Political development in early America. The New 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, 1643. 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. "A firm and per petual 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 league." 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. ... ment of the Confedera It is also agreed, That for the managing and concluding of all The governaffairs proper to, and concerning the whole Confederation, two commissioners 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. ... 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. . . . sioners. 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 Grand 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 and General, 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. Council. That within [a certain number of] months, after the passing of 1 From the Albany Plan of Union, 1754. and mem bership of the Grand Council. such act, the House of Representatives that happens to be sitting Election within that time, or that shall be especially for that purpose convened, may and shall choose members for the Grand Council, in the following proportion, that is to say, Massachusetts Bay 7, New 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. [These representatives] shall meet for the first time at the city Meetings of 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. . . . Council. 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. Bail and punish ments. Jury trial. Freedom of the press. The conditions of free govern ment. Freedom of worship. The circum- leading up be deprived of his liberty, except by the law of the land or the judgment of his peers. That excessive bail ought not to be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted. . . . That in controversies respecting property, and in suits between man and man, the ancient trial by jury of twelve men is preferable to any other, and ought to be held sacred. That the freedom of the press is one of the great bulwarks of liberty, and can never be restrained but by despotic governments. That the people have a right to uniform government; and, therefore, that no government separate from or independent of the government of Virginia, ought to be erected or established within the limits thereof. That no free government, or the blessing of liberty, can be preserved to any people, but by a firm adherence to justice, moderation, temperance, frugality and virtue, and by a frequent recurrence to fundamental principles. That religion, or the duty which we owe to our Creator, and the manner of discharging it, can be directed only by reason and conviction, not by force or violence; and therefore all men are equally entitled to the free exercise of religion, according to the dictates of conscience; and that it is the duty of all to practise Christian forbearance, love and charity toward each other. :. 12. The colonies declare their independence 1 In 1774 the First Continental Congress met at Philadelphia to protest against the attitude of Great Britain toward the colonies. Instead of improving, however, the situation grew worse, and in April, 1775, the Americans clashed with British troops at Concord and Lexington. Actual warfare necessitating some joint action on the part of the colonies, a Second Continental Congress was convened in Philadelphia on May 10, 1775. On June 7, 1776, Richard Henry Lee of Virginia submitted to the Congress three resolutions, the first of which declared "That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States, that they are ab1 From the Declaration of Independence, 1776. |