the northern parts of Virginia, we do, by these presents, solemnly and mutually, in the presence of God and of one another, covenant and combine ourselves together into a civil body politic, for our better ordering and preservation, and furtherance 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." This was the earliest American constitution, and was signed by 41 persons. It was in sub. stance a pure democracy.

§ 147. The company, including women and children, amounted to 101. They proceeded to examine the coast, and finally determined to settle in a place called New Plymouth. Exhausted by the fatigues of the sea, and suffering from a want of suitable provisions and shelter, nearly one half of their number died within four months after their landing. They continued for ten years to hold their goods and property in common, when they obtained from the company a grant of the land, which they had before held only by occupancy. At this time their number did not exceed three hundred. For many years they continued a mere voluntary association, governed by laws and magistrates formed and chosen by themselves, until they were incorporated with Massachusetts, in 1692.

§ 148. In 1628, the Massachusetts colony was settled by a company incorporated by royal charter, the land having been previously purchased from the Plymouth company. In 1630, the government of the colony was transferred to Massachusetts, by a vote of the company. A few years later, the freemen adopted the plan of acting by delegates or representatives, and the charter of a trading company was converted into the constitution of a commonwealth. This unauthorized assumption of power, as well as their religious principles, rendered the Puritans obnoxious to the court party at home, and led the Plymouth company to re

ment which they drew up before they landed? § 147. At what place did they settle? How were they governed? How long? § 148. When was the Massachusetts colony settled? How was it governed?

sign their charter to the king; and Massachusetts, like Virginia, was taken into royal hands.

§ 149. But such was the disturbed state of England, that these distant and insignificant colonies attracted little notice, and were left to grow up in habits of self-government, their numbers at the same time increasing by such as were unsuccessful in the civil strifes at home. The persecuted Puritans fled to New England, the Catholics to Maryland, and the defeated royalists to Virginia.

§ 150. New York was settled by the Dutch, in 1614, and was held by them fifty years. It was, however, claimed by England, having been discovered by Henry Hudson, in 1608, who entered the bay of New York, and sailed up the river to latitude 43 degrees north. He did not attempt to land and form a settlement, contenting himself with claiming the country for his sovereign, James I., by right of discovery. The English asserted that Hudson was employed by their government, and that he sold the country to the Dutch without authority. The Dutch maintained that he was in the service of the Dutch East India company at the time; and they made their settlements without interruption for many years. In 1664, the colony was occupied by the English; and the territory now comprising New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and a part of Connecticut, was granted by Charles II. to his brother, the duke of York.

§ 151. New Jersey was settled by the Dutch, in 1624, and occupied by the English in 1664. New Hampshire was first settled in 1623, at Andover and Portsmouth. Delaware was settled by the Dutch in 1627, and occupied by the English in 1664. Some Swedes settled here in 1638, but they were conquered by the Dutch, and most of them left the country. Maine was settled in 1630, and united with Massachusetts in 1677. Maryland was settled in 1633, and was the first colony that was governed directly as a province of the British empire. Its founder was Sir George

§ 149. What effect had the disturbed state of England upon the colonies? § 150. By whom, and when, was New York settled? By whom, and on what ground was it claimed? When was it occupied by the English? § 151. When was New Jersey settled? New Hampshire? Delaware? Maine? Maryland? Rhode Island? Connecticut? North and South Carolina? Pennsylvania? Georia ?

Calvert, a Roman catholic nobleman. Rhode Island was settled in 1636. Connecticut was settled from Massachusetts in 1632. New Haven, settled in 1637, was united with Connecticut in 1662. North and South Carolina were settled about the year 1660. Pennsylvania was founded as a colony by William Penn in 1681. Georgia was settled in 1732.

§ 152. Of the forms of government which prevailed in the colonies, there were three; the charter, the royal or provincial, and the proprietary governments. The charter governments were those of New England. These charters, or grants of the crown, conferred on the colonists, not only a right to the soil, but also the privileges of natural-born subjects. They elected their own governors and legislative assemblies, and established courts of justice; and in some points even exceeded the powers conferred by the charters. The only limitation to their legislative power was, that their laws should not be contrary to those of England. The crown claimed the right to revoke these charters; but the colonists maintained that they were solemn compacts, and that they could not be revoked without cause. The charters were sometimes declared forfeited, or forcibly taken away, and the disputes to which this question gave rise, between the mother country and the charter governments, constituted one of the causes of the revolution.

§ 153. The royal governments were those of Virginia, New York, and, at a later period, the Carolinas, (1728,) and the Jerseys, (1702.) In these colonies, the governor and council were appointed by the crown, and the representatives to the colonial assemblies were chosen by the colonists. The governor obeyed the instructions of the crown, and had a negative power on the proceedings of the legislature, which was composed of the council and assemblies. The judges and most of the officers were also appointed by the king, although in many cases paid by the colony. The arbitrary acts of the governors, and the royal claim to an absolute veto on the acts of the assemblies, became sources of much discontent, as the exercise of these

§ 152. What forms of government prevailed in the colonies? What were the charter governments? Describe them. § 153. Where were

powers was virtually taking from the people the right to participate in the government.

§154. The proprietary governments were those of Maryland, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and, at first, those of the Carolinas and the Jerseys. These colonies were in the hands of proprietors, or individuals to whom grants of land had been made by the crown, with authority to establish civil governments and make laws, under certain restrictions. The proprietors appointed the governor; and they had power to repeal or negative the acts of the assemblies: and the exercise of this power was a source of continual quarrels between the people and the proprietors.

§ 155. In 1719, the people of Carolina took the govern. ment into their own hands. The governor, council, and assembly, were all elected by the people. A declaration of independence was published, setting forth the causes of their renouncing the former government, and signed by all the members of the new government. The oldest laws of the Virginia assembly, (1624,) comprise a declaration defining the power of the governor and the assembly, and asserting the privileges of the people in regard to taxes and personal

services.

§ 156. At an early period in the existence of the New England colonies, (1643,) a confederation was formed between them for mutual offence and defence, leaving to each colony its own government, while the common affairs of the confederacy were managed by a congress, consisting of two commissioners from each colony.

the royal governments? Describe them. § 154. Where were the proprietary governments? Describe them. § 155, 156. What occur rences took place in the years 1719, 1624, and 1643 ?

CHAPTER II.

Causes of the Revolution-Independence declared-Confed eration-Adoption of the Constitution.

§ 157. As early as the seventeenth century, the question of taxation became a subject of common interest in the colonies. The colonists disputed the right of parliament to tax the colonies. It was believed that the power of the British government extended only to the regulation of trade. Having surmounted the hardships and difficulties which attended their first establishment, and having made consider. able advances in commerce and manufactures, the freedom of commerce which they had so long enjoyed began to be interrupted. Their trade was restricted by the imposition of unjust taxes for the benefit of the mother country.

§ 158. By the act of 1651, none but British or colonial vessels were allowed to participate in the export and import trade. Another act, passed in 1660, enacted that certain articles should not be exported directly from the colonies to any foreign country; thus compelling the colonists to sell their produce in no other than British markets. It was next provided, (in 1663,) that they should buy such foreign articles as they needed entirely of the merchants and manufacturers of England. Duties were even imposed on certain colonial products transported from one colony to another.

§ 159. All attempts to manufacture such articles as the mother country could provide, were discouraged. In 1699, it was enacted, that no wool, yarn, or woollen manufactures, should be exported from the American colonies; and in 1750, every slitting or rolling mill, plating forge to work with a tilt hammer, or other machinery, was declared to be a common nuisance, which the governors were directed to cause to be abated. It is true, however, that many of these and similar acts of parliament were openly disobeyed or se

§ 157. What important question arose in the seventeenth century? § 158. What were the objects and effects of the respective acts of 1651, 1660, and 1663? § 159. What was the object of the act of 1699? What occurred in 1750? § 160. Were measures taken to