USA > Connecticut > The history of Connecticut, from its earliest settlement to the present time. Ed. by W. H. Carpenter and T. S. Arthur > Part 6
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The laws to which the colonists subjected their barbarian neighbours were many and stringent. Yet, while careful to promote religion themselves, they felt, in some degree, the importance of christianizing " those poore, lost, naked sons of Adam." For this purpose, the new code recom- mended that some one of "the leading elders" should go among them, at least twice a year, " to make known to them the councells of the Lord." But no success appears to have attend- ed their efforts ; and when, a few years later, the celebrated missionary Elliott preached to the assembled Podunk Indians, at Hartford, begging them to accept the truth of Christianity, their chiefs would have none of it. "You Eng- lish have taken away our lands," was their lan- guage, "and now you want to make us servants."
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CODE OF LAWS.
1650.]
Education, cared for from the first, the new code fostered by the establishment of a system of free schools. Every town, consisting of fifty families, was required to maintain a school for reading and writing, and certain of the larger towns a grammar-school, "to fit youths for the university." For their support lands were ap- propriated by the general court. The select- men of every town were to take especial care that all the heads of families should instruct their children and servants to read the English tongue well.
Lying, "that foulle and grosse sin," was pun- ishable with fine, stripes at the whipping-post, or confinement in the stocks. Tobacco could not .be taken by any person under the age of twenty, while those addicted to its use were forbidden to take it except at a distance of ten miles from any company. Debtors could be sold to dis- charge their obligations by service, but not to any save " of the English nation." Negro sla- very was allowed. Parties intending marriage were required to make their intention public, " at least eight days before they engaged them- selves each to the other." Courtship, without the consent of the maid's parents or guardians, or, in their absence, of the nearest magistrate, was forbidden, under the penalty of fine or im- prisonment.
The question as to the Delaware being left
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HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
[1653.
undecided by the treaty with Stuyvesant, a com- pany of fifty men, designing to settle where the town of New Castle now stands, embarked at New Haven, early in 1651. Stopping at Man- hattan, where they spoke freely of their inten- tions, the emigrants were summarily seized, and detained until a Dutch fort had been built on the very spot they had chosen for a plantation. Against this " direct violation" of the recent agreement, New Haven protested in strong language. War being presently de- clared between England and Holland, the Con- necticut colonies desired to attack New Nether- lands ; a proceeding they were chiefly incited to by alarm on account of a plot which the Dutch and Indians were alleged to have formed for their destruction. Though Stuyvesant indignantly denied all knowledge of such a plot, six of the eight New England commissioners, in May, 1653, determined on war.
But, doubtful as to the justice of an offensive war, and insisting that the power to declare it resided only in the unanimous vote of the com- missioners, the Massachusetts general court re- fused to join with the other colonies. This re- fusal created a hot and angry dispute, during which the integrity of the union was more than once threatened.
Meanwhile, to anticipate an apprehended at- tack from the Dutch, the western towns of New
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DEATH OF HAYNES.
1654.]
Haven, choosing Ludlow for their commander- in-chief, enlisted volunteers for an independent expedition against New Netherlands. This stretch of liberty the general court checked at once, and with considerable severity ; whereupon the indignant Ludlow put his goods on ship- board, and presently quitted the colony for ever.
Finding Massachusetts not to be moved, the remaining confederates united in soliciting Crom- well, now Lord-Protector of England, to send out an expedition to join with them against the Dutch at New Netherlands.
Waiting a reply, the Connecticut colonists, early in 1654, experienced a sorrowful calamity in the death of Haynes, their pious, able, and popular governor. In view of this affliction, to- gether with an apprehended dissolution of the confederacy, a general fast was observed early in the spring.
The application to Cromwell was answered in June by the arrival of four ships of war, a small number of land forces, and authority to the united colonies to enlist additional troops. Active preparations were immediately made to raise seven hundred men; Massachusetts so far co-operating as to permit the enlistment of volun- teers within her jurisdiction. But before the expedition was ready to sail, tidings came of a peace between England and Holland. The con-
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HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
[1657.
quest of New Netherlands was delayed for a sea- son. In the mean time, however, the Dutch had lost their only foothold in New England, the Connecticut general court having seized and se- questered the house and lands of Good Hope, in conformity with orders received from the British Parliament.
Shortly after the peace, Massachusetts having made certain concessions, harmony was restored to the New England confederacy. Acting again in concert, the colonies presently quieted various Indian troubles, which had of late caused the people of Connecticut no small anxiety.
At the election in May, 1655, Thomas Wells was chosen to succeed Hopkins as governor of Connecticut. The latter was then in England, where he soon after had printed at his own ex- pense, the code of laws recently compiled for the New Haven colonists. For the two years following the election of Wells, who was suc- ceeded, in 1656, by John Webster, the colonies quietly prospered.
In 1657 John Winthrop was elected to the gubernatorial chair of Connecticut. It was du- ring this year that New Haven was called upon to mourn the loss of her first, and thus far, her only governor, Theophilus Eaton. Loved and respected for his many and engaging virtues, all New England regarded his death as a public affliction. In honour of his memory, the people
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CHURCH DISSENSIONS.
1654.]
of New Haven caused a handsome monument to be erected. The public position he had so long and worthily occupied was presently filled by Mr. Francis Newman.
Scarcely had the colonists recovered from the shock of Governor Eaton's demise, when tidings came from England, announcing the death of his son-in-law, Edward Hopkins, but recently chief magistrate of Connecticut. In the last will of this estimable man, who had shared with Haynes the warm affections of the Connecticut people, a striking evidence was afforded of his liberal public spirit. That "hopeful youth" might be encouraged " in a way of learning, for the public service in future times," he bequeath- ed to the colony a legacy of four hundred pounds, to found a grammar-school. From this. endowment sprung the existing grammar-schools at Hartford and New Haven, and at Hadley in Massachusetts.
Arising at Hartford about the year 1654, and gradually involving the churches of Connecticut, and of all New England, a warm controversy with regard to certain points of ecclesiastical polity was now creating most unhappy divisions in families, societies, and religious communities. While these dissensions were at their height, a few disciples of George Fox, the founder of the Society of Friends, made their appearance at Boston. With much toil and expense, and
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HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. [1659.
harassed by many cares and sorrows, the Puri- tans had established for themselves a home in the wilderness, hoping to be there undisturbed in the practice of their religion. Against this religion, upon which rested the foundations of the civil government, the new sectaries, more zealous than discreet, inveighed bitterly. Already dis- tracted by internal differences, the New England people became alarmed. Consequently, in 1656, the confederate commissioners offered a recom- mendation, in accordance with which, Connecti- cut, together with the remaining colonies, enact- ed a law making it punishable with fine or im- prisonment to introduce Quakers into the colony, and imposing the penalty of stripes and coercive labour upon all members of the obnoxious sect who should come within her jurisdiction. Still more stringent laws were enacted during the two following years. In Connecticut and New Ha- ven, however, but few Quakers made their ap- pearance, and these were treated with a leniency strongly contrasting with the sanguinary policy of Massachusetts, where several of the offending zealots were put to death. Meanwhile the dis- sensions which had agitated the New England churches were so far composed that, in Novem- ber, 1659, a day of thanksgiving was proclaim- ed, in view of their speedy and final settlement.
At the election in the previous May, Winthrop was choser. governor, in place of Wells, who had
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WINTHROP GOVERNOR.
1660.]
filled the executive chair during the year 1658. Winthrop was again elected in 1660, notwith- standing the law incapacitating the same person to be governor for two consecutive years. This law, however, was immediately afterward done away with, as being hurtful rather than advanta- geous to the interests of the colonists.
CHAPTER VII. 1
Charles II. King of England-Goffe and Whalley arrive at Boston-Their arrest ordered-They fly to New Haven- Are pursued-New Haven authorities refuse a warrant for their arrest-They are secretly favoured by the colonists- Finally escape to Hadley-Course of Governor Leet cen- sured by Massachusetts-Dislike of the New Haven people for Charles II .- Their reluctance to acknowledge him king -Connecticut applies for a charter-Winthrop is appointed agent in procuring it-His character-His success-Demo- cratic character of the charter-New Haven included in it -People of that colony cling to their independence-Com- plain against the Connecticut authorities-Winthrop's letter on the subject-His return-His moderation and prudence -War between England and Holland-New Netherlands conquered by the English-Royal commissioners arrive at Boston-Consequent alarm of the colonists-New Ha- ven yields jurisdiction to Connecticut-Day of thanks- giving appointed-Political advantages of the colony-Its toleration-Rapid increase of population-Domestic cha- racteristics of the people-Economy in government-TowIt meetings-Their character-Their records.
IN July, 1660, tidings arrived at Boston of a momentous change in the political condition o.
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HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. [1661.
the parent state. Following upon the death of Cromwell, a sudden revolution had seated Charles II. on the throne of Great Britain. By the same vessel which brought this intelligence came over Whalley and Goffe, two of the judges who had sentenced to death the father of the new king. So soon as it became certain that Charles would be proclaimed, justly apprehen- sive of his vengeance, they had fled to the Puri- tan colonies of America.
Received with great courtesy and respect by the governor and other prominent persons of Massachusetts, the fugitive regicides remained in that colony several months, appearing often in public, with no attempt at disguise or conceal- ment. But, in the spring of 1661, a royal order for their arrest reaching Boston, they fled through the wilderness, and at New Haven found a tem- porary place of refuge, and a sympathizing friend in almost every colonist.
For a time they dwelt there openly at the house of Davenport. But this period of secu- rity was brief in its duration. Two young royal- ists, to whom the execution of the order for their arrest had been intrusted, speedily came to New Haven in pursuit of the fugitives. Governor Leet and his council, however, had "tender consciences," and would give no warrant for their apprehension. Finding it impossible to remove the "scruples" of the colonial authori-
101
GOFFE AND WHALLEY.
1661.]
ties, the pursuers began a diligent search in the name of the king. Large rewards were offered to any one who should apprehend the fugitives. Secretly favoured by almost every person in the colony, they for a while escaped discovery, by removing from house to house. This resort failing them, they next found concealment in a mill on the outskirts of New Haven. Hunted from here, they fled to the woods, and then to the seaside, where they hid among the clefts of rocks. Having more than once barely avoided the sharpness of pursuit, they at length found a more secure retreat in a cave on the brow of West Rock, not far from New Haven. Here they remained, frequently for weeks at a time, until their pursuers, wearied out, began to relax the vigour of search.
After this the two regicides spent a consider- able time in the village of Milford, from which they finally effected a secret removal to Hadley, in Massachusetts, where a secure retreat had been provided for them. Here, after many years of concealment, Goffe died at an advanced age. The remains of Whalley now repose in the old burying-ground of New Haven. Beside them rest those of Dixwell, a third regicide, who, more fortunate than his fellow fugitives, married in New Haven, and lived there long and happily, with no attempt at concealment other than a change of name.
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HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
[1661.
The course of Governor Leet and his council, with regard to the regicides, caused much alarm in the other colonies. Massachusetts censured it severely, as endangering the liberties of all New England, by provoking the anger of the king. This view the fugitives themselves enter- tained. More than once, but for the interference of their friends, they would have delivered themselves up, in order that no evil might result to the colonies for harbouring them.
Though the general court of New Haven made haste to exculpate themselves from the censure of Massachusetts, they nevertheless had for the new king a rooted dislike, which they with diffi- culty abstained from manifesting. Determined in their republicanism, even more so than their brethren of Massachusetts, they hesitated long to proclaim Charles as their sovereign. At length, finding that they alone, among the New England general courts, were thus tacitly rebel- lious, and therefore dangerously prominent, they reluctantly, and with almost Spartan brevity, acknowledged themselves "to be his majesty's loyal and faithful subjects," on the 21st of Au- gust, 1661.
This acknowledgment the general court of Connecticut had made much earlier ; probably to gain favour with Charles, to whom they had already determined to apply for a charter. At length, having taken the precaution to draft the
103
CHARTER GRANTED.
1661.]
-
desired instrument among themselves, they se- lected Governor Winthrop to solicit the king's assent to it.
Embarking for England about midsummer, Winthrop bore with him a letter to Lord Say, the early friend of Connecticut, and now a favoured crown officer, whose influence and ad- vice the colonists requested, in the language of sincere respect and earnest affection. The warm- hearted old man readily complied. Unfitted, himself, by age for active exertion, he easily in- duced " the obliging and generous" Earl of Man- chester to join with him and Winthrop, "that their godly friends in New England might enjoy their just rights and liberties."
In addition to these and other active friends, the Connecticut envoy had in himself excellent sureties for the success of his mission. Learned as well in the ways of men and of the world as in books, with an unspotted character, of gentle manners and most engaging address, Winthrop found " favour in the eyes of all with whom he had to do," and nothing that his quietly-enter- prising spirit ever undertook had been known to fail. With the king his success was signal. Having first shown to the monarch a singular ring-the gift of the first Charles to Winthrop's grandfather-he then presented the petition of Connecticut. Touched by the sight of a relic which recalled the memory of a father he had
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HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. [1662.
dearly loved, the heart of Charles was won. With scarcely any hesitation, a charter, surpris- ingly liberal and democratic, was granted to the " Governor and Company of Connecticut in New England," on the 20th of April, 1662.
The boundaries of the colony, according to this instrument, varied little from those laid down in the original patent to Warwick. New Haven consequently became absorbed into Connecticut ; but not, as will presently be seen, without an effort to retain independence. At the same time the basis was laid of a claim to those western lands, from the sale of which has since accrued the present school fund of the state.
By her charter, Connecticut was virtually in- dependent. The freemen of the colony, all in- habitants of " civil, peaceable, and honest con- versation," possessing twenty-pound estates, besides personal property, were allowed to choose annually from among themselves a go- vernor, magistrates, and representatives, with full executive, legislative, and judicial authority. Upon their acts the king reserved no negative ; and all 'judicial decisions were final in the co- lony. Every privilege "of free and natural subjects within the realm" was granted to the colonists.
Grateful to Winthrop for his services, Con- necticut, soon after the charter was received, again elected him governor, though he was yet
105
DISPUTE WITH NEW HAVEN.
1662.]
in England. To that office he continued to be annually chosen until his death.
Loath to have obliterated the distinct common- wealth they had created with so much trouble and expense, and preferring their own spiritual qualification of church-membership to the free- hold one established by the late charter, a large majority of the people of New Haven sturdily refused to come under the jurisdiction of Con- necticut. It was their best way, they said, "to stand as God had kept them to that time." But some of the inhabitants of Guilford, Greenwich, and Stamford presently signifying their desire to enjoy the protection and privileges of Con- necticut, these towns were taken into her juris- diction. "Exceedingly grieved and afflicted" by this proceeding, the New Haven general court, testifying against it, " in the sight of God, an- gels, and men," appealed to the king.
Winthrop, who was still in England, at once wrote the Connecticut court a letter, the sub- stance of which is given :-
" Gentlemen,-I am informed that since you had the late patent, injury hath been done to the government at New Haven. I do hope the rise of it is from misunderstanding and not from prejudice to that colony, for whom I gave assurance that their rights and interests should not be disquieted by the patent : but if both go- vernments would, with unanimous agreement,
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HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
[1663.
unite in one, it was judged for their advantage. Now, in future, to prevent a tedious, chargeable trial here, and uncertain event, there will be no imposing upon New Haven; but all things will be acted as between loving and neighbouring colonies. Unto this I judge you are obliged, I having engaged to their agent here that it will be by you performed. Upon consideration, there may be such a right understanding between both governments, that a friendly union may be es- tablished, to the satisfaction of all; which, at my arrival, I shall also endeavour (God willing) to promote."
This letter, however, wrought no change in the conduct of Connecticut toward the people of New Haven ; whose " proceeding as a distinct jurisdiction," the general court declared " they could not but resent." The dispute now became angry. While it was at its height, Connecticut found herself hotly assailed by Massachusetts and New Netherlands, for having, under the warrant of her charter, exercised jurisdiction over certain towns claimed by those colonies.
At this juncture Winthrop returned, having assisted, before leaving England, at the forma- tion of the Royal Society. He at once en- deavoured to conciliate the people of New Haven. The task was one of difficulty. They refused to treat, until Connecticut should revoke the
107
ARRIVAL OF COMMISSIONERS.
1664.]
authority already claimed over some of their towns.
While Winthrop, by the exercise of modera- tion and prudence, was slowly winning over New Haven to a union, events happened which mate- rially lightened his labour, and hastened the de- sired result.
On the 12th of March, 1664, Charles I., with a singular disregard of the chartered liberties of Connecticut, granted to his brother, the Duke of York, the whole territory lying between the Connecticut and Delaware Rivers. New Nether- lands being comprised in this patent, it became necessary to subdue the occupants of that pro- vince. For this purpose, in July, a fleet arrived at Boston; whence it presently proceeded to Manhattan, receiving Winthrop on board during the voyage. Stuyvesant, the brave old governor there, vainly attempted to resist the unexpected invasion. But the terms of the English were easy, the Dutch inhabitants were careless of the result, and Stuyvesant, through the mediation of Winthrop, was at length induced to capitu- late. By this bloodless victory, New Nether- lands was united to the dominions of Great Britain, and the New England people relieved of a great source of anxiety.
But with the fleet by which this conquest was effected came commissioners from the king, to investigate certain charges against the New
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HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. [1664.
England colonies, and to settle the disputes lately arisen among them. Having reason to apprehend that their charter would be taken from them, the Massachusetts people were filled with alarm. All New England shared in their forebodings of evil, which the arbitrary conduct of the commissioners during their brief stay at Boston, previous to the invasion of New Nether- lands, was in no way calculated to dispel. Nevertheless, in Connecticut, the commissioners were received with a show, at least, of great re- spect ; which contrasted, quite favourably to the colony, with the chilly welcome they had met at Boston. Nor was Winthrop's urbanity without its usual success. Notwithstanding the king's recent patent to his brother, the boundary be- tween Connecticut and New Netherlands was left undisturbed. Long Island, however, went to the Duke of York. But, again favouring Connecticut, the commissioners gave no counte- nance to a claim, then lately advanced by the Duke of Hamilton, to a large tract of territory in the colony.
Meanwhile the New Haven people had been urged to hasten a union with Connecticut, as a proceeding necessary, not only for their own liberty, but for that of all New England. Moved by this representation, and by the untiring soli- citation of Winthrop, reluctantly, and with many misgivings, they at last yielded up " the
109
POLITICAL ADVANTAGES.
1665.]
house which wisdom had built for them and their posterity." In the spring of 1665, the united colonies elected Winthrop governor, and Mason deputy-governor. Connecticut, as thus consoli- dated, contained nineteen towns, distributed among the three counties of New Haven, Hart- ford, and New London.
In November following the final act of union, a day was set apart for returning thanks " to the Supreme Benefactor, for preventing the troubles they had feared, and for the blessings of liberty, health, peace, and plenty."
" And the gratitude of Connecticut"-we ab- breviate from Bancroft-« was reasonable. The charter Winthrop had obtained secured to her an existence of tranquillity, Civil freedom was safe. The minds of the yeomanry were kept active by the constant exercise of the elective franchise. There was no such thing in the co- lony as an officer appointed by the English king. The government was in honest and upright hands. The magistrates were sometimes per- sons of no ordinary endowments ; but though gifts of learning and genius were valued, the state was content with virtue and single minded- ness."
As we have seen, "there never existed a per- secuting spirit in Connecticut. Roger Williams had ever been a welcome guest at Hartford ; and ' that heavenly man, John Haynes,' would say
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HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
[1665.
to him, ' I think, Mr. Williams, I must now con- fesse to you that the most wise God hath pro- vided this part of the world as a refuge for all sorts of consciences.'
" Education was cherished, religious knowledge was carried to the highest degree of refinement. A hardy race multiplied along the alluvions of - streams, and subdued the more rocky and less inviting fields. If, as has been often said, the ratio of the increase of population is the surest criterion of public happiness, Connecticut was long the happiest state in the world.
"There was nothing morose in the Connecti- cut character. It was temperate industry en- joying the abundance which it had created. No great inequalities of condition excited envy, or raised political feuds. Wealth could display itself only in a larger house and a fuller barn ; and covetousness was satisfied by the tranquil succession of harvests. For a foreign market little was produced besides cattle ; and in return for them but few foreign luxuries stole in.
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