A summary, historical and political, of the first planting, progressive improvements, and present state of the British settlements in North-America. ... By William Douglass, M.D. ; Vol. I [-Vol. II. Part I]. ; [One line from Cicero]

PART II.

SECT. V. Concerning the Hudson's-Bay Company, their Territories and Trade.

THE Adventurers who endeavoured a N. W. Passage to China, the Spice-Islands, and the East-Indies; and in Search for Copper-Mines; gave Occasion to the Disco|very of Hudson's-Bay, and its subsequent Fur and Skin Trade.

* 1.1 The Cabots Anno 1496 obtained from Henry VII of England, a Grant of all Lands they should discover and settle Westward of Europe; in Quest of a N. W. Pas|sage, they coasted the Eastern Shore of North-America, and took a general Possession for the Crown of England, but made no Settlement; the first Land they made was West-Greenland in N. Lat. 66 d.

* 1.2 From that Time this Navigation and these Discove|ries were entirely neglected until Anno 1576, 1577, and 1578 Sir Martin Frobisher made three Voyages to a Strait which retains his Name, but he made no Discoveries.

Si•• Humphry Gilbert by Direction ••f Secretary Wal|singham, coasted the North Easterly S••ore of America: particularly he took Possession of Newfoundland, and St. Laurence or Canada River, for the Crown of England, and b••g••n some fishing Trade there, Anno 1583.

Capt. Iohn Davis from Dartmouth, made three Voyages this Way, Anno 1583, 1586, and 1587, but made no Discoveries; that Branch of the Opening (the Opening at Cape Farewell in 60 d, N. Lat. a little further at Cape Desolation branches into two Openings) which reaches North Westward retains the Name Davis Straits, and is the Whaling Ground of West-Greenland where the * 1.3 Eng|lish, Dutch, Biscayers, Hamburgers, Bremers, and Danes kill large Whales of 500 to 600 Barrels Oil, and 18 Feet Bone; this Whaling continues for about seven or eight Weeks.

Henry Hudson after two N. E. successless Trials, and one in vain North Westward Navigation, he essayed the other Opening above mentioned, and sailing Westward, and Southward he discovered the Straits and Bay called by his Name: Anno 1611 proceeding upon further Discove|ries, he was never more heard of; in his Time he was as much an Enthusiast for a N. W. Passage, as Mr. * 1.4

D—bs is at present, as appears by the present Paper-War between D—bs and Midleton.

Sir Thomas Button fitted out by Prince Henry, Anno 1612 passed Hudson's Straits, and sailing Westward, dis|covered a large Continent, and called it New Wales; its Sea and Bay retains the Discoverer's Name; he could not proceed further than 65 d. N, Lat, and called it Ne Ultra, he wintered miserably upon that West Continent at Port Nelson in 57 d. N. Lat.

Capt. Thomas Iames from Bristol, Anno 1631 made fur|ther Discoveries in Hudson's-Bay, he wintered near the Bot|tom of the Bay at Charleton Island in N. Lat. 52 d. and published a good Journal of his Voyage.

Anno 1616 Mr. Baffin, by the North Westerly Open|ing called Davis Straits, carried the N. W. Affairs so high as N. Lat. 80 d. to no Purpose, and gave his Name to the Sea or Bay in that high Latitude.

Capt. Fox Anno 1632 sail'd into Hudson's Bay upon the Discovery, where he see many Whales End of Iuly, he proceeded no further than Port Nelson in N. Lat. 57 d. he wintered there; Tide 14 Feet.

Beginning of the last Century the Danes went upon the N. W. Discovery, and took Possession of the N. Easterly Shore of Davis Straits, and called it New-Danemark, and made a miserable Settlement in N. Lat. 64 d: From that Time, they have assumed the Sovereignty of the Seas in Davis Straits, and keep a Royal Frigate stationed there, duri••g the Whaling Season, which does not continue a|bove 7 or 8 Weeks.

The Civil Wars in England prevented any further At|tempts of such Discoveries for some Time, until Prince Rupert and Company Anno 1667 sitted out Capt. Guilam; he landed at Rupert River in N. Lat. 51 d. upon the East Continent of Hudson's Bay, built Charles ••o••t, trad••d with the Indians to good Advantage, and laid a Founda|tion for the Companies Fur and Deer-Skin Trade.

A Royal Charter was granted May 2. Anno 1669 to a Governor and Company of Adventurers of England trad|ing into Hudson's Bay; whereof h••re f••llows an Abstract. To 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Rupert Count Palatine of the Rhine, to G••or••e

Duke of Albemarle, to William Earl of Craven, and to Fifteen Others, and to others whom they shall admit into said Body corporate, Power to make a common Seal, and to alter it; to chuse annually sometime in November, a Governor, a Deputy-Governor, and a Committee of Seven, any Three of the Committee with the Governor or Deputy-Governor, to be a Court of Directors: Freemen to be admitted (their Factors and Servants may be admitted Freemen) at a General Court, a Power to dismiss the Governor, Deputy-Governor, or any of the Committee, before the Year expires; and upon their Dismission, or Death, to elect ••thers in their Room for the Remainder of the Year: To have the sole Property of Lands, Trade, royal Fishery, and Mines within Hudson's Straits, not actually possessed by any Christian Prince, to be reputed as one of our Colonies in America, to be called * 1.5 Rupert's Land, to hold the same in free and common Succage, to pay the Skins of two Elks, and two black Beavers, as often as the King or Queen shall come into those Lands: Power to as|semble the Company and to make Laws for their Government and other Affairs, not repugnant to the Laws of England; an exclusive Trade, without Leave obtain'd of the Company, Penalty Forfeiture of Goods and Shipping, one half to the King, one half to the Company. In their General Meetings for every 100 £. original Stock to have one Vote; may ap|point Governors, Factors, and other Officers in any of their Ports; the Governor and his Council to judge in all Mat|ters civil and criminal, and execute Iustice accordingly: Where there is no Governor and Council, may send them to any Place where there is a Governor and Council, or to Eng|land for Iustice: Liberty to send Ships of War, Men, and Ammunition for their Protection, erect Forts, &c: To make Peace or War with any People who are not Christians, may appeal to the King in Council.

Anno 1670 Mr. Baily with 20 Men was sent over by the Company to Rupert River. Port Nelson was the next Settlement Anno 1673; and Mr. Bridge was sent over

Governor of the West Main from Cape Henrietta Maria. Anno 1683 the Factory was removed from Rupert River to Moose River. Rupert River is not used because ex|posed to the Depredations of the French; from Tadousac 30 Leagues below Quebec upon Canada River, there is Water Carriage to Lake Mistasin which communicates with Rupert River. The Trade at the Mouth of all the Rivers which fall into Hudson's Bay is secured to Great-Britain by the Treaty of Utrecht, but the Heads of the Southern Rivers are within the French Bounds, and the French have Trading-Houses which do very much inter|cept and lessen our Indian Trade: The Company do not much use the East and South Parts of the Bay, be|cause of the bad Neighbourhood of the French.

In the Summer Anno 1686 in Time of Peace, the French from Canada became Masters of all our Hudson's Bay Fac|tories, Port Nelson excepted. Anno 1693 The English re|covered their Factories, but the French got Possession of them again soon after. Anno 1696 two English Men of War retook them. In Queen Anne's War, the French from Canada were again Masters of these Factories; but by the Peace of Utrecht Anno 1713, the French quit-claim'd them to the English so far South as 49 d. N. Lat; hi|therto we have not heard of any Attempt made upon them by the Canadians in this French War which commenced in the Spring 1744.

Mr. Dobbs reckons that this Country called Hudson's Bay, may be esteemed from 51 d. to 65 d. N. Lat, and from 78 d. to 95 d. W. Long. from London; the true Definition of it, is, from the Treaty of Utrecht 1713; viz. From a certain Promontory on the Atlantick Ocean N. Lat. 58 d. 30 m. runs S. W. to Lake Mistasin (this includes the Western half of Terra Labradore) thence S. W. to N. Lat. 49 d. and from this Termination due West indefinitely; the Northern Boundary may be rec|koned Davis Straits because of the Danish Claim, and otherwa•••• North indefinitely.

The Entrance of Hu••••••n's Straits at Resolution Island

is about 15 Leagues wide, Tide flows 4 Fathom, Winds N. W. about 9 Months in the Year, not free of Ice above 2 Months in the Year; Sails and Rigging freeze in July, it is 140 Leagues in Length to the Bay: At the Bottom of the Bay only 4 Feet Tide. Capt. Midleton in 23 Voyages never could arrive at the Factories, above 5 or 6 Times, before the 10th of August; and it is a standing Order not to attempt coming back the same Year, unless they can fail from the Factories by Sept. 10; it is general|ly pleasant Weather; Midleton in all his Voyages never suffered Shipwreck; August is the proper Month for the Navigation of Hudson's Bay and Straits; always good Soundings.

This Grant is divided into the West Main or Continent formerly in Charts called New-North and South Wales, and the East Main called Terra de Labradore or New-Britain: The French claim'd the Bottom of the Bay as belonging to New France or Canada, but they disclaim'd it by the Treaty of Utrecht.

Because of the Unhospitableness of the Country, no Towns or Plantations, can ever be settled there; it must 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ever remain a Number of scattered dismal Lodges o•• Factories. Hudson's Bay and Georgia are improperly called Colonies, they have no House of Representatives; the Hud|son's Bay Company in London make their Laws and Regu|lations, as the Trustees for Georgia in London do for the Settlers in Georgia.

Hudson's Bay Colony as it is called, consists of several ••odges at the Mouths of several Rivers for Trade with the Indians, viz. on the West Continent are Churchill River, Nelson's River, Severn River, Albany River, and Moose River; on the E. Continent are Rupert River and Slude River.

Churchill River (Prince of Wales Fort) is the most Nor|therly, being in about 59 d. N. Lat, and 94 d. 50 m. W. Long. from London, the most Westerly Part of Hudson's Bay; here Capt. Midleton Anno 1742, upon a N. W. Discovery wintered miserably. At the Mouth of this Ri|ver,

the Tide comes from N. b. E. 2 Knots; they return about 20,000 Beaver-Skins pr An. the Company keeps here about 28 Men: It is navigable 150 Leagues.

Nelson's River (Fort York) called by the French Bour|bon River; its Port lies in N. Lat. 57 d; it is the finest and largest River in the Bay, it communicates with great Lakes, and Branches of Rivers of Indian Trade: Tide 14 Feet; the Company have here 25 Men.

New Severn River, the French call it St. Huiles, in N. Lat. 55 d; it is at present slighted or neglected, a bar'd River.

Albany River in N. Lat, 52 d. W. Long. 85 d. 20 m. 4 Feet Tide: From the Middle of May to the Middle of September fine warm Weather; Anno 1731, 118 Canoes came there to trade, the Company keep here 25 Men.

Moose River in N. Lat. 51 d. 4 Feet Tide; it is a much larger and finer River than Albany River; the Com|pany have here 25 Men.

P. Rupert River on the E. Side of the Bay, N. Lat. 51 d; is at present neglected.

Slude River on the E. Side of the Bay in N. Lat, 52 d; here are 8 or 9 Men kept by the Company.

The Company's Profits are very great, and engrossed by a few; their Stock has been sold at 300 for 100 O|riginal; they may export annually about 3,000 £. St. Va|lue, and their half yearly Sales are about 25,000 £. St▪ 8 or 9 Merchants have engrossed about nine Tenths of the Stock; the Charge of the Company is about 120 Ser|vants, 2 or 3 annual Ships, having in Time of War about 120 Men aboard. They import Deer-Skins, Castoreum or Beaver-Stone, Feathers, Whale-Bone and Blubbor; but Beaver-Skin is two Thirds of the whole, and is the Stan|dard of their Truck or Currency.

Mr. Dobbs thinks it would be a publick national Be|nefit, that the Hudson's Bay Companies Charter were va|cated, and the Trade laid open; thus we shall under••••ll the French and carry on a greater Trade with the Indians (the Company keep the Price of Goods too high) and

we would have Trading Houses up the River, the Com|pany have no such Trading Houses, the Company by their Charter are obliged to endeavour a N. W. Passage, which on the contrary they discourage.

As this is a Country of exclusive Trade and Navigation, we are too much confined to the Accounts of their own Navigators. As a Specimen we shall take a Medium Voyage of Capt. Midleton's Anno 1735. He set out from London May 21, Iune 12 made Cape Farewell in N. Lat. about 59 d, W. Long. 45 d. 50 m. Var. 29 d. W. Iuly 1. in N. Lat. 61 d. W. Long. 70 d. 10 m. Var. 41 d. W, he was fast in thick Ice with Fogs and Rain; August 3. he arrived in Moose River, N. Lat. 51 d; W. Long. 83 d, Var. 22 d. W; he sail'd from thence Sept. 1. makes no Mention of Ice in his Return; arrived in England Oct. 7. As for the Climate, Midleton in the Journal of his N. W. Discovery Voyage Anno 1741 and 1742, says, He arrived in Churchill River August 10; first Snow was Sept. 1. Geese flying to the Southward; Sept. 27 Thermometer as low as in London, Time of the greatFrost; Oct. 21. Ink and Water froze by the Bed-side; Beginning of Nov. a Bottle of Spirits full Proof froze in the open Air: After Nov. 11, no going abroad without being froze (N. B. forgetting himself, he frequently mentions the Company's Servants, and Indians being abroad after that Tim•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 2. begins to thaw in the Sun, about this Time the Ice at the Ship was 10 Feet thick with 13 Feet Snow over the Ice. April 10 large Fleaks of Snow (in the pre|ceeding Months the falling Snow was as fine as Dust) a Sign of the Winter's being spent; April 22 a Shower of Rain (no Rain for 7 Months preceeding) Beginning of May Geese begin to appear; May 13 got the Ship into the Stream, and Iuly 1. we sail'd upon the N. W. Dis|covery; he proceeded no farther North than 66 d. 44 m. because Beginning of August from a high Mountain we perceived to the S. E, at about 20 Leagues Distance a Straits covered with an impenetrable solid Body of Ice, and therefore no Communication with the Eastern Sea; and

the Tide of Flood coming from thence, we had no Hopes of passing that Way, into the Western or Pacifick Ocean, and August 8. we bore away to the Southward.

In the Northern Factories, the great Thaws begin End of April; the Waters inland are froze up from the Begin|ning of October to the Beginning of May. In North-A|merica we judge of the Inclemencies of their several Cli|mates, by the Times of the Flights of their Passenger Birds: In these Factories wild Geese and Swans fly South|ward Beginning of October, and return Northward End of April and Beginning of May. Seldom a Night in Winter without an Aurora Borealis. Some Deer 12 to 13 Hands high, here are white Bears, Swans, Ducks of se|veral Kinds, and other Water-Fowl; in their Mea••ows instead of Cerealia and Gramina, that is Bread-C••rn, and Grasses, they have only Moss, some scurvy Grass, and Sorrel. Hares, Rabits, Foxes, Patridges, beginning of Oc|tober, from their native Colour, become Snow-white, and continue so for 6 Months, till the Season produces a new Coat: Wind blows from the N. W. about 9 Months in the Year, they have 9 Months Ice and Snow; the cold Fogs and Mists damp the Pleasure of their short Summers.

I formerly hinted the vast Advantage that the European Western North Latitudes had of the American Eastern North Latitudes; by Way of Amusement, I continue fur|ther to observe that in 50 d. (for Instance) N. Lat. in the N. Easterly Parts of America, it is as cold as in 60 d. or upwards N. Lat. in N. Westerly Parts of Europe; the Ocean and its mellow Vapour being to the Windward of Europe; but a rude, rigorous, chilly, frozen and snowy Continent is to the Windward of the other. I vouch this by a few Instances. 1. From Churchill River Fort there was no going abroad without being frozen in Winter; from Torneo in Lapland Anno 1736 nearly under the Polar Circle, to investigate the Length of a Degree of Latitude there, the French Academici••••s in the Severity of the Win|ter, were 63 Days in the Desert, procuring a compleat Set of Triangles. 2. The Bottom of Hudson's-Bay is scarce

habitable in Winter, though scarce so far North as London, a most agreeable Caelum or Air. 3. In the Orkneys (where the Hudson Bay Ships call in to hire Men and Boys at 5 to 20 £. St. pr An. according to the Years of their indent|ed Continuance; they are called N. W. Men) there is good ••i••tering; Barley, Pease, and Oats, Cabbages, o|ther Pot Herbs, and usual Roots, grow kindly; not much Snow and Ice; Orkneys is a little North of Churchill-River.

* 1.6 Capt. Midleton in his too minute Journals of his many Voyages from England to Hudson's Bay; observed that in Hudson's Bay, in the same Longitudes from London; in sailing North, the Variations increase faster than in any known Part of the Earth; for Instance, in one of his Voyages he observed, that in about 84 d. W. Long. from London; the Variations increase thus,

In N. Lat. 50 d.	Variation was 19 d. W.
55	25
61	30
62	40

Capt. Serogs Anno 1722 (he had Mr. Norton late Go|vernor of Churchill Fort aboard, with two Northern In|dians to discover the much enquired after Copper-Mines) he traded with the Indians for Whale-Bone, at Whale-Bone Point in N. Lat. 65 d, here the Tide flowed 5 Fathom.

A DIGRESSION Giving some further Accounts of late Endeavours towards a North-West Passage to China.

A Passage by the North Westward or Davis Straits seems to be given up or relinquished by all European Ad|venturers; but the Passage by the West Southerly Branch or Hudson's Bay is still in Prosecution: The British Par|liament

lately enacted a Reward of 20,000 £. St. to theDis|coverer, if from Hudson's Bay; upon this Encouragement, the Dobbs Galley and California, as a private Adventure, sail'd from England May 1746; in our Knowledge, they are not as yet return'd to England. Their original Pro|posal was to sail Eastward to the East-Indies a••d China (but there is no Act of Parliament to indemnify them, in a Trespass upon the exclusive Navigation granted to the East-India Company in these Seas, by Charter and Act of Parliament) and from the Eastward to sail to the North|ward of California, and from thence to endeavour an Eas|terly Passage to Davis Straits or Hudson's Bay.

The last Tentative for a N. W. Passage was by Capt. Midleton from Hudson's B••y Anno 1741 and 1742, accord|ing to Order and Instructions from the Lords of the Ad|miralty May 20. Anno 1741: There was no Occasion for his wintering in Hudson's Bay, before he set out upon the Discovery; he should have sail'd from England, so as to arrive in Hudson's Bay, Middle of Iuly; push the Disco|very, Month of August; and return in September.

A short Abstract of his Discovery Journal, is. We sail'd from Churchill River Iuly 1; in N. Lat. 65 d. 10 m, F. Long. from Churchill River 9 d. we doubled a Head-Land, and called it Cape Dobbs; and the following Opening, we called Wager River, Tide 5 or 6 Knots from the East, and full of Ice, Eskimaux Indians came aboard but had no Trade: Proceeding further North, we doubled another Head-Land, and called it Cape Hope; and sailing further to N. Lat. 67 d. E. from Churchill Fort 12 d. 20 m; from the Mountains we see a narrow dangerous Strait frozen over, and no Probability of its being clear this Year, deep Water, no Anchorage; being afraid of f••eez|ing up, we returned to N. Lat. 64 d, here were many Whale-Bone Whales; we examined all along to N. L••t. 6•• d, Tide from the Eastward: August 15 we bore away for England, and Sept. 1••, we arrived at Kerston in the ••••kneys.

I shall by Way of Amusement mention the Arguments

used both Sides of the Question, in Favour of, and in Pre|judice against a N. W. Passage to China.

In Favour of a N. W. Passage. 1. The Whales found in Plenty on the West Side of Hudson's Bay, as there is no Mention of Whales in Hudson's Straits, they do not come that Way; they cannot come from Davis Straits by the frozen Straits of Midleton, because of a wide and large Field of Ice; Whales cannot pass under a large Tract of Ice, they cannot live without blowing at Times in the open Air; therefore these Whales must come from the Western orPacifick Ocean, by some Straits or Thorough-Fare in Hudson's Bay: It is more probable that the great Whales in Davis Straits, when the Sea there begins to be froze up, pass into the Ocean, or deeper Water, because warmer; Thus the Cod-Fish upon the Coast of New-England in very cold Winters, retire into deep Water: Mr. Dobbs affirms that Midleton see no Whales near Cape Hope or the frozen Straits; he judges the frozen Straits to be only a Chimaera; therefore the Whales in Button's Bay must come from the Westward. 2. Wager River, where was Midleton's principal Enquiry, in N. Lat. 65 d. 24 m. W. Long. 88 d. 37 m; from 7 Miles wide at its Entrance, further up increased to 8 Leagues wide, and from 14 to 80 Fathom Water, and Whales were seen 20 Miles up the Ri|ver. Dobbs conjectures that these Whales came from the Western Ocean, by some Strait or Passage South of Wager River from N. Lat. 65 d. to 62 d; here it is where the Eskimaux Indians follow Whaling, and traded with Capt. S••rogs Anno 1722. 3. Midleton from some undue Influ|ence, did not well inspect the Coast, where the greatest Probability was of a Passage, designedly he kept too great an Offing; and descry'd pretended Land and Mountains in the Clouds; concluding there were no Thorough-Fares, he did not send his Boats ashore to try for Inlets. Fox, Anno 1632 sailing upon this Coast, see much broken Land and Islands, and Plenty of Whales end of Iuly. 4. Midleton's Officers said that the Tide was three Hours sooner at the Mouth of Wager River than at Cape Frigid;

therefore the Tide did not come from the frozen Straits and Baffins Bay Eastward, but from some Straits West|ward; the same malecontent Officers assured Mr. Dobbs, that the higher up Wager River, the Water became the salter, and the Flood was from W. S. W. Midleton says the Tide came from North-Easterly.

To evince the Impracticableness of a N. W. Passage. 1. The French very inquisitive and mindful of their Inter|est, seem to give up any Prospect of this Passage, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 by the Treaty of Utrecht they readily renounced for ever to Great-Britain, the sole and exclusive Benefit of a N. W Passage to China from Hudson's Bay or Davis Straits when discovered. 2. The Whales on the WestSide of Hudson's Bay, by the frozen Straits, came from Davis Straits where they are plenty. 3. Midleton says (we cannot answer for his Vouchers) that Indian Travellers have gone by Land from Churchill River, as high as the Aretick Circle, but met with no Thorough-Fares; his Northern Indians which he took on Board, in Churchill River were chiefly designed to shew him theCopper-Mines. 4. The further upWager Ri|ver, the Tides rise less; the Water from salt becomes break|ish, and the higher the more fresh. 5. Midleton writes, that from his own Experience, there is no Thorough-Fare from Churchill River in N. Lat. 59 d. to N. Lat. 67 d; and further North, if there be any Straits or Thorough-Fare, it cannot be clear of Ice (if ever clear) above a Week or two in the Year, and therefore impracticable: From the River Wager to N. Lat. 62 d, he stood into every Bay and ••••arched the Coast narrowly. 6. As the Winds there are ••enerally from the N. W. and excessively cold, there must ••e a long continued or connected Tract of Land West|ward, covered with perpetual Snow and Ice and therefore impracticable. Moreover, if there is any such Strait, it is narrow and long; the Adventurers would run a certain Risk of being froze up and of perishing.

SECT. VI. Concerning the Island of Newfoundland, and its Cod-Fishery.

THIS is a Fishery of longer standing, than are any of our Colony or Plantation Settlements; it is noColony, it is not confined to any Patent or exclusive Company, but is an open general British Cod-Fishery, consisting of many Lodges, or commodious Harbours for curing of Cod-Fish, for the Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian Markets.

* 1.7 Our Claims of Discovery, not Occupancy, run so high as the Times of the Cabots coasting along the Eastern

Shore of North-America upon a N. W. Discovery, and their taking Possession for the Crown of England, from Place to Place; they settled no Fishery there, but gave it the Name Anno 1507 of Terra de Baccaleos with good Propriety; that is, Cod-Fish Land: The French called it Terre Neuve, we retain their Name and call it New|foundland

Secretary Walsingham Anno 1583 (about this Time all the trading Nations of Europe were intense upon a N W. Passage to China and the East-Indies) being informed of a Westerly Opening North of North-Virginia (the present Nova-Scotia) sent out Sir Humphrey Gilbert, a Gentleman of Estate upon the Discovery; this Gentleman sail'd up the Gulph and some Part of the River St. Laurence; and in Form, took Possession of Newfoundland and Canada for the Crown of England; he settled a Fishery at Newfound|land, but being cast away upon his Return to England, the Fishery was soon relinquish'd; but prosecuted by the French, Spaniards and Portuguese.

Anno 1608 this Fishery was again undertaken by Iohn Gu••y of Bristol Merchant; several English Men, Wo|men, and Children winter'd there, Anno 1613.

Anno 1610 King Iames gave to the Earl of Southamp|ton Lord Keeper, and others, a Grant from Bonavista to Cape St. Mary W. of Cape Raze; some Families were sent over; it did not answer, they returned to England.

Anno 1620 or 1623 Sir George Calvert principal Secre|tary of State, afterwards Lord Baltimore, obtain'd a Pa|t••••t for some Part of Newfoundland, from the Bay of Bulls to Cape St. Marys; he s••ttled a Fort and Plantation at Fairyland; but in the Time of the Troubles in the ci|vil War of England, it was discontinued, and was outed

by Sir David Kirk. A. 1654. having retained some Claim until that Time, Lord Baltimore a zealous Roman Catho|lick came abroad (as the first Settlers of New-England did in their Religion Way) to enjoy the free Exercise of his Religion in Quiet: from Newfoundland he removed to Virginia, but the Virginians being as zealous for the Church of England Way, as he was for the Church of Rome Way, he became uneasy, and went further up the Bay of C••esa|peak above the Virginian Settlements; and afterwards ob|tained a most beneficial Patent of those Lands now called Maryland, which the Family enjoy to this Day; at present this Family is Christian Protestant.

The French made a Settlement at Placentia in the South Part of the Island where the Cod-Fish first set in yearly; this was relinquished to Great Britain by the Treaty of Utrecht A. 1713, and by Way of Equivalent, the French had given to them, the Islands of Cape Breton, and all the other Islands in the Gulph of St. Laurence, and Liberty to catch and cure Fish in the northern Harbours of Newfound|land: the French pretend, that they have had a constant Fishery at Newfoundland ever since it was taken Possession of, for Francis I. King of France, by Verazano a Floren|tine. In Cromwel's Time Sir David Kirk's Family resided some Years in Newfoundland, he invaded Canada several Times, and had a Grant of Lands North of St. Laurence River, called Canada: but King Charles II. always more in the French Interest (Kings may be bought to betray their own Countries Interest) than in that of Great Bri|tain, Quit claim'd Canada, as also Placentia, St. Peters &c. of Newfoundland in the Gulph of St. Laurence, to the French.

The English have been for a long Time in the Use of this Fishery, A. 1545 there was an Act of the English Par|liament, for Encouragement to the English Merchants trading to Newfoundland: the first Family Settl••ments with Continuance seems to have been A. 1610, at present there are nine or ten Settlements called Harbours, not Towns, where they cure and ship off their dry Cod Fish••

at this Writing A. 1748 there are about 4000 People winter there: they fish and cure Fish from May to Octo|ber, the Fishery is generally off the Mouths of their Har|bours, they do not fish much upon the Banks.

M. Bellin says, that from good Observations Cape Raze, its Southernmost Point lies in N. Lat. 46. d. 50 m; its Northernmost Land in the Straits of Belle Isle, lies in N. Lat. 51 d. 30 m: its greatest Breadth (the Island resembles an Isosceles Triangle) or Base is from Cape Raze to Cape Raye about 80 Leagues. From the Nothern Part of Cape Breton Island or St. Paul are 15 Leagues to Cape Raze or rather Cape Sud the Entrance of the Gulph of St. Laurence: the North Cape of Breton Island lies in N. Lat. 47 d. 5 m.

The great Bank of Newfoundland lies from N. Lat. 41 d. to 49 d. and 90 Leagues from E. to W; Distance from Cape Raze about 35 Leagues.

As to the Regulations, Discipline or Oeconomy of Newfoundland. Differences amongst the Fishermen of the several Harbours, are at first Instance determined by the Admirals so called, being the first Ship Masters who arrive for the Season in the respective Harbours; from this Judgment, Appeal lies to the Commodore of the King's station'd Ships, who determines in Equity. Felonies in Newfoundland are not triable there, but in any County of Great Britain. Newfoundland having no Legislative Assembly or Representative of the Debtors of the Country, their Currency is not perverted but continues at a sterling Value. At present the Commodore of the King's Ships stationed fo•• the Protection of the Fishery of Newfoundland, is Governour of Newfoundland, during his Continuance there, by the Title of Governour and Com|modore in Chief of Newfoundland, and of the Forts and Garrisons there; there are also Lieutenant Governours of the Forts of Placentia and St. Iohns at 10 s. Sterl. per Day. As we hinted, the Master of the Vessel who first arrives in the several Harbours, is called, Admiral of that Harbour, and acts as a Magistrate, and is called Lord of the Harbour

* 1.8 The annual Quantity of Cod-Fish shipt off by British Subjects from Newfoundland is various from 100,000 Quin|tals to 300,000 Quintals; generally they make double the Quantity in Proportion to what is made in New-England.

Capt. Smith, a Man of Credit, writes A. 1623, that there fished upon the Coast of Newfoundland yearly about 250 Sail of English Vessels, at a Medium of 60 Tuns, and re|turned the Value of £ 135,000 Sterling annually: their Method of sharing at that Time, was one Third to the Owners, one Third for victualling, and one Third to the Ship's Company.

The Commodore of the King's Ships at Newfoundland, when the Fishing Season is over, receives from each Har|bour a Report in distinct Columns. I shall Instance the Year 1701, being in Time of Peace, a medium Year, and the Accounts the most distinct.

The State of Newfoundland Anno 1701.

Number of Ships, Fishers,	75
Sacks or Purchasers	46
Burthen of said Ships	7,991 Tuns
Number of Men belonging to said Ships
Number of Fishing ••hips Boats	338
Number of Inhabitants Boats	558
Number of By Boats	97
Quantity of Fish made by Ships	79,820 Quint.
Quantity of Fish made by Inhabitants	136,500 Quint.
Q. of Train or Liver Oil made by Ships	1,264 Hhds.
Train or Liver Oil made by Inhabitants	2,534 Hhds.
Number of Stages	544
Number of Men	461
Number of Women	166
Number of Children	256
Number of Servants	2,698

Anno 1716 exported to Spain, Portugal and Italy 106,-952 Quintals.

The Fish shipt off from the several Harbours, I shall instance a Year of small Fishery.

Anno 1724 were shipt off

From the Harbours	No. Vessels	Quantity of Fish
St. Peters and Placentia	2	3,500 Quint.
Trepas••ay	3	3,700
Formoos••	2	3,300
Renuse	1	1,200
St. Iohns	20	37,000
Conception Bay	4	11,000
Trinity	5	11,200
Bona Vista	1	4,000
Fairyland	17	29,000
Bay of Bulls	4	7,200
	59	111,100

Anno 1732 were shipt off from Newfoundland about 200,000 Quintals, last Year being A. 1747. were export|ed somewhat more.

In Newfoundland they reckon, when well ••isht, 200 Quintals to the Inhabitants Boat or Shallop, and 500 Quintals to a Banker.

The Liberty allow'd by the Treaty of Utrecht to the French, for fishing and curing of Fish in the Northern Parts of Newfoundland, abridges us of an exclusive Navi|gation; such as the French fully enjoy, by an Edict A. 1727 (by Virtue of the 5th and 6th Articles of Peace and Neutrality in America concluded November. 6. A. 1686) it is peremp••o••ily declared, that all English Ves|s••ls sailing within a League of the Shores of any French Island, shall be seized and confiscated, without any other Proof of Trade. St. Malo and Granville are the princi|pal French Cod-Fishery in North America; there are some from St. Iean de Luz, Bayone, and N••••les; before Cape Breton lately ••ell into the Possession of Great Britain, the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Bank••rs wh••n long out, went to water and refr••sh at 〈…〉〈…〉.

Four to five thousand Newfoundland fresh Cod Fish are reckoned to make one hundred Quintals of well cured dry Cod or 3 Quintals wet Fish make 1 dry. The ••••vers from 100 Quintals dry Cod, afford about one Hogshead or 60 Gallons of Liver Oil. After the Fish are headed, boned, split, and salted, the Shoremen deliver one half the Weight, the overplus goes for their Labour.

The Cod-Fish annually appear first at St. Peters and Pla|centia in May, and thence proceed Northward along Shore to St. Iohns, Trinity &c, and in Autumn are fisht by the French in the North parts of Newfoundland. Cod follow the bait Fish, as they appear near the Shore successively during the fishing Season; first are the Caplin, next come the Squid, the Herrings take their Course in Autumn, at other Times a Muscle is their Bait.

Their Fish Ships are distinguished into, Fishing-Ships which by their own Boats and Men catch and cure their Fish-Cargoes, and Sack-Ships which purchase their Fish from the Inhabitants.

The Soil is Rocks and Mountains * 1.9 inhospitable; their Trees are Pine, Fir called Spruce, * 1.10 and Birch; Strawberries and Raspberries here are good and plenty. In Newfoundland there are no Land-Estates; but many of their Salmon Streams or Falls belong to Patentees. In the Winter, they make Seal-Oil, and save their Skins. The great Islands of Ice which appear upon or near the Banks of Newfoundland, come from Davis Straits.

Goods imported to Newfoundland and consumed there, are only Salt, Bread, Flower, Rum, and Molasses; paya|ble either in Fish as the Price shall break, which is gene|rally 〈◊〉〈◊〉 10 s. St. per Quintal, or in Bills of Exchange upon Great Britain; these Bills of Exchange are from the Sack Ships who purchase their Fish or Cargo from the Inha|bitants by Bills: Bills purchase these Goods cheaper,

than the Fish Truck, because the Fishermen impose any Fish in Pay.

The several Bickerings that have happened in New|foundland between the British and French, cannot be re|hearsed minutely in a Summary; we shall only mention a few. Anno 1704, August 18, about 140 French and Indians, in two Sloops from Placentia, land in Bonavist•• Harbour, and burnt four Vessels. Anno 1705 in the Winter, M. Subercasse Governor of Placentia, afterwards Governor of Nova Scotia, with 550 Soldiers and Inhabi|tants of Placentia, and from Canada with some Indians, ransack all the Southern Settlements in a few Days, car|ried away 140 Prisoners; laid Consumption-Bay, Trinity, and Bonaviste under Contributions, having burnt their Stages and Craft; they besieged the Fort of St. Iohns (Capt. Moody and 40 Soldiers in Garrison) 5 Weeks in vain; St. Iohns is the principal British Fishery Settlement in Newfoundland; Anno 1710 the Garrison of St. Iohns was reinforced by two Companies of Marines.

Placentia was quit-claim'd by France to Great-Britain, and Anno 1714 June 1st Col. Moody being appointed Lieutenant Governor of Placentia, received Possession from M. Castabella who succeeded M. Subercasse as Governor of Placentia Anno 1706, when Subercasse was removed to the Government of L' Accadie or Nova-Sco|tia; this Castabella was made Governor of Cape-Breton Islands and continued in that Government many Years. Anno 1719 Col. Gladhill was appointed Lt. Governor of Placentia in Place of Col. Moody. This present Anno 1748 Lt. Governor of Placentia is Major Hamilton; and Lt. Governor of St. Iohns is Capt. Bradstreet.

The following Accounts of Fisheries fall in naturally with this Section, and carries along with it some Account of the New England Fishery.

A DIGRESSION concerning Fisheries.

The principal and extensive Branches of Fishery in Com|merce, are 1. Whaling, which is in common to all maritime Nations, but followed to best Advantage by the Dutch, it is

called the great Fishery, as Herring, and Cod fishing are called the small Fisheries. 2. Herrings, of these the Dutch also make the most Gain, although the only herring Fishery, known to us, of Quantity and Quality, sufficient and pro|per for the Markets, is confined to the British Seas which is a Mare Clausum, and in all Respects is the British peculiar Property, excepting that it is a natural Thorough-Fare or high Way to all Nations in their outward bound and in|ward bound Voyages; and Great Britain, with greater Propriety, may be called Herrings Island, than Newfound|land called Terra de Baccaleos: The Dutch in the Reign of Charles I. agreed to pay annually to Great Britain, £ ••0,000 Sterling for Licence or Liberty of fishing for Herrings upon the Coasts of Great-Britain, they paid only for one Year 1636 and no more 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Cromwel in his Decla|ration of War against the Dutch, made a Demand of the Arrears of this licence Money (at the same Time he insi|sted upon Satisfaction for the Amboyna Affair) but the principal Differences which occasioned the War being soon accommodated, these Demands were dropt. 3. Cod-Fish. The European North Sea Cod, the Cod from the Banks of Holland and Coast of Ireland are much superiour in Quality to the American Cod; but in no Degree ade|quate to the Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian Markets: the Cod Fishery to supply Markets, is peculiar to New|foundland, Nova Scotia, and New England: If Great Britain, pending this French War, continue with Success to reduce the French Trade and Colonies, we may give the Law; and have Newfoundland, the Islands in the Gulph of St. Laurence, Nova Scotia and New-England, confirmed to us in Perpetuity; with an exclusive Trade and Navigation upon the Coasts thereof to the Extent Seaward of — Leagues; thus we shall have the Monopoly of the Cod-Fishery; at a low Estate, we can afford at a Medium 300,000 Quintals per Annum, whereof Bilboa the dry Cod-Fishery Barcadier takes off from 70,000 to 80,000 Quintals per An. to supply Madrid, and some other inland Countries of Spain

To render these Accounts distinct, I shall reduce them to five Heads. 1. The Whale-Fishery. 2. Herring-Fishery. 3. Cod-Fishery. 4. The smaller Fisheries ex|portable but of no great Account. And, 5. Some Fish not exportable or merchantable, but of great Benefit in present spending especially for the Poor.

1. WHALES. See a Digression concerning Whaling, P. 56. we shall further add the following Remarks; Whales, that is the true or Bone Whales go South|ward (they are Passengers according to the Seasons) towards Winter, and return Northward in the Spring. Formerly in New-England Cape-Cod embay'd them, but being much disturbed (they seem to have some Degree of Reason) they keep a good Offing. The smaller Whales, viz. Sperma Ceti, Fin-Backs, Hump-Backs, &c. which ne|ver go far to the Northward, but stroll considerably South|ward, are apt to strand upon the Shoals of North-Carolina and Bahama Banks: They become Drift Whales, and some afford drift Sperma-Ceti. In their Passages North and South, having kept an Offing to the Banks, tho' they were incommoded by the Whale-Fishers; at present in their Passages they keep deep Water; and upon a Peace the Whalers are to fish for them in deep Water.

New-England Whaling at present is by Whaling Sloops or Schooners with two Whale-Boats and 13 Men; each Boat has an Harpooner, a Steersman, and four Rowers: The Whale-Boats do not use Thaughts but Nooses for their Oars, upon Account of Expedition; because only by letting go their Oars, without loosing of them, they keep expeditiously long Side of the Whale. The best Place of striking a Whale is in her Belly, about one Third from her Gills; the Fast is a Rope of about 25 Fathom; then a Drudge or Stop-Water, a Plank of about 2 Feet square, with a Stick through its Center; to the further End of this Stick, is fastned a Tow-Rope, called the Drudge Rope of about 15 Fathom; they lance, after ha|ving fast••ed her by the Harpoon, till dead.

The New England Whalers reckon so many Ct. Wt. Bone, as Bone is Feet long: For Instance, 7 Foot Bone gives 700 Wt. Bone: New-England Bone scarce ever e••ceeds 9 Feet; and 100 Barrels Oil is supposed to yield 1000 Wt. of Bone Whales kill'd in deep Water, if they sink, never rise again.

Sperma Ceti Whales do not go far North; they are gregarious, or in Sholes; they go Southward to the Ba|hama Islands in October, and return in the Spring: Most of the Bermudas Whales are Finbacks, 20 to 30 pr. An. caught.

A Whale stranded back of Cape-Cod, yielded 134 Bar|rels Oil, and — Wt. of Bone; this Whale was so fat, that, some poor People tried the muscular Flesh, and made 30 Barrels more Oil. In New-England Whaling, they go upon Shares, one Quarter to the Vessel or Own|ers, the rest to the Company, finding themselves victual|ing and whaling Geer. The Whalers in deep Water, or at a considerable Distance from Nantucket, fit out in the Beginning and Middle of March. Third Week of Iuly Anno 1738 arrived our Whalers from Davis Straits. The New-England True Whale, is the same with the Eu|ropean North-Cape Whales, are not easily kill'd, being a|gile and very wild; the Dutch do not fish them. Sperma Ceti Whales do not go far North, they pass by New-England in October, and return in the Spring. Grampus's, Bottle-noses, and the other small Cetaceous Kind are called Black Fish.

It is not easily to be accounted for, that Whales do not in Course of Years become scarcer; considering the con|tinued great Slaughter of them by the Whaling Nation••, they bring only one Calf at a Time after many Month•• Gestation, whereas other Fish spawn Multitudes.

Fish-Oil is, 1. That from the True or Whale-Bone Whale, and the other large Whales. 2. Vitious Oil from the Sperma Ceti Whales. 3. Black Fish Oil from Grampus's▪ Bottle-noses, Porpus's, &c. of the small Cetaceous Kind. 4. Liver-Oil from the Livers of sundry Fishes, especially

of Cod-Fish. 5. That from the Blubber or Penicula adiposa of Seals and Sea-Cows. There are two Sorts of Seals, one Sort has its Skin dappled or in small Spots, the other Sort called the Ice-Seal, hath a large black Patch, runs slow, and is kill'd by a small Blow on the Head; 500 have been killed in a Harbour at Newfoundland in a Morning; the Skins and Blubber is their mercantile Produce. The Sea-Cow or Morse is plenty upon the Coasts of Nova-Scotia and the Gulph of St. Laurence, particularly at the Island of St. Iohns; it is of the Bigness of a midling Cow (it is not the same with the Manatee of the Gulph of Mexico) a very thick Skin with Hair like that of a Seal.

In cold Winters the Whales, as do other Fish, keep in deep Water. The New-England People whale with a Drudge or Stop-Water, not with long Ropes or Warps as the Hollanders. Upon the Coast of New-England, Whales go Northward from the Middle of March to the Middle of May. About 30 Years ago, Communibus An|nis were exported from New-England about 5,000 Bar|rels of Fish-Oil, at this Writing Anno 1748, about 10,000 Barrels, notwithstanding the Whales keeping a greater Offing.

2. HERRINGS. In this Tribe of Fishes there are many Species or distinct Kinds, viz. The Shadd, the true Her|ring, the Alewife, the Sardinia, the Anchovie, &c. In this Article, I write only of the true or merchantable Herring; in good Quality and large Quantities, they seem peculiar to the Coasts of the British Islands, and I shall in the first Place mention these as a Standard.

Upon the Coasts of Great-Britain, Herrings make their first Appearance Northward (at the Western Islands of Scotland they appear in the Spring) as it is commonly said, at the * 1.11 Shetland Islands in N. Lat. 61 d, beginning

of Iune; by Custom the Hollanders do not begin to fish until * 1.12 Iune 24th, and return to Holland in August and September: 2000 Busses (a Pink-sterned Catch of about 40 to 50 Tun) have at one Time fished in Brassa Sound; about Midsummer Herrings are in the greatest Perfection. It is said, they come from the Northern deep Waters (we hear of no Herrings about Iseland under the Northern Polar Circle; a Cod-Fishery has been attempted there, but turns to no good Account) in a large Body or Shole, and meeting with the Islands of Great-Britain this Shole is split; one Part or Wing takes along the Eastern Shore, and make in successively into all the Friths of Scotland, more especially in August to the Frith of Forth at Dunbar and Fife Side; their next great Appearance is at Yarmouth Roads upon the Coast of England, where the Dutch pre|sume again to fish for them; thence to the Mouth of the River Thames, and thence to the Southern and Western Parts of England; at Ilfracombe, N. Lat. 51 d. 10 m. within the Mouth of the Severn River about two Leagues to Sea, they fish Herrings from Michaelmas to Christmas, and make 10,000 to 12,000 Barrels pr An. In the Au|tumn the Herrings spawn, become lank or lean, and are only fit for being cured by smoaking called Red Herrings; it is imagined that soon after spawning they disappear in deep Water South of the British Islands: The Western Shole or Wing of this great Body, pass amongst the

Lewis's or * 1.13 Scots Western Islands, thence this Part of Body of Herrings subdivides when they meet with Ireland, one Column proceeds to the Western Coast of Ireland, the other Column, pass along St. Georges or the Irish Channel to the Mouth of the Severn.

It seems more reasonable to think, that these Herrings are constant Retainers to the Islands of Great-Britain, some Times disappearing in deep Water, and at other Times appearing in Shole-Water, according to their various feed|ing and spawning Grounds; so as annually to make the Circuit of these Islands; and as is the Manner of all Pas|senger Fish, go Northward towards Summer, and South|ward towards Winter or cold Weather, and in very cold Weather take to deep or warmer Water. And in Fact or Observation we find the Herrings appear amongst the Western Islands of Scotland in Spring, they are at Shetland and the North Parts of Scotland in Summer, they are a|long the East and South Coasts of Great Britain in Au|tumn, and in St. Georges Channel in Winter.

The British Herrings spawn in August and September: When they spawn, the Fishermen call it fouling of the Water; it is said they go by Pairs to the Bottom, and rub their Bellies in the Mud and Sand until their * 1.14 Milts and Rows are discharged; soon after this the Herring-Fishery is supposed to be over, and that the Herrings take to Sea or deep Water.

Dantzick is the principal Market for the Scots and Dutch white or pickled Herrings, next are Hamburg and Stockholm; the Dutch re-pickle their Herrings in Holland.

The Herrings of Newfoundland, Nova-Scotia and New-England, are either of a different Species, or of a bad Quality, and if in curing their Quality could be remedied, they are not of a sufficient Quantity to supply the Her|ring Markets: They are caught in Seans or Mashes,

they have been pickled and barrelled for the Negroes in the West-India Islands, but turned out not merchantable, and that Branch of Fishery was dropt. In Newfoundland they come in by Autumn, being their last bait Fish. In New-England notwithstanding of their being a periodical Fish, their Periods are uncertain; at present they are not so plenty as formerly, and generally set in to spawn to|wards the End of Winter.

Periodical Sholes or Passengers of North Sea Fish upon the Eastern Shore of North-America, are not found South of 41 d. N. Lat. some stragling Cod and Salmon are some Times caught to the South of Nan••ucket or this Latitude, but do not answer the curing.

3. COD-FISHERY. The Scots or North Sea dry Cod, and the New-England Winter dry Cod, are of the prime Quality; they will bear watering; Summer Fish of New-England when watered, breaks. Large Winter Cod dry Fish, is the best for Bilboa Market, it retains its Mel|lowness and will bear Land-Carriage to Madrid, smaller Fish will answer in other Markets; in Great-Britain and Ireland, they are not reckoned merchantable if under 18 Inches in Length, from the first Fin to the setting on of the Tail, and are allowed no Salt Debenture or Bounty. August and September are the best Times for selling a Fish Cargo in the Roman Catholick Countries, their Lent Stock by that Time is expended.

The New-England Fishery have their Salt, from Sal|tortugas, Cape de Verde Islands, Turks Islands or Bahamas, Lisbon, and Bay of Biscay. The Fishermen victual with salt Pork only, Biscuit, and Rum. All Cod-Fish caught from the Beginning of Iune to the Beginning of October are called Summer Fish, the others are called Spring and Fall Fish or Winter Fish, and are of the bet|ter Quality. The Salt Fleet from Tortugas generally ar|rives in New-England about the Middle of April.

New-England dry Cod-Fish, is more Salt burnt than those of Newfoundland, because in New-England they ge|nerally

use Salt from Tortugas and the Isle of May, which is too fiery; at Newfoundland they make Use of Salt from Lisbon and the Bay of Biscay, of a milder Qua|lity: In Newfoundland they work their Fish Belly down, in New-England they work them Belly up, to receive more Salt, and add to their Weight. No Sun-burnt, Salt-burnt, or that have been a considerable Time pickled be|fore dried, are to be deem'd merchantable Fish.

Marblehead in New-England ships off more dry'd Cod, than all the rest of New-England besides; Anno 1732 a good Fish Year, and in profound Peace, Marblehead had about 120 Schooners of about 50 Tuns Burthen, 7 Men aboard, and one Man ashore to make the Fish, is about 1000 Men employed from that Town, besides the Sea|men who carry the Fish to Market; if they had all been well fish'd, that is 200 Quintals to a Fare, would have made 120,000 Quintals; at present Anno 1747 they have not exceeding 70 Schooners, and make 5 Fares yearly; first is to Isle of Sable, the Cod-Fish set in there early in the Spring, and this Fare is full of Spawn; for|merly they fitted out in February, but by storm•• Wea|ther having lost some Vessels, and many Anchors, Cables and other Gear, they do not fit out until March; their se|cond Fare is in May to Brown's Bank, and the other Banks near the Cape-Sable Coast, these are also called Spring-Fish; their third and fourth Fares are to St. Georges Bank, called Summer Fish; their fifth and last Fare is in Autumn to Isle of Sables, these are called Winter Fish. New-England Cod is generally cured or dry'd upon Hur|dles or Brush. Anno 1721 were cured at Canso of Nova-Scotia 20,000 Quintals of Cod-Fish; but, as it is said, the Officers of that Garrison used the Fishermen ill, and no Fishery has been kept there for many Years. At pre|sent Anno 1747, there is cured in all Places of British North America about 300,000 Quintals dry merchantable Cod.

There are several other Particulars relating to the Cod-Fishery interspersed in the former Sheets, which we shall

not repeat, left we should deviate from the Character of a Summary. We shall observe, that the French have been too much conniv'd at in carrying on a considerable Cod-Fishery near the Mouth of the River St. Laurence a•• Gaspee contrary to Treaty, because it lies in Nova-Scotia. Continued Westerly or dry Winds are not requisite in curing dry Cod, because they must be sweated in Piles by some damp Easterly Weather. Winter Fish ought not to be shipt off 'till May; for although the preceed|ing Frosts makes them look fair and firm, if ship'd off too soon, the subsequent Heat of the Hold, makes them sweat and putrify. The Stock Fish of Norway and Ise|land, are Cod cured without Salt, by hanging in the Frosts of Winter upon Sticks, called Stocks in Dutch.

4. SMALLER FISHERIES used in Commerce; we shall mention a few.

Scale Fish so called, viz. Haddock, Hake, and Polluc, which in New-England are cured in the same Manner as dry Cod; those together with the dry Cod that is not fit for European Markets, are ship'd off to the West-India Islands, towards feeding of the Negro Slaves, and make a considerable Article in our Trade to the Sugar-Islands.

Mackrel, split, salted and barrel'd for the Negroes in the Sugar Islands, are caught either by Hook, Seans, or Mashes; those by Hook are the best, those by Seans are worst, because in Bulk they are bruised; Mackrel will not take the Hook, unless it have a Motion of two or three Knots, if quicker they will take the Hook, but their Jaw being tender gives Way and the Mackrel is lost. There are two Seasons of Mackrel, Spring and Autumn, the Autumn Mackrel are the best; those of the Spring appear about Middle of May, very lean, and vanish in two or three Weeks.

Sturgeon very plenty; some are 12 Feet long, and weigh 400 Wt. formerly a Merchant of Boston, contract|ed with some Fishmongers in London, Anno 1721 he sent 1500 Cags of 40 to 50 wt. (the Contract was for 5000

Cags per An.) the Fish were good but too salt or ill-cured; this Fishery did not answer, and it was dropt. London is supplied with Sturgeon from Dantzick, Ham|burg and Pilau.

Salmon are plenty in all the British North-America Ri|vers from Newfoundland to about N. Lat. 41 d. they set in to Massachusetts-Bay about the Middle of April, they do not chuse warm Weather, therefore do not continue there long after having spawn'd; further North they con|tinue many Months. This Salmon is not of a good Qua|lity, and is not so good for a Market, as the Salmon of Great-Britain and Ireland.

Alewives by some of the Country People called Her|rings; they are of the * 1.15 Herring Tribe, but somewhat larger than the true Herring, they are a very mean, dry, and insipid Fish; some of them are cured in the Manner of white Herrings, and sent to the Sugar-Islands for the Slaves, but because of their bad Quality they are not in Request: In some Places they are used to manure Land, they are very plenty, and come up the Rivers and Brooks into Ponds in the Spring, having spawn'd they return to Sea, they never take the Hook.

5. FOR SPENDING FRESH. Besides the above menti|oned Fish, which are also eat when fresh, there are many Sorts which are not cured and ship'd off. In New-Eng|land they are generally well known, and are much the same as in Britain: We shall refer them to the Sections of New-England.

Many Fish go up the Rivers, and into Ponds, earlier or later in the Spring to spawn, viz, Salmon, Shad, Ale|wives, Tom-Cod, Smelts, &c; and many good Laws have been made in New-England, to prevent their Passages from being stopt by Wares &c. as they are of gre•••• Benefi•• to the Inhabitants near these Rivers and Ponds.

SECT. VII. Concerning Nova-Scotia, or L'Accadie.

THIS Country was called Nova-Scotia by Sir William Alexander, Se••retary of State for Scotland; by Means of Sir Ferdinando Gorge, President of the New-England or Plymouth Company, he obtain'd a Royal Grant, Sept. 10. Anno 1621; he was afterwards created Lord Alexan|der, Viscount of Canada, and Earl of Stirling Anno 1633. The French call it L'Accadie, an Abreviation or Corrup|tion of Arcadia in the Morea of Greece, a Northern hilly Country of the Peloponesus: Hitherto, it cannot be called a Colony; it is only an impotent British Garrison in an ill-regulated French Settlement: The French Settlers and the British Garrison Officers (with much Impropri|ety) call the Inhabitants Neutrals, though under the Protection and in Allegiance to the Crown of Great-Bri|tain; there are no British Settlers to compose an Assem|bly or Legislature for making of Laws and raising of Taxes.

The French had early Settlements in L'Accadie or Nova Scotia; Capt. Argol from Virginia Anno 1613 visited Port-Royal and St. Croix and brought away two French Vessels. M. Biencourt was at that Time Governor of Port Royal: Argol broke up some French Settlements in Sagadahock and L'Accadie called Part of New France, or Terra Cana|densis; at present the Country North of St. Laurence Ri|ver, only, retains this Name: This Expedition of Argol's made Way for Sir William Alexander's Patent. Sir Wil|liam admitted some Associates, Anno 1623 they sent over a Ship with some Settlers, but they all returned to Eng|land the same Year, and the French proceeded in their Set|tlements. K. Charles I, Anno 1625 upon his Marriage with Henrietta Maria, a Daughter of France, quit-claim'd Nova Scotia to the French.

There have been many Revolutions in the Property and Dominion of Nova Scotia.

1. Anno 1627 and Anno 1628, Sir David Kirk and As|sociates, upon a private Adventure, but by Commission from the King or Crown of England, conquered the French Settlements in Canada and Nova Scotia; and Patents were obtain'd from the Court of England, by which the Lands called Canada, North of the River St. Laurence were grant|ed to Sir David Kirk, and the Lands called Nova Scotia South of said River were confirmed to Sir William Alexander.

2. Sir William sold the Property to M. Claude de la Tour D'Aunay a French Protestant, and Anno 1632 March 29, by Treaty King Charles quit claim'd it to France.

3. Cromwel sent Col. Sedgwick, he reduced it Anno 1654, and it was confirmed to England by Treaty in the Year following; M. St. Estienne, Son and Heir of the above Claude de la Tour, came to England, made out his Claim, and had the Property surrendred to him; this La Tour sold the Property to Sir Thomas Temple, who was Governor and in Possession of the Property until Anno 1662, it was then delivered up to the French by K. Charles II. (that Race ought to be called Sons of France, not Sons of Great-Britain) who agreed with the Temples for a Sum of 10,000 £. St. to be paid them (but it never was satisfied) upon Account of their Right.

Menival was appointed Governor, and built a small stockaded Fort, called Port Royal, upon a Bason, 9 Miles from the Bay of Fundi; Nova Scotia was confirmed to the French by the Breda Treaty Anno 1667, in the Man|ner of a Quit Claim. La Tour a French Protestant, upon his returning to the Roman Catholick Way of Worship, had it confirmed (as to Property) to him by the Court of France. La Tour in the various Vicissitudes, was Protes|tant when the Country was under the Dominion of Eng|land, and Roman Catholick when it was subject to the King of France. La Tour built a Fort at St. Iohns River; M. Donnee the French Governor of L'Accadie, deem'd it irregular, and inconsistent with the Royal Prerogative; while La Tour was in France, he reduced it, and inhu|manely

destroy'd La Tour's Wife and Family. La Tour became poor, borrowed a large Sum of Money of M. Belle Isle, a rich Merchant and Trader to North America, and assigned over to him one half of the Province, or Seigneurie.

4. The French of L'Accadie being troublesome Neigh|bours, New England ••itted ou•• an Expedition of 700 Men under Col. Phipps, at their own Charge An. 1690 (Meni|val Governor, the Fort ill fortified, and ill provided) they demolished the Fort; the French took the Oaths of Al|legiance and Fidelity to the Crown of England, but soon revolted in Conformity to Roman Catholick and Frenc•• Faith, and continued their Settlements; and by the Treaty of Reswick An. 1697, Great-Britain quit-claim'd it to France. N. B. The New-England Expedition sail'd from Boston (Nantasket is in Boston Harbour) 28th April, came before Port Royal 11th May, in 2 or 3 Days Meni|nal surrendred, and the French Garrison was shipt off.

Anno 1704 Major Church with 550 Voluntiers visited Penobscut, Passamaquady, and Les Mines; they brought off about 100 Prisoners; in Iuly they attempted Port-Royal, but in vain.

Capt. Rowse of Charlestown Anno 1706, as a Flag of Truce was sent to Annapolis to exchange or redeem Pri|soners; he with some of his Owners and Associates in Boston, were under Suspicion of secret Contracts,* 1.16 to sup|ply the French Enemy, Indictments were laid against them for high Misdemeanors; they were fined, but their Fine remitted: One Trip they brought Home 17 Prisoners, next Trip only 7 Prisoners.

Anno 1707, 8, March 13, from New-England, there pro|ceeded

an Expedition against Port-Royal, under Col. March, with 2 Regiments Militia, Wainwright and Hilton, covered by the Deptford Man of War from England, and the Province-Galley; this Expedition had no Effect, and the Officers of the Deptford were blamed as negligent or refractory.

Anno 1709 Col. Nicholson and Capt. Vetch apply at the Court of Great-Britain, for Sea and Land Forces to reduce Canada; there being at that Time a Sort of Court War, it was not attended to, but upon their solliciting an Ex|pedition of less Consequence, viz. to reduce Port-Royal and the Country of Nova-Scotia, this was obtained.

5. Nova Scotia continued with the French from Anno 1662 (Sir William Phips's Reduction and Possession of it Anno 1690 may be said to be only momentary) until An. 1710, it was then reduced by a Force from Great Britain, and from New England under Col. Nicholson, and confirm|ed to Great-Britain by the Treaty of Utrecht, and thus it remains to this Day.

This Expedition under General Nicholson (with Instruc|tions to all the Governors of New-England to be assisting) and Adjutant General Vetch was as follows, Anno 1710, Iuly 15▪ Nicholson with some British Officers, and Col. Reading's Marines arrive at Boston from England, for the intended Expedition: The Armament set out from Boston Sept. 18, consisting of the Dragon, Falmouth, Leostaff, and Feversham Men of War, the Star Bomb, and the Massa|chusetts Province-Galley, with Transports, in all 36 Sail; the Land-Forces aboard, were, One Regiment Marines from England, Two Regiments of Massachusetts-Bay, One Regiment of Connecticut, and One Regiment of New-Hampshire and Rhode-Island, commissioned by the Queen, and arm'd by her Gilt; they arrived at Port-Royal in six Days (the Grenadiers of Walton's Regiment were com|manded by Mascarene the present Governor of Annapolis Fort, and Commander in Chief of Nova Scotia) after a small Affair of cannonading and bombarding, the French Governor Subercasse did capitulate, and October 5, the

Fort was delivered up, and Col. Vetch according to Instruc|tions becomes Governor. The Terms of Capitulation were, that all the French, being 481 Persons within the Banlieu, or 3 Miles of the Fort, shall be under the Pro|tection of Great-Britain, upon their taking the proper Oaths of Allegiance; the other French Settlers were left to Discretion, that in Case the French make Incursions upon the Frontiers of New-England, the British shall mak•• Reprisals upon the French in Nova-Scotia, by making som•• of their chief Inhabitants Slaves to our Indians; yet not|withstanding, the French of L'Accadie commitHostilities, but the Port-Royal and Cape-Sable Indians desire Terms of Amity and Alliance; the Garrison allowed to march out with 6 Cannon and 2 Mortars, afterwards bought by Ni|cholson for 7,499 Livres 10 Sols: The Garrison consisted of 258 Soldiers, with their Officers and other Inhabitants in all 481 Persons Male and Female, were shipt to Ro|chelle in France; General Nicholson sent Major Livingston, and M. Subercasse sent Baron St. Casteen to Marquis de Veaudrueïl General of Canada, to acquaint him with this Event, they arrived at Quebeck Dec. 16. The Men of War and Transports sail for Boston Oct. 14, leaving a Garrison in Port-Royal now called Annapolis-Royal, of 200 Marines and 250 New England Voluntiers; they were relieved next Year by 400 of the Troops destined for Ca|nada. The New-England Charge in this Expedition was upwards of 23,000 £. St. reimbursed by Parliament.

The French Governor's Commission, was in these Words; Daniel Auger de Subercasse, Knight of St. Louis, Governor of L'Accadie, of Cape-Breton Islands and Lands adjacent from Cape Rozier of the great River St. Lau|rence, as far as the East Parts of Quenebec River.

Here it is not improper to annex the following Digression.

A DIGRESSION concerning some late British Expeditions against Canada.

Anno 1690 the New Englanders having reduced Port-Royal, and all the rest of Nova-Scotia or L'Accadie, were

encouraged to attempt Quebec in Canada the same Year; they set out too late in the Year, want of Experience in their principal Officers, Sickness amongst their Men, and the Army of 1000 English with 1500 Indians, who at the same Time were to march from Albany, by the Way of Lake Champlain to attack Monreal by Way of Diversion to divide the French Forces, not proceeding; occasioned a Miscarriage, with the Loss of 1000 Men, and a Loss of many of their Transports in their Return, with a great Charge incurred, which Charge occasioned the first Emis|sion of a pernicious * 1.17 Paper Currency by Way o•• publick

Bills of Credit to pay this Charge: There sailed from Boston Frigates and Transports 32, having 2000 Land Men aboard; the Admiral called the Six Friends carried 44 Guns; they sailed from Boston August 9, did not ar|rive before Quebeck 'till October 5, landed 1400 Men un|der General Walley about one League and half from the Town, were repulsed two or three Times with great Loss. Baron La Hontan who was then at Quebec, says, "The New-England Men did not want Courage, but wanted Military Discipline; that Sir William Phipps's Conduct was so bad, that he could not have done less than he did, if he had been hired by the French, to stand still with his Hands in his Pockets; if they had come directly against the Town, it would have surrendred, but they were dila|tory in their Consultations at a Distance, which gave Time to reinforce the Place with regular Troops, Militia, and Savages; Sir William bombarded the Town from four Vessels, and did Damage to the Value of five or six Pis|toles; in the Town were only 12 great Guns, and very little Ammunition."

Anno 1711, the Scheme and Expedition for reducing of Quebec and Placentia, and consequently all Canada and

Newfoundland, to ingross the Cod-Fishery,* 1.18 was concerted by the new Ministry, solicited by Nicholson;* 1.19 the Reg••|ments of Kirk, Hill, Windress, Clayton, and Kaine from Flanders, together with Seymours, Disnays, and a Battallion of Marines from England, under the Command of Briga|dier Hill, Brother to the new Favourite Mrs. Masham; in 40 Transports, with a Squadron of 12 Line of Battle Ships, several Frigates, two Bomb-Vessels, a fine Train of Artillery under Col. King with 40 fine Horses and six Store Ships: They sail'd from England, April 28, arri|ved at Boston, June 25: By Order from Home there was a Congress at New-London of all our Plantation Governors North of Pensylvania with Nicholson, to concert Measures; to the British Troops were joined two Regiments from Massachusetts-Bay, Rhode-Island and New-Hampshire to at|tack Quebec, while the Militia from Connecticut, New-York and Iersies, with the Indians of the Five Nations, so call|ed, under General Nicholson marched by Land from Al|bany August 20, to attack Monreal for Diversion: It * 1.20 was alledged that they were retarded at Boston for Want of Pro|visions, they did not sail till Iuly 30; there were 68 Vessels carrying 6,463 Troops; August 18 they anchored

In Bay or Harbour of Gaspee on the South Side of the Entrance of St. Laurence River, to wood and water, Aug. 23 in the Night-Time, contrary to the Advice of the Pi|lots, in a Fog they fell in with the North Shore, and upon the Islands of Eggs lost * 1.21 eight Transports, and 884 Men. In a Council of War, it was resolved, that by rea|son of the Ignorance of the Pilots, it was impracticable to proceed; and that Advice should be sent to recall Gen. Nicholson from proceeding to Monreal. The Fleet an|chored in Spanish River of Cape-Breton, Sept. 4. and in a general Council of War, it was resolved not to attempt any Thing against * 1.22 Placentia, but to return to Great-Bri|tain. They sail'd from Spanish River Sept. 16, and in 21 Days were in Soundings near the Channel of England. Oct. 16, at St. Helens, the Edgar, with the Admiral's Journals and other Papers, was blown up, and the Voyage (as some say) in that inhumane wicked Manner settled. The Charge incurred by the Province of Massachusetts-Bay was something more than 24,000 £. St. allowed by Parliament, and converted into Debentures transferable, and bearing interest; it is probable the Massachusetts De|mand of 178,000 £. St. Charges incurred in reducing Louisbourg, may be satisfied in the same Manner; these Debentures to be transferable only towards cancelling the Provincial Bills of publick Credit, that ACCURSED PAPER CURRENCY, in which the honest, industrious, frugal Peo|ple

have lost almost the Whole of their personal Estates by Depreciations; but not to be intrusted in any Shape with fallacious Money-making and indebted G—rs and A—lies.

Our * 1.23 next Canada Expedition proved abortive in a shorter Time from the Conception; but may be suppos|ed to have been occasioned by some natural good * 1.24 Policy Causes, and not from premeditated designed Means of Miscarriage, as in the former. By Orders dated — April 1746 from the Duke of Newcastle, Secretary of State at

the Court of Great-Britain; all the British Governors in North-America are required to raise each of them, so many Independent Companies of 100 Men, as they can spare and effect: Those of New-York, New-Ierseys, Pensylva|nia, Maryland, and Virginia, to be formed into one Corps, to be commanded by Brigadier Gooch Lieut.-Governor of Virginia; the King to be at the Charge of arming, pay|ing and cloathing of these Troops, but the several Colo|nies to furnish Levy-Money and Victualling; Virginia sent 2 Companies, Maryland 3, Pensylvania 4, Ierseys 5, New-York 15, being 29 Companies; these were designed against Crown-Point, and from thence against Monreal; the two Virginia Companies remain'd in the Fort of New-York, the regular Troops were sent upon the Expedition; the yellow Fever at this Time prevail'd at Albany, there|fore the Troops for the Expedition rendezvous at Sara|tago about 30 Miles higher up Hudson's River: Massa|chusetts-Bay raised 20 Companies, Connecticut 10, Rhode-Island 3, New-Hampshire 2, being 35 Companies; these were to join the British Land-Forces under Lieut.-General St. Clair, with a Squadron of Men of War from England to reduce Quebec and all Canada, while Gooch was making a Diversion at Monreal, 60 Leagues further up the River of St. Laurence; these Colony Militia were to receive Part of the Booty, and to be sent Home when the Service is over.

Admiral Leflock's being appointed Commander of the Squadron destined for this Expedition, in Place of Ad|miral Warren, a Man of Integrity, and the Delays until too late in the Year, plainly evinced that the Reduction of Canada at that Time was not intended. As the Go|vernors of the several Colonies had no Instructions to dis|miss their Levies; these Levies were continued on Foot; the Massachusetts Men were disposed into two Regiments Waldo's and Dwight's; at the Request of Governor Mas|carene 5 or 6 of Waldo's Companies, the 3 Companies of Rhode-Island and the 2 Companies of New-Hampshire,

were * 1.25 sent for the Protection of Nova-Scotia; the other 1500 Men were designed to join the Southern Levies, in Order to reduce * 1.26 Crown-Point Fort, built by the French as a Rendezvous and Place of Arms for disturbing our Settlements of New-England and New-York, see P. 11; some Misunderstandings between the several Governments▪ and the contagious Sicknesses which prevailed about Al|bany, prevented the Prosecution of this Design: The Or|der for dismissing or disbanding of the Canada Levies, did not arrive until October Anno 1747, they were ac|cordingly dismissed, and have produced another Crop of Idlers, the Bane of all Countries.

Here we shall continue the History of the several Bic|kerings or Skirmishes which we have had in Nova-Scotia with the Canadians, the other French, and their Indians.

After the Reduction of Port-Royal or Annapolis-Royal by General Nicholson Anno 1710, notwithstanding that

by the Capitulation, the Inhabitants without the Baulieue were to be * 1.27 Neutrals, they continued their Hostilities; Hostilities continuing, the French Missionary Priest, and five of the principal Inhabitants upon the River of A••|napolis, were seized and kept as Hostages, for the Inhabi|tants future good Behaviour; even notwithstanding of this Precaution, Capt. Pigeon with 60 Men being sent up the River for Timber to repair the Fort, they were way|laid by the French and their Indians, this Party were all kill'd or made Captives.— Many other Hostilities were committed.

After the Peace of Utrecht, a continued Tranquility till the War between New-England and their Eastern In|dians; the French Missionaries persuaded the Indians, that the English had encroached upon their Lands. Anno 1721 in Iune, Capt. Blin a Nova Scotia Trader, Mr. New|ton Collector of Nova Scotia, and others, were captivated by the Indians at Pasamaquady, but were soon released, be|cause Gov. Doucet of Annapolis had made a Reprisal of 22 Indians. Along Cape Sable Shore the Indians began to in|sult our fishing Vessels: In Iuly these Indians take several fishing Vessels on the Cape-Sable Coast, kill and captivate many of their Men; Governor Phillips at Canso fits out two armed Sloops, they kill and captivate many Indians, and put an End to the Indian Sea-roving, Anno 1724. Anno 1723 Iuly 15 the Indians, at Canso upon Durrel's Island kill Capt. Watkins, two more Men, one Woman and one Child. Anno 1724 in July, a Party of Indians attack Annapolis of Nova-Scotia, they burn two Houses, and kill one Serjeant, and one private Man of a Party

that sallied: In the Fort they * 1.28 shot and scalp'd one of the Indian Prisoners as a Reprisal for the Indians shooting and scalping of Serjeant Mc Neal; and burn two French Houses as a Reprisal for the two English Houses burnt; several English living without the Fort were captivated, but soon ransomed by the French.

From this Time until the French War in the Spring, Anno 1744, this neglected non-effective Garrison of An|napolis continued in a profound Peace, and supine Indo|lence. In the Beginning of the present French War, the Fort of Annapolis was in a miserable Condition; the Garrison Soldiers did not exceed eighty Men, capable of fatiguing Duty; Hogs and Sheep from without, passed the Fossees or Ditches, and mounted the Ramparts at Pleasure.

War was declared by Great-Britain against France (the French had declared War some Weeks before) Anno 1744 March 29; the Proclamation of War did not arrive in Boston until Iune 2; the French of Cape-Breton were more early in their Intelligence, and the Garrison of the not tenable Post of Canso could not (in Case the general In|structions were such) have timely Advice to abandon it; accordingly about 900 Men, regular Troops and Militia, were by M. Duquesnel Governor, sent under M. Du Vivier from Louisbourg; they seize Canso May 13, there were four incompleat Companies of Phillips's Regiment inGarrison, not exceeding 80 Men, with a Man of War Tender; the French burn the small Settlement, Conditions were, to be carried to Louisbourg, and to continue there one Year, and thence to be sent to Boston or Annapolis; but were sent to Boston sooner.

In Iune a few small Vessels (Delabroiz, afterwards taken by the Massachusetts-Bay Province Snow Privateer, com|manded) from Louisbourg annoy St. Peters, and some other

small Harbours of Newfoundland West of Placentia, and threatned Placentia Fort.

* 1.29 Beginning of Iune about 300 Cape-Sable and St. Iohns Indians, under the Direction of a French Missionary Priest M. Luttre, did attempt the Fort of Annapolis; they burnt the Out-houses, destroy'd some Cattle, kill'd two Men, summoned the Garrison to surrender, promising good Quarters, otherwise threatned to storm them, upon the Arrival of some French Forces which they expected from Louisbourg; but upon the Arrival of the Province Snow Privateer beginning of Iuly from Boston with the first Company of Militia (the Government of Massachusetts-Bay raised 4 Companies to reinforce the Garrison of Anna|polis) they broke up, and returned to Minas (or les Mines) and the Women and Children of Annapolis removed to Boston for Safety.

In September, Du Vivier with 60 regular Troops from Louisbourg, and about 700 Militia and Indians (the above mentioned Indians joined him) upon the Arrival of all the Massachusetts Succours, particularly of Capt. Gorham's Indian Rangers, (Du Vivier had lain some Weeks near Annapolis Fort) he retired to Minas: Several Messages which have been censured, passed between him and the

Garrison Officers of Annapolis: The most favourable Ac|count, is, That Du Vivier, acquainted them that he ex|pected (in the mean Time they might have good Terms of Capitulation) from Louisbourg some Men of War, one of 70 Guns, one of 56 Guns, and one of 30 Guns, with Cannon, Mortars and Stores, and a Reinforcement of 250 more Troops; the Answer of the Garrison, was, That when this Force arrived, it was Time enough to make Proposals: After he had tarried there three Weeks, dis|appointed and discontented, he retired to Minas; next Day after his decamping some trifling Vessels with Can|non, Mortars, and warlike Stores, arrived in the Bason of Annapolis, and hearing of Du Vivier's being withdrawn, they were afraid of our Frigates annoying of them, they soon removed, and as it happened, they narrowly escaped our Vessels: Du Vivier from Minas went to * 1.30 Bay Vert, and thence to Canada, and from thence Home to France.

As the Cape-Sable and St. Iohns Indians, persisted in their Hostilities against the Subjects of Great-Britain; in November 1744, the Government of the Massachusetts-Bay declares War against them, declaring them Enemies and Rebels; because they had joined the French Enemy in blocking up of Annapolis, had killed some British Sub|jects, and had committed other Depredations; the Pasa|maquady, Penobscot, Noridgwoag, Pigwocket, and other Indians Westward of St. Iohns, are forbid to have any Correspondence with those Indian Rebels; for all Indians Eastward of a Line, beginning at three Miles East of Pa|samaquady, and running North to St. Laurence River; The Government settles for a short Time Premiums, viz. 100 £. New * 1.31 Tenor, for a Male of 12 Aet. and upwards scalp'd,

and 105 £. New Tenor if captivated, for Women and Children 50 £. Scalps, 55 £. Captives. Sometime after|wards it was found that the Penobscot and Noridgwog In|dians, also joined with the French; the Assembly of Mas|sachusetts-Bay Colony August 23. 1745, extend the Pre|miums for Scalps and captivated Indians to all Places W. of Nova-Scotia, 250 £. New Tenor to Voluntiers, and 100 £. New Tenor to Troops in Pay.* 1.32

Anno 1745 in May M. Marin a Lieut. from Canada, Captain of a Company of Salvages or Indian Rangers, a true Partizan, with about 900 Reggamuffins; Canadi|ans, other French and Indians; comes before Annapolis, they continued but a short Time and returned to Minas, and I suppose by Orders from Louisbourg, went to relieve Louisbourg at that Time besieged: Capt. Donahew in the Service of the Massachusetts Colony met with them in As|macouse Harbour Iune 15, being 2 Sloops, 2 Scooners, and about 60 large Canoes; upon the further Appear|ance of Beckett and Fones, this Body of French and Indi|ans retired and returned to Minas. From that Time until de Ramsay's Attempt in Sept. 1746, the Garrison of An|napolis suffer'd no Insults.

From the Beginning of this French War there have been quartered at Minas and Chiconicto and the neigh|bouring French Villages a dispersed Number of Officers and Soldiers from Canada; but from Marin's leaving of Annapolis in the Beginning of Iuly 1745 to the Arrival of de Ramsay in September 1746 the Garrison of Annapolis enjoy'd their wonted Rest.

In the Summer 1746, a Force of about 1600 Men, re|gular Marine Troops, Canadian Militia, and Coureurs des Bois, with French Indians under the Command of M. de Ramsay, arrive in Minas, to join the Forces expected from

France under * 1.33 the Duke d' Anville, they were much ca|ressed by our French Subjects there; and our Minas Sub|jects, gave to the Garrison of Annapolis DECEITFUL, and

no other Intelligence: Here they continued some Months, but the Winter-Season approaching, and no Tidings of the French Armament; the French Troops, deem'd it ad|visable to return to Canada; in their Return, Duke d'An|ville's Armament arrives in Chebucto of Nova-Scotia, and an Express was sent to recall them; about 400 of them were overtaken, and returned with de Ramsay, Culon, and

La Corne three Captains of Marines and Chevaliers or Knights of St. Louis. Towards the End of Sept. de Ramsay comes before Annapolis, made no Assault, but en|camped at some Distance; the Chester Man of War of 50 Guns, the Shirley Frigate of 20 Guns, and the Ord|nance Scooner at that Time, were in the Bason of Anna|polis; three Companies of Reinforcements for the Garri|son from Boston were arrived, and de Ramsey having had Advice of the French Fleet being returned to France, made the French decamp October 22, and return to Minas.

His Design was to quarter at Minas and Chiconicto, du|ring the Winter, and to join the French Fleet and Land Forces which were expected to reduce Annapolis, in the Summer; Governor Mascarene of Annapolis, judged that in Addition to the three Companies of Voluntiers which arrived from Boston in Autumn; 1000 Men of Reinforce|ments from New England, might be sufficient to dislodge the French Enemy, and to consume (by Purchase) all the French Inhabitants Provisions produced there, in Time coming to prevent the Subsistence of the Enemy who might lodge there and corrupt the Inhabitants; and Bri|tish Forces being quartered amongst them, might influence them to continue in their Allegiance to the Crown of Great-Britain: Massachusetts Bay Assembly vote 500 Men to be sent, Rhode-Island 300 Men, and New Hamp|shire 200 Men; the Rhode-Island Men were shipwreck'd near Marthas-Vineyard, those from New Hampshire set out but put back upon some trifling Excuse, and never pro|ceeded, the 500 Men from Boston only arrived; the Dis|appointment of the Rhode-Island and New Hampshire Men was the Reason of our subsequent Disaster at Minas.

Our first Parcel under Capt. Morris arrived at Minas, Dec. 12; when all were arrived they did not exceed 470 Men besides Officers; Water Carriage in the Winter Season being impracticable, they marched by Land, 30 Leagues, with much Har••••hip in eight Days, every Man 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ou•• with 14 Days Provision upon his Back; the 〈…〉〈…〉 was quartered at Grand Pre, in a very loose,

ill contriv'd scattered Situation, but upon Alarm to repair to the main Guard; Col. Noble superseded Col. Gorham in the chief Command; Gorham and Major Phillips with a small Escorte set out for Annapolis Jan. 29, they were but nine Miles on their Way when the French began their Attack.

The French well informed of our scattered Situation as to Cantonment, and not regularly provided with Am|munition and Provision; set out from Chiconicto Jan. 8, for Minas, which by heading of Creeks and Rivers is a|bout 30 Leagues Distance, and by Excursions to bring a|long as many of the Settlers and Indians as possible, did not arrive in Minas until Jan. 31, and began about three Hours in the Morning by many distant Attacks or Onsets at the same Time, in Parties of 70 to 50 Men; they were about 600 of the Enemy Canadians, Inhabitants and French Indians; they kill'd many of ourMen in a most in|humane base Manner; Col. Noble, Lieuts. Lechemore (Ne|phew to the late Lord Lechemore) Iones, Pickering, En|sign Noble with about 70 Serjeants, Corporals and private Men; made Prisoners Capt. Doane, Lieut. Gerrish, and Ensign Newton, in all about 69 Men, the wounded in|cluded; many of the Prisoners were set at Liberty.

The French were well provided with Snow Shoes, this necessary Winter marching Article we neglected; How|ever, a considerable Number of our Men got together; but as they had not exceeding 8 Shot per Man, and Pro|visions being scanty they capitulated, 1. We are to march off with Arms shouldered, Drums beating, Colours fly|ing, through a Lane of the Enemy with rested Firelocks. 2. To be allowed six Days Provision, one Pound of Pow|der with Ball. 3. Not ••o carry Arms in the Bays of Minas and Chiconicto for six Months.

De Ramsey being lame was not in this Onset, M•• Culon had the Command, and after Culon was wounded, M. La Corne commanded; this Affair being over, they returned to Chiconicto, and expecting la Ianquiere's Squadron with Land Forces from France in the Summer; they continu|ed

at Minas and Chiconicto, until they received Advice, by some Store-Ships for Canada, which had escaped (of * 1.34 la Ionquiere's Fleet) being destroy'd May 3, 1747: Then they returned to Canada, and have given no fur|ther Disturbance to Nova Scotia: Notwithstanding, for the better Security of the Fort and Garrison of Annapolis, Massachusetts-Bay this Spring ••748 sends a Reinforcement of 7 Companies of Militia.

Having briefly related the French Bickerings with us in Nova-Scotia, we proceed to some further Accounts of that Country.

ANNAPOLIS in 44 d. 40 m. N. Lat; Tide 33 Feet▪ lies upon a fine Bason, but the rapid Tides in the Bay of

Fundi make a difficult Navigation; into this Bason comes a River of good Water-Carriage without Falls for 25 Miles, and near it are several small Villages or Parcel•• ••f French Settlements, which in Time of Peace, plentifully and cheap supply the Garrison with fresh Provisions and other Necessaries: From Cape Anne near Boston Harbour to Cape Sables are 87 Leagues, from Cape Sables to Annapo|lis are 30 Leagues; Capt. Campbell in the Squirrel Man of War sail'd from Marblehead near Boston Harbour (s••ortest Course) in 23 Hours. The English have no other Footing in this Province, besides the Fort of Annapolis; and be|fore this French War, a small Fishery at Canso.

Aglate la Tour Grand-Daughter to the before mentioned La Tour, by Management and for small Considerations, obtain'd Procurations and Quit-Claims, from all the Heirs of La Tour, and Belle-Isle; she married a Subaltern Officer in Phillip's Regiment; she went to England and sold the Seignurie or Property of all the Province to the Crown of Great-Britain Anno 1731, for 2000 Guineas; the sole Property of all the Province is now in the Crown, and at present yields not exceeding seventeen Pound Ster|ling pr. An. Quit-rent: By the Peace of Utrecht, the French in Nova Scotia upon their taking the British Go|vernment Oaths, were to continue in their Possessions; the not appropriated Lands by the King of Great-Britain's Instructions were reserved for Protestant Subjects; * 1.35 not|withstanding of this Instruction, the French Roman Catho|lick Subjects, as they swarm (as they multiply in Families) make free with these Crown Lands.

Anno 1717 Col. Phillips was appointed Governor of Nova Scotia in Place of Vetch, and of Newfoundland in Place of Moody; the four Independent Companies of Annapolis, and the four Independent Companies of Pla|centia, with two more additional Companies were regi|mented in his Favour, making a reduced or reformed Re|giment of 445 Men, Officers included. After the French Reduction of Canso, our Soldiers Prisoners arrived at Anna|polis, being about 60 Men, the poor Remains or Repre|sentatives of four Companies; three of these Companies were incorporated with the five Companies of Annapolis, and with the fourth Company of Canso: Thus at Anna|polis were six Companies, at Placentia one Company, and the three new Companies to be sent from England to St. Iohns in Newfoundland made up the Regiment of ten Companies, to be compleated to 815 Men Officers inclu|ded, the Compliment of a British marching Regiment: The Reinforcements and Recruits for this Regiment from England by Mismanagement and Neglect were very un|fortunate; and the Regiment remains in an abject low Estate, tho' in Time of War, and continual Jeopardy, from our neighbouring French, and Armaments from France.

In Order to colonize this Country, Governor Philips had a Royal Instruction to form a Council for the Ma|nagement of the civil Affairs of the Province; and ac|cordingly in April 1720, did appoint 12 Councellors, viz. Iohn Doucet Lieut.-Governor, Laurence Armstrong, Paul Mascarene, Cyprian Southack, Iohn Harrison, Arthur Savage, Iohn Adams, Herbert Newton, William Skeen, William Sherriff, Peter Boudrie, and Gillam Philips, Esqrs; By the fifth Instruction, if any of the Council be absent from the Province, exceeding 12 Months, without Leave from the Commander in chief; or absent two Years without the King's Leave; his Place shall be deem'd void or vacant. In the Absence of the Governor and Lieut.-Governor, the eldest Councellor is to act as President of the Council, and to take upon him the Government: Thus An. 1739 upon the Death of Lieut.-Governor Armstrong, Major

Mascarene a Soldier from his Youth, a Gentleman of Pro|bity and exemplary good Life, became and continues Pre|sident of the Council, and Commander in chief for the Time being, of the Province of Nova-Scoti••. As Mas|carene was only Major of the Regiment, and Cosby Lieut. Col. of the Regiment, and Lieut.-Governor of the Fort of Annapolis, and consequently his superior Officer; C••sby seemed to dispute the Command of the Province, but by an Order from Home, it was determin'd, "That what|ever Rank any Person may have out of the Council, he must submit to the Laws of Seniority, which in civil Government ought never to be dispensed with, but by his Majesty's special Order under his Sign Manual." The Governor Phillips disputes the Moiety of the S••llary which the Commander in chief of the Province claim•• in the Absence of the Governor; but by an Instruction o•• Order from Home, the 42 Instruction to the Governor of Virginia, is also directed to take Place in Nova-Scotia, viz. Upon the Governor's Absence, one full Moiety of the Sallary, all Perquisites, and Emoluments whatsoever, shall be paid and satisfied unto such Lieut.-Governor, Commander in chief, or President of our Council, who shall be resident upon 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Place for the Time being, for the better Support of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Dignity of the Government."

Col. Phillips, Governor of Nova Scotia and Newfound|land, and Col. of a Regiment in Garrisons there, arrived in Boston 1720 Oct. 4; upon his Arrival in Nova Scotia 880 effective Men of the French Inhabitants, took the Oaths to the Crown of Great-Britain; at this Time Anno 1748 we reckon French Inhabitants in Nova Sco••i•• from 3000 to 4000 fencible Men; Indians in Nova Scotia not exceeding 250 marching Men, the contagious Distempers of D'Anvilles's Fleet reduced them very much.

Col. Phillips with Advice and Consent of his Council is impowered to grant Lands under cer••ain Limitations, but in general at 1 d. St. pr. An. per Acre Quit Rent, Ro|man Catholicks are excepted. Col. P••—ps had sundry Sums allowed by the Board of Ordnance for repairi••g

Fortifications and the like, at Annapolis and Canso; and were converted, as is said, to his own proper Use. In Time of Peace the Garrisons in Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, with a reduced Regiment of Foot, and Detachments from the Train, cost Great-Britain about 15000 £. per Annum.

When Massachusetts-Bay Colony obtain'd a new Charter (their former Charter was taken away at the same Time with many Corporation Charters in England in the End of the Reign of Charles II. and Beginning of the like or more arbitrary Reign of Iames II.) 7 Oct. 1691, Nova Scotia at that Time in Possession of the French, was annexed (as was also Sagadahock or Duke of York's Property) to the Massachusetts Jurisdiction, to keep up the Claim of Grea••-Britain; Nova Scotia has since been constituted a sepa|rate Government; and has continued about 40 Years to this Time, a nominal British Province without any British Settlement, only an * 1.36 insignificant Preventive, but preca|rious Fort and Garrison.

As this Country is rude, a Geographical Description of it cannot be expected; it is a large Extent of Territory, bounded Westward by the Bay of Fundi, and a Line run|ning Northward from St. Iohn's River to St. Laurence or Canada great River; Northward it is bounded by the sai•• St. Laurence River; Eastward it is bounded by the Gulph of St. Laur••nce and Gut of Canso which divides it from the Island of Cape Breton, and South-Easte••ly it is bounded by Cape Sable Shore.

The most valuable Article in this Province is the Cape Sable Coast, where is a continued Range of Cod-fishing Banks, and many good Harbours; it is true, that along the Cape Sable Shore and Cape Breton, for some Weeks in Summer, there are continued Fogs (as upon the Banks of Newfoundland) from the Range of Banks to the Eastward, that the Sun is not to be seen; but without Storms or bad Weather; the rest of the Year is clear Weather, very suitable for dry Cod-Fish—along this Coast to keep clear of Lands-Ends or Promontories, of Rocks, and of Shoals, the Courses are, from Cape Anne near Boston

to Cape Sables	E. b. N.	87 Leagues
to Cape Sambro	E. b. N. half N.	50
to Canso	E. N. E.	45
to Louisbourg	E. Northerly	18
		200 Leagues

Some of these Harbours are called Port Latore, Port Rosway, Port Metonue, Port Metway, La Have, Malagash, Chebucto. In Chebucto in the Autumn 1746 lay the French Armada under Duke d' Anville, des••ined to destroy or dis|tress all the British North America Settlements: This Bay

and River of Chebucto bids fair in Time to become the principal Port of Nova Scotia and its Metropolis; from this there is good Wheel Land-Carriage Communication with the Bay of Minas; that is, with La Riviere des Habi|tants or La Prarie, with the River of Cobaquid, with the River of Pisaquid, and the best Parts of the Province. It is true Annapolis lies upon a fine Bason, and is more in|land for a large Vent or Consumption (thus London, Bri|stol, Liverpool, Glascow h••••e become rich) but the Coun|try round it is bad, and the Tides of the Bay of Fundi renders the Navigation difficult.

Upon the opposite or Westerly Shore of the Bay of Fundi are the Rivers of Pasamaquady and St. Croix▪ being about 17 Leagues N. W. from the Gut or Entrance of the Bason of Annapolis; the River St. Croix is the Boundary between Nova Scotia Government, and the Territory of Sagadahock or the Duke of York's Property; for the pre|sent in Jurisdiction, annexed to the neighbouring New-England Province of Massachus••••ts Bay. Upon this Shore further No••thward is the River of St. Iohns 10 Leagues distant from the Gut of Annapolis, this is a profitable Ri|ver of long Course, a considerable Tribe of the Abnaquie Indians are settled here, but always (••rom the Indolence of the Government of Nova Scotia) in the French or Canada Interest: The prodigious Falls or rather Tides in this River near its Mouth of 30 Fathom, are not a Cataract from Rocks, but from the Tide being pent up in this River between two steep Mountains: By this River and Carrying-Places there is a Communication with Queb••c ••he Metropolis of Canada; when we reduced Port-Royal 1710, Major Livingston and St. Casteen went by this River to acquaint the General of Canada concerning that Event. Higher or more Northward is Cap Doré about 30 Leagues from Annapolis; here is Plenty of mineral Coal for firing; some Years since, this Affair was undertaken by a Company, but soon dropt with Loss; here are some s••ender Veins of Copper Ore, some thin Laminae of Virgin Copper, and a Gold Su••phur marcas••••e.

Upon the Easterly Shore or Gulph of St. Laurence, is Canso Gut, a safe and short Passage from the British Set|tlements to Canada River, 6 Leagues long, 1 League wide; a good Navigation, from the Journals of Capt. Gay|ton Anno 1746, upon a Cruize to Bay Vert••. About 25 Leagues further is Ta••amaganahou, a considerable Nova-Scotia French District or Settlement, and good Road for Vessels; 14 Leagues further is Bay Verte, shallow Water, but the Embarquadier from Canada, to disturb us in Nova Scotia, from this are only 4 Miles Land Carriage to the River of Chiconicto; here we may observe, that upon the Chiconicto Bay Side are 11 Fathom Tide, upon the Gulph of St. Laurence or Bay Verte Side, are only 4 to 5 Feet Tide. Further (Isle Bonaventure and Isle Percée in|terveening, where the French by Treaty of Utrecht do rightfully cure dry Cod Fish) at the South Entrance of the River of St. Laurence, is Gaspee, a deep Bay and good Harbour; here unrighteously the French dry Cod Fish; I observe in the late French Charts published by Autho|rity, there is a Territory prickt off, called GASPEE, as if not belonging to Nova Scotia or L'Accadie, ceded to Great-Britain by the Treaty of Utrecht; such a Paper Encroachment, if not attended to, may be construed after many Years a just Claim by Prescription; such is at pre|sent t••e Dispute between the Baltimore Family of Mary|land, and the Pen's Family of Pensylvania concerning the old Dutch Charts, and our new Charts in Relation to Cape Cornelius the South Cape of Delaware Bay, and Cape Hen|lopen 20 Miles South Westerly from the Mouth of Dela|ware Bay, in running the Line between the three lower Counties of Pensylvania and Maryland.

Nova Scotia is divided into 10 or 12 Districts; each District annually chuses one Deputy to be approved by the Commander and Council at Annapolis; he is a Sort of Agent for the District, and reports the State of the Dis|trict from Time to Time; they are in no legislative, or executive Capacity; the French Missionaries who are not only appointed, by the Bishop of Quebec in Canada, but

under his Direction (a Scandal to the indolent Govern|ment and Garrisons of Nova Scotia) in their several Di|stricts and Villages, act as Magistrates and Justices of the Peace; but all Complaints may be brought before the Commander in chief and Council at Annapolis.

The New-England Bills of publick Credit; ever since the Cession by the Treaty of Utrecht, have been their com|mon Currency; until the late intollerable Depreciation by immensly multiplying this Credit beyond its Bearings, by Expeditions, and in Fact the Credit of those Bills is almost sunk,* 1.37 or rather lost; the French Inhabitants absolutely re|fuse them in Currency.

Island of Sables.

ThisIsland must be deem'd in the Jurisdiction of the Pro|vince of Nova Scotia, as it lies upon the Latitudes of that Coast, though at a considerable Distance; and the British exclusive Line of Fishery by the Treaty of Utrecht 1713 beginning at this Island, implies the same to belong to Great-Britain; the Name is French, and we retain it with much Impropriety; we ought to have translated it SANDY ISLAND, in the same Manner, as we have turned Point de Sable (a former French District in St. Christophers) to the present British Name Sandy Point. The Property is loud|ly (that is in the publick News Papers) claim'd by some private Persons; I shall not inquire into the Merit of the Affair.

I am informed by People who were shipwreck'd there, and liv'd some Months upon the Island, that, from Canso

to the Middle of the Island are 35 Leagues South; it is a low Land, with small rising Knowles of Sand called Downs, in Form of an Elbow, the Bite to the Northward, about 20 Miles in Length, and narrow; by Reason of Sholes of Sand, small Tides 5 or 6 Feet, and a great Surf, it is inaccessible, excepting in the Bite where Boats may land. Formerly some Persons of Humanity, put Cattle ashore to breed, for the Relief of the Shipwreck'd, and by multiplying, they answered that benevolent charitable End; until some wicked, mean, rascally People from our Continent, destroy'd them to make Gain (these Robbers of seafaring People, called these Depredations, making of a Voyage) of their Hides and Tallow. The South Side is in 43 d. 50 m. N. Lat; no Trees, their principal Growth is Iuniper Bushes,* 1.38 Huckle-Berry Bushes, * 1.39Cran|berries, * 1.40 Bent-Grass; some Ponds, Abundance of Foxes and Seals; great Snows in Winter, but do not lay long.

At this Island which is deem'd 30 Leagues Eastward from the Cape Sable Shore of Nova Scotia or L'Accadie, by the Treaty of Utrecht 1713, begins the British exclu|sive Line of Fishery, running S. W. indefinitely, and in|cluding the Fishing Banks belonging to the Island.

CAPE BRETON Islands.

Cape Breton cannot properly be called a British Colony, until confirmed by some subsequent Treaty of Peace, and annexed to the Dominions of Great-Britain; but not|withstanding its retarding the Prosecution of this History▪ I cannot avoid taking Notice of the Reduction of Louis|bourg,

being in our Neighbourhood, an Event recent and very memorable. I shall endeavour to relate it with Ex|actness and Impartiality; by ascribing every Step of it to Providence, I hope it will not be construed as detracting from the Merits of the Country of New-England, the Place of my Abode or Home. The Motto may be Audaces For|tuna juvat, and with good Propriety may be termed Dig|nus vindice nodus, and without Imputation of Cant, be as|cribed to some extraordinary Interposition of Providence in our Favour: Governor Shirley in a Speech, observes, that "scarce such an Instance is to be found in Histo|ry:" A Colonel in this Expedition, gave it this Turn "That if the French had not given up Louisbourg, we might have endeavoured to storm it with the same Pros|pect of Success, as the Devils might have stormed Hea|ven." The annual Convention of the New-England Mi|nisters, in their Address to the KING, call it, "The wonderful Success GOD has given your American Forces:" A Clergyman from London writes "This prosperous E|vent, can hardly be ascribed to any Thing short of an In|terposition from above truly uncommon and extraordina|ry: These Expressions of the Governor's, &c. ought not to be construed as derogating from the most bold Adven|ture of the New-Englanders.

The Reduction of Louisbourg was much above our Capacity; in short, if any one Circumstance had taken a wrong Turn on our Side, and if any one Circumstance had not taken a wrong Turn on the French Side, the Ex|pedition must have miscarried, and our Forces would have returned with Shame, and an inextricable Loss to the Pro|vince; as this was a private or Corporation Adventure without any Orders from the Court of Great-Britain, the Charges would not have been reimbursed by the Par|liament; and the People of New-England from Gene|ration to Generation would have cursed the Advisers and Promoters of this unaccountably rash Adven|ture.

In the Congress of Utrecht when the French demanded Cape-Breton Island, it was proposed, that it should lie in common for the Use of the British and French Fishery, without any Settlements or Forts, but open; the Fr••nch would have acquiesced, but in this as in some other Arti|ticles, our abandoned wicked Ministry of that Time, gave the French Nation more than they really expected, viz. the exclusive Property and Dominion of the Island, with the Liberty of fortifying. It is generally thought, that by next Peace, Louisbourg will be demolished, and the Island laid open and in common to both Nations: It is certain, that the Duke D'Anville had an Instruction, if he succeeded in recovering of Louisbourg, to demolish it.

As this was a private Adventure, upon Surrender, we might have demolished it soon, and converted the Ar|tillery, other warlike Stores, and many other valuable Things, to the Use and Benefit of the New-England Co|lonies concerned▪ and so have put an End to a great ac|cruing Charge: The Charge of maintaining a Garrison there with Men, Provisions, warlike Stores, and Repairs in Time of Peace, will be a great and unprofitable Article of national Expence, and as both Nations are much in Debt, neither of them will incline to be at the Charge, but agree to demolish it. As Great-Britain are a small People, but at present Masters at Sea; their Game is to procure all the Advantages of an extensive Commerce, we are not capable of peopling and maintaining Land-Acquirements: Perhaps the Promoters of this very po|pular Adventure do not receive the sincere Thanks of the Ministry or Managers at the Court of Great-Britain (this may be the Reason of the Remoras in our solliciting a * 1.41

Reimbursement) because thereby they have incurred, to please the Populace, an annual Charg•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 we 60,000 £. Sterl. pr. An. or 600,000 £. New-Englan•• Currency, a considerable Article where Ways and Means were difficult.

If the Act of Parliament against impressing of Seamen in the Sugar-Islands, had been extended to the Northern American Colonies; we should have been easy under a British Squadron stationed at Boston, and their Bills home for Supplies, would have made good Returns for our Mer|chants; our Traders could not have suffered above 2 or 3 pr. Ct. Difference of Insurance, which is a Trifle com|pared with the great Charge incurred by reducing of Lou|isbourg, and of maintaining it during the War.

Here I shall give some short Account of Evenements in the Northern Parts of North America from the Com|mencement of the present French War to the present Time May 1748; I shall not notice small Affairs, which do not require Mention in a general History.

The French declared War against Great-Britain March 15. 1744. N. S. Great-Britain declared War against France March 29. 1744. O. S. The French in these Parts had more early Intelligence of the War: at Boston we did not pro|claim this War until Iune 2. May 13. M. Du Vivier with a few armed small Vessels, and about 900 regular Troops and Militia from Louisbourg, tak•••• Canso without any Re|sistance, and carries the nominal four Companies being 70 to 80 Soldiers, and the few Inhabitants Prisoners to Lou|isbou••••.

Here is a notorious Instance of the French too forward rash Conduct; contrary to express Instructions sent by the Court of France to the Garrison of Louisbourg, along with the Declaration of War (my Information was from M. le Marquis de la Maison Forte Capt. of the Vigilant) that con|sidering

the weak and mutinous State of their Garrison, it was not advisable for them, until further Orders, to at|tempt any Expedition which might alarm the populous neighbouring British Colonies. 2. If instead of taking the insignificant Post (did not deserve the Name of Fort) of Canso in their Neighbourhood, the sooner to humour the Vanity of an Eclat; had they with the same Force gone directly to Annapolis, by Surprize it would have ea|sily submitted.

About the same Time a small inconsiderable Arma|ment from Louisbourg, commanded by M. de la Brotz, made some Depredations about St. Peters of Newfound|land, and threatned Placentia Fort. This de la Brotz in a French Privateer Sloop of 18 Guns and 94 Men, was soon after this, taken by the Massachusetts Province Snow Capt. Tyng, upon the Coast of New-England, and carried into Boston. A small Privateer from Louisbourg takes a Sloop with Whale-Oil aboard from Nantucket Island bound to Boston.

See the Section of Nova-Scotia P. 319, for the At|tempts against Annapolis in Iune, by some Indians under the Direction of M. Lutre, a French Missionary Priest▪ and in September, by some French and Indians commanded by M. Du Vivier, who burnt Canso in May.

End of Iuly Capt. Rouse in a Boston Privateer, arrived at St. Iohns Harbour in Newfoundland from th•• great Banks, he brought in 8 French Ships with 90,000 Mud-Fish. In August, Capt. Rouse in Confortship with Capt. Cleves in a Ship and some small Craft, and 50 Marines, fitted out by the British Man of War stationed at New|foundland, sail in Quest of the French Ships that cure Cod-Fish in the Northern Harbours of Newfound|land; August 18 at Fishot, ••hey took five good French Ships, some dried Fish bu•• not well cured, and 70 Tons of Liver-Oil; thence they proceeded to the Harbours of St. Iulian and Carrous. Capt. Rouse hereby merited, and accordingly was made a Post or Rank Captain in the Bri|tish Navy.

In September dies Du Quesnel the French Governor of Cape-Breton, a good old Officer, and was succeeded in Com|mand by M. Du Chambon an old Pol••roon.

In October Capt. Spry in the Comet-Bomb, upon the Coast of New-England, takes a French Privateer in her first Voyage or Cruize Capt. Le Gro••z 16 Guns 100 Men, whereof some were Irish Roman Catholick Soldiers for|merly of * 1.42 Phillips's Regiment from Canso; this Privateer was called Labradore, from a Gut in Cape-Breton where she was built; she had taken two or three of our Coasters, from Philadelphia. About this Time Capt. Waterhouse in a Boston Privateer refus'd a French East-India Ship rich|ly laden; and Capt. Loring in a small Boston Privateer, was taken by a new French Man of War from Canada bound to Louisbourg.

Nov. 19. sails from Louisbourg the French grand Fleet of Fish Ships, of Fur Ships from Canada, &c. This Fleet consisted of 3 French Men of War, 6 East-India Ships, 31 other Ships, 9 Brigantines, 5 Snows, and 2 Scooners; 7 Vessels remained to winter at Louisbourg.

This is a short History of the Sea Campaign (as the French express it) in the Northern Parts of North America for Anno 1744.

Anno 1745 in March, * 1.43 La Renommee a French Frigate of 32 Guns, 350 Seamen, and 50 Marines, charged with publick Dispatches, and designed for Observation; in cruizing along the Cape-Sable Coast, met with several of our small armed Vessels, and with the Connecticut Trans|ports, which upon any other Occasion, she might have destroy'd with Ease: If she had put into Louisbourg, by the Addition of good Officers, of Men, and of Stores; the Garrison would have been encouraged, and perhaps have render'd our Expedition vain: But having discover|ed

an Expedition against Louisbourg in great Forwardness she made the best of her Way to carry immedia••e Ad|vice thereof to France; and a Squad••on under the Com|mand of M. Perrier was so••n fitted out at from Brest for the Relief of Louisbourg, la Renommee sail'd in this Squa|dron, she was an exquisite Sailer, and at length taken by the Dover, 1747.

In May the * 1.44 Vigilant, a French Man of War of 64 Guns and 560 Men with a good Land Fall, instead of go|ing directly into the Harbour of Louisbourg, attack'd British Man of War of 40 Guns, the Mermaid Capt. Douglass, this prudent Officer by a running Fight decoy'd the French Ship into the Clutches of Commodore Warren in the Superbe of 60 Guns, in Company were also the El|tham of 40 Guns, the Massachusetts Frigate of 20 Guns,

and the Shirley Galley of 20 Guns; the Vigilant struck to the Mermaid May 18, and was manned chiefly from New-England: If the Vigilant had arrived in Louisbourg considering the many good Officers aboard, a large Num|ber of Sailors and Marines, with great Quantities of Stores, we should have been disappointed in the Reduction of Louisbourg.

If the Proposal made three Days before the Vigilant was seized, had taken Place, viz. of laying up the Men of War in Chapeau rouge Bay, and landing theSailors and Ma|rines to join ou•• ••••eging Army; the Vigilant would have got in and f••ustrated the Reduction of Louisbourg.

M. Marin, after an invain Attempt against Annapolis in Nova Scotia, with 900 French and Indians, in small Sloops and Canoes, was bound to the Relief of Louisbourg by molesting theSiege, in AsmacouseHarbour they were di••|persed by some of our small armed Vessels Iune 15; see Nova Scotia Section, P. 321.

The French Squadron of 7 Men of War, commanded by M. Perrier, designed for the Relief of Louisbourg, set out from France too late. Iuly 19, in N. Lat. 43 d. 45 m. W. Long. from London 40 d. 30 m, E. off the Banks of Newfoundland, took our Prince of Orange Mast Ship, Lieut.-Governor Clark of New-York aboard, here the French learnt that Louisbourg had surrendred; without this Intelligence, they would have become a Prey to our Louisbourg Squadron; the French altered their Measures, and in a Storm were dispersed; la Galette of 32 Guns did not rendezvous; the Mars 66 Guns, St. Michael 62 Guns, and the Renommee of 32 Guns, put back to France; the P••••fait 46 Guns, Argonoute 46 Guns, and le Tournoir 32 Guns, put into the Harbour of Carrous in the Nor|thern Parts of Newfoundland 51 d. •• m. N. Lat, lay there three Weeks, and sail'd a Convoy for the French Fish Ships.

Some homeward-bound rich French S••ip••, ignorant of this Event, came before Louisbourg ••o refresh, and were taken by our Ships; as all the British Men of War had

entred into a Contract of joint sharing, I shall not parti|cularize the Ships that made the Seizures: Iuly 24 they took an East-India Ship from Bengal, Value 75,000 £. St. soon after they take another East-India Ship. August 22 was taken a South Sea Ship (decoy'd by the Boston Packet Capt. Fletcher) Value about 400,000 £. St.

In Iuly we sent some small Craft to St. Iohns Island to bring away the French Inhabitants, to be transported to France: Some of our Men imprudently and too securely went ashore, they were ambuscaded by some French and Indians, we lost 28 Men killed and captivated.

Oct. 5. sail'd 5 Men of War, via Newfoundland with the two East-India Ships for England, to be condemned there, conform to an Act of Parliament; the South-Sea Ship for certain Reasons was condemned as unfit to pro|ceed: The Vigilan••, Chester, and Louisbourg Fire Ship were left to winter there.

Our Provincial Privateer Snow Capt. Smithurst, was lost in a Storm and all the Men drowned.

Our Sea Campaign Anno 1746 was as follows. In the Autumn 1745 were shipt off from Gibralter the two Re|giments Foot of Fuller and Warburton with three Com|panies of Frampton's Regiment, they arrived in the Win|ter upon this bad Coast (I mean the Winter Coast of New-England, Nova-Scotia and Cape-Breton) and therefore put into Virginia to wait the Spring Season; they arrived at Louisbourg May 24. 1746, and relieved our New-England Militia of about 1500 Men that had kept Garrison there at the Charge of Great-Britain from the Surrender of the Place Iune 17. 1745; Commodore Warren received a Commission as Governor, and Col. Warburton as Lieut.-Governor of the Garrison of Louisbourg and Territories thereunto belonging. Admiral Warren's Occasions call'd him Home, and Mr. Knowles was appointed Governor and ••ommodore of a small Squadron there, it is said, he behaved in a most imperious, disgustful Manner.

Admiral Townshend with a Squadron, was ordered from

our West India Sugar Islands, for the Protection of Lou|isbourg, he continued there in Harbour all the Time that Duke d'Anville's French Squadron was upon our Coast▪ without giving them any Molestation in their great Dis|tress, doubtless from some secret Instr••ctions, which he did not think proper to communicate to Mr. Knowles▪ Townshend with eightShips sail'd in November from Louis|bourg for England.

The Story of d'Anville's Expedition that Autumn in these S••as, we have already related in the Section of Nova Scotia, P. 322.

In the Summer by an Order from Home, the several Nothern Colonies did raise Forces towards the reducing of Canada; see Page 324: this was perhaps only a State-Amusement, without a real Design to prosecute the Af|fair: The Massachusetts-Bay voted 3000 Men, whereof 2000 were inlisted, and by an Order from Home, they were dismissed in October 1747, after having further in|volved the Province in a considerable Debt for inlisting, victualing, and providing of Transports.

Anno 1747. In theSpring, a French Squadron with Trans|ports and Land Forces, fitted out in France, for the Annoy|ance of Cape-Breton, and Reduction of Annapolis in Nova-Scotia, were intercepted, beginning of May by Admirals Anson and Warren's Squadron; see P. 326: M. de Ram|say, with his Party of Canadian French and Indians, had wintered at Chiconicto, to join the Land Forces from France; but upon the News of La Ianquiere's Disaster, they returned to Canada; and from that Time to this pre|sent Writing May 1748, Annapolis has been in perfect Security and Tranquillity; there is at this Time a Rumour of some Expedition on Foot in Canada.

Beginning of Winter Commodore Knowles from Louis|bourg with a small Squadron, was joined at Boston by the Station Ships of North-America, leaving their Trade ex|posed to the Depredations of French and Spanish Priva|teers; he sail'd to our Windward Sugar Islands, and from

thence to Iamaica; having made up a considerable Squa|dron with Land Forces aboard, he was to distress the French Harbours and Settlements on Hispaniola (the French call the Island St. Domingue) as much as possible, he has al|ready reduced and demolished a strong Fort in Port Louis; here 1741 lay a large French Squadron under the Mar|quis d' Antin design'd to prevent the Junction of Vernon and Ogle, or to awe our Expedition against Carthagene, or to carry Home the Spanish Plate Fleet; neither of these were effected, but returned to France in a very distressed Condition.

Anno 1748. The adjacent British Provinces or Co|lonies, are negotiating an Expedition against a French Fort at Crown-Point, upon the Dutch Side of Lake Champlain, and consequently within the Jurisdiction of New York; When the Affair is narrowly canvassed, perhaps it will be deem'd * 1.45 silly, but chargeable Affair: As hitherto no|thing is concluded upon, we must drop it.

Cape Breton was formerly in the Nova Scotia District, the French call it L' Isle Royal; by Commission, M. Su|bercasse the last French Governor of L'Accadie, is called Governor of L'Accadie and Cape Breton Islands, from Cape

Rosiers at the Entrance of St. Laurence River, to Quene|beck River: By the Treaty of Utrecht 1713, all L'Acca|die or Nova Scotia was quit-claim'd by France to Great-Britain; excepting the Cape Breton Islands, that is, all the Islands in the Gulph of St. Laurence; these Great-Britain quit-claim'd to France.

The great Island of Cape-Breton, lies from 45 d. to 47 d. N. Lat, its most Northerly Point distant 15 Leagues from Newfoundland, the Gulph of St. Laurence interveen|ing, here a few Cuizers might preclude the French Canada Trade; it is separated from Nova Scotia by a Thorough-Fare, which we call the Gut of Canso, the French call it the Passage of Fronsac; the Mermaid a British Man of War of 40 Guns 1747 upon a Cruize, sail'd through this Gut, found it six Leagues long, is narrow but good An|chorage, Flood from the North; from the Gut of Canso 40 Leagues to Bay Verte, where are about 10 or 12 French Huts, upon the Nova Scotia Shore, shallow Water; here is the Communication of the Canadians with our perfidi|ous French of Nova Scotia, by a short Land-Carriage or Neck of about 4 Miles to Chiconicto. Tatamaganabo•• is a large French Village, 14 Leagues West Southerly from Bay Verte, a Harbour for large Ships.

Louisbourg formerly called English Harbour, is in N. Lat. 45 d. 55 m. the Passage by Sea from thence to Que|bec is about 200 Leagues, and has been performed in 3 Days. In Cape Breton Island, there is a Gut Lake or in|land Sea, called Labradore about 20 Leagues long, and 3

or 4 Leagues wide, here they build small Vessels; the French Privateer called Labradore, Capt. Le Grotz taken by the Comet Bomb 1745, was built there. In the North Part of the Island is a good Harbour St. Anne's in a good Soil, here was laid out Fort Dauphin, to be found in the French Charts, as if finished.

The other Islands in the Gulf of St. Laurence are pri|vate French Property; St. Iohns and the Magdalene Is|lands were granted to the Conte de St. Pierre; St. Iohns is about 20 Leagues long, good Land, many French and Indians; Governor Knowles of Louisbourg neglected the Possession of it: the Island of Anticosti, is the Property of Sieur Ioliet a Canadian, it lies in the Mouth of the River St. Laurence, is large but inhospitable, no good Timber, no good Harbour, Plenty of large Cod-Fish; below Gaspee on the Coast of Nova Scotia at L' Isle Per|cee and L' Isle Bonaventure already mentioned, the French make Cod-Fish.

After a short Description of the late French Colony of Cape Breton Islands, I shall briefly, without Interruption, and at one View relate that memorable Event of reducing Louisbourg, the French American Dunkirk, by a few New-England Militia, with the Countenance of some accidental British Men of War.

When Louisbourg was given to us by the French, we found 600 regular Troops in Garrison, with about 1300 Militia, whereof about one half were called in from the adjacent Settlements; the main Fossee or Ditch 80 Feet wide, the Ramparts 30 Feet high (the Scalado or Scaling Ladders which we sent by the Direction of Mr. Bradstreet at present Lieut.-Governor of a Fort in St. Iohns Har|bour Newfoundland, were too short by 10 Feet, and never were used) upon the Town Ramparts were mounted up|wards of 65 Cannon of various Sizes; the Entrance of the Harbour defended by a Grand Battery of about 30 Guns of 42 Pound Ball, and by the Island Battery of 30 Guns of 28 Pound Ball; Provisions for six Months, Ammunition sufficient, if well husbanded from the be|ginning;

ten Mortars of thirteen Inches, and six of nine Inches.

Mr. Vaughan of Damarascote, in the Territory of Saga|dahoc, in the Dominions of New-England; a whimsical wild Projector in his own private Concerns, intirely igno|rant of military Affairs, and of the Nature of the De|fence or Strength of a Place regularly and well fortified at an immense Expence; dreamt or imagined that this Place might be reduced by a Force consisting of 1500 raw Militia, some * 1.46 scaling Ladders, and a few armed small Craft of New-England.

It is said, that * 1.47 Governor Shirley was taken with this Hint or Conceit, but imagined that 3000 Militia with 2 forty Guns King's Ships might do better; this Expedition was resolved upon and prosecuted, without any Certainty of British Men of War to cover the Siege and prevent Supplies; a Packet was sent to Commodore Warren sta|tioned at our West-India Sugar Islands, by a loaded Lum|ber Sloop, desiring the Assistance of two Ships of 50 or 40 Guns, and if he could not spare two, to send one which perhaps might be sufficient; Mr. Warren's Ans|wer was, that for Want of further Instructions from the Admiralty, he could in Course send only two Ships to the New-York and Boston Stations; but soon after this he re|ceived Instructions to proceed to North America with the Superbe 60 Guns, Launceston 40 Guns, and Mermaid 40 Guns, in Order to succour Annapolis or any of his Maje|sty's Settlements against Attempts of the Enemy, and to make Attempts against the Enemy; in proceeding to Boston for Provisions and other Supplies, some fishing Scooners, by Letters from Governor Shirley informed him, that the Expedition had proceeded, and desiring that he would immediately cover them by his Protection without

touching in at Boston; the good, assiduous, and publick-spirited Commodore Warren directly proceeded and join|ed this Adventure, he is now an Admiral in the Navy, and Knight of the Bath in Reward for his good Services.

The Assembly of Massachusetts-Bay; Jan. 25. 1744, 5, by a Majority of one Vote, resolved upon this Expediti|on; Feb. 2, the Inlistments began for Voluntiers, and sail'd end of March for Canso 3000 Men compleat; we had in good Conduct and Precaution, three Weeks before this, sent out some Privateers to block up the Harbour of Lou|isbourg. At Canso they remain'd three Weeks, at this Time the Shore of Cape Breton was impracticable from Fields of Ice which came down by Thaws from the River of St. Laurence or Canada, and by Easterly Winds drove upon that Coast: At Canso was built a Block House of 8 small Cannon, garrisoned with 80 Men. The Expedi|tion sail'd from Canso April 29, and next Day arrived in Chapeau rouge Bay a little South of Louisbourg; here in landing our Men we were oppos'd by a Body of upwards of 100 regular Troops (whereof 24 were of the Swiss Com|pany) commanded by Maurepang, formerly a noted Sea Rover; we suffered no Loss, the French retired with the Loss of 8 Men killed and 10 made Prisoners; from Canso we had sent a small Party to St. Peters a small French Set|tlement upon Cape Breton, and burnt it.

May 2. We detached 400 Men to march round, under Cover of the Hills, to the N. E. Harbour of Louisbourg; upon the Surprize of our Men's burning the Store Houses and Fish Stages there, about one Mile from the Grand Battery; the Troops in the Grand Battery (to reinforce the Town, the Harbour being sufficiently guarded by the Is|land Battery) retired to the Town precipitately, without destroying the Trunnions and Carriages of their Cannon, only spiking 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••ailing of them which were soon dril'd and did serve against the Town,* 1.48 we took Possession of

it May 3, and found 350 Shells of 13, and 30 of 10 Inches, and a large Quantity of Shot.

The New-England Militia before the Town were in all about 3600 * 1.49 Voluntiers, whereof not exceeding 150

Men were lost (the Prince of Orange Snow excepted, lost in a Storm) by Fortune of War, viz. kill'd by bursting of Can|non, by Shot from the Town, kill'd and drowned in the rash Attempt against the Island Battery: upon our first en|camping, from the Damp of the Ground, there happened

a general Flux or rather simple Diarrhea or meer Loose|ness, not mortal, and soon over. After we got into the Town a sordid Indole••ce or Sloth for Want of * 1.50 Disci|pline, induced putrid Fevers and Dysentaries, which at Length in August became contagious, and the People died like rotten Sheep; this destroy'd, or render'd incapable of Duty one half of our Militia.

During the Siege, the French made only one insignifi|cant Sally May 8; the Garrison was mutinous, and could not be trusted at large; this rendred us secure and the Siege was carried on in a tumultuary random Manner, and resembled a Cambridge Commencement.

In the Beginning of the Siege, some of our Men in|considerately stroll'd, and suffered from a Body of French Indians.

May 16. A Party of about 100 Men in Boats, landed i•• the Night near the Light House Point, to surprise our Men who were erecting a Battery there to play upon the Island Battery of the French; this Party was timely dis|covered and obliged to fly into the Woods, and being joined by some Indians, had several Skirmishes with our Scouts.

May 26. In Whale-Boats (so thin and light that a few

Musket Balls are sufficient to sink them (about 400 Men, rashly attempted the Island Battery, where is bad landing, 30 Guns of 28 Pound Ball, and 180 Men in Garrison; we lost in this mad Frolick 60 Men kill'd and drowned, and 116 Prisoners to the French.

* 1.51 As to the Affair of the Siege of the Town, it was in this Manner. In the beginning upon Greenhill 1550 Yards distant from the King's Bastion called the Citadel, we erected a Battery of a very few small Cannon, one 13 Inch, one 11 Inch, and one 9 Inch Mortars; they could

do no Execution; May 7, a Battery was made at 900 Yards Distance, and we summoned the Town; May 17, a Battery was advanced to 250 Yards Distance from the West Gate; May 20, on the other Side of a Creek was erected aBattery of five 42 Pounders, called Tidcomb's Bat|tery, to batter the Circular Battery and Magazine.

We made no regular Approaches by Trenches, that is, by Parallels and Zigzags, but bombarded the Town at Random, and did much Damage to the Roofs of the Houses; the West Gate was defaced, the adjoining Cur|tain and Flank of the King's Bastion were much hurt, but no practicable Breach.

The Canterbury and Sunderland being arrived it was re|solved to storm the Town by Sea Iune 18, by three 60, one 50, and four 40 Gun Ships, while the Land Forces ma••e a Feint or Diversion ashore: The French were a|fraid to stand it, and capitulated Iune 17, to march out with the Honours of War, not to serve for 12 Months, to be allowed all their personal Effects, and to be trans|ported to France, at the Charge of Great-Britain.

The Place was put under the joint Administration of Pepperrell and Warren; and all future Charges were to be defray'd by their Bills upon the Pay-Master General and Ordnance. According to the enlisting Proclamation, our Militia were to be discharged so soon as the Expedi|tion was over; Governor Shirley arrived in Louisbourg Aug. 17, and persuaded them to continue; but notwith|standing, if the Vigilant, the Chester, and Louisbourg Fire Ship had not continued there over Winter, the Militia might have been discouraged, and the Place in Danger of being surprized by the French and their Indians from Ca|nada, Nova Scotia, and St. Iohns Island.

When the Launceston's Guns were landed and mounted upon the Ramparts; we had 266 good Cannon mount|ed in the Town and Batteries. Capt. Montague of the Mermaid carried Home the Advice of Louisbourg being surrendred.

As it is probable that Louisbourg will be demolished

upon a Peace, I shall not give any Description of the Town and its Fortifications; I only mention that from the Grand Battery, erected to range and defend the En|trance of the Harbour, to the Light House at the Mouth of the Harbour, are about 2000 Yards; after we were in Possession of this Battery, and dril'd some of the great Cannon which the French had nail'd and relinquish|ed; the Town and Battery cannoned one another with a great and useless Expence of Ammunition; this Folly was less excusable in the French, as they could not possibly have any Recruit of Stores; the Distance from the Grand Battery to the Circular Battery of the Town, is 1857 Yards, which is too great for much good Execu|tion. From Ma••repas Gate to the Island Battery E. N. E. 1273 Yards. From the Island Battery to the Light-house N. E. 1133 Yards.

As the French royal Navy at present are much * 1.52 reduc|ed, and not capable of sending any considerable Squadron so far abroad; perhaps in good Oeconomy and with suf|ficient Security; the present nominal chargeable Corps (besides the large Detachment from the Train or Ord|nance) in Garrison at Louisbourg of about 4000 Men, may be reduced to 2000 effective Men, and the reformed Men may with proper Encouragement be sent to settle, and be intermixed with the French in Nova Scotia▪ continuing them in Corps and in Pay for some Time.

The present Garrison Troops of Louisbourg, if com|pleat, consist of

	Men
Fuller's Reg.	815		Marching Regiments
Warburton's	815	Officers included
Frampton's 3 Comp.	245
Sir Wm Pepperrell's	1000	for Officers not included add 80 or more to each	May be called Ma|rines
Col. Shirley's	1000
	3875

The Project of raising two Regiments in New-England was faulty in two Respects. 1. A young Settlement, al|ready much reduced in their young Men, by late Expe|ditions; to exhaust them more by standing Levies, is a grievous Hardship; it not only retards or stunts the Growth of the Colony, but in Fact, miniorates them, and puts them backwards; this is the general Complaint of the Country, extravagant Price of Labour, and Want of Labourers. 2. The publick Disappointment of the In|terest of Great-Britain, where 2000 Men are depended upon; of these 1000 perhaps are and ever will be Non-Effectives, it being impracticable for the Country to spare so many Men, for standing or continued Regular Troops.

Perhaps the speculative original Design, at Home might appear specious, that is, 1. A Garrison of Men in|digenous, Natives of, or habituated to the Climate. 2. That by reserving some Officer's Commissions, to the Disposal of the Colonels; the Gentlemen of our Militia, who had distinguish'd themselves in the Expeditions, might have some Reward for their Merit; this last De|sign was attended with the * 1.53 Inconveniency of being per|verted; by bestowing these Commissions to Purchasers, to Relations, and to Friends.

Some of our good Farmers, Artificers, and other La|bourers,

leaving their several Occupations for a short Time, to serve their Country upon an Exigency, in a mi|litary Way, is very laudable; this was in Practice amongst the Romans; some of their great Generals have upon this Account left the Plough, and when the Expedition was over, have returned to it again; such ought to be reward|ed with Places of Profit or Honour, without Purchase, Subscriptions for Presents, Assignments of their Pay for a Time, and other * 1.54 avaricious Contrivances.

In the Summer 1746 the Assembly of Massachusetts-Bay, sent to the Court of Great Britain * 1.55, Accounts of their Provincial Charge in reducing of Louisbourg, to the Amount of about 178,000 £. Sterling; this Affair is still depending, and is imputed, rather to the Inactivity and improper Application of our Agents, than to Dilato|riness in the Ministry and Parliament; the Righteousness and Generosity of our Parliaments are notorious, and a Reimbursement is unquestionable; and if properly push'd to Effect, we might have had for some Time past, an annu|al accruing Interest upon Debentures of 7,000£. St. pr. An.

which at present is 70,000 £. New England Currency, this would much lessen our yearly Provincial Tax.

At Louisbourg their Currency sounds as if it were Ster|ling Value; British Coin cannot be exported, therefore Spanish Coin, which is the most general in all the com|mercial Countries of our Globe, reduced to a Sterling Va|lue, is called Sterling by us. Immediately upon our pos|sessing of Louisbourg, the Gibraltar and Colonies Curren|cies Cheat, began to take Place; that is, the Commissa|ries or Pay-Masters, what was charged to the proper Offi|ces or Boards at Home at 5 s. St, they paid off (to their own private Advantage of 11 pr. Ct. a Cheat) by a mill'd Piece of Eight Value 4 s. 6 d. St. If Louisbourg should continue a Garrison, a considerable Article in the British annual Supply; those Commissaries from the Example of our American Colonies and Gibraltar, would soon improve their Profits, to pay away a light Piece of Eight, Value 3 s. 6 d. St. for a British Crown or 5 s. St. The Impo|sition at Gibraltar of 1 s. St. for 16 d. Currency and Pay, it is said, has lately been under Consideration of the British Parliament; may it introduce the Consideration of the Abuses in our Plantation Paper Currencies, where the A|buse is vastly more; in Gibraltar 1 s. Sterl. is paid away for a nominal 16 d; in Massachusetts-Bay from a * 1.56 very b—d Administration, we have exceeded all our Colonies, even North Carolina where their Paper Money was at a Discount with a fallacious cheating Truck, it is 10 for 1 St.; ours is somewhat worse in good Bills St.

From the Surrender of Louisbourg and Territories thereto belonging, Iune 17, 1745 to Iune 1748, there

have been several transient Commandants, but no con|tinued established Governor; if the Court of Great-Bri|tain were in earnest to retain this Place, many Candidates would have appeared, and some Person of great Interest established; whereas from a Col. (Warburton) being Lt.-Governor, it is now reduced to a Lt.-Col. being Gover|nor. The Commandants in Succession have been as fol|lows from the Surrender,

1. The General, Pepperrell; and Commodore, Warren, naturally joint Administrators.

2. * 1.57 Admiral Warren Governor; Col. Warburton Lt.-Governor.

3. * 1.58 Commodore Knowles Governor; Col. Warburton Lt.-Governor.

4. Hobson Lt.-Col. to Fuller, Governor; Ellison Lt.-Col. to Pepperrell, Lt.-Governor.

SECTION VIII. Concerning the Province of Massachusetts-Bay.

THE next four following Sections concern the Do|minions of New-England, at present divided into four several Colonies or Governments; to render the Accounts of them more clear and distinct, we shall begin this Section with an introductory Article, in ge|neral concerning the sundry Grants and Settlements made, before they were colonized by Royal Charters and Pa|tents: As Massachusetts-Bay Province, is composed of many different Grants, united at present in one Charter; some general Account of these several Territories may be useful; afterwards we proceed to more particular Accounts of these Territories in so many distinct Articles, beginning from the Northward.

ARTICLE I. Some general Account of the Dominions of New-Eng|land, and a general Account of the Territories incorporated by royal Charter into one Province or Colony by the Name of Massachusetts-Bay in New-England.

This is a laborious Affair, being obliged to consult MSS Records; the many printed Accounts are, 1. Too credulous and superstitious. 2. Too trifling; must the insipid History of every Brute (some Men as to Intellects do not exceed some Brutes) or Man Animal be transmit|ted to Posterity? 3. The Accounts of every white Man and Indian mutually kill'd or otherways dead, would swell and lower History so much, as to ••ender the Perusal of

such Histories (excepting with old Women and Children) impracticable. 4. The Succession of pious Pastors, El|ders and Deacons, in the several Townships, Parishes or Congregations; I leave to Ecclesiastick Chronologers; Canonization or Sainting seems not consistent with our Protestant Principles. 5. The printed Accounts in all Respects are beyond all Excuse * 1.59 intolerably erroneous.

The first English Discovery of the Eastern Coasts of North America was by the Cabots in the End of the 15th

Century. The first effectual royal Grant of Soil or Pro|perty was Anno 1584 to Sir Walter Raleigh and Asso|ciates; he gave the Name Virginia to all the Continent in general, so called from the English Queen of that Time Elizabeth, a Virgin Queen because never married.

New-England was first discovered to any Purpose, by Capt. Gosnold 1602, and the Fish, Train Oil, Skin, and Fur Trade thereof, with the Indians for some Years, was principally carried on by some Bristol Men. A rascally Fellow Capt. Hunt, carried off some Indians, and in the Mediterranean Sea of Europe sold them to the Spaniards, as Slaves, Mores of the Coast of Barbary; during some following Years the Indians had an Aversion to, and Jea|lousy of the English Traders; but at Length Anno 1619 they were brought to a thorough Reconciliation, which made the Beginning of the New Plymouth Settlement more easily carried on.

This Capt. Gosnold of Dartmouth, was an Associate of Raleigh's; Anno 1602 from England instead of the for|mer wide indirect Course to Virginia by the Canary and Caribee Islands; he sail'd a more direct or Northern Course, and fell in with this Coast, was embay'd in N. Lat. 42 d. 10 m, where he caught many Cod Fish, and called it Cape Cod; thence sailing Southward he gave Q. Elizabeth's Name to one Island; and to the next Island, where he found Quantities of wild Grape Vines, he gave the Name of Martha's Vineyard; these Names are re|tained to this Day.

Capt. Gosnold at his Return to England gave a good Character of this new Country, which induced several Gentlemen jointly to obtain a Royal Grant Anno 1606 (Sir Walter Raleigh from his Attainder having forfeited his Grants in North America) April 10, they were two

Companies in one Charter to plant and dispose of Land•• there: See P. 204. They were much the same Districts as are our present Southern and Northern Districts of Custom Houses; the Southern District was called the Lon|don Company which does not belong to this Part of our History. The other was called the Northern District, North Virginia, or the Company of Plymouth or West Country Adventurers; Lord chief Justice Popham and Sir Ferdinando Gorge were of this Company; Lord chief Justice Popham was their Patron and principal Promoter, he dying soon after, the Settlement dropt, but some Trade for Fish, Skins and Furs was carried on for some Years. Their first Adventure was taken by the Spaniards Anno 1606. Capt. George Popham appointed President or Di|rector of a Settlement to be made there, came over with Capt. Gilbert in 2 Ships with Families and Stores Anno 1607; some Families wintered at Sagadahoc near the Mouth of Quenebec River (here many good Rivers meet and discharge themselves into a Bay called Merry-meeting Bay) Anno 1608, but soon left it with the Character of a cold, barren, inhospitable Desert.

Capt. Smith called the Traveller, sometime President of Virginia, an ingenious Man, Anno 1614 with two Ves|sels came upon this Coast for Trade and Discovery of Mines of Minerals, Metals, and Precious Stones, Auri sacra fames promoted most of our American Discoveries; he survey'd the Coast well, and gave Names (still upon Record) to many of the Head Lands, Bays and Rivers, which are now obsolete, and other Names have taken Place: He presented a Plan of the Country to the Court of England, and it was called NEW-ENGLAND, which Name it retains to this Day.

About this Time there were several voluntary Com|panies of Adventurers to America, but without Grants or Patents; the London, Bristol, Exeter, Plymouth, &c. Com|panies, who soon dissolved of themselves.

The Northern Company of Anno 1606, insensibly dis|solved of it self; and a new Company of Adventurers

was formed, called the Council of Plymouth or Council of New-England; their Patent reaching from N. Lat. 40 d. to 48 d. is dated Nov. 18. Anno 1620 to Duke of Lenox, Marquis of Buckingham, Marquis of Hamilton &c, the Corporation to consist of 40; upon Deaths the Vacan|cies to be supplied by a Vote of the Survivors; being in Process of Time divided amongst themselves, they sur|render'd their Patent 1635, and some of them, v. g. Duke of Hamilton, Sir Ferdinando Gorge, &c. obtain'd from K. Charles I. peculiar Grants or Patents: Their Patent was designedly extended much North and South, to include and keep up the English Claim to New Netherlands in Possession of the Dutch to the Southward, and to L'Ac|cadie, since called Nova Scotia, then in Possession of the French to the Northward; * 1.60 see a large Account of these Affairs, P. 109, and 205. To be a Body corporate, to have a common Seal, make Laws, and dispose of any Parts thereof, but could not * 1.61 delegate the Jurisdiction without an additional Royal Charter.

This Council of Plymouth or New-England made many indistinct and interfering Grants; at this Time many of their Grants are become obsolete, such as Duke Hamilton's of the Narraganset Country, Mr. Mason's of New Hamp|shire, some Grants upon Kenebec River, &c. The Mem|bers of this Council of Plymouth differing amongst them|selves,

occasioned the Surrender of their Charter to the Court, by an Instrument under their common Seal dated Iune 7. 1635; there has been no general British Com|pany in America since that Time.

Here we may observe in general, That Laud * 1.62, Arch|bishop of Canterbury, noted for his immoderate Zeal to promote Uniformity in the Church, occasioned an Emi|gration of Non-Conformists in great Numbers to New-England, preceeding Anno 1641; but from that Time, until the Restoration of the Family of Stuart, being about 20 Years, very few came abroad; the Independent or Congregational Manner of religious Performances having the Ascendent in England, as most * 1.63 sutable to the civil

Administration of those Times. In the Reigns of Charles II, and of Iames II, many Dissenters came over. Lately the long Leases of the Farmers in the North of Ireland being expired, the Landlords raised their Rents extravagantly: This occasioned an Emigration of many North of Ireland Scots Presbyterians, with an Intermixture of wild Irish Roman Catholicks; at first they chose * 1.64 New England, but being brought up to Husbandry or raising of Grain, called Bread Corn, New-England did not answer so well, as the Colonies Southward; therefore at present they generally resort to Pensylvania, a good Grain Co|lony.

This Council of Plymouth parcel'd out their Grant, into several Colonies or Settlements.

Robert Brown, a * 1.65 hot-headed young Enthusiastical Clergyman began Anno 1580, to preach against the C••|remonies and Discipline of the Church of England; he was persecuted or baited and teazed by the Bishops Courts, he with some Disciples left England, and formed a Church as Midleborough of Zealand, in the Dutch Low Countries; after some Time this Esservescence or Ebulition of Youth subsided, he returned to England, recanted, and had a Church of England Cure bestow'd upon him, and died in that Communion, Anno 1630.

A Congregation of these Brownists wa•• formed in Y••r|mo••th 1602, being harrassed by the established Church of England, with their Pastor they transported themselves to Leyden in Holland; here they became more moderate under the Direction of their Pastor * 1.66 Mr. Robinson; and from Brow|nists changed their Denomination to that of Independents: Being of unsteady Temper, they resolved to remove from amongst Strangers after 10 Years Residence, to some re|mote Country in some Wilderness, where without Moles|tation they might worship GOD in their own de••••••ional Way: Thus the first Settlements in New-England were upon a religious Account, not properly for Produce, Ma|nufacturies, and Trade, but as Recluses: Amongst the Roman Catholicks are many Communities or Convents of unmarried or single Persons Recluse; but these were re|cluse Families.

After having obtained an Instrument from King Iames I. for the free Exercise of their Religion in any Part of America; they sold their Estates and made a common

Bank, and entred into Articles of Agreement with the Adventurers called the Council of Plymouth, to settle on the Banks of Hudson's River, now in the Government of New-York; after the Misfortune of being twice put back, they sail'd 120 Persons in one Ship from Plymouth (they gave the same Name to their new Settlement) Sept. 6, 1620, and fell in with Cape Cod Nov. 9; being too late in the Season for proceeding to Hudson's River; although without the Limits of their Agreement they were obliged to sit down in a barren Soil, and formed themselves into a voluntary Association or Colony, subscribed by 41 Men, but had no Communication with the Indians of the Coun|try until the Middle of March following; about this Time these Indians by some ep••demick malig••a••t Illness and intestine Wars had been much reduced. They chuse Mr. Carver Governor for one Year, but he died in April following, and was succeeded by Mr. Bradford; from the Length of the Voyage, other Fatigues, and extreme cold Weather, about 50 of their Number died the first Year, of putrid Fevers, and other scorbu••ick Ails; all was in common for the first two or three Years, having divided themselves into 19 Families, Menages, or Messes; yearly t••ey rec••ived a few Recruits of People; Anno 1624 when they received their Grant, the whole Settlement consisted of only 180 Persons in 32 Messes: From so small a Be|ginning in the Space of about 125 Years, New-England is arrived to its present Glory. They purchased their Lands of Massassoit, the Indian Sachem; he was glad of their Alliance and Assistance, being then at War with the Nar••ganset Indian numerous Tribe.

They had no Grant of their Lands from the Council of Plymouth until Anno 1624, this Grant was not to the Company 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Adventurers and Freemen, but to William Bradford, his Heirs, Associates, and Assigns; he was af|terwards persuaded to assign this Grant to the Freem••n in general: This Assignment (as I understand it) was after|wards confirmed by a new Grant from the Council of Plymouth to the Company of Freemen, Ian. 1629, 30;

they never had any Royal Charter or Patent, conseque••••••ly no Jurisdiction; the Council of Plymouth could con|vey Property, but could not delegate Jurisdiction. Here we must break off, and reassume the History of Plymouth old Colony, when we come to the Article of Plymouth as a constituted Colony.

It is certain that the first Settlers of New England, did not (as in some of our Colonies) come over indigent or Criminals, but as devout religious * 1.67 Puritans, they were not Servants to the Adventurers as in some Colonies.

Before we enter upon the four well settled and consti|tuted Colonies of New-England, we shall but just menti|on some Grants which have in Process of Time been in|corporated with these four Colonies, and their Memory lost or swallowed up in them, and of others become ••bsolete. Some of them shall be related more at large in their proper Places.

Muscongus or Lincoln Grant of 30 Miles square.

Pemaquid Grant.

Shepscut Purchase or Nagwasack Purchase of Robinhood an Indian Sagamore, Nov. 1. 1639, between Sagadahock Bay and Shepscut River, these three are in the Territory of Sagadahock.

Nehumkin Purchase of the Indians October 13. 1649, both Sides of Quenebec River, in this lies Richmond Fort.

Plymouth Grant Ian. 1629, to William Bradford and Associates, lies both Sides of Quenebec River; in this is Cushnock Falls; is in all about 280 Acres.

Taconick Purchase of the Indians 1653, here are Taco|nick Falls about 40 Miles from Noridgwog; these three are upon Quenebec River, one half in Sagadahoc, one half in Province of Main.

Pegapscot Purchase each Side of Pegapscot River ex|tending to the West Side of Quenebec River; Mr. Whar|ton purchased it of the Indian Sagamores 1683, being a|bout 500,000 Acres; at present belongs to nine Proprie|tors, Thomas Hutchinson, &c. it interferes with Nahumkin Purchase and Plymouth Grant.

Province of Main granted 15 Car. I. to Sir Ferdinando Gorge, extending from Piscataqua and Newichewenock Ri|vers to Quenebec River, and 120 Miles inland; includes the Pegapscot Purchase, was purchased by the Colony of Massachusetts-Bay, and is annexed by the new Charter.

Province of New Hampshire; from Piscataqua River, to within three Miles of Merimack River, granted to Mr. Mason 1624, sold by Mr. Mason's Heirs to Mr. Allen of London; at present that Grant and Conveyance seem to be obsolete; the Property of the settled Lands is in the Settlers, the Property of the waste Land is in the Crown, and the Jurisdiction of the whole in the Crown; it ex|tends 60 Miles inland, and lately there is annexed an inde|finite Quantity of Territory, belonging to the Crown, formerly claim'd by Massachusetts-Bay.

Colony of Plymouth, the Mother Colony of New-Eng|land; extending from Old Massachusetts to the Seas, viz. to Massachusetts-Bay, the Ocean, and within three Miles of Naraganset Bay; it is now annexed to Massachusetts; they began a Voluntier Settlement 1620.

Mr. Weston one of the Plymouth Adventurers, obtain'd a separate Grant of some Land; and in May 1622 sent over about 60 Men to make a Settlement at Weymouth a|bout

15 Miles South from Boston, they managed ill, be|came idle and dissolute, and soon broke up, and their Me|mory is lost.

Mr. Gorge, Son to Sir Ferdinando Gorge, Anno 1623 brought over some Settlers; he had some Commission from the Council of Plymouth, as Governor General; soon discouraged, he returned Home.

About the same Time Mr. David Thompson attempted a Settlement at Piscataqua, the Memory of it is lost.

Some Adventurers propos'd to make a Settlement North Side of Massachusetts-Bay, Anno 1624 they began a small Settlement at Cape Anne, the Northern Promonto|ry of this Bay, and are now become the most considerable British America Settlement, and by Way of Eminence i•• commonly called New-England; they have had a first and second Charter, as shall be more fully related.

Anno 1626 Capt. Wolaston and some others, with Ser|vants, Provisions, and other Stores, began a Settlement at Braintree, but not answering Expectation, after two Years they intirely broke up: Some went to Virginia, some to New Plymouth.

Anno 1630 Earl of Warwick had a Grant of a Tract of Land along Shore from Naraganset River, 40 Leagues West Southerly, and back Inland to the South Seas. Earl of Warwick assigned his Grant to Viscount Sea and Seal, and to Lord Brook, and nine more Associates; finding many Difficulties in settling they assigned their Right to the Connecticut and New-Haven Settlers; these Settlers were Emigrants from Massachusetts-Bay; originally they had no Title, but did sit down at Pleasure, and do at pre|sent enjoy a Royal Charter by the Name of the Colony of Connecticut. Part of this Grant, viz. from Naraganset Bay to Connecticut River, when the Council of Plymouth surrender'd their Patent, was given Anno 1636 by the King to Duke Hamilton, he never was in Possession, and the Claim is become obsolete.

Anno 1642 Mr. Mayhew obtain'd a Grant of the Islands of Nantucket, Marthas Vineyard, &c. and began to make Settlements there.

There were several other Grants and Purchases for small Considerations, and now become obsolete; for In|stance, the Million Purchase from Dunstable six Miles each Side of Merimack River to Winapisinkit Pond or Lake, granted by Governor Andros and Council in the Reign of Iames II; a Claim of this Grant was by some of the Grantees revived about 25 Years ago; but as illegal and odious it was dropt.

Originally according to Capt. Smith's Map, approved of by the Court of England; New-England extended from 20 Miles East of Hudson's River, Northward to the River St. Croix; or perhaps to the Gulph of St. Laurence, in|cluding Nova Scotia, a subsequent peculiar Grant; when Iames II. sent over Sir Edmund. Andros Governor, his Commission or Patent was for the late Colonies of Mas|sachusetts Bay, Plymouth, Connecticut, and Rhode-Island, called the Dominions of New-England; distinct from New-York and Sagadahoc, of which he was also appointed Governor. N. B. New-Hampshire and Province of Main, at that Time were of no Consideration, being under the Protection, and as it were tacitly annexed to the good flourishing Colony of Massachusetts Bay.

The Dominions or rather Denominations in New Eng|land at present consists of four Colonies, or severally in|dependent Legislatures, viz. Massachusetts-Bay Province, Province of New Hampshire, Colony of Rhode Island, and Colony of Connecticut: For Sake of Perspicuity, to each of these is assigned a distinct Section.

The new Charter of Massachusetts-Bay Anno 1691, is a * 1.68 Union or Consolidation of several separate Grants into

one Legislature and Jurisdiction; for the more effectual Protection of the whole, against the Incursions of our neighbouring French and Indians. Their new Charter comprehends the following Territories; Sagadahoc or Duke of York's Property; Province of Maine; Old Co|lony of Massachusetts-Bay, old Colony of Plymouth; and the Islands of Nantucket, Elizabeth, Marthas Vineyard, &c. Before we reduce these into separate Articles, to make the whole more apparent, we shall insert an Ab|stract of this incorporating second or new Charter (al|though a late Event or Transaction) as it affords a gene|ral Idea of the Constitution of all our British Colonies.

This new Charter of Anno 1691, bears Date 3 W. and M. Oct. 7, countersigned Pigot. After Recital of the former Grant or Charter, it proceeds thus, "Whereas the said Governor and Company of Massachusetts-Bay in New England, by Virtue of said Letters patent, are become very populous and well settled; and whereas said Charter was vacated by a Iudgment in Chancery in Trinity Term, Anno 1684; the Agents of that Colony have petitioned us, to be reincorporated by a new Charter; and also to the End that our Colony of New-Plymouth in New-England, may be brought under such a Form of Government, as may put them in a better Condition of Defence: We do by these Presents, incorporate into one real Province, by the Name of the Pro|vince of Massachusetts-Bay in New-England; viz. the former Colony of Massachusetts Bay, the Colony of New-Plymouth, * 1.69 the Province of Main, the Territory of Aca|dia

or Nova Scotia, and the * 1.70 Tract laying between Nova Scotia and Province of Main, the North Half of the Isles of Shoals, the Isles of * 1.71 Capawock, and Nantucket near Cape Cod, and all Islands within ten Leagues directly opposite to the main Land within said Bounds. To our Subjects In|habitants of said Lands and their Successors. Quit-Rent, a fifth Part of all Gold, and Silver, and Precious Stones that may be found there. Confirms all Lands, Hereditaments, &c. formerly granted by any General Court to Persons, Bodies cor|porate, Towns, Villages, Colleges or Schools; * 1.72 saving the Claims of Samuel Allen under John Mason, and any other Claim. Former Grants and Conveyances not to be * 1.73 prejudiced for Want of Form. The Governor, Lt.-Governor, and Secretary to be in the King's Nomination; 28 Councellors whereof 7 at least make a Board. A General Court or Assembly, to be convened last Wednesday in May yearly; consisting of the Governor, Council, and Representatives of the Towns or Places, not exceeding * 1.74 two for one Place; Qualification

for an Elector 40 s. Freehold, or 50 £. St. personal Estate. The * 1.75 General Assembly to elect 28 * 1.76 Councellors; whereof 18 from the Old Colony of Massachusetts-Bay, 4 from Ply|mouth late Colony, 3 from the Province of Maine, 1 for the Territory of Sagadahoc, and 2 at large. The Governor with Consent of the Council to appoint the Officers in the Courts of Iustice. All born in the Province, or in the Pas|sage to and from it, to be deem'd natural born Subjects of Eng|land. Liberty of Conscience to all Christians except Papists. TheGeneral Assembly to constituteIudicatories for allCauses cri|minal or civil, capital or not capital. Probate of Wills and granting of Administrations, to be in theGovernor and Council. In personal Actions exceeding the Value of 300 £. St. may appeal to the King in Council, if the Appeal be made in four|teen Days after Iudgment, but Execution not to be staid. The General Assembly to make Laws, if not repugnant to the

Laws of England to * 1.77 appoint all civil Officers, excepting the Officers of the Courts of Iustice, to impose Taxes to be * 1.78 disposed by the Governor and Council. The Conversion of the Indians to be endeavoured. The Governor to have a Negative in all Acts and Elections. All Acts of Assembly, to be sent Home by the first Opportunity to the King in Coun|cil for Approbation; if not disallowed in three Years after their being presented, shall continue in Force until repealed by the Assembly.* 1.79 The General Assembly may grant any Lands in late Massachusetts-Bay and Plymouth Colonies, and in the Province of Maine; but no Grant of Lands from Sa|gadaho•• River, to St. Laurence River shall be valid, with|out the Royal Approbation. The Governor to command the Militia, to use the Law Martial in Time of actual War, to erect Forts and demolish the same at Pleasure. No Person to be transported out of the Province, without their own Con|sent, or Consent of the General Assembly. The Law Martial not to be executed without Consent of the Council. When there is no Governor, the Lt.-Governor is to act, when both are wanting the Majority of the Council to have the Power. The Admiralty Iurisdiction is reserved to the King, or Lords of the Admiralty. No Subject of England to be debar'd from fishing on the Sea-Coast, Creeks, or Salt Water Ri|vers, and may erect Lodges and Stages in any Lands not

in Possession of particular Proprietors. All * 1.80 Trees fit for Masts of 24 Inches Diameter and upwards 12 Inches from the Ground, growing upon Land not heretofore granted to any private Persons, are reserved to the Crown; Penalty for cutting any such reserved Trees 100 £. St. per Tree.

About 20 Years since, the Assembly of Massachusetts-Bay, received and accepted an additional or explanatory Charter from the Court of Great-Britain; the History of the Affair is as follows. In the Administration of Go|vernor Shute, a good-natur'd Gentleman, and though no great Politician, was tenacious of the Prerogative; a few hot-headed turbulent Men who had got the Ascen|dent over their Fellow-Representatives, and in some Mea|sure over the Council, endeavoured the same over the Go|vernor, by assuming some Articles of the Prerogative: In the End of Anno 1722 Mr. Shute in Person carried Home seven Articles of Complaint against the House of Representatives encroaching upon the Prerogative.

1. Their taking Possession of Royal Masts cut into Logs.

2. Refusing the Governor's Negative of the Speaker.

3. Assuming Authority jointly with the Governor and Council to appoint Fasts and Thanksgivings.

4. Adjourning themselves for more than two Days at a Time.

5. Dismantling of Forts, and ordering the Guns and Stores into the Treasurer's Custody.

6. Suspending of Military Officers, and mutilating them of their Pay.

7. Sending a Committee of their own to muster the King's Forces.

Upon a Hearing before the King and Council Mr. Cook Agent for the House of Representatives, and his Council or Lawyers in the Name of the House of Repre|sentatives, gave up or renounced the 1, 3, 5, 6, and 7 Articles, acknowledging their Fault, induced by Prece|dents of former Assemblies, but wrong and erroneous; and that it was a former Assembly, not the present, that had been guilty; the other two Articles were regu|lated by an explanatory Charter, and they directed to ac|cept the same.

This explanatory Charter is dated 12 Regni Geo. I. Au|gust 20, and countersigned Cocks. "Whereas in their Charter, nothing is directed concerning a Speaker of the House of Representatives, and of their adjourning themselves: It is hereby ordered, That the Governor or Commander in chief, shall have a Negative in the Election of the Speaker, and the House of Representatives may adjourn themselves not exceeding two Days at a Time. By the prudent Conduct of Governor Dummer, the Assembly were induced to ac|cept of this explanatory Charter, by a publick Act of the General Court, Anno 1726.

We may observe in general, that the Oeconomy or Mode of Jurisdiction is much the same in all the four Co|lonies of New-England, by Justices of the Peace and their Quarterly Sessions, by Inferior County Courts of Common Law; and by Provincial ambulatory Superior Courts for Appeals, where Cases are issued, it is also a Court of Jus|ticiary or Oyer and Terminer.

They are divided into constituted Districts called Town|ships;

they are a Kind of Bodies corporate, may sue and be sued, elect all proper Officers, send Deputies to the Legislature House of Representatives, and make By-laws. The Management of Township Affairs is in a few (call|ed Select-Men) annually elected by the qualified Voters of the Townships or District. In most of the other Bri|tish Colonies, their constituted Parishes, by Custom, act as Bodies corporate, the Management is in * 1.81 Vestry-Men so called, who generally are for Life, and the Survivors supply Vacancies.

In the four Colonies of New-England Juries are return|ed to the several Courts by Election in certain Quotas from the several Townships, but not by the Appointment of the Sheriffs.

In the rigid, and furiously zealous Church and State Administration of Laud, Archbishop of Canterbury (he carried both Church and State beyond their Bearings, and consequently in the Nature of Things they did overset) many Puritans and other Nonconformists flock'd over to New-England; this occasioned a State Proclamation April 30. 1637, forbidding any Subjects to transport them|selves to America, without License from his Majesty's Commissioners. Anno 1640, the People in New-England did not exceed 4000, and in the 20 following Years many went * 1.82 Home from New-England, their Way of Worship was then in great Vogue in Old England.

N. B. Many of the first English Set••lements in Ame|rica, were by Companies of Adventurers, with a joint

Stock: Annually in London, each Company chose a Pre|sident and Treasurer for Managers.

We proceed to the several Articles concerning the Co|lonies or Territories, united into one Province by the new Charter of Massachusetts-Bay.

Each Article goes no further than the Time of this Charter Union: From that Time the History of their joint Affairs, is carried along in the Article of Old Mas|sachusetts Bay Colony.

ARTICLE 2. Concerning Sagadahoc, formerly called the Duke of York's Property.

KING Charles II, March 12. 1663, 4 granted to his Brother the Duke of York, a certain Territory or Tract of Land, thus described, "All that Part of the main Land of New-England, beginning at a certain Place, called or known by the Name of St. Croix adjoining to New-Scotland in America; and from thence extending along the Sea Coast, unto a certain Place called Pemaquin or Pema|quid, and so up by the River thereof, to the furthest Head of the same, as it tendeth Northwards, and extending from thence to the River of Quenebec, and so up by the shortest Course to the River of Canada Northwards." This was called the Duke of York's Property, and annexed to the Government of New York. The Duke of York upon the Death of his Brother K. Charles II, became K. Iames II; and upon K. Iames's Abdication these Lands reverted to the Crown.

At present the Territory of Sagadahoc, is supposed to extend from the River St. Croix Eastward, to the River of Quenebec Westward, and from each of these two Ri|vers due North to the River of St. Laurence, thus St. Lau|rence or Canada River is its Northern Boundary, and the Atlantick Ocean is its Southern Boundary. When Nova

Scotia was in Possession of the French, Sagadahoc Terri|tory was included in the Commission of the French Go|vernor of L'Accadie or Nova Scotia; thus it was in the Time of granting a new royal Charter to Massachusetts-Bay, therefore to keep up the English Claim to this Ter|ritory, as well as to Nova Scotia, the Jurisdiction of both were included in that Charter.

Upon the Peace of Utrecht 1713, Nova Scotia and Sa|gadahoc were quit claim'd by France to Great-Britain; and the Court of Great-Britain reassumed the Jurisdiction of Nova Scotia, and after a few Years more, the Crown purchased the Property of the Soil or Seigneurie of all the French Claimers; it is now a separate King's Government, with the Property in the Crown: But this Territory of Sagadahoc remains in the Jurisdiction of Massachusetts-Bay, and sends one Member to the Council, but hitherto not any to the House of Representatives of Massachusetts-Bay: The General Assembly cannot dispose of Lands there, without the Consent of the King in Council. The Pro|perty of peculiar Grants there, remain good to the several Claimers, until the Crown do purchase the same as was the Case in Nova Scotia.

Col. Dunbar projected Sagadahoc Territory to be set off as a separate Government for himself; this was introduc|ed, by obtaining a royal Instrument or Instruction, to set off 300,000 Acres of good Mast and Ship-Timber Land, for the Use of the Crown or Navy; it was forwarded by a royal Instruction to Col. Phillips Governor of Nova Scotia April 27, 1730. to take Possession of the Lands be|tween St. Croix River and Quenebec River; accordingly a Detachment of 30 Men with an Officer, was made from the four Companies of his Regiment in Garrison at Canso in Nova Scotia, was sent to take Possession of that Country, to keep Garrison at Frederick's Fort on Pemaquid River, here the Detachment kept for some Time: Upon Appli|cation Home of the Muscongus Company, Proprietors in Part of Sagadahoc, by their indefatigable Agent Mr. Waldo, this Instruction was revoked August 10, 1732, and

Col. Phillips's Detachment was called off. At present, the Province of Massachusetts-Bay to obviate Cavils or Complaints; of their relinquishing the Occupancy of this Territory; keep a Truck-House and Garrison at Georges, and a Garrison at Fort Frederick, and is likely to continue under the Jurisdiction of Massachusetts-Bay, and is at pre|present annexed to the County of York, or Province of Maine.

In the Beginning of this French War Anno 1744, the sencible Men in this large Territory of Sagadahock were only

at Georges and Broad-bay

270

at Pemaquid

50

at Shepscut

50

 

370

but at this Writing 1748, very few of these remain, being much exposed to the Canada French Coureurs de Bois, and their Indians.

In the Beginning of the last Century England and France indifferently traded to Sagadahoc; under the Direction and Countenance of Chief Justice Popham, the English made the * 1.83 first New-England Settlement 1608 at Sagadahoc, but of short Continuance.

Anno 1613 Capt. Argol from Virginia broke up some French Settlements at Sagadahoc.

The Claims to Lands in the Territory of Sagadahoc, are of various and perplexed Natures, viz. Some by old In|dian Grants in drunken Frolicks for none or not valuable Considerations; some by Grants from the Council of Plymouth; some by Patents from the Governors of New-York, when under that Jurisdiction, particularly from Governor Dungan a Roman Catholick in the Reign of Iames II.

Some Part of this Territory was granted by the Coun|cil of Plymouth 1629 to Mr. Beauchomp of London

Merchant, and to Mr. Leverett of Boston in Lincolnshire, and their Associates, called this Lincoln Company or So|ciety, viz. from Muscongus, now called Broad-Bay, a little Eastward of Pemaquid to Penobscot Bay 10 Leagues along Shore, and from this Termination and that of Muscongus 10 Leagues inland, so as to make a Parcel of Land of 30 Miles square. This Plymouth Grant se••ms to have been confirmed by a Royal Grant of Charles II. signed Howard Privy Seal; that was about the Time when the Connecticut and Rhode-Island Charters were granted.

Leverett's Title laying dorma••••, Sir William Phipps purchased of Madakawando, chief Sachem (as it is said) of the Penobscot Indians, the Lands each Side of Georges River, so high as the second Falls; Spencer Phipps a|dopted Heir of Sir William Phipps, made over his Right to the Heirs and Associates of Leverett; Anno 1719, it was convey'd to several Associates, so as to make 30 equal Shares in the whole; the new Associates obliged them|selves to settle two Townships upon Georges River, of 40 Families each; but an Indian War breaking out, the Con|ditions were never performed: The Indians hitherto have not formally quitclaim'd it. Mr. Waldo, a Gentleman well qualified for an Agent, a Partner, who effectually ne|gotiated the Affair at Home, against the Contrivances of Col. Dunbar to annex it to the Crown▪ has acquir'd a very considerable Part in this Grant.

Georges Truck-House and Fort lies near the Center of thisGrant, is about 12 Miles up this River; at the Mouth of the River is a Bar of a very small Draught of Wa|ter; 5 Miles higher are the first Falls of Georges River; Broad-Bay or Muscongus is only a large Creek or Bay with a small Rivulet running into it.

In the Territory of Sagadahoc not much good Ship-Timber, some white Pine for Masts; may be of good Service to Boston in supplying it with Firewood. The Soil is not bad.

The Grants of the Shepscut Lands, and of the Pema|quid Lands, seem not included in theD. of York's Property.

Most of the Grants and Conveyances in this Territory, are not to be found upon Record, which occasions great Confusion in Claims.

ARTICLE 3. Concerning the Province of Main.

THIS being the first of the Territories at present call|ed New-England that falls in our Course; for the Readers more ready Conception of the New-England Af|fairs, we shall ab initio, recapitulate some Matters already delivered.

King Iame•• I, by Letters Patent bearing Date Nov. 3. 1620, granted all that Land and Territory in America, laying be|tween the N. Lat. of 40 d. to 48 d, unto the Duke of Le|nox, Marquis of Bucki••gham▪ Marquis of Hamilton, and others their Associates Noblemen and Gentlemen, in all forty Persons, and to their Successors; and incorporated them by the Name of the Council established at Plymouth in the County of Devon, for settling, planting, ruling and govern|ing all that Country by the Name of New-England; to have a••d to bold, poss••••s and enjoy, all the Continent Lands and Islands, between the said Latitudes to them and their Successors for ever; with Power to alienate, assign, convey and set over, under their common Seal any Part or Portion thereof to any of his Majesty's Denizens or other Adven|turers.

In the End of Iames Ist's Reign Sir Ferdinando Gorge, President of the Council of Plymouth, and Capt. Mason had sundry Grants from Neumkeag River, which divides the present Towns of Salem and Beverly, to Sagadahoc or Quenebec River, which were afterwards altered into the Grants of the Province of Main, and of New-Hampshire as at present.

The Council of Plymouth Nov. 7. 1629, granted to Gorge and Mason, all that Tract of Land from the Heads of Merrimack River and Sagadahoc or Quenebec River, to

the Lake Iroquois, now called Ca••araqui or Ontario, and the River which empties it self from said Lake into Ca|nada River to be called LACONIA, but as they never oc|cupied it, this Grant is become obsolete, and may be said to have reverted to the Crown; and at present since the late Settlement made of the Line between Massachusetts-Bay and New-Hampshire, may be said to be in the Ju••is|diction of New-Hampshire.

Sir Ferdinando Gorge, President of the Council of Ply|mouth, or Council of New England, obtain'd a Grant from this Council April 22. 1635, of a Tract of Land called the Province of Main, extending from Piscataqua River to Sagadahoc and Quenebec River. This Grant was con|firmed by the Crown April 3. 1639. The Agent or A|gents of Massachusetts-Bay, purchased 15 Car. I. July 20. 1677, this Grant of the Heirs or Assignees of Gorge.

The Grant of the Province of Main begins at the En|trance of Piscataqua Harbour, up the same to Newichewa|nock River, and through the same to the furthest Head there|of, and thence North Westward, till 120 Miles be finished, and from Piscataqua Harbour's Mouth aforesaid, North-Eastward along the Sea-Coast to Sagadahoc, and up the River thereof to Quenebec River, and through the same to the Head thereof, and thence into the Land North Westward till 120 Miles be finished; and from the Period of 120 Miles aforesaid, to cross over Land, to the 120 Miles before reckoned, up into the Land from Piscataqua Harbour through Newichewanock River: As also the North half of the Isles of Shoals.

The Lines of the Territories belonging to the Province of Massachusetts-Bay, and of the Province of New-Hamp|shire, being in Dispute for many Years: New-Hampshire petitioned the King in Council, that their Boundaries with Massachusetts-Bay might be determined; accordingl•• with Consent of the Agents for Massachusetts Bay, Ap••••l 9. 1737 * 1.84 a Commission under the great Seal of Great-Britain

was issued, appointing five of the eldest Counsel|lors from each of the neighbouring Provinces of New-York, New Iersies, Nova-Scotia and Rhode-Island (five to be a Coram) as Commissioners, reserving Property and an Appeal to the King in Council: The Appeal was heard before a Committee of Privy Council, March 5th 1739; the Commissioners, and afterwards the King in Council, settled this Line N. 2 d. W. true Course. Ac|cordingly New-Hampshire ex parte (Massachusetts-Bay re|fusing to join in the Survey) by Mr. Bryant a Surveyor of Lands, settled the Line with the Province of Main, viz. From the Mouth of Piscataqua River to the Head of Newichewanock a little North of Lovel's Pond, upon a great Pond from whence proceeds Moussum River, a|bout North-Westerly 40 Miles, thence N. 8 d. E. by Needle (the Commissioners, and as afterwards confirmed by the King in Council, settled this Line N. 2 d. W. true Course) which is by allowing 10 d. Variation; 30 Miles; this Survey was in March, the Snow and Ice melting ren|dred the further Survey Progress impracticable; thus 40 Miles of this Line remains to be run.

Both Governments of Massachusetts-Bay and of New-Hampshire were in one and the same Person at that Time; a••d it was suspected that the Governor favoured Massa|chusetts-Bay; therefore the General Assembly of New-Hampshire brought on a Complaint against the Governor, previous to the Appeals coming on. The Commissioners began to sit August 1; the General Assembly of New-Hampshire was adjourned by the Governor to the 4th of August, which retarded them 3 or 4 Days in appointing Managers and giving in their Pleas: The Commission|ers pronounced Judgment Sept. 2, the Governor proro|gued the Assembly from Sept. 2. to Oct. 13, that they might not have an Appeal ready to give into the Com|missioners in six Weeks from Judgment given, the Time limited by the Commission. The Complaint was heard before a Committee of the Council, they found the Com|plaint just, and their Report was approved of by the

in Council. To prevent the like Inconveniencies a se|parate Governor was appointed for New Hampshire; and the Governments of Massachusetts-Bay and New-Hamp|shire have been in two distinct Persons ever since.

TheMethod used before the newCharter by theColony of Massachusetts-Bay Purchase of the Heirs or Assigns of Gorge, to convey or dispose of Lands there, was in this Manner, for Instance, Iuly 26, 1684. The President of the Province of Main, by Order of the General Assembly of the Colony of Massachusetts-Bay, makes a Grant of the Township of North Yarmouth to sundry Persons. In a strict Sense the Colony of Massachusetts-Bay could not ex|er••ise any Jurisdiction there, because theHeirs &c. of Gorg•• could not delegate Jurisdiction; notwithstanding, we find Orders of Jurisdiction signed in Boston; for Instance, in the War against the Indians, an Order to Sheriffs, Con|stables, &c. to impress Boats and Land Carriages, is signed Boston, Sept. 16. 1689, Thomas Danforth President of the Province of Main.

The North and South Lines running inland are 120 Miles, the Front or Sea Line, and the Rear Line may be about 80 Miles; that is the Contents of the Province of Main may be about 9600 square Miles; whereof at present granted in Townships or Districts, are only the first or Sea Line consisting of the Townships of Kittery, York, Wells, Arundel, Biddiford, Scarborough, Falmouth, North Yarmouth, GeorgeTown or Arrowsick, Brunswick, and the Set|tlement of Topsam; and a second or inland Line consisting of Berwick, Philips Town, Naraganset No. 1. Naraganset No. 7. Marblehead Township, Powers and others Town|ship, and Cape Anne Township.

In this Territory of Main, there are some private Pur|chases from the Indians, which the Proprietor General the Assembly of the Province of Massachusetts-Bay, seem not to dispute; for Instance, Anno 1683 Mr. Wharton a Mer|chant in Boston, purchased of six Sagamores, about 500,|000 Acres called the Pegepscot Purchase; bounded five Miles West from Pegepscot River, by a Line running at

five Miles Distance parallel with the River, to a certain Fall in said River, and thence N. E. about 44 Miles in a strait Line to Quenebec River; it includes the Eastern Di|visions of Nahumkee Purchase, and of Plymouth Purchase, Plymouth Purchase extends 15 Miles each Side of Quenebec River. Wharton dying insolvent, the Administrator sold this Purchase for not much exceeding 100 £. New-Eng|land Currency Anno 1714 to eight or nine Proprietors, viz. Winthrop, T. Hutchinson, Ruck, Noyes, Watts, Minot, Mountford, &c: It is bounded S. Westerly by North-Yarmouth, which takes in a small Part of this Grant at small Point; George-Town, Brunswick and Topsam are in this Grant.

At the breaking out of the French War, in the Pro|vince of Main were Militia or fencible Men 2485.

	Men
Township of Kittery	450
York	350
Wells	500
Arundel	95
Biddiford	120
Berwick	150
Philip T.	150
Sir W. Pepperrell'sReg.	1565

	Men
Scarborough	160
Falmouth	500
N. Yarmouth	150
Brunswick	50
NaragansetN. 1.	20
NewMarblehead	40
	920
Sagadahoc	370
Col. Waldo's Reg.	1290

but at present many of these have left their Towns and Habitations, being exposed to the French and their Indians.

For some Time during the old Charter of Massachusetts Bay Colony they extended their Claim to 3 Miles North of the Northernmost Part of Merimack River, called En|dicots Tree, near the Crotch or Fork where Pemagawaset River, and the Wares or Discharge of Winipisiakit Pond or Lake do meet, and from thence extended their due East and W. Line to the E. and W. Oceans, that is from the Aethiopick Ocean to the South-Sea or Pacifick Ocean; thus they assumed (as being prior) almost the whole of Ma|son's

Grant or New-Hampshire, and the S. E. Corner of Gorge's Grant or the Province of Main so far as Black-Point, near Saco River, both in Property and Jurisdiction; and did accordingly make Grants of Lands and constitute Townships which sent Representatives or Deputies to the General Assembly of Massachusetts; but upon Complaint of the Heirs of Gorge and Mason to the King in Council and the Courts in Westminster-Hall, Massachusetts-Bay disclaim'd these Lands, as hereafter shall be more fully related.

The whole of the Province of Main at present consti|tutes only one County called the County of York, and to this County is * 1.85 annexed the Territory of Sagadahoc.

In the Province of Main and New-Hampshire, from the first settling of the English, for about 50 Years, that is until King Philips War, the English and Indians kept a good friendly Correspondence; but ever since, during the European French Wars, the French of Canada have made Use of the several Tribes of our neighbouring Abnaquie Indians to distress our Settlements; vide Sect. III. Article 4.

Prior to the Massachusetts-Bay Purchase, the Settlers in the Province of Main, never had any other Protection, but that of the Colony of Massachusetts-Bay. When the Court of England, much corrupted, began in an arbitrary despotick Manner to re-assume Grants, Charters, &c; it was ordered by the King in Council, Iuly 24. 1679, that the Massachusetts-Bay Government, upon the Reimburse|ment of 1200 £. St. paid Gorge's Heirs for the Province of Main, shall surrender it to the Crown, being a Purchase

made without his Majesty's Permission. The new Char|ter of Massachusetts Bay 1691, put an End to that and all other pretended Claims.

Geography and Chronology, are two the most considera|ble Elements of History. The most essential and invaria|ble Things in the Geography of a Country, are its general Position upon the Surface of the E••rth as to Latitude and Longitude; the remarkable Mountains and g••eat Hills; the Sea-Coast; and the Runs of Rivers and Rivulets from the inland into the Sea.

In the Province of Main, the remarkable Mountains and Hills are, 1. The White Hills or rather Mountains, inland about 70 Miles North from the Mouth of Pisca|••aqua Harbour, about 7 Miles W. b. N. from the Head of the Pigwoket Branch of Saco River; they are called White not from their being continually covered with Snow, but because they are bald, a-top producing no Trees or Brush, and covered with a whitish Stone or Shingle; these Hills may be observed at a great Distance, and are a considerable Guide or Direction to the Indians in tra|velling that Country. 2. The Pigwoket Hills at a small Distance from the WhiteHills, are much inferior to them, and scarce require to be mention'd. 3. AquamanticusHills well known amongst our Sailors, are in the Township of York about 8 Miles inland; it is a noted and useful Land-making, for Vessels that fall in Northward of Boston or Massachusetts-Bay.

Upon the Sea-Coast, Casco-Bay is a large, good, and safe Harbour or Road for Vessels of any Burden; being shelter'd or cover'd by many Islands: Here some of the Contract Mast Ships take in their Load. Along this Coast are many Harbours commodious for small Craft in loading of Lumber and Fire-Wood for Boston.

The Capes, Promontories or Head-Lands belong pro|perly to Sea Charts; I shall only mention Small Point at the South Entrance of Sagadahoc, Cape Elizabeth in the S. E. Corner of Casco-Bay, Black Point 4 Miles N. E. of Saco River, Cape Porpus in Arundel, and Cape Neddick in Wells.

The considerable Rivers are, 1. Quenebec and its Mouth called Sagadahoc, which divides the Province of Main, from the Old Bristol Purchase of Pemaquid, including the Shepscut Purchase, and from the Territory formerly call'd the Duke of York's Property, all which at present are call'd the Territory of Sagadahoc. From the Entrance of Sagadahoc to Merry meeting Bay are 18 Miles, thence to Richmond Fort and Truck-House near the Mouth of Quenebec River are 12 Miles, thence to the first Falls, though only a Ripling called Cushnock Falls are 18 Miles; thence to Taconick Falls are 18 Miles, here in Mr. Dum|mer's Indian War our People left their Whale-Boats, and marched 40 Miles by Land to the Indian Village or Town called Naridgwoag; they destroy'd the Settlement, brought away the Scalp of the French Missionary Father Rale a Jesuit with about 26 Indian Scalps, some Indians were drowned in crossing the River precipitately: Thus from the Mouth of Sagadahoc to Naridgwoag about 106 English Miles, and the Province of Main cannot ex|tend above 20 Miles higher; these Indians in travelling to Quebec, with their Canoes go much higher up the Ri|ver: The Naridgwoag Indians with their French Mission|aries, have in the French Wars been very troublesome to the English Settlements; but by Dummer's well managed Indian War, and a late Mortality from a putrid Fever and Dysentery, received, when in Curiosity they visited Duke D'Anville's sickly Troops and Squadron at Chebucto upon the Cape-Sable Coast of Nova-Scotia; they are now reduced, to very inconsiderable impo|tent Numbers. 2. Amerascogin River; up this River, not many Years since was a Tribe of Indians, but are now ex|tinct; near the Mouth of this River, is Brunswick Fort; this River is particularly noted for Plenty of good Stur|geon; not many Years since a Merchant of Boston con|tracted with some Fishmongers of London to supply them with a certain Quantity of well-cured S••urgeon every Year, but whether from the bad Quality of the Fish; or rather from the Negligence of the People employ'd in curing of

it, there was no Sale for it in London, and the foresaid In|dian War breaking out, that Fishery is given up. 3. Saco River, its co••••••••era••le Branches ar•• Pigwacket River, it rises about 70 Mil•••• North of Piscataqua Harb••ur, and Ossipee Ri|ver from Ossipe•••• ••ond about 55 Miles N. Westerly from Pis|cataq••a Harbour: Abou•• 50 Miles from the Mouth of Saco formerly were Pigwacket, a considerable Tribe o•• Indians with a French Missionary, they are now almost extinct; this River is navigable only a small Way to the Falls for small Vessels; here is a Fort and Truck-Houses; at the Mouth of Saco River is Winter Harbour, so called from Mr. Winter, who had a Farm there. 4. Mausom River comes from some Ponds near the famous Lovell's Pond, about 40 Miles a|bove Piscataqua Harbour, at these Ponds Bryant the Sur|veyor began to set off the N. 8 d. E. Line between the Province of Main and New-Hampshire; this River falls into the Ocean in the Township of Wells. 5 Piscataqua River, which for the Space of 40 Miles divides New-Hampshire from the Province of Main▪ from the Mouth of this River or Harbour to the Inlet of Exeter Bay are about 10 Miles, thence to the Mouth of Catechecho River, which comes from the W. N. W. are 5 Miles, from this upwards, Piscataqua River is called Newichawanock River, and higher it is called Salmon Falls River.

The small Rivers or Runs of Water and of short Cours•• are many; Recompence River, Royals River run|ning through Cape-Anne Grant or Township, and through North Yormouth to the Sea; Presumpscot River, comes from Iabago Pond, by Naraganset No. 7. through Fal|mouth; where it falls into the Sea; Falmouth River or Stroud Water of Casco-Bay; Quenebunc River dividing Arundel from Wells; York River in the Township of York.

ARTICLE 4. Concerning the late Colony of Plymouth.

WHAT relates to this Colony, prior to their more fixed and determined Grant Anno 1629 from the Council of Plymouth, see P. 370.

Some English Puritans belonging to Mr. Robinson's Church in * 1.86 in Holland, with some of their Friends in England, obtain'd of the Council of Plymouth, an in|distinct imperfect Grant of Lands in North-America; their Design wa•• for Hudson's River, but falling in with Cape Cod late in the Year Nov. 11, they were obliged to winter there, and in a shallow Bay and poor Soil within the Great B••y of Massachusetts, they sit down and call it New-Plymouth, in Remembrance of Plymouth in England, from whence they took their Departure.

They had no particular Grant from the Council of Ply|mouth of the Country where they settled, until 1624; and this was so indistinct, that they obtained a newGrant 1629, but still so obscure as not to be understood at present, as appear'd at a hearing 1741, before Commissioners ap|pointed by the Court of Great Britain, to settle their Line with the Colony of Rhode-Island.

We shall only briefly observe that Capt. Smith the Traveller, with two Ships 1614 made a good Voyage upon these Coasts, and by his Means the Country was named New-England by the Court of England.

Anno 1616 four or five Sail of fishing Vessels from London, and as many from Plymouth, make good Fares of Fish.

Anno 1618 only two Sail from Plymouth in England fish upon the Coast of New-England.

Anno 1619 only one Ship of 200 Tuns, made a good Voyage.

Anno 1621, ten or twelve Ships from the West of England, fish upon the Coast of New England, and make good Voyages with their Fish to Spain.

Anno 1622 there were upon the Coast of New-England 35 Vessels from the West of England.

Anno 1623 Capt. Smith writes, that there were for that Year 40 Sail from England, fishing upon the Coast of New

England. That Canada and New-England in six Years last past, had shipt off 20,000 Beaver-Skins.

After some Time, a Number of People from New Ply|mouth, purchased of the Indians, a Parcel of Land called Nosset near Cape-Cod, and gave it the Name of Eastham; their Purchase upon this narrow Promontory reach'd a|bout 30 Miles from North to South. The first two Years, they liv'd without any Supply from England, clear|ed and planted 60 Acres with Indian Corn. At first they seem'd to have a Sort of Lex Agraria for each Mess or Menage; or rather their Possessions seem to have been in common.

* 1.87 Mr. Edward Winslow their Agent, Anno 1624, im|ported the first Cattle, being a Bull and 3 Heifers; about this Time Plymouth Settlement consisted only of 180 Per|sons; the Adventurers, as it is said, had expended 7000 £. St. being entirely carried on by Adventures, but being discouraged, they sold their Interest to the Settlers for a Trifle; the Grant at first was sole to Mr. Bradford, his Heirs, Associates and Assigns; but at the Request of the General Assembly, he assigned his Right to the Free|men: Upon Governor Carver's Death, April 1621, he was annually chosen Governor while he liv'd (excepting one Year Mr. Winslow, and two Years Mr. Prince) he died May 9. 1657. Aet. 69.

GOVERNORS.

Mr. Carver from Nov. 1620 to April 1621.

Mr. Bradford the Grantee succeeded, and annually cho|sen Governor until his Death May 1657, excepting for three Years; he was a Man of no Family and of no Learning.

Mr. Prince, who had twice been chosen Governor in Mr. Bradford's Life-Time, succeeded, and was annually

chosen Governor till Death, Aug. 29. 1673, Aet. 71. He was a Man of good natural Parts, but of no Learning.

Mr. Prince was succeeded in annual Elections by Iosiah Winslow, who died Dec. 18. 1680.

Next Richard Trent was unanimously elected, until their Charter was dropt or superseded.

I find that upon the Revolution, the Commander in chief of Plymouth Colony is called President, not Gover|nor: Thus Major Church's Commission from Plymouth to go against the Eastern Indians is signed Sept. 6. 1689, Thomas Hinkley, President.

N. B. At first this Colony was only a voluntary Asso|ciation; in the Beginning the Governor had only one As|sistant, afterwards three, and sometime after five, at length Anno 1637 they chose 7 Assistants.

As the Boundaries by their Grant were ill determined, there were continual Disputes between this Colony and that of Rhode-Island. By a Commission from Charles II. 1664 to Col. Richard Nichols, Sir Robert Carr, George Cartwright, and Samuel Maverick; to determine Contro|versies, concerning several Boundaries in the Continent of North-America; they passed Judgment concerning the Boundaries between Rhode-Island and Plymouth Colony; as it was only by Way of Amusement to quiet the Mind•• of the People in these Colonies, and never confirmed by the King in Council; it had no Effect.

Ever since the Colony of Plymouth has been annexed to the Province of Massachusetts-Bay, those Disputes have continued or been revived from Time to Time; the chief Dispute was concerning Attleborough Gore, which if Mas|sachusetts-Bay had quitclaim'd to them, Rhode-Island would have given a general Quit-Claim in all other Concerns; and prevented the Loss of Bristol, and some Part of Bar|rington, Swanzey, Tiverton, and Little Compton; but the Influence of a few ill-natured, obstinate, inconsiderateMen, * 1.88

prevail'd in the Legislature to the Damage of the Pro|vince of Massachusetts-Bay.

Rhode-Island by Memorials sent Home, the Agents of Massachusetts-Bay giving Consent, obtain'd a Commission for the eldest Counsellors of the neighbouring Govern|ments to meet and adjust their Boundaries, accordingly they meet at Providence in Summer 1741, and found that the last determined Grant for Plymouth Colony 1629, specifies it in this Manner, viz. between Conohasset * 1.89 Rivu|let towards the North, and * 1.90 Naraganset River, towards the South; and between the * 1.91 Ocean towards the East, and a strait Line extending directly into the main Land from the Mouth of said Naraganset River, to the utmost Bounds of the Packanoket Country alias Sawamset Coun|try, the famous King Philip of Mount-Hope his Country, to the * 1.92 Nipmug Country which Determination is now forgot, and from Cohasset back into the main Land West|ward to the utmost Bounds of the Packanoket Country.

The better to understand the Boundaries of the late Colony of New Plymouth (now annexed to the Province of Massachusetts-Bay) with the Colony of Rhode-Island; I must in Anticipation, give the Boundaries of * 1.93 Rhode-Island Colony as delineated in their Charter, viz. bounded Westerly by the middle Channel of Pakatuk River, and up said River Northerly to the Head thereof, and thence in a strait Line due North to Massachusetts South Bounds; extending Easterly three English Miles to the E. N. E. of the most Eastern and Northern Parts of Naraganset-Bay as it lieth or extendeth itself from the Ocean; bound|ed Southerly on the Ocean, unto the Mouth of the Ri|ver

which cometh from Providence; and from the Town of Providence, along the Easterly Bank of said River call|ed Seaconck River up to Patucket Falls; and thence due N. to Massachusetts South Line, where is the most West|erly Line of Plymouth Colony.—The Rhode-Island Claim was 3 Miles E. N. E. of Assonet Creek of Taunton River, and thence due S. to the Ocean East of Seaconnet Point; and from the said E. N. E. Point, a Westerly Course to Fox Point, being the Mouth of the River that comes from Providence Town, thence along the East Side of Seaconck River to Patucket Falls; and thence due North to to Massachusetts South Line.

Upon a hea••ing at Providence in Summer 1741 of the Committees or Agents of both Colonies before the Com|missioners appointed by royal Patent to settle this Line or Boundary; the Council of Plymouth Patent, nor any Copy of it was produced; therefore the Recital of said Letters patent, in their Deed to Bradford and Associates, was not sufficient Evidence against the King's Charter to Rhode-Island; this Commission was not to meddle with Proper|ty, but only with Jurisdiction, which is ascertain'd to Rhode-Island by Royal Charter, notwithstanding of their Charter being posterior to the New Plymouth Colo|ny Grant; because the Council of Plymouth could only delegate Property, but not Jurisdiction. By no Evidence it was made appear that the Water (a salt Water Sinus, commonly called a Continuation of Taunton River, it is called Taunton great River in their private Deeds) between the main Land on the East, and the Island of Rhode Island on the West, was ever at any Time called Naraganset River.

The Determination of the Commissioners Anno 1741 was by the King in Council 1746 confirmed as final. And is to this Effect, viz. From the Province of Massa|chusetts Bay South Line, a Meridian Line (allowing S. 7 d. W. Variation) to Patucket Falls; and thence down the Easterly Side of Seaconck River, to the S. W. Corner of Bullocks Neck; and thence N. E. 3 Miles (supposing a

N. E. Line of 3 Miles from the North-Eastermost Parts of the Bay on the W. Side of Romstick Neck) in a strait Line, until it meets with the Termination of this imagi|nary Line; and from this to the Bay near Towasset Neck, so that this Line touch the N. E. Extremity of an imagi|nary Line running N. E. from the N. E. Corner of Bristol Cove or Harbour. On the East Side of Naraganset Bay, it begins at a Point 440 Rod Southward of the Mouth of Fall River in Tiverton; thence runs East 3 Miles; and from thence runs Southerly parallel with the Eastern|most Parts of Naraganset Bay or Taunton great River to the Sea.

By this Determination the late Colony of Plymouth, or rather the present Province of Massachusetts-Bay, lost, in Favour of Rhode-Island, a triangular Piece of Land com|monly called, the Attleborough Gore * 1.94; bounded S. 7 d. W. from an Intersection with Massachusetts S. Line, to Pautuket Falls 9 and half Miles; from Pautuket Falls up Patuket or Blackstone River, to the Intersection of this River with Massachusetts South Line, in a direct or strait Course 12 Miles, W. 55 d. N; from this Intersection E. 7 d. S. about 10 Miles; this Gore is constituted a Town|ship of Rhode-Island, by the Name of Cumberland, so call|ed from Prince William Duke of Cumberland. Bristol is entirely adjudged to Rhode-Island Colony Jurisdiction, and retains its former Name. Part of Swanzey being forty seven Families, and a great Part of Barrington are consti|tuted a Township, by the Name of Warren, in Honour of Sir Peter Warren, Knight of the Bath, and an Admiral in the Navy, an honest benevolent Gentleman always pro|pitious to Trade. The three Mile Strips of Tiverton and

Little-Compton, on the East Side of the Bay or Taunton great River, continue by the Name of Districts of Rhode-Island.

The Line between Old Massachusetts and Plymouth, is no more as a Colony Line; but continues to divide the County of Suffolk in the Massachusetts, from Plymouth and Bristol Counties of the late Plymouth Colony; this former dividing Line of the two Colonies, begins at the Inter|section of Attleborough Gore and runs 3 and half Miles E. 7 d. S. to the Station-Tree of * 1.95 Woodward and Saffries, from this Station to a Notch in Bridgwater E. 18 d. N. are 23 Miles; thence 1 Mile and qua••ter North on Bridg|water; thence E. 9 Miles to Accord Pond; thence still East to Conobasset at the Mouth of Bound Brook on the Bay of Massachusetts, six Miles; in all about 41 Miles.

From Conobasset in Massachusetts-Bay, to the race Point of Cape-Cod, is to this late Colony of Plymouth, an East South and West Boundary; by the Flexure or Hook of the Cape; the Back (as it is called) of Cape-Cod to Cape Ma|labar or Sandy-Point is an East Boundary, from Sandy-Point, further along the Back of the Cape to Elizabeth Islands, and thence along Buzard's Bay, to the Boundary Line near Seaconnet Point is a South Boundary; Westerly it is bounded by the Line settled by Commissioners Anno 1741, as before delineated; Northerly it is bounded by the Line dividing the old Colonies of Massachusetts-Bay and Plymouth already described.

In this Colony are no remarkable Mountains or great Hills.

The considerable Harbours are, 1. Plymouth Bay, Wa|ter shallow, a considerable Trade to West-India Islands for Sugar, Rum, Molasses, and Cotton; it is a Branch of Boston Custom-House or Collection, Distance 40 Miles; three small Rivulets, called Iones, Herring••, and Eel Ri|vers,

fall into this Bay. 2. Cape Cod Harbour, safe, and deep Water; but from the Hook or Flexure, and conse|quently different Courses, Vessels with Difficulty get out to Sea; it is no Sea-Port or Place of Trade. This Cape by its particular * 1.96 Form and by stretching into the Sea be|comes a S••are for itinerant or passenger Fish, viz. Whales, Herrings, Mackarel, &c; but the Whales by Expe••••ence have ••••arnt to keep further to Sea in travelling; the other Fisheries are neglected, from the Fishermen, w••o were generally Indians, being carried away upon ••omantickEx|peditio••s: The Tide flows within the Cape about 20 Feet, upon the back of the Cape it ••lows only 5 or 6 Feet; Billingsgate, a Precinct of Eastham, is noted for Oysters.

The smaller Inlets or Harbours from the Discharge of Rivule••s are as follows, 1. Upon the Inside of the great Bay of Massachusetts (that Part of it is called Barnstable Bay) Scituate, a bad Harbour, no considerable Run of Water. All the Harbours in Barnstable Bay to Cape-Cod are shallow, because of a sandy slow Slope of the Shore, and the inland Runs are short and small, not capable of making Channels. In Sandwich is Mill River. In Barn|stable is a small Inlet. In Yarmouth a small Inlet. In Harwich a Harbour called Point of Rocks, not safe. In Eastham is Stage-Harbour, and Billingsgate, the best of t••••se small Harbours. 2. Upon the outside or Ocean Side of Cape Cod Promontory; Head of Pamet, no pro|per Harbour, it is in Truro, and high Tides, as Anno 1723, pass over the Meadows from Sea to Sea. Sandy-Point or Monymoy in Chatham, is a good Harbour for small Vessels,

but the Bar shifts. Bass River in Yarmouth. Hyanaes, the best of th••se Harbours, in Barnstable, is much used. Osler Bay in Barnstable. Falmouth Bay. Woodes Hole or Cove, called Soconosset; here is a Ferry of about one Mile to Elizabeth great Island; and of about 3 Leagues to Marthas Vineyard. We may observe, that along this Shore is a Bar at about half a Mile's Distance, with small Inlets, within the Bar is Water of some Fathoms. 3. In Buzard's Bay are many good Creeks, salt Water Rivers, or Harbours; excepting in Rochester, the Runs of Water that fall into these Creeks are of short Course: Agawam, Wagwagantit or Mill River, Sipacan Harbour, Matapoisset, Accushnot, Polyganset, and Coaxit.* 1.97

The considerable Rivers in Old Plymouth Colony, are 1. North River, divides Scituate from Marshfield; deep Water, but Vessels in a Storm cannot put in there, the Entrance being rocky. The Tide flows 9 or 10 Miles up this River; here Ships and other Vessels are built to Advantage, Timber being plenty; from this River, Boston has a considerable Supply of Firewood. 2. Taun|ton River; from about 17 Miles up Taunton great River on the East Side of Naraganset Bay, according to the late royal Determination of Boundaries with Rhode-Island, be|gins Plymouth Colony upon Taunton River; the Tide flows up this River from 440 Rod below Falls River, the Boundary between Free••own and Tiverton about 25 Miles, to near the Mouth of Sawamset or Midleborough River, which comes from Asawampsit Pond in the South Parts of Midleborough, and falls into Titiquit or Taunton River: In this River and the adjacent Townships of Dighton and

Swanzey are built good Ships and other Vessels. 3. P••|tuket or Blackstone, formerly Nipmug River, navigable from Rhode-Island Boundary at Bullock's Neck, 10 Miles to Patucket Falls; in Rehoboth or Seaconick are built some good Vessels.

The Capes, Head-Lands, or Promontories are, 1. The Gurnet Head, being the North Point of Plymouth Bay▪ it lies West Southerly from Cape-Cod 7 Leagues, and that Part of Massachusetts Bay within this Line or Course is called Barnstable Bay. 2. Cape-Cod, a noted Promontory on the West Side of the Atlantick Ocean, in N. Lat. 42 d. 10 m, lies from Boston E. b. S. Southerly, about 18 Leagues: This is a narrow long Promontory stretching into the Ocean, and from the Pitch of the Cape to Bu|zard's Bay may extend upwards of 60 Miles, which with a Medium Breadth of 6 Miles, makes about 230,000 A|cres; consists of the Townships of Falmouth, Sandwich, Barnstable, Yarmouth, Harwich, Chatham, Eastham, Truro, and Province Town; these make the County of Barnsta|ble. 3. Sandy-Point, in the Charter it is called Cape M••|labar, about 10 Leagues North from the Island of Nan|tucket.

* 1.98 Besides▪ the Promontory of Cape Cod, the late Ply|mouth Colony may be in Value of 40 Miles square, is 1600 square Miles, or 1,024,000 Acres; is in the whole

bout 1,254,000 Acres. In this old Colony, there are no vacant or Colony Lands; all the Lands are the Property of Townships or private Persons, as granted by the Gene|ral Assembly from Time to Time.

Plymouth was called one of the associated Colonies of New-England before the stricter Consociation (the 12th Day of the third Month 1643) of the four Colonies o•• New-England, it was an Alliance like that of the Swiss Cantons. This Colony assisted in the Pequod Indian War 1637; this War was only of a few Months Continuance, and ended with the entire Reduction or Extinction of that Tribe; see P. 193.

Concerning the Islands near Cape-Cod.

The noted Islands are Nantucket, Capawock or Marthas Vineyard, and the Elizabeth Islands.

The North Side of Nantucket or the Town of Sher|burn lies in N. Lat. 41 d. 10 m. about 10 Leagues from the main Land; contains about 23,000 Acres, the Value of six Miles square, Beach included; it is in twenty-seven Proprietorships, but all in common, excepting 40 Acres home Lots to each Proprietorship; each Proprietorship may keep 560 Sheep. It is a County of it self, a very industrious People; they make some dry Cod-Fish, their principal Business is Whaling, Anno 1744 in the Begin|ning of the French War, they had about 40 Sloops and Schooners in the Whale Fishery, 13 Men to a Vessel, do make from 7000 to 10,000 Barrels of Whale Oil, per Annum; their Bone seldom exceed seven Feet. A Whale of 100 Barrels yields a 1000 wt. of Bone. In this Island are about 900 Indian Souls, of great Use in their Fishery.

Marthas Vineyard about 8 Leagues West from Nantuc|ket, and 3 Leagues South from Woods Hole in Falmouth upon the Main, is about 20 Miles in Length; the East End is about 8 Miles wide, and tapers away to GuyHead, at the W. End 3 Miles wide; much of the Island is very barren, being Heaths and Pine Land; 3 poor Town|ships,

Edgar-Town, Tisbury, and Chilmark; about 200 fencible white Men, about 450 Indian Souls. With the Elizabeth Islands it makes * 1.99 Dukes County.

Elizabeth Islands lie in a Range, S. W, half Way be|tween Marthas Vineyard, and the Shore of Buzard Bay; they make Buzards Bay; the largest Island one Mile from Woods Hole or the Main is about 8 Miles long, but very narrow, belongs to Thomas Lechmere, Esq and Mr. Bow|doin's Estate, it is called Nashawn Island, here is a good Harbour Tarpaulings Cove, on Marthas Vineyard is ano|ther good Harbour Holms's Hole, of good Use to Vessels that navigate this Channel; next is Tinker's Island, Slo|cum's Island, and Cattehunk Islands, these belong to Slocum, Ward, and Sanford's Heirs.

Slocums Island lies one League South Westerly from the West End of Marthas Vineyard, is in Value one Mile square, it belongs to Mr. Norton.

ARTICLE 5. Concerning the Old Colony of Massachusetts-Bay.

THE old Writers of the History of New-England are so trifling and erroneous, that the late * 1.100 Scriblers and Hackney Writers who copy the Affairs of New-England from them, appear, by their obsolete and erroneous Ac|count

of Affairs, in a very ridiculous Light, and do afford me no Assistance.

Anno 1625 Mr. Conant and Company in Trade, made some Settlement at Cape Anne, the North Easterly Pro|montory of Massachusetts-Bay; they were mostly from Dorchester, and the West of England: This gave Rise to a Project, first concerted in Lincolnshire, of procuring from the Council of Plymouth, a Grant for settling a Colony in Massachusetts-Bay, with a Resolution that the principal Town thereof be called BOSTON, from a Sea-Port and

Parliament Town of that Name in Lincolnshire; being joined by some Adventurers of London and Dorsetshire, they obtained from the Council of Plymouth Mar. 19, 1627, 8, a Grant in the Name of six Associates and their As|signs, of all the Lands in New-England from three Miles South of Charles River, to three Miles North of Meri|mack River, East and West from Sea to Sea: These six did associate Twenty more Persons, and March 4. 1628, 9 obtain'd a Royal Grant with a Charter countersigned Woolsely; it is commonly called the old Charter, whereof an Abstract is as follows,

King James I. Anno Regni 18, Nov. 3, granted by Pa|tent to a Council at Plymouth in Devon, and their Associ|ates and ••ssigns for ever, the Property and Iurisdiction of the Lands in America (called New-England) from 40 d. N. Lat, to 48 d. N. Lat. and East and West from Sea to Sea; if not possessed by any Christian State, nor within the Limits of a Southern Colony lately granted; the Quit-Rent to be the fifth Part of all their Gold and Silver Ore. This Company by Deed granted and sold 19 March, 3 Regni Charles I. a Part of their Patent Lands to six Gentlemen, Sir Henry Roswell, &c. their Heirs, Assigns, and Associates for ever, viz. All Lands from three Miles Northward of any and every Part of Merimack River, to three Miles South|ward of any and every Part of Charles River, and of Mas|sachusetts-Bay, E. and W. from Sea to Sea, with all Islands on the Eastern or Western Coasts. This Grant was confirm|ed to those six Gentlemen and their 20 Associates by Royal Charter March 4. 1628, 9. The said 26 Grantees with all such others as shall hereafter be admitted and made free of the Company, shall for ever be one Body corporate and poli|tick, by the Name of the GOVERNOR AND COMPANY OF THE MASSACHUSETTS-BAY IN NEW-ENGLAND. The Corporation to consist of one Governor, one Deputy Governor, and eighteen Assistants, to be annually elected out of the Free|men of the Company; The King did nominate for the first Year, Matthew Craddock Governor, Thomas Goff Lieu|tenant Governor, with 18 Assistants. The Governor may

call an Assembly at Pleasure, the Governor and Assistants not under seven may once •• Month meet to do Business. Four great and General Courts or Assemblies of the Freemen a••|nually, on the last Wednesdays of Hillery, Easter, Trinity, and Michaelmas Terms, whereof the Governor and six of the Assistants, at least to be seven, * 1.101 with the Represent••tives of the Townships, to admit Freemen, constitute Officers, make Laws, but not repugnant to the Statutes of England: An|nually upon the last Wednesday in Easter-Term shall be an Election of General Assembly then convened, of a Governor, Deputy Governor, 18 Assistants, and all other Officers. Li|berty to transport from England any People, Effects, and Merchandize free of Customs both outward and inward, for the first seven Years, and quit from all Taxes and Customs in New-England; also for the first seven Years, and for 14 Years more, excepting the 5 pr Ct. Duty in England, upon all Merchandize imported. All born in this Country, or in Passages to and from the Colony, be deem'd natural-born Subjects of England; the General Court may make Orders and Laws, constitute Officers; may impose Fines, Imprison|ment or other lawful Correction, according to the Course of other Corporations in England,* 1.102 establishing of the Christian Faith amongst the Natives is in this Charter declared to be the principal End thereof; may encounter and resist by Force of Arms by Sea or Land, any who shall in a hostile Manner invade said Plantation; if any of said Colony shall injure any Subject of Princes in A••ity with us, they shall, Procla|mation made in England, be required to give Satisfaction, and make Restitution; which if not complied with, said Persons shall be put out of our Allegiance and Protection, and said Princes shall be allowed to prosecute said Offenders with Hostility — None of our Subjects to be debar'd fishing upon the Coast of New-England, nor from setting up Stages and Workhouses on Shore, and cutting requisite Timber and Wood.

The Colony Seal was an Indian erect, naked, an Arro•• in his right Hand, and a Bow in his left Hand; these Words in a Scrowl from his Mouth, Come ••ver and help us; and in a Round, Sigillum Gub. et Societatis de Mass••|chusetts-Bay in Nova Anglia.

To render this History clear and distinct, we shall here continue the Accounts of the Incidents which happen'd, relating to this Charter, down to its being vacated in Chancery 1684.

Anno 1635 several Complaints against the Colony of Massachusetts-Bay being lodged in the Court of King's Bench; a Quo Warrant•• was issued against the Governor and Company of Massachusetts-Bay; some of the Com|pany appear'd and disclaim'd their Charter, others did ••ot appear, and were outlaw'd.

In this Controversy with Mr. Mason, Anno 1637 in Trinity Term was obtain'd a Judgment from the King'•• B••nch, against the Colony of Massachusetts-Bay in Favour of the King, viz That the King should seize said Pro|vince, and take t••eir Governor Cradock's Body into Cus|tody; but by Reason of the ensuing civil War Confusi|ons, the Charter was never taken up, and from that Time to the Restoration, New-England enjoyed a desirable Tranquillity; and at the Desire of their impotent Neigh|bours, the Eastern Settlers were taken into their Protecti|on and Jurisdiction.

Upon the Restoration 1661 Gorge and Mason's Repre|sentatives, renewed their Complaints against Massachusetts-Bay Colony, upon Account of Encroachments; it was chiefly in Compassion that these Eastern People were (as abandoned) taken under their Protection and Jurisdiction, but moreover, Massachusetts-Bay Colony conceived, that it might keep up their Claim, to the most Northerly Part of Merimack River with three Miles Advantage, and E. and W. from Sea to Sea, including all the settled Part of Mason's Grant or New-Hampshire, and of the Province of Main to Black Point.

Anno 1675, 6 March 10, ordered by the King in Coun|cil,

that Massachusetts-Bay Government, should answer the Complaints of Mason's and Gorge's Heirs, concerning their being by said Government, unjustly kept out of their Right.

William Stoughton and Peter Bulkley, were sent over 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Agents; they disclaimed any Title to those Lands in the Petition.

The Lords of the Committee for Trade and Plantati|ons, with the Lords chief Justices Rainsford and North, reported to the King in Council, that the Massachusetts-Bay Colony by their Representatives disclaim'd any Title to said Lands in Controversy; this Report was confirmed by the King in Council.

After the Order of the King in Council Iuly 20. 1677, the Assembly of Massachusetts-Bay passed an Act 1679▪ vacating all such Grants as they had made, of Lands be|yond the three Miles North of Merimack River. We must observe, that about this Time, some of the Mass••|chusetts People, upon Account of the Indian Trade and Fishery, removed to New-Hampshire and Province of Main, and liv'd for some Time in a separate State; but from Divisions amongst themselves, and from Fear of be|ing insulted by the Indians, they put themselves under the Protection and Jurisdiction of the Government of Massa|chusetts Bay. 1652 The Inhabitants of New-Hampshire, or Piscataqua, or Mason's Grant, put themselves under the Pro|tection and Government of Massachusetts Bay, until the Time of Cranfield's being appointed Governor of New-Hampshire. President Cutts ••••d Council, Sept. 18. 1680 were commissioned by the Ki••g; before this, there had been no Power of Government granted for that Territory of New-Hampshire. We may observe, that the old Town|ships of Portsmouth, Hampton and Dover, were Grants of the Massachusetts Bay Assembly: Col. Waldron Represen|tative for Dover, was Speaker of Massachusetts House of Representatives.

Anno 1682 May 9. The King in Council further

inhibits the Massachusetts Bay Government, from any Ju|risdiction in Mason's Property.

The further Account of the Disputes between the Cor|poration of Massachusetts-Bay, and the Heirs of Mr. Ma|son Proprietors of New-Hampshire, we refer to the Section of New-Hampshire.

Anno 1682 when a despotick Monarchy was hatching, several Towns in England, began to surrender their Char|ters, by the Persuasion of Lord chief Justice Ieffries, a Person capable of any Wickedness to gratify the Court; particularly in Cornwall, where are many poor Boroughs, for small Considerations always at the Devotion of the Court; 25 Boroughs brought in their Charters.

Anno 1683 K. Charles II, by a Message to the Gene|ral Assembly of Massachusetts-Bay, desired, that in Con|sideration of several * 1.103 Complaints entred against them, they would surrender their Charter to the King'sPleasure, which by a Vote of General Assembly was refused. Thereupon in Consequence of a Quo Warranto, and scire facias 1684, in Chancery, in Trinity Term, Judgment was entred against their Charter, and it was vacated, the Co|lonies Agents or Attornies not appearing.

Robert Humphrey, Esq Agent for Massachusetts-Bay Colony, in his Letter to the Governor and Council, dated Inner Temple, May 2. 1685, and read in the General Assembly Iuly 8. following; * 1.104 writes, "The Breaches assigned against you, are as obvious as unanswerable, so that all the Service your Council and Friends could have done you here, would have only served to deplore not pre|vent that inevitable Loss; I sent you the Lord Keeper's Order of Iune 15. 1684, requiring your appearing first Day of Michaelmas Term, else Judgment entred against

your Charter was to stand. When this first Day came, your Letters of Attorney neither were, nor indeed could be returned: Accordingly, I applied to the Chancery for further Time; where Judgment passes by Default, there may be a Rehearing. Instead of sending Letters of At|torney, the Colony sent only an Address to the King, with|out Colony Seal, or any Subscription per Order; there|fore it was not presented; I herewith send you a Copy of the Judgment against your Charter. Col. Kirk was fixt upon by Charles II. to be your Governor, and Iames II. is said to have renewed his Patent for your Govern|ment."

Henry Cranfield Governor of the adjoining Province of New Hampshire is said to have been appointed by Charles II, Governor of New-England; it is certain his Commissi|on was never published, if there was any such Patent, it dropt by the Death of Charles II; by Charles II's sudden Death, whether natural, or wickedly procured we shall not determine; this Affair was neglected, and the New-England Colonies continued for about two Years more, in the Enjoyment of their Charter Privileges. * 1.105

Ioseph Dudley, Esq was sent over to the Court of England as their Agent in the Charter Affairs; but as be|ing a Native of New-England, and a cunning Man, it was thought by the Court that he was the proper Person to ••acilitate and to introduce a new Administration, or Form of Government; accordingly in April 1686 he was ap|pointed President with a Council to govern New-England; he arrived at Boston in Iune following; there were no considerable Acts of Government in his Time: In De|cember

of the same Year, arrives Sir Edmund Andros Go|vernor of New-England, with Nicholson Lieut.-Governor, and two independent Companies of Soldiers, and Presi|dent Dudley was appointed chief Justice.

The New-England Charters being laid aside; the Go|vernor and Council (6 or 7 Persons, generally Strangers) had the legislative and executive Power of Government: they acted many unjust and oppressive Things; for In|stance, in Property, they alledged, that the People's Con|veyances were not according to the Laws of England, and that upon their Charter ceasing, their former Titles ceas|ed; and obliged them to take out new Grants or Titles at high Rates and extravagant Fees; particularly the King assumed the absolute Government, and the Property of the unappropriated Lands, the granting of Lands, raising of Taxes, making of Laws, with the executive Part likewise.

Upon the Arrival in April 1689 in Boston, of the News of a thorough Revolution in England, there was a Kind of popular Insurrection in Boston against the Governor Sir Edmund Andros and his Officers, who surrendred and were sent Home; a Convention of the principal Gen|tlemen of the Colony was held in Boston, who appointed a Council, Simon Bradstreet President, or Committee for the Safety of the People, and Conservation of the Peace; and summoned a Convention of the Representatives of the People; accordingly at first Meeting 66 Representa|tives of 44 Towns and Districts were present, and May 24, there were Representatives from 54 Places, they re|solved that the Governor, Deputy-Governor, Assistants, and other Officers, as chosen May 12, 1686 should act in their respective Stations, viz. Simon Bradstreet Governor, Thomas Serjeant Major-General, Isaac Adington Secretary, Iohn Philips Treasurer, Thomas Danforth President of the Province of Main, &c. Thomas Oakes was Speaker of the House of Representatives; they resolved upon six Rates of Taxes, whereof one Rate was to be in Provisions; all this was transacted with Submission to the King and Queen's Pleas••••e when notified.

It was proposed by a Writ of Error to have a Rehear|ing concerning the New-England Charters, in Westminster-Hall; but this was dropt. There was a Bill brought into the Convention Parliament, for restoring the New-Eng|land Charters; it passed the lower House, but the Con|vention being dissolved soon after, it dropt. Upon grant|ing the new Charter, the King allowed the Agents for Massachusetts-Bay to nominate their first Governor; they nominated Sir William Phipps.

The further provincial Proceedings we defer to the next Article.

The Boundary Lines of Old Massachusetts-Bay Colony.

The Southern Line is, 1. With the late Plymouth Co|lony 41 Miles; being 15 Miles due W; 23 Miles W. 18 d. S, see P. 401, and W. 7 d. N. 3 Miles and half; upon this Line lie the Townships of Hingham, Weymouth, Brain|tree, and Stoughton. 2. * 1.106 The Line with Rhode-Island Colony, from the Intersection of the North and South Line from Patuket Falls to Massachusetts-Bay South Line, as settled by Agreement of the two Colonies May 14. 1719, and afterwards confirmed by the King in Council, is W. 7 d. N. about 20 Miles to the N. W. Corner of Rhode-Island, bei••g a Production of Connecticut and Rhode-Island N. and S. Line, as settled by Agreement of these two Colonies Anno 1738. N. B. Here the Differences of Variation allowed per Agreement with Rhode-Island of W. 7 d. N. and with Connecticut of W. 9 d. N. occasions a Notch of 1 Mile and 40 Rod in the Township of Doug|lass, from the Rhode-Island N. W. Corner to the Connec|ticut N. E. Corner; upon this Line lie the Townships of Wrentham, Bellingham, Uxbridge, and Douglass. 3. The

Line with * 1.107 Connecticut, run Anno 1713 from said N. E. Corner of Connecticut W. 9 d. N. to the N. W. Corner of Connecticut 72 Miles; viz. From said N. E. Corner of Connecticut to Connecticut River (90 Rod North of the N. E. Corner of Suffield) 38 Miles, and from thence to Connecticut N. W. Corner 34 Miles, in all 72 Miles upon Connecticut; this Line was * 1.108 settled per Agreement, and afterwards confirmed by the King in Council: Upon this Line lie the Townships of Dudley; Woodstock indented, Sturbridge, Brimfield, Somers and Enfield indented, Suffield indented, Westfield, Bedford, Housatonicks No's 3 and 2, and Sheffield.

As an Equivalent, for some indented Lands properly belonging to the Colony of Connecticut, but settled, and for some Time assumed under the Jurisdiction of Massa|chusetts-Bay; Anno 1713 the Province of Massachusetts-Bay allowed the Property, but not Jurisdiction of some of their vacant Province Lands, containing 105,793 A|cres in four separate Parcels; these equivalent Lands were sold at publick Vendue by the Colony of Connecticut A|pril 25. 1716 for 683 £. New-England Currency in 16 Shares, viz. Gurdon Saltonstall Governor of Connecticut, Mrs. Saltonstall, Paul Dudley, Addi••gton Davenport, Th••|mas Fitch, Anthony Stoddard, William Brattle Minister, Ebenezer Pemberton a Minister of the Gospel, William and Ioseph Dummer's each one half of a Share, Ionathan Belcher, Iohn White, William Clark near Boston common, Iohn Wainwright, Henry Newman and Iohn Caswall, each one third of a Share, N••th. Gould, and Peter Burs each one half of a Share, Iohn Stoddard and Elisha Williams▪

each one half of aShare, and to Iohn Read oneShare: About 40,000 Acres of these Lands by the late Settlement of a Line with New-Hampshire fall into the Jurisdiction of New-Hampshire upon Connecticut River above Northfield.

The West Line of Massachusetts-Bay hitherto is not settled; the People of New-York pretend that their East Line is Connecticut River* 1.109, because the Dutch Colony, their Predecessors extended their Pretensions so far, and had a considerable Trade in Connecticut River: But we may ob|serve, that some Years since, Anno 1725 when New-York and Connecticut settled their Line, which was afterwards confirmed by the King in Council; their fundamental Agreement was, that this Boundary Line should be at 20 Miles East of Hudson's River, and parallel with said River; therefore naturally this Line in the same Circum|stances must extend Northward, and bound Massachusetts-Bay and New-Hampshire Provinces.

The * 1.110 North and East Lines have been in continued Disputes in opposite Claims, of Massachusetts-Bay and New Hampshire. Anno 1739 The King in Council, upon Appeals from the Judgment of Commissioners (per Agreement of both Parties) appointed under the Great Seal of Great-Britain, finally determined the same.

As all disputable Claims are now extinguished, we may reckon them as obsolete; but for the curious (Antiqua|ries perhaps may be an improper Term in a young Co|lony) we shall give some succinct History of those Claims.

It is frequently very difficult, and almost impossible to reconcile the Letter of the Boundaries of two old Grants; because generally more was granted, than had b••en sur|veyed, or perhaps more than had been discovered; there|fore the Lines were ill express'd, in loose general Terms,

and frequently interfering; which cannot be adjusted but by amicable voluntary Conventions and Agreements of the Parties concerned; to be explained and confirmed by the King in Council, the original Granter.

Immediately upon the Royal Grant or Patent to the New-England Company, called the Council of Plymouth; that Council granted to Sir Ferdinando Gorge Governor of the Fort of Plymouth, and sometime President of said Council, and to Mr. Mason Merchant of London their Secretary, jointly; from Neumkeag or Salem River to Q••e|nebec River along the Sea-shore, and sixty Miles inland: Soon after, they had separate Grants of separate Parcels of Land; here, we are only to relate the Disputes with Mr. Mason's Heirs and Assigns, and in the Section of New-Hampshire must be referred to.

Anno 1621 March 9. The Council of Plymouth grant|ed to Iohn Mason, Esq of London, their Secretary, his Heirs and Assigns, a Tract of Land from Neumkeag to Merimack River. Anno 1629 they granted to Ditto a Tract * 1.111 of Land, between Merimack River and Piscata|qua River, 60 Miles up each River, and these to be bound|ed by a Line across from River to River. Both these Grants were joined in a new Grant 1635 April 22, from the Council of Plymouth to said Mason, viz. 60 Miles up Neumkeag River, &c. and from the Entrance of Neum|keag (a Creek between Salem and Beverley) round by the Sea-shore to the middle Entrance of Piscataqua River, up Piscataqua River, and Newichawennock River to the Head thereof, and thence North Westward till 60 Miles be ac|complished; and cross from the Termination of each of these 60 Miles; to be called New Hampshire. Anno 1635 August 19 K. Charles by Patent confirms this Grant called New Hampshire, with Power of Government and Juris|diction (as in the Palatinate or Bishoprick of Durham) with Power of conferring Honours.

The Complaints from Time to Time of Mr. Mas••••'s Heirs to the King in Council, and the Determinations thereupon, have been already related in p. 410; we shall now mention some very large private Claims from Indian Grants, where both Colonies of Massachusetts-Bay and New-Hampshire were supposed to be concerned in Pro|perty as well as in Jurisdiction.

Anno 1629 the Chiefs of the Indians of Merimack Ri|ver sold to Iohn Wheelwright and others of the Massa|chusetts-Bay Colony, all that Land beginning "at the End of 20 Miles N. W. from Pantucket Falls, and thence running a N. E. Line to intersect Merimack and Piscata|qua Rivers, and these two Rivers to be the Bounds of it, from that Line to the Sea." This, together with other Lands, included all the late Province of New-Hampshire; the Claim was revived by Mr. Cooke, and others about 30 Years since, when some Irish Presbyterians petitioned both Assemblies of Massachusetts-Bay and of New-Hampshire, for a Settlement or Township of Lands; these Emigrants are settled upon Part of those Lands by Charter or Grant from the Governor and Council of New Hampshire; their Township is called Londonderry (formerly Nutfield) and flourishes much; they are a noted Pattern and Example of Industry and Frugality, particularly they excel in the Fabrick or Manufacture of Linnen Cloth: May the o|ther Townships of New-England copy from them! This Township lies a few Miles East of Pantuket Falls of Me|rimack River.

Anno 1683, a large Tract of Land called the Million Purchase both Sides of Merimack River above Souhage•• River, was granted by the Sachems of the Weymaset or Lower River Indians, and the Penycook or upper River Indians, to Ionathan Tyng of Dunstable for valuable Con|siderations. This Tract of Land extended upon the West Side of Merimack River, from the Mouth of Soughagen River, where it falls into Merimack River, six Miles and a half up said Souhagen or Souhegonack River, t••ence N. 20 d. Westward, ten Miles, thence in a direct Li••e f••om

Northward as far as the most Southerly End or Part (mean|ing I suppose the Production Westward of a Line from the Southerly End of said Pond) of the great Pond or Lake commonly called Wenapesioche Lake; extended upon the East Side of Merimack River from Brenton's Lands or Farm (in Litchfield) six Miles in Breadth East|ward, and thence running in a direct Line Northward unto and as far as the most Southerly End or Part of We|nepasioche Lake; neither of these West or East Lines to come nearer to the River of Merimack than six Miles; an Indian Plantation of three Miles square is reserved. These Lands were convey'd in several Pa••cels, and at sundry Times to certain Persons by Transfers, Anno 1684, 1685 and 1686; of which Transfers some were acknow|ledged before the Magistrates of the Administration of the old Colony of Massachusetts-Bay, and some before these of K. Iames II's Reign. After these Conveyances and Transfers were confirmed by Robert Tufton Mason Proprietor of New Hampshire April 15. 1686, so far as falls within the Royal Grant of New-Hampshire, at a Quit|rent, of 10 s. St. per An. when demanded; they were regulated into 20 equal Shares, viz.

• ...Ioseph Dudley
• ...Charles Lidget
• ...Iohn Usher
• ...Edward Randolph
• ...Iohn Hubbard
• ...Robert Thompson
• ...Samuel Shrimpton
• ...William Stoughton
• ...Richard Wharton
• ...Thomas Henchman
• ...Thaddeus Macarty
• ...Edward Tho••••son
• ...Iohn Blackwell
• ...Peter Bulkeley
• ...William Blathwayt
• ...Ionathan Tyng
• ...Daniel Cox

and three other Persons to be hereafter named and agreed upon; no Benefit of Survivorship; to be divided as soon a•• may be, and each Share may take up 5000 Acres at Discretion for the present; these Grants and Regulations were also confirmed Iuly 12. 1686 (and entred November 9 followin••) by I••seph Dudley President, and by the Coun|cil of his M••j••sty's Territory and Dominion of New-England in America; with an Addition of the Township

of Concord, Chelmsford, Groton, Lancaster, Stow, and Dun|stable, and 12 Miles more of Land. This Claim was in a Manner revived about 28 Years since, but soon dropt; it is now again revived by an Advertisement in the Boston Gazette of Iune 21. 1748. These Lands at present are in the Jurisdiction of New-Hampshire, and must be claim'd in that Province.

Not many Years since Mrs. Rand from New-England, Heiress or Representative of Thomas Goffe, one of the 26 original Patentees or Proprietors of Massachusetts-Bay Grant, entred a Claim in Chancery accordingly, and gave some Disturbance to the Massachusetts-Bay Vessels in the River Thames in London, by entring a ne exeat in Chan|cery; pretending they were the Produce of that Colony, which the 26 original Proprietors had never jointly assigned to the Settlers; but upon her Death, and none of the Heirs of the other original Proprietors appearing, the Affair dropt; and the Settlers by their Representatives in General As|sembly, continue in quiet Possession by Prescription.

For many Years there had been a Dispute concerning the North Boundary of Massachusetts-Bay Colony with New-Hampshire; New-Hampshire claim'd, from three Miles North of the middle Channel of the Mouth of Mer|rimack River due West, until it meet with other British Governments; Massachusetts-Bay claim'd, from three Miles North of the Black Rock where Merrimack River emptied it self into the Ocean, when the Charter was granted; thence running at three Miles Distance parallel with the River, to three Miles North of the Fork or Crotch where this River first receives the Name Merimack, and from thence due West to the South Sea or to any of his Majesty's other Territories.

* 1.112 Anno 1731, the General Assembly of New-Hamp|shire

appointed Mr. Rindge their Agent, to sollicit at Home, for settling their Boundaries with the Province of Massachusetts-Bay; 1733 the Petition was presented; 1734 Ian. 5. the Board of Trade and Plantations, sent to the Attorney and Sollicitor-General, this Question, "From what Part of Merimack River, the three Miles Limitation ought to be taken?" March 19, the Re|port was, "From three Miles North of the Mouth of Merrimack River." 1737 April 9. by the Consent of both Parties, a Commission under the great Seal was issued to some Gentlemen of the Councils in the neighbouring Provinces to hear and judge in the Affair. The Com|missioners met at Hampton in New-Hampshire August 1. and gave their Determination Sept. 2; both Parties ap|peal'd to the King in Council, and the Commissioners ad|journed themselves to August 1, 1738, to receive the King's Pleasure. 1739 March 5, the Appeals were heard before the proper Committee of Privy Council, and afterwards their Report was heard before the King in Council, where the Affair was finally determined. Conform to this De|termination the Lines were run by the Province of New-Hampshire ex parte, the Massachusetts-Bay Government re|fused to join in the Survey; the Line between New-Hampshire and the Province of Main by Mr. Bryant; the Line parallel with, and at three Miles (on the North Side) Distance from the River Merrimack by Mr. Mit|chell, and the Line from Pantucket Falls Station W. 10 d. N. to New York East Line by Mr. Hazen. These Lines or Surveys were in May 1741 lodged with the Records of both Provinces.

We come now to delineate the Northerly Line of Mas|sachusetts Bay Province. The Commissioners for settling of it 1737 put it thus, "If the same Lands were grant|ed

" by W. and M. Charter, as by that of Charles I; then this Line should run 3 Miles North from the Black Rock at theMouth of the River Merimack, and parallel with the River to three Miles North of the Crotch where the Rivers of Winnepasiake and Pemegawasset meet, and thence due West: But if otherwise, then the Line is to begin at three Miles North from the Mouth of said River, and run from thence due West: Upon the Appeals the King in Council issued the Case in nei|ther of these Ways; but that after the Parallel was ••ar|ried so far as the Flexure of the River at Pantucket Falls, it should proceed no further; because if the parallel Line were to be continued further, it would be East and not North from the River; the Course of the River from this Flexure becoming North and South; and from a Station three Miles North of the Flexure or Falls, the Line to run W. 10 d. N. by Compass, to New-York East Line.

Mr. Mitchell's Line parallel with Merrimack River be|gins at three Miles North of a Black Rock, to Pantucket Station being W. 9 d. S. by Compass, 27 Miles. This parallel Line passes through and cuts off Part of the fol|lowing Townships of Massachusetts-Bay Government, viz. Salisbury, Amesbury, Haverhill, Methuen, Dracut, and Not|tingham; the Colony of Massachusetts-Bay had extended these Townships beyond the three Miles North of Mer|rimack, not so much upon Account of their having as|sumed the Jurisdiction of that Country, at the Time of granting these Townships, but chiefly because they were Indian Grants to Massachusetts People.

Mr. Hazen's Line from Pantucket Station three Miles East of Merrimack River, runs W. 10 d. N. by Compass to cut Connecticut River (1 Mile and 3 qrs. North of North|field Meeting-House; and about 10 Miles South of Fort Dummer) 53 Miles 58 Rod; thence to New-York Line (20 MilesEast from Hudson's River, 36 Miles 60 Rod, in all about 90 Miles. ThisLine continued falls in with Hudson's River 6 Miles above Albany Church, and a little below the Mouth of

Mohawks River. This Line passes through, and takes off from the Massachusetts-Bay Jurisdiction, some Parts of the following Townships and Lands, viz. Dunstable, Groton, Townsend, * 1.113 Ipswich new Township, Canada to Rowley, some Province vacant Lands, Canada to Sylvester and others, Canada to Roxbury, Winchester, Northfield, Fall-fight Township, Boston new Township No. 2, and Province vacant Lands to New-York East Line.

The Sea-Line of the old Colony of Massachusetts-Bay does not exceed 80 Miles.

The superficial Land Contents of said Colony we may estimate in this Manner. 1. Its Northerly Line in a di|rect Course, North Side of Merrimack River W. 9 d. S. to Pantucket Station is 27 Miles, thence W. 10 d. N. to New-York East Line are about 90 Miles, being in all a|bout 117 Miles. 2. Its Southerly Line is from Conohasset Rocks to the Notch in Bridgwater 15 Miles, thence W. 18 d. South to the Station Tree 23 Miles, thence W. 7 d, N. to Rhode-Island N. W. Corner, which is nearly the

same with Connecticut N. E. Corner 24 Miles, * 1.114 thence W. 9 d. N. to Connecticut N. W. Corner 70 Miles, being in all about 132 Miles. 3. The Meridian Distance from the abovesaid Northerly and to the Southerly Line is about 47 Miles. These 47 Miles multiplied into 125 which i•• nearly the Medium between the Northerly and Southerly Line, produces 5,875 square Miles which are 3,760,000 Acres.* 1.115

As to the Situation of this American Province of Massachusetts-Bay in New-England, upon the Surface of the terrestrial Globe; we shall observe that BOSTON the chief Town or Metropolis of New-England, from the Observations of the late ingenious Mr. Thomas Robie Fel|low of Harvard alias Cambridge College of New-England

determined it to be in 42 d. 25 m. N. Lat. and * 1.116 West from London 4 h. 46 m, which is W. Long. 71 ••. 30 m.

The general History under the old Charter Adminis••ration continued.

This Charter was dated March 4. 16••8, 9; by Charter Mr. Cradock was nominated their first Governor, but by Reason of his advanced Age he declin'd going over; and Mr. Endicot Deputy-Governor, but being of no Note, he was dropt; the Company in London chose Iohn Winthrop Governor, and Thomas Dudley Deputy-Governor.

Anno 1629, the Company sent over 350 People, 115 Neat Cattel, some Horses, Sheep, and Goats (most of this Stock died in the Passage) 6 Pieces of Cannon with Stores, they landed at Neumke••g, now Salem, June 24. 1629; Mr. Endicot their Leader, gave it the Name Salem.

1630 In April Mr. Winthrop and Mr. Dudley with some of the Adventurers and Assistants, many Settlers and Ser|vants, Provisions and Stores, in all 17 Ship•• were sent over this Year: Of the Settlers about 100 died the first Year, and the Survivors * 1.117 suffered much for Want of Provisi|ons.

After a chargeable, long and tedious Voyage, they landed at Salem; they disliked Salem, and chose to settle where the Land was better; they proceeded to the Mouth of * 1.118 Charles River further up the Bay, here some settled and called it Charles-Town; some settled at Sagus River, now Lynn, some at Mystick River, now Medford; these two Settlements are between Salem and Charles-Town; some from Charles-Town crossed over and settled upon a Peninsula, now called BOSTON, the Metropolis of Britis•• America; some settled from Charles-Town Westward at Newtown and Watertown: Some from Boston settled two Miles West Southward, and called it Roxbury, because rocky Ground. Some settled four Miles South from Boston and called it Dorchester, they were mostly West-Country-Men. Newbury settled 1635. * 1.119

Being sickly, and fearing the Severity of the Winter, many were discouraged; about 100 Persons returned with the Ships to England, some Libertines went to a small Settlement which had been made at Pisca••aqua without this Jurisdiction. From setting out April 30, to December following died upwards of 200 Persons.

Anno 1631 Freemen were first admitted, and here the old Charter Law-Book begins; preceeding May 1634, admitted about 390 Freemen; preceeding 1641, about 4000 Settlers came from England; for the twenty fol|lowin•• Years, the Independent Manner in Religion was

fashionable at Home, and more People went Home from New-England then came abroad to New-England. After the Restoration the Episcopal Church of England again be|came rigid, and many Dissenters came over with their Ministers; thus Mr. Allen was appointed Minister of Boston, Mr. Lee of Bristol, Mr. Bailey of Waterto••••, &c.

The assiduous and well qualified Agent Dummer in his ingenious and politick Piece published in London 1721, in Defence of the New-England Charters, when all Char|te•• and Proprietary Governments▪ were in Danger of be|ing annihilated, by a Bill brought into the House of Commons of Great-Britain; he writes, "That the Ex|pence of settling the Massachusetts-Bay Colony for the first twelve Years, was about 200,000 £. Sterling; that the Settlers were neither necessitous nor Criminals."

The History of their successive Governors is as follows,

1630 The Company of Massachusetts-Bay Adventur|ers in London, chose for their Governor, JOHN WIN|TH••OP a Lawyer, Son of Adam Winthrop of Groton in Suffolk; he brought over with him to New-England the Proceeds of an Estate of 600 to 700 £. St. per An. was almost annually elected Governor till his Death; he was very charitable, particularly in distributing his medicinal Van Helmont Nostrums to the Poor. His Son was very instrumental in procuring the Connecticut Charter, and was annually chosen their Governor during his Life. His Grandson was some Time Major-General of the Colony, and Chief Justice or Judge, he died 1717. To his Great Grandson Iohn, was dedicated the XLth Vol. of the Phi|losophical Transactions of the London Royal Society, he died lately in London.

1636, In Opposition to Mr. Winthrop, HENRY VANE Son of Sir Henry Vane was chosen Governor; he came over an enthusiastick rigid Puritan; his Conduct was dis|agreeable to the People, he was dropt the Year following and Mr. Winth••op chosen as formerly. He was after|wards

Member of the Long Parliament in England, and executed as a Traitor 1662 Aet. 50.

1645 THOMAS DUDLEY was elected Governor, Mr. Winthrop Deputy-Governor: Mr. Dudley was born at Northampton, he was a Puritan, and bred in the Army, he was about 10 Years Steward to the Earl of Lincoln, he came over Deputy-Governor 1630, and was at Times chosen Major General of the Colony; he died in Roxbury July 31. 1652, Aet. 77. His Son Ioseph Dudley sustain'd many great and arduous Posts, Colony Agent, President of the Council, Chief Justice, Member of Parliament in England, and Governor of the Province of Massachusetts-Bay, as shall be in Course related more at large. His Grandson Paul Dudley Esq is the present Chief Justice of the Province of Massachusetts-Bay, of long Experience in the Laws and Customs of the Pro|vince; he is noted abroad in the World, by some inge|nious Pieces, relating to the natural History of New-Eng|land published in the Philosophical Transactions of the London Royal Society for the Years 1720 and 1721.

1653 JOHN ENDICOT was chosen Governor, he died 1665.

1665 RICHARD BELLINGHAM, a Lawyer, a very old Man, was elected, he had been an Assistant or Magistrate 30 Years before; he was chosen Governor for seven Years successively, he died 1671 Aet. 80. He had formerly been Treasurer of the Province, he was very severe against Anabaptists and Quakers, his Memory is perpetuated by the Township of Bellingham, being called after his Name.

1671 Was chosen JOHN LEVERETT, he was annu|ally continued Governor till Death 1676 in the Autumn. His Father Thomas Leverett with his Family removed 1633 from Boston in Lincolnshire of Old England, to New England.

1676 SIMON BRADSTREET was elected Governor, he was annually rechosen till Anno 1686; the Charter being vacated, he was ••uperseded by President Dudley: Upon the Revolution in New-England April 1689, subsequent to and consequent of the Revolution in England Nov.

1688; by the Advice and Direction of the principal In|habitants of the Colony, with the other Colony Officers, as elected 1686; he reassumed the Government, till the Arrival of the new Charter May 1692 this was approv|ed of and confirmed by W. and M., He was born in Lincolnshire, had been a Fellow of Emanuel College in Cambridge of Old England; succeeded Governor Thomas Dudley as Steward to the Earl of Lincoln; he married a Sister of Governor Ioseph Dudley; he died March 27. 1697 Aet. 95; he was the longest Liver of all the first Planters of New-England.

Some short Time after the Succession of K. Iames II. the Charter being vacated, JOSEPH DUDLEY, Esq who had been sent over the Colonies Agent, arrived in Boston June 1686, as President with a Council, he assumed the Administration, he was superseded by

The Arrival of Sir EDMUND ANDRO•• Governor of New-England, in Dec. 1686, he continued Governor, un|til sent Home with his Officers by the Revolutioners in the Spring 1689. He had been Governor of New-York under the Duke * 1.120 of York and Albany for seven Years preceding 1684, when he was superseded by Col. Dongan a Roman Catholick; Anno 1692 in Virginia he had the chief Command, having succeeded Francis Nicholson, who was Lieut.-Governor under Lord Howard principal Go|vernor, dismiss'd; Sir Edmund continued Governor until 1698, when Col. Nicholson from M••ryland superseded him; Governor Nicholson returned to England 1704, and was succeeded by the Earl of Orkney. Here we insen|sibly anticipate Affairs belonging to the Section of Virginia.

The successive MAJOR-GENERALS under the old Char|ter were, Thomas Dudley, Iohn Endicot, Edward Gib|bons, Robert Sedgwick, Humphrey A••herton, Daniel

D••nnison, Iohn Leverett, Daniel Gooki••, and Thomas Sergeant.

The successive SECRETARIES, were, William Burgis, Simon Bradstreet, Increase Newel, and Edward Rawson, between the old and new Charters in the intermediate a••|bitrary oppressive Administration in the Reign of Iames H, Iames Randolph was Secretary.

Col. Usher at the Revolution was TREASURER for the Dominions of New-England; upon this Revolution he went off abruptly.

* 1.121 Some singularly remarkable Laws and Customs in the Old Charter Administration.

Their enacting Stile was; It is ordered by this Co••rt, and the Authority thereof.

For many Years, from the Beginning, the Governor, Assistants or Council not under seven, and Deputies or Representatives in a legislative Capacity * 1.122 voted together; but from long Experience diverse Inconveniencies were found to arise, and it was enacted 1652, that the Magi|strates (Governor and Council) should sit and vote apart, ••onstituting * 1.123 a separate Negative.

The Governor, Deputy-Governor, and Assistants, or Council called Magistrates, were the superior Court for Appeals in civil Cases; and were the Court of Oye••

and Terminer in Cases of Life, Member, Banishment, and Divorce. After they were constituted two distinct Houses, if they happened to differ in any Cases of Judi|cature Civil or Criminal; the Affair was to be determin|ed by a Vote of the whole Court met together. The General Court only, had Power to pardon condemned Criminals. The Governor when present was President in all Courts. No General Court to be continued above one Year. The Governor, Deputy-Governor, or Majo|rity of the Assistants, may call a General Assembly, but this Assembly is not to be adjourned or dissolved, but by a Vote of the same.

County Courts may admit Freem••n, being * 1.124 Church-Members, that is, of the Independent or Congregational religious Mode; only Freemen were capable of voting in civil Assemblies; 1662 upon the King's Letter this Law was repeal'd.

Formerly some Townships had it in their Option, to send or not send Deputies to the General Assembly. The Deputies of Dov••r and such other Towns as ar•• not by Law bound to s••nd Deputies, may be excused.

The Officers annually elected by the Freemen in ge|neral (not by their Representatives or Deputies in th•• General Court or Assembly) were the Governor, the Deputy-Governor, the Assistants or Council, the Trea|surer, the Major-General, the Admiral at Sea, the Com|mission••rs for the united Colonies, and the Secretary.

By an Act 1641, the Freemen of any Shire or Town, have Liberty to chuse Deputies for the General Court * 1.125,

either in their own Shire or Town, or elsewhere as they judge fittest; so be it, they be Freemen and inhabiting this Jurisdiction.

By a Law made 1654, no Person who is an usual or common Attorney in any * 1.126 inferior Court, shall be ad|mitted to sit as a Deputy in the General Court or As|sembly.

Where the Country or Colony Laws are deficient, the Case shall be determined by the * 1.127 Word of GOD.

Disfranchisement, and Banishment, were the usual Pe|nalties for great Crimes.

Governor and Deputy Governor jointly agreeing, or any there Assistants consenting, have Power out of Court, to reprieve a condemned Malefactor, till the next Court of Assistants, or General Court; and that the General Court only hath Power to pardon a condemned Male|factor.

1652 Enacted, That a Mint-House be erected in Boston, to coin Silver of Sterling Alloy into 12 d. 6 d. and 3 d. Pieces, in Value less than that of the present English Coin by 2 d. in the Shilling; the Stamp to be, within a double Ring, on the one Side MASSACHUSETTS, with a Tree in the Centre; on the other Side NEW-ENGLAND with the Year * 1.128 1652, and the Figure XII, VI, and III, according to the Value of each Piece; with a private Mark. Excepting English Coin, no other Money to be current in this Common-Wealth; 5 pr Ct. for * 1.129 Charges of coining to be allowed by the Owners of the Silver brought into the Mint to be coined. Exportation of this Coin, except Twenty Shillings for necessary Ex|pences, is prohibited on Pain of Confiscation of all visi|ble

Estate. Coinage is a P••erogative of the Sovereignty not of a Colony. Scarce any of this Coin ••ow appears, with all other Silver Coin, it is drove away by a multi|plied fallacious base Paper Currency.

Besides some small Duties of Impost upon strong Li|quors imported; and a small Excise of 2 s. 6 d. pr Hhd upon Cyder, and Malt Liquors retail'd; and Tunnage, 6 d. per Tun, upon Shipping; the ordinary Revenue was a Poll Tax or Coputation upon all Male Whites of 16 Aet. and upwards, and a Rate of — d. in the Pound of principal Estate at small Valuations: Thus for In|stance, Anno 16••1, the Tax was 20 d. per Poll, and a Rate of 1 d. in the Pound Estate.

Anno 1692, when the old Charter expired, a Tax of 10 s. Poll, and a Rate of 30 s. upon every 100 £. of principal Estate; was computed to raise 30,000 £. Value equal to Proclamation Money.

Anno 1639 a Court Merchant is appointed. When a Stranger's Affairs do not allow him to tarry the ordinary Terms of the Courts; the Governor or Deputy with any two of the Assistants, or any three of the Assistants, may call a special Court.

Several Acts for Fairs and Markets in several Towns; for Instance, in Boston two yea••ly Fairs, and a weekly Market upon the 5th Day.* 1.130

Enacted a small Body of good maritime Laws in 27 Sections.

The Oeconomy of their Militia was after this Manner. All white Men of 16 Aet. and upwards, were inlisted, no Company of Foot to be under 64 private Men (small Towns are to join) no Troop of Horse to exceed 70 Men. The Non Commission Officers to be appointed by the Commission Officers of the Company. The Com|mission Officers of a Company to be chosen by a Majority of the Men inlisted in that Company, to be approved by

the County-Cou••t o•• Sessions. All the Companies of one County or R••giment by a Majority of the Men belong|ing to that Regiment are to chuse a Serjeant-Major of the County, the Command••r of that Regiment. The Command of all the Militia of the Colony was in a Major-General, annually chosen by the General Assem|bly.* 1.131 Any seven Assistants whereof the Governor or Deputy-Governor to be one, may impress Soldiers.

To prevent Oppression, any Person taking excessive Wages for Work done, or unreasonable Prices for ne|cessary Merchandize; shall be fined at the Discretion of the Court wher•• the Offence is presented. The Select Men to regulate the Wages of Porters.

The Forms of their Judicial Oaths were, By the Name of the Living, and sometimes Ever living GOD— By the great Name of the Ever-living Almighty GOD — By the great and dreadful Name of the Ever-living GOD. These were used according to the Solemnity of the Occasion.

Any Person may view and have attested Copies of any Records, the Journals of the Council excepted.

* 1.132 Powowoers to be fined five Pounds. Iesuits, or any Roman Catholick Ecclesiasticks, to be banished; if they return, to suffer Death: This Law was afterwards ex|tended to the Quakers.

Anno 1656. None of that cursed Sect of Hereticks, lately risen up in the World, which are commonly called Quakers, are to be imported: Penalty upon the Master 100 £. per Piece, and 40 s. per Hour for any other Per|son harbouring or entertaining them.

1658. A Quaker * 1.133 convicted, shall be banished upon Pain of Death.

Penalty for playing at Cards or Dice 5 s.; for observ|ing any such Day as Christmas 5 s.; Profaners of the Sabbath Day for the first Offence to be admonished, but for after Offences to be fined. Drinking Healths aboard of Vessels 20 s. every Health. Reviling Magistrates or Ministers 5 £. or Whipping.

1633. Constables are to present unprofitable Fowlers, and Tobacco-Takers, to the next Magistrate.

No Motion of Marriage to be made to any Maid, without the Consent of her Parents. Births, Marriages, and Deaths to be recorded in each Town: to be return|ed yearly to the County Court or Sessions.

The General Assembly having received and perused, a Letter from the Privy Council in England, with an

Act of Parliament 12 Carol. II. for the encouraging of Shipping and Navigation; they appointed Naval Offi|cers in all their proper Sea Ports, the Transactions to be transmitted to London once a Year by the Secretary.

Women, Girls, and Boys, are enjoined to spin; the Select Men of each Town, are to assess each Family, at one or more Spinners; when they have Avocations of other Business, they are to be deem'd half or quarter Spinners; a whole Spinner shall spin every Year, for thirty Weeks, three Pound every Week of Linnen, Cot|ton, or Woollen.

Five Years quiet Possession to be deemed a good Ti|tle. In Commonages five Sheep shall be reckoned equal to one Cow.

1667. No licensed Person to sell Beer, but of 4 Bu|shels Barley Malt at least, to the Hogshead, and not to be sold above 2 d. the Ale Quart; not to be mixed with Molasses, coarse Sugar, or other Materials. No Mackerel to be caught, except for spending whilst fresh, before the first of Iuly annually. Surveyors appointed to view all Shipping in Building.

Wampumpeag to be a Tender in Payment of Debts not exceeding 40 s. at 8 White or 4 Black a Penny; this was repeal'd Anno 1661.

After a Vote passed in any Assembly or Civil Court, a Member may enter his Dissent, without entering his Reasons of Dissent, to be recorded.

In all Assemblies, Neuters, that is Silents, shall be ac|counted Votes for the Negative. Any two Magistrate•• with the Clerk of the County, may take Probate of Wills, or grant Administration.

In old Charter Times the Colony was at first divided into the three Counties of Suffolk, Essex, and Middlesex; when they assumed the Jurisdiction of New-Hampshire and Province of Main, and settled compactly upon Con|necticut River, the Colony 1671 was divided into these six Counties of

Counties.

• ...Suffolk
• ...Norfolk
• ...Essex
• ...Pisc••taqua
• ...Middlesex
• ...Yorkshire
• ...Hampshire

Shire-Towns.

• ...Boston
• Salisbury and Hampton
• Salem and Ipswich
• Dover and Portsmouth
• Charlestown and Cambridge
• ...York
• Northampton and Springfield

Transactions relating to their Religious Affairs.

Some Account of the various Sectaries or Modes of religious Discipline and Worship in the several British American Colonies, was designed for the Section of Rhode Island Colony, that Plantation being productive or re|ceptive of very many Sectaries: but as the Persecutions (so called) of sundry Sectaries in the old Colony of Mas|sachusetts-Bay, is too much and too impartially noted by many Historians; I could not avoid in this Place, to give a few and Matter-of-fact Account of these Things. I. Concerning the Congregational Way of Religious Discipline and Worship as generally practised in the Co|lonies of New-England. II. Some Narrative of the Severities used in the Massachusetts-Bay, towards various Sectaries or Communions of rigid Brownists, Antinomians, Muggletonians, Anabaptists, Quakers, and * 1.134 Witches. * 1.135

I. * 1.136 Some consciencious Non-Conformists harrassed by the Bishops Courts, &c. in the Reign of Iames I, ob|tain'd a loose Grant from the Council of Plymouth called the New-England Company, of some Lands in North-America; they transported themselves to New-England,

and at first were perhaps * 1.137 enthusiastically rigid and called Brownists * 1.138 from the Name of their Apostle or Leader; afterwards their indiscreet Zeal began to subside, and were called * 1.139 Independents, because every Congregation was independent of the other Churches, but not indepen|dent of the civil Government, as some invidiously repre|sent it. A Church consisted only of so many People as could conveniently meet together in one Audience, and under Covenant amongst themselves; a Vote of the Bro|therhood, made and unmade their Minister, Elders and Deacons; a Minister could not administer but to his own Congregation; they allowed of Communion with other Churches in Word and Prayer, but not in Sacrament•• and Discipline, they advised with neighbouring Churches, but were under no Obligation to follow their Advice.

After some Time, they still became more moderate and sociable, they converted the Designation INDEPEN|DENT, to that of CONGREGATIONAL; although they retained the Notion of an independent supreme ecclesias|tick Power in each Congregation; they allowed, that sometimes it may be expedient to have the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Synods and Co••ncils; thus insensibly and naturally, for Sake of good Order, they fall into the Presbyterian Mode; and in Fact have had several Synods appointed by the civil Legislature. 1. In August 30, 1637, in Newtow•• was called an universal Synod to condemn the Errors of the Rigids and Antinomians; Mr. Williams, Mr. V••ne,

and Mrs. Hutchinson were their Leaders; t••is Synod con|tinued three Weeks: This occasioned an Emigration, and the settling of the Colony of Rhode••Island. 2. Sept. 30, 1648, by Order of the Legislature, a Synod was call|ed at Cambridge, to establish Uniformity; they agree to the Westminster Confession of 1646, in Matters of Faith ••nd Doctrine, but compose a Platform of their own for Discipline. 3. Anno 1662 in the Spring in Boston a Sy|nod was called by Direction of the General Assembly, concerning the Right that Grand C••ildren of Church-Members had to Baptism, concerni••g the Consociation of Churches, and some other Affairs of Church-Mem|bership. 4. Anno 1679 another Synod in Boston was ap|pointed by the Legislature, to consult what was proper to be done to remove the Evils which continued to afflict the People of New-England; 1678, many had died of the Small-Pox; the Result was, that all the Churches should renew their Covenant. They had a second Session May 12. 1680, and agreed upon a Confession of Faith, nearly the same with that of the Independents in England, Oct. 12. 1658, called the Savoy Confession of Faith, and seem|ed to renounce the Models of Geneva and Scotland. 5. Anno 1687 the Ministers of Massachusetts-Bay Colony, jointly sent an Address of Thanks to K. Iames II, for his * 1.140 Indulgence or general Toleration of religious Opi|nions and Congregations; this was sent over, and pre|sented to K. Iames by M••. Increase Mather, he and his Constituents were not Politicians, sufficient, to penetrate into the wicked and pernicious Contrivance of that Toleration. 6. About 30 Years since, it was proposed in the General Assembly to call a Synod of the Congre|gational Churches of the Province of Massachusetts-Bay; this was refused, or dropt, because by the Act of Union of Scotland and England, it is provided that the Church

of England Government, in all the English Colonies was forever established. Here the History of New-England Church-Synods must terminate.

All Convocations, General Assemblies, Synods, &c. of Clergymen, by their indiscreet Zeal or Heats, rather in|crease, than heal the Distempers of the Church.

In other Articles, the New-England Independents be|come less contracted, and of more extensive Charity. Although a Church properly consisted of no more Per|sons or Christians, then could conveniently meet together in one Place, cemented by a holy Covenant, and admit|ted in••o Church-Membership by personal publick Con|fession; at present they have relaxed of that Rigidity▪ and 1. In many of their Churches, do not require that personal publick confessional Appearance, in Order to be admitted into Church-Membership; but only a privat•• Application to their Pastor or Minister to be communica|ted to the Church only, if required. 2. They admit oc|casionally Members of other Churches to the Lord's Supper, by Letters of Recommendation. 3. A Mini|ster may occasionally administer the Sacraments to a neighbouring vacant Church. 4. The Brethren of the Church at the Ordination of a Minister do not lay on Hands; it is done by the laying on of the Hands of the Ministers * 1.141 of some neighbouring Churches invited for that Purpose; this is a considerable Festival Day in the Township or Parish. 5. A lay Elder may teach and perform all Offices, excepting the Administration of the Sacraments.

At present the Congregationalists of New-England may be esteemed among the most moderate and charitable of Christian Professions.

The Persecution of Sectaries in New England, parti|cularly of Anabaptists and Quakers, is not minutely ••e|lated

here; as being only local and temporary from the wrong pointed Zeal of the Times, without any political wicked Design.* 1.142

If by Sectaries are meant Dissenters from the general Mode of the Re••igion of the Country at that Time; the Church of England Wo••ship was formerly a Dissen|sion in New-England; the first Church of England Con|gregation formed there was in Boston 1679, it still sub|sists and flourishes; and besides a Rector in the Election and at the Charge of the Congregation, there is an an|nual royal Bounty for an Assistant Minister, sometimes called Lecturer; hitherto, excepting in Boston, there is no Church of England, but Missionaries; at this Time, Anno 1748 (including Mr. Price for Hopkinton, appointed

but not as yet arrived) in the new Charter Province of Massachusetts-Bay, are seven Missionary Congregations, and about 200 Independent Congregations, besides some Congregations of Irish Presbyterians, Anabaptists, Qua|kers, and lately some Mushrome Meetings of Separatists, Disciples of Mr. Whitefield, and as of short Duration, scarce deserving Mention.

By the Articles of Union of the two Nations of Great-Britain May 1707, the Church of England is esta|blished in Perpetuity in all the Territories at that Time to England belonging; but before this Period, in all Charters and Governors Patents, a general Toleration for all Christian religious Communities (Roman Catholicks excepted) was the ecclesiastical Constitution of our Ame|rican Colonies, without any Preference.* 1.143

1. The rigid Brownists * 1.144 are almost extinct; nothing ••iolent, or out of the common Course of human Reason, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 hold long; we have already given some transient Hints concerning them; in the Infancy of these Colo|nies there were many Degrees of Rigidity, * 1.145 whereof se|veral

were puritanick and fanatical, of very short Conti|nuance. The Rigids generally * 1.146 seceeded from the more moderate * 1.147, and removed with their Teachers or Ministers without the Limits or Jurisdiction of the Co|lony. Anno 1634 Roger Williams, Minister of Salem, was banished because of his * 1.148 Antinomian and * 1.149 fanatical Doctrines▪ after some Removes, with his Disciples, he settled on the South Side of Patucket River, and called their Settlement Providence Plantations, which Name it retains to this Day, they purchased it of the Indians, or had Liberty from them to settle there: An Instance of his Formality, is a Letter from him, dated, Nantiggansick the 24th of the first Month, commonly called March, the second Year of our Plantation (by Way of ••p••••ha, or in Imitation of the V. C. of the Romans) or pl••nt|ing at Moothisick or Providence.

When the People get into the Distemperature or ••u|mour of differing and dividing, especially in Religion; they proceed to Subdivisions, and Separations upon Se|parations. Anno 1636 in the Summer, some discontent|ed Rigids to the Number of about One Hundred, went from the Townships of Newtown, Dorchester, Watertown, and Roxbury, under their Leaders and Teachers Homes,

Hopkins, Ludlow, Hooker, &c. removed Westw••rd to a pleasant Country upon Connecticut River, and gradually made the Settlements of Har••for•• Wethersfield, Windsor, Springfield, &c; those of the•• w••o found their Settle|ments without the Limits of the Massachusetts-Bay Char|ter, entred into a voluntary Association or Jurisdiction, which continued until they obtained an ample royal Charter in the Beginning of the Reign of Charles II; as shall be more fully related in the Section of Connecti|cut Colony; those are at present a moderate, industrious, well-governed People.

Some of the Separatists were concerned in the Settle|ment of Rhode Island (it was then called Aquatneck, and Anno 1644 it was called the Isle of Rhodes or Rhode-Island) 1637, 8 by a voluntary Incorporation of 18 Per|sons: This belongs to the S••ction of Rhode-Island.

2. The Anabaptists at their first Appearance in New-England, were ent••usiastically troublesom; they chose a|mong themselves the meanest of the People for their Ministers; t••ey call themselves Baptists by Way of Ab|b••eviation o•• the Name Anabaptists, after the * 1.150 Lollards who we••e the first in the Reformation, followed the Lu|therans and Anabaptists, * 1.151 some of them vainly imagine,

that they ought to be called by that Name in a peculiar Manner, their Baptism being the only scriptural Baptism: They would not communicate with Persons baptized in Infancy only; if occasionally in a congregational Meet|ing, upon a Child's being presented for Baptism, they withdrew to the great Disturbance of the Congregation: Fines were enacted; Holmes, because he would not pay his Fine, was whipt 30 Lashes. Anno 1644 and 1646 Laws were made against Disturbers of the Peace in any Church in Time of divine Service, and against Railery of Magistrates; that all who shall condemn or oppose the Baptism of Infants, or that shall purposely depart the Congregation at the Administration of that Ordinance, or that shall deny the Order of Magistracy; every Per|son continuing obstinate in these, after the proper Means of Conviction have been used, shall be sentenced to Ban|ishment. In the Beginning they generally kept the Sab|bath with the congregational Churches; their first Sepa|ration to form a peculiar Church was at Rehoboth 1651, and were much persecuted all over New-England: From their Church in Swanzey, proceeded a Church in Boston, May 28. 1665, which to this Day continues a very o••|derly peaceable Christian Society: The young Vagrant Mr. Whitefield, by his Pr••achings, or rather strong youth|ful Vociferations, did draw off some of the Congregati|o••alists,

weak Minds, to an Antinomian or Antimorality Se|paration, this occasioned a Separation amongst the Ana|baptists, and their Separatists have a distinct Congregation under Mr. Bounds the Leather-Breeches-Maker; and two more Separatists Ministers from the Congregationalists; are shortly to be ordained, viz. Mr. Crosswell and Mr. Clark in Boston.

3. The * 1.152 Mugletonian Books, Anno 1654 by Act of Assembly, as being full of Blasphemies (they go under the Names of Iohn Reeves and Lowdowich Mugleton, who pretended to be the two last Prophets and Wit|nesses of JESUS CHRIST) to be brought to the next Magistrate to be burnt by the common Execu|tioner in the Market-Place of Boston upon a Market-Day: Penalty ten Pound for every Book discovered not brought in.

4. The * 1.153 Quakers first Appearance in New-England was 1654 from Old England and Barbados; their Beha|viour was ludicrous and indecent; they copied from the Anabaptists in their most Enthusiastick State; the first in Boston were * 1.154 Mary Fisher and Anne Austin from Barbados: they seem'd to join with the Antinomians and Anabap|tists,

they had many Converts in * 1.155 Salem, and it was their Head-Quarters. They impiously declared, that they were immediately sent from GOD; and blasphe|mously asserted they were infallibly assisted by the HOLY SPIRIT, they despised and spake evil of Dignities or civil Magistrates to the great Disturbance of civil Ju••isdi••tion. By Reason of their Enormities, some Laws wer•• made against the Importation of Quakers, and their Proceed|ings; as being obstinate Rogues, Vag••bonds, 1656, 1658, and 16••9; and as Disturbers of the P••ace of the Commonwealth, th••y w••re subjected to Fines, Imprison|ment••, Whipping, Crop••ing of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 (1658 thr••e Qua|kers had th••••r E••rs cropt) and Banishment, and by Act of Assembly upon their Return from B••nishment, 16••9 and 1660, three or four Quakers suffer'd Death: This in Course occasioned a national Clamour, and the Pains of Death, were exchanged into these of being whipt, only through three Towns at the Ca••ts Tail: But upon fur|therComplaints Home, K. Charles II, in Council, by Or|der, Sept. 9, 1661, required the Accused to be s••nt Home for Trial, and all penal Laws relating to Quakers to be suspended.

The People who are called by the ludicrous Name of Quakers are at present noted for a laudable Parsimony or Frugality, moral Honesty and mutual Friendship; they have attain'd a considerable Interest in the Common-Wealth; Peerage like, they are indulg'd with Affirma|tion, instead of a judicial Oath; and in New-England they are exempted from paying Rates to the Township Ministers. As Quakers, they call themselves Friends in a peculiar Manner; their rejecting that sacre•• Symbol of Christian Friendship, eating and drinking together in the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, is not to be accounted for.

5. As to the Witchcraft Sectary,* 1.156 we shall only menti|on, what happened Anno 1692, when a most horrid in|human Murder by Colour of Law was perpetrated upon many ignorant Maniacks and other Persons affected in their Nerves,* 1.157 called Witches. Anno 1691, 2 in February it began in the Family of Mr. Paris, Minister of Salem-Village; from somewhat Endemial to the Soil, three Persons were effected with nervous Disorders, convulsed and acted as if demented; they were said to be bewitch|ed, and by Mr. Paris's indiscreet Interrogatories, they fancied themselves bewitched by his Indian Woman,

and some neighbouring ugly old Women, which from their dismal Aspect were called Witches; and by the End of May 1692, about 100 Persons were imprisoned upon that Account: About this Time Sir William Phipps arrived Governor, and Iune 2, for their Trial a special Commission of Oyer and Terminer was issued to Lieut. Governour Stoughton, Major Saltonstall, Major Richards, Major Gidney, Mr. Wait Winthrop, Capt. Samuel Sewall, and Mr. Sergeant; thus 19 were hanged, one prest to Death; some died in Prison, in all 5 Men, 23 Women had been condemned; not any of the 50 who confessed themselves Witches, suffered Death; Mr. George Burroughs Minister of Falmouth, who had left ••is former Ministry in Salem, was one in this Sacrifice, per|haps in Resentment; none of the executed, confessed Guilt, many of them were pious Persons: After these twenty dismal Deaths, many of the very popular, but very weak Ministers or Clergy, addressed Sir William Phipps, a very weak Governor, with Thanks for what was already done, and exhorting to proceed.

The Accusers were some Persons said to have the Spec|tral Sight, and some confessing Witches; but overacting their Parts, some of Gov. Phipps's, and of the Rev. Mr. Mather's Relations and Friends being accused; as also some of the accused good Christians, and of good Estates, arrested the Accusers in high Actions for Defamation; this put a Stop to Accusations, and in the Superior Court Jan. 1692, 3 of 56 Bills which were prefer'd againstWitches, the Grand Jury brought in 30 Ignoramus; and of the remaining 26 the Petty Jury convicted only three, who were afterwards pardoned; Accusations were disregarded, and upon Sir William Phipps's going Home, at this Time about 150 were in Prison, and 200 more accused, they were all discharged paying 30 s. each, to the Attorney General.

Many of the confessing Witches sign'd a Paper, import|ing that most of their Confessions were only assenting to, or repeating what they were directed to; being weak

in Mind, and under Terror, from the putting to Death all Persons accused, who did not confess; In December 1696 a general Fast was appointed by the Assembly; Praying that GOD would pardon all the Errors of his Servants and People in a late Tragedy raised amongst us by Satan and his Instruments; at this Fast Judge Sewall and several of the Jury, gave in Papers signed; heartily asking Forgiveness of all, and declaring that they would not do such Things again for the whole World. When this Persecution ceased, no more ••••tchcraft was heard of.

May those over-zealous provincial Mistakes in the Warfare against the Devils and Auxiliaries, be buried in Oblivion; especially considering an Act of Parliament 1736, procured by the late good Lord Talbot, has effec|tually liberated the Dominion•• of Great-Britain from all Bugbears▪ of this Kind; by this Act

no Prosecution shall be commenced or carried on against any Person for Witchcraft, Sorcery, Enchantment, or Conjuration, or for charging another ••••th any such Offence: If any Person shall pretend to exercise or use any of the above, or tell Fortunes, or from occult Arts pretend to discover stollen Goods; Penalty one Years Imprison|ment, and once in every Quarter of the said Year to stand on some Market Day in the Pillory.

Perhaps I am already too tedious in the Paragraph•• concerning the various religious Sectaries that have ap|peared in New-England, therefore shall wave two late re|ligious Appearances to the Section of Rhode-Island, tho•• falling within the Period of the new Charter of the Province of Massachusetts-Bay Province; I mean the North-Hamp|ton Conversions or pouring out of the Spirit, Anno 1735 this Enthusiasm must have spread (they were in the Tribe of Enthusiasts Convulsionaries * 1.158) if some Felo de se and other flagrant Disorders had not exposed them; 2. Th•• Followers of Mr. Whitefield, an Actor or personated En|thusiast,

endued with a proper Genius of low Action; he first appeared in New-England, An. 1740; his Followers hitherto 1748 are not all returned to their right Minds; very lately in the Town of Boston was ordained a Coun|try Shoemaker, and reinstall'd a Renagado from a Coun|try Parish, to encourage this Separation or Enthusiastick Divisions.

I now proceed to some Geographical Account of the old Colony of Massachusetts-Bay; their Mountains or Hills, Rivers, and Sea-Ports.

Mountainous Parts may be classed into Mountains or Hills, and continued high springy Lands; these with Rivers, Bays, and Promontories are permanent: there|fore a proper. Basis in the Description of a Country called its Geography; as this with Chronology are the Basis of History.

The great Blue Hill, 12 Miles S. S. W. from Boston, with a continued Ridge of Hills running Eastward to Boston Bay; upon this Hill the Townships of Milton, Braintree, and Stoughton meet; the Summit of this Hill is very proper for a Beacon in Case of any sudden Inva|sion by an Enemy; from thence a Fire and great Smoak may be * 1.159 visible to seven Eights of the Province; in a clear Day from it are distinctly to be seen, Pigeon-Hill, N. E. Easterly about 40 Miles, a noted Land-Mark upon Cape-Anne the Northern Promontory of Massachusetts-Bay; the great Watchuset, the great Menadnock, * 1.160 Wa|teticks, and other noted Mountains. The great Watchu|set▪ Hill in Rutland lies W. N. W. Northerly about 50 Miles. The grand Menadnock in waste Lands of the Pro|vince

of New-Hampshire, lies about 20 Miles further N. than Watchusets.

From the high Lands at the Meeting-House of old Rutland District near the Watchuset Hills, are the follow|ing Bearings,

• Great Watchuset Hill N. E. half N.
• East End of Wateticks N. N. E. Northerly.
• Great Menadnock N. half W.
• Mount Tom in Northampton W. b. N. half W.
• Mount Tobit in Sunderland W. N. W.
• Middle of Northfield Hills — N. W.

These are only general Expressions of what I observed by a Pocket-Compass; and as a Specimen, how with proper Compasses or Needles from several well concerted Places of Observation, and with actual particular Surveys compared and adjusted, an exact Plan of the Country (for Utility or Amusement) may be obtained; I have employed some vacant, and sometimes borrowed, Time in this Affair; which I design as a Present to the Province.

Upon or near the River Merimack, there are several Mountains or Hills on its West Side; viz. Anahousick, Oncanouit, &c. but are not within the Jurisdiction of this Province, and by a late Determination of the King in Council, they belong to the Jurisdiction of New-Hampshire.

Upon or near the great River of Connecticut in this Colony, are the following Mountains. In Sunderland E. Side of Connecticut River, is Mount Tobit, a Groope of Hills; and opposite on the West Side of the River, in the South Parts of Deerfield, are the two Sugar-Loaves or Pikes of Deerfield—About 12 Miles lower upon the East Side of this River in Hadley, is Mount Holyh••ck, a Ridge of Mountains running 8 or 9 Miles N. E. from the River; here I did take the Bearings of all the Moun|tains and high Lands, so far as the naked Eye could reach, which I do not insert, as Minuteness is not consistent with the Character of a Summary: Opposite to this

(leaving only a Passage or Channel for the River) on the West Side in Northampton is Mount Tom, a short Ridge of Mountains, running in the same Direction. The Hills and Mountains higher up the River, belong to the Sec|tion of the Province of New-Hampshire, as do the Moun|tains noted in Hazen, W. 10 d. N. divisional Line be|tween Massachusetts-Bay and New-Hampshire Provinc••s.

At 15 to 20 Miles Distance West of Connecticut River is a long Ridge of Hills called the Westfield Mountains. There is a considerable Range of Mountains 7 Miles East of Housatonick River, another Ridge 7 Miles West of Hou|satonick, this last is in Province of New-York. The West|field and Housatonick Mountains render the old Road from Boston to Albany not so commodious, as a late projected Road, via Deerfield.

* 1.161 Much elevated HIGH SPRINGY LANDS; I shall

give two Instances in this Province o•• Colony, where very diffused Runs of Water originate.

I. In the Lands where the Townships of Worcester, Lei|cester, and Rutland join, about 50 Miles West from Bos|ton; here springs 1. Quinepuxet River, which falls into Nashway River, which falls into Merimack River in Dun|stable of the Province of New-Hampshire, which empties it self into the Sea or Atlantick Ocean at Newbury of the Province of Massachusetts-Bay: Upon Quinepuxet and Nashway River, are the Townships of Rutland, Holden, Lancaster, Bolton, Harvard, Groton, and Dunstable. 2. Half-Way River, which in its Progress is called Black|stone and Patuxet River, which empties into Naraganset Bay of Rhode-Island Colony; upon these, are the Town|ships of Worcester, Grafton, Sutton, Uxbridge, Mendon, Attleborough, and Rehoboth of Massachusetts-Bay; and Cumberland, Smithfield and Providence, of Rhode-Island. 3. Stony or French River which falls into Quenebang Ri|ver in Thomson Parish of Killinsley which falls into Sa|tucket River in Norwich, and this a little further falls into Thames River or Creek, which falls into Long-Island Sound at New-London; upon these are the Townships of Lei|cester, Oxford, Dudley, of the Massachusetts-Bay; and Killingsley, Pomfret, Plainfield, Canterbury, Norwich, Gro|ton, and New-London of Connecticut Colony. 4. Seven Mile River, which falls into Quebang River in Brookfield, which falls into Chicabee River in Kingston (a granted but not constituted or incorporated Township) called also the Elbows, which falls into Connecticut River in Springfield, which empties at Seabrook into Long-Island Sound; upon these are the Townships of Rutland, Leicester, Brookfield, Western, Kingston, and Springfield of the Massachusetts-Bay; the Townships which lie upon the great Rivers of Meri|mack

and Connecticut shall be related, when we give some separate distinct Account of these Rivers.

II. Lands not appropriated, called Province Lands, adjoining to, and N. W. of Hatfield, West of Connecticut River; from thence are Branches or Runs of Water, 1. A Branch to Housick River, running West, has upon it Fort Massachusetts, a Frontier against the French and their Indians, which falls into Hudson's River at Scatcook a Village of Indians 20 Miles North of Albany. 2. A Branch to Housatonick or Westenho••k River, which running South to Stratford in Connecticut falls into the Long-Island Sound; upon this River are the Townships of Boston Grant No. 3. near New-York Line, the Property of Ia|cob Wendell, Esq of his Majesty's Council of the Pro|vince of Massachusetts-Bay, Stockbridge, Upper Housatonick, Sheffield, of Massachusetts-Bay; Salisbury, Canaan, Sharon, Cornwall, Kent, New-Fairfield, New-Milford, Newtown, Woodbury, Derby, Stratford, and Milford of Con••••cticut. 3. Farmington Rive••, running through Housatonick No. 4. Housatonick Commonage, Part of Housatonick No. 3. and Part of Bedford in Massachusetts-Bay; through Colebrook, Winchester, Barkhamstead, New-Hartford, Farmington, Simsbury, falls into Connecticut River in Simsbury. 4. Westfield River, with many Branchings passes through Naraganset No. 4, Housatonick Commonage, Part of Blandford, Part of Westfield, and falls into Connecticut Ri|ver in Springfield by the Name of A••gawaam near Spring|field lower Ferry.

RIVERS. The two great Rivers of this Colony are,

Merimack River, which comes from the Crotch or Fork near Endicot's Tree, where Pomagewasset River and the Discharge of the Pond or Lake Winipisinket meet and acquire the Name of Merimack (signifying in the Indian Language a Sturgeon, this River abounds in Sturgeon) from this Fork it runs Southerly about 50 Miles to Pan|tucket Falls, the Elbow of the River in Dracut; and thence 〈◊〉〈◊〉 runs Easterly about 30 Miles (round Reckoning) to

Newbury Bar. Upon this River (these great Rivers tho' in different Provinces, are ••est understood and compre|hended, when delineated without Interruption) the Town|ships in a descending Order lie thus, 1. Upon the East and North Side are Gilman-Town, Canterbury, Part of Rumford, Part of Suncook, Harrys-Town, Litchfield, Not|tingham of New-Hampshire; Part of Dunstable, Dracut, Methuen, Haverhill, Amesbury, and Salisbury of Massa|chusetts-Bay: Upon the West and South Side are the Townships of Contacook, Part of Rumford, Part of Sun|cook, Canada to Gorham and Company, Naraganset No. 5. Merimack, and Dunstable of New-Hampshire; Dunstable, Chelmsford, Tewksbury, Andover, Bradford, and Newbury of Massachusetts-Bay. The Bar at the Mouth of this River, has only about 10 Feet of Water, and shifts; it is navigable only about ••8 Miles, to Mitchel's (the first Falls) Falls in Haverhill; here they deal chiefly in Ship-building, the adjacent Country abounding in Ship-Tim|ber; the Tide flows to Mitchel's Falls; from Mitchel's Falls, 7 Miles higher Bedels, 2 Miles Peters, 6 Miles to Pantucket Falls, &c.

The Falls in this River are many; excepting Dracut or Pantucket Falls about 30 Miles from the Bar, and A|muskeag Falls about 25 Miles higher; all the other Falls are passable for Floats of Timber, and for Canoes or small Boats in Freshes or Floods of the River. Many of those called Falls are only Riplings or Veins of scat|tered great Rock Stones. There is at Times when the River is low, a Fording Place a little above Swans Ferry 24 Miles up from the Bar, and a little above Hunt's or Dracut Ferry is another Fording Place. The Ferries cross this River are many, I shall not enumerate them. The Elbow or Flexure of the River, called the Horse-Shoe, is about 2 Miles above▪ Pantucket Falls.

The Rivers and Rivulets (small Runs I shall not men|tion) which falls into this great River of Merimack. 1. On its North and East Side, are Powow River in Ames|bury from Ponds in Kingston, about 8 Miles above New|bury

F••rry; East River and West River in Haverhill below Mitchel's Falls; Spigot River in Methuen, a little below Bodel's Falls; Bever Brook from Bever Pond in Londonderry comes in between the two Falls of Pantucket 6 Miles below the Horse-shoe; 11 Miles above the Horse-shoe is Nasumkeag Brook in the South Parts of Litchfield▪ in the Province of New-Hampshire; 6 Miles higher is little Cohoes Brook; one Mile further is great Cohoes Brook, the Outlet of Massabisick, a large Pond ••n Chester Township; thence to Amusceag Falls are 4 Miles, and 4 Miles higher is Lousy Brook in Harries Town; thence 6 Miles to Suncook River in the Town|ship of Suncook. 2. On the South and West Side of Merimack River, are, Falls River from Boxford, comes into a Creek West Side of Plumb-Island, and thence to the Mouth of Newbury or Merimack River; Hantichook River about 9 Miles▪ above Newbury Ferry; Catetchuck Brook, from a Pond of the same Name in Andover; Shawskin River enters in Andover, about one Mile below the Entrance of Spigot River, on the other Side; Concord River about one Mile below Pantucket Falls, this Concord River is of a considerable Course, and higher is called Sudbury and Framingham River; it springs in Hopkinton, upon it lie Hopkinton, Framingham, Sudbury, Concord, Bed|ford, Billerica, and Tewksbury; Stony Brook, which springs in Harvard pas••••s through Littleton, Westford and Chelmsford to Merimack River; Salmon Brook from a Pond in Groton, discharges into Merimack in Dunstable of New Hampshire; a little higher falls in Nashway Ri|ver already describe•• P. 455; thence to N••ticook Brook 5 Miles; thence 2 Miles to Sohegen River, upon Sohegen River lie Souhegan East alled Naraganset No. 5, Merimack Township, Souhegan West, called Naraganset No. 3, Monson Township, some peculiar Grants, a Township granted to Ipswich, Townsend, and some Part of Lunen|burgh: A little below Amusceag Falls is Piscataquaag Brook, which waters a Township granted to Simpson and others, afterwards purchased by Lane, and others of Bos|ton,

it waters a Canada Township granted to Beverley, and a Canada Township to Salem, and another to Ipswich: The Southern Branch of Contacook River, waters Rumford or Pennycook, No. 5, of the double Line of Barrier Towns called Hopkinton Grant, No. 6, of ditto, called Marlborough Grant, some unappropriated Lands, a Grant to the Town of Concord, purchased by Mr. Peter Pres|cot and others, and Canada to Rowley Town: Next a|bove Contacook Grant is Naamcook Brook; and next a|bove that is the Fork or Beginning of the Denomination of Merimack River.

* 1.162 The other great River is CONNECTICUT, an Indian Word signifying a long River; upon this River lie three of the New-England Colonies; ••••nnecticut lies upon it about 52 Miles; thence Massachusetts-Bay by an Indent of 9 Miles which makes the Township of Suffield West Side, and Enfield East Side of the River, to the W. 9 d. N. imaginary divisional Line of Massachusetts-Bay and Connecticut; from this divisional Line, the Province of Massachusetts-Bay lies about 47 Miles direct, Northerly; and further North is New-Hampshire indefinitely, or Crown Lands annexed to the Jurisdiction of New-Hampshire.

From the Bar at the Mouth of Connecticut River to the Boundary imaginary Line of Massachusetts-Bay and Con|necticut are about 60 Miles; from this imaginary Line, as per a Provincial Survey by Gardner and Kellock Anno 1737, to the great Falls in No. 3, * 1.163 about 20 Miles di|rect above Fort Dummer, are in Meridian Distance 72 English Statute Miles and 120 Rod, and these great Falls

a re 18 Miles 140 Rod East of the Massachusetts and Con|necticut Boundary Line, where it intersects the River; and above these Falls, for about 10 or 12 Miles, Town|ships are laid out and appropriated; the Garrison in No. 4. on the East Side of the River, as a Frontier against the French and their Indians, is well noted in the New-Eng|land History of the present War. The greatest Extent of New-England, directly inland is from Seabrook Bar at the Mouth of Connecticut River, to this No. 4. being a|bout 150 Miles.

This River of Connecticut from its long Course, is sub|ject to sudden Floods or Freshes, and v. g. at Hartford sometimes rises 20 Feet; the Tide (the Influence of the Tide comes so high) or rather the Stoppage of the River from the Tides bel••w, rises only a few Inches. The shoalest Water from Suffield first Falls to the Mouth of the River, is about one Mile below Hartford Town, be|ing about 4 Feet. This River, as the adjacent People observe, becomes in Process of Time * 1.164 more shallow. From the Mouth of this River to about 150 Miles up, to the Eye, it does not alter much in its Width (though in that Space it receives many considerable Streams) be|ing generally from 80 to 100 Rod: For Instance, from Hadley to Northampton, the Ferry is about 80 Rod, and at medium Times runs 2 or 3 Knots, scowed over in a|bout 9 Minutes:* 1.165 At the Mouth of the River, the Tide flows from 4 to 6 Feet, upon the Bar are about 10 to 12 Feet Water; the general Course of the River is N. N. E. and S. S. W.; a S. S. E. Wind will carry a Vessel up all the Reaches of this River, so far as it is navigable, it is navigable for Sloops near 60 Miles; the Banks of the River are generally steep and sandy; in different Places in Process of Time, losing on one Side, and gaining

Ground on the other Side. Salmon and Shade come up this River to spawn, but in smaller Quantities and later, and continue a shorter Time (about three Weeks in May) than in Merimack River. The Rivulets and Brooks where they fall into the great River, are not passable in Freshes and Floods, because of the back Water. Some Ferries where there are no Habitations, are kept at the Charge of the Counties, consisting of a large Scow or Flat, to carry Persons, Cattle, and Goods, with a Canoe, Tender; Travellers ferry themselves over, always leaving the Flat on one Side, and the Canoe on the other to fetch the Scow upon Occasion; an Instance of this is in Northfield Ferry.

The first Falls of this River are about 60. Miles from its Mouth, at Devotion Island in the South Parts of Suf|field; the next are about the Middle of Suffield, half a Mile long; both these are passable by Boats in Channels, next are the Falls in the Southerly Parts of Northampton, about 15 Miles further up the River, not passable by Boats; the other Falls higher, we shall not enumerate.

The Townships upon this River are, 1. Upon its East Side; in Connecticut Colony, Lime, East Hadham, Part of Midletown, Glassenbury, Part of H••rtfo••••, and Part of Windsor; in the Province of Massachusetts-Bay, Enfield, Springfield, Hadley, Sunderland, Farms or Peculiars, and Part of Northfield; in the Province of New-H••mpshire, Part of Northfield, Winchester, No. 1, 2, 3, and 4. 2. Upon its West Side; in Connecticut Colony, are, Sea|brook, West-Hadham, Part of Midletown, Wethersfield, Part of Hartford, and Part of Windsor; in the Province of Massachusetts-Bay, are, Suffield, Part of Springfield, Northampton; Hatfield, Deerfield, Part of Northfield; in the Province of New-Hampshire, are Part of Northfi••••d, 40,000 Acres equivalent Land belonging to four Pro|prietors (in its S. E. Corner upon the River on a plain and long Reach of the River, stands For•• Dummer, which although in the District of New Hampshire, incapable of defending its long Frontier Range, is maintained at

the Charge of the Massachusetts-Bay) Numbers 1, and 2.

The considerable Runs of Water which falls into Con|necticut River, 1. Upon its East Side are Salmon River and Cove, in East-Hadham, Hocanum River in East-Hart|ford, Pedant Brook and Scantick River in East Windsor; Fresh Water Brook in Enfield; Long-Me••dow Brook, Mill River, and Chicabee River with its Townships enu|merated P. 455, in Springfield; Batchelor's Brook and Fort River in Hadley (higher the great River is fordable from Hadley to Hatfield; and a little above Northfield Meeting-House or Church, ••arts in a dry Time ford the great River) Mohawk's River, and Saw-mill Brook in Sunderland; in the intermediate Farms is Miller's River very rapid, it is composed of many Branches which water Canada to Dorchester, Canada to Ipswich, Ipswich Grant, Canada to Rowley, Pequioag, Canada to Sylvester, and Canada to Roxbury; in Northfield is Patchoa••g Brook, Ashuelot River, its Branches water some of the double Range of Frontier Towns, Upper and Lower Ashuelot Townships, Canada to Roxbury, and Winchester. 2. Upon its West Side are Roaring Brook, and Mill Brook in West Hadham; ••idleton River, and Dividend Brook in West Midleton Precinct; Goffs Brook and Robins Brook in Wethersfield; Hartford River in Hartford; Allen's Brook and Heyden's Brook in Windsor with Farmington River de|scribed P. 456; Stony Brook in Suffield; Agawaam alias Westfield River in Springfield, described P. 456; Monhan River in Northampton; Hatfield Mill River in Hatfield, Deerfield River, which by its Branches waters the Boston Grants, No. 1, and 2, the Grant to Hunt and others; Falls River which after watering a Township to Gallop ••nd others, and Falls-fight Township, falls into the great River in Deerfield; the next considerable Run of Water is West River, about 2 or 3· Miles above Fort Dummer, considerably higher (Information from Capt. Welles of Deerfield, formerly a Partizan or Ranger against the Indians in Governour Dummer's War) Connecticut River Forks;

one Branch comes from near the White Hills Easterly in the Province of Main, the other comes from the North|ward towardsCanada, an Indian travelling Branchto Canada.

We s••all only mention one River more (in the Stile of a late Historian C— M— D. D. the Subject is dry, though watery) CHARLES RIVER; it is not large and considerable, otherwise than as being referred to, in set|tling the South Line of the late Massachuset••s-Bay Colony, as is Merimack River in settling the North Boundary Line: The Words in the old Charter are, "As also all and sin|gular those Lands and Hereditaments whatsoever, lying within the Space of three English Miles on the South Part of said River called Charles River, or any or every Part thereof." Stop River which rises in Wrentham was pitched upon as the most Southerly Branch of Charles River, and at three Miles South of the Head of this Ri|ver, the South Line of Massachusetts-Bay was delineated; Stop River falls into the main Body of Charles River in Medfield. The furthest Head of Charles River is in the N. E. Parts of Mendon, and upon it lie the Townships of Bellingham, Medway, Wrentham, Medfield, Sherburn, Natick an Indian Reserve, Dedham, Needham, (here are two considerable Falls in this River) Newtown, Westown, Waltham, Watertown, Cambridge, and Brooklin: This River falls into the Bottom of Massachusetts or Boston Bay, and serves to bring down to Boston, Floats or Rafts of Ship-Timber by the Tide from Watertown Barcadier about 9 Miles: There is another Creek or River, a small Way Eas•• of this, called Mystick River, of about 4 Miles rafting from the Barcadier of Medford Township; from Mystick Barcadier are sent to Boston, Bricks, Tar, and Turpentine.

The PROMONTORIES remarkable are, only Point Al|derton about 9 or 10 Miles below Boston upon the South Side of the Bay, over-against the Light-House: here is a good Harbour ••alled Hull-Gut, and the safe Road of Nan••asket secured by circumambient Islands, where the King's Ships, and Merchant Ships outward and inward

bound anchor for a Time; it lies about 6 or 7 Miles be|low Boston, and by Act of Assembly is deem'd belong|ing to the Harbour of Boston.

Cape-Anne the North Side Entrance or Promontory of Massachusetts-Bay, Thatcher's Island lies about two Leagues East of this Harbour, and a small Matter with|out Thatcher's, are Rocks called the Salvages; from the Salvages are two Leagues to Ipswich Bar, a dangerous Bay called Ipswich Bay, from a great Sea and Indraught; Cape-Anne Harbour is about eleven Leagues N. N. E. Easterly from Boston; the Southern Promontory of Massachusetts-Bay called Cape-Cod in N. Lat. 42 d. 10 m. lies about 18 Leagues E. by S. from Boston: The Width of the Entrance of this Bay, is from Cape-Anne Har|bour S. W. 14 Leagues, to the Hook, or Harbour of Cape-Cod.

The Sea-Ports and their principal Trade of Export and Import must be referred to the following Article, of the several Jurisdictions of New-England, united by a new Charter; it is only since the new Charter took Place, that Sea-Port Districts of preventive Custom-Houses and Branches have taken Place: Here we shall only enumerate them; besides small Creeks and Inlets for Timber and Firewood in coasting small Vessels, and for curing of Fish; there are Newbury a Branch of the Collection of Portsmouth in New Hampshire; there a••e Ipswich, Cape-Anne, Salem and Marblehead, belonging to the Collection of Salem; Charlestown, Boston, and all the other Custom-House Branches of Massachusetts-Bay, be|long to the Collection of Boston.

ARTICLE 6. Concerning the present Territories as united by the Name of the Province of Massachusetts-Bay.

AS we before hinted by a Charter October 7. 1691, sundry Territories, under several Grants and Jurisdic|tions, for their better Accommodation and Conveniencies,

were united by Charter into one Property and Jurisdiction, that is, into one General Assembly.

The Bill for restoring the New-England Charters be|ing dropt by the Dissolution of the Revolution-Conven|tion-Parliament; the New-England Agents were puzzled, whether, to stand a Trial at Law, by a Writ of Error for reversing the Judgments against the old Charters, or to accept of a Draught of a new Charter; at length they acquiesced in the King's Pleasure, and the King directed a new Charter.

The Nature of this Union of several Colonies into one Jurisdiction, the new Charter with a subsequent explana|tory Charter, and sundry other general Affairs, have been by Way of Anticipation already narrated, see P. 374, &c.

In the general Account of British North-America, we omitted the Post-Office, a very beneficial Institution; and as the present Province of Massachusetts-Bay, is its most considerable Branch, here it may naturally take Place.

The Post-Office in England was settled by Act of Par|liament 12 Carol. II. In the Beginning of this present Century Mr. Hamilton of New-Iersies projected a Post-Office for British North-Am••rica, this he effected and ob|tained a Patent for the Management and Profits of the same, this Patent he afterwards sold to the Crown, and a few Years after the Union, the Posts of England, Scotland, Ireland and America were put under one Director by Act of Parliament 9 Anne; constituting one Post-Master-Ge|neral for all the British Dominions; to keep a General-Post-Office in London, the Post-Master-General may keep one Letter-Office in Edinburgh, another in Dublin, ano|ther at New York, and other chief Offices at convenient Places in America and the Leeward Islands, and appoint Deputies for managing the particular Rates for the Post|age of Letters in the Plantations; requires too much Room for a Summary, it is refer'd to Stat. 9 Annae Cap. 10. We shall only relate; that all Letters from on board any Ship, shall be delivered to the Deputy Post-Master of the Place, Penalty •• £. Sterl. for every Offence; the Post-Maste••

paying to the Deliverer One Penny Sterl. per Letter. N. B. This Clause is not much attended to, because the Act exempts Merchants Letters, and those of Masters of Ships, so as such Letters be delivered to the Persons to whom they are directed without receiving any Profit for them: And any Letters sent by private Friends, or by any Mes|senger about private Affairs or Business.

From Piscataqua or Portsmouth, to Philadelphia is a re|gular Postage, from thence to Williamsburg is uncertain, because the Post does not proceed until Letters are lodg|ed, sufficient to pay the Charge of the Post-Riders: From Williamsburg in Virginia to Charles-Town in South-Carolina, the Post-Carriage is still more uncertain.

There is a Deputy Post-Master-General for America appointed by the Post-Master-General in London; New-York is appointed for his Official Residence, but by Con|nivance he resides any where, v. g. at present in Virginia Elliot Benger, Esq formerly Mr. Loydd in South Carolina.

Here it properly belongs to give an Account of the general and frequented travelling Roads from Penobscot Bay N. Lat. 44 d. 30 m. (further North is Duke of York's Property and Nova-Scotia, no travellingRoads) toSt. Iuan or St. Iohn's River in Florida, N. Lat. 31 d. this by an Agreement with Spain Anno 1738 is the Termination of our Property or Claim in Florida: This is 40 Miles N. of St. Augustin belonging to the Spaniards, from St. Au|gustin there is a Land Communication to Moville, and from thence to Missisippi; these belong to the Spanish and French, which properly do not belong to our History.

We shall begin at St. Georges Fort and Block-House upon St. Georges River, a few Miles S. W. of Penobscot Bay; from thence

		Miles.
Call'd the Eas|tern Parts of Massachu|setts-Bay.	To Muscongus or Broad-Bay	12
Frederick's Fort at Pemaquid	7
Damarscotti Falls and Mills	10
The Settlement on Sheepscot River	5
Arrowsick, or George Town in Sagadahoc Bay of Quenebec River, via Wiscasset	20

George Fort in Brunswick	22
Royal's River in North-Yarmouth	14
Presumpscot Ferry in Falmouth	9
Stroud-Water Ferry in Falmouth	4
Saco or Winter-Harbour Ferry in Biddiford	20
Kennebunk Ferry in Arundel	10
Welles Meeting-House	6
York Ferry	16
Kittery Ferry over Piscataqua R. to Portsmouth	8
		143
New-Hampsh.	Hampton Meeting-House	14
Boundary Line Hampshire and Massachusetts-Bay Provinces	6
		20
Of the Western Division of the Province of Massach.-Bay.	Merrimack R.F. dividing Salisbury from Newbury	3
Ipswich	12
Beverley Ferry dividing Beverly from Salem	12
Winisimet or Chelsea Ferry (of 2M.) to Boston	17
Dedham	11
Naponset River in Walpole	9
Wrentham Meeting-House	7
Attleborough Meeting-House	9
Rehoboth, alias Seaconck Meeting-House	7
Patucket River Ferry; Boundary of Massa|chusetts-Bay Province, and Rhode-Island Colo.	2
		89
Rhode-Island Colony.	Providence Town	1
Through several small and distant Settlements to a little West of Pakatuke Bridge, Pakatuke River divides the Colonies of Connecticut and Rhode-Island	57
		58

Connecticut Colony.	Mystick River dividing Stonington from Groton	7
Thames River Ferry, dividing Groton from New London	8
A Rope Ferry over Nahantick Gut	5
Saybrook River Ferry, dividing Lyme from Say|brook	10
Killingsworth	10
Guilford East Parish	5
Guilford West Parish	5
Brantford (generally to be understood) Old Meeting-House	12
East Haven Parish Ferry	8
New Haven	2
Milford	12
Stratford River Ferry	4
Str••••field, a Parish	3
Fairfield	4
Norwalk	12
Stamford	10
Gr••enwich or Horse-Neck	7
Byram River dividing Connecticut from N. York	2
		126
Province of New-York.	Rye	3
New Rochel	5
East Chaster	4
King's Bridge to the Islan•• of New-York County	6
Half-Way House Tavern	9
City of New-York	9
Ferry to Staten Island Point	15
By Land to Elizabeth Point Ferry	6
		57
New-Iersies.	Woodbridge	12
Bruns••ick Ferry of Raritan River	18
Prince Town	12

Trent Town F. over De laWare R. dividing the Province of New-Iersies from Pensylvania	10
		52
Pensylvania Govern|ment.	Bristol, opposite to Bridlington or Burlington	10
Philadelphia	20
Schuyhkill River Ferry	3
Derby	4
Chester	9
Brandewine	14
Newcastle	6
Boundary Line of Pensylvania and Maryland	12
		78
Maryland Government.	Elk-River	5
North-East River	7
Sesquahana River Ferry	9
Gunpowder River Ferry	25
Petapsco River Ferry	20
Annapolis the Capital of Maryland	30
Upper Marlborough	16
Piscataway	16
Port Tobacco	16
		144
Dominions of Virgi|nia.	Potomack F. dividing Maryland from Virginia	4
How's Ferry	20
Southern's Ferry	30
Arnold Ferry	36
Clayborn's Ferry	22
Freneaux Ordinary	12
Williamsburg the Capital	16
Hog Island	7
Isle of Wight Court-House	18
Nansemond Court-House	20

Bennet's Creek (near this is the Boundary Line between the Provinces of Virginia and N. Carolina)	30
		215
Province of North-Carolina.	Eden Town, formerly the Capital	30
Chowan Sound Ferry	10
Pemlico	44
Ferry to Bathtown	5
Newbern Ferry (the present Capital) where News River and Trent River meet	32
Whittock River	20
New River Ferry	30
Newtown or Wilmington on the Forks of Cape Fear River, 30 Miles above the Bar	45
Lockwood's Folly	15
Shallot River	8
Little River, Boundary Line between the two Governments of North and South Carolina	8
		247
Province of South-Carolina and Georgia.	East End of Long-Bay	14
West End of Long-Bay	25
Winyaw Ferry	30
Santee Ferry	12
Sewee Ferry	20
Charlestown, the Capital; here is a Ferry	30
Port-Royal	60
Frederica in Georgia, on the South Branch of Altamacha River	90
St. Iuan or St. Iohns River, yielded to Great-Britain by Spain per Agreement Anno 1738 it is 40 Miles N. of Spanish Fort St. Augus|tin	20
		301

In the new Settlements they reckon by computed not measured Miles, consequently there may be in several of the Distances, an unvoidable Error of a Mile or two.

This is a Road of great Extent, well laid out and fre|quented, it shows the vast Extent of the British Planta|tions along the East Shore of North-America; the seve|ral British Provinces and Colonies, 〈…〉〈…〉 this great Road as follows,

East Division of Massachusetts-Bay

143 Miles.

New-Hampshire

20 Miles.

West Division of Massachusetts-Bay

89 Miles.

Rhode-Island

58 Miles.

Connecticut

126 Miles.

New-York

57 Miles.

New Iersies

54 Miles.

Pensylvania

78 Miles.

Maryland

144 Miles.

Virginia

215 Miles.

North-Carolina

247 Miles.

South-Carolina and Georgia

301 Miles.

 

1532 Miles.

The many Ferries, and some of them not well attend|ed, are a considerable Hindrance in travelling: but by these it appears that the Country is well watered, a great Advantage in Produce and Manufactures; and as many of the Rivers, Sounds and Bays are navigable, a conside|rable Distance inland; they are of great Benefit in Navi|gation or Trade.

As the Constitutions of all the British Plantations are nearly the same, being minute in this Article, may save Repetitions and shorten the following Sections; therefore Perspicuity and Distinctness require this Article to be di|vided into Subsections.

§. I. Concerning the Civil Administration.

This Administration may be divided into the legislative supreme Court, called the General Court or General As|sembly of the Province; and the subordinate executive Courts.

The Great and General Court or Provincial Assembly, consists of three Negatives, viz. the Governor, the Coun|cil, and House of Representatives.

The Governor is by Patent or Commission from the King durante beneplacito, with a Book of Instructions; which Instructions though binding to the Governor (fre|quently broke in upon by some Governors) are not so to the House of Representatives, as they have from Time to Time represented to the Governor; for Instance, one of the Instructions requires a Sallary of One Thousand Pounds Sterl. per Annum, to be settled upon the Gover|nour; this is always obstinately refused, but are willing to grant him a yearly Support, sutable to the Dignity of his Excellency, and consistent with the Ability of the People their Constituents, of which it may be supposed they only are the proper Judges.

The military Government by Sea and Land, is sole in the King's Governors; they grant all Commissions in the Militia, which gives the Governors a vast Influence; Peo|ple in the Plantations are readily bribed by distinguishing Titles.— The Governors in the Plantations have that con|siderable Power of negativing or suspending Counsellors without assigning Reasons; Governor Belcher at one Time negatived 13 Councellors in the pernicious Land-Bank Interest; this Management of Mr. Belcher's was in a high Manner approved of by the passing an Act of the British Parliament soon after; this Land-Bank is de|signed in the Words of the Act "mischievous Under|takings in America, and unlawful Undertakings;" but so it is, that this Act of Parliament is not fully put in Ex|••cution at this Day Christmas 1748. They nominate Duran••o beneplacito all Judges, Justices and Sheriffs, which

being, with the Militia Officers of the several Townships, a great Majority in the lower House, gives the Governor a very great Influence there: the Power of negativing the Members of the upper House makes his Influence there so considerable, that he has in a great Measure two Ne|gatives in the Legislature; the King at Home cannot negative or suspend any Member of the upper House cal|led the House of Lords.

The Governor has the Opportunity of recommending to the House, Agents or Provincial Attorneys, his Friends or Creatures; to manage their Affairs and his own at the Court and Boards in Great-Britain, and to procure for them handsome Gratuities: For Instance, the Governor in a M••ssage to the Assembly, March 16. 1743, 4, re|commends a generous Allowance to Mr. Kilby, he hav|ing served the Province upon particular Orders of this Court, with great Industry, Faithfulness and Success. A Governor by frequent and long. Speeches and Messages to the House of Representatives (sometimes near one half of the Journal or Votes of the House of Representatives consists of these Speeches and Messages) seems to act as a Member of that House, or rather as the Speaker or Orator (a French Expression) of the House; sometimes Governors proceed further, for Instance, Anno 1744 the Governor desires of the House of Representatives; that in the Recess of the General Assembly (which must be short Intervals, because of late Years the General Assem|bly at a great Charge to the Province have had very frequent and long Sittings) upon any sudden Emergency, the Governor and his Council may be impowered to draw upon the Treasurer. The Governor has a Negative not only in all Bills of Assembly, but also in all their Electi|ons, that of a Speaker not excepted.

Thus the Governor commissions all Militia, and other military Officers, independently of the Council or As|sembly; he nominates all Civil Officers, excepting those concerned in the Finances or Money-Affairs, and with Consent of the Council, they are accordingly appointed▪

He calls, dissolves, prorogues, adjourns, removes, and o|therways harrasses the General Assembly at Pleasure; he frequently refuses his Assent to Bills, Resolves, and Or|ders of the General Court; whereas our Sovereign in Great-Britain, excepting upon very extraordinary Occa|sions, does not exert this Prerogative; thus we see a de|legated Power assuming more than the sovereign consti|tuent Authority chuses to venture upon.

His just pecuniary Perquisites are considerable, an Al|lowance or Grant of 1000 £. Sterl. or nearly its Value per An.; has one Third of all Custom-House Seizures, the Naval Office belongs to him, and many F••••s of va|rious Natures. In Time of War there are Fees for grant|ing Letters of Mart or Mark to private Men of War called Privateers, and many Emoluments arising from multiplied Expeditions.

Notwithstanding of this great Authority, a Governor's Station is very slippery; upon frivolous and sometimes false Complaints he is liable to be called to Account, s••|perceded by some Expectant at Court, and if the Male-Administration is notorious, he is also mulcted.

By Charter the Governor cannot impress Men into the military Service, to march out of the Province, withou•• an Act or Resolve of the General Cour••; the Governor by his 11th Instruction, is not to give his Assent to any Act for repealing any of the standing Laws of the Pro|vince, without a suspending Clause, that is, until a Copy thereof, be transmitted and laid before the King. By the 12th Instruction the Governor is restrained to 30,000 £. Sterl. per An. Emissions of publick Paper Credit; but upon Account of unforeseen Incidents in the Time of the late War with Spain and France; he was in this Ar|ticle left at large, this gave a Handle for unlimited ruin|ing Emissions, a Privilege, said to be by his Majesty's In|dulgence; the Governor in his Speech, Iuly 2. says, I am freed now from the chief Restraints I was under, whereby Depreciations ensued to the great sinking of all the per|sonal Estates in the Province, Specialties excepted.

Some Account of the Governors, from the Arrival of the New Charter, in the Province of Massachusetts-Bay.

Sir William Phips * 1.166 Son of a Blacksmith, born Anno 1650, at a despicable Plantation on the River of Quen|••ebeck; after keeping of Sheep some Years, he was bound Apprentice to a Ship-Carpenter for four Years, afterward•• went to Boston, learned to read and write, followed the Carpenter's Trade, and married the Widow of Mr. Iohn Hull Merchant; upon Advice of a Spanish Wreck about the Bahamas, he took a Voyage thither, but without Suc|cess; Anno 1683 in a King's Frigate the Algier Rose, he was fitted out, upon the Discovery of another Spanish Wreck near Port de la Plata upon Hispaniola, but return|ed to England unsuccessful: Soon after 1687, he prevail|ed with the Duke of Albemarle, at that Time Governor of Iamaica, and some other Persons of Quality, to fit him out with a royal Patent or Commission to fish upon the same Spanish Wreck which had been lost about 50 Years since; by good Luck in about seven or eight Fa|thom Water he f••sht the Value of near Three Hundred Thousand Pounds Sterling (the Bermudians found good ••leaning•• there after his D••p••••t••re) whereof he had 〈◊〉〈◊〉 16000 £. Sterl. for his Share, and the Honour of 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and obtain'd of King Iames II. by Purchase, to be constituted High Sheriff of New-England, but was never in the Execution of this Patent, and returned to Eng|land 1688 (N. B. he had not received Baptism until March 1690 Aet. 40) and soon after came back to New-England. Upon the breaking out of the Indian War 1688, he sollicited an Expedition against Nova-Scotia May 1690, and had good Success against the French; but his subsequent Expedition in Autumn, against Canada the same Year was disasterous, as has been already narrated, and in the Words of Mr. Mather "though used to div|ing for Plate, this was an Affair too deep for him to dive

into," amongst other bad Consequences of this ill-con|trived and worse managed Canada Expedition, was the introducing of a pernicious, fraudulent Paper-Currency, or Bills of publick Credit, to pay the Charges or Debt incurr'd; the Operation of this injurious Currency is such that all personal Estates (Specialities excepted) are reduc'd to One for Eight, reckoning by heavy Pieces of Eight (or seven Eights of an Ounce of Silver) at 6 s.; the Loss of Men was of very bad Consequence to an Infant Colony, which was not by the Enemy, but by a Camp Fever, the Small-Pox, and Disasters in returning Home, notwithstanding, as Dr. Mather expresses it, "the Wheel of Prayer for them in New-England was kept constantly going round." Soon after his Return to Boston he went for London to petition the Court of England (notwith|standing of former Disasters, and his own Incapacity to manage the Affair) to encourage another Expedition a|gainst Canada. Upon obtaining of a new Charter dated Oct. 7. 1691, at the Desire of the New England Agents Sir William Phips was appointed Governor of the Pro|vince of Massachusetts-Bay and Territories thereto belong|ing; he arrived with the new Charter May 14. 1692; and Iune 8, the Assembly under the new Charter met for the first Time. He was ordered Home to answer some Complaints, and sail'd from Boston, Nov. 17. 1694, and died of a malignant Fever in London, Feb. 18. following.* 1.167

If he had been dismissed from his Government, he de|signed to have gone upon another Spanish Wreck, which had Governor Broadille aboard.

William Stoughton, Esq Lt. Governor, was Commander in chief from Governor Phips's going Home in the Autumn 1694, until the Arrival of Governor Lord Bellamont in Iune 1699, after a few Months Lord Bellomont returning to New-York, Mr. Stoughton was again in the Chair, and continued till his Death in May 1702. In Honour to his Memory a Township is called by his Name.

In May 1702, upon the Absence of the Governor and Death of the Lieut.-Governor; conform to Charter, the Majority of the Council assumed the Government, until the Arrival of Governor Dudley June 11. 1702.

Earl of Bellomont in Ireland, being appointed Gover|nor-General of New-York, Massachusetts-Bay and New-Hampshire; in his Passage to America in the End of the Year 1697, from this bad Winter Coast, he was obliged to bear away to Barbados, he did not arrive in New-York until May 1698. In the Summer 1699, he met our As|sembly in Boston, his being a new Governor, cunning, complaisant, and of Quality, did ingratiate him very much with the People, he was allowed 1000 £. Salary, and 500 £. Gratuity: In the Autumn he returned to New-York, and died there in February 1700, 1.

Ioseph Dudley, Esq arrived Governor Iune 11. 1702. He was Son to Governor Thomas Dudley, see P. 429; he was chosen Assistant (that is of the Council) 1682, upon the Charter being in Danger, he was sent Home jointly with Mr. Richards as Colony-Agents: Being a Native of the Country, a good Politician, and cunning Man, i. e. of Subtality, the Court of England deem'd him a proper Person, to introduce or facilitate a Change in the Administration of the Colony; accordingly upon the

Charter's being vacated, he was appointed President or pro tempore Commander in chief April 1686, and arrived at Boston the Iune following: In December of the same Year arrived Sir Edmund Andros as Governor, Nicholson Lieut.-Governor, and two Independent Companies of Sol|diers; Mr. Dudley is appointed Chief Justice, but was outed in the New-England Revolution, April 1689.

Anno 1690, he was appointed chief Justice of New-York. Upon going Home he was chosen Anno 1701, Member of Parliament for Newtown of the Isle of Wight, which introduced him to the Government of the Pro|vince of Massachusetts-Bay his native Country. King William died before he set out, but his Commission was renewed by Queen Anne, he continued Governor until Nov. 1715, when Col. Tailer was appointed Lieut-Go|vernor under Col. Burgess appointed Governor; Col. Tailer produced an Exemplification of Col. Burgess's Com|mission or Patent, and as Lieut.-Governor under him as|sumed the Government Nov. 9. N. B. Queen Anne died August 1. 1714, Mr. Dudley continued in Govern|ment according ••o the Act of Parliament for continuing Officers for six Months after the Demise of a Sovereign, that is, until Feb. 1; the six Months being expired, the Council in Conformity to the Charter, took upon them|selves the Administration; but Mr. Dudley having March 21, via New-York, received the King's Proclamation for continuing all Officers till further Orders, he reassumed the Government, and continued Governor to November, as above: He died at his House in Roxbury near Boston, Anno 1720, Aet. 73; he left surviving Sons, Paul, at present chief Justice of the Province, see P. 429, and William, who served in the successful Expedition against Port-Royal of L' Accadie, now Annapolis-Royal of Nova-Scotia; he was afterwards appointed a Judge, and for many succeeding Years elected one of the Council, as being the best acquainted with the Property of Lands and other Provincial Affairs; he died a few Years since, a great Loss to this Country.

William Tailer, Esq who had served as Colonel of a New-England Regiment in the Reduction of the foresaid Port Royal; for this his good Service, he was appointed Lieut.-Governor under Governor Dudley, and arrived in Boston from England, Octob. 3. 1711: 1715 he assumed the Command in chief, as Lieut.-Governor under Gover|nor Burgess. Col. Burgess did not come over to his Go|vernment, and was superceded by Col. Samuel Shute; upon Mr. Shute's Arrival in Boston, Octob. 4. 1716, Mr. Tailer's Command in chief devolved upon Col. Shute, and as Lieut.-Governor he was superseded by William Dummer, Esq he alternately superseded Mr. Dummer as Lieut.-Governor under Governor Belcher 1730; he died at his House in Dorchester near Boston 1732. He was a generous, facetious, good-natured Gentleman.

Samuel Shute, a military Man, Brother to Lord B••r|rington, was appointed Governor March 14. 1715, 16, by the Sollicitation of Ionathan Belcher, Esq a very noted Merchant of New-England, and afterwards Governor there: Col. Shute arrived in Boston Octob. 4. 1716, Mr. Dummer (I cannot avoid heaping Encomiums upon him) was his Lieut.-Governor; Mr. Dummer an honest Man, his Knowledge in Politicks did not biass him; he was a natural Patron of his Country, and his good Management in the Indian War during his Administration, with small Expence, will perpet••ate his Memory with all true Lo|vers of New-England. Col. Shute, being a good natured easy Governor, some ill-natured designing Men in the House of Representatives, attempted, by Way of Prece|dent (if passed) to encroach upon the Prerogative; Col. Shute instead of sending Home, was well advised to carry Home Complaints,* 1.168 and back them there. Which ac|cordingly

he did, Nov. 1722; being seven Complaints against the House of Representatives encroaching upon the Royal Prerogative, see P. 379; he obtained a Re|dress of all these Complaints; being aged not fit to go abroad, for his good Services he obtained a Pension of 400 £. Sterl. per Annum for Life.

Upon Governor Shute's going Home, the chief Com|mand in the Administration, devolved upon Lieut.-Go|vernor Dummer, whose good Administration is universally celebrated, and requires no Encomium of mine: He is alive and in good Health at this present Writing, he con|tinued Commander in chief until the Arrival of Governor Burnet in Boston, July 19. 1728; upon Governor Bur|net's Death, Sept. 7. 1729, he was again in the Chair, until the Arrival of Governor Belcher, Apr. 8. 1730.

William Burnet, Esq a Son of the ce••ebrated Bishop Burnet of Salisbury, a noted Divine, Politician, Antiquary, and Historian; this Mr. Burnet was Comptroller-General of the Customs in Great-Britain, with a Salary of 1200£ Ster. pr. An. he exchanged with Governor Hunter of New York, whose Health required his going Home.— Upon the Accession of our present King GEORGE II, Col. Montgomery a Favourite was appointed Governor of New-York, and Mr. Burnet in Nov. 1727, was appointed Go|vernor of the Province of Massachusetts-Bay, he arrived in Boston, July 13. 1728, he died there Sept. 7. 1729, much lamented. When in the Government of New-York, he was useful in promoting natural History; by a Quadrant of a large Radius, and well divided; by a good Telescope of 18 Feet; and by a second Pendulum of large Vibrations, he made several good Astronomical Observations, towards ascertaining Latitudes, Longitudes, &c. in that Province.

Lieut.-Governor Dummer, upon Mr. Burnet's Death, was chief in the Administration for several Months, until

the Arrival of Governor Belcher, Aug. 8. 1730. Iona|than Belcher, Esq a Native of New-England, of a good clear paternal Estate, and consequently of a true natural Interest in the Country; in his younger Days had a very liberal and polite Education▪ having visited many Courts in Europe, and particularly was well received at the Court of Hanover. During his Government he religiously adhe|red to his Instructions: If he had been continued two or three Years longer in the Administration, our pernicious fraudulent Paper-Currency, would have all been cancelled, whereas ever since his Dismission it has pejorated. He was superseded by Governor Shirley's Commission for Governor, which arrived August 14. 1741. There were by Artifice several Complaints against Governor Belcher sent Home partly from New-England, and partly hatched in London; which have since been discovered to be false and forged. I shall mention a few of them, 1. That he was a Friend to the fraudulent Land-Bank Scheme; where|as it has since evidently appeared, that he was offered by the Land Bank Managers, a retaining Fee of some Thou|sands of Pounds (appropriated for himself, or a subsequent Governor) to conciliate his Countenance in the Affair, and to promote the Managers to Offices of Honour, Pro|fit and Trust; with a Land-Bank Promise to promote the Governor's Interest in the House of Representatives, (being a Land Bank or Debtor's House) as to Salary and Perquisites. Mr. Belcher rejected this Proffer with Dis|dain, and at one Time negatived Thirteen of their elect|ed Councellors (here was a Projection for Debtors in a legislative Capacity to defraud their Creditors, by depre|ciating the Debt) and disqualified many Justices of the Peace, Promoters of these unwarrantable Schemes, and mischievous unlawful Undertakings, as expressed in the Act of Parliament, 1741. 2. A Letter signed by five forged Hands, toSir CharlesWager first of the Admiralty-Board, intimating, that Mr. Belcher countenanced t••e Timbermen, in cutting of Masting White Pine Trees, to be converted into Logs for Deal-Boards. 3. A spurious

Letter under a suppositious Cover of Benjamin Colman, D. D. to Mr. Holden (a Dissenter) a Director of the Bank of England, and of great Influence; this Letter says, that the Concerned, are many of the principal Ministers of the Presbyterian and Congregational Perswasion in New-Eng|land. No Signers to this Letter, alledging, that their Sign|ing might be the Occasion of their utter Ruin by Mr. Belcher, but promise upon Mr. Belcher's being superseded to publish all their Names. This Letter intimates that Governor Belcher, by his Intimacy and frequent Confer|ences with the Rev. Commissary P—e and Dr. C—r, Ministers of the Church of England, was contriving the Ruin of the dissenting Interest in New-England— These with some other villainous Complaints and Suggestions occasioned the Removal of Mr. Belcher; upon his going Home, he evinced all these Complaints to be forged, false or frivolous; and the Court, in the Interim confer|red upon him the Government of the New Iersies, where he is at present, happy in the Affections of the People. A short Account of the abandoned Contrivers and Ma|nagers of Mr. Belcher's Affair, is referred to the Appendix.

William Shirley, Esq a Gentleman of the Law, who had resided and practised Law in New-England for some Years, succeeded Mr. Belcher, in August 1741, and con|tinues Governor at this Writing, December 1748. A Gentleman in the Administration (ante obitum nemo, that is, before his Political Death) is not to be used with Free|dom, it is a Trespass against the Subordination, requisite in Society: Therefore I must defer the short Account of this Gentleman's personal Character, and Administra|tion to the Appendix; lest, if applauded, it might be deem'd Adulation and Flattery; or if censured, may be construed Insult, Detraction, and Resentment; which are not consistent with the Character of an impartial Historian — Our present Lieut.-Governor, Successor of Col. Tailer, is Spencer Phips, Esq a Country-Gentleman, adopted Name and Heir by Act of Assembly to Sir Wil|liam Phips.

These are the Governors and Lieutenant or Deputy-Governors appointed at Home, from the Date of the New Charter 1691, to December 1748; the other royal Officers, reserved by Charter, to be appointed by the Court of Great-Britain are the Secretary, and Judge of Vice-Admiralty: It may not be improper here to annex a short Account of their Succession.

SECRETARIES. Isaac Addington, Esq the first Secre|tary was appointed by the Charter, during Pleasure, he was a Person of great Integrity; he died 1715, and was succeeded by Capt. Woodward, a military Man, and of good Learning; Mr. Woodward resigned 1717, in Fa|vour of Mr. Willard, an honest, upright and pious Gen|tleman, he continues Secretary at this present Writing.

The Charter reserves to the Crown, the Exercise of any Admiral Court or Jurisdiction, by Commissions to be issued under the great Seal of Great-Britain, or under the Seal of the High Admiral, or of the Commissioners for executing the Office of High Admiral. This Court of Vice-Admiralty consists of a Iudge, a King's Advo|cate, a Register, and a Marshal. A sole Judge, without a Jury, in Cases of high Consequence; and this Judge too frequently appointed at Random, seems to be an Er|ror in the Constitution: It is true, there may be an Ap|peal to a Court of Delegates in Great-Britain.

The Succession of Judges, was, viz.

Wait Winthrop, Esq May 22, 1699, appointed Judge of Admiralty for New-York, Massachusetts-Bay, Connecti|cut, Rhode-Island, and New Hampshire.

Mr. Atwood, Judge of Admiralty for the Colonies of New Hampshire, Massachusetts-Bay, Rhode Island, Connec|ticut, New-York, and the Iersies; being the Northern District of Custom-House Officers. He appointed Nov. 10. 1701, Mr. Newton his Deputy.

Roger Mempesson, Esq April 1. 1703, had a Com|mission

as Judge for New-Hampshire, Massachusetts-Bay, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New-York and Iersies.

Nathaniel Byfield, Esq Dec. 13, 1703, had the like Commission.

Iohn Menzies, Esq of the Faculty of Advocates in Scotland, appointed Judge, Aug. 26. 1715, for New-Hampshire, Massachusetts-Bay, and Rhode-Island.

Upon the Death of Judge Menzies, 1728, Robert Auchmuty, Esq was appointed by Governor Burnet, Judge pro tempore.

Nathaniel Byfield (formerly the Judge of Admiralty) was appointed Judge by Governor Burnet; and confirm|ed from Home, Nov. 5. 1728, as Judge for New-Hamp|shire, Massachusetts-Bay and Rhode-Island.

The abovesaid Robert Auchmuty, Esq succeeded him Sept. 6, 1733.

Mr. Auchmuty was superseded by Chambers Russel, Esq Sept. 1747.

All the Officers of this Court of Vice-Admiralty have a Power of substituting or deputizing. The present De|puty Judge is George Cradock, Esq of many Years Expe|rience in this Court.

Besides, this Court of Vice-Admiralty, in each of the Provinces and Colonies, there is a Justiciary Court of Ad|miralty for Tryal of Piracies and other Crimes commit|ted upon the High Seas, the Members of this Court are various in the various Colonies; in the Province of Mas|sachusetts-Bay, the Judges are, the Governor, the Council, the Secretary, the Judge of Vice-Admiralty, the Captain of the King's Station Ships of War, the Surveyor-Gene|ral of the Northern District of Customs, and the Col|lector of the Customs for the Port of Boston.

The Survey of the royal Timber, especially of Mast|ing Trees, extends over the Northern Provinces and Co|lo••ies; the Officers are appointed from Home, and are a Surveyor General, with four subordinate Surveyors; the whole Charge of this Survey is 800 £. St. per Annum,

with considerable riding Charges, paid by the Navy-Office.

The Officers belonging to the Collections of Customs are from Home appointed by the Treasury-Board, and warranted by the Commissioners of the Customs in Great-Britain. In this Province there are but two Collections Boston and Salem.

A Deputy-Auditor, is commissioned by the Auditor-General in Great Britain, to audit the Treasurer's Pro|vincial Accounts; but Anno 1721, this was declared by the General Assembly of the Province, to be inconsistent with their Charter; it never is put in Execution.

Some Account of the second Negative in the Legislature of the Province of Massachusetts-Bay; that is, of the King's or Governor's Council, called the Honourable Board.

This Council consists of 28 Assistants or Counsellors, to be advising and assisting to the Governor, and to con|stitute one Negative in the Legislature, analogous to the House of Lords in Great-Britain. The first Set were ap|pointed in the Charter, and to continue until the last Wed|nesday in May 1693, and until others shall be chosen in their Stead. I do here insert the Names of the 28 Coun|sellors appointed by Charter, whereof there are none sur|viving at this present Writing, as it is an Honour to their Families or Posterity.

• ...Simon Broadstreet
• ...Iohn Richards
• ...Nathaniel Saltonstall
• ...Wait Winthrop
• ...Iohn Phillips
• ...Iames Russel
• ...Samuel Sewall
• ...Samuel Appleton
• ...Bartholomew Gidney
• ...Iohn Hathorn
• ...Elisha Hutchinson
• ...Robert Pike
• ...Ionathan Curwin
• ...Iohn Ioliffe
• ...Adam Winthrop
• ...Richard Midlecot
• ...

• ...Iohn Foster
• ...Peter Serjeant
• ...Ioseph Lynde
• ...Samuel Heyman
• ...Stephen Mason
• ...Thomas Hinkley
• ...William Bradford
• ...Iohn Walley
• ...Barnabas Lothrop
• ...Iohn Alcot
• ...Samuel Daniel
• Sylvanus Davis, Esqrs.

"Yearly once in every Year hereafter, the aforesaid Num|ber of 28 Councellors shall be by the General Court or Assembly newly chosen, i. e. of the Proprietors or Inha|bitants in the Old Colony of Massachusetts-Bay, 18; for|merly New Plymouth, 4; formerly the Province of Maine, 3; Duke of York's former Property, lying be|tween Sagadahock River and Nova-Scotia, 1." Two Councellors more to be chosen at large.

The Councellors are annually chosen last Wednesday of May, by a joint Vote of the last Year's Councellors, and the new House of Representatives. This Negative is called The Board.

There seems to be some Inconveniences in the Consti|tution of this Negative; they may be INTIMIDATED by the first Negative the Governor, as he has a Power of ne|gativing any Councellor's Election without adducing Reasons; they stand in AWE of the Members of the third Negative, as to their Election by the House of Representatives; thus they appear not to be FREE Agents,

The Council are assisting to the Governor (Seven makes a Board) by their Advice and Consent in appoint|ing of all Civil Officers, excepting those of the Finances.

The Governor and Council have the Probate of Wills, of granting Administrations and of Divorces; they ap|point a subordinate Judge of Probates in each County.

The Governor with the Advice and Consent of the Council, nominates and appoints Judges, Commissioners of Oyer and Terminer, Sheriffs, Justices of the Peace, and other Officers to our Council and Courts of Justice be|longing; provided that no such Appointment be made,

without Summons issued out seven Days before such No|mination or Appointment, unto such of the said Coun|cellors, as shall be at that Time residing within our said Province.

Formerly under the Old Charter the Councellors or As|sistants were elected by the Votes of the Freemen of the Colony, as is the present Practice of the neighbouring Colonies of Connecticut and Rhode-Island; but under the New Charter (as before-mentioned) they are annually cho|sen by a joint Vote of the Majority of the Old Board of Councellors, and of the New House of Representa|tives.— Although their Election is annual, the former Councellors are generally continued; last Election 1748, they were all continued.

When the New Charter first took Place, the Allow|ance or Wages ••f a Councellor, was 5 s. per Day Exchange with London, 133 £. New-England for 100 £. Sterling; at present their Wages are 30 s. per Day Exchange with London, Eleven Hundred Pounds New-England, for One Hundred Pounds Sterling, Christmas 1748; in this Pro|portion a multiplied publick Paper-Credit in Bills has de|preciated the New-England Currency; a vast progressive Loss in all personal Estates, Specialties excepted.* 1.169

Some Account of the third Negative in the Legislature of the Province of * 1.170 Massachusetts-Bay; called the Hon|ourable House of Representatives.

The Province of Massachusetts is represented in their Lower House, not by a Deputation from Counties, Cities and Boroughs, as in Great Britain, and in some of the British Colonies; but from certain Districts of Land or Country, incorporated by the Names of Townships, very unequal in Extent, thus Springfield contains upwards of 100,000 Acres, Medford does not exceed 2000 Acres; but generally they are the Value of six Miles square, be|ing nearly 23,000 Acres: Their Number of Inhabitants is as various, and consist of one to five Parishes.

The Charter declares "each of the said Towns and Places, being hereby impowered to elect and depute two Persons and no more, to serve for and represent them respectively in the said great General Court or Assembly.

To which great General Court or Assembly, to be held as aforesaid, we do hereby, for us, our Heirs and Successors, give and grant full Power and Authority from Time to Time, to direct, appoint, and declare what Number, each County, Town, and Place, shall elect and depute, to serve for, and represent them re|spectively, in the said great and General Court or Assembly.

This last Clause gives a very great Latitude to our Ge|neral Assemblies to regulate the Representation of the Country. 1. The Charter says, each Place is impowered to depute two Persons and no more; Boston is allowed to send four; it is true, that equitably, considering their Taxes and Number of Inhabitants in Proportion to the whole Colony Representation; they might be allowed to send Twenty, but such Proportions are not observed in Great Britain our Mother-Country, perhaps for Reasons

of State. 2. By Acts of Assembly all Townships under 120 qualified Voters are restricted to send one and no more, whereas by Charter any Township may send two. 3. The Charter does not limit the Number of qualified Voters in any Township or Place constituted, to enable them to send Representatives; they seem to be limited by Acts of Assembly, but with this reasonable Qualifica|tion, that no Township consisting of less than 80 legal Voters shall be obliged, that is fined for the not sending of a Rep••••••entative. 4. Lately (by Instruction to the Governor, or otherways, I am not certain) this Province have constituted Townships, with all Town or Corpora|tion Privileges, excepting that of deputing Representa|tives to the General Assembly; though the Charter ex|presly says, that they all may send Representatives: It is true, that the multiplying of Townships, especially by subdividing old large well regulated Townships, into many small jangling Townships, has been not many Years ago, practised with particular Views; but has oc|casioned an * 1.171 INCONVENIENT Number of Representa|tives; the small Townships, under 80 Voters, being qualified to send, but not obliged to send Representa|tives; upon the Emergency of a Governor's, or any de|signing Party Interest, they are prompted to send a De|puty to forward some party Affair.

Incorporating of Townships with all other Town Privileges, excepting that of sending Representatives; seems to be inconsistent with that Privilege essential to the Constitution of Great-Britain, viz. that all Freeholders

of 40 s. per Annum Income, and others legally qualified are to be represented in the Legislature and Taxation; as in New-England there are no County Representations, and as they are not in the Humour of being represented by Counties though agreeable to Charter; it seems con|sonant to the Constitution, and will at the same Time obviate the above Inconveniencies, that is, that two, three, four, or more of these new or small Townships, be joined in sending one or two Representatives, after the Model, settled by the Articles of Union in Great-Britain, for the small Parliament-Towns in Scotland or North-Britain.* 1.172

By Custom all Elections, Provincial, County, or Town are determined not by the major Vote, but by the Ma|jority of Voters; because where there are more than two Candidates, a Person may have a major Vote, though not a Majority of the Voters.

The Votes or Journal of the House of Representa|tives is regularly printed at a publick Charge, one Copy for each Township, and one Copy for each Member.

The House of Representatives insist upon several Pri|vileges,

I shall mention a few, 1. The Governor's In|structions from the Secretary of State, of the Deport|ment, are recommendatory, but not obligatory upon the Representatives of the People. New England was no milita|ry Acquisition orConquest of the Crown (such Acquisitions, until formally annexed to the Dominions of Great-Bri|tain, are by the Prerogative absolutely under Direction of the Crown) but originally and essentially belonging to the Dominions of England; and therefore Acts of Parliament only are obligatory; and no Instruction pecuniary, procured by the Patron, the Friend, or the Money of a Governor, with an arbitrary (perhaps) an|nexed Penalty, of incurring the Displeasure of the Crown, is strictly observed. A noted and repeated Instance of this we have in the Instruction for a settled Salary upon the Governor; moreover, they assert, "That they are at Liberty to vary from any former Grants to Governors, &c; Governor Shute, a good inoffensive Men was re|duced from an Allowance of 1200 £. per Annum common Currency to 1000 £. 2. That the Council may only

concur or not concur, a Tax or any other Money-Bill, but may make no Amendment; the Affair of supplying the Treasury always originates in the House of Represen|tatives. 3. Not long since all Accounts of publick Charges, some very trifling, were rendred, audited, and pass••d by the House of Representatives; not only at a great unnecessary Charge (our Assembly-Men are all in Pay) of upwards of 100£. per Day, at thatTime for passing a controverted Account of a few Pounds; but contrary to Charter; the Words of the Charter are, "the Assembly to impose and levy proportionable and reasonable Assess|ments, Rates, and Taxes; upon the Estates and Persons of all and every the Proprietors or Inhabitants of our said Province or Territory; to be issued and disposed of, by Warrant under the Hand of the Governor of our said Province for the Time being, with the Advice and Consent of the Council." Some Years since, upon Com|plaint Home, the King in Council has explained this Affair.

In this Article we shall have frequent Occasion to men|tion Money-Affairs, viz. Emissions of publick Provincial Bills of Credit, called Paper-Money; Supplies of the Treasury; annual Taxes, Salaries, and other Govern|ment Charges; all which at various Times have been expressed in various Tenors; viz. Old Tenor, Middle Tenor, New Tenor first, New Tenor second which in the Face of the Bill is about 12 per Cent worse than New Tenor first, but from the Inaccuracy of our People, and an abandoned Neglect of a proper Credit, pass indiffer|ently at the same Value. But that I may be the more easily understood, I shall by Means of a small Table (which is the most concise and distinct Manner of repre|senting such Things) reduce all Tenors to their Value in Old Tenor the Original, and to this Time 1749 the De|nomination of common Currency: And to prevent the Reader's Trouble in reducing the Value of our Old Te|nor from Time to Time (as it has been generally in a progressive State of Depreciation or Pejoration) to a pro|per

Standard of Exchange with London, or Value per oz. Mexico Silver. The Exchange with London is 100 £. Sterl. for — I have added the Accessions of Go|vernors for the last half Century, to make it apparent how much our Paper Currency has depreciated in their respective Administrations.

Periods	Exc. with Lond.	1 oz. Silv.	Acces. ofGov.
A.D. 1702	133	6s. 10d. h. p	Dudley
1705	135	7 s.	do.
1713	150	8 s.	do.
1716	175	9 s. 3 d.	Taylor & Shute
1717	225	12 s.	do.
1722	270	14 s.	Dummer
1728	340	18 s.	Burnet
1730	380	20 s.	Belcher
1737	500	26 s.	do.
1741	550	28 s.	Shirley
1749	1100	60 s. * 1.173	do.

Exchange continues to rise rather than fall, notwith|standing of the generous Reimbursement granted by the British Parliament, towards paying off our Provincial Debts incurred by a private Corporation Adventure, in the Cape-Breton Expedition: Perhaps the Merchants and others are diffident, and suspect that some subsequent Ge|neral Assembly (with the Countenance of a sutable Go|vernor)

Worshippers of that wicked Idol, the iniquitous, bubling Paper Currency, may pervert the proper Ap|plication of this Bounty or Donation. Something of this Kind has lately been a Remora at Home, and has prevent|ed the Province from receiving of it by their Agents hitherto.

Iune 15. At the Commencement of the New Charter Jurisdiction, 1692, enacted, a Continuance of the local and municipal▪ Laws of the old Charter Jurisdiction, if not repugnant to the Laws of England, until November 10 following.—The fundamental Law or general politi|cal Principle of the Colonies of New-England, is, that na|tural and salutary Maxim, Salus Populi est suprema Lex; they do not countenance the slavish Doctrines of Non-Resistance, Passive Obedience, Hereditary indefeasible Right, and the like.

The present enacting Style is, Be it enacted by the Go|vernor, Council, and House of Representatives.

Thanksgivings and Fasts, ever since Governor Shute's Complaints, have been appointed by the Governor and Council, at the Desire of the House of Representatives.

Because all Acts of Assembly, are required by the Charter to be sent Home for Allowance or Disallowance, therefore many Things are done, by the Name of Order or Resolve.

Late Years, the Governors are directed by their Instruc|tions not to consent to Bills of sundry Kinds, until they be sent Home for Approbation—thus it is in the Parliament of Ireland.

The General Assembly by their accepting of an expla|natory Charter upwards of Thirty Years since; have curtailed the House of Representatives, from the Privi|lege of electing their own Speaker absolutely; that is, a Power is reserved to the Governor, or any other Com|mander in chief, to negative or disapprove any Speaker elected and presented; and that the Representatives so assembled, shall forthwith elect any other Person to be Speaker, to be approved or disapproved, in Manner as

aforesaid: As also from adjourning of themselves not exceeding two Days at a Time, without Leave from the Governor, or any other Commander in chief of the Province.

When a joint Committee of both Houses is appoint|ed, generally one Third is from the Council, and two Thirds from the Representatives.

Although the Military, are the absolute Prerogative of the King and of his Representative the Governor; the Assembly, especially the House of Representatives, do upon extraordinary Occasions, in Faithfulness to their Constituents complain, and in some Measure admonish the Governor: We shall adduce a few late Instances. — 1746, The House by Message to the Governor, say, that they suspect the Governor's inlisting Men for his Louisbourg Regiment, out of the impressed Frontier Forces: The Governor denies this, but acknowledges that he had allowed the Frontier Soldiers to be inlisted in the Canada Expedition, and to impress Men in their Place —It does not appear to us necessary or convenient, for this Government, any Ways to concern themselves in building of a Fort at the great Carrying-Place from Hud|son's River to Wood Creek in the Government of New-York. —The Forces, particularly upon the Eastern Fron|tiers, have been very negligent in scouting, and all other military Services; there have been many Ineffectives, In|habitants of several Townships; to do Duty in their own Townships, have been inlisted, paid, and victualled, though they only followed their own private Business, "this is very abusive to the Government, as well as in|jurious to these exposed Parts." — 1747, The Assembly represent "the Husbandry, Manufactures, and Naviga|tion of the Province; have suffered much by multiplied Expeditions." — "We have by our past Actions proved our selves zealous for his Majesty's Service; but our Un|happiness is, that although the same Disposition remains, yet we are in a Manner incapacitated to promote it for the future.

The House of Representatives frequently complain of their being involved in unnecessary and improper Charges. 1747 April 21. "We apprehend that we have made con|siderable Grants for the Protection and Encouragement of the Six Indian Nations of New-York Government, be|yond what has been done by New-York it self, in whose Borders these Indians are situated.

There are many Altercations amongst the three Nega|tives; when this happens in the Parliament of Great-Britain, as it is very seldom, it is as a Prodigy; such Dif|ferences lessen the Respect due from the People to each Negative in the Legislature. Each of those Negatives, moreover, at Times vary * 1.174 from themselves, by contra|dictory

Speeches, Messages, and reconsidering of their Votes, I write with the Liberty and Freedom which is essential to the British Constitution.

Upon the Arrival of the new Charter of the Province of Massachusetts-Bay; their first General Assembly

or Legis••••ture convened in Iune 1692; in the first Place they continued the municipal Laws (not repugnant to

the Laws of England) of the old Charter Administration, for a few Months until a small Body of new Laws could be formed.

By this new Charter, see P. 374 of this Summary, the House of Representatives is constituted in this Manner, viz. Every Year and for ever upon the last Wednesday of May, and at all other Times as the Governor shall think fit, shall be held a General Court or Assembly▪ the Freeholders and other Inhabitants of the respective Towns and Places are impowered to depute two Persons and no more, to represent them in the General Assembly. The Qualification of an Elector is 40 s. at least per An. Freehold, or other Estate to the Value of 50 £. Sterl.

The present Practice by Acts or Resolves of the Ge|neral Assembly, and by Custom. Boston sends four De|puties or Representatives; Salem, Ipswich, Newbury, Marblehead, and Charlestown, generally send two each; from the otherTowns which send Representatives, each send one; we have not got into the Method directed by Charter for two or more small Townships joining, to send a Re|presentation, which would prevent the Inconveniency of multiplying Representatives, and would restore to the constituted, incorporated Townships (by Charter quali|fied, and by the British Constitution privileged to be re|presented) that Privilege of which they are abridged by being refused to send a Representative, as we have no general County-Elections.

By Act of Assembly, first Year of the Charter 1692, each Town consisting of 30 to 40 qualified Electors may (at their Option) send or not send one Representative; each Town of 40 qualified are injoined to send one Re|presentative;

each Town of 120 qualified may send two Representatives; no Town, Boston excepted (which may send four) are at any Time to send more than two Re|presentatives. Writs for calling a General Assembly to issue from the Secretary's Office Thirty Days befo••e their Meeting, directed to the Select-Men, as returning Offi|cers, the Returns to be made into the Secretary's Office one Day at the least before the Time prefixed for the meeting of the General Assembly—Forty Representatives to constitute a House—Penalty for Non-Attendance 5 s. per Day. All Representatives with one Son or Servant each, to have personal Protection during their Sessions, excepting in Cases of Treason or Felony.

By Act of Assembly 1693, the Qualification of a Voter, for a Representative, is reduced from the Charter Qualification of 50 £. Sterl. principal Estate to 40 £. Sterl.— Representatives must be Freeholders and Resi|dents in the Town for which they are chosen.

Anno 1726, No Town under the Number of 60 qua|lified Electors be obliged to send a Representative—1730 No Town under the Number of 80 qualified Electors be obliged to send a Representative— About one Third of the Townships which have Precepts sent them, send no Representatives.

Here we shall insert by Way of Table, the Number of Precepts issued out, and the Number of Members re|turned to the House of Representatives from ten Years to ten Years (to mention every Year would be tedious, and of no Use) in each County.

A List of Precepts sent, and of Returns made 1708 to 1748.

	1708	1718	1728	1738	1748
	Precepts.	Returns.	Precepts.	Returns.	Precepts.	Returns.	Precepts.	Returns.	Precepts.	Returns.
Suffolk	19	13	14	15	16	17	17	17	18	16
Essex	17	17	20	19	19	18	20	20	19	18
Midlesex	22	18	20	20	28	20	33	22	32	25
Hampsh.	8	6	7	7	11	7	12	7	17	9
Worcester							18	8	22	5
Plymouth	7	5	8	8	10	9	13	10	13	8
Barnsta.	6	4	5	5	8	6	9	6	6	6
Bristol	11	7	10	9	12	11	15	10	11	8
York	3	2	3	3	7	5	10	7	11	5
D. County	3	1	3	2	3		3		3
Nantuck.	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1
Total	97	74	91	88	115	94	151	108	153	101

N. B. Anno 1731 Some Townships were taken from the Counties of Suffolk, Middlesex, and Hampshire; and formed into a new County called the County of Worcester.

As this History seems to swell too much for the Pe|rusal of the People in our Infant Colonies, who in general are not Bookish, and do not apply themselves to read Books of any considerable Bulk; I must forbear insert|ing the long List of the Townships in Massachusetts-Bay Province.

We shall here only observe, that our Townships or Districts of Land, may be distinguished into four Sorts. 1. Incorporated Townships which are served with Pre|cepts, and generally send Representatives, this Year they are in Number 95. 2. Incorporated Townships, which are served with Precepts, but generally do not send Re|presentatives, this present Year they are 58; their Num|ber being so large, is occasioned by their Poverty, which proceeds from their labouring young Men being taken away, that is, depopulated by multiplied Expeditions, and their being peculated by multiplied Taxes; formerly our Province Tax was from Six Thousand to (in great Exi|gencies)

Forty Thousand Pound per Ann; whereas this pre|sent Year 1748 the Provincial Tax upon Polls and Estates is Three Hundred seventy-seven Thousand nine Hundred ninety two Pounds, and Excises doubled; thus they cannot well spare 30 s. a Day the present Wages of aRepresentative. 3. Townships incorporated, but in express Words debarred from sendingRepresentatives; these are but few inNumber, because lately introduced; this seems Anti-Constitutional, that (as we have no County Representatives) Persons of good Estates real and personal should in no manner be represented, as if they were Aliens, Servants or Slaves. 4. Townships or Districts granted to a Number of Pro|prietors, but as the Conditions of the Grant, particularly the settling of a certain Number of Families in a limited Space of Time, are not fully performed, they are not as yet qualified to be constituted, by Act of Assembly, with all Town Privileges; of those there are many, especially in those Lands which lately were taken from the Pro|vince of Massachusetts-Bay, and annexed to the Crown in Property, and to the Province of New-Hampshire in Ju|risdiction. N. B. This late Boundary Line cut off from Massachusetts-Bay Province, the constituted, but not re|presented Townships of Rumford and Litchfield upon Merimack River; of Winchester upon Connecticut River; with Part of the constituted Townships of Nottingham and Dunstable upon Merimack River; Part of Groton, and Townshe••d, Part of Northfield upon Connecticut River: the other Districts or Grants not incorporated anne••ed to New-Hampshire, were, Herrys Town, Contacook, the nine Townships commonly called the Double Row of Fron|tier Towns against the French and their Indian Auxilia|ries, the Row of four Townships upon the East Side of Connecticut River, the Row of two Townships West Side of Connecticut River,* 1.175 Canada to Gallop and others,

Canada to Sylvester and others, Lower Ashuelot, Upper Ashuelot, Canada to Rowley, Canada to Ipswich, Canada to Salem, Canada to Beverly, Naraganset No. 3. Nara|ganset No. 5, Lanes New-Boston, Township to Ipswich, in all 29 Grants transferred to New-Hampshire Jurisdicti|on: The other granted, but not constituted Townships, which remain in the Province of Massachusetts-Bay, are, in the Province of Main, Township to Cape-Anne or Glo|cester, Township to Powers and others, Township to Mar|blehead,

Naraganset, No. 7, Naraganset, No. 1, and Phi|lip's Town upon Salmon Falls River; between Meri|mack River and Connecticut River are Canada to Dorches|ter, Canada to Ipswich, Canada to Roxbury, Township to Welles and others, Township to Salem, Nichawoag, Pe|quioug, Naraganset, No. 6, Naraganset, No. 2, Townshend: On the West Side of Connecticut River, are the Grants of Fall-fight Township, of Canada to Hunt, and others; Nara|ganset, No. 4, Townships to Boston, No. 1, 2, 3, Upper Hou|satonick, four more Housatonicks, and Bedford; making in all Grants not incorporated, 28 in the Province of Massachusetts-Bay not alienated; and 29 transferred as to Jurisdiction, to the Province of New-Hampshire.

The Affair of the above Townships is variable, and of no permanent Use, but this may serve a future curious Historian, as an accurate Account for the State of the Year 1749.

There are a few Things, in which the House of Re|presentatives of the Province of Massachusetts-Bay in New England (which in all Respects is the principal British Co|lony) do vary from the Practice of the House of Com|mons in Great-Britain. I shall mention two, which must not be deemed constitutional, as being only by sundry Acts of the General Assembly, and consequently if in|convenient, may be repealed or altered by some subse|quent Act.

1. That a Representative must be a * 1.176 Resident in the Township for which he is elected. As the Representative of a District or Township so called, is not a peculiar A|gent for that Township, but is their Quota of Represen|tation of the whole Province in the General Assembly;

a Gentleman of good natural Interest and Resident in the Province, a Man of Reading, Observation, and daily con|versant with Affairs of Policy and Commerce, is certainly better qualified for a Legislator, than a Retailer of Rum and small Beer called a Tavern-Keeper, in a poor obscure Country Town, remote from all Business; thus this Countryman will not be diverted from the most necessary and beneficial Labour of cultivating the Ground, his pro|per Qualification; to attend State-Affairs, of which he may be supposed grosly and invincibly ignorant; thus the poor Township, by Gentlemen at large serving gratis or generously as the Quota of the Township, will be freed from the growing (in one Year from Anno 1747 to 1748 this Charge was advanced from 20 s. to 30 s. per Day) Charge of subsisting an useless Representative: There|fore, if this Clause of Residence in the Act of Assembly 1693, is not absolutely repealed, may it not be qualified in this Manner? viz. The Representative if not a Re|sident in the Township, being a Resident in the Province, shall have a Rent Roll of **** per Annum in the Place, or shall be the Proprietor of **** Hundred Acres in the Township for which he is elected.

2. That Councellors and Representatives do serve their Country upon Wages. The Honour, and Pleasure of doing Good, are Recompence sufficient to a Patriot, thus the Province will * 1.177 save a very considerable Part of their

Taxation; for Instance, this present Year 1748, the Province would have saved about 25,000 £.; the whole annual Provincial Charge from the Commencement of the Charter, fell short of this Sum, until Anno 1735; that Year, the Rates were 31,000 £. Old Tenor; thus in Time to come two of the Negatives would be under no Temptation of having their Wages augmented by Collu|sion with the third Negative; the Governor's Allowance being by them immoderately advanced.* 1.178

The Allowances or Pay of the three Negatives for their Services, are settled by themselves from Time to Time, therefore they do not suffer by the Depreciation of their own publick Bills of Credit. I shall here annex a Table (Tables contract Things into a more easy, less diffused, and therefore more distinct View) of the Pay of the three Negatives in some successive Periods, and of the Pro|vince Rate: the Province Polls in these respective Years, see afterwards, as taken from the Valuation Acts; in a|bout seven Years Periods, a Valuation or Census is made for quoating the Assessments of each Township or District towards the Provincial Rate or Charge.

A. D.	1702	1720	1730	1740	1743	1745	1747	1748
Govrs. pr. An.	Dudley	Shute	Belcher	ditto	Shirley	ditto	ditto	ditto
600	1200	2400	3600	5400	6000	7600	9600
Couns. pr. Day	5 s.	6 s.	10 s.	15 s.	18 s.	18 s.	30 s.	40 s.
Repre. pr. Day	3 s.	4s.	6 s.	10 s.	12 s.	12 s.	20 s.	30 s.
Rates.	6000	6000	8000	39000	60000	120000	168324	381672

Any well-disposed Person without Doors may submis|sively offer Advice or Proposals, even after a Bill is en|acted, because Acts are frequently explained or altered by subsequent Acts for the publick Good: All Legisla|tures and their Laws ought to be sacred and tenderly used, without cavelling or censuring: thus in Great-Bri|tain it has been a Practice Time out of Mind for Writers not of the Legislature, freely and decently to give their Advice and Schemes. As the Affair I mean is only temporary, I shall subjoin it amongst the Annotations.* 1.179

In this Province there seems to be a standing Faction consisting of wrong Heads and fraudulent Debtors; this

Faction endeavours to persuade us, that one of our inva|luable Charter Privileges, is, A Liberty to make Paper-Money,

or publick Bills of Credit, receivable in all Dealings, (Specialties excepted) as a legal Tender.

3. By Charter all vacant or not claimed Lands were vested in the collective Body of the People or Inhabi|tants; and their Representatives in General Court as|sembled, with Consent of the Governor and Council; make Grants of these Provincial Lands, to a Number of private Persons, to be incorporated, upon certain Condi|tions, into Townships; there are also some peculiar Grants, which after some Years are by Acts of Assembly annex|ed to some neighbouring Township.

If in granting of these Lands, they had been subjected to an easy Quit-rent to the Province; these Lands would have settled compactly, and improved sooner; whereas at present, some Proprietors of large Tracts of Lands do not settle or sell, because being at no Charge of Quit-Rent, and not in the Valuation of Rates or Taxes for the Provincial Charge of Government; they chuse to let them lie unimproved many Years, for a Market. That this might have been practicable, appears by Lands in the Township of Hopkinton subjected to an annual Quit-rent for the Benefit of our Provincial Seminary called Harvard-College; which notwithstanding of Quit-rent is well settled and improved; the Rev. Mr. Commissary Price is their present Missionary Minister, and is a consi|derable Proprietor there under Quit-rent.

The Townships are generally granted in Value of six Miles square (some old Grants of Townships are much larger) to be divided into Sixty-three equal Lots, viz. One Lot for the first settled Minister as Inheritance, one Lot for the Ministry as Glebe-Lands, one Lot for the Benefit of a School; the other sixty Lots, to sixty Per|sons

or Families, who shall within five Years from the Grant, erect a Dwelling-House of 7 Feet Stud, and 18 Feet square, with 7 Acres cleared and improved, fit for Mowing or Ploughing; to erect a House for publick Worship in five Years, and maintain an Orthodox Mini|ster. Every Township of fifty or upwards Housholders to be constantly provided with a School-Master to teach Children and Youth to read and write, Penalty forNeglect 20 £. per Annum; as also if consisting of 100 or upwards Housholders, they are to maintain a Grammar-School; Penalty 30 £. per Annum, if consisting of 150 Fami|lies; Penalty 40 £. if consisting of 200 Families; and higher Penalties pro rata.

In each Township by a general Act of Assembly there are constituted certain Town Officers to be elected at a Town-Meeting annually in March. I shall instance Bos|ton, for the Year 1748 were chosen the following Offi|cers:

• Town-Clerk
• 7 Select-Men
• Town-Treasurer
• 12 Overseers of the Poor
• 7 Assessors
• 10 Firewards
• 5 Sealers of Leather
• 6 Fence-Viewers
• A Surveyor of Hemp
• Informers of Deer
• Hayward
• 10 Cullers of Staves
• 10 Viewers of Boards,
• Shingles, &c.
• 4 Hogreeves
• 12 Clerks of the Market
• 2 Assay-Masters
• 6 Collectors of Taxes
• 12 Constables

Any Man rateable for 20 £. Principal Estate to the Pro|vince-Tax, Pol not included, is qualified to vote in Town-Meetings, excepting in the Choice of Representatives, which requires a Qualification of 40 s. per Annum Free|hold, or 40 £. Sterl. personal Estate.

Sometimes Portions of adjoining Townships, are by Act of Assembly incorporated into a Parish or Precinct, for the better Conveniency of attending divine Service,

but in all other Respects, excepting in Ministerial Rates, they belong to their original Townships.

The Plantations and Farms in the Old Townships near Boston, are generally become small, occasioned by a Pro|vincial Act of Assembly, which divides the real as well as the personal Estate of Intestates, amongst all the Chil|dren or Collaterals; our People are much bigotted to this Province-Law, and chuse to die intestate. This Hu|mour is not without its Advantages, v. g. where a Farm thus becomes small, the Possessor cannot live by it, and is obliged to sell to the Proprietor of some adjoining Farm, and remove further inland, where he can purchase waste Land in Quantities at an easy Rate, to the enlarg|ing of our Country Improvements: Thus the former Townships which now compose the County of Worcester, about 40 Years since, there were not exceeding 200 Fa|milies, whereas in the last Valuation 1742, there were found in that County about 3200 taxable white Male Persons; but our multiplied Expeditions since that Time, have diminished them much.

The civil Officers annually chosen by a joint Vote of the Board or Council, and House or Representatives, and with the Consent of the Governor are appointed.

The Treasurer or Receiver-General.

The General Impost-Office.

The General Commissary for Soldiers, their Provisions and Stores, and for Indian Trade.

The Attorney-General.

Collectors of Excise, one for each County.

Publick Notaries for the Ports of

• ...Boston
• ...Salem
• ...Marblehead
• ...Glocester
• ...Newbury
• ...Plymouth
• ...Barnstable
• ...Kittery
• ...Casco-B••y
• ...York-County
• ...Duke's-County
• ...Nantucket

N. B. The Attorney-General is annually chosen; the Governor and Council pretend to have the sole Privilege of appointing him; the House of Representatives hi|therto

have not given up this Point, but the Person ap|pointed by the Governor and Council is the acting Officer.

Because all Acts of Assembly are required to be sent Home for Allowance or Disallowance, therefore some Transactions formerly have passed by Way of Order or Resolve only.

A Member of the House of Representatives is fined 20 s. Old Tenor, for every Days Absence without Leave or good Excuse.

Every Session there is a Committee appointed to pre|pare a List of the Travel (20 Miles Travel is the same with one Day's Attendance) and Attendance of the Mem|bers of the House for the Sessions— Their Wages are paid out of the general Provincial Supply or Bills of pub|lick Credit emitted for the ordinary and extraordinary Charges of the Province for the Year; the Bills of this Article are drawn in again not by a general Provincial Rate or Tax, but by a peculiar Rate imposed upon the several Towns who send Representatives.

The Townships that have Precepts sent to them, but make no Returns, are liable to be fined at the Discretion of the House; but are generally excused, and perhaps out of 50 Delinquents (some are excused by Law, as be|ing under the Number of eighty Families) very few are fined; this Article though very small, is one of the Articles for calling in the publick Bills of Credit from Year to Year.

Perhaps an Assembly Grant, as is the present Practice, in the Beginning of every Year's Administration of a Governor for his Services to be done during the next sub|sequent Year, may be thus qualified; to be paid after 12 Months, if the present Governor's Life or Administration continue so long, otherwise in Proportion to the Time of Service: We have a remarkable Instance of this in the worthy Governor Burnet; some short Time before his Death, there was a Vote of 6000 £. for the last Year and current Year's Service, which for Want of Concur|rence did not take Place; soon after the Commencement

of the then current Year, Governor Burnet died, and his Heirs received only 3000 £. Old Tenor, for all his Ser|vices, being for about 13 Months, thus the Province honestly saved about 3000 £.

The Executive Courts.

By Charter the General Assembly are allowed to erect Judicatories, to hear and determine concerning Pleas, whether real, personal or mixt; and all manner of Crimes capital or not capital.

In personal Actions, where the Matter in Difference, doth exceed the Value of 300 £. Sterl. Appeals are al|lowed to the King in Privy Council, provided such Ap|peal be made in fourteen Days, after Judgment given; and that before such Appeal be allowed, Security be gi|ven by the Appealants in the Value of the Matter in Difference, with Costs and Damages, but Execution not to be staid.

See the present Charter, P. 375.

Our Judicatories in civil Actions are thus constituted. 1. All Actions under 10 £. Old Tenor, which may at present be about 20 s. Sterl. are at first Instance cogniza|ble by a * 1.180 Justice of Peace: 2. From thence lies Ap|peal to an inferior Court, or County Court of Common Pleas; this Court seems to be of no great * 1.181 Consequence, and generally serves, without much Pleadings, only to transmit it to the Superior or Provincial Court, perhaps the most upright of any in our national Plantations or

Colonies; all Actions not exceeding the Value as above, must originate in the Inferior Courts. 3. From the In|ferior Court of Common Pleas, there is Appeal to a Su|perior or Provincial Court in their Circuits; this is also a Court of Oyer and Terminer in criminal Affairs: 4. From this Court there is a Review to the same Court of Judges, but of another Jury. 5. There lies a Privilege of petitioning the General Assembly, as a Court of Er|ror, upon proper Allegations, to order a Rehearing be|fore the same Superior Court: Perhaps a Court of De|legates would have sounded better.

The Courts of General Quarter Sessions, and Inferior Court of Common Pleas, are held at the same Place and Time, and according to the last general Appointment 1743, are as follows, per Counties,

Suffolk

At Boston. First Tuesday of January, April, July, and October.

Essex

Salem. Second Tuesday of July; last Tuesday in December. Newbury. Last Tuesday in September. Ipswich. Last Tuesday in March.

Middlesex

Cambridge. Third Tuesday in May. Charlestown. Second Tuesday in De|cember and March. Concord. Last Tuesday in August.

Hampshire

Springfield. Third Tuesday in May, last Tuesday in August. Northampton. Second Tuesday in Fe|bruary ••nd November.

Worcester

Worcester. First Tuesday in November and February, Second Tuesday in May, Third Tuesday in August.

Plymouth

Plymouth. First Tuesday in March, Third Tuesday in May, September, and December.

Barnstable

Barnstable. Last Tuesday in June, Third Tuesday in March, October, and January.

Bristol

Bristol. Second Tuesday in March, June, September and December.

York

York. First Tuesday of April, July, October and January. Falmouth. First Tuesday in October.

Duke's-County

Edgartown. First Tuesday in March, last Tuesday in October.

Nantucket

Sherburne. Last Tuesday in March, first Tuesday in October.

The Superior Courts of Iudicature and Assizes.

Suffolk

Boston. Third Tuesday in August and February.

Essex

Salem. Second Tuesday in November. Ipswich. Second Tuesday in May.

Middlesex

Cambridge. First Tuesday in August. Charlestown. Last Tuesday in January.

Hampshire

Springfield. Fourth Tuesday in Sep|tember.

Worcester

Worcester. Third Tuesday in Sep|tember.

Plymouth

Plymouth. Second Tuesday in July.

Barnstable and Duke's County

Barnstable. Third Tuesday in July.

Bristol

Bristol. Fourth Wednesday in October.

York

York. Third Wednesday in Ju••••.

By Act of Assembly, occasionally, but not statedly, the Times of the sitting of these several Courts are va|ried. And in general as these Courts may from Time to Time be varied by Acts of the Provincial General Assembly, the above is only a temporary Account.

The Juries never were appointed by the Sheriffs of the Counties, every Township of the County at a regu|larly called Town-Meeting, elected their Quota for the County; but as some evil, designing Men, upon particu|lar Occasions, officiously attended these Township-Meet|ings,

in Order to obtain a packt or partial Jury; lately the Jurors are by Lot, being partly by Chance, partly by Rotation. N. B. The Privilege of Juries, seems to give the People a Negative, even in the executive Part of the civil Government.

In each County the Governor and Council appoint one High Sheriff with a Power of deputizing, and any Num|ber of Coroners.

The Judges of the several Courts, appoint the Clerks of their several Courts, but generally conform to the Re|commendation from the Governor. N. B. Judges should be independent of, and in no Respect under the Direction of a King or of his Governor.

The other Civil Courts, some are appointed immediate|ly by Charter; a Court for Probate of Wills, and grant|ing of Administrations, which is vested in the Governor and Council; they appoint a Substitute called the Judge of Probate, with a Register or Clerk in each County, from which there lies an Appeal to the Ordinary, the Governor and Council. 2. In Time of War, a Court-Martial by Commission from the Governor with Consent of the Council, to exercise the Law-Martial upon any Inhabitants of the Province.— Some are by Commission from the Court and Boards in Great-Britain; 1. A Court of Vice-Admiralty, see P. 483. 2. A Justiciary Court of Admiralty for Trial of Pirates, &c. see P. 484. All these have occasionally been formerly mentioned.

Generally in all our Colonies, particularly in New Eng|land, People are much addicted to Quirks in the Law; a very ordinary Country Man in New-England is almost qualified for a Country-Attorney in England.

In each County, besides the civil Officers appointed by Governor and Council, and the Military or Militia Offi|cers appointed by the Governor as Captain-General, there is a County-Treasurer and County-Register, or Recorder of Deeds or real Conveyances, these are chosen by a joint written Vote of the qualified Voters in each Township of the County, and sorted in the next subsequent Quarter

Sessions for the County. The County-Treasurers yearly render and pass their Accounts with a Committee of the General Assembly.

Taxes and Valuations.

The Provincial Taxes of Massachusetts-Bay, consist of three Articles, Excise, Impost, and Rates.

1. Excise. By Act of Assembly, after Iune 29. 1748 for the Space of three Years (the Excise * 1.182 is farmed for three Years) the following Duties, Old Tenor, shall be paid, being double of the former Excise.

• Every Gallon of Brandy, Rum, and other Spirits dis|tilled, 2 s.
• Wine of all Sorts, 2 s.
• Every Hundred of Lemons or Oranges, 20 s.
• Limes, 8 s.

the Vender or Retailer to swear to the Account by him rendred to the Farmer; 20 per Ct. for Leakage to be al|lowed Duty free.—Penalty for retailing without License 12 £. toties quoties; Retailers are deemed such as sell smaller Quantities than a Quarter-Cask or 20 Gallons; the Taverners, Innholders, and other Retailers, are not to plead their License for vending in any other House, be|sides that wherein they dwell. Formerly the Collectors were chosen by the General Assembly, at present the Farmers are the Collectors.—Licenses are from the Quar|ter-Sessions of the County, by the Recommendation of the Select-Men of the Township, where the Taverner or Retailer lives— The Farmer is accountable to the Trea|surer once every Year.

The Excise for three successive Years from 1748, is doubled, this with the Increase of our Rioting and Drun|kenness, introduced partly by our idle military Expediti|ons; has increased the Revenue of Impost upon Liquors

imported, and Excise upon Home Consu••••••••on, but much to the Damage of private Families, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Oeco|nomy of the Country in general.

The Impost and Excise of 1710, 1711, 1712, did not exceed a Sum of 7000 £. Old Tenor,

• 1715 Were estimated at 7000 £. Old Tenor,
• 1726 Impost 5,200 £. Excise 3,600 £.
• 1747 Excise, Impost, and Tunnage 17,616 £.
• 1748 33,480 £.

2. Impost and Tunnage by Act of Assembly Iune 1748 for one Year; Salt, Cotton-Wool, Provisions, the Growth and Produce of New-England, Prize Goods con|demned in any Part of the Province, and Goods from Great-Britain, are exempted from Impost.

The Impost payable, is, Wines from the Western Islands per Pipe 4 £. Old Tenor

Madera, and other Sorts

5 £.

Rum per Hogshead of 100 Gallons

4 £.

Sugar

2 s.

Molasses

16 d.

Tobacco

2 £.

Logwood per Tun

3 s.

all other Goods 4 d. for every 20 s. Value.

Foreign Goods imported from other Places, than that of their Growth and Produce, to pay double Impost.

Upon reshipping for Exportation to be drawn back

per Pipe of Western Islands Wine

3 £.

Madera and other Sorts

3 £. 12 s.

per Hogshead of Rum

3 £.

For Liquors allowed 12 pr. Ct. for Leakage, and de|cayed Liquors, or where two Thirds are leaked out, shall be accounted as Outs free of Duty—Stores may be allow|ed to the Master and Seamen, not exceeding 3 pr. Ct. of the Lading.

The general Impost Officer or Receiver may appoint Deputies in the Out-Ports; the general Impost-Officer his Salary is 200 £. Old Tenor, and to each Deputy in the Out-Ports not exceeding 40 £. Old Tenor per An.

All Forfeitures are one half to the Province, and half to the Informer, the Informer's Part to bear the Charges of Suit—The Fee to the Impost-Officer for every single En|try is 2 s.—Masters of Vessels to report their Vessels and Cargoes, within the Space of 24 Hours.

All Vessels not belonging to Great-Britain, Pennsylva|nia, East and West Iersies, New-York, Connecticut, New-Hampshire, and Rhode-Island; or any Part of a Vessel not belonging as above, shall pay every Voyage, a Po••••d of good Pistol Powder per Tun, called Tunnage.

The naval Officer is not to give Letpasses, to any Ves|sel outward bound, 'till Impost and Tunnage is certified as paid.

3. Rates are Taxes upon Polls and Estates; Polls are all white Men of 16 Aet. and upwards; Estates are real, personal, and Faculty, or Income arising from their Trade and Business.

At the Commencement of the new Charter, the Tax|ation was by — Number of Rates, a single Rate was 12 d. Pol, and 1 d. upon 20 s. Principal Estate, six Years Income of Estate Real, Personal and Faculty, is deemed as the Principal. Anno 1692, to pay off Sir William Phipp's unsuccessful Canada Expedition, a Tax of 10 s. Poll, and one Quarter Value (is 5 s. in the Pound) of one Years Income of Estate, Real, Personal and Faculty, was computed to raise 30,000 £.* 1.183 At this Time the Poll is generally 3 d. upon every 1000 £. Rate, and for every 12 d. Poll, 1 d. Rate.

Assessors are to estimate Houses and Lands at six Years Income, as they are or may be let, Negro, Indian and Molatto Slaves, proportionably as other personal Estate, an Ox of four Years old and upwards at 8 £. Old Tenor, a Cow of three Years old and upwards at 6 £. a Horse or Mare of thee Years old and upwards at 8 £. a Swine of one Year old and upwards at 32 s. a Sheep or Goat of one Year old and upward at 12 s.

As Townships, in like Manner as private Persons in Process of Time, do alter their Circumstances; for the more equal Adjustment of their Quota's of Tax•••• there is after a Number of Years (generally once in seven Years) a Lustration or Census, called a Valuation, made through|out the Province; there is Anno 1749, a Valuation on Foot, last Valuation was 1742, there were Valuations 1734, 1728, &c. we shall here insert the Valuations of each County, and of some of the Townships the highest and the lowest valued, as a Sample of the whole; being their Proportions in every 1000 £. Rate.

Before 1728	Since 1742,	Before 1728,	Since 1742.
			An. 1734.
Counties of Suffolk 287	268	Boston 185	173	180
Essex 198	196	Salem 27	28	30
Middles 171	138	Ipswich 26	28	27
Hampsh. 55	54	Newbury 22	23	26
Plymouth 77	79	Marbleh. 20	20	19
Bristol 95	96	Charl••st. 17	19	13
Burnst. 56	42	Dartm. 16	14	15
York 37	53	Hadley 5	5 & half	5
Duke's-County 11	6	Stow 3	3	2 half
Nantucket 13	6	B••llingham	2	1
Worc••ster	60	Townshend		half

Worchester, July 10. 1731, was taken out of the Counties of Suffolk, Middlesex, and Hampshire.

The Assessors may abate or multiply upon particular Rates, so as to make up the Sum set upon each Town or District.

The Exempted from Polls and Rates, are, The Go|vernor, Lieut.-Governor, and their Families; the Presi|dent,

Fellows, and Students of Harvard-College; settled Ministers, and Grammar School-Masters; and Persons by Age, Infirmities, and extream Poverty, to be deemed as Invalids.

Taxes may be paid, not only in publick Bills emitted, but in certain Species * 1.184 of Goods, formerly called Stock in the Treasury; but as these Goods are receivable in the Treasury, at a Value not exceeding half their Market-Price, it can|not be supposed, that these Goods will be brought into the Treasury: These Goods are coined Silver and Gold, merchantable Hemp, merchantable Isle of Sable Cod-Fish, Bar Iron, Bloomery Iron, Hollow Iron Ware, Indian Corn, Winter Rye, Winter Wheat, Barley, Barrel Pork, Barrel Beef, Duck, Long Whale Bone, Merchantable Cordage, Train Oil, Bees Wax, Bayberry Wax, tried Tallow, Pease, Sheeps Wool, and tanned Sole-Leather.

The Ways and Means are apparently very easy, but in Consequence ruinous, being only a Manufacture of publick Bills of Credit, without Limitation of Quantity, not incumbred with any Interest, and not to be redeemed till after many Years; that Strangers may have a distinct View of our depreciating Oeconomy, I shall annex a Table of our present Currency in Bills, which is our only Fund, as they stood Christmas 1748. The lateral left Hand Column, is the Times when they were emitted, the Top Line is the Periods at which they are redeemable.

Emitted.	To be drawn in by Rates, to be cancelled.
	£	1748	1749	1750	1751	1752	1753	1754	1755	1756	1757	1758	1759	1760
1745 Feb▪	200000	82800
* 1.185 April	200000		100000	100000
* 1.186 Iuly	280000				135200	135200
August	280000						140000	140000
Decemb	2000••••								100000	100000
1746 Mar	••8000••								40000	40000
* 1.187 Iune	328000										80000	80000	80000	80000
Iuly	100000										25000	25000	25000	25000
August	80000		40000	40000
* 1.188 Sept.	40000	20000
Nov.	80800										20200	20200	20200	20200
1747* 1.189 Feb	32800
* 1.190 April	80000	39000
Iune	32000	32000
Oct••ber	136000	136000
1748 Feb.	100000	100000
Iune	400000		400000
	Total	* 1.191409800	540000	140000	135200	135200	140000	140000	140000	140000	125200	125200	125200	125000

This Table is reduced to Old Tenor, because our cur|rent Way of computing is by Old Tenor, the Denomi|nations of Middle Tenor and New Tenor, are too whim|sical and captious to take Place. Thus the Debt of the Province, exeunte 1748 was 2,466,712 £. contracted in the Space of four Years, by projecting whimsical Expe|ditions (lucrative to the Projectors, but pernicious to the Province) from certain Applications, not rejected at Home by the Ministry, because the Populace are pleased and amused with Expeditions.

There must be a considerable Addition to the Taxes of every Year, subsequent to 1748, for the annual Charges of Government.

The cancelling of Bills each Year is by four different Funds; thus the Sum of £. 415,512 Bills Old Tenor, is brought in

By Excise, Impost and Tunnage

£. 33,480

Fines of Townships delinquent in Repre|sentatives

360

Polls and Rates

364,000

Townships Tax for Representatives of last Year

17,672

Total

415,512

The Town of Boston paid of that Year's Tax £. 65,520

Our annual Supplies or Appropriations are in sundry Articles; thus of the 400,000 £. Old Tenor Emission, Anno 1748.

For Garrisons, armed Vessels, Forces upon the Eastern and Western Frontiers

£. 160000

Warlike Stores and Commissaries Disbursments

136000

Allowances and Grants

72000

Expended where no Establishment

12000

Contingencies

2000

Representatives Wages

18000

Total

£. 400

Not long since there were extra (immensly chargeable) Articles of Expeditions to Cape-Breton, Canada, &c. * 1.192

Emitted by Massachusetts Bay

£ 2,466,712

Connecticut about

281,000

Rhode-Island about

550,000

New Hamps••ire about

450,000

Thus the present depreciated (10 for 1 St. in round Numbers) New England Paper Currency is about £. 3▪ 748,000.

The Parliament Reimbursements on Account of the Reduction of Louisbourg, when received will cancel

to Massachusetts-Bay

about £. 1,836,490

Connecticut

280,000

Rhode-Island

63,000

New-Hampshire

163,000

 

£. 2,342,490

there will remain about £. 1,405,000 New-England Currency▪ to this must be added about 5 per Cent. deducted from the Reimbursement Money for Charges of receiving and transmitting about £. 117,000 is nearly one million and a half remaining Currency.

Connecticut (that Colony is managed by Men of Wisdom and Pro|bity) has not much more outstanding publick Bills of Credit, than their Reimbursement Grant from the Parliament may redeem.

New-Hampshire has about £. 450000 old Tenor Value; their Re|imbursement, may sink in round Numbers, about £. 150,000▪ there will remain about £. 300,000. About one third of the whole was lent to the Inhabitants upon Mortgages to the Government at a long Period; the Remainder excepting some small Sums for Charges of Government was issued toward•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 late abortive Canada Expedition, and has no other Fund for drawing ••t in again, besides some Expecta|tions of being reimbursed the Canada Expedition Charges.

Rhode Island may have about £. 550,000 old Tenor, whereof £. 75,000 will be sunk by Bills of Exchange drawn on their Agent▪ on Account of the Canada Expedition; £. 60,000 will be sunk by the 〈…〉〈…〉 Reimb••••s••ment; there will remain about £. 415.000 lent upon 〈…〉〈…〉 Periods, reaching so far as Anno 1763) to the Gover••••ent.

In Gratitude, we ought not to forget the compassion|ate Goodness of the Parliament of Great Britain, the Parent of all our Colonies. The Expences of the Pro|vince of Massachusetts-Bay, in taking, repairing and

securing of Louisbourg on Cape-Breton, till May 1746, when his Majesty's regular Troops arrived there to de|fend it, amounted to 261,700 £. New Tenor Paper New-England Currency, which according to the Exchange of that Time, amounted to 183,649 £. Sterl.; but when the Accounts were sent Home, our Currency was so much depreciated, that the 261,700 £. New Tenor, was in Value equal only to 104,680 £. Sterl.; making a dif|ference of 78,969 £. Sterl. This produced a Question at Court and in Parliament; whether the said Province, ought to be paid a Sterling Sum, equal in Value, to the Sum in Bills of Credit, expended upon the Expedition, according to the Value of these Bills at the Time the Ex|pence was contracted, or only a Sterling Sum, equal to the Value of these Bills in their present depreciated State? In Goodness they determined according to the favourable Side of the Question, and allowed us the full Sum of 183,649 £. Sterl.

Number of Inhabitants, Produce, Manufactures, Trade and Miscellanies.

Instead of imaginary Estimates, I conceived it might be of better Credence to adduce loose Records and pub|lick Accounts of Things.

Before I proceed, I must make this general Remark; that our Forwardness towards Expeditions may have occasioned the Court of Great-Britain to deem us self-sufficient; from 1739 to 1749 in the Spanish and French War, Great-Britain sent us only the Success a sixth Rate Man of War for a few Months, whereas in Time•• of the profoundest Peace we had a constant Station Man of War from Great-Britain. Our Provincial armed Ves|sels at a great Charge, besides their serving as Tenders to the British Squadrons in the Affair of Cape-Breton, their only Service seems to have been the easy Capture of a French Privateer Sloop Capt. De la Brotz, no Man kill|ed on either Side; the Fault was not in New-Englan•• Men (they are always forward in Service) but in the Ma|nagement perhaps.

Anno 1656, we had three Regiments Militia, Suffolk, Middlesex, and Essex; Anno 1671, three more Regiments were formed, viz. Norfolk or Piscataqua, Yorkshire or Province of Main, and Hampshire upon Connecticut River; Piscataqua Regiment is now in the Province of New-Hampshire, the other two continue undivided large Re|giments (perhaps Yorkshire Regiment has lately been di|vided) Anno 1748, Hampshire Regiment Col. Stoddard was about 2600, York Regiment Sir William Pepperrell 2755, these with Boston Regiment Col. Wendell of 2500 Men, are large enough to be subdivided into Battallion••.

Anno 1706, the Militia of Massachusetts-Bay in their Address to the Queen call themselves 12 Regiments.

Anno 1711, Admiral Walker upon the Canada Expe|dition, demanded of the Government of Massachusetts-Bay, a Supply of Sailors; the Governor and Council re|presented, that their ordinary Garrisons, Forces upon the inland Frontiers, and Men detached for the Canada Ex|pedition, were upwards of 2000 Men, which are more than one fifth of the fencible Men of the Province.

In the Spring Anno 1722, the Small Pox being over, by Order of the Select-Men, Mr. Salter made a Perlus|tration of the Town of Boston; he reported 10,670 Souls, this Small-Pox Time 5980 Persons were seized with this Distemper, whereof 844 died, and about the same Number fled from Boston; thus we may estimate about 12,000 People in Boston at the Arrival of the Small-Pox. After twenty Years Anno 1742, by a new Valuation there were reported 16,382 Souls in Boston, add to these some Men lately gone upon the Cuba Ex|pedition, several Sons and Apprentices designedly over|looked to ease the Quota of Boston's Provincial Tax, we may reckon about 18000 Inhabitants at that Time; thus in the Space of 20 Years from 1722 to 1742 Boston In|habitants had increased one third or 6000. Taking this in another View; An 1720 a Year of middling Health and immediately preceeding the Small-Pox, the Burials in Boston yere nearly 345; by Philosophical and Political

Arithmeticians it is estimated that in a healthful Country (such is Boston) one * 1.193 in 35 dies per A••. is nearly 12000 Inhabitants; Anno 1742, a Year of middling Health in Boston, were buried about 515 by 35, makes nearly 18000 Inhabitants. In the Valuation of 1742, of those in Bos|ton were 1200 Widows, 1000 of them poor; in the Alms-House 111, in the Work-House 36, Negroes 1514; Dwelling-Houses 1719, Ware-Houses 166, Horses 418, Cows 141.

1722 Governor Shute returned to England, in his Re|port to the Board of Trade and Plantations, he says, That in the Province of Massachusetts-Bay, were 94,000 Peo|ple, whereof 15000 were in the training List (the Alarm List Males from 16 Aet. and upwards, is about one Third more than the Training List, because many are excused from Impresses and Quarterly Trainings) disposed into 16 Regiments of Foot, and 15 Troops of Horse. About 25000 Tun of Shipping in the two Collections of Boston and Sal•••• at that Time.

In the Valuation of Anno 1728, for Boston were about 3000 rateable Polls, Males from 16 Aet. and upwards, which is nearly the same with the Alarm List: For In|stance, Anno 1735 the rateable Polls in Boston were 3637; Anno 1733 the Alarm List was about 3500, which al|lowing for two Years increases is nearly the same. N. B. About this Time, Capt. Watson, one of the Assessors in Curiosity, examined the Books, he found the Church of England People charged not exceeding one Tenth of the Rates or Taxes in the Town of Boston.

1735 The Provincial Valuation was 35,427 Polls (white Men of 16 Aetat. and upwards) 2600 Negroes, 27,420 Horse Kind of 3 Years old and upwards, 52,000 Neat Cattle of 3 to 4 Years old and upwards, 130,001 Sheep of one Year old and upwards.

1742, In the Valuation were 41,000 white Men's Polls.

1749, A Valuation is on Foot but not finished; here will be considerable Deductions. 1. Trade much de|cayed, and Taxes insupportably high has obliged many to leave the Province. 2. Men annexed to New-Hamp|shire and Rhode-Island. 3. Deaths occasioned by the Cape-Breton Expedition. 4. Lost in the Minas of Nova-Scotia French Massacre. 5. Killed and captivated upon our Frontiers by the French and Indians.

1747, The House of Representatives in a Message to the Governor, say, that 3000 is about one Twelfth of our sencible Men.

As by Charter the General Assembly of the Province is impowered to create Judicatories for trying all Cases civil or criminal, capital or not capital; accordingly by Act of Assembly in the Beginning of the French War, August 1744; the Commanders in chief, may at any Time call a Court Martial, which for Mutiny or Deser|tion may inflict Death.

Although in Succession of Years, Things vary much; we shall for the Information of the Curious of after Times, insert the present Oeconomy of our Officers civil, Land Military, and Sea Military. N. B. Exchange being 10 to 11, New-England Old Tenor Currency for One Sterl.

Allowances Old Tenor to Civil Officers for 1748.

To t••e Governor

£. 9,600

Secretary with Extra's

800

5 Judges of Superior Court

4000

Treasurer with Extra's

1400

Commissary with Extra's

1600

President of College

1400

Professor of Divinity

300

Clerk to Representatives

480

Door-Keeper

320

Two Chaplains

80

The Land Military Establishment for Cape-Breton, 1745.

	£.	s.
To the Lieut.-General per Month	60
Colonel	48
Lieut.-Colonel	40
Major	34
Captain of 40 to 50 Men	18
Lieutenant	12
Second Lieutenant or Ensign	8
Adjutant General	18
Adjutant to a Regiment	12
Sergeant	6	8
Corporal	5	12
Clerk	6	8
Quarter-Master General	16
Surgeon-General	28
Surgeon of a Regiment	25
Surgeon's Mate	18
Drum Major	6	8
Common Drum	5	12
Chaplain	24
Armourer of a Regiment	10
Commissary of ditto	12
Three Thousand Centinels each	5

The Artillery Establishment for Cape-Breton.

To the First Captain per Month.

£. 36

Engineer

34

Second Captain

20

First Lieutenant

16

Three Lieutenants, each

8

First Bombardier

34

Three, Ditto, each

8

Four Assistants, each

8

Thirty Gunners, each

8

The Artificers for the Train were 12 House-Carpen|ters, and 4 Ship-Carpenters, commanded by Capt. Barnard.

The General was allowed 2000 £. for extraordinary contingent Services, to be accounted for.

The Encouragement to private Men for inlisting was 4 £. Bounty, one Month's Advance Wages, a Blanket, 20s. Subsistence which was afterwards advanced to 30s. pe•• Week their Firelocks to be deducted out of their Wages.

By Sollicitation from hence, Orders came from Home to raise two Regiments of 1000 Men regular Troops each for Louisbourg Garrison; but by a good Providence in Favour of the Country, they never could be rendred effective, and probably upon Louisbourg's being evacuated, these Men may return to their Labour, for the Benefit of this Country.

To the Sea Military Establishment, 1745.

	£.	s.
To the Captain per Month	22
Lieutenant	14	8
Master	12	8
Surgeon	12	8
Chaplain	12	8
Gunner	10
Boatswain	10
Mate	10
Boatswain's Mate	9
Steward	9
Cook	9
Gunner's Mate	9
Pilot	11	4
Carpenter	11
Cooper	9
Armourer	9
Coxswain	9
Quarter-Master	9
Midshipmen	10	10
Common Sailors	8

N. B. Anno 1745 in the Time of the Cape-Breton Ex|pedition,

Exchange with London was 7 and half for one▪ afterwards as our Currency depreciated, Sailors could not be got at these nominal Wages, and a common Sailor's Wages was set at 10 £. per Month.— In the Winter Months when our armed Vessels are laid up, the Captain, Gunner, Boatswain, and three common Sailors only are kept.—Our inland Frontier Summer Forces (in Time of War) are reduced to one Third of their Compliment in Winter.

Anno 1743 the Year preceeding the French and Indian War, our Military Charges were very small.

Castle William in Boston Bay

40 Men.

Richmond Fort on Quenebec River

10 Men.

Brunswick Fort on Amarescogin River

6 Men.

Pemaquid Fort East of Sagadahock

6 Men.

St. George's Fort near Penob••cot

13 Men.

Saco River Fort

13 Men.

Fort Dummer on Connecticut River

16 Men.

Province Store-Sloop

10 Men.

 

114 Men.

The Parties in Massachusetts-Bay at present, are not the Loyal and Iacobite, the Governor and Country, Whig and Tory, or any religious Sectary Denominations; but the Debtors and the Creditors. The Debtor Side has had the Ascendent ever since Anno 1741, to the almost utter Ruin of the Country.

Our late bad Oeconomy is very notorious; for In|stance, Anno 1725, Castle William in Boston Harbour was victualled at 7 s. per Man, per Week; Anno 1748, Vic|tualling was 38 s. per Week, because of Depreciations. By Expeditions, we lost many of our labouring young Men; this made Labour so dear, that in Produce or Ma|nufacture any Country can undersell us at a Market.

For many Years, in the Land Service, the Allowance

of Provisions to each Man was; Garrison Allowance 1 l. Bread per Day, half Pint Pease per Day, 2 l. Pork for three Days, 1 Gallon Molasses for 42 Days; March|ing Allowances per Day, 1 l. Bread, 1 l. Pork, 1 Gill Rum. A Centinel or private Soldier's Pay per Month was Anno 1742, 30 s. Old Tenor, Anno 1744, at the breaking out of the French and Indian War, it was ad|vanced to 5 £. Anno 1747, 6 £. 5 s. Anno 1748, 8 £.: A Captain's Wages were double, and the other Officers in Proportion.

The Encouragement for Privateers commissioned by the Governor, was 10 £. Old Tenor per Head, for each Enemy killed or taken Prisoner; and Captures made by the Provincial armed Vessels were to be distributed, to the Captain 2 Eighths, to the Lieutenant and Master 1 Eighth, to the Warrant Officers 1 Eighth, to the Petty Officers 1 Eighth, to the common Sailors 3 Eighths; aboard the Provincial Privateers, the victualling Allow|ance was to each Man per Week, Bread 7 l. Beer 7 Gal|lons, Beef 3 l. Pork 4 l. Pease 1 Quart, Indian Corn 1 Pint.

The Captains are to make up their Muster Rolls, and the Commissaries their Accounts before the Men are paid off.

The Alacrity of the New-England Militia may be ob|served, by the Alarm from d' Anville's Brest French Squadron, End of September 1746; in a very short time 6400 Men from the Country well armed, appeared in Boston Common, some of them (v. g. from Brookfield) tra|velled 70 Miles in two Days, each with a Pack (in which was Provision for 14 Days) of about a Bushel Corn Weight: Connecticut was to have sent us 6000 Men, being one half of their training List; these Men were paid by the Province for their Travel and Attendance.

This Section concerning the Province of Massachusetts-Bay, is swelled so much, that some Heads in common to all New-England, shall be deferred to the following New-England Section, and at present only mention

Timber of many Sorts. Many Kinds of Pine Trees, whereof the principal are the White Pine a beautiful Tree of the best Use for Masting, and Joi••ers Work; and the Pitch Pine the Mother of Turpentine, Tar, Pitch, Oil of Turpentine and Rozin. Various Kinds of Oaks, the Principal for Ship-Building and other Constructions, are the White Oak the best, the Swamp Oak, and the Black Oak.

* 1.194 Grain of various Sorts, scarce any of them are Na|tives or spontaneous. Indian Corn is the Principal, Rye thrives tolerably, as do likewise Phaseoli or Kidney Beans of several Sorts, called Indian or French Beans; all the Varieties of English Grain are sown, but do not grow kindly. Apples are very natural to the Soil and Climate, Flax grows well, and lately the People from the North of Ireland have improved the Fabrick of Linnen, and all other Spinning-Work. The Soil seems not strong enough for Hemp, many Trials have been made.

Fishery, see P. 294; Whaling, I mean Fish-Oil and Whale-Bone have at present * 1.195 failed us much, and our Cod-Fishing; Fishing Scooners are not half so many as a few Years since; Anno 1748 only 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••ishing Scooners at Marblehead

Cape-Anne

20

Salem

8

Ipswich

6

Those Scooners of about 50 Tun, fish in deep Water (the deeper the Water, the larger and firmer are the Cod)

seven Hands to each Scooner, Communibus Annis, they make 600 Quintals per Scooner; generally five Fares a Year, two Fares are to the Banks of th•• Island of Sable, the other three Fares are to Banquero, and to the other Banks along the Cape-Sable Shore. The merchantable dry Cod are carried to the Markets of Spain, Portugal, and Italy; the Refuse Cod are shipt off for the West-India Islands to feed the Negro Slaves. Concerning the small Fish, see P. 303. A Sturgeon-Fishery in the se|veral Branches of Sagad•••••••• some Years since was en|couraged by a Society of ••••shmongers in London, but from the Mismanagement of the Undertakers, especially as to proper Vinegar, it turned to no Account, and was neglected ever since Mr. Dummer's Indian War.

Our Provincial Stores in the Truck-Houses for Indian Trade has always been very small; Anno 1746 when the Indian Trade ceased because of the War; the Com|missary for that Trade, reported that he was accountable to the Province for a Ballance 13,324l. 6s. 4d. Old Tenor, in his Hands. In New-England, Beaver, other Furs, and Deer Skins, are become so inconsiderable, they are scarce to be reckoned an Article in our Trade, see P. 176.

To give a general View of the Navigation of Massa|chusetts-Bay, we may observe, that in this Province are two Collections or Custom-Houses, Boston and Salem. At Boston Custom-House, from their Quarterly Accounts, Christmas 1747 to Christmas 1748, foreign Vessels clear|ed out 540 entred in 430; about 10 Years ago nearly the same Number: From the Quarterly Accounts of Boston District Naval-Office, on foreign Voyages Mi|chaelm••s 1747 to Michaelmas 1748, cleared out 491 Vessels, viz.

Ships

51

Snows

44

Brigs

54

Sloops

249

Scooners

93

 

491

Exclusive of Fishing and Coasting Vessels of the Pro|vinces and Colonies of Massachusetts-Bay, New-Hamp|shire,

Connecticut and Rhode-Island. This Custom-House returns Communibus Annis, 200 £. Sterl. for Greenwich Hospital.

Salem Collection includes the Ports of Salem, Marble|head, Cape-Anne, Ipswich, and Newbury. N. B. By a Mistake P. 456, Newbury was said to be a Branch of the Collection of New-Hampshire. From the Custom House quarterly Accounts of Salem, from Michaelmas 1747 to Michaelmas 1748, cleared out Vessels upon foreign Voyages 131, entred in 96; viz.

Cleared Out, Ships

4

Snows

12

Brigs

21

Sloops

31

Scooners

63

 

131

Entred In, Ships

1

Snows

11

Brigs

11

Sloops

18

Scooners

55

 

96

In which were shipt off to Europe 32,000 Quintals of dry Cod-Fish, to West-India Islands 3070 Hogsheads (at 6 to 7 Quintals Refuse Cod-Fish per Hogshead) for Ne|gro Provision. New-England ships off no pickled Cod-Fish.

Mr. Blanchandin in Anno 1721 of the Custom-House District of Salem, says, That in the Course of several Years preceeding, Communibus Annis, he cleared out about 80 Vessels upon foreign Voyages per An.

Ship-Building is one of the greatest Articles of our Trade and Manufacture; it imploys and maintains above 30 several Denominations of Tradesmen and Artificers; but as in all other Articles, so in this more particularly for a few late Years this Country has the Symptoms of a galloping (a vulgar Expression) Consumption, not so desperate but by the Administration of a skilful Physician, it may recover an Athletick State of Health; sublata causa tollitur effectus. I shall illustrate the gradual Decay of Ship-Building, by the Ship-Building in Boston, meaning Top-sail Vessels.

Anno 1738	on the Stocks	41	Vessels of 6324 Tun••
1743		30
1746		20
1749		15	2450

As to the Decay of our Cod-Fishery, I shall only men|tion that Anno 1716 upon my first Arrival in New-Eng|land, by the Books of the two Custom-House Districts of Massachusetts-Bay were exported 120,384 Quintals, Anno 1748 exported about 53000 Quintals.

Rum is a considerable Article in our Manufactures. It is distilled from Molasses imported from the West India Islands; it has killed more Indians than the Wars and their Sicknesses, it does not spare white People, especially when made into Flip, which is Rum mixed with a foul small Beer, and the coursest of Muscovado Sugars; it is vented to all our Continent Colonies to greatAdvantage.

Hatts manufactured and exported to all our Colonies, is a considerable Article.

Iron is a considerable Article in our Manufactures; it consists of these general Branches. 1. * 1.196 Smelting Fur|naces, reducing the Ore into Pigs; having Coal enough and Appearances of Rock Ore, in Attleborough were e|rected at a great Charge three Furnaces; but the Ore proving bad and scarce, this Projection miscarried as to Pigs: They were of Use in casting of small Cannon for Ships of Letters of Marque, and in casting Cannon-Balls and Bombs toward the Reduction of Louisbourg. 2. Refineries, which manufacture Pigs imported from New-York, Pennsylvania and Maryland Furnaces, into Bar Iron. 3. Bloomeries, which from * 1.197 Bog or Swamp Ore, without any Furnace, only by a Forge Hearth, reduce it

into a Bloom or semiliquidated Lump to be beat into Bars, but much inferior to those from the Pigs or Refi|neries. 4. Swamp * 1.198 Ore Furnaces, from that Ore smelted, they cast hollow Ware, which we can afford cheaper than from England or Holland.

Oil of Turpentine distilled from the New-England Tur|pentine, which yields the most and best Oil; and from Carolina Turpentine; as also Rosin or its Residuum, we defer to a Digression concerning Naval Stores in the New-Hampshire Section.

Miscellanies. The Light-House at the Entrance of Boston Harbour was erected Anno 1715, cost 2385 £. 17s. 8d. Currency. Light-House Money was 1d. in, and 1 d. out, per Tun. Anno 1742 it was enacted at 2 d. Old Tenor in, and as much out per Tun, in foreign Voyages. Coasters from Canso in Nova-Scotia to North-Carolina 4 s. per Voyage.

In Castle William of the Harbour of Boston are 104 Cannon besides Mortars; whereof 20 Cannon of 42 lb. Ball, and 2 Mortars of 13 Inches Shell arrived Anno 1744, with all Stores excepting Gun-Powder, at the Charge of the Ordnance.

1711 Octob. 2. In Boston the Provincial Court-House, and senior Congregational Meeting-House, with many other good Houses were burnt down; 1747 Dec. 9. the Provincial Court-House was burnt, most of the Records in the Secretary's Office were consumed; the County Records of Land Conveyances were saved.

There is a publick Grainery in Boston, for supplying poor Families with small Parcels of Grain and Meal, at 10 per Cent Advance, for Charg••s and Waste; this Grai|nery is sufficient for 10 to 12,000 Bushels Grain at a Time.

In New-England the People are generally Congregation|alists. Many of the Congregational Churches have laid aside publick Relations of their converting Experiences, which formerly was required previous to the Admission of their Infant Progeny to Baptism, and of themselves to the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper; giving Satisfaction to the Minister, of their Faith and good Life is deemed sufficient. In Massachusetts Bay are 250 Congregational Churches, in Connecticut about 120, in New-Hampshire about 30; in Rhode-Island only 6 or 7, being generally Anabaptists, Quakers, and of some other Sectaries.

The several religious Societies in the Town of Boston, Anno 1749, are Three Churches of England, One North of Ireland Presbyterians, 9 Congregationalists, One French Hugonots, who by Length of Time have incorporated into the several English Congregations, and at present are no separate Body, and have lately sold their Church-Build|ing to a Congregation of Mr. Whitefield's Disciples; Two Anabaptists, viz. One Original, and one Separatist, One Quaker Meeting very small, Whitefield's Separatist, and a Separatist of Separatists.

The Ability and Numbers in the several religious So|cieties in Boston, may be gathered from a Sunday's Con|tribution for Charity to the Poor of the Town much dis|tressed by Want of Fire-Wood in the hard Winter Feb. 1740, 1, viz.

		l.	s.	d.		l.	s.	d.
Dr. Cutler	Church of Engl.	72	14	2	Mr. Welsteed	58	0	0
Mr. Price	134	10	0	Mr. Hooper	143	0	0
Mr. Davenport	133	3	3	Mr. Foxcroft	95	0	0
					FrenchChurch	14	11	3
Dr. Colman		164	10	0	Anabaptist	14	2	0
Dr. Sewall		105	0	0	Irish Meeting	27	5	0
Mr. Webb		105	0	0	Mr. Checkley	72	12	0
Mr. Gee		71	10	5	Mr. Byles	40	2	0

Harvard-College * 1.199 in Massachusetts-Bay.

Anno 1636, Winthrop Governor, Dudley Deputy-Go|vernor, and Bellingham Treasurer; the General Assembly granted 400 £. towards a Collegiate School, but after|wards called a College; this was not then applied, it re|ceived the Addition of 779 l. 17 s. 2 d. a Donation be|queathed 1638 by Mr. Harvard, Minister of Charlestown, the Name of the College perpetuates his Memory; it is situated in a healthful Soil (not above one per Ct. of the Scholars die per Annum) formerly a District of Newtown, and constituted a Township by the Name of Cambridge. 1640 The Income of the Ferry between Boston and Char|lestown was granted to the College: it is now Let at 600 £. New-England Currency, or 60 £. Sterl. per An|num, this Ferry is about three Miles from Cambridge.

Anno 1642, The General Assembly appointed Over|seers of this College, viz. The Governor, Deputy••Go|vernor, the Council called Magistrates, and the ordained Ministers of the six adjoining Towns of Cambridge, Wa|tertown, Charlestown, Boston, Roxbury, and Dorchester.

Their Charter bears Date, May 31. 1650; the Cor|poration to consist of a President, five Fellows, and a Treasurer or Burser, to elect for Vacancies, and to make By-Laws; the Overseers have a Negative.

The College-Building consists of a Court built on three Sides, the Front being open to the Fields; the Building on the first Side was by a Contribution, 1672, through the whole Colony of 1895 l. 2 s. 9 d. whereof from Bos|ton

about 800 £. it was called by the former Name Har|vard College; the Building on the Bottom Side was e|rected Anno 1699, at the Charge of Lieut.-Governor Stoughton, and is called Stoughton-College, consisting of 16 Chambers, Garret Chambers included; the third Side was built Anno 1720 at the Charge of the Province, and is called Massachusetts Hall, consisting of 32 Chambers. Besides this Court there is a ••ouse for the President at some Distance from the Court, and at a small Distance behind the Harvard Side of the Court is a neat Chapel the Gift of Mrs. Holden of London, Widow of Mr. Holden a late Director of the Bank of England.

The Resident Instructors of Youth, are a President or Supervisor, four Tutors or Philosophy Professors, the Hollisian Professor of Divinity, the Hollisian Professor of natural and experimental Philosophy, and a Professor of Hebrew. The Income or Revenue of the College is * 1.200 not sufficient to defray its Charge. Some of that Body have an additional Province Allowance; the ingenious and reverend Mr. Holyoke President, besides the Rents of the Building called Massachusetts Hall, was voted 1748 out of the Province Treasury 1400 £. Old Tenor; the Rev. Edward Wigglesworth, D. D. Hollisian Professor of Divinity, besides the 80 £. New England Currency the Hollis Donation, lately to prevent Depreciations, the Bonds at Interest, which are a Fund for these Hollis Sa|laries, are reduced to Specialties, and thereby become more in the present nominal Currency; he has Anno 1748 an additional Allowance of 300 £. Old Tenor. The Hollisian Professor of natural and experimental Phi|losophy, is upon the same Foo••ing and Salary with the Hollisian Professor of Divinity; though this Branch is the most useful of all Sciences; the present Incumbent,

the ingenious and industrious (Observations and expe|rimental Trials are Industry) Mr. Winthrop has no addi|tional Provincial Allowance or Encouragement. The Professor of the Hebrew Language is Iudah Mo••is, for|merly a Jew, and publickly christianized, or baptized, in the College-Hall, May 27. 1722: He has petitioned for a Provincial Allowance from Time to Time, but without Effect. The four Tutors commonly called Professors of Philosophy, have each from the Income of the College 300 to 400 £. Old Tenor per Annum, with some small Perquisites; there are about ten Hollisian poor Scho|lars at about 10 £. Old Tenor per Annum.

Several well-disposed Persons have from Time to Time forwarded the Affair of the College; besides the Grants from the Provincial General Court, and the Donations of Mr. Hollis and Hopkins.

This Seminary at first consisted of a Preceptor, two Ushers, and a Treasurer, Mr. Eaton was the first Pre|ceptor, he was a Man of Learning, too severe in his Dis|cipline; the General Assembly dismissed him, and Mr. Dunster * 1.201 was appointed President Anno 1640, being an Anabaptist (a Sect at that Time hated in New-England) he was advised to resign 1654. Mr. Chauncy, Minister of Scituate, formerly a Church of England Minister, suc|ceeded him, and died 1671, Aet. 82. He was succeeded by Hoar, a Doctor of Physick from the University of Cambridge in Old England; in his Time the Scholars * 1.202 deserted the College, and he resigned 1675. He was succeeded by Urian Oakes, a Man of good Accomplish|ments ••nd Minister of Cambridge, he died 1681. Was succeeded by Mr. Rogers of Ipswich, Physician, he died 1684. Was succeeded by Mr. Increase Mather, he was

President or Rector * 1.203 for about 20 Years; Mr. Mather, upon the Arrival of Governor Andros, went a Voluntier Agent to the Court of England, he left the College under the Direction of two Tutors Leverett and Brat••le; he came over to New-England 1692, in Company with the new Charter, and for his good Services at Home, had the Degree of a Doctor in Divinity conferred upon him, the first and sole Instance of a Doctor's Degree conferred in Harvard-Coll••ge: He was * 1.204 Teacher of a Congregation in Boston, his Acquaintance with Mr. Hollis in London, followed by the Sollicitations of Benjamin Colman, D. D. a Minister in Boston, procured the generous Hollisi••n Do|nations. Dr. Mather was succeeded by Mr. Willard a Minister in Boston. This was succeeded by Mr. Leverett a Judge in the Superior Court, and afterwards a worthy and most deserving President of this College, his Salary from the Province was 150 £. per Annum, he died 1724. Was succeeded by Mr. Wadsworth a Minister of Boston, his too easy Discipline was faulted, he died 1737, and the Presidentship continued vacant some Time. The present President is the learned and ingenious Mr. Ho|lyoke, a Minister from Marblehead.

Protestants of any Denomination may have their Chil|dren educated and graduated here. At Admission, the Scholars subscribe the College Laws: The Manner of this College, is, after 4 Year's Residence, they are ad|mitted to a Batchelor's Degree in these Words. Admitto te ad primum Gradum in Artibus, pro More Academiarum in Anglia: After three Years more (Residence not re|quired) they are admitted to the Degree of Master of Arts, in these Words, Admitto te ad secundum Gradum in Artibus, pro More Academiarum in Anglia. They gene|rally

become Ministers; the Proverbial Saying amongst some Strangers, that all the Men of Note in New-Eng|land have been Preachers, is not just. The publick Act of Commencement is on the first Wednesday of Iuly an|nually; they began to confer Academical Degrees Anno 1642, that Year nine Scholars commenced Batchelors; the greatest Commencement was Anno 1725 of forty-five Batchelors, in the Administration of Mr. Dummer; the College lately is upon the Decline, as are the servile Arts and Sciences, Anno 1746 only 12 Students commenced Batchelors.

Besides Provincial Grants and the Legacy of Mr. Harvard already mentioned, there have been many liberal Contributions towards the Revenue of the College, its Edifices, Library, experimental Philosophy Instruments, &c. which the Nature of a Summary does not require to be minutely related; I shall only mention the Dona|tions of Hopkins, and Hollis and Holden; Samuel Sewall, Iohn Leverett, Thomas Fitch, and Daniel Oliver, Esqrs; a Committee of the Trustees appointed in his Majesty's Court of Chancery, to purchase Houses or Lands to per|petuate the Charity of Edward Hopkins, Esq purchased Province Lands now called Hopkinton Township of 22,-500 Acres, including a few peculiar Farms formerly granted. At a Meeting April 19. 1716; these Trustees agreed, that 12,500 Acres of the Lands should be laid out in Lots and leased at 3 d. New-England Currency per An. Quitrent per Acre for 99 Years, the Leases to commence March 25. 1723, and upon the Expiration of 99 Years, the Leases to be renewed from Time to Time, so as never to exceed 9 d. per Acre, and the Trustees to save the Termors or Tenants from paying any Provin|cial Tax, for three Quarters of their Lands; but by con|tinued Depreciations of that pernicious Paper-Currency of New-England, the Value of these Lands was in a pro|gressive sinking to the great Damage of the College, to check this the General Assembly ascertained those Rents to a Sterling Value; 1741, by Act of Assembly the

Quitrents were converted into 1 d. Sterl. per Acre per Ann. until Anno 1823, and 3 d. Sterl. after, the Termors paying all the Provincial Taxes of these Lands; and to enable these Tenants to pay those Province Taxes, the common Lands (being about 8000 Acres) to be divided amongst them clear of any Quitrent.

Mr. Thomas Hollis of London Merchant, made a Do|nation of about 300 £. per An. New-England Currency, as Encouragement for a Professor of Divinity, for a Pro|fessor of natural and experimental Philosophy, and Ex|hibitions for the Education of poor Scholars, with some Allowance to the College-Treasurer for managing this Charity; Anno 1721 he had the Thanks of the General Assembly, for his Donations. He made an Addition of many valuable Books to the Library, gave an Apparatus for philosophical Experiments to the Value of 115 £. St. he sent Hebrew and Greek Types, he was a Benefactor to the Housatonick Indians.

Samuel Holden, Esq late Director of the Bank of Eng|land, bestowed Charities in New-England to the Value of 4,847 £. New-England Currency. His Widow and Daughters built a Chapel in Harvard-College, with other Benefactions to the Value of 5,585 £. New-England Currency.

Some Account of the Wars, or rather of the Incursions and Depredations of the Canada French and their Indians, against the Governments or People of New-England and Nova-Scotia, from the Revolution, Anno 1688 to Anno 1749.

As no Writer of Observation and Leisure, has hither|to given us a distinct Account of these Affairs; we of|fer this short History, referring the Reader to some pre|vious Accounts mentioned in this Summary. See P. 160. We shall begin with some general Observations.

The Indians in their Transactions and Conferences, run much into Similitudes and Allegories.* 1.205

* 1.206The general Characters of our Indians, are to decline open Engagements; Bush fighting, or skulking is their Discipline; they are brave when engaged; great Forti|tude in enduring Tortures and Death; Love of Liberty; Affection to their Relations, implacably revengeful;* 1.207 inhumanely cruel; in all their Festivals and other Dances, they relate what Successes they have had, and what Da|mages they have received in their late Wars.

Every Nation or Tribe is an absolute Republick or strict Democracy; their chief Families have a kind of Succes|sion as to Property, but in no other Respects; wise Con|duct, Courage, and personal Strength, are the chief Re|commendations for War Captains, &c. * 1.208

When the Indians break out, they seldom make any Onset ••n large Bodies; but after a general Rendezvous, they divide into small skulking Parties; the whole Art of War amongst the Indians, is the managing of small Parties, and like carnivorous Beasts of the Forrest (the French with good Propriety term them Les hommes des Bois) commit Rapines and most cruel Murders without Regard to Age or Sex.* 1.209

* 1.210 As formerly amongst the Israelites, so it is at pre|sent

with our Indians,* 1.211 he is a mighty Prince or Sagamore who leads 100 or 200 fighting Men. The Indians rec|kon it a bloody Battle where they lose 10 or 12 Men. Formerly their Instruments of War were Arrows and Darts, at present our neighbouring Indians use Fire-Arms, that is Muskets and Fuzils, a Hatchet, and long sharp-pointed Knives. * 1.212 Lately in Winter, in War Times, they do not travel, lest the English Scouts should trace them. All the Incursions and Rapines of the Indians are concerted, encouraged, and conducted by our perfidious Neighbours the French of Canada.* 1.213

The most successful Manner of managing a War a|gainst the Canada French and their Indians, is by scouting* 1.214

and ranging Parties further than our Frontiers; thus they are kept at a Distance from our Settlements, they are in|timidated, and subjected to the Inconveniencies of Sick|ness, Hunger-starved, and Cold-starved by continued ha|rassing.

This last French and Indian War, we have practised, the cantoning of our Frontier Forces in many small Par|cels, and very little Scouting: But luckily the Indians were much reduced by former Wars, and by their Intem|perance in the Use of Rum; and of the small Remain|der some were called off by the Canada French to Crown-Point, and some to Nova Scotia: The only considerable Appearance of the French and Indians upon our Frontiers tiers this War, was in Summer 1746, Iune 19, a large Party appeared against No. 4,* 1.215 upon Connecticut River, Capt. Stevens with 50 Men (doubtless private Property conduced to animate them) made a gallant and successful Defence against a large Party of the Enemy. August 19 a Party of the Enemy commanded by M. Riga••d de V••udre••ïl, appeared before Fort Massachusetts, the Garri|son surrendred Prisoners to be relieved the first Oppor|tunity; the Enemy plundered the Fort and burnt it; this Fort was by the Assembly designed and allowed to be the best supplied with Forces and Stores, because it flanks our Frontier, being in its N. W. Corner, and the

nearest to Crown-Point French Fort; in Massachusetts Fort were only 3 Women, 5 Children, 22 Men, whereof only eight were in Health, a Serjeant was the command|ing Officer, they were short of Ammunition, had only remaining three or four Pounds of Powder and as much Lead. The Design of a Barrier against the Canada French and Indians, perhaps would have better been answered by four strong Places well fitted, viz. One on Quenebec Ri|ver, a little above Richmond Fort, another high up Na|wichawanock or Salmon Falls River, a Third at the * 1.216 Crotch or Fork of Merrimack River, and the Fourth at No. 4, on Connecticut River; these Forts to serve as Places of Arms for Rendezvous, and as Magazines for Provisions and other Stores; 200 effective Men to be allowed to each of them (may be reinforced upon Occasion) not * 1.217 impressed Men, excepting for occasional Reinforcements, but Voluntiers in good Pay, with generous Scalp and Captive Premiums; one half of the Men alternately to be abroad in the Wilderness at a considerable advanced Distance from the Barrier, ranging and scouting; the other half to remain in Garrison. In this Situation of|fensive and defensive, no skulking Parties would venture to attempt our Settlements, and our Out-Plantations or Farms would uninterruptedly continue under Cultivation for the general Good of the Province, as well as for the private Interest of the Proprietors.

Besides the ordinary Forts of Georges, Pemaquid, Rich|mond, Saco, and Fort Dummer; there were additional new Forts or Block-Houses in the Western Parts, Fort Massachusetts, Pelham, Shirley, Colerain, Fall Town, Dins|dale, Northfield, Deerfield, Road Town, New Salem, Win|chester, Lower Ashuelot, Upper Ashuelot, No. 4, Pequioag, Nashawog, Naraganset No. 2, Browns, Leominster, Lunen|burg,

Townshend, Groton, New Ipswich, Salem, Canada, Souhegan West, New-Hopkinton, Great Meadows, Conta|cook, Rumford, Suncook; in the Eastern Parts were Phi|lips-Town, Berwick, Kittery, York, Wells, Arundel, Biddi|ford, Scarborough, Falmouth, Sacarippee, Naraganset No. 7 or Gorham's, New Marbleh••ad, North Yarmouth, Topsom, Wishcasset or Unksechuset, Rices of Charlemont, George-Town or Arrowsick, Wiscasset, Sheepscot, Damarascotti, and East Georges; being in all 56, generally insufficient Cantonments; whereof 15 are in another Province.

In the inland Frontiers many of the Out-Farm Houses have Jets in their Corners, with loop Holes for small Arms, and may be called Cazernes.

For the several Tribes of the New-England or Abnoqui Indians. * 1.218 In the late Wars with the English, by Cold and Hunger, by Sickness, and by immoderate Use of Spirits, these Indians decrease fast. It is true, that in the late Wars with the Indians, we lost more People than the Indians lost, because we had more People to lose, and because the Indians know better where to find us, than we know where to find them.

The Variety of Ensigns or Signatures of the Indians of North-America, are the Tortoise, Bear and Wolf.

We have given some Account * 1.219 of the New-Eng|land Indian Wars or Incursions down to the Revolution, and from thence we now proceed. King William's Re|volution in England was November 1688, in New-Eng|land the Revolution happened in April 1689; from that Time to Anno 1749 in Space of Sixty Years we have had 4 Indian Wars.

1. In the Administration of Governor Phipps and Lieutenant-Governor Stoughton from 1688 to Ianuary 7. 1698, 9.

2. Under Governor Dudley from August 10. 1703 to July 17. 1713.

3. Under Lieut.-Governor Dummer from July 25, 1722 to Dec. 15. 1725.

4. Under Governor Shirley from November 1744 to 1749.

We shall take no Notice of the Spanish War, which was proclaimed in London, Oct. 1739, and in Boston of New England April 1740, because it did not in the least affect our inland Frontier, nor our Sea-Coast; the Expe|dition against the Spanish West India Settlements com|monly called the Cuba Expedition, ordered from Home, was a very great Disadvantage to our young Colonies of North America; the American Regiment, divided into four Battalions, consisting of about 3600 Men, whereof scarce any returned, depopulated our Plantations very much; of the 500 Men sent from Massachusetts-Bay, not exceeding 50 returned. The New-England Men composed the third Battalion, excepting the two Rhode-Island Companies that were incorporated into the first Battalion in Place of two North-Carolina Companies in|corporated in the third Battalion. The several Colonies were at the Charge of Levy-Money, of Provisions, and of Transports for their respective Quotas; they were paid off or dismissed Oct. 24. 1742, and allowed to keep their Cloathing and Firelocks) The 500 Men from Massachusetts-Bay for the Cuba Expedition cost us about 37,500 £. Old Tenor, which at that Time was equal to 7000 £. St.

1. Phipps and Stoughton's Indian War. Anno 1688 •• general War began to be hatched in Europe; and the Eastern Abnaquie Indians by Instigation of the Canada French, upon Pretence of the English encroaching upon their Lands and cheating them in Trade, became uneasy, and began an open Rupture by Depredations at North-Yarmouth and Sheepscot, when Governor Andros was in his other Government of New-York; Captives were made on both Sides; Andros upon his Return from New-York returned the Indian Prisoners, without receiving

from the Indians the English which they had captivated. In the Spring 1689 at Quochecho in New Hampshire, •• large Party of Indians killed Major Waldron and about 20 People more, they carried away about as many Cap|tives; the preceding Winter Governor Andros with 1000 Men marched to the Eastern Parts and built small Forts at Pemaquid, Sheepscot and Pejepscot. Nov. 1689 our Army went into Winter-Quarters, and left Garrisons in Wells, York, Berwick, and Quochecho.

Anno 1690 Massachusetts-Bay sent 160 Men to Albany in New York Government for their Protection against the Canada French and Indians.

Anno 1692 Sir William Phipps with 450 Men marches to the Eastward, and built a good Fort at Pemaquid East of Quenebec River; in August 1696 at Pemaquid the French landed a few Men to join the Indians, Capt. Chub who had succeeded Capt. Church in the Command of the Fort with 95 Men double armed, basely surrendred, the French demolished the Fort; in this Fort were fourteen Cannon mounted, whereof six were eighteen Pounders.

Anno 1693 Iune 12, arrived at Boston, Sir Francis Wheeler's Squadron, fitted out to distress the French Co|lonie•• in America, he made some vain Attempts upon Martinico and Guadaloupe. Pursuant to Instructions Sir Francis proposes to the Governor and Council, the at|tempting of Quebec in Canada, to sail by the beginning of Iuly with a Recruit of 4000 Men, and four Months Provisions; this could not be complied with upon so short Notice, the Squadron imported a malignant, ill-conditioned Fever, which destroyed many of our People, and sailed from Boston August 3, attempted Placentia of Newfoundland in vain; arrived in England October 13, with Hands scarce sufficient to bring the Ships Home. How inhumanly do Sovereignties play away their Men!

The Canada French not capa••le to supply the Indians, with Provisions and Ammunition, occasioned a Submis|sion of the Penobscot, Quenebec, Amarescogin, and Saco Indians, by a Treaty at Pemaquid August 12. 1693; the

Articles were, 1. To ab••ndon the French Interest. 2. To deliver all Captives. 3. A free Trade. In some short Time Canada received from France considerable Supplie•• and the Canada French perswaded the Indians to break out again Iuly 18. 1694, by killing and captivating many of our People upon the Frontiers; and afterwards many Scuffles of no Consequence.

Anno 1697 A Squadron from France wa•• designed to make a Descent upon New-England, but were dispersed in a Storm.

Soon after the French Peace of Reswick 1697, our Eastern Indians submitted Ian. 7. 1698, 9.

2. Dudley's Indian War. About seven Weeks afte•• an insiduous Congress at Casco, with the Pen••bscot, N••|ridgwoag, Amerasconti, Pigwocket and Pen••cook Indians, August 10. 1703, M. Bobassier with about 500 Fr••nch and Indians in several Divisions, by Surprize invaded a Frontier of about 40 Miles Extent from Casco to Wells and York, and made a most barbarous Havock (a French Missionary Massacre) sparing neither Age nor Sex; about 200 Men, Women and Children were murdered. (The Assembly voted 40 £. Premium for each Indian Scalp or Captive; in the former War the Premium was 12 £.) This Massacre was soon after the Congress with the In|dian Delegates in Iune 20. 1703, the Indians then mad•• great Professions of Friendship, they received our Pre|sents, Trading-Places and Price•• of Commodities were agreed upon. All this War, the Five Nation•• called New York Indians stand neuter, and by this Stratagem the Dutch of New York by Means of these Indians car|ried on an advantageous Trade with th•• French of Canada.

Anno 1703, 4, Feb. 29, the French ••nd Indians about 250, commanded by M. Arteïl made a most barbarous inhumane Incursion upon Deerfield; they killed about 60 Persons, captivated about 100 with Mr. Williams their Minister, of the Captives they killed at Times about 21, when unfit for Travel.

Anno 1704 Iune. Caleb Ly••an at Cowassuck on Con|necticut River with 1 Englishman and 5 Mohegan Indi|ans killed 8 Enemy Indians out of 9; our Assembly gave them a Reward of 31 £. Major Church with 550 Voluntiers visits Penobscot, Mount Desert, Pesamaquady and Minas of Nova Scotia, but made no Attempt upon Port-Royal; he brought away many Prisoners. M. Bo••|c••re with 2 Missionaries, and 700 French and Indians de|signed an Incursion upon New-England, but from Differ|ences amongst themselves they dispersed, some of them consorted and did Damage at Lancaster, Groton, Amesbury, Haverhill, Exeter, Oyster River, Dover, &c. In the Winter Col. Hilton with 270 Men visit•• Noridgwoag, but found no Indian••. In the Winter Seasons the Indians do not so much Damage as formerly, the English having got into the Use of Raquettes or Snow Shoes. A French Privateer Shallop was cast away upon Plymouth Shore; a Store-Ship for Canada was taken by an English Virginia Fleet. The French from Placentia do Damage 1704 and 1705 in several English Harbour•• in Newfoundland,* 1.220 Capt. Crapoa in a French Privateer, carries 8 of our fish|ing Vessels to Port-Royal of Nova Scotia.

Anno 1706. The Indians do Damage at Oyster-River in April. In Iuly 270 French and Indians made Incur|sions at Dunstable, Amesbury, Kingston, Chelmsford, Exeter, Groton, Reading, and Sudbury. Capt. Rous with a Flag of Truce was sent to Port-Royal of Nova-Scotia to nego|tiate Prisoners; his Management was faulted.* 1.221 Mr. Shelden was sent to Canada twice to redeem Captives. Col. Hilton with 220 Men ranges the Eastern Frontiers, and killed many Indians. About this Time the Premi|ums for Indian Scalps and Captives were advanced by Act of Assembly, viz. per Piece to impressed Men 10 £. to Voluntiers in Pay 20 £. to Voluntiers serving without Pay 50 £. with the Benefit of the Captives and Plunder.

Anno 1707, 8 March 13, from Boston sailed Col. Church

with two New-England Regiments upon an Expedition against Port-Royal, Subercasse Governor, he returned re infecta.* 1.222

Anno 1708 in the Spring a Body of 800 French and Indians was formed, with Design to invade the inland Frontiers of New-England, but differing amongst them|selve•• they separated, 150 of them concerted and made an Incursion upon Haverhill, killed the Minister Mr. Rolf and many others. Col. Hilton with 170 Men vi|sits Amarasconti and Pigwocket.

Anno 1709 In April and Iune, Deerfield was harrassed by 180 French and Indians commanded by M. Revel, Son in Law to M. Arteil. Col. Nicholson and Capt. Vetch at the Court of Great-Britain propose a Conquest of Canada by Sea and Land-Forces; * 1.223 this in Appearance or Sem|blance was encouraged by the Court, and Instructions were sent to the several Provinces to furnish certain Quo|tas, to be cloathed, armed, and paid at a British Charge, but by political Management at Court, after a considera|ble Expence, this was dropt, and an Expedition against Port-Royal of Nova-Scotia was directed for the following Year.* 1.224

Anno 1711, near Exeter the Indians kill several Peo|ple, Col. Hilton and others were killed, and some capti|vated: In Chelmsford Major Tyng and some others were killed; and Westward, some were killed at Marlborough, Brookfield, Simsbury, and Waterbury. In Winter Col. Walton ranges the Clambank Shores Eastward. The a|bortive Scheme for reducing Quebec and Placentia, con|sequently all Canada and Newfoundland, by an Expedi|tion under General Hill and Admiral Walker.* 1.225 In April the Indians do Damage Eastward. We lost 20 fishing Vessels on the Cape-Sable Shore by the Negligence of our Guarda la Costas. Capt. Carver takes a French Privateer from Placentia of 45 Men. Upon the Frontiers of Vir|ginia,

the French and their Indians murder many Inha|bitants.

Upon Advice of a Suspension of Arms between Great-Britain and France in Europe, the Indians applied for an Accommodation by Submission; accordingly at Ports|mouth of New-Hampshire, July 11, 1713, the Indian De|legates had a Congress with the Commissioners of the New England Colonies; the Basis of the Submission was the Treaty at Penobscot, August 11. 1693. And that any Difference between a Briton and Indian, shall be is|sued in a British Court of Judicature; these Indians were called of the Rivers of St. Iohns, Penobs••ot, Quenebec, Amerescogin, Saco, and Merimack; Mauxis was their Chief.

3. Governor Shute and Lieut.-Governor Dummer's In|dian War.* 1.226 The Canada Missionaries 1717 perswaded the Indians, with Threatnings to claim some Lands set|tled by the English, this was compromised at Arrowsick in August. Anno 1719 The Indians were moved by the Canada French to renew the same Claims, but a small Scout of 60 Men, kept them in Awe. Anno 1720 The Indians were advised by the French to be more insolent, by killing of Cattle, and threatning the Lives of the In|habitants; Col. Walton with 200 Men brought them to Submission, and received four Indian Hostages for their future good Behaviour. The Canada French continuing uneasy because of our enlarged Settlements, Anno 1721 M. Croizer from Canada, M. St. Casteen from Penobscot, Rolle and De la chasse French Missionaries with about 300 Indians, make a general Appearance at Arrowsick an Island of Sagadahock, threatning that if the English did not re|move from the claimed Indian Lands in three Weeks, they would kill the People, burn the Houses, and de|stroy their Cattle; accordingly at Merry-meeting Bay of Quenebec River Iune 13. 1722, the Indians made a be|ginning and captivated Love, Hamilton, Hansard, Trescot

and Edgar. July 5. 1722 in Boston these Indians were proclaimed Enemies and Rebels. Capt. Herman with a Scout killed several Indians upon Quenebec River. A Body of Indians at Arrowsick kill some People, burnt 60 Dwelling-Houses, and destroyed 50 Head of Cattle; they in vain attempted Richmond Fort upon Quenebec River, and St. Georges Fort near Penobscot; they seized an English Sloop at Pesamaquady, * 1.227 in vain attempted Annapolis of Nova-Scotia, they surprized 16 of our fish|ing Vessels near Cans••.* 1.228 Lovel with his scouting Party of Voluntiers was of great Service, but at last unfortu|nate. The great Havock of Indians by a large scouting Party made at Noridgwoag.* 1.229 At Noridgwoag a scouting Party some Time before this, seized some Letters from the Governor General of Canada to Missionary Ralle, ex|horting all the French Missionaries, notwithstanding of the profound Peace between Great-Britain and France, to incite the Indians to act vigorously against the English. The Indians at Times did some small Damages upon our Frontiers; they invested Fort St. George near Penobscot, 30 Days without Success.

Anno 1723 August 21 arrived in Boston 63 Indians of the Six New York Nations, with a sham Proposal of Al|liance against our Eastern Indians; their real Project wa•• only to receive Present••; they returned Home without stipulating any Succours.

Anno 1723 Nov. 17 arrived in Boston a Message from the General of Canada, by Capt. Le Ronde Denie, and Lieut. de Ramsay de Troupes Marines. 1725 in Ianuary Col. Thaxter and Dudley from Massachusetts-Bay, and Mr. Atkinson from New-Hampshire set out with a Mes|sage to expostulate with the French Government of Ca|nada, concerning their inciting and assisting of our re|bellious Indians.

The Indians much harrassed by our frequent Scouts to Penobscot, Noridgwoag, White Hills, &c. and by our

Rangers visiting their Carrying-Places, Clam-Bank••, Fish|ing, Fowling, and Hunting Grounds; submitted to our own Term••, * 1.230 Boston, Dec. 25. 1725; which was after|wards ratified at Casc••, Aug. 5. 1726. By this Indian War these Indians were so much reduced, that in the late French and Indian War from 1744 to 1749 we suffered very little upon our Frontiers. All the Supplies from 1720 to 1725 inclusive, did not exceed 242,000 £. where|of 10,000 £. Old Tenor per An. defrayed the ordinar•• Charges of Government, a notoriou•• Instance of Hon|esty, Frugality and good Management. The Forces were allowed per Week, 10 s. Pay, and 6 s. Provisions.

4. Governor Shirley's French and Indian War. The War against France was proclaimed in Boston, June 2. 1744; and to guard against the French and Indian In|cursions, 500 Men were impressed; whereof 300 for the Eastern Frontier, viz. 50 from each of the Militia Re|giment•• of Pepperrell, G••rrish, Berry, Plaisted, Saltonstall ••nd Phipps; and 200 Men for the Western Frontier, viz. 50 from each of the Regiments of Chandler, Ward, Willard, and Stoddard; 25 Men from each Regiment of Wendell at Boston, and G••uge, for reinforcing of the ordi|nary standing Garrisons, viz. Ge••rges Fort to 40 Men, Pem••quid to 24, Richmond to 25, Brunswick to 12, Sato to 20 Men; no Detachments were made from the Mi|liti•• of the Old Colony of Plymouth. 96 Barrels Gun-Powder were sent to the several Townships, to be sold to the Inhabitants, at prime Cost including Charges.

In Summer 1744, upon the breaking out of the French War, the President Col. Mascarene, and Council of Nova Scotia, represent the weak State of the Garrison of An|napolis, and ill Condition of its Fortifications; the As|sembly of the Province of Massachusetts-Bay, generously sent them a Reinforcement of 200 Men in four Compa|nies, allowing 25 £. Levy-Money per Man (the Men to

find their own Arms) and 3 Months Provision, their Pa•• and further Victualling was from Great-Britain; they continued about 18 Months in Pay, and were of good Service against M. Lutre and Duvivier's Attempts upon Annapolis.* 1.231

The Cape Sable and St. Iohns Indians of Nova-Scotia, having in Summer under M. Lutre made an Attempt upon Annapolis, they were proclaimed Rebels and Ene|mies at Boston, November 1744, from three Miles East of Pasamaquady River; and 400 £. Old Tenor granted a Premium for each scalpt or captivated Indian. When it was found that the Penobscot and Noridgwoag Indians had joined them, the Declaration of War was extended to these August 23. 1745; these Indians having burnt a Fort at St. Georges, some Houses, and killed many Cattle.

This War so far as it relates to Nova-Scotia, has a••|ready been mentioned. * 1.232 1. M. Lutre with 300 Cap••-Sable and St. Iohns Indians, did attemp•• the Fort of An|napolis in June 1744. 2. Duvivier with the s••me In|dians and some regular Troops from Louisbourg, in all a|bout 800 Men, in September invested and summoned the Fort, and after 3 Weeks retired to Min••s. 3. M. M••ri•• from Canada with about 900 French and Indians i•• May 1745 made a short Appear••nce before the Fort, and r••|tired to Minas, thence to proceed towards the Relief of Louisbourg; they were intercept••d. 4. M. de Ramsay with about 1600 Men French and Indians from Canada arrives at Minas in Summe•• 1746, designed to join Duke d' Anville's Armament at C••ebuct••▪ towards the End of September he came before Annapolis, but made no As|sault; being advised of the Return of the French Fleet for Fr••nce, he retired to Minas and Chica••ict••, and from thence next Summer to join a French Fleet and Land Forces towards 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Annapolis; in the Winter 1746, 7 about 500 to 600 of d•• Rams••y's Men from

Chica••ict••, surprized the New-England Forces cantoned at Minas and did much Havock.* 1.233 The French return to Chicanict•• waiting the Arrival of la Ionquiere's Squadron from France, but upon Advice of this Fleet being de|stroyed in Europe, de Ramsay returns to Canada, and Nova Scotia suffered no further Disturbance.

Those 500 Men of the Canada Levies, were the second Reinforcement sent by Massachusetts-Bay to Nova-Scotia, they were about 12 Months in Pay, and the Remains of them returned to Boston in Autumn 1747.

Octob. 31. 1747 all the Canada Levies were dismissed, and next Day November 1. about 270 of them in six Companies listed as a third Reinforcement for NovaScotia, they were allowed British Pay, and a full Cloathing, but soon wore out; they were ordered Home in the Severity of Winter 1748, 9 and in Rags, but by kind Providence they generally arrived safe, and were dismissed February 24. 1748, 9.

For the three Canada Expeditions that have been pro|jected, but not effected since the Revolution, see P. 309, &c. The Canada Levies of 1746 were under the Di|rection of Sir Peter Warren and Mr. Shirley, with an In|struction to employ them occasionally, as in Discretion they might think proper; accordingly late in the Year when the River of St. Lawrence was become impractica|ble, they cantoned 900 of them, Part of theCrown-Point Destination (2000 under Waldo and Dwight were the whole) along the Frontiers in double Pay, National and Provincial, and 500 were sent to Nova Scotia. In Au|tumn 1747 Knowles and Shirley by Instructions from Home had the Direction of Nova Scotia.

For the Affair of Cape-Breton a miraculously successful Expedition,* 1.234 our Colony People love Frolicks, they con|tinued in Pay about 18 Months.

For the North-America Sea Campaigns of 1744, 1745, 1746 and 1747,* 1.235 to these we may add, that in the Winter

1748, 9 all the Station Ships of North-America were call|ed off, to form a Squadron against St. Iago de Cuba, but in vain; the French and Spanish Privateers improved this Opportunity of a naked Coast, took many of our Vessels, impune they sailed up Delaware River to within a few Miles of Philadelphia, and many Leagues up Che|sapeak Bay of Virginia, and up Cape-Fear River of North-Carolina.

Towards the Crown-Point Expedition 1746, we sent by Water to Albany four Months Provisions for 1500 Men with Tents, a 13 Inch Mortar, and — Barrels Gun-Powder; the Sicknesses at Albany, and the Alarm from d' Anville's Squadron luckily put a Check.

In the Summer 1748, notwithstanding of a Cessation of Arms in Europe being notified, some associated Ban|ditti Indians in the French Influence, did Damage at Saratogo at Fort Massachusetts, in our Eastern Country; and at St. Iohns River of Nova-Scotia, they killed some Men belonging to the Anson and Warren of the Ordnance.

There are several miscellany Affairs belonging to this Article, to be related in a short loose Manner; which may serve as common Place for future Historians.

The Six Indian Nations of New-York, by the Dutch Trading Influence, did amongst themselves resolve to stand neuter, the Oneides and Cayuges, French Priest-rid, refused a Meeting of Delegates desired by Governor Clinton. In August and September 1746▪ Massachusetts-Bay sent Commissioners to confer with these Indians at Albany; and 1748 Massachusetts sent their Governor and other Commissioners there to concert War Affairs when the War was over.

1746, The French and their Indians from Crown-Point commit many barbarous Murders and Depredations at Saratogo near Albany. 1747 The Militia Garrison of Sa|ratogo, carry off the Ordnance and Stores, and burn the Fort, without Orders from the Governor or Government, as it is said.

In the Spring 1744 arrived in Boston▪ the King's Gift

to Castle William of 20 Cannon of 42 Pound Ball, and 2 Mortars of 13 Inches, with all Stores excepting Gun-Powder.

Anno 1744 The Provincial Assembly voted a Range of Forts to be built between C••nnecticut River and N••w-York Boundary Line, viz. F••ll fight, Col••rain, Shirley, Pel|ham, and Massachusetts.

In the Spring 1745 the Province Frigate Massachusetts was launched, the Fund was 6 d. per Tun each Voyage upon Vessels in foreign Voyages, and 6 d. per Tun per Annum on fishing and coasting Vessels of the Province.

For the Years 1745, 1746, and 1747 the Premium for Indian Scalps and Captives 1000 £. Old Tenor per Head to Voluntiers, and 400 £. to impressed Men, their Wages and Subsistance Money to be deducted.

1747 August arrives in Boston, 21 Days Passage from Quebec in Canada, a French Flag of Truce with 172 Pri|soners and Captives British; 70 of the British died in Quebec; their Allowance there per Day was 1 lb. and half Bread, half lb. Beef, 1 Gill of Pease, with Spruce Beer.

1747 We sent a Flag of Truce August 1. fro•• Boston with 63 French Prisoners delivered at l' Isle de Basque 35 Leagues below Quebec, and received 16 British Prisoners, returned to Boston October 3.

On our Eastern and Western Frontier, and in the inter|mediate Province of New-Hampshire, besides ordinary Gar|risons, there were Anno 1745, about 747 Men for Sum|mer; 1746, about 1270 Men for Summer, and 315 for Winter; 1747, about 1676 Men (the Canada 900 Le|vies included) for the Summer, and 509 for Winter; 1748 (including 200 Men from Connecticut) 1410 Men for Summer, and 524 for Winter, 50 from Connecticut included.

1749 Beginning of February the Peace which had been signed at Aix la Chapel••e the 7th of October 1748, was proclaimed in London, and in Boston May 10th following.

After the Conclusion of the Peace with France and

Spain; by Order of the General of Canada, a considerable Number of People, consisting of (as it is said) some re|gular Troops, Canadeans and Indians, made a short Ap|pearance near Bay Verte of Nova-Scotia, they pretended that their Business was to cut Fire-Wood for the expect|ed French Troops to garrison Louisbourg, but the real Design seems to have been, to keep up their Claim to some Part of Nova-Scotia, lest Great-Britain in after Times should claim Prescription from an uninterrupted Possession; some short Time after this the Governor-General of Canada by a formal Letter to the Government of Nova-Scotia, put in a French Claim to the Northern Parts of Nova-Scotia.* 1.236

Peace being now fully settled, the Court of Great-Britain seem to be in earnest (since the Peace of Utrecht neglected) in settling of Nova Scotia, as appears by the following Extract from the original P••••ce.

Whitehall, March 7. 1748, 9.

A Proposal having been presented unto his Majesty, for the establishing a Civil Government in the Pro|vince of Nova-Scotia ••n North-America, as also for the better peopling and settling the said Province, and ex|••ending ••nd imp••oving the Fishery thereof, by granting Lan••s within the sa••e, and giving other Encouragements to such of the Officers and private Men lately di••missed his Majesty's L••nd and S••a-Service, as shall be willing to settle in the ••aid Provi••••e: And his Majesty ••aving signified his Royal Approbation of the Purport of the said Proposals, the Right Hon. the Lords Commissioners

for Tr••de and Plant••tions do, by his Majesty'•• Comman••, give Notice, that proper Encouragement will be given to such of the Officers and private Men l••tely dismissed his Majesty's Land and Sea Service, and to A••tific••rs neces|sary in Building or Husbandry, as are willing to accep•• of Grants of Land, and to settle with or without Fami|lies in the Province of Nova-Scotia.

To the Settl••rs qualified as above, 1. will be granted Passage and Subsistance during their Pass••ge, as also for the Space of twelve Months after their Arrival. 2. Arm•• and Ammunition, as far as will be judged necessary for their Defence, with proper Utensils for Husband••y, Fishery, erecting Habitations, and other necessary Pur|poses. 3. A civil Government to be established wi••h all the Privileges of his Majesty's other Colonies or Go|vernments in America, and proper Measures will be taken for their Security and Protection.

The Lands granted shall be in Fee simple, free from the Payment of any Quitrents, or Taxes, for the Term of ten Years; at the Expiration whereof no Person to pay more than one Shilling Sterling per Annum, for every fifty Acres so granted; the Lands are to be granted with the following Qualifications and Proportio••••.

50 Acres to every private Soldier or Seaman, and 10 Acres over and above to every Person (including Wo|men and Children) of which his Family shall consist, and further Grants to be made to them, as their Families shall increase.

80 Acres to every Offic••r under the Rank of an En|sign in the Land Service, ••nd that of a Lieutenant in the Sea Service, and 15 Acr•••• to every Person belonging to the Family.

200 Acres to every Ensign, 300 to a Lieutenant, 400 to a Captain, 600 to any Officer above the Rank of a Captain in the Land Service; in the Sea Service, 400 Acres to a Lieutenant, 600 Acres to a Captain; 30 Acres to every Person belonging to such Families. Re|puted

Surgeons, whether they h••ve been in hi•• Majesty'•• Service, or not, shall be in the Capacity of Ensigns.

All Persons desirous to eng••ge are to enter their Names in the Month of April 1749, at the Trade and Plantati|ons Office, or with the Commissioners of the Navy re|siding at Portsmouth and Plymouth.

Omitted in the Article of Cape-Breton.

The French People transported from Louisbourg to France (including the Vigilant's Men) preceding July 17, 1745, were 4130, whereof 1822 via Boston, and 76 via New-Hampshire. The French, while in Boston, were al|lowed in Old Tenor per Week, viz. An Inhabitant from Cape-Breton 20 s. a Sailor 15 s. Captain of the Vigilant 5 l. Second Captain 3 l. each Officer 40 s.

N. B. This Volume begins Ianuary 1746, 7, and ends May 1749.

End of the First Volume.

Notes

• * 1.1

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 R••petitions or Reca••itulatio•••• are sometimes used t•• r••nd•••• 〈…〉〈…〉 distin•••• and 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.2

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 Page 110.
• * 1.3

  Anno 1732 The South-Sea Company had 14 Ships in East Green|land, and 7 Ships in West-Greenland or Davis Straits, and got 24 and a half Whales; this Fishery did not answer the Charges of fitting out, and it is dropt, notwithstanding of the Encouragement given by Act of Parliament, Anno 1724. That any of his Majesties Subjects may import Whale Fins, Oil and Blubber of Whales, taken and caught in Greenland Seas in British Ships navigated according to Law, without paying any Custom, Subsidy, or other Duties for the same.
• * 1.4

  Mr. D—••s of Ireland was the Projector of Midleton's N. W. Discovery Voyage; because it did not succeed, he charges Midleton with Neglect, Misconduct, and Suspicion of Corruption; he says, Midleton was brib'd by the Company, not to make any Discovery, or to conceal, or to falsify a N. W. Discovery; Midleton told Mr. D—bs by Letter I••n. 21. Anno 1737, the Company judged it their Interest, rather to prevent, than to forward a N. W. Discovery in that Part of the World; and that they offer'd him 5000 £. to act and report in their Favour; some of Midleton's Officers made Affidavits concerning his bad Conduct; upon the Design of the Admiralties fitting out Capt. Midl••ton for a N. W. Discovery, the Governor and Council of the Huds••n's Bay Company wrote to the Governor at Prince of Wal••s Fort upon Ch••••chill River, to refuse them Refreshment, but afterwards upon further Consideration, they revoked this Order, and allowed the Go|vernor to supply Capt. Midleton if in Distress. Notwithstanding of this Disappointment Mr. D—bs procured an Act of Parliament for 20,000 £. Publick Reward for a Discovery, and accordingly the Dobbs Galley and California sailed from England in May 1746.

  Mr. D—bs runs much into the Novel, he seems to be a wild Pro|jector and notoriously credulous. He gives particular Accounts of large Countries and Islands in the Pacifick Ocean, especially from S. Lat. 9 d. to N. Lat. 15 d, very rich and populous, abounding in Nutmegs, Mace, Ginger, Pepper, Cinnamon, Silk and Ebony; the Natives with red|dish Complexions, grey Eyes, high Noses, Beards and Hair curled: In the N. W. Parts of America were Vessels or Ships with Prows (Heads or Lions we call them) of Gold and Silver: W.S.W. the Indians come to a Sea, where were great Vessels, and M••n with Caps an Beards gathering of Gold: About a Century since, A. 1640 Bartho|lomew de Fontes Vice-Roy of Mexico and Peru, hearing that the English were endeavouring a N. W. Passage, he sail'd to the River of Los Reys in 53 d. N. Lat. upon the W. Side of America; and detached Capt. Bernardi who sail'd to 77 d. N. Lat. (here he found it as warm as 10 d. less N. Lat. upon the E. Side of the American Continent) upon this Coast he met with Capt. Shapley from New-England (this is an unaccountable Stretch to prove a N. W. Passage) there is no Record nor Tradition of this in New-England in my Knowledge. Mr. D—bs is as particular in giv|ing Accounts of distant not frequented Countries, as if he were describ|ing Great-Britain or France; and proposes, that Great-Britain shall settle an Extent of Countries, more than all Europe could effect.

  Mr. D—bs from the Stories of the French Fathers, and of the Cou|reurs des Bois, relates strange Things. From Lt. Ieromie (doubtless a Native of Gascony) he relates, that in the District of Hudson's-Bay, are to be seen 10,000 Rain Deer in a Herd, and large Mines of Virgin-Copper.

  The French were, at this Rate, most egregious Fools to give up so easily by the Treaty of Utrecht Anno 1713 two such valuable Articles of Deer-Skins and Copper▪ Northward is a Strait with floating Ice, probably a Passage to the Western Ocean or South-Seas, the N. Wind rising the Tide 10 Feet above the ordinary Tides▪ At the Peace of Utrecht, in Quebec were 4000 to 5000 Troops in Garrison: On the West Main are the Copper Mines, on the East Main are the Lead Mines: He gives large Lists of Names of imaginary Tribes of Indi••ns▪ their Lakes and Rivers; whereas the several Islands, Head-Lands, Bays, Rivers, &c, do not retain their Indian Names, as in some of our Colonies, but are called by the Names of the several Adventurers or Discoverers; Mr. D—••s names and describes all these Things minute|ly and with the same Ease, as if they were the best known, most po|lite, and well-regulated Countries upon Earth.
• * 1.5

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 Name has never been used, it is called Hud••••n's 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Colony.
• * 1.6

  These are not designed as strict stiffly connected Historical Ac|counts, but as loose occasional Observations, in some Manner, red••••••d under general Heads, therefore although we have already made a Di••|gression concerning Variations, this may be admitted.
• * 1.7

  The Cod-Fishery, profitable, and sufficient to supply many and large Markets; is peculiar to Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, and New-England: A Monopoly of this Fishery in these Seas, to be called a Mare Clausum, would be a vast Advantage to the Trade and Navigati|on of Great-Britain, if it could be obtained at the ensuing Congress for a general Peace amongst the States in Europe: it is true, the French and Spaniards have a considerable Claim to some Interest in the New|foundland Cod-Fishery, because the Guipiscoers of Spain, and the Bayon|ners of France were contemporary, if not more early in that Fishery than England. By the Treaty of Utrecht, the Guipiscocans and the other Subjects of Spain, were allowed their claimed Privilege of fishing at the Island of Newfoundland: by the same Treaty the French were allowed to fish, and cure their Fish on that Part of Newfoundland from Cape Bonavista, N. Lat. 49 d. 30 m. to the Northermost Part of the Island in N. Lat. 51 d. 30 m; and from thence running down by the Western Side to Point-Riche in N. Lat. 50 d. 30. m; by the Cod-Fish being more plenty, and by falling in nearer the Shore, the Cod-Fishery of the North Part of the Island, seems to be more profitable than upon the Southern Harbours of the Island; by this Concession before the War An. 1744 the French had the better of us in the Cod-Fishery Trade.—King Charles I. bubled by the French, gave them a Liberty of fishing and curing Fish in Newfoundland, upon the silly Pretext of supplying an English Convent in France with Fish.

  This Cod-Fishery is not only a considerable Addition to the Trade and Wealth of Great-Britain; but by the many Men employed in catching and curing of the Cod-Fish, is a good Nursery for our Navy and other Navigation (the Plantation Trade, the Fishery of Newfound|land, the Coal Trade of Newcastle, and the Watermen upon the River of Thames, are the great Nurseries or Seminaries of our Navi|gation) if the Fr••••ch could by Treaty be excluded from this Fishery, it would contract their Navigation Seminary very much. Can••da does not incr••as•• their Navigation much, their Trade employs a very 〈◊〉〈◊〉 inconsider••ble Number of Ves••••l••: Their inla••d Fur and Ski•••• ••••|sin••ss is managed by a few Fr••n••h C••urcur•••• d••s Bois, and Indians ca••••ed Les 〈◊〉〈◊〉 des Bois: therefore Canada 〈◊〉〈◊〉 people 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.8

  The Estimates in a late Pamphlet, called, The Importance of Cape Breton considered, are too much at Random, and erroneou••.
• * 1.9

  No Sledding, no Wheel Carriages; their Fire Wood is carried some Miles upon Men's Should••rs.
• * 1.10

  Spruce Leaves and Bud•• decocted in Place of Hops, make an a|greeable Beer or Drink, and is esteemed good in the Scurvy.
• * 1.11

  Sh••tland Islands are the ultima Thule of the Ancients: In the Winter the Seas ar•• o••en, but harr••ssed with c••••tinued Storms, so as to have no Communication with the other Parts of the Earth. The Dut••h East-India Ships by a standing Order always return between the Orkn••y and Sh••tland Islands. In Sh••tland their Mother or indigenous Tongue or ••anguage is Norse or No••••egian, it w•••• originally a Dan•••••• Property, and upon King Iam•••• VI. of Sco••l••nd ma••rying a Daugh••••r of Dan••mark it was quit-claim'd to Scotland. The People of any con|derable Business the••e, speak English, No••s••, and Dutch.
• * 1.12

  By a Resolve of the Senate of Hamburg, no H••rring•• are deem'd t•• be in Maturity, ••it to be import••d to a Market until Mid••ummer. H••m••u••g is a principal Mart for 〈◊〉〈◊〉, it supplie•• the Nor••h East Parts of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 by the River 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and its Branches, as 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sup••plie•• P••lan•• by the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and its Branch••••.
• * 1.13

  Called by the ancient Geographers A••••uda or Hebrides, here are Plen••y of Cod and Long Fish: May consul of about 4••,000 Souls or 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.14

  〈1 paragraph〉〈1 paragraph〉
• * 1.15

  The Pilchard or Halecula is not found in these Parts; it is no where heard of, but upon the Coast of Devonshire and C••••nw••ll in England; Dartmout•• lies in the Center of the Pil••••••rd Fi••hery; they are caught from the beginning of August to the beginning of November; it i•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 than a 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.16

  At present Anno 1747 and 1748, the same Game is play'd, im••••ne, from Rhode Island, New Y••••k and Philadelphia; if this illicit Trade supplied the Enemy only with Superfluities and Extravagancies at a good Price, perhaps in Policy it might be co••••ived at; but to relieve their Necessities instead of distressing them (which the Proclamation of War in express Word require••) 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to be a D••g••••e of ••rea••on, or at least of high Mi••demeanor.
• * 1.17

  The Odium which I bear to this fallacious and designed ••heat of a Plantation Government publick Paper Currency, leads me to antici|pate a little upon the Article of Paper Currenci••s design'd fo•• the Ap|pendix; this Pindarick or loose Way of writing ought not to be con|fined to Lyri•••• Poetry, it seems to be more agreable by its Variety and Turns, than a rigid dry connected Account of Things: some perhaps of no Taste blame me for want of Method; and on the other lay a strict Observance of the Propriety of Words, they call Pedantry.

  I have obs••rved, that all our Paper Mon y making Assemblies have been Legislatures of Debtors, the Representatives of People who from Incogitancy, Idl••n••s••, and Profusen••ss, have been under a Necessity of mortgaging their Lands; Lands are a real permanent Estate, but the Debt in Paper C••rren••y by its Multiplication d••preciates more and more; thus their Land Estate in nominal Value incr••••s••s, and their Debt in nominal Value d••cre••s••s; and the large Quantities of Paper Credit is pr••|portionably in Favour of the Debtors, and to the Disadvantage of the Creditors or industrious frugal Part of the Colony: this is the wicked Mystery of this 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Paper Currency.

  A publick Credit Paper Curren••y, is a great Promoter of Expediti|ons. 1. These Bills to defray the Charge are soon expedited, but with a consequent distant but certain ruinous Effect. 2. This Afflu|ence of Paper Credit invites or encourages People to borrow and run in Debt, beyond what they ever can extricate. 3. Debtors when cal|led upon by their Creditors, from inlisting, by Acts of their Legislatures, are indulged or respited for some considerable Time; thus towards the C••pe-Br••t••n Expedition Anno 17••5, in less than two Months, in the Province of Massachusetts-Bay, out of 20,000 fencible Men capable to march, 3000 inlisted and were a dead Loss to the Province: 2000 mo••e, that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 two Regiments, were proposed by— to be added to the G••r••i•••••• of 〈◊〉〈◊〉, but can not be compleated▪ and two or 〈…〉〈…〉 more toward•• d••molis••ing of a French Out-Fort called 〈…〉〈…〉 we ca••••ot p••e••••nd to maintain, but abandon to be re-built by the French for one Tenth of the Charge which it may cost us in reducing it: (Quebec reduced by a Force from Great-Britain, will save us both Men and Money, and effectually bring all Canada into our Hands) Some evil Genius seems to preside or prevail at present, by the apparant Destruction of the Persons and Effects of this jaded Province of Massachusetts-Bay.

  When I happen upon this Subject, I cannot avoid being more sanguine (but in Truth) than some Paper-Money-Patriots may judge sea|sonable; that I may not preclude what is to be said in the Appendix, concerning Plantation Paper Currencies, I shall only instance the vast in|credible Damages that Personal Estates have suffered in New-England by Depreciation of Denominations from the multiplying of a nominal Paper Currency. Anno 1711, by Act of Assembly the Exchange of the Government Bills upon Account of the Sham Canada Expedition was fixed at 140 New-England for 100 Sterl. At present in the Spring Anno 1748, it is with Merchants 1000 New-England for 100 Sterling; perhaps from Male-Administration only.
• * 1.18

  Or rather to draw off some of our Troops from annoying the French in Flanders, and finally by miscarrying to contribute toward•• making the People of Great-Britain tir'd of the War with France.
• * 1.19

  Four of the principal Men of the five Indian Tribes or Nations, who lie between our Settlements and Canada, called The Four Kings, were sent over to England to perswade this Expedition.
• * 1.20

  Sir Hovender Walker wrote to Governour Dudl••y in Boston, "I concur with the Opinion of all the Sea and Land Officers here, that the Government of this Colony have prejudiced the present Expedition instead of assisting it."

  Admiral Walker having demanded a Supply of Sailors, the Gover|nour and Council represent, That the ordinary Guards for the Sea-Coast and Inland Forces, with these detached for the present Expediti|on, are upward•• of Two Thousand Men; which upon a strict Examina|tion into the Muster••Rolls, is more than one fifth of all the Persons within this Government capable of bearing Arms: therefore it was inconsistent with the Safety of this Her Majesty's Province to spare any more Men: there were 1160 effective Land Forces and 160 Sailors in our T••a••spo••••••▪
• * 1.21

  Whereof one was a New-England Victualler, whose Men were saved.
• * 1.22

  By an intercepted Letter from Casta Bella Governour of Placentia, to M. Pontchartrain French Secretary of State, it appears, that the French had not ••••ceeding 700 Men in that Garrison and Country, con|sequently must have proved an easy Conquest.

  When they m••••tered at Spanish River, the Number of Men aboard the Men of War and Transports were 7,643; although they had not exceeding 10 Weeks Provision, at short Allowance; in two or three Days Placentia might have been reduced, garrisoned, and the Fleet dispatched to Great-Britain without suffering for Want of Provisions; I cannot say such was the Fatality, but such was the Destination of the Affair by a wi••••ed Ministry.
• * 1.23

  Romantick Expeditions have been the Bane of our Northern Co|lonies, by incurring a Paper Publick Credit, made a Currency and le|gal Tender. The ill concerted, and worse executed, Expedition Anno 1690 against Canada, introduced this vicious Currency: The very, very very rash, but very very very fortunate Expedition against Cape-Breton or Louisbourg, I hope may terminate publick Paper Currency; the Da|mage to all industrious frugal People is flagrant; that is, Silver (by this Expedition from 30 s. per oz. was depreciated to 60 s. per oz. thus all good honest Men (real Estates, Specialties, the Salaries and Wages of our Legislatures excepted) lost one half of their Estates; and by Taxes to cancel this Debt, do lose in Course of Years, perhaps one Quarter more of their principal Estates; that is the Industrious and Frugal, from the Beginning of the Project of the Cape-Breton Expedition, in the Space of two Years have lost three Quarters of their Estates: if reimbursed from the Parliament of Great-Britain the Taxes being only one Quarter will be eased: Some say this is the natural Consequence from the indebted Members of the Legislature.
• * 1.24

  Vulgar Minds can not dive into Mysteries of State, no more than into Mysteries of Religion; that is, whether this not followed Canada Expedition was only a Feint, to make the French secure and guardless upon the Coast of Britany; that the Ships, Merchandize, and Stores at Port Lewis, Port L'Orient, &c. might fall an easy Prey: Or whether the allowing Duke d' Anville's Squadron with Land-Forces to sail early in the Sum|mer without Molestation in Europe and America; was, that Cape-Bre|ton might fall into the French Hands again, or that they might reduce Annapolis with N va S••••tia to be delivered up again to Britain at a Peace, a•• an Equivalent for Loiusbourg with C••pe-Breton Islands, if not retaken by the French; this may be imagined from the Delay of Les|t••••k and Lieut. General St. Clair's sailing, 'till too late in the Year, and afterwards by a Feint, converting the Expedition into a Descent upon the Coast of Britany, to abate the popular Clamour for their not proceeding against Canada; all this to prevent puzzling in a subsequent Congress for a Peace.
• * 1.25

  The three Companies from Rhode-Island were shipwreck'd near Martha's Vineyard, the two Companies of New Hampshire went to Sea, but for some trifling Reason put back, and never proceeded; the Want of these five Companies was the Occasion of our Forces being overpowered by the Canadians at Minas with a considerable Slaughter, I use this Expression because many of them were not fairly kill'd in a military Manner.

  Here I cannot avoid mentioning the Impropriety of the Expression AUXILIARIES, which properly signifies foreign Troops in Aid; where|as the Troops sent from New-England for the Protection of Nova-Scotia, belong'd to the same Crown or Dominion, and perhaps may more properly be called Succours, or Re-Inforcements.
• * 1.26

  Formerly New-England was generally in Time of the French Wars annoyed from the North-Eastward: But this War our Annoy|ance is North-Westward, that is from Crown-Point: In former Wars there was a Neutrality between the New-York or Mohawk Indians, and the French Indians; so that a considerable Trade was easily car|ried on between Albany and Monreal, to the Advantage of the People of New-York and Disadvantage of Canada: The French erected this Fort, 1. To prevent this disadvantagious Intercourse of Trade. 2. To extend their Claims of Dominion and Soil. 3. The better to dis|turb our Settlements in Times of War; New York Governm••nt in former French Wars did not suffer, in this War they have suffered much.
• * 1.27

  At present it seems an Impropriety in the Officers of the Troops and Garrison of Annapolis, and in the neighbouring Governments of New-England, to call the French Inhabitants of Nova-Scotia, NEUTRALS, because, 1. These French Inhabitants with their Indians continued our Enemies, and in Fact did kill and captivate many British People, in Breach of this Neutrality. 2. By the Treaty of Utrecht, the whole Province of Nova Scotia or L' Accadi••, was absolutely ceded to Great-Britain. 3. The principal Men of the French Inhabitants have taken the Oaths of Allegiance to the Crown of Great Britain.
• * 1.28

  In some Christian Countries such Reprisals in cold Blood upon People not personally guilty, would have been deem'd barbarous and inhumane.
• * 1.29

  Here we may observe the Forwardness and Activity of the French Nation, upon the breaking out of a War, who thereby have a consi|derable Advantage over the Unpreparedness and Dilatoriness of their Enemies: from that national Nusance, Cape-Breton, an effectual French Place of Arms to distress the British North America Colonies, at once and before we had Notice from Home of a French War, there issued three Expeditions, viz. against Placentia, Canso, and Annapolis-Royal; Duquesnel (otherwise a good Officer) Governour of Cape-Breton, erred in being too forward; he had Instructions along with the Declaration of War, not to attempt any Expedition (this I learnt from M. la Marquis de la Maison fort, Commander of a French Man of War, the Vigilant of 64 Guns, taken by Commodore Warren and Captain Douglass) until further Orders from the French Court; per|haps, as Louisbourg was ill garrison'd, it was suspected that such Expe|ditions might Alarm the neighbouring populous British Colonies, and prompt them to the Reduction of Louisbourg, as it really happen'd with good Success.
• * 1.30

  Bay Vert is the Embarkadier from Canada to annoy Annapolis, and other Places in Nova Scotia; here are only four Miles Land-Carri|age to Chiconecto Bay, which falls into the great Bay of Fundi of Nova Scotia: Upon this Pass a Fort would be of good Service to prevent Canada Incursions, and to obviate the perverting of the French Inha|tants of L' Accadie from their Allegiance to the Crown of Great-Britain.
• * 1.31

  Whereof at present Anno 1748, 50 s. is equal to 20 s. St.; Old Tenor is only o••e Quarter of New Tenor.
• * 1.32

  If Du Vivier with his 900 Men, which reduced Canso, had di|rectly proceeded to Annapolis, and been joined by the Cape-Sab••e and St. Iohns Indians, he must infallibly, and with Ease have reduced Annapolis.
• * 1.33

  In the Spr••ng 1746, the French fitted a strong Armament at Brest to be commanded by Duke d' Anville Lieut.-General des Armees na|v••••••, to recover Louisbourg, and distress the British North-America; they did not ••ail from Roch••l•• until Iune 22, they escaped or were o|verlook'd by the British Admiral M••rtin's Squadron of Observation▪ the Court of Great-Britain had certain Information of their being sail'd, and o•• their Destination; but perhaps for certain Reasons of State, did not send after them, though we had at that Time an equal or better Armament ready to sail. This French Fleet after a tedious Passage, and having suffer'd in a Storm near the Island of Sable, did not arrive off of C••••bucto in Nova-Scotia until Sept. 10. The Armament con|sisted of 11 Line of Battle Ships, some Frigates, 2 Fire-Ships, Trans|ports, &c. having 3150 Land-Forces aboard. Duke d' Anville's In|struc••ions were▪ to proceed a••••inst Louisbourgh, and when taken to dis|mantle it, thence to proceed against Annapolis in Nova-Scotia, and when taken, to garrison it; thence he was to sail for Boston, and burn it; afterwards in ranging along he was to annoy and distress the Coast of North America, and finally to visit our West-India Sugar Islands.

  D' Anville detached 3 Capital Ships and a Frigate under the Com|mand of M. Con••••ans to convoy the Trade to Cape Francois in Hispa|niola, and to return and join the grand Squadron; these were the 4 French Men of War which near Iamaica fell in with a British Squa|dron commanded ••y Commodore Mitchel; but Mitchel, in Effect, re|fused taking of them. M. Con••••ans's Orders were, that for Advice, he was to cruise upon the Cape-Sable Shore between Cape Negroe and Cape Sambro for a limited Time, and then to sail directly for France, they received no Advice, and never joined D' Anville's Squadron▪ these were the Ships that spoke with some of our fishing Scooners, and ••ave a s••int Chace to the Him••inbrock Man of War Snow Sept. 15, they avoided giving any Alarm to our Louisbourg Squadron.

  This French Arm••••ent from their being long aboard before they sail'd, and from a ••••dious Passage were become very sickly (Duke D' Anville died and was buried at Ch••bucto) they put in to Chebucto Har|bour, landed and encamp'd to recruit their Health; in this Place, near one half of their People di••d of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 putrid Fevers and 〈…〉〈…〉 frequented them much, and this Camp 〈◊〉〈◊〉 becoming conatgious, the No••a Scotia Indians were reduced by 〈…〉〈…〉 supplied with fresh Provisions from our 〈…〉〈…〉 the French 〈…〉〈…〉 Squadron pa••d according to Instructi|ons, 〈…〉〈…〉, but for 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 furnished to the Canadians and their Indians from the Commencement of this War. Our Squadron at Cape-Breton under Admiral Townshend, did not visit the French Fleet when distressed.

  The Season of the Year being too far advanced, their Strength much impaired, the detached 4 Men of War not having joined them, and from Disappointments, and theOfficers in a Fret with one another; it was resolved in a Council of War to proceed against Annapolis-Royal of Nova-Scotia; they sail'd from Chebucto Oct. 13, after four Days they met with a Storm off of Cape Sables▪ and in a Council of War it was resolved to return directly for France. Two of the Squadron were in the Bay of F••ndi, Ships of 60 and 36 Guns, that of 36 Guns came into the Bason; our Ships, the Chester, Shirley, and Ordnance Frigate, well mann'd with Land-Force••, went in Chace of them, the Chester run aground; the French Ships after having put ashore, an Ex|press with Advice to de Rams••y, that the French Fleet were returned to France, escaped and continued their Voyage Home.

  This French Armament upon the Coast, for very good Reasons a|larm'd Boston; in a few Days with great Expedition, it was reinforced by 6400 Country inland Militia; the Militia of the Sea-Coast Coun|tries remain'd at Home for their own Defence, to prevent Depredati|ons: Upon Occasion Connecticut was to have sent us 6000 Men, be|ing about one half of their Militia.

  The French in Chebucto were 8 Ships of the Line; whereof the P••rfai•• was burnt, as incapable to proceed; upon the Coast of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Nottingham took the Mars, the Ex••ter drove the Ardent ashore and burnt her. This was the Fate of the great French Arm••da or Arma|ment against the British North American Colonies.

  The British Squadron, commanded at first by Admiral Warren, and afterwards by Admiral Lestock with Land-Forces under the Command of Lieut. General St. Clair which seem'd destined against Canada, and to observe the French Squadron in North-America; after many Delays on Account of contrary Winds and other Pretences, was converted to an Invasion upon the Coast of Britany: The Troops landed at Quim|p••rl••y Bay Sept. 20, and bombarded Port ••'Orient; Sept. 26, the Troops retreated and left 4 Pieces of Cannon, and a 10 Inch Mortar. Ammunition and Stores; some Marines and Sa••••ors were left behind▪ Oct. 1 embarked at Quimper••ey; afterwards some land at Quib••ron, and did a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Matter o•• Damage.
• * 1.34

  Anno 1747 in the Spring, the French Brest and Rochefort Fleets joined at Rochelle and sail'd from thence; they consisted of 38 Sail, viz. Seven Men of War from 74 to 44 Guns; of these the Invincible of 74 Guns, and a Frigate of 44 Guns (the only Man of War that es|caped being taken) were to convoy the six East-India Ships; the other 5 Men of War, with Transports and Merchantmen having Soldiers, Stores and Goods aboard, were design'd for Nova-Scotia and Canada. Admirals Anson and Warren with 13 Line of Battle Ships, 2 Frig••••es, and a Fire-Ship fell in with them May 3, in N. Lat. 43 d. 46 m. and frustrated two French Expeditions to North-America and to the East Indies; 6 of the Men of War were taken, all the six East-In|dia Company Ships▪ and many of the Transports; we had 4000 to 5000 French Pri••oners with their Commodore or Admiral M. de la Ionquiere chef d' Escodre, an old Man of 70 Aet.; all this was effected with a very inconsiderable Loss of Men; seven Companies of Framp|ton's Regiment were aboard (the other three Companies were in the Grand Ba••••ery of Louis••ourg in Cape-Breton) and behaved well. M. de St. George a Knight of Malta commanded that Part of the Fleet, which was 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••o the East-Indies.

  I shall but just 〈◊〉〈◊〉 (because not nearly related to our Subject) the Action of Admiral 〈◊〉〈◊〉, Oct. 14. 1••47 near Cape Fi••is••••••; with a Squadron of •••• Capital Ships, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 f••••l in with a French Fleet com|manded by 〈…〉〈…〉 d' ••••carde of eight large Line of Battle Ships and 〈…〉〈…〉 Men; four of the Men of War were destined to 〈…〉〈…〉 from 〈◊〉〈◊〉; only two of the 〈…〉〈…〉 ••••r••hant Men in Time of the Ac|tion 〈…〉〈…〉 pick'd up by our 〈…〉〈…〉.
• * 1.35

  Perhaps Governor Philips and Lieut.-Governor Armstrong for se|cret valuable Considerations; made to the French Inhabitants some Concessions, Indulgencies, or Connivances. When we recollect such mercenary Co••nivances of Governors; and while our French Inhabi|tants▪ retain a Language and Religion the same with France our na|tural Enemy▪ but entirely different from that of Great-Britain; th••y must naturally and unavoidably, upon any Misunderstanding betw••en the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and French, favour the French Interest: Therefore they must be removed by some subsequent Treaty, or be elbowed out, or their Language and Religion must gradually be changed.
• * 1.36

  The Regiments in Garrison at Louisbourg, may be convey'd to Nova Scotia, and canton'd amongst the French Settlements; after some short Time to be disbanded, with some Encouragement of Lands and other Things as Settlers: Thus we may by Degrees ELBOW the French out of their Language and Religion, and perhaps out of their Lands, as many of them dissatisfied with our Neighbourhood, will chuse to re|move Home to France, or retire to Canada; the Remainder will in Course continue in their Allegiance to the Crown of Great-Britain. Nova-Scotia has continuedly been in the Jurisdiction of Great-Britain, for about 40 Years, and from the bad Management of those concern|ed; in all that Time, not any Family Natives of Great-Britain or of British Extract, have been induced to settle there; there are a few Fa|milies in and belonging to the Garrison of Annapoli••.

  Notwithstanding of the Expediency in giving up and demolishing of Louisbourg, it may prove a puzzling Affair, 1. Because contrary to the prevailing popular Opinion. 2. As the French have made no Land-Conquests in any of the British Dominions, the F••••nch have no equi••alent Restitution to make for Cape Breto••, unless by Connivance of our Ministry, in neglecting the Defence of Annapolis and Nova-Sco|tia, we give it to the French, to be made Use of as an Equivalent; if thi•• could be supposed, the present Ministers will not heartily thank the bold N••w England••r••, for their g••eat Expence of Men and Money in ••he Reduction of L••u••sbourg, and Preservation of Annapolis, but reckon them officiously daring: Notwithstanding the Reprieve which these Expedi••ions give to Debtors, and by stretching our Paper Credit, de|preciate the nominal C••rrency in Favour of our landed Debts▪ per|haps a Majority of the ••••g —ture; we m•••• favourably con••••rue it as done, in Duty to their Country, and ••o the ••nter•••••• of all the Do|minions of Great-B••i••••in.
• * 1.37

  In a Message Nov. 5. 1747. f••om the House of Representatives o•• the Province of 〈…〉〈…〉 relating to the Pay of C••n••da ••orce••, to their Governor, i•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 represented, "Should such a further 〈…〉〈…〉 emitted, as is necess••••y for the Purpose mentioned in your Ex|cellency's Message, 〈…〉〈…〉 it mu•••• be followed by a great Im|pa••••▪ if not 〈…〉〈…〉 Credit, which has already been greatly wounded." 〈…〉〈…〉 of this iniquitous or base Money 〈…〉〈…〉 upon Mr. ••—ly, by the proper Money Branch 〈…〉〈…〉.
• * 1.38

  Vitis ldaea angulosa I. B. Vaccinia Nigra. Park, Black Whort•• or Bill-Berries.
• * 1.39

  Oxycoc••us sive vaccinia pulustris I. B. Moss-Berries, or Marsh Whortle-Berries; the French of Canada call it Canneberge▪ it is plenty all over the Northern Parts of North-America; and is a most exqui|sitely agreeable acid Sauce for all rost Meats, and for Pastry Tarts.
• * 1.40

  Gram••n Spicatum, secalinum, maritimum. maximum, Spica lo••••••o••e T. Spartium, Spiculum, pung••ns 〈◊〉〈◊〉 J. B. English or Dutch Sea Ma••we••d.
• * 1.41

  Perhaps our Agent or Agents at Home (who are in the Nature of A••tornies for the Province or Corporation) to ingratiate themselves with our Legisla••ure, have represen••ed the Affair wrong, which has in|duced th••m in Quality of a Colony Legislature, to count their Chic|kens before they are hatched▪ and in some Sense, to prescribe to the sovereign Legislature of Great-Britain, concerning the Disposition of this Money. There is a late Incident not in our Favour, Duke of Ne••cas••le conce••ned in all our Colony Expedi••ions is removed from being eldest Secretary, that is of the Southern Province, to which Ire|l••••d and the Plantations are annexed.
• * 1.42

  In this Reg••ment they have been much guilty of inlisting Roman Catholick••, because cheap and easily to be got.
• * 1.43

  This was the best A••vice Boat ••he F••••nch had, she was taken in a Voyage to Hi••p••niol••
• * 1.44

  Commanded by M. le Marquis de la Maison Forte, Son in Law to M. Chi••oneou first Physician to the French King. This Gentleman was too rash in firing; as he met with British Men of War, he should have made the best of his Way to Port▪ and only have put hi•• Men in a Posture to prevent Boarding, without firing▪ which stops the Ships Way, and have received the Fire of our Ships 〈…〉〈…〉 Notwithstanding of this Misconduct, the Marquis wa•• a Man o•• ••ood Sense and Observa|tion, he made this good Remark; that the French Of••icers of Louis|••ourg, in bad Policy, hindered the English from viewing at all Times the Strength of their Forts; because if the English had b••en well in|form••d of its Strength, the most sanguine, rash, wrongheaded Person, if not a natural Fool, could not have imagined such a Reduction with|out regular Troops, and without Artillery; our proper Cannon (the 10 Guns of 18 lb. Shot lent us from N••w-York excepted) were bad, old, and Honey comb, 4 of them split in firing. He further well ob|s••rved; that our allowing the French Officers Prisoners freely to view Bos••on and the Country of New-England, would effe••tually dis|courage and forbid any French Attempt to invade a Country so well peopled.

  Here we may observe, that the warlike Names of the French Men of War, sound more elegant, proper and bold, than the flat Appella|tions of the British Men of War by the Names of Counties, Towns▪ and Persons: For Instance, in the French Navy there are, le Terrible▪ l' Ard••n••, l•• Fougu••ux; le Mars, le Nep••un••, le Iason; le Vigilant, le Glori••, la R••n••••m••e, &c. In the English Navy our Names are flat, the Ken••, ••he D••v••nshire, the Cumberland; the London, the Edinburgh, the Ch••st••••; the Prince 〈◊〉〈◊〉, the Princ••ss Mary, the Wag••r, &c.
• * 1.45

  As to the Reduction of Crown-Point a French Fort, and lately a Place of Arms for the Annoyance of the British Settlements of New-York and the N. W. Frontiers of New-England. 1. Unless all Ca|nada were in Course to be reduced, which we cannot pretend to effect without an Armament from Great Britain; this when reduced, must ei|ther be demolished, but soon rebuilt again by the French, at one Tenth of our Charge in reducing it; or garrison'd strongly, at a great Charge because of its great Distance from us, and Vicinity or easy Water Communication with Canada. 2. It is not in the New-England Dis|trict, Jurisdiction, or Government, and consequently not under our Direction so as to make any Advantage of it in the Skin and Fur Trade. 3. If we were to act with the same sordid private Interest Views, as has formerly been practised by the Dut••h Settlement, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 at present English Government of New-York; for Instance, in the late Queen Anne's War with the French, these our Dut••h ••ubjects contrived a Neutrality between the New York or 5 Nation Indians and the French Indians, and thereby ingrossed the French and Indian Trade of those Parts, and the French of Canada with their Indians were all let loose to distress No•••• Scotia and the Eastern Settlements of New-England; at present it might ••e adviseable, tacitly to consent to the Continuance of C••••wn Point as a Rendezvous and Place of Arms for the French and their Indians; thus the Eastern Frontiers of New-England would be safe, formerly much harrassed by the Enemy Indians; this War they have not suf••ered much; our Western Frontier exposed to the Excursions from Crown Point are covered by New York and the late Addition to the ••overnment of New Hampshire when settled.
• * 1.46

  The Ladders sent with this Expedition were 10 Feet too short from ••ad Inte••ligence; but if sufficiently long, they were not prac|tic••ble.
• * 1.47

  In our Plantations some Capt▪ Generals, and Colonels even of re|g••••ar Troop••, are not to be supposed military Men.
• * 1.48

  Here we may observe, that by the Hercul••an Labour of our Mi|li•••••• (many of them were used to M••sting and Logging) whose great Atchievements were most remarkable in Quality of Pioneers or La|bourers; they drag'd these heavy Cannon upon Sledges over Morasses not practicable by Horses or Oxen: By good Providence, they had no Occasion to show their Conduct and Courage in repulsing of Sallies (May 8. there was a small insignificant Sally from the Town; it was said, that the mutinous discontented Garrison could not be trusted with|out the Works, for Fear of Desertion) or storming of the Works; some capricious Writers have called in Question the New-England Conduct, but not their Courage.
• * 1.49

  The New-England Armament for the Reduction of Louisbourg, and in Consequence towards the Acquisition of the Province of Cape-Breton Islands, or Islands in the Gulf of St. Laurence was as follows,

  Province of Massachusetts-Bay

  • Land Forces.
    • Regiments of Lieut.-Gen. Pepperrell
      • Brigadier-Gen. Wald••
      • Colonels Moulton
      • ...Hale
      • ...Willard
      • ...Richmond
    • Col Gorham, called of the Whale-Boats
    • Col. Dwight and Lieut. Col. Gridley of the Train of Artillery
    • Capt. Bernard's Independent Company of Carpenters or Artificers
  • Sea Forces

    Ship	Massachusetts Frigate Capt.	Tyng	20	Guns
    	Caesar	S••elling	20
    	Shirley-Galley	Rouse	20
    Snow	Prince of Orange	Smithurst	16
    Brig.	Boston Packet	Fletcher	16
    Sloops		Donahew	12
    		Saunders	8
    		Bosch	8
    Ship hired from Rhode Island	Griffin	20

  Colony of Connecticut.

  • Land Forces
    • 1 Reg. of 500 Men. Major General Wolcot.
  • By Sea

    Thompson

    16 Guns

    Colony Sloop

    16

  Province of New-Hampshire.

  • Land-Forces.
    • 1 Reg. of 350 Men. Col. More.
  • By Sea
    • Their Province Sloop

  Colony of Rhode-Island.

  • Land Forces None.
  • By Sea their Colony Sloop.

  The Colonies South of New-England furnished no Quotas of Land o•• Sea Force, they made some small Presents of Provisions: The Go|vernor of New-York lent 10 good Cannon of 18 lb. Shot, without these, and the French unexpectedly abandoning their G••and Battery, our Expedition must have been ineffectual; Gov. Shi••l••y says, "That without these Cannon, we could not have had the same Prospect of Success, and all other Preparations must have been frustrated.

  At the Desire of General Pepperrell and Commodore Warren, in June the Massachusetts-Bay sent a Reinforcement of 400 Men, and Connecticut sent 200 Men, they did not arrive until after the Siege was over. When the Town or Fort was in our Possession, the New-Eng|land Militia Garrison proving very sickly, they were recruited from Time to Time by the Colonies of New-England.

  The British Men of War that arrived from Time to Time before Louisbourg, intimidated the Garrison; they were,

  Commodore Warren's Squadron from the West India Sugar Islands, the Superbe of 60 Guns, Launceston and Mermaid 40 Guns each, they joined in the Adventure

  The Vigilant a French Ship of 64 Guns, designed to reinforce Lou|isbourg with Men and Stores, was taken by Warren's Squadron May 19, and added to the Squadron; she was afterwards mann'd mostly from New-England

  May 22.	The Princess Mary of	60	Guns from England, via Boston
  	The Hector of	40	as ditto
  Iune 10.	The Chester of	50	from England
  12.	The Canterbury of	60	called in from Newfoundland
  	Sunderland of	60
  	Lark of	40
  	Eltham of	40	called in from convoying the New England Mast Ships for ••••gland.

  These effectually covered the Siege by cruising, two small French Vessels only got in by a Fog; and when it was resolved by the Sea and Land Officers, to storm Town Iune 18. the depended upon Attack was by Sea, while our Land Forces by Way of Diversion made a Feint (but without any practicable Breach) to storm it ashore; at that Time we had British Men of War

  • One of 64 Guns
  • Four of 60 Guns
  • One of 50 Guns
  • Five of 40 Guns

  And upon Capitulation Commodore Warren's Boats took the first Pos|session of the Town, and his Marines mounted Guard for some Days.
• * 1.50

  In military Discipline there are sundry Articles besides the ma|nual Exercise of the Musket and the Evolutions; I shall mention upon this Occasion only two, 1. A due Subordination to superior Officers or Command, which the levelling Spirit of our Plantations does not well admit of. 2. A proper Care of their Men as to clean Dress, Wear, Eating, Drinking, Lodging, and a proper Regard to their Sick.
• * 1.51

  I shall further mention only a few Instances of Misconduct in the Managers of this Expedition, we cannot lay the Blame upon the Pro|vince in general, viz. 1. Hiring into the Government's Service, Capt. S••elling's Ship that had lately imported the Small Pox. 2. While the Country Levies were in Boston, in one Day March 5, the Small Pox appeared in three different Parts of the Town, no Care was taken to remove these Levies to some of the many convenient Islands in Boston Bay; miraculously by the Care of some Guardian Angel or Genius they escaped the Small Pox, which would have rendred the Expedi|tion abortive in Embrio. 3. Some Companies were fitted out with un|serviceable Bristol-Guinea-Arms (some of those Arms notoriously bad, were called in) instead of allowing a small Bounty to those Men, that would have carried their own good Arms. 4. Slops or Cloathing were no sent to our Troops sooner than October; during the Siege, that is, our being in the Field, was constant dry favourable Weather; next Day Iune 18 after we had Possession of the Town, the raining Season set in, which, for Want of our Men being cloathed and well lodged, would have broke up the Siege.

  By Way of Amusement, I may take Notice of some New-England Poems, upon this Occasion (not in Disparagement to the Country, here at present some true poetical Genius's begin to appear) I shall mention only two Instances; the first is by Mr. Niles in the lowest doggrel Rhime, in Imitation of Homer's Lists and Characters of the command|ing Officers at the Siege of Troy; the Instance is

  Waldo commissioned is a Colonel, And o'er Land Force Brigadier General.

  The other is by an anonymous Author in the highest Bombast,

  And that New-England Schemes the Old surpass As much as solid Gold does tinkling Brass And that a Pepperrell's and a Warren's Name May vie with Marlborough and a Blake for Fame.
• * 1.52

  A little before the Commencement of the present Spanish War, the French Royal Navy consisted of

  1	Ship of	90 Guns	7	Ships of	62 Guns
  9	of	74	6	of	60
  4	of	72	8	of	50
  4	of	64	8	of	40 to 46

  all these may be called Line of Battle Ships; but in the Progress of this present French War to this Writing, they are reduced to near half the Number.
• * 1.53

  When I write with Freedom, impartial, disinterested Readers, will excuse me in Quality of a disinterested Historian; I have no per|sonal Disregard or Malice, and do write of the present Times, as if these Things had been transacted 100 Years since.
• * 1.54

  Hungry or indigent Animals are voracious, and amongst Mankind this may proceed further, to a Crescit amor Nummi quantum ipsa pecunia crescit, which is in itself indefinite.
• * 1.55

  These Accounts were in sundry Articles,

  1. Account of the first Muster Rolls in the Expedition to Cape Bre|ton, as made up and paid by Order of the General Assembly of the Massachusetts Bay Province.

  2. Account of the several Sums paid by the Committee to the Offi|cers and Soldiers who continued in your Majesty's Garrison at Louis|bourg, until they were discharged by your Majesty's Order.

  3. Account of the Charge of Transport Vessels employed in your Majesty's Service, in the Expedition to Cape Breton, and for the Ser|vice of the Garrison at Louisbourg; exclusive of such as were laden with Stores by express Order from the General and Admiral.

  4. Account of the Charge of the Vessels of War in the Pay of the Massachusetts Province, in the Expedition to Cap•• Breton, and after Re|duction of the Place.

  5. Account of the Cost and Charge of transporting warlike and o|ther Stores, for the Service of your Majesty's Forts and Garrison at Louisbourg, by Order of Admiral Warr••n and General P••pperrell.

  With some contingent Charges.
• * 1.56

  Loosers are indulged to complain, and naturally do complain and are clamorous; is it possible for a Man in the Space of a Year or two, to be gradually rob'd of one half his personal Estate without com|plaining? The Complaint is seasonable, being at the opening of the new Assembly of the Province of Massachusetts Bay, the most conside|rable of all our Colonies.

  Some Men do not care who sinks if they swim; if our Estates are still more to be reduced by this cheating Game, so••e Persons will complain more loud; and perhaps some Anectdotes or private History of these Affairs, gathered from the unguarded Information of some blabbing Confidents, may require to be communicated to the Publick▪ to a Man aggrieved, there is some Pleasure or Satisfaction in venting himself by complaining, even where there is no Redress.

  From Time to Time, anticipating the Affair of Currencies referred to the Appendix, may be excused: this pernicious desolating Torrent becoming more and more violent, requires a more speedy Resistance.

  The Colony of Massachusetts Bay was the Leader of Paper Curren|cies in the British Plantations, and have now at Length carried this Fraud to the utmost (even beyond North Carolina Management) if car|ried further the Staple must break, and the Fraud of the wicked Pro|jectors (in all Affairs there are Limits which in the Nature of Things cannot be exceeded) cease.

  I shall enumerate some of the many Mischiefs attending the bad fraudulent Management of Paper Currencies. I. From an Equality with Sterling, afterwards with Proclamation Value, they have reduced the Value of our Currency to 10 for 1 8t. II. The Governor and Legislature keep up their Salaries and Wages to the Sterling Value, but seemingly allow all other Transactions to run into Confusion and ruinous Depreciations. III. The Depreciations might have in a great Measure been obviated, even when there were great Exigencies for present Money; thus after the first Emissions being 40,000 £. Anno 1690 and 1691 to pay off the publick Debts incurred by Phips's Ca|nada Expedition, when there was an Appearance of an ensuing De|preciation, if more were emitted; the Government did wisely borrow the Bills already emitted, from the Possessors, with good Effect, and these Bills did not depreciate: If, in the Cape Breton, and amusing late Canada Expeditions, we had done the same▪ it would have had the like good Effect with Respect to the Publick, but would not have answered the wickedIntentions and Occasions of thePromoters of these Bills, viz. 1. Of those who had acquired the Craft of negotiating (in troubled Waters good Fishing) these depreciating Bills to their own Advantage. 2. Of those who were to liberate their mortgaged E|states by defrauding their Creditors with a depreciated nominal Value, instead of the true contracted Value▪ well knowing that a multiplied Paper Credit, depreciates itself more and more. IV. By Act of As|sembly a publick Bill of Credit explicitly in its Face promising only •• oz. 13 d. 8 gr. Silver, shall be equal to a Bill promising 3 oz. Silver▪ that is, in common Arithmetick, 8 shall be equal to 9. V. In the same Kind of Impositions, used by L••wis XIV. of France, who by Recoinages from Time to Time miniorated his Money, at Length finding his People reduced to insensible Dupe••, he sav'd the Charge of recoining, and uttered the same Coin with only some little Mark or Stamp, at a further depreciated Value; in Iune 1744, to save the Charge of New Plates, we miniorated the Value of the Emissions of Nov. 1741, by a few Dashes upon the same Plate.

  Finally, some say, that as it is a Maxim in the civil Law, Qui Civem servare potest, et non servat, occidit; the proper Check negative in the Legislature, ought to bear all the Blame of these iniquitous Depreci|ations, and Absurdities which expose the Province.
• * 1.57

  Admiral Warren went Home, and has since done great Service, acquired much Glory, and a very great Fortune.
• * 1.58

  Commodore Knowles went to command a Squadron from Ia|maica, to reduce St. Iago de Cuba, a Nest of Spanish Privateers or ra|ther Pirates: His Conduct and Success was as formerly; no Benefit to the Publick, no Profit to himself; in sailing out, the Norths (as he writes) would not allow him, and in returning to Iamaica he visited St. Iago, but could not be reconciled to their Preparations for De|fence; as a By-blow, he surprized in March 1747, 8, the French Port Louis of Hispaniola, with the Loss of two good Captains Re••ton and Cust, and several other Men, and the fine Man of War Scooner Achilles, built by the ingenious Ship-Builder Mr. Hall••wel of Boston, in carry|ing Advice from Mr. Knowles to Iamaica, was taken by two Spanish Privateers. Admiral Knowles destroy'd and carried off some Iron Guns; it is said, that by Capitulation it was to be deem'd a free and neutral Port, and consequently proper to supply the French with Pro|vision and Ammunition from all Nations▪ this cannot be credited in the worst of Conduct.
• * 1.59

  Mankind are not only to be further informed, but ought also upon Occasion to be undeceived; for this Reason, and not as a sna••ling Criti••••, I have subjoined the following Annotation, concerning some of the most noted Writers of New-England Affairs; at present I shall ment••on only two or three of those that are generally read: and in the Sequel of this History, may animadvert occasionally upon some others. I find in general, that without using Judgment, they borrow from old credulous Writers, and relate Things obsolete for many Years past, as if in the present State of the Country.

  Dr. C••tton M••t••er's Map of New-England, New-York, Iersies and P••ns••lvania, is composed from some old rough Draughts of the first Discoverers, with obsolete Names not known at this Time, and has scarce any Resemblance of the Country; it may be called a very er|roneous antiquated Map.

  Capt. Cy••••ian Southack's Land-Map of the Eastern North America, is worse; it is as rude as if done by an Indian, or as if done in those Ages when Men first began to delineate Countries; it gives no Infor|mation, but has ••o other bad Effect, than turning so much Paper to waste: But his large Chart of the Coast of Nova Scotia and New England, being one continued Error, and a random Performance, may be of PE••••ICIOUS Consequence in Trade and Navigation; therefore it ought to be publickly advertised as such, and destroy'd wherever it is found amongst Sea Charts.

  Oldmixon's (he died Anno 1742) British Empire in America 2 Vol. 8vo. L••nd. 1708. He generally writes, as if copying from some ill-founded temporary News-Paper. Dr. C. Mather says, that Oldmixon in 56 Pages has 87 Falshoods. He prefixes Mather's silly Map; and con••••sses that he borrowed many Things from Cotton Mather's Mag|nalia; leaving out, the Puns, Anagrams, Miracles, Prodigies, Witches, Speeches and Epistles: Mather's History he calls a miserable Jargon, loaded with many random learned Quotations, School-Boy Exercises, Roman l••ke Legends, and barbarous Rhimes. Neal writes, the Co|lony of Connecti••ut surrendred their Charter 1688, and have holden no Courts since. N. B. Upon Sir Edmund Andrews's Arrival 1686 as Governor of the Dominions of New-England &c, they dropt the Ad|ministration according to their Charter; but their Charter not being vacated by any legal Trial, upon the Revolution they were allowed to prosecute the Administration, and to hold Courts as formerly— 400 Students in Cambridge, New England—His Account of the Indian Re|ligions, or rather Worship, is false and ridiculous— The Indians live commonly to 150 Aet.— Plymouth-Bay is larger than Cape-Cod, and has two fine Islands, Rhode Island and Elizabeth Island—New-England is bounded West by Pensylvania—Dorchester is the next Town to Boston for Bigness—At Boston there is a Mint. N. B. Perhaps he meant the Mint 1652 assumed in the Time of the Troubles and Confusions in England— An indefinite Number of more Errors, the Repetition of them would be Confutation sufficient.

  Neal's History of New-England 2 Vol. 8 vo. London 1720. He is much upon the History of the low Ecclesiasticks, borrowed from the noted Mather's Magnalia Christi Americana. He gives a tedious silly ridiculous conjecture Account, of the settling of North America from Scythia and Tar••ary, and the Southern Parts from China—Natick is an Indian Town, consisting of two long Streets, each Side of the Ri|ver; as if he were describing one of the large Dutch voting Towns with a River or Canal running through it: N. B. This Indian Town at present consists only of a few str••gling Wigwams—Orange Fort of Albany is 80 Miles up Hudson's River— The Indian Government is strictly monarchial. N.B. The Indians of a Tribe orClan, live together like friendly, but independent Neighbours▪ their Senators or old Men, have no coercive or commanding Power over their young Men, all they can use is only Perswasion.— Queb••c has 5 Churches and a Cathedral; N. B. Only one Parochial Church, which also serves as a Cathedral, and a conventual Chapel in the lower Town.— The great fresh Water Lakes behind New England, are constantly froze over in Winter from November; which occasion the long and hard Winters of New-England; N. B. These Lakes are upon a small Storm of Wind, tempestuous, and never frozen over; and because of their soft Vapour, not much Snow lies within 12 ••r 20 Miles Distance from these Lakes.— The Whale Fishing is almost neglected in New-Eng|land; Newfoundland has almost engrossed it. N. B. In Newfoundland they make only a small Quantity of Liver Oil.—The Clergy of N••w-England are not renowned for Humanity and Politeness.—The French in New-England are very numerous— The Conveniency of Fishing renders Cape-Cod populous as most Places in New-England. N. B. At present Cape-Cod called Province Town, may consist of two or three set|tled Families, two or three Cows, and 6 to 10 Sheep— To enumera••e the other Errors and Blunders of this Performance, would be copying of it; but it will not bear such a new Impression.

  This Annotation is already too prolix for an Amusement, we must defer to some other Occasion the Amusements from Cotton Mather's MAGNALIA, or History of New-England, from Salmon's Modern History, from Atlas maritimus & comm••••cialis, from I••ss••lin, and from Hubbard.
• * 1.60

  Thus Nova Scotia and Sagadahock, or the former Duke of York's Property, at that Time in Possession of the French, were by the Mas|sachusetts Charter annexed in Jurisdiction to Massachusetts-Bay; the Court of Great-Britain, notwithstanding, seem to reserve their Pro|perty and Jurisdiction there, and accordingly have withdrawn Nova-Scotia from the Jurisdiction of the Province of Massachusetts-Bay and constituted it a King's Government to no Purpose; perhaps if it had continued annexed to a popular Government, some Progress might have been made towards a Settlement.
• * 1.61

  Lately the Commissioners appointed from Home to determine the Bound••••ies between the Colony of Rhode-Island, and that Part of the Massachusetts Province, formerly called the Colony of New Plymouth; the Defect of a subsequent royal Charter to New Plymouth, was the Reason why the Commissioners determined, and afterwards confirmed by the King in Council, strictly according to the royal Charter of Rhode-Island, though 38 Years posterior to the New Plymouth Grant.
• * 1.62

  Archbishop Laud may be called the Father of New England; he was a considerable Statesman, prime Minister or principal Adviser to Charles I: His Administration was rigid against the good and reli|gious Nonconformists, he was accused and convicted of a Design to in|troduce Popery, and subvert the Constitution: for which he suffer'd Death by the Ax, Ian. 10. 1644.
• * 1.63

  Cromwell's reducing the Church of England to separately cove|nanted independent Congregations, was a Master Piece in Politicks; in true Policy all civil Governments, ought to encourage the congre|gational Scheme. A national established Church, Episcopal or Pres|byterian, in a civil national Government is Imperium in Imperio, a Wheel within a Wheel, as i•• is commonly expressed; which renders the Movements more perplexed; and by a national Church assuming the Direction or pointing of our natural Enthusiasm, it clogs and endan|gers the civilConstitution. Our New-England Congregationalists seem to deviate from their primitive Discipline: In Imitation, perhaps, of a new Convocation of the Clergy of the Church of England, at the Open|ing of a new Parliament; our congregational Ministers of New-England have a formal Synod or Meeting at the Time of the General Election or Opening of new Legislative civil Assembly; they assume the Constitution of a Synod, v. g. at Times they address the King in this Stile, The Pastors of the Churches in his Majesty's Province of Massachusetts-Bay in New-England, assembled at their annual Conven|tion in May▪ their Papers are signed in Form by the Moderator, in Imitation of the legal national (by Act of Union established in Perpe|tuity) General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Scotland, my Alma mater. The Quakers have fallen into the same Error, by their quarterly and annual itinerant Meetings, which in Time by cunning Men, that is Statesmen, may be improved to the Disadvantage of the Civil Government.

  A national Church Administration distinct from the national civil Ad|ministration, is very inconvenient: The most absurd notional Opi|nions in Religion, if not established by the penal Laws of a national Church, are of no Consequence, and from their Absurdity do drop, if allow'd to take their Courses; but if forcibly stopt, or dam'd up, they gather, and in Time may break out into a rapid Torrent carrying all before them; the civil Wars in England Car. I. are a notorious In|stance of this. To qualify this Imperium in Imperio, the Roman Em|peror was Ponti••ex Maximus, and the King of England is called Head of the Church.
• * 1.64

  They erected a Presbyterian Meeting House in Boston, Mr. Iohn Morehead their Presbyter; as appears by in Inscription, in two Co|lumns, and not elegant; the first Column

  This Chh of Presbyterian Strangers, was congregated Anno Dom. 1729 Anno Dom. 1744 by a small but generous Illa manebit. Labilis •• contra si sit erana Suprema. Desiderio I. M. hujus Ecclesiae.

  The second Column.

  This Building was begun Anno Dom. 1742, and finished Number. Hujus fundamen saxum est. Domus Peribit. Gloria Christi lex nostra Christiqù Pastor, and first preached in May 6th.

  Latin and English interlarded is new excepting in Burlesque, like|wise the Disposition of these Lines is singular, and to be rightly un|derstood must be read by joining the several Lines of each Column. This Church is a neat convenient Building, and doubtless in Time may be endowed with more learned and elegant Pastors of the Presbyterian Mode.
• * 1.65

  Mr. Wb—ld a young Clergyman of the Church of Engl••nd, has lately appear'd in the same Manner, preaching against the bad Conduct of the Clergy of England; his Disciples are called Methodists, Separatists, or New Light. N. B. This New Light is an unnatural Composition of free Thinking, and devotional Cant.
• * 1.66

  Mr. Robinson's Son Isaac died at Barnstable, New England 1706, Aet. 106.
• * 1.67

  These Puritans were piou••, honest, well meaning People; but too contracted, rigid, and singular in their D••scip•••••••• and Practice of Devotion: They would not allow of the English St. Georges Red Cross in the m••l••tary Ensigns, Colours and Standards. In common Affairs of Life, they affected to use Scripture Terms, and these not always pro|per; our Translation is not good. Ancient Terms in common Life used by the polite Greeks and Romans, they called profane, and did not use them▪ for Instance, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of December 25, they wrote, the 2••th Day of the Tenth Month, instead of Monday, they said the second Day of the Week; some of them made Conscience of a P••n or Re|bus; thus some good old Women would not brew on Saturdays, be|cause the Ale or Beer, would in Course work upon the Lord's Day following.

  The Generality of the first Settlers soon became more moderate and social, while others became more obstinately and intracticably Enthu|siastick; these last removed, and gave Birth to the Voluntier Settle|ments of Providence, Rhode-Island, Connecticut and New Haven, in the Dominions of New-England.
• * 1.68

  Anno 1643 there was a Union of 4 Colonies or Settlements in New-England for their mutual Protection against the Enemy, French and 〈◊〉〈◊〉, to be managed by a Deputation of Two from each, in Church ••ellowship; they were quoted, Massachusetts-Bay 100, Ply|mouth 45, Connecticut 45, New Haven 45, Rhode Island at this Time and Mason's Grant of New Hampshire, and Sir Ferdinando Gorge's Grant of the Province of M••in were of no Consideration. This was a Sort of Amphictonic Council, si pa••va magnis. The ancient Amphictonic Council met at the ••h••••moyl••e; they were a General Assembly or Con|gress of Deputies from several of the most noted Communities, Re|publicks or Sovereignties of Greece, who met Spring and Autumn upon general Affairs, especially for mutual Protection.
• * 1.69

  In the Delineation of the Province of Main, in the Impressions of the new Charter, are left out (for what Reason I know not) the fol|lowing Words "And up Sagadahoc River, to Quenebec River, and thro' the same unto the Head thereof, and into the Land Northw••s••w••rd, until 120 Miles be ended, being accounted from the Mouth of Sagadahoc.
• * 1.70

  Nova Scotia and this Tract called Sagadahoc were annexed to this neighbouring Charter to keep the English Claim, they being at that Time in Possession of the French: Since that Time by the Treaty of Utrecht 1713, they have been quitclaim'd by the French to the Crown of Great-Britain; and Nova-Scotia has been constituted a separate Property and Jurisdiction or Government. Sagadahoc hitherto conti|nues annexed to Massachusetts-Bay Province; but as it is not the ab|solute Property of the Province, perhaps from a large Extent of a Frontier defenceless in it self, it is more of an Incumbrance, than of any Advantage.
• * 1.71

  Marthas Vineyard, and Elizabeth Islands.
• * 1.72

  This relates to the New-Hampshire Claim from Merimack River, to Necamkeag or Salem; but the late Determination of the Boundaries between Massachusetts-Bay and New-Hampshire by the King in Coun|cil, has removed that Claim.
• * 1.73

  Governor Andr••s in the arbitrary Reign of Iames II, made a Handle of Want of Form to disturb Possessions, by compelling the Possessors to take new Patents for their own Lands with extravagant Fees; and to pay Quit-Rents to the Crown.
• * 1.74

  By uninterrupted Custom (Prescription) the Town of Boston sends four Representatives; the Qualification of 40 s. Freehold for an Elec|to••, is become nominal Value, instead of the designed Sterling Value, that i•• 4 s. instead of 40 s.; the Qualification 50 £. St. Personal Estate 〈◊〉〈◊〉 set at 40 £. St.
• * 1.75

  Perhaps the natural Meaning of this, was, the Representatives of the People; but at present the Council of the former Year jointly with the Representatives chuse a new Council.
• * 1.76

  Perhaps, The Council of the present Constitution of the Massa|chusetts-Bay, labours under two Disadvantages or Imperfections. 1. To be arbitrarily led, or rather drove by the Governor, to prevent fu|ture Negatives. 2. As their Election is annual they may be biassed by the Humour of the Majority of the Representatives (this I have particularly observed in theCases of multiplied Emissions of Paper Currency) lest they should be dropt next annual Election: A notorious Instance of this happen'd Anno 1741, when the Representatives dropt about one half of the former Years Council, because averse to a certain pernicio••s CHEAT, or Paper-Money Scheme called the LAND-BANK; the Words of the Act of Parliament "Mischievous Undertaking•• and unlawful" this Scheme was disannul'd by an express Act of the British Parlia|ment 1741; and Governor 〈◊〉〈◊〉 could not avoid negativing 13 of the new elected Councello••s.

  Mr. 〈◊〉〈◊〉, at p••esent Governor of New Iers••••s, is generous, void of Covetousness, studious of the real Good of the Countries under his Direction, and a strict Observer of Royal Instruc••ions: If he had con|tinued two or three Years longer in the Administration of the Province of the Massachusetts-Bay, their Paper Currency would happily h••ve been obliterated or cancelled, and must naturally and gradual••y have fallen into a Silver Currency, the general Currency of the commerc••••l Wo••ld; Mr. B••lcher was not a Paper Money Governor, he was well acquainted in the commercial World.
• * 1.77

  In the Election of all such civil Officers the Council and Repre|sentatives vote together, but not as two separate Negatives; these Of|ficers are, the Treasurer, the Impost Officers, the Excise-Officers; the General Commis••ary of Provisions, Stores, and Traffick for Garrisons and Indian Tr••••k Houses; Attorney General, and Notaries for the several Sea Port••.
• * 1.78

  Anno 17••2 The Council and Representatives of the Province of Mas••achusetts-B••••, applied to the King in Council, concerning the Right which the House of R••presentatives had, to pas•• upon Accounts, bro't against the Publick before they were paid: It was determined by the King in Council, that the House of Representatives had no such Right.
• * 1.79

  By the former Charter the Provincial Lands were granted to 26 Proprietors, and such as shall be admitted Freemen; but by this new Charter, these Lands are granted to the Inhabitants in general, to be ••••••posed of by their Representatives or General Assembly.
• * 1.80

  By an Act of the British Parliament Anno 1722, this Clause is extended; viz. That after S••pt. 21. 1722 in New England, New-York, and New Iers••y in America, no Person shall cut or destroy any white Pine Trees, not growing in any Tow••sh••p or its Bounds, with|out his Majesty's ••icense; on Pain to f••rfeit for every white Pine Tree, of the Growth of 12 Inches Diameter and under, at 3 Foot from the Earth, 5 £. St.; for every such Tree from 12 to 18 Inches, 10 £.; from 18 to 24 Inches, 20 £▪; from 24 and upwards, 50 £. to be sued before the Judge of Admir••lty: And ••ll white Pine Trees. Masts or ••ogs made of such Tre••s, wh••••h shall be fo••nd cut or falled without the King's ••icen••e, shall be forfeited and seized for the Use of the Crown. By an Act of Parliament 1729, the Penalty in this Clause of t••e Charter is confirmed; and the Act of 1722 is extended to all the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Provinces in America; and confines the Exception to the Property of private Person•• only, notwithstanding they grow with|in the Limits of any Township.
• * 1.81

  Perhaps so named, because they commonly meet in the Vestry Room of the Church, where the Priest is supposed to keep his sacer|dotal Vestments, and may be called the Dressing Room.
• * 1.82

  It is said that amongst others, Oliver Cromw••ll was stopt from coming over: This seems to be an idle Surmise; Cromwell was an ac|tive politick Man, it cannot be imagined that a Man of that Genius, and in the Prime of Life would chuse a Wilderness or Desert for his Scene of Action; besides a Person of his Cast, and who probably might prove turbulent at Home, in good Court Policy ought to be allowed to withdraw.
• * 1.83

  Where a Repetition is short, it ought to be allowed, because it sav••s the Reader the Trouble of turning back by a Reference.
• * 1.84

  The Charge of passing the Commission was 13, £. 4 〈…〉〈…〉
• * 1.85

  The Lands East of Quenebec River were never a settled French Property with Possession and Jurisdiction; and the Fr••••ch transitory Conquest of it, was only a Suspension of the former Bri••••••h Owners Property; and upon Re-conquest or a Peace, returned to the former Owners Iure post Liminii, or a Right to one's former Inheritance; therefore in Col. Dunbar's Case the Board of Trade, and Committee of Council reported to the King in Council, that the Muscongus Asso|ciates should not be disturbed in their Possession, and to be under the Defence or Protection of Massachusetts Bay as formerly.
• * 1.86

  In Leyden to this Day, an English Presbyterian Congregation is maintain'd in their Works by the States.
• * 1.87

  Mr. Winslow died in Cromwell's Hispaniola Expedition 1655, Aet. 61.
• * 1.88

  Here we may observe the pernicious Consequence of blindly fol|lowing the Dictates of inconsiderate, imprudent, clamorous or violent leading Men.
• * 1.89

  Now called Bound Brook.
• * 1.90

  The Mouth of Tau••ton Gut or River, or Seaconnet Point.
• * 1.91

  Or Bay of Massachusetts.
• * 1.92

  Plymouth Grant was up Blackstone, Patucket or Nipmug River to the Nipmug Country; this Nipmug Country, could not be ascertain'd by the late Commissioners for settling the Line with Rhode-Island.
• * 1.93

  In Matters not as yet upon Record in publick Histories, it is proper to be particular.
• * 1.94

  This Gore has been for many Years in Dispute between Massa|chusetts Bay and Rhode-Island, and if some of our Managers hot-headed obstinate Men had conceded it to Rhode-Island, it being plainly their Due; they would have given to Massachus••tts-Bay a general Quitclaim, and their other Claims would not have been revived. Something of the same Nature shall i•• Course be taken Notice of, with Regard to N••••-H••mps••ire.
• * 1.95

  This Station Tree is 120 Rod distant from the Angle where the several Colony Lines were set off; it is called Wood••ard and Saffries Station, from the Names of two obscure Sailors, who were assisting in the Survey.
• * 1.96

  Capt. Sout••••ck in a most false, therefore pernicious Sea-Chart of the Coa•••• of 〈…〉〈…〉 and N••w England, delineates a Thorough-Fare from the great Bay of Massachusetts to the Ocean in Eastham, near Sandy 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••o Person, himself excepted, ever imagin'd or ••••eamt of this Thorou••h-Fare, his Dream or Words are "the Place where I came 〈◊〉〈◊〉 with a Whale Boat Ap••il 26. 1717, to look after 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉〈◊〉."
• * 1.97

  The Sea Line of the late Colony of Plym••uth is abo••t 220 Miles. but have only one Sea-Port for foreign Trade, viz. Plymouth; th•• other Harbours are very small, and used only by Fishermen and Coast|ers: The other New-England Territories, do much exceed it in Trade, although their Sea Lines are much smaller; th•• Sea-Line of the Province of Main does not exceed 80 Miles, of N••w-Hampshire 20 Miles, of Old Massachusetts 80 Miles, of Rh••de-I••l••nd 60 Miles, of Connecticut 1•••• Miles.
• * 1.98

  I am afraid, that by being so particular in the Description of our Territories or Colonies, I may be found guilty of an Impropriety, in giving the Geography instead of the History; but we must consider, that these Countries, young and dependent, cannot afford many State Revo••u ••ons, therefore our History must chief••y consist of Delineations, and of some Accounts of their various Produce and Commerce.

  I shall not be very minute in the Inland Geography: In my A|musement Hours, I have composed the actual Surveys (as upon Re|cord) of each Township and District in the four Colonies of N••w-England, into a Plan of about 3 and half Feet square, by a Scale of 5 Miles to one Inch. This Plan of many Years collecting, and per|fected at a considerable Charge, is a free Gift, for a publick Benefit to the Provinces of New-England, ea••h Township or District is to have a Copy gratis, to be lodged in the Town Clerk's Office.
• * 1.99

  Before the Massachusetts Bay new Charter, all these Islands be|longed to the Government of New-York; and the Receiver of the Quit-Rents of New-York does make Demands of the old Arrears of their Quit-Rents.
• * 1.100

  At present I shall only instance, Salmon's Modern History, and the Atlas M••ritimus & Comm••rcialis.

  Salmon seems to be a Tory, or rather a Iacobite, he vindicates the Treaty of Utrecht, and discov••rs a very silly Prejudice against New-Engl••••d▪ first Settlers, viz. That they came over to secure a Retreat for their Brethren, in Case they did miscarry in subverting Church and State at Home▪ this is a very idle Surmise, because the first Sett of Emig••ant did not exceed 100 Persons, and of these not above 60 sur|vive•• the fir••t Winter.

  From 〈◊〉〈◊〉 I shall only g••ve •• few Instance••, which at first Sight are very ridiculous, without any Comment— "In Virginia Abundance of Cod-Fish— Virginia is separated from Florida by the Ap••lachian Mountains—In the Fort near Newport are 300 Cannon— North Caro|lina is a well peopled flourishing Colony." N. B. It is the Sink or nauseous Drain of all our Colonies, in all the Colony only two or three Gospel Ministers, very sickly, and very bad Navigation.— "In New-England both Men and Women are put to Death for Adultery—Cam|bridge University consists of three Colleges;" N. B. They are only three Buildings (the Scholars are all of one College) making three Sides of a designed Quadrangle. — "The New-York Forces against Monreal were to go by the Lake Ontario." N. B. It was by Lake Champlain.— "Our Indians go naked in Summer, and wear Deer-Skins in Winter;" N. B. They wear Blankets Summer and Winter. — "Penobscot River divides New-England from Nova-Scotia." N. B. The River of St. Croix, more Eastward, is the Boundary— "Hudson's River divides the Southern Parts of New-England from New-York." N. B. The dividing Line is 20 Miles East of Hudson's River."— His enlarging much upon trifling and fabulous Things, to multiply Sheets, and hi•• many obvious Inconsistencies, shew him to be a Scribbler, and no accurate Historian— His Abstract of the Laws of New-England, are from an obsolete old Charter Law-Book.

  A few Instances of Absurdities from the Atlas Maritimus et Com|mercialis, printed London 1728, sold to Subscribers at 3 £. 15 s. St.— "New-England is four Governments in one Charter— New-London Colony—Connecticut and New-Haven Colonies, have Rhode-Island and Providence under the same Jurisdiction—Turmerick from New-England —Most of the Towns in New-Hampshire are fortified.—New-York ap|ply chiefly to Whale-fishing, and whale the most." N. B. They do not whale in any Respect.— "Merimack River rises in Nova-Scotia. — In the two Colleges of Cambridge about 400 Students." N. B. They exceed 100 Scholars.— "In New-England 62 Market Town••, and 27 fortified Places.—I••rsies has two Sea-Po••ts Pe••th and Amboy."

  Iosselin, Hubbard, and Math••••'s Magnalia, we shall for the present defer.
• * 1.101

  This seems to imply, that they were to meet and vote together.
• * 1.102

  Here Capital Crimes seem not to be included.
• * 1.103

  A Disregard to the Act•• of Trade, Persecution of their Fellow Christians, &c.
• * 1.104

  Mr. Humphrey at that Time seems not to have been a real Friend to New-England.
• * 1.105

  Plymouth Colony had the same Fate with Massachusetts-Bay Co|lony in the Affair of Charters; Connecticut and Rhode-Island Colonies submitted by Resolve of their Assemblies to the King's Pleasure, and for two Years and a half were under the Government of Sir Edmund Andross, without being required to surrender their Charter; upon the Revolution, as their Charter had n••ver been vacated by Law, nor sur|rendred, they were allowed by the Court of England, to reassume their 〈…〉〈…〉, and continue in the full Enjoyment thereof to this Day.
• * 1.106

  Massachusetts South Line was set off according to the Letter of the Charter, from 3 Miles South of the Head of Stop River in Wren|••ham, being the most Southerly Branch of Charles River; it falls into the main Body of Charles River at M••dfield.
• * 1.107

  In N. Lat. 42 d. 2 m. as observed by the ingenious, learned and inquisitive Gentleman William Burnet, Esq sometime Governour of New York, and afterwards Governour of the Province of Massachusetts-Bay; a worthy Son of the worthy pious and honest, though political Bishop Bu••net.
• * 1.108

  A late Petition to the General Court or General Assembly for the indented Townships of Massachusetts-Bay, to be s••t off to the Juris|diction of Connecticut is idle and vain, because the Jurisdiction has been some Yea•• s••••c•• finally issu••d by the King in Council.
• * 1.109

  Anno 1726 some of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉-Bay People in settling Hous••tonick Tow••ships wer•• 〈…〉〈…〉 Cou••t in an A••••ion of Trespass against a ••ian•• to 〈…〉〈…〉 from my Lo•••• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Governor of N••w-Yo••k.
• * 1.110

  It was designed to ref••r the ••i••t••ry of thi•• ••••ne to the Se••••ion ••f N••w-Hamp••••ir••, but it seem•• 〈…〉〈…〉 to f••ll in this Pla••e.
• * 1.111

  Thi•• Patent is posterior to that of Massachus••tts-Bay 1628, 9. and ••h••••efo••e vo••d▪ a•• to the Lands between Neumkeag and Merimack River.
• * 1.112

  I have ••e••n the more ••••••ticular i•• this Affair, that it may serve, by Way of Instance, to illustrate the Length of Time required to bring Planta••ion A••••airs to an I••sue at the Court of Gr••••t B••itain. The Affair of the Boundaries between ••ord Baltimor•• of Maryland, 〈…〉〈…〉 of 〈…〉〈…〉 of a much longer stand••ng, and not as 〈…〉〈…〉.
• * 1.113

  A few Years since, the General Assembly of the Massachusetts-Bay, was in the Humour of distributing the Property of much vacant or Province Land; perhaps in good Policy and Foresight, to secure to the Massachusetts People, by Possession, the Property of Part of some controverted Land••; accordingly it came to pass, that upon a royal Commission from the Court of Great-Britain, to determine this Controversy, the Jurisdiction but not the Property was allotted to New-Hampshire, or rather to the Crown. Some of thes•• Grants called Townships, were to the Inhabitants of the several old Townships v. g. to Boston three Townships, to Ipswich one, &c; Nine Townships were voted, but only 7 granted, to the Descendents of the Naraganset or Pequod Indian War Soldiers 1637, called Naragans••t Townships; 9 Townships were granted to the Heirs of the Militia or Soldiers who went against Canada Anno 1690, and are called Canada Townships. A Parcel of these Townships the furthest up in the Country, run W. 5 and half d. S. across from Merimack River 35 Miles to C••nnecticut River, as a Barrier against the Indians, they are called the double Line of Towns; whereof No. 3, 8, and 9, are very mountainous, rocky a nd stony, not capable of Settlement, No. 4 and 7, are the best Lands.

  At present there remains in the Territory of Old Massachusetts-Bay Colony, vacant or provincial Lands, not exceeding the Value of six Townships of six Miles squar•• each.
• * 1.114

  This Line by a Production of about 20 Miles falls in with H••••|son's River, about half a Mile below the Mouth of Es••pus River.
• * 1.115

  By a late Determination of the King in Council, the Province of Massachusetts Bay; has lost of its claim'd Lands, about one half in Number of Acres; thus estimated; the Southerly Line of the claim'd Lands disunited from Massachusetts, is 117 Miles; the Northerly Line is from E••dicot's Tree, three Miles North of the Fork of Merrimack River, 35 Miles to Connecticut River, and thence to N••w-York East Line about 60 Miles, being in all about 95 Miles, whereof a Medium Extent East and West is 106 Miles, this multiplied into 55 Miles, the Meridian Distance between Pa••tucket Falls and Endicot's Tree, gives 5,830 square Miles, which are 3,731,200 Acres.

  There are some actual Surveys of Extents which ought not to be 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in Oblivion; as for Instance, from Merrimack River due West to Gr••t•••• Meeting-House are 12 Miles; from Gr••ton Meeting House (as surveyed by Col. St••ddard, Major F••lbam, and Mr. D••ight, by Order of the General Assembly) to Northfield Meeting-House W. 16 d. N. by Compass, are 41 Miles and half; from Deerfiel•• Meeting-House near Connecticut River, a little higher, to Albany Church upon the West Side of Hudson's River, W. 12 and half d. N. are 57 Miles 20 Rod. From such actual Surveys the publick Roads may be laid out to better Advantage than at present: For Instance, the present Road from Bos••o•• to Alba••y (this is the Road to Monreal in Canada) by Way of Springfield, the Ho••sat••ni••ks, and Kinderbook is about 200 Miles▪ a new and better Road, but not as yet well improv'd, is via Lan••ast••r and Nich••w••g to Sunderland upon Connecticut River 84 Miles, and from Deerfield a little higher to Albany are 57 Miles, being in all only about 150 Miles.
• * 1.116

  By the same Eclipse of the Moon March 15. 1717 observed by Cassini and De la Hire at Paris (which is 9 m. 40 Seconds in Time Fast from London) and by Mr. Robi•• at Cambridge of New-England. Two Observations, do better ascertain the Difference of Time betwe••n two remote Places, than an Observation in one Place, and a Calculation only for the other.
• * 1.117

  Deputy-Governor Dudley March 28. 1631, wrote Home to his Friends in England, "The 180 Servants which w•• had sent over, we could not avoid giving them all their Liberty, though they cost us from 16 to 20 £. St. a Person, not having Bread Kind for a Fortnight. If any comes to this Settlement to plant for worldly Ends (but if for spi|ritual he may do well) that can live well at Home, he commit•• an Error, of which he will soon repent him; we fail'd of our Expecta|tion to our great Damage. People of England, who are ••ndued with Grace, and furnished with Means to find their Families for 18 Months, and to build and plant, let them come. In the Beginning of our Set|tlements we had great Sickness and Mortality, as well as the Settlers of New Plymouth, which seemed to proceed from Want of warm Lodging and good Diet; they who landed in Summer died of Fevers from the Heats; they who landed in Winter, as those of New-Plymouth, died of the Scurvy.
• * 1.118

  It was so called some Years before this Settlement.
• * 1.119

  Here I could proce••d, and give the History of the first settling and progressive Improvements of most Townships in the Province of Massachusetts-Bay; but this would be of too private and con••ined a Nature, to be admitted into a general Summary, and could require the Atten••ion of but a few Readers.
• * 1.120

  The City of New York was so called from his English T••tle, ••nd the 〈…〉〈…〉 f••om hi•• 〈…〉〈…〉.
• * 1.121

  These Minutes and common Place from Records, and Observati|ons of Self and Friends, I hope, are exact, and all Matters material may be depended upon; but the Business of my Profession and other Affairs, do not allow me Time sufficient to reduce them into a strict ••••iff Method or Order; therefore they appear Miscellaneous, but in ••ome loose Manner digested, for the Use of future Writers.
• * 1.122

  I•• Scotland before the happy Union 1707, in their Parliament•••• the Peer••, Commissioners for Shires or Counties, and Commissione••s for Burgh•• or Boroughs, made only one House and voted together.
• * 1.123

  The Colonies of Connecticut and Rhode-Island followed their Ex|ample, and their Legislature to this Day consist•• of two Negatives▪ the Governour has no third Negative, as in the Provinces strictly be|longing to the Crown; but in the Upper-House or Negative, in Case of an Equivot•• he determines th•• Affair.
• * 1.124

  This was too narrow and confined, perhaps more severe than ever was practised by the Church of England in its most bigotted and faul|ted Periods; the present Generation in New-England are of an exten|sive Charity to all Prote••••ants, though differing in some peculiar but not essential Modes or Ways of Worship.
• * 1.125

  This Law was not re-enacted under the new Charter Administra|tion, but by a special Act, Residence was required; by the Influence of a Party or Faction averse to a polite Assembly well versed in com|mercial and other publick general Affairs of the World.
• * 1.126

  At this Time the General Assembly was called the Supreme or General Court.
• * 1.127

  Our Bible in these Time•• as their Body of Laws Civil a•• w••ll as Ecclesiastical, especially in Criminal Cases.
• * 1.128

  All the N••w-England Coin is dated 1652, though for many follo••••ng Years th••y continued coining.
• * 1.129

  In Gr••a••-Brit••in the Coinage Charge, is defray'd by the Go|vernmen••; for thi•• Use the Par••iament allow•• 〈…〉〈…〉 £. per An.
• * 1.130

  It is not eas••••y to be accounted for, that the C••urt Merchant, and weekly Markets were not re ena••••ed under the new Charter-Admini|••••ration.
• * 1.131

  All this is fully expr••s••••d in a few Words in t••e Dorch••ster Bury|ing-Place near B••ston, upon a Grave-Stone of Mr. Atherton; he sustained all these Command••, a•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Office of Assistant or Magi|strate in the State, and Deacon in the Church or Congregation; th•• Poetry is rude, being compos'd in the Infancy of the Country:

  Here li••s our Captain, and M••••or of Suffolk was withal, A g••dly Magistrate was h••, and Major General.

  Anno 1655, Cromw••ll divided E••gland into eleven Districts, and constitutes a military Commander in each, by the Name of Major-G••n••r••l, but this was soon di••used. At present in Great-Britain, the Militia of each County is under the Direction of a Lord Lieutenant, or of a Lieutenancy of the Country.
• * 1.132

  These were Indian Conjurers and Fortune-Tel••ers.
• * 1.133

  The Quakers by their Simplicity of Manners, fair Dealings, In|dustry, Frugality, Humanity, and Charity; with good Propriety give themselves the Denomination of FRIENDS: as such they are at present much in Favour with the Civil Government of Great-Britain; in these Colonies by an Order from the Crown, they are exempted from pay|ing towards the Parochial Ministers Dues. I must not adduce this as an Instance (because a powerful Corps are in the Opposition) that a regular Clergy in Pay, under the confined (Confinement occasions De|sertion) Discipline of Cre••ds, Confessions, Cannons, Articles, &c. are not of that Use in Society (from the long Experience of many Centuries) as those not confined, but who act as Voluntiers or Irrregulars not paid, but meerly, as from the Amor-Patriae ••t Proximi, they are directed. Forms in Religion are generally of bad Influence, with the Vulgar, they pass for the ALL of Religion, and are thereby diverted from ••he Essentials, viz. a good Life, and Charity, which is Brotherly-Love to the Affluent, and Compassion toward our Neighbours the Indigent.
• * 1.134

  Witches are Enthusiasts or Maniacs, and may with Propriety of Words, be said, of the Devil's Communion.
• * 1.135

  By the many Controversies in revealed Religions, the several Sects expose the Inconsistencies and Absurdities of one another's Op••|nions, and occasion the wise and thinking Part of Mankind to regulate themselves by natural Religion only, and to conclude that all Religi|••ns only are good, which teach Men to be good.
• * 1.136

  See P. 224, 369.
• * 1.137

  Nothing but a religious Heat or Zeal, at that Time could have withstood the Severities of their Winters; at present their Winters are less rigid from the Country being more and more cleared of Woods, and exposed to the Sun which dissolves their Snows sooner than before it was opened.
• * 1.138

  Robert Brown first appeared 1580. Sir Walter Raleigh writes, that in 1592, there were in England near 20,000 Brownists.
• * 1.139

  This Mode of Religion seems to be laudable and well ••dapted to prevent Imperium in Imperio, that is, a Church-Government from controuling the State or civil Government. Cromw••ll, a very great Statesman, as well as General, was sensible of this, they were his Fa|vourites upon that Account.
• * 1.140

  By this general Indulgence Popery was craftily to be intro|duced; the Colony of Plymouth unadvisedly sent an Addres•• of the same Nature.
• * 1.141

  In a N••w-England Ordination, five distinct Personages or Part•• are required, 1. A preparatory Prayer, 2. A sutable Sermon, 3. A Charge, 4. Ano••her Prayer, 5. The right Hand of Fellowship▪ some others join in the Imposition of Hands.
• * 1.142

  Mankind in a natural unpolished State is an A••imal Supersti••••••m▪ This is the natural Reason of the great Influence of the Clergy. A fiery hot religious Z••al, or Frantickness with Variety of Symptoms or Tenets, like other bodily Distempers, at Times becomes contagi|ous and epidemick, principally amongst the weak Constitutions of Mind; as bodily Ails••seize weak Constitutions of Body: For Instance, in Great-Britain the Lollards, Anabaptists, Independ••nts, Quakers, Witches; this Zeal if lest to Nature, after some short Time, dever|ves••es and subsides; but if used with harsh violent Admi••i••trations▪ that is, with Persecution, the Distemper becomes more intense, more lasting, and more contagious or spreading: In all religious Distemper|atures, Lenitives by long Experience are found to be the most effica|c••ous Medicines; thus, of the above••me••tioned, some have disappear'd, the Lollards and Witches; the others are become very moderate, trac|table, and some of the best Members of the Commonwealth or civil Society.

  At present the Differences amongst the various Communions, Com|munities, or Persuasions of Protestants in the British Dominions; are not doctrinal, or essential; being only different Modes or Fashions, in Church-Government, Ceremonies of Worship and Vestments; the Quaker himself in his old fashioned formal Dress, seems to some, to be as superstitious, as a Clergyman of the Church of England in his Gown, Cassock, and other Pontificial Accoutrements. For this Rea|son the civil Government of Great-Britain tolerates, or connives at all Protestant Denominations of Christians; th••re are only the three Denominations of Presbyterians, Independ••nts (in New-England they are called Congregationalists) and Anabaptists who take out Tolera|••••on Lic••nses. Speculative private Opinions can never disturb a State.
• * 1.143

  The Ministers of the congregational Perswasion or Discipline in the Province of Massachusetts-Bay, continue to meet annually about the Time of the anniversary Provincial Election of Councellors (be|ing an annual Jubilee, or Festival, or Concourse from all Parts of the Colony) not by assuming any ecclesiastical Authority, or Combina|tion, but only by Way of friendly or brotherly ••atercourse.
• * 1.144

  True sincere Enthusiasts may be of good civil Use, if well pointed; I do not mean Freethinkers and Libertines, who for worldly End••, may act the Hypocrite in any Shape; but such as make a Con|science of Religion in general, and of their own Way of thinking in ••••••ticular, and are zealous for making of Converts in Spite of all Pe|ril•• and ••atigue; such may be useful M••ssi••naries amongst the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and promote Religion and Trade with them. This Enthusiasm 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to be encouraged and promoted.
• * 1.145

  Mr. Locke, in a Letter to Mr. 〈◊〉〈◊〉, dated, Oat••s May 16. 1699, says▪ "I design to take my Religion from the Scripture, and then, whether it suits or suits not any other Denomination, I am not much concerned; for I think at the last Day it 〈◊〉〈◊〉 not be enquired, whe|ther I was of the Church of England or 〈◊〉〈◊〉; but whether I sought and embraced Truth in the Love of it."
• * 1.146

  Some Devotees would sacrifice their King (or any other Form of civil Government) and Country blindly to the enthusiastick superstitiou•• Injunctions of their Priests and Exhorters. The Laws of Nature and Nations require the curbing of these.
• * 1.147

  The several Sects or Communions of Protestant•• seem to agree in the essential Doctrines of the Christi••n Religion, and differ only in some fanciful Modes and external Fashion•• of Worship.
• * 1.148

  Antinomians hold that the Law of Mos••s is unprofitable under the Gospel, that Iustification is without good Works; that Morality and good Works are no Help to Salvation, but rather a Hindrance: Such pernicious Doctrines are inconsistent with civil Society, and with Goodness and Honesty, or a private Life.
• * 1.149

  The various enthusiastical Modes at their first Appearance in the World, were frantick with a violent indiscreet religious Zeal: They generally agree in two pernicious Articles; 1. They disclaim a civil Magistracy and temporal Punishments; and, 2. Their own wild Notions are by themselves called Impulses from GOD.
• * 1.150

  The Lollards (so called from Walter Lollard the Author of thi•• Sect in Germany in the 13th Century) were our first Reformers, their Name is now lost, the first Reformation being subdivided into many Denominations: They first appear'd in England, under Wickliff, D.D. of Oxford, about the Middle of the 14th Century; they clamoured ••gainst Transu••stantiation, Aurical Conf••ssion, C••libacy of the Clergy, Hierarchy, and several pecuniary Perquisites of the R••man Cath••lick Clergy▪ with some enthusiastical Notions, viz. The Church consist•• o••ly of the Predestinated, converting of Church-Effect•• to other Use•• is no Sacrilege, neither publick nor private Succession is indefeasible, &c.
• * 1.151

  The Anabaptist••, a particular Sort of Devotees, first appear'd a|bout the Time of Luther's Reformation, and prevail'd chiefly in th•• Netherlands and Westphalia; their essential or distinguishing Doctrine was, not baptizing of Infants, and re-baptizing by dipping such as had been baptized in their Infancy, hence is the Denomination of An••bap|tists; they pretended that Inf••nt B••ptism was not to be found in th•• Bible: At first they were moderate and orderly, Luther requested th•• Duke of Saxony, that they might be favourably dealt with, because, their notional Error excepted, they seemed to be otherwise good Men. They soon run into many pernicious wild Doct••ines; they condemn|ed all civil Administration and Magistracy; co••poral Punis••ments 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a divine Prerogative, they reserved to GOD Almighty; they de••spised judicial Oaths; disregarded the Scripture••, pretending to a personal peculiar Kind of Illumination; a Community of Good••, &c. Iohn Buckhold a Butcher, a Native of L••••d••n, commonly called Io••n or Iack of Leyden, having embraced the Anabaptistic••l seditious No|tions, became very popular with a great following; the Cry or Pa|role was, Repent and be reb••ptized; in his Itin••••ancies, at M••nsler ••n Westphalia, he fell into open Sedition, and was Master of the City for some Time; the Bishop by Blocade recovered it, and Buckhold suffer|ed ••n exemplary painful lingring Death 1534.
• * 1.152

  Mugleton was a Journeyman Taylor, he pretended to be a great Prophet, and to an absolute Power of damning or saving whom he pleased.
• * 1.153

  Their first Appearance in England was Anno 1644, G••orge Fox a Shoemaker was their grand Apostle, and were call••d Enthusiasts▪ Anno 1650 they first obtain'd the Name of Quakers from their oscil|la••o••y or vibrating bodi••y devotional Action.
• * 1.154

  Women (some Women are qualif••ed with an Agality or Glibness of Tongue, especially in railing ag••inst their Superiors and Neighbou••s) have of••iciated as Preachers, further back than History reaches▪ the Sibyls and other Oracle Deliverers were Women; the Oracle Church or Scheme (a modern Word 〈◊〉〈◊〉 religious Sectarie••) of Doctrine, the most 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Greece, was set 〈◊〉〈◊〉 after the Model of the Oracle of Iu••iter 〈◊〉〈◊〉 at 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in Egypt; the Oracle of Apollo at 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ was the most cel••brated in 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and their Top Preacher wa•• Pythia or 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a Woman: thus we find that this Woman preaching Re|li••ion is very ancient: what is lately called by our 〈◊〉〈◊〉 s••••king o•• the Lord, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the consulting of Oracles among the A••cients.
• * 1.155

  In Salem and its Neighbourhood, Enthusiasm a••d other N••rv••us Disorders seem to be Endem••al; it was the Seat of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉-England Witchcraft Anno 1692; Hypocondrick, Hysteri••k, and o••••er Maniack Disorders prevail there, and Ipsw••ch adjoining, to thi•• Day.
• * 1.156

  Originally Veneficicum or Witchcraft did not signify an explicit Co|venant with the Devil, but the Study of the poisonous Qualities of Herbs, and the•••• Herb-Women were called Veneficae or Witches. The Witchcraft of our Times, is a pavid Superstition and Ignorance, there|fore it prevails in Lapland, and other obscure ignorant Parts of the World. Some adore what they admire, this is the only true Religion; some adore what they fear: Freethinking Politicians assert, that De|vil Worship is better than none, because the firm Belief of some in|visible Superintendency good or bad, is the only Check upon vulgar Minds, in civil Affairs which cannot allow of civil Conviction.
• * 1.157

  It was an endemial Distemper of the Brain and Nerves. 1. Con|vulsion Fits were a Preth••gnomick Sign in this Distemperature. 2. A Bunch like a Pullet's Egg would rise in their ••hroat, a noted Hysterick Symptom. 3. Much troubled with Incubus or Night-Mare, commonly called being H••g-ride, for Instance, Toothacer deposed, That being upon his Back, he had not Power to move Hand or Foot, till he saw the Shape of the Witch pass from his Breast. 4. Nervous Disorders, es|pecially if attended with Hysterick Convulsio••s, leave the Patient•• or afflicted Persons, very weak; Mr. C. Mather describes it thus, "When their Tormentors had left them for good and all, they left them ex|treme weak and faint, and overwhelmed▪ with Vapours, which would not only cause some of them to swoon away, but also were now and then for a while discomposed in the Reasonablenes•• of their Thought." This may be called a subsequent Hectick of the Spirit, from nervous Weaknesses; 2. Mr. Edwards of Northampton, mentions the same consequential Disorder, upon the going off of the Pourings out of the Spirit endemial there. The Pourings out of the Spirit which have at Times been epidemick in Northampton upon Connecticut River belong to this Tribe of nervous Disorders, as we shall hereafter e|vince. The Sugillations, that is the black and blue Spots in their Skin, were called the Devil's Nip, Pinch, or Gripe; whereas they were only scorbutick Stains, incident to aged Persons.
• * 1.158

  Such were the Sevennes or Fren••h Prophets about 40 Years since, and at present in France the Devotees of 〈…〉〈…〉.
• * 1.159

  Some Years since by Direction of Col. Byfi••ld of Bristol, from a great Smoak made upon this great Blue Hill, Moun••-Hope in Bristol was found to bear S. by W. and by Estimation 45 Miles direct.
• * 1.160

  The Wateticks are partly in the Province of Massachus••tts-Bay, partly in the Province of New-Hampshire, and lie East of a Township granted to Ipswi••••.
• * 1.161

  Such are, but in a much more extended Manner as to Courses and great Lengths. I. In Europe, in Switzerland of the Alps▪ within a small Compass are the Fountains of three great and very long Ri|vers. 1. The Danube, which running Easterly through the Circles of Sw••bia, Bavaria, and Austria of Germany; through Transylvania, and the Turkish Dominions in Europe, empties or disembogues into the Black Sea in Bulgaria of Turky. 2. The Rhine, which running Nor|therly passes through the Lake of Constance, and many Principalities of Germany, in some Places dividing the German Dominions from the French; falls into the German or Northern Ocean in Holland, by se|veral Mouths called the Yssel, L••ch, and Wahaal; the old Rhine after passing Utrecht and Leyden is lost in the Duynen or Downs (Sands accu|mulated by the stormy Ocean) and does not reach the Sea. 3. The rapid Rhosn••, running through the Lake of Geneva, for a considera|ble Space Westward to Lyons; thence Southward to the Mediterranean Sea, in Provence of France. II. In the Northern Continent of Ame|rica 10 or 12 Miles West from Hudson's River, and about 80 or 90 Miles North from the City of New-York, are the Cat-kil Mountains, very lofty, giving Springs which extensively runs. For, 1. A Branch falls into Hudson's River, thence to the Ocean near New-York. 2. A Branch falls into Lake Ontario, thence in the great River of Canada, or St. L••••rence, which discharges into the Atlantick Ocean, between 〈…〉〈…〉 and 〈…〉〈…〉, and N••wfoundland. 3. A Run falls into 〈…〉〈…〉 or 〈…〉〈…〉▪ which fall•• into the Misissippi▪ which empties by many Mouths into the Bay or Gulph of Mexico. 4. A Stream, head•• Delaware River, and falls into the Sesquahana River, which falls into Chesapeak Bay, and this enters the Atlantick Ocean in Virginia. 5. A Run of Water falls into Delaware River, which falls into the Bay and Ocean between P••nsylvania and Iersi••s.
• * 1.162

  The Reader, in all such dry Accounts which are local, and do not fall under the Cognizance of many: must excuse them, as design|ed for a local Benefit, and may be superficially passed over by some, as being of no general Concern.
• * 1.163

  In many Articles, by some Readers I may be censured as too prolix or minute; my Design, I hope is laudable to prevent a Loss; pub|lick Records are at Times lost by Fire, &c. as happened not long since at Williamsbourg in Virginia, and last Year at Boston in Massachusetts-Bay Province.
• * 1.164

  In new unimproved Countries, Damps and Foggs lodge and form small Runs of Water; as the Land is cleared and laid open, those Damps vanish, and the small Runs dry up, and some of our Water-Mills upon this Account, are become of no Use; their Streams are bec••me quite dry or deficient.
• * 1.165

  ••he Width of Hartf••rd ••••rry is 100 Rod.
• * 1.166

  This Account is mainly taken from Cotton Mather, D. D.
• * 1.167

  Mr. Mather his Advocate, writes "nor indeed had the Hunger of a Sallary, any such Impression upon him, as to make him decline doing all possible Service for the Publick—That he was not to be rec|koned amongst those who were infamous for infinite Avarice and Vil|la••ny. Magnalia Book II.— He was not ashamed of his former low Circumstances; once in sailing with a considerable Command in Sight of Quennebeck; he said to those under his Command, Young Men it was upon that Hill that I kept Sheep a few Years ago, you don't know what you may come to.— Upon his Death Dr. C. Mather wrote an Elegy, beginning thus,

  And to Mortality a Sacrifice F••l••s he, whose Deeds must him immortalize.

  This is not very fluent, but meant well.
• * 1.168

  Governors and other Royal Officers when Complaints are lodged, or to be lodged at the Boards in Great-Britain, Pro or Co••; these Offi|cers appearing at Home in Person, always turns to their best Accounts. Attorneys or Agents do not answer so well; many Instances may be produced, but the Case is notorious.
• * 1.169

  We must not reckon Depreciations indifferently by publick Al|lowance advanced, because the Variation does not observe every where the same Proportion, v. g. the first Allowance to Councellors was 5 s. Currency per Day, at present it is 30 s. which is Six for One, Depre|ciation Allowance; the Governor's Allowance was 500 £. common Currency per Ann. at present it is 9, 600 £. Old Tenor, or common Currency, which is about Nineteen for One; so much the Governor i•• at present favoured by the House of Representatives, while they themselves accept of 20 s. presentCurrency Old Tenor, for the original 3 s. per Day, which is only Six and two Thirds for one. This Differ|ence in Proportions, is easily accounted for, and if requisite shall be t••ken Notice of in the Appendix.
• * 1.170

  So called, from the Name of the Tribe of Indians living thereabout••, when the English first began Settlements there.
• * 1.171

  Massachusetts-Bay Government though lately curtailed, at pre|sent do summons about 150 Representatives, being more than all of the following five Provinces,

  New-York

  27

  East and West New-Ierseys

  22

  Pensylvania Proper or Higher

  30

  The three Lower Counties

  18

  South Carolina

  42

   

  139
• * 1.172

  Our Plantations in America, New-England excepted, have been generally settled, 1. By Malecontents with the Administrations from Time to Time; 2. By fraudulent Debtors, as a Refuge from their Creditors; 3. And by Convicts or Criminals, who chose Transporta|tion rather than Death. These Circumstances make the just Civil Administration in the Colonies a difficult Performance. An indebted, abandoned, and avaricio••s Governor, in Collusion with such Miscreants or Villains, is capable of doing great Iniquity and Damage in a Pro|vince; therefore the Court of Great-Britain ought to be very cir|cumspect, and appoint Men of Probity and Wisdom, for Governors the only Checks; the recommending Minister, may be interrogated: Is this Candidate or his Wife, any Relation, particular Friend, or Amica? But we must not insist upon Utopian Governments.

  The incident Difficulties which may arise between a Governor in high Power, and a licentious People, are Problems not easily solved: Liberty without Obedience is Confusion, and Obedience without Li|berty is Slavery; to support a coercive Power over a giddy People, and to secure the People against the Abuse of this Power are difficult Problems.

  When the Generality of a Province are disgusted with their Go|vernor, let the Occasion of this Disgust be any how; perhaps it may be adviseable to supersede him by another of equal or more Virtue and Qualifications for Government, especially where a Gover|nor's Avarice and Villany are notorious; we gave Instances in Low|ther and Douglass.

  All numerous Combinations, Associations, or Partnerships in an ab|solute Sovereignty, or depending Provinces, tend to the Subversion, Ruin, or at least, Confusion of the Society; we have a notorious In|stance of this in the Province of Massachusetts-Bay of New-England. Anno 1740, a Combination of DESPERATE DEBTORS, by the Bubble Name of Land Bank, had formed a prevailing Party, which not|withstanding of their being timely stigmatized and damned by an Act of the British Parliament, their Influence in the Assembly continues to prevail to this Time 1749; in a lucid Interval Anno 1746, Journal P. 246, the House of Representatives, say, "We have been the Means of effectually bringing Distress, if not Ruin upon our selves. And in Summer 1748, at the Desire of the House of Representatives a Fast is appointed, "Upon Account of the extreme Drought, a Punish|ment for many publick Sins we 〈…〉〈…〉 guilty of." This seems bor|rowed from the Account of a genera•• Fast appointed by the Assembly, praying God that he would pardon all the Errors of his Servants and People in a late Tragedy (meaning the Affair of Salem Witchcraft) raised amongst us by Satan and his Instruments.

  Here is an obvious Political Observation, That notwithstanding the Proceedings of a Community may be much perverted or vitiated; there are certain Boundaries which Humanity and the natural Affec|tion which Mankind bear to their Proge••y cannot exceed▪ I shall give some few late Instances of it in this Provincial Government— 1748 Iune 3. the Board of Council and House of Representatives in in a joint Message to the Governor, say, "The great Loss of Inha|bitants for Husbandry and other Labour, and for the Defence of an inland Frontier of about 300 Miles; the vast Load of Debt already contracted, and the unparallelled growing Charge: the annual Charge of Connecticut Government, at this Time is about 4000 £. to 5000 £. Old Tenor, whereas Massachusetts-Bay Government, only about O••e Third larger, is at the annual Charge (meaning the present Year) of 400,000 Old Tenor. Moreover, Connecticut is almost out of Debt, and we are almost two Millions in Debt▪ INSUPPORTABLE DIFFI|CULTIES!—In the same Journal, the House of Representatives com|plain, that many Thousands of Inhabitants, have been carried off from us, by the Expedition against the Spanish West Indies, by the Ex|pedition against Loui••••ourg, by forming and recruiting the two Ameri|can Regiments at Louisbourg, the Protection of Nova-Scotia, the main|taining of Provincial Privateer Vessels, and the Defence of our Frontiers.

  Anno 1747, the Governor insisting upon a further Emission of these depreciating Bills; the Representatives, though a Paper-Money mak|ing House, could not avoid remonstrating, "if we emit more Bills, we apprehend it must be followed by a great Impair, if not utter Loss of the publick Credit, which already has been greatly wounded.

  Iune 16. The Board of Council remonstrate, "the neighbour|ing Provinces have been at little or no Expence of Money or Men; while this Province is reduced to the utmost Distress, by bearing almost the whole Burden of the Wars.

  With publick Taxes, we are burdened almost to Ruin.— The Province is at a prodigious daily Charge, beyond their Strength Which has involved us in a prodigious Load of Debt, and in a Manner exhausted our Substance.

  — 1746, 7. March 14. The House of Representatives resolve, "That not only from the immense Debt the Province is loaded with from the Cape-Breton Ex|pedition, but also from the Decrease of the Inhabitants; they will make no Establishment the present Year, for any Forces which shall not be posted within the Bounds of the Province" — "Should the whole Sum expended in the late Expedition against Cape-Breton, be reimbursed u••, we have still a greater Debt remaining, than ever lay upon any one of his Majesty's Governments in the Plantations.
• * 1.173

  That we may the better estimate the Differences of Massachu|setts present Currency from the present Value of Currencies in the other British Plantations, Colonies, and Provinces; we exhibit their present (1748) Exchanges with London.

  		Currency
  For 100 £. Sterl.	New-England	1100	North-Carolina	1000
  	New-York	190	South-Carolina	750
  	East-Iersies	190	Barbados	130
  	West-Iersies	180	Antegoa	170 to 180
  	Pensylvania	180	St. Christophers	160
  	Maryland	200	Iamaica	140
  	Virginia	120 to 125
• * 1.174

  Our Go—e—r for certain Political Reasons which we shall not now dive into, sees meet to vary from Time to Time.—Soon after his Accession Iune 1742, in a Message to the House, gives wholsome pa|ternal Advice, 1. That long Sessions are very expensive to the Pro|vince. 2. He entreats them to keep the Province clear of Debt, which instead of decreasing, will continually increase their Incum|brances— 3. 1741 August 17, in his first Speech, "A Creditor who has the Misfortune of having an out standing Debt, of the Value of 1000 £. Sterl. contracted Anno 1730, can now receive no more in our Courts of Judicature (unless in a Case of Specialty) than the Va|lue of about 650 £. Sterl. the great Injustice and Oppression of which, upon the Creditor, has a great Tendency to introduce a Spirit of Dis|honesty into this Community."— 4. 1741 Oct. 14. "Restraints upon Emissions, which his Majesty has been graciously pleased, out of his Paternal Affection to his People to do, and has thereby saved this Pro|vince from greater Ruin"— "It is the Injustice of those Bills, which has plunged us into those Difficulties— in some subsequent Assemblies "the securing to every Creditor, the just Value of his Debt, is a Piece of Justice, hitherto unknown to your Laws or Courts of Judicature"— 5. "The Province being so long acc••stomed, to estimate Province Bills of publick Credit, according to their nominal Value, is grown quite insensible of their real Value,"— 1744 Nov. 29, he well observes in his Speech with Regard to multiplying Paper Currency, "and can such a Proceeding be thought beneficial to the Country? Can it possi|bly be deemed either prudent with Respect to yourselves, or just with Regard to your Posterity.— 1747, 8, Feb. 3. "the general Distress of the Province, arising from the extraordinary Emissions of Paper Mo|ney, whereby the Value thereof, for all Occasions of Life, is sunk so low, and is still sinking; and thereby the Estates of Orphans and Widows, and of many others who have no Remedy in their Power, against this growing Evil, daily diminishing; which must in very little Time bring many good Families to Ruin."

  On the other Side of the Question; we may observe, that, 1. Of late Years, the Sessions of Assembly, are longer and more frequent, than ever; for Instance, the annual Assembly of 1746, did sit about 30 Weeks at the daily Charge (our Assembly-Men are all in Pay) of near 150 £. 2. Our Provincial Debt 1741, when Mr. Belcher was superseded, was about 130,000 £.; at present 1749, it is about two Millions.—3. "The great and sudden Depreciations of Province-Bills, is owing to the immoderate Price of Exchange and Silver— 4. Ian. 15. 1741, 2, " The Instruction, containing a restraining Clause in e|mitting Bills of Credit, is remitted: As this is an Alteration, which I am perswaded (Speech to the Assembly) will be very agreeable unto you, and has been occasioned through my Accession to the Govern|ment; I mention it to you with no SMALL SATISFACTION.— 5. In a Speech to the Assembly, "from 1718 to 1743, in constant Practice all Debts upon Book, Note, Bond, or Mortgage, were discharged in Province Bills Penny for Penny, that is, in the nominal Sum; which he deems to be equitable, because both Creditor and Debtor, tacitly run the Chance of the rising or falling of those Bills." N. B. This was the common Cant of the Land Bank Managers and other Debtors; the Forbearance and Indulgence of Creditors is ridiculed, as much, as if a Person intrusted by another with Money or Goods, should turn Bankrupt and laugh at his Friend for his Trust, alledging, that it was in his Option, to trust or not trust him. How provoking is this, to an honest Man, for his Good Nature and Compassion to have his Es|tate first by a private, and afterwards by a more open and daring Com|bination of the Debtors reduced in a reverse Proportion of 12 s. to 30 s. the Price of Silver from Anno 1718 to 1743, and from 30 s. to 60 s. as it is Anno 1749; and afterwards be laughed at as a silly Fool.

  And in Fact, how could a Person remedy himself with the strictest Sagacity in the following Cases? A Man lets out Money upon Mort|gage May 1745, Exchange with London 650 £. Currency for 100 £. Sterl▪; in the Space of three Years May 1748, Exchange is 1100 £. Currency for 100 £. Sterl.: A Creditor all this Time cannot recover his Money, because by the Laws of the Province, near one Year (by Appeals and Reviews) is required to bring a Bond to final Judgment, and the Equity of Redemption is three Years more: Moreover, the publick Loans and the private Bank Loans were conditioned at 10 to 15 Years Forbearance, which with the abovesaid four Years additional; makes an unavoidable Forbearance of 14 to 19 Years: Further, some of the Loan 1716 (a great Damage to the Publick) is not sued out at this present Writing. How is it possible to provide against the conti|nued great Depreciations during so many Years?

  As it does not belong to any Provincial Assembly, to explain Acts of Parliament; because they may be deemed sufficient to execute themselves, under the Agency of the Colony executive Courts; I do not pretend to be Statesman sufficient, to account for a Bill brought into our Court of Legislature yearly, for these eight Years last past; entitled, A Bill for the more speedy finishing of the Land-Bank Scheme; as it is never brought to an Issue, perhaps some may call it, rather a Bill of Grace.

  Governor Shirley in his Speech October 14. 1741, "Nothing is more easy, than to secure to every Creditor his just Due, let the Bills de|preciate never so much, by enabling the King's Judges to do Justice to every Creditor in that Particular— It is the Injustice of our Bills which has plunged us into these Difficulties." But as this Advice has not been followed or repeated, the Creditors have generally suffered in the reverse Proportion of 60 to 30 in a few Years; such is the ma|lignant Nature of this depascent Ulcer, that nothing but the Extirpation or Excision of this, can save our Body Politick; delenda est.

  I desire Readers, not affected with Paper-Currencies, may excuse Prolixity; when this vil•• Chimaera or Monster comes in my Way, I cannot contain my self.

  This Scheme for fraudulent Debtors to cheat their Creditors, was first projected Anno 1714, by I. C. The Maxim or Basis was by multiplied Emissions to depreciate the nominal Value of our Currency; thus the Difference between the nominal Value, at any Time when paid, and its real Value when lent or contracted for; was a fraudulent Gain to the Debtor, and a very injurious Loss to the honest Creditor; for Instance, Anno 1713, Exchange with London 150 £. Currency for 100 £. Sterl.; at present 1749, by Depreciations we are at 1100 £. Currency for 100 £. Sterl.; that is in successive Dealings, the Cre|ditor has lost six in seven of his Debts or Contracts, which is the Deb|tor's crafty Gain. There were various Essays made from Time to Time, to arrive to this Depreciation, the last was miraculously the most successful. 1. Emitting Bills of p••blick Credit, not only for the or|dinary and necessary Charges of Government, but for publick Loans to private Persons, viz. Anno 1714. ••0,000 £. Anno 1716, 100,000 £. Anno 1721, 50,000 £. Anno 1727, 60,000 £. at long Credit, this had a considerable Effect in Favour of Debtors, but some Inconveni|encies and I••st••••••ions put a Stop to it. 2. Postponing the cancelling of Emissions; thus Emissions yearly multiplied, and the cancelling of them delayed, increased this Flood of a base Currency. 3. Notes of private Associations designed to be upon a Par, current with publick Bills of Credit, would have multiplied this false Currency immensly, but from private Complaints sent Home, this was crushed in Embrio, by Act of the British Parliament 1741. 4. At length by multiplied expensive Expeditions, they compassed their Designs to the greatest Extent, or to a ne plus Ultra, which it is to be hoped the Parliament of Great-Britain in their wonted Goodness, will rectify in their present Session.

  I am sorry that upon any Occasion, or in any Respect; I should give Offence to any particular Person, or to any Number of Men: It is not from Malice or Resentment: It cannot be imagined, that in Course, writing unavoidable historical Truths, I should designedly and maliciously reflect upon the Country and its municipal Jurisdiction; this is my Altera Patria, from upwards of thirty Years Residence.

  However, the Creatures of any Ministry at Home, may from Time to Time find Fault with the Liberty of the Fress, which they represent as licentious; the Courts of Judicature, which by good Providence a••e independent of the Ministry, vindicate the Press, if not too licentious, and find Fault with their despotick Accus••rs.

  While I write meer Facts with proper Vouchers and in a good Light; I use only that Liberty (not Licentiousness) of the Press, which seems sacred and essential to the British Constitution; as we have no general Intendants as in the French Constitution, every His|torical Writer with us, may be a So•• of I••••endant or Check upon Provincial Administration; for Instance, as the House of Representa|tives, are the grand Inquest of the Province, especially as to ••••isde|meanors in the Administration: May I not take Hint from ••••eir Journals, v. g. Although as above the Colony of C••••••ecticut are to this Province as two to three; Connecticut is almost out of Debt, and we are about two Millions Currency in Debt; the annual publick Charges of Connecticut are 4000 to 5000 £. Currency, those of Mas|sachusetts-Bay are about 400,000 £.: Which vast proportional Dif|ference, is said to be owing to the Differences in the Frugality and In|tegrity of their respective Administrations. 2. The Representatives in their Journals seem to complain of universal infectious Corruption, viz. That Officers from the highest to the lowest, were iniqui•••••••• in their Perquisites: The Field-Officers, Captain••, and others were ••om|plained against for extorting Money from the private Men, as a Com|mission of receiving their Wages, and for certifying their 〈…〉〈…〉 Service; for buying their Wages or Pay at a great Discount; for 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Money in the Discharge or Exchange of impressed Men; and for false incomplete Muster-Rolls: These Things are all wisely provided against by the General Assembly, but the executive Part of the Ad|ministration seem to connive; for Instance, by a late Act "if any Person authorized, shall exact or take any Reward, to discharge or spare any (Soldiers) from said Service, he shall forfeit Ten Pounds for every Twenty Shillings he shall so exact or take:" In this Case many Officers have been notoriously guilty, but not called to Account.

  The whole Legislature, for Reasons best known to themselves, do at Times jointly vary from their former Notions of Affairs: A noted Instance of this was Anno 1741, a Sum of 127.125 £. in publick Bills of Credit to be cancelled by Taxes, conform to the emitting Acts of Assembly; so high a Tax was judged inconvenient, and it was di|vided amongst the three subsequent Years: Anno 1748 the Province poorer by Expedition Losses of working Men, and by Ship building, and other Articles of Trade failing, the Province Tax for the Year is enacted, at upwards of 400,000 £. The Reimbursements granted by Parliament was designed to payoff the publick Bills of Credit, that is the Provincial Debt contracted by the Cape-Breton Expedition.
• * 1.175

  About 20 Years since, and for some following Years, the Gene|ral Assembly of the Province were in the Humour of dividing and appropriating most of the then reckoned Provincial or unoccupied Lands; that in Case of future Claims by the Crown, &c. by Posses|sion they might retain at least the Property: This was provident and good Policy, and accordingly upon settling the Line between the two Provinces, the Property of the abovesaid Districts, was in the Commission reserved to these Possessors; but lately the Heirs and Assigns of Mr. Mason, original Grantee of New-Hampshire, have in|timidated the Massachusetts Proprietors, and brought sundry of them to compound for a valuable Quit-Claim, whereas if by Contribution of the present Proprietors (a meer Trifle to each of them) they by Petition had carried the Affair before the King in Council, they would have been quieted in their Property, and obviated any further Claims, such as the Claims of Col. Allen's Heirs, Mr. Mason's general Assignee; and of the Claims of the Million Purchase lately revived, which may likewise be converted into Bubbles.

  Our General Assembly at that Time were in such a Hurry to ap|propriate the vacant Lands, that several old Townships were encou|raged to petition for an additional new Township; and when they were satiated, the Assembly introduced by Way of Bounty to the Descendents of the Soldiers in the Indian War of King Philip (so called) 1675, and of the Soldiers in Sir William Phipps's Expedition against Canada, Anno 1690; thus nine Townships were granted to each of these Expeditions: Thus no Lands (excepting in the inland back Wilderness of the Province of Main) were left to recompence the Descendents of the particular Sufferers (the Province in general was an unaccountable Sufferer) in the unforeseen and inconceivable (because rash) Expedition against Louisbourg, our Administration per|haps did not understand the Doctrine of Chances; but by good Pro|vidence, though the Chance was upwards of a Million to One against us, we gained the Prize, not by playing away Men (as is the Phrase in Flanders) in being killed, but by the Poltroonery of the French Garrison; this must not be understood as detracting from the New-England Militia Troops, who are noted for their Courage as Bull-Dogs (excuse the Expression) where they fix, they never quit hold, un|til they conquer, or are cut to Pieces.
• * 1.176

  It is said, that Anno 1693, there were some Boston Gentlemen Representatives for some of the Out-Towns, but not agreeable to the then Rev. I. M—th—r; Mr. B—f—d for Bristol is mentioned; Mr. M— of great Interest with the weak Governor Phipps, and with the devotionally bigotted House, procured this Act.
• * 1.177

  As Savings, that is Frugality in private Oeconomy is a conside|rable Lucretian, so it is in the publick Charges of Government; for Instance, the taking and maintaining the Fort of Louisbourg in the Island of Cape-Br••ton cost Great-Britain; considering other unavoidable vast Charges, not conveniently able to afford such an extra Charge upon a Place which must in Policy unavoidably be restored, to the great Disgust of the brave New-England Men, who in Loyalty, and Patriotism to the British Nations, ventured not only their Lives to the Number upwards of 2000 of an Infant Colony, dead, but their Fortunes, (that is their Count••y, notwithstanding of the generous Reimbursement of the British Parl••ame••t, reduced to great Distress) I say it cost about 500,000 £. Sterl. a dead Loss to Great-Britain, whereas a small additional Charge in the better garrisoning of Annapolis, Placentia, and St. Iohns; with a few additional Ships of War from Great-Britain, under the Direction of an active Com|mander, such as Sir Peter Warren or Mr. Knowles, would have not only secured our Northern Colonies and their Trade against all French Armaments, the French being in that Time notoriously weak at Sea; but also would have cut off all Communication between Old France, and New France or Canada.
• * 1.178

  By Act of Assembly, Governors are exempted from Rates or Taxes; therefore some Governors easily consent to, and laugh at a high Tax.
• * 1.179

  It is arrogant, in some Measure seditious, and a great Sin against the divine Institution of Society; for any Person or Persons, to ex|claim against the Acts of Legislature: the following are only some private Speculations, concerning the negotiating of the late Cape-Bre|ton Expedition Reimbursement Money, and the sudden Transition from an immense base Paper-Currency, to that good and universal Medium of Silver Money.

  1. The late Act for receiving and negotiating our Reimbursement Money granted by the Parliament of Great-Britain, impowers Sir Peter Warren, Mr. Bollan, and Mr. Palmer, or two of them, the said Bollan to be one; perhaps the giving of a Negative to Mr. Bollan, may disgust the other two Gentlemen, so as to prevent their acting, and consequently occasion a further Delay of the Reimbursement; did not, Mr. Bollan's being formerly appointed sole Agent in this Affair, disgust his Fellow Provincial Agent Mr. Kilby, a Gentleman of Know|ledge and Spirit in transacting of Business; and occasion a Memo|rial of Merchants and others, Sept. 21. 1748, to the Treasury of Great-Britain, to delay the Remittance of the Reimbursement Money, for Reasons therein specified? This Delay is a Damage to the Coun|try after the Rate (I mean the Interest of the Money) of 11,000 £. Sterl: or 110,000 £. Old Tenor per Annum; as if some Debtors Ma|nagers, studied Methods to delay the Melioration of the Denominati|ons of our Currencies, by clogging the Affair.

  2. The Amount of our Provincial Debt (that is of our publick Bills, or Paper Currency) Anno 1748, was about 2,405,000 £. Old Tenor; by thi•• ••ct a Part of it 712,000 £. is to be sunk by very heavy Rates upon a reduced poor People, in the Years 1748 and 1749; and the ••••maining 1,693,000 £. Old Tenor, to be redeemed or exchanged by the Reimbursement Silver; Commissions, Freight, Insurance, and some petty Charges being first deducted.

  I use the Words, a poor reduced People, 1. In Conformity to sundry Expressions used at several Times by the House of Represen|tatives, in their Messages to the Governor, "with publick Taxes we are burdened almost to Ruin."— "The Province is at a prodigious daily Charge beyond their Strength, which has involved us in a pro|digious Load of Debt, and in a manner exhausted our Substance."— "Although the same Disposition remains, yet we are in a manner incapable to promote (the British Interest) it for the future." 2. The Loss of about 3000 robust, labouring young Men by Expeditions; Major Little lately Commander of the Massachusetts-Bay Reinforce|ments sent to Annapolis in Nova-Scotia, in his Book published in Lon|don 1748, concerning the Nature of the present Trade of our Nor|thern Colonies, writes, that by multiplied Expeditions they had lost 7000 Men, and many Thousands perverted to Idleness: here I may, by Way of Amusement observe, that according to the Estimates of Political Arithmeticians, in all well settled Countries the Numbers of Males and Females are nearly equal (some are very particular, and suppose 18 Male Births, to 17 Female Births) therefore as we have lately by Expeditions lost about Three Thousand young Men, there re|mains with us a Ballance of Three Thousand young Women, good Breeders, but idle in that Respect; the Ballance may be transferred to settle Nova-Scotia, under the Cover of some Regiments of Soldiers, that must be disbanded, which in the Interim may be transported to Nova-Scotia, cantoned, and continued in Pay for two or three Years, with Portions of Land, at an easy Quit-rent; thus the French Set|tlers, our perfidiousSubjects may be elbowed out. 3. The inconceiv|able Decay of our Trade and Business: Fishery and Ship building are the most considerable Articles: Formerly from Marblehead our principal Cod-Fishery-Port, there were about 160 Fishing Scooners, at present 1748 only about 60 Scooners: Formerly there have been upon the Stocks in Boston 7000 Ton of Top-sail Vessels, at present not much exceeding 2000 Tons. 4. Some of our Townships, and consequently their Proportion of Taxes, have lately by the Determi|nation of the King in Council, been set off to the neighbouring Go|vernments of New-Hampshire and Rhode-Island. 5. The late sudden and considerably enhanced Pay of the three Negatives of the Legisla|ture, notwithstanding Exchange, Silver, and Necessaries of Life (Cloathing growing cheaper) being nearly at the same Price Anno 1747 and 1748.

  3. Our Combination of Debtors who formerly were for postponing of Paper Money, all of a sudden inconsistently with their proper Cha|••acter, quicquid id est tim••o, are for sinking all Paper-Currency in the Space of a Year or two; we may without Breach of Charity suspect their hurrying the Province into a State of Confusion, that they may 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in troubled Waters; perhaps as Paper-Currency arrived by De|grees, to a vast Sum, and great Depreciation; it would be more na|tural to sink it gradually in the Space of half a Dozen, or half a Score of Years; and by Act of Parliament (not by precarious Instructions) no more Paper-Money to be emitted, a Governor consenting to any such Emissions to be rendred incapable and mulcted. Notwithstand|ing that I always was a professed Enemy to all Paper, as being a base fallacious, and fraudulent Contrivance of a Currency, I cannot avoid thinking that this is the most salutary Method.

  4. The honest and honourable Way of paying a Bill, is, accord|ing to the Face of the Bill, that is, all Bills with us of 6 s. in the Face of the Bills, should be paid in a Piece of Eight; whereas by the Act 1748, a Piece of Eight shall be received in Payments for 11 s. 3 d. New Tenor; thus these Bills in their own pernicious Nature, from Anno 1742 to 1748 have suffered a Discount of about 10 s. in the Pound: Mr. S—l—y in a Speech or Message in Relation to the first Emission of these New Tenor Bills insinuates, that he had con|trived Bills which could not depreciate: But notwithstanding, these Bills have greatly depreciated in passing through several Hands, and as it is impossible to adjust the Proportion of Depreciation in each of these Heads, it is unreasonable that the last Possessor should have the Allowance of the successive Depreciations: Therefore the Assembly in Equity have allowed the Possessor only the current Value, but here the Assembly seem to allow themselves to be Bankrupts at the Rate of 10 s. in the Pound, from 1742 to 1748. Perhaps if a Piece of Eight had been in the new Projection enacted equal to 12 s. New Tenor, which is 48 s. Old Tenor, the general Price amongst Mer|chants; it would have been no Injustice to the Possessors, it would have prevented their being hoarded up, and the Reimburse|ment Money would have paid off about 6 per Cent more of our Debts, that is, cancelled so much more of our iniquitous Currency. N. B. Perhaps, the stating of a Piece of Eight (seven Eights of an Ounce of Silver) at 6 s. Currency, and one Ounce of Silver at 6 s. 8d. is out of Proportion: the true Proportion is 6 s. 10 d. two 7ths.

  5. In Place of sending over the Reimbursement in foreign Silver-Coin, if the Provincial Treasurer were empowered from Home and here, to draw partial Bills for the same upon the British Treasury, or where else it may be lodged; this would save Commissions, Insurance, Freight, and small Charges, to the Value of about 12,000 £. Sterl. upon the 183,000 £. Reimbursement, sufficient to discharge 120,000£. Old Tenor, of our Debts. I shall not say that private pecuniary Views, but not Oeconomy are in the Case.

  Upon the Supposition of this Reimbursement Money being remitted by Bills of Exchange, consulting the best Advantage of the Pro|vince; perhaps by appropriating one half of the Reimbursement for that End, 910,000 £. O. T. of our Debt or Bills would in the most ex|peditious Manner be instantly sunk; all Merchants, Shop-keepers, and others would gladly purchase with our Paper such good and punctual Bills preferable to any other private Bills of Exchange: The other half of the Reimbursement to be by the like Bills of Exchange pur|chased here by Silver to introduce a Silver Currency, the only proper commercial Medium; providentially in Favour of this Purpose, we have lately had imported a Capture from the Spaniards of 54 Chests of Silver, which the Owners would gladly have exchanged for such Bills; all Merchants and others in New-England and the adjacent Pro|vinces who send Pieces of Eight Home as Returns, or to purchase fresh Goods, would be fond of bringing their Silver to purchase such ••ood Bills free from all the Charges of other Remittances: Thus 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a Silver Currency commencing, of 910,000 £. Old Tenor Value, we shall have a remaining Paper-Currency of 1,495,000 to be can|celled gradually by Rites and other Taxes, suppose in 10 Years, is about 150,000 £. Old Tenor, or 37,500 £. New Tenor per Annum; thus the two Years 1748 and 1749, perhaps oppressively loaded, will be much eased, and the infatuated Paper-Currency Men made easy by sinking of it gradually; with the Proviso of an Act of Parliament prohibiting, for ever hereafter, any more publick Bills of Credit to be emitted.

  This remaining 1,495,000 £. Paper Currency, abstracting from the 910,000 £. Silver, Part of the Reimbursement, is more than a sufficient Medium for Trade and Business, in a quick Circulation, in the Province of Massachusetts-Bay. Let us recollect, that in the latter Part of Governor Belcher's Administration 1741, immediately preceed|ing Governor Shirley's Accession, this Province in its full Vigour and Extent of Trade, seemed to be sufficiently supplied, by a Sum not exceeding 160,000 £. a Fund for Taxes not assessed, for Taxes as|sessed but not collected, and for Arrears of Loans; let us suppose a like Sum of 160,000 £. from the neighbouring Governments, ob|tained a Credit of Circulation with us (the four Colonies of New-England hitherto as to Currencies have been as one Province) makes 320,000 £.; at that Time Silver was at 29 s. per Ounce, at this Time 1748 it is 58 s. per Ounce; therefore upon this Foundation we must suppose 640,000 £. Old Tenor Value, the Medium sufficient or requisite for our Trade and Business, whereas we have allowed 1,495,000 £. Old Tenor Value, being more than double that Sum, to remain for a Paper Currency.

  A Stranger may think it unaccountable that in the Beginning of Governor Shirley's Administration, Anno 1741, the projected speedy cancelling of about 130,000 Old Tenor Bills by the Taxes for 1741 should be judged too oppressive for one Year, and was therefore di|vided amongst three subsequent Years; whereas the 103,000 £. New Tenor, or 412,000 Old Tenor, Taxes of 1748 (although, we have the Reimbursement Money, to alleviate this grievous Weight) to|wards the End of his Administration, is not lightned.
• * 1.180

  It has hitherto been too much a Practice to multiply the Num|ber of the Justices of the Peace (this amongst other Inconveniencies, as an old Country Justice well observed)

  Depreciates the former Credit of a Justice, as the multiplying of our publick Bills of Credit, depreciates our Currency.

  May not Acts of Assembly be made from Time to Time, to limit the Number of Justices in each County, and their Qualifications be under some Regulation?
• * 1.181

  The Smallness of Court-Fees, multiply Law-Suits, and is a Snare for poor People to become litigious.
• * 1.182

  B••st••n, with the rest of the County of Suff••lk's Excise, is farmed for 10,000 £. Old Tenor. being about 1000 £. Sterl. pr. An.
• * 1.183

  About Twenty Years after the N•• w England Revolution, Anno 1710 towards the Charges of the Expedition against Port Royal now Annapolis Royal, the Quotas of the four New-England Colonies for e|very 1000 £. was in this Proportion,

  Massachusetts-Bay	£. 638	7 s.	9 d.
  Connecticut	194	14	3 halfp••nny
  Rhode Island	111	5	3 halfpenny
  New-H••mp••••ire	55	12	6

  at present 1749 ••••n••••ticut much exceeds that Proportion in Men, and Rhode Island much exceeds that Proportion in 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.184

  In the first Years after the New England Revolution, at the first Emission of the fraudulent publick Bills of Credit, as a Currency; their Tenor was — This indented Bill of ***** due from the Massachu|setts-Colony to the Pos••••ssor shall be in Value equal to Money; and shall be accordingly accepted by the Treasurer, and Receivers subordinate to him in all publick Payments, and for any Stock at any Time in the Treasury. Boston in New-England, February the Third 1690; By Order of the General Court. At that Time the Ways and Means to supply the annual Charges of Government was by so many single Rates (as in Germany by Roman Months, and in Scotland by Months cess) whereof a certain Proportion was receivable at the Treasury in Money, and a certain Proportion in Produce and Goods enumerated, and at a fixed Price, which were called Stock in the Treasury to be sold for provin|cial Bills.
• * 1.185

  Part of this was cancelled by the Taxes of 1747.
• * 1.186

  Of t••is 9600 £. for Representatives, was cancelled by the Representatives Tax in the Year 1746.
• * 1.187

  The 8000 £. for Representatives, was cancelled 1747.
• * 1.188

  This was cancelled 1747 in Part.
• * 1.189

  This was cancelled 1747.
• * 1.190

  This in Part was cancelled 1747.
• * 1.191

  Here is some small Error.
• * 1.192

  To represent at one View the vast depreciated promiscuous Pa|per Currency, or rather publick Debt of the Colonies of New-England, as it is at present.
• * 1.193

  From the Estimates of Drs. Halley and 〈◊〉〈◊〉, of 35 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••8 are Boys, 17 are Girl••.
• * 1.194

  Our Continen•• Southern Colonies are peculiarly adapted for Grain, Tobacco (in S••ut•• Carolina they are making Trials for Indig••, Cotton, and Silk) and Deer-Ski••s. Our Northern Continent-Colo|nies, produce kindly Pasturage, Cyder, Fishery, Furs, Naval Stores and other Timber.
• * 1.195

  Within these few Years, our Cod-Fishery, Whaling, and Ship-Building have failed much; and by Peculation and Depopulation, we were like to have been carried into Ruin; but it is to be hoped we may have better Times; at present our Trade is not half so much, and our Taxes from 30 to 40 Times more, than they were a few Years ago.
• * 1.196

  120 Bushels Charcoal is sufficient to smelt Rock-Ore into one Tun Pigs; the Compliment of Men for a Furnace is 8 or 9, besides Cutters of the Wood, Co••lers, Carter••, and other common Labourers.
• * 1.197

  Bog or Swamp Ore lies from half a Foot to two Feet deep; in about 20 Years from digging, it grows or gathers fit for another Di••ging; if it lies longer it turns rusty, and does not yield well: Three Tuns of Swamp Ore yields about one Tun of hollow Ware.
• * 1.198

  Col. Dunbar Anno 1731 informs the Board of Trade and Pla••|tations, that in New-England were Six Furnaces, meaning hollow Ware Furnaces, and 19 Forges▪ meaning Bloomeries, not Refineries; at that Time we had no Pig Furnaces, nor Refineries of Pigs.
• * 1.199

  In the Continent of North-America, we have four Colleges; whereof two are by Charters from Home, that of Virginia is dated Anno 1692, that for New-Iersies is dated October 22. 1746; the other two are by Provincial or Colony Charters, Harvard or Cambridge College of Massachusetts-Bay, and Yale College of Connecticut. They do not assume the Names of Universities or Seminaries of universal Learning, perhaps the first Design of the College in Massachusetts-Bay, was as a Seminary for a Succession of able and learned Gospel-Ministry.
• * 1.200

  The College never had any remarkable Misfortune, the Rev. Mr. Cotton Mather writes, that once providentially, short publick Prayers (I do not know, that hereby he intended to recommend short Prayers) by dismissing the Students in good Time, discovered the Fire and prevented a Conflagration of the College Buildings.
• * 1.201

  The New-England Psalms in present Use, are a just strict Ver|sion, but not an elegant loose Paraphrase; they were composed by Mr. Elliot of Roxbury, Mr. Mather of Dorchester, and Mr. Weld, printed Anno 1640, and afterwards corrected by Mr. Dunster and Mr. Lyons, Tutor to Mr. Mildmay.
• * 1.202

  Anno 1672, There were no Scholars to commence.
• * 1.203

  When Mr. Dudley was President of New-England, for Distinction the President of the College was called Rector.
• * 1.204

  There has been Pastors in the North Church or Congregation of Boston, a regular Succession of Father, Son, and Grandson; the Grandson upon some Party Differences in the old Congregation, has formed a new distinct unanimous Church.
• * 1.205

  Their Language is not copious, because their Knowledge of Things is not extensive, they seem to avoid Labial Letters.
• * 1.206

  See P. 191.
• * 1.207

  The Indians are the most implacably vindictive People upon Earth; they revenge the Death of a Relation or any great Affront, when Occasion presents, let the Distance of Time or Place be never so remote.
• * 1.208

  The Delegates of the Indian Nations, after agreeing upon Ar|ticles with neighbouring Powers, are obliged to go Home and per|swade their young Men to concur.
• * 1.209

  The Barbarians ground all their Wars upon personal or national Enmity, whereas the Ruptures in Europe depend more upon Interest, than upon pure Revenge. To set the Indians at Variance one Na|tion against another Nation, is of no Advantage to the Colonies from Europe, it prevents their Beaver-hunting, and other Branches of the Indian Trade.
• * 1.210

  As Man is a gregarious Animal, the American Indians associate in Herds or Hords, but not in a progressive wandering Manner as the Tartars at this Time, and as the Israelites of Old in the Wildernesses of Arabia.
• * 1.211

  See P. 157 and 184.
• * 1.212

  The far Indians use only Arrows and Clubs.
• * 1.213

  The French with their Indians may plunder, but cannot keep Possession of any of our North America Continent Colonies, our Colonies join and are well peopled: The French Canada and Cape-Breton Colonies have not this Advantage.

  Narrow Rivers are the best Canoe travelling, because in Lakes or wide Rivers, any considerable Degree of Wind, obliges them to go ashore.
• * 1.214

  Mr. Dumm••r a wise Patriot, by continued Scouts and Rangers to the Indian Head Quarters, their Clam Banks, Ponds which the Indians fre|quented for Fishing, Fowling and Hunting, and their travelling Carrying-Places, kept the Indians at a Distance, and by harrassing of them brought them to a happy Peace. The House of Representatives have fre|quently voted that our inland Frontiers, are best secured by scouting Parties in Time of War: 1744 they voted that the Scouts on the Fron|tiers have not been employed in ranging according to their Votes— small scattering Garrisons, without making Excursions into the Indian Country avail nothing; this War we had upwards of 50 such at a Time.

  The House of Representatives at Times find Fault with the Ma|nagement in our last War: 1747 Feb. 6. It being represented to the House of Representatives that many of the Soldiers raised for the Canada Expedition, as well as those raised for the immediate Service of the Province labour under divers Grievances proper for the Consi|deration of this House; therefore a Committee is appointed: when the Levies for the Cape-Breton Expedition were daily coming to Boston, the Representatives by Message desire that the Forces may be sent on board the Transports, and other Forces prevented from coming in, lest they should be infected with the Small-Pox—1746 Iune 13, voted that a Committee be appointed, to enquire into the Complaints of the Soldiers in the Eastern and Western Frontiers, with Respect to the Supply of Provisions—And a Committee to prevent Children under 16 Aet. from inlisting— 1746 Iuly 16 The House in a Message re|present, that inducing of the Men impressed for the Frontiers into o|ther military Service, was a great Distress upon the People, as requir|ing further Impresses; this may discourage future Houses from shew|ing their Zeal in like Manner a•• this House ha•• done.
• * 1.215

  Phi••••as Stephens and others, having made good Improvements in No. 4, a little above the gr••••t Falls of C••••••ecticut River in the Pro|vince of New-H••••pshire; to maintai•• their Settlements, built a Fort which was afterward•• garrisoned by the Province of Massachusetts Bay.
• * 1.216

  Here we suppose Massachusetts-Bay and New-Hampshire acting in Concert.
• * 1.217

  Impressed Men cannot be long detained from their Families and Business, consequently must be frequently relieved by a Rotation of raw Men, not accustomed to this Duty.
• * 1.218

  P. 183.
• * 1.219

  P. 189, &c.
• * 1.220

  See P. 290.
• * 1.221

  See P. 307.
• * 1.222

  See P. 308.
• * 1.223

  See P. 308.
• * 1.224

  See P. 308.
• * 1.225

  See P. 311.
• * 1.226

  See some anticipating Accounts, P. 199 and 317.
• * 1.227

  See P. 317.
• * 1.228

  See P. 317.
• * 1.229

  See P. 199.
• * 1.230

  S••e P. 200.
• * 1.231

  See P. 319.
• * 1.232

  See P. 319.
• * 1.233

  See P. 324.
• * 1.234

  See P. 335, 345.
• * 1.235

  See P. 338, &c.
• * 1.236

  The General of Martinico's French Claim last Winter to the Island of Tobago, 40 Leagues South from Barbado••, and comprehend|ed in the Commission of the Governor of Barbados, was something of this Nature.

  It is probable, that Claims of this Kind will be brought before the Commissaries or Commissioners usually appointed to settle some Con|cerns, which otherwise would have protracted the Negotiations for a ge|neral P••••ce.