In 1609, two or three years after Pocahontas saved the life of Capt. Smith, Powhattan formed a horrid scheme for the entire destruction of the colony at Jamestown. His project was to attack them in time of peace and cut the throats of the whole colony.

In a dark and stormy night, Pocahontas, like an angel of mercy, hastened alone to Jamestown, and discovered the inhuman plot of her father. The colonists, thus warned, took proper measures to repel the insidious attack.

Soon after this, Governor Dale concluded a treaty of friendship with the Powhattans, one of the most powerful tribes in Virginia. This important event for the colonies was brought about by means not very honourable to the governor. Pocahontas, who had saved the life of Capt. Smith, persevered in her attachment to the English, and frequently visited the settlements. On one of these occasions, she was decoyed on board a vessel, and there held in confinement. Her father, who loved her with ardent affection, was now obliged to discontinue hostilities, and conclude a treaty on such terms as the colonists dictated. The beauty of Pocahontas made such an impression on Mr. Rolfe, a young gentleman of rank, that he offered her his hand in marriage. Her father consented to the union, and the marriage was celebrated with great pomp; and from that period harmony prevailed between the colony and the tribes subject to Powhattan, or that were under the influence of his power. Rolfe and his princess went to England, and was received at court with the respect due her birth. Here she embraced the Christian religion, and was baptized by the name of Rebecca. She died at Gravesend, in 1617, as she was on the point of embarking for America. "She left one son: from whom are sprung some of the most respectable families in Virginia; who boast of their descent from this celebrated female, the daughter of the ancient rulers of the country."

6. Plymouth Settlers.

The colony of Plymouth, Mass., (the first European settlement in New-England,) was planted principally for the sake of the free and undisturbed enjoyment of religious and civil liberty. The colonists were originally from the north of England, and were of that class of people in those days called Puritans, so named from their uncommon zeal in endeavouring to preserve the purity of divine worship.

Being persecuted by their enemies, during the reign of James I., they fled with their pastor to Amsterdam, in Holland, in 1608. They afterwards removed to Leyden, where they remained till they sailed for America.

Having resolved upon a removal, they procured two small ships, and repaired to Plymouth, (Eng.,) and from thence they proceeded about 100 leagues on their voyage, when they were compelled to return, in consequence of one of the ships being leaky. The ship was condemned, and the other, called the May Flower, being crowded with passengers, again put to sea, September 6: on the 9th of November, after a dangerous passage, they ar rived at Cape Cod, and the next day anchored in the harbour which is formed by the hook of the cape.

Before they landed, having devoutly given thanks to God for their safe arrival, they formed themselves into a "body politic," and chose Mr. John Carver their Governor for the first year.

The next object was, to fix on a convenient place for settlement. In doing this, they encountered many difficulties-many of them were sick, in consequence of the fatigues of a long voyage-their provisions were badthe season was uncommonly cold-the Indians, though afterwards friendly, were now hostile-and they were unacquainted with the coast. These difficulties they surmounted, and on the 22d of December, 1620, they safely landed at a place which they named Plymouth. The anniversary of their landing is still celebrated, by the descendants of the Pilgrims, as a religious festival.

The whole company that landed consisted of but 101 souls. Their situation and prospects were truly dismal and discouraging. The nearest European settlement was 500 miles distant, and utterly incapable of affording them relief in time of famine or danger. Wherever they turned their eyes, distress was before them. "Persecuted in their native land-grieved for the profanation of the holy Sabbath, and other licentiousness in Holland-fatigued by their long and boisterous voyage-forced on a dangerous and unknown shore in the advance of a cold winter-surrounded with hostile barbarians, without any hope of human succour-denied the aid or favour of the court of England-without a patent-without a public promise of the peaceable enjoyment of their religious liberties-without convenient shelter from the rigours of the weather. Such were the prospects, and such the situation of these pious and solitary Christians. To add to their distress, a very mortal sickness prevailed among them, which swept off forty-six of their num ber before the ensuing spring.

"To support them under these trials, they had need of all the aids and comforts which Christianity affords; and these were found sufficient. The free and unmolested enjoyment of their religion, reconciled them to their lonely situation-they bore their hardships with unexampled patience, and persevered in their pilgrimage of almost unparalleled trials, with such resignation and calmness, as gave proof of great piety and unconquerable virtue."

7. Discovery of Indian Corn.

Before the settlers landed at Plymouth, they sent out a number of parties to explore the country. One of these parties consisted of sixteen men, under Captain Miles Standish. In their route, they discovered several small hillocks, which they conjectured to be the graves of the Indians; but, proceeding still farther, they discovered

many more, and, on closer, examination, each hillock was found to contain a considerable quantity of Indian Corn! It was buried in the ear, and excited no small degree of their curiosity. By a few of the company it was thought a valuable discovery; others, who had tasted the corn in its raw state, thought it indifferent food, and of but little value.

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This corn served them for seed in the ensuing spring. They were instructed by Squanto, a friendly Indian, how to raise it, and it was probably the means of preserving them from famine.

8. Massasoit, the Indian Sachem.

The infant colony of Plymouth was much indebted to the friendship and influence of Massasoit, a powerful prince, or sachem, in those parts. About three months after their establishment, they received a visit from Massasoit, with sixty of his men. They were conducted to the Governor, who received them with military parade. The Governor and Massasoit kissed each other's hands, as a salutation, and both sat down. " Strong water" was then given to the sachem, "who drank a great draught, that made him sweat all the while after." After eating, they entered into a friendly treaty. They agreed to avoid injuries on both sides, to restore stolen goods, to assist each other in all just wars, and to endeavour to promote peace and harmony among their neighbours.

This friend of the English was one of the twenty Indians whom a Capt. Hunt perfidiously carried to Spain, where he sold them for slaves; whence he found his way to London, and afterwards to his native country, with the Plymouth colony. Forgetting the perfidy of those who sold him a captive, he was a warm friend to the English till the day of his death. He rendered an essential service to the English, by inspiring his countrymen with a dread of their power. One of the arts he used for this purpose, was his informing the natives, that the English kept the plague buried in a cellar, which was their magazine of powder, which they could send forth to the destruction of Indians, while they remained at home. He died in 1622. A few days before his death, he desired the Governor to pray that he might go to the "Englishman's God" in heaven.

This treaty was faithfully observed by Massasoit and his successors, for more than forty years. At the time of the treaty, he is described as "a very lusty man, in his best years; an able man, grave of countenance and spare of speech; in his attire, little or nothing different from the rest of his followers, only in a great chain of white bone beads about his neck; and at it, behind his neck, hangs a little bag of tobacco. His face was painted with a sad red, like murrey, and oiled both head and face, that he looked greasy. All his followers likewise were, in their faces, in part or in whole, painted, some black, some red, some yellow, and some white: some with crosses and other antic works. Some had skins on them, and some naked; all tall and strong men in appearance. The king had in his bosom, hanging in a string, a great long knife."

In the year 1623, Massasoit was taken sick, and sent information of it to the Governor, who sent two of his friends to make him a visit. Their visit, and the presents which they brought, were gratifying to Massasoit, and the medicines they administered were successful in restoring his health.. Gratitude for their kindness prompted him to disclose a conspiracy of the Indians, which had for its object the total destruction of the Eng lish. This timely notice averted the calamity.`

9. Exploits of Capt. Standish.

Capt. Miles Standish, the hero of New-England, caine over with the first Plymouth settlers, in 1620. He was allied to the noble house of Standish of Lancashire, (Eng.,) and was heir apparent to a great estate, unjustly detained from him, which compelled him to depend on himself for support.

"He was small in stature, but of an active spirit, a sanguine temper, and a strong constitution." These qualites led him to the profession of arms. He entered into the service of Queen Elizabeth, in the aid of the