Political development in early America. The New tion, 1643. Purpose of the colonies in uniting. CHAPTER III THE DEVELOPMENT OF AMERICAN DEMOCRACY 13. Four colonies combine for mutual defense 1 Political development in the British colonies of North America proceeded along two lines at the same time. On the one hand, there was a development of democratic institutions in local government. As we have seen in the last chapter, this development culminated in the Declaration of Independence and the triumph of state sovereignty. On the other hand, there was, for more than a century preceding the Revolution, a growing tendency toward union among the colonies. The first definite attempt at union occurred in 1643, under the name of the New England Confederation. This consisted of a league between Massachusetts, Plymouth, Connecticut and New Haven. The chief purpose of the Confederation was mutual defense against the Indians in their midst, the French on the north, and the Dutch in New Netherland. The following are the most significant passages of the agreement between the four colonies: Whereas we all came into these parts of America, with one and the same end and aim, namely, to advance the Kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to enjoy the liberties of the Gospel, in purity with peace; and whereas in our settling . . . we are further dispersed upon the seacoasts and rivers than was at first intended, so that we cannot with convenience communicate in one government and jurisdiction; and whereas we live encompassed with people of several nations, and strange languages, which hereafter may prove injurious to us, and our posterity: And forasmuch as the natives have formerly committed sundry insolencies and outrages upon several plantations of the English, and have of late combined against us. And seeing by reason of the sad distractions in England, which they have heard 1 From the New England Confederation, 1513 of, and by which they know we are hindered both from that humble way of seeking advice, and reaping those comfortable fruits of protection which, at other times, we might well expect: we, therefore, do conceive it our bounden duty, without delay, to enter into a present constitution amongst ourselves, for mutual help and strength in all our future concernments, that, as in nation, and religion, so, in other respects, we be, and continue, one, according to the tenor and true meaning of the ensuing articles. federation. Wherefore it is fully agreed and concluded by and between the Name of parties, or jurisdictions [of Massachusetts, Plymouth, Connecticut the Conand New Haven] that they all be, and henceforth be called by the name of The United Colonies of New England. The said United Colonies for themselves and their posterities, do jointly and severally hereby enter into a firm and perpetual league of friendship and amity, for offence and defence, mutual advice and succour, upon all just occasions, both for the preserving and propagating the truth, and liberties of the Gospel, and for their own mutual safety and welfare. ... ... "A firm and per petual league." ment of the It is also agreed, That for the managing and concluding of all The governaffairs proper to, and concerning the whole Confederation, two com- Confederamissioners shall be chosen by, and out of the four jurisdictions, tion. namely, two for the Massachusetts, two for Plymouth, two for Connecticut, and two for New Haven, . . . which shall bring full power from their several General Courts respectively, to hear, examine, weigh, and determine all affairs of war, or peace, leagues, aids, charges, and numbers of men for war, division of spoils, or whatsoever is gotten by conquest, receiving of more confederates, or plantations into combination with any of these confederates, and all things of like nature . . . not intermeddling with the government of any of the jurisdictions, which . . . is preserved entirely to themselves. sioners. It is further agreed, That these eight commissioners shall meet Meetings once every year, besides extraordinary meetings, . . . to consider, of the eight treat, and conclude of all affairs belonging to this Confederation, which commismeeting shall ever be the first Thursday in September. . . . And for that the justest wars may be of dangerous conse- The conquence, .. it is agreed, that neither the Massachusetts, Plymouth, Connecticut, nor New Haven, nor any of the members of any of them, trol of future wars. Violation of the agree ment. Increased need of an inter colonial union. Franklin's proposal. President General and ... shall at any time hereafter begin, undertake, or engage themselves, or this Confederation, or any part thereof, in any war whatsoever without the consent and agreement of the forenamed eight commissioners, or at least six of them. . . It is further agreed, That if any of the confederates shall hereafter break any of these present articles, or be any other way injurious to any one of the other jurisdictions, such breach of agreement or injury, shall be duly considered, and ordered by the commissioners for the other jurisdictions, that both peace, and this present Confederation, may be entirely preserved without violation. ... 14. The union of all of the colonies is proposed 1 The New England Confederation rendered effective service against the Indians for forty years, but ceased to exist about 1684. The Dutch were no longer a menace after 1664, in which year New Netherland became a British possession. However, the danger of attack from the French and Indians increased. In 1754 war between England and France was imminent, and the peace and safety of all of the British possessions in America were again threatened. To meet the emergency, Benjamin Franklin drew up a plan of union, under which all of the colonies were to be governed. The following are the chief provisions of this plan, called the Albany plan of union, because it was adopted by a convention of colonial delegates at Albany in 1754: It is proposed that humble application be made for an act of Parliament of Great Britain, by virtue of which one general government may be formed in America, including all the said colonies, within and under which government each colony may retain its present constitution, except in the particulars wherein a change may be directed by the said act, as hereafter follows: That the said general government be administered by a PresidentGeneral, to be appointed and supported by the Crown; and a Grand Council, to be chosen by the representatives of the people of the several colonies met in their respective assemblies. That within [a certain number of] months, after the passing of 1 From the Albany Plan of Union, 1754. and mem such act, the House of Representatives that happens to be sitting Election within that time, or that shall be especially for that purpose conbership of vened, may and shall choose members for the Grand Council, in the the Grand following proportion, that is to say, Massachusetts Bay 7, New Council. Hampshire 2, Connecticut 5, Rhode Island 2, New York 4, New Jersey 3, Pennsylvania 6, Maryland 4, Virginia 7, North Carolina 4, and South Carolina 4, i.e. a total of 48. Meetings of Council. [These representatives] shall meet for the first time at the city of Philadelphia in Pennsylvania, being called by the President- the Grand General as soon as conveniently may be after his appointment. That there shall be a new election of the members of the Grand Council every three years; and, on the death or resignation of any member, his place shall be supplied by a new choice at the next sitting of the Assembly of the colony he represented. . . . ... That the Grand Council shall meet once in every year, and oftener if occasion require, at such time and place as they shall adjourn to at the last preceding meeting, or as they shall be called to meet at by the President-General on any emergency, he having first obtained in writing the consent of seven of the members to such call, and sent due and timely notice to the whole. . . . the Pres That the assent of the President-General be requisite to all acts Assent of of the Grand Council, and that it be his office and duty to cause them to be carried into execution. That the President-General, with the advice of the Grand Council, hold or direct all Indian treaties, in which the general interest of the colonies may be concerned; and make peace or declare war with Indian nations. ident General. That they make such laws as they judge necessary for regulating Powers with all Indian trade. respect to the That they make all purchases, from Indians for the Crown, of Indians. lands not now within the bounds of particular colonies, or that shall not be within their bounds when some of them are reduced to more convenient dimensions. That they make new settlements on such purchases, by granting lands in the King's name, reserving a quitrent to the Crown for the use of the general treasury. That they make laws for regulating and governing such new Powers with respect to new settlements. Taxes. Laws to be transmitted to England. Effect of the Revo lution upon the movement to ward union. "The United States of America." States' rights insisted upon. settlements, till the Crown shall think fit to form them into particular governments. That they raise and pay soldiers and build forts for the defence of the colonies. That for these purposes they have power to make laws, and lay and levy such general duties, imposts or taxes, as to them shall appear most equal and just. . . . ... That the laws made for the purposes aforesaid shall not be repugnant, but, as near as may be, agreeable to the laws of England, and shall be transmitted to the King in Council for approbation, as soon as may be after their passing; and if not disapproved within three years after presentation, to remain in force. . 15. The states enter a league of friendship 1 The Albany Plan of Union was not regarded with great favor by the people of the colonies, and was never given serious consideration by the English government. But though the project fell through, it is important as indicating the trend toward union. It was not many years after the Albany convention that the Americans became firmly convinced that separation from the mother country was inevitable. The outbreak of actual hostilities between England and the colonies obliged the latter to provide some means of marshalling their joint forces against the enemy. As the result of this need, the Second Continental Congress in 1777 adopted a constitution called the "Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union between the States." These articles, of which the most significant follow, went into actual operation on March 1, 1781: . . . The style of this confederacy shall be "The United States of America." Each state retains its sovereignty, freedom and independence, and every power, jurisdiction and right, which is not by this confederation expressly delegated to the United States, in Congress assembled. The said states hereby severally enter into a firm league of friendship with each other, for their common defence, the security of 1 From the Articles of Confederation, 1781. |