^^§yLB^liii^"a.iai4^ PLYMOUTH AND THE PILGRIMS; INCIDENTS OF ADVENTUllE IN THE HISTORY OF THE FIRST SETTLERS. JOSEPH BANVARD. BOSTON: GOULD AND LINCOLN, 5 9 -WASHINGTON STREET. 185 1. Entered according to Act of Cohgress, in the year 1851, by GOULD AND LINCOLN, In the Clerk's Office of tlie District Court for the District of Massachusetts. *) -\4 Vt^^vr. v^v^ STEREOTYPED AT THE BOSTON STEREOTYPE FOUNDRY. /3'^ / 5; 7/ PREFACE The history of our country is full of interest. The annals of our own Commonwealth, and especially of our Pilgrim fathers, abound with vivid illustrations of fearless courage, enduring fortitude, ingenious strategy, and romantic ad- venture. The object of the present volume is to give a plain and correct account of the prominent events which have occurred in the history of Plymouth, the oldest colony in New England. We, of course, have not given all the incidents, neither could we in a volume of reasonable size. We have confined ourselves to the more interesting and important. PREFACE. Such facts only are related as we presumed would afford entertainment and instruction to the mass of the people, and especially to the youth. A glance at the table of contents will show the nature and variety of our subjects. We have indulged in only a few moral reflec- tions, but have furnished materials eminently suggestive of them. We present facts ; our readers can deduce their own inferences. In the preparation of the work we have availed ourselves of the most reliable sources of information from the journals and letters of the first Pilgrims down to historians of a recent date. Each of the engi*avings is illustrative of some incident of which we have given an account. NOTICE The Publishers, in presenting to tlie reading public this first volume of Rev. Mr. Banvard's Series of American Histories, are happy to announce tliat other volumes of the series are in course of preparation. This series of Histories will be made up of interesting- and important events which have occurred in the United States since the first settlement of the country ; illustrating, the trials and adventures of the early colonists both at the North and the South, their intercourse and conflicts with the natives, their peculiarities of character and manners, the gradual development of their institutions, sketches of their prominent men in both the Church and the State, incidents in the Revolution, with various other subjects of interest of more recent date. It is intended to be adapted to the popular mind, and especially to the youth of our country, illustrated with numerous fine en- gravings. There will be twelve or more 18mo. volumes, consisting of about three hundred pages each ; each vol- ume to be complete in itself; and yet, when all are pub- lished, they will, together, form a regular Series of Consecutive American History. 1# LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS I. EOBINSOX'S PRAYER AT THE DEPARTURE OF THE PILGRIMS FROM DELPH HAVEN. U. ILLUSTRATED TITLE PAGE. TIL MAP OF MASSACHUSETTS BAY 18 IV. THE COPPER CHAIN CO V. FIVE KERNELS OF CORN 140 VI. SIR CHRISTOPHER GARDNER TAKEN 169 VIL CAPTURE OF ANNA WON BY STRATAGEM 252 VIIL LIKFJN'ESS OF MISS REBECCA RAWSON 198 IX. PRISONERS IN STOCKS 20G CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. PACE A Vessel. — Something unusual on Board. — Sympathy. — Pastor's Prayer. — Separation. — Arrival at Southampton. — Robinson's Let- ter. — Division of the Company. — Choice of Officers. — Departure from England. — Put back to Dartmouth. — Start again. — Return to Plymouth. — One Vessel abandoned. — The other starts alone. — Storms. — Death at Sea. — Disheartening Event. — " Land." — Cape Cod Harbor. — Puritan Pilgrims. — Thanks. — The Compact. — Election of Governor. —The Men ashore. — Their Discoveries. — The Shallop. — An Expedition propc^ed 19 CHAPTER II. Exploring Party. — See Indians. — Their Pursuit and Behavior. — Night. — Pursuit renevi'ed. — Great Thirst. — The first Drink of New England Water. — Deer. — Indian Graves. -Corn found buried. — Large Kettle. —A Fort.- River discovered.— Encampment in u stormy Night. — The Party lost. — Trap found in the Woods. — Reasons for minute Description. — Strength of Principle. — Wa- ter Excursion. — A Party land. — Mummies discovered. — Wig- wams and Contents. — First Birth. — Third Excursion. — Midnight Alarm. — Skirmish with the Indians. — Thanks for Tictory. — • CONTENTS. Storm and Danger. — Clark's Island. — Sabbath observed. — Land- ing of tbe Pilgrims. — Division of the Land. — Commence build- ing. — Fire. — Two Men lost. — Their Adventures. — The first Sabbath on the main Land. — The first Winter. — The Number of Immigrants. — Suffering. — Deaths. — Place called Plymouth. — Return of the Mayflower CHAPTER III. A strange Visitor. — Unexpected Salutation. — Information given. — A Difficulty. — Kidnapper. —Indians enslaved. — More Visitors. — Squanto's Adventures. — Indian Chiefs. — Visit of Ceremony. — First Treaty. — The Visit returned. — Massasoit's Poverty. — Novel Mode of Eeling.— First Offence. — The Penalty. — Billington's Character. — First Duel. — Peculiar Punishment. — Praying for Mercy. — Character of the Government CHAPTER IV. Plymouth in Summer. — Annoyance of Indian Loungers. — Visit to Massasoit. — Delivery of Presents. — The Message. — The Copper Chain. — Hard Lodging — Subordinate Sachems. — Sports. — Shoot- ing Fish. — Return of the Messengers. — Storm at Night. — Effect of the Visit. — Boy missing. — A Party sent after him. — Their Adven- tures. — Get News of the Boy. — lyanough. — An old Squaw. — Her violent Passion. — Reason of it. — How she is pacified. — Indian OfRciousness. — The Owner of the buried Corn found. — The lost Boy restored. — Natives rewarded. —Rumors of War. — Danger of the Colony CHAPTER V. Startling Rumors. — Squanto reconnoitres. — Is taken. — Designs against him, — Supposed Murder. — Party sent to Middleborough — Midnight Attack. — Frightened Indians. — Squanto found. — CONTENTS. 9 Treatment of the Wounded. — Voyage to Massachusetts.— Origin of the Name. — Conduct of the Squaws. —The first Summer in Plymouth. — Preparations for Winter. — Colony alarmed. — Prepare to resist Invaders. — Pleasant Disappointment. — Arrival of the Fortune. — She brings no Stores. — The Consequence The For- tune returns. — Her Cargo and Capture 61 CHAPTER VI. Singular Visitor. — Mysterious Package for Squanto. — The Visitor made a Captive. — His Disclosures. — He is released and sent home with a bold Message. — Squanto explains the Package. — A Package of Powder and Balls sent in Reply to it. — It is regarded with Ter- ror.— Finally sent back unopened. — Defensive Preparations. — First General Muster. — An Indian's Advice. — Another Expedition. — Signal for Return. — Why called back. — Hobbaniock denies Indian Rumors. — Squanto falls under Suspicion. — His deceitful Con- duct. — Buried Plague. — Massasoit demands Squanto's Death. — The Messengers ready to kill him. — His unexpected Deliver- ance. — Messengers offended. — More Immigrants. — Winslow sent to Maine for Food. — Massacre in Virginia. — Fort built. — Used as a Church. — Puritan Character CHAPTER VII. Arrival of the Charity and the Swan. — A New Colony. — Its Mate- rials. — Its Object. — Its Difficulties. — An Expedition in Partner- ship. — Chatham. — Shyness of the Natives. — Success in Trade. — Squanto dies His last Request. — His History. — Favorable Prov- idence. — Indiscretion of the New Colony. — Storm The Shallop aground.— Stores left in the Care of Indians. — The Return. — Pu- ritan Firmness. — Indian Theft. — Restoration demanded. — Its Result. — Ludicrous Ceremony. — Folly of Imitation. — Indian Gamblers. — Mysterious Visitors. — Their Object. — Indian Brawl and Murder. — Hobbamock's Advice. — A Powwow executed 81 10 CONTENTS. CHAPTER VIII. Fears of Conspiracy. — Illness of Massasoit. — Winslow, with two others, sets out to visit him. — Arrives at a Ferry. — Hears that Mas- sasoit is dead. — Hobbamock's deep Grief. — His Description of the • Chief. — They visit Corbitant's House. — A Messenger sent to Pok- anoket. — RetiK-ns with the News that Massasoit is yet alive. — The Party press on. — Their Arrival. — Powwows at work upon the sick Chief. — Winslow prescribes for him. — He improves. — Eats too hearty, and becomes worse. — Indian Custom. — Efforts to per- suade Massasoit to oppose the English. — They are unsuccessful. — Massasoit reveals the Conspiracy. — His Advice. — Conversation with Corbitant. — How the Puritans taught the Indians. — Origin of Traditions 92 CHAPTER IX. Condition of Weston's Colony. — Man drowned in digging Clams. — Indian Policy. —The Men rob them. — Indians complain,— A slanderous Tradition. — Butler perpetuates it. — Its Origin. — Plym- outh not responsible for Weymouth. — Consultation of the two Col- onies. — Sanders goes to Maine for Provisions. — Dangers of the English. — Their Perils considered by the Court. — Standish sent to Weymouth to capture Indians His Instructions. — Insulting Conduct of the Indians. — Pratt's providential Escape He relates the wretched Condition of Weymouth. — Pratt is pursued.— His Pursuer captured as a Spy. — Standish arrives at Weymouth. — Makes known the Conspiracy. —The Captain's Policy. — Indians pretend they know his Object. — Their Insults. — The boasting of Indian Braves. — The forbearance of the Captain 104 CHAPTER X. Silent, but fearful Massacre. — Hobbamock compliments Standish. — Women held Captives. — An Indian escapes. — Three English- mett among the Indiana. — The Indiana haste away at Midnight. — CONTENTS. 11 They meet Standish and his Men. — A Skirmish. — The Indians defeated. — Hobbamock's Bravery. — The Indian Women released uninjured. — The Puritans responsible for the Massacre. — Their Apology. — A young Indian's Confession. — Standish returns, taking an Indian's Head. —The captured Spy recognizes it. — The Spy released and sent as a Messenger. — A Squaw brings back an Answer. — The three Englishmen killed. — The Terror of the Na- tives. — They attempt to send a Peace-offering to the Governor. — The Boat is wrecked. — Robinson's Letter 118 CHAPTER XI. The Conspiracy checked. — Arrival of a Blacksmith in disguise. — Who he is. — He hears unwelcome News. — He sails for Wey- mouth. — Is cast away and robbed. — Kindness of the Puritans. — Repaid with Ingratitude. — The Puritans without a Charter. — The Advantage of it — Their first Patent. — The Ambition of John Pierce. — Is disappointed. — Arrival of more Immigrants and Stores. — The Distress of the Colony. — Admiral West. — Cannot subdue the Fishermen. — Community of Goods abandoned. — Self- Dependence. — Its Results. — The five Kernels of Corn. — No Bread. — Patience of the Sufferers. — Long Drought. — Day of Fasting and Prayer. — Refreshing Showers. — Effect upon the Na- tives 129 CHAPTER XII. John Lyford. — His Obsequiousness. — His Connection with John Oldham. — Governor Bradford takes Copies of their Letters. — Old- ham rebels. —Lyford sets up a Meeting.— Their Trial. — The Gov- ernor's Address — Both found guilty. — Oldham banished. — Ly- ford's Confession and deep Sorrow. — Repeats his Offence. — Old- ham returns. — His abusive Conduct. — Sentenced to run the Gantlet. — He reforms. — Is killed by the Indians. — Timely Abundance. — Trade with the Kennebec. — Return Ship captured.— 12 CONTENTS. Escape of Standish from Slavery. — Death of John Robinson. — His Character. — Death of Robert Cushman. — He preached the first Sermon in New England. — Its Character. — Extracts 141 CHAPTER XIII. A Pinnace built. — Messengers from the Dutch. — Reception of De Razier. — Trade with him. — Wampum. — The Colony without a Pastor. — Original Agreement respecting their old Pastor. — A Min- ister found at Nantasket. — He becomes the Plymouth Pastor. — His Character. — Roger Williams. — His Troubles at Salem. — Goes to Plymouth as an Assistant. — Returns to Salem. — He cultivates Ac- quaintance with the Natives. — John Billington Commits Mur- der. — Is tried and executed. — The Tendency of Sin. — A Ship- wreck. — Kindness of the Indians. — Difficulties adjusted. — Gov- ernor Winthrop's Visit to Plymouth. — Singular Puritan Custom.— Discussion about the Use of " Goodman Such-a-one." — Hue's Cross 154 CHAPTER XIV. Sir Christopher Gardner. —Foments Trouble. — Is charged with Big- amy. — Is pursued. — Is delivered up by Indians. — Indian Custom to secure a Welcome. — Small-pox. — Trade extended. — Adven- tures on the Connecticut. — Troubles on the Kennebec. — Captain Hocking killed. —A Plymouth Magistrate arrested in Boston. — Ex- citement at Plymouth. — Deputies sent to Boston. — Prayer before Business. — The Defence. — The Confession. — The Adjustment. — A Hurricane. — Its dreadful Ravages. — Eclipse of the Moon 167 CHAPTER XV. An Indian murdered. — Four Englishmen in Want. — They visit Roger Williams. — Are found to be the Murderers. — Three are caught. — Their Trial. — Singular Difficulty. — Their Execution. — CONTENTS. 13 Effect of Puritan Justice on tlie Indians. — Anecdote of Captain Standish. — Alden takes his new Bride home on a Bull. — Confed- eration of the New England Colonies. — Germ of the American Union. — Its Influence. — Indian Alliances. — The Removal of the whole Colony proposed. — Subject considered by the Church. — Purchase Eastham. — Found to be more unfavorable than Plym- outh.— The Project aljandoned. — Ex-Governor Prince settles at Eastham 176 CHAPTER XVI. Quakers ordered out of the Colony. — They refuse to obey. — All for- bidden to harbor Cluakers. — Humphrey Norton imprisoned. — Qua- kers' Contempt of Government. — Insolence to the Governor. — Refuse to take Oath. — Are whipped. — Norton's Letters. — Fanat- icism always troublesome. — No Quaker or Ranter permitted to be a Freeman. — A House of Correction ordered to be built. — Six Quakers banished on Pain of Death. — Milder Laws. — Four Per- sons appointed to reason with them. — One of these becomes a Quaker. — All Persons authorized to arrest them. — Their Meetings forbidden. — Severity excites Sympathy. — Rigorous Measures were not universally approved. — Charles II. ascends the Throne of Eng- land. — He suppresses the Persecutions. — Secretary Rawson. — His Daughter Rebecca receives the attentions of Thomas Rum- sey. — Marries him. — Accompanies him to England. — Finds a Relative. — Conduct of her Husband. — Painful Discovery. — Her Abandonment. — Her Self-reliance. — Embarks for Jamaica. — Arrival there. —Her unhappy End 185 CHAPTER XVII. The Enactment of Law develops Character. — Trial by Jury. —Wants of the Colony to be supplied first. — Exports forbidden. — Those who refused the Office of Governor to be fined. — Bradford released by Importunity. — How different now. — Marriage forbidden with- out the Consent of Parents, — Intentions of Marriage to be pub- 2 14 CONTENTS. lished. — Consent of Parents to be obtained to address their Daugh- ters. —Punishment to depend upon " auality " of the Offender; — Short Sleeves forbidden. — Laws against Contempt of the Scrip- tures. — Sabbath-breaking and Gambling Laws executed. — Stocks and Cage always ready. — Psalm Singing. — Courtship punished. — Abuse of Husbands. — Blackbirds' Heads to be obtained. — Ef- fects of Union of Church and State. — Every Colony to have a Church. — Church Rates. — Whales. — Ministers forbidden to leave their People — Meeting-house in every Town. — Parental Instruc- tion. — Schools. — Arms must be taken to Meeting. — Indians and Wolves. — Effects of these Laws. — The Bible the Basis of their Legislation CHAPTER XVIII. Fifty Years of Peace. — New Settlements. — Converted Indians. — Native Preachers. — Philip and the Button. — Indian Magistrates. — Indian Warrant. — Alexander succeeds Massasoit. — Suspicions against him. — His Death. — Philip becomes Grand Sachem. — Pur- sues John Gibbs for reviling the Dead. —His Alliance with the Narragansetts. — He desires Revenge. — Ordered to come to Plym- outh. — Declines. — Invites the Governor to come to him. — They meet at Taunton. — Singular Scene in a Church. — The Treaty. — Indignant Sachem. — Treaty violated. — Conference at Plymouth. — Indian Confederacy. — Philip's deep Plot against the English. — Their Security. — Philip angry with Sassamon. — The latter flees to the English. — The Plot revealed. — Sassamon missing. — Philip again examined. — No Confession. — Suspicions increase 219 CHAPTER XIX. Harvard College. — Indian Students. — Sassamon. — Search for him. — Body found. — Rlurderers arrested and executed. — Philip enraged. — Preparations for Conflict. — Bold Language. — Opinion respecting the first Fire. — Indians pant for Plunder. — War be- gun. — English killed on Fast Day. — Excitement in the Colonies. — CONTENTS. 15 Enlisting Recruits in Boston. —Bridge water Horsemen. — People driven from their burning Houses. — The English surprised and slain. — Affecting Scene. — Philip pursued. — Found at Dinner. — Escapes. — Mutilated Englishmen. — Fuller's narrow Escape. — Church's brave Adventure. — Golding's timely Arrival. — Marvel- lous Preservation. — Church's Visit to the Spring amidst a Shower of Balls 224 CHAPTER XX. Philip retreats to a Swamp. — An Ambush. — Wigwams found.— Philip escapes by Water. — Route discovered. — Ministers fight. — Philip overtaken. — A Battle ensues. — The War becomes gen- eral. — Its Consequences. — Disgraceful Conduct towards the Dart- mouth Indians. — Sold into Slavery. — Influence on other Tribes. — Philip's Ravages in Plymouth. — Retreats to a Swamp. — The Swamp surrounded. — Philip shot. — The Enemy routed. — The Gun preserved. — Philip beheaded and quartered. — His Head and Hand preserved. — Bitter Spirit of the English. — His Head exposed many Years 236 CHAPTER XXI. The War not ended. — Annawon holds out. — Prowls around the Town. — Church goes in Pursuit. — Captures a Party of Indians. — Man seeking his Father. — Church discovers a Path. — Takes an old Indian and young Girl — Examines them. — Learns Annawon's Retreat. — Old Man becomes Guide. — He refuses to fight against his Chief. — Leads them to Annawon's Encampment. — High Rock. — Exciting Scene. — Church's Stratagem. — Its Execution. — Anna- won surprised. — The whole Band captured. — Leaders cannot sleep. — Philip's Ornaments delivered up. — Church's Anxiety. — Morning. — Prisoners taken to Plymouth. — What shall be done with them ? — Opinion of Ministers. — Young Annawon. — Prison- ers sold into Slavery. — Church opposed to it 245 16 CONTENTS. CHAPTER XXII. The Colonies affected by the Home Government. — Arrival of An- dros. —Encourages Episcopacy. — Declares Land Titles invalid. — Appropriates public Property to private Uses. — Prohibits Town Meetings. — Other Oppressions. — And ros imprisoned. — Nathaniel Clark seized, — Clark-s Island. — The first Sabbath. — VViswall imprisoned. — Absence from Town Meetings fined. — A Price for Wolves' Heads. — The first Selectmen. — The first Marriage. — An honored Lady. — Introduction of Neat Cattle. — First Record of Horses. — A Present to Philip. — Merry Mount. — Weetamore be- headed. — Its Effect on the Indians. — French Vessel wrecked. — The Crew seized as Prisoners. — Doctor Le Baron. — His Settle- ment and Marriage. — His Attachment to the Cross. — A Premium for Rats' Heads. — First pubHc Celebration of " The Landing." — The Dinner. — The famous Rock. — Its Locality proved. — The Evidence of Eider Faunce and others. — The Rock splits. — A good Omen. — Is removed. — Treatment of Tories. — Wonderful Egg. — Dreadful Shipwreck. — Statistics 25" CHAPTER XXIII. Attachment to the Scriptures. — Reason of Puritanic Singularities.— Precise in their Manners. — Their Ministers of equal Authority.— Their Government republican. — Their Self-reliance and divine Dependence. —Were not vindictive. — Did not come here to establish universal Toleration. — Their Object was Liberty for themselves.— This the Origin of their Opposition to other Sects. — The Prospec- tive Influence of their Principles 281 sa i\ p !abar aaaSSMEKSSlEf ITS ©i\17. CHAPTER I " They crowd the strand, Those few, lone pilgrims. Can ye scan the woe That wrings their bosoms, as the last frail link Binding to man and habitable earth Is severed ? Can ye tell what pangs were there, What keen regrets, what sickness of the heart, What yearning o'er their forfeit land of birth ; Their distant, dear ones? " — Sigourxey. A Vessel. — Something- unusual on Board. — Sympathy. — Pastor's Prayer. — Separation, — Arrival at Southampton. — Robinson's Letter. — Division of the Company. — Choice of Officers. — Departure from Eng-land. — Put back to Dartmouth. — Start again. — Return to Plymouth. — One Vessel abandoned. — The other starts alone. — Storms. — Death at Sea. — Disheartening Event. — " Lcmd." — Cape Cod Harbor. — Puritan Pilgrims. — Thanks. — The Compact. — Election of Governor. — The Men ashore. — Their Discoveries. — The Shallop. — An Expedition proposed. About July 22, in the year of our Lord 1620, at Delph Haven, in Holland, might have been seen a company of devout Christian men and women on board of a frail vessel of peculiar structure. A casual observer might have perceived that something unusual was in progress. Little groups were stand- ing here and there in earnest conversation ; others, by themselves, were looking over the sides of the vessel, or gazing with deep interest upon objects with which they were familiar, but which they never ex- 20 Robinson's prayer. pected to behold again. Some were hurrying to and fro, making rapid inquiries, to ascertain that nothing which they needed on board was left behind. Friends who sympatliized with them had come from a distance to give them the parting hand, and pro- nounce upon them their farewell blessing. When the hour of their departure arrived, and they could tarry no longer among those whom they loved so well, their pastor. Rev. John Robinson, falling upon his knees in the midst of the little company, who also knelt around him, commended them, in a most fervent prayer, to the kind protection of their heav- enly Father. After the religious services were over, " with mutual embraces," they took their leave of those who were to remain beliind. " Truly doleful was the sight," says Governor Bradford, " of that sad and mournful parting ; to see what sighs and sobs and prayers did sound amongst them ; what tears did gush from every eye, and pithy speeches pierced each other's heart, that sundrtp of the Dutch strangers that stood on the quay as spectators could not refrain from tears." Winslow, who was with the company on board, says, that when they separated, " We gave them a volley of small shot, and three pieces of ordnance, and so lifting up our hands to each other, and our hearts for each other to the Lord our God, we departed, and found his presence with us." They directed THE DEPARTURE. 21 their course to Southampton, where they found a larger vessel, commanded by Captain Jones, waiting for them, as were also Mr. Cushman and the rest of the church, who were to accompany them across the pathless waters to a new world. Whilst they were tarrying there, they received a letter from their pastor, at Leyden, Rev. John Rob- inson, who, though he could not accompany them, cherished a deep interest in the success of their enterprise, and who availed himself of tliis early opportunity to send them an epistle filled with judicious counsels and cautions. The company were soon called together, and hstened with great pleasure to the valuable advice of their rehgious guide. They were then divided into two parties for the two ships. In order that every thing might be properly conducted on board of their respective vessels, each party, with the permission of their captain, chose a governor and two or three assist- ants, who were to exercise over them a general supervision. On the 5th of August, the two vessels, the names of which were the Mayflower and the Speedwell, left Southampton on their perilous voyage. But they had not sailed far, before the Speedwell, wliich was the smaller vessel of the two, was found to be in a very leaky condition. It was deemed danger- ous to proceed. This was peculiarly unfortunates 2S •^^^5^^¥Ui8»T ^fej^^"6bth'pt^M'^^to^'?5>§«!tt5&lith;'^ wiiePe-'thB^ vesse Wk^'fexaimtieA Uiid'it'e|)dra^e€}r'^'-'!Sh€f Was-'feand "to be ffi'Sucli bBxi'-coiita^iOHy'tiiat if-^hefetd coutinui^d' at About tlie 21si''''6T''AW^Mi 'thev vefitat^^to sda *6ite'''B6Vev''"aiKV' fiRet- te iidfaij^d 'iibote a a|aiii/%'m'6''lVafdly;'if jW^sibW tiWir 6efofk Tliey refei'iit^d ffbvr'tt^ PlVinbiitlr. •' 'tfpoil; 'a-=secc«td;€ftam- ^ks frtBT^tM'-M* h§t' g-MfeVal • •#feakliessi-=oii^ which ^cHiiiit she 'was i%lti6fefttly abandorred^ &s art- WT>safe xii-a?ft iil'*wliic!i='¥6=^ei'6'(5iinMl''- tSe^ dWi^^i^s =of the- At- WM^J'' Btit'lt Vas''^f^^wa'fdg^^asceTOiiMl 'tliat the W6!^' difficdW ^vW^'"'biilised'% tM deceit^uhie^s- of tiie' ^captain' aiiid' 6mW--oT%ie SpeedttelK ■■■'^W^ had 'Mipgie'd to 'r^Aih fet^'ftfe ft^W 'coliill^y,' ^'^Ilithm' ■ they v?er^e -goitig, ' U'' ivliol^'^yeSf -^ biit^^fliijey'' rfepentbd of ffiefr Mi-gi^iii: ' •The/'feared- that 'V\^fen tlw^:>rdvi$ipi'is ^/hYcft- they '6af ri^d^vifh' 'iYMti \tidro' ^liatisted, -tlife'y woukl be unable to obtain more, and e'dii^eqnently V'oiild perish'' fl*bitl•"•fahihw^•^-:T^ tlffei-ef6l-e •' pre- ti^ii'M-'Aa^-ntelr Ve^s^'.Sv^ -iiot ^sca^W>-tt^y, ^Iti ytMer W have "^ Wn •¥ibuse-"'^i* 'tetffe^tifig'' fri^i tM"r eH|i^d'g:eTn'(5iit,' tthd 'tarrying -bdnnd/ SoiWe of theih iftef Wai-^d:? cohtessip'd' theJr Hinlrditj-, aiiFd i^Vestkd the AimiH^em. ' '■ 'After " 'fl^e abailddilltient ^of^ tW Spfe^d- W^H;' as it Hv^4-ft>Hhd^im|»ogsihi« 'to AWdift'ttlodate^MI of her passengers in t,he:Gl;|^pr,» ship, some of them were compeiled to relinquisji the; v.o;^:c|ge. ...Tliis gr^y.e occasion for another paijaful.^^sfjparatioD,. Awc^Q'll? those who remained behind }Vf^S;.Mr. Robert. C.usli- man, who had been deeply interested, in the ,ijli:- rangements and objects of the en\igratiQn,»^d.vyh9 afterwards took a prominent part .i>:^ the: )H,st5)j,y.,,een obKged to sell their clothes for food, and now, being unable to go in pursuit of food on account of their nakedness, they were perishing from cold and famine. If at any time they obtained victuals, the Indians were so strong and bold that they would enter their houses, take it from the pot where it was being cooked, and in a tantalizing manner would eat it before their eyes. If they remonstrated, the sav- ages would put a knife to their breasts and threaten their lives. One of the colonists had abandoned his companions and turned savage ; the most of the people had forsaken the town, and made their ren- dezvous wherever they happened to find food. They had separated into three companies, very few of them having any powder or shot with wliich to pro- cure game or defend themselves if attacked. What v/ould be the ultimate result he knew not. Being afraid to tarry there any longer, he had set out, al- though he knew not the way, to come to Plymouth and ask the privilege of remaining there till affairs became more settled. Soon after this man had left the Massachusetts, at Weymouth, the Indians missed him, and suspecting that he had gone to Plymouth, they immediately sent a messenger in pursuit of him, probably witlk 112 pratt's escape. orders to put him to death ; as they expressed the opinion he would never reach Plymouth, but would be devoured by wild beasts on the journey. Guided by a kind Providence, Pratt lost his way ; so that the Indian in pursuit, who took the usual route, missed him, and thus his life was saved. The In- dian passed by Plymouth on his way to Buzzard's Bay. When he returned he stopped there, pretend- ing to make a friendly call, but in reality to observe their condition, and see whether they were reduced to the poverty and helplessness of Weston's people, which he hoped was the case ; the intelligence of which, he knew would be glad tidings to the Massa- chusetts. The governor immediately arrested him, and kept him a prisoner. He was sent to the fort and chained to a staple, where he was informed he must remain under guard until Standisli returned from his expedition against his tribe. This must have been evil tidings to the poor captive spy, who knew that his own people were only waiting for a favorable opportunity to pounce upon the colony like a vulture upon its prey, and who, by his present captivity, had abundant reason to believe that their conspiracy was detected, and would be punished. After Pratt's relation, Standish, with his small company, proceeded to Weymouth with all speed. When they arrived, seeing the ship which was con- nected with the colony in the harbor, they went on STANDISH AT WEYMOUTH. 113 board to have some consultation as to the best measures to be adopted with reference to the ap- proaching crisis. Finding no one on deck, they entered the cabin. No one was there ! They ex- amined other parts of the vessel, and to their great surprise found it entirely forsaken — not even one person left as guard. What did it mean ? Had the crew been slain by the Indians since Pratt left 1 Appearances did not favor such a conclusion. No weapons were about, as if left in haste ; no marks of blood were seen. Had they then been seized and taken into captivity 1 To ascertain whether they were in the neighborhood, one of the men on board fired a musket. Immediately the overseer and several of his companions presented themselves upon the shore. They were there for the purpose of gathering ground nuts and other articles to eat. After salutations were exchanged, Captain Standish asked, — " How do you dare to leave your ship, and live in so much security ? " " O," replied they, utterly insensible of their per- ilous condition, "we have no fear of the Indians, but live with them and suffer them to lodge with us, without our having a gun or sword, or even needing one." " Well, well," said Standish, " if you have no oc- casion for vigilance, so much the better. But where 10* 114 ADVICE OF STANDISH. are those whom Mr. Sanders left in charge of affairs during his absence 1 " " They are at the plantation." Thither the cap- tain went. He informed them of the Indian con- spiracy, and that the object of his visit was to cut off the ringleaders. He also invited them, if they were so disposed, to reside at Plymouth, until this dark cloud had passed away, and they were placed in circumstances more favorable to their prosperity. But if they thought it advisable to pursue any other course, he would assist them to the extent of his ability. The men now had their eyes opened. They were surprised at their own previous blind- ness. They could call to recollection various cir- cumstances which had occurred in their intercourse with the natives, wliich were in keeping with the conspiracy. They acknowledged that it was all of divine mercy that they had not been slain before the captain's arrival. They desired that he would pro- ceed at once to the accomplishment of his object. He enjoined upon them the observance of the greatest secrecy, that the Indians might not discover their intentions. He also advised them to send orders to that third of the company who were at the greatest distance from the plantation to return, and, on pain of death, to keep the town, promising to supply, from his own stores, each man with a pint of corn a day. Some SUSPICION OF THE INDIANS. 115 time elapsed before any active measures were adopted, in consequence of storms and rain. Dur- ing this delay, an Indian visited the plantation, bringing some skins, professedly to trade. In reality he was a spy, whose object it was to obtain, in a covert manner, Avhat information he could respecting the suspicions and plans of the English. The cap- tain endeavored to appear perfectly friendly and un- suspecting, yet when the spy returned, he reported that he saw from the captain's eyes that there was anger in his heart. The Indians, therefore, thought that their conspiracy was detected. But, instead of retreating beyond the reach of the English, until their arrangements with the other tribes were con- summated, they put on a bold front, visited the plan- tation frequently, and even expressed the belief to them that their object was to slay them. One of their braves, whose name was Pecksuot, a man of courage, but at the same time a braggadocio, went to Hobbamock, who was with Standish as his inter- preter, and told him that he had been informed that the captain had come to " kill himself and the rest of the salvages." " Tell him," said he, " we know it, but we neither fear him, nor will we shun him ; let him attack us when he pleases, he shall not take us by surprise." These were courageous words for one who had reason to believe that his plots were discovered. He was probably emboldened by his 1116 INDIAN BOASTING. confidence in the success of the conspiracy. The Indians who had entered into the aUiance were so numerous, and the colonists so few and feeble, that success seemed to them almost a certainty. Hence, these insultino- savai^es would sometimes come to the plantation alone, or several together, and, placing themselves in the presence of the captain, would whet their knives, sharpen their points, and make various gestures and speeches of an insulting nature, as if on purpose to irritate him to some deed of blood. Wituwamat was not wanting on these occa- sions. He boasted of the fine qualities of his knife, on the handle of wliich was pictured a woman's face ; " but," said he, " I have another at home with which 1 have killed both French and English, and that hath a man's face on it ; and by and by these tv, o must marry." Not long after, when speaking of the knife he then had, he said, " By and by this shall see, and by and by it shall eat, but not speak ; " as if alluding to some intended murder which his knife would com- mit silently, whilst the muskets of the English always reported their doings. Pecksuot was a man of large size and great muscular strength, while Standish was comparatively small. On one occasion he said to Standish, — " You are a great officer, but a little man ; and though I am no sachem, yet I am a courageous man, and possess great strength." • READY FOR ACTION. 117 All these things the captain endured with much forbearance. His determination was fixed, and his plans formed ; he was only waiting a suitable oppor- tunity for their execution. He wisely resolved that no insults of the savages should betray him into pre- mature movements. Like the lion, with his eye fixed upon his prey, he calmly waited for a favorable moment of attack. It was not long before this arrived. CHAPTER X. '' See, his face is black and full of blood ; His eyeballs farther out than when he lived ; Staring full ghastly, like a strangled man ; His hair upreared, his nostrils stretched with struggling ; His hands abroad displayed, as one that grasped And tugged for life, and was by strength subdued," — Sh akspearb A silent, but fearful Massacre. — Hobbamock compliments Stand- ish. — Women held Captives. — An Indian escapes. — Three Englishmen among- the Indians. — The Indians haste away at Midnight. — They meet Standish and his Men. — A Skirmish. — The Indians defeated. — Hobbamock's Bravery. — The Indian Women released uninjured. — The Puritans responsible for the Massacre. — Their Apology. — A young Indian's Confession. — Standish returns, taking an Indian's Head, — The captured Spy recognizes it. — The Spy released and sent as a Messenger. — A Squaw brings back au Answer. — The three Englishmen killed. — The Terror of the Natives. — They attempt to send a Peace-offering to the Governor. — The Boat is wrecked. — Robinson's Letter. On the day following the conversation which we gave at the close of the last chapter, a combination of circumstances seemed to indicate to Standish that the favorable moment for the execution of his plans had arrived. Pecksuot, Wituwamat, with another Indian, and a young villain about eighteen years of age, brother to Wituwamat, who had played many scurrilous tricks upon the more feeble of the colonists, were together in one house ; there were also present about the same number of the A FEARFUL MASSACRE. 119 English, with Hobbamock. The door being made fast, Standish gave the signal for the dreadful work of death to be commenced. Each man chose his victim, and the fearful struggle began, Standish selected the insulting braggadocio, Pecksuot, and snatcliing the knife from his neck, which he had impudently sharpened in the captain's presence, he plunged it in his heart's blood ! One blow was not sufficient. The Indian resisted. He was wounded again ; he endeavored to recover ; his eyes glared ; he snatched violently after his knife, but failed to get it ; he fought with the energy of despair : the struggle was terrific, but brief. In a few minutes, the boastful warrior ceased to breathe. He had whetted his knife for his own death. At the same time, similar conflicts were in progress between Wituwamat and an Englishman, and the other In- dian and a colonist. They knew that all flight was impossible. There was no quarter asked nor oflered ; one of each couple must die ; one or the other party must be exterminated. They fought with desperation to the very last. There were no shrieks, no cries, no war whoops ; nothing but a deadly struggle. Their silence rendered the contest more awful. A shriek Avould have been a relief. In a few minutes, all the savages were dead except the youth. He was reserved to be hanged. During all this time, Hobbamock was a silent spectator of 120 OTHER MURDERS. the tragic scene. He took no part with either. After it was all over, he said to Standish, wliilst a smile played over his features, " Yesterday, Peck- suot, bragging of his own strength and stature, said, thougli you were a great captain, yet you were but a little man ; but to-day, I see you are big enough to lay him on the ground." But Standish desired not his praise ; he was intent upon the overthrow of the conspirators. Some Indian women who were at Weymouth he committed to the custody of Weston's people, for safe keeping till further orders. He then sent a messenger to another company of the men, with instructions for them to kill all the Indians who were with them. They slew two. Standish and a few others went to another place, and killed one more. It was the captain's design to have kept all this concealed from the natives ; but his purpose was defeated, through the negligence of one of the men in suffering an Indian to escape, who immediately disclosed these massacres to the tribe. A short time previous to this tragic adventure, three of Weston's men had gone and offered to build canoes for the sachem of one of the tribes in the neighborhood, where they had formerly been well fed, when performing similar service. The first night of their arrival, at a late hour, a messen- ger came, almost breathless, perhaps the one who MIDNIGHT EXPEDITION. 121 had escaped from Weymouth, who dehvered, in his own language, a short message. What it was, the Englishmen knew not. That it was of great im- portance, was evident from the conduct of the Indians ; for no sooner was it delivered, than a general excitement was produced. The Indians arose, hastily dressed themselves, seized their bows and arrows, gathered together for a few moments' considtation, and then, telling the English that they were going a hunting, and would return with plenty of venison, they hastily departed. The oldest and most experienced Englishmen present thought that this midnight manoeuvre au- gured notliing good. Viewing this conduct of the Indians in connection with the strict charge of Standish, that none of the men should leave tiie plantation, he feared that a collision had, or would soon ensue. He proposed to Ms companions to return. They umvisely refused. He set out, there- fore, alone. To avoid discovery, in case of pursuit, he shunned the paths, and groped his way in the darkness, through the unbroken fields and forests, by which means he successfully escaped. After the massacre at Weymouth, the captain took half of liis own men, with one or two of Wes- ton's party and Hobbamock, and went forth to plunder the Indians. After marching some dis- tance, they met a party of the natives coming 11 122 A SKIRMISH. towards them — probably those who had left home so suddenly at iiight. Each regarded the other as on a belligerent expedition. A hill being near, the possession of which would give advantage in the fight, both parties endeavored to obtain it. Stand- ish was successful. The Indians then ran, accord- ing to their usual custom, and, concealing them- selves behind trees, rocks, and bushes, let fly a shower of arrows, aimed especially at Standish and Hobbamock. The combativeness of Hobbamock was now excited. He threw off his coat, and dashed in among them with great bravery. The savages, knowing him, retreated. Hobbamock pur- sued. The English could not keep up with him. These latter, seeing the arm and half of a face of a notorious character in the act of drawing his bow at Captain Standish, two of them fired at him, and broke his exposed arm. The Indians retreated to a swamp. The captain endeavored to hold a parley with them. They returned insulting lan- guage. He then challenged the sachem to show Iiimself and fight openly like a man, and not get behind trees, and use hard words, like a cowardly squaw. His challenge and ridicule were alike un- heeded. The sachem and his men fled, leaving the English victorious. The captain then returned to Weymouth. The Indian women who were there he released without any injury. He would not even STANDISH NO PURITAN. 123 allow the men to take from them their beaver gar- ments, nor in any way to insult them. We cannot but admire his scrupulous regard for the helpless- ness and delicacy of the female sex. In order to screen the Puritans from the respon- sibility of this massacre of the Indians at Wey- mouth, it will not do to say that Standish was not a member of the church, and, therefore, was no more of a Puritan than the men of Weston's colony ; that he was merely a military officer, and in this campaign against the enemy, was governed by ordi- nary mihtary usages ; for, admitting that all this was true, it must not be forgotten that he had re- ceived special instructions from the proper authori- ties at Plymouth how to proceed, and had simply executed those instructions. He was their servant, and had done their bidding ; they were, therefore, responsible for his deeds. The best justification of the act must be based upon the perilous condition in which the English were then placed. They knew their own weakness ; they were aware of the existence of a powerful conspiracy against them ; they had received intelh- gence of the dreadful massacre by the Indians in Virginia. No time was to be lost. The savages miglit come down upon them with the suddenness and terribleness of an Alpine avalanche. It ap- peared to them essential to their safety, that they 124 INDIAN CONFESSION. should take the initiative in the approaching con- flict ; that by some bold and severe stroke, they should send terror among the Indians before they were generally aware of the discovery of their con- spiracy. In forming our opinion of the morality of their conduct in this trying crisis, we must have some regard to the sentiments which generally pre- vsdled among Christian people at that time, respect- ing the lawfulness of defensive war. After the massacre, a young Indian, who was of a mild, amiable, and confiding disposition, although he knew of the death of his countrymen, came fear- lessly to the captain, professing love and good will, and honestly confessed that the Indians had resolved to murder Weston's colony so soon as two more canoes were finished, which Weston's men were making for them at the time of the outbreak, and with wliich they intended to have taken their ships. Weston's people were now thoroughly tired of the new settlement. It had proved a failure, and they were resolved to abandon it. Some of them were desirous of going to the coast of Maine, with the hope of finding a passage to England in some of the fishermen which resorted there. Standish fiirnished them with corn to reach the coast, which so reduced the little quantity he had? as to leave him hardly enough to last till he could return home. Others of them preferred to go with him to Plym- WEnVIOUTH ABANDONED. 125 outh, as they did not want to associate with those who were going to Maine. After the former party had sailed and cleared the bay, Standish took the others in his shallop and returned victoriously to Plymouth, where he was received mth great joy. He did not fail to obey the command of the gov- ernor to bring back witli him the head of one of the prominent conspirators. As an object of terror to tlie Indians, it was set up in a conspicuous place in the fort. The Indian who pursued Pratt, but failed of over- taking him, was left, it will be remembered, a pris- oner at Plymouth. When the bloody trophy of the captain was shown him, he was asked if he knew whose head it was. He looked mournfully upon it, and said, "Yes; it is Wituwamat's." He also con- fessed the conspiracy, and said that his cliief was urged to it by his men, among whom five were more urgent in pressing him into it than the others, two of whom, Pecksuot and Wituwamat, were slain. The other three were medicine men, or conjurors. He denied being implicated in it himself. He said he did not belong to their tribe, but was a stranger among them, and earnestly entreated the colonists not to put him to death. Hobbamock interceded for him, and gave liim a good character, though it after- wards appeared that he was induced so to do by the influence of a bribe. 11* 126 A MESSAGE TO OBTAXIEST. The Puritans were not revengeful. The sJiedding of blood afforded them no pleasure. Hence they had no disposition to execute the unfortunate native who was now in their power. Having recently been so victorious, they could afford now to be generous. Besides, by sparing his life and sending him home, they could forward a message to his chief which might prevent the necessity of further bloodshed. He was accordingly released and brouglit before the governor, who charged him, through Hobbamock, the interpreter, to say to Obtakiest, the cliief of the Massachusetts Indians, that the Puritans would not have attacked them if they had not been compelled to by their own treachery, and therefore the conspir- ators were to blame ; that if he entered into another similar plot, they would drive Iiim from his country, and utterly extirpate his tribe ; of this he was now fairly warned ; and also that he must send back the three Englishmen he had, and not slay them ; that he must not injure what is left of the plantation at Weymouth ; and that this messenger must come back with the Englisli, or mth an answer, or with both, and they would guaranty him a safe return. They then gave him his hberty. For a long time nothing was heard from the chief in reply to this message, nor from the captive English. Finally, an Indian woman entered Plymouth, and informed them that Obtakiest had received the message, but that it came THE REPLY. If7 too late to save the lives of the Englisn ; he ex- pressed great regret on this account, as he would have sent them back if they had been living. She also said, that he desired reconcihation with the English, but that liis men were too fearful to come to Plym- outh to negotiate a treaty ; and that Obtakiest him- self was so apprehensive of a sudden attack of the English, that he had no certain dwelling-place, but changed liis encampment daily to avoid discovery. This sudden and successful attack of Standish struck such terror into the Indians, as completely to arrest the execution of their conspiracy. So panic- stricken were they, that they abandoned their own dwellings and fled liither and thither, in woods, swamps, and other unfrequented places, as if they thought the whole English colony were in close pur- suit. By their exposures during these flights, they caught various diseases, of which many of them died, among whom were Canacum, Aspinet and lanough, the sachems of Buzzard's Bay, Eastham, and Barn- stable. They had not courage even to plant their usual amount of corn, on wliich they were greatly dependent for food. At last the natives of one place ventured to man a small boat, and load it vrith presents, as a kind of peace-offering to the governor. On its voyage to the colony it was wrecked, and three of the men were lost. The only one who escaped did not dare to proceed to Plymouth, but returned. It is nol unl kely that this catastrophe 128 ^ Robinson's letter. was interpreted by the Indians as unfavorable to themselves ; for lanoiigh had given out that the God of the English was angry with the Indians, and was determined to destroy them. It would have been, therefore, very natural for them, under the in- fluence of their superstitious fears, to have construed tliis disaster into an illustration of the truth of lanough's prediction. The Puritans kept their friends in England in- formed as fully as they could of the history of the colony. The conspiracy and its suppression, being important events, had a prominent place in their correspondence. When Mr. Robinson, their pastor at Leyden, who had commended them to God in earnest prayer, at the time of their departure from Delf Haven, heard of the slaughter of the Indians, his benevolent heart was painfully affected. He wrote a letter to the church at Plymouth, in which he exhorted them to consider the disposition of their captain, who was of a warm temper. " He hoped that the Lord had sent him among them for good, if they used him right," but at the same time expressed the fear that he may be wanting " in that tenderness of the life of man, made after God's image, which was meet." The overflowing benevolence of his soul burst forth in that memorable passage : " O, how happy a thing had it been, that you had con- verted some before you killed any ! " CHAPTER XI. " With humble prayer and fasting, In every strait and grief, They sought the Everlasting, And found a sure relief. Their covenant-God o'ershadowed them, Their shield from every foe, And gave them here a dwelling-place Two hundred years ago." — Rev. Dr. Flint. The Conspiracy checked. — Arrival of a Blacksmith in disgrtise. — Who he is. — He hears unwelcome News. — He sails for Wey- mouth. — Is cast away and robbed. — Kindness of the Puritans. — Repaid with Ing'ratitude. — The Puritans without a Charter. — The Advantag'e of it. — Their first Patent. — The Ambition of John Pierce. — Is disappointed. — Arrival of more Immigrants and Stores. — The Distress of the Colony. — Admiral West. — Cannot subdue the Fishermen. — Community of Goods aban- doned. — Self-Dependence. — Its Results. — The five Kernels of Corn. — No Bread ! — Patience of the Suflerers. — Long- Drought. — Day of Fasting and Prayer. — Refreshing Showers. — Effect upon the Natives. So successful were the measures of Staiidish at Weymouth in intimidating the Indians, that no other attempt was made against the Plymouth colony for half a century. During this long period of quiet, the little settlement at Plymouth attained to some degree of maturity. A short time after the return of Standish, and the abandonment of the plantation at We}Tiiouth, a fish- ing vessel entered the harbor of Plymouth. A boat 130 A PSEUDO-BLACKSMITH. put off to the shore, bringing an Enghshman, who pretended to be a blacksmith. He went among the colonists, inquiring about work, but at the same time asking many questions respecting the history and prospects of Weston's colony. He was informed of the conspiracy, of the massacre, and of the total abandonment of the place. This stranger was Weston liimself in disguise ! The intelhgence he received fell upon his ear like the death-knell of his high hopes. The experiment of that plantation hav- ing involved a heavy expenditure, he was anxious to see if something had not been gained. At any rate, he wished to know the worst. He therefore took a shallop with two or three men, and set out to visit it. A heavy storm arose, which drove him from his course towards the Merrimac, where he was wrecked, and with difficulty escaped with his life. To com- plete liis misfortunes, he was soon discovered by the Indians, who robbed him of all he had saved from the shallop, and stripped him of his clothes, even to his shirt. In this distressed condition he managed to reach Portsmouth, where he borrowed some clothes, returned to Plymouth, and entreated the Puritans to loan him some beaver. Although the colony was reduced to great straits, yet, in view of his greater wretchedness, it was concluded to lend him a hundred and seventy pounds of beaver. In this transaction the Puritans exhibited great kindness. Weston's character. 131 They were under no obligations to Weston. He had conferred upon them no favors. Though he was formerly interested in the Pl}'niouth settlement, yet from personal considerations he abandoned it, and commenced one on his own account. The bad conduct of his settlers were, in all probability, the occasion of the Indian conspiracy and the massacre. They were extremely undesirable neighbors. Al- though they received notliing but good from the Pu- ritans, in return they ridiculed and slandered them. Weston, therefore, had no claims upon Plymouth. The conduct of the Puritans in loaning liim this beaver was unmerited kindness. This will be the more apparent, when it is remembered that he could give them no security. With this borrowed capital Weston commenced his fortunes anew ; yet such was his dishonesty and ingratitude, that he not only failed to pay for the beaver, but, instead thereof, he maligned and opposed the Puritans on every occasion. We cannot deem it any other than a fortunate circumstance, that his colony was broken up so early. With such a man at its head, and such characters for its materials as his colonists were, nothing could have been expected from its continuance but a series of internal dissen- sions among themselves, and of external troubles \vith the Indians. When the Puritans left England in 1620, they 132 THE COLONY UNCHARTERED. sailed under the protection of the Virginia company, with the intCDtion of setthng in Virginia, some- where in the vicinity of Hudson's River. At that time, the territory of Virginia extended to the forty- fifth degree of north latitude, to Passamaquoddy Bay ; but their patent having been taken out in the name of an individual, Mr. John Wincob, who did not accompany them, never rendered them any ser- vice. This appears hke a misfortune ; but, in reality, it was a blessing. Even if they could have made use of their patent, it was not what they wanted. It was essentially defective, inasmuch as it did not grant them what they desired above all things else — liberty of conscience ; so that when they landed at Plymouth, they were unchartered, unpatented. They were in the wilderness, unfet- tered by any royal limits or " company " restric- tions. Contrary to the design of the Virginia com- pany, yea, contrary to their own intentions, they found themselves in a new world, three thousand miles from home, in the fiill enjoyment of liberty of conscience. God, in liis kind providence, had given them that which the king, in his bigotry, would have withheld. In answer to their prayers, yet contrary to their hopes, the storms of Heaven had driven them into a harbor of freedom. The first patent taken out for Plymouth was in the name of John Pierce, as trustee. Tliis gentle- TIMELY ARRIVAL. 133 man, seeing the prospective growth of the colony, had his ambition and covetousness so greatly ex- cited, that he procured another patent for his own use, by means of which he intended to have held the colonists as his tenants, and to have compelled them "to sue in his courts as cliief lord." But Providence was against him. He made two at- tempts to reach this country, from England, with a company of emigrants, and both times was driven back by disastrous storms. Being thwarted in his project by heavy losses, and other misfortunes, he was glad to sell to the Puritans, for five hundred pounds, his patent which had cost Iiim but fifty. The emigrants who had been driven back with Pierce came over in another vessel, called the Ann. She was soon followed by the Little James, who brought sixty passengers, and a quantity of supplies for the colony. These stores were very acceptable, as those of the Puritans were nearly gone. To so low a condition were they brought, that they had nothing better to extend to their newly arrived guests than lobsters and cold water. The impor- tance of these stores may be inferred from the fact that a day was set apart for special thanksgiving and praise on account of this arrival. In the month of June, 1623, one of the vessels in which Pierce had made one of his unsuccessful at- tempts to cross the Atlantic, arrived at Plymouth. 12 134 COMMUNITY OF GOODS. She was commanded by Captain Francis West, who had received the appointment of Admiral of New England, and had been commissioned to prevent all vessels from trading or fisliing on the coast, without a license from the New England Council. But the fishermen being too independent and strong for him, he could not execute his commission. He gave it up as a hopeless undertaking, and sailed for Southern Virginia. To prevent any similar amioy- ance in future, the fishermen presented a petition to Parliament, who passed an order that fishing should be free. Until this time, there had been a community of interest among the colonists. Each man raised what he chose, and threw it into a common stock, from which the overseers supplied to each family, according to their number. Land was not owned by individuals. It was all common. Each man cultivated what he pleased, and gave the products to the general store. This experiment of a commu- nity of goods, like many others which have been tried since, did not work well. As no wages could be given to any one for their labors in the field, and as those who were disposed to be idle were sure of their proportion of supplies, whether they worked or not, it was decided to abandon the system, and make every family support themselves. Accord- ingly, at a general meeting held in April of tliis Webster's address. 135 year, (1623,) a certain portion of land was assigned to every man, by lot, for cultivation. All were, therefore, thrown upon their own labors for the fruits of the earth. Exceptions were made only in the case of public officers and of fishermen, who, being engaged for the welfare of the colony in other directions, were considered worthy of a share of the products of the soil, though they assisted not in raising them. Immediately after the allotment of tlie land, the men began to cultivate ; yea, so great was the interest which had been excited by the new system, that women and children entered the fields, and labored so effectively, that a much larger quan- tity of corn was planted than was expected. This being over, they were again reduced to want. Their provisions were entirely consumed. A sim- ple, affecting, yet very appropriate memorial of their condition at that time, was presented at the centen- nial celebration of their landing, which was ob- served December 22, 1820, at Plymouth. After an address from Hon. Daniel Webster, which occupied two hours in its delivery, and which was " correct in its historical statements, powerful in argument, rich in description, and pathetic and eloquent in action," a procession was formed, which marched to the new court-house, escorted by the Standish Guards, under the command of Captain Weston. As they entered, to the sound of spirit-stirring music, 136 THE FIVE KERNELS OF CORN. the elegantly decorated hall, and passed down the long rows of tables, richly ladened with the luxuries of the sea and land, five kernels of parched corn were observed upon every plate. They attracted attention. Some smiled as they passed along, at what they regarded as an odd conceit. Others, who were better acquainted with the Yankee char- acter, and with their fondness for significant notions, knew that these silent symbols were eloquent with some hidden meaning, whilst others, still, who per- ceived in a moment their design and their beautifijl appropriateness to the occasion, gazed at them with a throbbing heart, and with tearful eyes. These five, mysterious kernels of corn were memorials of that afi'ecting incident, when, in 1623, the colony were reduced to a pint of corn, which, when di- vided among the settlers, gave them five grains each ! When this was understood at the table, it produced thrilling emotions. Those five grains of corn on each plate were full of the farina of thought and feeling. Some ate them with greater interest than the most costly luxuries before them : others careftiUy carried them away as mementoes of that occasion, and of the important event which was commemorated. It would not be surprising if some of those identical kernels are still sacredly treasured in the families of some who were present on that occasion. (See plate, p. 140.) PURITAN PATIENCE. 137 Tliis tradition of the five kernels of corn, thougii it exhibits an affecting state of things, does not con- vey the worst of their condition. When these were gone, they had no corn ! Other grain being out of the question, they of course had no bread ! They were obhged to depend upon fish, clams, and oys- ters ; occasionally, they would get a deer, wliich would be divided among the colony. In this man- ner was their good Elder Brewster supported for months together ; yet he and his family, instead of repining at their hard lot, would sit down to their monotonous fare, giving thanks that they coidd " suck of the abundance of the seas, and of the treasures hid in the sand." This, we have reason to believe, was the disposition of the settlers gen- erally ; for Bradford, who was governor at that period, says, " By the time our corn is planted, our victuals are spent, not knowing at night where to have a bit in the morning, and have neither bread nor corn for three or four months together, yet bear our wants with cheerfulness, and rest on Providence." The unusually large quantity of corn which was planted, awakened hopes that in the following season they would have an abundant supply. But their hopes appeared doomed to be blasted. The cisterns in the skies were sealed up ; the clouds witlilield rain. The sun poured down its rays in 12* I9i LONG DROUGHT. the fulness of its strength. The earth turned lo clods and dust. The leaves of the trees curled and withered. The grass was burnt up. Springs were exhausted, and brooks and ponds dried. For the long period of six weeks did the heavens withhold their showers. Their corn came up, but soon wilted ; both blade and stalk hung down, changed color, and apparently died. Their beans " stood at a stay," dried up, turned yellow, and presented the appearance of having been scorched. Their hopes were overthrown ; their joy turned to sorrow. Painful forebodings for the future filled their hearts. As an additional ingredient in their cup of woe, they heard that, many months before, supplies had been sent them from England ; but the vessel which was bringing them was twice driven back, and was finally heard from, three hundred leagues at sea. As that intelligence was received three months be- fore, as the vessel had not arrived, and as pieces of a wreck were found upon the coast, which they con- cluded were hers, they gave her up as lost. Their present and prospective trials were so great, that some began to be discouraged. They regarded these afflictions as indications of the displeasure of God against them. They were led to personal self- examination and prayer. In addition to these pri- vate religious exercises, a day of public humiliation, fasting, and prayer was appointed by the govern- PRAYER FOR RAIN. 139 ment. It was universaJly observed. The people assembled together with one accord. They ab- stained from food, confessed their sins, and offered fervent prayers, that if it were consistent with the will and the glory of God, he would send down upon them the rain and the dews of heaven, to refresh the thirsty earth, and revive the withering, dying plants. The day was kept with marked solemnity and earnestness. Their religious exer- cises continued through eight or nine hours. In the morning, the sky was as cloudless and unpromising, and the drought as likely to continue, as ever ; but before the close of the meeting, " the weather," says Winslow in his relation, " was overcast, the clouds gathered together on all sides, and on the next morning, distilled such soft, sweet, and mod- erate showers of rain, continuing some fourteen days, and mixed with such seasonable weather, as it was hard to say whether our withered corn or drooping affections were most quickened or revived ; such was the bounty and goodness of our God." Hobbamock, who was then at Plymouth, seeing the people on their way to meeting, said it was but three days since Sunday. He wanted to understand the matter ; he therefore asked a boy who was near him, " What are the people going to meeting for ? " " To pray that God would give us rain." Hobba- mock then informed the Indians that the Puritans 140 EFFECT UPON THE NATIVES. were assembled together to worship their God, and pray to him to send down rain. No doubt those untaught, yet thoughtful savages watched with some degree of curiosity the result. When, therefore, they saw the clouds darken the heavens, and pour down such gentle, yet abundant showers, they ad- mired the goodness which produced such delightful changes in «o short a time. They were convinced that the Enghsh were under the protection of a great and good Being, who heard their prayers, and granted their requests. The Five Kernels of Corn. CHAPTER XII. " I, under fair pretence of friendly ends, And well-placed words of glossy courtesy, Baited with reason not unplausible, Wind me into tlie easy-hearted man, And hug him into snares." — Miltoit. John Lyford. — His Obsequiousness. — His Connection with John Oldham. — Governor Bradford takes Copies of their Letters. — Oldham rebels. — Lyford sets up a Meeting. — Their Trial. — The Governor's Address. — Both found guilty. — Oldham ban- ished. — Lyford's Confession and deep Sorrow. — Repeats his Offence. — Oldham returns. — His abusive Conduct. — Sentenced to run the Gantlet. — He reforms. — Is killed by the Indians. — Timely Abundance. — Trade with the Kennebec. — A Return Ship captured. — Escape of Standish from Slavery. — Death of John Robinson. — His Character. — Death of Robert Cushman. — He preached the first Sermon in New England. — Its Charac- ter. — Extracts. The merchant adventurers in England, who had furnished the Puritans pecuniary assistance in their expedition to America, did not find it a very profita- ble speculation. Some of them were dissatisfied, and were ready to believe all the calumnies which the enemies of the colonists brought against them. There were not wanting men to originate the most false and Hbellous charges. Among these none were more prominent than John Lyford, an Episcf>- palian clergyman. He came over with Winslow, 143 lyford's hypocrisy. who had been sent to England as an agent of tlie colony. Upon his first arrival, Lyford hypocritically pretended to be a strong friend of the Puritans. He treated them with great reverence, "bowing and cringing " to them in a very obsequious manner, so much so that Governor Bradford was duped by him, and even invited him to his councils, in comiection with Elder Brewster and others. He expressed a desire to be admitted to their church. After pro- fessing his belief in their doctrines and a reformation from all his sinful habits, he was received. It^ was not long before he contracted an intimacy with Jolin Oldham, a man of turbulent and factious spirit, with whom he fomented discontents among the people. He was known to be very busy in preparing letters to send to England, when the vessel which brought him over should return. He, very foolishly for him- self, made known the purport of his letters, and it w^as boasted among his friends that they would effect a complete overturn in the colony. The governor, fearing that the influence of his letters would be in- jurious to the interests of the colony, deemed it his duty to intercept them. After the vessel had set sail, he followed her in a small boat, and succeeded in overtaking her. He went on board and informed the captain of what he knew and what he feared. The captain, being a friend of the colony, permitted liim to open the letters, both of Lyford and Oldham. INTERCEPTED LETTERS. 143 They were foimd to be filled with misrepresentations and malicious slanders against the church and the government. The design of the authors evidently was to procure the establislmient of a new order of things, by means of which they hoped to ride into power. If these letters had been believed and heeded in England, the effects upon the colony would probably have been disastrous. The governor copied some, and kept the originals of others of these letters, sending copies of these latter to England. Some of this correspondence contained extracts from letters to the Puritans, which extracts Lyford ob- tained by unsealing the letters and taking copies when they were on board the vessel at Gravesend, England. Tliis was done to increase the prejudice against them at home. When the governor returned, he made no disclosure of the discovery, but kept a more vigilant eye upon the two spies. The rogues, under the impression that their letters were on their way, unmolested, to England, and would react in their favor, became daily more emboldened, until Oldham rebelled against the constituted authorities, and stubbornly refused to take liis regular turn in performing military duty and standing guard. Not satisfied with this, he rose against the captain with a deadly weapon, and violently opposed all who at- tempted to quiet him. He was tried, convicted, and sentenced to imprisonment. Upon his confession and promise of amendment, he was released. 144 LYFORD SETS UP A IVIEETING. Lyford developed his opposition in a more pro- fessional way. Without consultation with the gov- ernor, and ^Wthout obtaining permission from either the church or the elder, he had the audacity to com- mence a meeting of his own on Lord's day, and with a few of his coadjutors to attempt the adminis- tration of the sacrament, by virtue of his episcopal ordination. Tliis the Puritans could not ])ermit. In the judgment of the governor, the time had now ar- rived when justice to the criminals, as well as the interests of the colony, demanded an open trial, with the exposure of their libellous correspondence. Ac- cordingly, he called the whole colony together, and presented his complaints against the two offenders. They boldly denied the truth of the charges, and called for proof. Bradford now arose and gave an address of considerable length. He stated that, as the Puritans were greatly op- pressed and persecuted for their religious opinions in their own comitry, they had come to this land, that here they might enjoy their own views of truth and duty without molestation. He enlarged upon the painful labors and sufferings which this emigration had involved. He addressed Lyford, reminding him that though he had not shared in the early trials and expenditures of the colonists, yet when he and his fomily came over, they were received by the Puri- tans with great kindness, and freely supported, THE TRIAL. 145 though it involved great expense ; and now for him to plot the ruin of the colony, was an act of great " perfidy and ingratitude." Lyford persisted in Iiis denial, and with great hypocrisy expressed astonishment at the charges, and said he did not un- derstand the language which had been addressed to him. The governor now " put in " the letters as evidence. Lyford was confounded : Oldham was enraged, and added to the evidence against liimself by calling upon his accomplices to be courageous, and take an open stand in the rebellion, and he would sustain them. But no one dared to show themselves upon his side. All feared the conse- quences, and kept aloof. The governor now con- tinued his address to Lyford. He reminded liim of his treachery in breaking the seals of private letters, and surreptitiously taking copies ; of liis humble confession when received into the church; of his promise not to perform the functions of a minister until he had another call to the sacred office, and yet, in open violation of this promise, he had as- sumed the clerical profession, drawn aside a small clique, and had attempted to officiate at the Lord's table ! Lyford's only defence was, that many persons in the colony had complained to him of various abuses which were practised. He gave their names : they were called upon to testify ; but in so doing, 13 146 THE CONVICTIONS. they denied liis assertions. With overwhelming evidence against him, and his o^\^l witnesses proving him a har, he saw there was no hope of an acquit- tal. He hurst into a flood of tears, confessed that his letters against them were false and malicious ; said that he was a reprobate, and feared that his sins were too great to be forgiven. Both of them were found guilty, and sentenced to be expelled from the colony. Oldham was sent off at once. He was a pestilent fellow, and it was a great relief to the settlers to be freed from him. His wife and family were permitted to remain until they could be comfortably removed. The execution of Lyford's sentence was postponed for six months. It was the governor's intention to pardon him, in case his re- pentance proved sincere. Lyford made the most of tliis respite. His confessions were foil and appa- rently penitent. He acknowledged that in his slanderous charges against the church and the gov- ernment, he was influenced by unholy pride, am- bition, and selfishness ; and so great was his vileness, that if God should send him forth as a vagabond and fugitive upon the earth, it would be no more than he deserved. Such apparently sincere and hearty repentance could not be overlooked. Some were so solicitous in his behalf, that they were will- ing to intercede for his pardon on their knees. It seemed too cruel to exile such a tearful penitent. OLDHAM REFORMS. 147 Yet before one half of the time of his respite liad elapsed, he was detected in a repetition of the offence. He actually wrote another libellous communication to his accomplices in England ; but the bearer of it delivered it to the governor. Lyford now left the colony, and went to Cape Ann, where he had been invited as a minister. He afterwards died in Virginia. When Oldham left Plymouth, he went to Nan- tasket. Notwithstanding his sentence prohibited his return without the permit of the governor, he came back the next march, at the time of the annual election. His conduct w^as so abusive and lawless, that his old acquaintances would not associate with him. He was arrested a second time, and sentenced to undergo the humiliating punishment of the gant- let. Two rows of armed soldiers were drawn up, and he was compelled to pass down the lines be- tween them : as he passed each man gave him a blow with the but of his musket, and at the same time said, " Go and mend your manners." After this, Oldham became a trader at Nantasket. On a voy- age to Virginia he was overtaken by a storm, and being in great peril, was frightened ; made confes- sion of his evil deeds, and promised God, that if his life were preserved, he would mend his ways. After this he so far reformed that the colonists at Plymouth permitted him to visit them when- 148 ABUNDANT CROPS. ever he chose. He was finally killed in a quarrel ^vith some Indians. The company of merchant adventurers who had assisted the Puritans, being disappointed in their ex- pectations of profit, and involved in pecuniary em- barrassments, dissolved, and threw the colonists to a greater extent than ever upon themselves. This was in 1625. A kind Providence so ordered it that, just at the time when they were abandoned by the ad- venturers at home, their crops proved unusually abundant. They not only had corn enough for their own use, but a surplus for traffic. They desired to send some of it to Kennebec. But how could they get it there ? They had no horses or other beasts of burden, and, therefore, could not take it by land. All their shipping amounted to only two small shal- lops, which, in their present condition, would not answer the purpose. After some consultation they built a deck over one of the shallops, and loaded it with corn. As there were no sailors in the colony, the shallop was manned by Mr. Winslow and some of the most experienced men. They set out upon this " commercial " enterprise late in the fall. It proved successful. They made a profitable ex- change with their corn, and brought back seven hundred pounds of beaver, besides other peltries. Not the least advantage gained on that occasion was the finding of a market for future trade. Robinson's death. 149 The same year Capt. Standish had a narrow es- cape from slavery. Two ships, which had come from the adventurers on a trading voyage, were about to return with a cargo of fish and furs. It being necessary that Standish should go to London as agent for the colony, he embarked in one of these vessels. The larger ship took the smaller one in tow, until they arrived at the English channel. Here it was cast off, and before it could reach London it was overtaken by a Turkish man-of-war, captured, and taken to Salee, in the kingdom' of Fez, where the captain and crew were reduced to slavery. If Standish had been on board, that would have been his fate ; but, fortunately, he was in the larger vessel, and so escaped. When he returned to Plymouth the next year, he brought back the intelligence of the death of their pastor, the venerable and beloved John Robinson. This was a painful blow to the colony. Robinson had been their pastor for many years. When persecution raged too violently for them in their own country, where they were sub- jected to imprisonments and other penalties on ac- count of their rehgious views, he fled with them to Leyden, in Holland, and shared in their trials whilst residents among a people whose language they un- derstood not, and where tliey found great difiiculty in obtaining a support. When their emigration to America was resolved on, Robinson heartily favored 13* 15(K Robinson's counsels. it. Lest any might waver in the determination which they had formed, he preached a sermon to encourage in them a firmness of purpose to remove. At a later period in the same year, a day of special fasting and prayer was appointed, when lie preached to them again from that very apposite passage re- corded in Ezra viii. 21: "I proclaimed a fast at the river Aliava, that we might afflict ourselves before God, to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance." The sermon was fraught with judicious and timely advice. It breathed a spirit of Christian hberality which con- trasted widely with the prevaihng bigotry of the times. It expressed the conviction tliat even they had not arrived at a discovery of the whole mind of God, as revealed in the Scriptures, and, therefore, they ought to expect the unfolding of new truths, which he exhorted them to be ever ready to receive. He cautioned them against following him any farther than his conduct was in accordance with the example of the Savior. " Brethren, " said he, " we are now quickly to part from one another, and whether I may ever live to see your face on earth any more, the God of heaven only knows ; but whether tlie Lord hath appointed that or not, I charge you be- fore God and his blessed angels, that you follow me no farther than you have seen me follow the Lord Jesus Christ. If God reveal any thing to you, by Robinson's character. 151 any other instrument of his, be as ready to receive it as ever you were to receive any truth by my min- istry : for I am fully persuaded, I am very confi- dent, that the Lord has more truth yet to break forth out of his holy word. For my part, I cannot sufficiently bewail the condition of the reformed churches, who are come to a period in religion, and will go at present no farther than the instruments of their reformation. The Lutherans cannot be drawn to go beyond what Luther saw. Whatever part of his will our good God has revealed to Cal- vin, they will rather die than embrace it ; and the Calvinists, you see, stick fast where they were left by that great man of God, who yet saw not all tilings." Robinson was a man of " good genius, quick penetration, ready wit, great modesty, integ- rity, and candor." With a good classical education, strong powers of argument, and an aptness to de- tect and expose the weak points of his opponents, he was acknowledged to be a formidable disputant. In liis personal intercourse he was easy, gentle- manly, and obliging. As a preacher, he was im- pressive and edifying. He increased in blandness of manners as he advanced in years. He was par- ticularly distinguished as a peacemaker, and was the means, in a number of instances, of effecting a reconciliation between those who were at variance with each other. His death was greatly lamented by both branches of the church. lit FIRST SERMON IN NEW ENGLAND. In addition to the decease of Robinson, Captain Standish also brought intelhgence of the death of Mr. Robert Cushman, a gentleman who had been deeply interested in the welfare of the colony from the first. He embarked, as has already been stated, with the first company that left England for Plym- outh ; but when the Speedwell was abandoned, and all could not be accommodated in the Mayflower, he was among the number who were left behind. He came out afterwards in the Fortune. It is a singular circumstance that he, being a layman, preached the first sermon ever delivered in New England. It was on the " Sin and Danger of Self- love," from the text, " Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth." It was printed in London, anonymously, in 1622, and has passed through several editions in this country. Tradition has fixed the spot where it was delivered, at the house of the plantation, on the south side of Ley- den Street. The plan of the sermon was as fol- lows : " The parts of this text are two. 1. A de- hortation. 2. An exhortation. The dehortation : Let no man seek his own. The exhortation : But every man another's wealth. In handling of which, I will first open the words ; secondly, gather the doctrine ; thirdly, illustrate the doctrine by Scrip- lures, experience, and reason ; fourthly, apply the same to every one his portion." It was a dis- AN EXTRACT. 153 course of marked peculiarities, abounding with good thoughts, quaintly expressed, according to the fash- ion of the times. We give one extract as a speci- men. " The difference between a temperate, good man and a belly-god is this ; A good man will not eat his morsels alone, especially if he have better than others ; but if by God's providence he have gotten some meat which is better than ordinary, and better than his other brethren, he can have no rest in liimself, except he make others partake with him. But a belly-god will slop all in his own throat, yea, though his neighbor come in and behold him eat ; yet tliis gripple-gut shameth not to swallow all." He was sent twice to England, as agent of the colony, and managed their business with great discretion. CHAPTER XIII. " I venerate the man whose heart is warm, Whose hands are pure, whose doctrine and whose life, Coincident, exhibit lucid proof That he is honest in the sacred cause." — Cowper. A Pinnace built, — Messengers from the Dutch. — Reception of De Razier. — Trade with him. — Wampum. — The Colony with- out a Pastor. — Original Agreement respecting their old Pastor. — A Minister found at Nantasket. — He becomes the Plymouth Pastor. — His Character. — Roger Williams. — His Troubles at Salem. — Goes to Plymouth as an Assistant. — Returns to Sa- lem. — He cultivates Acquaintance with the Natives. — John Billington. — Commits Murder. — Is tried and executed. — The Tendency of Sin. — A Shipwreck. — Kindness of the Indieins. — Difficulties adjusted. — Governor Winthrop's Visit to Plym- outh. — Singular Puritan Custom. — Discussion about the Use of '^ Goodman Such-a-one." — Hue's Cross. In order to carry on a trade with their southern neighbors, the colonists, in 1627, built a small pin- nace at Buzzard's Bay. By transporting their mer- chandise overland from Plymouth to that point, a distance of only a few miles, they avoided a com- paratively long and dangerous voyage round Cape Cod. They accomplished, in tliis manner, two objects ; they escaped danger, and saved time. A similar method of conveyance was resorted to in 1812, at the time of our last war with Great Britain, in order to escape the enemy who were cruising about the Cape. DUTCH MESSENGERS. 155 In 1627, letters and messengers from the Dutch settlements on the Hudson River arrived at Plym- outh, conveying friendly congratulations, and pro- posing commercial intercourse. They were cor- dially received, and their sentiments of friendship met with a hearty response. In September of the same year, Isaac De Razier, who had signed the above letters as secretary, came himself to Buzzard's Bay. From thence, he sent a request to Governor Bradford for a boat to bring him to Plymouth. The boat was soon got in order and sent, and the hon- orable secretary was brought to Plymouth, with the music of trumpeters, in genuine Dutch style. His arrival was quite an exciting event in the little town, and furnished the Puritans with new topics of conversation. He and his company were hospitably entertained for several days. When he returned, a number of the colony accompanied him as far as Buzzard's Bay. As he had brought with him sugar, linen, and other articles which they needed, they made a number of purchases, Avhich were mutually advantageous, and then, with reciprocal expressions of respect, they parted. The way being once opened, the Dutch frequently visited Buzzard's Bay, and exchanged their productions for those of Plym- outh. Among the articles which they obtained from the Dutch was a quantity of wampum, or wampum-peack ; or, as Gookin calls it, wompom- 156 WAMPUM. pague. It is composed of small pieces of shell, wliite or purple, ground, polished, and then drilled, so that they may be strung. They were used by the Indians as coin. The first quantity which the Puri- tans bought they found very difficult to dispose of. They kept it on hand for two years. After tliis it became a very salable article, especially among the Indians of the interior, with whom fragments of sea- shell were rare. One fathom of it was equivalent to five shillings. They sent large quantities of it to Kennebec, where, by their monopoly of it, they succeeded in obtaining command of the whole trade on that river. When the Puritans first came over in the May- flower, they were unaccompanied by any pastor. It had been previously agreed upon by the Ley- den church, that if the majority came over with the first party, they should be accompanied by their pas- tor, but if only a minority of the church came, Elder Brewster should be their religious teacher, and the pastor should tarry with the majority. This arrange- ment was faithfully executed. As only a minority came with the first company, Robinson was left behind to take charge of the others, but Brewster accompanied the emigrants ; hence, after their ar- rival, public religious services were usually conducted by liim. He was a man well qualified to have be- come their pastor, but resolutely refused ordination. FIRST NEW ENGLAND PASTOR. 157 After the death of Robmson, tliat branch of the church over which he had presided was dissolved, and a portion of them, among whom were his widow and children, came to Plymouth. Still, Brewster continued unwilling' to be ordained, although he per- formed the regular duties of pastor. This state of things continued until 1629, when some of the men of Plymouth, having occasion to put into Nantasket, found there a man reduced to a destitute condition, by the name of Ralph Smith. He earnestly en- treated them to take him to Plymouth. As he ap- peared to be an honest-hearted, ingenuous, and pious man, and had officiated as a minister, they complied with liis request. After he had been at Plymouth a short time, and had exercised his gifts among them, he was invited to become their pastor. This invita- tion being accepted, he was settled over them as their first minister. They were not long in discov- ering that he was a man of limited intelligence and weak capacity. There was a wide disparity between his instructions and those of their revered Robinson. The teacliings of Brewster were regarded as far more edifying than his. It was no easy task to fill the places of such men. This Smith himself pain- fully realized. He felt his inability to meet the wants of liis flock, and, after occupying his position five or six years, he finally, under a personal sense of his incapacity, and in compliance with the request 14 158 ROGER WILLIAMS. of his people, tendered liis resignation. Before he left, he was assisted in his labors by the renowned Roger Williams, who came over on the 5th of Feb- ruary, 1630. jMr. Williams first accepted of the in- vitation of the church in Salem to settle with their pastor, Mr. Skelton, as an assistant teacher. But the civil government soon interfered and sent a letter to the church, censuring them for choosing Mr. Williams " without advising with the council," and desiring them to proceed no farther until they had a conference on the subject. Charges of an ecclesias- tical or theological nature were brought against Mr. Williams by the secular authorities. He was con- demned for his religious views by the General Court. His condition at Salem was made uncomfortable by " the powers that be," who ought to have let him alone. Though he and his church were mutually aiid strongly attached to each other, he thought it best to accept of the invitation to be an assistant teacher at Plymouth. His labors there were well received. Governor Bradford says of him, " He exercised his gifts among us, and after some time was admitted a member of the church, and his teach- ing was well approved ; for tlie benefit whereof, I shall bless God, and am thankful to him even for his sharpest admonitions and reproofs, so far as they agreed with truth." And Morton asserts that " he was well accepted as an assistant in the ministry." ROGER Williams's opinion. 159 He remained about two years at Plymouth, during which time he probably expressed his sentiments upon those subjects which were so obnoxious to the government of Massachusetts, and wiiich were not particularly agreeable to the leading men of Plym- outh, though they were not condemned by any formal act of the church. His attachment to Salem was not destroyed. Being invited to return there as an assistant to Mr. Skelton, who was in declining health, he asked a dismission from the Plymouth church. His friends were unwilling to grant it. But Mr. Brewster, the ruhng elder, advised the church to comply with his request, and dismiss both him and liis adherents, which was accordingly done. He then went to Salem, accompanied by those who had become attached to his ministry. Mr. Williams was the great champion of soul-liberty. He main- tained the principle of universal religious toleration, and contended that the civil government had no right to interfere with the religious beUef of men ; that " the civil power has no jurisdiction over the con- science." In these respects he was far ahead of his age. But what were regarded as novel and dan- gerous sentiments in his day, are now admitted truths, and familiar as household words. During his residence at Plymouth, he availed him- self of every favorable opportunity of intercourse with the Indians. He made excursions among them 160 5IURDER. to learn their language, study their manners, and quahfy himself to be useful among- them. " My whole desire," said he, in one of his letters, " was to do the natives good." He became acquainted with the most influential chiefs, and secured tlieir friend- ship by the interest whicli he manifested for their welfare. In a letter written near tlie evening of life, he says, " God was pleased to give me a pain- ful, patient spirit, to lodge with them in their filthy, smoky holes, (even while I lived at Plymouth and Salem,) to gain their tongue." The knowledge which he thus acquired, and the friendships he formed, were of great service to liim in after-life. But as the history of his subsequent adventures were not connected with Plymouth colony, it will not be appropriate to dwell upon them here. During the first ten years of the settlement of the colony, no capital offence was committed. But at the end of that period, a murder was perpetrated, which required careful investigation. The culprit was John Billington, a profane, miserable scape- grace from London, who in some unaccountable manner was " shufl3ed " in among the pilgrims, and came over in the Mayflower. He was guilty of the first offence in the colony, an account of which has been already given, and for which he was sentenced to have his neck and heels tied together. Governor Bradford said of him, in a letter to Mr. Cushman in TRIAL AND VERDICT. 161 1625, " Billington is a knave, and so will live and die." Whether this prediction was fulfilled or not, we shall see in the sequel. A complaint being entered against him, the case was first examined by a grand jury, and as they found a true bill, charging him with waylaying and killing a young man by the name of John Newcomen, he was tried by a petit jury, who, after a careful hearing of the evidence in the case, brought in a verdict of guilty. It became now a grave question with the government, What shall be done ? Here is a murderer on our hands, who, after a fair trial according to the rules of law, has been found guilty. By the laws of England, he ought to die. But if we judge him according to English laws, by that act we shall acknowledge our- selves subject to EngUsh laws and under obligation to obey them, whereas we have fled to this wilder- ness to escape that necessity. Besides, have we au- thority to execute him ? Or, in his execution shall we not incur the liability of a prosecution by the home government 1 It w^as regarded as a matter of such grave importance, and involving such difficult points, that it was resolved to ask the advice of the governor and some of the most judicious men of the neighboring colony of Massachusetts Bay. The facts in the case were accordingly communicated to them, and their opinions solicited. Governor Win- throp, and the others who had been consulted, were 14* 162 SENTENCE. unanimous in the conclusion that the murderer ought to die. They based their opinion not upon Enghsh la\y, but upon the law of Moses, that whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall liis blood be shed. They advised, therefore, that the criminal should be executed, and " the land be purged of blood." Their advice was followed, and poor John Billington suf- fered an ignominious death. He furnished another illustration of the progressiveness and fatal tendency of sin. If the punishment which he received for the first offence committed in the colony had been effectual in iiis reformation, lie might have lived a useful life, and died an honored death. But no ; not- withstanding his professed penitence on that occasion, and the favor which was shown him, he pressed on in his career of iniquity, until he came to an ignoble end. So true it is that evil men and seducers wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived; and that lust, when it hath conceived, bringeth forth sin ; and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. It is refreshing to turn from the cruelty of Bil- lington to the kindness of certain savages wliich was exhibited about the same time. Richard Garrett, with a number of otliers who belonged to the more recent settlement at Boston, was driven ashore at Cape Cod. Their vessel went to pieces. It being in the cold season, a number of the men perished from exposure and hardship. Others of them, KINDNESS OF SAVAGES. 163 though they did not die, suffered greatly, and had a very narrow escape. The Indians on the cape ral- hed to their rescue. Those of the survivors who were ahnost exhausted they attended and nursed with great kindness, until they were completely re- stored ; the dead bodies of the others they buried, though with difficulty, in consequence of the ground being frozen ; and then, taking those who were re- covered, they escorted them for fifty miles through woods and fields, until they brought them safely to Plymouth. The two neighboring colonies of Plymouth and Massachusetts Bay were on the verge of a quarrel, in consequence of the trade in corn, which the latter carried on with the Indians at Cape Cod. A pin- nace which belonged to Salem was driven by stress of weather into Pl^Tiiouth. She was found to be laden with corn. The colonists were anxious to know where' it was obtained. When they learned that it had been purchased of the natives at Cape Cod, they were displeased, and the governor issued an order forbidding the traffic, and threatening that the order should be forcibly executed if any attempt was made to continue the trade. This led to a cor- respondence between the governors of the two colo- nies, and after a visit from Governor Bradford to Boston, the difficulty was adjusted. Next year, 1632, Governor Winthrop, of Massa- 164 CHURCH CUSTOMS. chusetts, made a visit to Plymouth, accompanied by his pastor, Rev. Mr. Wilson, and two captains. They embarked in a vessel commanded by Captain Pierce, which had recently arrived from England, and were put on shore at Weymouth, where another colony had been planted after the destruction of Weston's, and which had met with some degree of prosperity. On the next morning they started for Plymouth, which they reached at evening of the same day. They were honorably received, hospita- bly entertained and " feasted every day at several houses." The Sabbath being communion day, they partook of the ordinance of the supper. Winthrop in his journal has given a particular account of cer- tain forms which were observed on that occasion. He says, " In the afternoon Mr. Roger WilUams (ac- cording to their custom) propounded a question, to which their pastor, Mr. Smith, spake briefly. Rev. Mr. Williams prophesied ; and after, the governor of Plymouth spake to the question ; after liim, the elder ; then some two or three more of the congre- gation. Then the elder desired the governor of Massachusetts and Mr. Wilson to speak to it, which they did. When this was ended, the deacon, Mr. Fuller, put the congregation in mind of the contri- bution, upon which the governor and ail the rest went doicn to the deacon's seat and put into the bag, and then returned." From this it would seem that the GOODMAN SUCH-A-ONE. W^ contribution box or ha^ was not passed round ; but every one who contributed, the governors with the rest, left his place, went down to the deacon's seat, which was probably near, or under, the pulpit, and there left their offering. On the following Wednesday, the Massachusetts governor, with his suite, left for home. They were accompanied part of their way by the governor, the pastor, and the elder of Plymouth. This is not the whole of this interesting visit which has come down to us. Cotton Mather, in his Magnalia, has given a characteristic account of the question Avliich was discussed, and some of the arguments employed on that occasion. It sheds additional light upon the spirit and temper of those times. He states that " there were at this time, in Plymouth, two ministers leavened so far with the humors of the rigid separation, that they insisted vehemently upon the unlawfulness of calling any unregenerate man by the name of Goodman Such- a-one, until, by their indiscreet urging of this whim- sey, the place began to be disquieted. The wiser people being troubled at these trifles, they took the opportunity of Governor Winthrop's being there, to have the thing publicly propounded in the congre- gation ; who, in answer thereunto, distinguished between a theological and a moral goodness, adding, that when juries were first used in England, it was 166 hue's cross. usual for the crier, after the names of persons fit for that service were called over, to bid them all attend, good men and true ; whence it grew to be a civil custom in the English nation for neighbors, living by one another, to call one another Goodman Such-a-one, and it was pity now to make a stir about a civil custom so innocently introduced. And that speech of Mr. Winthrop put a lasting stop to the little, idle, whimsical conceits then beginning to grow obstreperous." On their return home, they came to a place named Hue's Cross. The religious antipathies of the governor were excited, and for fear that, at some subsequent period, the papists might assert that this name was evidence of their rehgion being first kno^vn in this country, he ordered it to be called Hue's Folly. Thus, in a pecuhar sense, did the cross become foolishness. CHAPTER XIV. " In such a time as thi?, it is not meet That every nice offence should bear its comment." — Shakspeare. Sir Christopher Gardner. — Foments Trouble. — Is charged with Bigamy. — Is pursued. — Is delivered up bv Indians. — Indian Custom to secure a Welcome. — Small-pox. — Trade extended, — Adventures on the Connecticut. — Troubles on the Kennebec. — Captain Hocking- killed. — A Plymouth Magistrate arrested m Boston. — Excitement at Pl)-mouth. — Deputies sent to Bos- ton. — Prayer before Business. — The Defence. — The Confes- sion. — The Adjustment. — A Hurricane. — Its dreadful Rav- ages. — Eclipse of the Moon, The next year, both of the colonies had trouble with the home government, in consequence of the charge of rebelHon which was alleged against them by Sir Christopher Gardner, who, it is supposed, was stimulated to this perfidy by Sir Ferdinando Gorges and Captain Mason, whose aspirations were for a general government over the whole of New England. Sir Christopher was a man of some dis- tinction. He was related to Gardner, the bishop of Winchester, and was, in heart, a papist. When he first arrived in Massachusetts, he professed a deadness to the things of this world, and expressed a desire for retirement, where he could give himself to the cultivation of personal piety, without moles- tation. He applied to several churches for admis- 168 SIR CHRISTOPHER GARDNER. sion to membership; but as he was attended by a handsome young woman, whom he passed off as his cousin, but to whom he was suspected of sustaining a criminal relation, his application was refused. It was reported that he had two wives in England. When this accusation reached the government of Massachusetts, they determined to arrest him. Being informed of their design, Gardner fled from their jurisdiction, and concealed himself among the Na- masket Indians, within the limits of the Plymouth colony. These Indians revealed his place of seclu- sion to Governor Bradford, who authorized them to seize him and conduct him to Plymouth, but to in- flict upon him no injury. After this, the natives were on the alert for their victim. They discovered him at a short distance from a river, and attempted to apprehend him. He fled from them, leaped into a canoe, and pushed off in the river. Being armed with a musket and rapier, he v.as able to keep his pursuers at a respectful distance, especially as they were ordered to do him no injury. If they had been commanded to bring him to the colony, dead or alive, by letting fly a shower of arrows upon him, they could easily have complied. As it was, they found it difficult to apprehend him without a viola- tion of the prohibition. Soon, an accident occurred in their favor. As the fugitive was floating down the stream, liis canoe dashed upon a rock, and HE FLEES, AND IS TAKEN. 169 was immediately overturned. His rapier and gun dropped in the water, and were lost. A small dag- ger was left, wliich he immediately drew. As the Indians were miwilling either to inflict or to receive injury, they did not approach him very closely. They pursued a different method. They obtained some long poles, and, whilst standing at a consid- erable distance, they rapped him on the knuckles, and knocked the dagger from his hands. Resist- ance was then unavailing, and he yielded. He was taken to Plymouth ; from thence, at the requisition of Governor Winthrop, he was removed to Boston as a prisoner, and, soon after, sent back to England. The charge of rebellion wliich he preferred against tlie colonies was so amply rebutted, — so satisfac- tory was the defence of the colonists, — that Ring Charles said " he would have them severely pun- ished, who did abuse his government and planta- tion." The defendants were dismissed with expres- sions of favor. Governor Winthrop relates an incident as illus- trative of a singular custom among the Indians. Mr. Winslow had been for some time absent on an excursion to the west, as far as Connecticut. On his return, he left his vessel at Narraganset, with the intention of journeying the rest of the way to Plymouth by land. Massasoit, his old friend and patient, offered to be his guide. But before they 15 170 DECEITFUL CUSTOM. commenced their march, the chief sent a courier ahead, to tell the colonists that Winslow was dead, and to show them the spot w^here he was slain. When the courier reached Plymouth, and communi- cated the mournful intelligence, it produced deep and universal sorrow, as Winslow was one of their principal men, and greatly beloved. The next day, jVIassasoit arrived, bringing Winslow with him, alive and well. Then was there a sudden change in the feelings of the Puritans. Sorrow endured for a night ; joy came in the morning. When Massasoit was examined as to the reason for sending this false messenger, he replied that it was one of the customs of his people, to render their return the more welcome after an absence from home. In 1634, the small-pox extensively prevailed among the Indians. Large numbers were swept away. For a few years past, the colony at Plymouth had been gradually extending their trade with the Indians, in various directions, as far as the Kenne- bec on the east, and the Connecticut on the west. As rival colonies had sprung up at different points, collisions sometimes took place between them, in respect to their rights of trade with certain tribes. Plymouth became involved in trouble with the Dutch of Manhattan, and with her nearer neighbor, the Massachusetts colony. To avoid mmuteness of STEALING A VESSEL. 171 detail in these aftairs, we shall content ourselves with the narration of one or two incidents only. A Plymouth vessel was lying in the Connecticut River, in close proximity to a Dutch fort. The merchant and most of the crew were on shore, un- suspicious of danger. A Captain Stone, a " West Indian of St. Christopher's," obtained an interview with the commander of the Dutch fort, and plied him so copiously with spirituous potations as to pro- duce intoxication. He then obtained the Dutch- man's leave to take the Puritan vessel wliich was lying in the river. He did so, and immediately fled with his prize towards Virginia. Some Dutch sailors who were under obligations to the Puritans for kindnesses which they had received from them at Plymouth, perceiving Stone's vilianous purpose, and being determined to defeat it, if possible, pur- sued him in two vessels, overtook him, and recap- tured the prize. Sometime after this, Stone was in Massachusetts, where the officers of the law served him with a process. To effect a compromise, he went to Plymouth. In a misunderstanding which he had with the governor, not being satisfied with using hard words, he drew a weapon, and would have plunged it into him, if he had not been re- strained by the governor's attendants. After this, he returned to Connecticut. Being asleep in the cabin of his vessel, in company with a Captain 172 TROUBLES ON THE KENNEBEC. Norton, he was attacked by the savages. Norton exhibited great bravery in the struggle which fol- lowed. Some gunpowder which had been carelessly left upon a table, in the melee took fire. The ex- plosion blinded Norton to such a degree that he could no longer defend himself. Both were slain. The pirates then plundered the vessel, fled, and concealed themselves among the Pequot tribe. This was among the causes that led to the Pequot war. Not far from this time, two of the magistrates of Plymouth were on the Kennebec, at a point embraced within the limits of the Plymouth patent. Whilst there, a pinnace, owned by Lords Say and Seal, and under the command of Hocking, entered the Kennebec, and attempted to pass up, for the pur- pose of trafficking with the natives. The Plymouth magistrates forbade him. He refused to comply with their embargo. He insisted upon going up, and insolently told them he would ascend the river, trade with the Indians in defiance of them, and would " lie there as long as he pleased." As he persevered in his determination, the Plymouth men followed him in a boat, entreating him to return. He replied with insulting language and blunt denials. As words produced no effect, they resorted to other measures. When the pinnace came to anchor, they approached it in a canoe, and severed one of the cables, and attempted to treat the other in the A MAGISTRATE ARRESTED. 173 same manner. Hocking declared that, if they did not desist, he would shoot them. They dared liim to do it, and persevered in the use of their knives upon the remaining cable. He now fired, and one of them in the canoe fell dead ! They returned the fire, and killed Hocking ! This was an unfortunate affair : it was adapted to excite prejudices against the Puritans, and, as Governor Winthrop said at the time, "to bring them all and the gospel under a common reproach of cutting one another's throats for beaver." In May, Mr. John Alden, a magis- trate of Plymouth, visited Boston. As he was present at the time of the above catastrophe, one of the relatives of Hocking made a complaint against him in General Court, and had him arrested and held to bail. Winthrop, governor of Massachusetts, then wrote to the colony of Plymouth, informing them of the arrest, and wishing to know whether they would see that justice was done, as the affair happened in their jurisdiction. He also informed them that they made the arrest as a public expression of their condemnation of the deed. When tliis letter was received, and the Plymouth colony were informed that one of their magistrates was arrested and under bail in Boston, it produced no small degree of excitement. It was considered an affair of such grave importance, that ex-governors Bradford and Winslow, with Mr. Smith, their pastor, 15* 174 DEVOTION WITH BUSINESS. visited Boston, and met, in conference on the subject, the magistrates and ministers of the latter place, among whom were Governor Winthrop, Mr. Wilson, and Mr. Cotton. In this interview, we have another development of the devotional character of the Puri- tans, and of their dependence upon a liigher power for guidance in times of perplexity ; we see how they mingled prayer with their business conferences. It was not until after " they had sought the Lord," that they entered upon their deliberations. The Plymouth gentlemen contended that they had an exclusive right to the trade of the Kemiebec ; that Hocking was guilty of a trespass, and that, as he fired first, the one who killed him did it in self- defence. They still, however, acknowledged them- selves under some degree of guilt, " in that they did hazard man's life for such a cause, and did not 1 ather wait to preserve their rights by other means.." They also promised to be more careful, and avoid similar offences in future. The result of this con- ference was so favorable, that Governors Winthrop and Dudley, of Massachusetts, used their influence in England in behalf of Plymouth. Lords Say and Seal, in whose employ Hocking was, at the time of liis death, though at first they were highly enraged, upon learning the true facts in the case, " were pacified." On the 15th of August, 1635, Plymouth was A HURRICANE. 175 visited by one of the most powerful hurricanes which has ever been experienced in this cUmate. It com- menced just before dayhght, and gradually increased, until its violence was most terrific. It converted the bay into an ocean of mountain billows ; vessels were swallowed up, or dashed to fragments upon the rock- bound coast. In some places the tide rose twenty feet perpendicularly, so that the affrighted Indians were obliged to ascend trees, and cling to the branches, to prevent themselves from being swept away. Many houses were laid level with the ground, and the roofs of many others were lifted, broken, and whirled through the air like leaves from the forest, xlll the corn wliich had been planted was prostrated to the earth, but being advanced far towards maturity, it was not absolutely destroyed. Morton says, " It blew down many hundred thou- sand of trees," breaking some short off; tearing up others by the roots, whilst the tall young oaks and walnuts it twisted and wound, hke withes. It pre- sented a wild and fearful scene, and left the marks of its ravages for many years. It came from the south-east, changed its direction frequently, and conr tinned in its greatest violence six hours. Two nights afterward there was a great eclipse of the moon. CHAPTEH XV. " Justice, like ligiitning, ever should appear To few men's ruin, but to all men's fear." — Swetnam. '• Justice must be from violence exempt ; But fraud 's her only object of contempt; Fratid in the fox, force in the lion duells, But justice both from human hearts expels." — Denham. An Indian murdered. — Four Englishmen in Want. — They visit Roger Williams. — Arc found to be the Murderers. — Three are caught. — Their Trial. — Singular Difficulty.— They are executed. — Efiect of Puritan Justice on the Indians. — Anecdote of Captain Standish. — Alden takes his new Bride home on a Bull. — Con- federation of the New England Colonies. — Germ of the Ameri- can Union. — Its Influence. — Indian Alliances. — The Removal of the whole Colony proposed. — The Subject considered by the Church. — Purchase Easlham. — Foimd to be more unfavor- able than Plymouth. — The Project abandoned. — Ex-Governor Prince settles at Eastham. After the execution of Billington, the account of which we have already given, no murder was com- mitted in the colony until 1638. This year an In- dian, who had made a trade for the son of Canoni- cus, the chief, and was returning home, with three coats and five fathom of wampum, seated himself in the woods near tlie edge of a swamp, probably to rest. Whilst there, four Englishmen came along and spoke to him. One of them asked him to " drink tobacco " with them, (a phrase which they used for ANOTHER MURDER. 177 smoking.) He arose and went towards tlie individ- ual who had so kindly given him the invitation, and, as he reached forth his hand to receive the offered pipe, tliis professed friend thrust a deadly weapon through his leg into his abdomen. The Indian sprang back, when the other made a second plunge, but failed to reach him. Then one of the others followed ; but liis blow missed, and liis weapon stuck in the ground. The wounded Indian now fled. They pursued him, but he was successful in eluding them. After they had gone, the poor fellow crawled back with great pain, and laid himself in the path that he might be discovered and receive help. This transpired at Pawtucket, near Providence, but within the precincts of Plymouth colony. Soon after this, an Indian passing through Provi- dence, informed Roger Williams that there were four Enghshmen at Pawtucket, about four miles distant, almost starved for want of food. With his charac- teristic kindness, Mr. Williams immediately sent them provisions, spirits, and a cordial invitation to visit Providence. When the messenger returned, he informed INIr. Williams that one of them wa^ Arthur Peach, of Plymouth, an Irishman^ and another was called John Barnes. They pleaded the fatigues and soreness of travelUng, as their excuse for declining liis invitation. The next morning, however, they came, stating that they were turned out of the house 178 THE CRIMINALS ARRESTED. where they were at Pawtucket, because some Indians said they had wounded an Englishman. They pre- tended that they had lost their way in going from Plymouth to Weymouth, and afterwards in coming from Weymouth to Providence. The Sabbath which had elapsed since they left Plymouth, they said they spent in resting in the woods. Shortly after they had left Providence, an old Indian arrived there and informed Mr. Williams, that whilst four Englishmen were stopping at Pawtucket, three natives arrived, saying that they had found an Indian almost dead in the woods, who had been attacked by four Englishmen. They inquired whether there were any English there, or whether any had been seen. When Arthur and his companions heard of these inquiries, they got up and fled hastily in the night. So soon as Mr. Wil- liams understood the facts in the case, he sent a messenger in pursuit of the English, whilst himself went to the wounded man in the woods and minis- tered, Samaritan-like, to his wants. Three of the Englislmien were apprehended at Rhode Island, and sent to Plymouth, where they were brought to trial. The court consisted of the wisest, most experienced, and best men of the colony, embracing Bradford, Winslow, Prince, Standish and others of similar character. A singular difficulty occurred at the trial, which, in some courts, might have resulted in the acquittal of the prisoners, and in others would TRIAL AND EXECUTION. 179 have led to a postponement of the trial. Here were three men tried for murder, and none of the wit- nesses could swear that the wounded man was dead. Mr. Williams and a Mr. James of Providence testi- fied that the wound inflicted was mortal, and two Indians in court swore that if he were not dead from the injury he received, they would be wilhng to die themselves. They were found guilty and executed. Before their execution they made a full confession of the crime, and acknowledged that they did it in order to obtain the Indian's wampum. The one who escaped concealed himself for a season, and afterwards left the country. In the execution of these three colonists for one Indian, the Puritans ex- hibited their strong sense of justice, and their firm determination to protect, not only themselves, but also the natives, in the possession of their just rights. It was important that the Indians should be con- vinced of this, as otherwise, when injuries were done them, they would take the law into their own hands and inflict summary punishment. This execution, which, so far as we know, was unsought for on their part, must have convinced them of the certainty of colonial protection. For many years they made no attempts to avenge the injuries they received from in- dividual colonists, but left the execution of justice, in such cases, to the English. It will be a relief to the above sombre proceed- 180 STANDISH LOSES MISS MXTLLINS. ings, if we relate here the following traditionary anecdote of one of the above jurymen, which illus- trates the danger of one gentleman commissioning another to make proposals of marriage for him to the lady whose hand he seeks. A short time after the death of Mrs. Standish, the bereaved captain found his heart filled with tender interest for Miss Priscilla MuUins, daughter of Mr. William MuUins. He cherished the impression that if she could be persuaded to unite her fortunes with his, the loss which he had experienced would be re- paired. He, therefore, according to Puritan custom, made known his wishes to the father through Mr. John Alden, as his messenger. MuUins made no objection, although he might reasonably have done so, on account of the decease of Mrs. Standish having been so recent. He gave his consent, but informed Alden that the young lady must be consulted. Priscilla was called into the room, not knowing for what purpose she was wanted. Al- den, a man of noble form, of fair, and somewhat florid complexion, and engaging manners, arose and delivered his message for Standish in befitting lan- guage, and in a prepossessing, courteous style. Priscilla listened attentively, heard every word, and then, after a short pause, as if gathering strength to reply, she fixed her eyes upon the messenger, and said with a frank and pleasant countenance, full of A BRIDE RIDING ON A BULL. 181 meaning, " Prithee, John, why do you not speak for yourself] " John's ruddy countenance became red; he took the hint, made a polite bow, bade farewell for the present, and returned to Standish to commu- nicate the result of his negotiation. Thenceforward he visited for liimself, and ere long their nuptials were solemnized in due form, and Miss Priscilla Mullen became Mrs. John Alden. Tradition reports further, that when Alden visited Cape Cod for the purpose of entering into the conjugal relation with Priscilla, as the colony then had no horses, he went mounted on the back of a bull, which he had covered with a piece of handsome broadcloth. After the marriage ceremonies were performed, he re- linquished this seat to his new bride. Placing her on the back of the bull, he returned home in joyous triumph, leading the ungainly animal by a rope fas- tened to a ring in its nose. In relation to this event Thatcher says, " Tliis sample of primitive gallantry would ill compare with that of Abraham's servant, when, by proxy, he gallanted Rebekah on her jour- ney, with a splendid retinue of damsels and servants seated on camels, Isaac going out to meet her. Had the servant employed bulls instead of camels, it may be doubted whether Rebekah would have been quite so prompt in accepting his proposals. As soon as the question was put, Rebekah said, ' I will go.' With equal propriety he might have said, had Mr. 16 182 CO^TEDERATION OF THE COLONIES. Alden taken a camel instead of a bull, Priscilla Mul- lens might have declined. They both employed the creature in use among their own people. We are somewhat inclined to the belief, that in each case the lady was influenced more by the man than the ani- mal ; more by the home that was offered her, than by the conveyance tliither." We have already intimated, that, after the planting of Plymouth, other settlements were formed in dif- ferent parts of the country. They increased in numbers and importance. Although they were in- dependent of each other, there were some things in which they had a mutual interest. After the expe- rience of years, it was found desirable, for various reasons, that the colonies wliich had come into ex- istence in New England, embracuig Massachusetts, Plymouth, Connecticut, New Haven, and Saybrook, should unite together upon a common basis, for mutual council, protection, and interest. After spend- ing much time in consultation and correspondence upon the subject, principles of agreement were finally settled, and a Contederation of the New England Colonies formed. This was a "perpetual league of friendship and amity, for offence and defence, mutual advice and succor, upon all just occasions, both for preserving and propagating the truths and liberties of the gospel, and for their own mutual safety and welfare." Though the language of the EFFECT OF THE CONFEDERACY. 183 articles of the confederation was not remarkable for its precision, and was susceptible of a liberal con- struction, yet the interpretation which it generally received, being characterized by sobriety and wis- dom, no modification of it was made for thirty years. Tliis may appropriately be regarded as the germ of the American Union. Its immediate effect was to elevate the colonies in respectability and importance, in the estimation of the Dutch, the French, and the Indians. As an insult to one was an insult to the whole ; as all were pledged to defend each, in case of an attack, the neighboring colonies of other na- tions, as well as the natives, saw that no one planta- tion could be trifled with or assaulted with impunity. The vengeance of the whole confederation would at once be aroused. Soon after the union was formed, a number of Indian chiefs entered into a friendly alliance with the English, among whom were Mian- tonomo and Uncas, sagamores of the powerful Nar- ragansetts and the Mohegans. At one time the project was seriously entertained of removing the colony from Plymouth. The soil was so unproductive, and the location so unfavorable in other respects, that many had left, and others wanted to follow. The question was discussed with much interest in the church. There was, as might be supposed, a wide difference of opinion. Not a few were strongly opposed to the removal, who yet 184 PROPOSAL TO LEAVE PLY5I0UTH. expressed a willingness to acquiesce rather than see the church go to dissohition. A majority was at last obtained in favor of the project. But where shall tliey go ? Different places were proposed ; and it may excite a smile when we state that the one selected was Eastham, on Cape Cod, an exposed, barren, and sandy location. It was purchased from the Nauset Indians. But upon more careful exam- ination, it was found to be less desirable than Plym- outh. The members of the church changed their purpose, and resolved to remain where they were. There were some exceptions, of persons who could not, or would not, be satisfied w^th their old location. These bought out the rights of the church to East- ham, removed thither, and commenced a settlement themselves. Thomas Prince, who had been twice governor of the colony, was one of them. What would ha^e been the fate of Plymouth, and of the famous "Rock," if all had removed, we leave the speculative to conjecture. CHAPTER XVI. " Such is our mild and tolerant way, We only curse tliem twice a day, According to a form that's set ; And far from torturinj;, only let All orthodox believers beat 'em, And twitch their beards, where'er they meet 'em." — Moore. Quakers ordered out of the Colony. — They refuse to obey. ^ All forbidden to harbor Quakers. — Humphrey Norton impris- oned. — Quakers' Contempt of Government. — Their Insolence to the Governor. — Refuse to take Oath. — Are whipped. — Nor- ton's Letters. — Fanaticism always troublesome. — No Quaker or Ranter permitted to be a Freeman. — A House of Correction ordered to be built. — Six Quakers banished on Pain of Death. — Milder Laws. — Four Persons appointed to reason with them. — One of these becomes a Quaker. — All Persons authorized to arrest them. — Their Meetings forbidden. — Severity excites Sympathy. — Rigorous Measures were not universally approved. — Charles IL ascends the Throne of England. — He suppresses the Persecutions. — Secretary Rawson. — His Daughter Re- becca receives the Attentions of Thomas Rumsey. — Marries him. — Accompanies him to England. — Finds a Relative. — Conduct of her Husband. — Painful Discovery. — Her Aban- donment. — Her Self-reliance. — Embarks for Jamaica. — Ar- rival there. — Her unhappy End. It becomes now our painful duty to narrate events, which we would gladly leave untouched, if we could consistently with fideUty. As, however, they are matters of history ; as they develop impor- tant phases of character, and are prolific in impor- tant lessons, they may properly claim a share of our 16* 186 QUAKERS IMPRISONED. attention. We refer to the treatment of the Quakers. About 1657, an order was passed, that if any one brought a Quaker, ranter, or other notorious heretic within the jurisdiction of the col- ony, and should be ordered by a magistrate to return him to the place whence he came, they should obey, or pay a fine of twenty shillings for every Week that such obnoxious person remained in the colony after such warning. This, however, was only the beginning of sorrows. In despite of the twenty shilling law, Quakers did come within their precincts and proclaim their hated tenets. This gave occasion for a severer law. It was en- acted that no person should harbor or entertain any Quaker in the colony, under a penalty of five pounds for every offence, or a public whipping. In the month of October, 16.57, Humphrey Nor- ton was examined by the court, who found him guilty of " divers horrid errors," and banished him from the colony. He returned, however, in com- pany with another Quaker of similar spirit. They were arrested and imprisoned. A prominent feature in the conduct of the Quakers, which greatly exas- perated the court, was their contempt of the legal authorities. They gave their tongues great license, and seem to have imagined that they were honoring God by their insolent defiance of the civil tribunals. Thus, at their examination, Norton said to the gov- THEIR CONTEMPT OF AUTHORITY. 187 ernor, a number of times, " Thou liest ; " " Thomas, thou art a mahcious man." As if determined to provoke severity, he said again to the governor, " Thy clamorous tongue I regard no more than the dust under my feet ; and thou art hke a scolding woman, and thou pratest and deridest me." As they professed to be English subjects, the court ordered them to take the oath of fidelity to their country. They refused, declaring they would take no kind of an oath. They were then sentenced to be whipped. After the sentence was executed, and whilst they were smarting under the stripes they had received, the marshal ordered them to pay a fee for the whipping ! Thatcher says, " In our times, we should think public whipping to be a sufiicient punishment, without obliging the culprit to pay the whipper's fee." The fee was probably regarded as a part of the costs of court, which the defaulted party usually pays. Still, it has somewhat the ap- pearance of making a criminal pay the costs of his execution, scaffold and rope included. In this case, however, they refused, and, consequently, were re- committed to prison, where they remained until they compromised the affair with the marshal, when they were released, and left the colony. In order to show the spirit that was cherished, and the language employed on that occasion, by the weaker party, we shall give a few extracts from Norton's letters, 188 Quaker's insolent language. written at that time. These are essential to a full view of the facts. In one, addressed to the gov- ernor, written just after his punishment, he says, " Thomas Prince, thou hast bent thy heart to work wickedness, and thy tongue hath set forth deceit : thou imaginest mischief upon thy bed, and hatchest thy hatred in thy secret chamber: the strength of darkness is over thee, and a malicious mouth hast thou opened against God and his anointed ; and with thy tongue and lips hast thou uttered perverse things : thou hast slandered the innocent, by railing, lying, and false accusations, and with thy barbarous heart hast thou caused their blood to be shed. . . . The curse, causeless, cannot come upon thee, nor the vengeance of God unjustly cannot fetch thee up. . . . The deadly drink of the cup of indig- nation thou cannot escape, and the grief and cause of travail will not be greater than thine. . . . Thou hast caused to defraud the righteous owner of his goods, and a heaping it up, as upon a hill, wherewith thou wilt purchase to thyself and others a field of blood, wherein to bury your dead. John Alden is to thee like a pack horse, whereupon thou layest thy beastly bag : cursed are all they that have a hand therein. . . . The anguish and pain that will enter thy veins will be like gnawing worms lodging betwixt thy heart and liver. When these things come upon thee, and thy back bowed down FANATICISM. 18^ with pain, in that day and hour thou shalt know to thy grief that prophets of the Lord we are, and the God of vengeance is our God." In another to John Alden, less violent in spirit, but of the same general character, he says, " If there be in thee any expectation of mercy, do thou withdraw thy body forever appearing at that beastly bench, where the law of God is cast beliind your backs. . . . Let the cursed purse be cast out of thy house, wherein is held the goods of other men." Both of these letters were signed by Humphrey Norton. The spirit of fanaticism which they ex- hibit would make men troublesome in any com- munity where they were not restrained by law. In our own day, public worship has been disturbed, and meetings broken up, by men and women who were controlled by similar sentiments. In some in- stances, they were prosecuted and punished. The difference, however, between these prosecutions and those of the Quakers consists in this : The Quakers were tried and punished for tlieir sentiments ; the disturbers of the peace, in our day, are pmiished, not for their sentiments, but for their unlawful con- duct in interfering with the rights and privileges of others. The next year, it was enacted that no " Quaker, ranter, or any such corrupt person," should be a freeman of the corporation. The court also 190 QUAKERS BANISHED. framed another bill, with this explanatory preamble : *' WJiereas sundry persons, both Quakers and others, wander up and down in this jurisdiction, and follow no lawful calling to earn their own bread, and also use all endeavors to subvert civil state, and pull down all churches and ordinances of God, to thrust us out of the ways of God, notwithstanding all former laws provided for the contrary." It was therefore ordered that a house of correction be built, in which all such individuals, with all " idle persons, or rebellious children, or servants that are stubborn and will not work," should be obliged to earn their living by labor, under the direction of an overseer. On the 11th of May, 1659, six persons, among whom were Lawrence Southwick and wife, were sentenced to depart out of the jurisdiction of the colony, by the eighth of June, on pain of death ! Tliis was a barbarous sentence. We have no evi- dence, however, that this extreme penalty was inflicted upon any Quaker in the Plymouth colony. For what was done at Boston, in the Massachusetts settlement, they were not responsible. The trage- dies which Mere enacted there, during this period, will be described in another vohnne on the history of that colony. They would be out of place here. Later in the year, the laws Avhich were passed against the Quakers at Plymouth assumed a milder ATTEMPT TO CONVERT THEM. 191 character. They authorized the seizure of all books and writings which contained their doctrines, many of which had been circulated throughout the colony. As some of the colonists had been converted to the Quaker belief, it was enacted, that if such would remove out of the government within six months, they should be subjected to no fine ; and those who were too poor to move, should receive assistance at the public expense. As their next measure for the prevention of the spread of this unwelcome heresy, and for the re- claiming of those who had already embraced it, the government commissioned four individuals to attend the meetings of the Quakers, for the purpose of convincing them of the error of their ways. This was a dangerous experiment. One of those to whom this appointment was given was Isaac Rob- inson, son of their Leyden pastor, Rev. John Rob- inson. But in his discussion with the Quakers, instead of convincing them of their errors, they persuaded him that they were truths ; instead of healing the disease, he caught the contagion. They made him a convert. By embracing their sentiments, he rendered himself obnoxious to the government, was dismissed from office, and " exposed to much censure, and some indignity." In 1660, a law was passed, authorizing all per- sons to apprehend Quakers, and deliver them to a 192 QUAKERS TO BE WHIPPED. constable, that they might be brought before the gov- ernor or some magistrate for examination. In order to render it difficult for them to itinerate through the colony, in their eftbrts to disseminate their doc- trine, or to escape from the officers of justice, it was enacted "that if any pson or psons shall furnish any of them with horse or horse kind, the same to bee forfeited and seized on, for the use of this Gov^'ment ; or any horses that they shall bring into the Gov^'ment, shalbee brought for them and they make use of, shalbee forfeited, as aforsaid." The next year it was enacted that if any Quaker came into any of the towns of tliis government, they should be whipped with rods, not exceeding fifteen stripes, and then have a pass to leave the jurisdiction. If any were found without their pass, or not acting according to it, they should be whipped again. Their meetings were forbidden under a penalty of five pounds to the owner of the premises, or a whipping. Notwithstanding the severity of these enactments, the Quakers multiplied. Sympathy was awakened in their favor. Even the magistrates shnmk from the execution of the laws against them, and finally they resorted again to persuasion, as is evident from the law which was passed to break up their monthly meetings. It was enacted that Mr. Constant South- worth and William Peabody should repair to these meetings, with the marshal, or constable of the THE KING FORBIDS PERSECUTION. 193 town, and use their best endeavors, by argument and discourse, to convince or hinder them. The statement should not be omitted, that these rigorous measures against the Quakers did not re- ceive the unanimous approval of the government. Mr. Cudworth, Mr. AUerton, Mr. Hatherly, and some others opposed them. The consequence was, they lost their offices as magistrates. A few years, how- ever, produced a great change in public sentiment, and Cudworth, Isaac Robinson, and Hatherly were restored to their offices. When Charles II. ascended the throne of England, the inhabitants of Plymouth sent to him a declara- tion of their allegiance. This was soon followed by a mandamus from the king commanding the prose- cutions against the Quakers to cease, and that those under arrest, whether condemned or not, should be sent to England, with a speciJfication of the crimes alleged against them, that they might be tried ac- cording to the laws of the kingdom. This royal mandate was followed by a mitigation of the sever- ities which were practised against them. In Plym- outh the most objectionable laws were repealed, and we find no further trace of their persecution. Thus terminated this humiliating and disgr£^ful affair, the prominent elements of which were heated fanati- cism and intolerant bigotry. During the persecutions of the Quakers in Plym- 17 194 REBECCA RAWS ON. outh, proceedings of even greater severity were in- stituted against them in the colony of Massachusetts, of which, at that time, Edward Rawson was secre- tary, who took an active part in their trials. His name frequently appears upon the record of that pe- riod as the " Persecutor." Rawson had twelve children, the history of one of whom is so full of romance and tragedy, as can- not fail to interest the reader ; we refer to his daughter, Rebecca. She was a talented young lady, of great personal attractions, and a well-cultivated mind. One of her contemporaries described her as "' one of the most beautiful, polite, and accom- plished young ladies in Boston." From the position which her father occupied in the government, she doubtless moved in the most elevated circles of co- lonial society. Among her admirers was a base, unprincipled, deceitful fellow, from England, whose name was Thomas Rumsey, but who passed himself oif as Sir Thomas Hale, Jr., nephew to Lord Chief Justice Hale. After an avowal of his passion for the beautiful Rebecca, the mock Sir Thomas ven- tured to make her proposals of marriage. The young lady, with her other qualities, possessed a good share of s? worldly ambition," and regarding the proffer of the young lord a favorable offer, the ac- ceptance of which would introduce her into the fashionable circles of England, and cherishing also REBECCA RAWSON MARRIED. 195 tender sentiments towards him, she had no disposition to refuse his hand. Their marriage was solemnized, July 1, 1G79, in the presence of about forty persons. This was only the first act of the drama. After re- ceiving the congratulations of her friends, many of whom thought she had been singularly fortunate in the connection, the young bride bade them farewell, and embarked, with her noble husband and a splen- did outfit, for the shores of Old England. What hopes and fears, what visions of fancied bliss and forebodings of dreaded evil, passed over her mind, during her long and tedious voyage, we cannot tell. We only know that in due time she, and her hand- some outfit, safely arrived. Being anxious to step on the soil of the Empire Isle, she made a hasty toilette, and went on shore " en disliabille," in com- pany with her husband. She succeeded on the sec- ond day in finding a relative, with whom they lodged. Sir Thomas, Jr., knowing that the denouement of his nefarious plot was at hand, arose early in the morn- ing, took the keys belonging to his wife, and de- parted, telling her that he would send the trunks ashore, so that she might dress for dinner. In the course of the morning the trunks came, but as her husband had the keys, they could not be opened. She was obliged to wait for his return. There is a limit to female patience ; in her case the limit was soon reached. Whether from any part of his con- li# REBECCA GOES TO ENGLAND. duct on shipboard, or since their landing, her sus- picions were awakened, we know not ; but, after v/aiting impatiently in vain, till two o'clock, for his return, she determined to open the trunks by force. It was done ; when, to her amazement, she found every article of clothing, useful and costly, removed, and the trunks tilled with worthless combustibles ! She was overwhelmed with shame, perplexity, and sorrow. Where her husband had gone, or what had become of her wardrobe, it v.as equally impossible to tell. The relative with whom she stopped took her in his carriage to tlie house where she and her husband spent the preceding night. She there in- quired for Sir Thomas Hale, Jr. " He has not been here for some days," was the reply. " He was surely here night before last," said she. They informed her that she was mistaken ; that Sir Thomas Hale, Jr., had not been there, but that Thomas Rumsey came there on the night which she had specified, with a young lady. " Where is he now ? " " Gone to his wife, in Canterbury." The abominable wickedness of Rumsey and the conditio]) of the unfortunate Rebecca were now fully revealed. She had been deceived and betrayed, and all her hopes of future elevation ruined. She awoke from her dream of pleasure and aggrandizement to a full realization of her humiliating position. Instead of being the lawful wife of a man of honor and title, HER HUSBAND ABANDONS HER. 197 she found she had been sustaining, ignorantly of course, an illegal connection with a base, licentious fellow, having a wife in England, and who, not sat- isfied with ruining her, as to her future social pros- pects, had stripped her of her all, so that she had not even a change of garments. She never saw him aofain ! Beins; thus robbed and abandoned in a Strange land, and having too much spirit to be depend- ent upon her friends, she threw herself upon her own industry for support. Possessing a good share of natural ingenuity and perseverance, she applied her- self so successfully to various kinds of fancy work, that for thirteen years she succeeded in obtaining a " genteel subsistence for herself and child." At the end of this period, she determined to return to her own country. Leaving her child in the care of her sister in England, who had none of her own, she embarked for Jamaica on her way to Boston, in a vessel belonging to her uncle. Her romantic life was here doomed to a tragical end. On the morn- ing of June 9th, 1692, whilst her uncle was on shore, engaged in settling his accounts, and when the ves- sel was ready to sail for Massachusetts, the island was visited with a tremendous earthquake, which swallowed up the vessel and all on board, among whom was the injured heroine of our story. The uncle was the only one of the ship's company who was saved. Thus terminated the eventful career of 17* 1$B Rebecca's likeness. the beautiful, accomplished, yet unfortunate Rebecca Rawson. A knowledge of these facts will give a special interest to her likeness in the present volume, which is a copy of her original portrait, now in the possession of R. R. Dodge, East Sutton, Mass. F.t . Suce 1670 CHAPTER XVII. " We have strict statutes, and most biting laws, The needful bits and curbs to headstrong steeds." — Shakspeare " The good needs fear no law ; It is his safety, and the bad man's awe." — Massinger. The Enactment of Law develops Character. — Trial by Jury. — Wants of the Colony to be supplied first. — Exports forbidden. — Those who refused the Office of Governor to be fined. — Bradford released by Importunity. — How different now. — Marriage forbidden without the Consent of Parents. — Intentions of Marriag-e to be published. — Consent of Parents to be ob- tained to address their Daughters. — Punishment to depend upon the " Quality " of the Offender. — Short Sleeves forbidden. — Laws against Contempt of the Scriptures. — Sabbath-breaking and Gambling Laws executed. — Stocks and Cage always ready. — Psalm Singing. — Courtship punished. — Abuse of Husbeuids. — Blackbirds' Heads to be obtained. — Effects of Union of Church and State. — Every Colony to have a Church. — Church Rates. — Whales. — Ministers forbidden to leave their People. — Meeting-house in every Town. — Parental Instruction. — Schools. — Arms must be taken to Meeting. — Indians and Wolves. — Effects of these Laws. — The Bible the Basis of their Legislation. The character of a people may be learned from their legislation. If the laws of some lost race were to be found, it would not be difficult, though not another word of their annals should be discovered, to ascertain their genius and spirit. The pecuhari- ties of the Puritans are as fully developed in their laws as in any events of their liistory. Some of aOO PURITAN LAWS. their enactments exhibit profound wisdom, sagacity, and forecast ; others of them show their strong at- tachment to the doctrines and precepts of the Bible ; whilst another class descend to matters of such trivial nature, as to appear puerile. With reference to this latter class, the Pilgrims acted upon the prin- ciple of nipping crime in the bud. The tilings for- bidden may have been, in themselves, comparatively unimportant ; but their influence, if unchecked, might have led to gross crimes. By destroying the seeds, they labored to prevent the fruits. Those who wish to go fully into this subject, are referred to the " Charter and Laws of the Colony of New Plymouth," which were collected and published, agreeably to a resolve of the legislature of Massachusetts, in 1836. We shall only give a few of the more important or peculiar of them. It is an interesting fact, and shows the desire on the part of the colonists to guard the rights of indi- viduals, that the first law on record in the above volume secures trial by a jury consisting of twelve honest men, under oath. This was in 1623. At a later period, 6d. was allowed each juror, and l^d. to The foreman, as fees. Three years after, it was enacted that no handi- craftsman, as tailors, shoemakers, carpenters, joiners, smiths, or sawyers, belonging to the plantation, should work for any strangers or foreigners, until the necessities of the colony were served. LAWS COMPELLING PUBLIC SERVICES. 201 At the same time, in order to prevent a renewal of the dreadful scarcity which had been previously experienced, the exportation of corn, beans, and peas was proliibited, under tlie penalty of a confis- cation of all such exports. So small were the honors and emoluments of office, contrasted with its responsibilities, or so limited was the ambition of the Pilgrim fathers, that it seems not to have been an easy tiling to find in- cumbents for the highest stations in the government. Bradford, we know, earnestly desired not to be re- chosen governor. He thought the honors and labors of office ought to be distributed. But he was over- ruled, and kept in. In 1632, it was enacted, that if any were elected to the office of governor, and would not serve, he should be fined twenty pounds sterling ! If he refused paying the fine, it was to be levied out of his goods or chattels. It was also or- dered, that, if any were chosen to the office of coun- cil, and declined its acceptance, they should be fined ten pounds each. The only exception specified was in the case of one who should be chosen gov- ernor a second time, after having held the office the preceding year. Such a one might decline without the liability of a fine, and then the company were to proceed to a new election, " except they can prevail upon him by entreaty." Governor Winthrop, in his Journal, records in 1633, "Mr. Edward Winslow Wa LAWS CONCERNING MARRIAGE. chosen governor of Plymoutji, Mr. Bradford having been governor about ten years, and now by impor- tunity got q^?' What a wonderful contrast does all this present with that unprincipled scrambling for office, that anxiety for public honors and emolu- ments, with Avhich the country at the present day is so rife ! Who now declines the office of governor 1 In what portion of our land does a necessity exist for a law similar to the above, in order to secure incumbents for the highest local offices ? No persons under " the covert of parents " were allowed to marry without their parents' consent. If this could not be obtained, they were then to get the permission of the governor, or some of his assist- ants. After which they were to be published three times in a public meeting, or, if no such meetings were held in the town, their intention of marriage was to be posted up in some conspicuous place for fifteen days. A similar law requiring intentions of marriage to be published fourteen days, including three public days, was in force in Massachusetts, until witliin a year or two. It became the practice of the editors of some of the daily journals to insert these inten- tions of marriage in their papers. This, of course, gave greater publicity to the intentions, and was the more repulsive to the parties concerned. After tliis, many individuals, in order to escape the necessity PROFANITY FORBIDDEN. 203 of giving such notoriety to their private proceedings, would shp into some neighboring state, where they could be united in the " holy bands of matrimony," without any publicity whatever. The law is now altered in Massachusetts. All that is required at present, is to obtain a certificate from the city regis- trar, or the town clerk, without any previous pub- lication of intention, and the marriage may then be immediately solemnized. In 1638, it was enacted that if any man offered proposals of marriage to any young lady without first obtaining the consent of her parents or master, he should submit to a fine, or to corporal punishment, or to both, at the discretion of the court. Laws were also passed which punished " profane swearing by the name of God, or any of his titles, attributes, word, or works," with a fine of twelve pence for every ofience, or exposure in the stocks, not to exceed three hours, or imprisonment " accord- ing to the nature and quality of the person." It would appear from tliis, that the degree of punish- ment was somewhat dependent upon the social po- sition of the offender — the more elevated was the criminal, the heavier the penalty. They did not, however, imitate the example of the Massachusetts colony, who, about the same time, passed the fol- lowing order, which must have been of special in- terest to the ladies : " No garment shall be made 204 SHORT SLEEVES FORBIDDEN. witli short sleeves, and such as have garments with short sleeves shall not wear the same, unless they cover the arm to the wrist ; and hereafter, no person whatever shall make any garment for women with sleeves more than half an ell wide," (twenty-two and a half inches.) Denial of the Scriptures as a rule of life was punishable with whipping. If any " Christian, so called," spoke contemptuously of the Scripture, or of the holy penmen thereof, they were to be pun- ished by fine or whipping. Laws were also passed punishing those who vio- lated the Sabbath — who neglected public worship — who behaved contemptuously towards the minister, the preaching, or the ordinances — who endeavored to subvert the Christian faith by broaching danger- ous heresies — who were guilty of drunkenness, of gambling with cards, dice, " cross and pile, or any unlawful game wherein there is a lottery," or of charging too much profit on articles they sold. These laws were not dead letters. It appears as if they were not enacted until there was occasion for them, and then they were carried into execution. We accordingly find that Stephen Hopkins was complained of for selling beer at twopence a quart, wliich was worth only a penny. Thomas Clark, for selUng a pair of boots and spurs for fifteen shillings, for which he gave but ten, was fined thirty sliillings. MISS BOULTON IN THE STOCKS. 205 J. B. was complained of for buying rye at four shil- lings per bushel, and selling it at five shillings. He was also presented for selling thread at five shillings per pound. The Pilgrims were unwilling that any one should charge an exorbitant profit on what they sold. To a fair remuneration from business they had no objection. They were especially opposed to forestalling. Nathaniel Bassett and Joseph Prior entered into a church at Duxbury, and disturbed the meeting. They were tried for their oftence, and, at the next town meeting, or training day, both were fastened to a post, in some conspicuous place, having upon their heads a paper, on which their crime was written in large letters. A Miss Boulton was guilty of slander. The court condemned her to the humiliating punish- ment of sitting in the stocks, with a paper fastened to her, written with capital letters, probably containing her crime. John Phillips, for drinking tobacco in the highway, that is, for smoking there, was fined twelve shillings. S. H., for carrying a grist of corn from the mill on Sunday, was sentenced to a fine of twenty shillings, or to be whipped. AndW. F., for permitting him to take it from the mill, was fined ten shilhngs. J. W. was ordered to be sharply reproved for writing a note on common business, on Lord's day. John Barnes, for Sabbath-breaking, was sentenced 18 206 EACH TOWN TO PROVIDE STOCKS. to a fine of thirty shillings, and to the stocks one hour. William Adey, for a similar offence, received a severe whipping at the post. In order to be always provided for the immediate execution of these minor penalties, it was ordered tliat every constablewick should be provided with a pair of stocks, and a cage, of sufficient strength to detain a prisoner. These were continued in use, in different towns, until within the present half century. Prisoners in the Stocks. The court authorized Mr. Hatherly to admonish a woman, who had been brought before them, " to be wary of giving offence to others by unnecessary talking." R. B. was summoned to appear and answer for speaking contemptuously of psalm sing- ing. He was convicted of the offence. The court sharply admonished him, and ordered him to ac- LAW CONCERNING BLACKBIRDS. 207 knowledge his fault, which he promised to do, and was discharged. Mr. A. H., for making proposals of marriage to a young lady, Miss E. P., and prosecuting the same contrary to the parents' wishes, and without their consent, and " directly contrary to their mind and will," was sentenced to a fine of five pounds, and to be put under bonds for good behavior, and desist the use of any means to obtain or retain her affec- tions. The bond stated that, " Whereas the said A. H. hath disorderly and unrighteously endeavored to obtain the affections of Miss E. P., against the mind and will of her parents : if, therefore, the said A. H. shall, for the future, refrain and desist the use of any means to obtain or retain her affections, as aforesaid, and appear at court the first Tuesday of July next, and be of good behavior," &c., he shall be released. A. H. did " solemnly and seriously en- gage before the court, that he will wholly desist, and never apply himself for the future, as formerly he hath done, to Miss E. P., in reference to marriage." He was accordingly released the next July. Women, for abusing their husbands, or striking their fathers-in-law, were sentenced to be fined or to be whipped at the post. In town meeting it was ordered that every man in the town procure twelve blackbirds' heads, on pain of paying a fine of two shillings for every default, m CHURCH AND STATE. or twopence apiece for all that fell short of the required number. It is difficult for us at the present time fully to realize the peculiarity in the practical working of their system, arising from the union of church and state. The leading men in the government were also the influential men of the church. The same act, if committed by a member of the church, would be an offence against both the church and the govern- ment, and might subject the offender to a trial before each ; and even then, the same individuals would be his judges. In one relation, they would act as govern- ment officers ; in the otlier, as members or officers of the church. Civil and ecclesiastical relations were so inter- laced, that the government not only took the church under its protection, but was purposely adjusted to meet her wants. To the Puritans, religion was the most important of all interests, and civil government was valuable in proportion as it secured to them their religious privileges. In their view, the church was like a magnificent temple, and civil government like the scaffolding, useful, mainly, for the assistance which it rendered towards the erection and preser- vation of that temple. Hence their various legal enactments respecting the constitution of churches, the erection of places of worship, and the support of the ministry. 1 whai.es and ministers. 28d No new colony was allowed to be planted unless enough joined in it to form a congregation for the observance of public worship ; and then the people, if they refused to support their minister voluntarily, were by law assessed, in proportion to their abihties, for his maintenance. For a number of years, these church rates were collected by the minister himself; but as this proved troublesome to the pastor, and gave occasion for prejudice against him, it was enacted, in 1670, that two persons should be ap- pointed to perform this duty. If the people refused payment, the rates were to be obtained by distraint upon their estates. Occasionally, whales used to be driven ashore and die, when tlie people would obtain from them their oil. It was enacted at an early period, that when such an incident occurred, or when any whale was cut up at sea, and brought on shore, one full hogshead of oil should be paid to the county. The court also proposed, as a " thing very commendable and beneficial to the towns where God's providence shall cast any whales, if they should agree to set apart some portion of every such fish or oil for the encouragement of an able, godly ministry." It is not improbable that this singular provision was sug- gested by the fact, that, in ancient times, a whale had been employed for the preservation of a prophet of the Lord. A law was also passed, preventing 18* 210 LAWS CONCERNING CHILDREN, ETC. any pastor or teacher from leaving his cliureh before his complaint had been made known to the magis- trates, and they had given both sides a hearing. If the difficulty was owing to the hearers of such min- ister, the magistrates were to use all " gentle means to upbraid them to do their duty therein." If these were unsuccessful, they were then authorized to employ such other measures " as may put them upon their duty." In 1675, it was enacted that a meeting-house should be erected in every town in the jurisdiction of the colony. If any town neglected to obey this law, then the governor or the magistrates should appoint persons to build it, according to the wants and the wealth of the people, and charge the ex- pense of it to the inhabitants and proprietors of the town, by whom it should be paid. Parents were required to see that their children were taught to read the Scriptures, and to recite some short, orthodox catechism, without book ; and also, that they were brought up to some honest calling, that would make them useful to themselves and their country. The towns were advised to obtain a schoohnaster to " train up children to reading and writing." A free school was established, at an expense of thirty- three pounds a year, which expense was to be paid out of the profits of the Cape Cod fishery. CHARACTER OF THEIR LAWS. 211 When danger was apprehended from the Indians, every one that went to meeting on Lord's day was ordered to take arms, and at least six charges of powder and shot, under a penalty of two shillings for every omission. At the same time, it was en- acted that whosoever " shall shoot off any gun on any unnecessary occasion, or at any game whatsoever, except at an Indian or a icolf, shall forfeit five shil- lings for every such shot, till further liberty shall be given." The enactments which we have now given are sufficient to evince the spirit and character of our Pilgrim fathers. Although some of their laws ar- rest the attention by their singularity, yet their code, as a whole, was adapted to secure a higher moral character to their community than would have been attained by the adoption of the then existing laws of any other people. With reference to many subjects, they made the Bible the basis of their legislation. They adopted not a few of the moral precepts and the penalties of Moses. It is this which gives an appearance of rehgious affectation, and even of bigotry, to some of their requirements. CHAPTER XVIII. '' Between the acting of a dreadful thing, And the first motion, all the interim is Like a phantasma, or a hideous dream ; The genius and the mortal instruments Are then in council ; and the state of man, Like to a little kingdom, suffers then The nature of an insurrection." — Shakspeare. Fifty Years of Peace. — New Settlements. — Converted Indians. — Native Preachers. — Philip and the Button. — Indian Magis- Irates. — Indian Warrant. — Alexander succeeds Massasoit. — Suspicions against him. — His Death. — Philip becomes Grand Sachem. — Pursues John Gibbs for reviling the Dead. — His Alliance with the Narragansetts. — He desires Revenge. — Or- dered to come to Plymouth. — Declines. — Invites the Governor to come to him. — They meet at Taunton. — Singular Scene in a Church. — The Treaty. — Indignant Sachem. — Treaty vio- lated. — Conference at Plymouth; — Indian Confederacy. — Philip's deep Plot against the English. — Their Security. — Phil- ip angry with Sassamon. — The latter flees to the English. — The Plot revealed. — Sassamon missing. — Philip again examined. — No Confession. — Suspicions increase. After the successful attack of Captain Standish upon the Massachusetts Indians at Weymouth, no other attempts were made against the English by the natives for a period of fifty years. During this time, such was the mutual confidence which was clierished between the two parties, that they not only interchanged visits, and travelled fearlessly through each other's respective jurisdictions, but PRAYING INDIANS. ^id Indians dwelt in the colony, and were subject to English laws. New Eng^lish settlements were formed in various parts of the different colonies in Massachusetts Bay, on the Connecticut River, and in the neighborhood of Rhode Island. Efforts had also been success- ful for the instruction and conversion of the natives. Indian churches had been formed at Provincetown, Eastham, Wellfleet, Chatham, Yarmouth, Barn- stable, Sandvrich, Wareham, Middleborough, and Marshpee. These were the fruits of the Christian zeal and indefatigable perseverance of Richard Bourne, of Sandwich. Through his patient labors, many of these Indians could read and write their own language. They had also received consider- able knowledge of the Sacred Scriptures. Four of them had made such progress in Christian knowl- edge, that they were approbated as preachers to their own tribes, and labored as Mr. Bourne's assistants. In 1685, there were fourteen hundred and thirty-nine converted Indians in the colony. They were generally called " praying Indians." Conversions were effected at Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket, through the instrumentality of Thomas Mayhew. So successful were the mis- sionary efforts of this man of God, that on the Island of Martha's Vineyard, six meetings were held in different places, every Sabbath. There 214 PHILIP AND THE BUTTON. were ten native preachers, who, according to May- hew's testimony, were of " good knowledge and holy conversation." Nearly all the natives in the colony of Massachusetts had embraced Christianity. They had been favored with the instructions of the apostle Eliot. Many of the natives resisted all at- tempts at their conversion. Massasoit, though a firm friend to the English, obstinately refused to abandon the religion of liis fathers. Philip, his son, on one occasion, after listening to the religious exhortation and reasonings of Eliot, took that apostle by the button, and said, " I care no more for the gospel than you do for that button." This was the feeling of a large number. The Narragansetts went so far as actually to prohibit the preaching of the gospel within their borders. After the Indians had been suitably instructed, some of the more intelligent and energetic of them received appointments to different offices, as petty judges, or as constables. With such commissions they were liighly pleased, and sometimes would dis- charge their official duty ^vith amusing formality. The following warrant, directed to an Indian con- stable, was issued by one of these native magistrates. It furnishes an example of sententious brevity, in wide contrast with the verbosity of more civihzed legal formvdas. : — " I, Hihoudi, you, Peter Waterman, Jeremy Wick- ALEXANDER AND PHILIP. 215 €t, quick you take him, fast you hold him, straight you bring him before me. Hihoudi." After the death of Massasoit, his son, Alexander, became liis successor. His career, however, was short. The English were informed that he was plotting their destruction. He was, therefore, or- dered to come to Plymouth and answer this charge. He promised to comply, but did not. His refusal, which involved a violation of his promise, strengthened the suspicions against him. The gov- ernor ordered Major Josiah Winslow to take a com- pany of armed men, and bring him to Plymouth. This posse set out and fortunately came upon Alex- ander, with a small party of his men, when they were busily engaged in eating. They were in a house, or tent, and their guns carelessly left on the outside. Winslow first secured their guns, and then, in the name of the government of Plymouth, ordered the chief to accompany him to the colony. He consented and went, but was soon after taken sick, and died. He was succeeded by his brother Philip, as grand sachem of the Pokanoket, or Wampanoag Indians. His residence was at Mount Hope, which is supposed to be a corruption of Montaup. He, and also his brother before him, renewed the alliance of friend- ship with the English, which their father had origi- nally made. It is related of him, that in 1665 he went to Nantucket with liis braves, for the purpose 216 INDIAN LAW. of killing an Indian who had spoken contemptuously of Massasoit, liis father, as it was a law among them that whoever reviled the dead should suffer death. The offender was one John Gibbs, a " praying Indian " and Christian preacher, whose church num- bered about thirty members. Gibbs, being informed by a friend of Philip's design, fled. Philip caught a sight of the fugitive, and followed him through the town, from house to house, until Gibbs leaped a high bank, eluded his sight, and made his escape. When the English in the place were informed of the facts, they sought an interview with the offended chief. They were anxious to save the life of the offender. As, however, the offence was regarded as a grave affair by the Indians, Philip refused to return until the English agreed to ransom the criminal for nineteen shillings, that being all the money there was on the island. He then returned home satisfied. Philip frequently visited Plymouth. He became well acquainted with the inhabitants, traded with them, and exchanged hospitalities. Yet it is sup- posed that all this time the insult which had been offered to his brother Alexander was rankling in his heart, and calling for revenge. In addition to the supposed injury done to Alex- ander, as Philip was in general alhance with the Narragansetts, he must have sympathized with them in the aggressions wliich were, from time to time, PHILIP BECOMES QUARRELSOME. 217 made upon them by tlie English. Between them and the colonists difficulties had repeatedly occurred. To Philip, it appeared that, in these difficulties, his Indian friends were wronged. He espoused their side, and no doubt labored to deepen their sense of injury from the whites. As at that time there seems to have been, among the Narragansetts, no chief who had supreme command over the whole tribe, although there were several sachems who had their respective followers, they were the more wilUng to avail them- selves of the prowess and skill of Philip, to manage for them their cause. These two things — the treat- ment of Alexander and of the Narragansetts by the English — are believed to have been the original causes of Philip's bloody war. In 1671, he began to manifest a quarrelsome dis- position. He complained of English encroachments. His followers frequently met together, repaired their muskets, sharpened their tomahawks, and used irri- tating' lanojuai^e to the Ensflish. A message was sent to Philip to come to Plym- outh and explain his conduct. To this command he paid no attention. He afterwards reciprocated this courtesy, and invited the governor of Plymouth to hold a conference mth him. In his reply the gov- ernor assured him of his wilUngness to hold a confer- ence, but expected that Phihp would come to him at Taunton, where he then was. The chief refused. 19 SJIS PHILIP MEETS THE GOVERNOK. After considerable negotiation through the medium of messengers, one of whom was Roger Williams, Philip agreed to meet him at the place designated. The conditions on which the chief consented to come to Taunton were, that his men should accompany him, and that the conference should take place in the meeting-house ; the two parties to occupy the opposite sides of the house. Here they accordingly met. Such a congregation, and for such a purpose, had never assembled there before. On one side of the church were arrayed the Puritans, with their round heads, occasioned by the close cutting of their hair, their " formal garb," and their stern, serious features ; on the otlier side were the Indians, with their long dark hair streaming over their shoulders or down their backs, arrayed in skins, blankets, and calicoes, and decorated in taudry style, with beads, wampum, feathers, and various gay colors. It was a scene of singular appearance. If the agreement then formed had been faithfully fulfilled, it would have been a conference of great importance, and would have prevented the shedding of much blood. Philip denied the charges which were brought against him, and said that his warlike preparations were in- tended for an attack upon the Narragansetts. But when it was shown that he was on more friendly rela- tions with the Narragansetts than usual, and that he had arranged plans of attack upon Seekonk, Taun- Philip's confession. 219 ton, and some other towns, he saw that his conspiracy was discovered, and that there was no way of dis- proving it. Up to this time he had managed every thing with so much secrecy, tliat he had not the least suspicion that his plot was detected. He was there- fore confounded when the English brought forward their evidence against him. Knowing that it would be just for them to punish him for his treachery, and fearing, perhaps, that they might execute summary vengeance upon him, he willingly consented to sign a document, containing a confession of his guilt, a renewal of his allegiance to the English, and a readi- ness to deliver up all his English weapons into their hands, to be kept as long as they should think it necessary. When the Indians understood the terms of his submission, one of his sachems was so indig- nant at liis cowardice, that he angrily threw his weapons on the ground, abandoned liis cause forever, and immediately identified himself with the Puritans, to whom he continued a faithful adlierent during the whole of this sanguinary war. After the negotiations were over, and the parties had separated, Philip failed to comply with the terms imposed upon him. He sent in no weapons. The truth is, he had no intention to. He signed that submission only to save his life. Once free from the English, he thought of his promise no more. Chiefs and braves of other tribes now united with him. His 220 ANOTHER TREATY. conduct continuing suspicious, the colony of Plym- outh summoned him again to appear there. They also sent word to the colony of Massachusetts of what they had done, and stated that if PhiUp did not ap- pear, and the government of Massachusetts did not satisfactorily account for his refusal, force would be used to compel his attendance ; and, as it was com- mon cause, Massachusetts ought to unite with them ; but if they refused, then Plymouth would enter upon the contest alone. The same day on which that letter reached Boston, Phihp himself arrived there. He succeeded in convincing the government there that he cherished no unfriendly designs against Plymouth. They proposed to Plymouth that the difficulties should be referred for adjustment to com- missioners, to be appointed by the governments of Massachusetts and Coimecticut. After some hesita- tion, this plan was acceded to, and the commissioners appeared at Plymouth, where Philip also presented himself The result of this conference was another treaty, in which Philip promised to pay the govern- ment of Plymouth one hundred pounds of such things as he had ; to refer all differences between his people and the English to the Plymouth government, and not to engage in any war without their approbation. After this, no collision occurred between the two parties for three years. Yet Phihp was not subdued, neither did he relinquish liis murderous designs Philip's secret operations. 221 against the English. During these three years of apparent friendhness, he was engaged in bringing about a confederacy of all the Indian tribes in New- England, for the purpose of an entire extermination of the English colonies. To accomplish this, he had to perform the difficult task of terminating quarrels of long standing between different tribes ; of allay- ing the enmity between different chiefs ; of answering objections, removing difficulties, and effecting a har- monious union between elements of the most discord- ant nature. Yet all this he had the consummate address successfully to accomplish. During all this period, while the train was being prepared for a ter- rific explosion, the English were kept in profound ignorance. Philip was strengthening his forces, multiplying his alliances, and extending his plan of operations, whilst those who were to be his victims were lulled into a sense of perfect security by his peaceful appearance and his false professions of friendship. Had his treachery been kept concealed until the time appointed for the attack upon the col- onies, which was the spring of 1676, we know not how the entire overthrow of the English plantations could have been prevented. But this was not to be. The vine which had been brought out of Egypt, and transplanted into this distant soil, was under the pro- tection of an omniscient and all-powerful Friend : no evils plotted against it were unknown to him — no 19* 222 SECRETARY SASSAMON. power opposed to it which he could not defeat. Though now, the boar out of the wood and the wild beasts of the field were intent upon devouring it, yet his hand held them in check as with bit and bridle, and his providence led to a discovery of the dangers which encompassed it. Among the confidential Indians of Philip was one John Sassamon, whom he employed as his secretary. By some offence, this individual aroused the anger of Philip. He had previously been under the in- struction of Eliot, and was professedly converted to the Christian faith. But after residing a while with Philip, he abandoned his profession. Having of- fended his chief, and fearing liis anger, he fled to his old friend, Eliot. The venerable missionary received him with his accustomed kindness, and entered into conversation with him respecting his religious state. His pious heart earnestly longed to see the apostate take his old place, and manifest liis former religious interest among the " praying Indians." His faithful and affectionate labors for the restoration of the prodigal were crowned with success. " After many professions of repentance, he was again baptized and received into full communion." It was so ordered by a wise Providence, that the Indian who was, in this manner, obUged to flee from home, was acquainted with both the designs and the plans of Philip. Being now fiilly devoted to the in- FEARFUL DISCLOSURE. '223 terests of the English, Sassamon, in a secret manner, made known to the governor of Plymouth Philip's treachery, at the same time informing him, that if PhiUp should ever learn that he had betrayed him, it would cost him his life. After the reception of this fearful intelligence, Philip and some of his tribe were examined ; but as they made no confessions, and as no positive evidence was brought against them, they were discharged, — not, however, without having the suspicions against them greatly strengthened. It was not long before poor Sassamon mysteriously disap- peared — in what manner will be related in the next chapter. CHAPTER XIX. " His savage hordes the murderous Philip leads, Files through the woods, and treads the tangled weeds ; Shuns open combat, teaches where to run, Skulk, couch the ambush, aim the hunters' gun. Whirl the sly tomahawk, the war-whoop sing, Divide the spoils, and pack the scalps they bring." — Barlow. Harvard College. — Indian Students. — Sassamon. — Search for him. — His Body found. — Murderers arrested and executed. — Philip enraged. — Preparations for Conflict. — Bold Language. — Opinion respecting the first Fire. — Indians pant for Plunder. — The War begun. — English killed on Fast Day. — Excitement in the Colonies. — Enlisting Recruits in Boston. — Bridgewater Horsemen. — People driven from their burning Houses. — The English surprised Emd slain. — Affecting Scene. — Philip pur- sued. — Found at Dinner. — Escapes. — Mutilated Englishmen. — Fuller's narrow Escape. — Church's brave Adventure. — Golding's timely Arrival. — Marvellous Preservation. — Church's Visit to the Spring amidst a Shower of Balls. Previous to the events contained in the last chap- ter, Harvard College had been founded, conse- crated to Christ and his church. Efforts were early made to induce some of the Indian youth to prepare to enter. These efforts were not favored with much success. The restraints of a student's life were not at all in harmony with the freedom of their early habits. Tliey greatly preferred to be rambling the fields and woods, with their bow and arrows, for game, or paddling their light bark canoes over the water for fish, or spending their time in idle talk, or SASSAMON MISSING. 225 useless sports, to the stillness, confinement, and mo- notony of intellectual pursuits. Yet, now and then one could be induced to enter ; among these was Sassamon. He received a tolerable education, was well acquainted with the English language, and had been employed as a preacher among the Indians, and as a teacher of their youth. Soon after the disclo- sures which Sassamon made to the governor of Plym- outh, he was missing ! When he left, or where he had gone, no one knew. Fears were entertained for liis safety. It was suspected that he had been murdered. His friends commenced a thorough search for him. Every cave, brook, woods, or dark comer, where they imagined it was possible for him to be concealed, was closely examined. It was not long before they got upon his track. A hat and gun, which were recognized as his, were found upon a frozen pond in Middleborough. This led to a close examination of the pond itself. Under the ice was discovered the body of a man. Being drawn ashore, it was found to be Sassamon himself. It was evident, from bruises upon him, that he had not died by simply falling through the ice. Cotton Mather states that the neck was broken. Still, he was buried by his friends. But when the appear- ance of the body was made known to the governor of Plymouth, he, recollecting the fears wliich Sassa- mon had expressed respecting liimself, gave orders 2^ HIS BODY FOUND. to have his body exliiimed and examined. It was done ; and bruises enough were found upon him to have caused death without drowning. An Indian now acknowledged that he saw him murdered, but had not made the disclosure, for fear he should lose his own life. The accused persons were appre- hended, removed to Plymouth, and tried. The jury consisted of twelve Englishmen, and four grave, impartial, judicious Indians. The criminals, being three in number, were all convicted, and paid the penalty of death. Dr. I. Mather says, that " when Tobias, one of the culprits, came near the body, it fell a bleeding on fresh, as it had been newly slain ; albeit it was buried a considerable time before that." A notion, which we cannot help characterizing as superstitious, prevailed at that time, that when a murderer touched or approached a body which he had slain, the wounds would send forth fresh blood. Whether this phenomenon, stated by Mather, had any effect with the jury, we know not. At the present day, it would be discarded. One of the criminals confessed the murder ; the others, to the last, denied all participation and all knowledge of it. Philip was greatly enraged at the execution, and longed for the hour of revenge. He had succeeded in forming an alliance with a number of tribes, the young men of which were anxious for plunder, scalps, and war. Whilst both parties were pre- HIS MURDERERS PUNISHED. 227 paring for the approaching" bloody conflict, the governor of Massachusetts sent a messenger to PhiHp, to ask his reasons for wishing to make war with the EngUsh, and also to invite him to enter into a new treaty. The bold chieftain of the forests sent back by the messenger this independent reply : " Your governor is but a subject of King Charles ot England. I shall not treat with a subject. I shall treat of peace only with the king, my brother. When he comes, I am ready." Professing to be a Idng, he would negotiate only with a king. As Philip's designs had been disclosed to the English, he was unable to consummate all the arrangements wliich he had contemplated prior to the open development of liis plans. It was his intention that the first intelligence of liis murderous object should have reached the English through the sharp crack of his musket, and the red glare of their burning dwellings. As it was, he was obliged to commence the war prematurely, and under great disadvantages. A notion prevailed among the In- dians, that the party who should begin hostilities by firing the first gun would be defeated. It was their policy, therefore, to insult and irritate the English, so that they might give the first fire. Philip had gathered such large numbers of Indians of different tribes around him, who were panting for scalps and plunder, and who were nourishing their warUke 228 THE FIRST GUN. aspirations by the recital of the deeds of blood of their fathers, that it was difficult to prevent them from rushing upon the Puritans, and murdering them whenever they had opportunity. He finally consented that they might kill the cattle of the EngUsh, and rob them of their property. After receiving this permission, they prowled around the people of Svvansey, killed their cattle, plundered their houses, and menaced them with insulting lan- guage. An Englishman was so indignant at their conduct, that, under the impulse of his excited feel- ings, he seized his musket, fired, and wounded an Indian. This was just what the savages wanted — what they had been endeavoring to provoke. The foreigners had fired the first gun : they were the party to be defeated. The report of that musket was the signal for attack, whenever and wherever tiie English could be found. It was upon a day of " public humiUation, fasting, and prayer "' that this dreadful tragedy began. The echo of this " first gun " had scarcely died away, before the Indians had prepared themselves to give the Puritans, on their return from meeting, a warm reception. When they made their appear- ance, and came within reach of the guns, the sav- ages fired upon them, killing one and wounding two ! Two others, who were going after a physi- cian, were also met and slain. In .another part of 1 GREAT EXCITEMENT. 229 the town six more were overtaken, and fell a sac- rifice to the vengeance of the Indians the same day. Tliis little, isolated band of settlers were filled with consternation. They were separated so far from Plymouth and Boston, that if the Indians were to come down upon them in overwhelming numbers, they could exterminate the whole before help could possibly arrive. They immediately, however, sent off couriers to the parent settlements. These mes- sengers, filled with anxiety and sorrow, hastened on with as much rapidity as was consistent with vigi lance and safety. When they arrived and commu- nicated the sad intelligence, it produced great com- motion. It was understood to be the breaking out of a bloody Indian war. The drums beat ; recruits were ordered ; and at Boston, in the space of three hours, one hundred and ten men enlisted, under the command of Captain Samuel Mosely. There were also about a dozen privateers who accompanied them, taking with them several dogs. These dogs proved of considerable service in discovering the liiding-places of the Indians. One of them assisted in supplying the party with meat, by going out for several days in succession, and bringing in from six to ten pigs belonging to Philip's herds. At Plymouth, the governor gave orders that twenty horsemen, well armed, should be raised in Bridgewater, and proceed at once to Swansey. It 20 230 AN INDIAN SURPRISE. was done. On their way to the scene of action, they met the terrified people who had been driven from their burning houses, and were fleeing in dis- may, "wringing their hands, and bewaiUng their losses." Before the help arrived, the inhabitants of Swaii- sey and Rehoboth had collected together in three houses, taking with them such provision as they were able to collect in haste. Here were gathered men, women, and children. The husbands, fathers, and friends of some of them had been slain. They were in deep distress, and trembling with apprehen- sion lest greater calamities would befall them. They were not mistaken. A company of the men left the little garrison, and, taking with them some carts, went to a house which had been deserted, in order to get a quantity of corn, which had there been left. They were met by a friend, who advised them to return, as the Indians were on the alert, and would probably attack them. Paying no attention to this judicious advice, they pressed on, were surprised by a band of natives, fired upon, and six were either killed on the spot, or mortally wounded ! The report of the guns was heard at the garrison. It came like the knell of death. They feared that some were killed ; but who, they were yet to learn. The soldiers immediately hastened to the spot ; but when they arrived, the Indians had scattered and PHILIP PURSUED. 231 disappeared like the smoke of their muskets. When the soldiers returned, bringing the wounded and the dead with them, and wives, children, and friends gathered in agony around the bleeding or lifeless bodies of those whom they loved, it added greatly to the horrors of their condition. They remained there until reenforcements arrived, when they were safely conducted to Rhode Island. Soldiers were now sent off in pursuit of Phihp, as he was the evil genius of the war. They came upon him so suddenly as to find him at his dinner. Without stopping to apologize, he arose and fled. The soldiers pursued him with such vigor, that he lost his cap, which fell into the hands of one of the pursuers. In this hot and rapid chase, fifteen or more of his adherents were shot. When the pur- suers returned, they took all his cattle, swine and corn, and disposed of them at their pleasure. Their joy, however, over the recent success was checked, when they discovered the heads of eight English- men, who had been slain, fixed upon poles. They removed them, and gave them an interment. In some instances, other parts of the mutilated bodies were also found. They now explored the country around Philip's residence. They found the houses of the English burnt, their property plundered, and their blood shed, where any of them had, unfortu- nately, been found by the savages. When they SSdSS FULLER ATTACKED. came upon any Indians, a skirmish ensued, and the savages were repulsed. After a thorough ex- ploration of the woods and swamps around Mount Hope, they were satisfied that Philip had fled. Be- lieving they should find him at Pocasset, they went tliither. There a party of the English, under Captain Fuller, were attacked by a much larger company of the enemy. The English retreated hastily to the sea-shore, took possession of a house near the water, from which they successfully em- barked in a sloop, and escaped to Rhode Island. Captain Church, who had accompanied them, passed down into a point of land, at tlie south of Tiverton, where he came upon a body of several hundred savages, who attacked him with great fury. The desire of the Indians was to surround them, when, in all probability, they would have cut them entirely off. As soon as Church discovered their design, he gave orders to retreat to the shore. This movement finally resulted in the deliverance of liis little gallant band, who numbered less than twenty. With the water before them, and hundreds of their enraged enemies in pursuit, it appeared as if nothing remained for them but to part with their lives as dearly as pos- sible. The Indians had taken shelter behind every tree, bush, fence, or rock, from which they poured their fire into the English. Church, being a man of great courage, was successfiil in imparting something CHURCH S ADVENTURE. 'SS^ of the same spirit to his disheartened men. They got behind piles of stones, and experienced many narrow escapes. Orders had been given for boats to attend them ; but they run aground, and so could not extend any relief. Finally one got afloat, and approached towards them. As they saw it advancing, their hopes of deliverance revived. The Indians saw it also, and by firing at it, kept it at such a dis- tance as to be of no service. Church gave them orders to get out of the reach of the muskets, and then send their canoe to take them on board. But the men being fearful to do even this. Church, mider apparently feelings of great irritation, ordered them off, or he would fire upon them. They obeyed, and left the English in greater peril than before. After the boat left, the Indians were encouraged, and poured in their balls " thicker and faster than before." The sun was now nearly set, the gloom of evening was arriving, the ammunition of the English was nearly gone, the men exhausted with hunger, excite- ment, and fighting, whilst the Indians had succeeded in getting possession of a stone house, in which they were sheltered. Down to the present time not one of the English had been shot. Just before dark a sloop made her appearance. Church told the men to hold on, for relief was at hand. He informed them that the captain of the sloop was named Gold- ing, " whom he knew to be a man for business." 20* 234 BRAVERY OF CHURCH. He was right. When Golding arrived, he at once sent his canoe ashore ; but it proved to be such a diminutive affair that only two could embark in it. As, however, there were no other means of escape, the retreat was made in tliis. As the English passed to and fro, between the sloop and the shore, the In- dians kept up their fire upon them. After Church had seen all the others on board, he embarked him- self. The balls whistled around him ; one grazed his head; two others entered the canoe, and another was buried in a stake, which was just " in front of the middle of his breast." The battle had continued six hours, during which a number of the Indians were killed ; but, as a kind Providence would have it, the English were marvellously preserved. So effect- ually had the enemy fired upon the sloop, that her sails, colors, and stern were full of holes. Church was a brave man, and exhibited on that day feats of noble daring. During the fight, being extremely thirsty, he lefl his shelter, and went fear- lessly to a spring and drank ; as he returned, he left his hat and cutlass behind him. Towards the even- ing, when the retreat was made, he remembered these forgotten articles, and being unwilling that the savages should get them, and glory over them as trophies, he went out again, with his musket pre- sented, to obtain them. When the Indians saw it, they let fiy a volley of balls upon bjm ; but he pressed CHURCH ESCAPES. 235 on, secured the desired articles, returned and took his seat in the canoe, without receiving a single wound. After these adventures, the companies under Church and Fuller were again united. CHAPTER XX. Cold with the beast he slew, he sleeps •, O'er him no filial spirit weeps. E'en that he lived is for his conqueror's tongiie ; By foes alone his death-song must be sung ; No chronicles but theirs shall tell His mournful doom to future times ; May these upon his virtues dwell, And in his fate forget his crimes." — Spraoue. Philip retreats to a Swamp. — An Ambush. — Wigwams found. — Philip escapes by Water. — His Route discovered. — Ministers fight. — Philip overtaken. — A Battle ensues. — The War be- comes general. — Its Consequences. — Disgraceful Conduct to- wards the Dartmouth Indians. — Sold into Slavery. — Its Influence on other Tribes. — Philip's Ravages in Plymouth. — Retreats to a Swamp. — The Swamp surrounded. — Philip shot. — The Enemy routed. — The Gun preserved. — Philip beheaded and quartered. — His Head and Hand preserved. — Bitter Spirit of the English. — His Head e.xposed many Years. After the engagements which were mentioned in the last chapter, the courage of the Enghsh was in- creased. They desired to follow after Philip until they found liim. Church went to Narraganset, ob- tained some more men, returned and found Philip, with whom he had an encounter, and slew fifteen of his men. Philip then retreated into a great swamp, near Taunton River. He was pursued by the Eng- lish, who penetrated into the swamp, where they were drawn into an ambush. The wily savages PHILIP SURROUNDED. 237 fired upon them from behind trees, bushes, and other places of concealment ; and five, some accounts say fifteen, men were slain. Near the edge of this swamp a hundred wigwams were found, made of green bark. They attempted to burn them, but could not succeed. In one of tliem was an old Indian, who informed them that Philip was con- cealed in the swamp. This intelligence prompted them to greater exertions. But as night was ap- proacliing, and friend could not be told from foe, the English retreated, taking their dead and wounded with them. As it was, it is not impossible that they mistook friends for enemies, and thus killed some of their own company. Doctor Mather says, " It is verily feared that the English themselves did unhap- pily shoot Englishmen instead of Indians." The forces of the Enghsh were now divided. A portion of them remained to watch Philip in the swamp, and starve him into submission. They in- vested the swamp tliirteen days, during which time Pliilip and his men were diligently employed in making bark canoes. At the end of this period, he and his warriors succeeded in making their escape by water, which bounded a portion of the great swamp. In effecting this flight, they probably used the canoes which they had made during their impris- onment. Their women and children they left be- hind, as they knew it was the custom of the English aSo PHILIP ESCAPES. to treat such with kindness. A broken, hilly country affords special facilities for the concealment of a re- treating army. By following the course of the val- leys, and Sending their scouts cautiously to the tops of the liills, for the purpose of discovering the safest route, an escape may readily be secured without de- tection. Philip, however, was not favored with such a country. The land through which he and his fol- lowers were obliged to pass, after crossing Taunton River, was level. It afforded no means of conceal- ment, and, consequently, he was discovered. As soon as his course was known. Rev. Mr. Newman, of Rehoboth, called upon his fellow-townsmen with earnestness to pursue liim. He set the example himself. Taking his weapons he salhed out, and, by means of spirited addresses, succeeded in diffusing something of his own courage into the company which followed. It was not unusual in those times, when the English were liable to be attacked with suddenness, and with overwhelming numbers, for the ministers of the Prince of peace to gird on the weapons of war, and go out to protect their homes, their wives, and their children. Mr. Newman's com- pany was joined by a party of fifty Mohegan Indians, who had offered their services to Massachusetts, and were placed under the command of Captain Hench- man. The little army hastened on and overtook Philip about ten o'clock, A. M., on the first of August. ANOTHER ENGAGEMENT. 239 An engagement at once took place. The balls flew with fatal effect. Philip brought some of his bravest men in the rear so as to be nearest their pursuers, by wliich means many of them were slain, among whom was Sachem Nimrod, called in the Indian tongue Woonashum, a brave warrior and sagacious counsellor. For some cause which has not been sat- isfactorily explained, the fight suddenly terminated, and the pursuit was stopped. It was said, at the time, that some of the Mohegans found a quantity of plunder, and wliilst they stopped to load them- selves with it, Philip made his escape. The extreme heat of the weather has been assigned as another reason ; neither of which are satisfactory. Had Philip at that time been closely pursued, the war might have been terminated in a short period, and many lives saved. The Indians were now eyery where in arms against the English. Men left their homes in the morning to work in the fields, and never returned alive. They were shot down by some invisible foe. Women, left at home, were assaulted by bands of prowling Indians, and after submitting to every species of brutal insult, were butchered in cold blood. The darkness of the night would be suddenly lighted up by the glare of their burning barns. If the owners left their house to extinguish it or to save their cattle, they would be met by the fatal ball. Not satisfied with burning 240 DARTMOUTH INDIANS. barns, or killing cattle, they would kindle dwelling- houses, and tiien shoot the inhabitants as they at- tempted to escape. The dwellings of the English were every where barricaded, and put in as strong a state of defence as possible. Still the Indians were greatly successful. Not only were the isolated houses consumed, and the families slain, but town after town fell before them, and the inhabitants slaughtered without mercy. As the seat of war was now transferred from the limits of Plymouth colony, we must reserve the further accounts of it until we take up the histories of the colonies into w hich it was removed. We have reserved till now the recital of an act of deception, perfidy, and cruelty on the part of the English, which has justly brought upon them eternal disgrace. Soon after the breaking out of the war, the town of Dartmouth was destroyed, and many of the inhabitants slain. In this destruction and slaughter, the Dartmouth Indians had no hand. When the Plymouth forces arrived there, they opened negotiations with these Indians. By the persuasions and promises of Ralph Earl and Captain Eels, they yielded themselves prisoners to the Eng- lish, and were taken to Plymouth. The question was then chscussed. What shall be done with them ? It was proposed to sell them into slavery ! Against this, Eels, Church, and Earl remonstrated in the SOLD INTO SLAVERY. 241 Strongest manner, and dwelt with emphasis on the promises they had made the Indians, as an induce- ment to submit. Their earnest and solemn protests produced no effect. The government, notwithstand- ing the inhumanity and wickedness of the act, gave orders for the whole of them to be sold into slavery ! In compliance with the order, these one hundred and sixty Indians were conveyed out of the country. Church was so indignant at such perfidious conduct, and expressed himself with such warmth and bit- terness, that the government never forgave him. The influence of this act was, as it ought to have been, prejudicial to the interests of the Puritans. Baylies says : " This mean and treacherous conduct alienated all the Indians who were doubting, and even those who were strongly disposed to join the English." After many of the towns in the other colonies had been plundered and destroyed, Phihp returned to Plymouth, and continued liis ravages there. Various settlements in the colony were attacked, burnt, and the inhabitants slaughtered, with all the cruelties of Indian barbarity. Finally, Philip retreated to a swamp. This was so completely surrounded by English volunteers, under Church, as to cut off all possibility of escape. If Philip showed himself at the edge, he W£is immediately driven back by the muskets of the English. Captain Church ordered 21 242 DEATH OF PHILIP. Golding to enter the swamp. When Philip found himself closely pursued, he retreated to the other side of the swamp ; there he was met by Caleb Cook, and a friendly Indian, named Alderman. Cook aimed first at Philip, but his ^m only snapped. Alderman then levelled his piece, which was loaded with two balls, and fired. Philip sprang from the ground, and fell upon his face, in the mud and water, dead. One of the balls pierced his heart ; the other entered his lungs. The successful champion immediately informed Captain Church of PhiUp's death. Church ordered him to keep it secret until they had swept the swamp clear of the enemy. This was soon done. The little English band were then assembled to- gether at the place where the enemy had spent the night, and there Church communicated the welcome news of Philip's death, at which the whole company gave three loud, hearty cheers. The captain or- dered the body of the slain chief to be produced ; upon which, some of Church's Indians went to the place, seized Phihp by the legs, and drew him " through the mud into the upland ; and a doleful, great, naked, dirty beast he looked like." Thus died King Philip, one of the sons and suc- cessors of the great Massasoit, and the most dan- gerous enemy with which the New England colonists Avere obhged to contend. Philip's hand. 243 His body, in accordance with the barbarous cus- tom of the times, was beheaded, quartered, and exposed as a warning to others. A day of thanks- giving for tliis signal victory was appointed at Plym- outh, and on that day the head, of Pliihp was taken there, accompanied with demonstrations of triumph and great joy. It was elevated in a conspicuous place, and remained publicly exposed above twenty years. After the death of Phihp, Cook persuaded Alder- man to exchange guns, so that he might have some memento of this great exploit. This gun was pre- served in the family until the present century. The lock was then removed from it, and given to the late Isaac Lothrop, Esq., of Plymouth. The stock and barrel of the gun are said to be still in the pos- session of Cook's descendants. There is a gun lock in the library of the Massachusetts Historical Soci- ety, which is said to be the same which belonged to the gun when it sent the fatal ball into Pliihp's heart. Alderman, being desirous of preserving some trophy of his victory for liimself, cut off one of Philip's hands, which was greatly scarred by the bursting of a pistol, preserved it in rum, and afterwards exhib- ited it to the people throughout the country, for which he received a small gratuity. During this war, the English manifested a very bitter spirit against the Indians. Tliis, of course, 344 Mather's strong language. was to be expected. Dr. Increase Mather, when speaking of the benefit of prayer against Phihp, says, "Nor could they cease crying to the Lord until they had prayed the bullet into his heart." At another time, when speaking of the death of some of Philip's people at Narraganset, his language was, "We have heard of two and twenty Indian captains slain, all of them brought down to hell in one day." In the year 1700, he wrote, " It was not long before the hand wliich now writes, upon a cer- tain occasion, took off the jaw from the exposed skull of that blasphemous leviathan ; and the re- nowned Samuel Lee hath since been a pastor to an English congregation, sounding and showing the praises of heaven upon that very spot of ground where Philip and his Indians were lately worship- ping the devil." It would seem, from this, that the skull of this famous Indian chieftain was exposed about twenty-five years. CHAPTER XXI. " A valiant man Ought not to undergo or tempt a danger But worthily, and by selected ways. He undertakes by reason, not by chance." — Ben Jonsok. " The wise and active conquer difficulties, By daring to attempt them. Sloth and folly Shiver and shrink at sight of toil and hazard, And make the impossibility they fear." — Rowe. The War not ended. — Annawon holds out. — Prowls around the Towns. — Church goes in Pursuit. — Captures a Party of In- dians. — Man seeking- his Father. — Church discovers a Path. — Takes an old Indian and young Girl. — Examines them. — Learns Annawon's Retreat. — Old Man becomes Guide. — He refuses to fight against his Chief. — Leads them to Annawon's Encampment. — High Rock. — Exciting Scene. — Church's Stratagem. — Its Execution. — Annawon surprised. — The whole Band captured. — Leaders cannot sleep. — Philip's Ornaments delivered up. — Church's Anxiety. — Morning. — Prisoners taken to Plymouth. — What shall be done with them ? — . Opinion of Ministers. — Young Annawon. — Prisoners sold into Slavery. — Church opposed to it. The death of Philip did not terminate the war. Some of the chiefs who had been his adherents were disposed to hold out against the English some- what longer ; among these, none were more noto- rious, or more feared, than Annawon. He was bold, cunning, and cruel. He had slain many of the English, some of whom were put to death with tortures. Captain Church, having been informed, 21* 246 CHURCH SEEKS ANNAWON. after the death of Philip, that Annawon was prowl- ing around Rehoboth and Swansey, inflicting all the injury in his power, and being requested by the government to go in pursuit of him, consented- His adventures on this occasion are among the most remarkable which occurred during this memorable war. Church took with him Mr. Jabez Rowland, another Englishman by the name of Cook, and six friendly Indians. This was all the force he had with which to conquer some fifty or sixty bold war- riors, commanded by one of Pliilip's bravest and most sagacious captains, at a time when they were smarting from recent wounds, irritated by their late defeat, and burning to revenge the death of their recently slaughtered cliief and companions. Unmindful of the strength which would be ar- rayed against them, this little band advanced boldly into the enemy's country. It was not long before the scouts discovered a party of Annawon's men, and captured them. This was an encouraging omen. The captain inquired where he would find their chief They gave him to understand that that was a diflicult matter ; as, in order to escape detec- tion, he changed his lodgings every night. One of the Indians who had accompanied Church asked permission to go in search of his father, who was in a swamp, only a few miles from the place where they then were, with no other company than DISCOVERS SOME OF HIS PEOPLE. 247 a young squaw. Church gave him permission, but concluded to go with him, in hopes of getting track of Annawon. Taking with him a few of the party, he set out, leaving Rowland behind. When they arrived at the swamp, he sent the Indian on to find his father. Whilst he was gone. Church succeeded in discovering a narrow path, which led from a forest in the vicinity down to the swamp. Believing it to have been made by Indians, he ordered his men to conceal themselves, some on one side, and some on the other. Presently the noise of footsteps were heard approaching them. In a few moments an old Indian made his appearance, with a gun resting care- lessly on his shoulder, and a young squaw following liim, each of whom had a basket. As soon as they reached a point in the path between the men, Church and bis company suddenly rose from their ambush, and seized them. To prevent all collusion between them, and by the correspondence of their answers to detect the truthfulness of their statements, he examined them apart. Taking the girl one side he asked, — " What company did you leave last 1 " '' Captain Annawon's," she answered. " How many men were with him when you left ? " '• Fifty or sixty," was her reply. "How many miles is it to the place where you left liim ? " 348 THE PRISONERS EXAMINED. " I don't know miles ; but he is in Squannaconk Swamp." This was in the east part of Rehoboth, near Old Taunton. Turning from the girl, he commenced an exami- nation of the old man. He gave precisely the same information. " Can you get there by night 1 " asked Church. " If we set out immediately, and travel fast, we may reach there by sunset." "Who are you, and where were you going ? " asked Church. "I am one of Annawon's men, and he has sent me after some of the tribe who have gone to Mount Hope Neck to kill provision." Church informed him that those men had been taken prisoners. The Indian, who had gone after his father, now returned with him, bringing also another man. The active mind of Church soon devised a plan of procedure. " Men," said he, " will you go with me and give Annawon a visit ? " " Yes," was their unanimous answer. At the same time they told him that they knew that Annawon was a bold chieftain, and the men with him were among the bravest of the army. They doubted whether such a mere handful as they were could make any impression upon such a number of such men. Church, THE PRISONER TURNS GUIDE. 249 however, was undaunted. He said he had been a long time searching for Annawon in vain, and he had not the least doubt that Providence would pro- tect them. Courage is sympathetic. When the men saw the fearlessness of Church, their objections became inoperative, and they desired to be led forward. Church now said to the old man whom he had taken, — " Will you be our pilot to Annawon ? " '' You have spared my life : I am bound to serve you," was his answer. They now set out towards Annawon's hiding- place, guided by the old man. After travelling as rapidly as possible, through woods, swamps, and thickets, for several hours, the old man suddenly halted. "What's the matter? have you made a discov- ery ? " asked Church. " No," replied the guide ; " but about this hour every day Annawon sends out his scouts to see that no enemy is in sight. As soon as it begins to grow dark, they will return, and then we can move on securely." When the shades of evening were suffi- ciently deep to furnish them a veil of safety, they renewed their march. As they started. Church asked the old man, — " Will you take a gun, and fight for me 1 " 250 ANNAWON DISCOVERED. The Indian made a low bow, and said lie hoped that they would not impose such a task upon him as to fight against Captain Annawon, his old friend. " But I will go along with you, and help you, and will lay hands on any man that shall offer to hurt you." After walking a short distance, a noise was heard. Church ordered the men to stop and listen. It was some one pounding corn. They now knew they were very near Annawon's retreat, and great caution was necessary to avoid detection. Near by was a liigh rock, one side of which was a perpendicular precipice ; the other side formed a gentle inclined plane. Church, and two of his Indians, crept slowly and silently up the sloping side of this rock till they reached its lofty summit. They then beheld a sight which was enough to have made any other than hearts of the bravest character quail with fear. An- nawon's whole band of fifty or sixty Indians were be- fore them. By the light of their nmnerous fires, which illumined the surrounding darkness, they saw- that they were divided into three companies. Around the fires were groups of men and women, waiting for the pots to boil, or the meat to roast, wJiich they were engaged in cooking. At the base of the rock was Annawon's lodging-place. It was formed by a tree leaning against a rock, and sheltered on each side with bushes. Amiawon, with his son, and some A PERILOUS ATTEMPT. 251 of his principal men, were there. As there was no possibihty of lowering himself down the steep de- clivity, without detection, he crawled cautiously back and inquired of his old guide if there was no other way of entering among them. The guide told him no. All the other sides of the swamp were guarded, and the Indians themselves had been ordered to come this way ; that if any attempted to enter at any other point, they would be taken for enemies, and shot. Church noticed that the men who were imme- diately around Annawon were not in possession of their arms. Their guns were leaning against a hori- zontal pole, v\hich was supported by two crotchets, and were covered with mats to protect them from the dew. Tliis was more favorable for him. Yet what could he do ? He had only a half dozen men, and Annawon had about sixty. To attempt their capture against such odds, must have seemed hke a forlorn hope. Yet Church resolved to attempt it by stratagem. He told the guide and the young woman to take their baskets on their backs, and pass into the encampment at the usual place of entrance. In this way he thought Annawon would be deceived, and would imagine it some of his own party, espe- cially when he should recognize the old man whom he had sent after the Indians. Church crept down im- mediately behind the guide, with hatchet in hand, concealed by the dark shadow of his basket, which 252 church's stratagem. the fires caused : then came the girl with her basket, in the shadow of which crouched the rest of the party. In an instant they leaped over the head of young Annawon, who rolled his blanket around him and curled into a heap ; they then sjirung for the stacked guns. Old Annawon started up, and with a cry of surprise signified that he was taken. Church told him that resistance was in vain, as the swamp was invested with a large army of the English, who would kill every one who shov/ed a disposition to fight ; but if they would yield quietly, no harm should befall them. The Indians with Church, who were well known to Annawon's men, ran in among the three difterent divisions of the enemy, told them the same story, and exhorted them to give up their arms without resistance, or death would be the con- sequence of refusal, as they Avere surrounded by large numbers of the English. Beheving the stories to be true, they passively yielded themselves prisoners of war, and delivered up all guns, hatchets, and other weapons. Having succeeded thus far. Church knew it would not do to show the least degree of timidity, as that would expose his stratagem, and death would inevitably follow. He therefore kept on a bold front, and said to Annawon, " What have you got for supper, as I intend to sup with you ? " " Taubut," answered the chief; and then turning to his women, he told them to fiirnish Captain Church and his men a supper. ^ ANNAWON WITHDRAWS. 253 " Which will you have," said Aiinawon, " cow- oeef or horse-beef? " " Cow-beef," rephed Church. In a short time it was ready, and the men made a good meal. After supper, Church told his men, if they would watch, and let him sleep for two hours, he would keep guard the rest of the night, as he had had no sleep for thirty-six hours. They agreed to the proposal, and Church laid down to sleep. But after lying half an hour, and finding it impossible, under such circumstances, to catch even a short nap, he looked after his sentinels, and found them all enjoying <' Tired Nature's sweet restorer, balmy sleep." Church had thrown himself down by the side of Annawon, to prevent his escape. After some time, the cliief arose and walked away in the darkness. He was gone so long that Church began to suspect he had given him the slip. He therefore took all the guns, placed them near to himself, and then laid down close to young Annawon, so that no attempt upon liis life could be made without perilling the young chief also. After a while, the painful sus- pense of Church was relieved by Annawon's return. He came with a bundle in his hand. Kneeling at the feet of Church, he said, " Great captain, you have killed Phihp, and conquered his country, for I 22 264 annawon's presents. believe that I and my company are the last that war against the English ; so I suppose the war is ended by your means, and therefore these things belong unto you." He then drew from his bmidle a belt, nine inches broad, and seven or eight feet long, most beauti- fully embroidered, by having figures of beasts, birds, and flowers elaborately wrought into it, and a quantity of variegated wampum, or Indian money. Another belt, also highly embroidered, was next handed him. This was used as a head dress : from it hung two flags, wliicli fell over and ornamented the back. Then another he drew from his bundle, decorated with a star. This was designed for the breast. All of these belts were fringed with red hair, which was obtained from the Mohawks. He next brought out " two horns of glazed powder and a red blanket." " These," said Annawon, " are the royal robes and ornaments in which Pliilip was accustomed to array himself on important public occasions ; they are all that remains of him. As you are his conqueror, 1 cheerfully give them to you." As it was impossible for either of them to sleep, in the exciting circumstances in which they were placed, they spent the remainder of the night in con- versation, in which the chief narrated the great vic- tories he had won over various tribes of Indians, when he fought under Massasoit. To Church time seemed to fly with leaden wings. CLOSE OF THE WAR. 255 Night wore away with extreme slowness. He was impatient for the gray dawn of the morning. He had taken a large band of Indians, and was anxious to secure them before his stratagem was discovered. When it became light, he gave orders to march. They all set out for Taunton. On the way they met Lieutenant Howland, who was left behind when Church with his few men accompanied the Indian who went in search of his father. A few words told the whole story, and filled him with amazement. They spent the night at Taunton. The next day. Church sent the great body of the Indians, under the care of Howland, to Plymouth. But Annawon and a few Indian soldiers he took with himself to Rhode Island, to his family, and from thence to Plymouth. This may be regarded as the conclusion of Philip's famous war, for after this there was no organized opposition to the English. The central power which kept the enemy together was broken, and the sub- sequent exploits consisted mainly in pursuing and capturing small parties of Indians, who, perhaps, refused to submit quietly, for fear they would be punished for having taken up arms against the Eng- lish. Some of these closing skirmishes were full of interest. They exhibited ingenious stratagems, sleepless vigilance, and great bravery. They were attended, though on a small scale, with the promi- nent features of savage warfare. At the close of the 3S6 THE PRISONERS ENSLAVED. war, the prisoners in the hands of the English were to be disposed of. It was a grave question, What shall be done with them ? Opinions were divided. Some inclined to mercy, and others to severity. The subject was discussed both as a political and religious question, and many passages of Scripture were examined in relation to it. The most knotty point of all was, What shall be done with Annawon's son, who would be his father's successor 1 The court asked the opinion of the ministers. Samuel Arnold, the minister of Marshfield, and John Cotton, the minister of Plymouth, expressed the opinion, that " the children of notorious traitors, rebels and mur- therers, and such as have been the principal leaders and actors in such horrid villanies, and that against a whole nation, may, salva repuhlica, be adjudged to death.'' They referred as proof to various Scripture incidents. Increase Mather seems to have been in- clined to the same sentiment. Mr. Keith, minister of Bridgewater, favored a more merciful course. The conclusion was, the young chief was sold as a slave, and shipped to Bermuda. Many others of the prisoners shared the same fate. Old Annawon, and others Avho had killed any of the English, were executed. Church did all in his power to prevent such injustice and cruelty ; but he was overruled by a more potent influence. CHAPTER XXII. •* Justice is lame, as well as blind, amongst ns ; The laws, corrupted to their ends that make them, Serve but for instruments of some new tyranny, That every day starts up t' enslave us deeper." — Otwat. The Colonies affected by the Home Government. — Arrival of An- dros. — Encourag^es Episcopacy. — Declares Land Titles invalid. — Appropriates public Property to private Uses. — Prohibits Town 3Ieeting's. — Other Oppressions. — Andros imprisoned. — Nathaniel Clark seized. — Clark's Island. — The first Sabbath. — Wiswall imprisoned. — Absence from Town Meetings fined. — A Price for Wolves' Heads. — The first Selectmen. — The first Marriage. — An honored Lady. — Introduction of Neat Cat- tle. — First Record of Horses. — A Present to Philip. — Merry Mount. — Weetamore beheaded. — Its Effect on the Indians. — French Vessel wrecked. — The Crew seized ds Prisoners. — Doctor Le Baron. — His Setdement and Marriage. — His Attach- ment to the Cross. — A Premium for Rats' Heads. — First pub- lic Celebration of '' The Landing." — The Dinner. — The fa- mous Rock. — Its Locality proved. — The Evidence of Elder Faunce and others. — The Rock splits. — A good Omen. — Is removed. — Treatment of Tories. — Wonderful Egg. — Dreadful Shipwreck. — Statistics. As the colonies increased in size and importance, they attracted more of the attention of the king and parliament of Great Britain. Their condition was materially affected by the changes in the home government. What they feared most was, that at- tempts would be made to abridge their liberties. These apprehensions were ftilly realized, when, on 32* 258 TYRANNY OF ANDROS. the 29th of December, 1686, Sir Edmund Andros arrived, bringing with Mm the commission of gov- ernor of all the New England colonies. He was a man of arbitrary spirit, and though, at first, he made professions of liberality, he ruled like a tyrant. He abridged the freedom of the press. He encour- aged episcopacy, which had never existed in Mas- sachusetts Bay. He desired the Puritans to relin- quish one of their meeting-houses for the episcopal church. Their answer was, " We cannot, with a good conscience, consent." They were compelled to yield ; and by an act of tyranny, the Book of Common Prayer was read by one in a wliite surphce, in a Puritan place of worship, in Boston. Those who refused to lay their hands on the Bible, when they took an oath, were fined and imprisoned. He declared the usual legal titles to lands invalid, and subjected the people to great ex- pense to get their titles confirmed. He appropri- ated public and private property to the use of his own partisans. He, with his council, who were appointed by the crown, assessed all taxes. He pro- hibited all town meetings, except for the choice of town ofiicers ; fined and imprisoned those who spoke too freely against his administration ; pun- ished town clerks who refused to give up, at his demand, their town records. He demanded exorbi- tant fees for all pubhc business ; required all under ANDROS IMPRISONED. 259 « his government to transact probate business in the probate court at Boston. This, of course, sub- jected those who resided in the distant colonies to great inconvenience, loss of time, and expense. In various other ways did he oppress the people, until they were obhged to present their complaints against him to the king. These were received with no favor. His despotic administration continued until the ac- cession of William and Mary, when the people of the colonies rose in arms, seized Andros, confined him in prison, obliged him to resign, and then re-chose their old governor, Simon Bradstreet, who was nearly ninety years of age. As soon as the news of the change in the govern- ment reached Plymouth, the people there laid hands upon one Nathaniel Clark, a man of similar political sentiments and spirit with Andros, whose parasite he was, and imprisoned liim. One reason for this was, that Clark, under the usurped authority of Andros, had taken possession of an island in Plymouth Har- bor, which had been appropriated by the town for the support of their poor. It was the island on which the Puritans kept their first Christian Sabbath in New England, when they were in search along the coast for a harbor. It was therefore associated in their minds with pleasant, sacred reminiscences. No other spot, probably, could have been wrested from them which would 260 PREMroM FOR wolves' heads. have given them more pain to part with than this. So indignant were Mr. Faunce and Rev. Mr. Wis- wall, the minister of Duxbury, at this high-handed robbery, that they interfered in the matter. For this interference they were prosecuted, fined, and put under bonds to appear at the higher court in Boston. Mr. Wiswall was subsequently sent to prison. As the natural resuh of Clark's oppressive and rapacious conduct, the people of Plymouth were incensed against him, and gladly availed themselves of the first favorable opportunity to bring him to justice. We propose now to group together a variety of facts, having no connection A^th each other, yet too interesting to be omitted. In 1646, it having been observed that town meet- ings were not well attended, an order was passed that every person who should be absent from such meeting after being regularly summoned, should be fined twelve pence, unless he could furnish a satis- factory excuse. Three years afterwards, a town meeting was held at the Iwuse of Governor Bradford, where it was or- dered that whoever should kill one or more wolves, and show the skins or heads as evidence of such death, should receive fifteen shillings for each one destroyed within the hberties of the town. On the same occasion, a number of individuals agreed " to FIRST SELECTMEN. 261 pay two cents apiece to any Indian who sliall kill a wolf, and make it known to the g:overnor by uu.* doubted testimony ; and such as shall kill lesser wolves, shall have an axe or hatchet for each one killed." It was also agreed, that five wolf-traps should be made by several companies of the towns- men, the names of w hom were to be put upon paper, that arrangements might be made to have the traps properly tended. The first appointment of selectmen to manage the affairs of the town occurred the same year, when seven " discreet men " were chosen, whose duty it was to dispose of lands, to provide employment and support for the poor, and take charge of the affairs of the town generally. A few years after this, their powers were considerably enlarged. The first marriage in the colony was solemnized on May 12, 1621, between Mr. Edward Winslow and Mrs. Susannah Wliite. Mr. W. had been a widower between two and three months. The lady was the widow of Mr. William White, and mother of Peregrine White, the first English child born in the colony. Mr. Baylies says, " It is a singular co- incidence, that Mrs. White should have been the first mother and the first bride in a country which has produced a race so distinguished as the New Eng- landers. This would have been cited by the ancients as an instance of rare and happy fortune, if we add 2^ INTRODUCTION OF CATTLE AND HORSES. to that the peculiar happiness of having been the wife of a distinguished governor of her own colony, and the mother of another, equally distinguished, who, to liis other, added the high and solitary honor of having been the commander-in-chief of the forces of the confederate colonies, in a war involving their existence." The fortune of such a lady must be regarded as " transcendently prosperous." When Winslow was sent to England as agent for the col- ony in 1623, he brought back, on liis return, three heifers and a bull. These were the first neat cattle introduced into the colony. About twenty years after this, we find horses are spoken of. The first record concerning them was made in 1644, when we learn that a mare, belonging to the estate of Stephen Hopkins, was valued at six pounds sterling. Three years subsequent, a colt was appraised at four pounds sterling, and a mare and colt at fourteen pounds sterling. Ten years later, the court passed an act, that every freeholder who should own three mares, and who would " keep one horse for military service, should be freed from all military service, training, and watching." During the time that the colony was without horses, it was not an unusual thing for them to ride upon bulls, as we have seen in the case of Mr. Jolm Alden, who went after his bride and brought her home in that manner. In 1665, the court presented Phihp, the A BEAUTIFUL HILL. 263 Indian chief, with a horse. " It would gratify curi- osity to know in what manner King Phihp, and the natives in general, were affected by the first sight of horses and cows. Their minds must have been overwhelmed with astonishment to see men riding on horses and bulls." There is in Quincy a beautiful swell of land near the water, about one hundred feet high, from which a fine view may be obtained of a delightful landscape, embracing on one side hill and dale, dense forest and open plain ; and on the other, the numerous islands and forts in the bay, which, when the ocean is calm, appear like jewels on the surface of a mir- ror ; whilst farther beyond may be seen the city of Boston, crowned with its elevated State House, the tall granite monument on Bunker Hill, and the white spires of numerous churches in the surrounding vil- lages. All combined, they present, especially in a pleasant day, a scene of enchantment which, when once beheld, will not be soon forgotten. But, like many other beautiful spots of earth, it has been the scene of lawless merriment, drunken carousals, and midnight orgies. In 1625, Captain Wollaston, with thirty others, commenced a settlement here, which gave to the place the name of Mount Wollaston. Among the company was one Thomas Morton, who, when Wollaston left, managed to obtam the control of affairs. He opened trade with the natives, and 264 MERRY MOUNT. devoted the profits of it to sports by day, and drunken carousals by night. He changed the name of tlie place to one which he doubtless designed to be more appropriate, calling it Merry Mount, where, according to the New England Memorial, they set up a " May-pole, drinking and dancing about it, and frisking about it like so many fairies, or furies rather ; yea, and worse practices, as if they had anew re- vived and celebrated the feast of the Roman ffoddess Flora, or the beastly practices of the mad bacchana- hans." He furnished the Indians with gunpowder, and taught them how to use it. He supplied them Avith ardent spirits. He gave servants their liberty, and, being destitute of moral principle, he encouraged all kinds of dissipation. The government at Plym- outh at first wrote to him admonitory letters. To these he gave no heed ; until, finally, his influence becoming so deleterious, they sent Captain Standish to seize him. When Standisli arrived, he found Morton prepared to resist him ; but by adopting, as he well knew how, timely and decisive measures, he succeeded in seizing him and carrying him to Plym- outh. Morton was sent to England, but was per- mitted to return the following year. He indulged in various accusations and bitter invectives against the Puritans, which, after his return, were used as evidence against him. He was denominated tlie accuser of the brethren. He was tried by the A SQUAW BEHEADED. 265 court, who fined him one hundred pounds. Being destitute of property, he was unable to pay it. It is said that notliing but his old age saved him from the wliipping-post. He withdrew to Acamenticus, where he terminated his dissolute course a year or two after. The old-fashioned method of lining the hymns, which is still practised in some parts of the country, was introduced into the Plymouth church in 1681. One Une was read, and after this was sung then another was read, and so on to the end of the hymn. It is said that this practice was proposed in the church by a brother lolio could not read. The pastor first announced tlie number of the psalm, and then the elder lined it off. In the month of August, 1667, Weetamore, the squaw sachem of Pocasset, was drowned in attempt- ing to escape from her pursuers, by crossing Tetti- cut River on a frail raft. Some of the inhabitants of Taunton, finding the dead body of a squaw in Mettapoisett, cut off her head. It was found to be the unfortunate Weetamore. She had been bitterly opposed to the English, and, according to Doctor Mather's testimony, " she was next unto Philip, in respect of the mischief that hath been done." When her head was placed upon a pole in Taunton, the Indian prisoners who were there instantly recognized it, and " made a most horrid and diabolical lamenta- tion, crying out that it was their queen's head." 23 2@6 DR. LE BARON. It is painful to contemplate such unnecessary bar- barity. It is an illustration of the tendencies of war to blunt and harden the sensibilities of the heart. In 1696, a vessel was wrecked in Buzzard's Bay. It proved to be a French privateer. The crew were seized and carried as prisoners to Boston. This was after the colonial charter of Plymouth was ab- rogated, and she was united with the colony of Mas- sachusetts Bay, as a British province. It was for this reason that they were taken to Boston, instead of Plymouth. Among these shipwrecked prisoners was a surgeon by the name of Le Baron. As Plym- outh was at that time destitute of a physician, Dr. Le Baron was called upon to perform a surgical operation there. He did this with so much success, that the selectmen of the town sent a petition to Lieutenant Governor Stoughton, praying for Le Baron's liberation, in order that he might settle as a physician in Plymouth. Their petition being granted, the imprisoned Le Baron took up his abode among them, and entered upon his professional career. He formed an acquaintance with Mary Wilder, to whom he was soon after united in marriage. He continued the practice of medicine here until his death, wliich occurred in 1704. Le Baron was a rigid Catholic. So strong were his religious prepossessions, that he never went to sleep at night without placing a small cross on his breast. He was a man of benevolent THE FIRST CELEBRATION. 267 disposition, of which we have one evidence in a dona- tion which he made of fifty acres of woodland to the town. It is stated by Thatcher, that " from this stock all that bear the name of Le Baron in this country are descended, and they are numerous and respectable." This, of course, is true only upon the supposition that no others of the same name have ever immigrated to America since his day. In 1738, it was voted, that for every full-grown rat that should be killed, threepence should be paid out of the public treasury ; and six years later it was voted, that every male head of a family should pro- cure ten grown rats' heads, or pay a iine of sixpence per head for all that fell short. The first time that the landing of the Pilgrim fathers was publicly celebrated in Plymouth was December 22, 1769. The Old Colony Club, which had been formed in January of the same year, originated and carried through the celebration. The morning was opened with a discharge of cannon. An elegant silk flag waved in the breeze from the top of the hall, bearing the inscription, « Old Colony, 1620." At 11, A. M., the members of the club assembled in the hall, and from thence proceeded to an inn kept by Mr. Rowland, upon the identical spot where stood the first licensed house of the old colony. As some may be interested to know the kind of fare with which they were furnished on 268 A PECULIAB DINNER. that occasion, we will give the dishes. " 1, a large baked Indian whortleberry pudding ; 2, a dish of sauquetach, (pronounced sukketash, corn and beans boiled together;) 3, a dish of clams; 4, a dish of oysters and a dish of codfish ; 5, a haunch of veni- son, roasted in the first jack brought to the colony ; 6, a dish of sea-fowl ; 7, a dish of frost fish and eels ; 8, an apple pie ; 9, a course of cranberry tarts, and cheese made in the Old Colony." In imitation of their ancestors, all luxury and extravagance were avoided, the dishes being dressed in the plainest manner. After dinner, a procession was formed of the members, headed by the steward of the club bearing a large volume of the laws of the colony, who marched hand in hand to the hall. When they arrived in front of the hall, a company of the de- scendants of the first settlers formed a regular file, and greeted them with a discharge of small arms and three cheers. These were returned by the club, and " the gentlemen generously treated." After this, the scholars of the grammar school joined in singing a song appropriate to the occasion. At sun- set, a cannon was fired and the flag struck. In the evening the hall was beautifully illuminated. The president occupied the antique chair, which was for- merly the property of Governor Bradford. Addresses were made, sentiments expressed, and toasts drank. At 11, P. M., a cannon was fired, and after three hearty cheers the company withdrew. forefathers' rock. 269 The thrilling emotions awakened in the mind by a visit to the famous Forefathers' Rock, are some- times checked by the thought that perhaps there is some uncertainty in its traditionary location. It becomes, therefore, an interesting question, On what evidence does the generally received opinion rest, that this is the identical rock on which the Pilgrims first stepped 1 In answer to this question, Mr. Rus- sell, in his interesting " Guide to Plymouth," says, " Besides the general and undisputed tradition which designates it as that on which the fathers landed, it was ascertained to be the same on an interesting occasion in the life of Elder Thomas Faunce, the last ruling elder in the first church of Plymouth, who was born in the year 1646, and died in the year 1745, at the advanced age of ninety-nine years. In the year 1741, the elder, upon learning that a wharf was about to be built near, or over the rock which, up to that period, had kept its undisturbed rights at the water's edge, and fearing that the march of im- provement might subject it to injury, expressed much uneasiness. Though residing three miles from the village of Plymouth, and then in declining health, he left home, and, in the presence of many citizens, pointed out the rock we have described as being that on which the Pilgrims, with whom he was contem- porary and well acquainted, had uniformly declared to be the same on which they landed in 1620> Upon 23* t 3tt0 OPPOSITION TO THE BRITISH. this occasion, this venerable and excellent man took a final leave of this cherished memorial of the fatheis. The circumstances above related were frequently mentioned by the late Hon. Ephraim Spooner, deceased, who was present upon the occa- sion connected with Elder Faunce. He was deacon of the church of Plymouth forty-one years, and fifty- two years town clerk, and died March, 1818, aged eighty-three years. The same information was com- municated by Mrs. Joanna White, widow of Gideon White, deceased, who was intimately acquainted in the family of Elder Faunce. She died in 1810, aged ninety-five years. And the same account has been transmitted by other aged persons, now deceased, within the recollection of many now living." During the political excitements that preceded the declaration of independence, the inhabitants of Plymouth were not idle. They were deeply inter- ested in the questions of the day, and adopted effi- cient methods of exhibiting their opposition to the tyrannical measures of the British Parliament. In 1772, a town meeting was called, at which a petition, signed by over a hundred inhabitants, was presented, calling attention to the distressed and alarming situ- ation of the c(juntry, in consequence of the oppres- sive policy of the British government, and praying the town to take the subject into careful considera- tion. After this petition was read, the town ap- REMOVAL OF THE ROCK. 271 pointed a standing committee, to open a correspond- ence with other towns upon the existing troubles, and the best course to pursue with regard to them, and to adopt any other measures which, in their judgment, the exigency of the case might demand. As the unjust and tyrannical laws of the English Parliament increased, the opposition of the Plymouthites was strengthened. In 1774, it was resolved to use the famous Fore- fathers' Rock, as fuel to increase in intensity the flame of indignation, already burning, against the tyranny of the mother country. For this purpose, it was deemed desirable that the rock should be raised from its natural bed and placed in a central part of the town, where it might be daily and hourly seen, and where it might be constantly, though silently, saying, — " Come listen to my story, Though often told before^ Of men who passed to glory, Throug-h toil and travail sore ; Of men who did for conscience' sake Their native land forego, And sought a home and freedom here, Two hundred years ago.'' A large number of the patriotic citizens of the town assembled on the interesting occasion. Forty oxen were brought down to the shore to draw the rock from its ancient, secluded resting-place into 272 THE ROCK BREAKS. its more exposed position. By means of powerful screws it was raised from its bed ; but in the attempt to place it upon the carriage, it fell apart. As no frac- ture had been discovered in it, and as it separated without violence, it excited great surprise. This singular phenomenon was at once seized upon by the enthusiastic patriots of the town as a most favorable omen. They explained it as significant of a division of the British empire. After deliberation, it was decided to remove only one part of the rock. This, after being placed upon the car, was slowly drawn through the streets, followed by a great number of persons, to the Liberty Pole Square, near the meeting- house, where it is said a flag was raised over it, con- taining the brief, stern motto of defiance, " Liberty or Death." Having accomphshed its object there, it made another journey on July 4, 1834, to its present loca- tion, in front of Pilgrim Hall. This was another great day for Plymouth. The whole town was alive and full of excitement. Old and young, males and females, were inspired by the occasion. The chil- dren of tiie several schools in the town, both boys and girls, headed the procession. They had with them a car bearing a model of the Mayflower, beautifiilly decorated. It was drawn by six boys. After them came the older inhabitants, and others, many of whom were the lineal descendants of the Pilgriflis, PROTECTION OF THE ROCK. 273 and bore their names. They passed over that eleva- tion of land known as Cole's Hill, where the remains of those who died during the first winter were laid. When they arrived in front of Pilgrim Hall, and deposited the precious memorial in what is presumed to be its last resting-place, a volley of musketry was fired over it by the Standish Guards ; an address was delivered by Dr. Charles Cotton, and devotional services were conducted by Rev. Dr. Kendall. This portion of the rock is now protected by a noble structure, serving the double purpose of security to the rock, and a monument to the Pilgrims. Thatch- er's description of it is as follows : " The fabric was erected in June, 1835, and consists of a perfect ellipse, forty-one feet in perimeter, formed of wrought- iron bars, five feet high, resting on a base of hammered granite. The heads of the perpendicular bars are harpoons and boat hooks, arranged alternately. The whole is embellished with emblematic figures of cast iron. The base of the railing is studded w4th em- blems of marine shells, placed alternately reversed, having a striking effect. The upper part of the railing is encircled with a wreath of iron castings, in imitation of heraldry curtains, fringed with festoons ; of these are forty-one, bearing the names in bas- reUef of the forty-one Puritan fathers who signed the memorable compact, while in the cabin of the Mayflower, at Cape Cod, 1620. This valuable and 274 VENERATION FOR THE ROCK. interesting acquisition reflects honor on all who have taken an interest in the undertaking. In the original design, by George W. Brimmer, Esq., ingenuity and correct taste are displayed ; and in all its parts, the work is executed witii much judgment and skill. The castings are executed in the most approved style of art. This appropriate memorial will last for ages, and the names and story of the great founders of our nation will be made familiar to the latest generation." Fragments of tliis rock are scattered far and wide throughout our country. That intelhgent French- man, and careful observer of the spirit and institu- tions of the Americans, De Tocqueville, says, " This rock has become an object of veneration in the Unit- ed States. I have seen bits of it carefully preserved in several towns of the Union. Does not this suffi- ciently show that all human power and greatness is in the soul of man 1 Here is a stone wliich the feet of a few outcasts pressed for an instant, and the stone becomes famous ; it is treasured by a great na- tion ; its very dust is shared as a reUc. And what has become of the gateways of a thousand palaces ? Who cares for them ? " During tlie struggle that preceded the independ- ence of the United States, there were in Plymouth two parties, the whigs and tories, the former of whom were by far the most numerous. The tories ABUSE OF THE TORIES. 275 sympathized with tlie king and ParUament, and were, therefore, considered as enemies to America. They were subjected to various insults and punish- ments. The pubhc authority obhged them to make a full and public recantation of their unpopular po- litical opinions over their own signatures. These were published in the papers. When summary pun- ishment was inflicted upon ,any of them by the populace, difterent methods were adopted. Some- times the lawless rioters would amuse themselves with a sport which they called " smoking the tories." This was done by confining the offenders in a room, building a fire on the hearth, and then covering the top of the chimney. Of course, all the smoke would be retained in the room. At other times they would apply a coat of tar to the person, and cover it with feathers. Not unfrequently they would make the poor horse of some obstinate tory suffer for the sins of his master, by shaving his tail, and cropping his ears. On one occasion, a man by the name of Dun- bar exposed for sale in the market a beef ox, which had been killed by a tory, who had rendered himself peculiarly obnoxious to the citizens. As soon as this was known, a number of the more excitable por- tion of the populace assembled together, put Dunbar in the carcass of the ox, clotliing him with it as if it were a coat ; they then tied the tripe around his neck for a cravat, and in that humiliating condition carted 276 THE WONDERFUL EGG. him out of town. Being a man of determined spirit, he refiised to keep out. He shortly returned on horse- back. He was ordered off, but obstinately refused to go. The people being highly incensed at what they regarded as stubbornness, tied him on his horse and conducted him off. He resisted with so much energy as to be considerably injured. The crowd finally procured a cart, in wliich they conveyed him some distance beyond the town. During this year, the British general, Howe, was engaged in military operations to reduce the Ameri- cans to submission. A harmless trick was resorted to in Plymouth, perhaps by a tory, by which public excitement was increased. An egg was discovered, on the shell of wliich coidd be plainly read, " O America, America ! Howe shall be thy conqueror." It was taken from the nest, and exhibited to the people when assembled for public worship. So great was the agitation which it occasioned, that for some time the meeting Avas suspended. The tories pre- tended to believe it was a supernatural revelation. They construed it as an omen favorable to their cause. Some of the opposite party were also inclined to the same opinion, as they knew not how to account for it in any other way. But one less credulous than the rest gave to the matter a tinge of the ridiculous, by observing that it was absurd to suppose that the Almighty would reveal his decrees APPALLING CATASTROPHE. 277 to man through the medium of an old hen. The affair not only became the town talk and a nine days' wonder, but was also the subject of grave newspaper comment, and the alarm wliich it pro- duced in the minds of the timid and superstitious was truly surprising. In the month of December, 1778, a catastrophe of a most appalling nature occurred oiF Plymouth Har- bor. The brig General Arnold, carrying twenty guns, with a crew of one hundred and five souls, under the command of James Magee, of Boston, left that port on the 24th, on a cruise, this country being then engaged in war with Great Britain. Being destitute of a pilot, she was driven upon the fiats near Plymouth. She soon filled with water, when the order was given to cut away tlie masts. As many of the men were drunk, it was difficult to keep them in a state of subordination. A tremendous storm came on, accompanied with snow and sleet. On Saturday, the 26th, a considerable number of the men died. On Sunday morning the vessel was in a fearfully perilous condition. She was completely enshrouded in ice. So violent were the wind and the raging waves, that the inhabitants on shore found it impossible to reach her, or to extend the least assistance. The horrors of theii; situation may be inferred from what was found to be their condition the next day. By that time the sea had so far sub- 24 278 SCENE ON A WRECK. sided that she could be visited. "It is scarcely pos- sible for the human mind to conceive of a more appalling spectacle. The sliip was sunk ten feet in the sand. The waves had been for about thirty-six hours sweeping the main deck ; the men had crowded to the quarter deck, and even here they were obliged to pile together dead bodies to make room for the living. Seventy dead bodies frozen into all imagina- ble postures, were strewn over the deck or attached to the shrouds and the spars ; about tliirty exhibited signs of life, but were unconscious whether in life or death. The bodies remained in the posture in which they died, the features dreadfully distorted ; some were erect, some bending forward, some sitting with the head resting upon the knees, and some with both arms extended, clinging to spars or some parts of the vessel. The few survivors and the dead bodies were brought over the ice on sleds and boards, and the dead were piled on the floor of the court house, ex- hibiting a scene calculated to impress even the most callous heart with deep humility and sorrow. It has been said that the Rev. Mr. Robbins fainted when called to perform the religious solemnities. Those bodies that were to be deposited in coffins were first put into the town brook ; a considerable number were seen floj^ting on the water, fastened by ropes, that their form might be made to conform to the coffin. But about sixty were thrown into a large EFFECTS OF ABSTAINING FROM LIQUOR. 279 pit as they were taken from the vessel. This pit i.s in a hollow on the south-west side of the burial ground, and remains without a stone. The greater part of those who were found aUve expired soon after." The captain survived. He drank no spirits, but poured it freely into liis boots. Almost all those who drank liquor perished, " several being found dead in the very spot where they drank it." What a powerful argument is this in favor of total absti- nence ! This mournful catastrophe, without doubt, was made the subject of Sabbath discourse, and we can imagine what must have been the solemnity and impressiveness of the service. We have not in the preceding pages given any in- formation as to the increase of Plymouth at different periods. This omission will now be supplied. It will be remembered that one hundred came over in the Mayflower, in 1620, of whom one half died during the first winter. In 1624, there were one hun- dred and eighty ; in 1629, three hundred. In 1631, there were between four and five hundred. In 1643, the males from sixteen to sixty years of age were one hundred and forty-six. In 1646, the number of voters, seventy-nine. Four years afterwards it was only fifty-one. In 1683, the voters numbered fifty-five, and in 1689 they amounted to seventy-five. Leaping over a century, we find in 1764 the whole numbej' of inhabitants, including seventy-seven colored per- iiSO NUSFBER OF INHABITANTS. sons and forty-eight Indians, was two thousand two hundred and twenty-five. In 1776, the year of the declaration of independence, they numbered two thousand six hundred and fifty-five. In 1783, at the termination of the revolutionary war, there were only two thousand three hundred and eighty ; in 1800, three thousand five hundred and twenty-four ; in 1820, four thousand three hundred and forty-eight ; in 1840, five thousand two hundred and eighty-one. CHAPTER XXIII. " How could my tongue Take pleasure and be lavish in their praise ? i How could I speak their nobleness of nature, Their open, manly heart, their courage, con.stancy, And inborn truth, unknowing to dissemble ? They are the men in whcyu my soul delights. In whom, next Heaven, I trust." — Rowe. Attachment to the Scriptures. — Reason of Puritanic Singularities. — Precise in their Manners. — Their Ministers of equal Au- thority. — Their Government republican. — Their Self-reliance and divine Dependence. — Were not vindictive. — Did not come here to establish universal Toleration. — Their Object was Lib- erty for themselves. — This the Origin of their Opposition to other Sects. — The prospective Iniluence of their Principles. Having now given an account of some of the most important events which have occurred in the history of Plymouth since its fir.st settlement, we cannot, perhaps, more appropriately close the subject than with a brief sketch of the character and princi- ples of the Puritans. One of their most prominent traits was a con- scientious adherence to what they believed were the teachings of the Sacred Scriptures. To them tlie authority of God was all and in all. Believing as they did that the Bible was his revealed will, they made that their exclusive guide in matters of faith and practice. Creeds, characters, and customs were all tried by this unfailing test, and all was rejected 24* 2S2 REVERENCE FOR THE BIBLE. which, in their opinion, did not stand this ordeal. Laws and regulations adopted by them, which, at the present day, are stigmatized as singularities, were, in many instances, the legitimate fruits of their strict adherence to the teachings of the Bible. The pecu- liarities of some of their forms of legislation were occasioned by their imitation of ancient Jewish cus- toms. Thus, in New Haven the members of the constituent committee were called the " seven pillars hewn out of the house of WisdiDm," and Rhode Island performed for one or two years a " Jewish mas- querade." Their language was quaint, because in- terlarded with the phraseology of Scripture. They disapproved of wigs, veils, and long hair. They were equally opposed to immodest and extravagant ap- parel, because both were alike at variance with the simplicity and purity inculcated by the Bible. They were precise iji their manners, because, as one of them said, they had " a precise God to deal with." They repudiated crosses and beads, surplice and prayer books. To their minds, these were too inti- mately allied to Rome. They denied the superi- ority of the bishops over other orders of ordained ministers. With them, all the ministry occupied the same official platform — they were all bishops, pos- sessing equal official privileges and powers. They maintained that the church was independent of the ministry ; that every church possessed the right of •PURITANS NOT VINDICTIVE. 283 electing its own pastor ; that no power out of them- selves, whether king or archbishop, had any right to impose upon them a minister, contrary to their wishes. In ecclesiastical and civil government they were republican — the majority ruled. Although they cherished strong confidence in God, and acknowledged his hand in all the events of providence, they did not dispense with self-reliance. They were Calvinists, but not fatahsts. They be- lieved that as men have purposes, so has God ; that these purposes result from his infinite wisdom and goodness, and will inevitably be accomplished, with- out the least interference with the free agency of man. They cultivated confidence in God in con- junction with self-dependence. Their works went with their faith, and were the fruits of it. Crom- well developed the union of these apparently con- flicting principles, when, in making an attack in a rainy day, he said to his soldiers, " Trust in God and keep your powder dry ; " and when on another occa- sion he said, " He that prays best and preaches best, will fight the best." The Puritans were not vindictive. We know there are those who deny this, and who assert that they were governed by " a bigoted despotism, with which they domineered over ail who departed from their stern creed, and who would not consent to stand day and night in the strait jacket in wliich they 284 PURITANS MISREPRESENTED. enveloped alike the feeble and the strong." We are aware that it has been said, " the tyranny with which they were oppressed in England was light in comparison to the relentless and unsated animosity with which they pursued the Quakers, the most harmless and kindest sect the world ever saw." It is not uncommon to meet with indiscriminate, whole- sale denunciations of this character. From some representations which have been given, it would be easy to infer that the Puritans were a most bigoted, tyrannical, superstitious, revengeful, and persecuting sect ; that their excellences have been altogether overrated, and their memories too highly honored. With all this we have no sympathy. It is our firm conviction, that the more their principles are under- stood and their characters known, the more they will be admired. That they had their imperfections, is not denied. That a number of their particular measures, such as their selling captured Indians into slavery, their barbarous practice of beheading, quar- tering, and exposing portions of the bodies of their enemies, their persecutions of the Quakers, Baptists, and others, and their cruel treatment of reputed witches, should be strongly condemned, is also ad- mitted. These are dark shadows in their history, tlie existence of which cannot be too deeply regret- ted. But we should remember that they hved in a darker period than the present ; that what public PERSECUTION OF OTHER SECTS. 285 opinion now condemns, public opinion then ap- proved ; that their conduct was in harmony with the spirit of their age. Their persecutions of the Quakers, the Baptists, and others whom they termed schismatics, seemed to them to be demanded by the necessity of the case. In respect to the Quakers, it cannot be concealed that they gave provocation. The Friends of tlie present generation are not guilty of the practices of those who lived two centuries ago, neither do they approve them. It has been well said, that " if the essential guilt of persecution would be aggravated when aimed against the quiet, patient philanthropist of the present day, it does not therefore follow that it would be attended with like aggravation, however wicked else, when the subject was the mischievous madman of two centuries ago, with whom the Mas- sachusetts colonists had to deal. We suppose that the duty of toleration, comprehensive though it be, stops somewhere short of allowing men and w^omen, for conscience' sake, to run as naked as they were born through the streets and into the churches ; or, at all events, that it does not require the permitting of people to gain a name like Abraham's, by sacri- ficing their own sons, as one of the Quakers in 1658 was proceeding to do, when his neighbors, alarmed by the boy's cries, broke into the house in time to interfere." 286 HOW TO EXAMINE THEM. To do the Puritans justice, we should examine their conduct from their stand point ; we should look at it through their eyes and with their heart. If they had come here in order to establish a govern- ment of universal rehgious toleration, to provide a peaceful home for all religious sects, then their per- secution of others would have been at direct variance witli their principles. But this was not their object. They braved a winter's voyage across the Atlantic that they might find a place where they could wor- ship God according to their own conscience, without molestation from others. They sought liberty for tliemselves, not for the world ; a place of freedom where they could serve their Maker, and train up their children according to their own views of duty, without the embarrassment of an arbitrary govern- ment, or of opposing sects. When, therefore, other denominations presented themselves within their limits, and claimed the right of promulgating senti- ments which the Puritans regarded as unscriptural and liighly dangerous, they were prohibited. " We cannot permit it," said the Pilgrim fathers. " The diffusion of such sentiments through our little com- munity will disturb our peace, will corrupt the purity of our faith, will engender hatred and strife, and will imperil the souls of our children. The toleration of such sects among us will defeat the object for which, with so much suffering and toil, we have PURITANS CONSCIENTIOUS. 287 come to America. If you desire liberty, go off by yourselves, and form an independent colony as we have ; but come not within our borders, to be snares to our feet and thorns in our side." But when those wliom they deemed heretics refused to go, they verily thought they were doing God service in punishing them, as Saul of Tarsus did, when per- secuting the Christians of the first century. To form our opinion of them with the impression on our minds that they possessed all the light upon re- ligious freedom which we enjoy, is to treat them unfairly. The great doctrine of " soul liberty " they had not received, although it was proftered them by Roger Williams, and therefore our con- demnation of them must not be quite so severe as if they had embraced it. Although these considerations do not justify the severities of the Puritans towards other sects, they are yet worthy of examination, when forming our opinion of their character. They were indus- trious, frugal, self-denying, and persevering; they were the friends of education, and early endowed schools and colleges. They were sympathetic, benevolent, and affectionate. They endeavored to make the will of God their rule of conduct, and the glory of God the great end of life. If their descendants are sufficiently wise to adopt similar principles, and consistently maintain them in all the 288 EFFECT OF PURITAN PRINCIPLES. relations of life, the institutions which they have planted, and which are the living fountains of our prosperity, will continue to bless our country till the end of time. " O, never may they rest unsung-. While Liberty can find a tongue ! Twine, Gratitude, a wreath for them, More deathless than the diadem. Who to life's noblest end Gave up life's noblest powers, And bade the legacy descend Down, dowii to us and ours.'' — Sprague CATALOGUE OF VALUABLE "WORKS PUBLISHED BY GOULD AND LINCOLN, NO. 50, WASHINGTON STREET, BOSTON. The attention of the public is invited to an examination of the merits of the works described in this Catalogue, embracing valuable contributions to Geuerai Literature, Science, and Theology. Besides their own publications, they have a general assortment of books in the various departments of literature, and can supply every thing in their U;ve of business on the lowest terms, wholesale and retail. PRINCIPLES or ZOOLOGY; Touching the Structure, Devel- opment, Distribution, and Natural An-angement of the Races OF Animals, living and extinct, with numerous illustrations. For the use of Schools and Colleges. Part I., Comparative Physiology. By Louis Agassiz and Augustus A. Gould. " The design of this work is to furnish an epitome of the leading principles o( the science of Zotilogy, as deduced from tfie present state of knowledge, so illustrated as to be intelligible to the beginning student. No similar treatise DOW exists in this country, and indeed, some of the topics have not been touched upon in the language, unless in a strictly technical form, and in scattered articles." " Being designed for American students, the illustrations have been drawn, as far as possible, from American objects. * * * Popular names have beea employed as far as possible, and to tlie scientific names an English termination has generally been given. The first part is devoted to Comparative Physiology, as the basis of Classification ; the second, to Systematic Zoology, in which the principles of Classification will be applied, and the principal groups of animals briefly characterized." — Extracts /Vom the Preface. MODERN FRENCH LITERATURE; By L. Raymond De Vericoue, formerly lecturer in the Royal Athenceum of Paris, member of the Institute of France, &c. American edition, brought down to the present day, and revised with notes by William S. Chase. With a fine portrait of Lamartine. *,*Thi3 Treatise has received the highest praise as a comprehensive and thorough survey of the various departments of Modem French Literature.- It contains biographical and critical notes of all the prominent names in Phi- losophy, Criticism, lEstory, Romance, Poetrj, and the Drama; and presents p. full and impartial consideration of the Political Tendencies of France, as thty may be traced in the writings of authors equHlly conspicuous as Scholars antf. as Statesmen. Mr. Chase, wlio has been the Parisian correspondent of severtu leading periodicals of this country, is well qualified, from a prolonged resi- dence in France, his familiarity with its Literati:re, and by a personal rc« quaiutance with many of these authors, to introduce the work of De VericouT to the American public. "This is the only complete treatise of the kind on this subject, either it French or English, and has received the highest commendation. Mr. Chase ik well qualified to introduce the work to the public. The book cannot ftil to £>« both useful and popular." — New York Evening Post, RELIGIOUS PROGRESS; DISCOURSES ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CHRISTIAN CHARACTER. BY WILLIAM R. WILLIAMS, D. D. 12mo., Cloth ; price, 85 Cents. From H. J. Ripley, D. D., Prof of Sacred Rhetoric, SjC, JVewton Theol. InsU Strong conceptions, suggested by earnest conviction, arrest the reader's attention in this volume, no less than the author's characteristic beauty of thought and language. Historical and other illustrations of senti- ments are apt and abundant ; ever>' page almost betraj'ing the wide com- prehension of knowledge which distinguishes the author. These Dis- courses cannot fail to make the heart better, while they inform the under- standing and gratify a cultivated taste. " This book is a rare phenomenon in these days. It is a rich exposition of Scripture, with a fund of practical, religious wisdom, conveyed in a style so strong and so massive, as to remind one of the English w riters of two centuries ago ; and yet it abounds in fresh illustrations drawn from every — even the latest opened — field of science and of literature." — Methodist Quarterly. " His power of apt and forcible illustration is almost without a parallel among recent writers. The mute page springs into life beneath the magic of his radiant imagination. But this is never at the expense of solidity of thought or strength of argument. It is seldom indeed that a mind of so much poetical invention yields such a willing homage to the logical ele- ment. He employs his brilliant fancies for the elucidation and ornament of truth, but never for its discovery." — Harpers' Monthly jMiscellany. " With warm and glowing language. Dr. Williams exhibits and en- forces this truth, every page radiant with 'thoughts that burn,' and leave their indelible impression upon the candid and intelligent mind." — JV. Y. Com. Advertiser. " The strength and compactness of argumentation, the correctness and beauty of style, and the importance of the animating idea of the dis- courses, are worthy of the high reputation of Dr. Williams, and place them among the most finished homiletic productions of the day. We could wish their judicious thoughts and animated periods might secure the study of every Christian." — JV. Y. Evangelist. " This work is from the pen of one of ^the brightest lights of the American pulpit. We scarcely know of any living writer who has a finer command of powerful thought and glowing, impressive language, than he. The present volume will advance, if possible, the reputation which his previous works have acquired for \nm.^' — Albany Evening "Dr. Williams has no superior among American divines, in profbund and exact learning, and brilliancy of style. He seems familiar with the literature of the world, and lays his vast resources under contribution to illustrate and adorn every theme which he investigates. We wish the volume could be placed in every religious family in the country." — Phila. Chr. Chronicle. We venture to predict that this work will take its place at once among the classics of American literature." — .jV. Y. Recorder. " These sermons are certainly able and eloquent productions ; a valiiable contribution to those efforts which are making, in various di- rections, to prevent the self-sufficiency of the nineteenth century fron* forgetting its allegiance to God and his Christ, and to wake up the true church to the duty, even as it has the power, to extend over the world its spiritual government." — JV. Y. Chr. Inquirer. LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE O'E JOHN FOSTER, AUTHOR OF "decision OF CHARACTER," "ESSAYS," &C. BY J. E. RYLAND. With Notices of Mr. Foster as a Preacher and a Companion, by JoHw Shepard, author of " Thoughts on Devotion," &c Two Vols, in one. 714 pp., 12mo, cloth, $1,25 "In simplicity of language, in majesty of conception, in the eloquence of that conciseness which conveys in a short sentence more meaning than the mind dares at once admit, his writings are unmatched." — JVoWA BritUh Review. "It is with no ordinarj' expectations and gratification and delight that we have taken up the Biography and Correspondence of the author of the ' Esf'ays on Decision of Character,' &c. The memoir of such a man as John Foster must, of necessity, possess very peculiar attractions. " We are glad to find ourselves in possession of so much additional matter from, the well-nigh inspired pen of this great master in English composition." — Ckristian Revino. "A book rich in ever}' way — in good sense, vivacity, suggestiveness, liberality, and piety." — Mirror. " The letters which principally compose this A'olume bear strongly the impress of his own original mind, and are often characterized by a depth and power of thought rarely met with even in professedly elaborate dis- quisitions." Albany Argus. " This work, from the character of its subject, must constitute the choice book of the season, in the department of correspondence and biography. We all wish to know what he was as a friend, a husband a father, and as a practical exponent of what is enshrined in the immortal productions of his pen. All who appreciate the subject of which these volumes treat will rejoice in the opportunity of adding this treasure te their libraries." — Watchman 4" Reflector. " John Foster was one of the strongest writers of his age."— ChristUni Register. " In this large volume, of over 700 pages, the publishers have pre sented the reading public with the memoir and correspondence of one of the most profound and eloquent writers of the age. In vigor and majesty of conception and thought, and in simplicity of language, the writings of John Foster are unrivalled. It is almost superfluous to speak of their merits — for they have been read and appreciated extensively on both sides of the Atlantic. We wish to see a great man at home — and in the biography and letters comprised in the volume before us, this rational curiosity is gratifi id. The reader is introduced to the intellectual giant intherelationsaiiilevery-day scenes of private life." — Christian Observer. " Though a great, Mr. Foster was not a voluminous, writer. Few men ever wrote with more care or more thoroughly elaborated their works than lie." — Western Literary Messenger " John Foster was an extraordinary' man. The life and f orrespondenc* of one who possessed the masterly powers of Mr. Foster must have much in them to instruct and improve all who are fortunate enough to have the volume that embraces them. — Christian Witness. " John Foster was one of the greatest thinkers, and most vigorous and impressive writers of the present day. We are glad to see this work placed in the reach of all, at a very reasonable price.' — Christian Herald WAYLAND'S UNIVERSITY SERMONS. SERMONS DELIVERED IN BROWN UNIVERSITY. By Francis Wayland, J) . D. Second Edition. Umo. Price, $1 00. " Few sermons contain so much carefully arranged thouglit as these by Df- Wayland. The thorough logician is apparent throughout the volume, and there is a classic purity in the diction unsurpassed by any writer, and equalled by very few." — JVew York Commercial Jidvertiser. " They are the careful production of a matured and powerful intellect, and Avere addressed to a thinking and well-informed audience, and arc especially adapted for the educated and thoughtful man." — Clir. Alliance " No thinking man can open to any portion of it without finding his attention strongly arrested, and feeling inclined to yield his assent to those Belf-evincing statements which appear on every page. As a writer, Dr. Wayland is distinguished by simplicity, strength, and comprehensiveness. Ke addresses himself directly to the intellect more than to the imagination ; to the conscience more than to the passions. Yet, through the intellect and the conscience, he often reaches the depths of our emotive nature, and rouses it by words of power. Wo commend these sermons to all students of moral and religious truth, to all lovers of sound thought conveyed in elegant diction." — IVatchman ^- Reflector. " The discourses are characterized by all that richness of thought and elegance of language for which their talented author is celebrated. Tho whole volume is well worthy of the pen of the distinguished scholar and divine from whom it emanates." — I>r. Baird's Christian Union. SACRED RHETORIC: Or Composition and Delivery of Sermons. Ey Hen-rt J. Ripley, Professor in Newton Theological Institution. Including Ware^s Hints on Extemporaneous Preaching. 12/no. Price, 75 cents. "An admirably prepared work, clear and succinct in its positions and recommendations, soundly based on good authority, and well supported by a variety of reading and illustrations. It is well adapted for a healthy dis- cipline of the faculty, and there are few preachers who might not with profit revise their practice by its pages. It is worthy, too, of being a com- panion to Whately, in the general study of Rhetoric." — JV*. Y. Literary IVvrld. " Prof. Ripley possesses the highest qualifications for a work of this kind. His position has given him great experience in the peculiar wants of theo- logical students." — Providence Journal. " This work belongs among the substantials of our literature. It is man- ifestly the fruit of mature thought and large observation ; it is pervaded hy ,1 manly tone, and abounds in judicious counsels ; it is compactly written, and admirably arranged, both for study and referejice. It will become a text-book for theological students ; it deserves to be read by all ministt-ra wlio can avail them«elvcs of it, and especially by all young ministers." — JV**. Y. Recorder REPUBLICAN CHRISTIANITY: OR TRUE LIBERTY; Si exk bited in the Life, Precepts, and early Disciples of the Qreat Redeemer By E. L. Magoon. 12mo. Price, $1 25. " It is adapted to the spirit of the times. It meets and answers the great hiquiry of the present day. It describes clearly the corruptions of past times, the imperfections of the present, and tlie changes that must be offected in the forms and spirit of religion, and through religion, upon the State, to secure to us better and brighter prospects for the future. The author is not afraid to expose and condemn the errors and corruptions, either of the church or state." — Cfirisf.ian Watckman. " It is a very readable, and wo think will prove a useful book. The ar- irument is clear and well sustained, and the style bold and direct. The :x)ne and spirit of the entire work are that of an independent thinker, and of a man whose sympalliies are with the many and not with the few, witli rjo privileged class, but with tiic human race. We commend this book to all lovers of true liberty and of a pure Christianity." — Providence JournaL " Mr, Magoon thinks boldly, and speaks frankly, and with a variety and freshness of illustration that never fail to command attention." — JVew York Tribune. " He consiflers Christianity in all its parts as essentially republican. He Jias maintained his position with great tact. It is a clear, striking, attrac- tive presentation of his views, and the reasons for them. It will excite attention, botli from the subject itself, and from the manner in which it is handled," — Philadelphia Chronicle. " This book is one which the masses will read with avidity, and its pe- rusal, we think, will lire up the zeal of some Christian scholars.^' — Bapti.st Memorial. PROVERBS FOR THE PEOPLE: Or, Illustrations of practical OoMiness, drawn from the Book of JVisdanu By E, L. Magoon. 12mo. Price, 90 cents. • He is quaint, sententious. He has indeed the three great qualities ' pnh, point, and pathos ; ' and always enforces high and noble sentiments." --JVevD York Recorder. " It is a popular manual of great practical utility." — Ch. Chrcnicle, Phila. "The subjects am so selected as to embrace nearly all the practical tiuties of life. The work, in consequence of this peculiar character, will be found extensively useful." — Rochester Democrat. " The work abounds with original and pithy matter, well adapted to en- gage the attention and to reform the life. We hope these discourses will be extensively read." — Morning' Star, Dover. " It is an excellent book for young people, and especially for young men, mmJdstlhc temptations of business and pleasure." — ilhany Express, THE WORKS OF JOHN HAKFJS, D D. THE PRE-AD AMITE EARTH: Contributions to Theological Science. 12mo. Price So cents. "It is a book for thinking men." It opens new trains of thought to the reader — puts him in a new position to sun-ey the wonders of Gcd's works : and compels Natural Science to bear her decided testimony iu support of Divine Truth." — Philadelphia Ch. Observer. MAN PRIMEVAL ; Or, the Constitution and Primitive Condj^ tion of the Human Being. A Contribution to Theological Sci- ence. With a finely engraved portrait of the author ; 12mov cloth, price $1.25. *«* Tliis is the second volume of a series of works on Theological Science. The first was received with much favor — the present is a continuation of the principles whicli were seen holding their way Uirough the successive kingdoms of primeval nature, and are here resumed and exhibited in their next higher applicarion to individual man. "His copious and beautiful illustrations of the successive laws of the Divine Manifestation, have j-ielded us inexpressible delight." — Lond. Edcctic Review. THE GREAT COMMISSION ; Or, the Christian Church coustl tuted and cliarged to convey the Gospel to the World. A Prize Essay. With an Introductory Essay, by W. E. "Willi.ois, D.D. Sixth thousand. 12mo. Price $1.00. " Of the several productions of Dr. Harris, — all of them of great value, — thai now before us is destined, probably, to exert the most powerful influence in forming the religious and missionary character of the coming generations. But the vast fund of argument and instruction comprised in these pages will excite the admiration and inspire the gratitude of thousands in our own land as well as iu Europe. Every clergyman and pious and reflecting layman ought to pos- sess t'le volume, and make it familiar by repeated perusal."— Z.'os- munion with a mind that can ' mingle with the universe.' We consider this volume as setting the long and fiercely agitated question, as to the extent of the Atonement, completely at rest. Posterity will thank the author till tlte latest ages, for his illustrious arguments." —i^'eiD i'ork EvaageUst. THE UNION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT AND THE CHURCH, in the Conversion of the World. By Thomas W. Je«kyn, D.D. 12mo., cloth. Price 85 cents. " The discussion is eminently scriptural, placing its grand theme, the union of the Holy Spirit and the Church in the conversion of the world, in a very clear and affecting light." — Christian Watchman. " A very excellent work upon a very important subject. The author seems to have studied it in all its bearings, as presented to his contemplation in the sacred \'Dlume." — London Evangelical Magazine. " Fine talent, sound learning, and scriptural piety pervade every page. It is impossible that it can be read without producing great effects. Sir. Jenkyn. deserves the thanks of the whole body of Christians for a book which will greatly benefit the world and the church." — London Evangelist. ANTIOCH ; Or, Increase of Moral Power in the Church of Christ. By Rev. P. Church. With an Introductory Essay, by Baron Stow, D.D. 18mo., cloth. Price 50 cents. "It is a book of close and consecutive thought, and treats of subjects which ere of the deepest interest, at the present time, to the churches of this countrj The autlior is favorably known to the religious public, as an original thinker, end a forcible writer." — Christian Reflector. " By some this book will be condemned, by many it will be read with pleasure, because it analyzes and renders tangible, principles that have been vaguely conceived in many minds, reluctantly promulgated, and hesitatingly believed. We advise our brethren to read "the book, and judge for theni- eelves." — Baptist Record. • It is the work of an original thinker, on a subject of great practical interest to the church. It is replete with suggestions, which, in our view, are emi- nently worthy of consideration." —Phila. Christian Observer. THE IMITATION OF CHRIST. By Thomas a Kempis. With an Introductory Essay, by T. Chalmers, D.D. A new and improved edition. Edited by H. Malcom, D.D. 18mo.^ cloth. Price 38 cents. THE PERSON AND WORK OF CHRIST. By Ernest Sartorius, D. D. Translated from the German, by Rev. O. S. Stearns, A. M. Cloth. 42 cents. " A work of much ability, and presenting the argument in a style that will be new to most American readers, it will deservedly attract atteft tion." — JV. Y. Observer. PHILOSOPHY AND PHILOLOGY. ANCIENT LITERATURE AND ART ; Or, Essays on Clas- sical Studies, with the Biography and Correspondence of Eminent Philologists. By Bakxas Sears, of Newton; B. B. Edavards, of Andover ; and C. C. Feltox, of Cam- bridge. 12mo. Cloth. Price, SI 25. " The object of the accomplished gentlemen who have engaged in its picpa- r.iyon has bi'on, to foster and extend among educated men, in this country, the already gi-owiug interest in classical studies. Tlie design is a noble iir.d generous one, and has been executed with a taste and good sense tliat do honor botli to the writers and the publishers. The book is one which deserves a jilace in the library of every educated man. To those now engaged in classical study it cannot fail to be highly useful, while to the more advanced scholar, it will open new sources of interest and delight in the unforgotten pursuits of liis earlier days." — rrovicleiice Journal. GESENIUS'S HEBREW GRA3I3IAR. Translated from the Eleventh German Edition. By T. J. Coxaxt, Prof, of He- brew and of Biblical Criticism and Interpretation in the Theol. Institution at Hamilton, N. Y. With a Course of Exercises in Hebrew Grammar, and a Hebrew Chrestomathy, prepared by the Translator. 8vo. cloth. Price S2.00. "*«* Special reference has been had in the arrangement, illustrations, the addition of the Course of Exercises, the Chrestomathj', &c.. to adapt it to the wants of those who may wish to pursue the study of Hebrew without the aid of a teacher. LIFE OF GODFREY WILLIA3I VON LIEBNITZ. On the basis of the German Work of Dr. G. E. Guhrauer. By John M. Mackie. 16mo. cloth. Price 75 cents. " The peculiar relation which I.iebnitz sustained during his life to Locke and Newton may partly acconnt for the fact tliat a biographvof this great man has been so long wanting in the English language. . . . We commend tiiis book, not only to scholars and men of science, but to all our readers who love to contemplate the life and labors of a great and good man. It merits the special notice of all wlio arc interested in the business of education, and deserves a place bj' the side of Brewster's Life of Newton, in all the libraries of our schools, academies, and literary institutions." — C/in'fli'.ni Wutchmar}. " There is perhaps no case on record of a single man who has so gone the rounds of human knowledge as did Liebnitz : he was not a recluse, like Spi- noza and Kant, but went from capital to capital, and associated with kings and premiers. All branches of thought were interesting to him, and he seems in pursuing all to ha\ e been actuated not by ambition, but by a siT)eere desire to promote the knowledge and welfare of mankind. — Christian World. LIFE OF ROGER WILLIA3IS, The Founder of the State of Rhode Island. By W>r. Gammell, Prof, in Brown University. With a Likenes?."^ 12mo. cloth. Price 75 cents. ••Mr. Gammell's fine belles-letters attainments have enabled him to present his distinguished subject in the most captivating light. So far as the work touches controversies which reach and influence the present times, it ie out privilege as well as duty to read it as a private citizen, and not as a public . our- nalist. Its mechanical execution is in the usually neat style of the respectable publishers." — Christinyi Alliance. " This life has many virtues — brevity, simplicity, fairness. Though written by a Rhode Island man, and warm in its approval of Roger Williams, it is not unjust to his Puritan ojiponents, but only draws such deductions as were unavoidable from the premises. It is the life of a pood man, and we read with grateful complacency the commeidation of his excellences." Christian World, WORKS ON MISSIONS. THE BIISSIONARY ENTERPRISE ; A Collection of Discourses oil Clu'istian Missions, by American Authors. Edited by Baron Stow, D.D. 12mo., cloth. Price 85 cents. '• If we desired to put into the hands of a foreigner a fair exhibition of the cnpacity and spirit of the American cliurch, we would give liim this volume. You have liere tlirown together a few discourses, preached from time to time, by different individuals, of different denominations, as circunistances hava demanded them ; and you see the stature and feel the pulse of the Amerieau Chujch in these discourses witli a certainty not to be mistaken. " You see tlie liigh talent of the American church. We venture the asser- tion, that no nation in the world has such an amount of forceful, available talent in its pulpit. The energy, directness, scope, and intellectual spirit of the American church is woiulenul. In this book, the discourses Dy Dr. Beecher, Pres. Wayland, and tlie Eev. Dr. Stone of the Episcopal church, are among the very highest exhibitions of logical correctness, and burning, popu- lar fervor. This volume will have a wide circulation."— ZVic Xeiv EnglutuJer. '• This work contains fifteen sermons on Missions, by Rev. Drs. Waylacd, GrifKn, Anderson, Williams, Beeclier, Miller, Fuller, Beman, Stone, Slasou. and hy Rev. Messrs. Kirk, Stow, and Ide. It is a rich treasure, wliicli ought to be in the possession of every American Christian."— Carolina BaptUt. THE GREAT C03I3IISSION ; Or, the Christian Church consti- tuted and charged to convey the Gospel to the world, A Prize Essay. By John Hakkis, D.D. With an Introductory Essay, by W'. K. Williams, D.D. Sixth thousand. 12mo., cloth. Price $1.00. '• Ilia plan is original and comprehensive. In filling it up the author ha.? interwoven facts with rich and glowing illustrations, and with trains of thought tliat are sometimes almost resistless in their appeals to the conscience. The work is not more distinguished for its arguments and its genius, than for the spirit of deep and fervent piety tliat pervades it." — The Uai/spving. "Its style is ronarkably chaste and elegant. Its sentiments richl}' and fer- vently evangelical, its argiimentatiou conclusive." — Ziou's Jlei-ald, Boston. " To recommend this work to the friends of missions of all denominations would be but faint praise ; the author deserves and will undoubtedly receive the credit of having applied a new lever to tliat great moral machine which, by the blessing of God, is destined to evangelize the world." Christian .S'SCretari/, JIa7-t/oriL »'Wc hope that the volume will be attentively and prayerfully read by the whole church, wliich are clothed with the " Great Commission" to evangelize the world, and that they will be moved to an immediate discharge of its high and mouicntous obligations.— -V. £. Puritan, Boston. THE KAREN APOSTLE ; Or, Memoir of Ko Thah-Byu, the first Karen convert with notices concerning his Nation. By the Rev. Francis Mason. Edited by Prof. H. J. Eipley. Fifth thousand. ISmo., cloth. Price 25 cents. " This is a work of thrilling interest, containing thfe history of a remarkabla man, and giving, also, much iiiformation respecting the Karen Mission, here- tofore unknown in this countr}-. It gives an accoiint, which must be attrac- tive, from its novelty, of a peoi)le that have been but little knosvn and visited by missionaries, tillwithin a few years. The baptism of Ko Tliah-Byu, la l!528, was the beginning of the mission, and at tlie end of these twelve years, twelve hundred and seventy Karens are officially reported as members of the churches, in good standing. The mission has been carriefi on pre-eminently by the Karens themselves, and there is no doubt, from much touching evi- dence contained in this volume, that they are a people peculiarly susceptibie to relicious impressions." MEMOIRS OF DISTINGUISHED MISSIONARIES. MEMOIR OF ANN H. JUDSON, late Missionary to Bumiah. By Rev. Jamks D. Knowles. "With a likeness. 12mo., fin« Edition, price 85 cents. 18mo. Price 58 cents. " We are particularly gratified to perceive a new edition of the Memoirs of Mrs. Judson. She was an honor to our country — one of the most noble- epirited of her sex. It cannot, therefore, be surprising, that so many editions, and so many thousand copies of her life and adventures have been sold. The name — the long career of suffering —the self-sacrificing spirit of the retired country-girl, have spread over the whole world ; and the heroism of her apostlesliip and almost martyrdom, stands out a living and heavenly beacon-fire, amid the dark midnight of ages, and human history and exploits. She was the first vjonian who resolved to become a missionary to heathea countries." —American Traveller. " This is one of the most interesting pieces of female biography which ha* ever come under our notice. No quotation, which our limits allow, would do justice to the facts, and we must, therefore, refer our readers to the volume itsell'. It ought to be immediately added to every family library." London Miscellany. MEMOIR OF GEORGE DANA BOARDMAN, Late Missionary to Burmah, containing much intelligence relative to the Bur- man mission. By Rev. Alonzo King. Embellished with a Likeness ; a beautiful Vignette, representing the baptismal scene just before his death ; and a draAving of his tomb. By Rev. H. Malcom, D.D. 12mo. Price 75 cents. " One of the brightest luminaries of Burmah is extinguished — dear brother Boardman is gone to his eternal rest. He fell gloriously at the liead of hia troops — in the arms of victory, — thirty-eight wild ICarens having been brought into the camp of king Jesus since the beginning of the year, besides the thirty-two that were brought iu during the two preceding years. Dis- abled by wounds, he was obliged, tlirough the whole of the last expedition, to be carried on u litter ; but his presence was a host, and the Holy Spirit accom- panied his dying whispers with almighty influence." — Rev. Dr. Judson, MEMOIR OF MRS. HENRIETTA SHUCK, The first American Female Missionary to China. By Rev. J. B. Jeter. With a Likeness. Fourth thousand. ISmo. Price 50 cents. " The style of the author is sedate and perspicuous, such as we might expect from his known piety and learning, his attachment to missions, and the amiable lady whose memory he embalms. The book will be extensively read and eminently useful, aiid thus the ends sought by the author will iM happily secured. We think we are not mistaken in this opinion. Those who are interested in China, that large opening field for the gloric^us con- quests of divine truth, will be interested in this Memoir. To the friends of missions generally, the book is commended, as worthy of au attentive peru- Bal." — The Fanulij Visitor, Boston. MEMOIR OF REV. WILLIAM G. CROCKER, Late Miss'onary iu West Africa, among the Bassas, Including a History of the Mission. By R. B. Medbery. With a likeness. ISmo. Price 62>2 cents. " Our acquaintance with the excellent brother, who is the subject of th;* Memoir, will be long and fondly cherished. This volume, prepared by a lady, of true taste and taient, and of a kindred spirit, while it is but a just tribute to his worth, will, we doubt not, furnish lessons of humble and practical piety, and will give such facts relative to the mission to which he devoted his life, as to render it worthy a distinguished place among the religious and missionary tuogrnphj \rliich has so much enriched the familj of God."- - }FaU:hman. REV. HARVEY NEWCOMB'S WORKS. HOW TO BE A LADY; A Book for Girls, containing useful hints on the formation of character. Fifth thousand. Ifcmo^ gilt cloth. Price 50 cents. " Having daughters of his own, and having been many years employed In •writing fur the voiing, he hopes to be able to offer some good advice, in aa entertaining way, for girls or misses, between the ages of eight and fifteen* His object is, to assist them in forming tlicir characters upon the best model that they may become well-bred, intelligent, refined, and good ; and then thej ■will be real ladies, in the highest sense." — Fre/ace. " They are full of wholesome and judicious counsels, which are well fitted to preserve the young from the numberless evils to which they are exposed, and to mould them to virtue and usefulness. There is a directness and earnestness pervading the whole, which must secure for it a ready access to the youtiiful mind and heart " — Albany Argiis, HOW TO BE A BIAN ; A Book for Boys, containing useful hints on the formation of character. Fifth thousand. ISmC; gilt cloth. Price 50 cents. " My design in writing has been to contribute somethine towards fbrming the character of those who are to be our future electors, legislators, governors, judges, ministers, lawyers, and physicians, — after the best model. It is intended for boys— or, if you please, for young gentlemen, iu early youth; from eight or ten to fifteen or sixteen years of age." — Frefacc. " They contain wise and important counsels and cautions, adapted to the young, and made entertaining by the interesting style and illustrations of the author. They are fine mirrors, in which are reflected the prominent linea- ments of the Ciiristian young gentleman and young lady. The execution of the works is of the first order, and the boolts will afford elegant and most prof- itable presents for the young." — American Pulpit. ANECDOTES FOR BOYS ; Entertaining Anecdotes and Xarra^ lives, illustrative of principles and character. ISmo., gilt clotli. Price 42 cents. " Nothing has a greater interest for a youthful mind than a well-told story, and no medium ofconveying moral instructions so attractive or so successful. The influence of all such stories is far more powerful when the child is assured that they are true. The book before us is conducted upon these ideas. It is made up of a series of anecdotes, every one of which inculcates some excel- lent moral lesson. We cannot too highly approve of the book, or too strongly recommend it to parents."— Western Continent, Baltimore. ANECDOTES FOR GIRLS ; Entertaining Anecdotes and Narra- tives, illustrative of principles and character. 18mo., gilt cloth. Price 42 cents. " There is a charm about these two beautiful volumes not to be mistaken- They are deeply interesting and instructive, without being fictitious. Tli« anecdotes are many, short, and spirited, with a nicral drawn from each, some- what after the manner of Tiu-u ; and no youth can read them without finding Bomething therein adapted to every age, condition, and duty of life. We commend it to families and schools." — Albany Spectator. " He desires to instruct rather than to dazzle ; to infuse correct principles into the minds and the heart of the young, than cater to a depraved appetite for romantic excitement. We cordiallj' commend these volumes to all parents and children." — Christian Alliance, CHRISTIANITY DEMONSTRATED in four distinct and inde- ?endent series of proofs ; with an explanation of the Types and 'rophecies concerning the Messiah. 12mo. Price 75 cents. *^i* Thi object of the writer has been to classify and condense the evidence, that the whole force of each particular kind might be seen at one view. He has also aiii.ed to render the Vfork practical, so as to have it a book to be read fts well a» ttj*di*d. The Types and Prophecies furnish an important specief cf evidaaoK, tad are rich in instruction upon the way of Salvation. W. & R. CHAMBERS'S WORKS. CHAMBER'S CYCLOPEDIA OF ENGLISH LITERATLTvE ; A selection of the choicest productions of Engnsh Authors, fiom the earliest to the present time ; Connected by a Criti- cal and Biogi'aphical History. Edited by Robert Chambers. In two vols, octavo, with upwards of 300 elegant illustrations. Price, in cloth, $5.00. *,* The Publishers of the AMERICAJS: Edition of this valuable work desire to state, that, besides the numerous pictoriiil illustrations in the English Edition, they have greatly enriched the work by the addition of fine steel and mezzotint engravings of the heads of Shakspeare, Addison, Byron ; a full length portrait of Dr. Johnson, and a beautiful scenic representation of Oliver Goldsmith and Dr. iJohuson. These elegant additions together with superior paper and bind- ing must give this a decided preference over all other editions. " We hail with peculiar pleasure the appearance of this work, and more espec- ially its rvepublication in this country at a price which places it within the reach of a great number of readers, and for which thej' can expect to be remit- nerated only by a very extensive sale." '• The selections given by Mr. Charabeis from the works of the early English writers are copious, and 'judiciously made. * * » ♦ * We shall conclude as we commenced, with expressing a hope that the publication which has called forth our remarks will exert an influence in directing the attention of the public to the literature of our forefathers." — iV'ort^i American Review. CHAMBERS'S MISCELLANY of Useful and Entertaining Knowledge, with elegant illustrative engravings. Edited by William Chambers. Ten volumes, cloth. Price 5 10.00 %* The design of the Miscellany is to supply the increasing demand for useful, instructive, and entertaining reading, and to bring all the aids of litera- ture to bear on the cultivationof the feelings and understanding of the people— to impress correct views on important moral and social questions — suppress every species of strife and savagery — cheer the lagging and desponding by the relation of tales drawn from the imagination of popular writers — rouse the fancy by descriptions of interesting foreign scenes — give a zest to every-day occupations by ballad and lyrical poetry — in short, to furnish an unobtrusive friend and guide, a lively fireside companion, as far as that object can be attained through the instrumentality of books. GHAMBERS'S LIBRARY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. A series of small books, elegantly illuminated. Edited by William Chambers. Each volume forms a complete work, embel- lished with a fine steel engraving, and is sold separately. 18mo. Price 37>2 cents. ORLANDINO : A Story of Self-Denial. By Maria Edgeworxh. THE LITTLE ROBINSON : And other Tales. UNCLE SAM'S MONEY BOX. By Mrs. S. C. Hall. JACOPO : Tales by Miss Edgeworth and others. TRUTH AND TRUST. Jervis Ryland — Victor and Lisette. ALFRED IN INDIA. CLEVER BOYS. MORAL COURAGE. TALES OF OLD ENGLAI^D- O;^ Other volitmes are in 2»'eparatio7i. RIPLEY'S NOTES. — CRUDEX'S COXCORDAXCE. THE FOUR GOSPELS, WITH NOTES. Chiefly Explanatory intended principally for Sabbath School Teachers and Biblo Classes, and as an aid to Eamily Insti-uctiou. By H. J. Ripley. With a Map of Palestine. Eighth thousand. 12:no., half morocco. Price $1.25. " The undersigned, having examined Professor Riplej's K'otes on the Go^ pels, can recommend them with confidence to all who need such helps in the study of the sacred Scriptures. Those passages which all can understand ait l^ft ' without note or comment,' and the principal labor is devoted to the explanation of such parts as need to be explained aud rescued from the per- versions of errorists, both the ignorant and the learned. The practical sug- gestions at the close of each chapter, are not the least valuable portion of the work. Jlost cordially, for the sake of truth and righteousness, do we wish for these Notes a wide circulation." Baeon Sxow, R. H. Nealk, R. Tpexbull, Daniel Shakp, J. W. Pakkee, N. Colvee, Wm. Hague, R. W. Cusumax, J. W. Boswoeth. THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES, WITH NOTES. Chiefly Explanatory. Designed for Teachers in Sabbath Schools and Bible Classes, and as an Aid to Family Instruction. By Prof. H. J. Ripley. With a Map of Paul's Travels. Third Thousand. 12mo., half morocco. Price 75 cents. " On examining the contents, we are favorably impressed, first, by the won- derful perspicuity, simplicity, and comprehensiveness of the author's rtylc ; secondly, by the completeness and systematic arrangement of the work, in all its parts ; thirdly, by the correct theology, solid instruction, and consistent explanations of diflficult passages. The work cannot fail to be received with favor." — Christian Reflector, Boston. CRUDEN'S CONDENSED {X)NCORDANCE. A Complete Concordance to the Holy Scriptures ; by Alexaxber Cru- DEN, M.A. A New and Condensed Edition, -with an Introduc- tion ; by Rev. David King, LL.D. Fifth Thousand. Price, in Boards, $1.25 ; Sheep, $1.50. *:j^ This edition is printed from English plates, and is a full and fair copy of all that is valuable in Cruden as a Concordance. The condensation of the quotations of Scripture, arranged under their most obvious heads, while it diminishes the bulk of the work, greatly facilitates the finding of any required passage. " Those who have been acquainted with the various works of this kini now in use, well know that Cruden's Concordance far excels all others. Yet ■we have in this edition the best made better. That is, the present is better adapted to the purposes of a Concordance, by the erasure of superlluoua references, the omission of unnecessary explanations, and the contraction of quotations, &c. ; it is better as a manual, and is better adapted by its price to the means of many who need and ought to possess such a work, than the former larger and expensive edition." — Boston Recorder, " The new, condensed, and cheap work prepared from the voluminov.s and costly one of Cruden, opportunely fills a cha.«m in our Biblical literature. The work has been examined critically, and pronounced complete and accu- rate." — Baptist Record, PkiladelpJiia. "This is the very work of which we have long felt the need, and we are much pleased that its enterprising publishers can now furnish the student oi the Bible with a work which he so much needs at so cheap a rate." Advent Herald, Bosiov. " "We cannot see but it is, in all points, as vahiable a book of reference, in ministers and Bible students, as the larger edition." — Uhnstian Reflector. MOTHERS OF THE WISE AND GOOD. BY JABEZ BUR^^S, D.D. l^ccommcn'Dations. From Rev. J, Axgell James. " It is a useful and valuable work, replete with instruction and en- couragement, and will have, I hope, as it deserves to have, a wide cir- culation. I make much use of it in my periodical meetings, among this interesting and important class." From Bet. Dr. Beaumont. "I ara constrained to say that it is full of interest, and that of the most pleasing and useful kind. It presents to the reader a bouquet of charmed names — a cabinet of charming reminiscences — a tissue of facts and morals, of incidents and principles, at once delightful and edifying. And as a gallery of ' elect ladies' and their sons, it would be a profiita- ble study for all who fili the important relations of son and mother." From Eev. ^Y. AV. Bobixsox, M.A. '•I earnestly hope that this little volume, which is a suitable present to the Mothers of England, will have a wide circulation ; and ihat its perusal will be accompanied by the powerful aid of the Holy Spirit." From Rev. Henry Grey, D.D. "It has afforded pleasure to Mrs. Grey and myself. It appears to me a valuable selection of specimens of the success attending the faithful performance of an important class of duties; and will, I trust, prove instructive and encouraging to many mothers, showing in so many in- star-ces the happy effect of their prayers and exertions!" From Rev. J. P. Dobsox. "Would that all mothers— young mothers especially— had such a volume in their possession, and could be prevailed upon to make it a vade mecum, in the training of their infant charge. I rejoice to speak of it wherever I can, and shall be ready and glad to a\ail myself of every opportunity of reconmiending it, because I can recommend it conscf- enfT.ously and earnestly." From the Free Church Magazine. '•We have lingered over the pages of this most attractive book, with feehngs of interest, and tenderness, and affection, which we cannot ex- press.' Many remembrances of youth arose, and took full possession of our heart, while in some instances we scarcely knew whether we j read the pages of the work before us. or those of memory. It is Wf ;1 ' that instances of the precious influences of maternal piety, prudence, and love, should be recorded ; but who can tell their inestimable value? 'I'he mothers of the wise and good I yes, were there more such mothers. we might confidently expect more siich sons." ELEGANT mNIATUEE VOLmiES. OQt Edges and beautifuUy Ornamented Covers. Price Ziyi <=^"i' f*;.*. DAIL'V MANNA for Christian Pilgrims. By Rev. B. Stow. D.D THE ATTRACTIONS OF HEAVEN. Edited by the Ee^, H. A. Graves. THE YOUNG COMMUNICANT. An Aid to the Right Under standing and Spiritual Improvement of the Lord's Supper. THE ACTIVE CHRISTIAN. By John Harkis, D.D. THE BIBLE AND THE CLOSET. Or, how we may read th« Scriptures with the most spiritual profit. And Secret Prayer successfully managed. Edited by Rev. J. 0. Choules. THE MARRIAGE RING, or how to make Home Happy. From the writings of J. A. Ja:sies. LYRIC GEMS. A Collection of Original and Select Sacred Poetry. Edited by Rev. S. F. Smith. THE CASKET OF JEWELS, for Young Christians. By James, Edwards, and Harris. THE CYPRESS WREATH. A Book of Consolation for those who Mourn. Edited by Rev. R. W. Griswold. THE MOURNER'S CHAPLET. An Offering of Sj-mpathy for Bereaved Friends. Edited by John Keese. THE FAMILY CIRCLE. Its Affections and Pleasures. Edited by the Rev. H. A. Graves. THE FAMILY ALTAR. Or the Duty, Benefits, and Mode of conducting Family Worship. Sets of the above., in neat boxes, and forming a beautiful ^^ Minia' ture Library'''' in 12 Vols. Price $3.7b. THE SILENT COMFORTER. A Companion for the Sick Room. By Mrs. Louisa Payson Hopkins. eOLDEN GEMS ; for the Christian. Selected from the writings of Rev. John Flavel, with a Memoir of the Author, by Rev Joseph Banvard. DOUBLE anNIATURES. Price 50 Cents Each. THE WEDDING GIFT : Or, the Diities and Pleasures of Do- mestic Life. THE YOUNG CHRISTIAN'S GUIDE to the Doctrines and Duties of a Religious Life. THE MOURNER ^COMFORTED. THE CHRISTIAN'S PRIVATE COMPANION. CONSOLATION FOR THE AFFLICTED. THE SILENT COMFORTER. DAILY DUTIES. VALUABLE SCIENTIFIC WORKS PUBLISHED BY GOULD AND LINCOLN, 59 WASHINGTON ST., BOSTON LAKE SUPERIOR, Bra PHYSICAL CHARACTER, VEGETATION, AND ANIMALS, COM- PARED -WITH OTHER AND SIMILAR REGIONS, BY L. AGASSIZ. ■WITH A NARRATIVE OF THE EXPEDITIO?f AND ILLUSTRATIONS, BY J. E. CABOT. One Volume, octavo. Cloth, price $3,50. '» The character of these scientific labors of Prof. Agassiz is eminently philosophic and suggestive ; and the grand idea of the work is the demand for the recognition in nature of the agency of a personal Gtod, as a scien- tific fact, above and beyond all the conditions of physical cause." — IJterary World. " A work rich and varied in matter pregnant of lofty suggestions and comprehensive truths. We commend it to all intelligent readers, whether scientific or otherwise, and whether lay or clerical."'— Christian Register. " The results of this remarkable expedition have been carefully written out by different members of the party. It is a work full of interest and instruction to all who have given even the slightest attention to the Natural History of the United States, and will undoubtedly be regarded as one of the most important contributions which this country has ever made to that most fascinating science." — Providence Journal. THE ANNUAL OF SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERY; Or, Year-Book of Facts in Science and Art, exhibiting the most im- portant discoveries and improvements in Mechanics, Useful Arts, Natu- ral Philosophy, Chemistry, Astronomy, Meteorologj-, Zoology, Botany, Mineralogy, Geology, Geography, Antiquities, &c. ; together with a list of recent Scientific Publications ; a classified list of Patents; obituaries Of eminent Scientific Men ; an index of important papers in scientific journals, reports, &c. Edited by David A. Wells, and George Bliss Jr. 12mo. Price, cloth, $1,25 ; paper covers, $1,00. This work will be issued annually, on the first of March, and the read- ing public may easily and promptly possess themselves of the most ina- portant facts dii^covered or announced in these departments. It will form a handsome duodecimo volume of about 400 pages, with an en- graved likeness of some distinguished man of science. Volume I. con- tains a fine likeness of Professor Agassiz, and Volume II., Professor Silliman. As it is not intended merely for the scientific man, but to meet the wants of the general reader, it has been the aim of the editors that the articles should be brief and intelligible to all. The editors have received the approbation, counsel, and personal contributions of Professors Agasiz, Horsford, and Wyman, of Harvard University, and many other scientific gentlemen. EOOT-PRINTS OP THE CREATOR; OR, THE ASTEROLEPIS OF STROMNESS. BY HUGH MILLER. WITH MANY ILLUSTRATIONS, FROM THIRD LONDON EDITION, WITH A MEMOIR OP THE AUTHOR BY LOUIS AGASSIZ. 12mo., cloth ; price, $1,25. "The 'Foot-prints' is not surpassed by any modern work." — J^orth British Review. " The impressive eloquence ot great thoughts greatly expressed ; rea- soning at once comprehensive in scope, strong in grasp, and pointedly direct in application, — these qualities combine to render the 'Foot-prints' one of tiie most perfect refutations of error, and defences of truth, that ever exact science has produced." — Free Church Magazine. " Dr. Buckland, at a meeting of the British Association, said he had never been so much astonished in his life, by the powers of any man, as lie had been by the geological descriptions of Mr. Miller. That wondei^- ful man described these objects with a facility which made him ashamed of the comparative meagreness and poverty of his own descriptions in the ' Bridgewater Treatise,' which had cost him hours and days of labor. He would give his left hand to possess such powers of description as this man; and if it pleased Providence to spare his useful life, he, if any one, would certainly render science attractive and popular, and do equal service to theology and geology." " The style of this work is most singularly clear and vivid, rising at times to eloquence, and always impressing the reader with the idea that he is brouglit in contact with great thoughts. Where it is necessary, there are engravings to illustrate the geological remains. The whole work forms one of the best defences of Truth that science can produce." — .Albany State Register. " The ' Foot-prints of the Creator' is not only a good but a great book. All who have read the 'Vestiges of Creation' should study the 'Foot- prints of the Creator.' This volume is especially wortl)y the attention of those who are so fearful of the sceptical tendencies of natural science. We expect this volume will meet with a very extensive sale. It should be placed in every Sabbath school library, and at every Christian fire- aide." — Boston Traveller. " Mr. Miller's style is remarkably pleasing ; his mode of popularizing geological knowledge unsurpassed, perhaps unequalled ; and the deep •vein of reverence for divine revelation pervading all, adds interest and value to the volume." — J\r. Y. Com. Jidvertiser. " The publishers have again covered themselves with honor, by giving to the American public, with the author's permission, an elegant reprint , of a foreign work of science. We earnestly bespeak for this work a wide and free circulation, among all who love science much and religion more." — Puritan Recorder. " We have never read a work of the kind with so much interest. It's ■tatements of fact and its descriptions are remarkably clear. From mi- nute particulars it leads us on to broad views of the creation ; and the earth becomes the witness of a succession of miracles, as wonderful as any recorded in tlie Scriptures." — Christian Register. " This splendid work should be read by every man in our land. We recommend the study of this science to our young men : let them ap- proach it with open, and not unfaithful breasts, — for amid ourmountaina, xrana and tall, our boundless plains, and flowing rivers, vast and virgin fields for exploration yet present themselves." — Scientific American. THE OLD RED SAI^DSTONE; OR, NEW WALKS IN AN OLD FIELD. BY HUGH MILLER. FROM THE FOURTH LONDON EDITION — ILLUSTRATED. 12nio, cloth, price $1,25. A writer, in noticing Mr. Miller's " First Impressions of England and the People," in the JSTew Eiiglander, of May, 185tJ, commences by saying, " We presume it is not necessary formally to introduce Hush Miller to our readers ; the author of ' The Old Red Sandstone ' placed himself, by that production, which was first, among the most successful geologists and the best writers of the age. We well remember with what mingled emotion and delight we first read that work. Rarely has a more re- markable book come from the press. * * For, besides the important contributions which it makes to the science of Geolog)-, it is written in a style which places the author at once among the most accomplished writers of the age. * * He proves himself to be in ■j)rose what Burns has been in poetry. We are not extravagant in saying that there is no geologist living who, in the descriptions of the phenomena of the science, has united such accuracy of statement with so much poetic beauty of expression. We do not hesitate to place Mr. Miller in the front rank of English prose writers. His style has a classic purity and elegance, which remind one of Goldsmith and Irving, while there is an ease and a naturalness in the illustrations of the imagination, which belong only to men of true genius." A writer in the American Traveller, in noticing the work, says, — " The admirer of scenery, of all that is picturesque in nature, cannot fail to be delighted with his graphic delineations. Above all, the good citizen, the religious man, will read this highly interesting volume with no ordinary satisfaction." " The excellent and lively work of our meritorious, self-taught country- man, Mr. Miller, is as admirable for the clearness of its descriptions, and the sweetness of its composition, as for the purity and gracefulnes which pervade it." — Edinburgh Revietc. " This admirable work evinces talent of the highest order, a deep and healthful moral feeling, a perfect command of the finest language, and a beautiful union of philosophy and poetry. No geologist can peruse this volume without instruction and AeWghl.^'' — Silliman^s American Journal of Science. "Mr. Miller's exceedingly interesting book on this formation is just the sort of work to render any subject popular. It is written in a remark- ably pleasing style, and contains a wonderful amount of information." — TVestminster Review. " In Mr. Miller's charming little work will be found a verj' graphic de- scription of the Old Red Fishes. I know not of a more fascinating volume on any branch of British geology." — ManteWs Medals of Creation. " Mr. Miller had elevated himself to a position which any man, in any sphere of life, might well envy He had seen some of his papers on geology, written in a style so beautiful and poetical as to throw plain geologists, like himself, in the shade." — Sir Roderick JWurchison, " A geological work, small in size, unpretending in spirit and manner; its contents, the conscientious narration of fact ; its style, the beautiful simplicity of truth; and altogether possessing, for a rational reader, an interest superior to that of a novel." — Dr. J. Pye Smith. THE POETRY OF SCIENCE; OR, STUDIES OF THE PHYSICAL PHENOMENA OF NATURE BY ROBERT HUNT, AUTHOR OF "researches ON LIGHT," &0. ISmo, cloth, price $1,25. NOTICES OF THE PRESS. " The design of Mr. Hunt's volume is striking and good. The subject is very well dealt with, and the object very well attained ; it displays a fund of knowledge, and is the work of an eloquent and earnest man." — The Examiner, London. " The author, while adhering to true science, has set forth its truths in an exceedingly captivating style." — JVew York Commercial Advertiser. " We are heartily glad to see this interesting work re-published in America. It is a book that is a book." — Scientific American. " It is one of the most readable, interesting, and instructive works of the kind that we have ever seen." — Philadelpkia Christian Observer. NEW REVISED EDITION. PRINCIPLES OF ZOOLOGY, IDUCHING THE STRUCTURE^ DEVELOPMENT, DISTRIBUTION, AND NATURAL ARRANGEMENT OF THE RACES OF ANIMALS, LIVING AND EX- TINCT ; WITH NUMEROUS ILLUSTRATIONS. FOR THE USE OF SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES. Part I. — Comparative Physiology. BY L. AGASSIZ AND A. A. GOULD. 12mo, cloth, price $1,00. " This book places us in possession of information half a century in ad- vance of all our elementary works on this subject. * * No work of the same dimensions has ever appeared in the English language contain- ing so much new and valuable information on the subject of which it treats." — Prof. James Hall, in the Albany Journal. " A work emanating from so high a source hardly requires commenda- tion to give it currency. The volume is prepared for the studentin zoologi- cal science; it is simple and elementary in its style, full in its illustra- tions, comprehensive in its range, yet well condensed, and brought into the narrow compass requisite for the purpose intended." — Stiiijnan'j Journal. IN PREPARATION, Part II. — Systematic Zoology. IN WHICH THE PRINCIPLES OF CLASSIFICATION ARE APPLIED, AND THB PRINCIPAL GROUPS OF ANIMALS ARE BRIEFLY CHARACTERIZED. WITH WUMEROUS ILLUSTRATIONS. THE EARTH AND MAN: Leeiures on Comparative Physical Geography, in its Relation to the History of Mankind. Bt Arnold Guyot, Prof. Phys. Geo. and Hist., Neuchatel. Translated from the French by Prof. C. C. Felton. JVith Illustraticna^ 12wo. Price, $1 25. " The work is one of high merit, exhibiting a wide range of knowledge, great research, and a ])lulosoplucal spirit of investigation. Its perusal will well repay the most learned in such subjects, and give new views to all of man's relation to the globe he inhabits." — SilUman^s Journal. *' To the reader we shall owe no apology', if we have said enough to excite his curiosity, and to persuade him to look to the book itself for fus- ilier instruction." — JVorth .American Review. " The grand idea of the work is happily expressed by the author, where he calls it t!ie geographical march of history. * * * The man of science ■will hail it as a beiiutiful generalization from the facts of observation. Tlie Christian, who trusts in a merciful Providence, will draw courage from it, and hope yet more earnestly for tlie redemption of the most degraded por- tions of mankind. Faith, science, learning, poetry, taste, in a word, genius, have liberally contributed to the production of the work under review. Sometimes we feel as if we were studying a treatise on the exact sciences ; at others, it strikes the ear like an epic poem. Now it reads like history, and now it sounds like prophecy. It will lind readers in whatever language it may be published ; and in the elegant English dress which it has received from the accomplished pen of the translator, it will not fail to interest, instruct, and inspire." — 0/iristian Examiner. " These lectures form one of the most valuable contributions to geogra- {■rhical science that has ever been published in this country. They invest th.1 study of geography with an interest which will, we doubt not, "surprise ami delight many. They will open an entire new world to most readers, ojit] will be found an invaluable aid to the teacher and student of geog- raphy." — Evening Traveller. " We venture to pronounce this one of the most interesting and instruc- tive books which have come from the American press for many a month. The science of which it treats, is comparatively of recent origin j but it is of great importance, not only on account of its connections with other branches of knowledge, but for its bearing upon many of the interests of society. It abounds with the richest interest and instruction to every intelligent reader, and is especially fitted to awaken enthusiasm and delight in all who are devoted to the study, either of natural science or the history of mai>. kind." — Providence Journal. "Geography is here presented under a new and attractive phase ; it is no longer a dry desc-iption of the features of the earth's surface. The influ- ence of soil, scenery, and climate upon character, has not yet received the consideration due to it from historians and philosojihers. In the volume before us, the profound investigations of Humboldt, Ritter, and others, i:» Physical Geography, are presented in a popular form, and with the deap- nes's and vivacity so charncteristic of French treatises on science. The work should be introduced into our higher schools." — The Independtnt^ JVciD York. " Geography is here made to assume a dignity not heretofore attached to rt- The knowledge communicated in these lectures is curious, unexpected, absorbing." — Chriitian Mirtf, Portland. VALUABLE SCHOOL BOOKS. ELEMENTS OF MORAL SCIENCE. By Fraxcis Wayland. D.D President of Brown University, and Profes.^^r of iMorai Philosophy. Thirty-sixth Thousand. 12mo., cloth. Pric.^ SL25. From Rev. Wilbur FisJc, President of the Weslayan University. "I have examined it with great sutisfiiction and interest. The work wag greatly needed, and is well executed. Dr. "Wayland deserves the grateful aekuowledgmeiits and liberal patronage of the public. I need say nothing further to express my high estimate of the work, than that we shall immedi- ately adopt it as a text-book in our university." From lion. James Kent, late Chancellor of Xtw York. "The work has been read by me attentively and thoroughly, and I think very highly of it. The author himself is one of the most estimable of men, and I do not know of any etliioal treatise, in which our duties to God and to our fellow-men are laid down with more precision, simplicity, cleaxuess, energy, and truth." "The work of Dr. Wayland has arisen gradually from the necessity of correcting the false principles and fallacious reasonings of Paley. It is a radical mistake, in the education of youth, to permit any book to be used by stuilents as a text-book, which contains erroneous doctrines, especially •when these are fundamental, and tend to vitiate the wliole system of morals. "We have been greatly jileased with the method which President Wayland haa adopted : he goes back to the simplest and most fundamental principles ; and, in the statement of his views, lie unites persjiicuity with conciseness and precision. In all the author's leading fundamental principles we entirely concur." — Biblical Hcj'ository. MORAL SCIENCE ABRIDGED, by the Author, and adapted to /,he use of Schools and Academies. T"vventv-fifth Thousand. ISmo., half cloth. Price 2-5 cents. The more effectually to meet the desire expressed for a cheap edition, the praseni edition is issued at tlie reduced price of 2S cents per copy, and it is hoped thereby to ex'xnd tlie benefit of moral instruction to all the youth of our land. Teachers and all others engaged in the training of youth, are inviiud to examine this work. " Dr. Wavland has published an abridgment of his work, for the use of schools. Of this step we can hardly speak too highly. It is more than time that tlie study of moral philosophy should be introduced into all our institu- tions of education. We are happy to see the way so auspiciously opened for such an introduction. It has been not merely abridged, but also re-!r?-i/fe7i. We cannot but regard the labor as well bestowed." — ^'orth American Review. "We speak that we do know, when we express our high estimate of Dr. Wayland's ability in teaching Moral Philosophy, whether orally or by the book. Having listened to his instructions, in this interesting department, we can attest how lofty are the principles, how exact and severe the argumenta- tion, how appropriate and strong the illustrations which characterize his s/stem and enforce it on the mind." — The Christian Witness. " The work of which this volume is an abridgment, is well known as one of the best and most complete works on IMoral Philosophy extant. The author is well known as one of the most profoimd scholars of the age. That the study of Moral Science, a science which teaches goodness, should be a branch of education, not only in our colleges, but in our schools and academies, we believe will not be denied. The abridgment of this work seems to us admi- rably calculated for the purpose, and we hope it will be extensively applied to the purposes for which it is intended." • jT.'iC Mercantile Joiunai. VALUABLE SCHOOL BOOKS. THP: ELEMENTS OF POLITICAL ECONOMY. Bv Francis Wayland, D.D., President of Brown University. " Fifteenth Thousand. 12mo., cloth. Price $1.25. " His object hns been to write a book, which any one who chooses may understand. He has, therefore, labored to express the general principles in the plainest manner possible, and to illustrate them by cases with which every person is familiar. It has been to the autlior a source of regret, that the course of discussion in the following pages, has, unavoidably, led him over ground wliich has frequently been the arena of political controversy. In all such cases, he has endeavored to state what seemed to him to be truth, without fear, favor, or affection. He is conscious to himself of no bias towards any party whatever, and he thinks that he who will read the whole work, will be con-vinced that he has been influenced by none." — Extract from Preface. POLITICAL ECONOMY, ABRIDGED, by the Author, and adapted to the use of Schools and Academies. Seventh Thousand. 18mo., half morocco. Price 50 cents. " The original work of the author, on Political Economy, has already beea noticed on our pages ; and the present abridgment stands in no need of a recommendation from us. We may be permitted, however, to say, that both the rising and risen generations are deeply indebted to Dr. WaTfland, for the skill and power he has put forth to bring a highly important subject distinctly before them, within such narrow limits. It is to be hoped, tliis will form a class-book, and be faithfully studied in our academics ; and that it will find its way into every family library. It is fitted to enlarge the mind, to purify the judgment, to correct erroneous popular impressions, and assist every man in forming opinions of i)ublic measures, which will abide the test of time and experience." — Boston Recorder. " "We rejoice to see such treatises spreading among the people ; and we urge aU who would be intelligent freemen, to read them." — yeiu York Transcript. "It is well adapted to high schools, and embraces the soundest system of republican political economy of any treatise extant." —jDaiV^/ Advocate. THOUGHTS on the present Collegiate System in the United States. By Francis Wayland, D.D. Price 50 cents. " These Thoughts come from a source entitled to a very respectful atten- tion ; and the author goes over the whole ground of collegiate education, criti- cising freely all the arrangements in every departixient and in all theii bearings." PALEY'S NATURAL THEOLOGY. Illustrated by forty plates and Selections from the notes of Dr. Paxton, with additional Notes, original and selected, for this edition ; with a vocabi>- lary of Scientific Ter.ms. Edited by John Ware, M.D. 12mo., sheep. Price $1.25. " The work before us is one which deserv'es rather to be studied than merely read. Indeed, without diligent attention and study, neither the excel- lences" of it can be fully discovered, nor its advantages realized. It is, there- fore, gratifying to find it introduced, as a text-book, into the colleges and literary institutions of our country. The edition before us is superior to any we have seen, aud, we believe, superior to auy that has yet been published." Spirit of the Pilgrims. " Perhaps no one of our author's works gives greater satisfaction to all classes of renders, the youn^ and the old. the ignor.ant and the enlightened. Indeed, we recollect no book :n which the arguments for the existence and attributes of the Supreme Being to be drawn from his works, are exhibited in a majUkAr more attractive and more conviaciug." — Christian Exaoiirw.r. VALUABLE SCHOOL BOOKS. BLAKE'S FIRST BOOR IN ASTRONONY. Designed for the Use of Common Schools. By J. L. Blake, D.D. Illustrated by Steel Plate p]ngravings. 8vo., cloth back. Price 50 cents. From E. Hiiickley, Prof, of Mathematics in Maryland University. " I am much indebted to you for a copj; of the First Book in Astronomy. It is a work of utility and merit, far superior to any other which I have seen. The autlior has selected his topics with great judgment, — arranged them in admirable order, — exhibited them in a style and manner at once tasteful and philosophical. Nothing seems wanting, — nothing redundant It is truly a very beautiful and attractive book, calculated to afford both pleasure aad profit to all who may enjoy the advantage of perusing it." From B. Field, Principal of the Hancock School, Boston. " I know of no other work on Astronomy so well calculated to interest »nd instruct young learners in this sublime science." From Isaac Foster, Instructor of Youth, Portland. "I have examined Blake's First Book in Astronomy, and am much pleased with it. A very happy selection of topics is presented in a manner which cannot fail to interest the learner, while the questions will assist him materi- ally in fixing in the memory what ought to be retained. It leaves the most intricate parts of the subject for those who are able to master them, and brings before the young pupil only what can be made intelligible and interesting to him." "We are free to say, that it is, in our opinion, decidedly the best work we have any knowledge of, on the sublime and interesting subject of Astron- omy. The engravings are executed in a superior stvle, and the mechanical appearance of the book is extremely prepossessing.— i^re?n'?i£r Gazette, Boston, "We do not hesitate to recommend it to the notice of the superintending committees, teachers, and pupils of our public schools. The definitions in the first part of the volume are given in brief and clear language, adapted to the TUiderstandiug of beginners."— 5i«fe Herald, A''. H. BLAKE'S NATURAL PHILOSOPHY. Being Conversations on Philosophy, with the addition of Explanatory Notes, Questions for Exam'ination, and a Dictionary of Phflosophical Terms. With twenty-eight steel Engravings. By J. L. Blake, D.D. 12mo., sheep. JPrice 67 cents. %♦■ Perhaps no work has contributed so much as this to excite a fondness for the study of Natural Philosophy in j-outhful minds. The familiar comparisons, with which it abounds, awaken interest, and rivet the attention of the pupil. From Rev. J. Adams, President of Charleston College, S. C. "I have been highly gratified with the perusal of 3-our edition of Con- versations on Natural Philosophy. The Questions, Notes, and Explanations of Terms, are valuable additions 'to the work, and make this edition superior to any other with which I am acquainted. I shall recommend it wherever I have an opportunity." "We avail ourselves of the opportunity furnished us by the publication of a new edition of this deservedly popular work, to recommend it, not only to those instructors who may not already have adopted it, but also generally to all readers who are desirous of obtaining information on the subjects on which it treats. By Questions arranged at the bottom of the poges, in which the collateral facts are arranged, he directs the attention of the learner to the prin- cipal topics. Mr. Blake has also added many Notes, which ilJustrate the passages to which they are appended, and the Dictionary of PhilosophicaJ Terms is a useful addition." ~ U. S. Liter aru Gazette. VALUABLE SCHOOL BOOKS. YOUNG LADIES' CLASS BOOK. A Selection of Lessons for Reading in Prose and Verse. By E. Bailey. A.M., late Principal of the Young Ladies' High School, Boston. Stereo- typed Edition. 12mo., sheep. Price 83>ij cents. From the Frincipals of the Public Schools for Females, Boston. " Gkxtlemex:— Wehave examined the Young Ladies' Class Book \rith interest and pleasure ; with interest, because we have felt the want of a Read- ing Book expressly designed for the use of females; and with pleasure, be- cause we have found it well adapted to supply the deficiency. The high-toned morality, the freedom from sectarianism, tlie taste, richness, and adaptation of the selections, added to the neatness of its external appearance, must com- mend it to all ; wliile the practical teacher will not fail to observe that diversity of style, together witli those peculiar ^Jo»i(s, the want of which, few, who have not felt, know how to supply. Respectfully yours, Barnum Field, Abkaham Andrews, E. G. Parker, Charles Fox." From the Principal of the Mount Vernon School, Boston. " I have examined with much interest the Young Ladies' Class Book, by Mr. Bailey, and have been very highly pleased with its contents. It is my intention to introduce it into my own school ; as I regard it as not only remark- ably well fitted to answer its particular object as a book of exercises in the art of elocution, but as calculated to have an influence upon the character and conduct, which will be in every respect favorable." — Jacob Abbott. "We were never so struck \^ith the importance of having reading boo):s for female schools, adapted particularly to that express purpose, as while looking over the pages of this selection. The eminent success of the com- piler in teaching this branch, to which we can personally bear testimony, is sufficient evidence of the character of the work." — Annals of Education. ROMAN ANTIQUITIES AND ANCIENT ^lYTHOLOGY. By C. K. DiLLAWAY, A.M., late Principal in the Boston Latin School. With Engravings. Eighth Ed., improved. 12mo., naif mor. Price 67 cts. From E. Bailey, Principal of the Young Ladies' High School, Boston, " Having used Dillaway's Roman Antiquities and Ancient Mythology in my school for several years, I commend it to teachers with great confidence, as a valuable text-book on those interesting branches of education. E. Bailet.- " The want of a cheap volume, embracing a succinct account of ancient customs, together -nith a view of classical mythology, has long been felt. Mr. Dillaway's book seems to have been prepared with special reference to the wants of those who are just entering upon a classical career; and we desnt it but a simple act of justice to say, that it supplies the want, which, as Tr3 have before said, has long been felt. A peculiar merit of this compila- tion, and one which will gain it admission into our highly respectable /emate seminaries, is the total absence of all allusion, even the "most remote, to the disgusting obscenities of ancient mythology; while, at the same time, nothing is omitted which a pure mind would feel interested to know. We recom- mend the book as a valuable addition to the treatises in our schools and academies." — Education licporter, Boston. " It was reserved for one of our Boston instructors to apply the condensing apparatus to this mass of crudities, and so to modernize the antiqnitics of the old Romans, as to make a befitting abridgment for schools of the first order. Mr. Dillaway hixs presented such a compilation as must be interesting to lads, and become popul.ar as a text-book. IDstorical facts are stated with great sim- plicity and clearness ; the most important points are seized upon, while trifling peculiarities are passed unnoticed."— .Jm. Traveller. VALUABLE SCHOOL BOOKS. COMPARATIVE PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY. The Eaith and Man. Lectures on Comparative Physical Geography, in its relation to the History of Mankind.' By Arnold Giiyot. Translated from the French by Prof. C. C. Feltox. With Illustrations. Second Thousand, 12mo. Price, 5I 25. "Geography is here presented under a now and attractive phase. It fs no longer a dry description of the features of the earth's surface. The influence of soil, scenery, and climate upon character, has not yet received the considnration due to it from historians and pliilosophers. In the volume before us, the profound investigations of Humboldt, Ritter, £nd others, in Physical Geography, are presented in a popular form, and with the clearness and vivacity so characteristic of French treatises on science. The work should be introduced into our higher schools." — The Independent, J^'. Y. " These lectures form one of the most valuable contributions to geo- graphical science that has ever been published in this countrv. They invest the study of geography with an interest which will, we doubt not, surprise and delight many. They will open an entire new world to most readers, and will be found an invaluable aid to the teacher and student of geography." — Evening Traveller. THE CICERONIAN ; Or the Prussian Method of Teaching the Latin Language. Adapted to the use of American Schools, by B. Seaks. ISmo., half mor. Price 50 cents. From the Professors of Harvard Universifi/. ■ » "We beg leave to obsen-e, that we consider this book a very valuable addi- tiou to our stock of elementary works. Its great merit is, tliat it renders the elementary insti-uction in I.arin less mechiuiical, by consfantl}' calling the reasoning power of the pupil into action, and gives", from the beginning, a deeper insight into the very nature, principles, and laws not only of the Latin language, but of language in general. If the book required any ether recommendation besides tliat of being the work of so thorough andexperi- enced a scholar as Dr. Scars, it would be tliis, tliat the system illustrated in it is not a mere theory, but has been practically tested by many able instructors in Germany. AVe "wish tliat the same trial inay be made here. Very respectfully yours,' Cuari.ks Beck, C. C. Felton." From S. H. Taylor, Princix^al of PhiUips^ Academy, Andover. "I have examined, with much pleasure and profit, the ' Ciceronian,' pre- pared by Dr. Sears. It is admirably adapted to make thorough teachers and thorough pupils. It requires of the teacher a precise and intimate acquaint- ance with the minutia; of the Latin tongue, and necessarily induces in the pupil habits of close thought and nice drscrimination. The plan of the work IS excellent. S. H. Taylok." ME3I0RIA TECHNICA ; Or, the Art of Abbreviating those Studies which give the greatest Labor to the Memory ; includ- ing Numbers, Historical'Dates, Geography, Astronomy, Gravi- ties, &c. By L. D. Johnson. Third Edition, revised and improve