ferent associations were formed in 1638, for the establishment of laws and civil administration, but owing to division, they renounced the right of selfgovernment, and placed themselves under that of Massachusetts. In 1680 disputes, originating concerning private claims to lands purchased from the Indians, and included in the above grants, led to the separation of the province, and a royal government was established by a commission from Charles the Second, which was dissolved by the provincial convention of 1775. For many years after the formation of the first establishments, the Indians had carried on an active war, excited in the first instance by the conduct of Captain Hunt, who, after the departure of Smith for England, decoyed on board his vessel twenty of the natives, whom he carried to Malaga, and sold for money. These wars inured the inhabitants to military life, and enabled them afterwards to render useful services during the struggle for independence. The first form of government adopted by the people was established in the provincial congress at Exeter, on the 5th of January 1776, which assumed the name, power, and authority of a house of representatives. The new and permanent constitution, similar in its leading features to that of Massachusetts, was adopted in 1784. The new federal constitution, when submitted to this state, was approved of by a majority of 11; and this being the

ninth state by which it was accepted, gave a majority in favour of its establishment.

Civil or Administrative Division.

Constitution. The legislative power now resides in a senate and house of representatives, which together form the General Court, or Assembly; and each branch has a negative on the other. Money bills originate in the house of representatives, but may be amended by the senate, by which impeachments are tried. The senators, thirteen in number, are elected annually, by citizens paying taxes. The qualifications for a candidate are these: 1st, To be thirty years of age. 2d, To be seised of a freehold estate, of the value of two hundred pounds, within the state. 3d, To have been an inhabitant of the state seven years immediately preceding his election; and an actual resident of the district for which he is chosen. The house of representatives is composed of delegates from the

different towns, the number of which is proportioned to the population, as in Massachusetts, at the rate of one representative for every 150 rateable male polls of twenty-one years of age, two for 450, and so on, at the rate of one representative for every additional 300. The election is by ballot, and no person can be a candidate who has not an estate within his district of a hundred pounds value, one half of which is a freehold in his own right; he must also be an inhabitant of the district at the time of his election, and of the state, two years previous thereto. Every male inhabitant, of twentyone years of age, (except paupers, and persons exempted from paying taxes by their own request,) has a right to vote for senators and representatives. The executive power is invested in a governor and five councillors.

The governor is chosen annually by the electors, as above described; and, if two persons have an equal number of votes, one of the two is chosen by the joint ballot of the assembly. No person is eligible to the office of governor unless he be thirty years of age, and have been an inhabitant of the state seven years next preceding his election. must also be the proprietor of an estate of the value of five hundred pounds, one half of which must consist of a freehold in his own right, within the state. The governor, as president of the council, has the same powers and privileges as those of the

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governor of Massachusetts. * Councillors are elected by ballot, by the freeholders, and the same qualifications are required for this office as for that of governor, except that three hundred pounds or more of the estate must be a freehold in his own right. The secretary, treasurer, and commissarygeneral, are chosen by the joint ballot of the senators and representatives. The treasurer of the county and register of deeds are elected by the inhabitants of the several towns. Representatives to congress are chosen by the inhabitants in town meetings; and the votes of each are returned to the secretary's office, and laid before the general court. In the same manner are chosen the electors for president and vice-president. The two senators in congress are elected by the general court.

Judiciary. The judiciary is composed of a Superior Court, with four judges, who make two circuits annually through the counties; of an Inferior Court, with the same number of judges, in each county, who sit four times a-year; of a Court of General Sessions; of the Justices of the Peace, who sit at the same time; of a Court of Probate, with one judge, which sits monthly in each.

* In 1815 a curious circumstance occurred. The governor being a federalist, and a majority of the council republicans, none of the leading men of either party could be nominated to office, those proposed by the one being rejected by the other.

county; and of Justices Courts. The judges are appointed by the governor and council, and remain in office to the age of seventy, subject to impeachment on the address of the législature. The Jury, of twelve freeholders, by whose verdict all causes are determined, are chosen by the select men of the several towns, among persons having an estate of fifty pounds value, one-third of whose names are put into one box, and two-thirds into another; and from the former are drawn jurors for the Superior, from the latter for the Inferior Court, which is done by the town-clerk at a public town meeting. The General Court is authorized to reform the judiciary system, as it may think proper, or conducive to the public good; to give to Justices of the Peace jurisdiction in civil causes, when a real estate is not concerned, and the damages do not exceed four pounds, with the right of appeal to another court, and trial by jury. The annual salary of the Chief Justice is 1500 dollars; each associate judge has 1200 dollars. Sheriffs and judges cannot remain in office after the age of seventy; nor can these officers act, or receive fees, as attorney or counsel to any party, or institute any civil suit, while in the exercise of their functions. The judiciary officers of the United States for this district are-1. A Judge, with a salary of 1000 dollars; 2. An Attorney, with fees, &c.; 3. A