USA > Massachusetts > History of Massachusetts, for two hundred years: from the year 1620 to 1820 > Part 11
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This war continued with varied and unequal exertions, for several years ; and in 1707, an expedition was prepared for attacking Port Royal in Acadie, consisting of two regiments, under. Col. March, and conveyed by the province galley and a British sloop of war. Some attempts were made on the fort, but no very serious or vigorous assault ; and the enter- prise was abandoned, for want of a sufficient force, as was alleged by the officers, but, as others believed, for want of concert and resolution in the besiegers. The expense to the pro- vince, of this unfortunate expedition, was £22,000 ; for which, in its condition, at that period, added to its previous debt, it was very difficult to provide. The credit of the province suf- fered by the issue of a great amount of paper money, which
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was intended to sustain it. As in all such cases, the bills depreciated in value, in a short time, as there were no means for their redemption by specie.
In 1708, the French and Indians made attacks on several frontier towns and settlements. Haverill was surprised by a party of Indians ; several houses were burnt, and the minister and about forty of the inhabitants were killed.
An expedition was planned, the following season, to go against Canada and Acadie. A squadron was to be sent from England to Boston, and Massachusetts was to furnish 1000 men. Due preparations were made in the Province ; but the naval force, expected from England, did not arrive ; being then required for the protection of Portugal. The plan was revived in 1710, but was prosecuted only in part. Port Royal was attacked, and surrended to the combined forces from England and Massachusetts ; the latter having furnished four regiments, except that a small portion was from the adjoining colonies. After the capture of Port Royal, the place received the name of Annapolis, in honor of Queen Anne.
The design to dispossess the French of the places they held on the borders of New England was not relinquished ; for they were considered dangerous neighbors, and they had great influence with the Indians, to incite them to almost con- tinual hostility. The English government was also desirous of depriving the French of their territory, and of weakening their power, in North America. Another attempt was accor- dingly made against Canada in 1711, by order of the British government. There were fifteen ships of war, and transports with seven regiments of veteran English troops employed, besides the men furnished by Massachusetts and New York ; making in the whole 6500. A large force, raised in the colonies, and chiefly in Massachusetts, proceeded also against Canada by the way of the lakes, under command of General Nicholson. But this expedition, like the former in 1690, proved unsuccessful. The weather was unfavorable, the pilots proved unskilful, and several of the transports with troops were lost, to the number of 1700. The commander of the naval expedition saw fit to abandon it ; and Nicholson, on receiving the intelligence, at Lake George, retired, with the men who were advancing towards Montreal. As Massa- chusetts had a large number of men in this expedition, the debt of the province was much increased; and the people were hard pressed by the great amount of public taxes. The General Court attempted to afford relief to debtors, by a law to prevent oppressions, and by making the bills, issued by the
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province, a legal tender in all cases. Paper was then generally in circulation, instead of specie. But the effect of such a great issue of paper, resorted to in seasons of peculiar ex- igency, to pay the debts of the province, was eventually unfavorable both to the people and to the public credit. The general assembly might justly order, that the bills, issued by their authority, should be received in payment to the govern- ment, but to require individuals to receive them, when depreciated, to discharge bona fide demands, was considered by many an arbitrary and unjustifiable measure. By the treaty of Utrecht, in 1713, the French ceded Nova Scotia and other places east of Kennebec to Great Britain ; and the eastern Indians sought for peace with the English, and signed articles of friendship and submission to them. During this year, the boundary line between Massachusetts and Con- necticut was perambulated and marked out ; and soon after was accepted and confirmed as correct by both those govern- ments.
After eighty years had elapsed from the first date of the English settlements in Massachusetts, the province had become respectable for its population, enterprise, intelligence and wealth. New England, and especially Massachusetts, by far the most extensive and populous, began to be regarded with interest, if not with jealousy, by foreign countries ; and the inhabitants manifested, on their part, a desire to be acquainted with the affairs of England and Europe, generally, as well as of the mid- dle and southern colonies in British America. Such increase of population and trade must naturally call for a publication, of the common character of newspapers. A paper of this kind was established in Boston, in 1704, printed by Samuel Greene, with the title of "Boston News-Letter." This paper was so much encouraged, that, in a few years, the number of sub- scribers was nearly one thousand. A second paper was pub- lished in 1720, called the " Boston Gazette." The third was established in 1721, called the "New England Courant," and conducted by an older brother of the celebrated Benjamin Franklin. The clergy were described as bigoted and arbitrary, by the editor, or some writer in the paper; and in 1722, the general court passed a severe censure upon it.
The council exercised the supreme executive power of the province, for a short time, after the death ef Governor Dudley. William Tailer, the lieutenant governor, also performed the duty of chief magistrate, for a few months, at this period ; and in 1716, Governor Shute arrived from England, with a com- mission from the crown. He was a well educated man, of a
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mild spirit, and of accomplished manners ; and what particularly rendered him acceptable to the people, was the attachment of himself and family to the dissenters. After he had been in the chair two years, he was eulogized, by some intelligent individ- uals, perhaps his personal friends, as a liberal and faithful magis- trate. Yet it appears he had some political enemies ; but towards them even, his behavior was conciliating and magnani- mous. It was high praise, to say of him, as one did, that the people would have chosen him for their governor, in preference to any native citizen. And yet, after he had been in the ad- ministration a few years more, he was engaged in a dispute with the House of Representatives, as to his right to negative their choice of speaker, and as to the encroachments made on the public lands, by which the spars, reserved by the crown for the English navy, were taken or destroyed by the people .*
In 1717, Governor Shute met the sachems of several eastern tribes, at Arowsick Island, near the mouth of Kennebec River, and renewed the treaty of 1713; which was observed by thern with a good degree of faith, for about five years, when they commenced hostilities in Maine, by the encouragement, if not at the direct instance of the French. The people, in the new settlements in that territory, were long exposed to the barbari- ties of the Indians, and suffered greatly in their property; and many lives were lost in these savage attacks. It is justly a matter of surprise, that they attempted settlements far remote from all efficient and seasonable protection from the govern- ment, when the aboriginals had manifested such deadly hostility against them. There are no proofs that the people in that part of the country committed acts of injustice or aggression on the natives ; and there was no other cause to be assigned for their work of destruction, than that false statements were made to them of the views and designs of the English.t
At this period, a fort was built on Georges River, a few leagues east of Pemaquid, for the protection of the settlements then extending in that part of the province. The Norridge- wock and Penobscot tribes, aided, at times, by those of Passa- maquoddy, and of some within the limits of Canada, made fre- quent irruptions on the English settlements ; and although several treaties were made with them, from the year 1700 to
* Cotton Mather said the people of Massachusetts were sincerely loyal at this time ; but they chose to show it rather by praying for the health of the king than by drinking it.
t In a letter of Governor Shute to Ralle, the Jesuit, he says, " the Eng- lish had not entered on land without a fair and honest purchase of the In- dians, and that they had deeds to show for it."
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1724, they disregarded them, as their spirit of revenge or de- sire for plunder, or a wish to gratify the catholic priests, prompt- ed. In 1724, an attack was made on them at Norridgewock, one of their chief places of rendezvous; many of them were. slain, and their fortress destroyed. From this period, they were far less feared, and appeared less disposed as well as less able to injure the English in that quarter.
In his desire to retain the favor of the general court, or from his native mildness of character, Governor Shute consented to an act to lay a duty on West India products, on wines, on English manufactures, and on the tonnage of British vessels. For this, he was censured by the ministry in England, as not duly supporting the prerogative of the crown. The law was the more offensive to the English government, as it was passed on occasion, if not in retaliation, of an act of parliament, for raising a revenue in the province by imposts, which had always been opposed by Massachusetts. The general court rescinded the act, and acknowledged that the objections to the measure, by the British ministry, were just and proper. On the other hand, he maintained the prerogative and right of his sovereign very. decidedly ; and thus afterward exposed himself to censure in the province. He gave his negative, as he supposed the charter authorized, to one of the counsellors chosen by the general court. The latter insisted that he was duly elected, and therefore entitled to a seat at the council board. They said, they sent up the names of those they had chosen, for the information of the governor, rather than for his consent or con- currence. There was frequently a want of union and action between him and the representatives. On one occasion, he dissolved the house, for their opposition to his directions; and they adjourned for a week, without asking his consent, or giving him notice. They also appointed a time for a public fast, which had before been done by the governor and council ; and claimed the right of appointing some officers, which had always been the prerogative of the executive .* When he first entered on the administration of the government, he ap- proved of the paper money policy ; but soon became satisfied of the evils it produced, and opposed it.
When Governor Shute went to England, in 1723, he com-
* When the governor issued a proclamation for the public fast, at this time, he said, " by the advice of council, and on motion of the house of repre- sentatives." But this did not conciliate them. They omitted Mr. Belcher, and others, from the council, because they were friends of the governor. In other instances, also, towards the close of his administration, the leaders in the house opposed him, pretending that he was disposed to support the prerogatives of the crown to the prejudice of the rights of the province. They also claimed the right to appoint the attorney general.
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plained of the conduct of the general court, for not taking suit- able measures to prevent the destruction and waste of the king's forests and spars, and for not submitting to his veto on their election of one of the counsellors. The general court employed an agent, Dr. Cook, of Boston, a distinguished advocate for the rights of the colonial government, to vindicate their conduct. There was a hearing before the king's privy council ; the gov- ernor was fully justified for his conduct, and the assembly of Massachusetts expressly censured.
These proceedings of Massachusetts, with other previous acts, indicating a want of due submission to the parent govern- ment, as was alleged by the then administration, gave such dissatisfaction, that there was a proposition to withdraw the charter of 1692. Jeremiah Dummer, then an agent in Eng- land, from Massachusetts, and a man very eminent for his talents and learning, defended the province with great ability. He did not, however, justify the general court in all the mea- sures, of which Governor Shute complained. He pleaded, that the powers delegated by the charter had seldom been ex- ceeded by the government, and that, although these were vari- ous and extensive, they were necessary for the welfare . and prosperity of the province .* The charter was saved ; but an explanatory article was added, by which the king's right, by his governor, to negative the election of the counsellors, was expressly asserted and declared. In the absence of Governor Shute, William Dummer, the lieutenant governor, filled the chair, with fidelity and ability. In 1723, a fort was erected on Connecticut river, near the boundary line of Massachusetts and New Hampshire, and called fort Dummer, in honor of the lieutenant governor. It was also after the return of Governor Shute to England, while Mr. Dummer acted as chief magis- rate, that a treaty was made with the eastern tribes of Indi- ans, which gave peace and security to the inhabitants in Maine.t
* He contended that its withdrawal, or a material diminution of powers, would be great injustice, when the sufferings, efforts, and sacrifices, of the inhabitants, and their fathers, were considered ; that the authority exer- cised in the province was no more than belonged to British subjects, and was necessary, as the people were not represented in parliament. Similar considerations were urged in 1691, by Bishop Burnet, father of Governor Burnet, who said in the House of Lords, " that the charters of the colonies in New England were far more sacred than of corporations in England, as the former were contracts with the patentees ; they promised to enlarge the king's dominions, if they could have certain privileges ; they had perform- ed their part of the contract; and if the king did not fulfil his pait, it would be manifest injustice."
t When the chiefs were asked if they would be responsible for the good conduct of the young men of their tribes, they said " they would answer for thein when they were not intoxicated."
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In 1725, Capt. Lovell, of Dunstable, made an attack on the Indians at Pigwackett, on Saco River, about thirty miles west of Portland. He made a bold assault on them; but they were very numerous, and he and his men were overpowered. Most of the party were slain, or mortally wounded. It was consid- ered a very heroic adventure ; and provision was made for the relief of the families of those who were slain on that occasion. So much were the people harassed on the frontier settlements, at this time, that agents were sent to Montreal, from Massa- chusetts, to prevail with the French to prevent the hostilities of the Indians.
The power of the clergy appears to have been less, at this period, than in the early days of the colony. At their annual convention, in 1725, they proposed, that a synod should be called, to take into consideration the religious state of the coun- try ; but the general court, whose consent was deemed proper, and by whose order or advice former synods had been con- vened, declined giving their countenance to the proposal. Many of the laity had become jealous of ecclesiastical power ; and, perhaps, the disapprobation, with which the proposed measure was viewed by the British ministry, prevailed with some in the province to object to it .*
The year 1727 was memorable for a severe earthquake in New England, which was felt as far as Delaware. This was the third in the country, noticed in the records of rare occur- rences, which excited great alarm. But other small shocks had been experienced, during a period of seventy or eighty years.
A writer of this period, however, represents the clergy to be catholic, " making the basis for union vital and substantial piety, in which all good men might join. The terms of communion run parallel with the terms of salvation. Presbyterians, Lutherans, Anabaptists, Episcopalians, &c., meet together at the same table of the Lord."
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CHAPTER VII.
Governor Burnet-His Character-Dispute with General Court, about his salary-Governor Belcher-His Character-At first very popular-Paper Money depreciated-Occasion of long embarrassments-Parties-Oppo- sition to Governor Belcher-Naval Officer removed by the King, and not by the Governor -- Expedition to the West Indies -- Line - between Massachusetts and New Hampshire run-Line run between Rhode Island-Governor Shirley-His Character-War between Eng- land and France-Disputes and contests with Eastern Indians-Expedi- tion to Louisbourg-successful-New England threatened by the French -Plans against Canada, and Nova Scotia-Peace, and troops recalled from Nova Scotia-Impressments in Boston, and Riots-Plan for Bishops in America-Paper Money redeemed, and discontinued-Reimburse- ments from England-Society for Industry and Economy-Clergy- Eastern Indians-British Prohibitions on Trade-Agent in England --- Heavy Taxes-Commerce.
IN 1728, Mr. Burnet, who had been Governor, both of New York and New Jersey, received a commission from the king, to be commander-in-chief of Massachusetts. He was a son of Bishop Burnet, and had the reputation of being a great scholar and an elegant writer. His administration was short ; but so unpleasant, as to have given him great anxiety and vexa- tion. He was fond of parade, but of an amiable temper ; and yet was engaged in controversy with the general court, on the vexed question, which before and long after excited the strong- est feelings, among political characters. This was the sub- ject of a stated salary for the governor. It appears that he made it a point of importance to be settled when he first received the royal commission. It was the principal theme of his communications with the representatives ; and in so doing he only obeyed the instructions of the king. The house declined establishing a salary, as recommended ; and the ma- jority of the counsellors agreed with them in their non-compli- ance. A grant, however, was made him, as had been to for- mer governors, to meet the expenses of his station. The amount was £1700, to defray the expenses of his journey from New York, and for his support during the year.
The dispute was maintained with warmth and obstinacy, both by the governor and the representatives; the former was probably influenced by pride of opinion, rather than avarice ;
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and the latter appear to have acted from a regard to the rights of the people. The House insisted, that by their charter, and by virtue of their common rights as Englishmen, it rested with them to raise money, to what amount and for what purpose they chose; and that they did not perceive that the welfare of the people, or the due support of government, required them to establish a salary for the chief magistrate. They appealed to the several towns in the province, and received the support of their constituents in the course they had adopted; but the council, at this time, was on the side of the governor. He removed the court to Salem, in the belief that the country members were too much influenced by the people of Boston, in voting on the subject ; and he complained "that their con- duct savored too much of republicanism." He suffered him- self to be greatly excited by the controversy ; and it was sup- posed that his anxiety was so extreme as to have impaired his health. He died at Boston, in 1729, when he had been in the chair less than two years.
This controversy afforded evidence of the unhappy effects of supporting, with pertinacity and bitterness, the measures of a political character, which might be as well settled by argu- ment and good temper. The governor did no more than to obey the instructions of the king, except that he had resolved to carry the point, in opposition to the will of the House. On their part, it was a question of supposed right and a measure identified with political liberty. They had been nursed in the arms of freedom, and felt that their sacrifices and struggles had given them a just claim to all the authority necessary to self- government; saving always their allegiance to the crown; which, as they usually interpreted it, meant little more than a bare acknowledgment .*
Governor Belcher was commissioned in 1730. He was a native of the province, a graduate of Harvard College; and his father was a merchant of eminence in Boston. He was some time in England, where he had an opportunity of a per- sonal acquaintance with men high in authority at that period. After he came into office, there was not so much of violent party disputes as had been a short time before ; though his political views did not differ much from those of his predecessor.
* At the completion of a century from the first settlement of Massachu- setts, its population was estimated at 120,000. The number of vessels of all descriptions was 600 ; about half of which traded to Europe and the West India Islands. And the other moiety was engaged in the fishery, which was followed on the coast of Nova Scotia, and eastward; and nearly 6000 men were employed on the ocean. These were proofs of prosperity, not- withstanding the heavy taxes growing out of the numerous wars with the French and Indians.
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The general court might have become discouraged from keep- ing up the contest with the king and his ministers, as in several points they had been obliged to yield; and the governor, from motives of policy, might have chosen to avoid all harshness in the disputes which should arise. He made an effort, however, to persuade the representatives to provide a stated salary for him, which his directions from the king required ; but as they still declined it, he accepted a compensation by way of grants ; and in this the court were more liberal to him than they had been to others, except his immediate predecessor, with whom they had an obstinate contest to the last. Governor Belcher had the consent of the king to accept of a compensation in this manner.
But Mr. Belcher had political opponents from other consid- erations. The difficulties growing out of the paper money system had been increasing for several years ; and though the embarrassments which it created were great and extensive, no relief had been provided. The bills, issued from time to time, were to a large nominal amount, but they had greatly depre- ciated, and thus injured the public credit, and produced much evil in the common transactions and business of society. Pro- jects were offered for a public bank, and also for individuals to issue bills, which should be redeemed by specie when they be- came due, and the market value of land was to be the standard by which the paper was to be estimated. Parties were thus formed, which soon became of a political character ; for, as a governor, or the members of the general court were for the bank, or opposed to it, and for some other project, so were they popular or unpopular with each class or party of the people.
These projects grew out of the great amount of paper in circulation, issued on several occasions, when the taxes could not be paid ; and were intended to introduce a specie currency, and thus gradually to redeem the bills of the government. But none of these plans proved successful, or afforded the remedy desired. As there were different schemes to effect the same object, each had its advocates, as patriotism in some and specu- lation in others, perhaps, prompted. The consequence was, as before suggested, that parties were formed, from selfish motives ; which added to those of older standing, and wholly of a political character. This state of things continued through the administrations of Shute, Burnet, Belcher, and of a part of that of Shirley ; and served to render the office of chief magis- trate exceedingly difficult to sustain, with peace to himself, or the approbation of the people. The paper system had been so long maintained, and being supposed to operate to the relief
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of the inhabitants, as some interested individuals represented it, that it was unpopular to oppose it, though it was constantly becoming more inefficient for the purpose for which it was first introduced. Parliament at length interfered, and prohibited the circulation of paper money in the province, probably on representation of the governors, who thought the system should be put down, and which the general court was not disposed or able to do. This produced a great clamor with certain classes of politicians, and with a great portion of the people, who be- lieved it would be oppressive to be denied the privilege of pay- ing their debts in paper, as they had long done. An objection was also made, as to the short time the bills were to be prohib- ited circulation after the act of parliament was passed. Though no bills were issued after this law of the parent gov- ernment, they were still continued in circulation, as all means proposed to call them in and redeem them failed, till several years later, when large sums were allowed and sent into the province, as a reimbursement, by the British government, for the expenses of the expedition against Louisbourg, in which Massachusetts took an important and honorable part.
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