A complete history of Connecticut, civil and ecclesiastical, from the emigration of its first planters, from England, in the year 1630, to the year 1764; and to the close of the Indian wars ...

Front matter

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Ci'.

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Chapter II

The patent of Connecticut. The situatton, extent, boundaries and area of the settled jiart of the colony. The discovery of Connecticut river ; a description of it, and the signification of its name. The colony derives its name from the river. Description of other rivers. Plymouth and Dutch houses. Prospects of trade upon the river.

Chapter III

The state of the country of Connecticut when the settlement of the colony began. Its trees and fruits. Its animals. Number, situation, genius, manners, arms, utensils and wars of the Indians.

Chapter IV

The people at Dorchester, Watertown, and Newtown, finding themselves straightened in the Massachusetts, determine to remove to Connecticut. Debates in Massachusetts relative to their removal. The general court at first prohibited it, but afterwards gave its consent. The people removed and settled the towns of Windsor, Hartford and WeathersfieUi. Hardships and losses of the first winters.

Vol. t. B

10 CONTENTS.

Chapter V

Thf. war ivilh the Pequots. The origin of it. The liuirder of Captains- Stone and Norton, of Mr. Oldhnm and others. Mr. Endicot's expedi • tion against them. The Pequots kill a number of the garrison at the mouth of the river, and besiege the fort. Captain Mason is sent down from Connecticut with a reinforcement. The enemy make a descent on Weathersfield, torture and mock the Englisk. The court at Connecticut declares war against them. Capcain Mason takes Misticfort. Sassacus destroys his roj'al fortress and ti<)es to the westward. A second expedition is undertaken against the Pequots conjointly, by Massachusetts and Connecticut. The great swamp fight. The Pequots subdued. Sassacus flying to the Mohawks was i>eheaded. The captivated and survivingPequots, after the war, were given to the^Moheagans and Narragansets, and their name extinguished.

CHAPTER VL

Effects of the war. Great scarcity in Connecticut, and means taken to^ relieve the necessities of the people. Settlement of New-Haven. Plantation covenant. Means for the defence of the colony. Captain Mason made major general. Civil constitution of Connecticut, formed by voluntary compact. First general election at Connecticut. Governors and magistrates. General rights of the people, and principal laws of the colony. Constitution and laws of New-Haven. Purchase and settlement of several towns in Connecticut and New-Haven.

Chapter VII

The progress of purchase, settlement, and law in the colonies of Connecticut and New-Haven. The effect of the conquest of the Pequots on the natives, and the manner in which they were treated. Purchases of them. Towns settled. Divisions at Weathersfield occasion the settlement of Stamford. Troubles with the Ducth and Indians. Capita! laws of Connecticut. The confederation of the united colonies. Further troubles with the Indians. Victory of Uncas over the Narragansets, and capture of their sachem. The advice of the commissioners respecting Miantonimoh. His execution. Precautions of the colonies to prevent war. The Dutch, harassed by an Indian war, apply to New- Haven for assistance.

Chapter VIII

PuBLTC fasts appointed. Indians continue hostile, and commit murder. Acts of the commissioners respecting them. Branford settled. Towns in Connecticut. Message of the commissioners to the Narragansets. Their agreement respecting Uncas. Long-Island Indians taken under the protection of the United colonies. Massachusetts claim part of the Pequot country and Waranoke. Determination of the commissioners respecting said claim. Agreement with Mr. Fenwick relative to Saybrook fort and the adjacent country. Fortifications advanced. Extraordinary meeting of the commissioners to suppress the outrages of the Narragansets. War proclaimed and troops sent against them. They treat and prevent war. Fairfiold object to a jury of six. Con-

CONTENTS. 11

ti'oversy with the Dutcli. The Indians plot against the life of governor Hopkins and other principal gentlemen at JIarttord. Damages at Windsor. Battle between the Dutch and Indians. Losses of New- HttVen. Dispute with Massachusetts relative to the impost at Saybrook. Mr. Winthrop's claim of the Nehantick country. Settlement i^f accounts between the colonies.

Chapter IX

Settlement of New-London. Salaries first granted to civil officers. Troubles with the Narraganset Indians. Rhode-Island petitions to be united with the colonies in confederation. The Massacliusetts resume the affair of the impost. Mr. Westerhouse complains of the seizure of his vessel by the Dutch, in the harbour of New-Haven. Murders committed by tlie Indians ; — resolutions respecting the murderers. Body of laws compiled. Debates relative to the settlement of Dt-laware. The Pequots revolt from Uncas, and petition the English. Resolution respecting them. Mr. Westerhouse petitions to make reprisals from the Dutch. Letter to the Dutch governor. Further altercation respecting the impost. Final issue of that affair. The conduct of the Massachusetts upon its decision, and the declaration of the commissioners respecting it. Their treatment of Connecticut respecting the fine between the colonies. The court at Connecticut determine to avenge the death of Jehn Whitmore, and detach men to take the murderer.

Chapter X

•Court of election at Hartford. Grants to captain Mason. The com missioners meet and dispatch captain Atherton to the Narragansets. Their message to Ninigrate. The Dutch Governor arrives at Hartford, and refers the differences between him and the colonies to arbitrators. Their determination, and tlw line is fixed between the Engfish and Dutch plantations. Agreements with Mr. Fenwick occasion general uneasiness. Committees are appointed to explain and ascertain them. Towns are invited to attend the committees, by their deputies, at Saybrook. An act for the encouragement of Mr. Winthrop in seeking and improving mines. Norwalk and Mattabeseck settled and made towns. The colony of New-Haven make another attempt io settle at Delaware. The Dutch Governor seizes the company and frustrates the design. He pursues his former line of conduct towards the colonies. The resolutions of the commissioners relative to his conduct, to the settlement of Delaware, and the tribute to be paid by tlie Pequots. French commissioners from Canada. Their proposals. Reply to them. The Dutch governor and Indians concert a plan to extirpate the colonies. The commissioners meet, and dispatch agents to the Dutch governor. They determine upon war, unless he should manifest his innocence, and redress the grievances of the colonies. They determine on the number of men to be raised, and draw a dec- ■laration of the reasons of the war. The agents retnrn unsuccessful. The commissioners meet again, and determine to m:>ke war upon the Dutch and Narraganset Indians, The general court of Massachusetts refuses to raise men, and prevents the war. Altercations between that general court and the commissioners, and between that and the general courts of Connecticut and New-Haven. The alarm and distress of the plantations in these colonies. Their general courts protest

12, CONTENTS.

against the court of Massachusetts, as violaters of the articles of confederation ; and write to Cromwell and the parliament for assistance. The tumultuous stale of the inhabitants in several of the towns.

Chapter XI

J'he death and character of Governor Hajmes. The freemen of Connecticut meet and appoint a moderator. Mr. Ludlow removes to Virginia. The spirited conduct of the people at Milford, in recovering ^Tanning's vessel. The freemen add to the fundamental article;;. Fleet arrives at Boston for the reduction of the Dutch. The colonies agree to raise men to assist the armament from England. Peace prevents the expedition. The general court at NcAV-Haven, charge the Massachusetts with a breach of the confederation. They refuse to join in a war against Ninigratc, and oblige Connecticut and New-Haven to provide for the defence of themselves and their allies. Ninigrate continuing his hostile measures, the commissioners send messengers to him. His answer to them. They declare war, and send an army against him. The art of Massachusetts aiid the deceit of Major Willard, defeat the designed expedition. The number of rateable polls, and the amount of the list of Connecticut. The Pequots are taken under their protection. Ninigrate persisting in his hostilities against the Indians upon Long-Island, the general court adopt measures for the defence of the Indians and the Enghsh inhabitants there. New-Haven perfect and print -their laws. The answer of New-Haven to the protector's invitation, that they would remove to Jamaica. Reply of the commissioiiers to the Dutch governor. Uncas embroils the country Deaths and characters of Governors Eaton and Hopkins. Settlement of Stonington. Mr. Winthrop chosen governor. The third fundamental article is altered by the freemen. Mr. Fitch and his church and people remove to Norwich. Final settlement of accounts with the heirs of Mr. Fenwick., Deputy governor Mason resigns the Moheagan lands to the colony.

Chapter XII

TnE general court of Connecticut declare their loj'alty and submission to the king ; determine to address his majesty, and apply for charter privileges. A petition to his majesty is prepared, and a letter addressed to lord Say and Seal. Governor Winthrop is appointed the colony's agent, to present their petition, and solicit a patent. Regicides condemned. Whalley and Goffe arrive at Boston ; escape to New-Haven, and are kindly entertained, and kept from tiieir pursuers. New- Haven falls into great trouble and danger on tliat account. New-FIaven excuse themselves; decline sending an agent ; but join with Massachusetts in supporting one. The king proclaimed. Governor Winthrop obtains the charter of Connecticut. First governor and council under the charter. Representation of the constitution it ordains, and the privileges it conveys. Difljculties of the colony of New-Haven. Governor Leet's address. Charter of Connecticut arrives. Proceedings of Connecticut in consequence of the charter. They extend their jurisdiction to all places within the limits of their patent, and challenge New-Haven colony, as under their jurisdiction. Controversy between ^he two colonies. Settlement of Killingworth. Patent of the duke of York. Colonel Nichols and commissioners arrive ; reduce all the Dutcli settlements. Their extraordinary poAvers. Important crisis of . »^!onnocticut. The general court make a present to the commissjpp-

CONTENTS. IS

ers. Answer to the propositions from his majesty, and reply to the duke of Hamilton's claim and petition. Boundaries between Connecticut and New-York. Union of Connecticut and New-Haven.

Chapter XIII

A VIEW of the churches of Connecticut and New-Haven, from their first settlement, until their union, in 1665. Their ministers. The character of the ministers and first planters. Their religious and political sentiments. Gathering of the churches of New-Haven and Milford. Installation of Mr. Davenport and Mr. Prudden. Church formed at Guilford. Number of ministers in Connecticut and New-Haven before the union. Proportion of ministers to the people, before, and at the union. Harmony between the civil rulers and the clergy. Influence of the clergy, and the reasons of it. Their opposition to Antinojnianism. Assisted in the compilation of Cambridge Platform. Ecclesiastical laws. Care to diffuse general knowledge : its happy influ- «nce. Attempts to found a college at New-Haven. No sectaries in Connecticut nor New-Haven, until after the union ; and for twenty 5'ears the churches generally enjoyed great peace. Deaths and characters of several of the first ministers. Great dissensions in the church, at Hartford soon after Mr. Hooker's death. Dissensions and controversies in the cojony and churches in general, relative to baptism, church-membership, and the rights of the brethren. A new generation arises, who had not all imbibed the spirit of their fathers. Grievances presented to the general court of Connecticut, on the account of the strictness of tlie churches, and that sober people were denied communion with them, and baptism for their children. The court of Connecticut send to the other general courts for advice. Laivs against the Quakers. Massachusetts and Connecticut agree in appointing a synod at Boston. General court at New-Haven oppose the meeting of a synod, and decline sending their elders. Questions proposed for discussion. The synod meet and answer them ; but it had no good efl'ect on the churches : they would not complj' with their decisions. Dissensions continued at Hartford. Acts of the general court respecting them. Councils from Massachusetts. Diificulties in some measure composed. Divisions and animosities at Weathersfield. Act of the general court respecting the church there. Mr. Russell and others remove from Weathersfiejd and Hartford aud settle Hadley. Mr. Stow dismissed from the ministry at Middletown, by a committee of the general court. Synod at Boston. Its determination relative to baptism, and the consociation of churches. Division in the synod and in the churches relative to those points. The court at Connecticut send no elders to the council, nor take any part in the controversy, until some time afterwards.

Chapter XIV

Conduct of the king's commissioners. Counties and County Courts regulated. Governor Winthrop's estate freed from taxation. Towns settled. Controversy with Rhode-Island. The grounds of it. Courts ^]>pointed in the Narraganset country. Laws revised and printed. War with the Dutch. Claims and conduct of major Edmund Andross, governor of New-Yoik. Protest against him. Conduct of capt. Thomas Bull. Proclamation respecting the insult received from major An^Jross. Philip's war. Captains Hutchinson and Lothrop surprig.ed ih contents.

and slaiii. Treachery of the Springfield Indians. Hadley attacked by the enemy. The assenihly make provision for the defence of Connecticut. Expedition against the Narraganset Indians. The reasons of it Tlie great swamp fight. Loss of men. Courage exhibited and hardships endured. Caj>tain Pierce and his party cut off. Nanunttenoo taken. Success of captains Denison and Avery. Captain Wadsworth and his party slain. Death and character of governor Winthrop. Success of Major Talcott. Attack upon Hadley. The enemy beaten and begin to scatter. They are pursued to Housatonick. Sachem of Qua - baug and Philip killed. Number of the enemy before the war. Their destruction. Loss of the colonies. Connecticut preserves its own towns and assists its neighbours.

Chapter XV

Measures adont*d to discharge the public debt, and settle the country in j)ftace. The reasons of the colony's claim to Narraganset* The former settlers and owners of land there apply to Connecticut for protec-^ tion. Major Treat goes to the upper towns upon Connecticut river, to treat with the Indians. Fasts appointed through New-England. Act concerning the conquered lands in Narraganset. Navigation act grievous to the colonies. Governor Leet takes the oath respecting trade, and navigation. Answers to queries from the lords of trade and plantations. Protest against Sir Edmund Andross's claim to Fisher's Island. Character of governor Leet. Commissioners appointed by his majesty, to examine and make report concerning all claims to the Narraganset country, or king's province. They report in favour of Con necticut. Answers to the renewed claim of the duke of Hamilton, and opinions on the case. Connecticut congratulate the arrival of coloneJ Dungan, governor of New-York, and agree with him respecting the boundary line between that colony and Connecticut. Petition to king James II. Settlement of Waterbury. Quo-warrantos against the colony. The assembly petition his majesty to continue their charter privileges. Sir Edmund Andross made governor of New-England. Arrives at Hartford : takes the government by order of his majesty. The oppression and cruelty of his administration- Distressed and sorrowfijl state of the people.

Chapter XVI

Revolution in New-England. Connecticut resume their government Address to king William. Troops raised for the defence of the eastern settlements in New-Hampshire and the province of Maine. French and Indian war. Schenectad}' destroyed. Connecticut dispatch a reinforcement to Albany. Expedition against Canada. The land army retreats, ;ind the enterprise proves unsuccessful. Leisler's abuse of major-general Winthrop. The assembly of Connecticut approve the general's conduct. Thanks are returned to Mr. Mather, agent Whitjing, and Mr. Porter. Opinions respecting the charter, and the legality of Connecticut's assuming their government. Windham settled. The Tvlohawk castles are surprised, and the country alarmed. Connecticut ;-end troops to Albany. Colonel Fletcher, governor of New- York, demands tlie command of the militia of Connecticut. The colony petition king William on the subject. Colonel Fletcher comes to Hj^rtford, and, in person, demands that the legislature submit the militia to h:s command : but tliey refuse. Captain Wadsworth prevents the

CONTENTS. 15

reading of his commission ; and tlio colonel judges it expe'iient to leave the colony. The. case of Connecticut relative to the militia stated. His majesty determines in favour of the colony. Committees are appointed to settle the houndary line between Connecticut and Massachusetts. General Winthrop returns, and receives public thanks. Congratulation of the Earl of Bellemont, appointed governor of New-York and JNIassachusetts. Dispute witli Rhode-Island continues. Committee to settle the boundaries. Expenses of the war. Vexatious conduct of governor Fletcher. Peace, joy, and thanksgiving.

Chapter XVII

General Winthrop is elected govefnor. The assembly divide and fornr into two houses. Purchase and settlement of several towns. The boundarj- line between Connecticut and New-York surveyed and fixed. Attenjpts for running and establishing the line between Massachusetts and Connecticut. Owaneco and the Moheagans claim Colchester and other tracts in the colonj'. Attempts to compose all differences with them. Grant to 1 he volunteers. The assembly enacts, tht\t the session in October, shall, for the futin-e, be in New-Haven. A n Act enlarging the boundaries of New-London ; and acts relative to towns and ))atents. Measures adopted for the defence of the colony. Appointment of king's attorneys. Attempt to despoil Connecticut cf its charter. Bill for re-uniting the charter governments to the crown. Sir Henry Ashurst petitions against, and prevents the passing of the bill. Governor Dudley, Lord Cornbury, and other enemies conspire against the colony. They exhibit grievous complaints against it. Sir Henry Ashurst defends the colony, and defeats ihcir attempts. Quakers petition. Moheagan case. Survey and bounds of the pretended Moheagan country. Dudley's court at Stonington. The colony protest against it. Dudley's treatment of the colony. Judgment against it. Petition to her majesty on the subject. New commissions are granted. Act in favor of the clergy. State of the colony.

Chapter XVIII

The country is alarmed. Means of defence. The assembly decline the affording of any assistance in the expedition against Port Royal. Grant assistance to the frontier towns. New townships granted and settled. The Rev. Gurdon Saltonstall chosen governor. Act empowering the freemen to choose the governor from among themselves at large. > Acts relative to the settlement of the boundary line with ivlassachusetts. Garrisons erected in the towns on the frontiers. Expedition against Canada. First emission of paper money. Address to her majesty. Loss of the colony at Wood Creek. Expedition against Port Royal. Expedition against Canada, imder the command of Ad:iiiral Walker and general Nicholson. Fleet cast away, and the enterprise defeated. The colony petition her majesty, and ser.d the only pilot from Connecticut, to England, to represeiit to her majesty the loss of the fleet truly as it was. Acts respecting the superior court. Settlement of the boundary line between Massachusetts and Connecticut. Reasons why the colony consented to such a settlement. Return of peace. The colony happy in the preservation of their frontiers. Towns settl'jd uader Massachusetts. State ofthe colonv. Oljser vat ions.

IS CONTENTS,

Chapter XIX

A VIEW of the cluirches of Connecticut, from 1665 to 1714, contintied from chapter XIII. The general assembly appoint a synod to determine points of religious controversy. The ministers decline meeting under the name of a synod. The assembly alter the name, and require them to meet as a general assembly of the ministers and churches of Connecticut. Seventeen questions were proposed to the assembly, to be discussed and answered. The assembly of ministers meet and discuss the questions. The legislature declare, that they had not been decided, and give intimations that they did not desire, that the ministers and chui'ches of Connecticut should report their opinion upon them. They express their desires of a larger council from Massachusetts, and New-Plymouth. The Rev. Mr. Davenport removes to Boston. Dissension at Windsor. Mr. Bulkley and Mr. Fitch are appointed by the assembly to devise some way in which the churches might walk together, notwithstanding their different opinions relative to the subjects of baptism, church communion, and the mode of church discipline. The church at Hartford divides, and Mr. Whiting and his adherents are allowed to practice upon congregational principles. The church at Stratford allowed to divide and hold distinct meetings. Mr. Walker and his hearers, upon advice, remove and settle the town of Woodbury. Deaths and characters of the Rev. Messrs. John Davenport and John Warham. General attempts for a reformation of manners. Religious state of the colony in 1680. Attempts for the instruction and christianising of the Indians in Connecticut. Act of the legislature respecting Windsor. The people there required peaceably to settle and support Mr. Mather. Owning or subscribing the covenant introduced at Hartford. College founded, and trustees incorporated. Worship according to the mode of the church of England, performed in this colony, first at Stratford. Episcopal church gathered there. Act of assembly requiring the ministers and churches of Connecticut to meet and form a religious constitution. They meet and compile the Saybrook Platform. Articles of discipline. Act of the legislature adopting the Platform. Associations. Consociations. General Association. Its recommendations relative to the examination of candidates for the ministry, and of pastors elect previous to their ordination. Ministers, churches, and ecclesiastical societies in Connecticut, in 1713. Degree of instruction. The whole number of ministers in the colony from its first settlement, to that period.

Appendix

CoNTAiNiisG various documents referred to in this volume, with the great' original Pateat of Ne'.v-E.nglakd, never before published.

THE

HISTORY

OF

CONNECTICUT.

Chapter I

Introduction. The discoveri/ of Korlli-Anierica uad Ktw- England. Caplain Smitlvs discovery. The country is named Nexo-England. M'zo- Plymouth settled. The great patent of Jiezo-England, and patent of Massachusetts. The settlement of Salem, Charlestozvn, Boston^ and other t07vns in Massachusetts. Mr. IVarham, Mr. Phillips and Mr. Hooker, zoith others of the first planters of Connecticut, arrive and make settlements at Dorchester, Wateriozvn and Js'ezctoion. Their churches are formed and they are ordained.

THE seltleiricnt of New-England, purely for the pur- Book P. poses of Religion, and the propagation of civil and ^^^sr^ot.^ religious liberty, is an event which has no parallel in the history of modern ages. The piety, self-denial, sufferings, patience, perseverance and magnanimity of the first settlers of the country are without a rival. The happy and extensive consequences of the settlements which they made, and of the sentiments which they were careful to propagate, to their posterity, to the church and to the Avorld, admit of no description. They are still increasing, spreading wider and wider, and appear more and more important.

The planters of Connecticut were among the illustrious characters, who first settled New-England, and twice made settlements, first in Massachusetts, and then in Connecticut on bare creation. In an age when the light of freedom was but just dawning, they, by voluntary compact, formed one of the most free and happy constitutions pf govern-

C is HISTORY OF Chap, h

Book I. mcnt \vhich mankind have ever adopted. Connecticut has v-^-N'-'x^ ever been distinguished by the free spirit of its government, tlie mildness of its laws, and the general ditRision of knowledge, among all classes of its inhabitants. They have been no less distinguished by their industry, economy, purity of manners, population and spirit of enterprise. For more than a century and half, they have had no rival, as to the steadiness of their government, their internal^ peace and harmony, their love and high enjoyment of domestic, civil and religious order and happiness. They have ever stood among the most illuminated, first and boldest defenders of the civil and religious rights of mankind.

The history of such a people must be curious, entertaining and important. It will exhibit the fairest models of civil government, of religious order, purity and humari happiness. It is the design of the present work to lay thi»s history before the public.

As the planters of Connecticut were among the first settlers of New-England, and interested in the first patents and settlements, sketches of the discovery of the country, of the patents by which it was conveyed and divided to the ditierent colonies, and of the first settlements, will be necessary to illustrate the history of Connecticut and be a natural preliminary to this work, Oct. 12, Christopher Columbus, a Genoese, discovered the ^"^92. western isles, and first communicated to Europe th« intelligence of a new world : but the Cabots had the honor of discovering the great continent of North- America. J494. John Cabot, a Venetian, lx)rn in England, in 1494

discovered Newfoundland and the island of St. Johns. It2 consequence of this discovery, king Henry the seventh of England, in whose service he was employed, conferred on him the honor of knighthood ; and gave him and his sons a commission to make further discoveries in the new world- John Cabot died soon after he received this commission. His son Sebastian, in 1497, sailed with the fleet, which had been preparing for his father, and directing his course by his journals, proceeded to the 67th degree of north latitude, and, returning to the southward, fell in with the continent in the 56th degree of north latitude; and thence explored the coast as far south as the Floridas. From these discoveries originated the claims of England to these parts of the northern continent, iicpi In 1602, Bartholomew Gosnold discovered some part of

New-England. He first touched on its eastern coast, in about 43 degrees of north latitude ; and, sailing to the southward, landed an the Elizabeth Islands. He made sora^^

Chap. I. CONNECTICUT. 1^

discoveries of the adjacent parts, and gave the name lo Book I. Ca}ie Cod and Marthas Vineyard. v^-^^v-^^

Captain Henry HluIsoii, commissioned by king James F. in 1608, sailed, in the employment of several London ^^^''• merchants, to North-America. He came upon the coast in about 40 degrees of north latitude, and made a discovery of Long-Island and Hudson's river. He proceeded up the river as far as the latitude of 43, and called it by his own name.

About two years after he made a second voyage to the jeio; river, in the service of a number of Dutch merchants ; and, some time after, made sale of his right to the Dutch. The right to the country, however, was antecedently in king James, by virtue of the discovery which Hudson had made under his commission. The English protested against the sale ; but the Dutch, in 1614, under the Amsterdam West-india company, built a fort nearly on the same ground where the city of Albany now is, which they called fort Aurania. Sir Thomas Dale, governor of Virginia, directly after dispatched captain Argall to dispossess the Dutch, and they submitted to the king of England, and under him to the governor of Virginia.*

The same year captain John Smith, who some years be- 1614; fore had been governor of Virginia, made a voyage to this part of the continent. He ranged the coast from Penobscot to Cape Cod ; made a discovery of the river Pascataqua, and the Massachusetts islands. On his return to England, he published a description of the country, with a /■%

map of the sea coast, and gave it the name oO^cw-Eng- i / A f

In 1620, a number of pious people, parTof Mr. JohnNew- B.obinson's church and congregatioVi, who, by the violence P'y?"°"''» of persecution, had been driven from their pleasant seats \q2Q, ' and enjoyments in England, arrived on the coast ; and, after braving every danger, and enduring almost every hardship and distress of which human nature is capable, effected a permanent settlement in this part of North-America. They gave it the name of New-Plymouth. By voluntary compact they formed themselves into a small commonwealth, and had a succession of governors. They settled all that part of Massachusetts included in the county of Plymouth. By making permanent settlements, to which others might resort, on their first ari^ival in New-England, or afterwards in times of distress; by making treaties with the Indians, by which the peace of the country was preserved ; by their knowledge of it, and the experience -f Smith's iijstory of New- York, p. x?.

20 HISTOKY OF Chap. I.

Book I. which they had gained, they were of peculiar advantv-^-v-x.^ age to those who came over and made settlements after them. They were a pious, industrious people, and exhibited towards each other the most striking examples of fraternal affection. They continued a distinct colony for about seventy years, until their incorporation, by the charter of William and Mary, in 1691, with the colony of Massachusetts and the province of Maine.

November 3d, 1620, just before the arrival of Mr. Rob- New-Eng- inson's people in New-England, king James the first, by land, Nov. letters patent, under the great seal of England, incorpo- 3, 1620. rated the duke of Lenox, the marquises of Buckingham and Hamilton, the earls of Arundel and Warwick, and others, to the number of forty noblemen, knights and gentlemen, by the name " of the council established at Plymouth in the county of Devon, for the planting, ruling and governing of New-England in America" — "and granted unto them, and their successors and assigns, all that part of * America, lying and being in breadth from forty degrees of north latitude, from the equinoctial line, to the forty eighth degree of said northerly latitude inclusively, and in length of, and within all the breadth aforesaid, throughout the main lands from sea to sea." The patent ordained that this tract of country should be called New-England in America, and by that name have continuance for ever.

This grant is the broad basis on which stand all the other grants made to the colonies in New-England. 7'his prepared the way for future grants and the immediate settlement of New-England.

Patent ofV' On the 19th of March, 1628, the Plymouth company cUusetts granted unto Sir Henry Roswell, Sir John Young, knights, March 19 Thomas Southcoat, John Humphry, John Endicott and Si-

1628. mon Whiicorab, their h^irs and assigns forever, all that part of New-England in America, which lies and extends between Merrimack river and Charles river, in the bottom of Massachusetts bay, and three miles to the north and south of every part of Charles river, and three miles south of the southernmost part of said bay, and three miles to the northAvard of every part of Merrimack river, and "all lands and hereditaments whatsoever lying within the limits aforesaid north and south, in latitude and breadth ; and in length and longitude, of and within all the breadth aforesaid throughout the main lands there, from the Atlantic sea and ocean on the east part, to the south sea on the west