mon stock. On the 19th of December, 1606, Pocahontas, the daughter of Powhatan the the little fleet of three vessels, with one hun- chief, rushing to him and clinging to his neck, dred and five men, set sail for Virginia, and the warrior's arm was irresistibly arrested and of these men there were only twelve labour- his life was saved. The Indians were awed ers and four carpenters, together with a few by this unlooked-for interruption. They felt mechanics. The rest consisted of forty-eight that it was an interposition of the Great Spigentlemen. There were continual dissen- rit, and Smith was received as their brother sions during the voyage. Newport com- and made one in their councils. manded the vessels, and he occupied consid- More emigrants arrived, but they consisted erable time in sailing round by the Canaries of "vagabond gentlemen and goldsmiths," and the West India islands After encoun- sent out by the council in England, with the tering a violent storm, the deep waters of the hopes of sending home immeasurable riches. bay of Chesapeake received them, "putting The mistaken policy of the London company the emigrants in good comfort." About fifty caused a change in the constitution of the miles above the mouth of the river which colony. A new charter was granted, transthey ascended, was selected for a site of the ferring to the company the powers which had colony. Newport soon afterwards set sail for previously been vested in the king. The England, and John Smith took the manage- auspices were far more cheering, and five ment of affairs. The character of this extra- hundred emigrants left their native country. ordinary man is singularly romantic; "in Lord Delaware was appointed governor and boyhood he sighed for the opportunity of captain-general for life. The fleet unfortun'setting out on brave adventures." " In his ately was dispersed by a storm, and only early life he fought the battles of the Bata- seven ships arrived in Virginia. Their arrival vian republic. He became a traveller in was a fortunate relief for the distressed colony. Italy and Egypt, and on his return through Smith, who resolutely maintained his authoriHungary he greatly distinguished himself ty over the "unruly herd," unfortunately against the Turks, in their religious wars. met with a severe accident from an explosion Here his usual good fortune deserted him, and of gunpowder, and resigning his command to after being severely wounded in the glens of Percy, returned to England, and for his long Wallachia, he was taken prisoner, and sold and faithful services received nothing but inas a slave at Constantinople, where a Turkish gratitude and neglect. His memory however lady taking compassion on him, in the hopes lives, and he justly merits the appellation of of being able to restore him to liberty, caused "the Father of Virginia." Had his high him to be removed to a fortress in the Crimea. powers and reflecting mind met with their There he was most harshly treated; but ris- fellow, the first efforts in colonization would ing against his oppressors, he escaped on have been more successful, for he clearly perhorseback to the borders of Russia, enduring ceived that it was not goid which it was the many hardships during his wanderings, which interest of England to seek for, "but to enhowever were again mitigated by the gentle force regular industry." "Nothing,” said he, hand of woman; he at last," bidding farewell" is to be expected thence but by labour." to his companions in arms, resolved to return On his departure he left behind him four 'to his own sweet country.' Before he hundred and ninety persons in the colony. had crossed the continent, the rumours of a In the short space of six months' indolence, war in Morocco attracted his daring spirit, vice and famine had reduced them to sixty, and it was some time before he reached his and if relief had not arrived so opportunely, native land. He then entered with enthu- few traces would have been found of the siasm into the project of colonizing Virginia; colony. It was on the 10th of June, 1610, and his experience of human nature, his firm that the restoration was begun, after a fervent ness of disposition, and power of enduring prayer to God for its well-being and advanceevery hardship, admirably fitted him for the ment. Lord Delaware's health sunk under duties he undertook, of regulating the turbu- the climate, and he was obliged to return to lent and often desperate spirits that composed the infant colony. The same romance attended him in his expedition amongst the Indians, for the purpose of exploring the geography of the country, and when surrounded by the painted warriors, who doomed him to death, from his having gained that ascendency over their minds by his fearlessness of disposition, the tomahawk was already raised with unerring aim, when an Indian maiden,

England, and his departure cast "a damp of coldness" on the hearts of the London company. Sir Thomas Dale, "a worthy and experienced soldier in the low countries," succeeded to the government. In a later age his introduction of martial law would have caused the utmost indignation, but the infant colony were unaccustomed to any franchises, and under Dale's administration the colony assumed a more cheerful aspect. A new

bour.

charter was issued in 1612 confirming its our liberties forms the basis of the American stability; and the natives, feeling the supre- constitution. Mr. Bancroft has dedicated a macy of the English, recognized by a formal portion of his work to the history of slavery treaty the authority of King James. An in- and its gradual diffusion over the world, and teresting circumstance happened at this time. again its diminution as the spirit of ChrisA foraging party stole away the daughter of tianity became firmer established. TocquePowhatan and demanded a ransom. The ville remarks that " Slavery dishonours laindignant tribe were preparing for hostilities, It introduces idleness into society, when a young Englishman, John Rolfe, cap- and with idleness, ignorance and pride, luxutivated by the gentle qualities and native ry and distress. It enervates the power of dignity of the fair Indian, demanded her in the mind and benumbs the activity of man." marriage of her father, and its solemnization Its history may be traced in the United States was the signal for the war hatchet to be from the works before us. The time has buried. She was instructed in the English not yet arrived for its abolition; at the prestongue, and accompanied her husband to his ent period, even when so much has been own court, where she was admired and done by England for its extinction, the traffic caressed. But, alas! the English climate has increased and is flourishing under the was not fitted for this gentle flower of the Spanish and Portuguese flags. wilderness. She died at the early age of The soil for slavery was already prepared twenty-two, just when she was about to re- in Virginia by a kind of conditional servitude, turn to her native country. In June, 1619, which early existed between the servant and the authority of the Governor of Virginia, the master. "The supply of white servants was, at the instance of the London company, became a regular business." They were controlled by a council, and in the same sent over at the rate of eight or ten pounds month the first colonial assembly met togeth-a-piece, and often resold at forty or fifty er at Jamestown, consisting of the governor, pounds. The apprenticed servants, however, the council, and two representatives from gave way to the large importations of neeach of the eleven boroughs, who were groes. Their labour was considered necesstyled burgesses. Such was the early dawn sary to the well-being of the colony, and the of legislative liberty in America. The policy of slavery was admitted and advocated ancient planters had already, under the ad- by many of the southern states in after-times. ministration of Yeardley, been absolved from The navigation act was an important epoch all further voluntary service to the colony, in the maritime world. and now the possession of their estates being Spain and Portugal having found their way fully confirmed to them, the people of Eng- to America and round the Cape of Good Hope, land were eager to risk their fortunes in the tried to establish a monopoly of the traffic of same country previous to this period few the whole world; severe penalties were adjudgwomen had ventured to the new continent. ed against those who infringed it. The conA speculation was entered into by the corpo- sequence was, that the seas were infested ration to send some over, and about an hun- with pirates, who boldly pillaged the richly dred and sixty actually embarked, being laden vessels, and often made predatory inseverally valued at the price of from one cursions into the settlements; for the freehundred to one hundred and fifty pounds of booter could not suffer more than the mertobacco. They were followed by many chant who should infringe the monopoly. more of both sexes, so that within three years During the reign of James and Charles the about three thousand five hundred people, First, the Dutch by their energy and perseamongst whom were many Puritans, increas- verance began to engross the trade of the ed the colony. A memorable assembly was world; their ships were seen in every part of convened in July, 1621, and a written code the globe. So much influence did they gain, was given to the colony, which was very that English sailors sought employment under similar to the English constitution, and was the Dutch flag, and "English ships lay rotting the model of those which were subsequently at the wharves; English ship-building was an introduced into the other provinces. Mr. unprofitable vocation." The energetic spirit Reeves remarks, in the preface to his trans- of Cromwell employed itself in protecting the lation of Tocqueville's Democracy in Ameri- British shipping, and the Puritan St. John. ca, that the more ancient parts of our consti- devised the first act of navigation, which was tution are revived in that of the United carried through parliament by Whitelocke. States, while those of the Feudal or Norman A naval war ensued: we need not dwell on are excluded. Their dispensation of justice the glorious manner in which the supremacy in their county courts has originated from of England was established over the seas. the Saxon laws, and this common source of "Jamaica and the Act of Navigation are the

permanent monuments of Cromwell." We time they, poor souls, endured misery enough.' Such was the flight of Robinson and Brewster, and their followers, from the land of their fathers."-vol. i. p. 302.

pass over the colonization of Maryland, merely remarking that Lord Baltimore, who was a papist, was the person who matured the plan for the colonization of that portion of America. They arrived at Amsterdam, and afterwards His brother, Leonard Calvert, led the emi-removed to Leyden, where they remained grants in person (consisting of about two about eleven years. Still retaining a love for hundred people, most of them Catholics) to their government and native country, they the new land. Our author gives an interestwere led to the generous purpose of reing account of the early struggles of the papist covering the protection of England by encolony, and we pass on to the history of the larging her dominions," and accordingly pilgrims.

Robert Cushman and John Carver were sent The austere principles of Puritanism were as envoys to England, to obtain the consent practised by these emigrants. They tolerated of the Virginia company. The pilgrims early no ceremony unless enjoined by the word of displayed their principles of democratic liberGod in the book of Truth. They adhered to ty, when they transmitted their request, signed their inter- by the congregation.

"We are well weaned," added Robinson and Brewster, " from the delicate milk of our mother country, and inured to the difficulties of a strange land; the people are industrious and frugal; we are knit together as a body in a most sacred covenant of the Lord, of the violation whereof we make great conscience, and by virtue whereof we hold ourselves straitly tied to all care of each other's goods and of the whole. It is not with us as with men whom small things can discourage."-vol. i. p. 304.

the Established Church as far as their interpretations would allow them, and asserting the equality of the inferior clergy, resisted the supremacy of the bishops. The surplice and square cap were rejected "as the livery of superstition." The horrors of Mary's reign induced multitudes to hurry away into other lands, to escape from the fearful oppression of their own country. There were two parties-one who tried to establish the forms of discipline in the Church, which had been approved of by parliament in the reign of Edward; the other, "on the contrary, endeavoured to sweeten exile by a complete emancipaThe terms of the contract between the piltion from ceremonies which they had reluct- grims and the London company show the antly observed," and these were the Puritans. severe and grasping nature of their demands Mr. Bancroft's remarks on the progress of reli- upon this simple people. The whole comgious opinion in England, the origin of the pany formed one partnership, and the services Independents, and the persecution of all Non- of each emigrant were rated at ten pounds a conformists, are very interesting. The account of the theological conferences which James held at Hampton Court, and the pedantry of the royal theologian, are amusingly given. The Puritans, now resolved upon exile, made an attempt to leave their native country, but were prevented by the magis

trates.

head, to go to the company; all profits for seven years were sequestrated and divided amongst the shareholders and the London merchant, who embarked a hundred pounds, and received "ten-fold more than the pennyless emigrant for his entire services." We will give the account of the departure of the emigrants for the land of promise in Mr. Bancroft's own words:

"The next spring the design was renewed. An unfrequented heath in Lincolnshire was the "And now the English at Leyden, trusting in place of secret meeting. As if it had been a God and in themselves, made ready for their decrime to escape from persecution, the embarka-parture. The Speedwell, a ship of sixty tons, tion was to be made under the shelter of dark-was purchased in London; the May Flower, a ness. After having encountered a night storm, vessel of one hundred and eighty tons, was just as a boat was bearing a part of the emigrants hired in England. These could hold but a mito their ship, a company of horsemen appeared nority of the congregation, and Robinson was in pursuit, and seized on the helpless women therefore detained at Leyden, while Brewster, and children, who had not yet adventured on the teaching elder, conducted the emigrants. the surf. Pitiful it was to see the heavy case Every enterprise of the pilgrims began from of these poor women in distress; what weep-God." A solemn fast was held. Let us seek ing and crying on every side.' But when they God,' said they, 'a right way for us and our were apprehended, it seemed impossible to little ones, and for all our substance.' Anticipunish and imprison wives and children for no pating their high destiny, and the sublime docother crime than that they would go with their trines of liberty that would grow out of the husbands and fathers. They could not be sent principles on which their religious tenets were home, for they had no homes to go to;' so that established, Robinson gave them a farewell, at last the magistrates were glad to be rid breathing a freedom of opinion and an indepenof them on any terms;' though in the mean dence of authority, such as then were hardly

known in the world. I charge you, before ing a battle, which is an illustration of the God and his blessed angels, that you follow me blunt religious feelings of the times, "Trust no further than you have seen me follow the in God, and keep your powder dry." Loy

Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord has more truth

yet to break forth out of his holy word. I can-alty was not inconsistent with their demonot sufficiently bewail the condition of the re- cratic tenets. Before even they landed they formed churches, who are come to a period in drew up a solemn instrument, commencing religion, and will go at present no further than with the instruments of their reformation. Luther and Calvin were great and shining lights in names are underwritten, the loyal subjects of "In the name of God, amen. We, whose their times, yet they penetrated not into the our dread sovereign King James, having undercounsel of God. I beseech you remember it-taken, for the glory of God and advancement of 'tis an article of your church covenant-that the Christian faith, and honour of our king and you be ready to receive whatever truth shall be country, a voyage to plant the first colony in made known to you from the written word of the northern parts of Virginia, do by these God.' The pilgrims were accompanied from presents solemnly and mutually in the preLeyden to Delft Haven, where the night was sence of God and one of another, covepassed in friendly and Christian converse. As nant and combine ourselves together, into a morning dawned, Carver, Bradford and Wins- civil body politic, for our better ordering and low, Brewster, the ruling elder, Allerton and the brave faithful Standish, with their equal as- said; and by virtue hereof to enact, constitute preservation, and furtherance of the ends aforesociates-a feeble band for a perilous enterprise and frame, such just and equal laws, ordinances, bade farewell to Holland, while Robinson, acts, constitutions and offices, from time to time, kneeling in prayer by the sea side, gave to their embarkation the sanctity of a religious rite." as shall be thought most convenient for the general good of the colony; unto which we vol. i. pp. 306, 307. promise all due submission and obedience."vol. i. p. 309.

They arrived safely at Plymouth, and leaving behind them a few of the "cowardly and disaffected," on the 6th of September, 1620, thirteen years after the colonization of Virginia, the little band set sail for the new world, and on Monday, the 11th of December, old style," the Pilgrim Fathers" landed at Plymouth. The rock which received their first footsteps is venerated by posterity, and travellers at the present time carry away small portions as relics. Such was the commencement of the first attempt to colonize New England, by a people whose simple virtues have been commemorated by h storians and poets. Puritanism has been remembered more for its outward peculiarities than for the real truth and purity of its principles. Their enthusiasm in many instances carried them too far, and exposed them to censure and ridicule, but we must not forget that they in every way acted up to their principles, that religion formed a part of their daily and hourly avocations. Every congregation had the right of electing its own minister, and religion being with the people, and being exercised by themselves, all ecclesiastical tyranny was set aside--" the voice of the majority was the voice of God; and the issue of Puritanism was therefore popular sovereignty." With all their simplicity, activity and intelligence formed a part of their character, and with a firm faith in his Creator, the Puritan never wanted courage. "He that prays best and preaches best, will fight best," was the opinion of Cromwell; and we remember another remark of that celebrated soldier, previous to his commenc

ness and cheerful resignation. The seeds of Their early struggles were borne with calmdemocratic liberty took firm root, and were gradually reared until they stood in their own strength. Europe had at that time but little thought for the obscure community, which freed themselves from their debts, and bewas silently making its way; they gradually vated. The progress of population was slow, came the freeholders of the soil they culti but their courage failed not.

"great things have been produced, and as one "Out of small beginnings," said Bradford, small candle may light a thousand, so the light here kindled hath shone to many, yea, in some sort to one whole nation; let it not be grievous to you that you have been instruments to break the ice for others. The honour shall be yours

to the world's end."

It was in 1622, that the extended colonization of New England was projected, and we must refer our readers to the work itself for the account of the colonization of Maine and of Massachusetts. The charter granted to this latter colony passed the great seals a few days before Charles the First announced his intention of governing without a parliament. The charter bearing the signature of that king was long preserved as a most important document, for it secured to the colony a corporation. It was not, however, until thirty or forty years after, in the reign of Charles the Second, that their existence was legally recognized by a royal charter.

The concession of the charter to Massachusetts was an important epoch in the history of colonization. It was proposed by

Mathew Cradock that the charter should be by their faith in the Divine Being. In transferred to those freemen who inhabited August, 1630, the government was more the colony. A meeting was held at Cam fully organized, and it was finally deter bridge, and an agreement made amongst men mined that the governor and assistants of fortune and talent, that they should should be annually chosen. The Indians embark for America, provided the whole were anxious to make friends with the stranggovernment should be legally transferred to ers, and both the Mohegans and nearer them and their fellow colonists. This plan Nipmucks came to smoke the pipe of peace. was energetically advocated by the family The son of the aged Canonicus brought preof the Winthrops. sents to the governor, and the great MantoOn October the 20th, 1629, a court was nómoh, chief of the Narragansetts, became convened, and John Winthrop was chosen the guest of Winthrop. A friendly intergovernor. His character was admirably course was also set on foot with the other formed for this office. Eminently pious, he European settlements, and the Governor of possessed a calm decision and gentleness of Massachusetts with Wilson, the pastor of temper. He was a firm royalist and opposed to Boston, made a journey to Plymouth, where pure democracy, yet possessing a true regard they were met by Bradford and Brewster, for popular liberties. At one period of his and their friendly union was confirmed. administration he was accused of committing From this moment a rapid progress was made some arbitrary acts, and it was on that occa- in popular liberty. The history of Roger sion he pronounced that very fine definition Williams, who arrived at Nantasket in Feof liberty which Tocqueville has quoted in bruary, 1631, contains some interesting dehis Democracy:

tails. His clearness of mind and the purity and truth of his doctrines are well described "Nor would I have you to mistake in the and commented upon by Mr. Bancroft. We point of your own liberty. There is a liberty of have not space to dwell upon his exile and corrupt nature, which is affected both by men and beasts to do as they list; and this liberty is wrongs, nor upon the colonization of Coninconsistent with authority, impatient of all necticut in 1630. England was not indifrestraint; by this liberty sumus omnes deterio- ferent to the well-being of the colonies. res,' 'tis the grand enemy of truth and peace, Many complaints were made of the disorder and all ordinances of God are bent against it. of the plantations, and the high church party, But there is a civil, a moral, a federal liberty, jealous of the success of the Puritans in the which is the proper end and object of authority; new world, willingly listened to these insi it is a liberty for that only which is just and good; for this liberty you are to stand with the nuations. Finally a requisition was forwarded, hazard of your very lives, and whatsoever which commanded the letters patent of the crosses it, is not authority, but a distemper company to be produced in England. thereof. This liberty is maintained in a way Massachusetts was prepared to resist the of subjection to authority; and the authority innovation, and a subscription was raised for set over you will in all administration for fortifications. The fury of the bishops made your good be quietly submitted unto by all the pillory become a scene of torture and but such as have a disposition to shake off the yoke and lose their true liberty, by their bloodshed. A proclamation was now made murmuring at the honour and power of author- to prevent the emigration of Puritans, and ity."

hemmed in on every side, they tried to escape, but the Privy Council prevented the Such were the sentiments of Winthrop squadron of eight ships from sailing. Mr. which were diffused among the people, and Bancroft is of an opinion that there is which give us a good picture of the state of nothing to corroborate the story of Cromwell Anglo-American civilisation of that period. and Hampden being on board this feet. About fifteen hundred souls accompanied Hampden's "maxim in life forbade retreat,” Winthrop; they found the colony in a and Cromwell was equally resolute. The deplorable state, and they themselves suffered fleet was only detained a few days, and had much after their arrival. Their trials were they been on board they would have reached augmented by witnessing the sufferings of New England with the rest. Before the the women, who struggled with them assembling of the Long Parliament, about through the same sorrows. Arabella John-twenty-one thousand two hundred souls son was hurried by grief to her grave, and arrived in New England, and in less than her husband, subdued by disease and sorrow, ten years fifty towns and villages had risen soon followed her, but "he died wil- up. Rhode Island soon after obtained its lingly and in sweet peace, making a most charter through the energetic labours of godly end." Two hundred died before De- Roger Williams, and to Sir Henry Vane it cember. Those who survived were supported owed its existence as a political state