The colonial era, by George Park Fisher ...

Book 1 Alj^uiii THE AMERICAN HISTORY SERIES

Seven volumes, 12mo, uith maps and plans. Price per volume, $1.00, net.

THR COLONIAL ERA.— By Rev. George P. Fisher, D.D., LL.D., Professor of Ecclesia?tical History in Yale University.

THE FRENCH WAR AND THE REVOLUTION. -By William M. Sloane, Ph.D., Professor of History in Columbia University.

THE MAKING OF THE NATION.— By General Francis A. Walker, LL.D., late President of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

THE MIDDLE PERIOD.— By John W. Burgess, Ph.D.. LL.D., Professor of Political Science and Constitutional Law in Columbia University.

THE CIVIL WAR AND THE CONSTITUTION. -By

John W. Burgess, Ph.D., LL.D., Professor of Political Science and Constitutional Law in Columbia University. 2 vols.

RECONSTRUCTION AND THE CONSTITUTION. -By John W. Burgess, Ph.D., LL.D., Professor of Political Science and Constitutional Law in Columbia University.

THE AMERICAN HISTORY SERIES

BY

GEORGE PARK FISHER, D.D., LL.D.

PROFESSOR IN YALE UNIVERSITY

WITH MAPS

NEW YORK CHARLES SCRIBNER'S SONS t/SS, .hd'Z3

7-77^

DEDICATED

AS / TOKEN OP AFFECTION TO

GEORGE WHARTON PEPPER

Preface

Tms work is tlie first of a series of four, wluch, although distinct in autliorsMp, and each complete in itseK, are designed to furnish in a brief but readable form a connected history of the United States from the discovery of the Continent to the present time. The present volume, on the Colonial Period, carries the narrative down to the year 1756, the date of the Declaration of War between England and France. It embraces, therefore, the beginnings of the decisive struggle of the two nations for dominion in America, or of what used to be called the " Old French War." The record of the remainder of the Colonial Period may conveniently find a place in connection with the era of the Eevolution, of which it was the prelude.

Until we reach the point where the narrative in this volume ends, it is expedient, at least in 9, work of no larger compass than the present, to trace the history of the Colonies one by one. It is true that the English Colonies from the beginning were moving slowly towards the goal of political unity. In the American Union the federal and national elements are combined in the way so concisely stated in a passage from the pen of Madison in TJie .'^^deralist, where it is said : " Our sysyiiJ PREFACT ten. is neither a national nor a federal systezn, but a composition of both. In its foundations, federal.not national L the sources froni which the ordinary powers of government are drawn, partly federal and partly national xn the operation of these powers, national, not federal ; m the extent of them, again, federal, not national ; and «> - ^^J authoritative mode of introducing amendments, neither :tuy federal nor wholly national." A^^it the sys e was "in its foundations, federal, not national, je from Te 'start, prior to any organic connection of the Colonies, fa e thei^/common relation to the British Crown, histon cal forces were in action that were destined to create a national factor of not less power than the ^^^^^f^^^l in shaping our civil polity. But m the space tiavesed by the present volume the Colonies were predomm nUy dLiuct communities, so that with the exception of th ^U of then, comprised in New England they can b^ Z tried separately. Yet the English ^e-h^-n of IG 8 is so important a landmark, that it appeared ^ me ad^ i - able to break the narrative into two parts. By this ai ^gLnt the attention is not kept ^asten.l on ea^, Colony by itself through the entire course of the histo y whUe the others are in the main left out of sight. It also seemed a little more conducive to unity of impress on to tirupthe several Colonies in a different order ir the second Part, from that adopted in the iirst.

While it has been my aim in the composition of this book to consult brevity, I have not been wilhng to reduce the narrative to a bare sketch. PoUtical events must necessarily have a prominent place ; but manners, custom , and phases of intellectual progress are not left unnoticed.

PREFACE IX

It need not be said that there is often controversy, and sometimes heated controversy, respecting events in the past and the merits of actors who have long ago passed off the stage. In this particular our early American history forms no exception. As to the judgments expressed in the following pages on persons and things that are still the subject of debate, aU I can say is that they have not been hastily formed, and that I have given heed to the familiar, but never trite, injunction to hear both sides— "Audi alteram partem."

While I have spent much time in the study of the original sources, with special painstaking on doubtful points, I have received aid from many writers who in later times have explored the field of our early history, or particular sections of it. There are three of the comparatively recent works to which I am bound to make special acknowledgments. These are Winsor's " Narrative and Critical History of America," Doyle's "EngHsh Colonies in America," and Palfrey's " History of New England." A brief estimate of the character of these works will be found in the BibHographical Note at the end of the volume.

New Haven, February 26, 1893.

Contents

PART L

FEOM THE DISCOVERY OF AMERICA TO THE ENGLISH REVOLUTION OF 1688

CHAPTER L PAGE

CHAPTER II. The Indians, 5

Their Languages — The Peruvians— The Mexicans— The Red Men— The Mound-Builders— The Indians Classified— Indian Traits— Their Manners— Their Occupations, Food, and Dwellings— Tribal Arrangements— Their Religion— Their Moral Qualities — Their Number.

Chapter III

Dtscoveries and Settlements Prior to the First Permanent English Colony, 12

The Renaissance — New Inventions— Maritime Enterprise— The First Voyage of Columbus— " The Indies" Allotted to Spain and Portugal — Columbus Discovers the Mainland —

"Wl

Xll CONTir^TS

PAOB

Voyages of the Cabots— Spanish Voyagers — Florida Di9« covered — The Mississippi Discovered— J)e Soto — Spanish Settlers in Florida — Rise of New France — Champlain Founds Quebec — English Voyages of Exploration— Gilbert and Raleigh — Gosnold.

CHAPTER IV. Virginia Until 1G88, 30

James I. and his Policy— Incentives to Colonization — The Virginia Company — Constitution of its Two Branches — The London Company — The Settlement of Jamestown — John Smith — The New Charter — Delaware— Dale— Argall — The Third Charter— The House of Burgesses— Growth of the Colony — Annulling of the Charter— Spanish Intrigues — Harvey — Berkeley — Under the Commonwealth — Navigation Laws — Arlington and Culpepper — Bacon's Rebellion —A Royal Province— Negro Slavery.

CHAPTER V. Maryland Until 1688, 62

The First Lord Baltimore — Avalon — Grant of Maryland — The Maryland Charter — Religion in Maryland— Toleration — Clayborne's Settlement — The Maryland Colony — Conflict with Clayborne — Period of the Commonwealth — Non-conformists in Maryland — Act of Religious Freedom — Puritan Ascendency — Baltimore Regains His Province — Fendall — Slavery — Dispute withPenn — End of Proprietary Government — Society in Maryland.

CHAPTER VL

The Carolinas Until 1688, 70

Grant of Carolina by Charles II.— The Two Settlements— **The Fundamental Constitutions "—North Carolina— Civil Disturbances— Sothel—Lud well— South Carolina— Slavery — Scotch-Irish and Huguenot Immigrants — Civil Disturbances.

CONTENTS Xlll

CHAPTER VII. PAGE New IfiNGLAND TO THE PLANTING OF CONNECTICUT IN 1636, 83

The Plymouth Company — The Popham Colony — John Smitli in New England — The Council of New England — Puritanism in England — Religious Parties in Elizabeth's Reign — The Independents— The Scrooby Congregation — The Pilgrims in Holland-^ The Voyage of the Mayflower — The Settlement at Plymouth — The Government at Plymouth — Growth and Character of the Colony — Towns — Mason's Grant of New Hampshire — The New Puritan Emigration— Endicott at Salem — The Charter of the Massachusetts Company — The First Congregational Church — Alleged "Intolerance" of the Puritans — Transfer of the Massachusetts Company to New England — John Winthrop — The Great Emigration to Massachusetts — Sufferings of the Colony — Its Form of Government — Congregationalism — Roger Williams — Williams Founds Providence — Vane — Mrs. Ann Hutchinson — Winthrop again Chosen Governor — Heroic Spirit of the Colony — Council of New England Surrenders its Charter— Roger Williams and his Colony- Settlement of Rhode Island — The Settlements in New Hampshire— Gorges' Settlement in Maine.

CHAPTER VIII. New England from the Planting of Connecticut in 1636 to 1688, 126

The Early Settlers in Connecticut— The Migration to Hartford — The Government of the Three Towns — The Founding of New Haven — Its Government — The Fiction of the " Blue Laws" — Settlement at Saybrook — Saybrook Joined to Connecticut — The Pequot War —The New England Confederacy — Commission for the Management of the Colo nies — Samuel Gorton — War of the Narragansetts and the Mohegans — Acts of the Confederacy — The Cambridge Synod — John Clarke — Maine and Massachusetts — The Quakers in Massachusett- — The Navigation Law — The Charter of Connecticut— Union of New Haven and Con-

Xiv IPNTENTS

PA OB

necticut Colonies — The Royal Commission — King Philip's War — Annulling of the Massachusetts Chart' r— Royal Government in New England — Andros — Revolution in Massachusetts—Society in New England.

Chapter IX

Hudson's Discovery — Block's Exploring Voyage — The "New Netherland" Company — West India Company Chartered — *rhe Dutch at Manhattan and Albany — Purchase of Manhattan Island — The Patroons — Van Twiller Succeeds Minuit — The Swedish Settlement — Trouble with the Indians—Peter Stuyvesant — Treaty with Connecticut — Attack on the Swedes — Delaware Purchased — Religious Contests — Demand for Popular Franchise— Relations to Connecticut — Holland and England — Conquest of New Netherland by the English — The New Government — War between England and France —Lovelace — New Netherland Retaken by the Dutch — Restored to the English — New York Described by Andros — Dongan — Charter of Liberties — New York a Royal Province — The Revolt of Leisler.

CHAPTER X. New Jersey to 1688, 194

Grant to Berkeley and Carteret— Settlement at Elizaheth — Settlement at Newark — East Jersey — West Jersey Acquired by Penn and His Associates — Sale to Penn of Carteret's Rights— Scottish Emigration to East Jersey — Effect of the Revolution of 1688.

Chapter XI

Early Life of Penn— Grant to Him by James II. — Penn's Charter — His Constitution — The Body of Laws — Penn's Treatment of the Indians — Emigration to Pennsylvania — Religion in the Colony — Penn in England — Disorder in the Colony — Pennsylvania Described.

K

CONTENTS XV

PART IL

FROM THE ENGLISH REVOLUTION OF 1688 TO 1756

CHAPTER XIL

The Effect on the Colonies of the Revolution op 1688, 207

Result of the Revolution of 1688— King and Parliament— The Colonial Governments— Spirit of the Colonial Houses of Delegates— Navigation Laws— French and Indian Wars — French Explorations — French Claims to Louisiana — Movements in the Direction of Colonial Union.

CHAPTER XIIL

Board of Trade and Plantations — French and Indian Attacks — Unsuccessful Attempt on Canada — Massachusetts Fails to Regain her Charter— The New Charter of Massachusetts—The Witchcraft Delusion— The Government of Phips — Bellomont — Inroads of French and Indians — Separation of New Hampshire from Massachusetts— Rhode Island under Bellomont— Dudley— Queen Anne's War- Rhode Island under Dudley — Connecticut — Shute — Explanatory Charter of Massachusetts— New Hampshire and Connecticut — The "Great Revival" — Belcher— Connecticut and Rhode Island — Buruet — Shirley — Renewal of Hostilities with France — Capture of Louishurg — The Albany Congress— Military Expeditions— New Hampshire and Connecticut.

CHAPTER XIV.

New York from 1688 to 1756, 241

Leisler s Insurrection — The Assembly called by Sloughter — Fletcher's Ecclesiastical Measures— Bellomont— Cornbury —Trial of Mackemie— Hunter- The "Palatines "—Burnet

XVI C^PTENTS

PAGE

— Cosby — The Liberty of the Press — Independent Spirit of the Assembly —"The Negro Plot" — Clinton's Struggle witli the Assembly — The Albany Convention — Johnson's Victory — Paper Money — Character of the Middle States— Society in New York —Education — Ruling Families.

CHAPTER XV.

New Jersey from 1688 to 1756 255

New Jersey after the Revolution — New Jersey a Royal Province — Cornbury and the Assembly — Hunter — Burnet — New Jersey Separated from New York — The Elizabetlitown Claimants ^The Revival in New Jersey — Social Life.

CHAPTER XVI.

Pennsylvania and Delaware from 1688 to 1756, . . 260

Charges Against Penn — Disorder in Pennsylvania — "The Counties " — George Keith — The Proprietary Displaced — Penn Regains his Province — He Befriends Negroes and Indians — New Charter of Privileges— The Two Parties — Evans — Evans Recalled — Gookin — The Assembly against Logan— Death of Penn — Administration of Keith — Gordon — Anti-Quaker Party — Opposition to the Proprietaries — Franklin — Society in Pennsylvania — Physicians — Tradesmen — Philadelphia — Intellectual Life.

CHAPTER XVIL

Maryland from 1688 to 1756, 272

The Revolution in Maryland — Overthrow of the Proprietary Government — Intolerance in Maryland— Nicholson— Proprietary Government Restored— Maryland in 1751.

CHAPTER XVIII.

The Revolution in Virginia— The Governors and the Burgesses — William and Mary College— James Blair— Governor

CONTENTS XVll

PAGE

Spotswood — His Dispute with the Burgesses — His Journey over the Blue Ridge — New Immigrauts — The Churches — Slavery — The Rich Planters — Dinwiddle — The Ohio Company — English and French Claims — Dinwiddle and the Burgesses — George Washington — An Adjutant-General : A Messenger to the French : At Great Meadows : An Aid of Braddock— Defeat of Braddock — The Retreat — Washington at Winchester — Washington Visits Boston.

CHAPTER XIX.

The Carolinas from 1688 to 1756, 292

North Carolina— Conflict of Parties— Indian War— Increase of the Colony — A Royal Province — Immigrants — South Carolina— A rchdale — Charleston— Indian War— War with the Yemassees— Hostility to the Proprietaries — End of the Proprietary Rule— Nicholson — The Governor and the Assembly—Indian Troubles— Revolt of Slaves— Trade and Emigration — Glen— Society in South Carolina.

CHAPTER XX.

Georgia from its Settlement to 1756, .... 303

Oglethorpe — His Career— His Plan for a Colony — Grant of Territory — The Settlement — Immigrants from Salzburg— The Colony Reinforced — State of the Colony — Trials — John Wesley — Charles Wesley — Expedition against St. Augustine — Spanish Attack Repelled — Whitefield in Georgia — Surrender of the Charter — The New Government — Social Condition.

CHAPTER XXI.

The Writings of John Smith — Sandys — Whitaker — Early New England Writers — Winthrop — Mather's ' ' Magnalia " — Hubbard — Prince — The New England Divines — Their Ideas of Providence — Absorption in Religion and Theology — The Bay Psalm-Book — Anna Bradstreet — " The Day of Doom" , — Franklin and Edwards — Legists.

XVIU

CONTEN'

Appendix

321 I. Chronological Table,

325 II. Bibliographical Note,

LIST OF MAPS 1. Physical Map of the United States, 3. Original Grants, . . • • 3. The American Colonies in 1755, .

Frontispiece

End of the volume

PHYSICAL MAP OF

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PART L

FROM THE DISCO VJEJRY OF AMERICA TO THE ENGLISH REVOLUTION OF 1688