USA > Massachusetts > History of Massachusetts, for two hundred years: from the year 1620 to 1820 > Part 8
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Under all the political contests of the colony with the parent government, which occupied the attention of the people, the concerns of the church were not disregarded. And it was to be expected that peculiar care would be bestowed in regulating religious worship and ordinances, by men whose chief object was the maintenance of christian faith and rites, as they be- lieved revelation directed. Undoubtedly, they erred in requir- ing every one to conform to their peculiar views, and it may be matter of surprise, that they should have oppressed those who dissented from their opinions, as to forms of worship and speculative tenets ; but as their principal purpose was to make the gospel their rule of life, and to build up a society of christians, it was in character for them to be careful in pre- venting the introduction of supposed errors, and in providing for the purity of the church.
In 1662 a synod was convened at Boston, to decide who were proper subjects of christian baptism; and whether any children, except those whose parents were members of the church, were entitled to receive that ordinance; and also to determine on the propriety or expediency of a consociation of churches. The professed design was to inquire what the New Testament taught on these subjects. This was the third synod in Massachusetts ; and it was held in pursuance of a recom- mendation of the general court, to which the result was to be reported. It was decided, but not without some dissenting votes, that the children of those who made public profession of their faith in the gospel, and were of sober life and conver-
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sation, though not members of a church in full communion, might receive christian baptism. This was a subject of dispute for several years after; many of the ministers opposed the innovation, as they called it; and in some instances it was the occasion of a division of churches. On the other subject submit- ted, the synod gave the following opinion : "that each and every church has full power within itself, to administer the ordi- nances, and to regulate its own concerns, and is not necessarily subject to any other ecclesiastical tribunal ; yet, that occasional association of neighboring churches, and advice asked and given, in cases of difficulty, would be proper and useful."
At this period, a church was formed by the Anabaptists ; but as this movement was in opposition to a law of the colony, the members were summoned before the magistrates, and for- bidden to proceed in establishing such a church within the jurisdiction. Persevering in their purpose, some of them were imprisoned and some banished. But the government of Eng- land soon after requiring a toleration of other sects than the congregational, the baptists were then permitted to remain, without direct persecution ; and yet their situation, for many years after, was little other than that of positive oppression by the civil authority. This conduct appears the more surprising, on recollecting that the most eminent clergymen in the colony had different views on the subject, from the early days of its settlement. The learned Mr. Chauncey, president of Harvard College at this period, was of opinion, baptism should be by im- mersion, though he held to the validity of infant baptism ; and Mr. Dunster, who was at the head of that seminary before Mr. Chauncey, and equally eminent as a scholar, did not believe there was any scripture warrant for baptizing infants. His opinion on this subject operated, indeed, against his popularity and usefulness, but did not subject him to actual persecution.
More efficient measures were adopted by the colony of Ply- mouth, in 1663, than had been before taken, for the mainten- ance of public schools in all the towns within the jurisdiction. Governor Prence exerted all his personal and official influence in favor of this order. His education was not the most liberal; but he had the merit of acquiring much useful knowledge, and he justly appreciated the advantages of schools for all classes of people. Perhaps he exerted a greater influence in favor of education, as some fanatical individuals in the colony, at that period, denied the benefit of all human learning, and substituted a pretended spiritual light, as a sufficient and sure guide.
Rev. Mr. Eliot, of Roxbury, the zealous and devoted teacher of the native Indians, this year, completed his translation of the
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Bible into their language ; which was soon after printed and circulated, at the expense of the society in London, for propa- gating the gospel among the aboriginal tribes in New England.
The colony had alarming proofs of the activity of its enemies, and of the disposition of the parent state to interfere with its concerns, in a degree not compatible with their charter rights, by the arrival of four commissioners, appointed by the king, in 1664, with a supervising power over the colonial governments. One professed object, indeed, was to obtain aid from Massachu- setts to reduce the Dutch, on Hudson River; but they were authorized "to hear and determine any and all complaints, whether relating to titles and claims for lands, to ecclesiastical discipline, or to an undue assumption of power in ordinary civil affairs," which the discontented and factious might profer ; and to decide according to their own will and judgment, in op- position to the judicial and legislative authority in the colony. This was justly considered to be in derogation of the powers of the government recognised and provided for in the charter, which the king had, only two years before, declared he would confirm and continue.
The governor and assistants (or counsellors) held a meeting immediately, and concluded to call an extra session of the general court. The men required were raised, to go against the Dutch; but not being afterwards called for by the cons- missioners, they did not proceed on the proposed expedition. It was also ordered, in compliance with the royal request, that other than church members should be admitted freemen in the colony. As to the other requisitions of the royal com- missioners, especially in submitting themselves to their judg- ment and sentence, and thus recognising in them a power superior to the civil authority of the colony, they voted to post- pone a definite answer. They saw the effect of such a recog- nition and submission, dangerous alike to their religious and civil rights ; and they chose even to risk the displeasure of the king, whose ultimate authority they did not deny, to an act which would have entirely committed all their civil rights, as a government, for the future. It was a bole stand, and many of the more prudent, or timid, disapproved of it.
The commissioners departed for the Dutch settlement on the Hudson, and did not return to Massachusetts till the next spring. But in the mean time, the general court forwarded an address to the king; in which they referred to their great sufferings in settling the colony and maintaining it, at their own costs; to the provisions of their charter, which they feared would be violated by those appointed to decide on past acts of
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the government, according to their own mere will and pleasure, one of whomn, at least, was an old and avowed enemy of the colony. They stated the incompatibility of the authority, claimed by the commissioners, with the powers granted the Massachusetts company by the royal charter. In the address, they professed allegiance to the crown of England, and humbly cast themselves on the king's grace for a favorable judgment.
On their return to Boston, the commissioners requested that all the freeholders in the colony should be summoned to assemble before tliem, which was declined, though no order of the general court or of the assistants was issued to forbid it. An order was then issued by the commissioners themselves, for the people to assemble, which was generally considered an arbitrary and impolitic measure. In other respects, some of the commissioners were rude and haughty in their treatment of the magistrates.
This commission grew out of numerous complaints against the colony, some of which probably were just: but the measure was unfortunate; and an order for agents from the colony to answer complaints, before the king and his grand council in England, would have given less offence, and been more consis- tent with the character of a liberal government. It was an observation of Lord Bellamont, in 1699, who was some time governor of Massachusetts and of New York, "that he had great respect for the king's prerogative, but wished for some check to the caprice of his agents and officers ; some of whom were presumptuous in disregarding the laws, and governing in an arbitrary manner ; being far from the eye of the government in England, they feel sure of impunity for their oppressions."
These commissioners, with the exception of Col. Nichols, manifested such an arbitrary and overbearing spirit, that they were very odious to the people, who considered them as the friends of the complainants, and decided enemies to the liberties they enjoyed under the charter. Had the colony submitted to the full exercise of powers assumed by the royal agents, the government would have retained but the shadow of authority, and it would have been extremely difficult, if not impossible, at any future period, to have opposed successfully the most oppressive and arbitrary measures of the British ministry. The smaller colonies looked to Massachusetts to make a firm stand, in that day of trial. Still, if in declining to comply with the requisitions, and to submit to the authority of the royal commis- sioners, they had not been prudent and moderate in their pro- ceedings, and loyal in their addresses to the king, in which they were undoubtedly sincere, they might have been crushed
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at once by a superior force, which the royal resentment would have ordered. In Plymouth colony, the commissioners were more submissively received, whether they were more concilia- ting in their conduct, or the complaints against that government had been few, and not of such a serious nature as those made against Massachusetts, does not appear. Perhaps, both these causes had an influence ; but Endicot was a very different character from Prence, at that time governor of Plymouth. Josiah Winslow, afterwards governor of that colony, was then one of the chief men, and was remarkably mild and courteous in his manners .*
From Plymouth, the commissioners proceeded to the Narra- gansett country, to decide on the conflicting claims of individu- als, and of the Indians, to the lands in that place; and then again visited Massachusetts, when they declared their purpose to proceed in the discharge of the duties of their commission in that colony. They said the king was graciously disposed towards the colonies, and declared that he had no intention to abridge the rights and privileges granted by the charter of his royal father. Their statements, both of the views of the king and of themselves, as his agents, were plausible, and to some, satisfactory ; but by a large majority of the people, their demands were considered incompatible with the exercise of political
* That Plymouth was discriminating and firmn on this occasion, will appear from the reply of the General Assembly of that colony to the requi- sition of the commissioners, " that all persons of competent estate, of ortho- dox opinions, and not scandalous in their life and conversation, be admitted into the church, and enjoy all the ordinances of the gospel." " We acknowledge, (they say) that it is a great favor from God and our king, that we enjoy our consciences as to God's worship. which was the main end of transplanting ourselves into these remote corners of the earth; and should heartily rejoice if our neighbors, qualified as proposed, would join our socie- ties, according to the order of the gospel, for the enjoyment of the ordinances to themselves and children ; but, if, through different persuasions in some things, it cannot be obtained, we would not deny a liberty to any, according to your proposition, who are truly conscientious, though differing from us, (especially when his majesty commands it) they maintaining an able ministry for public worship and teaching, and withdraw not from paying their due proportion for support of ministers, orderly settled, where they live, till they have one of their own ; and that in such places as are able to maintain the worship of God in two congregations : but that, where towns, owing to their paucity and poverty, are not able to support two, it is not intended by his majesty, that congregationsalready in being, should be rooted out, but their liberties preserved ; there being other places to accommodate men of different persuasions in societies by themselves, which we find tends most to peace and charity."
These are just and liberal sentiments, which have, in later times, been more fully admitted and observed. Plymouth was never so exclusive and persecuting as Massachusetts ; but it suffered from fanatical and visionary men, who created divisions, and denied the importance of human learning in the preachers of the gospel.
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power, to the extent hitherto enjoyed, and believed to be secured by their charter. They treated the governor and assistants, and the members of the general court, as entirely subordinate, and amenable to them for their conduct, touching which any complaints had been made. They ordered a rehear- ing of some cases, before decided in the colony by the proper tribunals ; and summoned the whole government to appear before them, and answer on their public measures, alleged to have been arbitrary and unjust. After consenting to take the oath of allegiance to the king, as required, which public char- acters did, with a reservation by some, that it was not to infringe the liberties of the patent, and professing their readiness to refer all disputes to the king, as to their assumption of power and former acts, they declined to appear before the commissioners when summoned, as parties to a case before them ; they object- ed to all interference with their religious institutions ; and insist- ed that their charter justified them in the exercise of the civil authority, which they had assumed ; and said they would cast themselves on God, and the royal clemency, for a favorable result.
One of the charges made to the king, in 1661, was, that they did not allow the Episcopalians to enjoy their peculiar forms of worship; to which they replied, " we have declared the main ends of our settling in a wilderness ; which we should not have done, if we could have found a warrant in God's word, for that way of worship; and now to have the same set up here, will disturb our peace ; we have therefore commended to the ministers and people the word of God for their rule." And they added, "it is our desire, and has been our endeavor, to give his majesty all due satisfaction, saving only our duty to God, and the privileges of our charter, so dearly purchased, so long enjoyed, and so graciously confirmed by his majesty."
The commissioners, afterwards, visited Piscataqua, and Maine, where their conduct seemed rather to disturb than to tranquillize the people ; and though they declared the planta- tions there to be out of the jurisdiction of Massachusetts, the inhabitants chose to attach themselves again to that colony ; not, however, without objections from some of them, and the influence of threats or intrigues from the general court.
On their return to England, the commissioners made report to the king, of the treatment which they received in Massachu- setts, and took care to observe, that in Plymouth colony they met a more respectful reception. His majesty was much displeased that Massachusetts did not fully submit to the author- ity and requisitions of his agents; and ordered "five able and
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meet persons, of whom Governor Bellingham should be one, (on their allegiance,) to appear before his royal presence, and make answer for refusing the authority of his commissioners." This order caused great anxiety, and gave rise to much discus- sion among the public and leading characters in the colony. Some were disposed to yield entirely, and at once, to the royal clemency, and pleaded the danger of greater evils if they refused a prompt compliance. Others insisted on their charter rights, at the same time admitting the prerogatives of the crown, but doubting the policy of appeals either to the parliament, or to the ministers of the king.
No agents were sent, as the king had signified his pleasure to be ; but an answer was made to his majesty's letter, in which they promise to assist, according to their feeble means, both against the French and the Dutch ; but to march troops to Nova Scotia was not practicable ; they give the reasons why they could not submit to all the orders of the commissioners ; and say, that no agents they could send, would be able to ex- plain their conduct more fully before his majesty.
It is difficult to decide, whether those who were for submission, without remonstrance, were too timid, or those who asserted their civil rights and powers, as declared by the charter, were too bold and obstinate. It is not unreasonable to suppose, however, that if the counsels of the timid, or the more prudent, as they have sometimes been called, had pre- vailed, the manly spirit of freedom, which was subsequently more fully displayed, would have been smothered, never again to burst forth in noble acts of patriotism and independence.
The men who took the lead in defence of civil freedom, and of the rights of human nature, at this period, were not fanatical, ignorant, or selfish. They did not expect to live in society with- out government ; nor did they aim at political aggrandizement. They were too well informed to look for order and justice in the community, without civil authority ; and they were so truly religious, that they would not complain of power in others, which they would willingly exercise themselves. It was, in- deed, the influence of christian principles, and the strict moral discipline under which they had been educated by pious parents, which disposed and fitted them to be the able but temperate advocates of political freedom.
From 1665 to 1670, Mr. Bellingham was elected governor, and Francis Willoughby lieutenant governor. They were both men of education and talents ; and their public conduct, at once correct and popular. They were opposed to the English hierarchy, and firmly attached to the cause and interests of the
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puritan dissenters. Bellingham was the most eminent, for his legal knowledge, as well as stern integrity ; but what has been recorded of Willoughby affords proof, also, of his worth. He was opposed to the severe treatment of the Baptists, but was a rigid puritan. He did not arrive in the colony so early as Bellingham by several years.
Difficulties had often occurred from claims set up, and the grants obtained of lands, at Piscataqua River, and further east- ward, in Maine, and from the measures pursued, particularly by Sir F. Gorges and Mr. Mason, to settle and govern those parts of the country. Those about Piscataqua, and some set- tlements in Maine, chose, or consented, to be united to the jurisdiction of Massachusetts. The royal commissioners under- took, in 1665, to separate the settlements in Maine, at the request of a portion of the inhabitants ; and they withdrew from their connexion with the colony. Much disorder and trouble ensued. In 1668, the general court of Massachusetts again assumed authority over those settlements, being chiefly in what was called the county of Yorkshire; not, however, without sending agents to learn the state and disposition of the people there, nor without previous application from many of the in- habitants of that territory, for such a union.
That the report of the royal commissioners to the king, of the opposition of Massachusetts to his and their authority, was not immediately followed by severe measures, on the part of the parent government, was probably owing to the difficulties which then existed in England, where political disputes were maintained between the friends and opponents of arbitrary power, with almost as much bitterness as in the latter days of Charles I.
At this period, the colony was in a state of uncommon pros- perity. Its population, navigation, and wealth, had rapidly increased. The number of militia were estimated at 4,500 ; trade to foreign ports, to the West Indies, to Spain, and Portu- gal, and to the Western Isles, was extended, and gave great profits to the merchants. There were one hundred and thirty- two vessels, of various sizes, in the colony. Severe laws had been enacted, or revived, imposing restrictions on the trade of the colony, and requiring high duties ; but there was then no regular officer of the customs, and the laws were generally evaded. The fisheries and the lumber trade were the most lucrative.
In this state of worldly prosperity, and temporary exemption from disputes with the parent government, an excitement arose and agitated the legislature, the clergy, and the people generally,
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occasioned by the formation of a new church in Boston. The settlement of Mr. Davenport, of New Haven, in the first church in Boston, was, for various reasons, opposed by a very large minority, who afterwards separated and formed another church. The chief objections to Mr. Davenport were his leaving his people at New Haven, without their full consent, and his rigid notions in refusing baptism to children, except those whose parents were members of the church. For this opposition to Mr. Davenport, and for separating from the first church, the seceders were censured by many, and the general court solemnly condemned them ; while a large number of the clergy publicly disapproved of the conduct of the first church, and of Mr. Davenport. The interest taken in the dispute was so great, that it had an influence on the subsequent elections of representatives; and the result was that the majority in the next assembly was opposed to the vote of censure before passed. The magistrates and legislators, then, and from the earliest days of the colony, claimed to have a voice in ecclesiastical affairs ; and their decisions, perhaps, were sometimes made under the influence of political and party motives. Such has often been the conduct of men in power, both in ancient and modern times.
CHAPTER V.
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War with Philip-He meditates the destruction of the English-War de- fensive on part of the English-Plymouth Colony most exposed-United Colonies raise Troops-Battle at Narragansett-War continued to 1676- Character of Philip .-- Col. Church -- Death of Philip-Difficulties with Gov- ernment of England-Claims of Gorges and Mason-Leverett, Bradstreet, Dudley, and Danforth-Claims of Power-Regulations of Trade-Ran- dolph-Agents to England-Charter vacated, and Dudley appointed Presi- dent-Andros arbitrary and oppressive-His Council-J. Mather Agent to England-Arrest of Andros and Randolph-Revolution-New Charter -Sir William Phipps-Expedition to Nova Scotia, and to Quebec- Failure-Expenses-Paper Money-Difference of New and Old Charters -Sir William Phipps first Governor-His Character.
IN 1675 began the formidable war with Philip, sachem of the Pokanokett tribe, in the Plymouth patent. Before this period, even from the expedition against the Pequots, there had been no hostile attempts by the native Indians, which excited general or very serious alarm. Massasoit, the father of Philip, was always friendly to the English, and so was Chikataubut, of Massachusetts, and his son. The other tribes were too small to venture any attacks on the English, whatever might have been their secret wishes. And many of these were evidently friendly to the colony, through the influence of Eliot, and other missionaries.
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Philip had, indeed, been often found complaining of the English, before this period; and was known to have en- deavored to excite the jealousy and hatred of other Indians against them. He had visited distant tribes for the purpose of forming a union among them, the whole force of which should be employed to extirpate the white men, who had obtruded themselves on the soil. He could complain how- ever of no particular act of injustice or oppression ; for the lands occupied by the English had been fairly purchased of the Indian chiefs, or entered upon and possessed, with their consent and approbation. If any had been wronged, on proof of the injury they always found redress. Individuals, indeed, made encroachments, on the Indian lands, if encroach- ments they could justly be called, by purchasing for trifling articles. But this was early forbidden by the government, and laws were passed for their protection and welfare. Still
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