his Estate by Trading with the _Indians_, setled himself in a place very
remote from any of the Towns of the _Mattachusets_ Colony, yet under
their Government, and great store of People still resorting to him, they
at last erected a Town upon the River _Canectico_, calling it
_Spring-field_, being the one and thirtieth Town; it is very fitly
seated for a Beaver Trade with the _Indians_, in regard it is situate
upon this large Navigable River, and upon some Rivulets of the same.
[Sidenote: _Haverhill._]
In the Year 1648. was founded the Town of _Haverhill_, being the two and
thirtieth, about a Mile or two from the place where the River of
_Merrimeck_ receives into it self the River _Shawshin_, which is one of
her three chief Heads.
[Sidenote: _Malden._]
Not long after, the Town of _Malden_, being the three and thirtieth
Town, was built by certain People that came out of _Charles-Town_; these
two Towns being sever’d the one from the other by the large River of
_Mistick_.
The rest we shall onely name, as 34. _Berwick_, alias _Chawun_. 35
_Oxford_, alias _Sagoquas_. _Falmouth_, alias _Totam_. 36. _Bristol._
37. _Hull_, alias _Passataquack_. 38. _Dartmouth_, alias _Bohanna_. 39.
_Norwich_, alias _Segocket_. 40. _Taunton_, alias _Cohannet_. 41.
_Greens-Harbour._ 42. _Yarmouth._ 43. _Northam_, alias _Pascataqua_. 44.
_Exeter._ 45. _Weymouth._
The chief Rivers of _New England_ are, _Pascataway_, _Sagadahoc_,
_Pemmaquid_, _Agamentico_, _Merrimeck_, _Tachobacco_, _Mistick_,
_Narraganset_, _Mishuwin_, _Connectacut_, _Newichwavoch_, _Kynebequy_.
[Sidenote: The present state of the Natives.]
The _Indian_ Natives are now become so weak in number, and in some
measure reduc’d to a dread of the growth of the _English_, that of late
years they have not practis’d any thing against them, or at least, not
justifi’d them by numbers in open Hostility, willing rather to purchase
their Peace and buy off Injuries committed by them at the Price of their
Lands and Possessions.
And although care and expence hath been many years apply’d to the
Conversion of _Indians_ to the Faith, however inclinable they seem’d at
first to the imbracing thereof, not then so well discerning the
insincerity of its Professors; yet there are so few of late who do
imbrace it or persevere in it (wanting a good Foundation for instruction
in Moral Honesty, and perhaps the example of it in those that undertake
to instruct them in Religion;) that _Christianity_ to them seems a
_Chimera_, Religion a design to draw them from the libidinous Pleasures
of a lazy Life; however, some there are who make Profession of
_Christianity_, and some who are educated in the Schools of _New
Cambridge_, to entitle them to Preach the Gospel in their own Language.
One great hindrance to the Propagation of the Faith amongst those
_Heathens_, is the diversity of their Languages; for it is commonly
known, that the Natives themselves do not understand one another, if
their Habitations are but at forty Miles distance.
[Sidenote: Church-Government among the _English_.]
Their Church-Government and Discipline is Congregational and
Independent, yet in some places more rigid than others, for in many
Towns there yet remains some leaven of _Presbytery_, from which Sects
our _Independency_ had its Original; insomuch, that one of the most
remarkable Opposers of _Episcopal Government_, Doctor _Bastwick_ (who,
spoil’d so much Paper in railing at the Church Government of _England_,
and crying up _Liberty of Conscience_) finding the Apostacy of his own
Brethren of _Boston_ from their first Principles, and his, generally
prevail over them, even to the denying that liberty to others, which
they seem’d only to aim at, did write a large and vehement _Dehortatory
Epistle_ to them from their _New Lights_ or _Paths_, saying, _That
according to their present Tenents, they could not pretend to be, or
other than a Christian Synagogue_.
[Sidenote: Their Civil Government and Laws.]
Their Laws and Methods of Government are wholly of their own framing,
each Colony for themselves, makes an Annual choice of Governor, Deputy
Governor, and a certain number of Assistants, by the plurality of
Suffrages collected from their several Towns, the Electors are only
Free-men and Church-Members; for he that is not a Member of their
Church, can neither chuse, nor be chosen a Magistrate, nor have his
Children Baptiz’d; besides the loss of many other Priviledges, and
liable moreover to frequent, if not constant Mulcts for absenting
themselves from _Divine Worship_ (so call’d) in their Meeting-houses.
Since the transmitting of the Patent in _New England_, the Election is
not by Voices, nor erection of Hands as formerly, but by Papers, thus:
The general Court-electory sitting, where are present in the Church, or
Meeting-house at _Boston_, the old Governor, Deputy, and all the
Magistrates, and two Deputies or Burgesses for every Town, or at least
one; all the Freemen are bid to come in at one Door, and bring their
Votes in Paper for the new Governor, and deliver them down upon the
Table, before the Court, and so pass forth at another Door; those that
are absent, send their Votes by Proxies. All being deliver’d in, the
Votes are counted, and according to the major part, the old Governor
pronounceth, _That such an one is chosen Governor for the year ensuing_.
Then the Freemen, in like manner, bring their Votes for the Deputy
Governor, who being also chosen, the Governor propoundeth the Assistants
one after another. New Assistants are, of late, put in nomination, by an
Order of general Court, beforehand to be consider’d of: If a Freeman
give in a Blank, that rejects the Man nam’d; if the Freeman makes any
mark with a Pen upon the Paper which he brings, that elects the Man
nam’d: Then the Blanks and mark’d Papers are number’d, and according to
the major part of either, the Man in Nomination stands elected or
rejected; and so for all the Assistants. And after every new Election,
which is, by their Patent, to be upon the last Wednesday in _Easter_
Term, the new Governor and Officers are all new Sworn. The Governor and
Assistants chuse the Secretary. And all the Court consisting of
Governor, Deputy, Assistants, and Deputies of Towns, give their Votes as
well as the rest; and the Ministers and Elders, and all Church-Officers,
have their Votes also in all these Elections of chief Magistrates:
Constables, and all other inferior Officers, are sworn in the general,
quarter, or other Courts, or before any Assistant.
Every Free-man when he is admitted, takes a strict Oath, to be true to
the Society or Jurisdiction.
There are two general Courts, one every half year, wherein they make
Laws or Ordinances: The Ministers advise in making of Laws, especially
Ecclesiastical, and are present in Courts, and advise in some special
Causes Criminal, and in framing of Fundamental Laws.
There are besides four Quarter-Courts for the whole Jurisdiction,
besides other petty Courts, one every quarter at _Boston_, _Salem_, and
_Ipswich_, with their several Jurisdictions; besides every Town, almost,
hath a petty Court for small Debts and Trespasses, under twenty
Shillings.
[Sidenote: Actions and Causes.]
In the general Court, or great quarter Courts, before the Civil
Magistrates, are try’d all Actions and Causes Civil and Criminal, and
also Ecclesiastical, especially touching Non-members: And they
themselves say, that in the general and quarter Courts, they have the
Power of Parliament, Kings-Bench, Common-Pleas, Chancery,
High-Commission, and Star-Chamber, and all other Courts of _England_,
and in divers Cases have exercis’d that Power upon the Kings Subjects
there, as is not difficult to prove. They have put to death, banish’d,
fin’d Men, cut off Mens Ears, whip’d, imprison’d Men, and all these for
Ecclesiastical and Civil Offences, and without sufficient Record. In the
lesser quarter Courts are try’d, in some, Actions under ten Pounds, in
_Boston_, under twenty, and all Criminal Causes not touching Life or
Member. From the petty quarter Courts, or other Courts, the parties may
appeal to the great quarter Courts, from thence to the general Court,
from which there is no Repeal.
[Sidenote: Grand-Juries.]
Twice a year, in the said quarter Courts held before the general Courts,
are two Grand-Juries sworn for the Jurisdiction, one for one Court, and
the other for the other; and they are charg’d to enquire and Present
Offences reduc’d by the Governor who gives the Charge.
[Sidenote: Trials.]
Matters of Debt, Trespass, and upon the Case, and Equity, yea and of
Heresie also, are try’d by a Jury.
The Parties are warn’d to challenge any Jury-man before he be sworn; but
because there is but one Jury in a Court for trial of Causes; and all
Parties not present at their Swearing, the liberty of challenge is much
hinder’d, and some inconveniences do happen thereby. Jurors are return’d
by the Marshal, he was at first call’d _The Beadle of the Society_.
The Parties in all Causes, speak themselves for the most part, and some
of the Magistrates where they think cause requireth, do the part of
Advocates without Fee or Reward.
Though among the several Colonies which were founded here by the
confluence of dissenting Zealots, this Government is exercis’d,
differing from that of the Church and State of _England_: yet in those
Provinces which are granted by particular Persons, the Government is
much more conformable to that of _England_; but as the _Mattachusets_ or
_Bostoners_ were from the beginning the most Potent and Predominant of
all the rest of the Colonies, (insomuch, that _Boston_ may well be
accounted the Metropolis of all _New England_,) so of late years they
have still usurp’d more and more Power and Authority over the rest; and
especially have not stuck to give Laws to the foresaid Provinces
allotted to particular Persons, and have gone about wholly to subjugate
those places to themselves, intrenching upon the rights of the true
Proprietors; and that, even contrary to the Kings express Commands by
his Officers, there, and as it were in open defiance of his Majesty and
Government, as is evident from this following Narration, of their
behavior upon a business of this nature.
[Sidenote: Proceedings of the _Mattachusets_ against his Majesties
Commissioners.]
In the Year of our Lord 1665. his Majesties Commissioners for the
Affairs of _New England_, being in the Province of _Mayne_, the People
being much unsetled in Point or Government, by reason the _Mattachusets_
Colony, or _Boston_ Government, did usurp compulsively a Power over them
contrary to their wills; and the right of Sir _Ferdinando Gorges_ Heir,
who had his Commission then in the place, did unanimously Petition to
his Majesties Commissioners to settle the Government; upon which the
said Commissioners examin’d the Bounds and Right of Mr. _Gorges_ Patent,
with all the Allegations and Pretensions on both sides, and so according
to their Instruction from his Majesty, did settle a temporary Government
under his Majesty’s immediate Authority, until such time as his Majesty
should give his final determination thereof; and for that end did
Institute Justices of the Peace to Govern the Province according to the
true Laws of _England_. Also his Majesty was pleas’d by his _Mandamus_
in _April 1666_, to the Governors of _Boston_, to signifie that it was
his will and pleasure, That the Province of _Main_ should stand good as
his Commissioners had setled it, until he had more leisure to determine
it; yet notwithstanding, after three years quiet possession, and
exercising of Government by the Kings Justices, according to their
Commission granted by his Majesty’s Commissioners, the _Bostoners_,
without any Conference with the said Justices, did in a hostile manner
oppose the King’s Power, _July 1668._ which was as followeth:
The General Court of _Boston_ sent their Warrants to keep Court at
_York_ under their Authority, and for that purpose Commissionated
Magistrates by their own Authority, namely Major General _John Leveret_,
Mr. _Edward Ting_, Captain _Richard Walden_, and Captain _Robert Pike_:
Whereupon the King’s Justices did oppose their Warrants, and sent Post
to _New York_, with an Address to General _Nicholas_, for Advice what to
do therein; who forthwith dispatch’d away to the Governors of _Boston_,
informing them of the danger of their Proceeding, it being an open
breach of Duty, to subvert the Government establish’d by his Majesty’s
Power; also sent the King’s _Mandamus_, _April 1666._ that will’d to the
contrary. Notwithstanding the _Boston_ Magistrates in _July 1668._ in
order to their _Boston_ Commission, came to _York_ Town in the said
Province, with several Armed Men, Horse and Foot, to keep Court under
their Authority; Opposition was made by the King’s Justices, and his
Majesty’s Power was urg’d, but little regard thereunto shewn; his
Majesties _Mandamus_ was likewise much insisted upon, and produced by
the Justices, who ask’d the _Bostoners_ what they thought of it? and how
they durst act so contrary to the King’s Will and Pleasure? Major
General _Leveret_ told them, That he believ’d it might be the King’s
Hand, but he had a Commission from the general Court at _Boston_, which
he would follow and observe by the help of God. The same day in the
Afternoon the said Major General _Leveret_, with the rest of the
_Boston_ Magistrates, seiz’d and imprison’d the Province Marshal in
doing his Office, and then forthwith went in warlike posture to the
Court-house, where the King’s Justices sat in Judicature, and putting
them from their Seats, sat down themselves in their Places, and Executed
their _Boston_ Commission. The King’s Justices drew a _Protest_ against
their Proceedings, and so left the Decision to God’s Providence, and his
Majesty’s good Pleasure. Then they turn’d out all Officers, both
Military and Civil, and Swore others in their Places under their
Authority; they forc’d the whole Record of the Province out of the
Recorders House contrary to his Will, by vertue of a Special Warrant
from that Court. They imprison’d the Mayor of the said Province about
three weeks, forcing him to give in five hundred Pound Bonds, not to act
according to his Commission; which with some Reservations he was forc’d
to deny for the security of his Estate.
These riotous Proceedings thus acted with such a precipitate fury, so
incens’d his Majesty, that speedy care had been taken to reduce them to
reason, had they not upon mature consideration bethought themselves
afterwards to yield Obedience to his Majesties Orders.
Having treated at large of all that concerns _New England_ in general,
both in reference to the Natives and the _English_ Planters, we shall
conclude with a brief view of the Provinces of _Laconia_ and _Main_, as
they are truly Describ’d (among other ingenuous Collections and
Observations of the Affairs of _America_, and especially these Parts) by
_Ferdinando Gorges_ Esq; Heir to the above-mention’d Sir _Ferdinando_,
and thereby sole Lord of the said Provinces, onely contracting what hath
been by him deliver’d more at large.
[Sidenote: A brief Description of _Laconia_, a Province in _New
England_.]
Among divers Plantations of the _English_ happily Founded in _New
England_, is a Province to the Landward, nam’d _Laconia_, so call’d by
reason of the great Lakes therein, but by the ancient Inhabitants
thereof it is call’d _The Countrey of the Troquois_: It lies between the
Latitude of forty four and forty five Degrees, having the Rivers of
_Sagadehock_ and _Merrimeck_ on the Sea-Coast of _New England_,
Southerly from it; into each of which Rivers there is a short Passage,
frequented by the Salvages inhabiting near the Lakes. Also it hath the
great Lakes which tend towards _California_ in the South Sea on the West
thereof: On the North thereof is the great River of _Canada_, into which
the said River disgorgeth it self by a fair large River, well
replenish’d with many fruitful Islands: The Air thereof is pure and
wholesom, the Countrey pleasant, having some high Hills, full of goodly
Forrests, and fair Valleys and Plains, fruitful in Corn, Vines,
Chesnuts, Wallnuts, and infinite sorts of other Fruits, large Rivers
well stor’d with Fish, and inviron’d with goodly Meadows full of
Timber-trees.
One of the great Lakes is call’d _The Lake of Troquois_, which together
with a River of the same Name, running into the River of _Canada_, is
sixty or seventy Leagues in length.
In the Lake are four fair Islands, which are low and full of goodly
Woods and Meadows, having store of Game for Hunting, as Stags,
Fallow-Deer, Elks, Roe-Bucks, Beavers, and other sorts of Beasts which
come from the Main Land to the said Islands.
The Rivers which fall into the Lakes have in them good store of Beavers;
of which Beasts, as also of the Elks, the Salvages make their chiefest
Traffick.
The said Islands have been inhabited heretofore by the Salvages, but are
now abandon’d by reason of their late Wars one with another: They
contain twelve or fifteen Leagues in length, and are seated commodiously
for Habitation in the midst of the Lake, which abounds with divers kinds
of wholesom Fish.
From this Lake run two Rivers Southward, which fall into the Eastern and
Southern Sea-Coast of _New England_.
Into this Lake there went many years since certain _French_ of
_Quebeck_, who sided with the _Algovinquins_, with the help of their
_Canoos_, which they carried the space of five Miles over the
_Impossible Falls_, to Fight a Battel in revenge of some former Injuries
done by the _Troquois_ to the _Algovinquins_, who had the Victory; for
which cause the _French_ have been so hated ever since by the Nation of
the _Troquois_, that none of them durst ever appear in any part of that
Lake. But their Trade, said to be sixteen thousand Beavers yearly, is
partly sold to the _Dutch_, who Trade with the Westend of the said Lake
over Land by Horses, from their Plantation upon _Hudson_’s _River_: and
another part is conceiv’d to be purchas’d by the _Hiroons_, who being
Newters, are Friends both to the one and the other; and these _Hiroons_
bring down the greatest part of all by the River of _Canada_.
The Way over Land to this great Lake, from the Plantation of
_Pascataway_, hath been attempted by Captain _Walter Neale_, once
Governor, at the Charges of Sir _Ferdinando Gorges_, Captain _Mason_,
and some Merchants of _London_, and the Discovery wanted but one days
Journey of finishing, because their Victuals was spent, which, for want
of Horses, they were enforc’d to carry with their Arms, and their
Clothes, upon their Backs: They intended to have made a settlement for
Trade by Pinnaces upon the said Lake, which they reckon to be about
ninety or a hundred Miles from the Plantation over Land.
The People of the Countrey are given to Hunting of wild Beasts, which is
their chiefest Food.
Their Arms are Bowes and Arrows. Their Armor is made partly of Wood, and
partly of a kind of twisted Stuff like Cotton-Wool.
Their Meat is Flour of _Indian_ Corn, of that Countreys growth, sodden
to Pap, which they preserve for times of Necessity when they cannot
Hunt.
This Province of _Laconia_, however known by a distinct Name, is
included within the Province of _Main_, which offers it self next to our
consideration.
[Sidenote: Of the Province of _Main_.]
All that part of the Continent of _New England_, which was allotted by
Patent to Sir _Ferdinando Gorges_ and to his Heirs, he thought fit to
call by the Name of _The Province of Main_. It takes it beginning at the
entrance of _Pascatoway_ Harbor, and so passeth up the same into the
River of _Newichwavoch_; and through the same unto the farthest Head
thereof; and from thence North-Westwards for the space of a hundred and
twenty Miles; and from the Mouth of _Pascatoway_ Harbor aforesaid,
North-Eastward along the Sea-Coast, to _Sagadehock_; and up the River
thereof to _Kinibequy_ River, even as far as the Head thereof; and into
the Land North-Westwards, for the space of a hundred and twenty Miles.
To these Territories are also adjoyn’d the North half of the Isles of
_Sholes_, together with the Isles of _Capawick_ and _Nautican_, as also
all the little Islands lying within five Leagues of the _Main_, all
along the Sea-Coast, between the aforesaid Rivers of _Pascatoway_ and
_Sagadehock_.
He no sooner had this Province setled upon him, but he gave publick
notice, That if anyone would undertake by himself and his Associates, to
Transport a competent number of Inhabitants, to Plant in any part of his
Limits, he would assign unto him or them such a proportion of Land, as
should in reason satisfie them, reserving onely to himself some small
High-Rent, as 2 _s._ or 2 _s._ 6 _d._ for a hundred Acres _per Annum_:
and if they went about to build any Town or City, he would Endow them
with such Liberties and Immunities, as should make them capable to
Govern themselves within their own Limits, according to the Liberties
granted to any Town or Corporation within this Realm of _England_. And
as for others of the meaner sort who went as Tenants, that they should
have such quantities of Land assign’d them as they were able to manage,
at the Rate of 4 _d._ or 6 _d._ an Acre, according to the nature or
situation of the Place they settle in.
And for the Division of the Province, and the Form of Government which
he intended to Establish, he first divided the Province into several
Parts; and those again he subdivided into distinct Regiments, as East,
West, North, and South; those again into several Hundreds, Parishes and
Tythings, and these to have their several Officers to Govern, according
to such Laws as should be agreed upon by publick Assent of the
Free-holders, with the approbation of himself or Deputy, and the
principal Officers of the publick State.
The setled Government for the general State, to whom all Appeals were to
be made, and from whom all Instructions for the welfare of the Publick
were to issue, were to consist of himself or his Deputy, who was to be
chosen every three year by himself, with the advice of his Council: Next
a Chancellor for the determination of all Causes; A Treasurer, to whom
the care of the publick Revenue was to be committed; A Marshal, whose
Office was to oversee the Regiments, and to provide Men for publick
Service; An Admiral, to take care of all Maritime Affairs, to whom a
Judge of the Admiralty was to be joyn’d to determine all Maritime
Causes; A Master of the Ordnance, to look to the publick Arms and
Ammunition; A Secretary, to receive Intelligence, and to acquaint
himself or Deputy therewith. To these belong all their several Officers
and Ministers for the Execution of all Matters proper to their several
Places.
The chief Town of this Province is call’d _Gorgiana_, which is Govern’d
by a Mayor, the rest are onely inconsiderable Villages or scatter’d
Houses; but through Encouragement given to Adventurers and Planters, it
may prove in time a very flourishing Place, and be replenish’d with many
fair Towns and Cities, it being a Province both fruitful and pleasant.
SECT. II.
New Netherland, now call’d New York.
That Tract of Land formerly call’d _The New Netherland_, doth contain
all that Land which lieth in the North parts of _America_, betwixt _New
England_ and _Mary-Land_; the length of which Northward into the
Countrey, as it hath not been fully discover’d, so it is not certainly
known: The breadth of it is about two hundred Miles. The principal
Rivers within this Tract, are _Hudson_’s-River, _Raritan_-River,
_Delaware-Bay_-River. The chief Islands are the _Manhatans_-Island,
_Long_-Island, and _Staten_-Island.
The first which discover’d this Countrey was _Henry Hudson_, who being
hir’d by the _East-India_ Company to seek a Passage in the _Northern
America_ to _China_, set Sail _Anno 1609._ in the _Half-Moon_ Frigat;
coming before _Terre-neuff_, he stood about towards the South-West,
where Sailing up a great River, he found two Men Clad in _Ruffelo_’s
Skins; and from thence arriv’d safe at _Amsterdam_.