USA > Connecticut > The history of Connecticut, from the first settlement to the present time > Part 10
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The commissioners declined the proposals, ex- pressing their compassion for the Acadians, but saying that they should expose many of their friendly Indians by engaging in the war, and that some of them professed to be Christians. They stated that the Mohawks had treated them well in the Pequod war; and that, although they wished to treat the Canadians in a friendly manner, they could not even permit the proposed enlistments. They then urged objections to the trade in fire- arms and ammunition which was carried on by the French.
Captain Mason was about to accept of an offer from some of the people of New-Haven, to become
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134
HOSTILITY OF STUYVESANDT.
[1652.
governor of a colony which they proposed to form on Delaware Bay : but the General Court of Con- necticut prevented him, and the enterprise failed. The first grand list of Connecticut was made out, and embraced seven towns, amounting to £75,492 10s. 6d.
The people were under serious apprehensions in the year 1652, on account of dangers both at home and abroad. The Dutch and English had become involved in a war in 1651, and there were symptoms of a general war with the Indians. Say- brook Fort was strengthened, and the families were ordered to retire to it, while all Indians who would not give up their arms were regarded as enemies. Governor Stuyvesandt assumed an unfriendly and contemptuous tone, revived his renounced claims, and tried to hire Indians to destroy the English. On the discovery of this, an extraordinary meeting of the commissioners took place in April. Strange as it may seem, after the friendly arrangements he had made and proposed, it was too clearly proved that he had visited the western Indians beyond Hudson River, and urged them to join him against the English ; that he had had Ninigrate with him, and sent him home in a sloop, with arms and am- munition ; and that many tribes in different parts of the country had received invitations from him. Such, however, are the unrighteous principles of war, which civilized and Christian nations have too often adopted. They allow falsehood in nego- tiations and the most detestable plots for the de- struction of enemies. He, no doubt, had received orders from Holland, on the declaration of the war with England, to distress the English colonies to
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1652.]
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
his utmost, in order to gain some advantage in the contest. From similar causes, the colonies suffer. ed severely in the subsequent wars of England, es- pecially with France ; and it would be extremely unfair to charge either upon them or upon the In- dians the chief blame for the conflicts in which the colonies were engaged with the savage tribes around them. Had they not been involved by dis- putes not their own, judging from the scrupulous Christian policy which they generally displayed, and the success they had begun to experience, the In- dians would probably have become Christianized and civilized, and the country saved from a thou. sand calamities which we must hereafter relate.
It was reported that a general massacre was to be made in all the towns on election day, when many of the men were commonly absent from home. This put the people on so close and constant a watch, that labour was greatly interrupted; and, although Governor Stuyvesandt wrote, denying the charges against him, and offered to go to Boston, or to receive agents at Manahadoes to prove his innocence, other letters confirmed the reports, and six of the commissioners were in favour of an im- mediate declaration of war against the Dutch. Agents were sent, and Stuyvesandt then refused to submit to any examination except such as his two agents should consent to ; and they were men who had been complained of at Hartford for ill conduct, and one of whom had been put under bonds for criminal conduct. With these the agents of the commissioners would not confer, but returned after protesting.
In the mean time, the commissioners had order-
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MASSACHUSETTS DECLINES WAR. [1652.
ed 500 men to be raised, under the command of Captain Leverett, and that the commissioners should meet at New-Haven in case of war.
Another meeting of the commissioners was held, when the evidence against the Dutch appeared so much strengthened, the representations of Captain Underhill (who was still in their service) were so strong, and the conduct of Stuyvesandt so equivo. cal, that war was declared with unanimity, except Mr. Bradstreet, of Massachusetts. His colony still expressed great unwillingness to engage in hostil- ities ; and the General Court, in violation of the articles of union, refused to join the other colonies in the contest, and declared that the commissioners could not bind them to engage in a war against their convictions. After much deliberation, the commis- sioners dissolved ; on which Governor Haynes call- - ed a special court on the 25th of June, which led to another meeting of the commissioners at Boston on the 11th of September.
The Massachusetts commissioners then proposed to drop the subject : but the others persisted, and agreed to return home, protesting against Massa. chusetts. This led the General Court of that col- ony to write a professed retraction, though in equiv- ocal language. The commissioners then proceed- ed to declare war against Ninigrate, sachem of the Nehantics, on account of his violation of all his promises, his refusal to explain his conduct, and his endeavour to kindle a war. They also decla- red war against the Dutch. But Mr. Bradstreet opposed his associates in both these measures ; and Massachusetts refused to bear any share of the cxpense.
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1653.] HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
The General Courts of Connecticut and New. Haven soon met, and agreed to address the Lord Protector (Cromwell) for assistance to reduce or drive away the Dutch ; and Mr. Hopkins, who was then in England, was requested to aid Captain Astwood, whom they appointed their agent.
For defence, a guard was sent to Stamford, then on the frontier ; and New-Haven sent a vessel of ten or twelve guns, which was called a frigate, to cruise in the Sound, and keep the Nehantics at home. It was known that the Dutch were in con- stant expectation of a fleet from Holland ; and the colonists were in the greatest anxiety, fearing that a general rising of the Indians was to be made on its appearance. But the successes of the English fleets against Holland disappointed Governor Stuy- vesandt of his re-enforcement; and the Indians could not be combined against the colonies, so that Providence averted the evils which long hung over them. But other troubles soon arose. The fron- tier towns blamed the governments of New-Haven and Connecticut for delaying to invade the Dutch territory ; and the town of Fairfield determined to begin the war themselves, and appointed Mr. Lud- low to the office of commander-in-chief, which he accepted. This rebellion was suppressed by re- monstrance, though with difficulty ; and the lead- ers of it, named Basset and Chapman, were pun- ished.
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138
DEATH OF GOVERNOR HAYNES.
[1654.
CHAPTER XVII.
Death of Governor Haynes .- The Dutch House at Hartford seized, according to Orders from England .- Connecticut and New-Haven having petitioned Cromwell for Aid against the Dutch, four Ships of War arrive at Boston .- Peace between England and Holland .- Massachusetts reconciled .- Trouble with Ninigrate .- The Pequods taken under the Care of the Assembly in 1655 .- The New-Haven Code of Laws .- Death of Mr. Wolcott .- Proposals from Cromwell and Stuyvesandt. -Indian Disturbances .- Death of Governor Eaton.
IN the year 1654, the people of Connecticut suf- fered a great loss by the death of the man who had been the principal in its settlement and government. This was Governor Haynes, who was considered as second to no man in New-England. He had left Copford Hall, his seat in Essex, England, to dwell in America, though his income was worth £1000 a year. He resided for a time at Cam- bridge with the Rev. Mr. Hooker, and was chosen governor of Massachusetts. He came to New- England two years after the landing at Plymouth, and accompanied Mr. Hooker to Hartford. Trum- bull says, he appeared to be a gentleman of emi- nent piety, strict morals, and sound judgment. He paid attention to family government, instruction, and religion. His great integrity and wise man- agement of all affairs, in private and public, so raised and fixed his character in the esteem of the people, that they always, when the constitution would permit, placed him in the chief seat of gov- ernment, and continued him in it until his death.
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139
1654.] HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
Orders were received from the English Parlia- ment in the spring to treat the Dutch as enemies ; and the Dutch house and lands in Hartford were accordingly taken by the colony. A fast was ob. served for the various public calamities. Mr. Lud. low, who had been deputy-governor of Massachu- setts and Connecticut, removed to Virginia this year, probably on account of his hasty acceptance of an insurrectionary office at Fairfield. He was then clerk of that town, and carried the records with him. He was skilled in the principles of law, and had rendered much service in forming the Con- stitution of Connecticut, and compiling the code of the colony, which was printed at Cambridge in 1672.
Mr. Hopkins was chosen governor during his ab- sence in England, and Mr. Wells deputy-governor.
The whole number of rateable persons in Con- necticut this year was 775, and the grand list £79,073. Of this amount Hartford had 177 per- sons and £19,609; Windsor, 165 and .€15.533 ; Wethersfield, 113 and £12,602; Fairfield, 94 and £8634; Saybrook, 53 and £4437 ; Stratford, 72 and £7958 ; Farmington, 46 and £5519 ; Mid- dletown, 31 and £2172; and Norwalk, 24 and £2309.
About the beginning of the summer months the colonies were cheered by the unusual sight of three or four ships arriving at Boston from England with troops for their aid. These had been sent by Cromwell in reply to their petition. with Major Sedgwick and Captain Leveret. Massachusetts al- lowed men to be enlisted in her territory, although she still refused to go farther in the intended war
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140
NINIGRATE'S EVASIONS.
[1654
against the Dutch : but Connecticut and New-Ha- ven sent commissioners to Boston, authorized to offer large contributions of men and provisions. Eight hundred men were to be collected in all. Happily, the news of peace arrived in season to prevent things from proceeding any farther, the defeat of Admiral Van Tromp having led to this result.
Massachusetts now began to ask for the re-es- tablishment of the union of the colonies, which her conduct was considered as having destroyed. Her court appointed commissioners as usual, and pro- posed that their meetings should be resumed. The other colonies consented, on the understanding that the past should be forgotten, and the combination firmly, settled for the future.
Ninigrate, having a design against the Long Isl- and Indians, hired the Mohawks, Pocomtocks, and Wampanoags (a tribe of Narragansets) to aid in their destruction : but Major Mason was despatch- ed with troops, and Lieutenant Seely from New- Haven, to join him at Saybrook. They took a sup- ply of ammunition for the Island Indians, to be used only in defence ; and they had been instruct- ed to avoid bloodshed if possible, in case Ninigrate should appear, but to defend the friendly Indians, if necessary.
On the 7th of September the commissioners met at Hartford, and sent to Ninigrate to appear before them. He returned answer by Mr. Jonathan Gil- bert that he had done no harm, and only wished to punish the Long Island Indians for killing a son of one of his sachems and sixty of his men. The Indians from the interior, whose assembling in the
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1654.]
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
Narraganset country had caused so much uneasi- ness, had come, he said, as his allies, to assist him against the Long Islanders ; and as to the tribute demanded for his Pequods, he pretended ignorance of the demand. The commissioners then ordered that 40 horsemen and 150 footmen should be im- mediately raised by Massachusetts, 45 by Connec- ticut, and 31 by New-Haven ; and that, without de- lay, 20 horsemen and 40 footmen should march into the Narraganset country. Major Gibbons, Major Denison, and Captain Atherton were nomi- nated, that Massachusetts might select a comman- der-in-chief from those three men of known abil- ity : but the General Court preferred Major Wil- lard. The commissioners ordered him to march to Ninigrate's residence, and demand his Pequods and the tribute due for them ; and to subdue him in case of his refusing.
The troops found he had retired into a swamp, and might have destroyed the wigwams and corn : but they returned without doing anything, their commander saying that his instructions were equiv- ocal, and the season was too far advanced. About 100 Pequods deserted to the English. It appears that Major Willard was appointed by Massachu- setts that he might prevent bloodshed if possible : but he was considered as having greatly increased the evils of war, and caused the destruction which soon after ensued. This conduct of Massachusetts it is as difficult to justify as that of which complaint had been made the past year. Their motive ap- pears to have been to preserve peace ; and this we cannot too highly admire. They may have acted under a different view of things, or with different
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142
THE CODE OF NEW-HAVEN.
[1655.
evidence before them : but the course they pursued was certainly unjustifiable, as it was an insincere one.
The General Court took the Pequods under their jurisdiction in 1655, after their repeated requests ; and they were afterward furnished with land on Pawcatuck and Mystic rivers, where they were collected under an Indian governor appointed by the court. Permission was given them to hunt on the land west of the Mystic. The court then passed laws for them, requiring them to pay the tribute stipulated after the Pequod war to their governors, and engage in no offensive war without the consent of the court ; making blasphemy, mur- der, witchcraft, and conspiracy against the colonies capital crimes ; and laying penalties for Sabbath- breaking, adultery, and drunkenness. A thief was to pay double the amount stolen.
And now Ninigrate, imboldened by the absence of force, sent across the Sound, and so closely pressed the Indians and English on Long Island, that the most urgent appeals were received in Connecticut for immediate relief. Captain John Youngs was therefore hastened off with an armed vessel, to cut off communication between Neanticut and Long Island, and to draught men from Say- brook and Long Island. Word was also sent to the towns on Long Island, and to the sachem of the Montauket Indians, with supplies ; and the Nar. ragansets were informed of the preparations made against them.
A code of laws for New-Haven was drawn up by Governor Eaton, at the request of the General Court ; and 500 copies were printed in England,
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.
1656.]
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
under the charge of Governor Hopkins, for dis- tribution in the colony. The expense was defrayed by Governor Hopkins, who sent at the same time a collection of valuable books as a present.
There was an iron furnace in East-Haven as early as 1655. The place was then called Stony River ; and bog ore was brought from North-Ha- ven. It was continued in operation until 1680. The first iron-works in Massachusetts, and proba- bly in New-England, were established in 1645, at Lynn.
This year occurred the death of Henry Wolcott, Esq., who came to America in 1630, having sold his estate in Somersetshire, in England, for £8000, on account of the persecutions to which the Puri- tans were exposed. He at first settled at Dor. chester, Massachusetts, with Mr. Warham, and in 1636 was one of the first settlers of Windsor. He was one of the magistrates from 1643 till he died ; and there was always one of his descendants in the magistracy until 1754.
The first troop of horse in any part of Connecti- cut was raised by the colony of New-Haven in 1656, when sixteen horsemen were required of the five towns on the coast. They were allowed the privilege of freedom from taxation, and were not to be trained with the footmen. Common soldiers were ordered to practise firing, and broadsword and cudgel exercise.
This year an urgent invitation was sent to the colonies by the Lord Protector of England, Oliver Cromwell, to send the people to Jamaica, which had been obtained by conquest : but it was declined.
Governor Stuyvesandt addressed to the commis-
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THE INDIANS TROUBLESOME.
[1656.
sioners a proposal to receive the Dutch colony into their union, congratulating them on the happy ter- mination of the war in Europe : but they did not encourage his advances, as they did not rate his sincerity very highly, and regarded the Dutch as intruders in a part of America to which the Eng- lish had a rightful claim. They, however, re- quested from him reparation for past damages, and specific explanations of his intentions with re- spect to the jurisdiction of Greenwich and Oyster Bay. The former place was in a state of misrule ; and the court of New-Haven resolved, that if the inhabitants should not appear and submit to them before the 25th of June, Richard Crab and other principal favourers of drunkenness and runaways should be arrested and punished. This brought them to terms.
The excitement among the Indians appears to have affected all the tribes. Even Uncas partook of the spirit. He attacked the Podunk Indians in the eastern part of Hartford (now East-Hartford or East-Windsor) ; and he or his brother fell upon the Norwootucks. He also challenged the Nar- ragansets, and yet joined Ninigrate against the Montaukets, whom he deceived. The commis- sioners required him to make restitution to those he had injured, and forbade him to make war with- out their advice. A dreadful murder was com- mitted at Fairfield by an Indian named Mesapano, probably aided by the Norwootucks and Pocom- tucks ; and the Montaukets, for whom the Eng- glish had done so much, when they found them- selves relieved from danger, turned upon their white neighbours and did them much damage, so
145
1657.] HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
that Major Mason was sent to Long Island. The various tribes were this year at war with each other, and sometimes Indians would rush into Eng- lish houses, pursued by their enemies, who would often kill them before the eyes of the families. The Narragansets invaded Mohegan, and Connec- ticut was obliged to send relief to Uncas. They also plundered some of the colonists. The com- missioners forbade the Indians to continue their wars, and offered to arbitrate between them.
This year New. Haven suffered a severe loss by the death of Governor Eaton. He was a na- tive of Stony Stratford, in Oxfordshire, England, the son of a minister, educated as an East India merchant, and successively deputy-governor of the East India Company, and agent of the king at the Danish court. In consequence of the bloody per- secutions of Bishop Laud, he emigrated to New- England with his pastor, Mr. Davenport, and was annually elected governor of New-Haven from its settlement until his death. The colony paid his funeral expenses and erected a monument to his memory. He observed the plain and pious habits of the best men of his time in the strict govern- ment of his family, which sometimes consisted of thirty persons, praying and reading the Scriptures with them every morning and evening, and instruct- ing them an hour or two on the Sabbath, praying and singing with them.
His son-in-law, Governor Hopkins, died about the same time. He much resembled him in char- acter and habits, particularly in his strict observ. ance of family and secret devotions. While on a visit to England, he was appointed first warden of N
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146
DIFFERENCES ABOUT BAPTISM. [1657.
the fleet in place of his brother, deceased, and af- terward commissioner of the admiralty and navy, and member of parliament, which prevented him from returning. He was distinguished for charity to the poor, and left several liberal legacies, and a large sum for the education of " hopeful youths in a way of learning, both at the grammar-school and college, for the public service of the country in fu- ture times." This was the foundation of the gram- mar-schools at New. Haven, Hartford, and Hadley, which continue to this day.
A question having arisen whether baptism ought not to be conferred on a larger proportion of the children, the magistrates of Connecticut sent sev- eral of their number to confer with those of Mas- sachusetts. In 1678, the difference of opinion on this subject had become so great, that a number of members of the churches of Hartford, Wethersfield, and Windsor determined to form settlements higher up the river. They separated themselves in a peaceable and orderly manner, and founded the towns of Northampton and Hadley in Massachu- setts.
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1658-9.] HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
CHAPTER XVIII.
The first Troop of Horse in Connecticut Colony .- Governor Wells. - Governor Newman, of New-Haven. - Uncas. - Grand Juries established in the Towns .- Uncas's Grant to Major Mason .- Arrival of Goffe and Whalley, two of the re- gicide Judges of Charles I .- Their favourable Reception .- Sent for by Charles II .- Secreted at New-Haven.
A TROOP of horse was raised in 1658, which was the first ever formed within the territory of the present state of Connecticut.
Thomas Wells was chosen governor of Connec. ticut, and John Winthrop deputy-governor. There were 16 magistrates and 26 deputies. At New. Haven, Mr. Francis Newman was made governor, and William Leet deputy.governor.
Stonington was settled this year, under the name of Pawcatuck. The territory being claimed by Massachusetts as well as Connecticut, the settlers determined peaceably to govern themselves until the jurisdiction should be settled. The commis- sioners decided that Mystic River should be the. boundary, and set off Southerton to Massachusetts.
The colonies suffered this year from fear of the Indians, poor harvests, uncommon mortality, and religious controversies, so that great wisdom was required of the commissioners.
In 1659, Setauket, or Cromwell Bay, on Long Island, was admitted under the jurisdiction of Con- necticut.
148
ARRIVAL OF THE REGICIDES.
[1660.
In 1660, the freemen annulled the law forbidding the annual election of the same person as governor.
Norwich was first settled in the spring of this year, by the Rev. James Fitch, of Saybrook, and most of his congregation, with some others. Un- cas continued to be very serviceable, as his people often were after his death, chiefly by furnishing scouts in war. Not long after the settlement of Norwich, the Narragansets repeatedly appeared ready to fall upon the helpless little town ; and, in times of alarm, the Mohegans would remove their wigwams near to it.
Grand jurors were this year ordered to be ap- pointed in every town, and to present to the court all breaches of law. Huntington, on Long Island, , was taken under the jurisdiction of Connecticut. The account with George Fenwick, Esq., was set- tied with his heirs, Captain Cullick and his wife, by an exchange of full discharges. It appeared that the colony had paid more than .€500 more than would have been due under the original agreement.
Uncas had reserved a large quantity of land as planting-ground, which he sold this year to Major Mason, now deputy-governor, for the colony, enough being reserved by the latter for a farm, and an agreement being had that Uncas, Wawequa, and their successors should always have sufficient plant- ing-ground out of the tract. A controversy of sev- enty years, however, grew out of this informal con- tract, between the colony and the heirs of Major Mason.
Two men arrived at Boston in July who had made a distinguished figure in England. They
149
1661.] HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
were Lieutenant-general Whalley and Major-gen- eral Goffe, two of the judges who had condemn- ed Charles the First to death. Expecting to be beheaded if they should fall into the hands of his son, they had the prudence to leave England be. fore he was proclaimed, and crossed the ocean in a vessel commanded by Captain Gooking.
Generals Goffe and Whalley were received, on their arrival at Boston, with marks of distinction ; and, on removing to Cambridge, often appeared in public without apprehension, especially on the Sab- bath, when they attended worship. They are de- scribed as men of remarkably polished manners and dignified deportment. In February, 1661, news came from England that thirty-nine of the regicide judges (as they were called) had been con- demned, and ten executed as traitors. Governor Endicott then called a General Court, and proposed to have the two generals arrested : but they had so many friends in the court and among the peo- ple that the measure was not adopted. They were advised to leave Massachusetts, and sent to Con- necticut, recommended to trusty friends. They reached Hartford on the 27th of March, and went on without delay to New-Haven. They soon ac- quired a high reputation among the inhabitants for piety as well as intelligence : but when the proc- lamation of the king was received, requiring their arrest wherever they might be, they appeared only at Milford in the daytime, commonly returning at night to New-Haven, where Mr. Davenport fur- nished them with a retreat in his house.
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