towns, gave freedom to the bondsmen, and estab lished courts, and a form of government.

In 1643 Massachusetts united with Plymouth, Connecticut, and Newhaven, in a confederation, under the title of " The United States of New England;" and, in 1685, her charter was withdrawn, and the colony placed under the direction of a president, in conjunction with those of Maine, New Hampshire, and Rhode Islands. In the 4th year of King James another charter was granted, created by a judgment, in 1684, by which the people were empowered to choose their officers, except those of the customs and admiralty. Three years afterwards, in the 3d of King William and Queen Mary, a new charter was granted, by which Plymouth, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Maine, were annexed to Massachusetts, and a governor and council were appointed by the crown. The governor, with the consent of the council, appointed the judges, marshals, justices of the peace, and the officers belonging to the council and courts of justice. Other civil officers were chosen by the council and assembly. The freeholders elected their representatives, who chose their speaker and council, and formed the upper house. The general court, composed of the governor, council, and house of representatives, was a court of equity and of appeals, besides exercising legislative functions.

The country, for some time after the first settlements, was occupied by various tribes of Indian nations; Mohegans, Mohawcks, and others, who were so much dreaded by the colony established in the province of Maine, that they sought protection from that of Massachusetts; and hence the political union of two provinces, naturally separated by the southern extremity of New Hampshire.

In 1765 Massachusetts colony determined to resist the encroachments of parliament, and invited the other provinces to unite for the purpose of obtaining redress of grievances. In consequence of this measure, the general court was dissolved by the governor, and a convention called. The duties on tea had excited great complaints, and in one instance a cargo of this article was thrown into the harbour. The legislature was converted into a provincial assembly, an army created, and the battle of Lexington fought in 1775,

Civil or Administrative Division of the State of Massachusetts, with the Population of each County and Chief Town, in 1810, the Year of the last Enumeration.

Constitution. In the year 1684 the first charter of Massachusetts Bay was granted by King James the Second, by which the people, in virtue of a judgment in chancery, were empowered to elect all their own officers, except those of the admiralty and customs. In the third year of King William and Queen Mary, another was obtained, which reserved to the crown the appointment of the governor, lieutenant-governor, secretary, the officers of the admiralty and of customs. The governor, with the consent of the council, appointed the judges and other officers of the courts of justice, and of the council; others were appointed by the council and assembly. The upper house of legislature, or house of representatives, elected by the freeholders, chose the speaker and council. The ge

neral court consisted of the governor, council, and the house of representatives; and was a legislative court, a court of equity and appeals. *

The republican form of government was published, and had the force of law in the year 1780, (2d March.) The legislative power consists of a Senate and House of Representatives, which united form the General Assembly, or General Court of Massachusetts.

Senators.-The senators, forty in number, are elected annually in districts, by the male inhabitants of twenty-one years of age and upwards, living and having a freehold estate within the commonwealth, of the annual income of three pounds, or any estate to the value of sixty pounds. No person can be elected a senator who is not possessed of a freehold estate to the value of three hundred pounds, or of personal and freehold property worth twice this amount.

Representatives.-The representatives are also elected annually by voters, who have the same qualification as for senators, and by corporate towns in proportion to the number of inhabitants. A representative must have resided one year in the town he represents, and there possess a freehold of a hundred pounds, or two hundred of

* See Hutchinson's and Chalmer's Histories of Massachu setts Bay.

any rateable estate. When a town is found to contain 150 rateable polls, it is entitled to one representative; when the number increases to 375, it has a right to two; and to an additional member for every 225 additional polls.

The Executive power is vested in a governor, lieutenant-governor, and nine councillors. The two first officers are chosen annually, on the first Monday of April, by persons qualified to vote for senators and representatives. The councillors are also chosen annually, by the joint ballot of the two houses, from among the persons returned as councillors and senators; and the place of those who refuse to serve is supplied from the mass of the people.

The supreme executive magistrate, or governor, who has the title of excellency, must have a freehold property in the state of a thousand pounds, and declare his sincere belief of the Christian religion; he must also have resided in the state seven years immediately preceding his election. The governor is commander in chief of the naval and military forces of the state; and, with the advice and consent of the council, which he can assemble at discretion, he is empowered to appoint the attorney and solicitor-general, and other judicial officers; also to grant pardon for offences, except such as have been tried and decided before the senate, by an impeachment of the house. All