Page.

rights in 1661-Royal commissioners sent to regulate the New England colo-

nies-Their reception-Massachusetts refuse to submit to their authority and

send a petition to the king-Complaints against Massachusetts-Committee of

trade require an answer to these complaints-Answers not satisfactory-Mas-

sachusetts refuse to submit to the wishes of the king-Writs of quo warranto

issue against the charter of that colony-Judgment against it-Writs issue

against those of Connecticut and Rhode Island-Their letters considered a sur-

render of them-Sir Edmund Andrus appointed governor general of New Eng-

land-His despotic acts-Revolution in New England-Connectieut and

Rhode Island resume their charters-New Charter granted Massachusetts-

Great Britain jealous of the independence of the colonies-Bills brought into

parliament to resume the Charter government-Defeated-King sustains ap-

peals from the colonial courts in civil suits-Explanatory Charter of Massa-

chusetts-Law of descents in Connecticut declared void-Massachusetts re-

fuse to provide a permanent salary for the Governor-Present an address to the

king on the subject-Heard before the board of trade-Conduct of that colony

condemned--Jealousy of its growing power increases,

CHAPTER V.

Convicts transported to the Plantations from England--The Colonies of Virginia

and Maryland pass Laws respecting them-These laws disapproved by the

Crown-This conduct of the Parent Country injurious to the Colonies, and

excites their indignation--Privilege of the writ of Habeas Corpus, supposed by

the board of trade not to extend to the Colonies-Act of Massachusetts concern-

ing the writ of Habeas Corpus disallowed by the Crown-Colonists still retain

an affection for their parent country-Bounties allowed by Parliament for cer-

tain articles produced in the colonies-Mode of colonial contributions-Extent

of the English and French claims in North America-Plan of union among the

colonies adopted in 1754--Disapproved by the crown and the colonial legisla-

tures--Ministerial plan for defending the colonies--Reasons of Dr. Franklin

against it---War of 1756, in consequence of disputed claims in America---Que-

bec taken---Family compact between France and Spain---Havana taken---

Peace of 1763---French power in America destroyed---Colonial schools for

general education---First established in Massachusetts by law, in 1647---Ob-

jects of their establishment---The clergy of New England assist in establishing

these schools---Colleges founded in the colonies---Character of the people of

America different from that of those of Europe---Some of the causes of this

difference,

CHAPTER VI.

Peace of 1763---An important event to the colonies---Excites great joy in Amer-

ica-Navigation acts enforced by writs of assistance-Opposed in Massachu-

setts Stamp duties proposed in parliament-Opposed in the colonies as a vio-

lation of their rights-Petitions and resolutions against them-Petitions reject-

ed-Stamp Act passed-Excites great alarm in the colonies-Resolutions of

the Virginia house of burgesses against it-Meeting of a congress of the colo-

nies in 1765-Declaration of rights and petitions of this congress in opposition

to the stamp act-Resolutions of colonial assemblies and associations of indi-

viduals-Disturbances at Boston-Act not suffered to be executed-New Min-

istry-American papers laid before parliament-Resolutions of Conway declar-

atory of the right of parliament to bind the colonies in all cases-Debate upon

them-Passed by a large majority-Examination of Dr. Franklin and others in

the house of commons-Stamp Act repealed-Speeches of lord Chatham and

lord Grenville on the question of the repeal,

CHAPTER VII.

Repeal of stamp act, a joyful event in America-Ministry seem well disposed

towards the colonists-Compensation to those who suffered by disturbances in

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consequence of the stamp act, required---Massachusetts delays granting the

compensation---New York refuses to furnish all the articles required by the mu-

tiny act---This offends the ministry---New administration---Duties imposed on

glass and other articles in the colonies---Board of custom house officers estab-

lished in America---Legislature of New York prohibited from passing laws, un-

til a compliance with the mutiny act---Massachusetts among the first to oppose

the new duties---Circular letter of the house of representatives of that province

---Disapproved by the ministry---The house directed to rescind its vote---Oth-

er colonies required to disregard the circular of Massachusetts---The house re-

fuses to rescind--Other colonies unite with Massachusetts---Spirited conduct

of New York and Maryland-Disturbances at Boston---Troops sent there---

Convention of the people in Massachusetts---Troops quartered in Boston---

Conduct of Massachusetts censured by parliament---King authorized to bring

offenders in the colonies to Great Britain for trial---Proceedings of Virginia---

Disputes in Massachusetts in relation to the troops---The new duties repealed,

except the duty on tea---This not satisfactory to the colonists---Royal provision

for governor's salary in Massachusetts---Declared a dangerous innovation---

Destruction of the Gaspee in Rhode Island---Disputes between governor

Hutchinson and the assembly of Massachusetts concerning the supremacy of

parliament---Committees of correspondence between the colonies appointed---

Private letters of governor Hutchinson published---Occasion a petition for his

removal---East India company send tea to America---Destroyed at Boston---

Boston port bill---Alteration of Massachusetts charter---These acts resisted in

the colonies,

CHAPTER VIII.

Congress of the colonies in September, 1774---The conduct of Massachusetts

approved---A committee appointed to state the rights of the colonies---Their

violations and the means of redress---Suffolk resolutions approved---Declaration

of the rights of the colonies---Non-importation, non-consumption, and non-ex-

portation agreement---Address to the king---To the people of Great Britain---

To the inhabitants of the colonies, and to the inhabitants of the province of

Quebec---Galloway proposes a plan of reconciliation---This postponed---Con-

gress is dissolved in October---Proceedings of congress approved by the colo-

nies---Lord Chatham's motion for the recall of the troops from Boston---His

speech on this motion--- His conciliatory bill---Rejected by a large majority---

Parliament determines to enforce obedience---Augments the army and navy---

Restrains the trade and fisheries of the colonies---Indirect negotiation with Dr.

Franklin, as to terms of reconciliation---Lord North's conciliatory proposition

---Its object---Disarming some of the colonies contemplated---Preparations for

defense in the colonies---Hostilities commence in Massachusetts---Excite great

alarm---Massachusetts convention raise troops and prepare an address to the

people of Great Britain,

CHAPTER IX.

Congress again meet in May, 1775---Place the colonies in a state of defense---

Raise an army and appoint George Washington commander in chief---Publish

a manifesto declaring the causes of their taking up arms--)
-Prepare a second pe-

tition to the king and an address to the people of Great Britain-Congress not

unanimous in again petitioning the king-Proceedings on lord North's concilia-

tory proposition-The terms of the proposition rejected-Terms of reconcilia-

tion proposed by the convention of New York-Substance of terms sketched

by Dr. Franklin-Massachusetts convention ask the advice of congress about.

the establishment of civil government in that colony--Fort at Ticonderoga

taken-Congress send an army into the province of Canada-Paper money

issued-Views of the convention of New York, on the subject of a paper me-

dium-Colonists in general in favor of reconciliation-Their various declara-

tions on the subject-Second petition to the king rejected-The colonies de-

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clared by parliament in a state of rebellion-All trade with the colonies prohib-

ited, and the colonists declared open enemies-Their vessels and persons made

liable to seizure-Royal commissioners appointed--Their powers--Reprisals

ordered by congress-American ports opened to all the world except Great

Britain--Congress recommend to the colonies to form governments for them-

selves---Independence seriously contemplated---Delegates of Pennsylvania

instructed against it---Recommended by North Carolina---Delegates of Virgin-

ia specially instructed to propose it in congress---Proposed by Richard Henry

Lee---Subject postponed---Measures taken to procure the assent of all the col-

onies---Declaration of independence unanimously agreed to and signed by dele-

gates from all the colonies---Produces a new political state in America---Alle-

giance now transferred to the states---Persons adhering to the king, or to the

enemies of the states, or giving them aid, considered as guilty of treason---

Royal commissioners request a conference with some of the members of con-

gress---Committee appointed---The result of the conference---Terms rejected

--Commissioners issue addresses and proclamations to the people of America

---Counter address of the convention of New York---Campaign of 1776 unfor-

tunate for America---General Washington invested with unlimited military

powers---Capture of the Hessians at Trenton and the battle of Princeton re-

vive the drooping spirits of the Americans,

CHAPTER X.

Committee of Secret correspondence appointed by congress-Direct a letter to be

sent to a gentleman in Holland-Send Silas Deane to France, in March 1776,

as a commercial and political agent-His instructions-Arrives in Paris in July

1776-Has an interview with the French minister, count de Vergennes-Is

well received and promised protection in his commercial arrangements-

French ports open to the Americans-Mr. Deane was to appear in the char-

acter of a merchant only-Congress prepare a commercial treaty to be pro-

posed to France-Dr. Franklin, Mr. Deane, and Arthur Lee, appointed com-

missioners to the French Court-Their instructions-Meet at Paris in Dec.

1776-France not prepared openly to join the Americans-A paper signed by

the King himself, is read to the Commissioners in January 1777-He declines

entering into a treaty, but promises them protection, and gives two millions of

livres This to be kept a secret-Congress offer to France and Spain more fa-

vorable terms-These terms insufficient-Capture of Burgoyne creates con-

sternation in England-Lord North declares his intention to offer the Ameri-

cans terms of reconciliation-France accepts the offers of the American Com-

missioners, and enters into treaties-Reasons for this given by the French

Monarch in a letter to the king of Spain-Policy of France in relation to

America explained-She affords secret aid to the Americans-For this pur-

pose, secretly puts money and arms into the hands of an agent, by the name of

Beaumarchais-The Agent sends arms to America, under the name of Hor-

tales & Co.-American Commissioners send despatches by Capt. Folger-

They are secretly taken out by some one, and blank papers substituted-

Folger suspected and is imprisoned, but afterwards released-Beaumarchais

sends an Agent to America, to demand payment for the articles furnished by

him-Divisions in Congress on the subject-Congress agree to pay Beaumar-

chais-Deane recalled-Thomas Paine publishes some of the secret des-

patches Displeases the French Minister-He applies to Congress to dis-

avow the publication-Arthur Lee's letters relating to the claim of Beaumar-

chais-The officers of the Treasury charge him with one million of livres paid

to him by France, for the use of the Americans-He disputes this, and applies

to Congress for relief,

Appendix-Notes and Documents,

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384

429

HISTORY, &c.

CHAPTER I.

Origin of the English and French Claims to North America-First attempt at settlement by French Protestants-Destroyed by the Spaniards-Sir Humphry Gilbert and Sir Walter Raleigh attempt a settlement-Grant to South and North Virginia Companies-French grant to De Monts-First settlement of Virginia, Plymouth, and the other English Colonies-Extent of their grants-North Virginia first called New England in 1614-Grant of New England to the Plymouth Company-New York settled by the Dutch-French discoveries under de la Salle.

THE claim of Great Britain to North America, was founded on the discoveries made by John Cabot and his sons, under a commission from King Henry VII. Cabot was a native of Venice, and with his sons, had settled in England, then a place of resort for foreign merchants.

The extensive commercial intercourse between the ports of Italy and the East Indies, by the way of the Red Sea and the Persian gulf, had, at an early period, been the means of extending geographical knowledge, as well as nautical skill, among the Italians, much beyond that possessed by their more western neighbors. It led them also, to form more correct ideas of the true figure of the earth, than was then entertained by the rest of Europe. This will account for the singular fact, that the first discoverer of the new world, as well as those, who immediately after, explored different parts of it, were natives of Italy. Columbus, Americus Vesputius, Cabot and Verazzano, were all natives of the commercial cities of that country. Cabot was of opinion that a new way to India might be found, by sailing northwest. To effect this, as well as to make further discoveries in the new world, he and his three sons, Sebastian, Lewis, and Sanctius, obVOL. I.

3

He entered the bay of St. John's in Newfoundland, and took possession of the country two hundred leagues round, in the name of the crown of England. He afterwards sailed further south; but being in want of provisions, he and his company were compelled to return. On his way back, the vessel in which Sir Humphry sailed, foundered in a storm, and all on board perished.

The second attempt was made by the celebrated Sir Walter Raleigh, in consequence of a patent granted him by the Queen, in March, 1584, "for the discovering and planting of new lands and countries." By this patent Queen Elizabeth granted to him and his heirs and assigns, such lands as he should discover, not actually possessed by any christian prince, or inhabited by a christian people; with authority to establish government and laws over those, who should inhabit those lands and countries, within the distance of two hundred leagues.

Under this grant, the southern coast was explored and called by the name of Virginia, and several attempts made to effect a settlement, but unfortunately, without success. No one can read the account of these early and unfortunate attempts to settle our country, without deeply lamenting the fate of those brave adventurers who were engaged in them.

The first colony left there in 1585, after suffering incredible hardships, were carried back to England, by Sir Francis Drake, who, fortunately, was directed to stop at this settlement on his return from his voyage to the Pacific. The second company, consisting of about fifty could never afterwards be found. They, no doubt, perished by famine or by the hands of savages. Not yet discouraged, a third colony, consisting of more than one hundred, were left to continue a settlement. By some unpardonable neglect, or untoward circumstances, three years elapsed, before any relief reached the spot, where they were left. Those who were sent with the promised relief, arrived too late. Not one of the whole number was to be found, nor were they ever afterwards heard of.* These disastrous and distressing events, for a time, discouraged farther attempts, on the part of the British, to commence settle

Stith's History of Virginia, p. 24,