The history of the United States of North America, from the plantation of the British colonies till their assumption of national independence

Front matter

LAW BOOKS

I'l l.i.i -in il \ i;l>

\ i i \ m\ | i. ||S I \ Mi I v I 1111 I Nil VI. M

Chapter I

The American Provinces dissatisfied with the Fruits of the British Revolution. — Aliairs of Virginia and Maryland. — Character and Policy of Governor Nicholson — Aflairs of Massachusetts. — Administration of Lord Bellamont — and of Dudley. — Queen Anne's War. — Policy of N ■■■ "> irk. — Aflairs of Connecticut. — Attempts to subvert her Charter. — Invasi f.S ith Carolina. — Progress of the War in New England. — Indian Embassy to Britain. — Conquest of Port U<>\ al and Acadia. — Invasion of ( !anada by a British and Provincial Force. — Failure of the Expedition. — Indian War in North Carolina. — Aflairs of New York. — Peace of Utrecht. — Effects of the War in New England. — British Legislation 1

Chapter II

Affairs of Virginia. — Passage across the Appalachian Mountains ascertained. — Affairs of New England. — Attempt to subvert the New England Charters. — Indian War in South Carolina. — Affairs of Pennsylvania. — Administration of Sir William Keith. — Affairs of Carolina. — Piracy on the American Coasts. — Theach, or Blackboard, the Pirate. — Revolt of South Carolina against its Proprietary Government — Affairs of New \ork. — Administration of Burnet. — South Sea Scheme and commercial Gambling in Britain. — Affairs of .V -w England. — Administration of Shute. — Disputes — and War with the Indians. — Massachusetts incurs the Displeasure of the King — and receives an explanatory Charter. — Dispute respecting fixed Salary between the Assembly and royal Governor — terminates in Favor of the Assembly.— A flairs of New York. — Transactions in Carolina. — Surrender of the Charier of Carolina to the Crown. — Affairs of Pennsylvania. — British Legislation. — Bishop Berkeley's Project. . -11

APPENDIX II.

State of Population, Laws, Trade, ami Manner'; in the North American Provinces. — Virginia.— New England.— Comparison of New England and Canadian Manners. — M ryland. — Carolina. — New York. — New Jersey. — Pennsylvania and Delaware. — The Tankers "... 90 iv CONTENTS.

BOOK IX.

PLANTATION AND PROGRESS OF GEORGIA, TILL THE YEAR 1752-

Unpeopled and defenceless State of the southern Frontier of Carolina. — Situation of imprisoned Debtors in England — Colonization of Georgia suggested for their Relief — by Oglethorpe. — The Moravian Brethren — agree to send a Detachment of their Society to Georgia. — Royal Charter of Georgia. — First Resort of Emigrants to the Province. — Oglethorpe's Treaty with the Indians. — Legislative Constitutions enacted by the Trustees of Georgia. — Negro Slavery prohibited. — John and Charles Wesley — accompany Moravian Emigrants to the Province. — Emigration of Scotch Highlanders. — Discontents in the Colony. — The Scotch Colonists remonstrate against Negro Slavery. — Negro Insurrection in South Carolina. — Spanish War. — The Moravians forsake Georgia. — Oglethorpe's Invasion of Florida. — The Spaniards invade Georgia — and are foiled by Oglethorpe — wiio returns to England. — Change in the civil and political Constitution of Georgia. — Flourishing State of South Carolina. — Surrender of the Charter of Georgia to the Crown — and Introduction of Negro Slavery. — Condition of Georgia — Trade, Manners, &c 109

BOOK X.

PROGRESS OF THE STATES OF NORTH AMERICA, TILL THE PEACE OF

PARIS, IN 1763.

CHAPTER I.

Affairs of New York. — Zenger's Trial. — Prosperous State of New England. — Controversy between Massachusetts and New Hampshire. — Intrigues for the Removal of Governor Belcher. — New England Missions. — Jonathan Edwards. — David Brainerd. — Affairs of Pennsylvania. — Benjamin Franklin. — George Whitefield. — Disputes respecting a military Establishment. — Discontent of the Indians. — War with France. — Louisburg — the Invasion of it projected by New England — and undertaken. — Siege — and Surrender of Louisburg. — Jealousy of Britain. — Effects of the Enterprise in America. — Rebellion in Behalf of the Pretender in Britain. — Armament despatched from France against the British Colonies — discomfited. 143

CHAPTER II.

Progress of the War. — Tumult excited by naval Impressment in Boston. — Peace of Aix-la-Chapelle. — Regulation of Paper Currency in New England. — Policy of the British Government relative to America. — Political Sentiments and Speculations of the Americans.— Condition of America, and miscellaneous Transactions. — Origin of Vermont.

— The Ohio Company. — American Science and Literature. 182

Chapter III

View of the colonial Dominion and Policy of Britain and France in America. — Renewal of Disputes between the French and English Colonists. — Hostilities on the Virginian Frontier. — Benjamin Franklin — his Plan for a federal Union of the American Provinces.— Discontents in Virginia — North Carolina — and New York. — Preparations of France and Britain for War 218

Chapter IV

Hostilities in Nova Scotia — Expulsion of the French Neutrals. — Braddock's Expedition

— and Defeat. — Battle of Lake (Jeorge. — Transactions in South Carolina. — Dissensions in Pennsylvania. — Resignation of political Power by the Quakers. — Quaker Proceedings respecting Negro Slavery. — War declared between France and Britain.

— Success of the French at Oswego 240

CONTENTS v

( HAPTER V.

Incapacity of the British Commander in America. — Loss of Fort William Henn — Dispute between Massachusetts and the British Commander. — State of Parties in .V \\ England. — Change of the British Ministry and Measures. — Affaire of P( nnar Ivania. — Political Exertions of Franklin in England. — Conquest of Cape Breton. — Repulse at I inderoga. — Reduction of Fort Frontignac — and Fort Duqueane. — Effect of the Britiafa 8 - upon the Indiana. — Plan of the Campaign of L759.— Reduction of

Ticonderoga —and (.'row a Point. — Battle of Niagara — and Capture of Fort Niagara. — Sh ge of Quebec. — Battle of the Heights of Abraham — and Surrender of Qui

Chapter VI

Projjr, >„ of Hostilities in America. — Entire Conquest of Canada. — War with the Chero- K, , s, — Affairs of Massachusetts. — Death of (ieorge the Second. — Conclusion of the Ch< rokee War. — Affairs of South Carolina. — Discontents in Massachusetts— and in

i> h Carolina. — Peace of Pans. — Atl'airs of Virginia. — Patrick Henry. — Indian

War — Affairs of Pennsylvania. 300

APPENDIX III.

Condition of the North American States — Virginia — New England — Maryland — the Carolinas — New York, New Jersey, and Pennsj Ivania — Georgia. — Political Feelings and Ideas in Britain and America. — Benjamin West. — Indian Atl'airs. — Moravian Missions. 336

BOOK XI.

PROGRESS OF THE STATES OF NORTH AMERICA, TILL THEIR ASSUMP- TION OF NATIONAL INDEPENDENCE.

Chapter I

Relative Position of Britain and her Colonies. — Policy of the British Court — Severe Enforcement of the existing commercial Restrictions — Aggravation of the commercial

Restrictions. — Project of the Stamp Act. — Be Dstrances of the Americans. — Idea of

American Representatives in the Mouse of Commons. — The Stamp Act debated in England — and passed. — Act for quartering Briti>h Troops in America. — Proceedings in Massachusetts — and Virginia. — Fermenl in America. — Tumults in New England.

— The Stamp Officers resign. — Convention at .New York. — Political Clubs in America.— Tumult at New York. — Non-importation Agreements. — The Stamp Act disobeyed.— Deliherations in England — Act declaratory of parliamentary Power over America — the Stamp Act repealed. .......... 363

Chapter II

Sentiments of the Americans. — Leading Politicians in America — Randolph — Jefferson

— Adams — Hancock — Rotledge, and others. — Renewed Collision between British Prerogative and American Liberty. — .New York reM-ts the Act for quartering Tn

— Acts of Parliament taxing Tea and other Commodities in America — and suspending the Legislature of New York. — Policy of Prance. — Progress of American Discontent.

— Circular Letter of tin' Massachusetts Assembly. — Governor Bernard's Misrepresc ntauons. — Royal Censure of the Massachusetts Assembly. — Riot at Boston. — Finn

— and Dissolution of the Massai in-, tts Assembly. — Convention in Massac husetts, — Occupation of Boston hv British Troops. — Violence of the British Parliament. — Re solutions of the Virginian Assembly — and Concurrence of the other Provinces.^ — Remonstrance against British Troops in Massachusetts. — Miscellaneous Transactions — Dr. W'itherspoon — Dartmouth I m —Methodism in America — Origin ofKentui ky

— Daniel Boon 412 vi CONTENTS.

Chapter III

Impolicy of the British Measures. — Affray between the Troops and the People of Boston

— Partial Repeal of the Tea-duty Act — unsatisfactory to the Americans. — Perplexity of the British Ministry. — Tucker's Scheme. — Writers on the American Controversy.

— Insurrection of the Regulators in North Carolina. — Resistance in Rhode Island. — Governor Hutchinson. — Proceedings in Massachusetts — and in Virginia. — Attempt of Massachusetts to abolish the Slave-trade — resisted by the British Government. — British Attempt to exact the Tea-duty — successfully resisted in America — tumultuously defeated at Boston. — Disclosure of Hutchinson's Letters. — Dismissal of Franklin from the British Service. — Taunting Language in England. — The Shakers. — European Emigrations to America. 449

Chapter IV. V

Boston Port Bill — and other British Measures — their Effects in America. — Proposition of a general Congress. — Suffolk Resolutions. — Meeting of the first American Congress— its Proceedings. — Transactions in New England. — Proceedings of the British Ministry and Parliament. — Defensive Preparations in America. — Affair of Lexington.

— The Americans surprise Ticonderoga and Crown Point. — Battle of Bunker's Hill.

— Second American Congress — prepares for War — elects a Commander-in-chief. — George Washington. — Transactions in Virginia. — Progress of Hostilities. — American Invasion of Canada 483

Chapter V

Popular Feeling and public Policy in America. — American Negotiations with France. — La Fayette. — Condition of the American Army. — Operations of Washington. — Retreat of the British Army from Boston. — Hostilities in South Carolina, — The Americans declare their Commerce free. — Conduct of the American Quakers. — Proceedings in Congress. — Declaration of American Independence. — Conclusion. , . .530

THE

HISTORY

OF

NORTH AMERICA.

BOOK VIM.

CHAPTER T.

American Provin tisfied with the Fruits of the British Revolution. — Affairs of

Virginia and Han land. — Character and Policy of < n>\ ernor Nicholson. — Affairs of Massachusetts. — Administration of Lord Bellamont — and of Dudley. — Queen Anne's War. — Policy of New York. — Affairs of Connecticut. — Attempts i>> subvert her Charter. — Invasion of South Carolina. — Progress of the War in New England. — Indian Embass] • Britain. — Conquest of Port Royal and Acadia. — Invasion of Canada by a British and Provincial Force. — Failure of the Expedition. — Indian War in North Carolina.- — Affairs of .V v York. — Peace of Utrecht. — Effects of the War in New England. — Hriti.-li I lation.

"\\ in. n the firsl agitations of hope and fear that wore engendered 1>\- the British Revolution had subsided, this great event proved least satisfactory in the very quarters in which its operation was the most beneficial. The church of England, which owed its preservation as a Protestant establishment to the revolt which it had countenanced against its own temporal head, received the boon with a sullen acquiescence in disagreeable necessity; and continued, for many years, estranged more or less from a government, whose origin, however disguised by the theories of political sophists, practically confessed, or at least forcibly suggested to mankind, the legitimate control of popular will and reason over the most authoritative principles and the most venerable institutions of national policy. It was not from love o! civil or religious liberty, but for the protection of their own special privileges and emoluments, that the English prelates abetted the revolutionary movement ; for their deep desire was, that kings should reign hv a rfiriitr right, which laymen were not entitled to scan, and of which the ecclesiastical expositors of the divine will were the sole, or, at least, the most competent, judges. The Scottish Covenanters, who were rescued by the Revolution from the extremity of barbarous oppression and political di dation, less rejoiced at the signal deliverance, than repined at the inadequate compensation they obtained ; and, thankless lor a bare toleration, without

triumphant ascendency of those principles which heroic sacrifice and the glory of their martyred friends had so mightily endeared to them, thej regarded the revolutionary government with anger and aversion, and even in some instances conspired with the partisans of their deposed oppressor to

•mplish it- overthrow. From the peculiar sources, however, of tl domestic discontents there was derived a reasonable prospect of their progressive mitigation. The lapse of time, as it invested the remodelled inon-

VOL. II. 1 A archy of Britain with a semblance of antiquity, tended to abate the jealousy of the Tories and prelates, by veiling what they deemed its dangerous features from the grossness of the general gaze ; and the descendants of the Covenanters, even when they inherited the principles of their fathers, lost a portion of that enthusiastic zeal, which, like the ardor of maternal affection, must originate from a personal experience of trouble, anguish, and danger.

In no part of the British empire did the Revolution of 16S8 produce more beneficial consequences than in the provinces of North America ; yet nowhere did the immediate fruits of that revolution excite greater or more general disgust. Some of these colonies had been previously reputed peculiarly loyal to the fallen dynasty ; others had always regarded it with apprehensive dislike ; some had endured but little, and others had endured a great deal, of molestation from its tyranny. Several of the provinces had suffered only the apprehension occasioned by a threatened abrogation of their privileges ; others had been actually deprived of them all. Virginia, though devoid of the safeguard of a charter, had been merely subjected to a tyrannical governor, without being deprived of her representative assembly. The New England States, though possessing chartered systems of liberty, had been deprived both of their charters and their assemblies. Various, however, as the sentiments consequently were, which the first tidings of the British Revolution excited in these several provinces, they were all pervaded by common feelings of disappointment and discontent, after a very short experience of the dominion of the new authorities that had arisen in the parent state. From the reasonableness of these feelings, and the relative prospects of the two countries, a mutual estrangement of regard was more likely to be increased than diminished by the lapse of time.

The insurrections, by which some of the provinces cooperated with the revolutionary proceedings in England, were provoked not by English, but by American, grievances ; the purpose of the insurgents (except in Maryland) was to obtain the restoration of American liberty ; and the approbation, which King William at first bestowed very readily on every province and every party which took arms against the authority of his father-in-law, was interpreted by the colonists into a sanction of the objects to which their movements had been immediately directed. Considering their own interests associated with the cause of William, they expected from his triumph a willing and immediate restitution of every provincial privilege which had been unjustly withheld or tyrannically invaded by his predecessor. But their expectations were completely disappointed. The establishment of William's authority induced a manifest alteration of his regard for the promoters of popular insurrection ; the acquisition of power had no tendency to conciliate his patronage of claims for its limitation ; and the expediency of retaining those functionaries of the old government, who were willing to transfer the benefit of their official experience to the new, prompted him to engage the service and embrace the counsels of men who had signalized themselves by overthrowing liberal institutions and administering tyranny in North America. Not one of the aggrieved provinces received an entire redress of its wrongs ; nor did any of them succeed in procuring even a partial restoration of its violated liberties, without an arduous struggle against the opposition of the court. Connecticut and Rhode, Island, which were enabled by the Revolution to resume the charters of which they had been

CHAP. I] AMI UK V DISAPPOINTED IN WILLIAM III. 3

deprived] were compelled to defend them againsl the envy of the revolutionary government in the parent state, whose ineffectual hostility at once diminished her own influence, and endeared to the colonists a system of libem- exposed to continual peril and jeopardy, and only preserved by their own firmness and vigor against the encroachments of superior power. According to the dictates oi liberal justice, Massachusetts was equally entitled to the restoration of her old charter ; and her claim was strengthened by the gallant stand which she had made in defence of those principles of liberty which the British Revolution professed to vindicate. Bui the technical formalities, which her virtuous inflexibility had compelled the oppressor of her liberties to employ, furnished a legal pretext for obstructing her claims, which King William and his ministers did not hesitate to embrace.

Though the English parliament, in its first revolutionary fervor, prepared a bill tor restoring the old charter <A' Massachusetts, this act of national justice was defeated by the dexterity of the court ; and though a new charter was extorted from the king by the interest anil importunity of the colonists, it withheld from the people some of the most valuable privileges which they enjoyed under their original constitution. .New Hampshire, which earnestly petitioned to be annexed to Massachusetts, was erected into a separate jurisdiction, without obtaining a charter, — for the convenience of a wealthy merchant of London, who purchased the vexatious claims of Mason against the occupiers of the soil. New 5 ork had been deprived of its assembly and defrauded of its promised charter by dame- the Second. The restoration of the assembly was accomplished by the popular insurrection promoted by Leislcr. But no charter was procured from the crown ; and Leisler, for an act importing rather folly than guilt, was condemned to the fate of a traitor by Dudley, who had been chased from .New England for abetting the tyranny of King James, and whom William, nevertheless, appointed chief justice at .New York. Though William was encouraged by his advisers to lay (hum to every advantage, however unfairly acquired, which might be supposed legally to accrue to him as the successor of the British crown, he was far from acknowledging a corresponding obligation to fulfil the engagements which had been tyrannically violated by hi- predecessors. Though a charter was promised to Virginia 03 Charles the Second, this promise obtained no more respect from the govemmenl which succeeded than from that which preceded the Revolution; and though Lord Effingham had been guilty of such tyranny in Virginia that the people confidently expected his dismissal even from the justice of King .lame-, he was ret, lined in his office by tin1 policy of William. The same expediency, however, which prolonged his dignity, forbade the exasperating measure of his return to Virginia, — where his personal presence was supplied \,\ the lieutenancy of Francis Nicholson, another agenl of King James, who, flying

from the revolutionary commotion at .New York, received welco and

patronage from the revolutionary sover< ign of England.

By what arguments Lord Effingham was enabled to prevail over the complaints of the Virginians at the court of King William we have no men:- of ascertaining ; but the presumptive credit of his vindication of himself is impeached by the notorious fact, that he was permitted to stipulate with .N'ieholsoii that no legislative assembly should be convoked in Virginia, unless this mi :mre were commanded by the mi ^iit-and palpable ne-

cessity.1 The promotion of Dudley and of Nicholson served to pave the

1 Beverly. Burk.

way to a measure by which King William loaded his own administration with all the odium and jealousy that the government of his royal predecessors had excited. This was the appointment of Sir Edmund Andros, in the year 1692, to the office of supreme governor both of Virginia and Maryland. Andros, as the superior officer both of Nicholson and Dudley, had been appointed by King James to conduct his arbitrary system of government in New England and New York, and had excited the unanimous hatred of the people over whom he presided. Deposed, imprisoned, and impeached by the colonists of New England, he was acquitted by King William ; and, after a little prudential delay, was despatched to assume the government of Maryland. Here, from the oppression to which the Roman Catholics were doomed by the policy of Britain, he found himself once more the delegate of injustice and tyranny ; and, tempted, perhaps, by the distracted state of the province, he endeavoured to enrich himself by peculations that enlarged his own disgrace and dishonored his new master.1 The temporary usurpation by King William of the rights of the proprietary of Pennsylvania, and the arbitrary proceedings of Fletcher, to whom he committed the presidency both of that colony and of New York, tended still farther to impeach the justice and diminish the popularity of the British government in the American provinces.

Yet many gratifying circumstances contributed at the time to countervail the sense and restrain the expression of the colonial discontents. The benefit of actual deliverance from oppression and danger was universally acknowledged ; and the general effect in America of the British Revolution was an increased attachment to liberty, and a jealousy rather prudent and vigilant, than bitter or indignant, of the designs and policy of the parent state.

In Virginia, however, a good deal of address and conciliation was necessary to reduce the prevailing sentiments of disaffection to this moderate strain. The continuance of Lord Effingham in office, and the appointment of another instrument of King James's tyranny to act as the lieutenant of this nobleman, created so much disgust and irritation [1690], that Nicholson, on his arrival in the province, clearly perceived that his commission was insufficient to administer effectual support to his authority, and that the colonists were actually ripe for revolt. Nicholson, who now resumed in America a career which was to procure him, for many years, a conspicuous place in its history, though naturally headstrong, restless, and impetuous, was yet endowed with considerable shrewdness and address ; devoured by vanity and immoderate ambition, he ivas destitute of steady principle and comprehensive wisdom. With skilful and assiduous exertions, he strove to soothe and conciliate the minds of the Virginians, who, remembering the haughty and sullen austerity that characterized the deportment of his predecessors, Culpepper and Effingham, were the more captivated by the obliging and affable demeanour of Nicholson, from its dissimilarity to the manners which they were accustomed to associate with tyranny. In order to extend the influence of his courtesy, as well as to ascertain, without expressly demanding, the sentiments of the planters on the important point of a representative assembly, he made a tour through the several counties of the province ; lavished attentions and commendations on the people and all their establishments ; solicited their opinions with regard to local im-

1 Oldmixon, Formerly, the first edition of Oldmixon's work is referred to, unless when the second is expressly specified. Now, and hereafter, reference is made to the second edition alone. The two publications differ not a little in their contents from each other.

CHAP. I] NICHOLSON'S POPULAB UtTS. 5

provements ; and seemed cordially to embrace the views and suggestions which they imparted. To promote the gayerj and amusement of the colonists, and diverl their leisure hours and stirring spirits from political debate and inquiry, he instituted public games, and distributed prizes to those who excelled in riding, running, shooting, wrestling, and backsword.

Finding thai the erection of a college was a favorite objecl of the planters, he zealously promoted their wish, and gained a great accession of popularity by procuring and delivering to them the royal donative which contributed to the establishment of William and Mary College.1 But amidst all the respect and good-will which his elaborate civility and politic benevolence attracted, he discerned a deep-seated and vigilanl jealousy; and was made sensible, l>\ many unequivocal symptoms, that it would be impossible for him tin the general confidence or preserve the public tranquillity, without

oring to the colonists their representative assembly; and thereupon, with equal prudence and promptitude, he scrupled not to disappoint the wish of Lord Effingham, and to allay the prevalent solicitude, by a re. convocation of assemblies. Before the (dose of his first presidency, which d only two years, his efforts to compose the dangerous ferments 1»\ which Virginia was agitated a1 the period bf his arrival [1G«J1] were crowned with a success equally creditable to his own dexterity and to the moderation and placability of the people. His popularity, however, was latterly somewhat impaired by a sudden change of sentiment which he displayed in relation to a matter which excited much interest in the colony. The richer class of planters had for some time entertained the desitrn of establishing manufactures in Virginia : and this project was eagerly espoused by the leading politicians of the province, who regarded it as a measure calculated to diminish the dependence of their country on the parent state. To this end, it was necessary that the system of straggling inhabitation that prevailed in the colony should be abandoned, and the people induced to live together in villi town-;. After an obstinate struggle with the

current of popular inclination in this respect, the promoters of the design succeeded in obtaining from the assembly what was termed an Act of Cohabitation, proposing encouragements to the formation of towns and the introduction of manufactures ; and Nicl endeared himself not a little

to a powerful party by zealously abetting the scheme and affirming the act. A present of three hundred pounds was voted to him shortly after by ih-> assembly, who entreated him to accept it as a testimony of the deep sense they entertained of his virtues and obliging demeanour.9 But no sooner did he learn that the measure which he had thus supported was disagreeable to the king, than he hastened as zealousl) to retract his declarations in ivbr ; with ineffectual and ungracious importunity, he labored to persuade the assembly to rescind its enactment ; and impaired hi< own credit

1 The plan of the college buildings was the composition of Sir Christophi r \\ ren M ) one. u There was a commencement at William and Mary College in the year 1 7* 11 >, at which there ■a a- a great concourse of people . bi veral planters came thither in their coaches, and •■ vera) in bIooos from New York, Pennsj i\ ania, ana Mar} land ; it being a new thing in America to bear graduates perform tlnir academical exercises. The Indians themselves had the curiosity to come !<• Williamsburg on this occasion : and the whole cpuntry rejoici 'I as if they lia<l some relish ■•!' learning Oldmixon. Fifty-eight Mars before, a Bimilar ceremonial was performi I in the younger province of Massai husetts.

- King William's instruct >ut this time to the American governors having strictly

prohibited tlu-ir a< ■ of donatives, an address was presented to him bj the Virginian

blv, beseeching that Nicholson might have leave to accept their present ; and the royal permission was accordingly granted. B

A *

Q HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. [BOOK VIII.

by demonstrating to the people that his interest in their prosperity would ever be subordinate to his obsequious devotion to the pleasure of the crown and the policy of the parent state.1

The continuance of Lord Effingham in the office of governor of Virginia, which at one time was deeply resented by the colonists, had latterly been rendered a matter of indifference to them by the mild administration of Nicholson ; and when the event of that nobleman's dismission at length occurred [1692], it was rendered even unwelcome to Virginia by the concomitant intelligence that the vacant dignity was conferred on Sir Edmund Andros. After a short stay in Maryland, of which also he was appointed governor, and where he appears to have again indulged his wonted severity and rapacity, Andros, repairing to Virginia [1092], resumed the government of a people who regarded him with alarm and dislike, and were prepared to watch his conduct with the most jealous attention. Nicholson straightway repaired to Maryland, where, in the station of lieutenant-governor, he continued for six years ; during which he is said to have displayed a spirit more eager and intemperate than stern or illiberal, and to have promoted measures that happily conduced to the encouragement of industry and the advancement of religion.2

Whether in consequence of information communicated by Nicholson, or from a sagacious discernment and appreciation of his own altered interests and circumstances, Andros now evinced a remarkable change of deportment ; and during his presidency in Virginia, he extorted the public approbation both of the liberality of his sentiments and the mildness of his manners. Prompt, judicious, and methodical, he introduced into all the offices and institutions of government improvements that contributed to the simplification and despatch of public business. He promoted the cultivation of cotton in the province ; and though he succeeded, by the auxiliary influence of the merchants of London who traded with Virginia, and the concurrent habits and inclinations of a majority of the colonists, in persuading the assembly to suspend the Act of Cohabitation, he was yet celebrated for his active patronage of every other feasible project for the introduction and domestication of manufactures. Devoid of Nicholson's inordinate vanity and ambition, and greatly his superior in talent and understanding, Andros contented himself with endeavouring to redeem his public character, and associate his administration with provincial improvement and prosperity, — without studying to extend his influence, or greedily courting popularity by suppleness and intrigue. His useful labors were interrupted by the revocation of his commission after an endurance of six years ; when Nicholson, promoted