nances or laws, not repugnant to the laws of England, as they might deem expedient. The colonists and their descendants were declared to be entitled to all the rights of natural born English subjects.

"At a General Court held in London, in 1629, the officers prescribed by the charter were elected, and several ordinances were adapted for the government of the Company. Three hundred people were sent over, of whom one hundred, dissatisfied with the situation of Salem, removed to Charles-town. Religion was the first object of their care, in the country they had adopted. A religious covenant was agreed upon, and a confession of faith drawn up, to which their assent was given. Pastors were chosen, and were, from necessity, installed into their sacred offices, by the imposition of the hands of the brethren.

"The ensuing, winter was a period of uncommon suffering and sickness. The cold was intense; the houses were unfinished; the provisions were insufficient and unwholesome. Before spring, nearly half their number perished, lamenting that they could not live to see the rising glories of the faithful.'

"These calamities had some effect in deterring others from joining them; but the consideration, that the general courts were held, the officers elected, and the laws enacted in London, had still greater influence. It did not comport with the views and feelings of those who disdained to submit to authority in matters of faith, to consent to remove to the New World, and there be governed by laws which they could have no part in enacting. Representations to this effect were made to the Company, who resolved that the government and patent should be removed to Massachusetts. This wise resolution gave such encouragement to emigration, that, in 1630, more than

1500 persons came over, and founded Boston and several adjacent towns. Of these persons, all were respectable, and many were from illustrious and noble families. Having been accustomed to a life of ease and enjoyment, their sufferings the first year were great, and proved fatal to many; among others, to the Lady Arabella Johnson, who, to use the words of an early historian of the country, came from a paradise of plenty and pleasure in the family of a noble earl, into a wilderness of wants, and, although celebrated for her many virtues, yet, was not able to encounter the adversity she was surrounded with; and in about a month after her arrival, she ended her days at Salem, where she first landed.' Mr. Johnson, her husband, overcome with grief, survived her but a short time.

On the 24th of
Such a Christ-
Yet, the in-

"Before December, 200 perished. that month, the cold became intense. mas-eve, they had never before known. clemency of the weather continued to increase. They were almost destitute of provisions, and many were obliged to subsist on clams, muscles, and other shellfish, with nuts and acorns instead of bread. Many more died; but, in this extremity, that ardour of con viction which had impelled them to emigrate, remained in full force; and they met with a firm, unshaken spirit, the calamities which assailed them." *

Of this new colony, who planted themselves at Boston, John Winthrop, Esq., had been chosen governor in England, and he was re-elected after his arrival. He continued to hold this office for four years and a half. He has left behind, an exact journal of the occurrences between the years 1630 and 1649,

Hale, pp. 34-39,

which affords some curious and interesting illustrations of the manners and condition of these pious emigrants. The houses of the first settlers of Boston were, of course, extremely simple and unadorned. Wooden chimneys were common for many years; and

66

a wainscot of clap-boards" in the house of the deputy-governor, was regarded as a highly censurable piece of extravagance. The house of the "ladye Moodye" at Salem, a person of high consideration, was nine feet high, having a chimney in the centre. The furniture of the early colonists, was of a somewhat different quality. Much of it was brought from England and was of considerable value, forming a strange contrast to the humble architecture of the huts or sheds in which it was often deposited. Thus, in an inventory of the effects of Governor Winthrop's fourth wife, dated 1647, are mentioned, "silk curtains, brass andirons, cheny plates and saucers, and Turkey carpets.' The country furnished fish and game in abundance; "and though," says the Governor, (in a letter dated November 29, 1630,) 66 we have not beef and mutton,* yet, God be praised, we want them not; our Indian corn answers for all." Groceries were soon brought over in abundance from England; but tea and coffee were, at that time, luxuries unknown in Europe. Many laws were early made against tobacco, and immodest fashions, and costly apparel; and attempts equally misjudged and unavailing were

66

The first neat cattle introduced into New England, were a bull and three heifers, brought from England by Mr. Winslow, afterwards Governor of the colony, to Plymouth. More were imported from time to time. The second Salem Company brought with them a considerable number, together with some horses, sheep, and goats. After a little period, they became so numerous, as to supply all the wants of the inhabitants."-Dwight, vol. i, P. 110.

made, to regulate the spirit of gain, as well as to check a disposition to expense. The prices of labour and of commodities were fixed repeatedly by positive laws; but experience soon proved the futility of all such projects. Another feature of their legislative policy, has exposed" the pilgrim fathers" of New England to the charge of intolerance. At a general court held in 1631, they ordained, that none but those who had made a profession of religion, and had become members of some church, should be admitted members of the Corporation, or enjoy the privilege of voting. This law, however contrary to just views of political liberty, was in strict accordance with the avowed motives of their emigration. Their object, it has been justly remarked, was, (6 to plant a church, not an empire; and they were not merely a religious, but a theological," or rather an ecclesiastical community.* “The settlers of New England," remarks Dr. Dwight, "fled from persecution. Every government in the Christian world claimed, at that time, the right to control the religious conduct of its subjects. This claim, it is true, finds no warrant in the Scriptures. But its legitimacy never had been questioned, and, therefore, never investigated. All that was then contended for, was, that it should be exercised with justice and moderation. Our ancestors brought with them to America, the very same opinions concerning this subject, which were entertained by their fellowcitizens, and by all other men of all Christian countries. As they came to New England, and underwent all the hardships of colonizing it, for the sake of enjoying their religion unmolested, they naturally were very reluctant that others, who had borne no

North American Review, No, liv. p. 29.

share of their burdens, should wantonly intrude upon their favourite object, and disturb the peace of themselves and their families. With these views, they began to exercise the claim above mentioned, and, like the people of all other countries, carried the exercise to lengths which nothing can justify. But it ought ever to be remembered, that no other civilized nation can take up the first stone to cast against them." *

It was not long before a case arose, which put to the test the tolerant nature of their theocratic principles of government. In the year 1634, Roger Williams, the minister of Salem, having occasioned disturbances, by advancing tenets which were considered as not only heretical, but seditious, and being found irreclaimable, was ordered to leave the colony. The cause of his banishment is very differently stated. By some writers, he is represented as having been expelled simply for avowing the doctrine, that the civil magistrate is bound to grant equal protection to every denomination of Christians; a doctrine too liberal for the age in which he lived. If Dr. Dwight, however, is correct, this was by no means the fact. "This gentleman," says the learned Writer, "came to New England in the year 1631, and was chosen as an assistant in the ministry to Mr. Skelton, at Salem. His peculiar opinions had given offence to the magistrates before his

Dwight, vol. i. p. 134.

See Hale's History, p. 94. Carey and Lea, p. 113. "On his arrival at Boston," it is stated in the latter work, "he promulgated sentiments respecting freedom of conscience, for which the minds of men were not yet prepared. He maintained, to the astonished and indignant clergy of Massachusetts, that all men were entitled of right to the same exercise of their opinions on religious subjects." No reference is made to his extravagancies on other points.