<B>§；64。</B>SuchweretheoriginallimitsofthecolonyofMassachusettsBay，
andsuchwerethepowersandprivilegesconferredonit。Itisobservable，
thatthewholestructureofthecharterpresupposestheresidenceofthe
companyinEngland，and。thetransactionofallitsbusinessthere。The
experienceofthepasthadnotsufficientlyinstructedtheadventurers，
thatsettlementsinAmericacouldnotbewellgovernedbycorporations
residentabroad；2orifanyofthemhadarrivedatsuchaconclusion，there
weremanyreasonsforpresuming，thatthecrownwouldbejealousof
grantingpowersofsolargeanature，whichweretoheexercisedatsuch
<P>
<B>___________________________________<BR>
1Hutch。Collection，page1to23；1Haz。Coll。239；IChalmers’s
Annals，p。137。
2Chalmers’sAnnals，81；Robertson’sHist。Amer。B。10。
<P><center>
CH。IV。]MASSACHUSETTS。49
</center></B>
<P>
adistance，aswouldrenderanycontrolorresponsibilityoverthemwholly
visionary。Theywerecontentthereforetogetwhattheycould，hoping，
thatthefuturemightfurnishmoreampleopportunitiesforsuccess；that
theirusurpationsofauthoritywouldnotbecloselywatched；orthatthere
mightbeasilentindulgence，untilthepolicyofthecrownmightfeelita
dutytoyield，whatitwasnowuselesstocontendfor，asadictateof
wisdomandjustice。1Thecharterdidnotincludeanyclauseprovidingfor
thefreeexerciseofreligionortherightsofconscience，(ashasbeen
oftenerroneouslysupposed；)andthemonarchinsisteduponan
administrationoftheoathofsupremacytoeveryperson，whoshouldinhabit
inthecolony；thusexhibitingafixeddeterminationtoadheretothe
severemaximsofconformitysocharacteristicofhisreign。2Thefirst
emigrants，however，paidnoattentiontothiscircumstance；andthevery
firstchurchplantedbythemwasindependentinallitsforms，and
repudiatedeveryconnectionwithEpiscopacy，oraliturgy。3
<P>
<B>§；65。</B>Butabolderstepwassoonafterwardstakenbythecompanyitself。
Itwasascertained，thatlittlesuccesswouldattendtheplantation，so
longasitsaffairswereunderthecontrolofadistantgovernment，knowing
littleofitswantsandinsensibletoitsdifficulties。4Manypersons，
indeed，possessedoffortuneandcharacter，warmedwithreligiouszeal，or
sufferingunderreligiousintolerance，werereadytoembarkinthe
enterprise，ifthecorporationshouldberemoved，sothatthepowersof
governmentmightbeexercisedbythe
<P>
<B>___________________________________<BR>
1Robertson’sAmerica，B。10；1Chalmers’sAnnals，141。
2Robertson’sAmerica，B。10，andnote。
3Robertson’sAmerica，B。10；3Hutch。Coll。201。
4lChalmers’sAnnals，94，95。
<P><center>
50HISTORYOFTHECOLONIES。[BOOKI。
</center></B>
<P>
actualsettlers。1Thecompanyhadalreadybecomealarmedattheextentof
theirownexpenditures，andtherewerebutfainthopesofanyspeedy
reimbursement。Theyentertainedsomedoubtsofthelegalityofthecourse
oftransferringthecharter。ButatlengthitwasdeterminedinAugust，
1629，"bythegeneralconsentofthecompany，thatthegovernmentand
patentshouldbesettledinNew—England。"2Thisresolutioninfusednewlife
intotheassociation；andthenextelectionofofficerswasmadefromamong
thoseproprietors，whohadsignifiedanintentiontoremovetoAmerica。
Thegovernmentandcharterwereaccordinglyremoved；andhenceforththe
wholemanagementofalltheaffairsofthecolonywasconfidedtopersons
andmagistratesresidentwithinitsownbosom。Thefateofthecolonywas
thusdecided；anditgrewwitharapidityandstrength，thatsoongaveita
greatascendancyamongtheNew—Englandsettlements，andawakenedthe
jealousy，distrust，andvigilanceoftheparentcountry。
<P>
<B>§；66。</B>Ithasbeenjustlyremarked，thatthistransactionstandsalonein
thehistoryofEnglishcolonization。3Thepowerofthecorporationtomake
thetransferhasbeenseriouslydoubted，andevendenied。4Buttheboldness
ofthestepisnotmorestriking，thanthesilentacquiescenceoftheking
inpermittingittotakeplace。Theproceedingsoftheroyalauthoritya
fewyearsaftersufficientlyprove，thattheroyalacquiescencewasnot
intendedasanyadmissionoflight。Thesubsequent
strugglesbetweenthecrownandthecolony，downto
<P>
<B>___________________________________<BR>
11Hutch。Hist。12，13；1Chalm。Ann。150，151。
21Hutch。Host。13；3Hutch。Coll。25，26；Robertson’sAmerica，B。10；
Marsh。Colonies，ch。3，p。89；Holmes’sAnnals，197；IChalm。Annals，
150
3Robertson’sAmerica，B。10。
4SeeIHutch。Hist。410，415；IChalmers’sAnnals，139，141，142，148，
151，173。
<P><center>
CH。IV。]MASSACHUSETTS。51
</center></B><P>
theoverthrowofthecharter，underthefamousquowar—rantoproceedingsin
1684，manifestadispositiononthepartofthecoloniststoyieldnothing，
whichcouldberetained；andonthepartofthecrowntoforcetheminto
absolutesubjection。
<P>
<B>§；67。</B>Thegovernmentofthecolonyimmediatelyaftertheremovalofthe
charterwaschangedinmanyimportantfeatures；butitsfundamentalgrants
ofterritory，powers，andprivilegeswereeagerlymaintainedintheir
originalvalidity。1Itistrue，asDr。Robertsonhasobserved，2thatas
soonastheMassachusettsemigrantshadlandedontheseshores，they
consideredthemselvesformanypurposesasavoluntaryassociation，
possessingthenaturalrightsofmentoadoptthatmodeofgovernment，
whichwasmostagreeabletothemselves，andtoenactsuchlaws，aswere
conducivetotheirownwelfare。Theydidnot，indeed，surrenderuptheir
charter，orceasetorecognizeitsobligatoryforce。3Buttheyextended
theiractsfarbeyonditsexpressionofpowers；andwhiletheyboldly
claimedprotectionfromitagainsttheroyaldemandsandprerogatives，they
neverthelessdidnotfeel，thatitfurnishedanylimituponthefreest
exerciseoflegislative，executive，orjudicialfunctions。Theydidnot
viewit，ascreatinganEnglishcorporationunderthenarrowconstruction
ofthecommonlaw；butasaffordingthemeansoffoundingabroadpolitical
government，subjecttothecrownofEngland，butyetenjoyingmany
exclusiveprivileges。4
<P>
<B>___________________________________<BR>
11Hutch。Hist。25；3Hutch。Coll，199，200，203，205，207。
2Robertson’sAmerica，B。10。，
33Hutch。Coll。199，203。
41Hutch。Hist35，36，37，410，507，529；3Hutch。Coll。106，199，
200，203，205，207，329，330，417，418，420，477；IHutch。Hist。410，
415；1Chalmers’sAnnals，151，153，157，161；Robertson’sAmerica，B。10；
Marsh。Hist。Colon。ch。5。139。
<P><center>
52HISTORYOFTHECOLONIES。[BOOKI。
</center>
<P>
§；68。</B>TheGeneralCourtintheiraddresstoParliamentin1646，inanswer
totheremonstranceofcertainmal—contents，usedthefollowinglanguage：1
"Forourgovernmentitself，itisframedaccordingtoourcharter，andthe
fundamentalandcommonlawsofEngland，andcarriedonaccordingtothe
same(takingthewordsofeternaltruthandrighteousnessalongwiththem，
asthatrule，bywhichallkingdomsandjurisdictionsmustrenderaccount
ofeveryactandadministrationinthelastday)withasbareallowancefor
thedisproportionbetweensuchanancient，populous，wealthykingdom，and
sopooraninfant，thincolony，ascommonreasoncanafford。"Andtheythen
proceededtoshowthetruthoftheirstatement，bydrawingaparallel，
settingdowninonecolumnthefundamentalandcommonlawsandcustomsof
England，beginningwithMagnaCharta，andinacorrespondingcolumntheir
ownfundamentallawsandcustoms。Amongotherparallels，afterstating，
thatthesupremeauthorityinEnglandisinthehighcourtofParliament，
theystated："Thehighestauthorityhereisinthegeneralcourtbothby
ourcharterandbyourownpositivelaws。"
<P>
<B>§；69。</B>Forthreeorfouryearsaftertheremovalofthecharter，the
governorandassistantswerechosenandallthebusinessofthegovernment
wastransactedbythefreemenassembledatlargeinageneralcourt。But
themembershavingincreased，soastomakeageneralassembly
inconvenient，analterationtookplace，andin1634，thetownssent
representativestothegeneralcourt。Theydrewupageneraldeclaration，
thatthegeneralcourtalonehadpowertomakeandestablishlaws，andto
electofficers，toraisemoniesandtaxes，andto
<P>
<B>___________________________________<BR>
11Hutch，Hist。145，146；3Hutch。Coll。199，&c。
<P><center>
CH。IV。]MASSACHUSETTS。53
</center></B>
<P>
selllands；andthatthereforeeverytownmightchoosepersonsas
representatives，notexceedingtwo，whoshouldhavethefullpowerand
voicesofallthefreemen，exceptinthechoiceofofficersand
magistrates，whereineveryfreemanwastogivehisownvote。1Thesystem，
thusproposed，wasimmediatelyestablishedbycommonconsent，2althoughit
isnowhereprovidedforinthecharter。andthuswasformedthesecond
houseofrepresentatives(thefirstbeinginVirginia)inanyofthe
colonies。3Atfirst，thewholeofthemagistrates(orassistants)andthe
representativessattogether，andactedasonebody，inenactingalllaws
andorders。Butatlegthin1644theyseparatedintotwodistinctand
independentbodies，eachofwhichpossessedanegativeupontheactsofthe
other。4Thiscourseofproceedingcontinueduntilthefinaldissolutionof
thecharter。
<P>
<B>§；70。</B>Itmaybewelltostateinthisconnection，thatthecouncil
establishedatPlymouthinaveryshortperiodafterthegrantofthe
Massachusettscharter(in1635)finallysurrenderedtheirownpatentback
tothecrown。Theyhadmadeothergrantsofterritory，whichweshall
hereafterhaveoccasiontonotice，whichhadgreatlydiminishedthevalue，
aswellasimportanceoftheircharter。Buttheimmediatecauseofthe
surrenderwastheodiousextentofthemonopoliesgrantedtothem，which
rousedtheattentionofParliament，and
<P>
<B>___________________________________<BR>
1Robertson’sAmerica，B。10；1Hutch。Hist。35，36，203；1Haz。Coll。
320。
2Col。andProvinceLaws，(1814，)ch。35，p。97；3Hutch。Coll。203，
&c。；1Hutch。449。
31Hutch。Hist。35，36，37，94，note，449；1Holmes’sAnnals，222；1
Haz。Coll。321，321；1Chalmers’sAnnals，157。
4IHutch。Hist。449；1Chalmers’sAnnals，166；Col。andProvinceLaws，
(1814，)ch。31，p。88；3Hutch。Coll。205；1Doug。Summ。431。
<P><center>
54HISTORYOFTHECOLONIES。[BOOKI。
</center></B>
<P>
ofthenationatlarge，andcompelledthemtoresign，whattheycould
scarcelymaintainagainstthestrongcurrentofpublicopinion。The
surrender，sofarfromworkinganyevil，ratherinfusednewlifeintothe
colonies，whichsprungfromit，byfreeingthemfromallrestraintand
supervisionbyasuperiorpower，towhichtheymightperhapshavebeenheld
accountable。1Immediatelyafterthissurrenderlegalproceedingswere
institutedagainsttheproprietorsoftheMassachusettscharter。Thosewho
appearedweredeprivedoftheirfranchises。Butfortunatelythemeasure
wasnotcarriedintocompleteexecutionagainsttheabsentproprietors
actingunderthecharterinAmerica。2
<P>
<B>§；71。</B>Afterthefallofthefirstcolonialcharterin1684，3
Massachusettsremainedforsomeyearsinaverydisturbedstateunderthe
arbitrarypowerofthecrown。Atlengthanewcharterwasin1691granted
tothecolonybyWilliamandMary；andithenceforthbecameknownasa
province，andcontinuedtoactunderthislastcharteruntilafterthe
Revolution。Thechartercomprehendedwithinitsterritoriallimitsallthe
oldcolonyoftheMassachusettsBay，thecolonyofNewPlymouth，the
ProvinceofMaine，theterritorycalledAcadia，orNovaScotia，andallthe
landslyingbetweenNovaScotiaandMaine；andincorporatedthewholeinto
oneProvincebythenameoftheProvinceoftheMassachusettsBayin
New—England，tobeholdenasoftheroyalmanorofEastGreenwich，inthe
countyofKent。Itconfirmedallpriorgrantsmadeoflandstoall
persons，
<P>
<B>___________________________________<BR>
11Holmes’sAnnals，227；1Haz。Coll。390，393；IChalmers’sAnnals，
94，95，99。
21Holmes’sAnnals，227；3HutchColl。101，104；1Haz。Coll。423，
425；IChalmers’sAnnals，161。
31Holmes’sAnnals，412。
<P><center>
CH。IV。]MASSACHUSETTS。55
</center></B><P>
corporations，colleges，towns，villages，andschools。Itreservedtothe
crowntheappointmentoftheGovernor，andLieut。Governor，andSecretary
oftheprovince，andalltheofficersoftheCourtofAdmiralty。It
providedfortheappointmentannuallyoftwenty—eightCounselors，whowere
tobechosenbytheGeneralCourt，andnominatedthefirstboard。The
GovernorandCounsellorsweretoholdacouncilfortheorderingand
directingoftheaffairsoftheProvince。TheGovernorwasinvestedwith
therightofnominatingandwiththeadviceofthecouncilofappointing
allmilitaryofficers，andallsheriffs，provosts，marshals，andjusticesof
thepeace，andotherofficersofcourtsofjustice。Hehadalsothepower
ofcallingtheGeneralCourt，andofadjourning，proroguing，anddissolving
it。HehadalsoanegativeuponalllawspassedbytheGeneralCourt。The
GeneralCourtwastoassembleannuallyonthelastWednesdayofMay，and
wastoconsistoftheGovernorandCouncilforthetimebeing，andofsuch
representativesbeingfreeholdersasshouldbeannuallyelectedbythe
freeholdersineachtown，whopossessedafreeholdoffortyshillings
annualvalue，orotherestatetothevalueoffortypounds。Eachtownwas
entitledtotworepresentatives；buttheGeneralCourtwasfromtimeto
timetodecideonthenumber，whicheachtownshouldsend。TheGeneral
Courtwasinvestedwithfullauthoritytoerectcourts，tolevytaxes，and
makeallwholesomelawsandordinances，"soasthesamebenotrepugnantor
contrarytothelawsofEngland；"andtosettleannuallyallcivil
officers，whoseappointmentwasnototherwiseprovidedforalllaws，
however，weretobesenttoEnglandforapprobationordisallowance；andif
disallowed，andsosignifiedunderthesignmanualandsignet，withinthree
<P><B><center>
56HISTORYOFTHECOLONIES。[BOOKI。
</center></B><P>
years，thesamethenceforthtoceaseandbecomevoid；otherwisetocontinue
inforceaccordingtothetermsoftheiroriginalenactment。TheGeneral
Courtwasalsoinvestedwithauthoritytograntanylandsinthecolonies
ofMassachusetts，NewPlymouth，andProvinceofMaine，withcertain
exceptions。TheGovernorandCouncilwereinvestedwithfulljurisdiction
astotheprobateofwillsandgrantingadministrations。TheGovernorwas
alsomadecommanderinchiefofthemilitia，withtheusualmartialpowers；
butwasnottoexercisemartiallawwithouttheadviceoftheCouncil。In
caseofhisdeath，removal，orabsence，hisauthoritywastodevolveonthe
Lieut。Governor，or，ifhisofficewasvacant，thenontheCouncil。With
aviewalsotoadvancethegrowthoftheProvincebyencouragingnew
settlements，itwasexpresslyprovided，thatthereshouldbe"alibertyof
conscienceallowedintheworshipofGodtoallChristians，except
Papists；"andthatallsubjectsinhabitingintheProvinceandtheir
childrenbornthere，orontheseasgoingorreturning，shouldhaveallthe
libertiesandimmunitiesoffreeandnaturalsubjects，asiftheywereborn
withintherealmofEngland。Andinallcasesanappealwasallowedfrom
thejudgmentsofanycourtsoftheProvincetotheKinginthePrivy
CouncilinEngland，wherethematterindifferenceexceededthreehundred
poundssterling。Andfinallytherewasareservationofthewhole
admiraltyjurisdictiontothecrown；andofarighttoallsubjectstofish
onthecoasts。1Consideringthe
<P>
<B>___________________________________<BR>
1TheCharterwillbefoundatlargeintheColonyandProvinceLawsof
Massachusetts，printedin1814。Itssubstanceiswellsummedupin1
Holmes’sAnnals，436。
<P>
Underthefirstchartertheadmiraltyjurisdictionwasexercisedbythe
ColonialCommonLawCourts，evenincapitalcases。1Hutch。451。
<P><center>
CH。IV。]MASSACHUSETTS。57
</center></B>
<P>
spiritofthetimes，itmustbeacknowledged，that，onthewhole，this
chartercontainsaliberalgrantofauthoritytotheProvince；anda
reasonablereservationoftheroyalprerogative。Itwashailedwith
sinceresatisfactionbythecolonyafterthedangers，whichhadforsolong
atimemenaceditslibertiesanditspeace。1
<P>
<B>§；72。</B>InreviewingthelawspassedbytheLegislatureofMassachusetts
duringitscolonialstate，thefirstandmostimportantconsiderationis
theearlycare，withwhichthepublicrightsoftheinhabitantswere
declaredandestablished。Noman’slife，person，honor，orgoodnamewas
tobeaffected；nomanwastobedeprivedofhiswifeorchildren，or
estate，unlessbyvirtueorequityofsomeexpresslawoftheGeneral
Court，"orincaseofadefectofalawinanyparticularcase，bytheword
ofGod；andincapitalcases，orincasesofdismemberingorbanishment
according，tothatword，tobejudgedofbytheGeneralCourt。"2Nopersons
butchurchmemberswereallowedtobecomefreemen；andallpersonsof
twenty—oneyearsofagewereallowedtodisposeoftheirestatebywillor
anyproperconveyance。3Allconveyancesweretobebydeedacknowledgedand
recordedinthepublicrecords。4Alllandsandhereditamentsweredeclared
freefromallfinesandforfeitures。Courtsoflawwereestablished，and
localprocessesprovidedfor。5Thetrialbyjuryincivilandcriminal
casesassecured。6Wageratlawwasnotallowedbutac—
<P>
<B>___________________________________<BR>
11Hutch。Hist。415，416。
23Hutch。Coll。201
3Ant。Col。andProv。Laws，ch。4，p。44：ch。104。p。204。
4Ant。Col。andProv。Laws，ch。1，p。41；ch。28，p。85；1Hutch。
Coll。455
53Hutch。Coll。203。205。
61Hutch。450；3Hutch。Coll。203，205。
<P><center>
58HISTORYOFTHECOLONIES。[BOOKI。
</center></B><P>
cordingtolaw，andaccordingtothepreceptinExodus[xxii。8。]。
DifficultcasesoflawwerefinallydeterminableintheCourtofAssistants
orintheGeneralCourt，byappealorpetition。Incriminalcaseswhere
thelawprescribednopenalty，thejudgeshadpowertoinflictpenalties
"accordingtotheruleofGod’sword。"1Treason，murder，poisoning，arson，
witchcraft，sodomy，idolatry，blasphemy，manstealing，adultery，false
witness，conspiracyandrebellion，cursing，smitingofparents—bychildren，
beingastubbornorrebelliousson，burglary，andrape(inparticular
circumstances)wereoffensespunishablewithdeath。2Fortheseverityof
someofthesepunishmentstheGeneralCourtexpresslyjustifiedthemselves
bythelanguageoftheScriptures。Buttheftwasnotpunishedwithdeath，
because，astheysaid，"wereadotherwiseintheScriptures；"3andmany
othercrimesofaheinousnatureweresufferedtopasswithamoderate
punishment。4Hutchinsonhaswellobserved，that"inpunishingoffensesthey
professedtobegovernedbythejudiciallawsofMoses，butnofurtherthan
thoselawswereofamoralnature。"5Marriageswerecelebratedexclusively
bymagistratesduringthefirstcharter；thoughafterwardstherewasa
concurrentpowergiventotheclergy。6Divorcesamensaetthoroseemnot
tohavebeeninuseduringtheperiodofthefirstcharter；butforthe
samecauses，forwhichsuchadivorcemightbegrantedbythespiritual
courts，adivorceavinculowas
<P>
<B>___________________________________<BR>
13Hutch。Coll。205。
2Ant。Col。andProv。Laws，ch。18，p。58，59，60；1Hutch。Hist。
440，441，442；1Belk。NewHampshire，ch。4，p。66。
33Hutch。Coll。205。
41Hutch。Hist。442，443，444；Ant。Col。andProv。Lawsch。17，p。56。
51Hutch。Hist。435，439。
6IHutch。Hist。444。
<P><center>
CH。IV。]MASSACHUSETTS59
</center></B><P>
granted。Femaleadulterywasasufficientcause；butmaleadulterynot。1
Intendernesstothemarriagestate，aman，whostruckhiswife，orawoman
herhusband，wasliabletoafine。2
<P>
<B>§；73。</B>Inthebeginningthecountycourtshadjurisdictionofthe
testamentarymatters；andrealestatewasatfirsttreatedasmerebonain
thecivillaw。Whenapositiverulewasmade，alltheestatewas
(apparentlywithsomereferencetotheMosaicLaw)madesubjectto
distribution；thewidowhadsuchpartoftheestate，asthecourtheldjust
andequal；andtherestwasdividedamongthechildrenorotherheirs，，the
eldestsonhavingadoubleportion。3andthedaughters，wheretherewere
nosons，inheritingascoparceners，unlessthecourtotherwiseshould
determine。4Ifthepartydiedinsolvent，hisestatewasdistributedamong
allhiscreditors，therenotbeinganypreferenceofanydebtsbyjudgment
orspecialty。5
<P>
Thelawofinheritancewasthus，aswesee，alteredfromthatofEngland
fromthebeginning；andyet，strangelyenough，theGeneralCourt，intheir
answerin1646，consideredtheircanonofdescentasparalleltothe
Englishlaw，andexpoundeditbythesameterms，"theeldestsonis
preferredbeforetheyoungerintheancestor’sinheritance，"6whenin
realityhehadonlyadoubleportion，andtheestatewaspartibleamongall
thechildren。Theirlandsbeing，bythecharterheld，asofthemanorof
EastGreenwich，infreeandcommonsoccage，theyattributedtoitthe
gavelkindqualityof
<P>
<B>___________________________________<BR>
11Hutch。Hist。445。
21Hutch。Hist。445。
3IHutch。Hist。446。
4Ant。Col。andProv。Laws，ch。101，p。205。
51Hutch。Hist。446。
63Hutch。Coll。207；1HutchColl。447；Ant。Col。andProv。Laws，
ch。104，p。205。
<P><center>
60HISTORYOFTHECOLONIES。[BOOKI。
</center></B>
<P>
notbeingforfeitedforfelonyortreason；andtheconvictmighttherefore，
evenaftersentence，disposeofitbywill。1Estatestailwererecognized，
andinsuchcasestheheirtookperformamdoni，accordingtothecommon
law，andnotallthechildrenasoneheir。2
<P>
<B>§；74。</B>Inrespecttoecclesiasticalconcernstheymadeampleprovisionfor
theirownchurch，(meaningtheCongregationalChurch，)exclusiveofall
others。Intheirparallelin1646，theyquotetheprovisionofMagna
Charta，that"thechurchshallenjoyallherliberties，"anddroppingall
suggestionoftherealdifferencesoftheirownchurchestablishmentfrom
thatofEngland，theyquotetheirownprovision，that"allpersonsorthodox
injudgment，andnotscandalousinlife，maygatherintoachurchstate
accordingtotherulesofthegospel，"asofsimilarimport。3Theygaveto
theirownchurches，whenorganized，fullpowerandauthoritytoinflict
ecclesiasticalcensures，andeventoexpelmembers。Buttheyreservedto
thecivilauthoritythefurtherpowertopunishoffenses，and"theliberty
toseethepeace，ordinances，andrulesofChristobserved。"4
Everychurchhadlibertytoelectitsownofficers，and"noinjunctionwas
tobeputuponanychurch，churchofficer，ormemberinpointofdoctrine，
worship，ordiscipline，whetherforsubstanceorcircumstance，besidesthe
institutionoftheLord。"5Butthegeneralcourt，withtheassistanceof
theclergy，wereinthehabitofjudgingofallsuchmatterswithsupreme
authority，andofcon—
<P>
<B>___________________________________<BR>
11Hutch。Hist。447。
21Hutch。Hist。447。
33Hutch。Collect。201；Ant。Colon。andProv。Laws，ch。39，p。100；1
Haz。Coll。488。
4Ant。Col。andProv。Laws，ch。30，p。100，101。
51Hutch。Hist。420，421，422，423，424，434；1Belk。NewHamp。ch。4，
p。70，71。
<P><center>
CH。IV。]MASSACHUSETTS。61
</center></B><P>
demningerrorswithnosparinghand。Theyhadnottheslightestscrupleof
punishingheresieswithfinesandbanishment，andeven，inobstinatecases，
withdeath。1Ministersweremaintained，andpublicworshipprovidedforby
taxesassessedupontheinhabitantsofeachparochialdistrict；andan
attendanceuponpublicworshipwasrequiredofallpersonsunderpenalties，
asasolemnduty。2Soeffectualwerethecoloniallawsinrespectto
conformity，andsopowerfultheinfluenceofthemagistratesandthe
clergy，thatHutchinsoninformsus，thattherewasnot"anyEpiscopal
churchinanypartofthecolonyuntilthecharterwasvacated。"3
<P>
<B>§；75。</B>Butthemoststrikingaswellasthemostimportantpartoftheir
legislationisinrespecttoeducation。Asearlyas1647，theGeneral
Court，"totheend，"asthepreambleoftheactdeclares，4"thatlearning
maynotbeburiedinthegravesofourforefathersinchurchand
commonwealth，"provided，underapenalty，thateverytownshipoffifty
householders"shallappointapublicschoolfortheinstructionofchildren
inwritingandreading，andthateverytownofonehundredhouseholders
"shallsetupagrammarschool，themasterthereofbeingabletoinstruct
youthsofarasmaybefittedfortheuniversity。"Thislawhas，in
substance，continueddowntothepresenttimes；andithascontributedmore
thananyothercircumstancetogivethatpeculiarcharactertothe
inhabitantsandinstitutionsofMassachusetts，forwhichshe，incommon
withthe
<P>
<B>___________________________________<BR>
1Robertson’sAmerica。B。10；1Belk。New—Hamp。ch。4，p。70to77；Ant。
Col。andProv。Laws，ch。57，p。120，&e。；3Hutch。Coll。215，216；l
Hutch。Hist。431；3Hutch。Hist。42；1Haz。Coll。538；1Chalmers’s
Annals，163，164，165，169，189，190，191，194。
2lHutch。Hist。427；Ant。Col。andProv。Laws，ch。39，p。103，104。
3IHutch。Hist。431。
4Ant。Col。andProv。Laws，ch。88，p。186。
<P><center>
62HISTORYOFTHECOLONIES。[BOOKI。
</center></B>
<P>
otherNew—Englandstates，indulgesanhonest，andnotunreasonablepride。
<P>
<B>§；76。</B>Afterthegrantoftheprovincialcharter，in1691，thelegislation
ofthecolonytookawiderscope，andbecamemoreliberal，aswellasmore
exact。Attheveryfirstsessionanactpassed，declaringthegeneral
rightsandlibertiesofthepeople，andembracingtheprincipalprovisions
ofMagnaChartaonthissubject。Amongotherthings，itwasdeclared，that
notaxcouldbeleviedbutbytheGeneralCourt；thatthetrialbyjury
shouldbesecuredtoalltheinhabitants；andthatalllandsshallbefree
fromescheatsandforfeitures，exceptincasesofhightreason。1Ahabeas
corpusactwasalsopassedatthesamesession；butitseemstohavebeen
disallowedbythecrown。2Chalmersasserts，thatthereisnocircumstance
inthehistoryofcolonialjurisprudencebetterestablishedthanthefact，
thatthehabeascorpusactwasnotextendedtotheplantationsuntilthe
reignofQueenAnne。3
<P>
<B>§；77。</B>Itdoesnotseemnecessarytogointoanyminuteexaminationofthe
subsequentprovinciallegislation。Initsgeneralcharacteritdidnot
materiallyvaryfromthatantecedentlyadopted，exceptsofarasthe
charterrequired，oraprogressivespiritofimprovementinvitedachange。
Landsweremadeliabletothepaymentofdebts；therightofchoosingtheir
ministerswas，aftersomestruggles，securedineffecttotheconcurrent
voteofthechurchandcongregationineachparish；andthespiritof
religiousintolerancewasinsomemeasurechecked，ifnotentirelysubdued。
Amongtheearliestactsof
<P>
<B>___________________________________<BR>
12Hutch。Hist。64，Ant。Col。andProv。Laws，ch。2，p。214。
22Hutch。Hist。64。<BR>
31Chalm。Annals，56，74。
<P><center>
CH。IV。]MASSACHUSETTS63
</center></B>
<P>
theprovinciallegislature，whichwereapproved，wereanactforthe
preventionoffraudsandperjuries，conformabletothatofCharlesthe
Second；anactfortheobservanceoftheLord’sday；anactforsolemnizing
marriagesbyaministerorajusticeofthepeace；anactforthesupport
ofministersandschoolmasters；anactforregulatingtownsandcounties；
andanactforthesettlementanddistributionoftheestatesofpersons
dyingintestate。1Theseandmanyotheractsofgeneralutilityhave
continuedsubstantiallyinforcedowntoourday。Undertheactforthe
distributionofestatesthehalfbloodwerepermittedtoinheritequally
withthewholeblood。2Entailswerepreservedandpassedaccordingtothe
courseofdescentsofthecommonlaw；butthegeneralpolicyofthestate
silentlyreducedtheactualcreationofsuchestatestocomparatively
narrowlimits。
<P>
<B>___________________________________<BR>
12Hutch。Hist。65，66。
22Hutch。Hist。66。
<P><center><P><center><B>
64HISTORYOFTHECOLONIES。[BOOKI。
<P>
CHAPTERV。
<P>
NEW—HAMPSHIRE。
</center>
<P>
§；78。</B>Havinggoneintoafullconsiderationoftheoriginandpolitical
organizationoftheprimitivecoloniesintheSouthandNorth，itremains
onlytotakearapidnewofthose，whichweresubsequentlyestablishedin
bothregions。Anhistoricalorderwillprobablybefoundasconvenientfor
thispurpose，asany，whichcouldbedevised。
<B>§；79。</B>InNovember，1629，Capt。JohnMasonobtainedagrantfromthe
councilofPlymouthofallthatpartofthemainlandinNew—England"lying
upontheseacoast，beginningfromthemiddlepartofMerrimackriver，and
fromthencetoproceednorthwardsalongthesea—coasttoPiscataquariver，
andsoforwardsupwithinthesaidriverandtothefurthestheadthereof；
andfromthencenorthwestwardsuntilthreescoremilesbefinishedfromthe
firstentranceofPiscataquariver；andalsofromMerrimackthroughthe
saidriverandtothefurthestheadthereof，andsoforwardsupintothe
landswestwards，untilthreescoremilesbefinished；andfromthenceto
crossoverlandtothethreescoremilesandaccountedfromPiscataqua
river，togetherwithallislandsandisletswithinfiveleaguesdistanceof
thepremises。"1ThisterritorywasafterwardscalledNewHampshire。The
landsograntedwasexpresslysubjectedtotheconditionsandlimitations
intheoriginal
<P>
<B>___________________________________<BR>
11Haz。Coll。289；IHolmes’sAnnals199；1Belk。N。Hamp。ch。1，p。18。
<P><center>
CH。IV。]NEW—HAMPSHIRE。65
</center></B>
<P>
patent；andtherewasacovenantonthepartofMason，thathewould
establishsuchgovernmenttherein，andcontinuethesame，"asshallbe
agreeable，asnearasmaybe，tothelawsandcustomsoftherealmof
England；"andthatifchargedwithneglect，hewouldreformthesame
accordingtothediscretionofthepresidentandcouncil；orindefault
thereof，thattheaggrievedinhabitants，orplanters，tenantsofthelands，
mightappealtothechiefcourtofjusticeofthepresidentandcouncil。A
furthergrantwasmadetoMasonbythecouncilofPlymouthaboutthetime
ofthesurrenderoftheircharter，(22April，1635，)"beginningfromthe
middlepartofNaumkeagriver[Salem]，andfromthencetoproceedeastwards
alongthesea—coasttoCapeAnnandroundaboutthesametoPiscataqua
harbour；andthencoveringmuchofthelandinthepriorgrant，andgiving
tothewholethenameofNewHampshire。"1Thisgrantincludedapowerof
judicatureinallcases，civilandcriminal，"tobeexercisedandexecuted
accordingtothelawsofEnglandasnearasmaybe，"reservinganappealto
thecouncil。Nopatentofconfirmationofthisgrantappearstohavebeen
madebythecrownafterthesurrenderofthePlymouthpatent。2
<P>
<B>§；80。</B>Variousdetachedsettlementsweremadewithinthisterritory；and
soilldefinedweretheboundaries，thatacontroversysoonarosebetween
MassachusettsandMasoninrespecttotherightofsovereigntyoverit。3
IntheexpositionofitsowncharterMassa—
<P>
<B>___________________________________<BR>
11Haz。Coll。383，384，385；1Chalm。Annals，472，473，477；1Belk。
N。Hamp。ch。1，p。27。
21Hutch。Hist。313，314；Marsh。Colon。ch。3，p。97。
31Hutch。Hist。101，108，109，311，312，to318。
<P><center>
66HISTORYOFTHECOLONIES。BookI。
</center></B>
<P>
chusettscontended，thatitslimitsincludedthewholeterritoryof
New—Hampshire；andbeingatthattimecomparativelystrongandactive，she
succeededinestablishingherjurisdictionoverit，andmaintaineditwith
unabatedvigilanceforfortyyears。1Thecontroversywasfinallybrought
beforethekingincouncil；andin1679itwassolemnlyadjudgedagainst
theclaimofMassachusetts。Anditbeingadmitted，thatMason，underhis
grant，hadnorighttoexerciseanypowersofgovernment，acommissionwas，
inthesameyear，issuedbythecrownforthegovernmentofNew—Hampshire。2
Bytheformofgovernment，describedinthiscommission，thewhole
executivepowerwasvestedinapresidentandcouncilappointedbythe
crown，towhomalsowasconfidedthejudiciarypowerwithanappealto
England。Intheadministrationofjusticeitwasdirected，that"theform
ofproceedingsinsuchcases，andthejudgmentthereontobegiven，beas
consonantandagreeabletothelawsandstatutesofthisourrealmof
England，asthepresentstateandconditionofoursubjectsinhabiting
withinthelimitsaforesaid，andthecircumstancesoftheplacewill
admit。"3Thelegislativepowerwasentrustedtothepresident，council，and
burgesses，orrepresentativeschosenbythetowns；andtheywereauthorized
tolevytaxesandtomakelawsfortheinterestoftheprovince；whichlaws
beingapprovedbythepresidentandcouncilweretostandandbeinforce，
untilthepleasureofthekingshould
<P>
<B>___________________________________<BR>
1Chalm。Annals，477，484，485，504，505；Marsh。Colon。ch。4，p。
109，ch。6，p。167，168；3Hutch。Coll。422；1Belk。N。Hamp。ch。2，
p。49，50。
21Chalm。Annals，489，490；1Hutch。Hist。319；1Holme’sAnnals，395；
Marsh。Colon。ch。6，p。168；Robert。America，B。10；IBelk。N。
Hamp。ch。6，p。137，138；1Doug。Summ。28；N。Hamp。Prov。Laws，
Edit。1771，p。1，&c。
3N。Hamp。Prov。Laws(Edit。1771，)p。1，3。
<P><center>
CH。IV。]NEW—HAMPSHIRE。67
</center></B><P>
beknown，whetherthesamelawsandordinancesshouldreceiveanychangeor
confirmation，orbetotallydisallowedanddischarged。Andthepresident
andcouncilwererequiredtotransmitandsendoverthesamebythefirst
ship，thatshoulddepartthenceforEnglandaftertheirmaking。Libertyof
consciencewasallowedtoallProtestants，thoseoftheChurchofEngland
tobeparticularlyencouraged。Andapledgewasgiveninthecommissionto
continuetheprivilegeofanassemblyinthesamemannerandform，unless
byinconveniencearising，therefromthecrownshouldseecausetoalterthe
same。1Abodyoflawswasenactedinthefirstyearoftheirlegislation，
which，uponbeingsenttoEngland，wasdisallowedbythecrown。2
NewHampshirecontinueddowntotheperiodoftheRevolutiontobegoverned
bycommissionasaroyalprovince；andenjoyedtheprivilegeofenacting
herownlawsthroughtheinstrumentalityofageneralassembly，inthe
mannerprovidedbythefirstcommission。3Somealterationsweremadein
thesuccessivecommissions；butnoneofthemmadeanysubstantivechangein
theorganizationoftheProvince。Thejudicialpowerofthegovernorand
councilwassubsequently，bylaw，confinedtotheexerciseofappellate
jurisdictionfromtheinferiorcourts；andinthelatercommissionsa
clausewasinserted，thatthecolonialstatutesshould"notberepugnant
to，butasnearasmaybeagreeable，tothelawsandstatutesoftherealm
ofEngland。"4
<P>
<B>§；81。</B>ThelawsofNew—Hampshire，duringitspro—
<P>
<B>___________________________________<BR>
11Chalm。Annals，489，90：1Holmes’sAnnals，395；1Belk。N。Hamp。
ch。6，p。138，139；2Belk。N。Hamp。Preface；N。Hamp。Prov。Laws，
(Edit。1771，)p。5。
2Ibid。
31ChaIm。Annals，491，492，493，508。
4N。Hamp。ProvLaws，(Edit1771，)p。61，andId。
<P><center>
68HISTORYOFTHECOLONY。[BOOKI
</center></B>
<P>
vincialstate，partookverymuchofthecharacterofthoseofthe
neighbouringProvinceofMassachusetts。Thoseregulatingthedescentand
distributionofestates，theregistrationofconveyances，thetakingof
depositionstobeusedinthecivilcourts，forthemaintenanceofthe
ministry，formakinglandsandtenementsliableforthepaymentofdebts，
forthesettlementandsupportofpublicgrammarschools，forthe
suppressionoffraudsandperjuries，andforthequalificationofvoters，
involvenoimportantdifferences，andwereevidentlyframeduponacommon
model。New—Hampshireseemsalsotohavehadmorefacility，thansomeother
colonies，inintroducingintoherdomesticcodesomeofthemostbeneficial
clausesoftheactsofparliamentofageneralnature，andapplicableto
itslocaljurisprudence。2Wealsofinduponitsstatutebook，without
commentorobjection，thecelebratedplantationactof7&8William3，ch。
22，aswellastheactsrespectinginlandbillsofexchange，(9&10
William3，ch。17，)andpromissorynotes，(4Ann，ch。9，)andothersofa
lessprominentcharacter。
<P>
<B>___________________________________<BR>
1N。Hamp。Prov。Laws，(Edit。1771，)19，22，55，90，105，143，157，
163，137，166。
2N。Hamp。Prov。Laws，(Edit。1771，)209；Gov。Wentworth’sCommission
in1766。
<P><center><P><center><B>
CH。VI。]MAINE。69
<P>
CHAPTERVI。
<P>
MAINE。
</center>
<P>
§；82。</B>INAugust，1622，thecouncilofPlymouth(whichseemstohavebeen
extremelyprofuseandinconsiderateinitsgrants1)grantedtoSir
FerdinandoGorgesandCapt。JohnMasonallthelandlyingbetweenthe
riversMerrimackandSagadahock，extendingbacktothegreatlakesand
riversofCanada；whichwascalledLaconia。2InApril，1639，Sir
Ferdinandoobtainedfromthecrownaconfirmatorygrantofalltheland
fromPiscataquatoSagadahockandtheKennebeckriver，andfromthecoast
intothenortherninterioronehundredandtwentymiles；anditwasstyled
"TheProvinceofMaine。"3OfthisprovincehewasmadeLordPalatine，
withallthepowers，jurisdiction，androyaltiesbelongingtothebishopof
thecountyPalatineofDurham；andthelandsweretobeholden，asofthe
manorofEastGreenwich。Thechartercontainsareservationoffaithand
allegiancetothecrown，ashavingthesupremedominion；andthewilland
pleasureofthecrownissignified，thatthereligionoftheChurchof
Englandbeprofessed，anditsecclesiasticalgovernmentestablishedinthe
province。ItalsoauthorizesthePalatine，withtheassentofthegreater
partofthefreeholdersoftheprovince，tomakelawsnotrepugnantor
<P>
<B>___________________________________<BR>
11Hutch。Hist。6，104；Robert。America，B。10；IDoug。Summ。366，
380，386。
21Hutch。Hist。316；1HolmesAnnals，180；1Belk。N。Hamp。ch。1，
p。14。
31Holmes’sAnnals，254；1Chalm。Annals，472，473，471；1Doug。Summ。
386，&c。
<P><center>
70HISTORYOFTHECOLONIES[BOOKI
</center></B><P>
contrary，butasnearasconvenientlymaybetothelawsofEngland，for
thepublicgoodoftheprovince；andtoerectcourtsofjudicatureforthe
determinationofallcivilcriminalcauseswithanappealtothePalatine。
Butallthepowersofgovernment，sogranted，weretobesubordinatetothe
"powerandregement"ofthelordscommissionersforforeignplantationsfor
thetimebeing。ThePalatinealsohadauthoritytomakeordinancesforthe
governmentoftheprovince，undercertainrestrictions；andagrantoffull
admiraltypowers，subjecttothatoftheLordHighAdmiralofEngland。And
theinhabitants，beingsubjectsofthecrown，weretoenjoyalltherights
andprivilegesofnaturalbornsubjectsinEngland。1
<P>
<B>§；83。</B>UndertheseampleprovisionsGorgessoonestablishedacivil
governmentintheprovince，andmadeordinances。Thegovernment，suchas
itwas，wassolelyconfidedtotheexecutive，withoutanypowersof
legislation。Theprovincelanguishedinimbecilityunderhiscare；and
begantoacquirevigouronlywhenheceasedtoactasproprietaryand
lawgiver。2Massachusettssoonafterwardssetupanexclusiverightand
jurisdictionovertheterritory，aswithinitscharteredlimits；andwas
abletoenforceobedienceandsubmissiontoitspower。3Itcontinuedunder
thejurisdictionofMassachusettsuntil1665，whenthecommissionersofthe
crownseparateditforashortperiod；buttheauthorityofMassachusetts
wassoonafterwardsre—established。4ThecontroversybetweenMassachu—
<P>
<B>___________________________________<BR>
1Haz。Coll。442to445。
21Chalm。Annals，474，479；1Holmes’sAnnals，254，258，296。
31Chalm。Annals，480，481，483；1Hutch。History，176，177，256；1
Holmes’sAnnals，296；2Winthrop’sJourn。38，42。
41Chalm。Annals，483，484；1Holmes’sAnnals，343，348；3Hutch。Coll。422
<P><center>
CH。VI。]MAINE。71
</center></B><P>
settsandthePalatine，astojurisdictionovertheprovince，wasbrought
beforetheprivycouncilatthesametimewiththatofMasonrespecting
New—Hampshire，andtheclaimofMassachusettswasadjudgedvoid。1Beforea
finaladjudicationwashad，Massachusettshadtheprudenceandsagacity，in
1677，topurchasethetitleofGorgesforatriflingsum；andthustothe
greatdisappointmentofthecrown，(thenintreatyforthesameobject，)
succeededtoit，andheldit，andgoverneditasaprovincialdependency，
untilthefallofitsowncharter；anditafterwards，aswehaveseen，was
incorporatedwithMassachusettsintheprovincialcharterof1691。2
<P>
<B>___________________________________<BR>
11Chalmers’sAnnals，485，504，505；1Holmes’sAnnals，388。
2IChalm。Ann。486，487；IHolmes’sAnn。388；1Hutch。Hist。326。
<P><center><P><center><B>
72HISTORYOFTHECOLONIES。[BOOKI。
<P>
CHAPTERVII。
<P>
CONNECTICUT。
</center><P>
§；84。</B>CONNECTICUTwasoriginallysettledundertheprotectionof
Massachusetts；buttheinhabitantsinafewyearsafterwards(1638)feltat
liberty(aftertheexampleofMassachusetts)toframeaconstitutionof
governmentandlawsforthemselves。1In1630theEarlofWarwickobtained
fromthecouncilofPlymouthapatentofthelanduponastraightlinenear
theseashoretowardsthesouthwest，westandbysouth，orwestfrom
Narragansetriverfortyleagues，asthecoastlies，towardsVirginia，and
allwithinthatbreadthtotheSouthsea。InMarch，1631，theEarlof
WarwickconveyedthesametoLordSayandSealeandothers。InApril，
1635，2thesamecouncilgrantedthesameterritorytotheMarquisof
Hamilton。PossessionunderthetitleofLordSayandSealeandotherswas
takenofthemouthoftheConnecticutin1635。3Thesettlerstherewere
not，however，disturbed；andfinally，in1644，theyextinguishedthetitle
oftheproprietaries，orLords，andcontinuedtoactundertheconstitution
of
<P>
<B>___________________________________<BR>
11Hutch。Hist。98，99；2Hutch。Hist。202；1Hanz。Coll。321；1
Holmes’sAnnals，269，220，228，231，232，251；IChalm。Annals，286，
287，289；2Doug。Summ。158，&c。；IHutch。Hist。100。
Thesubstanceofthisframeofgovernmentisgivenin1Holmes’sAnn。
251；andafullcopyinIHaz。Collec。437，441。
22Hutch。History，203；1Haz。Coll。318；1Holmes’sAnnals，208；I
Chalm。Annals，299。
3IChalm。Ann。288，289，290，300；2Hutch。Hist。203；1Haz。Coll。
395，396；1Holmes’sAnn。229；1Hutch。Hist。47；1Winthrop’sJourn。
170，397；3Hutch。Coll。412，413。
<P><center>
CH。VII。]CONNECTICUT。73
</center></B>
<P>
government，whichtheyhadframedin1638。Bythatconstitution，whichwas
framedbytheinhabitantsofthethreetownsofWindsor，Hartford，and
Weathersfield，itwasprovided，thatthereshouldbetwogeneralassemblies
annually；thatthereshouldbeannuallyelected，bythefreemen，atthe
courtinApril，agovernorandsixassistants，whoshould"havepowerto
administerjusticeaccordingtothelawhereestablished，andforwant
thereofaccordingtotheruleofthewordofGod。"Andthatasmanyother
officersshouldbechosen，asmightbefoundrequisite。1Tothegeneral
courteachoftheabovenamedtownswasentitledtosendfourdeputies；and
othertowns，whichshouldbeafterwardsformed，weretosendsomany
deputies，asthegeneralcourtshouldjudgemeet，accordingtothe
apportionmentofthefreemeninthetown。Allpersons，whowere
inhabitantsandfreemen，andwhotooktheoathoffidelity，wereentitled
tovoteintheelections。Church—membershipwasnot，asinMassachusetts，
anindispensablequalification。Thesupremepower，legislative，executive，
andjudicial，wasvestedinthegeneralcourt。2
<P>
<B>§；85。</B>ThecolonyofNew—Havenhadaseparateorigin，andwassettledby
emigrantsimmediatelyfromEngland，withoutanytitlederivedfromthe
patentees。Theybegantheirsettlementin1638，purchasingtheirlandsof
thenatives；andenteredintoasolemncompactofgovernment。3Byitno
personwasadmittedtoanyoffice，ortohaveanyvoiceatanyelection，
unlesshewasamemberofoneofthechurchesallowedinthe
<P>
<B>___________________________________<BR>
11Haz。Coll。437；1Holmes’sAnn。251。
2Ibid。
31Hutch。Hist。82，83；1Holmes’sAnn。244，245；1Chalm。Ann。290；
Robertson’sAmerica，B。10；3AmericanMuseum，523。
<P><center>
74HISTORYOFTHECOLONIES。[BookI。
</center></B><P>
dominion。Therewasanannualelectionofthegovernor，thedeputy，
magistrates，andotherofficers，bythefreemen。Thegeneralcourt
consistedofthegovernor，deputy，magistrates，andtwodeputiesfromeach
plantation；1andwasdeclaredtobe"thesupremepower，underGod，ofthis
independentdominion，"andhadauthority"todeclare，publish，and
establishthelawsofGod，theSupremeLegislator，andtomakeandrepeal
ordersforsmallermatters，notparticularlydeterminedinScripture，
accordingtothegeneralrulesofrighteousness；toorderallaffairsof
warandpeace，andallmattersrelativetothedefendingorfortifyingthe
country；toreceiveanddetermineallappeals，civilorcriminal，fromany
inferiorcourts，inwhichtheyaretoproceedaccordingtoscripturelight，
andlaws，andordersagreeingtherewith。"2Othercourtswereprovidedfor；
andHutchinsonobserves，thattheirlawsandproceedingsvariedinveryfew
circumstancesfromMassachusetts，except，thattheyhadnojury，eitherin
civilnorcriminalcases。allmattersoffactsweredeterminedbythe
court。3
<P>
<B>§；86。</B>SoonaftertherestorationofCharlestheSecondtothethrone，the
colonyofConnecticut，awareofthedoubtfulnatureofitstitletothe
exerciseofsovereignty，solicitedandinApril，1662，obtainedfromthat
monarchacharterofgovernmentandterritory。4Thecharterincludedwithin
itslimitsthewholecolonyofNew—Haven；andasthiswasdonewithoutthe
consentofthelatter，resistancewasmadetotheincorporation，until
1665，whenbothwereindissolublyunited，
<P>
<B>___________________________________<BR>
13AmericanMuseum，523。
21Hutch。Hist。83，note。
3IHutch。Hist。84，note；1Chalm。Annals，290。
42Haz。Coll。586；1Chalm。Ann。292，293；1Holmes’sAnn。320；2
Doug。Summ。164。
<P><center>
CH。VII。]CONNECTICUT。75
</center></B><P>
andhaveeversinceremainedunderonegeneralgovernment。1
<P>
<B>§；87。</B>ThecharterofConnecticut，whichhasbeenobjectedto—byChalmers
asestablishing"ameredemocracy，orruleofthepeople，"contained，
indeed，averyamplegrantofprivileges。Itincorporatedtheinhabitants
bythenameoftheGovernorandCompanyoftheColonyofConnecticutin
New—England，inAmerica。Itordained，thattwogeneralassembliesshallbe
annuallyheld；andthattheassemblyshallconsistofagovernor；deputy
governor，twelveassistants，andtwodeputies，fromeverytownorcity，to
bechosenbythefreemen，(thecharternominatingthefirstgovernorand
assistants。)Thegeneralassemblyhadauthoritytoappointjudicatories，
makefreemen，electofficers，establishlaws，andordinances"notcontrary
tothelawsofthisrealmofEngland，"topunishoffenses"accordingto
thecourseofothercorporationswithinthisourkingdomofEngland，"to
assembletheinhabitantsinmartialarrayforthecommondefense，andto
exercisemartiallawincasesofnecessity。Thelandsweretobeholdenas
ofthemanorofEastGreenwich，infreeandcommonsoccage。The
inhabitantsandtheirchildrenbornthereweretoenjoyandpossessallthe
libertiesandimmunitiesoffree，natural—bornsubjects，inthesamemanner
asifbornwithintherealm。Therightofgeneralfisheryonthecoasts
wasreservedtoallsubjects；andfinallytheterritoryboundedontheeast
bytheNarragansettriver，whereitfallsintothesea，andonthenorthby
Massachusetts，andonthesouthbythesea，andinlongitude，astheline
oftheMassachusettscolo—<P>
<B>___________________________________<BR>
11Holmes’sAnn。338；IChalm。Annals，296；Marsh。Colon。134；1
Chalm。Ann。294；2Doug。Summ。164，167。
<P><center>
76HISTORYOFTHECOLONIES。[BookI。
</center></B><P>
nyrunningfromeasttowest，thatfromNarragansetbaytotheSouthsea，
wasgrantedandconfirmedtothecolony。1Thecharterissilentinregard
toreligiousrightsandprivileges。
<P>
<B>§；88。</B>In1685，aquowarrantowasissuedbykingJamesagainstthecolony
fortherepealofthecharter。Nojudgmentappearstohavebeenrendered
uponit；butthecolonyoffereditssubmissiontothewillofthecrown；
andSirEdmundAndros，in1687，wenttoHartford，andinthenameofthe
crown，declaredthegovernmentdissolved。2Theydidnot，however，surrender
thecharter；butsecreteditinanoak，whichisstillvenerated；and
immediatelyaftertherevolutionof1688，theyresumedtheexerciseofall
itspowers。ThesuccessorsoftheStuartssilentlysufferedthemtoretain
ituntiltheAmericanRevolution，withoutanystruggleorresistance。3The
chartercontinuedtobemaintainedasafundamentallawoftheState，until
theyear1818，whenanewconstitutionofgovernmentwasframedandadopted
bythepeople。
<P>
<B>§；89。</B>ThelawsofConnecticutwere，inmanyrespects，similartothoseof
Massachusetts。4Atanearlyperiodafterthechartertheypassedanact，
whichmaybedeemedabillofrights。Byit，itwasdeclared，that"noman’
slifeshallbetakenaway；noman’shonourorgoodnameshallbestained；
noman’spersonshallbearrested，restrained，banished，dismembered，nor
anywayspunished；nomanshallbedeprivedofhiswife
<P>
<B>___________________________________<BR>
12Haz。Coll597to605；1Holmes’sAnn。320；IChalm。Annals，293，
294；Marsh。Colon。ch。5，p。134
21Holmes’sAnn。415，421，429，442；1Chalm。Ann。297，298，301，304，
306；1Hutch。Hist。339，406，note。
3Idem。
42Doug。Summ。171to176，193to202。
<P><center>
CH。VII。]CONNECTICUT。77
</center></B><P>
orchildren；noman’sgoodsorestateshallbetakenawayfromhim，norany
wayendangeredundercolouroflaw，orcountenanceofauthority，unlessit
bebyvirtueorequityofsomeexpresslawofthiscolony，warrantingthe
same，establishedbythegeneralcourt，andsufficientlypublished；orin
caseofthedefectsofalawinanyparticularcase，bysomeclearand
plainruleofthewordofGod，inwhichthewholecourtshallconcur。"1The
trialbyjury，incivilandcriminalcases，wasalsosecured；andifthe
courtweredissatisfiedwiththeverdict，theymightsendbackthejuryto
considerthesameasecondandthirdtime，butnotfurther。2Thegovernor
wastobechosen，asthecharterprovided，bythefreemen。Everytownwas
tosendoneortwodeputiesorrepresentativestothegeneralassembly；but
everyfreemanwastogivehisvoiceintheelectionofassistantsandother
publicofficers。3Nopersonwasentitledtobemadeafreeman，unlesshe
ownedlandsinfreeholdoffortyshillings’valueperannum，or40personal
estate。4
<P>
<B>§；90。</B>Inrespecttooffenses，theircriminalcodeproceededuponthesame
generalfoundation，asthatofMassachusetts，declaringthosecapital，
whichweresodeclaredintheHolyScriptures，andcitingthemasauthority
forthispurpose。Amongthecapitaloffenseswereidolatry，blasphemyof
Father，Son，orHolyGhost，witchcraft，murder，murderthroughguileby
poisoningorotherdevilishpractices，bestiality，sodomy，rape，man—
<P>
<B>___________________________________<BR>
1ColonyLawsofConnecticut，editionbyGreene，1715—1718，folio。
(New—London，)p。1。
2Idemp。2。——Thispracticecontinueddowntotheestablishmentofthe
newconstitutionin1818。
3Idem。p。27，30。
4Idem。41。
<P><center>
78HISTORYOFTHECOLONIES。[BookI。
</center></B>
<P>
stealing，falsewitness，conspiracyagainstthecolony，arson，children
cursing，orsmiting，fatherormother，beingastubbornorrebelliousson，
andtreason。1
<P>
<B>§；91。</B>Inrespecttoreligiousconcerns，theirlawsprovided，thatall
personsshouldattendpublicworship，andthatthetownsshouldsupportand
paytheministersofreligion。Andatfirst，thechoiceoftheminister
wasconfidedtothemajorpartofthehouse—holdersofthetown；the
church，assuch，havingnothingtodowiththechoice。Butin1708，anact
waspassed，(doubtlessbytheinfluenceoftheclergy，)bywhichthechoice
ofministerswasvestedintheinhabitantsofthetown，whowerechurch
members；andthesameyearthecelebratedplatform，atSaybrook，was
approved，whichhascontinueddowntoourdaytoregulate，indiscipline
andindoctrine，theecclesiasticalconcernsoftheState。2
<P>
<B>§；92。</B>Thespiritoftolerationwasnotmoreliberalhere，thaninmostof
theothercolonies。Nopersonswereallowedtoembodythemselvesinto
churchestatewithouttheconsentofthegeneralassembly，andthe
approbationoftheneighbouringchurches，andnoministryorchurch
administrationwasentertainedorauthorizedseparatefrom，andin
oppositiontothatopenlyandpubliclyobservedanddispensedbythe
approvedministeroftheplace，exceptwiththeapprobationandconsent
aforesaid。3Quakers，Ranters，Adamites，andothernotoriousheretics(as
theywerecalled)weretobecommittedtoprisonorsentoutofthecolony
byorderofthegovernorandassistants。4Nordoesthezealofper—
<P>
<B>_________________________________________________________________<BR>
1ColonyLawsofConnecticut，editionbyGreene，1715—1718，folio。(New
London，)p。12。
2Id。p。29，84，85，110，141。——TheConstitutionof1818hasmadea
greatchangeintherightsandpowersoftheministersandparishesin
ecclesiasticalaffairs。
3Id。p。29。
4Id。p。49。
<P><center>
CH。VII。]CONNECTICUT。79
</center></B>
<P>
secutionappearatalltohaveabateduntil，inpursuanceofthestatutes
ofIWilliamandMary，dissenterswereallowedthelibertyofconscience
withoutmolestation。1
<P>
<B>§；93。</B>Inrespecttorealestate，thedescentanddistributionwas
directedtobeamongallthechildren，givingtheeldestsonadouble
share；conveyancesinfraudofcreditorsweredeclaredvoid；landswere
madeliabletobesetofftocreditorsonexecutionsbytheappraisementof
threeappraisers。2
<P>Theprocessincourtsofjusticewasrequiredtobeinthenameofthe
reigningking。3Personshavingnoestatemightberelievedfrom
imprisonmentbytwoassistants；butifthecreditorrequiredit，heshould
satisfythedebtbyservice。4Depositionswereallowedasevidencein
civilsuits。5Nopersonwaspermittedtopleadinbehalfofanotherperson
ontrialfordelinquency，exceptdirectlytomatteroflaw，6aprovision
somewhatsingularinourannals，thoughinentireconformitytotheEnglish
lawincapitalfelonies。Billsandbondsweremadeassignable，andsuits
allowedinthenameoftheassignees。7
<P>Magistrates，justicesofthepeace，andministerswereauthorizedtomarry
persons；anddivorcesavinculoallowedforadultery，fraudulentcontract，
ordesertionforthreeyears。Menandwomen，havingahusbandorwifein
foreignparts，werenotallowedtoabideinthecolonysoseparatedabove
twoyearswithoutlibertyfromthegeneralcourt。
<P>
<B>___________________________________<BR>
1ColonyLawsofConn。editionbyGreene，1715—1718，folio。(New
London，)p。134。
2Id。p。33，61，164。
3Id。p。41。
4Id。p。26。
5Id。p。116。
6Id。p。26。
7Id。p。7。
<P><center>
80HISTORYOFTHECOLONIES。[BOOKI。
</center></B><P>
Townswererequiredtosupportpublicschoolsunderregulationssimilar，
forthemostpart，tothoseofMassachusetts；1andanespecialmaritime
codewasenacted，regulatingtherights，andduties，andauthoritiesof
ship—owners，seamen，andothersconcernedinnavigation。2
<P>SucharetheprincipalprovisionsofthecoloniallegislationofConnecticut。
<P>
<B>___________________________________<BR>
1ColonyLawsofConn。editionbyGreene，1715—1718folio。(NewLondon，)
p。84。
2Id。p。70。——AsimilarcodeexistedinMassachusetts，enactedin1668。
<P><center><P><center><B>
CH。VIII。]RHODEISLAND。81
<P>
CHAPTERVIII。
<P>
RHODEISLAND。
</center><P>
§；94。</B>RHODEISLANDwasoriginallysettledbyemigrantsfrom
Massachusetts，fleeingthithertoescapefromreligiouspersecution；andit
stillboastsofRogerWilliamsasitsfounder，andastheearlydefenderof
religiousfreedomandtherightsofconscience。Onebodyofthempurchased
theisland，whichhasgiventhenametotheState，andanotherthe
territoryoftheProvidencePlantationsfromtheIndians，andbegantheir
settlementsinbothplacesnearlyatthesameperiod，viz。in1636and
1638。1Theyenteredintoseparatevoluntaryassociationsofgovernment。
Butfindingtheirassociationsnotsufficienttoprotectthemagainstthe
encroachmentsofMassachusetts，andhavingnotitleunderanyoftheroyal
patents，theysentRogerWilliamstoEnglandin1643toprocureasurer
foundationbothoftitleandgovernment。Hesucceededinobtainingfrom
theEarlofWarwick(in1643)acharterofincorporationofProvidence
Plantations；2andalso，in1644，acharterfromthetwohousesof
parliament(CharlestheFirstbeingthendrivenfromhiscapital)forthe
incorporationofthetownsofProvidence，New—
<P>
<B>___________________________________<BR>
11Hutch。Hist。12，1Holmes’sAnnals，225，233，246；1Chalm。Annals，
269，270；3Hutch。Coll。413，414，415；Marsh。Colon。ch。3，p。99；
Robertson’sAmerica，B。10；2Doug。Summ。76，to90；1Pitkin’sHist46；
2Doug。Summ。76to77；——Mr。Chalmerssay，thatProvidencewassettled
inthebeginningof1635；andDr。Holmes，in1636。(1Chalm。Annals，
270；1Holmes’sAnnals，233。)
21Hutch。Hist。30，note；Walsh’sAppeal，429；1Pitk。Hist。46，47，
48；2Doug。Summ。80。
<P><center>
82HISTORYOFTHECOLONIES。[BOOKI。
</center></B><P>
port，andPortsmouth，fortheabsolutegovernmentofthemselves，but
accordingtothelawsofEngland。1
<P>
<B>§；95</B>Underthischarteranassemblywasconvenedin1647，consistingof
thecollectivefreemenofthevariousplantations。2Thelegislativepower
wasvestedinacourtofcommissionersofsixpersons，chosenbyeachof
thefourtownstheninexistence。Thewholeexecutivepowerseemstohave
beenvestedinapresidentandfourassistants，whowerechosenfromthe
freemen，andformedthesupremecourtfortheadministrationofjustice。
Everytownship，formingwithinitselfacorporation，electedacouncilof
sixforthemanagementofitspeculiaraffairs，andforthesettlementof
thesmallestdisputes。3ThecouncilofstateoftheCommonwealthsoon
afterwardsinterferedtosuspendtheirgovernment；butthedistractionsat
homepreventedanyseriousinterferencebyparliamentintheadministration
oftheiraffairs；andtheycontinuedtoactundertheirformergovernment
untiltherestorationofCharlestheSecond。4Thateventseemstohave
givengreatsatisfactiontotheseplantations。Theyimmediatelyproclaimed
theking，andsentanagenttoEngland；andinJuly，1663，aftersome
opposition，theysucceededinobtainingacharterfromthecrown。5
<P>
<B>§；96。</B>Thatcharterincorporatedtheinhabitantsbythenameofthe
GovernorandCompanyoftheEnglishColonyofRhodeIslandandProvidence
PlantationsinNew—EnglandinAmerica，conferringonthemthe
<P>
<B>___________________________________<BR>
11Chalm。271，272；3HutchColl。415，416。
21Chalm。Annals，273；1Holmes’sAnnals，283；Walsh’sAppeal，429；2
Doug。Summ。80
31Chalm。Annals，273；1Holmes’sAnnals，283。
41Chalm。Annals，274；1Holmes’sAnnals，297；Marsh。Colon。ch。5，
p。133
51Chalm。Annals，274；Holmes’sAnnals，329。
<P><center>
CH。VIII]RHODEISLAND。83
</center></B>
<P>
usualpowersofcorporations。Theexecutivepowerwaslodgedina
governor，deputygovernor，andtenassistants，chosenbythefreemen。1The
supremelegislativeauthoritywasvestedinageneralassembly，consisting
ofagovernor，deputygovernor，tenassistants，anddeputiesfromthe
respectivetowns，chosenbythefreemen，(sixforNewport，fourfor
Providence，Portsmouth，andWarwick，andtwoforothertowns，)thegovernor
ordeputyandsixassistantsbeingalwayspresent。Thegeneralassembly
wereauthorizedtoadmitfreemen，chooseofficers，makelawsand
ordinances，soasthattheywere"notcontraryandrepugnantunto，butas
nearasmaybeagreeableto，thelawsofthisourrealmofEngland，
consideringthenatureandconstitutionoftheplaceandpeople；tocreate
andorganizecourts；topunishoffencesaccordingtothecourseofother
corporationsinEngland；"toarraythemartialforceofthecolonyforthe
commondefense，andenforcemartiallaw；andtoexerciseotherimportant
powersandprerogatives。Itfurtherprovidedforafreefisheryonthe
coasts；andthatalltheinhabitantsandchildrenbornthereshouldenjoy
allthelibertiesandimmunitiesoffreeandnaturalsubjectsbornwithin
therealmofEngland。Itthengrantedandconfirmeduntothemallthat
partoftheking’sdominionsinNew—EnglandcontainingtheNarragansetbay
andthecountriesandpartsadjacent，boundedwesterlytothemiddleof
Pawcatuckriver，andsoalongtherivernorthwardtotheheadthereof，
thencebyastraitlineduenorth，untilitmeetthesouthlineof
Massachusetts，extendingeasterlythreeEnglishmilestothemosteastern
andnortheasternpartsofNarragansetbay，asthe
<P>
<B>___________________________________<BR>
12Haz。Coll。62to623；2Doug。Summ。81
<P><center>
84HISTORYOFTHECOLONIES。[BOOKI。
</center></B>
<P>
bayextendethsoutherlyuntothemouthoftheriverrunningtowards
Providenceandthencealong，theeasterlysideorbankofthesaidriverup
tothefalls，calledPatucketFalls，andthenceinastraitlineduenorth
tillitmeetstheMassachusettsline。1Theterritorywastobeholdenas
ofthemanorofEastGreenwichinfreeandcommonsoccage。Itfurther
securedafreetradewithalltheothercolonies。
<P>
<B>§；97。</B>Butthemostremarkablecircumstanceinthecharter，andthat，
whichexhibitsthestrongfeelingandspiritofthecolony，isthe
provisionrespectingreligiousfreedom。Thecharter，afterrecitingthe
petitionoftheinhabitants，"thatitismuchintheirhearts，(iftheybe
permitted，)toholdforthalivelyexperiment，thatamostflourishing
civilstatemaystand，andbebestmaintained，andthatamongourEnglish
subjects，withafulllibertyinreligiousconcernments，andthattrue
piety，rightlygroundedupongospelprinciples，willgivethebestand
greatestsecuritytosovereignty，"proceedstodeclare：2"Webeing
willingtoencouragethehopefulundertakingofoursaidloyalandloving
subjects，andtosecuretheminthefreeexerciseandenjoymentofall
theircivilandreligiousrightsappertaining，tothemasourloving
subjects，andtopreservetothemthatlibertyinthetrueChristianfaith
andworshipofGod，whichtheyhavesoughtwithsomuchtravel，andwith
peacefulmindsandloyalsubjectiontoour。royalprogenitorsand
ourselvestoenjoy；andbecausesomeofthepeopleandinhabitantsofthe
samecolonycannot，intheirprivateopinion，conformtothepublic
exerciseof
<P>
<B>___________________________________<BR>
1Thisisthesubstancebutnottheexactwordsoftheboundariesinthe
charter，whichisgivenatlargein2Haz。Coll。612to623，andinRhode
IslandLaws，editionsof1789and1822。
22Haz。Coll。613。
<P><center>
CH。VIII。]RHODEISLAND。85
</center></B>
<P>
religionaccordingtotheliturgy，form，andceremoniesoftheChurchof
England，ortakeorsubscribetheoathsandarticlesmadeandestablished
inthatbehalf；andforthatthesame，byreasonoftheremotedistancesof
theseplaces，will，aswehope，benobreachoftheunityanduniformity
establishedinthisnation，havethereforethoughtfitanddohereby
publish，grant，ordain，anddeclare，thatourroyalwillandpleasureis，
thatnopersonwithinthesaidcolony，atanytimehereafter，shallbeany
wisemolested，punished，disquieted，orcalledinquestionforany
differencesinopinioninmattersofreligion；but，thatallandevery
personandpersonsmay，fromtimetotimeandatalltimehereafter，freely
andfullyhaveandenjoyhisandtheirownjudgmentandconsciencesin
mattersofreligiousconcernmentthroughoutthetractoflandhereafter
mentioned，theybehavingthemselvespeaceablyandquietly，andnotusing
thislibertytolicentiousnessandprofaneness，nortothecivilinjuryor
outwarddisturbanceofothers。"1Thisisanobledeclarationandworthyof
anyprince，whorulesoverafreepeople。Itislamentabletoreflect，how
littleitcomportswiththedomesticpersecutionsauthorizedbythesame
monarchduringhisprofligatereign。Itisstillmorelamentableto
reflect，howlittleasimilarspiritoftolerationwasencouragedeitherby
thepreceptsorexampleofanyotheroftheNew—Englandcolonies。
<P>
<B>§；98。</B>RhodeIslandenjoysthehonourofhavingbeenifnotthefirst，at
leastoneoftheearliestofthecolonies，andindeedofmodernstates，in
whichthelibertyofconscienceandfreedomofworshipwereboldly
proclaimedamongitsfundamentallaws。2Ifatanytime
<P>
<B>___________________________________<BR>
12Haz。Coll。613。
2Walsh’sAppeal，429。
<P><center>
86HISTORYOFTHECOLONIES。[BOOKI。
</center></B><P>
afterwardsthestatebrokeinuponthebroadandrationalprinciplesthus
established，itwasbutamomentarydeviationfromthesettledcourseof
itspolicy。1Atthepresentday，actingunderthisverycharter，it
continuestomaintainreligiousfreedomwithallthesincerityand
liberalityandzeal，whichbelongedtoitsfounder。Ithasbeensupposed，
thatinthelawspassedbythegeneralassemblyfirstconvenedunderthis
charter，(1664，)RomanCatholicswereexcludedfromtheprivilegesof
freemen。Butthishasbeenveryjustlydoubted；andindeed，ifwell
founded，theactwoulddeserveallthereproach，whichhasbeenheapedupon
it。2Thefirstlaws，however，declared，thatnofreemanshallbe
imprisoned，ordeprivedofhisfreehold，butbythejudgmentofhispeers
orthelawsofthecolony；andthatnotaxshouldbeimposedorrequiredof
thecolonists，butbytheactofthegeneralassembly。3
