XI. 1639 to 1643. institution, and that, where there is an established religion CHAP. and an hereditary monarchy the greatest freedom compatible with the interests of man is enjoyed, may see little in our annals to attract attention or excite admiration. But those who read it as an epic of freedom, yearning for liberty, and struggling to secure it; outgrowing the bigotry of its youth, and amply atoning for it by the tolerance of its manhood; where may be beheld, not a statue of marble, destitute of Promethean fire, cold and impassioned, but a glowing, and conscious, and animated form, with its motto, Excelsior, and in the short space of two centuries outstripping the proudest monarchies of the Old World; those who thus read the history of New England, will find it a history worthy their perusal; showing what can be done, under the influence of religion, intelligence, patriotism, and zeal. We have portrayed the circumstances which preceded 1643. and made necessary that organized union, the Confederacy of the Colonies. True to their principles, it was, with our fathers, a league for religion as well as for protection. None were to be admitted to it but those of their own faith, sympathizing with their views, and subscribing to their creed. Heretic Providence was debarred from its privileges:-not that Roger Williams would have been left to suffer, nor would he have been refused assistance in the hour of danger; but he had voluntarily withdrawn from the house of the faithful, and how could there be fellowship, unless he repented? The colony at Portsmouth, too, must likewise repent of its sins, or come under the jurisdiction of Plymouth, to be received into communion. And as for Gorton and his followers, they were reprobates of the worst stamp, in the estimation of the churches of the day. The rejection of these was regarded as a probation, designed to give them space for repentance; then would they have been welcomed to the privileges of the 318 1643. THE CONFEDERACY. CHAP. union. If there was a spirit of rivalry in the colonies, XI. where has there not been in all human history? If there were personal ends to be answered, where have not human actions been more or less tainted with the spirit of selfishness? Instead, then, of condemning the colonists for what they left undone, let us see what they sought, and what they accomplished by this Confederated Union. The Preamble to the Articles of Confederation, is a statement of the motives which prompted its formation:-"We all came into these parts of America with one and the same end and aim, viz: to advance the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to enjoy the liberties of the gospel in purity with peace: and whereas, by our settling, by the wise providence of God, we are further dispersed upon the seacoast and rivers than was at first intended, so that we cannot, according to our desire, with convenience communicate in one government and jurisdiction; and whereas we live encompassed with people of several nations and strange languages, which hereafter may prove injurious to us or our posterity; and forasmuch as the natives have formerly committed sundry insolences and outrages upon several plantations of the English, and have of late combined themselves against us, and seeing by reason of the sad distractions in England, (which they have heard of,) and by which they know we are hindered both from that humble way of seeking advice, and reaping those comfortable fruits of protection, which at other times we might well expect; we therefore do conceive it our bounden duty, without delay, to enter into a present consociation among ourselves, for mutual help and strength in all future concernment, that, as in nation and religion, so in other respects, we be and continue one, according to the true tenor and meaning of the ensuing articles." These Articles are twelve in number. The first fixes the name: "The United Colonies of New England." The XI. second is a declaration of a firm and perpetual league of CHAP. friendship, offensive and defensive, for preserving and propagating the truth and liberties of the gospel, and for their 1643. own mutual safety and welfare. The third is an assertion of the right of jurisdiction of each colony within its own limits, and confines the Confederacy to the four colonies forming it, unless otherwise agreed. The fourth states the rule to be followed in the apportionment of expenses upon the colonies, for the maintenance of war, by an assessment upon all males between the ages of sixteen and sixty. The fifth prescribes the course to be pursued by each colony in case of an invasion of its territory, to secure the aid of the rest; and the quotas of men to be sent to their relief. The sixth gives to each colony power to elect two commissioners, fully authorized to act in its behalf; six of the eight agreeing upon any measure, the same to be binding; otherwise, the propositions to be referred to the courts of the colonies, and concluded by their consent. The meetings to be held annually and alternately in the colonies on the first Thursday in September. The seventh provides for the election of a president of the board. The eighth provides for the passage of general orders, and the rendition of fugitive servants and criminals. The ninth debars either colony from engaging in war, unless compelled to, without the consent of the rest. The tenth provides for calling extraordinary meetings. The eleventh proffers redress for grievances in the breach of these articles. And the twelfth is a ratification and confirmation of the whole. These measures were initiated May 19, 1643, and ratified on the 7th of the following September.1 Such was the New England Confederacy of 1643, the model and prototype of the North American Confederacy of 1774. That it was an assumption of sovereignty, is too 1 Winthrop, 2. 119-27; Morton's Hazard, vol. 2; Plym. Col. Laws, Mem., 120; Hubbard, 467-74; 308-14. 320 ΧΙ, THE CONFEDERACY. CHAP. obvious to be denied; but it was the sovereignty of the people, where all true power resides. The Charter of 1643. Massachusetts foresaw no such union. It was the product of circumstances equally beyond the prescience and the control of the King. To have prohibited it, would have been a detriment to the interests of the colonies. The credit of its accomplishment belongs to its framers; and the importance of its results vindicates its wisdom. Majesty itself could not have legislated better for them. But Majesty was then prostrate, and the people were in power. There was no King to ask permission to act. Parliament had enough to do to maintain its own supremacy. The colonies, three thousand miles distant from England, leagued together for mutual defense; and their Amphyctionic Council was as valuable and as important to them, as the greater Confederacies of the Old World, which the most loyal historians have applauded and approved. CHAPTER XII. MASSACHUSETTS AND THE COMMONWEALTH. XII. to FOR three years previous to, and for seventeen years CHAP. following the Confederacy of 1643, the theatre of exciting events was transferred, in a great measure, from the New 1643 World to the Old; yet these events exerted a powerful 1666. influence upon the fortunes of New England, strengthening and developing that deep love of freedom which constitutes the charm of our national history. The price of liberty is said to be eternal vigilance; this liberty had been tasted here; and the boon was too precious to be cast lightly aside. It is no disparagement to our ancestors, it is rather to their honor, that they earnestly sought to secure this blessing, and to transmit it as an invaluable inheritance to their posterity. Freedom is the inalienable birthright of Dear is it to all, for it is God's gracious gift. And especially when based upon the gospel of Christ, when it breathes the air of spiritual life, and guides the soul onward to everything noble, is it the proudest and most elevating prerogative of our race. Such was the character of freedom in New England. Progressively unfolding with the advancement of truth, it encountered at first the usual obstacles. It partook of the infirmities incident to humanity. It was blended with harshness, bigotry and intolerance. But the spirit was there, vital and animating; and despite of these obstacles, it moved steadily on, enlarging with the expansion of thought and of feeling, rebuking the violence of turbulent passions, and inciting to deeds of eminent worth. man. |