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is not difficult to conclude what issue it may produce over the whole country. But were it possible to prevent such an issue without evident ruin to ourselves, &c. we should willingly adhere to such advice as might tend unto the peace and safety of the whole. But not further to trouble your Honors at present we rest,

Your very affectionate friends and neighbours, the General Assembly of his Majesty's colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, convened October 25. 1671. Signed by order of said Assembly, pr. JOHN SANFORD, Clerk.

To the Right Worshipful Thomas Prince Esq. Govr. of his Majesty's colony of New Plymouth, to be communicated to the rest of the Honord. Council and Genrl. Court there. These present with care.

GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF RHODE ISLAND TO GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF CONNECTICUT.

Newport, Oct. 25th. 1676.

Honrd. Gentlemen,

We cannot omit to manifest to you our absolute dislike of your late proceeds (if our information be true) which from credible persons of our Colony have been asserted, and confirmed by several of yours, and some in authority, that you have, by order of your Court, determined to deprive us of our just rights and privileges in the Narraganset country (alias King's province) graciously granted to us in our charter by his Majesty, and confirmed by his Honrd. Commissioners. By virtue of which power, we have peaceably enjoyed the government, disposition, and other privileges therein, for several years past. Therefore much strange that you should, under pretence of subduing the Indians, monopolize our privileges, by warning our inhabitants from settling upon their own plantations in said Narraganset, that were

forced, by reason of the late war with the natives, to desert their habitations for the security of their lives, with what else of their stock and moveables they could preserve, till way, by the providence of God, should be made for their return to their own as aforesaid. It is well known that the United Colonies did desert several of their out plantations, and some were by the enemy drove and necessitated so to do, for safety of their lives. If for that cause only, the colonies should lose their charter rights, and particular persons their lands and privileges, it would to them (and all rational men) appear ridiculous, and without doubt disapproved by his Majesty, if it should come to a hearing. We are very apt to believe, that if matters come to a just inquiry concerning the cause of the war, that our Narraganset Sachems, which were subjects to his Majesty, and by his foresaid Commissioners taken into protection, and put under our government, and to us at all times manifested their submission by appearing when sent for.* Neither was there any manifestation of war against us from them, but always the contrary, till by the United Colonies they were forced to war,† or such submission at it seems they could not subject to, thereby involving us into such hazards, charge and losses which hath fallen upon us in our out plantations, that no Colony have received the like, considering our number of people. But admit the cause never so just, approved and allowed by his Majesty, on your parts, as to the said war, as its well known and owned that his subjects have liberty to pursue his known enemies, in order to subdue them, in any part of his dominions where they come, and cannot but be owned a great favour, and that for such kindness or privilege, the said inhabitants should lose their possessions, cannot but be looked at a great oppression and ingratitude, which to deal plainly is our case (if information be true as

*There is evidently an omission here.

By the charter of 1663, it is declared "That it shall not be lawful to or for the rest of the Colonies to invade or molest the native Indians, or any other inhabitants, inhabiting within the bounds and limits hereafter mentioned (that is of the Colony) (they having subjected themselves unto us, and being by us taken into our special protection) without the knowledge and consent of the governor and company of our Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations."

aforesaid.) Is it not sufficient that, as God hath made
you (with the assistance of the Pequods and other In-
dians) instruments to subdue those you made war with,
and have had many privileges in our said Colony without
interruption from us: and for our said kindness you en-
deavour to reward us with the depriving us of our just
rights, and our inhabitants of their settlements upon their
own again, will appear very unjust.
And further to sug-
gest, that the land was left void, and therefore free for
others to settle, we say, in as much as our authority saw
cause to draw our people into a nearer compass, thereby
to preserve their lives and estates (which true wisdom
would lead all men to) did thereby maintain our Colony
in being. But had our Colony been wholly deserted,
and the people and authority vanquished, there might
have been some colour. So hoping you will take the
premises into your serious consideration, and avoid any
future provocations by threats or actions, in our aforesaid
boundaries; otherwise you must expect our opposition to
the utmost of our abilities. And further know, that our
intentions are (if violated of our just rights by your au-
thority) do purpose with all expedition to make applica-
tion to his Majesty, the consequence of which may prove
inconvenient to some. But blame not us who are forced
thereto; but its rather our hearts desire, peaceably to en-
joy our own, and with you and all men to live neighbour-
ly and friendly, which is the true desire of your very lov-
ing friends and neighbours.

Signed by order of the General
Assembly sitting Oct. 25. 1676.
Pr. JOHN COGGESHALL, Clerk
of the Assembly.

To the Honrd. the Genl. Assembly of Connecticut
Colony, if sitting, or to the Honrd. the Govr. and
Council of said Colony, these present with care.

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HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION OF ABINGTON, (MASS.) AUG. 1816.

ABINGTON is an interior town of the county of Plymouth. It lies in latitude 42° 9' N. longitude 70° 47′ W.; and is bounded northerly on Hingham, Weymouth and Randolph, about six miles; easterly on Scituate one, and on Hanover five miles; southerly, on Pembroke and Bridgewater; and westerly also on Bridgewater several miles. It is distant from Plymouth twenty miles N. W.; from Boston (by turnpikes) seventeen S. S. E.; from Hingham cove ten miles S.; from Weymouth landing seven S.; and from Hanover four corners, six miles W. Incorporated June, 1712.*

The original growth of this township was chiefly walnut, oak, beech, birch and white pine. This tract, which is a moist and strong soil, and in some degree rocky, has general elevation; yet not of very unequal surface. It may be, as an entire township, the best grazing district in the county of Plymouth.

Much of the southeast section of this town was, and yet continues swampy, as well as rocky. Hence the popular name, "Little Comfort," yet in use for that region; a tract of cedar swamp, with an intermixed growth, exists there, while in the northeast a long ridge of elevated pasture of a good soil continues, from its original growth, to be called "Beech Hill." With this exception, there seems to be not any other remarkable hills.

Abington and its vicinity formerly afforded large supplies of square and ranging timber, as well as masts, to the numerous ship yards seated below. The hurricane or gale of October, 1804, prostrated an extensive tract of timber forest trees, chiefly white pine, of which it was remarked, that the second growth fell while the first then

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Abingdon in Berkshire, England, is 56 miles N. W. of London, and 7 south of Oxford. It has stated fairs, chiefly for horses and cattle, and is a well built town. It furnishes malt, sacking and sail cloth. There was a period when several towns in the American colonies took this name; in some instances, probably, from the title of a popular nobleman, the Earl of Abingdon.

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