
1532. he could not conceive how a foreign priest should
pretend to dispose of territories, which did not be-
long to him ; that if such a preposterous grant
had been made, he, who was rightful possessor, re-
fused to confirm it ; that he had no inclination to
renounce the religious institutions of his ancestors ;
and that with respect to other matters, contained
in the discourse, as he did not understand their
meaning, he desired to know where the priest had
learned things, so extraordinary.1 " In this book,"
answered Valverde, reaching out to him his brevia-
ry. The Inca opened it eagerly, and, turning over
the leaves, lifted it to his ear : " This is silent, it
tells me nothing," said he, and disdainfully threw
it to the ground. The enraged monk, running to-
ward his countrymen, cried out, " To arms, Chris-
tiano, to arms ; the Word of God is insulted ; a-
venge this profanation on these impious dogs."
Pizarro instantly gave the signal for a general as*
General as- gau it. The martial music sounded; the cannon
e anc* muskets began to fire ; the horse sallied out
fiercely to the charge ; the infantry rushed on,
sword in hand. The astonished- Peruvians fled
without attempting resistance. Pizarro, at the head
of his chosen band, advanced directly toward the
Inca through crowds of his nobles, who fell in num-
bers at his feet in attempting to cover his person ;
inca is and seizing the Inca by the arm, dragged him to
t]-ie ground^ and carried him, as a prisoner, (o his
quarters. The wretched fugitives were pursued
and slaughtered with deliberate and unrelenting bar-
barity, until the close of the day* Above four
thousand Peruvians were killed, but not a single
Spaniard fell. l
i Vega, 454, 455, where is the answer of Atahttalpa entire. To us it
appears noble ; but it was insufferable to the soldiers of Pizarro, who,
c< growing weary of this long and tedious discourse, began to quit their pla-
ces, and come up close to the Indians, to fight with them and rob them of
their jewels of gold and silver and precious stones." Ibid.
a Robertson, iii. book vi. Vega [457'] says, that J ooo Indian* vrere
AMERICAN ANNALS;
The Inca, soon discovering the ruling passion of
the Spaniards, offered as his ransom, to fill the a-
partment, in which he was confined, which was
twenty two feet long and seventeen wide, with ves-
sels of goldj as high as he could reach. The pro-
posal was eagerly agreed to, and a red line was
drawn on the walls of the chamber, to mark the
height, to which the treasure was to rise. z Ata-
hualpa immediately sent messengers to Cuzco, Qui-
to,- and other places, where there was most gold
amassed ; and his orders for the collection were
promptly executed.*
X533-
The ransom of Atahualpa was now brought in ;
and it exceeded one million five hundred thousand
pounds sterling.3 After the division of this im-
mense treasure among the Spaniards, the Inca de-
manded his liberty ; but it was denied. Pizarro,
resolved on his death, easily found pretexts for pro-
curing it. The charge consisted of various articles :
killed that day,' 3500 of whom were slam by the sword ; and that the
rest were old and infirm mai, women and children, who were trampled
under foot ; for an innumerable multitude of all ages and sexes were col-
lected, to see the solemnity of this strange and unheard of embassy.
I Vega, 460. % Robertson, iii. book vi.
3 Europ. Settlements, i. 141. Vega [474, 482.] says, that the sum to-
tal of the ransom amounted to 4,605,670 ducats ; and that there were 40
or 50,000 pieces of eight to a man. Dr. Robertson [iii. book vi.] says, that
after setting apart the fifth due to the crown, and 100,000 pesos as a do-
native to the soldiers which arrived with Almagro, there remained one
million five hundred and twenty eight thousand five hundred pesos to Pi-
zarro and his followers, and that 8000 pesos, " at that time not inferior in
effective value to as many pounds sterling in the present century," fell to
the share of each horseman, and half that sum to each foot soldier. Pizar-
ro and his officers received dividends proportioned to the dignity of their
rank. It is an astonishing fact, that when there was a dissatisfaction at
the delay of completing the ransom within the limited time, which how-
ever was excused by the Inca on account of the distance of Cuzco, three
Spaniards only were sent to that capital, with directions to take possession
loth of the city and treasures, though Cuzco was guarded by an army of
30,000 of the natives. Two hundred men's loads of gold were brought
away, without the least opposition, in massy plates from the temple of tha
Sun. Harris Voy.i. 793,
M
AMERICAN ANNALS.
1533. Tli at Atalmalpa, though a bastard, had disposses-
sed the rightful owner of the throne, and usurped
the regal power ; that he had put his brother and
lawful sovereign to death ; that he was an idola-
ter, and had not only permitted, but commanded
the offering of human sacrifices ; that he had a
great number of concubines ; that since his impris-
onment he had wasted and embezzled the royal
treasures, which now belonged of right to the con-
querors ; and that he had incited his subjects to
take arms against the Spaniards. After all the for-
malities of a trial, observed in the criminal courts of
Spain, Atahualpa was pronounced guilty, and con-
Yet he is demned to be burnt alive. T Astonished at his fate,
condemn- }le endeavoured to avert it by tears, by promises,
• and by intreaties, that he might be sent to Spain,
where a monarch would be his judge. But Pizar-
ro, unmoved, ordered him to be led instantly to ex-
ecution. Valverde, at this critical moment attempt-
ing his conversion, promised mitigation of his pun-
ishment, on his embracing the Christian faith. The
horror of a tormenting death extorted from him
the desire of baptism. " The ceremony was per-
formed ; and Atahualpa, instead of being burnt,
And put to , 153, TV
death, was strangled at the stake. Pizarro, to complete
I Robertson, iii. book vi. Montesquieu, having established the princi-
ple, " That we should not decide by political laws things which belong to
ihe law of nations," adduces this historical example as an instance of its
en*el violation by the Spaniards. " The Ynca Athualpa. could only be
tr'red by the law of nations ; they tried him by political and civil laws ;
ari-d, to fill up the measure of their stupidity, they condemned him, not by
the political and civil laws of his own country, but by th« political and-
civil laws of theirs." Spirit of Laws, vol. ii. book xxvi. chap, xxi, xxiii.
2- Robertson, iii. book vi. Had the Spanish historians of South Ameri-
ca been contemporary, with the Spanish conquerors , we might have suspect-
ed them of a confederacy, to varnisk over the entire actions of the Con-
quest with the gloss of religion. The extorted consent of the wretched
Inca to an ablution, whose meaning he neither understood, nor regarded,
is ascribed by Garcilasso de la Vega to the infinite mercy of God. The
Catholic historian believed, doubtless, that by means of this rite the mur-
dered Inca received as great a recompense for the loss of his I iff, as his
subjects for the lass of their country ; which, Acosta assures us, " was re-
compensed to them by the gain which heaven was to their souls." — " But;
AMERICAN ANNALS. -3$
the scene of shameless guilt, gave him a magnificent 1533
funeral, and went into mourning. *
Pizarro soon after forced his way into Cuzco,2
and took possession of that capital in the most sol
emn manner for the king of Spain. 3
Benalcazar, governor of St. Michael, marched Quito
\vith some Spanish soldiers through a mountainous duei
country, and, though frequently and fiercely attack*
ed by the natives, surmounted every obstacle by his
valour and perseverance, and entered Quito with
his victorious troops. Alvarado, about the same
time, made a most hazardous expedition into the
same kingdom. 4
" now," says Vega, " to consider that an idolater, who had been guilty of
** such horrid cruelties, as Atahualpa had been, should receive baptism at
•" the hour of his death, can be esteemed no otherwise than an effect of the
K infinite mercy of God toward so great a sinner as he was, and I am."
Commentaries of Peru, 476. Atahiialpa, who ever since the arrival of the
Spaniards had been impressed with a persuasion, that the end of his empire
was approaching, was greatly depressed at the sight of a comet ; and said
te Pizarro, who asked the cause of his depression : " When I saw myself
*' first in chains, I thought there would be little distance between my im-
" prisonment and my grave, of which I am now fully certified by this com-
** et." Ibid. 47 2. Alsted, a German author [Thesaurus Chronologize, p.
492.], takes notice of this comet, and relates several calamitous events,
which followed it. "1533- Arsit comttu xiphias seu ensiformis. Secjuti-
ti sunt terrsemotus in Germania, mutationes in Anglia, et contentio inter
Carolum V, cum Gallo super ducatu Mediolanensi." This expositor of
omens ought to have added, The termination of the empire of the Incas.
I Vega, 474 — 478. Herreru, iv. 275, 276. Purchas, v. 1486. Eu-
rop. Settlements, i. 143, 144.
a This was the imperial city of the Incas, and was situated in a corner
of the Peruvian empire, above 400 miles from the sea. Robertson. The
spoil of this city was immense. See Herrera, iv. 392.
3 Herrera, iv. 392. Robertson, iii. book vi. Historians differ widely
in their dates of the events of this conquest. I have generally followed Dn
Robertson.
4 Robertson, iii. book vi. Alvarado, a distinguished officer1 in the con-
quest of Mexico, had obtained the government of Guatimala. He embark-
ed on this expedition with 500 men, above 2OO of whom served uti horse-
back, and, landing at Puerto Viego, commenced his march toward Quito ;
but in passing the snowy ridge of the Andes and the deserts 60 of his nu-a
were frozen to death, and before he reached the plain of Quito a fifth part
of the men and half ot their horses died. No expedition in the New
World was conducted with more persevering courage than this ; and in •
none were greater hardships endured. Robertson. Vega [492, 493.] says,
among those, who were frozen to death in passing the Ajides, v«u*tke first
Spanish woman, who ever csun« t« Peru.
$4 AMERICAN ANNALS.
J534-
The Spaniards had already begun to settle a col-
ony in the interior part of Peru ; * but, for the
better accommodation of trade and commerce,
Pizarro now transplanted them to a place near the
sea, selected for a new settlement, over against the
rfLiml* valley of Rimac, and here he founded the city of los
founded. Reyes ;a since known and celebrated under the
name of Lima. 3
The first Though the misfortune of Verrazzano had suspen-
jameTcar- ^e^ t^ie enterPr*ses of the French for discoveries in
tier to the New World ; yet, on a representation made
Canada. ^y p^^p Chabot, admiral of France, of the advan-
tages, that would result from establishing a colony
in a country, from which Spain derived her great
wealth, these enterprises were renewed. James
Cartier of St. Malo, by commission from the king,
April no. sailed in April from that port with two small ships
and one hundred and twenty two men ; and on the
tenth of May came in sight of Newfoundland ; but
the earth was covered with snow, and great quanti-
ties of ice were about the shore. Six degrees to the
southward he discovered a harbour, which he cal-
led St. Catharine's. Returning to the northward,
he sailed almost round Newfoundland. In forty-
eight degrees thirty minutes north latitude he dis-
covered and named the Baye des Chaleurs, or
Heats j4 and the Gulf of St. Lawrence.5 Having
sailed to the fifty first degree of latitude, in the suc-
yiugust* cessless hope of passing to China, he returned to
France, without making a settlement. d
I In the valley of Saussa, 30 leagues from Rimac within land. Vega,
a. Vega, 521,543.
3 Robertson, iii. book vi. Lima is a corruption of the ancient name of
the valley in which it is situated. Ibid. Herrera [iv. 409 ; v. i.] puts the
building of Lima in 1535 ; and Robertson 18 January of that year. I fol-
low the historian of Peru, who, after observing the different dates of other
historians, fixes on the beginning of 1534.
4 Thus named on account of the sultry weather.
5 Named from his entering it on the day of that festival.
6 Charlevoix, tfist. Nouv. France, i. p. xx. Introd, and p, 8, 9.
AMERICAN ANNALS. ?5
1535. I
Carder, by royal commission, sailed a second ^c°n<*
time from France, with three ships, accompanied cZt£,
by a number of young men of distinction, who were
desirous of making their fortunes under his guid-
ance< * Discovering now the river of Canada, which
gradually obtained the name of St. Lawrence,3 he
sailed up this noble stream three hundred leagues
to a great and swift fall ; formed alliances with the
natives ; took possession of the territory ^ built a
fort ; and wintered in the country, which he called
New France. He at this time visited Hochelaga,
•which he called Montreal, a large Indian settlement, *
"where the French were well received, but were soon
infected with the scurvy, of which disease twenty five
of their number died. The next spring C artier re-
turned with the remains of his crew to France.4 Returns t»(
This was the first attempt of the French to make a'
settlement in America. *
iii. 186, 201— -212. Purchas, i. 749 ; v. 1605. Univ. Hist, xxxlx. 407*
Belknap Biog. i. 34. Prince Chron. Introd. 89. Forster Voy. 437,438."
Brit. Emp. Introd, p. xlvii.
1 Jeunes Gentilshommes, qui voulurent le suivre en qualite de Volun-
taires. Charlevoix.
2 According to Charlevoix, the name of St. Lawrence was first given
to the Bay ; it was next extended to the Gulf; and then to the Ri-ver of
Canada, which discharges itself into the Gulf. Hist. Nouv. France, i. 10.
In sailing up this river Cartier discovered Hazle or Filbert Island [Isle aux
Coudre] ; Bacchus Island, since called, The Isle of Orleans ; and the river
St. Crqix, since called Jacques Cartier's river. From this river, partly by
stratagem and partly by force, he carried off Donnaconna, a chief of the
natives. " The poore king of the countrey with two or three others of
his chiefe companions comming aboarde the French shippes, being requir-
ed thither to a banquet, was traiterously carryed away into France, where
he lived four yeeres, and then dyed a Christian there." Hakluyt, iii. 187.
It appears, that ten of the natives were carried to France by Cartier ; and
that all of them, excepting a girl ten years of age, died before his third
voyage in 1540. Ibid. 232.
3 It contained abont 50 dwel^ngs, each 50 paces long, and 14 or 15
broad, encompassed with palisadoes. The eriginal name, given by Carder,
was Mont-Royal, and was applied by him to a mountain near the Indian vil*
lage, but it was afterward extended to the entire island t called at this day
Montreal. Charlevoix, i. 13.
4 Charlevoix, i. 9 — 13. Hakluyt, iii. 212 — 232,
5 Foreter Voy. 439,
?6 AMERICAN ANNALS.
J535g Cartier expatiated to the king on the advantages,
that would probably result from a settlement in this
country, principally by means of the fur trade ;
but the fallacious opinion, then prevalent among all
the nations of Europe, that such countries only, as
produced gold and silver, were worth the possession,
had such influence on the French, that they slight-
ed the salutary advice of Cartier, and would hear
no more of the establishment of a colony in Can-
ada.1
Bon Pedro de Mendoza, with twelve ships and
•two t^lousan^ men> made an expedition up the
Plata. 3rr\rer de la Plata, to discover, conquer, and inhabit
the circumjacent regions ; and died on his return
home.* The people, whom he left, built a large
Buenos town, called Nuestra Sennora de Buenos Ayres,3
Ayres the capital of the government ; and, with the aid of
the natives, discovered and conquered the country ^
until they came to the mines of Potosi, and to the
town of la Plata. 4
I Forster Voy. 441.
1 He sailed from Cadiz in August 1535. Charlevoix Paraguay, \. 4%.
By a storm in the river la Plata he lost 8 of his ships, and sailed with the
rest for Spain • leaving behind the greatest part of his men. In a short
time not 500 of them remained alive [Purchas, i. 849.], and at length but
300, who went in the ship boats far up the Paraguay, leaving their mares
and horses at Buenos Ay res. " It is a wonder," says Ix>pez Vaz, " to see
that of 30 mares and 7 horses, which the Spaniards left there, the increase
in 40 years was so great that the countrey is ao leagues up full of horses."
Hakluyt, iii. 787.
3 From its salubrious air. Ibid, and Hakluyt, iii. 788. The Islands pf
St. Gabriel [See A. D. 1526.] were a little above this place. Ibid.
4 Harris Voy'. i. 273. Univ. Hist, xxxix. 203. Encyc. Metkodique,
Geog. Art. BUENOS AYRES. This Spanish colony two years afterward
[1527] built the town of Assumption on the river Paraguay [Purchas, i.
850. Herrera, v. 343.] ; and " the Indians" of this place " bestowed their
daughters in marriage upon them, and so they dwelt all together in one
towne." They were here 20 years before any intelligence of them reach-
ed Spain ; " but waxing olde, and fearing that when they were dead, their
sons, which they had begotten in this countrey, being very many, should
live without the knowledge of any other Christians," they built a ship,
and sent it into Spain with letters to the king, giving an account of all that
had occurred ; and the king sent 3 ships with a bishop and several priests
and friars, " and more men and women to inhabite, with all kind of cat-
tell." Hakluytjiii. 788, Lopez Vaz (ibid.) calls the town La
AMERICAN ANNALS. 87
1536.
A voyage was made from England to Newfound- £ Pr|L •
-tii-iti i • c -^nglish
land by one hundred and twenty persons, thirty or voyage un.
whom were gentlemen of education and character. x der M-
The first land, that they made, was Cape Breton, Newfound-
whence they sailed northeastward to the island of
Penguin, and then to Newfoundland ; but, after suf-
fering the extremity of famine, in which many per-
ished, and the survivors were constrained to support
life by feeding on the bodies of their dead compare
ions, they returned to England. *
Cortes with three ships discovered the large pen- Ma.y
insula of California $ 3 and the island of St. Jago
in its vicinity.4
i Hakluyt says, " One Master Hore of London, a man of goodly stat-
tire and of great courage, and given to the studie of Cosmographie, en-
couraged divers gentlemen and others, being assisted by the "icing's favour
and good countenance, to1 accompany him" in this voyage of discovery ;
and that " his perswasions tooke such effect that within short space many
gentlemen of the Innes of court, and of the Chancerie, and divers others
of good worship, desirous to see the strange things of the world, very wil-
lingly entred into the action with him." This- indefatigable author wrote
most of his relation from the mouth of Master Thomas Butts, one of the
gentlemen adventurers, " to whom," says Hakluyt, " I rode 200 miles one-
ly to learne the whole trueth of this voyage from his ovrn mouth, as being
the onely man now alive that was in this discoverie."
2 Hakluyt, i. 517 — 519, and iii. 129 — 131, where there is an entire ac~
count of this voyage. When reduced to such extremities, as to be ready
to cast lots, whose turn it should be to be devoured next, there arrived a
French ship, of which they made themselves masters, and left theirs to the
French, after distributing among them a sufficient quantity of provisiong.
Some months after their arrival in England, a complaint was brought a-
gainst them by the French for the forcible seizure of their vessel ; but the
king, learning the direful necessity, which had induced theni to this act of
violence, indemnified them out of his own purse, and allowed them to pass
with impunity. These adventurers appear to have been ignorant of the
immense store of fish on all the banks about Newfoundland ; whence it
is concluded, that this fishery must have been in use 32 years at least, with-
out the knowledge of the English. Ibid, and Forster Voy. 290, 291.
3 Venegas California, i. i — 4. This name was given to the peninsula
at its first discovery ; and is supposed to have had its origin in some acci-
dent ; for its etymology cannot be traced. The Spaniards, in honour of
Cortes, afterward called the Gulf of California, Mar de Cortes. Ibid, and
[See next
4 Herrera, v, 74 — 91 ; vi. 178 — 185 Harris Voy. i. 373.
88 AMERICAN ANNALS*
ordinances The Supreme Council of the Indies in Spain made
th«Pindiaa6 some ordinances for the provinces in New Spain ;
New among which were the following : That the Pre-
lates should see the children of the mixed race be-
tween Spaniards and Indians instructed in the Chris-
tian doctrine, and good manners ; that the Viceroy
should not permit the Indian youth to live idly, but
require that they learn some trades ; that the Col-
lege, founded by the Franciscan Friars at Mexico,
for teaching Indian boys the Latin Grammar, should
be finished ; and that the Indians, who understood
not Spanish, appearing before any Court, should
be allowed a Christian friend of their own, to assist
them, and save them from injustice* r
'538.
Pizarro sent Baldivia with a large number of
Spaniards, to discover and conquer the country of
Chili ; and they discovered considerable territory,
principally on the sea coast toward the south east, to
upward of forty degrees south latitude. z
*539-
Expedition Ferdinand de Soto, governor of Cuba, having
tffotio^i" projected the conquest of Florida, sailed from the
«fe. port of Havanna with nine vessels, nine hundred
J men beside sailors, two hundred and thirteen horses,
and a herd tff swine. Arriving on the thirtieth of
May at the bay of Espiritu Santo on the western
coast of Florida, he landed three hundred men, and
pitched his camp ; but about break of day the
Prcf. In the Map, Inserted in Venegas' History of California, it is called,
" The Gulph of California, or Cortes's Red Sea." Robertson, ii. 394 ; but
he puts this discovery in 1536. Encyc. Methodique, Geog. Art. CALI-
FORNIA.
I Herrera, v. 154.
•z Hair's Voy. i. 273, who places the enterprise in this or the following
yecr. Almagro had previously (in 1535) invaded Chili, but met with for-
midable opposition from the natives, and was recalled from his expeditiom
ky an unexpected revolution in Peru. Robertson, iii. book vi.
AMERICAN ANNALS. 89
next morning they were attacked by a numerous is driven
body of natives, and obliged to retire. z
off.
1540.
Notwithstanding the general rejection of Carder's Third voy«
advice relative to making a settlement in Canada,3
individuals entertained just sentiments on the sub-
ject. A nobleman of Picardy, Francois de la Roque,
lord of Roberval, 3 more zealous than any of his
countrymen for prosecuting discoveries in this coun-
try, fitted out two ships at his own expense ; but
not being ready for embarkation himself, he sent
Carder with five ships before him, with a royal
commission, as captain general.4 Carder com-
menced this third voyage in May ; and, after en- May a$.
countering many storms, landed in Newfoundland dls>
on the twenty third of August. Roberval not ar-
riving, he proceeded to Canada ; and on a small
river, four leagues above the port de St. Croix, *?
built a fort, and began a settlement, which he cal-
led Charlebourg. 5
1 Herrera, v. 225. Univ. Hist. xl. 382. Belknap Biog.i. 186. There
is an entire account of this expedition in Purchas, v. 1528 — 1556. Soto
had already received from Charles V the title of Marquis of Florida. Near-
ly 1000 men were raised in Spain for the expedition, and among them
were many gentlemen of quality. Ten ships were fitted out to carry them
with all necessary stores ; and they sailed from San Lucar for Cuba 6 A-
pril 1538. Herrera, v. 224. Prince Chron. Inirod. 92. Biblioth. Amerie. 57.
2 See A.D. 1535.
3 Created by the king (15 January 1540) lord in Norumbega, and his
lieutenant general and viceroy in Canada, Hochelaga, Saguenay, New-
foundland, Belle Isle, Carpon, Labrador, the Great Bay, and Baccalaos, with
plenary authority. Charlevoix, Nouv; France, i. 21. >
4 This commission, given by Francis I, is inserted entire, in the original
French, in Hazard's Collections, i. 19 — 21.
5 Hakluyt, iii. 232 — 236. Forster Voy. 441, 443. Prince Chron. In-
trod. 92. Chalmers [i. 82.] says, Carder built this fart with the design rather
to explore the great river of St. Lawrence, than to take formal possession of
the country. This first settlement appears to have been at no great dis-
tance from Quebec and the little river of Charles. There is a small place
just about there, called Charlesbourg. Fcrster Voy. 444, Translator's «ycfr»
N
AMERICAN ANNALS.
Orellana
descends
the Napo
and Ama-
ffor.
Aug. 26.
February.
Capital of
Chili foun-
ded.
Guatimala
chiefly de-
stroyed.
jr.na 26.
Pizarro
assassinat-
r54r-
Francis Orellana, having accompanied Gonsalvc*
Pizarro from Quito to the river Napo, followed
its course to the Maregnon ; descended that river ;
and arrived at its mouth after a voyage of nearly
seven months.1
The reduction of Chili was completed.*
St. Jago de la Nueva Estremadura, the capital
of Chili, was founded by Peter de Valdivia. 3
St. Jago de Guatimala was principally destroyed
by the eruption of a volcano, attended with a dread-
ful storm, and succeeded by an inundation.4 The
city, for greater security, was now removed, togeth-
er with the episcopal see and king's council, to the
distance of two miles. *
Francis Pizarro was assassinated at his own pal-
ace at noon day, by the friends of Almagro, at the
age of sixty three years. 6
I Robertson, iii. %$. Harris Voy. i. 272. Harris says, he sailed 503
leagues down this fiver, which he and Herrer.a say is the River of the Ama-
zons. Gonsalvo Pizarro went from Quito in 1540 with 200 Spaniards,
and 300 Indians to carry burdens, to discover the Isle of Cinnamon. Ar-
livingat Guana, Pizarro soon after near the Napo left his sick men and
-e '.vith OreiJana, rind went with a compary by land along the river's
side 200 leagues. Orellana, in the ni^n tuv.e, v ent dov.'ii the river. Pi-
zarro, not finding him, on his return, was reduced to great extremity for
want of provisions ; and of the 200 Spaniards;, who left Quito, not more
than 10 returned to that city. Ibid. 273.
1 With the addition of Chill, seven great kingdoms, inhabited by a vast
number of wealthy and warlike nations, had now, since the discovery of
A'vrerica, been compelled to submit to the Spanish yoke. Europ. Settle-
ments, i. 67.
3 Herrera, v. 300. Univ. Hist, xxxix. 208.
4 it was the capital of the audience of Guatimala, and one of the noblest
cities of New Spain. Herrera [v. 356.] says, that 600 Indians perished, and a
great number of Spaniards. The authors of the Universal History [xxxix.
147.] say, that, beside a hurricane and volcanic eruption, there was at the
same time one of the most dreadful earthquakes, ever felt in any part of the
globe ; but their account of the number that perished appears exaggerated.
5 Purchas, i. 814.
6 Vega [612 — 615.] says, that 13 conspirators in Chili went with drawn
swords, and assassinated him. Herrera [v. 289 — 291.] says, that John de
Reda was at the head of the conspirators ; that he was joined by 17 others,
" all able and daring men ;" that they acquainted 12 others, " no ways in-
ferior 19 themselves," with the design, who also agreed to carry it on ; that
" they all set out armed from Almagro's house ;" and that some stayed to
air- the streets, « so that; those, who made to hi* heuse, were only nineteen,"
AMERICAN ANNALS. 91
Don Pedro de Alvarado, in assisting to suppress Death of
an insurrection of Indians, was thrown down a pre-
cipice by a horse, which fell from a high rock a-
gainst him \ and he died soon after of his bruises. '
1542.
Soto, having inarched several hundred miles, and Progre58 Of
passed through the Indian towns of Alibama, Tar Soto.
lise, and Tascalusa, to Mavilla, whence, after a ser
vere engagement, he had retreated to Chica^a, re-
mained there until April of this year. * His army,
now resuming its march through the Indian terri-
tories, was reduced to about three hundred men, and.
forty horses. * Soto, haying appointed Lewis de
Moscoso his successor in command,4 died at the His death
confluence of Guacoyaand Missisippi.5
Juan Rodriguez de Cabrillo, a Portuguese in the j Rodri-
service of Spain, on an expedition, to search for guez ais-
the Straits of Anian, and to explore the western ^ver
r A ' i i i • '• r i CaPe
coast of America, discovered land m forty two de- docino.
grees north latitude, on the North American coast,
and, in honour of the Viceroy, who had employed
him, called it Cabo Mendocino. Having proceed-
ed to the forty fourth degree, he was compelled by
the sickness of his crew, the want of provisions, the
I Herrera, v. 351 — 354. Vega, 520.
a See A. D. 1539. ^e reached Mavilla (a town enclosed with wood-
en walls) in 1541. The engagement there was in October of that year ;
and in it 2000 poor natives were slain, and 48 Spaniards. A considerable
number of Spaniards died afterward of their wounds ; so that their en-
tire loss was 83. They lost also 45 horses. The town was burnt, in the
action. Chicaga was an Indian village of 20 houses.
3 Univ. Hist. xli. 391. See A. D. 1543*.
4 Herrera, vi. 8.
5 Herrera, vi. 9. Pnrchas, v. 1552. Belkn.ap. Biog. i. 192. Univ. Hist,
xli. 392. To prevent the Indians from obtaining knowledge of his death,
his body was put into an oak, hollowed for that purpose, and sunk in tHe
river. Belknap Biog. i. 192. Harris Voy. i. 809. Herrera, vi. 9. Herrera,
xvho mentions the hollowed oak, defines the place in the river where it
was sunk, by saying it was where the river was a quarter of a league over,
and 19 fathoms deep. At his death he was 42 years of age, and had ex.-
pended 100,000 ducats in this expedition. Kerrera, vi. 9, where there is
» pleasing account of his character1.
AMERICAN ANNALS.
weakness of his ship, and the. turbulence of the
sea, to return. x
Carrier, having waited in vain at Canada for the
1 arrival of flip v
France.
turns to Arrival of the viceroy M. de Roberval, and con-
sumed all his provisions ; and now dreading an at-
tack from the savages, set out on his return to
France. Roberval, with three ships and two hun-
dred persons, coming to recruit the settlement in
Canada, met him at Newfoundland, and would
have obliged him to return to his province ; but
he eluded him in the night, and sailed for Bretagne.
The viceroy, proceeding up the river St. Lawrence
winters in four leagues above the island of Orleans, and find-
ing here a convenient harbour, built a fort, and
remained over the winter. z
J543-
Termina- The small remains of Soto's armjr, consisting of
tion of So- t^ree hundred and eleven men, arrived at Panuco
to s expedi- '
tion. on the tenth or September ; and the great expedi-
tion terminated in the poverty and ruin of all, who
were concerned in it. Not a Spaniard was now
left in Florida. 3
y- Orellana, having -contracted with the king of
age of Spain for the government of as much territory as
Grellana. * & . . . J.
he could conquer, in the provinces about the river
Amazon, by the name of New Andeluzia, sailed
May ii. from San Lucar with four ships and four hundred
men, and arrived at the mouth of a river, which he
I Forster Voy. 448- Venegas California, i. 161.
a Hakluyt, iii. 240. Purchas, i. 750 ; v. 1605. Purchas says, that Ro-
feerval Built the fort " faire and strong." Belknap Biog. i. 35. Forster
Voy. 44^. Prince Chron. Intnd. 93.
3 Harris Voy. Purchas, v. 1556. See an account of Soto's expedition
entire in Kerrera, Decad iv. book vi, chap, i ; book vii, chap, iii, iv, v ;
book x, chap, i, ii. See also Harris Voy. i. 805 — Sio, for an account of it,
written by a Portuguese, who went on the expedition.
AMERICAN ANNALS. 93
supposed to be the Napo, that he had formerly
descended.1 Ascending this river about a hun-
dred leagues, he built a brigantine, and staid here
about three months, during which time fifty five of
his men died. Proceeding higher up, he met with
various disasters, and, after much fruitless research
for the main branch of the river, fell sick, and, re- His death.
linquishing the design, died of his distemper and
of grief.3
T545-
The mines of Potosi were accidentally discover- Mines of
ed by an Indian, named Hualpa. Coming to a
steep place, while pursuing some wild goats up the
mountain, he laid hold of a shrub, which, yielding
to his weight, came up by the roots, and discover-
ed a large mass of silver. On the disclosure of this
discovery, the mines were wrought to immense ad-
vantage. 3
1546.
A pestilence prevailed through the entire king-
dom of Peru. It began at Cuzco ; and, spreading U1 Pl
over the country, swept off an immense number of
people. 4
i See A. D. 1541. One of the ships, carrying 70 men and ir horses,
fumed back, on account of contrary winds, and was heard of no more.
2- Vega, 1006. Herrera, v. 265. vi. 81, 8a. See an account of Orella-
na's two voyages ibid. Decad iv. book vi, chap, iii ; and Dec. v. book i,
chap. iv.
3 Herrera, vi. 89. Vega, 344. Univ. HJst.xxxix. 193. Anderson, ii. 76.
Beside the mass of silver, Hualpa observed large lumps of the metal in the
earth, adhering to the roots of the plant. Hastening to his house at Por-
<co, he washed the silver, and used it ; and, when it was exhausted, repair-
ed to his treasury. A confidential friend of Hualpa disclosed the secret to
a Spaniard, living at Porco, and the mine was immediately wrought. The
first register of the mines of Potosi was in April 1545 ; and Hualpa's mine
was called, The Discoverer^ because it marked the channel to other mine*
J5i that mountain. Ibid.
4 Herrera, vi. 1 1 *.
94 AMERICAN ANNALS.
Civil dissensions among the Spaniards in Peru
induced the Emperor Charles V to send to that
country Pedro de Gasca, a very respectable eccle-
siastic, with the commission of President. On his
arrival, he restored harmony, and established the
royal authority. *
1548,
Newfound- The English fishery bn the American coast hact
land iishe- now become an object of national importance, andl
ry encou- -, . , . rrri •>• r *r<
raged by legislative encouragement. 1 he parliament or Eng-
ine Eng- land passed an act prohibiting the exaction of mo-.
*lih' ney, fish, or other rewards, by any officer of the
Admiralty, under any pretext whatever, from the
fet act of English fishermen and manners, going on the ser-
pariiament vice of the fishery at Newfoundland. This wa&
Aiveria' g the '^rst act °^ Parliament, relating to America, a
I549-.
Roherval The civil war in France had exceedingly retard*
embarks a- ec[ t|le progress of colonization, from the time o£
Roberval's first enterprise for the settlement of
Canada.3 The same nobleman, at length, accom-
? Vega, 756, 763. RobertsSn iii. book vi. He the next year [1548]
divided the lands in Peru. Herrera, vi. 216. " His memory," says Ve-
^a [776.], " ought forever to be celebrated, in regard that by his good for-
tune, excellent conduct, prudence, and wisdom, the new empire, contain-
iirp; 1300 leagues in length, was recovered, and restored to the emperor
Charles V, with a vast treasure which he brought with him."
i Hakluyt, i. 521 ; iii, 131 , 132, where the Act is inserted entire. " By
this act," says Hakluyt, " it appeared! that the trade out of England was
common and frequented about the beginning of the reigne of Edward the
6, namely in the year 1548, and it is much to be marvelled, that by the
negligence of our men, the countrey in all this time hath bene no better
searched." See also Chalmers, i. 9. Anderson, ii. 83. Forster Voy. 293.
The preamble of the act says, " within these few years past there have
been taken by certain officers of the Admiralty divers great exactions, as
sums of money, doles, or shares of fish &c. to the great discouragement of
those fisheries [Newfoundland and Iceland], and of damage to the whole
commonwealth." There is an apparent error in Prince [Chron. Intro:!. 99.],
\vho peaces the beginning of the fishing trade of the English at Newfound-
Undin 1560. 3 Sea A. D. 1540.
AMERICAN ANNALS; 95
panied by his brother and a numerous train of ad-
venturers, embarked again for the river St. Law-
rence ; but they were never heard of afterward, and is lost;
This disastrous event discouraged the people and
the government of France to such a degree, that
for fifty years no measures were taken for supply-
ing the few French settlers, who still remained in
Canada. *
The Portuguese built the city St. Salvador,
which was the first European settlement in Brasil ; 3
and the Jesuits now introduced Christianity into
the Brasilian country. 3
r550i
. The controversy, that gave rise to the Separa- ./Era oftk«
tion from the Church of England, began about
this time ; and now commenced the ./Era of the
English Puritans.4
The plough was introduced into Peru.4
1 Charlevoix, Nouv. France, i. 22. " Avec eux tomberent toutes les
iterances, qu''on avoit congues de faire un Etablissement en Amerique."
Univ. Hist, xxxix. 408. Forster Voy. 443.
2 Univ. Hist, xxxix. a 1 7. It became afterward populous, magnificent,
arid incomparably the most gay and opulent city in all Brasii. Ibid. 223.
3 Histoire Impartiale des Jesuites, i. 385^ — 387.
4 The controversy was " on occasion of bishop Hooper's refusing to bfe
consecrated in the Popish habits." Neal Hist. Puritans, vol. i. Preface, and
p. 61 — 65. See Prince Chron. 215. Burnet Hist. Reformation, 1^.199—
203. Hooper was a zealous, a pious, and a learned man, who had gone
but of England in the latter part of the reign of Henry VIII, and resided
at Zurich. Ibid. Peirce [Vindication of the Dissenters, p. 29.] hence
observes, " that the habits have, from the very infancy of our Reforma-
tion, been an offence to very learned and pious men" The archbishop of
Canterbury, with other bishops and divines, having concluded on an or-
der of divine worship, an act, confirming that new liturgy, had passed
both houses of parliament 15 January 1549. It was -protested against
however by the bishops of London, Durham, Norwich, Carlisle, Here-
ford, Worcester, Westminster, and Chichester. The parliament enacted,
that all divine offices should be performed according to the new liturgy,
and subjected such of the clergy, as should refuse the service, or officiate in
any other manner, to forfeitures and imprisonment ; and, for the third of-
fence, to imprisonment for life. Whoever should write or print against
the book were to be fined jTio for the first offence ; £20 for the second ;
and to be imprisoned for life for the third. The Council immediately ap-
pointed Visitors, to see that the Liturgy was received throughout Eng-
land. Neal Hist. Puritans, i. 50, 51. See Note III at the end of the vol.
5 Vega, 578. This historian of Peru was carried that year t» see »x-
96 AMERICAN ANNALS.
'551-
Bartholomew de las Casas, having zealously la-
boured fifty years for the liberty, comfort, and sal-
vation of the Natives of Americi, returned dis*
couraged to Spain, at the age of seventy^ seven
years. l
The rich mines of New Spain were discovered. *
The Portuguese about this time put cattle and
swine for breed on the Isle of Sable. 3
'555-
The culture of grapes had already succeeded hi
Chili.4
1558.
The Inca of Peru and his wife were baptized at
Cuzco. The inhabitants of the city honoured the
en at plough in the valley of Cuzco, and great numbers of Indians flock-
ed from all parts, with astonishment, to behold " this prodigious novel-
ty." Ibid.
I Encyclop. Methodique, Art. CASAS. He wrote his Narrative of the
destruction of the Indians by the Spaniards, in the year 1542 [Purchas v.
1569, where the substance of it is inserted], at which time he affirmed, " that
of three millions of people, which were in Hispaniola of the natural in-
habitants, there scarce remain 300 ;" " and now," adds Purchas [i. 913.],
" as Alexaudro Ursino reporteth, none at all : only two and twenty thou-
sand negroes and some Spaniards reside there." Las Casas died A. D;
1366, JEtat. xcii. Encyc. Method, ibid.
3 Robertson, ii. 388.
3 Hakluyt, iii. 155. I rely on this account, which is taken from a Re-
port of Sir Humphrey Gilbert's voyage in 1583, written by M. Edward
Haies, a gentleman who accompanied Gilbert, who says, " Sablon lieth
to the seaward of Cape Breton about 25 leagues, whither we were deter-
mined to goe upon intelligence we had of a Portugal, during our abode in
6. John's, who was himselfe present, when the Portugals (about thirty
yeeres past) did put into the same Island both Neat and Swine to breede,
which were since exceedingly multiplied." See a French account, p. 68,
note 2, of these Annals.
4 Vega, 388. Bartholomew de Terrazas, one of the first conqueror*
of Peru, first planted them in the city of Chili. This year from a vine-
yard in the country he sent 30 Indians, " laden with fair and goodly
grapes," to his friend Garcilasso de la Vega, father of the historian. " For
my part," says Vega, " I did partake of those grapes ; for my father hav-
ing made me the messenger to carry them, attended with two pages, I dcr
Jivered to every priccipai house two large buc&es tf theaj.'* Ibid.
AMERICAN ANNALS. 97
eay of the baptism with the sport of bulls, and
throwing of darts, and other signals of joy.1
1560.
l)on Antonio de Ribera carried from Seville se- olives
verai olive plants, and planted them in los Reyes,
whence one of them wras conveyed by stealth to
Chili ; and from this time the olive flourished in
Chili and Peru. z
1562,
During the civil war between the Protestant and Voyage of
Catholic parties in France, the illustrious but unfortu- j^SJ.^
nate statesman, admiral Coligny,3 formed a project Florida*
for carrying a colony of Protestants to America, to Se-
cure for them an asylum, and at the same time pro-
mote the interest of his country* 4 Having obtained
permission of Charles IX of France, who was anxious
to get rid of his Huguenots, he fitted out two ships,
and giving the command of them to John Ribault,
I They appeared " in rich attire and costly liveries," says Vega the
historian, who was present at this Christian exhibition. Commentaries
of Peru, 999.
3 Vega, 391.
3 He is sometimes called GJyaiillon, from the place of his residence*
" £,a maison de Coligny possedoit Chatillon-sur Loing, et en a quelfefois
yris le nom de Chatillon." Encyc. Methodique, Histoire, Art. CHATIL-
LON. This distinguished leader of the French Protestants was assassinat-
ed in the beginning of the massacre of Paris 24 August, 1571. In that
horrible massacre of Chatillon and the Huguenots (ordered by Charles IX
of France), upwards of. 70,000 persons were killed. It is commonly cal-
led the massacre of St. Bartholomew. Du Fresnoy Chronol. Tables, ii. 161.
4 PurchaS) v. 1603. Chalmers, 1^513. Chalmers [ibid,] says, "it was
hot till this .year, that Coligny sent a colsny to Florida;" and with him,
historians unitedly agree. Mezeray however [Hist. France, p. 700.] says,
that^he had previously attempted a settlement in that country ; but does
not mention the year. His words are : " One of the admiral's principal
cares was to increase the navigation and the trade of France, chiefly ia
those countries of the other hemisphere [America], as well for the credit
of his office, as. to plant colonies there of his own religion. He had sent
the Chevalier de Villegagnon to Florida, as believing him fixed in the
new opinions ; but this man failed him in his promises, and rudely hand-
led those of that profession. Afterward, in the year 1562, he dispatched
John Ribaud thither with two ships, who sailing a quite different course
than the Spaniards had wont to do, most happily landed at Florida.'*
O
95 AMERICAN ANNALS.
1562. sent him over with a colony of Protestants to Flo*
Feb. 18. rida. Ribault sailed from France in February, and
sails from the first land, that he discovered on the coast of
Prance. fion^ was jn the thirtieth degree north latitude,
which he called Cape Frar^ois. Coasting thence to-
ward the north, he discovered " a very fair and great
May T river," which he entered on the first of May, and
Discovers from this circumstance called it the River of May. *•
the r=vereof Here ne was welcomed by a great number of the
May. natives, and erected a pillar of hard stone, on which
he caused the arms of France to be engraved. Pro-
ceeding to the northward, he discovered nine other
rivers,3 one of which, in the latitude of thirty two
i Denominated afterward by the Spaniards St. Matheo [Chalmers, !.
513.] ; but now cnllecl St. John's river. Some suppose this to have been
what is now called St. Mary's river, which forms part of the southern
boundary line of the United States ; but from Laudonniere's account
[Hakluyt, iii. 308, 309.] we should conclude, it was the St. John's. " Hee
" [Ribault] arrived in Florida, landing near a Cape or Promontorie, which
" he called St. Frangois in honour of our France. This Cape is distant
from the equator thirtie degrees. Coasting from this place towards the
North, he discovered a very faire and great river, which gave him oc-
casion to cast anker, that he might search the same. The day follow-
ing he caused a piilrr of hard stone to be planted within the sayde river,
and not farre from the mouth of the same upon a little sandie knappe,
in which pillar the Armes of France were carved and engraved. We
" called this river Tie River of May, because we discovered it the first
tc d;.y of the sayde month." In coasting nartlivardly from lat. 30, Ribault
could hardly have passed by St. John's river, a broad navigable stream,
without noticing it. Hawkins, who visited the French settlement on the
river of May [See pn^e 103, nota 3.], found it "standing in thirtie de-
grees and better" [Hakluyt, i. 539.], which latitude perfectly agrees with
that of the mouth of the St. John's.
2 Named Ity the French « English names
• The Seine St. Mary's
The Somme Satilla
The Loire Alatamaha
The Charente .c £ Newport
The Garonne Ogeechee
The Glronde j=L, ** Savannah
The Belle May River [in South Carolina)
The Grande Broad River
Port Royale Port Royal.
I know that Charlevoix's map of French Florida puts the Alatamaha for
the Seine ; the Ogeechee for the Charente ; and the Savannah for the
Garonne. It may be correct ; but a map, though it contain some rare and
curious matter, and aid the solution of some historical problems, cannot
claim entire confidence, while it presents us Powhatan or James River as
in South Carolina, with James Town in Virginia on its banks, and Charles-
-AMERICAN ANNALS.
degrees, " because of its largeness and excellent 1562.
faireness," he called Port Royal. * Sailing many Discovers
leagues up this river, he erected on an island in the Port Royal,
river a pillar of stone, similar to that previously
erected on the river of May ; built a fort, which w]iere he
he called Charles Fort ; and here left a colony, pro- builds a
mising to return, as socn as possible, with rein-
forcements and provisions.3 The settlers, whom an(neaves
he left behind, soon after mutinied, and killed Al- a colony,
bert, their captain, for his seventy. Reduced at
length to insupportable extremity, they, by extra- which a-
ordinary efforts, built and rigged out a vessel,3 andb,and?ns
'. , Ji . i • .,, bY • r 11 the place,
" embarking their artillery, their forge, and other
munitions of war, and as much mill, as they could
gather," they put to sea. When they had been
out several weeks, and spent all their provisions,
they butchered one of their number, who consent-*
town, the Carolinian capital, at its mouth. I pretend however to nothing'
more than conjecture, with regard to the several streams, corresponding to
the French names.
I Purckas, v. 1603. Hakluyt, iii. 304. " The haven is one of the fair-i
est of the West Indies." Ibid. 314. "Wee stroke our sailes, and cast
anker at ten fathpm of water ; for the depth is such namely when the sea
beginneth to flowe, that the greatest shippes of France, yea, the Arguzes
of Venice may enter there." IbicJ. 309- Ehr« Belknap erroneously suppos-
ed Port Royal river to be the same as the river of May : " Ribalt named
the River May, and the entrance he culled fort Royal" American Biogra-
phy, i. 36. He accordingly fixed Ribault's colony and Fort Charles at the
river of May. Ibid. But the accounts of this voyage of Ribault, and of
the voyage of Laudonniere in 1564 [See note 3 in that year], prove, that
they were two distinct rivers, and widely distant from each other. The
French settlement on the river of May was in about 30 degrees north
latitude [Hakluyt i. 539.] ; but Fort Charles, built by Ribault pn Port
Royal river, was in lat. 32 degrees. Ibid. iii. 309.
a See Note IV at the end of the volume.
3 They procured turpentine from the pine trees ; and " gathered a
Icind of mosse, which groweth on the trees of this country," to calk their
vessel ; and made sails of their own shirts and sheets. The moss, men-
tioned by Laudonniere,fgrows several feet in length on the trees along the
Southern sea coast ; and is a great curiosity to a person born in New Eng-
land. I never saw so perfect natural arbours, as those on the islands of
St. Helena and Port Royal, formed by trees of the forest, covered with
this species of moss. The trees appear exceedingly venerable ; and, im-
pervious to the rays of the sun, form a most grateful shade in that burn-
ing climate.
ioc AMERICAN ANNALS.
ed to be made a victim, to save his comrades,^
Soon after they were taken up by an English ship,
and carried into England, 3
1563,
The first slave trade of the English was opened
on the coast of Guinea. John Hawkins, in the
prospect of great gain, resolved to make trial of this
nefarious and inhuman traffic.3 Several gentle-
men in London, to whom he communicated the de-
sign, became liberal contributors and adventurers
for its execution. Three good ships were immedi-
ately provided, and with these and one hun-
I After sailing a third part of the voyage, they were so becalmed^
that in three weeks they sailed not above 25 leagues. During this time,
their provisions were so far spent, " that every man was constrained to
eate not past twelve graines of mill by the day, which may be in value as
much as twelve person" (pease). When the mill was spent, they ate their
shoes and leather jerkins. " Touching their beverage," says Laudonniere,
" some of them drank the sea water, others did drink their own urine."
This extreme famine continued so long, that several of them died with
hunger. A boisterous head wind now springing up, and their vessel be-
coming suddenly half filled with water ; " as men resolved to die, every
one fell downe backwarde, and gave themselves over altogether unto the
•will of the waves." One of their number, at this juncture, encouraging
them with the hope of seeing land in three days, they threw the water
out of the pinnace, and, remained three days without eating or drinking,
excepting the sea water. No land appearing at the end of the three days,
they became absolutely desperate. In this extreme despair, it was suggest-
ed, that it were better that one man should die, than that so many men
should perish. The direful expedient was adopted \ and executed on Le
Chere (or Lachau), " whose flesh was divided equally among his fellowes :
a thing so pitiful to recite," says Laudonniere, " that my pen is loth to
write it." Hakiuyt, iii. 318. Charlevoix [Nouv. France, i. 35.] says, that
I^achau voluntarily proposed to become a victim, and adds : "II fut pris
au mot, et on 1' egorgea sur le champ, san qu'il fit la moindre resistance. II
ne fut pas perdu une goute de son sang, tous en burent avec avidite, le corps
fut mis en pieces, et chacun en cut sa part."
a, Hakiuyt, iii. 303 — 319. Purchas, i. 769, 770; v. 1603. Charlevoix
Nouv. France, i. 24 — 35. Pastes Chron. [ibid.] p. 24. Mezeray Hist. France,
700. Univ. Hist. xl. 393 — 395. Hewet S. Carolina and Georgia, i. 18.
Prince Chron. Initod. ()<), Harris Voy. i. 810. Anderson, Hist. Com. ii. 117.
3 He had made several voyages to the Canary Islands, " and there by
his good and upright dealing being growen in love and favour with the
people, informed himselfe amongst them by diligent inquisition of the
state of the West India, whereof he had received some knowledge by the
instructions of his father, but increased the same by the advertisements
and reports of that people. And being amongst other particulars assured
that NEGROES were very good merchandise in Hispaniola, and'that store of
negroes might easily be had upon the coast of Guinea, resolved with him-
make trial thereof," Ha.kjuyt, iii. jog.
.
AMERICAN ANNALS.
<Jred men Hawkins sailed to the coast of Guinea,1
where, by money, treachery and force, he procured
at least three hundred negroes, and sold them at
Hispaniola. z
1564.
The civil wars in France, among other causes, Voyage of
liad prevented the conveyance of the promised sue- J^f to"
cour to the French colony at Fort Royal. Peace Honda.
being now concluded, and admiral Coligny inform-
ing the king, that he had received no intelligence of
the men, whom Ribault had left in Florida, ex-
pressing concern at the same time, that they should
be left there to perish ; the king consented, that he
should cause three ships to be furnished and sent
out to their relief. M. Rene Laudonniere, appoint-
ed by the king, on the recommendation of the ad- April w,
miral, to the command of the ships, sailed in April Sails?
for Florida, and arrived on the twenty fifth of June
at the river of May. After sailing northward
about ten leagues and holding intercourse with the
natives, stopping short of Port Royal,3 where Ri-
V
I He sailed from England in October 1.562 ; touched at Teneriffe, and
proceeded to Sierra Leona.
1 Hakluyt, i. 521, 52.2, where there Is an entire account of this voyage.
Hawkins sold his negroes at three places in Hispaniola ; the port of Isa-
bella ; port de Plata ; and Monte Christi ; and received in exchange, " such
quantity of merchandise, that he did not only lade his owne 3 shippts
•with hi des,ginger, sugers, and some quantity of pearles, but hefraightedalso
2 other hulkes with hides, and other like commodities, which he sent into
Spain." Ibid. Anderson [Hist. Com. ii. 117.] says, f'this seems to have
been the very first attempt from England for any negro trade." [See p.
37, 45, of these Annals.] Purchas, v. 11/9. Biog. Britann. Art. HAWKINS.
Joselyn Voy. 233. Keith Hist. Virginia, 31. Stow [Chron. 807.] informs
us, that Hawkins in his youth had studied the mathematics ; and that
" he went to Guinea and Hispaniola, which then was most strange and
wonderfull, by reason he was the first Englishman that discovered and
taught the way into those parts."
3 Much error and confusion had been avoided by historians, had they
but carefully observed the traverse sailing of Jjaudonniere. " Wee sayled
{from the river of May] toward the river oi Seine, distant from the river of
May aboiit foure leagues : and there continuing our course towarde the
North, wee arrived at the mouth of Somme, which is not past sii'e leagues
distant from the river of Seine, where wee cart: .jiiker, aud \vi.",:t on shoare."
Here the company consulted together respecting the place, which thty
iJio.uld choose for " planting their habitation ;" whether toward the Cav<fe
Joi AMERICAN ANNALS.
bault's company had been left, he sailed back t6
Builds Fort the river of May, where he built a fort, which, in
Caroline at honour cf Charles, the French king, he called Ca-
the river of ,. - . o'
May. rolme.1 His ships returned in July to r ranee.*
1565,
R^ni*a«t Ribault, who had been appointed governor tct
rives at supersede Laudonniere, arriving at Florida with SG-.
from** ven Sl1^ °f vessels> took all the best of the men at
France, Fort Caroline for an expedition against a Spanish
fleet, and left Laudonniere with the charge of the
Fort, without the means of defence.3 At this
juncture Pedro Melendez was on his way to Flori-
da, in execution of an enterprise in the service of
Philip II of Spain, who had given him command of
a fleet and army, with full power to drive the Hu-
guenots out of Florida, and settle it with good Ca-
of Florida,or at Pert Royal. " If wee passed farther toward the North to seeke
cut Port Royall, it would Le neither very profitable nor convenient ; al-
though the haven were one of the fairest of the West Indies : but that in
this case the question was not so much of the beautie of the place, as of
things necessary to sustaine life. And that for our inhabiting it was more
Reedefull for us to plant in places plentifull of victual!, than in goodly
H.wens, faire, deepe, and pleasant to the view." The conclusion was,
*' That it was expedient to seate themselves rather on the River of May*
than on any other, until! they might hear cevves out of France." Hak-.
luyt, iii. 323, 324.
i It stood not above two leagues distance from the rnouth of the ri-.
•vcr. Hakluyt, iii. 336.
2, Hakluyt, iii. 319, 325, 329, Purchas, i. 770; v. 1603, 1604. Char-
levoix Nouv. France, i. 35 — 40. Univ. Hist. xl. 395, 396. Europ. Settle-
ments, ii. 235. The English writers in general mistake in supposing Fort
Caroline to have been built in the English Carolina. It was built in the
French and Spanish Florida. [Univ. Hist. xl. 419.] It has been confound-
ed probably with Fort Clarks. See A. D. 5562. Du Pratz egregiously
<^rrs, when he affirms, that the ruins of Fort Caroline are visible near P:n-^
sacola. Hist. L,ouisiane, i. 3. See next pag;, note 4.
3 Hakluyt, iii. 354« On mustering his men, this is the account he
crjves of them : u I found nine or ten of them whereof not past two or
three had ever drawen sword out of a scabbard, as I thinke. Of the nine
there were foure but young striplings, which served capfcaine Ribault and
kept his dogs. The fifte was a cooke. Among those that were without
the fort, and which were of the foresaid company of captaine Ribault
there was a Carpenter of three score yeeres olde, one a Beere-brewer, one
olde Crosse-bowe maker, two Shoemakers, and four or five men that had
their wives, a pkyer on the Virginals, two servants of Monsieur du
Lvs, one of Monsieur de Beauhaire, one of Monsieur de la Grange,
and about foure score and five or *ixe in all, counting a* wel
AMERICAN ANNALS;. ioj
tholics.* Arriving at Florida, he massacred Ri- 1565.
bault* and all the company, excepting Laudonniere Septembe*.
and a few others, who escaped to France. s Me-
lendez now built three forts on the river of May,4
and strongly garrisoned them with Spanish soldiers. s
Lackeys as women and children. Those that were left me of mine owne
company were aboute sixteene or seventeene that could beare arines, and
&11 of them poore and leane : the rest Wf re sicke and maymed." Ibid.
I The Spaniards " pretended those territories belonged to them, affirm^
ing they were the first discoverers." Mezeray.
2, Ribault, at the first assault, was not far distant, and" is said to have
*' parled with the Spaniards." He set sail with Laudonniere for France
45 September, but was separated from him the next day, and immediately
after overtaken with a tempest, " which in fine wrackt him upon the coast
where all his shippes were east away, and he with much adoe escaped
drowning, to fall into their hands which cruelly massacred him and all his
company." Hakluyt, iii. 355. How many were killed noiv, does not ap-
pear ; but of Laudonniere's wretched company about 60 appear to have
been previously massacred. There were, he informs us, 85 or 86 in ail. At
his first escape from the fort, he found " three or foure" of his men, who
had also escaped. When a boat arrived from the ships, to take him oiT.
he went " with the boat along the reeds to seeke out the poor sculec
which were scattered abroad, where (he says) we gathered up 18 or 20 of
them." Ibid: ,
3 Laudonniere had " fortified and inhabited" in Florida " two summers
and one whole winter," or " a year and a quarter, as the French king'';
lieutenant." Hakluyt, iii. 301, 319. John Hawkins, the slave merchant,
was at fort Caroline in August ; but it must have been previously to Ri-
Tjault's arrival. He had made a second voyage to the coast of Guinea the
preceding year ; and having sold his slaves in the W. Indies, stopped r.t
the River of May, on his return home, to water his ships. Laudonniere had
been at war with the natives, and had " not above 40 soldiers left unhurt,"
norabove ten dap pro vision. The soldiers had been obliged to live on acorns
and roots, and some of them had served a Fioridian king against his ene-
mies, " for mill and other victualles." Hawkins spared them 20 barrels
of meal and other necessaries, " to helpe them the better homewards," ar.d
a bark of 50 tons ; for they had already determined to return to France.
On the arrival of Ribault a few days afterward, they changed their pur-
pose ; and stopped to be massacred. See Hakluyt, i. 539, 540 ; iii. 347,
348. Purchas, v. 1604.
4 The authors of Encyclopedic Methodique [Geog. Art. FLORIDE] say,
that Melendez now made settlements (forma des etablissemens) at St. Au-
jgustine and Pensacola. If he now built a fort at Pensacola, Du Pratz may
have mistaken the ruins of tfjis, for the ruins of Fort Caroline. An ac-
count in Hakluyt [ii. 469.] confirms that of the French Encyclcpedie :
" The Spaniards [in 1572] have two forts there [Florida], chiefly to keepe
out the Frenchmen from planting there."
5 Hakluyt, iii. 355. Purchas, i. 770 ; v. 1604. Chalmers,!. 513. Hew-
et S. Carol. & Georg.i. 19. Prince Chron. Introd. 100. Mezeray Hist.
France, 700. Melendez, for this act of cruelty, became infamous even a-
mong his own countrymen. Disappointed in a naval project ten years
afterward, he killed himself. " Eadem tcmpestate [1575] Petrus Melen-
AMERICAN ANNALS.
Is68.
v/
rflie chevalier Dominique de Gourgues, a sol-
fcf Gour- ,. r n r i r M - ^i
fnes to rio- dier of fortune, of a good family m Gascony,
rida- hearing of the massacre of his countrymen in Flori-
da, determined to revenge their death, and repair
the honour of his nation, by driving their murderers
out of that country. On this vindictive enterprise he
sailed from France, at his own expense, and with-
out orders,, with three frigates and one hundred
and fifty soldiers and volunteers, and eighty chosen
mariners, to Florida. * The Spaniards, to the num-
ber of four hundred, were well fortified on the ri-
ver of Mayj principally at the great fort, begun by
the French, and afterward repaired by themselves;
Two leagues lower toward the river's mouth1;
they had made two smaller forts* which were
defended by one hundred and twenty soldiers,
well supplied with artillery and ammunition.*
Gourgues, though informed of their strength,
/•prii proceeded resolutely forward, arid with the assist-
Assmis the 2nc£ 0f tke natives, made a vigorous and desperate
Spanish r±r • r< • * P. 1 r r i
forts at the assault. Of sixty Spaniards in the first. fort, there
rfver of escaped but fifteen ; and all in the second fort were
slain. After sixty Spaniards, sallying out from the
third fort, had been intercepted, and killed on the
spot, this last fortress was easily taken. All the
des Cantaber, Floridje victor, sed insigni in Gallos perfidia, apud suos etiam.
infamis, cum res Americanas Batavicis parum sapienter comparet, Bri-
lam se aliosque portus obsequio redditurum jactabat ; et jam parata classe
jmissa in Angliam legatio, qua: littus et hospitium, si eo venti adigerent,
oraret impetraretque. Sed subita morbi lu^s nautas disjecit, et dux ipse
edoctus pollicitationes vanitatem, pudore ut creditum, aut metu vitanx
finiit." Grotii Annales, 63, 64 & index.
I His equipment, according to Mezeray (who says he had 200 sol-
diers and too seamen), was made with part of his own estate, which he
sold, and with what his brother, President of the Generality of Guyenne,
lent him. The reason, assigned by this historian, why the Government of-
Frunce did not revenge the massacre, is, that the king's Council was half
"Spanish. Gourgues had recently returned from Africa. Losing no time,
he sailed from France in August 1567 to the West Indies, whence, after
delays by storms, he proceeded to Florida in the, spring of 1568.
i One of these lower forts must have been on one side of the rivert
and the other oo the other side ; for tke river " passed betweejo them."
AMERICAN ANNALS. 105
Surviving Spaniards were led away prisoners, with 1568.
the fifteen who escaped the massacre at the first
fort ; and, after having been shown the injury,
that they had done to the French nation, were
hung on the boughs of the same trees, on which
the Frenchmen had been previously hung. O-
ver those devoted Frenchmen, Melendez had
suspended a Spanish label, signifying, " I do not
this as to Frenchmen, but as to Lutherans.55 Gour-
gues, in retaliation, caused to be imprinted with a
searing iron in a tablet of fir wood, " I do not this
as to Spaniards, nor as to Mariners, but as to Trai-
tors, Robbers, and Murderers.'51 Having razed
the three forts, a he hastened his preparation to re-
I Charlevoix [Nouv. France, i. 103, 104.] justly condemns this barba-
rous retaliation : " Je ne crains pas de dire que 1' expedition du Cheva-*
Her de Gourgues, jusques-la si glorieuse'pour lui, et si honnorable pour la
Nation, auroit et<§ infiniment plus relevee par une conduite, ou sa mcd-
€ration, et la generosite Fransoise eut fait un beau contraste avec 1' inhu-
manite des Espagnols, qu' en la terminant avec la mcme fureur, qu' il
detestoit en eux." He pertinently cites the reply, made by Pausanias, king
of Sparta, to a citizen of JEgina, who had proposed to him, as what would
immortalize his name, to hang the dead body of Mardonius on a gallows,
in revenge for the like indignity, shown to Leonidas by Mardonius and
Xerxes : " Thou must have a very wrong notion of true glory, to imag-
ine, that the way for me to acquire it is to resemble the Barbarians." The
observation of the Catholic historian may have been as sincere and disinter-
ested, as it is just and generous ; it is difficult however to forget, that they
were Huguenots, whose massacre Gourgues revenged ; and that P. De
Charlevoix was " de la Compagnie de JESUS" [a Jesuit], one of whose avow-
ed tenets is, That faith is not to be kept with heretics.
2, " Considering he had not men inough to keepe his fortes which he
had wonne, much lesse to store them, fearing also lest the Spaniard which
hath dominions neere adjoining should renew his forces, or the Savages
should prevail against the French men, unlesse his Majestic would send
thither, hee resolved to raze them. And indeede, after he had assembled,
and in the ende perswaded all the Savage kings so to doe, they caused their
subjects to runne thither with such affection, that they overthrew all the
three Forts flatte even with the ground in one day." Hakluyt, iii. 359,
360. Du Pratz [Hist. Louisiane, i. 4.] says, that Gourgues established a
new post before his return to France ; but that the disorders in that king-
dom did not permit its support. The account in Hakluyt, on which I re-
ly, makes no mention of it. " Finding his ships set in order, and every
thing ready to set sayle, hee counselled the kings to contiriue in the amitio
and ancient league which they had made with the king of France, which
would defend them against all nations ; which they all promised, shedding-
teares because of his departure, Olocatara especially ; for appeasing of whom
he promised them to returne within twelve moons, (so they count the
P
io6
AMERICAN ANNALS.
1568
French
Solomon
turn ; and on the third of May embarked fof
France. * His sovereign not avowing the enterprise,
k*s countrymen now bade Florida a final adieu. z If
the settlement of Ribault at Port Royal, or that of
Laudonniere at the river of May,- had been suppor-
ted by the Parent State, long possession mi,* IK have
furnished a stronger claim to the country, than pri-
or discovery, and France might have had an empire
in America, before Britain had sent a single colony
into this New World.
The Licenciate Castro, governor of Peru, todis-
cover certain islands in the South Sea on the Pe-
ruvian coast, sent out from Lima a fleet, which, '!•
ing eight hundred leagues westward of the co.istj
found a cluster of islands in eleven degrees soiuh
latitude, to which the governor gave the name of
Solomon Islands. 3
South A-
merica.
First voy- Francis Drake, the celebrated English navigator,
Francis made his first voyage to South America. Entering
Drake to the port of Nombre de Dios with four pinnaces, he
landed about one hundred and fifty men, seventy of
whom he left in a fort, that was there j and with
yeeres) and that his king would send them an army, and store of knive*
for presents, and all other things necessary."
1 Hakluyt, iii. 356 — 360; and Charlevoix Nouv. France, i. 95 — 106 ;
where there are entire accounts of this voyage. Mezeray Hist. France,
701. Chalmers, i. 513. Purchas, v. 1604, 1605. Univ. Hist. xl. 413—
417. Anderson, ii. 127. He arrived at Rochel 6 June, with the loss but
of a small pinnace and 8 men in it, with a few gentlemen and others, who
were slain in assaulting the forts. Kakluyt. When Gourgues went to Pa-
ris to present himself to the king, to infoirm him of the success of his voy-
age, and to offer him " his life and all his goods" toward subduing thi«
whole country to his obedience, he met with an ill reception, and was con-
strained to hide himself a long time in the court of Roan, " about the year
1570." He died in 1582, " to the great grief of such as knew him."'
Hakluyt, iii. 360. Purchas, v. 1605.
2 Chalmers, i. 513.
3 Hakluyt, iii. 467. Purchas, v. 1447. This name was given, that the
Spaniards, supposing them to be those islands, from which Solomon fetch-
ed gold to adorn the temple at Jerusalem, might be the more desirous t»
go and inhabit them. Ibid.
AMERICAN ANNALS. ioy
tiie remaining eighty surprised the town, but was
soon repelled by the Spaniards. He next sailed in-
to Darien harbour, where he landed, and intercept-
ed two companies of mules, laden with gold and sil-
ver, on the way from Panama to Nombre de Dios ^
took off the gold ; and soon after reembarked. '
The king of Spain gave the islands of Bermudas
to one of his subjects ; but the Spaniards never
took possession of them. a
T
575
John Oxenham, an Englishman, hearing what ^
spoil captain Drake had brought from South Amer-
ica, made a voyage, accompanied by seventy persons, man, to
in a ship of one hundred and twenty tons. Land-
ing his men at Darien, where he hauled his ship to
the shore, and covered it with boughs of trees, he
travelled twelye leagues into the main land, and
built a pinnace on a river, by which he passed into.
the South Sea. After taking some Spanish prizes,
he and his company were made prisoners by the
Spaniards, and executed.3
All attempts to find a North East passage to In- F«-stv
xlia having been unsuccessful, queen Elizabeth sent Martin
out Martin Erobisher with three small ships, for the
discovery of a North West passage. Arriving at
i Hakluyt, iii. 525, 526, 778, 779. He took away the gold only, " for
they were not able to carrie the silver through the mountaines." Ibid.
Two days after this spoliation, he came to the house of Crosses, and burnt
above 200,000 ducats in merchandize. Purchas, v. 1180.
a Univ. Hist. xli. 339.
3 Hakluyt, iii. 526 — 528 ; 779 — 781. The Justice asked the English
captain, Whether he had the Queen's licence, or the licence of any Prince
or Lord. He answered, That he had none, but that he came of his own
proper, motion. On this acknowledgment, the captain and his company
were condemned, and were all put to death at Panama, excepting th<?
Captain, the Master, and the Pilot, and five boys, who were carried tp
Lima, and there the three men were executed, but the beys were spared.
Ibid and Purchas, V. ii8o, 1446.
I08 AMERICAN ANNALS.
Discovers ^he northerly coast of America, he discovered a cape,
Fordand!'' which he called Elizabeth's Foreland ; and the
and Fro- Strait, which still bears his name. This strait be-
strait/ ing impassable, on account of fixed ice, he entered
a bay in north latitude sixty three degrees ; sailed
sixty leagues ; landed, and took one of the natives ; I/
but the ice obliged him to relinquish his enterprise^
and return to Enland. * .
'577-
Second Yjjg discovery of supposed gold ore by Frobish-
voyage of . 11 i i o • "
Frobisher. er in his voyage the last year3 encouraged the Soci-
ety of adventurers to send him out with three oth-
er ships, to explore farther the coast of Labrador
and Greenland, with an ultimate view to the discov-
ery of a passage to India ; but he again returned
without success.4
i Frobisher, having made presents to the inhabitants (supposed north-
ward of Labrador), they came on board his ship. Five sailors, sent to take
ashore one of these visitants, went, contrary to orders, to the natives, and
neither they nor the boat were ever seen afterward. This was therefore
called, The five men's Sound. The English, upon this, enticed one of
the natives to the ship's side, with a bell, and in giving it to him, took
him and his boat. Finding himself now in captivity, " for very choler
and disdaine he bit his tongue in twaine within his mouth." He died
soon after his arrival in England. Hakluyt.
1 Hakluyt, iii. 29 — 32; 57 — 60. Purchas, i. 739. Prince Chron. In-
trod. 101. Smith Gen. Hist. Virginia, I. Stow Chron. 680. Belknap. Bi-
og. i. 37. Europ. Settlements, ii. 286. Univ. Hist. xli. 100. Harris Voy.
i. 575. Forster Voy. 274. Anderson [ii. 126.] places this voyage in 1567 ;
but the accounts in Hakluyt prove it to have been made in 1576. After
several attempts to land with the boat, which.were baffled by the ice, Fro-
bisher commanded his people, if they could possibly get ashore," to bring'
him whatsoever thing they could first find, whether it were living or dead,
stocke or stone, in token of Christian possession." Some of his company
brought flowers ; some, green grass ; and one brought a piece of black
stone, " much like to a sea cole in colour, which by the waight seemed to
be some kinde of metall or minerall." Hakluyt. This stone was tried by
the London goldsmiths ; and was pronounced to be richly impregnated
with gold ; but while it incited adventurers to new enterprises, it totally
baffled their hopes. Ibid. Anderson, ii. 127, I43t
3 See the preceding note.
4 Hakluyt, iii. 32—39 ; 60—73. Harris Voy. i. 575—577. Forster
Voy. 274. Univ. Hist. xli. 101. He sailed 30 May from Harwich with
one ship of 200 tons, belonging to the queen, two small barks, and 120
«ien. With the professed object of the voyage in our view, we
AMERICAN ANNALS. 109
On the Newfoundland fishery there were this state of
year one hundred ships from Spain, fifty from For- J^Jland
tugal, one hundred and fifty from France, and fif- fishery.
ty from England. The English had the best ships,
and therefore gave law to the rest, being in the bays
the protectors of others. ' The fishery of the Eng-
glish at Iceland is assigned as the reason, why they
had not a greater number of ships at Newfoundland.
There were now at that island twenty or thirty ships
from Biscay, to kill whales for train oil. a
1578- •"."„.'- ';
Frobisher, with fifteen sail of ships, made anoth- Third voy~
er voyage to the northernmost parts of the conti- £f Fro"
tinent of America, with the design of forming a set-
tlement in the country. The adventurers carried
with them the frame of a strong house, to be set
up there j but, on their arrival, they found it ne-
cessary to relinquish the design. Leaving that inhos- AUP-. $i,
pitable region, their fleet was separated by a furious
Storm on the very night after their embarkation ;
with the style of the voyager : " Ahoard the Ayde we received all the
Communion by the minister of Gravesend, and prepared us as good Chris-
tians towards God, and resolute men for all fortunes" Near Frobisher's Strait
Frobisher found abundance of glittering stones and sand, that he had seen
in the last voyage, and put nearly 200 tons of them on board his vessels.
With the ore he carried to England a man, a woman, and child of the na-
tives ; " but neither the man, woman, nor childe lived long ; nor his gold
proved ore, but drosse." Stow Chron. In this voyage he searched for the
five men, left behind the last year, and promised rewards for their restor-
ation ; but he received no intelligence concerning them.
I " For which it was then, and had been of old, a custom to make
them some sort of acknowledgment as admirals ; such as, a boat load of salt
for guarding them from pirates, and other violent intruders, who often
drive them from a good harbour." Anderson, ii. 144. See Hakl. iii. 133.
a Anderson, ii. 144, from Hakluyt. But he errs in saying, the English
had but 15 sail in the fishery. A. Parkhurst, from whom Anderson's ac-
count is derived, says, the English " since my first travell, being but 4
yeeres, are increased from 30 sayle to 50.' See Hakluyt, i. 674 ; iii. 132.
Parkhurst (ibid.) expresses a wish to Hakluyt, his correspondent, that
the island in the mouth of the river of Canada might be inhabited, and
the river searched ; " for that there are many things that may arise
thereof.' *
AMERICAN ANNALS*
1578.
Voyage of
Francis
Drake
round the
world.
Plunders
the Span-
iards of
ftouth A-
niprica.
Discovers
Drake's
Port,
but every ship at length arrived in England, For*
ty persons died on the voyage. *
Francis Drake, on an enterprising voyage, a hav-
ing gone through the Straits of Magellan, rifled
the town of St. Jago in Chili,3 and other places on
the western coast of South America. In some of
the harbours of this coast, he seized on ships, which
had not a single person on board, so unsuspicious
were the Spaniards of an enemy there. Having at
length taken an immensely rich prize, and all his
treasure being embarked in one vessel ; to avoid the
danger of being intercepted by the Spaniards in an
attempt to return by the Magellannic Straits, he
determined to sail to the Moluccas, and return
home by the Cape of Good Hope. Sailing first to
the north to obtain a good wind, he discovered a
harbour, which he called Drake's Port. He alsot
took possession of the circumjacent country, be-
tween thirty eight: and forty two degrees north lat-.
1 Hakluytjiii. 39 — 44; 74— -93- Harris Voy. i. 578, 579. Anderson,
ij. 143. It was the plan of the voyage, that all the ships should return'
at the close of the summer, laden with gold ore, excepting three, the three
captains of which, with 40 mariners, 30 miners, and 30 soldiers were to
" tarry in the country." " They fraught their shippes with the like pre-
tended gold ore out of the mines," as on the last voyage," but after great
charges, it proved worse than good stone, whereby many men were de-
ceived, to their utter undoings." Stow Chron. 685.
2 He sailed from Plymouth in England 13 December 1577, with a
fleet of 5 ships and barks, and 164 men," gentlemen and sailers ;" and
completed his voyage round the world 3 November 1580. This was the
second circumnavigation of the globe. Purchas [v. 1180.] A. D. 1625 says,
" The reliques of the shippe," in which this voyage was made, " or some
bones at least of that glorious carkasse, yet remayne at Deptford consecra-
ted to Fame and Posteritie." At. a feast on board this ship queen Eliza-
beth knighted " this noble mariner," after his arrival in England. I-
clem, ibid. The first circumnavigation of the earth was made by
the ship of Magellan nearly 60 years before. See A. D. 1520, p. 59. Af-
ter Magellan entered the Pacific Ocean, he sailed northwesterly 3000
leagues, and 13 March 1521 discovered the Philippine Islands, in one of
which he was killed by the natives. John Sebastian del Cano, afterward
chosen captain, conducted the remainder of the voyage, which was finish-
ed 6 September 1521. Prince Chron. Introd. 85. The famous ship, called
the Victory, was the only one of Magellan's squadron, that returned to
Spain. Charlevoix Paraguay, i. 30.
3 Harris Voy. i. 2O. Hakluyt, iii. 735. The inhabitants, consisting of
pot more than 9 housholds, abandoned the town on the approach of tha
AMERICAN ANNALS.
rtude, and called it New Albion.1 " This posse's- 1578.
sion was taken with the best right in the world, New Albi-
the principal king formally investing him with his on.
principality."3
Queen Elizabeth granted letters patent toJSirHum- J^J££
phrey Gilbert? authorising him to discover and take beth's pa-
possession of all remote and barbarous lands, unoccu- ^ *° sir
r. , , Oj . . 1 01 i H. Gilbert;1
pied by any Christian prince or. people. She vested
in him, his heirs, and assigns forever, the full right of
property in the soil of those countries, of which he
should take possession, to hold of the crown of Eng-
land by homage, on payment of the fifth part of
the gold or silver ore, found there ; conferred com-
plete jurisdiction within the said lands, and seas ad-
joining them ; declared that all, who should settle
there, should enjoy all the privileges of free citi-
zens and natives of England, any law, custom, or Whjchj9
usage to the contrary notwithstanding ; and pro- the first
hibited all persons from attempting to settle within f^0enrfop
two hundred leagues of any place, which Sir Hum- from the
phrey Gilbert, or his associates, should have occupi-
English. Ibid. Spanish plunder was in fact, according- to Anderson, the
principal object of the voyage. Queen Elizabeth however, on the com-
plaint of the Spanish ambassador, caused this spoil, or at least a great part
of it, to be sequestered for the use of the king of Spain ; but, at the same
time, asserted the absolute freedom of her subjects to navigate the Indian
seas, equally with the subjects of that king. Anderson, ii. 150. The con-
duct of Drake still gave great umbrage, and had influence toward a rup-
ture between England and Spain. " Nee minora belli semina tentatusAn-
glis novus orbis, et in patriam perlatae quas eripuerant Hispanis opes."
Grotii Annales, p. 99. See Camden Eliz. 254.
I Harris Voy. i. 19 — 23. Hakluyt, iii. 440 — 442, 730 — 742. Purchas,
i.779- Belknap Biog. i. 37. Forster Voy. 452; Prince Chron. Inlrodi.
101. Biblioth. Americ. 53. Two reasons are assigned for his giving it
this name ; one, on account of the white banks and cliffs, which lie tow*
ard the sea ; the other, that it might have some affinity, in name, with
England, " which sometime was so called." Hakluyt, ut supra.
1 European Settlements, i. 244. " At our departure hence our Gene-
rall set up a monument of our being there, as also of her Majesties right
and title to the same, namely a plate, nailed upon a faire greate poste,
whereupon was ingraven her Majesties name, the day andyeere of our ar-
rival there, with the free giving up of the province and people into her
Majesties hands, together with her highnesse picture and armes, in a peice
of sixe pence of current English money under the plate, whereunder was
also written the name of our GeneralL" Hakluyt, ui sttfra.
AMERICAN ANNALS.
ed during the space of six years. This is the first
charter to a colony, granted by the crown of Eng-
land. '
0 Cotton, a merchant of South Hampton in
e to England, employed. captain Whitburn in a ship of
three hundred tons, to fish for cods on the great
L bank at Newfoundland ; but the excess of cold ob-
liged him to put into Trinity harbour, at that island,
where, by fish and other commodities, he cleared
the expense of the voyage. *
1580.
New Mex- ISfew Mexico, between twenty eight and twenty
nine degrees north latitude, was discovered by Au-
ico discov-
ered.
gustin Ruys, a Spanish Franciscan missionary.
The French trade to Canada was renewed after
an interruption of nearly fifty years. 4
I Hakluyt, i. 677 — 679; la. 135 — 137 ; Hazard Collect, i. 24 — 2$ ;
Brit. Emp. IntroiL p. viii — xiv ; where this patent is inserted entire. Smith
Virginia, p. 4. Belknap Biog. i. 198. Forster Voy. 389. Biog. Britann.
Art, GILBERT. Robertson, book ix. p. 36. Anderson, ii. 167.
a Univ. Hist.xxxix. 248. Whitburn repeated the voyage, and was at
Newfoundland when Sir Humphrey Gilbert arrived there in 1583. Ibid.
3 Encyclop. Methodique, Geog. Art. MEXIQUE (nouveau). Charlevoix
Nouv. France, i. p. xxv. Pastes Chron. Charlevoix (ibid.) says, that An-
toine de Espejo, a Spaniard, in 1581 made discoveries to the north of
New Spain, additional to those of Ruys, and gave to all that grand country
the name of New Mexico.
4 Hakluyt, iii. 187. The cause of this interruption was the outrage of
Carder and his company, in carrying off an Indian king in 1535. [See note
2 ia that year.] " This outrage and injurious dealing did put the whole
countrev people into such dislike with the French, as never since they
would admit any conversation or familiaritie with them, untill of late yeeres,
the okle matter beginning to grow out of minde, and being the rather
drawen on by gifts of many trifling things, which were of great value with
them, they are within these two or three yeeres content againe to admit
a traffique, which two yeeres since [i. e. 1581] was begunne with a small
barke of thirtie tunnes, whose returne was found so profitable, as the next
yeere following by those Marchants who meant to have kept the trade se-
cret unto themselves from any others of their owne countrey men, there
was hired a shippe of four score tunnes out of the Isle of Jersey, but not
any one mariner of that place, saving a shipboy." Halduyt, ui, 187. Sec
A. 0.1583.
AMERICAN ANNALS. 413
1582.
fidward Fenton, an Englishman, with a fleet of
Four sail, embarked for the East Indies and China
by the west ; but proceeded no farther than to the
coast of Brasil, to the thirty third degree south lat-
itude.1
1583-
Sir Humphrey Gilbert, in virtue of his letters pa- Voyage op
tent from queen Elizabeth, had already attempted SJtto
a voyage to America, which, through various un- New-
propitious circumstances, was frustrated.2 This foundlandi
worthy knight, with his characteristic resolution
and perseverance, now resuming the enterprise,
sailed from England for Newfoundland with two June **•
ships and three barks, 3 carrying about two hundred Sa
and sixty men. 4 On the discovery of land in about
i Hakluyt, iii. 757-*-768, where there is an account of this Voyage. C^"
1 Some writer [Biog. Britan. if I rightly remember] says, that Gilbert
in this frst attempt, reached Newfoundland. [See Coll. Hist, Soc. ix. 52.] E.
Hales in Hakluyt [iii. 146.] does not mention his arrival at any land. By
his account it appears, that the dispositions of the numerous volunteers,
\vho offered to accompany Gilbert in that voyage, were so various, that
dissensions arose, " and the greater number were dispersed, leaving the
Generall with few of his assured friends) with whom he adventured to sea :
where having tasted of no lesse misfortune he was shortly driven to retire
home with the losse of a tall ship, and (more to his griefe) of a valiant
gentleman Miles Morgan" Oldys thinks, he has not only reason to be-
lieve, that this misfortune " was by a sharp encounter they had with the
Spaniards, however tenderly touched at that time by this author (Hales),
perhaps to avoid their triumph ; but that Ralegh was in this very en-
gagement, and his life in great danger thereby." Life of Sir Walter Ra-
legh, prefixed to his History of the World, p. xiii.
3 One of them, a bark of 200 tons, was built, victualled and manned by
Sir W. Raleigh, who, according to Oldys, set out in it to accompany his
brother, in the quality of vice admiral ; but in two or three days (13 June)
this bark, on account of a contagious sickness, which infected the whole
ship's company, returned to Plymouth. Hakluyt, iii. 149.
4 " Among whom," says Haies, " we had of every faculty good choice,
as shipwrights, masons, carpenters, smithes, and such like, requisit to such
an action : also minerall men and refiners. Besides, for* solace of our peo-
ple, and allurement of the Savages, we were provided of Musike in good
varietie : not omitting the least toyes, as Morris dancers, hobby horsse, and
Maylike conceits to delight the Savage people, whom we intended to
xvinne by all faire meanes possible. And to that end we were indifferently
furnished of all pettie haberdashrie wares to barter with those »imple peo-
gle." Hakluyt, iii. 149.
Q
M4 AMERICAN ANNAlA
1583. fifty one degrees north latitude, finding nothing but
bare rocks, he shaped his course to the southwafd,
^U5;3; r came in sight of Penguin island, x and proceeded td
dta*1 the bay of St. John. At St. John's harbour
hai bour- (Newfoundland) he found thirty six vessels of va-
rious nations, which refused him entrance. On his
information however of his commission from the
Tai?es5pos- queen d England, they submitted ; and he took
session of possession of the harbour of St. John, and two
tl.y/° hundred leagues every way around it, for the crown
of England. He then published three laws for the
government of the territory. By the first, public
worship was established according to the church of
England ; by the second, the attempting of any
thing prejudicial to her majesty's title was declared
treason according to the laws of England ; by the
third, the uttering of words to the dishonour of her
majesty, was to be punished with the loss of ears,
and the confiscation of property. * This formal pos-
session, in consequence of the discovery by the Ca-
bots, is considered by the English, as the founda-
tion of the right and title of the Crown of Eng-
land to the territory of Newfoundland, and to the
fishery on its banks.'
Gilbert, intending to bring the southern parts of
the country within the compass of his patent, the
date of which was now nearly expired, hastened his
i Not the island of that name, seen by Hore in 1536. That is on the
southern coast of Newfoundland ; this, on the eastern, and is now called Fo-
go. Forster Voy. Note, p. 293.
7, Obedience was promised to the laws, now proclaimed, " by generall
voyce and consent of the multitude as well 6f Englishmen as strangers,
praying for continuance of this possession and governement begun." Thd
assembly was then dismissed ; " and afterward were erected not farre
from that place the Armes of England ingraven in lead, and infixed upon
a pillar of wood." For the farther establishment of this possession the
general granted " in fee farme" several parcels of land, lying by the water
side, both in the harbour of St. John, and elsewhere : " For which grounds
they did covenant to pay a certaine rent and service unto Sir Humphrey
Gilbert, his heires or assignes forever, arid yeerely to maintaine possessiok
of the aame, by thejnielves or their assignes.1* Ibid.
AMERICAN ANNALS. 115
preparations to return to England. Intending how- 1583
ever, previously to his departure, to make farther
discoveries on the coast toward the south, he em-
barked from St. John's harbour with his little fleet,
and sailed for the Isle of Sable by the way of Cape
V* * r i • • 1 1 • 1 •
Breton. After spending eight days m the naviga-
tion from Cape Race toward Cape Breton,1 the ble-
ship Admiral was cast away on some shoals, before Aug. 29.
any discovery of land, and nearly one hundred souls
perished. Of this number was Stephen Parmenius
Budeius, a learned Hungarian, who had accompa-
nied the adventurers, to record their discoveries and
exploits.3 Two days after this disaster, no land
yet appearing, the waters being shallow, the coast
pnknown, the navigation obviously dangerous, and
the provisions scanty, it was concluded by the gen-
eral and the company to return to Englancl. phang- Aug. 31.
ing their course accordingly, they passed in sight ^'ll* fof
r ^ T» i r* o i i England.
or Cape Race on the second or September, and on
the ninth, when they had sailed more than three
hundred leagues on their way home, the frigate, on
board of which was Sir Humphrey Gilbert, foun- sept. 9.
dered in a violent storm at midnight, and all the Is lost a£
souls on board perished. 3
i The distance between Cape Race and Cape Breton is 87 leagues.
Hakluyt, iii. 155.
1 Haies says, it was the intention of Parmenius " to record in the Lat-
ine tongue the gests [exploits, from the Latin word gesta] and things wor-
thy of remembrance, happening in this discoverie, to the honour of our
nation, the same being adorned with the eloquent stile of this Orator and
rare Poet pf o»r time." Hakluyt, iii. 1 56. See an account of this learned
Hungarian, with a Poem, which he wrote in England in celebration of
the projected Voyage, in the Collections of Mass. Hist. Society, ix. 49 — 75.
In that account there is a small error. Parmenius is there said to have
been lost with Gilbert ; but he was lost in the ship Admiral several dnys
fa/ore. It was natural to suppose, that Gilbert was on board the Admiral ;
but, on careful inspection, it appears that he was not. " The General!
made choise to goe in his frigate the Squirrcll, the same being most con-
venient to discover upon the coast, and to search into every harbor or
creeke, which a great ship could not doe." Hakluyt, iii. 153.
3 Hakluyt, i. 679 — 699 ; iii. 143 — 166. Harris Voy. i, .583 — 586,869.
Forster Voy. 292, 293. Hazard Coll. i. 32. Prince Chron. Intrcd. 100,
Belknap Biog. i. 37. Stith Virg. 6. Univ. Hist. xli. 86. Biog. BritanB.
Art, GILBERT.
AMERICAN ANNALS.
Patent of Sir Adrian Gilbert obtained from queen Eliza-
G1~ keth a Patent f°r tiie discovery of a Northwest pas-
sage to China, to remain in force five years, by the
title of, The Colleagues of the Fellowship for the
Discovery of the Northwest Passage. *
The renewal of the French trade with Canada,
two years since, was so auspicious, that the French
had now three ships, one of a hundred and eighty
tons, one of a hundred tons, and one of eighty, em»
ployed in that trade. a
.
Q. Eliza- Sir Walter Ralegh, observing that the Spaniards
beth's Pa- j^ onj sett}ecj on t|le middle and southern parts
tent to air V. 111 £
w.Raiegh of America, and that there was a vast extent of ter-
for discov- rjtorv north of the gulf of Mexico, that was yet un-
known, after mature deliberation, resolved on its
discovery. Having digested a plan for prosecuting
the design, he laid it before the queen aud council,
to whom it appeared a rational, practicable and gen-
erous undertaking. The queen accordingly gave
him a patent, granting him free liberty to discover
such remote, heathen and barbarous lands, not ac-
tually possessed by any Christian prince, nor inhab-
ited by Christian people, as to him should seem
good ; with prerogatives and jurisdictions as ample,
as had been granted to his brother, Sir Humphrey
Gilbert.3
Voyage of On the reception of this patent, Ralegh sent Phi-
Amadas& \\p Amadas and Arthur Barlow, two experienced
commanders, to explore the country, called by the
1 Hakluyt, i. 774 — 776 ; iiL 96 — 98, where are entire copies of the pa-
tent. Belknap Biog. i. 38. Anderson [ii. 157.] says, this « scheme ended
in nothing at all."
2 Hakluyt, iii. 187. See A. D. 1581.
3 After the death of Sir H. Gilbert's father, his mother married Walter
Ralegh, Esq. of Fardel ; and by him was the mother of Sir Walter Ra-
legh. An entire copy of Ralegh's patent is in Hakluyt, iii. 243 — 245 ;
Coll. i. 33 — 38 ; and Brit. Emp. InfroJ. i. p.^v — xis. It was " t*
spac.e of. 6 yeeres, 3fl4
AMERICAN ANNALS,
Spaniards Florida. Sailing from the west of Eag- 158.4.
land on the twenty seventh of April, they arrived
at the West Indies on the tenth of June. Proceed-
ing soon after to the continent, they arrived at the
American coast on the fourth of July, and sailed
along the shore one hundred and twenty miles, be-
fore they could find an entrance by any river, issu- coastof N
J i s~. 111 America.
irig into the sea. Coming to one at length, they
entered it ; and having manned their, boats, and
viewed the adjoining land, they took formal posses- juiy 13.
sion of the country for the queen of England, deliv- Takepos^
i r r>' TTT i T» i' ^ session of
enng it over to the use or oir Walter Ralegh. tiie
This proved to be the island of Wocokon, on th^ tJ7
borders of which they remained two days without
seeing any people of the country. On the third
day three of the natives came in a boat to the side
of the island near the English, who persuaded one
of them to go onboard their ships, where they gave
him a shirt, and various toys. The next day there
came to them several boats, in one of which was
Granganimeo, a brother of the king of the country,
•with about forty men;1 and to this princely per-
sonage, whom his attendants treated with profound
respect, they made presents of such things, as pleas-
ed him. z A day or two after they trafficked with
coullT
with th'e
natives.
i " The maner of his comming was in this sort : hee left his boates al-
together as the first man did a little from the shippes by the chore, and
tame along to the place over 'against the ships followed with fortie HH-.I!.
\Vhen he came to the place, his servants spread a long matte upon die
ground, on which he sate downe, and at the ether ende of the matte foure
others of his compame did the like, the rest of his men stood round about
him somewhat a farre off : when we came to the shore to him with our
weapons, hee never mooved from his place, nor any 'of the other foure, nor
never mistrusted any harme to be ofirtd from us, but sitting still he bec-
koned us to come and sit by him, which we performed : and being set hee
made all signed of joy and welcome." Hakluyt, iii. 247.
1 " When we sheAved him all our packet of merchandize, of all things
that he sawe, a bright tinne dish most pleased him, which he presently
tooke up and clapt it before his breast, and after made a hole in the brimme
thereof and hung it about his necke, making signes that it would defends
him against his enemies arrowes. — We exchanged our tinne dish for twen-
tie skinnes, woorth twentie crownes, or twentie nobles ; and a copp
•tie for fiftie gkiag woortk fiftie grownes." lialduyt, iii. 247.
ji8 AMERICAN ANNALS.
$584. the natives. The king's brother afterward went
on board the ships, accompanied by his wife and
children. After this friendly intercourse. Barlow
and seven of his men went twenty miles through
Poanoke ^am^co sound to Roanoke, an island near the mouth
of Albemarle Sound, where they found a village,
consisting of nine houses, built with cedar, and for-
tified with sharp trees. In the absence of Granga-
nimeo, who lived here, they were entertained with
peculiar kindness by his wife. While partaking of
the refreshment, that she prepared for them, they
were so alarmed by two or three of the natives, who
came in from hunting, as to be ready to take up
their arms, to repel them ; but she instantly caused
some of her men to go out, and take away1 their
bows and arrows, and break them, and beat those
Indians out of the gate. This generous woman,
concerned to see the English in the evening putting
off from the shore, carried a supper, half dressed,
and delivered it at the boat side, with the pots in
which it was cooked. Perceiving their continu-
ed distrust, she ordered several men, and thirty wo-
men, to sit on the bank, as a guard to them through
the night, and sent several fine mats, to screen them
from the weather. The ships, the fire arms, th^
clothes, and especially the complexions, of the Eng-
lish excited the admiration of these tawny aborigin-
als, and produced a sort of magical influence, which
procured from them these extraordinary tokens of
respect and hospitality. After spending a few
weeks in trafficking with the people, and in visiting
Se >temher. some parts of the continent, the adventurers return-
fietum to ed to England, carrying with them two of the na-
England. tjveS- Qn their arrival, they gave such splendid
descriptions of the beauty and fertility of the coun-
try, and of the mildness of the climate, that Eliza-
beth, delighted with the idea of occupying so fine
AMERICAN ANNALS;
a territory, bestowed on it the name of Virginia, * The coun-
as a memorial that this happy discovery was made *~
under a virgin queen. z
1585-
Sir Walter Ralegh sent out from England -a
fleet of seven sail, with people to form a settlement viihtto'1
in Virginia ; deputing Sir Richard Grenville to be Virginia.
general of the expedition, and Mr. Ralph Lane to
be governor of the colony. Sailing from Plymouth
on the ninth of April, they proceeded ta Virginia
by the way of the West Indies, and anchored at
Wocokon the twenty sixth of June* From this isl* Anchors' ai
and Grenville went to the continent, accompanied Wocokon,
by several gentlemen j was absent from the fleet
eight days ; and in that time discovered several In-
dian towns. He then sailed to Cape Hatteras, |^£ ^
where he was visited by Granganimeo, the prince, Cape Hat-
seen by Amadas and Barlow the preceding year. 3 teras*
He next sailed to the island of Roanoke, where he Au
remained- a short time, and then embarked for Eng- Leaves at
land, leaving one hundred and seven persons under I^oa^oke
9 r T. /r T i • .the hrst
the government or Mr. Lane to begin a plantation^ English
This was the first English colony, ever planted in
America. 4
1 It has since been called North Carolina ; and the original name is
applied to the adjoining country on the north east. Prince Chron. Itttrodt
ioi.
2 Hakluyt, iii. 246 — 251. Purchas, i. 755. Smith Virg. 2 — 4. Bev-
erly, 4. Stith, 9, II, 31. Prince Chron. Introd. 102. Stow Chron. 1018.
Brit. Emp. iii. 35. Robertson, book ix. 39, 40. Belknap Biog. i. 138.
Oldys Life of Ralegh, 23—25.
3 Although the short journal of this voyage in Hakluyt gives no ac-
count of what passed between Granganimeo and Grenville ; Oldys suppo-
ses, the settlement of the English in the country was then agreed on to their
mutual satisfaction.
4 Hakluyt, iii. 251— 255. Smith Virg. 5. Beverly, 6, n. Stith, 12.
Univ. Hist, xxxix. 237. Prince Chron. Introd. 103. Robertson, book ix.
42. Biog. Britann. Art. GREENVILLE. Brit. Emp. Introd. i. ao ; iii. 36.
Birch Life of Raleigh* prefixed to his Works, p. xv. Oldys, p. xxviii. The
names of these first colonists are in Hakluyt, ut supra ,• and in Hazard Coll.
'• 3&» 39- This settlement of the English was begun seventeen years after
the French had abandoned Florida, on the same coast, but far to the north
of the settlements, for which France and Spain had contended.
* Thus Bird and most others -write this name ; but I follow Oldys , iv &9 saiO
it "written " by hit own band?'
AMERICAN ANNALS.
Grenville, at his departure for England, sailed
northeasterly, and discovered the coast from Roan-
oke to the country of the Chesepeaks, one hundred
and thirty miles.1
The Eng- Sir Bernard Drake, a Devonshire knight, with a
e squadron of English ships, was now sent to New-
foundland, where he took several Portuguese ships,
?Nt'w:, , laden with fish, oil and furs, and carried them, as
toundland. • ' . '
good and lawful prizes, to Lnglana.
voyasreof Some merchants and gentlemen of landed prop-
j. Davis to erty in England, with some noblemen, belonging to
' the court, formed an association, and sent out two
barks for discovery, under the command of John
l)avis, ah experienced navigator. Leaving Dart-
mouth in June, he sailed up to sixty six degrees for-
ty minutes north latitude, in the strait, which bears
his name, and explored the western coast of Green-
land, and part of the opposite coast of the conti-
nent of America, between which two coasts the
strait runs. Anchoring here under a large moun-
tain, he named it Mount Ralegh. He viewed Ter-
ra de Labrador, and the more northerly coasts j
and discovered Gilbert's Sound, and the straits,
which he afterward called Cumberland Straits.3
ex- Queen Elizabeth, now at war with Spain, was
pedition of
the Eng- x Ibid. The colony, that he left in Virginia, discovered, from 1 7 August
lishtothe 1585 to 18 June 1586, so far to the south, as Secotan, 80 miles distant
\T. Indies. from Roanoke, and to the northwest so far, as Chawanook, distant from,
Roanoke about 130 miles. Hakluyt, iii. aj8.
1 Univ. Hist, xxxix. 248. Anderson, ii. 162. Forster [294.] ascribes ft
to the strength of Spain, Portugal and France, that the English did not
venture before to dispute with them the title to this fishery. Anderson
simply considers this, as an act against a nation at open war, " Portugal
being now united to Spain." Forster erroneously says Sir Francis, instead
of Sir Bernard Drake.
3 Hakluyt, iii. 98 — 103, where the writer of the voyage says, " we an-
kered in a very faire rode under a brave mount, the cliff es whereof were as
uiient as golde." Harris Voy.i. 379, 589. Purchas, i. 741. Forster Voy.
498 — 301. Prince Chron. Introd. 103. Univ. Hist xli. 86. Europ. Set-
tlements, ii, 286. Belknap Biog. i. 38.
AMERICAN ANNALS* 121 '
advised to attack her settlements in America, and 1586.
to surprise the Spanish galeons. In prosecution of
this scheme, private adventurers in England fitted
out a fleet of twenty sail, with two thousand three
hundred soldiers and mariners, under the command
of Sir Francis Drake. * This distinguished naval com-
mander, on his arrival at the West Indies, captured
and pillaged the city of St. Domingo ; and, sailing
over to the continent, took the city of Carthagena,
and obliged the inhabitants to ransom it. Leaving
Carthagena, and sailing by the coast of Florida, he
sacked St. John's fort, near St. Augustine* He next
sailed for Virginia, to visit the English colony, recent-
ly planted there, and arrived off the coast on the June 9; s
-. r, P T 7.~. . ,. ~ t F. Drake
ninth of June. Discovering a distant fire, he sent arrives at
his skiff ashore with some of his men, who found Virginia.
several of their countrymen of that colony, and
took them on board their ships. By their direction,
the fleet proceeded the next day to the place, which
the English colonists made their port j but some of
the ships, being of too great draught to enter, an-
chored about two miles from the shore.3 From
this place Drake, who had been told, that the col-
ony was in distress for want of provision, wrote a Virginian
letter to governor Lane, then at his fort at Roan-
oke, about six leagues distant, making him an offer
of supplies. The next day Mr. Lane and some of
his company going on board the fleet, Drake made
them two proposals : Either to leave them a ship,
a pinnace, and several boats, with sufficient masters
and mariners, furnished with a month's provisions,
to stay and make farther discovery of the country
and coasts, and so much additional provision, as
would be sufficient to carry them all into England;
or, to give them a passage home in his fleet. 3
I The fleet sailed 12 September 1585 ; stopped at the islands of Cape
de Verd; and arrived at Hispaniola I January 1386. Hakluyt. Prince.
•z " Without the harbour in a wilde roade at sea." Hakluyt.
3 The whole colony now consisted of 105 persons. Ibid,
K,
122 AMERICAN ANNALS.
1586. first proposal was gratefully accepted. A ship was ac-
cordingly selected by Drake, and delivered to the col-
onists ; but before the provisions were entirely re-
A great ceivcd on board, there arose a great storm,, that con-
srorm. tinned three days, and endangered the whole fleet.
Many cables were broken, and many anchors lost ;
and some of the ships, of which number was that,
destined for the use of the colonists, were compelled
to put to sea. Drake now generously making the
colony an offer of another ship with provisions, or
of a passage home ; governor Lane and the princi-
pal persons with him, having considered what was
expedient, requested the general, under their hands,
that they might have a passage to England. The
rest of their company were now sent for ; the whole
June 18. colony was taken on board ; and the fleet, sailing
Takes the from the coast of Virginia on the eighteenth of June,
ony7oC°l" arrived on the twenty eighth of July at the Eng*
England, lish harbour of Portsmouth. x
Occurren- The Virginian colonists had been in great danger
cies during from the machinations of the Indians, who at first
denc^of intended to starve them by abandoning them, and
the first leaving the island unsown. The submission of O-
vtg£ia! kisko> kin£ of Weopomeok (in March), by which he
and his people became tributaries to the queen of
England, had great influence in defeating that de-
sign ; for Pemisapan, who projected it, was, on that
occasion, persuaded by his aged father Ensenore,
an Indian king, to plant a large quantity of ground
on the island and main land. Ensenore dying on
the twentieth of April, Pemisapan, who succeeded
I Hakluyt, iii. 263, 264, 528, 534 — 548, 781. Purchas, I 755, 757.
Beverly, 9. Stith, 47. Prince Chron. Introd. 103. Univ. Hist, xxxix.
11.7. Brit. Emp. IntroJ. \. 21. Of the discoveries of this colony, during
its year's residence in Virginia, we might perhaps have had accurate ac-
counts, but for the loss of-its papers. The narrator in Hakluyt [iii. 264.]
say*, when Drake sent his vessels to Roanoke, to fetch away a few per-
sons, who were left there with the baggage, " the weather was so boiste-
rous, and the pinnesses so often on ground, that the most of all we had,
wiih all our Curds, Books and writing1} were by the Sailors cast overboord."
AMERICAN ANNALS, 123
him in the government, next formed a conspiracy 1586.
for the general massacre of the colonists. This how-
ever was frustrated by the vigilance of the English
governor, who contrived a counterplot; in execution
of which Pemisapan was slain on the first of June,
ten days only before the arrival of Sir Francis Drake.
The fears of the colonists appear now to have sub-
sided. But the hope of finding a rich mine in the
interior part of the country, which they had already
made one attempt to discover, seems to have great-
ly influenced their wishes to continue longer in Vir-
ginia. * Little did they know the true sources of
wealth. Little did they imagine, that a despicable
plant would, at a future period, enrich the inhabi-
tants of this very teritory, which they were ready to
pronounce unfit to be inhabited, unless it were found
to contain latent treasures of the pretious metals.
Had the Virginian adventurers remained but a Supplies
i • i • t t •' t • t ij too late for
little time longer at, their plantation, they would the C0i0ny.
have received supplies from home ; for immediate-
ly after their departure, a ship, sent by Sir Walter
Ralegh to their relief, arrived at Hatteras, and made
diligent search for them ; but, not finding them,
returned to England. Wkhin fourteen or fifteen
days after this ship had left the coast, Sir Richard
Grenville arrived at Virginia with three ships with
provisions ; but searched in vain for the colony,
that he had planted. Unwilling to lose possession
of the country, so long holden by Englishmen, he .
left fifteen of his crew, to keep possession of the isl-
and of Roanoke, and returned to England. *
I Hakluyt, iii. 255 — 263. The mine is said to be " notorious" among
the Indians, and to lie up the river of Maratoc. The narrator in Hakluyt
calls it " a marvellous and most strange minerall ;" a»d adds, " there want-
ed no great good will from the most to the least amongst us, to have per-
fitted this discoverie of the Mine : for that the discovery of a good Mbe
by the goodnesse of God, or a passage to the South Sea, or some y.ay to
it, and nothing else can bring this Countrey in request to be inhabited by
our nation."
a Hakluyt, iii. 265. Purchas, 1.755, Smith Vir*. 13. Beverly, u.
124 AMERICAN ANNALS,
Tobacco1 was now carried into England by Mr.
- Lane ; and Sir Walter Ralegh, a man of gaiety
into and fashion, adopting the Indian usage of smoking
it, and by his interest and example introducing it
at court, the pipe soon became fashionable. z
April a6. Sir Vv alter Ralegh, intent on planting the terri-
sendsSa se- *OIT w^hin his patent, equipped three vessels, and
cond colony sent another company of one hundred and fifty
to virgi- adventurers to Virginia. He incorporated them by
the name of, The Borough of Ralegh in Virginia ;
vernor Sd an^ constituted John White governor, in whom,
Council. with a council of twelve persons, the legislative
power was vested ; and they were directed to
plant at the Bay of Chesepeak, and to erect a fort
Belknap Bieg. i. 216, 217. Robertson, book ix. 46. Sir R. Grenville was
mortally wounded five years afterward (1591) in an engagement with a
Spanish fleet, and died on board the admiral's ship, where he was a prison-
er, " highly admired by the very enemy for his extraordinary courage and
resolution." Stith, 29.
i Mr. Thomas Hariot, a man of science and observation, who was
•with Lane in Virginia, after describing the tobacco plant, says, " the In-
dians use to take the fume or smoke thereof by sucking it through pipes
made of cb.y. We ourselves, during the time we were there, used to
sucke it after their maner, as also since our return." Camden [Eliz. 324.]
cays, that these colonists were the first that he knows of, who brought to-
bacco into England ; and adds : " Certainly from that time forward it
began to grow into great request, and to be sold at a,n high rate." Oldys
[Life Ral. p. 31.] says, the colonists under Lane carried over tobacco
«' doubtless according to the instructions they had received of their.
proprietor ; for the introduction among us of that commodity
is generally ascribed to Ralegh himself." I do not call thia
the introduction of tobacco into England ; because in Stow's Chroni-
cle, [p. 1038.] it is asserted, that Sir John Hawkins carried it thi-
ther first in the year I ^65. But it was then considered as a mere drug,
and that Chronicle tells us, " all men wondered what it meant." The
description of the use of tobacco in Florida in Hawkins' voyage of 1565
[Hakluyt, i. 541. 1 confirms the account of its introduction into England
that year : " The Floridians when they travele have a kinde of herbe dryed,
•which with a cane, and an earthen cup in the end, with fire, and the dried
herbs put together, do sucke thorow the cane the smoke thereof, which
emoke satisfieth their hunger." After this particular notice of tobacco in
Florida, Hawkins probably carried a specimen of it to England, as a curiosi-
ty. This singular plant appears to have been used by the natives in all parts
of America. In the account of Cartier's voyage in 1535, we find it used in
(panada. " There growth a certaine kind of herbe, whereof in Sottuner
AMERICAN ANNALS* 125
there. Arriving at Hatteras on the twenty second 1587,
of July, the governor with forty of his best men
went on board the pinnace, intending to pass up
to Roanoke, in the hope of finding the fifteen Eng-
lishmen, whom Sir Richard Grenville had left there
the year before ; and, after a conference with them
concerning the state of the country and of the Indians,
to return to the fleet, and, proceed along the coast
to the Bay of Chesepeak, according to the orders,
of Ralegh. But, no sooner had the pinnace left
the ship, than a gentleman, instructed by Fernando
the principal naval commander, who was destined
to return soon to England, called to the sailors on
board the pinnace, and charged them not to bring
back any of the planters, excepting the governor
and two or three others, whom he approved, but
to leave them in the island ; for the summer, he
observed, was far spent, and therefore he would
land all the planters in no other place. The sai-
lors on board the pinnace, as well as those on
board the ship, having been persuaded by the mas-
ter to this measure, the governor, judging it best
not to contend with them, proceeded to Roanoak. juiy 21.
At sunset he landed with his men at that place in Land at
the island, where the fifteen men were left ; but
they make great provision for all the yeere, making great account of it, and
onely men use of it, and first they cause it to be dried in the sunne, then weare
it about their neckes wrapped in a little beastesskinne made like a little bagge,
with a hollow peece of stone or wood like a pipe: then when they please they
make pouder of it, and then put it in one of the ends of the said cornet
or pipe, and laying a cole of fire upon it, at the other ende sucke so long,
that they fill their bodies full of smoke, till that it commeth out of their
mouth and nostrils, even as out of the tonnell of a chimney." Hakluyt,
iii. 224. It was used copiously in Mexico, where the natives took it, not
only in smoke at the mouth, but also in snuff at the nose. " In order to
smoke it, they put the leaves with the gum of liquid amber, and other hot
and odorous herbs, into a little pipe of wood or reed, or some other more
valuable substance. They received the smoke by sucking the pipe and
shutting the nostrils with their fingers, so that it might pass by the breath
more easily towards the lungs." It was such a luxury, that the lords of
Mexico were accustomed to compose themselves to sleep with it. Clavi-
gero, i. 439. [See p. 48, note 2, of these Annals.] Clavigero says, " Tc-
faco is a name taken from the Haitine language."
Jt6 AMERICAN ANNALS,
discovered no signs of them, excepting the bones
of one man, who had been slain by the savages.
The next day the governor and several of his com-
pany went to the north end of the island, where
governor Lane had erected his fort, and his men
had built several decent dwelling houses, the pre-
ceding year ; hoping to find here some signs, if not
the certain knowledge, of the fifteen men. But,
coming to the place, and finding the fort rased,
all the houses, though standing unhurt, over-
place deso- grown with weeds and vines, and deer feeding
*& within them ; they returned, in despair of ever
seeing their looked for countrymen alive. x Orders
were given the same day for the repair of the hous-
es, and for the erection of new cottages. All the
colony, consisting of one hundred and seventeen
persons, soon after landed, and commenced a se-
cond plantation. On the thirteenth of August
Manteo, a friendly Indian, who had been to Eng-
*3» land, was baptized in Roanoke, according to a pre-
vi°us order of Sir Walter Ralegh ; and, in reward
of his faithful service to the English, was called
jor(j o£ Roanoak? anc[ of Desamonguepeuk. On
the eighteenth Mrs. Dare, a daughter of the go-
vernor, and wife of Ananias Dare (one of the As-
sistants), was delivered of a daughter in Roanoak,
- who was baptized the next Lord's day by the name
0£ Virginia ; because she was the first English
America, child, born in the country. On the twenty seventh
i About a week afterward some of the English people going to Croa-
tan were told by the Indians, that the 15 Englishmen, left by Grenville, were
surprised by 30 Indians, who, having treacherously slain one of them,
compelled the rest to repair to the house, containing their provisions and
weapons, which the Indians instantly set on fire ; that the English, leav-
ing the house, skirmished with them above an hour ; that in this skir-
mish, another of their number was shot into the mouth with an arrow,
and died ; that they retired fighting to the water side, where lay their
boat, with which they fled toward Hatteras ; that they landed on a little
island on the right hand of the entrance into the harbour of Hatteras,
where they remained awhile, and afterward departed* whither thty
not. HakJuyt, iii. 383, 2,84.
AMERICAN ANNALS.
of August, at the urgent solicitation of the whole 1587*
colony, the governor sailed for England to procure Aus- *?~
,/ 7 r , . , \ r . Governor
supplies ; but of his countrymen, whom he left be- white re-
hind, nothing \vas ever afterward known, x Thus tums to
terminated the exertions of Ralegh for colonizing ^ M
Virginia, which proved unsuccessful, says Chalmers,
" because the enterprise had been undertaken with*
out sufficient information, because the project was
new, and the means employed were not equal to
the end."4
John Davis, having sailed the last year to Labra- Second
dor, 3 now made a third and very important voyage. ^ird 7T
•!• 1-v 1-11 i ages of J.
Sailing from Dartmouth with three vessels,4 one Davis,
only of which was destined for discovery, the other Ma>f X9-
two for fishing, he proceeded again to that northern
region ; and on the thirtieth of June was in se- June 30.
venty two degrees and twelve minutes north lati-
tude, where the sun was five degrees above the ho-
rizon at midnight, and the needle varied twenty
eight degrees toward the west. The whole of that _
i 11 i T i r^ r« -T • t Discovers
coast he called London Coast. Sailing sixty leagues London
up Cumberland S traits j he discovered a cluster of ^^L
islands, which he called Cumberland Islands. Hav- iandis-
ing, on his passage back from the northern seas, Iands*» ,
discovered and named Lumley's Inlet, he returned
I Hakluyt, Hi. 280 — ^8 7, where there is an entire account of this
Voyage, with the names of all the 117 settlers ; of whom 91 were men,
17 women, and 9 children. The two natives (Manteoand Towaye), who
went to England with Amadas and Barlow in 1584, returned with this
colony to Virginia. See Smith Virg. 13, 14. Beverly, 13, 15. Stith,
47 — 50. Purchas, i. 755. Prince Chron. Introd, 103. Belknap. Biog. i.
39. Stow Chron. 1018. Brit. Emp. iii. 38. Harris Voy. i. 815. Haz. 1.40, 41.
a Political Annals, i. 515.
3 This voyage, like the other, was for the discovery of a Northwest
passage ; but Davis proceeded no farther than to 66 dcg. 20 min. north lat.
For an account of this second voyage, see Hakluyt, iii. 103 — in. Hani*
Voy. 580 — 582. Forster Voy. 302 — 308. Purchas, i. 741. Univ. Hist, xli*
86, xoi, CamdenEliz. 3*4, 325. Belkaap Biog. i. 38. Forster considered
this second voyage of Davis highly important ; but " the great fault of
it is, that in consequence of his not having named the countries he savr,
it is very unintelligible."
4 « Two Barkes and a Clincher." Hakluyt.
*23 AMERICAN ANNALS.
in September to England. ' The Spanish fleet, and
the untimely death of secretary Walsingharn, hin-
dered the prosecution of these discoveries. *
Removal ^ Nombre de Dios was about this
of Nombre time removed to Porto Bello, by order of Philip
of Spain.3
Thomas Cavendish, an Englishman, completed
ish the circumnavigation of the earth. On this voyage
round the he passed through the Straits of Magellan ; and
pillaged, and burned several of the Spanish settle-*
merits in Chili, Peru, and New Spain.4 This was
1 Hakluyt, ill. in — 118. Forster Voy. 308 — 310. Purchas,
I. 742. Univ. Hist. xli. 101. Brit. Emp. i. 2. Forster says, that
Davis went farther to the north than any of his predecessors ; and
that, if the ice had not prevented him, he would certainly then have
made the discovery which was afterward happily effected in 1616, by
Baffin.
2 Purchas, i. 742, where " Master Secretary Walsingham" is styled
" The epitome and summarie of human worthinesse."
3 Some historians place this event in 1584. See Univ. Hist, xxxix^
156. Ulloa's Voyage to South America, i. 86. But, as it clearly appears
from H-ikluyt, iii. 553, that the measure was only recommended 'to the king
of Spain in 1587 by his surveyor Baptista Antonio, I presume its accom-
plishment cannot have been earlier than the succeeding year. " If it
would please your majestic, it were good that the citie of Nombre de
Dios might be brought and builded in this harbour [Porto Bello]." Nom-
bre de Dios (built in 1509) was entirely destroyed in its infancy by the
Indians of Darien ; but some time afterward it was repaired, arid the in-
habitants maintained their ground until this removal. Ulloa, i. 86. The
expediency of this measure sufficiently appears from the account given to
the king by his surveyor : " Puerto Bello lieth five leagues from Nom-
bre Dios westward ; it is a very good harbeur, and sufficient to receive
great store of ships. Within this harbour there lieth a small creeke safe
ironl all winds that can blow." [See p. 29 of these Annals.] " The fleete
shall not. passe so many dangers as they dayly doe in Nombre de Dios :
neither will there so many people die as there dayly doe in Nombre de
Dios : and the cause thereof is, that those labouring men which doe use
to unlade those merchandize, are all the whole day wading in the water
no to the armepits to bring the packs of cloth and other commodities
aland ; for there is no landing place where there can come any boates to
land any goods close to the shore, so this wading and the parching of the
siuu'ie is the cause why so many doe dye of a burning fever. There are
tut 60 dwelling houses in Nombre de Dios, and but thirtie dwellers
-which doe continually dwell there, and the rest doe goe to Panama after
the fleete is gone, and then this towne doeth remayne desolate, every man
forsaking it because it is so full of diseases." Hakluyt, iii. 553, 553.
4 Hakluyt, iii. 803 — 809, where this eminent navigator is called Caridhf^
Churchill Voy. iii, 4.ox. Camdeu EJiz. 397. It -was begun at hi* owa
AMERICAN ANNALS.
the second English voyage round the world. These
warlike circumnavigations were from this time dis-
continued by the English nation until the reign of
queen Anne* *
Governor White, though detained in England, supplies
so importunately solicited Ralegh and Grenville for ^viS«
the relief of the Virginian colony, as to obtain two ma fail,
small pinnaces, in which fifteen planters with suita-
ble supplies of provision sailed for Virginia. More
intent however on a profitable voyage, than on the
relief of the colony, they went in chase of prizes ;
until at length two men of war from Rochelle, fal-
ling in with them, disabled and rifled them, and
obliged them to put back for England* a
1589*
Sir Walter Ralegh, having expended forty thou- March »-.
fand pounds in attempting the colonization of Vir- ^fj^5"
ginia, without realizing the expected gain, made an patent to
assignment of his patent to Thomas Smith, and Jh.omas .
,0 t r, , . , , Smith and
other merchants and adventurers, with a donation others,
of one hundred pounds for the propagation of the
Christian religion among the natives, and for the
general benefit of the Virginian colony i, 3
1590.
The English nation i, at the juncture of governor
White's arrival in England, being still at war with
expense with three ships 21 July 1586, and effected in two years and two
months. Two of his ships were lost iii the voyage. Ibid.
i Anderson ii. 164 ; who there says, "neither this nor Drake's circum-
navigations were intended for making any useful settlements in those re-
mote parts for the benefit of our commerce, as most certainly they might
easily have done ; but their principal aim was privateering against and
pillaging the Spaniards, together with some transient commerce.'*
a OldysLife Ral. p. 41. Naval Hist. G. Brit. i. £40. Belknap Biog. i. 219.
3 Hakluyt, i. 815 — 817 ; Hazard Coll. i. 425 ; where are entire copies
of this assignment. Birch Life Ral. p. ai. Stith, 35. Belknap Biog. i. MO.
Robertson, book ix. 48, where the date is erroneous. Oldys Life Ral. p.
49. Ralegh was a generous benefactor to the colony, of which he was the
parent. Mr. Hariot assures us, the least that he had granted had been 500
kcres of land to a man only for the adventure of his person. Hakltiyt,
iii. 280,
i
/30 AMERICAN ANNALS.
i 590. Spain, and apprehending an invasion by thelnvincibltf
Armada ; the governor, who was one of the queen's
Council of war, was obliged to remain there until
the spring of this year. Finding himself at liberty
March ao. to return to ^is colony, he sailed from Plymouth
with three ships, and, having passed through the
West Indies in quest of Spanish prizes, arrived on
the fifteenth of August at Hatteras. In attempting
to go on shore on the seventeenth, one of the beats
was overset, and seven men were drowned. This
disaster discouraged the other sailors to such a de-
gree> that they all seemed resolved to abandon the
research ; but, by the persuasion and authority of
the governor and one of their captains, they resum-
ed it. The governor accordingly, taking with him
nineteen men in two boats, went toward the place
where he had left the English colony, and found on a
he had left m an letters. This he knew to be intended to mark
1-}^ place? where the planters might be found ; for
they had secretly agreed with him at his departure
for England, to write or carve on the trees or posts
of the doors the name of the place where they should
be seated, because they were at that time preparing
to remove Fifty miles from Roanoke into the main
land. It had also been agreed, that, in case of their
distress, they should carve over the letters a cross ;
but, to the great comfort and encouragement of
their English friends, they found not this sign.
Coming to the spot, where the colony had been
left, they found the houses taken down, and the
place very strongly inclosed with a high palisado
of trees, in the form of a fort. At the right side
of the entrance, on one of the chief trees or posts,
the bark of which had been taken off five feet from
the ground, was carved, in fair capital letters,
CROATOAN, without the sign of distress.1
x Within the palisado they found many bars of iron, a pigs of lead, 4
AMERICAN ANNALS. 131
Concluding that the colony was safe at the place,
thus designated, they determined the next morning
to sail for Croatoan. l The ship however parting
her cables, the weather being tempestuous, their
provisions and fresh water scanty, they concluded
to sail to the West Indies for supplies, remain there
through the winter, and, on their return, visit their Return*
countrymen in Virginia ; but the violence of the
$to.rm obliged them to relinquish that design, aad it.
return to England. *
A fleet of ships sailed from St. Malo in France French
for Canada ; the French at that time being accus-
tomed to fish at the islands about the bay of St.
Lawrence for morses, whose teeth were then sold
jnuch dearer than ivory. J
Thomas Cavendish, distinguished by his circmn* Cavendish
attempts to
iron fowlers, iron sack shot, and " such like heavie things throwen here Pll>ss tne
and there almost overgrowen with grasse -and weedes." In the end of an Straits °A
old trench they found five chests, that had been carefully hidden by the Magellan,
planters, three of which Governor White says were his own ; and adds,
" about the place we found many of my things spoyled and broken, an<l my
bookes torne from the covers, the frames of some of my pictures and
mappes rotten and spoyled with rayue, and my armour almost eaten
.through with rust." Hakluyt.
I An Indian town on the nojrth sio^e of Cape Lookout [Marshall Life of
Washington, i. 20.], southward of Ha'tteras. Bclknap Biog. i. 11 I. Here
Manteo was born, and the natives of the island were the friends of the
English. By the account in Hakluyt it was near Qcrecock Inlet.
1 Hakluyt, iii. 287 — 295. Smith Virg. 15, 16. -Beverly, 1.4.
3 Hakluyt, iii. 189. Anderson, ii. 180. They also made much oil
/rom these animals, whict the English call Sea horses, the Dutch and
French Sea cows. They are called in Latin Bovet Merini, or V-accg M$-
fivte, and in the Russian tongue Morsses, Hakluyt, iii. 191. AnJe-rson,
ibid. 184. Hakluyt [ibid.] says, " I have scene the hide of one as 'bi^ as
any oxe hide, and being dressed I have yet a piece of one thicker then any
two o*e or buls hides in England. The leatherdressers take them to be
excellent good to make light targets against the arrow es of the Sa-vag^s ;
and J hoJ4 them farre better then the light leather targets, which t.h »
Moores use in .Barbaric against arrowcs and lances. The te<eth of the suyd
fish.es, wh-ereof I have se^ne a dry fat full at once, are a foote and sometimes
more in length ; and have been sold in England to tke combe and knife
makers, at 8 groats and 3 shillings the pound weight, whereas the best !•»
vory is sold for halfe the money." An English voyagsr [ibid. 192.] tays,
there were 1500 killed thi» year (iS^lj by 946 *aiail fctf&ftt JRwtttfc.
rp AMERICAN ANNALS.
navigation of the earth, undertook a voyage writh
five ships to the Straits of Magellan ; but, unable
to pass them on account of bad weather and contra-*
ry winds, he was driven back to the coast of Bra*
pies. sil, where he died, x
1592.
Expedition Christopher Newport, with three ships and a
s^SardT sma^ bark, conducted an expedition against the
in the w. Spaniards in the West Indies ; and took several
Indies, prizes. On the coast of Hispaniola, in the Bay of
Honduras, and other places, he plundered and
burnt several towns, and obtained considerable
booty.2
Juan de Fuca, a Greek, In the, service of Spain,
Juan de . . «-'**• " *• -*T T
Fuca. sent by the viceroy or Mexico, to discover a North-
west passage by exploring the western side of the
American continent, discovered a strait, which bears
his name, in the forty eighth degree of north lati?
tude. 3
I593-
Voyage of George Drake, an Englishman, made a voyage
£'s.Law- up the gulf of St. Lawrence to the isle of Ramea,<
fence. and carried home intelligence of the profitable trade
of the French and others in these parts of America.*
i Camden Eliz. 457, there called an untimely death,
a Hakluyt, iii. 567 — 569, where there is an entire account of this
voyage. Stith, 42. Josselyn Voy. 240.
3 Belknap Biog. i. 39, 224 — 230, from Purchas. Fuca supposed it to te
the long sought passage.
4 Lying within the Straits of St. Peter, back of Newfoundland to the
southwest in 47 deg. N. lat. Hakluyt.
5 Hakluyt, iii. 193. This diligent author notices three voyages " of
pur owne men, the first of Mr. George Drake, the second of M. Silvester
Wyet, the third of M. Charles Leigh ; because (he says) they are the first,
for ought that has hitherto come to my knowledge, of our owne Nation,
that have conducted English ships so farre within this gulfe of S. Laurence,
and have brought us true relation of the manifold gaine which the French,
Britaynes, Baskes and Biskaines do yerely return from the sayd partes 5
while wee this long time have stood still and have bene idle lookers on,
making courtisie who should give the first adventure, or once being giv-n
jSiywho should continue or prosecute the same." Ibid.
AMERICAN ANNALS. 133
Other English ships went this year to Cape Bre- 1593*
ton ; some for morse fishing, and others for whale j^
fishing. This is the first mention, that we find, of th
the whale fishery by the' English. Although they lish-
found no whales in this instance, yet they discover-
ed on an island eight hundred whale fins, where a
_,» i.-ti -i i i ir i A heir nrat
Biscay ship had been lost three years before ; and use Of
this is the first account, that we have, of whale fins, whalebone*
or whale bone, by the English, z
Henry May, a worthy mariner, returning from Dec. 17.
the East Indies in a French ship, was wrecked on ^j^jLj^
one of the islands of Bermudas, and was the first man is
Englishman, who set foot on this island. The £recke,d oa'
fe i •• ,T , 11-1 Bermudas,
company, having saved the carpenter s tools, built
of cedar a bark of about eighteen tons 5 caulked it,
and payed the seams with lime, mixed with turtles'
fat ; procured the shrowds from the ship for rig-
ging ; put in thirteen live turtles for provisions ;
and, after remaining on the island nearly five months,
sailed to Newfoundland, whence they procured a
passage for England. 2
George Weymouth with two ships, fitted out voyage of
from England at the joint expense of the two com- G.wey-
r -r» i rn i i r ^ mouth to
panics or Russia and Turkey merchants for the Lubiuckr,
discovery of a Northwest passage, visited the coast
I Anderson, H. 184. How ladies' stays were previously made, does not
appear ; but Anderson thinks it probable, that slit pieces of cane, or of
some tough and pliant wood, might have been used.
1 Hakluyt, iii. 573, 574, where is Henry May's account of this voyage
entire. The company did not leave the island until II May 1594, and
on the 2Cth fell in with the land near Cape Breton, where they took in
water and provision, and then proceeded to Newfoundland. Ibid. Gorge^
New Eng. 3. Smith Virg. 173. Harris Voy. 848. Belknap Biog. i. 39. Sir
William Monfon says, he knew of this shipwreck, and of the preservation
of Henry May, who belonged to one of the French ships that " captain
Ryman had, when he was drowned returning from the Indies." Naval
Tracts in Churchill Collect, iii. 440. He also says, that above 50 years
before the time when he was writing [i. e. about 1585], he " knew one cap-
tain Russel, a Frenchman, shipwrecked upon that island [Bermudas] ; and
with great industry of his people, for few of his men were lost, they patch-?
ed up a boat out of the materials of the perished ship, that carried them to
Newfoundland, -where they fcund relief and passage into their own coun-
*:> ibid,
134 AMERICAN ANNALS.
of Labrador. In sixty one degrees forty minute*
north latitude, he saw the entrance of an inlet forty
leagues broad, up which he sailed nearly a hundred
Variation leagues, and returned. The variation of the com-
of the pass here was thirty five degrees to the west. Sail-
cojnpass. ^ ajong t^e coast Of America, he entered an inlet
in the fifty sixth degree of latitude, and had great
but delusive hope of finding a passage. After $
voyage of three months he arrived in England. *
J5?4-
April 4. Silvester Wyet of Bristol, in a bark of thirty
Voyage of gve tons made a voyage up the bay of St. Law*
5. Wyet to ' , . / °r . • r i i
St. Law- rence as far as the isle of Assumption, for the barbs
rence. or £ns of whales, and train oil. Ten leagues up
n la t^le ^ay °f Placentia, he found the fishermen of St,
John de Luz, Sibibero and Biscay to be upwards
of sixty sail ; of which eight ships only were Span-?
ish. At Farrillon* he found twenty sail of Eng-.
lishmen ; and, having in this harbour satisfactori-
August 24, ^7 made up his fishing voyage, he returned to Eng*
land. 3
Voyage of James Lancaster, sent out from London with
j. Lancasr three ships and a galley frigate, and two hundred
the span-St seventy five men and boys, took twenty nine Spanish
ships, and, associating Venour an Englishman,
and some Hollanders and Frenchmen, who were
roving in the South American seas for booty, sur-
prised Fernambuck, the port town of Olinda, in
Brasil. After keeping possession of it thirty days,
he carried off the freight of a rich East Indian car*
rack, with which, and sugars, Brasil wood, and
cotton, procured there, he loaded fifteen sail of ves-
sels, and returned home. 4
I Forster Voy. 312 — 317.
1 To the northward of Cape Brace 14 leagues, Hakluyt.
3 Hakluyt, iii. 194, 195-
4 Haklayt, iii. 708—715. Camden Eliz. 489. Anderson, ii. jf>6.
AMERICAN ANNALS.
J595-
Sir Walter Ralegh, having the preceding year Voyage of
sent to Guiana captain Whiddon, an . old and ex- f^^;
perienced officer, from whom he received flattering Guiana.
accounts of the opulence and grandeur of that
country, resolved now to visit it in person.1 Fit-
ting out a fleet at a great expense, he sailed on the
sixth of February from Plymouth. Arriving at March
Trinidad, he spent a month in coasting the island,
waiting at the same time for the arrival of captain
Preston. Learning, during this period., the state
of St. Joseph, a small city, lately built by the
Spaniards on that island, and knowing that the
search for Guiana must be made in small boats,
and that his ships must be left several hundred
miles behind ; he perceived it would not be safe
to leave at his back a garrison of enemies, interest*
ed in the same enterprise, and in daily expectation
of reinforcement from Spain. Determined in his
purpose, in the dusk of the evening he boldly as-
sailed the Corps du Garde ; and, having put them
to the sword, advanced with one hundred men, and Takes tKe.
by break of day took the city, which, at the, en- c'lt? °,f SJ-
r i_ T j- -L <* T - i • Joseph, &
treaty of the Indians, he set on fire* 2 Leaving his bums it.
i Guiana lies eastward of Peru under the equinoctial [Purchas, i. 833.],
between the Oronoque and the river of Amazons. Ralegh says, the Oro-
noque is navigable for ships little less than 1000 miles, and for smaller
vessels near aooo ; later writers say, 1800. The country, where he was
led to expect to find immense treasures, lay on this river, 600 miles front
the sea.
a He took Antonio de Berreo, the Spanish governor, prisoner, and car-
tied him, and a companion who was with him, on board his ships ; but
the other Spaniards he dismissed. Berreo provoked Ralegh to this mea-
sure, by treacherously capturing eight of captain Whiddon's men the year
before, after giving his word that they should take wood and water safe-
ly. It appears too, that he and his Spaniards had treated the Indians with
extreme cruelty ; which accounts for the attachment these oppressed na-
tives formed for Ralegh and the English people, whom they considered a$
their deliverers. Hakluyt. Bancroft, so lately as 1766, says, The Charib-
bees of Guiana retain a tradition of an English Chief, who many years since
landed among them, and encouraged them to persevere in enmity to the
Spaniards ; promising to return and settle among them, and afford them
Aiiistance, It is said, that they still preserve an English Jack, which he
i$6 AMERICAN ANNALS,
1595. ships at Trhiidad, he proceeded with one hundred
men in boats four hundred miles up the Oronoque •
but the rrver beginning dangerously to swell, he
returned, without effecting the great discovery.1
Several petty kings of the country however resign-
ed their sovereignties into his hands, for the use of
queen Elizabeth. It was his intention to seek for
his colony in Virginia on his return to England ;
but extremity of weather forced him from the Vir-
ginian coast.3
Captain Amias Preston, arriving after Ralegh on
the* coast of South America-, landed at the isle of
Coche, near Margarita, where he took a few Span-
May X9- iards with their negro slaves, and a small quantity
of pearls. Proceeding to Cumana, the Spanish in-
habitants, after a parley, agreed to pay him a ran-
som, to save their town from conflagration and
jane 3. plunder. He next took the city St. Jago de Leon,
which was sacked, and burnt. Having afterward
^urnt *he town of Coros, he sailed to Hispaniola,
England, thence to Newfoundland, and thence to England. 3
Sir Francis Drake and Sir John Hawkins sailed
Aug. as. from England with six of the queen's ships, and
Voyage of . , . i i i
Drake and twenty cine private ships and barks, on an expedi-
Hawkins tjon to t^e West Indies. On the way from Gua-
" daloupe to Porto Rico3 Sir John Hawkins died ; 4
left with them, that they might distinguish his countrymen. This, adds
Bancroft, was undoubtedly Sir Walter Raleigh, who in 1595 made a de-
scent on the coast of Guiana, in search of the fabulous golden city of Ma-
noa del Dorado. Hist. Guiana, 358, 259.
i " The fury of Orenoque began daily to threaten us with dangers
in our returne ; for no halfe day passed, but the river began to rage and
overflowe very fearefully, and the raines came downe in terrible showers,
i:;u gUbtes in great abundance." Ralegh, ibid.
a Purchas, i. 828. v. 1269. Hukluyt, iii. 617 — 662, where is Sir W.
Ralegh's account entire. He seemed to believe, that what he had writ-
ten of Guiana would be sufficient to incite the " lady of ladies" [Elizabeth]
to possess it ; " if not," he adds, " I will judge those men worthy to be
feints thereof, that by her grace and leave will undertake it of them-
selves.*'
3 Hakluyt,iii. 578 — 58;.
4 Stow [Chron. 807.] says, " as it was supposed of melancholy." Hi*
s, " embU\3oued in memory cf his nyble atchievemtats," preserve
to
AMERICAN ANNALS.
and was succeeded in command by Sir Thomas
Baskerville. The next day Drake made a despe-
rate attack on the shipping in the harbour of Porto
Rico ; but, obtaining little advantage, he proceeded
to the main, and took the towns of Rio de la Hache, December.
Rancheria, Tapia, Saint Martha, and Nombre
de Dios.' Sir Thomas Baskerville now march-
ed with seven hundred and fifty men for the reduction
of Panama ; but the Spaniards, having knowledge
of the design, were strongly fortified, and he was
obliged to abandon the enterprise. a
Alvaro de Mendana de Neyra, a Spanish go- The
vernor in South America, sailing from Callao with
four ships and four hundred people, with the de-
sign of making a settlement in Solomon Islands,
discovered four islands in the South Pacific Ocean,
which, in honour of the marquis of Cannete, vice-
roy of Peru, were called Las Marquesas de Men-
do9a, and were taken possession of, in the name of
the king of Spain. 3
1596.
Sir Francis Drake, proceeding with the English Death
fleet from Nombre de Dios, died on his passage be-
tween the island of Escudo and Porto Bello. His jan. a«.
his appropriate honours : " Upon his helm a wreath, Argent and Azure^ a
Demy Moore in his proper colour, bound and captive, with amulets in
•his arms and ears." Biog. Britan. Art. HAWKINS. See A. D. 1563.
I Hakluyt, iii. 583 — 590. Purchas, v. 1183. The pearls, brought by
the Spaniards for the ransom of the Rancheria (their fishing town for
pearl), were so highly rated, to make up the offered sum of 24000 ducats,
that the general sent them back, and burned that town, and R. de la Hache*
" the churches and a ladies house onely excepted." The other towns
shared the same fate. The people of Nombre de Dios fled on the ap-
proach of the English, excepting about 100 Spaniards who kept the fort ;
but after a few discharges they also fled, leaving nothing of value. On
the last of December the general burned half of the town, and I January
the remainder, " with all the frigates, barks and galiots, which were in the
harbour and on the beach on shore, having houses built over them to
keepe the pitch from melting.'* Hakluyt, ibid.
a Ibid, and Naval Hist, of G. Brit. i. 103 ; where it is observed " grasp-
ing at too many things spoiled all.'*"
3 Coll. Hist. Soc. iv. 238, 239. See p. 106, and vol. ii. A. D. 1791, of
these Annals. T
AMERICAN ANNALS.
body, according to naval custom, was sunk in the
sea, very near the place where he first laid the foun-
dation of his fame and fortune. x The fleet anchor-*
ed at Porto Bello on the same day ; but the inhab-
itants fled at the approach of the English, carrying
away their goods. 2
Second Sir Walter Ralegh, at his own expense, fitted
voyage to Out two vessels under Lawrence Keymis, who
ni'dde farther discoveries relating to Guiana. s
, J597-
Third roy- Leonard Berrie, fitted out with a pinnace by Sir
Guiana. Walter Ralegh, arriving in March on the coast of
L. Berrie. Guiana, entered into a friendly correspondence with
the natives, and returned to England.4
Voyage of Sir Anthony Shirley, commanding an English
sir A. squadron, landed at Jamaica on the twenty ninth
1 ey> of January, and marched six miles into the island
Takes ja- to the principal town. s The inhabitants of the
mitica- town and island submitting to his mercy, he resid-
ed here about five weeks, and then sailed to Hon-
duras } took Puerto de Cavallos ; 6 searched in
vain for a passage to the South Sea , and returned
by Newfoundland to England. 7
I Hakluyt, iii. 588, 593. Naval Hist. G. Brit. f. 104. Scow Chron. 808,
2, Hakluyt, ibid. " In Puerto Bello were but 8 or 10 houses, beside a.
^reat new house which they were in building for the Governour that
should have bene for that place : there was also a very strong fort all to
the water side. There they ment to have builded a great towne." Ibid.
This place was taken " before the town and fortifications thereunto be-
longing were one quarter finished." Churchill Voy. viii. 762.
' 3 Hakluyt, iii. 671 — 692. Oldys Life Ral. 89.
4 Hakluyt, iii. 692 — 697. Oldys Life Ral. 108. This voyage was-
be;j;un 27 December 1596, and finished 2? June 1597.
5 " The people all on horseback made shew of great matters, but di4
nothing;." Hakluyt.
6 " The most poore and miserable place of all India." Hakluyt.
7 Hakluyt, iii. 598 — 602. This voyage was begun 23 April 1596.
Shirley arrived at Dominica 17 October \ staid there till'aj November ;
landed at St. Martha on the Spanish main December ia; remained there
over Christmas ; and on New Year's day suited, for Jamaica. Ibid.
AMERICAN ANNALS. 139
The earl of Cumberland, having received a com- 1597-
mission from queen Elizabeth, to attack and destroy 15;xPediJion
• r • i i -i , ~ Y of E. of •
tjie territories or her enemies, took the island of cwnber-
Porto Rico in the West Indies, and carried off fend to w.
nearly eighty cast. pieces of cannon, eight ships, and
much wealth ; * but the expedition was disastrous,
for seven hundred men were lost before its com-
pletion. *
M. de Pointis appeared with a squadron of French pr%
French privateers before Carthagena, and forced vateers $!-
it to capitulate ; but his soldiers, in breach of the
capitulation, pillaged the town. 3
Charles Leigh, merchant of London, made a Voyage of
voyage with two vessejs to the Isle of Ramea and to'ceifre-
Cape Breton. Having given umbrage to the ton.
French at Ramea,4 two hundred Frenchmen and
Bretons from all the ships in two harbours on the
island assembled, and planted three pieces of ord-
nance on the shore against the English, and dis-
charged on them one hundred small shot from the
woods. There were also in readiness to assault them
about three hundred Indians. On a parley how-
ever the contest subsided. In this voyage Leigh
obtained a considerable quantity of codfish and
train oil, and had some little traffick with the na-
tives. 5
i Purchas, 1.903. Josselyn Voy. 242. At Puerto5 Rico, the capital,
which gives name to the island, there was a bishop's see, and cathedral
church, with a friery, 400 soldiers in pay, beside 300 others. " It was
accounted the maiden towne and invincible, and is the Spanish key, and
their first towne in the Indies."
^ Univ. Hist. xli. 522. About 60 men were slain in fight at Porto Ri-
co ; 600 died of the bloody flux ; and about 40 were ca6t away in their
return.
3 Univ. Hist, xxxbi. 160.
4 By taking the powder and ammunition from a vessel (in one of the
harbours) supposed to belong to Spain ; but which proved to belong to
the subjects of the French king.
5 Hakluyt, iii. 195 — 201. Both vessels were of London, the Hope-
well of 120 tons, and the Chancewell of 70, and were " set to sea at the
sole and proper charge of Charles Leigh and Abraham Van Herwick of
London, merchants." They left Falmouth a 8 April, and 18 May were
140
Jan. 12.
Commis-
sion of La
Roche to
conquer
Canada.
Reaves 40
convicts on
^he Isle of
|iis death.
AMERICAN ANNALS.
I598.
France, after fifty years of internal commotion,
having recovered her former tranquillity, was ena*
bled to renew her enterprises for colonization.1
The marquis de la Roche, receiving from Henry IV
a commission to conquer Canada, and other coun-
tries, not possessed by any Christian prince, sailed
from France, in quality of lord lieutenant of those
countries, with Chetodel of Normandy for his pi-
lot, carrying a colony of convicts from the prisons.
Having landed forty of them on the Isle of Sable,
he sailed for Acadie ; made researches in that re-
gion ; and returned to France, without attempting
a settlement, or having it in his power to carry
back those miserable outcasts, whom he had set on
shore. He was prevented by various misfortunes
from returning to America, and died of vexation. *
l6oo,
death °f La Roche, his patent was re-
newed in favour of M. de Chauvin, who now made
French a VOyap-e up the river St, Lawrence to Tadouss-
people at * . « r
Tadousac. ac> where he left some or his people ; and return*
ed, freighted with furs. 3
on the bank of Newfoundland. On the 23d the Chancewell was cast
away " upon the maine of Cape Breton, within a great bay 18 leagues
within the Cape, aud upon a rocke within a mile of the shore." The
Hopewell, having fished successfully at the isle of Menego to the north of
Cape Breton, and at Brian's island, arrived 18 June at Ramea. Ibid.
I See A. D. 1540, and 1549.
Z Charlevoix Ncuv. France, i. 107 — no. Univ. Hist, xxxix. 408, 409,
lr orster Voy. 444. The French king, hearing at length of these convicts,
$ent Chetodel to take them away ; and after seven years the survivors of
that forlorn company, twelve in number, were taken off, and carried
home. On their arrival in France, king Henry having at his own desire
seen them, just as they were when they left the place, in their seal skin,
clothes and long beards, gave each of them 50 crowns, as a recompence forvi
their sufferings ; and remitted the punishment of their crimes. Ibid.
3 Charlevoix Nouv. France, i. no, in. Tadoussac is 90 leagues from
the mouth of the St. Lawrence. The French people, left there, would
tave perished by hunger, or disease, during the following winter, but for
tie cqmp^ssion of the natives. Ibid. Chauvin the pext year made a sen-
AMERICAN ANNALS. 14*
Sebald de Wert, a Dutchman, having passed B- de Wert
i i ,-, • r-*m- 11 • i o T r. discovers
through the Straits of Magellan into the South Sea, the sebai-
discovered without the Straits three islands, which dine lsi-
the company, in honour of their captain, called thear
Sebaldine Islands. x He appears to have been one
of the company of Oliver Van Noort, sent out by
the Hollanders with four ships, one of which, after
the passage through the Straits, proceeded to the
East Indies ; and, having traded there for pepper,
returned home by the Cape of Good Hope. * This
was the fourth general navigation of the globe ;
but the first, that was ever performed by the
Dutch.3
1 60 I.
William Parker sailed from Plymouth in Eng
land with two ships, one pinnace, and two shal-
lops, to Cubagua ; and, having taken the pearl
fishery in that island, with the governor of Cuma- Ta,tp? f!ie
na, who was there with a company of soldiers, he pearl
received five hundred pounds in pearl for the ran-
som of the whole. Proceeding to Porto Bello, he
cond voyage, with the same good fortune as the first, and sailed up the
St. Lawrence as high as Trois Rivieres ; but while preparing for a third
voyage he died. Ibid. Brit. Emp. i. Introd. p. 47. Univ. Hist, xxxix. 409,
I Harris Voy. i. 33. They are laid down in a map, ibid, and lie in
,53 deg. 40 min. S. lat. about 60 miles from the land.
a Monson [Waval Tracts, p. 402.] says, there were five ships, that went
from Holland on this voyage ; that several Englishmen went in them ;
that Mr. Adams of Lymehouse was on board that ship, which returned
by the East Indies ; and that, while he was at Japan, he sent intelligence
to England of his being there, informing the English merchants of the
state of that country, and expressing a desire, that they would undertake
the trade of Japan. Charlevoix mentions the same Adams, as commander
of the entire Dutch squadron : " Guiilaume Adams, Anglois, en qualite de
premier Pilote de 1'Escadre."
3 Anderson, ii. 194. Charlevoix Nouv. France, [Fustes Chron.] i. 2&. It
was begun in 1598 ; but was impeded by adverse winds. Historians do
pot perfectly agree in the names of the Dutch navigators ; but I apprehend
that several, who differ in this respect, refer to the same memorable
voyage. Grotius expressly mentions it, witli his accustomed neatness; :
•* Longinquasad navigati«ues crescebat Batavis audacia, quippe et freturn,
quod Magellan! cum a repertore dicitur, Draconi et Cavendisso Anglis
«mensum postea, quartus eorum, quos fama excepit, Oliverius Nortius ll*>
terodamensis penetraverat." Aunales, p. 593, A, D. 1601.
AMERICAN ANNALS.
y made himself master of that rich town ; remained
plunders in it one day ; plundered it without molestation
R.rto from jts inhabitants ; and left it without injuring
its buildings.1
i
1602.
Although the disastrous issue of Ralegh's at-
tempts to effect a settlement in America, together
with the war with Spain, checked the spirit of co-
lonization in England, it was now revived. Barr
March *6. tholomew Gosnold sailed in a small bark from Fal-
Vopgeof niotith with thirty two persons," for the northern
B. Gosnold r . . J -II i . r i •
jmd & parts or Virginia, with the design of beginning a
iinohsh- plantation. Instead of making the unnecessary cir-
northern cuit by the Canaries and West Indies, he steered, a$
parts of near as the winds would permit, due west, and was
the first Englishman, who came in a direct course to
this part of America. 3 After a passage of seven
jttttovar wee^s' **e discovered ^an^ on ^ie American coast ;
(and in 43 and. soon after met with a shallop with sails and
*H~- oars, having on board eight Indians, with whom
the English had friendly intercourse. 4 Sailing along
ntervew
1 Purchas, i. 901 ; v. 1143. Harris Voy. i. 747. Porto Eellq was now en-
tirely finished [See p. 1 3 8, note a.] ; but Parker obtained there no more thaa
jo,ooo dollars; for within a few days before 120,000 dollars were con-
veyed thence to Carthagena. Churchill Voy. viii. 762,. Parker, in his de-
scription of" the stately and new builded town of Porto Bello" [in Purchas],
says, it " had two goodly churches in it fully finished, and six or seven
laire streets, whereof two were full of all necessarie artificers, and of mer-
chants, with three small forts on the tovvnes sides, besides the great fort of
Saint Philip on the other.1'
2 Of this number 8 were "mariners and saylers ;" 1% purposed,
after the discovery of a proper place for a plantation, to return with the
ship to England ; the rest were to " remayne there for population." Pur-
chas. At whose expense the voyage was made, 4oes not appear ; but it
was with the consent of of Sir W. Ralegh and his associates, Belknap.
3 Belknap Biog. i. 231 ; ii- 100. Robertson, book ix. '51. Biog. Britan.
Art. GREENVILLE, ffatff, Smith [Hist. Virg. 16.] says, this course was
" shorter than heretofore by 500 leagues."
4 These natives first hailed the English ; who answered them. After
signs of peace, and a long speech made by one of the Indians, they went
boldly on board the English vessel, " all naked," saving loose deer skins
about their shoulders, " and neere their wastes seale-skinnes tyed fast like
to Irish DiinmieTrouses." One of them, who seemed to be their Chief,
wore a w-iistcoat, breaches; cloth stocjkings, shoes, and a hat ; one or t\va
AMERICAN ANNALS. 143
the shore, they the next day discovered a head 1602.
land in the latitude of forty two degrees, where they May 15.
came to anchor ; and, taking a great number of cod A^Hor at
at this place, they called it Cape Cod. On the wSSthe^
day following they coasted the land southerly ; and, call Cape
in attempting to double a point, came suddenly in-
to shoal water, and called the place Point Care'.1 Point Gare.
While at anchor here, they were visited by the na-
tives. In surveying the coast, they discovered
breakers off a point of land, which they named
Gilbert's Point ; and, passing it on the nineteenth c;ib«!</»
of May, anchored about a league to the westward Poait-
of it* On the twenty first they discovered an is-
land, which they called Martha's Vineyard* z Com- Martha'*
ing to anchor j two days afterward, at the north- viueyar<L
west part of this island, they were visited the next
.morning by thirteen of the natives, with whom
they had a friendly traffic. On the twenty fourth
they discovered another island, which they called
Dover Cliff ; 3 and the next day caine to anchor, a
quarter of a mile from the shore, in a largd bay,,
which they called Gosnqld's Hope.4 On the G,v,aold»s
northern side of it was the main ; and on the Hope.
southern, four leagues distant, was a large island,
which, in honour of the queen, they called Eliza- Sandi?
beth.5 A little to the northward of this island 4* deg. a
was a small one, which they called Hill's Hap ; and
tethers had a few things of European fabric ; and ({ these with a piece of
chalke described the coast thereabouts, and could name Placentia of the
Newfoundland ; they spake divers Christian words." Purchas. Their
vessel is supposed to have belonged to some unfortunate fishermen of Bis-
cay, wrecked on the coast.
I Supposed by Dr. Belknap to be Malebarre, or Sandy Point, forming
the southeastern extremity of the county of Barnstable in Massachusetts.
Belknap Biog. ii. no.
a Not that, which now bears that name ; but a small island, now called
No-Man's Land. Ibid. in.
3 Gay Head. Belknap,
4 Buzzard's Bay. Belknap. The narrator in Purchas says, it is " one of
the stateliest sounds that ever I was in."
5 The westernmost of the islands, which now bear the name of Eliza-
beth's Islands; Its Indian name is Cuttyhunk. Bfelknap.
min"
144 AMERICAN ANNALS.
1602. on the opposite northern shore a similar elevation^
which they called Map's Hill. On the twenty
eighth they consulted together upon a fit place for
a plantation ; and concluded to settle on the wes-
tern part of Elizabeth Island. In this island there
is a pond of fresh water, two miles in circumference,
in the centre of which is a small rocky islet ; and
Here they here they began to erect a fort and store house.
Souse!1 While the men were occupied in this work, Gos-
nold crossed the bay in his vessel ; went on shore ;
trafficked amicably with the natives ; and, having
discovered the mouths of two rivers,1 returned in
five days to the island. In nineteen days the fort
and store house were finished ; but discontents aris-
ing among those who were to have remained in the
country, - it was concluded, after deliberate consul-
June 18. tation, to relinquish the design of a settlement;
anc* t*16 wh°k company returned to England. 3
1 One was that, near which lay Hap's Hill ; and the other that, on
the banks of which the town of New Bedford is now built. Coll. Hist.
Soc. iv. 234. The two harbours of Apeoneganset and Pascamanset. Belk.
2 " The 1 3th beganne some of our compauie that before vowed to
stay, to make revolt ; whereupon the planters diminishing, all was given
over." Purchas.
3 Purchas, i. 755 ; v. 1646 — 1653. Hubbard MS. N. Eng. p. 9. Ma-
ther Magnal. hook i. p. 3. Belknap Biog. ii. 100 — 122, where the errors
ia his own first account of Gosnold [in Amer. Biog. i. 231 — 239.]
are corrected. Harris Voy. i. 816. Smith Virg. 16 — 18, Josselyn Voy.
*5*» J57* 243- Prince Chron. Introd. 104. Univ. Hist, xxxix. 269, 270.
Brit. Emp. i. 254. In 1797 the Reverend Dr. Belknap with several other
gentlemen went to the spot, which was selected by Gosnold's company on
Elizabeth Island, and " had the supreme satisfaction to find the cellar of Gos-
juold's store house ; the stones of which were evidently taken from the neigh-
bouring beach ; the rocks of the islet being less moveable, and lying in
ledges." Belknap Biog. ii. 115. In a map, entitled, " The South part of
New England, as it is planted this yeare, 1634," inserted in the first edi-
tion of Wood's New England Prospect, I find a place near Narraganset
Bay, named Old Plymouth ; and in the same map the Plymouth, settled in
1620, is denominated Netv Plymouth. It heace appears, that Gosnold's
ephemeral settlement (though not correctly placed in this map) was kept
some time in remembrance in New England ; for the name of " Old Ply-
mouth" was doubtless intended to distinguish it. Hutchinson [Hist. Mas.
i. i.], speaking of Gosnold's settlement, observes : " This I suppose is what
Josselyn, and no other author, calls the first colony of New Plymouth, rot-
he says it was begum in 1602, aad near Narraganset Bay." Josselyn '> ao
AMERICAN ANNALS. 145
Sir Walter Ralegh, not abandoning all hope of
. _T. . . rr r • sends the
the Virginian colony, made one effort more for its fifth time
discovery and relief. Having purchased and fitted to search
, J * , t for the Vir-
out a bark, he sent, on that benevolent enterprise, ginian co-
Samuel Mace, an able mariner of Weymouth, who lonr ;
sailed from Weymouth in March ; fell on the A*
merican coast in about the thirty fourth degree of
north latitude ; spent a month there ; proceeded
along the coast ; but returned home without any
thorough attempt to effect the purpose of this
voyage. x
1603,
The discovery, made by Gosnold, was an incite- Voyage of
ment to farther adventures. By the persuasion of
Mr. Richard Hakluyt, and with the leave of Sir Wal-
ter Ralegh, the mayor arid aldermen, and some of the
most considerable merchants of Bristol, raised a
stock of a thousand pounds, and fitted out a ship
of about fifty tons, called the Speedwell, and a
bark of twenty six tons, called the Discoverer, under
the command of Martin Pring, for the fuller
discovery of the northern parts of Virginia.
The ship> carrying thirty men and boys, the April
bark thirteeen men and a boy, both victualed Sails*
for eight months, sailed on the tenth of April
from Milford Haven, In the beginning of June
they fell in with the American coast between the
forty third and forty fourth degrees of north lati-
tude, among a multitude of islands, in the mouth
of Penobscot Bay. Ranging the coast to the fouth*
west, and passing the Saco5 Kennebunk, York, and
count [Voy. 157] is : "At the further end of Narraganset Bay by the
mouth of the river on the south side thereof, was old Plymouth planta-
tion anno 1602."
I Purchas, v. 1653. This was the fifth time that Ralegh sent, at his
own charges, to the succour of the colony, left in Virginia in 1587. " At
this last time, to avoid all excuse, hee bought a barke, and hired all the
companie for wages by the moneth ;" but they "fell fortie leagues to the
southwestward of Hataraske, in 34 degrees or thereabout ; and having there
cpent a moneth, when they came along the coast to seeke the people,, they
tf
546 AMERICAN ANNALS,
1603. Piscataqua rivers, they proceeded into the Bay* of
Massachusetts. Going on shore,1 but not finding
any sassafras, the collection of which was the chief
object of their voyage, they sailed into a large
sound,2 and coasted along the north side of it ;
but, no I satisfied in their expectation, they sailed
over it, and came to anchor on the north side.
Lands his Here they landed at an excellent harbour3 in a bay,
harbour, which, in honour of the Mayor of Bristol, they
which they called Whitson Bay. Having built a hut, and en*
call Whit- , , • . r -i • i r i
son Bay ; closed it with a barricade, some or them kept con*
stant guard in it, while others were employed in
where they collecting sassafras in the woods. They were vi~
site(l by the natives, whom they treated with kind-
ness.4 After remaining here seven weeks, the
bark was dispatched, well freighted with sassafras,
for England. Some alarming appearances of hos-
tility on the part of the Indians, soon after the de-
parture of the bark, accelerated the lading and de-
parture of the ship, which sailed from the coast on
the ninth of August. s
May 10. While Pring was employed in this voyage, Bar-
B. Gilbert tholomew Gilbert went on a farther discovery to*
Virginia, the southern part of Virginia ; intending also to
search for the lost English colony. Sailing front
Plymouth on the tenth of May in a bark of fifty
tons by the way of the West Indies, he on the
twenty third of July saw land in about the fortieth
did it not, pretending that the extremitie of weather, and losse of some
principal ground-tackle, forced and feared them from searching the Port
of Hataraske, to which they were sent." Ibid.
I At a place, named the year before, by Gosnold's men, Savage RocJi.
1 It is called in Purchas a " great gulf ;" which, according to Belknap,
•was the Vineyard Sound.
3 The haven, described in the journal inserted in Purchas," must have
been that of Edgar-Town, generally called Old-Town." Note of Peleg
Coffin, Esq. in Belknap Biog. ii. r^S. The place where the voyagers cast
anchor is said in Purchas to be " in the latitude of 41 degrees and odde
m invites."
4 One of their birch canoes was carried home to Eristol, as a curious
specimen of their ingenuity.
5 Purchas, v. 1654 — 1656. Belknap Biog. ii. 123 — 133. Smith Virg..
1 8. Beverly, 17. Stith, 33. Prince 6. Brit. Emp.i. Introd, 21.
AMERICAN ANNALS.
degree of latitude. Adverse winds preventing him 1603.
from reaching Chesepeak Bay, at which he aimed,
}ie came to anchor on the twenty ninth about a
mile from the shore, and landed with four of his
principal men ; nut every one of them was killed
by the natives. The rest of the crew, intimidated
by this disaster, weighed anchor, ancj. returned to
England. *
Henry IV of France granted to Pierre du Cast, ^nt3<of
Sieur de Monts, a gentleman of his bed chamber, DC Mom«
a patent of the American territory from the fortieth for theter
to the forty sixth degree of north latitude, constitute "0°tro ™
ing him lieutenant general of that portion of tlie^eg. N.ia*
country, with power to colonize and to rule it, and
to subdue and Christianize its native inhabitants. a
The king soon after granted him and his associates,
an exclusive right to the commerce of peltry, ia.
Acadie and the Gulf of St. Lawrence. 3
Samuel Champlain of Brouage in France sailed
up the St. Lawrence ; anchored at Tadoussac ;
and made discoveries in the neighbouring territory. 4
Two hundred ships were at this period annually state of
engaged in the Newfoundland fishery, and employ-
ed at least ten thousand men. s
Newfound?
I Purchas,v. 1656 — 1658. Prince, 10. Stith, 33.
a Hazard Coll. i. 45 — 48, where the patent is inserted entire, in the
original French. An English translation of it is in Purchas, v. 1619, 1620;
in Harris Voy. i. 813 ; and in Churchill Voy. viii. 796 — 798. In the last
of these places it is introductory to L'Escarbot's Description of New France,
an English translation of which is inserted ibid. 796 — 917. De Monts
was a Calvinist ; but the king allowed him and his people the exercise of
his religion in America. On his part he engaged to people the country,,
and to establish the Catholic religion among the natives. Charlevoix
Nouv. France, i. in, jia. The country, described in the patent of De
Monts, is there called Acadie ; but this name was afterward restricted t?
what is now called Nova Scotia. " Cadia, pars Continentis, triangularis
est forma - - - qui duo sinus exiguo terrae spatio disjuncti, hanc Provin-
ciam pene Insulam efficiunt." Laet, cited by Charlevoix, ibid. "Acadie,
depuis le Cap le Sable juscju* a Camceaux, & c' est ce que les Anglois ont
«T abord nommc Nouvelie Ecosse" Ibid.
3 Chalmers, i. 8a, from L'Escarbot.
4 Charlevoix Nouv. France, i. in. Harris Voy. i. 8u. Univ. His^.
sxxix. 410. Belknap Biog. i. 41, 322.
$ Biog, B.-itan. Art. GILBERT, from Josiah Child's Discourse on Trade,
34$ AMERICAN ANNALS.
1 604.
Voyage of The Sicur cic Monts, taking Champlain as his
StoA?.8' P^ot> anc* attended by M. Poutrincourt with a
number of volunteer adventurers, * embarked with
Confiscates two vesse*s ^or America. Arriving at Acadie, he
a vessel at confiscated an interloping vessel in one of its liar-
hours, which was now called Port Rossignol.*
Coasting thence he arrived at another port, which
Port Mut- his people named Port Mutton. 3 From this port
they coasted the peninsula to the southwest ; dou-
bled Cape Sable ; and came to anchor in the bay
of St. Mary. After sixteen days, they proceeded
to examine an extensive bay on the west of the pe-
ninsula, to which they eave the name of La Bayc
.pave. Fran- _-, . r \ . . J
rrancoise.4 On the eastern side or this bay they
discovered a narrow strait, into which they entered,
and soon found themselves in a spacious bason, en-
vironed with hills, and bordered with fertile mea-
dows. Poutrincourt was so delighted with this,
place, that he determined to take his residence
Port Royal here ; and, having received a grant of it from De
Monts, he called it Port Royal. s From Port Roy-
This estimate includes seamen, fishermen* and shoremen. They were ac-
customed to sail in March, and to return in September ; and to spend
every winter at home what they acquired in their summer fishery, that
is, upwards of _£ 1 00,000. Ibid.
i Some were Protestants and some Catholics. " II assembla nombre de
Gentils-hommes, et de toutes sortes d' artisans, soldats et autres, tant d'
tzne que d' autre religion, Prestres et Ministres." Champlain, 43, who
says (ibid.) that they were one month only in the voyage to Cap de la
Heve, which lies several leagues to the eastward of Port Rossignol, in 44
deg. 5 min. After they left this cape, it appears, that Champlain parted
from De Monts and went by his order in quest of a place for settle-
ment. Ibid. 44, 57, 60.
2. From Rossignol, one of his countrymen, who was trading there
with the Indians without licence; for which reason his ship and cargo
were seized. Charlevoix Nouv. France, i. 115. The harbour is on the
southeast side of Nova Scotia, and is now called Liverpool. Belknap
Eiog. i. 324.
3 Because a sheep leaped overboard there, and was drowned. L'Escarbot.
4 Now called The Bay of Fundy. Belknap.
5 Now called Annapolis. Belknap. "In this pert (says Escarbot) we
dwelt three yeeres after this voyage." Henry IV confirmed this gift to
Poutrincourt : "en 1' an 1607 le feu Roy Henry le grand luy ratificaet
confirm?, ce don.
AMERICAN ANNALS, 14$
a! De Monts sailed farther into the great bay, to 1 604,
visit a copper mine.1 Champlain in the mean
time, in examining this bay pursuant to the in-
structions of De Monts, came to a great river, which
he called St. John. From this river he coasted the st. John's,
bay southwesterly twenty leagues, 3 and came to river*
an island, in the middle of a river. De Monts,
on his arrival, built a fort, and passed the winter Bullds
on this island, which he called St. Croix. 3 This fort at st.
situation proving very inconvenient, he, the ensuincr Croix' »n<i,
j 11 • 1 i. T> I- winters
spring, removed his settlement over the Baye r ran- t],ere>
coise to Port Royal. 4 This was the first settlement
I It was a high rock, en a promontory, between two bays [Merir.l.
Belknap.
•2, This was along the coast of the Etechemins : " The people that he
from Saint John's river to Kinnibeki (wherein are comprised the rivers of
St. Croix and Norombega) are called Etechemins." Escarbot. The river
St. John was called by the natives Ouygondy. Champlain. The French
did not notv sail 50 leagues up this river (as Dr. Belknap seems to liavx-
supposed), but in 1608. Purchas, v. 1622.
3 The river, named by the natives Scoodick, in which this Island lies,
is also called St. Croix ; and, being part of the boundary between the ter-
ritory of the United States and the British Province of New Brunswick, it
has become a stream of great importance. After the treaty of 1783, by
which the river St. Croix was made a boundary, it became a question,
which was the real St. Croix ; whether the river, known by the name of ;
Scoodick, or that, known by the name of Magaguadavick. It has how-
ever been satisfactorily determined, by Commissioners appointed for that
purpose, that the Scoodick is the river, originally named St. Crcix ; and the
line has been settled accordingly. Professor Webber, who accompanied
the Commissioners in 1/98, informs me, that they found an island in this
river, corresponding to the French descriptions of the island St. Croix,
and, near the upper end of it, the remains of a very ancient fortification,
overgrown with large trees ; that the foundation stones were traced to a
considerable extent ; and that bricks (a specimen of which he showed
me) were found there. There is no doubt, but that these were the re-
liques of De Monts' fortification.
4 Escarbot, in Churchill Vpy. iii. 798 — 815. Purchas, i. 751, 752.
y. 1620 — 1626. Champlain, 42 — 44. Chaiievoix, Nouv. France, i. 115,
and Pastes Chron. 28. Harris Voy. i. 813 — ^815. Belknap Biog. i. 324 —
330. Univ. Hist, xxxix. 41 i. Minot Mass. i. 127. The stores, which had
been deposited at St. Croix, were removed across the bay, but the build-
ings were left standing. New houses were erected at the mouth of the
river L'Equille, which runs into the bason of Port Royal ; and here the
people and stores were lodged. The winter had been severe ; all the peo-
ple had been sick ; 36 had died, and 40 only were left alive. As soon as
these were recovered, De Monts sought a comfortable station in a warm-
er climate. He sailed along the coast to Penobscot, Kennebeck, Casio,
Saco, and ultimately to Malebarre, which was st that time the French
AMERICAN ANNALS,
1604. in Acadie [Nova Scotia] ; and was begun four
years after the temporary residence of Pontgrave's
company in Canada. r
Two Jesuits, introduced by Poutrincourt into
Port Royal, leaving that place soon after on account
of some controversy, went to Mount Desert, and
began a plantation there. z
G. VA-y-
JKOUtll.
1605.
King James having recently made peace with
Spain, and the passion for the discovery of a North
West passage being now in its full vigour, a ship
was sent out with a view to this discovery, by the
earl of Southampton and lord Arundel, under the
command of George Weymouth. He sailed from
the Downs with twenty eight persons on the last of
31- March ; and on the fourteenth of May .discovered
land in about forty one degrees, thirty minutes,
1 3 north latitude. Being entangled here among shoals,
he quitted this land, and about fifty leagues distant
an island, jjscoverec[ several islands, on one of which he land-
wnicrx lie
calls St. ed, and called it St. George. Within three leagues
George. of j.]^ 'IS\^^ he came into a harbour, which he
called Pentecost harbour ; then sailed up a great
Pentecost ., ., . t i
karbour. river3 forty miles ; set up crosses m several places ;
name of Cape Cod 5 but the natives appearing numerous and unfriendly,
and his company being small, he returned to St. Croix, and then to Port
Royal, where he found Dupont, in a ship from France, with supplies and,
a reinforcement of 40 men. Having put his affairs into good order, he
embarked for France in September 1605, leaving Dupont as his lieute-r
nant, with Champlain and Champdore, to perfect the settlement, and ex-
plore the country. Escarbot. Belknap, M. de Poutrincourt returned ta
.France with De Monts, if he had not indeed previously returned ; for he
" made the voyage into these parts with some men of good sort, not to
winter there, but as it were to seeke out his seate, and find out a land
that might like him. Which he having done, had no need to sojourn
there any longer. So then the ships being ready, for the returne, he ship-
red himselfe, and those of his companie, in one of them." Purch. v. 1622.
I " Ce fut en 1604 que les Frangois s' etablirent en Acadie, quatre an*
* \\int d'avoir eleve la plus petite cabune dans ie Canada." Precis sur 1*
Amerique, 56.
1 Belknap Eiog. i. 41. Purchas, v. 1807, 1808.
3 "The discovery of which they seem to be proudest was that of a river,
\vhich they tlo upon mar.y account* prefer to any known American river.*'
AMERICAN ANNALS, i ;|t
and had some traffic with the natives. In July he
returned to England, carrying with him five In-
dians ; one, a Sagamore, and three others of
thenij persons of distinction. x
Although one hundred and nine years had elaps-
fed since the discovery of the continent of Ame-
rica by the Cabots, in the service of Henry VII of
England ; yet the English had made no effectual
settlement in any part of the New World. * Twen-
ty years had passed since the first attempt of Sir
Walter Ralegh to establish a colony in Virginia i
but not an Englishman was now to be found in al)
the Virginian territory. The period however of
English colonization at length arrived. The grant.,
made to Sir Walter Ralegh, being void by his at-
tainder,3 several gentlemen, by the incitement of
Mr. Richard Hakluyt,4 petitioned king James, to
J)r. Belknap, in his first volume of American Biography, says, this great
river is supposed to be either Penobscot, or Kennebeck ; but, before the
publication of his second volume, he had satisfied himself, after careful ex-
amination and inquiry, that it was the Penobscot. Americ. Biog. i. 4 i ;
ii. 149. Purchas [i. 755.] says, Weymouth "discovered three score milt-j
up a most excellent river." See Harris Voy. i. 817.
i Rosier 's account of this voyage is in Purchas v. 1659 — 1676 ; and IH
Smitty Virg. 18— 20. See also Harris Voy. i. 817, 81 8. Keith, 51. Priix-'
14, Stith, 34.
•j, Three years before, at the time of queen Elizabeth's death (1603),
which was no years after the discovery of America by Columbus, neith-
er the French, Dutch, nor English, nor any other nation, excepting thf
Spanish, had made any permanent settlement in this New World. IM
North America not a single .European family couM be found. The French
had notv (1606) just begun to make settlements in Canada and Acadie ;
and these, with the Spanish soldiers, maintained at two or three posts in.
¥iorida, appear to have been all the Europeans in North America.
3 He had been arraigned for high treason, and declared guilty ; b'.;:;
was reprieved, and committed to the Tower of London. Oidys JLiie of
Ralegh, 152 — 1.57.
4 Mr. Hakluyt, at that time prebendary of Westminster, was " the
most active and efficacious promoter" of the English settlements in Ame-
rica ; and to him " England is more indebted for its American possess-
ions than to any man of that age." Robertson, book ix, 55, where there
is a sketch of his character. He published his first volume of Voyages cuuJ
Discoveries of the English Nation in 1,589, ;-.nd the thud, in ,rCcrv
15-: AMERICAN ANNAL&
i 606. grant them a patent for the settling of two plantations
KPTame3' on ^ m*m coasts °^ America. The king accord-
bypSnt ingly, by a patent, dated the tenth day of April,
vk-^n^ divided that portion of North America, which
int?two stretches from the thirty fourth to the forty fifth
colonies, degree of latitude, into two districts, nearly equal. x
The First T he Southern, called the First Colony, he granted
Sotted'to to t^le Condon Company ; the Northern, called the
the London Second Colony, he granted to the Plymouth Com-
panyr fje authorized Sir Thomas Gates, Sir
George Somers, Richard Hakluyt, Edward Maria
Wingfield, and their associates, chiefly resident in
London, to settle any part, that they should choose^
of the Southern district ; and vested in them a
right of property to the land, extending along the
coast fifty miles on each side of the place of their
fir^t habitation, and reaching into the interior coun-
the Second, try a hundred miles. The Northern district he al-
monfh.Ply~ lotted? as a place of settlement, to several knights,
Company, gentlemen, and merchants of Bristol, Plymouth,
and other parts of the west of England, with a si-
milar grant of territory. a
Colonial The supreme government of the colonies, that
risl?.11' were to ^e sealed, was vested in a Council, resi-
dent in England, to be named by the king, accord-
ing to such laws and ordinances, as should be giv-
en under his sign manual ; and the subordinate ju-
work} which will perpetuate the praise, due to his learning, diligence,
and fidelity ; and which will always furnish some of the best materials
for Americ?.n history.
1 " That vast country, being found upon experience and tryal too large
to be moulded upon one entire government, it was thought meet should
be divided into a first and second colony." Hubbard MS. N. Eng. 29.
2 The Southern Colony was desirous of " beginning their Plantation
and Habitr^tion in some fit and convenient place" between 34 and 41 de-
grees north latitude, along the coasts of Virginia ; the Northern Colony
was desirous of planting between 38 and 45 degrees ; and the Charter
gave liberty accordingly : 5' Provided that the Plantation and Habitation
of such of the said Colonies, as shall last plant themselves shall not be
made within one hundred English miles of the other of them, that first
fcegan to make their Plantation." Charter.
AMEkiCAN ANNALS.
Vi'sdiction was committed to a council, resident in 1606.
America, which was also to be nominated by the
king, and to act conformably to his instructions.
Jfhe charter, while it thus restricted the emigrants Privileges
in the important article of internal regulation, se-
cured to them and their descendants all the rights
of denizens-, in the same manner, as if they had
remained or had been born in England ; and grant-
ed them the privilege of holding their lands in
America by the freest and least burdensome tenure.
The king permitted whatever was necessary for the
sustenance or commerce of the new colonies to be
exported from England, during the space of seven
years, without paying any duty ; and, as a farther
incitement to industry, he granted them liberty of
trade with other nations ; and appropriated the
duty, to be levied on foreign commodities, for twen-
ty one years, as a fund for the benefit of the colo-
nies. He also granted them liberty of coining for
their own use ; of repelling enemies ; and of stay-
ing ships, that should trade there without leave. *
King James, on the twentieth of November, issu- Nov. 20.
cd " orders and instructions for the colonies,'5 un- ^rllLued
der the privy seal of England. He invested the for the co*
general superintendence of the colonies in a coun- lonics*
cil in England, composed of a few persons of con-
sideration and talents, who were empowered to
make laws, and to constitute officers for their go-
vernment, with a proviso, that such ordinances
should not touch any man's life or member ; should
only continue in force until made void by the king,
or his council ; and should be, in substance, con-
sonant to the laws of England.*
Lord chief justice Popham, Sir Ferdinando Gor- £uff- '*•
ges, and some others of the Plymouth Company, H?chai-
lons.
I Stith Virg. Appendix, No. I, and Hazard Coll. i. 50 — 58, contain
^ntire copies of this Patent. Purchas, v. 1683, 1684. Harris Voy. i. 818.
$mith Virg. 303. Hubbard MS. N. Eng. chap. xv. Brit. Emp. Introd. i,
stz. Robertson, book ix, 56. a Chalmers, i. ij, 16.
W
154 AMERICAN ANNALS.
sent Henry Challons, in a ship of fifty tons, fof
make farther discovery of the coasts of North Vir-
ginia ; and, if it should appear expedient, to leave
as many men, as he could spare, in the country.
On his passage however from the Weft India isl-
ands toward the American coast, he and his crew,
NOV. 12. consisting of about thirty persons, were taken by a
is tuk-n Spanish fleet, and carried into Spain, where his ves-
and curried r. ~
into Spain, scl was confiscated.
Although this misfortune considerably damped
the courage of the first adventurers ; yet the lord
chief justice Popham having immediately after the
departure of Challons sent out another ship, un-
der the command of Thomas Hanam, whose busi-
ness was not so much to plant, as to make discove-
ry in order to planting ; the account, given of the
country on the return of this ship, was so favour*
able, that the people of England were encouraged,
and the year after came more "boldly Torward, as
adventurers. *
1607*
This is the remarkable n?ra of the arrival of
the first permanent colony on the Virginian coast.
On the reception of the patent from king James$
several persons of consequence in the English na-
tion undertook the arduous task of planting the
Southern Colony. Having chosen a treasurer, and
appointed other officers, they provided a fleet of
three ships, to transport the emigrants, one hun-
dred in number, 3 to Virginia. The charge of this
i Purchas, v. 1827, 1832 — 18.^7, where there is an entire account of
this voyage. See also Prince, 1 8. Chalmers, it 79. Univ. Hist, xxxix,
270. Jossdyn Voy. 244. Harris Voy. i. 851. Brit. Emp.i. 255.
1 Purchas, v. 1827. Harris Voy. 1.851. Prince [19] says, that Mar-
tin Prinn was in this voyage with Hanam ; that they had supplies for
Challons, hut, not finding him, returned to England ; and that Sir F.
Gorges said, Prinn brought the most exact account of the Virginian coast,'
that ever came to his hand. He is generally named Pring. See A? D. 1603',
3 Mos^ of their names are preserved in Smith Virjj. 43, 44,
AMERICAN ANNALS- 155
Embarkation was committed to Christopher New- 1607.
port, already famous for his skill in the western
navigation, who sailed from the Thames on the
twentieth of December the preceding year, carrying
•with him the royal instructions, and the names of
the intended colonial council, carefully concealed in
•a box. " To this singular policy," says Chalmers,
<c may be attributed the dissensions which soon
commenced among the leaders, and which continu-
ed to distract them during a voyage long and dis-
astrous." z
It was the intention of Newport to land at Roa- Apr;i ^
noke ; but, being driven by a violent storm to the Newport
northward of that place, he stood directly into the chesepeak
spacious Bay of Chesepeak, which seemed to invite Bay with
his entrance. The promontory on the south of the jtmiMent
bay he named Cape Henry, in honour of the Prince Virginian.
of Wales ; and that on the north, Cape Charles, colon?'
in honour of the Duke of York, afterward king
Charles First of England. Thirty men, going on
shore, at Cape Henry for recreation, were suddenly
assaulted by five Indians, who wounded two of
them very dangerously, At night the bo$ wassoxcon*
opened, and the orders were read, in which Bar- taming the
tholomew Gosnold, John Smith, Edward Wing- Auction*1
field, Christopher Newport, John Ratcliffe, John opened,
Martin, and George Kendall, were named to be of
the council, and to choose from their number a
president for a year, who, with the council, should
govern the colony. The adventurers were employ-
ed in seeking a place for settlement ' until the thir-
teenth of May, when they took possession of a pe- May 13.
ninsula on the north side of the river Powhatan,^^^
called by the English James River, about forty peninsula
on Powha*
I Chalmers, i. 17. Smith Virg, 41. Purchas, 1.756; v. 1685. He tan
followed the ol<} course by the West Indies ; which accounts for the in-
terval of four months from his embarkation to his arrival off the Amen-*
can coast; Robertson, book be. 60,
1 56 AMERICAN ANNALS.
1607. miles from its mouth. To, make room for then*
projected town, they here began to cut down the
where they trees'of the forest, which had for centuries afforded
tuiua6 ° shelter and food to the natives.. The code of laws,
town. hitherto cautiously concealed, was. at length pro-
mulgated. Affairs of moment were to be examin-
Laws pro , , ° . , . ~
ed by a jury, but determined by the major part of
the council, in which the president was. to have two
voices. The council was sworn ; Wingfield was
chosen chosen president ; and " now commenced the rule
of the most ancient administration of Virginia, con-
sisting of seven persons, and forming a pure aris-
tocracy." * The members of the council, while they
adhered to their orders in the choice of their pre-
sident, on the most frivolous pretences excluded
from a seat among them, Smith, famous in colonial
annals, though nominated by the same instrument,
from which they derived their authority. Animosi-
ties arose* Appeased in a degree at length by the
prudent exhortations of Mr. Hunt, their chaplain,
Smith was admitted into the council ; and, receiving
the communion the next day, they all turned their
undivided attention to the government of a colony,
" feeble in numbers and enterprise, which was thus
planted in discord, and grew up in misery." * In
Townna- ^onour of king James, they called the town, which
med jame& they now built, James Town. This was the first
Town. permanent habitation of the English iu America,.
Newport and Smith, sent with twenty men, to
discover the head of the river Powhatan, arrived in
six days at a town of the same name,3 consisting of
about twelve houses, the principal and hereditary
seat of Powhatan, emperor of the country. Al-
though they received kind treatment throughout
this excursion ; yet, on their return to James Town,
they found seventeen men hurt, and a boy slain, by
I Chalmers. a Ibid. i. 17 — 19.
3 Pleasantly situated on a hill, a little bejow the «pot where Ridimoi>4
i$ BOW tuilt. BelkfiAp Biog. i. 256.
AMERICAN ANNALS.
the Indkins. To guard against frequent and sudr 1607.
den assaults and ambuscades, the fort was now pa-
lisadoed ; the ordnance was mounted ; and the men
were armed and exercised. On the fifteenth ofjunes^
June the Indians voluntarily sued for peace ; and Indians sue
Newport set sail for England, leaving one hundred for peace*
men, with provisions, arms, ammunition, and other
necessaries for a settlement.1
On the prayer of the colonists, king James is- Ma^ch-
, -. ' c i • i t i Ordinance^
sued an ordinance for enlarging the number and for eniarg-
authority of his commissioners for directing the af- ins the
fairs of the colonies. Encouraged by favourable anTautho-
reports, and invigorated by this increase of power, «ty of
the Virginian treasurer and council in England on™ls!
exerted themselves with laudable diligence, to trans-
mit proper supplies to the plantation. Captain
Nelson was sent to James Town with an additional
supply of men ; and, before the close of the year,
Newrport arrived with seventy more, making two Virginian
hundred in all the colony. These accessions con- ;°3ori7
sis ted of many gentlemen, a few labourers, several m
refiners, goldsmiths and jewellers. " The various
denominations of these men," says Chalmers, " e-
vince the views of the whole." The ships were
at length sent back ; the one, loaded by the min-
ers with a glittering earth, which, they vainly hop-
ed, contained golden metal ; the other, loaded with
cedar. These are recorded as the first Virginian
products, as constituting the first remittance, and
as indicating the earliest pursuits of an infant England.
people.2
Smith, while attempting to discover the head of
Chickahominy river, was taken prisoner twenty
miles in the desert, by a party of two hundred In- Indians,
dians, who tied him to a tree with the intention of
I Stith, 46, 47. Other authorities for this and the preceding articles
are, Purchas, i. 756, 757 ; v. 1796, 1707 ; Smith Virg. 43 — 45 ; Keith,
59 ; Neal N. Eng. i. 18.
' £ Smith Virg. 54. Purchas, v. 1709. Chalmers, i. 21. Prince, 24, ;&
153 AMERICAN ANNALS.
1 607, shooting him to death, Already had they assem*
bled around him with their deadly weapons ; but
Opechancanough, a brother of Powhatan, and com*
mander of the party, holding up a compass, that
Smith had given him, they all instantly laid down
their bows and arrows. Having conducted their
prisoner in triumph to numerous Indian tribes,*
Brought they at length brought him to Werowocomoco.
beforePow- ' r» i -1° • j i • i i •
hatan the where rowhatan then resided m barbarian state,
Indian \vith a strong guard of Indians around him. * When
the prisoner entered the apartment of the sovereign,
all the people gave a shout. The queen of Appa-
matuck was appointed to bring him water, to wash
his hands ; and another person brought a bunch of
feathers, instead of a towel, to dry them. Having
feasted him in their best manner, 3 they held a long
consultation, at the conclusion of which, two great
stones were brought before Powhatan. As many of
.the Indians, as could, laying hands on the devoted
prisoner, dragged him to the stones, and placed his
head on them, with the intention of beating out his
His life brains with clubs. At this moment Pocahontas,
saved by
Pocahonfas
the kind's x " Their order was this : drawing thamselves all in file, the King m
daughter. the ml(ist haci a11 t^ieir Peeces anci swords borne before him : Captaine
Smith was led after him by three great lubbers, holding him fast ; on
each side went six in file, with their arrows nocked." Smith Virg. 47«
Purchas, v. 1708,
2 Above 200 of " his courtiers stood wondering" at the prisoner, « until
Powhatan and his train had put themselves in their greatest bravery. Be-
fore a fire he sat on a seate like a bedsted, covered with a great robe of
Rarowcun [racoon] skinnes, all the tailes hanging by : on each hand did
sit a young wench of sixteene or eighteene yeeres of age ; along on each
side the house two rowesof men, and behind them as many women, with
all their heads and shoulders painted red, many of their heads bedecked
with the white downe of birds, every one adorned with something ; a
great chaine also of white beades about their neckes." Purchas. Powha-
tan was ordinarily attended by a guard of 40 or 50 of the tallest men in
his country. " Every night upon the foure quarters of his house (says
Smith) are four sentinels,' each standing from other a flight shoot, and at
every halfe houre one from the corps du guard doth hollow, shaking his
tips with his finger betweene them, unto whom every sentinel doth an-
swer round from his stand : if any fails, theytpresently send forth an o8i-.
cer that beateth him extreamely." General Hist. Virg. 37.
3 Smith " thought, they intended to fat and eat
AMERICAN ANNALS.
the king's favourite daughter, her entreaties and 1607*
tears not availing to rescue the captive from execu-
tion, rushed in between him and the executioner,
took his head into her arms, and laid her own up-
on it, to ward off the blow. The father was sub-
dued ; and the victim was spared. Two d^s af-
terward Powhatan sent Smith, acccmpank --by He is wn*
. T —, *x J to James
twelve guides, to James iown.1 ^ Town.
Beside the personal misfortune of Smith, $.. ..-_-
fant colony met with various calamities in the course
of the year. The store house at James Town tak- James
ing fire by accident, the town, thatched with reeds,
burned \vith such violence, that the fortifications)
arms, apparel, bedding, and much of private goods
and provision, were consumed.1 From May to
September, fifty of the colonists died ; 3 of which
number was Bartholomew Gosnold.4 The suc-
ceeding winter was extremely cold, and this rigour
of the season was the cause of additional mortality. *
There were judged to be at this time, within
sixty miles of James Town, about seven thousand Oi
i Smith Vifg. 46 — 49. Stith, 50, 56. Purchas, I. 757; Smith had
been a prisoner seven weeks.
a Stith, 59. Smith Virg. 52, who says, that Mr. Hunt, the preacher,
lost all his library, and all that he had, yet none ever saw him repine.
3 This mortality was ascribed to excessive toil" in the extremity of the
heat," wretched lodgings, and scanty, unwholesome food. " Had we been
as free from all sinnes as gluttony and drunkennesse (says Smith), we
might have been canonized for saints." Ibid. 44. Purchas, v. 1706, 1707
4 Purchas, v. 1690. He died 22. August, and, being one of the Coun-
cil, was honourably buried, " having all the ordnance in the fort shot off,
with many volleys of small shot." Ibid. This is the same distinguished
person, who made the memorable voyage to the northern part of Virgi-
nia (now New England) five years before. Belknap Eiog. i. 239. See'
A. D. 1600.
5 " By the bitterness of that great frost, above half the Virginian colo-
ny took their deaths." This severe frost " was recompensed with asrniM
a winter with them the next year." Purchas, i. 757, 760. This extreme
severity of cold was felt in the most northern regions of America. JL'Es-
carbot, who was in Canada about this time, remarks, that " these L.v
winters of 1607, 1608, have been the hardest that ever "was seene. Many
savages died through the rigour of the weather ; in these our parts many
poore people and travellers have bene killed through the same h
of winter weather." PurcKasj v, 1637.
i6o AMERICAN ANNALS^
Indians, nearly txvo thousand of whom were
riors; *
Settlement; On the recent encouragement for settling North
»f .uiEng- Virginia, Sir John Popham and others sent out twc»
hsli colony , . P r , r _ _, .
jit sagada- ships under the command or George Popham and
b<jcki RaLeih Gilbert/ with a hundred men, with ord-
iiai?c$- and all provisions necessary until they might
receive farther supplies* They sailed from Ply-
moutrt the last of May ; and, falling in with the
island of Monahigon on the eleventh of August,
landed on a peninsula* at the mouth of Sagadahockj
or Kenebeck river* 3 Here, after a sermon was de-
livered, and their patent and laws were read, they
Built a store house, and fortified it, and gave it the
name of Fort St. George. 4 On the fifth of Decent
ber the two ships sailed for" England, leaving a lit-
tle colony of forty five persons ; Popham being
president, and Gilbert admiraL s
1608.
Vo -a<re of The summer of this year is remarkable, in the
smith to- Virginian annals, for" the first voyage toward the
ward the
*?m™ * Smith in Purc.has, v. 1697. The most, seen together by the English,
Ae Chese- were sevea Or eight hundred. Ibid,
peak. ^ ^ nephew of Sir Walter Ralegh. Bio<?> Britan. [Art. GILBERT.] says, he
made a voyage to Virginia this year in behalf of his uncle ; in reference
perhaps to this voyage.
3 Purchas, i. 756. Smith [Virg. 203*] says, " a faire navigable river,
but the coast ull thereabouts moat extreme story and rocky." Josselya
Voy. 244. Hubbard MS. N. Eng. p. 9.
4 Belknap Biog. i. 350. What Dr. Bclknap calls a peninsula, is called
in the Collections of the Historical Society [i. aja.] Parker's Island ; and
is there said to be formed by the waters of Kenebeck on the west, by the
sea on the south; by the waters called Jeremysquam Bay on the east, and
by a small strait of waters, which divides it from Arrowsick Island, on
the north. " The island is now* called Parker's Island, because it was
purchased of the natives in the year 1650, by one John Parker, who waj
the first occupant after the year 1608." Ibid.
5 Hubbard MS. N. Eng. 30. Purchas, 756. Brit. Emp. Lifrc-tf. I. 24.
Purchas, v. 1828. Harris Voy. i. 851. I. Matker N. Eng. Brit. Emp. ii.
10. Coll. Hist. Soc. i. aji, 2Ji. " All the fruit of this their expedition
during the long winter, and the after time of their abode there, was build-
ing a barne, which afforded then; some advantage in their return"
bard MS. N« Eng. p. 31,
AMERICAN ANNALS. * t6l
Source of the Chesepeak. Captain John Smith in 1608
an open barge, with fourteen persons, and a very
scanty stock of provisions, explored the whole of
that great extent of water, from Cape Henry, where
it meets with the ocean, to the river Susquehannah ;
trading with some tribes of Indians, and fighting
with others. He discovered and named many small
islands, creeks, and inlets : sailed up many of the
great rivers ; * and explored the inland parts of the
country. During this enterprise sixty Sufquehan- Is vi,:tecl
nah Indians visited him, and made him presents, by the
At this early period they had hatchets, and utensils
of iron and brass, which, by their own account,
originally came from the French of Canada. The
Sufquehannah nation at this time could raise about
six hundred fighting men. Smith, after sailing about
three thousand miles, returned to Janies Town.
Having made careful observations during this ex-
cursion of discovery, he drew a map of Chesepeak
Bay and of the rivers, annexing to it a description
of the countries, and of the nations inhabiting them,
and sent it to the council in England ; and this map
was made with such admirable exactness, that it is
the original from which all subsequent maps and
descriptions of Virginia have beeii chiefly copied. ~
His superior abilities obtained the ascendency over
envy and faction. Although he had lately been re-
fused a seat at the council board, he was now, by
the election of the council and the request of the
settlers, invested with the government ; and receiv-
ed letters patent to be president of the colony. The
wisdom of his administration infused confidence ; sidem of
its vigour commanded obedience. The military ex- the colon>r-
1 Pamaunk [now York], Toppahanock [Rappahanock], Patowmek [Po-
towmac], Sasquesahanough [Susquehannah]. Smith's map, compared with
later maps.
2 Smith Virg. 21, 25,55 — 65; Purchas, v. 1690, 1715 ; in each of
which volumes a copy of Smith's original map is inserted. Stith, 83, 84,
Purchas, i. 767. Keith* 78, 79. Chalmers, i, 21,22, Rebertson, book
ix. 66 j $7,
X
1 62 AMERICAN ANNALS*
1608. ercises, which he obliged all to perform, struck the
Indians with astonishment, and inspired them with
awe. r
Newport Newport arrived at Virginia with a second sup*
arrives pjy for the colony, bringing over seventy passen-
piies.i>Up" gers, many of whom were persons of distinction**
Eight Dutchmen and Poles came over at this time,
First mar to mtroc^uce tne making of tar, glass, and potashes. *
riage in John Laydoii was soon after married to Ann Bur*
Virginia. nls . ancj ^g was t|le £rst marriage in Virginia.4
Fresh instructions, now transmitted, expressly re-
quired the president and council of the colony to
explore the western country, in order to procure
certain intelligence of the South Sea ; to transmit,
as a token of success, a lump of gold ; and to find
one of the lost company, sent out by Ralegh.
" These orders demonstrate," says Chalmers,
" that the chief object of the most active project-
ors was, at this time, rather discovery, than colo-
nizatidfa." The punishment, threatened in case
of disobedience, struck the colonists with horror :
" They shall be allowed to remain, as banished
men, in Virginia."5 On the return of Newport to
England, he left about two hundred persons in the
colony. 6
The colony Ships, now arriving with supplies for the colony
noct?e-a~ at Sagadahock, brought intelligence of the death
mrns dis- of Sir John Popham, and Sir John Gilbert. These
couragedto
England. x Chalmers, i. ^^.
1 Smith Virg. 72, 73 ; where the principal names of the passengers
are preserved. Mrs. Forrest and Ann Burras, her maid, who were among
these passengers, are said by some historians to have been the first English
women, ever 'T this country. They -were, with the exception of the de-
voted colony of 1587, which contained 19 women. The marriage, just
mentioned, as the first in Virginia, must be understood with the same ex-
ception ; though no .mention is made by the early writers of any marriage
in that first colony 20 years before. Stith, if we may rely on Smith's au-
thority, errs, in omitting the name of Mrs. Forrest, and putting Ann Bur-
ras into the rank of a lady, in Ler place, attended by a maid.
3 Smith Virg. 73. Chalmers, i. 23.
4 Smith Virg. ibid. Keith, 80. 5 Chalmers, i. a».
6 Smith Virg. 70.
AMERICAN ANNALS. 163
misfortunes, -with the death of captain George Pop- 1608.
ham, in whom very great confidence was reposed,
together with the loss of the stores the preceding
winter by fire, so dispirited the whole plantation,
that the colony unanimously resolved to return in
these ships to England. x The patrons of the co-
lony, offended at this unexpected return, desisted
several years from any farther attempt toward ef-
fecting a settlement. Meanwhile, the English thus
seeming to relinquish their pretensions to this coun-
try, the French availed themselves of the occasion, plan
and planted colonies in various places within the
English limits. * limits,
Poutrincourt having returned from Canada to
France the last year, and presented to the king the
fruits of the country ; the king now confirmed to
M. de Monts the privilege for the trade of beavers
xvith the natives, for the purpose of enabling him
to establish his colonies in New France. 3 De Monts
accordingly sent over three ships with families, to
commence a permanent settlement.4 Champlain,
who took the charge of conducting this colony, af-
ter examining all the most eligible places for settle-
ment in Acadie, and on the river St. Lawrence, se-
lected a spot at the confluence of this river and St.
Charles, about three hundred and twenty miles
from the sea. Here he erected barracks ; cleared
the ground ; sowed wheat and rye ; and on this juiy 3.
spot laid the foundation of Quebec, the capital of Foundutioa.
A j - of Quebec,
Canada. *
I Smith [Virg. 204] says, that the country was esteemed as a cold, bar-
ren, mountainous, rocky desert ; and that this colony " found nothing but
extreme extremities."
a Gorges N. Eng. 19. Purclvas, v. 1828. Harris Voy. j. 851. Hubbard
MS. N. Eng. 30. Prince, 25. See also the authorities in note jf, p, 160.
3 Purchas, v. 1640, 1641.
4 " There," says JL' Escarbot, " to beginne Chriftian and French Com-
monwealths." Ibid.
j Champlain, 115. Charlevoix Nouv. France, i. 1 21, and Faftes Chron,
Chalmers, i. 8 2. Unir. Hist, xxxix. 41 Z. Brit. Emp. Intrad. i. 47. Miuot
.164 AMERICAN ANNALS,
1609.
May 23. The company of South Virginia, not realizing
second the expected profit from its colony, obtained from,
charter ot , . T i • i i • •
Virginia/ king James a new charter, with more ample privi-
leges. x This measure served to increase the num-
ber of proprietors, among whom we find the most
respectable names in the nation. With this aug-
mented wealth and reputation, they pressed forward
with bolder steps. The council of the Virginia
company now appointed Thomas West, lord
Delaware, governor of Virginia for life ; Sir Thom-
as Gates, his lieutenant -, Sir George Somers, ad-
miral -9 and Christopher Newport, vice admiral ;
and fitted out seven ships, attended by two small
jiiqe ves- vessels, with five hundred people for that colony.
*eis with Lord Delaware remained in England. The ship,
500 people . . . •_ -Y. -111 •
•aiiforvir-in which the three other olncers a sailed, becoming
ginia. separated from the reft of the fleet in a violent storm,
was wrecked on the island of Bermudas, where all
jniy 34- the company, consisting of one hundred and fifty
n Persons? were providentially saved. One small
ketch was lost in the storm j the other ships, much
Mass. i. 127. Quebec was the Indian name of the place. " Trouvant un
lieu le plus estroit de riviere, que les habitans du pays appellent Quebec,
V y bastir et edifier une habitation, et defricher des terres, et faire «[uel-
tjues jardinages." Champlain. It was " some fortie leagues above the riv-
er of Saguenay." Purchas, v. 1642.
i Copies of this second charter, containing the names of the proprie-
tors, are preserved in Stith Virg. Appendix, No. ii ; and in Hazard Coll. i.
58 — 72. By this charter the Company was made " one Body or "Com-
monalty perpetual/* and incorporated by the name of The Treasurer and
Company of Adventurers and Planters of the City of 'London, for the First Colony
in Virginia. Charter. To them were now granted in absolute property,
what seem formerly to have been conveyed only in trust, the lands extend-
ing from Cape Comfort along the sea coast Southward two hundred
miles ; from the same promontory two hundred miles Northward ; and
from the Atlantic Westward to the South Sea. Chalmers.
3 Each of these gentlemen had a commission ; and he, who should fh>t
arrive, was authorized to recall the commission, that had been previously
given for the government of the colony ; but " because they could not a-
" gree for place, it w-& «c£fc}ttded they should go all in one ship." Smit&
Tirg. 89.
AMERICAN ANNALS. 165
damaged and distressed, arrived about the middle 1609.,
pf August at James river. *
The infant colony was still destined to calamity \
and the very accession to its numbers, which should
have added to its security, heightened its danger. 3
President Smith having detached t\vo hundred of
these newly arrived adventurers to the falls of James
River, and to Nansamond,3 they imprudently of- Nans*..
fended the neighbouring Indians, who cut off many mond-
of them ; and the few, who escaped, returned in
despair, to beg the protection of that authority,
which they had lately contemned. 4
A systematic design was now meditated against Plot of ti
the whole colony by the sovereign of the country ; JJJ^*^
but it was providentially discovered and frustrated. English.
Pocahontas, the tutelary friend of Virginia, though
but a child of twelve or thirteen years of age, went
in a very dark and dreary night to James Town,
and, at the hazard of her life, disclosed to the pre- Disclosed
by Poca-
i Smith Virg. 89, 164, 174. Keith, 115, 116. Purchas, I. 758 ; v. nontas'
1729 — 1733. Chalmers, i. 27, 28. StowChron. 1019, 1020. Belknap Biog.
ii. 23 — 2 jr. This storm came from the north cast, and began on Monday
24 July. After it had blown twenty four hours with extreme violence,
the ship sprung aleak ; and three days and four nights the whole company
(tb.out 140, exclusive of women) laboured incessantly at the pump. On
Friday the fourth morning " it wanted but little," says the narrator of
the voyage, " but that there had bin a general determination to have shut
up hatches, and commending our sinfull souls to God, committed th«
shippe to the mercy of the sea ;" but, in this desperate extremity, Sir
George Somers, who during the whole time had not once left the quarter
deck, discovered land. Not expecting to save the ship by coming to an-
chor, they ran her aground within three quarters cf a mile of the shore,
whence all the company (about 150 in number) by the help of their boats
arrived safely at the island. Purchas, v. 1735 — 1737. This perilous and
distressing scene appears to have occurred in the Gulf Stream [Belknap
Biog. ii. 25.], the course of which, off the coast of the Southern States, is
from southwest to noitheast. A gale from the northeast, in direct opposi-
tion to the current, makes a great sea in that stream ; a fact, which I have
had repeated opportunities to observe.
a Smith [Virg. 90.] calls the people, who last arrived, " a lewd compa-
" ny," containing " many unruly gallants, packed hither by their friends,
cc to escape ill destinies." To them he a;cribes the anarchy and confusion,
that soon pervaded the colony. See also Stith, 103.
3 Nansamond was the most southern settlement in Virginia, under the
3 6th degree of north latitude. Chalmers, i. ji8.
4 Smith Virg. 90. Stith, 103.
"
1 66 AMERICAN ANNALS,
1609. sident a plot of her father to kill him and the Eng-
lish people. x This timely notice put the colony oi>
its guard ; and some accidents soon after contri-
buted still farther toward its preservation. An In-
dian, apparently dead through the effect of a char-
coal fire in a close room, was, on the application of
vinegar and aqua vitas by the president, reanimated.
This supposed miracle, with an explosion of pow-
der, which killed two or three Indians, and scorch-
ed and wounded others, excited such astonishment,
mingled with such admiration of the power and art
peace with of the English, that Powhatan and his people came
^€lndians- to them with presents of peace; and the. whole
country, during the remainder of Smith's adminis-
tration, was entirely open to the unmolested use of
the English.2
Progress of The colony now pursued its business with sue*
the colony. ctss^ jt m^G tar ancj pjtch, and an experiment of
glass -9 dug a well of excellent water in the fort j
built about twenty houses ;3 new covered the
church ; provided nets and weirs for fishing ; built
a block house, to receive the trade of the Indians ;
and broke up and planted thirty or forty acres of
ground. 4
Smith- re- President Smith, enfeebled by an accident to his
SlTia'd Person from an explosion of powder, and disgust*
ed with distractions in his colony, returned to Eng-
land toward the close of the year ; leaving three
ships, seven boats, upwards of four hundred and
state of ninety persons, twenty four pieces of ordnance,
eke. colony, three hundred muskets, with other arms and am-
munition, one hundred well trained and expert sol-
diers, a competent supply of working tools, live
stock, and ten weeks provisions. 5 James Town
was strongly palisadoed, and contained fifty or six*
1 Smith Virg. 77, 121, 122.
2 Smith Virg. 8.5. Stith, 97.
3 It appears, that 30 or 40 houses were built before.
4 Stith, 97.
5 Stith, 107, 108. Smith Virg. 93, 164. Purchas,i.758, Chalmeri,i. 2£
AMERICAN ANNALS. 167
ly houses. There were five or six other forts and 1609,
plantations in Virginia. x
Henry Hudson, an Englishman, in the service of Voyages*
the Dutch/ left the Texel in the beginning of this
year, with a design of penetrating to the East Indies
by sailing a northwestward course. Having attempt-
ed in vain to accomplish this purpose, he followed the
track, which the Cabots had marked for him above
a century before. He coasted along the foggy shores
of Newfoundland ; shaped his course for Cape
Cod ; looked into the Chesepeak, where the Eng»
lish were settled ; anchored off the Delaware ; sail-
ed into the river Manhattan ; 3 and departed in Oc- Enters
tober for England. 4 The Dutch sent ships the Manhattan
next year to Manhattan, to open a trade with the riven
natives. 5
After several attempts of Englishmen to discov- New at-
er the country of Guiana, and about the river of l*™
the Amazons, Robert Harcote undertook to settle ana,
a plantation in this region. Leaving his brother
Michael Harcote with sixty persons at the river
I Smith Virg. 93. Smith's description of the Virginian colonists at
that time, is too curious to he omitted. There was " hut one carpenter
in the country ; two blacksmiths ; two saylers." Those, described as
*' labourers," were for the most part footmen, and gentlemen's attendants,
" who never did know what a dayes work was." Excepting the Dutch*-
men and Poles, and about a dozen others, " all the rest were poore gentle-
men, tradesmen, serving-men, libertines, and such like, ten times more fit.
to spoyle a commonwealth, than either to begin one or but help to main-
tain one." Ibid. 94.
a Charlevoix, Forster and others affirm, that Hudson undertook this
voyage in behalf of the Dutch ; yet some historians say that he sold to the
Dutch whatever right he may have acquired to the country by his discov-
ery. It is said in Biog. Britan. Art. HUDSON, that he was fitted out by
the Dutch East India Company, which furnished him with a fly boat, «•
quipped with all necessaries, and with 20 men, English arid Dutch.
3 He did not land at Manhattan without opposition ; he did not, likr
Cabot, take formal possession. Chalmers.
4 Purchas, i. 743. Charlevoix Nouv. France, i. 143. Chalmers, i. 567,
568. Forster Voy. 33 a, 333, 411,422. Harris Voy. 1.566. Europ.
Settlements, ii. 486. Prince, 49. Brit. Emp. i. 2. Smith N. York, 2.
" Third Voyage of Henry Hudson towards Nova Zembla, and, at his re-
turn, to Newfoundland and Cape Cod." Title of a book in Bibliotheca
Americ. p. 76, under A. D. 1609.
5 Charlevoix Nouv. France, i. 142. " Des 1'annce suivante quelques
Marchaads d' Amsterdam envoyerent des Nurires dans cette Riviere
AMERICAN ANNAL&
Weapoco, ' he returned to England, where by the
favour of prince Henry, he obtained a patent for
all the coast of Guiana, together with the river
of Amazons. The projected settlement however
did not succeed, for want of due support from
home. *
Indians in
Virginia
become
famine.
May 15.
The Eng-
lish, wrec-
ked on Ber
mudas, ar-
ri ve at Vir-
ginia.
1610.
Nothing could have been more inauspicious to
the colony, than the departure of Smith. The In-
dians, finding that the person, whose vigour they
had often felt, no. longer ruled the English people,
generally revolted, and destroyed them wherever
they were found. Captain RatclifF, in a small ship
with thirty men, going to trade, and trusting him-
self indiscreetly to Powhatan, he and all his people
were slain.3 The provisions of the colony being
imprudently wasted, a dreadful famine ensued, and
prevailed to such extremity, that this period was
many years distinguished by the name of The starv-
ing time. Of nearly five hundred persons, left in
the colony by the late president, sixty only remain-
ed, at the expiration of six months.4
The company $ wrecked at Bermudas, having
built two small vessels, and paid the seams with
lime and tortoise oil, put to sea on the tenth of May,
[Manhattan], pour y faire la traitte." Hudson can scarcely be called the
first discoverer of a coast, which had been often explored before, from the
days of the Cabots to the present. As he had never occupied the land,
he could not transfer what he never possessed. The sovereign of France
in 1603, and the king of England in 1606, had formally declared their in-
tention to appropriate the same region, which their subjects immediately
planted. Chalmers, i. 568.
i Here captain Ley settled with some Englishmen in 1605 ; but, sup-
vlii." miscarrying} they were forced to abandon that settlement. Ander-
son, ii..2.i5»
a Smith Virg. continued, chap. xxiv. Anderson, ii. 234. Unexpected
difficulties occurring, Harcote merely sent over a few passengers, " with
certain Dutchmen," and the country lay neglected several years. See A. D.
: ''• i 7. Henry, prince of Wales, mentioned above, died in 1612, JEt. 19.
3 Keith, 120. Stith, 116.
4 Smith Virg. 105, 106. Stith, no. Beverly, 34. Chalmers, i. 39.
AMERICAN ANNALS* 169
and on the twenty third arrived at Virginia. x Find- 1610.
ing the small remains of the colony in a famishing
Condition, and seeing no other means to preserve
them, than by abandoning the country, they took
them all on board with the intention of returning to
England. " None dropped a tear, because none
had enjoyed one day of happiness.." Lord Dela- Lord
ware, arriving at this juncture with three ships, one ^
hundred and fifty men, and plentiful provisions, and supplies,
meeting his forlorn countrymen in James river,
caused them all to return to James Town, where he
resettled the colony.*
Having published his commission, which invested
him with the sole command, he appointed a council
of six persons, to assist him in the administration.
A very essential change now took place in the form change ;n
of the ancient Virginian constitution ; for the orig- the govern
inal aristocracy was converted into a rule of one, o- ment<
ver whose deliberations the people had no controul.
Under the auspices of this intelligent and distin-
guished nobleman, the affairs of the colony were soon
reestablished. He allotted to every one his partic-
ular business. The French he commanded to plant
the vine 3 ; the English, to labour in the woodlands ;
and appointed officers, to see his orders obeyed. All
patiently submitted to an authority, which experi-
ence had taught them to be wise and necessary -9
and peace, industry, and order now succeeded tu-
I " The three and twentieth of May," says the narrator 'in Purchas
[v. 1748.], " we cast anchor before James Towne where we landed, and
our much grieved Governour first visiting the Church caused the bell to
be rung, at which all such as were able to come forth of their houses re-
wayred to Church where our Minister Master Bucke made a zealous and
f-orrowfull prayer, finding all things so contrary to cur expectations, so
full of misery and misgovernment. After service our Governour caused
mee to reade his Commission, and captaine Percie (then President) deliv-
ered up unto him his Commission, the old Patent, and the Councell Scale."
See also Stow Chron. loso.
a Smith Virg. 106. Stith, nj. Beverly, 34, 35. Prince, 31. Chal-
mers, i. 39. Belknap Biog. ii. 25 — 32.
3 A number of Frenchmen had been imported for the culture of vujes.
£ elknap.
y
3 7° AMERICAN ANNALS.
1 6 1 o. rnult, idleness, and anarchy. * Lord Delaware prd-
ceeded to build two forts at Kecoughtan, and called
the one Fort Henry, the other, Fort Charles. 2
June 19. On the report of his deputy governors of the
So'if-s^6 ^ent}r? ^lat t^ley k'ac* found in Bermudas, he dis-
^oeVto'Bcr. patched Sir George Somers to that island for pro-
inud,as;for visi°ns5 accompanied by captain Samuel Argal in
another vessel.3 They sailed together until by
contrary winds they were driven toward Cape Cod ;
whence Argal, after attempting, pursuant to in-
structions, to reach Sagadahock, found his way back
to Virginia.4 He was next sent for provisions
»
I Smith Virg. 107. Chalmers, i. 30, 31.
1 Smith Virg. 168 no. Stith, 120. They were built near Southampton
river. Ibid.
3 Smith Virg. 108. Somers went in the Patience, the same vessel,
that had brought him from Bermudas to Virginia. It had not one ounce
of iron about it, excepting one bolt in its keel. Univ. rfist. xli. 340. Ber-
mudas was full of hogs ; and it was the object of this voyage to kill aitd
salt them for provisions. The English peeple, who were wrecked on tkis
island, found them in abundance, and most historians suppose, they had
escaped from some vessel, previously wrecked on the island. Sir William
Monson [Naval Tracts, Churchill, iii. 439.] gives z different account ot
them. " This Island [Bermudas] at the beginning was discovered by the
Portuguese nation, and inhabited by them, till (hey found little profit ac-
crued from it, and then they abandoned ir, and left behind them such foocf,
<\ racially hogs, as they could not carry with them ; and thus it lay waste
for matt 7 years." We regret, that this respectable author does not men-
tifonthetime when the Portuguese discovered Bermudas. H* hisaccount be
correct, the account of the discovery of that island by Bermudez in 1522,
and that of its discovery by Oviedus in i "15, it seems, must be erroneous.
This last account was inserted in these Annals under A. D. 1515, in reli-
ance on the accuracy of Mr. Prince, who is distinguished for correctness,
and on Purchas, who is there mentioned as Mr. Prince's authority. But
the passage in Purchas, which I have since found, convinces me, that
'ttus did not discover B.-rmndas in 1515. .Some facts, incidentally men-"
tioned there by Oviedus, relating t*> Charles V, do not possibly admit that
date, [Compare Purchas v. 1728 with Pvobertson's Charles* V, vol. ii.] 1
suspect, that there is an error in tlizjigures, and that it was originally 1525 ;
a year, which agrees with the facts, incidentally mentioned by Oviedun.
If this correction be admitted, JOHN BERMUDEZ may yet claim the hon-
our of making the discovery in 1522, three years before the voyage of
Oviedus, until Sir W. Monson 's account of its discovery by the Portuguese
be more clearly established. An extract from Oviedus, in the margin of Pur-
chas (ibid.), appears to me to imply, that John Bermudez had made the
voyage before him, and that the island was already called by his name.
4 Purchas, 1758 — 1762. Argal, before he left the coast of what is now
New England, landed at an island " halfe a mile about, and nothing but a
rocke, which seemed to be very rich marble stone." It lay in 43 deg.
min. N. lat, ; and, on account of numerous seals taken there^
Seal -Hock. Ibid.
AMERICAN ANNALS. 171
to the Potowmac, where he found Henry Spelman, 1610.
an English youth, \vho had been preserved from
the fury of Powhatan by Pocahontas ; and by his
assistance procured a supply of corn. Somers, af-
ter struggling long with contrary winds, was driven
to the northeastern shore of America, where he re-
freshed his men * ; and at length he arrived safely
at Bermudas. Here he began to execute the pur-
pose of his voyage ; but, exhausted with fatigues,
to which his advanced age was inadequate, he soon
after expired. Previously to his death he had His death-,
charged his nephew, Matthew Somers, who com-
manded under him, to return with the provisions to
Virginia ; but, instead of obeying the charge, he re-,
turned to England, carrying the body of his deceas-.
ed uncle for interment in his native country. A
town, built in the very place where this worthy
Jcnight died, was named, in honour of him, St.
George. *
It is not unworthy of notice, that Somers, when
coming to America, being a member of parliament,
the commons declared his seat vacant, because, by
accepting a colonial office, he was rendered incapa-
ble of executing his trust. This appears to be the
first time that Virginia was noticed by the English
parliament- 3
I According to Prince [34.], it was at Sagadahock, the place to which
Somers had instructed Argal to repair.
Z Smith Virg. 176. Stith, 119. Belknap Biog. ii. 35. Stow Chron.
1018. Univ. Hist. xli. 340. Sir George Somers was above 60 ye^rs of
age, at the time of his death. His body was buried at Whitchurch in
Dorsetshire, but his heart and entrails were buried at Bermudas. It ap-
pears by his epitaph, that his death <^id not tal^e place until 161 1. In 1620
Nathaniel Butler, Esq. then governor of Bermudas, caused a large marble
$tone, handsomely wrought, to be laid over the place where his remains
•were partially interred ; and enclosed the spot with a square wall of hewn
stone. The epitaph, composed by the governor, and inscribed on tjae
marble, begins, in the style of that ago,
** In theyeere 1611,
" Noble Sir George Summers went to heaven ;'*-
and, after four encomiastic lines, thus concludes :
" At last his soule and body being to part,
" He here bequeath'd his entrails and his heart."
Srn-ith Virg. 193. Purchas, v. 1733.
3 Chalmers, i. 27.
'*72 AMERICAN ANNALS,
The spirit of adventure was at this time so prev-
alent in England, that even the barren and inhospi-
table island of Newfoundland was represented as
proper for plantation. This representation induced
the earl of Northampton, the lord chief baron Tan-
field, Sir Francis Bacon, then solicitor general, and
other gentlemen of distinction, to join with a num-
ber of Bristol merchants, for obtaining from king
James a grant of part of Newfoundland. A patent
April 27. Was accordingly granted to the earl of Northamp-
N^wfound- ton and forty four other persons, by the name of
land. the Treasurer and Company of Adventurers and
Planters of the cities of London and Bristol, for the
Colony or Plantation in Newfoundland, from north
latitude forty six to fifty two degrees, together with
the seas and islands lying within ten leagues of the
coast. The proprietors soon after sent Mr. John
June. Guy of Bristol, as conductor and governor of a col-.
sen^tothat ony °^ tnirty nme persons, who accompanied him to
island. Newfoundland, and began a settlement at Concep^
tion Bay, where they wintered, *
1 6 1 1 .
March. The health of lord Delaware not permitting him
ware 2-h~ to remain in his office of captain general of the Vir-
tums to ginian colony, he departed for England ; leaving a-
England. kove twQ hundred people in health and tranquillity. *
Ma I0 Not long after his departure, Sir Thomas Dale arriv-
Arrival of ed at Virginia with three ships, three hundred people,
afiSe^' twelye cows, twenty goats, and all things needful
with colo- for the colony. In August Sir Thomas Gates ar^
nists and
supplies. j Anderson, ii. 242, 143. Prince, 30. The patent states, that " di-
vers" of the kings " subjects were desirous to plant in the southern and
eastern parts of ^Newfoundland, whither the subjects of this realm have
for upwards of 50 years been used annually, in no small numbers, to resort
to fish." Harris Voy. i. 860, 86 1, where the patent is entire.
3 Purchas, i. 258, 759 ; v. 1762 — 1764, where is lord Delaware's own
relation. SmithVirg.no. Chalmers, i. 31. Beverly, 36. Prince, 35.
Eeljknap Biog. ii. 37.
AMERICAN ANNALS. 173
rived with six ships, two hundred and eighty men, 161 1*
and twenty women, one hundred cattle, two hun-.
dred he^. military stores, and other necessaries ;
and assumed the government.1 Finding the peo^
pie occupied by mere amusements, and verging to
their former state of penury, he took care to employ
them in necessary works. z The colony now be-
gan to extend itself up James river, and several new
settlements were made. 3 Virginia at tljis time con-
tai :c- seven hundred men, of various arts and pnx
fessions.4
Sir Thomas Dale, furnished by Sir Thomas Henrico
Gates with three hundred and fifty chosen men, built*
built a town on James river ; inclosed it with a
palisade ; and, in honour of prince Henry, called it
Hem-ico.*
To revenge some injuries of the Appamatuck In-
dians, Sir Thomas Dale assaulted and took their
tovvii, at the mouth of the river of their name about
fr miles from Henrico ; kept possession of it ;
called it New Bermudas ; and annexed to its corpo- New 0er^
ration many miles of champaign and woodland muda^
ground, in several hundreds. In the nether hun-
dred he began to plant, and with a pale of two
miles secured eight English miles in compass. On
this circuit there were soon built nearly fifty hand-,
some houses. 6
Henry Hudson, having sailed from the Thames Last v°y-
in the beginning of the preceding year, on discover- ^n° m"
•which
I Smith Virg. 109 — -in. Purchas, i. 759. Keith, 124. Stith, 123. Hudson's
Prince, 34. Chalmers, i. 33. Univ. Hist, xxxix. 245. Brit. Emp. iii. 6l. Bay is
Lqrd Delaware had left the government in the hands of captain George discovered.
Piercy until Dale should arrive.
a Smith Virg. no. Most of the company at James Town " were a,t
their daily and usual works, bowling in the streets." Ibid*
3 Marshall Life of Washington, i. 51.
4 Purchas, i. 759.
5 Purchas, v. 1767. Smith Virg. in. Beverly, 37, " The ruins of this
town," says President Stith in 1746," are still plainly to be traced."
6 Smith Virg. in. Purchas, v. 1768. The pale'of two miles is said
fey the historian to be " cut over from river t« river."
i?4 AMERICAN ANNALS.
i6u. ies in behalf of private adventurers,1 is supposed
now to have perished in the icy seas of Greenland. *
Having entered the straits, which bear his name,3
he penetrated to eighty degrees twenty three min^
utes, into the heart of the frozen zone, one hun-
dred leagues farther in this direction, than any one
had previously sailed. 4 While preparing to push,
forward his discoveries,, his crew mutinied ; and,
Seizing on him, and seven of those, who were most
faithful to him, committed them to the fury of thq
seas in an open boat. Most of the mutineers soon
came to a miserable end. Going on shore at Diggea
Island, Henry Green, their ringleader, was shot
i Sir Thomas Smith, Sir Dudley Digges, and Mr. John Wostenholme,
M with other their friends." Purchas, i. 744.
a Chalmers, i. 568,
3 Biog. Britun. Sir W. Monson, a contemporary, who received his in-,
telligence." from the mouth of the master that came home from Hudson,''
says, that " the entrance was in 63 degrees ;" that " they ran in that
height 200 leagues, and finding the Str eight, which was 40 leagues over, to
run south, they followed that southerly course, making account it would
bring them into the South Sea ;" that " here they ran aoo leagues more,^
till they found the water too shallow and unpassable ;" that " they win-
tered in an island in 5 a degrees, where in the whole winter they saw but
one man, who came to them but twice ;" that "this Savage was cloathed
in skins, and his arrows forked with iron ;" and that " this attempt of
Hudson has given u? knowledge of 400 leagues further than was ever
Jtnown before." The same author was/of opinion, that the iron of the
dart of the Indian, who visited Hudson, " shewed manifestly, he used to
trade with Christians." Naval Tracts in Churchill, iii. 430, 433.
4 Harris Voy. i. 634. Within the straits he gave names, to several
places, Desire Provokes, The Isle of God's mercy, Prince Henry's Cape,
King James' Cape, Queen Ann's Cape &c. Ibid. He sailed three hun-
dred leagues west in those straits, and on the second of August (i6iq)
came to a narrower passage, having two headlands ; that on the south he
called Cape Wostenholme, the opposite one on the northwest, Digges's
Island. Through this narrow passage he passed into the Bay, which has
ever since borne his name. Having sailed above a hundred leagues south
into this bay, he imprudently resolved to winter in the most southern part
pf it, with the intention of pursuing his discoveries in the spring. Qn the,
third of November his ship was drawn up in a small creek, where he provi-
dentially found a supply of provisions. When the spring arrived, he was
unable to induce the natives to come to "him, and was therefore necessitated
to abandon the enterprise. With tears in his eyes he distributed to his
men all the bread he had left. In this extremity he had let fall threaten-
ing words of setting some of his men on shore ; and now a few of the
sturdiest of them, who had before been mutinous, entered his cabin in the
night, and tying his arms behind him, put him into the boat. Biog. Brit-
an. Art. HUDSON.
AMERICAN ANNALS*
'75
through the heart, and several of his companions 1611.
were mortally wounded. The remnant of the
\vretched company hastily embarked for England. *
Champlain, when commencing the settlement
Canada, found the Adirondacks engaged in an im-
placable war with the Iroquois or Five Nations ; z <*acks.
and being now settled on the lands of the Adiron-
dacks, he espoused their cause, and accompanied
them in an expedition against their enemies. He
now first penetrated into the country of the Iroquois
by the river of their name, and discovered a lake,
which he called Lake Champlain ; 3 a name which
it retains to this day*
l6l2.
For the encouragement of the adventurers to March 12*
Virginia, the king issued a new charter, by which ™^er Of
he not only confirmed all their former privileges, and Virginia,
prolonged their term of exemption from payment
of duties on the commodities exported by them, biit
granted them more extensive property, and more
ample jurisdiction.3 By this charter all the islands,
I Purchas, i, 744, 745. Harris Voy, i. 567-^572. Univ. Mist. xli. 86,
Europ. Settlements, ii. a86. Their best sustenance left, while on their
voyage, was seaweeds, fried with candles' ends, and the skins of .fowls, which
they had eaten. Some of them were starved ; the rest were so weak, that
one only could lie on the helm, and steer. Meeting; at length (6 Septem*
ber) a fisherman of Foy, they with his aid reached England. Ibid.
a These nations of aboriginals, under the names of Mohawks, OneycUs
t)noridagas,Cayugas, and Senekas, had been confederated from ancient times.
They had already been driven from their possessions aroundMontreal,and had
found an asylum on the south eastern borders of lake Ontario. The Adi-
rondacks had, in their turn, been constrained to abandon their lands situat-
fcd above the Three Rivers, and to look for safety behind the strait of Que-
bec. The alliance of the French turned the tide of success. The Five
Nations were defeated in several battles, and reduced to extreme distress ;
but at length procuring fire arms from a Dutch ship, that arrived high up
the Manhattan river, they became formidable to their enemies, and the
Adirondacks were soon annihilated. Chalmers, i. 586.
3 Charlevoix, N.France, i. 144- — 146. & F.Chron. Champlain Voy. 152. A
battle was fought here, and a victory gained over the Iroquois. " Ce lieu
oii se fit ceste charge est paries 43 degrez & quelques minutes de latitude,
& le riommay le lac de Champlain." Ibid.
4 A copy of this third charter is preserved in Stith Hist. Virg. Appen-
dix, No. hi j and in Haaard Coll. i. 72 — 81,
r;6 AMERICAN ANNALS.
1612. lying within three hundred leagues of the coastj
were annexed to the Province of Virginia.
Bermudas ^le Bermudas, lying within these limits, were
sold. sold by the company to one hundred and twenty of
its own members, who, in honour of Sir George
•Named So- Somers, named them theSomer Islands. To these
Wr i&iahds. jsjan(js they now sent the first colony of sixty per-
sons, with Mr. Richard Moor, as their governor.
«nt to These colonists,having landed in June on the principal
iem uner san, 'm August subscribed six articles of govern-
ment ; x and in the course of the year received an ac-
cession of thirty persons. The Virginia company at
the same time took possession of other small islands,
discovered by Gates and Somers ; and prepared to
send out a considerable reinforcement to James
Town. The expense of these extraordinary efforts
was defrayed by the profits of a lottery, authorized
by the new charter, which amounted nearly to thir-
ty thousand pounds* z
Early in the year two ships, with a supply of
provisions and eighty men, arrived at Virginia.3
Voyage of Henry, prince of Wales, sent out Sir Thomas
sir r.JBut- Button with two ships, partly to ascertain, wheth-
er there were a passage to the western ocean through
Hudson's Bay : and partly to rescue Hudson and
his companions, if they might be found alive, from
the extreme misery, to which they must be subject*
I These articles are inserted in Purcha?, v. 1795.
O- Purchas, v. 1801. Smith Virg. 177. Josseiyn Voy. 246. Encyc.
Mfetliodique, Geog. Art. BERMUDES. Robertson, book ix. 77, 78. Prince .
35. Harris Vey. i. 848 — 850. Robertson and other historians remark,
that this is the first instance in the English history of any public counte-
nance given to this pernicious mode of levying money. A great lottery
however, for some purpose, was " holden tit London in Paules Church.
Yard," in 1569, which" was begun to be drawne the II of January, and
Continued day and night till the 6th of May." Stow Chron. 663. Stow
gives this account of the Virginian Lottery : " The King's majesty, in sptr-
i'livoiir for the present plantation of English collonies in Virginia,
jrraunted a liberal lottery, in whica was contained 5000 pound in prizes
rertaine, besides rewards of casualty, and began to be drawne in a new
built house at the west end of Paul's, the 29 of June 1613." Ibid. 1002.
.Beverly, ^ 7. Brit. limn, iii, 61,
AMERICAN ANNALS. 177
ed. He wintered at a river, which, after the name 1612.
of the captain of one of the ships, who died there, he
called Nelson's River. A small creek on the north
side of the river he named Port Nelson. He and Winter8 at
his mariners wintered on board the ships ; and Port Nei-
though they constantly kept three fires, and took $on"
the utmost care, many of them died. In June, he
explored the whole western coast of the bay, which,
after his own name, was called Button's Bay. To
the south and west of that bay he discovered a great Bay.
continent, to which he gave the names of New
North Wales, and New South Wales ; and hereof*
he erected a cross with the arms of England. The Wales.
highest land, to which his researches extended, was
about sixty degrees. Between Cape Chidley and
the coast of Labrador he discovered a strait,
through which he sailed ; and sixteen days after-
ward arrived in England. x
Peter Easton, a noted pirate, went to Newfound- New-
land with several ships, and took a hundred men out
of the fishing vessels in Conception Bay. * The
English colony at that island now consisted of fifty
four men, six women, and two children. 3
The French attacked the Portuguese island Ma- island Ma-
ragnan in Brasil, and became masters of it. To se« rasnan-
cure their conquest, they erected the city and forti-
fication of St. Lewis de Maragnan ; of which how.,
ever they were soon deprived by the Portuguese. 4
1613.
This year is memorable for the first hostilities be- Destruct.
tween the English and French colonists in America, ion of the
Madame de Guercheville, a pious lady in France,
who was zealous for the conversion of the Ameri-
i Forster Voy. 344 — 347. Anderson, ii. 244. ; but he puts the voy-
age in 1611. Forster says, that Button was after-ward created a knight ;
and that Nelson was his mate in this voyage.
1 Prince, 35. 3 Purchas, i. 748.
4 Univ. Hist, xxxix, aai. Encyc. Methodique, Art. MARAGNAN.
Y «
i;3 AMERICAN ANNALS.
1613. cm natives, having procured from De Monts a sur-
render of his patent, and obtained a charter from
the reigning king for all the lands of New France
from the St. Lawrence to Florida, with the excep-
tion of Port Royal., sent out Saussaye with two Je-
suits, father Quentin, and father Gilbert du Thet,
as missionaries. Saussaye sailed from Honfleur on
the twelfth of March, in a vessel of one hundred
tons, and on the sixteenth of May arrived at le Heve
in Acadie, where he set up the arms of Madame de
Guercheville, in token of possession. Proceeding
thence to Port Royal, he found there five persons
only, two of whom were Jesuit missionaries, who
had been previously1 sent over., but who had fallen
under the displeasure of M. Biencourt, at that time
governor of Port Royal. On producing the cre-
dentials, by which he was authorized to take these
fathers into the service of the new mission, as well
as to take possession of the Acadian territory, the
two Jesuits were permitted to go where they pleased.
They accordingly left Port Royal, and went with
Saussaye to Mont's Deserts, an island, that had been
thus named by Champlain, lying at the entrance of
the river Pentagoet. The pilot conducted the ves-
sel to the east end of the island, where the Jesuits
fixed their settlement ; and, setting up a cross,, cele-
brated mass, and called the place St Saviour.*
-\r<*'ii cao- Scarcely had they begun to provide themselves
tmresthe with accommodations in this retreat, before they
French at surprised by an enemy. Captain Samuel Ar-
i>t. baviour. f t f J m m '.-..•..-* ~, , . ,
gal or Virginia, arriving at this juncture on the isl-
and of Monts Deserts for the purpose of fishing.,
was cast ashore in a storm at Pentagoet, where he
I It appears by Champlain [Voy. 101.], \vith whom agrees Charlevoix
[Nouv. France, i. 123.], that these two Jesuits, Biart and Masse, arrived at
Port Royal on the lath of June, 1611. Had Dr. Belknap seen Champlain,
he would not have placed their arrival in 1604. The reader may observ**,
that this anachronism has been copied into these Annals (p. 150). Had 1
seen the original French author in season, that error would have been pre-
vented. 2 It was in 44 deg. and 30 min. lat. Champlain.
AMERICAN ANNALS. 179
received notice from the natives, that the French 1613.
were at St. Saviour. Such was the account of their
number and state, that he resolved to attack them
without hesitation or delay. The French made
some resistance ; but were soon obliged to yield to
the superipr force of the English. x In this action
Gilbert de Thet, one of the Jesuit fathers, was kil-
led by a musket shot ; some others were wounded ;
and the rest, .excepting four or five, were taken pris-
oners. The English seized the French vessel, which
lay there, and pillaged it. The French people, be-
ing furnished with a fishing vessel by the English^
principally returned to France ; but Argal took fif-
teen of them, beside the Jesuits, to Virginia.
The Virginian governor, after advising with his Completes
council, resolved to dispatch an armed force to the ^eir"ettit
coast of Acadie, and to rase all the settlements and ments in
forts to the forty sixth degree of latitude. No time Acudl£t
was lost. An armament of three vessels was im-
mediately committed to Argal, who sailed to St.
Saviour, where, on his arrival, he broke in pieces
the cross, which the Jesuits had erected, and set up
another, inscribed witli the name of the king of
Great Britain, for whom possession was now taken.
He next sailed to St. Croix, and destroyed all the
remains of De Monts settlement. He then sailed
to Port Royal,3 where he found not a single per-
son, and in two hours he reduced that entire settle:
I The French had a small entrenchment, but no cannon. Charlevoix N.
France,!. 131. Argal had 60 soldiers, and 14 pieces of cannon ; the num-
ber of his vessels was n. Champlain, 106. The equipment of these fish-
ing vessels might give occasion to the belief, that they were " sent ostensi-
bly on a trading and fishing voyage, but with, orders to seek for and dis-
possess intuiders." Sec Belknap Biog. ii. 5 5. It is certain however, that
this very respectable writer, in common with Prince and other Eng-
lish historians, has confounded the t\vp voyages of Argul, made to Acadie
this year.
2, It has been said, that father Biart, to be revenged on Biencourt, offer-
ed to pilot the vessel to Port Royal ; but Champlain says, the French refus-
ed that service, and that the English obliged an Indian to pilot them :
<* Conduit d'un Sauyage t]u'il print par fovce, les Francois ne le voulani
enseigner." p. 109,
l8o AMERICAN ANNALS.
1613. ment to ashes.1 Having thus effectually executed
Novemb.9. fae business of his commission, he returned to Vir-
ginia.a
Remarks. The only pretext for the hostile expedition of Ar-
gal, in a time of profound peace, was, an encroach-
ment of the French on the rights of the English,
founded on the discovery by the Gabots. The Vir-
ginian charter of 1 606, unless considered as founded,
on that discovery, was not trespassed by the French
settlements in Acadie, That charter granted indeed
to the Plymouth company fo far north, as to the
forty fifth degree of north latitude ; but De Monts
had previously 3 received a patent of the territory
from the fortieth to the forty sixth degree of lati-
tude, by virtue of which the French had actually
commenced settlements below the forty fifth degree,
in the year 1604. Neither England, nor any
European nation, appears so early to have asserted
or allowed a right, derived from occupancy.* Had
that right been settled by the lav/ of nations, the
act of Argal would have furnished just ground of
war.
It does not appear, that this transaction was ei-
ther approved by the court of England, or resented
by the crown of France ; it prepared the way how-
ever for a patent of the territory of Acadie, which
was granted eight years afterward by king James.5
Dutch sub- Argal, on his return to Virginia, visited the Dutch
6 settlement at Hudson's river >6 and, alleging that
i This settlement had cost the French more than 100,000 crowns.
Charlevoix Nouv. France, i. 137.
•Z Champlain les Voyages de la Nouv. France, 103 — 109. English au-
thorities relative to this subject are,Purchas, v. 1764 — 1768, 1808 ; Smith
Virg. 115 ; Beverly, 51 — 55 ; Stith, 133 ; Hubbard Ind. War. aoi ; Prince,
94 ; Univ. Hist, xxxix. 255. ; Stow Chron. 1018 ; Chalmers, i. 82. ; Brit.
Emp. i. 165, 166 ; ii. 10 ; Belknap Biog. ii. 51 — 55.
3 See p. 147 of these Annals, A. D. 1603.
4 See p. 10 of these Anmals.
5 Purchas,v. i8a8. Brit. Dominions in N. America, hook xiv. 246. Bel-
knap Biog. ii. 55. Stith, 133.
£ Dr. Belknap [Amer. Biog. ii. 55.] says, the settlement, which Argal
AMERICAN ANNALS, 181
Hudson, an English subject, could not alienate from 1615
the English crown what was properly a part of Vir-
ginia, demanded possession. The Dutch governor,
Hendrick Christiaens, incapable of resistance, peace-
ably submitted himself and his colony to the king of
England ; and, under him, to the governor of Vir-
ginia. *
These conquests abroad were succeeded by pro- Mr.
portionate successes at home. John Rolfe, an En-
glishman, married Pocahontas, the celebrated daugh-
ter of Powhatan ; and this alliance secured peace
to Virginia many years. Having been carefully in-
structed in the Christian religion, she not long after
Openly renounced the idolatry of her country, made
profession of Christianity, and was baptized by the
name of Rebecca. z
Sir Thomas Dale, accompanied by captain Argal Treaty
and fifty men, went to Chickahominy, and held a with the
treaty with an Indian tribe of that name, a bold h'
and free people, who now voluntarily relinquished di
their name, for that of Tassantessus, or English-
men ; and solemnly engaged to be faithful subjects
to king James. 3
To prevent idleness, and other evils, resulting Policy t
from the prohibition of private property, and from F°m?te
then visited, was " near the spot where Albany is now built ;'.' and it appears
to have been the principal establishment of the Dutch on Hudson's river,
at that time. They had however taken possession of the mouth of the
river, and it seems to have been here (where New York now stands), that
their governor resided. Smith says, that Argal " found at Manhattas isle,
4 houses built, and a pretended Dutch governor.". [Hist. N. Jersey 26.] ;
but according to Chalmers [i. 568.] there was nothing more than " a trad-
ing house," which the Hollanders had built near the confluence of the ri-
ver Manhattan.
i Stith, 133. Chalmers, 1.568.
a Smith Virg.ii3, 122. Stith, 136. Beverly, 39. Brit. Emp. iii. 61, 62.
3 Stith, 130. They had no werowance, or single ruler, but were gov-
erned in a republican form by their elders, consisting of their priests, and
some of the wisest of their old men, as assistants. Smith [Virg. 114.] says,
that they submitted to the English, " for feare," lest Powhatan and the
English united would bring them again to his subjection. " They did rath-
er chuse to be protected by us, than tormented by him, whom they held a
tyrant." Keith [1-27] puts this submission in 1612.
« 62 AMERICAN ANNALS,
the subsistence of the Virginian people on a pub-
lic store. Dale now allotted to each man three
acres of cleared ground, in the nature of farms ; re-
quiring him to work eleven months for the store,
out of which he was to have two bushels of corn j
and allowing him one month, to make the rest of
his provisions. l
Bermudas. In the course of the year five hundred and fo
persons arrived from England at Bermudas ; an
the island now became settled, *
1614,
Early in this year Sir Thomas Gates returned to
England, leaving in Virginia scarcely four hundred
men. 3 The administration of the government of
the colony again devolved on Sir Thomas Dale,
who, " by war upon enemies and kindness to friends,
brought the affairs of the settlement into good or-
der."'4
p«ti.h A new governor from Amsterdam, arriving at the
settlement on Hudson's river with a reinforcement,
asserted the right of Holland to the country ; refu-
sed the tribute and acknowledgment, stipulated with
the English by his predecessor ; and put himself in-
to a posture of defence. 5 He built a fort on the
south .end of the island Manhattan, where the city
pf New York now stands ; and held the country
many years, under a grant from the States General,
by the nam£ of the New Netherlands,6
i Stith, 1,32. a Prince, 37. See A. D. 1612,
3 Stow Chron. 1018. Encyc. Methodique, Geog. Art. VIRGINIA.
4 Chalmers, i. 36. 5 Stith, 133.
6 Jcsselyn Voy. 153. Smith N. York, 2. Smith N. Jersey, 19. Belle-
nap Kiog. ii. 56. It is affirmed [Univ. Hist, xxxix. 346.], that the Dutch
now applied to king James for a confirmation of Hudson's conveyance; but
that v.il, which they could obtain, was leave to build some cottages for the
convenience of their ships, touching for xvater on their way to Brasil. A writ-
er in 1656 [Hazard Coll. i. 604, 605, from Thurloe.] says, that the planta-
tions,then by the Dutch called the Nether lauds, were "until of very late years
better known and commonly called by them the New Virginia, as a place
dependent upon or a relative to the Old Virginia ;" and that this appella-
tion renders still more credible the common report, that " by the pernris-
"on of king James they h.id ^rar.tfd from him to their States, only a cer-
son s river.
AMERICAN ANNALS. iSj
John Smith, distinguished in Virginian history, 1614;
\vas now sent out with two ships from England to Fi»^vnv-
North Virginia, at the charge of four Englishmen, smith to
with instructions to remain in the country, and to 1V(>rth .
keep possession. * Leaving the Downs on the third
of March, he arrived on the last of April at the isl-
and of Monahigon in latitude forty three degrees
four minutes. After building seven boats, he in
one of them, with eight men,2 ranged the coast east
and west from Penobscot to Cape Cod, and barter-
ed with the natives for beaver and other furs. By
this voyage he made a profit of nearly fifteen hun-
dred pounds. From the observations, which he
now made on shores, islands, harbours, and head-
lands, he, on his return home, formed a map, and
presented it to prince Charles, who, in the warmth
of admiration, declared, that the country should be New EnS-
called New England.3
Smith,, in his late voyage to this country, made Discover
several discoveries, and distinguished them by pecu- of^'mithi
liar names. The northern promontory of Mass a- ^j"2"
chusetts Bay,, forming the eastern entrance into the
bay, he named Tragabigzancla, in honour of a Turk-
ish lady, to whom he had been formerly a slave at
Constantinople. Prince Charles however, in filial
respect to his mother, called it Cape Ann ; a name, cap* Aon,
which it still retains. The three small islands, lying
at the head of the promontory, Smith called the
tain island, called therefore by them Statss Island [Staten Island], as a wa-
tery place for their West India fleets ; although as they have incroacbe<I
upon, so they have given it a new Dutch name, . . wiping out the, ol J
English names in those parts in America in their old Sea Charts, and have
new Dutchified them."
1 " I was to have staied there," says Smith [Virg. 221], « with but six-
teen men."
2 His whole company consisted of 45 men and boys ; " 37 of the com-
pany fished." Purchas, v. 1838.
3 Smith Virg. 205. Purchas, v. 18;, 8. I. Mather N. Eng. i. Hubbard
MS. N. Eng, 9. ; and Ind. War, aoi. father Magnal. book i. 4- Harris
Voy. i. 850. Chalmers, i. 80. Belknap Bir;;. i. 505. Robertson, book x.
131. I. Mather says, it had been known *:\ r.u years before by the name
*f the Northern Plantation*.
184 AMERICAN ANNALS.
1614. Three Turks Heads, in memory of his victory over
?** three Turkish champions ; but this name was also
Head! changed. x Another cluster of islands, to which the
discoverer gave his own name, Smith's Isles, was
i. of shoals, afterward denominated the Isle of Shoals.2
Hunt car- The base and perfidious action of one man sub-
J 24 jected English adventurers to present inconvenience,
tivei! a " and to future dangers. Smith had left behind hirri
one of his ship?, to complete her lading, with orders
to Thomas Hunt, the master, to sail with the fish,
that he should procure on the coast, directly for
Malaga. 3 Hunt however, under pretence of trade,
having enticed twenty four of the natives on board
his ship, piit them under hatches, and carried them
to Malaga, where he sold them to the Spaniards. 4
indi?n3 dis- This flagrant outrage disposed the natives in that
PevedMv! Part °f ^e country where it was committed, to re-
the injury, vcnge the injury on the countrymen of the offender ;
and the English were hence constrained to suspend
their trade, and their projected settlement in New
England. s
An opportunity was soon offered to the Indians,
1 " Neither of them glorying in these Mahometan titles." Hubbard
MS. N. Eng. chap, xviii. The name, which they received in exchange, is
lost.
2 Belknap Biog. i. 306. This name is still retained.
3 Hubbard MS. N. Eng. 32. Belknap Biog. i. 306.
4 Hubbard [Ibid. 32, 34.] says, that Hunt, " like a wicked varlet," de-
coyed them ; and that he took 20 Indians from Patuxet [now Plymouth],
and 7 from Nauset [Easthum '). I. Mather says the same thing. But, as
Hubbard and the best authoritiesf give the aggregate number of 24, it is
probable, that 4 only were taken from Nauset, and that this figure ha*
been mistaken for 7. Mather also says, that Hunt carried these Indians to
Gibraltar, and there sold as many of them, as he could, for £20 a man, un-
til it was known whence they came ; " for then the friars in those parts
took away the rest of them, that so they might nurture them in the Chris-
tian religion." •]• Mourt is an exception. See Purcbas, \. 1849-
5 I. Mather N. Eng. 2. " This barbarous fact was the unhappy occa-
sion of the loss of many a man's estate, and life, which the barbarians did
from thence seek to destroy." Ibid. Other authorities for this article are,
Hubbard Ind. War, 201 ; Smith Virg. 205 ; Brit. Emp. i. 256. Univ. Hist.
xxxix. 271 ; Harris Voy. i. 851. The two last authorities circumstantially
vary from the others; the one, by giving an increased number of kidnap-
ped Indians ; the other, by making; the voyages of Smith and Hunt entire-
ly disconnected.
AMERICAN ANNALS* 1 85
to show Resentment, if not to inflict revenge. tn 1614*
the course of the year the English adventured to
dispatch to the same coast another vessel, command-
ed by captain Hobson, for the purpose of erecting
a plantation^ and establishing a trade with the na-
tives ; but it was found next to impracticable to set-
tle any where within their territories. x Two In-
dians, Epenow and Manowet, who had been Carried
by Hunt to England, were brought back in Hob-
son's vessel, to be serviceable toward the design of
a plantation ; but they united with their country-
men in contriving means, by which they might be
revenged on the English. Manowet died soon af-
ter their arrival. Epenow, not allowed to go on
shore, engaged his old friends, who visited the ves-
sel, to come again, under pretext of trade. On their
approach at me appointed time with twenty canoes,
he leaped overboard, and instantly a shower of ar-
rows was sent into the ship. The Indians, with des-
perate courage, drew nigh, aiid, in spite of the Eng-
lish muskets, carried off their countrymen. Several
Indians were killed in the skirmish. The master of
the ship and several of the company were wounded.
Discouraged by this occurrence, they returned to
England* a
The treasurer and company of Virginia, having
expended immense sums of money in attempting the
settlement of a colony, without any adequate profit,
applied to the commons of England for assistance iri dm
the prosecution of that enterprise. The attention
to their petition is said to have been " solemn and
unusual," but nothing appears to have been resolv-
ed on. Thus early were the affairs of the colonies
brought before the parliament ; and it is noticed by
an English historian of distinction, as " extremely
I I. Mather [N. Eng. a, 3.] expressly says, it was because Hunt's scan-
dalous conduct had excited " such a mortal hatred of all men of the English
Sation."
% I. Mather N. Eng. 3. Hubbard MS. N. Eng. 33. Brit. Emp. i. z$7«
Zz
1 86 AMERICAN ANNALS.
remarkable, that before the colonists had acquired
property, or a participation in a provincial legisla-
ture, the commons exercised jurisdiction."1
Landed property was now introduced into Vir-
landed ro. Sm'a » anc^ for this important privilege the colony
pertyinto was indebted to governor Dale. Not only the lands
Virginia, generally, that had been granted by the Virginia
company for the encouragement of adventurers, but
the farms, that had been allotted to the settlers,
were holden by an unstable claim. " The farmers
did not possess the lands that were assigned them
by a tenure of common soccage ; but enjoyed them
as tenants at will." To every adventurer into the
colony, and to his heirs, were now granted fifty acres
of land ; and the same quantity for every person,
imported by others. 3 An humiliating tenure^ un-
worthy of freemen, was thus changed into that of
common soccage ; and " with this advantageous al-
teration, freedom first rooted in colonial soil."*
Smith., since his last voyage, had become intent
on settling a plantation in New England.4 The
i Chalmers, i. 35. It ws objected Jn parliament, that, were this enter-
prise undertaken by the house and king, it might prove the cause of a war.
.Lord -Delaware answered, that this were no just ground of offence : for,
said his lordship, the country was named by the queen : the Spaniards de-
fend the West Indies ; the Portuguese, the East ; the French, the river St
Lawrence ; the Hollanders, the Moluccas. Ibid.
^ A greater number of acres had been previously given to each adven-
turer ; but this reduction was made on account of the prosperous condition
of the colony. Stith, 139.
3 Chalmers, 34, 36. The author of a Tract, entitled, The Trade's In-
crease, published in 1615, remarks : " As for the Bermudas, we know not
yet what they will do ; and for Virginia, we know not what to do with it :
The present profit of those two colonies not employing any store of ship-
ping. The great expence that the nobility and gentry have been at in
planting Virginia is no way recompensed by the poor returns from thence."
Anderson, ii. 266.
4 " Of all the four parts of the world 1 have yet seen, not inhabited,"
says Smith, " could I have but means to transport a colony, I would rather
live here than any where, and if it did not maintaine itselfe, were we but
once indifferently well fitted, let us starve." Hi»t. Virg. 209. This ver y
intelligent and penetrating objerrer thus early formed a high and just esti-«
AMERICAN ANNALS. 187
Plymouth company,, though much discouraged by 1615.
the ill success of Hobson's voyage the last year,
ivas incited by Smith's account of the country, and
by the spirit of emulation with the London compa-
ny, to attempt a settlement. Sir Ferdinando Gorges,
in concert with Dr. Sutliffe, dean of Exeter, and
several others, equipped two vessels, one of two
hundred tons, the other of fifty, on board of which,
beside seamen, were sixteen men, who were destined
to begin a colony in New England. The command March>
was given to Smith ; but, before he had sailed one smith sails
hundred and twenty leagues, he lost the masts of [^cf.'^uT
his largest ship, and was obliged to return under is obliged
jury masts to Plymouth. He soon after sailed a- to retunu
gain in a bark of sixty tons with thirty men, six* _
r -L t. r • j June 24-
teen or whom were the same, who had accompanied sails again;
him in the last voyage, as settlers ; but he was ta- but ils f F-
i T-I -i r • i • tured by
ken by four r rench men or war, and carried into t
'Jlochelle. The vessel of fifty tons, that had been
separated from him in the first of these voyages,
was commanded by Thomas Dernier, who pursued
liis voyage, and returned with a good freight in Au-
gust ; but the main design of the enterprise wag
frustrated, *
Captain Richard Whitburo, who with other Eng-
lishmen had made several voyages to Newfoundland,
now arrived at that island, with a commission from
the admiralty to empannel juries, and correct abuses
arid disorders, committed among the fishermen on
mate of the healthfulness and fertility of this portion of the country. He
had the highest expectations from the fishery of, this const ; and time has
proved the exactness of his judgment. Before settlements were formed
here, he made tliis remarkable discrimination : " The country of the Ma*-
sachusits is the paradice of all those parts." Ibid. 2l,o, 215.
i Smith Virg. iai — 233. Purchas, v. 1838. Harris Voy. 1,851. Univ.
Hist, xxxix. 171. iiclknap Diog.i.3ii,3ia, 359, 360. The London com-
pany in January sent out 4 ships for New England. The voyagers, arriv-
ing oft" the coast in March, fished until the middle of June, and then
freighted a ship of 300 tons for Spain. That ship was taken by the Turks ;
' o;ic went to Virginia to relieve that colonie, and two came for Eugland
with the greene fish, trains oyle and furres, within wx moncths." Pu»
Ciu.s} v. 1838.
1 89 AMERICAN ANNALS.
the coast. On his arrival, he immediately held a
court of admiralty, and received complaints from
one hundred and seventy masters of English vessels
pf injuries, done in trade and navigation ; a fact,
which shews the flourishing state of the English
cod fishery, at that early period. * Many thousands
of English, French, Portuguese, and others, were
already settled at Newfoundland. *
Sir Richard Hawkins, by commission from the
°f -Plymouth company, of which he was this year the
Hawkins, president, made a voyage to New England, to search
the country and its commodities ; but, finding the
natives at war among themselves, he passed along
to Virginia, and returned home, without making a«
»y new observations. 3
1616.
Virginia. Sir George Yeardley, to whom the govern-
ment of the Virginian colony was now committed,
having sent to the Chickahominies for the tribute
corn, and received an insolent answer, proceeded
with one hundred men to their principal town, where
he was received with contempt and scorn. Per-
ceiving the Indians to be in a hostile and menacing
posture, he ordered his men to fire on them ; and
twelve were killed on the spot, Twelve also were
taken prisoners, two of whom were senators, or el-
ders ; but they paid one hundred bushels of corn
for their ransom, and, as the price pf peace, loaded
three English boats with corn.4
Tobacco. Tobacco was about this time first cultivated by
the English in Virginia. 5
Four ships sailed from London, and four from
p}ymouth, to New England, whence they carried
I Univ. Hist, xxxix. 249.
a Prince, 43.
3 Gorges N. Eng. aa. Prince, 43. Belknap Biog. i. 360.
4 Stith, 141. Gov. Dale sailed for England early this ye.vr,
5 Chalmers, i. 36. Rob<jits»n, book he. 83.
AMERICAN ANNALS. 185
great quantities offish and oil, which were sold ad- 1616.
vantageously in Spain and the Canary islands.1
The Edwin, a vessel from one of the West India
islands, coming into Bermudas with figs, pines, su-
gar canes, plantanes, papanes, and various other
plants, they were immediately replanted there, and
cultivated with success. 3
Sir Thomas Smith and other gentlemen in Eng- Voyage ot
land sent out the ship Discovery the fifth time, un- B* Byio^
der the command of Robert Bylot. After passing
Davis's Straits, he came to some islands, in seventy
two degrees forty five minutes north latitude, where
he found women only, whom he treated with kind-
ness, making them presents of iron. These islands
he called Women5 s Isles. Proceeding one degree Women's
farther north, he put into a harbour, and was visit- Isle3'
ed by the inhabitants, whq brought him seal skins
ana horns, in exchange for iron. He named the Horn
place Horn Sound. On this voyage he also discov- ot°henr >an
ered and named Cape Dudley Digges, Wolsten- sounds and
holme's Sound, Whale Sound, Hakluyt's Island, isj
Gary's Islands, Alderman Jones's Sound, and James
Lancas ter * s S ountl . *
"William Baffin, on a voyage for the discovery df Voyage «f
a northwest passage to China, sailed to the seventy Batlin*
eighth degree of north latitude, where he discovered
a bay, which he called by his own name ; but he
returned, without finding the desired passage. 4
1 Smith Virg. 228. Purchas, v. 1839* Harris Voy. I. 851. Andeison,
ii, 269. A quarto volume, published this year at London, shows the pro-
gressive attention of the English to the northern parts of this country. It
was entitled : " A Description of NK>V ENGLAND, Or, the Observation*
and Discoveries of Capt. John Smith (Admiral of that country) in 1614,
with the success of 6 ships that went the next year 1615, and the acd -.ler^
befel him among the French men of War ; with the proof of the pre-en;
benefit this country affords, whither, this year 1616, eight voluntary slr.rt,
are gone, to make, further trial." Prince, 145,
2 Smith Virg. 184.
3 Forster Voy. 352 — 357. Whale Sound is in 77 deg. 30 min,
4 Brit. Emp. i. 3. Anderson, ii. 268. Baffin, in a letter to J. Wolstt-su
Jiolme Esq. writes : " In Sir Thomas Smith's Sound in 78 deg. by divers
good observations I found the compass varied above 5 points, or 56 degree*
to the westward ; so that a N. £. by E. is true north, a thing incredible^and
199 AMERICAN ANNALS.
1616. The States General of Holland having, in favour
$towLm °^ t*le*r ^ast *nc**a comPanv> prohibited all others-
from going to India, either by the Cape of Good
Hope eastward, or through the Straits of Magellan
westward 5 it was projected to attempt the discovery
of a new western passage into the South Sea, south-
ward of those straits. Isaac le Maire, a merchant
of Amsterdam, the first projector of the design, and
William Gornclitz Schouten, a merchant of Hoorn,
fitted out two ships, on this enterprise, of which
Schouten took the command. Having sailed from
the T exel in June the preceding^year, he in January,
three degrees to the southward of the Magellannic
January. Straits,1 discovered land, the east part of which he
j^Mair™* namec^ States Land, and the west, Maurice Land,
strait. between which he found a new strait, which he nam-
ed after his partner, Le Maire. Passing through
this strait, he doubled a cape, which he called Cape
€ape Hoorn. Crossing the Southern ocean, he proceed-
Hoorn. ^ to faG £ast indies, and thence to Holland. This
was the sixth circumnavigation of the globe. * In
' this voyage Schouten took formal possession of sev-
eral islands in the southern hemisphere, in the name
of the States General. 3
matchless in all the world besides." Harris Voy. i. 593. After this voy-
age, the English made no attempts to discover the Northwest passage ua-
til the year 1631. Ibid. 634.
I Monson Nav. Tracts Churchill Voy. iii. 403.
a Harris Voy.i. 37 — 45. Anderson, ii. 268. One of the two ships was lost
lay, fire. The other, op its arrival at Jacatra (novy Batavia), was seized, to-
gether with the goods on board, by the president of the Dutch East India
company ; and Schouten and his men took passage home in one of that
company's ships, completing their navigation in two years and eighteen
days. Ibid. In Bjbliotheea Americ. [8i] there is this title of a book :
" Diarium vel Descriptio laboriosissimi et molestissimi Itineris facti, a Gu-
iielmo Cornelii Schoutenio Hcrnano annis 1615, 1616, et 1617*. Cum Fig.
Quarto. Amst. 1619." Purchas[v. 1391.] says, " the Hollanders challenge
the discovery of new straits by Mayre and Schouten before twice sailed a-
bout by Sir F.Drake;" but I have found no satisfactory evidence to set
aside the Dutch claim, the justness of which is conceded bj the be$t Eng-
lish historians.
3 Chalmers, i. 595. See Harris Voy. ii. 805,
AMERICAN ANNALS.
1617.
Captain Argal, arriving at Virginia as governor, state o?
found all the public works and buildings in James vkginw*.
Town fallen to decay ; five or six private houses
only, fit to be inhabited ; the store house used for
a church ; the market place, streets, and all other
spare places, planted with tobacco ; the people of
the colony dispersed, according to every man's con-
venience for planting ; ' and their entire number re-
duced nearly to four hiindred, a riot more than two
hundred of whom were fit for husbandry and tillage. 5
Pocahontas, having accompanied her English hus- r»eath of
band, Mr. Rolfe, to England, was taken sick at Poci^*
Gravesend, while waiting to embark for Virginia,
and died, at the age of about twenty two year" & 4
Unsuccessful as repeated attempts had been, for NEn,iand.
settling New England, the hope of success was not
abandoned. Captain John Smith was provided at
Plymouth with three ships for a voyage to this
country, where he was to remain with fifteen men ;
but he was wind bound for three months ; and lost
the season. The ships went to Newfoundland 5
and the projected voyage was frustrated. *
Sir Walter Ralegh, having been liberated from L5ls£
the tower,6 obtained a royal commission to settle w
Guiana. 7 Several knights and gentlemen of quality to
furnished a number of ships, and accompanied him
in the enterprise. They left Plymouth about the
last of June, with a fleet of fourteen sail, but were
obliged, through stress of weather, to put in at Cork
in Ireland. Arriving at Guiana on the twelfth of
November, they soon after assaulted the new Span*
I Smith Virg. 133. Stith, 146. a Beverly, p. 50. 3 Smith Virg. 123.
4 Smith Virg. 113. Stith [146] says, that conformably to her life, she
died " a most sincere and pious Christian." She left one son only, Thom-
as Rolfe ; \vhose posterity was respectable, and inherited lands in Virginia
by descent from her. Keith, 129.
5 Purchas, v. 1839.
6 See p. 151, note 3. He was confined in the tower akov?
$ This commission is in Hazard Coll. i, 82 — 85.
192 AMERICAN
ish. city of St. Thome, which they sacked, plunder'-*
ed, and burned. * Having staid at the river Calia-
na until the fourth of December, Ralegh deputed
captain Keymis to the service of the discovery of the
mines^ with five vessels, on board of which were
five companies of fifty men each, who, after repeat-
ed skirmishes with the Spaniards,- returned in Feb-
ruary without success. Disappointed again in his
sanguine expectations, he abandoned the enterprise*
and sailed back to England. The hostile assault,
made on St. Thome, having given umbrage, king
James had issued a proclamation3 against Ralegh^
who, on his arrival, was again committed to the tow-
er ; and not long after was beheaded. 3 He was one
of the greatest and most accomplished persons of
the age, in which he lived. He was the first Eng-
lishman, who projected settlements in America ; and
is justly considered as the Founder of Virginia. 4 To1
i Tli's is said to have been the only town in Guiana, then possessed b/
the Spaniards [Josselyn Voy. 247.] ; though the English adventurers found
many fortifications there, " which were not formerly." St. Thome consist*
ed of 140 houses, though lightly built, with a chapel, a convent of Francis-
can friars, and a garrison, erected on the main channel of the Oronoque^
about 20 miles distant from the place where Antonio Berreo, the govern-
or, ta^en by Ralegh in his first discovery and conquest here, attempted to
plant. Heyliri Cosniog. 1086. See A. D. 1595. Stow Chron. 1030.
Walter Ralegh, a soil of the knight, having accompanied his father, was
slain in the assault. Ibid.
2, It was dated n June, and entitled, " Proclamatio concernens Walte-
rum Rawleigh Militem & Viagium suum n.d Guianam." It is in Rymer'g
Fcedera, xvii. 92; and Hazard ColL i. 85, 86,
3 Birch Life Raleigh, 67, 79. Stow Chron. 1039. Josselyn Voy; 247.
Oldys Life Ral. 195 — 232. Anderson, ii. 272. Prince, 59. Gondemar,
the Spanish ambassador at the court of Icing James, having gained the ear-
liest intelligence of the transaction at Guiana, complained of it to that
king, " as what tended not only to the infringement of his majesty's prom-
ise, but of that happy union" from the projected match between young
Charles, prince of Wales, and the Infanta of Spain, " now in a hopeful de-
gree of maturity." Oldys. Ralegh returned from Guiana in July 1618 ; wafc
committed to the tower 10 August ; brought to trial at king's bench 28
October, and condemned to suffer death on his sentence of 1603 ; and be-
headed the next morning at the age of sixty six years. The sentence of
1603 was on a charge of conspiracy, for dethroning king James, in favouc
of the king's cousin, Lady Arabella Stuart. Burnet [Hist. Own Time, i*
T2.J says, the execution of Ralegh " was Qounte4 a barbarous, sacrific-1
»ng him to the Spaniards."
4 Stith, J2 $. CoJi Hist. Soc. J*. $3*
AMERICAN ANNALS. 193
him arid Sir Humphrey Gilbert is ascribed the hon-
our of laying the foundation of the trade and naval
power of Great Britain. *
On the solicitation of the Virginian colonists for Lord Deta«
a supply of husbandmen and implements of agricul-
ture, the treasurer and council sent out lord Dela-
ware, the captain general, with abundant supplies.
He sailed from England in a ship of two hundred
and fifty tons, with two hundred people ; but died
on the voyage, in or near the bay, which bears his His death,
name. His ship safely arrived at Virginia ; and,
soon after, another ship arrived with forty passen-
gers.1
On the death of lord Delaware, the administra- Tyranny of
tionof Argal, deputy governor of Virginia, became s°v-Arsa1'
unusually rigorous. Martial law, which had been-pro-
claimed and executed during the turbulence of form-
er times, was now, in a season of peace, made the
common law of the land. By this law a gentleman
was tried for contemptuous words, that he had
spoken of the governor, found guilty, and condemn-
ed ; but his sentence was respited, and he appealed
to the treasurer and council, who reversed the judg- Kr>ta ^
ment of the court martial. This is the first instance peaifrom
of an appeal, carried from an American colony to^?ric,at*
T. i j , * England.
England. 3
Argal published several edicts, which " mark the Edicts of
severity of his rule, but some of them evince an at-
i Biog.Britan.^rf. GILBERT.
1 Purchas, v. 1774. Beverly, 51. Stith, 148. Belknap Biog. ii. 20.
Prince, 54. Chalmers, i. 37. Brit. Emp. iii. 65. Stow [Chron. 1029.]
uys, that lord Delaware " could not recover his perfect health" after his
return about six years since from Virginia, " until the last yeare, in which
he builded a very faire ship, and went now in it himselfe with about eight
score (persons, to make good tha plantation.*' Ha was a person of a noble
and generous disposition, and expended much in promoting the coloniza-
tion of Virginia.
.3 Chalmer?ji. 38,
194 AMERICAN ANNALS.
1618. tendon to the public safety."1 He ordered, that
all goods should be sold at an advance of twenty
five per centum, and tobacco taken in payment at
three shillings per pound> and not more nor less, on
the penalty of three years servitude to the colony ;
that there should be no private trade or familiarity
with the Indians ; that no Indian should be taught
to shoot with guns, on pain of death to the teacher
and learner ; that no. man should shoot, excepting
in his own necessary defence against an enemy, until
a new supply of ammunition were received, on pain
of a year's servitude ; and that every person should
go to church on Sundays and holidays, or be kept
confined the night succeeding the offence, and be a
slave to the colony the following week ; for the se-
cond offence, a slave for a month ; and for the third*
a year and a day. z
state of Twelve years had elapsed since the settlement of
Virginia, the colony ; yet, after an expense of more than
eighty thousand pounds of the public stock, beside
other sums of private planters and adventurers, there
•were remaining in the colony about six hundred
persons only, men, women and children, and about
three hundred cattle ; and the Virginia company
was left in debt nearly five thousand pounds. 3
The only commodities, now exported from Vir-
ginia, were tobacco and sassafras4 ; but the labour
of the planter was diminished, and the agricultural
interest advanced,by the introduction of the plough. s
Powhatan, the great Virginian king, died this
year,6
i Marshall Life of Washington, i. 60.
a Stith, 147- 3 Stith, i59> 2§I-
4 Stith, 281. 5 Ibid. 149- Chalmers, I 37.
6 Smith Virg. 125. He was a prince of eminent sense and abilities,
rrnd deeply versed in all the savage arts of government and policy. Pene-
trating, crafty, insidious, it was as difficult to deceive him, as to elude hi*
own stratagems. But he was cruel in his temper, and showed little regard
to truth or integrity. Beverly, 51. Keith, 132. Stith, 154. Belknap
Biog. ii. 63.
AMERICAN ANNALS. 195
The Somer Isles, by direction of the council and 1618.
company of Virginia, were divided by lot into ^mer
tribes ; and a share was assigned to every adven-
turer. * This measure essentially promoted the in-
terests of the infant colony settled in those islands.*
1619,
This is the memorable tera in the history of Vir-
ginia of the introduction of a provincial legislature,
in which the colonists were represented. Yeardley,
appointed governor general of the colony, arriving
in April with instructions favourable to freedom,
convoked a colonial assembly, which met at James June 19.
Town on the nineteenth of June. Tlie people were ^^n ^}
now so increased in their numbers, and so dispersed
in their settlements, that eleven corporations appear-
ed by their representatives in this convention, where
they exercised the noblest function of freemen, the
power of legislation. They sat in the same house
with the governor and council, in the manner of the
Scotch parliament,3
The king of England having formerly issued his College at
letters to the several bishops of the kingdom for Hl
collecting money, to erect a college in Virginia for
the education of Indian children,4 fifteen hundred
pounds had been already paid toward this benevo-
lent and pious design, and Henrico had been select-
ed, as a suitable place for the seminary. The Vir-
ginia company, on the recommendation of Sir Ed-
win Sandys, its treasurer, now granted ten thousand
3.cres of land, to be laid off for the projected univer-
sity, This donation, while it embraced the origin-
i The names of the adventurers, and the number of the several shares
are in Smith Virg. 188, 189.
a Ibid. 187. It had previously been « but as an unsettled and confused
chaos ; now it begins to receive a disposition, form, and order, and becomes
. indeed a plantation." Jbt/j.
3 Stith, 160. Of the n corporations 4 had recently been set off. Ib. 161,
4 " For educating Infidel children in the true knowledge of God,"
, Stith, 163.
196 AMERICAN ANNALS,
1619. al object, was intended -also for the foundation of a
seminary of learning for the English.
Tobacco. King James, by proclamation, prohibited the sale
of tobacco in gross or retail, either in England or
Ireland, until the custom should be paid, and the
royal seal affixed. Twenty thousand pounds of to-
bacco were, exported this year from Virginia to Eng-*
land, the whole crop of the preceding year. J
A great mortality prevailed among the people of
Virginia, not less than three hundred of whom died. *
Voyage of Thomas Dermer, employed by Sir Ferdinando
to'NJEng- Gorges on a fishing voyage to New England, load-
land ' ed a ship of two hundred tons with fish and furs
at Monahigan, and dispatched it for England.3
Proceeding in a small bark for Virginia, he sailed
Passes between the main land and Long Island ; and was
through JU - r -11-1 -i
Wand the first person, who ascertained this to be an isU
and.4
Retrospect The sera of the English Puritans has been notio
ed- s Passing by the first half century of their his-
tory, v/e will resume it at that period, where it be-
comes essential to our subject. The Puritan or Re-
formed church in the north of England had, in the
year 1606, on account of its dispersed state, become
divided into two distinct churches, to one of which
belonged Mr. John Robinson, afterward its minis-
i Chalmers, i. 47. The reason, assigned for the Icing's proclamation, is
that " divers conceal and utter tobacco without paying any impost." Ibid.
a Belknap Biog. ii. 65.
3 Smith [Vitg. 239,] says, every sailor had £16 10 for his seven month's
work ; and Harris [Voy. i. 851.], that every sailor had, beside his charges,
£17 clear money in his pocket."
4 Smith Virg. 127,229. Prince, 63. Purchas, v. 1777, 1778. Der-
nier (whose account of this passage is in Purchas, ibid.) says, " Wee found
u most dangerous catwract amongst small rockie ilands, occasioned by two
•unequall tydes, the one ebbing and flowing two honres before the other."
This was doubtless what is now well known by the name of Hell Gate.*1
Dermer sailed again to N. England the next year (1620), and, arriving at
Capawick [Martha's Vineyard], ke was suddenly assaulted by Epenow and
other Indians, and received fourteen wounds. Returning to Virginia, he
soon after died. Harris Voy. i. 852. Purchas, v. 1830, 1831, 1839.
* From the Dutch: "quern nostri infernl or, Tutgo ket 11 tile-gat ^
Laet, 7». ,5 See A. D, 1550.
AMERICAN ANNALS. 197
ier, and Mr. William Brewster, afterward its ruling 1619.
elder.1 This church, in common with other dis-
senting churches throughout England, being ex-
tremely harassed for its nonconformity, sought at
length an asylum in Holland, where religious toler-
ation was sanctioned by the laws. Mr. Robinson
and as many of his congregation, as found it in their
power, left England in the years 1607 and 1608,
and settled in Amsterdam ; whence in 1609 they
removed to Leyden. 3 After residing several years
in that city, various causes influenced them to en-
tertain serious thoughts of a removal to America.
These causes were, the unhealthiness of the low
country where they lived ; the hard labours, to '
which they were subjected ; the dissipated manners
of the Hollanders, especially their lax observance of
the Lord's day ; the apprehension of war at the
conclusion of the truce between Spain and Holland,
which was then near its close ; the fear, lest their
young men would enter into the military and naval
service ; the tendency of their little community to
become absorbed and lost in a foreign nation ; the
natural and pious desire of perpetuating a church,
which they believed to be constituted after the sim-
ple and pure model of the primitive church of Christ ;
and a commendable zeal to propagate the gospel
in the regions of the New World.5 In 1617, ha-
ving concluded to go to Virginia, and settle in a
distinct body under the general government of
that colony, they sent Mr. Robert Cushman and
Mr. John Carver to England, to treat with the
Virginia company, and to ascertain, whether the
king would grant them liberty of conscience in that
I Prince, 19, 20.
z Prince, 33, 34, *6, 37, from governor Bradford's MS. History ; by
which " it seems as if they fagan to remove to Leyden at the end of 1608."
Ibid.
3 For illustrations and proofs on this subject, and on the character and
principles of Mr. RobinsoH ani his Society, se^ Note V at the end o( the
volume.
19$ AMERICAN ANNALS.
1619. distant country.' Though these agents found the
Virginia company very desirous of the projected set-
tlement in their American territory, and willing to
grant them a patent with as ample privileges, as
they had power to convey ; yet they could prevail
v/ith the king no farther, than to engage, that he
would connive at them, and not molest them, pro-
vided they should conduct peaceably. Toleration
in religious liberty, by his public authority., under
his seal, was denied. The agents returned to Ley-
den the year following (1618), to the great discour-
agement of the congregation.2
February. Resolved however to make another trial, they
scntfrom sent two other agents to England in February of
Holland this year (i 6 19), to agree with the Virginia company ;
f J°d£ng" but, dissensions then arising in that body, the busi-
ness was necessai^y procrastinated. After long at-
Patent tendance, the agents obtained a patent, granted and
obtained, confirmecl under the seal of the Virginia company ;
but, though procured with much charge and labour,
it was never used, because it was taken out in the
name of a gentleman, 3 who, though at that time de-
signing to accompany the Ley den congregation, was
providentially prevented. This patent however ber
ing carried to Leyden for the consideration of the
people, with several proposals from En dish mer*
?repara- *, r i c • i r -i • • i
tions fcr chants and friends for their transportation, they
removing were reqUested to prepare immediately for the voy*»
to Anieri-
1620,
It was agreed by the English Congregation at
Leyden, that some of their number should go to A-
merica, to make preparation for the rest. Mr. Rob-
inson, their minister, was prevailed on to stay with
1 Hubbard MS. New Eng.sS.
2 Prince, 56, 57. Hazard Coll. i. 361.
3 Mr. John Wincob, " a religious gentleman, belonging to the counteis
c*f Lincoln." Prince, 65.
4 Piince, 65. Hazard Coll. i. 87—89.
AMERICAN ANNALS.
the greater part at Ley den ; Mr. Brews ter, their el- 1620.
der, was to accompany the first adventurers ; but
these, and their brethren remaining in Holland,
were to continue to be one church, and to re-
ceive each other to Christian communion, without a
formal dismission, or testimonial. Several of the
congregation sold their estates, and made a common
bank, which, together with money received from
other adventurers, enabled them to purchase the
Speedwell, a ship of sixty tons, and to hire in Eng-
land the Mayflower, a ship of one hundred and eighty
tons, for the intended enterprise.
Preparation being thus made, the adventurers English
having left Ley den for England in July, sailed on
the fifth of August from Southampton for America ; den.
but, on account of the leakinesr of the small ship,
they were twice obliged to return* Dismissing this
ship, as unfit for the service, they sailed from Ply-
mouth on the sixth of September in the Mayfl6wer. gept. 6.
After a boisterous passage, they at break of day on Saii/°r",
the ninth of November discovered the land of Cape A
Cod. Perceiving that they had been carried to the
northward of the place of their destination, they
stood to the southward, intending to find some place
near Hudson's river, for settlement. Falling how-
ever among shoals,1 they were induced from this
incident, together with the consideration of the ad-
vanced season of the year, and the weakness of their
condition, to relinquish that part of their original
design. The master of the ship, availing himself of
the fears of the passengers, and of their extreme so-
licitude to be set on shore, gladly shifted his course
to the northward ; for he Had been clandestinely
promised a reward in Holland, if he would not carry
the English to Hudson's river. * Steering again
i The same, which Gosnold called Point Care and Tucker's Terror ;
hut which the French and Dutch call Malebar. Prince, 73. See A. D. 1602.
a Some historians represent this bribery of Jones, the master of the ship,
as what was suspected merely ; but Morton [N.'Eng. Memorial, 13.] says, " Qf
AMMlCAN ANisfALS,
1620. therefore for the cape, the ship was clear of the
danger before night ; and the next day, a storm
com*n£ OI1' t^ley Cropped anchor in Cape Cod har-
Cod. bour, where they were secure from winds and shoals.
Finding the harbour to be in the forty second de-
gree of north latitude, and therefore beyond the ter-
ritory of the South Virginia company, they perceiv-
ed that their charter, received from that company,
had become useless* Symptoms of faction at the
same time appearing among the servants on board,
who imagined, that, when on shore, they should be
under no government , it was judged expedient^
that, before disembarkation, they should combine
themselves into a body politic, to be governed by
the majority. After solemn prayer and thanksgiv-
ing, a written instrument, drawn for that purpose,
was accordingly subscribed oil board the ship, on
NOV. it. the eleventh day of November. This solemn con-*
Sign a con- J. , ~ r , . ,
tract for tract was signed by forty one or their number ; and
civil go- they, with their families, amounted to One hundred
vefiunent. t , i\ /r T i ^
and one persons. Mr. John Carver was now unan-
imously chosen their governor for one year. Thus
did these intelligent colonjsts find means to erect
themselves into a republic, even though they had
commenced their enterprise under the sanction of a
royal charter ; " a case, that is rare in history, and
can be effected only by that perseverance, which the
true spirit of liberty inspires."3
Various Government being thus established, sixteen men,
well armed, with a few others, were sent on shore
the same day, to fetch wood, and make discoveries ;
but they returned at night, without having found a-
ny person, or habitation. The company, having
rested on the Lord's day, disembarked on Monday,
this plot, betwixt the Dutch and Mr. Jones, I have had late and certain
intelligence."
1 This contract, with the names of its subscribers, is in Morton's Me-
morial, 16, 17 ; Purchas, v. 1843 5 Prince, 84, $J ; and Hazard Coll i. 119*
3 Univ, Hist, xxxix, 275,
occurren-
AMERICAN ANNALS.
the thirteenth of November ; and soon after pro- 1620,
ceeded to make farther discovery of the country.
On Wednesday the fifteenth, Miles Standish and
sixteen armed men, in searching for a convenient
place for settlement, saw five or six Indians, whom
they folloXved several miles, until night ; but, not
overtaking them, were constrained to lodge in the
woods. The next day they discovered heaps of
earth, one of which they dug open ; but, finding
within implements of war^ they concluded these
were Indian graves ; and therefore, replacing what
they had taken out, they left them inviolate. In
different heaps of sand they also found baskets of
corn, a large quantity of which they carried away
in a great kettle, found at the ruins of an Indian
house.1 This providential discovery gave them
seed for a future harvest, and preserved the infant
colony from famine.
Before the close of November Mrs. Susanna First Euro-
White was delivered of a son, who was called Pere- P®*° £j"^
grine ; and this was the first child of European ex- England. '
traction, born in New England*
On the sixth of December the shallop was sentTheadven,.
out with several of the principal men, Carver, Brad- turers seek
ford, Winslow, Standish and others, . and eight or
ten seamen , to sail around the bay, in search of a
place for settlement. The next day this company
was divided ; and, while some travelled qn shore,
others coasted in the shallop. Early in the morn-
ing of the eighth, those on the shore were surprised
i This " had been some ship's kettle, and brought out of Europe."
Purchas, v. 1844. In a second excursion a few days after, they discovered
irea'r the same place more corn, which, in addition to what they had taken
away before, made about ten bushels ; the whole of which was afterward
paid for, to the entire satisfaction of the natives. This place they called
Cornhill ; a name, which the inhabitants of Truro (in whose township it
lies) have lately consented to revive. Coll. Hist. Soc. viii. 214. ^ But for
the first excursion, this very interesting discovery of the corn would proba-
bly not have been made ; for, in the second instance, " the ground," say s
Mourt's Relation, " was now covered with snow, and so hard frosen, that
we were faine with our cnrtlaxes and short swords, to hew and carve the
ground a foote deepe, and then wrevt it up with leavers." Purchas, v.
Bh
2.02 AMERICAN ANNALS.
1620. by a flight of arrows from a party of Indians ; but5
on the discharge of the English muskets, the Indians
instantly disappeared.1 The shallop, after immi-
nent hazard from the loss of its rudder and mast in a
storm, and from shoals, which it narrowly escaped,
reached a small island on the night of the eighth ;
and here the company the next day, which was the
last day of the week, reposed themselves, with pious
gratitude for their preservation. On this island*
they the next day kept the Christian sabbath. The
Dec. ir. day following they sounded the harbour, and found
^"atPiy-4* ^t ^or shipping 9 went on shore,3 and explored
mouth. the adjacent land, where they saw various cornfields
and brooks ; and, judging the situation to be con-
venient for a settlement, they returned with the wel-
come intelligence to the ship.
for tw?* ^n t^ie frfteentn they weighed anchor, and pro-
port, ceeded with the ship for this newly discovered port,
where they arrived on the following day. On the
eighteenth and nineteenth they went on shore for
discovery, but returned at night to the ship. On
the morning of the twentieth, after imploring divine
guidance, they went, on shore again, to fix on some
place for immediate settlement. After viewing the
country, they concluded to settle on a high ground,
facing the bay, where the land was cleared, and the
water was excellent.
Dec. 23. Qn Saturday the twenty third, as many of the
Company 11-1 • • i
KO on company, as could with convenience, went on shore,
.store. an(i fe]]eci ancl carried timber to the spot, designated
for the erection of a building for common use. On
i These were the Nauset Indians. Purchas, v. 1849. Coll. Hist. Soc.
viii. 161, 367.
z It was afterward called Clark's Island, because Mr. Clark, the mas-
ter's mate, first stepped ashore thereon" [Morton, 24.] ; and it still retains
that name. It is " by the mouth of Plymouth harbour," and in full view
of the town. Morton (ibid.) says, it lay between the Gurnet's Nose and
Sagaquab ; but the Hon. JOHN DAVIS, esquire, informs me, that what is now
rilled Saquish (which he supposes to be Sagaquab) lies between Clark"*
Island and the Gurnet's Nose. 3 See f. 207, note I.
AMERICAN ANNALS. 203
.Lord's day the twenty fourth, the people on shore 1620.
\vere alarmed by the cry of Indians, and expected
an assault ; but they continued unmolested. On
Monday the twenty fifth they began to build the Dec 25
first house. A platform for their ordnance demand- Build the
ing the earliest attention, they on the twenty eighth firsc house*
began one on a hill, which commanded an extensive
prospect of the plain beneath, of the expanding bay,
and of the distant ocean. * In the afternoon they
divided their whole company into nineteen families ;
measured out the ground ; and assigned to every
person by lot half a pole in breadth, and three poles
jn length, for houses and gardens. Though most
of the company were on board the ship on the Lord's
day, December thirty first j yet some of them kept JEraof ^
sabbath for the first time in their new house, Here settlement-
therefore is fixed the aera of their settlement, which,
in grateful remembrance of the Christian friends,
whom they found at the last town they left in their
native country, they called Plymouth. This was , which is
the foundation pf the first English town, built in Ci
New England.
After the departure of the adventurers from the NOW pa-
coast of England, a new patent, dated the third day ^""thPl
of November, was granted by king James to the company
duke of Lenox, the marquisses of Buckingham and
Hamilton, the earls of Arundel and Warwick, Sir
Ferdinando Gorges, with thirty four associates, and
their successors, styling them, " The Council estab-
I This fortification was made on the summit of the. hill, on which Ply-
mouth burying ground now lies ; and the reliques of it are still visible.
1 Purchas, v. 1842 — 1849. Coll. Hist. Soc. v.Hi. 203—- 222. Morton,
I — 25. Hubbard MS. N. Eng. chap. xvii. Prince, 7 5—95. Smith V%.
230 — 2.33. Josselyn Voy. 248. I. Mather N. Eng-. 5. « A flection or
Journal of a Plantation settled at Plymouth iu New England, and Proceed-
ings thereof," quoted by historians as " Mourt's Relation," and E. Wins-
low's " Good News from New England," are reprinted, with explanatory
Notes by the Editor, in the VHIth. volume of the Collections- of the Mas-
sachusetts Historical Society. Those Notes and the valuable papers in that
volume by the same hand, with the obscure signature of r. s. will be read
•with attention, when it is known, that they were composed by the present
Recocding Secretary of the Historical Society, the Reverend JAMES
JUAN,
204 AMERICAN ANNALS.
3620. lished at Plymouth, in the county of Devon, for
the planting, ruling, ordering, and governing of NEW-
ENGLAND, in America." By this patent that part
of the American territory, which lies between the
fortieth and the forty eighth degree of north latitude
in breadth, and " in length by all the breadth afore-
said throughout the main land from sea to sea,"
was given to them in absolute property ; the same
authority and privileges, which had previously been
given to the treasurer and company of Virginia, were
now conferred on them ; and they were equally em-
powered to exclude all from trading within the
boundaries of their jurisdiction, and from fishing in
the neighbouring seas. This patent was the only
civil basis of all the subsequent patents and planta-
tions, which divided this country. '
Virginia. While the foundation of a new settlement was
laid in the north, the Virginian colony was making
rapid progress in the south. Eleven ships, which
had sailed the preceding year from England, arrived
at Virginia, with twelve hundred and sixteen persons
for settlement.2 Nearly one thousand colonists
were settled there, previous to this accession.3
One of the methods, adopted for the increase of
their number, if not the most delicate, was perhaps
the most politic. The enterprising colonists being
generally destitute of families, Sir Edwin Sandys,
the treasurer, proposed to the Virginia company to
send over a freight of young women, to become
wives for the planters. The proposal was applaud-
ed ; and ninety girls, " young and uncorrupt/*
were sent over in the ships, that arrived this year ;
and, the year following, sixty more, handsome, and
\vell recommended to the company for their virtuous
i Mather Magnal. i. 4. Prince, 95. Chalmers, i, 81. This patent is
In Hazard ColL i. 103 — 118.
y, Smith Virg. 126. Of these immigrants 650 were destined for ti^
public use, and 611 for private plantations. Ibid.
3 Harris Voy. i. 840,
AMERICAN ANNALS. sa$
education and demeanor. The price of a 'wife, at 1629,
the first, was one hundred pounds of tobacco ; bur,
as the number became scarce, the price was increas-
ed to one hundred and fifty pounds, the value of
which, in money, was three shillings per pound.
This debt for wives, it was ordered, should have the
precedency of all other debts, and be first recovera-
ble.1
Beside the transportation of reputable people,
the king commanded the treasurer and council of
the Virginia company, to send to Virginia a hun-
dred dissolute persons, to be delivered to them by
the knight marshal , and they were accordingly
sent over as servants. * The early custom of trans-
porting vicious and profligate people to that colony,
as a place of punishment and disgrace, though de-
signed for its benefit, yet became ultimately preju-
dicial to its growth and prosperity. 3
The Virginia company, disliking the almost ex-
clusive application of their colony to the culture of
tobacco, encouraged various projects for raising ar-
ticles of more immediate necessity and benefit, and
particularly the culture of silk.4 In conformity to
this new policy, one hundred and fifty persons in the
colony were sent to set up three iron works ; direc-
tions were given for making cordage ; it was recom-
mended to the people to make pitch, tar, and pot-
ashes ; and men, with materials,' were sent over, for
the purpose of erecting several saw mills.*
.4 special commission was issued in April by king
James, for the inspection of tobacco6 ; and a proch-
i Stith, 166, 176, 197. Belknap, n. 68. Chalmers, i. 4$.
Z Smith [Hist. Virg. 127.] says, that 50 servants were, this year, sent
for public service ; 50, whose labours were to bring up 30 of the LjldJ't
children ; and that others were sent to private planters.
3 Stith, 1 68.
4 Stith, 183. Belknap Biog. ii. 70.
5 Stith, 177.
6 Rymer's Fcedera, xvii. 190. Hazard Coll. i. 89 — 91, where it is in-
serted entire. Its title is, " Commissio Specialis coacernens le Garbling
Herbse Nicotians."
5e$ AMERICAN ANNALS,
1620. matlon in June for restraining the disorderly trading
in this obnoxious article.1
This year is remarkable in Virginian history, for
the introduction of freedom into colonial commerce.
The monopoly of the treasurer and company, which
had depressed the settlement, was relinquished, and
the trade laid open to all without restriction. *
Negroes -^- Dutch ship, putting into Virginia, sold twenty
imported negroes to the colony ; and these were the first ne-
ginLVu groes imported into Virginia. 3
There were at this time but five ministers in Vir-
ginia ; and eleven boroughs, erected into eleven par-
ishes. 4
Holland The West India Company of Holland was now
eom1"^ established by a charter from the States General, in-
vesting it with an exclusive trade to the western
coast of Africa, and to the eastern shores of Ameri-
ca, from Newfoundland to the Straits of Magellan. *
The island Margarita was invaded by the Dutch,
who 'demolished its castle ; and after this period it
was chiefly abandoned by the Spaniards. 5
£U:ana About a year after the death of Sir Walter Ra-
kgh, king James granted Roger North a commis-
sion to inhabit and settle a colony near the river of
Amazons in Guiana ; so great however was the in-
fluence of Gondemar, the Spanish ambassador, that
the king in May issued a proclamation to recall him ;
and another, for regulating the trade with that coun-
try.7
i Rymer's Feed. xvii. 233. Hazard Coll. i. 93 — 96, where ft is inserted
entire.
a Chalmers, i. 49.
3 Smith Virg. 126, where the Dutch ship is called a man of war. Stith,
282. Univ. Hist. xli. 528. Chalmers, i. 49.
4 Stith, 173.
5 Chalmers, i. 569. Hazard Coll. i. J2I — 131, where the Charter J*
inserted entire.
6 Univ. Hist. xli. 527. „
7 Oldys.Life Ral. 423. Rymer's Fcedera, xvii. 215. See p. 192,
AMERICAN ANNALS.
',,'---- „ ' • .- . •*. *%**.
l62I.
The Plymouth colonists on the ninth of January
proceeded to the erection of their projected town ;
which they built in two rows of houses for greater
security. ' ' On the fourteenth their Common House,
that had been built in December, took fire from a
spark, that fell on its thatched roof, and was entire-
ly consumed. * On the seventeenth of February
they met for settling military orders, and having
chosen Miles Standish for their captain, conferred
on him the power pertaining to that office. 3
On the sixteenth of March an Indian came boldly March r&
alone, into the street of Plymouth, and surprised rFujst
..... , ... J ___ , _ r ,. , Indian visit*
the inhabitants by calling out, " Welcome, English-
men ! Welcome, Englishmen !" He was their first
visitant ; his name was Samoset, a sagamore of the
country, lying at the distance of about five days*
journey. Having conversed with the English fish-
ermen, who had come to this coast, and learnt of
them to speak broken English, he informed the
Plymouth people, that the place, where they were
seated, was called by the Indians Patuxet ; that all
the inhabitants died of an extraordinary plague, a-
bout four years since ; and that there was neither
man, woman, nor child, remaining.4 No natives
1 The same street, which leads from the old church in Plymouth to the
water side. It has been proposed by several respectable gentlemen of Plym-
outh to call it Leyden Street. Coll. Hist. Soc. viii. 223. It was on the
eleventh of December 1620 [See p. 202.] that the venerable fathers of
New England first stepped on that ROCK, which is sacredly preserved in
memory of their arrival. A ponderous fragment of it has been removed
into the main street of Plymouth. The twenty second day of December, new
(style, corresponding to the eleventh, old style, has been long observed at
Plymouth, and several years at Boston, as the Anniyersary of the Landing
of the Fathers.
2 Purchas, v. 1848. In 1801, in digging a cellar, sundry tools and a
plate of iron were discovered, seven feet below the surface of the ground
on the place, where it is supposed that this common house stood. Coll.
Hist. Soc. viii. 223, and verbal information at Plymouth.
3 Purchas, v. 1849. Coll. Hist. Soc. viii. 225.
4 " As indeed," adds Mourt's ReLtion, " we haveJfound none, so a?
tkere is none to hinder our possession 3 or to lay claim unto it." Purchas,
V. 1849. The early historians agree in the fact, but differ in ivgr.rd t»
AMERICAN ANNALS*
1621. therefore were dispossessed of this territory, to make
room for the English, excepting by the providence
of God previously to their arrival.
Samoset, treated with hospitality by these stran-
gers, was disposed to preserve an intercourse with
them ; and, on his third visit., was accompanied by
Squanto, one of the natives, who Had been carried
off by Hunt in 1614, and afterward lived in Eng-
land. They informed the English, that Masassoit,
the greatest king of the neighbouring Indians, was
Masassoit near, with his brother arid a number of his people ;
un Indian ,.,. , , t r
king- makes and within an hour he appeared on the top or a
h« first up- hill * Over against the English town, with a train of
bearance.
sixty men. , , ,.
Mutual distrust prevented for some time any ad-
vances from either side. Squanto at length, being
Sent to Masassoit, brought back word, that the
English should send one of their number to parley
with him. Mr. Edward Winslow was accordingly-
sent. Two knives, and a copper chain, with ajew-
el in it, were sent to Masassoit at the same time ;
find to his brother a knife, arid a jewel, " with a pot
tae time of the plague. Some of them say, it \vas three or lour years before
the first arrival of the English at Plymouth ; some, that it was two or
three ; while others place it in 1619, the year preceding the arrival. See
Morton, 25 ; Coll. Hist. Soc. iv, 108 ; Prince, 46; Neal N.Eng. i. 87.
Johnson [Wonderwork* Prov. 16.] says, it was " the summer after the
Mazing starre," which was seen about three hours above the horizon " for
the space of 30 sleeps," or days, and which led the Indians to " expect
strange things to follow." This was probably the remarkable comet of
1618, mentioned by Alste'J [Thesaurus Chron. 314; 493.] : " Eod. anno
(1618) et seq. fulget horribilis cometa mense Novembri, Decembri et Jan-
uario." If Johnson be correct, and if this were the blazing star, to which
he refers, the plague must have been in 1619. Intelligence of its desolating
effect had reached England before the charter of Nov. 3, 1620 ; for in that
- instrument king James mentions this desolation as a special reason for grant-
ing the charter : " Also for that We have been further given certainly t»
knowe, that within these late yeares there hath by God's visitation raign-
ed a wonderfull Plague, together with many horrible slaughters, and mur-
thers, committed amoungst the Savages and bruitish people there, heerto-
fore inhabiting, in a manner to the utter destruction, devastacion, and de-
populacion of that whole territorye, so that there is not left for many league*
together in a manner, any that doe claime or challenge any kind of inter-
fests therein." Charter, Hazard Coll. i. 105.
i Watson's hill, on the south side of Town brook, Coll. Hist, Soc. viii. 219*
AMERICAN ANNALS. 209
of strong water," a quantity of biscuit, and some 1621.
butter, all which articles were gladly accepted.
Mr. Winslow, the messenger, in a speech to Masas-
soit, signified, that king James saluted him with
words of love and peace, and that the English gov-
ernor desired to see him, and to truck with him, and
to confirm a peace with him, as his next neighbour.
The Indian king heard his speech with attention,
and approbation. After partaking of the provision,
which made part of the English present, and im-
parting the rest to his company, he looked on Mr.
Winslow's sword and armour, with an intimation of
his desire to buy it ; but found him unwilling to
part with it. At the close of the interview, Masas-
soit, leaving Mr. Winslow in the custody of his
brotherj Went over the brook, which separated him
from the English, with a train of twenty men, whose
bows and arrows were left behind. He was met at
the brook by captain Standish and Mr. Williamson,
with six musketeers, who conducted him to a house
then in building, where were placed a green rug,
and three or four cushions. The governor now ad-
vanced, attended with a drum and trumpet, and a
few musketeers. After mutual salutations, the
governor called for refreshments, of which the In-
dian king partook himself, and imparted to his fol-
lowers. A league of friendship was then agreed with Ma-
on J ; and it was inviolably observed above fifty sassoit-
years. a
On the following day the English concluded their
military orders, with some laws, adapted to their
present state. They also confirmed Mr. Carver as
i_ • i i- i i t- i Gov. Car-
then* governor the succeeding year ; but he died ver dies.
soon after, to the great regret of the colony. He
I Purchas, v. 1850 ; Morton, 26, 27 ; Prince, 101, 10* ; Hazard Coll.
146 ; Coll. Hist. Soc. viii ; in each of which places the articles of this League
are preserved.
a Until king Philip's war, A. D. 1675. Prince, 102. Coll. HJst. Soc.
viii. az5,.az6.
Cc
2io % AMERICAN ANNALS.
1621. was a man of singular piety, humility and conde-
scension ; and possessed a considerable estate, the
greatest part of which he expended in promoting
the interests of the infant colony, over which he
presided.1 Soon after his death, Mr. William
w. Brad- Bradford was chosen governor, and Mr. Isaac Aller-
iord chos- ton hjs assistant ; and, by renewed erections, they
«n govern- • i • n- i J
or. were continued in office several years.
A great mortality, that commenced among the
people soon after their arrival at Plymouth, swept
off half of their number within the first three months,
leaving scarcely fifty persons remaining. 3
First mar- ^le ^rst man"iage in tne colony was solemnized
riage at on the twelfth of May, between Mr. Edward Wins-
Plymouth. jOW9 and Mrs> Susanna White.4
Duel The first duel in New England was fought on the
eighteenth of June, on a challenge at single combat
with sword and dagger, between two servants j both
of whom were wounded. For this outrage they
were sentenced by the whole company to the igno-
minious punishment of having the head and feet tied
together, and of lying thus twenty four hours, with-
out meat or drink. After suffering however in that
painful posture one hour, at their master's interces*
l Morton,- 33. The broad sword of governor Carver is preserved in
the cabinet of the Massachusetts Historical Society.
1 Morton, 34. Prince, 104, 105,
3 Morton, 24, 25. Hubbard MS. N. Eng. 45. Tradition gives an af-
fecting picture of the infant colony, during this critical and distressing pe-
riod. The dead were buried on the bank, at a little distance from the rock
where the fathers landed ; and, lest the Indians should take advantage of
the weak and wretched state of the English, the graves were levelled, and
sown, for the purpose of concealment. This information I received at Plym-
outh from deacon Ephraim Spoorier, a respectable inhabitant of that town,
who accompanied me to the spot where those first interments were made.
Human bones have been washed out of the bank by high tides, within the
memory of the present generation. Deacon Spooner, now upwards of sev-
enty years of age, had his information from Mr. Thomas Faunce, who was
a ruling elder in the first church in Plymouth, and was well acquainted with
several of the first settlers. Elder Faunce knew the rock, on which they
first landed 5 and, hearing that it was covered in the erection of a wharf,
was so affected, that he wept. His tears perhaps saved it from oblivion-
He died 27 Feb. 1746, JEtut. xcix.
4 Prince, 105.
AMERICAN ANNALS. 21,1
sion, and their own humble request, with the prom-
ise of amendment, they were released by the gov-
ernor. x
Governor Bradford, by advice of the company, J^]^Ins_
sent Edward Winslow and Stephen Hopkins, with iowands,
Squanto for their guide, to Masassoit, to explord Hopkins
0 ~ 7 -, t , T visit Ma-
the country ; to confirm the league ; to learn the sassoit.
situation and strength of their new friend ; to carry
some presents ; to apologize for some supposed in-
juries ; to regulate the intercourse between the Eng-
lish and the Indians ; and to procure seed corn for
the next planting season. They lodged the first
night at Namasket.* In some places, they found
the country almost depopulated by the plague, which
had desolated the neighbourhood of Patuxet. They
passed through fine old corn fields, and pasture
grounds, that were destitute of cattle and of inhab-
itants. Skulls and bones appeared in many place?
where the Indians had dwelt. - On their arrival at
Pokanoket,3 the place of Masassoit's residence, for-
ty miles from Plymouth, they were kindly welcomed
by that Indian sovereign, who renewed his assurances '
of continuing the peace and friendship.4
I Prince, 105.
a A town under Masassoit. It was that part of Middlenerough, which
the English afteward first planted. Coll. Hist. Soc. iii. 148.
3 Pokanoket was a general name for the northern shore of Narraganset
Bay, between Providence and Taunton rivers, comprehending the present
townships of Bristol, Warren, and Harrington, in the State of Rhode Island,
and Swanzey in Massachusetts. The principal seats of Masassoit were at
Sowams and Kikemuit. The former is a neck of land formed by the con-
fluence of Barrington and Palmer's rivers ; the latter is Mount Hope. Bel-
knap Biog. ii. 221. Callender Cent. Disc. 30.
4 Purchas, v. 1851, 1852. Coll. Hist. Soc. via. 232—237. Hubbard
MS. N. Eng. 53. Morton, 34, 35. Prince, 105 — 107. Belknap 13iog, ii.
220,221. The manner of reception and treatment of the envoys at the
court of Masassoit is worthy of notice. When the king had taken them
idto his house, and seated them, he heard their meffage, an^ received their
presents.- He then put on a horseman's red coat, and a chain about his
iieck, these- having been among the presents, and " was not a little proud to
behold himself, and his men also to see their king so bravely attired." Hav-
ing given a friendly answer to the message, his men gathered around him ;
and, turning himself to them, he addressed them in a speech : " Am not I,
Masassoit) commander of the country around you } is not such a town
212 AMERICAN ANNALS,
1621. After the league with Masassoit, Corbitant, one
cn^Sa- ot~ k*s Pett7 sac^ems' becoming discontented, medi-
dishtoNa- tated to join the Narragansets, who were inimical to-
m:.sb:t. the English ; and he was now at Namasket, at-
tempting to alienate the subjects of Masassoit from
their king. Squanto and Hobomack, two faithful
friends of the English, going at this time to Na-
masket, to make observation, were threatened with
death by Corbitant, who seized and detained Squan-
to, but Hobomack made his escape. To counteract
the hostile machinations of Corbitant, and to libe-
rate Squanto, the governor, with the advice of the
Aug. 14- company, sent Miles Standish and fourteen men,
with Hobomack for their guide, to Namasket. On
their arrival, the Indians of Corbitant's faction fled.
The design of the English expedition was explained
to the natives of the place, with menaces of revenge,
in case of insurrection against Masassoit, or of vio-
lence to any of his subjects. x
This resolute enterprise struck such terror into
the neighbouring Indians, that their chiefs came in,
Sept. 13. -and solicited the friendship of the English. On the
^^ss^n thirteenth of September nine Sachem? voluntarily
chems. came to Plymouth, and subscribed an instrument of
submission to king James. z It was peculiarly hap-
mine, and the people ofit ? Will you not bring your skins to the English ?"
After this manner he named at least thirty places, to every one of which
they gave an answer of consent and applause. At the close of his speech he
lighted tobacco for the envoys, and proceeded to discourse about England,
and the English king, wondering that he would live without a wife. He
talked also of the Frenchmen, bidding the English not to suffer them to come
to Narraganset, for it was king James' country, and he was king James*
man. ft now grew late, " but victuals he offered none ; for indeed he had
not any," having but just returned home. The envoys therefore, finding*
no prospect of refreshment, but from sleep, desired to go to rest ; yet they
Were disappointed even of repose. " Hee laid us," says the narrator, " on
the bod with himselfe and his wife, they at the one end and wee at the
other, it being onely plankes laid a foot from the ground, and a thinne mr.t
upon them. Two more of his chiefe men for want ofroome pressed by
:;.: upon us ; so that wee were worse wearie of our lodging then of our
] "urney." Purchas, v. 1 85 z.
i ?/Torton, 35. Prince, no.
a Prince, 111 ; Belknap Biog. ii. 223 ; Hazard Coll. i. 147 ; where are
AMERICAN ANNALS. 213
py for the colony, that it had secured the friendship 1621,
of Masassoit ; for his influence was very extensive.
He was reverenced and regarded by all the natives
from the bay of Narraganset to that of Massachu-
setts. The submission of the nine sachems is as-
cribed to their mutual connection with this sovereign,
as its primary cause, Other princes under him
made also a similar submission, among whom are
mentioned those of Pamet, Nauset, Cummaquid, and
Namasket, with several others about the bays of
Patuxet and Massachusetts.?
The colonists judging it expedient to send to the The Ba
Massachusetts, to discover the Bay, see the country, Of Massa-,
make peace, and trade with the natives ; the gov- chusetts ;
r, - i -i r» explored^
ernor chose ten men, who, accompanied by Squanto
and two other Indians, sailed in the shallop, upon
that enterprise, on the eighteenth of September.
Arriving the next day at the bottom of the bay,
they landed under a cliff, * and wrere kindly received sept. 19.
by Obbatinua, the sachem, who had subscribed the
submission at Plymouth a few days before. He re-
newed his submission, on receiving their promise of
assistance against the Tarratines, and the squaw
sachem of Massachusetts, who were his enemies.
Having explored the bay, and collected some beav-
er, they returned to Plymouth. 3
On the eleventh of November Robert Cushman NOV. ir.
arrived at Plymouth in a ship from England, with Arrival °£
,. r J i •• i " --11 new set-
thirty five persons, destined to remain m the colony, tiers with
By this arrival the Plymouth colonists received a a chart£*-
charter, procured for them by the adventurers in
London, who had been originally concerned with
them in the enterprise ; and they now acknowledged
their names, among which appear those of Caunbitant [supposed Corbitant] ;
Obbatinua, a sachem of Massachusetts Bay ; and Chikkatabak, sachem of
Neponset.
i Belknap Biog. ii. 223. Prince, 112.
5 Supposed to be Copp's Hill in Boston. Belknap Biog. ii. 224.
3 Morton, 36. Prince, 112, 113. Belknap Biog* ii. 224.
214 > AMERICAN ANNALS.
1621. the extraordinary blessing of heaven, in directing
. their course into this part of the country, where
they had happily obtained permission to possess and
enjoy the territory under the authority of the presi-
dent and council for the affairs of New England.1
The ship, with a freight of beaver skins, clapboards,
and other articles, collectively estimated at nearly
five hundred pounds, sailed on the thirteenth of De-
.;;cu cember ; but, drawing near the English coast, was
en its re- seized by the French, carried to France, and robbed
i"each.Ue °f a^ tnat was valuable. The people at length ob-
tained a release for themselves and their ship, and
in February arrived at London.*
On the departure of this ship from Plymouth, the
governor and his assistant disposed the people, who
had come over for residence, into several families ;
and restricted the settlers to half allowance of pro-
visions, which were estimated to be scarcely suffi-
cient, at that reduced rate, for six months. 3
Sir Francis Wyat, appointed governor of Virgin-
Virginian . • . « - « ? r.r .,%••• i T
constitu- ia, arrived there with nine sail of ships, and nearly
tion for a seven hundred people. 4 He now brought an ordi-
couacil of i • • r i -11
state and nance and constitution or the treasurer, council, and
general as- company in England, for settling the government of
that colony in a governor, a council of state, as his
assistants, and a general assembly. This ordinance
" is no less remarkable for the wisdom of its pro-
visions, than for being the principal step in the pro-
gress of freedom." It ordained, that two burgesses
should be chosen for the assembly, by every town,
hundred, or particular plantation. All matters were
to be decided by the majority of voices in the assem-
bly, reserving to the governor a negative on -the
whole ; but no law or ordinance, though approved
by the three branches of the legislature, was to be
of force, until ratified by the general court of the
I Prince, 114, 115, from Mourt's Relation.
1 Prince, 1 15. 3 Ibid, and Smith Virg. 334.
4 Purchas, v. 1783, They sailed from England in July. Chalmers, 56.
AMERICAN ANNALS.
company in England, and returned under its seal ; 1621*
no order of the general court, on the other hand,
was to bind the colony, until assented to by the as-
sembly. * Thus, at the expiration of fourteen years
from the settlement of the colony s its constitution
became fixed ; and the colonists are from this time
to be considered, not merely as servants of a com-
mercial company, but as freemen and citizens* 3
With the Virginian constitution Wyat brought a instruction*
body of instructions to the governor for the time tothego~,
,.•' ,, . , r ,.• . vernor a-na
being, and the council or state, recommending pn- council,
manly to them, " to take into their special regard
the service of Almighty God, and the observance of
his divine laws ; and that the people should be train-
ed up in true religion and virtue ;" commanding
them, in the next place, to keep the people in due
obedience to the king ; to provide for the equal ad^
ministration of justice according to the forms and
constitution of England ; to prevent all corruption,
tending to the perversion or delay of justice ; to pro*
tect the natives from injury and oppression ; and to
cultivate peace and friendship with them, as far as it
should be consistent with the honour of the nation,
and safety of the people. 3
William Newce obtained a patent of land in Vir- William
ginia, for settlement, and was constituted marshal of j^j^j Or
Virginia, to take into his charge as well the fortifica- Virginia.
tions, arms, and forces of the colony, as to cause the
people to be duly trained up in military discipline.
To the office were annexed fifteen hundred acres of
land, and fifty tenants. 4
It was determined to build a school in Virginia, at
Charles city, which was judged to be a place the
i This ordinance, dated July 14, i6ji, is inserted entire in Stitli Virg,
Appendix, No. xv ; and Hazard Coll. i. 131 — 133. See also Stith, 196 ;
Chalmers, i. 54, 55 ; Jefferson Virg. Query xxiii.
1 Robertson, book ix. 87.
3 Smith Virg. 139, 140. Stith, 194.
4 Stith, 189. Newce died soon after his arrival. Ibid,
2 ID AMERICAN ANNALS.
1621; most convenient to all parts of the colony ; and it
E. India was naraed The East India School. The company
school. allotted, for the maintenance of the master and ush-
er, a thousand acres of land, with five servants and
an overseer. * This school was to be collegiate,
and to have dependence on the college at Henrico ;
into which, as soon as the college should be suffi-
ciently endowed, and capable of receiving students,
pupils were to be admitted, and advanced according
to their deserts and proficiency in learning. z
Glebe The Virginia company having ordered a hun-
dred acres of land in each of the boroughs to be laid
off for a glebe, and two hundred pounds sterling to
be raised, as a standing and certain revenue, out of
the profits of each parish, to make a living ; this
stipend was thus settled : That the minister shall
receive yearly fifteen hundred pounds of tobacco^
and sixteen barrels of corn ; which were collectively
estimated at two hundred pounds sterling. 3 There
were at this time five ministers only in the colony.4
The English parliament resolved, " that all fo-
tary acts reign tobacco shall be barred ; but that of Virginia,
tobacco."* or anv °f the king's dominions, shall not be held
foreign." A bill, for the restraint of the inordi-
nate use of tobacco, was soon after brought in,
which, after various amendments, passed in May.
Its requisitions are very remarkable. No tobacco
was to be imported, after the first of October 1621,
but from Virginia and the Somer Isles ; and, after
that day, none was to be planted in England. There
was to be paid to the king, for custom, six pence
a pound, in consideration of the loss, which he
might sustain in his revenue. None was to be sold
by the merchant for more than eight shillings, and
i An account in Purchas [v. 1723.] says, that seven persons were sent
<; for the planting the thousand acres."
3 Stith, 204 ; who says (ibid.), that carpenters were sent over to erect
the house for this school, early the next year.
3 Ibid. 173. 4 Chalmers, i. 50.
*
AMERICAN ANNALS, 217
by the Retailer none for more than ten shillings, the 1621.
pound ; but they, who should sell tobacco by the
pipe, might make the most they could, ' This is
the first instance, which occurs, of the modern poli-
cy of promoting the importation of the colonies, in
preference to the productions of foreign nations. *
The measures of 'king James embarrassed not the in effects
company only, but the plantation. Individuals, whoofthem'
had suffered extremely from the irregularity of his
conduct, and from these exclusive regulations, ap-
plied to parliament for redress. During the debate
on the subject, two planters of Virginia complained
of the irregularities of the farmers of the revenue.
A committee was appointed, " to examine this busin
ness, and to consider in what manner to relieve them,
with power to send for the patentees, and to see the
patents ;" yet no relief was obtained^ Tlie treas-
i Chalmers, i. 51. The parliamentary debate oh this subject is inserted,
H)id. 70 — 74. A specimen of it will give an idea of the whole.
" Mr. Gary :— To banish tobacco generally, and to help Virginia by
some other means.
Sir Edward Sackvyle :— Fit for us to study a way for us to enrich out
own state. Amor incipit a sefyso. We make treaties for our own good, and
not for their's with whom we treat [ Referring to Spaing
Sir J. Perr»t :-— Not to banieh all tobacco, in respect of Virginia and the
Somer isles. To give them some time ; else overthroweth the plantation*
Mr. Solicitor : — ^Loveth England better than Virginia. A great hurt to
*J1 the state of Our kingdom. To contribute rather to Virginia otherwise!
Mr. Ferrar : — Not fit to banish all ; yet now 4000 English live there,
who have no means as yel to live on.
Sir George Moore : — To divide the question \ 1st. Whether to banish
foreign ; adly. For our own dominions.
Sir Guy Palmes : — -That toba'cco hindreth all the kingdom in health and
otherwise. To banish all.
Sir H. Poole -.-^Against all in general: — To pull it up by the root*
To help Virginia otherwise.
Sir J. Horsey ; — Thought not to speak of this vile weed. When he first
a parliament-man, this vile weed not known. Thousands have died of thii
vile weed. Abhorreth it the more, because the king disliketh it. Prohib-
ited to be used in ale houses. No good ground for Virginia. To banish all.'*
Ft Was in vain that parliament discouraged the use of this vile weed. In
vain king James assured his subjects, that the smoking of it was a custom
loathsome to the eye, hateful to the nose, harmful to the brain, and dan*
gerous to the lungs. Opposition made proselytes ; and the united influence
of fashion and habit extended the practk* through the kingdom. Sw
Chalmers, i. in.
$ Chalmers, u 5 1,
04
AMERICAN ANNAL&
162 i. urer and company of Virginia addressed another p£*
tition to king James ; but, obtaining nothing, they
sought a more effectual remedy of their evils. They
procured warehouses, and appointed factors, at
Middleburgh and Flushing, and compounded with
the magistrates of those towns at the rate of a pen-
ny a pound on the import, and the same on the ex-
port, of their only merchandize. King James soon
felt 'the ill effects of his own mistaken policy. No
Virginian products were exported to England this
year ; all were sent to Holland. The defalcation of
the revenue, which was the immediate effect, occa-
sioned an order in October, that no tobacco, or other
productions of the colonies, should thenceforth be
carried into foreign parts, until they were first land-
ed in England, and the custom paid. This order
however was either disregarded or eluded ; for to-
bacco was still sent from Virginia, and even from the
Somer Isles, to Holland. x
Sir Ferdinando Gorges, intrusted with the princi-
pal direction of the affairs of the Plymouth compa-
ny, reflecting on the prodigious extent of the region
to be planted, and on the little progress of coloniza-
tion, conceived the design of persuading the Scotch
nation to form a settlement within the limits of New
England. Easily procuring the consent of the com-
pany, and the approbation of Sir William Alexan-
der of Metistry, a person of considerable influence,
Sept. io. he prosecuted that enterprise ; and king James gave
Alexander a patent of the whole territory *of Aca-
to sir die, by the name of Nova Scotia. * It was erected
-nto a paiatinate, to be holden as a fief of the crown
I Chalmers, i. 51, 52. Robertson, book ix. 87, 88.
a It was bounded on the north, east, and south, by the river St. Law-
rence and the ocean ; and on the west by the river St. Croix. See the
charter, in the JLatin original, in Hazard Coll. i. 134 — 145. Chalmers, i.
91, 92. It was given under the great seal of SCOTLAND ; yet, as Chalme»
remarks, " it would probably have embarrassed the wisest civilian of thar
kingdom to discover by what right the kifl£ of Scotland conveyed that ex-
"
AMERICAN ANNALS. 2I£
of Scotland ; and the proprietary was invested with 1621.
the accustomed regal power, belonging to a count
palatine. An unsuccessful attempt was soon after
made to effect a settlement of the territory ; and the
French continued their occupancy. x
The States General of Holland, historians affirm, N. Nether*
made a grant of the country of New Netherlands to^*^
the West India company ; * but the English deny, w. India
that they had power to grant what had been given COUJPan^
to the Plymouth company, the year before, by the
Jdng of England. 3
Sir George Calvert, a Roman Catholic, having Part of
i • i r -i i • r TI i i r :? Newfound-
obtained from the king or England a grant or part land grant^
of Newfoundland^ that he might enjoy in this retreat, ed to lord *
that freedom of conscience, which was denied him in 13<
his own country, sent Edward Wynne with a small
colony to that island, to make preparation for his*
1 Chalmers, 91. Belknap Biog. ii. 55. Purchas, v. 1871, 1873. Sir
William the next year sent a ship with a colony " of purpose to plant ;"
but the season was so late, that they were obliged to stay through the win-
ter at Newfoundland. Another ship with provisions was sent the next
year (1623) ; yet, " by reason of some unexpected occasions," they resolved
not to plant then, but merely to discover and take possession. Sailing from
Newfoundland, they coasted along the shore of Nova Scotia, and on Port;
Joli river found a fit place for a plantation. Returning to Newfoundland
in July, they left their ship there, land took passage for England, with the
intention of resuming the enterprise of planting a colony the next year.
Purchas, ibid. Laet, 6a. Both these writers stop here, in their Accounts of
Nova Scotia, excepting Laet's mention of the change of the old names erf
places by the Scotch patentee : 'f Quid post ilia in illis partibus gestum sit,
mihi non constat ; risi quod nomina harum provinciarum a Wilh/elmj*
Alexandro mutata invent, in tabula Geographica nuper in Anglia excusa . . .
Cadia Nova Calidonia, septent. pars Nova Alexandria ncminatur . . ." &c.
2 Smith New Yqrk, 3. .
3 Chalmers, i. 570. Chalmers (ibid, j 69.) says, that this charter of New
Netherlands, given by the States general, though often mentioned by writ-
ers, snd relied on by governors, has neither been given by them to. the
world ; nor have they informed us where it may be found. Laet asserts,
the fact, bwt without adducing any authority. Having mentioned the ad-
ministration of H. Christiaens, and a subsequent one of J. Elkens, under
the auspices o* the States general, he adds, that the Hollanders thus held
North River several years, until it bega.n to be settled by the West India
company under a new and most ample patent from those States :— " atque
|ta nostri ab anno clciocxiv ad aliquot succedentes tenuerunt : Donee a
«ocietate Indira Occidentalis, novo et amplissimo eorundam praepotentunt
Pominorum diplomate ipsis concesso, porro ab ipsis hoc flumen adiri et c«~
^oniis deductis amplius habitari cxpit." Nov. Orb. 73. See A. D. 1614, ,
AMERICAN ANNALS,
reception. The proprietor, now created lord Balti-
more, was so delighted with the account, which he
received, of the flourishing state of the colony,
that he afterward removed to it with his family 5
built a house, and a strong fort, at Ferryland ; and
resided on the island many years. x
1622^
^e NaiTaganset Indians, conscious of their pow-t
£r> * aspired at an extension of empire on the ruins of
their neighbours, who had been wasted by mortal
diseases. The English, they foresaw, might be an
obstacle to their ambition ; for Ma&assoit, their own
most potent rival, had already taken shelter under
their wings. No sooner therefore did Canonicus,
the chief sachem of the Narragansets, understand
that the people of Plymouth were distressed by the
burden of additional settlers, without proportionate
means for their support, than he bade defiance to.
their power. Regardless of the peace, recently con-
cluded, his tribe first offered them repeated menaces j
and he next sent to them, as a signal of challenge, a
bundle of arrows, tied together with a snake skin. *
The governor, having taken advice, sent an answer,
That if they chose war, rather than peace, they
might begin when they would ; that the English,
had done them no wrong ; nor did they fear them,
nor should they find them unprovidec^ By a differ-
I. Univ. Hist, xxxix. 250. Chalmers [i. aoi.] says, that Calvert estab-
lished the settlement at Ferryland the next year [1622], and governed it by
his deputy ; and that he visited it in person in the beginning of the reign
of Charles I. The original English appellation of the territory, ceded t<x
him, was Avalon. Ibid.
a Prince [n 6.] says, they could raise above 5000 fighting men. Gook-
in, who was> his authority, received his information from " ancient Indians ;"•
and says, " all do agree they were a great people, and oftentimes waged
war with the Pawkunnawkutts and Massachusetts, as well as with the Pe-
«juots." Coll. Hist. Soc. i. 148.
3 Hubbard MS. N. Eng. 56. There is a remarkabk coincidence, in the
form of this challenge, with that of the challenge given by the Scythian
prince to Darius. Five arrows made a part of the present, sent by hi* her*
aW to tke Persian king. See Rollin Anc. Hist, book vi. sect. .4*.
AMERICAN ANNALS,
messenger, and in more direct acceptance of the 1622,
challenge, the snake skin was sent back, charged
with powder and bullets. The Indians however re-
fused to receive it. They were even afraid to let it
Continue in their houses ; and it was at length
brought back to Plymouth. x Although policy die-
fated this resolute measure, on the part of the Eng-
lish ; yet prudence required them to use the means
pf farther security. They accordingly impaled the February-:
town a and fortified it, and erected in four bulwarks Plymouth
or jetties three gates, which were guarded every ^dfortk
day, and locked every night. In the succeeding fed,
summer, they built a strong and handsome fort, with
a flat roof and battlement, on which cannon were
mounted, a.nd a watch kept $ it was also used as a
place of public worship. 3
Thomas Weston, a merchant of good reputation
in London, haying procured for himself a patent for
a tract of land in Massachusetts Bay, sent two ships
\vith fifty or sixty men, at his own charge, to settle a
plantation.4 Many of these adventurers being sick
on their arrival at Plymouth, most of the company
remained there during the greater part of the sum-
mer, and were treated with hospitality and kindness
by the inhabitants. Some of their number, in the
mean time, finding a place in the Bay of Massachu-
setts, named Wessagusset, which they judged conve-
I Hubbard MS. N. Eng. 58. Prince, n 6. Morton, 37 ; but he places
this article at the close of i6ai.
a " Taking in the top of the hill under which our town is seated." Gov.
Bradford, in Prince, 116.
3 Prince, 116, lai. Intelligence of the massacre in Virginia reached
Plymouth in May, and was the immediate incitement to the erection of this
fort. Hubbard MS. N. JEng. 58, Mather Magnal. book i. 10.
4 Prince, 119- Weston was one of the merchant adventurers, who, in
1619, sent proposals to Leyden for transporting the English Congregation
to America. He appears to have been active in promoting the Plymouth
settlement from that time until this year. Why he now withdrew his pat-
ronage we are not informed ; but by a letter from him, received at this
time, addressed to governor Carver, " we find," says governor Bradford,
«* he has quite deserted us, and is going to settle a Plantation of his own.
See Prince, 65,79, **4j nB.
AMERICAN ANNALS.
1622. nient for settlement, the whole company removed t$
it, and began a plantation. *
27. What had been dreaded merely at Plymouth, was
exPerienced in all its horrors in her sister colony*
By a preconcerted conspiracy, the Indians in the
neighbourhood of Virginia, on the twenty seventh
of March, fell on the English, three hundred and forty
seven of whom, unresisting and defenceless, were cru-
elly massacred. The massacre was conducted with
indiscriminate barbarity. No regard was shown to
dignity ; no gratitude, for benefits. Six of the coun-
cil were slain, one of whom, Mr. George Thorpe, a
very respectable and pious man, who had the princi-
pal management of the lands and affairs of the col-
lege, had been a distinguished friend and bene-
factor of the Indians.1 An exterminating war be-»
tween the English and the Indians immediately sue-
ceeded this massacre. The people, concerned in the
Care and culture of the college lands, experiencing a
great slaughter, those lands were now abandoned 5
and no public institution was again attempted for the
benefit of the natives of Virginia, until benefactions
were made by the Honourable Robert Boyle. *
To the horrors of massacre were soon superadded
the miseries of famine. Of eighty plantations, which,
were advancing fast toward completion, eight only
remained ; and of the numerous people, who had
i Morton, 44. Mather Magnal. i. II. Prince, I2O, xai. See A. D. 1624.
1 Smith Virg. 144 — 149, where are the names of the persons, who were
massacred. Purchas, v. 1788 — 1790. Beverly, 61, 62. Keith, 138. Stith,
ail. Netnattanow, a famous Indian warrior, believed by the natives to
be invulnerable, was killed by the English in i6ai \ and Keith [137.] says,
it was in revenge of his death, that Opechancanough plotted this massacre*
Chalmers [58.] says, " it ought to be observed, that the emigrants, notwith-
standing the humane instructions of their sovereign and the prudent orders
of the company, had never been solicitous to cultivate the good will of the
aborigines ; and had neither asked permission when their country was oc-
cupied, nor had given a price for invaluable property, which was taken
without authority."
3 Stith, 217, 295. Mr. Boyle's donation was annexed to the professor-
ships of William and Mary college, as a sixth professorship, for the instruc-
tion of the Indians and their conversion to Christianity, Jefferson Virg,
Query xv.
AMERICAN ANNALS.
been transported ,to Virginia at a great expense,
eighteen hundred only survived these disasters. z
Much as the colony lost of its inhabitants and pos-
sessions by the recent calamities, its losses were con-
siderably counterbalanced by supplies from the par-
ent country. From May 1621 to May 1622, twen-
ty ships transported thirteen hundred persons, and
eighty cattle, from England to Virginia.* King
James made the colonists a present of arms out of
the tower, and lent them twenty barrels of powder j
lord St. John, of Basing, gave them sixty coats of
mail ; the city of London, and many private persons,
made them generous contributions. 3
Such had now become the extent of tne settle-
ments, and the number of the inhabitants, in the
Virginian colony, that it was found very inconveni-
ent, to bring all causes to James Town. Inferior
courts were therefore appointed in convenient places,
to relieve the governor and council from the heavy
burden of business, and to render justice less expen-*
sive, and more accessible, to the people. This is the
origin of county courts in Virginia. 4
i Purchas, v. 1792. Chalmers, i. 59. In the vear 1620 there were a«
bout aai6 inhabitants in Virginia. [See p. 204 of this volume.} In i6if
governor Wyat brought over nearly 700, which addition makes 2916. De-
duct from this number 347 for the loss in the massacre, and the remainder-
is 2519. If, as Purchas leads us to believe, there were but 1800 left after
the massacre and famine, upwards of 700 are still unaccounted for. Th&
natural deaths in the colony since 1620 may partly account for this deficien-
cy ; but some accessions to it have probably been omitted, which might coun-
terbalance that loss. It is indeed expressly said [Purchas, v. 1785.], that
" in the yeeres 1619, 1620, and 162 1, there hath been^ provided and sent
for Virginia two and fortie saile of ships, three thousand five hundred andseven~
tie men and women for plantation, with requisite provisions." I am inclined,
therefore, to ascribe this extraordinary reduction in part to an emigration from
the colony, seldom noticed by historians. It is affirmed, that several English
families, to shun the massacre in Virginia, fled to the Carolinian coasts, and
settled at a place, called Mallica, near the river May. It is also affirmed,
that they converted the inhabitants of the neighbouring Apalaches. Atla§
Oeographus Americ. v. 688. Univ. Hist. xl. 430. Brit. Emp. iii. aio.
This last history says, they were driven on the coasts of Carolina i which
eeerns to imply, that they made their escape by water.
a Purchas, v. 1783.
3 Smith Virg. 147. Stith, 233. Univ. Hist. xli.
4 Beverly, fo ftftfy 397, gf& gmj. iii, f ?,
AMERICAN ANXAL&
1622. The tobacco, exported from Virginia to England,
obacco. on an average for t}le last seven years, was one hun-
dred forty two thousand and eighty five pounds a
yean * Previous to the massacre, a successful exper-
iment of wine had been made in that colony : and a
ine. . r. ' T» i i
specimen or it was now sent to England. z
>rmudas. The English had riow ten forts at Bermudas $
three thousand people $ and fifty pieces of ordnance.3
ishery. Thirty five ships sailed this year from the west of
England, and two from London, to fish on the New
England coasts ; and made profitable voyages.4
The Plymouth company having complained to
king James of the encroachments and injuries of in-
terlopers on their American commerce and posses-
sions, and applied to him for relief ; the king issued
a proclamation, commanding, that none should fre-
quent the coasts of New England, but the adventur-
ers and planters £ or traffick with the Indians other-
wise, than by the licence of the council of Plymouth,
or according to the orders of the privy council*
<c This remarkable edict, far from proving beneficial
to the company, really brought on its dissolution." 5
All the colony of Quebec, at this period of Cana-
dian annals, consisted of no more than fifty persons,
men, women, and children. An establishment how-
ever had been formed at Trois Rivieres ; and a brisk
trade continued to be carried on at Tadoussac. 6
I Stith, 246.
a Ibid. ai8. French vinedressers, brought over to Virginia in t6ir»
wrote to th-j English company, that the Virginian climate and soil surpass
the^province of Languedoc. Beverly, 191.
3 Josselyn Voy. ajo. In the years 1619, 1620, 1621, there were sent
to Bermudas 9 ships, employing 240 mariners, and carrying about 900 peo-*
pie for settlement. Purchas, v. 1785.
4 Smith's N, Eng. tryals, in Purchas, v. 1840—1842. " Where in New-
foundland they shared sixe or seven pounds for a common man, in New Eng-
land they shared fourteene pounds ; besides six Dutch and French ships made
wonderfull returnes in furres." Ibid.
t; Chalmers, i. 91. This Proclamation, dated 6 November, is in Hazard
Coll. i. 151, 152 5 and in Rymer's Fcedera, xvii. 416 ; and is entitled, " A
Proclamation, prohibiting interloping and disorderly trading to New Eng-
Jand in America."
6 Champlain Voy. II partie, 49. Charlevoix Nouv, France^ j. j^!
Hist, xxxix. 419.
AMERICAN ANNAL&
1623*
Intelligence being received at Plymouth, that Ma- visit
sassoit was likely to die, and that a Dutch ship was
driven ashore near his house, the governor sent Ed-
ward Winslow and John Hambden ' with Hobomack,
to visit and assist him, and to speak with the Dutch;
They found Masassoit extremely ill ; but, by some
cordials, which Winslow administered, he revived.
After their departure Hobomack informed them, that
Masassoit had privately charged him to tell Mr;
Winslow, that there was a plot of the Massachu-
setts against Weston's people at Wessagusset ; that,
lest the English of Plymouth should avenge their
tountrymen, they also were to be destroyed ; and
that the Indians of Paomet, Nauset, Mattachiest,*
Succonet, the Isle of Capawick, Manomet,3 and Ag-
awaywom, had joined with the Massachusetts in
this conspiracy ; and that he advised them to kill the
conspirators, as the only means of security*
The governor, on receiving this intelligence, which Expedition
\vas confirmed by .other evidences, ordered Standish ^sh! to sup-
to take with him as many men, as he should judge press it.
sufficient, and, if a plot should be discovered, to fall
on the conspirators. Standish, with eight men,
sailed to the Massachusetts, where the natives, sus-
pecting his design, insulted and threatened him.
Watching his opportunity, when four of them, Wit-
1 Mr. Hambden is said to have been a gentleman of London, who then
wintered with the Plymouth colonists, and " desired much to see the coun-
try" [Winslow Relat.] ; and is supposed by Dr. Belknap [Biog. ii. 239.] to
be the same person, who afterward distinguished himself by his opposition
to the arbitral-)- demands of Charles I.
2 This seems to be the country between Barnstable and Yarmouth har-
bours. Prince, 108. Belknap Biog. ii. 313.
3 This is the name of a creek or river, which runs through the town of
Sandwich into the upper part of Buzzard's Bay, formerly called Manomet
Bay. Between this and Scusset Creek is the place, which, for more than
a century, has been thought of as proper to be cut through, to form a com?-
municatkm by a navigable canal, from Barnstable Bay to Buzzard's Ba/i
Prince, lift. Belknap Biog. ii. 314,
ft, e
226 AMERICAN ANNALS'.
1623. tuwamet,1 Pecksuct,2 another Indian, and a youtli-
of eighteen, brother of Wittuwamet, and about as
many of his own men, were in the same room, he
gave a signal to "his men ; the door was instantly
shut ; and, snatching the knife of Pecksuot from his
neck, he killed him with it, after a violent struggle ;
his party killed Wittuwamet, and the other Indian j
and hung the youth. Proceeding to another place,
Standish killed an Indian ; and afterward had a skir-
mish with a party of Indians, which he put to flight.
Weston's men also killed two Indians. Standish,
with that generosity, which characterises true brav-
ery, released the Indian Women, without taking their
beaver coats, or allowing the least incivility to be
^"b^5" °^ered them. The English settlers now abandoned
donedlby Wessagusset ; and their plantation was thus broken
the Eng. Up^ ^jthin a year after its commencement. Standish,
having supplied them with corn, and conducted
them safely out of Massachusetts Bay in a small
ship of their own, returned to Plymouth, bringing
the head of Wittuwamet, which he set up on the
fort. This sudden and unexpected execution so ter-
rified the other natives^ who liad intended to join
the Massachusetts in the conspiracy, that they for-
sook their houses, and fled to swamps and desert
places, where they contracted diseases, which proved
mortal to many of them ; among whom were Cana-
cum, sachem, of Manomet ; Aspinet, sachem of Nau*
set ; and lanough, sachem of Mattachiest*5
-I A chief of the Massachusetts, said to be " a notable insulting Indian.5'
Prince, ia3.
2 " A notable Pinese, i. e. Counsellor and Warrior." Ibid. 131. Wins-
low says, Pccltsuot had made the point of his knife as sharp as a needle,
and ground the back also to an edge. Purchas, v. 1864. The natives were
in the habit of wearing knives, suspended at the breast, in sheaths tied a*-
• kout the neck. One of these Indian sheaths, a part of the spoils in the old
wars with the French and Indians, is in my possession. It is seven inches
lono;, and terminates in a point. It is made of leather, curiously wrought
with some hard but pliant substance, of various colours, and trimmed at the
upper edge with a fringe with little pendant rolls of brass or some other
metal. It was probably manufactured by the French.
3 Purchas, v. 1860 — 186$. Coll. Hiit. Soc. viii. 257— a6j. Mather
AMERICAN ANNALS, 227
A severe drought prevailing at this time in Plym- 1623.
f>uth, the government set apart a solemn day of hu- <^L d* t
miliation and prayer 5 and soon after, in grateful / ; <S;iL,>V /
and pious acknowledgment of the blessing of copious
showers, and supplies of provisions, a day of public
thanksgiving. '
The first patent of Plymouth had been taken out
in the name of John Pierce, in trust for the company
of adventurers ; but when he saw the promising
state of their settlement, and the favour, which their
success had obtained for them with the council for
New England, he, without their knowledge, but in
their name, procured another patent, of larger ex-
tent, intending to keep it for his own benefit, and
hold the adventurers as his tenants, to sue and be
sued at his courts. In pursuance of this design, he,
in the autumn of the last year, and beginning of this,
made repeated attempts to send a ship to New Eng-.
land ; but it was forced back by storms. In the
last attempt, the mariners, about the middle of Feb-
ruary, were obliged, in a terrible storm, to cut away
their main mast, and return to Portsmouth. Pierce
was then on board, with one hundred and nine souls.
After these successive losses, he was prevailed on by Pjerce'spa_
the company of adventurers, to assign to them, for ten
five hundred pounds, the patent, which had cost him
but fifty. The goods, with the charge of passen-
gers in this ship, cost the company six hundred and
forty pounds. Another ship was hired, to trans-
port the passengers and goods ; and it arrived at
Plymouth in July, Soon after arrived a new vessel,
of forty four tons, which the company had built, to
remain in the country ; both brought supplies for
the plantation, and about sixty passengers. l
Magnal. book i. n . Morton. 47. Prince, 128 — 133. I. Mather N. Eng.
14 — 16. Belknap Biog. ii. 314— 327.
I Purchas, v. 1866. Prince, 137,138.
a Morton, 50 — 53. Mather Magnal. book i. 12. Prince, 136 — 139,
Neal N. Eng.i. 113, 115. Belknap Biog. ii, 434, 235. •
22$ AMERICAN ANNALS.
1623. John Mason., Sir Ferdinando Gorges, and others*
^le'he having obtained patents of the New England coun-
gun "at Pas- cil for several poi tiops of territory, sent over, in thq
verd>:U" ll: sPr*n£ °^ *h*B veiir> £>av*d Tomson, Edward and
^ilJiajQ Kiltpn, and a few other persons, to begin a
settlement. Tomson and some of his company be-
gan one accordingly, twenty five leagues north east
from Plymouth, near Smith's Isles, at a place called
PascatoquacL The place, first seized, was called
Little Harbour, on the west side of Pascataqua river,
and near its mouth ; where was built the first house,
called Mason Hall. *
The Hiltons, proceeding higher up the river, set-
tled at Cocheco, afterward called Dover. * Scatter-
ed settlements were also begun this year by different
adventurers, at Monahigan, and at other places.3
F.west Francis* West arrived at Plymouth in June, witty
arrives, as a commission to be admiral of New England, with
admiral of . i i • • i r i
H.£ngiand. power to restrain such ships, as came either to fish
or trade on the coast without licence from the New
England council ; but, finding the fishermen too
stubborn and strong for him, he sailed for Virginia.
The owners of the fishing vessels, complaining to the
parliament of this attempted restraint, procured an,
order, that fishing should be free.4
September. Robert Gorges, son of Ferdinando, sent by the
frrivesfas Plymouth council as general governor of New Eng-
generai land, arrived at Massachusetts Bay with several pas-
pf N^Ea" - sengers and families ; and purposed to begin a plan-
land.'
i Hubbard MS. N. Eng. chap. xxxi. The chimney and some part of the
stone wall of this house were standing when Hubbard wrote his history, fly.
Tomson, from dislike either of the place, or of his employers, removed
\vithin a year after into Massachusetts, where he possessed himself of a fer-
tile island, and a valuable neck of land,-]- which was afterward confirmed to
him, or his heirs, by the Massachusetts court, on the surrender of all his
other interest in New England. Ibid. chap, xviii. He visited Plymouth,
an 1623. Purchas,v. 1867. f Squahtum tied. BelLBiog.ii. 334.
a Hubbard MS. N. Eng. chap. xxxi. Priuce, 134. But few buildings
svere erected about Pascataqua river until after the year 1631. In tbalyear^
there were but three houses there. Hubbard, ut supra.
3 Prince, 134.
Morton, 5*. Prince, 137,
AMERICAN ANNALS. 129
tation at Wessagusset ; but he returned home, with- 1 623.
jput scarcely saluting the country within his govern?
ment. Gorges brought with him William Morrell,
an episcopal minister, who had a commission from,
the ecclesiastical courts in England to exercise a
kind of superintendence over the churches, which
were, or might be, established in New England ;
but he found no opportunity to execute his commis-
sion. z This was the first essay for the establish-
ment of a general government in New England $
but, like every succeeding attempt, it was totally
unsuccessful,2
Notwithstanding the late disasters in Virginia, State Og
there were now in that colony above two thousand
five hundred persons, sent over at the expense of
thirty thousand pounds of the public stock, beside
the charges of particular societies and planters.5
The cattle were increased .to above a thousand head.
The debt of the company was wholly discharged.
During the four last years, great sums were expend-
ed, and much care was bestowed, by the officers and
company, for promoting useful arts and manufac-
tures ; particularly iron works, wine, silk, sawing
mills, and saltpans. Numerous Indians, of various
tribes, contiguous to the Virginian colony, were ki!7
led this year by the English ; among the slain, were
I Gorges soon returned to England. Morrell staid behind, and resided
at Plymouth about a year, making inquiries and observations respecting
the country ; the result of which he wrought into an elegant and descrip-
tive Latin poem, which, with his o>vn English translation, is published in
vol. i. p. 125- — 139 of the Collections of the Massachusetts Historical Society.
% Morton, 54 — 57. 'Prince, 141, 14*. Belknap Biog, i. 367 — 369,
The grant of the council for the affairs of New England to "Robert Gorges
is in Hazard Coll. i. 152, — 155.
3 Smith [Virg. 236.] says, .since he left the colony the Virginia company
had been " humble suiters to his majesty, to get vagabonds and condemned
men to goe thither ; nay, so the business hath been abused, that so mucK
scorned was the name of Virginia, some did chuse to be hanged ere they
would goe thither, and were." Not long after the massacre however, he
remarks, " there is more honest men, now suiters to goe, than ever hatfc
l»eene constrained knaves."
*3S AMERICAN ANNALS.
1623. some of their kings, and several of their greatest
warriors. x
literary Qne of the earliest literary productions of the
production. Engijsh colOnists in America, of which we have any
notice, is a translation of Ovid's Metamorphoses,
made this year by George Sandys, treasurer of the
Virginia company. z
$sTew Ne- The Dutch at New Netherlands, in defence of
theriands. their colony, built several forts ; one, on the east side
of Delaware Bay, which they named Fort Nassau ;
one, a hundred and fifty miles up Hudson's river,
which they named Fort Orange j and a third, on
Connecticut river, which they named the Hirsse of
Good Hope. At the mouth of the Hudson, they
built a town, which they called New Amsterdam. 3
st. Chris- Ralph Merifield, having, in connection with cap-
'knte^b ta*u Warner, obtained letters from king James to
the Eng- plant and possess the island of St. Christopher, ar-
lish ; rived there in January with fifteen Englishmen, and
commenced a plantation at one end of the island,.
- where he built a fort and a house.4 The French
I Stith, 303.
2, Stith, 304. This historian calls it " a very laudable performance for,
the times." Sandys, in his dedication of it to king Charles, informs him,
that " it was limned by that imperfect light, which was snatched from the
hours of night and repose ; and that it is doubly a stranger, being sprung
from an ancient Roman stock, and bred up in the New World, of the rude-?
ness of which it could not but participate ; especially as it was produced a-
mong wars and tumults, instead of under the kindly and peaceful influence*
of the muses.'' Ibid. About this time Dr. William Vaughan, educated at
Oxford, wrote at Newfoundland his Poem, entitled The Golden Fleece,
which was printed in quarto in 1626. Vaughan was the author of several
publications in verse and prose. In 1615 he purchased a grant of the pa-
tentees of Newfoundland for part of the island, and resided there several
years. Brit. Emp. A. i. 7 — 9. Ancient Right Eng. Nation to American
Fishery, 20.
3 Smith N. York, 2. Brit. Emp. A. i. 237. Smith N. Jersey, 20.
Governor Bradford says, that the Dutch had traded in those southern parts
several years before he and the other English adventurers came to Ply-
mouth, but that they began no plantation there until after this time. See
Prince, 165 ; and p. 182 of this volume.
4 Churchill Voy. ii. chap. xxv. These English adventurers planted
various seeds, and raised a crop of tobacco ; but a hurricane "drove away"'
this crop in September. Until that time they lived on cassada bread, po-
tatoes, plantanes, pine apples, turtles, guanas, and fish. Ibid. Univ. Hist,
xli. 267. Many historians place this settlement in 1625.
AMERICAN ANNALS. £31
plarfted themselves at the same time on the other andFrenck*
end of the island ; * and this was their first settle-
ment in the West Indies, a
1624.
The fame of the plantation at Plymouth being Settlement
spread in the west of England, Mr. White, a cele- ^lu.dpe
brated minister of Dorchester, excited some mer-
chants and other gentlemen, to attempt another set-
tlement in New England. They accordingly, on a
common stock, sent over several persons^ who began
a plantation at Cape Ann, and held this place of the
Plymouth settlers, for whom they set up here a
fishing stage- 2
The Plymouth colonists, who had hitherto ap- Five assist-*
pointed but one assistant to the governor, on the en^Piy-
motion of governor Bradford, added four others ; mouth co-
but, instead of acceding to a motion, which he tnade lony*
at the same time, for the change of their governor,
they reelected him ; and gave this officer a double
voice. 4 On making request to the governor, that Land ^
they might have some land for permanent use, in* en to stt*
stead of the accustomed assignment by annual lot, tler3i
he gave every person an acre for himself and his
family, as near, as it was convenient, to the town.5
Plymouth at this time contained thirty two dwelling
houses, and about one hundred and eighty persons.
The inhabitants had erected a salt work ; and this
year they freighted a ship of a hundred and eighty
tons. In the last three years, notwithstanding the
I Churchill Voy. ii. chap. xxv.
% Europ. Settlements, ii. 6. It is a remarkable circumstance, that the
English and the French took possession of this island the same day. Ibid.
The Spaniards soon drove both these colonies out of the island. The Eng-
lish returned, and possessed themselves of the largest and most fertile quar-
ter ; the French returned, and left a small colony in another part. But the
most adventurous of the French went in quest of new places, ant', after va-
rious fortune, made settlements in Martinico and Guadaloupe. Ibid. ^
3 Hubbard MS. N. Eng. chap, xviii. Prince, 144, 151.
4 Hubbard MS. N. Efi£. chap. xvi. Prince, 145. Chalmers, i. 87*
5 Piiuce, 147.
AMERICAN ANNAL&
great want of necessaries, not one of the first plant-
ers died. * Edward Winslow, having been sent to
England the last year, as an agent for the colony, ori
his return home, brought the first breed of neat cat-
tle to Plymouth. \
The few inhabitants of Wessagusset receiving art
JllOUth. , , . t r -TTT • 1 • £
accession to their number from Weymouth m Eng-
land, the town is supposed to have hence been called
Weymouth. 3
About fifty English ships came in the spring of
this year, to fish on the coasts of New England.4
Spirit of The calamities, which had befallen the Virginian
the vir- colony, and the dissensions, which had agitated the
*embiy.as~ company, having been represented to the king and
his privy council as subjects of complaint ; a com-
mission was issued under the great seal to Sir Wil-
liam Jones and six others^ or any four of them, to
inquire into all matters respecting Virginia, from the
beginning of its settlement. The king also appoint-
ed commissioners, to go to Virginia, and inquire in-
to the state of the colony * After their departure a
writ of quo warranto was issued by the court of
king's bench against the company.5 Early this
year the commissioners arrived in Virginia, and a
general assembly was called^ not at their request 5
for they kept all their designs as secret, as possible^
The colony however had received information of the
•whole proceedings in England^ and had already in
its possession copies of several papers, which had
been exhibited against it. The assembly, meeting
on the fourteenth of February, drew up answers to
the charges, in a spirited and masterly style ; and
appointed an agent to go to England, to solicit its
cause. The laws, enacted by this assembly, are the
oldest to be found in the colony records. One of
I Prince, 151.
2, Hubbard MS. N. Eng. chap. xvi. Prince, 146.
3 Prince, 150* 151. 4 Ibid. I44»
5 November 10, 1623.
AMERICAN ANNALS. 233
them is equivalent to a bill of rights ; for it defines 1624*
the power of the governor, the council, and the as-
sembly ; and declares the privileges of the p'eople, in
regard to taxes, burdens, and personal services. x
The quo warranto being brought to trial in the charter of
court of king's bench, judgment was given against Virginia
the Virginia company ; and the charter was vacated. vacated"
The company, which was now dissolved, had con-
sisted of gentlemen of noble, and disinterested views,
who expended more than one hundred thousand
pounds of their own fortunes in this first attempt to
plant an English colony in America ; and more than
nine thousand persons were sent out from the mother
country, to people this new settlement.1 The an-
nual exportation of commodities from Virginia to
England did not exceed twenty thousand pounds in
value ; and, at this dissolution of the company, scarce-
ly two thousand persons survived. 3 So fluctuating
was their system of government, that in the course
of eighteen years, ten different persons presided as
governors over the province.4
The colonial historians have deeply deplored the
dissolution of the Virginian charter, as if the fate of
1 Stith, 318 — 320.
2 Stith, 305,319 — 322,330. Univ. Hist. xli. 530. Belknap Biog. ii.
91, 93, 97, Chalmers [i. 69.] says, the transportation of the Virginian set-
tlers was " at the enormous expence of i jo,ooo,£.
3 Smith [V'ir.g. continued, chap, xxi.] saysr " After 20 years spent in com-
plement, and trying new conclusions, were remaining scarce 1500, some
say rather 2000." Chalmers says, " but about 1800 ;" and takes in New
England, to make up the number of 2000 colonists. " If to this number
we add about 200, who had nestled on the coast of North Virginia, the a-
mount of the English colonists, settled on the American continent at the
accession of Charles I, will be 2000." The prices of provisions in Virgin-
ia, at this period, were enormous. They are thus stated in Purchas [v.
1806.] : a hogshead of meal, io£ sterling ; a gallon of alligant, 16 shil-
lings ; a hen and chickens, 3j£ ; i pound of butter, 3 shillings ; i pint of
milk, 6 pence, ready money ; a day's work (carpenter's), beside meat and
lodging, i o or 12 shillings. The colonists however, under all their disad-
vantages, appear to have possessed a public and generous spirit ; for they
about this time made a contribution " for the building of a house of enter-
tainment for new commers at James Citie, amounting to the value of fif-
teen e hundred pounds." Purchas, ibid. 1785.
4 Robertson, book is. xoi.
ff
234 AMERICAN ANNALS.
1624. the colony had depended on it. " Never theless,"
says Chalmers, " the length of its infancy, the mise-
ries of its youth, the disasters of its riper years, may
all be attributed to the monstrous government under
which it suffered." *
Aug. 26. King James now issued a new commission for the
government of Virginia, continuing Sir Francis Wy-
at governor, with eleven assistants or counsellors.
The governor and council were appointed during the
king's pleasure. No assembly was mentioned, or
allowed. *
Sept. 29. Though the commons of England wrere submissive
Prodama- to the dictates of the crown, yet they showed their
pe£ing"to- regard to the interest of the Virginian complainants,
bacco. as well as to the interest of the nation, by petition-
ing the king, that no tobacco should be imported,
but of the growth of the colonies ; and his majesty
condescended to issue a new proclamation concerning
tobacco, by which he restrained the culture of it to
Virginia and the Somer Islands.3
N. Nether- The returns from New Netherlands this year
lands. were four thousand beavers, and seven hundred ot-
ters, estimated at twenty seven thousand one hun-
dred and fifty guilders,4
Charles i demise °f tte crown having annulled all for-
makes vir-mer appointments for Virginia, Charles the First,
gmia de- ^ n succeeded to the throne of England, reduc-
pendent.on . o . p -
t-iu: crown, ed that colony under the immediate direction or the
l Political Annals, i. 63.
1 Rymer's Fcedera, xvii. 618. Belknap Biog. ii. 97, 9#.
3 Belknap Biog, ii. 95. The proclamation is entire in Rymer's Feeders,
xvii. 621, and in Hazard Coll. i. 193 — 198. The king, steady in his aver-
sion to this noxious weed, loses no opportunity of testifying his royal disap-
probation of its use. On this occasion, he proclaimed, that he considered
England and Wales " as utterly unfyt in respect of the clymate to cherish
the same for any medicinall use, which is the only good to he approved in
yt." Ibid. Another proclamation to the same purpost was issued »
March 1625. It is in Rymer's Foedera, xvii, 66 S,
4 Haaard Coll. i-39/.
AMERICAN ANNALS. *35
crown ; appointing a governor and council, and or- 1625.
dering all patents and processes to issue in his own
name. His proclamation " for settling the planta*
tion of Virginia" is dated the thirteenth of May. *
The commission to the new governor and council
was accompanied with arbitrary instructions. " The
commerce of the Virginians," says Chalmers, " was
restrained, at the same time that their persons were
enslaved."*
Captain Wollaston, and a few persons of some settlement
eminence, with thirty servants, came from England
to Massachusetts Bay, and on the southern side of
the bay, at the head of a creek, began a plantation,
which they called Mount Wollaston.3 Among-
these settlers was Thomas Morton, who was after-
ward the cause of much trouble to the sober inhab-
itants of the country, 4
1 This Proclamation, is entire in Hazard Coll. ii. 203^—205, and in
Chalmers,!. 126 — 128. It shows how high the king set the royal pre-
rogative at the commencement of his reign, and prepares us to expect the
miseries, which ensued. ** Our full resolution is, that there may he one u-
niforme course of government in and through our whole monarchic, that
the government of the colony of Virginia shall ymmediately depend upon
ourselfe, and not be commytted to anie company or corporation ; to whom
itt maie he proper to trust matters of trade and commerce, but cannot b«
fitt or safe to communicate the ordering of state affaires, be they of never
*oe mean consequence." This resolution of tbe king excited serious alarrn
among the Puritans at Leyden, one of whom wrote to governor Bradford
of Plymouth, that some hence conceive " he will have both the same civil
<ind ecclesiastical government that is io England, which occasioneth their
fear." Coll. Hist. Soc. iii. 43. King James had set the example, thus ear-
ly and thoroughly followed by his son. He had' aimed to make the supe-
riority of the colonies to be only of the king-, and not of the crown of Eng-
land ; with a view, it is supposed, to make them a sourc$ of revenue to him-
self and his successors, that they might not depend on parliament ; " but
the commons did not give up the matter, as appears by their Journals of
16.24 and 162.5." Stokes Constitut. of Brit. Colonies, p. 4.
2 Political Annals, i. in — 113 ; where is a summary of the royal in-
ductions. For governor Yardley's Commission, see Hazard Coll.i. 230 —
234-
3 Morton, 75. Prince, 152. Belknap Biog. ii. 333. It fell into the
township of Braintree. Dr. Belknap (ibid.) says, " they called an adjoining
hill," not the settlement itself, " Mount Wollaston." Since the division of
Braintree into two towns, this hill is in Cjuincy, not far distant from the
•eat of the Honourable JOHN ADAMS, Esquire, late President of th« Wmt«k
States. , '
4 Morton's Memorial, 76. Prince, 1^2.
236** AMERICAN ANNALS,
1625. Roger Conant, a man of piety and discretion,
n. Conant having lately removed from Plymouth to Nantasket,
removes i i i-v i i • T-
from Nan- was chosen by the Dorchester adventurers in Eng-
tasket to land, to manage their affairs at Cape Ann. On this
Cape Ann. ,° , f . ,
appointment he removed to that place, accompanied
by Mr. Lyford, a preacher, who had been invited
at the same time by those adventurers to be minister
to the plantation. In the autumn Lyford's people
at Nantasket removed to Cape Ann.1 Conant,
Discovers finding a better place for a plantation a little to the
westward, galled Naumkeak, and conceiving that it
might be a convenient place for the reception of such
English people, as might be desirous of a settlement
in America, gave notice of it to his friends in Eng-
land. This information gave rise to a project for
procuring of the council of Plymouth a grant for
settling a colony in Massachusetts Bay. a
Plymouth The merchant adventurers at London having'
taken by sent two ships on a trading voyage to New England,
i-urks. one Q£ t]lem? was sent kack by Plymouth colony,
laden with codfish, with beaver ^ind other furs, to
make payment for goods already received ; but, af-
ter it had shot far into the English channel, was
surprised by a Turkish man of war, and carried in-
to Scilly, where the master and his men were made,
slaves. 3
Miles Stan- Miles Standisli went to England, as agent, to con-
toEnghnd. c^u^e some matters of difference, yet depending be-
tween the colony of Plymouth and the merchant ad-
venturers at London, and to transact some business
•with the council of New England ; but the troubles
in the kingdom, and the plague in London, prevent-
ed him from completely effecting the objects of his,
commission.4
i The reason, assigned for their removal to this place, 5=, that it was
tnore convenient for the fishery. They had resided at Nantasket " a year
and some few months." Hubbard MS. N. Eng. chap, xviii. Prince, 157.
2- Hubbard MS. N. Eng. chap, xviii. Smith Virg. 247. Brit. Emp. i. 264.
Douglas, i. 407.
3 Hubbard MS. N. Eng. chap. xvi. Morton, 68, 69, Prince, 155, 166.
4 Hubbard MS. N. Eng, chap. xvi. Yet they " were happily accomplished
AMERICAN ANNALS. 237
Sir William Alexander obtained from Charles I
a confirmation of his title to Nova Scotia, under the
great seal of Scotland. x
1626.
A bill for the maintenance and increase of ship- J^^S
ping and navigation, and for the freer liberty of fish- contended
ing voyages on the coasts of Newfoundland, Virgin- ^,y^n»
ia, and New England, was passed in February, by of Eng.,
the English house of commons ; but it was never lancL
returned from the house of lords. a The spirit of
the commons was not repressed by the loss of this
bill. In a strong representation of grievances, which
they presented to king Charles in the following May,
they insisted, " that the restraint of the subject from
the liberty of a free fishing, with all the necessary
incidents, was a great national grievance." The
spirit, displayed by this animated assembly, as well
as its refusal to grant the sovereign a second subs!-*
dy, brought on its dissolution. 3
The coast of Newfoundland, for most of the late New*
years, was frequented by two hundred and fifty sail Joundian*
of English vessels, estimated at fifteen thousand tons, *'
employing five thousand persons, and making an aa-
by him so far, as ho left things ia ^i hopeful way of composition \vith the
one [the London merchants], and a promise of all helpfulness and favour
from the other" [the council of New England.]. Ibid, and Coil. Hist. SOQ.
iii. 38 ; Morton, 69 ; Prince, 156 ; Belkjiap Biog. ii. 331.
1 Chalmers, I. 92. This confirmatory charter is in Hazard Coll. i. 206
T— 224 ; and is nearly in the same words, as the original charter, given by
king James. See p. 218 of this volume.
2 This must have been the -revival of the bill, brought forward by the
house of commons in 1621, if an anonymous Essay among Colonial Tracts
in Harvard .Library may be reMed on. The author of that E^say observe^,
that on the occasion of the original measure the secretary of state made the
following declaration to the house from the king [ Janies] : " Ameri-.
cais not annexed to the realm, nor within the jurisdiction of parliament ;
you have therefore no right to interfere."
3 Chalmers, i. 114. Now commenced the quarrels between Charles I
and the Parliament of England ; the latter perceiving, that the kuig was
desirous of extending the royal prerogative, arid of rendering himself inde-
pendent. Henault's Hist. France, ii. 50. " No one was, at that time, suf-
ficiently sensible of the great weight, which the commons bore in the bal-
itnce of the constitution. The history of England had sever hitherto ^-
AMERICAN ANNALS.
nual profit of about one hundred and thirty
thousand pounds sterling.1
ount Wollaston, after much time, labour, and cost had{
Wollaston. been expended in planting Mount Wollaston, trans-
ported a great part of the servants to Virginia. In
his absence, Morton advised the remainder of the
company to depose Filcher, who had been left be-
hind as lieutenant, ancl to keep possession for them-
selves. The counsel was followed ; and dissipation
ensued. Having traded with the Indians awhile,
with what goods they had in possession, they spent
the avails of their traffick merrily about a May pol^
and called the place Merry Mount. *
Plym
colon
1627.
The Plymouth . colony had, the preceding year,
Sases Si '" sent *saac Allerton to England, to make a composi-
ihe proper- tion with the adventurers \ to take up more money ;<
ty of the an(j £O purchase more goods. Allerton returned in
the spring of this year, after a successful execution
of his commission. He had procured a loan of two
hundred pounds, at thirty per cent, interest, 3 and
forded an instance, where any great movement or revolution had proceed-
ed from the lower house."- Hume Hist. Eng. Charles I, chap. i.
I Smith Virg. 244.
1 Hubbard MS. N. Eng. chap, xviii. Morton, 76, 77. Prince [i6a —
167.] places the last transaction in 1627. Morton himself confirms th«
principal statements of the New England historians on this subject, but
complains of abuse in this name of the hill ; affirming, that he called it
Mare-Mount* See p. 93 of a work, entitled " New English Canaan, or
New Canaan, by Thomas Morton of Clifford's Inn, Gent." Printed at Am-
sterdam 1637. This is the same Morton, mentioned above, who, secretary
Morton [Memorial, p. 76.] says, had been " a petty fogger at Furnival'»
Inn."
3 Hard as these terms were, they were less hard, than those, on which
they had their goods the preceding year, those having been at 45 per cent.
Gov. Bradford's Letter Book in Coll. Hist. Soc. Hi. 46. The pious govern-
or, after mentioning these " straits,"- might well add: " so that it was
God's marvellous providence, that \ve were ever able to wade through
things." Ibid. Enormous as was this rate of interest, it was increased th«
next year. Mr. Shirley writes from London to governor Bradford (i6z8) :
•* It is true, as you write, your engagements are great, not only the pur-
chase, but you are yet necessitated to take up the stock you work upon,
and that not at 6 or 8 per cent, as it is here let out, but at 30, 40, yea and
tome 50 per cent, wfeich, were not your gains great) and God's blessing e»
AMERICAN ANNALS. *39
kid it out in suitable goods, which he now brought 1627*
over to the plantation. He had agreed with the ad-
venturers, in behalf of the colony, to purchase all
their shares, stocks, merchandizes, lands, and chat-
tels, for eighteen hundred pounds ; two hundred to
be paid at the Royal Exchange every Michaelmas
for nine years ; the first payment to be made in
1628. *
The colonists, obliged as they were to take up
monies, or goods, at exorbitant interest, were at a
loss, how they should raise the payment, in addition
to the discharge of their other engagements, and the
supply of their yearly wants ; but they undertook
to effect it ; and seven or eight of the principal men
became jointly bound, in behalf of the rest. A part*
nership was now formed, into which were admitted
every head of a family, and every young man, of
age and prudence. It was agreed^ that the trade
should be managed, as before, to pay the debts ; ev*
ery single freeman should have a single share ; and
every father of a family, leave to purchase one share
for himself, one for his wife, and one for every child,
living with him ; and that every one should pay his
part toward the debts, according to the number of
his shares. To every share twenty acres of arable Division «r
land were assigned by lot ; to every six shares, one
cow and two goats ; and swine in the same propor-
tion.*
your honest endeavours more than ordinary, it could not be that you should
long subsist, in the maintaining of and upholding of your worldly affairs.1*
Ibid. p. 5 8.
i The heads of this agreement are in governor Bradford's Letter Book.
in Coll. Hist. Soc. iii. 47 , 48. It was subscribed by Allerton and 42 adven-
turers 15 November 1626.
a Morton, 71, 73. Prince, 16,5—167. The previous allotments of
a garden plot, and of a single acre to each individual were not affected by
this new division. The manner, in which the first lots were located, is
distinctly shown, in an extract from Plymouth Colony Records, in Hazard
Coll. i. 100—103, entitled "The MEERSTEADS and GARDEN PLOTES of
those, which came first, laid out." The agreement, for the division of ao
acres to a share, was made " in a full court" 3 January 16x7, according to
the reckoning then in use [Hazard Coll. i. 180.], but it was truly 3 January
The year was tbtn computed from the sjth of Marcfc.
240 AMERICAN ANNALS.
1627. Messengers now arrived at Plymouth, from the
March, governor of the Dutch plantation at Hudson's riv^r*
Messea- °.1 • •» i i • • ^s. -,
gerscofne W]th amicable letters, written in Dutch and French. l
from N. In these letters, the Dutch congratulated the Eng-
on tne'r prosperous and commendable enter-
prise ; tendered them their good will, and friendly-
services ; and offered to open and maintain with
them a commercial intercourse. The governor and
council of Plymouth sent an obliging answer to the
Dutch,' expressing a thankful sense of the kindness,
which they had received in their native country ;
and a grateful acceptance of the offered friendship. *•
Trade es- ' For greater convenience of trade, the Plymouth
*a])lisheda£ Colonists this summer built a small pinnace at Mon-
Monamet. 1-11 i i i •
arnet, 3 to which place they transported their goods.
Having taken them by water within four or five
miles, they carried them over land to the vessel, and
thus avoided the dangerous navigation around Cape
Cod, and made their voyage to the southward in far
less time, and with much less hazard. For the safe-
ty of their vsssel and goods, they also built a house,
and kept some servants there, who planted corn,
raised hogs, and were always ready to go out with
the bark. 4
The Puritans, left at Leyden, deprived of their
revered and beloved pastor,5 were desirous to come
I Morton, 74. The letters were dated at the Manhattas, in the Fort
Amsterdam, March 9, 1617, and signed by Isaac de Razier, secretary. Gov-
ernor Bradford says, that Razier was their upper commit, or chief merchant,
and second to the governor ; and a man of u fair and genteel behaviour.
Coll. Hist.Soc. iii.54-
a Prince, f6j. Coll. I list. Soc. iii. 51, 51 ; where this letter is entire.
3 A place on the sea, 20 miles to the south of Plymouth, now culled
Sandwich. See p. 225, note 3.
4 Prince, 167, 168.
5 The Reverend John Robinson died I March 1625, in the fiftieth year
cf his age. Until bis death, the congregation at Plymouth had not a-
bandoned the hope of his coming to America, with their brethren, who re-
mained in Holland. The difficulties, which then attended a voyage acros*
the Atlantic ; the expense of an equipment for a new colony ; the hard-
%hir,s, incident to a plantation in a distant wilderness ; the debts, already-
contracted by the Plymouth colonists ; and the poverty of the congregation
3t Leyden, prevented his roaioval. JJelknap Biog. ii. 1 75. tiutchinsoji
AMERICAN ANNALS*
to New England, and join their brethren at Plyni- 1627*
outhV In correspondence with their wishes, the
people of Plymouth were solicitous to aid their re-
moval from Holland ; but were unable, without ex-
traordinary efforts. On this occasion, the governor
and seven other persons1 made a hazardous adven- J£ea^re|V
ture. They hired, the trade of the colony for six others hire
years ; and for this privilege, together with the shal- ^
lop, and the pinnace, lately built at Monamet, and °uth
the stock in the store house, undertook to pay the nT-
eighteen hundred pounds, and all other debts of the
planters J to bring over for them fifty pounds a
year in hoes and shoes, and sell them for corn at six
shillings a bushel j and, at the end of the term, to
return the trade to the colony. *
On the return of the ships, Allertoh was again sent
to England, to conclude the bargain with the com- merchant
pany, and deliver the bonds for the stipulated pay- adventur-
ment ; to carry beaver, and pay some of the recent er
debts ; 3 to procure a patent for a convenient trad-
ing place on Kennebeck river ;4 and to make inter-
est with th'e:frieiids of the coloriy in London, to join
with the eight undertakers for the discharge of the
debts of the colony, and for helping their friends
from Ley den. He closed the bargain with the com-
[ii. 4*4.] says, that " lie was prevented by ttlsappointmcKts from those in Eng-
land, .who undertook to provide for the passage of him and his congrega-
tion." See Belknap, ut supra ; and Morton, 70. The death of Robinson
caused the dissolution of his congregation at Leyden ; some of whom re-
moved to Amsterdam ; and others, among whom were his widow and chil-»
ttren, to New England. Belknap Biog. ii. 168. See Note V at the end o£
the volume.
i Edward Winslbw, Thomas Prince, Miles Standish, William Brewster,
John Alden, John Howland, and Isaac Allerton.
a Prince, 168, 169.
. 3 " For," says governor Bradford, " our excessive interest Still keeps us
low." Prince, 169.
4 A special reason, assigned for this article, is, that ** the planters at
Pascatoway and other places eastward of them, as also the fishing ships en-
vy our trading there, and threaten to get a patent to exclude us ; though
•we first discovered and began the same, and brought it to so good an issue."
Prince, ibid, from governor Bradford.
Nn
.242 AMERICAN ANNALS.
pany of adventurers at London, on the sixth of Ndi-
vember. '
New pro- The colony of Quebec, by direction of cardinal
°-" Richlieu, sole minister of France, was taken out or*
the hands of the French Protestants, and, together
with its trade, put into the hands of one hundred
persons, called the Company of a hundred Associ*
ates, at the head of which was the cardinal himself^
with the mareshal Defiat, and other persons of em-
inence. 3
William Usselin, an eminent Swedish merchant,
JSri £' havmg greatly extolled the country in the neighbour-
lout the hood of New Netherlands, Gustavus Adolphns,
ifciawure. kjng of Sweden, had issued a proclamation, exhort-
ing his subjects to contribute to a company, associ-
ated for the settlement of a colony in that territory.
Considerable sums were raised by contribution ; and
a number of Swedes and Fins came over, this year3
to America. They first landed at Cape Hinlopen,
the sight of which gave them such pleasure, that
they called it Paradise Point. Some time after they
bought of the natives the land from that cape to the
Falls of Delaware, and obtained peaceable posses-
sion. 3
1628.
March 19. This year was laid the foundation of the colony
M^ch" °^ Massachusetts. The council for New England
•ettasoidto on the nineteenth of March sold to Sir Henry Ros-
srii.Ros- jj gjr j |in Young, and four other associates in
well and >. . . b» . f
•th«8. the vicinity or Dorchester in England, a patent for
I Princs, ibid. " The thing was fully concluded, and the bargain fairly"
engrossed in parchment, under their hands and seals." Gov. Bradford Let-
ter Book Coll. Hist. Soc. iii. 48.
•2 Univ. Hist, xxxix. 422. Charlevoix Nouv. France, i. 161 — 165 ; where
is an account of this project for the settlement of Canada. Charlevoix
(ibid.) thinks nothing could have been better imagined ; and that France
wouli have been the most powerful colony in America, had the execution
been answerable to the design. The full number of the Associates was 107.
3 Smith N. Jersey, a 2. Smith says, it is uncertain whether they bought
the land of those natives, who could properly convey it. The river Dela-
ware they called New Swedeland stream. Ibid. See A, D. 1629.
AMERICAN ANNALS. 243
all that part of New England, lying between three 1628,
piles to the northward of Merriraack river and three
miles to the southward of Charles river, and in
Jength within the described breadth from the Atlan-
tic ocean to the South Sea. The reverend Mr.
White of Dorchester being engaged at that juncture
Jn projecting an asylum for silenced Nonconformist
ministers, the grantees, by his means, became ac-
quainted with several religious persons1 in London
and its vicinity, who at first associated with them!, Th/ir
r i -. t • i • i • inghts
and afterward bought rights in their patent." pmcha?ed
They next projected a settlement for the express by others;
purpose of providing for Nonconformists a safe re-
treat, where they might *enjoy religious liberty in
platters of worship and discipline. The company
soon after chose Matthew Cradock governor, and
Thomas Goffe, deputy governor, with eighteen as*
sistants ; 3 and sent over a few people under the gov- who send
^rnrnent of John Endicot, to carry on the plantation w!*hTfew
at Naumkeak, and prepare for settling a colony. 4 people to
Endicot, on his arrival at Naumkeak, laid the foun- N
dation of Salem, the first permanent town in Massa-
chusetts, Several servants were soon sent over
from England, on the joint stock of the company ;
but upon their arrival at Naumkeak, an uncultivat-
ed desert, many of them, for want of wholesome
i John Winthrop, Isaac Johnson, Matthew Cradock, Thomas GofT, and
Sir Richard Saltonstall. Hubbard MS. N. Eng. chap, xviii. They are
said to be persons " of like quality," as the first purchasers of the patent.
Ibid.
a Hubbard (ibid.) says, they bought of them all their right and interest,
in New England ; but Prince [171.] from the Massachusetts colony charter
and record;; concluded, that three only of the six original grantees wholly
sold their rights ; and that the other three retained theirs in equal partner-
ship with the new associates.
3 Beside those gentlemen, there were 20 or 30, who subscribed £1035,
to be a common stock to carry on the plantation. The ne;;t year £745
inore were lent on the same account by several gentlemen. They gener*
ally ventured but £25 a piece ; some, £50 ; a few, £75 ; and the gov-
ernor, £100. Hubbard MS. N. Eng. chap. xxii.
4 Johnson, says, that Endicoc, who came with them " to govern," waf
« a fit instrument to begin this wilderness work; of courage bold, undaunt-
ed, yet sociable, and of a cheerful spirit, loving, or austere, as occasion serv-
<4«" Wonderwork, Prox'ideuce, xy.
244 AMERICAN ANNALS.
1628. diet and convenient lodgings, died of the scurvy and
other distempers.1
Six or seven persons, with the consent of gover-
* Endic,otV travelled from Naumkeak through the
woods about twelve miles westward, and came to a
neck of land, between Mystic and Charles rivers,
called Mishawum. It was full of Indians, called
Aberginians ; and, with the unconstrained consent
of their chief, they settled there. *
The Plymouth colonists obtained a patent for
beck. JCennebeck . ^nci up this river, in a place conve-
nient for trade, erected a house, and furnished it
with corn, and other commodities. While the trade
of their infant colony was thus commencing toward
the east, if was becoming gradually extended toward
The Dutch the west. A Dutch bark from Manhattan arriving
kh at the trading house at Manomet, ' with sugar >
linen, stuffs, and various other commodities ; a boat
was sent frOrn Plymouth for Razier, who conduct-
ed this commercial enterprise ; and he, with most of
his company, was entertained af Plymouth several
days. On his return to the bark, some of the
people of Plymouth accompanied him, and bought
various goods. After this commencement of trade,
the Dutch often sent goods to the same place ; and
a trafiick was continued severalyears. The Ply-
mouth colonists sold much tobacco for linens, stuffs.,
and other articles ; and derived great advantage
from this commerce, until the Virginians found out
the Dutch colony. 3
i Hubbard MS. N. Eng. chap, xviii. Prince, 171 — 178. Mather Mag-
nal.i. 16. Chalmers, i. 136. The Reverehd Mr. Bentley [Hist. Salem Coil>
Hist. Soc. yi. 230.] says, " The natives had forsaken this spot [Naumkeak]
before the English had reached it. On the soil they found no natives, of
whom we have any record. No natives ever claimed it, and the possessioii
was uninterrupted."
1 Prince, 174,175. This chief was called by the English John Sagamore.
He was the oldest son of the old Aberginian chief, who was then dead. The
few Englishmen, who now settled at Mishawum, found but one English
house there, " thatched and palisadoed, poesessed by Thomas Walford, al
t»mith." Ibid.
3 Prince, 171 — 173. The Dutch, on $he -visit recited above, aqrpainfr-
AMERICAN ANNALS. 245
John Endicot, arriving at Naumkeak, as an agent, 1628.
jo carry on the plantation there, and manaee all the Endicot
r>" • - c- i ml/r ' i • • i 1 VISltS
affairs of the Massachusetts patentees, visited the Mount
people at Merry Mount : caused their May pole to
be cut down ; rebuked them for their profaneness ^
and admonished them to reform. Morton, their
principal, was incorrigible. Hearing what gain the
French and the fishermen made by selling guns, pow-
der,' and shot to the natives, he began the same
trade in his neighbourhood, and taught the natives
the use of fire arms. The English, meeting them natives the
m the woods, armed in this manner, were greatly in^ °* flre
timidated. The chief persons, hi the scattered plan-
tations at Pascataqua, Naumkeak, Winisimet, Wes-
sagusset, Nantasket, and other places, met, and a-
greed to solicit the people of Plymouth, who were
stronger than all the other New England colonists
combined, to unite with them in tiie suppression of
the alarming evil. The Plymouth colonists, after re-
peatedly sending friendly messages to Morton, ad-
vising him to forbear his injurious courses, and re-
ceiving insolent replies, prevailed with' the governor
of their colony to send Standish, with some aid, to
apprehend him. " This gallant officer successfully
performed the enterprise. Dispersing the worst of
the company, he brought Morton to Plymouth,
. , -f c ^ ^
whence he was soon after sent to England.
Sir Thomas Warner, and a number of English- N«V;$ set-
men, attempted the settlement of Berbuda ; but, tkd-
finding it a rocky and barren island, they left it, and
settled at Nevis, to the number of about one hun-
dred, many of whom were old planters of St. Chris- chrfstL, •*
topher's.3 At the island of St. Christopher there Pher>
ing the people of Plymouth with the trade of wampum, they were induc-
ed to purchase that article of the Indians, to the value of ahout £5'o. For
the two first years it was unsaleable ; nut it became afterward a very im-
portant article of trade, especially with the inland Indians, who- did noc
^iiake it.
• i Hubbard MS. N. Eng chap, xviii. Prince, 175 — lyj. Josselyn, aji,
$ Anderson, ii. 333. Smith Yirg. contin. chap, xxvii. Univ. Hist.xli. 288,
AMERICAN ANNALS.
were, this year, about thirty sail of English, French,
and Dutch ships. The natives, having done much
mischief among the French, were entirely expelle4
from the island. '
1629,
March 4^ On the petition of the .Massachusetts company^
Patent of . , r ' 3
11,1 t. . . ,, , , .
- seconded by the solicitation of lord Dorchester, king
Charles, ky charter, confirmed the patent of Mas-
sachusetts colony. By this patent, the company
was incorporated by the name of " The Governor,
and Company of the Massachusetts Bay in New
England,53 to have perpetual succession ; empower-
ed to elect forever^ out of the freemen of said com*
pany, a governor, deputy governor, and eighteen as*
sistants, to be newly chosen on the last Wednesday
in easter term yearly, by the greater part of the
company ; and to make laws, not repugnant to the,
laws of England. Matthew Cradock was constitute
ed the first governor ; and Thomas Goffe, the
deputy governor. Sir Richard Saltonstall
seventeen other persons were constituted assistants. a
April 30. A court of the Massachusetts company was soon
govern- after holden at London, and settled a form of gov-
ment set- ernment for the new colony. It ordained, that thir-
Masodm- teen persons, such as should be reputed the most
$ettscoiony. wise, honest, expert, and discreet, resident on the
colonial plantation, should, from time to time, have
the sole management of the government and affairs
of the colony ; and they, to the best of their judg-
ment, were to *6 endeavour to so settle the same,3*
as might " make most to the glory of God, the fru>
therance and advancement of this hopeful plantation^
I Smith Virg. continued, chap. xxy.
a Mather Magnal. book i. 16. Uiiiv. Hist, xxxix. 277. Chalmers, i.
136. Prince, 180. This first Charter of Massachusetts was first printed
in Hutahinson's Collection of Papers, i — 23 ; it is also in Hazard Coll. i.
239 — 255. Some of these authors place it in, x6a£ ; but, if the year be
computed from January, it WAS in 1629.
AMERICAN ANNALS. 247
the Comfort, encouragement, and future benefit'* of 1629.
the company, and of others, concerned in the com-
mencement or prosecution of the work* The per*
sons, thus appointed, were to be entitled " The
Governor and Council of London's Plantation in
Massachusetts Bay, in New England."1
The same court elected John Endicot to be gov- officer*
ernor of the colony ; and Francis Higginson with chos«m
six others to be the council. These seven counsel-
lors were impowered to choose three others ; and
such of the former planters, as were willing to Iiv6
within the limits of the plantation, were empowered
to choose two more, to make the council to consist
of twelve ; one of whom was by the governor and
council, or the major part of them, to be chosen dep-
uty to the governor for the time being. These per*
sons were to continue in office for a year, or until the
court of the company in London should appoint
others ; and the governor, or in his absence the
deputy governor, might call courts at discretion.
At a court of the company, holden at London in
May, it was agreed, that every adventurer, who had
advanced fifty pounds, should have two hundred
acres of land allowed him ; and that fifty acres a
piece should be allowed them, who went over at
their own charge. Several persons, of considerable
importance in the English nation, were now enlisted
among the adventurers, who, for the unmolested en-
joyment of their religion, were resolved to remove
into Massachusetts. Foreseeing however, and dread-
ing, the inconvenience of being governed by laws,
made for them without their own consent, they judg-
ed it more rational, that the colony should be ruled
by men, residing in the plantation, than by those,
dwelling at the distance of three thousand miles,
and over whom they should have no controul. At
the same time therefore, that they proposed to trans-
I This act for settling the government is in Hazard Coll. i. 168 — iji.
AMERICAN ANNALS.
1629. port themselves, their families, and estates to thi$
country, they insisted, that the charter should be
transmitted with them, and that the corporate pow-
ers, conferred J)y it,. should be executed in future in
26. New England. , An .agreement was accordingly
icam.ent made at Cambridge in England between Sir Richard
bridge in Saltonstall, Thomas Dudley,; Isaac Johnson, John
ing^aiMfc Winthrop, and a few others, that on those conditions
they would be ready the ensuing March, with their
persons and families, to embark for New England,
for the purpose of settling in the country. z The
governor and company, entirely disposed to promote
the measure, called a general court ; at which the
deputy governor stated, that several gentlemen, in-
tending to go to New England, were desirous to
know, whether the chief government with the pa-
tent would be settled in Old or New England. This
question caused a serious debate. The court was
AUK. 29.' adjourned to the next day, when it decreed, that
Govern- jj government and the patent of the plantation
meat of r r * T . _*_.
the colony should be transferred from London to Massachu-
transfen-ed tts j^y; An order was drawn up' for that pur-'
rx> Englan J. . . J , .- r i • i 111
pose ; in pursuance or which a court was hblden
for a new election of officers, who would be, willing
to remove with their families ;., and John Winthrop
was chosen governor ; John Humfrey, deputy gov-
ernor ; and Sir Richard Saltonstall, Isaac Johnson,
Thomas Dudley and others, were chosen assistants. a
„> ^ The infant colony at Naumkeak had, in the mean
Progress o; . . . J .
t^e, been making progress. In the lord treasur-
I " We wivl ?c- really Endeavour the execution of this worke,' a's by
God's assistance we will be reaxly in our persons, and with such, of our
severall familyes as are to go with us — to embarke for the said plantation
by the first of March ^next — to passe the seas (under God's protection) tb|
inhabite and continue in New England. Provided always that before the
last of September next the whole government together with the patent for
the said plantation be first legally transferred," Mo. Hutchinson Coll. 25,
26, where is " The true coppie of the agreement at Cambridge, August z6t
16*9."
a Hubbard MS. N. Eng. chap. xxii. Prince, 194 — 195. Chalmers, i-
AMERICAN ANNALS. 249
fcr's warrant for the colonists to go to New Eng- 1629*
land, dated the sixteenth of , April, liberty was
given to sixty women and maids, twenty six chil-
dren, three hundred men with victuals,, arms, ap-
parel, tools, one hundred and forty head of cattle,
some horses, sheep and goats ; which were trans-
ported in six ships in the slimmer of this year*
Three of the ships sailed from the isle of Wight
in May, carrying about two hundred persons, with
an. abundance of all things, necessary tc» form a
settlement ; and in June arrived at Naumkeak.
This aboriginal name was exchanged by these set-
tlers for one,, expressive of the peaceful asylum^
-which they found in the American wilderness. .
They called the place Salem. It contained, at the
time of their arrival, but six houses, beside that of
governor Endicot ; and there were in the whole
colony but one hundred planters. x
r I Chalmers, i. 142, 143 ; who says, there were then at Salerri eight
•miserable hovels. Univ. Hist, xxxix. 278. Prince, 183 — 188. In Haz-
ard's Coll. [i. 277 — 285.] there is a letter from the company to " Captain
Jo. Endycott, and the .Councell in New England," dated London 28
JVlay,and Gravesend3 June, 1629, giving notice of the establishment of En-
flicot as " present governor," and subjoining instructions for the manage-
ment of the colony. The governor and council were desired to " appoint
a carefull and dilligent Overseer to eath familie," to see that the servants,
sent over for the company, were employed in their proper business. Blank
books were sent, to be distributed among the overseers, who were " to
keep a perfect Register of the dayly woirke done by each person in each,
familie," a copy of which was to be sent once every half year to England.
The instructions say, « for the better governing and ordering of our people,
especiallie such as shall be negligent and remiss in the performance of their
dutyes, or otherwise exorbitant, our desire is, that a house of correccon be
erected and set upp, both for the punishment bf such offenders, and to deterr
others by their example from such irregular courses." Caution was given
against the culture of that vile weed, which was considered as the source of
great evil to society : " And as in our former, soe now againe wee espetial-
ly desire you to take care that noe tobacco bee planted by any of the new
Planters under your government ; unless it bee some small quantitie for
meere necessitie, and for phisick for preservacon of their healths, and that
the same bee taken privately by auntient men and none other/' An injunc-
tion was given, " to bee very circumspect in the infancieof the plantacon,
to settle some good orders," to promote industry, " that noe idle drone be
permitted to live amongst us ; which if you take care now at the first to es-
ublish, wil be an undoubted meanes, through God's assistance, to prevent -
world of dhorder?, and many grevious sihns and winner?.'*
O »
250
AMERICAN ANNALS.
1629.
One hun-
dred per-
sons re-
move to
Mishaw-.
urn; and
found
Charles-
town.
Aug. 6.
Church
gathered
and minis-
ters, ordain-
ed- *t Sulera.
Dissatisfied with the situation at Salem, Thomas
Graves, with some of the company's servants under
his care, and others, to the number of one hundred
in all, removed to Mishawum, where they laid the
foundation of a town, to which, with the consent of
governor Endicct, they gave the name of Charles-
town. Mr. Graves laid out the town in two acre
lots, one of which he assigned to each inhabitant ;
and afterward he built a great house for the accom-
modation of those, who were soon to come over to
New England. *
Two hundred settled at Salem, and, by general
consent of the old planters, were combined with them
into one body politic, under the same governor. * It
being early resolved to settle in a church state, thir-
ty persons, who commenced the church, judged it
needful to enter solemnly into covenant, to walk to-
gether according to the Word of God. Inviting
the church of Plymouth to the solemnity, that they
might have its approbation and concurrence, if not
direction and assistance, they solemnly declared their
assent to a confession of faith, drawn up by one of
their ministers, and entered into a religious cove-
nant.3 They then ordained their ministers,4 and a
ruling elder, by the imposition of the hands of some
cf the brethren, appointed by the church ; and gov-
ernor Bradford and others, messengers from the
church of Plymouth, gave them the right hand of
fellowship. " They aimed," says Hubbard, " to
settle a Reformed Church, according to their appre-
i Coll. Hist. Soc.i. 123, 124. Chalmers, i. 143. Prince, 1 88.
<z Higgeson's N. Eng. Plantation in Coll. Hist. Soc. i. 123.
3 A copy of this Covenant is in Coll. Hist. Soc. vi. 283, 284; and in
Mather Magnal. book i. 1 8, 19.
4 One- of them was Mr. Francis Higginson, a minister of Leicestershire,
who had been silenced for his Nonconformity ; the other was Mr. Skelton,
a minister of Lincolnshire, who had also suffered for the same cause. Both
•were eminent for learning and virtue, and came to New England by invita-
tion of those, who were engaged in prosecuting the settlement at Salem.
Mather Magnal. book i. 16. They had been ordained by bishops in tho
church of England ; this ordination was only to the pastoral care of tiaffar-
titular fad i founded oo their free election. Prince, 191.
AMERICAN ANNALS. 2$t
hension of the rules of the gospel, and the pattern 1629.
of the best Reformed Churches."'
A commission having been given by Charles I to
David Kertk* and his valiant kinsmen, to conquer
the American dominions of France, Kertk had at-
tacked Canada in July 1628, and still carried on his
military operations with vigour. Louis and Thom-
as Kertk, appearing again at this time offPoint Levi,
jsent an officer on 'shore to Quebec, to summon
the city to surrender. Champlain, who had the
chief command, knowing his means to be inadequate
to a defence, surrendered the city by capitulation*3 Julr x*
r™ > i • • i • r T_ i Quebec is
The terms of this capitulation were very favourable ^ken fronx
to the French colony ; and they were so punctually the French
and honourably fulfilled by the English, that the
greater part of the French chose to. remain with their
captors, instead of going, as had been stipulated, to
France.4 Thus was -the capita-} of New France sub-
dued by the arms of England, just one hundred and
thirty years be/ore its final conquest by the celebra^
ted Wolfe.*
Although the subjects of different nations now
traded with the natives in the bay of Delaware ; no
settlements appear to have yet betn formed on either
* Hubbard MS. N. Eng, chap. xxi. Mather; Magnal. 17, 19. Chalmers,
i. I4> Josselyn Voy. 25 x-. Coll. Hist. Soc. iv. 219.
2 The English writers commonly write the name Kirk. I follow Cham--
plain and Charlevoix, one of whom gives the name, as signed at the capitu-
lation ; the other informs us that it is a French name, Keetk having been a
native of France, and a Protestant refugee in England : " David KERTK,.
Fran9ois, narif de Dieppe, mais Calviniste et refugie en Angleterre." Nouv.
France, i. 165.
3 Champlain Voy. sec. part. 1.57 — 160 ; 214 — 223 ; where are the Let-
ters of correspondence between the Kettles and C.hamplaia, and the Articles,
of capitulation. The spirited answer qf Champlain at thejint summons to
surrender in 1628, and Kertk's ignorance of the real state of the French
garrison, are the only apparent qauses of the failure of the English in their
first attempt on Quebec.. Charlevoix [Nouv. France, i. 166.] says, the
French in Quebec were tltn. reduced to seven ounces of bread each, a day ;
and that they had bur. five pounds of powder in the magazine. Some tinie
before the surrender, their provisions were entirely exhausted : " trois uio ...
ap_res que les viyres eurent manque abi>olument." Ibid,
4 Univ. Hist, xxxix. 423. Brit. Emp. Introd. i. 47.
j; Ch;ihnerg, i. 93.
CJ52 AMERICAN ANNALS,
1629. margin of it, by the Dutch or Swedes.1 The Hoi-
Colony landers, resolved to establish a colony at Manhattan,
Mankat- appointed Van T wilier governor, 'who arrived at
*"*« Fort Amsterdam in June, and began to grant lands
the subsequent year ; at which time commenced the
first permanent settlement of the Dutch. z "
New at- The project for settling Guiana was now revived.
*etti?GuV Four ships with nearly two hundred persons arrived
ana. there from England ; and preparations were made
for another embarkation. ! One hundred English
and Irish people went from Holland to the same
country, conducted by the old planters, Roger
North, who was a principal person in effecting this
settlement, seated his colony about a hundred leagues
in the main land. 3
W.india In the Somer Isles there were, at this time, be-
I*iand2. tween two and three thousand inhabitants. Charles
Saltonstall, son of Sir Samuel Saltonstall, sailed
from England to Barbadoes, ] with nearly two hun-
dred people, accompanied by Sir William Tufton,
governor for Barbadoes, and carrying what was ne-
cessary for a plantation. : There -were now on that
island, and going to it, about fifteen or sixteen hun-
dred people ; and in all the Caribbee islands, inclu-
sive of those actually preparing to settle in them,
there were nearly three thousand.4 About this
I Chalmers, i. 227, See p. 143 of this volume.
a Smith N. York, 3. Chalmers, i. 570; who supposes, that settlement
" now probably acquired the name of New Netherlands -, though this people,
like the French and English, were never able to assign to them any specific
boundaries." We have already, for convenience, used the name of New
Netherlands, and styled the Dutch people there a colony [See p. 180 — 182,
230.] ; but neither term appears to be strictly applicable, until this period.
3 Smith, in Churchill Voy. ii. chap. xxiv. A party of men, sent out for
discovery, found many towns well inhabited ; most of the people entirely
flaked ; but they saw ."-not any such giant women as the river's name
[Amazons] importeth." ' Ibid. Oldys does not expressly notice this settle-
ment of 1629 ; but says, that "some other little attempts were made there"
several years after 1620 ; and subjoins : "But how all this spacious and
fruitful country has been since shamefully deserted, by the English especial-,
ly ; the quiet possession there by the Spaniards, to this tlayj is sufficient wit*
Hess." Life Ralegh, 223.
A Smith, ut supra, chap, xxii, xsv, sxvi,
AMERICAN ANNALS.
time, the English are said to have begun to plant on
the island of Providence, the chief of the Bahama
islands.1
1630,
By the agency of the earl of Warwick and Sir Jan. 1
Ferdinando Gorges, Plymouth colony obtained from
the council for New England its last patent. ' This mouth
patent, dated the thirteenth of January, conveyed a
considerable territory around the original settlement.
The limits of that part of the grant are thus defined :
<c All that part of New England lying between Co-
basset rivulet toward the north, and Narraganset
river toward the south ; the great western ocean
[j:he Atlantic] toward the east, and a strait line ex-
tending into the main land toward ^he west from the
mouth of Narraganset river to the utmost bounds of
a country in New England, called Pokenakut, alias
Sowamset ; and another like strait line, extending
directly from the mouth of 'Cohasset river toward
the west so far into the main land westward as the'
utmost limits of Pokenakut, ajias Sowamset." It
also conveyed a tract of land on the river Kenne-
beck, extending from the utmost limits of Cobbise-
conte, which adjoins that river toward the western
ocean, and a place, called the Falls at Nequamkike,
and fifteen miles each side of Kennebeck river, and
all the river itself. ' By this charter the colonists
were allowed to make orders, ordinances, and con-
stitutions, for the ordering, disposing, and govern-
ing their persons, and distributing the lands within
the limits of the patent. z The colony of Plymouth
then. contained tiearly three hundred souls.3
I Anderson, ii. 339 ; "till then quite uninhabited."
1 Plymouth Laws, Preface. Prince, 196 — 198. Hazard Coll. i. 298—
303 ; where is an entire copy of this Patent. It has been erroneously sup-
posed, that the Plymouth colonists, previous to the reception of this charter ,
had no right to their lands, but what arose from occupancy. The truth is,
shat, as soon as they knew of the establishment of the Council of New Eng-
\Sce naxt
3 Chalmers, i. 97. N^al N, Eng. i. u8. Cullender R. Inland, 10,
£54 AMERICAN ANNALS.
1630. A fleet of fourteen sail, with men, women, and
Winthrop children, and provisions, .having been prepared ear-
coTwes I-T_ r- ° i
with a cole- ly m the year to make a firm plantation in New
ny to Mas- England, twelve of the ships arrived, by the sixth of
idchusetts. » 1 T\/T i -n i- i • n
July, at Massachusetts Bay.1 In this fleet came
passengers governor Winthrop, deputy governor
Dudley, with several other gentlemen of wealth and
quality. 3 In the same fleet came about fifteen hun-
dred passengers, of various occupations, some of
whom were from the west of England ; but the
greatest part, from the vicinity of London. The;
expense of this equipment and transportation was,
twenty one thousand two hundred pounds. War-
ham, Maverick, Rossiter, and Ludlow, arriving ear-
lier than many of the company, were put on shore
Ma/ 30, at Nantasket. Proceeding in a boat to Charlestown,
they found there several wigwams, a few English
people, and one house with an old planter, who.
could speak the Indian language. Ascending Charles,
land, they dispatched an agent to England to apply for a patent ; Sir F;.
* Gorges interested himself in the affair ; and the application was successful.
As e,-,rly as 6 July 1621, the merchant adventurers in England wrote to
governor Carver of Plymouth, " We have procured you a Charter" &x.
This was taken in the name of John Pierce., in trust for the colony. In
1623, Pierce, who had obtained another patent, of larger extent, in his own
name, sold it to the company of adventurers. See p. 4,27 of this volume..
In 1627, the Plymouth colonists bought of the adventurers in England all
their shares, stocks, merchandizes, funds, and chattels. See p. 239, 241, 24 a
of this volume. Prince, 114, izo, 136, 198. Belknap Biog. i. 366 ; ii. 234.
Chalmers [i. 87.] s-iys : ^ As they had freely placed themselves within the
boundaries of the Plymouth company's patent, they necessarily consented to
obey its ordinances ; though that t"jJ\< siems nevtr to have exercised a>iy authority
t-ver them?' On this passage Dr. Belknap has remarked in the u?.argin of
Chalmers, with his pen : " That boJy granted them a Charter in 1 622, and
another in 1629, by virtue of which they had legal authority to govern
themselves."
i Prince [199.] says, they were ready in February, but sta;d; at Southamp-
ton and its vicinity until May, to take 260 kine, with other live cattle &c.
Chalmers [i. iji.] says, there were 17 vessels. It appears from Prince
jp. 199, note 79, and p. 241, 245.], that there were 17 employed from Feb-*
raary to August. There is a list of them in Prince, ii. 10.
a Among those, who were distinguished in civil life, beside Winthrop
and Dudley, were Sir Richard Saltonstall, Ludlow, Rossiter, NeweJ, T.
Sharp, Pynchon, S. Bradstreet, Johnson, Coddington ; the eminent ministers,
were, John Wilson, George PhiU'pSj John Maverick, and John Warhaiu.
Prince, 212.
AMERICAN ANNALS. 255
river, until it became narrow and shallow, they land- 1630.
ed their goods at a well watered place ' > whence, a Dorchester
few days after, they removed to Matapan ; and here settled.
began to build a town. z
On the arrival of the principal ships of the fleet
at Charlestown, the governor and several of the pa-
tentees, having viewed the bottom of the Bay of
Massachusetts, and pitched down on the north side
of Charles river, took lodgings in the great house,
built there the preceding year ; and the rest of the
company erected cottages, booths, and tents, about
the town hill* Their place of assembling for divine
service was under a tree. The whole fleet having
safely arrived, a day of thanksgiving was kept in all giving.
the plantations. 3
The first court of assistants was holden at Charles- Aug. 23.
town on the twenty third of August, on board the
Arabella. The first question proposed was, How ants,
the ministers should be maintained. The court or-
dered, that houses be built, and salaries raised, for
them, at the public charge. 4 It also ordered, that
Morton, of Mount Wollaston,* be presently sent for j
i Afterward called Watertown. Prince, 208. They landed their goods
with much labour, " the bank being steep." At night they had notice of
300 Indians " hard by ;" but the old planter (who had accompanied the
adventurers from Charlestown) going, and requesting them not to comt"
near the English, they complied with his request. The whole number of
the English did not exceed ten. The next morning some of the natives ap-
peared at a distance ; and one of them at length holding out a bass, a man
was sent with a biscuit, which the Indian received in exchange for it. Af-
ter this introduction, the natives were very friendly, and furnished the
English with fish ; " giving a bass for a biscuit." Ibid.
i Prince, 207, ac8. Coll. Hist. Soc. i. 98. They had « order" to com«
to this place," because there was a neck fit to keep their cattle on." Ibid.
3 Winthrop Journ. 19. Hubbard MS. N. Eng. chap. xxiv. Prince, an.
4 Sir R. Saltonstall undertook to see this provision made at his planta-
tion for Mr. Phillips; and the governor, at the other plantation for Mr.
Wilson. Mr. Phillips was to have £30 a year ; Mr. Wilson, until his wife
should come over, £20. Matapan and Salem were excepted, in the order-
of the court. Prince, 247.
5 Morton was sent to England, with a messenger and letters of informa-
tion against him to the New England council, in 1628 [See p. 245.] ; but the
council did not even rebuke him, and he returned tu Massachusetts the
next year. Prmce, 177.
AMERICAN ANNAL&
.Aug. 17.
Church
founded.
1630. settled the price of the labour of mechanics ; ancf
chose Mr. Bradstreet secretary. '
An early attention was paid to the great object of
the enterprise. A day of solemn prayer and fasting
was kept on the twenty seventh of August, when
the governor, deputy governor, and others, entered
into church covenant ; Mr. Wilson1 was chosen
pastor ; a ruling elder and two deacons were also
chosen ; and thus was laid the foundation of the
churches of Ch'arlestowri and Boston.3
It was the general intention of the company to
settle at Charlestowii ; where the governor ordered
his house to be framed ; but, the prevalence of a
mortal sickness, .ascribed to the badness of the wa-
ter,4 induced several of the people to explore the
neighbouring country, for more eligible situations.
Some of them travelled up into the main land, until
they came to the place, recently visited by Mr. War-
ham and others ; and here Sir Richard Saltonstall,
Mr. Phillips, and some others, settled a plantation.
On the south side of the mouth of the river
Charles, on a peninsula, called by the natives Shaw-
mut, but by the English, Trimountain,* there lived
at that time, in a solitary cottage, Mr. Blackston,6
t. Winthrop Journ. 20. Prince, 246, .347. The order, relating to the
•price of labour, was, that carpenters, joiners, bricklayers, sawyers, and
thatcher?, take no more than t\vo shillings a day, on penalty often shillings
co giver and taker. Ibid. , , .-..,;'
2 The Rev. John Wilson had formerly 1-eeri a minister of Sudbury in
the county of Suffolk in England ; and is characterised as a man of distin-
guished piety and zeal. Mather Magnal. i. 22. " We used imposition of
hands," says gov. Winthrop [Journal, 20.], " but with this protestation by
all, that it was only as a sign of election and confirmation, not of any intent
-fiat Mr. Wilson should renounce his ministry he received in England.'*
3 Winthrop Journ. 20. Mather Magnal. i. 22. Prince [243.]^ places
this article 30 July ; but he had not then seen governor Winthrop's Journal.
4 The neck of land, on which Charlestown is built, abounds with good
water ; but the settlers had only found a brackish spring, by the water
side, to which they had no access, excepting when the tide was down.
Prince, 244.
5 Mr. Prince [249.] supposed the name Trimountain was given, on the
arvount of three contiguous hills, in this peninsula, appearing from Charles-
t'owa in a range. Wood [N. E. Prosp,] writes the aboriginal name, Misbaumut*
o He ;,s said to have been the first Englishman, who slept on the penin-*-
Water- . „
town set-
tled.
AMERICAN ANNALS. 25?
an Episcopal minister ; who, going to Charlestown 1630.
at this juncture, informed the governor of an excel-
lent spring of water at Shawmut, and invited him
over to his side of the river. Johnson and the prin-
cipal gentlemen of the company, induced by this in-
vitation, crossed the river ; and, finding the place as
eligible, as they had been led to expect, they began Boston
a settlement there by the erection of small setded-
cottages.
At the second court of assistants, holderi at
Charlestown, it was ordered, that no person should sistants.
plant in any place, within the limits of the patent,
without leave from the governor and assistants, or
the major part of them ; that a warrant should pre-
sently be sent to Agawam, to command those, who
were planted there, to come immediately away ; and
that Trimountain be called Boston ; Matapan, Dor-
chester ; and the town on Charles river, Watertown*
The governor with most of the assistants, about
this time, removed their families to Boston ; having
it in contemplation to look for a convenient place
for the erection -of a fortified town.2
Mr. Pynchon with some others chose a place for
settlement between Dorchester and Boston, andcal- se
led it Roxbury. 3
The first general court of the Massachusetts col- Oct. 19. •
ony was holden at Boston. At this court many of FTst gene:
i r i i r I i ra* court °*
the first planters attended, and were made free of the Massachu-
colony. 4 This was the first general court, which ^ tts at
sula. He dwelt in that part of West Boston, now called Barton's Point.
Coll. Hist. Soc. iii. 241.
I Prince, 241 — 244. Coll. Hist. Soc. iii. 341, 242.
3 Hubbard MS. N. Eng, chap. xxv. Wonderwork. Providence, 39.
Prince, 249. Dudley says, it was the previous intention of the settlers
to give that name to the place, which they should " first resolve on" [Lett.
to countess of Lincoln, 14.] ; and Hubbard, that it was in respect to Mr.
Cotton, an eminent minister in a town of that name in Lincolnshire ; who,
it is probable, was soon expected from England. See A. D. 1633.
3 Hubbard MS. N. Eng. chap. xxv. Dudley's Lett, to countess of Lin-
coln, 14. Fleet's Register (1792) puts its incorporation a8 Sept. 1630.
4 Wonderwork. Providence, p. 39 ; where it is said, the number of free-
men this year was no. See their principal names in Prince, ii. 4.
Pp
258 AMERICAN AtfNALS-
1630. the freemen attended in person. It was now enact-
ed, that the freemen should in future have power to
choose assistants, when they were to be chosen j
and the assistants were empowered to choose out of
their own number the governor and deputy govern-
or, who, with the assistants, were empowered to
make laws, and appoint officers for the execution of
them. This measi-ire was now fally assented to by
the general vote of the people ; ' but when the gen-
eral cour! convened, early the next year, it rescind-
ed this rule, and ordained, that the governor, depu-
ty governor, and assistants, should be chosen by the
freemen alone. *
Custom of In consideration' of the in Conveniences , that had
drinkmjr :lrjgell 'm Ensrhuid from the custom of drinking
healths .-11 • °
abolished, healths, governor Wrnthrop restrained the practice
at his own table, and discountenanced it among the
people ;; whence it became gradually abolished.3
The infant colony sustained a great loss, in the
death of Isaac Johnson ; who was the first magistrate
that died in Massachusetts,* He was distinguished
for piety, wisdom, and public spirit ; was one of the
five undertakers4 of the plantation ; and a principal
founder of the town of Boston. He was buried in
his own lot ; and the first burying place in Bostoa
was laid out around his grave. s
I Prince, ii. 3. Chalmers, i. 153. 1 Chalmers, ibid.
3 Winthrop Journal, 20.
4 The other 4 were, gov. Winthrop, dep. gov. Dudley, Sir R. SaltonstaM,
and John Revell, enquire. Prince, ii. a, 14.
5 Prince, ii. I, ^. He died 30 September. The lot, that he had chosen,
was the great square, lying between Cornhill on the southeast ; Tremont
street on the northivest ; Queen street [now Court street] on the northeast ;
und School street on the southwest [Prince, ii. a.] ; a description, which pre-
cisely marks the present burying place near the Stone Chapel. His wife,
lady Arabella, coming from " a family of a noble earldom into a wilderness
of wants," was inadequate to the trials of so great a transition. She was ta-
ken sick soon after her arrival at Salem, where she first landed, and there
died. Hubbard MS. N. Eng. chap. xxiv. The ship, in which gov. Win-
throp came over, was named for her. Of the people, who came in the
ships with gov. Winthrop, 200 at least died from April to December. Ibid,
p. 6. About 100 persons, totally discouraged, returned in the same ships t»
England. Chalmers, i. 152.
AMERICAN ANNALS, 259
John Billington, indicted for murder, was found 1630.
guilty " both by grand and petty jury,' ' and exeT ^^p™"
cuted. This was the first execution in Plymouth mo^ Coi
colony.1 cny- -
Some cf the scattered planters in the Bay of Mas- Patents in
sachusetts having purchased lands of the natives a?
bout Pascataqua ; and John Mason having obtained
from the council of Plymouth a new patent for a
tract of land in the same region ; * the west country
adventurers were not less attentive to their interest.
They now obtained from the council a patent for
Edward Hilton, for all that part of the river Pascat-
aqua, known by the name of Hilton's Point, with
the south side of the river up to the falls of Squam*
§cot, and three miles in breadth into the main land. 3
Sir William Alexander sold al;l his right in Nova Nova Sco~.
Scotia, excepting Port Royal, to St. Etienne, lord tia sold to
r T rr< T* ITT i • • i La Tour,
or La Tour, a trench Huguenot ; on condition, that
the inhabitants of the territory should continue sub-
jects of the Scottish crown, The French still re-
tained possession. 4
The Dutch continuing their pretensions to the Swedes
land lately settled by the Swedes, one of the Swedes
built a fort within the capes of Delaware, at a place
called HoarkihV
Sjr Robert Heath, attorney genera* of Charles I, Grant of
obtained a grant of the region, which stretches Caro ana'
southward of the Virginian coast from the thirty-
sixth degree of north latitude, comprehending the
1 Hubbard MS. N. Enp. chap, xyii. Prince, ii. 2, 3. He " was one of
the profanest among us. He came from London, and I know not by what
friends shuffled into our company." Ibid.
2 This tract was called NEW HAMPSHIRE. Belknap N. Hamp. i. 14.
The grant is in Hazard, L 289' — 293. Those transactions were in 1629.
3 Belknap N. Hamp. ii. 10 — 15. The patent sets forth, that .Hilton and
his associates had at their own proper charges transported servants, built
house*, and planted corn at Hilton's Point, now Dover, and intended the
farther increase -of the plantation. Ibid. See p. 228 of this volume.
4 Chalmers, i. 93. Conduite des Franc. 103. Brit. Emp. i. 170. This
j;rant of Sir W. Alexander is in Hazard Coll. i. 307—309.
j Smith N. Jersey, 22< The place has since been called Le\yis Town. Il\
260 AMERICAN ANNALS.
Louisiana territory on the Mississipi,1 by the name
of Carolana. * *
Nov.^4. Charles I issued a proclamation, forbidding the
tion. " disorderly trading with the savages in New England,
especially the furnishing of them with weapons and
habiliments of war. 3
1631.
19, Robert, earl of Warwick, having the last year
received a grant from the council of Plymouth4 of
Connect!- all that part of New England, which extends from
cut. Narraganset river one hundred and twenty miles on
a strait line near the shore toward the southeast,
as the coast lies toward Virginia, and within that
breadth from the Atlantic ocean to the South
sea, now made it over to William, viscount Say
and Seal, Robert, lord Brook, and their associ-
ates. This is the original patent for Connecticut.5
Feb. 29. The president and council for New England made
a grant to Robert Aldworth and Giles Elbridge of
a hundred acres of land for every person, whom they
should transport to the Province of Maine within
seven years, who should continue there three years ;
and an absolute grant of twelve thousand acres of
I Univ. Hist. xl. 274.
a Chalmers, i. 515—517. He seems however to have made no settle-
ment ; and at a future day [See A. D. 1663.] his patent was declared to
have become void, becau;^. the conditions, on which it had been granted,
were never fulfilled. Ibid. The authors of the Universal History [xl. 274 —
^78.] say, that Sir Robert Heath conveyed his right to the earl of Arun-
del ; that this earl was at the expense of planting several parts of the coun-
try, but that the civil wars, breaking out, put a stop to the design ; that,
" by different conveyances, the property of the whole country devolved at
length on Dr. Cox, who, at great expense, discovered part of it, and, in a
memorial to king William, incontestibly proved his claim to it ; and that
his son, Daniel Cox Esq. who resided fourteen years in the country, contin-
ued his father's claim, and published a very full account of it.
3 Chalmers, i. 1 68. This Proclamation is in Hazard Coll. i. 311, 312.
4 It had been confirmed to him by a patent from Charles I. Trumbull 1.13.
5 Trumbull, i. 12, 13. A copy of this Patent is in Hazard Coll. i. 318 \
and in Trumbull Connect, i. Appendix, No. I. The other patentees were
Robert, lord Rich, Charles Fiennes, Esq. Sir Nathaniel Rich, Sir Richard
Saltonstall, Richard Knightly, John Pym, John Hampden, John Hum?
phreys, and Herbert Pelham, Esquires.
AMERICAN ANNALS. a6i
Jand, " as their proper inheritance forever,55 to be 1631.
laid out near the river, commonly called Pemaquid. '
King Charles gave a special commission to the Virginia.
earl of Dorset and others, " for the better planta-
tion of Virginia." l
The same king granted a licence, under the sign May.
manual, to William Clayborne, " to traffick in those ^cky-0
parts of America, for which there was already no borne to
patent granted for sole trade." Clayborne, and his trade*
associates, with the intention of monopolizing the
trade of Chesepeak, planted a small colony on the
Isle of Kent, situated in the centre of the province, T*Ie of
soon after granted to lord Baltimore. That province MTryi"nd
afterward found cause to regret, that a people had planted.*
nestled within its limits, who paid unwilling obedi-
ence to its laws. 3
Neither the soil, nor the climate, of the inhospita- Lord Bak
ble island of Newfoundland answering the expecta-
tions of lord Baltimore ; that worthy nobleman, hav-
ing heard much of the fertility and other advantages
of Virginia, now visited that colony. Observing,
that, though the Virginians had established trading
houses in some of the islands toward the source of
the bay of Chesepeak, they had formed no settle-
ments to the northward of the river Potowmac, he
determined to procure a grant of territory in that
happier climate. Charles I readily complied with
his solicitations ; but before the patent could be fi-
nally adjusted, and pass the seals, this eminent
statesman died. 4
The Massachusetts colonists early determined to A fortified
build a fortified town. The governor, with the as-
sistants and other principal persons, having already
agreed on a place for this purpose, on the north-
i Hazard Coll. i. 315 — 317, where is an abstract of this grant, called
" The Pemaquid Grant." It appears that " the people or servants" of Aid-
worth and Elbridge had been settled on this river three years. Ibid.
1 This Commission is in Hazard Coll. i. 312 — 314.
3 Chalmers, i. 207. 4 lbid.i. aoi. He died 15 April 163?.
36a AMERICAN ANNALS.
1631. \vestside of Charles river, about three miles from
Charlestown ; r they, in the spring of this year, com-
menced the execution of the design. The governor
set up, the frame of a house on the spot where he
first pitched his tent, in the selected place. The
deputy governor completed his house, and removed
his family. The town was taken under the patron-
iTdtt«w-~ aSe °f t^e government, and was called Newtown.
town. It soon appearing however, that Boston would be
the principal place of commerce ; and Chicketawbut,
3 sagamore of the neighbouring Indians,2 now mak-
ing voluntary professions of friendship ; governor
Winthrop, in tl;e autumn, removed the frame of his
house }nto Boston ; and the scheme of a fortified
town \vas gradually relinquished. 3
churches The ecclesiastical concerns of the Massachusetts
gathered, colpny were sacredly regarded ; and now the third
church, was gathered at Dorchester ; the fourth, at
Roxbury > tke .fifth, a.t Lynn j and the sixth, at
Watertown.4
May 1 8. At the first court of election in. Massachusetts,
tionl'of*" " &** tke body of the commons might be preserved
freemen, of g-Qo.d and honest men," it was ordered, that, from,
that, time, no persons be admitted to the freedom of
the body politic, but such as were members of some
of the churches within its limits. s At this election,
one hundred and sixteen took the oath of freemen. 6
T They first agreed (6 December 1630) "to build a town fortified upon
the Neck" between Roxbury and Boston ; but that place was soon after giv-
en up, I. Because men would be forced to keep two families. 2. There
was no running water ; and if there were any springs, they would not suffice
the town. 3. Most of the people had built already, and would not be able
to build again. After many consultations, the place, described iu the text,
having been agreed OH by all to be " a fit place for a beautiful town," was
determinately fixed. On this spot a town was laid out in squares, the streets
intersecting each other at right angles. All the streets were named ; and
a square, reserved for a Market Place, remains open, and retains it name, to"
this day. See the authorities at note 3.
3 At Neponset. He died of the small pox in 1633. Winthrop Journ.j6.
3 Winthrop Journ. 21. Prince, ii. 6, 7. Coll. Hist. Soc. vii. 6 — 8; viii. 41-
4 Coll. Hist. Soc. vii. 15. Mather Magnal. i. 7,3.
5 Hubbard MS. N. Eng. chap. xxvi. Wonderwork. Prov. 39.
6 Prince, ii. 19, Johnson says, " about 83," and Hubbard, 107 ; bu;
tax.
AMERICAN ANNALS. 253
Thomas Williams having undertaken to set up a
ferry between Winisimet and Charlestown, the gen-
eral court established the rate of the ferry between
those two places, and between Winisimet and Bos-
ton. x An order of the court of assistants at Bos- Jul£ 5<
„ , . i , , Public
ton, for levying thirty pounds on the several planta-
tions, for clearing a creek, and opening a passage
from Charles river to the new town, shows that this
town was yet destined for the benefit of the colony
at large ; and marks the progress of the several towns Oct lg
in the colony. a The court of assistants ordered, Com made
that corn should pass for payment of all debts at jj^^
the usual rate, at which it was sold, unless money
or beaver were expressly named; 3
The small pox, breaking out among the natives Small pox.
at Saugus, swept away the aboriginal inhabitants of
whole towns. 4
The Swedes built a fort oh the west of the Dela^ Swedes set-
ware, and called it Christeen. Peter Lmdstrom,' tleatDeia-
their engineer, having at this place laid out a small
town, they here made their first settlement. s
follow Prince, who had reviewed those authors, and would not have varied
from both, without special cause. Whichever was the true number, there
were,.,to use the language of Hubbard, " enough for a, foundation."
1 Prince, ii. 29. The court enacted, that he . should have 3d. a person
from Winisimet to Charlestown, and 4d. from Winisimet to Boston. Ibid.
2 Ibid. 30, 31. The order was, that therj be levied from.
Winisimet - £o. ijs. Boston - - £5.
Wessagusset - 2. Dorchester - 4. 10.
Saugus [Lynn] i. Roxbury - 3.
Nantasket - 10. Salem - - 3.
*7atertown - 5. Charlestown - 4. id.
*l'he passage from Charles river is still open.
3 Prince, ii. 35. Chalmers, i. 154. In 1630, corn was 10 shillings « a
strike ;" and beaver, 6 shillings A pound. " We made laws," says Dudley,
" to restrain selling corn to the Indians ; and to leave the price of beaver at
liberty, which was presently sold for zos. and 203. a pound." Prince, ii. i.
A milch cow, in 163 1, was valued from £25 to £30 sterl. Hutchinson, i. 27.
4 I. Mather N. Eng. 23. When Dr. I. Mather wrote, there were living
some old planters, who, on that occasion, helped to bury whole families of
the natives at once. In one of the wigwams they found an infant sucking
at the breast of its dead mother ; every Indian of the place being dead. Ibid.
Many, when seized with the disease, were deserted by their relations, and
" died helpless," unless relieved by the English, who visited their wigwams,
and contributed all in their power to their assistance. Wonderwork.
Providence, 51, 5 Smith N. Jersey, a a.
204- AMERICAN ANNALS.
1631. After a long relaxation of the spirit of enterprise,'
Yo^e of Lucas Fox made a voyage to the northern parts of
America, in search of a northwest passage to India.
Toward this enterprise Charles I furnished one ship,
completely fitted, and victualled for eighteen months ;
and, when Fox was presented to him, gave him a
map, containing all the discoveries, made by his pre-
decessors, with instructions, and a letter to the Ja-
panese emperor, if he should reach Japan. Near
discoveries the main land on the west side of Hudson's Bay,
about Hud- Fox discovered an island, which he named Sir Thorn-
Bay' as Roe's Welcome ; and afterward discovered and
named Brook Cobham Island (now called Marble
Island), Dun Fox Island, and a cluster of islands,
which he called Briggs's Mathematics. He also
discovered king Charles's Promontory, Cape Ma-
ria, Trinity Islands, Cook's Isle, lord Weston's
Portland, and the land, stretching to the southeast
of this last promontory, which he called Fox's Far-
thest. On his return, he gave names to every point
of land on that coast, and to every inlet, and adja-
cent island.1
of Thomas James, sent near the same time on the
same voyage of discovery, visited Hudson's Bay ;
came to a promontory, which he named Henrietta
Maria ; and ran his ship aground on an island, which
he afterward called Charleston Island ; where he re-
mained with his crew during the winter. His dis-
coveries were beyond those of Hudson, Baffin, and
other navigators. *
I Foster Voy. 3 5 9— 367.
^ Forster Voy. 367 — 375. Harris Voy. 1.634. Univ. Hist. xli. 102.
For their shelter, they made huts of pieces of wood, which they placed in
an inclined posture around a tree, arid covered with boughs of trees and
with their sails ; but they all became frozen in their limbs. After suffering
extreme hardships, they returned, in 1631,10 England, Ibid,
AMERICAN ANNALS.
1632.
Charles I, by the treaty of St. Germain, resigned
the right, which he had claimed to New France, A-
cadie, and Canada, as the property of England, to
Lewis XIII, king of France. Chalmers says, the fr
signal event of the capture of Quebec was unknown,
when peace was reestablished in April, 1629 ; and
assigns this as the reason why king Charles, at that
treaty, absolutely restored to France, those territo-
ries generally and without limits ; and particularly
Port Royal, Quebec, and Cape Breton.1 From
the restitution of these territories to France, may be
dated the commencement of a long train of ills to
the colonies and to England. To this transaction,
in the judgment of the able historian, last quot-
ed, may be fairly traced back the colonial disputes of
later times, and the American revolution. z
Soon after this restitution, the French king grant-
ed to De Razilly the lands around the bay and riv-
er of St. Croix. 3
The patent, designed for George Calvert, lord June 20.
Baltimore, was, on his decease, filled up to his son M^-Lnd.
Cecilius Calvert, lord Baltimore. When king
Charles signed the patent, he gave to the new prov-
ince the name of Maryland, in honour of his queen
Henrietta Maria, daughter of Henry the great, king
of France. Lord Baltimore held it of the crown of
England, paying yearly forever two Indian arrows. 4
The king of England, " informed of great dis- Jan- I0-
traction and disorder in the plantations in New Eng- the privy
land," referred the subject to the consideration of council m
favour of
1 Chalmers, i. 93. Brit. America, book xiv. 246. Hazard Coll. i. 319. N< En2land-
2 Chalmers, i. na.
3 Ibid. i. 186. This grant was made in 1633. Charlevoix Nouv. France,
i. 178. Hutchinson [Massachus. i. 128.] says, it gave "12 leagues on the
sea, and ao leagues into the land ;" but he mistakes in saying, that the
grant was made to La To«r,if Chalmers and the French historians are correct.
4 Univ. Hist. xl. 466. It was originally included in the patent of the
South Virginia company, and considered as a part of Virginia ; but, on the
dissolution of that company, the king made dais grant to lord Baltimore. Ib.
AMERICAN ANNALS.
Feb. 3.
fortifying
1632. his privy council. The council, after examinatioftV
passed a resolution, that the appearances were so
fair, and hopes so great, that the country would
prove .beneficial to the kingdom, and profitable to
the settlers, as that the adventurers " had cause to
go on cheerfully with their undertakings ;•" with an
assurance that, if things were conducted according
to the design of the patent, his majesty would not
only maintain the liberties and privileges heretofore
granted, but supply any thing farther, which might
tend to the good government, prosperity, and com-
fort of his people in those plantations. *
The court of assistants in Massachusetts ordered,
that sixty pounds be levied out of the several plan-
Newtown ; tations, toward making a palisade about Newtown.*
The first considerable accession of inhabitants to
that town was made this year by a company, which
had recently arrived from England, and had begun
to settle at Mount Wollaston ; but which removed
to Newtown, in August, by order of court. *
The choice of magistrates in the colony of Mas*
es. sachusetts was, for the first time, made by the free-
i Hutchinson Massachus. I. 31, 32, and Coll. 52 — 54 ; Hazard Coll. i. 324,
•^35 ; Morton, 96 ; where is th;j order of council. The information of the king-
\vas derived from a Petition of Sir Christopher Gardiner, Sir Ferdinando
Gorges, capt. Mason, and others, exhibited against the colonies of Plymouth
and Massachusetts. " The conclusion," says governor Bradford, " was, a-
gainst all men's expectation, an order for our incouragement, and much
blame and disgrace upon the adversaries." Ibid. Gardiner was a high
papist, who came to New England ; but for some miscarriages left the
country. Ibid.
3 Prince, ii, 56,57. The proportion was as follows :
1. Watcrtown - £8 7. Salem - £4. ics.
2. The New-town 3 8. Boston - 8
3. Charlestown 7 9- Roxbury
4. Meadford - - 3 JO- Dorchester
5. Saugusand 7 , Ji. Wessagusset
6. Marble Harbour 5 ' 12. Winisimet
The reason for renewing the design of a fortified town is not assigned. It
was probably on account of new dangers. Hutchinson [Massachus. 27'.]
says : " They were frequently alarmed this year by the Indians." The for-
tification was doubtless made. A fosse, dug around the New Town [Cam-
bridge], is, in some places, visible to this day. Coll. Hist. Soc. vii. 9.
3 Winthrop Journ. 43. " These were Mr. Hooker's company.'*
settled.
Freemen
7
7
5
I. IO.
AMERICAN ANNALS.
men, whose number was now increased by the ad- 1632
dition of about fifty three. l
A fortification on the Corn hill, in Boston, was
begun ; and the people from Charlestown, Roxbu- tion in
ry, and Dorchester, worked on it in rotation. z Boston.
Conant's island, in Boston harbour, was demised
to governor Winthrop, and was hence denominated
Governor's Garden ; but it is now called Govern*
or's Island.3
The first church at Boston was begun to be built August.
by the congregation of Boston and Charlestown. 4 ^rusjch
The .greater part of the members of the church hav- built at
ing early removed from Charlestown to Boston, and Boston*
the entire number of members being now one him- Qct
dred and fifty one, they amicably divided themselves TWO
into two distinct churches. The church in Boston
retained Mr. Wilson for its pastor ; the church in
Charlestown invited Mr, Thomas James to its pas-
toral care,*
The court of assistants ordered, that there be a October.
house of correction, and a house for the beadle,
built at Boston with speed. It also ordered, that
no person should take any tobacco fublic/y ; and
I Wonderworking Providence, p. 53.
a Winrhrop Journ. 36. Prince [ii, 61.] supposes this to be what is now
called Fort Hill. Coll. Hist. Soc. iii. 243.
3 Coll. Hist. Soc. iii. 299. It has continued in governor Winthrop's fam-
ily to the present time ; and is now in the possession of the Honourable!
James Winthrop, esquire, of Cambridge.
4 Winthrop Journ- 42. It had mud walls and a thatched roof ; and
stood on the south side of State Street, a little below the place, where the
old State house now stands. Coll. Hist, Soc. iv. 189.
5 Hubbard MS. N. Eng. chap. xxv. Prince, 250. The number of mem-
bers, whp asked a dismission from the churc}> at Boston, in order to
form a new church at Charlestpwn, was 33. They were dismissed 14
October ; and embodied into a distinct congregational church 2 Novem-
ber, at which time Mr. James, who had recently arrived from England,
was ordained their pastor.. Mr. Wilson, w.hp had been previously
ordained their teacher (not faster, as was stated p. 267 from Mr.
Prince), was cho?en and ordained pastor at Boston 22 November- Win-
throp Journ. 46. Prince, ii. 69—73. If the first church at Boston be con-
sidered as translated, in its organized state, from Charlestown to Shaw-
nmt, it was the second church, gathered hi Massachusetts ; if, as a neiv and
distinct church from the time of its division, it was the seventh. The order
of the first churches, as stated in Coll. Hist. Soc. vii. 15, was given in relL-
2«ce on Johnsxm (Wonderwork Picv.j ; but it is not
re-
strained.
AMERICAN ANNALS.
Use of to- that every one should pay a penny for every time of
takjnQr tobacco in any place. '
T i • • i r i • t i * i i •
In this early period or colonial history, the duties
and the expenses of office were more formidable,
Penalty for than its honours were alluring. The general court
"wko^ °^ Ptymouth Passed an act, that whoever should re-
ces?UC l fuse the office of governor should pay twenty pounds
sterling, unless he were chosen two years successive-
ly ; and that whoever should refuse the office of
counsellor or magistrate should pay ten pounds. z
Montser- sir Thomas Warner, governor of St. Christo-
pher's, sent a small colony of English people to in-
habit Montserrat. 3
Tobago. Some Zealanders, trading about this time to the
Leeward Islands, were so well pleased with Toba-
go, that, on their return home, the company of mer-
chants, to which they belonged, undertook to settle
that island, and gave it the name of New Walche-
ren ; but this settlement was soon broken up by the
Spaniards.4
l633-
The grant The grant to lord Baltimore gave umbrage to the
of Mary- p]anters of Virginia. They therefore presented a
land gives r . . _. ° J f
offence to petition to Charles I, remonstrating against " some
Virginia. grants of a great portion of lands of that colony, so
near their habitations, as will be a general disheart-
ening to them, if they shall be divided into several
governments.'* The privy council, having heard
I Prince, ii. 68.
^ Prince, ii. 75. Such an example cannot perhaps be found in the an-
nals of any other nation. The law alone proves, that no demagogues then
aspired at the chief magistracy. An historical fact confirms the remark.
Edward Winslow was the next year (1633) chosen governor, " Mr. Brad-
ford having been governor about ten years, and now by importunity got off"."
Winthrop Jcrurn. 47.
3 Univ. Hist. xli. 318.
4 Univ. Hist. xli. 321. The number of settlers soon increased to about
coo, and began to erect a fort ; but the Caribbean Indians applied for assis-
tance to the Spaniards, who sent a force, which demolished the rising fort,
»od exterminated the colony. Ibid.
AMERICAN ANNALS. 269
what was alledged on each side, thought fit to leave 1633*
lord Baltimore to his patent, and the complainants
to the course of law ; but gave orders for 'such an
intercourse and conduct, as should prevent a war
with the natives, and farther disagreement among
themselves.1 William Cleyborne continued to claim
Kent Island, and refused submission to the jurisdic-
tion of Maryland, because the government of Vir-
ginia, knowing no reason why the rights of that
place should be surrendered, gave countenance to
his opposition. This transaction offers the first ex-
ample, in colonial history, of the dismemberment of
an ancient colony, by the formation of a new prov-
ince with separate and equal rights. a
The jealousy of Virginia was directed toward its'
religious, as well as territorial, concerns ; for its le-
gislature now enacted severe laws, to suppress relig-
ious sectaries, which began to appear in the colony.
This measure induced some people, who had already
gone to Virginia, to flee into other colonies ; and
prevented others from coming for settlement. ?
The French, in taking possession of Acadie pur-
suant to the treaty of *St. Germain, had dispossessed
the Plymouth colonists of their trading house at Pe-
nobscot.4 Additional calamities were now expect- KErSand
ed. Intelligence was brought to the governor of alarmed br
Massachusetts, that the French had bought theth
Scotch plantation near Cape Sable ; that the fort
there with all the ammunition was delivered up to
them ; that the cardinal of -France had sent over
some companies already ; and that preparation was
made to send more the next year, with a number of
I The order of council is entire in Hazard Coll. i. 337.
a Chalmers, i. 209.
3 Brit. Emp. iii. 180.
4 Chalmers, i. 154. Winthrop Journal, 37. If the account in p. 244 t>e
correct, this trading house was on Kennebeck river, unless^nother house had
been erected since. But I adhere to my authorities. THe French plunder-
ed the Plymouth trading house in 1632, " carrying thence 300 weight of
bearer and other goods," Ibid.
AMERICAN ANNALS.
1633. priests and Jesuits. Alarmed at this intelligence,
the governor called the assistants, and principal men
in the colony,1 to Boston, to advise proper measures,
It was agreed to finish, with all expedition, the fort,
begun at Boston ; to erect another at Nantasket ;
and to hasten the planting of Agawam,a lest an en-
emy should prevent them by taking possession of
the place. John Winthrop, a son of the governor,
repaired, by order of the government, to Agawam,
with twelve men, and began a plantation. The a-
larm however was groundless. The French, aiming
at trade merely, did not molest the English planta^
tions ; yet their spoliation of the Plymouth trading
house gave just occasion for suspicion and vigilance. 3
( r\\\£ legislature of Massachusetts passed an act,
prohibiting the purchase of lands from the Indians,
without licence from the government.4 While it
thus cautiously guarded against the danger of sav-
age hostilities, it equally guarded against the evils of
idleness, luxury, and extortion ; for it required con-
stables to present unprofitable fowlers, a,nd tobacco
takers, to the next magistrate ; 3 and ordered, that
artificers, such as carpenters and masons, should not
receive more than two shillings a day ; and labour-
ers not more than eighteen pence, and proportiona-
bly ; and that merchants should not advance more
than four pence in the shilling above what their
goods cost in England. 6
Three ministers of celebrity, John Cotton, Thorn-
t0 as Hooker, ?,ncl Samuel Stone, together with John
ministers Haynes, afterward governor of Connecticut, and
ers< two hundred emigrants from England, arrived at
I " The ministers and captains and some other chief men." Winthrop.
2, " Being the best place in the land for tillage and cattle." Ibid.
3 Winthrop Journ. 47, 48. Hubbard MS. N. Eng. chap, xxvii.
4 Belknan Biog. ii. 417. 5 Wynne, i. 74.
6 Hubbard MS. N. Eng. chap. xxvi. " Those good orders," regulating
the prices of labopr, and the profits of trade, " were not," says Hubbard,
" of long continuance, but did expire vrith the first golden age in this Nev,
World." Ibid.
AMERICAN ANNALS. 27!
Boston. Mr. Hooker and Mr. Stone proceeded to 1633.
Newtown, where the one was ordained pastor, and Oct Ix
the other, teacher. Mr. Cotton remained in Bos-
ton, and was an assistant in the ministry to the first
church in that town. His example and counsels
were patriarchal. It was he, who principally delin-
eated the ecclesiastical polity of the New England
churches, which, from this time^ were styled Con-
gregationaL * The fame of the removal of these
eminent men invited over great numbers of Puri-
tans, who could find no rest under archbishop Laud's
merciless administration^ *
Wahquimacut, a sachem on the river Connect!* Colonists
cut, having solicited the governors of the New Eng- invited br
land colonies to send men to make settlements on w*§e3rS
the river j 3 the Plymouth colonists had already made Connect!-
discoveries on that noble stream^ and found a place, cut nver*
where they judged a trading house might be advan-
tageously erected.4 Governor Winslow and Air.
Bradford now visited Boston, and proposed to gov-
ernor Winthrop and his council to join with Plym-
I Hubbard MS. N. Eng. chap, xxviii. Hutchinson, i. 419?. See Note
VI at the end of the volume. Mr. Cotton had an early and intimate con-
nection with the Massachusetts colonists. At the embarkation for N. Eng-
land in 1630, he preached a sermon to gov. Winthrop and his company,
from a Sam.vii. 10. entitled " God's Promise to the Plantations." On bis
arrival at Massachusetts, he had very great influence in the affairs of church
and of state. Hubbard says, " whatever he delivered in the pulpit was
soon put into an order of court if of a civil, or set up as a practice in tht
church if of an ecclesiastical, concernment."
1 Coll. Hist. Soc. vii. 13. Neal says, that for several years hardly a ves-
sel came into these parts5 but was crowded with passengers- for New Eng-
land. Ibid.
3 The Pequots were conquering the river Indians, and driving their sa-
chems from that part of the country. Wahquimacut, in 1631, made a
journey to Plymouth and Boston, hoping that, if he could persuade the
English to settle there, they would be his protectors. Gov. Winthrop
treated him with generosity, but paid no attention to his proposal. Gov. '
Winslow seems to have gone soon after to Connecticut, and discovered the
river and the adjacent parts, " when the Dutch had neither trading house,
nor any pretence to a foot of land there." But whether the Dutch, or the
English of Plymouth, were the first discoverers of the river, is uncertain.
Trumbull, i. 15, 16.
4 Near the mouth of Little river in Wiadsor. Ibid, and Coll. Hist Soc.
v. 167.
272 AMERICAN ANNALS.
1633. outh in a trade to Connecticut for hemp and beaver,
and in the erection of a house for the purposes of
commerce. This proposal being declined, the peo-
ple of Plymouth determined to undertake the enter-
prise at their own risk. f The materials for a house,
October, entirely prepared, were put on board a vessel, and
^nTfrom7 committed to a chosen company, which sailed for
Plymouth, Connecticut. The Dutch of New Netherlands,
hearing of the design, had just taken a station on
that river, at the place where Hartford now stands ;
made a light fort ; and planted two pieces of can-
non.2 On the approach of the Plymouth adven-
turers, the Dutch forbade them to proceed up the
river, ordered them to strike their colours, and
threatened to fire on them. But the commander of
the enterprise, disregarding the prohibition and the
menaces, went resolutely forward, and, landing on
the west side of the river, set up his house about a
m^e above that of the Dutch, and soon after fortifi-
in Connect- ed it with palisadoes. This was the first house e-
1CU£* rected in Connecticut. 3
Trade and The river and country of Connecticut now began
discoveries -, . J r , .
to attract much attention from the colonists. Sev-
i It being reported, that the Dutch were about to build on Connecticut
river, Winslow and Bradford represented it as necessary to prevent them
from taking possession of that fine country ; but Winthrop objected to the
making of a plantation there, because there were three or four thousand
•warlike Indians on the river ; because the bar at the mouth was such, that
small pinnaces only could enter it at high water ; and because, seven months
in the year, no vessels could go in, on account of the ice and the violence of
the stream. Winthrop Journ. 51.
a We have said (p. 230), on the authority of Smith, that the Dutch
built a fort on Connecticut river in 1623 ; but Dr. Trumbull [Hist. Connec.
i. 3i.] says, Smith represents it " as built ten years before it was."
3 Prince, ii. 93 — 96. Trumbull, i. 15 — ai. The place of this settle-
ment was called by the natives Natawanute. The sachems, who were the
original owners of the soil, having been driven from this part of the coun-
try by the Pequots ; William Holmes, who conducted the enterprise from
Plymouth, took them with him to their home, and restored them to their
rights. Of these sachems the Plymouth people purchased the land, where
they erected their house. The conquering Indians were offended at the
restoration of the original proprietors of the country ; and the proximity of
two such neighbours, as the irritated Dutch, and the ferocious Pequots,
rendered it difficult and hazardous for the English to retain their new
purchase. IbH
AMERICAN ANNALS. 273
fetal -vessels went into this river, in the course of the 1633,
year, to trade. John Oldham of Dorchester, Samu-
el Hall, and two other persons, travelled westward
into the country, as far as this river, on which they
discovered many eligible situations for settlement. x
The jealousy of the parent country, or rather of Feb- «•
its arbitrary monarch and his court, was, at this thre cou°a-
early period, directed against the infant colony of «i to stop
Massachusetts. An order was issued by the privy **
council, to stay several ships in the river Thames,
ready to sail, freighted with passengers and provis-
ions : but it appears not to have been effectually
executed ; for, during the year, great numbers emi-
grated, to New England. By the same order of
council,, the letters patent for the plantation in New
England were required to be brought to the council
board. *
A specimen of rye was brought to the court
Massachusetts, as the first fruits of English grain.
A ship of sixty tons was built at Medford j 4 and a
water mill, at Roxbury. 5
At the close of this year, and in the following Small pox
winter, the small pox broke out again among the
natives of Massachusetts, and made great devasta-
tions among this unhappy race, destined, by various
means, to ultimate extermination.6
The colony of Plymouth added tv/o assistants to f h
the former number, making seven in the whole ; and
i Hiibbard MS. N. Eng. chap, xxvii. Trumbull, i. fco. sistants.
z Chalmers, 156. This order is in Hubbard MS. N. Eng. chap, xxvi ;
Hutchirson, i. 3V33 ; and Hazard Goll. i. 341.
3. Hutchiason, i. 14. " This poor people," says Johnson, «« greatly re-
joiced to see the land would bear it."
4 Midford was be^un to be settled very early ; but we have scarcely a-
ny account of its first settlement. Deputy governor Dudley, speaking of
the first transactions of the colonists, -\\ ho arrived in 1630, says, " some of
us" planted " upon Mistick, which we named Meadford." Lett, to count-
ess of Lincoln, 14. It was so considerable, as to be taxed with the other
towns in 1634. See p. 206.
j Winthrop Journal, 56.
6 Ibid. 56. Hubbard MS. N. Eng. chap. xxix. Morton, roo. Hub-
iard says, this part of the country, which had been most populated with
fodians, was almost " unpeopled" by this disease.
Rr
274 AMERICAN ANNALS,
this number was never exceeded in its subsequent
elections. s
1634.
Lord Baltimore laid the foundation of his prov-
ince on the broad basis of security to property, and
more. of freedom in religion ; granting, in absolute fee, fif-
ty acres of land to every emigrant ; and establish-
ing Christianity agreeably to the old common law,
of which it is a part, without allowing preeminence
to any particular sect.* George Calvert, brother
of the governor, arrived early this year at Point
Comfort, near the mouth of the Potowmac, with
the first colony, consisting of about two hundred
Roman Catholics from England.3 Proceeding to
March 3. Potowmac river, he passed by the Indian town of
nyTrrives" J^at name, and went to Piscataway, where, by pre-
at Potow- sents to the head men, he conciliated their friend-
^«Jmenhte shiP to such a Degree, taat ^J offered to cede one
of Mary- , part of their town to the settlers, and to live in the
other until they could gather their harvest ; after
which they were to resign the whole to the English.
Calvert, thus amicably obtaining possession of the
whole town, gave it the name of St. Mary's ; and
applied himself, with great assiduity, to the cultiva-
tion of his new colony ; the settlement of which is
said to have cost lord Baltimore above forty thou-
sand pounds sterling.4
The settlements in Massachusetts were now ex-
tended more than thirty miles from the capital *; and
the number of freemen was greatly multiplied. So
remote were some townships from the seat of gov-
ernment, and so great the inconvenience of assem-
1 Hubbard MS. N. Eng. chap. xvi.
2 Chalmers, i. 407.
3 Chalmers, ibid. Belknap Biog. ii. 376. Humphreys Hist. Account,
a8. They sailed from England in November 1633 ; and were chiefly
gentlemen of good families. Ibid.
4 Univ. Hist. xl. 468. Chalmers, i. 807. Europ. Settlements, ii, aa&
5 Hutchinson, 1.437.
AMERICAN ANNALS. 275
bling all the freemen for the business of legislation ; 1634,
that the constitution was altered, by general consent
of the towns. At a general court for elections at
Newtown, twenty four of the principal inhabitants
of the colony appeared as the representatives of the
body of freemen. Before they proceeded to the First rePre"
/ . , i i • • t_ seutatives
choice of magistrates, they asserted their right to a jn Mass*.
greater share in the government/ than they had chusetts.
hitherto been allowed, and passed several resolu-
tions,1 defining the powers of the general court, and
ordaining trial by jury. After the election of ma-
gistrates, they farther determined, that there should
be four general courts every year ; * that the whole
body of freemen should be present at the court of
election only ; and that the freemen of every town
might choose deputies, to act in their names at the House of
other general courts, which deputies should have the tf^estab-
full power of all the freemen. 3 The legislative bo- Ushed.
dy thus became settled j and, with but inconsidera-
ble alterations, remained in this form during the con-
1 They resolved, that none but the General Court has power to chuse
and admit freemen ; to make and establish laws ; to elect and appoint offi-
cers, as governor, deputy governor, assistants, treasurer, secretary, captain,
lieutenants, ensigns, " or any of like moment," or to remove such upon
misdemeanour, also to prescribe their duties and powers ; to raise money
and taxes ; and to dispose of lands, " viz. to give and confirm proprieties."
It was farther ordered, that the constable of every plantation shall, upon
precept received from the secretary, give timely notice to the freemen of
the plantation where he dwells, to send so many of their said members, as
the precept shall direct, to attend upon public service. It was also " agreed,
that no trial shall pass upon any for life, or banishment, but by a Jury so
summoned, or by the General Court." Hazard Coll. i. 320, 321. The
representatives, at the same time, imposed a fine on the court of assistants
for violating an order of the general court [Hutchinson, i. 36.] ; but it was
" remitted again before the court broke up." Winthrop Journ. 65.
2 The courts were soon reduced to two in a year. Hutchinson, i. 37.
3 " It shall be lawful for the freemen of every plantation to choose two
or three of each town before every general court, to confer of, and prepare
cuch publick business as by them shall be thought fit to consider of at the
next general court ; and such persons as shall be hereafter so deputed by
the freemen, shall have the full power and voices of all the said freemen
derived to them for the making and establishing of lawes, granting of land*
&c. and to deal in all other affairs of the commonwealth wherein the free-
men have to do, the matter of election of magistrates and other officers on-
ly excepted, wherein every freeman is to give hi« own vote."
Coll. i. Zi.
276 AMERICAN ANNALS.
1634. tinuance of the charter.1 This was the second
house of representatives in the American colonies. *
This innovation exciting an inquiry into the nature
of the liberty and privileges of the people, which
threatened disturbance to the colony ; the ministers,
and the most prudent citizens, were consulted, res-
pecting a body of laws, adapted to the state of the
colony, and a uniform order of discipline in the
churches.3
Massachu- Tne colony of Massachusetts took early care to
setts ..urns 01 T-V i /-*
to prevent prevent the encroachments or the Dutch. Some
the Dutch persons, dispatched in the bark Blessing, 4 after mak-
from set- . r T r -r i
tHng Con- mg farther discovery or Long Island, proceeded to
necticut; the Dutch plantation at Hudson's river, where they
were kindly entertained by the Dutch governor Vau
Twilly, to whom they showed their commission,
purporting, that the king of England had granted
the river and country of Connecticut to his own sub-
jects ; and requesting him to forbear to build in that
and the quarter. The Dutch governor wrote a courteous
Dutch aim • _
to prevent and respectful letter to the governor or Massachu-
- setts, signifying, that the lords the States had grant-
ed the same territory to the West India company ;,
and requesting, that the colony of Massachusetts
would forbear to challenge it, until the matter should
be decided between the king and the states.5 It
was resolved however, by a number of people in
this colony, to plant Connecticut ; and persons were
deputed from the towns, to view the country. The
account, which they brought back, of the advan-
tages of the place, and of the fertility of the soil,,
determined those, who had concerted the measure^
to begin several plantations there immediately.6
i Hazard Coll. i. 320, 321. Hutchinson, i. 35 — 37.
2. The first was in Virginia. 'See p. 195 of this volume.
3 Hubbard MS. N. Eng. chap. xxvi.
4 Built at Mistic in 1631, and called the Blessing of the Bay,
< Hubbard MS. N. Eng. chap, xxvii.
6 Hubbard MS. N. Eng. chap. xli.
hut in
vain.
AMERICAN ANNALS. 2/7
Storms, in the mean time, were gathering, which 1634.
threatened to desolate tjie country. A special com- £^fj£*
mission was given to the archbishop of Canterbury tyranny of
and eleven other persons, for governing the Ameri- govern-
1 V 1 i i_ i
can colonies. * An order was also sent by -me
king's commissioners to the lord warden of the
cinque ports, and other haven towns, to stop the
promiscuous and disorderly departure out of the
realm to America. *
The Indians in Connecticut began hostilities a- and
gainst the English. Captains Stone and Norton of
Massachusetts, going in a small bark into Connec-
ticut river, to trade, apd .casting anchor about two
leagues from the entrance, were visited by several
Indians. Stone, having occasion to visit the Dutch
trading house nearly twenty leagues up the river,
procured some of these Indians to go to it, as pi-
lates, with two of his men. These guides, putting
ashore their skiff before their arrival at the place of stone,Nor-
destination, murdered the two Englishmen, while ^"thit,
asleep. About twelve Indians, of the same tribe, murdered
remaining with the bark, taking the opportunity ^^J11"
when some of the English were on shore, and the Connect!--
captain asleep in his cabin, murdered all on board,
and then plundered and sunk the bark.
The Pequots, if they did not actually perpetrate
the murder, partook of the spoil. 3 The council of
Massachusetts, on this occasion, sent messengers to
I This commission, in the original Latin, is inserted in Hazard Coll. i.
344 — 347 ; and, in English, in Hubbard MS. N. Eng. chap, xxxvi.
a This order is in Hazard Coll. i. 347. There also is inserted," A CON-
CLUSION of the Lords Commissioners for thq government of NEW ENG-
LAND," in these words ; " Sir Ferdinando Gorges is made Governor of the
whole country. — They have divided the country in twelve Provinces. —
And they disposed it intp the hands of twelve men- — put of which twelve
?nen there is a governor continually to be chosen."
3 Some say, that the Pequots did this mischief. Dr. J. Mather [N.Eng.
34, 2J.] says, that though they were not native Pequots, yet they had fre-
quent intercourse with them ; and that they tendered them some of the
spoliated goods, which were accepted by the chief sachem of the Pequots.
He adds, that some of the goods were tendered to the chief sachem c£
, who aho received them. See TrumbuD, i, 60, 61.
27 $ AMERICAN ANNALS.
1 634. treat with them, but obtained no satisfaction. The
Pequots however sent messengers afterward with gifts
to Massachusetts colony ; and the governor and coun-
cil, after a conference of several days, concluded
with them a treaty of peace and friendship. *
Roger wu- Roger Williams, minister of Salem, holding te-
lian^V% nets5 which were considered heretical and seditious,
banished * , . 1t r ,
from Mas- " tending equally to sap the foundation of the es-
*achusetts. tablishment in church and state," * and being found
irreclaimable, was banished the jurisdiction. 3
ipswich Some people of Salem went to Agawam river,
settled. ancj began a town, which was called Ipswich;9
where a church was now gathered. s
Arrival of Mr. Humfrey, who had been chosen deputy
Mr. Hum- gOVernor at fa formation of the colony in England,
came to Massachusetts with his noble consort, the
lady Susan, sister of the earl of Lincoln, bringing a
valuable present to the ministers in the colony. 6
Fort built The governor and council, with several ministers
and Otiiers9 met at Castle island, in Boston harbour,
and agreed on the erection of two platforms and
one small fortification to secure the town.7 These
works were accordingly erected at the public expense. s
progress In the infant capital we now perceive the first ef-
oi Boston. £ons towar(j a police, and the earliest dawnings of
i Hubbard MS. N. Eng. chap, xxiii ; Ind, War, 14 — 16. Josselyn
[N. Eng. Rar. 107.] says, the country during this time was " really placed
in a posture of war." Trumbull, i. 60, 61.
a Chalmers, i. 156.
3 Hutchinson, i. 37,38. Callender R. Island, 18. Hubbard in chap,
xxx of his MS. Hist. N. Eng. gives a minute account of the " disturbance*
both civil and ecclesiastical in the Massachusetts, by Mr. R. Williams ia
the year 1634."
4 Winthrop Journ. 68. It was thus named at the court 4 August, " in
acknowledgment of the great honour and kindness done to our people
which took shipping" at the place of that name in England. Ib.
5 Wonderwork. Providence, 66. Coll. Hist. Soc. vi. 233.
6 Hubbard MS. N. Eng. xx vii. The present consisted of 16 heifers,
valued at £^o each, sent by Mr. Richard Andrews, a private friend to the
plantation. One was assigned to each of the ministers, and the remainder
to the poor. Ibid. Winthrop Journ. 67.
7 Winthrop Journ. 6 f. Gov. Winthrop says, " to secure the city;"
but this metropolis has never yst been incorporated by that name.
8 Wonderwork. Prov. 194 ; " at the expence of the country in general."
AMERICAN ANNALS. 279
commerce. Select men were first chosen, this year,
in Boston, for the general management of town af-
fairs. A market was erected. A house of enter-
tainment was set up. The first merchant's shop
was opened. *
l635-
The colony of Massachusetts, apprized of the op- Jan. 19.
pressive measure of a general government for New ^mini^
England, prepared to counteract it. The ministers, tersin Mas-
considered at that time as the fathers of the com- ^uut*tts
mon wealth, were consulted by the civil magistrates, general
At the request of the governor and assistants, all the g°vcrnor' -
ministers in the colony, excepting one, met at Bos- .
ton, to consider two cases ; one of which was, What
ought to be done, if a general governor should be
sent out of England. They unanimously agreed,
that if such a governor were sent, the colony ought
not to accept him, but to defend its lawful posses-
sipns, if able ; " otherwise, to avoid or protract."*
The deputies of this colony apprehending great May-
danger to the commonwealth from the discretionary
power of the magistrates, in many cases, for want
of positive laws ; it was agreed, that some men al laws'
should be appointed " to frame a body of grounds
of laws, in resemblance of a Magna Charta, which,
being allowed by some of the ministers and the gen-
eral court,should be received for fundamental laws." 3
When the English parliament began to inquire june 7.
into the grievances of the nation, the patent, by charter of
which the council of Plymouth was established, was
complained of as a monopoly ; and when those griev-
ances were presented to the throne, the patent of
New England was the first. The council itself was
in disrepute with the high church party for having
r Winthrop Journ. 6 j, 77. It is conjectured, that by the market nothing
more is meant, than a market place •, to which the market men might resort.
Coll. Hist. Soc, iii. 154.
^ Winthrop Journ. 78, 3 IbM, £2.
2Sd AMERICAN ANNALS.
1635. encouraged the settlement of the Plymouth and Mas*
sachusetts colonists, who fled from episcopal perse-
cutions. Discouraged by the operation of these
prejudices, that council resigned its charter to the
king. ' " The plantations, intrusted to the care of
great corporate bodies, grew up stinted and unprom-
ising, and seemed to wither away without hope of
ultimate completion. The annihilation of these com-
panies infused a principle of a new life. Restraint
was no sooner removed, and men were left free to
manage their own affairs in the way most agreeable
to themselves, than the colonists engaged in every
laudable pursuit, and acquired an extent of popula-
tion, of commerce, of Wealth, and of power, unex-
ampled in the annals of the world/* z
uo war- On the surrender of that charter, a quo ivarranlo
was immediately brought by Sir John Banks, the at-
- torriey general against the governor, deputy govern-
or^ and assistants of the corporation of Massachu-
setts, fourteen of whom appearing, and disclaiming
the charter, judgment was given for the king, that
the liberties and franchises of that corporation should
be seized into the king's hands.3 The arbitrary
measures of the king and his ministry might have
been ruinous to the infant colonies, but for the con-
trouling power of heaven. A great ship, built to
bring over a general governor to New England, and
to command on the coast, fell asunder in the launch-
ing ; and the design was again frustrated. 4
The colonists of Massachusetts, on account of the
from the increase of cattle, experiencing inconveniences from
the nearness of their settlements to each other, be-
towns.
i Hubbard MS. N. Eng. chap. xv. Belknap N. Hamp. i. 24. The
council took previous care " to secure some portion of the expiring interest
to such of themselves as were disposed to accept it." Ibid. " The Act of
surrender" is in Hazard Coll. 1.393 ; and the" Reasons" for it, ib. 390 — 391.
a Chalmers, i. 96.
3 Hubbard MS. N. Eng. chap. xxvi.
4 Ibid. chap, xxvii, xxxi. The quo warranto is in Hutchinson Coll. IOI
— 104 ; Hazard Coll. 423 — 425,
AMERICAN ANNALS. 281
gan to emigrate from the first settled towns. Some 1635.
of the principal inhabitants of Ipswich, obtaining
leave of the general court to remove to Ouascacun-
quen, began a town at that place, and called it New- Newbury
bury. Mr. Parker, a learned minister, who had settled,
'been an assistant of Mr. Ward in the ministry at
Ipswich, accompanied them.1 Liberty of removal
was also granted to Watertown and Roxbury, on
condition of their continuance under the government
of Massachusetts.2 Musquetequid was purchased
of the natives, by some of the Massachusetts colo-
nists, who settled the place, and called it Concord. 3 Concord.
The reverend Peter Hobart and his associates, from
Hingham, in the county of Norfolk in England, be-
gan to settle a town, to which they gave the name Hingham.
of Hingham. 4 Sudbury was also now settled. 5 A Sudbury.
church was gathered at Scituate, in Plymouth colo-
ny, composed of members regularly dismissed from Scituate*
the church in Plymouth. 6
Settlements were now begun to be made on Con-
necticut river. Some of the people of Dorchester
had made preparations for a settlement at a place on
the west side of the river, called by the Indians Mat-
1 Hubbard MS. N. Eng. chap, xxviii. Mr. Parker and the people, with
whom he now removed, came from Wiltshire in England. Ibid,
a, Winthrop Journ. 8s.
3 Wonderwork. Providence, 79, 81. Hubbard MS. N. Eng. chap, xxvii,
tt was called Concord, " on account of the peaceable manner, in which it
\vas obtained." Coll. Hist. Soc. i. 240. The tract was six miles square.
4 Hingham Records, copied by President Stiles. The house lots of the
settlers were drawn 18 September 1635. The Rev. Peter Hobart was
there on that day, " and drew a lot with the twenty nine." Ibid. He
arrived in N. England 8 June with his family. Hob art's MS. Journal.
5 Hubbard MS. N. Eng. chap, xxxii.
6 The Rev. John Lothrop's MS. Records of the churches of Scituate and
Barnstable, copied by President Stiles,v/ho foundthe MS. in i 769 in the hands
of the Rev. Elijah Lothrop of Gilead in Connecticut, and remarked : " I
account it the more valuable, as these churches of Scituate and Barnstable
have no records till many years after their gathering." The settlement of
Scituate commenced in 163^, The Rev. John LotLrop arrived there 27
September ; the dismission of the members from Plymouth, " in case they
joyned in a body att Situate," was 23 November, 1634. The church was
-formed by covenant 8 January, and Mr. Lothrop w<is inducted into the
pastoral office 19 January, 1635. ibid.
8*
282
AMERICAN ANNALS.
Oct. 15.
Removals
to Con-
necticut.
Oct. 8.
J. Win-
throp, jun.
arrives
from Eng-
land with
a com-
mission.
taneang ; * and the inhabitants of Newtown and
tertown had been contemplating a removal. Ort
the fifteenth of October about sixty men, women,
and children, with their horses, cattle, and swine,
commenced a removal from Massachusetts, through
the wilderness, to Connecticut river ; and, af-
ter a very difficult and fatiguing journey of four*
teen days, arrived at the places of their destination. *
Mr. Warham and Mr. Maverick, the ministers of
Dorchester, who were accompanied by the greatest
part of their church, settled at Mattaneang, which
they called Windsor. Several people from Water-
town took possession of a fine tract of meadow at
Pauquiaug, lower down the river, where they com-
menced a plantation, which they called Wethers*
field. Others from Newtown began a plantation at
Suckiang, between those two settlements, which
was afterward called Hartford. 3
John Winthrop, a son of the governor of Massa*
chusetts, returning from England, brought a com-
mission from lord Say and Seal, lord Brook, and
others, to be their governor at the river Con-
necticut ; with men, ordnance, ammunition, and two
thousand pounds sterling for the erection of a fort.4
I Hubbard [MS. N. Eng. chap. xli.]says, some of the Dorchester people
\vent to Connecticut at the close of the last year ; Dr. Trumbull [i. 49.]
pays, they went this summer. The place, which they selected, was near
the Plymouth trading house. Plymouth was dissatisfied with this sup-
plantation by Massachusetts ; and there was danger of contention between
the two colonies ; but the Dorchester settlers made such offers of satisfac-
tion, that Plymouth accepted them.* Winthrop Journ. 86. Hutchinson, i.
48. TrumbuH, i. 50. The Rev. Dr. M'Clure of Windsor [Coll. Hist. Soc.
v. 167.] says, The right of settling here they purchased of the old Plymouth
company in England ; and the soil, of the natives the year preceding their
removal. * Ibf compensation ivas £50 ; 40 acres of msadoiu ; and a largt
tract of upland. Coil. Hist. Soc. ix. 153.
a Trumbull, i. 50. Coll. Hist. Soc. v. 167 ; ix. 154.
3 Trumbull, i. 49, 50. Coll. Hist. Soc. v. 166, 167. Hub. MS. N. Eng. xK,
4 Winthrop Journ. 88. Trumbull, i. 50,51. The Articles of agree-
ment between the lord viscount Say and Seal and others, on the one part,
and John Winthrop, esquire, on the other, dated 7 July, 1635, and Mr.
Winthi op's commission, to be " governor of the river Connecticut, with
the places adjoining thereunto during the space of one year," dated 1 8 July,
are in Trumbull, ibid. Appendix No. II ; Hazard Coll. i. 395, 396,
AMERICAN ANNALS. 283
Soon after his arrival at Boston, lie sent a bark of 1635.
thirty tons with twenty men, to take possession of
the mouth of that river, and begin a fortification.
A few days after their arrival at the place desig-
nated, a Dutch vessel appeared oft the har-
bour, sent from New Netherlands, to take posses-
sion of the entrance of the same river, and to e-
rect fortifications ; but the English, having two
pieces of cannon already mounted, prevented their Fort built
landing. * The fort, now erected, was called Say- j£®*J"
brook fort. *
The commission of Mr. Winthrop interfered with
the settlements projected by the Massachusetts col-
onists ; three of which they had already begun ; but
the agents of the lords in England, disposed to pro-
mote the general good, permitted them quietly to
enjoy their possessions. 3
The general court of Massachusetts prohibited Acts of
the currency of brass farthings ; and ordered, that Mass.ie-
musket bullets should pass for farthings. It also glb '
established a commissioner for military affairs, with
power of life and limb. 4
An extremely violent storm of wind and rain from Great
the south east, on the fifteenth of August, did great storm<
injury in New England. Immense numbers of for-
est trees were destroyed. Many houses were un-
roofed ; many, blown down ; and the Indian corn
was beaten to the earth. The tide rose twenty feet
perpendicularly. At Narragariset, the natives were
obliged to climb trees for safety ; yet, the . tide
of flood returning before the usual time, many of
them were drowned. s
I Trumbull, i. 51. '
a Gov. Trumbull MS. in Mass. Hist. Society.
3 Winthrop Journ. 88. Trumbull, i. 50. Hutchinson, i. 47!
4 Winthrop Jouin. 80.
5 Hubbard MS. N. Eng, chap. xxvii,xxix. Hutchinson, i. 53. " None
now living in these parts, either English or Indian, had seen the like."
The extremity of it continued five or six hours. " The marks of it will
remain many years, in those parts wh«re it wus sprert." Morton, 103.
284 AMERICAN ANNALS.
1635. Sir Henry Vane, the younger, with a fleet of twen-
toCMa«a- t7 sa^5 we^ PrGVided with stores and passengers,
chusetts* came to New England. * During the year, nearly
three thousand people/ among whom were eleven
ministers,3 came from England to Massachusetts ;
and about one hundred and forty five freemen were
added to the colony. 4
TheFrench The company of New France conveyed the terri-
take posses- 111 r • ^ T i /^« T-» •
sionof Pe- tory on the banks of the river St. John to Saint Eti-
nobscot. enne? anc[ to ^a Tour, the general of that colony.*
Rossillop, commander of a French fort at La Heve,
on the Nova Scotia shore, sent a French man of
\var to Penobscot, and took possession of the Plym-
outh trading house, and all the goods.6 The Plym-
outh colonists hired a large ship, and employed
Girling, its master, attended by a bark of their own
with twenty men, to displace the French, and re-
cover possession. The French, amounting to about
eighteen men, having notice of the expedition, for-
tified the place ; and entrenched themselves so
strongly, that Girling, after nearly expending all
his ammunition, was ready to abandon the enter-
prise. The Plymouth bark coming to Massachu-
setts for consultation, the colonists agreed to aid the
Plymouth neighbours with men and ammunition, at
their charge ; but not as in the common cause of
the country. Such however was the scarcity of
provisions, caused by the late hurricane, that they
could not suddenly victual out a hundred men, the
number requisite for the expedition. The subject
was deferred for consideration ; Girling was forced
to return ; and the Plymouth people never after-
ward recovered their interest at Penobscot. 7
N. Nether- The returns from New Netherlands, this year,
were fourteen thousand eight hundred and ninety
I Univ. Hist, xxxix. 281. a Wonderwork. Prov. 87.
3 Josselyn Voy. 256. 4 Wonderwork. Prov. 71.
5 Chalmers, i. 1 86. 6 Hubbard MS. chap, xxvii.
7 Winthrop Journ. 87. Hubbard MS. N. Eng. chap, xxvii.
AMERICAN ANNALS.
one beavers, and one thousand four hundred and
thirteen otters, estimated at one hundred thirty four
thousand guilders. -
Rene Rohault, having entered into the Society of College
Jesus, resumed a project, which had been interrupt- ^UQuet
ed by the English conquest of Quebec, of founding
a college in that city. The institution succeeded,
and was of essential service to the colony. Many
of the French were now encouraged to embark with
their families for Canada.* M. Champlain died at
Quebec, justly regretted by the colony of New
France, of which he was the parent.3
The French, under the conduct of M. Bretigny,
established themselves on the island of Cayenne, and
on the adjacent continent.4
1636.
Preparation being made for a settlement at Sucki- ^1*™;
ang, Mr. Hooker and Mr. Stone, the ministers of
Newtown, with their whole church and congrega-
tion, travelled above a hundred miles, through a
hideous and trackless wilderness, to Connecticut, cut;
They had no guide, but their compass ; no cover-
ing, but the heavens. They drave one hundred and
sixty cattle, and subsisted on the milk of the cows,
during; the journey. On their arrival at the place and se«ie
J Hartford.
I Hazard Coll. i. 397 ; where are the returns for almost every interme-
diate year from 1624 to 1635. In 1624, the returns were 4000 beavers,
and 700 otters, estimated at 27125 guilders. The Dutch W. India compa-
ny failed in 1634. From a state of its accounts, it appears, that
Fort Amsterdam in N. Netherlands cost 7 Guilders. Stuyvers.
the company - - 3 4172. 10
and that the Province of N. Netherlands cost - 412800. n
Ibid.
a Charlevoix Nouv. France,!. 196,197. Rohault had projected this
seminary ten years before, at the time when the Jesuits first went into
Canada. Ibid.
.3 Ibid. Champlain was a man of great penetration, courage, constancy,
probity, and patriotism. Charlevoix (ibid.), in addition to these traits of
his character, ascribes to him various and distinguished merit : " un histo-
rien fidele et sincere, un voyageur, qui observe tout avec attention, ua C"
crivain judicieux, unbon geometre, et un habile homme de mer."
4 Univ. Hist, xxxix, 232. Bretigny was killed by the natives.
286 AMERICAN ANNALS.
1636. of their destination, they began to build a town,
which they afterward called Hartford, *
Govern- This town and the other towns recently settled
mentform- on Connecticut river,2 finding themselves without
tlie jurisdiction of Massachusetts, entered into a vol-
untary association ; chose magistrates ; and made
laws for themselves, after the example of the colo-
ny, from which they proceeded. The first court in
Connecticut was holden on the twenty sixth of April. 5
Acts of For the better government of the Indians, and
fonSrning ^or ^euc improvement in civility and Christianity,
the Indians, the colony of Plymouth made several laws for preach-
ing the gospel to them ; for admitting Indian preach-
ers among them ; and, with the concurrence of the
principal Indians, for making orders and constituting
courts, for appointing civil rulers, and other officers,
to punish misdemeanors, with the liberty of appeal
to the county court, and court of assistants. 4
RogerWii- Roger Williams, on his expulsion from Massa-
Hams be- chusetts, went to Seconk [Rehoboth], where he
fiemenTat procured a grant of the land from Osamaquin, the
Mooshau- chief sachem of Pokanoket. Advised by governor
6lck» Winslow to remove from that place, which was
within the jurisdiction of Plymouth colony, he held
several treaties with Miantonimoh and Canonicus,
the sachems of Narraganset, who assured him, that
he should not want land for a settlement. With
this assurance, he went over Seconk river, to a place,
called by the Indians Mooshausick, where, in con-
junction with several of his friends, who followed
which he h\m ne beffan a plantation : which, in grateful ac-
calls Pro-
vidence, i Winthrop Journ. 100. Trumbull. i. 55. Coll. Hist. Soc. vii. 15. The
land was purchased of Sunckquasson, the sachem and proprietor ; but the
evidence of this purchase being imperfect, a new purchase was made of the
Indians in 1670 ; the deed, which is still on record, counting ou the former
purchase. Coll. Hist. Soc. ii. 6.
1 Windsor and Wethersfield.
3 Hubbard MS. N. Eng. chap. xli. Trumbull, i. 54. The first court
was holden at Newtown [Hartford]. The settlements on the river, a few
of the first years, bore the same names with the towns in Massachusetts/
from which the settlers came. Trumbull, ibid.
4 Plymouth Laws, 37, 38.
H
AMERICAN ANNALS.
knowledgement of the providential goodness, which.
he had experienced, he called Providence. '
Complaint having been made to the general court
of Massachusetts against John Wheelwright, for
preaching a seditious sermon, he was sent for to the from Mas*
court, and convicted of sedition and contempt of au- s usett&
thority. On his refusal to make the least retracta-
tion, the court ordered his removal out of the juris-
diction. Many of his adherents now removed from
Massachusetts, and made a plantation at Rhode IsU
and. 4
Sir Henry Vane, who £ame to New England the
preceding year, was now chosen governor of Massa-
chusetts. 3 Short however was his administration, emor.
and transient his popularity. 4
The general court of Massachusetts, about this Various
time, enacted, that every particular township should
have power of its own affairs, and to set mulcts up-
on any offender against public order, not exceeding
twenty shillings ; and liberty to choose prudential
men, not exceeding seven, to order the affairs of the
town. For the public safety, the colony was divid-
ed into three regiments ; which were put under the
command of three colonels with their lieutenants.5
I Callender R. Island, 18, 19. Hutchinson, i. 38. Adams N. Eng. 56.
a Hubbard MS. N. Eng. chap, xxxvii. Wheelwright had been a silenced
minister iti England. Ibid. chap, xxxix. Some of these adherents removed
by order of the same court, for their justification of his doctrine, and for
their reflections on the proceedings of the court. Ibid, xxxvii. Hubbard,
in chap, xxxviii, gives a particular account of the disturbance in Massachu-
setts, from 1636 to 1641, by Mr. Wheelwright and Mrs. Hutchinson.
3 Winthrop Journ. 100.
4 Though he was not more than 24 or 35 years of age, his solemn de-
portment conciliated for him almost the whole colony. He appears to
have been of a very enthusiastic temper ; and the early colonial writers re-
marked, that his election would remain a blemish on the judgment of the
electors, " while New England remains a nation." Chalmers, i. 160. It is
allowed however, that his writings exhibit proofs of a strong mind, as weli
as vivid fancy ; and that he was distinguished for his integrity and zeal.
He returned to England in 1637 ; and suffered death in 1662, on the charge
of high treason. Though Hume considered him as an enthusiast, yet he4
has described his deportment at his execution so as to render him an object
•f admiration. Coll. Hist. Soc. v. 172.
5 Hubbard MS. N. F.ng. chap, xxxii,
288 AMERICAN ANNALS,
1636. There were already twenty towns built and peopled
in Massachusetts* x A ship of a hundred and twen-*
ty tons was built at Marblehead, by the people o£
Salem ; and five mills were erected in the colony, in
the course of the year. * The number of freemen
added to the colony, this year, was about one hun-
dred and twenty five ; the number of deputies was
ordinarily between thirty and forty.3 A new
church having been gathered at Newtown, of which
Thomas Shepard was the pastor, this society, on,
the removal of Mr. Hooker's congregation to Con-
necticut, purchased their dwelling houses and iaads$
and made a permanent settlement*4 This rlace was
still under legislative patronage ; for the general
court now contemplated the erection of a public
school here, and appropriated four hundred pounds
for that purpose. s A new church was also gather-
ed at Dorchester, and the reverend Richard Mather
\vas chosen its minister*6
Ministers -^ warrant was issued to the lord admiral of Eng-
land$ to stop ministers, who did not conform to the
discipline and ceremonies of the church, from going
beyond sea* By this order, no clergyman was to be
suffered to go to the Somer Islands, but such only,
as should have the approbation of the archbishop of
Canterbury, and the bishop of London ; and all
ministers, who had already gone thither, without
such approbation, the admiral was to cause to be
immediately remanded to England. The severe cen-
sures and fines in Star chamber, and the rigorous
impositions of ceremonies, with the suspending and
I Hubbard Ind. Wars, 135" considerable towns."
1 Coll. Hist. Soc. vi. 23 z. Winthrop Journ. 105, ic8. Of these mills,
3, were windmills, built at Boston and Charlestown j 3 were watermills,
built at Salem, Ipswich, and Newbury. Ibid.
3 Wonderwork. Providence, 106, 108.
A Coll. Hist. Soc. vii. 15. Mr. Shepard and his people arrived at Bos-
ton from England in Oct. 1635. The church was organized, in the presence
cf a great assembly, I February, 1636. Ibid. Winthrop Journ. 95.
5 Massachusetts Laws. 6 Coll. Hist, Soc. ix. 155.
AMERICAN ANNANS. 289
silencing of numerous ministers, for not reading in 1636.
the church the Book for Sports to be exercised on
the Lord's day, caused many people of the English
nation to sell their estates, and to embark for New
England. *
John Oldham was murdered -in his bark by the ^da^ of
Indians near Block Island. * The Indians, who per-
petrated the murder, were principally Blockisland-
ers, with a number of the Narragansets, to whom
these Indians were then subject. Several of the
murderers fled to the Pequots, and were protected
by them ; and they were therefore considered as a-
bettors of the murder* 3
Massachusetts government therefore judged it ex- Endicot's
pedient to send eighty or ninety men, under the ex^e Itl011'
command of John Endicot, of Salem, with commis-
sion to treat with the Pequots, and to offer terms of
peace, on condition of their surrendering the mur-
derers of the English, and forbearing farther acts of
hostility ; or else war. 4 On their arrival at the Pe*
quot country, they, by an interpreter, sent a mes-
sage to the Indians, who, on understanding the pro-
posal, first concealed themselves behind a hill ; and
soon after ran into the woods and swamps, where
I Rushworth Coll. ii. part ii. 410. Hazard Coll. i. 426.
% An island about 20 miles S. S. West of Newport in Rhode Island. In
.Laet's map of Nova Anglia &c. it is called Ad. Slock Eyland ; deriving ita
name probably from a Dutch admiral. Oldham had formerly belonged to
Mr. Warham's Congregation at Dorchester. Trumbuil, i. 63. Hubbard
[MS. N. J3ng. chap, xvi.] says, he was convicted of being concerned in send*
ing letters to England of complaints against the colony and church of Ply-
mouth, in 1624, and was sentenced to depart from the jurisdiction. He
returned, without licence, in 1625, and behaved in such a manner, that he
was sent out of the colony, with a passport ; and from this time he traded
generally with the Indians until his death.
3 Trumbuil, i. 63. The Pequots were seated on a fair and navigable
river, i a miles eastward of the mouth of Connecticut river ; and were a
more fierce, cruel and warlike people, than the rest of the Indians . Hub-
bard Ind. Wars, 14. Their principal sachem Sassacus lived at or near Pe-
quot [New London] ; and his tribe could raise 4000 men, fit for war.
Coll. Hist. Soc. i. 147.
4 His instructions were, to proceed to Block island, and put the men to
the sword, and take possession of the island, but to spare the women and
children. He was next to sail to the Pecjuot country, and, demand the mui-
Tt
290 AMERICAN ANNALS.
1636. pursuit was impracticable.1 Little \vas effected by
this expedition. One Indian only was slain j and
some wigwams were burnt.1
Treaty of To prevent the Narraganset Indians from joining
peace with fae peqUots, and to secure their friendship, Massa-
the Narra- . .» ' .
cnusetts sent a solemn embassy to Canonictis, their
chief sachem, who, being old, had caused his neph-
ew Miantonimoh to take upon him the government. 5
Miantonimoh, accompanied by another sachem, two
of the sons of Canonicus, and near twenty of his
men, went to Boston, and entered into a treaty of
peace ; the articles of which were : That there
should be a firm peace between the Narragansets and
the English, and their posterity ; that neither par-
ty should make peace with the Pequots, without
the consent of the other ; that they should not har-
bour the Pequots ; and that they should return all
defers of Stone, Norton, and their convpa-ny ; und additional satisfaction..
When he arrived at Block island, forty or fifty Indians appeared on the
shore, and opposed his landing ; but it was- effected. After a small skir-
mish the Indians fled to the woods, and could not he found. The English
spent two days on the island, in which time they burnt their wigwams, de-
stroyed their corn, and staved their canoes. They next saiied for the Pe-
tjuot country. Trumbull, i. 63, 64. Block island contained, at that time,
«bout 60 wigwams ; and the natives had there abou:. zoo aci'es of corn. Ib.
1 Hubbard Ind. Wars, ii, 2Z.
2 I. Mather N. Eng. 25. Hubbard [MS. N.'Eng. xxxiv.] says, the Nar-
ragansets afterward told the English, that 13 Pequots were killed, and 40
wounded ; and that but one of the Block Islanders was slain.
3 The young prince Miantonimoh was of great stature, stern and cruel j
" causing all his nobility and attendants to tremble at his speech." The
old king, hearing of the English embassy, collected his chief counsellors,
and a great number of his people, resolving that the young king should, in
his hearing, receive the message. The ambassadors, after being " enter-
tained royally," were admitted to audience in a round state house, about
50 feet in diameter, made of long poles, stuck in the ground, and entirely
covered with mate, excepting a small aperture in the middle of the roof, to
give light, and let out the smoke. Here sat the sachem, " with very great
Attendance ;" but, when the ambassadors began to deliver their message,
he lay extended on a mat, and his nobility sat on the ground with their
legs doubled up, their knees touching their chin. At the close of the inter-
preter's speech, which they heard with great gravity, Miantonimoh replied,
that he willingly embraced peace with the English, ; but the nearness of
the Pequots, to whose sudden incursions his people were exposed, rendered
it expedient for him to " hold amity with both." The conclusion was
*n embassy to Boston, which terminated in the treaty of peace. Won-
derwork. Providence, 109.
AMERICAN ANNALS. 29*
fugitive servants, and deliver over to the English,
or put to death, all murderers. The English' were
to give them notice when they were going out a-
gainst the Pequots ; and they were to furnish them
•with guides ; and a free trade was to be maintained
between the parties. Cushamakin, the sachem of
the Massachusetts, subscribed these articles, with
the English. * The Narragansets were at this time
estimated at five thousand fighting men.*
At the close of this year, there were about two
hundred and fifty men in the three towns on Con-
necticut river. The whole number of persons is es-
timated to have been about eight hundred j of fam-
ilies, a hundred and sixty or seventy.3
l637-
The Pequots were rather emboldened, than intim-
idated, by Endicot's impotent expedition. In April, ^uoetsPceJn
they killed six men and three women near Wethers- tinue hos
iield, and took two young women captive. They tli0'
also killed twenty cows, and did other damage to
the inhabitants* Alarmed by these atrocities, the
Connecticut colonists took vigorous measures for
their security. A court was summoned at Hart-
ford ; and the towns, for the first time, sent commit-
tees, to deliberate on a subject, in which the very at Hart-
existence of the colony was concerned. The court, j£jjfe^
after mature deliberation, considering that the Pe- an offen-
quots had killed nearly thirty of the English ; 4 that
they had insulted and horribly tortured their cap -
tiyes ; that they were attempting to engage all the
Indians to unite for the purpose of extirpating the
English ; and that the whole colony was in imminent
danger, unless some capital blow were immediately
i Hubl>ar.d Lnd. Wars, 27 ; MS. N. f.ng. chap, xxxiv. Tr»mbull, i. 65
•a Calender R. Island, 70. Roger Williams, who was Calender's au-
thority for this article, says, they- were so populous, " dint a traveller would
meet with a dozen Indian towns in 3O miles," Ibid.
3 Trumlmll, i. ^9.
4 Several were killed at Saybrook And elsewhere. Ibid. 66 — ?ja.
sive wa;
29^ AMERICAN ANNALS,
1637. given to their enemies ; determined, that an offensive?
war "should be carried on against them, by the three
towns of Windsor, Hartford and Wethersfield ; and
voted, that ninety men should be immediately rais-
ed ; forty two from Hartford ; thirty from Wind-
sor ; and eighteen from Wethersfield. The other
New England colonies, roused by the apprehension
of danger, as well as incited by the request of Con-
necticut, agreed to send all their forces against the
common enemy. '
May 10. On the tenth of May the troops from Connecti-
cut, consisting of ninety Englishmen and about sev-
enty Moheagan and river Indians, fell down the riv-
er, in a pink, a pinnace, and a shallop, for the fort
at Saybrook. The Indians were commanded by
Uncas, sachem of the Moheagans ; the entire army,
by John Mason,' who had been bred a soldier in Eu-
rope. Mr. Stone of Hartford went as chaplain.*
• : At Saybrook, a council, called to settle a plan of the
proceed to expedition, agreed to proceed first to Narraganset ;
Nan-agan- to Sencj ]u)acj<: ^wenty men to strengthen the infant
settlements on Connecticut river \ and to take, in
their stead, captain Underhill, with nineteen men
from the garrison at Saybrook fort. In pursuance
of this plan, Mason proceeded with his troops to
Narraganset Bay, where he engaged a large body
of Narraganset Indians, as auxiliaries.
May 24. The army, consisting of seventy seven English-
English men, sixty Moheagan and river Indians, and about
di'ats^om- two hundred Narragansets, marched on the twenty
mence fourth of May to Nihantick, a frontier to the Pe-
their grand
march. t The late governor Tnimbull of Connecticut, who was thoroughly ac-
quainted with American history, remarked, that the Pequots were jealous
of the new settlements of the English, and plptted their ruin ; that they,
murdered several persons, and committed many outrageous acts, which
gave rise to a just and necessary kvar. MS. account of the state and origin of
Connecticut, in Mass. Historical Society.
i Mr. Wilson of Boston was chosen to attend the Massachusetts troops,
as chaplain. One of the *arly Jaws of N. England was : " Some minister
is to be sent forth to go along with the army, for their instruction and ery-
co'ijragement." Abstract of the Laws of N. Eng. chap. x. art. 4.
AMERICAN ANNALS. 293
37*
*|uots, and the seat of one of the Narraganset sa- 163
chems. The next morning a considerable number
of Miantonimoh's men, and of the Nihahticks, join-
ed the English, \vlio renewed their march, with
pearly five hundred Indians. After inarching twelve
miles to a ford in Pawcatuck river, Mason halted,
and refreshed his troops, fainting through heat and
scanty provisions. Here many of the Narragansets,
astonished to find it his intention, to attack the Pe-
-.quots in their forts, withdrew, and returned home. *
Under the guidance of Wequash, a revolted Pequot,
the army proceeded in its march toward Mistic river,
where was one of the Pequot forts, and, when eveiir
ing approached, pitched their camp by two large
rocks. z Two hours before day, the troops were
roused to the eventful action, the issue of which was
in fearful suspense. After a march of about two
miles, they came to the foot of the hill, on the sum-
mit of \vhich stood the hostile fort. The day was
nearly dawning, and no time might be lost. Mason,
throwing the troops into two divisions, pressed for-
ward with one to the eastern, and Underbill with
the other, to the western entrance. When Mason
drew nigh the fort, a dog barked, and an Indian in-
stantly called out, Owanux ! Owanux ! [English-
men ! Englishmen !] The troops pressed on, and,
•having poured a full discharge of their muskets
through the palisadoes upon the astonished enemy,
entered the fort, sword in hand.3 A severe conflict May 26.
ensued. Many of the Indians were slain. Some of Atta<* on
•the English were killed, others wounded ; and the ^1C
issue of battle \vas yet dubious, At this critical
I The Pcquots had two forts, one at Mistic river ; and another, several
miles farther distant from the English army, which was the fort of Sassa-
cus, their chief sachem. The very name of this chief filled the Indians
with terror. " Sassacus," said the Narragar-sets, " is all ore God ; no man
can kill him." Hubbard Jnd. Wars, 39. Trumbull, i. 31. Coll. Hist. Soc. ix. 84.
^ " Between or near" them. These rocks are in Groton, a town near
New London, and are called Porter's rocks . Trumbull, i. 76.
3 The entrance was " only barred with two great forked bcughs, cr
branches, of trees." Mason's History.
AMERICAN ANNALS.
1637. moment, Mason cried out to bis men, " We mu&t
burn them." Entering a wigwam at the same in-
stant, he seized a fire brand, and put it into the mats,
with which the wigwams were covered ; and the
ni!1 '* combustible habitations were soon wrapped in flames.
The English, retiring without the fort, formed a cir-
cle around it ; and Uncas with his Indians formed
another circle in their rear. The devouring fire, and
the English weapons, made rapid and awful devasta-
tion. In little more than the space of one hour,
seventy wigwams were burnt ; and, either by the
sword or the flames, five or six hundred Indians per-
ished.1 Of the English, two men were killed, and
sixteen wounded.
Soon after the action, about three hundred In-
dians advanced from the remaining fort ; but Mason,
with a chosen band, ntet them with such warmth, as
checked their onset ; and encouraged him to order
the army to march for Pequot harbour.2 When
this movement began, the Indians advanced to the
hill, qn which the fort had stood. The sight of its
ruins threw them into a transport of rage. They
stamped the ground, tore their hair, and, regardless
of danger, descended the hill with precipitancy to-
ward the English, whom they pursued nearly six
miles, with desperate but impotent revenge. The
English reached their vessels in safety ; and, in about
eturn of three weeks from the time of their embarkation at
the troops. Hartford, they arrived at their habitations, where
they were received with every expression of exquisite
joy, and pious gratitude.
1 Mason says, t or 7 hundred ; Dr. Trn'mbull supposes, about 600.
2 Their vessels hud been ordered to sail from Narraganset bay, the night
before, for Pequot harbour. When the action at the fort was ended, there
was no appearance of them in the Sound. About an hour after, while the
officers were consulting, in deep perplexity, what course to take, the ves-
sels, " as though guided by the. hand of Providence" to their relief, appear-
ed fully in view ; and, under a fair v/ind, were steering; directly into the
harbour. Trumbuii, i. 795
AMERICAN ANNALS;
The body of the Tequots, returning from the 1637.
pursuit of the English army, repaired to Sassacus at The Pt-
O J * ... quots a-
the royal fortress ; where, on consultation, it \vas baudcn
concluded, that they could not remain longer in the thei
country with safety. Destroying therefore their try'
wigwams and fort, they fled into various parts of
the country. Sassacus and seventy or eighty of the
chief counsellors and warriors took their route to-
ward Hudson's river.
The governor and council of Massachusetts, on June
receiving intelligence of this success of the Connec-
ticut troops, judged it needful to send forward but
one hundred and twenty men. * These troops, un-
der the command of captain Stoughton, arriving at
Pequot harbour in June, and receiving assistance
from, the Narraganset Indians, surrounded a large
body of Pequots in a swamp, and took eighty cap-
tive. The men, thirty in number, were killed, but
the women and children were saved. Forty men,
raised by Connecticut, and put under the command
of the heroic Mason, made a junction with Stough-
ton' s company at Pequot. While the vessels sailed Fu
along the shore, these allied troops pursued the fu- pursued.
gitive Indians by land, to Ouinnipiack, and found
some scattering Pequots on their march. Receiving
I Massachu«etss colony had determined to send zoo men ; and had pre-
viously sent forward captain Patrick with 40 men, to form a seasonable
junction with the Connecticut troops ; but, though these troops, while at
Narraganset, had intelligence of Patrick's inarch, it was judged inexpedient
to wait for his arrival. Trumbull, i. 71, 74. The court of Plymouth u-
greed to send 50 men at the charge of the colony, with as much speed as
possible, and provided a bark to carry their provisions, and to attend them
on all occasions ; but when they were ready to march from Massachusetts,
u they had word sent them to stay, for the enemy was as good as vanquish-
ed, and there would be no need." Morton, 108. The number, raised by
each town in Massachusetts, gives us some idea of the proportion which
the several towns bore to each other [Hutchinson, i. 76.] ;
Boston - - 26 Newbury - 8
Charlestown - iz Ipswich - 17
Roxbury - 10 Salem - - 18
Dorchester - 13 Saugus [Lynn] 16
Weymouth - 5 Watertown - 14
Hingham, - 6 Newtown - 19
Mcdford - 3 Marblehead - 3
•
«
gtives
2-96 AMERICAN ANNALS*
1637. information at Quinhfpiack, that the enemy were at
a considerable distance westward, in a great swamp,
they marched in that direction, with all possible dis-
patch, about twenty miles, andcanle to the swamp,1
where were eighty or a hundred warriors, and near-
July 13. ly two hundred other Indians. Some of the Eng-
^reat lish, rushing eagerlv forward, were badly wounded ;
Swamp 6 6 .-. > . /
fight and others, smking into the mire, were rescued by a,
few of their brave companions, who sprang forward
to their relief with drawn swords.' Some Indians
were slain ; others, finding the whole swamp
surrounded, desired a parley j and, on the offer of
life, about two hundred old men, women, and chil-
dren, among whom was the sachem of the place,
gradually came out, and submitted to the English.
The Pequot warriors, indignantly spurning submis-
sion, renewed the action, which, as far as it was prac-:
ticable, was kept up through the night. A thick
fog, the next morning, favouring the escape of the
enemy ; many of them, among whom were sixty or
seventy warriors* broke through the surrounding
troops. About twenty were killed, and one hun-
dred and eighty captivated* The captives were di-
vided between Connecticut and Massachusetts, which
distributed them among the Moheagans and Narra^
gansets.* Sassacus, the chief sachem, fled with a-
bout twenty of his best men to the Mohawks, who,-
at the request of the Narragansets, cut off his head)
I Near where Fairfield or Stratford nov.- stands. Hubbard.
a It was judged, that, during the summer ? 700 Pequots were destroyed^
among whom were 13 sachems. About 200, beside women and children,
survived the Swamp Fight. Of this number the English gave 80 to Mian-
tonimoh, and 20 to Ninnigret, two sachems of Narraganset ; and the other
100 to Uncas, sachem of the Moheagans ; to be received and treated a«
their men. This division was made at Hartford in September 1638 ; at
which time, among other articles, it was covenanted, 'I 'hat the Pequots
should never again inhabit their native country, nor be called Pequots, but
Narragansets and Moheagans. Trumbull, i. 85 — 87. A number of the
male children were sent to Bermudas. Hubbard Ind. Wars, 54. Hutchin-
son, i. 80. Gov. Winthrop [Journ. 134.] says, " We had now slain and tak-
en in all about 700. We sent 15 of the boys and two women to Bermuda,
by Mr. Pierce, but he missing it, carried them to Providence Isle."
AMERICAN ANNALS,
&nd his country now became a province of the Eng- 1637
lish.'
A proclamation was issued in April by the king
of Endand, to restrain the disorderly transportation
i* i • ° -i • 1 1 • T
of his subjects to the American colonies. It com-
manded, that no licence be given them, without a
certificate, that they had taken the oaths of supre-
macy and allegiance, and conformed to the discipline
of the church of England. 2 To give effect to this ordinance;
arbitrary measure, an ordinance was passed, which
enacted, that none should entertain any stranger,
who should arrive in the colonies with an intention
to reside ; or allow the use of any habitation, with-
out liberty from the standing council.3 On com-
plaint of several disorders in New England, the king
in July appointed Sir Ferdinando Gorges general
governor ; but the measure was never carried into
effect.4
Ann Hutchinson, a woman of familistic princi- Ann Hut-
pies in Boston, holding lectures for the propagation
of her peculiar tenets, attracted a numerous audito-
ry, and gained many adherents. The whole colony
became divided into two parties, which stiled each
other Antinomians and Legalists. Such was the
warmth of the controversy, that a synod was judged
i Winthrop Journ. A. D. 1637. Morton, 107—114. Hubbard Ind.
Wars, 36 — 54. I. Mather Troubles with the Indians, 25, 26, 47, 48, 50.
Trumbull, i, 66 — 87. Hntchinson, i. 76 — 80. However just the occasion
of this war, humanity demands a tear on the extinction of a valiant tribe,
which preferred death to what it might naturally anticipate from the pro-
gress of the English settlements — dependence, or extirpation.
" Indulge, my native land ! indulge the tear,
That steals, impassiori'd, o'er a nation's doom ;
To me each twig, from Adam's sto'ck, is near,
And sorrows fall upon an Indian's tomb."
Dwight's Greenfield Hill, Part IV, entitled,
" The Destruction of the Pequods."
2- Hazard Coll. i. 421, where the proclamation is entire. Chalmers, i. 161.
3 Chalmers, i. 165 ; " enacted with a signal folly." Ib.
4 Chalmers, i. 162. Belknap Biog. i. 385. This failure is thus acconnt-
sd for. The troubles in England and Scotland checked the business for the
present ; and, soon after, archbishop Laud and some other lords of counciJj
Who had been zealous for the measure, lost their authority. Ibid,
IT a
•
298
AMERICAN ANNALS,
1637.
First synod
in Ameri-
Familists
disarmed.
Banish-
ment of
Gorton.
Dedham.
Concord.
expedient, to settle it. A synod was accordingly
convened at Newtown, composed of all the teaching
elders in the country, and messengers of the several
churches.1 After a session of three weeks, the syn-
od condemned eighty two erroneous opinions, which
had become disseminated in New England. This
was the first synod, holden in America. * The gov-
ernment of Massachusetts, apprehending a breach
of peace from the Familists, caused fifty eight per-
sons in Boston to be disarmed, and several in the
towns of Salem, Newbury, Roxbury, Ipswich, and
Charlestown. 3 It also passed a law, that none
should be received, to inhabit within the jurisdic-
tion, but such, as should be allowed by some of the
magistrates. 4
Samuel Gorton, of the familistic sect, giving great
disturbance in New England, was banished from
the colonies of Plymouth, Rhode Island, and Massa-
chusetts.5
The town of Dedham began to be built ; and here
a church was soon gathered.6 Mr, Jones was or-
dained pastor, and Mr. Bulkley teacher, of the
church in Concord.7
i The magistrates were also present, and were not hearers only, " but
speakers also, as they thought fit."
a Huhbard MS. N. Eng. chap. xl. Winthrop Journ. 137 — 140. Hutch-
jr.son, i. 66—69. ^°'^ Hist. Soc. vii. 16, 17. The church of Boston soon
after, " with one consent," agreed to pass the sentence of excommunication
on Mrs. Hutchinson, " for many evils in her conversation, as well as for
corrupt opinions." Hubbard MS. N. Eng. chap, xxxix. Mr. Hutchinson,
her husband, being one of the purchasers of Aquetneck, sold his estate in
Massachusetts, and removed with his family to that island. On his death
(about 1642), Mrs. Hutchinson, being dissatisfied with the people or place,
removed to the Durch country beyond New Haven ; and, the year after,
she and all her family, consisting of 16 persons, were killed by the Indians,
with the exception of one daughter, whom they carried into captivity.
Hutchinson, i, 72.
3 Wonderwork. Prov. 1 21. Hubbard MS, N. Eng. chap, xxxviii.
4 Minot Mass. i. 29.
5 Josselyn Voy. 259. Josselyn calls him " a blasphemous atheist ;" and
Hubbard styles him " a prodigious minter of exorbitant novelties, even the
very dregs of familism." MS. N. Eng. xlvii, where there is a distuict account
of the troubles, qcosioned by Gorton and his adherents to Massachusetts.
6 Wonder work.Trov. 125. Winthrop [Journ. 163.] says, it was gath-
ered 9 Nov. 1638. 7 Hubbard MS. N. ling. chap, xxxvii.
AMERICAN ANNALS. 299
Ten years had now elapsed since the commence- 1637.
ment of the settlement of Massachusetts. During Retrospect
, . . , r . . r « Q of Massa-
tlus period, ninety four ministers came from Lng- thusetts.
land ; of this number twenty seven had returned ;
thirty six had died ; and thirty one were yet living
in the country. The number of ships, which, dur-
ing this period, transported passengers to New Eng-
land, was estimated to be two hundred and ninety
eight ; and the number of men, women, and chil-
dren, twenty one thousand two hundred. *
M. de Enambuc, the father of the French colony Martinko
at St. Christopher's, brought from that island to settled.
Martinico a hundred soldiers, all of them well pro-
vided for forming a colony. Landing at Basse Ter-
re, he built a fort, called St. Peter, and made the
first settlement on the island. *
John Davenport, a celebrated minister of Cole- Arrival of
man street in London, accompanied by Theophilus ^a™|~
Eaton and Edward Hopkins, merchants of London, others;
with several other respectable persons from that city
and its vicinity, arrived this summer at Boston.
The unmolested enjoyment of civil and religious lib-
erty was the object of their emigration. Not find-
ing in Massachusetts sufficient room for themselves
and the numerous friends, whom they expected to
follow them, and being informed of a large bay to
the southwest of Connecticut river, commodious for
trade, they applied to their friends in Connecticut to
purchase for them, of the native proprietors, all the
lands, lying between the rivers Connecticut and Hud-
i Josselyn Voy. 258, and N. Eng. Rar. 108. This article, though it has
been quoted by respectable authority, and may be substantially true, is nei-
ther stated with precision, nor with confidence. The language of Josselyn
is, " in the ten first years chiefly ;" and (in reference to the number of em-
igrants) " as near as can be guessed" Some writer, whose name I have
lost, affirms, that " by an exact computation, 4000 planters had now come
out of England ; in all the four grand settlements." See Hutchinson, i. 93.
a Univ. Hist. xli. 228. He died soon after ; and his colleague, Sir Thom-
as Warner, did not long survive him. At the time of his death, St. Chris-
topher's is said to have contained twelve or thirteen thousand English in-
habitants. Ibid. 271. Several historians, I now find, place this article iii
AMERICAN ANNALS,
March 30.
Settlers
sail for
Quinnipi-
ack.
son ; and this purchase they, in part, effected. 1m
the autumn, Mr. Eaton and some others of the com-,
pany made a journey to Connecticut, to explore the
lands and harbours on the sea coast ; and pitched
who pre- UpOn Quinnipiack for the place of their settlement.
" QuL- Here they erected a hut, and remained through the
wjnter.
1638.
The way being prepared, Davenport, Eaton, and
the rest of their company, sailed from Boston for
Quinnipiack : and, in about a fortnight, arrived at
the desired port. On the eighteenth of April they
kept their first sabbath in the place, under a large
spreading oak ; where Mr. Davenport preached to
them. Soon after, they entered into what they
termed a plantation covenant. * Determined to
make an extensive settlement, these enterprising co-
lonists paid early attention to the making of such
purchases and treaties, as would give it stability. In
November, they entered into an agreement with
Monauguin, sachem of that part of the country,
and his counsellors, for the lands of Quinnipiack.
Monauguin, in consideration of being protected by
the English from the hostile Indians, yielded up all
his right and title to all the land of Quinnipiack, of
which he was the sole sachem, to Theophilus Ea-
ton, John Davenport and others, their heirs and as-
signs forever ; and they, in return, covenanted, that
•they would protect him and his Indians ; that they
should always have a sufficient quantity of land to
plant, on the east side of the harbour ; and, by way
of free and grateful retribution, they gave him, his
council and company, twelve coats of English cloth,
twelve akhymy spoons, twelve hatchets, twelve hoes,
two dozen of knives, twelve porringers, and four
i By this covenant they solemnly engaged, that in the gathering and or-
dering of a church, and in all public offices, relating to c,ivil order, they
•would be guided by the rules of Scripture. Trumbujll, i. 91.
Nov. 24.
First pur-
chase at
Quinnipir
ack.
AMERICAN ANNALS, 301
cases of French knives and scissors. In December, 1638.
they made another purchase of a large tract, lying
principally north of the other, extending eight miles
east of the river Quinnipiack, and five miles west of
it toward Hudson's river. * Near the bay of Quin-
nipiack they laid out their town in squares, on the
plan of a spacious city ; and called it New Haven. New Ha^
This town was the foundation of a flourishing colony v<
of the same name, of which it became also the capi-
tal.8
Kieft, the Dutch governor of New Netherlands,
protested against this plantation ; but his protest
was disregarded, because unsupported. 3
The religious differences in Massachusetts were, Purchase
in the mean time, giving rise to a distinct colony, in
another direction. John Clark and some others, Rhode
finding the decisions of the synod supported by the Island*
general court, went to Providence, in search of a
place, where they might have peace, and liberty of
conscience. By the advice and aid of Roger Wil-
liams, they purchased Aquetneck4 of the Indian sa-
chems ; and the natives of that island soon after a-
greed, on receiving ten coats and twenty hoes, to
remove before the next winter. The adventur-
ers, to the number of eighteen, incorporated them-
selves into a body politic, and chose William
Coddington to be their judge, or chief magis-
I This tract was purchased of Montowese, son of the great sachem at
Mattabeseck ; and was I o miles in length, north and south, and 13 miles
in breadth. It included all the lands within the ancient limits of the old
towns of New Haven, Branford, and Wallingford ; and almost the whole
within the limits of those towns, and of the more modern towns of East
Haven, Woodbridge, Cheshire, Hamden and North Haven. For this tract
the English gave 13 coats, and allowed the natives ground to plant, and li-
berty to hunt within the lands. Trumbull, i. 93, 94, from N. Haven Records.
a Hubbard MS. N. Eng. chap. xlii. Winthrop Journ. 131,151. Ma-
ther Magnal. book i. 35. Trumbull, i. 89 — 94. Hutchinson, i. 83.
Chalmers, i. 290.
3 Chalmers, i. 571. Smith N. York, 3.
4 Other islands in Narraganset bay were sold at this time. Aquetneck
was the largest of them. Canonicus, chief sachem of Narraganset and Ni-
antick, and Miantonimoh, sold them to William Coddington and his asso-
ciates, in consideration of fifty fathom of white beads. Hubbard MS. N,
Eng. chap. xlii. Hutchinson, i. 77,. Chalmers, i. 271.
-202 AMERICAN ANNALS.
«j
1638. trate. ' Small as the number of associates was ; the
fertility of the soil, and the pleasantness of the cli-
mate, soon attracted many people to their settle-
ment ; and the island, in a few years, became so
populous, as to send out colonists to the adjacent
shores. The island was afterward named the Isle
of Rhodes 5 and, by an easy declension, Rhode
Island. *
Deed of Canonicus and Miantonimoh gave Roger Wil-
Provi- r , r -n -j
dence. hams, a deed or 1 rovidence. *
A ril A quo warranto having been brought by the at-
The patent torney general against the governor, deputy gover-
chusettT" nor> a ass'stants °f ^le corporation of Massachu-
. setts,4 and judgment being given, that the liberties
and franchises should be seized into the king's hand ;
the council made an order, requiring the patent of
Massachusetts to be sent back, by the next ship, to
England.5 Judgment not having been entered a-
gainst the charter, there was a delay of compliance
with the order of council. . Meanwhile, the general
court of Massachusetts addressed a petition on this
subject to the lords commissioners for foreign planta-
tions, vindicating the cause of the colony with firm-
ness, and supplicating relief with tenderness.6
Arbitrary measures were still pursued in England,
in reference to the American colonies. An order
was given by the privy council in May to the lord
I Callender, 30 — 32, where are the names of the 18 associates. Their
association, according to Callender, preceded the completion of the purchase.
They united in a body politic 7 March, the sachems signed the deed 24
M:ircli, 16^8. Ibid. Toward the close of the year, they chose three per-
sons, as assistants to their chief magistrate. Ib. 42.
a Chalmers, i. ay I.
3 Dated 24 March. Backus N. Eng. i. 89. Brit. Emp. ii. 130.
4 Hazard Coll. i. 423, where it is inserted. Hubbard [MS. N. Eng.
chap, xxxvi.] says, that the business-of demanding the patent of Massachu-
setts had been on hand ever since the year 1634 ; but it had been overlook-
ed, by the interposition possibly of matters of greater moment, until this year.
5 Hubbard MS. N. Eng. chap, xxxvi. Chalmers, i. 161. Hutchinson
Col. 105.
6 Hubbard MS. N. Eng. chap, xxxvi ; Hazard Cell. i. 435, 436 ; where
the Petition, is entire.
AMERICAN ANNALS. 3°3
treasurer to take speedy and effectual course for the 1638,
stay of eight ships, then in the Thames, prepared
to sail for New England. By this order, Oliver
Cromwell, Sir Arthur Hazlerig, John Hambden,
and other patriots, were prevented from coming to
America. ' How limited the foresight of man ; how
inscrutable the counsels of God ! By this arbitrary
measure, Charles, " far from suspecting, that the
future revolutions in his kingdoms were to be ex-
cited and directed by .persons in such a humble
sphere of life, forcibly detained the men destined to
overturn his throne, and to terminate his days by a
violent death."3
Scarcely had the venerable founders of New Eng- ^^f
land felled the trees of the forest, when they be- founded,
gan to provide means to insure the stability of their
colony. Learning and Religion they wisely judged
to be the firmest pillars of the church and common-
wealth. The legislature of Massachusetts, having
previously founded a public school or college, had
the last year (1637) ordered, that it be at Newtown ;
and appointed a committee 3 to carry the order in-
to eifect. The liberality of an individual now essen-
tially contributed to the completion of this wise and
pious design. John Harvard, a worthy minister, dy-
ing this year at Charlestown, left a legacy of seven
hundred seventy nine pounds, seventeen shillings,
and two pence, to the public school at Newtown.
In honour of that generous benefactor, this collegi-
ate school was soon after, by an order of court, nam-
ed Harvard College ; and Newtown, in compli-
ment to the college, and in memory of the place
i Hazard Coll. i. 4Z4, where is a copy of the Proclamation. Mather
Magnal. book i. 23. Chalmers, i. 160, 161. Belknap Biog. ii. 229. Neal
N. ling. i. 168.
1 Robertson, book x. 163.
3 Governor Winthrop, deputy governor Dudley, treasurer Bellingham ;
Mr. Kumfrey, Mr. Harlackenden, and Mr. Stoughton, counsellors; Mr.
Cotton, Mr. Wilson, Mr. Davenport, Mr. Wells, Mr. Shephard, and Mr.
Peters, ministers. MS. Records of Massachusetts.
304 AMERICAN
1638. where many of the first settlers of New England r£->
ceived their education, was called Cambridge. '
Origin of Several gentlemen in Boston and its vicinity, hav-
'm& f°rmed themselves into a military company, pe-
tioned to be incorporated. The council, adverting
to the examples of the pretorian bands among the
Romans, and the templars in Europe, was cautious
of erecting a standing authority of military men,
who might ultimately controul the civil power. The
patriotic associates however were allowed to be a
company, but subordinate to the authority of the
country^ a This is the origin of the company, distin-
guished in the military annals of Massachusetts by
the merited name of The Ancient and Honourable
Artillery Company.
Exeter John Wheelwright, who had been banished from
founded, Massachusetts, went, accompanied by a number of
people from Braintree, to New Hampshire, where
he laid the foundation of the town and church of
Disorder at Exeter. 3 The inhabitants of Pascataqua attempted,
about this time, to gather themselves into a church
state 5 but, through dissensions, they appear not to
I MS. Records of Massachusetts. Winthrop Journ. 155. Hubbard MS,
N. Eng. chap, xxxii. There were several benefactors to this college, be-
side Mr. Harvard ; and " the other colonies sent some small help to the
undertaking." Mather Magnal. book iv. 126. The primary object of this
institution was, to furnish a succession of learned and able ministers,
Ibid. By Massachusetts Records it appears, that the court gave it the
name of HARVARD in 1639 ; but the name of Newtown Was altered by
the court in May 1638.
a Hubbard MS. N. Eng. chap, xxxiii.
3 Hutchinson, i. 106. Pres. Stiles MSS. The next year (1639) 35 Pe1'
sons, settlers of Exeter, entered into a combination, and erected a civil gov-
ernment. The reason, which they assign for the measure, is : " Consider-
ing v/ith ourselves the h»ly will of God and our own necessity that we
should not live without wholsom Lawes and Civil Government among us
of which we are altogether destitute." The Constitution, with the names
of the 35 signers, is in Hubbard MS. N. Eng. chap, xxxi, and Hazard Coll,
5. 463. Their rulers were Isaac Grosse, Nicholas Needham, and Thomas
Wilson ; each of whom continued in office one year, having two assistants.
The laws were made in a popular assembly, and formally consented to by
the rulers. This combination subsisted three years. Belknap N. Hamp, 5
37. It was a few miles only beyond the north eastern boundary of Massa-
chusetts, amid the forest, which then skirted the shore of the gr? '
Pascataqua, that Exeter was planted. Chalmers,!. 47.*.
AMERICAN ANNALS. 305
have succeeded In the design. ' Josselyn, whom we $638;
have quoted as an original authority, made his first
voyage to New England this year** Boston at this Boston*
time was " rather a village, than a town ;" con-
sisting of no more than twenty or thirty houses.3
There was a great earthquake in New England june i.
on the first day of June. The earth shook with
such violence, that, in some places, the people could
not stand, without difficulty, in the streets ; and land-
most moveable articles in their houses were thrown
down. This phenomenon formed a memorable e-
poch in the annals of New England; 4
About one hundred and thirty freemen were ad- Accession
ded to Massachusetts ; and there arrived this sum-
mer twenty ships, with at least three hundred per-
sons. *
The first New England built ship arrived in the
Thames.6
Uncas, sachem of the Moheagaris, having given Friendship
umbrage by entertaining some of the hostile Pequots^ of Uncae*
went to Boston in June, with a present to the gov-
ernor of Massachusetts j promised submission to
1 Hubbard MS. N. Eng. chap. xxxi. Hubbard says, " they fell into fac-
tions, and strange confusions."
2 Josselyn Voy. 20. It is a curious fact, that Josselyn brought " from
Francis Quarlesthe poet," the translation of several Psalms " into English
metre," and delivered them to Mr. Cotton, minister of Boston, " for his
approbation." Ibid.
3 Ibid. 173. There were two licensed inns then in Boston. " An officer
visits them," says Josselyn, whenever a stranger goes into them ; and " if
he calls for more drink than the officer thinks in his judgment he can so-
berly bear away," he countermands it, and " appoints the proportion be-
yond which he cannot get one drop." Ibid.
4 Winthrop Journ. 155. It occurred between the hours of three and
four P. M. The weather was clear and warm, and the wind westerly. " It
came with a noise like a continued thunder, or the rattling of coaches in
London, but was presently gone." It was felt at Massachusetts, Connecti-
cut, Narraganset, Pascataqua, and the circumjacent parts. It shook the
ships, which rode in Boston harbour, and all the islands. " The noise and
the shaking continued about four minutes. The earth was unquiet 20 days
after by times." Ibid. Josselyn N. Eng. Rar. 109. Hutchinson, i. 90,
Trumbull, i. 92. Professor Winthrop Lect. on Earth<juake6, 16. Memoirr
Americ. Acad. i. 262. Brit. Emp. L 276.
5 Winthrop Journ. 156.
6 Ptreberton MS.
W TT
•306 AMERICAN ANNALS.
1638. the English ; and was ever afterward faithful to their
interests. ' In September, articles of agreement were
made between him and the colonists of Connecticut. s
Murder of The government of Plymouth colony caused three
pushed! Englishmen to be put to death, for the murder of
an Indian near Providence. 3
The Dutch A Swedish factory, conducted by Minuitz, hav-
Itntel- m% reared habitations for shelter on the eastern
gainst the banks of the Delaware, near its confluence ; Kieft,
settlement t]le nrOvernor of ]sjew Netherlands, transmitted a re-
oftheSwiss . ... , . i .
at Deia- monstrance against the proceeding ; laying claim to
ware. the whole South river, as the property of the Dutch.
Minuitz however retained possession. 4
Laws of The assembly of Maryland prepared a collection
thelegis- of regulations. The province was divided into bar*
Maryland om*es anc* manors, the privileges of which were care-
fully regulated. Bills were passed for settling the
glebe ; for the liberties of the people ; for swearing
allegiance to their sovereign ; and for securing titles
to their estates. The law for civil causes and for
crimes was ascertained. Laws were passed for the
payment of tobacco, and for the planting of corn ;
and various other regulations of domestic economy
and of commerce were established. s The acts of
this assembly are the first, of which any record ap-
pears in the province.6
I Winthrop Journ. 155. Hubbard MS. N. Eng. chap, xxxiv ; Ind. Wars,
40, 41. In 1640 he conveyed his lands to Connecticut.
^ Gov. Trumbull MS. State and Origin of Connecticut.
3 Hubbard MS. N. Eng. chap.lxxvi. Morton, izo, xai.
4 Chalmers,!. 571, 572, 631. Kieft asserted, " that the whole South riv-
•r of New Netherlands had been in the Dutch possession many years, a-
bove and below beset with forts, and sealed with their blood." Disputes
arose. A bloodless war ensued. The Dutch dictated the terms of peace.
At the treaty of Stockholm, in 1640, " Sweden and Holland prudently pas-
sed over in silence colonial squabbles, and American territory ; for the pre-
tensions of neither party could have been supported by fair and accurate
discussion." Chalmers, ibid. Smith N. York, 3, 4. South river was the
Dutch name of the Delaware ; North river, the name of the Hudson : In
the Dutch language Zuydrl'uier^ and Noordt rivier. SeeLaet's map at p. 62.
5 Chalmers,i. an.
6 Ibid. 232. It was from the Virginia Papers in England, that notice
was obtained of the proceedings of an assembly, holden at St, Mary's in
Ibid.
AMERICAN ANNALS, 307
The English at St. Lucia were surprised, in the Massacre
night, by the Caribbean Indians ; and almost all at
were killed in their beds. A few escaped to Mont-
serrat. *
The Spaniards attacked a small English colony, ^sacre
1 . .. , «. * • j at ioriuijj>
which had taken possession or the little unoccupied
island of Tortuga, and put every man, woman, and
child to death. They even hanged such, as
came in and surrendered themselves, on the promise
of mercy, after the first attack. 3
M. Poincy attempted to make a settlement at Attempt t*
Grenada j but was driven off by the Caribbeans.3
1639.
The inhabitants of the three towns on Connecti- Jan. 14.
cut river, Windsor, Hartford, and Wethersfield, £»g£
finding themselves without the limits of the Massa- don of
chusetts patent, conceived the plan of forming them- Connecti-
,r ' r . ,. . ° cut.
selves, by voluntary compact, into a distinct com-
monwealth. All the free planters convened at Hart-
ford on the fourteenth of January ; and, after ma-
ture deliberation, adopted a constitution of govern-
ment. This constitution has been thought, by the
judicious, to be one of the most free and happy con-
stitutions of civil government, that has ever been
formed. The formation of it, at so early a period,
" when the light of liberty was wholly darkened in
most parts of the earth, and the rights of men were
so little understood in others," does great honour
to the intelligent colonists, who framed it. It has
continued, with little alteration, to the present time ;
and the happy consequences of it, which, for more
than a century and a half, the people of Connecticut
have experienced, exceed description. 4
I Univ. Hist. xli. 215.
1 Edwards W. Indies, i. 139. Univ. Hist. [xli. 516.], instead of an " Eng-
lish colony," says, " the freebooters of all nations, who had settled on the
island of Tortuga."
3 Univ. Hist. xli. 225.
4 Trumbull, i. 95 — 98, where is a sketch of this constitution ; in Haz-
308 AMERICAN ANNALS,
1639, Agreeably to the constitution, the freemen con?
Aprh. vened at Hartford in April, and elected their officers.
First gene- r •, . T i_ TT i
rai election for the ensuing year. John Haynes was chosen
at Hart- governor ; and Roger Ludlow, deputy governor. r
The general assembly proceeded gradually to enact
a system of laws. The first statute in the code of
Connecticut is a declaration or bill, of rights. 2 .
June 4. Tte planters of Quinnipiack had continued more
Thepiant- than a year without any other constitution, than
Quinnipi- their plantation covenant. Having received a res-
ack forma pectable accession to" their number, by the arrival of
the reverend Henry Whitfield, William Leet, esquire,
and others,3 they were now prepared for a more sys-
tematic combination. All the free planters in the
settlement convened on the fourth of June, and pro-
ceeded to lay the foundations of their civil and relig-
ious polity.4 Among other resolutions, they re-
solved, that they would all be governed by the rules
of scripture. Having bound themselves to settle
civil government according to the divine word, they
determined, that church members only should be
free burgesses ; and that they only should choose
ard Coll. i. 437 — 441, it is entire. Though dated 14 January 1638, its true
date, according to the present reckoning, is in the year 1639. The constitu-
tion decreed, that there shall be yearly two General Assembles, or Courts \
that at the first, called the Court of Election, shall be yearly chosen so mar
ny magistrates and other public officers, as shall be found requisite, one of
which to be chosen governor for the year ensuing, and ro other magistrate
to be chosen for more than one year, provided there be six chosen beside
the governor, who being chosen and sworn according to an oath recorded
for that purpose, shall have power to administer justice according to the
law here established, and for want thereof according to the rule of the
Word of God. That choice was to be made by all the freemen who had
taken the oath of fidelity, and did " cohabit within this jurisdiction." No
person might be chosen governor more than once in two years. The town*
were to send their deputies to the two courts, and these were empowered
to make laws, and to do any other public business, " v/hich concerned the
good of the commonwealth." See also Trumbull, i. Appendix No. III.
1 Roger Ludlow, George Wyllys, Edward Hopkins, Thomas Welle*,
John Webster, and William Phelps, were chosen magistrates ; and the first
of the six was chosen deputy governor.
2 Trumbull, i. 98, where are the nam-s of the first deputies.
3 They were a part of Mr. Davenport and Eaton's company ; and wert
principally from Kent and Surry, in the vicinity of London. Ibid. 99.
4 This convent ion was holden in a large bain of Mr. Newman's. Ib.
AMERICAN ANNALS, 30,9
magistrates, and have power to transact all the civil 1639,
affairs of the plantation. They also resolved, that
twelve men1 should be chosen, who should be en>
powered to choose seven, to begin the church. Af-
ter a proper term of trial, seven men were chosen
for the seven pillars. The court, consisting of
those seven persons only, convened on the twenty
fifth of October ; ancl, after a solemn address to thq
Supreme Being, proceeded to form the body of free-
men, and to elect civil officers. Theophilus Eatoa
was chosen governor j and to him, at the close of
the election, Mr. Davenport gave a charge in open
court. The freemen now decreed, that there should
be a general court annually in the plantation.1
The reverend Peter Pruddep, with a company MUford.
from Wethersfield, purchased Wopowage of the settle<J-
natives, and there commenced a settlement, whiefe
was afterward called Milford. A church was gath-
ered there on the twenty second of August. In the
first town meeting, the number of free planters, ,or
church members, was forty four. The Indians at
this place were so numerous, that the English judg-
ed it necessary to enclose and fortify the town, 3
Some of the first adventurers, who came to Quin- Guiiford
nipiack, purchased Menunkatuck of the natives on setdea*
the twenty ninth of September ; and, in commemo-
ration of the place in Surry, from which they chief-
ly emigrated, called it Guiiford. As soon as their
purchase was completed, they removed from New
Haven, and settled there. Mr. Henry Whitfield
led forth this little flock into the wilderness, and was
1 The persons, chosen for trial, from whom the 7 pillars were selected,
were *Theophilus Eaton, "John Davenport, *Robert Newman, *Matthew
Gilbert, Richard Malbon,NathanielTurner,Ezekiel Cheevers, *ThomasFu-
gill, *John Punderson, William Andrews, and * Jeremiah Dixon. N.Haven
MS. Records. This fundamental agreement was signed by 63 person*
4 June ; and there were soon after added about 50 other names. Ibid. 101.
2 N. Haven Records in Pres. Stiles' Itinerary. Tnimbull, i. 99—102.
3 Trumbujl, i. 103, 104, i98. Hubbard [MS. N. Eng. chap, xlii.] says,
the company of settlers was from Hartford and its vicinity. Mr. PrwWea
was installed their pastor 18 AprU 1640.
* tbe
310 AMERICAN ANNALS.
1639. its first pastor. William Leet, then a young man,
afterward governor of New Haven, accompanied
the settlers to Guilford. *
Stratford Cupheag and Pughquonnuck were purchased of
settled. tke natjves 5 anci a settlement was begun at Cup-
heag, since named Stratford. 3
Saybrook George Fenwick, a gentleman of great estate,
settled. and eminent for wisdom and piety, arriving from
England with his lady and family, laid the founda-
tion of the town of Saybrook at the mouth of Con-
necticut river.3
City of gjr Ferdinando Gorges obtained of the crown a
Gorgeana. _. . . . p r r
distinct charter m confirmation or his own grant, or
all the land from Pascataqua to Sagadahock, styled
The Province of Maine. Of this province he was
made lord Palatine, with the same powers and priv-
ileges, as the bishop of Durham, in the county Pala-
tine of Durham. In virtue of these powers, he
I Rev. Thomas Ruggles MS. Hist, of Guilford in Pres. Stiles* MS. ColL
Hubbard MS. N. Eng. chap. xlii. Trumbull, i. 103. It was*** almost win-
ter" when these resolute people removed. They now chose four of the
principal planters for civil government, " whose power was to continue
until the church was formed, or rather appeared in form, when their pow-
er was to end. So soon as their wilderness state would admit," in April
1643, "they formed themselves inta a Congregational church ;" when " the
purchasers of the lands, and those persons in whose hands the civil power
had been intrusted, did actually in a formal manner in writing resign all
their rights and authority unto the church." In imitation of Mr .Davenport's
procedure, the church was formed by covenant on seven pillars. Ruggles
MS. Hist, ut supra. Mr. Whitfield was a well bred man, a good scholar, a
great divine, and an excellent preacher ; and he was the father of the plan-
tation. Previously to his departure from England, he enjoyed one of the
best church livings at Okely, in the county of Surry, beside a large person-
al estate. After continuing eleven years in the ministry at Guilford, he re-
turned in 1650, during the protectorate of Cromwell, to his native coun-
try. A large handsome stone house, built at Guilford at his own expense,
and " which served as a fort for himself and many of the inhabitants," was
•een standing by President Stiles, who visited it in 1768. Ibid. Trum-
bull, i. 309. See Coll. Hist. Soc. iv. 182 — 188, where Mr. Ruggles' History
of Guilford is preserved. Mather Magnal. book iii. 217, 218.
a Trumbull, i. 105. Pughquonnuck was the western part of the pur-
chase, bordering on Fairfield. Ibid.
3 Hubbard MS. N. Eng. chap, xxxvii. His lady died soon after their
arrival. I was informed at Saybrook in 1803, that she was buried near the
margin of the river ; and that her monument was in recent
though but small, if any, remains of it were yet visible,
AMERICAN ANNALS. 311
constituted a government within his province; and 1639.
incorporated the plantation at Agamenticus into a Agam«nti-
city, by the name of Gorgeana, which, with a lofty cusincor-
name, was but an inconsiderable village. The prov- Porated*
ince did not flourish. *
Rowley, in Massachusetts, was settled by about Settlement
sixty industrious and pious families from Yorkshire, °
under the guidance of Ezekiel Rogers, an eminent
minister. These settlers, many of whom had been
clothiers in England, built a fulling mill ; employed
their children in spinning cotton wool ; and were the
first, who attempted to make cloth in North Ameri-
ca.5
A settlement was begun on the north side of Mer-
rimac, and called Salisbury ; another at Winicowet,
and called Hampton. Yarmouth and Barnstable,3 and
in Plymouth colony, were settled.4 A church was st
gathered at Braintree, of which Mr. Thompson, a
pious and learned minister from Lancashire, soon
after became its pastor ; and Henry^ Flint, a man of
similar piety, its teacher.5
There were now two regiments in Massachusetts ;
which were mustered at Boston, to the number of
i Hubbard MS. N. Eng. chap. xv. xxxi. Belknap Biog. i. 385 — 388.
Sullivan, 71. Brit. Emp. ii. 3. The confirmatory grant is in Hazard Coll.
i. 442 — 456. The name of the Province was given in compliment to the
«[ueen of Charles I, who owned, as her private estate in France, the Prov-
ince of Meyne. Sullivan, 307.
a Wonderwork. Prov. 130; Hubbard MS. N. Eng. chap, xxxii. Tnis
article is there put in 1638; but Winthrop [Journ. 175.] puts it in i639,Mo.2.
3 The church at Scituate was in a broken condition several years. The
Rev. John Lothrop, with part of that church, removed to Cape Cod, and
settled Barnstable, n October 1639. Lothrop's MS. Records, and Pre-
sident Stiles MSS.
4 Winthrop Journ. 172, 183. It appears by gov. Winthrop (ibid.), that
SUDBDRV was settled in 1639 ; though, on the authority of Hubbard, I had
placed it in 1635.
5 Winthrop Journ. 188. Hubbard MS. N. Eng. chap, xxxvii. « Mount
Woilaston [Braintree] had been formerly laid to Boston." It was given to
that place " for upholding the town and church there." The inhabitants of
Boston, who had taken their farms and lots at mount Woilaston, desired to
gather a church there in 1636 ; but the measure was then opposed at Bos-
ton, lest, " by the removal of so many chief men as would go thither," the
original design should be frustrated. Winthrop, ib. 107, iSf*
3*2 AMERICAN ANNAL&-
1639. one thousand soldiers.1 About eight)'- three free-
men were added to the colony this year.2 The
church in Boston was sold by the proprietors ; and
another was erected near the market place. 3
The first printing press in North America was
set up this year at Cambridge.4
A« to en- The legislature of Massachusetts passed an act to
c£ur<fue free from all duties and public taxes all estates, em*
the fishery. , , . , . ? ;. ,
ployed m catching, making, or transporting fish.
All fishermen, during the season for business, and
all ship builders were, by the same act, excused
from trainings.- Sumptuary laws- were also made
for restraining excess in apparel, and other expenses. *
civil privi- The commission of governor Harvey was revok-
leges re- e(j }n ^ beginning of this year ; and Sir William
stored to .„ , . 9, i - n Tr- • • rr-i
Virginia. Berkeley was appointed governor or Virginia. The
king's instructions to the new governor evince a
prodigious change in colonial policy. While pre-^
paratiohs were making in England and Scotland for
civil war, there were given to the wishes of the Vir-
ginians, a provincial legislature, a regular adminis-
tration of justice, a government of laws.6
House of The legislature of Maryland passed an act " for es~
established tablishing the house of assembly *" It enacted, that
in Mary- those, who should be elected pursuant to writs issu-
ed, should be called burgesses, and should supply
the place of the freemen who chose them, in the
same manner, and to the same intents, as the repre-
sentatives in the parliament of England ; that the
gentlemen, summoned by the special writ of the pro
I Winthrop Journal, 176. 1 Wonderwork. Prov. 134.
3 Coll. Hist. Soc. iii. 257. The old one was " out of repair and tc»
small" Ibid. The new one cost about £1000, which were raised cut of
the weekly voluntary contribution. Winthrop Journ. 217.
4 Winthrop Journ. 171. It " was begun by one Dave at the charge of
Mr. Glover," who died On his passage to America. •« The first thing, which-
was printed, was the freeman's oath ; the next was an almanack, made for
New England by Mr. Pierce, mariner ; the next was the Psalms, newly
turned into metre." Ibid. Coll. Hist. Soc. vii. 19.
5 Hutchinson, i. 92.
6 Chalmers,!. 119, no. Gov. Harvey's Commission, given in 1636, JX
in Rymer's Fa-d. xx. 3, and Hazard Coll. i. 400 — 403.
AMERICAN ANNALS. 313
pnetary, and those freemen, who should not have 1639.
voted at any of the elections, together with the gov-
ernor and secretary, should be called, The House of
Assembly ; and that all acts, assented to by that
body, should be deemed of the same force, as if the
proprietary and freemen had been personally pre-
sent. The assembly, thus formed, passed what
seems to have been intended for a code of laws, un-
til a complete system of provincial jurisprudence
could be established. x
Inconsiderable, at this early period, must have state of
been the numbers, wealth, and power of Maryland ; thatcolon3r-
for a general contribution was thought necessary,
to erect a watermill for the use of the colony. Sla-
very seems to have rooted in Maryland with its orig-
inal settlement ; for an act of the new assembly de-
scribes " the people" as consisting of all Christian
.inhabitants, " slaves only excepted."2
A nunnery of French Ursulins was founded at A nunnerr
Quebec. Madame de la Peltrie, a pious Catholic Quebec. *
lady, devoting her person and fortune to this relig-
ious design, went to Quebec with three Ursulins,
attended by le Jeune, superior of the Jesuit mission
in Canada. Entering the city under a general dis-
charge of cannon, they proceeded in triumph, amidst
the acclamations of the people, to the church, where
Te Deum was solemnly sung for their arrival. 5
i Chalmers, i. 213;
a Chalmers, i. 214, 215.
3 Charlevoix Nouv. France, i. 206 — 209. Univ. Hist, xxxix. 428, 429.
Charlevoix (ibid.) says, that M. de la Peltrie had such zeal for the conver-
sion and comfort of the Canadian natives, that she cultivated the earth
With her own hands, ;to increase her power to promote their benefit. The
hospital, called del-Hotel Dieu, was founded the preceding year at Sileri,
by M. la Duchesse d* Aiguillon. Ibid. Mrs. Ann Winslow, a respectable1
lady, who resided several years in Canada, informs me, that both these iu-
•titutions are now in a flourishing state, especially the Hotel Dieu.
X x
•ti'4 AMERICAN ANNALS.
1640.
eirgin*. An attempt was made in the English parliament
to establish once more over Virginia the government
of the ancient corporation, and thus to annul the
charter of Maryland ; but it was vigorously oppos-
ed by the Virginian assembly, and the measure was
relinquished. *
Opechancanough, an Indian emperor in Virginia,
being dead,3 governor Berkeley made a firm and
lasting peace with the natives. 3
Maryland. Among other useful laws, now passed by the as-
sembly of Maryland, was its inspection law, which
established many salutary regulations for the im-
provement of the staple of the colony, and for the
protection of purchasers from frauds.4
inhabitants Several of the inhabitants of Lynn, finding them-
ofLynn selves straitened for land, went to Long Island in
purchase , c , . , J P . -, , .
land on search of a new plantation ; and agreed with lord
Long isi, Stirling's agent there for a tract of land near the
west end of the island, and with the natives for their
right. The Dutch at New Netherlands, hearing of
these contracts, sent men to take possession of the
place, and to set up the arms of the prince of Orange.
Ten or twelve of the English company, beginning
soon after to erect buildings, took down the prince's
arms ; in the place of which an Indian drew an ugly
face. Provoked by this indignity, the Dutch sent
soldiers, who brought off the Englishmen, and im-
prisoned them ; but after a few days, having taken
an oath of them, they set them at liberty. The ad-
venturers now removed to the east end of the island ;
where, to the number of forty families* they settled
I Chalmers,}. 215. The reason assigned for the opposition of Virginia
is : This " ancient dominion had now learned from experience, that more
liberty was enjoyed under any form, than beneath the rule of a commer-
cial company." Ibid.
a While a prisoner in the hands of the governor, he was bhot by an
English soldier. Keith, 146. 3 Ibid,
4 Chalmers, i. 216.
AMERICAN ANNALS. 315
the town of Southampton. Inviting Mr. Pierson, a 1640.
man of learning and piety, to be their minister, M^^^i
and several of the company formed themselves into a ton.
church at Lynn before their departure ; and the
whole company, with the advice of some of the ma-
gistrates of Massachusetts, erected themselves into a
civil government. x
The inhabitants of Providence, to the number of Jul>r 7-
r ,....., 7 -, Govern-
forty persons, combined in civil government, accord- ment form-
ing to their own model. a Some of the Providence .ed.at Prov*
people began a plantation at Patuxet, comprehended *
in their grant. 3
The settlers on the north side of Pascataqua river and at Pas^
already experiencing serious inconveniences, and ap- cata(iua-
prehensive of greater, for the want of civil govern-
ment, formed a government of their own, indepen-
dent of the proprietary lords. 4 The oldest record
of New Hampshire is dated this year. s
The first general court in the province of Maine Maine.
was holden at Saco.6
The general court of Massachusetts gave liberty Various
for two new plantations ; one of which was called Massf chu.
Haverhill $ the other, Andover. 7 It also granted setts legis-
the income of the ferry between Boston and Charles- lature*
town as a perpetual revenue to Harvard college. 8 It
made provision for a public registry. 9 It prohibit-
ed the use of tobacco. * °
The magistrates with the ministers of Massachu- President
setts chose the reverend Henry Dunster, to be presi- coikge™
dent of Harvard college, * J chosen.
i Winthrop Journ. 204. Hubbard MS. N. Eng. chap, xxxiii. Mather
Magnal. book iii. 95. Neal N. Eng.i. 308.
a Callender, 43. Douglass, ii. 78.
3 Callender, 35. Adams N. Eng, 63.
4 Hubbard MS. N. Eng. chap, xxxi, where is a copy of the compact.
5 Chalmers, i. 498. 6 Sullivan, 308.
7 Hubbard MS. N. Eng. chap, xxxii. The names were given " with re-
ference to some of the planters, who belonged to those towns in England." Ib,
8 Massachusetts Laws. Douglass, i. 543. Adams N. Eng. 73.
9 Hucchinson, i. 455. IO Chalmers, i.
II Mather Magnal. iv. 127.
ceases.
AMERICAN ANNALS.
1640. After a long recess, the parliament assembled ;
an(* Pcrsecilti01i was stopped. On the change of af-
England fairs in England, emigration ceased. Several of the
most considerable colonists, and many of the minis-
ters in New England, now returned to their native
country. *
May 25. The inhabitants of Strawberry Bank TPorts-
Parsonage , -, , J ^
at Ports- moutnj, navmg voluntarily given several sums of
mouth. money for building and founding a parsonage house
.and a chapel, now granted fifty acres of land to be
annexed to them as a glebe. 3
bought pf Nathaniel Turner, in behalf of the town of New
thenatives; Haven, purchased of Ponus, sagamore of Toquamske,
and of Wascussue,a sagamore of Shippau,allthe lands
belonging to them, called Rippowance, excepting a
small parcel, reserved by them for planting. A part
or the whole of this tract was soon after purchased
of New Haven by some of the inhabitants of Weth-
d*ersfield, who settled upon it the town of Stamford.3
1 Chalmers,!. 165, 166. Hutchinson, i. 93. Neal [N. Eng. i. 218.] says,
the New England colonies the next twenty years decreased, instead of re-
ceiving any accession. The greatness of this change was distressfully felt
by New England. The price oi a milch cow, which had been from 25 to
£30, fell this year to 5 or £6. Hubbard MS. N. Eng. chap, xxxii. There
v/ere judged to be 12000 neat cattle, and about 3000 sheep in the colony.
Hutchinson, ut supra. For the number of colonists, that had come to New
England, see p. 299. That estimate seems to belong to this year.
2 Hubbard MS. N. Eng. chap. xxxi. From the language here used, we
should naturally conclude this foundation to have been exclusively Episcopal ;
but the following account is given of it. " In the first beginnings of their
government, they had no laws to render votes of town meetings valid, with
respect to property ; nor any forms of conveyance, but such as were taken
from the laws of England. Therefore, the inhabitants thought it necessary
to confirm their vote of a parsonage by a legal deedj and no other forms
existed, but such as were peculiarly accommodated to the church of Eng-
land." Mr. Richard Gibson was chosen for « their first parson ;" and he
exercised the ministerial function according to the ritual of the English
church ; but he appears to have soon left the country. No person was or-
dained for the ministry at Portsmouth till almost 50 years from the time of
its first settlement. Of all the temporary preachers during this period,
Gibson was the only one, who followed the English ritual. " The build-
ing, which in 1640 was called a chapel, appears ever after to have been
called a meeting house." MS. Account of Religious Societies in Ports-
mouth (penes me), by Rev. TiMOTUY AI.DEN jun. This account, the re-
sult of diligent and accurate investigation, will be printed in the next vo-
lume* of the COLLECTIONS of Mass. Hist. Society. * yd. X.
3 MS. Memoir of Pvev. Noah Welles of Stamford, in President Stiles
AMERICAN ANNALS.
1641.
The general court of Massachusetts established Laws of
O TV JT ^^ ,t
one hundred laws, called The Body of Liberties. *
It is in the laws of an infant people, an historian
has justly remarked, that we trace their principles,
and discover their policy. A sketch of the most
remarkable laws in the first New England code is
therefore subjoined. It was enacted, that there ne-
ver should be any bond slavery, villanage or cap-
tivity among the inhabitants of the province, except-
ing lawful captives, taken in just wars ; or such as
should willingly sell themselves, or be sold to them : *
That if any strangers, or people of other nations,
professing the Christian religion, should fly to them
from tyranny or oppression of their persecutors, or
Itinerary. Turner gave the natives for the New Haven purchase iz coats,
12 hoes, 12 hatchets, 12 glasses, 12 knives, a kettles, and 4 fathom of white
wampum. The Wethersfield purchasers gave New Haven for the town-
ship of Stamford £33 ; and obliged themselves to join with the people of
New Haven in the form of government, lately agreed on there. Twenty
men agreed to settle by the last of November 1641 ; and before the end
of 1641, there were 30 or 40 families settled at Stamford. Ibid.
I Winthrop Journ. 237. They had been composed by the Rev. Na-
thaniel Ward, who was some time a minister at Ipswich ; and had former-
ly been a student and practitioner at law. Having already been revised
and altered by the court, and sent into evdry town for consideration, they
•were now revised again, amended, and presented, " and so established for
three years, by that experience to have them fully amended, and establish-
ed to be perpetual." Ibid. Hubbard [N. Eng. chap, xxxii.] says, the peo-
ple had prevailed to have the subject committed to two divines, each of
•whom formed a model ; that these models were presented to the genera!
court in 1639 i tnat tne court committed them to the governor, deputy
governor, and some others, to be considered ; and that the body of laws
was this year (1641) established. As governor Winthrop says expressly, that
the body of liberties was composed by Mr. Ward, I presume the other divine,
to whom the subject was committed, was Mr. Cotton ; and that " An Ab-
stract of the Laws of New England, printed in London in 1641," and re-
printed in Coll. Hist. Soc. v. 173-: — 187, was his model. It was found in
manuscript in Mr. Cotton's study after his death. Mr. Aspinwall, who
published it hi 1655, ascribes it to " that godly, grave, and judicious di-
vine, Mr. John Cotton ;" says, that it was " commended to the general
court" of Massachusetts ; that " being by him done, and with all sweetness
and amiableness of spirit tendered, but not accepted, he surceased to press
it any further at that season." Address to the Reader, ibid. 187 — 192.
1 " And such," says the law, " shall have the liberties and Christian usage,
which the Law of God, established in Israel conceding such persons, doth
n>9rally require,"
Massachu-
setts.
3*8 AMERICAN ANNALS.
1641. from famine, wars, " or the like necessary and com-
pulsory cause," they should receive entertainment
and succour : * That there should be no monopo-
lies, but of such new inventions, as were profitable
to the country, and those for a short time only :
That all deeds of conveyance, whether absolute or
conditional, should be recorded, that neither credit-
ors might be defrauded, nor courts troubled with
vexatious suits and endless contentions about sales
and mortgages : That no injunction should be laid
on any church, church officer, or member, in point
of doctrine, worship, or discipline, whether for sub-
stance or circumstance, " besides the Institution of
the Lord."3
Exigencies The exigencies of the Massachusetts colonists, a-
ofthat rising from the scarcity of all foreign commodities
and the unsaleableness of their own, incited them to
provide fish, clapboards, planks, and other articles ;
to sow hemp and flax ; and to look to the West In-
dies for a trade for cotton. 3 The general court, in
the mean time, made orders about payment of debts,
setting corn at the usual price, and making it paya-
ble for all debts, which should arise after a time
prefixed. It also sent some select persons into Eng-
land, " to congratulate the happy success there ;M
to give creditors satisfactory reasons, why such punc-
tual payment was not made now, as had been made
in former years ; to be ready to use any opportuni-
ty, that might providentially be offered, for the ben-
I " According to that power and prudence God shall give us."
1 Massachusetts Laws. In the defect of a law in any case, the decision
was to be " by the Word of God." Ibid.
3 Hubbard [MS. N. Eng. chap, xxxii.] says, the general court, in 1640,
«iade several orders for the manufacture of woolen and linen cloth, " which
in a little time stopped this gap in part ;" and that, soon after, a traffick
was begun to the W. Indies, and Wine islands, by which, among other
goods, much cotton wool was brought into the country from the W. Indies ;
and that the inhabitants, by learning to spin it, and by breeding sheep, and
sowing hemp and flax, soon found out a way to supply themselves with
m.any necessaries of cloth.
AMERICAN ANNALS. 319
efit of New England ; and to give advice, if requir- 1641.
,ed, for settling a form of church discipline. T
It hence appears to have been no part of the ob-
ject of their mission, to solicit parliamentary aid or
patronage ; although the colony had been advised
to this measure. The reason, assigned for not fol-
lowing that advice, is very remarkable. It was the
apprehension of subjection to the authority of parli-
ament. *
A very cold winter closed this year. The har- Cold win-
bour of Boston, where ships ordinarily anchored, ter*
was so deeply frozen over, as to be passable for
horses, carts and oxen, five weeks. 3
The lords and gentlemen, holding a patent for the Cover and
lands south of Pascataqua, finding no means to gov- m°^ as-
signed to
1 Winthrop Journ. 223, 224. Hubbard MS. N. Eng. chap. xlv. Chal- Mass, juris^
liners, i. 172. The persons, sent to England on thisj occasion, were Hugh diction.
Peters, minister of Salem ; Thomas Welde, minister of Roxbury ; and Wil-
liam Hibbins, of Boston. They sailed from Boston 3 August. Ibid. Mr.
Bentley [Coll Hist. Soc. vi. 253.] says, that Mr. Peters was much engaged
in trade, and knew all its embarrassments ; and that, as he had often done
the business of the colony with success, he was thought a proper person to
return to England, and to represent the sense of the colony upon the laws
•f excise and trade. The historian of Salem ascribes the rapid improve-
ments in that town to the influence of Mr. Peters, during the five years of
his ministry. " The arts were introduced. A watermill was erected ; a
glass house ; salt works ; the planting of hemp was encouraged, and a reg-
ular market was established. An almanack was introduced to direct their
affairs. Commerce had unexampled glory. He formed the plan of the
fishery, of the coasting voyages, of the foreign voyages ; and among many
other vessels, one of 300 tons was undertaken under his influence." Id. ibid.
Neither Welde nor Pe'ters ever returned to N. England. The first was e-
jected in the reign of Charles II ; the other came to a tragical end. Hut-
chinson, i. 98.
i Winthrop Journal, 218. " Upon the great liberty which the king had
left the parliament to, in England, some of our friends there wrote to us ad-
vice to send over some to solicit for us in the parliament, giving us hope
that we might obtain much &c. but consulting about it, we declined the
motion for this consideration, that if we should put ourselves under the
protection of the parliament, we must then be subject to all such laws as
they should make, or at least such as they might impose upon us ; in which
course though they should intend our good, yet it might prove very preju-
dicial to us." Ibid. On this passage governor Trumbull, nearly 140 years
afterward, remarked : " Here observe, that as at this time, so it hath been
ever since, that the colonies, so far from acknowledging the parliament to
have a right to make laws binding on them in all cases whatsoever, they
have ever denied it in any case." Lett* to J. D. Vander Capellan in Coll,
Hist. Soc. vi. 156.
3 Wonderwork. Prov. 170.
320 AMERICAN ANNALS.
1641. ern the people there, nor to restrain them from spoil-
ing their timber, agreed to assign all their interest of
jurisdiction to Massachusetts, reserving the land to
themselves. The inhabitants at Dover and Straw-
berry bank were accordingly declared to belong to
the Massachusetts jurisdiction. x
March i. William Bradford, governor of Plymouth, surren-
Plymonth , . -, r ° r -, ..,/. ,
patent dered to the freemen of that jurisdiction the patent
transferred. of the colony, which had been taken in his name.*
Richard Smith purchased of the sachems a tract
fcouse at °f land in the Narraganset country, remote from the
Narragan- English settlements ; erected a house of trade ; and
gave free entertainment to all travellers. 3
The Dutch The Dutch governor at Manhattan pressed the
H^tfoS.10 English with his claim to all the territory of Hart-
ford. The governor and council of Connecticut re-
turned an answer to the Dutch, without determin-
ing the question of yielding more land to their trad-
ing house, which had now but thirty acres. Dis-
satisfied with this answer, the Dutch sent soldiers to
be billetted at their trading house ; but the Indians,
at this juncture, killing some of their men at fort Au-
rania, they were constrained to keep their soldiers
at home, in their own defence. 4
N.E.colo- The Caribbee islands about this time attracting
nistsat- the attention of the people of New England, many
settle^0 persons sold their estates, to transplant themselves
the island and their families to the island of Providence ; but
^ien* n°Pes of settling a plantation there were soon
frustrated by the Spaniards.5
i Hubbard MS. N. Eng. chap. xlv.
1 Hazard Coll. i. 468, where is the instrument of surrender. Mather
Magnal. book ii. 5. The " Purchasers or Old Coiners" made a reservation
of three tracts in the patent for themselves. See Hazard $.466, 467, where
the names of those first purchasers are preserved.
3 Coll. Hist. Soc. v. ai6. The land, which Smith bought, was" among
the thickest of the Indians ;" his house was " on the great road of the coun-
try." Ibid.
4 Hubbard MS. N. Eng. chap. xlix.
5 Hubbard MS. N. Eng. chap. xlvi. The English had been in posses-
sion of the isle of Providence, and had partly planted it, ever since 1629;
AMERICAN ANNALS* 321
The French began the preceding year (1640) to Surinam,
plant at a place on the continent of South America, £yaJ5f°nc<1
called Surinam, in nine degrees of north latitude, French,
from the mouth of the river Oronoque., southward
to the river Maroni ; but that country being loWj
marshy and unhealthful, they abandoned it this
year. The English, the same year, at the expense is settled by
of lord Willoughby, first settled there. ' the English;
1642.
The house of commons passed a memorable re- Resolve of
solve in favour of New England, exempting its im- commons
ports and exports from custom, subsidy, or taxation. z in favour
The ministers of New England received letters of Nt Eng*
from several pious people in Virginia, earnestly so- Ministers
liciting a supply of faithful ministers. At a lecture invited to
in Boston three ministers were agreed oh for the so- Vir£mia-
licited mission \ and they went with letters of re-
commendation from the governor of Massachusetts
to the governor and council of Virginia ; but their
residence in that colony was short \ and the pious
design was unhappily frustrated. 3
The assembly of divines at Westminster being
called by the parliament, to consider and advise a-
attend the
out they were now (1641) attacked by the Spaniards with a great force, assembly
and obliged to surrender the island to them. The Spaniards however, hav- of divines
ing nothing in view, in driving out the English, but to keep up their pre- at West-
tensions to all the Bahama islands, did not settle on the captured island ; minster*
and the English again took possession of it. Anderson, ii. 391.
I Anderson,ii. 389, 392.
a Chalmers, i. 174. Hutchinson, 1.114, 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.
3 Hubbard MS. N. Eng. chap, xxvii, xxviii, xlvii. The three ministerSj
sent to Virginia, were Mr. Thompson of Braintree, Mr. Knolles of Water-
town, and Mr. James of New Haven. They went in 1643, and returned
the next summer ; for the government of Virginia had made an order, that
all such persons, as would not conform to the discipline of the church of
England, should depart the country by a certain day. Ibid. Mather Mag-
nal. book iii. 119. ** Though the state did silence the ministers because
they would not conform to the order of England, yet the people resorted
to them in private houses to hear them," Winthrop Journ. 272,
23 AMERICAN ANNALS.
1-642. bout the settling of church government ; several
lords of the upper house, and about thirty members
of thehouse of commons, with some ministers in Eng-
land, who were for the independency of churches,
sent letters to Mr. Cotton of Boston, Mr. Hooker
of Hartford, and Mr. Davenport of New Haven, to
ask their assistance in that synod ; but they declined
the invitation.1
The first commencement at Harvard College was
mence- holden at Cambridge on the ninth of October ;
Harv-frd w^cn' nme candidates took the degree of bachelor of
College. arts. Most of the members of the general court
were present ; and, for the encouragement of the
students, dined at the " ordinary commons." z
r.Mayhew Thomas Mayhew of Watertown, having recently
^ties^ obtained of lord Stirling's agent a grant of Martha's
vineyard. Vineyard, with the adjacent islands, removed his
family to the Vineyard, and began a settlement at
Edgarton, of which he was the ruler, and his son-
the minister. He appears to have been the first
Englishman, who settled on that island*3
journey to Darby Field, an Irishman, living nearPascataqua,
the white went in June, accompanied by two Indians, to the
mtuins. white Hi]ls in New Hampshire, nearly a hundred
miles west of Saco. About a month after, he went
again to those mountains, with five or six persons ;
and, by a report of strange stones, excited great ex-
1 Hubbard MS. N. Eng. chap, xlvii. Winthrop Journ. 254, 255. Hut-
chi'nson, i. nj, 116 ; where is a copy of the invitation, with the names of
the signers.
2 Winthrop Journ. 264, 265. The bachelors, now graduated, " were
young, men of good hope, and performed their parts so as gave good proof
of their proficiency in the tongues and arts." Ibid. The Theses of this
first class of graduates are published entire in Hutchineon- Mass. Appendix,
No. VI.
3 Neal N. Eng. I. 435. Hutchinson, i. 161. Coll. Hist. Soc. iii. 155.
Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket were not included in either of the four
New England governments. The earl of Stirling laid claim to all the is-
lands, between Cape Cod and Hudson's river. Together with the convey-
ance of territory to Mayhew, he granted, according to the opinion and us-
age of his day, the same powers of government, which the Massachusetts
people" enjoyed by their charter. Hence it was, that Mayhew was
gcvernor of the islands. Hutchinson, ibid.
AMERICAN ANNALS. 323
p,ectation of precious metallic substances ; but they 1 642.
were never found. x
The general court of Massachusetts made an or- Order
der for the preparation of houses for saltpetre, with
the intention of manufacturing gunpowder $ but it
was not carried into effect for several years. *
A village was granted at Ipswich river ; which Topsfieid,
afterward was called Topsfield. 3
Richard Blinman, who had been a minister in Gloucester
Wales, went with a few people from Green's Har- <settled*
hour, near Plymouth, where he had been seated a
short time, and settled at Cape Ann, which, at a
general court this year, was established to be a
plantation, and called Gloucester.4
Gorton, the familist exile, and eleven other per- Warwick
sons purchased of Miantonimoh, the Narraganset setde(L
sachem, a tract of land at Mishawomet, where he
built a. town, which was afterward called Warwick.5
A village having been begun the last year within
the township of Charlestown, a church was now
gathered there, and the settlement was called Wo-
burn.6
I Winthrop Journ. 447, 248, 265. Belknap [N. Hamp. j. 19— -21.] has
placed this article in 1632 ;but gov. Wintlirop is doubtless correct,
^ Wonderwork. Pro v. 181.
3 Hubbard MS. N. Eng. chap. xlv.
4 Winthrop Journ. 244. Wonderwork. Prov. 169.
5 Callender, 36. It was built about 14 miles northward ef Smith's trad-
Ing house. Coll. Hist. Soc. v. 217. The purchasers paid for the land 144
fathoms of wampum. Hutchinson, 1. 118. Gorton and his friends 19 Au-
gust 1644 procured a solemn submission of the Narraganset sachems f>
king Charles ; and Gorton, Greene, and Holden went to England, and ob-
tained an order, to be suffered peaceably to possess their purchase. Their
tract being incorporated in the province of Providence Plantations, they re-
turned, and carried on their improvements ; and then, in honour of the earl
of Warwick, who had given them friendly patronage, they named the
place Warwick. Callender, 36, 37.
6 Winthrop Journ. 368. Mr. Carter was ordained pastor of the church.
Jbid. Wonderwork. Prov. 175. In the first settlement of New England,
Johnson observes, when the people judged their number competent to
maintain a minister, " they then surely seated themselves, and not before ;
it being as unnatural for a right New England man to live without an able
ministry, as for a smith to work his iron without fire." Ibid.
•
324 AMERICAN ANNALS.
1642. About twelve hundred and thirty two freemen
Progress were added this year to Massachusetts colony. *
ian?' Eng" There had now been settled in New England sev-
enty seven ministers, who were driven from the pa^
rent country, beside sixteen students, who afterward
became ministers ;z fifty towns and villages had
been planted ; thirty or forty churches, and a great-
er number of ministers' houses had been erected ; a
castle, several prisons, and forts. Ships had been
built from a hundred to four hundred tons ; and five
of them were already at sea, 3
The Eng- Emigrant colonists from Connecticut had already
hsh on L. i r T T i i T»
island im- overspread the eastern end or Long Island, Jin-
pededby couraged by a title, given by earl Stirling in 1639,
the Dutch, v j i /^ v> i
they now advanced westward to Oyster Bay ; but
were driven back by Kieft, the Dutch governor at
New Netherlands, because they appeared with-
in sight of his residence. The inhabitants of Con-
Fort Hope necticut instantly seized the garrison of Fort Hope
on the river Connecticut, in the vicinity of Hart-
ford, and obliged the Dutch to recede within ten
miles of the Hudson.4
Colonists The people of New Haven, intending to make a
ve-fset up. plantation at Delaware, sent agents, who duly pur-»
a trading chased of the natives several tracts of land, on both
°f Delaware bay or river, to which neither the
Dutch, nor the Swedes had any just title ; s and e-
rected a trading house. It did not however remain
long unmolested. Kieft, the Dutch governor at
1 Wonderwork. Pro v. 172.
2 Univ. Hist, xxxix. 289.
3 N. Eng. First Fruits, in Coll. Hist. Soc. i. 247, 248.
4 Chalmers, i. 571. See p. 272, 276, of this volume.
5 Hazard Coll. ii. 164. The occasion of the success of the New Haven
agents is remarkable. A Pequot sachem, in the time of the Pequot war,
had fled from his country, and settled on Delaware river. He, at this junc-
ture, gave an honourable testimony in behalf of the English people, by
whom his nation had been exterminated. He told the Delaware sachem,
that, although they had killed his countrymen, and driven him out ; yet
they were honest men, and had just cause to do what they did ; for the Pe-
quots, he acknowledged, had done them wrong, and refused, when demand-
ed, to give them reasonable satisfaction. Hubbard MS. N. Eng. chap, jdvi-
AMERICAN ANNALS. 3*5
New Netherlands, without any legal protest or 1642.
warning, sent armed men to the Delaware, who
burned the trading house, and seized the goods. x
Emigrants from Maryland having taken posses- colonists
sion of the Dutch Schuylkill,* the governor of New of Mary.
Netherlands, hearing of what he deemed an intru- j^t^
sion, sent Alpendam from Manhattan with two sloops, of the
and easily dispossessed these English colonists, un- Schuylkillj
prepared for resistance. The weakness of Mary- tutaredi3,
land, yet in its infancy, and the distractions of the possessed,
parent country, involved in civil war, prevented ex-
pressions of provincial and of national resentment. *
Intrigues of Cleyborne, in Maryland, infused jeal- indjan war
ousy into the natives. The rapid increase of the in Mary-
English, threatening their own annihilation as a " '
people, gave them much uneasiness- Individuals
procured their lands, without the authority of gov-
ernment, for considerations totally inadequate, with
which therefore, in review, they were greatly dissat-
isfied. These combined causes, in the beginning of
this year, brought on an Indian war, which, with its
accustomed evils, continued several years, 3
The Iroquois had already entered into a consider- ko^oi*
able commerce with the Dutch at New Netherlands, trade with
to whom they disposed of their peltry, and who, in theDutch-
return, furnished them with fire arms. 4
Maisonneuve, a gentleman of Champaigne, who, Montreal
the preceding year, Brought over several French
families to Montreal, now entered with them into
possession of their new habitation and chapel of this
island, with many religious solemnities.5
l Hazard Coll. ii. 164, 213. * Hiding Creel. % Chalmers, i. 632.
3 Chalmers, i. 216. See p. 261, 269, of this volume. In 1644 there was
a sudden massacre of 300 English people in Virginia. All the Indians for
600 miles had confederated to exterminate all strangers from the country.
Hubbard MS. N. Eng. chap, xlvii.
4 Wynne,i. 308. See p. 175 of this volume.
5 Wynne, i. 307. Charlevoix Nouv. France, i. 227, 228. In 1640, the
French king had vested the property of the island in 35 associates, of whom
Maisonneuve was one ; and 15 Oct. 1641 he was declared governor of the
island. Ibid,
326 AMERICAN ANNALS.
1643.
May 19, This is the memorable rera of the first union of
. the New England colonies. This confederacy had
been in agitation several years. As early as the
year 1638, articles of union between the four colo-
nies of Massachusetts, Plymouth^ Connecticut and
New Haven, for amity, offence and defence, mutual
advice and assistance on all necessary occasions, were
drawn up, and referred to a future time for conside-
ration. Difficulties however occurred, which retard-
ed the execution of the design until the present year ;
when commissioners, appointed by those colonies^
completed and signed the articles of union at Bos-
ton, on the nineteenth of May.1 The reasons, as-
s*Sned f°r this lim'on were, the dispersed state of
the colonies ; the' vicinity of the Dutch, Swiss, and
French, who were inclined to encroachments ; the
hostile disposition of the neighbouring Indians ; the
appearance of a general combination of these savage
tribes, to extirpate the English colonies ; the com-
mencement 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 one > and henceforth be called by the
I The articles were now signed by all the commissioners, excepting
those of Plymouth, " who, for want of commission from their general court,
deferred their subscription till the :iext meeting ;" and then (Sept. 7.)
they also subscribed them. Winthrop Journ. 282. Hutchinson,* i. 125.
In Plymouth colony, beside the town cf Plymouth, there were now settled
Duxborough, Scituate, Taunton, Rehoboth, Sandwich, Barnstable, and
Yarmouth. Hutchinson, i. 207. It ought to have been mentioned before^
that DUXBOROUGH was incorporated in 1637 ; and that many years before,
there were several families settled in the place [Coll. Hist. Soc. ii. 3.] ; and
that TAUNTON and SANDWICH began to be settled in 1637. Winthrop
Journ. 147. Tecticut was the Indian name of the place where Taunton.
is settled. A plantation was begun there " by a gentlewoman an ancient
maid one Mrs. Poole^; she went thither, and endured much hardship, and
lost much cuttle." Sandwich was begun " by many families which ris
moved from S;igus otherwise Linn.." Ibid.
AMERICAN ANNALS.
ttame of THE UNITED COLONIES OF NEW ENG- 1643.
LAND.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. Rhode Island, petitioning to be
admitted a member of it, was absolutely refused, R. island
unless, by submitting to the jurisdiction of Plymouth^
it should cease to be a separate colony. It prefer- the tfni
red however the flattering benefits of independence
to all the advantages of dependent union.2
On the completion of the colonial confederacy,
several Indian sachems came in, and submitted to
the English government ; among whom were Miari-
tonimoh the Narraganset and Uncas the Moheagari
chief. 3 The union rendered the colonies formida-
ble to the Dutch, as well as Indians, and respecta-
ble 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 Phil-
lip's war ; and was essentially serviceable in civil-
izing and Christianizing the Indians.4 The pro-
portion of men, assigned to the colonies by this al-
liance, was a hundred to Massachusetts, and forty
five to each of the other three colonies, Plymouth,
Hartford, and New Haven. s
Massachusetts was divided this year into four
counties, or shires ; Essex, Middlesex, Suffolk, and
Norfolk.6
1 Trumbull, i. 126. Morton, 130. Hutchimon, i. 124, 126. The ar-
ticles of this Union are entire in Winthrop Journ. 276 — 282 ; Hubbard
MS. N. Eng. chap, li ; Brit. Etnp. i. 2,81 — 287 ; Neal N. Eng. i. 223. This
union subsisted more than 40 years, until the abrogation of the charters of
the N. England colonies by king James II.
2 Chalmers, i. 178,
3 Wonderwork. Prov. 183. 4 Trumbuli, i. 127.
.S British Emp. i. 84. 6 Hutchinson, i. 117,
AME&ICA& ANNALS.
1643. Several persons, arriving at Boston, attempted to?
fcresbyte- establish presbyterian government, under the au-
rians. thority of the assembly of divines at Westminster,
which met this year ; but they were baffled by the
general court.1
Manner of The Massachusetts general court ordered, that,
balloting in the yearly choice of assistants, the freemen
should use Indian corn and beans ; the Indian corn,
to manifest elections ; the beans, the contrary ; with
a penalty of ten pounds 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 pass current in the pay-
ment °f debts to *he amoiint °f f°rty shillings ; the
tender. white, at eight a penny, the black at four, except-
ing in payment of country rates. 3
pioughPa- Mr. Rigbee, a wealthy gentleman in England, a
tent at Sa- counsellor at law, and a member of the long parlia-
ment, having purchased the Plough Patent, at Sa-
gadahock, 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,
aad assignees, at length relinquished their title to
any part of it. 4
township The township of Wells, in the province of Maine,
of Weils. Was granted by Thomas Gorges, deputy governor,
as agent to Sir Ferdinando Gorges, lord proprietor
of that province, and was confirmed by a court,
holden at Saco the following year. s
On complaints against Gorton and his adherents^
for injuries done to the natives, and other crimes,
they were sent for1, to appear at the general court
at Boston. On their refusal to acknowledge the
jurisdiction of Massachusetts, Gorton and several of
I Chalmers, i. 165. Massachusetts Laws. Jiutchinson, 1. 117^
4, Massachusetts Lava. 3 Ibid.
4 Hubbard MS. N. Eng. chap. xliv.
5 Coll. Hist. Soc, iii. I3&
AMERICAN ANNALS. 329
his adherents were taken, carried to Boston, and im- 1643.
prisoned ; and the next year were banished from the Gorton,
jurisdiction, and from the lands, purchased of the In-
dians, on pain of death* £
It was strongly suspected, that Miantonimoh had, Suspicions"
the last year, contrived to draw all the Indians
throughout the country into a general conspiracy a-
gainst the English* . On being sent., for however,
by the Massachusetts government, he readily ap-
peared, and declared his innocence with respect to
a conspiracy ; and the English were satisfied* *
This year Miantonimoh made war on Un.cas, the war be-
Pequot sachern, who had been uniformly friendly to ^eenn. Mi*
the English, and was still their ally. With a thou- mohand
sand Narragansets, Miantonimoh gave. Uncas bat- Uncas*
tie ; but Uncas, with less than half that number of
Moheagans, obtained the victory, and took Mian-
tonimoh prisoner. By the advice of the commis- Miantoni-
sioners of the United Colonies, he soon after cut off^h kll~
his head*3
The English parliament passed an ordinance, ap- E. of War-
pointing the earl of Warwick governor in chief, and W0^gn^de
lord high admiral of the American colonies, with a'aha'admi-
council of five peers, and twelve commoners. It em- ral. of.th^
, •, . t . . . , , . . . colonies.'
powered him, in conjunction with his associates, to
examine the state of their affairs ; to send for pa-
pers and persons ; to remove governors and officers,
and appoint others in their places ; and to assign ,0-
ver to these such part of the powers, that were now
granted) as he should think proper. 4
I Winthrop Journ. 309, 310. Callender 36. Hutchinson, 1.119-"— i as.
Adams N. Eng. 66. Hubbard [MS. N. Eng. chap, xlvii.] says, Gorton en-
couraged the Narragansets to rise in rebellion against the United Colonies ;
but 1 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. See p>
323 of this volume. i Hubbard Ind. Wars, 44.
3 Winthrop Journ. 305, 306. I. Mather Ind. .Troubles, 56.. 'Hubbard
Ind. Wars, 44, 45 ; MS. N. Eng. chap. 1. Callender, 72. Coll. Hist. Soc.
ix. 77, 84. Hubbard (ut supra) describes Miantonimoh as " a very good-
}y personage, of tail stature, subtil and cunning in his contrivements, as well
as haughty in his designs."
4 Chalmers, i. 176. This ordinance is entire in Hazard Coll.i. 533 — 535*
Z z
AMERICAN ANNALS.
1643* ^kc English people of New Haven, In all their
Complaints attempts to settle a plantation at Delaware, found
twragtfnrt the Swedes open enemies, and the Dutch secret un-
the Dutch derminers of their interest. This year Mr. Lamber-
ks* ton, in the name of the settlers, complained to the
commissioners 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 j and of the Swedes, for complicated a-
buses. Governor Winthrop of Massachusetts, pre-
sident of the commissioners for die United Colonies,
wrote in September to William Kieft, the Dutch
governor of New Netherlands, and to John Prince,
the Swedish governor at Delaware, on the subject of
these injuries ; and soon after received answers,
" but without any satisfaction/*1 The commis-
sioners however authorized Mr. Lamberton to treat
with the Swedish governor, and gave him a new
commission to proceed with the trade and planta-
tion at Delaware ; and harmony was restored. z
Governors The government of Harvard College had been
of Harvard committed by the general court to all the magistrates
potitfd.ap~ an<^ ^e raiders of the three nearest churches, with
. the president ; but the court now enacted, that all
the magistrates and the teaching elders [ministers 3
of the six nearest towns,3 and the president for the
time being, should be governors of the college for-
ever. 4
Lancaster Some of the inhabitants of Watertown began a
led' plantation at Nashaway, which was called Lancaster. s
r Hazard Coll.ii. 320. a Hubbuvd MS. N. Eng. chap. xlis.
3 Cambridge, Watertown, Charlestown, Boston, Roxbury and Dorchester,
4 Winthrop Journ. 319. Coll. Hist. Soc. vii. a I. They met the first
time, by virtue of this act, 27 December 1643, " considered of the officer*
of the college, and chose a treasurer." Ibid.
5 Winthrop Journ. 321,
AMERICAN ANNALS. 331
1 644.
Roger Williams, having been sent to England, Patent for
as agent for Rhode Island and Providence, by the
interest of Sir Henry Vane obtained of the earl of
Warwick a patent for the incorporation of the towns
of Providence, Newport, and Portsmouth, with the
power of governing themselves ; but agreeably to
the laws of England. *
An interesting change took place In the govern-
ment of Massachusetts. The deputies in the gen-
eral court moved, that the two houses might set a- divided
part, the magistrates by themselves, and the depu- to two
ties by themselves ; and that what the one should
agree upon should be sent to the other, and, if both
should agree, then the act to pass. The motion,
after considerable controversy, and some delay,
took effect ; and, from this time, votes were sent, in
a parliamentary way, from one house to the other. *
The castle on Castle Island having fallen into de- Castle on
cay, 3 the six neighbouring towns undertook to re- Castle is-
build it, at their own charges ; but, when completed, ^dre-Pair
the other towns in the colony contributed somewhat
toward the expense. A captain was now ordained,
and put in possession of the castle, with a yearly
stipend for himself and his soldiers, whom he was
to keep in constant readiness on the island. 4
There were now twenty six training bands in Military
state of
I Callender, 43, 44. Chalmers, 1. 271, 272. Hutchinson, i. 39. Ad- Massacnu"
ams N. Eng. 66, 67. The patent is in Hazard Coll. i. 538 — -540. It is 8e"*'
there dated 14 March 1643 » but that was according to the old method -of
dating. Williams went to England in 1643,
i Winthrop Journ. 328. Mass. Laws. Hubbard MS. N. Eng. chap,
xlvi. Hutchinson, i. 143. Chalmers, i. 166.
3 The reason of this early decay was, that " the country afforded no
lime, but what was burnt .of osyter shells." Coll. Hist. -Soc. iii. 298. Hub-
bard [MS. N. Eng. chap, xlix.]- says, that the towns, which rebuilt the cas-
tle, were alarmed by the menaces of the Dutch, .and apprehended, that,
without some fortification at the entrance into Boston harbour, they lay
*' exposed to the invasion of a mean and contemptible enemy ;" that the
assistance from other towns was in 1645 ; and that afterward the genera!
court completed the establishment.
4 Wonderwork. Prov. 194.
332 AMERICAN ANNALS,
1 644. Massachusetts ; and .the soldiers, composing them,
were ordered to "be exercised and drilled,' ' eight
days in a year. l Their officers were chosen by a
major vote of the militia. * A horse troop was also
enlisted. * It was ordained, that there be one gen-
eral officer, in time of war, under the name of ma*
jor general. 4 Thomas Dudley, esquire, was appoint-
ed to this office, at the general election in May ^
and was the first major general in Massachusetts. *
The reverend Mr, Wilson of Boston, among other
donors, gave a thousand pounds for the procure-
ment of artillery. 6
Oct. 8. A treaty of peace was made at Boston between
Treaty be- governor Endicot and the assistants, on the one
Massachu, part, and M. Marie, the deputy of M. D' Aulney,
setts gov- the French governor of Acadie, on the other ; with
ernment &. . T » i •> . V "i i • •
the French, a proviso, that it be ratified by the commissioners
for the United Colonies at their next meeting. 7
Lav/ a- The Anabaptists beginning to grow troublesome
painst An, in Massachusetts, the legislature of that colony pas-
sed a law against them, with the penalty of banish-
ment for adherence to their principles, and contempt
of civil and ecclesiastical authority.8
Nantasket Nantasket, having now nearly twenty houses,
named ancl a minister, was by the general court named
^u^-9 Eastham was built by the people of-Plym-
outh. ' ° The reverend Samuel Newman with part of
his church removed from Wey mouth, and settled
i Wonderwork, Proy. 191.
a Pemberton's MSS. 3 Ibid.
4 Jealousy of the military power is discernible in Johnson's account of
this transaction. He represents the government, as " labouring to avoid
high titles," yet as ordaining this office, and conferring this title, from a
conviction of the necessity of order and subordination. See p. 304.
5 Hubbard MS. N. Eng. chap, xlv. 6 Wonderwork. Prov. 194.
7 Hubbard MS. N. Eng. chap, liii ; and Hazard Coll. 1.536, 53 7, where
this Treaty is inserted. See also Hazard Coll. ii. 53, 54. Winthrop
Journ. 360. The commissioners Gratify it in September 1645.
8 Hubbard MS. N. Eng. chap. xlv. Hazard Coll. i. 538, where the law
is inserted. 9 Winthrop Journ. 339. 10 Morton, 131.
AMERICAN ANNALS. 333
Rehoboth.1 The towns of Reading2 and Wen- Reading &
ham, in Massachusetts, were founded. 3
Martha's Vineyard, by an act of the commission- Martha's
ers for the United Colonies, was annexed to Massa-
chusetts. 4
William Brewster, ruling elder of the church in Death of
Plymouth, died in the eighty fourth year of his age. ! w- Brews-
St. Lucia lying uninhabited, Parquet, a French- si Lucia
man, sent to that island forty men under Rou- se«ied.
sellan, well provided with stores and ammunition.
Rousellan, marrying a Caribbee woman, was left
unmolested ; and the Indians traded with his colony. 6
1645.
The commissioners for the United Colonies7 sent Amyrz^
messengers to the sachems of Narraganset and Mo- ed against
heagan, requiring their appearance at Boston, and, '
in the mean time, a suspension of the wars between
the two nations. The Narragansets treated the mes-
sengers kindly at the first, but soon, changing their
1 Pres. Stiles Lit. Diary. Here he completed his Concordance, using
pine knots for his study light. Ib. He spent a year and a half at Dorches-
ter ; 5 years at Weymouth ; and 19 years at Rehoboth ; where he died in
1663, jEtat. LXIII. Mather. Magnal. book iii. 113 — 116. It is bis work,
« which passes under the name of The Cambridge Concordance." ColL
Hist. Soc. ix. 191. One edition Lad been printed in England.
2 Wonderwork. Prov. 188. Hubbard [MS. N. Eng. chap, xlvii.] says, a
church was gathered there the next year.
3 Wonderwork. Prov. 189. Wenham was built between Salem and
Ipswich ; and a church was now gathered there.
4 Pemberton MSS.
5 Coll. Hist. Soc. iv. 108, 113. Morton, 126 (there wrongly placed in
1643). Belknap Biog. 252*— 266. He was educated at the University of
Cambridge in England ; and was a man of considerable abilities and learn-
ing, and of eminent piety. Though well qualified for the pastoral office,
yet his diffidence would not allow him to undertake it. In the destitute
state however of the Plymouth church, his public services were of the
highest utility. In his discourses he was discriminating, yet pathetic ; in
the government of the church, resolute, yet conciliatory.
6 Univ. Hist. xli. 217.
7 The meeting of the Commissioners 'was called 28 June, before their
ordinary time of meeting, " partly," says Morton [133.], " in regard of
some differences between the French and the Government of the Massachu-
setts, about their aiding of Monsieur Latore, and partly about the Indians,
who had broken their former agreements about the peace, concluded the
year befoie."
334 AMERICAN ANNALS*
1645. tone, declared their determination to have no peace,
without the head of Uncas. Roger Williams of
Providence giving notice to the commissioners, that
the Narragansets would suddenly break out against
the English, they drew up a declaration, containing
those facts, which they considered sufficient to justi-
fy them in making war against the Narragansets. r
In prosecution of such a war, they determined im-
AugBst 30. mediately to raise three hundred men.* The news
Treaty of of tne preparation of this army intimidated the Nar-
ragansets, who now submitted to peace, on terms
proposed to them by the commissioners. These
terms were, That, as their breach of covenant had
been the cause of all the expense in preparing for
war, and it was but reasonable that they should re-
imburse it, they should pay, at different periods,
two thousand fathoms of wampum ; restore to Un-
cas all the captives and canoes, which they had ta-
ken from him, and make satisfaction for destroying
his corn ; submit all matters of controversy between
them and Uncas, to the commissioners, at their next
meeting ; keep perpetual peace with the English and
all their allies and subjects ; and give hostages for
the performance of the treaty. This treaty was
signed on the thirtieth of August ; and Indian hos-
tages were left. The small English army, already
prepared to march, was now disbanded ; and the
fourth day of September, which had been appointed
for a fast, was ordered to be observed as a day of
thanksgiving. 3
I It is entitled, " A Dechracon of former passages and proceedings be-
twixt the English and the Narrohiggansets, with their confederates, where-
in the grounds and justice of the ensuing warr are opened and cleared.'*
This Declaration was published by order of the Commissioners at Boston,
on the 19th. of August, 1645. A copy of it is preserved in Hazard Coll.
ii. 45 — jo, and in Hubbard MS. N. Eng. chap. 1. In this Declaration it is
affirmed, that the English Colonies, " both in their Treaties and converse
with the barbarous natives of this wilderness, have had an awful respect to
tlivine rules."
i Massachusetts was to furnish 190 ; Plymouth, 40 ; Connecticut, 40 ;
New Haven, 30. Hutchinson, i. 139.
3 Hutchinson, i. 1,38—142. Trambull, :. 152—156. The parties in
AMERICAN ANNALS. 335
The genera] court of Massachusetts laid an im- 1645,
post on wines and strong liquors, for the support ImP°st-
of government, the maintenance of fortifications, and
the protection of the harbours.1
Most English manufacturers having already be- iron work
gun to flourish in New England, liberty was grant- at Lynfi
ed this year, by the legislature of Massachusetts, to
make iron. An iron work was accordingly set up
at Lynn, with good patronage, and for a consider-
able time was carried on with spirit ; but at length,
through some fault, it failed. *
A remarkable instance of justice occurred in Mas-
sachusetts this year, in the execution of the law, a-
gainst buying and selling slaves. A negro, who chaser
had been " fraudulently and injuriously taken and
brought from Guinea,'* and sold to Mr. Williams
of Pascataqua, was demanded by the general court,
that he might be sent home to his native country. 3
Manchester, in Massachusetts, was incorporated.
A ship, built at Cambridge, sailing for the Cana-
ries, carrying fourteen pieces of ordnance and about
thirty men, was attacked by an Irish man of war tw«en *
with seventy men and twenty pieces. A severe ac- N.England
tion ensued, which continued a whole day j but a man ofd *
•war.
this Treaty were, the Commissioners of the United Colonies of New Eng-
land, and Pessecus Mexanno, the eldest of the sons of Canonicus, and other
Sagamores of the Narraganset and Niantic Indians. Hazard Coll. ii. 40—
43, where the Articles of this Treaty are inserted entire.
The commissioners, " considering that the colonies of Connecticut and
New Haven have expended more than their proportions in the late expedi-
tion, and that they have been out of purse a good value a considerable tyme
before the other colonies were at any charge about the same," ordered, that
those two colonies should have the 500 fathoms of wampum, due on the
first payment, deducting the first hundred fathoms ordered to be given
to Uncas. Hazard Coll. ii. 44.
I Massachusetts Laws. Ten shillings were to be paid for every butt of
Spanish wine, landed in the colony. Hubbard MS. N. £ng. chap. lv.
a Hubbard MS. N. Eng. chap. xlv. " Instead of drawing out bars of
Iron for the country's use," says thi* historian, « there was hammered out-
nothing but contention and lawsuits."
3 Beiknap N. Hump. i. 75. The court uras " resolved to send him fcacfc
without delay." Ibid.
4 Coll Hist. Soc. vi, 231.
4
te
AMERICAN ANNALS.
1645- shot at length raking the steerage of the man of
war, the New England ship escaped. *
provi- There were in Providence and its vicinity, about
this time, one hundred and one men, fit to bear arms. l
Towns in In the colony of Connecticut there were eight
nlVor" taxable towns ; Hartford, Windsor, Wethersfield,
Connecti- Stratford, Fairfield,3 Saybrook, Southampton £on
Ne'wHa- Long Island], and Farmington. 4 In the colony of
ven. New Haven there were six ; New Haven, Milford,
Guilford, Southold [on Long Island], Stamford,,
and Branford.5
Acadie Charles de la Tour, for the sum of two thousand
mortgaged. anj eighty four pounds, mortgaged fort La Tour,
and all his lands and possessions in Acadie, to ser-
geant major Edward Gibbons. 6
Virginia The legislature of Virginia prohibited dealing by
currency. barter . ancj established the Spanish piece of eight
at six shillings, as the standard of currency for that
colony. 7
I Hubbard MS. N. Eng. chap. Ivi.
1 Pres. .Stiles Literary Diary.
3 FAIRFIELD was settled soon after the Pequot war. Mr. Ludlow, who
went with the troops in pursuit of the Pequots to Sasco (the great swamp
where the battle was fought), was so pleased with that fine tract of coun*
try, that he soon projected a settlement there ; and in 1639 he with a
number of others began a plantation at Unquowa, which was called by the
settlers Fairfield. At first there were but 8 or 10 families, which proba-
bly removed from Windsor with Mr. Ludlow ; very soon after, another
company from Watertown joined them ; and a third company, from Con-
cord. Trumbull, i. 104, 105. The settlers from Concord brought with
them a minister, Mr. Jones ; who came from England an cldmun, and died
a few years afterward. Pres. Stiles Itinerary.
4 FARMINGTON received its name this year (1645). It was part of a
tract, purchased by governor Hayr.es in behalf of Hartford in 1640. The
Indian name of that entire tract was Tunxis ; which included the towns of
Parmington and Southington, and extended westward to the Mohawk
- country. Trumbull, i. 1 15.
5 Trumbull, i. 157. BRANFORD was settled about 1640, by a number
of people from Wethersfield. The Indian name of the place wasTotcket -,
which was sold to the Wethersfield people by New Haven, for what it c •
riginally cost that tov/n. The Rev. Abraham Pierson, v/ith a part of his
church and congregation from Long Island, united with the people or
Wethersfield in the settlement of Branford. Ibid. .144.
6 Hazard Coll. i. 541 — 544. where fhe^e i.; .» cnny of f >.e trcrfgagr,
7 Jefferson Virg. 247.
AMERICAN ANNALS. 337
A conspiracy of William Cleyborne and Richard Rebellion
Ingle, aided by the turbulent spirit of the times, rais-
'td a rebellion in Maryland. Calvert > the governor,
unsupported by any real power, was constrained tQ
#ee into Virginia. Cleyborne and Ingle instantly
seized the administration, which they exercised with
the accustomed violence of the rebellious. *
The fort of the Swedes at Delaware was burnt ^ Swedish
with all its buildings ; and all their powder and fort burjlt<
goods were blown up. *
The Dutch governor at Santa Cruz about this SantaCruz,
time surprised the English governor on that island,
and murdered him. A war ensued on the island,
and the Dutch were defeated. *
r ,
1646.
The general court of Massachusetts passed theActofthe
first act to encourage the carrying of the gospel to
the Indians ; and recommended it to the ministers
to consult on the best means of effecting the de- carrying
sign.* . By their advice, it is probable, the first In-
dian mission was undertaken ; for on the twenty
eighth of October the reverend John Eliot com-
menced those pioiis and indefatigable labours among
the natives, which ultimately procured for him the
title of The Indian Apostle. His first visit was to
the Indians at Nonantuin, whom he had apprized
bf his intention « >
i Chalmers; i. 317. This rebellion was suppressed an Augas: 1646,
a Hubbard MS. N. Eng> chap, xlviii.
3 Univ. Hist. xli. 261.
4 Hutchinson, i. 161*
5 Hutchinson, i. 161 — 163. Coll. Hist. Soc. i. 168 ; v. 156, 257 ; vii;
34. They were situated on the south side of Charles river, about 4 or 5
miles from his house at Roxbury. On his approach to their village, ac-
companied by three other persons, Waban, a wise and grave Indian, at-
tended by five or six others, met him, and welcomed him and his compan-
ions into a large wigwam, where a considerable number of his country-
men assembled, to hear the new doctrine. After a short prayer in Eng-
lish, Mr. Eliot delivered a sermon, of an hour's length, in the Indian lan~
guage ; and was well understood by his new and attentive auditory. Ma~
ny of th5 hearers listened to his discourse with teats. Waban r^eived r*~
A a a '
333 AMERICAN ANNALS,
2646. Bf a. motion of the general court of Massachu«
second sy- Setts9 a synod, called for the purpose of settling a
uniform scheme of ecclesiastical discipline, met at
setts. Cambridge. *
In an agreement, made in 1644, between George
Fenwick and agents of the colony of Connecticut,
it was stipulated, that a certain duty on corn, bis-
cuit, beaver, and cattle, which should be exported
from the river's mouth, should be paid to Fenwick
for the space of ten years. This agreement was
confirmed, the succeeding year, by the general court,
impost on which, at the same time, passed an act, imposing a
exports duty of two pence per bushel on all grain ; six pence
from Con- * ,r, . * ., r i • • i it
necticut on every hundred weight or biscuit ; and a small
river. j^y on ajj beaver, exported from the mouth of the
river during the same period. The object of this
duty was the maintenance of the fort at Saybrook.
At a meeting of the commissioners for the United
Colonies this year (1646), the commissioners from
Connecticut made complaint, that Mr. Pynchon and
Springfield the inhabitants of Springfield refused to pay the
refuses, impOst. a The board of commissioners judged the
fort at Saybrook to be of great importance to the
towns on the river ; but, the subject of an impost
having not been laid before the general court of
Massachusetts, and the commissioners of that colo-
ny having had no instructions respecting it, it was
deferred to the next meeting. At that meeting
lifious impressions, which were never afterward lost, and which happily
qualified and disposed him to aid the pious dssign of converting his coun-
trymen to the Christian faith. Ibid.
i Coll. Hisr.Soc. vii. 45. See A. D. 1648.
3, SPRINGFIELD, according to several respectable authorities, was set-
tled by William Pynchon and others from Roxbury in 1636. Hutchinson,
i. 98, 99. Chalmers, i. 287. Trumbull, i. 57. For about two years it was
united in government with the towns in Connecticut. Trumbull, ibid.
Johnson [Wonderwork. Prov. 199-] erroneously places the settlement of
this town about 1645. ^n a MS. account of ministers by Pres. Stiles, I
find, that George Moxon settled at Springfield in 1637 ; that a church wa?
gathered in 1645, when he was chosen pastor ; and that he returned to
England in 1652. This is a traditionary account received from Rev. Ste-
phen Williams D. D. and Rev. Mr. Breck, ministers of Springfield. Thr
church and town Records were burnt in the Indian wars.
AMERICAN ANNALS. 339
(1647), the commissioners, on a full hearing, de- 1646.
termined, that it was of weighty consideration to all
the plantations on the river, that the mouth of it
should be secured, and a safe passage for goods, up
and down the river, maintained, though at some ex-
pense ; and that, as Springfield enjoyed the benefit,
the inhabitants of that town should pay the impost
of two pence a bushel for corn, and a penny on the q^sdrtej
pound for beaver, or twenty shillings on every hogs- pay it.
head.1
A few persons of some influence in Massachu- Pesisn to
.... . . , . ' . introduce
setts, opposed to its civil and ecclesiastical mstitu- presbyteri«
tions, and imagining that the parliament of England angovern-
II -• T i i ° i • r r 1 i ment sup-
WOUld establish the presbytenan form or church go- presgod.
vernment only, presented a, petition to the general
court, to establish that form in this colony. The
court, being slow to censure them, they associated
with themselves a few more persons, and framed a
bill of complaint, containing gross charges against
the government of the colony, with the intention of
presenting it to parliament ; but the magistrates de»
tected and suppressed the design. z Edward Wins-
low, already chosen an agent for the colony, to an-
swer the complaint of Gorton and other Familists,
was now instructed to make defence against these
new adversaries, who had actually taken measures
to render the colony obnoxious in England. 3 Wins-
low, by his prudent management, aided by the esti-
mation in which he was holden by many members
of parliament and the principal persons in power,
successfully vindicated the colony. 4
I Trumbull, i. 168 — 170. Previous to this decision of the commission^
ers, Massachusetts had unfairly prejudged her own cause. For the resolu^
tions of the general court of this colony respecting the impost, and gov-
ernor Hopkins' reply in behalf of Connecticut, see fiazard ColLii. 8l, 82,
where they are inserted entire. See also Trumbull, vt supra.
i Wonderwork. Prov. 302. The suppression, « was effected by a small
fine la;d on them." Ibid.
3 Ibid. This appears, by a petition to the earl of Warwick and the 01
ther commissioners for Foreign Plantations, found among the papers of
these malcontents. The substance of it is in Hutchinson, i. 148, 149.
4 Morton, 134. The Petition and Remonstrance of the governor antf
340
AMERICAN ANNALS.
1646
i-aws in
setts against
Quakers.
Removals
from New
to Old Eng-
land excite
concern.
Freemen
choos-i
commis-
sioners.
Meanwhile new troubles arose. The Quakers
making their appearance in Massachusetts, the legis-.
lature of that colony passed laws against their toler-
ation. No master of a vessel was, from this time,
allowed to bring any one of this sect into its juris-
diction, on penalty of a hundred pounds. *
The inclination of ministers and others to return
to the parent country exciting serious concern in
New England ; the commissioners for the United
Colonies proposed, that measures be taken to detain
in the country such scholars, as should receive con-,
tributions toward their education at Cambridge.*
The freemen of Massachusetts, viewing the com-
missioners for the United Colonies as general offi-
cers, now chose their own commissioners for them-;
selves.3
yet strongly inculcated the toleration of those^ who had bepn once drive
into exile. Hubbard MS. N. En<r. chap. liv. The Letters are in Haza
company of Massachusetts, to the earl of Warwick and the other commis-
sioners for Foreign Plantations, in answer to the Petition of Gorton, is in
Hazard Coll. i. 547 — 550. The order, obtained by Gorton and others, to
lit suffered peaceably to possess their purchase [See p. 323 note 5. of this
volume], was obtained this year. That Order, or Passport, is in Hazard
Coll. i. 546 ; dated 15 May 1646. However disorganizing and vexatious
may have been the conduct of Gorton and his adherents, ?'t is pleasing to
find the first characters in England endeavouring to moderate the exercise
of colonial authority, and to check the current of popular ind'gnation.
The commissioners of parliament, in 1647, sent letters to Massachusetts
colony (in reply to its P.emonstrance and Petition), in which, with delicate
address, they at once paid great deference to the just rights of the colony,
driven
zard
Coll.i. jfi— 553.
i Massachusetts La\ys. Hazard Coll. ii. 56.-;.
1 Hazard Coll. ii. 74, 75. The claim to their public services was found-
ed on the charity, that had been repeatedly bestowed by the colonies for
the maintenance of poor scholars at Cambridge. In 1644, the Rev. Mr.
Shepard of Cambridge wrote to the commissioners, representing the neces-
sity of farther assistance ; and desired them to encourage a general contri-
bution in the colonies. The commissioners recommended it to the consid-
eration of the several legislatures ; they adopted the recommendation : and
an annual contribution was made through the United Colonies several sub-
sequent years. Trumbuli,i. 148. Coll. Hist. Soc. vii. 45. In the difficult
case above stated (1646), the commissioners for Massachusetts desired to
advise with the general court and ministers cf that colony, " for the or-
dering such a course, and how such schoilars may be imployed and iri-
couraged when they leave the Colledge, either in New Plantations, cr as
schoole Masters, or in ships, till they be called and fitted for other service. Ib.
3 Hubbard MS. N. Eng. chap. liii. They had previously been chosen,
ever since the confederation, by the magistrates ;;nd deputies. Ibid.
AMERICAN ANNALS. 341
Captain Dobson, in a ship of eighty tons, double 1646,
manned, fitted out from Boston for trade, with a **°£on
testimonial for the Gult of Canada, ran, in stress of seized and
weather, into a harbour at Cape Sable, where he ^ont^ated
discharged several pieces of ordnance. While the f Jench.
natives were trading with the people on board, D*
wAulney the French governor sent twenty men from
Port Royal, who captured the English, and carried
them with their ship into that port, where the
ship and cargo, valued at a thousand pounds, were
kept as confiscated. The men were sent home. *
By an ordinance of the lords and commons of Co
England, all merchandise, goods, and necessaries for
the American plantations, were exempted from duty
for three years ; on condition, that no ship or ves-
sel in any of the colonial ports be suffered to lade
any goods of the growth of the plantations, and car-
ry them to foreign parts, excepting in English bot-
toms. This was tjhe foundation of those subsequent
navigation acts, which may be termed the Commerr
cial Palladium of Great Britain.*
A great and general battle was fought, near the Battle be-
confines of Connecticut, between the Dutch and the
Indians, with mutual firmness and obstinacy. The
Dutch .ultimately kept the field.3
The Dutch governor (Kieft) and the senate of
New Netherlands protested to governor Eaton of
1 Ibid. Iv. The ground of the seizure and confiscation appears to have
been an illicit trade with the natives.
2 Anderson, ii. 404, 405. T^ie preamble of the ordinance recites," that
whereas the several plantations of Virginia, Bermudas, Barbadoes, and oth-
er places of America, have been much beneficial to this kingdom, by the
increase of navigation, and of the customs arising from the commodities of '
the growth of those plantations imported into this kingdom &c." The or-
dinance enacts, " that all merchandizes, goods and necessaries, for the sup-
portation, use, and expence of the said plantations, shall pay no custom nor
duty for the same, the duty of excise only excepted, for three years to come,
except to the plantations in Newfoundland : Provided &c."
3 Trumbull, i. 163, 164. In that part of Horseneck, commonly known
by the name of Strickland's Plain. " Great numbers were slain on both
sides, and the graves oi the dead, for a century cr more, appeared like a
Dumber of small hills." Ibid.
343 AMERICAN ANNALS.
New Haven against the English colonists, for enter-
ing within their limits. *
The French were expelled from Cayenne by the
Dutch under the command of admiral Binks. a
1647.
May 19. The first general assembly of Rhode Island, con*
s*st*n£ °^ t^le co^ective freemen of the several plan-
tations in the colony, met at Portsmouth on the
island. nineteenth of May ; established a code of laws ; and
erected an institution of civil government.3 The
legislative power was invested in a court of commis-
sioners, consisting of six persons, chosen by each
of the four towns of Providence, Portsmouth, New-
port, and Warwick. Their acts were to be in
force, unless repealed within a limited time by the
vote of the major part of the freemen of the prov-
ince, to be collected at their respective town meet-
ings, appointed for that purpose.4 The whole exe^
cutive power appears to have been invested in a pre-
sident and four assistants, chosen from the freemen
by their several towns, and constituting the supreme
court for the administration of justice. Every
township, forming within itself a corporation, elect*
ed a council of six, for the management of its pecu-
liar affairs ; and the town court had the trial of small
cases, but with an appeal to the court of the presi-
dent and associates. 5
The French The French at Canada, in their trade with the
solicit aid neighbouring Indians, had several years been obstruc-
from Mas- o o J
ted by the Mohawks. Unable to subdue that fe*
1 The words of the Protest are " for entering the limit of New Nether-t
land." New Haven is called in that Protest " Red Hills ;" and elsewhere,
by the Dutch, " Red Mounte ;" from the colour of the hills, which sur-
round the town. The Protest and gov. Eaton's Answer are in Hazard
Coll. ii. 55, 56. For a farther correspondence between the English and
Dutch governors on this subject, see Hazard, ibid. 68 — 72.
2 Univ. Hist, xxxix. 232.
3 Chalmers, i. 273. Backus N. Eng. i. 198. Adams N. Erg. 91.
4 Callender, 44, 45. Douglas, ii. 80.
j Callender, 45. Chalmers., i. 373.
AMERICAN ANNALS, 343
rocious people, they, about this time, sent M. Marie 1647*
as an agent, to solicit aid of Massachusetts, with of-
fers of liberal compensation ; but the government
of that colony agreed not to the 'alluring proposal. *
The legislature of Massachusetts passed an act Act against
against Jesuits. * -Tesuits*
The town bridge, at the entrance of Salem from Saiem,
Boston, was built. It was made of earth, secured
with stone. The children of the poor in Salem were
put under masters, and into good families, by the
town.3
Peter Stuyvesant, succeeding Kieft, as governor Dutch
of New Netherlands, laid claim to all the lands, riv-
ers, and streams, from Cape Henlopen to Cape Cod.4
Several persons of good quality in England ven- iron wort
tured their estates on an iron work, which they be- at Braia-
gan at Braintree ; but the price of labour was so
high, as to render it unprofitable. s
An epidemical disease passed through the Ameri- Epidemic
can continent. The English, French, Dutch, and disease.
Indians, were seized with it. Tt extended to the
West Indies. In each of the islands of Barbadoes
and St. Christopher's five or six thousand died. In
these islands it was accompanied with a great
drought, which caused an extreme scarcity of pro-
visions.6
I Gookin's Historical Collections of the Indians, in Coll. Hist. Soc. i.
161. Marie was " a person of orders, and most probably a Jesuit." " Great
pay" was offered by the French u for such succour" against the Mohawks.
" The English," says Gookin, " were no: willing to engage themselves in
that affair, forasmuch as the Maquas [Mohawks] had never done any injury
to the English, and in policy and reason were like to be a good bulwark
between the English and French, in case a time should come of hostility,
between these two nations. For these and other reasons, M. Marie return-
ed without succour." Ibid.
a Hazard Coll. i. 550, where the act is entire.
3 Coll. Hist. Soc. vi. 229, 237.
4 Hazard Coll. ii. 113, 216. Kieft took passage the next year for Hol-
land, in a ship, laden to the value of £20,000 ; but the mariners, mistaking;
the channel, were carried into Severn, and cast away on the coast of Wales-
near Swansey ; and Kieft and about 80 other persons were drowned. Hub-
bard MS. N. Eng. chap. 1. 5 Wonderwork. Prov. 207.
6 Hubbard MS. N. Eng, chap, Ivi, This historian denominates it ft
plague or pestilential fever.
344
AMERICAN ANNALS;
Publication
of N. Ward.
" The Simple Cobler of Aggawam in, Atfterica,
a ^ork composed by the reverend Nathaniel Ward,
was published this year^ in a quarto volume, at
London. x
Death of Thomas Hooker, minister at Hartford, and the
T. Hooker, father of the churches in Connecticut, died, at the"
age of sixty one years* z
Proposal of
The New Eng
tween N.
lonies.
sett laws
printed.
1648.
land colonists sent to the governor
council of Canada a proposal, that there should
be perpetual peace between the colonies, even though
t^le^r Bother countries were at war. The French
governor D' Ailleboust and his council were so welt
pleased with the proposal, that they appointed fa-
ther Dreuillettes to go to Boston, and finish the ne-
gotiation, on condition that the English colonists
would assist the French against the Iroquois. The
same reasons however, that had already prevented
them from acceding to a similar proposal, operated
against their compliance with this condition ; and
the negotiation was without effect. It was after-
ward renewed by the French, but in vain. 3
Since the consultation, in 1634, respecting a bo-
<jy Of ia.ws adaDted to the civil and religious state
J
I Bibliotheca Americ. 92. If this were the year of its first publication,
it must have had a rapid currency ; for I have seen a copy of the fourth edi-
tion, printed in 1647. ^ i§ a production entirely original, and the work of
a master. It was written during the struggles between? Charles I and the
parliament of England ; and seems to have been intended to'infiuence both
parties to moderation. It contains many important truths, seasoned with
inimitable wit and humour ; but its style is obsolete. The author was the
same person (mentioned p. 317 of this volume), who composed The Body
of Liberties i'or Massachusetts. He was forced out of England for Non-
conformity in 1634, and was minister of Ipswich until 1645, when he re-
turned to England, v/htre he died at about the age of LXXXIII years,-
Mather Magnal. book iii. 167.
a Trumbull, i. 306. He was preeminently distinguished, as a preacher
and a writer, and as a man of piety. His most celebrated work was " A
Survey of the Summe of Church Discipline ;" which was printed at Lon-
don, in a quarto volume of nearly 500 pages, in 1648, under the inspection
of the celebrated Dr. Thomas Goodwin. See Mather Magnal. booK iii«
58—68 ; Morton, 135 ; Coll. Hist. Soc. vii. 38 — 41.
3 Univ. Ki<t, xx::.:x. 448. Sec A, D. 1647.
AMERICAN ANNALS. 345
of Massachusetts, committees, consisting of magis- 1648.
trates and elders, had been appointed almost every
year until this time, to prepare a code for that co-
lony. Meanwhile laws of the greatest necessity had
been successively enacted. This year, for the first
time, the whole were collected, ratified by the court,
and printed. *
The first instance of capital punishment for witch- June-
r • ~*.T T-» i j • • i*ii- Firstexecu-
craft, in New England, occurring in colonial his to- tion for
ry, was in this year. Margaret Jones of Charles- witchcraft.
town was indited for a witch, found guilty, and ex-
ecuted. a
The synod, which met at Cambridge in 1646, synod dis-
protracted its session, by adjournments, to this year, solved'
•when it was dissolved. This synod composed and
adopted the platform of church discipline, called
" The Cambridge Platform," and now recommend- Cambridge
i • -i -i TTT • ^>i r* f platform.
ed it, together with the Westminster Confession of
Faith, to the general court, and to the churches.
The churches of New England in general complied
with the recommendation ; and the Cambridge plat-
form, with the ecclesiastical laws, formed the relig-
ious constitution of the New England colonies. 3
Marblehead, hitherto a part of Salem, had the Marble-
consent of the town for separate town privileges. 4 head*
The town of Maiden was built on the north side Maiden,
of Mystic river, by several persons from Charles-
town, who gathered themselves into a church.5
The inhabitants of Boston being now too numer-
I Hutchinson, i. 437. Josselyn Voy. 263, 265.
a Hubbard MS. N. Eng. chap. Ivi. Hutchinson, i. 150.
3 Mather Magnal. book v. 3 — 38, where the Platform is inserted entire.
Trumbull, i. 302. Neal N. Eng. ii. 33. Adams N. Eng. 89, 90. Coll.
Hist. Soc. vii. 25. The ministers and churches of Connecticut and New
Haven were present at the synod, and united in the form of discipline,
which it recommended. By this platform the churches of New England
in general walked for more than 30 years. This, in connexion with the
ecclesiastical laws, was the religious constitution of Connecticut about 60
years, until the compilation of the Saybrook Platform. Trumbull, i. 30$
—305.
4 Coll. Hist. Soc. vi. 233.
5 Wonderwork. Prov. an.
Bbb
AMERICAN ANNALS.
ous to meet in one assembly, the people in the nortb
Church east part of the town formed a distinct church ; r
north^nd" anc*> the next year, erected an edifice for public
of Boston, worship. z
New Lon- Several persons having begun a plantation at Pe-
don settled- quot harbour, 3 the reverend Richard Blinman had
removed from Gloucester to this new settlement ;
which, after his arrival, received considerable acces-
sion. The inhabitants now consisting of more than
forty families, the general court granted them, for
their encouragement, three years' exemption from
colonial taxation. John Winthrop, esquire, was an*
thorized to superintend the affairs of the planta-
tion ;4 which was afterward called New London.5
A congregational church in Virginia, founded by
the ministers sent from New England in 1642, was
now increased to the number of one hundred and
eighteen persons ; but its magnitude afforded it no
security. Sir William Berkeley, governor of the
colony, had already banished Mr. Durand, its elder ;
1 Johnson [Wonderwork. Prav. aiz.] says, this vras the 3Oth church ia
Massachusetts.
2 Wonderwork. Prov. 211. That part of the town was separated from
the rest " by a narrow stream," which, Johnson says, was " cut through a
neck of fend by industry." Ibid. It is the stream, which passes under
Mill bridge. See Coll. Hist. Soc. iii. 257.
3 In 1646. The Indian name of the land, on which the first settlements
\vere begun, was Nameaug, alias* Towawog. Trumbull, i. 173.
4 Ibid. Mr. Blinman continued at New London until 1658, when he
removed to New Haven. Returning afterward to England, he was settled
at Bristol, where he died. He wrote in defence of Infant Baptism. Pres.
Stiles MSS.
5 In 1654, the whole tract, now comprised in New London arid Gro-
ton, was called Pequot ; and retained this name about four years ; but in
165? (March 24.) the assembly of Connecticut passed an act for its altera-
tion. " This court, considering that there hath yet no place, in any of the
colonies, been named in memory of the city of London, there being a new-
plantation, settled upon- that fair river Moheagan, in the Pequot country,
being an excellent harbour, and a fit and convenient place for future trade,
it being also the only place which the English in these parts have possessed
by conquest, and that upon a very just war, upon that great and warlike
people, the Pequots, that therefore they might thereby leave to posterity
the memory of that renowned city of London, from whence we had our
transportation, have thought fit, in honour to that famous city, to call the
said plantation NEW LONDON." The name of the river was also changed;,
ynd called the Thames. Trumbull, i, 1 73, 174.
AMERICAN ANNALS. 347
and Mr. Harrison, its pastor, now enjoined to depart
iVom the country, came to New England. x
Of the Susquehannah Indians, not -more than one Susquehan-
hundred and ten were now left. These, with the nah^dian>
Oneidas and Wicomeses/ amounted to two .hun-
dred and fifty,-3
The island of St. Bartholomew -was first planted, St/Bartho1-
rhis year, by fifty Frenchmen, under M. Poincy, ^7 set"
governor of St. Christopher's, and at his own ex-
pense. 4
Canonicus, the great sachem of Narragansets, Death of
died at a very advanced age ; leaving the hereditary Canomcus<
quarrel with the English entailed on his successors* *
1649.
Charles the First of England was beheaded at Jan. 3$.
Whitehall, at the age of fifty one years.6 Beaded.
On the publication of the accounts of the hopeful
progress of the Indians in New England in the knowl-
edge of the gospel, the attention of the English na-
tion was excited to the subject. By the solicitation Society for
of Edward Winslow, then hi England as agent for -j^f^
the United Colonies, an act of parliament was pas-peiincor-
sed, by which the Society for propagating the Gos- Porated-
pel in New England was incorporated.7
i Hubbard MS. N. Eng. chap.lv. Mr. Harrison, after residing a year
or two in New England, went to England ; and, having taken the degree
of Doctor in Divinity, settled at last in Ireland. Ibid.
% Their " forced auxiliaries." Smith N. Jersey, 31. 3 Ibid.
4 Encyclop. Methodique, Art. BARTUELE.MI. Univ. Hist. xli. 259. At-
las Geog. Amer. v. 536.
5 Hubbard MS. N. Eng-. chap. 1.
6 Hume Hist. Eng. chap. x. Henault Hist. 'France, ii.-iiB. The house
of lords was suppressed ; the oaths of allegiance and supremacy were abol-
ished ; and the whole power fell into the hands of the people. Oliver
•Cromwell was declared captain general of the troops of the state ; and af-
terward rose to the supreme power, with the title of Protector. Henault, ib.
7 Gookin, in Coll. Hist. Soc. i. 212. This Society was to consist of 16
persons, namely, a president, treasurer, and 14 assistants; who were author-
ized to purchase real estate not exceeding £aooo per annum, and to pos-
sess goods and money without restriction. The Commissioners for the
{United Colonies of N. England, or such persons as they should appoint,
were to have power to receive and dispose of the monies, received by the
Society, "in such manner as should best and principally conduce te
348 AMERICAN ANNALS.
& Potow-
mac.
1649. On *he decease of Sir Ferdinando Gorges, his es-
pfMaine tate *n ^ -^rov^nce °^ Maine fell to his eldest son
John ; who, through discouragement or incapacity,
took no care of it. Most of the commissioners, ap-
pointed to govern this province, having deserted it,
the remaining inhabitants were now obliged to com-
bine for their own security. r
July 23. A proposal was made to the commissioners for
TboTptn- the United Colonies, from New Haven general
ting Deia- court, What course might be taken for the speedy
ware- planting of Delaware. After a deliberate attention
to the subject, the conclusion of the commissioners
was, not to patronise the projected plantation. z
Grant of During the extreme distress of the royal party in
England, this year, the immense territory, lying be-
tween the rivers Rappahannock and Potowmac,
was granted to lord Hopton, Berkeley, Culpepper,
and other cavaliers, who probably wished to make
Virginia an asylum. 3
Massacre A body of one thousand Iroquois, in March, sud-
rons.e ^ l" denlv attacked the Huron village of St. Ignatius,
containing four hundred persons, all of whom, ex-
cepting three, they massacred. 4
Death of John Winthrop, governor of Massachusetts, died,
gov. Win-
throp, and the preaching and propagating of the Gospel among the Natives, and for
maintenance of schools, and nurseries of learning, tor the education of the
children of the natives. Hubbard MS. N. Eng. chap. Ixxv. Bibliotheca
Americ. 93. Hazard Coll. i. 635. Morton, 143. Hoornbeek [de Con-
versione Indorum, a6i.] says, the English parliament began to take meas-
ures for the promotion of this pious design so early" as 17 March 1647,
I Belknap Biog. i. 389, 390.
3. Hazard Coll. ii. 127. It was in consideration of" the present state of
the colonies, generally destitute of sufficient hands to carry on their neces-
sary occupations," that the commissioners judged it expedient to take no
part in this enterprise. They declared however, that, if any persons from
any of the colonies should go to Delaware, and, without leave of the New
Haven merchants, should seat themselves on any part of their land, or, in
any respect, be injurious to them in their title and interest there, they
•would neither protect nor own them in such procedure. They, in fine,
left the New Haven merchants to their just liberty, to dispose of the land,
which they had purchased in those parts, or to improve or plant it, " as they
should see cause." Ibid.
3 Chalmers, i. 330. See A. D. 1669 and 1673.
4 Univ. Hist. xxxk. 448.
AMERICAN ANNALS. 349
aged sixty three years ; ' and Thomas Shepard, min- 1649.
ister of Cambridge, aged forty four years.3 T.shepard.
Governor Endicot of Massachusetts and deputy r>edara-
eovernor Dudley, with the assistants, signed a de- ;ionap!nst
cr J ' • i i • long hair.
claration against men s wearing Jong nair, as un-
scriptural. 3
The complete establishment of the American Ecclesiastic
church in all the Spanish settlements in South A-
merica, at this period, comprised one patriarch, six
archbishops, thirty two bishops, three hundred and
forty six prebends, two abbots, five royal chaplains,
and eight hundred and forty convents. 4
The Jesuits, about this time, remonstrating at the Jesuits in
court of Madrid against the immorality of the Span- s-Amenca-
iards, ascribing to this cause the failure of success
in their missions ; their remonstrance was listened
to with attention. The sphere of their labours was
marked out ; an uncontrouled liberty was granted
to them ; and orders were given to the governors
of the adjacent provinces, not to interfere, nor to
suffer any Spaniard to enter within this pale, with-
out licence from the fathers. s
1 Mather Magnal. book ii. 8. Morton, 142. Belknap Biog. ii. 337.
The talents and virtues, the wealth and influence, of this eminent man, sig-
nally qualified him for the chief magistracy in an infant plantation, of which
he was the father, as well as governor ; and the same rare assemblage of
qualifications would have enabled him to shine in a larger sphere, and more
elevated situation.
2 Mather Magnal. book iii. 57 — 68. Morton, 142. Coll. Hist. Soc. vii.
42 — 47. Mr. Shepard was an eminently pious man, an impressive preach-
er, and a very distinguished divine. As a writer on experimental religion,
he was one of the most judicious, discriminating, and useful, that has ever
appeared in New England.
3 Hutchinson, i. 152. " Forasmuch as the wearing of long hair, after
the manner of Ruffians and barbarous Indians, has begun to invade New
England &c."
4 Robertson, iii. 409.
5 Europ. Settlements, i. 279, 380. The Jesuits agreed conditionally tQ
pay a capitation tax, in proportion to their flock ; and to send a certain
number of .their subjects to the king's works. Terms being thus settled,
they gathered about 50 wandering families, which they united into a lit-
tle township ; and within a century their subjects amounted to 300,000
families, and could raise 60,000 armed men. Ibid.
350 AMERICAN ANNALS.
1650.
Sept. 19. Stuyvesant, the Dutch governor of New Nether-
Boundaries lands, arriving at Hartford, demanded of the com-
^Jeen the missioners for the United Colonies a full surrender
Dutch and of the lands on Connecticut river. After a corres-
pondence and an altercation of several days, the
controversy was referred to arbitrators, who con-
cluded on articles of agreement at Hartford.1
First char- Tne college at Cambridge was made a body cor-
ter of Har- porate, by an act of the general court of Massachu-
i^t. Co1" setts ' anc* rece*ved a charter, under the seal of the
colony, by the name of " The President and Fel-
lows of Harvard college."2
Fire at *n ^e depth of winter, there broke out in Charles-
Charles- town a terrible fire, which, blown from one building
town. to another by a violent wind, consumed the fairest
houses in the town. 3
churches There were now about forty churches in New
in N.Eng- England, and seven thousand seven hundred and
fifty communicants. 4
i Gov. Trumbull's MS. State and Origin of Connecticut. Hubbard
MS. N. Eng. c-hap. xlii. Hutchinson, i. 85, 159, 514. Hazard Coli.ii. 170
— 173 ; 218 — 220, 252, 549 — 551. Trumbull, i. 197 — 199. The com-
missioners chose Mr. Bradstreet of Massachusetts, and Mr. Prince of Plym-
outh ; the Dutch governor chose Thomas Willet and George Baxter. In
regard to limits, it was agreed : That on Long Island a strait and direct
Hne, run from the westermost part of Oyster Bay to the sea, shall be the
bounds ; the easterly part to belong to the English, and the westermost to
the Dutch : and that the bounds on the main land begin at the west side
of Greenwich bay, about four miles from Stamford, and run a northerly
line 2O miles, and, beyond that distance, as it shall be agreed by the two
governments of the Dutch and New Haven, provided the said line come
not within 10 miles of Hudson's river. It was also agreed, that the Dutch
should not build any house within six miles of the said line ; the inhabit-
ants of Greenwich to remain (till farther consideration) under the govern-
ment of the Dutch. Another article of agreement was, that the Dutch
should hold all the lands in Hartford, of which they were actually possess-
ed ; and all the residue, on both sides of Connecticut river, was to remain to
the English there. These limits were to be strictly and inviolably observ-
ed until a full and final determination in Europe, by the mutual consent of
England and Holland. Ibid. The articles of agreement are in the three
last cited places of Hutchinson, Hazard, and Trumbull.
a Hutchinson, i. 171. Neal N. Eng. i. 297. The college was governed
under this charter until 1685, when the colony charter was vacated. Hut-
chinson, ibid.
3 Wonderwork. Prov. 321.
4 Stiles Christian Union, nc'>.
AMERICAN ANNALS, 35*
On the island of Martha's Vineyard there were a- 1650.
bout forty families of Indians, who professed the ^ivf8,of
Christian religion, and attended the religious in- vineyard
structions of Mr. Mayhew. The whole island had, are chri*.
in a manner, embraced Christianity, and adopted tl
the English customs and manners, in their husband-
ry and other concerns. x
The south part of the town of Barns table in Mas- Bamstabie.
sachusetts was, about this time, amicably purchased
of Wianno.and several other sachems.*
Charles II transmitted from Breda a new commis- June,
sion to Sir William Berkeley, as governor of Vir- s(?°^i9"
ginia, declaring his intention of ruling and ordering Charles n
the colony according to the laws and statutes of g^re0|ov<"
England, which were to be, established there. Thus, Virginia,
while that prince was not permitted to rule over
England, he exercised the royal jurisdiction over
Virginia. 3
The authority of the crown continuing to be ac- Oct. 3.
knowledged in Virginia, and in several of the West
India islands, the parliament issued an ordinance, mem.
for prohibiting trade with Barbadoes, Virginia, Ber-
muda, and Antego.4
The constitution of Maryland was established. Constitu-
A law was passed for settling the provincial assem- tu;nofMi*
11 T 11 i i ii^-i ryland set»
bly. It enacted, that those members, called by spe- tied
cial writ, should form the Upper House ; that those,
chosen by the hundreds, should compose the Low-
er House ; and that all bills, which should be pas-
sed by the two houses, and assented to by the gov-
ernor, should be deemed the laws of the province,
I Hubbard MS. N. Eng. chap. Ixxv.
1 Coll. Hist. Soc. iii. 15.
3 Chalmers, i. iaa. Robertson, book Ix. no. For the prevention of
the rebellion of subjects, or the invasion of enemies, the commission em-
powered the governor and council " to build castles and fortifications, at the
expense of the planters."
4 Chalmers, i. i az, 123. In consequence of this ordinance, Massachu-
setts, the next year, passed an act against trade with those places, until
their " compliance with the Commonwealth of England," or farther ordec
of the General Court. Hazard Coll. i, 553.
AMERICAN ANNALS.
1650. and have the same effect, as if the freemen wereper-
Cobn di- sonally present. The colony was now divided into
videdinto three counties, which contained eight hundreds.
SahTtar8' Laws were enacted for peopling Maryland. An
laws. order was made for the relief of the poor. Punish-
ments were provided for various crimes. The fees
of office were regulated. The interests of agricul-
ture and commerce were encouraged. Public pros-
perity and private happiness were thus promoted by
salutary laws, which were as prudently executed,
as wisely planned. *
Barbadoes. Barbadoes, though settled but little more than
twenty years, already contained more than fifty thou-
sand whites, and a much greater number of blacks
and Indian slaves. a
DU Par- The king of France granted the old French West
Martlnllo India company his licence to sell Martinico, St. Lu-
& other cia, Grenada, and the Grenadines, to Du Parquet,
governor of Martinico ; who purchased those islands
for fifty thousand livres.3 Resolved on an invasion
of Grenada, Du Parquet collected upwards of two
hundred hardy Frenchmen for the enterprise. On
meeting unexpectedly with a kind reception from
the natives, he affected a regard to moderation, and
opened a treaty with the chief of the Charaibes for
the purchase of the territory. Having made the
natives a few trifling presents,4 he considered the
I Chalmers, i. 220,221. The constitution of Maryland continued above
z 2O years, until the revolutionary war. At the time of its adoption the
most common and useful arts must have made but small progress in the col-
ony ; for the preceding year (1649) an order was passed, " providing for
tbe smith." Ibid.
a Europ. Settlements, ii. 86. Univ. Hist. xli. 134, 137. It could muster
10,000 foot, and 1000 horse. Ibid. About this year, the planters in Bar-
badoes obtained the true secret of making sugars ; by suffering the canes to
ripen 15 months, instead of 12, and by boiling and curing them to a white
consistence. After this discovery, the value of the lands on the island in-
creased to such a degree, that land, which could have been previously pur-
chased for £200, cost afterward £7000. Ibid.
3 Univ. Hist. xli. 226.
4 " Some knives and hatchets, and a large quantity of glass beads, beside
two bottles of brandy for the chief himself !" Du Tertre, a French histc-
AMERICAN ANNALS. 353
purchase as complete ; established a colony in Gre- settles
nada ; built a Fort for its protection ; and left the Grenada-
government of the island to a kinsman, named Le
Compte. A war soon after ensued, and the natives Natives ex-
* j t terminated*
xvere exterminated.
The Caribbee isle of Anguilla was now first set- Anguiiu
tied by some English people. 2 settled-
The Spaniards of the garrison on the isle of St. st. Mar-
Martin, unable to maintain themselves, dismantled tin'8*
the fort, and destroyed all their houses and cisterns*
The French and Dutch soon after, by accommoda-
tion, divided the island between them. 3
1651,
The parliament of England passed the famous Navigation
Act of Navigation. It had been observed with con- Act*
cern, that the English merchants for several years
past had usually freighted the Hollanders* shipping
for bringing home their own merchandise, because
their freight was at a lower rate than that of the
English ships. For the -same reason the Dutch
ships were made use of even for importing American
products from the English colpnies into England*
The English ships meanwhile lay rotting in the har-
bours ; and the English mariners, for want of em-
nan of the expedition, quoted by Edwards, Hist. W. Indies, i. 346. The
French afterward " considered the refusal of the poor savages to confirm the
agreement, as contumacy and rebellion."
I Edwards W. Indies, i. 345 — 348. Father Du Tertre says : " Forty
«f the Charaibes were massacred on the spot. About 40 others, who had
escaped the sword, ran toward a precipice, from whence they cast them-
selves headlong into .the sea, and miserably perished. A beautiful young
jirl of I a or 13 years of age, who was taken alive, became the object of
dispute between two of our officers, each of them claiming her as his law-
i'ul prize ; a third coming up, put an end to the contest, by shooting the
girl through the head. The place from which" these barbarians threw them*
•elves into the sea, has been called ever since le Morne des Sautcurs [Leap-
ers Hill]." The French, after massacring the natives, proceeded to massa*
ere each other ; and Du Parquet, having injured his fortune in plantiug
the island, an«J supporting his authority, sold his property in the island, in
1657, to the count de Carillac for 30,000 crowns. Ibid. Univ. Hist. xli. aa6»
3 Univ. Hist. xli. 230. Anderson, ii. 414 ; " whose posterity still hold it."
3 Ifaiv. Hist. xli. 263. Anderson, ii, 4x2.
C C Q
354
AMERICAN ANNALS.
1651. ployment, went info the service of the Hollanders-.
These considerations, principally, induced the par-
liament to enact, " That no merchandise, either of
Asia, Africa, or America, including also the English
plantations there, should be imported into England
in any but English built ships, and belonging either
to English or English plantation subjects, navigat-
ed also by an EBglish commander, and three fourths
-of the sailors to be Englishmen ; excepting such
merchandise, as should be imported directly from
the original place of their growth or manufacture
in Europe solely : and that no fish should thence-
forward be imported into England or Ireland, nor
exported thence to foreign parts, nor even from one
of their own home ports, but what should be caught
by their own fishers only." *
•WaMen The church at Maiden having called a minister to
fined for the pastoral office, without if not against the con-
k^settS"" sen* anc^ approbation of neighbouring churches and
ment of a allowance of the magistrates ; the general court, im-
posed a fine on all, who were concerned in the trans-
action ; * and soon after passed an order, that no
minister should be called to office, without the ap-
probation of some of the magistrates, as well as of
the neighbouring churches. 5
Sum tuary ^ sumptuary law was passed this year by the le-
law. gislature of Massachusetts.4
i Anderson, ii. 415, 416. Dr. Robertson [book ix. in.] assigns a dif-
ferent reason for this act : " Not satisfied with taking measures to subject
the colonies, the commonwealth turned its attention towards the most ef-
fectual mode of retaining them in dependence on the parent state, and- of
securing to it tile benefit of their increasing commerce."
1 Hubbard MS. N. Eng. chap. Ix. The procedure of Maiden was " con-
trary to the approved practice of the country." The court, according to
Hubbard (ib.),u passed an handsome fine or mulct." The. people of Mai-
den acknowledged their miscarriage. Ibid.
3 Ibid. It was now left to the power of every county court throughout
the jurisdiction, to make sufficient provision for the maintenance of the
ministry in the respective towns of the colony ; and to rectify any defect,
" on romplaint of any such, for want of means whereby comfortably to
subsist." Ibid.
4 Massachusetts Laws. The law itself, and the language in which it is
ter'
AMERICAN ANNALS. 35$
The general court of Massachusetts having, at 1651
die motion of the reverend John Eliot, granted the *^&
tand at Natick to the natives ; a number of them Natick.
combined for the purpose of government. x
A forge iron manufacture was set up at Ray.n-
2iam in Massachusetts, a town recently settled. *
The town of Salem voted, to build a fort .on the F°rt a*
Winter
-expressed, are curious. The court, lamenting the ine'fficacy of 'former
•" Declarations and Orders against excess of apparel both of men and wo-
>men," proceed to observe.: " We cannot but to our grief take notice, that
intolerable excess and bravery hath crept in upon us, .and especially among
^people of mean condition, to the dishonour of -God, the scandal of our pro-
fession, the consumption of estates, and altogether unsuitable to our pover-
ty." They M acknowledge it to be a matter of much difficulty, in re-
gard of the blindness of men's minds, andtthe stubbornness of -their wills, to
•et down exact rules to confine all sorts of persons ;" yet " cannot but ac-
count it their duty, to commend unto ail the sober and moderate use of those
blessings" &c. The court proceed to order, that no person, whose visible
*state shall not exceed the true and indifferent sum of £100 shall wear any
;gold or silver lace, or gold and silver buttons, or any bone lace above two
shillings per yard, or silk hoods or scarves, on the penalty of 'io shillings
for every such offence. The law authorizes and requires the select men of
every town to take notice of the apparel of any of the inhabitants, and to
assess such persons, as " they shall judge to exceed their .rankes and abili-
ties, in thfr£ostliness or fashion of their apparel in any respect, especially in
the wearing of ribbands and great boots," at^aoo estates, according to the
proportion, which such men use to pay to whom such apparel is suitable and
allowed. An exception however is made in favour of public- officers and
4heir families, and of those; " whose education, and employment;have been
above the ordinary degree, or whose estates have been considerable, though
now decayed." We smile at the simplicity of our forefathers ; /but the
mother country had set an example <of similar measures, effected in a more
jummary manner. In the reign.of queen .Elizabeth, " began in -England long
rtucks and rapiers," which succeeded the sword and buckler ; " and he was
held the greatest gallant, that had the deepest ruffe^and longestirapier. The
offence unto the -eye of the one, ,and:.the hurt ixinto the life of the subject,
that came by the other, caused. her .majesty .to make .proclamation against
them both, and .to place selected grave citizens at every .gate to cut the
ruffes, and breake the rapiers points, of all passengers that exceeded a yearcl
in length of their rapiers, and a nayle of a yeard in depth of their ruffes."
.Stow Chron. 869.
i Mather Magnal. book iii. 197. Coll. Hist. Soc. L iSo. Mr. 'Eliot
advised them to adopt the form of government, proposed by Jethro to
Moses. Accordingly on the 6th of August 1651 about one hundred of
them met together, and chose one ruler of a hundred, :two rulers of fifties,
and ten rulers of tens. After this transaction, they entered into covenant.
See the form of the covenant, ibid.
a Coll. Hist. Soc. iii. 170. It was set up by James and Henry Leonard,
who came to this town in 1652," which was about two years after the first
•settlers had planted themselves upon this spot." Ibid. This article «ugte
in A. D.
356 AMERICAN ANNALS.
1651. south east point of Winter Island; toward which
the general court gave one hundred pounds. l
Mines, The assembly of Connecticut passed an act to en-
Norwaik courage the discovery of mines. a The settlement
& Middle- Of the towns of Norwalk and Middletown in Con-
tied!1* necticut commenced about this time.3
Dutch tra- The Dutch erected a trading house, rather than
a fortification,, on a low point of land,4 which corn-
manded the Delaware. Hudde, left to rule and
traiHck there, purchased of the Minquaas the lands
on the western shore of the Delaware, from Chris-
tiana creek to the river of Bompthook ; which was
the earliest Indian purchase, made there by the
Dutch. The Swedes, observing this conduct of
their rivals, protested against it, with little effect.
Taken tyr Risingh however, the Swedish governor, took the
£nd named* place by force the subsequent year, and named it
Fort Casimir./
i Coll. Hist. Soc- vi. aa8. " The first fort was on Beverly sic!e, and c*
rected by Conant's men before Endicot arrived. It was called Daibie or
Derby fort." Ibid. This article ought to stand in A. D. 1652.
^ Trumbull, i. 201. This act was passed on the motion of John Win-
throp, afterward governor of Connecticut, who judged the^e were mines
and minerals in the colony, which might be improved to great advantage.
See the entire act, ibid. The Winthrops were men of inquisitive minds,
and of philosophical learning. John Winthrop (son of the abovenamed),
who also was governor of Connecticut, sent a specimen of a non-descript
mineral to Sir Hans Sloane. Dr. Ramsay of Edinburgh, a member of the
Royal Society, informs me, that he saw that specimen in the British Muse-
um ; that it was denominated COLUMBIUM ; and that it attracted much no-
tice. The American Academy of Arts and Sciences has been some time
endeavouring to make farther discoveries of this mineral ; but has hitherto
escertained the place merely, where the original specimen was procured,
formerly called by the natives Nant-neague. It is, about three miles from
New London.
3 Ibid. i. aoz. The Indian name of the plare, where Middletoxvn iva«
settled, was Mattabeseck. The principal planters were from England,
Hartford, and Wethersfield. TKere was a considerable accession from
Rowley, Chelmsford, and Woburn, in Massachusetts, The legislature nam-
ed the town in 1653 ; 20 years after, the number of housholders was 52. Ib.
4 Near where Newcastle now stands. Chalmers.
5 Chalmers, i. 632. Having strengthened and enlarged that fort, he
soon after, on the same river five miles higher, erected Fort Christiana, ip
honour of his queen. Ibid.
sette.
AMERICAN ANNALS. 357
1652.
Sir George Ayscue, who had been appointed
commander of the parliament's forces for the reduc-
tion of Barbadoes, sent captain Denis,1 pursuant to weli-
instructions, with a small squadron of men of war,
to Virginia, to reduce to obedience that colony ;
which, last of all the king's dominions, submitted
to the government of the Protector. *
The inhabitants of the Province of Maine were,
by their own request, taken under the protection of of Maine to
the colony of Massachusetts. 3 Commissioners, ap- Mas
pointed by the general court of that colony, repair-
ing to Kittery and Agamenticus, summoned the in-
habitants to appear before them, and received their
submission. Fifty persons then took the oath of
freemen.* Agamenticus was now named York.*
The province was made a county, by the name of
Yorkshire ; and the towns, from this time, sent dep-
uties to the general court at Boston. 6
i This expedition to Virginia was after the reduction of Barbadoes and
the other Caribbee islands. Robertson, book ix. in. Brit. Emp. iii. 177.
Univ. Hist. xli. 140 — 142. Ayscue arrived at Barbadoes with the fleet 16
October 1651, " and succeeded at length in bringing the island to capitu-
late." Edwards W. Indies, i. 336.
a Keith, 147. Beverly, 8 1. Univ. Hist, xli, 432. Governor Berkeley
took arms, to oppose the formidable armament on its entrance into the
Chesepeak ; but the contest was short. His bravery however procured fa*
vourable terms to the colony. A general indemnity for all past offences
was granted ; and the Virginian colonists were admitted to all the rights
of citizens. Robertson, book ix. in. The Articles of agreement, and the
Act of indemnity, both dated 12 March 1651, are in Jefferson Virg. un-
der Query XIII, and Hazard Coll. i. 560 — 564. The true date, according
to the present reckoning, is 1652. The Instructions to Denis and others,
signed by President Bradshaw at Whitehall, are dated 26 Sept. 1651.
These Instructions are in Hazard Coll. i. 556 — 558.
3 Hubbard MS. N. Eng. chap. Iviii. Belknap Biog. i. 390. Massachu-
setts claimed the jurisdiction of that Province, as lying within the limits of
its charter of 1628. Coll. Hist. Soc. iii. 8. Hutchinson, i. 177.
4 Hazard Coll. i. 575, where is the Return, made by the Commissioners,
taken from the Records of the county of York. The commissioners were
Simon Bradstreet, Samuel Symonds, Thomas Wiggin, and Brian Pendle-
ton. The names of the freemen are also in Hazard, ibid.
5 Hazard i. 576, where may be seen the PRIVILEGES, granted to that
town by the Commissioners.
6 Hutchinson, i. 177. The towns of Wells, Cape Porpus, and Saco, did
not subscribe a declaration of their submission until the next year (5 July
AMERICAN ANNALS.
1652. The first mint \vas erected in New England for
conng money.
To encourage the staple commodity of Virginia,
Act about the English parliament passed an act, which gave
legal force to the injunctions of James and Charles
against planting tobacco in England. a
^Parliament The government of Maryland was taken out of
assumes the hands of lord Baltimore, for disloyalty to the
ment°o7n~ ruling powers in England, and settled in the hands
Maryland, of the parliament. 5
Rhode fai- By an order of the council of state for the com-
***• monwealth of England, the government of Rhode
Island was suspended ; but that colony, taking ad-
vantage of the distractions, which soon after ensued
in England, resumed its government, and enjoyed it,
without farther interruption, until the Restoration.4
Death of John Cotton, minister of the first church in Bos-
j. cotton. ton^ W]1O jlas been sty}e(j the patriarch of New Eng-
land, died, in the sixty eighth year of his age. s
1653). The villages, lying still farther eastward, appear not to have sur-
rendered their independence until 1658. Chalmers, i. 480, 499, 501.
I Hutchinson, i. 1 78. Chalmers, i. 182. The money coined was in shil-
lings, six pences, and three pences. The law enacted, that " Massachusetts
and a tree in the centre be on the one side ; and New England and the
year of our Lord, and the figure XII, VI, III, according .to the value of each
piece, be on the other side." Massachusetts Laws. The several coins had
N. E. on one side, and the number denoting the number of fsncst with
the>year 1652, on the other. This date was never altered, though more
Soin was stamped annually for 30 years. Hutchinson Coll. 480.
a Keith, 148. Robertson, book ix. 112.
3 Hazard Coll. i. 626. In 1654 it was settled in the hands of the Pro-
tector. Ibid. For the reasons oi this procedure, with evidences, that " the
province of Maryland had more need of reducing than any plantation in
America," see ibid. 621 — 630.
4 Chalmers, 1,274. Douglass, ii. 8r.
5 Mather Magnal. book iii. 14—31. Hutchinson, i. 179. He is de-
scribed by Hubbard [MS. N. Eng. chap. Ixi.], as a man " of excellent learn-
ing, profound judgment, eminent gravity, Christiaa c-andou», and sweet
temper of spirit,'*
AMERICAN ANNALS, 359
l653-
The commissioners of the United Colonies, ap- P
prehensive of hostilities with the Dutch, concluded
provisionally, that five hundred men should be the the Dutd*
number raised out of the four jurisdictions. x On
this occasion, Plymouth colony appointed a council
of war, and agreed on several military orders. In
May, the council of war issued warrants, in the name
of the state of England, for pressing sixty men, the
number required of that colony, on condition of the
need of them, to be taken out of the several towns
xvithin the jurisdiction of Plymouth ; and Miles Stan-
dish was appointed their captain. *
The commissioners of the colonies, finding it ne-
cessary to make war with Ninnigret3 the Niantick
sachem, concluded on that measure ; and voted, that
two hundred and fifty foot soldiers, officers and
commanders included, be immediately raised by the
several colonies.4
I Hazard Coll.ii. 231.
Massachusetts was to send (commanders included) - -
Plymouth - - - - • ' -
Connecticut - - ...
New Haven - - • . ' .
MM
JOO
a All the commissioners, excepting those of Massachusetts, were of the o*
pinion, that there had been a horrid and execrable plot, concerted by the
Dutch governor and the Indians, for the destruction of the English colo-
nies." Trumbull, i. 209.
a Hazard Coll. 1.580, 581. The towns in Plymouth jurisdiction were
to raise men in the following proportions :
Plymouth ----- 7 Yarmouth ...... 6
Duxborough - - - - 6 Barnstable ----- . 6
Scituate 9 Marshfield ------ 6
Sandwich ----- 6 Rehbboth ------ 6
Taunton ----- 5 Eastham ------ 3
3 It appeared, that he had spent the winter at Manhattan, with Stuyve-
«mt, on the business of the conspiracy.' Trumbull, i. 209.
4 Hazard Coll. ii. 293, 295. The 250 men were to be raised by the col-*-
•nies in a due proportion, as was agreed on at the first meeting of the com*
jnissioners at Boston this year.
Massachusetts was to raise and send ... - 166
Plymouth - - - -- - » . .30
Connecticut -.- .. .- . 3$
New Haven - - . . - . . . Ȥ
360 AMERICAN ANNALS.
i 653. To clear the title of Massachusetts to the province
North line of Maine, skilful mathematicians were ordered to
chusetts.a" run tne north line of the Massachusetts patent ac-
cording to the late interpretation of its bounds ; and
it was run, agreeably to that order, in October. '
Fire in The first fire in Boston, recorded by the early
Boston, historians, was in this year. *
Montreal. The incursions of the Iroquois having obliged M.
de Maisonneuve, governor of Montreal, to repair to
France for fresh recruits ; he returned with one
hundred men. Margaret Bourgeois, a respectable
lady, who afterward instituted the order of the
Daughters of the Congregation, now came with
him to Montreal. *
Death of Thomas Dudley, formerly governor of Massachu.
T.Dudley. settSj an(j a principal founder of that colony, died,
aged seventy seven years.4
Massachusetts, not satisfied with the reasons for the war, declined raising
her quota. The general court of that colony resolved, that no determina-
tion of the commissioners, though they should all agree, should bind the
general court to join in an offensive war, which should appear to such
court to be unjust. This declaration gave great uneasiness to the sister cot-
onies, and nearly effected a dissolution of their union. Trumbull, i, 315,
316. See Hazard Coll. ii. a88 — 295 ; Hutchinson,i. 179 — i8a.
I Hubbard MS. N. Eng. chap. Iviii. Hazard Coll. i. 591.
a Coll. Hist. Soc. Hi. 269. josselyn [Voy. 267, N. Eng. &ir. in.] calls
it " the great fire ;" but no particulars of it can be found.
3 Charlevoix Nouv. France, i. 312, 313. Univ. Hist, xxxix. 454. Char*
levoix estimates M. Bourgeois as a greater acquisition to the colony, than
all the soldiers. " Mais la plus heureuse acquisition, qu'il fit dans ce voy-
age, fut celle d' une vertueuse Fille &c. . . qui a depuis rendu son nom cher
et respectable a toute la colonie par ses eminentes vertus &c."
4 Morton, 150. Hubbard MS. N. Eng. chap. Ixi. Hutchinson, i. i8;{.
Coll. Hist. Soc. vii. 1 1. On Mr. Hooker's removal to Hartford, Mr. Dud-
ley removed from Newtown to Ipswich ; and afterward to Roxbury, where
he died. He was a man of sound judgment, of inflexible integrity, of pub-
lic spirit, and of strict and exemplary piety. His intolerance toward relig-
ious sectaries derives some apology from the age, in which he lived ; an
age, not thoroughly acquainted with the true principles of civil and relig-
ious liberty. With strong passions, he was still placable and generous*
One fact is at once illustrative of these traits of his character, and of the
patriarchal kind of government, exercised in Massachusetts, during the in-
fancy of that colony. Governor Winthrop having led deputy governor
Dudley to expect, that he would settle with him at Nawtown [See p. z6s-
of this volume.] ; his removal to Boston gave Dudley great dissatisfaction.
" The ministers," being appealed to on this occasion, " for an end oi the
ordered, that the governor should f,rcv":r* th?:n.<; r:.. -u^c H^
AMERICAN ANNALS, 361
1654.
The colony of Connecticut receiving an order April 6.
from the parliament, requiring, that the Dutch Dutch
, . ti 111 i house and
should be treated, mall respects, as the declared en-
emies of England ; the general court of that colony
passed an act, sequestring the Dutch house, lands
and property of all kinds, at Hartford, for the ben-
efit of the commonwealth. x
Although the colony of New Haven could not New Ha-
effectually engage the confederate colonies in a war obtains™
against the Dutch \ yet some of the principal per- help from
sons of the colony, going this year to England, pre- En£land*
vailed so far with those in power there, as to obtain
a commission for certain ships and soldiers, to seize
the Dutch plantation at New Netherlands, for the
use of the English. A fleet sailed from England for
that purpose -, but the voyage was long, and news
of a peace, concluded between the States of Holland
and the powers in England, reached America before
the arrival of the fleet. The commander in chief,
hence induced to turn his forces, with those raised
in Massachusetts, into another direction, attacked
the French forts about St. John's river, and reduced
them, and the adjacent places, z under the power of
the English.3 The peace with the Dutch, with
Newtown, and contribute some to his maintenance for a time ; or if he
could not by the spring effect that, then to give the deputy towards his
charges in building there £20." The governor promised compliance ; but,
on making payment of that sum, Dudley returned it to him, with strong
professions of personal estimation. Winthrop Journ. 43. Coll. Hist. Soc.
vii. II.
I Trumbull, i. 125. Coll. Hist. Soc. vii. A point of land, which form-
ed a part of their possessions, is still called Dutch Point. Ibid.
a Penobscot &c. The English " met with no great resistance." Hut*
chinson, i. 183. All the country from Penobscot to Port Royal was con-
quered at this time. Sullivan, 158. Port Royal capitulated in August.
Chalmers, i. 187. The French pretended, that they had purchased the
English right at the price of £5000 ; a price, which, if there was such atf
agreement, was never paid. The conquered country was confirmed to Eng-
land the following year. Univ. Hist, xxxix. 256.
3 Hubbard MS. N. Eng. chap. lix. Intelligence of the peace, signed 5
April, was received 23 June. Hazard Coll. i. 589. A short time before
this intelligence arrived, Massachusetts had consented to the raising of
*62 AMERICAN ANNALS.
3
1654. " the hopeful establishment of government in Eng*
Thanks- land," occasioned a, public thanksgiving in Massa-
giving. chusetts. '
September. Massachusetts not joining her confederates in a
swriew'of war against Ninnigret, that sachem prosecuted his
u. Colonies war with the Long Island Indians, who had put
themselves under the protection of the English.2
The commissioners in September sent a messenger
to him, demanding his appearance at Hartford,
\vhere they were convened, and the payment of tri-
bute long due, for the Pequots under him ; but he
refused to appear, and sent them a spirited, inde-
Betermine pendent answer. Determining therefore on a war
with him, they ordered two hundred and seventy
infantry, and forty horsemen, to be raised. 3 Orders
were given, that twenty horse from Massachusetts,
twenty four men from Connecticut, and sixteen from
New Haven, should be immediately dispatched into
the Nehantick country. The commissioners nomin-
ated three men to the chief command, leaving the
appointment to Massachusetts ; but the general
court of that colony, disregarding the nomination,
appointed major Simon Willard. The commission-
troops for an expedition against the Dutch ; hut It was not until Cromwell,
JLord Protector, had signified to them his pleasure that it should be done.
The general court, having received a letter from his highness " declare
(9 June), that though they understand that this colony is not in such a ca-
pacity as may be apprehended to send forth such numbers of men, as might
vigorously assist in that undertaking, yet do freely consent and give liberty
to his Highness's commissioners major Robert Sedgwick and captain John
I^everet to raise within our jurisdiction the number of 500 volunteers fur-
nished with all necessary accommodations to assist them in their enterprize
against the Dutch ; provided the persons be free from legal engagements."
Hazard, 1.587. By "legal engagements," Hutchinson [i. 183.] suppos-
es, must be intended " apprenticeship and other servitude, as well as pro-
cesses from courts" &c. For " Proceedings of the council of war at Ply-
mouth," on the same subject, see Hazard Coll. i. 587 — 590.
1 Hutchinson, i. 183. The thanksgiving was 30 September.
2 Trumbull, i. 220. He had hired as auxiliaries, the Mohawks, Pocom-
tocks, and Wampanoags. It was supposed, that his design was, to destroy
the Long Island Indians, and the Moheagans ; but a collection of such a,
number of Indians from various quarters would have endangered the gene-
ral peace of the country. lb.
3 Massachusetts was to raise the 40 horsemen, and 153 footmen ; Cou~
flecticut, 45 j and New Haven, 31. Trumbtill, i. 231.
AMERICAN ANNALS. 363
ers gave him a commission, to command the troops, 1654.
with instructions to proceed with such of them, as
should be found at the place of rendezvous, by the
thirteenth of October, directly to Ninnigret's quar-
ters, and demand of him the Pequots, who had been
put under him, and the tribute, that was still due ;
also a cessation of hostilities with the Long Island-
ers. If Ninnigret should not comply with these de-
mands, the instructions were, to subdue him. Wil-
lard marched with his men into the Narraganset
country ; and, finding that Ninnigret with his men sanset*
had fled into a swamp, fourteen or fifteen miles dis-
tant from the army, returned home, without attempt-
ing to injure the enemy. About one hundred Pe-
quots, who had been left with the Narragansets ev-
er since the Pequot war, voluntarily came off, with
the army, and put themselves under the protection
and government of the English. *
New Haven colony, from its first settlement, at- College
tended to the interests ofi learning, as well as to ^°^^
those of religion and civil polity. Beside establish- Haven,
ing a ministry in each town by law, to be supported
by the inhabitants, it established schools in each
town, for common education ; and a colony gram-
mar school, to prepare youth for college. This
year the reverend Mr. Davenport brought forward
the institution of a college, to which the town of
New Haven made a donation of lands. *
I Hutchinson, i. 185-— 187. Trumbull. I. 229 — 232. Trumbull (ibid.)
says, Ninnigret had left his country, c«rn, and wigwams, without defencej
and they might have been laid waste, without loss or danger. The com-
piissioners were entirely dissatisfied with the conduct of the commander of
the expedition ; but historians ascribe the defeat of their design to the se-
cret intrigue of Massachusetts. Hutchinson, the historian of that colony
(ut supra), says, " this was the second time of their preventing a general
war, contrary to the minds of six of the commissioners of the other colonies."
a Pres. Stiles Hist. Judges of king Charles I. p. 40. On a donation to
this college of perhaps £400 or £500 sterling by governor Hopkins, who
died at London in 1656, the general assembly erected the colony school
into a college for teaching "the three learned languages, Latin, Greek and
Hebrew ;" and for " the education of youth in good literature, to fit them
for public service in church and commonwealth ;" and settled £40 a year
364 AMERICAN ANNALS.
1654. The whole number of ratable persons in the col-
progiessof onv Of ( ;, ,; necticut, this year, was seven hundred
cut, C anc seventy five ; and the grand list was seventy
nine thousand and seventy three pounds. '
May »3. Thomas Prince having been appointed by the
• ioT°S- general court of Plymouth colony, the preceding
•'V- year, to settle a government at Kennebeek ; he now
issued a warrant, directed to the marshal of New
Plymouth, requiring the inhabitants on the river
Kennebeek to make their personal appearance at
Merry Meeting on the twenty third of May. The
people generally assembled ; and sixteen took the
oath of fidelity to the State of England and to the
present government of Plymouth ; and fifteen laws
were established for their government. a
Lands John Eliot, minister of Roxbury, having previ«
the n'athfeT ousty received encouragement from the general court
of Massachusetts to proceed in preaching the gospel
to the native?, now obtained several parcels of land
for those Indians, who should give any just hope of
their embracing the Christian religion. 3
out of the colony treasury on the preceptor or rector, beside the salary from
3S.jw Haven school, with ^ios> for a library. Mr. Davenport had the
ca of the colo y school several years ; but in 1660 the reverend Mr. Peck
\\ s established in it, according to the act of assembly, and taught the
learned languages and the sciences. The convulsions of the times however
i: 1664, and the want of adequate support, caused this college to terminate
in d public grammar school ; which is still preserved, and holds the Hop-
kins' funds, and the other endowments of college estate, to this day. Yale:
Coiloge was not built on this foundation. Ibid. The general court of
Connecticut in 1^3 ordered, that £3,0 be paid to the support of a fellow*
ship in Harvard college. Trumbull, i. 222.
1 Trumbull, i. 232. The number and list of each town are subjoined s
Tov.-ns. Persons. Estates.
Hartford ------ 177 ------
Windsor ------ 165 - - - - -
Wethersfield 113 - - - - -
Fairfield ------- 94...--.
Saybrook - -- --- 53 .-„.--
Stratford -- - -< -- 7:* ------
Farmington ------ 46 ------
3VIiddletown .-. --31 ------
Norwalk ------- 24 ------
775 79P73
* Hazard Coll. i. 58*3 — 586, from Plymouth Records.
3 Hubbard MS, N. Eng. chap, lyiii. Hubbard (ib.) mentions lands at
AMERICAN ANNALS. 365
Colonel Wood, living at the falls of James river
in Virginia, sent suitable persons on an enterprise of
discovery. Having passed the Alleghany mountains,
they entered the country of the Ohio, and, in ten
years, discovered several branches of that river, and
pf the Missisippi. '
The Iroquois about this time so effectually exter-
minated the Eries, that, without the great lake, on 5°^ t:
the borders of which they were situated, and which
still bears their name, we should have no evidence
pf their existence. a peath
John Haynes, governor of Connecticut, died, $ of gor.
Haynes.
l655« '
Toward the close of the preceding year Cromwell English
had fitted out a fleet of thirty sail, under vice admi-
ral Penn, with land forces commanded by general
Venables, for the conquest of Hispaniola. Arriving
at that island on the thirteenth of April, they were
repulsed by the Spaniards, with great loss. On the is repulsed,
second of May they landed on Jamaica, and laid
siege to St. Jago, which at length capitulated. The Reduction
whole island was soon reduced ; 4 and has ever since «f J
remained in the hands of the English.
Hasanameset, " a place in the woods beyond Medfield and Mendon," and
at Puncapoag, beyond Dorchester, beside Natick.
I Brit. Emp. iii. 195. Adair, 308.
a Charlevoix Nouv. France, i. 322. This historian calls them" la nation
<Jes Eriez, ou du Chat" See Wynne, i. 334.
3 Trumbull, i. 223, 224. He was distinguished for his abilities, pru-
dence, and piety ; and in his death the colony sustained a great loss. He was1
chosen governor of Massachusetts in 1635, before his removal to Connec,*
ticut ; and was considered as " not inferior to governor Winthrop." On hc<*
removal (1636), he was chosen governor of Connecticut ; and he was ct^d
tinued in that office, when the constitution would permit, until his death f?^
4 Univ. Hist. xli. 349. Wynne, ii. 444, 445. Cromwell's commit *s
to general Venables is in Hazard Coll. i. 592 — 594. Univ. Hist, [x! nor °£
349.] says, that the fleet, when it sailed from England, had at lea?,ff ear1/
Jand troops, a great part of which was composed of Cromwell's Ve-ve.ret *s
and th.it Barbadoes afterward furnished 3500 soldiers. Salmon ; aside ia
Hist. i. 162.] says, the combined forces consisted of 9000 men.
was suspected of an attachment to the royal party ; and was aft<'3*» where
strumental in restoring Charks IT. He and Penn, on their retur '" the mas'
W. Jndjes, were sent to the tower by the protector j but their co Part
366 AMERICAN ANNALS,
1655. Governor Eaton had, by desire, compiled a code
°^ *aws **or t^le co^ony °f New Haven. These laws,
having been examined and approved by the minis-
Hav^d ters °f the jurisdiction, were presented to the gene-
ral court, which ordered that five hundred copies
should be printed. x
h in ^e £enera* court °f Massachusetts, in conside-
Massachu" ration of the straits of the colony in the article of
setts. clothing, passed an ace of assessment on spinning."
Execution This year Mrs. Ann Hibbins of Boston was tried
crrftTt(:h" anc* condemned for witchcraft j and the next year
was executed. 3
Epidemic An epidemical distemper, similar to that of 1647,
dise^. prevailed through New England. *
Virginia The Virginian legislature changed the Spanish
piece of eight from six shillings, and established it
at five shillings sterling, as the standard of its cur-
rency. s
Swedes ex- The Swedes at the Delaware were extirpated by
fromrjeia- ^e Dutd1* who became possessed of the west side
ware, of Delaware bay. 6 The fortress of Casirair was
now denominated Niewer Amstel by the Dutch ; by
the English, Newcastle ; and a village naturally
arose under its walls.7
of greater importance than Cromwell then imagined. He gave order*
however to support it ; and Jamaica was the chief acquisition, which the
English owe to his enterprising spirit. Allen Hist. Eng. 259.
I Trumbull, i. 235. They were printed in England,
a Massachusetts Laws. The law required, " that all hands, not necessa-
nly employed on other occasions, as women, boys, and girls," should " spin
.ccording to their skill and ability;'* and authorized the selectmen in every
>wn, to " consider the condition and capacity of every family, and assess
in" accordingly, " at one or more spinners."
, Hutchinson, i. 188. The second instance in N. England. See p. 345.
j, lubbard MS. N. Eng. chap. ki. Hutchinson, i. 190. Of this disease
*d Nathaniel Rogers, a very respectable minister of Ipswich, a descend-
a^ the celebrated John Rogers, who suffered martyrdom in queen Ma-
$,tra?n. Ibid. Mather Magnal. book iii. 104 — 109.
£ JfvTerson Virg. Query xxi. See p. 336 of this volume.
Jr v called the Three Lower Counties. Smith N. York, 6.
tw'h N. York, ibid. Chalmers, i. 633. The Dutch W. India
feeling the blow, struck by the Swedes, had applied for aid to
„ Amsterdam ; and, with this alliance, sent an armament from
l^r, under the command of Stuyvesant, the governor. Ibjd, Stuy-
Hubp-
AMERICAN ANNALS* 367
The Onondagas sent deputies to Quebec, accom- French
panied by a large number of their nation, to solicit
missionaries of the French. Missionaries were ac-
cordingly sent to that tribe of natives ; and several
of the heads of it became their proselytes. '
Edward Winslow, distinguished in the annals of Ma? 8-
Plymouth colony, died on board the English fleet
in the West Indies, in the sixty first year of his age. z
1656.
The Quakers, at their first appearance in New
England, were considered equally hostile to civil or- quakera
der and to Christian truth. The legislature of
Massachusetts therefore passed sentence of banish*
ment on twelve of that sect, the whole number then
in the colony. 3
vesant arrived at the Delaware 9 September, and soon after anchored bei
fore Fort Casimir, and landed his troops. This fort, commanded by Suen
Scutz, surrendered 16 September, on articles of capitulation. .The whole
strength of the place consisted of 4 cannon (14 pounders), 5 swivels, and
some small arms ; all of which were delivered to the conquered* Fort
Christiana, commanded by Risingh, surrendered to Stuyvesant 25 Septem-
ber. About 30 Swedes took the oath of fidelity to the States General ; the
rest, with a few exceptions, went to Sweden. Smith N. York, 6.
I Univ. Hist, xxxix. 457, 458. Charlevoix Nouv. France,!. 320%
a Morton, 153. Hutchinson, i. 187. Cromwell appointed three com-
missioners to superintend and direct the operations of Penn and Venablea
in their expedition to the W. Indies, of whom Winslow, then in England,
was chief. His reputation was so great, and he found so much employ-
ment, that he had never returned home after his departure as agent in 1646.
The commanders disagreed in their tempers and views ; and the commia-
woners could not controul them. Winslow participated the chagrin of the
defeat ; but not the pleasure of the subsequent victory. In the passage
between Hispaniola and Jamaica, 'the heat of the climate threw him into a
fever, which, aggravated by his dejection, terminated his life. Belknap
Biog. ii, 281 — 309. His actions form his best eulogium. In New Eng-
land, his name will never be forgotten. His portrait, an excellent piece
of painting, is in possession of Dr. Josiah Winslow, who inherits the old
family estate, called Careswell farm, at Marshfield. The eye is black and
expressive, and the whole countenance very interesting. The portrait is
taken with whiskers. Josiah Winslow, sou of Edward (also governor o£
Plymouth colony), is drawn without them. " Beards were left off early
in New England, and about the same time they were in Old. Leveret is
the first governor, who is painted without a beard. He laid it aside ia
Cromwell's court." Hutchinson, i. 153.
3 Hutchinson, i. 197. Ne"al N. Eng. i. 311. Hazard 1.630 — 632, where
the act is entire. An act was passed, laying a penalty of £100 on the mas-
ter of any vessel, who should bring a known quaker into any part of the
368 AMERICAN ANNALS.
1656. Oliver Cromwell, protector, made proposals tc*
Proposal to the colony of Massachusetts for the removal of some
SaSi/*" °f its inhabitants to Jamaica ; but the general court
very respectfully declined compliance. *
Biiierica. A township was granted at Shashin, which was
called Biiierica 5 and another, above Concord, cal-
Groton. fed Groton. *
Ruler of General Daniel Gookin of Cambridge was the
Indians fjrst English magistrate, chosen to be ruler of the
°sen* praying Indians in Massachusetts. 3
Acadie Cromwell granted, under the great seal of Eng-
it Adeline Janc*> to ^harles Saint Etienne, William Crown, and
and others. Thomas Temple forever, the territory denominated
Acadie, and part of the country commonly called
Nova Scotia, extending along the coast to Pentago-
et and to the river St. George. It was erected into
a province, independent of New England and of his
other dominions, and the three grantees were ap-
pointed its hereditary governors, 4
colony ; and requiring him to give security to carry him back again, the
quaker to be immediately sent to the house of correction, receive twenty
stripes, and be kept to hard labour until transportation. A penalty was e-
nacted of £5 for importing, and the same for dispersing or concealing qua-
kers' books ; and for defending the doctrines of their books 40 shillings for
the first offence ; £4 for the second ; and for the nexty commitment to the
house of correction, " till there be convenient passage for them to be sent
out of the land." Another severe law was passed the next year (1657) a-
gainst bringing quakers into the jurisdiction, or harbouring them in it. Sec
Hutchinsoiij i. 198. This law is entire in Hazard Coll. ii. 554. See A. D,
1646, p. 340 of this volume,where the quakers are noticed ; but that arti-
cle seems to have been inserted ten years too soon. If that be an error, it
is copied from, the printed laws, and from Hazard's Collections, both of
which give that date. Chalmers [i. 190.] says, " thejirst quakers who ap-
peared in Ntw England, arrived from Barbadoes in July, 1656."
I The Letter of the general court to Cromwell is in Hutchinson, i. ItyZj
and Hazard Coll. i. 638.
a Hubbard MS. N. £ng. chap. Iviii.
3 Coll. Hist. Soc. i. 177.
4 Chalmers, i. 187. Hazard Coll. i. 616 — 619, from Memoires de 1*
Atnericme. " Thus, for the first time, was introduced that confusion with?-
regard to Acadie and Nova Scotia, which so perplexed statesmen in after-
times, by considering those as two different countries, that were in truth
the same ; the former containing the latter and more, and Acadie advanc-
ing westward till it met with the settlements of New England. For it
ought always to be remembered, that the southern boundary of Acadie, as
established by the. grant of Henry IV, in 1603, was the 4Oth degree of
north latitude ; that the southwestern limits of Nova Scotia, as appoiutt(f
AMERICAN ANNALS. 369
New Amsterdam, afterward called New York, New York
was laid out in several small streets. x Iaid out-
An insurrection was raised in Maryland by Josias insurrec-
Fendal, a man of restless intrigue, which greatly tion in Ma-
distressed the province, and added to the burden of ry and'
its impositions. a
Miles Standish, the hero of New England, died Death of
at Duxborough, at an advanced age. l Standish.
l657-
The governor and council of Plymouth, about Indian plot,
this time, hearing that Alexander, son and successor
of Masassoit, was conspiring with the Narragansets
against the English, sent for him to the court. Ma-
jor Wirislow, with eight or ten men, surprising him,
and requiring his attendance, he was persuaded by
one of his own chief counsellors to go to the gover-
nor's house ; but his indignation at the surprisal
threw him into a fever. On his promise to come
back to Plymouth, if he should recover, and, in the
mean time, to send his son as a hostage, he had Death of
leave to return \ but he died before he reached home. 4
The Indians at Ponkipog having sold all their Lands giv-
land, the town of Dorchester, at the request of the en *° the
reverend John Eliot of Roxbury, empowered four
persons to lay out a plantation at Ponkipog, not ex-
by the patent of James I in 1621, was the river St. Croix. And thus was
the stream of St. George now affixed as the outmost extent of both towards
the south-west." Ibid. 188. ,
i Smith New York, 22. a Chalmers, i. 224.
3 Morton, 155. Hubbard MS. N. Eng. chap. Ixii. Belknap Biog. ii.
335. Coll. Hist. Soc. ii. 4. Hubbard (ut supra) says, he was allied to the
noble house of Standish in Lancashire, and inherited some of the virtues of
that honourable family, as well as the name. In the military annals of Ply-
mouth he stands preeminently distinguished. Dr. Belknap [Biog. ii. 335.]
says, after the encounter at Mount Wollaston in 1628, we have no particu-
lar account of him. We find however, that, so late as 1653, ne was placed
at the head of the troops, provisionally raised by Plymouth colony ; and
that h» was chosen one of the assistants of that colony, as long as he lived.
His sword is preserved in the cabinet of the Massachusetts Historical So*
.-iety.
4 Hubbard Ind. War, 49, 50.
370
AMERICAN ANNALS.
1657.
Licence to
supply the
natives
with arms,
A ship lost.
Petaquam-
scut pur-
Canonkut.
Disputes
concerning-
baptism.
Boston2
Death of
W. Brad-'
ford,
ceeding six thousand acres of land, and gave that
tract for the exclusive use and benefit of the Indians. x
Massachusetts legislature granted a licence to cer-
^{n persons, to supply the eastern Indians with arms
, A r r r. J . .
and ammunition for hunting, on paying an acknowl-
edgment to the public treasury. *
A ship, with many worthy passengers was lost in
a voyage from Boston to England. 3
Several gentlemen on Rhode Island and other as-
sociates made the Petaquamscut purchase of the
chief sachems of the Narraganset country. The
island of Canonicut was also purchased of the In-
dians by William Coddington, Benedict Arnold*
and others.4
The question of enlarging the subjects of baptism
having been much agitated, the magistrates of Con-
nectjcut hac^ the }ast year, sent several of their num-
ber to Massachusetts for consultation. The magis-
trates of both those jurisdictions united in calling
together several of the ablest ministers of each col-
ony, and recommended to their consideration several
inquiries on the disputed subject. Twenty six min-
isters met at Boston in June ; and the result of their
aisPutati°n was presented to the magistrates of each
jurisdiction, and afterward printed. 5
William Bradford, governor of Plymouth,6 The-
1 Coll. Hist. Soc. i. 100 ; ii. 9, Ponkipog (now Stoughtcn) was then
within the limits of Dorchester.
2 Belknap N. Hamp. i. 160.
3 Morton, 163. Among the passengers lost was Mr. Thomas Mayhew
jun. who had been the principal instrument in the conversion of the na-
tives on Martha's Vineyard. Hubbard MS. N. Eng. chap. Ixii. |
4 Callender, 39. Brit. Emp. ii. 135, 148. Coll. Hist. Soc. v. £17. The
smaller islands had been purchased before.
5 Hubbard MS. N. Eng. chap, xli, Ixiii. The title of it was " A»afspu-
tation concerning church members and their children, in answer to XXI
Questions."
6 Morton, 156. Hutchinson, i. 206. Gov. Bradford, at the time of hia
death, was in the LXIXth year of his age. Piety, wisdom, and integrity,
were prominent traits of his character. Though he had not a learned edu-
cation, he read and wrote much. He very assiduously studied the Hebrew
language ; the French and Dutch languages were familiar to him ; and he
had considerable knowledge of the Latin' and Greek. From the time of
his first election in j6ai, he was annually choien governor, as long as lie
% AMERICAN ANNALS. 371
ophilus Eaton, governor of New Haven, x and Ed- T. Eaton,
ward Hopkins, formerly governor of Connecticut, £^E'HoI>
died this year. 3
1658.
A considerable settlement was made this year t>e- Southerton,
tween Mistic and Pawcatuck rivers, by several fami- ed&onmg-
lies from Massachusetts.3 '•• The settlers, finding that ton, settled.
lived, excepting three years. See Belknap Bk>g. ii. 217 — 251. Hubbard
[MS. N. Eng. chap. Ixii.] says, " he was the very prop and glory of Plym-
outh colony during all the whole series of changes that passed over it.'
i Hubbard MS. N. Eng. chap. xlii. Gov. Eaton died 7 January, JEtat.
.LXVII. For several years he had formerly been an agent for the king of
England, at the court of Denmark. He was one of the original patentees
of Massachusetts, and soon after his arrival was chosen one of the magis-
trates of the colony. On the settlement of New Haven he was chosen gov-
ernor of that colony ; and was annually reelected until his death. In pri-
vate life he was very amiable ; his public character was distinguished for
integrity and dignity, wisdom and piety. Trumbull, i. 240.
1 Trumbull, i. 241, 242. He was governor several years, and highly
esteemed, as a wise and upright magistrate, and as a man of exemplary pie-
ty and extensive charity. Having occasion to go to England, he was there
chosen first \varden of the English fleet ; then commissioner of the admiral-
ty and navy ; and finally a member of parliament. These unexpected pre-
ferments induced him to send to N. England for his family, and to spend
the remainder of his days in his native country, where he died, ./Etat.
LVIII. He gave £500 out of his estate in England to trustees in N. Eng*
land, " for the upholding and promoting the kingdom of the Lord Jesus
-Christ, in those parts of the earth ;" which donation was considered as
made to Harvard college, and the grammar school in Cambridge, and, by
virtue of a decree in chancery, was paid in 1710. The money has been
laid out in real estate in a township in Massachusetts, named, in honour of
the donor, Hopkinton. The legislature of Massachusetts has made such
addition to the fund, that six bachelors may now reside at Harvard College,
and seven boys be instructed at the grammar school. Mr. Hopkins' whole
estate in New England, estimated at about £1000 sterling [Hutchinson, i.
ioi,says, " at least £2000."], was appropriated to the support of the gram-
mar schools in New Haven and Hartford. Ibid. Coll. Hist. Soc. vii. 22.
3 This tract, part of Pequot, originally belonged to New JLondon. The
first man, who settled on it, was William Cheeseborough from Rehoboth,
in 1649. The general court of Connecticut, claiming the land, summoned
him before them ; and, after stating their claims, and taking bonds for
his good conduct, allowed his continuance, promising at the same time, that
if he would procure a sufficient number of planters, they would give them
all proper encouragement in making a permanent settlement ; and about 10
or 12 families began to plant there this year. Massachusetts claimed this
country by virtue of the assistance it afforded Connecticut in the conquest
of the Pequots. After the determination of the dispute by the commis-
sioners, the planters petitioned the general court of Massachusetts, and
obtained a grant of 8 miles from the mouth of Mistic river toward Wek-
apang, and 8 miles northward into the country, and named the plantation
Southerton. It continued under the government of Massachusetts until af-
ter Connecticut obtained a royal charter. Trumbull, i. 242—244. Gov.
Trumbull MS. State and Origin of Connecticut.
37- AMERICAN ANNALS.
1658. there was a controversy between Connecticut and
Massachusetts about a title and jurisdiction, entered
into a voluntary contract to govern themselves, un-
til it should be determined to which colony they
should submit. The commissioners for the United
Colonies,observing that thePequot country would ac-
commodate two plantations, determined, that Mis-
tic river be the boundary between them ; and that
those people, already settled by commission from
either of the two governments, be not molested.1
order a- The general court of Massachusetts ordered, that
bout pub- no person should publicly and constantly preach to
he preach- r i i i • i
ingf any company or people, whether m a church state
or not, or be ordained to the office of a teaching el-
der, where any two organic churches, council of
state, or general court, should declare dissatisfaction
at such public service, either in reference to doctrine
or practice, the offence being, declared to such peo-
ple, church, or person, until the offence be orderly
femoved ; and that, in case of the ordination
of any teaching elder, timely notice be given to three
or four of the neighbouring organic churches, for
their approbation. a
Differences concerning baptism, in this and the
Settle- o . r % i
ments at two preceding years, terminated in the removal or
Northamp- one part of ^ churches and towns of Hartford,
ton and ___ f r i i TTT- i i • t • 1
Hadiey. Wethcrsiield, and Windsor, to plantations higher
on Connecticut river ; one of which was called Had-
ley ; the other Northampton. 3
Lands at Orders were given to William Beckman, lieute-
Cape Hen- nant governor at Newcastle under the command of
bought b ^ director general of New Netherlands, to purchase
the Dutch, of the natives the lands around Cape Henlopen, in
i Tnimbull, i. 342 — 244. Gov. Trumbull MS. State and Origin of
Connecticut. Backus N. Eng. i. 343.
a Hazard Coll. 1.490. The Ecclesiastical Constitution of Massachusetts,
composed of laws, made at different times by the legislature of that colo-
ny, is inserted ibid. 4^8 — 493.
3 Hubbard MS. N. Eng. chap. xli. The separation was " orderly an*
peaceably." Ibid.
AMERICAN ANNALS. 373
order to raise a fortification, and extend the settle-
ment. '
The affairs of Maryland continuing in a distract- Disorderly
ed state, the government of that province was sur- Maryhnd.
rendered by the commissioners to Feudal,* who
had been appointed governor by the proprietary ;
but his intrigues, instead of allowing the restora-
tion of the public quiet, rather aggravated those
mischiefs, which had long wasted the province." 3
There was a great earthquake in New England. 4 Earth-
Ralph Partridge, minister of Duxborough died. s ^adTof R.
Oliver Cromwell, protector, died on the third Partridge.
of September ; and was succeeded by his son Cromwdl-
Richard.6
1659.
The Virginians seized the occasion of the death January,
of the protector's governor, to throw off the govern- ^orcsT
ment of the protectorate. They applied to Sir Wil- Berkeley
liam Berkeley, living privately on his estate, to re- t£^e^°*{
sume the government of the colony ; but he did not Virginia;
consent to the proposal until they solemnly promis-
ed to adventure their, lives and fortunes with him
for their king. Berkeley was restored in January ;
and the colonists proclaimed Charles II king of Eng- ™££™~
land, Scotland, Ireland and Virginia, before his res- Charles IL
toration to the crown of England. 7
At the meeting of the assembly of Maryland, the ,uPPer.
, , IT • . r -n i i house m
burgesses, by the direction or connivance of Fendal, the assem-
governor of the colony, dissolved the upper house, bly°fMa-
j j y . -, 8rjr J ryland dis-
and assumed every power in the state. 8oived.
1 Smith N. York, 7. Chalmers, i. 633. For want of goods, the pur-
chase was not made until the next year. Smith, ib.
2 An insurgent. See A. D. 1656. 3 Chalmers, i. 224.
4 Morton, 164. Josselyn Voy. 269.
5 Magnal. book iii. 99. Morton, 164. 6 Life Cromwell, 405. •
7 Chalmers, i. 125. The firmness, which the Virginians expressed in
the royal cause, drew from the king a particular mark of his favour ; for
some part of his habit, at the time of his coronation, it is said, was compo-
sed of Virginian silk, sent to him from the colony. Univ. Hist. xli. 532.
8 Chalmers, i. 224, 225. The form' of the procedure was singular. No
sooner was the assembly convened, than the burgesses sent the following
paper to the upper house : " To the honourable the governor and council,
" That this assembly of burgesses, judging themselves to be a lawful as-
374 AMERICAN ANNALS.
1659. The general court of Massachusetts, in addition
Grant to to the income of Charlestown ferry, formerly grant-
ed t° Harvard College, ordered, that there should
be annually levied a hundred pounds, by addition to
the country rate, for the maintenance of the presi-
dent and fellows of the college.1
Quakers William Robinson, Marmaduke Stephenson, and
executed. ]y[ary Dyer, quakers, were brought to trial before
the general court of Massachusetts, and sentenced
to die. The two first were executed. z
Lands pur- John Wmthrop, Humphrey Atherton, and asso-
NaTraVan- ciates, purchased of the Narraganset sachems two
set. tracts of land, joining to Narraganset bay, and set-
tled them with inhabitants. 3
Moheagan Uncas and Wawequay, sachems of Moheagan,
tedtogcra- granted all their lands to major John Mason, agent
necticut. for Connecticut, who, the next year, surrendered
the lands to that colony.4
" sembly, without dependence upon any other power in the province now
" in being, is the highest court of judicature : and if any objection can ba
" made, we desire to hear it." A conference ensued ; and the upper house,
refusing to betray at once its trust and its own just authority, was dissolv-
ed by the burgesses. Ibid. 236.
I Mass. Laws. It was to continue " during the pleasure of the country.**
y, Hutchinson, i. 200. Hazard Coll. ii. 565. They received this sen-
tence " for their rebellion, sedition, and presumptuous obtruding themselves
after banishment upon pain of death." Mary Dyer was reprieved, on con-
dition of her departure from the jurisdiction in forty eight hours, and, if
she returned, to suffer the sentence. She was carried however to the gal-
lows, and stood with a rope about her neck until the others were executed.
This infatuated woman returned, and was executed in 1660. A Declara-
tion .of the general court, in justification of these proceedings, was soon af-
ter printed. It is entire in Hubbard MS. N. Eng. chap. Ixiv ; and Hazard
Coll. ii. 567 — 572. An extract is in Mather Magnal. book vii. 23. See
A. D. 1661.
3 Coll. Hist, Soc. v. 217, 2i8, 240. " One lying to the southward of
Mr. Smith's trading house [See p. 320.], and the other to the northward of
it." Ibid. The next year (1660) the Narraganset sachems, " for valuable
consideration, mortgaged to major Atherton and partners the remaining-
part of the whole Narraganset country, containing the Cowhesset and Ni-
antick countries." Ibid. Atherton had about 20 associates. The consider-
ation, here mentioned, was a sum of money for the Indian sachems, to re-
deem their lands, that they had mortgaged. A longer time was allowed
for payment ; but the sachems, failing also in this new engagement, sur-
rendered their lands, in 1662, to those associates, " and gave them quiet
and peaceable possession and seizin, by turf and twig." Ibid. Backus N.
Eng. i. 343-
4 Gov, Trumbull MS. State and Origin of Connecticut. Coll, Hist. Soc.
AMERICAN ANNALS. 375
Thomas Macy removed his family from*Salisbu- 1659.
ry, in Massachusetts, to the west end of Nantucket,
and began a settlement at Madakit harbour. There
were, at that time, nearly three thousand Indians on
the island. z
Francis de Laval, who had been abbot of Mon- First bish-
tigny, now appointed bishop of Canada, came over, F^ce?
bringing, for the first time, monks of other orders
beside Jesuits. z
Sir Christopher Minis took the Spanish town of Campea-
Campeachy.5
Henry Dunster, president of Harvard College, Dea*h °f
died. 4 Peter Bulkley, minister of Concord, died, Sunster*
in the seventy seventh year of his age. 5 a"d p-
ix. 85. Trumbull, i. 424. The planters of Connecticut made repeated
purchases of their lands. " The colony not only bought the Moheagan
country of Uncas, but afterwards all the particular towns were purchased
again, either of him or his successors, when the settlements in them com-
menced." Ibid* 114.
i Coll. Hist. Soc. iii. 156 — 160. The natives were willing to sell their
lands ; and the English gradually purchased them, until they obtained the
whole, excepting some small rights, which are still retained by the aborig-
inal proprietors. Peter Folger was the most distinguished man among the
first English settlers of the island. His daughter was the mother of Dr.
Benjamin Franklin, who, it is thought, " inherited a part of his noble pub-
lick spirit from his grandfather, Peter Folger." Ibid.
a Charlevoix Nouv. France, i. 339. Univ. Hist. xxxk. 466.
3 Univ. Hist, xxxix. 141. Harris Voy. ii. 903.
4 Morton, 170. Mr. Dunster is considered as the first president o£
Harvard College ; and the commencement of his presidency was in 1640.
[See p. 315, and Harv. Catalogue.] But the first master of the college was
Nathaniel Eaton, " who was chosen professor or master" of that seminary
in 1637 ; " for not only the tuition of the scholars, but the care and man-
agement of all donations for erecting edifices &c. were committed to him."
Pres. Stiles MSS. He was a distinguished scholar ; but was removed front
his office for his severities, and went to Virginia. See Winthrop Journ.
184 — 187. Gov. Winthrop (ibid.) says, Eaton " had been some time in-
itiated among the Jesuits." Mr. Dunster was well esteemed for his learn-
ing, piety, and spirit of government ; but, imbibing at length the princi-
ples of antipcedobaptism, he excited uneasiness among the overseers of the
college, and was hence induced to resign the presidency 24 October, 1654.
Mather Magnal. book iv* 128. He was a great master of the oriental lan-
guages ; and when a new version of the psalms had been made by some of
the New England divines, and printed in 1640, that version, requiring " a
little more art," was committed to him ; and, with some assistance, he re-
vised and refined it, and brought it into that state, in which the churches
of New England used it for many subsequent years. Coll. Hist, Soc. vii.
19, 20.
5 Neal N. Eng. i, 331. [See A. D, 1637, p. 298.] He was descended
376' AMERICAN ANNALS.
l66o.
King Charles the Second was restored to the Brit-
Charles ii. '1S^ throne on the twenty ninth of May ; and made
his entrance into London on the eighth of June. f
Navigation The parliament passed an act for the general en-
firmed" couragement and increase of shipping and naviga-
tion, by which the provisions, made in the celebrat-
ed Navigation Act of 1651, were continued, with ad-
ditional improvements.2 It enacted, that no sugar,
tobacco, ginger, indigo, cotton, fustic, dying woods,
of the growth of the English territories in America,
Asia, or Africa, shall be transported thence to any
other country, than those belonging to the crown
of England, under the penalty of forfeiture. The
most submissive colonists considered the act as griev-
ous, and contrived various methods to evade it. 3
English The only English colonies on the American con-
Amerka!" tinent, after the emigrations of half a century, were
Virginia, New England, and Maryland ; which are
supposed to have contained, at this time, no more
than eighty thousand inhabitants. 4
Number of At the commencement of the civil wars in Eng-
lanc^ ^ie popula^011 °f Virginia had increased to a-
bout twenty thousand souls. The cavaliers resort-
ing to that colony, during the distresses of those
times, Virginia contained, at this epoch of the Res-
from an honourable family in Bedfordshire, and educated at one of the
English universities ; and was distinguished for his knowledge in theology,
for general literature, and for piety. He was a nioderator (Mr. Hooker
was the other) of the synod in 1637. P. Stiles MSS. and Election Sermon,
109. Mather Magnal. book iii. 96 — 98.
I Blair's Chronology. Henault, ii. 140.
a Anderson, ii. 453. [See A. D. 1651.] The second article of the act is,
* None but natural born subjects, or naturalized, shall henceforth exercise
the occupation of a merchant or factor in those places" [Asia, Africa, or
America], " under forfeiture of goods and chattels." This is judged to
have been a good improvement on the former act ; " it having been before
common to have Dutch merchants to be factors and agents in our colo-
nies." Ibid.
3 Chalmers, i. 341, 24 z. While the parliament restrained the colonial
trade to England, it conferred the privilege of the sole production of tobac-
co on the plantations. Ibid. 243.
4 Chalmers, I 239.
AMERICAN ANNALS. 377
toration, about thirty thousand persons.1 The 1660.
province of Maryland, notwithstanding its various
distractions and revolutions, continued to increase
in population, in industry, and in wealth ; and con-
tained about twelve thousand persons. *
The generals Whalley and Goffe, two of thejuiy.
Judges of king Charles I, arrived at Boston. Hav- whailey &
J. , f T 1 1 , r ii' t • j Goffe ar-
ing left London before the king was proclaimed, rive at Bo8.
they did not conceal their persons or characters. toD-
They immediately visited governor Endicot, who
gave them a courteous reception ; but, choosing a
situation less public than Boston, they went, on the
day of their arrival, to Cambridge. 3
A tract of land, six miles square, having been Maribo-
granted to some of the inhabitants of Sudbury ; it roush in~,
11 , r-mr n t corporated.
was now incorporated by the name of Marlborough. 4
Several of the inhabitants of Ipswich, on petition Brookfield
to the general court of Massachusetts, obtained a *e«led«
grant of land, near Quabaug pond, six miles square ;
which was soon after settled, and named Brook-
field.*
1 Chalmers, i. 115.
2 Chalmers, i. 226.
3 Hutchinson, i. 215, 2t6. Chalmors, i. 249. President Stiles Hist, of
Three of the Judges of king Charles I. 23 — 26. The act of indemnity
was brought over the last of November. It appeared however, that
Whalley and Goffe were not excepted, with those, to whom pardon wa*
offered ; and some of the principal persons in the government were alarm-
ed. The governor summoned a court of assistants 22 February 1661, to
consult about securing them ; but the court did not agree to it. Finding
it unsafe to remain longer where they were, they left Cambridge 26 Feb-
ruary, and arrived at New Haven 7 March. A few days after their remo-
val, a hue and cry was brought by the way of Barbadoes ; and the governor
and assistants issued a warrant 8 March to secure them. To avoid all sus-
picion of their sincerity, they sent Thomas Kellond and Thomas Kirk,
zealous royalists, to go through the colonies, as far as Manhattan, in search
cf them ; but deputy governor Leet favouring their concealment, and Mr.
Davenport, minister of New Haven, and a few other confidential persons,
actually aiding it, they effectually eluded discovery. Ibid.
4 Coll. Hist. Soc. iv. 46. Its Indian name was Okommakamesit ; and it
appears to have begun to be settled by the English about the year 1654. Ib.
5 Coll. Hist. Soc. i. 258. The court required these conditions : " Pro-
vided they have 20 families there resident within three years, and that they
fcive as able minister *ettled there within the said term, »ucb as the c»wrt
F f f
378 AMERICAN ANNALS.
Woolwich. Woolwich, in the Province of Maine, was settled. *
Norwich The township of Norwich, in Connecticut, hav*
settled }ng 1^^ purchased of the natives ; the reverend
lames Fitch, with the principal part of his church
and congregation, removed from Saybrook, and
planted that town.*
The town of Huntingdon, on Long Island, was
received as a member of the Connecticut jurisdiction. 3
Towns of There were, at this time, in New England ten
Indian towns, of such as were called Praying In-
dians,4 The first Indian church in New England
was now embodied at Natkk. s
About this time a few adventurers emigrated from
Massachusetts, and settled around Cape Fear.6
1661.
Charles II, in his instructions to Sir William
governor of Berkeley, governor of Virginia, required Him to call
Virginia, an assembly, as soon as might be, and to assure it
of the royal intention to grant a general pardon and
oblivion of all persons, those only exccpted,- wha
were attainted by act of parliament ; provided thaf
body should repeal all acts, made during the rebel-
lion, derogatory from the obedience, which the col-
onies owed to the king and government of England ;
shall approve ; and that they make due provision in some way or other for
the future, either by setting apart of lands, or what else shall be thought
mete for the continuance of the ministry among them." The Indian pro-
prietor, Shattoockquis, gave a deed of the land to the English 10 Novem--
ber r6.6j. Ibid. See a copy of itr ibid.
I Sullivan, 169. Mills were now erected there. Ibid.
1 Trumbull, i. 245, 246. The township is about nine miles square. In
June 1659 tfacas' and his two sons, by a formal deed, made it over to Thorn-'
as Leffingwell and 34 other proprietors ; who, at this time, gave Ulricas and
his sons about £70, as a farther compensation, in addition to a former ben-
efit, on account of which Uncas had given Leffingwell a deed of a great
part, if not of the whole town. Ibid.
3 Trumbull, i. 246.
4 Hutchinson, i. 166. 5 Coll. Hist. Soc.i. 181.
6 Chalmers, i. 515. These emigrants, from the unpropitious soil and
climate, and the want of a good fishery, for some years experienced the
miseries of want. On their solicitation of aid from their countrymen, the
general. court ordered a universal contribution for their relief. Ibid. 516.
AMERICAN ANNALS. 379
to transmit an account of all tobacco shipped from 1661.
that colony, that every one might be punished, who
should transgress the act of navigation ; and to
transmit his opinion of the practicability of establish-
ing an iron work. *
The laws of England, which seem to have been Virginia
observed by consent of the settlers of Virginia, were i^^fthe
now expressly adopted by an act of the assembly of England.
that colony ; excepting so far, as a difference of
condition rendered them inapplicable. a
The Society " for the propagation of the Gospel Society for
among the heathen natives of New England, and tpingPtg"
the parts adjacent," was incorporated by king gospel in-
CharlesII.3 corporate*.
The king appointed the great officers of state a MaY-
committee " touching the settlement of New Eng-
land."4 land.
Complaints being made to the king against Mas- Complaint*
^achusetts, he commanded the governor and coun- to the kin&
•i i -n i i i against
cil " to send persons to England, to answer these Massachu-
various accusations." Charles II had not yet been settl-
proclaimed by them. The governor, on receiving intel- ^
Jigence of the transactions, that were taking place in
England to the prejudice of the colony, judged it in-
expedient to delay that solemnity any longer. Cal-
ling the court together, a form of proclamation was
agreed to ; and Charles was acknowledged to be proclaims
their sovereign lord and king, and proclaimed " to in that col-
be lawful king of Great Britain, France and Ireland, ony'
and all other territories thereto belonging." *
i Chalmers, i. 245. The iron work " is proposed," says the king, « to
be undertaken by ourself."
i Jefferson Virg. Query XIV.
3 Humphrey's Hist. Account, 6. See A. D. 1649.
4 Chalmers, i. 244.
5 Ibid. 253, 254. Hutchinson, i. 216 — 218. The court published an
•rder the same day, " forbidding all disorderly behaviour on the occasion ;
declaring, that no perso» might expect indulgence for the breach of any
law ; and " in a particular manner, that no man should presume to drink
his majesty's health," which, the order says, " he hath in aa especial man-
ner forbid." This last prohibition, whatever was it* origin, was very pru-
5 go AMERICAN ANNALS.
1661. An address to the king was also agreed to, and
Address to ordered to be sent to England.1
kmg. rj-^g generaj court of Massachusetts, received a
letter from the king, signifying his pleasure, that
there should be no farther prosecution of the qua-
kers, who were condemned to suffer death or other
Penal laws corporal punishment, or who were imprisoned, and
against obnoxious to such condemnation ; but that they be
wpraded forthwith sent over to England for trial. The court
accordingly ordered, that the laws in force against
the quakers, so far as they respected corporal pun-
ishment or death, be suspended. a
dential. Had what was forbidden been injofned, it might have proved toe
severe a test of the loyalty ef the colonists ; especially, if what Chalmers
says were strictly true, that king Charles and New England " mutually-
hated, contemned, and feared each other, during his reign } because the
one suspected its principles of attachment, the other dreaded an invasion of
privileges." Ibid. 244. Hutchinson, i. 216 — 219. Chalmers, 1.254.
I Hutchinson, i. 219. It is inserted in Hazard, ii. 593 — 595.
a Hubbard MS. N. Eng. chap. hiv. Neal N. Eng. i. 334, 335. On this
occasion, 28 quakers were released from prison, anrl conducted out of the
jurisdiction of Massachusetts. The letter from the king and the acts of the
court are in Hazard, ii. 595, 596. The letter was superscribed to governor
Endicot, and to all the other governors of New England. To vindicate
the errors of our ancestors were to make them our own. It is allowed,
that they were culpable ; but we do not concede, that, in the present in-
stance, they stood alone, or that they merited all the censure, bestowed on.
them. Laws, similar to those of Massachusetts, were passed elsewhere a-
gainst the quakers, and particularly in Virginia. " If no execution took
place here [Virginia], as it did in New England, it was not owing to the
moderation of the church, or spirit of the legislature." Jefferson Virg.
Query XVII. The prevalent opinion among all sects of Christians, at that
day, that toleration is sinful, ought to be remembered ; nor may it be
forgotten, that ihejirst quakers in New England, beside speaking and writ-
ing what was deemed blasphemous, reviled magistrates and ministers ; and
disturbed religious assemblies ; and that the tendency of their tenets and
practices was to the subversion of the commonwealth, in that period of its
infancy. See Hubbard MS. N. Eng. Hazard Coll. i. 630 ; ii. 596 ; and
the early historians of N. England. In reviewing the conduct of our re-
vered ancestors, it is but just to make allowance for the times in which
they lived, and the occasions of their measures. It is readily conceded
however, that severe treatment of sectaries generally serves to increase their
real, and their numbers ; and that it is therefore as repugnant to sound
policy, as to the benevolent spirit of Christianity. The great and learned
Grotius, in reference to the treatment of the sectaries in Holland, says, with
equal candour and discrimination : " Nee illos plane damnaveris, qui pra-
va et moribus noxia docentes exilio, aut honorum facultatumque ademtione
mulctaverunt. Sed contra eventus fuit. Quin ipsa invitant pericula" &c.
Annales, 16, 17, It is hardly needful to subjoin, that, whatever are tfe?
AMERICAN ANNALS. 381
The Indian translation of the New Testament, by Indian tes-
the reverend John Eliot, was finished this year, and tament-
printed. x
The tract of land at Kennebeck river, owned by ^and at
Plymouth colony, was now sold for fourteen hun- 80id.ne
dred pounds sterling. *
The charter of Connecticut was granted by king April 23,
Charles II, with the most ample privileges, under $££^ •
the great seal of England. It ordained, among other «ut granted.
provisions, that there should be annually two gen-
eral assemblies, one holden on the second Thursday
in May, and the other, on the second Thursday in
October ; and that the assembly should consist of
the governor, deputy governor, and twelve assist-
ants, with two deputies from every town or city.
John Winthrop was appointed governor, and John
Mar on, deputy governor, until a new election should
be made. The governor and company were author-
ized to have a common seal, to appoint judicatories,
make freemen, constitute officers, establish laws,
impose fines, assemble the inhabitants in marshal ar-
ray for common defence, and to exercise martial law
in all necessary cases. It was ordained by the char-
ter, that all the king's subjects, in the colony, should
enjoy all the -privileges of free and natural subjects
within the realm of England ; and that the patent
should always have the most favourable construc-
tion for the benefit of the governor and company. *
religious theories of the Quakers or Friends at this day, their deportment
in society excites respect, and conciliates esteem.
I Coll. Hist. Soc. 1.176. It was dedicated to Charles II.
i Sullivan, 117. It was sold to Antipas Boies, Edward Tyng, Thomas
Brattle, and John Winslow. Ibid. See A. D. 1628.
3 Trumbull, i. 259, 260. Chalmers, i. 293, 294. Stokes Brit. Colosius,
^3 — 67. Brit. Emp. ii. 169—171. See the entire Charter, prefixed to the
Acts and Laws of Connecticut. The general court of Connecticut, in 1661,
prepared a Petition to the king for a charter ; and John Winthrop, then
governor cf the colony, went te England to procure it. An extraordinary
382 AMERICAN ANNALS.
1 1662. The charter included the colony of New Haven ;
b.ut that colonv did not accept it, nor agree to be IN
nited under one government with Connecticut. x
the charter. ^ synod of all the ministers in Massachusetts,
Se tember. with messengers from the churches, was holden at
Synod at ' Boston, by appointment of the general court, to de»
Boston, liberate and decide on certain subjects of ecclesiasti-
cal controversy.2 The result of its deliberations
was delivered to the general court ; which ordered
it to be printed, and recommended its observance to
all the churches in its jurisdiction. 3
Licensers The general court of Massachusetts appointed
of the press. tWQ licensers of the preSS.4
Hampshire ^e ^^ townships, settled on Connecticut riv-
county er, in the colony of Massachusetts, were made a
formed, county, by the name of Hampshire. 3
ring, that Mr. Winthrop now presented to Charles II, which the king's fa-
ther Charles I had presented to Mr. Winthrop's grandfather, is thought to
have been influential in procuring the royal favour. Ibid. Governor Win-
throp did not arrive with the charter until after the general election in
May ; and the freemen made no alteration in their officers until 9 October ;
on which day Mr. Winthrop was chosen governor, and Mr. Mason, depu-
ty governor ; magistrates, or assistants, were also chosen ; and the charter
was publicly read to the freemen. Trumbull, ibid. Mather [MagnaL
book i. 24.] says, it was " as amply priviledged a charter, as was ever en*
joyed perhaps by any people under the cope of heaven." The Petition for
it is in Hazard Coll. ii. 586—588, and Trumbull, i. Append. No. VIL It
cost the colony about £1300 sterling. Trumbull, i. 362.
i Chalmers, i. 296. Trumbull, i. 260 — 277, where the objections to
the union, with the arguments for it, and the negotiations to effect it, are
recited at large. See A. D. 1665.
a Mather MagnaL boek v. 63, 64. Hutchinson, i. 223. Trumbull, i,
-315. Two questions were referred to its decision : 1. Who are the sub*
jects of baptism ? a. Whether, according to the Word of God, there ought
to be a consociation of churches ? In answer to the first, the synod declar-
ed, " That church members, who were admitted in minority, understand-
" ing the doctrine of faith, and publicly professing their assent thereunto,
" not scandalous in life, and solemnly owning the covenant before the church,
" wherein they give up themselves and children to the Lord, and subject
" themselves to the government of Christ in his church, their children are
" to be bapti2ed." This answer " was substantially the same with that
given by the council in 1657." The synod also gave their opinion in fa-
vour of the consociation of churches. See " The Answer of the Elders and.
other Messengers of the Churches," with Remarks, in Mather MagnaL
book v. 64 — 84.
3 Hubbard MS. N. Eng. chap. Ixvi.
4 Hutchinson, i. 257. Daniel Gookin Esq. and Rev. Mr. MitcheL
5 Ibid.aa6.
AMERICAN ANNALS. 383
The town of Dorchester voted, that Unquety 1662.
f Milton] should be a township, if it have the con- ^°r^
sent of the general court. *
Metacom, sachem of Pokanoket, afterward cele- August 6.
brated under the English name and title of king ^PQ0kfet
Philip, made his appearance at the court of Plym- re0new3°a-
outh, and solicited the continuance of the amity and mity wi£j»
friendship, which had subsisted between the govern- ym<
or of Plymouth and his father and brother ; and
promised for himself and his successors to remain
subjects of the king of England. *
The authority of lord Baltimore, the proprietary Govem-
of Maryland, being reestablished at the Restoration, J^£ld
he appointed Charles Calvert, his- eldest son, go- reverts ta
vernor of the colony ; who now assumed the ad- l™£.*3'la~
ministration. 3 The assembly of Maryland besought
the proprietary " to take order for setting up a Law for *
mint," and a law was passed for that purpose.4 mmtt
The prosperity of this province was considerably
checked by the incursions of the Janadoa Indians ; Indian in-
but, by the aid of the Susqnehannahs, they were cursi
repelled, probably annihilated.5
The ancient constitution of Virginia being restor- March.
ed, the grand assembly of that colony was convened
I Coll. Hist. Soc. i, 100. It was incorporated this year. a ""S"11
2. Neal N. Eng. i. 3 5 a. Morton, 171, 17 a. The court expressed its
willingness to continue the friendship ; and promised to afford the ludians
*' such friendly assistance by advice and otherwise, as they justly may ;"
end to " require" their " English at all times to carry friendly towards
them." Ibid. I. Mather [Troubles with the Indians, 70.] says, it was at
this time, that Metacom desired an English name, and that the court nam-
«d him Philip.
3 Chalmers, i. 360. Univ. Hist. xl. 469. Europ. Settlements, ii. 229.
4 Chalmers, i. 248. " The great hindrance to the colony in trade, for
the want of money," is assigned as the reason for the measure. It was e-
nacted, that the money coined shall be of as good silver as English ster-
ling ; that every shilling, and so in proportion for other pieces, shall weigh
above nine pence in such silver ; and that the proprietary shall accept of
it in payment of his rents and other debts. This coin being afterward cir-
culated, the present law was confirmed among the perpetual laws of Ma-
ryland in 1676. This is the only law for coining money, which occurs in
colonial history, previous to the American revolution, excepting the ordi-
nance of Masachusetts in 1652. Chalmers, i. 248.
5 Chalmers, i. 249. Their " name seems now extinct or forgotten."
384 AMERICAN ANNAtS*
1 662. in March, agreeably to the governor's instructions.
The church of England was now, with the approba-*
tion of the people, regularly established by the as-
sembly ; churches were ordered to be built ; glebes
were laid out, and vestries appointed j ministers,
who had received their ordination from some bish-
op in England, were to be inducted by the govern-
or ; and all others were prohibited from preaching,
on pain of suspension, or banishment. T The same
assembly enacted a law " against the divulgers of
false news."*
eape Hen- The Dutch retired from the country around Cape
iopen. Henlopen ; and Calvert, governor of Maryland im-
mediately occupied it. 3
By an act of uniformity in religion, which took
effect on the twenty fourth of August, about two
. thousand dissenting ministers were ejected from their
Act of Urn- , /-. . * « • r i i
formity benefices, without any provision for themselves, or
passed in their families. Soon after, they were banished five
England. miles distant from every corporation in England.
Several ultimately died in prison, for exercising their
ministry in private, contrary to law ; but a consider-
able number of them found an asylum in New Eng-
land-4
l Chalmers, i. 245. The Dutch left it, on the remonstrance of Calvert.
a Ibid. 246. The assembly " considered how much of the late misery
had arisen from the falsehood of rumour," and was hence influenced to
make the law. Ibid. " Happy had it been for that colony," adds Chal-
mers, " had a rule so promotive of internal quiet been carefully attended t»
and enforced." Various other beneficial regulations were now established,
which long served as the code of provincial jurisprudence. No other no-*
tice was taken of the late " usurpation," than a declaration of the assembly,
•' that, in order to avoid like inconveniences, it had reviewed the whole bo-
dy of laws, expunging all the unnecessary acts, ahd chiefly such as might
keep in memory the late forced deviation of the people from his majesty**
obedience, and bringing into one volume those that are in force." The
Virginians were now happy in the governor ot their choice, and in the
form of government, that had formerly given them great satisfaction ; and,
in the language of Chalmers, " as they neither felt the pressures of griev-
ance, nor experienced the fever of distrust, they continued, for some time,
in that desirable but unimportant state of tranquillity, which adds nothing1
to the stock of historic knowledge." Ibid. 247.
3 Chalmers, i. 654.
4 Ncal N. Eng.i. 556. Pierce Vindicat. Dissenter*, 231, *3*- The
AMERICAN ANNALS. 385
1663.
The immense territory, lying southward of Vir- Grant of
ginia, although granted to Sir Robert Heath by JJjjjj^*
Charles I,1 remained unsettled. Edward earl of clarendon
Clarendon and several associates, apprized of the ex- and others,
ceilent soil of that country, formed a project for
planting a colony there. On application for a char-
ter,1 Charles II granted them all the lands, lying
between the thirty first and thirty sixth degrees of
north latitude ; s and constituted them absolute
lords and proprietors of that tract of country, re-
serving to himself and his successors the sovereign
dominion. He empowered them to enact and pub-
lish any laws, which they should judge necessary,
with the assent, advice, and approbation of the free-
men of the colony ; to erect courts of judicature,
and appoint civil judges, magistrates, and officers ;
to erect forts, castles, cities, and towns ; to make
war, and, in cases of necessity, to exercise martial
law ; to build harbours, make ports, and enjoy cus-
toms and subsidies, imposed, with the consent of
the freemen, on goods loaded and unloaded. One
of the provisions of the charter is peculiarly worthy
learned and pious John Owen, D. D. who, under the Protectorship, had
been dean of Christ church, and vice chancellor of the university of Ox-
ford, . was invited to the pastoral charge of the first church in Boston,
and shipped his effects for N. England ; but he was forbidden to leave the
kingdom, by express orders from Charles II. tbid. Hutchinson, i. aa6. It
does not satisfactorily appear, that he was invited to the presidency of Har-
vard college.
I See A.D. 1630, p. 259, a 60, text and note. ,
a " Excited by a laudable and pious zeal for the propagation of the gos-
pel," they" beg a certain country in the part* of America, not yet cultiva-
ted and planted, and only inhabited by some barbarous people, who have
no knowledge of God." Charter. The applicants, beside Clarendon, were
George duke of Albemarle, William lord Craven, John lord Berkeley, An-
tony lord Ashley, Sir George Carteret, Sir William Berkeley, and Sir John
Colleton. Ibid.
3 Including the territories of what afterward constituted North Caroli-
na, South Carolina, and Georgia. Ramsay S. Carolina, i. 1, 12. By a sec-
end and more ample charter, dated 24 March 1667, the boundaries were
rhade to extend from the a9th degree of north latitude to 36 deg. 30 min,
and from these points on the sea coast westward in parallel lines to the Pa*
cific Or ran. Hewet, i. 45. Brit. Emp, iii, m— -235,
AMERICAN ANNALS,
1663
charter
given to
R. Island.
of notice.1 The king granted the proprietors au-
thority to allow the inhabitants of the province such
indulgencies and dispensations, in religious affairs,
as they, in their discretion, should think proper and
reasonable ; and no person, to whom such liberty
should be granted, was to be molested, punished, or
called in question, for any differences in speculative
opinions with respect to religion, provided he dis-
turbed not the civil order and peace of the community.
The province, thus erected, was called Carolina. z
The privy council, considering the present condi-
tion of Carolina, decided, that all former grants
were now void, because they had never been execut-
ed. Animated by this decision, the proprietors
held their first meeting in May, to agree on meas-
. ures for the transporting of colonists, and for the
payment of various expenses ; and they now pub-
lished proposals to all who would plant in Carolina. 3
Charles II conferred a charter on Rhode Island
ancj_ Providence plantations. 4 By this charter the
J
r fhe reason1, assigned in the charter for such a dispensing power, is,
" it might happen, that several of the inhabitants conld not in their private
opinions conform to the exercise of religion according to the liturgy and
ceremonies of the church of England."
2, Hewet, i. 45, 46. Chalmers, i. 517. Drayton S. Carolina, 5. Some
writers place this article in 1662.
3 Chalmers, i. 517. The proposals were made at the desire of " the
New England people, settled around Cape Fear." See A. D. 1660. These
proposals offered, among other privileges, that the emigrants may present
to the proprietaries 13 persons, in order that they may appoint a governor
and a council; of six for three years ; that an assembly, composed of the
governor, the council, and delegates of the freemen, should be called, as
won as the circumstances of the colony would allow, with power to make
laws, which should be neither contrary to the laws of England, nor of any
validity after the publication of the dissent of the proprietaries ; that every
one should enjoy the most perfect freedom in religion ; that, during five
years, every freeman should be allowed too acres of land, and 50 for every
servant, paying one half penny only aa acre ; and that the same freedom
from customs, which had been allowed by the royal charter, should be al-
lowed to every one.
4 Hazard Coll. ii. 612 — 623, where the charter is entire. Chalmers,
i. 274. Stokes Brit. Colonies, 60 — 62. Coll. Hist. Soc. v. 218. There
were, at that time, but 18 representatives in the colony ; 6 from New-
port, 4 from Providence, 4 from Portsmouth, and 4 frem Warwick. Doug-
lass, i. 87. They were chosen half yearly by the several towns. Callen-
dcr, 46.
AMERICAN ANNALS. 387
supreme or legislative power was vested in an as- 1663*
sembly, the constituent members of which were to
consist of the governor, and assistants, and such of
the freemen as should be chosen by the towns ; but
the governor, or deputy governor, and six assistants,
were to be always present.1 The legislature of
Rhode Island passed an act, that all men professing
Christianity, and of competent estates, civil conver-
sation, and obedient to the civil magistrate, though
of different judgment in religious affairs, Roman
Catholics only excepted, should be admitted free-
men, and have liberty to choose and be chosen offi-
cers in the colony, both civil and military, z
A small plantation, that had been several years Plantation
established within the boundaries of the Carolina
patent, on the north eastern banks of the river
Chowan, was now named, in compliment to the ti-
de of general Monk, Albemarle. 3 «
A ship arrived from Holland at Delaware river, D««H ao
with new planters, ammunition, and implements of Delaware.
husbandry. 4
A terrible eathquake was felt in the northern Jan-*6-
parts of America. s
i Chalmers, i. 274.
a Brit. Empire, ii. 148.
3 Chalmers, 518, 519. This plantation had been made by settlers from
Nansamond, which was settled so early as 1609. Ib, See that year.
4 Smith N. York, 9.
5 Morton, 173, there placed, according to the old computation, in 1662.
Josselyn Voy. 58. Charlevoix Nouv. France, i. 363 — 369. It was felt
throughout New England and New Netherlands ; but Canada was the
chief seat of its concussions. It began there about half an hour after five
in the evening. While the heavens were serene, there was suddenly heard
a roar, like that of fire. The buildings were instantly shaken with amaz-
ing violence. " The doors opened and shut of themselves, with a fearful
clattering. The bells rang, without being touched. The walls split asun-
der. The floors separated, and fell down. The fields put on the appear-
ance of precipices ; and the mountains seemed to be moving out of their
places." The first shock continued nearly half an hour. Several violent
shocks succeeded this, the same evening, and the next day ; nor did the
earthquakes cease until the following July. The effects of the first, in Jan-
jaary, were remarkable. " Many fountains and small rivers were dried up.
In others, the water became sulphureous ; and in some, the channel in whidi
AMERICAN ANNALS.
Death of John Norton, minister of Boston, * Samuel Stone9
ministers. m}nister of Hartford,1 and Samuel Newman, minis-
ter of Rehoboth, died. 3
1664.
March u. King Charles II granted a patent to his brother,
SiTduke t^6 duke of York and Albany, for various and ex-
of York, tensive tracts of land in America.4 A part of this
they ran before, was 30 altered that it could not be distinguished. Many
trees were torn up, and thrown to a considerable distance ; and some moun-
tains appeared to be much broken and moved. Half way between Tadous-
sac and Quebec, two mountains were shaken down : and the earth thus
thrown down, formed a point of land, which extended half a quarter of a
league into the river St. Lawrence. The island Aux Coudres became larg-
er than it was before ; and the channel in the river became much altered."
Memoirs Americ. Atad. Arts and Sciences, i. 2,63 — 265. This is a credi-
ble account ; because derived from original sources. But, that this earth-
quake in Canada overwhelmed a chain of mountains of fr-ee stone more than
300 miles long, and changed that immense tract into a plain, though af-
firmed, must not be believed. See Clavigero Hist. Mexico, ii. Ml.
i Morton, 177. Mather Magnal. book iii. 32 — 41. Mr. Norton was
sn eminent scholar and divine. He was teacher of the church at Ipswich ;
but, after the death of Mr. Cotton, he was solicited to return to Boston,
and officiated as his successor until his own death. He was much respect-
ed for his talents and piety ; and had " an eminent acumen in polemical di-
vinity." In the year 1644 William Apollonius having, at the direction of
the divines in Zealand, sent over to New England a number of questions,
i-el'Jting to the way of church government there, the ministers of New Eng-
land unanimously requested Mr. Norton to draw up an answer ; which he
finished in 1645. ^r- Cotton Mather supposes, this was the first Latin
book, that ever was written in the country. Mr. Norton assisted in model-
ling the Cambridge Platform in 1647. He also wrote an answer to a let-
ter of the famous Dureus, who laboured for a pacification among the re-
formed churches. On the restoration of Charles II, he and Simon Brad-
street, esquire, were sent to England by Massachusetts colony, with an ad-
dress to the king ; but, returning with a less successful embassy, than their
constituents had expected, their reception was at least cold and suspicious ;
and the severe reflections of some of the colonists are thought to have
preyed on his spirits, and accelerated his death. Mather Magnal. book iii.
32 — 41. Hubbard MS. N. Eng. chap. Ixxiv. Hutchir.son, i. 220 — 223.
a Trumbull, i. 326. Mather Magnal. book iii. 116 — 118. Morton,
179. Coll. Hist. See. vii. 41. Mr. Stone was educated at Emar.uel college
in Cambridge. He was eminently pious and exemplary. His sermons
were replete with sentiment, concisely and closely applied. He was an a-
cute disputant. He was celebrated for his wit ; and his company was
much sought by men of learning.
3 Morton, 176. Mather Magnal. book iii. 113— n 6. He was an ani-
mated preacher, an indefatigable student, and a pious man. Ibid. See
A. D. 1644, p. 333.
4 Smith N. York, 10. The boundaries cf the patent are described ibit!.
and Trumbull, i. 27 7.
AMERICAN ANNALS. 389
tract was conveyed soon after by the duke to John 1664.
Lord Berkeley, baron of Stratum, and Sir George
Carteret, of Saltrum in Devon, members of the
king's council, by the name of Nova Csesarea, or
New Jersey. x
The same king issued a commission, empowering
colonel Richard Nicolls, Sir Robert Carr, George
Cartwright, and Samuel Maverick, esquires,
" to hear and determine complaints and appeals, in
all causes, as well military, as criminal and civil,"
within New England ; and to proceed in all things
for settling the peace and security of the country. *
The commissioners, arriving at Boston, laid before
the council their commission and instructions, requir-
ing assistance for the reduction of New Netherlands.
The council advised, that the entire subject be sub-
mitted to the general court, which was soon to meet. 3
Nicolls, who had been fitted out from England
with four frigates and three hundred soldiers,4 for gainst N.
the conquest of the Dutch, proceeded directly to
Manhattan, without waiting for auxiliaries. No
sooner had the frigates entered the harbour, than
Stuyvesant, the governor, sent a letter to the Eng-
lish commanders, to desire the reason of their ap-
proach, and of their continuance in the harbour
I Smith N. York, 10, n. Univ. Hist, xxxix. 348, 362. This name wa»
given in compliment to Sir George Carteret, whose family came from the
Isle of Jersey. Thus the New Netherlands became divided into New Jer-
sey and New York. Ibid.
a Hubbard MS. N. Eng. Ixv. This commission is in Hutchicson, i. Ap-
pend. No. XV, and Hazard Coll. ii. 638, 639.
3 Chalmers, i. 3?6, 387. Morton, 185. The general court, resolving
" to bear true allegiance to his majesty and to adhere to a patent, so dearly
obtained, and so long enjoyed by undoubted right,' 'Raised 200 men for the
king's service ; though they did not join the expedition, because it had been
crowned with success before they embodied. Chalmers, ibid, and 573.
4 The authors of the Universal History [xxxix. 348.] say, that Sir Rob-
ert Carr was sent with a strong squadron, and 3000 land troops, with or-
ders to dispossess the Dutch of the country, given by king Charles to his
brother, and to put the duke of York in possession of it. What separate
instructions may have been given to Carr, we know not ; but he sailed from
England with Nicolls, and acted subordinatery to him. In regard to the
number of troops, I have followed Smith and Chalmers, both of whom
say, there were 300,
390 AMERICAN ANNALS.
1664. without giving notice to the Dutch. Nicolls an-
swered the letter, the next day, by a summons,
Stuyvesant, determined on a defence, refused to sur-
render. Letters and messages were reciprocally ex-
changed. The English commissioners meanwhile
published a proclamation* encouraging the inhabit-
ants to submit ; sent officers to beat up for volun«
teers on Long Island ; and issued a warrant to Hugh
Hide, who commanded the squadron, to prosecute
the reduction of the fort. These preparations, with
the refusal of Nicolls to treat about any thing but a
surrender, induced the Dutch governor to agree to
a treaty for that purpose ; and on the twenty sev-
entk ° August articles of capitulation were signed,
by which the fort and town of New Amsterdam
Amster- were surrendered to the English. The Dutch were
dam; . r ,
which is to continue free denizens ; to possess their estates
now named undiminishcd ; to enjoy their ancient customs with
'regard to inheritances, to their modes of worship,
and church discipline ; and they were allowed a
freedom of trade to Holland. x In honour of the
duke of York, New Amsterdam now took the name
of New York. *
Sept. 24- On the twenty fourth of September the Dutch
rort Ur- . „, *_ . * ,
ange taken garrison at roTt Orange capitulated to the English j
by theEng- ancj jn honour of the duke, was called Albany. 3
hsh, and
, i Smith N. York, 1 2 — 23. Chalmers, i. 573, 574. .The last privilege
Nicolls had no power to confer ; because a king of England could net dis-
pense with the laws, by permitting a commerce, which they had prohibit-
ed. Chalmers, ibid, and p. 596. There were XXIII Articles in the Ca-
pitulation. See them entire in Smith N. York, 19 — 21, and Smith N. Jer-
sey, 43 — 47. The English deputies, who signed the treaty, were Sir Rob«
ert Carr, George Carteret, John Winthrop, governor cf Connecticut, Sam-
uel Wyllys, one of the assistants of that colony, and Thomas Clarke and
John Pynchon, commissioners from the general court of Massachusetts,
who, Smith says, " but a little before brought an aid from that province.'*
Gov. Winthrop and several of the principal men in Connecticut had previ-
ously joined the English. Trumbull, i. 279.
1 Smith N. York, n, 22. The town was laid out eight years before.
See A. D. 1656.
3 Ibid. Smith N. Jersey, 60. While Carteret, who had been commis-
sioned to subdue Fort Orange, was at that place, he had an interview with
the Indians of the Five Nations, and entered into a league of friendship
f
AMERICAN ANNALS. 391
On the first of October, articles of capitulation 1664.
were made between Sir Robert Carr and the Dutch
and Swedes on Delaware bay and river ;* which clued.
completed the subjection of New Netherlands to the
English crown. *
Three inhabitants of Jamaica on Long Island pur- Elizabeth-
chased of certain Indian chiefs a tract of land, on a SeT Se
part of which a town was built this year, and cal-
led Elizabethtown. 3
The reverend John Eliot completed the transla- Indian bk
tion of the bible into the Indian language, which e*
was now printed at Cambridge. 4
The line between the colonies of Massachusetts Line be-
and Plymouth was amicably settled, by a committee ^STand
from each colony.5 Plymouth
A very large comet was seen by the people of comet.
New England. 6
Count de Cerillac sold the island Grenada to the
French West India company for a hundred thousand
livres.7
with them ; " which," adds Smith nearly a century afterward (1756), " re-
markably continues to this day." Hist. N. York, az. Golden Five Nat. 34.
i Chalmers, i. 634. Jefferson Virg. 275. Encyc. Brit. Art. DELAWARE.
z Smith N. York, 23. The history of New Netherlands, Chalmers
[5 7 2-] observes, " contains nothing, but their settlement, their constant tur-
moils, their extinction ; and it ought to teach a lesson to nations and to
men, how they admit others to invade tkeir rights, because continued pos-
session at length forms a title, specious if not just."
3 Smith N. Jersey, 62. The name of the town is said to have been giv-
en for Elizabeth, the wife of Sir George Carteret. The entire tract was
called The Elizabeth Town Grant. Beside Elizabethtown, the towns of
Newark, Middletown and Shrewsbury, were soon built ; and these, with
the adjacent country, were in a few years well inhabited by many settlers
from Scotland ; some, from England ; some of the Dutch, who remained in
the country ; and some, from the neighbouring colonies. Ibid.
4 Josselyn N. Eng. Ran nz. Douglass, i. 133. It was republished
(1685) with the corrections of Mr. Cotton, minister of Plymouth. Ibid.
Coll. Hist. Soc. vii. 14. The title of it is : " Mamusse Wunneetupanatam-
we UP-BIBLUM GOD Naneeswe NUKKONE TESTAMENT Kah Wonfc
WUSKO TESTAMENT."
5 Hutchinson. i. 229. Coll. Hist. Soc. i. 100.
6 Josselyn Voy. 50, 272. Hutchinson, i. 226. It was visible from XJf
November to 4 February. I. Mather [Discourse on Comets, 113.] says,
•* this famous comet was conspicuous to the whole world."
7 Univ. Hist. xli. 226. Of 500 French planters, who were settled on
the island when Cerillac bought it in 1657, no more than 150 now lived
- 392
New
French W.
India com-
pany.
Martinico.
St. Lucia.
May.
Union of
N. Haven
and Con-
necticut.
Code of
laws for
N.York.
AMERICAN ANNALS.
Colbert, prime minister of France, erected on the
ruins of the old Canada and West India company a
new exclusive West India company, for forty years. c
Lewis XIV redeemed Martinico from the proprieta-
ries, and granted it to this new company. a
The English took the isle of St. Lucia from the
French.3
1665.
At the general election, New Haven and Connec-
ticut became united in one colony. 4 A proportion-
al number of the council was of the former colony
of New Haven. All the towns sent their deputies ;
and the assembly appeared entirely harmonious. At
this session counties were first made, and county
courts were first instituted by that name. * At the
time of the union, New Haven arid Connecticut con-
sisted of nineteen towns.6
The court of assizes 7 in New York collected in-
to one code the ancient customs, with such addition-
al improvements, as the great change of things re-
quired, regarding the laws of England as the su-
preme rule. These ordinances, transmitted to Eng-
there. [See p. 353, note i.] Ten years afterward (1674) the charter of the
French W. Indies being abolished, the island became vested in the crown of
France. Ibid. Edwards W. Indies, i. 349.
I Encyc. Methodique, Commerce, Art. COMPAIGNIE. Anderson, ii. 481,
Its limits were, " j . That part of the continent of South America lying be-
tween the rivers of Amazons and Oronooko, with the adjacent islands, a. In
North America, all Canada, down to and behind Virginia and Florida.
3. All the coast of Africa from Cape Verde, southward, to the Cape of
Good Hope." The old company had subsisted about 40 years. See An-
derson, ii. 311. Before this new company was formed, France paid tribute
for her luxuries to the Dutch. Voltaire, viii. 195.
a Univ. Hist. xli. 230, 244- See A. D. 1650, p. 352.
3 Anderson, ii. 478. It was taken by 5 ships of war, carrying about
Xjoo men, who were joined by 600 Carribbeans in 17 canoes. The Eng-
lish colony, two years after, reduced by epidemical diseases to 89 persons,
abandoned It, and burned their fort. Ibid. Univ. Hist. xli. 218.
4 Hubbard MS. N. Eng. chap. xli. Hazard Coll. ii. 510.
5 Trumbull, i. 289,477. The superior court was instituted at the next
session in October. Ibid.
6 Trumbull, i. 290. The grand list was £153, 620 : 16 : 5.
7 Erected by Nicoils, composed of the governor, the council, the justices
of the peace ; and invested with every power inuhe colony, legislative e*
ecutive, and judicial. Chalmers, i. 575.
AMERICAN ANNALS. 393
land, were confirmed by the duke of York, the fol- 1665.
lowing year. * It was ordained by the government,
that no purchase from the Indians, without the gov-
ernor's licence, executed in his presence, should be
valid. a
The inhabitants of New York were incorporated
on the twelfth of June, under the care of a mayor,
five aldermen, and a sheriff. Until this time the city of N.
city was ruled by a scoutj burgomasters, and sche- York-
pens. 3
Nicolls, governor of New York and New Jersey, Carteret
reluctantly resigned the government of New Jersey
to Carteret, its appointed governor, who took pos-
session of Elizabethtown, the capital, now consisting
of four families, just settled in the wilderness*4
The commissioners, returning to Massachusetts, Commis-
from the reduction of the Dutch colony, began in j^1^
April to execute their important trust ; but, meet- England,
ing with opposition from the jealous and spirited
Colonists, they left the country, with menaces of vin«
dictive punishment.5
i Chalmers, 1.577;
a Smith N. York, a 7.
3 Smith N. York, 27. Thomas Willet, esquire, an Englishman, who u-
dually lived and finally died at Swanzey at the head of Narragahset bay,
Was the first mayor, after the conquest. He was a merchant, and had fac-
tories, or Indian trading houses, from Kennebeck to Delaware, particularly
at New Amsterdam and Fort Orange. Pres. Stiles MS. Memorandum in
Smith's Hist. N. York. Nicolls found the town composed of a few misera-
ble houses, occupied by men, who were extremely poor, and the whole in
* a mean condition ;"' but he foretold its greatness, if it were encouraged
with the immunities, which he then recommended. He informed the duke
of York, by a letter, dated in November, 1665, " such is the mean condi-
tion of this town [New York], that not one soldier to this day has lain in
sheets, or upon any other bed than canvas and straw." Chalmers, i. 575,
597. Some of the houses however were handsomely built of brick and
stone, and in part covered with red and black tiles, and " the land being
high, it presented an agreeable prospect from the sea." Brit. Emp.ii. 308*
4 Chalmers, i. 615.
5 Chalmers, i. 388, 389. A conference between the commissioners and
the general court soon degenerated into altercation. The commissioners at
length asked that body ; " Do you acknowledge the royal commission to
be of full force to all the purposes contained in it ?" To this decisive and
embarrassing question the general court excused itself from giving a direct
answer, and chose rather to " plead his majesty's charter." The commis-
Hhh
394
1665
setts.
June rj.
chafer of
Carolina,
Governor
appointed,
AMERICAN ANNALS.
The militia of Massachusetts consisted at this
t*me °f f°ur thousand foot, and four hundred horse.
The colony maintained a fort at the entrance of
Boston harbour, with five or six guns ; two batter-
ies in the harbour, and one at Char lest own. The
number of its ships and vessels was about eighty.,
from twenty to forty tons ; about forty, from forty
to a hundred tons °y and about twelve ships, above a
hundred tons. *
The second charter of Carolina was granted by
Charles II to the same proprietors. It recited and
confirmed the former charter, with enlargements.
Carolina was declared independent of any other
province, but subject immediately to the crown of
England ; and the inhabitants were never to be com-
pelled to answer m other dominions of the crown?
excepting within the realm. z
Several gentlemen of Barbadoes, dissatisfied with
^le^r condition on that island, having proposed to
remove to> the county of Clarendon,3 recently laid
out by the proprietaries of Carolina ; John Yeamans,
a respectable planter of Barbadoes, was now appoint-
ed commander in chief of that county. He was or-
dered to grant lands to every one, according to the
conditions agreed on with the adventurers, reserving
one half penny sterling for every acre, payable in
sicners however attempting to hear a complaint against the governor and
company, the genera} court, with characteristic vigour, published, by sound
of trumpet, its disapprobation of this proceeding, and prohibited every one
from abetting a conduct, so inconsistent with their duty to God, and their
allegiance to the king ; and, in May, the commissioners departed, threaten*
ing their opponents " with the punishment, which so many concerned in
the late rebellion had met with in England." Ibid. Hubbard MS. N.
Eng. chap. Ixv.
I Hutchinson, i. 244.
1 Chalmers, i. 521, 522. Drayton S. CaroL 6. Jefferson Virg. 276,
According to the limits, fix«tl in this charter, St. Augustine, as well as the
whole of the present State of Georgia, fell within the English dominions :
but the Spaniards alleged, that this grant was an invasion of their rights,
and never admitted the limits of this charter, in any subsequent treaty.
The English therefore had recourse to the claim, founded on prior dis.. ov-
er y. Univ. Hist, xxxix. 129. See A. D. 1663.
3 Stretching from Cape Fear to the rJTer St. Matheo. Chalmers.
AMERICAN ANNALS. 395
March, 1 670. King Charles, in aid of the laudable j 665.
exertions of his courtiers, gave them twelve pieces
of ordnance, which were now sent to Charles river,
with a considerable quantity of warlike stores. x In
the autumn Yeamans conducted from Barbadoes a
body of emigrants, who landed on the southern bank i
of Cape Fear. He cultivated the good will of the f™m Bar-
natives, and insured a seven years peace. The plant- 'J
ers, in opening the forest, to make room for the op-
erations of tillage, " necessarily prepared timber for
the uses of the cooper and builder ; which they
transmitted to the island whence they had emigrated,
as the first object of a feeble commerce, that kindled
the spark of industry, which soon gave animation
to the whole/'2
The English inhabitants of Maryland now a- Maryland,
mounted to sixteen thousand.5
The government of Rhode Island passed an order Order of R.
to outlaw quakers, and to seize their estates, because ernmtmT"
they would not bear arms ; but the people in gener- against
al rose up against it, and would not suffer it to be
carried into effect.4
Misquamkut was purchased of the Indians ; and Westerly
a number of baptists of the church in Newport re- settled*
moved to this new plantation, which was afterward
called Westerly. s
i Chalmers, i. 520, 521. Yeamans was directed K to make every thing
easy to the people of New England, from which the greatest emigrations
are expected, as the southern colonies are already drained." Ibid.
a Chalmers, i. 533. The next year, an account of this new " New Plan-
tation, begun by the English at Cape Feare," was published at London.
Bibliotheca Americana, 98.
3 Univ. Hist. xl. 469. Brit. Emp. iii. 4. Governor Calvert, though a
Koman catholic, yet had caused the passing of an act, by which all profes-
sing Christians, of every denomination, had liberty to settle in the province.
That act, with Calvert's mild and impartial administration, accounts for
this considerable increase of inhabitants. Ibid.
4 Coll. Hist. Soc, v. 219.
5 Callender, 39, 65. The^ afterward " .generally embraced the seventh
•day sabbath." Ibid. Their plantation was constituted a township by the
name of Westerly, in 1669. Ibid. It formerly belonged to Stonin^ton
[Trumbull, i. 360.] ; but it is now in the State of Rhode Island.
396 AMERICAN ANNALS.
1665. A baptist church was gathered in Boston.1 The
£rst prosecution of anabaptists, that occurs in the
records of Massachusetts, was in this year. 5
praying There were in Massachusetts six towns of Indians,
Indians, professing the Christian religion.3
French M. de Courcellcs, appointed governor of New
forces sent France, transported the regiment of Carignan Sal-
l* ieres to Canada. 4 To prevent the irruptions of the
Five Nations by the way of Lake Champlain, Cour-
celles built three forts between that lake and the
mouth of the river Richlieu. ;
Death of John Endicot, governor of Massachusetts, died
i- in the seventy seventh year of his age.6
tot.
1 Hutchinson, i. 227.
2 Ibid. Ant'pcedobaptism had appeared in the colony about A. D. 1640
(ib.) ; and a law had been made against it, with the penalty of banishment.
$ee p. 332 of this volume. 3 Hutchinson, i. 242.
4 Charlevaix Nouv. France, i. 381. Josselyn [Voy. 274, N. Eng. Ran
113.] says, " 1000 foot." A great number of families, many mechanics,
and hired servants, with horses (the first ever seen in Canada), cattle and
sheep, were transported at the same time. This was a more considerable
colony, than that, which it carneto supply. The 100 associates [See p. 242
of this volume] soon grew weary of the expense of maintaining their coio*
ny ; and from the year 1644 abandoned the fur trade to the inhabitant?, re-
serving to themselves, for their right of lordship, an animal homage of
1000 beavers. Reduced at length to the number of 45 associates, they
m-ade a total resignation of their rights, in 1662, to the French king, who
soon after included New France in the grant, which he made of the French
colonies in America in favour of the West India company. Charlevoix, ib.
379' 38o.
5 Charlevoix,!. 381. Smith N. York, 44. Jefferys Hist. Canada. The
first was placed on the spot, where that of Richlieu had formerly stood ;
and has since been called, as also the river, by the name of Sorel, from a
captain of the regiment of Carignan, who had the charge of building it.
The second fort, built at the foot of a water fall on the river, was called
Fort St. Lewis ; but M. de Chambly having afterward bought the land on
which it was situated, the whole canton, together with the stone fort,
since built on the ruins of the old fort, bears the name of Chambly. The-
third, built three leagues higher than the second, was called St. Theresa. Ib.
6 Morton, 188. Coll. Hist. Soc. vi, 261. This is the same person, who
came to Salem in 1628. He continued at Salem until he was requested to-
remove to Boston, " for the more convenient administration of justice," as
governor of that jurisdiction. The historian of Salem characterises him as
" a sincere Puritan." Ibid.
AMERICAN ANNALS. 397
1666.
The Mohawks, by incursions on the French in French ex-
Canada, not merely prevented their commerce with Peditiona-
i T i. i r> i i • i eainst the
the western Indians, but often endangered their col- Mohawks.
ony. It was to repel or subdue this ferocious ene-
my, that a regiment had been lately sent over from
France. M. de Tracy, viceroy of America, and M.
Courcelles, the Canadian governor, with twenty
eight companies of foot, and all the militia of the
colony, marched from Quebec above seven hundred Sept. 14.
miles into the Mohawk country, with the intention
of destroying its inhabitants ; but, on their approach,
the Mohawks retired into the woods with their wo-
men and children ; and the French did nothing more,
than burn several villages, and murder some sachems,
who chose to die, rather than to desert their hab-
itations. x
The natives at Sandwich had made such proficien- Indians at
cy in the knowledge and observance of the gospel., Sandwach-
that the governor of Plymouth colony and several
principal men took measures toward forming them
into a church state. *
The first act, which occurs, of any colonial assem- Act ofnat-
bly, for the naturalization of aliens, was passed this uralization<
year in Maryland. 3
The assembly of Carolina transmitted a petition Petition of
to the proprietaries, praying, that the people of Al- Carohna-
bemarle might hold their possessions on the same
1 Charlevoix, Nouv. France, i. 385, 386. Colden, 33. Smith N. York,
43. Gookin (author of Hist. Collect, of the Indians), who conversed with
fome Frenchmen, " that were soldiers in this exploit," says, that the march
of the French was in the dead of winter, when the rivers and lakes were
covered with a firm ice, upon which they travelled the most direct way ;
that they were obliged to dig into tht» snow on the edges of the rivers and
lakes, to make their lodgings in the night ; and to carry their provisions,
arms, and snow shoes, at their back. Coll. Hist. Soc. i. 161. M. de Tra-
cy, though upwards of 7 o years old, chose to command the expedition in
person. Charlevoix.
2 Morton, 192.
3 Chalmers, i. 315. The general court of Massachusetts had, as early
as 1662, granted to a few French protestant refugees " liberty to inhabit"
in their colony. Ibid.
398 AMERICAN ANNALS.
1666. terms, as those on which the Virginians held their*s»
The proprietaries acceded to the request ; and com-
manded the governor to grant the lands in future ou
the terms prescribed by themselves. x
The bucaniers of America, about this time, begaa
their depredations. They consisted of various dar-
*°£ ^venturers , wh° originally combined for the
spoliation of the Spaniards in the West Indies,
Lewis Scot sacked the city of Canipeachy ; and, af-
tter exacting an excessive ransom, left it nearly in
ruins,2 John Davis, with eighty men? surprised
Nicaragua ; plundered the wealthiest houses and
churches ; and carried off money and jewels, to the
Yalue of fifty thousand pieces of eight. Not long
after, he was chosen commodore ; and with seven or
eight vessels went to Florida, where he landed his
men, and pillaged the city of St. Augustine. s
Henry Henry Morgan, a Welshman, having gone from
?^^ Wales to Barbadoes, and commenced pirate, was
pirates. BOW made vice admiral by Mansvelt, an old pirate
at Jamaica. Sailing together, with fifteen ships and
five hundred men, chiefly Walloons and French, on
a spoliating enterprise, they took possession of the
Takes St. island of St. Catharine,4 and left a hundred men for
-
Its defence ; but it was soon after recovered by the
Spaniards. Morgan afterward took the castle at
Panama, and obliged the city to pay for its ransom
one hundred thousand pieces of eight. *
Maracaybo, a rich town, the capital of the prov-
ince of Venezuela in South America, was pillaged
by the French bucaniers ; who carried off the im-
ages, pictures, and bells of the great church, and
I Chalmers, 1.520,
"Z Hist. Bucaniers, i. 49. Harris Voy. £21. He was the first pint?]
who attempted to land in the Spanish dominions. Ibid.
3 Hist. Bucan. i. 49, 50. Harris Voy. 8zJ . Davis was born at Jamai-
ca. The castle of Augustine had a garrison of 200 men ; yet Davh diduci
k?se a single man. Ibid.
4 Near Costa Rica in 12 deg. 30 min. north lat.
5 Hist. Bucan. i. 79 — 8j, 98. Harris Voy. 824—826.
AMERICAN ANNALS. 39$
For the ransom and liberty of the inhabitants exact-
ed twenty thousand pieces of eight, and five hua-
dred cows* '
1667.
The proprietaries of Carolina were induced,, foy Bahama
Intelligence they received respecting the Bahama M- «fa»d*
ands, to apply to the king for a grant of them ; aiad^^^
behave them a patent for all those islands, lying *&***& <*
° * i -, J * 6 C^roliBi.
between the twenty second and twenty seventh de-
grees of north latitude. *
A treaty of peace was concluded at Breda be- ***** <*
tween England and Holland. By this treaty New8*8^
Netherlands were confirmed to the English ; aaid
Surinam was confirmed to the Dutch.3 A treaty
was also concluded, at the same place, between Eng-
land and France. By this treaty, France yielded to
England all her part of the island of St. Christo-
pher, together with the islands of Antigua and Mont-
serrat ; and England yielded Acadie to France.4
A general treaty of commerce was concluded be- Timy
tween England and Spain, comprehending the inter-
ests of both kingdoms, in Europe and America. *
i Encyc. Methodique, Geog. Art. MARACAYBO. The pirates are tdher?
called Flibustiers. They again pillaged it in 1678. Ib. Hist. Bucan, i. 65,
z Hewet, i. 48. The proprietaries had fitted out a ship, and sent cap-
tain William Sayle to bring them some account of the Carolinian coast,
Sayle was driven by a storm among the Bahama islands, of which (partic-
ularly the island of Providence) he acquired come knowledge. Hs ajfeer-
ward explored the coast and the mouths of the rivers in Carolina ; aiwS,. re-
turning to England, gave intelligence of the Bahamas. Ibid. Andaraes^
ii. 490. The island, on which Sayle was driven, was St. Salvador ; amdlae
is the first Englishman, mentioned in history, who landed on it.
Ibus made no settlement on this or any other of the Bahama islands.
Hist. xli. 331.
3 Encyc. Brit. Art. DELAWARE. Chalmers, i. 578. Brit. Emp. ii.
400. Surinam had recently been taken by the Dutch ; and the utipcss
was the basis of the treaty. Anderson, ii. 493. The English plaiftars at
Surinam now principally retired to Jamaica. Coll. Hist. Soc. i. 65, Tfcetr
number, at the time of this evacuation, amounted to above 1500, beside
their families. Univ. Hist. xli. 359.
4 Anderson, ii. 492. Acadie was restored generally, without spsdfka-
tion of limits, and particularly Pentagoet, St. John, Port Royal, La Have,
and Cape Sable, lying within it. Chalmers, i. 393. This article of tfes
Ireaty was not concluded until February, 1668. Ibid.
5 Univ. Hist, xli. 358. Anderson, ii. 494.
I
406 AMERICAN ANNALS.
1 667. Peace was established between the French in Cafi*
Peace b^ acja and the Five Nations, which continued several
tween the . rr«i_ • T\ -n i
French & years. 1 he sieur rerot, a French missionary, trav-
Indians. elled above twelve hundred miles westward from
French Quebec, making proselytes of the Indians to the
missionary. French interest. a
GOV. NIC- Governor Nicolls of New York retired from hi^
oils retires, government. It is recorded to his honour, that he
exercised his extraordinary powers with moderation
and integrity.3
New at- Several persons of distinction in England fitted
Nmwestra°ut captain Gillam, on a renewed attempt for a
passage, north west passage through Hudson's Bay to Chi-
na. Gillain passed through Hudson straits to Baf-
fin's Bay, as far as seventy five degrees north lati-
tude ; and next sailed south to fifty one degrees some
minutes, where, on the river, which he named after
Charles prince Rupert, he built Charles Fort, and laid the
fort built, foundation of a fur trade with the natives.4
Towns Liberty was granted by the legislature of Massa-
bmlt* chusetts for erecting a township thirty or forty miles
Mendon. west of Roxbury ; and it was called Mendon. 5 The
Brookfield. Ufa liberty was given to Brookfield ; 6 and to West-
Lymt. field.7 The town of Lyme, in Connecticut, was
incorporated. 8
i Smith N. York, 43. They now cultivated a mutual trade.
2, Ibid. 44. Golden Five Nations, 35.
3 Chalmers, i. 578. He was succeeded by governor Lovelace ; the
most memorable act of whose administration was the purchase of Stater-
island from the natives. Ibid. 599.
4 Anderson, ii. 492. Univ. Hist. xli. 87. This was the first fort that
the English ever had in Hudson's Bay. Ib. We have no account of uu
attempt for this discovery, since the voyages of Fox and James, until this
year. See A. D. 1631,- p. 264 of this volume.
5 Hubbard MS. N. Eng. chap. Ixvii. It was settled by people from
Roxbury. Ibid.
6 Ibid. Liberty had been granted to Brookfield In 1660 [See tha.t
year.] ; but the grantees having forfeited the first grant, and six or seven
families being row settled there, it was now renewed ; and the regulation
of the settlement fell into the power of the general court. Ibid.
7 Ibid. Then a village 7 miles west of Springfield.
8 Trumbull, I. 332. . About the your 1664, toct'erner.ts commences
here, or. ;: trp.ct of land originally belonging1 to Sa :>id.
AMERICAN ANNALS. 40*
John Wilson, minister of Boston, died, at the age Death of
- r • T. Wilson.
of seventy nine years. *
1668.
As soon as the royal commissioners had returned
to England, the general court of Massachusetts ap-
pointed four commissioners " to settle all aiFairs for govern-
the government of the people" in the. Province of JSe°.f
Maine. In execution of their commission, they en-
tered the province, accompanied by a troop of horse,
and easily reestablished the colonial authority on the
ruins of a feeble proprietary government. * ,
To promote a reformation of manners, the gener- Attempts*
al court of Massachusetts sent a printed letter to ev- reforma-
1 . tion 01
ery minister in the colony, requesting a particular manners,
attention to that pious design* 3
A township of land, eight miles square, was Grant of
granted by the legislature of Massachusetts to Dan- Worcester.
iel Gookin and others, by the name of Worcester. 4
The first settlements on the. Bass river side, near Beverlyin*
Salem, were incorporated by the name of Beverly. s corporate,!;
r Morton, 104. He was the first minister of Boston, and was in the
ministry in the first church in that town 37 years ; 3 years, before Mr. Cot-
ton ; ao years, with him ; 10 years, with Mr. Norton ; and 4 years, after
him. Ibid. He is represented by his contemporaries, as 0116 of the most
humble, pious, and benevolent men of the age, in which he lived. Se«
Hutchinson. i. 158 ; Mather MagnaLbook iii. 41-^-51. His portrait is in
the Historical Society.
i Chalmers, i. 484. ttutchinson, i. 260—26 8. The province appears
to have been in a confused state ; and some of the principal persons applied
to the general court of Massachusetts to reassume the jurisdiction over
them. The commissioners, appointed by the court, were major general
Leveret, Mr. Edward Tyng, captain Richard Waidron, and captain Rob-
ert Pike. Ibid.
. 3 Neal N. Eng. i. 370. Tne effect appears to have been salutary. The
pious zeal of the government, though highly commendable in its principle,
was n6t always exercised according to knowledge. . A licefice having been ob-
tained this year (i66£) for printing Thomas a Kempis de Irnitatione Chris-
ti, the general court was alarmed ; recommended to the licensers a more
full revisal ; and ordered the press, in the mean time, to stop ; giving for a
reason, " that, being written by a popish minister, it contained some things
less safe to be infused among the people." Hutchinson, i. 258. Chal-
mers, i. 392.
4 Coll. Hist. Soc. i. 115. The Indian war, which commenced soon af-
ter, prevented the settlement of the town until A. D. 1685. Ibid.
5 Coil. Hist. Soc, vi. 233. They had a church built as early as 1657. Ibv.
402T AMERICAN ANNAL&
i668v- Haddarn, in Connecticut, was incorporated.3
ffrg governor and council of New York gave di-
rections for a better settlement of the government
Customs at on Delaware. z Governor Lovelace of New York
gave order for customs at the Hoarkills.3
g Lord Willoughby, governor of Barbadoes, sent
subdue s«- forces to St. Vincent and Dominica, and obliged the
Vincent & natives of those islands to submit to the English '
Dominica.
government.4
towrfbu Bridgetown, in Barb adoes, was destroyed by fire.5
Death S-" ' Jonathan1 Mitchel, minister of Cambridge, diedy
ministers. at the age of forty three years.6 Henry Flint, min-
ister of Braintree,7 Samuel Shepard, minister of
Rowley, and John Eliot* minister of New town Vil-
lage* died this year.8
1 Trambull, i. 33 & There were 28 original proprietors. They began
their settlements on the west side of the river ; and these were now incor-
porated. The extent o£ the town was 6 miles east and west of the river. IK
2 Jefferson Virg. Query XXIII, from Smith N. Jersey.
3 Ibid.
4 Univ. Hist, xli, i6o/. 5 Salmon Chronol. Hist. i. tp 3.
6 Mather Magna}. bo«k iv. 158 — 185. Morton, 200-^204. Hutchin-
son, i. 260. Coll. Hist. Soc. vii. 47 — 51. Mr. Mitchel possessed a capac-
ious mind, and extraordinary talents ; and is always mentioned by the New
England writers, as one of the most learned men and best preachers in his
day. He was also distinguished for the sweetness of his- temper, for his
meekness, humility, and piety. He was about 18 years in the ministry at
Cambridge ; and 4' was most intense and faithful" in performing its sacred
duties.
7 Mather Klagnal. book Hi. :r23. Morton (200.) says, he was a man of
known piety, gravity, and integrity, and of other accomplishments ; and
Hubbard [MS. N.-Eng. chap. Ixix.j, that he was an eminent minister.
8 Tv'Ibrton, 200, 204. Hubbard MS. N. Eng. chap. Ixix. The two last
named ministers, though of early standing in the ministry, are represented
as very worthy and useful men. Mr. Eliot (who died at the age of about
35 years) was tne sen of the celebrated minister of Roxbury ; and he fol-
lowed the example oi his father, in endeavouring to Christianize the In-
dians. Ib. Gcoki.n [Coll. Hist. Soc. i. 17 1-] says, he was a very excellent
preacher in the English tongue; that, beside preaching to his English
churchy fee, for several years, preached the gospel to the Indians, once a
fortnighr constantly at Pakeaiit, and sometimes at Natick, and otker places ;.
and that the most judicious Christian Indians (as he had often heard them
s«y) esteemed him as a most excellent preacher in their language.
AMERICAN ANNALS,
1669.
The first assembly was constituted and convened First
*n Albemarle county in Carolina. * One of the laws *
of this assembly indicates the state of religion and marie,
morals. It was entitled " an act concerning mar- Actcoa-
riage ;".and it declared, that, as people might wish "ming
.y r . \ °. , marriage.
to marry, and there being yet no ministers, m order
that none might be hindered from so necessary a
work for the preservation of mankind, any two per-
sons, carry ing before the governor and council a few
*)f their neighbours., .and declaring their mutual as-
sent, shall be deemed husband and wile, z
The inhabitants of Boston being now so mimer- Thc dla
ous, that the two houses of worship could not con- ^urchin
tain them, and some of the brethren of the first Boston
church being dissatisfied with Mr. Davenport on ac- satheredo
count of his leaving New Haven for a settlement
there ; 3 a third church was gathered in May, of
\vhich Mr. Thomas Thacher was ordained the first
pastor ; and an edifice was built on die maia
street, for its use.4
The friendly Indians m New England, having ^^f^?
raised an army of six or seven hundred men, march- Indians a-
,ed into the country of the Mohawks, to take revenge sainst the
r i • • « • f AC i r r • Mohawks,
ior their injuries.5 After besieging one of their
1 Chalmers, i. 525. A constitution had been given to thtft colony in
1667. The governor was to act altogether by the advice of a council of
twelve ; the one half of which he was empowered to appoint, the other
•six were to be chosen by the assembly. The assembly was composed of
the goverEor, of the council, and of iz delegates chosen annually by the
freeholders. Ib. 524.
2 Chalmers, 1.525. " During almost 20 years we can trace nothing of
clergymen in the history or laws of Carolina." Ibid,
3 On the death of Mr. Wilson, he was invited to the pastoral care of the
•first church in Boston, and accepted the invitation. Hutchinson, i. 270.
4 Neal N. Eng. i. 584. Hutchinson, i, 260, 270 — 274. Coll. Hist. Soc,
iii. 258 ; iy. 21 1. The church was built of cedar. Ib.
5 There had been a war between these nations about six years. This
enterprise of the Indians was contrived without the knowledge, and under-
taken contrary to the advice, of their English friends. " Mr. Eliot and
myself, in particular (sayo Mr. Gookin), dissuaded them, and jgave them
several reasons against it, but they would not hear us ; but the praying In-
dians were so cautioned by our advice, that not above five of them went ^
and all of them were killed, b»t one.*' CoJJ, Hist. Soc. i, 166.
404
AMERICAN ANNALS,
1669.
Acadie de-
livered up
to the
French.
May 2t.
Hudson's
Bay com-
pany.
forts several days, their provisions becoming
with nearly ajl their ammunition, and some of their
number being taken sick, they abandoned the siege,
and retreated toward home ; but they were pursue4
and intercepted by the Mohawks ; and, though they
fought with great valour, their commander1 and a?
bout fifty of their chief men were slain. This was
the last and most fatal battle, fought between the
Mohawks and the New England Indians. *
Sir Thomas Temple having but partially executed
the king's order for the surrender of Acadie to the
French, agreeably to the treaty of Breda, a defini-
tive order ha4 been transmitted to him, to deliver up
that territory, according to the letter of the agree-
ment ; and it was now effectually obeyed. 3
Charles II gave to prince Rupert, and several
lords, knights, and merchants, associated with him,
a charter, under the title of " The Governor and
Company of Adventurers trading from England tq
Hudson's Bay."4
I Josiah, alias Chickatawbut, the principal sachem of Massachusetts.
Gookin says, he was a wise and stout man of middle age, but a very vicious
person. He was a descendant of Chicketawbut formerly mentioned [See
p. 262.]. For a time he seemed attentive to the Christian religion ; " far
he was bred up by his uncle, Kuchamakin, who was the first sachem and his
people to whom Mr. Eliot preached." Coll. Hist. Soc. i. 166 — 169. Presi-
dent Adams showed me a deed of Braintree, given by Indian Josiah to th,e
Inhabitants of that town between the years 1660 and 1670.
a Cqll. Hist. Soc, i, 166, 167. It does not appear, what other tribes, be-
side the Massachusetts, were concerned in this expedition. Gookin say?,
Josiah was " the ch,iefest general ; but there were divers other sagamores
.and stout men that assisted." The inarch of the Indian army was about
'j, oo miles. The Mohawks laid an ambush for the retreating enemy, in a
•defile, with thick swamps on each side, and fought to the greatest advan7
tige. The reason of the loss of such a number oftbiefj was, that almost all
the stoutest leaders and sagamores pursued the Mohawks into the thick-
ets. Ibid.
3 Chalmers, i. 393. Brit. Emp. i. 173, 174, He at first refused to give
up the forts of Pentagoet, St. John, Port Royal, La Have, and Cape Sable,
alledging that they did not belong to Acadie. Ibid.
4 Univ. Hist. xli. 87. Brit. Emp. i. 4 — 22, where the charter is entire.
See A. D. 1668. The charter ceded to them the whole trade of the waters
within the entrance of Hudson's Straits, and of the adjacent territories.
The entire sum, which constitutes the original funds of the company, a-
mounts to £10,500 sterling. The general opinion is, that the proprietors
of this stock, who are at present riot 90 iu number, gain about 2000 per
cent. No trade in the world is so profitable, as this. Forsttir Voy. 378 — 380.
AMERICAN ANNALS. 405
Richard Mather, minister of Dorchester, died, Death of
$t tfre age of seventy three years. ' *• Mather-
1670.
The proprietaries of Carolina having procured two A colony
ships for the transportation of adventurers to their
projected settlement ; William Sayle, appointed the
first governor, embarked wirh a colony of settlers,
with provisions, arms, and utensils for building and
cultivation. On his arrival at Port Royal he began
to carry his instructions into execution. J He issued
writs to the freeholders for the election of the com-
plement of the grand council, and of twenty dele-
gates, the two bodies composing the parliament,
wjiich was invested with legislative power. As an
encouragement to settle at Port Royal, one hundred
and fifty acres of land were given to every emigrant,
at an easy quit rent 5 clothes and provisions were dis-
1 Hubbard MS. N. Eng. chap. bux. Hutchir.con, i. 259. He was orr
jdained by Dr. Morton, bishop of Chester, in 1618 ; and silenced by Dr.
Neale, archbishop of York, in 1634. Pres. Stiles Lit. Diary He came to
New England in 1635, and arrived on the coast 15 August, when he, with
all the passengers, very narrowly escaped shipwreck by the tremendous
storm, which occurred that day. [See p. 283 of this volume.] After the
removal of Mr. Warham, with the first church of Dorchester, to Windsor,
a new church was gathered, and Mr. Mather was installed the pastor. He
was an exemplary man, a good scholar, and a solid, practical preacher. He
wrote several treatises, which were well received ; and he was gen-
erally consulted in difficulties relating to church government. He
wrote the Discourse about church government, and the Aniwer to the
XXX11 questions, in behalf of the ministers of Kew England, both pub-
lished in 1639 ; and the Platform of Church Discipline, in 1648, was chief-
ly taken from his model. Attending a council at Boston 16 April, he was
seized with the strangury, and died on the aid of that month. Mather
Magual. book iii. 122. — 130. Coll. Hist. Soc. i. 99 ; ix. 170 — IJ2.
2 Gov. Sayle's commission is dated 26 July 1669. He was constituted
governor of that part of the coast, lying souihwestward of Cape Caxteret.
The expense of the equipment was £ 12.000 sterling. Sayle was accom-
panied by Joseph West, who was entrusted with the commercial affairs of
the proprietaries. These noblemen were, for some time, the only merchants
for the supply of the wants of the colonises, rather than the acquirement of
profit. They employed vessels, to carry on a circuitous traffic, for the purr
pose of procuring colonists, cattle, and provisions, from Virginia, Bermu-
das, and Barbadoes, and of carrying off the inconsiderable products of the
land. " Before the year 1679 they had expended / 18,000 on a project,
which had then only yielded then, v;xx;ior» and puverty." ChalmerSj },
520. Drayton S. Carol, xci.
4op AMERICAN ANNALS.
1 670, tributed, from the store of the proprietaries, to those,
who could not provide for themselves ; and, to se-
cure the good will of the neighbouring tribes, con-
siderable presents were made to the Indian princes. r
rtestruc- j± bloody war between the Westoes and the Ser-
lion of the T «• • -^v • *
natives fa- annas, two Indian nations in Carolina, was carried
Ye En 1C ^ °n W**k SU°k ^UTy* aS tO PrOVe fatal t0 both. ThlS
i-sh setde- event providentially opened the way to the introduc-
went. tion and establishment of the English colony. z
Treaty cf The treaty of Madrid was made between Eng-
Madrid, land and Spain, for ascertaining the American terri-
tories of both kingdoms. By this treaty it was a-
greed, that each should retain what it then posses-
sed ; and that the subjects of neither should enter
the fortified places of the other, for purposes of
trade.3 In consequence of this treaty, the pirates,
or bucaniers, who, for several years, had greatly an-
noyed Spanish America, were cut off from all future
protection from England 5 and all commissions to
them were annulled.4
Mode of e- The election of governor, magistrates., and civil
kction m _. . 9 o
Connecti- officers, in Connecticut, hitherto consummated by
m altered, fae foody of the people, convened on the day of gen-
eral election at Hartford, was now allowed by the
legislature to be completed by proxy ; and a law
was made, for regulating the freemen's meetings,
and the mode of election. s
I Chalmers, i. 530. Dray ton S. Carol, joi.
3 Hewet, i. 64. The Westoes are said so have been a numerous and
powerful tribe. Ib. The Catawba nation mustered, at that time, 1500
fighting men. Drayton S. Carol. 94. Governor Drayton (ib. 92.) " haz-
ards an opinion," that the number of the natives in Carolina, at the sanie
time, was " perhaps not less than 30 or 40 thousand souls."
3 Chalmers, i. n. It was called the American Treaty. Univ. Hist. xlf.
358. From this time until A. D. 1702, a considerable trade was earned
on by the English from Jamaica with the Spaniards ; by which the Eng"
li;,h, for goods, negroes, and flour, received, by computation, from 250 to
£ 300,000 a year. Polit. Tracts in Harv. Coll. Library.
4 Anderson, ii. 504.
5 Ti umbull, i. 333. The original choice of public officers was made then,
as it is still, by the freemen of the colony in their respective towns, Ib. £ee
Laws, p, 151.
AMERICAN ANNALS. 46?
A considerable number of the inhabitants of New 1 670,
Haven removed to Wailingford, about this time, and Waiiing-
1 ,, °, , . -, ford set-
began the settlement of that town, which was attbd.
first called New Haven Village,1 Massacoe was
made a distinct town, by the name of Symsbury.2 symstnuy.
£)eerfield, in Massachusetts, began to be built. 3 Deerfieid.
A mortal disease broke out among the Indians in Disease a-
the north of Canada, and swept off whole tribes, c°"fd-^
particularly the tribe of the Attikamegues, who have Indians.
never since been heard of, under that name. Ta-
doussac, the chief mart of the Indian fur trade with
the French, began to be deserted, as also Trois Ri-
vieres, where the small pox carried off fifteen hun-
dred Indians at once. 4
John Davenport, minister at Boston,5 John Al- r>?a*!l rf
ministers*
I Trumbull Century Sermon, aa. Dr. Trumbull [Hist, Connect, i. 333.]
says, it was incorporated that year by the name of Wallingford; that it was
purchased by governor Eaton, Mr. Davenport, and other planters of New
Haven, in 1638 ; that its settlement was projected in 1669 ; and that a
committee was appointed by the town of New Haven, with powers to man-
age the whole affair of the settlement.
2, Trumbull, i. 332. The settlement of the town was made about this
time. The lands lay on Tunxis river. In 1644, the general court of Con-
necticut gave leave to governors Hopkins and Haynes to dispose of them
to such of the inhabitants of Windsor, as they should judge expedient ; and
in 1647 resolved, that those lands should be purchased by the country. A
purchase was made of the Indians, and settlements began under the town of
Windsor, of which, at first, this plantation was considered an appendix. Ib.
3 Williams Vermont, 21 o.
4 Charlevoix Nouv. France, i. 428. Univ. Hist. xl. 5.
5 Mather Magnal. book iii. 51-— 57. Trumbull, i. 490 — '492. Mr.
Davenport died of an apoplexy, jfEtat. JLXXI1I. He was the first minister
of New Haven, whence he removed to Boston in 1677. He possessed an
energetic mind, and is characterized as a hard student, an universal schol-
ar, a laborious, prudent, exemplary minister, and a man of eminent piety.
Hubbard [MS. N. Eng. chap. Ixix.] says, that Mr. Davenport was " a per-
son beyond exception and compare for all ministerial abilities ; and upon
that account highly esteemed and accepted in both Englands." He was
profound in counsel, and intrepid in action. When the pursuers of king
Charles' judges were coming to New Haven, he preached publicly from,
this text (Isai. xvi. 3, 4.) : Take counsel, execute judgment, make thy sJjadaiu as
the night in the midst of the noon day, hide the outcasts, ieivray not him that ivander*
etb. Let min: outcasts drvdl 'with the?, Moab^ be tbou a covert to them from the
face of the spoiler. " It was Davenport's intrepidity, that saved the judges."
Pres. Stiles Hist. Judges of Charles I, 32, 69. See p. 377 pf this
There is a portrait of Mr, Davenport at Yule Coll ego.
AMERICAN ANN?ALS.
lin, minister of Dedham, * and John Warham, min-
ister of Windsor, died, this year. l
1671.
A settle- Governor Sayle, dissatisfied with the situation
at ^ort R°ya^ removed to the northward, and took
possession of a neck of land, between Ashley and
ley & Coo- C00per rivers. Deputies, authorized to assist the
per rivers. • • r • » i • • • i i
governor, soon after arrived, bringing with them
twenty three articles of instruction, called Tempora-
ry Agrarian Laws, intended for the equitable divis-
ion of lands among the people ; and the plan of a
magnificent town', to be laid out on the neck of land
between the above named rivers, and to be called,
in honour of the king, Charlestown. 3 Governor
I Mather Magnal. book iii. 132. 133. Mr. Allen took the pastoral care
of the church of Dedham the same year in which it was gathered (1638).
He was a judicious and able divine, and was distinguished in polemical
divinity. He died in the LXXVth year of his age. Ib.
a Mather Magnal. book iii. iai. Trumbull, i. 492. Mr. Warham was
distinguished for his piety ; but was subject to melancholy. He is suppos-
ed to have been the first minister in New England, who used notes in
preaching ; " yet he was applauded by his hearers, as one of the most ani-
mated and energetic preachers of his day." He was one of the principal
pillars of the churches of Connecticut. Ibid.
3 Hewet, i. 49 — 52. Ramsay S. Carol, i. 3-. The proprietaries in the
mean time, dissatisfied with every system previously created for their prov-
ince, signed in July a body of Fundamental Constitutions, which had been
compiled by the celebrated John Locke ; assigning as a reason, " that we
may establish a government agreeable to the monarchy, of which Carolina
is' a part, that we may avoid making too numerous a democracy." By this'
edict a palatine was to be chosen from among the proprietaries for life, who
was empowered to act as president of the palatine court, composed o/ the
whole : A body of hereditary nobility was created, and denominated land-
graves and caciques, because they were to be in name unlike those of
.England. The provincial legislature, dignified with the name pf parlia-
ment, was io be biennial, and to consist of the proprietaries, or of the dep-.
uty of each ; of the nobility ; of the representatives of the , freeholders of
every district ; and, like the ancient Scottish parliament, all were to meet
in one apartment, and every member to enjoy an equal vote ; no business
however was to be proposed until it had been debated in the grand council,
to be composed of the governor, the nobility, and deputies of proprietors.
The church of England alone was to be allowed a maintenance by parlia-
ment ; but every congregation might tax its own members for the support
of its own ministers ; and to every one was allowed perfect freedom in re-
ligion. *' Yet," says Chalmers, " the most degrading sldvery was introduc-
ed by investing in every freeman the property of his negro." This gov-
ernment v;;v intcnde.1 to h* thi- miniatur'- of the cM Saxon cop?titutionr
AMERICAN ANNALS. 409
Sayle falling a victim to the climate,1 the command 1671.
of Sir John Yeamans, who had hitherto discreetly
ruled the plantation around Cape Fear, was now ex-
tended over that, which lay southwestward of Cape
Carteret. The shores, the streams, and the coun-
try, having now been accurately surveyed, the plant-
ers, from Clarendon on the north, as well as from
Port Royal on the south, resorted to the banks of
Ashley river, as furnishing the most eligible situa-
tion for settlement ; 3 and here was now laid the old
foundation of Old Charles Town.3 The province charle9^
T • i r • 11 j TO i 1 town.
•was now divided into rout counties, called i5erkeley,
Colleton, Craven, and Carteret counties ; and the
people, who had hitherto lived under a kind of mil-
itary government, began to form a legislature for es-
tablishing civil regulations. 4
These Fundamental Constitutions, consisting of 120 articles, though declar-
ed to be the sacred and unalterable rule of government in Carolina forev-
er, were instantly discovered to be wholly inapplicable to the circumstances
of an inconsiderable colony, and, in a variety of cases, to be altogether im-
practicable, and were therefore immediately changed. Mr. Locke was not
long after, in reward of his services, created a landgrave ; but, were it not
for the writings, by which his name is immortalized, he, like the other
Carolinian nobles, had been consigned to oblivion. Chalmers, i. 526 — 529,
Univ. Hist. xL 423. Biblioth. Americ. [99.] mentions Fundamental Con-
stitutions of Carolina, printed at London, in quarto, in 1669.
I His death is ascribed to " the damps of the climate."
» Chalmers, i. 530. " For the convenience of pasture and tillage."
3 Chalmers, i. 530. This town was built " on the first high land ;"
and it was for some years the capital of the southern settlements. Ib. [See
A. D. 1680.] " Its site is now known [1802.] as part of a plantation, cal-
led Old Town, belonging to Mr. Elias Lynch Hqrry. Several grants of land
in its vicinity ''• bound on Old Charlestown, or Old Town Creek." No traces
of a town however are now to be seen there, excepting a small hollow, run-
ning directly across the point of land on which the town stood, said by tra-
dition to be a wide ditch, made for the purpose of defence against the In-
dians. Little of it can now be seen ; but it can be traced quite across the
point of land where Old Charlestown stood. Drayton S. Carol. 200. In an-
swer to some inquiries concerning the history and antiquities of Carolina,
Dr. Ramsay wrote to me : " We have no early records of our first settlers.
The records in our public offices about the year 1680, or even 1700, are
scarcely legible. A durable ink, to stand ou"r climate, is a desideratum."
4 Hewet, i. 60. Ten members were elected as representatives for Col-
leton county, and ten, for Berkeley. A committee, appointed to frame
some public regulations, proposed these three ; the first, to prevent persons
from leaving the colony ; the second, to prohibit all men from disposing
6f arms and ammunition to Indians ; and the third, for the regular building
of Charlestown. Ibid,
Kkk
AMERICAN ANNALS
1671, The first act in Virginia for the naturalization of
aliens was Passed this year. All the freemen in*
that colony, supposed to be nearly eight thousand^
were bound to train every month.1 There were
five forts in the colony ; 2 but not more than thirty-
serviceable great guns. The Indian neighbours were
absolutely subjected1,' The colony contained about'
forty thousand persons, men, women, and children ;.
of whom two thousand were black slaves, and six .,
thousand, Christian servants.3
The assembly of- Maryland passed acts for " en-
Maryland. couraging the importation of negroes and slaves ;'*
for making void and punishing fraudulent practices,
tending to defraud real purchasers and creditors;
for quieting possessions -7- for the advancement of
foreign coins ; and for the encouragement of ther
sowing and making of hemp and flax. 4
Philip, chief sachem "of Pokanoket, pretending/
some trifling injuries done to him in his planting*
tites.
i " Horse we have none ; because they wotrld be' too chargeable to the
poor people." Gov. Berkeley.
1 " But," says Berkeley, " we have neither ski!! nor ability to make or
maintain them ; for there is not, nor, as far as my enquiries can reach, ever
was, one engineer in the country."
3 Chalmers, i. 315, 325. 327. It was judged, there arrived annually at*
Virginia about 1500 servants, of which most were English, few Scotch.,
and fewer Irish ; and not above two or three ships of negroes in seven
—ears. Nearly 80 sHips 'came o\it of England and Ireland every year for
iobacco ; a few New England ^k'<?tch^ ; '• but of our own," says Berkeley/
{C we never yet had more than two at a time, and those not more than 20'
tons burden." This account of Virginia in the slxi\ fourth year of its exist-
ence, is taken from Answers of the famous Sir William Berkeley to Inquir-
ies of the lords of the committee of colonies. See those Answers entire in
Chalmers, i. 325 — 328. The 23d answer, which concludes the whole, it
characteristic of the man, as well as descriptive of the colony : " The same
course is taken here, for instructing the people, as there is in England r Out
of towns every man instructs his own children, according to his ability.,
We have 48 parishes, and our ministers are well paid, and by my consent1'
••hould be better, if they would pray oftetier, and preach less : But, as of all
othvr 'commodities, so of this, the worst are sent us, and we have few that
we can boast of, since the persecution in Cromwell's tyranny drove divers-'
v.'orthy men hither. Yet, I thank God, there are no free-schools, nor
printing ; and I hope we shall not have, these hundred years. For learning-4
has brought disobedience, and heresy, and sects, into the world, and print.-"
ing has divulged them and libels against the best government : God keep*
*r- from both !" 4 Chalmers, i. 362.
AMERICAN ANNALS. ~>i£
, was ready to break out into an open war with 1671,
the inhabitants of Plymouth ; but, on a formal in-
quiry into the controversy, he acknowledged, that
.his meditated hostilities were without provocation, ^jj,10'
and, together with his council, subscribed an instru- submission,
.rnent of submission. x
Articles of agreement were made between . the Julx 24-
/court of Plymouth colony and Awasuncks, the A^SlcS
..-squaw sachem of Saconnet. a and Piym-
The Indians of Dartmouth and its vicinity, to, the ^'4.
number of between forty and fifty, entered into an Dartmouth
engagement of fidelity to the English. 5 Indians*
The number of men from sixteen to sixty years of Population
4 onaec*
age, in Connecticut, was two thousand and fifty.
The town of Derby, in that colony, was settled. 5 Derby set-
A grand congress of the French and of many of ^ resg
the Canadian Indians was holden at St. Mary's of French
Pall ; and the Indians professed submission to the & Indians-
Jcirig of France. 6
i Hubbard Ind. Wars, 51, ja. Kutchjaocn, i. 479. I. Mather, 7 T,
Philip appears to have been on very good terms with the . English, the
,.*iext year, and to have- maintained a princely credit among them.
I have before me the copy of a letter, which he then sent, by
aa Indian, *' To the honoured capt. Hopestill Foster att Dorchester/' in
which, after reminding him of a promise, that he had made him of £6 in
goods, he adds : " My request is, that you would send 5 yards of white or
iight coloured serge to make me a, Coat, and a good Holland Shirt ready
made, and a pair of good Indian Breeches, all which 1 have present need
ef ; therefore I pray Sir fail not to send them by my Indian, and -with then.
the several prices of them, and silk and buttons and 7 yards of Gallown for
trimming." The letter is dated ""Mount Hope the ijth of May 1672 ;"
and closed with "the subscription cf king Philip. His majesty : p. P.'"
for this latter, and some other rare historical morsels,-! -am indebted to my
literary and worthy friend, the reverend TIIADDEUS M. HARRIS, who oblig-
icgly seat me hib " Memoranda relating to the Geography, History, and
-Antiquities of America." He obtained the letter from a copy -on file iu
-ihe town of Dorchester, attested by Noah Clap, town derk.
a Coll. Hist. Soc. v. 193. Ker people had- given umbrage.
3 Ibid. 194. They signed a written agreement. Dartmouth is in Ply-
mouth colony. 4 Chalmers, i. 209.
5 Trumbull, i. 336,337. The India* name of the place was Pauga^set,
Attempts had been made to settle it, during 18 or 20 years. • Governor
X^oodyear and several other gentlemen in Mew Haven purchased a consid-
erable tract there, in 1653 5 an^ " sonie fey/ settlements" were made there
j?«oon after. In 1657 and 1659 a purchase was made of the lands of the
, -chief sagamores, Wetanamow and Raskenute. The planters applied for
>£own privileges in 1671 ; but their number was so small, that they wer<^
^iut allowed to be incorporated until 1675. Ibid.
.6 ,Charlevou, i, 488, 489. Univ. Hist. si. S, 9.
412 AMERICAN ANNALS*
1672.
The commerce of the American colonies had al-
ready been regulated and restrained, by the parlia-
thecoio- ment of England. The parliament, now considering
the colonies as proper objects of taxation, enacted :
That if any vessel, which by law may trade in the
plantations, shall take on board any enumerated
commodities, and a bond, with sufficient security,
shall not have been given to unlade them in England,
there shall be rendered to his majesty, for sugars,
tobacco, ginger, cocoa nut, indigo, logwood, fustic,
cotton, wool, the several duties mentioned in the
law, to be paid in such places in the plantations, and
to such officers, as shall be appointed to collect
them. For the better collection of those taxes? it
was enacted : That the whole business shall be man-
aged, and the impost shall be levied, by officers, who
shall be appointed by commissioners of the customs
in England, under the authority of the lords of the
treasury. The duties of tonnage and poundage had
been imposed, and extended to every dominion of the
crown, at the Restoration ; but this was the first
act, which imposed customs on the colonies alone,
to be regularly collected by colonial revenue officers. '
Spaniards The Spanish garrison at Augustine receiving in-
' telligence of a civil dissension in Carolina, a party
" advanced from that fortress, under arms, as far as
the island of St. Helena, to dislodge or destroy the
settlers ; but fifty volunteers, under the command of
colonel Godfrey, marching against them, they evac-
uated the island, and retreated to Augustine. a
Sept. 5. The union between the three colonies of IVlassa-
NEn"iand chusetts, Plymouth, and Connecticut, was renewed
renewed.
1 Chalmers, i. 317? 318- The commissioners of the customs did accord-
ingly appoint collectors for Virginia, who were v/sli received " ia that Icy*
al dominion." Ibid. 350.
2 Hewet, i. 63.
AMERICAN ANNALS. 413
at Plymouth, by commissioners duly authorized, who 1672.
subscribed new articles of confederation. x
An insurrection was made in New Jersey, to e- Insu«'e(>
, ~ n-i • J tion in N.
vade the payment of quit rents. 1 he insurgents ex- jersey.
pelled Carteret, and appointed another governor. a
The first code of Connecticut laws was printed ; Connect,
and the assembly enacted, that every family should
have a law book.3 >:^'-;.'
A mission was attempted, about this time, from Indian
Massachusetts to the Massawomek^. Six or seven missioc'
Indians, one of whom was a teacher, accompanied
by other persons, who could speak both the Eng-
lish and Indian languages, were employed in this pi-
ous design ; but, after proceeding to Connecticut
river, they returned home, discouraged. 4
The general court of Massachusetts passed a new New char*
act, for confirming the charter of Harvard College, terf
' . P o 3 yard
and for encouraging donations to that seminary. s iege.
I Hazard Coll. II. 521 — 526, where the Articles are inserted entire.
The names of the commissioners, who subscribed them, were John Win*
thorpe, James Richards, Thomas Prince, Josias Winslow, Thomas Dan-
forth, mid William Hawthorn. The proportion of men for any general
service was settled, for 15 years to come, as follows : Massachusetts, 100 ;
Plymouth, 30 ; Connecticut, 60. Ibid. Kutchinson, i. 283, A particular
reason for the renewal of the' confederation, with some alterations, was3
that New Haven and Connecticut had now become one colony.
3. Chalmers, i. 616.
3 Trumbull, i. 226, 338. It was printed at Cambridge ; and consisted:
of between 70 and 80 pages, in small folio. The colony had previously
kept its laws in manuscript, and had promulgated them by sending copies
to be publicly read in the respective towns. The compiler of this code
was Roger Ludlow, esquire. Jbid.
4 Coll Hist. Soc. i. 157, 158. This mission took its rise from Indian in-
telligence of such a people, " great and numerous," 3 or 400 miles south-
\7esterly from Boston, who spake, or at least understood, the language of
the New England Indians. The missionaries were provided with Indian*
bibles, primers, catechisms, and other books, translated into the Indian Ian?
guage ; and with necessaries, to the expense of 30 01 £40. Gookin, ib.
5 Neai N. Eng. i. 391. The first college edifice being small and decay-
ed, a collection was made this year for erecting a new building. It amount^
ed to £1895. 2. 9. In Boston were collected £800, of which £100 was
given by Sir Thomas Temple, " as true a gentleman," says C. Mather,
f as ever sat foot on the American strand." Hatchinson, i. 284. The
town of Portsmouth, " which was now become the richest" in New Hamp-
shire, made a subscription of £60 per annum for seven years. Dover gave
£32 ; and Exeter, £10. Belknap N. Hamp. i. 117. These donations in,
N. Hampshire were made earlier (i66p), but fo* the same pttrpose, Jbid,\
See A D, 5677,
AMERICAN ANNALS.
1672. From the gathering of the first church in Mas-sa*
Progress of chusetts at Salem, in 1629, to this time,forty church-
ld*es \vere gathered, and one hundred and twenty
towns built, in New England. J
May s8. War having been recently declared in England a-
War a- o
. . . 1-1
gnst the gainst the Dutch, it was proclaimed at Boston in
Dutch.
j*. shore- Manisses [Block Island] was made a township by
the name of New Shoreham. 3
Newcastle r^^£ town °f New Castle, on the Delaware, was
incorpo- incorporated by the government of New York. It
was to be subject to the direction of a bailiff, who
was constituted president of the corporation, and
six assistants.4
Indian? The Scahcook Indians, about this time, left their
country, lying eastward of Massachusetts, and set-
tled above Albany, on the branch of Hudson's riv-
er, that runs toward Canada. *
Fort at L. M. de Courcclles, governor of Canada, built a
.Ontario. fort on the north side of the east entrance of Lake
Ontario.6
of Richard Bellingham, governor of Massachusetts,
s~ died, aged upward of eighty years.7 Charles
I Josselya N. Eng. Rar. 105.
2, Hutchinson, i. 283. This was the first instance of a public declara*-
tion of war in that colony. In the preceding Dutch wars with England,
•until forces came to reduce Manhattan, correspondence and commerce ^oa-
tinued between the English and Dutch colonies. Ibid.
• 3 Callender, 39. After conjecturing the origin of the name of Block
Island (See p. 289.), I discovered it, in Laet (71.) : " Extima insularum est
<juam Navarchus Adrlanus Block de suo nomine appellavit.' '
4 Smith N. Jersey, 72. Encyc. Brit. v. 718. The inhabitants were now
entitled to a free trade, without being obliged, as formerly, to make entry
at New York. Ibid.
5 Golden Fire Nat. 95.
6 Charlevoix Nouv. France, i. 443. Minot Mass. i. 181. Courcelles
projected this fort as a barrier against the Iroquois ; but he persuaded
those Indians, after caressing them, and making them presents, that he in*
tended it merely as a place of trade, for their mutual accommodation. " 11s
iie s'apercurent pas d'abord que, sous pretexte de chercher leur utiiite, le
gouverneur n'avoit en vue, que de les tenir en bride, et de s' assurer un eiir
ucpot pour ses vivres et ses munitions" tvc. Charlevoix, ibid.
7 JNcal N, Eng. i. 390. He had lived to be the only survivirg patentee,
AMERICAN ANNALS.
Chauncy, president of Harvard College, died, in '
the eighty second year of his age. *
1673.
A second Dutch war having recently commenced, A Dutcn
a small squadron was sent from Holland, under the ^rhrtsTt
conduct of Binkes andEvertzen, to destroy the com- Virginia.
merce of the English colonies in America. This
service they effectually performed on the Virginian
coast ; and, procuring intelligence of the defenceless
state of New York, they seized the opportunity to
regain what had been formerly lost. On their arri- July &.
val at Staten Island, the commander of the fort at j^ 6astthG
New York sent a messenger, and made his peace N. York,
with the enemy. On that very day the Dutch ships
moored under the fort, landed their men, and enter-
ed the garrison, without giving or receiving a single Entire safe-'
shot. The city instantly followed the example of mission of
the fort ; and, soon after, all New Netherlands con- j^s?
rented to the same humiliating submission. *
Lord Culpeper, having in 1669 purchased the Lease te
shares- of his associates in the Virginian grant, now ^Jr
tiamed in the charter. Hutchinson, i. 269. Hubbard [MS. N. Eng. chap.
Ixx.] says, " he was a notable hater of bribes ;" and a man " of larger com-
prehension, than expression."
i Hubbard MS. N. Eng. chap, Ixix. Hutchinson [i. 259.] has placed
president Chauncy 's death in 1671, not adverting to the old method of com-
putation. I. Mather, in his Discourse on Comets, remarks, " there was a
total eclipse of the sun in N. England August ia, A. D. 1672., the day be-
fore the commencement, and that year the Colledge was eclipsed by the
death of the learned President there, worthy M. Chauncy." The late
president Willard corrected the date, in the catalogues of Harvard College.
President Chauncy was an indefatigable student, and a very learned and
pious man. He was eminently^ skilled in all the learned languages, espe-
cially in the oriental. Before he came to America, he was chosen Hebrew
Professor in the University of Cambridge in England, where he was edu-
cated ; but, instead of that office, he was made Greek Professor. While
minister of Ware, he made submission to the High Commission Court
(Feb. ii. 1635.) ; but he soon repented of that submission, and, before he
came to N. England, made a solemn " Retractation," which was afterward
printed in London. Mather Magnal. book hi. 133 — 141.
a Smith N. York, 19. Chalmers, i. 579. All the magistrates and con-
stables from East Jersey, Long Island, Esopus, and Albany were immediate-
ly summoned to New York ; and the greater part of them swore allegi-
4i 6 AMERICAN ANNALS.
1673. obtained from king Charles a lea-se, For thirty one
^ears, of the quit rents,, escheats, and other casual-
ties of the whole. *
^ew England *s supposed to have contained, at
this time, about one hundred and twenty thousand
souls* of whom about sixteen thousand were able to
bear arms. The town of Boston contained fifteen
hundred families.2 The militia of Connecticut a~
mounted to two thousand and seventy men. 3
Horthfieid A number of religious people from Northampton,
planted. Hadley, Hatfield, and that vicinity, planted the town-
ship of Northfield, on Connecticut river. 4
£ortFron- Count Frontenac completed the fort at Ontario,
tenac bmit. "begun the preceding year by Courcelles, and called
it after his own name. s The French also built a
fort, this year, at Michilimackinac.6
Discovery Father Marqiiette, and Joliet a citizen of Quebec,
employed by M. Talon for the discovery of the Mis-
sisippi, entered that noble river on the seventeenth
of June ; and, after descending it, until they came
ance to the States General, and the Prince of Orange. This conquest ex-
tended to the whole province of New Jersey. Smith, ibid.
I Chalmers, i. 330. See A. D. 164^.
a Chalmers, i. 43, 435. " Observations made 07 the curious in N. Eng-
land, about the year 1673," given to Randolph for his direction, contain, in
addition to what is inserted in the text, the following statements : " There
fee 5 iron works, which cast no guns. There are 15 merchants, worth a~
bout £50,000, or about >^5OO, one with another. 500 persons, worth
3^3000 each. No house in N. England has above 20 rooms. Not 20 in
Boston hath 10 rooms each. The worst cottages in N. England are lofted.
No beggars. Not three persons put to death for theft annually. There
are no musicians by trade. A dancing school was set up ; but put down,.
A fencing school is allowed. All cordage, sail doth and nets, come from,
England. No cloth made there worth 45. a yard. No linen above 2s. 6d-
No allum, nor copperas, nor salt, made by their sun." Chalmers, ib.
3 Trumbull, i. 340. One quarter were mounted as dragoons.
4 Coll. Hist. Sec. ii. 30. The Indian name of the place was Squaw-
keague. The English town-was laid out on both sides of the river, 6 mile-;
in breadth, and 12 in length. The planters built small huts, and covered
them with thatch ; made a place for public worship ; and built a stockade
and fort. The township. was granted " to Messrs. Finchion, Peirsons, and
their associates, in 1672." Ibid.
5 Charlevoix >ouv. France, i. 444. Smith N. York, 44. Chalmers, 1.587..
6 Minot Mass.i. 181.
AMERICAN ANNALS. 417
three days journey of the gulf of Mexico,
they returned toward Canada. *
Thomas Prince, governor of Plymouth colony, Death of
'died, at the age of seventy three years.*
l674: . ...
All the freemen of Carolina, meeting by sum- -Free?nea Of
nions at Charlestown, elected representatives, to Carolina
make laws for the government of the colony. There res°enTa-ep"
were now a colonial governor, an upper and a lower lives.
house of assembly ; and these three branches took
the name of parliament, agreeably to the constitu-
tions. This was the first parliament, that passed First parii-
acts, which were ratified by the proprietaries, and ament on
preserved in the records of the colony. 3 The pro-
prietaries transmitted to Carolina vines and other
useful plants, and men skilled in the management of
them. 4
A treaty of peace between England and the States &&. ^
General of Holland was signed at Westminster. Treaty be-
The sixth article of this treaty restored New Neth- £d2?*
erlands to the English,5 and the English territories Holland
In Guiana to the Dutch.6 On this pacification, the ^^1^
duke of York, to remove all doubt and controversy lands to
1 CharleVoix Nouf. France, i. 454 — 457. Univ. Hist. xl. 12. Thej^^"2*'
French received information of this river from the natives. Charlevoix
(ib,) says, Marquette and Joliet went toward the <j 3d deg. of latitude,
54 jusques aux Akansas" Encyc. Methodique [Geog. Art. MISSISIPPI.] says,
they descended froth 43 deg. 20 min. to 33 deg. 49 min. Ferdinand de
Soto had discovered the cdlmtry on the Missisippi* 130 years before ; but,
dying toward the close of the expedition, the Spaniards did not see fit to
settle it. Encyc. Method'que, Geog. Art. LOUISIANE. See A. £>. 1542.
2 Morton [Supplement], 206. He Was an upright and ver^ useful
^magistrate ; a piohs and exemplary rhan. He was a distinguished patrbri
of learning, and procured revenues for the support of grammar schools in
Plymouth colony. Mather Magnal. book ii. 6.
3 Hewet, i. 74, 75, Sir John Yeamans, reduced to a feeble and sickly
condition by the warm climate and his indefatigable labours for the suc-
cess of the settlement, returned to Barbadoes, where he died. Ib. Joseph
West, who is justly celebrated for his courage, wisdom, and moderation,
succeeded him in the government. Ibid. Chalmers, i. 540.
4 Chalmers, i. 5 3 1.
5 Smith N. York, 31. Univ. Hist, xxxix. 349.
6 Bancroft Guiana, id F.ncyc. Methodioufe, Geog. Art. SCRIVAM,
LU
AMERICAN ANNALS,
1674. respecting his property in America, took out a new
E. . Andros patent
-
of N. ward Andros to be governor of New York and all
York, hjs territories in these parts, The Dutch, in Octo-
ber, resigned their authority to Andros, who imme-
diately recerved the submission of the inhabitants,
as far westward as Delaware. r
B.Gookin . Daniel Gookin, of Cambridge, completed his
Collect. of TT» • i /^ 11 • r i T i- • -vS- -r^
Historical Collections or the Inaians, m New Lng-
land ; which furnish an authentic account of their,
numbers, customs y manners, religion, government,,
1' condition^*
Quebec v/as made a bishopric. 3
John Oxenbr idge, minister of Boston, died. 4
/• yxen~ Bancroft says, " in exchange ;" but it was on the, principle of utl poisldetis ;
ondge. £or tjie treaty provided, (< that whatsoever may have been taken, during
the war, shall be restored to the former possessor. Chalmers, i. 579.
1 Smith N- York, 32. Smith N". Jersey, no. Chalmers, i. 579. Trum-
bull, i. 341. Univ. Hisf. xxxix. 362. Brit. Emp. ii. 210, 400, 401.
2 Coll. Hist. Soc. i. T42. This work war, dedicated to king Charles II.,
and seems to have been prepared for publication ; but it was not published
until the year 1792, when it was printed in the Collections of the Massa-
chusetts Historical Society [i. 141- — H7-1- From this respectable authori-
ty we learn the numbers of the principal Indian nations in N. England, in
"-674. There were then within the jurisdiction of Massachusetts :
Men. -
i. The Pequ-cds (formerly 4000 -.-varr-ors) then containing 300
a. The Narraganstts (formerly 5000 do.) ... - about 2000
;$, The Pawkunnawkuts (formerly about 3000) nearly extinct
4. The Massachusetts (formerly 3000) - ------ 300
5. The Pawtuckets (formerly abcut 3000) - ----- 250
There were, at that time, 7 old towns- of Praying Indians :
Families. Soul'?.
I. N;>.tick - »- - - - - 29 145
£. Pakemit, or Punkepaog, (Stoughtcn) - I z about 60
•5. Hassanamesit (Grafton) - - » 12 60 ,
4. OkommakajTiesit (Marlborough) - - 10 50
5. Wamesit (Tewksbury) - - - 15 75
6. Nashobah (Littleton) IO 50
7. Magunka^uog (Hoplunton) - * 1 1 55
99 • 495
I See ' next ficFe-}
3 Charlevoix Nouv. France,-}. Heiiault, ii. ^74.
4 Mathtr A'lagnal. book iii. »2I. Coll. Hist. Soc. iii. 300; vi. 5 (TiUrodA
?Te was educated at the universities of Oxford and Cambridge in England-
Tn the persecution of Nonconformists, A.D. 1662, he went to Surinam ;
thence he went to Uarbadoes ; thence, in 1669,10 New England, where he-
succeeded Mr. Davenport, as pastor of the first church in Boston. Maj>~
nal. ibid. Ho was one- of " the most popular ministers" in N, Engh-
Chalmers, i. 435-
AMERICAN ANNALS. .41 9
.16,75,
Andres, governor ,of New York, made efforts to Andros d«-
..acquire the .country, lying westward of Connecticut neac^csut°n'
river ; but he was effectually frustrated -by the spir- territory.
ited conduct. of the colony of Connecticut.1
The public, revenue, arising from the customs -G.DL srtate.of
the productions of Virginia, amounted to one hun-
dred thousand pounds. a year. That colony now
contained fifty .thousand inhabitants* *
7"here were ajso seven other towns of Praying Indians, within the jurisdic-
tion of Massachusetts, "vyhid.i were c*dl«d the New fraying towns in tLe
Hipnuick country.
Souls,
Manchage [Oxford] contained «• 60
Chabanakongkomun (Dudley) 4$
Maanexit [N. K part of Woodstock] - IOO
Quantisset [o. E, part oi Woodstock] •- lop
• Wabquissit [S. W. corner of Wooxistockj - ijo
jPakachoqg [ part of Worcester] • - I GO
Wueuntug' [Ux&ridge] supposed ,.«•-• jo
605
In all 14 towns and about iico souls. " yielding -obedieace to the gospel."
In Plymouth colony, there were 497 praying Indians, of whom 14-2, read
Indian, 72 wrote,. 9 read English. There were supposed to be upward of
loo more young Indian children, who .had commenced Learning, not in-
cluded in this estimate. Martha's Vineyard contained at .least 300 fami-
lies, and they w.ere generally -praying Indians ; and the island of Nantuck-
et, about 300 families, many of whom also were praying Indians.
I Chalmers, i, 581. That country had been conferred on the duke of
York, though it had been possessed by the Connecticut colonists from the
year 1637, and confirmed to them by a royal charter in 166*. Ib. On the
intelligence, that Andros was about to invade the colony, and to demand a
surrender of its most important posts to the government of the duke •of
York, detachments of the militia of Connecticut were sent to New JLondoa
and Saybrook. Andros arrived at Saybrook in July with an armed force,
find demanded a surrender of the fortress and town ; but captain Bull, of
Hartford, arriving at this juncture with a party of militia, raised the king's
colours, and made an instant show of readiness for resistance, which stop-
ped their hostile procedure. The assembly ojf the colony, then in session,
immediately drew up a protest, and seiit it, by an express, to Saybrock,
•with instructions to captain Bull, to propose to major Andros a reference cf
the affair in dispute to commissioners. Androt,, with his suit, was permitted
to land. The proposal of reference to commissioners was rejected. Andrew
.commanded, in his majesty's name, that the duke's patent, and his own
.commission, should be read. Bull, in his majesty's name, commanded him to
forbear reading. When his clerk attempted to persist in reading, Euli repeat-
^d his prohibition with energy, and with effect. He then read the assem-
bly's protest. Andros, despairing of success, abandoned hir, design, and rex
turned to New York, Trumbuli, i. 346, 4 Chalmers, i, 330,
420
AMERICAN ANNALS.
of king
Philip's
1675. The first English ship, that arrived at West Jer~
w. jersey. seYj arrived ttts year. x
p.ofMaine. "j^ militia in the Province of Maine now amount-
ed to seven hundred. *•
ticuwiiT" r^wo insurrections, raised in Virginia, this year,
Virginia, without grounds,, and without concert, were easily
suppressed. 3
'^^ memorable war between Philip, king of the
Wampanoags, and the New England colonists, now.
commenced. Sausaman, a friendly Indian, having
given notice to the English of a plot, that he had
discovered among Philip's Indians against the Eng-
lish, was soon after murdered. Three Indians, one
of whom was a counsellor and particular friend of
Philip, were convicted of the murder, at Plymouth
court, and executed. 4 Philip, apprehensive of per-
sonal danger, used no farther means to exculpate
himself either from the charge of conspiracy, or of
having concern in the death of Sausaman ; but had
recourse to arms. Finding his strength daily in-
creasing, by the accession of neighbouring Indians,
he prepared for war. The Indians, having sent
their wives and children to the Narragansets for se-
curity, began to alarm the English at Swanzey. Af-
ter oifering them insolent menaces, they proceeded
to kill their cattle, and rifle their houses. Provoked
by these abuses, an Englishman discharged his gun
at an Indian, and gave him a mortal wound. TRQ
Indians instantly fell on the English, and killed all
, . & 9 , . . 0
m their power. Eight or nine were slam in Swan-
zey and its vicinity, on the twenty fourth of June ;
June 24.
First hos-
I Smith N. Jersey, 79. No other arrived for nearly two years.
1 Chalmers,' i. 507. The town of Kittery contained - - - iSo
York ...... 80 Black Point - - - - 100
'Wells and Cape Porpus - - 80 Casco Bay - - - - 80
- - - go
Black Point
Casco Bay
Saco and Winter Harbour - 100 Sagadahock
3 Chalmers, i. 329. " By the prudent vigour of the governor."
4 This court was in June. Philip and several of his Indians had been.
previously examined ; and, though they would own nothing, yet they.
« could not free themselves from just suspicion." Hubbard.
AMERICAN ANNALS. 421
and on that day the alarm of war was given in 1675.
Plymouth colony. A company of foot, under cap-
tain Daniel Henchman, another company of horse,
under captain Thomas Prentice, with one hundred
and ten volunteers, marching from Boston, joined
the Plymouth forces at S wanzey, on the twenty
eighth. Twelve men of the cavalry, toward the
evening of the same day, passing over a bridge, that
led into Philip's lands, for the purpose of discovery,
were fired on by the Indians from the bushes ; one
was killed, and another, whose horse was shot down
under him, was wounded. The next morning, the
shout of war was heard at half a mile's distance ;
and nine or ten Indians showed themselves on the
English side of the bridge. Their challenge was
instantly accepted. All the horse, with the entire
body of volunteers under captain Mosely, chased They39<
them precipitately over the bridge, and pursued them charge the
a mile and a quarter beyond it. When the advanc- €r
ed soldiers were just retreating to the main guard,
they discharged their guns on the Indians, who were
running into a swamp, and killed five or six of them, ^ho&zn.
This resolute charge of the English made great im- don Mount
pression on the enemy ; and Philip, with all his Hope'
forces, left Mount Hope that very night, abandon-
ing the country to the English. *
Captain Hutchinson arriving as commissioner July
from Massachusetts government, with orders to treat
with the Narragansets ; it was resolved, the next gansets,
morning, to march all the forces into theNarragan-
set country, and to make the treaty, sword in hand.
A treaty was accordingly concluded on the fifteenth
pf July/'
I Hubbard MS. N. Eng. chap. 1 ; Ind. Wars, 78 — 87. Hutchinson, i.
286, 287. Church, ii — 13. Cullender, 73.
a Hubbard Ind. Wars, 6j — 67 ; Hutchinson, i. 289—291 ; where the
Articles are inserted. The date is " Petaquamscot, July 15, 1675." The
commissioners for Massachusetts were major Thomas Savage, captain Ed-
ward Hutchinson, and Mr. Joseph Dudley j those for Connecticut (who
,422
-AMERICAN -ANNALS.
.1675. During this, negotiation for peace, captain :Fuller
A party and lieutenant Church * were dispatched with .fifty
fflocassel men to Pocasset/ to conclude -a peace with the In-
dians, .if .pacific and friendly ; or to fight then), if
hostile. They found the enemy' on Pocasset Neck ;
but, such were their numbers, that, after some skir-
mishing, in which the English expended their ammu*
nition, they .were taken off by water to Rhode IsU
and. Church, hastening to the Massachusetts for-
ces, borrowed three files of men of captain Hench-
man, .with, his lieutenant, and returned to Pocasset,
where he had another skirmish with the enemy, in
which fourteen or fifteen Indians were shin. This
loss struck such. a terror into Philip, that he betook
himself to the swamps about Pocasset, where he lay
secreted until the arrival of the other English forces
from Narraganset. These forces arrived on the
July i«. eighteenth of July, and ; resolutely charged the ene^
dwrgethe my m *^G*r recesses > but tne Indians, taking advan^
Indians in tage .of the thick under wood, and firing at them,
Wg0 £rst £ntere(j? killed five on the spot, and woui>d-»
ed four ; and, deserting their wigwams, retired deep-
er, into the -swamp,3 The English followed them,
in .vain, until night approached, when the command^
er. ordered -.a retreat. Most of the Massachusetts
companies were now drawn oiF, and captain Hench-
man only, with a hundred foot, together with the
had been seasonably sent forward) were major Wait Winthrop, and Mr,
Richard Smith. There were four Indians, who subscribed the treaty, as
counsellors and attornies to Canonicus, Nimgret, Mattatoag, old queen
Quaiapen, Quananshit, and Pornham, " the six present sachems of the v/hole
jSTarraganset country." Ibid. The Narragansets were still very powerful.*"
This tribe had promised Philip to rise, in the spring of 1676, with 4000
men ; but this number, it is supposed, was meant to contain all the Indians
within the bounds of Rhode island, who, being under the authority of the
great Narraganset sachem, were often called by this general name., Catr
lender, 75. Hubbard Incl. Wars, 126. Hutchinson,i. 458. * SM f. 418.
I Benjamin Church, afterward colonel, a hero of great fame.
a Now Tiverton £c. 18 miles from Taunton. Hubbard.
3 This swamp on Pocasset Neck is 7 miles long. The Indians had new*
iy made wigwams here (about roo in all) of green bark, which they r.o\v
left i but the materials would not udaiit th^n to burn. Id,
AMERICAN ANNALS.
Plymouth forces, was left to watch tlie motions of 1675;
the enemy* It being impossible^ for the English to
fight in the swamp, >but to the greatest disadvantage,
they resolved to starve out the enemy : but Philip, ^l11?
,, , , . .%•? makes his
aware or the design, contrived means to escape, with escape.
the greatest part of his company.1 Fleeing into
the country of the Nipmucks,* this ferocious and:
Vindictive prince, kindled the flame of war in the
\vestern plantations of Massachusetts. 3
The Nipmuck- Indians had already committed hos- -
tilities against the English. On the fourteenth of JuI7 **- ,.
July they had killed four or five people at Mendo'n §evS
in Massachusetts.4 The governor and council, inPeoPIeilt"
hopes of reclaiming the Nipmucks, sent captain Hut-
chinson with twenty horsemen to Quabaog [Brook-
field], near which place there was to be a great ren-
dezvous of those Indians, xvho had promised to hold
a treaty with the inhabitants of Brookfield. Hut-
chinson, with some of the principal people of that
town, went to the place appointed t but, not finding
the Indians, they proceeded four or five miles to-
ward their chief town, until they were ambuscaded
by two or three hundred Indians, who shot down
eight of the company, and mortally wounded eight "ear, f
. rrn 11 11 -• ^G Brookfield,
more.* ihe rest escaped through a by patn to Qua-
baog. The Indians, closely pursuing them, violent-
ly assaulted the town, killed several persons, and set
1 The swamp being not far from an arm of the sea, extending up to
Taunton, the Indians, either taking advantage of a low tide, waded over,
or wafted themselves over on small rafts of timber, very early, before break
cf day, i August. About 100 v/omen and children, left behind, soon after
resigned themselves to the mercy of the English. Hubbard. I. Mather.
2 About Worcester, Oxford, Grafton, Dudley, &c. Cburcb.
3 Hubbard Ind. Wars, 72, 73. Neal N. Eng. ii, 8. Church, ai — 23.
4 Mather Ind. War, 5. Hutchinson, i. 291. " Blood was never shed in
Massachusetts, in a way of hostility, before this day." Mather, ib.
5 Captain Hutchinson was one of the wounded. He was carried to
Quabaog, -and afterward to Marlborough, where he died 19 August. Hut-
chinson. The ambuscade was laid at a place called Meminimisset, " a nar-
row passage between a steep hill and a this,!: s\v-.imp, rxt the her.d of Wick*-
• ig nond." Co!!. HI st. Soc, i. 259. ,
424 AMERICAN ANNALS,
1675. fire to every house, excepting one, into which all
Brookfieid the inhabitants had gathered for security. x This
house they soon surrounded ; and, after repeated at-
tempts to set fire to it, they filled a cart with hemp,
flax, and other combustible matter, which they kin-
Aug. 4. died, and thrust toward it with long poles. At
its inhabit- thjs critical moment, major Willard happily ar-
ants re- • '«.'«/• • •» i
lieved. rived with forty eight dragoons, and dispersed them. a
Indian hos- ^he Incuans on Connecticut river, near Hadley,
Hatfield, and Deerfield, and those at Penicook and
other places on Merrimack river, began their hostil-
the Merri- ities about this time ; and before the end of August
mack. fae whole colony of Massachusetts was in the ut-
most terror. The Hadley Indians, by fleeing from
their dwellings, betraying their conspiracy with the
hostile Indians,3 were pursued by captains Lothrop
and Beers, and overtaken about ten miles above Hat-
skirmish field, at a place called Sugarloaf Hill, where a skir-
lotfHffl" m*sn xvas fought, in which nine or ten of the Eng-
lish were slain, and about twenty six Indians. The
Indians^ who escaped, joining with Philip and his
Sept.t. company j were so. emboldened, that, about seven
Deerfield days after,- they fell upon Deerfield, killed one man,
and laid most of the town in ashes., On the same
Hadley as- ^a7? Hadley was alarmed by the Indians in the time
sauited by of public worship, and the people thrown into the
utmost confusion j but the enemy were repulsed by
the valour and good conduct of an aged, venerable
man' w^°? suddenly appearing in the midst of the
affrighted inhabitants, put himself at their head ;. led
them to the onset ; and, after the dispersion of the
enemy, instantly disappeared. This deliverer of Had-
I There were about 20 dwelling houses, and 76 souls in the town.
a Mather Ind. War, 6, 7. Hubbard Ind. Wars, J n — 114. Hutchin-
son, i. 291 — 293. The next day (Aug. 5.) Philip, with about 40 men, be-
side a much greater number of women and children, joined the Nipmuck
Indians in a swamp, ten or twelve miles from Brookfieid ; about 30 of them
were armed with guns, the rest had bows and arrows. Ibid.
3 Philip and the Nipmuck Indians were harboured, at that time, in the
adjacent woods. Kubbard.
AMERICAN ANNALS. 425
ley, then imagined to be an angel, was general 1675.
GofFe, one of the judges of Charles I, who was, at
that time, concealed in the town. '
Early in October, the Springfield Indians, who ^f ^j
had been uniformly friendly to the English, having Indians/ C
perfidiously concerted with the enemy to burn the
town of Springfield, received in the night into their
fort, about a mile from the town, above three hun-
dred of Philip's Indians. The plot however being
disclosed by .a friendly Indian at Windsor, dispatches
\vere immediately sent to major Treat, then at
Westfield with the Connecticut troops, who arrived Oct
at Springfield so opportunely as to save a consider- Springfield
able part of the town from the flames ; but thirty gj^
two houses were already consumed.2 On the nine- 19.
teenth of October, seven or eight hundred Indians
furiously assailed the town of Hadley, on all sides ;
but they were repulsed by the Connecticut and Mas-
sachusetts forces. 3
The commissioners of the three United Colonies
having declared the war with the Indians to be just ^T°"e" °.f
o ill i 1111 -ill U.Colomes
and necessary, had already concluded, that it should make the
be jointly prosecuted by all those colonies.4 Find- waracom-
J J l mon cause.
I Stiles Hist. Judges, 109. Hutchinson, i. 219, See p. 377 of this vol-
ume. From N. Haven the judges Whalley and Goffe went to West Rock
(a mountain about 300 feet high, and about two miles and a half from the
town) ; and were some time concealed in a cave " on the very top of the
rock, about half or three quarters of a mile from the southern extremity.'*
Stiles, ib. 72, 76. They afterward lived in concealment at Milford, at Der-
by, and atBranford; and, in 1664, removed from Milford to Hadley, where
they were soon after joined by colonel Dixwell, another of the king's
judges. Dixwell took the name of Davids, and some years after removed
to New Haven, where he married, and left several children. His grave
stone may still be seen in the old burying ground in New Haven, with this
inscription : " J. D. Esq. deceased March i8th, in the Sad year of his age
1688."
•3, Hubbard Tnd. Wars, 129—131. " The sad tidings of Springfiald ca-
lamity" reached Boston 7 October, at the close of a day of Humiliation, ap-
pointed by the Council. Mather Ind. War, 16. Trumbull, i. 351.
3 Hubbard Ind. Wars, 138. Hutchinson, i. 296.
4 Hazard Coll. ii. 534. The commissioners for Plymouth colony pre-
sented to the body of commissioners a Narrative, " showing the manner of
M m ra
4-26- AMERICAN'" ANNALS.
1675. ing that the Narragansets, in violation of their en-
gagements, were accessory to the hostilities of the
enemy, they now determined, that one thousand
soldiers should be raised, to march into the Narra-
ganset country, to obtain satisfaction of those In-
dians, or to treat them as enemies. Josiah Winslow,
governor of Plymouth, was appointed commander
in chief; The Massachusetts forces marched from
Boston on the eighth of December, and were soon
joined by those of Plymouth^ The troops from
Dec. iS1. Connecticut joined them on the eighteenth, at Pet-
coioniai tyquamscot.1 At break of day the next morning,
meet at Pe- they commenced their march, through a deep snow,,
tyquam- toward the enemy, who were about fifteen miles dis-
tant ia a swamp, at the edge of which they arrived
at one in the afternoon*- The Indians, apprized of
an armament intended against them, had fortified'
themselves as strongly, as possible, within the swamp.
The English, without waiting to draw up in order
of battle, marched forward in quest of the enemy's
camp. Some Indians, appearing at the edge of the
swamp, were no sooner fired on by the Englijji, than
they returned the fire; and fled. The whole army
now entered the swamp, and followed the Indians to
19. their fortress. It stood on a rising ground in the
Attack the midst--ofthe-swamp i and was composed of palisades,
fort of the , * r
Narragau- which were encompassed by a. -Hedge, nearly a rod*
sets.
beginning of the present war with- the Indians of Mount Hope -and Poca?-
set ;" which was the basis of that determination. It is inserted ib. 532 — .
5 34. The meeting of the commissioners, at which the war was declared to
he just and necessary, was 9 Sept. 1675. They the* concluded to raise im-
mediately 1000 soldiers out of the colonies, in such proportions, as the arti-
cles of Confederation established : Massachusetts, 527 ; Plymouth, 158 ;
Connecticut, 315. Ibid. 535. -At 'an adjourned meeting a November, they
declared the Narragansets to be " deeply accessory in the present bloody
vui.trages" of the natives that were at open war, and determined, that icco
wre soldiers be raised, for the Narraganset expedition, " in like proper^
tionsin each colony, as the former were." Ib. 531.
I The Connecticut troops consisted of 300 English men, and 150 ]YTo-
Iieagan and Pecjuod Indians ; and were divided into 5 companies. Thr.
was commanded by major Treat. Trumbull, 1-354.
AMERICAN ANNALS. 42?
thick. It had but one practicable entrance, which
was over a log or tree, four or five feet from the
ground ; and that aperture was guarded by a block
house. Falling providentially on this very part of
the fort, the English captains entered it, at the head
of their companies. The two first, Johnson and
Davenport, with many of their .men, were shot dead
at the entrance. Four -other captains, Gardner,
Gallop, Siely, and Marshal, were also killed. When
the troops had effected an entrance, .they attacked
the Indians, who fought desperately, and beat the
English out of the fort. After a hard fought battle
of three hours, the English became masters of the Fort. taken»
i r i • m<i i r & wipwams
place, and set nre to the wigwams. 1 he number or burnt.
tnem was five or six hundred, and'in the conflagra-
tion many Indian women and children perished. The
surviving Indian men fled into a cedar swamp, at a
-small distance ; and the English retired to their
quarters. Of the English there were killed and
wounded about two hundred and thirty •; of which
number eighty five were killed, or died of their
wounds. Of the Indians one thousand are suppos-
ed to have perished. *
The Massachusetts and Plymouth troops kept the close of the
field several weeks ; but without any considerable c^^p^n-
achievement. The Connecticut troops, who had
suffered most in the action, were so disabled, that it
was judged necessary for them to return home. The
great body of the Narraganset warriors soon after
repaired to the Nipmuck jcountry0 *
I Potock, an Indian counsellor of Narraganset, afterward taken at R.
Island, and executed at Boston, acknowledged, that the Indians lost 700
fighting men that day, beside 300, who died of their wounds. What num-
•Jber of old men, women, and children, perished by fire, or by hunger and
cold, the Indians themselves could not tell. Hubbard.
a Hubbard Ind. Wars, 141 — 166. Mather Ind, War, 19, 2O. Htttchia-
j-piij i, 297 — 301, TnuubuJlj i. 353 — 359.
42 S AMERICAN ANNALS,
1676.
Jan. 27. The Narragansets, in retreating from their coun-.
ii"ti0n at°" try> drove off from one of the inhabitants of War-
Warwick, wick fifteen horses, fifty neat cattle, and two hun-
dred sheep. On the tenth of February, several him-*
Lancaster dreds of the Indians fell upon Lancaster ; plundered
burnt. and burned the greatest part of the town ; and kil-.
led or captivated forty persons. Two or three hun-
dred of the Narraganset and other Indians, not long
Medfieid. a^ter' surprised Medfieid, and burned nearly one
25. half of the town. r On the twenty fifth of Februa-
weymouth. ry9 tke incjians assaulted the town of Weymouth,
and burned seven or eight houses and barns. On
tlle thirteenth of March, they. burned the whole
town of Groton 3 to the ground, excepting four gar^
17. risoned houses ; and, on the seventeenth, they en-
tjrejy burned Warwick, with the exception of one
house. On the twenty sixth of March, they laid
rough.0" most of the town of Marlborough in ashes. 3 On
the same day, captain Pierce of Scituate, who had
been sen- out ^7 tne governor and council of Ply-
mouth colony with about fifty English, and twenty
friendly Indians of Cape Cod, was cut off by the
r~~",a8- enemy with most of his party, Two days after-
Rahoboth J . r .. ' -i J . J.
burnt. ward, the Indians fell upon Kenoboth, and burned
forty dwelling houses, and about thirty barns ; and,,
- — 2-9. j-he jay after, about thirty houses in Providence.
Providence. A t / r T ..
Although there were several parties or Indians
scattered over the country, yet the main body of
them lurked in the woods between Brookfield,
April. Marlborough, and Connecticut river. Early in Ai
cheims- pril they did some mischief at Chelmsford,4 Ando-
i Although there were z or 300 soldiers there, the Indians did that mis-
chief, and killed about 1 8 persons, men, women, and children. I. Mather.
2, It contained about 40 dwelling houses. Its inhabitants now deserted it.
3 The inhabitants were hence constrained to desert the town. What
few houses were left were burnt by the Indians 1 9 April. I. Mather.
4 Hubbard ascribes this mischief to the Indians of Wamesit, a place near
Chelmsford, bordering on the Mcnimack j but he does them the justice
AMERICAN ANNALS. 429
ver, and in the vicinity of those places. ' Having, 1676.
on the seventeenth of the same month, burned the
few deserted houses at Marlborough, they, the next April lg>
day, violently attacked Sudbury ; burned several sudbury
houses and barns ; and killed ten or twelve of the attacked'
English, who had come from Concord to the assist-
ance of their neighbours. Captain Wadsworth,
sent at this juncture from Boston with about fifty
men, to relieve Maiiborough, after having marched
twenty five miles, learning that the enemy had gone
through the woods toward Sudbury, turned imme-
diately back, in pursuit of them. When the troops
were within a mile of the town, they espied, at no
great distance, a party of Indians, apparently about
one hundred 5 who, by retreating, as if through fear,
drew the English above a mile into the woods ;
when a large body of the enemy, supposed to be a-
bout five hundred, suddenly surrounded them, and Ca t
precluded the possibility of their escape. The gal- Wadswortb
lant leader and his brave soldiers fought with des- and his
per ate valour ; but they fell a prey to the numbers,
the artifice, and bravery of their enemy. The few^
who were taken alive, were destined to tortures, un-
known to their companions, who had the happier
lot to die in the field of battle. *
to say, that they " had been provoked by the rash, unadvised, cruel acts of
some of the English," toward the close of the preceding year. CHELMSFORD
appears to have been incorporated about A. D. 1655 ; but it was not men*
tioned that year, because not noticed in the early histories.
I Hubbard says, that on the ijth of April 15 houses were burnt on the
north side of the river, near Chelmsford.
a Some historians say, that captain Wadsworth's company was entirely
cut off ; others, that a few escaped. Some represent his company, as con-
sisting of 50 ; some, as consisting of 70 men. All agree, that 50 at least
were killed. Captain Broclebank and some others " fell into his company
as he marched along ;" and this accession may account for the difference in
the narratives. President Wadsworth (of Harvard College), a son of cap-
tain Wadsworth, who fell on this occasion, caused, a decent monument to
be afterward erected over the grave of these heroes, from which I copied
the following Inscription :
" Captain Samuel Wadsworth of Milton, his Lieut. Sharp of Brooklin,
:< Capt. Broclebank of Rowley, with about Twenty Six* other Souldiers,
* This, it is fjppg;sd% ivas the number of bodies found,
43
AMERICAN ANNALS.
16760
sdtuate.
8.
ter.
Plymouth.
Middle-'
borough.
iff.
Fall Fight,
About the same time, the Indians burned nine-
teen houses and barns at Scituate ; but they were
bravely encountered and repulsed by the inhabit-
ants. On the eighth of May, they burned and des~
trOyej seventeen houses and barns at Bridgewater.1
On the eleventh, they assaulted the town of Plym*.
out^ and burned eleven houses and five barns ; and,
two days after, they burned seven houses and two
i • ' i t i • •
WBS m that town, and tae remaining houses m
Namasket. z
Several large bodies of Indians having assembled
at Connecticut river, in the vicinity of Deerfteld, the
inhabitants of Hadley, Hatfield, and Northampton,
on receiving the intelligence, combined for their ex-
tirpation. On the eighteenth of May one hundred
and sjxty. soldiers, destined for that enterprise,
marched silently twenty miles in the dead of night,
and, a little before break of day, surprised the ene-
my, whom they found asleep, and without guards.,
at their principal quarters. The first notice, that
they gave of their approach, was by a discharge of
their guns into the wigwams. Some of the Indians,
in their consternation., ran directly into the river^
*' fighting for the defence of their country, were slain by the Indian enemy
*' April j 8th. 1676, and lye buried in this place." The monument stands
to the west of Sudbury Causeway, about one mile southward of the church
in Old Sudbury, and about one quarter of a mile from the great road, that
leads from Boston to Worcester.
I The inhabitants courageously sallied forth from their garrisons, to
fight the enemy ; and a storm of thunder, lightening, and rain, at that
juncture, providentially coatributed to save the town from entire confla-
gration. It is remarkable, that Bridgewater, though, by its local situation,
peculiarly exposed, never lost one of its inhabitants in this war. Mather
Magnal. book vii. 52. 1 now find, that the settlement of BKIDGEWATICK.
was begun in the year 1651, by a very religious people ; " though, by rea-
son of the snvallness of their number and ability, aad the scarcity of candi-
dates, they had not an ordained minister till the year 1663." Their first
was the reverend James Keith, who died 23 July 1719, " having been 56
years a faithful minister of the gospel." Preface to a Sermon, preached at
Bridgewater by Rev. Mr. Keith in 1717, zd edit, printed 1768.
Z Soon after the war broke out (about July 1675) the Indians killed
several English people at Taunton ; burned about half the town of Swan*
Key ; and principally burned the towns of Namasket [Middkboroughl and,
Eter.cmou.th, Mather Ind. W^r, 4.
AMERICAN ANNAL&.- -43.*
were drowned. Others betook themselves to 1676
their bark canoes ; and, having in their hurry for-
gotten their paddles, were hurried down the falls,
and dashed against the rocks. Many of them, en-
deavouring to secrete themselves under the banks of
the river, were discovered and slain. In this action,
distinguished by the name of the Fall Fight, the en-
emy lost three hundred men, women, and children.1
The Indians, recovering from their surprise, and
falling on the rear of the English on their return,
killed captain Turner, commander of the expedition,
and thirty eight of his men. z
On the thirtieth of May, a: great body of Indians, -
supposed to be six or seven hundred, appeared be-
fore Hatfield. Having burned twelve houses and
barns, without the fortification, they attacked the
houses in the centre of the town, that were surround-
ed with palisadoes ; but twenty five resolute young
men of Hadley, adventuring over the river, and
boldly charging the enemy, they instantly fled from
the town, with the loss of twenty five of their men.
Though Massachusetts was the chief theatre of Connecti-
the war •, Connecticut, her sister colpny, was active c.
•L r i TT i tl
in the suppression of the common enemy. Volun- war.
teer companies had been formed, early in the year,
principally from New London, Norwich, and Ston-
ington j which associated with them a number of
Moheagans, Pequots, and Narragansets. These
companies ranged the Narraganset country, and
greatly harassed the hostile Indians. In one of these
excursions, in March, captain Denison, of Stoning-
i See a particular account of this Fight, by the reverend Mr. Taylor of
Deerfieid, in the Appendix to his edition of Williams' Redeemed Captive,
141 — 143. Of the 300 there were 170 fighting men. Mather Ind. War,
31. But one of the English was killed in the engagement. Hubbard Ind.
Wars, 225, note.
z The English, going out on horseback, had alighted about a quarter of
a. mile from the Indian rendezvous, and tied their horses to the trees. The
/ndiiiiis fell on the guards, left with the horses, and killed some of them.
These are included in the 38.
c.ut i.sac
tlve in
AMERICAN ANNALS.
1676. ton, rendered signal service to the cause, by the cap*
ture of Nanunttenoo, the head sachem of all the
Narragansets. ' Between the spring and the succeed-
ing autumn, the volunteer captains, with their flying
parties, made ten or twelve expeditions, in which
they killed and captivated two hundred and thirty
of the enemy ; took fifty muskets ; and brought in
one hundred and sixty bushels of their corn. They
drove all the Narraganset Indians, excepting those
of Ninnigret, a out of their country.
Assembly The assembly of Connecticut, at their session in
Ma7> voted three hundred and fifty men, who were
to be a standing army, to defend the country, and
harass the enemy. Major John Talcot was ap-
pointed to the chief command. Early in June, ma-*
jor Talcot marched from Norwich with about two
hundred and fifty soldiers, and two hundred Mo-
heagan and Pequot Indians, into the Wabaquasset
country ; 3 but found the country entirely deserted,
as well as the fort and wigwams at Wabaquasset.
On the fifth of June, the army marched to Ghana-
gongum, in the Nipmuck country, where they killed
nineteen Indians, and took thirty three captives ;
and thence marched by Quabaog to Northampton*
June ia. Qn the twelfth Of June, four days after their arrival
Attack on __ , , i i i T T
at Northampton, about seven hundred Indians made
*
I He had ventured down from the northern wilderness toward Seaconck,
near the seat of Philip, to procure seed corn, to plant the towns, which the
English had deserted on Connecticut river. This sachem was a son of
Miantonimoh, and inherited the pride of his father. He would not accept
his life, when offered on the condition, that he should make peace with the
English. When he was informed, that it was determined to put him to
death, he said, " I like it well ; I shall die before my heart is soft, or I shall
have spoken any thing unworthy of myself." The Moheagan sachem, his
counsellors, and the principal Pequots, shot him at Stonington. Trumbull,
i. 363.
I This sachem had formerly given the colonies much trouble ; but, in
this war, he refused to join the other Narraganset sachems. The Narra-
ganset Indians, who joined the Connecticut volunteers, were bis men.
It is very remarkable, that, in all these expeditions, the English had not
one man killed or wounded. Trumbull, i. 360, 362,
3 See p. 419. It is, to this day, called at Woodstock, as it is fare writ"
ten after Dr. Trumbull, Wab-a-qna$-set,
AMERICAN ANNALS. 433
a furious attack upon Hadley ; but major Talcot 16760
with these gallant soldiers, soon appeared for the
relief of the garrison, and drove off the enemy.
On the third of July, the same troops, on their
march toward NarraganVet, surprised the main body
of the enemy by the side of a large cedar swamp,
and attacked them so suddenly, that a considerable
number of them was killed and taken on the spot.
Others escaped to the swamp, which was immedi-
ately surrounded by the English ; who, after an ac-
tion of two or three hours, killed and took one hun-
dred and seventy one. Soon aft£r, they killed and
captured sixty seven, near Providence, and War-
Wick. About the fifth of July, the army returned
to Connecticut j and in their return took sixty more
of the enemy. *
The enemy, thus pursued, and hunted from one Ind':ansj><>
lurking place to another ; straitened for provisions ; courage!"
and debilitated by hunger and disease ; became di-
vided, scattered, and disheartened ; and, in July and
August, began to come in to the English, and to
Surrender themselves to the mercy of their conquer-
ors. Philip, who had fled to the Mohawks, having
provoked, instead of conciliating, that warlike na-
tion, had been obliged to abandon their country ;a
and he was now, with a large body of Indians, lurk-
ing about Mount Hope; The Massachusetts and
Plymouth soldiers were vigilant and intrepid, in pur-
suit of him ; and, on the second of August, captain Aug. 2.
Church, with about thirty English soldiers and |^j?Jdife
twenty confederate Indians, surprised him in his loses many
quarters ; killed about one hundred and thirty of ofhism.en-
i Trumbiill, i. 363 — 365. From about the beginning of April to the
«>th of July, the Connecticut volunteers, and the troops under major Tal-
tot, killed and captured about 420 of the enemy. Ibid.
% It was commonly reported, that, with the design of drawing the Mo-
hawks into the war, Philip had killed some of that nation in the wcodsj.
and imputed their death to the English ; but that one of the Indians, who
was left for dead, revived, and informed his countrymen of the truth. H^*-
chiitson,
Nnn
43* AMERICAN ANNALS.
16 76. his men, and took his wife and son prisoners. Phil-
ip himself but just escaped with his life.
About ten days after, Church being then on
Rhode Island with a handful of volunteers, an In-
dian, deserter brought him information, that Philip
was in Mount Hope neck ^ and offered to guide
him to the place and help to kill him. l Church,
who never allowed himself to lose a moment's time,
instantly set out, in pursuit of him, with a small
company of English and Indians. Chi his arrival at
the swamp, he made a disposition of his men at
proper distances aud stations, so as to form an am-
buscade, putting an Englishman and an Indian to-
gether behind such coverts, as were found 5 and hi&
company soon commenced a fire on the enemy's
shelter, which was discovered- on the margin of the
swamp. It was open, in the Indian manner, on the
side next to the swamp, to favour a sudden flight.
Philip, at the instant of the fire frdm the English,,
seizing his gun, fled toward the thickets, but ran in
a direction toward an English soldier and an Indian,
who were at the station, assigned them by captain
Church. When he was within fair shot, the Eng-
ug. i«, lishman snapped his gun, but it missed fire. He
iiLXIS then bade the Indian fire j> and he instantly shot
him through the heart. z
1 He said, Philip killed his brother jirst before he came away, for giv~
ing some advice, that displeased him ; and that he had fled, for fear of the
same fate. He wanted to kill Philip, in revenge of his brother's death.
2 The death of Philip, in retrospect, makes different impressions from
what were made at the time of the event. It was then considered as the
extinction of a virulent and implacable enemy ;-it is now viewed as the fall
of a great warrior, a penetrating statesman, and a mighty prince. It then
excited universal joy and congratulation, as a prelude to the close of a mer-
ciless war ; it now awakens sober reflections on the instability of empire,
the peculiar destiny of the aboriginal racei and the inscrutable decrees of
Heaven. The patriotism of the man was then overlooked in the cruelty
of the savage ; aud little allowance was made for the natural jealousy of
the sovereign, on account of the barbarities of the warrior. Philip, ii: the
progress of the English settlements, foresaw the loss of his territory, and
the extinction of his tribe ; and made one mighty effort to prevent these
calamities. Our pity for his misfortunes would be still heightened, if \\.-.
could entirely rely on the tradition (mentioned by. Callender, 73.), That
AMERICAN ANNALS, 435
The death of Philip was the signal of complete vie- 1676.
iory. The Indians, in all the neighbouring coun-
try, now generally submitted to the English ; or
fled, and incorporated themselves with distant and
strange nations. In this short hut tremendous war, Effects of
about six hundred of the inhabitants of New Eng- the war*
land, composing its principal strength, were either
killed in battle, or murdered by the enemy .; twelve
or thirteen towns were entirely destroyed ; and a-
bout six hundred buildings, chiefly dwelling houses,
were burnt. In addition to these calamities, the
.colonies contracted an enormous debt ; while, by
the loss of their substance, through the ravages of
the enemy, their resources were essentially dimin-
ished.1 <
Philip and ;his chief :old men wer.e at first averse to the war ; that Philip
wept with grief, at the news of the first English who were killed ; and
that he was pressed into his measures by the irresistible importunity of his
young warriors. The assurance, pn the other hand, of the equity of our an-
xestors, in giving the natives an equivalent for their lands, is highly con-
soling. The upright and pious governor Win slow, in a letter dated at
Marshfield I May 1676, observes : " I think I can clearly say, that before
these present troubles broke out, the English did not possess one foot of
land in this colony, but what was fairly obtained by honest purchase of the
Indian proprietors. We first made a law, that none should purchase or re-
ceive of gift any land of the Indians, without the knowledge and allowance
of our Court. And lest yet they should be streightened, we ordered that
Mount Hope, Pocasset, and several other necks of the best land in the col-
ony, because most suitable and convenient for them, should never be
bought out of their hands." See Hubbard's Narrative (where this impor-
tant letter is inserted entire.) and Hazard Coll ii. 531 — 534.
I Hubbard's Narrative of the Indian Wars in New England. Increase
Mather's Brief History of the War with the Indians in New England.
Church's History ot King Philip's War. Mather Magnal. book vii. 45 — >
55. Calender's Historical Discourse, 73 — 81. Neal's History of New
England. Hutchinson's History of Massachusetts, i. 285 — 30 S. Trum-
buii's History of Connecticut, i. 342 — 369. Adams' History of New Eng-
land, 118 — 12,7. Morse and Parish's Compendious History of New Eng-
land, 249 — 264. A sketch of the Indian war in another part of New Eng-
land is subjoined. Within twenty days after Philip kindled the war at the
southward, the flame broke out in the most northeasterly part of the coun-
try, at the distance of aoo miles ; and, in the years 1675 and 1676, most of
the plantations in the Province of Maine, with those on the river Pascata-
qua, partook in the general calamity. After the death of Philip, the Mus-
sacuusetts forces, which were then at liberty to turn their arms into that
quarter, surprised about 400 of the Eastern Indians at Cochecho (Sept. 6,
1676) and took them prisoners. One half of them being found accessory. to
the Luc rebellion., 7 or 8, who were knovvu to have killed any Englishmen,
AMERICAN ANNALS.
1676. The New England colonies, in this impoverished
Complaints and calamitous state, were destined to a new scene
in England r i i • • i -i • ' • •
against the or trouble, which closed at length very mauspicious-
M.Enghnd ly to their liberties. Complaints having been brought
colonies. J . ./ » ' °i
against them, the preceding year, by the merchants
and manufacturers of England, for their disregard
to the acts of navigation ; * the governors of these
colonies were now commanded, by royal authority,
to enforce a strict obedience to the laws of trade.
Commissions were transmitted, empowering prop-
er persons to administer an oath, framed to secure a
strict observance of those laws. To add weight to
these measures, it was 'determined, " that no Medi-
terranean passes should be granted to New England,
to protect its vessels against the Turks, till it is seen
what dependence it will acknowledge on his majesty,
pr whether his custom house officers are received as
in other colonies." 2
Bacon's re- T^e maleContcnts in Virginia, taking advantage
beiiion in of a war with the Susquehaftnah Indians, excited
the people to insurrection. Nathaniel Bacon, a
bold, seditious, and eloquent young man, who had
been concerned in, a recent insurrection, now offer-
were condemned and hanged ; the rest were sold in foreign parts, for
slaves. These were called strange Indians, who had fled from the south-
ward, and taken refuge among the Penacooks. This stroke humbled the
Indians in the east, although the war with them continued until the spring
of 1678. See the above cited authorities, and Belknap N. Hamp. i. 133 —
163. A treaty of peace (though of little effect) was made 6 November
1676 between the governor and council of Massachusetts and Mogg, a Pe-
uobscot Indian, in behalf of the sachems of Penobscot. This was the first
treaty, made with any of the Tanateens, or eastern Indians. Belknap, ib.
Hutchinson, i. 347. Hubbard lad. Wars, 377 — 380, where the Treaty is
inserted.
i The complaints stated, " that the inhabitants of New England not on-
ly traded to most parts of Europe, but encouraged foreigners to go and
traffic with them ; that they supplied the other plantations with those for-
eign productions, which ought only to be sent to England ; that, having
thus made New England the great staple of the colonies, the navigation oi'
the kingdom was greatly prejudiced, the national revenues were impaired,
the people were extremely impoverished ; that such abuses, at the same
time that they will entirely destroy the trade of England, will leave no,
tort of dependence from that country to this," Chalmers, i. 400.
•2, Chaliners, i. 400—402.
AMERICAN ANNALS, 437
ing himself as the leader of the insurgents, was cho- 1676*
sen their general ; and soon after entered James-
town with six hundred armed followers. Having
besieged the grand assembly, then convened in the
capital, he compelled it to grant whatever he de-
manded. On finding himself denounced, after his
departure, as a rebel, by a proclamation of governor
Berkeley, he returned indignantly to Jamestown.
The aged governor, unsupported, and almost aban-
doned, fled precipitately to Accomack, on the east-
ern shore of the colony ; and, collecting those, who
were well affected toward his government, began to
oppose the insurgents. Several skirmishes were
fought, with various success. A party of the insur- Jamestown
gents burned Jamestown. Those districts of the burnt>
colony, which adhered to the old administration,
were laid waste. The estates of the loyalists were
confiscated. Women, whose fathers or husbands
obeyed what they deemed the legal government,
were carried forcibly along with the soldiers. The
governor, in retaliation, seized the estates of many
of the insurgents, and executed several of their lead-
ers by martial law. In the midst of these calam-
ities Bacon, the author of them, sickened and died ;
and the flames of war expired. This rebellion cost
the colony one hundred thousand pounds. * On in-
formation of this rebellion, Charles II dispatched
Sir John Berry with a small fleet, which transported
the first troops, ever sept to Virginia. *
The whole custom of tobacco from Virginia, col- Custom of
lected in England this year, was one hundred and tobacco-
thirty five thousand pounds sterling.3
I Chalmers, i. 332 — 335. Beverly, 105.
1 Chalmers, i. 336. These were the first troops sent to any of the colo-
nies for the suppression -of a revolt. It was determined, in November
1681, to disband them, " unless the assembly will pay them;" and they
were soon after paid off. Ibid. 35 2. Beverly [116.] says, these troops
were one regiment of infantry. The whole value of warlike stores, sent
$o Virginia by Sir J. Berry, amounted to £11,178. 35. 7d. sterling. Chal-
mers, i. 350. See Univ. Hist. xli. 538.
Chalmers, i. 354, Maryland \vas probably included; Ib,
43 $ AMERICAN ANNALS.
1676. Maryland now contained about sixteen thousand
inhabitants ; of whom the Roman Catholics were to
tne number of Protestants in the proportion of one
to a hundred. Cecilius Calvert, the father of the
°!t province, died, in the -forty fourth year of his gov*
eminent, "covered with age and reputation."1
Charles Calvert, now succeeding his father, immedi-
ately called an assembly ; which, among other acts,
passed a law " against the importation of convicted
persons into the province." *
Division of The country of New Jersey v/as formed into East
N. jersey and West Jersey. 5 Carteret, who had returned to
w'jersey. ^at province the preceding year, began now to
clear out vessels from East Jersey ; but he was
steadily opposed by Andros, governor of New York.4
Nov z?t A fire in Boston burned down about forty five
Fire in dwelling houses, the north church, and several ware
Bo*on' houses.*
Death : of j^ winthrop, governor of Connecticut, died,
gov. Win- . , r * r . .
throp. in the seventy first year or his age. 6
I Chalmers, i. 363. That province had been previously divided into ten
counties. No parishes were yet laid out, nor churches erected, nor public
maintenance granted for the support of a ministry ; and there were in the
whole colony three clergymen only of the church of England. Ib.
I Ibid. 364.
3 Ibid. 617. East Jersey was released in July by the assignees of lord
Berkeley to Carteret ; and he, in return, conveyed to them West Jersey.
The government of the last was retained by the duke of York as a depen-
dency of New York ; the government of the first was resigned to Carter-
et : " And here commenced a confusion of jurisdiction, and an uncertainty
of property, which long distracted the people, and at length ended in the
annihilation of the rule of the proprietors." Ib. See the instrument of the
release of N. Jersey in Smith Hist. N. Jersey, 80- — 83 ; and " The Conces-
sions and Agreements cf the proprietors, freeholders and inhabitants of the
province of West New Jersey," ib. 521 — 539.
4 Ibid. 618. Andros saw that Carteret's clearance " tended equally to ru*
in the commerce and to lessen the customs of New York." Ibid.
5 Hubbard MS. N. Eng. chap. Ixxiv ; Ind. W^rs, 194. Hutchinson, i,
349. The church was rebuilt the next year. Coll. Hist. Soc. iii. 269.
6 Mather Magnal. book ii. 30 — 33. He was the eldest son of the first
governor of Massachusetts. He was educated at the university of Dublin,
and afterward travelled into France, Holland, Germany, Italy, and Turkey.
With these advantages, he became a very accomplished gentleman, as well
as a great scholar. He wiis a puritan of distinguished piety. To Connec-
ticut he rendered most important -services, aadhe was very highly respect-
AMERICAN ANNALS. 439
1677.
The controversy between the colony of Massa- Controver-
ehusetts and the heirs of John Mason and of Ferdi- g^fof
nando Gorges was now settled in England. * It was Maine de-
determined, that the boundaries of Massachusetts Clded*
could not be construed to extend farther north-
ward, along the river Merrimack, than three Eng-
lish miles beyond it. Maine, both as to soil and
government, was adjudged to the heirs of Gorges.
Before the complaints were fully adjusted, and while Maine
kino; Charles was in treaty with Gorges3 to acquire !;°ught1bf
« , 6- Massachu-
his interest, an agent, employed by Massachusetts setts.
for the same end, purchased of that proprietor the
whole territory ; and assigned it over to the gover-
nor and company. 3
The second ship arrived from London at West ^*' jf" f
Jersey, bringing two hundred and thirty passengers, passengers
most of whom were quakers, some of good estates at w- Jer-
in England. They landed about Rackoon Creek, S£
cd and esteemed by that colony. He was one of the greatest chymists and
physicians of his age ; a member of the Royal Society ; and one of the most
distinguished characters in New England. Having gone to Boston, to at-
tend the court of the commissioners of the United Colonies, he was taken
sick, and died there on the 5th of April, and was interred in the same tomb
with his father. Ib. Trumbull, i. 362.
i Edward Randolph, a kinsman of Mason, had been sent to New Eng«
land the preceding year, with a letter to Massachusetts, requiring that col-
ony to send over agents within six months, fully empowered to answer the
complaints, which Mason and the heirs of Gorges had made, of its usurp-
ing jurisdiction over the territories claimed by them ; and the colony sent
William Stoughton and Peter Bulkley. On their arrival, an hearing was
ordered before the lords chief justices of the king's bench and common
pleas ; and their judgment was confirmed by the king in council. See the
authorities in note 3.
a Ferdinando Gorges, grandson of Sir £erdinando. Belknap.
3 Chalmers, i. 397. Hu-bbard MS. N. Eng. chap. Ixx. Hutchinson, I,
311 — 318. Belknap N. Hamp. i. 164 — 169 ; Amer. Biog. i. 391, 392.
John Usher was the agent, employed by Massachusetts to make the pur-
chase ; and he gave to Mr. Gorges, for his interest in the Province of
Maine, £1250 sterling. Thi& territory has ever since been a part of Mas-
sachusetts. It is now formed into two counties, York and Cumberland ;
but the District of Maine, as established by the laws of the United States,
comprehends several other counties, and extends from Pascataqua to St.
Croix ; a territory sufficiently large, when duly populated, to form a di**
tinct state, Ibid.
440 AMERICAN ANNALS.
1677. on Delaware, where the Swedes had some few hab-
itations ; but ndt sufficient for their reception. Com-
missioners, who came over in this ship, proceeded
farther up the river, to a place, called Chygoe's Isl-
and, where they treated with the Indians, and began
the regulation of their settlements. At that place
Burlington the town of Burlington was now laid out by mutual
settled. r , ° - .
agreement or the proprietors ; and it was soon set-
tled by a considerable number of reputable families
from Yorkshire, and other parts of England. *
GOV. Sir William Berkeley was recalled from the gov-
Berkeiey ernment of Virginia, after an administration of forty
years ; and was succeeded by colonel Jeifereys. z
First col- Miller, a person of some consideration, arrived in
lector of Carolina in July, as chief magistrate and collector of
the royal customs. 3 He found the colony at Albe-
marle to consist of a few inconsiderable plantations,
dispersed over the northeastern. bank of Albemarle
river, and divided into four districts. In attempting
to reform some abuses he rendered himself obnox-
insurrec- ious ; and an insurrection broke out at Albemarle in
,coiony.that December. The insurgents, conducted chiefly by
Culpeper, imprisoned the president and seven pro-
prietary deputies ; seized the royal revenue ; estab-
lished courts of justice ; appointed officers ; called a
parliament ; and, for two years, exercised all the au-
thority of an independent state.4
I Smith N. Jersey, 93, 102. Proud, i. 142 — 149. Another ship arriv-
ed from London in November, with about 60 or 70 passengers, some of
whom settled at Salem and others at Burlington. Another also arrived in
the autumn, with 114 passengers. Ibid.
% Chalmers,!. 336, 337. The, assembly some time after declared,
" that he had been an excellent and well deserving governor," and recom-
mended to the king the payment to lady Berkeley of £300, " as not only
a' right, but as due from that colony to his services and merits." Ib.
3 Miller collected, from July to December (1677), 327,068 Ibs. weight
of tobacco, and £1341. 8s. id. sterling, being the parliamentary duty of
one penny a pound on tobacco exported to other colonies. The annual
> parliamentary revenue, arising in that little colony, amounted to £3°°°
sterling. Chalmers, i. 558.
4 Chalmers, i. 532 — 535. Culpeper had, in 1671, been appointed sur-
7eyor general of Carolina, and had raised commotions on Ashley river,
AMERICAN ANNALS. 441
Commissioners were sent, about this time, from 1677.
Massachusetts and Connecticut to the Mohawks, to
secure their friendship.1 Mutual promises were
made at Albany between the Five Nations and colo- s
nel Coursey, an agent in behalf of Virginia and Ma- and of'the
ryland. z The whole force of the Five Nations was Kve Na-
then estimated at two thousand one hundred and fif- tl(
ty fighting men.3
The general court of Massachusetts passed a new New law
1 r i • i • i £ J against at-
Jaw tor apprehending and punishing, by line and cor^- tending
rection, every person, found at a quakers* meeting.4
The contributions for rebuilding Harvard Col- ni
lege had been so liberal, that a fair and stately brick
edifice was erected this year ; and so far finished, built,
that the public exercises of the commencement were
performed there.5
East Greenwich, in Rhode Island, was incorporated. 6
The royal revenue, now seized, amounting to £3000, was appropriated for
supporting the revolt. The colonists at Albemarle were far from being
numerous ; for the tit&ables, consisting of all the working hands, from 16 to
60 years of age, one third of which was composed of Indians, Negroes, and
IVomcn, amounted to 1400 only; and, exclusive of the cattle and Indian
corn, 800,000 pounds cf tobacco were the annual productions of their la-
bour. " These formed the basis of an inconsiderable commerce, which
was almost entirely carried on by the people of New England, who supplied
their little wants, who sent their commodities all over Europe, who, in a
great measure, governed the colony, and directed the pursuits of the plant-
er to their own advantage." Some men of New England are charged with
cooperating with the conductors of the insurrection, that they " might get
the trade of this country into their own hands." Ib. See papers, ib. 560
——562, illustrative of the origin and progress of an insurrection, Httle no-
ticed by historians, and which, until Chalmers published his Annals, had
*' remained in perfect obscurity."
i Hub-bard MS. N. Eng. chap. Ixxiii. Hutchinson, i. 348. This treaty
Hutchinson supposed to be the first between the Mohawks and Massa-
chusetts. a Golden, 37.
3 Chalmers, i. 609. Fighting men.
The Maquas [Mohawks] were estimated at • 300
Oneidas ._.--. . 2OO
Onondagos ---.-.- 350
Cayugas ....... 300
Senekas - lOoo
2150
4 Hutchinson, i. 320. " This law lost the colony many friends."
5 Hubbard MS. N. Eng. chap. Ixx. See A. D. 1672.
6 Cullender, 3 9. Petequamscut and the adjacent parts Were in corporal*
ed in 1674, by the name of KINGSTON. Ibid,
O oo
442 AMERICAN ANNALS.
1678.
Magazines The assembly of Virginia caused magazines to be
built at the heads of ^e four great rivers in tliat co1"
oiiy \ and filled them with arms, ammunition, and
guards, to awe the Indians, and prevent their depre-
dations. *
The province of New York contained, at this
Fme> about twenty four towns, villages, or parishes,
in six precincts, ridings, or courts of sessions. All
the militia of the province were about two thousand.
Its annual exports, beside pease, beef, pork, tobac-
co, and peltry, were about sixty thousand bushels
of wheat. Its annual imports were to the value of
city of about ^y thousand pounds.* There were now in
w. York, the city of New York three hundred and forty three
houses. 3
Major Andros, governor of New York, Raving
1 Keith, 162. During the administration of lord Culpeper, who suc-
ceeded governor Jeffereys, those magazines were removed ; and a small par-
ty of light horse, called Rangers, was appointed to scour the woods. Ib. 166.
2 Chalmers, i. 601. " There is one standing company of soldiers," says
Andros, " with gunners and other officers, for the forts of Albany and New
York. Fortresses are, James Fort, situated upon a point of New York-
town, between Hudson's river arid the Sound : It is a square, with stone
walls, four bastions almost regular, and in it 4-6 gunsrmounted. Albany is
n small long stockadoed fort with 4 bastions in it, with ia guns, which is
sufficient against Indians. There are no privateers about our coasts. Our
merchants are' not many ; but, with inhabitants and planters, about aooo
able to bear arms, old inhabitants of the place or of England ; except in
and near New York, of Dutch extraction, and some of all nations : But
few servants, who are much wanted, and but very few slaves. A merchant,
worth £1000, or £500 is accounted a good substantial merchant ; and a
planter, worth half that in moveables, is accounted rich. All the estates
may be valued at £150,000. There may have lately traded to the colony,
in a year, from 10 to 15 ships or vessels, upon an average, of roo tons each,'
English, New England, and of our own, built. There are religions of all
fr.orts ; one church of England; several Presbyterians, and Independents,
Quakers and Anabaptists, of several sects ; some Jews ; but the Presbyteri-0
nns and Independents are the most numerous and substantial. There are
about ao churches or meeting places, of which above half are vacant. Few
ministers till very lately." Answers of Sir Edmond Andros, dated in A-
pril 1678, to the Inquiries of the committee cf colonies. See the Answers-
entire in Chalmers, i. 6co — 604.
1 Ibid. 597- It was found, that, instead of the common proportion of
inhabitants, there were 10 for each house ; but, thus computed, there wer-e
th'va in the city no more than 3450 souls. Ib. 598.
AMERICAN ANNALS. 443
the preceding year sent a sloop with some forces to 1678.
the Province of Maine, and built a fort at Pemaquid ; Eoitbmk
the eastern Indians, who, until that time, had been
hostile from the commencement of Philip's war, dis-
covered pacific dispositions. All the succeeding au-
tumn and winter, they remained quiet, and lived in
harmony with the new garrison. In these auspic- ^Prl1 12«
ious circumstances, a treaty was made at Casco, be- c^2 *
tween the chiefs of those Indians and authorized
commissioners ; and an end put to a distressing war. *
Massachusetts received but small accessions ofMassachu-
planters from Europe for several preceding years,. sc
The colony, at this time, imported no negroes. z
M. de la Sale rebuilt fort Fronienac with stone. Fort Fron-
He also, this year, launched a bark of ten tons into
Lake Ontario ; and, the year following, another of
I Belknap N. Harup. L 15-8. .Andres sent his forces in August, 1677,
*' to take possession of the land, which .had been granted to the duke of
York." In the preceding July after the Province had sustained various
sufferings from the Indians, an affecting occurrence had heightened -the
terror and perplexity of the inhabitants. The government having ordered
aoo Indians of Natick, with 40 English soldiers, under captain -Benjamin
Swett of Hampton, to the assistance of the eastern settlements, they an-
chored off Black Point ; and, being joined by some of the inhabitants,
inarched to seek the enemy, who showed themselves on a plain in three
parties. By a feigned retreat, the Indians drew them two miles from the
tort, and then, turning suddenly and violently upon them, threw them into
confusion. Swett, with a few of the more resolute, fought bravely on the
retreat, until he came near the fort, when he was killed ; 60 more were left
dead or wounded ; the rest got into the fort. The victorious savages then
surprised and captured about ao fishing vessels, which put into the eastern
harbours by night. Ibid. 157. Mr. Bentley mentions [Coll. Hist. Soc. vi.
263.], that, " in 1677, 13 Salem ketches were taken by the Indians, and
some of them returned, with 19 wounded men." These ketches were
probably a part of the 20 vessels, mentioned by Dr. Belknap.
a Chalmers, i. 436, 437 ; where are extracts from Answers of the agents
Stoughton and Bulkley to the Inquiries of the committee of colonies, de-
livered in April that year j some of which are subjoined. " Cases of ad-
miralty are decided by the court of assistants. Foreign merchants we know
of none. The number of English merchants is very small ; and of the ci-
ther inhabitants, who are chiefly planters, we know of no calculation that
hath been made. New planters have rarely come over for many years
past ; much less Irish or Scotch, or any foreigners : Nor are any blacks im-
ported. A considerable number of small vessels are built in the country
under a hundred tons burden ; bu.t those that aje larger belong .
ic. England, or to other colonies,"
444 AMERICAN ANNALS.
sixty tons into Lake Erie ; about which time he in-
closed with palisadoes a little spot at Niagara. *
The town of Salem contained eighty five houses3
and three hundred polls. 3
jamesT.in- Canonicut Island, in Rhode Island colony, was
d- incorporated by the name of James Town. 3
w'cLf • Wi.iiiam Coddington, governor of Rhode Island,
<i<-ngton~& ^e£? in the seventy eighth year of his age. 4 Thorn-
T.Thacher. as Thacher, minister in Boston, died, in the fifty
eighth year of his age. s
i679.
Divme aid While the agents of Massachusetts were in Eng-
land, days of fasting and prayer were repeatedly ap-
pointed by authority, to implore the divine blessing
on their endeavours for obtaining favour with the
I Charlevoix Nouv. France, i. 457, 458. Smith N. York, 44. See AD,
1673. The fort, built that year, appeals to. have been merely a stockade ;
" n' etoit que de pienx."
a Coll. Hist. See. vi. 223,
3 Callender, 39.
4 He came to N. England with governor Winthrop, as an assistant, in
1630 ; and was a principal merchant in Boston, where he built the first
brick house. In 1637, when the contentions ran high in Massachusetts, he
was grieved at the proceedings of the court against Air. Wheelwright and
others ; but, not availing in his opposition to those measures, he relinquish-,
ed his advantageous situation at Boston, and " his large propriety and im-
provements at Braintree ;" accompanied the emigrants, who, on that occa-
sion, lef: the colony ; and was " the great instrument" in effecting the orig-
inal settlement of Rhode Island. In 1647, fie assisted in forming a body of
laws for that colony, and was the next year chosen governor ; but he de-
clined the office. In 16^1, he received a commission from England, to be
governor ; but, finding the people jealous, lest " the commission might af-
fect their lands and liberties," he resigned it. He was afterward repeated-
ly prevailed on to accept the chief magistracy ; and was in that office at the
time of his death. He appears to have been prudent in his administration,
and active in promoting the welfare of " the little commonwealth, which
he had in a manner founded." See Dedication of Caliender's Hist. Dis-
course. See also A. D. 1638.
5 Mather Magnal.book iii. 148 — 153. Mr. Thacher was the first
minister of the Old South church in Boston. [See A. D. 1669, in which
year that church was gathered.] He was ordained pastor of the church in
Weymonth a January, 1644; and was installed at Boston 16 February, 1670,
He was well versed in oriental learning, particularly in the Hebrew lan-
guage, a compendious Lexicon of which he composed. His prayers wert:
distinguished for copiousness and fervency. He was a « popular preacher."'
an exemplary man, and a faithful minisisr. Ib. Coil Hist, 3oc. viii. 2 7 8.
AMERICAN ANNALS. .^ 445
king, and the continuance of charter privileges.* 1679.
By desire of the general court, a synod was holden Reforming
at Boston, this year, to give counsel, adapted to the synod,
state of the colony, which was believed to be suffer-
ing judicial calamities from heaven. a Suitable meas-
ures, in the mean time, were taken, to avert the roy-
al displeasure. The general court sent respectful
addresses to the king ; enacted laws, to remove the
causes of some of the complaints against the colony >
and passed an ordinance, to punish high treason
with death, and to require all persons to take the
oath of allegiance. The king's arms, at the same
time, were put up in the court house. The colony
however neglected to conform to the acts of trade,
and to send new agents, as required, to England, evaded.
For the first neglect, the court alledged to her a-
gents, " that the acts of navigation were an invasion
of the rights and privileges of the subjects of his ma-
i Hutchinson, 1.324. It was the usage of our pious ancestors in New
England to observe special days of fasting and of thanksgiving, beside an an-
nual observance of those two solemnities.
a Hutchinson, i. 324. The general court appointed this synod at it*
session in May, 1679, an<^ referred to its consideration two questions :
" t. What are the reasons, that have provoked the Lord to bring his judg-
ments upon New England. 1. What is to be done, that so those evils may
be removed ?" The synod convened at Boston 10 September 1679. Mr.
John Sherman, and Mr.Urian Oakes were its moderators. After a day
of prayer and fasting, the synod spent several days in discoursing on the
two great questions. The Result, pointing out the sins of the time, and
recommending a reformation, was presented to the General Court ; which,
by an act of 15 October 1679, " commended it unto the serious considera-
tion of all the churches and people in the jurisdiction." See Mather Mag-
nal. book v. 85 — 96. Dr. C. Mather says, " the admonitibns of the Synod
were not without very desirable effects." Governor Hutchinson [i. 324.]
does " not censure the authority of the colony for their great anxiety on
this occasion, or for using every proper measure to obtain the smiles of
heaven, as well as the favour of their earthly sovereign ;" though, he thinks,
** we have no evidence of any extraordinary degeneracy." An English his-
torian of more recent date, and of high respectability, but of less candour,
sees, or thinks he sees, in these questions, " pious arts," and the " baneful in-
fluence of fanaticism." We know very well what was the character of
Charles, and what were the manners of his court, at that very time ; but is
it inconceivable, that the principal men in a colonial*- government, at the
distance of 3000 miles from that court, could be religious ? It will be re-
corded, to the everlasting honour of New England, that her rulers, when
gf her own election, have generally been aklt men. fearing God,
446 AMERICAN ANNALS.
1679. jesty in that colony, they being not represented in
the parliament ;" for the second, it apologized, by
saying, " that the country was poor ; that proper
persons were afraid of the seas, as the Turkish pi-
rates had lately taken their vessels ; and that his
majesty was still employed in the most important
affairs." '
E. Ran. Although a commission for the appointment of a
coiPectorSof customhouse officer for New England had been
rustoms in granted the last year, it was then judged expedient
^.England. ^ tQ SUSpenj t]le departure of such an officer for the
present." Edward Randolph, who had at that time
been recommended to the lord treasurer, as the most
suitable person for collector of Boston, now came
over in that capacity ; but " he was considered as
an enemy, and opposed with the steady zeal of men,
who deemed their chartered privileges invaded." *
Fire in -^ t€rrible fire broke out near the dock in Bos-
Boston, ton about midnight on the eighth of August, and
continued until near noon the next day. Above
eighty dwelling houses, seventy ware houses, with
several vessels and their lading, were consumed.
The entire loss was computed to be two hundred
thousand pounds. 3
Protestants Charles II ordered two small vessels to be pro-
«*ttp vided at his own expense, to transport to Carolina
several foreign protestants, who proposed to raise
wine, oil, silk, and other productions of the south,4
I Chalmers, i. 407, 410. z Ibid. 320, 406, 409.
3 Hubbard MS. N. Eng. chap. Ixxrv, who says, it was justly suspected
to have been kindled by design. Hutchinson, i. 349. Coll, Hist. Soc. iii,
269. The houses and ware houses near tfce town dock, which were rebuilt
after this great fire, were either constructed with brick, or plastered on thy
outside with a strong cement, intermixed with gravel and glass, and slated
on the top. Several of these plastered houses are yet remaining in Ann
Street, in their original form. Coll. Hist. Soc. iv. 189, 190.
4 Chalmers, i. 541. Many foreigners of various nations emigrated to
Carolina, from this time to the Revolution of William and Mary. Ib. Hew-
<* [*• 73> 74-1 savs> tnat> a^ter tne conquest of N. Netherlands in 1664, tht
colony, then in its earliest infancy, received a great addition to its strength
from the Dutch, who formed a town on the southwest side of Ashley river,
Dvhich they afterward abandoned.
AMERICAN ANNALS. 44?
1680.
ISfew Hampshire became separated from Massa- N. Hamp-
chusetts. A commission for the separate govern-
ment of that colony had passed the great seal the
preceding year } and it was now brought to Ports- setts*
mouth by Edward Randolph. By the form of gov-
ernment, described in this commission, the people
had a representation in a body chosen by them-
selves ; and the king was represented by a president
and council of his own appointment, he retaining the
prerogative of disannulling the acts of the whole, at March 16.
his pleasure. The first assembly met at Portsmouth First as-
on the sixteenth of March. ' semb1^
Plymouth colony petitioned for a new charter, Plymouth
with the same privileges, that had been granted to anew^hlr-
other colonies, but without success ; for king Charles ter.
xvas then meditating extensive plans of reformation
for New England. a
Connecticut contained, at this time, twenty six State °f.
11 • i'ii Connect**
small towns, m which there were twenty one cut.
churches ; and in every one, excepting two newly
planted, there was a settled minister. The value of
its annual exports was judged to be nine thousand
pounds. It owned twenty four small vessels. There
i Belknap N. Hamp. i. 170 — 177. The number of qualified voters in
all the towns was 209 ; viz.
In Portsmouth - - - 71 Hampton - - - - 57
Dover - - - - 61 Exeter ----- ao
Portsmouth sent to the assembly 3 members ; Dover, 3 ; Hampton, 3 ; and
Exeter, 1. John Cutts was the first president. He was" a principal mer-
chant, of great probity and esteem at Portsmouth ; but then aged and in-
firm." Ib. See also Hutchinson, i. 319. The public expense of the prov-
ince of New Hampshire during that year, exclusively of the ministers' sal-
aries and the town rates, including the charges of the assembly and coun-
cil, the stipends of the marshal and jailers, and the bounty for the killing of
•wolves, amounted to £131. 135. 4d. The province rate on estates, real
and personal, of one penny in the pound of the value, was laid on the only
four towns, as follows :
Portsmouth - £29. 17. 3 Hampton - - £13.17.3.
Dover - ao. - - Exeter - - - n. 9. 4.
Ckaltxers, 1. 5 II.
a Chalmers, i. 98. The agent died ; and the papers were lost. The
Address of the general court to Charles II is inserted ib. 108.
448
AMERICAN ANNALS.
-
State of
"Rhode
Island.
1680. were In the colony twenty merchants, some of whom
traded to Boston ; and some, to the West Indies and
to other colonies. There were few servants, and
not more than thirty slaves. The militia amounted
to two thousand five hundred and seven.1
The militia of Rhode Island colony consisted prin-
cipally of ten companies of foot. There were " nine
towns or divisions" in the Colony. The principal
place of trade was Newport, where the buildings
were generally of wood, and small. The principal
exports were horses and provisions. The imports
•were chiefly the productions of Barbadoes.*
i Chalmers, i. 307 — 310, where are Answers of the assembly to the In-*
quiries of the lords of the committee of colonies, which disclose a variety
of curious particulars of the State of Connecticut at the end of 44 years.
The date is 15 July, 1680. Some other articles are subjoined, " We have,
for the present, only one troop, which consists of about 60 horse ; but we
are upon raising three more. . Our forces are train bands : In each county
there is a major, who commands its militia, under the general.
In Hartford county there are 835 New Haven - - - 623
New London - - - - 509 Fairfield - - - - 540
The whole militia, 3567. The number of our planters is included in our
trainbands ; which consist of all from 16 to 60 years of age. We have one
small fort at the mouth of Connecticut river. As for our Indian neighbours ^
tve compute them to be about 500 fighting men. We are strangers to the
}*rehch, and know nothing of their strength or commerce. There are but
few servants, and fewer slaves ; not above 30 in the colony. There come
sometimes three or four blacks from Bnrbadoes, which are sold for £.22-
t--;;ch. Mhe increase [of inhabitants] is as follows : The numbers of msn, in,
the year 1671, were 2050 ; in 1676, were 2303 ; in 1677, were 2362 ; in
1678, were 2490 ; in 1679, were 2507. Our buildings are generally of
wood ; some are of stone and brick ; and some of them are of good strength,
and comely, for a wilderness. The commodities of the country are pro-
visions, lumber and horses. The property of the whole corporation doth
not amount to £110,788 sterling. There are no duties on goods, exported.
or imported, except on wines and liquors ; which, though inconsiderable,
;*re appropriated to maintain free-schools. The people are strict congrega-
uonaiists ; a few more large congregationalists ; and some, moderate pres-
!>yterians. There are about 4 or 5 seven day men, and about as many qua-
Iicrs. Great care is taken of the instruction of the people in the Christian
religion, by ministers catechizing and preaching twice every sabhath, and
sometimes- on lecture-days ; and also by masters of families instructing their
children and servants, which the law commands them to do. Every town
maintains its own poor : But there is seldom any want, because labour is
dear ; being from as. to 2s. 6d. a day for a labourer ; because provisions are
cheap ; wheat is 4s. a bushel Winchester, pease 3s. Indian corn 2s. 6d. pork
3d. a pound, betf 2d.i-2 a pound, butter 6d. and so other matters in pro-
portion. Beggars and vagabonds are not suffered ; but, when discovered,
they are bound out to service ; vagabonds, who pass tip and down, are,
punished by law."
i Chalmers, i. 283 — 284, where are Answers of the governor and coun-
AMERICAN ANNALS. 449
The assembly of Virginia, " with a view to the 7680.
more speedy peopling of the colony, and to give all Ti
possible encouragement to persons of different na
tiotis to transport themselves, their families, and mel'jtit°rs
stock, to settle there," empowered the governor, by
an instrument under the great seal, to declare any
alien, on taking the oath of allegiance, to be com-
pletely naturalized. ' An act of " free and general
pardon and oblivion/' in reference to the late rebel-
lion, with the exception of the principal authors and
promoters of it, was also passed by that assembly. 2
The half armed trainbands in Virginia amounted to Militia
eight thousand five hundred and sixty eight. 3
cil of Rhode Island to the same inquiries, as those mentioned in the last
note. A few more articles are here subjoined. " The French, seated at
Canada, and upon the bay of Fundy, are a considerable number ; as we
judge, about 2000 : But as for the Indians that were inhabitants of this col-
ony, they are generally cut off by the late war. We have several men,
who deal in buying and selling, though they cannot be properly called mer-
chants ; and, for planters, we conceive there are above 500, and about 500
men besides. We have no shipping belonging to the colony, but only a
few sloops. As for goods, exported or imported, there are very few ; and
there is no custom imposed. We have lately had few or no new-comers,
either of English, Scotch, Irish, or foreigners ; only a few blacks imported.
There may be, of whites and blacks, about 200 born in a year. We have
50 marriages a year. The burials for the last 7 years, according to com-
putation, amount to 455. Those people who go under the name of Bap-
tists and Quakers are the most that congregate together ; but there are
others of divers persuasions and principles, all which, together with them.
enjoy their liberty according to his majesty's gracious charter. We leave
every man to walk as God shall persuade their hearts, and do actively or
passively yield obedience to the civil magistrate. As for beggars and vag-
abonds, we have none among us."
1 Chalmers, 1.316. This condition however Was annexed ; " that no-
thing shall be construed to give power to foreigners to execute any matter,
which, by acts made in England concerning his majesty's plantations, they
are disabled to do." Ibid. This was an act of the first assembly after the
arrival of lord Culpeper as governor of Virginia.
2 Ibid. 341. The same act, reciting, that, during the licentiousness o£
late times, ill disposed persons had taken upon them to asperse the govern-
ment, without which the inhabitants could not have been so easily led a-
way, imposed severe penalties on those, who should maliciously excite the
people to a dislike of the governor, or who should, by words or writing,
defame the administration of the colony. Similar laws against " the prop-
agation of false news" occur among the more early acts of assembly of all
the colonies. Thau shalt not raise a false report, was a precept of Moses, act-
ing under a divine commission, A law of Alfred, the admirable founder
of the jurisprudence of England, declared, " whosoever spreads a false re-
port among the vulgar shall have his tongue cut out." Ibid. 353,
3 Ibid. 357. " From actual returns, 7268 foot ; 1300 horse,"
AMERICAN ANNALS.
1680. *f The Oyster point/* delightfully formed by the
cori^uence °*' the rivers Ashley and Cooper, being
of found a more eligible place for settlement, than that
' on t^le kanks °f l^e Ashley, chosen by the first set-
tlers of Carolina, the proprietaries encouraged the
inclination of the inhabitants to remove to it. The
preceding year a removal had commenced ; but it
was in this year that the foundation of the new town
was laid ; and during the year thirty houses were
built. It received the name of the old settlement,
Charlestown ; and was immediately declared the
port for the various purposes of traffic, and the cap-
ital for the general administration of government. *
ith Though the proprietaries had given early instruc-
the natives, tkms to cultivate the good will of the natives, and
more recent orders to prohibit all trade with them
for seven years ; yet a war commenced in the begin-
ning of this year with the Westoes, a powerful tribe
on the southern boundary of Carolina, and endan-
gered the ruin of " that hopeful settlement." A
peace however was concluded the next year ; and, to
prevent the return of similar mischiefs, commission-
ers were appointed by the proprietaries, to decide
all complaints between the contending parties.2
w Terev ^^ proprietors of West Jersey having importun-
restored to ed the duke of York to be restored to the rights,
M - rights, which they derived from his grant of 1 664 ; their
pretensions were at length referred to Sir William
Jones, in compliance with whose judgment the duke
confirmed West Jersey to the proprietors. Thus
that province, after being ruled for some time as a
conquered country, was reinstated in its former priv-
ileges. 3 The customs at the Hoarkills, which had
I Chalmers, i. 541. See A. D. 1671, p. 409.
a Chalmers, i. 542. " The cause of hostilities may be found Jn injuries
v.-hich had been for some years mutually given and received." Ib.
3 Ibid. 618, 619. The various taxes, imposed by the governor and coun-
cil of New York on that province in 1678, were at the same time extend-
ed to Jersey. Cartr-ivt endeavoured in vain to establish there a free port ;
AMERICAN ANNALS. 451
been complained of as a hardship from the begin- 1680,
niiig, were taken off this year. * About this time,
a watermill was built near Rankokas creek, and an-
other at Trenton. z
A number of families removed from Windsor in East wind-
. , * , , , sor settled
Connecticut to the east side of the river, and began
the settlement of East Windsor. 3
M. de la Sale, having undertaken a farther discov- FortCre-
ery of the Missisippi, had, the preceding year, built v<
a tort on the river Illinois, and called it Crevecoeur. 4
He now sent out M. Dacan with father -Hennepin,
to trace the Missisippi, if possible, from its conflu-
ence with the Illinois, up to its source. These two
voyagers left fort Crevecoeur on the twenty eighth
of i' ebruary, and ascended the Missisippi to the for-
ty sixth degree of north latitude ; where they were
stopped by a fall in the river, to which father Hen-
nepin gave the name of the Fall of St. Anthony. s
A great comet surprised and terrified the people comet
of New England, 6
for the governor of New York seized and condemned the vessels trading
ilutaer ; " and, however unjust, this measure was decisive, because it was
supported by superior power." Ibid.
I Smith N. Jersey, 117 — 124. See the arguments against this impost, ib.
a Smith N. Jersey, 114, The inhabitants of W. Jersey had hitherto ei-
ther pounded their corn, or ground it with handrhills.
3 Coll. Hist. Soc. v. 169. Fifteen years they passed the river in boats,
to attend public worship on the west side. Ib.
4 " Heart breaker," on account of troubles he met with there.
5 Charlevoix Nouv. France, i. 460 ; ib. Pastes €hron. 35. Harris Vo^.
ii. 900. Du Pratz Louisiane, i. 5.
6 Mather on Comets, 123. t Hutchinson, i. 348. It was seen in N.Eng-
land from 1 8 November to 10 February. It was also seen in Europe ; and
Henault [ii. 192.] says, that it was the largest comet, which had ever been
seen ; and .that this phenomenon struck a great terror into the minds of the
people in France ; " but," he justly remarks, " we are too much astonished
at uncommon events, and. not enough at those, which happen every day."
It was by observations on this comet, that the great Sir Isaac Newton ascer-
tained the parabolic form of the trajectory of comets ; and demonstrated
their regular revolutions round the sun. This admirable discovery, while
it made a new epoch in astronomy, contributed to the removal of those ter-
rors, which the appearance of a comet had always excited. This phenom-
enon, in ail ages, and among ail nations, had been previously viewed as a
presage of some direful event. It has since been considered as a constituent
part of an august system, which, whether examined by vulgar or by philo-
45-
AMERICAN ANNALS,
Death of Josiah Winslow, governor of Plymouth, died, In
Jj^Tow> the fifty second year of his age. * Urian Oakes,
&'. conant, president of Harvard College, died, in the fiftieth
wSheel" }rear °^ k*s a£e* Z R°ger Conant, who had the ear-
ly care of the settlement of Cape Ann, died. 3 About
tins time also died John Wheelwright, the founder
of the town of Exeter. 4
1681.
state of Virginia contained, at this time, about fourteen
Virginia, thousand " tithables, or working hands." The
house of burgesses consisted of forty one persons. s
sophic eyes, ought to lead man to " wonder and adore." The learned pro*
i'esaoi Winthrop [On Comets, Lect. II. p. 44.] says, " No comet has threat-
ened the earth with a nearer approach than that of 1680 ; which, had it
eome down to the sun a month later, would have passed as near the earth
as thre-iroon is." They, who are curious to know what opinions learned
men of an. -Lint times entertained concerning comets, are referred to Aris-
tot!>, M«Js.'jgjA. cap. v, vi, vii ; Seneca, Natur. Quaest. lib. vii ; and Travels
of Anacharsis, i.. 93, 196. 1 cannot forbear to subjoin the following re-
mark of Seneca [ut supra, p. 759.] on this subject ; because it has been r,o
exactly verified, since th-j discovery of Newton : rt Veniet tempus, quo ista
qune nunc latent, in lucem dies extrahat, et longioris a^-i diligentia. Ad
inquisition em, tantorum atas una, non suiiiut, ut tota coeio vacet. Venice
tempus, quo posteri nostri tarn aperta nos nescisse mireritur."
I Morton [Supplement], 207 " He was a worthy and well accom-
plished gentleman, deservedly beloved by the people, being a true friend to
their liberties, generous, affable and sincere ; qualities incident to the fam-
ily." , Ibid, fie was the son of governor Edward Winslow ; and the first
governor, born in New England. His discretion as a civil magistrate, and
his bravery as a military commander, procured him much respect in both
offices. Mather Magnal. book ii. 7.
^ Mather Magnal. Book iv. 186 — 188. Coll. Hist. Soc. vii. 5 r— 54,
He was educated at Harvard College. Soon after he graduated, he went
to England, where he was settled in the ministry at Tichfield. Such was
his celebrity for ministerial qualifications, learning and piety, that, on the
decease of Mr. Mitchel, the church arid society at Cambridge ?ent a mes-
senger to England to invite him to their pastoral charge ; and he commenc-
ed his ministry at Cambridge 8 November 1671. On the deatn of president
Hoar, he was invited to the presidency of Harvard College, and entered on
that office in 1675. He was a man of extensive erudition, and of distin-
guished usefulness. Dr. I. Mather says, " he was one of the greatest lights,
that ever shone in this part of the world,"
3 Hubbard MS. N. Eng. chap, xviii. See A. D. IOZ5, p. 236.
4 Ibid. chap, xliii. The sentence of banishment of Mr. Wheelwright
having been taken off by the general court, he was settled as minister at
Hampton ; but afterward went to England. On the change of times there,
he returned to New England, and was settled in the ministry at Salisbury,
where he continued until his death. See A. D. 1638, p. 304.
jf Chalmers, i. 355, 356, from the state of Virginia, as delivered to the
AMERICAN ANNALS. 453
The legislature of Maryland, in this and the sub- 1681.
sequent year, made an attempt to introduce manu- Maryland,
factures into that colony ; but without much sue*
cess. ' Feudal, who had formerly raised an insur*
rection in Maryland, and had been pardoned, was
now tried for seditious practices, and found guilty.
He was fined forty thousand pounds of tobacco ;
imprisoned until payment ; and banished the prov-
ince. *
Edward Randolph came over, the second time, to Randolph
Massachusetts, as collector for Boston, and made a ILeturnsto
r , T . Boston.
vigorous, but unsuccessful, attempt to execute his
office.3
Mason arrived at New Hampshire, and was ad- Mason
mitted to a seat in the council. Asserting, soon af- comes to N.
i . . , , . . • i r Hampshire.
ter, his right to the province, assuming the title or
lord proprietor, and proceeding to act according to
committee of colonies in December, 1681, by lord Culpeper, Other par-
ticulars are here subjoined. There were 20 counties, each of which sent
two members to the house of burgesses ; Jamestown sent one. The charges
of government were maintained, i. By private levies, raised in each parish,
for the minister, church, courts of justice, burgesses' wages &c. 2. By pub-
lic levies, raised by act of assembly. 3. By the 2s. a hogshead, with is. 3d.
a ton, paid for fort duties, which amount to £3000 a year. " The" eccle-
siastical " livings are 76 or 77; but the poorness of the country and the
low price of tobacco have made them of so much less value, scarcely the
half. As to the military power : There is not oue fort in the whole coun-
try, that is defensible against an European enemy. There may be ijOOO
fighting men in the country ; and yet they used to count 300 an army roy-
al. In relation to the Indians : We are at peace with all, at least in war •
with none. But that which bids fair to be the speedy and certain undoing
of this colony, is the low or rather no price of the only product of our
lands, an4 our only commodity, tobacco : For the market is overstocked,
tnd every crop overstocks it more. Our thriving is our undoing ; and our
buying of blacks hath extremely contributed thereto, by making more to-
bacco : We are too many for that, and too few for any thing else." Ib.
I Chalmers, i. 366, 367. It made laws for promoting tillage, and rais-
ing provisions for exportation ; for restraining the export of leather and
hides ; for the support of tanners and shoemakers ; and for encouraging the
making of linen and woolen cloth.
a Chalmers, i. 237. See A. D. 1656, and 1659.
3 Chalmers, i. 410. ?lutchinson, ii. 73. By a letter to the governor,
Randolph demanded the final resolution of the general court, whether it
would admit his commission to be in force, or not ; that he might know
how to govern himself. The court remained silent ; " thus," says Chal-
mers, " showing equally its contempt for the man, and the embarrassment
of its situation.'* Chalmers, ib. 411.
454 AMERICAN ANNALS.
1 68 1. these pretensions, his conduct was deemed " an
usurpation of his majesty's authority here establish-
ed/' and a warrant was issued for apprehending
him ; but he fled to England. *
Entries at During the year ending with April 1681, there
Ports- were entered at Portsmouth forty nine vessels, from
momh. ten to one huncired ancj. fifty tons burden. * The
amount of the provincial customs, levied at that port
during the same year, arising from taxes on wines
\mount of anc^ B<jUQtt(, and one penny a pound of the value on
customs, the first cost of goods imported, was sixty one
pounds, three shillings and one penny.3
March 4. William Penn, the son of Sir William Penn,4
Grant of having petitioned Charles II for a tract of territory
nTaTw?" between the bay and river of Delaware and lord Bal-
Penn. timore's province of Maryland ; a charter making
conveyance of that territory, was signed and sealed
by the king, on the fourth of March. It constitut-
ed William Penn and his heirs true and absolute
proprietaries of the province of Pennsylvania, saving
to the crown their allegiance and the sovereignty.
It gave him, his heirs and their deputies, power to
make laws, by advice of the freemen, and to erect
courts of justice for the execution of those laws,
provided they be not repugnant to the laws of Eng-
land.5 The charter being thus obtained, Penn, by
i Belknap N. Hamp.i. 182, 183.
2, Chalmers, i. 510. " Many of the said ships were driven in by stress
of weather, and made no stay." Ih. Dr. Belknap, from the Council records,
says, from 15 June 1680 to i* April 1681, were entered az ships, 18
ketches, a barks, 3 pinks, i shallop, and one flyboat ; in all 47. N. Hamp.
1.187.
3 Chalmers, i. 51 1. This was money of the province, which was of less
value than sterling 33 1-3 per cent. No parliamentary duties were then
collected at Portsmouth. Ibid.
4 Sir Wiliium was the admiral, who assisted in taking Jamaica. See
A. D. 1655.
5 See the Charter entire in Proud's Hist. Pennsylvania, i. 171 — 187,
and a summary of it in Chalmers, i. 636. The preamble and the first sec-
tion declare the reasons for the grant to be, the commendable desire of
William Penn to enlarge the British empire, to promote commodities of
trade, to reduce the savage natives, by just and gentle manners, to the love
of civil society, and the Christian religion ; together with a " regard to the
memory and merits of his late father.'*
AMERICAN ANNALS. 455
a public advertisement, invited purchasers. Many
single persons, and some families, chiefly of the de-
nomination of quakers, were induced to think of a
removal ; and a number of merchants and others
forming themselves into a company, purchased twen-
ty thousand acres of his land. ' On the eleventh of july IIt
July, Penn entered into certain articles with the pur-; Conditions
chasers and adventurers, which were entitled " Con- ce^ions."
ditions and Concessions."* These preliminaries
being adjusted, a colony came over to America, this First coio-
year, and commenced a settlement above the conflu- "J
cnce of the Schuylkill with the Delaware. 3 syi
Thomas Mayhew, the first settler of Martha's T-
Vineyard, died, in the ninety third year of his age. 4 hew*
1682.
William Penn, the proprietary of Pennsylvania, Penn pub*
published a frame of government ; with a body of fo^* *£
laws,5 agreed on in England between himself and govern-
the purchasers. To prevent all future pretence of ra
claim to the province by the duke of York, or his
heirs, he obtained of the duke his deed of release for 9b.tam!tJlJ
duke of
I The land was sold at the rate of £20 for every 1000 acres. lease.
2, These are inserted in Proud, ii. Append. No. I.
3 Proud, i. 170 — 196. Belknap Biog. ii. 395 — 402, 410. Chalmers, i.
640. Univ. Hist. xli. 2. Three ships sailed for Pennsylvania, that year ;
2 from London, and I from Bristol. The John and Sarah, from London,
is said to have been the first, that arrived there ; the Amity, from London,
with passengers, was blown off to the W. Indies, and did not arrive at the
province until the ensuing spring ; the Bristol Factor arrived at the place,
where Chester now stands, on the nth of December. The passengers,
seeing some houses, went on shore, near the lower side of Chester creek ;
and, the river freezing up that night, they remained there all winter.
Proud, ibid.
4 Coll. Hist.Soc. i. 202. See A. D. 1642, p. 322.
j; The frame of government was published in April j and the chief inten-
tion of this famous charter was declared to be " for the support of power
in reverence with the people, and to secure the people from the abuse of
power : For liberty, without obedience, is confusion ; and obedience, with-
out liberty, is slavery." The body of laws, agreed on by the adventurers,
and intended as a supplement to the frame, was published in May ; " and it
does great honour to their wisdom as statesmen, to their morals as men, to
their spirit as colonists." Chalmers, i. 641 — 643. The Frame of Govern-
ment and the Laws are in Proud's Hist. Pennsylv. Appendix, No. II.
AMERICAN ANNALS.
1682. it ; and, as an additional territory to the province*
he procured of the duke his right and interest in that
Theterri- tract of ]anc|5 which was at first called the territories
of Pennsylvania, afterward. The three lower counties
on Delaware. *
In the month of August, Penn, accompanied by
about one hundred passengers, chiefly quakers, em-
Oct.a* barked for America ; and landed at New Castle on
Arrives at ^g twenty fourth of October. The next day the
Newcastle. . , , , <
people were summoned to the court house ; where,
after possession of the country was legally given
him, he made a speech to the old magistrates and
the people, acquainting them with the design of his
coming, the nature and end of government, particu-
larly of that, which he came to establish ; assuring
them of " liberty of conscience and civil freedoms,"
and recommending them to live in sobriety and
peace. He also renewed the commissions of the
CaHsan as- magistrates. Proceeding afterward to Upland
[Chester], he there called an assembly on the fourth
of December. 3 This assembly passed an act of
union, annexing the three lower counties to the prov-
ince ; 3 and an act of settlement, in reference to the
I Proud, i. 196 — 202. Chalmers, i. 641, 645. Belknap Biog. ii. 403 —
408. The duke of York gave two deeds of feoiFment for the territories :
the first was for NeAvcastle and a district of is miles round it, as iar^as the
rivsr Delaware ; the second comprehended the tract from 12 miles south of
Newcastle to the Hoarkills. " otherwise called Cape Hinlopen." The first
tract formed the county of Newcastle ; the second, the counties of Kent
and Sussex. Ibid.
z This assembly consisted of 72 delegates from the 6 counties, into
which Pennsylvania and Delaware had been already divided. The free-
men, though allowed by the frame to come, for this time, in their own per-
sons, yet declared, that the fewness of the people, their inability in estate,
and unskilfulness iu matters of government, would not permit them to act ;
and desired therefore, that the tleputies, now chosen, might serve both for
the provincial council and general assembly ; 3 out of every county for the
former, and 9 for the latter. Chalmers, i. 645.
3 Until this union with Pennsylvania, these counties, from the year
1667, had been holden as an appendage to the government of New York.
Encyclcp. Brit. v. 719. The want of the royal authority for this act, with
the operation of r-'-her eau^s, produced difficulties, which afterward render-
ed this union void ; and the three lower counties had a separate assembly?
frh<!i:«h under the same governor. Belknap Biog. ii. 411.
AMERICAN ANNALS. 457
cc frame of government." The Dutch, Swedes, 1682.
and other foreigners were then naturalized ; and all
the laws, agreed on in England, were passed in form. "
Penn immediately entered into a treaty with the Holds a
natives, from whom he purchased as much of the treatr with
., , r t i -i t"e native*
soil, *as the circumstances or tne colony required,
and "settled a very kind correspondence" withthem.2
The proprietary next proceeded, with the assist- ckyofPhi-
ance of his surveyor general, Thomas Holme, to lay
1 Proud, i. 204 — 206. On the west side of the Delaware, on the lands
granted to Penn, the Dutch had, at this time, one place for religious wor-
ship at Newcastle ; the Swedes, 3, one at Christeen, one at Tenecum, and
one at Wicocoa (now in the suburbs of Philadelphia). Ib. Smith N. Jer-
sey, 22. Chalmers [i. 643.] says, " when the proprietary arrived on the
banks of the Delaware, he found them inhabited by 3000 persons, composed
of Swedes, Dutch, Finlanders and English."
2 Chalmers, i. 644. Proud [ii. 212.] says, the friendship, now begun,
was never interrupted for the space of more than 70 years. One part of
Penn's agreement with the Indians was, that they should sell no lands to
any person, but to himself or his agents ; another was, that his agents should
not occupy nor grant any lands, but those which were fairly purchased of
the Indians. These stipulations were confirmed by subsequent acts of As-
sembly ; and every bargain, made between private persons and the Indians
without leave of the proprietor, was declared void. Belknap Biog. ii. 416.
We have no disposition to detract from the merits of the wise and philan-
thropic founder of Pennsylvania, or of his pacific colony ; but an exclusive ti-
tle to the praise of justice and fidelity toward the natives cannot be granted
them. The author of The History of Pennsylvania has cited, on this occa-
sion, poetical lines from Descriftlo Pennsylvania, by Thomas Makin of Phil-
adelphia, dated 1729, in which New England, in contrast with that colony,
is stigmatized as involving herself in wars with the natives by her owa
perfidy.
" Non regio hsec Indos armis subigwido tenetur,
Sed certa emptori conditione data est.
Dira sed infelix;heu ! bella NotSAnglia. sensit ;
Indis quse semper gens malefida fuit."
This language of a poet, when transcribed and translated by an historian,
without stricture, becomes injurious. A little softening in the translation
does not absolve the charge. The facts, recorded in the early histories of
New England, and especially the laws of the New England colonies, dem-
onstrate a great regard to the rights of the natives, both in the purchase of
lands, and in the observance of treaties. Beside what may be found in this
volume, in proof of the assertion, the observations of Dr. Belknap [Amer.
Biog. ii. 417 — 419.] deserve attention. That discriminating yet candid
historian, after mentioning the instances of New England, and of the Dutch
at Delaware, observes, that " it may be proper to consider Mr. Penn as
having followed the ' examples of justice and moderation,' which had
been *et by former Europeans, in their conduct toward the jiatives of Amer-
45 3 AMERICAN ANNALS.
1682. out a place for the projected city ; to which he had
already assigned the name of Philadelphia. The city
was immediately begun ; and, within less than a year,
and built. ejg]lty houses and cottages were built. z The" first
settlers were generally quakers, who had suffered
persecution, on account of their religion ; and, who,
with other dissenters from the church of England,
sought liberty of conscience in a country, which of-
fered to the persecuted a peaceful asylum. z
B.Jersey. Governor Carteret of East Jersey, early in the
year, transferred his rights in that province to Wil-
liam Penn and eleven associates ; who immediately
conveyed one half of their interest to the earl of
Perth and eleven others. 3 In the towns of East Jer-
sey there were supposed to be settled about seven
I Proud, i. 233, 234. Belknap Biog. ii. 419 — 421. Chalmers [i. 645.]
says, " we are assured," that near 100 houses and cottages were built in
that time. The ground, chosen for the purpose of this city, was claimed
by some Swedes ; to whom Penn gave, in exchange for it, a larger quantity
of land, at a small distance. Coaquannock (the Indian name of the place,
selected for the city) then exhibited an agreeable prospect. It had a high
and dry bank next to the Delaware, and was finely ornamented with pine
trees. Proud, i. 211,233. Smith [N. Jersey, 108.] says, that, in 1678, a
ship from Hull passed the first time so high up the Delaware, as Burling-
ton ; that off against Coaquannock, where was a bold shore, she passed so
near it, in tacking, that a part of the rigging struck the trees j and that
some of the passengers remarked, it was a fine spot for a town.
. 2 Proud, i. 216, 217. Chalmers, i. 644. Chalmers (ib.) says, Penn was
" accompanied" to Pennsylvania by about 2000 emigrants ; but he proba-
bly meant to include all the emigrations of this year. Penn, in a letter to
the ministers of England, dated 14 August, 1683, writes that he had com-
pleted " the settlement of six and twenty sail of people within the space of
one year." Proud (ut supra) says, " the settlers amounted to such a large
number, that the parts near Delaware were peopled in a vary rapid manner,
even from about the falls of Trenton, down to Chester, near 50 miles on
the river ; besides the settlements in the lower counties."
3 Chalmers, i. 620. Univ. Hist, xxxix. 363. The reason, assigned by
Chalmers for Carteret's transfer (in February) is, that he was " offended
with a province, which he could neither please nor govern." The reason,
assigned for the conveyance made by Penn and his associates, is, that " they
wished for aid in the arduous task of peopling and ruling a distant colony."
Ibid. Governor Carteret died in November ; and Robert Barclay, the fa-
mous author of the Apology, was chosen governor of East Jersey, the next
year. Smith N. Jersey, 69, 1 66. Douglass [iu 288.] says, Barclay "some-
times officiated by a deputy." During Carteret's administration, the gen-
eral assemblies and supreme courts sat at Elizabethtown. Smith.
AMERICAN ANNALS. 459
hundred families.1 Newark was already a compact 1682.
town, said to contain about one hundred families, *
A ship arrived, this year, at West Jersey, and land- w. jersey,
ed three hundred and sixty passengers on the Jersey
shore, between Philadelphia and Burlington.3
Lord Cardross, a nobleman of Scotland, having Scotch col-
formed a project for carrying over some of his coun- ^POT" ei
trymen to Carolina, embarked with a few families, Royal isl-
and made an attempt to establish a colony on Port an<i<
Royal island ; 4 but this colony, claiming, from an
agreement with the proprietaries, coordinate author-
ity with the governor and grand council of Charles-
town, was compelled, with circumstances of outrage,
to acknowledge submission.*
Carolina was now first divided into three coun- Carolina
ties ; Berkeley, Craven, and Clarendon.6 Cover- divided in-
nor West, in autumn, held a parliament, which a
enacted laws for settling a militia ; for making high
ways " through the boundless forest, which sur-
rounded the capital ;" for suppressing drunkenness
and prophane swearing ; and for the observation of
the Lord's day. 7
Randolph, collector of the port of Boston, having Ranaoiph
written home, that he was in danger of being pun- returns to
ished with death, by virtue of an ancient law, as a Enslandt
subverter of the constitution, was ordered to return
to England. Massachusetts was again threatened Massachu-
with a writ of quo warranto ; and her agents in Eng- •
QUO
1 Smith N. Jersey, 161. This number was exclusive of die out planta- tp>
tions, which were supposed to contain half as many inhabitants as the towns.
2 Ibid. 159. 3 Ibid. 150.
4 Hewet, i. 88. Cardross soon returned to Britain. Ib.
5 Chalmers, i. 544. See A. D. 1686.
6 Ibid. Berkeley filled the space around the capital, as far as Stpno
creek on the north, and the Sewee on the south ; Craven occupied the dis-
trict to the northward of it, toward Cape Fear, formerly denominated Clar-
endon ; and Colleton contained Port Royal and the lands in its vicinity, to
the distance of 30 miles. The first of these counties was the only one, so
populated, as to have a county court for the determination of its local af-
fairs ; and the 20 members, which composed the lower house of parliament,
were chosen at Charlestown. Ibid.
, 7 Univ. Hist. xl. 425. Chalmers, i. 544.
460 AMERICAN ANNALS.
land represented to the general court the case of the
colony as desperate. *
state of N. Edward Cranfield, arriving at New Hampshire as
:e' lieutenant governor and commander in chief, found
that the province contained four townships, with
four thousand inhabitants, and mustered four hun-
dred and fifty militia. * His administration was ex-
tremely arbitrary and oppressive. 3
M. de la Sale descended the Missisippi to the sea ;
takes Pos- and, in the name of Louis XIV king of France, talc-
session of 'mg possession of all the country watered by that
Louisiana. . ,,., r i i • T
great river, named it, in honour or the king, Lou-
isiana. 4
1683.
Firstassem- The first assembly of Pennsylvania was holden at
biyofPenn- Philadelphia on the twelfth day of March. On the
request of the assembly and of the freemen for a
new charter, it was given them by the proprietary
on the second of April, and accepted by the provin-
cial council and assembly on the same day. 5
I Chalmers, i. 411, 413. The agents desired the general court to deter-
mine, since many cities in England, and some of the plantations, had sub-
jmitted, whether it were better to resign itself to the king's pleasure, or to
suffer a writ to issue. After considerable debate and consideration, it was
concluded by the court, and by the inhabitants generally, that it were " bet-
ter to die by the hands of others, than by their own." The ministers ad-
vised the people to this conclusion ; and Hutchinson [i. 337.] says, " the
clergy turned the scale for the last time." Massachusetts had at length
sent Joseph Dudley and John Richards as agents, in the room of those, who
returned in 1679. They sailed 31 May, 1682. Hubbard MS. N. Eng.
chap. Ixx. The instructions to these agents were given with great caution,
and restriction.
2- Chalmers, i. 494.
3 Belknap N. Hamp. i. chap. viii. Adams N. Eng. 137.
4 Charlevoix Nouv. France, i. 464 ; Pastes Chrou. 36. Du Pratz, i. 3.
Univ. Hist. xl. 19, 20, 271. Wynne, i. 393. Some of these authors place
this discovery in 1683 ; I have followed Charlevoix. The chevalier de
Tonti, who had been left at Fort Crevecceur [See p. 451.]* was obliged by
the Illinois to abandon that fortress ; but the persevering Sale placed anoth-
er garrison there in 1681 ; and built a second fort, which he called St. Lew-
is* Charlevoix Nouv. France, i. 464. See p. 417, note i.
5 Proud, i. 239, 240. This second charter entitled, " The Frame of the
Government of the Province of Pennsylvania and Territories thereunto an~
nexed, in America," is in Proud, ii. Append. No. III. By this charter the
provincial council was to consist of 18 persons, three from each county ;
AMERICAN ANNALS. 461
Among the settlers of Pennsylvania some, who 1683.
came from Germany, of the denomination of qua-
kers, settled seven miles distant from Philadelphia,
and called their settlement Germantown. * A set-
tlement was also made in that province by a large North
number of the ancient Britons, and called North
Wales.3
The inhabitants of New York now first partici-
pated in the legislative power. Thomas Dongan,
arriving as governor of that province, issued orders N. York,
to the sheriffs, to summon the freeholders, for choos-
ing representatives to meet him in assembly on the
seventeenth of October. 3
Articles of high crimes and misdemeanor were Quo war.
presented to the committee of plantations, by Ran- raa^t^as-
dolph, against the corporation of Masssachusetts in sachusetts.
June ; and an order of council was passed on the
twenty sixth of July, for issuing a quo warranto a-
gainst the charter of Massachusetts, with a declara-
tion from the king, that if the colony, before prose-
cution, would make full submission and entire re-
signation to his pleasure, he would regulate their
and the assembly was to be composed of 36, six from each county, " men
of most note for their virtue, wisdom and ability." The amendments, in-
troduced into this second charter, had previously been agreed on. Ib. 239.
1 Pfoud, i. 219, 220, 230. They consisted of about 20 families, from
the Palatinate.
2 Ibid. Several of these settlers were of the original or early stock of
the society of Friends in Wales. They had early purchased of the proprie-
tary, in England, 40,000 acres of land. In the three first years, there ar-
rived at Pennsylvania, from London, Bristol, Ireland, Wales, Cheshire, Lan-
cashire, Holland, Germany, &c. about 50 sail of ships, with passengers or
settlers. Ibid.
3 Smith N. York, 44. The council, the court of assizes, and the corpo-
ration of New York, had concurred in soliciting the duke of York to per-
mit the people to have a share in the government ; and the duke informed
the deputy governor of the province, that he intended to establish the same
form of government, as the other plantations enjoyed, " particularly in the
choosing of an assembly." Dongan, " a man of integrity, moderation, and
genteel manners, though a professed papist," was appointed governor in
1682, and instructed to call an assembly. It was to consist of a council
composed of 10 members, and of a house of representatives, chosen by the
freeholders, composed of 18 members. The laws of this legislature were
to be of no force, without the ratification of the proprietary. Chalui. i. 584.
462 AMERICAN ANNALS.
1683. charter for his service and their good, and with no
farther alterations, than should be necessary for the
support of his government there. Randolph, the
evil genius of Massachusetts, arrived wirh the quo
ivarranto in October. ' The day after his arrival, a
Fire in great fire happened in the richest part of the town
Bosto- of Boston. •
printing Lord Effingham, appointed governor of Virginia,
press not was expressly ordered " to allow no person to use a
virjinfa!11 p™ting press on any occasion whatsoever."3
To remedy the distress, felt by the want of a corn-
Acts Of 11- r ^
Carolina, mon measure, of commerce, the parliament of Caro-
lina " raised the value of foreign coins." It also
suspended all prosecution for foreign debts. 4
The French erected a fort between the lakes Erie
and Huron. 5
1684.
The high court of chancery in England, on the
a'lu- eighteenth of June, gave judgment for the king a-
settsde- gainst the governor and company of Massachusetts ;
Fts'IhartL. tneir charter was declared to be forfeited ; and their
liberties were seized into the king's hands.6 Colo-
nel Kirk, of opprobrious memory, was now appoint-
ed governor of the colonies of Massachusetts, New
I Hutchinson, i. 338. Eibliotheca Americ. 104. Chalmers, 1.414, 462.
a Hutchinson, ib. It consumed a great number of dwelling houses,
ware houses, and vessels. Coll. Hist. Soc. iii. 269.
3 Chalmers, i. 345 ; " agreeably to the prayers of Sir W. Berkeley."
See A. D. 1671.
4 Chalmers, i. 545. Thejirst of these acts gave rise to the currency of
Carolina, which afterward became extremely depreciated. The second^
though at first confirmed by the proprietaries, was afterward dissented
from, " because it was contrary to the king's honour, since it was in effect
to stop the course of justice ; because the parliament had no power to enact
a law, so contrary to those of England." They also issued orders, " that all
officers should be displaced, who had promoted it." Ibid.
5 Minot, i. 181. " During the peace, from 1667 to 1683, the French,
with a spirit of enterprise and perseverance, which do them honour, form-
ed a settlement at Detroit, established a fort still farther westward at Mis-
silimakinack, and extended their commerce among the numerous tribes
that hunt on the banks of the Missisippi. They were, however, steadily
opposed by the Five nations." Chalmers, i. 589.
6 Hutchinson, i. 340 ; ii. 5. Chalmers, i. 415.
AMERICAN ANNALS. 463
Hampshire, Maine, and Plymouth ; but, before his 1684,
commission and instructions could be finally settled,
the demiseof king Charles annulled his appointment. *
The Ffve Nations, since the peace of 1671, had
turned their arms to the southward, and conquered
the country from the Missisippi to the borders of
the plantations, as far as Carolina. Virginia and
Maryland, often involved in the calamities of their
Indian allies, whom they were unable to protect, ex-
cept by treaties, found it expedient to settle a peace
with the ferocious conquerors. A treaty was ac- Aug< z>
cordingly holden at a grand convention in Albany ; Peacemade
and, on the second of August, a peace concluded by ^^ Jj£
lord Effingham and governor Dongan in behalf of tions.
all the settlements. a
Penn, the proprietary of Pennsylvania, went to penngoes
England, leaving his province under the administra- to England,
tion of five comissioners, chosen from the provincial
council.3 Philadelphia already contained nearly
threehundred houses, and two thousand inhabitants.4
In every town in East Jersey, there was a house E. jersey,
for public worship, where religious service was per-
formed every week. s
The line of partition was run between New York Line be-
and Connecticut. 6 JJ-J*
All the land in the towns of Dorchester and Mil- Connect.
ton, in Massachusetts, with the exception of six New grant
thousand acres previously reserved for the Indians, °efrDa°nr^hes"
Milton,
i Chalmers, i. 417.
a Colden,44. Chalmers, i. 587. Smith N. York, 46.
3 Chalmers, i. 650. Thomas Lloyd was at the head of them, as president.
4 Belknap Biog. ii. 424. Twenty other settlements were begun, includ-
ing those of the Dutch and Swedes. Ibid. Proud, i. 288.
j Smith N. Jersey, 186. The people " being mostly New England
men, do mostly incline to their way. They have no public laws in the
country for maintaining public teachers, but the towns that have them,
make way within themselves to maintain them." Kewark appears to have
been the only town in the province, which had a settled preacher, who
" followed no other employment." Ibid. Letter from John Barclay and
others to the proprietors.
6 Trumbull, i. 385. It was confirmed by the governors of those cola-
Mies 24 February, 1685.,
464 AMERICAN ANNALS.
1684. was granted and conveyed in a confirmatory deed
from Charles Josiah, an Indian sachem, grandson of
Chickatawbut. *
Expedition M. de la Barre, with a large army from Canada,
Barre de ** mac^e an unsuccessful expedition into the country of
the Five Nations. z
i Coll. Hist. Soc. i. 195. For this deed he received a valuable sum of
money from William Stoughton, esquire. The same land had been previ-
ously conveyed by Josiah the father, and Chickatawbut the grandfather, of
this sachem. Ibid. See A. 0.1657.
a Charlevoix, i. 489 — 493. The army was composed of 700 Canadians,
130 soldiers, and 200 Indians, principally the Iroquois from the Fall of St.
Anthony and the Hurons of Lorette. Ib. After a delay of six weeks at
Fort Frontenac, during which time a great sickness broke out in the French
army, De la Barre found it necessary to conclude the campaign with H
treaty. Crossing the lake for that purpose, he was met, at a place design-
ated, by the Oneidas, Onondagos, and Cayugas ; the Mohawks and Sene-
kas refused to attend the treaty. Seated in a chair of state, the Indians and
French officers forming a circle around him, he addressed himself to Ga-
rangula, an Onondago chief, in a haughty speech, which was concluded with
a menace of burning the castles of the Five Nations, and destroying the In-
dians, unless the satisfaction, which he demanded, were given. Garangu-
la, seated at some distance before his men, with his pipe in his mouth, and
the great calumet of peace before him, did nothing but look at the end of
his pipe, during this harangue. When it was finished, he walked five or
six times round the circle, and then, standing upright, thus answered the
French general, who was still seated in his elbow chair : " Onnuntio, I
" honour you, and all the warriors, who are with me, honour you. Your
" interpreter has finished your speech ; I now begin mine. My words
" make haste to reach your ears ; hearken to them. Onnuntio, in setting
" out from Quebec, you must have imagined, that the scorching beams of
" the sun had burnt down the forests, which render our country inaccessi-
" ble to the French ; or that the inundations of the lakes had shut us up in
" our castles. But now you are undeceived ; for I and my warriors have
" come to assure you, that the Senekas, Cayugas, Onondagos, Oneidas, and
" Mohav/ks, are yet alive." After ascribing the pacific overtures of the
general to the impotence of the French, and repelling the charges brought
against his countrymen, he added ; " We are born free ; we have no de-
" pendence either on the Onnuntio or the Corlar."* This speech, which
furnishes an interesting specimen of the spirit and eloquence of the aborig-
inals, has this admirable conclusion : " My voice is the voice of all the Five
" Nations. Hear what they say ; open your ears to what they speak. The
" Senekas, Cayugas, Onondagos, Oneidas, and Mohawks say, that when
" they buried the hatchet at Cataracuoy, in the presence of your predeces-
" sor, in the very centre of the fort, and planted the tree of peace in the
" same place, it was then agreed, that the fort should be used as a place of
" rendezvous for merchants, aud r.ot as a refuge for soldiers. Hear, On-
" nuntio, you ought to take care, that so great a number oi soldiers, as ap-
t: pear thsre, do not choke the tree of peace, planted in so small a fort, and
" hinder it from shading both your country and ours with its branches. I
" do assure you, that oyr warriors shall dance to the calumet of peace un-
* Titles gi'^-x. by the Indians to the govfrnan of Canada and A".
AMERICAN ANNALS.. 465
l685.
Charles II died on the sixteenth of February. He Death of
was succeeded by his brother James II, who was ^^i/1'
proclaimed at Boston on the twentieth of April. f proclaimed
Connecticut, with the other Colonies, congratulated atBoston-
him on his accession to the throne, and begged the
protection of her chartered privileges ; but in July ^^
a quo ivarranto was issued against the governor and ranto a-
company of that colony.2 A similar writ was issued £ainftCon-
^S { -rn * T * * *% . 4 i 1 necticut &
in October against Rhode Island. 3 Randolph was R. isiand.
now appointed, by the lord treasurer Rochester, dep- First post>
uty post master of New England.4 King James, on master in
the eighth of October, issued a commission, in which ^'^j^*'
Joseph Dudley, a native of Massachusetts, was ap- appointed
pointed president of New England.5 president.
The colony of Plymouth was divided into three Plymouth
counties ; Plymouth, Barnstable, and Bristol. 6 In c?]°"y di-
J vided mta
" der its leaves, and that we will never dig up the ax to cut it down, until
" the Oanuntio or the Corlar shall either jointly or separately endeavour
" to invade the country, which the great Spirit has given to our ancestors.
" This belt confirms my words ; and this other, the authority, which the
" Five Nations have given me." Enraged at this bold reply, De la Barre
retired to his tent, and prudently suspended his menaces. Two days after,
at the conclusion of the peace, the Indian chief and his retinue returned to
their country, and the French army embarked in their canoes for Montreal.
Baron la Hontan in Harris Voy. ii, 916. Golden, 59. Smith N. York,
46 — 50. Charlevoix Nouv. France, i. 491 — 493.
I Sewall MS. Diary. Hutchinson, i. 340. Chalmers [i. 417.] says,
" with sorrowful and affected pomp."
a Chalmers, i. 297. Trumbuil, i. 386. The Articles of high misde-
meanor, which were exhibited against the governor and company, are in
Chalmers, i. 301 — 304. They are signed by Edward Randolph.
3 Callender, 47. Adams N. Eng. 141.
4 Chalmers, i. 463. This appears to be the first instance of such an ap-
pointment in the English colonies. Ibid.
5 Hutchinson, 1.341—345; 350 — 353. Belknap N. Hamp.i. 230 —
232. Trumbuil, i. 388. Coll. Hist. Soc. v. 244. Chalmers, i. 418. The
royal grasp did not at first take in all the New England colonies. The ju-
risdiction of the president and council extended over Massachusetts, New
Hampshire, Maine, and the Narraganset or king's province. The royal
commission was received on the ijth of May, 1686, and published on the
ajth of that month ; at which time Dudley's administration commenced.
It was short, and " not very grievous." The house of delegates was indeed
laid aside ; but the ancient ordinances of the general court were declared to
be in force ; and the laws and customs of the colony were continued. Ib.
6 Morton [Supplement], 307.
Rrr
466 AMERICAN ANtfALS.
that colony there were, at this time, one thousand
four hundred and thirty nine praying Indians.1
* ^e commerce of Charlestown, the capital of Ca-
rolina, began to attract notice in England, and the
town. first collector was established for that port. *
charts ^le assembly of Carolina passed an act for clear-
town sTc. ing the l°ts and streets of Charlestown, and for set-
regulated, tling and regulating a nightly watch in the town.3
The town of Branford, in Connecticut, after a
resettki -ong Period of desertion, became resettled, and rein-
vested with town privileges.4
Population The inhabitants of Canada amounted to seventeen
of Canada, thousand ; three thousand of whom were supposed
to be capable of bearing arms. 5
1686.
The Spaniards at St. Augustine, suspecting that
Port Royal ^e English colonists inflamed the natives against
broken up them, invaded the southernmost frontiers of Caroli-
Spaniards na> an<^ k"^ waste tne feeble settlements of Port
Royal.6 A writ of quowarranto was issued, about
this time against the patent of Carolina. 7
I Hutchinson, i. 349.
At Pawmet, Billingsgate 7 / Monamet - - - - - iro
and Eastham or Nauset } "* Saltwater Pond - - - 90
Manamoyet - - - - 115 Namasket and Titicut - - 70
iSackatucket and Nobscusset 121 Namatakeeset - - 40
Matake'esee ----- 70 Moxisset ----- 85
Scarnton or Scanton - - 51 Cooxit ------120
Marshpee ----- 141 Seconet ------ 90
Suckanesset - - - ' - - 72
1439
Beside boys and girls under 12 years old, who were supposed to be more
than three times that number. Ib.
1 Chalmers,!. 548. Drayton, S. Carol. 160.
3 Drayton S, Carol. 201. * The " first known act" for that purpose.
4 Trumbull, i. 189, 290. Mr. Pierson, minister of Branford, and almost
his whole church and congregation, were so dissatisfied with the union of
New Haven and Connecticut in 1665, that they soon removed into New-
ark, in New Jersey. People from various parts of the colony gradually
moved into the deserted town.
5 Chalm. i. 609. "An accurate account taken by order of the governor."
6 Chalmers, i. 557, 548. The Carolinians prepared to attack St. Augus-
tine ; but were restrained by the remonstrance of the proprietaries, and
relinquished the project. Hewet [i. 89.] says, no attempts were afterward
fnade for many years toward establishing a colony in that quarter.
7 Chalmers, i. 549. " The proprietaries, prudently bending before A
AMERICAN ANNALS. 467
The attorney general of England was ordered to 1686.
prosecute writs of quo warranto against East and Quo war-
West Jersey with effect. x Several persons in East rgah°staE.&
Jersey having received abuses, and been put in great w. jersey.
fear by quarrels and challenges, a law was made for
their suppression.*
King James, determining to establish the same state of thp
arbitrary rule in New York, as he designed for New
England, deprived that colony of its immunities. York,
Dongan, whose commission was now renewed, was
instructed, among other articles, " to allow no print-
ing press." Deprived, at the same time, of the as-
sembly, New York was reduced to the condition of
a conquered province. There were now in that
province four thousand foot, three hundred horse,
and one company of dragoons. The shipping, belong-
ing to the city of New York, had increased to nine
or ten three mast vessels, of about eighty or ninety
tons j two or three hundred ketches or barks, of
about forty tons j and about twenty sloops, of
twenty five tons. 3 The city was now first regular-
ly incorporated by a charter.4 Albany, on the
Hudson, was incorporated this yean*
storm, which it seemed vain to resist, eluded the force of a blast, that
had laid the charters and governments of New England in ruins." They
offered a treaty of surrender. See ibid. 564 — 566. Carolina had as yet no
commodity fit for the markets of Europe, but a few skins, and a little cedar ;
both of which did not amount yearly to £2000. Ib.
i Chalmers, i. 62 J. The proprietaries now represented to king James,
that they had paid for this province £12,000, and that they had already
sent to it several hundreds of people from Scotland.
a .Smith N. Jersey, 195. The law declared, that none, by word or
message, shall make a challenge upon pain of tis. months imprisonment,
without bailor mainprize,and a£io fine ; that whoever accepts or con-
ceals, the challenge shall also forfeit £10 ; that no person shall wear any
pocket pistols, skeins, stilladers, daggers or dirks, or other unusual weapons,
upon pain of £5 forfeiture for the first offence, and for the second to be
committed ; and, on conviction, imprisoned for 6 months and to pay a fine
of £10. No person might go armed with sword, pistol, or dagger, on pe-
nalty of £ J. Ibid.
3 Chalmers, i. 588, 6oi.
4 Smith N. York, 195. New York was put under the government of
a mayor and aldermen in 1665 ; which Smith denominated an incorpora-
tion. See that year. ^ Ibid. 198.
468 AMERICAN ANNALS.
1686. Sir Edmund Andros arrived at Boston on the
Dec. 20. twentieth of December, with a commission from
ar" kmg James for the government of New England.
Boston. He was instructed to appoint no one of the council,
or any to other offices, but those of the best estates
and characters, and to displace none without suffic-
ient cause ; to continue the former laws of the coun--
try, so far as they were not inconsistent with his
commission or instructions, until other regulations
were established by the governor and cor.ncil ; to al-
low no printing press ; to give universal toleration
in religion, but encouragement to the church of Eng-
land ; to execute the laws of trade, and prevent
frauds in the customs. To support a government,
that could not be submitted to from choice, a small
military establishment, consisting of two companies
of soldiers, was formed, and military stores were
transported. z
Assumes Before the expiration of the month, Andros, agree-
thegovern- ^jy to ^js orc}ers dissolved the government oi
ment ofR. „, J , _ . , . . P ., r .
island. Rhode Island ; broke its seal ; admitted five or its
inhabitants into his legislative council j and assumed
the administration. 3
Grant of Many of the inhabitants of Roxbury, in Massa-
Woodstock. , • j r i T, r
chusetts, received from the government the grant or
a tract of land, in the southern part of the colony,
for a settlement, which was named Woodstock.4
Samuel Lee, a dissenting minister of London, of
comes to . o
NJEngiand. great learning and reputation, came to NewLngland, 5
1 Sewall's MS. DiaryJ Chalmers [i. 419.] says, he was appointed cap-
tain general and vice admiral of Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine,
Plymouth, Pemaquid, and Narraganset, during pleasure. " He was receiv-
ed with a satisfaction in proportion only as he was less dreaded than Kirk."
Ib.42i. Hume [Hist.Eng.] calls Kirk ". a barbarian." See an account of him ib.
2 Chalmers, i. 420, 421. Judge Sewall, who lived in Boston, and was
there when Andros arrived, writes in his Diary : '• Dec. 24. About 60 red-
coats are brought to town, landed at Mr. Pool's wharf, where drew up,
and so marched to Mr. Gibbs's house at Fort Hill."
3 Ibid. 279. When Andros demanded the Charter of Clarke,the late
governor of R. Island, he promised to deliver it " at a fitter season." Ib.42i.
4 Hutchinson, ii. 204. Bounded south by Woodward and Saffery's line,
jj Sewall MS. Diary. He was settled in the ministry at Bristol, not long
AMERICAN ANNALS. 469
The first episcopal society was formed in Boston ; 1686.
and the service of the Common Prayer book intro- Rrst epis-
* copal socie-
QliCed. tymBoston.
±L small brick church was built in School street, church
in Boston, by some French protestants ; who, on the ^^for
revocation of the edict of Nantz, sought an asylum French
in New England. a protestanu.
after his arrival; but he did not continue there " much above three years."
Soon after the Revolution, he embarked for England ; but the ship, in
which he took passage, was taken by a French privateer, and carried into
Sc. Alaioesj in France. His family being sent thence into England, without
his knowledge, and he, by the king's order, detained ; he fell into a fever,
aud died In u fe\v days, JiLtdi. LXIV. He well understood the learned
languages ; spoke l^atin fluently and elegantly ; was well versed in all the
libual arts and sciences ; "was a great master in physic and alchymy j
and 9« stranger to any part of polite or useful learning." Calamy's Con-
tinuation of Account of Ejected Ministers, i. 53 — 56. Among the MSS.
preserved in the British Museum, there is one of Samuel Lee, entitled,
" Answer to many Queries relative to America, chiefly to the Natural Pro-
ductions and Diseases. 1690." Biblioth. Americ. 30.
I Coll. Hist. Soc. iii. 259. The service was introduced before the arrival
of Andros. Randolph was active in promoting it. Judge Sewall writes in
his Diary : " August 5 [1686]. William Harrison the boddice maker is
buried, which is the first that I know of buried with the Common Prayer
Book in Boston. He was formeily Mr. Randolph's landlord." " August
21. Mr. Randolph and Mr. Buliivant were here. Mr. Randolph men-
tioned a contribution toward building them a church, and seemed to goe
away displeased because I spake not up to it." Andros, on the day of his*
arrival., applied for the use of one of the churches in Boston. Judge Sewall
(ib.) having mentioned, :hat the governor and counsellors took the oaths at
the Town house (remarking, that the " governour stood with his hit on
when oaths given to counsellors"), writes : " It seems [he] speaks to the
ministers in the Library about accommodation as to a meeting house, that
might so contrive the time, as one house might serve two assemblies.'*
" Dec. 21. There is a meeting at Mr. Aden's of the Ministers and four of
each Congregation, to consider what answer to give the Governour ; and
it was agreed, that could not with a good conscience consent that our meet-
ing houses should be made use of for the Cemmon Prayer worship."
«' March 22, 1686-7. This day his Excellency views the three meeting
houses. 23. The Governour sends Mr. Randolph for the keys of our meet-
ing house [Old South], that may say prayers there. Mr. Eliot, Frary, Oli-
ver, Savage, Davis, and myself wait on his excellency, show that the land
and house is ours, and tkat we can't consent to part with it to such use ;
exhibit an extract of Mrs. Norton's deed, and how 'twas built by particular
persons, as Hull, Oliver, £100 apiece &c." "Friday, March 25, 1687.
The Governour has service in the South meetinghouse. Goodm. Needham,
tho' had resolved to the contrary, was prevailed upon to ring the bell and
open the door at the Goyernour's command, one Smith and Hill, joiner and
shoemaker, being very busy about it."
2 Ibid. 264. There was a contribution in New England for their relief,
la Salem £26 were contributed in September. " The greater part went
to the southern states, particularly to South Carolina." Ibid. vi. 365.
470
QUO war-
dered a-~
gainst Ma
ryland.
Andros as-
govern- *
mentof
- ,
Ureter res-
pectin
Jersey.
AMERICAN ANNALS.
1687.
The attorney general received orders from king
James> in April, to issue a writ of quo warranto a-
gainst the charter of the proprietor of Maryland j
gut no jujgment was ever obtained. *
Sir Edmund Andros went, in October, with his
Slute and more than sixty regular troops, to Hart-
ford, where the assembly of Connecticut was then
sitting ; 'demanded the charter ; and declared the
government to be dissolved. The assembly, ex-
tremely reluctant and slow to surrender, or to pro-
duce, the charter, kept the subject in debate and sus-
pense until evening ; when the charter was brought
and laid on the table, where the assembly was con-
vened. The lights were now instantly extinguished.
There was no appearance however of disorder. The
candles were relighted ; but the patent was gone.
Sir Edmund assumed the government ; and the re-
cords of the colony were closed. *
An order was transmitted from England to the
c 1 .
governor or New York, to permit vessels to pass,
without interruption, to East Jersey, on paying the
same customs as at New York. 3
i Chalmers,!. 371.
1 Chalmers, i. 298. Trumbull, i. 390, 391. Captain Wadsworth of
Hartford silently carried off the charter, and secreted it in a large hollow
tree, which, to this day, is regarded with veneration, as the preserver of
the constitution of the colony. Trumbull, ibid. The venerable oak stood
in front of the house of the honourable Samuel Wyllys, esquire, then one of
the magistrates of the colony. It still remains within the enclosure of the
old family mansion ; and is in little clanger of injury, except from time,
while under the auspicious care of the Wyllys family. In reply to an in-
quiry concerning this tree, a daughter of the present Secretary Wyllys of
Connecticut wrote to me, from Hartford : " That venerable Tree, which
concealed the Charter of our rights, stands at the foot of Wyllys Hill. The
first inhabitant of that name found it standing in the height of its glory.
Age seems to have curtailed its branches, yet it is not exceeded in the
height of its colouring or richness of its foliage. The trunk measures a I
feet in circumference, and near 7 in diameter. The cavity, which was the
asylum of our Charter, was near the roots, and large enough to admit a
child. Within the space of eight years, that cavity has closed, as if it had
fulfilled the divine purpose for which it had been reared."
3 Ibid. 6 J2. The Jerseys were, not long after, annexed to N. England.
AMERICAN ANNALS. 471
There were in Massachusetts, at this time, beside 1687.
the principal church at Natick, four Indian assem- !"dianu
i- r v • i • T T-»I i i churches
blies or religious worshippers, in .Plymouth colo- and assem-
ny, beside the principal church at Marshpee, there blies in
J r i i- • i_ *-••••: j i Mass, and
were five assemblies m that vicinity, and a large con- piym0uth,
gregation at Saconet. Between Saconet and Cape
Cod there were six societies, with an Indian teacher
to each ; one church at Nantucket \ and three at
Martha's Vineyard.1
James II detached Sir Robert Holmes, with a small Expedition
fleet, and an extraordinary commission, for suppres- 8°ngUpi!rates
sing pirates in the West Indies. The governor and Dwindles,
council of Carolina received orders to show an ex-
ample of submission to his powers, and to afford ev-
ery assistance to his armament. 3
M. de la Sale, the discoverer of Louisiana, return- Death of
ing from an enterprise for the discovery of the mouth La Sale*
of the Missisippi, was shot, in a mutiny, by one of
his own men. 3
i Mather Magnal. book iii. 194, 195. " There are 6 churches of bap-
dzed Indians, and 18 assemblies of catachumens, professing the name of
Christ. Of the Indians there are 24, who are preachers of the Word of
God ; and beside these there are four English ministers, who preach the
gospel in the Indian tongue." Ibid. Lett, of I. Mather to Professor Leus-
den of Utrecht.
a Chalmers, i. 546, 547. " This sensible project proved successful ; till
new causes not long after gave rise to piratical adventures, which required
*U the continued energy of William and Mary to suppress." Ib. Univ. Hist.
xli. 361, 362. Hume says of James II, that " his application to naval affairs
was successful, his encouragement of trade judicious, his jealousy of nation-
al honour laudable." Hist. Eng. James II, chap. ii. Renault says, the pub-
lic are indebted to this prince, when only duke of York, for the contrivance
of signals on board a fleet, by the means of flags and streamers. Hist.
France, ii. 200.
3 Univ. Hist, xl. 260. After his discovery in 1682, he went to France,
and obtained leave of the king to discover the mouth of the Missisippi, and
to make a settlement there. He sailed in 1684 from Rochelle, with 4 ves-
sels, 100 soldiers, and a number of people for settlement. Arriving at a
large bay, he took it to be the right branch of the Missisippi, and called it
St. Louis. This was the bay of St. Bernard, at the distance of 100 leagues
westward of the Missisippi. Here he built a fort, and put ico men in it.
He made war on the natives ; and travelled along the coast, to find the true
mouth of the great river, which at length he imagined he had discovered ;
and built a second fort. Returning to his first fort, and finding that hi*
frigate, and most of the men, goods, and provisions were lost ; he took a
few meu with him, and travelled through the country, to find out the Hlv*
47*
AMERICAN ANNALS.
1687. The French court aimed a blow, which threaten-
French ed to destroy all the British interest in North Amer-
* ica. ' M. de Denonville, succeeding M. de la. Barre,
took the field with fifteen hundred French and five
hundred Indians. The Senekas had absolutely re-
fused to meet M. de la Barre at the late treaty, and
were known to be most firmly attached to the Eng-
lish ; it was therefore determined to extirpate or
humble them, and to make them examples of French
resentment to all the other Indians.. M. Denon-
v^e commenced his march from Gataracui fort on
marches a- the twenty third of June. When the army had
reached the foot of a hill, about a quarter of a league
from the chief village of the Senekas, the Indians,
who lay in ambush,1 suddenly raised the war shout,
with a discharge of fire arms. This surprise threw
the French into confusion, of which the Senekas,
took instant advantage, and fell on them with greut
fury ; but the French Indians rallied at length, and
repulsed them. In this action, a hundred French-
men, ten French Indians, and about eighty Senekas
were killed. The next day Denonville marched for-
ward, with the intention of burning the village ;
but found it in ashes. The Senekas had burned it,
and fled. 3 Nothing was left to employ the valour
nois, purposing by that river to return to Canada. On this journey he was
killed. The rest of the party proceeded by the way of the Illinois to Que-
bec. The Clamcoets, an Indian tribe, which had been ill treated by some
of the new settlers, no sooner heard of Sale's death, than they surprised the
inhabitants of St. Louis, and murdered them all, with the exception of four
or five persons, whom they carried to their village. Univ. Hist. xl. 250 —
369. Hennepin in Harris Voy.ii. 911 — 915. Du Pratz, i. 6. Encyclop.
Methodique, Commerce, Art. COMPAGNIE DU MISSISSIPI, ou DE LA Lou-
ISIANE. Atlas Geog. America, v. 681.
I " The war was undertaken, chiefly to put a stop to the English trade,
which now began to extend itself far into the continent, and would in its
consequence ruin theirs." Colden, 78.
a The scouts had advanced before the army as far as the corn cf the vil-
lages without seeing a single Indian ; though they parsed within pistol shot
of 500 Senekas, who lay on their bellies, and let them pass and repass, with-
out disturbing them. Ib.
3 Two old men only were found in the castle, who were cut into pieces
and boiled, to make soup for the French allies. Ib.
AMERICAN ANNALS. 473
of the soldiers, but the corn in the fields, which they
effectually destroyed. Before Denonville returned
to Canada, he built a fort of four bastions at Niaga-
ra, and left in it a hundred men, with provisions ;
but it was soon after abandoned. *
!688.
The inhabitants of several towns in the county of oppositio
Essex, in Massachusetts, refused to lay the assess- to
ments, without which the taxes, imposed by the t
grand legislative council, under the administration of
Andros, could not be collected. " The feeble but
magnanimous efforts of expiring freedom" were con-
sidered as seditious ; and punishments were inflicted,
proportioned to the aggravations of the supposed
crime. * So great already were the oppressions of
the colony, that some of the principal colonists sent
the reverend Increase Mather to England, as an a-
gent, to represent their grievances to the king. 3
It being determined to superadd New York and N. York &
the Jersies to the jurisdiction of the four colonies of ^j^o*
New England ; a new. commission was passed in thejurisdic-
March appointing Andros captain general and vice
admiral over the whole. Francis Nicholson was
soon after named his lieutenant, with the accustom-
ed authority. The constitution, established on this
occasion, was a legislative and executive governor
and council, who were appointed by the king, with-
out the consent of the people. 4
i Colden, 77 — 79. Univ. Hist. xl. 37 — 39. Charlevoix Notiv. France,
1.516—518.
a Chalmers, i. 422. The select men of Ipswich voted, « That inasmuch
as it is against the privilege of English subjects to have money raised, with-
out their own consent in an assembly or parliament, therefore they will pe-
tition the king, for liberty of an assembly, before they make any rates."
Sir Edmund caused them to be imprisoned and fined, some £20, some £30,
and some £50, as the judges, by him instructed, should see fit to determine.
Mr. Appleton, who had been an assistant, and Mr. Wise the minister o£
Ipswich, were imprisoned. Hutchinson, i. 365.
3 Hutchinson, i. 366. Randolph, having failed in one action of defama-
• tion against Mr. Mather, was bringing forward a new action against him,
To avoid the service of the writ, he kept concealed ; and some of hU church
carried him aboard ship in the night, in disguise, Ib.
4 Chalm? r?3 i. 425. $ & s
474
AMERICAN ANNALS.
Expedition The eastern Indians having renewed hostilities,, *
-Lfnst^e Andros marched against them at the head of eight
eastern in- hundred men. On his approach, 4:hey retired into
their fastnesses ; but, by establishing garrisons, by
detaching numerous parties, to attack their settle-
ments and destroy their scanty provisions, he reduc-
ed them to the greatest distress, and secured the
country from their incursions. *
The first episcopal church in Massachusetts was
first epis- . r r ^ .
copal chh. erected in Boston, m 1 remont street, and called
built in King's Chapel. 3
Massachus. r,S -^ r , t * • -».T -n
ine trench, settled, m New France, now amount-
Population ed to eleven thousand two hundred and forty nine
«?fN.France. *
persons,4
1689.
King James having abdicated the throne, William,
Feb. 16. . r s-\ -I-R/T 11 t r r
wniiam & prince ot Orange, and Mary, the daughter or James,
Mary pro- \vere proclaimed on the sixteenth of February.5 A
report of the landing of the prince of Orange in
England had reached America ; but before the news
of the entire revolution arrived, a most daring one
was effected in New England. The colonists had
borne the impositions of the new administration
about three years. Their patience was now exhaust-
ed. A rumour, that a massacre was intended in
I The lands from Penobscot to Nova Scotia had been ceded to the
French By the treaty of Breda. The baron de St. Castine had for many-
years resided on those lan'ds, and carried on- a large trade with the Indians,
with whom he was intimately connected, having several of their women,
beside a daughter of the sachem Mad oka wan do, for his wives. In 1686, a
ship, belonging to Pascataqua, landed some wines at Penobscot, supposing
it to be within the French territory. The agents of the duke of York at
Pemaquid went and seized the wines ; but, by the influence of the French
ambassador in England, an order was obtained for the restoration of them.
On this occasion, a new line was run, which took Castine's plantation into
the duke's territory. In the spring of 1688, Andros went in the Rose frig-
ute, and plundered Castine's house and fort. This base action provoked
Castine to excite the Indians to a new war ; they, on their part, not wanting
pretences for its renewal. See Belknap N. Hamp. i. 242, 243 ; Hutchin-
son, i. 370.
1 Chalm. i. 429. Belknap [Ni Hamp. i. 244.] says, Andros had 700 men.
3 Coll. Hist. Soc. iii: 259. 4 Univ. Hist. xl. 47.
5 Blair's Chronol. James abdicated, and weut to France 23 Dec. i68£.
AMERICAN ANNALS. 475
Boston by the governor's guards, was sufficient to 1689.
kindle their resentment into rage. ' On the morn-
ing of the eighteenth of April the town was in arms,
and the people poured in from the country to the
assistance of the capital. The governor, and such ^s^'e
of the council as had been most active, with other and im-
obnoxious persons, to the collective number of about p™011^
fifty, were seized and confined ; and the old magis-
trates were reinstated.2
The new council, inviting others to join with Council -o
them, took the title of " A council for the safety Silfety<
of the people and conservation of the peace $" and
chose Mr. Bradstreet their president. On the sec-
ond of May, the council recommended, that an as-
sembly by a delegation from the several towns in
the colony should meet on the ninth of that month.
Sixty six persons met, and, having confirmed the
new government, it was agreed, that on the twenty
second day of the same month there should be a meet-
ing of the representatives of all the towns in the
colony. On that day, the representatives of fifty
four towns met at Boston ; and, after various de-
bates, it was determined " to resume the govern- Boston
ment according to charter rights.'- 3 On the twen-
ty fourth, the governor and magistrates, chosen in
1686, signed a paper, declaring their acceptance of
i This rumour might have been the more easily credited, on account of
the military orders, given out on the reception of a copy of the Prince of
Orange's Declaration. " A proclamation was issued, charging all officers
and people to be in readiness to hinder the landing of any forces, which the
Prince of Orange might send into those parts of the world."
1 Captain George, of the Rose frigate, was first seized and imprisoned ;
and, some hours after, Sir Edmund Andros was taken in his fort. No less
than 1500 men surrounded the fort on Fort Hill, which surrendered. The
next day, the governor was confined in the fort under strong guards. On
that day also, the castle, on Castle Island, was summoned, and surrendered..
Chalmers, i. 469, 470. Captain George was obliged to give leave to go on
board his ship, and bring the sails on shore. The troops, which collected
around Fort Hill, pointed the guns of the South battery toward the fort on
the summit, and thus brought the governor's garrison to submission.
3 Each town gave instructions to its delegates, whether to resume the
chaster or not ; and 40 of the 54 " were for reassumption." Hutchinson,
47 6 AMERICAN ANNALS.
1689. the care and government of the people according to
the rules of the charter, until by direction from Eng-
land there be an orderly settlement of government.
& ^n t^ie twentT nmt^5 king William and queen Mary
- were proclaimed, with great ceremony, in Boston.
claimed in Addresses were sent to the king. Application was
made for express authority to exercise government
according to the old charter, until a new one could
be settled. This privilege was obtained. *
R. island The freemen of Rhode Island, on hearing of the
resumes its imprisonment of Andros, met at Newport, on the
Sent™" first of May, voted to resume their charter ; and
replaced all the general officers, who had been dis-
placed three years before. *
Effects of Information of the accession of William and Ma-
lutlo^Tn" ry to the throne was received with joy at New York,
N.York, and the lieutenant governor and council waited with
anxiety for orders to proclaim them ; but while the
principal officers and magistrates were assembled to
consult for the public safety, Jacob Leisler, with
forty nine men, seized the garrison at New York,
and held it for the prince of Orange. William and
Mary were proclaimed there in June ; and the prov-
ince was now ruled by a committee of safety, at the
head of which was Leisler. 3
Virginia & The inhabitants of Virginia and Maryland at once
Maryland. proc]aimecj William and Mary king and queen of
England*4
Indians re- Qn ^e twenty seventh of June, the Senekas, Ca-
- _ , J , ,~ . , 11-
7ugas?, Onondagos, and Oneidas, renewed their cov-
enant with the English. 5
i Hutchinson, i. 372 — 390. Chalmers, i. 449 — 431. Belknap N,.
Hamp. i. 235, 236. There are no public records, from the dissolution of
the old charter government in 1686 until the restoration of it in 1689.
Hutchinson, i. 354. a Callender, 49.
3 Smith N. York, 59. Chalmers,!. 591, 592.
4 Chalmers,!. 431.
5 Colden, 99. This renewal of covenant was previous to the arrival of
*ount Frontenac, who came over a October this year, as governor of Can-
ada, at the age of 68 years. M. Denonville was recalled. Ib. 96.
new cove-
AMERICAN ANNALS. 477
Twelve hundred Indians of the Five Nations, in- "Descent of
vading the island of Montreal on the twenty sixth
of July, burned all the plantations, and made a ter- treai.
rible massacre of men, women, and children. The
whole French colony was thrown into consternation $
and Valrenes, the commander at Catarocuay, by or-
der of Denonville, abandoned the fortress at that
place. x
A conference was holden at Albany, in Septem- conference
ber, between several commissioners from the colo- between.
nies of Massachusetts, Plymouth, and Connecticut, ^ FrVe
and the Five Nations. * Nations.
1690.
Count Frontenac detached from Canada three French and
parties of French and Indians, who were to take
three different routes into the English territories.
One party, consisting of a hundred and fifty French February 8.
Indian traders and as many Indians, surprised "and
destroyed Schencctady. 3 Another party, consisting dy.
of fifty two men, of whom twenty five were Indians,
surprised Salmon Falls, near Pascataqua, and killed surprise
about thirty of the bravest of the inhabitants j the Salmon
rest, to the number of fifty four, principally women
and children, surrendered at discretion. The Sieur
I Smith N. York, 56. Charlevoix Nouv. France, i. 549. Univ. Hist.
xl. 49 — 51. Smith says, 1000 French were slain in this invasion, and a6
carried into captivity and burnt alive. Charlevoix1 account of the barbari-
ties of the Indians, in the massacre at Montreal, is ..too horrid to translate :
" Us ouvrirent le sein des femmes enceintes, pour en arracher le fruit, qu*
elles portoient, ils mirent des enfans tout vivans a la broche, et contraigni-
jrent les meres de les tourner pour les faire rotir."
Z Smith N. York, 63. Golden, 100 — 104. The commissioners endeav-
oured to engage the Five Nations against the eastern Indians, who were
then at war with N. England ; but, though they would not enter into that
war, they ratified their iriendship with the English colonies. " We prom-
ise," said they, " to preserve the chain inviolably, and wish that the sun
may always shine in peace over all our heads, that are comprehended in
this chain."
3 The assault was made about n or iz o'clock on Saturday night, and
60 men, women, and children were massacred, " being divided and secure,"
Sewajl MS. Diary, See Golden* 1 1 3—1 ij.
47 8 AMERICAN ANNALS.
1 690. Hcrtcl, who commanded this expedition, met, on his
May 17. way homeward, a third party, which had marched
Destroythe r r\ \- i • • • i •
fortatCas- fr°m Quebec ; and, joining his company to it, at-
tacked and destroyed the fort at Casco. T
The Indians having taken the fort at Pemaquid,*
taken by* an^ ^e ^rencn privateers from Acadie still infesting
the coasts of New England ; the general court of
Massachusetts determined to make an attempt on
Port Royal. A fleet of eight small vessels, with
seven or eight hundred men under the command of
Sir William Phips, sailed on that expedition on the
twenty eighth of April. The fort at Port Royal,
being in no capacity to sustain a siege, surrendered,
with little or no resistance ; and Sir William took
possession of the whole sea coast, from Port Royal
to the New England settlements. 3
Expedition The Pe°ple °f New England, ascribing their
of sir w. troubles to Canada, formed a bold and hazardous
Phips a- desirrn to reduce it to subjection to the crown of Eng-
gainst Ca- p j t > &
r.ada. land. An armament was equipped for that service,
and the command of it given to Sir William Phips.
The fleet, retarded by unavoidable accidents, did not
arrive before Quebec until the fifth of October.
Phips, the next morning, sent a summons on shore,
but received an insolent answer from count Fronte-
nac. The next day, he attempted to land his troops,
1 Belknap N. Eng. i. 257 — 259. Casco fort contained above 100 per-
sons. It was taken " whilst the forces were gone to Port Royal." Hut-
chinson,i. 397.
a The Indians besieged that fort 22 August, 1689. It was so situated,
as to be overlooked from a rock, that was near it ; from which the Indians
galled the garrison to such a degree, that the next day it capitulated on
terms, " which were kept with Indian faith, some of the men being butch-
ered, and the others carried captive." Hutchinson, i. 396.
3 Ibid. 396, 397. The fleet returned 30 May. The author of Histoire
et Commerce des Colonies Angloises (65, 66.) says, that Sir William de-
stroyed the French fort at the river St. John ; that he cleared the country
of all the French, who refused to take the oath of fidelity to the king of
England ; and that he placed a governor there, to command those, who
consented to remain. Brit. Emp. [i. 176.] says, that about a third part ef
the whole number remained ; and that most of these were protesti-.tits,
AMERICAN ANNALS. 479
but was prevented by the violence of the wind. On 1690.
the eighth, all the effective men, amounting to be-
tween twelve and thirteen hundred, landed at the
Isle of Orleans, four miles below the town, and were
fired on, from the woods, by French and Indians.
Having remained on shore until the eleventh, and
then learning by a deserter the strength of the place,
they embarked with precipitation. A tempest soon
after dispersed the fleet ; which made the best of its
way back to Boston.1
Success had been so confidently expected, that First paper
adequate provision was not made at home for the "^u/dxe
payment of the troops. There was danger of amu- colonies.
tiny. In this extremity, the government of Massa-
chusetts issued bills of credit, as a substitute for
money ; and these were the first, that were ever is-
sued in the American colonies. *
Kin? William sent a large body of French refu* ]?rench re~
-TT- • • 111 11 -i fagees.
gees to Virginia ; and lands were allotted to them
I Hutchinson.i. 399— 401. Smith N. York, 68, 69. Colden, 126 — 131^
Sir William arrived at Boston on tne i9th of November. Some vessels of
the fleet were blown off to the West Indies ; one Was lost on Anticosta ;
and two or three were wrecked, or never heard of. About aoo men were
lost by the enemy and by sickness ; " not above 30 by the enemy." — A
small vessel had been sent to England express, early in April, to solicit as-
sistance for the reduction of Canada ; but the English government had too
much on its hands, to pay any attention to the proposal. Massachusetts
however determined to proceed ; and Connecticut and New York engaged
to furnish a body of men. From these two colonies 2000 were expected
to march by Lake Champlain, and attack Montreal, at the same time when
the forces by sea should be before Quebec. The fleet, which sailed 9 Au-
gust from Nantasket, contained between 30 and 40 vessels, the largest of
44 guns and 200 men. The whole number of men was about aooo.
Great dependence was placed on the expected division of the French force ;
but the army, designed against Montreal, had unhappily retreated ; and the
news of its retreat had reached Montreal before the fleet arrived at Que-
bec. This occurrence must have dispirited the English forces, and propor-
tionally have animated the French. Count Frontenac was now able to
employ the whole strength of Canada against the little invading army.
Some writers ascribe the return of the New York and Connecticut troops
to a culpable cause. Charlevoix, with whose account Smith seems best
satisfied, says, our army was disappointed in the intended diversion, by the
small pox, which seized the camp, killed 300 men, and terrified o»r Indiatv
allies.
4 Hutchinson, i. 401. Belknap N. Hamp. i. 263.
4So AMERICAN ANNALS.
1690. on the banks of James river. Others of them, pur*
chasing lands of the proprietors of Carolina, trans-
ported themselves and their families to that colony,
and settled on the river Santee. '
s. sothei's Seth Sothel, countenanced by a powerful faction^
usurpation, and presuming on his powers as proprietary, arrived
suddenly at Charlestown, the capital of Carolina,
and seized the reins of government. z
ThewhalefisheryatNantucketcommencedthisyear.3
st.christo* Tfhe island of St. Christopher's was reconquered
kenlfrtte fr°m tae French, by the English under colonel Cod-
Enghsh. rington ; and the male white inhabitants, amount-
ing to about eighteen hundred, were sent, with their
women and children, to Hispaniola and Martinico. 4
New Prov- The island of New Providence had now become
idence. so populous, that the proprietaries sent Cadwallader
Jones to be its governor. s
1691*
H. siough- Colonel Henry Sloughter arrived at New York,
with a. commission to be governor of that province.
The first assembly, after the Revolution, was holden
on the ninth of April.6 The province was now, by
an act of assembly, divided into ten counties* 7
1 Hewet, 1 08. Others, who were merchants and mechanics, took up
their residence in Charlestown, and followed their different occupations.
These new settlers were a great acquisition to Carolina. It is highly to
the honour of England, that, even in the reign of king James, large collec-
tions had been made for the French refugees ; and that, after king William'a
accession to the throne, the parliament voted £15,000 sterling to be dis-
tributed among persons of cpaality, and all such as, through age or infirmity,
were unable to support themselves or families.
2 Chalmers, i. 552. Hewet, i. 102 — '104. His popularity and power
were of short duration. The assembly compelled him to abjure the gov-
ernment and country forever. The proprietaries dissented from the laws,
pissed under his government ; and, in 1692, appointed a new governor.
3 Coll. Hist. Soc. iii. 157. 4 Univ. Hist. xl. 278. 5 Ibid. xli. 332.
6 Smith N. York, 71 — 73. All laws, made in the province antecedent
to this period, were disregarded both by the legislature and the courts of
law. In the Collection of the Acts of the province, made in 1752, the com-
pilers were directed to begin at this Assembly. Ibid. Leisler, having-
refused to deliver up the fort to the governor, was afterward condemned
to death for high treason. Ibid.
7 Ibid. 1 86. The division is there said to be into 12 counties ; yet 10
only are described ; and there were no more than 10, so late as A. D.
See Smith, ib. 206,
•r
*er
AMERICAN ANNALS. 481
Major Peter Schuyler, with a party of Mohawks, 1691.
passed over lake Champlain, and made a bold ir- Expedition
ruption into the French settlements at the north end sdruyien
of the lake. *
The general assembly of Virginia solicited and charter of
obtained a charter from the crown, for the establish-
ment of a college, projected in that colony. Theiege
king and queen gave, at the same time, nearly two
thousand pounds toward the charge of building ;
and endowed the seminary wifiti twenty thousand
acres of the best land, together^ with the perpetual
revenue, arising from the duty of one penny per
pound on all tobacco, transported from Virginia and
Maryland to the other English plantations. In
grateful acknowledgment of the royal patronage and
benefaction, the college was called William and Mary. *•
I Smith N. York, 78. TTniv. Hist, [xxxix. 350.] says, Schuyler had 300
English and 300 Indians. Golden [129.] says, that, in his several attacks,
the French lost a captains, 6 lieutenants, and 300 men.
a Keith, 169, Beverly, 13 8,. 13 9. Coll. Hist. Soc.v. 165.
£ND OF THE FIRST VOLUME.
THIS VOLUME brings down the Annals to the Revolution of William
and Mary. A very respectable historian remarks, that the legal and con-
stitutional history of the American colonies, in their early periods, affords
but little instruction. Cecinit pralia. His subject was war. Chalmers
supposes, that the political annals of the colonies from their settlement to
that Revolution may be thought by some the most curious and instructive ;
because, during that eventful period, the colonies were planted ; their con-
stitutions, after various changes, were established ; the groundwork of their
future jurisprudence was laid ; and they were sensibly affected by every
change, which the innovations of those days introduced into the pareat
' country.
Ttt
NOTES.
NOTE I. (p. 17, 1 8.)
HISTORIAN s assign different dates to this voyage. In the Voyages of Ramusius, Sebas-
tian Cabot is represented as placing it in 1496 ; and respectable historians have hence
taken that for the true year. On a critical examination of the account in Ramusius,
tnere does not appear sufficient ground for their conclusion. Ramusius derived his ac-
count from Butrigarius, the pope's legate in Spain, who derived his information from
S. Cabot. In Cabot's account, which was merely verbal, the time of the voyage was
incidentally mentioned, and without precision : " The king commanded two caravels
to be furnished with all things appertaining to the voyage ; which was, as far re as I
remember, in the year 1496, in the beginning ofsommer." Nor ought this uncertainty '
of Cabot himself to appear strange, when it is considered, that he was then an old
man, as we learn from the same conversation with the legate ; " After this I made
many other voyages, which I nowe pretermit ; and waxeing old I give myself to rest
from such travels." Instead therefore of trusting to so vague an account, I have cho-
sen to rely on " an extract taken out of the map of Sebastian Cabot concerning his dis-
covery of the West Indies, which," Hakluyt says, " is to be scene in her majesty's pri-
vie gallerie at Westminster, and in many other 'ancient merchants houses." The ex-
tract (which is preserved in Hakluyt, iii. 6.) begins thus : ," Anno "Domini 1497 Io-
annes Cabotus Venetus, & Sebastianus illius filius" &c. — The extent, as well as the
time, of this celebrated voyage has been involved in obscurity. By some writers the
Cabots are represented as having sailed to 56 deg. north latitude ; by others, to 58 ;
by others, to 60. Ramusius, in his 3d volume, says, it v/as " written" to him
by Sebastian Cabot, that he sailed to " the latitude of 67 degrees and an halfe, under
the north pole." Hakluyt, iii. 7 — 9. This account is probably the true one. — Some
authors say, that the Cabots sailed no farther to the south, than to 38 deg. or 36 deg.
north lat. P. Martyr says, Cabot went nearly as far south, as the latitude of the straits of
Hercules, or Gibraltar. Dr. Belknap [Amer. Biog. i. 154.] accordingly considered 36
deg. as the extent of the voyage ; and Dr. Forster [Voy. 267.], on the authority of that
passage in P. Martyr, says, " Sebastian Cabot must have been about as far as Chesa-
peak Bay in Virginia." But the entire passage, in the original (p. 232.), seems to im-
ply, that Cabot proceeded still to the west, probably southwesterly, as the coast lies,
after he had reached the 36° of latitude. P. Martyr, having mentioned the obstruc-
tion which Cabot found from the ice, in his voyage to the north, adds : " Quare coac-
tus fuit, uti ait, vela vertere, et occidentem sequi : tetendit que tantum ad meridiem,
littore sese incurvante, ut Herculei freti latitudinis fere gradum asquarit : ad ocddentem-
gue profectus tantum est, ut Cubam insulam a lievo, longitudlne graduutn pciie parem, habuerit"
Obscure as this passage is, it satisfies me, that Cabot sailed to Cape Florida, which lies
in 25 deg. 20 min. north lat. The English founded their original claim to the prin-
cipal part of North America on the discovery made of it in this voyage ; but some
writers consider the claim as of no validity, because the Cabots made no settlement.
See Hazard Coll. i. 603 ; Dniv. Hist. xli. 86. See also p. 9, 10, of this volume. The
question of right is left to jurists and statesmen ; but it must be granted, that, accord-
ing to the prevalent notions of former times, this was a most important voyage :
" For the time once was here, to the world be it known,
" When all a man sail'd by, or saw, was his own." Freneau.
NOTE II. (p. 66.)
The Mexicans lived in Aztlan, a country situated to the north of California, until
about A. D.I 1 60 ; when they commenced their migration toward the country of
. Anahuac. After a temporary residence in several intermediate places, they at length
arrived at that situation on the lake, where they were to found their city. As soon as
they had taken possession of it, they erected a temple for their god Huitzlopochtli,
around which they now began to build huts of reeds and rushes. Such was the begin-
( 483 )
ning of the great city of Mexico.* See Clavigero, i. 1 1 2 — 1 23. For a distinct view of
the situation of the city with its causeways, see the map prefixed to the ad volume
of Clavigero ; or the maps in other Mexican histories. * A. D. 1325.
NOTE III. (p. 95.)
Although the sera of the Puritans commenced in the reign of Edward VI ; yet that
pious young prince very soon after began an ecclesiastical reformation. Had he lived
to perfect it according to his intentions, the Puritans would probably have been satis-
fied. But he died in 1553, at the early age of XVI ; and was succeeded by queen
Mary, a bigotted papist, under whose administration John Rogers, of pious memory K
was burnt at Smithfteld ; and bishop Hooper, with other pious reformers, suffered
martyrdom. On the accession of queen Elizabeth, the reformation, which had been
begun by Edward, was, in some degree, restored ; but jhat illustrious queen, addicted
to show, and jealous of prerogative, soon made the Puritans feel the weight of her
royal power. Bishops and other clergymen were deprived, for refusing the oath to
the queen's supremacy. At length (31 Jan. 1563) the Convocation of the English
clergy met, and finished the XXXIX Articles. Of the lower house, 43 present were
for throwing out the ceremonies, but 35 were for keeping them ; and these, with the
help of proxies, carried their measure by one vote. The bishops now began to urge
the clergy to subscribe to the Liturgy and ceremonies, as well as to the Articles. Cov-
erdale, Fox, Humfrey and others, refused to subscribe ; and this was the epoch of
NONCONFORMITY. What hard treatment the Puritan Reformers received under the
succeeding administrations of James I, and of his successors, until the Revolution of
William and Mary, is well kuown. As authorities, that confirm this Note, and give
full information on the subject, the reader is referred to Burnet's History of the Re-
formation of the Church of England, Peirre's Vindication of the Dissenters, Prince'*
Chronology, and especially Neal's History of the Puritans.
NOTE IV. (p. 99.)
Some historians efctirely overlook this temporary settlement of the French in the
English Carolina ; others confound it with the settlement at St. Matheo, a few leagues
north of St. Augustine. Not one of them has ascertained the place of it, with preci-
sion. Chalmers says, Ribault built Fort Charles on the river Edisto. The authors of
the Universal History say, it was built on the river St. Croix, which indeed, Charle-
voix says, was the Spanish name of Edisto river. Charlevoix says, Ribault's Fort stood
near the place where Charlestown, the capital of South Carolina, now stands. Mezer-
ay says, it was built " at the end of the Streight at St. Helen's." I wrote, some time
since, to Dr. Ramsay, the well known historian, and made inquiry of him respecting
this article. The Doctor obligingly wrote to me in reply : " I have taken some-paint
ce to inform myself of the place where Ribaud commenced his settlement of French
" Protestants ; but without any satisfactory result. Edisto river, in its nearest part, is,
" about 36 miles from Charleston ; but there is no evidence of any French settlement
" ever having been made in its vicinity. There is no river in South Carolina, known
' by the name of the Shallow or Base river. Mr. Drayton, our late governor, has.
•' been consulted on the points, relative to which you wish for information, who assur-
' ed me, that, while writing his View of South Carolina, he minutely enquired into
* the very subjects, which have perplexed you, and found them so involved in dark-
* ness and contradiction, that he did not see his way clear to assert any thing on the
v subject, more than you will find in the jth page of his work."
It would not become me to be positive on a subject, that is attended with such ac-
knowledged difficulties, and that has baffled such intelligent inquiries. I am satisfied
however, that neither the latitude of the place where the fort was built, nor its dis-
tance from the river of May,f will allow us to fix it so far north, as the river Edisto,
It appears clearly to have been on an island up Port Royal river, in about the latitude
of 32 deg. It seems probable, that it was the island of St. Helena, or some island in,
its vicinity. Mezeray's account seems to fix it there. Charlevoix, in his Map of the
Coasts of Florida, has placed it in that quarter, though, I apprehend, too far north, at
an island toward the mouth of Edisto. It is asserted on the face of the map : « Dana
cette Isle Ribault batit petit Fort, et le nomma Claries Fort." There is one additional
f Sixty French leagues. Cbarhvoix.
confirmation of the probable truth of my conjecture, concerning the place of that fort,
When Ribault had " sailed about 15 leagues" from Port Royal river, he found anoth-
er, which " had not past halfe a fathome water in the mouth thereof." This he called
Base or Shallow river. Gov. Drayton (p. 34.) says, " Edisto is shallow and incapable
of being navigated far up its stream by boats of heavy burden ;" and, though he de-
scribes the numerous rivers of Carolina, this is the only one, which he calls shallow.
Hence I conjecture, that the Edisto of the English is tie Base or Shallow river of the French.
If so, Fort Charles must have been about 15 leagues from it ; and that is about the dis-
tance of St. Helena from the Edisto.
NOTE V. (p. 197.)
It is not so difficult to find proofs, in support of the text, as it is to select them. They
may be seen in Morton, 3 — 5 ^ Hubbard's MS. N. Eng. ; Mather Magnal. book i. 6 ;
Pr-ince Chron. 48, 49 ; Hazard's Collections, i. 349 — 373 ; Hutchinson, i. 3 ; Bel-
knap Biog. i. 151 — 178, Art. ROBINSON. The motives, ascribed by some English
writers for the emigration of the Puritans from Ley den, it is easily conceived, might
have been readily admitted, without critical inquiry, by the advocates for the English
hierarchy, near two centuries ago ; but it was hardly to be expected, that writers, of
our own age, should copy the injurious representations of those early times into the
pages of sober history. The historian who tells us, that the Puritans removed from
Leyden into the American wilderness, because they were " obscure and unpetsecuted,"
must not expect to be believed. We endeavoured to assign, in the text, the true
causes of that removal ; and have nothing to subjoin, but an expression of regret, that
the misrepresentations of foreign writers, on this and the succeeding article, have been
recently transcribed into the work of a very respectable historian of our own country.
The character and principles of Mr. Robinson and his Society seem not yet to be
fully known. The reverend JOHN ROBINSON was a man of learning, of piety, and of
Catholicism. At first indeed he favoured the rigid separation from the church of
England ; but, after his removal to Holland, "he was convinced of his mistake, and be-
came, ever after, more moderate in his .sentiments respecting separation." Baylie, who
was zealously opposed both to the Brownists and Independents, allows, that " Mr. Ro-
" binson was a man of excellent parts, and the most learned, polished and modest spirit,
" as ever separated from the church of England ; that he ruined the rigid separation ;
" and that he was a principal overthrower of the Brownists." See Prince,86 — 94 ; Coll.
Hist. Soc. iv. 133 — 140 ; Belknap Biog. Art. ROBINSON ; Mosheim,v. 381. chap, xxi.
Against the concessions of enemies however, and the demonstrations of friend?,
the Puritans of JLeyden and of New England are, to this day, represented as
Brownists ; that is, the followers of R.obert Brown, a sectary, whose principles were,
in many respects, very exceptionable, in the view of all sober Christians ; and who at
length abandoned them himself, and conformed to the church of England. Mr. Ro-
binson, who ought to be allowed to say what were his own principles, has explicitly
declared them, in " A just and necessary Apologie of certain Christians no lesse con-
tumeltously than commonly called Brownists or Barrowists." This Apology profess-
es " before God and men, that such is our accord in the case of religion with the Dutch
" Reformed Churches as that we are ready to subscribe to all and everie article of
" faith in the same church, as they are layd in the Harmony of Confessions of Faith,
" published in their name ;" with the exception of " one only particle ;" relating to
the Apocrypha. On examining the Dutch [Belgic] Confession of" Faith in the Harmonia
Confessionum, I find it to be the same in Latin, which, translated into English, now con-
stitutes a part of " The Constitution of the Reformed Dutch Church in the United
States of America." It essentially agrees, in its doctrines, with the Church of England.
NOTE VI. (p. ayi.)
For the principles and usages of the Congregational clr.irchcs, see Cotton's Power
of the Keys, Hooker's Survey of the sura of Church Discipline, Norton's Answer to
the Enquiries of Apolloniin, Cambridge Platform, Mather's Magnalia, book v, Ratio
Ol-.dplinae Fratrum Nov-Angl. Hutchinson, i. chap, iv, and S:iVs' CJ .rr.ti'-m Union.
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