May, in nearly forty-three degrees of north latitude. Here some Indians in a shallop with a mast and sails (supposed to have been obtained from Biscayan fishermen) came fearlessly on board.

Finding no good harbour at this place, Gosnald put to sea again, and stood to the southward. The next morning he descried a promontory which he called cape Cod, and holding his course along the coast as it stretched to the southwest, he touched at two islands, the first of which he named Martha's Vineyard, and the second, Elizabeth's island. Having passed some time at these places, examining the country, and trading with the natives, he returned to England.

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This voyage which was completed in less than four months, was attended with important consequences. Gosnald had found a healthy climate, a rich soil, good harbours, and a route which greatly shortened the distance to the continent of North America. He had seen many of the fruits known and prized in Europe, blooming in the woods; and he had planted European grain, which he found to grow rapidly. Encouraged by the experiment which he had made, and delighted with the country he had visited, he quickly formed the resolution of transporting thither a colony, and of uniting with himself, in the execution of this design, others by whom it might be supported. So unfortunate, however, had been former attempts of this sort, that men of wealth and

$ Robertson.... Chalmer....Stith.

rank, although the report of Gosnald made considerable impression on them, were slow in giving full faith to his representations, and in entering completely into his plans. One vessel was fitted out by the merchants of Bristol, and another by the earl of Southampton, and lord Arundel of Warder; in order to learn whether Gosnald's account of the country was to be considered as a just representation of its state, or as the exaggerated description of a person fond of magnifying his own discoveries. Both returned with a full confirmation of his veracity, and with the addition of so many new circumstances, in favour of the country, acquired by a more extensive view of it, as greatly increased the desire of planting it. The merchants of London too, fitted out a vessel which is supposed to have entered the bay of Chesapeak, but to have returned, without having penetrated into and explored the country.

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The English historians say, that Richard Hackluyt, prebendary of Westminster, a man of distinguished learning and intelligence, contributed more than any other, by his able and judicious exertions, to form an association sufficiently extensive, influential, and wealthy, to execute the so often renewed, and so often disappointed project, of establishing colonies in America.

At length, such an association was formed; and a petition was presented to James I. who,

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on the death of Elizabeth had succeeded to the crown of England, praying the sanction of the royal authority, to the execution of the plan they proposed. Greatly pleased with it, he commended and immediately acceded to the wishes of its projectors.

On the 10th of April, (1606) letters patent were issued, under the great seal of England, to the petitioners sir Thomas Gates and his associates; granting to them those territories in America lying on the seacoast, between the 34th and 45th degrees of north latitude, and which either belonged to that monarch, or were not then possessed by any other christian prince or people; and also the islands adjacent thereto, or within one hundred miles thereof. They were divided, at their own desire, into two several companies; one, consisting of certain knights, gentlemen, merchants, and other adventurers of the city of London, and elsewhere, was called the first colony, and was required to settle between the 34th and 41st degrees of north latitude; the other, consisting of certain knights, gentlemen, merchants, and other adventurers of Bristol, Exeter, Plymouth and elsewhere, was named the second colony, and was ordered to settle between the 38th and 45th degrees of north latitude; yet so that the colony last formed, should not be planted within one hundred miles of the prior establishment.

The adventurers were empowered to transport thither, so many English subjects as should be willing to accompany them; with provisions and

arms, and without paying customs for seven years. The colonists and their children were, at all times, to enjoy the same liberties, within any other dominions of the crown of England, as if they had remained, or were born within the realm.

For their better government, there was established for each of the projected settlements, a council consisting of thirteen; to be appointed and removed by the royal instructions; who were empowered to govern the colonies according to such laws as should be given under the sign manual, and privy seal of England. Two other boards were formed in England, which were in like manner to consist of thirteen persons, to be appointed by the king, who were invested with the superior direction of the affairs of the colonies.

The adventurers were allowed to search for, and open mines of gold, silver, and copper; yielding one fifth of the two former metals, and one fifteenth of the latter, to the king; and to make a coin which should be current, both among the colonists and the natives.

The president and council, within the colonies, were authorized to repel those who should, without their authority, attempt to settle, or trade within their jurisdiction, and to seize and detain the persons, and effects, of such intruders, until they should pay a duty of two and one half per centum, ad valorem, if subjects, but of five per centum, if aliens.

These taxes were to be applied, for twenty-one years, to the use of the adventurers, and were afterwards, to be paid into the royal exchequer.

While the council for the patentees were employed in making preparations to secure the benefits of their grant, James was no less assiduously engaged in the new, and to his vanity the flattering task of framing a code of laws, for the government of the colonies about to be planted. Having at length prepared this code, it was, on the 20th November, issued under the sign manual, and privy seal of England. By these regulations he invested the general superintendence of the colonies in a council in England, "composed of a few persons of consideration and talents." He ordered that the word and service of God should be preached, and used, according to the rites and doctrines of the church of England. Both the legislative and executive powers within the colonies, were vested in the president and councils. To their legislative power, however, was annexed a proviso, that their ordinances should not touch any man's life, or member; should only continue in force, until made void by the king, or his council in England for Virginia; and should be, in substance, consonant to the laws of England. He also enjoined them, to permit none to withdraw the people from their allegiance to himself and his successors; and to cause all persons so offending to be apprehended, and imprisoned until reformation; or, in cases highly offensive, to be sent to England to receive punishment. No person was to be permitted to remain in the colony, without taking the oath of obedience. Tumults, mutiny, and rebellion, murder and incest, were to be pun