USA > Connecticut > The history of Connecticut, from its earliest settlement to the present time. Ed. by W. H. Carpenter and T. S. Arthur > Part 7
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"There was for a long time hardly a lawyer in the land. 'The husbandman who held his own plough, and fed his own cattle, was the great man of the age. No one was superior to the matron, who, with her busy daughters, kept the hum of the wheel incessantly alive, spinning and weaving every article of their dress. Fashion was confined within narrow limits. Pride, which
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ECONOMY IN GOVERNMENT.
1665.]
aimed at no grander equipage than a pillion, could exult only in the common splendour of the blue and white linen gown, with short sleeves, coming down to the waist, and in the snow- white flaxen apron, which, primly starched and ironed, was worn on public days by every wo- man in the land.
" The frugality of private life had its influence on public expenditure. Half a century after the concession of the charter, the annual ex- penses of the government did not exceed four thousand dollars ; and the wages of the chief justice were ten shillings a day while on service.
" In the ancient republics, citizenships had been an hereditary privilege. In Connecticut citizenship was acquired by inhabitancy, was lost by removal. Each town meeting was a little legislature ; and all inhabitants, the affluent and the more needy, the wise and the foolish, were members with franchises. There the taxes of the town were discussed and levied ; there the village officers were chosen ; there the mi- nister was elected, the representatives to the as- sembly were instructed. The debate was open to all. Whoever reads the records of the village democracies, will be perpetually coming upon some little document of political wisdom, which breathes the freshness of rural legislation, and wins a disproportioned interest, from the justice and simplicity of the times. As the progress
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HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
[1665.
of society required exertions in a wider field, the public mind was quickened by associations that were blended with early history; and when Connecticut emerged from the quiet of its origin, and made its way into scenes where a new poli- tical world was to be erected, the sagacity that had regulated the affairs of the village gained admiration in the field and in council."
CHAPTER VIII.
Prosperity of Connecticut-Apprehension of trouble-The Duke of York claims jurisdiction to the Connecticut-Ed- mund Andross governor of the duke's province-Embarks to seize Fort Saybrook-Connecticut militia sent to oppose him-He attempts to assume authority-Is overawed by the determined conduct of Captain Bull-Returns to New York -King Philip's war-Its origin-Massacre at Swanzey- Philip a fugitive-Frontier towns of Massachusetts destroyed -Fearful character of the war-Exemption of Connecticut from its immediate ·horrors-Preparations for defence-Ex- pedition against the Narragansets-Their fort attacked- Their obstinate resistance-Colonists finally victorious- Narraganset fort burned-Connecticut captains killed in the fight-Sufferings of the fugitive Indians-Their despair and fury-Connecticut volunteer companies-Canonchet captured by Captain Denison's men-His execution-Pur- suit of Philip-He is shot by one of his own tribe-Death of Winthrop-William Leet governor-State of the colony in 1680-Rogerenes.
FOR a period of nearly nine years from 1665, Connecticut enjoyed an undisturbed existence. During these years of quiet prosperity, nothing
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CLAIM OF DUKE OF YORK.
1675.]
of marked historical importance occurred within her borders. Many new towns sprung up, mean -. while, under the shelter of her free institutions; and her population continued to increase steadily and rapidly ; though even at this early day that tide of emigration was setting outward, the con- stant flow of which has carried to almost every town and village of the Union, at least one re- presentative of the Connecticut people.
Early in 1674, however, these "halcyon days of peace" began to be overclouded. Singularly forgetful of the decision of his own commissioners, King Charles, renewing the patent of New York to his brother James, a second time extended the eastern boundary of that province to the Con- necticut. To vindicate his jurisdiction over the territory thus unjustly granted to him, the Duke of York found a subservient tool in Edmund Andross, whom he presently commissioned as governor of his American possessions.
Andross did not long delay making the attempt. 'Early in July, 1675, having organized a military and naval expedition, he embarked at New York for Fort Saybrook, of which he designed to take possession. Of this movement the Connecticut assembly received timely information. Hastily convening, they hurried off to the fort a detach- ment of militia, under the command of Captain Bull, a man of tried courage and resolute spirit. They then voted unanimously a proclamation,
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HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
[1675.
declaring their resolution to maintain their char- tered rights at all hazard, and commanding the "good people of Connecticut to utterly refuse to countenance or obey" Andross, or any of his subordinates. This proclamation an express bore to Captain Bull.
Before that gallant officer could reach Say- brook, Andross appeared in the river. Though at first doubtful as to what they had best do, the fishermen and farmers of the neighbourhood speedily determined to defend the fort. Pre- sently joined by Bull, they made every prepara- tion to give Andross a warlike reception. On the 11th of July, the latter anchored his fleet off the fort, and, hoisting the king's colours, sum- moned the garrison to surrender. At this junc- ture Bull received the assembly's proclamation.
He immediately responded to the summons of Andross by running up the English flag. De- spairing of success in an assault, and hesitating to fire upon the national standard, Andross was reduced to the necessity of trying persuasion. At his own request, he was permitted to land with a small retinue. Rejecting Bull's proposal to have the dispute referred to commissioners, he assumed authority, and in the king's name ordered the duke's patent to be read in the hear- ing of the colonial militia. But no sooner had his secretary commenced reading, than the Con- necticut captain, in the name of the king, com-
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INDIAN WAR.
1675.]
manded him to stop. For a moment the clerk persisted. With startling energy of voice and manner, Bull reiterated his command. The reader did not deem it safe to refuse obedience. Overawed, but complaining bitterly of the as- sembly's ingratitude, Andross, escorted by the militia, withdrew to his boat, and set sail for New York.
Incensed at this attempted aggression, the Connecticut assembly drew up a declaration of the wrongs Andross had done them, and, having sealed it with the colony's seal, despatched copies of it to the neighbouring plantations, to be there made public.
Meanwhile, an Indian war had broken out in the eastern colonies, and now threatened to involve all New England in its sanguinary horrors.
The most powerful and warlike of the abori- ginal tribes, at this time within the borders of New England, were the Wampanoags and Nar- ragansets ; the former inhabiting what is now the county of Bristol, in Rhode Island, and the latter, the western shore of the beautiful bay which yet preserves their name. Crowded into these narrow limits by the encroaching tide of civilization, no less than seventeen hundred war- riors had grown restless and irritable, under the restraints to which the English subjected them. Canonchet, chief of the Narragansets, also re-
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HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
[1675.
membered the wrongs inflicted upon Miantonimo, . his unfortunate father.
Upon Pometacom, or Philip of Mount Hope, chief of the Wampanoags, suspicion of hostile designs had rested for several years; though hitherto his tribe had been the unwavering friends of the colonists. , In consequence of this suspicion, he had been compelled to surrender his English arms, and to pay a burdensome tri- bute. Presently accused again-this time by an Indian convert, whom he had formerly em- ployed-of planning the extermination of the whites, Philip was summoned to answer to the charge. Having promptly obeyed this sum- mons, the haughty chieftain was hesitatingly allowed to return to his tribe, no satisfactory proof being offered to sustain the charge against him. Soon afterward, however, his Indian ac- cuser was found murdered. Suspicion falling immediately upon three of Philip's men, they were arrested by the authorities of Plymouth, tried by a jury of Indians and whites, convicted, and hanged. Their exasperated brethren re- taliated by assaulting the town of Swanzey, and killing nine of the inhabitants. Philip is said to have shed tears when he received tidings of this onslaught ; but the blow his tribe had struck ' in a moment of passion, the proud spirit of the chieftain would not permit him to recall.
Startled, but not dismayed, by this confirma-
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RAVAGES OF THE INDIANS.
1675.]
tion of their worst fears, the colonists of Ply- mouth and Massachusetts at once took up arms. In less than a month Philip was a fugitive from the home of his ancestors. Finding refuge among the inland tribes, he speedily induced them to take up the hatchet, and join him in a desperate attempt to exterminate the whites.
For a short period during the fierce contest that ensued, the savages seemed to be omnipre- sent. Scarcely one of the frontier towns of Massachusetts and Plymouth escaped the fury of their first onset. Brookfield and Deerfield were burned; Northfield, Hadley, and Spring- field, attacked and partially destroyed. Three bands of the colonists, numbering in all one hun- dred and thirty chosen men, successively fell victims to the cunning and vigilance of outlying Indians. Everywhere were conflagrations, mas- sacres, and frightened women and children flying from death. The labour of years was swept away in a few weeks. Civilization seemed about to be driven back into the Atlantic.
Her Indian inhabitants proving faithful, Con- necticut was exempted from the immediate hor- rors of the war, though her people suffered in- tensely from alarm and apprehension. Many of them took the field, however; and, led by the gallant Major Treat, afforded most effective as- sistance to the western settlements of Massa- chusetts. It appearing probable that a simulta-
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HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. [1675.
neous attack would be presently made on all the frontier towns, the assembly, in October, 1675, ordered the enlistment of four companies of dragoons, each numbering sixty men, for the immediate defence of the colony, and to act against the enemy wherever their services might be needed. Every town was required to be strongly fortified, and to have a place of security where the women and children might take refuge on the first intimation of danger. All inhabitants unable to bear arms, were advised to remove into the more populous parts of the colony.
As yet, the powerful confederacy of the Nar- ragansets had not entered openly into the con- test; early in the commencement of which they were constrained to deliver up hostages for the maintenance of peace. But as the winter ap- proached, the opinion became general that they had broken their pledges, by secretly sheltering and aiding the hostile tribes. It was determined to treat them as enemies. A thousand men were immediately enlisted by the united colonies, and sent into the Narraganset country. Of this force, three hundred were from Connecticut, under the command of Major Treat.
Spending the previous night in the open air, these troops, led by Josiah Winslow, about day- break of Sunday, December the 19th, began their march to attack the chief stronghold of the enemy, situated in an extensive swamp, near the
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OBSTINATE BATTLE.
1675.]
present town of South Kingston, in Rhode Island. The ground being covered with a deep snow, their march of fifteen miles was slow, la- borious, and painful. Swiftly following a scout- ing party of Indians, who fled before them as they entered the swamp, the van of the Massa- chusetts men came in sight of the fort, built upon a rising ground in the centre of the swamp, and encircled by a dense and almost impenetra- ble hedge. Apparently the only practicable en- trance into this stronghold was a narrow way, over a large log raised some five feet from the ground, and exposed to a cross fire from a block- house in front, and a breastwork along one side. Pausing scarcely a moment to breathe, the as- sailants faced the deadly fire that here met them, and gained the interior of the fort. Being un- supported, after a sanguinary struggle, in which two captains fell, they were driven back. At this juncture the Connecticut troops came up. The assault was renewed with hopeful vigour, and the fort again entered. Long and obstinate- ly resisting, the savages yielded only when, gaining the rear, a fresh body of colonists at- tacked them with fatal effect. Then all was lost. As they broke and fled, burning brands were thrown among their wigwams. In a few mo- ments, six hundred of these were in flames. Ter- rible and sickening were the sights and sounds .
that followed. High above the roar of the con-
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HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
[1675.
flagration, and the shouts of the victors, and the yells of the flying savages, were heard the shrill shrieks of more than a hundred old men, women, and children, perishing horribly by fire. Even the authors of this fearful destruction were ap- palled at it; and many began to doubt whether " it could be consistent with humanity, and the benevolent principles of the gospel."
Though complete, the victory was dearly pur- chased. For three hundred Indians slain, and less than six hundred prisoners, mostly women and children, the lives of eighty of the most valuable colonists had been expended. Half this number was mourned by Connecticut ; and of her five captains, three-Seely, Marshal, and Gallup-fell dead while leading on their troops ; a fourth-John Mason-received wounds which finally terminated his life.
Driven into the woods and swamps, with no- thing to protect them from the rigorous season, almost without food, and pursued by the colo- nists with the pertinacity of hate, the fugitive barbarians perished by hundreds from exposure, famine, and sheer exhaustion. The survivors grew desperate. Town after town was laid waste by their fury. Yet they had no hope of ultimate success. The stubborn and untiring energy of the New England men pursued them · everywhere; some were taken captive and en- slaved or executed; others fled to the northern
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CAPTURE OF CANONCHET.
1676.]
lakes ; many were slain in fight; a few submitted to the conquerors.
Among the numerous armed volunteers who, led by captains of activity and courage, con- tributed to relieve the colonies of their infuriated foes, none were more serviceable than those of Connecticut. Early in April, 1676, one of these companies, headed by Captain Denison of Ston- ington, while hunting out the scattered fugi- tives, came suddenly upon a large and powerful Indian. Flying, he was pursued. Crossing a brook, he slipped on a stone and fell. At this moment a Pequod runner laid hands on him. His great strength might have availed him, but he made no resistance. The prisoner was Ca- nonchet, chief sachem of the Narragansets. A young colonist presently approaching, began to question him :- " You are a child," he said ; " you do not understand war : let your captain come ; him I will answer." His life was offered him, if he would procure a treaty of peace ; but he rejected the proposal scornfully. When told that he was condemned to death-"I like it well," said the heroic captive; "I shall die be- fore my heart is soft, before I have spoken any thing unworthy of myself." Borne in triumph to Stonington, he was there shot by two In- dians. His head was then cut off and carried to Hartford.
A similarly bloody fate awaited Philip, the
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HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. [1676.
unfortunate author of the war. So soon as suc- cess seemed to be entirely with the English, the savages quarrelled among themselves, and the warriors of Philip began to desert him. Still he persisted in the now hopeless struggle, strik- ing dead the chief who proposed that he should submit. At length, having vainly sought the alliance of the Mohawks, he returned with a few faithful followers to the hunting-grounds of his fathers. Here his wife and son were presently captured by the English. "My heart breaks," was his despairing exclamation ; "now I am ready to die." But a few days afterward he was shot by the brother of the chief he had slain for proposing peace.
Thus ended King Philip's war, the most disas- trous that New England ever experienced. In little more than a year, thirteen villages had been destroyed, six hundred houses laid in ashes, and more than that number of the colonists, mostly young men, had fallen beneath the fury of the savages. Destructive as the contest had been to the victors, it was trebly so to the con- quered. The two powerful tribes engaged in it were virtually exterminated.
While the war was yet raging, in April, 1676, Connecticut met with a serious loss, in the death of her learned and excellent governor and bene- factor, John Winthrop, full of years and honours, and leaving a name that should not be forgotten.
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STATE OF THE COLONY.
1680.]
.
The pure and upright William Leet, formerly governor of New Haven, was presently chosen to succeed Winthrop, and continued to fill the gubernatorial chair until his death, in 1683.
From a report forwarded in 1680, to the Eng- lish Committee of Trade, some interesting par- ticulars are gathered in regard to the condition of Connecticut at that period. The population is not stated; but judging from the number of enrolled militia-twenty-five hundred-it could not have been less than eleven thousand, distri- buted among four counties and twenty-six towns. Of this population, about thirty were negro slaves.
The entire commercial marine, owned in the colony, consisted of four ships and twenty-three smaller vessels, with a tonnage of about five thousand tons. Boston and the West Indies were the chief places with which trade was car- ried on. The most important exports were lum- ber, provisions, and horses, valued at nine thou- sand pounds sterling a year. No impost duties were levied, except on wine and liquors, the re- venues from which were appropriated to the support of free schools. Labour being dear and provisions cheap, there was no such thing as a beggar or vagabond in the colony; or, if any such did make their appearance, they were im- mediately bound out to service.
" Strict" and " large" Congregationalism was
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HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. [1681.
the religion of most of the people. A few Friends were unmolested in the observance of their particular tenets. There were, also, in the colony, some twenty members of a new and cu- rious sect of the Baptists, called Rogerenes, after their founder, Jonathan Rogers of New London, but better known as the Seventh-Day Baptists, from their distinguishing tenet, that of observing the Jewish Sabbath, Saturday, instead of the customary Christian one. Per- sisting in performing labour on Sundays, they would then inform upon themselves-a proceed- ing which usually resulted in their imprisonment for a brief period. Finding no warrant in the Bible for family prayers or grace at meal times, they denounced both as vain ceremonials ; while in their estimation, to take physic, was to thwart the providence of God.
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MAJOR TREAT GOVERNOR.
1683.]
CHAPTER IX,
Robert Treat governor-Territorial dispute with Rhode Island -Conduct of that colony-Dispute finally terminates unfa- vourably to Connecticut-James II. King of England-His scheme to consolidate the New England colonies-Quo war- rantos served upon Connecticut-Prudent course of the as- sembly-Andross appointed governor of New England- Meets the Connecticut assembly-Demands the charter- It is secretly borne away-Andross assumes authority-Ends the records of the assembly-Revolution in England-An- dross's authority overthrown-Connecticut charter repro- duced-Assembly addresses King William-English lawyers declare the charter of Connecticut unimpaired-War between France and England-French and Indian war parties attack the frontiers of New York and Massachusetts-Expeditions against Canada-Their ill success-Designs of the English crown upon the liberties of Connecticut-Fletcher commis- sioned to command its militia-Opposition of the assembly -Winthrop bears a petition to the king-Rage of Fletcher -He attempts to assume command of the troops-Is thwart- ed by the courage of Captain Wadsworth-Course of Con- necticut sustained by the crown lawyers-Rejoicings in consequence-Winthrop returns-His reception-Peace.
AFTER the death of Governor Leet, in 1683, the gubernatorial chair of Connecticut was for many years filled by Major Robert Treat, whose services during the recent Indian war had gained him a deserved popularity. The year in which he was first elected proved one of calamities to the planters of the colony. A deadly sickness
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HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. [1685.
prevailed, sweeping off great numbers, especially of the clergy. Freshets in many of the streams destroyed much valuable property and some lives ; while the harvests were so scanty as to cause considerable anxiety and a little distress.
Late in October, the new governor and his council had a conference with Dongan of New York, during which the boundary line between the two colonies was amicably adjusted, nearly in accordance with the one now existing. A territorial dispute with Rhode Island terminated neither so soon nor so satisfactorily. This same year the rival claims of Connecticut and of that colony to lands in the Narraganset country were referred for settlement to certain royal commis- sioners. Rhode Island objected to these, how- ever; and when they attempted to hold a confer- ence in the disputed territory, they were warned off by the heralds of that colony. Thereupon adjourning to Boston, the commissioners decided in favour of the claims of Connecticut. But
Rhode Island questioned the justice of this deci- sion ; and for nearly fifty years longer the dis- pute gave rise to much vexatious and expensive litigation, and finally terminated unfavourably to Connecticut.
Charles II. dying in 1685, his brother, the Duke of York, ascended the English throne, as James II. Avaricious and fond of power, the new king hastened to execute a scheme he
-
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SCHEME OF JAMES.
1687.]
seems to have long before concocted-the con- solidation, and complete subjection to royal authority, of all the New England colonies. Massachusetts having been already deprived of her charter, and Plymouth never possessing one, it only remained to wrest away those of Con- necticut and Rhode Island. Charged with cer- tain misdemeanours, the former colony was presently served with three successive writs of quo warranto. Alarm and hesitation for a while pervaded the councils of the commonwealth, but it was determined not to surrender the charter. Knowing that the cause was already prejudged against them, the assembly did not deem it worth while to employ counsel. Endeavouring more to elude than to repel the blow aimed at them, they threw themselves upon the king's clemency, and desired that, if their independence was to be taken away, they might be united to Massa- chusetts rather than to New York. This move eventually saved the charter ; inasmuch as James, hastily and erroneously construing it into a sur- render of the coveted instrument, at once stayed proceedings on the quo warranto, and they were never afterward urged to a judicial decision.
Acting upon the king's construction of the desire Connecticut had expressed, Andross, lately appointed governor of New England, in the autumn of 1687, attended by seventy soldiers, set out from Boston, and travelled across the
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HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
[1687.
country to Hartford, to assume authority over the colony. Meeting the assembly which was then in session, he demanded the charter. After some parley, it was produced and laid on the clerk's table. A long and earnest debate ensued. The brave old Governor Treat plead feelingly for the liberties of his people, showing with what an outlay of labour, and treasure, and blood, they had been purchased ; and how like parting with life it was to surrender the cherished in- strument of their security. Evening came on while the debate was purposely protracted, and an excited throng of resolute farmers and towns- men gathered around the house where the council was assembled. It grew dark, and lights were brought, the charter still lying upon the table. The front windows of the council-chamber were low, and the heat of the weather rendered it necessary to keep them open. Of a sudden, some of the throng outside threw their jackets into the open windows, and thus extinguished the lights. These were speedily rekindled ; but the charter had disappeared. In the darkness, Cap- tain Wadsworth, of Hartford, stealing noiselessly from the room, bore the precious document to the concealment of a hollow oak, fronting the house, where it was deposited, not to be brought to light again until happier times. Spared from the axe, on account of its great size, when the forest was first cleared, the "charter oak" still
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