A Political and Civil History of the United States of America: From the Year ... - Timothy Pitkin - Google Books

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NOTE. In transcribing the names of those who signed the declaration of independence, that of George Read was, by mistake, omitted.

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Origin of the English and French claim to North America-First attempt at

settlement by French Protestants-Destroyed by the Spaniards-Sir Hum-

phrey Gilbert and Sir Walter Raleigh attempt a settlement-Grant to South

and North Virginia Companies-French grant to De Monts-First settlement

of Virginia, Plymouth, and the other English Colonies-Extent of their grants

-North Virginia first called New England in 1614-Grant of New England

to the Plymouth Company-New York settled by the Dutch-French discov-

eries under de la Salle,

Different forms of governments in the Colonies-Puritans settle Plymouth in

1620-Form a government for themselves-Intercourse of the Dutch with the

people of Plymouth-Massachusetts second Colony in New England-Obtains

a Charter from the King-Government of the Colonies placed in the hands of

Commissioners-Their powers and conduct-Surrender of the great Plymouth

Charter to the Crown-Reasons for it-People first represented in the General

Court in Massachusetts in 1634-Government established in the Colonies of

Connecticut, Rhode Island and New Haven-Confederacy of the New Eng-

land Colonies-Proprietary governments of Maryland, the Carolinas, New Jer-

sey and Pennsylvania-Disputes between the Proprietors and Settlers-Peo-

ple of South Carolina renounce the Proprietary Government-Proprietors of

New Jersey surrender their government to the crown-Royal Governments-

Government of Virginia under the London Company and during the civil wars

in England-Application of Virginia for a Charter-Government of New York

under the Dutch and the Duke of York-People of New York first represented

in the Assembly in 1683-Government of Leisler-Conduct of Governors

Slaughter and Fletcher,

Colonists consider themselves entitled to the rights of Englishmen-Claim the

right of representation-Disputes with the crown on this subject-Opinions of

eminent lawyers on this question-Declaration of rights by the assembly of

New York in 1691-Declarations of the colonies at various times on the right

of taxation-Various acts of Parliament restricting the trade and manufactures

of the colonies-The origin and causes of these acts-Their effects in the colo-

nies and opinions concerning them-Mode of enforcing them-Board of trade

and plantations established-Objects and powers of this board-Rice included

among the enumerated commodities in a clandestine manner-Acts of parlia-

ment concerning hats and hatters-Manufacture of iron and steel prohibited—

Slitting mills, plating forges and furnaces, in the colonies declared common nui-

sances-Governors ordered to destroy them-Principles and opinions of Eng-

lish writers concerning the trade and manufactures of the colonies,

Charters of Connecticut and Rhode Island obtained at a favorable moment-Meas-

ures taken to resume the Charters-Difference between the crown and the

colonists on this subject-Declaration of Massachusetts concerning charter

Page.

rights in 1661-Royal commissioners sent to regulate the New England colo-

nies-Their reception-Massachusetts refuse to submit to their authority and

send a petition to the king-Complaints against Massachusetts-Committee of

trade require an answer to these complaints-Answers not satisfactory-Mas-

sachusetts refuse to submit to the wishes of the king-Writs of quo warranto

issue against the charter of that colony-Judgment against it-Writs issue

against those of Connecticut and Rhode Island-Their letters considered a sur-

render of them-Sir Edmund Andrus appointed governor general of New Eng-

land-His despotic acts-Revolution in New England-Connecticut and

Rhode Island resume their charters-New Charter granted Massachusetts-

Great Britain jealous of the independence of the colonies-Bills brought into

parliament to resume the Charter government-Defeated-King sustains ap-

peals from the colonial courts in civil suits-Explanatory Charter of Massa-

chusetts-Law of descents in Connecticut declared void-Massachusetts re-

fuse to provide a permanent salary for the Governor-Present an address to the

king on the subject-Heard before the board of trade-Conduct of that colony

condemned--Jealousy of its growing power increases,

Convicts transported to the Plantations from England--The Colonies of Virginia

and Maryland pass Laws respecting them--These laws disapproved by the

Crown-This conduct of the Parent Country injurious to the Colonies, and

excites their indignation--Privilege of the writ of Habeas Corpus, supposed by

the board of trade not to extend to the Colonies--Act of Massachusetts concern-

ing the writ of Habeas Corpus disallowed by the Crown--Colonists still retain

an affection for their parent country--Bounties allowed by Parliament for cer-

tain articles produced in the colonies-Mode of colonial contributions--Extent

of the English and French claims in North America-Plan of union among the

colonies adopted in 1754--Disapproved by the crown and the colonial legisla-

tures--Ministerial plan for defending the colonies--Reasons of Dr. Franklin

against it---War of 1756, in consequence of disputed claims in America---Que-

bec taken---Family compact between France and Spain---Havana taken---

Peace of 1763---French power in America destroyed---Colonial schools for

general education---First established in Massachusetts by law, in 1647---Ob-

jects of their establishment---The clergy of New England assist in establishing

these schools---Colleges founded in the colonies---Character of the people of

America different from that of those of Europe---Some of the causes of this

Peace of 1763---An important event to the colonies---Excites great joy in Amer-

ica-Navigation acts enforced by writs of assistance-Opposed in Massachu-

setts Stamp duties proposed in parliament-Opposed in the colonies as a vio-

lation of their rights-Petitions and resolutions against them-Petitions reject-

ed-Stamp Act passed-Excites great alarm in the colonies-Resolutions of

the Virginia house of burgesses against it-Meeting of a congress of the colo-

nies in 1765-Declaration of rights and petitions of this congress in opposition

to the stamp act-Resolutions of colonial assemblies and associations of indi-

viduals-Disturbances at Boston-Act not suffered to be executed-New Min-

istry-American papers laid before parliament-Resolutions of Conway declar-

atory of the right of parliament to bind the colonies in all cases-Debate upon

them-Passed by a large majority-Examination of Dr. Franklin and others in

the house of commons-Stamp Act repealed-Speeches of lord Chatham and

lord Grenville on the question of the repeal,

Repeal of stamp act, a joyful event in America-Ministry seem well disposed

towards the colonists-Compensation to those who suffered by disturbances in

Page.

consequence of the stamp act, required---Massachusetts delays granting the

compensation---New York refuses to furnish all the articles required by the mu-

tiny act---This offends the ministry---New administration---Duties imposed on

glass and other articles in the colonies---Board of custom house officers estab-

lished in America---Legislature of New York prohibited from passing laws, un-

til a compliance with the mutiny act---Massachusetts among the first to oppose

the new duties---Circular letter of the house of representatives of that province

---Disapproved by the ministry---The house directed to rescind its vote---Oth-

er colonies required to disregard the circular of Massachusetts---The house re-

fuses to rescind---Other colonies unite with Massachusetts---Spirited conduct

of New York and Maryland-Disturbances at Boston---Troops sent there---

Convention of the people in Massachusetts---Troops quartered in Boston---

Conduct of Massachusetts censured by parliament---King authorized to bring

offenders in the colonies to Great Britain for trial---Proceedings of Virginia---

Disputes in Massachusetts in relation to the troops---The new duties repealed,

except the duty on tea---This not satisfactory to the colonists---Royal provision

for governor's salary in Massachusetts---Declared a dangerous innovation---

Destruction of the Gaspee in Rhode Island---Disputes between governor

Hutchinson and the assembly of Massachusetts concerning the supremacy of

parliament---Committees of correspondence between the colonies appointed---

Private letters of governor Hutchinson published---Occasion a petition for his

removal---East India company send tea to America---Destroyed at Boston---

Boston port bill---Alteration of Massachusetts charter---These acts resisted in

the colonies,
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Congress of the colonies in September, 1774---The conduct of Massachusetts

approved---A committee appointed to state the rights of the colonies---Their

violations and the means of redress---Suffolk resolutions approved---Declaration

of the rights of the colonies---Non-importation, non-consumption, and non-ex-

portation agreement---Address to the king---To the people of Great Britain---

To the inhabitants of the colonies, and to the inhabitants of the province of

Quebec---Galloway proposes a plan of reconciliation---This postponed---Con-

gress is dissolved in October---Proceedings of congress approved by the colo-

nies---Lord Chatham's motion for the recall of the troops from Boston---His

speech on this motion--- His conciliatory bill---Rejected by a large majority---

Parliament determines to enforce obedience---Augments the army and navy---

Restrains the trade and fisheries of the colonies---Indirect negotiation with Dr.

Franklin, as to terms of reconciliation---Lord North's conciliatory proposition

---Its object---Disarming some of the colonies contemplated---Preparations for

defense in the colonies---Hostilities commence in Massachusetts---Excite great

alarm---Massachusetts convention raise troops and prepare an address to the

people of Great Britain,

Congress again meet in May, 1775---Place the colonies in a state of defense---

Raise an army and appoint George Washington commander in chief---Publish

a manifesto declaring the causes of their taking up arms--Prepare a second pe-

tition to the king and an address to the people of Great Britain-Congress not

unanimous in again petitioning the king-Proceedings on lord North's concilia-

tory proposition-The terms of the proposition rejected-Terms of reconcilia-

tion proposed by the convention of New York-Substance of terms sketched

by Dr. Franklin-Massachusetts convention ask the advice of congress about

the establishment of civil government in that colony--Fort at Ticonderoga

taken-Congress send an army into the province of Canada--Paper money

issued-Views of the convention of New York, on the subject of a paper me-

dium-Colonists in general in favor of reconciliation-Their various declara-

tions on the subject-Second petition to the king rejected--The colonies de-

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clared by parliament in a state of rebellion-All trade with the colonies prohib-

ited, and the colonists declared open enemies-Their vessels and persons made

liable to seizure-Royal commissioners appointed--Their powers-Reprisals

ordered by congress--American ports opened to all the world except Great

Britain--Congress recommend to the colonies to form governments for them-

selves---Independence seriously contemplated---Delegates of Pennsylvania

instructed against it---Recommended by North Carolina---Delegates of Virgin-

ia specially instructed to propose it in congress---Proposed by Richard Henry

Lee---Subject postponed---Measures taken to procure the assent of all the col-

onies---Declaration of independence unanimously agreed to and signed by dele-

gates from all the colonies---Produces a new political state in America---Alle-

giance now transferred to the states---Persons adhering to the king, or to the

enemies of the states, or giving them aid, considered as guilty of treason---

Royal commissioners request a conference with some of the members of con-

gress---Committee appointed---The result of the conference---Terms rejected

---Commissioners issue addresses and proclamations to the people of America

---Counter address of the convention of New York---Campaign of 1776 unfor-

tunate for America---General Washington invested with unlimited military

powers---Capture of the Hessians at Trenton and the battle of Princeton re-

vive the drooping spirits of the Americans,

Committee of Secret correspondence appointed by congress-Direct a letter to be

sent to a gentleman in Holland-Send Silas Deane to France, in March 1776,

as a commercial and political agent-His instructions-Arrives in Paris in July

1776-Has an interview with the French minister, count de Vergennes-Is

well received and promised protection in his commercial arrangements-

French ports open to the Americans-Mr. Deane was to appear in the char-

acter of a merchant only-Congress prepare a commercial treaty to be pro-

posed to France-Dr. Franklin, Mr. Deane, and Arthur Lee, appointed com-

missioners to the French Court-Their instructions-Meet at Paris in Dec.

1776-France not prepared openly to join the Americans-A paper signed by

the King himself, is read to the Commissioners in January 1777-He declines

entering into a treaty, but promises them protection, and gives two millions of

livres-This to be kept a secret-Congress offer to France and Spain more fa-

vorable terms-These terms insufficient-Capture of Burgoyne creates con-

sternation in England-Lord North declares his intention to offer the Ameri-

cans terms of reconciliation-France accepts the offers of the American Com-

missioners, and enters into treaties-Reasons for this given by the French

Monarch in a letter to the king of Spain-Policy of France in relation to

America explained-She affords secret aid to the Americans-For this pur-

pose, secretly puts money and arms into the hands of an agent, by the name of

Beaumarchais-The Agent sends arms to America, under the name of Hor-

tales & Co.-American Commissioners send despatches by Capt. Folger-

They are secretly taken out by some one, and blank papers substituted-

Folger suspected and is imprisoned, but afterwards released-Beaumarchais

sends an Agent to America, to demand payment for the articles furnished by

him-Divisions in Congress on the subject-Congress agree to pay Beaumar-

chais-Deane recalled-Thomas Paine publishes some of the secret des-

patches Displeases the French Minister-He applies to Congress to dis-

avow the publication-Arthur Lee's letters relating to the claim of Beaumar-

chais-The officers of the Treasury charge him with one million of livres paid

to him by France, for the use of the Americans-He disputes this, and applies

to Congress for relief,

Appendix-Notes and Documents,

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