The history of New Hampshire..

NYPL RESEARCH LIBRARIES

3 3433 08190182 3

T H E

HISTORY

O F

NEW-HAMPSHIRE

CONTAINING A GEOGRAPHICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE

STATE; WITH SKETCHES OF ITS NATURAL HISTORY,

PRODUCTIONS, IMPROVEMENTS, AND PRESENT

STATE OF SOCIETY AND MANNERS, LAWS

ANP GOVERNMENT,

By JEREMY BELKNJP, a. m,

MEMBER OF THE AMERICAN PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY HELD AW

PHILADELPHIA FOR PROMOTING USEFUL KNOWLEDGK,

AND OF THE ACADEMY OF ARTS AND

SCIENCES IN MASSACHUSETTS.

VOLUME III

DOVER, JV.H,

FRINTED TOR O. CroSBY AND J. VaRNEY, BY

J. Mann and J. K. Remick.
1812.

.,x

PREFACE.

IHE materials of which this part of the
Hi [lory of New-Hampfhire is compofed, were chief-
ly collecftcd during a refidence of twenty-two years
in the eaflern part of the State ; from obfervations
made in various places, and particularly in feveral
journies to the northern and weftern parts ; from,
original furveys of many townfliips and trails of
the Country ; from the converfation of many per-
fons who have been employed in furveying, maft-
ing, hunting and fcouting ; as well as in hufban-
dry, manufadlures, merchandife, na.vigation and
fifhery. The public offices have alfo been repeat-
edly fearched, and the obliging attention of the of-
ficers of government, both in New-Hampfliire and
MafTachufetts, is again thankfully acknowledged.
But that no fource of information might be left
unexplored, a printed circular letter was addrefTed
to the feveral Clergymen, and other gentlemen of
public character, in all parts of the State, requeft-
ing their communications on various heads of in-
quiry. The anfwers to thefe letters have not been
fo numerous, and in fome inftances, not fo particu-
lar as would have been agreeable ; but from thofe
which have been received (and for which the Au-
thor requefts the feveral writers to accept his thanks)
he has been enabled to render his account more
complete than it could have been without this af-
iiftance.

ti PREFACE.

brought from Britain, and which were in vogne a
century ago, be there loft or forgotten, it is no rea-
fon that they fliould be difafed here, efpecially
when they convey a definite fenfe.

I know not whether as much can be faid in vindi-
cation of another word, which I have frequently
nfed, and which perhaps is not more known in Eng-
land, viz. intervale. I can cite no very ancient au-
thority for it ; but it is well undcrllood in all parts
of New-England to diftinguiih the lov^r-land adja-
cent to the frelh rivers, which is frequently over-
flowed by the freihets ; and which is accounted
fome of our mcfl valuable foil, bccaufe it is rendered
permanently fertile, by the bo on tiful hand of na-
ture, without the labour of man.

There is another deviation from the ftricl letter
of the Englifli dictionaries ; wliich is found ex-
tremely convenient in our difcourfes on population.
From the verb migro are derived emigrate and im-
migrate ; with the fame propriety as from mergo
are derived emerge and immerge. Accordingly
the verb immigrate and the nouns immigrant
and IMMIGRATION are ufed without fcruple in fome
parts of this volume.

\\\ the 176th page, the number of inhabitants
taken by the ccnfus of 1790, is fiid to be 142,018.
This number was given to me in May, 1791, by the
late Marlhall John Parker, Efq. Afterward it was
difcovercd that a miftake had been made by on? of
his alTii'l ints in returning the town of Burton twice,
viz. in the County of Strafford and the County of
Grafton. In the former it was let down as contain-
ing 133, in the latter 141. The latter is retained ;
?md the former being dedu6led from 142,018 leaves
the fum total 141,885, which is the number return-
ed to Gongrefs and publiflied by authority.

PREFACE. Vli

Twenty years have now elapfed fincc this work
was firll undertaken ; during which time it has
llruggled with many embarrafTments, and has,
more than once, been thrown by, as impra<flicable ;
but the favourable reception it has met with from
the public and the continual importunity of its
friends, have prevailed on me to complete it ; for
which purpofe no pains have been fpared. The
receipt on the fdle of the volumes hitherto falls fhort
of the aclual expenfc of the impreffion. How pro-
ducSlive it may prove in future is uncertain. As
fomc encouragement to the work, the Legiflature
of New-Ham pfliire have granted j^j /o//;/z/j-, which
I have received and for which they again have my
thanks.

In the courfe of my hifhorlcal refearches I have
found fome materials for an American Biogra-
phy; and have entertained thoughts of purfuing
my inquiries, with a view to prefent fuch a work
to the public ; if gentlemen in different parts of the
American Continent and Iflands, will favour me
with fuitable communications. The objedl is to
delineate the characlers and a(5lions of remarkable
perfons deceafed, and the events connected with
them. Among thofe perfons will be ranked Statef-
men, Literary Perfons, Warriors, Inventors, Navi-
gators and Travellers, whether among the Europe-
an Nations, who have pofleffions in America and
their defcendants, or the original Natives. But how
voluminous or expenfive the work will be, or how
long time will be required to complete it, cannot at
prefent be afcertained.

Bo/ion, April 23, 1792.

CHAP. I.

oITUATION, extent, boundaries and
divifions. Page

II. Air, climate and feafons.

III. Face of the country, fea coafl, mountains.

IV. Particular defcription of the v/hite moun-
tains.

V. Rivers and other waters

VI. Remarks on the foreft, manner of furvey-
ing, making roads and travelling.

VII. Monuments and relics of the Indians.

VIII. Foreft trees and other vegetable produc-
tions.

IX. Soil, cultivation and hufbandry.

X. Native Animals. ^

XI. Caverns, Hones, foffils and minerals.

XII. Defcription of the harbour and river of
Pafcataqua.

XIII. Trade, navigation, fiiliery and manu-
factures. Tables of exportation, entries,pri-
ces, &c.

XIV. Effedl of the climate and other caufes on
the human conflitution. Remarks on popu-
lation. Tables of births, deaths and cafualties. 171

XV. Political character, genius, manners, em-
ployments and diverfions of the people. 191

XVI. Conflitution, laws, revenue and militia. 201

XVII. Education, literature, religion. 217
Table of towns, miniflers, numbers af p.eople

and taxes. 226

XVIII. Conclufion. Hints of advice on fever-

al important fubjecfls. 246

Appendix. 252

H

•am^

CHAP. I.

Siiua'iicn, Extent, Boundariea^ and Divisions.

1 HE fituatlon of New-Hampfliire, on the
terraqueous globe, is between 42^ 4L and 45^ IT of
latitude, north from the equator ; and between 70''
40' and 72° 28' of longitude, weft from the royal ob*
fervatory of Greenwich. Its length from the northern
to the fouthern extremity is one hundred and fixty-
cight miles. Its greateft breadth, meafured from the
entrance of Pafcataqua harbour, to the mouth of Weft
River, which falls into Conne6licut river, oppofite
to the town of Chefterfield, is ninety miles. This line
line croifes the 43d degree of latitude. From this line
northerly, New-Hampfhire decreafes in breadth.
On the 44th degree of latitude it is fifty- five miles ;
and on the 45th degree, nineteen miles wide.

It is bounded on the fouth by the State of Mafla-
chufetts ; from which it is divided by a line, begin-
ning on the fea fhore, at a point three miles north-
ward of the mouth of the river Merrimack ; purfu-
ing a courfe fimilar to the curvature of that river, at
the fame diftance ; and ending at a point, three milea
north of Patucket fall, in the town of Dracut. From
this point, the line extends, on a fuppofed due wefl
courfe, till it crofTes Connecticut river, and ends on
its wefcern bank ; the diftance being fifty-five miles.

This line, called the due weft line, was meafured
and marked in 1741, by Richard Hazzen. He was
ordered by Governor Belcher to allow ten degrees
for the wefterly variation of the needle ; the theory
of which, now imperfect, was then lefs known. In

3

fCf HISTORY O?

is fuppofed that the variation at that time, and iri;
rhat place, was not more than eight degrees.^ In
1773, each end of this line was accurately examined
by celeftial obfervations, made by Thomas Wright,
oneof Capt. Holland's company oi^ furveyors ; when
the weflern extremity was found to decline from the
eaflern two minutes and iifty-feven feconds of lati-
tude. This was computed to make a diiTerence of
59,872 acres of land, which would have been gain-
ed by New-Hamplhire,. if tlie line had been run with
preciiion.

From the point where this line flrikes Connecti-
cut river, up to the forty-fifch degree of latitude, the
weflern bank of that river is the weftern boundary
of New-Hampfhire, and the eaftern boundary of
Vermont.

On its eaftern fide, New-Ham.pfliirc is bounded
by the Atlantic ocean, from the aforementioned
point, three miles northward of the mouth of Mer-
rimack river, alon.p; the Ihore, to the middle of the
main entrance of Pafcataqua harbour ; which dif-
tance is computed to be about eighteen miles. Thence
the boundary line runs up the middle of the river,
to its mofl northerly head, which is a- pond, fituated
partly in the town of Wakefield and partly in
the town of Shapley, in the County of York.
The diflance of this pond from the mouth of the
harbour, is about forty miles, in a N. N. W. courfe.
From the head of this pond, according to the royal
determination, in 1740, the dividing line was to run
' north, two degrees weft, till one hundred and

* twenty miles were finiflied, from the mouth of Paf-

* cataqua harbour, or until it meet widi Ins Majes-
' ty's other governments.' The reafon for mention-
ing this fpecific diflance in the decree, was, that one
hundred and twenty miles were the extent of the
Province of Maine. At t;hat time, no other gov-

new-hampshihe. 11

^rnment fubject to the Britifh Crown, lay in that
<lireciion. in 1763, the new Province of Quebec
was erected, and its ibuthern boundary was •" a line
' pafling along the high lands, which divide the riv-
*ers that empty themfeives into the river St. Law-

* rence, from thole which hill into the fea.' By the
treaty of peace, between America and Britain, in
178ci, all the lands fouthward of that line, reckon-
ing it from the eaftward ' to the northweft h-ead of

* Connecticut river, and thence down along the mid-

* die of that river, to the forty-fifth degree of north
' latitude' were ceded to the United States, Thefe
determinations have been fo conllrued, as to favor
an exteniion of the line between New-Hampfliire
and Maine, to the high lands which bound the Prov-
ince of Quebec ; a diftance of twenty-five miles be-
yond the northern limits of the Province of Maine.

The line from the head of Salmon fall river, wa&
begun to be meafured and marked, in 1741, by-
Walter Bryent, who alfo was ordered to allow ten
degrees for the wefterly variation. In 1767, a con-
troverfy arofe between the two Provinces, on a fug-
gelHon that Bryent had miflaken the main branch
of the river ; but no alteration was made in confe-
quence of this fuggeftion. In 1 768, the Governor
of New-Hamplhire ordered the line to be furveyed,
to its fartheft extent. The furveyor, Ifaac Rindge,
began where Bryant had left it ; and marked the
line, on the fame courfe by the compafs, to a poinc
iixteen miles northward of Amarifcogin river, and
not far from the lake Umbagog. This furvey be-
ing made twenty-feven years after the former, when
the wefterly variation was lefs than before, gave the
line a wefterly inclination. No farther furvey was
made till 1789, twenty-one years after the fecond ;
during which period, the variation was ftill decreas-
ing^, d,nd the line was continued on the fame couri^

I2f HISTORY 6l'

by the compafs, which mufl bring it flill more weft-
erly. For thefe reafons, in my map, the line is in-
iled:ed, fo as to correfpond with the laft lurvcy as
laid down in a plan retm^ncd by Jofcph Cramm
and Jeremiah Eames, and filed in the Secretary's
pfBce.

The State is bounded on the north, by the Britifli
Province of Quebec. The northeaftern extremity of
this boundary line, is abirch tree, marked N. E. New^
Hampjhire^ 1789. This line extends along the high
lands, 17 miles and two hundred andfeven rods, to the
head of the northweftern branch of Connecticut riv-
er ; at which extremity is a fir tree, infcribed N. H,
N, W, 1789. Thence the boundary defcends, to the
forty-fifth degree of latitude, along the middle of
the northwefcern branch, which there unites with
the northeaftern, or main branch of the river.

The fuperficial area of New-Hampihire, as calcu-
lated by George Sproule, in 1773, according to Hol-
land's furvey, in which he was employed, was found
to be 9296 fquarc miles, or 5,949,440 acres. The ad-
dition made by the furvey of the northern bounda-
ry, in 1789, is faid to be 195 fquare miles, or
124,800 acres. From the whole it is fuppofed a de-
duction may be made for water, of at ieail one hun-
dred thoufand acres.

Holland's furvey was made in 1773, and 1774,
at the expence of the Province. The refult of it is
contained in a large map, engraven in London, 1784,
by the direction and at the expenfe of Paul Went-
•worth, Efq. Thofe parts which were actually fur-
veyed by Holland or his afhflants, are laid down
with great accuracy. The eaftern boundary line
and the parts connedled with it were not furveyed,
but taken from fuch materials and information as
could at that time be collected. In the map annex-
ed to this work, thofe parts are more full and cai>

NEW-HAMPSHIRE. 13

irect, excepting the lines of townfliips and locations,
which in ih fmall a draught could not be introduc-
ed without confufion. For the lame reafbn, the
names of fome townfhips are omitted, chiefly fuch
as have no fettlements made in them.

The State is divided into five Counties, viz. Rock-
ingham, Strafford, Hillfborough, Chefhire and Graf-
ton, the boundaries of which are not noticed in Hol-
land's, but are marked on this map by dotted lines.

The ftraight line of Mafon's patent is alfo de-
fcribed. The hiflory of it is as follows :

It was obferved in the courfe of the preceding
work, that the Mafoniaii proprietors claimed a
curve line as their weftern boundary ; and that un-
der the royal government no perfon had controvert-
ed that claim. When the war with Great-Britain
was terminated by the peace of 1783, the grantees
of fome crown lands, with which this line interfer-
ed, petitioned the Affembly to afcertain the limits
of Mafon's patent. The Mafonians at the fame
time prefented a petition, (hewing the pretenfioii
which they had to a curve line, and praying that a
furvey of it, which had been made in 1 768, by Rob-
ert Fletcher, might be eftabliflied. About the fame
time, the heirs of Allen, whofe claim had long lain
dormant, for want of ability to profecute it, having
confulted Council, and admitted fome perfons of
property into partnerfhip with them, entered and
took poflTeflion of the unoccupied lands within the
limits of the patent ; and in imitation of the Mafo-
nians, gave general deeds of quitclaim, to all dona
Jide purchafers, previoufly to the firftof May, 1785 ;
which deeds were recorded in each County, and
publiflied in the newfpapers. They alfo petitioned
the Affembly to eflablifh a head line for their patent.

After a folemn hearing of thefe claims, the Af^
fembly ordered a furvey to be made of fixty miles

i4 HISTORY OF

from the fea, on the fouthern and eaftern lin'ss of
the State, and ^.Jlraight line to be run from the end of
one line of fixty miles, to the end of the other. They
alfo paired an a6l to quiet all bona fide purchafers of
lauds, between the flraight and curve lines, fo far,
as that the 6tate Ihonld not diflurb them. This fur-
vey was made in 1787, by Jofeph Blanchard and
Charles Clapham. The line begins on the fouthern
boundary, at lot No. 18, in the town of Rindge.
Its courfe is north 29 eall. Its extent is 93; miles.
It ends at a point in the e?.(lern boundary, which is
feven miles and two hundred and fix rods, north-
ward of Great OiTapy river. This line being eflab-
liihed, as the head line, or weftern boundary of Ma-
fon's patent, the Mafonians, for the fum of forty
thoufand dollars in public fecurities, and eight hun-
dred dollars in fpecie, purchafed of the State, all its
right an^l title to the unoccupied lands between the
ftraight line and the curve. The heirs of Allen were
then confined in their claim, to thofe watle lands
only, which were within the ftraight line. They
have fince compromifed their difpute, with the pro-
prietors of eleven of the fifteen Mafonian ihares, by
deeds of mutual quitclaim and releafe. This waj^
done in January, 1790.

NEW-HAMPSHIRE. 15

CHAR n.

^fr, Climate., and Seasons.

1 HE air of New-Hampiliire is generally
f)ure and falubrious. During the winter months,
the prevailing wind is from the northwefl ; which
is dry, cold and bracing ; it rarely brings fnow, but
when it does, the degree of cold is increafed. That
the coldnefs of our northwefl wind is owing to the
great lakes, is a vulgar error, often retailed by geo-
graphical writers, and adopted by unthinking peo-
ple. All the great lakes lie weflward of the N. W.
point, and fome of them fouthward of W. It is
more natural to fuppofe that the immenfe wilder-
nefs, but efpecially the mountains, v>'hen covered
with fnow, give a keennefs to the air, as a cake of
ice to a quantity of liquor in which it floats ; and
that this air, put in motion, conveys its cold as far
as it extends.

The deepeft fnows fall with a northeaft wind, and
florms- from that quarter are moft violent, and of
longeft duration ; after which the wind commonly
changes to the N. \V. and blows briikly for a day or
two, driving the fnow into heaps. This effedl is
produced only in the open grounds ; in the forefl
the fnow lies level, from two to four feet in depth,
throughout the winter. On the mountains, the
fnow falls earlier, and remains later than in the low
grounds. On thofe elevated fummits, the winds
alfo have greater force, driving the fnow into the
long and deep gullies of the mountains, where it is
fo confolidated, as not to be eafily diifolved, by the
vernal fun. Spots of fiiow are feen on the fouth

16 HISTORY OF

fides of the mountains as late as May, and on till
higheft till July.

Light froils begin in September ; in Oclobcr they
are more frequent, and by the end of that month,
ice is made in fmall collecflions of water ; but the
weather is moftly ferene. November is a variable
month, alternately wet and dry ; the furface of the
ground is frequently frozen and thawed. The fame
weather continues through a part of December, but
commonly, in the courie of this month, the rivers
and the earth are thoroughly frozen, and well pre-
pared to receive and retain the fnow, January
often produces a thaw, which is fucceeded by a fe-
vere froft. In February we haVe the deepeft fnows,
and the coldeft weather ; but the lowefh depreflion
of the thermometer is generally followed by wet
and mild weather. March is bluflering and cold,
with frequent flights of fnow ; but the fun is then:
fo high as to melt the fnow at noon. In April the
open country is generally cleared of fnow ; but it
commonly lies in the woods till May. This is the
ufual routine of the wintry feafon ; but there arcs'
fometimes variations. In 1771, the fnow did not
fall till the end of January. In 1786, it was very
deep in the beginning of December. When the
fnow comes early, it preferves the ground from be-
ing deeply frozen, otherwife the froft penetrates to
the depth of three feet or more.

From the middle of September, the mornings and
evenings begin to be fo chill, that a fmall fire be-
comes a defirable companion. In Otftobcr, the
weather requires one to be kept more fteadily ;
from the time that the autumnal rains come on in
November, it is invariably ncccfl'ary, to the end of
March ; in April it is intermitted at noon ; a llorm
is always expelled in May; and, till that is paft, the
chimney is not clofed. We therefore reckon eight
months of cold weather in the year.

NEW-HAMPSHIRE. 17

Catde are houfcd from the beginning of Novem-
ber. In the feverefl weather, nature teaches the
fowls to roofl on the backs of cattle, in the barns,
to preferve their feet from being frozen. By the
beginning of May, the grafs is fuiBciently grown
for catde to live abroad ; good hufbandmen do not
permit them to feed till the twenty-lirft of May ;
but fcarcity of fodder obliges the poorer fort to de-
part from this rule.

A dry winter is extremely cold. The winter of
.1779 '80, was remarkably dry, without rain or thaw ;
the fnow was conftantly drifted by the wind, the
fprings of water were very lovv^, and the weather as
fevere and tedious as ever was experienced. It was
called the Canada winter, from its fimilarity to the
ufual dry cold of that climate.

A freezing rain is no uncommon fpectacle. The
trees are fometimes fo incrufted with ice that the
fmaller branches break with its weight. The fun,
fliining on thefe incruilations, affords a brilliant en-
tertainment to a curious fpectator ; but it is of fhort
duration.

On the feventeenth of February, 1782, an unufual
kind of hoar froll was obferved. The wind had
been northerly on the preceding day, with fome ap-
pearance of fnow. The morning was calm and
foggy. The trees and bufhes were white with froft,
which appeared on the north {ides, only, of the
twigs and fmaller branches ; but on the larger limbs
and trunks, there was none : Nor was any feen on
the houfes or fences, excepting on the fharp edges
of boards ; but every point of a Hick or nail, and
every rope and firing, which was expofed to the
north, was covered. The fpiculs were of ail lengths,
from an inch downward, and about the thicknefs
of a knitting pin. They increafed in number and
iize, for about two hours after the riling of the fun ^

G

IS HISTORY OF

and in about an hour after this, began to fall, like
fnow, on the ground ; they did not all difappear till
two hours after poon.

Light froils have been known in every month of
the year, excepting July. In June, 1764, a fudden
frofl nipped the Indian corn, then newly fprouted ;
but it recovered and fprouted again. A froft in Au-
guft is generally defliuctive to this vegetable ; the
corn being then in the milk. After it has grown
beyond this ftage, the frofc ferves to open the hufli
and dry the ears, to prepare it for harveft.

A foutheafl florm is often as violent, but common-
ly fiiorter, than one from tlie northeaft ; if it begin
with fnow it foon changes to rain, A briflc wind
from the weft or fouth wefty with a flight of fnow
or rain, fometimes happens, but its duration is very
iliort. Squalls of this kind are common in March.

In the fpring months there is generally a land
breeze in the morning ; a fea breeze begins an hour
or two before noon, and continues till about the fet-
ting of the fun. The heat of fummer is alfo fre-
quently allayed by breezes from the fea, but they
do not reach more than twenty or thirty miles into
the country, and the lighter ones not fo far. The
northeaft ftorms penetrate fixty or feventy miles,
but their violence is abated at that diftance from
the fea.

In July the weather is clear and hot. In Auguft
the heat is greateft, and is accompanied with a difa-
greeable dampnefs. Thunder is frequent in the
fummer months ; it is fometimes heard in fpring
and autumn, but rarely in the winter, though in
fnow ftorms the air is often highly electrified, and
flafties are fometimes feen. Thunder fliowers in the
fummer commonly rife in the weftern quarter,
and pafs over to the caft ; if they rife in the north
or northeaft, they produce hail, which fometimes

NEW-HAMPSHIRE. 19

proves dcftriictive to the fields ; but this mifchief it
never very extenfive. The hail has been known to
lie in hollow places, where it has rolled into heaps,
till the fuccecding day ; but for the mofl part, it
melts loon after falling.

it has often been obferved that thunder clouds,
■when near the earth, feem to be attracted by large
collections of water. In the neighbourhood of lakes
and ponds, the thunder is reverberated from the
furrounding mountains, in a grand and folemn echo
of long continuance. One of the moft violent thun-
der florms which was ever known in the maritime
parts of New-Hamplhire, was on the fourth of May,
1779, at noon., A cloud rofe in the N. W. and
another in the S. W. at the fame time ; they crofTed
each other, and the former pafTed very near the earth ;
a very black darknefs came on, the lightning was
an inceffant glare, and the thunder a continual peal
for about an hour. Many trees, feveral barns, mills
and dwelling-houfes were llruck ; cattle and fheep
were killed in the paflures in feveral towns ; and a
valuable new houfe, built for religious worfhip, at
Somerfworth, was fet on fire and confumed. Its
fteeple had a metallic vane and fpindle, but no con-
ductor to the earth. The bell was melted, and fell
while in a ftate of fufion, and no piece of it larger
than a mulket ball could be found. The ejffects of
this ftorm were to be traced from Kingflon, in a
northealierly direction, to the river Kennebeck.

A fouthwefl breeze in fummer is accompanied
with a ferene fky, and this is the warmefl of our
winds. Probably the tradition of the natives, that
heaven is fituated in the S. \V. arofe from this cir-
cumftance. The N. W. wind does not blow in fum-
mer, but after a thunder fhower, when its elaflicity
and coolnefs are as refrefliing as the preceding heat
is tedious.

20 HISTORY or

Sometimes the extreme heat of feveral days, pro*'
duces, in the marithne parts, a fea turn, and in the
inLand parts, a whirlwind. A remarkable inftance
of both happened in June, 1782. The heat had been
extreme for five days. On the 22d, after the fetting
of the fun, the wind fuddenly Ihifted from S. W. to
N. E. This change fenfibly aftected the human
body, and rendered an additional garment nccella-
ry. A very large quantity of Siberian wheat was
at that time in a fiate of luxuriant vegetation. As
far as the fea wind extended, which was from twen-
ty to thirty miles, the wheat was chilled and blalt-
ed ; beyond that dillance it was not injured. The
next day a whirlwind began near the river Connec-
ticut, the weftern boundary of New-Hampfliire, and
directed its courfe toward the eall:, in a vein of near
half a mile wide. In its progrefs its fury abated ;
but the blafl extended to the fea, and was accompa-
nied with thunder and rain,

Inftances of fudden changes in the weather, are
noted in the earliell accounts of the country. In
1658, when the apple trees were in blolTom, there
came on fuch a fudden and fevere degree of cold,
that in a fifliing boat belonging to Hampton, one
man died before they could reach the fhorc, anoth-
er was fo chilled that he died in a few days, and a
third loft his feet.* This inftance is very fingulan
The common feafon for the apple trees to bloflbm, is
about the third week in May ; but they are earlier
or later according to the degree of heat. On the
eleventh of May, 17G9, when the trees were in
bloom, an unufual flight of fnow covered them in
the afternoon, and continued till the next morning.

In a very warm autumn the earlieft apple trees
have produced bloftbms; and rofes have blown in the
month of October, but thefe appearances are very rare*

• MS letter of Rev. Mr. Gookin to Rev. Mi-. Prince.

NEW-HAMPSHIRE. 21

Sudden changes from cold to heat are lefs fre-
quent than the contrary. The mofl remarkable in-
flance of this kind happened in the winter of 1759
.'60. It was on the Lord's day, in the time of morn-
ing fervice. There had been a freezing rain in the
preceding night ; and the trees, houfes, and earth
were covered with ice. On a fudden, the wind
changed to the fouth ; the ice fell from the trees,
with a crackling noife, and a vapour rofe from the
houfes as if they had been on fire. On coming in-
to the open air, the change of the weather from fe-
vere cold, to fummer heat, was aflonifhing. The
greateft degree of heat which has been obierved by
Farenheit's thermometer is -^ and of cold f. Thefb
obfervations were made at Portfmouth.

Notwithftanding thefe anomalous inftances of in-
equality and fudden tranfition, the Iky is common-
ly fetded and fcrene for many days togetlier, and
the changes of weather are gradual. In the vvdnter,
a dry feafon, if there be fnow on the ground, is fa-
vourable for the purpofe of tranfportation in fleighs
and fledges. In fummer, if there be no extenfive
rain, for three or four weeks, the -want of it is fe-
verely felt. The years 1761 and 1762 were re-
markable for early drought, which caufed a fcarcity
of corn and hay ; the rain which fell in Augufl,
brought forward the latter feed in the paflures and
fields. The year 1782 was remarkable for a late
drought ; the latter feed and the autumnal
vegetables, were deftroyed. In October, the grafs
was fo dry as to crackle under the feet. The long
continuance of drought is obferved to produce a
coolnefs in the air. Thefe droughts do not affect
the mountainous parts of the country, fo much as
the plains ; which are alfo more injured by early
frofts than the higher lands.

In the fpringj the trees which have been felled the

22 HISTORY OF

preceding year, are burned in the new plantations.
If the Icalbn be dry, the flames fpread in the woods,
and a large extent of the foreil is fometimes on fire
at once. Fences and buildings are often dellroyed
by thefe raging conflagrations. The only effectual
way to prevent the fpreading of fuch a fire, is to
kindle another at a diftance, and to drive the flame
along through the buflies, or dry grafs, to meet the
greater nre, that all the fuel may be confumed.
This operation requires a large number of people,
and no fmall degree of dexterity and refolution. In
fwamps, a fire has been known to penetrate fcveral
feet under the ground, and confume the roots of trees.
When a fire has raged to this degree, nothing can
extinguifh it but a heavy rain.

From thefe numerous fires arife immenfe clouds
of fmoke, mingled with the burnt leaves of the trees,
which are carried to great di (lances by the wind.
Thefe clouds meeting with other vapours in the at-
mofphere, fometimes produce very lingular appear^
ances. The unufual darkiiefs of the nineteenth of
May, 1780, was caufed by fuch a combination of
vapours.

Fires had fpread very extenfively in the woods,
and the weilcrly wind had driven the fmoke over all
the country. It was fo thick near the horizon, for
feveral preceding days, that the fun difappeared
half an hour before its fetting ; and in the low
grounds, it was almoft fuffocating. The morning
of the nineteenth was cloudy, with fome rain ; and
a black cloud appeared in the fouthweft, from which
thunder was heard. The rain water, and the fur-
face of rivers, was covered with a footy fcum. The
remains of a fnovv'- drift, which had been raked clean
the preceding day, became black. Several fmall
birds flew into the houfcs, and others were found
dead abroad, being fuffocated. About an hour be-

NEW^HAMPSHIRE. 23

fore noon, the clouds afTumed a brafTy ?tppearance ;
after which their colour became a dulky grey ;
at one hour after noon it was neceflary to light
candles.

At the time of thegreateflobfcuration, the fmoke
of a chimney was obferved to rife perpendicularly,
and then incline to the weft. A thick fog, which
came in from the fea, moved along the hill tops in
the fame direction. The place where thefe obferva-
tions were made, was at Dover, fifteen miles diftant
from the fea. A light gleam was feen in the north.
The extent of this darknefs, was more than two
hundred miles, from north to fouth. To the weft-
ward, it reached beyond Albany, audit was obferv-
ed, by a veffel at fea, fifteen leagues eaftward of
Cape-Anne.

The darknefs varied its appearance, in fome places^
through the afternoon ; but in the maritime parts
of New-Hampfliire, there was no ceftation or inter-
ruption of it ; and the evening prefented a complete
fpecimen of as total darknefs as c?m be conceived.
Before midnight, the vapors difperfed, and the next
morning there was no appearance of them ; but for
feveral days after, clouds of fmoke were feen in mo-
tion, and the burnt leaves of trees were wafted
abroad by the wind.

In the neighborhood of frefh rivers and ponds a
whitifli fog in the morning, lying over the water,
is a fure indication of fair weather for that day ; and
when no fog is feen, rain is expected before night.
In the mountainous parts of the country, the afcent
of vapors, and their formation into clouds, is a curi-
ous and entertaining object. The vapors are feen
riiing in fmall columns, like fmoke from many chim-
neys. When rifen to a certain height, they fpread,
meet, condenfe, and are attracted by the mountains,
where they either diftil in gentle dews, and replen-

24 HISTORY OF

iili the fprings, or defcend in fhowers, accompanied
with thunder. After fhort intermiffions, the procefs
is repeated many times, in the courfe of a fummer
da/, affording to travellers a lively illuftration of
what is obferved in the book of Job, ' they are wet
* with the fliowers of the mountains.'*

The aurora borcalis was firil noticed in New-
Hamplhire, in the year 1719.f The elder people
fay it is much more frequent now than formerly.
It fometimes appears in the form of a luminous arch,
extending from eafl to weft ; but more commonly
rifes from a dark convexity in the north, and flalh-
es upward, toward the zenith. In a calm night, and
in the intervals between gentle flaws of wind, an at-
tentive ear, in a retired lituation, may perceive it to
be accompanied with a found. J This luminous ap-
pearance has been obferved in all feafons of the year,
in the extremes of heat and cold, and in all the in-
termediate degrees. The colour of the ftrcams is
fometimes variegated, white, blue, yellow and red,
the lullre of which, reflected from the fnow, is an
appearance highly picturefque and entertaining.

* Job xxiv. 8.

'I- Tlie following account of this appearance; is taken from the Boston News-Letter,
of Marcli 14, 1720.'

'• The late extraordinary appearance in the heavens, of December 1 1, is the first of the
kind that is known to liave been seen in New-England, and was at tlie same time ob-
served throughout tlie country. Some say it was seen at three several times, viz, at
eight, twelve, and again toward morning. The account of some, is, of a cloud lying
lengthway, toward the nortlnvest and northeast ; from the ends of which arose two
clouds, ascending toward the middle of the heavens, of a deep red colour, and almost
meeting each other, then descending toward the place whence they arose. The air was
light in the time of it, as a little after sun set, or before sun rise ; and some saw lights,
something like shooting stars, streaming upwards from the clouds. It was seen in our
towns all along ; and the great variety of accounts, may in part proceed from this, that
some saw only one, others another of its appearances."

X If any person would have a precise idea of the sound, caused by the flashing of
the aurora bireatis^ let liicnhold a silk handkerchief by the corner, in one hand, and with
the thumb and finger of the other hand, make a quick stroke along its edge.

Mr. Heirnein his journey to the northern ocean says, that be has frequently beard
the northern lights " make a rustling and crackling noise, like the waving of a large flag
in a fresh gale of wind," — Pajc 22 J, 4to edition.

NEW-HAMPSHIRE. 25

CHAP. III.

Face -f the Country. — Seacocst. — Mountains.

The whole extent of the fea coafl, from
the fouthern boundary, to the mouth of Pafcataqua
harbour, is about eighteen miles. The fliore is
moiliy a fandy beach, within which are fait marih-
66, intcrfected by creeks. There are feveral coves
for iithing veiTels ; but the only harbour for ihips,
is the entrance of Pafcataqua, where the fliore is
rocky. Some ledges and points of rocks, are fituate
to the fouthward of the harbour, off Rye ; but there
is no remarkable head land on the coaft. Two bluffs
only appear, elevated above the level of the beach,
which are called the great and little Boar's heads ;
thefe are in the town of Hampton.

The remarkable mountain, Agamenticus, lies about
four leagues north of the entrance of Pafcataqua,
and there are three inferior fummits, known by the
name of Froft's hills, at a lefs diftance, on the N. W»
Thefe are fituate within the Cou;ity of York, formerly
called the Province of Maine ; but from the fea, no
remarkable high lands appear, which are within the
limits of New-H!ampfhlre, nearer than twenty or
thirty miles. The firfh ridge is continued through
the towns of Rochefter, Barrington and Nottingham,
and the feveral fummits are dill inguiflied by differ-
ent names, as Teneriffe, Saddleback, luckaway,
&c. but the general name is the Blue Hills. Be-
yond thefe, are leveral higher ones, as Mount major,
Moofe mountain, &c. thefe are not in a continued
range, but detached ; between them are many fmall-
er elevations, fome of which are, and others are not
diflindtiy named. Farther back the mountains rife

26 HISTORY Oi

higher, and among the third range, Chocorua, Offa-
py and Kyarfarge, claim the preeminence. Beyond
thefe, is the lofty ridge, which is commonly called
the height of land, becaufe it feparates the branches
of the river Connec5licut, from thofe of Merrimack.
In this ridge is the Grand Monadnock, twenty-two
miles eaft of the river Connecticut, and ten miles
north of the fouthern boundary line. Thirty miles
north of this, lies Sunnapee mountain, and forty
eight miles farther, in the fame direction, is Moofhe-
lock. The ridge then is continued, northeafterly,
dividing the waters of the river Connecticut frona
thofe of Saco and Amarifcoggin. Here the moun-
tains rife much higher, and the mofl elevated iam-
mits in this range, are the White mountains.

Mountains appear of different colours, according-
to the nature of their exterior furface, the feafon
of the year, and the cliftance of the obferver. They
are all covered with wood, the fmaller ones wholly,
the larger have bald fumrnits, which appear white,
as long as the fnow remains ; but at other timeSy
vary their colour according to the diflance of the
obferver. If he is very nigh, they appear of the
grey colour of the rock, and the farther he recedes,
their appearance is a paler blue, till it becomes near-
ly of the colour of the flcy. The woody parts of
mountains wdien viewed at a fmall diftance, are
green, at a greater diftance, blue. From fome fa-
vorable htuations, all thefe varieties may be fcen at
oncc ; mountains of different fhades, textures and
elevations, are prefented to the eye of the curious
obferver.

The wood on thefe mountains, is of various
kinds but they have all more or Icfs of the ever-
greens, as pine, fpruce, hemlock and fir, intermixed
with flirubs and vines. It is univerfally obferved
that trees of every kind diminifli in their fize to-

NEW-HAMPSHIRE. 27

ward the fummit ; many of them, though fliort, ap-
pear to be very aged. On fome mountains we find
a Shrubbery of hemlock and fpruce, whofe branches
are knit together fo as to be impenetrable. The
fnow lodges on their tops, and a cavity is formed
underneath. Thefe are called by the Indians, Hak-
mantaks.

On the tops of feveral of the higheft mountains,
are fmall collediions of water, and on others mariliy
fpots, which are frequented by aquatic birds. The
roads over these mountains which are pafTable, are
frequently wet and miry, while the valleys below
are dry. About two or three feet under the fur-
face of the mountain, is a firm earth, called the pan,
which is impenetrable by water ; the rains and
dews are therefore retained in the fofter foil, or for-
med into fprings and brooks. This soil is made by
the rotting of fallen leaves and wood, the growth of
pafc ages.

We frequently obferve large rocks detached from
the mountains, fome of them fo diftant from
the bafe, that they could not have rolled thither but
in fome convulfion of the earth. Smaller maffes
are frequently diflodged by the thawing of the
ground in the fpring, after it has been heaved up
by the froft. In the year 1746, a party who were
ranging the woods, in the neighbourhood of the
White mountains, on a warm day, in the month of
March, were alarmed with a repeated noife, which
they fuppofed to be the firing of guns. On further
fearch, they found it to be caufed by rocks, falling
from the fouth fide of a fteep mountain.''^

Mountainous countries are obferved to be mofl
fubjedl to earthquakes ; and the nearer any lands
are to mountains, it may be expected that thefe

* Letter of Walter Bryent, Esq. who was one of the party.

28 HISTORY OF

commotions will bemorefreqnent. New-England has
never been vifited with dellructive carthe|uakes j but
more fhocks have been obferved in its northern than
in its fouthern parts. After the great ibc.cks in 1727
and 1755, which were perceived through a great part
of the continent, fmaller Ihocks were more frequent
in New-Hampihire than at Boilon. From 17.05 to
1774, fcarccly a year pafled without fome repetition;
from that time to 1783, none were obferved ; and
there have been but two or three iince.

Several phenomena relpeciing the larger moun-
tains, afford matter of amufemcnt ; aiicl fome are
of real ufe. People who live near theixi, humour-
oufly ftyle the mountains their almianack, becaufe,
by the afcent and attraction of vapors, they can
form a judgment of the weather. If a cloud is at-
tracted by a mountain, and hovers on its top, they
predict rain ; and if after rain, the mountain con-
tinues capped, they expect a repetition of Ihowers.
A ilorrn is preceded for feveral hours, by a roaring
of the mountain, which may be heard ten or twelve
miles. This is frequently obferved by people who
live near the grand Monadnock. It is alfo iiid,
that when there is a perfect calm on the fouth lide,
there is fometimes a fiu'ious wind on the north,
which drives the fnow, fo that it is {qqii whirling
far above the trees.*

The town of Moultonborough lies under the S.
W. fide of the great Olfapy mountain ; and it is
there obferved, that in a N. E. llorm, ' the wind

* falls over the mountain, like water over a dam ;

* and v/ith luch a force as frequently to imroof the

* houfes.'f

The altitude of this mountain, has not been af-
certained ; but that of the grand Monadnock was
mcallired in 1780, by James Winthrop, Efq. by

*Aijiswoitirs MS, letter. + Shaw's MS, letter.

NEW-HAMPSHIRE. 29

means of a barometer, and the table of correfpond-
ing heights, in Martin's Philofjphia Britanica^. At
the bafe, on the north fide, the barometer being at
Sf8,4, gave an elevation of io95feet. At the iip^-er
edL;e of the wood, it wras 27,0, which denoted it82
feet ; and at the highcil point of the rock, 2t>,4,
which announced an elevation of 3254 feet above
the level of the fea.

The bafe of this mountain is about five miles in
diameter, from north to fouth ; and about three,
from eaft to weft. Its fummit is a bald rock ; on
fome parts of it are large piles of broken rocks ;
and on the fides are fome appearances of the explo-
iion of fubterrancous fires.

A fimilar phenomenon has been obferved on a
mountain, in the towniliip of Chellerficld, adjoining
Connecticut river, called Weft river mountain. A-
bout the year 17S0, the garrifon of Fort Dummer,
diflant four miles, was alarmed wich frequent ex-
plofions, and with columns of fire and fmoke, emit-
ted from the mountain. The like appearances have
been obferved at various times fince ; particularly^
one in 175t^, wms the mod violent of any. There
are two places, where the rocks bear marks of hav-
ing been heated and calcined. A company of per-
fons having conceived a notion of precious metals
being contained in this mountain, have penetrated
it in various directions ; and have found further
evidences of internal fires ; particularly a large
quantity oi fcorice^ in fome parts loofe, in others ad-
hering to the rocks. The only valuable effedt of
their induflry, is the difcovery of a fine, fbft, yellow
earth, which when burned, is changed into a brown
pigment ; and another of the colour of the peach
blolTom. There is alfo obferved on the earth, which
has been thrown out, a white incruflation, which
has the tafte of nitre. The top of the niountaia is

* Vol. il. page 132.

so HISTORY OF

an area, of about twenty rods fquare, which is hol-
low ; and in a wet feafon, is filled with water, as is
common on the tops of mountains ; but there is no
appearance of fuch a crater as is peculiar to volca-
nos. Under the mountain, are many fragments of
rock, which have fallen from it ; but whether by
explofions, or any other convuHions, or by force of
the froft, cannot be afcertained. An account of
thefe appearances was fent to the Academy of arts
and fciences, by the late Daniel Jones, Efq. of Hinf-
dale.* Since which, it is faid, that the noife has
been again heard ; but in a late vifit to the moun-
tain, by the Rev. Mr. Gay, no fign of any recent
explofion, could be difcovered j nor can any thing
be added to what Mr. Jones has written on the
fubjedl.f

* MemoirfiVol. 1. page 812. t Gay's MS, letter Oct. 29, 179(H

NEW-HAMPSHIRE* 01

CHAP. IV.

Particular Description of the JVhite Mountains.

From the earlleft fettlement of the conn*
try, the White mountains have attradled the atten-
tion of all forts of perfons. They are undoubtedly
the higheft land in New-England, and in clear wea-
tjier, are difcovered before any other land, by veflels
coming in to the eaftern coall ; but by reafon of
their white appearance, are frequently miflaken for
clouds. They are vifible on the land at the diftance
of eighty miles, on the fouth and foutheafl iides ;
they appear higher when viewed from the northeafl,
and it is faid, they are feen from the neighbourhood
of Chamble and Quebec* The Indians gave them
the name of Agiocochook : They had a very ancient
tradition that their country was once drowned, with
all its inhabitants, except one Powaw and his wife,
who, forefeeing the flood, fled to thefe mountains,
where they were preferved, and that from them the
country was re-peopled.* They had a fuperftitious
veneration for the fummit, as the habitation of in-
vifible beings ; they never ventured to afcend it, and
always endeavoured to difluade every one from the
attempt. From them, and the captives, whom they
fometimes led to Canada, through the pafTes of thefe
mountains, many fictions have been propagated,
which have given rife to marvellous and incredible
ftories ; particularly, it has been reported, that at
immenfe and inacceflible heights, there have been
feen carbuncles, which are fuppofed to appear lu-
minous in the night. Some writers, who have at*

* Josselyn's voyage t© New-England, p. I3$>

32 HISTORY Of

tempted to give an account of tliefe mountains, have
afcribed tiie whicenefs of them, to fliining rocks,
or a kind of white mofs ; and the higheft fummit
has been deemed inacceiTible, on account of the ex-
treme cold, which threatens to freeze the traveller,
in the midft of fummcr.

Nature has, indeed, in that region, formed her
works on a large fcale, and prefented to view, many
objedls which do not ordinarily occur. A perfon
who is unacquainted with a mountainous country,
cannot, upon his firfl coming into it, make an ade-
quate judgment of heights and diitances ; he will
imagine every thing to be nearer and lefs than it
really is, until, by experience, he learns to corredl
his apprehenfions, and accommodate his eye to the
magnitude and ficaatio;! of the objeifls around him.
When amazemeat is excited by the grandeur and
fiiblimity of the fcenes prefented to view, it is necef-
fary to curb the imagination, and exercife judgm.ent
with mathematical preciiion ; or the temptation to
romance will be invincible.

The White mountains are the moft elevated part
of a ridge, which extends N. E. and S. W. to an im-
menfe diilance. The area of their bafe, is an irreg-
ular figure, the whole circuit of which, is not lefs
than fixty miles. The number of fummits within
this area, cannot at prefent be afcertained, the coun-
try round them being a thick wildernefs. The
greateil number which can be feen at once, is at
Dartmouth, on the N. W. fide, where feven fummits
appear at one view, of which four are bald. Of
thefe, the three higliefl are the moil diftant, being
on the eafiiern fide of the clufter ; one of thefe is the
mountain which makes fo majeflic an appearance
all along the fiiore of the eaftern counties of Mafla-
chufetts : It has lately been diftinguilhed by the
name of Mon;i/ WASHINGTON.

NEW-HAMPSHIRE. S3

To arrive at the foot of this mountain, there is a
continual afcent of twelve miles, from the plain of
Pigwackct, which brings the traveller to the height
of land, between Saco and Amarifcoggin rivers. At
this height there is a level of about a mile fquare,
part of which is a meadow, formerly a beaver pond,
v/itli a dam at each end. Here, though elevated
m }re than three thoufand feet above the level of the
fca, the traveller findo hi^nfelf in a deep valley. Oa
the eail is a deep mountain, out of which iflTue feve-
ral fprings, one of which is the fountain of Ellis
river, a branch of Saco, which runs fouth ; another
of Peabody river, a branch of Amarifcoggin, which
runs north. From this meadow, tovv^ard the weit,
there is an uninterrupted afcent, on a ridge, between
two deep gullies, to the fummit of Mount Walhing-
ton.

The lower part of the mouiltain is fhaded by a
thick growth of fpruce and fir. The furface is com-
pofed of rocks, covered with very long green mofs,
which extends from one rock to another, and is, ia
many places, fo thick and ftrong, as to bear a man's
weight. This immenfe bed of mofs, ferves as a
fponge, to retain the moiiture brought by the clouds
and vanours, which are frequentlv rilinrr and path-
ering round the mountains ; the thick growth of
wood, prevents the rays of the fun from penetrat-
ing to exhale it ; fo that there is a conilant fapply
of .vater dcpofited in the crevices of the rocks, and
ifTiiing in the form of fprings, from every part of
the mountain.

The rocks which compofe the furface of the moun-
tain, are, in fome parts, flate, in others, flint ; fome
fpecimens of rock chryHal have been found, but of
no great value. No lime flone has yet been di (cov-
ered, though the moft likely rocks have been tried
with aquafortis. There is one precipice, on tha

34 HISTORY OF

eaflern fide, not only completely perpendicular, but
compofed of fquare flones, as regukr as a piece of
mafonry ; it is about five feet high, and from fif-
teen to twenty in length. The uppermoll rocks of
the mountain, are the common quartz, of a dark
grey colour ; when broken, they Ihew very fmall
fliining fpecks, but there is no f lich appearance on
the exterior part. The eaflern fide of the mountain,
rifes in an angle of 45 degrees, and requires fix or
feven hours of hard labour to afcend it. Many of
the precipices are fo fleep, as to oblige the traveller
to ufe his hands, as well as feet, and to hold by the
trees, which diminilh in fize, till they degenerate to
Ihrubs and bulhes ; above tliefe, are low vines, fome
bearing red, and others blue berries, and the upper-
moft vegetation is a fpecies of grafs, called winter-
grafs, mixed with the mofs of the rocks.*

Having furmounted the upper and fteepeft preci-
pice, there is a large area, called the plain. It is a
dry heath, compofed of rocks covered with mofs,

"'' " At tlie base of the summit of Mount Wasliington, the limits of vegetation may
with propriety be fixed. There are indeed, on some of the rocks, even to their apices
scattered specks of a mossy appearance; but I conctive them to be extraneous substan-
ces, accidentally adhering- to t!>c rocks, for I could not discover, with niy botanical mi-
croscope, any part of tliat plant regularly formed. The limits of vegetation at the base
of this summit, are as well defined as that between the woods and the bald or mossy
part. So striking is theajjpearance, that at a considerable distance, the mind is impress-
ed with an idea, that vegetation extends no farther than a line, as well defined as the
penumbra and shadow, in a lunar eclipse. Tlie stones I have by me, from the summit,
have not the smallest appearance of moss upon them.

" Tliere is evidently the appearance of three xones — 1, the woods — 2, the bald mossy
part — 3. the part above vegetation. The same appearance has been observed on the
Alps, and all other high mountains.

" I recollect no grass on the plain. The spaces between the rocks in tlie second zone,
and on the plain, are filled with spruce and fir, which, perhaps, have been growing ever
since the creation, and yet many of them have not attained a greater height tlian three
or four inches, but their spreading tops are so thick and strong, as to support the weight
of a man, without yielding in the smallest degree. The snows and winds keeping the
surface even with the general surface of the rocks. In many places, on the sides, we
could get glades of tliis growth, some rods in extent, when we could, by sitting down O'l
our feet, slide the whole length. The tops of the growth of wood were so thick and
firm, as to bear us currently, a considerable distance, before we arrived a 1 the utmost
boundaries, which were almost as well defined as the water on the shore of a pond. The
tops of the woo-l, had the appearance of having been shorn off, exhibiting a smooth svir-
face, from thtjir upper limits, to a great distance down the mountain."

MS.of Dr. Cutler.

NEW-HAMPSHIRE. 35

and bearing the appearance of a paflure, in the be-
ginning of the winter ieafon. In fome openings,
between the rocks, there are fprings of water, in
others dry gravel. Here the grous or heath bird
reforts, and is generally out of danger ; feveral of
them were fliot by fome travellers in October, 1774.
The extent of this plain is uncertain i from the
eaf:ern iide, to the foot of the pinnacle, or fugar-
loaf, it is nearly level, and it may be walked over
in lefs than an hour. The fugar loaf, is a pyrami-
dal heap of grey rocks, wdiich, in fome places, are
formed like winding fleps. This pinnacle has been
afcended in one hour and a half. The traveller
having gained the fumniit, is recompenfed for his
toil, if the flvy be fercne, with a mod noble and ex-
tcniive profpe<5l. On the S. E. hde, there is a view
of the Atlantic ocean, the neareft part of which, is
fixry-five miles, in a direct line. On the W. and
N. the profpe(ft is bounded by the high lands, which
feparate the waters of ConnecSlicut and Arnarifcog-
gin rivers, from thofe of Lake Champlain and St.
Lawrence. On the fouth, it extends to the fouthern-
moft mountains of New-Hampfliire, comprehend-
ing a view of the Lake Winipifeogee. On every
fide of thefe mountains, are long winding gullies,
beginning at the precipice below the plain ; and
deepening in the defcent. In winter, the fnow
lodges in thefe gullies ; and being driven, by the
N. W. and N. E. wnnd, from the top, is deepeft in
thofe which are fituated on the foutherly fide. It
is obferved to lie longer in the fpring on the fouth,
than on the N. W. fide, which is the cafe with many
other hills in New-Hamplhire.

A ranging company, who afcended the highefl
mountain, on the N. W. part, April 29th, 1725,
found the fnow four feet deep on that fide ; the fum-
mit was almoft bare of fnow, though covered with

36 lIISTOPvY OF

white frofl: and ice, and a fmall pond of water, near
the top, was Iiard frozen.

In 1774, fome men, who were making a road
thvoiigh the eaftern pafs of the Uiountain, afcended
the mountain to the fummit, on the 6th of June, and
on the fouth fide, in one of the deep gaUies, lound
a body of fnow thirteen feet deep, ana i'o hard, as to
bear them. On the i9th of the fame month, fome
Oi the fam.e party afcended again, and in the fame
fpot, the fnow v/as five feet deep. In the firfi: week
ofjSeptember, 1783, two men, v/ho attempted toaf^
cend the moimtain, found the bald top io covered
with fnow and Ice, then newly formed, that they
could not reach the fummit; but this does not hap-
pen every year fo foon ; for the mountain has been
afcended as iate as the firil week in October, when
no fnow was upon it ; and though the mountains be-
gin to be covered, at times, with fnov/, as early as
September, yet it gees off again, and feldom gets fix-
ed till the end cf Ocuober, or the beginning of No-
vember ; butfiom that time it remains till July.*
In the yeir 1 784, fliov/ was feen on the fouth fide of
the largell mo.intain, till the ifith of July ; in 1790,
it lay till the month of Augufl.

* The following is a joiirnal of the appearances of the mountain, in the autumnal
montlis of 1781, observed by the Rev. Mr. Haven, of Kochesier, whose house is in plain
•new of the south side of the mountain, distant about sixty miles.
Sept. 17 and 18. a X. E. storm of rain.
20. Mout'.tain appeared white.
22, Of a pale blue.
Oct. 8 and 4.Kaui, succeeded by frast.
6, Mountain v.'hite.
8, Of a pak' blue.
8, White at the west end.

10, Wiiiiein the morning, most prt blue P. M,
22 and 24. Blue.

28, Whitf at the west end, the rest blue.
Nov. 2, A spot of white at the west end.

4, Uni'bmily white.

5, Very white.

From this time, to tlie 23d, when the weather was clear enough to sec so far, the 1ow«}
part of the mountain appealed very white ; the summit involved in scjually clouds.
N. B. the west ead is the liighest part.

NEW-HAMPSHIRE, 87

During this period, of nine or ten months, the
mountains exhibit more or leis of that bright ap-
pearance, from which they are denominated white.
In the ipring-, when the fnow is partly diiTolved,
they appear of a pale blue, ftreaked with white ;
and after it is wholly gone, at the diRance of fixty
miles, they are altogether of the fame pale blue,
nearly apprca.ching a fl^y colour ; yhile at the fame
time, viewed at the dillance of eight miles or lefs,
they appear of the proper colour of the rock. Thefe
changes are obferved by the people who live within
conilant view of them ; and from thefe fadls and
obfervations, it m.ay with certainty be concluded,
that the whitenefs of them is wholly caufed by the
fnov/, and not by any other v/hite fubflance, for in
fadl, there is none. There are indeed in the fum-
mer months, fome dreaks, which appear brighter
than other p?.rts ; but thefe, when viewed attentive-
ly with a telefcope, are plainly dilcerned to be the
edges or the fides of the long deep gullies, enlight-
ened by the fun, and the dark parts are the fhaded
fides of the fame ; in the coarfe of a day, thefe
fpots ma.y be iQen to vary, according to the pofition
of the fun.

A company of gentlemen vifited thefe mountains
in July, 1784, with a view to make particular ob-
fervations on the feveral phenomena which might
occur. It happened, unfortunately, that thick
clouds covered the mountains almoft the whole
time, fo that fomie of the inflruments, which, with
much labour, they had carried up, were rendered
ufelcfs. Thefe were a fextant, a telefcope, an inftru-
ment for afcertaining the bearings of dillant objedls,
a barometer, a thermometer and feveral others for
different purpofes. In the barometer, the mercury
ranged at 22,6, and the theimometer flood at 44
degrees. It was their intention to have placed one

58 HISTORY OF

of each at the foot of the mountahi, at the flime
thne that the others were carried to the top, for the
purpofe of making correfponding obfervations ; but
they were unhappily broken in the courfe of the
journey, through the rugged roads and thick woods ;
and the barometer, which was carried to the fum-
mit, had fufFered fo much agitation, that an allow-
ance was necelfary to be made, in calculating
the height of the mountain, which was computed
in round numbers, at five thoufand and five hundred
feet above the meadow, in the valley below, and
nearly ten thoufand feet above the level of the iea.*
They intended to have made a geometrical menfur-
ation of the altitude ; but in the meadow, they
could not obtain a bafe of iufficient length, nor fee
the fummit of the fugar loaf; and in another place,
where thcfe inconveniences were removed, they
were prevented by the almofl continual obfcuration
of the mountains, by clouds.

Their excrcife, in afcending the mountain, was
fo violent, that when Do(5lor Cutler, who carried
the thermometer, took it out of his bofom, the mer-
cury flood at fever heat, but it foon fell to 44^, and
by the time that he had adjulled his barometer and
thermometer, the cold had nearly deprived him of
the nfe of his fingers. On the upper mod rock, the
Rev. Mr. Little began to engrave the letters N. H.
but was fo chilled with the cold, that he gave the
inftruments to Col. Whipple, who finilhed the let-
ters. Under a (tone, they left a plate of lead, on
which their names were engraven. The fun ihone
clear while they were pafilng over the plain, but
immediately after their arrival at the higheil fum-

* Tliis compulation wns made by tlie Rev. Dr. Cutler. Subsequent observations
and calculations have induced tlie author to believe tl)e computation of liis inf!^eniou«
friend too iiicxler.itc, and lie is persuadetl, that whenever the mountain can be measured
witli tlie requidte precision, it will be found to exceed ten Uioueajid {eet, of perpendicfi*
Lr sltitude, above tlic level of the ocean.

NEW-HAMPSHIRE. 39

mlt, they had the mortification to be inveloped in
a denle cloud, which came up the oppofitc fide of
the mountain. This unfortunate circumftance, pre-
vented their making any fiU'ther ufe of their infbru-
inents. Being thus involved, as they were defcend-
ing from the plain, in one of the long, deep gullies,
not being able to fee to the bottom, on a fudden,
their pilot flipped, and was gone out of fight,
though happily, without any other damage, than
tearing his cloches. This accident obliged them to
flop. When they turned their eyes upward, they
were afloaiihed at the immenfe depth and fleep-
nefs of the place, which they had defcended by
fixing their heels on the prominent parts of the
rock, and found it impracticable to reafcend the
fame way ; but having difcovered a winding gully,
of a more gradual afcent, in this they got up to the
plain, and then came down on the eailern fide ; this
deep gully, was on the S. E. From thefe circum-
ftances, it may be inferred, that it is more practica-
ble and fafe, to afcend or defcend on the ridges, than,
in the gullies of the mountain.

Thefe vaft and irregular heights, being copioufly
repieniflied with water, exhibit a great variety of
beautiful cafcades ; fomc of which fall in a perpen-
dicular flieet or fpout, others are winding and flop-
ing, others fpread, and form a bafon in the rock,
and then gufli in a cataract over its edge. A poet-
ic fancy may find full gratification amidft thefe wild
and rugged fcenes, if its ardor be not checked by the
fatigue of the approach. Almofl every thing in na-
ture, which can be fuppofed capable of infpiring
ideas of the fublime and beautiful, is here realized*
Aged mountains, ftupendous elevations, rolling
clouds, impending rocks, verdant woods, chryftal
flreams, the gentle rill, and the roaring torrent, all
confpire to amaze, to foothe and to enrapture.

40 HISTORY or

On the weftern part of thcfe mountains is a pais,
commonly called the notch, which, in the narrowefl
part, mealures but twenty-two feet, between two
perpendicular rocks. From the height above it, a
brook defcendsj and meanders through a meadow,
formerly a beaver pond. It is furrounded by rocks,
which, on one iide.; are perpendicular, and on the
others, rife in an angle of forty- five degrees — a ftrik-
ingly picturefque frene ! This deiile was knovvm to
the Indians, who formerly led their captives through
it to Canada ; bat it had been forgotten or neglect-
ed, till the year 1771, when tv/o hunters paiTed
.through it, and from their report, the proprietors of
lands, on the northern parts of Connecticut river,
formed the plan of a road through it, to the upper
Cohos, from wdiich it is diflant twenty-live miles.
Along the eailern fide of the ir^eadow, iinder the per-
pendicular rock, is a caufeway, of Izige logs, funk
into the mud by rocks, blown with gunpowder,
from the mountain. * On this foundation, is con-
fhructed a road, which paiTes through the narrov/
defde, at the fouth end of the meadow, leaving a
paiTage for the rivulet, which glides along the weft-
ern fide. This rivulet, is the head of the river Saco ;
and on the north iide of the meadow, at a little dif-
tance, is another brook, which is the head of Amo-
noofuck, a large branch of Connecticut river. The
latitude of this place, is 44^ l'J\ M.

The rivulet, which gives rife to Saco, defcendg
towards the fouth ; and at a little diftance from the
deiile, its waters are augmented by two ftreams from
the left, one of which defcends in a trench of two
feet wide, and is called the ilume, from the near re-
femblance which it bears to an artificial flume. O-
ver thefe are thrown ftrong bridges t and the whole
conftruction of this road, is firm and durable ; much
labour has been expended upon it, and the net pro-

NEW-HAMPSHIRE. 41

ceeds of a confifcaccd eflate, were applied, to defray
the expenfe. In the defeent, the pal's widens, and
the llreain increafes ; but for eight or ten miles from
the notch, the mountains on each fide are fo near,
as to leave room only for the river and its intervales ;
which are not more than half a mile wide. In the
courfc of this defeent, feveral curious objects prefenC
themfelves to view. On the fide of one mountain,
is a projection, refombling a fhelf, on which ftand
four large fquare rocks, in a form refembling as
many huge folio volumes. In two or three places,
at immenfe heights, and perfectly inaccellible, ap-
pear rocks, of a white and red hue, the furface of
which is polilhed, like a mirror, by the conRant
trickling of water over them. Thefe being expofed
to the weft and fouth, are capable, in the night, of
rejecting the moon and ftar beams to the wonder-
ing traveller in the deep, dark valley below, and by
the help of imagination, are fu5icient to give rife to
the fiction of carbuncles.

To encompafs thefe mountains as the roads are
laid out, through the eaftern and weftern paffes, and
round the northern fide of the whole cl niter, it is
necefTary to travel more than feventy miles, and to
ford eight confiderable rivers, befide many final ler
ftreams. The diftance between the heads of rivers,
which purfue fuch different courfes, from this im-
menfe elevation, pmd which fall into the fea, fo ma-
ny hundered miles afunder, is fo fmall, that a trav-
eller may, in the courfe of one day, drink the wa-
ters of Saco, Amarifcoggin and Connecticut rivers.
Thefe waters are all perfectly limpid and fweet, ex-
cepting one brook, on the eailern fide of Mount
Wafhington, which has a faponaceous talle, and is
covered with a very thick and ftrong froth. It is
faid, that there is a part of the mountain where the
jnagenetic needle refufes to traverfe ; this is proba-

42 HISTORY OF

bly caufed by a body of iron ore. It is alfo faid,
that a mineral, fuppofcd to be lead, has been dif-
covered, near the eaftern pais ; but that the fpot
cannot now be fovind. What (lores the bowels of
the mountains contain, time mufl unfold ; all fearch-
es for fabterraneous treafures, having hitherto prov-
ed fruitlefs. The moft certain riches which they
yield, are the frefhets, which bring down the foil,
to the intervales below, and form a fine mould, pro-
ducing, by the aid of cultivation, corn and herbage,
in the moil luxuriant plenty.

NEW-HAMPSHIRE. 48

C H A P. V.

Rivers and o'.her IVatcrs.

\% ATURE has formed fuch a connection
between moantains and. rivers, that in defcribing
one, we are unavoidably led to fpeak of the other.

New-FIamplliire is fo fituated, that five of the
largeft rivers in New-England, either take their rife
"widiin its limits, or receive much of their water
from its mountains. Thefe are the Connecticut^
Amariicoggin, Saco, Merrimack and Pafcataqua.

Connecticut river rifes in a ridge of mountains,
which extend northeaflerly, to the gulph of St. Law-
rence. It has been furveyed, about twenty-five
miles beyond the forty-fifth degree ol latitude, to
the fpring head of its northweflcrn branch. This
river extends, on the weftern border of New-Hamp-
ihire, about one hundred and feventy miles. Jts
general courfe, for the nrft thirty miles, is fouth ;
for the next thirty, fouthvv^eft ; for the next fifty,
foath-fouthwedj and for the remainder of its courfe,
it inclines more to the fouth ; but there are numer-
ous ferpentine curves, of almofl every direction, ia
the extent of thefe general lines. Befides many
flreams of lefs note, it receives, on its eaftern fide,
{q^qw very confiderable rivers ; upper Amonoofuck,
Ifrael and John's rivers, lower Amonoofuck, Sugar
river, Cold river and Alhuelot, all which originate
within the limits of New-Hampihire, on the weflera
part of the height of land.

Amarifcoggin river, rifes near the end of the di-
"viding line, between New-Hampfliire and the old
Province of Maine, The lake Umbagog, and fever*

44 HISTORY OF

al fmaller ponds, flow into it. From that lake, the
river runs in a fouthern direction, nearly parallel to
Connecticut river, and diftant from it, about twen-
ty-five miles ; but it is deeper, wider, and more rap-
id. In croihng the country, from Canada, travellers
have paiTed Connecticut river, thinking it only a
brook, and then flriking on Am-arifcoggln, have
miftaken it for Connecticut, and followed its courfe.
The milhike, however, may be difcovered, by ob-
ferving,that afcer thcfe rivers have run parallel about
twenty miles, the inclination of Amarifccggin, is to
the call:, and of Connecticut, to the well. Alter
Amarifccggin begins to take an eaflerly direction,
it foon crolfes the luie, into the Province of Maine,
and having watered a great extent of country, in
which many new tov/nihips are now fettling, it
forms a junction with Kenebeck, and flows into the
fea at Sagadahock.

The head of Saco river, is in the White moun-
tains, at the wcflern pals, commonly called the
notch ; near which?, alfo, rifes the lower Amonoo-
fuck, which runs weilerly, into Connecticut river.
Saco takes a foutherly direction, down the moun-
tain. A large branch of it, called Ellis river, rifes
at the eaflern pafs of the mountains, where alio
originates Peabody river, a branch of Amarifcoggin.
The fountain heads of thefe two rivers are fo near,
that a man may fet his foot in one, and reach, with
his hand, to the other. In lefs than half a mile, fouth-
ward from this fountain, a large ftream, which runs
down the liighefl of the White mountains, falls into
Ellis river, and in about the fame diftance from
this, another falls from the fame mountain ; the
former of thofc flreams is Cutler's river, the latter
New river. The New river firfl made its appear-
ance during a long rain, in October, 1775. It bore
down many rocks and trees, forming a fcene of ru-

NEW-HAMPSHIRE. 45

in for a long courfe. It has ever fince been a con-
ftant dream, and where it falls into Ellis river, pre-
fents to view a noble cafcade, of about one hundred
feet, above v/hich, it is divided into three ftreams,
which iffue out of the bowels of the mountain. Sev-
eral other branches of Saco river, fall from different
parts of this immenfe clufter of mountains, and
unite about twelve or fifteen miles from their fource,
at the plain of Pigwacket. Thefe llreams have a
fteep defcent, and a rapid current, and the river Sa-
co is obferved to rife and overflow very fuddenly,
in a time of rain, and to fubfide as fuddenly, after
the rain has ceafcd. It pailes, in a very ferpentine
courfe, through the townfliip of Conway, then crofies
the line, into Brownfield and Friburg, and its courfe
from thence to the fea, is about for tv- five miles,
foutheafl. It receives, on its weflcrn fide, two riv-
ers, called the great and little Offapy ; the former
of which, comes from a large pond, under a high
mountain, both of which bear the fame name ; the
latter flows out of a fmaller pond, on the divifion
line, and falls into Saco river, about nine miles be-
low the mouth of the other. In fome maps, the
lefler Offapy is laid down as a branch of the great-
er, but they are two difl;inct branches of Saco river.
Merrimack river is formed by the confluence of
Pemigewaffet and Winipifeogee rivers ; the former
flows from the eaftern part of the ridge called the
height of land. To one branch of it, Moofehelock
mountain gives rife ; another comes from the S. W.
extremity of the White mountains, and a third from
the townfliip of Franconia. The general courfe of
this river, from its fource, is fouth, about fifty miles.
Receives, on its weftern fide. Baker's river, which
comes from the height of land, a ftream from New
Chefter pond, and another called Smith's river, be-
sides many fmaller ones. On its eaftern fide, it re-

46 HISTORY OF

celves a ftream from Squam ponds, with feveral
large and fmall brooks. In its long dufccnr from
the mountains, there are many falls, and its banks,
in fome places, are very Aeep and rug^.^cd. \vini-
pifeogee river, comes from the lake of that name,
and unites its waters with Pemigewaifet, at the low-
er end of Sanborntown. From this junction, the
confluent ftream bears the naiT»^ of Merrimack, to
the fca. It receives, on its wcitern fide, before it
croiTes the boundary line, Blackwater, Contoocook,
Pifcataquoag, Souhegan, and Naihua rivers. On
its eadern fide, it receives Bowcook, Suncook, Co-
has, Beaver, Spicket and Powow rivers. It runs a-r
bout ninety miles, firft in a foutherly, then in an
eafterly direction, and falls into the lea at Nc\v-i
bury-Port.

In its courfe through New-PIamplhire, it palTcs
oyer feveral falls, the moft beautiful of which, is
called the ifle of Hookfet, but the grandefl is Amul-
keag. Hookfet is about eight miles below the town
of Cor>cord ; the dcfcent of the water is, not more
than fifteen feet perpendicular, in thirty rods ; a
high rock divides the flream, and a iinaller rock lies
between that and tlie wcftern {horc. Prom an emi-
nence, on the wcllern fide, there is a delirditml
landlcape ; the water above and belovv^ the fall, the
verdant banks, the cultivated fields, and the difcant
hills, in the back ground, form a pidurefquc fccne,
which relieves the eye of the traveller tvom the dull
uniformity of a road through the woods.

Eight miles below Hooklet, lies AmuflLcag fall ;
it confirts of three large pitches, one below the other,
and the water is fuppoled to fall about eighty feet,
in the courfe of half a mile. The river here is fo
crooked, that the whole of the fall cannot be view-
ed at once ; though the fecond pitch, which may
bp {'con. from the road, on the weitern fide, appeaus

NEW-HAMPSHIRE. 47

truly majefllc. In the middle of the upper part of
the fall, is a high, rocky idand, on fome parts of
which, are fevcral holes, of various depths, made by
the circular motion of finall ftones, impelled by the
force of the defcending water.*

At Walpole, is a remarkable fall, in Connedlicut
river,f formerly known by the name of the great
fail. The breadth of the river, above the fall, is
twenty-two rods. A large rock divides the flrpam
into two channels, each about ninety feet wide, on
the top of the ihelving bank. When the water is
low, the eaftern channel appears crofled, by a bar
of folid rock, and the whole ftream falls into the
wellern channel, where it is contracfted to the
breadth of fixteen feet, and flows with aftonifning
rapidity ; but the depth of the water is not known,
nor has the perpendicular height of the fall been
afcertained. 1 here are feveral pitches, one above
another, in the length of half a mile, the largefl of
which, is that where tlie rock divides the ftream.
Notwithftanding the velocity of the current, the
fahnon pafs vip this fall, and are taken many miles
above ; but the Iliad proceed no farther.

In the rocks of this fall, are many cavities, like
thofe at Amuikeag, fome of which are eighteen
inches wide, and from two to four feet deep. On
the fteep fides of the ifland rock, hang feveral arm
chairs, faftened to ladders, and fecured by a coun-
terpoife, in which fifhermen fit to catch falmon and
fhad with dipping nets.

* The followinrr account of these cavities, was formerly sent to the royal society, and
printed in their plii'osophical transactions, vol. xxix. pa^e 70.

" A little above one of the falls of this river, at a place called Amuskeag-, is a huge,
rock, in the mi Ist of the stream, on the top of which, are a great mimber of pits, made
exactly round, 'ike barrels or hogsheads of different capacities, some of which are capable
of hoHing several tuns. The natives know nothing of the making of them ; but tliu
iieiejhbouring Indians used to hide their provisions here, in the wars with the Maquas,
a'lirming that God had cut them out for that purpose ; but they seem plainly to be

t This fall has been described in tbe most extravagant terms, in an anonjTTious publi-
•ation, entitled ' the History of Connecticut ;' and the description has been frequently'
r«uil«d ui the news papers, and «th«r p«tiodie<U works.

48 HISTORY OF

Over this fiill, in the year 1785, a ftrong bridge
of timber was coii{lru<5led by Col. Enoch Hale. Its
length is three hundred and fixty-five feet, and it is
iupported in the middle by the great rock. The
expcnfc of it was eight hundred pounds, and by a
law of the State, a toll is collected from pafTengers.
This is the only bridge acrofs Connedlicut river ;
but it is in contemplation to erecfl one, thirty-fix
miles above, at the middle bar of White river fall,
where the pafl'age for the water, between the rocks,
is about one hundred feet wide. This place, is iri
the townfhip of Lebanon, two miles below Dart-
mouth college.

It would be endlefs to defcribe, particularly the
numerous falls, which, in the mountainous parts of
the country, exhibit a great variety of curious ap-
pearances, many of v/hich have been reprefented in
the language of ficflion and romance. But there is
one in Salmon-fall river, which, not for its magni-
tude, but for its fingularity, deferves notice. It is
called the flume, and is fituate between the town-
fliips of Rocheller and Lebanon. The river is here
confined between two rocks, about twenty-five feet
high ; the breadth, at the top of the bank, is not
more than three rods. I once vifited this place, in
a time of fevere drought (September, 1782,) when
the flat rocks, which form the bed of the river,
were moflly dry. The flume is about four rods in
length, and its breadth is various, not more in any
part than two feet and a half, and in one part,
fcarcely an hand breadth ; but here the water had
a fubterraneous paiTage.

In the flat rock, arc divers cavities, like thofe
abovementioned ; fome of them are cylindrical, and.
others globular ; all of them contained a quantity
of fmail (bones and gravel, and in one of them

NEW-HAMrSIIIRE. 40

was a large turtle and feveral frogs. The dimen-
fions of five of thefe hoks, were as follows :
Diameters in Depth in

feet and inches. feet and inches.

7 (Jillcd with Jlofies.J

3 S

1 3 4

1 2

4 1 4

The largeH: of thefe cavities, is confiderably higher
than where the water now flows, unlefs in a great
freihet.

From a feries of obfervations, made by James
Winthrop, Kfq. on the rivers of New-Hampihire
and Vermont, he deduces this conclufion, 'that the

* defcent of our rivers, is much lefs than European
' theorills have fuppofed to be necelTary to give a cur-
' rent to water. In the laft hundred and fifty miles of

* Connecticut river, it defcends not more than two

* feet in a mile. Onion river, for forty-three miles
' from its mouth, falls four feet in a mile, and is

* exceedingly rapid between the cataracts. We may

* reckon the fliore at Quebec, to be at the level of

* the fea, and two hundred miles from that part of
' lake Champlain, where the current begins. The

* difference of elevation, will be three hundred and

* forty-two feet, or twenty inches to a mile. If we

* extend our comparifon from Quebec, to the
' top of the Green mountains, at Williamfton, the
' elevation will be one thoufand fix hundred and
' fixty-fix feet, and the diftance, about three hundred
' and twenty miles ; which is five feet two inches
' and a half to a mile.'*

It is a work of great curiofity, but attended with
much fatigue, to trace rivers up to their fources, and
obferve the uniting of fprings and rivulets, to forra

•• MS. latter Af James Winthrop, Esq.

Q

50 HISTORY OF

thofe dreams which are dignified by majeflic names,
and hav^e been revered as Deities by favage and fu-
perftitioiis people. Rivers originate in mountains,
and find their way through the crevices of rocks, to
the plains belov^, where they glide through natural
meadows, often overflowing them with their freili-
ets, bringing down, from the upper grounds, a fat
flime, and depofiting it on the lower, which renews
and fertilizes the foil, and renders thcfe intervale
lands extremely valuable, as no other manure is
needed on them for the purpofes of agriculture.
It has been aflerted, that* 'rivers run in a more

* dire(5l channel, as they immediately leave their
' fources ; that their finuofities and turnings become
' more numerous as they proceed ; that it is a cer-
' tain fign among the natives of America, that they
' are near the fea, when they find the rivers wind-
' ing and changing their direction, and that this is

* even now become an indication to the Europeans

* themfelves in their journies through thefe track-
' lefs forefts.' It is amufing to obferve how the
European writers, in their accounts of America, en-
tertain themfelves and their readers, with a detail of
circumfl:ances, which have no foundation but in
their own fancies. Such a remark would never
have occurred to any perfon who had traced the
rivers of New-England to their Iburces. The fa(5l
is, that rivers run wherever they find a paflage,
whether it be crooked or ftrait ; and there are as
many windings and finuofities, at the diftance of an
hundred miles from the fea, as at any lefiTcr difiance.
No judgment can be formed of the nearnefs of the
ocean from this circumftance.

There is an important remark concerning thefe
rivers, which would not readily occur to any, but
thofe who have been in the way of actual obfcrva-

• Goldsmith's lustory of the Earth, Vol. I. page 203.

NEW-IIAMPSHIRE. 51

tion ; and that is, that rivers change their courfes,
a:jd leave their ancient channels dry. Many places
may be fcen m our wilricrnels, where rivers have
rolled for ages, and where the ftones are worn
fmootii as on the fea fhore, which are now at a con-
firierab'e dlftance from the prefent beds of the riv-
ers. In fome j-^iaces, thcle ancient channels are con-
v-trted into ponds, which, from their cm'ved form,
ar:: called horfe flioe ponds ; in others, they are
overgrown with l^uflies and trees. Thefe appear-
ances are frec;uent in the mountainous part of the
country. Connecticut river, which divides two
States, has, in fjme places, changed its courfe.
Many acres have been thus made in a few years,
and the land is of an excellent quality.

There are generally two llrata of intervale lands,
on the borders of the large rivers, one is overflow-
ed every year, the other, which is feveral feet high-
er, and further removed from the water, is over-
flowed only in very high freihets. In fome places
a third is found, but this is rare. The banks of the
upper and lower intervales, are often parallel to
each other, and when viewed from the oppofite lide,
appear like the terraces of an artificial garden.

Thefe intervale lands are of various breadth, ac-
cording to the near or remote fituation of the hills.
On Connedlicut river, they are from a quarter of a
mile to a mile and a half, on each fide. In digging
into them, large found trunks of trees are found at
various depths.

The freihets are not equally high every year.
Mafls have lain in the river above Amufkeag fall,
two or three years, waiting for a fufiiciency of
water to float them over. They fometimes fall
athwart the flream, and are broken ; fometimes in
a narrow paffage, they are lodged fo firmly acrofs,
as to be removed only by cutting j and fometimes

52 HISTORY OF

they are fo galled by the rocks, in their pafTage, as
to lefTen their diameter, and confequently their
value.

Every fpring there is more or lefs of a frefliet,
caufed by the diirolving of the fnow in the woods
and mountains ; if it be gradual, as it always is,
when not accelerated by a heavy rain, no damage
is done by the rifing of the water. Dellru6live
floods have happened at other feafons of the year,
as frequently as in the Ipring. In January, 1770,
a remarkable inundation carried away the mills and
bridges on feveral branches of the river Pafcataqua.
A heavy rain, which continued twelve hours, and
which could not penetrate the frozen earth, railed
the rivers lb high as to break up the ic?, then from
fourteen to eighteen inches thick, and as hard as
marble ; large cakes of it being carried down by
the impetuous current, bore all before them. Af-
ter this the rivers froze again, and the ice continu-
ed as ufual, till the month of April. When the ice
remains late in the fpring, it does not break up
with violence ; but diflolves gradually, till it difap-
pears. In this manner the frozen lakes and ponds
are reduced to fluidity.

In the great flobd of Ocftober, 1775, when a new-
river broke out of the White mountains, the banks
of Saco river were overflowed very fuddenly.
Stacks of hay were carried ofl, cattle were drowned
or otherwife killed, and the Indian corn, then ripe
for harveft, was deftroyed. The river was of a
deep brown colour for fourteen days, and when it
fubfided, great alterations were oblerved, the bed of
the river in Ibnie parts was widened, and the courle
of feveral of its branches changed ; large ridges of
pebbles were thrown up in the middle, forming
two channels where there had been but one before.

Another flood happened in Odlobcr, 1785, which

NEW-HAMPSHIRE. 53

deflroyccl the fields, and carried ofF cattle and fwine
on that river ; and in other places fwept away
bridges, mills, and great quantities of lumber.
Some mills, on Salmon-fall river, were preferved by
chains, one end of which was fallened to their prin-
cipal timbers, and the other end to trees or pofls
fet in the ground. In Cochecho river, below the
great fall, the water rofe fourteen feet above high
water mark. Immenfe quantities of drift wood are
brought down by thefe frefnets, from which the
inhabitants of the lower towns, contiguous to the
rivers, are fupplied Vv^ith fuel, and they have learn-
ed to be extremely dextrous in towing on lliore
whole trees with their branches. But notwith-
ftanding their adlivity, much efcapes them, and is
driven out to fea, and fome of it is thrown back on
the coaft.

Saco river has rifen twenty-five feet, in a great
frefliet ; its common rife is ten feet. Pemigewaffet
river has alfo been known to rife twenty-five feet.
Connecfticut river, in a common freihet, is ten feet
higher than its ufual fummer level. Its greatefl
elevation does not exceed twenty feet.

Winipifeogee lake is the largeft collecflion of
water in New-Hampfhire. It is twenty -two miles
•in length, from S. E. to N. W. and of very unequal
breadth, but no where more than eight miles.
Some very long necks of land projedl into it, and
it contains feveral iflands, large and fmall. The
mountains which furround it, give rife to many
ftreams which flow into it ; and between it and the
mountains, and feveral lefler ponds, which commu-
nicate with it. Contiguous to this lake, are the
townfhips of Moultonborough, on the N. W. Tuf-
tonborough and Wolf borough on the N. E. Meredith
and Gilmantown on the S. W. and a tradl of land,
called the Gore, on the S. E. From the S. E, exr

54 HISTORY OF

tremlty of this lake, called Merry- meeting bay, to
the N. W. part called Senter-harbour, there is good
navigation in the fummer, and generally a good
road in the winter ; the lake is frozen about three
months, and many fleighs and teams, from the cir-
cumjacent towns, crofs it on the ice.

The next largell lake, is Umbagog, in the northern
exiireniity of the ilate. It is but little known, and
no other furvey has been make of it than was ne-
cefTary for extending the divifional line between
New-Hampfliire and Maine, in 1789. Next to this,
are Squam, in the townihip of Holderneffe ; Sunna-
pee, in the townfl^ips of Wendel and Filhersfield,
and great Odapy, in the ungranted land of the Ma-
fonian purchafe. Smaller ponds are very numerous,
fcarcely any town being without one or more.
There is generally a current through them ; but
fome have no vifible outlet. Their waters are lim-
pid and fvveet.

A remarkable circumftance is mentioned, refpect-
ing Mafcomy pond, which lies partly in Lebanon
and partly in Enfield, and vents into Connecticut
river. It is about five miles in length, and one in
breadth ; its depth is from thirty to forty fathoms.
The furrounding land bears evident marks that the
furface of this pond was once thirty or forty feet
higher than its prefent level. 13y what caufe the
alteration was made, and at what time, is unknown;
but appearances indicate a fudden rupture, there
being no fign of any margin between its former and
prefent height. About a mile diftant from its out-
let, there is a declivity of rocks, forty feet higher
than the ilrcam, as it now runs. By the fituation
of thefe rocks, it appears that they were once a fall,
over wliich the w^ater flowed ; but it has now made
for itielf a very deep channel, through folid earth,

NEW-HAMPSHIRE. 55

nearly a mile in length, where it fcems confined for
futurity.*

In the townflilp of Atkinfon, ' in a large meadow,
' there is an illand, containing feven or eight acres,
'which was formerly loaded with valuable pine

* timber, and other foreft wood. V/hen the mea-

* dow is overflowed, by means of an artificial dam,

* this illand rifes in the fame degree as the water
' rifes, which is fometimes fix feet. Near the mid-
' die of this illand, is a fmall pond, whieh has been

* gradually lefTening ever fince it was known, and

* is now almoft covered with verdure. In this place,
' a pole of fifty feet has difappeared, without finding

* a bottom. In the water of that pond, there have
' been fiih in plenty ; which when the meadow hath

* been flowed, have appeared there, and when the
' water hath been drawn off, have been left on the
' meadow ; at which time the ifland fettles to its
*ufual flate.'f

In the town of Rye, there was formerly a frefh
pond, covering about one hundred and fifty acres,
fituate within ten or fifteen rods of the fea, being
feparated from it by a bank of fand. A communi-
cation was opened between this pond and the fea,
in the year 1719, by which means the frefh water
was drawn off, and the place is regularly overflow-
ed by the tide, and yields large crops of fait hay. J

Within this prefent year (1791) a canal has been
cut through the marfhes, which opens an inland
navigation, from Hampton, through Salifbury, into
Merrimack river, for about eight miles. By this
pafTage, loaded boats may be conducted with the ut-
moft eafe and fafety.

* MS. Letters of the Hon. ElisTia Payne, Esq.
+ MS. letter of the Rev. Stephen Peadody.
i- MS. letter of Rev. Mr. Porter.

S6 HISTORY OF

C H A P. VI.

He marks on tlie Forest., Alanver rf Surveyings makiug' Roada and-
TravtUh.t^.

Notwithstanding the gloomy ap^

pearance of aa American foreft, yet a contemplative
mind may find in it many fubjects of entertainment.
The moft obvious remark, is the filence which reigns
through it. In a calm day, no found is heard but
that of running water, or perhaps the chirping of a
fquirrel, or the fqualling of a jay. Singing birds
do not frequent the thick woods ; but in every
opening, made by the hand of cultivation, their mel-
ody is delightful.

Another thing, worthy of obfervation, is the aged
and majeftic appearance of the trees, of which the
moll noble is the mafl pine. This tree often grows
to the height of one hundred and fifty, and fome-
times two hundred feet. It is ftraight as an arrow,
and has no branches but very near the top. It is
from twenty to forty inches in diameter at its bafe,
and appears like a (lately pillar, adorned with a ver-
dant capital, in form of a cone. Interfperfed among
thefe, are the common forell trees, of various kinds,
whofe height is generally about fixty or eighty feet.
In fwamps, and near rivers, there is a thick growth
of underwood, which renders travelling dilficult.
On high lands, it is not fo troublefomc ; and on dry
plains, it is quite inconfiderable.

Amidfl thefe wild and rugged fcenes, it is amufing
to obferve the luxuriant fportings of nature. Trees
are feen growing on a naked rock ; their roots either
penetrate fome of its crevices, or run over its furface,
and fhoot into the ground. When a tree is contigu-

NEW-HAMPSHIRE. 57

<IU8 to a fmall rock, its bark will frequently inclofe
and cover it. Branches of different trees, but of
the fame fpecies, fometimes intertwine, and even in-
graft themfclves, fo as to grow together in one. On
Ibme trees, are found large protuberant warts, capa-
ble of boing formed into bowls, which are very
tough and durable. On rocks, as well as on trees,
we find varieties of mofs ; it fometimes affumes a
grotefque appearance, hanging in tufts, like long
hair, from the branches ; or inclofing the trunks; or
fpreading over rocks, like a carpet, and extending
from one rock to another. It is obferved that mofs
is thickeft on the north fides of trees. By this mark
the favages know their courfe in cloudy weather,
and many of our hunters have learned of them, to
travel without a compafs.

In laying out roads, and lines of townfliips, it is
ufual for thefurveyor to make large meafure, of which
however, there is no certain flandard. Some allow
one in thirty, for the fwac^ging ot the chain. 'J he
length of a man's arm to every half chain, has been
allowed for inequality of furface. The half chain
is moft convenient in thick woods ; but fome have
very abfurdly ufed a line ; and if any allowance is
made for its contraction by moifture, it mufl be ar-
bitrary. Surveyors are often fworn to go according
to their befl fkill and judgment ; this they may do
with great fincerity, and yet, for want of better fkill,
may commit egregious miilakes. The variation of
the needle, has not in general been attended to with
that caution which it demands, and from this negli-
gence, many errors have arifm. It was once pro-
pofed, in the General Affembly, that durable monu-
ments fhould be erected in convenient places, on a
true meridian ; by which all furveyors fhould be
obliged to regulate their compafTes ; few of them,
at that time, being fkilled in the method of £nding

H

5S HISTORY OF

the variation by the fun's amplitude ; but the pro-
pofal was rejected.

The manner of making a new road, through the
wildernefs, is this : Firfl, a furveyor and his party,
with the compafs and chain, explore tJ e eounti }\
and where they find the land fuitable for a road, tiie
ti-ees are fpotted, by cutthig out a piece of the bark,
and at the end of every mile, the number is marked
on the neareft tree. Then follow the- axe- men, who
clear away the bulhes and fell the trees, in a fpace
of three rods wide, cutting them as near as pofTible
to the ground, that the {lumps may not impede
travelling ; and if the trees are very long, they cut
them again, into fuch lengths, as that the teamllers,
by the help of chains and oxen, may draw them out
of the way. In wet land, the trees thus felled, or
others which are proper, are formed into caufeways
and bridges. Rocks are either turned out of the
road, or fplit by gunpowder or heated by fire and
then foftened by water.

Roads are not brought to perfection at once, ef-
pecially in rocky and hilly land ; but after the firft
opera'aons, they are pailable for fingle horfes and
teams of oxen. As the earth is opened to the fun,
many v^ret places are dried, and brooks are contract-
ed J and as the land is more and more cleared, fmall-
er ftreams dilappear. The belt kind of land for
roads is where the pitch pine grows ; this is gener-
ally level, or if not perfectly fo, yet always dry.
The foil is fandy or gravelly ; the trees arc fparfe ;
and the under growth conlills of brakes, fern and
wortle biifhes, which are eafily llibdued ; but this
kind of land is not profitable. The bell land for
cultivation, is a deep loamy foil, which makes miry
roads, and needs much lal)or to be beftowed on
bridges and caufeways. For croihng fmall Itreams,
the beaver dams are found very fiife and conveni-

NEW-HAMPSHIRE. 59

ent. They arc about three or four feet wide at the
top, which is on a level with the water above, and
is always firai and Iblid. New roads, therefore, are
frequently laid out i'o as to fave expenfe, by taking
advantage of the labor of that ufeful animal.

When a road is contlantly ufed, the feet of horfes
and cattle keep down the growth of bullies, which
fprouc, with great luxuriance, from the roots of fell-
ed trees ; but if the road be neglected, thefe young
{hoots render travelling extremely inconvenient;
and it is more difficult to clear them a fecond time.
I\Ien who are ufed to handle the axe, had rather at-
tack a llurdy tree than hack the bullies. High
winds frequently blow up large trees by the roots,
or break them off above the ground. Thefe wind-
fallen trees often prove a great obllruction to new
roads ; a lingle horfe may find his way over or round
them ; but if a team is to pafs, the obftruction mufl
be removed by the axe, for which reafon, the driv-
ers of teams are never unprovided with this neceir-
fary inilrument.

The expenfe of making and keeping roads in re-
pair, is generally borne by the proprietors and in-
habitants of the towns through which they pafs ;
though, in fo.ne inflances, new roads have been ex-
plored and laid out, at the public expenfe. In each
incorporated town, the law requires that furveyors
of highways be annually chofen, whofe bufinefs it
is, to prevent or remove obflructions ; to keep roads
and bridges in repair ; and to call upon the inhab-
itants for their refpective quotas of labor or expenfe.
1 hefe officers are invelled with fufficient power to
anfwer the beneficial end of their appointment ; and
in cafe of failure, they, or the towns are liable to be
prefented by the grand inqueft of the county. It
was formerly the cuftom, for thofe who were at
work oa tlae highways, to iavite palTengers to drink,

60 HISTORY or

and expect a gratuity in return ; but this beggarly
practice is alniofl entirely aboliflied.

Horics are the only beails uied for riding ; though,
in the mountainous parts of the country, mules
might be more ferviceable, if the breeding of them
were introduced. in travelMng the roads along
Connecticut river, which are, in iTiany places, both
lleep and clayey, it is ufual, at all feafons, if tho
weather be wet, to have the ihoes of horfes turned
with fharp points. This is univerfally practifed in
winter, when the earth is covered with ice and fnow.
Oxen are alfo then fhod in the fame manner. When
a deep fnow has obftructed the roads, they are in
fome places opened by an inltrument called a fnow
plough. It is made of planks, in a triangular form,
with two fide boards to turn the fnow out on either
hand. This inftrument is dravv^n by a large number
of oxen, and loaded with as many people as can
Hand on it, whofe weight makes a hard and level
path. When fuch an inftrument is not at hand, a
fled turned upfide down anfwers the purpofe,though
not fo efTectually. Thefe operations are conducted
by the furveyors of highways who direct the fnow
path to be made either in the common road, or
through fields and other incloliires, as neccility re-
quires.

In travelling through New-Kampfi-iire, there are
now few places fo remote from public houfes, or
hofpitable inhabitants, as to oblige the traveller to
lodge in the woods ; but when this happens, either
by nccelTity or choice, a temporary hut may be con-
flru(!3;cd, in an hour, by a perfon furniihed with an
axe. For this purpofe a dry fituation is chofen, as
near as may be to running water. The bark of
hemlock or fpruce is peeled, in pieces of three or
four feet long, and flatted ; two or three upright
crotchets are fet in the ground^ on which a pole ib

NEW-HAMPSHIRE. 91

fixed horizontally ; from the pole are laid other flicks,
in a (l<^ping pofitiou, to the ground ; on thefe are laid
the Hatted pieces of bark, each lapped over the other,
in the form of ihinglcs : Under this flied, other
pieces of bark are laid on the ground, for a floor,
on which are llrewed linall twigs for a carpet. Be-
fore tlie open fide of the hut, is made a large fire,
toward which the traveller places his feet, and being
wrapped in a blanket, he palfes the night very com-
fortably, though, if the wind be unfavorable, he
may be fomcwhat incommoded by fmoke. He is
in no danger from wild bealls, v/ho never venture
to approach a fire. People who are ufed to the
woods, do not always give themfelves the trouble to
1 liild a hut ; but lie wrapped in their blanket by a
five ; or, in foul weather, fpread their blanket on
iticks, and lie under it.

Within thefe laft twenty years, the country has
been much improved in refpedl to roads ; and the
communication between the dillant parts of it is be-
come, in a great meafure, eafy and commodious.
Tviach, hov;ever, remains to be done, efpecially in
the weftern and nortliern parts of the State. Con-
nccLicut river is fo nearly parallel to the eaftern
coalt of New- England, as to pveferve almoft the fame
diftance from the fea, which is generally from eighty
to one hundred miles. The towns fituate on that
river communicate with the maritime towns, by
different roads. Thofe in the fouthweflern quarter
of the btate generally carry their produce to Bof^
ton. Roads have been opened from Dartmouth
College, and the lower Cohos, to Portlinouth ; and
the eftablifliment of a communication, by water car-
riage, acrofs Winipileogee lake, has been contem-
plated.

The towns above the lower Cohos, have as yet
no convenient roads, direclly to the fea coaft. The

62 HISTORY OF

immenfe mountains between the rivers Saco and
Connedlicut^ are, in moll places, inaccefTible ; and
where a communication is opened, tranfportation is
neceiiarily very ditEciilt. The people on the upper
branches of Saco river, find their nearell market at
Portland, in Cafco bay ; and thither the inhabitants
of the towns of the upper Cohos have relorted. But
from a furvey made in 1782, by Dummer Sewall,
Efq. it w^as found, that a road from Northumber-
land, on Connedlicut river, to the head of naviga-
tion in Kennebec river, is very pradlicable. The
diftance is between eighty and ninety miles ; and
for a third part of that diftance from Kennebec,
there are already roacls and fettle ments.

The line which divides the northern part of New-
Hampfliire, from the eailern counties of Maliachu-
fetts, York and Cumberland, is an abfurd and un-
natural boundary. The eftablilhment of it orignat-
ed in a narrow, felhlh policy ; but as the true in-
tereft of the country is now better underllood, and
more liberal fentiments prevail, it appears to many
attentive obfervers, that the whole extent of territo-
ry, between the upper part of Gonnet^icut river on
the weft, and the Atlantic ocean as far as Kennebec
on the eaft, and as far northward as the limits of
the United States,' is formed by nature, to have a
connexion and dependence, which may be rendered
mutually beneficial to the maritime and inland
parts. How far the benefit may be promoted, by
an union of jurifdid:ion, deferves tp be confidered.

iNZW-H AMPS HIRE. ^

CHAP. vir.

Monuments and relicts of the Indiaris.

7N defcribing any country, it is natur-
al to make fome inquiry concerning the veiliges of
its ancient inha.bitants. It is well known that the
original natives of this part of America, were not
ambitious of perpetuating their fame by durable
monuments. Their invention was chiefly employ-
ed either in providing for their fubfiflence, by hunt-
ing, fiihing and planting, or in guarding againfl and
furprifiag their enemies. Their houfes and canoes
were conilru(fted of light and perifhable materials.
Their mode of travelling was to take all pofTible ad-
vantage of water carriage, and to Ihorten diftances,
by tran {"porting their birchen canoes acrofs the
necks of land which were convenient for the pur-
pofe. Their m^anner of taking fifh was either by
enrangling them in wears, or dipping for them iii
fcoopaets, or lliriking them with fpears. They took
quadrupeds in traps or pit-falls, or fhot them, as
well as birds, with arrows. For the conftrudlion
of their canoes and houfes they ufed hatchets, chif^
fels, and gouges of (lone. To cook their meat, they
either broiled it on coals, or on a wooden grate, or
roailed it on a forked ftick, or boiled it in kettles
of ilone. Their corn was pounded in mortars of
wood, with peftles of ftone. Their bread was either
baked on flat flones fet before a fire, or in green
leaves laid under hot aflies. Clam-fbells ferved
them for fpoons, and their fingers for knives and
forks. They had no fliarper inllruments than could
be formed of fliones^ fliells and bones. Of thef©
the two lafl are perifhable by age ; but of the firft:^.

84 HISTORY OF

relics are frequently found in the places of their
former refidence, generally in the neighbourhood of
water falls, and other convenient lilhing places.
The manner of finding them is by plowing or dig-
ging. The mod of thofe which have been difcov-
ered, have come to light by accident, and a few only
are fo perfect as to merit prefcrvation.

The hatchet is a hard Hone, eight or ten inches
in length and three or four in breadth, of an oval
form, flatted and rubbed to an edge at one end ;
near the other end is a groove in which the handle
was faftened ; and their procefs to do it was this ;
When the flone was prepared, they chofe a very
young flipling, and, fplitdng it near the ground,
they forced the hatchet into it, as far as the groove,
and left nature to complete the work by the growth
of the wood, fo as to fill the groove and adhere
firmly to the f^.oac. They then cut off the fapling
above and below, and the hatchet was fit for ufe.

The chiifel is about fix inches long and two inch-
es wide, flitted and rubbed iharp at one end. It
was ufed only by the hand, for it would not bear
to be driven. The gou;.!;e differs from the chiifel
only in being hollow at the edge. With thefe in-
flruments they felled trees, cut them into proper
lengths, fcooped them out hollow for canoes, trays,
or mortars, and faihioned them to any fliape
which they pleafed. To save labor, they made ufe
of fire, to foiten thofe parts of the wood which were
to be cut with thefe imperfecT: tools ; and by a
proper application of wet earth or clav, they could
circumfcribe the operation of the fire at their
pleafare.*

* ' r liave s^en a nati e (says "o'^er Wil'iams) ^o into the woofis with Ms lMtr?ie^
•carrying' on!v a basket of corne an') stones to stn'se fire. \V!ipu he hnt'> ^rllerl liis tre©

♦ (either a chesnvit or piiie) he maketh liini a liitlr hut or shed of the bark of it. He
« puts fire, and to!lo vs the biirnii^ of it i'l the mi'lst. ii many pliiccs. His orne hb

* boiis. and liath the brfH>ke by him, and sotiK-tinu s aiiijh-s for a 'ittle firh. > o Ue co iti^-
« nupth hiiiDinir and hewing, until lie liath, in teivov twelve days, fiuibhed, and getting
'fends) launelied his boat.'

NEW-HAMPSHIRE. 65

Their peflles are long, cylindrical or conical (lones,
of the heavieil kind ; Ibnie of which have figures,
rudely wrought, at the end of the handle.

Their kettle is nothing more than a hole, either
natural or artificial, in a large Hone ; but their mode
of boiling in it would not readily occur to a perfon
who had feen a kettle ufed no other way than with
a fire under it. Their fire was made by the fide of
the kettle, and a number of fmall flones were heated.
The kettle being filled with water, and the
food placed in it, the hot flones were put in, one af-
ter another, and by a dextrous repetition of this pro-
cefs, the meat or fiih was boiled.

Of arrow-heads, there is found a greater num.-
ber than of any other inftrument ; and they are of
all fizes from one to five inches in length ; pointed
and jagged, with a notch on each fide, at the lower
end, to bind them to the fhaft, the end of which
was fplit to let in the head. Children were early
taught the ufe of the bow, and many of the arrow-
heads which are found feem to have been fit only
for their ufe.

Another implement of flone is found, the ufe of
which is to us undetermined. It is fliaped like a
pear, with a neck, and was probably fufpended by
a firing. Some fuppofe it was hung to a net, and.
that many of them placed at the lower edge ferved
the purpofe of weights to fink it.

Some fpecimens of fculpture have been found,
but they are not common. In the mufeum of the
Academy of Arts and Sciences, there is an imitation
of the head of a ferpent, at the end of a long Hone
peftle, found at Wells, in the county of York. There
is, in the pofTefTion of a gentleman in New-Hamp-
fliire, a piece of bone, on which is engraven the bufl
of a man, apparently in the agonies of death. The
cotmtenance is favage, and the work is well execute
1

G6 HISTORY OF

ed. This bone with the figure on it, was found at
the {hove of the little bay, in the river Pafcataqua.

In the places of their habitations are fometimes
found circular hearths of flat (loneL-, which wore
laid in the middle of their wigwams. Their mode
of lodging was with their feet to the fire. This cuf-
tom is adopted by people who lie abroad in the
woods, and by others at home. It is accounted both
a preventative and a remedy for a cold.

The cellars in which they preferved their corn,
are fometimes difcovered in the new fettlements,
and their graves are frequently feen. Moft of the
fkeletons appear to be in a fitting pofture, and fome
remains of the inftruments which were fuppofed
necellary to their fubdilence, ornament or defence
in the " country of fouls," arc found with them ;
particularly the ftone pipe for fmoking tobacco, of
which there are feveral varieties. In a piece of in-
tervale land near the OlTapy pond, is a timiuliis or
mound of earth, overgrown with pine, in which, at
the depth of two feet, feveral flveletons have been
difcovered, buried with the face downward.* At
Exeter, about two years ago, the remains of an in-
fant flceleton were dug up. It was in a perpendicu-
lar pofition, and had been inclofed with a hollow
log. Some firings of vv'-ampum were found near it,
and feveral fpoons, apparently of European manu-
facture.

'I'he remains of their fields are Rill vilible in ma-
ny places ; thefe were not exteniive, and the hills
which they made about their corn flalks were fmall.
Some pieces of baked earthen ware have been found
at Sanborn-town and Goff's-town, from which it is
fuppofed that the Indians had learned the potter's
art ; but of what antiquity thefe remnants are, and
whether manufactured by them or not, is uncertaiiiu

■* MS. Uttw of Wentwwtli CliMwell, Esq.

NEW-HAMPSHIRE. 67

The paths which ferved them for carrying places
between rivers, or different parts of the fame river,
are frequently dilcovered, in the cutting of roads,
or laying out of new townlhips. Probably fome hints
might be taken from this circumflance, to expedite
and facilitate our inland navigation.

In their capital filhing places, particularly In great
Oflapy and Winipifeogec rivers, are the remains of
their wears, conflructed with very lar^e flones. At
Sanborntown there is the appearance of a fortrefs con-
fiding of five diilinct walls, one within the other, and
at tlinfdale there is fomething of the fame kind ; but
thefc are vallly inferior, both in deiign and execu-
tion to the military works found in the country of
the Senekas and in the neighbourhood of the Ohio.

I have heard of two fpecimens of an Indian Ga-
%ette^ found in New-Hampihire. One was a puie
tree, on the ihore of Winipifeogee river, on which was
depi(5led a canoe, with two men in it. This is fup-
pofed to have been a mark of direction to thofewho
might come after.* The other was a tree in Moul-
tonborough, Handing by a carrying place, between
two ponds. On this tree was carved the hiflory of
one of their expeditions. The number of the kill-
ed and prifoners, was reprefented by fo many hu-
man figures ; the former were marked with the
ftroke of a knife, acrofs their throats, and even the
diftinction between the males and females, was pre-

ferved.'t'

Some of their modes and cufloms have been learn-
ed by our own people, and are flill retained. In
the river Pafcataqua, lobflers and flat filli are flruck
with a fpear ; and the befl time for this kind of
fifhing is the night. A lighted pitch-knot is
placed on the outfide of a canoe, which not only at-
tracts the fifh, but gives the fifhermen direction.

* Woodman's MS , lettg;;. •^ Slraw'e MS , lettgy.

68 HISTORY OF

where to flrike. The river is fometimes illuminated
by a multitude of thefe floating lights. The Indian
fcoop-net is fhaped like a pocket ; the edge of which
is faflened to a wooden bow, at the end of a long pole.
With thefe are caught falmon, fliad, alewives, fmelts
and lampreys. Froil-filh are taken with wooden
tongs, and black eels in cylindrical baflcets, with a
hole, refembling moufe traps made of wire.

The culheag or log-trap, is ufed for taking wolves,
bears and martins. Its fize varies, according to the
bulk or ftrength of the animal. It is a forceps, com-
pofed of two long ificks, one lying on the other,
connected at one end, and open at the other. Near
the open end is made a femicircular, covered en-
clofure, with fhort (takes, driven into the ground
on one fide of the logs, which arc firmly fecured by
another ftake, on the oppofite lide. In this enclof-
ure is placed the bait, faftened to a round (lick,
which lies acrofs the lower log, the upper log raft-
ing on the end of a perpendicular pointed ftick,
the other end of which is fct on the round ftick.
The animal having fcented the bait, finds no way to
come at it, but by putting his head between the
logs. As foon as he touches the bait, the round
ftick, on v/hich it is faftened, rolls ; the perpendicu-
lar gives way ; the upper log falls, and crulhes him
to death in an inftant, without injuring his ft^in.

To take martins, the hunters make a great num-
ber of thefe traps, at the diftance of about a quarter
or half a mile from each other ; they fcent the whole
fpace between the traps, by drawing a piece of raw
flefti on the ground ; this icent guides the animal
to the trap, which is baited with the fmie. The
hunters vifit the traps once in a day, and retire to
their camp with the prey. There are two fealbns
for this fpccies of hunting, namely, in December
and March.

NEW-HAMPSHIRE. 69

IBeavers are taken in iron fpring traps. Tlie In-
dians have learned to ufe thefe traps, in preference
to their own.

'I he ufe of fnow-fhoes was learned at firft from
them". The fliape and conflrudlion of them are well
known. The Hick which projedls behind a6ls as a
fpring, and fets the man forward at every ftep ; by
which means, one who is ufed to this mode of trav-
elling, can walk on the fnow, more expeditioully
thao on the ground.

V/e are indebted to them, for the method of pre-
ferving the lleih of animals in fnow. This is ve-
ry ufeful to people who raife or buy large quanti-
ties of poultry for the market. They fill the hollow
parts, and pack them in a cafk with fnow ; which,
whilll it remains undilfolved, preferves the flelh in
its original fweetnefs. The Indians had another
way of preferving fiefli, by cutting it from the
bone, and drying it in fmoke ; but this is now fel-
dom ufed, unlefs the meat has been previoufly cur-
ed with fait, the ufe of which, was unknown to the
favages.

Their mode of catching ducks, is flill ufed in
thofe places where this fpecies of game abounds.
In the month of Auguft, the old ducks fhed their
feathers, and the young, being unfledged, are not
able to fly. During this period they fwim on the
water, and may be driven into fmall creeks, whence
they cannot efcape. 1 hey are then eafily caught
in great numbers, and preferved for winter by fait
or fmoke.

We have alfo learned from the natives, to drefs
leather with the brains and fat of the animal, which
render it extremely foft and pliable*. 1 hey have

* A 'atlier is rnade 0*" the brains and tlie soft fat or marrow in vvliich the skin is soak-
ed ; it is then dried in smoke ; afterward washed and soaked in warm water, till the
grain is open then wrung out, dried by a slow fire, rubbed and stretched as long as any
moisture remains in it. It is then scraped with a circwlar kiii£e, and becomes very eofv
and delicate, Heamci

70 ' HISTORY or

an art of dying hair in various colors, which are
bright and permanent. I know not whether they
have communicated this knowledge.

Som.e of their modes of cookery have been adopt-
ed, and are retained. Their roalted and boiled
ears of green corn, their Jamp and homoiiy^ which
confill of corn bruifed and foaked or boiled, their
nokeblkc^ which is corn parched and pounded, their
fuckatajh^ which is a mixture of corn and beans boil-
ed, are much ufed, and very palatable. One of the
inoft delicate of their diflies was the upaquontop^ or
the head of a bals boiled, and the broth thickened
with homony. The lip of a moofe, and the tail
of a beaver, prepared in this manner, were among
their greatell: luxuries. They prepared a very agreea-
ble liquor by infuling the meal of parched corn in
warm water and fweetening it with the fugar of
maple.

Their cultivation was extremely imperfetfl. The
only objects of it were corn, beans, pumpkins and
fquafhes, which were planted by their women, with
the aid of no inflruments but flones and chm^Tiheils;
and no manure but fiih. Yet, their judgment of
the proper feafon for planting, cannot be amended.
It was when the leaves of the white oak are as big
as the ear of a moufe. Their method of girdling
trees to kill them, that the land might be opened
for planting, is ufed by fome people in their firft
effays of huihandry. It is not only a lazy falhion and
quite inexcufeable where axes may be had, but the
ground needs clearing as often as the trees or
branches are broken off by the wind.

The virtues of many herbs, roots and barks, with
which the country abounds, were well known to
the natives, and lome traditionary knowledge of
this kind has been preferved, though much is lofl
for want of a more certain mode of prefervatioQ

NEW-HAMPSHIRE. 71

than human memory. Some of then* medicinal
operations are ftill praclifed ; but mofb of them are
dil'ufed, being fuperfeded by profelfional improve-
ments. They raifed a bUfter by burning punk or
touchwood on the Hcin. They appUed roots, boiled
foft, in the form of a poultice to the throat or other
parts, when fwelled or iniiamed. They relieved a
perfon chilled with cold, by pouring warm water
down the throat. They attempted the cure of fevers
by fweating in a covered hut, with the fteam of
water poured on hot llones^and then plunging into
cold Water. For pains in the limbs they had anoth-
er mode of fweating. A number of fods were heat-
ed, and the patient, wrapped in a mat, was laid on
fome and covered with others, till the heat of the
turf was fuppofed to have extracfled the pain. The
offices of phyfician and prieft were united in the
fame perfon, and a variety of myfterious rites ac-
companied his operations.

They had a knowledge of poifons and antidotes,
and could fb prepare themfelves, that the mod ven-
omous ferpents would avoid them, or prove harm-
lefs in their hands. This knowledge has feldom
been communicated, and is always treated as myfte-
rious.

I wi{h it could not be faid, that fome of their fu-
perftitious notions have been transferred and propa-
gated. The idea that lonely mountains and rocks
are inhabited by departed fpirits, and other invlfi-
ble and imaginary beings, is not yet worn out. Cer-
tain charms and fpells, which are fuppofed to be
effeclual prefervatives, or cures in cafes of witch-
craft, are flill in ufe among the vulgar ; though per-
haps fome of thefe traditions may owe their origin
to the fuperflition of our European anceftors, de-
fcended from the remoter favages of Britain, Ire-
land and Germany. Thefe notions, however pitied

*!2 «ISTORY OF

by fome, and ridiculed by others, are ftill deeply
engraven on the minds of many, and are maintain-
ed with an inflexibility which would do them honor
if the caufe were worthy of defence. So flrong are
thefe impreilions, that the fame perfons, whofe in-
trepidity in fcenes of real danger is unqueftionable,
often render themfelves miferable by the apprehen-
fion of evils, which exifl only in their imagination.

NIW-HAMPSHIRlk 7S

C H A P. VIII.

t'orest-trceSi and other vegetable ^irodudiona.

-A"* EW perfonsm this country, have fludi-
ed natural hiflory as a fcience, and of thofe who have
a tafle for inquiries of this kind, none have had leii^
lire to perflie them, to the extent which is delireahle.
In the defcrlption of an American State, it would
be unpardonable not to take notice of its natural
productions. With much diffidence I enter on this
part of my work, fenfible that my knowledge of the
fubject is imperfect, yet, defirous of contributing
fomething, to promote a branch of fcience, now in
its infancy ; but for which there is an ample field
of inquiry.*

Elm (ulmus amcrtcana.) Of this tree there is but
one fpecles, of wdiich there are two varieties, the
white and the red. The inner rind of both is ftringy
and tough, and is frequently ufed for the bottoms
of chairs, and for bed-cords. The wood is not eafi-
ly fplit and therefore ferves for the naves of wheels.
The bark of the white elm is ufed medicinally for
the gravel. The European elm (ulmus campejiris)
is fo far naturalized as to propagate itfelf in copfes.

Safiiifras (lanrus fajfafras ) is commonly found
in moifl land. It does not, in this State, grow to a
large fize. Its root, bark and leaves have an aro-
matic fmell. It affords a valuable ingredient for
beer as well as for medicinal purpofes. The wood
makes handfome bedfleads, and it is faid that bugs

•* For the arrangement of the several articles in the botanical and zcx)lo^ical chapter*,
for their generic and sjoecific names, and for some of the observations on th'-ir natu'e and
properties, I am indebted to the friendly assistance of the Kev. Dr. Manasseh Cutlwc, •£
Jip8\vi<-b, and JS*r, WHiiam Dandrid^ Peck, of Kittery.

K

Tl HISTORY OF

will not be fo iiad in the in for feveral years. The
Spice- A^oo'l (laurus ben%ohi) or as it is commonly
called Fever-bu-li, is another fJDecies of the laurus y
CO n n )n in New-FIanipiliire. It is more aromatic
thai the faTifras. In thf^ wedern country, its fruit
and b u'k are ufed as a fubditute iox phiijiito.

Will Ciierry. Of this we have many fpecies j
but they have not been well arranged, and properly
diilin^^ui'died. They are very numerous in land
which has been iiesvly cleared, if not kept down
by culture. ' The wood of the largeft cherry-tree
(prunus virgimmia) is very highly eftcemed in cabi-
net vsTork, being of a firm texture, a fmooth grain,
and a beautiful colour, between red and yellow.

BaiTwood or Linie-trce [t'll'ia amencmid) is fome-
tiiiies fliwed into boards, which are very white, but
{oft, and ea(ily warped.

Locuil [7-ohrniapf:.udo-acdcta) is excellent fuel. Its
trunk ferves for durable pofts fet in the ground, and
may be fplit into trunnels for fliips, which are equal
to any wood for that purpofe. It thrives on fandy
and gravelly foils, and its leaves enrich them. For
thefe reafoiis, tfie cultivatioii of the locuil has been
thought an object worthy of attention, efpecially as
it is a tree of quick growth. For feveral years paft
It- has been injured by a beetle infect, which bores
a hole through its trunk. Many trees have been
entirely killed, and this circum fiance has proved a
difcouragement to their propagation.

Birch. Of this we have four fpecies. 1. White
[heiula alba.) The bark of this tree is a fub fiance of
a lingular kind, and is perhaps the only barkv/hicli
is lels liable to rot than the wood which itenclofes.
'The whole interior flibftance of a fallen tree, is fre-
xniently found rotten, whil ft the bark remains found.
This bark is com po fed of feveral lamincu^ eafily fepa-
rable, of a firm confiftcnce, thin, flexible, ibit and

NEW-HAMPSIIITIK. 75

fmooth. It may be writcen upon, like paper. It
is very inilamniable, emitting a vivid flame and a
very denfe, black Imoke, which might eaiily be col-
ledled like lampblack. Of this bark the Indians
formed dillies, boxes, and light portable canoes,
which they fewed together with ilender but tough
filaments of the roots of fpruce and cedar, cement-
ing the joints with turpentine, i^. Black [bdiila ni-
gra.^ The heart of this tree is of a beautiful
brown, and is frequently Iplit and turned. It makes
Landlbme bedlleads, chairs and tables. Much of
it is exported to Europe. '6. Red or Yellovsr [betula
le7ita.) This is chiefly ufed for fcv/el, and is much
eifcemed. 4. A\dQv\bctiila ahiiis.) Its bark is much
employed in dying a dark brown. The wood, when
of a proper fize, makes excellent charcoal. It is
common in fwamps and by the fide of rivers and
brooks.

Oak. Of this v/e have four fpecics in New-
Hampfl)ire. 1. Black, [c^ucrcus iiigfa?) The inner
bark is ufed for tanning. The timber for the keels
of fhips. ^. Red, [q if c reus rubra.) Of this fpecics
there are three varieties. (i.) Tlie rcd^ which
grows Ibmetimes on high and dry land, but delights
in a moiil foil, and is generally found on the de-
clivities of hills and borders of fwamps. The wood
of this tree is eafily riven, and makes excellent flaves
for molaffes and for dry cafks. (i.) '\\\q fwauip oak,
which is found in low wet places. It is poirellcd af
greater elallicity than any other oak. Splints of this
w^ood have been fubltituted for whalebone. (3.)
Yellciv^ which grows on hills and dry ridges of
land, makes the bed of pipe (laves and Ihip- timber.*
3. White, [fjuercus alba.) 4. Shrub oak. [quercus pu-
mila.) It is found on barren hills and plains. It:

* Tliis arranp;ement of the oaks is sug-gfested by Dr. Cutler. In comrron parlance,
the oak, vhicli is uffd for pipe-itaves and ship tiniter, is called the upiami luHUe cck ; it
is one of the most useful and valuable trees oi the Arneiican forest.

76 HISTORY 0?

produces a ga.ll, which is evidently the nidus of am
infecl, and has been ufed an ingredient in writing
ink. There is another oak, called the chefnut or
new-found oak ; but whether it be of a different
fpecies, or a variety of either fpecies above-mention-
ed, has not been determined.

AValnut. The American fpecies of this genus,
have been confounded by botanical writers. There
are at leaft three in New-Hampfnire. 1. White or
round nut Hickory, [juglans alba.^ Its fap is fweet,
but does not flow freely. Its wood is fmooth and
tough, and is much ufed for gun- (locks, axe-handles
and walking- flicks. 2. Shag-bark [juglans cine-ria?'^
The wood of diis tree is not fo valuable as the white ;
but the fruit is preferable, being larger, and having
afoftcrfhell 3. Oil-nut or Butter-nut. This fpecies
has been called, by fome authors, juglans alha^ and
by oih.Qvs^ juglans filgra. It differs fpecifically from
both, and therefore Dr. Cutler has given it the dif-
tinguiihing name o^ juglans catha?'tica^ expreffive of
the peculiar property of its bark, the extract of
which is one of the beft cathartics in the materia
medica. It neither produces gripings, nor leaves the
patiei:it coftive, and may be made efficacious, with-
out hazard, by increafing the dofc. Its operation is
kind and fafe, even in the mofl delicate conftitutions.
It is an excellent family m.edicine, is well adapted
to hofpitals, navies and armies. It was much ufed
by the military phyficians, in the late war ; and it
may become a valuable article of exportation. It is
faid to be one of the beft antidotes againll the bite
of the rattle-fnake. The fruit of this tree, when
gathered young, in the beginning of July, makes an
excellent pickle. When ripe, it is a fattening food

• ' I am uncertain wlietlifr tliis he the cineris of authors, and tlierefore lave added tlje
' mark of interroj^tion. If it be not i.h& eireriti (to which the cliaracters pretty wejt
' "grfce) it has no fpccific name.* iJr. Cnikfs^

NEW-HAMPSHIRE. ^77

for iwine. Its fhell is black, hard and rough. Its
kernel contains a large quantity of a rich fweet oil.*
Its wood makes good fencing flufF; and its bark,
belides the medicinal virtues which it pofiTefTes, has
a quality of dying feveral fhades of grey and black.

Chefiiut, [J^^gns cajianea) is chiefly ufed for
fencing ; it is Itraight, coarfe grained, eafily riven
and very durable. It is fometimes fplit into (laves
and heading for dry caflcs.

Beech, [fa^us fyhatica.) Of this there are three
varieties. The white and the red are uled as fewel.
The black is fmall and tough, and is ufed only for
withes and fwitches.

Hornbeam [carp'uius betulus) is a fmall but tough
tree, and is ufed only for levers, hand fpikes and
Itakes.

Button-wood [platantis ocadcntalis^ is a large tree,
but as touph as the hornbeam. It is ufed for wind-
lafles, wheels and blocks.

Fine, [pinus) Of this genus w^e have at lead feven
fpecies. 1. 'J he White Pine {pinus Jirobus) is un-
doubtedly the prince of the American foreft in lize,
^ge and majefty of appearance. More of this fpe-
cies have been produced in New-TIampfliire, and the
eaiiern counties of Maffachufetts than in all Ameri-
ca befides. 7 hefe trees have a very thin fap, and
are diftinguifhed by the name of mafl-pine from,
the fucceeding growth of the fame fpecies, which
are called faplings. The bloHbm of this and other
pines appears auout the middle of June, its farina is
of a bright yellow, and fo ilibtil that it is exhaled
with vapor from the earth, afcends into the clouds

* In the soiitliern and western parts of the United States, this tree is found in very
great abunt:ar.ce. The Indians prt£er\'ed the oil wliich they extracted from the nut.
Of this we have an early testimory in the journal of Ferdinando de Soto, A. D. 1540.
When he came to Chialia, situate near the Apalachian mountains, about the latitude of
84*5 he ' lound great store ot oil of walnuts, clear as butter, and of good taste.' {Purchus,
Tol. 5. page 1539.) The Indians of New-Lngland extracted an oil from acorns, by boU-
png them in water with ashes of punk, or the rgtten heart of maple.

JoEseljn's Voyagrf'.

78 HISTORY O?

and falls with rain, forming a yellow fcum on the
furface of the water, which the ignorant eironeouf-
ly call fulphnr from the fimiiarity of its colour.

When a mall tree is to be felled, much prepara-
tion is neceflary. So tall a ftick without any hmbs
nearer the ground than eighty or a hundred feet, is
in great danger of breaking in the fall. 1 o prevent
this, the workmen have a contrivance which they
call bedding the tree, which is thus executed. 1 hey
know in what direction the tree will fall ; and they
cut down a number of fmaller trees which grow in
that direction ; or if there be none, they draw oth-
ers to the fpot, and place them fo that tiie falhng
tree may lodge on their branches ; which breaking
or yielding under its preiliire, render its fail eaiy
and fafe. A time of deep fnow is the moll favora-
ble feafon, as the rocks are then covered, and a nat-
ural bed is formed to receive the tree. When fallen,
it is examined, and if to appearance it be found, it
is cut in the proportion of three feet in length to
every inch of its diameter, for a mall ; but if intend-
ed for a bow-fpirit or a yard, it is cut Ihorter. if it
be not found throughout, or if it break in falling,
it is cut into logs for the faw mill.

When a mail: is to be drawn, as its length will
not admit of its paffing in a crooked road a llraight
path is cut and cleared for it through the woods,
if it be cut in the neighborhood of a lari^e river, it
is drawn to the bank and rolled into the water, or in
the winter it is laid on the ice to be floated away at
the breaking up of the river in the fpring. trom
other fituations malls are now conveyed twenty,
thirty or forty miles to the landing places at the head
of the tide, and as the difUnce has increal'ed, more
fafe and eafy modes of conveyance have been invent-
ed. Formerly, if drawn on wheels, the maft was
raifcd by levers, and hung by chains under the axle.

NEW-HAMPSHIRE. ^

in this cafe it was neceiTary to ule very ftrong and
heavy chains, and wheels of fixteen or eighteen feet
in diameter, that the malt, in pafliag might be clear-
ed from the ground, which was often encumbered
with rocks and (tumps. Now, the common wheels
and chains are ufed, and the largeft (lick, by a very
eafy operation, is raifed on the axle. To perform
this, the whsels being brought near to it, are cant-
ed ; the axle being fet in a perpendicular pofition,
one wheel on the ground and the other aloft. The
mail is then rolled over the rim and fpokes of the
lower wliecl, and falfened to the axle ; and when it
is thus fixed, a chain, which is previoufly made fafl
to the oppofite (ide of the upper wheel, is hooked to
a yoke of oxen ; who, by a jerk, bring down the up-
per and raife the lower wheel, and thus both are
brought into their proper polition, with the mafl
mounted on the axle. They ufe two pair of wheels,
one at each end of the maft ; by which means, it is
not galled by friction on the ground ; and the
draught is rendered much eafier for the cattle.

When a mail: is to be drawn on the fnow, one end
is placed on a fled, ihorter, but higher than the com-
mon fort, and refts on a ftrong block, which is laid
acrofs the middle of the fled; Formerly, the butt
end was placed foremoft, and faftened by chains to
the bars of the fled, which was attended by this in-
convenience ; that in fldelong ground, the fl:ick by
its rolling would overfet the fled, and the drivers
had much diiliculty either to prevent or remedy this
dififlier, by the help of levers and ropes. The in-
vention of the fwivel chain precludes this difficulty.
One part of this chain is failened to the tongue of
the fled, and the other to the fmallefl: end of the maft,
by means of a circular groove cut in it ; one of the
intermediate links is a fwivel, which, by its eafy
turning, allows the ftick to roll from fide to fide.

80 HISTORY OF

without overturning the fled. In defcending a long
and deep hill, they have a contrivance to prevent the
load from making too rapid a defcent. Some of the
cattle are placed behind it j a chain wdiich is at-
tached to their yokes is brought forward and failen-
ed to the hinder end of the load, and the refiitance
which is made by thefe cattle, checks the defcent.
This operation is called tailing. The moft dangerous
circumftance, is the pafling over the top of a Iharp
hill, by which means, the oxen which are nearell to
the tongues are fometimes fufpendcd, till the fore-
moll cattle can draw the mail (o far over the hill,
as to give them opportunity to recover the ground.
In this cafe the drivers are obliged to ufe much
judgment and care, to keep the cattle from being
killed. There is no other way to prevent this in^.
convenience than to level the roads.

The bed white pine trees are fold for mafls, bow-
fprits and yards, for large Ihips.* Thofe of an infe-
rior fize, partly unfound, crooked, or broken in
falling, are either fliwn into planks and boards, or

* DouMas [voi. II. pn^e P>3.] speaks of a white pine, cut near Dunstable, in 1736,
which was ' straijjlit and sound, seven feet ei,j;ht inches in dia.iieter, at the b\itt end,*
He also savs, tliat wlteii ■• Col. P:irtrirl;fe' (form'^rly Lieutenant Go%-ernor of New-Hamp-
shire) ' had tlie mast contract, lie sent home a few of 38 inches, and t>vo of 42 iiiches.'

I liave obtained from the books of the late contractor, Mark Hiinkins^ Wentwcrtli,
Esq. deceased, the following account of the size and value of such sticks as he sent t*
England for the use <,>f the navy.

Masts.

Yai

ds

Bows

prlts.

Diameter | Sterlin;:^ |

Diameter

Sterling

Diameter

S terlino

in inc

..es. 1

value. 1

in inches.

value.

ill

inches.

value.

23

18,

8

15

25

2,10

26

16,

16

26

3,

27

18,

17

6,10

27

3.14

38

23,

18

9

28

8, 2

29

28,

19

11 4

29

15,

30

35,10

20

14.10

30

21,

31

44,

21

18,10

81

26,

32

?6,

22

21,

82

29.

33

70,

23

2.5,10

33

32,

S4

GO,

24

82,

34

86
37

40,
42.10
4.'?,
52,10'

N. T5. It must he observed, that all these \Tcrehewn into the proper sliape beftre A«^
Jtml dimentioiTs were taken, which determined their value.

NEW-HAMPSHIRE. 81

fonnod Into canoes, or cut into bolts for the ufe of
coopers, or fplit and fhaved into clapboards and
fiiinglcs. Boards of this wood are much ufed fo
wainfcoting and cabinet work ; it is of fmooth grain,
and when free from knots, does no injury to the
tools of the workmen ; but the foftnefs of its tex-
ture fubjects it to Ihrink and fwell with the weath-
er. The fapling pine, though of the fame fpecies, is
not {o firm and fmooth as the veteran pine of the
fored, and is more feaiibly affected by the weather.

The Humps and roots of the maft pine are very
durable. It is a common faying, that ' no man ever
' cut down a pine, and lived to fee the flump rotten.'
After many years, vv^hen the roots have been loofen-
ed by the froll, they are, with much labor, cut and
dug out of the ground, and being turned up edge
way, are fet for fences to fields ; in which ftate they
have been known to remain found for half a cen-
tury. A collection of thefe roots would make an
impenetrable abbatis^ which nothing but fire could
eafily deftroy.

Before the revolution, all white pines (excepting
thofe growing in any townfliip granted before the
twenty-firll of September, 1722) were accounted
the King's property, and heavy penalties were an-
nexed to the cutting of them, without leave from
the King's furveyor. Since that event, thefe trees,
like all others, are the property of the landholder.

(2.) The Yellow pine [p'lnns pined) is harder and
heavier than the white, but never grows to the fame
fize ; its planks and boards are ufed for the floors
of houfes and the decks of fhips.

(^.) The Pitch pine [pinus tcsda) is the hardefl and
heavielt of all the pines ; it is fometimes put to the
fame ufes as the yellow pine ; but at prefenc the
principal ufe of it is for fewel. When burnt in
kilns, it makes the befl kind of charcoal ; its knots
L

82 HISTORY OF

and roots being full of the terebinthine oil, afford a
light farpalTing candles; its foot is collected, and ufed
for lamp black. The making of tar from it is now
wholly difafed. Formerly., when it was made, the
method was this. A piece of clay ground was chof-
en ; or if it could not conveniently be had, the earth
was paved with (lone or brick, in a circular form,
about twelve or fifteen feet in diameter, raifed in
the middle, and a circular trench was drawn round
it, a few inches in depth. The wood being cut and
fplit, was fet upright in a conical pile, and covered
on every fide with fods, a hole being left open at the
top, where the pile was fet on fire. The confined heat
melted the refinous juices of the wood, which flow-
ed out at the bottom into the circular trench, and
was conducted by other gutters, to holes in the
earth, in which were fet barrels to receive it. Tur-
pentine is collected from every fpecies of the pine,
by boxing the trees ; that from the white pine is the
pureft ; it fometimes diflils from the tree in beauti-
fully tranfparent drops.

4. The Larch [piniis lar'ix) is the only tree of the
terebinthine quality which flieds its leaves in au-
tumn. Its turpentine is faid to be the fame with the
Burgundy pitch.

(5.) The Fir [p'mus halfamea) yields a fine balfam,
which is contained in fmall blifters on the exterior
furface of its bark. This balfam is ufed both as an
external and internal medicine. The wood is coarf-
er, and more brittle, than the pine, and is feldom ei-
ther hewn or fawn.

(G.) Of Spruce [p'mus canadcvfts'^ we have two
varieties, the white and the black. The ivJjitt'fpruce
is tall and flender, its grain is twilling, and
when dripped of its bark, it will crack in a warm
fun. It is the word wood for fewel, becaufe of its-
continual fnapping j in this refpect it exceeds hem-

NEW-HAMPSHIRE, SS

lock and chefnut ; both of which are remarkable for
the fiime ill quality. It is fome times formed into
oars for large boats, but is inferior to afh. It is often
iifed for fpars, for fencing fluff and for fcaffblding,
for all which purpofes, its form and texture render
it very convenient, as it is ftraight and tough, and
may be had of any fize from two inches to two feet
in diameter. The black fpruce is ufed only for beer.
The young twigs of it are boiled till the bark may
eafily be flripped from the wood, and being fweeten-
ed with moiaffes, make one of the moil pleafant
and wholefome beverages which nature affords. Of
this fpruce is made the effence, which is as well
known in Europe as in America.

(7.) 7 he Hemlock (phms abies ) is, in flature, the
next tree to the maft pine. It grows largeft in
fwampy land, and is very ftraight. Its grain is
coarfe, and is not eafily fplit or hewn, but is fawed
into planks, joifts, and laths. Its chief excellence
in building is, that it holds a nail exceedingly well.
It makes good flooring for bridges and barns, and
the round timber is very durable in wharfs and
dams. The bark is excellent for tanning leather.
The balfam of the hemlock is ufed medicinally, but
it cannot be collected in any great quantities.

"White cedar [thuja occidentalis.^

Red cedar (juniperus virginiana."^

* The white cedar of the fouthern States [cuprejfm

* thyoides^ is a very different tree from the white ce-

* dar of the northern States ; but the red cedar is

* the fame in all the States. It is a juniper, and a

* fpecies of that in Europe which produces the juni-

* per berries. The wood of the red cedar, is more

* durable, when fet in the earth, than any other

* wood growing in this country.'

'We have another fpecies of juniper (juniperus fa-
' hmd) which does not rife more than eighteen inches
' from the ground j but the branches extend hori-

84 HISTORY or

* zontally feveral yards ; and form, in open paftures,

* an extenfive bed of evergreen. The leaves are
' mixed with oats, and given to horfes to deftroy

* the worms, which infefl their bowels.'

White willow (falix alba) is origin.aly an exotic,
but now well naturalized and much propagated.

* The bark of this tree is ufed as a fubllitute for the
' cortex peruviana^

Swamp willow (falix') is the firfl: tree that fliows its
blolFoms in the fpring. In fome feafons, its white
flowers exhibit a delightful appearance, when ail
the neighbouring trees remain in their wintry hue.

Poplar or Afpen (popidus tremida^') This tree is
more frequently found in open or clear land, than in
thick woods. It is of quick grovv^th. The wood is
white, fort and fmooth. It is ufed for lails and
heels of fhoes, and for fome kinds of turned work.

Black poplar or Balfam tree. This is a beautiful
foreif tree, of a large iize, and quick growth ; very
proper for walks and fliades. Its buds, in the fpring,
are full of a rich balfam, refembiing the ballam of
Peru. As the buds expand the balfam difappears.

Of the Maple we have three fpecies. 1. The
white [acer ncgiuido) efpecially that which is curled
in its grain, is much ufed in cabinet work j it is
firm and fmooth ; it takes a fine polilh, and m.ay be
flained of the colour of black walnut or mahogany.
2. The red [acer rubrum) grows in fwamps, and is
£t only for fuel. 3. The black or rock maple, ex-
ceeds the o':l>crs in this refpect, being of a very clofe
texture, hard and heavy, even when perfectly dry.
But the grand excellency of this tree, is the faccha-
rine quality of its fap, which has obtained for it the
name of Sugar maple, [acer facchar'iniim.')

Thof;j tj CCS which grow in cleared land, do not
yield fap in fuch quantities as thofe which grow in
the thick woods ; but it is richer. The fame dif-

new-hampsiiire. 85

ference is obferved between thofe which grow iu
wet and in dry land.

To procure the Tap, an incifion is made by two
fc ores, an inch and half, or two inches deep, and
from iix to eight inches long, in the form of the let-
ter V. This method of lapping caiifes the tree to
bleed very freely, and in two or three years, kills it ;
a chxumlfance not much regarded where the trees
are numerous, and a continual fucceffion of them,
may be had ; but if care be taken to tap them, by
making a fmall circular incifion, and filling it with
a plug when the feafon is pafc, the bark will cover
the wound, and the tree wall lad many years. From
the lower part of the incifion, the fap is guided by a
fmall flick into a trough, containing two or three
gallons. Thefe troughs are made by cutting the
the pine, or fome other foft wood, into pieces of a
yard long, and fplitting them in halves, a cavity is
then made in each half, by a narrow axe, and fo ex-
pert are the woodmen at this bufinefs, that one of
them will make thirty or forty in a day. I arger
troughs or vats, are placed in a central fituation, to
ferve as refervoirs for the fap when collected.

1 he feafon for tapping the trees is in March, and
the fap will not run but in a clear day, fucceeding
a frofty night. A full grown tree will then yield
from two to three gallons each day. The perlbns
employed in the bufinefs, vifit each tree, and, col-
lecfling the fap in buckets, remove it to the larger
troughs, or, if the ground be very extenfive, it is
put into barrels, which are drawn on lleds to the
place appointed for boiling. 1 he kettles in which
f it is boiled, are commonly the fame which are ufed
' for culinary purpofes, fulpended in the ufual man-
f ner, but the befl way is to ufe broad kettles, fet in
brick or flone, with the fire confined under the bot-
tom, and not flaming up round the fides, in which

86 HISTORY OF

cafe there is danger of burning the fugar. As the
fap evaporates the kettles are filled up, the boiling
is continued, and the liquor is fkimmed till it be-
comes a thick fyrup. In this ftate it may reft for
a week, and in the mean time, more of the fap may
undergo the fame procefs, and be reduced to a iefs
quantity.

The next operation is granulating, which may be
done on a cloudy day, when no fap can be collecfted.
But if there be a fucceiTion of fair weather, the
trees will difcharge fo fail, that the colledlion muft
be attended to by day, and the boiling by night.
When the fyrup is to be granulated, the boiling is
repeated. The kettle is then not more than half
filled, to prevent v/afle. To check the too fudden
rifing of the liquor, a fmall piece of clean butter or
tallow is occaiionally thrown in. To know when
it w^ll granulate, a little of it is taken out and cool-
ed, and wdien it appears to be in this Hate, the
whole is poured into a cooler. After the grain is
form.ed. it is hung in bags to drain. A fmall quan-
tity of quick lime, put into the liquor, as is ufual
in the Wcfl-Indies, would promote and improve the
granulation.

In every ftage of the work much neatnefs is re-
quired. The fap muft be ftrained through a flan-
nel ficve before the firft boiling, to clear it of chips,
leaves and other adventitious fubftances ; and be-
fore the fecond boiling, it muft undergo another
ftraining. When the feafon is over, the troughs are
either piled in a dry place, bottom upward, or fet
on end againft the trees, to be kept clean for another
feafon. The fugar, thus procured, is, by fome of
the neateft workmen, rendered as white as the fineft
mufcovado. It is an agreeable fweet, frequently
fupplying the place of milk and meat, and afford-
ing wholefome and nouriiliing food for children.

NEW-HAMPSHIRE. 87

The drainlngs of the fugar, or the laft run of the
fap, which will not granulate, are ufed as inolafTes,
to fweeten cakes, puddings and other viands. A
very palatable and refrelliing beer is made by boil-
ing down the fap to a quarter part, and fermenting
it with yeaft, and another extremely wholefome
liquor, is obtained from the deco(5lion of fpruce in.
the fap. Vinegar alfo is made by expoling the fap
tc the a'r.

The fugar, thus extracted from the maple, is clear
gain to the induftrious hufbandman. It is made at
a time of the year when no field labor can be done.
The ground is then covered with fnow, which be-
ing hardened by the froft, will bear a man's weight.
One man and a boy have collected a fufficiency of
fap for five hundred pounds of fugar, and a man,
with two boys, for feven hundred. The boiling is
often performed by women. Thefe trees are found
in many parts of the country ; but they abound
mo ft in the lands between the White mountains
and Connecticut river. The wood is very fuitable
for the ufe of carpenters, who make of it felloes of
wheels, where oak cannot eafily be procured, as is
the cafe in a great extent of country in the north-
weftern part of the ftate.

Of Afti we have two fpecies. 1. The White
Afli [fraxinus excelfwr') in good land, grows to the fize
of three feet in diameter. It is very tall, ftraight
and tough. Its leaves and bark are an antidote to
the venom of the rattle-fnake. The wood is eafily
riven, and makes durable rails for fences. It is al-
fo formed into oars and handfpikes, and ferves for
the frames of ploughs, carts, fleighs, and riding car-
riages, and for the handles of many ufeful tools in
agricultural and mechanical employments. 2. The
other fpecies is Black Afh (fraxinus americand) of
which the Red and Yellow are varieties. Splints of

88 HISTORY OI

the wood of Afli are obtained by pounding it with
a maul, and are employed in making balkets and
brooms. This knowledge was probably derived
from the Indians. The roots of yellow Alli, arc ufed
by turners, for the making of -plates and bowls.

After going through the catalogue of fored trees,
it may be proper to obferve, that all woods, wliich
grow on high land, are more firm and folid, and
better for timber or fewel. than thofe which grow
in r^am^s. The fame difference may generally be
obferved between thofe in the open grounds, and
thofe in the thick Ihade of the forefl. Tiie pine is
an exception to this remark ; but whether the im-
n>f^nfe age or fuperior ftature of the foreft pine be
the caufes which render it more firm than that
which is found in the pallures, cannot at prefent
be afcertained.

From feveral experiments made by the Covmtde
Buff ON, it appears that the wood of trees, llripped
of their bark in the fpring, and left to dry (landing
till they are dead, is harder, heavier and llronger,
more folid and durable than that of trees felled in
their bark ; and that the fappy part of wood, with-
out bark, is not only llronger than the common, but
much more fo than the heart of wood in bark,
though lefs heavy. The phyiical caufe of this aug-
mentation of ftrength and folidity he thus explains.

* Trees incrcafe in fize by additional coats of new
' wood, which is formed from the running fap be-

* tween the bark and the old wood. Trees flripped
' of their bark, form none of thefe new coats, and

* though they live after the bark is taken off they do
not grovvT. The fubftance deftined to form the

* new wood, finding itfelf flopped and obliged to

* fix in the void places both of the fap and heart,
'augments the folidity and confequently the ftrength
' of the wood.'*

• Nat. Hist. Vol. v. p. 857. It must be abscrved that liis experiment were made
on oaks.

1

■i

NEW-HAMPSHIRE. 89

Beiiclc the iinmenre quantity of living wood with
which the forcft abounds, nature hath provided an
ample (lore of that follil, ligneous fubftance called
peat. It appears to be formed of the deciduous parts
of trees and ihrubs, preierved in a peculiar manner,
in the earth. It is ulually found in IWamps between
br under hills, where it has been accumulating for
many ages. The decayed vegetation of one peri-
od having ferved as a foil in which another
growth has taken root and come to maturity. In
the town of Dover are two fwamps, which, within
the lall twenty-five years, have been cleared of the
flumps and roots of the latpfl growth, which were
pine and hemlock. In digging them up, another
tier of ftumps was found under them, the roots of
which were found ; and in fome inilances a third
ftump appeared under the fecond. In fuch fwamps
is found the peat; in which the (hape of twigs, bark
and leaves is very apparent ; but on pre [fare it is
confolidated into a foft fatty fubllance. This being
dug in fpits of a proper fize, and dried, becomes
valuable fewel ; of which, though at prefent little
ufe is made, yet poflerity will doubtlefs reap the
benefit.*

' * I very much doubt your doctrine of feat. It appears to me to be a substance w
''generis. Deciduous parts of trees and shrubs are often found niixei with it. R'lt its

* inflammable property, I conceive, does not depend on the mere adventitious col'ecti vis of

* decayed vegetables ; for although peat is found in places favourable to such o'itctions,
' yet it is not found in every place where those collections have been made. Besides, in

• all the peat I have examined, there are numerous fibres of a singular constructio!). va-
' riously ramified ; in some kinds they are extremely fine, in others as large as a pack
' thread. When the peat is first taken from tlie pit, the threads may be traced a co.isiJ-
' erable length, and. when washed, they Iiave an appearance which has in luced ma to
' suspect a vegetable organization. If they are a living vegetable, they seem to form the
' link between the vegetable and fossil king lorn. It seems most probable, if those
' fibres are not vegetable sui generis, they may be the fibrous roots of a bed of some par-
' ticular species of moss, upon which there has been a large ooHection of matter, wldch

• has buried them a certain depth under ground, where they are not subject to puire-
' faction. But there seems to be an inflammable fossil in the composition of peat, di.Ter-
' ent from the earth commonly found in similar places. I am told some peat appears to

• be entirely a fossil, though I have never seen any such. It is as easy to conceive ol such
' a fossil as of pit-coal. If the fossil contains the inflammable principle, it is not derived
' from deciduous vegetables. Have you never heard of its growing again where it has
■ been dug out ? One of my neighbours has often told me tliat a dirch was dug through a

♦ T^eadt^w i« hie farm- many years ago, where theieic a body of peat ; tliat the depth of

M

9lO HISTORY OF

It is not my iiitentioa to write, lyftematically,
the natural hiftory of the fountry, or to defcribe,
with botanical accuracy, the indigenous vegetables
which it contains ; but brieliy to take notice oifuch
as are endowed with the moii remarkable qualities,
either falutary or naxious.

Of Grapes we have two fpecies. The black grape
[vitis labrnfcay -Awd the fox-grape [vitis vnipbia.^ Of
thefe there are ievcral varieties. 1 rom the fpeci-
mens of fm^eign grapes, which ripen in our gardens,
there is fufficient reafon to believe that the culture
of vines, in favor;ible fituations, might be attended
^vith faccefs. This opinion is corroborated by the
judgment of foreigners, occaiionally refident with us.

The black Currant (rlhes nigru77i^ is a native of
our fwamps, and is nmeh improved by culture. It
is not much ufed as food, but is an excellent ;nedi-
cine for a fore mouth and throat.

The wildGoofeberry [r-'ibes grofularui) is very com-
mon in the borders of woods, and has been greatly
meliorated by cultivation.

We have feveral fpecies of Whortleberries [yacci-
nhim corymbofmn) which grow in great abundance
and ferve as wholefome and palatable food ; fome
of them are dried for winter.

The Craneberry {yacci?iium oxycoccos) is a fruit pe-
culiar to America. The common fpecies grows on
a creeping vine in meadows. The branches of the
vine take root at the joints, and overfpread the
ground to the extent of an acre. The berries hang
on very llender ftalks. At firlt they are white, but
turn red as they ripen, and when full grown, are of

' l\\c Hitch exceeded the dcptli of the peat ; and th:\t tlie peat lias pushed out on both
' si'cs so as nearly to meet in the center, but the sides of the ditch above and below, re-
' main nnich tlie same, except some li tie chan ■;<■. which the leiij^'tli of time lias produced.
' 1 have not seen th^' jilace ; but were 1 assured of this fact, I should be inc'ined to be-
' licve the fibres to bi living vej^etaliles, and ths fossil lobe po.^sesseil of the property of
' 8pr, with rejijard to ti.e increase of its bulk j and tint these two substances were mv.-i-
' tually dependent on each gtlier.' M?- later ojDr. QutUr.

NEW-HAMPSHIRE. 91

the fizc of a cherry. They yield an agreeable acid
juice, and, when Hewed and made into ajelly,are ex-
rteuiely cooling in a fever, and a delicious lauce at
the table. They may be kept a long time in water,
and lulibr no injury from the froil. They are fre-
quently fent abroad, and are highly refrelhing at
fea. The bell way to prcferve them for long voy-
ages, is to put them up, clean and dry, in bottles,
clofely corked. There is another fj)ecies of crane-
berry, wdiich grows in cluilers on a bulh, but it is
not fo large nor io com mon as the other.

The comtnon Rafpberry {ruhus idaus') is found in
the moil exuberant plenty in the new plantations,
and in the old, by the fides of fields and roads. The
fuperb rafpberry [ruh-s cauadciifis'^ is larger and
n^iore delicate. Its bIolL>m is purple, audits leaves
^re fometimes a foot in diameter.

The Branibleberry [riihus occidcntal'is,^ The run-
ning Blackberry [rubua moluccanus.^ The upright
Blackberry [rnbiis Jrufiofiis^ are alfo very common,
cfpecially in the newly cleared land, and afford an
agreeable refrelhment.

The Strawberry (fragatia vefcd) in fome parts of
the country, is very luxuriant in new fields and
pai lures ; but it is capable of great improvement by
cultivation.

The Hazle-nut [coryhts cvcllana) is found in the
neglected parts of paflures, and by the fides of rivers.

There are two fpecies of Ground-nuts. One [hc-
I'lau thus tubercfus) bears a yellow bloflbm, refembhng
the funflower. '1 he other (glichie ap'ios) is a vine,
which twines itfelf about bulhes, and bears a blof-
lbm and fruit refembling a pea. 7 he roots were
much ufed for food by the Indians, and are indeed
very palatable. I know not whether they have been
cultivated ; but the former might be planted like
the potatoe.

92 HISTORY or

Befides thefe, there are feveral kinds of plums,
and other wild fruits, which have not been reduced
to a fyflcmatical order, nor dillinguilhed by any
but trivial names.

There is a greatvariety of native vegetables, which
are ufed for medicinal and domellic purpofes. A-
mong thefe may be reckoned the following :

The Bayberry [jyiyrica cerifera) the leaves of which
yield an agreeable perfume, and the fruit a delicate
green wax, which is made into candles. Ginfeng
(panax trifoliiwi) fo much efteem.ed by the Chinefe,
is found in great plenty in the weftern part of the
State, and it is faid that the farther northward it is
found, the better is its quality. It was formerly
thought that the ginfeng grew only in China and
Tartary ; but it was clilcovered in America about
the year 1750, and feme fpecimens of it having been
fent to England, and thence to China, it was, on
trial, acknov^ledged, by the Chinefe themfelves, to
be the fame with the oriental ginfeng.

The proper time for gathering this root, is in
September, jufl before the froil kills the ftem. The
way of curing it in China, is thus related. ' After

* the ginfeng is gathered, it is cleaned, then dipped
' in fcalding v^Mter, and the ligneous bark rubbed
' off with a piece of dry flannel. It is then laid
' acrofs flicks, over a vefTel, in which yellow millet*
' is boiling, with a gentle fire, and covered with a

* cloth. The fleam of the boiling millet gives it
' that colour which is admired by the Chinefe.

* When the roots are thus prepared, they mufl be

* dried and kept clofe, otherwife they will corrupt

* or be deflroyed by worms.' This root once prom-
ifed to be a valuable article of commerce with Chi-
na ; but the fale of it has been greatly injured by

* Millet is very rnsily aiUivated, and yields a vast increase. I have counted ten
tiioMsand grains on one stalit.

NFW-HAMPSHIRi;. 93

the loofe and carelefs manner in which it has been
packed, and the too great quantity which has been,
at once exported. It might however, by fome proper
regulations, be ftill rendered advantageous.

The prickly alh (its genus unknown) is a ilirub,
growing in moill places, and iometimes rifing into
a fmall tree. It is armed v:\th. fpiculde^ like the
locull. The bark has a high degree of warmth and
pungency ; with which, in the feed, is combined
an agreeable aroma. The former is efteemed an ex-
cellent remedy for the chronic rheumatifm. Thq
latter were ufed by the foldiers, in the late war, and
by many other people, remote from the trading
towns, as a fdbftitute for pepper in feafoning food.
It is chiefly found in the weftern part of the State.

The Garget {^Phytolacca decandra^ is a valuable
plant. Its berries yield a beautiful purple juice,
which might be ufed in dying. Its root is in great
repute among farriers.

Of the Elder there are two fpecies, black [/am--
huccus nigra) and red [yibiirnum opulus.^ The former
is too well known to need any defcription ; as are
the Maiden-hair [adlanthus pedatuus^ the Sarfaparilla
(ara/ia) Snake root [poiygala fc7iegd^ and many
others.

There are feveral plants, the virtues of which
were well knovsm to the Indians, but are now either
jiegle6led or unknown. One of thefe is a runnirig
vine, bearing a fmall red berry, and a round leaf,
which Joflelyn (who wrote in 1G72) fayj, the fifh-
ermen cAX^di poke ;* it is known to the hunters by
the name of Indian tobacco^ and it was ufed by the
natives, before thieir acquaintance with the Euro-
peans, for fm caking, and afterwards was frequently
mixed with the true tobacco from the foutLern parts
of America. It has a ftrong irarcotic quality. \%.

* Boke is tlie jsame by which the garget is known in the middle Statf^

94: ' HISTORY or

grows on the fummit of Agamcnticus ; and on
many other mountains and dry elevated places.

Another is the Indian Hemp [ajclep'ias) of which
the Indians made their bow-llriugs. The fibres of
its bark are flrong, and may be wrought into a fine
thread. The Silk Grafs, another fpecies of the af-
cleplas^ bears a pod, containing a down, which may
be carded and fpun into candle wicks.

The Witch Hazel [hammnelis] was much ufed by
the Indians, as a remedy for inliamrnations.

We have at lead three fpecies of the lobelia ; one
of which is a flrong emetic ; another [Ubclia cardi-
fwlis) is employed in the cure of a difeai'e, with the
name of which I will not llain my page.

The vine, called Buck Bean [j7ie7,yanthcs'] is faid
to be a rare plant in this country, and of luigular
ufe in medicine. It grows at Jaffrey, near the grand
Monadnock.

The arinii^ or Skunk Cabbage, has been found ve-
ry efficacious in afthmatic complaints.

It may be proper to clofe this account of indige-
nous vegetables, with the names of thofe plants,
which, under certain circumllances, operate as
poifons ; fome of which, however, have been
brought into a medicinal ufe, and are in repute for
the cure of diforders, attended with fpalinodic atfec-
tioiis. Of this latter fort, are the Hemlock [cicuid)
^iKe Thorn Apple [datura Jlramomimi) the Henbane
[hyojcyajncti,' ?dgcr) and the night Ihade [fdanum ;/i-
gru7n.\ (3ther poifonous plants, arc the ivy [hedera
helex) the creeping Ivy, or, as it is called by fome,
Mercury'! [rhns radica?is) the juice of which llains
linen a d\eep and indelible black ; the Swamp Su-
mach [rhiiis toxico dcndrmii) the Walter Eltlcr [viLur-
num opuhis) the herb Chriilopher [aSfa-a fpicata) the
Stinkii?ig Snakeweed [cUJfortia trifoliata) and th^
White Hellebore [ycratr urn album.') ;

\ - /

M£W-HAMPSHIRE. 95

CHAP. IX.

Soil, Cultivation and Husbayidnj.

J. HKRE is a great variety of foil in New-
Hamplliire. The intervale lands on the large rivers,
are accounted the moft valuable, becaufe they are
overflown and recruited every year by the water
from the uplands, which brings down a fat flime or
fediment, of the conliilence of foap. Thefe lands
produce every kind of grain in the utmoft perfec-
tion ; but are not fo good for pafture as the uplands
of a proper quality. The wide fpreading hills of a
moderate elevation, are generally much efleemed,
as v/arai and rich ; rocky moid land is accounted
good for pafture ; drained fwamps have a deep
mellow foil, and the valleys between hills are gen-
erally very productive.

In the new and uncultivated parts, the foil is dif-
tinguilhed by the various kinds of woods which
grow upon it, thus : White oak land is hard and
ftony, the under growth confifting of brakes and
fern ; this kind of foil will not bear grafs till it has
been ploughed and hoed ; but it is good for Indian
corn, and muft be fubdued by planting, before it
can be converted into mowing or pafture. The
fame may be faid of chefnut land.

Pitch pine land is dry and fandy ; it will bear
corn and r-e with ploughing; but is foon worn
out, and needs to lie fallow two or three years to
recruit.

White pine land is alfo light and dry, but has a
deeper foil, and is of courfe better ; both thefe kinds
of land bear brakes and fern j and wherever thefe

96 HISTORY Of

grow ill large quantities, is is an indication that
ploughing is necelTary to prepare the land forgrals.

Spruce and hemlock, in the eaftern parts of the
State, denote a thin, cold foil, which, after much
labor in the clearing, will indeed bear grafs with-
out ploughing, but the crops are fmall, and there is
a natural tough fward commonly called a r/./o^, which
muft either rot or be burned before any cultivation
can be made. But in the weflern parts, the fpruce
and hemlock, with a mixture of birch, denote a
moid foil, which is excellent for grafs.

When the white pine and the oyl-nut are found
in the fame land, it is commonly a deep moifl: loam,
and is accounted very rich and profitable.

Beech and maple land is generally efleemed the
mod eafy and advantageous for cultivation as it is
a warm, rich, loamy foil, which eafily takes grafs,
corn and grain without ploughing ; and not only
bears good crops the firfl: year, but turns immedi-
ately to mowing and paflure ; that foil which is
deepeft, and of the darkeft colour, is efleemed
the beft.

Black and yellow birch, white afli, elm and alder,
are indications of good foil, deep, rich and moift,
which will admit grafs and grain without plough-
ing!.

Red oak and white birch are figns of flrong land,
and generally th? flrength of land is judged of by
the largenefs of the trees which it produces.

There are evident figns of a change in the growth
on the fame foil, in a courfe of time ; for which
no caufes can be afTigned. In fome places the old
flanding trees, and the fallen decayed trees, appear
to be the fame, whilil the moll thriving trees are of
a different kind. For inftance, the old growth in
fome places is red oak, or white afh ; whilfl the
other trees are beech and maple, without any young

NEW-HAMPSHIRE. 97

oak or afli among them. It is probable that the
growth is thus changed in many places ; the only
conclufion which can be drawn from this circum-
llance, is, that the fame foil is capable of bearing
divers kinds of trees ; but (till there is a difference
fufficient to denominate the foil from the growth.

Several ways of railing a crop on new land have
been practifed. The eafiefl and cheapefl method
was originally learned of the Indians, who never
looked very far forward in their improvements.
The method is that of girdling the trees ; which is
done by making a circular incifion through the
bark, and leaving them to die Handing. 'I his ope-
ration is performed in the fummer, and the ground
is fowed in AugufI, with winter rye, intermixed
with grafs. The next year, the trees do not put
forth leaves, and the land having yielded a crop,
becomes fit for paflure. This method helps poor
fettlers a little the firft year ; but the inconvenience
of it is, that if the trees are left ftanding, they are
continually breaking and falling with the wind,
which endangers the lives of cattle ; and the ground
being conflantly encumbered by the falling trees,
is lefs fit for mowing ; fo that if the labor be not
effectually done at once, it inufl be done in a fuc-
cefhon of time.

Some have fuppofed, that the earth, being not at
once, but by degrees expofed to the fun, preferves
its moifture, and does not become fo hard ; but
the experience of the beft hufbandmen has exploded
this opinion. The more able fort of hufbandmen,
therefore, choofe the method of clearing the land at
firfl, by cutting down all the trees without exception.
The moll eligible time for this operation, is the
month of June, when the fap is flowing, and th&
leaves are formed on the trees. Thefe leaves will
not drop from the fallen trees, but remain till the
N

9S HISTORY OF

next year, when, being dry, they help to fpread the
fire, which is then fet to the trees. This is done in
the firfl dry weather of the fucceeding fpring, and
generally in May ; but if the ground be too dry,
the fire will burn deep, and greatly injure the foil.
There is therefore need of judgment to determine
wdien the wood is dry enough to burn, and the foil
wet enough to refift the action of the fire. Much
depends on getting what is called a good hum ^ to
prepare the ground for planting. To enfure this,
the fiillen trees are cut and piled ; and the larger
the pile, the better chance there is for its being well
burned. But if the land be intended for paflure
only, the trees are cut down, and after the fire has
deftroyed the limbs, grafs is fown, and the trunks of
the trees are left to rot, which, in time, turn to good
manure, and the pailure is durable.

Some hufbandmen prefer felling trees in the win-
ter, or very early in the fpring, before the fnow is
gone. The advantage of this method is, that there
are fewer fhoots from the flumps of the felled trees,
than if they are cut in the fummer ; thefe flioots
encumber the ground, and mufl be cut out of the
way, or deftroyed by fire. The difadvantage of
cutting trees in the winter is, that they will not dry
fo foon, nor burn fo well, as thofe cut in the fum-
mer, with the leaves on. Befides, the month of
June is a time when not only the trees are eafiefl to be
cut, but the feed is in the ground, and people can bet-
ter attend to this labor, than when they are preparing"
for their fpring work, or have not finiHied their
winter employments. The days too are then at
their grcatell length, and more labor can be done
in the courfe of a day. This labor, however, is
often paid for by the acre, rather than by the day j
and the price of felling an acre, is from one to two
dollars, according to the number and fize of the
trees.

NEW-HAMPSHIRE. 99

The burning of trees generally deftroys the limbs
and fnialler trunks ; the larger logs are left fcorch-
cd on the ground, and fometimes ferve to fence the
lield. After the fire has had its effedl, and is fuc-
ceeded by rain, then is the time for planting. No
plough is ufed, nor is it pofTible for one to pafs
among the roots and (lumps ; but holes are made
with a hoe in the loofe foil and allies ; in which,
the feed being dropped and covered, is left to the
prolific hand of nature ; no other culture being ne-
ceiTary or practicable, but the cutting of the fire-
weed, which fpontaneoufly grows on all burnt land.
This fireweed is an annual plant, with a fucculent
ftalk and long jagged leaf; it grows to the height
of five or fix feet, according to the ftrength of the
afhes. It bears a white flower, and has a winged
feed, which is carried every where by the wind, but
never vegetates, except on the alhes of burnt wood.
It exhaufts the ground, and injures the firfl crop, if
it be not fubdued ; but after the fecond year difap-
pears. About the fecond or third year, another
weed, called pigeon-berry, fucceeds the fireweed,
and remains till the grafs overcomes it. It rifes to
the height of three feet, fpreads much at the top,
and bears bunches of black berries, on which pig-
eons feed.

When the trees are burnt later in the fummer,
wheat or rye is fown, mixed with the feeds of grafs,
jon the new land. The feed is fcattered on the fur-
face, and raked in with a wooden or iron tooth rake,
or a hoe. The hufbandman knows on what kind
of land to expe^l a crop, from this mode of culture ;
and is feldom difappointed. Sometimes a crop of
Indian corn is raifed the firfl year, and another of
rye or wheat, the fecond year, and the land is fown
with grafs, which will turn it into paflure or mow-
ing the third year. The firfl crop, in feme land,,

100 HISTORY OF

and the two firft crops in any good land, will repay
tlie expenfe of all the labor. It is not an nncom-
mon thing for people, who are ufed to this kind of
hulhandry, to bring a tracfl of wildernefs into grafs
for the two firft crops ; the owner being at no ex-
penfe but that of felling the trees and purchafing
the grafs feed. Many hufbandmen, in the old
towns, buy lots of new land, and get them cleared
and brought into grafs, in this way, and pafture
great numbers of cattle ; the feed is excellent, and
the cattle are loon fatted for the market.

Hufbandmen differ in their opinions concerning
the advantages of tilling their new land the fecond
year. Some fuppofe that mixing and ftiring the
earth, does it more good than the crop injures it j
others fay, that one crop is fufficient before the land
is laid down to grafs ; and that if it be fown with
grain and grais, as foon as it is cleared, the large
crops of grafs which follow, will more than com-
penfate for one crop of grain. When the feeding
with grafs is neglected, the ground becomes mofly
and hard, and muft be ploughed before it will re-
ceive feed. Land, thus fown, will not produce grafs
fo plentifully, as that which is feeded immediately
after the fire has run over it. Befides, this neglected
land is generally overfpread with cherry-trees, rafp-
berry bullies, and other wild growth ; to fubdue
which, much additional labor is required. In good
land, the firfl crops of hay are, on an average, a ton
to an acre. That land which is intended for mow-
ing, and which takes the common grafs well at firft,
is feldom or never ploughed afterward ; but where
clover is fown, it muft be ploughed and feeded every
fourth or fifth year ; good land, thus managed, will
average two tons of clover to the acre.

In the intervale land on Connecticut river, wheat
often yields forty, and fometimes fifty bufliels to the

NEW-HAMPSHIRE. lOl

acre ; but in common upland, if it produce twenty
buihels, it is reckoned profitable, though it often
falls Ihort of that. Indian corn will fometimes
average thirty or forty ; but it is to be obferved
that this latter grain does not produce fo largely,
nor is the grain fo heavy on new as on the old
lands well cultivated. This however is owing much
to the latenefs of the feafon in which it is planted j
if planted as early on the newly burnt land as on
the old, it will be nearly as good. Of all grains,
winter rye thrives bed on new lands, and Indian
corn, or barley, on the old. Barley does not fuc-
ceed well in the new land ; nor is flax raifed with
any advantage, until the land has been cultivated
for fome years. The fame may be faid of oats and
peas ; but all kinds of efculent roots, are much
larger and fweeter in the virgin foil, than in any
other.

The mode of clearing and cultivating new lands,
has been much improved within the laft thirty
years. Forty years ago it was thought impoflible
to raife Indian corn without the plough and the
hoe. The mode of planting it among the burnt
logs, w^as pracflifed with great fuccefs at Gilman-
town, about the year 1762, and this eafy method of
culture foon became univerfal in the new planta-
tions. It is now accounted more profitable for a
young man to go upon new, than to remain on the
old lands. In the early part of life, every day's
labor employed in fubduing the wildernefs, lays a
foundation for future profit : Befides the mode of
fubdviing new land, there has been no improve-
ment made in the art of hufbandry. The feafon
of vegetation is Ihort, and is almolf wholly employ-
ed in preparing, planting and tilling the land, in
cutting and houling fodder, and gathering in the
crops. Thefe labors facceed invariably, and mufl

102 HISTORY OF

be attended to in their proper feafon ; fo that httle
time can be fpared for experiments, if the people in
general were difpofed to make them. Indeed, fo
fudden is the fticceiTion of labors, that upon any ir-
regularity in the weather, they run into one another ;
and if help be fcarce, one cannot be completed
before the other fuffers for want of being done.
Thus hay is often fpoiled for want of being
cut in feafon, when the Englifh harvell is
plentiful. It is partly from this caufe, partly from
the ideas of equality with which the minds of hnf-
bandmen are early impreffed, and partly from a
want of education, that no fpirit of improvement is
feen among them, but every one purfues the bufi-
nefs of fowing, planting, mowing, and railing cat-
tle, with unremitting labor and undeviating uni-
formity.

Very little ufe is made of any manure excepting
barn dung ; though marl may be had in many
places, with or without digging. The mixing of
different ftrata, is never attended to, though nature
often gives the hint by the rain bringing down fand
from a hill on a clay bottom ; and the grafs grow-
ing there in greater beauty and Ivixuriance than elfe-
where. Dung is feldom fuffered to remain in a heap
<)ver the fummer, but is taken every fpring from
the barn, and either fpread over the field and
ploughed in, or laid in heaps, and put into the holes
Inhere corn and potatoes are planted.

Gardens, in the country towns, are chiefly left to
the management of women, the men contenting
thernfelves with fencing and digging them ; and it
rnuft be faid, to the honor of the female fex, that
the fcanty portion of earth, committed to their care,
is often made productive of no fmall benefit to
their families.

As the firft inhabitants of New-Hampfliire came
chiefly from the fbuthweftern counties of England,

NEW-HAMPSHIRE. 103

where cider and perry were made in great quantities,
they took care to ilock their plantations with apple
trees and pear trees^ which throve well, and grew to
a great fize. The firft growth is now decayed or
periilied ; but a fucceiTion has been preferved, and
no good huibandnian thinks his farm complete
without an orchard. Perry is flill made in the old
towns, bordering on Pafcataqua river ; but in the in-
terior country the apple tree is chiefly cultivated.
In many of the townlliips, which have been fettled
lince the conqueft of Canada, young orchards bear
well, and cider is yearly becoming more plentiful.

Other fruits are not much cultivated, but from
the fpecimens which fome gardens produce, there is
no dou V.» that the cherry, the mulberry, the plum
and the quince, might be multiplied to any degree.
The peach does not thrive well ; the trees being very
fhort lived. The apricot is fcarcely known. The
white and red currant grow luxuriantly, if properly
fituated and cultivated. The barberry, though an
exotic, is thoroughly naturalized, and grows fpon-
taneouily in hedges or paftures.

The following remarks are fuggefled by an inge-
nious friend :*

' In regard to tree-fruit, we are in too northern a
climate to have it of the firft quality, without par-
ticular attention. New- York, New-Jerfey, and Penn-
fylvania, have it in perfection. As you depart from
that tract, either fouthward or northward, it degen-
erates. I believe, however, that good fruit might be
produced even in New-Hampfliire, with fuitable at-
tention. A proof of this is, that fometimes we have
it by mere chance. In theorizing on the fubject,
three things appear to me particularly neceflary, all
which are totally neglected by the generality of our
hufbandmen. The Jirjt^ after procuring thrifty

* Dr. Samuel Tenney, of Exeter,..

104 HISTORY OF

young trees of the befl kinds, and grafting fuch asf
require it, is, to choofe a fituation for them, where
they may have the advantage of a warm rich foil,
and be well flieltered from the chilling blalls of the
ocean. The fecond^ is to keep the trees free from fu-
perfluous branches, by a frequent ufe of the prun-
ing-hook,and the earth always loofe about their roots.
The third^ is to defend the trees from infects, parcic-
ularly thofe which by feeding on the fruit, render
it fmall and knotty, as we frequently find apples and
pears ; or by depofiting their eggs in the embryo,
occafion its falling off before it comes to maturity,
as is obfervable in the various kinds of plums. But
the moil of our farmers go on the path traced
out by their anceflors, and are general)} 'Iverfe to
making experiments, the refult of which is uncer-
tain, or to adopting new modes of hulbandry, the
advantages of which, are in the fmallefl degree prob-
lematical. There are few cultivators among us who
theorize, and ftill fewer who read.'

It has often been complained that grain, flax, and
efculent vegetables, degenerate. This may be af-
cribed to the feed not being changed, but fown fuc-
ceilively, on the lame foil, or in the fame neighbour-
hood, for too long a time. ' The Siberian wheat,

* for feveral years, produced good crops ; but be-
' coming at length naturalized to the climate, it
' fliared the f^ite of the common kind of wheat, and
' difappointed the expectations of the farmer. Were
'• the feed renewed every five or fix years, by impor-

* tations from Siberia, it might be cultivated to ad-
' vantage.' It muil be obferved that the Siberian
wheat which was fown in New-Hampihire, about
twelve years ago, was brought hither from England,
where it had been fown for feveral preceding yeai s.
Whether an intermediate llaf^e is favorable to the
tranfplantatiou of feed from north to Ibuth, and the

^lEW-HAMPSniRE. 105

fuccefs of its cultivation, may be worthy of inquiry*
With refpect to phmts, which require the whole fea-
foii to grow in, it is obferved that ' the removal of
' them from fouth to north ought to be by fliort fta-
' ges ; in which cafe they accomodate themfelves,
' by infenlible degrees to the temperature and length
' of the vegetating term, and frequently acquire as
' good a degree of perfection in foreign climes, as in
' their native foil. Such are the refources of nature !'

Agriculture is, and always will be, the chief bufi-
nefs of the people of New-Hampfhire, if they attend
to their true intereft. Every tree which is cut down
in the foreft, opens to the fun a new fpot of earth,
which with cultivation, will produce food for man and
bealf. It is impoffible to conceive what quantities *
may be produced of beef, pork, mutton, poultry,
wheat, rye, Indian corn, barley, pulfe, butter and
cheefe, articles which will always find a market.
Flax and hemp may alfo be cultivated to great ad-
vantage, efpecially on the interval lands of the large
rivers. The barley of New-England is much es-
teemed in the middle States, and the demand for it
is io great, as to encourage its cultivation. It is, be-
fides, a kind of grain which is not liable to blafl*
Hops will grow on almofl: any foil ; and the labor
attending them is fo inconliderable, that there can
be no excufe for neglecting the univerfal cultivation
of them. The confumption of them, and confe-
quently the demand for them as an article of com-
merce, is continually increaiing.

The firft neat cattle imported from Europe into
New-Hampfhire, were fent by Captain John Mafon
arid his afTociates, about the year 1633, to flock
their plantations, and to be employed in drawing
lumber. Thefe cattle were of a large breed, and a
yellow colour, procured from Denmark. Whilft the
bulinefs of getting lumber was the chief employ-

O

106 HISTORY O?

ment of the people, the breeding of large cattle was
jDore attended to than it is nov/. Calves were allow-
ed to r\in with the cows, and fuck at their pleafure.
Men were ambitious to be diftinguiihcd by the fize
and ftrength of their oxen. Bets were frequently-
laid on the exertions of their (Irength, and the prize
was contended for as earneflly as the laurel at the
Olympic games. This ardor is not yet wholly ex-
tinguifhed in fome places ; but, as hufbandry hath
gained ground, lefs attention is paid to the llrength,
and more to the fatnefs of cattle for the market, and
calves are deprived of part of their natural food, for
the advantage of butter and cheefe.

As the country becomes more and more cleared,
paflure for cattle increafes, and the number is contin-
ually multiplied. From the upper parts of New-
Hampfliire, great herds of fat cattle are driven to
the Bofton market ; whence the beef is exported
frefh to Nova-Scotia, and faked to the Weft and Eaft-
Indies.

At what time and by whom the /jo;ye was firft im-
ported does not appear. No particular care is taken
by the people in general, to improve the breed of
this majeftic and ufeful animal, and bring it to that
perfection of which it is capable. The raifing of
colts, is not accounted a profitable part of hufband-
ry, as the horfe is but little ufed for draught, and
his flefh is of no value. The proportion of horfes
to neat cattle, is not more than one to twenty. Few
live and die on the plantations where they are bred j
fome are exported to the Wefl-India Iflands ; but
the mofl are continually fliifted from one owner to
another, by means of a fet of contemptible wretches
called horfe -jockies.

^J/ls have been lately introduced into the coun-
try ; the raifing of mules deferves encouragement,
as the exportation of them to the Weft-Indies, is more

NEW-HAMPSHIRE. 107

profitable ihaii that of horfes, and they may be ufed
to advantage in travelling or carrying burdens in the
rough and mountainous parts of our wildernefs.

Sheep, goats and fwine, were at firfl fent over from
England, by the aflbciates of Laconia. Sheep have
greatly multiplied, and are accounted the molt prof-
itable llock which can be raifed on a farm. The
breed might be renewed and improved by import-
ing from Barbary, the miijjlon^ which is faid to be the
parent ftock oi the European, ajid confequently of
the American iheep. Goats are not much propagat-
ed, chiefly becaufe it is difEcult to confine them in
pailures. Swine are very prolific, and fcarcely a
family is without them. During the fummer, they
are either fed on the wafle of the dairy and kitchen,
or ringed and turned into fields of clover ; or per-
mitted to run at large in the woods, where they pick
up nuts and acorns, or grub the roots of fern ; but
after harvefl they are fhut up, and fatted on Indian
corn. The pork of New-England is not inferior to
any in the world.

Domeftic poultry of all kinds, is raifed in great
plenty and perfecflion in New-Hampfhire. In fome
of the lower towns they have a large breed of fowls,
which were imported from England about twenty
years paft ; but this breed is permitted to mix with
the commun fort, by which means it will, in time,
degenerate. The ftock of all domeftic animals, ought
frequently to be changed, if we w^ould preferve them
unimpaired, or reflore them to their original per-
fedion.

108 HISTORY or

CHAP. X.

Amative jinimals.

As the animals of tliis part of Amer-
ica have not been accurately examined by natural-
ifts, neither a complete defcriptlon, nor even a per-
fect catalogue, can be expedled. The greater part
are known by vernacular names, and fome of thefe
are adopted from the Indians ; but fo varioufly, and
often erroneoully, are thele names applied, that the
information derived from them, is to be received
with caution. Formal defcriptions, even thofe wdiich
are diiFufe, fometimes prove defedlive, from the
want of a knowledge of thofe ejfential charac^lers by
which the arrangement of animals is made. The
following catalogue, arranged in the order of Lin-
naeus, is intended to give a general idea of this branch
of our natural hiftory. Some remarks are added,
which may elucidate the qualities of fome of the
animals, together with the manner of rendering
them fubfervient to the purpofes of human life, or
of guarding ourfelves againfl the noxious difpofi-
tions with which fome of them are endowed.'*
Quadrupeds.

Seal [phoca vlttd'nm.)

Wolf [canis lupus.) This animal is very common,
and very noxious. A bounty of twenty dollars is,
by law, paid for his head, and if it were doubled,
the breed of flieep would be augmented fufficiently
to make up the difference. He is frequently taken

• Those animals wliidi liave not been particularly examined, or wliicli in tlie characters
do not appear to accord with the Linnatan description, are disiiiij!;iiis!ii-d by the note (?)
of interrogation. Specific names are given to Mich as evidently appeared to be a new
species, and these names, by the express desire of Dr. Cutler, are printed in italic capi-
tals. *

NEW-HAMPSHIRE. 109

in log traps, and, to decoy him, the hunters fcent the
grouad with a drug, of which they affedl to make a
ibcrct. Joffelyn tells of another method of deftroy-
ing wolves ' by binding four mackarcl hooks with
' thread, and wrapping fome wool about them, and

* then dipping them in melted tallow till a ball be

* formed as big as an egg. Thefe balls are fcattered
' by a dead carcafe on which the wolf has once prey-

* ed, and when he returns the next night, the lirfl
thing he ventures upon will be thefe balls of fat.'
He alfo fpeaks of two fpecies of wolves, one with a
round balled foot, the other v/ith a flat foot ; and of
a mongrel between tlie wolf and the fox, w^hich the
Indians ufed as dogs.

Red Fox {ca//i> alopex .?)

Grey Fox {ca/iis .)

Foxes are generally found in thofe woods which
are not remote from houfes. They are commonly
taken in fleel traps, but are fometimes dug out of
their burrows. Formerly the head of a cod was
ufed as a bait for the fox. It was laid in confider-
able quantities on the fliady fide of a fence, in a
moon light night ; and the gunner placed himfelf
in ambufli to fhoot the fox at his approach. The
filver grey and crofs flreaked fox ikins, are account-
ed the mofl: valuable, but the common red fox fldn
is in much demand.

Wild Cat [felix lynx.) Of this fpecies, the moun-
tain cat is the largell ; but the black cat has the
moft valuable fkin. Some authors have pretended,
that the wild cats of America, are a degenerate
breed of the European cat imported hither. This
opinion does not coincide with their own hypothe-
fis, that the animals of the old world are dwindled
in fize, and lefs ferocious fince their tranfportation
to the new. It is certain, however, that neither of
thefe opinions has any juft foundation.

110 HISTORY OF

Skunk [viverra pulorius.) There is no flrongcr
or more volatile odour in all nature, than the fub-
ftance which this animal ejects when purfued or in
danger. The * diabolical fcent,' as BufTon calls it,
does not proceed from 'its urine,' but trom a fmall
bag which is attached to its fkin, and comes off with
it. The fleih is white and fweet, and is, by fome
people, reliflied as food. The fat is much efteem-
ed as an ointment in pains and fwellings of the
joints. Goldfmith fays, that this animal is 'often kept
tame about the houfes of the planters in America,'
and in the next paragraph, that ' it fleals into farm
yards, and kills poultry.' The truth of this latter
affertion is often experienced ; but no American is
fond of fuch company. The ikunk fometimes bur-
rows under our barns, but is always an unwelcome
intruder.

Otter (mujlcla Intra ?J Some of thefe have been
tamed, and taught to catch fifli for their owners.

Martin (mujlela .) This animal keeps itfelf

remote from human habitations. Its flcin is much
valued, that of the darkefl fhade is prefered.

Weafel (mujlela i7iaj'tcs f)

Ermine [m?/Jlela crmhica.) This beautiful little ani-
mal is red, like a fox in fummer, and white in win-
ter. It is diilinguilhed from the common weafel
by the tip of its tail, which is always black. It is
not common, but fome of this fpecies have been
found in New-Hampfliire.

Bear (iirfus arctos.^ BufFon fpeaks of two fpecies
of bears, the brown and the black, and he denies
that the latter is carnivorous. The black bear only
is known in this part of America, and he is one of
the mofl noxious animals of our forefl. In the
months of Augufh and September, he makes great
havoc in the fields of Indian corn, in the new fet-
tlements. He places himfelf between two rows of

NEW-HAMPSHIRE, 111

corn, and with his paws breaks down the flalks of
four contiguous hills, bending them toward the
centre of the fpace, that the ears may lie near to
each other, and thon devours them. Pafling in this
manner through a field, he deflroys the corn in
great quantities. To prevent this, the fields are
fometimes guarded, by night ; but this method is
too tedious to be conftant. Another is, to place a
loaded gun, and flretch a line, conne(5led with the
trigger, acrols the fi-cld, fo that the bear in his walk,
by prefhng againft the line, may draw the trig-
ger, and kill himfelf. This practice has fometimes
been attended with fuccefs ; but there is danger
that people, who are not apprized of the defign,
may, in pafling through a field, kill or wound them-
felves ; and in fadl this mode of fetting guns, has,
in fome inftances, proved fatal. Another way of
taking the bear, is by fetting log traps ; but this
is uncertain. A good dog is the fafeft defence, if
he could be induced to remain by night in the
field. In the autumn of fome years, the bears come
down into the old fettlements, and they have been
feen in the maritime towns ; but now, their ap-
pearance in thefe places, is extremely rare. They
are very fond of fweet apples, and will fometimes
devour young fwine, but very feldom attack man-
kind. An affecfting inilance of a child falling a
prey to one of them, happened at Moultonborough,
in the month of Augufl, 1784. A boy of eight
years old, fon of a Mr. Leach, was fent to a pafture,
toward the clofe of the day, to put out a horfe, and
bring home the cows. His father being in a neigh-
bouring field, heard a cry of diftrefs, and running
to the fence, faw his child lying on the ground,
and a bear Handing by him. He feized a flake,
and crept along, with a view to get between the
bear and the child. The bear took the child by

112 HISTORY OF

the throat, and drew him into the bullies. The
father purfued till he came up, and aiming a ftroke
at the bear, the flake broke in his hand ; and tiie
bear, leaving his prey, turned upon the parent, who,
in the anguilh of his foul, was obliged to retreat,
and call for help. Before any fufficient help could
be obtained, the evening was fo far advanced, that
a fearch was impracticable. The night was paiTed
by the family in the utmoft diftrefs. The neigh-
bours affembled, and at break of day, renewed the
purfuit. The child's hat, and the bridle, which he
had dropped, were found, and they tracked his
blood about forty rods, when they difcovered the
mangled corps. The throat was torn, and one thigh
devoured. Whilil they were (landing round the
body, the bear rofe from behind a log. Three guns
were fired at the fame inflant, which difpatched
him ; and a fire was immediately kindled, in which
he was confumed. This was a male bear, of about
three years old.

I have met with but one other inflance of the fame
kind ; it happened in the year 17^1, at a new plan-
tation on Suncoock river. A man being at work in
a meadow, his fon, of about eight years old, was
fent to call him home to dinner. On their return,
there being two paths through the woods, the fon
going firfl, took one, and the father the other. At
dinner the child was miffing, and after waiting fome
time, the father went to feek him, in the path which
it was fuppofed he had taken. To his inexpreffible
furprife, a bear flarted up from among the bullies,
with the bleeding corps between his teeth.

The Racoon [iirfm lotor) lives in hollow trees, and
fometimes feeds on corn in the fields. Its fielh is
excellent food. Its fur is valued next to the beaver
for hats. BufFon fays that the racoon is ibund only
in the fouthern countries of America. It is certain--

NEVV-HAMPSIIIRE. 118

ly found in New-Hampfhire, and in the eaftern di*
vifion of Maflachufetts.

The Wolverine (jn-fus hefcus) is a mifchievous ani-
mal. He fits on the bough of a tree, near the paths
of the deer and the moofe, and jumps on their back,
to which he clings by his claws till he has torn
a hole in their neck and killed them. He enters the
cabins of the Indians in their abfence, and plunders
them of eatables. Gyles, in his memoirs, tells a
ftory of a wolverine, which, in one of thefe depre-
dations, happened to throw a bag of gunpowder in-
to the fire, by which means he loft his eyes, and be-
came the fport of the Indians at their return.

The Woodchuck [urji vel mujlelcs fpecies^ is a fmall
animal which burrows in the earth. It is generally
fat to a proverb, and its flefli is palatable food.

Mole (talpa europea.')

Shrew Moufe (forex criftatus.) Ground Moufe
\forex nmrhnis.^ Field Moufe [forex arancus.^

Porcupine [hyjlrix dorfata.) This animal is dan-
gerous to dogs, for on feizing it they are tormented
with its quills, which quills are of the fize of pig-
eon's quills. The Indians dye them of various col-
ours, and work them into various figures to adorn
their belts, pouches, mockafeens, and birchen difhes.

Hare [lepus timldus P)

Rabbit [lepiis ciiniculiis,^

The Beaver [cajior fiber) is one of the moft ufeful
as well as fagacious animals of our wildernefs. It
is now become fcarce in New-Hampfliire, but the'
veftiges of its labours are very numerous.
. The beaver is not only an amphibious animal,
fcut is faid to form a connecfting link between quad-
rupeds and fifhes^ It delights in ftill water, of which?
it muft have full and undifturbed pofTeflion. The
depth of the water muft be fuch as that il muft have
P

Jli HISTORY or

fufficient room to fwim under the ice. The male
and female, with their young of one year old (call-
ed by the Indians peoys) form a family which con-
fift generally of fix. Thefe inhabit one cell ; but
when come to the age of two years [payleiiis) they
go off and build for themfelves.

They fometimes choofe a natural pond for the
fcene of their habitation and amufement ; in which
cafe they dig a hole in the earth, near the edge of
the pond, and line it with flicks ; to this they have
a fubterraneous pafHige from the water. Some-
times they reiide on the coves or eddies of great riv-
ers, where the water is ftill ; but it is more ufual
for them to conflrudl a dam, which by flopping the
courfe of a flream, may overflow a piece of ground,
and form a pond to their liking. In the choice of a fpot
for a dam, thoy have fagacity to judge whether it will
confine and raife the water to anfwer their purpofe.
They take advantage of wind fallen trees, of long
points of land, of fmail iflands, rocks and flioals ;
and they vary the fliape of their dam according to
thefe circumilances, making it either circular, direct
or angular ; and the beft human artiil could neither
mend its pofition or figure, nor add to its flability.
It is conflructed entirely of flicks and earth ; the
flicks are for the mofl part placed up and down the
flream, feldom acrofs, but always clofely interwov-
en and cemented by mud, brought on their tails,
which being broad and flat, anfwer the purpofe of
a trowel as their teeth do that of a faw. They have
four incifive teeth, two in the forepart of the upper,
and two of the under jaw, fharp and curved like a
carpenter's gouge ; with thefe they cut off trees and
bulhes of the fbftefl wood, white maple, white birch,
alder, poplar and willow ; with thefe kinds of wood
they conlhi-LCt their dams, and of thefe they always

NEW-HAMPSHIRE. 11.5

have a fufEclency funk under the water to ferve
them for food in the winter.

With refpect to the fize of the trees which they
fell, and Hmtiq other circumftances relative to their
labours and habits, many marvellous (todies have
been publiflied. La Hontan fays they will cut off
a tree * as big as a hogfliead.' BufFon, and after him
Raynal and Goldfmith, fpeak of their ' Iharpening
flakes, and driving them into the ground.* Others
have alferted things much more incredible.* The bea-
ver is in reality a fagacious, laborious, and patient ani-
mal, and makes great ufe of his teeth in felling many
fmall trees, and cutting them into pieces conveni-
ent for his ufe ; but he has no inftrument with
which to drive them into the ground. The fize of
the trees which he generally choofes, is from one to
ten inches in diameter ; thefe are young trees, ten-
der and fweet for food. Neceffity fometimes obli-
ges a number of them jointly to attack a tree of
larger fize. The largeft of which I have any certain
information is from fifteen to eighteen inches in di-
ameter ; but this is rare, and the felling of fuch a
tree muft require much labor, fince thofe of but
one inch have eight or ten ftrokes, diftinclly mark-
ed, and a very good kerf is allowed.

Some accounts mention feveral hundred beavers
alTembling and holding a council previoufly to be-
giming a dam ; but I am afiTured that afingle fam-
ily, and even a fingle beaver, when he has loft his
partners, will go regularly to work either in build-
ing or repairing a dam as there may be occafion. I
have myfelf taken fticks newly cut, from a dam,
where a folitary beaver was at work. Joifelyn tells
of a beaver which was domefticated at Bofton, and

* The most full and perfect account of the heaver which I have seen is in HearneV
journey to the Northern ocean, page 231, Sec. where he detects and ridicules ^thc many
ilctions snd e;£travagant stories wlych have "been related of these animals.

116 HISTORY Oi

ran freely about the flreets, retiring at night to the
houfe of his owner.

The beaver's dam is from fix to ten feet thick at
the bottom, according to the breadth of the flream
or the quantity of water. It flopes but little on
the lower, and much on the upper fide, and is from
two to four feet wide at the top. It is always of
fuch height as will confine a fufiiciency of water for
their purpofe. After it is conftructed, tliey place
fods of wild grafs upon it, fo that in the courfe of
a year it becomes fwarded over like a portion of
meadow. Thofe parts which are in the fhoaleft wa-
ter, near the banks, are fo confolidated, that after
the middle of the dam is broken, thefe will remain
like aiatural points of firm earth. On the top of the
dam, in the middle, they always leave a fiuice or
paflTage of eighteen inches wide, and as many deep ;
and when the ftream is large, they leave two or three,
which the hunters iLTiWfj ding-places. In thefe they
divert thcmfelves by Aiding or I'wimming down the
flream. It is not inconvenient for this animal to be
long under water ; nor is he wet when he leaves it
to take the land ; his coat is fo well oiled that no
water adheres to it.

When the dam is built, the houfe is begun. It
15 in the form of a hay cock, and of a fize propor-
tioned to the number of the family. The walls are
two or three feet thick at the bottom, and are form-
ed of the fame materials as the dam. The door is
not only under water, but below, where the water
freezes. The lower llory is ^bout two feet high, and
a floor of flicks, covered with mud, compoles the
fecond flory. At the fame dillance a third fi;ory
is formed, and then the roof is raifed in an arched
form. It is fmooth on the infide, and above the wa-
ter, always dry and clean. Through each floor there
is a communication, and the vipper floor is always

NEW-HAMPSHIRE. 117

above the level of the v^^atcr when at the higheft.
The outfide of the houfe is rough but tight ; and if
it ever decays, it is repaired. When the hunters find
the houfes out of repair, they conclude that the beav-
ers have forfaken the pond.

In the winter it is neceflary for them to keep one
or more breathing holes in the ice conftaatly open,
near the houfes ; for which purpofe they break the
ice every night. It is confidently afTerted by the
hunters, that all their work is done by night, and
that they a.re never feen in the day unlefs it be clou-
dy and dark. During the winter, they live on the
wood which they have previoufly funk under the
water, and in the fummer they are employed in re-
pairing their houfes and dams, or gathering their
food in the neighbouring woods, to which they trav-
el in narrow, beaten paths.

In thefe paths, or in the water where the path
ends, or in the Aiding places of the dam, the hunter
fets his fleel fpring trap, which is previoufly fcented
with beaver's oil. Sometimes he raifes a heap of
mud, or peels little flicks, and having fcented them,
fets them up at the edge of the pond, placing the
trap under water, near the inud or flicks. The trap
is fecured by a chain, or the beaver would draw it
after him. He often efcapes with the lofs of a foot.
Sometimes he is fhot in the water, or on the land.
When a beaver difcovers an enemy, he flrikes the
water with his tail ; the noife alarms the whole fam-
ily, and they are in a moment under water. The
befl fur is that which is taken in February an4
March ; in the fummer, their fur is not good. The
way of preferving the fkins, is by faking and pack-
ing them in a clofe bundle, with the flefli fides to-
gether.

One valuable purpofe which the beaver ferves, is
pot mentioned, by any of the writers of natural hif~

118 HISTORY OP

tory, which I have had opportunity to confult ; but I
fhall give it, in the words of a friend, to whom I am
indebted for feveral communications refpecfling the
original and cukivated ftate of the country.* * The
' beavers, in building their dams, have no other de-

* fign than that of making a habitation agreeable to
' the natural bias, with which they are formed ; but,

* I conceive, that Being, by whom the univerfe is fo

* wifely governed, has a fiirther defign in this little

* animal, who with unwearied labor builds a dam,
' which flops the water from purfuing its natural
' courfc, and makes it fpread ov(>r a tract of land

* from five to five hundred acres in extent ; and moil

* commonly the word of land, a mere alder fwamp
' or bog, and the larger the tract, the more likely is
' it to be the worfe. By means of the waters continu-
' ing on this trad:, more than half the year, for many
' years together, every thing which grew upon it is

* drowned ; all trees, bulhes and Ihrubs are killed.
' In a courfe of time, the leaves, bark, rotten wood
' and other manure, vrliich is waihed down, by the

* rains, from the adjacent high lands, to a great ex-

* tent, fpread over this pond, and fubfide to the bot»

* torn, making it fmooth and level.

' It is now that the hunter, ferreting the innocent
' beaver, is alfo made fubfervient to the great de-

* fign of Providence ; which is, by opening the dam,
' and dedroying the beaver, fo that it is not rcpair-

* ed. Of confequence, the water is drained off, and

* the whole tracft, which before was the bottom of
' a pond, is covered with wild grafs, which grows

* as high as a man's Ihoulders, and very thick.

* Thcfe meadows doubtlefs fervc to feed great num-

* bers of moofc and deer, and are of Hill greater
f ufe to new fettlers, who iind a mowing held al-»

t MS. letter of Joseph Pcirce, Esc^

NEW-HAMFSHIRE. llf)

ready cleared to their hands ; and though the hay-
is not equally as good as Englifli, yet it not only
keeps their cattle alive, but in tolerable order ;
and without thcfe natural meadows, many fettle-
ments could not poffibly have been made, at the
time they were made. Such as are not fenced,
afford the cattle good paftures in the beginning
of the year, as the grafs ihoots very early. It is
obferved that thofe meadows which are mowed
conflantly, produce lefs at every miOwing ; but3
will always hold out, where fettlers are induflri-
ous, till they have cleared ground enough to raife
Englilh hay. I have more than two hundred
acres in one body, made bv feveral dams, acrofs
one brook, at various diflances from each other.'
The Mufquafh (cajior ^ibethicus ) builds a cabin
of flicks and mud in a {hallow pond. He is not fo
ihy of man as the beaver ; but is frequently found
in the cultivated parts of the country. The oil-bag
of the Mufquafh, wrapped in cotton, affords a per-
fume, grateful to thofe who are fond of muflc.

The Mink (mujlda) is an amphibious animal,
and burrows in the earth by the fide of rivers and
ponds. Its fur is more valuable than the muf-
quaffi.

The Ground Rat {mujicrrejiris native.)
The Black Rat imus ) is a native, but it re-
tires back into the country as the grey rat, which
is imported in veffels from abroad, advances. The
town of Hampton, though adjoining the fea, and
one of the earlieft fettlements in New-Hampfhire,
had no grey rats till the year 1764, when an Englifh
mafb fliip was wrecked on the beach. This fpecies
of rat has advanced about thirty miles into the coun-
try, and faither, along the great roads. To prevent
the entrance of this noxious animal into corn houfes,
the fills are laid on fhort pofts, each of which is cap-

X^O HISTORY OF

ped with a broad flat (lone, over which the animal
cannot pafs.

Of Squirrels we have four fpecies. The Black
( fciurus ?i/(rcr) and the Grey ( fciunis c'mereus) though
ditlinguiihed by Linnaeus, differ here only in colour;
the former is very rare, the latter very common.
This is the largefl fpecies of Squirrels. It builds
its neft in the crotch of a tree, generally a white
oak, and there breeds and nouriflies its young. It
feeds on acorns and nuts, and lays up its winter
food in the hollow parts of old trees.

The Red fquirrel (fciurus Jiavus P) is the next in
fize, and its habits are nearly the fluTie.

The Striped fquirrel {^ fciurus Jiriatus^ is fmaller.
It provides its winter food from the cornfields, and
depofits it in holes in the earth, after having depriv-
ed -each kernel of its germe, that it may not
Iprout.

The Flying fquirrel ^fciurus volans') is the lead
and moft beautiful. Its fur is the moft fine and
delicate of any quadruped. It feeds on the buds
and feeds of vegetables.

The Moofe [ccrvus tanmdus P) is the largeft ani-
mal of our forcft. His palmated horns extend from
four to fix feet in breadth, and are from thirty to
fifty pounds in weight. He has hair on his neck
refembling the mane of a horfe. His hoof is clov-
en, and when he trots, the clattering of it is heard
at a great diftaiice. His courfe through the woods
is flraight, to a proverb. He feeds on the wild
grafs of the meadows, or on the leaves and bark of
a fpecies of the Comely which is called moofe-wood.
When vexed by the files in fiimmer, he takes to
the water, where he feeds on the wild oats or pond
lilies. His flefli is of a coarfer grain than beef, but
fwcet and tender. His lip, which is broad and car-
tilaginous, is accounted by the Indians and by our

NEW-HAMPSHIRE. 121

own iiuntfineii a dainty, and his tongue is * a difli
for a Ikiraniore.' The hide is thick and firm, and
is made into foft and durable leather. When the
Indians kill a moofe or a deer, they cut off the hoof
and dravy^ out the linews, of which they make the
flrongefl cords.

The Deer [ccrvus dama?) was formerly found in
very great plenty ; but having been wantonly de-
flroyed at improper feafons of the year, is now be-
come fcarce. The beft time to hunt this animal
for the facility of taking it, is in the winter, when
there is a deep fnow with a crufl on its furface ;
but its flvin is moil valuable when killed in the
warm months.

Hunting is an employment followed by fome
people, who prefer rambling, to a life of fettled in-
duflry. The moofe and the deer are tracked and
purfaed by dogs ; or the huntfman lies in wait for
them, at certain defiles, where they are known to
pafs, or near v/aters in which they bathe. The
bear is fometimes unkennelled when retired to his
den ; or when ranging, if he take to a tree, he is a
fair mark.

A new mode of driving away the wolf has been
attempted with fuccefs. The town of Amherfl was
a few years ago much infefted with this noxious in-
truder. On a day appointed, the inhabitants, by
general confent took their arms, and furrounded a
large fwamp which they penetrated in every direc-
tion, as far as it was practicable ; and kept up an
incelTant firing of guns and beating of drums
through the day. In the following night the wolves
quitted the fwamp with a difinal howling, and have
never fince done any mifchief in that town.

The only mamillary biped which we have is the Bat
[yefpcrtilio tiiurinus) which forms the conned:ing
link between the beafls and the birds.

122

HISTORY or

Of Birds we have a great variety. The follow-
ing catalogue is the mofl full, which has been eol-
ledled, but cannot boaft of perfection.

r.

1. Bald Eagle,

2. Bruwn Eagle,

4. Large Brown ilawky

5. lien Hawk,

3. Pigeon Hawk,

6. Fish Hawk,

1. Horned Owl,

2. Vvliltc Owl,

3. Speckled Owl,-

4. Barn Owl,
Bird Hawk,
Xing Bird>
Crow,
Blue Jav,
Han- Bird,

Red winged ITlack Bird,
Golden Robin or Gold Finch,
Crow Black Bird,
Cuckow,

Great Red Crested Wood-Pecker,
Swallow Wood-Pecker,
Red Head Wood-Pecker,
AVhite Back Wood-Pecker,
Carolina Wood-Pecker,
Wooly Back Wood-Pecker,
White Tail Wood-Pecker,
Speckled Wcod-Pcckcr,

Nut Hatch, <

Kingfisher,
Creeper,
Humming Bird^
Swan.

Falco Icuctccphahit.
Falco J'ulvua.
Falco hndaoniuR ?
Falco a/iarveriua ?
Falco Subdiiteo,
Falco Haiiaetus ?
Slrix Bilbo.
Ulrix nz/ctea,
iitrix .,1tuc9.
Kitrix passe rina.
J.anius canadcnnis.
Z.aniiis ti/rarmua,
Corvus C'orax.
Corvjis cr'istatus^
Oriohifi Icterus.
Oriobis jih^niceus .
Oriolus JSahimore ?
Graczila Quhczc/a.
Ciirulua americanus ?
Pkiis pUeatus ?
Picus hirundenaceiis.
Picus cry ihroccphalus.
Picus cmrutu,^\
Picus carolinus.
Picus pubeicens.-
Picus viUosuf f
PicuR maculo'us*
Si' [a cur'jpttii
Sin a canadensis,
./ilcrdo Alcyo7i.
Certhiapinus ?
Trochilus colubrit.
Anas cyi^nus.

The SWAN is the largefl of the aquatic tribe
which is feen in this country. One of them has
been known to weigh 36 lb. and to be fix feet in
length from the bill to the feet, when flretched.f

* Since the printing; of tlie note page 108, I find that the request of Dr. Cutler, res-
pecting the new tpeciiic name*, was, that tliey should be; ' distinguislied by a chanctcr
' diffeitnt from the others.' It wa« at first thought that " Itahc capitals' would be at
proper a distinction as any other ; but this is found, on further inquiry, to b« contrary
to the practice of that clasa of authora. A imalier type is therefore used by way of dis-
tinction.

t This bir.J migrates to the NwtliwwU »0 early «8 to fijid no water Imt at the falls a£
|uver» whwe there is no m- Hearnc's Jounwl, p. 288-

NEW-HAMPSHIRE. 123

Namralifts have different opinions refpe6ling the
inuj[ic of the fwan. The tame fwan of England is
faid to be filcnt ; and Dr. Goldfmith feems to think
the accounts of the mufic of the wild fwan fabu-
lous. What is deemed fabulous in Europe, is often
realized in America. It is certain that our fwan is
heard to make a found refembling that of a trumpet,
both when in the water and on the wing. Mr.
Hearne fays that the fwan at Hudfon's Bay makes
a noife refembling the found of a French Horn.
Page 436.

White Head Coot, Jlnas sfiectabllie^

Brown Coot, Anas fiuca.

Black Duck Coot, Anas nigra.

Wl'.ite Gcose, Anas crythrcftus.

Bluish Goose, Anas cai-ruU^cens.

Brant or Brent, Anas bcrtiicla.

Wild or Black Goose, Anus canadensis.

This is the bird which Dr. Hill calls the Swan
Goofc. It is a bird of paffage, and gregarious ; the
form of the phalanx, when on the wing, is that of
a wedge. By the mixture of this with the com-
mon goofe, a mongrel breed is produced, which is
more valuable than either of them fingly. The
wild goofe, though it migrates from one part of the
continent to the other, yet has its local attachments.
One of them, which was caught in the fpring, and
kept in a farm yard with a flock of domeftic ^qq^q^
when the time of its migration arrived, took
the firfl opportunity to join a flock in their paflag©
to the fouthward ; but at the return of fpring, came
back and alighted in the fame yard with four young
ones, which flie had produced in her abfence.

The BRANT is rare in New-Hampfhire ; but in
the bay of Maffichufetts, is found in great abun-
dance.

124

HISTORY or

Sea Duck,
Dipper,

Oldwife,

Red Head Quindar,

Qiiindar,

AV histler.

Grey Duck,

AVidj^^eon,

River Coot or Ash colour Duck,

Mallard or Sprig-tail Duck,

Lord and Lady,

131ue wing Teal,

Green win;^ Teal,

Crested wood Duck,

Wood Duck,

Cream colour Shelldrake,

Red belly Shelldrake,

Pyed Shelldrake,

Murr,

Penguin,

Sea Parrot,

Peterel or Mother Carey's

Chickens.
Pelican.

jinas mollisfsima.
Aims alhcola,
Anas hijcmalis.
Alius Jhrina.
Anas buce/ihala.
Anas clangula i
Anas Peiu'lopc.
Anus Marila.
Anas cincrca.
Anas acuta.
Anas histrioiiica ?
Anas discors I

Anas .

Anas s/ionsa.
Anas arbona.
Mcrgus Mir;^anr;d' ?
Meri^us Serralor ?
Mrrgns Castor I
Alca Tarda.
A lea imficnniB.
Alca arlica.
Pracellaria fichigica.

Pclicanus onocrolalus occidtn'alis.

The Pelican migrates from its native country, the
MifTilippi, far to the northward. It has been feen
in New-Kampftiire. The American Pelican is not
a diftindl fpecies from the Pelican of Afia and Afri-
ca, but a variety only.

Shag,

Gannet,

]Jrown Throat I^oon,

Sea Loon,

White Gull,

Eagle Gull,

Mackerel Gull,

Tce-Arr, or Fishing Gull,

Swallow tail Gull or Medrakc,

Crane,

Stork,

r>hic Heron,

Skowk,

Wliite Heron,

Woodcock,

Wood Snipe,

Grey Cm lew,

Large Speckled Curlew,

Humility,

Mai-oh liird,

Pclrcanus fffnczilus ?
Pdecanus dassatius ?
Cohjnibua Sc/itcntrionalis.
Colymbns Iinmer,
Larus cundidioB.
Jmvus marinus.
Parus ridihundus.
Sterna mhiuta.
Sterna Hiriindo ?
Ardea canadensis.
Ardea ciconia.
Ardea ex r idea,
.irdrci virescens^
Ardea alba,
Scvlojiax liitslicola,
Scolofiax fcdoa.
Scoh/ia.T totaniis.
^cole/tax lafifionica,
Trint^a inter fires ?
Trinij-a morincUa I

NEW-HAMPSHIRE. 125

Rock r/ii'd, I'rini^a 7naculata.

Beach-Biid, T.inga arniur'ui,

Ox-Eye, Charu drill itakx an dnniis ?

Kilcit't;, C.ai u(lri7:a vocrftnis ?

Black Breast Plover, Charadrius a/iricariu.i.

U;)land Plover, Cha'adriu: telradactylvs,

l^aige Spotted Plover, Charadriwt maculatus

Pecj>, Mullua caroiniu-.

VVjId Turkey, Mckagrh t^oUojiavo.

Wild Turkles v/ere formerly very numerous. In
winter they frequented the fea Ihore, for the fake
of picking fmall filhes and marine infedls, which
the tide leaves on the flats. Jojfclyji^ who refided
eight years in the province of Maine, and wrote in
1672, fays, that he had eaten part of one, which,
when prepared for the i'pit, weighed thirty pounds ;
and Wood, who vilited the country earlier, and wrote
in 1639, fpeaks of fome which weighed forty pounds.
They are now retired to the inland mountainous
country. Dr. Goldfmith doubts whether any of this
breed have been tamed in America. They certainly
have been tamed ; but they are degenerated in iize
by their domeftication, fcarcely any being more than
half fo heavy as thofe above mentioned. The tur-
key is a rambling bird, and runs with great fpeed
on the ground. The tame flocks frequently wander,
and cannot be fatted till the fnow prevents their
excurfions.

Growfe, Tetrao .

The Growfe is rarely feen, as there are no dry
heaths in New-Hampiliire, but on the tops of the
largefl mountains, which are feldom vilited by man.
This bird has a red head, is larger than the par-
tridge, and its flefh, though red and dry, has a high
flavour, and is very tender.

Quail, Tetrao virg'mianus.

Partridge, Tetrao marila?idicus.

126 HISTORY OF

The Partridge is very common in our woods.
Some of our epicurean gentry, have begun to fear,
that its race will be too foon extindl ; but there is
no danger. This bird is very prolific ; it is com-
mon to find twenty of its eggs in a nell: ; and it has
feveral coveys in a feafon. Ouails are equally pro-
lific. In the fouthern and middle States, the quail
is called a partridge, and the partridge a pheafant.
The true pheafant is not a native of our wildernefs.
The late Governor Wentworth brought feveral pairs
of pheafants from England, and let them fly in his
woods, at Wolf borough ; but they have not fincQ
been feen.

Wild Pigeon, Columha caroUnlenfis (dub,)

Wild Pigeons come in the fpring, from the fouth-
ward, in great flocks, and breed in our woods, dur-
ing the fummcr months. They choofe the thickefl:
parts of the foreft, for the fituation of their neflis.
Jojfelyn fays ' they join neft to nefl, and tree to tree,
' by their nefls, many miles together, on the pine

* trees.' In the journal of Richard Ha%%eti^ who fiir-
veyed the Province line, in 1741, there is this re-
mark ; ' for three miles together, the pigeons' nefts
' were fo thick, that five hundred might have been

* told on the beech trees at one time ; and could
' they have been counted on the hemlocks, as well, I
' doubt not but five thoufand, at one turn round.'
This was on the wefl:ern fide of Connecticut river,
and eaftward of Decrfiekl river. Since the clearing
of the woods, the number of pigeons is diminiflied.

Turtle Dove, Columha carcJinensis.

Sky Lark, jlluuUa alptsirift.

Marsh Lurk, .4lauda wai^na.

Robin, Turdits imi^ratoriufi.

Tlinish, 7'urduf! ruj'uu.

Tliraslicr or Mockbild, Turdui; Orjiheua ?

Clieriy Bird, AtufulxH (turruiun.

Crossbill, Laxia ciuyinjstra i

NEW-HAMPSHIRE.

127

The Crofs Bill is a bird rather larger than the
fparrow ; it is common in the weilern and northern
parts of the State. The upper and lower parts of
its beak crofs each other like a pair of fliears, by
which means it cuts' off the ftalks of wheat and rye,
and then lays the fide of its head to the ground to
pick the kernels. The female is of a fliaded olive
colour. The male is of the fame, but tinged with
red.

Snow Bird,

Emberl^^a hyemalis ?

The Snow Bird is fmaller than a fparrow, and ap-
pears in little flocks, in the winter, enlivening the
gloom of that dreary feafon. They perch on th©
tops of the fpires of dead grafs, above the fnow, or
on fpots of bare ground, or on the bufhes and trees.
They are feldom moleiled, as one of them is fcarce-
ly a mouthful ; but they have the fame delicate tafle
as the quailc Belides the fnow bird, the crow, the
blue jay, the woodpecker and the partridge, have a
degree of hardinefs, equal to the feverity of our
winters, and are then feen flying ; all others avoid
it, by feeking a timely retreat.

Boblincoln,

Red Limiet,

Gheeweeh,

Yellow Bird,

Winter spurrovr,

Chippin;r Bird,

Spring Bird,

Several species of Sparrows,

Crested Fiy-Catcher,

Hedi3;e Bird,

Cat Bird,

Brown Flycatcher,

Yellow Crown,

Grape Bird,

Blue Bird,

Crested Wren,

Common Wren,

Crested Titmoti3e>

Emheriza otyzivora.
Tanagra rubra.
Fringilla ery throfitlmlmtL t
Fringilla tristis.
Fringilla grisea.
Fringilla I
Fringilla.
Fringilla.
Muscicapa crinita,
Muscicapa canadentis,
Musrica/ta carolinenait..
J[ficscicafia «usca.
Muscicapa JIava.
Motacilla icterocephal»»
Motacilla Sialia.
Motacilla Regulus.
Motacilla Trochilua,
Farua ticolor.

128

HISTORY OF

Blue Titmouse,

Tom Tcct,

Ycllo'.v Rinij-^ed Tom T'ect,

Little lia!i^;-Bivd,

3 B ink Swallow,

4 i'iack ^"lu^lUl,
i Brin Sn*ailo\v,
2 S.Tiiiil Martin,

J'arus a^vrricatui^.
Purus airicaf'.illu.i.
Parufi xnn^ir.ianus.
Panes /leiidulinus ?
iiirunclo rUiaria.
Hirundo finrfiurca,
fllnaido ruftika.
Hiru7niu urbria.

The Swallov/ appears in April, and difappears in
Aiiguffc. It was formerly fiippofed to migrate, but
the evidences of its retiring to the water, or marfhy
ground, and there remaining torpid, daring the win-
ter, are fo many, that tliis opinion is now generally
received.

Chimfley-Swallov.',
Vviiip-poor-wi;],
Nklit Hawk,

Hirundo fu-la&^ia
Ca/it"'initlgus europa-fts. B
C«/i rimulgua am trican us.

AMPHIBIOUS REPTILES.

Mud Turt'e,

Speckkid ']^lil!c,

Toad,

Pond F'ro{»,

Giueii IV,!!!.'!,;!!! Frog-,.:

Spt.cK.icd Fioir,

Tx-'ce Pio;;.

Bviil Ffo>^,

Swiit,

Brouii Lizard,

Tniuds denticulata.
"Jcscudo carolma I
]\a>:a Bufo ?
P. ana occllata.
liana eeculanla.
Phna macaiata.
P. ma arburca.
liana bodns.
1 acirtu fusciata ?
JLacerla fiuiictata.

AMPHIBIOUS SERPENTS.

Rattle Snake,

Crotalus horrldus.

The Rattle Snake is the moft venomous of all the
ferpent tribe, in this part of America ; but its mo-
tion is fo flow, and the found which it gives by rat-
tling its tail, before it darts on its prey, is fo diflin-
guilhable from the very few other noifcs which are
heard in the woods, that it is cafdy avoided. The
rattle fnake of New-Iiamplhire is of a darker colour,
and I'jfs varicfi-atcd than that wliich is found about

o

the blue hills, in Suffolk county, Mallachufetts.

NEW-HAMPSHIRE. 129

There are certain boundaries, beyond which, to the
northward, none have been feen in New-Ham pfliire.
Thefe are on the weftern fide of the country, Sugar
river, a branch of the Connedicut, and Sawyer's
river, a branch of the Saco. They have been very
common about the fhores, and on the iflands of
Winipifeogee lake ; but as the country is fettled^
the number decreafes : In the autumn they retire
to their dens, in the cavities of rocks, which are open
to the fouth ; where they remain till the warmth of
the fummer fun invites them to bafk in its beams. Dur-
ing their torpid ilate, fome perfons make a pracflice
of drawing them from their dens, with hooks, and
deflroying them. In the hottefl weather, they re-
fort to meadows, and other watry places. Some
years ago, in a dry fummer, a number of people
from Rochefler, went to a meadow in the woods
with an intention to mow it, but found it fo full of
rattle fnakes, that they fet fire to the grafs and quit-
ted the place. The following fingular fa6l deferves
to be remembered. A dog, belonging to a Mr.
Wormwood, of Durham, being bitten by a rattle-
fnake, immediately went in fearch of a foft loamy
fpot of earth, in which he fcratched a hole and bu-
ried himfelf all over, excepting his head. Here he
remained, refufing all nourifhment, till the earth
had extradled the venom. This fa(5l was certified
to me by John Smith, Efq. of Durham, lately de-
ceafed.

Small Brown Adder, Coluber Btriatulus.

House Adder, Coluber /m?icta£uai

'Water Adder, Coluber fasdatus.

Brown Snake, Coluber Si/iedon.

Green Snake, Coluber Saiirita ?

Black Snake, ^^ ^ I Coluber constrictor.

White Neck Black Snake, 5

Striped Snake, Anguis eryx ?

R

130 HISTORY OF

AMPHIBIOUS FISHES.

Lamprey, P ctromyzon JiicoiataUs ?

Sea Slicker, Pctromyzon viarinus.

The Lamprey frequents moflof our rivers, efpec-
ially where the paflage is not interrupted by dams.
In Merrimack, they afcend to the waters of Pem-
igewallet, and are found in plenty as far as Plymouth.
That part which is below the air holes is lalted and
dried for food. After the fpawning feafon is over,
and the young fry have gone down to the fea, the
old fifli attach themfelves to the roots and limbs of
trees which have fallen or run into the water, and
there perilli. A mortification begins at the tail, and
proceeds upward to the vital part. Fifli of this kind
have been found at Plymouth, in different flages of
putrefacftion.

'JTiT'rnbackj Haja FuUonica.

I>oi^ i'"ii>h, Hrjualus .dcantJnas.

Shark, ^(jualiis aiellaris I

Monk Fish, Lofihitis Jiiscatorius.

Suiri^eon,' .'Icijitnscr sturio.

Luiiipfibh, Cycl'jfiterus him/ius.

tiSHES.

Eel, Murama avguilla.

Conger Eel, Murana cnnt^cr.

Cat Fish, ^■JnarJiichas Iti/ius.

Snake Fiah, Op.hidium hnbcrbr.

1 1 addock, fiadiifi acflesinus.

Cod, Gadus Mor/iua.

The Cod comes into the river Pafcataqua, in the
fpring and fall, and is taken at fea, in all months of
the year. The bell are caught in the winter. The
next in quality are taken in the fpring and begin-
ning of fummer ; the third kind in the latter end of
f ummer and beginning of autumn.

Frosl I'ish, Gadus luscus.

Folluck, Gadun fiollacfiius.

Small Folkuk, Gudus viiriis*

NEW-HAMPSHIRE, 131

ffitka, (inchis molva.

Snake Fish, Bknnius Grcnelhis.

Wult" Fish, JUi.nniu6- anifuillarius.

The Haddock, Hake and Pollack are taken at fea,
in the fpring and fummer, and being dried, are fold
under the denomination of fcale fifli.

Sculpion, Cottus cjuadrkornis.

Bearded Sculpiqn, Coitus cata/i/n-actus ?

Plaisc, Pleuroncctes /ilatcssa.

Flounder, Pkuronectes flesus.

Holibut, Pkuronectes Hi/ijwi^lassus.

The Holibut is the largeft fifli which is taken for
food. When full grown, it exceeds 5001b. in weight ;
thofe of 2001b. are frequently brought to market.

Dab, PkurQ7iectes fiafiillosus.

Red Perch, Ptrca^fluviaialis.

White Perch, Pcrca luciofitrca X

Whiting, Perca ulburrivs.

Sea Perch, Pe->ra undidata ?

Bass, Pcrca ocdata.

The Bafs was formerly taken in great plenty, in
the river Pafcataqua ; but by the injudicious ufe of
nets, in the winter, this fifliery was almoft deftroy-
ed. After the mifchief was done^ a law was made
againft it ; but the bafs have never fince reforted to
this river in any great numbers. It is faid by fome,
that fifli which are fpawned in rivers, and defcend
to the fea, return to thofe rivers, only where they
are fpawned. If this principle be true, the breed
might be renewed by bringing fome of the bafs,
which are caught in Merrimack river, alive, over
the land, to the neareft part of the waters of Pafcat-
aqua, a diftance not more than twelve miles. This
muft be done before the fpawning feafon, and mi^ht
very eafily be accomplifhed,

132

HISTORY OF

Shiner)

Perca nohilh ?

Chub,

Perca fihiladcljihica.

Bicani,

Ptrcachrijsopf.tra ?

Stickle Back,

Gaateralcus aa/caius

Skip Jack,

Ganttrosteus ^Salatrix.

Mackrel,

Scomber scombtr.

P(;uu

Silurit.t I'elis,

Sal IT' n, Salmo Salar ?

The SALMON formerly frequented the river Paf-
cataqua ; but the numerous dams built acrofs its
branches, have obflrudled the courfe of this valua-
ble fifh, and it has, for many years, totally forfak-
en the river. It Hill afcends the Saco, Merrimack
and GonnecSlicut ; in the two laft, to their farthefl
head ; in the former, a projecting rock, in the great
fall, near Sunday's rocks, forms an infurmountable
ob{lru6lion ; but there is a free courfe for this fifh
up the branch called great OfTapy.

SALMON TROUT, Sa/mo Trutta.

The Trout is found in all the flreams which flow
from the mountains, and very near their fummits.
The fame is obferved concerning this filh, in other
countries. Sir W. Hamilton, defcribing the Ap-
pennines, in Italy, fays ' the road follows the wind-
* ings of the Garigliano, which is a beautiful clear
' trout flream, with a great variety of cafcades and
' catara(5ls.'* And Swinburne, in his account of
the Pyrenees fays ' trouts are often feen fwimming
' down the flream ; but if diflurbed, retire into the
bowels of the mountain.' f In fome of the bays of
Winipifeogee lake and river, very large trouts are
taken with the hook. Thofe from fix to ten pound,
are common, and fome have been caught of twen-
ty lb. weight.

SMELT, Salmo cpcrlanus,

PICKEREL, or PIKE, Efox luc'lUS.

* Philos. tr.insact. Vol. 67, anno. 1786, page 369.
+ Travels through Spain, Vol. 2. page 311.

NEW-HAMPSHIRE,

133

Alheriiie,

licriiiji;,

Shad,

Athirina Mcnidia.
Clufiea liaren^us.

Clujita aloaa.

The SHAD afcend at the fame tune with the fal-
mon, and are taken frequently in the fame nets.
The fahiion fifhery is fo regulated by law, that
three days only, in the week, are allowed to catch
them.

Hard Head,

Ale wife,
Kret,
Sucker,
jMcnovv,

Clufiea dura Icevi mystax.

Ciupea serrata.

Clufiea minima.

Cy/irinus Catostomua Forster.

Cyrinus.

There are many other frefh and fait water fifhes,
not fufficiently known to be arranged.

INSECTS.

Horned Beetle,
Carolina Beetle,
Dunghill Beeile,
Apple Beetle,
Golden Beciicj

Stag Beetle,
Fiuied Beetle,

Water Flea,
Fetid Beetle,
Lady FJy,

Weeril,
Sinouted Weevil,

Goat Chaffer^

Firefly,

Skipper,

Glow-wormj

Cantharides,

Scarabceus simson,

Scarabceus carolituis.

Scarabceus slercorariua.

Scarnbccus horlicola ?

Scarabcsus lanigerus.

Several new species, and ot4i»ra

that have not been arranged.
Lucanus cervus.
Lucanus interrufrtug.
Dcrmestes lardarius.
Dermestes tyjiogi'aphus.
Gyrinus natator.
Silfiha vespillo.
Coccinclla 2 — /iicstalaia.
Several species.
Cpryso7nela — many species.
Bruchuspisi.
Curculio quercus.
Many species.
Cerambyx coriarius.
Many species.
Lampyris lucida.
Several species.
Jilater oculatus.
Many species.

CicindcLa Carolina. ^

One or tvi^o other species.
Buprestris mariana.
Two or three other species.

134

HISTORY or

Water Beetle,

Black Beetle,
Blossom Eater,

}

]

Cockroach,
Grasshopper,
Cricket,
Locust,
Mole Cricket,
Froghopper, ?
Balm Cricket, 5
Large and small'
Water Fly,
Boat Fly,
Bug,

Louse, on cabbages,
Louse, on leaves of trees and ?
plants, 5

Bug on plants and trees,

Butterfly,

Night Flutterer,?

Owl Motli, S

Moth, or Miller,

Apple Moth, or Canker Worm,

Dragon Fly, >

Adder Fly, 5

Oak Apple Fly,

Saw Fly,

Wasp,

Hornet,

Bumble Bee, ?

Wild Bee, 5

Aunt,

Black Fly, >

Brown Fly, >

Horse Fly,

Mos'^^juito,

Slimming Fly,

Snow Flea,

Father Long Legs,

Spider,

Dyd.tcus fiiccus.
Dytiacus viarginalis,
Dythcus striatiis.
Several other species.
Carabiis aniericanus.
Numerous species.
Moleo nigra.
Stajihylinus maxilloausi
Forficula. — Two species.
Blatta atnericana., (?ion indigenus.y

Grillus. — Numerous species.

GriUus gryllotaliia.
Cicada. — Many species.

J^foionecta, — Several species,

Ciiiex. — Numerous species.
Ajihis brassica .

A/ifiis. — Numerous species.

C/iennee. — Many species.

"I Numerous species,
Pafialico. W and severitl non-de»

3 scripts.
Sjihina:.

M>,oy new species.
Phaloena. — Numerous species.
PhaLxna ni>auaria \
LibcUuLa. — Several species.

Hemcrobius fiectinicornis.
Several species.
CyniJiH. — Several species.
Tcnthredo belulx.

Vesjia. — Many species.

Jfiis. — Several species.

Formica. — Several species.

Musca. — Numerous species.

Tabanus. — Several species.

Culex fii/neiis.

Cono/is calcitrans.

Podnra nil' alia.

Fhulangium. — Several species.

r^ranca.— Many Species.

NEW-HAMPSHIRE.

135

erab,

Lobster,

Shrimp, ^

Cancer. — INIany Species.

Hermit Crab,
Slender dab,

Kiiijj Crab, or Horse Shoe,

Monociihis fiQlrifihemus.

Monoculus fiiscinus.

Monoculus fiulex.

Monoculus guadricornua.

VERMES.

Sea Clam,

Holothuria fihantaphus.

Squid,

SeftJa media.

Se/iia coligo.

Sea lungs,

Medusa fiilearis.

Star Fish, or Finger >

Asterias Cafiui Medusa, — Three

Fish, 5

or four species.

Sea Egg,

JLchimis. — Several species.

Barnacle,

L.efias anatifera.

Hog Clam,

My a arenaria.

Razor Shell Clam,

Solen ensifi.

Long Shell Clam,

Solen radiatis.

Oyster,

Oatrea .

Muscle,

Mytilus edulis.

Cockle,

J\''erita littoralis X

Limpets,

Pated.i fuHC'X.

Sand Shell Clam,

Sabella gramdata.

Sea Anemone,

Anemone marina locomotiva.

There is a tradition, grounded on a pafTage iti.
JofTelyn's voyage to New-Kngland, and repeated by
Gordon, in his geographical grammar, of 2ifcarlet
vitifcle^ found in the river Pafcataqua, in which is a
vein, yielding a fcarlet liquor, which affords an in-
delible ftain to linen. Having made inquiry, I
have not heard of this mufcle, nor the place (Bak-
er's cove) where it is faid to have been found. Mr,
Peck, who is curious in his inquiries into the nat-
ural hi (lory of the country, has allured me, that the
^fanies of many teftaceous marine animals will give

* the fame tint. There is a fpecies of the buc-

* cinum, or white cockle, which is very commonly

* found on the Ihore, and not confined to any par-

* ticular place, which being broken, and the fanies

* taken up with a hair pencil, will mark linea with

13(J HISTORY OF

* a fine and durable crimfon. The colour is obferr-

* ed to vary from its original yellow, to green, blue^

* purple, and crimfon, which is its ultimate change.'

Vift beds of mufcles appear in the river at low
water, which are never ufed ; but might be taken
out, and laid as manure on the adjacent lands.

Of the immenfe variety of infecfls, with which
both the land and fea abound, it is impoffible to
give a particular defcription. There is an ample
range for the curious naturalifl, both on the fea
ihore, in the open land, and in the thick woods ; but
if he engages earneftly in the purfiiit, it may be ad-
"vifeable to defend himfelf, after the manner of the
Indians, by fmearing the expofed parts of his body
with the oyl of the beaver.

The common Black Fly is not a native of the
country, but was brought in Ihips from the Weft-
Indies. The fame may be faid of the Cochroch,
which has not yet quitted the maritime towns. The
Bumble Bee is undoubtedly a native ; but it has
been doubted whether the Honey Bee is, or is not.
That feveral fpecies of the honey bee were known
in Mexico, before the Spanifh invafion, appears fi*om
the tribute-rolls, and other hiftorical paintings of
that empire ; but it is probable that bees were firft
brought into thefe northern parts, from Europe.
JofTelyn is the only writer who mentions them, and
this was his opinion, with which tradition concurs.
They have multiplied exceedingly, and are frequent-
ly found in a wild ftate, enclofed in the trunks of
hollow trees, in all parts of New-Hampihire as far
northward as the State is inhabited, which is 44''
40' df north latitude. They chiefly delight in the
Neighborhood of cultivation, as they derive their
"principal food from the labors of man.

The Caterpillars lay their eggs on the branches
bf apple treet>, and, being hatched by the warmth of

NEW-HAMPSHIRE. 137

the fpring, they form cluflers, and inclofe them-
felves in a web, whence tliey ifTue forth in queft of
food, and deftroy the leaves of this and other trees ;
but the mod formidable enemy to the apple tree, is
the canker worm. It comes out of the ground early
in the fpring, and afcends the tree in the fliape of a
white winged infecSl, where it depofits its eggs, which,
being hatched by the genial warmth of the feafon,
are converted into millions of black worms, about
an inch in length. Thefe drip the tree of its ver-
du.re, and, by the middle of June, it has the ap-
pearance of autumn. While engaged in this mif.
chief, if the tree be flruck or Ihaken, each worm
defcends to the ground by a thread, fpun inftautly
from its bowels, and afcends, by the fame rout,
when the danger is over. By the 21ft of June, they
difappear ; the tree puts forth new leaves, but bears
no fruit. The beft way of guarding againft them,
is by putting a circle of warm tar round the trunk
of the tree, and renewing it every day, during the
time of their afcent ; this arrefts and confines them,
till they perifh. They were not known in New-
Hampfhire till about twenty years paft, and there
are fome parts which they have not yet reached.
They do not appear every year, but there is no reg-
ular interval between their appearances, nor is the
caufe of the interruption known.

Befide thefe, there is another fpecies, which comes
but once in many years, and deftroys the corn and
grafs, as well as leaves of trees. Their laft appear-
ance was in 1770. It was obferved that they did not
touch the leaves of elder. From obfervations of this
kind, a hint was taken to make ufe of elder, and ef-
pecially the dwarf elder, as a means of preferving
the feeding leaves of young efculent vegetables, and
even the branches of trees, from being deftroyed by
infeds.

13S HISTORY OF

CHAP. XL

Caver.nsi Stones, Fosdls, and JMlncruls.

This chapter muft be extremely imper-
fe6l, as many parts of the country are yet unex-
plored ; and of thofe which are known, the knowl-
edge is mofliy confined to the furface and its vege-
tation. Such things however as have occurred, fhall
be noticed.

Among the many rocky mountains and precipi-
ces, fome openings appear, which are generally fup-
pofed to be the haunts of bears and rattle fnakes ;
and are rather objecls of dread than of curiofity.
A particular defcription of one of thefe caverns in
the townfliip of Chefter, by Peter French, an inge-
nious young gentleman, deceafed, fliall be given in
his own words.

* At about five miles diflance from Chefler meet-

* ing houfe, and very near the road leading to Con-
' cord, is an eminence called rattle fnake hill. Its

* bafe is nearly circular, and about half a mile in
' diameter. It is very ragged, efpecially on the
' fouthern fide ; where it is almoft perpendicular ;
' and its fummit frowns tremendous, about 400 feet
' high. In this fide, at the height of ten yards, is
' an aperture in the rocks, of about five feet high,
' and twenty inches broad ; which is the entrance
' to what is called the DeviPs den ; concerning which,
' many frightful fi:ories are told, to increaie the ter-
' rors of the evening, among the children of the

* neighbouring villages ; and indeed I have obferv-

* ed the eyes of men afllime a peculiar brightnefs,

* while recounting the imaginary dangers which

* they had there fortunately ejcaped.

NEW-HAMPSHIRE. 139

' This entrance is about fix feet long ; it then
contrails its height to two feet and a half, and dif-
plays its breadth horizontally on the right, fifteen
feet ; where it is irregularly loft among the con-
tiguous rocks. This form of the cavity continues
about ten feet ; when it fuddenly becomes about
eight feet high, and three wide ; the fides nearly
perpendicular, continuing thus about nine feet. In
the midway of which, on the fame plane, and near-
ly at right angles on the left, is an aperture of five
feet high and four wide, which continues ten or
twelve feet, where it is loft irregularly among the
rocks. Oppoiite to this, on the right, lies a fpa-
cious chamber, parallel to the faid plane ; elevated
about four feet, fifteen or twenty feet fquare, and
about three feet high ; floored and ceiled by a reg-
ular rock, from the upper part of which are de-
pendent many excrefcences, nearly in the form of a
pear, fome of which are more than an inch long ;
but there is a much greater number of every pof-
fible inferior fize ; thefe are eaiily feparable from
thi rock, and feveral of them are depofited in the
mufeum at Cambridge, where they are fliewn for
petrified water. Their colour and coaiiitence are
tJiofe of a common ftone ; but when approached
in the cave with a flambeau, they throw about a
fparkling luftre of almoft every hue. This appear-
ance is caufed by a large drop of water, which
nangs about the end of each ; and when the echo
of its fall has reverberated round the vault, anoth-
begins to kindle in fucceflion.
' At the end of the above mentioned nine feet ^ is
'- a perpendicular defcent of about four feet ; where

* the pafTage, becoming not more than eighteen in-
' dies wide, but at leaft fifteen feet high, and ftill
' nearly perpendicular, bends gently to the right, in

* an arch of a very large circle, for about thirty feet^

140 HISTORY or

' where eight or nine feet of the height falls into
' breadth, and all in feven or eight feet more is loft,

* among the rocks, in inconfiderable chinks.

' The general diredionof this cave is nearly north,

* and upon an afcent of about three degrees. The
' cavity is terminated by rocks, on all fides ; fave

* that the above mentioned thirty feet has a gravelly

* bottom, at the farther end of which rifes a fmall
' rivulet, ftrongly impregnated with fulphur. This

* rivulet increafes imperceptibly in its defcent, along

* the thirty feet ; when it falls fuddenly into a tranf-

* verfe chink, about three inches wide, which receives

* it perpendicularly about ten feet ; when the little
' fubterraneous caicade is intercepted by fome thin

* lip of a rock, and thrown about in quite a merry

* ftrain, for fuch a folitary manfion.

' The rocks which wall this narrow pafTage, are

* cafed with a fhell of a reddifli colour, about half
' an inch thick ; which is cafily feparable from the

* rock, in flakes as large as a man's hand. Thefe

* flakes emit a ftrong fcent of fulphur, when thrown

* into the fire ; and this circumftance has given rife

* to a conjeclare, that fubterraneous fires have for-

* merly raged here ; but whatever truth there naay
' be in this opinion, the cave is now exceeding;ly
' cold, and a more gloomy fituation is fcarcely im-

* aginable.' I

In the town of Durham there is a rock, which is
computed to weigh fixty or feventy tons. It lies fo
exaSAy poifed on another rock, as to be eafily mov-
ed by one linger. It is on the top of a hill, and its
fituation appears to be natural. Many other lingu-
lar appearances among the rocks and mountains at-(
tracl the attention of the curious, and ferve as ob-.
jedls of amazement to the vulgar.

Of the different kinds of Earths and Clays, which

NEW-HAMPSHIRE. 141

are found in New-Hampfliire, it would be endlefs
to give an account. The towns of Exeter, New-
market, Durham and Dover, abound in clays. The
fame may be faid of fevcral towns on Connedlicut
river. In many of the new townfliips, clay does not
appear till after the earth has been opened and cul-
tivated. Maries, though found in great plenty in
fome places, are feldoni ufed. Immenfe treafures
of this precious manure will be referved for future
generations.

Red and yellow ochres are found in Sommerf^
worth, Chefterfield, Rindge and JafFrey. It is ob-
fcrvable that in feveral places, a ftratum of yellow
is found under one of red ochre, without any inter-
vening fubftance. Thefe have been purified and
uibd with fuccefs in painting.

At Orford on Connecticut river, is found the Soap-
Rock, (Steatites). It has the property of fuller's
earth, in cleanfing cloths. It is of a confiftence be-
tween earth and flone. It may be fawn or cut with
carpenter's tools, into any form whatever. . To de-
termine its capacity of enduring heat, I carefully
meafured and weighed a piece of it ; and having
kept it for one hour, in a glowing fire of coals, and
cooled it gradually, I found its fize was not in the
leafl diminiihed. It loft a fixty-fifth part of its
weight. It was evidently cracked, and was eafily
broken, by the hand. It wa.s equally foft as before,
and as capable of being cut or fcraped. Its colour
was changed from a light grey, to a micaceous yel-
low. The piece on which this experiment was made,
weighed between feven and eight ounces.

In various parts of the country is found that tranf^
parent fubftance, which is commonly called Ifing-
Glafs, [Lapis fpecidaris.^ It is a fpecies of Talc ;
^nd is found adhering to rocks of white or yellow

142 HISTORY OF

qttartZy and lying in lamina^ like flieets of paper. The
moft of it is white, fome is yellow, and fome has a
purple hue. The largeft leaves of this curious fub-
ftance are found in a mountain, in the townfliip of
Grafton, about twenty miles eafcward of Dartmouth
college. It was hrit difcovered in the following
manner. A hunter took fhelter for the night in a
cavern of the mountain ; and in the morning found
himfelf farrouaded with this tranfparent fublf ance ;
a large leaf of which he faflened to the branch of a
tree, near the cave, as a mark by which he might again
find the place. I'his happened dining the late war,
when window-glafs could not be imported. The
fcarcity of that convenient article brought the talc
into repute. Many perfons employed their time in
blowing the rocks, feparating tlie laminae, cutting
them into fquares, and vending them about the
country. This fubilance is particularly valuable
for the w^indows of Ihips, as it is not brittle but elaf-
tic, and will ftand the explofion of cannon. It is al-
fo ufed to cover miniature paintings, and to preferve
minute objects for the microfcope. The difad van-
tage of it tor windows is, that it contrails duft, an4
is nor ealily cleaned ; but for lanterns, it is prefera-
ble to glafs.

Cryftal and Chryflalline Spars have been found at
Northwood, Rindge and Conway. They are of va-
rious fizes, generally hexagonal, and terminating in
a point. The largeil which has fallen under my
knowledge, was found at Conway. It was fix inches
in length, eight in circumference, and weighed thir-
ty two ounces ; but it was not throughout pellucid.

AUum ore has been found at Barrington, Or-
ford and Jaffrey. Vitriol at JafFrey, Brentwood and
Rindge. It is generally combined in the fame Hone
with Sulphur. Thole Hones which I have fecn arc

NEW-HAMPSHIRE. 143

fhelly, and the vitriol exudes at the fifTures. I have
one, which has been kept perfectly dry, for above
twelve years ; and it produces the white cfflorefcenco
as plentifully as ever. It was taken from Lebanon,
in the county of York ; where there is an immenfe
quantity.

Free-ilone has been difcovered at Hanover and
Picrmont. At Orford are many Slate Rocks, and a
grey flone, which may be wrought to great perfec-
tion, either for building or for Mill-Stones. It is
faid to be nearly equal to the imported burr flones ;
and is in great demand.

Iron Ore is found in many places ; moil common-
ly in fvvamps. It generally difcovers itfelf by the
colour and tafte of the water, which runs through
it ; and there are many fprings in almofl every part
of the country which are impregnated in different
degrees with it. Black Lead [^plumbago) is found in
large quantities about the grand Monadnock, in the
townfhip of Jaffrey. In the fame neighborhood,
fome fmall fpecimens of Copper and Lead have been
feen. There is alfo an appearance of copper in fome
rocks at Orford ; but no metal except iron has been
wrought to any advantage.

Foffil Shells have been found near Lamprey riv-
er, in Newmarket, at the depth of feventeen feet ;
and in fuch a fituation as that the bed of the river
could never have been there. The fliells were of
oyfters, mufcles and clams, intermixed. Clam fhells
have alfo been difcovered at the depth of twenty
feet, in the neighborhood of Dartmouth college.

Foffil Trees are fometimes found in the intervale
lands, adjoining the great rivers.

Mineralogy is a branch of fcience which is but
little cultivated. Men of genius and fcience hav»
not leiiiire to purfue objed:s from which prefent ad-

144 HISTORY OF

vantages cannot be drawn. The difappointment*
which have attended fome expenfive attempts ; the
air of my fiery thrown over the fubjedl by ignorant
pretenders ; and the facility with which every min-
eral may be imported from abroad, have difcour-
aged inquiries. But from the fpecimens which
have appeared, there can be no doubt of the exifl-
cnce of mineral and foflil treafures, in the fearch of
which, future generations will find employment.

NEW-HAMPSHIRE. 145

CHAP. XII.

Descrifition cf Ihc lidrbour and river of Patcataqua,

X HIS is the only feaport in New-Hamp-
ihire ; its latitude is 43° 5'N. and its longitude 70®
41' W. from the royal obfervatory at Greenwich.
It is known to feamen by the following marks.
Agamenticus, a remarkable mountain in the coun-
ty of York, lies four leagues due north. Pigeon
hill, on Cape Anne, bears due fbuth, diflant ten
leagues ; and the higheil of the Ifles of Ihoals bears
S. E. by S. diftant three leagues from the entrance
of the harbour.

In the middle of the harbour's mouth, lies Great-
Ifland, on which the town of Newcafllc is built. On
the N. E. point of this ifland a light houfe was
eredlcd in 1771, at the expence of the province ; but
it is now ceded to the United States. The direc-
tions for entering the harbour are thefe : 'Ships
' coming from the Eaft, fhould keep in twelve fath-

* om, till the light bears N. half a point E. or W-
' dillant three iniles ; (to avoid a ledge of rocks
' which lies off the mouth of the harbour ;) then

* bear away for the light, keeping the weflern fhore

* on board, and coming no nearer that fhore than
' the depth of nine fathoms ; giving the light a prop-
' er birth, and (landing over to the northern Ihore

* of the river ; where they may anchor in nine fath-

* oms, abreaft of Sparhawk's point. Ships coming

* from the fouthward, Ihould obferve the fame di-

* reclions, refpecling the light, and keep in nine

* fathoms on the weflern fhore.'

Between the north fide of Great-Ifland and Kitte-
ry fhore, is the main entrance, about a mile wide^

T

146 HISTORY OF

nine and ten fatlioms deep. The anchorage is good;
the fliore is lined with rocks ; the harbour is land-
locked on all fides, and perfe(5lly fafe. The tides
rife from ten to fourteen feet. The other entrance
on the fouth fide of Great-Iiland, is called Little
Harbour ; the water here is ihoal, and the bottom
fandy.

There are feveral iflands in the river, between
which and the fl:iores are channels for fmall veflels
and boats. Between the upper end of Great-Ifland,
and the town of Portfmouth, on the fouthern fide
of the river, is a broad, deep, ftill water called the
Fool ; where the largeft iliips may lie very conveni-
ently and fecurely. This v/as the ufual flation for
the mafl-fliips, of which feven have been loading
at one time. In this place the Aftrrea fliip of war of
twenty guns, was burnt, on a feverely cold morning,
January 17, 1744. She had been captured from
the Spaniards at Porto Bello ; and was taking in a
load of naval (lores, for the Britifh deet at Jamaica,
when this accident happened.

The main channel lies between Peirce's iiland and
Seavey's; on each of which,batteries of cannon were
planted, and entrenchments formed in 1775. Here
the flrcam is contracted to a very narrovyr paflage,
and the tide is extremely rapid ; but the water is
deep, with a bold rocky fhore on each fide. The ra-
pidity of the current prevents the river from freez-
ing in the fevered winters.

The town of Portfmouth lies about two miles from
the fea, on the fouth Ihore of the river. The num-
ber of dwelling houfes at prefent is about 640, and
of other buildings 620. The public buildings are
tliree Congregational churches, one Epifcopal, one
Unlvcrfalill, a State-houfe, a Market-houfe, four
School-houfes, and a Work-houfe. The town haS'
convenient wharves, and the anchorage before it is

NEW-HAMPSHIRE. 147

good. There is depth of water fufUcient for the larg-
ei\ Ihips ; and there are fuch natural advantages, for
all the purpofes of building and docking them, and
the harbour is fo capable of defence, againil any fud-
den attack by fea, that it might be made a very fafe
and commodious port for a navy.

Ships of war have been built here, both in former
and latter times, viz. the Faulkland of 54 guns, in
1690 ; the Bedford-galley, of 32, in 1696 ; the A-
merica, of 40, in 1749; the Raleigh, of 32, in 1776 ;
the Ranger, of 18, in 1777 ; and a fhip of 74 guns,
called the America, was launched the 5th of Novem-
ber, 1782, and prefented to the King of France, by
the Congrefs ot the United States.

Three leagues from the mouth of the harbour lie
the Illes of Shoals, which are feven in number. On
Star-ifland the town of Gofport is built, which be-
longs to New-Hampiliire. The dividing line runs
between that and the next ifland to the northward,
which belongs to Maflachuff tts. Here is a good
road, with moorings ; and an artificial dock has been
conftrucled with great labour and expenfe, by Mr.
Haley, for fifliing vefTels. Ships fometimes take
Ihelter here in bad weather, but it is not then fafe
for thofe of large bulk. Thefe illands, being of
folid rock, with but little earth, are incapable of any
improvement by tillage, though they afford fome
paflurage and gardens. The inhabitants have for-
merly carried on the cod fiihery to great advantage ;
but it has been for fome years declining. Saltworks
have been eredled on one of the iflands, which have
yielded fait of a fuperior quality, excellently adapt-
ed to the curing of fifh.

The Pafcataqua is the only large river whoie
whole courfe is in New-Hampfliire. Its head is a
pond in the N. E. corner of the town of Wakefield,
and its general courfe thence, to the fea, is S, S» E«

148 HISTORT OF

about 40 miles. It divides New-Hampfliire from
York county, in MafTachufctts, and is called Sal-
mon-fall river, from its head, to the lower falls at
Berwick ; where it aJTumes the name of Newichar
wannock, which it bears till it meets with Coche-
cho river, which comes from Dover, when both rum
together in one channel, to Hilton's point, where
the weftern branch meets it. From this j miction to
the fea, the river is fo rapid that it never freezes ;
the diflance is feven miles, and the courfe generally
from S. to S. E. The weftern branch is formed by
Swamfcot river which comes from Exeter, Winni-
cot river which comes through Greenland, and Lam-
prey river which divides Newmarket from Dur-
ham ; thcfe empty into a bay, four miles wude, call-
ed the Great Bay. I'he water in its further pro-
grefs is contradled into a lejGTer bay, and then it re-
ceives Oyfter river, which runs through Durham,
and Back-river, which comes from Dover, and at
length meets with the main flream at Hilton's point.
The tide rifes into all thefe bays and branches, as
far as the lower falls in each river, and forms a mofh
rapid current, efpecially at the feafon of the frefh-
ets, when the ebb continues about two hours longer
than the flood ; and were it not for the numerous
eddies, formed by the indentings of the fhore, the
ferries would then be impafTable.

At the lower falls in the feveral branches of the
fiver, are landing places, whence lumber and other
country produce is tranfported, and vcfTels or boats
from below difcharge their lading : So that in each
river there is a convenient trading place, not more
than twelve or fifteen miles diftant from Portsmouth,
.with which there is conflant communication by ev-
ery tide. Thus the river, from its form, and the
fituation of its branches, is extremely favorable to
th^ .purpofes of navigation and commerce.

NEW-HAMPSHIRE. 149

At Dover is an high neck of land between the
main branch of Pafcataqua and Back river, about
two miles long, and half a mile wide, rifmg gently
along a fine road, and declining on each fide like a
Ihip's deck. It comm..nds an extenfive and varie-
gated profped of the rivers, bays, adjacent fliores,
and diflant mountains. It has often been admired
by travellers as an elegant fituation for a city, and
by military gentlemen for a fortrefs. The firft fet-
tlers pitched here, but the trade has long fince been
removed to Cochecho-falls, about four miles farther
up ; and this beautiful fpot U almoft deferted of ia^
habitants.

1>S& HISTORY 01^

CHAP. XIII.

Trade^ JVavigatioji, Fishery and AIant;fucI,ures.

1 HE firfl fpecies of traffic which wji^
known in this country was the fur trade, with the
Indians ; the next objedl was iilh ; and the third
was lumber.

Formerly the banks of the river Pafcataqua were
covered with fine timber, which was cut or fplit in-
to any form, and eafily conveyed on board ihips.
The firft fettlers ere6led faw-miils, on the branches
of the river ; and a great trade in lumber was driven
for many years. When the neighbouring lands
were cleared of the firfl growth, it was flippofed that*
the lumber trade would declme j but it was, and is
ftill kept up by inany of the people, and is drawn
from the diftanre of thirty or forty miles, to the
heads of the tide, in the branches of the river. It is
then conveyed in rafts, or on board large gondolas,
to the (liips, in diifercnt parts of the river, or to the
wharves at Portfmouth.

The mad trade was formerly confined to Eng-
land ; all white pine trees of certain dimenfions be-
ing deemed the King's property. The contracflors
and agents made large fortunes by this traflic ; but
the labourers who fpent their time in the woods,
and were fupplied with provifion and clothing for
themfelves and their families, anticipated their earn-
ings, and were generally kept in a 11 ate of poverty
and dependance.

Ship building has always been a confiderable
branch of bufinefs. European traders often came
hither to build fliips, which they could do much
cheaper than at home, by the profit made on the

NEW-HAMPSHIRE. 151

goods, which they brought with them. Our own
merchants alfo built Ihips of two and three hundred
tons ; which were employed in voyages, to the Brit-
ifli fugar illands, with a lading of lumber, filli, oil
and live flock. The cargo was fold, and the pro-
duce of the ifland was fent hither in fmaller veflels,
for home confumption ; whilfl the fhips took a lad-
ing of fugars for England, where they were fold ;
and with the freight a remittance (often unprofita-
ble) was made to the merchants of England, for goods
imported on credit the preceding year. Other vef-
fels laden with timber and fpars proceeded dh'edlly
for the Britiih ports, and vv'-ere fold with their car-
goes, for the fame purpofe. The coafting trade at
the Southward, was an exchange of Wefl- India com-
modities for corn, rice, flour, pork, and naval flores ;
a part of which being re-exported to Newfoundland
and Nova-Scotia, produced bills on England for re-
mittance. This was the common routine of trade,
before the late revolution ; by which the profit of
our labor centered with the merchants of England.
The foreign trade, as diftinguilhed from national,
was very inconfiderable. ' Two or three vefTels in a
year would go to the free ports of the French and
Dutch Wefl-Indies with cargoes of lumber, fifh oil
and provifions, and bring home molaffes to be diflil-
led into rum, in the only diftil-houfe in New^-Hamp-
fhire. One vefFel in a year would go to the Azores
or the Canaries with pipe flaves, fifli, and other pro-
vifions, and return with a cargo of wine, the balance
of which was paid in cafh or bills, and fometimes a
fhip which had been to England, would get a freight
to Lifbon or Cadiz, and return with fait and fruit*
This was the fum total of our foreign commerce.*'

* Port of Pascataqua.
Foreign entries in the Foreign clearances j»- iks-

follozving years. follovSmg years.

1764 -112 176-1-^^ lo(»

152 HISTORY OF

Since the revolution, the trade to the Britifh Weft
Indies has ceafed ; but the French and Dutch ports
in that quarter, are frequented by our kimber vef-
fels ; though the reftricftions laid upon certain arti-
cles of their produce, render the voyages chither lefs
profitable.

For feveral years fucceeding the late war, the par-
tial impofts and impolitic rellridlions of our own
government, prevented foreign veiFels from loading
in our port, and a want of capital or of enterprife in
the merchants of Pafcataqua, ha.s hitherto kept them
from exploring the new fources of commerce which
are opened to America by her independence, and
which the merchants of other American ports are
feeking with avidity. Since the operation of our
general government, an equal fyflem of impofl has
been introduced ; and trade is regulated fo n.s to ferve
the general intcreft of the union. The officers of
the cuftoms are appointed by the Executive of the
United States ; and the revenue arihng from trade
and navigation, is applied to national purpofes.

That fuch an alteration was wife and falutary,
may be evident from confidering the lituation o£
New-Hamplhire, as well as of fome other States in
the union.

New-Hampdiire is feated in the bofom of MalTa-
ehufetts with a narrow It rip o.f fea coaft, and one

1765— -1I6' 1765 199

1766 11:3 1766 136

1767 112 1767 170

1768 12t 1768 183

1769 ICff 1769 151

1770 114 1770 142

1771 104 1771 135

1772 lOtf 1772 136

1773 92 ,- ''7^? 88

9 months. 3

N. Ti. ny/;j;v/y;i Entries and clearances, aie mcanl all, except thtf

tfoaslln;^ aiul fishintj vessels.

If'rom Jile.iier R.ib^cll) Esq. Naval-OfFicer.

Kew-iiampshire. 153

only port. Her inland conntry extends fo widely
as to cover a great part of the neighbouring States,
and render a commercial connexion with them ab-
folutely neceilliry. All the towns wdiich are fitu-
ate t)n the fonthern, and many of thofc on the wefh-
ern borders of Ncw-Hamplliire, find it more conve-
nient to carry their produce to market, either at
Newbury-port, Salem, Bollon or Hartford. The
tov/ns on Saco and the northern parts of Connecti-
cut river will neceflarily communicate with the
ports, in the eaflern divifion of MalTachufetts. The
lumber which is cut on the upper part of the Merri-
mack, is rafted down that river, and is exported
from Newbury-port ; whilfl that which is cut on
Conne(5ticut river is carried down to Hartford. The
greater part of New-Hamplhire is by nature cut off
from any commercial intercourfe with the only port
in the State. Lumber, being a bulky article, mufl
be tranfported to the moft convenient landing. Wag-
gons or fleys carrying pot and pearl afhes, pork, beef,
butter, cheefe, flax and other lefs bulky commodi-
ties, and droves of cattle, flieep and fwine, will al-
ways be conveyed to thofe places where the vender
can find the moft advantageous market.

For thefe reafons it never was in the power of the
government of New-Hampfhire, either before or
(ince the revolution, to reap the proper advantage,
or even afcertain the value of its own produ(5lions.
When the late Governor Wentworth was called up-
on by the Britifli Miniflry for an account of the

* Trade, nett produce and flaple commodities,' of the
then Province, he was obliged to make an exception
of the articles ' carried out by land, it being im-

* pra(fticable to afcertain their value.' The fame in-
convenience was experienced during the continu-
ance of our late partial impofts ; and there could
be no proper remedy for it, but the union of the

T

154^ HISTORY OF

Stcites under one general government, with refpc6l
to trade and revenue.

To attempt a particular detail of the number and
value of articles of commerce produced in New-
Hampihire, and exported from the various ports of
Mailachufetts and Conncdlicut, is impracticable.
To confine the detail to the port of Pafcataqua alone,
gives but an imperfedl idea of the produce of the
whole State ; beiides, a part of v/hat is exported
thence is produced in the adjoining county of York,-
which belongs to Maflachufetts. Such accounts,
however, as have been obtained from the cuftom-
houfe, and from the merchants of Portfmouth, are
exhibited at the end of this chapter.

The flaple commodities of Ncw-Hampfliire may-
be reduced to the following articles, viz. fhips, lum-
ber, provifionsj fi(h, horfes, pot and pearl afhes,- and
flax-feed.

Ships are built In all the towns contiguous to
the river Pafcataqua, and its branches. They are
generally fet up on the banks of the river, but fome-
times veffels of an hundreds tons and upwards, have
been built at the dillance of one or two miles from
the water, and drawn on fbrong fledges of timber,
on the fnow, by teams of two hundred oxen, and
placed on the ice of the rivers fo as to float in the
fpring. They have alfo been built at the dilfance
of {evQin or eight miles ; then taken to pieces, and
conveyed in common team loads to the fea. Fifliing
fchoon<3rs and whale-boats are often built at the dif-
tance of two or three miles from the water.

There are no workmen more capable of conflrudl-
ing good fliips, than the carpenters of New-Hamp-
fliirc. But the goodnefs of a fliip ever did and will
depend on. the quality of the materials, the nature
and promptitude of the pay, and the conftant atten-

NEW-HAMPSHIRE. 155

tion of the perfon whofe intercfl it is that the fhip
fliOLild be good.

The number of fliips built in the river in 1790,
was eight. In 1791, twenty. The price of build-
ing is generally from eleven to twelve dollars per
ton for the carpenters' work, and lefs than one third
more for iron and other work.

The number of flilps and other veflels belonging
to the port of Pafcataqua in 1791, is as follows ;
Above 100 tons, 33
Under 100 tons, 50

83

The white pine of the forefl is the ftrongefl and
mofl durable timber which America affords for
mafts. It is often advanced by Europeans, that the
pines of Norway exceed thofe of America in ftrength.
This is acknowledged to be true whilfl the Norway
wood retains its natural juices ; but thefe being foon
exhaufled by the heat and drynefs of the air, leave
the v/ood lefs firm, and a decay commences much
fooner than in the white pine of America. The
Norway pine begins to decay in five or fix years ;
but the American, with proper care to defend the
mad head from moiflure, will lafl unimpaired for
twenty years.

The Britilh navy for eighty years before the late
war, received its mails wholly from America ; which
is a proof that our pines are preferable to thofe of
Norvv^ay. Several of the Freiich Ihips of war which
were much damaged, in the naval engagement of
1782, in the Weft-Indies, came hither for new mafts ;
and have had fufficient opportunity to try the
ftrength of our wood. When proper perfons are
employed, and fufficient time is given to provide
fuitable materials, the forcft of America can fuppiy
any demands which may be made of timber, either

156 HIETORY OF

for building, for naval flores or cabinet work. But
a cargo prepared in an injudicious, hafty or fraudu-
lent manner, may give a bad name to the American
timber in foreign markets ; and prejudice whole
nations againft us.

Contracts for timber fliould always be made fo as
to give time to look for the requifite (licks, and cut
them in the proper feafon of the year. If the trees
were girdled and left to die fLanding, the timber
would be much fuperior to any Vvrhich is cut whilfl
alive. Trees cut in the fap fliculd be ftripped of
their bark as foon as poilible ; or they will be dam-
aged by the v^orm. But after all the care and at-
tention which can be bed owed on them, many trees
which are intended for mafts on the ftricl examina-
tion which they muft pafs, prove unfit for fervice,
and fometimes the labour of a whole feafon is loft.

It is therefore aocounted more profitable to get
the fmalier fpecies of lumber, and eijpecially thofe
which do not interfere with hulbr.ndry ; which, af-
ter all, is much preferable to the lumber buf nefs^
both in point of gain, contentment and morals.

Nothing is more convincing than fact and exper-
iment. During the late war, the trade in lumber
was fufpendsd, and the people v.^ere obliged to attend
to hufbandry. They were then able to export large
quantities of corn, though for fevcral years before
the war, it was imported for neceflary confamption.
The following flatemcnt obtained from the naval
office, will place this ipatter in its juft view.

CojTi imported into the Corn exported from the

iiver Pascataqua. river Pascaiaqua.

Buaheh, Dus/irlt.

1765 6498 1776 2510

1769 4097 1777 1915

1770 16587 1778 5306

1772 4096 1779 3097

NF.W-IIAMPSHIR£. 157

1780 G7U

4)31278 1781 5587

* ■* Average per ann. 4187|

To tiie above account of exports the following
note is aciclccl by the naval ofEcer. * It is likely near
' half 2i'S> much has been fmuggled out of the State
and not accounted for.'* It mufl alfo be remem-
bered that great quantities were carried out by land
into the eaftern countries of MafTachufetts. If thefe
be added to the lill of exports, the average will
come very little fliort of the average of corn import-
ed before the war ; and thus it is demonftrable that
even thofe towns adjoining the river, in which lum-
bering was formerly the chief employment, and in-
to which much corn was imported, are fully capable
of railing, not only a fufficiency of provifions for
their own fupport, but a furplus for exportation,
equal to what they formerly imported, and paid for,
in the hard, dangerous and unprofitable labour which
always attends the getting of lumber.

At the clofe of the war the high price of lumber
induced many people to refume their old employ-
ments ; but there has been fo much flu6luation in
the demand for that article of late, that no depend-
ance can be placed on it, and for this reafon as well
^s others, hulbandry is daily growing more into ufe.
A careful infpecSlion of provifions falted for exporta-
tion, would tend to eftablifh the charadler of them
in foreign ports, and greatly encourage the labours
of the hufbandman.

The cod fifhery is carried on either by boats or
fchooners. The boats, in the winter feafon, go out

* The smuggled corn, during the war, went chiefly to Nova-Scotia ; the country,
vliith by Lord Sheffield's cai«ulatk)flj was to supply th« West-Indkt with provisions !

158 HISTORY OF

in tlic morning and return at night, in the fpring
and funimer they do not return till they are filled.
The Schooners make three trips to the Banks in a
feafon. The firft, or fpring fare, produces large
thick fifh, which after being properly faked and dri-
ed, is kept alternately above and under ground, till
it becomes fo mellow as to be denominated dumhjifh.
This fifli, when boiled, is red, and is eaten generally
on Saturdays, at the befl tables in New-England.

The fifh of the fummer and fall fares is divided
into two forts, the one called merchantable, and the
other Jamaica fifli. Thefe forts are white, thin, and
lefs firm. The Jamaica fifli is the fmalleil, thin-
neft, and mod broken. The former is exported to
Europe, the latter to the Weil-India Iflands.

The places where the cod fiihcry is chiefiy attend-
ed to are the Ifles of Shoals, Newcallle, Rye and
Hampton ; but all the towns adjoining the river are
more or lefs concerned in it. The boats employed
in tliis fifliery are of that light and fvrift kind called
whale-boats. They are rowed either with two or
four oars, and fleered with another ; and being equal-
ly fliarp at each end, move with the utmoft celerity
on the furface of the ocean.

Schooners are generally from twenty to fifty tons,
and carry fix or feven men, and one or two boys.
When they make a tolerable fare, they bring home
five or fix hundred quintals of fifli, fplit, falted, and
flowed in bulk. At their arrival, the fifli is rinfed
in fait water, and fpread on hurdles, compofed of
brufh, and raifed on flakes, about three or four feet
from the ground ; thefc are called flakes. Here the
fifh is dried in clear weather, and in foul weather it
is put under cover. It ought never to be wet, from
the time that it is firfl fpread, till it is boiled for the
^able.

NEW-HAMPSHIRE. J59

Beficles the flefliy parts of the cod, its liver is pre--
ferved in calks, and boiled down to oyl, which is
ufed by curriers of leather. The tongues and founds
are pickled in fmall kegs, and make a luxurious, vif^
cid food. The heads are fat and juicy ; but mod
of thofe which are caught at fea are thrown away.
Of thofe which are caught near home, the greater
part become the food of fwine.

The fifliery has not of late years been profecuted
with the fame fpirit as formerly. Fifty or fixty
years ago, the Ihores of the rivers, creeks and iflands
were covered with fifli flakes ; and feven or eight
fhips were loaded annually for Spain and Portugal ;
befides what was carried to the Weft-Indies. After-
v/ard they found it more convenient to make the
fifli at Canfeau ; which was nearer to the banks. It
was continued there to great advantage till 1744,
when it was broken up by the French war. After
the peace it revived, but not in fo great a degree as
before. Fifti was frequently cured in the fummer
on the eaftern fhores and illands, and in fpring and
fall, at home. Previoully to the late revolution, the
greater part of remittances to Europe was made by
the fiiheries ; but it has not yet recovered from the
Ihock which it received by the war with Britain.

It is, however, in the power of the Americans to
make more advantage of the cod fifhery than any of
the European nations. We can fit out vefTels at lefs ex-
penfe, and by reafon of the w^efterly winds, w^hich
prevail on our coafts, in February and March, they
can go to the banks earlier in the feafon, than the
Europeans, and take the beft fifh. We can dry it in
a clearer air, than the foggy fhores of Newfoundland
and Nova-Scotia. We can fupply every neceffary
from among ourfelves ; vefTels, fpars, fails, cordage,
anchors, lines, hooks and provifions. Salt can be
imported from abroad cheaper than it can be made

160 HISTORY O?

at home ; if it be not too much loaded with duties*
Men can always be had to go on fhares, which is b^
far the moft profitable method, both to the employ-
ers and the liiliermen. I'ho lidiing banks are an
inexhauflable iburce of wealth ; and the fiihing
bulinefs is a mofl excellent nurfcry for feamen. It
therefore deferves every encouragement and indul-
gence from an enlightened national legiflature.

The manufa(5lure of pot and pearl aihes affords a
valuable article of exportation. In the new town-
fhips, where vafl quantities of wood are burnt on
the land, the alhes are colle(5led and boiled, and the
falts are conveyed to certain places, where v\rorks are
erecfled, and the manufa(5ture is perfected. This,
like many other of our articles of exportation, haa
fuffered much in its reputation, from an injudicious,
or fraudulent farvey. It is a leffon which ought to
be deeply engraven on the minds of Legiflators a»
well as Manufa(5lurers and Merchants, that honefty
at home is the only foundation for credit abroad.

An attempt has been made to manufacflure fail
cloth ; and the proprietor of the works, Thomai
Odiorne, Efq. of Exeter, has received fome fmall en-
couragement from the Legiflature of the State. Such
a bounty as is allowed in Maflachufetts would give
a fpring to this bufinefs, and encourage the eredlion
of other works of the fame kind.

The manufaclure of iron both in forges and fur-
naces might be rendered vaftly more profitable than
it is at prefent. This neceffary metal inflead of be-
ing imported might become an article of exporta-
tion.

Flaxfecd is produced in large quantities. Some of
it is manufadlured into oil ; and fbme is exported.

The manufaclure of leather and fhoes is not fo
cxtenfive as to produce articles of exportation ; but
may be conhdcred among the domcilic manufac-
tures.

NEW-HAMPSHIRE. 161

in mod of our country towns confiderable quan-
tities of tow-cloth are made, fome of which is ex-
ported to the Ibuthern States, to clothe the Negroes,
who labour on the plantations.

The manufa(5lure of bricks and potter's ware may-
be extended to any degree. Several fpecies of clay
being found in great abundance, in the towns, at the
heads of the feveral branches of the river Pafcata-
qua ; in places which lie very convenient for water
carriage. Bricks might be carried as ballaft in eve-
ry veflel which goes to ports where they are faleable.
In this article, however, as well as many others, a
regulation is needed ; mod of the bricks which are
made are deficient in fize ; and much of the clay
which is ufed in making them is not fufficiently
mellowed by the froft of winter, or by the labour of

^he artificer.

u

162

HISTORY OI'

TABLE of Exportation from the port of Pascataqua, from October f,
1739, to October, 1, 1791.

.Articles ex/iorted

To Europe. W.Ijid.ATMco.yifrica. Tot.

1000 feet of Pine Boards

6247

11622| 96!

69

18034

Do. feet of oak plank

* 378

'2(1

404

Do. staves and heading

1317

1G08

44

2969

Bo. clapboards

2

19

21

Do. shins^Ies

2689

2689

Do. hoops

79|

7

86^

Feet of oar rafters

47000

930

47950

Tons of pine timber

88i-

86

174|

Do. oak timber

251

20

271

Frames of houses

12

12

Pine masts

41

4

45

Spruce spars

13

72

85

Shook hoLjsheads

2079

2079

Waggons

2

3

Pairs of cart wheels

14

14

Sets of yokes and bows

28

28

Boats

30

30

Handspikes

80

80

Quintals of dry Fish

250

26,207

26,45/

Barrels of pickled fish

501

501

Do. Whale oil

120

120

Do. Tar

1613

60

1673

Casks of Flaxseed

1798

1798

Barrels of beef

2775

2

2777

Do. pork

9

1

10

Do. rice

2

2

Bushels of Indian cort>

391

2000

2391

Oxen and cows

o77

33

610

Horses

207

2

209

Sheep

261

229

490

Gallons of N. E. rum

150

1449

1599

Do. Madeira wine

845

845

Thousands of bricks

129

129

Tons of pot ash

83^

881

Do. pearl ash

30|

3e|

Boxes of candles

28

28

Total value of exportation
lor two yeais

296,839 dollars 51 cents.

NEW-HAMPSHIRE.

165

TABLE of Importation into the port of Pascataqua, from October 1,
1789, to October 1, 1791.

Articles imjiortcdfrom

Europe, IV.Itidiee^ A'. Scotia. Total.

Gallons of rum

138,911

138,911

Diuo Gin

221

22i

Ditto Molasses

270,785

270,785

Ditto ^vine >
from Madeira )

4721

Ditto Porter

457

457

lbs of unrefined sugar

546,648

546,648

Ditto loaf sugar

77

77

Ditto coffee

68,633

68,633

Ditto cotton

17,564

17,564

Ditto cocoa

27,944

27,944

Ditto cheese

1056

105S

Ditto tea

2696

86

2782

Ditto twine

2204

2204

Ditto nails

16890

16,890

Hundreds of cordage

17,1,7

17,1,7

Ditto hemp

940—

940-

Bushels of salt

(^fmn)

{fiarl)

98,336

Ditto sea coal

3131

3131

lbs of steel unwrought

16527

15,527

Ditto bar and sheet lead

4336

4336

Grindstones

(a few not

'ascertained j'

N. B. " What comes coast ways from any of the United States can-
not be ascertained ; as no regular entries are made where only the pro-
duce of the United States is on board ; except accompanied with more
han two hundred dollars value of foreign articles. The value of import-
ed articles is generally governed by the Boston market."

164

HISTORY or

PRICES CURRENT at Pascataqua, A. D. 1791.

Pine Mastb
hewn

inches firice
56 ;C 147

55

117

34

96

33

75

32

60

.31

47

30

38

29

30

28

25

27

20

26

17

25

14

24

12

23

10

22

9

21

8

20

6

Spruce and Pine Yards
hewn in 8 square.
inches price.
' 24 £ 34

a
a
-<

■J)

L

23

27

22

23

21

20

20

16

19

12

18

9-10

17

8

16

6

15

1-10

14

1- 8

13

1- 6

12

1- 4

11

1- 2

10

1-

9

-18

Pine Bowsprits hewn

in 8 square.

inches firice

38 r. 64

37 56

36 48
35 44
34 42
33 32
32 31
31 27
30 21
29 16
28 9

37 7
26 6
25

and all below
at 3« p. inch.

and all bcloAV 20 at 6s per inch.

Timber.

Quality f dimensions a?id firice.

Oak from 15 to 50 feet in length

and from 10 to 20 inches square,
eacli forty cubic feet

r white ' 20s to 24s

Oak < red 12s

(_black 16s to 18s

Maple 203

Beech 16s

Black birch 16s to 18s

White pino 12s to 13b

' Oak ship timber measured
at the end of the arm.
Ash timber per cord
Lath wood per cord •

Boards, Plank and Joist.

Each superficial square foot, one inch

in thickness is called a foot.

Pine per 1000 feet 36s to 42s

Hemlock generally 2s less.

N. B. The price of these articles is

frequently varying.

Oak plank per ton £ ^

ITEW-HAMPSHIRE.

165

PRICES CURRENT CGntinued.

Other species of Lumber.

Articlks akd

PRICE.

Quality^ a)id pfice.

j:,' , fMerch.
^''^. P^,"- \ Jamaica
^"'"^^^ 1 Scale

)8s
13 to 14s

Clapboards per thousand

485

10s

Shingles ditto

iOs

Pork per barrel

£S I2s

Hoops ditto

£ 4

Beef ditto

£2 2%

White cak pipe staves per

Corn per bushel

Ss

thousand

£ 9

Rye ditto

3s6

Ditto hogshead

£ 4

Barley ditto

45

Ditto barrel ditto

£2

Flax seed ditto

3s to 4s

Red oak hogshead ditto

£2

Oxen, each

£4 IGs

Ditto barrel ditto

£ I

IDs

Cows

iC2 88

Anchor-stocks per inch at

Horses

yC 6 to 30

diameter of the nut

Is

Sheep

6s to 9»

Handspikes in the rough

Is

Bricks per thousand

20s

Shook hhdsS^'^/;^.°^'^

^ red ditto

6s
Ss

Cider per barrel 5s
Seamen's wages per month 7 dolls.

Spruce spars per inch

4d

Chartering vessels per

ton,

Oar rafters per 1000 feet

^ 4

per month

1 dol.

165

HSITORY OP

TABLE of ENTRIES at the port of Pascataqua from October 1, 17£9,
to October 1, 1791.

France

.French West Indies

St. Peter's and Miquelon

England

Scotland

Ireland

British West Indies

Nova Scotia

Portugal

Portuguese Islands

Holland and Plantations

Denmark and Islands

Africa

Coasting Sc cod fishery

Total -

(A

(0

o

en

t—

tn

(U

■X!

c

tn

>•

.^

c

•/)

o

tfi

C3

c

t

J 1-

c

M-

o

o

tC

*p

'u.

"o

°

G

^

tt

/:

■J^

h

—

—

—

I

5

4

12

42

15
5

5

72
5

12

13

4

27

4

1

4

5

6

2

1

1

10

1

14

15

1

1

I

1

1

3

15

9

1

1

1

25
2

■10

10

50

——

_

—

34

87

84

18

223

^

o

c

.^

.1^

V

rt u

-o

'^

14- ^

o far.

£ i

o

< "

^

05

u,

732

732

9402

2 64

9666

192

34

226

4119

570

4689

464

464

859

859

2005

2005

856

856

293

293

341

341

2996

2996

155

155

1166

1166

20719

298

3431

24443

:ffBW-HAMPSHIRI.

167

TABLE of CLEARANCES at the port of Pascataqua; from October I,
1789, to October 1, 1791.

France

French West Indies

St. Peter's and Miquelon

England

Sco'land

Ireland

British West Indies

Nova Scotia

Portugal

Portuguese Islands

Holland and Plantations

Denmark and Islands

Africa

Coasting and cod fishery

Total

(A

c>

o

J2

0

c

"u

(/3

M

01

0

0

^

t3

c

to

a
g

X

>

0

"■3

(U
60

«3 «

0

u rt

u

,c, 6a

0

0

0

5
0

i

:|

1

CO «

CD

C^

H

<! *-

^

«

CL,

17

70

39

10

136

16616

264

8

1

9

428

34

16

25
4

1

42
4

6725
616

441

1

S

4

666

8
1

3
2

4

12

1

1

16

12

1
2

1

233
110

3134
502

162

40

iC

50

1166

43

IO7I

105

22

277

26560

398

4077

162'^

16880
462

7166
616
666

3134
502

162

233

110

1166

168

HISTORY OF

TABI.E of the VALUE of SILVER in the currency of NewhainpshiVe,
since the beginnins^ of the present century.

Silver ficr

oz.

Silver fier oz-

Silver per oz.

DOLLARS.

years, value.

years, value.

years, value.

years, value.

s

d

s

d

s d

8 d

1700 10
1704 7

120

6
6

'35
1743^ 36

(.37

1751 5 1 6

1752 55

1705 10

f2l

1733^ ll

127

1753 57

1710 8

f37
58

1754 60

1711 8

4

1755 70

1712 8

6

■^«^ Ts

f 80

1713 8

6

r24
''''< 26

1756«^ 90

1714 9

48
l_50

Lloo

1715 9

fiou

1716 10

L27

55

1757<^ to

1717' 10

!735 27

6

LllO

1718 11

6

1747<' 55

1758 120

1719 12

6

60

1759 12(»

1720 12

4

1737 1^^^

6

L58

1760 120

C 14.

6

r58

55
55

f 120

6

1738 527
^28

6

1761 to
i762<( 130

6
6
6

f29

1739-j 29

'_29

6

1748^ 't

) 53

5&

1763 &

Luo

1764 130'

r28

6

58
1^56

1765 '

0

174oJ ^^

to <^ 6

1726 16

] 28

L29

17415^8

?28

6

f56
15S

1776 (^

1727

f23

rsi 6

^728^-

1729 5'^
^'^ I 19

6

6

L29

1743 530

6

1750<^ 50
(54

,-- C2()

^32

1730 5^,

r32

-^;?

6

1714-j 33
1.34

'

NEW-HAMPSHIRE.

1(39

TABLF. of the VAI.UE of SILVER continued.

ScuJe of cIcpieLiaiion of one hundred dollars.

ytuu. months equal to ijears. monl/m equal to years

(Jan. 100 '
Feb. 104
iMarch 106

April 110 1 Ap;.u" ii'oi i^si <!

May 114

June 120

July !25 '^^9 <

Aug. 150

Supt. 175

I Oct, '273

I Nov. 300

LDec. 310

\777<i

Jan.

742

Feb.

868

March

1000

April

1104

May

1215

June

1342

July

1477

Aug.

1630

Sept.

1800

Oct.

2030

Nov.

2303

Dec.

2393

months equal to
'Jan. 7500
Feb. 750a
March 7500
April 7500
May 7500
^June 1 2000

dol. value.

Jan. 325
Feb. 350
March 375

i April 400

I May
June

^^^^^July

Aug.

I Sept,

Oct.

Nov.

Dec.

400
400
425
450
475
500
545
634

1780

Jan. 2934
Feb. S322
March 3736
April 4000

1781

to

1791

6*.

May

June

1 July

Aug.

Sept.

Oct.

Nov.

tDec.

4800
5700
6000
6300
6500
G700
7000
7300

In American national
currency, one dollar
is equal to 100 cents.

TABLE of the weight and value of GOLD and SILVER established by

law 1785.

COINS

£"!>ench|C''°^^^
Spanish Dollar
English Guinea
French ditto
Johannes
Half ditto
Moidore
Doubloon
Pistole

weight, value.

clivt. gr. A s

5
5

18
9
6

16

4

6 -I

6 -1

-4

-2

18-1

12-4

3-1

6
8

7
16

8
16

Gold per ounce
Silver per ounce

£ s d
5 6 8

6 8

{3 far-
things
of Eng
lish coin

J

V

170 HISTORY OF

Statement of the FISHERY at Pafcataqua and ita
neighbourhood.

Schooners 271

Boats 20 1^ Employed in the Cod and

Tonnage 630 fScale Fifhery annually.

Seamen 250J

The Schooners, Boats, and Seamen belonging to the
Ifles of Shoals are not included in the above efli-
mation.

Produdl of the Fifliery in the year 1791.

1 Merchantable fifli 5170
Quintals mad© > Jamaica ditto 14217

3 Scale ditto 6463

total, 25850

The filh made at the Ifles of Shoals are included in

this flatement.
The fuccefs of the fifliery in this feafon has been

uncommonly good.

Eftimate of feamen belonging to New-Hampfhire in

1791.
In foreign trade 500

Coafling do. 50

Fifhery 250

N. B. Some of the feamen who in fummer are
employed in the fifliery, are in the winter employed
in the coafUng bufmefs, or in foreign voyages.

NEW-HAMPSHIRE. 171

CHAP. XIV.

i'ffiCt fif the dimatc and other causes on the human constitution. Re-
mai'ks on ^(jfiidation. Tables of Bu'thi, Deaths and Casualties.

It has been confidently aflerted by Euro-
pean writers, and by fome of great reputation, that
the climates of America, under fimilar latitudes to
thofe of Europe, are unfriendly to health and Ion-,
gevity ; that the general period of human life is
from forty-five to fifty ; and thefe pernicious effects
arc afcribed to putrid exhalations from flagnanc
waters ; to a furface uncleared, uncultivated, and
loaded with rank vegetation, which prevents it
from feeling the purifying influence of the fan.*

If fuch remarks were intended to be confined to
the low plains in the fouthern States, the propriety
of them might not perhaps be difputed ; but a dif-
tinction ought to be made between thofe parts of
America and others in far different circumftances.
If authors profefs to write as philofophers they
fliould feek for information from the pureft fources,
and not content themfelves with theorifing on fub-
jects, which can be determined only by fact and ob-
fervation ; or with forming general conclufions from
partial reports. If they write as politicians, their
aim may indeed be anfwered by flating facts in a
delufive light ; and by reprefenting America as a
grave to Europeans, they may throw difcourage-
ment on emigration to this country. It is at the
fame time amufing to obferve the inconfiflent con-
clufions of thefe theorifing philofophers ; for whilfl
one condemns the air of woodland as deftrudlive to

* Robertson's Histor)- America, Vol. II. p. I?.

King's thoughts on Emigration to America, Political Magazine, 178 J, p. 3«L

172 HISTORY or

life and health, another celebrates it as containing
nutritive particles, and afTerts that men who live in
the woods confume lefs food than thofe who dwell
in open countries.* But notwithftanding the dreams
of European pliilofophers, or the interefled views of
European politicians, America can bed be defcribed
by thofe who have for a long tinie refided in it.
Thofe who have not fee^n it at all, and thofe who
have paifed through it with the rapidity of a travel-
ler, can be very inadequate judges ; yet unhappily
there are many of both thefe claffes of writers whofo
accounts have gained more credit than they deferve.
In that part of America v/hich it falls to my lot
to defcribe, an ' uncleared and uncultivated foil,' is
fo far from being an objedl of dread, that there are
no people more vigorous and robufl than thofe who
labour on new plantations ; nor in fa(5l have any
people better appetites for food. This is true not
only of the natives of the country, but of emigrants
from Europe. It has been a general obfervation
that the firll planters in new townfliips live to a
great age. It is alfo true that the air of our forefl
is remarkably pure. The tall and luxuriant growth
which an European might call * rank vegetation,'
not only indicates llrength and fertility of foil ; but
conduces to abforb noxious vapours ; and when the
foil is once cleared, if man negledl his duty, nature,
with her bountiful hand, produces a fccond growth
of ' rank vegetation,' for the lame benevolent pur-
pofe. A profufion of effluvia from the relinous trees
impart to the air a balfimic quality which is ex-
tremely favourable to health, and the numerous
ftreams of limpid water, fome of which fall with
great rapidity from the mountains, caufe currents
of f re 111 air which is in the higheft degree falubri-
ous, to thofe who rcfide on their banks. To thefe

• AbbeRaynal. History Indies. Vol. HI. p. 278.

NEW-HAMPSHIRE. 173

obfervatlons it may be added, that the northwefl
wind is the grand corrector of every noxious quali-
ty which can exifl in the air of America ; and whilil
that wind prevails, it diffiifes health and imparts vig-
our to tlie human frame.

There arc, indeed, fome few fituations, even in
Nev/-Hampfliire, where vapour arising from Lmd
overflowed with frclh water, produces bilious and
nervous difeafes^ and the inhabitants are fubject to
an early lailitude and debility ; which is often in-
creafed by an injudicious ufe of fpiritous liquors for
medical purpofes ; but by the removal of fuch per-
fons to the purer air of the mountains, and a change
to a more temperate regimen, thefe complaints ceafe,
and the conflitution is reinvigorated.

There have alfo been fome inilances in the neigh-
bourhood of Conneclicut river, of fwellings in the
throat fimilar to the goUres among the inhabitants
of the Alps. "Women have chiefly been affe^led in
that way. A removal to the fea fliore, and conftant
bathing with fait water have contributed to reduce
thefe tumours. A free ufe of falted fifli and vege-
table acid, particularly cyder, has alfo been found
beneficial, and by the beft and latefl information
which I have been able to obtain, this diforder is
now lefs frequent, and more ealily controled than it
was a few years paft.

From the tables of mortality which I have col-
ledled and which are here exhibited, it appears that
a very large proportion of people live to old age, and
that many of them die of no acute difeafe but by
the gradual decay of nature. The death of adult
perfons between twenty and fifty years of age is very
rare, when compared with the bills of mortality
from European countries. It is computed that near-
ly one twentieth part of the inhabitants of London

174 HSITORY OF

perifli, one year with another ;* it is certain that not
more than one in feventy of the inhabitants of New-
Hampfliire dies in a year unlefs v/hen fome epidem-
ic diforder prevails, which very feldom happens.

From the tables of cafuakies it alfo appears that the
mod mortal of the prevailing diforders of this coun-
try is the pulmonary confumption. This malady
is univerfally allowed to be more frequent of late
years than formerly. I cannot find that it is lefs
common in the new, than in the old tov^^ns. It is
certainly in fome inllances hereditary ; and it is be-
lieved by many to be contagious. Fevers of feveral
kinds are much lefs malignant than formerly. The
chronic rheumatifm is very common, but feldom
proves mortal. It is often caufed by the changes
from heat to cold, to which people who labour and
travel in all weathers, are expofed.

Patients from the fouthern States and theWeftlndia
iflands with bilious complaints and intermittent fe-
vers, foon recover their health on their arrival to our
fliores. A regular intermittent, or what is com-
monly called the fever and ague is extremely rare,
vmlefs it be contradled in fome other climate.

It is thought by fome that the exhalations from
fait marllies are injurious to health. This may be
the cafe where the ah' is prevented from circulating
freely, by the vicinity of high ridges of land ; but
the town of Hampton, which is ahnoll uniformly
level, though it contains a very extenfive marfli, is
as healthly and as favourable to longevity as any
town in the State, as may be evident from an infpec-
tion of the tables of mortality for that place.

The natives of foreign countries who remove to
this part of America, generally live to a great age ;
if they do not impair their contlitutions by I'piritu-

* Riisli's Mfdical Observations, page 47.

NEW-HAMPSHIRE. 175

Ous liquors. There are, indeed, fome veteran fbts,
natives of this as well as other countries ; wlio ren-
der themfelvcs burdenlbme to fociety, and contempt-
ible in their advanced age. The purity of our air,
and plenty of food, are doubtless the caufes of their
furviving fuch frequent draughts of liquid poifon.
Attempts have been made at feveral times to af-
certain the number of people in New-Hampfhire.
The late Governor Wentworth was ordered by the
Britifh miniflry to take an exadl furvey ; but 'hav-

* ing no fund to pay the expenfe, and no law to

* compel obedience' to the order, he was fubjedled
to the inconvenience of delay and difappointment.
The number of the people however, in 1767, was
eflimated at 52,700. Another eflimate was made
in 1774, of which I have met with no official ac-
count ; but have been informed that it was
85,000. This was too high. The eftimate given
to Congrefs by the delegates of New-Hampfhire, at
the commencement of the revolution, was flill more
extravagant. A furvey taken in 1775, partly by
enumeration and partly by eflimation, for the pur-
pofe of ellablifliing an adequate reprefentation of
the people, made the whole number 82,200.

I have taken much pains to coUedl from the fev-
eral towns the numbers loft by means of the late
war. By accounts received from twenty-feven
towns in different parts of the State, the num-
ber loft amounts to 377. Thefe twenty-feven towns,
according to the furvey in 1775, contained 2i',749
inhabitants. If a comparifon be made, by the rule
of proportion, between thefe and the other towns
in the State ; the number loft out of the whole, will
amount to 1362 ; and if a farther allowance be
made for the maritime towns, the number may
fairly be eftimated at 1400. As thefe were moftly
men in the prime and vigour of life, we ought to

X'lG klSTORY OI'*

take into the account not only the fimplc lofs of id
many lives, but a decreafc of population, equal to
the increafe which probably would have been made,
had they lived to this time. If we reckon this in-
creafe in the proportion of three to one, it Vvill pro-
duce the liim of 1200, v/hich, added to the original
number, will make 5600. But allowing the 600 for
cafualties, we may moderately compute 5000 per-
sons, leis than the number would have been, had
the lali fifteen years been all years of peace.

The cenfus taken by order of Congrefs in 1790,
is the moil correal account which has ever been
made. The whole amount is 142,018. If this be
compared with the number in 1775, and the differ-
ence divided, by the number of intervening years,
without any reference to the lofs fuftained by the
wMr ; the average of increafe will be 3987 per annum,
for the laft fifteen years. If the number in 1775 be
compared with the number in 1767. and the differ-
ence divided by the number of intervening years,
the average per ^mnum, for thofe eight years, will
be 3687. If a mean between thefe two, viz, 3883,
be taken for the increaiing ratio per annum, fince the
year 1767, it will produce a number very nearly
rorrefponding with the number taken by the cen-
fus in 1790. If this mode of computation bejuft,
the number of people in New-Hampfhire has ac^lu-
jtlly doubled in lefs than nineteen years, notwith-
llanding that fcven of thofe nineteen were years of
war.

This may more clearly appear from the following
table ; in which the firll column contains the years ;
the fecond column fliews the number in each year,
by the ratio of 3883 ; and the third the numbers
by the ratio of 3687 for the firft eight years, and
3987 for the laft fifteen.

NEW-HAMPSHIRE. 177

TABLE OF POPULATION.

1767

52700

527001

68

565S3

56387

69

60466

60074

1770

64349

63761

71

68232

67448

>'increafing by 3687.

72

72115

71135

73

75998

74822

74

79881

78509

75

78364

82196,

f76

87647

86183'

77

91530

90170

78

95413

94157

79

99296

98144

1780

103179

102131

81

107062

106118

82

110945

110105

83

114828

114092

*lncrea/in^ by 3987.

84

118711

118079

%/ c^ ^

85

122594

122066

86

126477

126053

87

130360.

130040

88

134243

134027

89

138126

i380i4

1790

142009

j4200i ^

In both columns, tlie half of the mimber taken by the census, viz. 7l,Oo9, falls between
the years i77i and i772 ; a period short of nineteen years, from iJQo.

This rapid increafe of population, is partly natur-
al and partly adventitious. The diftincftion between
chefe two caufes is evident ; but to afcertain the
precife limits of their refpec^ive operations, is im-
praclicable, without a more minute furvey than has
ever yet been taken. Large emigrations have been
made fince the peace of i763, from the neighbour-
ing States, into the new townfhips of New-Hamp^

W

178 HISTORY or

lliire. Thofe from the old towns to tlie new, have
been alfo very confiderable ; and though at fir ft
view thefe latter may not feem to have augmented
the number of the people ; yet upon a more clofe
attention to the fubjecfl, it will be found that even
in them there is a produdlive caufe in increafe.
Where land is cheap, and the means of fubfiftence
may be acquired in fuch plenty, and in fo fhort a
time as is evidently the cafe in our new plantations,
encouragement is given to early marriage. A young
man who has cleared a piece of land, and built a
hut for his prefent accommodation, foon begins ta
experience the truth of that old adage, ' It is not
* good for man to be alone.' Having a profpedl of
increafmg his fubftance by labour, which he knows
himfelf able to perform, he attaches himfelf to a fe-
male earlier than prudence would dicflate if he had
not fuch a profpe6l. Nor arc the young females of
the counti'y averfe to a fettlement in the new plan-
tations ; where, after the fecond year's labour, by
which the land is brought into pafture, there is a
neceflity for beginning the work of a dairy ; an em-
ployment which always falls to their lot, and is an
objed: of their ambition, as well as intereft.

TABLE of BAPTISMS and DEATHS in Hampton^ collected from the
church records of the Rev. Waud Cotton.

Years.

Death

.9. 7i,

aptifims.

jigcs.

Male.

Female.

iindci

• 2

years.

C2

1735

15

19

21

between 2

and 5

32

36

69

22

28

5

10

16

57

IG

21

23

10

20

25

3S

\d

27

22

20

30

24

S9

25

26

15

30

40

9

1740

14

20

15

40

50

7

41

17

15

27

50

GO

M

42

21

20

12

60

70

y

4-3

1 I

17

17

70

80

13

4'i

9

19

19

80

90

5

•>

90

100

8

Toiul

2ir,

2ULi

)'.)i>

Deaths

216

Adults

19

Baptisms

424

NEW-HAMPSHIRE.

179

TARLE of BAPTISMS and DEATHS in Hampton, Continued.

Years.

Deaths.

Bafitinif;.

Jges.

Male.

Female.

under

2

years.

60

1745

32

22

20

between

2

and 5

26

46

13

23

16

5

10

23

47

16

25

15

10

20

25

48

19

22

19

20

30

10

49

25

14

23

30

40

13

1750

17

16

17

40

50

5

51

15

IS

13

50

60

10

52

J5

11

20

60

70

13

53

14

18

15

70

80

16

54

53

19

21

80
90

90
100

16
3

Total

221

178

138

Deaths

221

Adult

s

5

Baptisms

371

under 2

years.

44

1755

32

13

17

between

2

5

7

5«

36

19

16

5

10

14

57

13

20

16

10

20

n

58

23

20

12

20

30

16

59

21

14

18

30

40

13

1760

19

23

21

40

50

11

61

12 ^

19

18

50

60

5

62

15

13

18

60

70

31

63

16

16

14

70

80

tio

64

no record

18

25

89

90

9

.

90

100

4

187

175

172

-

— —

Deaths

187

Adults

10

Baptisms

357

TABLE of BAPTISMS and DEATHS in Hampton, by the Rev. Eben-

EZER Thayer.

Years.

Deaths

Baptisms.

Ages.

Male.

Female.

undei

• 2

years.

23

1767

7

30

14

between

1 2

and 5

6

68

10

13

13

5

10

2

69

10

15

15

10

20

7

1770

14

20

16

SO

30

13

71

7

8

11

30

40

5

72

11

9

15

40

50

7

73

12

19

17

50

60

9

74

8

15

14

60

70

8

75

12

11

7

70

«0

17

76

24

16

13

80

90

15

90

100

3

115

156

135

Adults 3

Deaths
Baptisms

115

394

180

HISTORY OF

TABLE of BAPTISMS and DEATHS in Hampton, contmued.

Years.

Deaths.

Baptisms.

Ages.

Male. Female,

under

2

years.

26

1777

9

14

9

between 2

and 5

7

78

11

10

11

5

10

6

79

11

18

5

10

20

4

1730

9

11

3

20

SO

7

81

7

16

8

30

40

2

82

6

17

4

40

50

6

83

14

14

16

^

50

60

4

ii4,

9

12

10

60

70

8

S5

12

7

8

70

80

16

86

11

9

8

80

90

10

90

100

3

99

128

92

Adults

2

Deaths

99

Baptisms

223

under

2

years

9

1787

13

13

11

between

2

and 5

1

88

12

10

15

5

10

2

89

13

8

9

10

29

_

90

5

10

12

20

30

T

91

3

9

5

30

40

1

So October

40

50

2

51.

46

50

5£

50
60

70
80
90

60
70
80
90

100

Death

Baptisms

3

8

11

2

46
120

NEW-HAMPSHlHY,
TABLE OF CASUALTIES IN HAMPTON.

181

•

1735

1745 1755

Caaualdes,

to

to to

1744

1754 3763

Accident

6

4

1

Apoplexy
Asthma

2

2
1

Cancer

3

2

4

Childbed

12

5

1

Cholic

2

3

3

Consumption
Convulsions

15
8

26
15

21
11

Dropsy

Dysentery

Fevers

1
16

3

4
30

2

7

41

Jaundice

1

1

King's evil

* Long sickness

5

2

2

1

Mania

2

1

Measles

3

Mortification

1

2

Old age

Palsy

Pleurisy

Quinsy

Rheumatism

12
2

2
1

1

12
9
1
1

9
8

2
2

Small pox
Sore mouth

1

3

4
3

Strangury
Suddenly

Throat Distemper
t Unknown

2

7

91

28

3

2
60
28

3
11

SO
13

Whooping cough

2

Total

216

221

187

* The term long sickness is peculiar. It probably means the same
with Consumption.

t In the class unknown are included the nameless disorders of young
children, and the still-born.

i|82 HSITORY OF

TABLE OF CASUALTIES IN HAMPTON, Continued.

Casualties.

Accident

Asthma

Bleeding

Cancer

Childbed

Cholic

Consumption

Convulsions

Dropsy

Dysentery

Fevers

Gravel

Jaundice

Lethargy

Measles

Mortification

Kervous head ache

Old age

Palsy

Quinsy

Rheumatisra

Schivrus

Snjall pox

Scrophula

Sore mouth

Suddenly

Throat distemper

Violence

Whooping cough

Worms

Unknown

I767ll7r7ll787

^0 /o 1 to

1776 17861791

7

1
1
1

2

2

1

1

3

1
27

21

9

5

13

2

1

5

9

2

3

12

9

3

1

1

2

3

1

1
4

4

2
I

14

. 6

7

6

7

3

1

1
1
1

1

2

3

6

3

7

2

1

o

6

2

I

7

o

1

115

99

46

NEW-HAMPSHIRE. 183

TABLE of BAPTISMS and DEATHS in jXenvmarket, collected from

the Records of the Kev. John Moody, by Wentworth

CiiEswiLL, Esq.

Years.

Deaths.

Bafitisms,

jiges.

*

1731

7

30

under

S

37

32

9

14

between

5

and

10

7

33

1

ai-

10

20

3

34

1

ls

20

30

I

25

18

20

30

40

1

3G

11

31

40

50

2

37

7

22

50

60

1

38

4

19

60

70

5

39

4

28

70

80

2

1740

1

22

80

90
at

90

100
100

1

63

225

)ove

1

age

i unknown

2

63

1741

9

29

42

9

44

under

5

63

43

44

between

5

and

10

17

44

11

26

10

20

7

45

3

23

30

30

4

46

ir

22

SO

40

5

47

4

26

40

50

5

48

8

17

50

60

5

49

14

28

60

70

2

1750

12

24

70
80
90

80

90
100

2

114

283

age

llllVrf^^'Tr^

4

114

UIlivll

UIIM

1751

25

27

under

5

98

52

47

36

between

5

and

10

32

55

32

17

10

20

21

54

21

23

20

SO

19

55

19

24

SO

40

11

56

13

26

40

50

8

57

18

29

50

60

IS

58

24

24

60

70

16

59

21

20

70

80

5

1760

19

20

80
90

90

100

7
1

239

246

age unknown

5

339

184 HISTORY OF

TABLE of BAPTISMS and DEATHS in N«wmavket, Continued.

Years.

Deaths.

Bajilinms.

A'

es.

1761

23

34

under

5

53

62

8

25

between

5

and

10

5

63

8

28

10

20

&

64

13

24

20

30

12

65

12

16

30

40

5

66

25

19

40

50

8

67

18

16

50

60

7

68

S

7

60

70

13

69

9

13

70

80

17

1770

U

12

80
90

90

100

S

138

194

age

unknown

4

138
TABLE of DEATHS in Dover — by Jeremy Belknap.

'

Years.

.Vo.

of

Deaths.

J,^es.

M.

1767

9

under

2

years.

45

68

\7

bctwccia

2

and

5

9

69

19

5

10

14

1770

16

10

20

6

71

23

20

30

10

72

17

30

40

15

73

15

40

50

13

74

10

50

60

6

75

12

60

70

22

75

A7

70

80

28 ■

—

80

90

13

1S5

90

100

2

abroad in^

R

above

100

1

the

185

id:

1777 -2'}

78 16

79 9
1780 20

81 3

82 22

83 23

84 24

85 33

86 8
to Sept.

ii'oi'oad in > ^.i •■

the war 5 " 192

231

192

under

2

years

47

between

2

and 5

20

5

10

7

10

20

12

20

SO

U

30

40

9

40

50

14

50

60

13

60

70

15

70

80

20

80

90

18

90

100

3

NEW-HAMPSHIRE.

185

. Of muTiarried females between 15 and 25 years of age, eight died in
20 years.

Of manicd females of the same age,/oj«r.

Siill-born children are not reckoned in this table.

No account of Births could be obtained, many of the inhabitants be-
in}^ Quakers ; and of the others, many did not bring their children to
Baptism.

TABLE OF CASUALTIES

IN DOVER.

Casualties.

176711777

to 1 to
1776|1786

Accidents
Apoplexy
Ash ma

11 I 10
1 S

3

Bleeding
Cancer

2 '
1

1

Childbed

7

3

Cholic

3

1

Cough and fever

5

Whooping Cough
Consumption

1
26

10

34

Convulsions

5

3

Decay of nature

Dropsy

Drunkenness

19
6

1

16
U

Dysentery
Felones dc se

2

17

Fevers

25

ir

Gravel

I

Jaundice

4

3

Iliac passion
King's evil
Mania

2
I

1
2

Measles

1

Children in the month

20

17

Mortification

5

Nervous head ache

3

1

Palsy

Quinsy

Rickets

5

I

6
7
2

Rhcumatisiij
Strangury
Suddenly
Throat Distemper
Thrush

I

3

1
I

U

* Worm?

19

*

185

192

* In tbe «]a«8 of wormi aie includ«d the naftieleii dkcsMO of dukln»>

X

186 HISTORY OF

TABLE of DEATHS in East-Kingston^ collected fiom the records cf
the Rev. Peter Coffin, by the Rev. Isaac Mansfield.

Years.

A'b. of Deaths. Ages.

JVb.

1740

4

under 1

year

19

41

5

between l

anc

3

20

42

6

3

5

8

43

8

5

10

6

44

21

10

20

8

45

6

20

SO

7

46

18

30

40

3

47

6

40

50

5

48

14

50

60

8

49

6

94

94

1750

5

under 1

year

25

51

6

between 1

anc

3

14

52

6

3

5

8

53

13

5

10

6

54

13

10

20

10

SS

20

20

SO

5

56

12

30

40

5

57

7

40

50

13

5$

11

50

60

4

59

6

60

70

2

70

80

6

99

80

90

1

99

1760

14

under 1

yeai

.

20

61

8

between 1

and

3

10

62

2

3

5

CZ

3

5

10

5

64

10

10

20

6

65

6

20

30

14

66

5

SO

40

11

67

4

40

50

4

68

6

SO

60

4

69

4

60

70

7

1770

15

70

SO

5

ri

13

SO

90

4

90 90

NEW-HAMPSHIRE.

187

TABLE of BIRTHS and DEATHS in JVilion, by the Reverend

Abel Fiske.

Year a.

D

eaths.

Births.

Excess of births.

1784

11

47

35

85

,

7

49

42

86

6

38

32

87

11

49

38

88

14

29

15

89

3

37

35

90

20

32

12

71

281

210

Progress of POPULATIONin Wil-
ton.

Years.

A'umbers.

1739

2 fa

1755

70 p<

1763

240

1775

623

1786

1013

1790

1105

families,
persons.

TABLE of DEATHS in Exeter, by
the Rev. Isaac Mansfield.

Years.

TABLE of DEATHS and CASU
ALTIES in Conway, by the
Rev. Nathaniel Porter.

From Oct. 1778, to Oct. 1790.

under 9 years, chiefly Throat > „-
distemper, 5 **

Fevers 3

Mortification, 5

Dropsy 2

Asthma i

Suddenly 2

Decay of nature MX. 90 1

Consumption MX, 48 1

Canker 2

Felo de se 1

Accidents, 3

Total 5S

1784
85
86
87
88

under
between

1

1

3

5

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

year

and S

5

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Deaths.

22
27
26
31
20

126

18
9
5
5
9

\r

10

10

6

11

n

12
3

Total 126

IBS

HISTORY or

TABLE of CASUALTIES in Exeter, by the Rev. Isaac MANsrlEL*'.

Casualties.

Ao.

Casualties.

Mk

Accident

6

Fever mixed

2

Apoplexy

Asthma

Cancer

1
2
4

2

• puirid

Gravel

1
1

Childbed

5

Mortification

\

Cholera morbus

1

Palsy

5

Complication of disorders
Consumption

1
39

Quincy
Scarlet fever

3

4

Convulsions

4

Schirrus

1

Decay of Naturs

Diarrhxa

Dropsy

Epilepsy

Fever-nervous

13
1

5

1
7

Scrophula
Throat distemper
"Whooping cough
Unknown

1
6
3

r

Total 126

Remarkable hijiances of Longevity »

In Dover, Howard Henderfon died in 1772, aged
Upwards of 100 years. In the former part of his
life he was a feaman, and ferved on board the fleet
of Sir Cloudefly Shovel, at the taking of Gibraltar
from the Spaniards in 1704.

In Durham, John Bufs, a preacher of the gofpel
for 33 years, but not ordained, alfo a practitioner of
phyfic, died in 1736, at the age of 108. He was re-
markably active and vigorous at a very advanced
age.

The family of Col. James Davis, whofe name is
mentioned in the preceding Hiftory, (vol. 1, pages
274, 332, 347) was remarkable foj longevity as well
as fuperior ftature.

KEW-HAMPSHIRE, 18^

Tlie father died in 1 749, aged

88

' James

93

Thomas

88

Samuel 1788

99

Daniel

6a

Sarah

91

His children

> Hannah
Elizabeth

77

79

Ephraim 1791,

87

Phebe iEt. 85, and the widow
of Samuel iEt. 102, are yet
living.

In Londonderry, the firfl planters lived, on an av-
erage, to 80 years ; fome to 90, and others to 100.
Among the lafh was William Scoby, who died in 1754,
at the age of 110. The two laft heads of the fixteen
families who began the planting of that town, died
there in 1782, aged about 93 years each. They
were women.

In Chefter, James Wilfon died in 1739, aged 100
years.

James Shirley in 1754, aged 105.

Another perfon of the fame name, aged 91, waa
living in 1790.

William Craigie and his wife died in 1775, each
aged 100.

In Newmarket, AVilliam Perkins died in 1732,
aged 116. He was born in the Weft of England.
Governor Burnet vifited him at Newmarket, and ex-
amined him refpecting many facts and occurrences
during the civil wars in England in the laft centu-
ry. His fon died in 1757, aged 87. Several of his
grand children have lived above 70 years.

In Barrington, fourteen of the firft planters were
living in 1785, who were between 80 and 90 years
of age. The fettlement began in 1732.

190 HISTORY or

In Atkinfon, Ebenezer Belknap died at the age of
95, and his wife at the age of 107.

In Wakefield, Robert Macklin, a native of Scot-
land, died in 1787, at the age of 115. He lived
feveral years in Portfmouth, and followed the occu-
pation of a Baker. He frequently walked from
Portfmouth to Bofton, 66 miles, in one day, and re-
turned in another. This journey he performed, the
lafl time, at the age of 80.

In Salem, (a town adjoining the fouthern boun-
dary) Abiel Aden, one of Lovewell's brave compa-
ny, who behaved gallantly at the battle of Pigwack-
et, in 1725, was living in 1790, aged 86.

The two eldefl minillers of the gofpel now living,
are the Rev. James Pike of Somerfworth, aged 88,
and the Rev. Ebenezer Flagg of Chefter, aged 87.

NEW-HAMPSHIRE, 191

CHAP. XV.

JPolitical C/iaracter, Genius^ MaJiners, Emfiloymenta and Diver&iona of

the People.

It is much lefs difBciilt and dangerous to
defcribe the character of the dead than the Hving ;
but in fo great a variety as the inhabitants of a whole
State, there cannot but be fome general traits which
all rnufl allow to be juft ; and which, however difa-
greeable, if applied particularly, yet will not be dif-
reliflied by any, when delivered only in general
terms. It is not my wifli to exaggerate either the
virtues or defects of my countrymen ; but as an
American, I have a right to fpeak the truth, concern-
ing them, if my language be within the limits of
decency.

The genius and character of a 'community are in
fbme meafure influenced hj their government and
political connexions. Before the Revolution, the
people of the different parts of New-Hampfhire, had
but little connexion with each other. They might
have been divided into three clalTes. Thofe of the
old towns, and the emigrants from them. Thofe on
the fouthern border, mod of whom were emigrants
from Maflkchufetts ; and thofe on Connecticut riv-
er, who came chiefly from Connecticut.

Of the firfl: clafs the people might be fubdivided
into thofe who, having been trained in fubjection to
Crown Oflicers, were expectants of favours from
government, and ready to promote the views of the
ariftocracy ; and thofe w^ho, from principal or habit,
were in oppofition to thofe views. A long and in-
timate connexion with MaflTachufetts, both in peace
and war, kept alive a democratic principle ; which,

192 HISTbRY of

though it met with the frowns of men in office, yiet
when excited to action, could not be controled by
their authority. The people of the fecond clafs were
naturally attached to Maifachufetts, whence they
originated, and where they were connected in trade.
Some towns had fufFered by the interference of
grants made by both governments and by contro-
verfies concerning the line, which gave birth to law
fuits, carried on with great acrimony and expenfe
for many years. Thofe of the third clafs brought
with them an affection and refpect for the colony
v^^hence they emigrated, and where the democratic
principal had always prevailed. They entertained
an inferior idea of the people in the maritime parts
of the State ; whilft thefe in return looked with an
envious eye on thofe emigrants to whom were fo/d
the lands which had been promifed to be given to
them as a reward for the exertions and fufferings of
their parents and thenifelves in defending the coun-
try againft its enemies.

Another fource of difunion was the unequal re-
preientation of the people in the General AiTembly*
As late as the year 1773, of one hundred and forty-
feven towns, forty-fix only were reprefented, by
diirtv-four members ; and feveral towns were claff-
ed, two or three together, for the choice of one. The
towns of Nottingham and Concord, though full of
people, and of above forty years flanding had not
once been admitted to the privilege of reprefenta-
tion ; and this w^as the cafe with many other towns ;
v/hich, though not of fo long fettlement, yet con-
tained more inhabitants than fome others, which
had always enjoyed the privilege. No uniform fyi^
tcm of reprcfentation had been adopted. None could
be eftabliflied by law, becaufe it was claimed by the
Governor as part of the royal prerogative to -call
Reprefentatives from new towns ; and this preroga-

NEW-HAMPSHIRE. 193

tlve was exercifed without any regard to the rights,
the petitions, or the fcntimcnts of the people.

Before the year 1771 the Province was not divid-
ed into counties ; but every cauie from even the
mofi: remote parts was brought to Portfmouth, where
the courts were held and the public offices were fill-
ed by a few men, moil of vv^hom were either mem-
bers of the Council, or devoted to the interefl: of the
Governor, or perfonally related to him. In the ad-
miniftration of juilice, frequent complaints were
made of partiality. Parties were fometimes heard
out of court, and the practice o^ %vatcn?2g the jury was
familiarly known to thofe perfons who had much
buhnefs in the Law. The dernier refort was to a
court of appeals, confifting of the Governor and
Council ; of whom feven were a quorum and four a
majority. Here the final fentence was often paffed
by the fame perfons who had been concerned in the
former decifions ; unlefs the caufe were of fuch value
as to admit of an appeal to the King in Council.
During the adminiftration of the laft Governor,
fome of thefe fources of difafFection were removed ;
but others remained, for an experiment, whether a
cure could be effedled, by a change of government.

The Revolution which called the democratic pow-
er into adlion, has repreffed the ariflocratic fpirit.
The honors and emoluments of office are more gen-
erally diffufed ; the people enjoy more equal privi-
leges, and, after long diffention, are better united.
Government is 2ifcience^ and requires education and
information, as well as judgment and prudence. In-
deed there are fome who have flruggled through all
the di fad vantages arifing from the want of early ed-
ucation, and by force of native genius and induftry,
have acquired thofe qualifications which have ena-

Y

194 HISTORY OF

bled them to render eminent fervlce to the commu-
nity 5 and there are others who have been favoured
with early education, and have improved their op-
portuniiy to good purpofe. Notwichftanding which,
the dciicicncy of perfons qualified for the various
departments in Government, has been much regret-
ted, and by none, more than by thofe few, who
know how public buiinefs ought to be conducted.
This deficiency is daily decreafing ; the means of
knowledge are extending ; prejudices are wearing
away, and the political Ghara(5ler of the people is
manifeftly improving.

But however late the inhabitants of Nev/-Hamp-
fliire may be, in political improvement ; yet they
have long poffefTed other valuable qualities which
have rendered them an important branch of the
American union. Firmnefs of nerve, patience in fa-
tigue, intrepidity in danger and alertnefs in action,
are to be -anmbered among their native and effen-
tiai charac^eriftics.

Men who are concerned in trr^velling, hunting,
cutting timber, making roads and other employ-
ments in the foreil, are inured to hardlhips. They
frequently lie out in the woods feveral days or
wrecks together in all feafons of the year. A hut
compofed of poles and bark, fuffices them for fhel-
ter ; and on the open fide of it, a large fire fecures^
them from the feverity of the weather. Wrapt in »•
blanket with their feet next the fire, they pafs th(i
longefl and coldeft nights, and awr^ke vigorous for
labour the iucceeding day. Their food, when thus
employed, is falted pork or beef, with potatoes and
bread of Indian corn j and their bell drink is wa-
ter mixed with ginger ; though many of them are
fond of diftilled fpirits, which, however, are lefs nox-
k>iis in ilich a fituation than at hamc. Thofe who-

NEW-HAMPSHIRE. 195

begin a new fettlement, live at firft in a flyle not
lefs fimple. They eredl a Iquare building of poles,
notched at the ends to keep them faft together. The
crevices are plaiilered vsrith clay or the (lifTell earth
which can be had, mixed with mofs or draw. The
roof is either bark or fplit boards. The chimney a
pile of ftones ; within which a fire is made on the
ground, and a hole is left in the roof for the fmoke
to pafs out. Another hole is made in the fide of the
houfe for a window, which is occafionally clofcd
with a wooden Ihutter. In winter, a conftant fire
is kept, by night as well as by day ; and in fummer
it is neceiTary to have a continual fmoke on account
of the mufquetos and other infedls with which the
woods abound. The fame defence is ufed for the
cattle J fmokes of leaves and brufh are made in the
paflures where they feed by day, and in the pens
where they are folded by night. Ovens are built
at a fmall diftance from the houfes, of the beft ftones
which can be found, cemented and plaiftered with
clay or fliff earth. Many of thefe firft elTays in
houfekeeping, are to be met with in the new planta^
tions, which ferve to lodge whole families, till their
induftry can furnifh them with materials, for a more
regular and comfortable houfe ; and till their land
is fo well cleared as that a proper fituation for it can
be chofen. By thefe methods of living, the people
are familiarifed to hardlhips ; their children are
early ufed to coarfe food and hard lodging ; and to
be without fhoes in all feafons of the year is fcarcely
accounted a want. By fuch hard fare, and the la-
bour which accompanies it, many young men have
raifed up families, and in a few years have acquir-
ed property fufficient to render themfelves inde-
pendent freeholders ; and they feel all the pride

196 HISTORY OF

and importance which arife from a confcioufnefs ot^
having well earned their eftates.

They have alfo been accullomed to hear their par-
ents relate the dangers and hardships, the ibenes of
blood and defolation through which they and their
anceilors have pafTed ; and they have an ambition
to emulate their hardy virtues. New-Hampihire
may therefore be coniidcred a.s a nurfery of ilern
heroifm ; producing men of firmnefs and valor ;
who can traverle mountains and deferts, encounter
hardlhips, and face an enemy without terror. Their
martial fpirit needs only opportunity to draw it into
action ; and when properly trained to regular mili-
tary duty, and commanded by ofEcers in whom they
can place confidence, they form a militia fully equal
to the defence of their country.

They are alfo very dextrous in the ufc of edge
tools, and in applying mechanical powers to the el-
evation and removal of heavy bodies. In the man-^
agement of cattle they are excelled by none. Moil
of their labor is performed by the help of oxen ;
horfes are feldom employed in the team ; but are
ufcd chicliy in the laddie, or in the winter fcafon,
in ileighs.

Land being eafily obtained, and labour of every
kind being familiar, there is great encouragement
to population. A good hulhandman, with the lav-
ings of a few years, can purchafe nev/ land enough
to give his elder fons a fettiement, and aihil them
in clearing a lot and building a hut ; after which
they foon learn to fupport themfclves. The home-
Head is generally given to the youngell fon, who
provides for his parents, when age or infirmity in-
capacitates them for labour. An unmarried man of
thirty years old is rarely to be found in our coun-
try towns. The women are grandmothers at forty,

NEW-HAMPSHIRE. 197

smcl it is not uncommon for a mother and daughter
CO have each a child at the breall, at the fame time ;
nor for a father, fon and grandfon, to be at work
together in the fame field. Thus population and
cultivation proceed together, and a vigorous race of
inhabitants grows up, on a foil, which labor vies
with nature to render produ(9:ive.

Thoie perfoas, who attend chiefly to hufbandry^
are the moil thriving and fabftantial. Thofe who
make the getting of lumber their principal bufinefs,
generally work hard for little profit. This kind of
employment interferes too much with hulbandry.
The bell feafon for fawing logs is the fpring, when
the rivers are high ; this is also the time for plough-
ing and planting. He who works in the faw-mill
at that time mud buy his bread and clothing, and
the hay for his cattle, with his lumber ; and he gen-
erally anticipates the profit of his labor. Long cred-
it is a difadvantage to him ; and the too free indul-
gence of f jpiritous liquor, to which this clafs of peo-
ple are much addicted, hurts their health, their mor-
als and their intereft. They are always in debt,
and frequently at law. Their families are ill pro-
vided with neceffaries, and their children are with-
out education or morals. When a man makes huf-
bandry his principal employment, and attends to
lumber only at feafons of leifure ; and can afford
to keep it for a market, and be his own fadlor, then
it becomes profitable. The profits of the other gen-
erally goes into the hands of the trader, who fup-
plies him with necefiaries at an advanced price, and
keeps him in a ilate of dependance.

Where huibandry is the employment of the men,
domeific manufactures are carried on by the wo-
men. They fpin and weave their own flax and
wool ; and their families are clad in cloth of their

198 HISTORY OF

own making. The people of Londonderry, and tli€
towns which are made up of emigrants from it, at-
tend largely to the manufid:ure of linen cloth and
thread, and make great quantities for fale. Thefe
people are induftrious, frugal and hofpitable. The
men are fangaine and robajft. The women are of
lively difpofitions, and the native white and red
complexion of Ireland is not loft in New-Hamp-
fliire. * The town is much indebted to them for its
' wealth and confequence.'*

The people of New-Hamp(hire, in general, are
induftrious, and allow themfelves very little time
for diveriion. One who indulges himfelf in idle-
nefs. and play, is iligmatifed according to his demer-
it. At military muilers, at Judicial Courts, at the
raifing of houfes, at the launching of fliips, and at the
ordination of Minifters, which are feafons of pub-
lic concourfe, the young people amufe themfelves
with dancing. In fome towns they have a prac-
tice, at Chriftmafs of fliooting geefe for wagers ;
and on many other occafions, the diverfion of firing
at marks is very common, and has an excellent ef-
fedl in forming young men to a dexterous ufe of
arms. The time of gathering the Indian corn is
always a feafon of feftivity. TJie ears are gathered
and brought home by day ; and in the evening a
company of neighbours join in hufking them, and
conclude their labour with a fupper and a dance.
In the capital towns they have regular axFemblies
for dancine : and fomctimes theatrical entertain-
ments have been given by the young gentlemen
and ladies. In Portfmouth, there is as much ele-
gance and politenefs of manners, as in any of the
capital towns of New-England. It is often viiited

• MS. letter of the Rev. William Morrison of Londonderry.

NEW-HAMPSHIRE, 199

by ftrangcrs, who always meet with a friendly and
hofpitable reception.

The free indulgence of fpiritous liquors, has
been, and is now, one of the groateil faults of ma-
ny of the people of New-Hamplhire ; efpecially in
the neighbourhood of the river Pafcataqua, and its
branches, and where vei' the bulinels of getting lum-
ber forms the principal employment of the people.
If the reader is curious to form an eftimate of the
quantity of diftilled fpirits confumed in the State,
he may fatisfy himfelf, partly by infpecling the
Table of importation ; partly by inquiring the num-
ber of barrels of rum manufactured at the only dif-
til houfe in the State ; partly by confidering the
quantity tranfported by land from the different fea-
ports of Maifachufetts, and partly by knowing * the
^allowance which is uflially given to labouring peo-
ple in the neighbourhood of the river Pafcataqua ;
and which is obflinately perlifted in, notwithftand-
ing the remonftrances and endeavours of fome
•worthy characters to abolifli it.

In travelling up the country it affords pleafure to
obferve the various articles of produce and manu-
fadlure coming to market ; but in travelling down
the country, it is equally difguflful to meet the
fame reams returning, loaded with caflis of rum,
along with fifh, fait, and other neceffary articles.

Before the Revolution it was cuftomary to give
drams at funerals, and in fome towns fo repeat the
baneful dofe two or three times. During the war,
a fcarcity of materials gave opportunity to put a
check on this pernicious pradlice. It is now left
common in mod places, and in fome it is wholly
difufed.

Among hufbandmen, cyder is their common,
drink. Malt liquor is not fo frequent as its whole-

200 HISTORY OF

fomenefs deferves ; and as the facility with which
barley and hops may be raifed, feems to require.
In fome of the new towns a liquor is made of
fpruce twigs, boiled in maple fap, which is ex-
tremely pleafant. But after all, there are no per-
fons more robuft and healthy, than thofe, whofe on-
ly or principal drink is the fimple element, with
which nature has univerfally and bountifully fup-
plied this happy land*

NEW-IIAMrSIIIRE.

CHAP. XVI.

CdKt.'iuiiony LarjSf Rcvniiie., arid ]\TdUia.

201

IE form of government, cflabliflied
in 1781, is founded on thefe two grand principles,
viz. 1. That ' the people have the fole and exclu-
' five right of governing themfelves, as a free, fov-
' ereign and independent State ; exercifing and en-
' joying every power, jmufdi^lion and right pertain-
' ing thereto, which is not, or may not hereafter be

* by them exprefsly delegated to the United States
' of America, in Congrefs aifembled.' . And 2. That
' the three eflential powers of government, the le-

* giflative, executive and judicial ought to be kept as
' feparate from, and independent of each other, as
' the nature of a free government will admit ; or as
'is confident with that chain of connexion which

* binds the whole fabric'

The rights of the people are particularly declared
in thirty-eight articles prefixed to the form of gov-
ernment. The objedls of this declaration are per-
fonal freedom, tlie fecurity of property, and ths
peace and order of human fociety.

By this conflitution, the kgijlative power is vefled
in a General Court, confifting of a Senate and
houfe of Reprefentatives, each of which has a nega-
tive upon the other. The Senate confifts of twelve
perfons chofen by the feveral counties in the fol-
lowing proportions ; five for Rockingham ; two for
Strafford ; tv/o for Hillfborough ; two for Chefliire ;
and one for Grafton. But the General Court may
divide the State into different diflricfts, and afhga
the number of Senators, in proportion to the public
taxes, paid by each diftrid. The Senate, thereforcj

L

202 V HISTORY OF

may be confidered as reprefenting t\\Q property of the
State.

The qualifications of a Senator are thefe. He
mud be thh'ty years of age ; he muft have been
rehdent in the State for iQ-vQW years ; and at the
time of his election, muft be an inhabitant of the
diftridl for which he is chofen ; he muft poffefs in
his own right, a freehold of two hundred pounds
value, within the State, and he muft be of the pro-
teftant religion.

The number of the houfe of Representatives
is not limited ; but the principles on which it is pro-
fefledly regulated, ?lvq populatioji and equality. Every
town containing 150 rateable poles of twenty-one
years of age, may eledl one reprefentative. Every
town containing 450 may choofe two ; the mean
increaiing number for every reprefentative being
300. This proportion is faid to be ' as equal as
circumftances will admit.' Towns which have lefs
than 150 polls, are generally clafled for the choice
of a reprefentative.

The qualifications of a reprefentative are two
years' habitancy ; an eftate of x:100, one half of
which is a freehold in the town he reprefents ;
adlual refidence within the fame, and a profeffion
of the proteftant religion.

Money bills originate in the houfe of Reprefen-
tatives ; but may be amended by the Senate. Im*
peachments are made by the houfe, and tried by
the Senate. The Journals of both houfes are print>
ed ; and upon the motion of any one member, the
yeas and nays on any qucftion arc taken and enter*
ed on the journals.

The executive power is vefted in a President and
Council. The President is annually cledled by
the people in the fame town-meetings where the
J^'enatois and Reprefentatives are chofen ; but if

1

NEW-HAMPSHIRE. 205

there be not a majority in favour of one perfon, the
election is made by the General Court. The Repre-
fentatives nominate two out of the perfons who
have the higheft number of votes, of which two, the
Senate by ballot, eledl one to be Prefident for the year.

The qualifications of the Prefident are thefe. He
mull have been an inhabitant of the State for feven
years next preceding his election ; he mufl be thirty
years of age ; he mufl have an eflate of £500 value,
one half of which is a freehold within the State,
and he mufl profefs the proteflant religion.

The Prefident of the State is alfo Prefident of the
Senate ; having an equal vote in legiflation with
any other member, and a calling vote in cafe of an
equal divillon.

The Council confifls of five perfons, of whom
two are chofen out of the Senate and three out of
the Reprefentatives, by the joint ballot of both
houfes. Their qualifications are the fame as thofe
of Senators.

Reprefentatives to Congress are chofen by the
inhabitants in town meetings, and the votes of each
town are returned to the Secretary's office and laid
before the General Court. Thofe who have a
majority of the votes are declared duly eledled ; but
if there be a deficiency, the General Court make a
lifl of fuch perfons as have the highefl number of
votes, equal to double the number wanting ; this
lifl is fent to the towns, and out of it they make
the choice. The votes then are returned as before ;
and the perfon or perfons who have the higheft
number are elected. If there be an equality it is
decided by the Secretary, who draws one of the
two names.

In cafe of a vacancy, in the reprefentation of the
State in Congrefs, the votes are taken in the fame
manner, and rett^rned to the Prefident aad Councih

204 HISTORY or

By the conftitution of the United States, the nvim-.
ber of Reprefentatives to Congrefs is three. But
according to the lite cenfus and the determination
of Congrefs that one Reprefentative fliall be chofen
for every 30,000 inhabitants, the State at the next
eledlion will be entitled to four.

The number of Electors for the Prefident and
Vice-Prefident of the United States is five ; who
are chofen in the fame manner as the Reprefenta-
tives to Congrefs. The tvv^o Senators in Congrefs
are chofen by the General Court.

The Secreta.ry, Treafurer and CommiiTary Gen-
eral of the State, are chofen by the General Court.
County Treafurers and Recorders of deeds, by the
people in town meetings ; the votes are returned to
the Courts of SefTions, and the perfon who has the
highefl number of votes is declared elecSled ; but in
cafe of an equality, the Jufhices prcfent determine
the choice. Clerks of courts are appointed by the
Juflices, and no clerk can be of council to the par-
ties.

The oath of fidelity to the State is as follows :

* I, A B, do truly and fincerely acknowledge, pro-
' fefs, tcilify and declare, that the State of New-

* Hampfnire is and of right ought to be a free, fov-
' ereign and independent State ; and do fwear that

* I will bear faith and true allegiance to the fame ;
' and that I will endeavour to defend it againft all
*■ treacherous confpiracies and hoftile attempts what-
' ever. And I do further tcflify and declare that

* no man or body of men hath or can have a right
' to abfolve me from the obligation of this oath,

* declaration or affirmation ; and that I do make
' this acknowledgement, profeflion, teflimony and
' declaration, honeftly and truly, according to the
' common acceptation of the foregoing words, with-

NEW-IIAMPSIIIRE. 20^

* out any equivocation, mental cvafion, or fecret ref^

* ervation wl^atever. So help me GOD.'

The enacling ilyle is ' By the Senate and Houfe
' of Rcprefertativcs in General Court alTemblcd.'
All indidlmeuts and informations conclude ' againll

* the peace ar.d dignity of the State.'

The feal of the State is, a field encompafled with
laurels ; on the field, a Ihip on the flocks with
American colours flying, and a pine tree fallen. In
the back ground, a rifing fun and view of the ocean.
The legend round the field is in thefe words : 6"/-
g'dlum Reipublicce Nco Hantonicvfu^ 1784.

All Judges, Sheriffs, Recorders of deeds, the At-
torney and Commiifary-General, Secretary, Treafur-
cr and continental military officers, the Prefident,
Profeffors and Infl:ru(flors of colleges, and officers of
the cuftoms are incapable of having a feat in the le-
giflature.

All judicial officers hold their places during good
behaviour ; but are removeable on the addrefs of
both houfes of legiflature, by the Prefident, with
confent of the Council.

No perfon is capable of holding more than two
offices of profit at the fame time ; and no judge of
the fuperior court can hold any other office than
that of juflice of the peace, nor receive any penfion
or falary from any other State or power whatever.

To preferve an adherence to the principles of the
conflitution, and to make fuch alterations as experi-
ence may render neceffary, provifion was made, that
at the end of feven years, a convention fhould be
called to revife the form of government. The year
1791 being the feventh year, a Convention was call-
ed, and is now fubfifting by adjournment. Any al-
teration which may be propofed by them mufl be
^ laid before the towns and approved by two thirds

20(5 HISTORY OF

' of the qualified voters prefent,' before it can be ef-
tabliflied.

The ji/dicial department confifls of, 1ft. A Supe-
rior Co/irt, in which a Chief Juftice prefides, and
three other Juftices affift. This court has cogni-
fance of high crimes and mifdemeanors. It receives
appeals from the inferior courts and courts of pro-
bate, and determines caufes of marriage, divorce and
alimony. It has two circuits in a year, through the
feveral counties. 2d. An Inferior Court in each coun-
ty, where civil actions of a certain value originate ;
but no crimial caufes are tried. This court has four
Juftices, and is holden four times in a year. 3d. A
Court of General ScJJions of the peace, holden in each
county the fame week as the inferior courts. It con-
fifts of the Juftices of the peace in the county. It
has cognifance of fmallcr crimes and breaches of the
peace ; and takes care of various occafional and pru-
dential matters. 4th. A Court of Probate of wills in
each county holden once in a month by one Judge
aftifted by a Regifter. This court has cognifance of
all matters relative to the fettlement and defcent of
eftates, teftate or inteftate ; the care of widows and
orphans, idiots and perfons infane, and the manage-
ment of confifcated eftates.

Civil a(5lions of more than ten pounds value are
brought firft before the Inferior Courts ; from the
judgment of which, either party may appeal to the
Superior Court ; where a new trial is had ; and if
either party think himfelf aggrieved, he may with-
in three years bring a writ of review, and have
another trial at the fame court, which is final.

In all thefe courts, causes are determined by a ju-
ry of twelve freeholders ; who are chofen in the
lollowing manner. The Scledlmen of the feveral
towns make a lift of the names of all perfons within
their limits, who in their opinion are qualified, and

NEW-HAMPSHIRE. 207

have an eflatc of fifty pounds value. One third of
thefc names arc put into one box, and two thirds
into another. Out of the former, which is fuppol-
ed to contain the names of the bell qualified, aro
drawn jurors for the fuperior, out of the other for
the inferior court. This is done in public town
meeting, by the town clerk, or one of the felecl-
men ; and a fummons having been prcvioufly fent,
by the conltable, to the perfons thus chofen, their
names are returned to the clerk of the court. Grand
jurors are alfo chofen by the inhabitants aflembled
in town meeting. Before the year 1758, jurors
were appointed by the flieriif according to the cuf*
torn in England.

In criminal caufes, a grand jury confifling of any
number, between twelve and twenty-four, find a
bill of indidlment ; which is afterward tried, by a
petit jury of twelve, who mufl be unanimous in
their verdicft. In the trial of criminals, the courts
proceed with great tendernefs. The fyftem of pe-
nal laws is mild. Six offences only are capital ;
arfon, burglary, murder, robbery, fodomy, and trea-
fon. During the lafl twenty-five years, there have
been no more than two capital executions in the
State, both of which were for murder.

A collection of the laws was made and printed in
1771, to which were prefixed the commifTions of
Prefident Ciitts^ and of the then Governor ; and fev-
eral acEls of Parliament which related to the colonies
were intermixed. The laws made after the revolu-
tion were printed in 1780. To this edition was pre-
fixed the temporary conftitution during the war ;
and fubfequent adls were printed in a fimilar page
till the year 1789, when a new edition was printed
containing the perpetual laws, paffed fince the revo-
lution. To this edition is prefixed the prefent form
of government, and bill of rights. Another and
more perfe(5l edition is now in the prefs.

208 HISTORY or

It is difficult for any perfon, but one whole prd-*
felTional bniincfs leads him to a pradlical acquaint--
ance with the laws, to give a juft and comprehcn-
live view of the whole fyflem ; difperfed as it is in
feveral books, and many loofe papers ; fome ot
which are confelfed to be imperfedl. Such particu-
lars as can be fiippofed of any importance, to per-
Ibns not refiding in the State, ihall be briefly men-
tioned. The inhabitants may eaiily obtain more
exa6l information.

Conveyance of real eftate is made by deeds ligncd,
fealed and acknovv^ledged before a juftice of the
peace, and recorded in the office of county regiiler.
A conveyance is not valid againfc any other perfon
but the grantor, unlefs it be thus acknowledged and
recorded. Powers of Attorney, by which a convey-
ance is made, and affidavits in perpetuam rc'i me"
mor'iam may alfo be recorded j and a copy from the
record is legal evidence.

Debts, not exceeding ten pounds value, may be
recovered before a fmgle juftice of the peace ; who
may grant a rule to refer the fame to perfons mutu-
ally cliofen, and upon their award may enter judg-
ment and iifue execution. If a debtor confefs before
a jullice a debt not exceeding ten pounds, a record
is made, and execution is iflued or flayed by con-
fent of the parties. Mutual debts and executions
may be fet off againft each other, and the balance, if
any, may be levied by the Iheriff. Prifoners for
debt arc allowed a chamber in the jailor's houfe,
and liberty of the yard. They may employ them-
felves in the bufniefs of nail-making, the materials
for which are provided by the county ; and the la-
bourer is allowed one fourth part of the nails
which he makes. If he make oath that he is not
worth more than fix pounds and one iuit of clothes,

NEW-HAMPSHIRE. OQg

he may be difcharged from confinement; but not
from his obligation to the creditor.

Criminal prifbners may be fentenced by the
courts to make nails ; which are to be taken in pay-
ment of the fines, damages or cofls to which they
are by law fubjedled for their offences.

EJlates may be devifed by will, attefled and fub-
fcribed in the prelence of three witnelFes. Pofthu-
mous children, and children for whom no legacy is
devifed in the will of the parent, have the fame
right in the eftate, as if the devifor had died intef-
tate. Probate of wills muil be made within thirty
days ; and executors mufl give bond, for the faith-
ful performance of duty. Divifion of eftates is or-
dered by the judge of probate, on the application of
the heirs ; and where an eftate lies in common with
others, partition is made by the fame authority.

Eftates i7itcjlate defcend in equal fliares, to children
or their legal reprefentatives, and the dower to wid-
ows. Perfonal eftate is liable for debts ; and, if
infufEcient, real eftate is alfo chargeable ; provifion
to be firft made for the widow out of the perfonal
eftate, by the judge. Adminiftration is granted to
the widow, or next of kin, or to both, at the difcre-
tion of the judge, within thirty days after the de-
ceafe ; and if the widow or next of kin negled: or
i:efufe to adminifter, then letters of adminiftration
may be granted, to one or more of the principal
creditors, upon giving bond with fureties. The
judge alfo appoints guardians for minors and per-
fons no7t composy and reprefentatives for abfent heirs.

The hufband during his life is heir to his wife as
tenant by cour^efy.

If creditors living within the State negledl to ex-
hibit demands beyond two years, or living without
the State, beyond three years, after a will be proved
or adminiftration be taken, the debt is extinguifhed,
A a

210 fllSTORY OF

E.xecutors and adminiftrators are exempt froiif.
peribnal arrefls, unlefs in cafe of wafle and embez-
zlement.

EJiates Infolvc?it are diflribnted in average among
creditors, by commiffioners appointed by the judge
of probate. The reveriion of widow's dower is fub^
jecled to the payment of debts ; and may be fold as
the reft of the eftate.

Proprietors of Lands holden in common, and un-
divided, may agree upon methods of calling pro-
prietary meetings ; but where no particular mode
hath been agreed on, the owners of one fixteenth
part of the whole interefl may obtain a warrant,
from a jufdce of the peace, to call a meeting ; which
warrant muft be printed in the New-Hampfhire ga-
zette. The iliare of every proprietor is charged
with the payment of any fums, voted at a legal
meeting, and of all public taxes. The coUecftors
have a right to fell the fliares for non payment ; re-*
ferving to the proprietor, liberty of redemption,
within two months.

Trefpaffers on common lands arc liable to the
payment of heavy fines, if convicted on pofitive
proof ; but v/hen circumflantial evidence only ap-
pears, they have the liberty of clearing themfelvcs
by oath.

Partition of common lands may be ordered by
the judge of probate in the county where the land
lies.

Grants of land cannot be forfeited for non-per-
formance of conditions, but by the verdiA of a jury,
after a folcmn hearing in the fuperior court, at the
profecution of the attorney-general. After a verdi(5l
of forfeiture, the judges have a power of chancery,
in favor of individual grantees.

The dimenfions of the different kinds of Z/zw^^fr
ye regulated by law. Surveyors were formerly

NEW-HAMPSHIRE. 211

chofcn by the towns ; but are now appointed by
the Prelidcnt and Council, at thoie places where
lumber is delivered. The penalty for delivering or
receiving lumber without a furvey, is a forfeiture of
one fourth part.

Marriages were formerly folemnifed, by virtue
either of a publiiliment, or of a licence from the
Governor. The granting of thcfe licences was ac-
counted part of the royal prerogative ; but this
practice ceafed at the revolution. The intention
of the parties is now uniformly publiflied three
times, within the towns where they refide. Minif-
ters of the go [pel and juflices of the peace may per-
form the marriage ceremony, within the limits ojE
the county. Any other perfon, prefuming to do it,
is fubjecfted to a fine of one hundred pounds ; fav^
ing to the people called Quakers, their peculiar cus-
tom. A return of marriages is made to the towi>
clerks, and recorded.

Cn the Sabbath^ all unneceffary travelling, loiter-
ing and indecent behaviour are forbidden, under
certain penalties. Tything men in the feveral towns
are to fee this law executed.

Slavery is not prohibited by any exprefs law. Ne-
groes were never very numerous in New-Hamp-
fliire. Some of them purchafed their freedom, dur-
ing the late war, by ferving three years in the ar-
my. Others have been made free by the jufhice and
humanity of their mailers. In MafTachufetts, they
are all accounted free, by the firft article in the de-
claration of rights. ' All men are born free and
' equal.' In the bill of rights of New-Hampfliire,
the firft article is expreiTed in thefe words, * All men
' are born equally free and independent ;' which,
in the opinion of moft perfons, will bear the fame
CO' Irudlion. But others have deduced from it this
.^1 rence, that all who arc born^ fines the conjiitution

212 HISTORY or

ijuas ?nadc\ are free ; and that thofe who were in
flavery before, remain fo ftill. For this reafon, in
the late cenfus, the blacks, in New-Hampfliire, are
diftinguiflied into free and flaves. It is not in my
power to apologife for this inconiiftency. Howev-
er, the condition of moil of thofe who are called
flaves, is preferable to that of many who are free in
the neighbouring State. They are better provided
with necelFaries ; their labour is not more fevere
than that of the white people in general ; and they
are equally under the protection of the law.*

Slitting and rolling mills for iron, linfeed oil mills,
and fail cloth manufadlories, are exempted from
taxes for ten years.

Flax- feed is put tip in caflcs of feven bufliels, or
three buihels and a half. Infpedlors of ^ax-fced,
and of pot and pearl-aihes, are appointed by the
prelident and council, who are to examine th^ con-
tents of each caflc, and brand it for exportation.

Every tovvnlliip in Nevv-Hampihirc is a dillin6t
corporation, having a power of chooling all town of-
ficers, which are named in the laws, and of raiflng
money by taxes for the fupport of minifters, fchools,
bridges, highways, the maintenance of the poor, and
other public purpofes. Three or five Schtlmm are
annually chofen in each town, who are entrufled
with its general concerns, and are commonly fbyled
Fathers of thetown^ a name cxprefTive of their pru-
dential charadler, and of the confidence which is re-
pofed in them by the people.

Before the afllimption of the State debts by the
Congrefs, the public revenue of the State arofe from
three fources j an impoft, an excife, and a tax upon

• By a law made in the 4tli of George I. and still in force, it is enacted ; * that if

* any m.iii smite out tiie eye or tootli of his mm servant or maid servant, or otherwise
' ni:iim and disfigure tlierh, he shall let him or her go free from his service ; and shall al-
' low such furtlier recompense as the court of quarter sessions shall adjudge. Also, that

* if any person kill hi^ Indian or negro servant, he iliall be punished with death.'

NEW-HAMPSHIRE. 213

polls and eflates. Since the afTumption, the two for-
mer are levied by the general government through-
out the union. The fum allowed to be received in
the certificates of New-Hamplhire, is three hundred
thoufand dollars. If this whole fum be fubfcribed,
the domeitic debt of the State will be reduced to a
trifle ; but whether New-Hampfhire be a debtor or
a creditor State, cannot be known till a final adjuft-
ment of the public accounts be made, by the com-
mifhoners appointed by Congrefs.

Taxation by polls and eftates, is condu6led in the
following manner. Once in feveral years, an adl
is pafTed by the General Court, fpecifying the pro-
portion which each town fhall pay to one thou-
fand pounds. When any fum is voted for a State
tax, each town immediately knows its proportion,
and a warrant is iffued from the treafurer to the fe-
lecftmen to levy it. They then proceed to tax eve-
ry inhabitant, by an invoice of rateable eftate, which
is taken annually in the month of April.

In this invoice, every male poll between eighteen
and feventy years of age, is eftimated at ten fliil-
lings. The feveral kinds of rateable eflate, are efti-
mated as follows, viz.

Horfes and oxen of five years old at 3/C
Cows of five years old ^

Horfes and cattle of four years 1/8

Ditto of three years \f.

Ditto of two years Qd,

Orchard land per acre ^ 1/8

Arable ditto l/T

Mowing ditto \f,

Paftare ditto 6d.

Mills, wharves and ferries at one twelfth part of
the neat yearly income. All other buildings, and
all uncultivated land at half of one per cent, of the
feal value.

^14 HISTORY OF

Stock in trade according to its real value.

Money at intereft, at three fourths of one per
cent.

If any perfon refufe to give an invoice of his rate-
able eilate, it is in the power of the feledlmen ' to

* fet down to fuch perfon as much as they judge

* equitable, by way of doomage ; from which there is

* no appeal.'

County taxes are laid by thejuftices of the quar-
ter feilion, and the county treafurer iffues his war-
rant to each town, fpecifying its proportion.

Town taxes are either voted by the inhabitants in
town meetings, or laid by the feledlmen, at their dif-
cretion.

Every town chon ^ one or more colledlors, to
whom the feveral c.tx bills are committed, with fuf-
ficiei^t warrant to take property by diftraint, or com-
mit delinquents to prilbn.

The State tax for the year 1790, amounted to
jC1050, of which the feveral counties paid the fol-
lawing proportions.

Rockingham /349

Strafford 165

Hilllborough 266

Chefhire 181

Grafton 85

Locations

1

19

7

15

la

13

11

15

14

8

;€1050

By the conflitution, the Prefident is captain gen-»
eral and commander in chief of the militia. In his
military character he a(5ls without the advice of the
executive council, excepting when he grants com-
jpciiflions for executing martial law.

The Prefident and Council appoint general an4
field ofHcers of the militia. Major Generals appoint

NIW-HAMPSHIRI. 215

their Aids, and Brigadiers their Majors of brigade.
Field officers recommend Captains and fubalterns
to the Prefident, from whom they receive their com-
miffions. Commanding officers of regiments con-
ftitute Adjutants and Quarter-malters ; Captains
and fubalterns appoint their non-commiffioned offi-
cers.

All able bodied men from fixteen to forty yeari
of age, are enrolled in the training band ; excepting
members of Congrefs and the legiflature ; civil offi-
cers ; clergymen ; deacons ; church wardens ; in-
ftructors, graduates and ftudents of colleges and
academies ; fchoolmafters ; quakers ; fele6lmen ;
commiffioned officers and non-commiffioned officers
of more than thirty-five years of age ; ffiip maflers ;
phyficians and furgeons ; ferrymen ; millers ; in-
dians, negroes and mulattoes.

Each regiment has one colonel, one lieutenant
colonel, and two majors. Each company confifls as
nearly as maybe of fixty-eight rank and file ; com-
manded by one captain, two lieutenants, and one
enfign.

Men capable of bearing arms, from forty to fixty
years of age, and who are exempted from the train-
ing band, are called the alarm lift ; excepting mem-
bers of Congrefs, and the legiflature, clergymen, of-
ficers and ftudents of colleges and academies, quak-
ers, ferrymen, indians, negroes and mulattoes. Thefe
are formed into companies ; the officers are ele<5led
by the companies, and have the rank of field offi-
cers.

By the militia law, every non-commiffioned offi-
cer and private, both of the alarm lift and training
band, is to have in readinefs a mufquet and bayonet,
with all the necefTary appendages, accoutrements
and ammunition, fuitable for a marching foldier.

216 HISTORY or

The training band is to be muftered four times, and
the alarm lift twice in a year.

Courts martial are inflituted for the trial of difo-
bedience and other ofiences. In time of invafion or
of war, draughts are made from the militia, unlefs a
fufBcient number appear as volunteers, which is
generally the cafe. The forces when drawn into ac-
tual fervice are fubje(5led to the regulations of the
late continental army.

The militia at prefent is formed into twenty- five
regiments of infantry, which are divided into five
brigades ; three regiments of cavalry, which make
another brigade ; one independent corps of light
horfe ; and one regiment of artillery.

The flaflp confifts of one captain-general, two ma-
jor-generals ; fix brigadier-generals ; one adjutant-
general, and one commiflary-general.

The forces of the State are computed as follows :

Twenty-five regiments of training band ? -loi-rrv
at 750 each j"

Total of the alarm lift 7500

Three regiments, and one independent 1 i/^^^x
corps of cavalry 3

One regiment of artillery 300

Total 27550

KEW-HAMPSHIRE. 217

CHAP. XVIL

Editcutioriy Literature.) Ecliglon.

i HE old laws of New-Hampfhlre re-
quired every town of one hundred families to keep
a grammar fchool ; by which was meant a fchool
in which the learned languages ihould be taught,
and youth might be prepared for admifhon to a
univerficy. The fame preceptor wms obliged to teach
heading, writing and arithmetic ; unlefs the town
were of fafficient ability to keep two or more
fchools, one of which was called a grammar fchool
by way of diilincftion. Formerly, when there were
but few towns, much better care was taken to ob-
ferve the law concerning fchools than after the fet-
tlements were multiplied ; but there never was uni-
form attention paid to this important matter in
all places. Some towns were diftinguifhed for
their carefulnefs, and others for their negli-
gence. When the leading men in a town were
themfelves perfons of knowledge and wifdom, they
would provide the means of inftru6lion for chil-
dren ; but where the cafe was otherwife, methods
were found to evade the law. The ufual way of do-
ing this, was to engage fome perfon to keep a fchool,
for a few weeks before the court term, and difcon-
tinue it foon after. It was the intereft of ignorant
and unprincipled men, to difcourage literature ; be-
caufe it would detract from their importance, and
expofe them to contempt. The people in fome pla-
ces, being thus mifled, thought it better to keep
their children at work, than provide fchools for theit*
inflru6lion.

Several inilances occur in the public records, as
£ir back as the year 1722, juil at the beginning of
B B

218 HISTORY OF

an Indian war ; that the frontier towns petitioned
the aflembly, for a fpecial adl, to exempt them from
the obhgation to maintain a grammar fciiool, dur-
ing the war. The indulgence was granted them,
but only on this condition, ' that they ilnould keep
a fcIiool for reading, writing and arithmetic,' to
which all towns of fifty families were obliged. In
later times the condudi of the fame towns has been
very different. During the late war with Britain,
not only thofe, but many other towns, large and op-
ulent, and far removed from any danger by the en-
emy, were, for a great part of the time, deflitute of
any public fchools ; not only without applying to
the legiilature for permiflion ; but contrary to the
exprefo requirements of law, and notwithilanding
courts of juflice, were frequently hoiden^ and grand
iurors fbiemnly fworn and charged to prefent all
breaches of law, and the want of Ichools in partic-
ular. This negligence was one among many evi-
dences of a a moil unhappy proftration of morals
during that period. It afforded a melancholy prof-
peel to the friends of fcience, and of virtue ; and
excited fome generous and philanthropic perfons to-
devife other methods of education.

Among thefe the Honourable John PniLLiPS,Efq.
of Exeter, %vas the lirfl to diflinguiih liimfelf, by
founding and endowing a feminary of learning in
that town ; which, in the year 1781, was by an adl
of affembly incorporated by the name of ' Phillips's
' Exeter academy.' It is placed under the infpec-
tion of a board of truflees ; and is governed by a
preceptor and an afiiftant. In this academy are
taught the learned languages, the principles of ge-
ography, aflronomy, mathematics, and logic ; bc-
lides writing, muiic, compoiition and oratory. Par-
ticular attention is given to the morals of the flu-
dents and their inllrudlion i.i the principles of nat-

NEW-HAMPSHIRE. I2li>

iiral and revealed religion, and the exercifes of pie-
ty and virtue. The fund belonging to this inili-
tution, is valued at nearly ten thoufand pounds.
About one fifth part of this fund, lying in lands, is
at prefcnt unproductive ; but the acflual income
amounts to /!480 per annum.

The appropriations are as follows.

To the fupport of a preceptor jCISS 6 8

ditto of an affillant 70

Intended for a profefTor of divinity 133 6 8
To the maintenance of indigent

fcholars 120

£4:56 13 4

The firfl preceptor was Mr. William Woodbridge.
The prefent preceptor is Mr. Abbot.
In the follov/ing table the number of fcholars be-
longing to this academy in each of the four laft
years is noted in the fecond column ; and of them,
the number whofe parents refide in Exeter is noted
in the third column.

Tears, No, of Students, Refidents in Exeter,

14
14
27
29

It has been thought by fome, that the tendency
of fuch inflitutions is to difcourage Grammar
Schools in their vicinity. In fupport of this fenti-
ment it is alleged that before this academy was
founded, the town of Exeter fupported two gram-
mar fchools ; and that now it fupports but one. la
anfwer to this argument it is obferved, that though
one grammar fchool is difcontinued, yet its place is
fupplied by a fchool for reading, writing and arith-
metic ; and there have been, during the laft and

1787

24

1788

30

1789

50

1790

5^

220 HISTORY OF

prefent year, fix fchools kept in the moil populoiM
part of chat town, for the inftruc5lion of fmall chil-
dren, befides thofe which are fupported in the ex-
treme parts. In addition to this obfervatiou it ought
to be remembered that the academy was iirll infti-
tuted, at a time, when there was a general neglect of
town ichools in many places ; and had it not been
for this and other fimilar inflitutions, the negle<5t
might have increafed by infenfible degrees, till ig-
norance had overfpread the country.

Since the eftabliihment of this academy feveral
others have been erecSled. One of which is at New-
Ipfwich. It was incorporated in 1739. Its fund is
about one thoufand pounds. The number of flu-
dents is generally betvv^een forty and fifty. The
price of tuition is one Jhilling per week and of board-
ing five Ihillings. The preceptor is Mr. John Hub-
bard. This academy is fo far from difcouragi ng
town fchools, that the fiim of one hundred pounds
is annually raifed in the fame town for that purpofe.

There is anocher academy at Ackinfon, founded
by the Honourable Nathaniel Peabody Efq.
and incorporated by the General Court in the year
1790. The precepiior has been chiefly fupported
by Mr. Peabody, and he has endowed the academy
with a donation of one thoufand acres of land.

Similar inilitutions have been begun at Amherfb,
at CharleifowQ and at Concord ; which though at
prefent in a ilate of infancy, yet afford a pleafing
profpecl of the increafe of literature in various parts
of the State.

A law h is been lately made which enforces the
maintenance of fchools by a peculiar fanclion ; the
feledlmen of the feveral towns are liable to have the
fame fum dillrained out of their ellates, which would
be fuflicient to fupport a fchool, during the whole
time in which they neglecl to make that proviflon.

NEW-HAMPSHIRE. 221

This law is fo recent, that no judgment can as yet
be formed of its operation. It llicvvs however that
the legiflature are attentive to this mofl important
branch of their duty, the education of children.

As a farther evidence of the progrefs of fcience,
focial libraries are eftablifhed in feveral towns ; and
within the year paft a medical fociety has been in-
corporated by an ad: of affembly. The Preiident of
the State being a gentleman of the faculty, is at the
head of this fociety.

By an article in the conftitution of the State it is
declared to be ' the duty of legillators and magif-
' trates, to cherifh the interefl of literature and the

* fciences, and all fcminaries and public fchools ; to

* encourage private and public inflitutions, rewards

* and imxnunities for the promotion of agriculture,

* arts, fciences, commerce, trades, manufaclures and

* the natural hiflory of the country ; to counte-

* nance and inculcate the principles of humanity and
' general benevolence, public and private charity,
' induftry and economy, honefty and pun(9:uality,
' lincerity, fobriety, and all focial afFedlions, and
' generous fentiments among the people.' As far as
public rulers conform to this article, they promote
in the mod eifedlual manner, the true interell and
profperity of their country.

The eflablifliment of Dartmouth College
in the weflern border of the State, has proved
a great benefit to the new fettlements and to
the neighbouring State of Vermont. During
the late war, like all other feminaries of litera-
ture, it lay under difcouragement ; but fince the
peace, it is in a more flouriihing fituation.

Its landed intered amounts to about eighty thou-

fand acres, of which twelve hundred lie contiguous,

and are capable of the bed improvement. T'welve

..ihoufand acres are fituate in Vermont. A trad of

222 HISTORY OF

eight miles fquare beyond the northern line ofStu^
art town was granted by the ailembly of New-Hamp-
iliire in 1789 ; and in the acl by which this grant
was made, ' the Prefident and Council of .the State

* for the time being are incorporated with the trnf-

* tees of the college, fo far as to a(ft with them in
' regard to the expenditures and application of this

* grant, and of all others which have been or may
' be hereafter made by New-Hampihire.'

The revenue of the college arlfing from the lands,
amounts to one hundred and forty pounds per an-
num. By contraOs already made it will amount
in four years to four hundred and fifty ; and in
twelve years to fix hundred and fifty pounds. The
income arifing from tuition money is about fix hun-
dred pounds per annum.

The firfl building erecled for the accommodation
of the {Indents was a few years fince burned. A
lottery was granted by the State for rai fing the funi
of feven hundred pounds j which has been applied
to the ere6lion of a new buildin^-, much more con-
venient than the former. It is confli\i(5led of wood,
and ftands in an elevated ntuation, about half a mile
caftward of Connecticut river in the townfliip of
Hanover ; commanding an extenfive and pleafant
profpe6l to the w^eft. It is one hundred and fifty
feet long, fifty feet wide, and thirty fix feet high ;
and contains thirty-fix chambers for fludents. The
number of fludents who were graduated in the firfl
nineteen years amounts to two hundred and fifty-
two, among whom were two Indians. In the year
1790 the number of undergraduates was about one
hundred and fifty.

The fludents are divided into four clafTes. The
frefhmen lludy the learned lang\iages, the rules of
fpeaki ng and writing, and the elements of mathe-
jnatics.

NEW-IIAMPSHIRH. 225

The fophomores attend to the languages, geogra-
phy, logic and mathematics.

The junior fophiflers, befide the languages, en-
ter on natural and moral philofophy and compoii-
tion.

The fenior clafs compofe in Englifh and Latin ;
fhudy metaphyfics, the elements of natural and po-
litical law.

The books ufad by the Undents are Lowth's En-
glifli Grammar, Perry's Dictionary, Pike's Arithme-
tic, Guthrie's Geography, Ward's Mathematics, At-
kinfon's Epitome, Hammond's Algebra, Martin's
and Enfield's Natural Philofophy, Fergufon's Af-
tronomy, Locke's Effay, Montefquieu's Spirit of
Laws, and Burlemaqui's Natural and Political Law.

Befides thefe ftudies, ledlures are read to the fchol-
ars in theology and ecclefiaftical hiftory.

There, is an examination of each clafs once in the'
year, and thofe who are not found qualified for their
{landing are put into a lower clafs.

The annual commencement is held on the fourth
Wednefday in Auguft. There are two vacations,
one following commencement and continuing fix
weeks and two days ; the other beginning on the
fourth Monday in February, and continuing five
weeks and five days.

Among the benefadlors to Dartmouth College, the
following names are confpicuous.

His Majcfly George III. King of Great Britain.

The Earl of Dartmouth.

The late Countefs of Huntingdon.

The Prince of Orange.

The Baron of Hafarfwoode.

The late Grand Penfionary of the United Nedier*
lands.

The late Governor Benning Wentworth.

The late Governor John Wentworth.

224 HISTORY Of

Paul Wentworth, Efq. "|

Dr. Rofe, |

John Thornton, Efq. [> of London*

Mr. Forfyth, |

Dr. Ralph Griffith, J

The late Dr. Franklin.

John Adams, Vice Preiident 7 r.i. tt -^ i c ^
■r 1 T r^i^- r T n- > of the United Statcs*

John Jay, Chiet Jultice j

The Hon. John Phillips, of Exeter.

The late and prefent officers and truflees of the

college are as follows ;

Prejidents, 1770. Rev. Eleazer Wheelock, D. Da

died 1779, ^t. 69.

1779. John Wheelock, L. L. D.

Frofejfor of Hijiory, John Wheelock, L. L. D.

of Mathematics cind 1 Beza V/ood-

Natui'al Ph'dofopby, j ward Efq.

— tf Languages 7 ^^^ j^,^^^ g^.^^_

and Librarian^ j

Trufees,

His Excellency John Wentworth, Efq. removecL

* Hon. Theodore Atkinfon.

* Hon. Daniel Pierce.

Hon. George Jaffrey, reftgried,
'^ Hon. Peter Gilman.

* Hon. William Pitkin.

* Rev. Benjamin Pomeroy, D. D^

* Rev. James Lockwood.
Rev. Timothy Pitkin, refgtied*
Rev. John Smalley, refigned.

* Rev. William Patten.
Hon. John Phillips.
Beza Woodward, Efq.

Hon. John Sherburne, refignecL

Hon. Eliflia Paine.

Rev. Eden Boroughs.

Hon. Samuel Phillips, refignsd.

jrEW-HAMPSHIRE* 225

Rev. David M'Clure.

Rev. Jofeph Huntington. D. D. rejigned,

Hon. Simeon Olcott.

Rev. Levi Hart, refigned,

Hon. John Langdon.

* Rev. Sylvanus Ripley.
Mofes Filk, A. M.

* Rev. Biilkley Olcott.
Hon. Peter Olcott.
Rev. John Smith.
Rev. Job Swift.

An Alphabetical TABLE of the Towns in each
County of New-Hampfhire,

With the dates of their incorporation : The names of the several MINIS-
TERS of the GOSPEL of every denomination, the times of their set-
tlement, death or removal, and their age at the time of their death as
far as either can be ascertained. Also,

The number of people in each town in the years 1775 and 1890. Th»
number lost out of each town in the late war, as far as it could be col-
lected. The proportion which each town pays to iC.lOOO tax. Th©
Literary Academies in each county, and some historical and topo-
graphical remarks.

Gc

^26

HISTORY or

o

o
o

o
o

■<,

'^

fa .

r5 ij

« « i
^ s ^

« C rt!

c S

O

" S

G y o .s X

c -f: --p. t^ t«
c « ^ ° °

c «!-< a, a< o.

h2

«5 ^ ;_

. '^ ■* CO o

c*,

•<* O 30 ^

•n I--. ^D »>•
CN ■■4' m C"

ijl 00 c-j

^ in o

(O CO (M

j5^ >n O O
"* 1^ vo O

— • U1 CO —

CO (M

cr> 00 o t^

C< <N <0 C»

c^ Tf lo e"!

fco

o O^

OS 00

IJ r: re

rt ^- a,
1^ ;/3

'y.-x:

t< O ^ ~ ^ -S

" ^ >rL ^ S? i— "^ « '-' t_H a rt •/

tj 1^ ^ -c " x: O

§U ii

cfl

m g

J2 — a! I

X^ b-

-7> <0 a^ CO '"0 CO 0"^ CI ca h»

b- b- l^ l^ 1-- t^ l^ I-~ N. t^

wc

^ ■'^j o t:

< <! C3 33

O

o o

1/5 ^

-= o

2^

s

O

a.

u; lV; _
to CO •*
b- »^ h-

NEW-HAMPSHIRE.

227

B^

m

•t. «

<- 6

.

°.3 »5

"^

^ en -a

O — (L)

o

s

Ul

■.^ o cu

o

pL.

-£: t«

2 o-a

til

tC 1)

o

<u — •

■*t^ 'tn ri

C-i

►-1 U

PS

is

o

• — tl
c «

c t; (/I

a

'-" o
CO o

tx

>0 00

^

!^

CO

VO

CO

^

CN

-^

-t

«o

'_

c%

CN

eo

CO

c^

<o

-*

h-

1^

Ci

o

t^

0»

>n

—

•o

—

■cr

C7>

00

tx

«f>

r^

-+

Tj<

o

<£l

o

■^

1^

1^

b-

»^

CO

o

—

— '

t^

Tj

r^

l^

o>

"*

CO

u

CO

»fl

1^

CO

b-

■n

1^

VO

•o

■*

-*

O
St

J3

00

CO

I-

CO

CO

•»2

l-H

"

'^

228

HISTORY or

«;

■■^

S I

•-^ CO

3
J3

u

o

o
©

CO O —

b, to '-

5^

Ol

s .^;

«

O

o

O

•o

C)

V-f Ty

■

O

c^

o

o

c<>

CO CO

i^

■^

00

C7)

<o

o -n

— ■

C-)

—

-*

1-

—

o

oi a»

t-

c

o.

(O

cr.

Tj. -^

»^

»n

t>-

ari

>n

CO -^

—

!U

1--

a>

CO

00

■^

CI

__

t^

to

m

c^

'^'

t^

w

lO

00

vu

a

CO Ol
CO, 00

1^ 1-

CO — t-

C» (N

eo c^ i~

— t-J

t~ N- t-

t^ »^

Q

-D

C.

H to °f
~ :« n '^ o *"•
'"^ S5 < — . M --i

c-"5 =" 2 c "
cj .2 c G 5 u

«" y5 .-; b — —

>-5 >-> 0- C/: 1-1 >-:)

a

I c t; t-
: o Ai «

C/3 'j -*

C-c o

<u c --

>-a <■ UJ

P5

'Si c "^

9 o 1. b3

5 ^ «-> ^

i^ 5 i:^ Q 3

V Q ^ ^ 3

>P -^ ^ 5 00
3 .2 --S ^ .^

-5 <> o "o ^

t-- l^ CO C CO h-

CM 'O <0 00 'O CO

b- l^ b- i- l^ ^.

b- o cyi ■>* CN CN

N. t-. b. b-

«> a
•r; en

c

Ph

X'^ i^

,-

r1

0

U

3
n

St

J

Z:

NEW-HAMPSHIRE,

229

I e

j^'

V

ti

J. 00

^

t»»

u

c <^

**

^

>
o

S t^

^

Q

M5

CO

o

VJ

j:;^ .

2 §

3^

3
o

-!<

3
O

c

tl

5 c
^ o

Tji

5 —

r^

s

O

o

w S-

.£

to 5

►-1

>

o

"H

ft

r;

o

<— 1

O o

(J

X
o

cL

c-

2 V

3

n

o

Cl

Oi

— —

CO

o

VO

—

»n

cc O

X. O

b-

»o

<£>

•0 c^

o^

o

'Jf

o

'^ ""^

,..4

-^

»— •

•— ■

,_4

^ ^

'«'

c»

CO

o <o

>r)

00

b-

b-

T^

OJ

CN

b-

o

(C

t^

-r

00

_

o

__

^

CO

o

"O

•xf

«o

o

'O

c*

>n

"^

>n

»o

o

t^

o

t^

a>

»o

CN

Ol

O

c«

CO

c;^

Ci

^

n

CO

-r

'O

•— »

Cft

'^

-*

b_

»o

ct

»o

o

CO

CJ»

»v

i^

»o

10

CO

C7»

b-

o -* -^
o ^- 00
b, »- t^

■< j O "^ C

CJ 0) C 3 ^
O O O >^ O

C3 <" -3

t- O U J3

^ 3

O O

r^ o

o o

4? S3

»fl 1^ o

— so CO
»^ b. b-

Oi t^ <0 -^ C7-.
CO VC 1^ CIS t^

t^ b- t~ t-, t~.

O 00 LO O 00

Tjf m to CO to
t^ b- t-, i^ i^

o o

«0 OO

»

/?;

2 o,

c " £

CJ o .

TS

c

Q

<n

V

Q

^

rC

fao

c

o

o

230

HISTORY QF

"8

"^

^

o

o>

t-

—

'O

b-

J^

—

■ij

t/1

<s

c^

;?>

■e

o

ij

C 11

c

J- '

■2

o

eJtJ
.£ '■>-

-I

.-is

o o

a.cx.

CM '"5

t^ ■>* 0»

«o lO vo

in

CO O

CO
00

CN

•n
09

c» O
in <y>

CO
00

••

"1

in

o*
b-

eo

00

1>- CO <X3 -T
<?l Ol -^ N.
O t-, I- 1^

Q V

c

03 ^

1-5 /^

O .'-

P <u s

rt O O
C/: i-s >->

te

^ o ^

S g 3 —

c >^
P — .

S2 9

o « ^

- 5 a.

J= E "

O rt o

i-^ca: «->

— O *iO
t-- 0> CN
lO <o »,

^^ o 'o c^ oi c~}
-* b~ — CO ■«*' «o

h~ >^ b- h» r^ b-

»0 >£)
(N CO

R
H

O

.S ^

CU OS

o o

n^

u

c«

en

(X.

C^

F—

W

r^

2-3
o o

0- C2 Di

CN 't o>
CO "O -<

t^ t- ^

NEW-HAMPSHIRE.

231

n

<o

-c:

^»^

a

V,

bo

o'

-<

■y

c:

ts

fl

<j

r*

o

*^

1^

N

o

^ O

«9 O

V

t. o

o-

H -

5^^

■G

^ '-

«,

o

»o

1^

oo

r-.

••"'

-C

fc

fco

rr^

e

3 P

■« S

■~ •- V.

G^

«J

<U

c^

«

«=i

^•

cc ■*-^

,

•5

Sj

^

cc

K

C

t-

.<i

f>*

,

c

c .

& b ^

,^ .—

1^

c

C u)

"o

^ -3

ill

o

fc :^ o

a

i"

'^ « ..

C

<u

s

G S.

o

u C

c2

c? 3

t3 -* "^

0» "1
■>♦ 00

p

to O

S H

c c >

"« Ci "^ S H^ ?

r^'-'

t; S t) p

r- C

^. h- b- t^ i^ i^

«

I «

CT CD

(^(y

a,
S

t/5 CD

'\3

.

w

V.

ta

o

'^

t"

a rJ

».

o -9

"*«

>^

ii

>■

■3 G

'jC

s

^

■^

^

•^

;^

o

■^

3

o

^

<i

o
o

o

"^

"^

'■<

>^

%-

>^

■*1

^

:-^

St»

•^

»5

i>

s g

N

o

^^

>i

y

<Q

^■

o

.3

**s»

— «

cs O

!?

»

00 o»

N

l^

^- t^

^

^)

a

q

232

HISTORY OF

<,

^

S

fco

=S

=; ^

§.

•U-^

a (D -i^ "ci

£ S^ "

cs cc o 5"

ecus

.Li's?

Co ~

vO CO
00 <0

en c»

h- CO

CO -^

o >

0.0

1>-

O

-*

00

b.

a

o

r-

t^

a>

'^

00

CM

»o

a>

(N

•«

CN

»o

w?

to

■*

V5

'O

t-

vO

CN

<i>

fN

o

C<»

o
t-

"*
t-

CT>

CO

in

C7>

O

«n

o^

VO

o

-*

oa

<o

h-

in

<o

•— •

^^

to

so

»n

00

b-

»^

1--

<0

<£)

1^

b-

l^

t-

t-

»^

t-

-"

-"

'^

"^

.-.

'"

~

— '

-^

t-

--

u.

'O — ' ■n<

00

<N l^ —

— i^ i^ i^

00

— 00 ©

t- r- 00

»^

'I' >n »^

— — . O 03

-^

•"a" -* 00

t- ►, v^

»^

o v« to

1^ J^ h^ 1^

t^

b- t^ h-

—

— ' — —

^ ^ — . — .

—

— — —

Of

a

<U bo
a n

UQ

c«

5

Q

u

I- CN
b- b-

NEW-HAMPSIIIRE.

283

i-v.

d

«:

a

i-

br

r.

*t.

>i

«0

;:;

Ji

^

a

,

5:;

■^

O

^

=o

^

">>

o

^ O

IC

«e C

■C o

H -

f.V;

o

Ci

K-

c>

— '

•r>

Jt^

<->

t-

~'

^

to

,

o p

-- g

cs i-. xj

°e

•

^

=0

e:

^

a

**>

,^

K

§

,

• "^

oj ^

Co

<L>

k:

cs

V%

eo

^

ri

s;

,

C

Q

o

o *-

►-^ CO IT)

C7> 1^ VO O

•-eg

•X, ."

WuIj

o

*? =

"cji

2 i^

go

ti?:

tC TS

4-' ^

C3

^3 O

O '-C

O) c^ o <o

•^

CO — o c^ -*

.— ^ — . ^

CO CO CO — C7>

t-

>o

o
c^

-a-

'.1

cr>

C-l

;_

r-

•o

-;.

lo

^«

T>

t^

>n

p-iH

(N

>o

C)

00

to

'O

-+

IT)

CO

•n

*~*

O

«-.-^—

_/>n

CO

<o

>r)

IT)

-*

'<?

c-J

eo

CO

<o

-*

t-

m

CO

o<

<i

o

•o

CO

CO

1^

•r>

h-

"1

CO

N-

00

o

c^

'*<

t^

CT>

VO

CN

CN

C<

Ol

'"*

IT)

uo

.—

.^-^

c

Cu ►J-i

CO

« 2

-B S

'^ 2

^ 9*

<U c

-5 «

►2,0

^ b-i

r- a JZ

r- 03

2 0- c/3 "3

•So

S'5 c"l
« 3 C 2

jz a vS
a :^ — -i

*v 5 'I' "^
-<- 'T' "-s <<^

<* "T* "rt t5

o 2 - ^
c S «^ «>

< m < I

■* o

CO 00 cr. '-■O

b- o ys -sO

1^ 00

t^ t- t^ N.

CO lO to t^

b- 1^

t^ J^ »^ N.

»^ b- >-, h_.

_ _ — —

— — — • _

Del

2M

HISTORY OF

t^j

">.

*«'

t?

^

p

eM

M

t-.

C

W

^

C^

tn

4

4;

O

■jj

W
s

0 E

2

p

ill

O

o

Ci

Uh

0

o

■^' '^

,

o

<N

i^

C^

"^

Z °

*-»

? o

h2

CT

-*

n

fC

o

■<H [;;

S^^

O Zl!

l^

CO

Cl

^

^D

CM

00

0

0

CO ^c.
en c-j

Ci
0

to
to

0

C'3

c
to

c^

CO

»

o

t- -^

CI.

^

1 M

I-

0

CO

CO

1-

1^

t^

-~

—

-^

o-^ tl
^ -5 t3
« If C

J; 4-. 3

0 -S

P .!:i O -(5 o ^ tn c !! -i

rt rt rt O r"^ ,- >• >■ 2 t>'

t— o to 10 o
b. 1- l^ (^ l^

NEW-HAMPSHIJl^

235

-0

1l

o

'^

t- CO

Oi •*

'i*

>T O

in — <

•"■

<o

CT M

to t^

«£) O 'J- •* -O C^

00 C^ C-J O t~- '"•'5

<0 CJ

— C3 >n

2s

•^ A-

b ~

a

O

Ci

'o

X

CO

CO

b-

o

CO

C^

1-

CM

^

^'

r^I

CT>

o

-<^

o»

fT.

o

»— •

<?;

CN

'-0

'.0

CO

o

cl

CO

iv

CO

o

n

CO

"^

c»

— i

CTl

CO

o» >o

CO

-^

—

c<

— •

•o

CO

cr.

in

m

»o

i^

lO

CO

r>

r>

t--

c»

)t^

CT

CO

00

Oi

o

CO

CO

o

r-

^

"CJ*

»n

M

-*

t^

— <

(N

"-

"^

•^

u>

05 -r^

f 3

c

cas Steven
anicI Men
eel Wood

v; cci

o

o

— •- n

J5

o

►— 1

..1

c

G -iS —

c «J _3

U3

.i=; _; c

Q ^ ^

O

o: 7. >r.

^ oi ■£;

CO

!>•

00

■* t~ 00

00

»o

<o

h- b, t^

^-

!>.

l^

o

<3 rt o -^a

S j3 ^ -5

^ Ji -fi 'Ji

r?- C O O

«

(£>

C^ =

r<> CO

q c o o

-5 c

-^ J^ C C3
■ — ' O O -5

a-, t^ O o
t^ iv. vn ^

:i ji O I, 3 G

•;; 15 4> O 3 3

T? — m lO

>^ in <o t}<

Qii:

use

HISTORY OP

^

'^

■^ o

c O

«^ o

>

'^r=Z r.

tr. <o

•p o
-5 -^•

_; W 3

r- "^ ^ tS

{V9

5"

^ r '"^ «^

-.2 'H e

O C — PJ

G fcn

VD CO ■<. CN l~

M VO -* C> c»

O — CJ

t-^ CO vO

«o a> *>• "O

CN "O -^' — '
V) N. C7^ r>»

CO CJ Oi ^
^i3 — 1^ -ri*

CO 1^^ CO!

O 'O CO Ct

— CO IN O

c>

C7<

^—

_^

^—

O

•I"

^^

00

C«

C-J

CO

—

—

vG

c;i

O

o

<£>

<i3

».-j

(Ji

b;'

te c c ■

C

^

(D y

(J
c
o

r!

flj rs

o

tr "^

or

o *

I'g

A, .-

o

o

o

B.

imack
Boston

Ipsv.'ic

5'0

"^ ^

iZ ^ C-

t^.t-

w->»".,

^ u o

i^^

ij) -^

^. ?^ y.

o

'n< c*

•-0 ro CJ

^

'0 <o

-"»• (O '^ 1

k^

>^ (>, ^, 1

ea

y.

v; <-

NEW-HAMPSHIUE.

2'-'^

Oi

%^

5 ^ t^ >-«

r'- C ^ S

o iZ -r; ^

p: ^ s o

^ s S -:2

'•" .5 o ''7*

V- o

U -

— — O >— CI -s* -* r^

£/~. ^! o o t~

00 C?!

— . •>* — T^ o^ 00

bo

s — .:2 5

_- <_> s- ^

5

CT-

~ ^ _<U ws; o rJ

; -^ "

G "^ '^ ii: -,

:?:^-^5

'■/: '■'^ A

c .2

c3

6C,>0 "ft

1-- C-) C-. cr.

■■0

151 — ' C^. <N 0%

CO CO

»-

OO l^ t^ t - CO

<o h^

1^ 1- t- t^

N-

1-- 1^ l^ I- t^

1^ t^

_ _ _. —

-—

— —

I ^

u «• CU "^

M

c:
To

o

^ *

" >^1?, L" O r

Oi !^ ii •— ^ 5

CJ ^ .-3 O S .-'

C-. £3 '.r -r •/:

wcy

to o

o ^

C CO
1^ »^

-* CO -* ■*
CC O b~ <o

-o

li-"H

::11,R

«^ "O

'^ 1 3

>}

^V

•^

n

5;^

Q

t^

tt:

r>

o

^'2

OOl

i 1 •

■1 "^-^

— —

^

^

5 ;3

H

^l

fa
<:

'^r-

—

T;

•^

^ <3>

«

l£ cc

c»

**< t»

»^

"^ *"

**'

^

■^

^

23S

HISTORY OF

to

"!^

fK

o

si

3

?^

rG

<-^

o
es

vs

G

(«5

a

>,'^

J3

TJ

•TB

<l>

r!

c:

o

bO

^

1/1

C3

ta

O

o

••n .

^CJ

0-2

U2

.s

r2

w

rt 1*

t/D

-yj

^4

0)

;^

c

-3

^-^

ri

e:

o

u

a

tn a

*

o

U3

15 —
oj lO oo

t- <i> o o^ »^ "^ •«-■■
OS CO — u^ s^ o»

CO — o>

<N »^ — •

00 CO o

Oi •n c>

00 '^i M -o -+
■^l CI ^ CO — •
O "O (N C« CO

1^ -<#

00 >n

cr> CI 'o
O -* O

CO — CO

CO — O

1^ in >o

^ CO t^

CI

»^ CO

t. :-. :-

-5 c-^

9 «

■ J: S •- ^ c ^

3

=" 5^ rt — " >.^ o •" ^ ^ It: t; S i.
S o •:; s: s ::5 ;^ o &'•; S c o y & £" a

o

O ^'" C C O y ^ C G

ni r3 ;; c o a. .— f r^ —.

^ 'O

CJ 3

a. ~ cr. • o ' > cr-< -^

00 CO ct r- —

CO

C^ 00

CO 00 OT O N. t- l^

lO 00 t— i^ t^

o

00 CO

l~ tv. J- b- 1^ l^ t»

b. h- h- l^ b-

1^

b. h-

-- ^_. — .— «.. ^M ^^

— —. — .—..—

"^

^-* — •

^^ w

3 5

'7\ ^

O

O t- 3

♦ O r.T — .
«0 UD h,
h- 1-. l-

S^^ 3 «

O 'T t.O CO

»^ -n U3 h-
t- »- i~ 1^

NEW-HAMPSHIRE.

2S9

C

(J

':.•

■^

«

t-r

c>

<v>

,^

C3

S:

ft

c

^

<j

o

»)

--I

o

»- O

ss O

^

v. O

a

^

5^ v^

^^

o

o

3.Sf5

«^

o

t~

•n

b-

Cf

t^

!^

— -

*>.

■o,

<ij

^

irt <

I'S

to

C '^

^p-<^-oo^(» b-ni^

--co-"? — — ''?'*»0— 'CO

03 C^J O <:«

CO to >— 00

>o

o

•^

T*-

>£)

CO

CO

o

^^

■^

o

o

CO

_

00

o

»^

T*

CO

— »

CO

CO

CN

c»

—

00

■«3<

o

-^

CM

in

CJ

-*

t-

CO

CO

t^

b-

o

CI

CO

^^

b-

^

c^

-

CO

c^

1^

■^

!>-

tC

CO

':<<

CN

■*

>r>

t^

r^i

CN

C.5

b-

•rj

CO

c

«o

-*

CN

•— '

-^

CO

(N

'"'

"■^

CO

00

lO

c^

€H

_

<o

^ I

5r «, "-'

O

o

>-

.S t-

w

c

•£^

o^

fan t ^

" 5

"ri

;- p o
6^ c a)

"55 ;j ^

'S S g-

pi

u

o

1^

^r?-
Pi^

)

as

t

3 1^ s*

2

t-l

5

p

Elias
Tosep
Eleaz

3
S ■

"5 -5

CO

t^ CO

_

•r^ r-\

«

■o

VD

Y^

CO l-^

CO

O 00

i^

r^

1-

^. b.

1-

i- b-

•—

• — '

—

— —

-- •

^—4 —

■

•s M

M,*^

cJ ^-'

Kprj

.. 3

^ o

-a

Langdon
Lempstci
Marlboro
Mario w

N. Grant
Newport
Packersfi

5§

c
o

s

5

o

-a

c

s

•a
o ;

1^

= 3 ^

0 C/D !/5

■"

— <o -—

— . — rr -

- Jl

CN

00

•* c

ft CO

rn

^O h- (O

VC lO N. I.

■) «D

'-0

o

t- «

i-

t^ b- J^

l^ b- 1- b

- If-

—

»^

i^ b

-• -^

240

HISTORY or

— CO —

C^ O r'5 — . o

rr.

^

C

■^

^

c*

o

CO

■■!•>

^■.

i-

OJ

o.

CJi

CT

^

'I-

<i>

>—*

o

h.

V3

n-i

•o

CN

o

o»

•—

—

n

—

■<~,

^C

CO

CO

ir»

00

CO

r-.

-*

'O

<o

<0

«o

CO

j~

'^

o

'^

1^

^

!V1

o

r3

U

1 O C 5 N ^ "^ jj

; tc g .2 o -fr^ jr '-^
' O >: ;^ UJ u° ^ -J

. -o

^^r* ^

->;

e^

cq o

t-

^

o

K j; c

^

•^

o

.1 « «j
>>>

,

1

'-1

U- T C»

'.0

V.

**

'

i^,

t-- 00 "^

VO

o

\-

h-

k^

h- t, «^

»^

.r

•a

"

""

-T CO
VO CO

J- 1^

J 2

I 2 ;■-

fts

j;

o

ta

S

s

J3

u

KEW-IIAMPSHIRE.

241

1 *;;

1
c

3

•^^

C

■►^

t—

V

.'J

'

V,

2

<J

■^

Ik

U
o

o

c
o

til

•s

u

C

g

';3 iT

•o

-S §T3

"O

o

^

u

^

y 3

to

s

'^-

>-H

(A

cs

o _

-~; ^ J

-- <N iffl

CS O CN -

-• c:

iC

CO

•u

CO CO

•O CO CO

CO

p;

•^ o

1

0, O

<J o

C9 "^

— »>. ro

O >0 VO 00 O

—

o

'O

o o

M O » O

o

^

H —

■p-

^^^ ^-^

,. c>

C» —

«0 i->

o?

— ■<?

. ""^

^

l-r^

j_ , ; _ _

o> n a/ ^

(.-J

sJ

^^

^ — .

'O -r

c.

c.

■* ai 00 -*

oi 00 -o c<

t-~

(T*

CO

*^ •— «

t- "^J

t5

i^

(N

<N -3< c-i — <

o -*

CO

'^

— >»

'n

t^

-^

c s^

-^

00

•*

o ^

O

^

t--

n

-i<

cr. O

■-—

• —

»o

»o

t--

—

— •

— '

— '

,-

—

..

__

c

o
a

I g

«»

w

s

*> - ^

r: 5 ."5 = £

M

^ C 2 O =^ 3

e '- C .- — ,-,

C c « o o

o -" ■" '^

U3

< a iq ^ ca i; u 'J CJ r J O U O Q QQa^tiJiJ^

r) o
CO o>

^- r.O — I _ i~, O '^ O "i' -^

t-. l^ b- t>. i^ »^

K ^ "P

£ e

242

HISTORY Of

-J

q

(j

<•

•<s

"S"

■

2

•d

^

fe

o

o

<

c

.

.

o

>

o

VI

to

n

5

o

o

4

O

o

o

5j

«3

o

-a

«

^

V

o

o

CO

s

15

o

h3

<

^

_3

o

c

T3
*>

13

15

1

V

■^ o

'^ 2

« CO

^ o

CO

— -^ vn

a.

CO

I- o>

00 so

•S

^- c<

^

o to

o

« i'*

b-

O

»o

O

'-'

•"

'- .-,

—

-^

O

c~< O

^ ^

M US

•* «

— <r>

to

- -

c<

o

_ •

TT"

■

'

0^

05 ^ a

^3 ."^ ii

~

O

c^ "-o

t-- o

<N C

— CN O

'<ii

^fi ct

5^» t^

u>

l^ o

•* 00

m i7»

«0 C^ 00

•^

c»

o o

N

-«<

^ CO

V5 CO

— CN ^

00

CN

CO —

— ■

— <

—

J

cc

'C

01

1-- ■*

»o c^

— C> t^

"cT

■ij i^

S

I-

c»

■<^ CO

lO N.

<0 rf '^

lO

C7» >0

»j

1>-

•<;i<

60 — >

CO

(N

•— •

"S

K

;

•J5

• •^

<b

to

•J"

^^'^_

o

-^^

S P

o

e»

--• 2

l^

t*

1 St^

■J

1

0>

s

s

bf
p

3

f/5

c
"o —

4)

^ o

O in

a

c
o
O

s

.2

o

"iij'

f *\

'— >

T •-;

->■

■/■)

l^N

to

• "^

ui

i^

1^

»^

t^

l^

V "^^

c

^

P5

«

c

i/> Si

> "5

fc/:

U
£

W

00

to

8.1

^7

o

Is

J o

c

c

(/, ttJ 2

■rS rt G
C C -A

u

c

s
S (=

4> CC

2

.a

3 n

cS

-! O

"Hj

rs ctf <U

-' »^^

.•^

« 3

:^ C O -u

Q_

xs

^

►J J -^

"^

-

J J

5^Z

N

1 '

^ 00

00 —

o>

•0 —

^

CO 'J- —

"ZT"

-f

,» -•

00 J»

» ^*

'C l^

VO O

to

>o <o

b-

«3 t^ <0

VO

ys

«) 'C

>>-

t^ 1^

§ 2 •

»- h-

^- »-

t-

b- k^

h-

»^ t^ h-

►^

1^

1- »^

(>-

t^ J*.

>i O t3

f-M .— 1

»-•

p-^ .— •

•— •

p-4 »--< »— <

•^

■■^

1— " »-H

•^

•^ w^

•;; «, '^

N2W-HAMPSHIRE.

243

^

s

^

H )±

?.a

c:

c

O

to

1)

-a

5 o

-c .=: J ? o
*> — ^ ^ =J

•5 i .2 ^ ■'^

(^ eo o CO x2
.J eo lO O ^£> o o
C) 1.-1 c>

CO CO O CO --< «-' '^

O O w O CO e® '~-

CO

C? ^ — W

.S^"S

'^

•_;

CO

,-)

^

O

U-) —

•o

yD

•o

■"■

'

'T

«

-rC

■vS*

C-J

«N —

CO

■*

00

-^

n«

cr.

~"

"O

■*

U3 ^

^^

CO

CI

Oi

r»

CO

6S 1^

.^

t^

C-J

o

00 O

■^

c»

CO C»

~

—

t-

1-

— '

'■^

t^

,^^^

O 4^

_ 2 c o
S — o n
"o J3 r^ ^

w

_ t>

'A Hi

Wis

N. CO

«

oo

o o _

^ 2 ^ s

a. "- o. rii

^ n

i^ b, t^ 1^

^

-a

^

•■J

*

3

o

en

</5

O

s

G

U5

u

o

',j

o

L>

a

'"^

^

o

w

rJ

rr

.:^

-T<

3

P

H

^

c^

O

f;"

CO

_

o

CO

<o

1^

r^

t^

CO

o

vO

i--

tv.

1^

h.

t^

1^

b-

i: in i Ok

244 HISTORY OF

The principal denominations of chriftians in this '
State are five, viz. Congregationalifts, Prefbyterians,
Epifcopalians, Baptifts and Quakers. The diftin-
guifliing charadieriftics of thefe are fo well known
that a particular defcription is necdlefs ;* the com-
parative numbers of each may be feen by an infpec-
tion of the preceding table ; in which the Prcfby-
terians are marked by the letter P. the Plpifcopali-
ans by E. the Baptifts by B. the Quakers by Q.
Thofe without any mark are Congregationalifts ;
which is the moft numerous denomination in this
as well as in the neighbouring States of MalTachu-
fetts and Conned:icut.

In the town of Portfmouth there is a fociety of
Sandemanians and another of Univerfalifts ; which
are not noted in the table.

The people in general throughout the State aTe
profefTors of the chriftian religion in fome form or
other. There is, however, a fort of isjife meu^ who
pretend to rejedl it ; but they have not yet been
able to fubftitute a better in its place.

It has been a common practice, in all the grants
of townfliips, which have been made either by the
Crown or the Mafonian proprietors, to referve on^
fhare, equal to that of any other grantee, for the firft
fettled minifter, as his own right ; befides a parfon-
age lot. This has proved a great encouragement
to the fettlernent of minifters in the new towns ;
and it has been generally obferved that thofe towns
are the moft thriving, in which early care has been
taken to fettle a prudent minifter, and aflift him in
clearing and cultivating his land.

In fome of the new towns, where the people are
not able to fupport minifters, it has been ufual for
the clergymen of the elder towns to make itinerant

* For an account of these distinctions seo s " view of religious" by II. Adams, lately
yeprinted in Boston.

NEW-HAMPSHIRE, 245

excurfions, of feveral weeks, to preach and baptize ;
whilil their places at home have been filled, by the
neighbouring minifters in rotation. Such itinera-
tions arc always acceptable, to the fcattered people
in the VN^iidernefs, and ferve to keep up a fenfe of re-
ligion in their families. By the conllitution of the
State every denomination of chriftians is equally
under the protccftion of the law, and it is exprefsly
provided, that ' no fubordination of any one fedl

* or denomination to another, fhall ever be eftab-
*■ iiflied by law.'

It is alfo claimed and allowed as a right of the
people, to eledt and fupport their own teachers ; and
that ' no perfon of any one particular religious fedt
' or denomination fliall ever be compelled to pay

* toward the flipport of the teachers of any other fed:

* or denomination.' There is therefore as entire re-
ligious liberty in Nev/-Hampfhire, as any people
can rationally defire.

S46 HISTORY or

CHAP. XVIII,

Conclusion. Hintx cf Advice on several ii»fioriani Sudjcca.

Citizens of New-Hampshire,

-Having fpent above twenty years of
my life v/ith you, and pafled through various fcenes
of peace and war within that time ; being perfonal-
Ij acquainted with many of you, both in your pub-
lic and private charadlers ; and having an earneft
defire to promote your true intereft, 1 trufl: you vnll
not think me altogether unqualified to give you a
few hints by way of advice. You are certainly a
riling State ; your numbers are rapidly increafing ;
and your importance in the political fcale will be
augmented, in proportion to your improving the
natural advantages which your fituation affords yon,
and to your cultivating the intelle6lual and moral
powers of yourfelves and your children.

The firll article on which I would open my mind
to you is that of education. Nature has been as
bountiful to you as to any other people, in giving
your children genius and capacity ; ic is then your
duty and your intcreli to cultivate their capacities
and render them ferviceable to themfelves and the
community. It was the faying of a great orcg:or and
ftatefman of antiquity,* that ' the lofs which the

* Commonwealth fuilahis, by a want of education,

* is like the lofs which the year would fuffer by the
' deftrudlion of the fpring.' If the bud be blafled
the tree will yield no fruit. If the fpringing corn
be cut down, there will be no harveft. So if the
youth be ruined through a fault in their education.

NEW-HAMPSHIRE. 24?

die community fuftains a lofs which cannot be re-
repaired ; ' for it is too late to corredl them when
* they are fpoiled.' Notwithflanding the care of
your Legiflators in enabling laws, and enforcing
them by fevere penalties ; notwithftanding the wife
and liberal proviiion which is made by fome towns,
and fome private gentlemen in the State ; yet there
is flill in many places ' a great and criminal negledt
' of education.' You are indeed in a very conlider-
able degree better, in this reipedl, than in the time
of the late war ; but yet much remains to be done.
Great care ought to be taken, not only to provide a
fupport for inllrucSlors of children and youth ; but
to be attentive in the choice of inftrudtors ; to fee
that they be men of good underilanding, learning
and morals ; that they teach by their example as
well as by their precepts ; that they govern them-
felves, and teach their pupils the art of felf-govern-
znent.

Another fourcc of improvement which I beg
leave to recommend, is the eflablifhment of fociat
libraries. This is the eafieil, the cheapefl and moft
effedlual mode of diffufing knowledge among the'
people. For the fum of fix or eight dollars at once,
and a fmall annual payment beiide, a man may be
fupplicd with the means of literary improvement,
during his life, and his children may inherit th©
blefling. A few neighbours joined together in fet-
ting up a library, and placing it tinder the care of
fome fuitable perfon, with .a very few regulations,
to prevent carelefFnefs and wafte, may render the
moft effential fervice to themfelves and to the com-
munity. Books may be much better preferved in.
this way, than if they belonged to individuals ; and
there is an advantage in the focial intercourfe of
perfon s who have read the fame books, by their con-
Terfing on the fubjedls which have occurred in their

5^45 History of

reading and communicating their obfervatidns on^
to another.

From this mutual intercourfe another advantage
may arife ; for the perfons who are thus aflbciated
may not only acquire but originate knowledge. By
Undying nature and the fciences, by pradlifmg artSj-
agriculture and manufaclures, at the fame time that
they improve their minds in reading, they may be
led to difcoveries and improvements, original and
beneficial ; and being already formed into fociety,
they may diffufe their knowledge, ripen their plans,'
corrccl their miftakes, and promote the caufe of fci-
ence and humanity in a very confiderable degree.

The book of nature is always open to our view,
and we may fludy it at our leifure ;

* 'T/V elder fcripture^ ivr'it by GocTs oijon hand^
The earth, the air, the fea, the rivers, the moun-
tains, the rocks, the caverns, the animal and vege-
table tribes are fraught with inftruction. Nature is
not half explored ; and in what is partly known
there are many myfteries, which time, obfervatiori
and experience mufc unfold. Every focial library
Ihould be furniflied with books of natural philofo-
phy, botany, zoology, chymiftry, hufbandry, geog-
raphy and aftronomy ; that inquiring minds may
be directed in their inquiries ; that they may fee
what is known and what flill remains to be difcov-
cred ; and that they may employ their leifure and
their various opportunities in endeavouring to add
to the flock of fcience, and thus enrich the world
tvlth their oblbrvations and improvements.

Permit me alfo to give you fome hints in rural
^economy. Your lands often fuffer for want of nia-
nure, when you have vaft quantities provided by the
bountiful hand of nature. The mixing of foils, and
the draining of bogs might yield immenfe profit.
The labour, though formidable at firft view, yet, b«*

NEW-HAMPSHIRE. 249

ing refolutely entered vipoii and purfued, will be as
ilitisfacftory, as the efFcdls will be lading and bene-
ficial. Yon have in many places great quantities of
marie which will enrich your land for ages ; your
fwamp mud, carried up to the higher and lighter
ground, and mixed with the dung of cattle, would
increafe your quantity of manure in a mofl furprif-
ing degree. Many of you I prefume have yet to
learn, that a great part of the nutriment of vegeta-
ble fubftances, is derived from the air, and tha.t the
foil itfelf is enriched by that means. When you lay-
down your worn out lands, if you fow them with
clover or other grafles, they will be fooner recruit-
ed than if you leave them to bear only the weeds,
which may accidentally fpring up ; and if you
plough in the green crop, yovi will promote their
fertility, in a much greater degree.

The tow which is made by the drefling of flax,
and which children are indulged in burning for
their diverfion, would furnilli the paper-mills
with ufeful materials ; and the {kins of fheep and
lambs which are often thrown away, would contrib-
ute to the manufacture of wool-cards and the bind-
ing of books. By an attention to fuch comparative-
ly fmall matters, great favings might be made, and
various kinds of artificers might be fupplied with
the means of carrying on their refpective occupa-
tions.

Suffer me to add a few words on the ufe of fpi--
ritous liquor, that bane of fociety, that deflroyer of
health, morals and property. Nature indeed has
furniflied her vegetable productions with fpirit ;
but file has fo combined it with other fubflances,
that unlefs her work be tortured by fire, the fpirit
is not feparated, and cannot prove pernicious. Why
fhould this force be put on nature, to make her
yield a noxious draught, when all her original pre*

Ff

250 HiSTOi^Y or

parations arc Salutary ? The juice of the apple,
the fermentation of barley, and the decoction of
fpruce are amply fufficient for the refrelhment of
man, let his labor be ever fo fevere, and his perfpi-
ration ever fo expenfivc. Our forefathers for many
years after the fettlement of the country, knew not
the ufe of diflilled fpirits. Malt was imported from
England, and wine from the weflern or Canary
iflands, with which they were refrefhed, before
their own fields and orchards yielded them a fup-
ply. An expedition was once undertaken againit a
nation of Indians,* when there was but one pint of
ftrong water (as it was then called) in the wdiole
army, and that was refer ved for the fick ; yet no
complaint was made for want of refrefliment.
Could we but return to the primitive manners of
our anceflors in this refpedl, we ihould be free from
many of the diforders, both of body and mind
which are now experienced. The difufe of ardent
fpirits would alfo tend to abolifh the infamous traf-
fic in fiaves, by v^hofe labour this baneful material
is procured.

Divine Providence feems to be preparing the way
for the deftruction of that deteflable commerce.
The infurre(5lions of the blacks in the Weft-Indieij
have already fpread defolation over the moft fertile
plantations, and greatly raifed the price of thofe
commodities which we have been ufed to import
from thence. If we could check the confumption
of diflilled fpirits, and enter with vigour into the
manufii(5lure of maple fugars, of which our forefts
would afford an ample liipply, the demand for
Wefl-India produtflions might be diminiihcd ; the
plantations in the iflands would not need frelh re-
cruits from Africa ; the planters would treat with
humanity their remaining blacks, and render them

* The Pecjuods, in 1037

NEW-HAMPSHIRE. 251

fufFiciently prolific to fupply them withafucceflion
of labourers ; the market for Haves would become
lefs inviting ; and the navigation, which is now
employed in the mofl pernicious fpecies of com-
merce which ever difgraced humanity, would be
turned into fome other channel.

Were I to form a pi6lure of happy fociety, it
would be a town confiiling of a due mixture of
hills, valleys and ftreams of water : The land well
fenced and cultivated ; the roads and bridges in
good repair ; a decent inn for the refrefhment of
travellers, and for public entertainments : The in-
habitants moftly hufbandmen ; their wives and
daughters domelfic manufacturers ; a fuitable pro-
portion of handicraft v/orkmen, and two or three
traders ; a phylician and lawyer, each of whom
fliould have a farm for his fupport. A clergyman
of any denomination, which fliould be agreeable to
the majority, a man of good underflanding, of a
candid difpofition and exemplary morals ; not a
metaphyseal, nor a polemic, but a ferious and prac-
tical preacher. A fchool mafter who fhould under-
ftand his bufinefs and teach his pupils to govern
themfelves. A focial library, annually increafing,
and under good regulation. A club of fenfible men,
feeking mutual improvement. A decent mufical
fociety. No intriguing politician, horfe jockey,
gambler or fot ; but all fuch charadlers treated with
contempt. Such a fituation may be confidered as
the mofl favourable to focial happinefs of any which
this world can afford,

APPENDIX.

No. I. ,

An original Letter rf Doctor Cotton Mather (o CEoucii Vaugjiak,
Esq. agent for J\''env-Hamjislurc in England ; rcUidng to Vv'lieit'tiLjlu'a
Intlkn deed. Vol. I. p. 10.

3(/, 1 mo. 1708.

SIR,

JL OU demand my thoughts upon the
date of the inftrument in which the Indian Sa-
chems of Pafcataqua convey to Mr. Whelewright
and his friends the country, whereof your people
are the prefent pofTefTors. ^ How a date in the year
' 162*9 could confifh with the true time of Mr.
' Wheleright's coming into this country r'

I cannot but admire at the providence of Heaven,
which has all along flrangeiy interpofcd, with mofl
admirable difpenfations, and particularly with
ftrange mortalities, to ftop the proceedings of the
controverfy about Mafon's claim upon you, jull in
the mofl critical moment of it.* There fcems to
have been as remarkable a difplay and inftance of
that Providence, in the finding of this 'illrument
jull before the fitting of your lafl court, about this
affair ; and after it had been, for very many years,
difcourfed of among the good men who knew of
fuch an inftrument ; but with regret concluded it
loft and gone beyond all recovery.

I fuppofc you are making your application to
thofe, who will be far from the opinion that do-
minion is founded in grace. Titles to lands are not
more or lefs valid according to the profeffion of

• Referring to iho death of Robert Maton in IC88, and of Samuel Allen in 1 705.

APPENDIX. 253

ehrifiianity in the owners. There is no protefliant
but what will acknowled^re that pagans have titles
that are incontejlahle^ and Tnat they have not, by their
paganifm, forfeited tiieir titles to the firft chriftians
that Hiall therefore pretend to them.

Let the date ofWhelewright's inilrument be what
it will, there ^ems to be an inilrument of fome fuch
importance on Mafon's part, neceffary to reader Ma-
fon's clafm cfFedlual.

Whjn the Kings of England have given patents
for Arierican lands unto their fubjects, their vir-
tue anljuilice has been fuch, that they have not
therei 1 dciigned ever to give away the properties of
the ratives here ; but always intended that their
fubjefls here fhould honejlly agree with the natives^
for vhat lands they flnould ^<s:\. under the protecflion
of t.iefe patents, before they Ihould call them their
own Briefly, you expedl a decifion of your cafe,
whffe Indian titles will have a due confideration.

i. confefs when I was firft informed of the date
y.hich your inilrument bears, I thought that it muil
bV a forgery, but I m.uil now give you my fecond
thnights upon it.

The very aged gentlewomen, his two daughters,
I bok upon as very incompetent witnefFes to de-
ternine the time of their father'syf/y? coming over
into America. I have difcourfed with the more fen-
fibleand capable of them, namely, Mrs. Pierfon,
who tells me that her father's coming over with his
famly was in the fame fhip with Mr. Samuel Whit-
irg, the miniiler of Lynn, and others, who, we are
^1 fure, came in the year 1686,* but Ihe tells me
ihe is not fure her father never vifited America be-
fore, only fhe does not remember fhe ever heard
him fpeak of it. And yet there are Ihrewd indica-

* Mr. Whelerlght is first mentioned in Wintlirop's journal in 1636, as brother to tlic
iatnous Anna Hutcliinson, the patroness of Antineniun tsnets.

254 APPENDIX.

tions of the gentleman v "^ being here, before the year
which they tell us of ; I^fuppofe you are furnifh-
ed with them. ^^ .

Your inftrument cannot be A>nvalidated, but by
fome demonftration that Mr. \. Vheleright was at
home in Lincolnihire, all the year Il^^'9. We know
there were many voyages taken, between . England and
thefe parts of America, before that yeai^'r In the
year 1624, we find Mr. Roger Conant man.x^^'ging a'
plantation, very little to the fouthward of Pa^'^fcata-
qua. It is no improbable thing, that I'uch an adive
and lively man as Mr. Whelewright, migh)\t ftep
over hither to fee how the land lay, before his t/vanf.
portation of his family.* -i

The inftrument of 1629, has upon it fuch <in*e-
fragable marks of antiquity, that if it be a forgt^ry,
it mufh be a very ancient one. It has almoil as A^ia.-
ny marks of 1629 as there be years in the numl ^er,
of which you need no recitation of mine ; you c-are
much better able than I am, to amplify upon thenF,

About an hundred and twenty years ago, thert|?
were found certain 'manufcripts, in fome vault?',
near Granada, in Spain, which, it was affirmeoi,
were fifteen hundred years old ; and they fang -/<?
deiun for the difcovery. But the Dominicians pre;^-
ently difcovered them, from the language and ^he
intent of them, to be a modern fraud of the Ff an^
cifeans. All the wit of man cannot perceive the
leaft fymptom of a modern fraud in your inftiTu-
ment. The gentleman who lit upon it, is as honeft,
upright and pious a man as any in the world, and
would not do an ill thing to gain a world. But the
circumftanccs of the inftrument itfelf, alfo, arc fuch,
that it could not be lately counterfeited. If it were
a forgery, Mr. Whelewright himfelf muft be priv)f

* See Vol. I. Appendix p. ix.

Appendix. 255

to it. But he was always a gentleman of the moft
unfpotted morals imaginable ; a man of a mofl un-
blcmiflied reputation. He would fooner have un-
dergone martyrdom, than have given the leafl con-
nivance to any forgery.

There was a time, in the year 1637, when he was
perfecuted with too much violence, in the MafTa-
chufetts Colony, but it was only for a difturbance
made about certain fpeculations, which were thought
to be of an antinomian tendency. His worft ene-
mies never looked on him as chargeable with the
lead ill practices.

The blinding heat of thofe troubles procured an
order for his remove out of the colony. 'Tis remark-
ed in the books then publiflied, that he did not go
to Rhode-Ifland, the moft inviting part of the coun-
try, whither all they went who were cenfured at the
fame time v/ith him. No, he removed then into
Hampfliire, which would invite one to think that
he had a peculiar intereft in that Province.

I have heard, that when he was a young fpark at
the Univerlity, he was noted for a more than ordi-
nary ftroke at wreftling ; and that afterward wait-
ing on Cromwell^ with vrhom he had been contem-
porary at the Univerfity, Cromw^ell declared to the
gentlemen then about him * that he could remember
' the time when he had been more afraid of meet-

* ing Whelewright at football, than of meeting any
' army fince in the field ; for he was infallibly furo

* opy"[ng tr'ipt up by him.'

^nov/ not whether the inftrument of his now,
. your hands, will have as good an efficacy as the
owner had. You will doubtlefs think it has, if, in
wreftling v/ith your adverfaries, it trip up their
caufe, and give them a fall. I fliould abhor, that
the caufe of my beft friends, and a very good caufe,
ever fhould be ferved by any indirect means ; yet

^56 APPENDIX.

I verily think this inftrument ought very much to
be confidered, and to have a very great weight al-
lowed unto it.

Sir, I wifh you a good voyage, and a good iffue,
and I'ublcribe,

Your fincere fervant,

CO. MATHER.

P. S. I forgot to tell you that when my parent-
lay at Plymouth, bound for New-England, on March
24, 1691-2, Mr. Sherwell, a miniller then living
there, told him that his grandfather and one Mn
Coleman and another, had a patent for that which
Mr. Mafon pretended unto at Pafcataqua. You may
do well to inquire further concerning it.

No. 11.

Lieut. Governor V AXSGilMi^a S/iecch at the Co7n\cil Board., Stjii. 24, 1717;
{Vol. II. p. 22.)

Gentlemen,

Jl OU cannot but believe that I am in-
formed of many things fpoken to my prejudice.
When private whifpers, defamatory to me are hand-
ed forward, I pafs them over with flight and difre-
gjird, and believe that every thing hitherto defign-
ed againft me has turned to my advantage, and will
flill do fo. But when matters are carried farther,
wherein the honor of the Crown, and the intereft of
the King's Majefly is efpeciaily (Iruckat ; when re-
venge's mother utters bold challenges, raifeth batte-
ries, and begins to cannonade the powers ellablifli-
cd by my sovereign, I acknowledge myfelf alarmed,
which I Ihall in no wife tolerate or endure ; as I am
honored of the King, 1 v/ill do my utmoft to fup-

APPENDIX. 257

port it, and not let his commiflion be vllifipcl at the
rate fome will have it. To have a due deference
paid to it, is what the King requires and expe dis, ef-
pecially from his miniilcrs ; and to have them flu-
dious of lellening the authority therein granted, is
an aggravated fiult, and I cannot but wonder at
the arrogance and pride of thofe who do not con-
(ider I am a fuperior match, as being armed with
power from my Prince, 'who doth execution at the ut-
terance of a word, and 1 hope none will be fo flur-
dy as to difpute it. If I foar too high, the fall will
not crufli them : If they run too faif , their repent-
ance may be timely. What I have to fay to you,
Mr. Penhallow, is in grofs, and is, that your bufi-
nefs, for a long time, has been to fow difcord in the
Commonwealth, and your endeavours to propagate
confufion and difference in each town within the
government ; when avowed principles oblige you
to fodder, as much as in you lies, the affecflions of
magiftrates and people, thereby to divert all things
which naturally produce difFeniions, tumult and
feuds, the particulars I have, and fliall tranfmit to
my Lord the King, in whofe name, and by virtue of
whofe power, \fifpend you^ Samuel Penhallow, from
fitting, voting, and aflifling at the Council Board,
till his Majefly's pleafure fhall be known.

No. III.

An original Letter from Sir William Ashurst* io Dr. Increase Ma-
ther,

Rev. Sir,

1 HAVE your letter of 12th Augufl
lafl, which I would have fooner anfwered, but that I
tmderftood that there has no fhip gone to you this
winter. I am pleafed at what you write of your

^58 ArPENDIX.

Lieutenant Governor, that he acquits himfelfwor^
thily, and is a friend to the civil and ecclefiaftical
eonilitution. I alFurc you, if I had not known this
to behis characfler (not from your agent, but from
other impartial and diiinterefted hands) you had
never feen him in that ilation. I have no perfonal
difrefpe6l to Col. Taller ; on the other hand I wifii
him in his private capacity much happincfs and prof^
perity for his deceafed uncle's fake, whofe memory
I eHeem and value ; but when the intercft and wel-
fare of the public is before me, I never fufFer myfelf
to be influenced by any partial confiderations ; and'
who can think it proper, that the fecond poft in the
government fliould be filled by one who not content
with diffenring from the eflabliihed churches by his
eonlf ant practice, did engage, at the head of a party
in a concerted defign, to fubvert their foundations ?

I do not know but fach a procedure may recom-
mend him to fome people, but it mull needs difqual-
ify him to you and me, w^ho know on what princi-
ples New-England was firft fettled, and what were
the pious iDo Lives which prevailed on the firil plant-
ers to lorfake their native land, and plant a wilder-
nefs.

I hope I have done as w^ell, in getting the Lieiif.
Governor of Netz'-HampJ/jire dii^^\'dQQ(\^ who prefented
a memorial, when he vv^as here, to the King and min-
iflry, to bring Nevz-England into the land tax of
Great-Britain, and propofed, that a receiver fhould
be appointed by the Crown, to gather in the money.
For a native of New-England to be the author of"
fuch a memorial, is a nionllirous offence ; and if you
fuffer fuch people to be eafy among you, yet they
fliall never efcape my refentment whilr I have any
intereft or power at Court.

I am very glad tliat you are ftill ufeful in your
advanced age. To preach conflantly at fourfcorc

APPENDIX, 259

and to fo large an audience, and without notes, is
a rare example, and fcarcely to be found in hiftory.
por myfelf, I am ten years Ihort of you, yet I think
I have great acknowledgments to make to divine
Providence, for the meafure of health I enjoy, and
the opportunities I have of being yet ferviceable in
feveral ftatlons. I conftancly attend at the excife of-
fice, where I have the honor to fit as a commiflioner,
and at the court of aldernicn, where I am the fenior
in rank, though not in years. Befides thefe employ-
ments I have vacant hours for the fervice of my
<:ountry in general, and my friends in particular ;
but I can tell you with a great deal of truth that 7io
part of my life has given me more fatisfadiion than that
wherein I have ferved the inter cjl of Ne'w-Englajid^ ef^
pecially my favourite work, the propagation of the
gofpel among the natives, in which difpofition I hope
I fliall continue to my life's end.

I refer you to the prints for public news. You'll
hear various reports about the unhappy divifions in
the royal family ; which all good men are forry for.
1 have nothing to fay upon that fubjedl:, only that
the King a6ls in every thing with a prudent and
fteady refolution becoming the charad;er of a great
and wife prince.

I am, Sir, your affediionate friend,
and fervant,

W. ASHURST.

l^ondoTi, March 10, 1717-18.

!260 ArpiNpiy.

No. IV,

^e hinnble Afmlogy rf the Peofde rf ^Yut field to hin ExccUcvcy Samwri.
Shute, Geiuyral, Gvvernor mid Co7)wiandcr in Chi'f of hin AJajtaty'i
Froviiiccs of the JMu&suchiiscHa Bay and A'^w-JlftrnJu/iire in Ac-stt-
J£?z_t{laj2d.

May it pleafe your Excellency ^

TF'

1 HE fubfcribers having feen a copy of
your Excellency's letter to Captain White and Cap-
tain Kimbell, find themfelves under a neceffity of
vindicating themfelves from the charges given in
againft them ; it being allowable by the law of na-
ture and of nations, to the greateil criminals to de-
fend themfelves when they juitly plead in their own
vindication. We were furprifed to hear ourfelves
termed /r£/;6 ^(?(9j6/<? when we fo frequently ventured
our all for the Britifh crown and liberties againil the
Irifh papifls, and gave all teils of our loyalty which
the government of Ireland required, and are always
ready to do the fame here when demanded. Though
we fettled at Nutfield, yet we ufed no violence in the
manner of our fettlement, feeing no body in the lead
offered to hinder us, to fet down in a defolate wilder-
nefs ; and we were fo far from hindering the English
that really had a mind to plant with us, that many of
them are now incorporated with us. After our fet-
tlement we found that two or three different parties
claimed Nutfield, by virtue of Indian deeds, and we
were given to underfhand, that it was ncceffary for
us to hold the foil by fome right pur chafed from the na-
tives. Accordingly we made application to the Hon,
Col. Wheelwright of Wells, and obtained his Indian
right ; which we have to fhcw. His deed being of
ninety years Handing, and conveyed from the chief

APPENDIX. 261

S;ic:amorcs between the rivers of Merrimack and Paf-
cataqaa, with the confent of the whole tribes of the
ladiau nation, and well executed, is the moil authen-
tic we have iean ; and the lubicribers could not in
reafon think that a deed which is not twenty years
old, of land which is not fufficiently butted and
bounded, from an obfcure Indian, could give any
right to land v/hich had been fold fo many years
before, by the right owners. And the fubfcribers
hope they will be excufed from giving away fo good
a title, for others that cannot pretend rationally to
be fo well fupported ; and which they alv/ays re-
fufed to warrantee and make good againfl other
claims. The dutiful applications which we have
made to both courts, if we be incorporated, in what-
foever province we fall to be, will witnefs for our
refpecl to his Majefly's government. If affidavits
have been given againfl one of our number as ufing
fome threatening exprefTions, we hope it will not be
imputed to the community. If our accufers be per-
mitted to come up in troops, as they have done and
violently demoliihed one of our houfes, and de-
fcroyed part of our hay, and threatened and infult-
ed us with impunity, to the great terror of our wives
and children, when we fufFered patiently, and then
accufeus to our rulers of violence, injuflice, fraud,
force, infolence, cruelty, difhonour of his Majefly's
government, and difturbance of his Majefly's fub-
je6ls, injuries and offences to the Englifli, and the
like, when we know ourfelves to be innocent, we
think it hard meafure ; and muft have recourfe to
God, who forbiddeth to take up a bad report againfl
our neighbour, and will, we hope, bring forth our
righteoufnefs as the light, and our judgment as the
noon day. If we be guilty of thefe diforders, we
know we are liable to a legal trial, and are not fo
weak as to fuppofe ourfelves to be out of the reach

262 , APPENDIX.

of your Excellency's government. The llibfcribcrs
hope that if any other accufations come in againft
them, they will be allowed an equal hearing before
they be condemned ; and as we enjoy the liberty
of the gofpel here, which is fo great a mercy, fhall
improve it, for God's glory ; and as he has taught
us, be dutiful to his Majefty's government, fet over
us, and, if pofiible, live peaceably with all men,
fhall be delirous of peaceable neighbours, that want
to fettle with us, and to help us to fubdue a part of
this vail and uncultivated wildernefs ; and Ihall not
ceafe to pray for the divine blefling on your Excelr-
Jency's perfon and government.

Done at NutUeld, Feb. 27, 1719-20, and
fubfcribed by

JAMES M'GREGORE, &c.

No. V.

An original Letter of Governor Shutk to 3Ir. PknmaLlow.

Boston, Feb. 2, 1718-19.

Sir,

UR. COOKE having again over his cup5
treated me very fcandaloufly, I have complained to
the council who I don't queftion will do me juflice.
It will be of fervice to me to have a certificate to
fliew hoiv drunk he ivas that night that he and Col.
GofFbroke into our company at young Gerrilh's, for
I remember that you and Mr. Bridger told me that
he flay'd fo long after we were gone, as to getyS
drunk that he coud neither go Jiorjland ; if this be
ftrongly certified, I believe it will give him a good
lift. Pray my fervice to the Lieut. Governor, the
council and your family.

I am, Sir, your humble fervant,

SAMUEL SHUTE.

appendix:. 26^

No. VI.

To hii Evcdl'^ncij Jonathan BKLcurn, F.^q. Captain Generat and Com-
mandi'rin Clt'trfin and o~orr hin Majeati/s Province of A''ew-Hiimfiiilnrc
in A'ciu-l'hi_;^land. To tJtc Honourable the Council and Reprcieiilalivei
in Gcnenal Court a^.icmbled., The Complaint and Petition of Hugh
Adams, Clerks the Gosficl Minrstcr arid Pastor of the Church at Vur-
?iam within Mid Provincey

HUMBLY SHEWETH,

Forasmuch as your complainant
petitioner hath been more than one and twenty
years hift pail a labom'er in the word and dodlrine
of Chrifl fincerely to the utmofl of his ability
^mongfl that people, although the good laws of this
jfaid province fo far have required of them ; and
fheir own contratfl or agreement with him, voted
by them in the firft week of the month of Aprils
anno 1717, as by a copy of the record of Oyfler
river pariili or faid town, as alfo by the evidences
of fome of their then feledl men and committee may
appear in order for his fupport, with a competent
falary of one hundred and four pounds during his
miniflry there, even then when filver money was
not of more value than ten iliillings per ounce an-
nually, to be paid as then underflood in the real
value thereof, and not only in the bare name of fo
much, and unanimouily agreed by their then com-
mittee, to be paid pundlually each year, one half of
faid falary, i. e. £,52 at the end of or within each-
fix months, i. e. the firft week in 06lober and Aprils
with other material articles of faid agreement for
his maintenance among them, which alfo hath oblig-
ed them thereunto, yet have they not in any one
year of faid time of three apprenticefhips fince their
faid contrail, been honeft nor faithful by the pay-

APPENDIX. 264

liient thereof in the juft value, nor in due ieafon, Co
as that the hire of his minifterial labours fo much
and long being kept back by their facri legions fraud,
hath been crying in the ears of Chrifl the Lord of
fabbaoth, fo to expofe them and their covenant and
filent neighbours in this faid province, unto the
curfe denounced which hath been fo long ^nd often
executed in fuch a variety of deftroying, terrifying
and impoverilhing judgments of God, too many
herein to be enumerated, and fo much thereof evi-
dently occafloned by iaid parilli and town, being
therein fo long tolerated with impunity, as an Achan
in the camp ; and as the feven fons of Saul, in the
days of King David ; and as Jonah in the fliip of the
commonwealth of this province aforefaid. And
efpecially whereas the principal article in the faid
Contract infifted on by their fliid minifter, wherein
their then feiecfl men and committee agreed, by
inanual vote and voice (nemine contradicente) but
•was not entered by their then parifli clerk, John
Smith, who deceafed anno 1722, with or after the
ether articles hereof in the record rolls of their then
pariih of Oylter river, or iince town of Durham,
and Iince yearly on very fervent intreaties to have
the fame articles entered upon their records and
obierved for the yearly performance thereof for the
future, whereunto neverthelcfs they have been in-
exorable beyond all reafon and julUce, hitherto in
difregarding faid above hinted article, viz. That
each year one half of fiid falary of ;Ci04, which is
/C5^Z, ihould be paid in to him or his order at or be-
fore the end of each fix months or half year, i. e,
the firfl; week in 0(51ober and April, which com-
mittee vote or vow of theirs, has never yet, in any
one year of the twenty-one years of my minillry
amongfl them, been performed : But moflly defer-
red until at lead three months after faid former half

AtPENDlX. 265

year's harvcil was ended, when the price of provi-
sions was raifed at lead twenty-five per cent, dearer
than at harveft or in gathering thereof; which de-
linquency of theirs in faid twenty-one years hath
been to the damage of faid minifter above £5'20
in faid parilh and town, efpecially where he has
been neceffitated, rather than ftarve, to borrovv^ con-
fiderable fums of money upon fix, ten, fifteen and
twenty per cent, interefl yearly, and running on in-
terefl upon interell:, yet unto this day, to his im-
poverifhing opprefTion, and finking difcouragement ;
and reduced his falary of jC104 of late years to the
name thereof, when in prefent value as the altered
prices of all ncceffaries for livelihood are about two
hundred per cent, dearer than when their faid con-
trail was made. His falary now is fcarce more in
real worth than £36 each year, although their rate-
able heads, families, cattle and lands have increafed
treble their ability more than at firlf agreement.
Alfo this year, 1 738, the majority of faid Durham
inhabitants have (lopped their ears at the cry of the
poor at their two publick town meetings, although
it is threatened they fhall cry themfelves but fhall
liot be heard.

Therefore now the opprefling fieceffities of the
complainant petitioner conflrain him to pray he may
be regarded by this great and General Court afTem-
bled in thefe his following requefls, as Chrifl Jefus
Immanual, to encourage each of his faithful minif-
ters, teftifyeth faying, ' He that heareth you, hear-
eth me.*

1. Requeft that the records of faid parlfh, named
Oyfler river, and now chartered tov/n of Durham,
may be fo far impeached as that the faid article
may be entered by the prefent town clerk, Lieut,
Samuel Smith ; and accordingly that he may be
fummoned to bring Durham's tovs^n-book of rolls,

H h

266 APPENDi>:.

and likcwife Capt. Francis Matthews, tlic fGrmer'
town clerk, to bring the record rolis of laid Oyfter
river parifli if yet in his pofTefiion ; and likewife
Lieut. Abraham Bcnnick and Mr. Sampfon Doe,
then of the felecSlmen and committee for faid parifh
in that year 1717, to give in or renew their oath or
affidavit, each of them for confirming the truth of
faid article.

2. Requeil that the petitioner's faid falary of
XlOl may be enabled for the future during the re-
mainder of his m.iniftry in faid town, to be made
good in full value as really as in name, and to be
paid in due' feafon according to the rcquefl and ar-
ticle aforefaid, with fufRcient penalty for any delin-
quency thereof, which, as vs^ritten in the divine law
moral, is the fifth part of the principal, to be added
unto it a.8 evident from Lev. v. 15^ 16. Num. v.
6, 7, 8.

3. Requoft that delinquency from the payment
of any lawful fettled miniiler's ialary within faid
province, may be enacted a criminal cafe, or mat-
ter prefentable by any grand juror, upon complaint
made to him at each or any court of feiTions quar-
terly, as in the Mafiachufetts province government,
which I perceive by Pfalms xli. 1^2, 3y is the prin-
cipal reafon why they have been hitherto proportion-
ably fpared from the throat pcjl'dcncc and other im-
poverilhing, more than New-Hampfliire.

4. Requeil that Daniel Davis of faid Durham,
may be fummoned and judged by this mod Hon-
ourable Court of New-Iiampfliire province afore-
faid, for his lundry years, trefpalling upon and in-
clofing within his fence and detaining fo forcibly
from faid minifler feveral years previous pollefTion
thereof, f undry acres of upland, and flilt marlh and
thatch bed, belonging to the glebe land or parfon-
age, poU'effed by, improved for, as alfo granted to,

APPENDIX. 2(37

strKe mrniiler of fald parifli or town at leaft fixty years,
and for evidence thereof, .that Capt. Francis Matli-
cws and his next neighbour Jonathan Willey the
eldeil, and Jofeph Stephens, his Ion, and William
Willey, may each of them be fummoned. More-
over the laid robbed and defrauded minifter prays
that it may likewife be ordered, that the felcd: men
of f lid each year may refcue faid parfonage land
from him the laid Daniel Davis and every other un-
juft incroacher thereon, and on each other par<:el of
glebe land or parfonage (as viz.) the long marlh and
that parcel of minifterial land lying on the high-
way leading S. and W. toward Lampereel river,
and bounded E. and S. on Potter Mafon's land,
and S. and W. on Richard Denbow's land, each of
which is incroached upon by one or other of the ad-
jacent neighbours, and although their miniiler, as
their fpiritual flither, fo long feeking their welfare
in gathering of a church lirfl amongfl them, on
March 26, 1718, his prevailing as the dreirer of
their church vineyard, with Immanual Chrifl Jefus
the Lord thereof, for his grarxt of four years proba-
tion, whether the barren fig trees might, by a minif-
terial hulf)andry expended on them, be prevailed
with to bear fruit proportionably that it might be
well with them as in the gofpel parable thereof,
Luke xiii. 7, 8, 9, and when the Indian war began,
anno 1722, and that five perfons were cut down
thereby, in our pa.riili ; who hath likewife prevail-
ed with the heavenly Prince of Peace to make and
keep his covenant of peace with and for us- as writ-
ten in Ezekiel xxxiv, 25, yearly pleaded and grant-
ed thefe thirteen years hitherto, notw^th Handing
the fo repeatedly many rumours of wars free from
the reality thereof. Likewife in the year 1729,
when Captain Samuel Emerfon and Lieut. Jonathan
Thompfon and Hubbard Stevens had harraffed
their niinifler with an antichriftian council ecclefi-

268 APPENDIX.

aftical countenanced by the then Commander in
chief, after which the fliid Emerfon and Korite
company, by their negative c'aiidofline votes robbed
him of the £50 addition to his falary, they granted
him the preceding year 1728. In his io provoked
fubjeclion to pafTion, as Elias in James v. i7, 18, he
the faid minilter, vv^hile it was yet more than three
months to the harvefl, prayed it might not rain, and
it rained not until thrq.e' months after ; when in re-
gard to the opportunity of fome friendly brethren,
he appointed and confcieiitioully fancStified a church
fall, from evening to evening, abilained three meals
from eatings drinking zndfmocking any thing ; in be-
ginning of September that year 1729 ; and the
Lord Chrifl was pleafed to hear in heaven and grant
fuch repeated plentiful and warm rains, as recover-
ed the languiQiing corn, grafs and fruits of the trees,
unto a coniiderable harveft thereof; io as was then
remarkable. And in that year 1733, when the (aid
parifh, by the General Court, was chartered into
the townfhip of Durham in anfv/er unto their faid
minifter's petition, for its privileges and faid name
as therein pleaded for, and the inhabitants of laid
town proceeded by their chofen committee, at their
mod general meeting, to divide their commonr, vot-
ing their minifter aforefaid, Ihould, as he did draw
lots for them all, yet he cannot prevail with the lot
layers to furvey his lot of twenty-five acres, nor in-
form him where he may have it laid out for him,
neither have faid inhabitants fulfilled their condi-
tion of honourably fupporting their minifter. And
fince no inferior Court in this faid province hither-
to could do juftlce to your petitioner, he is there-
fore now necelfitated to flee for refuge to this Su-
preme Leg-illative Court of nurfing fathers ; in each
of which requefts, your fo long oppreffed petition-
er importunately afketh forjuftice, firmly believ-

APPENDIX, 2G^

ing, after thot^ God will be intreated for the land in
New-Hampiliire.

So complaineth and prayeth the above named pe-
titioner,

HUGH ADAMS.

No. VII.

The ofiini'jm: ff John RkAd and Robert Auchmuty, en the case o/' JoiiH
TuFTON Mason, 173S.

Nrrv'V. 1 HE Prcfident and Council eftab-
lifhed at Plymouth for the planting and governing
of New-England, granted to Capt. John Mafon, of
London, Efq. all that part of the main land in New-
England from the middle of Merrimack river, along
the fea coall to Pafcataqua River, up that river to
the fartheft head thereof, and from thence north-
weftward till three fcore miles be finifhed from the
entrance of Pafcataqua river, and from Merrimack
through that river to the fartheft head thereof, and
fo forwards up into the land weflward, till three
fcore miles be finifhed, and from thence to crofs
over land to the three fcore miles end, accounted
from Pafcataqua river, together with all the iflands
within five miles of the premifes, with the appur-
tenances which the faid John Mafon, with their
confent, intended to name New-Hampfhire, to hold
to the faid John Mafon and his heirs.

1635, April 22. The prefident and council afore-
faid, grant to the faid John Mafon, all that part of
New-England, from the middle of Naumkege river,
along the fea coafl, round Cape-Ann to Pafcataqua
harbour, and up the river Newichawannack, to the
fartheft head thereof, and from thence ^o^t^"^o55^n
ward till fixty miles be finifLied from the epj jg„y^
of Pafcataqua harbour, and from Naumkege t g^f^Qi^

1

^70 APPENDir.

the river into the land weft fixty miles, from whi^ch
period, to crofs over land to the fixty miles end, ac-
counted from Pafcataqua aforefiiid, and the fbuth
half of the lile of Shoals and all other illands with-
in five leagues of the premifes, all to be called New-
Hampihire, alfo another parcel of land lying on the
fouth eaft fide of Sagadahock, at the mouth of the
river, containing near ten thoufand acres, to be cal-
led by the name of Mafonia, to hold to him and his
heirs.

N. B. Sir William Jones, and Sir F. Winning-
ton, attorney and folicitor-general in their report in
favour of Robert Mafon, grandfon of John Maibn,
his title to New-Hamplhire, mention another grant
from faid prelident and council, to Gapt. John
Mafon, dated 9th March, 1620, \yhich I have not
feen.

1635, Nov. 26. Capt. John Mafon, by his lafl
will, devifed to the mayor and commonalty of King-
flynn, two thoufand acres of land in his county of
New-Hampfnire, or manor of Mafon hall in New-
England, which his executrix and overfeer lliould
think moft fit. Ilem to his brother-in-law John
AVollafton, three thoufand acres of land in his coun-
ty of New-Hamplhire or manor of Mafon hall,
where his faid brother and executrix Ihould think
fit ; to hold to him and his heirs. lU'm to his grand-
child Anne Tufton, Mafonia, to hold to her and her
heirs. Ik'77i to his grandchild Robert Tufton, his
manor of Mafon Hall, to hold to him and his heirs,
provided he alter his firname, and name himlelf
Mafon firft. Ilem to John Wollafton aforefaid two
thoufand acres of land in this county of New-
Hampfliirc, in trufl to convey one thoufand to fome
feofiee in trufl towards the maintenance of a godly
mim'Aer in Nevv-IIampfhire, and the other thou-
fand to\^fonie feoffee towards the maintenance of h
free grammar fchool in Ncw-Hampfliire. Ite?n to

APPENDIX. Stl

ills grandchild John Tufton, all the reft of his ma^
nors, ineiluages lands, tenements and hereditaments,
in his county of New-Hampfliire, or elfewhere in
New-England, to hold to him and the heirs of his
body. Remainder to his coufin Dodlor Robert Ma-
fon, and the heirs male of his body, and for want
of fiich ifTue to revert to the donor and his heirs,
provided his grandchild John Tufton fliall alter his
firname, and iirname himfelf Mafon ; firft provide
ed alfo the faid John Tufton fliall pay his fifter Ma-
ry Tufton out of the manors meffuages, lands and
tenements aforefaid, jC5G0 iferling for her prefer-
ment in marriage, &c. and died, and on the fecond
of December following, his will was proved in the
prerogative court of Canterbury, and adminiftration
granted to Anne, his widow executrix.

1677. John and Anne, grandchildren, died with-
out ilTue, and their eftates came to Robert Tufton
Mafon, accordingly for whom King Charles II. fet-
tled the bound line between New-Hampfliire and
the Maffachufetts Bay, and he died leaving two fons,
John and Robert.

1691, Jp'il 27'. John and Robert Tufton Ma-
fon bargained and fold to Samuel Allen of London,
merchant, for a fum of money, all New-Hampfliire,
as bounded in their great grandfather's grant of
1635, and Mafonia, alfo part of the province of
Main, the country Mariana, province of Laconia,
and feveral towns in New-Hampfhire, as heretofore
defcribed with the appurtenances, deed and charters
thereof, to hold to him and his heirs. Then John
died without iffue. That Robert Tufton Mafon,
furviving great grandfon of Captain John Mafon,
lived and died at Portfmouth, of Pafcataqua, about
forty years ago, leaving his eldeft fon, John Tufton
Mafon and feveral other children ; and this John
Tufton Mafon about twenty years after, died, leav-
ing one only child, John Tufton Mafon, of Bofton,

Ti^ APPENDIX.

mariner, who claims tlie province of New-Ham p*
{hire, and would compound with the province of
the MaiTachufetts Bay all differences between them,

Ou. Upon the whole, what interefl hath this
John Tufton Mafon in New-Hampfliire, and td
what purpofe and effect can the province'" agree
ivith him, ani in what manner execute it ?

A'nfin). So much as the Prefident and Council
aforefaid conveyed to Captain John Mafon for New-
Ham plliire, except the lalids Ibuthvv'ard of Merri-
mack river, and within three miles of it on the
northerly lide, which was before conveyed to the
inhabitants of the colony of the MaiTachufetts, and
except {ft\<ixi thoufand acres particularly devifed, and
the manor of Mafon Hall, the bounds and contents
whereof I know not. I fay all the refl of New-
Hamplhirc, Captain John Mafon, by his will afore-
faid, devifed to ins grandfon, John Tufton Mafon,
in tail, general. Remainder to his grandlbn, Rob-
ert Tufton Mafon, in tail general, with remainders
over, and the right has properly remained defcend-
ed, and come to this John Tufton Mafon, of Bollon,
mariner, the alienation of his great uncle and grand-
father aforefiid notwithftanding, which could be
of no avail after their death. But if at their death
his father was of full age, it is fo many years ago,
that his fuit is effcdlually barred by iiatute 21,
James I. chap. xvi. which requires him or his heir^
to bring it within twenty years after the title accru-
ed at fartheil. And if he ever came of age, he or
his heirs cuuld have but ten years after he was of
age, ar aiter his death, to bring this fuit, which muft
be elapfed in this time, and their fuit intirely bar-
red, for which only realbn I am of opinion this
Province can neiihet get nor lofe by him and his ti-
tle aforefaid. JOHN READ.

' Of Massachusctti.

APPENi:)IX. 273

1 conceive the right properly defcends to John
Tufton Malon, of Bofton, mariner, the alienation
atbrefaid notwithtlanding ; and am of opinion the
llacute of limitation aforcfaid will not be held of it-
felf to extend to New-England, being an a6l not
affirmative of the common law in abridgment of
the general right the party has of purfuing, and be-
yond twenty years afferting his property, and from
the exprefs words of the ilatute, the fame appears
to be confined to the realm of England. John Tuf-
ton Mafon cannot convey but for his life, and not
that, being out of poffelTion, till he regains the fame.
Whatever fruit the province may expect from hi»
title mull: be by proper powers.

ROBERT AUCHMUTY.

Bofton, June la.llSS.

No. VIII.

Ciii/iy r,f Querifin staled by J E'REyir Gridley, VLsq. ij' liosSon, and an^
sTvei-ed by N. Fazakekley, Esq. of London^

Qii. VV HETHER a fine fur cognizance^
&c. levied at Weftminfter, of lands lying in New-
England, by fi6lion, fuppofed to be in England, will
bar the heir in tail by common or flatute law ?

I am of opinion that the heir in tail will not be bar-
red or affected thereby.

Oil. Whether a common recovery fufFered of fuch
lands, will be a bar to the heir in tail ? N. B. There
was a proper court in the plantation where a fine
might have been levied, and a recovery fuffered, and
the f ervice of the writ in the common recovery wa$
upon the heir in tail then in England.

I think the heir in tail will not be barred or af-
feded thereby.

n

274 APPENDIX.

Oil. Whether fuch a fine and recovery will bar
the heir in tail in a plantation where fuch heir has
aright to the jurifdidlion and prerogatives ufed by
the Bifhop of Durham in the county palatine of
Diu'ham, though he did not exercife his right at that
time, and there were courts there under the appoint-
ment of the crown ?

If the facfts relating to this queftion had been
ftated, I might have been able to have given a diredl
anfwer to this queftion. However this general an-
fwer may probably anfwer the intent of the quef-
tion, for I am of opinion that a fine, or recovery, can-
not operate upon any real eftate or intereft lying out
of the jurifdidlion of the court of common pleas, and
confequently cannot bar or affect any eftate tail in
any foreign colony or plantation. And in my opin-
ion fuch a law would be of moft dangerous confe-
quence to eftates in thofe countries, and introduce
great uncertainty and confuiion if the eftates of the
inhabitants v/ere to be affedied by records privately
made up in this country, which may be laid in one
country as weil as another.

On. Whether any judgments have been given at
Weftminfter, upon the validity and force of fuch
fines and recoveries, and what are they ?

I know not that there has been any fuch judg-
ment ; but a few years ago, v/hen the prefent Lord
Chancellor was Chief Jullicc of the King's Bench,
there was a writ of error brought to rcverfe a fine
levied in the common pleas, and the error afTigncd
was that it appeared upon the face of the record,
that the lands lay in part'ibus tranfmarinis^ and the
defendant in error was {o fenfible of the objedlion,
that he moved the court of common pleas to amend
by ftriking out the words in partihiis iranfniarinisy
wliich put an end to the caule. And I do not know
of any other judgment. But as to recoveries, how

APPENDIX. 275

can a writ of feizin be awarded or returned ? for
the Iheriff cannot give feizin of lands out of his
Bailiwick.*

N. FAZAKERLEY.
A%' 21, 1754.

No. IX.

An original Lcttes from Gov. Wkntv/ohth to Gov. Shirley.

Portsmouth 22d March^ 1754.

SIR,

J-T gives me great concern to find by
your Excellency's letter of the 18th current, that
the intelligencies you have from the eaflward, con-
firm the report of the Fort the French are building
on or near Kennebeck river. This part of the
French policy, it concerns all his Majefty's colonies
to defeat, as the building forts within the undoubt-
ed limits of his Majefty's dominions, is not only a
violation of all treaties fubfifting between his Bri-
tannick Majefty and the French King, but has a fa-
tal tendency to difturb the peace and quiet of all his
Majefty's colonies on the continent of America, and
therefore I fhall think it my duty, if I can obtain
alliftance from the aflembly, to prevent not only
the building this, but any other fort within the
known limits of the King's dominions, after they
have been defired and required to defift.

In a poftcript of my laft letter, I advifed your Ex-
cellency that the two perfons indi6led for the mur-
der of two Indians, the grand Jurors had found a bill
againft, and on Monday they were put in irons, and
to remain fo until the day appointed for their trial,

* Tlie seizin of the Lands of New-Hampshire, when sold to Samuel Allen, was g»«B
by the SheriflF of Kent, in England.

276 APPENDIX.

but on Thurfday morning about two of the clock,
a mob aflembled, and with axes and crows broke
open, and rent in pieces the outer and inner doors
of the prifon, and refcued the prifoners, and in fo
iilent a manner, that the neighbouring hoi^fes were
not diflurbed, until the main body had got pofTef-
fion of the prifoners, and then they marched out of
town, firing guns, and in a mofh infolent manner.
As to the numbers ic is varioufly reported, fome fay
two hundred, and others three hundred, but it is
my opinion, they thought themfelves ftrong enough
to refill: the town had they been difcovered ; and it
is generally fuppofed the far greater part of this ri-
otous gang came out of the country, and from the
frontiers who will be mofl expofed, if by their un-
precedented conduc-l it fliouldbe thecaufe of a war;
but that a white man fliould not be hanged for kill-
ing an Indian, has taken fuch deep root in the minds
of the unthinking multitude, that it is impofilble to
remove it.

I convened the council on this occafion, who ad-
vifed me to iflue a proclamation, promifing a re-
ward for apprehending the prifoners, but they de-
fired to fufpend their advice on the rioters, until the
next week, alledging that as there was fo great a
number concerned, it mufl be impoflible but fome
difcovery mufi: be made in a more eafy way ; fo I
have adjourned the confideration thereof until next
week, hoping fome difcovery may be made in the
jnean time, of fome of the leaders.

I am, with the grcateft refpecl.
Sir, your Excellency's mofl
obedient, humble fervant,

B. WENTWORTH.

APPENDIX. ?77

No. X.

A fwrlladar Account of the Cafitivity of Mrs.i'E.isinis. Howe, by tin Rev,
BuNKF.n Gay, (f HinsJale, in a Utter to the Author.

^^75?'' As MeflVs. Caleb Howe, Hilkiah
Grout, and Benjamin Gaffield, Vv^ho had been hoe-
ing corn in the meadow, weft of the river, were re-
turning home, a little before funfet, to a place cal-
led Bridgman's Fort, they were fired upon by-
twelve Indians, who had ambufhed their path.
Howe was on horfeback, with two young lads, his
children, behind him. A ball, which broke his
thigh, brought him to the ground. His horfe ran
a few rods and fell likewife, and both the lads were
taken. The Indians in their favage manner, com-
ing up to Howe, pierced his body with a fpear,
tore off his fcalp, ftuck a hatchet in his head, and
left him in this forlorn condition. He was found
alive the morning after, by a party of men from
Fort Hinfdale ; and being afked by one of the par-
ty whether he knew him, he anfwered yes, I know
you all. Thefe were his laft words, though he did
not expire until after his friends had arrived with
him at Fort Hinfdale. Grout was fo fortunate as
to efcape unhurt. But Gaffield, in attempting to
wade through the river, at a certain place which
was indeed fordable at that time, was unfortunate-
ly drowned. Flufhed with the fuccefs they had
met with here, the favages went diredlly to Bridg-
man's Fort. There was no man in it, and only
three women and fome children, viz. Mrs. Jemima
Howe, Mrs. Submit Grout, andMrs.Unice Gaffield.
There hufbands, I need not mention again, and
their feelings at this jundture I will not attempt to

278 APPENDIX.

defcribe. They had lieard the enemies guns, but
knew not what had happened to their friends.
Extremely anxious for their fafety, they ftood long-
ing to embrace them, until at length, concluding
from the noife they heard without that fome of
them were come, they unbarred the gate in a hur-
ry to receive them ; when lo ! to their inexprefli-
ble difappointment and furprifc, inllead of their
hufbands, in ruflied a number of hedious Indians,
to whom they and their tender offspring became an
eafy prey ; and from whom they had nothing to
expedl, but either an immediate death, or a long
and doleful captivity. The latter of thefe, by the
favor of Providence, turned out to be the lot of
thefe unhappy women and their ftill more unhap^
by, becaufe more helplefs, children. Mrs. Gaffield
had but one, Mrs. Grout had three, and Mrs. Howe
feven. The eldeft of Mrs. Howe's was eleven years
old, and the youngefl but fix months. The two
eldeft were daughters, which llie had by her firft
hufband, Mr. William Phipps, who was alfo flain
by the Indians, of which, I doubt not but you have
feen an account in Mr. Doolittle's hiftory. It was
fromthe mouth of this woman that I lately receiv-
ed the foregoing account. She alfo gave me, I doubt
not, a true, though to be fure, a very brief and im-
perfedl hiftory of her captivity, which I here infert
for your perufal. It may perhaps afford you fome
amufement, and can do no harm ; if after it has
undergone your critical infpe(5tion, you fliould not
think it (or an abreviation of it) worthy to be pre-
ferved among the records you are about to pub-
lifh.

' The Indians (fhe fays) having plundered and
put fire to the Fort, we marched as near as I covdd
judge, a mile and a half into the woods, where we
encamped that night. When the morning came,

APPENDIX. §79

and we had advanced as much farther, fix Indians
were fent back to the phice of our late abode, who
collecled a little more plunder, and deftroycd fome
other effects that had been left behind ; but they
did not return until the day was fo far fpent, that
it was judged beft to continue where we were,
through the night. Karly the next morning we
fet off for Canada, and continued our march eight
days fucceflively, until we had reached the place
where the Indians had left their canoes, about fif-
teen miles from Crown Point. This was a long
and tedious march ; but the captives, by divine af-
fiflance, were enabled to endure it with lefs trouble
and difficulty, than they had reafon to expe(5l.
From fuch favage maflers, in fuch indigent circum-
ftances, w^e could not rationally hope for kinder
treatment than we received. Some of us, it i$
true, had a harder lot than others ; and, among
the children, I thought my fon Squire had the hard-
eft of any. He was then only four years old, and
when we ftopped to reft our weary limbs, and he
fat down on his mafter's pack, the favage monfter
would often knock him off; and fometimes too,
with the handle of his hatchet. Several ugly marks,
indented in his head by the cruel Indians, at that
tender age, are ftill plainly to be feen.

At length we arrived at Grown Point, and took
up our quarters there, for the fpace of near a week.
In the mean time fome of the Indians went t€^
Montreal, and took feveral of the weary captives
along with them, with a view of felling them to the
French. They did not fucceed, however, in finding
a market for any of them. They gave my young-
eft daughter. Submit Phipps, to the Governor, de
Vaudreuil, had a drunken frolick, and returned a-
gain to Crown Point, with the reft of their prifon-
ers. From hence we fet off for St. John's, in four

^80 APPENDIX.

or five canoes, juft as night was coming on, and
were fbon furrounded with darknefs. A heavy
llorm hung over us. The found of the rolling
thunder was very terrible upon the waters, which
at every flafh of expanfive lightning, feemed to be
all in a blaze. Yet to this we were indebted for all
the light we enjoyed. No obje(5l could we difcern
any longer than the flaflies lafted. In this poflure
we failed in our open tottering canoes, almoft the
whole of that dreary night. The morning indeed
had not yet begun to dawn, when we all went
ailiore ; and having collecled a heap of fand and
gravel for a pillow, I laid myfelf down, with my
tender infant by my fide, not knowing where any
of my other children were, or what a miferable
condition they might be in. The next day, how-
ever, under the wing of that ever prefent and all-
povN^erful Providence, which had preferved us thro*
the darknefs, and imminent dangers of the preced-
ing night, we all arrived in fafety at St. Johns.

Our next movement was to St. Francois, the me-
tropolis, if I may fo call it, to which the Indians,
who led us captive, belonged. Soon after our arriv-
al at their wretched capital, a council, confifting of
the chief Sachem, and fome principal warriors of the
St. Francois tribe, w^as convened ; and after the cer-
emonies ufual on fuch occafions, were over, I was
conducfled and delivered to an old fquaw, whom
the Indians told me, I muft call my mother. My
infant flill continuing to be the property of its orig-
inal Indian owners. I was neverthelefs permitted to
keep it with me a while longer, for the fake of fav-
ing them the trouble of looking after it, and of
maintaining it with my milk. When the weather
began to grow cold, fliuddcring at the profpecfl ot
approaching winter, I acquainted my new mother
that I did not think it wotdd be pofTible for me to

APPENDIX. 281

Sndure it, if I mufl fpend it with her, and fare as
the Indians did. Liflcning to my repeated and
earncil felicitations, that I might be difpofed of
among fome of the French inhabitants of Canada,
file, at length, fet ofFwith me and my infant, at-
tended by fome male Lidians, upon a journey to
Montreal, in hojxjs of finding a market for me there*

But the attempt proved unfuccefsful, and the
journey tedious indeed. Our provihons were {o
fcanty as well as infipid and unfavory, the weather
was fo cold, and the travelling fo very bad, that it
often feemed as if I mud have perifhed on the way.
The lips of my poor child were fometimes fo be-
numbed that when I put it to my bread, it could
not, till it grew warm, imbibe the nouriiliment
requifite for its fupport. While we were at Mon-
treal, we went into the houfe of a certain French
gentleman, whofe lady, being fent for, and coming
into the room where I was, to examine me, feeing
1 had an infant, exclaimed fuddenly in this man-
ner, ' Damn it, I will not buy a woman that has a
* child to look after.' There was a fwill-pail (land-
ing near me, in which I obferved fome crufts and
crumbs of bread fwiming on the furface of the
greafy liquor it contained : Sorely pinched with
hunger, I flcimmed them ofF with my hands
and eat them ; and this was all the refrefhmenC
which the houfe afforded me. Some where in the
courfe of this vifit to Montreal, my Indian mother
was fo unfortunate as to catch the fmall pox, of
which diftemper fhe died, foon after our return,
which w^as by water, to St. Francois.

And now came on the feafon when the Indians
begun to prepare for a winter's hunt. I was order-
ed to return my poor child to thofe of them,
who flill claimed it as their property. This was a
fevere trial. The babe clung to my bofoiti with all

Kk

282 APPENDIX.

its might ; but I was obliged to pluck it thence,
and deliver it, flirieking and fcreaming, enough to
penetrate a heart of (tone, into the hands of thofe
unfeeling wretches whofe tender mercies may be
termed cruel. It was foon carried off by a hunting
party of thofe Indians, to a place called Meililkow,
at the lower end of Lake Champlain, whither, in
about a month after, it was my fortune to follow
them. I had preferved my milk, in hopes of fee-
ing my beloved child again. And here I found it,
it is true, but in a condition that afforded me no
great fatisfa6lion ; it being greatly emaciated, and
almoft flarved. I took it in my arms, put its face
to mine, and it inllantly bit me with fuch violence,
that it feemed as if I niuft have parted v/ith a piece
of my cheek, I was permitted to lodge with it that,
and the two following nights ; but every morning
that intervened, the Indians, I fappofe on purpofe
to torment me, fbnt me away to another wigwam,
which flood at a little diilancc, though not fo far
^rom the one in v/hich my diilreifed infant was
confined, but that I could plainly hear its incefTant
cries, and heart rending lamentations. In this de-
plorable condition I was obliged to take my leave
of it, on the morning of the third day after my ar-
rival at the place. We moved down the Lake fev-
eral miles the fame day ; and the night following
was remarkable on account of the great earthquake'^
which terribly fliookthathowlingwildernefs. Among
the iflands hereabouts we fpent the winter feafon,
often fliifting our quarters, and roving about from
one place to another ; our family confiding of three
perfons only, befides myfelf, viz. my late mother's
daughter, whom therefore I called my filler, her
fanhop, and a pappoofe. They once left me alone two
di final nights ; and when they returned to me again,

* Nov. 18, 1736.

APPENDIX. 283

perceiving them fmlle at each other, I afked what
is the matter ? They replied, that two of my chil-
dren were uo more : One of which, they faid, died
a natural death, and the other was knocked on the
head. I did not utter many words, but my heart
was forely pained within me, and my mind exceed-
ingly troubled with ftrange and awful ideas. loft^
en imagined, for inllance, that I plainly faw the na-
ked carcafes of ndy deceafed children hanging upon
the limbs of the trees, as the Indians are wont to
hang the raw hides of thofe beads which they take in
hunting. It was not long, however, before it w^as
fo ordered by kind Providence, that I fhould be re-
lieved in a good meafure from thofe horrid imagina-
tions ; for as I was walking one day upon the ice,
obferving a fmoke at fome diftance upon the land,
it mufl proceed, thought I, from the fire of fome In-
dian hut, and who know^s but fome one of my poor
children may be there. My curioiity, thus excited,
led me to the place, and there I found my fon Ca-
leb, a little boy between two and three years old,
whom I had lately buried, in fentiment at lead ; or
rather imagined to have been deprived of life, and
perhaps alfo denied a decent grave. I found him like-
w^ife in tolerable health and circumftances, under
the protedlion of a fond Indian mother ; and more-
over had the happinefs of lodging with him in my
arms one joyful night. Again we fliifted our quar-^
ters, and when we had travelled eight or ten miles
upon the fnow and ice, came to a place where the
Indians manufadlured fugar which they extracted
from the maple trees. Here an Indian came to vifit
us, whom I knew, and could fpeak Englifh. He
alked me why I did not go to fee my fon Squire.
I replied that I had lately been informed that he was
dead. He afTured me that he was yet alive, and but
two or three n>iles off, on the oppofite fide of the

284 APPENDIX.

Lake. At my reqiiefl: he gave me the bell direcflions
he could to the place of his abode. I refolved to
embrace the hrft opportunity that offered of endeav-
oring to fearch it out. While I was bufy in con-
templating this aflfair, the Indians obtained a little
bread, of which they gave me a fmall ihare. I did
not taile amorfelof it myfelf, but laved it all for my
poor child, if 1 Ihould be fo lucky as to find him.
At length, having obtained of my keepers leave to be
abfent for one day, I fet off early in the morning,
and fleering, as well as I could, according to the
dire(5lions which the friendly Indian had given me,
I quickly found the place, which he had fo accurate-
ly marked out. I beheld, as I drew nigh, my little
fon without the camp ; but he looked, thought I,
like a flarved and miangy puppy, that had been wal-
loxving in the afhes. i took him in my arms, and he
fpoke to me thefe words, in the Indian tongue :
'Mother are you come ?' I took him into the wig-
wam with me, and obferving a number of Indiar^
children in it, I diftributed all the bread which I
had referved for my own child, among them all,
other wife I Ihould have given great offence. My
little boy appeared to be very fond of his new moth-
er, kept as near me as polfible while I if aid, and when
I told him I muilgo, he fell as though he had been,
knocked down with a club. But having recom-
mended him to the care of Him that made him,
v/hen the day was far fpent, and the time would per-
mit me to flay no longer, I departed, youmay wellfup-
pofe, with a heavy load at my heart. The tidings I
had received of the death of my youngefl child
had, a little before, been confirmed to me beyond a
doubt, but I could not mourn fo heartily for the de-
ceafed as for the living child.

When the winter broke up, we removed to St.
John's ; and, through the enfuing fummer our prin-

APPENDIX. 285

cipai refidence was at no great diflance from the fort
at that place. In the mean time, however, my fif-
ter's hulband having been out with a fcouting party
to fome of the Englifh fettlcments, had a drunken
frolic at the fort, when he returned. His wife, who
never got drunk, but had often experienced the ill
effedlsof her hufband's intemperance, fearing what
the confequence might prove, if he fhould come
home in a morofe and turbulent humour, to avoid
his infolence, propofed that we fhould both retire,
and keep out of the reach of it, until the ftorm abat-
ed. We abfconded accordingly, but fo it happened,
that I returned, and ventured into his prefence, be-
fore his wire had prefamed to come nigh him. I
found him in his wigwam, and in a furly mood ;
and not being able to revenge upon his wife, becaufe
fhe was not at home, he laid hold of me, and hurried
me to the fort ; and for a trifling confideration, fold
me to a French gentleman, whofe name was Sacca-
pee. 'Tis an ill wind certainly that blows no body
iiny good. I had been with the Indians a year lack-
ing fourteen days ; and, if not for my fifter, yet for
me, 'twas a lucky circumflance indeed, which thus
at laft, in an unexpedled moment, fnatched me out
of their cruel hands, and placed me beyond the
jreach of their infolent power.

After my Indian mafler had difpofed of me in
the manner related above, and the moment of fo-
ber refledlion had arrived, perceiving that the man
who bought me had taken the advantage of him in
an unguarded hour, his refentments begun to kin-
dle, and his indignation rofe fo high, that he threat-
ened to kill me if he fhould meet me alone, or if
he could not revenge himfelf thus, that he would
fet fire to the fort. I was therefore fecreted in an
upper chamber, and the fort carefully guarded, un-
til his wrath had time to cool. My fervice in the

786 APPENDIX.

family to which I was now advanced, was perfe(5l
freedom, in comparifon of what it had been among
the barbarous Indians. My new mailer and mif-
trefs were both as kind and generous towards me
as I could any ways expedl. I feldom afl^ed a
favor of either of them, but it was readily grant-
ed : In confequence of which I had it in my pow-
er, in many inftances, to adminifter aid and re-
frefliment to the poor prifoners of my own nation,
who were brought into St. John's during my abode
in the family of the above-mentioned benevolent
and hofpitable Saccapee. Yet even in this family
fuch trials awaited me as I had little reafon to ex-
pedl, but flood in need of a large ftock of prudence,
to enable me to encounter them. Mull I tell you
then, that even the good old man himfelf, who con-
fidered me as his property, and like wife a warm
and refolute fon of his, at that fame time, and un-
der the fame roof, became both excefTively fond of
my company ; fo that between thefe two rivals, the
father and the fon, I found myfelf in a very critical
fituation indeed, and was greatly embarraffed and
perplexed, hardly knowing many times, how to be-
have in fuch a manner as at once to fecure my own
virtue, and the good efleem of the family in which
I relided, and upon which I was wholly dependent
for my daily fupport. At length, however, through
the tender compafTion of a certain Englifli gentle-
man,*' the Governor de Vaudreuil being made ac-
quainted with the condition I had fallen into, im-
mediately ordered the young and amorous Sacca-
pee, then an officer in the French army, from the
field of Venus to the field of Mars, and at the fame
time alfo wrote a letter to his father, enjoining
it upon him, by no means to f liffer me to be abuf-
cd, but to make my fituation and fervicc in his fam-

* Col. Peter SclniyJcr, then a prisoner.

APPENDIX. 287

ily as eafy and delightful as pofTible. I was more-
over under unfpeakable obligations to the Gover-
nor upon another account. I had received intelli-
gence^ from my daughter Mary, the purport of
which v^ras, that there was a profped: of her being
iliortly inarried to a young Indian of the tribe of
Saint Francois, with which tribe ilie had continued
from the beginning of her captivity. Thefe were
heavy tidings, and added greatly to the poignancy
of my other afflictions. However, not long after I
had heard this melancholy news, an opportunity
prefented, of acquainting that humane and gener-
ous gentleman, the commander in chief, and my
illuftrious benefad:or, with this affair alfo, who in
companion for my fufferings, and to mitigate my
forrows, iflued his orders in good time, and had my
daughter taken away from the Indians, and convey-
ed to the fime nunnery v/here her lifter was then
lodged, v/ith his exprefs injun(5lion, that they fhould
both of them together, be well looked after, and
carefully educated, as his adopted children. In this
fchool of fuperftition and bigotry, they continued
while the war in thofe days between France and
Great-Britain lafted. At the conclufion of which
war, the Governor went home to France, took my
oldeft daughter along with him, and married her
then to a French gentleman, whofe name is Cron
Lewis. He was at Bofton with the fleet under
Count de Eftaing, [1778] and one of his Clerks.
My other daughter dill continuing in the nunnery,
a confiderable time had clapfed after my return
from captivity, when I made a journey to Cana-
da, refolving to ufe my beft endeavors not to return
without her. I arrived juft in time to prevent her
being fent to France. She was to have gone in the
next veffel that failed for that place. And I found
it extremely difficult to prevail with her to qviit the

288 APPENDIX.

nunnery at^d go home with me. Yea, ilie abfolute^
ly refufed, and all the perluafions and arguments I
could ufe with her, were to no efFedl, until after I
had been to the Governor and obtained a letter from
him to the fuperintendant of the nuns, in which he
threatened, if my daughter fiiould not be immedi-
ately delivered into my hands, or could not be pre-
vailed with to fubmit to my parental authority, that
he would fend a band of foldiers to afTift me in
bringing her away. Upon hearing this llie made
no farther refiflance. But fb extremely bigoted was
ihe to the cufloms and religion of the place, that af-
ter all, fhe left it with the greatell reludance, and
the moil bitter lamentations, which flie continued
as we paflTed the flreets, and wholly refufed to be
comforted. My good friend. Major Small, whom
we met with on the way, tried all he could to con-
fole her ; and was fo very kind and obliging as to
bear us company, and carry my daughter behind
him on horfeback.

But I have run on a little before my flory, for I
have not yet informed you of the means and man-
ner of my own redemption, to the accomplifhing of
which, the recovery of my daughter juft mention-
ed, and the ranfoming of fome of my other chil-
dren, fevcral gentlemen of note, contributed not a
little ; to whofe goodnefs, therefore, I am greatly
indebted, and fincerely hope I fliall never be fo un-
grateful as to forget. Col. Schuyler in particular
was fo very kind and generous as to advance i(i700
livres to procure a ranfom for myfelf and three of
my children. He accompanied and conducfted us
from Montreal to Albany, and entertained us in
the mod friendly and hofpitable manner a conhder-
able time, at his own houfe, and I believe entirely
at his own expenfe.

APPENDIX. 289

1 have fpun out the above narrative to a much
gren.ter length than I at hrft intended, and fhall con-
clude it with referring you, for a more ample and
brilliant account of the captive heroine, who is the
lubjccl of it, to Col. Humphrey's hiftory of the life
of Cen. Ifrael Putnum, together with fome remarks
upon a few claufes in it. I never indeed had the
pleafure of pcruling the whole of faid hiftory, but
remember to have fecn, fom.e time ago, an extradl
from it in one of the Boifon newfpape -s, in which
the Cofenel has extolled the beauty and good fenfe,
and rare accomplifhments of Mrs. Howe, the per-
fon whom he endeavors to paint in the mofh lively
and engaging colours, perhaps a little too highly,
and in a flyle, that may appear to thofe who are ac-
quainted with her at this day, romantick and ex-
travagant. And the Colonel mufl needs have been
mifinformed with refpedl to fbme particulars that
he has mentioned in her ftory. Indeed, when I read
the extrad from his hiftory to Mrs. Tute, (which
name fhe has derived from a third hufband, whofe
widow fhe now remains) fhe feemed to be well
pleafed, and faid, at firfb, it was all true, but foon after
contradidled the circumftance of her lover's being
fo bereft of his fenfes when he faw her moving off
in a boat at fome di fiance from the fliore, as to
plunge into the v^ater after her, in confequence of
which he was feen no more. It is true, fhe faid,
that as file was returning from Montreal to Alba-
ny, flie met w4th young Saccapee on the way. That
fhe was in a boat with Col. Schuyler, that the French
officer came on board the boat, made her fome
handfome prefents, took his final leave of her, and
departed, to outward appearance, in tolerable good
humour.

She moreover fays, that when flie went to Canadafor
her daughter, fhe met with him again, that he fhow-
Ll

290 APPENDIX.

ed her a lock of her hair, and her name likewifej
printed with vermilion on his arm. As to her be-
ing chofen agent to go to Europe, in behalf of the
people of Hinfdale, when Col. Howard obtained
from the government of New^-York a patent of their
lands on the weft-fide of Connecticut river, it was
never once thought of by Hinfdale people until the
above-mentioned extract arrived among them, in
which the author has inferted it as a matter of un-
doubted facffc.

No. XI.
AT THE COURT AT ST. JAMES's,

The IQth Day of Jubj^ 1764,

PRESENT

THE KING'S MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY,
Lord HoiJoardy Earl of HiUJhoroiigh^

Karl of Sandivich^
'Earl of Halfax^
Earl of Po'ivL^y
Earl of Hare our t^

Mr, Vlcc-Chamhcrlain^
Gilbert Elliot, Efq.
James Ofivald, Efq,

\\ HEREAS there was this day read at
the Board a report made by the Right Honourable
the Lords of the Committee of Council for Planta-
tion Affiiirs, dated the 17th of this inftant, upon
confidering a Reprefentation from the Lords Com-
mlilioncrs for Trade and Plantations, relative to the
difputc-'i that have feme years fubfifted between the
Provinces of New-EIampfhire and New- York, con-
cerning the Boundary Line between thofe Provin-
ces. His Majelly taking the fame into conhdera-
tion, was plealed, with the advice of his Privy Coun-
cil, to approve of what is tisercin propolbd, and

APPENDIX. 29i

dotli a-ccordingly hereby Order and Declare, tlie
wellcrn banks of the river Connecliciit, from where
it enters the Province of the Maffachufetts Bay, as
far North as the forty-fifth degree of Northern Lat-
itude, to be the Boundary Line between the faid
two Provinces of Ncvz-Hampfliire and New-York.
Whereof the refpecSlive Governors and Command-
ers in Chief of his Majefly's faid Provinces of New-
Ham pfliire and New- York, for the time being, and
all others whom it may concern, are to take notice
of his Majefly's plcafure hereby fignified, and gov-
ern themfelves accordingly.

W. BLAIR.

No. XIL

Cofaj ffa Rrprjrc of a Comwitiee cfbtth Hotmrs rf the Miusachusstta ^is.
a::niil[iy res/iccling i/ie A''e%v-NamJisUre Line, Deceinba- 1765.

J. HE committee to whom was referred
the affair of the line between the province of Maine,
now a part of the Maffachufetts Bay, and that of
New-Hampfhire, beg leave to reprefent the facls as
they appeared to them.

The commiffioncrs appointed by his late Majefly,
King George the fecond, to fettle the line between
the two governments aforefaid, A. D. 1737, report-
ed the fame to begin in the middle of the mouth of
Pafcataqua harbor, and up the river Ncwichawan-
ock, a part of which is called Salmon fall, and
through the middle of the fame to the farthefl head
thereof ; and from thence north two degrees weft,
until one hundred and twenty miles be finiflied,
from the mouth of Pafcataqua harbour aforefaid, or
until it meets with his Majefly's other governments.
Governor Belcher, who was then at the head of

292 ATTEND IX.

both provinces, in the winter of the year 1 740-1 >
iTiovedtothe AHembly of the MafTachufetbito appoint
a committee to join with thofe of New-Hamplhire,
in order to run out and mark the aforefaid line,
agreeable to the determination of the commifTion-
ers aforefaid. But the AHembly, after feveral mo-
tions made to them, referred the confideratlon of
this affair to the. then next May feffion. Gcvernor
Belcher foon after met the Affembly of New-Hamp-
fhire, who, upon a motion made to them of running
the line aforefaid, complied, and in the month of
March 1741, proceeded on the affair exparte^ begin-
ning: at the head of the eaftevnmoil and fmalleft
branch of the aforefaid river, and run twenty-five
or thirty miles into the country ; this was perform-
ed by Walter Bryant, by order from Governor Bel-
cher ; and however imperfed: this furvey was, that
government have returned it, together with a plan
thereof ; but the royal approbation in Council is
had in the words of the commiffioners' report,
abovementioned, without having any regard to the
furvey aforefaid, and it has been found, by the mofh
careful examination, that the river is much larger
than the branch from whence the faid Bryant then
took his departure ; and this appears by his own
evidence, together with Capt. Gowing's and War-
ren's. And your committee beg leave further to ob-
ferve, that, by the plan taken by Bryant, and by the
government of New-Hamplhire lodged with the
board of trade, a copy of which we have received
from that Province, it appears that the eafternmoft
branch of the River aforefiid, which the furveyor
then took, runs about north and by call ; and by the
plan lent home by the commillioners, taken by Mr.
Jeffrey, and which accompanied their report of the
fettlemcnt of the line, in 17o;7, it appears that the
river, there laid down, runs north northwclt, (a

APPENDIX. 293

copy of which is here authenticated] which exactly
agrees with the middle or main branch, and is what
this Province claims to ; fo that by comparing the
two plans, it appears Mr. Bryant was miftaken in
taking a pond at the head of the eaft branch, which
he called LovelTs pond, when he fliould, agreeable
to the commiiTioners' report, have taken the middle
or main branch of the river, where was a pond then
called, and many years before and fince, known by
the name of LovelTs pond, and to this pond Mr.
Bryant himfclf carried our committee, in 1766, and
declared that was always called Lovell's pond, which
lies at the head of the river, and as thofe two bran-
ches are at fix or feven miles diftance, at right angles
at the head, a large tracl of land near fix miles wide,
and fixty or feventy miles in length, was taken into
New-Hampfliire government, that ought to have re-
mained to the MafTachufctts. Upon the whole it
evidently appears to your committee that there was
a miftake made in the commencement of the line,
in part pretended to be run by Mr. Bryant in the
year 1740-1, and that the fame was not then run
out is as evident. And from the year 1763, all pof^
fible care has, by this government, been taken to
redlify this miflake. Committees have once and
again been appointed by this Court to join with
New-Hampfliire in order thereto, but without fuc-
cefs. However, as to the propriety of this Court's
purfuing the controverfy under its prefent circum-
flances, your committee having reported the fac^s,
fubmit to your honors conlideration.

BENJA. LINCOLN, per order.

f94 APPENDIX.

No. XIII.

A Lciter fr^ra Walter Bkyent Ei;q, to the Jhahbr^ r.n tJic mime nuhjcct.

A'iW-Murkct, Oct. 9, 1?'jO.

Rev. sir,

Yours of the 27th ult. received, and
in anfwer to your requef!:, I can inform you, that
about 1766, the Maffachufetts General Court ap-
pointed a committee (Col. Lincoln, Gol. Bagley, and
Efq. Livermore) to inquire and examine into a
miftake, v;hich fome in that government fuppofed
I had made, in running the Province Line from the
head of Salmon-falls river, which committee appli-
ed to the then Governor, Benning Wentworth, of
New-Hampiliire, to join in fuch examination, who
accordingly requefted me to attend the committee,
and alfo appointed Col. John Wentworth of Somerf^
worth, a juilice of quorum, to take my depofition on
the fpot, if necefiary, to give the committee full fat-
isfaction. Accordingly the faid committee, with
Col. Wentworth, myfelf, and about five or fix afliil-
auts, went up Salmon Falls river to where the
branches met, and viewed it well, and from thence
we v/ent up the weftcrly branch to the head there-
of ; and from thence crolTed over to the head of the
eaflennoll branch, and found to the committee's
fatisfadtion, that the eafterly branch was much the
largefl of the two ; vented much more water, and
proceeded froan a larger pond than the weflerly
branch. At the pond at the head of the callerly
branch, called in the commifTioners' plan, Love-
well's })ond, I flicvved thcni the tree from which I
formerly run the Province line, well fpotted, with the
letters on it, according to my return of the Province
line, and tlic line well fpoticd from it. Some ot

APPENDIX. 295

the committee thereupon fuggefled, that pofTibly
that might be the line I run fome years afterwards,
in laying out the patent for the Mafonian proprie-
tors.

I replied I was ready to make oath that that was
the identical line I run for the province line, and of
the certainty of which they might then eafily be
convinced by examining the fpots ; for it having
then been twenty-fix years fince I run the Province
line, and but feven years fince I had run the Mafo-
nian patent, if they would cut into a fpot on a
growing tree, they might then examine whether
there Vv^as feven years growth, or twenty-fix years
growth over the fpot. Accordingly we marched on
the line till v/e found a large bafs tree fpotted, and
one of the company cut fquare into the tree againfl
the fpot to the dead wood, and Gol. Bagley began
at the lafl years growth, and counted aloud tw^enty-
four years growth in the grain of the wood above
or outfide the dead wood of the fpot. Col. Bagley
then turning to me faid, ' Bryent, I'll fwear for
you, that this tree was fpotted more than twenty
years ago ;' Col. Wentworth then afked the com-
mittee if they defired my depofition to be taken,
they anfwered ' No, we are all well fatisfied with-
out it' — and therefore we returned. I can add no
more refpedling that line, only, being once at York,
during the fitting of the Superior Court, fome of the
Judges being informed that I was the Surveyor that
run the Province line, fent for me to come to their
lodgings. I attended, and after fome converfation
Mr. Trowbridge, then Attorney-General, being
prefent, afl^ed me what variation was allowed in
runniag that line ; I told him ten degrees ; he re-
plied, you allowed too much ; and obferved to
Governor Hucchinfon, then Chief- Juflice, that the
line ought to be run anew j Governor Hutchinfon

^9(5 APPENDIX.

replied, that it would be attended with Gofl, aiici
that it was not likely New-Ham plliire would con-
ient and join. I told them New-Hampfliire would
readily enough join to run anew with Icfs variation,
if requetied. They all feemed lurpriied, and de-
fired to know what reafon I had to think New-
Hampfhire would confent, inafmuch as it would
take off a large tract of Pigwacket Intervales. I
told them New-Hampihire would gain much more,
at Dunftable and the other towns on the wefl line,
for the fame variation was allowed on both lines.
On which there was a great laugh in the company,
and nothing further faid about the matter.
I am, Sir, with due refpecft.
Your mod humble fervant,

WALTER BRYENT.
Rev. Mr. Belknap.

No. XIV.

Mr. Sproule's acLOuni of an examinatio?: of the. south boundary of JVerj'

Mampshire.

The point at Hinfdale, where the
foutherly line of the Province of New-Hampfhire
itrikes Conneclicut river, lies in 42° 43' 59"' north
latitude, and the pine tree from whence this line
begins, lies in 42° 412''; (both latitudes are de^
duced from accurate aftronomical obfervations tak^
en by Mr. Wright) but had this line been run on a
due well courfe, deducting the variation of the nee-
dle, the point where it meets Connedticut river,
fhould lie in the fame parallel of latitude with the
pine tree ; now it appears the difference of latitude
is 2 miles and 53 feconds of the equator, and the
extent of the line from the pine tree to Connedicut
river, is found to be 55 flatute miles, from an adlu-

APPENDIX. ^9i

al furvey: thefe lines from the bafe and perpendicular
of a triangle, containing 59,872 acres, which quan-
tity of land the Province of Ncw-Kamplhire would
have gained, had the line been run on a due weft
courfe from the pine tree, exclufive of variation.

GE.ORGE SPROULE.
Portfmotith^ April %th, 1774.

No. XV.

Cafiy of the rttiirn of a survey of the northern {tart of JVew-Hamfishirey

1789.

v^ E, the fubfcribers, a committee for
a.fcertaining the wafte lands in the State of New- '
Flampfnire, have proceeded to run the line on the
eafterly fide of faid State, the fame ^coiirfe that the
Iwe was formerly run and i'potted between this State
and the Maflachufetts. We begun to meafure and
fpot at the northeait corner of Shelburne in this
State, and meafured on to the w^aters of Umbagog
lake, which is 16 miles and 240 rods, then acrofs a
branch of faid lake 54 rods, then 14 rods oh ths
land to a river that is 6 rods wide, and runs wefter-
ly into faid lake, then meafured on the land 1 mile
and 226 rods to faid lake, then acrofs the water 40
rods, then over a neck of land 16 rods to an arm of
faid lake, then acrofs the water 235 rods, then we?
continued on our courfe 195 rods to faid lake, theri"
acrofs faid lake about 3i miles, then we meafured
and fpotted 2 miles and 226 rods to Margallaway
river, that runs about fouth-weft, and is about 10
rods wide, and empties into Amorifcoggin river, a
little below faid lake ; then we meafured on our
courfe 1 mile and 70 rods, and croffed faid Mar-
gallaway river again, which will more fully ap-

• In the orders given to Walter Brtsnt by Governor Bblchss, 1711| itiv wAi

* The true north 2 degrees west, is by needk N. 6 "^ fi.'

M m

S9$ APPENDIX.

pear by the plan hsrewiih exhibited ; we continued
on our line, meafured and ipotted to the high lands
that divide the waters that fall into the river St.
Lawrence and the Atlantic Ocean. From the nortli-
eafl corner of Shelburne to faid liigh lands is 54 miles,
and we marked a tree at the end of every mile, ex-
cept where miles ended on water, from one to 54
miles inclulive, where we marked a large birch tree
that fS:ands on iliid high lands, thus N. E. 54 M.
NEW-HAMPSHIRE, 1789, for the north-eaft cor-
er of New-Hamplhire, and piled Hones round fiid
tree ; then from faid north-ead corner, where we
marked the birch^ we meafured and fpotted fouth-
weflerly and wefterly on faid highlands about 6
miles, then we run about weft, meafured and mark-
ed a tree at the end of every mile from faid birch,
marked 54 miles, at the north-eaft corner of faid
State from 1 to 17 miles and 200 rods to the head
of the northweft of Connedicut river, and marked 2
fr tree N. H. N. W. 1789, for the north-weft branch
corner of New-Harapfliire, then down faid river or
north-weft branch to the main river about half a
mile below latitude 45 * north, which will more ful-
ly appear by the plan. The mountains, ftreams and
waters are laid down on the plan very accurate
where the line we run crofted them, but where they
were at fome diftance from our line we laid them
down by conjc(5lare.

JOSEPEI CRAMM, 7 ^
JEREMIAI-I EAMES. j ^''*"^0'ors.

JOHN SULLIVAN, ^
EBENEZER SMITEI, I ^ .,,
NATHAN HOIT, \CommUUc.

JEREIMIAH EAMES. J

A true copy. — Atteft

JOSEPH PEARSON, Secretary,

i'»rl»niou:.'i, JariLa^-y G, '.7i'0.

APPENDIX.

299

No. XVI.

VetcrifiCion of a swvru trade bu James Ghakt, oneofCafit. Hollasb's
fuirtij^ in 1773, or 1774:, to cx/ibve the coun(7'y,Jbr a road, brt'K/een thf
upfxcr fiart of Cmnecticut river, cud (he river o/ Si. Fnmcis.

r ROM the mouth of Leach's
river which falls into Connecfticut
river on the well fide, near the 45th
degree of latitude, up to the eaflern
fide of Leach's river - - -

Thence to crofs faid river among
the mountains - - - _
Thence to the height of Land
Thence to a pond under the eafl-
ern fide of a mountain
Thence to another pond
Thence on the fame courfe
Thence to a fmall river which falls
into Memphrimagog river

llience acrofs faid little river to
the lower crotch of Memphrimagog
river _ _ . - _

Thence crofTmg Memphrimagog
river, a flrait line on the N W fide, to
its jundlion with the river of St. Fran-
cis - - - .

courfe.

N

N30W
N30W

N30W
NlOW
NlOW

N21W

N21W

N30E

difl.

M.

^

3

3

41

5f

44

The country from Connedlicut river to the
Height of Land is very hilly, with high mountains
on the eafl and wefl of the line run, in the direc-
tion of which a road may be conveniently made.

From the Height of Land to St. Francis river
there is a gradual defcent through a plain country ;

300 APPENDIX.

the foil in general of a good quality, and in fom«
parts extraordinary fine ; particularly for about
four miles beyond the Height of Land, and for
twenty miles on this fide of St. Francis river ; which
river, with its branches, are bordered with fine iur
tervales.

The principal growth between the Height of
J^and and St. Francis River, is beech, maple, birch,
hemlock and fir ; very few white pines, and no
oak of any fort ; many cedar, fpruce and hemlock
fwamps intervene ; but none fo moraffy as to im-
pede a road, for which this extent of country in the
direction above defcribed, is in general as well
adapted as poflible, ^

No. XVII.

A REroRxyrow the Lord's Commissioners /br Trade and Planta-
tions on a a>uij'laint Jiutde by Petkr Livius, listjuire^ uffaiiitt John
WfntwoktHj Esguirc, Governor of the Province of Nkv.-Hamp-

SlUUE.

TO THE KING'S MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY.
Mlay it plcafc your Majejiy^

Peter livius, Efquire, one of your
Majefty's Council for the Province of New-Hamp-
fliire, in North America, having, on the ninth of
July, prefented a memorial unto us, complaining of
the conduct of John "Wentworth, Efquire, Your Maj-
efty's Governor of that Pi'ovince, and charging him
with Opprellion and Mal-adminiftration in the gov-
ernment thereof : And it appearing, upon reference
to the papers and records in our office, that the
journals of the Council of faid Province, as a Coun-
cil ol State, and to which the complainant referred

APPENDIX. , SOI

for proof of mofl: of the fa(5ls ftated in his memori-
al, had not been tranlmittcd fince the com-
mencement of Mr. Wciitworth's adminiftration :
We thought it our duty immediately to fend to the
faid Governor, a copy or the memorial of com-
plaint ; and to require him, to lofe no time in tranf-
mittlng to us a full and explicit anfwer to the fev-
eral charges alledged againfl hlm,^ accompanied with
fuch depofitions and proofs in his own behalf as
he fliould think proper ; giving, at the fame time,
full liberty to Mr. Livius, or any other perfon con-
cerned, to make affidavit, before any judge or other
Magiilrate, of what they knew concerning the fub-
jecfl matter of the faid complaint ; and that fuch
Judge or other Magiilrate Ihould be likewife en-
joined, to fummon fuch perfons as the complainant,
or any other in his behalf, fnould name.

That the Secretary fliould be likewife enjoined to
give attelled copies (from the records) of the min-
utes of the Council, and of any other concerned.
And if it fhould appear ar. alledged by Mr. Livius,
that the faid sainutes or other records were defec-
tive, in any matter required by him or thein ; or
that thofe tranfadlions which were alledged to have
palFed at any meetings of the Council, had been
-omitted to be entered on the journal ; then that the
Secretary fhould, in fuch cafes, be further enjoined
to give evidence, upon oath, touching fuch defedl
or omiflion.

That the faid Governor and the complainant, or
other perfon or perfons, fliould interchange the faid
proofs and depofitions as foon as the fame fliould
have been made ; and that twenty days fhould be
allowed, as well for himfelf, as the complainant, or
other perfon concerned, to make his or their reply
by affidavit or otherwife, to be in like manner inter-
changed, and afterwards certified and tranfmitted

302 APPENDIX.

to US, under the feal of the Province ; that we might
be enabled to reprefent to your Majelly, on the true
flate of this affiiir, purfuant to the powers and di-
redlions contained in our commiffion under the
great feal.

In confeqnence of the foregoing diretflions, your
Majefty's Governor has tranfmittcd to us his anfwer
to each article of complaint contained in Mr. Livi-
us's memorial, accompanied with attciled copies of
the Journals of the Council, as a Council of State,
from the commencement of his adminiilration, and
of fuch depofitions as have been taken to fupport the
fa(5ls alledged by the Governor in defence of his
condudl. And Vv^e have taken the laid complaint
and anfwer into our conlidcration. together with
Mr. Livius's reply to the faid anfwer, copies of all
which are hereunto annexed ; and having heard
counfel learned in the law, as v^^ell in fupport of the
complaint, as of the Governor's defence ; we hum-
bly beg leave to reprefent to your Majefty there-
upon :

That it does appear, upon full examination and
clear evidence ;

Firfl, That your Majeily's Governor of New-
Hamplhire has, in concurrence with the Council for
the fiid Province, compofed almoft altogether of his
Own kindred or relations by blood or marriage, ta-
ken upon him to refume and re-grant many large
tradls within the faid Province, the piX)perty of
your Majeily's fnbje^ls by virtue of feveral former
grants ; upon bare fuggctlion only, that the condi-
tions of fuch former grants had not been complied
with, and without the intervention of a Jury, or
any proof or evidence whatever, to ellabliih thefa(5l
of fuch default.

Secondly, That thefc refumptions have been
^ade wuthout any notice (except in one or two ca-

APPENDIX. SOS

fes) to the proprietors of fuch tracls, fo refumcd ;
and that, in fomc in (lances, in which the Governor
and Council did think fit to allow time to the pro-
prietors of certain trails to make good the condi-
tions of their grants, fiich grants -were neverLhelefs
refumed, and the lands re-granted, long before the
expiration of the time allowed, and without any no-
tice given to the parties.

Thirdly, That thefaid Governor did, without any
legal procefs whatever, refume and regrant feveral
tracfls of land refervcd to the faid late Governor
within each of the tov^nfhips, granted by him, and
which refervations he had, by his will, devifed to
his widow ; and that fach refumption was made in
confequence of a refolution of the Council, ' Tliat
' the laid refervations did not convey the premifes,
* they being granted by the Governor to himfelf.'

Fourthly, That, pending an adlion brought in
the Inferior Court of Common Pleas, in which your
Majefly's Governor was interefted, and which he
admits was brought for his benefit, the Judges v^^ere,
in three fucceflive terms, changed, and efpecial
Judges appointed : That, in the Handing Court of
Common Pleas which firft fat in judgment upon
the a^lion brought by the Governor, a queflion
arifing out of the adlion was decided againfl the
Governor's intereft : That in the fecond term, two
Judges were appointed, which together with one of
the Judges of the (landing Court abovementioned,
adopted the dccifion of the former court : That, in
the third term, two of the Judges were again chang-
ed, when the fame queflion was again brought for-
ward, and decided in the fame manner as above :
That, in the fourth term, two of the Judges who
fat in the former court were removed, and a new
bench appointed, confiding of Jacob SheafTe and
John Philips, Efquires, who had not a(5led in that

504 APPENDIX.

capacity in any of the preceding Terms, and of Na-
thaniel Folfom, who had ferved in the terms, and
who is flated to have been uniformly of opinion for
the Governor in the qr-ef-ion that had been agitat-
ed upon the adtion in which the faid Governor v/as
interefted ; and that, in the laft mentioned court,
the faid queflion was a fourth time brought on to
trial, and a judgment obtained in favor of the Gov-
ernor, though afterwards reverfed in the Superior
Court in confequence of a Writ of Error.

Thefe, may it pleafe your Majefly, are the mate-
rial parts of the charge exhibited againft Mr. Went-
worth ; nor is there any other part of the complaint
exhibited by Mr. Livius, upon which any evidence
has been produced to us, that does, in our humble
oninion, lay the foundation for cenfure upon the
Governor's condiK;:!:, What vv^e have dated, v*^ith
refpedl to the refumption and re-granting of lands,
is not, we think, to be juflified, cither by the plea of
ufa^re or expediency, or by the opinion of the At-
torney and Solicitor General in one thoufand feven
hundred and iifty-two, upon which the Governor
lays fo great (Irefs ; which opinion appears to us,
upon fall examination of it, to be confined to a par-
ticular cafe ilated to them, not correfponding with
the cafes in which the conduct of Mr. Wentworth
is complained of ; and that, if it was appUcable to
fuch cafes, yet it does not, in our hum.ble opinion,
warrant any refumption of lands, claimed as pri-
vate property under grants from the crown, upon
bare fuggeftion only, that the conditions have not
been compHcd with ; but on the contrary does, we
humbly conceive, imply, that the fadl of the de-
fault fliould be hril found in a regular courfe of
law. We further crave leave humbly to reprcfent,
that, admitting the faid opinion did warrant fuch a
proceding, in rclpecSl to grants, the conditions of

APPENDIX. 305

which had not been complied with, which we con-
ceive it does not ; yet it is certainly not applicable
either to the cafe of lands refumcd and re-granted
before the term allowed for fulfilling the conditions
of fettlement were expired ; or to the cafe of the refr
ervations to the late Governor, devifed by him to his
widow, the refamption and re-granting of which, in
manner above ilated, upon an extrajudicial opinion
of the Council, was, in our judgment, unwarranta-
ble and unjufl. And we fubmit, whether the mif-
conduct of your Majefly's Governor, under thefe
heads of complaint, is not greatly aggravated by his
having omitted, from the commencement of his ad-
miniftration, to tranfmit the journals of the Coun-
cil, as a Council of State ; a negledl for which he is
certainly refponfible, and by which tranfadlions of
the greateft importance to your Majefly's intereffc
and the right of your Majefly's fubjedls have been
concealed from your Majefly's knowledge ; and the
Governor and his Council have gone on, for a feries
of years, in a courfe of very irregular proceedings,
without controul.

With regard to what has been proved refpedling
the change of the Judges, though afTerted, in a great
number of depofitions tranfmitted by the Govern-
or, to have been confonant to the ufage and practice
in the Colony ; it is yet, in our humble opinion, a
proceeding that, under all the circumflances attend-
ing it, is of a very extraordinary nature, and does
lead to the fufpicion and prefumption of very un-
worthy condudl on the part of your Majefly's Gov-
ernor. And, upon the whole, ^ve humbly fubmit,

* That the complaint against Mr. Wentworth, fo far
' as it regards the fac^s above flated, has been fully

* verified:' At the fame time it is our duty to reprefent,
that the reports which we have received, through
different channels, of the fituation of affairs within

N n

SOG APPENDIX.

your Majefly's government of New-Hampfhire, do
all concur in reprefenting ' the Colony to have been,
' ever fince Mr. Wentworth's appointment, in a

* flate of peace and profperity ; that its commerce
' has been enlarged and extended, the number of its
' inhabitants increafed ; and every attempt made to

* excite the people to diforder and difobedience has

* been, by the firm and temperate conduct of Mr,
' Wentworth, fupprelTed and reftrained.' But upon
the whole, we humbly fubmit, whether Mr. Went-
worth's condudl, in the inllances of the mal-admin-
iftration with which he has been charged, has been
fuch as renders him a fit perfon to be entrufted with
your Majefty's interefts in the important fiation he
now holds.

All which is humbly fabmitted.
Signed,

SOAME JENYNS.
W. JOLIFFE. BAMBER GASCOYNE.
GREVILLE.
GARLIES.

White- Hal/,
May the lOih, 1773.

No. XVIII.

KcJLort nf the Cominiltte of the Privy Council, and its accefuance by the

Kin^.

(Copy.)

At the Court at 67. Jamea'a the 8f/t Day of October, \77%.

(L. S.) rUESENT

THE KING'S MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY.

Earl of SUFFOLK,
F.AUL OF SJA'DIVICH,
Vis . BAR RLYG TOA\

LORD JVORTH,
RTCIURD RIG BY,
GEORGE O A'^L 0 W.

? ▼ HEREAS there was this day read at
the board, a report from the Right Honorable the
Lords of the Committee of council for plantation

APPENDIX. S07

affairs/^ dated die 26tli of Auguft lafl, in the words
following ; viz.

" Your Majefty. having been plcafed, in confe-
quence of a memorial prefented to your Majefty
fromSir Thomas Wentworth, Baronet, Paul Went-
worth, Efquire, and Thomas Macdonagh, fecretary
to John Wentworth, Efquire, Governor of the Prov-
ince of New-Hampiliire, to refer unto this commit-
tee a reprefentation from the Lords Conimiflioners
for trade and plantations, dated the 10th of May
laft, upon a complaint exhibited to the faid Lords
CommiiTioners againft the faid Governor Went-
worth, by Peter Livius, Efquire, one of your Maj-
efty's Council for the faid Province, together with
feveral other papers tranfmitted by the Earl of Dart-
mouth, one of your Majefty 's principal Secretaries of
State, to the Lord Prefident of the Council, relative
to the faid complaint : The Lords of the commit-
tee, in obedience to your Majefty's iliid order of ref-
erence, have met feveral times, and taken the faid
matters into confideration, and have heard Counfel
on both fides. And, having maturely weighed and
confidered the complaint againft the faid Governor,
the anfwer of the faid Governor, and the reply of
the faid Peter Livius, Efquire, together with the
proofs on all fides, and the faid reprefentation of
the Lords Commiflioners for trade and plantations ;
the Lords of the committee do humbly reprefent
to your majefty,

" That the fir ft article of Charge, contained in
the above mentioned reprefentation of the Lords
Commifiloners for trade and plantations, fets forth,
' That your Majefty's Governor of New-Hamp-
fhire has, in concurrence with the Council for the

* Lords of the Committee.
Lord Suffolk President, i Sir Eardly Wilmot,

Arch Bishop of Canterbur)-, Sir Thomas Parkw.
Sir Fletcher Norton,

308 APPENDIX.

faid Province, compofed almost altogether of his
own kindred, or relations by blood or marriage,
taken upon him to refume and re-grant many
large tracfts of lands within the faid Province, the
property of your Majefly's fubjecfts, in virtue of for-
mer grants, upon bare fuggeftion only, that the
conditions of fuch former grants had not been com-
plied with, and without the intervention of a jury,
or any proof or evidence whatfoever, to eilablilh
the fadl of fuch default.

" With refpedl to which article, the Lords of the
Committee do hvimbly report to your Majefly,
That, by the law of England, when lands are
granted to a man and his heirs, upon condition, the
breach of the condition muil be found by a jury,
under a commifiion, ifRiing out of the Court of
Chancery, before your Majefty can feize and re-
grant the fam.e : But, in the Province of New-
Hamplhire, there is no Court of Chancery, or other
court, empowered to ifTue fuch a commilhon ; and
though the general rule is, that the law of England
tp.kes place in your Majefly's Colonies, yet it muft
be always underilood to mean fuch part of the law
as is fuited and adapted to the flate of the Colony,
and to the frame and nature of the conflitution eCf
tabliflied there ; and though the Governor, in con-?
currence with the Council for the faid Province,
^ath refumed and re-granted many tracjts of landa
within the faid Province, which had been former-
ly granted to other perfons, yet no evidence hath
been laid before the committee of any fuch refump-
tions and re-grants having been made, without
proof or public notoriety that the conditions of fuch
former grants had not been complied with ; and
no complaint hath been, or is now made by any
perfon fuppofcd to be injured by fuch rcfumptions
and re-grants.

APPENDIX. 509

" The fecond article Hates, * That thefe refump-
tlons have been made without any Notice (except ia
one or two cafes) to the proprietors of fuch tradls
fo refumed ; and that in fome inftances, in which
the Governor and Council did think fit to allow
time to the proprietors of certain tradls to make
good the conditions of their grants, fuch grants wer^
nevertheless refumed, and the lands re-granted, long
before the expiration of the time allowed, and with-
out any notice given to the parties.'

" As to which article, the Lords of the Commit-
tee do humbly report to your Majefly, 'That it hath
not been proved that any refumptions have been
made, without notice to the proprietors of fuch
tracls fo refumed ; and it is no part of the original
complaint made by Mr. Livius, that in any inflance,
in which the Governor and Council thought fit to
allow time to the proprietors of lands to make good
the conditions of their grants, fuch grants were re-
fumed, and the lands re-granted, before the expira-
tion of the time allowed ; and the Governor not
having had an opportunity of anfwering that com-
plaint, the Lords of the conim^jtee are humbly of
opinion, no notice can be taken of it.

" The third article reprefents, * That the faid
Governor did, without any legal process whatfoev-
er, refume and re-grant feveral trails of land, re-
ferved to the late Governor, within each of the
townfhips granted by him, and which refervations
he had by his will devifed to his widow ; and that
fuch refumption was made in confequence of a ref^
olution of the Council, that the faid refervations did
not convey the premises, they being granted by the
Governor himfelf.

" With refpedl to this article, the Lords of th?
committee do humbly report, That the lands were
granted, but not referved to the late Governor and

310 APPENDIX.

his heirs in each of the townlhips granted by him j
but being granted by your Majeily, in your Maj-
efty's name, and not in the Governor's name, the
grants were fufficient to convey the lands fo grant-
ed to him, and the Council was miflaken in think-
ing them infufficient ; and the Lords of the Com-
mittee find, that after fuch an opinion given by the
Council, the Governor did, with their advice, re-
fume and re-grant feveral trails of lands, which
had been granted by the late Governor within each
of the townlhips, as aforefaid ; But it hath not been
proved that the faid lands were re-grantcd in truft
for himfelf ; and in many inifances it hath been
proved, that fuch lands were re-granted to differ-
ent inhabitants in the faid Province, for their own
ufe and benefit ; and the repreientatives of the late
Governor's widow to whom he had devifed the
fame, have not complained of any injury or op-
preiTion by fuch refumption and re-grants.

"And the fourth article al ledges, * That pending
an adtion brought in the Inferior Court of Common
Pleas, in which your Majefty's Governor was inter-
efted, and which he admits was brought for his
benefit, the Judges were in three fuccefiive terms,
changed, and fpecial Judges appointed : That, in
the (landing Court of Common Pleas, which firfl
fat in judgment upon the adion brought by the
Governor, a queftion arifing out of the a6lion, was
decided againft the Governor's interell : That, in
the fecond term, two new judges were appointed,
which, together with one of the Judges of the
{landing Court above mentioned, adopted the de-
cifion of the former Court : That;, in the third
term, two of the judges were again changed when
the fame qucilion was again brought forward, and
decided in the fiune manner as above ; that in the
fourth term, two of the Judges, who fat in the for-

APPENDIX. Sll

mer Court, were removed, and a new Bench ap-
pointed, confiiling of Jacob Sheaffe and John Phil-
lips, Efquires, who had not adted in that capacity
in any of the preceding terms, and of Nathaniel
Folfom, who had ferved in the two preceeding
terms, and who is Oated to have been uniformly of
opinion for the Governor, in the queftion that had
been agitated upon the adlion in which the faid
Governor was interefted ; and that in the laft men-
tioned Court, the faid queflion was a fourth time
brought on to trial, and a judgment obtained in
favour of the GoverAor, though afterwards reverf-
ed in the Superior Court in confequence of a Writ
of Error.'

" With refpefl to this fourth article ; the Lords
of the committee do humbly report to your Majes-
ty, That it appears in evidence to have been the
conflant practice, when any of the ftanding Juftices
of the Court were interefted in any fuit there de-
pending, either by being related to any of the par-
ties, or otherwife, for fpecial Judges to be appoint-
ed ; that there were other caufes depending at the
fame time in the Inferior Court of Common Pleas,
wherein the ftanding Juftices were either interefted
or a-kin to the parties ; and there is no proof that
the fpecial Judges were appointed on account of the
particular .caufe wherein the Governor was con-
cerned ; but by many depofitions, and particularly
by the depofition of the defendant in the faid caufe,
it appears that the fpecial commiflions were folicit-
ed in the common form and manner as is uftial in
the Province of New-Hampfliire ; and the queftion
debated in the faid caufe, being a mere collateral
queftion, not refpecfling the merits of it, was deter-
mined three times for the defendant in the Inferior
Court ; but being determined a fourth time for
the plaintiff, a Writ of Error was brought into the

512 APPENDIX.

Superior Court, and was finally determined there
for the defendant : And the defendant in the faid
caufe fwears, that he, neither at that time, nor iince,
had any obj.e(5lions either to the faid commiffions,
or to the Juftices therein named and appointed, or
to either of them.

" And as to what is fubmitted in the faid repre-
fentation of the Lords Commiffioners for trade and
plantations, ' That the Governor omitted, from the
commencement of his adminiftration, to tranfmit
the journals of the Council as a Council of State ;*

" The Lords of the Committee do humbly report
to your Majefty, That this practice was begun in
the late Governor's time ; who acquainted the
proper officer, on his delivering a copy of the faid
journals in the month of June, 1760, that he need
not give himfelf the trouble to make out fuch
copies for the future, without his fpecial direcfllons ;
and from that time the pradiice has been difcontin-
ued both by the late and prefent Governor. But
the Lords of the Committee are of opinion, that it
may be proper to revive that pracSlice, and to have
a regular tranfmiflion of fuch copies to the Lords
Commiffioners for trade and plantations. ^

" Upon the whole, therefore, the Lords of the
Committee fubmit it to your Majefty, THAT
THERE IS NO FOUNDATION FOR ANY CEN-
SURE UPON THE SAID JOHN WENTfVORTlI,
ESQ. YOUR MAJESTY'S GOVERNOR OF NEW-
HAMPSHIRE, FOR ANY OF THE CHARGES
CONTAINED IN Mr. LIVIUS'S COMPLAINT
AGAINST ^ HIM ; whole general condu6l, in the
iidminiftratit^n of affairs within your Majefly's gov-
ernment of New-Hampfliire, is reprefented to have
tended greatly to the peace and profjperity of the
iaid Province.'

APPENDIX. 313

His Majefty, taking the faid report into condder-
ation, is plcaied, with the advice of his Privy Coun-
cil, to approve thereof, and to order, as is hereby
ordered, That the faid complaint of the faid Peter
Livius be difmilled this board. And his Majefty
doth hereby further order. That the Governor, or
Commander in Chief of the Province of New-
Hamplhire, for the time being, do not fail, on any
pretence whatever, pundlually and regularly to
tranfmit to the Lords Commiifioners for trade and
plantations, authentic copies of the journals of the
Council, as a Council of State.

Signed, G. CHETWOOD.

No. XIX.

Extract of a Letter from Governor Wektworth, to the Earl o/Ga^t.
MOUTH, dated JVci^f-Ha/n/m/iire, Hi/i of June ^ 1774.

[This and the following Letters are taken from the
Parliamentary Debates, 1775.]

XN my letter No. 59, I had the honour
to write to your Lordfhip, that the General AiTem-
bly of this province flood prorogued to the 10th of
May, at which time they met and proceeded upon
bufinefs. I took great pains to prevail on them not
to enter into any extra Provincial meafures, yet one
of the members for Portfmouth read in his place the
inclofed letter, No. 1, to the committee of correfpon-
dence of Portfmouth, but the Houfe then declined
coniidering it. On Friday, 27th of May, it was
moved to appoint, committees of correfpondence, and
after a vrarm debate, carried by a majority of two
only : The next morning it was reconfidered, and
carried by a majority of one only, and pafTed as by
the inclofureii No. 2, and 3. Immediately after this,

O o

314 APPENDIJl.

the fupply bill wa* pafled and fent up to tlie Coun-
cil, being withheld, as 1 imagine, for time to effedl
the other meafure. I direcftly adjourned the Ailem-
bly, and kept them under Ihort adjournments till
this day, in hopes to obtain a fufpenfion of thefe
votes ; but finding there were two letters in town for
the fpeaker, which, fome of thofe who were moft
adlive, faid, were to appoint a Congrefs of the Colo-
nies, I confidered it to be improper to admit their
proceedings, and. therefore immediately put an end
to the committees (who have not as yet wrote or act-
ed) and to the AfTembly, by a diflolution in a mef^
fage (No. 4, herev/ith tranfmitted) cautiouily expref-
fed, in fuch general terms, as to prevent any milrep-
refentations. The mode of diflblution after fuch Ihort
adjournments, which are attended by a few mem-
bers, precluded any meeting of thofe perfons to con-
trive undelirable meafures, or purfue thofe in their
private capacity, that were attempted as an AfFembly,
which has extremely difconcerted, and 1 hope will
counteract, the efforts of thofe who ftrive to lead this
Province into combinations with the Maflachufetts-
Bay. Before the diffolution, all the ufual and ne-
ceflary bufinefs of the Province was completed, that
no detriment can arlfe from my delaying to call an
AfFembly, in expectation that a few weeks will con-
vince thofe who may be members,of the imprudence
and error of meafures that tend to weaken or fubvert
the fubordination of the Colonies.

No. XX.

Extract tf a Lrfltrfrom Governor Wkkt-vvorth to tkr £arl o^Dart-
MOVTH, duled JS'cw-JIamJis/iire^ Alh Juiy^ 1774.

liN the 25th of June, at night, arrived
here the Grofvenor mafl-lhip, from London, with
27 cheft* of bohca-tea, configned to a merchant in

APPENDIX. 515

Portfmouth ; fometime before the arrival of the
fiiip, it was reported that a quantity of bohea tea
was expected. Hereupon I took effecflual precau-
tions to countora(5l the univerfal difquiet of Ameri-
ca from contravening the a6ts of Parliament in this
inftance, or dellroying the property. By my defire
the confignee wrote a letter to the mafler of the Ihip,
with directions how to proceed on his arrival. This
letter I gave to captain Cochran of his MajeRy's caf-
tle William and Mary, who efFetfled my orders in de-
livering it at fea. The 26th, being Sunday, nothing
was done. On the 27th the merchant and mailer
went early to the cuilom-houfe, and entered the ihip
and cargo. xA.t noon-day the fliip's boats came to
the wharf with twenty-feven cheils of tea, carts were
prepared, and the tea immediately carried to the cui^
tom-houle, and there flored, before any people could
afTemble to obftruA it. The town not fufpedling
any movement until my return from Dover, about
ten miles off, where I purpofely ftaid during this firft
operation to fecure this event, which I forefaw would
be carried quietly, by withdrawing fufpicion, hav-
ing confided my plan to proper magiflrates, who I
knew would not be difapppointed. In the afternoon
a. town-meeting was convened upon the occafion.
I came to town and paffed on horfeback through
the concourfe, who treated me with their ufual
kindnefs and refpecft. At the meeting, it was
reprefented to the people, that the tea being now
lodged in the cuftom-houfe, the queflion was to-
tally changed, that nothing could be done, but
by confent of, and agreement with the merchant.
The meeting proceeded with coolness and temper
beyond almoftmy hope. It was propofed that a
comniittee fhould be chofen, and invefted with
powers to treat with the merchant. In this com-
miwee of eleven, were many principal gentlemen.

316 APPENDIX.

difcreet men, who I knew detefted every idea of
violating property : Men difpofed to prevent rnifl
chief. The toT^n alfo chofe a guard of freehold-
ers, to protect and defend the cuftom-houfe and
the tea from any attempt or interruption, which
being fincerely intended, was faithfully executed.
On the 2Sth, the conlignee accepted and agreed to
the propofals of the committee, to export the tea
to any market he chofe, upon condition the town
fliould re-lhip and protect it while in the harbour.
This they gladly acceded to, and the town upon
adjournment confirmed the proceedings ; accord-
ingly the committee and the conlignee together
were at the cuilom-houfe, where the duty was op-
enly and regularly paid, and the tea again carted
through the ftreets publicly in the day time, with-
out noife, tumult, or infult. About 9 o'clock P.
M. three overheated mariners (two of them llran-
gers) endeavored to excite a mob, to deftroy the
tea and veffel hired to export it. Whereupon I
sent for Colonel Fenton, who gathered a few gen-
tlemen, repaired to the veflel, and with laudable
fpirit and prudence they perfonally guarded both
veffel and cargo in fafety till the next morning.
On the 29th, A. M. the Comptroller of the Cuftoms
informed me, that thefe mariners had got drums,
and were affembling thoughtlefs people to deftroy
the tea and Hoop. At the fame time I received a
letter, No. I, a copy herewith inclofcd, from the
confignee, defiring my aid and affiftance, to take
poffefhon of the floop and cargo. Hereupon I di-
rected the fheriff inftantly to lummon the Council,
and every Magiftrate and peace-officer to meet me
forthwith on the wharf where the vcUel lay, deter-
mining to difperfe any riotous attempts, and order
the veffel to the caftle ; While I was going out oa

X

4 APPENDIX. 517

this my duty, a melTenger came to tell mc, that
fome magidrates and two of the council, Mr. War-
ner and Mr. Rindge, who happened to be in the
way, hearing the noife, had repaired to the place,
and, with many other freeholders, hienced the
drums, and prevailed on the people to difperfe with-
out any outra^^e. At this time 1 received a fecond
letter (No 2, herewith) from the coufignee, to the
.fame purport as the firll. 1 loft no time in writing
an order to captain Cochran, immediately to take
pollelhon, defend, protect, and fafely deliver the
laid veilel and cargo to the merchant, or to his or-
ders ; and the flierifF, John Parker, Efq. to take
command of the caftlc in his abience, as will appear
fully by the inclofurc. No. 3. In the evening, about
half paft 6, obferving the wind to be contrary, I
difpatched a fecond order to captain Cochran, ftill
to continue in the orders of the morning, as by the
inclofure, No. 4. Thefe orders were directly carri-
ed into effe6l, with a prudence and firmnefs that
does honour to both the officers. On the SOth,
the owner of the floop, the m after, and the fuper-
cargo, to whofe care the confignce committed the
tea, came on board, with proper cuftom-houfe clear-
ances, and authority from the confignee. Captain
Cochran examined the twenty-feven chefts of-tea^
found them perfectly fafe, and in good order ; de-
fired the three laft mentioned perfons to examine
the fame, which they did, and then received both
veftel and cargo into their pofTeflion, and forthwith
failed for Halifax. Mr. Parker the fheriif, and cap-
tain Cochran, returned to their refpedlive duties, and
have made return of their doings, on my orders, as
in the inclofures. No. 5 and 6. During thefe tranf-
atflions, viz. on the evening of the 27th, and morn-
ing of the 28th, I told the colledlor and comptrol-
ler, s,lfo the coaiigaee, that if they wanted any aid

313 APPENDIX.

or afliftance, or were apprehenfive of danger, I wai
ready, whenever they would apply to me, and
•would not only ifTue orders, but in perfon defend
them J that 1 was confident, the magiftrates and
freeholders would not defert me : But they would
not apply, declaring they then apprehended no dan-
ger.

No. XXI.

Ctfiy of a leCter from Governor Wentwohth to the Earl oj Dart-
mouth, dated J^''t'iV'Haml}sltirc, the Ciih rf Julyy 1774.

May it pleafe your Lordfhip,

Upon hearing the committee of corref-
pondence, chofen by the late AfTembly of this Prov-
ince, had ilTued letters to thofe members to meet
this day in the Reprefentatives chamber in Portf-
mouth, there to deliberate and a(5l, particularly to
choofe delegates for a general American Congrefs,
and that fome of the faid perfons were convened.
I have confidercd it to be my duty to his Majefty to
ufe my endeavours to difperfe and feparate fo illegal
and unwarrantable an attempt. I have therefore
convened his Majefly's Council, ordered thelherifF
to attend me, and requiring their attendance on
me, I went into the room, and immediately read
the inclofed fpeech to them ; afterwards I direded
the fheriffto make open proclamation, for all per-
fons to difperfe and keep the King's peace, which
was done before they had entered on any bufinefs,
and I expedl will be obeyed, as this letter mud be
forwarded by exprcfs 66 miles to Boflon, and reach
there to-night, in hopes to fave conveyance by ad-
miral Montague. Whatever further may occur, I
Ihall take due care to tranfmit to youi* Lordihip at

APPENDIX. 519

foon as pofTible, all which is mod humbly fubmit-
ted, dutifully hoping your Lordfliip's favourable
reprefcntatioii of my befl zeal, unremitted diligence
and fidelity in dilcharge of my duty, may happily
be honoured with his Majcfty's approbation. I
have the honor to be, with the moll perfedl re£^
peel, &c.

J. WENTWORTH.

No. XXII.

Extract rf a Letter from the Honourable Governor Wkxtworth, t$ the
Eail o/" Dartmouth, dated Xevt-Hamtishirey IS/A A///, 1774.

X HE convention mentioned in my dil^
patch. No. Q^^ immediately difperfed, without at-
tempting to enter into any meafures. Thofe gen-
tlemen with fome others dined at a tavern, and
there in private agreed to recommend to the fever-
al parillies in the Province, that they choofe perfond
to meet at Exeter on the 21fl inflant, for the pur-
pofe of appointing delegates to attend, and be pare
of an American Congrefs, intended to aflemble the
Ifl of September next, in Pennfylvania or New-
Jerfey. The towns were defired to collecfl volun-
tarily, and fend by their agents to Exeter, certain
fums of money in proportion to their province-tax,
amounting to three hundred pounds Ilerling, to pay
the delegates. It was alfo recommended to the
parillies, that the 14th inflant be obferved as a day
of fafling and prayer. It is yet uncertain how far
thefe requifitions will be complied with ; but I am
apt to believe the fpirit of enthufiafm, which gen-
erally prevails through the colonies, will create an
obedience that reafbn or religion would fail to
procure.

JJ20 APPENDIX.

No. XXIII.

Mxtract of a Li'tter frcm Governor V/kntworth, ?<» l/ie Earl of Dakt-
MOUTH, dated S'cw-HamJts/tire, Aui^ust 29 f/i, 1774,

Since my letter, No. 64, tlie conven-
tion of perfons chofeii by many towns, in confe-
quence of the invitation in that letter referred
to, met at Exeter, and elected Col. Folfoni and I^ajor
Sullivan to be delegates for this Province, at the
Congrefs to be held in Philadelphia, on the firtl
day of September next. The paper, No. 1, here-
with inclofed, is a copy of the inftrudlions given to
thofe gentlemen, and is the befl explanation of their
fervice and employment that I can obtain. I am
informed that this convention colledled and brought
from their refpedlive towns, about one hundred
and twenty guineas, which was paid into the hand*
of John Giddinge, Efquire, (who they eledled
Treafurer)- to defray the expenfe incurred by the
delegates afore-named, who fet off on their journey
to Philadelphia, on the 10th inftant.

The committee of correfpondence eledled by the
late AfTembly, and of courfe dilTolved with them,
v/rote circular letters to all the towns in this Prov-
ince, copy of which, and printed form of the non-
importation and non-confumption agreement, re-
commended in that letter and accompanying it, are
herewith tranfmitted, No. 2. Some few towns gen-
erally fubfcribed, many others totally rejcdled.
The committee appear confcious that their powers
(if any they ever had) ceafed with the AiTeinbly
that ele(5led them, for they do not date the day of
the month, bccaufe it fucceeded the difTolution ; it
is certahi they had not acted, nor even met together
before that.

APPENDIX. 321

1 think this Province is much more moderate
than any orher to the fouchward, although the fpiric
of enthuiiarm is fprcad, and requires the utmoft
vigilance and prudence to reftrain it from violent
excefs ; this will appear by the inclofure, No. 3,
which w^as carried ?ie?mnc contradicente in this town,
upon an attempt fome few nights preceding, by a
parcel of boys and failors, to infult a woman who
fold tea. Since this vote, the town has been per-
fecflly quiet, thofc who had tea have fold it without
moleilation. The inliabitants have now almofl uni-
verfally difcontinued the life of Bohea tea, and I
apprehend will entirely within three months of this
date.

The town clerk of Boflon, who is faid to be a
zealous leader of the popular oppofition, has been
in this town about a week ; immediately appears a
publication in the New-Hampiliire Gazette,* recom-
mending donations for Boflon, wdiich has been fol-
lowed by a notihcation to convene in town-meeting
* to grant relief to the poor of the town of Bolfon,'
on the 12th of September next. It is probable no
town grant will be made, and the meeting iifue in
appointing a committee to receive and tranfmit vol-
untary donations, which I believe will not afford
much comfort to thsm, or greatly credit the charit-
able munificence of thefe town-meetings ; grants
are alv/ays and ever will be greater on popular pre-
tences than private fubfcriptions, becaufe thofe that
vote in public pay by far the leaft part of the grant ;
as is ever the cafe with feleCl men, who having pow-
er over the apportionment of rates, probably do not
exercife it to their own detriment, and thence more
eafily join in facilitating and augmenting fuch gifts,
which, from the nature of the ofHce, they have

" The publication here referred to was \vi itten by 3 person whom the Goveraof did
not lujpect, and the towK cterk knew nothing ol it.

Pp

322 APPENDIX.

great infiuence upon. It is greatly to be wifh^d,
that gentlemen of property, experience and educa-
tion, could be perfuaded to acce?|-)t the office of fe-
ledt men ; but it is impracElicable, if they are dilin-
terefted, and without other views than the public
good, it is very laborious and unprofitable employ-
ment : And as I have nothing in my power vv' here-
by to reward fuch good men, they all decline, and
the interior regulation af the capital falls into the
hands of thofe who can fubmit to make it worth
their attention.

I. beg leave to afTure your Lordfhip of my mofl
faithful diligence in his Majefly's fervice ^ and, with
the greatefl deference, to hope for inch favourable
reprefentation thereof.

1 am, &c.

J. WENTWORTII.

P. S. The inclofure, No. 4, met with very little
encouragement, and obtained but few figners (ex-
cept two or three) who were only among the low-
er order of people, who iigned before they were di-
vided tOy and on the fame invitation would fign any
other paper. J. W.

No. XXIV.

Extract of a Letter from Governor "Wentwortii to the Karl o/Dart-
jiiOVTiii duttd .Yc.L'-fJam/is/iire I3t/i September^ IZiJi.

On the 8th inflant, about fun-fet, arriv-
ed in the port of Pifcataqua the Fox maft-lhip, hav-
ing on board SO chefls of bohea tea, configncd to
Mr. Edward Parry of this town. Previous to this
arrival it had been reported that fuch an event was
expedted : I therefore early inftrucfted captain Coch-
ran of his Majefty's caRlc, William and Mary, in

APPENDIX. 52S

this Province, to render all the aid and afTiflance in
his power upon the firil application, as by the copy,
No. 1, which 1 beg leave to inclofe to your Lordlhip
herewith. Accordingly captain Cochran, always
indefatigable in his duty, went off to the fliip while
at fea and proriered his fervice. Some few days
before this arrival, letters were received from Lon-
don, mentioning the Ihipping of the tea, to fundry
perfons, whence it became very publick. A Ihip
laft week arrived at Salem with a quantity of tea on
board, alfo confirmed the expectation of the like
here. Thefe things, added to a report from Salem,
that the people would not admit the tea to be land-
ed, entered, or pay the duty there, and the enthufi-
afUc fpirit of that Province daily gaining ground
both there and here, notwithftanding my utmoft ef-
forts and vigilance, rendered the event of this im-
portation more precarious than the former, and raif^
ed almoil infurmountable obftacles againfl its prejC-
ervation.

As ibon as it was generally known that tea was
arrived here, the difquiet broke forth among the
populace, and at a quarter pafl ten at night I received
a letter, No. 2, from Mr. Parry, informing of his
windows being broken by a mob, and deiiring pro-
tection. A.t half pafl ten I fent Mr. M'Donah, my
private Secretary, and my brother, who happened
to be at my houfe, to inquire of Mr. Parry what
was neceffary, and, if any danger, to offer him the
protection of my houfe, which they did ; but the
attempted mob having fubfided, he faw there w^as
no danger, and remained quietly and fafely in his
own lodgings. At three quarters pafl 9 A. M. of
the 9th inllant, Mr. Parry brought me a petition
to the Governor and Council, praying the protec-
tion of government, as in the inclofed copy. No. 3,
Whereupon I convened the Council within an hour.

524 APPENDIX.

and received advice from them to call in the Jiifti-.
ces that were in tow^n, and require their execution
of their duty, which they, with laudable prudencd
and firmnefs immediately proceeded upon, and with
defirable fuccefs.

Mr. Parry and Captain Norman were informed
of thefe proceedings, and by me told at the Council
Board, that the Governor, Council, and INlagiftrates,
would, upon the lead notice, fup[X)rt and protect
them and their property, and that we ihould all be
in readinefs. At fix P. M. I adjourned till nine
o'clock next morning, and fentforthe Chief Juilice,
Sheriff and Attorney-General, from Exeter, where
the Superior Court was and is fitting. Alio Mr,
Gilman and Waldron from Exeter and Dover, to
make a full Council. That nothing might be want'
ing to execute the law, and preferve the public
peace, the Council fat till two o'clock ; and no fur-
ther application made nor any appearance of riot
or violence whatever. I propofed to the Council
to confider and advife me what further was needful
to be done upon the petition ; this was referred to
a committee to report upon, and I adjourned till
•Monday, the twelfth inilant, ten o'clock, A. M.

During this period, viz. the 9th and 10th inftant,
the town meetings were agitated. At length a
committee were chofen to confult with Mr. Parry
and the Captain, who agreed to export the tea to
Halifax, after being duly entered, and paying the
duty. About five o'clock P. M. of 10th, Mr. Parry
and Captain Norman came to mc, and informed
me of this agreement, and that they were obliged
to the government for their protection, which they
imagined was no longer neceffary on this occalion.
However, I judged it prudent to meet the Council
on the adjournment, and to have the Council con-
vened again in the afternoon, as there was a town

APPENDIX. 525

jneetiiig fitting, and I could not be certain of eftab-
lilhed quiet 'till that was over. The vefTel with
the tea lailcd the 1 1th inftant, with a fair wind, for
Halifax, and the town is in peace. The whole pro-
ceedings of Council aiTair I beg leave herewith to
tranftnit to your Lordihip in the paper No. 4.

Notwithflanding, I can flill have the pleafure to
reprefent to your Lordihip that this Province con-
tinues more moderate than any to the fouthw^ard ;
yet, at the fame time, truth requires me to fuggell,
that the union of the colonies in fentiment is not
divided nor lofl in New-Hampfliire, although they
Jiave hitherto been prevailed upon to abftain from
actS of general violence and outrage, and the laws
have their courfe. How long it will remain fo is
impofiible to forefee ; I confefs much good may
not reafonably be counted upon, while the unhap-
py difcraclions in theMafTachufetts bay gain ground
and fpread with fuch violence as cannot but be ex-
tremely deplored by every confiderate man.

No. XXV.

Sxtraci of a Letter from Governor Wentwouth tn the Earl q/~ Dart-
mouth, dated JVeiv-Ham^ishire, \Sch A''oveviber, 1771.

-A T an adjournment of a town meeting
in Portfmouth, in 06lober laft, fifty-two voters re-
confidered a vote of fifty-fix voters in a previous
meeting, " not to grant the town monies for a do-
nation to Eofton J but that a voluntary fubfcription
be opened for that purpofe." This lefTer number
granted two hundred pounds proclamation money,
which is near four times their Province tax.

They alfo proceeded to choofe a committee of
forty-five perfons, chiefly out of the number then

326 APPENDIX.

prefent, who fllle {hemfelves, " A Committee of
Ways and Means." I hear one half the number
refufed to adV. The remainder convened together,
and prevailed on Mr. Went worth, an old gentleman
of feventy-eight years, and lately extremely impair-
ed by frequent epileptic fits, to be their chairman.
General Gage having delired me to furnifh fome
carpenters to build and prepare quarters for his
Majefty's troops in Bofton, the carpenters there be-
ing withdrawn, and the fervice much diilreiled ; I
immediately engaged and fent him a party of able
men, which arrived to the General, and are very
ufeful. However, this committee conhdered it as
very obnoxious, and chofe a fub-committee from
among their adling members, to draw up refolves
relative to this matter, v\rhich I am informed they
did, and were accordingly publiflied in the inclofed
New-Hamplhire Gazette, No. 940, which excited
the defigned madnefs through the interior part of
the Province, and folely gave rife to the proceed-
ings at Rochefler, as publiflied in the Gazette, No.
942, herewith tranfmitted. Indeed, had not the
Rochefler committee adled with great prudence, and
confented to call Mr. Auftin before them, it is
greatly to be apprehended very effential outrages
would have been committed on his eilate, and his
perfon endangered through the violence of a de-
luded populace. From thefe motives only were
thofe three gentlemen in Rochefler prevailed on to
adl in a buhnefs the whole of which they publicly
difapproved, but had not power to lupprefs. Dur-
ing thefe agitations Captain Holland, by defire of
Brigadier General Robinfon, had purchafed fome
blankets for the army. The committee forbad him
to Ihip any, and he immediately fent thcni all to
my houfb for fafety, whence I dirc6lly fliipped
them for Boilon, and they are fafely delivered. In

APPENDIX. S27

the counties of Hillfborough. and Cheflilre I have
heard there have been feveral reprehenfible violenc-
es committed, under popular pretences of liberty ;
neverthelels I took fach meafures, that, I am in-
formed by the magiftrates of thofe counties, the
difficukies begin to fiibfide. But I cannot flatter
mylelf with any reafonable hopes of the legal
eftablifliment of the powers of government in this
Province, vintil they are efFccStually reftored in the
MalFachufctts Bay. I have been fuccefsful in pre-
vailing on foldiers deferted from the King's troops
at Bollon, to return to their duty, through the fpi-
rited and prudent adlivity of Major Thompfon, a
militia officer of New-Hamplhire, whofe manage-
ment, the General writes me, promifes further fuc-
cefs. The town of Exeter have followed the exam-
ple of Portfmouth, and granted one hundred pounds
to Bofton, and I apprehend many other towns wili
do the like.

. No. XXVI.

Extract of a Letter from Governor Wentworth, to the Em I r/"DART*

siowvn, dated Xc'.v-Hamjiahire^ December 2y 1774.

IHE forming a Continental Congrefs
was fo univerfally adopted by the other Colonies,
that it was impoflible to prevent this Province from
joining therein, and accepting the meafures recom-
mended, which are received implicitly : So great
is the prefent delufion, that mofl people receive
them as matters of obedience, not of confiderate ex-
amination, whereon they may exercife their own
judgment. Accordingly on their firfl publication,
the a<5ling part of the committee mentioned in my
difpatch. No. 69, forbad an exportation of fifty
fheep, the adventure of a fluip-mafter, bound to the

328 APPENDIX.

Weft-Indies, and caufed him, at fome lofs, to dif-
pofe of his iheep, and unlade the provifion madd-
for them.

This day the Provincial committee nominated at
Exeter by the eledlors of the delegates to the Con-
grefs, have publilhed their mandate, herewith en-
clofed, for a general fiibmifiion to the refolves of
the Congrefs, iigned by their chairman, who was
fpeaker in the late General Alfembly.

It is much to be wirhed the Colonies had purfa-
cd the mode of reprefentation your Lordihip is
pleafed to mention. At prefent, I apprehend, the
refpeclive AlTemblies will embrace the firft hour of
their meeting, formally to recognife all the proceed-
ings of the Congrefs, and if they fhould fuperadd,
it will not probably be lefs violent than the exam-
ple which will be their foundation.

No. XXVII.

Cofr.j of a LF.tt'.r frtin ''i'.'T;f?-7Jor Wextworth to Gave7-nor Gag Z, dat-
ed 14//! of December y 1774.

Portfmouth, New-Hamplhlre,
SIR,

1 HAVE the honor to receive your Ex-
cellency's letter of the 19th inft. with the letter from
the Secretary of State, which were both delivered
to me on Monday evening laft by Mr. Whiting.

It is with the utmoft concern I am called upon
by my duty to the King, to communicate to your
Excellercy a moft unhappy afHiir perpetrated here
this day.

Yederday in the afternoon, Paul Revere arrived
in this town, exprefs from the committee in Bofton
to another committee in this town, and delivered
his difpatch to Mr, Samuel Cutts, merchant of this

APPENDIX. 329

iQ-vvn, "^'ho immediately convened the committee of
which he is one, and, as I learn, laid it before them.
This day before noon, before any fufpicions could
be had of their intentions, about four hundred men
were colleclcd together, and immediately proceed-
ed to his Majelly's Cafile, William and Mary, at the
entrance of this harbour, and forcibly took poiTef-
fion thereof; notwithftanding the beft defence that
covdd be made by Captain Cochran (whofe condudl
has been extremely laudable, as your Excellency
will fee by the enclofed letter from him) and by
violence carried away upwards of 100 barrels of
powder belonging to the King, depollted in the caf-
tle. I am informed that expreffe^ have been circu-
lated through the neighbouring towns, to colledl a
number of people to-morrow, or as foon as poffible,
to carry away all the cannon and arms belonging
to the callle, which they will undoubtedly effect,
nnlefs fome afliftance fliould arrive from Boflon in
time to prevent it. This event too plainly proves
the imbecility of this government to carry into exe-
cution his Majefly's order in Council, for feizing
and detaining arms and ammunition imported into
this Province, without fome firong fliips of war in
this harbour : Neither is the Province or cuftom-
houfe-treafury in any degree fafe ; if it fhould
come into the mind of the popular leaders to feizq
upon them.

The principal perfons who took the lead in this
enormity are well known. Upon the beft informa-
tion I can obtain, this mifchief originates frona
the publifting the Secretary of State's letter, an4
the King's order in Council at Rhode-Ifland, prohib-
iting the exportation of military {lores from Great-
JJritain, and the proceedings in that Colony in confe-
quence of it, which have been publifhed here by

Qq

^30 APPENDIX.

the forenieiitioned Mr. Revere, and the difpalc^i
brought, before which all was perfedly quiet and
peaceable here. I am, &c.

(Signed) J. WENTWORTH.

No. XXVIII.

Gojiy of a Letter frora Captain Cochran, Coirnumdrr of Fort tViUiam
and Afari/, in A^tii'~/fa?ti/iK/.ire, to Governor Wkntworth, dated
tl'ic \ A: h of December^ 1774.

May it pleafe your Excellency,-

J- RECEIVED your Excellency's favour
of yeftcrday, and in obedience thereto kept a flridt
watch all night, and added two men to my ufual
number, being all I could get. Nothing material
occurred till this day one o'clock, when I was in-
formed, there was a number of people coming to
take poffeflion of the Fort, upon which, having only
five efFe(5live men with me, I prepared to make the
beft defence 1 could, and pointed fome guns to thofe
plac-es-where I expedled they would enter. About
three o'clock the Fort was befet on all fides by up-
wards of four hundred men. I told them, on their
peril, not to enter : They replied they would. I
immediately ordered three four pounders to be fir-
ed on them, and then the fm all arms, and before we
could be ready to fire again, v/e were ftormcd on all
quarters, and tiiey immediately fecured both me and
my men, and kept us prifoners about one hour and
a half, daring vdiich time they broke open the pow-
der-houle, and took all the powder away except one
barrel, and having put it into boats and fent it off,
they relealcd mc from my confinement. To which

APPENDIX. 3^31

can only add, that I did all in my power to defend
the fort, but all my efforts could not avail againit
fo great a number. I am your Excellency's, &c.
(Signed) JOHN COCHRAN.

No. XXIX.

C'\'iy of an Extract 'f n Lettrr from Governor Wextwortii, to Gov-
(TZ'or Gage, dafcU J-'irtw.oiiUi, JWvj-IiumiiBk.rty ihe I6i/i cf Decern -
i)cr, 1774.

1?N Wednefday lad after twelve o'clock,
an infurrection fuddenly took place in this town,
and immediately proceeded to his Majefty's caftle,
attacked, overpowered, wounded and confined the
Captain, and thence took away all the King's pow-
der. Yeilerday numbers more aflembled, and
lalf night brought off many cannon, &c. and about
iixty mufkets. This day the town is full of armed
men, who refufe to difperfe, but appear determined
to compleat the difmantling the fortrefs intirely.
Hitherto the people abltain from private or perfonal
injuries ; how long they will be fo prevailed on, it
is impoffible to fay, I moil iincerely lament the pref-
ent di(lra(5lions which feem to have burfl forth by
means of a letter from William Cooper to Samuel
Cutts, delivered here on Tuefday laft, P. M. by
Paul Revere. I have not time to add further on
this melancholy fubjedl.

P. S. The populace threaten to abufe Colonel Fen-
ton, becau-fe he has to them declared the folly of
their coadu6l, and that he will do his duty as a jujT-
tice in executing the laws. They will never prevail
on him to retract, if all the men in the Province at-
tack him. If I had had two hundred fuch men, the
caille and all therein would yet have been fafe. At
this moment the heavy cannon are not carried off,
but how foon they may be, I cannot fay.

332 APPENDIX.

No. XXX.

The imblkalion in ih^ Xcvj-TIamJichirc Gazcrtc rtfirrvd loin Xu. XXIIt^

TO THE INHABITANTS OF THE rROVINCE OF NEW-
HAMPSHIRE.

Rcnifniler ihem that arc in bonds as bound ivi'/t tficni, and I'/irui that i,!:jr£r
adxursicy, an being ijourseiucs uLso In (lie body.

Let ua consider one another to provoke to love a^d to good'ioorku.
MY DEAR BRETHREN,

liXJR late FIouf& of Deputies, which met
at Exeter, having recommended it to the feveral
towns in this Province, to confider the dillrelled iit-
uatioQ of our poor onpreflbd Brethren in Boiton,
who are fuifering the rigour of a cruel and unjuft
acl of Parliament which deprives them of the means
of ilibfiitencc for an indefinite time, and lend them
what lielp we can afiord, to fapnort them in their
fufierings : 1 beg leave to lay before you fome con-
fiderations, which may ferve to fhew you not how
much they 7}ecd (for that your own humanity muft
inform you) but how much they dcfcrvc your aflift-
ance.

The people of that Town and Colony have ever
been rem.arkable for their humanity and generoiity
to the diilreffed. Their bounty has been extended
to Jamaica, Nevis, Carolina and other places which
have fufFered by fires, hurrjcanes, earthquakes and
other calamities, yea, London itfelf has experienced
their kindncfs, when by the fire in 1666, great
^umbers there were reduced to poverty. To their
tender and benevolent hand this Province in partic-
ular is greatly indebted if not for its exiflence, yet
certainly for its protcolion and fupport, both in mat-
ters of civil government and in the furious Indian
Wars during thofe forty years we were united to

APPENDIX. 3i|^

that Colony. Ths fettlements here muft have been
broken up had we been left to Hand alone, vexed as
WQ were by intcfline dlviiions and the want of an
orderly government, labouring under poverty, and
attacked by a favage enemy whofe tender mercies
were cruelty. The fenfe of their kindnefs was mofl
gratefully exprcffed in a letter written by Prefident
Cutts and his Council in 1680, to that Colony, up-
on the feparation v^hich then took place by tiie
King's Authority. And iince that time, every one
that is acquainted with the ftate of this Province,
knows that it owes much of its importance to the
neighbourhood of the Maflachufetts government.

Though the Town of Bollon have themfelves fuf-
fered greatly by fires, and by the frequent fpread-
ing of the fmall pox among them, yet they have al-
ways been at a prodigious expenfe in fupporting the
poor, moll of whom are not natives of the place,
but ftrangers, who have fallen in among them. For
feveral years pad, as I have it from the befl autlior-
ty, their annual poor's bill has amounted to about two
thoufand pounds fterling ; beiides which, there is
a voluntary quarterly contribution for the poor at a
public evening-lecture in Faneuil-Hall.

Diftreiled perfons of all forts have ever found
Bollon the bed place to go to for relief. Prlfoners
of war have there found the kindeft treatment, and
returned captives have been received with the ten-
dered commiferation. Mr. Williams of Deeriield,
in the narrative of his captivity, bears them this tef-
timony, ' The charity of the whole country of Can-
*- ada, though moved with the doctrine of merit,
*• does not come up to the charity of BodoR alone,
^ wdiere notions of merit are rejecfled.'

Now, Ihall fuch a people as this fuffer unpitied,
imaflided ? He who hath edabliflied this rule ' The
? liberal devifeth liberal things, and by liberal things

334: APl'ENDIXo

' he (liall fland,' has dlfpofed the hearts of ovir bredw
ren in the Ibutheni Colonies to contribute hand-
fomely ah'eady, and when tlie crops come in, we
expect they will do much more. And fhall iiot we,
though our ability is but iinall in proportion to
theirs, do what wc can to enable our brethren, who
are foremoil in the contiicfl:, to maintain the caiil'e
in which they are engaged, by a firin and manly
perfeverancc ? Will not inch communications of'
charity Itrengthen the bonds of fociety, and endear
us to each other ? And when a firm union is thus
cemented, happy in our mutual afFeclion, in the in-
creafed cultivation of our lands, in our frugality
and economy, v;e ihall fecurcly bid defiance to all
the enemies of our peace, and leave this land of
LIBERTY a facred legacy to poflerity.
' Terra — pot em armh^atqiie uberv ghbde^

AMICUS PATRLE.

No, XXXI.

On ih'' r,;r^ra(iori vf Fli-.hcs. ^-1 lci(crfr(x;n the Hon, Ganral Lincoln to
the ylurhor. ,

Hingham, Dec. 12,1791.
Reverend and dear Sir,

oINCE I faw you lad, I have found fome
parts of the copy of a letter I wrote to Mr. Little, with
a delign to convince him, that the river fifli never for-
fake the waters in which they werefpawned, unlefs
fome unnatural obilruclions are thrown in their
way : That when obdrucled, they do not feek new
fources in which they may lodge their fpawn ; but
that they are lb ilrongly allured to the fame rout,
that they annually return to their natural river,
piefhng conilantly for a paifage into their mother

APPENDIXi fjf^S

poncL TKat the qviiet waters of the lake can alone
give that nourifhnient and protccflion neccfTary to
the exiflence of the egg; the prcfervation of which
is incUrpenlible, if an extinclion of the fchull is to
be prevented. *

The pra(5lice is not novel in this State, when from
fome unnatural obftruc^ions, the fifli have been to-
tally expelled from a river, to re-eftablifli them in
their former numbers. About fifty years fince, it
was known, that at the firll fettlement of this town,
the Alewives had a pafTage through it, into Accord
pond, and were in fuch plenty as to give a full fup-
ply to the inhabitants. This induced the people at
that time to attempt the re-efcablifhment of them,
in which they fuccccded by opening proper fifh
ways through the mill dams, and conveying the
iifh, in the fpring of the year, in a proper vehicle in-
to the pond ; this was done by keeping it near the
bank of the river, and frequently fliifting the water
in the vcffel. After this, the lilli increafed annual--
ly until there was a pretty good fupply ; but as there
were many ilioal places in the river, which requir-
ed very conftant attention, the expenfe of which and
the lofs fuilained by flopping the mills, exceeded,
in the opinion of the tov/n, the advantages of the
fifh, the bufinefs was ncgle61:ed ; fo that for a num-
ber of years they have been perfeclly cut off from
the pond. Notwithftanding fome of the fifli annu-
ally return to the mouth of the river urging a pafT-
age up ; but they are decreafed in number and re-
duced in lize.

\Vc ftiall find on examination, that the fifli though
of the fame kind, in one river are much larger and
fatter than in any other river in its vicinity. If
thefe fifh were fufFered to intermix, the difference
rrow fo very apparent would not exifl. If the fifh
are not direcled by fome laws in nature, to the riv-

^36 APPENDli^.

ers in wliich tliey were fpawiied, how fliall we ac-
count for the Salmon behig in Connecticut river^
and in Merrimack, and the rivers lying between,
perfe(5lly deftitute ■ of thcfe iifii ? Was there not
foirfething irrefiftibly enchanting, in the waters in
which they refpedlively originated, we ihould prob-
ably find ibme draggling ialmon in the intermedi-*
ate rivers.

Whilft r refided in Philadelphia in 1782 and 1783^
I difcovercd that the Shad brought to market from
the Schuylkill were about one third part better than
thofe taken in the Delaware. Thefe fifli come up*
the bay together in the fpring, and take, each fchuU
its proper river, about five miles below the city ;
they are caught but a few miles above it, fo that in
a few hours after they divide, they fall into the nets
of the filhermen. Were there not fomething in the
nature of the waters of thefe rivers, by which the
fifli are allured to them refpeclively, we certainly
fhould find the fifii in the diiierent rivers exac^lly
alike, for we cannot fuppofe that they experience
any material change between the time of their fepa-
ration and the time of their being caught. As the
Shad taken in the Schuylkill are and always have
been of a much fuperior quality to thofe taken in
the Delaware, we mud fuppofe that there is, in the
river firft mentioned, food for the fifli more nutri-
tive than there is in the latter. I cannot think it a
very romantic idea, that the waters are fo impregnat-
ed w^ith certain particles which fliall be fufEcicnt to
allure the fiih to thofe rivers in which they were
fpawncd, or that they are invited to them by the re-
turning fry, on which they have been accuflomcd
to feed. That they do feed differently, fome on
food more nutritive than others, cannot be denied ;
to this is owing the different fizc of the fifli. They

APPENDIX. S37

leave the rivers under different circumflances, and
fo return to them again.

1 he Ihad and ale wife frequent the fame waters in
v^hich they drop their fpa vvns. The lliad,prior to this,
work up a little circular fand bank, on which the
fpawns are lodged, and are guarded from that de-
flruclion to which they would be expofed from the
fmall filh, did not the male coiUtantly play around
the depoiit. While the eggs or fpawns of the ale-
wife are fecured by being depofited in fhoal water,
which prevents their being annoyed by the large fifli.

The idea that fifh always return to the fame rivers
in which they are fpawned, will not appear improb-
able v/hen we confider what are the general laws
which feem to controul the whole finny tribe ; and
what, would be the probable confequences fliould
they be thrown down.

On the iliores of the United States we fmd fifh of
different kinds, each fupplying a certain proportion
of the inhabitants. Thefe are retrained by fome
laws in nature to their own feeding ground ; they
do not invade the rights of octiers, nor are their rights
infringed by any. New- York is in the neighbor-
hood of Rhode-Ifland, and that State is in the neigh-
bourhood of this, yet each State has a very different
fifli-market. So it is with Pennfylvania and the
States fouth of it. Notwithftanding this, all are fup-
plied, and with kinds of fifh peculiar to each. The
Cod-fi(h which occupy the banks lying between the
latitudes of 41 and 45, are very different on the dif-
ferent banks, and are kept fo diftincft, and are fo fimi-
lar on the refpe6live banks, thata man acquainted with
the filliing bufinefs, will feparate thofe caught on
one bank from thofe caught on another, with as
much eafe as we feparate the apple from the pear.

It will be acknowledged that there can esift but
R r

338 APPENDIX*

a certain number only of fifh in any given fpace j
was not this the cafe, as they are fo prolific in their
nature they would, from their natural increafe, foon
fo multiply, as that the world, if I may be allowed
the expreflion, would not contain them.

On the banks there appears nearly as many fifli
as ever, notwithftanding the great numbers annual-
ly taken. The grand bank was, three years ago,
nianifeftly overftocked, there were, more filh on it
than could find fupport ; thofe taken were evidently
on the decline, they were very thin, the fubftance
tender ; it could not be hardened and preferved by
fait ; many of them would yield before the knife in
fplitting and fall to pieces before they could be con-
veyed to the flakes. The caufe is not known, prob-
ably the fpawns of that feafon were better preferved
than they had ufually been.

Were thofe reflraining laws of nature, which now
confine the different fchulls of fifh to their own
limits, thrown down, and all could wander without
controul there would be the mofl iminent danger of
a total deftrudlion of nearly the whole kind, as well
in the rivers as on the banks, for, as was faid be-
fore, there can but a certain number exifl in a given
fpace.

Permit me farther to requefl, in fupport of the
dodlrine advanced, an attention to that fyftem and
order fo confpicuous in the operations of nature,
and the great regularity preferved among the things
of creation, animate and inanimate, by that Wifdom
which made and governs the world.

Let us take a view of the different nations difperfed
over the face of the earth, by Him who originally
fixed bounds to the habitations of men, and as a re-
flraint to them, and that each tribe Ihould retain its
»wn limits, he gave to each nation a different Ian-

APPENDIX. 339

guage : We find the difTerent t.cHons and tribes,
though pofTellmg very different clim.t-es, and if we'
were to judge, enjoying the means of C-^Tr.*^.^ i,
grees of happinefs, feverally tenacious of the limits
afligncd them, and where a God is acknowledged,
they very fincerely and univerfally thank him that
they are favoured above their fellow ipen.

Was it not for the fuperintending care, and the
influence of the Governor of the univerfe, who fcat-
ters in the paths of men fuch motives as fall with
weight and convicflion on their minds, and lead therq.
to prefer their climate above any other, no inhabi-
tants would be found in the burning fands under
the torrid, nor on the frozen cragged mountains un-
der the frigid zones : We find however under each,
multitudes of people, who are fo fitted for their re-
fpeclive fituations, that they are not only happy, but
are really partial to the place afligned them, and en-
vy not the dominion of others, and feldom or never
invade them, but from motives of avarice, pride and
ambition.

We find that the people who inhabited the Amer-
ican iliores on the firft difcovery of them, were di-
vided into little kingdoms or tribes, each fpeaking
a different language, and were enemies one to the other ;
hence they v/ere preferved from famine and want,
for they depended principally upon the fpontaneous
growth of the earth, and upon fifhing and hunting
for their fupport. Whatever kept them afunder was '
an a(5l of mercy ; with their ideas, they could not
have lived compadlly, ruin muff have been the necef^
fary confequencc of the attempt.

What fliort of that influence neceffary to preferve
the natural order of things, could have prevented
mankind from abandoning the more inhofpitable
parts of the globe, running together aad uniting in

340 ^^PENDIX.

climes the mou iTiendly and pleafant, and much the
ereater p^^i^^ 9Khem becoming ttereby their own ex-
wcauoners. Although from an high cuhivation of
the earth, food may be drawn for a great multitude
of people, yet population cannot exceed certain
bounds ; whenever that takes place, the falubrity of
the air is deflroyed, contagion rages, the people fick-
en and die.

Let me now point you to the birds of palTage, and
afk that you would permit your ideas to follow
them in their flight from fouth to north, in fpring,
and from north to fouth, in autumn, and you will
find that they are annually pointed to the fame
objedls, and are as conflant in their flight and as
regular in their courfe as are the feafons. We may,
at a particular time of the year, trace the fwallow
into its hiding place, and the robin and the lark to
the forefts, where they retire for fhelter from the
inclemency of an approaching winter, and fee them
in the morning of fpring returning to the fame hab-
itations and branches, and often to the fame nefls
they occupied before, and which from neceility they
had abandoned. Different fowls, natives of differ-
ent climes, are fo fitted to their native' air, that ma-
ny of them cannot exift out of it.

The rattle fnake,themoflpoifonous reptile in this
part of the country, is circumfcribed in his limits,
and cannot exifl beyond a certain degree of north-
ern latitude, nor can he be tranfported acrofs the
Atlantic. By what laws in nature he is reftrained
we know not ; that he is retrained is a fa(5l, and is
not known in one part of this Commonwealth while
much dreaded in another. The fame reftraint lies
on difierent reptiles in the fouthcrn States, and
though one part arc in a degree endangered by
thenij yet others arc pcrfedly free from their poi-

APPENDIX. 341

fonous iVmgs. Thefe animals, neceflary on the
whole, as are the flies, which multiply in proportion
to the impurity of the air by which they are lur-
rouncled, make a part of the great whole, andhave,
I doubt not, a benevolent commifTion, in the execu-
tion of which the happinefs of man is materially
concerned.

Beafts of the moft ferocious kind, necefTary in the
chain, are peculiar to certain climates, and are the
leaft dreaded where mofl known : A belief that they
will not exceed the limits afligned them, prevents
their giving terror to others ; while thofe of a dif-
ferent kind ferve for our ufe, are fitted to live in the
various climates in which they have been placed,
and feem, by fome inflindl df nature to be perfedl-
ly fubmiflive ; and are bound with much eafe to
the limits alligned them.

When we take a view of the whole of the order
eftabliilied originally, and which has been preferv-
ed in the world ; when we fee man difperfed over
the face of the earth, and an evident defign that he
ihould remain fo difperfed, and when we behold,
that in confequence thereof, care has been taken
that under every circumftance of civilization, or
barb'arifm, a full fupply of food can be obtained by
each, in a way belt fitted to themfelves ; when we
fee the birds of pafTage, anxious to perform their
part, and (which is important indeed to fome of the
inhabitants in the higher latitudes) taught to fly in
winter to climes more friendly to their exiflence,
and led back to nourifh the waking Laplander, af-
ter a winter of retirement and fleep. When we fee
the care exercifed towards man evinced in the exifl-
ence of even the mofl poifonous animals, fitted to
inhale the more fubtil and pointed particles floating
in air, which are too keen for our habits, and ob-

•342 APPENDIX.

ferve tlie irritating fly, bufily employed in fipping
the putrid matter, in the firfl flages of it, which
otherwife would float incompatible with a falubri-
ous atmofphere, neceflary to our happinefs. When
"we fee the natural timidity implanted in the nature
of the moil ferocious animals, fleeing at the ap-
proach of man ; and the docility of thofe more im-
mediately intended for our ufe. When we careful-
ly review thefe things, and ftudy with attention the
■works of nature, the great book of God, which if
underfliood cannot miflead, and our minds are guid-
ed by proper confiderations, we fliall be freed from
all anxious fears, lefl: one part of the fyftem fliould
clafli with another, but inftead thereof we fhall find
ourfelves perfedlly fat^fied in the belief that each
■will occupy its own orb until the whole fliall be
diflTolved.

I have little doubt in my own mind but that every
river whofe fource is in a lake or pond, where the
waters are quiet, might with great eafe be replenifli-
ed with feme kind of fifli or other. I think there
was a time when they were filled. Could we fuc-
ceed in this meafure the advantages would be impor-
tant, for it would multiply our cod and other ground
fifn about our fliores, in proportion as wc increafe
the fmall river fifli, for they are the proper food of
the ground fifli, which in purfuit thereof, are allur-
ed quite into our harbours, and give us a more eafy
fupply. We have undoubtedly been criminally in-
attentive to the propagation of the oyfter in different
parts of our fliores ; wc can probably fill our chan^
pels with thefe fliell fifli with much more eafe than
we can fill our paflnres with herds and flocks.

I have a fatisfa6tion in fubmitting thefe obferva-»
tions to you, which is feldom to be enjoyed, viz,
that I fliall receive a full compenfation — one fmile

54a APPENDIX.

will do it, that I am fure they will beget, for you
mull long fince have been taught that we had better
fmile than weep at the vanity of others.
With efteem and afFe(5lion,

I am always your friend,
Rev. Mr. Belknap. B. LINCOLN.

No. XXXIL

071 the same subject.
A letter from the Jiev. Dahiel LirfLl^ of Wells, to the Author.

Wells, Dec. 13, 179L

DEAR SIR,

General Lincoln's letters contain

many curious and pleafing arguments to prove that
"river fifli always return to the rivers and ponds
where they were fpawned." The thought was per-
fedliy new to me, till I met with it, about three
years ago in a manufcript of the General's, which
I had the honour of perufing, and which gave rif©
to a correfpondence on that and fome other fubjedls.
I wifli your inquiries may occafion fome ufeful pub-
lication on this head.

In the courfe of my information fince, I have met
with nothing that militates againft the General's
arguments j but rather the contrary.

Some time ago, I lodged at the houfe of Col. Bald-
win of Woburn, and fpent the evening with his aged
father ; who, in the courfe of converfation, inform-
ed me, that a canal was made, within the limits of
his acquaintance, to extend the feeding ground of
the river fifli from one pond to another ; but that

APPENDIX. 844

the filli never removed from their original and na-
tive pond ; though the communication was fhort and
the waters plenteous.

When in the county of Lincoln, the laft fummer,
I fpent feveral days among the people fettled on the
banks of the Sebafteecook, ten miles from its junc-
tion with the Kennebeck. The flreams that fall in-
to Sebafteecook are numerous, and abound with the
fmall river filh, fuck as alewives,&c. The people fay
that at the time of the running of thefe filh, they
afcend the flreams at diftindl periods in fucceffion ;
and that the fchuUs never feparate, interfere or tranf-
grefs in their way to their refpecftive ponds or lakes.

The fifh ponds and the river fifli might be greatly
improved by removing the natural obftru6lions in
fome rivers and carrying into the diftant ponds live
fifh to generate a new clafs. By that means new
fettlers might condu6l the fifh to the doors of the
prefent and fucceeding generations.

I am, dear Sir, your fincere friend and brother,

DANIEL LITTLP:.

No. XSXIII,

0 X POPULATIO .V.

^{ J.rtier from the Rof. JjME.-i pREEMAS^\_vjho had seen this work in
manueeri/it] lo the Authr^r.

Bofton,Feb. 29, 1792.

DEAR SIPv,

J. HE principles, upon which you have
calculated your Table of Population, for the State
of New-Hampfliire, appear to me not to be juft.
Suppofing that the annual increafe of inhabitants is

APPENDIX. 345

t}i.e fame, you conciuje that their number his doub-
led in lefii than nuieteen years. It is faid to be a
^"^ood rule which works both ways. But if the num-
ber of people in New-Hamp{hire increafed by the
fame ratio previous to the year 1767^ it doubled in
lefs than feven years ; for diininilhing 52700 by
3883, your mean number, it is reduced in the year
1760 to 25519. And, on the other hand, fliould the
.annual increafe be no more in future than 3883,
above fix and thirty years will elapfe before the in-
habitants of New-Hampfliire will be double the
number they were in 1790.

The inhabitants of a country augment, as far at
lead as depends upon natural increafe, in the fame
manner as a fum of money put out upon compoiiud
interefl. A hundred pounds at G per cent, at the
end of the year, become /:106, which new principal,
at the end of the fecond year, produces more tlian
£6. ProfeiTor Wigglefworth, in his Calculations of
American Population^ has explained the ni^.naer of
conflrudling tables, from which the annual iiicreafe
of inhabitants, by natural population, may be elli-
matedfor a feries of years,, provided their number
at the beginning and end of the feries, be afcertain-
ed by adlual enumeration, or by any other accurate
mode.

The number of inhabitants in New-Kampfhire in
the year 1767 was 52700, and in the year 3 790,
141885. Here we have the number afcertained at
the beginning and end of a period of 23 years. Sup-
pofe 52700 to be equal to 1 . Then we hare this fe-
ries in geometrical progreflion, as

That is, As the number of inhabitants in the year
1767 is to their number in the year 1768, fo is that

^46

APPENDIX.

number to their number in the year 1769, and io on
in the fame proportion to the year 1790.

But "^'H'tTT^ =2,692315 ; the root of which or
a IS equal to 1,044001. By involving the vaUie of
a to its 23d power, we have the amount of unity to
the 23d year ; the index of the power denoting the
particular year.

The value of a being thus involved we have the
following :

1769
1770
17/t

l,13789S~a^
l,lS7957~a*
17721 l,240'J39r:«^
1773 1,2948 12.~-as
l,35l7S5™a7
l,44.n26zZu3

l,j33194-ir:fl:io
i,ry358 77r::.iil
1,676538:11^12
!,7.50308~:ii'5

!,8 27324li;<2J'i
!.9®772ld-./' 5

Tabte I. j If the number correfponding to
■ ■ any particular power or a be multi-

plied by 52700, the produ6l will be
the amount of the inhabitants of
New-Hampfhire, for the year de-
noted by the index of the power of
dy and which in the table is placed
in the fame line. For example, if
we multiply 52700 by 1,351785,
which in the table is placed in the
fame line with 1774, the produ6l»
rejecting the decimal parts, will be
71239, which is a little more than
one half of 14188o3. Confequently,
upon the fappoiition, that the in-
creafe of inhabitants in New-Hamp-
fhire was uniform, during the peri-

a,r/923i5r:a2 3 od included in this table, it may be
concluded, that their number was doubled in a lit-
tle more than lixteen years. <■

But from the furvey taken in the year 1775, it
appears that the increafe Vv^as not uniform. At that
tinie the number of inhabitants in New-Ham pfliire,
•wa.3 found to amount to 82200, whereas, if it be cal-
culated by the tabic, it will be no more than 74373.

1774
1775
1776
1777
1778
1779
>7S0
1731
1782
1783
1784
1785

1786
I7c.^

I,99l672zi:ai°
2,079309r~a^ '
2,l70302IZ:fi^^
2,266320.I-:ai^
2,3f.r>042r:.'-°

ir-a3!2,47oi5iii:'^=^

178:>

170(;

2,57S842r::G'

APPENDIX. 34*7

It is evident thereforq, that the augmentation of the
people was more rapid between the years 1767 and
1775, than between the years 1775 and 1790. This
difference can eaiily bs accounted for. The late
war undoubtedly checked the progrefs of popula-
tion, as you have clearly Ihown.

To afcertain at what rate the inhabitants of New-
Hampfhire incrcafed between 1767 and 1775, a pe-
riod of 8 years, let us fuppofe, as before, 52700 to
be equal to 1. Then '^'= 1 ,559772, that is HfJ J, the
root of which, or a^ is 1,0569:28, which being in-
volved to its l^th power, will give the amounts of
unity as in the following :

Tahle II.

yeart

amounts of unity

1768
1769
1770
177i
1772
1775
J774
1773
1776
1777
1 77a
177 'J
178O'-!,O5S0!O=rai3

, , -, ,. From this table it is evident, that

\,\\ 705s=r.:."^ the people of New-Hampfhire, if the

i,^30G92=c3 pi'ogrefs of population had not been

i!32ooo7=c.* I checked by the war, would have

1,395 !53i=a^ doubled. their numbers in lefs than

i|.559772~a^ 1 thirteen years ; for 2,058910, w^hich

i,64S568=a' j correfpoiids to the ISth power of ^,

l'8'2t69=fi°J"^^^^^^P^^^^ by 52700, will produce

I'olso 12='^ =108504.

The peace of 1783 prevented the further deftr ac-
tion of men. It may therefore be prefumed that
the progrefs of population was the fame, or nearly
the fame, between that year and the year 1790 as
between .the years 1767 and 1775. Allowing
it to be the fame, it will be eafy to determine
the number of people in New-Hampfliire in
1783. The difference between 1783, and 1790 is 7.
If therefore we divide the number of inhabitants in
the year 1790 by the fum correfponding to the 7th
power of i7, the quotient will be the number in
1783 ; but :^4^f=96220.

548

APPENDIX.

We have here found a 4th number, from which
yve may determine the progrefs of population from
1775 to 1783, a period of 8 years. Suppofe 82200,
the number in 1775, to be equal to 1. Then
^^^iTl!-o-"= Iji 70559, the root of which or a, is
1,019880, which being involved to the 8th power,,
will give the amounts of unity, as in the following :

1770

1777
1778

Table III.

yean, arnounis of unify

1,01 988 Jr=:H

1 .040l5G=a*
1,060833=^,3

177^; U0bl924=aA
178vj;;103433==rt«
178111,1 25370=(,«
17SS 1,147742=,;^
17S3|l,l70:.59=a8

Calculating the number of inhab-
itants from 1767 to 1775, and from
1783 to 1790, by Table II, and from
1775 to 1783 by Table III, w^e may
form the following Table of Popu-
lation for New-Hampfliire.

Table of \

Pep I

ilalioUf

1767

52705

176J'

55700

176?

58871

1770

62222

1771

65817

177'i

69564

1773

73524

1774

77710

1776

82200

1775

8S834

1777

85500

17TS

87-200

1779

88934

1780

90702

1781

925D5

1782

94344

1783

96220

17^

lClft96

1785

107485

1780

I13G06

1787

1 20 1 70

1788

12706^

17S9

134241

1790

141885

From this table it appears, that the
number of inhabitants \n New-Hamp-
fliire has doubled in lefs than eighteen
years : for the half of the number taken
by the cenfus, viz. 70942, falls between
the years 1772 and 1773.

This conclufion may be confidered a*'
very near the truth. But it ought to be
obferved, that this table of population is
not perfecSlly ex?.(5l : for the augmenta-
tion of numbers in New-Hampfhire has
undoubtedly arifen, in part,from immi-
gration. It is impoflible to determine
with precifion, what the amount of this
immigration is. But we may give a prob-
able conjetfture as to the acceifion of in-
habitants, which it has eventually pro-
duced. For if we can afcertain the num-
ber of years, in which the inhabitants of

APPENDIX. 349

the United States, coUedlivcly taken, have generally-
doubled their numbers by natural increafe, wc fliall
be furnifhed with data, by which we may eflimate
the natural increafe of inhabitants in New-Hamp-
lliire from the year 1767 to the year 1790, which
number being fubftradled from the number taken
by the cenfus, the remainder will be immigrants,
(md the natural increafe which has arilen from
them.

Dr. Wigglefworth fuppofes that the number of
people in the United States is doubled by natural in-,
creafe in 25 years. Multiplying, therefore, 52700
by 1,89211529-^'' in his Table the produa is
99714, the diiTerence between which and 141885 is
42171.

But I have reafon to believe, that the inhabitants
of the United States doable their numbers, by nat-
ural increafe, in a lefs period of time than Dr. Wig-
glefworth imagines. In a Table, which 1 have cal-
culated for eight of the United States, viz. New-
Hampihire, MaiHichufetts, Rhcde-Ifland, Conne(5li-
cut, New- York, New-Jerfcy, Maryland and Virgin-
ia, including Kentucky, I have made a^^ equal to
2,0291905 ; that is, by this Table, the number of
inhabitants in thefe States, colledlively taken, dou-
bled in lefs than 22 years, during a period ending
in the year 1790. Pennfylvania, one of the States
not included in the calculation, eftimating by the
increafe of its rateable polls from 1770 to 1786,
doubles its numbers in lefs than 22 years. If this
State, therefore, were added, it would render the
period of doubling flili fhorter, as Maflachufetts,
Rhode-Ifland and Connedlicut, C(^mpared with the
other States contained in the calculation, increafe
very ilowly, on account of the perpetual emigra-
tions which are made from them» The other States

350 APPENDIX.

not included in the calculation are Vermont, Dela-
ware, North-Carolina, South-Carolina, and Georgia,
beiide the Weflern Territory. I do not poflefs luf-
ficient materials, to cflimate with accuracy, the pro-
grefs of population in thefe States. But it is well
known that Vermont, North-Carolina, and Georgia
are rapidly increaling. If a calculation could be
formed unon the whole of the United States, I am
of opinion that it would be found, that, by natural
increafe, and by emigration from foreign countries,
they have actually doubled their numbers in 21
years, notwithftanding the deilruclion of men by
the late war. The accefhon of foreigners bears no
perceptible proportion to the natural increafe of
nearly four millions of people. Making however
a very liberal allowance for it, I think I am juflifi-
ed in concluding, that the natural increafe of inhab- I
itants in the United States, may be eftimated by the
Table above mentioned. In this Table ^^^ is equal
to 2,02919050, and ^ is equal to 1,03296843, confe-
qucntly 6f"^ is equal to- t',09608972. If therefore,
we multiply this number by 52700, the number of
inhabitants in Nev/-Ha.mpiliire, in 1767, the pro-
dudl will be 110463, the number they would have
been, by natural increafe, in the year 1790 ; which
being deduclcd from the number taken by die cen-
fus, the remainder is 31422, which may be confider-
ed as the flock formed by immigration and the nat-
ural increafe ariling from it. Making ufe of the
fame Table which 1 have jull mentioned, there is
no great difficulty in determining the number of
immigrants, w^hich New-Hampihirc has received,
one year with another, for the period of 23 years,
ending in 1790. Let :z reprefent this number.

APPENDIX. 351

Then r-|-ra+ru*-|-za3 + z«* + 2n«-f rfl«-f.zc^ + ra»-f r«9-f ?aiO-|.

*» + z«*|=31422.

That i-i, in mitnbcrs, 33,5r.096515 z=3l422.

Conseqiicnlly 2=4;4|-^-^-,g-f-y =937Jx

Multiplying this number by 23, the produdl is 21,-
553, the amount of immigrations into New-Hamp-
fhire in 23 years. As it is your opinion, that the
emigrations from the neighbouring States were not
fo large during the five firfl years of the war, as be-
fore or fince, for the fake of a round number, I will
fuppofe that New-Hampfhire, during the remaining
18 years, annually received an addition of 1000 per-
fons, befide the children who were born ^n the
courfe of the year. From thefe data a more accu-
rate Table of population might be conftrudled, than
that which I have given ; but it would not differ
fo materially from it, as to affedl my general con-
clufion ; for the half of the number taken by the
cenfus in the year 1790 would Hill fall between the
years '72 and '73. I would therefore confider it as
an eflablilhcd facfl, that the number of people in
New-Hamplhire has actually doubled in lefs than
eighteen years.

It is a fentiment which I have heard you exprefs,
that there will fiill continue to be a rapid popula-
tion in Nev/-FIampfhire for many future years.
The State at prefent is thinly fettled in proportion
to its extent, containing not quite fifteen inhabit
tants to one fquare mile. In Connedlicut, which is
incrcaiing in numbers, there are fifty-one inhabi-
tants to a fquare mile ; and probably as many in
Pvhode-Iiland. But there is not fo much water and
unimproveable land in Connedlicut as in New-
Hampfliirc. The latter State you inform us, page
13, contains 9491 fquare miles ; from which, if w^

S52

APPENDIX.

deduct 156 fquare miles for water, and 480 fquare
miles, for uninhabitable mountains, the remainder is
8855, by which, if we divide I4I885, the quotient
is 16. The habitable parts of New-Hampfliire theil
contain fixteen inhabitants to a fquare mile. You
have therefore reafon to conclude, that the rapidity
oF its population v>411 not be checked for many
years. Prefuming that the State will annually rt?~
ceive a thoufand immigrants, I will venture to cal-
culate its population from the year 1790 to the year
1800, at or before which time a new cenfus will be
taken, by which it Vv^ill be difcovered whether my
predidlions be juft or not.

Table of

^oftulation.

1 79C:

ina

1792
179S
179!
1795
1796
Jh'7
1798
179ii
1800

141835

147562

153426

i594Si •

165742

172206

I738S3

135} SO j

192964 j

20026? '

20786:

Calculated by the Table referred to above,
in which a is equal to 1,03296843, and
1000 added annually for immigrants.

I fear that your patience is now exhaufted with
my tables. I will not therefore trefpafs further up-
on your time, than to add by way of apology, that
no calculations can be too minute, which tend to
dcmonftrate the Increaiing profperity of a State, the
inhabitants of which have fo long been diftinguifh-
ed for their bravery and love of freedom.

With fincere refpeot, I am, dear Sir,
your aire(5lionate brother,

JAMES FREEMAN.
Rev. Jeremy Belknap.

N. B. Since the foregoing letter was received, in-
quiry has been made of the Secretary whether there?
be any documents in his office from which the num-

APPENDIX. 353

ber of people in New-Hampfliire, previous to 1767
can with any probability be afcertaiDed. Aftei*
fpending feveral days in. fearching the books arid
files, the Secretary writes that ' The only numbers
of rateable polls to be found in his office from 1742
tol7G7 were as follows :

1742 — 5172, no returns from Nottingham, Barring-
ton and Gofporf.
1753— 6392;
1767—11964.'

It may be afked, what is the ]3roportion between,
rateable polls and inhabitants ? If the number of
inhabitants as edimated in 1767, viz. 52700 be di-
vided by 11964, the rateable polls, the rjuoticnr will
be nearly 4-, which gives the proportion for that
year. But whether the flime vfiW hold for other
years is uncertain. New-Hampiliire w^as peculiarly
circumflanced in refpecl of population, for fiftc^rt
years preceding and fifteen years fucceeding the
conquell of Canada in 1760. During the form-
er period the population was very flow, -except-
ing by the natural increafe. During the latter
the immigration was extremely rapid. It is
alfo to be noted that in the old towns there is a
muth greater proportion of old men, women and
children, than in the new fettlements ; conlequent-
ly the new have more rateable polls in proportion t6
their numbers than the old towns.

Addit'wtjs to the TobU of Ijongfiyity, pr.ge 188, lately re-

ccived.
Since that Sheet was printed, the Rev. Mr. Pike
of Somcrfworth died, in the 89th vcar of his age ;
and the Rev. Pearson Thurston is ordained in
i;ha>t place.

351 APPENDIX.

Of the Jirjl fettlers in Rochefier who have died witkm
Jixteen years laft paji the ages wers as follows :

Above 100 years 1

r 90 and 100 2

80 and 90-^— 14

70 and 80 20

60 and 70 4

between

Now living,
r90 and 100-

41

between -{ 80 and 90 9

(,70 a^d 80~— 5

15
Males 7. Females 8.

Of the firft fettlers in Barrington the number now
living and their ages are as follows :

r 90 ^nd 100 1

between^ 80 and 90 10

(^70 and f>0 3

14

Males" 11. Females ^

FINIS.