BRITISH COLONIES. Surprise Salmon A deep 1690. away prisoners; the rest fled naked towards Albany. A deep and terrible snow storm falling that very night, 25 of these fugitives lost their limbs, through the severity of the frost. Another March 18. party, consisting of 52 men, of whom 25 were Indians, surprised Sarps Salmon Falls, near Pascataqua, and killed about 30 of the Falls. bravest of the inhabitants; the rest, to the number of 54, principally women and children, surrendered at discretion. The whole settlement was pillaged and burnt. The Sieur Hertel, who commanded this expedition, met, on his way homeward, a third May 17. party, which had marched from Quebec; and, joining his com- fort at Caspany to it, attacked and destroyed the fort and settlement at co. Casco.2 ance. Destroy the ticut for as The depredations filling the country with alarm, the most Application urgent application was made to Connecticut for immediate assist- to ConnecA special assembly of that colony was called. Letters sistance; from Massachusetts were laid before the assembly, soliciting, that soldiers might be sent from Connecticut to guard the upper towns upon Connecticut river; and that there might be a general meeting of commissioners from the several colonies at Rhode Island, to consult the common defence. The last of these measures was, at this crisis, judged to be of peculiar importance. The general court of Massachusetts wrote to the governors of the neighbouring colonies, desiring them to appoint commissioners to meet, nies for adadvise, and consult upon suitable methods in assisting each other, vice. for the safety of the whole land. The governor of New York was requested to signify the desire to Maryland and the parts adjacent. The commissioners met on the 1st of May, at New York; and this appears to be the first instance of a congress of A congress. the colonies.3 to the colo The Indians having taken the fort at Pemaquid, and the Port Royal W. Phips. French privateers from Acadie still infesting the coasts of New taken by Sir England; the general court of Massachusetts determined to make an attempt on Port Royal. A fleet of 8 small vessels, with 700 or 800 men under the command of Sir William Phips, sailed on that expedition on the 28th of April. The fort at Port Royal, being in no capacity to sustain a siege, surrendered, with little or no resistance; and Sir William took possession of the whole sea coast, from Port Royal to the New England settlements.4 1 Smith, N. York, 66, 67. Sewall, MS. Diary. Colden, Five Nations, 113-115. 2 Belknap, N. Hamp. i. 257-259. Casco fort contained above 100 persons. It was taken" whilst the forces were gone to Port Royal." Hutchinson, i. 397. 3 Gordon, i. Lett. 2. Trumbull, Conn. i. c. 16. 4 Hutchinson, i. 396, 397. The fleet returned 30 May. The author of Histoire et Commerce des Colonies Angloises [65, 66.] says, that Sir William destroyed the French fort at the river St. John; that he cleared the country of 1690. of Sir W. Phips against Canada. The people of New England, ascribing their troubles to Canada, formed a bold and hazardous design to reduce it to subjection Expedition to the crown of England. An armament was equipped for that service, and the command of it given to Sir William Phips. The fleet, retarded by unavoidable accidents, did not arrive before Quebec until the 5th of October. Phips, the next morning, sent a summons on shore, but received an insolent answer from count Frontenac. The next day he attempted to land his troops, but was prevented by the violence of the wind. On the 8th, all the effective men, amounting to between 1200 and 1300, landed at the Isle of Orleans, four miles below the town, and were fired on from the woods by French and Indians. Having remained on shore until the 11th, and then learning by a deserter the strength of the place, they embarked with precipitation. A tempest soon after dispersed the fleet; which made the best of its way back to Boston.1 First paper money is sued in the colonies. French re Success had been so confidently expected, that adequate provision was not made at home for the payment of the troops. There was danger of a mutiny. In this extremity, the government of Massachusetts issued bills of credit, as a substitute for money; and these were the first that were ever issued in the American colonies.2 King William sent a large body of French refugees to Virfugees settle in Virginia, ginia; and lands were allotted to them on the banks of James all the French, who refused to take the oath of fidelity to the king of England; and that he placed a governor there, to command those who consented to remain. Brit. Emp. [i. 176.] says, that about a third part of the whole number remained; and that most of these were protestants. 1 Hutchinson, i. 399–401. Smith, N. York, 68, 69. Colden, 126-131. Sir William arrived at Boston on the 19th of November. Some vessels of the fleet were blown off to the West Indies; one was lost on Anticosta; and two or three were wrecked, or never heard of. About 200 men were lost by the enemy and by sickness; "not above 30 by the enemy."-A small vessel had been sent to England express, early in April, to solicit assistance for the reduction of Canada; but the English government had too much on its hands, to pay any attention to the proposal. Massachusetts, however, determined to proceed; and Connecticut and New York engaged to furnish a body of men. From these two colonies 2000 were expected to march by Lake Champlain, and attack Montreal, at the same time when the forces by sea should be before Quebec. The fleet, which sailed 9 August from Nantasket, contained between 30 and 40 vessels, the largest of 44 guns, and 200 men. The whole number of men was about 2000. Great dependence was placed on the expected division of the French force; but the army, designed against Montreal, had unhappily retreated; and the news of its retreat had reached Montreal before the fleet arrived at Quebec. This occurrence must have dispirited the English forces, and proportionally have animated the French. Count Frontenac was now able to employ the whole strength of Canada against the little invading army. Some writers ascribe the return of the New York and Connecticut troops to a culpable cause. Charlevoix, with whose account Smith seems best satisfied, says, our army was disappointed in the intended diversion by the small pox, which seized the camp, killed 300 men, and terrified our Indian allies. 2 Hutchinson, i. 402. Belknap, N. Hamp. i. 26. Bollan's Petitions. BRITISH COLONIES. lina: river. Others of them, purchasing lands of the proprietors of 1690. Carolina, transported themselves and their families to that colony, and settled on the river Santee; others, who were merchants and and Caromechanics, took up their residence in Charlestown, and followed their different occupations. These new settlers were a great acquisition to Carolina. Some of them planted vineyards, and made wine. Those who settled in Virginia were afterwards naturalized by a law made for that purpose.3 Seth Sothel, countenanced by a powerful faction, and pre- S. Sothel's suming on his powers as proprietary, arrived suddenly at Charles- usurpation. town, the capital of Carolina, and seized the reins of government.4 The whale fishery at Nantucket commenced this year.5 taken by the The English planters, under colonel Codrington, repossessed St. Christothemselves of part of the island of St. Christopher, from which pher's rethey had been driven by the French; and the male white in- English. habitants, amounting to about 1800, were sent, with their women and children, to Hispaniola and Martinico. The island of New Providence had now become so populous, New Provithat the proprietaries sent Cadwallader Jones to be its governor.7 dence. 1 Hewatt, i. 108. It is highly to the honour of England, that, even in the reign of king James II, large collections had been made for the French refugees; and that, after king William's accession to the throne, the parliament voted £15,000 sterling to be distributed among persons of quality, and all such as, through age or infirmity, were unable to support themselves or families. 2 Stork, East Florida, 29. This author, whose work was published in 1774, says, "I have drank a red wine of the growth of that province little inferior to Burgundy." Ten years afterward (1784) Mr. Nathaniel Barnwell of Beaufort, South Carolina, told me at his house, that he had drunk good wine, made in that province just as the revolutionary war commenced; and that it was the war which broke off what was considered a very successful experiment.Whether the great staple commodities of Carolina have prevented farther prosecution of the culture of the vine, or what has been the preventing cause, we are not informed. So early as 1682 it appears that there was a good beginning, 66 some of the wine and that this was expected to become a staple. The writer of a Description of Carolina, 1682, referring to the grape vines of Carolina, says, has been transported for England, which by the best palates was well approved of, and more is daily expected. It is not doubted, if the Planters as industriously prosecute the propagation of vineyards as they have begun, but Carolina will in a little time prove a magazine and staple for wine to the whole West Indies." Some of the proprietors and planters had already sent them the best vines of Europe, "the Rhenish, Claret, Muscadel, Canary, &c. His majesty, ⚫ to improve so hopeful a design, gave those French we carried over, their passage free for themselves, wives, children, goods, and servants, they being most of them well experienced in the nature of the Vine." 3 Beverly, b. 3. See A, D. 1699. 4 Chalmers, 552. Hewatt, i. 102-104. His popularity and power were of short duration. The assembly compelled him to abjure the government and country forever. The proprietaries dissented from the laws passed under his government; and, in 1692, appointed a new governor. 5 Coll. Mass. Hist. Soc. iii. 157. 6 Univ. Hist. xl. 278. Smollett, Hist. Eng. A. D. 1690. 7 Univ. Hist. xli. 332. VOL. I. 55 1690. H. Sloughter arrives at N. York as governor. John Eliot, minister of Roxbury, died, in the 86th year of his age.1 1691. COLONEL Henry Sloughter arrived at New York, with a commission to be governor of that province. The first assembly, after the Revolution, was holden on the 9th of April. All laws, made in the province antecedent to this period, were disregarded both by the legislature and the courts of law. The province was now, by an act of assembly, divided into ten counties. The Act of tol assembly passed an act, that no person, professing faith in God by Jesus Christ, shall be disturbed or questioned for different opinions in religion, if he do not disturb the public peace, with a proviso, that this act shall not extend to give liberty to any of the Romish religion, to exercise their worship.* eration. Charter of The general assembly of Virginia solicited a charter from the solicited in crown, for establishing a college in that colony. During the a college 1 Mather, Magnal. b. 3. 170-210. Coll. Mass. Hist. Soc. viii. 5-35. Mr. Eliot was educated at the university of Cambridge in England; came to Boston in 1631; and was settled as the teacher of Roxbury 5 November, 1632. Mr. Welde was called to be the pastor there, the next year; and under their harmonious and useful ministry the town grew and flourished. With his labours in that place Mr. Eliot united the more difficult and laborious services of a missionary among the natives. So assiduous, indefatigable, and successful was he, in this cause of Christian philanthropy, as to acquire the title of the "Apostle of the Indians." When he began his mission, there were about 20 tribes within the limits of the English planters, but they were not large, and were hardly to be distinguished; for their language, manners, and religion were the same. His zealous and self-denying labours for their conversion to Christianity, and for their temporal interest and comfort, have rendered his name illustrious in Europe and America. The Society in England for propagating the Gospel encouraged and aided him in the Indian service. The excellent and truly honourable Robert Boyle, governor of that Society, contributed to his assistance; and these kindred spirits departed nearly together. Evelyn, in his Memoirs, under the year 1691, writes: "Dr. Burnet, bishop of Salisbury, preached at the funeral of Mr. Boyle. He mentioned his exemplary charity on all occasions, that he gave £1000 yearly to the distressed refugees of France and Ireland; was at the charge of translating the Scriptures into the Irish and Indian tongues," &c. ii. 29. Mr. Eliot's works, beside his Indian Bible, were, an Indian Grammar; the logic Primer for the use of the Indians; the Psalms translated into Indian metre, and a Catechism; a translation of the Practice of Piety, of Baxter's Call to the Unconverted, and of several of Shepard's works; Letters and Narratives, of the progress of the Gospel among the Indians; the true Commonwealth; Tears of repentance; Harmony of the Gospels; the Divine Management of gospel churches by Councils; and the Jews in America. See Eliot and Allen, Biog. Dict. and Moore's Memoirs of his Life and Character, 1822. 2 Smith, N. York, 71-73. In the Collection of the Acts of the province, made in 1752, the compilers were directed to begin at this Assembly. Leisler, having refused to deliver up the fort to the governor, was afterward condemned to death for high treason. Ibid. 3 Smith, N. York, 186. The division is there said to be into 12 counties; yet 10 only are described; and there were no more than 10, so late as A. D. 1755. See Smith, ib. 206. 4 Trott, Laws of Brit. Plantations, Art. NEW YORK. short presidency of colonel Bacon, the project for a college was first agreed upon, and approved by the president and council. On the arrival of Francis Nicholson, as lieutenant governor under lord Effingham then in England, he was informed of the design, and promised it every encouragement. A subscription being proposed, he granted it; and, he with the council setting a generous example, the subscriptions, including those of several merchants of London, amounted to about £2500. An assembly, which was now called, espoused the cause of the projected college; prepared an address to king William and queen Mary in its behalf, and sent the Rev. James Blair as their agent to England, to solicit a charter for it.1 1691. It had repeatedly been a subject of animated debate in New N.York act, York, whether the people in this colony have a right to be repre- rights and declaring sented in assembly, or whether it be a privilege enjoyed through privileges. the grace of the crown. A memorable act was passed this year by the legislature of the province, virtually declaring the right of representation, and several other of the principal and distinguishing liberties of Englishmen. It was entitled, " An act declaring what are the rights and privileges of their majesties' subjects within their Province of New York."2 Major Schuyler, with a party of Mohawks, passed over lake Champlain, and made a bold irruption into the French settlements at the north end of the lake.3 Samuel Lee, first minister of Bristol, Rhode Island, died, in Death of the 64th year of his age.1 1 Beverly, Hist. Virginia, b. 1. c. 4. The presidency of Bacon began in 1689; Nicholson arrived at lieutenant governor in 1690; and the assembly solicited the charter in 1691. 2 Smith, N. York, i. 76. Gordon, Lett. 2. The law enacted, that the supreme legislative power and authority under their majesties, shall forever be and reside in a governor and council appointed by their majesties, their heirs and successors; and the people by their representatives met and convened in general assembly. It farther enacted, that no aid, tax, tallage, &c. whatsoever, shall be laid, assessed, levied, or required, of or on any of their majesty's subjects within the province &c. or their estates, upon any manner or pretence whatsoever, but by the act and consent of the governor and council, and representatives of the people, in general assembly met and convened. This act was repealed by king William, in 1697. 3 Smith, N. York, i. 78. Univ. Hist. says, Schuyler had 300 English and 300 Indians. Colden [129.] says, that, in his several attacks, the French lost 2 captains, 6 lieutenants, and 300 men. 4 Mather, Magnal. b. 3. 223. Calamy, Nonconf. Memorial, i. 104. Allen, Biog. Dict. He was educated at Oxford, and settled in a fellowship; afterward preferred by Cromwell to a church near Bishopsgate in London, from which he was ejected; and then was a lecturer of great St. Helen's church in London. After other removals, he in 1686 came to New England, and preached at Bristol, where, in the following year, a church was formed, and he was installed its first pastor. Bristol Church Records (copied by Dr. Stiles) say: "The fifth year of Mr. Lee his being at Bristoll, beginning the 12th Aprill 1691." That year, having embarked for his native country, he was taken by a French privateer, and carried into St. Maloes in France. His family being sent thence into S. Lee. |