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NOTE. In transcribing the names of those who signed the declaration of independence, that of George Read was, by mistake, omitted.
Origin of the English and French claim to North America-First attempt at
settlement by French Protestants-Destroyed by the Spaniards-Sir Hum-
phrey Gilbert and Sir Walter Raleigh attempt a settlement-Grant to South
and North Virginia Companies-French grant to De Monts-First settlement
of Virginia, Plymouth, and the other English Colonies-Extent of their grants
-North Virginia first called New England in 1614-Grant of New England
to the Plymouth Company-New York settled by the Dutch-French discov-
eries under de la Salle,
CHAPTER II.
Different forms of governments in the Colonies-Puritans settle Plymouth in
1620-Form a government for themselves-Intercourse of the Dutch with the
people of Plymouth-Massachusetts second Colony in New England-Obtains
a Charter from the King-Government of the Colonies placed in the hands of
Commissioners-Their powers and conduct-Surrender of the great Plymouth
Charter to the Crown-Reasons for it-People first represented in the General
Court in Massachusetts in 1634-Government established in the Colonies of
Connecticut, Rhode Island and New Haven-Confederacy of the New Eng-
land Colonies-Proprietary governments of Maryland, the Carolinas, New Jer-
sey and Pennsylvania-Disputes between the Proprietors and Settlers-Peo-
ple of South Carolina renounce the Proprietary Government-Proprietors of
New Jersey surrender their government to the crown-Royal Governments-
Government of Virginia under the London Company and during the civil wars
in England-Application of Virginia for a Charter-Government of New York
under the Dutch and the Duke of York-People of New York first represented
in the Assembly in 1683-Government of Leisler-Conduct of Governors
Slaughter and Fletcher,
CHAPTER III.
Colonists consider themselves entitled to the rights of Englishmen-Claim the
right of representation-Disputes with the crown on this subject-Opinions of
eminent lawyers on this question-Declaration of rights by the assembly of
New York in 1691-Declarations of the colonies at various times on the right
of taxation-Various acts of Parliament restricting the trade and manufactures
of the colonies-The origin and causes of these acts-Their effects in the colo-
nies and opinions concerning them-Mode of enforcing them-Board of trade
and plantations established-Objects and powers of this board-Rice included
among the enumerated commodities in a clandestine manner-Acts of parlia-
ment concerning hats and hatters-Manufacture of iron and steel prohibited—
Slitting mills, plating forges and furnaces, in the colonies declared common nui-
sances-Governors ordered to destroy them-Principles and opinions of Eng-
lish writers concerning the trade and manufactures of the colonies,
CHAPTER IV.
Charters of Connecticut and Rhode Island obtained at a favorable moment-Meas-
ures taken to resume the Charters-Difference between the crown and the
colonists on this subject-Declaration of Massachusetts concerning charter
VOL. I.
2
13
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85
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rights in 1661-Royal commissioners sent to regulate the New England colo-
nies-Their reception-Massachusetts refuse to submit to their authority and
send a petition to the king-Complaints against Massachusetts-Committee of
trade require an answer to these complaints-Answers not satisfactory-Mas-
sachusetts refuse to submit to the wishes of the king-Writs of quo warranto
issue against the charter of that colony-Judgment against it-Writs issue
against those of Connecticut and Rhode Island-Their letters considered a sur-
render of them-Sir Edmund Andrus appointed governor general of New Eng-
land-His despotic acts-Revolution in New England-Connecticut and
Rhode Island resume their charters-New Charter granted Massachusetts-
Great Britain jealous of the independence of the colonies-Bills brought into
parliament to resume the Charter government-Defeated-King sustains ap-
peals from the colonial courts in civil suits-Explanatory Charter of Massa-
chusetts-Law of descents in Connecticut declared void-Massachusetts re-
fuse to provide a permanent salary for the Governor-Present an address to the
king on the subject-Heard before the board of trade-Conduct of that colony
condemned--Jealousy of its growing power increases,
CHAPTER V.
Convicts transported to the Plantations from England--The Colonies of Virginia
and Maryland pass Laws respecting them--These laws disapproved by the
Crown-This conduct of the Parent Country injurious to the Colonies, and
excites their indignation--Privilege of the writ of Habeas Corpus, supposed by
the board of trade not to extend to the Colonies--Act of Massachusetts concern-
ing the writ of Habeas Corpus disallowed by the Crown--Colonists still retain
an affection for their parent country--Bounties allowed by Parliament for cer-
tain articles produced in the colonies-Mode of colonial contributions--Extent
of the English and French claims in North America-Plan of union among the
colonies adopted in 1754--Disapproved by the crown and the colonial legisla-
tures--Ministerial plan for defending the colonies--Reasons of Dr. Franklin
against it---War of 1756, in consequence of disputed claims in America---Que-
bec taken---Family compact between France and Spain---Havana taken---
Peace of 1763---French power in America destroyed---Colonial schools for
general education---First established in Massachusetts by law, in 1647---Ob-
jects of their establishment---The clergy of New England assist in establishing
these schools---Colleges founded in the colonies---Character of the people of
America different from that of those of Europe---Some of the causes of this
difference,
CHAPTER VI.
Peace of 1763---An important event to the colonies---Excites great joy in Amer-
ica-Navigation acts enforced by writs of assistance-Opposed in Massachu-
setts Stamp duties proposed in parliament-Opposed in the colonies as a vio-
lation of their rights-Petitions and resolutions against them-Petitions reject-
ed-Stamp Act passed-Excites great alarm in the colonies-Resolutions of
the Virginia house of burgesses against it-Meeting of a congress of the colo-
nies in 1765-Declaration of rights and petitions of this congress in opposition
to the stamp act-Resolutions of colonial assemblies and associations of indi-
viduals-Disturbances at Boston-Act not suffered to be executed-New Min-
istry-American papers laid before parliament-Resolutions of Conway declar-
atory of the right of parliament to bind the colonies in all cases-Debate upon
them-Passed by a large majority-Examination of Dr. Franklin and others in
the house of commons-Stamp Act repealed-Speeches of lord Chatham and
lord Grenville on the question of the repeal,
CHAPTER VII.
Repeal of stamp act, a joyful event in America-Ministry seem well disposed
towards the colonists-Compensation to those who suffered by disturbances in
107
132
155
consequence of the stamp act, required---Massachusetts delays granting the
compensation---New York refuses to furnish all the articles required by the mu-
tiny act---This offends the ministry---New administration---Duties imposed on
glass and other articles in the colonies---Board of custom house officers estab-
lished in America---Legislature of New York prohibited from passing laws, un-
til a compliance with the mutiny act---Massachusetts among the first to oppose
the new duties---Circular letter of the house of representatives of that province
---Disapproved by the ministry---The house directed to rescind its vote---Oth-
er colonies required to disregard the circular of Massachusetts---The house re-
fuses to rescind---Other colonies unite with Massachusetts---Spirited conduct
of New York and Maryland-Disturbances at Boston---Troops sent there---
Convention of the people in Massachusetts---Troops quartered in Boston---
Conduct of Massachusetts censured by parliament---King authorized to bring
offenders in the colonies to Great Britain for trial---Proceedings of Virginia---
Disputes in Massachusetts in relation to the troops---The new duties repealed,
except the duty on tea---This not satisfactory to the colonists---Royal provision
for governor's salary in Massachusetts---Declared a dangerous innovation---
Destruction of the Gaspee in Rhode Island---Disputes between governor
Hutchinson and the assembly of Massachusetts concerning the supremacy of
parliament---Committees of correspondence between the colonies appointed---
Private letters of governor Hutchinson published---Occasion a petition for his
removal---East India company send tea to America---Destroyed at Boston---
Boston port bill---Alteration of Massachusetts charter---These acts resisted in
the colonies, 213
CHAPTER VIII.
Congress of the colonies in September, 1774---The conduct of Massachusetts
approved---A committee appointed to state the rights of the colonies---Their
violations and the means of redress---Suffolk resolutions approved---Declaration
of the rights of the colonies---Non-importation, non-consumption, and non-ex-
portation agreement---Address to the king---To the people of Great Britain---
To the inhabitants of the colonies, and to the inhabitants of the province of
Quebec---Galloway proposes a plan of reconciliation---This postponed---Con-
gress is dissolved in October---Proceedings of congress approved by the colo-
nies---Lord Chatham's motion for the recall of the troops from Boston---His
speech on this motion--- His conciliatory bill---Rejected by a large majority---
Parliament determines to enforce obedience---Augments the army and navy---
Restrains the trade and fisheries of the colonies---Indirect negotiation with Dr.
Franklin, as to terms of reconciliation---Lord North's conciliatory proposition
---Its object---Disarming some of the colonies contemplated---Preparations for
defense in the colonies---Hostilities commence in Massachusetts---Excite great
alarm---Massachusetts convention raise troops and prepare an address to the
people of Great Britain,
CHAPTER IX.
Congress again meet in May, 1775---Place the colonies in a state of defense---
Raise an army and appoint George Washington commander in chief---Publish
a manifesto declaring the causes of their taking up arms--Prepare a second pe-
tition to the king and an address to the people of Great Britain-Congress not
unanimous in again petitioning the king-Proceedings on lord North's concilia-
tory proposition-The terms of the proposition rejected-Terms of reconcilia-
tion proposed by the convention of New York-Substance of terms sketched
by Dr. Franklin-Massachusetts convention ask the advice of congress about
the establishment of civil government in that colony--Fort at Ticonderoga
taken-Congress send an army into the province of Canada--Paper money
issued-Views of the convention of New York, on the subject of a paper me-
dium-Colonists in general in favor of reconciliation-Their various declara-
tions on the subject-Second petition to the king rejected--The colonies de-
282
Page
clared by parliament in a state of rebellion-All trade with the colonies prohib-
ited, and the colonists declared open enemies-Their vessels and persons made
liable to seizure-Royal commissioners appointed--Their powers-Reprisals
ordered by congress--American ports opened to all the world except Great
Britain--Congress recommend to the colonies to form governments for them-
selves---Independence seriously contemplated---Delegates of Pennsylvania
instructed against it---Recommended by North Carolina---Delegates of Virgin-
ia specially instructed to propose it in congress---Proposed by Richard Henry
Lee---Subject postponed---Measures taken to procure the assent of all the col-
onies---Declaration of independence unanimously agreed to and signed by dele-
gates from all the colonies---Produces a new political state in America---Alle-
giance now transferred to the states---Persons adhering to the king, or to the
enemies of the states, or giving them aid, considered as guilty of treason---
Royal commissioners request a conference with some of the members of con-
gress---Committee appointed---The result of the conference---Terms rejected
---Commissioners issue addresses and proclamations to the people of America
---Counter address of the convention of New York---Campaign of 1776 unfor-
tunate for America---General Washington invested with unlimited military
powers---Capture of the Hessians at Trenton and the battle of Princeton re-
vive the drooping spirits of the Americans,
CHAPTER X.
Committee of Secret correspondence appointed by congress-Direct a letter to be
sent to a gentleman in Holland-Send Silas Deane to France, in March 1776,
as a commercial and political agent-His instructions-Arrives in Paris in July
1776-Has an interview with the French minister, count de Vergennes-Is
well received and promised protection in his commercial arrangements-
French ports open to the Americans-Mr. Deane was to appear in the char-
acter of a merchant only-Congress prepare a commercial treaty to be pro-
posed to France-Dr. Franklin, Mr. Deane, and Arthur Lee, appointed com-
missioners to the French Court-Their instructions-Meet at Paris in Dec.
1776-France not prepared openly to join the Americans-A paper signed by
the King himself, is read to the Commissioners in January 1777-He declines
entering into a treaty, but promises them protection, and gives two millions of
livres-This to be kept a secret-Congress offer to France and Spain more fa-
vorable terms-These terms insufficient-Capture of Burgoyne creates con-
sternation in England-Lord North declares his intention to offer the Ameri-
cans terms of reconciliation-France accepts the offers of the American Com-
missioners, and enters into treaties-Reasons for this given by the French
Monarch in a letter to the king of Spain-Policy of France in relation to
America explained-She affords secret aid to the Americans-For this pur-
pose, secretly puts money and arms into the hands of an agent, by the name of
Beaumarchais-The Agent sends arms to America, under the name of Hor-
tales & Co.-American Commissioners send despatches by Capt. Folger-
They are secretly taken out by some one, and blank papers substituted-
Folger suspected and is imprisoned, but afterwards released-Beaumarchais
sends an Agent to America, to demand payment for the articles furnished by
him-Divisions in Congress on the subject-Congress agree to pay Beaumar-
chais-Deane recalled-Thomas Paine publishes some of the secret des-
patches Displeases the French Minister-He applies to Congress to dis-
avow the publication-Arthur Lee's letters relating to the claim of Beaumar-
chais-The officers of the Treasury charge him with one million of livres paid
to him by France, for the use of the Americans-He disputes this, and applies
to Congress for relief,
Appendix-Notes and Documents,
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