of New-York. Fires occurred frequently; and suspicion was excited against them. Some of them were detected in setting fire to buildings. It was now reported, that they had formed a plot to burn the city, and intended to appoint a governor from their own number.

25. The people were terrified. were seized and put to death. tried and executed. When the

About thirty negroes Two white men were alarm was over, the

people began to reflect upon the character of the witnesses and their testimony. None of them were respectable; and the evidence of a plot had all vanished. Terror and prejudice had led these magistrates to a course of manifest cruelty and injustice.

26. In 1743, George Clinton, a man of eminent talents, was appointed governor. He soon secured the love and confidence of the people, and united their energies against the French and Indians. The frequent depredations of the enemy upon the English settlements, led to the project of another expedition against Canada. But before their plan was carried into operation, peace was restored. For several years, New-York continued to enjoy uninterrupted prosperity.

MASSACHUSETTS.

1. The Plymouth company, soon after its incorpo ration, in 1606, sent out a ship to make discoveries within the limits of its grant. This ship was taken by

25. How many negroes were taken and put to death? Do you think they were jus ly put to death? Why?

26. Who was appointed governor in 1743? What was projected during Clinton's administration? Why? How many years since the Hudson river was discovered? What other name is often applied to this river now? A. North river. How many cities and large towns can you mention in the State of New-York? How is the State bounded?

1. What two companies were incorporated in 1606? What did the Plymouth Company do the same year? Where did they attempt to form a settlement? What was the result?

the Spaniards. In 1607, they sent out another vessel, with one hundred persons, for the purpose of establishing a colony at the mouth of the Kennebec river, in Maine. Discouraged by the dreary appearance of the country, fifty-five returned in the ship that brought them over. The remainder suffered so much during the winter, from hunger and cold, that they all returned the next year to England, in a vessel that came to bring them provisions. The company, disappointed and disheartened, for several years made no further attempts to effect a settlement.

2. In 1614, Capt. John Smith, in the service of the Plymouth company, explored the coast from Penobscot river to Cape Cod. He drew a map of his discoveries, and on his return presented it to Prince Charles, who was so much pleased with Smith's glowing descriptions of the country, that he gave it the name of New-England. In 1615, Smith attempted to plant a colony on this part of the coast, but was unsuccessful; and all subsequent, attempts to form a settlement failed, until the arduous business was undertaken by men who were influenced by higher motives than the love of gain or of perilous adventure.

3. The first settlers of New-England were called Puritans,* in derision of their peculiar opinions in

2. What was done in 1614? Was this the same Capt. Smith that acted so conspicuous a part in the settlement of Virginia? A. It was. By whom was New-England named?

3. Who commenced the first permanent settlement in New-England? What can you tell me respecting the Puritans? When and where did they commence their settlement? In what direction from us is Plymouth? How many years since Plymouth was settled?

In the reign of Elizabeth, queen of England, the Protestants, or those opposed to the Roman Catholics. were divided into two parties. One party were in favor of adhering to the liturgy, the form of worship that had been established in the time of Edward VI. This was much the most numerous party. The other party wished to introduce a simpler, and, as they considered it, a purer form of worship and church government. These last, by way of derision, were called Puritans. The name was also applied, afterwards, to all who were remarkably strict in their morals or severe in their manners. During the whole reign of Elizabeth, they were treated with great rigor and cruelty; and in the reign of James I. they were so much persecuted and oppressed, that great numbers of them left the kingdom in 1609, and retired to Holland. After residing there several years, they resolved to leave the country, and

matters of religion. To escape from persecution, they left the land of their fathers, and after a long and stormy voyage, arrived at Cape Cod, Nov. 9th, 1620. After exploring the country for several weeks, they fixed upon a spot which they called Plymouth, and there commenced, on the 22d of December, 1620, the first permanent settlement in New-England.

4. This colony, consisting of 101 persons, landed amid all the perils and privations of a barren shore, in the heart of winter. At this gloomy season they began to erect their buildings to shelter their wives and their little ones from the piercing cold. Feeling the need of some form of civil government among themselves, forty-one of their number, before they landed, solemnly adopted a constitution, and elected John Carver first governor of the colony. Miles Standish* was soon after appointed commander-in-chief of the military.

4. What did the first settlers do before they landed?

seek an asylum in the wilderness of America, where they might worship God agreeably to the dictates of their own consciences. In 1620, many of thern passed over to England, and on the 5th of August set sail for America, in the ship called the May-Flower. They arrived at Cape Cod, November 9th, as stated above.

'Miles Standish was born in England, 1584. He served some time in the

5. At first the colony was not molested by the Indians. Massasoit, the great sachem or chief of the country, was induced, after much hesitation, to enter the village, and after eating and drinking with the governor, made a treaty of friendship with the English, which was faithfully observed for more than fifty years.

6. The long voyage of the colonists, the severity of the winter, and their numerous privations, brought disease and death among them, which carried off nearly half of their number before the return of spring. But the spirit of persecution in England, induced many others to quit their homes, and join the infant colony. In the year 1628, John Endicott, with about three hundred others, was sent over to prepare the way for another colony. They began a settlement which they called Salem. This colony received the name of Massachu setts, so called from an Indian tribe of this name, in that vicinity.

7. The next year their colony was incorporated, under the title of the Governor and Company of Massachusetts Bay in New-England." This circumstance greatly increased the spirit of emigration. In 1630, about fifteen hundred people arrived at the colonies.

5. What Indian chief formed a treaty with the people of Plymouth? How long was this treaty observed? Of what tribe was Massasoit the chief? A. Of the Pocanokets, or Wampanoags.

6. Of how many persons did the colony consist? How many of these died during the winter? Who arrived in 1628? Where did they commence a settlement? What was this colony called?

7. Under what name were they incorporated in 1629? When was Boston founded? What towns were settled soon after?

army in the Netherlands, before he came to America. He was one of the most resolute and daring men of the colony, and in every hazardous enterprise he was foremost. He feared no danger, and regarded the Indians as little as did Sampson the men of Askelon. On a certain occasion, one of the colony at Weymouth stole some corn from the savages. The whites, to give them satisfaction, pretended to hang the thief. but in his stead, hung a poor, decrepit old man. The Indians were exasperated by this base conduct, and threatened vengeance. Standish, with eight men, was sent to protect the whites. He went among them under pretence of trade, aurd on a certain occasion, being surrounded by a large number of Indians, he seized Pecksuot, a bold chief. snatched his knife from him, and killed him with it, and put to death five others, without losing a man. The savages were filled with consternation, and sought no further satisfaction for their stolen corn. Standish died in 1656,

Among them came Governor Winthrop, with other officers, and many gentlemen of wealth and distinction, who brought over the charter of the colony. They founded the town of Boston. Among the towns earliest settled in this vicinity, were Charlestown, Dorchester, Watertown, Roxbury, Medford, and Cambridge.

8. Boston soon became the chief town in the colony, and the first general court of Massachusetts was held there, on the 19th of October, 1630. The settlers now endured great hardships from hunger and cold; and great numbers died the first winter. They had few or no accommodations. Their place of public worship was under a large tree. For several years following, the colony rapidly increased, and the settlements were greatly multiplied. The Massachusetts colonists, in wealth and education, were superior to the settlers of Plymouth; in other respects they were similar.

9. The colonists of Massachusetts, according to their charter, were to assemble four times a year for the election of officers, and for the enactment of laws. But in 1634, it being inconvenient for them all to assemble, it was agreed, by general consent, that the power of making laws should be transferred to a representative body, composed of delegates sent from each of the plantations. In the same year Roger Williams,* the minister of Salem, having advanced opinions which gave offence, was banished from the colony. In 1636, he founded the town of Providence, in Rhode Island.

10. In 1635, a large number of emigrants arrived in

8. When and where was the first general court of Massachusetts held? How did the colonists of Massachusetts compare with those of Plymouth? Were the colonists of Massachusetts puritans? A. They were. When the colony was first settled, did all the people assemble to make laws? How many times in a year? Do all the people of this State meet together to make laws?

9. When was the power of making laws transferred from the whole body of the people to representatives? What distinguished man was banished from the colony?

10. Who arrived in 1635? What can you relate of Henry Vane?