IV.

8.

miglit be one such in every county. As Sir Ed. CHAP. mund paid no attention to the majority of his council, but imposed such laws and taxes as he, and Randolph, and three or four more of the same character judged most for their purposes, they also prayed, that no acts might pass for law, but such as should be voted by the majority of the council. One of the petitions closeth in this suppliant language : “ Royal Sir, we are a poor people, and have no way to procure money to defend our cause in the law, nor know we of friends at court, and therefore unto your royal majesty, as the public father of all your subjects, do we make this our humble address for relief, beseeching your majesty graciously to pass your royal act for the confirmation of your majesty's subjects here, in our possessions to us derived from our late governour and company of this your majesty's colony. We now humbly cast ourselves and the distressed condition of our wives and children at your majesty's feet, and conclude with that saying of queen Esther, If we perish, we perish.”

But in the reign of king James the second, neither the most reasonable and humble petitions from New, nor the warmest solicitations from Old England,

of

any avail. Sir Edmund too well knew the disposition of his prince to fear any complaints or petitions, which might be exhibited against him. Matters were therefore carried with a high hand. Randolph, in his letters, made his boast," that they were as arbitrary as the great Turk.” Massachu. setts was the principal seat of this despotism and suffering. The other colonies were less obnoxious. As Sir Edmund and his principal abettors had their residence chiefly at Boston, the other New-England colonies were much less under their inspection and influence. But there was in them all for more than two years, a total suppression of all charter govern.ment. Their state was indeed distressful. Their enemies triumphed, and all probable means of relief

were

IV.

The peo

Sir Ed.

1689.

CHAP. failed them. Their case appeared as hopeless as it

was distressing. But in the midst of darkness light 1688. sprang up. While in vain they made their com

plaints and prayers to men, Providence wrought gloriously for their and the nation's salvation. On the 5th of November, 1688, the prince of Orange landed at Torbay, in England, and immediately published his declaration. A copy of it was received at Boston the April following: The fire which had been long kindling now burst forth into a violent

flame. ple fly to

The people flew to arms, and possessed them. arms, take selves of the castle, of the fortifications in Boston, mund into and the Rose frigate of forty guns, in which Sir Ed. custody, mund had arrived from England. Sir Edmund,

. April18th.

Randolph, and such others of his council and abettors, as had made themselves most obnoxious, were taken into custody. The whole number consisted of fifty persons. The old magistrates were reinstated, while their haughty oppressors were committed to close confinement. When the people once more saw their former venerable governour Bradstreet among their rulers, they filled the air with their acclamations. The influence of the former magistrates was of absolute necessity to preserve the peace of the country. The people rushed into town in such heat and rage, as made all tremble for fear of the consequences. With difficulty it was, that the mag.

. istrates were able to satisfy the people without putting Sir Edmund in irons. But such was their veneration for those who had governed them in their better days, that through their influence no blood was shed, nor any considerable mischief done. Letters were immediately despatched to the other colo

nies acquainting them with the transactions at Boston. Connecti.

On the 9th of May the colony of Connecticut resumed their charter and government.

About the Rhode Isl- same time Rhode Island also resumed their charter, and assume their and proceeded in their usual forms of government. charters. In the Massachusetts the governour and magistrates

IV.

1689.

who had been chosen in 1686, at the desire of the CHAP. people, and for the conservation of their peace and safety, took on them the administration of government agreeable to the charter, till there should be an orderly settlement of the government in England.

King William and queen Mary were proclaimed in England the 13th of February, 1689. Advice of it was received at Boston on the 26th of the succeeding May. Never were more joyful news received in New England. The bands of oppression were loosed, the fears of the people subsided, and hope and joy brightened every countenance. The quo warrantos were judged to be illegal, and a vote passed the house of commons for the restoration of the charters. By a letter from his majesty, to the colony of the Massachusetts they were authorized to exercise government according to their ancient charter until a new one should be granted. At the same time an order was received, that Sir Edmund An. dros, Randolph, and others, who had been put under confinement, should be sent to England to answer for such misdemeanours as should be alleged against them. *

Thus while the glorious revolution, by William and Mary, saved three kingdoms from popery and despotism, it brought an equal salvation to America. It is ever to be considered as a grand event, in prov. idence, by which the religion and liberties of the United States have been preserved. Its influence, doubtless has not been small in the late memorable revolution. Had James succeeded in his measures he would probably have established the religion of the Romish church and slavery, not only in England, but in the colonies. The colonists would have been reduced to such poverty and ignorance, and their spirits would have been so enslaved and broken, that they never would have enterprised the late revolution, nor have risen to their present importance

* Hutch. hist. vol. i. p. 388, 390, 391. Vol. I.

23

V.

CHAP. and glory. It was an era which our fathers saw

with great gladness and thanksgiving; and it will ever challenge the devout and grateful acknowledgements of their posterity.

CHAPTER V.

The first assembly in New York. King James' treatment of the col.

ony. Leisler's usurpation. The settlement of New Hampshire, and its separation from the Massachusetts. The settlement of Pennsyl. vania. The counties on the Delaware are become a distinct jurisdic. tion. Revolution in the Jerseys. Intrigue and corruption in the government of Carolina. Abuse of the French protestants. Estab. lishment of episcopacy, and persecution of the dissenters.

Treat.

York.

DURING almost twenty years from the reduction ment of of New York the people were allowed no part in legthe people islation or government. In 1681, the dissatisfaction

of the colony became so great and universal, that the council, the court of assizes, and the corporation of New York made a joint application to the duke for a participation in the government.

The duke, notwithstanding his peculiar aversion to assemblies, the next year, gave encouragement that he would allow them an assembly. In 1682 colonel Dungan was appointed governour. He had instructions for the calling of an assembly. This was to consist of a council of ten, and of a house of representatives, chosen by the freemen, consisting of eighteen members. The assembly was empowered, to enact laws for the people, agreeable to the general jurispru. dence of the realm of England. However, they were not to be of any force without the ratification of the proprietary. The views of the duke, in granting an assembly, were not for the advancement of public liberty and happiness; but for his own private ends. He was in expectation, that the inhabitants, by this measure, would be induced to raise money for the discharge of the public debts, and provide

V.

such a fund in future as might be sufficient for the CHAP. maintenance of the garrison and the government. On the arrival of governour Dungan, in 1683, an assembly was convoked. As the people, then inhabiting the province, consisted of various nations, this assembly, to give them equal privileges, passed an act of general naturalization. Two other acts were also pașsed: one declarative of the liberties of the people; and another for defraying, for a limited time, the necessary charges of government. The legislature was convened again the next year. These seem to have been the only assemblies convoked in New York before the revolution.

No sooner was the duke made king of England than he refused to confirm the privileges, to which he had agreed in a humbler station. He once more reduced the province to the deplorable condition of a conquered people. With her sister colonies she felt the iron yoke of a despotic administration.

Colonel Dungan, his governour, was a professed Roman catholic, and, under his countenance, papists began to settle in the colony. The collector of the revenues and several principal officers threw off the mask and openly avowed their attachments to the Romish faith. A Latin school was set up under a teacher suspected to be a jesuit. The whole Theirgen.

eral alarm colony began to tremble for the protestant cause, and unea: A general disaffection to the government prevailed siness. among the people. Before the arrival of governour Dungan the inhabitants on Long Island, who were principally from Connecticut, and had enjoyed the mild government of that colony till the reduction of New York, had been so disgusted with the government of colonel Nichols, as to threaten the total subversion of the public tranquillity. To extinguish the fire of discontent, impatient to burst into a general fame, governour Dungan, on his first arrival, assured them, that no laws nor taxes should be imposed, for the future, but by a general assembly. But his sovereign soon after prohibiting as.

a