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UNITED STATES.

PERIOD III,

DISTINGUISHED FOR THE WARS OF KING

QUEEN ANNE, AND GEORGE II,

WILLIAM,

Extending from the Accession of William and Mary to the throne of England, 1689, to the Declaration of the War by England against France, 1756, called "the French and Indian War."

Sec. 1. The news of William's accession to the throne of England, filled the colonies with ecstacy. Under the sudden impulse of their feelings, the inhabitants of Boston seized Sir Edmund Andross, with about fifty of his associates, and put them in close confinement, where they lay, until ordered to England, to answer for maleadministration. Connecticut and Rhode-Island immediately resumed their charters, and were permitted by his majesty to re-establish their former governments. Massachusetts soon after obtained a new charter, in some respects less favourable to the colony, but in others, more so, than its former one.

The joy that pervaded the New England colonies, on the accession of the Prince of Orange, and the seizure of Andross, was not confined to them; but was felt also by others. Andross had formerly been governour of New-York, under the duke of York, in which province his administration had been distinguished for measures, both arbitrary and severe. Subsequent governours, under the duke, and after he came to the throne, had generally pursued a similar course. The discontents of the people had been gradually increasing, and they were ready for revolution, when the above intelligence arrived. A revolution soon commenced, and, although attended by unhappy events, issued in the restoration of the rights of the people, and the formation of a con

stitution, which laid the foundation of their provincial code.

§ From the reduction of New-York, in 1664, to 1683, the people had no share in the government. In 1681, the council, court of assizes, and corporation, had solicited the duke of York to permit the people to choose their own rulers. Accordingly, the next year, Thomas Dongan, a papist, was appointed governour, with instructions to call an assembly, to consist of a council of ten, and of eighteen representatives, elected by the freeholders.

On the accesion of the duke of York to the throne, under the title of James II., he refused to confirm to the people the privileges granted them when he was duke. No assembly was permitted to be convened; printing presses were prohibited, and the more important provincial offices were conferred on papists.

Such was the state of things, when intelligence of the seizure of Andross arrived. This gave a spring to the general dissatisfaction, which burst forth into open resistance to the existing administration.

One Jacob Leisler, with several others, immediately took possession of the fort. Governour Dongan had just embarked for England, leaving the administration of the government, during his absence, to Charles Nicholson, at that time his deputy. Nicholson and his officers made what opposition to Leisler they were able, but he having been joined by six militia captains, and four hundred and seventy men. Nicholson absconded. Upon this, Leisler took upon himself the supreme command.

This assumption of Leisler was far from being pleasant to the council and magistrates, at the head of whom were Col. Bayard and the mayor. Finding it impossible, however, to succeed against Leisler in New-York, they retired to Albany, and there employed their influence to foment opposition. Both Leisler, in New York, and the people at Albany, held their respective garrisons in the name of William and Mary, but neither would submit to the authority of the other.

In this state of things, a letter from the lords Carmathen and Halifax arrived, directed" To Francis Nicholson, Esq. or in his absence, to such as, for the time being, take care for preserving the peace and administering the laws," &c. Accompanying this letter, was another of a subsequent date, vesting Nicholson with the chief command.

As Nicholson had absconded, Leisler construed the letter as directed to himself, and from that time assumed the title and authority of lieutenant governour. The southern part of New-York generally submitted to Leisler, but Albany refusing subjection, Milborn, his son in law, was sent to reduce them. In his first attempt he failed; but during the ensuing spring, 1690, he took possession of the fort, and the inhabitants submitted.

On the 19th of March, 1691, Col. Slaughter arrived at New-York, in the capacity of the king's governour. Nicholson and Bayard, who had been imprisoned by Leisler, were released. Leisler was obliged to abandon the fort, and with Milborn, his son in law, was apprehended, tried for high treason, and condemned. Their immediate execution was

urged by the people; but the governour, fearful of consequences, chose to defer it. To effect their purpose, an in-` vitation was given him by the citizens to a sumptuous feast, and while his reason was drowned in intoxication, a warrant for their execution was presented to him and signed. Before he recovered his senses, the prisoners were no more.

Measures so violent greatly agitated the existing parties, but in the end, the revolution, which had taken place, restored the rights of Englishmen to the colony. Governour Slaughter convoked an assembly, who formed a constitution. This constitution, among other provisions, secured trials by jury, freedom from taxation, except by the consent of the assembly, and toleration to all denominations of Christians, excepting Roman Catholicks.

Sec. 2. While these troubles were distressing the colonies of the north, that of Carolina, in the south, was far from being in a state of tranquillity. Dissensions early arose in that colony respecting the proprietary government, under which they still continued. On the one hand, a part of the people insisted upon implicit obedience to all the laws and regulations of the proprietors in England: while another part contended, on the other hand, that no such obedience was due. Both parties being ardent and determined, the conflict between them was violent, and greatly prolonged, to the serious injury of the colony.

In addition to these dissensions, others arose between the English settlers, and a colony of French Protestants

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