USA > Massachusetts > History of Massachusetts, for two hundred years: from the year 1620 to 1820 > Part 10
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At the close of the year in which he received his commis- sion, (1686) Dudley was succeeded as chief magistrate of Massachusetts, by Sir Edmund Andros, who had been some time governor of New York. He now received a cominission to govern all the New England colonies .* Andros was a military character, and of known arbitrary principles. It was feared, that he would govern rather from caprice and prejudice, than with just and equitable purposes. Nor did the fears of the people prove unfounded. The press was taken under his special care and inspection ; and under the pretence of religious toleration, the Episcopalians received marks of peculiar favor and support. Randolph, who was justly obnoxious to the people, for his enmity, and his arbitrary conduct in past years, had unbounded influence with the governor. He acted as Judge of Probate, and Secretary of the colonies, as well as collector of the customs ; and exacted much higher fees than had ever been required. He also commanded all, who had business of this kind, to attend on him at his own house.
The counsellors of Andros were, probably, a check upon his purposes and measures. The greater part of them were friends of civil liberty, and could not but have used their influence in the cause of justice and equity. But some of them were less devoted to the interests of the people, and the cause of free- dom ; and such were often with him, ready to flatter his vanity, and to approve his conduct.+ The measure which gave the most general alarm, perhaps, and tended to the most extensive evil, was a declaration, and order, that all the titles to land in the colony were invalid, or incomplete. The reason given, was, that the charter was vacated, and that the fee was in the crown. The people were required to take a confirmation from the governor, and most exorbitant fees were demanded .¿ An
* This is the language of his commission-but it does not appear that Connecticut was included.
t The counsellors were Dudley, Stoughton, Winthrop, Bulkley, and Tyng, of Massachusetts, Hinckley, Bradford, Lothrop, and Walley, of Plymonth, Coggeshall, Usher, and Wharton, of New Hampshire, Arnold, Clark, Newbury, and Smith, of Rhode Island, and Narragansett.
# Andros' salary was £1200 sterling, paid from England, (as was proposed, in 1673, to provide the royal governor's stipend) yet the motto of his official seal was " nunquam libertas gratior extat."
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address and protest were forwarded to the king, complaining of the oppressive conduct of Andros* and of Randolph; in which they pleaded the original grant, in November, 1620, to the council of Plymouth, in England, and of 1628-9, from that council to the company, by which Massachusetts was settled ; the confirmation of Charles I. of the grant, and his charter for a government, with a governor, assistants, and a general court, to make laws, (not repugnant to England,) and to dispose of lands as they might choose ; their purchase, also, of the native Indians ; possession for nearly sixty years ; and the great cost and charge attending the settlements, without expense to England.
Andros and his council, or a part of them, proceeded to levy taxes, in an arbitrary manner. In some towns, payment was refused, and respectable citizens were fined and imprisoned. The complaints of the people became general. There were no acts of violence, but strong disapprobation was manifested as to these oppressive and arbitrary proceedings. Rev. Increase Mather was deputed, by some men of influence, and ardent friends of liberty, to proceed to England, and state their griev- ances to the king.
In the spring of 1689, the people, oppressed by the arbitrary measures of Andros and Randolph, and impatient for deliver- ance from such odious thraldom, on receiving a report of the revolution in England, but before there was formal intelligence of it, seized the governor, and some of his official friends, and placed them in confinement ; the captain of an English frigate, then in the harbor of Boston, was of the number. A tempo- rary government was immediately formed, of those who had been magistrates or representatives, and called " a committee for the safety of the people, and the conservation of the peace of the colony." Bradstreet, who was governor in 1686, and more than eighty years old, was appointed president; Adding- ton, secretary, and Wait Winthrop, commander of. the militia. This whole committee was very respectable, both for talents and patriotism. They gave notice to the government of Eng- land of what proceedings had taken place in Massachusetts, and requested advice and direction in the case. They were directed to continue the government, as it was before the appointment of Dudley and Andros, and orders were also
* While Andros was governor of Massachusetts, he suspended one of the counsellors, who probably opposed some of his arbitrary measures; and threatened to shut up the doors of a church in Boston, because the proprie- tors declined having the episcopal service performed in it. Under the plea of toleration, he was partial, arbitrary, and oppressive.
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received for the release of Andros, Randolph, and others. Randolph, on his return to England, preferred many serious complaints against the colony ; but the agents, then in that country, were attentive and faithful to the interests of Massa- chusetts ; and those in power in the kingdom were far more favorable in their views and purposes to the people of New England, than the administration of Charles and James .* These complaints, however, had an unfavorable influence with the government, after the revolution ; for the ministry and parliament were then disposed to keep the colonies in due dependence and subjection ; and William was as ready to maintain the authority and prerogatives of the crown, as liis predecessors had been. Andros, and others of similar political views, were retained in power under the new administration.
Massachusetts was without a charter till the year 1692; but during this period, the courts were held and representatives were chosen, as before the usurpation of Andros. The peo- ple had confidence in those who were in power, and yielded ready obedience to their orders.
During the administration of Andros, particularly the latter part of it, the Indians at the eastward, within the territory then claimed and possessed by the French, made frequent attacks on the frontier settlements of the English, and plundered and murdered many of the inhabitants. But Andros, from friend- ship to that nation, or from a mistaken policy, failed to give the people efficient protection. Yet, on one occasion, he went to Pemaquid, a few leagues east of Kennebec, or Sagadaloc, and the eastern bounds of the English settlements, at that period ; but the expedition did not prevent future aggressions. In 1690 an attack was made, under Sir William Phipps, an enter- prising, resolute character, against Port Royal, in Nova Scotia, which proved highly successful; and he took possession, in the name of the English government, of the coast, from that place to Penobscot, hitherto occupied by the French.
This success led to a formidable expedition against Quebec, the same year, commanded also by Phipps, which consisted of nearly forty vessels and two thousand men, most of whom were impressed for the service, in Massachusetts. A fleet sailed from Boston, and land forces proceeded by way of the lakes and Montreal, for this purpose. But the expedition was got up with such haste, that proper military stores and provi- sions were not provided; the weather was unfavorable, (it being
" One of the professed objects of the revolution in England was " to put the liberties of the people out of the reach of arbitrary power."
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late in the season :) incorrect reports were made, as to the best place to land and make the attack ; and the small pox pre- vailed among the land forces also. After one unsuccessful attack with part of the men, it was resolved to relinquish the undertaking, and such portion of the fleet as was not wrecked on the coast, returned to Boston.
This proved a very expensive and disastrous affair to Massa- chusetts. To meet the expenses and pay the inen, who were clamorous in demanding their wages, which amounted to more than £50,000 sterling ; paper money was issued, which was the occasion of great and continued distress, for many years, though the measure afforded temporary relief.
The obtaining of a new charter, and defining the powers con- ferred, or allowed, was a work of much difficulty. It was first attempted to have the former charter renewed, with some ad- ditional powers; but this was found to be impossible. The professed friends of the colony, in England, were opposed to the grant or recognition of powers, to the extent solicited by the agents of Massachusetts. It was soon apparent, that no charter would be issued, giving even equal powers with the former. When Mr. Mather objected to the project of a charter, prepared by the officers of the crown, he was told, " that his approbation was not necessary, that the colony was an applicant for favors, and must not dictate in the affair." That which was finally matured and issued differed from the old one, in some important respects, less favorable to the power of the colonial government, and to the urgent wishes of the agents. It united Plymouth,* and Maine, and Nova Scotia, and the islands between, to Massachusetts, with the style and title of "The Province of Massachusetts Bay." By this charter, the king reserved to the crown the right to appoint the governor, lieutenant governor, and the secretary. The assistants, or counsellors, were to be chosen, as before, by the general court. The governor had a full negative on the repre- sentatives, and with advice of the counsellors, was to appoint all officers in the province. The council was to consist of twenty-eight members, four of whom to be from Plymouth, and three from Maine. A voter must have personal estate of £40 sterling, or an income of 40s. a year. At their first meet-
* It included Martha's Vineyard, also, which had been under the govern- ment of New York. Rev. Mr. Wiswall, agent for Plymouth colony, object- ed to the union of that colony with Massachusetts; believing, probably, that it would thus lose much of its importance ; but when he learnt there was a plan to annex that colony to New York, he readily consented to its being a part of Massachusetts.
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ing under this charter, the general court voted to adopt the laws of Massachusetts and Plymouth, unless repugnant to those of England .*
The new charter was far from being acceptable to the great body of the people; for they had been accustomed to act and legislate, in a great measure, as if they were sovereign and independent. Their principal objection was to the appoint- ment of the chief magistrate by the king ; and in this they dis- covered, as well a foresight of future mischief, as an ardent desire of republican freedom. Some of the more rigid lament- ed, that full liberty of conscience was given to Episcopalians, and other dissenters from the congregational churches, except to Baptists ; for it was a long time the opinion, that toleration of other religious opinions and forms of worship would be injurious to the welfare of the colony, as well as highly prejudicial to christian truth.
In the appointment of the first governor, the king was pleased to consult the wishes of the agents; and Sir William Phipps was commissioned for that office, in 1692. He was of obscure. parentage, the son of a poor man, who lived near Sheepscot River, and not far east of Sagadahoc, but early discovered a strong mind, and a spirit for nautical adventures ; and was thus the maker of his own character and fortunes. He was more of a sailor and soldier than a statesman ; but the clergy were his frequent advisers. And William Stoughton, the lieutenant gov- ernor, was distinguished as a scholar, and as an able, discreet legislator. On the recall and decease of Phipps, in 1694, Stoughton acted as chief magistrate for several years, and en- joyed the respect and confidence of the people.
* The formal declaration of their rights and privileges, in 1694, approved both by the representatives and the counsellors, will show their views of civil power belonging to them; and their fears, that plans were in opera- tion to infringe on the authority which they asserted to be essential to liberty. It was of the following purport: " that they had an undoubted right to all the liberties and privileges of an English assembly, and to have free- dom of debate and suffrage, as the Commons of England have ; that the ap- pointment of all officers doth of right belong to the general assembly ; and that when money is to be levied of the people in the province, the assembly be advised of the use and application thereof; that the establishment of all salaries of officers, in the province, belongs also to the general court; that no public moneys ought to be disposed of by the governor and council, but for the uses and intents of, and agreeable to, the acts, by which said money is raised ; and that no money ought to be drawn or paid out of the public treasury of the province, but by warrant of the governor, with advice of the council, mentioning the law by which it was raised, and for what service, designed, and to be according to said law."
CHAPTER VI.
Witchcraft-Laws for Religious Worship, for Education, and for sobriety of manners-Disputes with Government of England-French at Pema- quid-Lt. Gov. Stoughton-Law against Jesuits, and against Slavery- Gov. Bellamont-Gov. Dudley-His Character-War between England and France-Depredations of Indians-Col. Church goes against Indians in Acadie-Expedition to Port Royal-Meditated attack on Canada- Heavy Debt and Tax, and Paper Money-Peace between France and England-Prosperity of the Province-Newspapers-Gov. Shute-His Character-Indians in Maine hostile, conquered-Dispute between Gov. Shute and General Court-Gov. Shute, on his return to England, com- plained of the Court-Agent Dummer-Lt. Gov. Dummer-Treaty with Eastern Indians-Clergy propose a synod-Earthquake.
THE year 1692 is memorable, not only in receiving a new charter, and in having the government duly formed and ad- ministered, after five years of interruption, but for tragical events growing out of charges for witchcraft, which furnish melancholy proof of the weakness and credulity of the human mind. But for the appalling effects of this strange delusion, in the im- prisonment and execution of several respectable persons, the facts disclosed would be matter of amusing curiosity. This disastrous infatuation, however, was not confined to Massachu- setts, or to America. Similar scenes were exhibited in Eng- land; and some learned men gave countenance to the cruel proceedings, in that country as well as in New England. Super- stitious credulity was the support of this fatal error ; for without a belief of the power of the Devil to make men his agents and tools, the system could not have been admitted. When reason and philosophy are disregarded, credulity and prejudice can effect every thing but miracles.
On the slightest charge and even on bare suspicion, numbers were adjudged guilty of the high offence of making a league with Satan; and were punished, even to death, on evidence not legally sufficient to convict a man of the smallest offence. The eyes of the magistrates and judges were at last opened, by the accusation of respectable individuals, whose characters were above all suspicion of such a crime, even if it were practicable. This, however, was not till about twenty had been executed, and many more imprisoned for a long period. It is consoling to know, that some of the magistrates were opposed to these
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cruel proceedings ; among whom were two of the judges who acted on the occasion. And many others, afterwards, lamented the delusion, which had thus perverted their better judgment.
So infatuated were some of the people, at the time of the highest excitement, that, by their vehement solicitations and menaces, they persuaded the weak and timid to confess they were witches, who were of holy and exemplary conduct. Some of these afterwards declared, that they had acknowledged themselves guilty, partly through fear, because of the threats uttered against them, and an apprehension that they might have been subject to the Devil's arts without knowing it. Several years before this time, there had been two or three executions for this supposed crime; but the extravagances and cruelties attending the Salem tragedy, in 1692, served to keep the people from similar delusions ever afterwards.
The legislators and rulers of Massachusetts considered it their duty, from the earliest settlement of the colony, to provide for the support of religious worship and instruction, for the edu- cation of youth of all grades and classes, for the observation of the Lord's day, and for suppressing intemperance, gaming and profanity. They acted as the guardians of the public morals ; for they believed religion and morality essential to the public welfare of society. They were some times accused of being too severe, and too minute in their laws relating to such sub- jects ; but there can be no doubt their regulations were for the peace and good order of the colony, and that much greater laxity would have proved injurious to the public welfare and prosperity. The clergy were often advised, by the general court, to adopt measures to bring about a reformation among the people, and to strive for greater purity of morals in the community. This was a legitimate object of the civil power ; but when they proceeded to prescribe articles of faith, and to require particular forms of worship, they presumed to legislate on points beyond the province of the civil magistrate to decide.
The dispute between the rulers in Massachusetts and the parent government, which had long been kept up, and which was destined to continue to exercise the talents and call forth the patriotism of the colonists, was agitated, at this period, with a good deal of zeal. On the adoption of new regulations in England, respecting the duties on commerce, and the collec- tion of the customs, the general court passed an act, tending (and probably intended) to defeat the operation of those regu- lations ; alleging that they interfered with the rights of their charter, or were oppressive to so small and distant a colony : and a law of parliament was soon after enacted, which declared such
1
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a law of Massachusetts to be utterly null and void. The acts of the British parliament, relating to the trade of the colonies, were often the cause of complaint. They operated as restric- tions, which were odious and oppressive to the people ; and they were chiefly designed for the benefit of England ; and thus obliged the colonies, by way of imposts, to contribute to the support of the government there, while they had to pay for the maintenance of their own, respectively, and to discharge heavy debts incurred for defence against the French and Indians.
The people of Massachusetts, with some other settlements in New England in 1697, were alarmed by menaces of war from the French, who had been .several years laying claims to Nova Scotia and the eastern parts of Maine, and whose greatest means of annoyance was the employment of the Indians against the inhabitants on the frontiers. Pemaquid and the country eastward of it, had been long possessed by the French ; except occasional captures by forces from England or Massachusetts .* A report was spread through the pro- vince, that Boston would be attacked by a French fleet, and an attempt be made to conquer the whole coasts of New England. Various obstacles occurred to prevent the prosecu- tion of this plan. But the fears of the inhabitants were unusually excited ; for it was believed that the Indians of the West, who were then governed by the French, would assist in the attack, by falling on the settlements in the interior. By order of Lieutenant Governor Stoughton, then in the chair, the militia were prepared to defend the Province, if the French should appear ; and the fort on Castle Island was put in repair for the protection of the capital. The treaty of Ryswick, toward the close of the year, restored tranquillity to the province, for a short period only ; for the following year, the French laid claim to all the country east of Kennebec, (though by that treaty, their forts and possession were to be restored to England) and forbid the inhabitants from fishing on the coasts or entering on the territory. The eastern Indians took advantage of this state of the country, to commit depre- dations and murders, without formal notice of war, and when the means of defence could not be seasonably provided.
* The fort at Pemaquid, near the then eastern settlements, and the terri- tory claimed by the French, was taken in 1696 by the French and Indians under the Baron Castine, of Penobscot. This was considered an important post, and it had been a great charge to Massachusetts to defend and keep it in repair. It several times changed masters, in the course of the contests between France and England : while it was in the hands of the French, the Indians were more bold in their attacks; when possessed by the English, they were less feared and less dangerous.
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Among the laws of the province, while Mr. Stoughton was in the chair, was one against jesuits and popish priests ; and similar orders were passed in New York prohibiting their residence in that colony ; alleging that they instigated the Indians to attack the English and all other protestants ; and by his advice probably, the general assembly took into considera- tion the subject " of putting an end to negro slavery in Mas- sachusetts, and of employing white servants in their stead." In 1703, a penalty was imposed for importing negro slaves into the province. This truly excellent man and able magistrate died in 1703, muchi lamented by the people of the province. Earl Bellamont, who was Governor of Massachu- setts a short time in 1699-70, died the same year, at New York. He was also several years governor of that colony. His short administration in Massachusetts was generally ac- ceptable to the people. He is characterized as bland and courteous in his manners, and as seeking the welfare and pros- perity of the people over whom he presided, as well as main- taining the authority of the crown. Some of his declarations were calculated to administer just rebuke to such officers and agents, as sought only their own power and emolument.
After the death of Mr. Stoughton, the executive authority of the province was in the hands of the counsel, for a few months, when Joseph Dudley, who had been president in 1686, received the royal commission to be Governor of Mas- sachusetts. He was continued in the chair for twelve years.
When he was agent in England, in the times of the Stuarts, he made friends of the men in power, and became an apolo- gist for the prerogatives of the king, and for the arbitrary measures adopted at that period. He could flatter those in authority, of any description or party, for the promotion of his own ambitious designs. While in office in Massachusetts, he seldom agreed with the general assembly, which was always jealous of all encroachments on the rights and privileges guarantied by the charter. He is represented as one covetous both of power and wealth; and as probably seeking for the former, as the best means of attaining the latter. In his first speech to the General Court, he proposed that a house should be furnished for him, befitting the representative of the king ; and that a more liberal compensation, than formerly, be pro- vided for his support, in his present high station. The House hesitated, and postponed a compliance with his request. They thus exposed themselves to his displeasure and censure, rather than to yield to what they believed an unreasonable requisi- tion. There was little cordiality between the representatives
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and Mr. Dudley, while he remained in office. He would probably never have been governor had it depended on the free suffrages of the people. Rev. Increase Mather and his learned son accused him of insincerity and covetousness ; and complained that his avarice led him to render unrighteous judgments.
In 1702 war was declared between England and France, and the English settlements in Maine and in the western parts of the province were threatened by the Indians, who were always under the influence of the French priests, and ready to fall upon the English, at the earliest notice of hostilities. The governor held a conference with a delegation from Penob- scot, Norridgewock, Amariscoggin, and other eastern tribes, who promised to maintain peace and amity with Massachusetts ; but soon after, in junction with the French from Canada, they attacked the settlements between Portsmouth and Casco Bay, and captured and slew more than one hundred of the inhab- itants. About a year after, the Indians fell upon Deerfield and Northfield, on Connecticut River, when the people had no warning of their approach, and destroyed several dwelling houses by fire, slew upwards of forty, and made prisoners of one hundred and twelve. Lancaster was attacked the same year, several of the people were slain and the residue found shelter in the garrison. This was the second assault and slaughter made by the Indians on that town. In 1704, an expedition against the French and Indians at the eastward, was fitted out at Boston, under command of Col. Benjamin Church, who was an officer against Philip in 1675. It con- sisted of 500 men, and he attacked the French in Nova Scotia, (or Acadie) and the Indians of the Passamaquoddy and Penobscot tribes, who had been then recently committing outrages on the English.
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