I have already alluded, whose unfitness for governing has presented no obstacle to their preferment.

At

The Legislature of New York followed in the footsteps of Massachusetts, so contagious is bad example, and passed an act, declaring its inalienable rights, &c., which met with a similar reception in England, and was disallowed. the same time a singular scene took place in Connecticut, that exhibits in a very striking light the determination of the people to submit to no interference whatever. For the For the purpose of insuring more unity of action in the event of invasion, Governor Fletcher, of New York, was vested with plenary powers, of commanding the whole militia of Connecticut, and insisted on the exercise of that command; the Legislature, knowing that authority to be expressly given to the colony by Charter, would not submit to his requisition, but desirous of effecting a compromise, sent an agent to New York to make an arrangement, until his Majesty's pleasure should be further known. No terms, however, could be made with the Governor, short of an implicit obedience of the militia to his authority.

VOL. II.

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On the 26th of October, he came to Hartford, whilst the Assembly was sitting, and in his Majesty's name demanded submission. The Assembly resolutely persisted in a refusal. After the requisition had been repeatedly made, with plausible explanations, and serious menaces, Fletcher ordered his commission and instructions to be read to the train-bands of Hartford, which had prudently assembled on the occasion. Wadsworth, the senior officer, who was at that moment exercising them, instantly ordered the drums to beat, which in a moment overwhelmed every voice; the Governor then commanded silence, but no sooner was a second attempt made to read, than Wadsworth vociferated the same order to the drummers, who instantly beat up again with redoubled energy. At the first pause he called out again : "Drum, drum," and turning to his Excellency, said: "If I am interrupted again, Sir, I will make the sun shine through you in a moment." To avoid personal outrage he was obliged to return to New York, when, to his infinite mortification, he was soon after informed, by the Crown lawyers of England, that the control

of the militia legally belonged to the colony, as Charles II. had divested himself, by his reckless grant, of every particle of authority whatever.

The effects of the recent political changes in England were visible all over the AngloAmerican continent. In addition to the instances of intractability, just referred to, even Pennsylvania, though opposed to carnal, was willing to indulge in political conflicts, and bartered her money for the support of government, "on the express condition of settling the people in their former constitution." Maryland, more obedient than many others, still resolved, "that the great Charter of England should be observed in all points." Two new doctrines were promulgated, and found willing advocates everywhere, one (which originated with a Puritan minister of Boston) was: "That they were not bound in conscience to obey English laws, as they were not represented in Parliament:" the other was: "That colonists were as much Englishmen, as the inhabitants of that country; and therefore had a right to all the same pri vileges."

The misconduct of Phipps and other go

vernors, in conniving at the evasion of the laws of trade, brought about at this period some very important changes. Complaints were constantly made to the ministry by governors, who were unable to execute their orders, and by merchants whose commerce was injured by the total disregard of the colonists to the Navigation Acts. During the war," says Davernant, "the colonies have presumed, as it were, to set up for themselves, and to load their effects on board of ships belonging to foreigners, and to trade directly with other nations; sending them their commodities, and receiving from thence manufactures, to the great damage of this kingdom." To meet the exigencies of the times, the Board of Trade was established in 1696, of which the celebrated Locke was a member. This was a permanent commission, consisting of a president and eleven members, known as "Lords of Trade," who succeeded to the authority and oversight hitherto exercised by plantation-committees of the Privy Council. Subsequently the powers of this Board were somewhat curtailed, but down to the period of the American Revolution, it continued to exer

cise a general superintendence of the colonies, watching the Assemblies with a jealous eye, struggling hard to uphold the prerogatives of the King, and authority of Parliament, labouring to strengthen the hands of the Royal Governors, and systematically to carry out the policy of rendering America completely subservient to the views which then prevailed of the commercial interests of the mother country.

Parliament devoted a large portion of its sittings that year to American affairs. The House of Lords represented to the King that, "Having considered the state of the trade of this kingdom to the plantations, they had found many abuses of the several good laws made for their government, and very illegal practices carried on, to the great detriment of the kingdom, whereby the act lately passed had been greatly obstructed;" they recommended therefore, "That the proprietaries should be obliged to give security in England, that their governors shall constantly obey the Royal instructions for the execution of the laws; and that Courts of Admiralty should be erected in the