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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 re-
quiring certain changes in their laws and modes of pro-
cedure-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 Commis-
sioners .
145
CHAPTER IX.
-
The Commissioners arrive at Boston-Deliver a royal
letter to the Government, and proceed to the Hudson to
attack the Dutch settlements-The General Court in
their absence petition for their withdrawal, and solicit
the aid of the Puritan noblemen-Answers of the King
and Lord Clarendon-General effect of Commissions of
Inquiry - The franchise extended The clergy and
demagogues prepare the people for resistance - False
rumours put into circulation-General Court refuses to
summon the people to assemble-Commissioners inquire
whether they admit the King's authority-They decline
to answer, and refuse to attend before them, or to sub-
mit to an appeal-They summon the Commissioners-
Close of the inquiry Accidents to Commissioners
reputed to be judgments of Heaven-The King orders
the Governor and other members of the General Court
to appear before him-They decline, affecting to doubt
the genuineness of the order-Distinction taken between
obedience to beneficial and injurious orders-The New
England colonies renew their confederation-Effect of it-
Complaints of English merchants against the infraction
of the laws of trade-The oath of allegiance ordered to
be taken, and the King's arms set up-Agents sent to
England, but ordered to yield nothing-A custom-house
officer appointed-Opposition to him-He is obliged to
return to England-General Court re-enacts trade laws
-Its members take modified official oaths-Collector
sent out again, but they threaten to execute him-Is
obliged to quit the colony-General gloom in Massa-
chusetts-People terrified by comets-The credentials
of agents found deficient-They offer a bribe of two
thousand guineas to the King-Agents return, and are
followed by Randolph with the Quo Warranto-General
Court refuses to surrender the Charter-Their argu-
ments-They again petition and pretend there has been
no service of the writ-Judgment given against them
-Remarks on their conduct-Natural effects of dis-
sent.
167
BOOK II.
CHAPTER I.
Indignation and grief of the colonists at the loss of their
Charter-Death of Charles II.-Accession of James II.
-Apprehensions of having Colonel Kirke as Governor-
Some account of him-Mr. Dudley appointed President,
who, with the assistance of six councillors, undertakes
the Government-Protest of the Magistrates against the
suppression of the Legislature-Unpopularity of the
President-Description of the territory within his juris-
diction-Some account of Maine and New Hampshire,
and the intrigues of Massachusetts to extend its au-
thority over them-Desire of Charles II. to confer the
former on the Duke of Monmouth, and to establish a
Royal Government in the latter-Both comprehended
within the Commission of President Dudley-Character
of his administration
212
CHAPTER II.
Arrival of Sir Edmund Andross-Fears entertained of the
King-His conduct towards New York-His opinions of
popular assemblies-Commission to Andross-Two com-
panies of soldiers sent to Boston-Law relative to mar-
riages Manner of imposing taxes. Punishment of
those who refuse to pay rates-Episcopal Clergymen
prevented by the mob from reading the burial service-
Preachers attack the Governor for his toleration, and
justify compulsory conformity-Arbitrary conduct of
Andross relative to titles of land-Rhode Island, Con-
necticut, New York, and New Jersey united to Massa-
chusetts-News of the arrival of the Prince of Orange
in England-False rumour spread of a general massacre
- Insurrection - Capture and imprisonment of the
Governor and his Councillors-Conduct of the Magis-
trates who resumed the old Government-Sir Edmund
escapes, is retaken and sent to England, where he is
released-Example of Massachusetts followed by the
other colonies-Bad effects of so many political changes
in England-Remarks on the appointment of Andross to
be Governor of Virginia
229
CHAPTER III.
Representatives meet at Boston, and induce the Governor
and Magistrates to continue in office-King and Queen
proclaimed-A general gaol delivery-Orders received
from England for the local authorities to retain the
Government until further instructions
Anxiety in
America as to the convention of Parliament - Doubts
of the Tories and scruples of the Prelates-Conduct of
the Whigs-Macaulay's definition of the essence of
politics"-The report of the Commons, and the declara-
tion of rights read with great interest by Provincials-
Political influence of the commercial party in England
Its conduct towards the plantations - Prerogative
described-Its effects in America-Blackstone's defini-
tion and Bacon's views of it-Local assemblies imitate
the declaration of rights-Cause of the loss of the old
colonies
257
CHAPTER IV.
Effect of toleration on the Ministers- · Cotton Mather's
attempt to raise a revival of bigotry, by spreading alarm
about witches-His books and sermons-Preface by
Richard Baxter-Exorcises a child at Boston-Salem
delusion-Special Court, its proceedings-Executions—
Case of the Rev. Mr. Burrows-Sudden change of public
opinion-Mather falls into contempt - Decline of Con-
gregationalism-Arrival of Sir William Phipps with the
new Charter
277
CHAPTER V.
REVIEW.
The two most interesting periods of American history ex-
tend, 1st. From the settlement of Massachusetts to the
English Revolution of 1688; 2nd. To the independence
of the colonies in 1783-Review of the first period-
Number and names of colonies then settled-Their popu-
lation and commerce-Account of the different forms of
Government then established there-Great increase of
democratic opinions Change in tone of feeling in
Virginia-Some account of the Church there-Loyalty
of Churchmen-State of Maryland, Pennsylvania, and
New York-Effect of the conduct of New England upon
them
292
CHAPTER VI.
POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS UNDER THE CHARTER.
Office, duties, and modes of appointment of the Charter
Governors-Court of Assistants-Origin and growth of
the House of Delegates-Jealousy of the people as to
power of Governor and Magistrates Code of laws
described-Specimens of the sentences of the courts—
Perfect equality secured by their laws and institutions-
Account of townships and town meetings Counties,
towns, and General Court present a miniature of a great
Republic-Union of the colonies, the foundation of the
federal union of the States-General system of popular
education prepares the people for self-government 305