Puritans. In 1622, their chief Ca-non'-i-cus, to show his hos tility, sent Governor Bradford (who had succeeded Carver) a bundle of arrows wrapped in the skin of a rattlesnake. The brave governor filled the skin with powder and shot and sent it back. Finding that the colonists were not frightened, the chief thought it best to let them alone; but that they might be prepared for the worst, they surrounded their settlement with a palisade of stakes a mile in circuit.

120. During the year 1622, thirty-five trading vessels visited New England, and some provisions were bought by the colonists at exorbitant prices, for as yet they had not raised sufficient for their support. Their agricultural implements were imperfect; they had no domestic cattle, and were so destitute of boats and tackle that the fish which swarmed in the harbor availed them little. The following year, they were so far reduced that at one time they had but a pint of corn to divide, and at another not a single kernel. Hitherto they had cultivated the land in common; but it was thought that the inducement to labor would be greater if the land were divided and each planted for himself. Accordingly in 1624 every colonist received a small tract. After this, corn was abundant. Other settlers of the same religious views came over, and in 1630 the population was about 300.

121. The affairs of the colony were managed by a governor and council of five, afterwards increased to seven. At first the whole body of citizens assembled in town meeting, and decided all questions that arose. In 1639, their number had so increased that a representative system of government was introduced. The people made their own laws, and punished criminals as they chose, even with death, independently of the home government. The Plymouth settlers were never incorporated by royal charter, and it was not till

chief show his hostility? How did Governor Bradford reply? With what did the Puritans surround their settlement? [See Map, page 84.-What water separated the Narragansetts from the Wampanoags ?] 120. In 1622, whence did the settlers obtain provisions? Why did they not raise their own food? What is said of the scarcity of provisions the next year? In 1624, what change was made? What was the population in 1630 121. By whom were the affairs of the colony managed? At first, by whom were all questions decided? What change was made in 1689? What powers had the

1623]

FIRST ENGAGEMENT WITH THE INDIANS.

83

ten years after their arrival that a title to the land they oc cupied was granted them by the company in England.

122. Massassoit and his tribe remained faithful to the colonists, and were of service to them in various ways. The chief never forgot that not long after the arrival of the Pilgrims he was cured of a severe illness by one of their number, named Winslow, who turned the medicine-men out or his wigwam in the midst of their noisy ceremonies, and restored their patient with a few simple remedies. Massassoit, in his gratitude, disclosed to Winslow a plot that had been formed by some neighboring Indians for cutting off a party of settlers at Weymouth [see Map, p. 84]. Miles Standish, a very brave man though small in stature, was the military leader of the Puritans; and he was immediately sent with eight men to the aid of the Weymouth settlers. The Indians were put to flight with the loss of three men, including their chief, whose head Standish brought back in triumph on a pole to Plymouth. When the news reached Robinson, who, though still in Leyden, felt a deep interest in his former people, he wrote back to them, "Oh, how happy a thing had it been, had you converted some before you killed

any!"

CHAPTER VII.

MASSACHUSETTS BAY COLONY.-SETTLEMENT OF RHODE ISLAND.

123. THE Puritans of England, still subjected to various restrictions, continued to seek an asylum in the new world. A grant having been obtained from the Plymouth Company of a tract bordering on Massachusetts Bay, John En'-di-cott was sent out in 1628 with 100 followers. After exploring

people? When did the settlers get a title to their land? 122. How did Massassoit feel towards the English? What claims had they on his gratitude? How did he repay them? [See Map, p. 84.-In what direction was Weymouth from Plymouth ?] Who was sent to aid the Weymouth settlers? What was the result of the battle? When the news reached Leyden, what did Robinson say?

123. What led the Puritans of England stil' to seek the new world? In 1628, what

84.

84

MASSACHUSETTS BAY COLONY.

[1628 the neighborhood, Endicott's party finally settled at a place, whose Indian name, Naum'-ke-ag, they changed to Sa'-lem. Two hundred more soon followed, some of whom joined the Salem colony, while others founded Charlestown.

were

124. Winter, as usual, brought suffering and disease. The following year, those who held the charter transferred it to the colonists themselves, and the change resulted happily In July, 1630, about 1,500 persons arrived. An independent provincial government was formed, with John Winthrop at its head. Dor-ches-ter, Rox'-bury, Cambridge [kame-bridje], and Watertown, founded; but the greater part settled on a peninsula jutting out into the bay, invited thither by the excellence of its water and the fertility of the land. This peninsula they named Boston, after a city in Lincolnshire [lin'-kun-sheer], England, from which some of them had come.

Shortness of provisions and the severity of the climate caused many deaths during the ensuing winter, and for a season a greater number left the colony than joined it. The following year, affairs assumed a more flourishing aspect; and Boston was visited by various Indian chiefs, who promised peace and friendship.

125. In 1631, the General Court passed a law that no man

took place? What places were founded by Endicott's party? 124. What judicious movement was made the next year? In 1630, how many arrived? Who was elected governor? What places were founded? Where did the greater part settle? [See Map. -How is Boston situated? In what direction from it is Cambridge? Salem? What river flows into Massachusetts Bay just north of Boston?] What was the state of affairs the next winter? What, in the following spring? By whom was Boston visited?

757

1631]

DIFFICULTY WITH ROGER WILLIAMS.

85 should vote who was not a member of some church in the colony. This greatly reduced the number of voters, for only a fourth of the adult population were church-members. The dissatisfaction of the people with this enactment led to earnest discussion and the extension of popular rights. Winthrop was governor for four years, during which the colony became firmly established. A fort was built at Boston; mills were introduced; a coast trade with Virginia and New Amsterdam sprung up; and a ferry was established between Boston and Charlestown.

126. Though the Puritans had left England to secure religious liberty, they were unwilling to grant it to others, and required every one by law to attend their churches and conform to their opinions. Roger Williams, a young preacher who had come over in 1631 and settled at Salem, was the first to teach that every man had a right to worship God as he saw fit, and that bigotry, whether in New England or old England, was contrary to reason and the Bible. The stern Puritan leaders did not relish such opposition to their authority. Roger Williams was censured and pronounced unsound in judgment; and, on his election by the people of Salem as their pastor, a tract of land was withheld from them by the Boston council by way of punishing their contumacy. A spirited remonstrance from Williams and his congregation followed; in consequence of which the town of Salem was disfranchised by the next General Court. Frightened at these measures, the supporters of Williams at last submitted, and their minister was left to advocate his cause alone. To prevent further trouble, the Boston authorities ordered that he should be sent back to England.

Before the sentence could be executed, Williams was beyond the limits of the colony, determined to find in some other part of the new world that freedom which was denied

125. What law was passed by the General Court in 1631? To what did this enactment lead? How long was Winthrop governor? What was done during his administration? 126. Wha disposition did the Puritans manifest towards those of different religious opinions? Towards whom was this feeling first exhibited ? What did Roger Williams teach? Give the history of the successive difficulties to which his dissemination of such

+

him there. For fourteen weeks he wandered in the wilder ness, amid the snows of a severe winter, "not knowing what bread or bed did mean". At last he reached the wigwams of the Wampanoags, who received him kindly; and in the summer he obtained from the Narragansetts a tract of land on the bay called by their name. Here, with five companions, he commenced a settlement, which he named Provi dence in commemoration of the divine mercy. Thus orig nated the first settlement in RHODE ISLAND.

Roger Williams was soon joined by friends from Salem and Boston, to whom he freely gave portions of his land The settlement rapidly increased in strength and prosperity Perfect freedom prevailed, and the will of the people was the supreme law.

127. In 1635, 3,000 immigrants arrived at Boston, among whom was Henry Vane, a young man of distinction, who was soon elected governor. During his term of office, the colony was again troubled by religious dissensions. Ann Hutchinson, who hesitated not to censure the Puritan clergy and to teach doctrines even more objectionable in their eyes than those of Roger Williams, won over to her opinions a number of the settlers, among whom was Governor Vane himself. It was only after serious difficulties that peace was restored by Mrs. Hutchinson's banishment. Many of her followers left the colony with her and settled on Aquiday [ak'-we-da] (the isle of peace) in Narragansett Bay, [see Map, p. 84], which they bought from the Indians and called the Isle of Rhodes. Vane returned to England. To prevent similar troubles from recurring a law was passed in the colony forbidding any person to enter it without a permit from the magistrates.

doctrines led. What sentence was pronounced upon him by the authorities? How did he avoid it? For fourteen weeks what was he obliged to do? By whom was he received? What was the origin of the first settlement in Rhode Island? By whom was Williams joined? What was the supreme law of the colony? 127. In 1636, how was the Massachusetts Bay colony augmented? During Vane's term of office how and by whom was the colony troubled? Who was numbered among Mrs. Hutchinson's converts? What became of Mrs. Hutchinson? [See Map, p. 84.-What promontory is north of the Isle of Rhodes?] What law was soon after passed? In 1689, what