in their courts of law, 1700. Here, again, he was lame, for the people had cut out of the records, every leaf that regarded his claims, and left him destitute of record testimony, and he failed in every trial. He next petitioned the king, who granted him an appeal; but the court refused to admit the appeal, and in the midst of this controversy, the Earl of Bellomont died, and the government devolved upon Lieut. Gov. Patridge, and the controversy continued until it was finally brought before the king, under the agency of Usher. Pending this process, King William died, and was succeeded by Queen Ann; who appointed Joseph Dudley, Esq. governor, and gave audience in the appeal, 1701: but Usher failed for want of proof, with permission to begin de novo. Usher next petitioned the queen, for permission to possess and enjoy all waste lands in the province, and to be appointed lieutenant governor. These were both sharply contested, for they were both highly obnoxious to the people; but Usher prevailed, and Allen obtained all uninclosed, and uñoccupied lands, as waste lands; and Usher obtained a commission as lieutenant governor. This stroke was more severe to this province, than an Indian war, and gave greater excitement to the public feeling. This controverup to 1715, when Such were the

sy occupied the years 1701, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, Allen's death closed the controversy.

perplexities and vexations of this colony, arising out of these proprietary claims.

CHAPTER XX.

HISTORY OF THE PILGRIMS CONTINUED.

1

WHEN the great religious controversy, which had been drenching with blood the plains of Germany, under the standard of the confession of Augsburg, (which produced the league of Augsburg,) had been closed by the peace of Ryswick, 1697, then a cessation of hostilities followed in New-England, until the general war in Europe recommenced, in 1701. This war opened anew the intrigues of the French, and in 1703, the depredations of savage war recommenced in New-England, and the French, in Canada and Novascotia, became more openly parties in the war. Then a fact was disclosed, that was well understood before; that Monsieur Frontenac, governor of Canada, had furnished the savages with arms, ammunition, and other supplies for the war, and actually held many thousands, in the service and pay of France. That the Roman Catholic priests in the dominions of France, both in Canada and Novascotia, excited the savages to war with the English, with this story-"That Jesus Christ was born of a French woman; that he was murdered by the English; therefore all his friends ought to kill the English."

The French in Novascotia, (or Le Acadia) attempted to extend their limits and settlements to the Kenebec River, by order of Lewis XIV. King of France, and excluded, or attempted to exclude the English from their fishery. This gave alarm, and Governor Dudley attempted to provide for the defence of the colony; but the people were poor, and he found it difficult to raise money; the most he could do, was to assemble the principal tribes of Indians, and renew the treaty of Casco, which was done with all apparent possible sincerity; but here again was stratagem, for in a few days after the treaty they were

66

joined by a strong party from Canada, and began their depredations, by a general attack upon all the settlements from Casco to Wells, and killed, and took 130 people, burning and detroying all before them, 1703." These ravagés extended from Deerfield, on the Connecticut River to Casco, on the east, and the whole country was in one general alarm; the women and children took shelter in the garrisons, and the men went armed to their labours; these ravages continued with various success, until winter closed the scene.

With the opening of spring, 1704, hostilities were renewed, and continued through the summer, with various success. These depredations continued through the years 1705, 6, and 7, when an expedition was planned against Port Royal, in Novascotia, where it arrived in May, 1707; but the expedition failed, and returned in disgrace. This gave encouragement to the enemy, and they renewed their depredations. Governor Dudley ordered the army to reimbark and return to Port Royal, where they arrived early in Angust, but effected nothing more than to dislodge a party of Indians, who had ambushed their landing. This expedition also failed, and returned in disgrace, but the enemy took advantage of the absence of the troops, and scoured the country with renewed boldness, and all was confusion and distress. In the midst of this distress, a party of Mohawks came down upon Oyster River, and cut off a party of labourers, killed eight, and mortally wounded the ninth, and made their escape. In the spring of 1708, a large party from Canada, fell upon Haverhill; but they were repulsed, and dispersed. In 1709, the same ravages continued upon Oyster River, and Exeter; five were taken, and one was killed.

The losses in this war, were severe upon this handful of people; but the constant anxiety, arising from constant, and distressing alarms; the dangers, and difficulties of till

ing the ground, to procure the necessary support, together with harrassing watchfulness, and military duty, were, taken together, much more severe. They saw no possibility of relief from this murderous state of war, but the reduction of Canada, as the source of all their troubles. To effect this, they, by their agents, entered into an agreement with the English ministry, to co-operate with a fleet and armament from England, for this purpose. To effect this, they surmounted the most distressing pecuniary embarrassments, and raised troops, and transports, and embarked for the expedition; but the fleet and armament from England, failed, which defeated the enterprise.

J

In 1710, they, by their agents, obtained an armament from England, against Port Royal, which came out in July, and joined the Provincials at Boston, and in September, the expedition sailed against Port Royal, and the town was taken on the 5th of October, 1710. >

In 1711, a fleet and armament from England was sent out to New-England, to co-operate with the Provincials, against Quebec. The whole armament sailed from Boston, in July, and Governor Dudley ordered a monthly fast to be observed throughout the whole expedition, to implore the assistance and support of Almighty God, against their enemies. This force was considered as adequate to the reduction of Quebec, as the force the last year had been for the reduction of Port Royal, but it failed; the transports were wrecked, in a fog, in the River St. Lawrence, on the night of the 23d of August; about 1000 of the English troops were lost; the whole of the remainder of the fleet, put back to the Island of Cape Breton, and from thence the English fleet returned to England, and the Provincials to their own homes.

In 1712, the enemy renewed their ravages, with increased boldness; but the vigilance of the English prevented all serious depredations, until the arrival of the

news of peace in Europe, on the 29th of October;* this layed the storm, and the savages laid down the hatchet, and renewed the treaty at Casco, July 11th, 1713. In the summer of 1714, a general exchange of prisoners was made at Quebec, and New-England was again at peace. :: In 1715, Queen Ann died, and was succeeded by George 1. The harmony that subsisted between the crown and New-England, during the reign of Queen Ann, is above all comment; and the harmony between Governor Dudley, and the Colony of New-Hampshire, gave new spirit and energies to this people.

Upon the accession of George I. General Stanhope was appointed to succeed Governor Dudley, in the government of Massachusetts and New-Hampshire, and George Vaughan, Esq. Lieut. Governor of New-Hampshire. I have continued the history of New-Hampshire; uninterrupted, down to the close of Queen Ann's war, in order to shew the effects the wars in Europe, produced in NewEngland, as well as to shew the effects which a contested proprietary claim have produced in weakening the energies of that devoted people.

*The peace of Utrecht,

ཟླ་་