pugnance, and the day passed in ominous gloom. An order of the Court was issued at the same time, and posted up in various parts of Boston, forbidding all disorderly behaviour on the occasion, declaring that no person might expect indulgence for the breach of any law, and, “in a particular manner, that no man should presume to drink his Majesty's health, which he has in an especial manner forbidden."

CHAPTER VIII.

The King appoints a council for the colonies-Their advice Connecticut and Rhode Island send agents, who obtain for them charters containing full powers of selfgovernment-Navigation laws-They fall heavily on Virginia, and alarm all the Provincials-The General Court publishes a declaration of rights-Their reasoning as to the origin of their title to the country-They send agents to England-Instruction given to them, and letters of introduction to noblemen of Low Church or Dissenting principles-They meet with a favourable reception, and return with a letter from the King requiring certain changes in their laws and modes of procedure-An affected show of compliance-Dissatisfaction of Churchmen, of Baptists, and especially of Quakers— Severe treatment of latter-A commission of inquiry issues to Colonel Nichols and others--Their instructions -General Court orders the Charter to be put into a place of concealment-Prepares to receive the Commissioners.

THE Convention Parliament had scarcely adjourned, when Charles II. performed the promise

VOL. I.

H

he had made at parting, and endeavoured to carry into effect the various acts of a foreign and domestic nature they had made. He established, in December, 1660, a council for the general superintendence of the colonies, and for enforcing the laws of trade. Had he always acted upon their suggestions, he would have saved his own reputation, and spared himself and his successors many vexations and annoyances. They urged him "to agree with such as have any property in his plantations, and take the same into his own hands, in order to prevent the granting any for the future." Sir William Berkeley, the old and loyal Governor of Virginia, repeated the same recommendation, most truly foretelling "that those patents in the next age will be found more advantageous to the Crown than is perceptible in this."

Notwithstanding this judicious advice, and the pending difficulties and controversies, he at once made two of the most extraordinary grants, of a pure, unmixed, and unrestrained democracy, that were ever issued by any monarch. The constitution of Massachusetts, it was well known, was an usurpation-the application of a local charter, by a company in London, for the purposes of civil government in America; but these were bond fide concessions, no deception was practised, no information withheld. Republicanism was asked, and obtained. Connecticut and Rhode Island

having favours to seek, were more prompt in proclaiming the King than Massachusetts, and at once sent delegates to congratulate him on his restoration, and to solicit charters. On their arrival in England they were introduced to some Low Churchmen, of rank and influence, in whom they found most active partisans. Men whose lives are chiefly spent in making professions, are seldom able to find sufficient time to practise what they so loudly extol. Their sectarian sympathy was stronger than their loyalty, and the interest of the King and the nation were transferred, by hypocritical politicians, into the hands of crafty republicans. The charters they obtained for the delegates, vested in the proprietary, freemen of Connecticut and Rhode Island, the right of admitting new associates, and of choosing annually from among themselves a governor, magistrates, and representatives, with power of legislative and judicial authority. No appellative jurisdiction, and no negative on the laws, were reserved to the Crown, any more than in Massachusetts and Maryland. They were, to all intents and purposes, entitled to self-government; so much so, indeed, that these same royal patents remained the basis of their polity long after they became independent states. Even the oath of allegiance was not required of them. The usual clause, stipulating that their laws should

be conformable to those of England, was modified, or rendered nugatory by an extraordinary reference" to the constitution of the place, and the nature of the people." It granted universal toleration to all mankind, without limitation to Christian sects.

It is no wonder the joy of the Provincials knew no bounds. The grant exceeded their fondest and most ardent hopes. In Rhode Island the inhabitants were assembled "for its solemn reception." The Charter was read in the audience and view of all the inhabitants, and the letters with his Majesty's royal stamp and the broad-seal, with much beseeming gravity, were held up on high, and presented to the "perfect view of the people.' So completely had the King denied himself of all power, that in a subsequent reign, when the Rhode Islanders claimed the protection and interference of the Sovereign against the oppressions of their own legislature, arising from frauds practised on them in a depreciated Currency, that monarch replied, under the advice of the Crown officers, that he could afford them no redress, since his misadvised predecessor had relinquished all jurisdiction. At this period, therefore, New England consisted of several little independent republics.

While vast concessions were thus made on the one hand, most extensive restrictions were imposed on the other, by extending and remodelling the..