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PART SECOND.

GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

CHAPTER I.

Settlement and Government of the Colonies.

§ 137. A BRIEF history of the settlement and political institutions of the American colonies is deemed useful in this place, especially to young persons. A recital of the sacrifices which were made to establish the independence of these states, cannot fail to inspire youth with sentiments of genuine patriotism; and a knowledge of the government of the colonies, and of the changes effected in them from time to time, will enable them the better to understand the nature and objects of the constitution.

138. In 1492, America was discovered by Christopher Columbus; an expedition having been fitted out for that purpose by the Spanish government, at his earnest solicitations. His discovery, however, was confined to the West Indies. The English were the people that first discovered the continent of America. This discovery was made in the year 1497, by Giovanni Cabot and his son Sebastian, who were commissioned by Henry VII. to sail in quest of new countries.

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§ 139. Of the thirteen colonies whose delegates signed the Declaration of Independence, all but Georgia were settled in the seventeenth century. A colony is a settlement of sons in a distant place, who remain subject to the government of the parent country. With few exceptions, the colonists were Englishmen. The settlements were chiefly

EXERCISES. 138. When, and by whom, was America discovered? § 139. When were the thirteen colonies settled? By what people?

made at a time of great political excitement in the parent country, caused by encroachments of the crown upon the liberties of the people. Multitudes annually fled hither to find a refuge from oppression. Also the attempt on the part of the government, to enforce conformity to the estab lished church, brought many to this country, where they might enjoy freedom of conscience in matters of religion.

140. In 1606, two companies of merchants and others were incorporated under the names of the London company and the Plymouth company, with the exclusive right of settling and trading within their respective limits. In 1607, the London company sent to Virginia a colony of 100 men, which, in consequence of war with the natives, scarcity of food, and disease, was reduced in a few months to 38. In October, 1609, the number had been increased by new colonists to 500; but a famine reduced them in about six months to 60. In 1613, the land which had before been held in common, was distributed to each individual.

§ 141. If it should be asked, by what right the nations of the eastern continent took possession of the lands in this country, it may be answered, by the same right as that by which a nation of some remote part of the globe, having no knowledge of the United States, should assert its claim to the soil of this country on making a discovery of it. The nations of Europe founded their claim on the right of dis. covery; a right which the present proprietors of the American soil would not readily concede to any other people claiming it on the same grounds.

§ 142. The supreme government of the colonies, on their first establishment, was vested in a council residing in Eng. land, and was nominated by the king; the subordinate jurisdiction, in a council which was to reside in America, also to be named by the king, and to act in conformity to his in. structions. This charter being found inconvenient, a new one was granted by James, enlarging the colony, abolishing the council in Virginia, and vesting the government in one residing in London.

What is a colony? § 140. At what time was the first colony planted; and where? By what company? §141. On what ground was the soil claimed by the Europeans? § 142. In what bodies was the gor

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the northern parts of Virginia, we do, by these presents, solemnly and mutually, in the presence of God and of one another, covenant and combine ourselves together into a civil body politic, for our better ordering and preservation, and furtherance of the ends aforesaid; and by virtue hereof do enact, constitute and frame such just and equal laws, ordinances, acts, constitutions, and offices, from time to time, as shall be thought most meet and convenient for the general good of the colony; unto which we promise all due submis. sion and obedience." This was the earliest American constitution, and was signed by 41 persons. It was in substance a pure democracy.

§ 147. The company, including women and children, amounted to 101. They proceeded to examine the coast, and finally determined to settle in a place called New Plymouth. Exhausted by the fatigues of the sea, and suffering from a want of suitable provisions and shelter, nearly one half of their number died within four months after their landing. They continued for ten years to hold their goods and property in common, when they obtained from the company a grant of the land, which they had before held only by occupancy. At this time their number did not exceed three hundred. For many years they continued a mere voluntary association, governed by laws and magistrates formed and chosen by themselves, until they were incorporated with Massachusetts, in 1692.

§ 148. In 1628, the Massachusetts colony was settled by a company incorporated by royal charter, the land having been previously purchased from the Plymouth company. In 1630, the government of the colony was transferred to Massachusetts, by a vote of the company. A few years later, the freemen adopted the plan of acting by delegates or representatives, and the charter of a trading company was converted into the constitution of a commonwealth. This unauthorized assumption of power, as well as their religious principles, rendered the Puritans obnoxious to the court party at home, and led the Plymouth company to re

ment which they drew up before they landed? § 147. At what place did they settle? How were they governed? How long? § 148. When was the Massachusetts colony settled? How was it governed?

sign their charter to the king; and Massachusetts, like Vir. ginia, was taken into royal hands.

§ 149. But such was the disturbed state of England, that these distant and insignificant colonies attracted little notice, and were left to grow up in habits of self-government, their numbers at the same time increasing by such as were unsuccessful in the civil strifes at home. The persecuted Puritans fled to New England, the Catholics to Maryland, and the defeated royalists to Virginia.

§ 150. New York was settled by the Dutch, in 1614, and was held by them fifty years. It was, however, claimed by England, having been discovered by Henry Hudson, in 1608, who entered the bay of New York, and sailed up the river to latitude 43 degrees north. He did not attempt to land and form a settlement, contenting himself with claiming the country for his sovereign, James I., by right of discovery. The English asserted that Hudson was employed by their government, and that he sold the country to the Dutch without authority. The Dutch maintained that he was in the service of the Dutch East India company at the time; and they made their settlements without interruption for many years. In 1664, the colony was occupied by the English; and the territory now comprising New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and a part of Connecticut, was granted by Charles II. to his brother, the duke of York.

§ 151. New Jersey was settled by the Dutch, in 1624, and occupied by the English in 1664. New Hampshire was first settled in 1623, at Andover and Portsmouth. Delaware was settled by the Dutch in 1627, and occupied by the English in 1664. Some Swedes settled here in 1638, but they were conquered by the Dutch, and most of them left the country. Maine was settled in 1630, and united with Massachusetts in 1677. Maryland was settled in 1633, and was the first colony that was governed directly as a province of the British empire. Its founder was Sir George

§ 149. What effect had the disturbed state of England upon the colonies? § 150. By whom, and when, was New York settled? By whom, and on what ground was it claimed? When was it occupied by the English? § 151. When was New Jersey settled? New Hampshire? Delaware? Maine? Maryland? Rhode Island? Connecticut? North and South Carolina? Pennsylvania? Georgia?

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