Controversy with Charles II.

done to proselyte the Indians unto the Christian faith, instead of being snares and traps unto us, and scourges in our sides, and thorns in our eyes, they would have been a wall unto us both by night and by day. What a sting was there in those words which the Indians have used unto some of our captives: Had the English been as careful to instruct us as the French, we had been of your religion." "

During these difficulties, Massachusetts did not apply to the parent country for assistance, and nothing was received to repair the losses. While the war raged, Charles II was endeavoring to re-assume the government of Massachusetts and to regain possession of New Hampshire and Maine. He had been treating with the heirs of Gorges; but before any negotiation was completed, Massachusetts purchased their claims, and thus came into possession of the State of Maine as far as the Kennebec. New Hampshire became a royal province, but through its general assembly, expressed its sense of the kindness of Massachusetts, while under its government.

The merchants and manufacturers of England feared the colony as their rival. Their complaints had been received. with favor, and laws restricting commerce hence became a subject of dispute between the colony and the crown. The controversy with Charles II was continued until 1684, when 1684 Massachusetts, unwilling to submit to the arbitrary requisitions of the king, which she considered inconsistent with her chartered rights, was compelled to relinquish that charter, which had been cherished with so much anxiety, and on which the liberties of New England had rested.

In 1686, after the accession of James II to the throne of England, Sir Edmond Andros was appointed governor of all New England. James wished to break the several charters,

Oppressive regulations.

Andros governor-general of the northern colonies.

and by uniting the northern colonies in one, more effectually 1686 to resist the encroachments of the French from Canada. The

governor was authorized to make laws and levy taxes, with the approbation of a council to be originally appointed by the crown, but the members of which might be removed by Andros. He was also instructed to sustain his authority by force, to allow no printing-press in the colony, and to encourage Episcopacy.

A series of oppressive regulations followed. Land titles were declared void, and great profits anticipated from the new grants which must be taken. Additional taxes and duties were imposed. None were allowed to leave the country without special permission, and the schools of learning were left unsustained.

In

In Rhode Island, Andros dissolved the government. the fall of 1687, he proceeded to Connecticut to assume the control of that colony. He demanded the surrender of the 1687 charter, but that was concealed in the hollow of an oak, the "Charter Oak," held in remembrance to this day. Yet the colonists were obliged to submit to his jurisdiction.

In 1688, the provinces of New York and New Jersey were added to the dominion of Andros. He quickly hastened 1688 south to take possession; and now the whole territory from Maine to the Delaware was united under his despotic rule.

The New England colonies could not submit without a struggle. Increase Mather, son of Cotton Mather, was sent to England to make an appeal to the king, and embarked without detection.

But relief came by the revolution of 1688. When the news arrived in Boston of the invasion of England, and that the Prince of Orange had been declared king, the whole town rose, with determined resolution; the former

Andros imprisoned.

Former government restored.

magistrates were reinstated, and Andros, with his most 1689 prominent adherents, was imprisoned. Town meetings were held throughout the colony, when nearly all the towns voted to restore the former government. The example of Massachusetts was followed by the other New England colonies.

CHAPTER XI.

NEW ENGLAND. (Continued.)

Regulations of king William.

By the revolution of 1688, the people of Massachusetts had anticipated the restoration of their charter. In this they were disappointed, although king William was finally induced to grant another, less liberal in its nature than the former. He reserved to himself the appointment of governor, who might call and dissolve the legislature at his pleasure. The judicial officers were also to be appointed by him, with the consent of his council. A considerable addition was made to the territory of Massachusetts. The new charter embraced Plymouth colony, and the Elizabeth islands, Maine and Nova Scotia ; also the country extending north to the river St. Lawrence. New Hampshire was omitted, and ever afterwards remained a separate government.

Sir William Phipps, the first governor appointed by king 1692 William, arrived in Boston in 1692. The general court was immediately convened and the new charter accepted without opposition.

Meantime difficulties with the Indians continued, and attacks were frequently made on the settlements and forts. Deep in feelings of revenge, as well as of friendship, they were led in some instances to particular massacres, which of course only increased hostilities. In 1689, the natives found an opportunity of avenging a violation of good faith which had occurred some years before, when three hundred and fifty

Expedition against the French at P. Royal.

General Congress in N. Y.

Indians, who had come to Dover to trade, after having entered into a treaty, were seized, and sent to Boston to be sold as slaves. The same person then in command was now stationed at Dover. The Indians surprised the people by night, gained access to the forts, and destroyed those who opposed them. The commanding officer and about twenty others were killed; nearly thirty were taken into Canada, and sold to the French.

War between France and England was deemed sufficient cause for corresponding aggressions on this side of the Atlantic. French privateers from Acadia, now Nova Scotia, were destroying the shipping on the coast. This induced the general court of Massachusetts to send an expedition against Port Royal, its chief town, which was successful, and the whole of Acadia submitted, but was recovered by France in 1696.

The history of these times is fraught with difficulties and dissensions, skirmishes and surprises, between the English on the one hand, and the French alone, or the French and Indians combined, on the other. The spirit of Him who commanded "Love your enemies," found little place in the feelings of the English or French colonists toward one another. On the 1st of Fifth month, (May,) 1690, at the instigation of Massachusetts, a general congress, the first held in America, 1690 assembled in New York. Danger, it was thought, showed the necessity of union. The design was formed of reducing all Canada to the British government; in pursuance of which an army was sent against Montreal, by way of Lake Champlain, while Massachusetts sent a fleet to attack Quebec. Both expeditions entirely failed; the ships on their return were scattered by storms, and some were wrecked. The loss to Massachusetts is estimated to have been one thousand men, and by the undertaking, the colony was involved in great