his utmost, in order to gain some advantage in the contest. From similar causes, the colonies suffer. ed severely in the subsequent wars of England, especially with France; and it would be extremely unfair to charge either upon them or upon the Indians the chief blame for the conflicts in which the colonies were engaged with the savage tribes around them. Had they not been involved by disputes not their own, judging from the scrupulous Christian policy which they generally displayed, and the success they had begun to experience, the In. dians would probably have become Christianized and civilized, and the country saved from a thousand calamities which we must hereafter relate.

It was reported that a general massacre was to be made in all the towns on election day, when many of the men were commonly absent from home. This put the people on so close and constant a watch, that labour was greatly interrupted; and, although Governor Stuyvesandt wrote, denying the charges against him, and offered to go to Boston, or to receive agents at Manahadoes to prove his innocence, other letters confirmed the reports, and six of the commissioners were in favour of an im mediate declaration of war against the Dutch. Agents were sent, and Stuyvesandt then refused to submit to any examination except such as his two agents should consent to; and they were men who had been complained of at Hartford for ill conduct, and one of whom had been put under bonds for criminal conduct. With these the agents of the commissioners would not confer, but returned after protesting.

In the mean time, the commissioners had order

136

MASSACHUSETTS DECLINES WAR. [1652.

ed 500 men to be raised, under the command of Captain Leverett, and that the commissioners should meet at New-Haven in case of war.

Another meeting of the commissioners was held, when the evidence against the Dutch appeared so much strengthened, the representations of Captain Underhill (who was still in their service) were so strong, and the conduct of Stuyvesandt so equivocal, that war was declared with unanimity, except Mr. Bradstreet, of Massachusetts. His colony still expressed great unwillingness to engage in hostil. ities; and the General Court, in violation of the articles of union, refused to join the other colonies in the contest, and declared that the commissioners could not bind them to engage in a war against their convictions. After much deliberation, the commis. sioners dissolved; on which Governor Haynes call. ed a special court on the 25th of June, which led to another meeting of the commissioners at Boston on the 11th of September.

The Massachusetts commissioners then proposed to drop the subject: but the others persisted, and agreed to return home, protesting against Massa. chusetts. This led the General Court of that colony to write a professed retraction, though in equiv. ocal language. The commissioners then proceed. ed to declare war against Ninigrate, sachem of the Nehantics, on account of his violation of all his promises, his refusal to explain his conduct, and his endeavour to kindle a war. They also decla. red war against the Dutch. But Mr. Bradstreet opposed his associates in both these measures; and Massachusetts refused to bear any share of the expense.

The General Courts of Connecticut and New. Haven soon met, and agreed to address the Lord Protector (Cromwell) for assistance to reduce or drive away the Dutch; and Mr. Hopkins, who was then in England, was requested to aid Captain Astwood, whom they appointed their agent,

For defence, a guard was sent to Stamford, then on the frontier; and New-Haven sent a vessel of ten or twelve guns, which was called a frigate, to cruise in the Sound, and keep the Nehantics at home. It was known that the Dutch were in constant expectation of a fleet from Holland; and the colonists were in the greatest anxiety, fearing that a general rising of the Indians was to be made on its appearance. But the successes of the English fleets against Holland disappointed Governor Stuy. vesandt of his re-enforcement; and the Indians could not be combined against the colonies, so that Providence averted the evils which long hung over them. But other troubles soon arose. The frontier towns blamed the governments of New-Haven and Connecticut for delaying to invade the Dutch territory; and the town of Fairfield determined to begin the war themselves, and appointed Mr. Ludlow to the office of commander-in-chief, which he accepted. This rebellion was suppressed by remonstrance, though with difficulty; and the leaders of it, named Basset and Chapman, were punished.

M 2

138

DEATH OF GOVERNOR HAYNES. [1654.

CHAPTER XVII.

Death of Governor Haynes.-The Dutch House at Hartford seized, according to Orders from England -Connecticut and New-Haven having petitioned Cromwell for Aid against the Dutch, four Ships of War arrive at Boston.-Peace between England and Holland.-Massachusetts reconciled.-Trouble with Ninigrate.-The Pequods taken under the Care of the Assembly in 1655.-The New-Haven Code of Laws.-Death of Mr. Wolcott.-Proposals from Cromwell and Stuyvesandt. -Indian Disturbances.-Death of Governor Eaton.

In the year 1654, the people of Connecticut suffered a great loss by the death of the man who had been the principal in its settlement and government. This was Governor Haynes, who was considered as second to no man in New-England. He had left Copford Hall, his seat in Essex, England, to dwell in America, though his income was worth £1000 a year. He resided for a time at Cam. bridge with the Rev. Mr. Hooker, and was chosen governor of Massachusetts. He came to New. England two years after the landing at Plymouth, and accompanied Mr. Hooker to Hartford. Trumbull says, he appeared to be a gentleman of emi. nent piety, strict morals, and sound judgment. He paid attention to family government, instruction, and religion. His great integrity and wise management of all affairs, in private and public, so raised and fixed his character in the esteem of the people, that they always, when the constitution would permit, placed him in the chief seat of government, and continued him in it until his death.

Orders were received from the English Parlia ment in the spring to treat the Dutch as enemies; and the Dutch house and lands in Hartford were accordingly taken by the colony. A fast was ob served for the various public calamities. Mr. Ludlow, who had been deputy-governor of Massachusetts and Connecticut, removed to Virginia this year, probably on account of his hasty acceptance of an insurrectionary office at Fairfield. He was then clerk of that town, and carried the records with him. He was skilled in the principles of law, and had rendered much service in forming the Constitution of Connecticut, and compiling the code of the colony, which was printed at Cambridge in

1672.

Mr. Hopkins was chosen governor during his absence in England, and Mr. Wells deputy-governor. The whole number of rateable persons in Connecticut this year was 775, and the grand list £79,073. Of this amount Hartford had 177 persons and £19,609; Windsor, 165 and £15,833; Wethersfield, 113 and £12,602; Fairfield, 94 and £8634; Saybrook, 53 and £4437; Stratford, 72 and £7958; Farmington, 46 and £5519; Middletown, 31 and £2172; and Norwalk, 24 and £2309.

About the beginning of the summer months the colonies were cheered by the unusual sight of three or four ships arriving at Boston from England with troops for their aid. These had been sent by Cromwell in reply to their petition, with Major Sedgwick and Captain Leveret. Massachusetts allowed men to be enlisted in her territory, although she still refused to go farther in the intended war