therance of the ends aforesaid, and by virtue hereof do enact, constitute, and frame such just and equal laws, ordinances, acts, constitutions and offices, from time to time as shall be thought most meet and convenient for the general good of the colony, unto which we promise all due submission and obedience." They then proceeded to elect a Governor and choose subordinate officers. Thus did these people find means to erect themselves into a republic, even though they had commenced the enterprise under the sanction of a charter.

In the true spirit of separatists they founded their Commonwealth in disobedience or defiance of Royal Authority, for they were expressly denied a guarantee for the toleration of sectarianism, and they commenced their plantation at a place which they knew belonged either to the King or another company. It was a self-created, independent, democratic government. The office of governor was annual and elective, but their pastor at Leyden very prudently advised them, as their number was so small, to entrust the whole power at first to that functionary, until they were populous enough to add a council and constitute a legislature, quaintly observing: "that one Nehemiah was better than a whole Sanhedrim of mercenary Shemaiahs.” Their patent gave a title to the soil, but prerogatives of government according to the ideas of the English lawyers could only be exercised under a charter

from the Crown. A considerable sum was spent in the endeavour to obtain such a Charter, but without success. Relying, however, upon their original compact, the colonists gradually assumed all the prerogatives of government, even the power, after some hesitation, of capital punishment. No less than eight offences are enumerated in the first Plymouth Code as punishable with death, including treason or rebellion against the colony, and "solemn compaction or conversing with the devil." Trial by jury was early introduced, but the penalties to be inflicted on minor offences remained for the most part discretionary. For eighteen years all laws were enacted in a general assembly of all the colonists. The Governor, chosen annually, was but president of a council, in which he had a double vote. It consisted first of one, then of five, and finally of seven members called assistants. So little were political honours coveted at New Plymouth, that it became necessary to inflict a fine upon such as, being chosen, declined to accept the office of Governor or assistant. None, however, were obliged to serve for two years in succession.*

They were often not only destitute of money, but equally devoid of credit; for in 1686 having occasion to borrow one hundred and

VOL. I.

* Hildrith.

с

fifty pounds, the risk was considered so great that they could only procure it at the enormous interest of fifty per cent. Nor did the town flourish as was expected from one erected in a country like Canaan. At the end of four years, one hundred and eighty persons inhabited a village composed of thirty-two dwelling-houses where there "strayed some cattle and goats, but many swine and poultry." This was doubtless owing to the uninviting character of the country, and the repulsive austerity of manners of the first settlers; but more than all, to the mistaken policy of holding their property, not in severalty, but as joint stock. Their poverty however eventually proved their best security, by procuring for them a contemptuous neglect, that left them the uninterrupted enjoyment of their little democratic commonwealth until 1692, when it was absorbed by the second Charter of Massachusetts, which annexed it to that populous and flourishing province.

CHAPTER III.

Inducements to settle Massachusetts-Puritans prevail upon the King to give them a Charter, under the idea that they were churchmen-Some account of it-Endicott settles Salem-Disturbs Moreton, cuts down Maypole, and calls the place Mount Dragon-Founds a Church on Congregational principles-Arrests and transports Episcopalians-Intrigue for removing the Charter to America and discussion thereon-Reasoning of the emigrants on the subject of allegiance-Removing of Charter-Large immigrations-Cost of outfit-Address to the clergy of England-Character of the Puritans.

THE settlement at Plymouth, and the exaggerated accounts of its condition and prospects spread by the emigrants, to induce others to join them, attracted universal attention. Puritanism had not then assumed a distinct form, although its ramifications were widely spread beneath the surface. It was not deemed safe by that party openly to connect themselves with people, who had com

menced their settlement without a title, and were avowedly separated from the Church. It was left, therefore, to its natural increase, and to unconnected and individual emigration. But the leaders of this discontented party saw that something of the kind could be effected upon a large scale, if their real intentions were properly masked in the first instance. There were at that time three objects that occupied men's minds in connection with emigration. First, to avoid ecclesiastical control; secondly, to spread the Gospel among the savages; and thirdly, to aid and further commercial pursuits. Each had its advocates, and for each, men were willing to advance the requisite funds, and incur the inevitable risk. The most able, artful, persevering and influential of these parties were the Puritans. Calling themselves churchmen, they eulogized the liberality, and encouraged the ardour of those who, in attempting to employ a trading company to convert the heathen, exhibited more zeal than knowledge. To those who were inclined to seek their fortunes in the New World as husbandmen, they praised the soil, extolled the climate, and dwelt on the advantage of living in a country exempt from taxes, in the capacity of proprietors, and not as tenants. To merchants who regard trapping beavers with more interest than taming savages, it was only necessary to mention the advantage navigation would derive from a port