had fallen victims to consumptions and fevers, the natural effects of the hardships to which they had been exposed. What must have been the distress they suffered during that long winter, passed beneath unknown skies, with a gloomy, unbroken forest on the one hand, and the dreary ocean on the other! public devotions until they came to have a regular minister. Their affairs as a church were conducted with the same system and order that marked their civil economy. Such is a brief account of the founding of Plymouth Colony, the earliest of all that were planted in New-England. Placed on a sandy and but moderately productive part of the coast, and commanding a very limited extent of inland territory from which to derive the materials of commerce and wealth, it could not be expected to become a great and important colony, like others of which I have yet to speak. But it was excelled by none in the moral worth of its founders. All professing godliness, they almost without exception, as far as we know, did honour to that profession. True religion was with them the first of all possessions. They feared God, and He walked among them, and dwelt among them, and His blessing rested upon them. The anniversary of their disembarcation at Plymouth has long been regular But with the return of spring came health, and hope, and courage. The colony took root. The ground it occupied had been cleared for it by the previous destruction, by pestilence, of the tribe of Indians which had occupied it. Of course, the colonists could not buy land which there was nobody to sell. They soon made the acquaintance of the neighbouring tribes, acquired their friendship, and entered into treaty with them. Their numbers were in course of time increased by successive arrivals of emigrants, until, in 1630, they exceeded 300. After the second year they raised grain not only to supply all their own wants, but with a surplus for exportation.* They soon had a number of vessels em-ly celebrated upon the yearly return of the ployed at the fisheries. They even planted a colony on the Kennebec, in Maine, and extended their trade to the Connecticut River, before the close of the first ten years of their settlement, and before any other English colony had been formed on the coast of Northern Virginia, or New-England, the name given it by Captain Smith in 1614, and by which it was ever after to be distinguished. 22d of December, in prose and in verse, in oration and in poem: a patriotic and religious duty, to which have been consecrated the highest efforts of many of the noblest and purest minds ever produced by the country to whose colonization they led the way. NISTS. CHAPTER III. CHARACTER OF THE EARLY COLO FOUNDERS OF NEW-ENGLAND.-COLONY OF MASSACHUSETTS BAY. The governor and council were chosen every year. At first, and for above eighteen years," the people" met, as in Athens RELIGIOUS of old, for the discussion and adoption of laws. But as the colony extended, and towns and villages rose along the coasts and in the interior, the "Democratic" form of government gave place to the " Republican," by two delegates being chosen from each township to form "the General Court," or Legislature of the commonwealth. For some time they had no pastor or preaching elder, but Mr. Brewster led their * During the first two or three years they suffered greatly at times for want of food. Sometimes they subsisted on half allowance for months. They were once saved from famishing by the benevolence of some fishermen off the coast. "I have seen men," says Winslow, "stagger by reason of faintness for want of food." "Tradition declares, that at one time the colonists were reduced to a pint of corn, which, being parched and distributed, gave to each individual only five kernels: but tradition falls far short of reality; for three or four months together they had no corn whatever. When a few of their old friends arrived to join them, a lobster, or a piece of fish, without bread or anything else but a cup of fair spring water, was the best dish which the hospitality of the whole colony could afford. Neat cattle were not introduced till the fourth year of the settlement. Yet, during all this season of self-denial and suffering, the cheerful confidence of the Pitgrims in the mercies of Providence remained unshaken."-Bancroft's History of the United States, vol. i., P. 315. THE first English settlements in America arose, it will be remembered,* from James I.'s investing two Companies, the one formed at London, the other at Bristol and other towns in the West of England, each with a belt of territory extending from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean; the one lying between the 34th and 38th, the other between the 41st and 48th degrees of north latitude. Both Companies were formed in a purely commercial spirit; each was to have its own council, but the Royal Council was to have the superintendence of their whole colonial system. The London Company was dissolved, we have seen, after an existence of eighteen years. The other accomplished nothing beyond giving encouragement to sundry trading voyages to the coast of the country made over to it by its charter. At length, at the repeated instance of Captain Smith, the Western Company sought a renewal of their patent, with additional powers, similar to those of the London Company's second charter in 1609, * Book i., chap. iv. with the view of attempting an extensive Massachusetts Bay, and three miles north plan of colonization; and, notwithstanding of every part of the River Merrimac. Of opposition from the Parliament and the these six, three, namely, Humphrey, Endicountry at large, they succeeded in their cot, and Whetcomb, retained their shares; request. On November 3d, 1620, the king while the other three sold theirs to Wingranted a charter to forty of his subjects, throp, Dudley, Johnson, Pynchon, Eaton, among whom were members of his house- Saltonstall, and Bellingham, so famous in hold and government, and some of the colonial history, besides many others, men wealthiest and most powerful of the Eng- of fortune and friends to colonial enterlish nobility, conveying to them in abso-prise. Thus strengthened, this new comlute property, to be disposed of and admin-pany sent out two hundred colonists under istered as they might think proper, the Endicot, a man every way fitted for such whole of that part of North America which an enterprise-courageous, cheerful, and stretches from the Atlantic to the Pacific, having firmness of purpose and warmth of between the 40th and 48th degrees of north temper, softened by an austere benevolatitude, under the title of "The Council lence. These arrived in Massachusetts established at Plymouth, in the County of Bay in September, 1628, and settled at SaDevon, for the planting, ruling, ordering, lem, where several members of the Plymand governing New-England, in America." outh colony had already established themUnder the auspices of a vast trading corpo-selves. ration, invested with such despotic powers, The news of this event still farther augthe colonization of New-England com-mented the now growing interest felt in menced. While this charter was in course England on the subject of colonizing Amerof being granted, the Pilgrims were fast approaching the American coast. No valid title had given them, as yet, any legal right to set their feet upon it, but this they obtained a few years after from the newlyformed Plymouth Company. ica. In the painful circumstances in which the Puritans were placed, they could not fail to have their attention drawn to the continued prosperity of the Plymouth settlement, and naturally rejoiced to hear of a land towards the setting sun where they might enjoy a tranquillity to which they had long been strangers in the land of their fathers. Such was the interest felt throughout the kingdom, that not only in London, Bristol, and Plymouth, but at Boston, and other inland towns, influential persons were found ready to risk their fortunes in the cause. Efforts were made to procure the royal sanction for the patent granted by the Plymouth Company to that of Massachusetts, and a royal charter in favour of the latter, after much trouble and expense, passed the seals on the 4th of March, 1629. From its very commencement the new company began to lavish away grants of the immense territory which had been conveyed to it, so that during the fifteen years of its existence it covered with its patents the whole country now comprising Massachusetts, New-Hampshire, Maine, and the vast region westward of these as far as the Pacific Ocean. Such was the utter disregard shown in those grants for anything like clear and precise boundaries, that we cannot so much wonder at the number of lawsuits that arose from them, as that these were ever terminated. To Mason and Gorges were granted the territories now forming the States of New-Hampshire and Maine; to Sir William Alexander, the country between the River St. Croix and the mouth of the St. Lawrence, notwithstanding that it was all well known to be claimed by the French, who had even planted a colony upon it, called by them Acadie, but ultimately destined to receive the name of Nova Scotia. But the most important grant made by The freemen were to meet four the Plymouth Company, often called in times a year, or oftener if necessary, and history the Council for New-England, was were empowered to pass laws for the regone conveying the Massachusetts territory ulation of their affairs, without any provisto a body organized in England in 1628, for ion rendering the royal assent indispensathe purpose of at once providing an asy-ble to the validity of their acts. Strictly lum for persons suffering for conscience' considered, the patent simply conferred sake in the Old World, and of extending the rights of English subjects, without any the kingdom of Christ in the New, by enlargement of religious liberty. It emfounding a colony on a large scale. With powered, but did not require the governor this view, six Dorchester gentlemen bought to administer the oaths of supremacy and from the company a belt of land stretching allegiance. The persons in whose favour from the Atlantic to the Pacific, between it was granted were still members of the hree miles south of Charles River and Church of England—not Independents or This charter, bearing the signature of Charles I., was evidently granted under the idea that the persons whom it incorporated were to be rather a trading community than a civil government. They were constituted a body politic, by the name of "The Governor and Company of Massachusetts Bay in New-England." The administration of its affairs was committed to a governor, deputy-governor, and thirteen assistants, elected by the shareholders. Separatists-and probably neither the government, nor the first patentees, foresaw how wide a departure from the economy of that Church would result from the emigration that was about to take place under its provisions. yours, and dedicate myself to God and the company with the whole endeavours both of body and mind. The 'Conclusions' which you sent down are unanswerable; and it cannot but be a prosperous action which is so well allowed by the judgments of God's prophets, undertaken by so religious and wise worthies in Israel, and indented to God's glory in so special a service."* It is surprising that a charter which conferred unlimited powers on the corporation, and secured no rights to the colonists, should have become the means of estab- Governor Winthrop had a fine estate lishing the freest of all the colonies. This which he sacrificed. Many others sacriwas partly owing to its empowering the ficed what were considered good estates corporation to fix what terms it pleased in England in those days. One of the for the admission of new members. The richest of the colonists was Isaac Johnson, corporation could increase or change its "the father of Boston." As a proof of his members with its own consent, and not being a man of wealth, it may be menbeing obliged to hold its meetings in Eng- tioned that, by his will, his funeral expenland, it was possible for it to emigrate, ses were limited to £250. His wife, the and thus to identify itself with the colo- Lady Arabella, was a daughter of the Earl ny which it was its main object to found. of Lincoln. In her devotedness to the This was actually done. As the corpora- cause of Christ, "she came from a paration was entirely composed of Puritans, it dise of plenty into a wilderness of wants."t was not difficult, by means of resignations They were almost without exception godand new elections, to choose the govern- ly people, and when they embarked for or, deputy-governor, and assistants, from America were members of the Church of among such as were willing to leave Eng-England, being that in which they had been land as colonists. born and brought up. Though of the parThe first object of the new company, on ty that were opposed to what they considobtaining a royal charter, was to re-enforceered Romish superstitions and errors, still the party which had gone out with Endi- cleaving in their conscientious convictions cot and settled at Salem. The re-enforce- to the National Church; and though they ment consisted of 200 emigrants, under could not in all points conform to it, yet the pastoral care of the Rev. Francis Hig- they had not separated from it, but sought ginson, an eminent Nonconformist minis- the welfare of their souls in its ministrater, who was delighted to accept of the in- tions, whenever they possibly could hope vitation to undertake that charge. By to find it there. They lamented what they their arrival, which happened in June, the regarded as its defects, but not in a spirit colony at Salem was increased to 300 per- of bitter hostility. This very plainly apsons; but diseases and the hardships inci- pears from the following letter addressed dent to new settlements cut off, during the to the members of the Church of England, following winter, eighty of that number, by Governor Winthrop and others, immewho died only lamenting that they were diately after their embarcation, and when not allowed to see the future glories of the they were about to bid a long farewell to colony. Among these was their beloved their native shores. It is conceived in a pastor, Mr Higginson, whose death was a noble spirit: great loss to the little community. England. "The humble request of his majesty's The year following, namely, 1630, was loyal subjects, the Governor and the Coma glorious one for the colonization of New-pany, late gone for New-England, to the England. Having first taken every pre-rest of their brethren in the Church of paratory measure required for self-transportation, the corporation itself embarked, accompanied by a body of from 800 to 900 emigrants, among whom were several persons of large property and high standing in society. John Winthrop, one of the purest characters in England, had been chosen governor. Taken as a whole, it is thought that no single colony could ever be compared with them. One may form some idea of the elevated piety that pervaded the higher classes among the Puritans of that day from the language of the younger Winthrop: "I shall call that my country," said he to his father, "where I may most glorify God, and enjoy the presence of my dearest friends. Therefore herein I submit myself to God's will and "Reverend Fathers and Brethren-The general rumour of this solemn enterprise, wherein ourselves, with others, through the providence of the Almighty, are engaged, as it may spare us the labour of imparting our occasion unto you, so it gives us the more encouragement to strengthen ourselves by the procurement of the prayers and blessings of the Lord's faithful servants; for which end we are bold to have recourse unto you, as those whom God hath placed nearest his throne of mercy, which, as it affords you the more opportunity, so it imposeth the greater bond upon you to intercede for his people in all their *Winthrop's Journal, i., p. 359, 360. the hands of all the rest of our brethren, that they would at no time forget us in their private solicitations at the throne of grace. we would entreat such not to despise us; nor to desert us in their prayers and affections, but to consider rather that they are so much the more bound to express the bowels of their compassion towards us, remembering always that both nature and grace doth ever bind us to relieve and rescue with our utmost and speediest power such as are dear to us, when we conceive them to be running uncomfortable hazards. straits; we beseech you, therefore, by the mercies of the Lord Jesus, to consider us as your brethren, standing in very great need of your help, and earnestly imploring it. And howsoever your charity may have "If any there be who, through want of met with some occasion of discourage- clear intelligence of our course, or tenderment, through the misreport of our inten-ness of affection towards us, cannot contions, or through the disaffection or indis-ceive so well of our way as we could desire, cretion of some of us, or, rather, among us—for we are not of those that dream of perfection in this world—yet we desire you would be pleased to take notice of the principles and body of our company, as those who esteem it our honour to call the Church of England, from whence we rise, our dear mother, and cannot part from our native country, where she specially resideth, without much sadness of heart, and many tears in our eyes; ever acknowledging that such hope and part as we have obtained in the common salvation, we have received in her bosom, and sucked it from her breasts; we leave it not, therefore, as loathing that milk wherewith we were nourished there, but, blessing God for the parentage and education, as members of the same body, shall always rejoice in her good, and unfeignedly grieve for any sorrow that shall ever betide her; and while we have breath, sincerely desire and endeavour the continuance and abundance of her welfare, with the enlargement of her bounds in the kingdom of Christ Jesus. "What goodness you shall extend to us on this or any other Christian kindness, we, your brethren in Christ Jesus, shall labour to repay in what duty we are or shall be able to perform, promising, so far as God shall enable us, to give Him no rest on your behalf, wishing our heads and hearts may be as fountains of tears for your everlasting welfare, when we shall be in our poor cottages in the wilderness, overshadowed with the spirit of supplication, through the manifold necessities and tribulations which may not altogether unexpectedly, nor, we hope, unprofitably befall us. And so commending you to the grace of God in Christ, we shall ever rest." "Be pleased, therefore, fathers and brethren, to help forward this work now in The ships that bore Winthrop and his hand, which, if it prosper, you shall be the companions across the Atlantic reached more glorious; howsoever, your judgment Massachusetts Bay in the following June is with the Lord, and your reward with and July. After having consoled the disyour God. It is a usual and laudable ex- tresses and relieved the wants of the Salem ercise of your charity to commend to the colonists, the newly-arrived emigrants set prayers of your congregations the neces-about choosing a suitable place for a settlesities and straits of your private neighbours do the like for a church springing out of your own bowels. We conceive much hope that this remembrance of us, if it be frequent and fervent, will be a most prosperous gale in our sails, and provide such a passage and welcome for us from the God of the whole earth, as both we which shall find it, and yourselves, with the rest of our friends who shall hear of it, shall be much enlarged to bring in such daily returns of thanksgivings as the specialities of His providence and goodness may justly challenge at all our hands. You are not ignorant that the Spirit of God stirred up the Apostle Paul to make continual mention of the Church of Philippi (which was a colony from Rome); let the same Spirit, we beseech you, put you in mind, that are the Lord's remembrancers, to pray for us without ceasing (who are a weak colony from yourselves), making continual request for us to God in all your ment; a task which occupied the less time, as the bay had been well explored by preceding visiters. The first landing was made at the spot where Charlestown now stands. A party having gone from that place up the Charles River to Watertown, there some of them resolved to settle; others preferred Dorchester; but the greater number resolved to occupy the peninsula upon which Boston now stands, the settlement receiving that name from part of the colonists having come from Boston in England. For a while they were lodged in cloth tents and wretched huts, and had to endure all kinds of hardship. To complete their trials, disease made its attacks, and carried off 200 of them at least before December. About a hundred lost heart, and went back to England. Many who had been accustomed in their native land to ease and plenty, and to all the refinements and luxuries of cultivated life, were now compelled to struggle with unforeseen wants and difficulties. Among those who sank under such hardships, and died, was the Lady Arabella Johnson. Her husband, too, “the two spiritual teachers, who were afterward to exercise a most extensive and beneficial influence in the colonies. One of these was the eminently pious and zealous Cotton, a man profoundly learned in the Holy Scriptures, as well as in the writings of the fathers and the schoolmen; in the pulpit rather persuasive than eloquent, and having a wonderful command over the judgments and hearts of his hearers. The other was Hooker, a man of vast endowments, untiring energy, and singular benevolence; the equal of the Reformers, though of less harsh a spirit than that which marked most of those great men. These and other devoted servants of God were highly appreciated, not only for their works' sake, but also for their great personal excellences. Amid all this gloom, light began to break in at last. Health returned, and the blanks caused by death were filled up by partial arrivals of new emigrants from England in the course of the two following years. The colony becoming a little settled, measures were taken to introduce a more popular government, by extending the privileges of the charter, which had established a Before long the colony began to extend, sort of close corporation. By it all funda- in all directions, from Boston as a centre mental laws were to be enacted by general and capital; and as new settlements were meetings of the freemen, or members of made, additional churches were also plantthe company. One of the first steps, ac-ed; for the New-England fathers felt that cordingly, was to convene a General Court nothing could be really and permanently at Boston, and admit above a hundred of prosperous without religion.* Within five the older colonists to the privileges of the years a considerable population was to be corporation; and from that they gradually found scattered over Dorchester, Roxbuwent on, until, instead of an aristocratic ry, Watertown, Cambridge, Charlestown, government conducted by a governor, dep- Lynn, and other settlements. Trade was uty-governor, and assistants, holding office spreading wide its sails; emigrants were for an indefinite period, these functionaries arriving from Europe; brotherly interwere elected annually, and the powers of course was opened up with the Plymouth legislation were transferred from general colony, by the visits of Governor Wincourts of all the freemen joined with the throp and the Rev. Mr. Wilson. Friendly assistants, to a new legislature, or "general treaties were made not only with the court," consisting of two branches, the as- neighbouring Indian tribes, the Nipmucks sistants constituting the upper, and deputies and Narragansetts, but also with the more from all the "towns" forming the lower distant Mohigans and the Pequods in Conbranch. Within five years from the found- necticut. God was emphatically honoured ation of the colony, a Constitution was by the great bulk of the people, and everydrawn up, which was to serve as a sort of thing bore the aspect of prosperity and Magna Charta, embracing all the funda- happiness. Such was the origin of the mental principles of just government; and colony of Massachusetts Bay-a colony in fourteen years the colonial government destined to exercise a controlling influence was organized upon the same footing as over all the other New-England Plantathat on which it rests at the present day. tions. But with these colonists the claims of religion took precedence of all other concerns of public interest. The New- England Fathers began with God, sought his blessing, and desired, first of all, to promote his worship. Immediately after landing they appointed a day for solemn fasting and prayer. The worship of God was commenced by them not in temples built with hands, but beneath the widespreading forest. The Rev. Mr. Wilson, the Rev. Mr. Philips, and other faithful ministers, had come out with them; and for these, as soon as the affairs of the colony became a little settled, a suitable pro vision was made. In the third year of the settlement there came out, among other fresh emigrants, * Governor Winthrop's Journal. * Several of these new and feeble churches actu ally supported two ministers, one called the "Pas- |