USA > Maine > The history of the state of Maine; from its first discovery, A. D. 1602, to the separation, A. D. 1820, inclusive, Vol. I > Part 20
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An association of English gentlemen, therefore was now form- North and ed, for the purpose of planting colonists on the American coasts ; ginia pa- and of bringing the infidel savages to a knowledge of the tent,
* 1 Belk. Biog. 347 .- Prince's Ann. 15. 18.
+ 2 Belk. Biog. 135-150 .- Sir Ferdinando Gorges is, now first introdu- ced to us, a gentleman of great energy, and in the prime of life, only 30 years of age. He died A. D. 1646. The savages seized, Gorges says, " were all of one nation, but of several parts and several families. This accident must be acknowledged, the means under God of putting on foot and giving life to all our plantations."
South Vir-
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Ist Colony.
A. D. 160G Christian religion ; to the true worship of God;" to civilized life ; and to a settled government. These men, so associated, king James I. by Patent, April 10, 1606, incorporated agreeably to their own choice, into two Companies, under one and the same Gen- eral Council of Government : wherein Messrs. Gates, Somers, Hackluyt, Wingfield and their associates, belonging to the city of London, and called the London Company, or first COLONY OF VIRGINIA, formed one branch ; and Thomas Hanham, Raleigh Gilbert, William Parker, George Popham and others of Plymouth, in the county of Devon or " elsewhere, who might associate," form- ed the other, and were called the Plymouth Company, or the " SEC- OND COLONY." The country granted, extended from the 34th, to the 45th degree of north latitude, and included all the islands within 100 miles of the coast ; the whole being known by the general name of 'North and South Virginia.'t The first Col- ony was permitted to begin a plantation, at any place below the 41st degree of north latitude ; and the second Colony, any where above the 38th degree. There was also provided a judicious precaution against any unhappy interference ; for it was further stipulated, that the colony which might be planted the last of the two, should not begin a settlement within 100 miles of the other.
2d Colony.
Councils of Govern- ment.
The government ordained, was this, viz :- A general " Council of Virginia," consisting of thirteen men appointed by the crown, and residents in England ; who were vested with a paramount jurisdiction, to be exercised according to such ordinances, as should be given them under the royal sign manual : And also two Subordinate Councils, each of thirteen members, living in Amer- ica, named in the same way, were created, for ruling, and man- aging the interior affairs of each colony, agreeably to the king's instructions.
This was a Charter of rights as well as a patent of territory ; though all sales of lands by the Colonial councils were to be confirmed by the crown,-to pass the fee. Every colonist, and his children, were to be citizens of the realm ;- the coinage of money was authorized ;- and importations of " all useful chattels, armor, and furniture from the British dominions" into the Colo- nies, were granted and allowed for seven years, duty free. The
* The declared intent of the adventurers was to propagate God's holy Church .- Hubbard's His. N. E. 14.
t 1 Douglas Summ. p. 5.
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Colonists were moreover fully empowered to seize or expel intru- A. D. 1606. ders ; and to exact taxes and duties for their own benefit.
Such is the outline of this important patent ;* which without Chalons' and Han- any other boundaries than the parallels of latitude mentioned, hain's Voy- embraced at the eastward, most of the Acadian peninsula. Impa- ages. tient to found a plantation upon these northern shores, Lord Pop- ham, Sir Ferdinando Gorges, and other members of the Ply- mouth company, or second Colony, despatched hither Capt. Henry Chalons, in August, with a ship carrying 31 men, and two of Weymouth's captives, Manida and Assecomoit. Shortly after- wards, Thomas Hanham, one of the patentees, and Martin Pring, before mentioned, were sent with auxiliaries and fresh supplies, to join Chalons in beginning a colony within the patent. But Chalons was taken, Nov. 10th, by a Spanish fleet, and carried to Spain, where his vessel was condemned ; and Hanham did noth- ing more than to new-vamp and repeat the encouraging accounts of the country, and thereby enliven, or perhaps invigorate the spirit of adventure.f
Next under the auspicious patronage of the London Company, Settlement three ships, with an hundred colonists, including the members of Virginia. a Colonial Council, sailed December 20th, for the coasts of 1607, April South Virginia ; and in April [1607] a permanent settlement was originally effected, and at length established on James' river ; and there the earliest administration of government was now com- menced.
A similar enterprize, projected by the Plymouth Company, Emigrant's was matured, about the same time, for settling another colony in Virginia. to North North Virginia. In this branch of the Corporation, the leaders were Lord John Popham, Chief Justice of England, and Sir Ferdinando Gorges, already become a conspicuous member. An hundred emigrants, besides mariners, were engaged in the enterprize ; and all necessary ordnance, utensils, and supplies were speedily procured. The outlines of a colonial government were drawn ; and the several members of the Council, and the officers, who were all colonists, were designated by name. It was intended to have taken into employment three ships, and by no means to be outrivalled by those of the other company. But
* See this Patent entire, 1 Hazard's Coll. p. 51-53.
t Prince's Annals, p. 13, 19. Note 10.
# Gorges says, there were " three ships." Prince's Ann. 21, [11.]
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A. D. 1607. through disappointment in procuring one, the expedition was retarded, and two only were equiped, and despatched on the interesting expedition.
Popham and Gilbert, comman- ders. May 31st.
The command of them was given to two of the patentees, George Popham, his lordship's brother, and Raleigh Gilbert, a nephew of Sir Walter Raleigh. They left Plymouth on the 31st of May; and according to their destination* steered directly for the North Virginia coast, where, after a favourable passage, they arrived August 8th, in safety. They first touched at Mon- hegan, and then proceeded " to the mouth of a fair navigable river," called by the Natives Sagadahock.
Arrival, Aug. 8th.
Although, according to some accounts, they first went ashore upon Erascohegan,t or the western Peninsulat ; yet it is believed they finally disembarked upon an Island 200 rods eastward, cal- led Stage Island ;- supposed by them to be better situated for all the conveniences of trade with the natives, and of navigation through the year. They probably landed on the north part of the Island, which is level and easy of access-the southerly end being high, bleak and rocky.
August Il. Govern- ment or- ganized.
They left the ships, August the 11th; and, assembling on shore, returned public thanks to Almighty God, and listened to a sermon adapted to the occasion. Their patent was then read ; and their ordinances, laws and instructions promulgated. The form of civil government, although aristocratic and simple, was evidently drafted for a great State. The Colony Council con- sisted of eight members, who were severally appointed to hold particular offices : George Popham, senior captain of the voyage, being President ; Raleigh Gilbert, admiral ; Edward Harlow, master of the ordnance ; Robert Davis, sergeant-major and com- mander of the militia ; Ellis Best, marshal ; John Scammon,* secretary of the colony ; James Davis, commander of the fort, and Gome Carew, searcher.
These adventurous planters erected on the Island some slight habitations, or cottages ; sunk two or three wells ; and commenc- ed an intercourse with the Indians. But they were soon con- vinced, that the wells, owing to their contiguity to the sea, would
Sagada- hock Colo- ny located and fortifi- ed.
* The original object was to begin near Monhegan, some where about the mouth of Sagadahock. Hub. N. E. 36-Indian, "Sagadahoke." -Smith's Hist. 216.
+ Now Parker's Island. # " On a peninsula." 1 Holmes' A. Ann. 160.
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never yield sweet water ; that the Island* containing only 8 or 10 A. D. 1607. acres, was too small for the permanent foundation of a colony ; and that it was situated too far from other lands to form a free intercourse with the country. Therefore they concluded to change their situation ; and passing across the river, to the west- ern bank, they selected a pleasant and convenient site on the southeast side of a creek,t near what is now called Atkin's bay ; which stretches west into the land half a league, and forms a peninsula at the southerly corner of the present Phipsburg. To this place they themselves removed, and during the autumn, located and established a settlement ; which was subsequently denominat- ed the SAGADAHOCK COLONY. A commodious house and barn, and a few slender cabins were built, and a fortification erected, which they named fort St. George, from the Christian name of the President ; but it was afterwards called Popham's fort. A block house likewise with a store-room was erected and rough- ly finished ; where the people kept their provisions and might in case of danger find protection. į
All practicable preparations being made for winter ; the two Dec. 5. ships, December 5th, sailed for England, leaving only 45 colo- of the ships. Departure nists, situated between an unbroken wilderness on the one hand, and a waste of waters on the other ;- in an untried climate, and in the vicinity of savages. This plantation was undertaken by its patrons with a determination worthy of great and enterprizing minds ; resolved upon the accomplishment of their purposes ; and sure of the greatest advantages to be derived from its establish- ment and prosperity.§
Through the friendly assistance of two natives, Shetwarroes, The Na- and Dehamida, sent hither in the ships by Gorges and Popham, tives. the adventurers received from the natives a cordial welcome, and afterwards testimonies of particular respect and hospitality. Some of the Sagamores even offered to go with the English to the Bashaba, their Great Chief; whose residence they repre-
* On Stage Island are the remains of a fort; brick chimneys and some wells of water; several cellars ;- the bricks must have come from Eu- rope .- Sallivan p. 170.
t From this creek to the mouth of the Kennebec river is 10 miles .- Coll. M. His. Soc. p. 254.
1 Prince's Ann. p. 53-The fort is on the S. E. side of Cape Small Point Peninsula·
§ Hubbard's N. E. p. 37.
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A. D. 1607. sented to be about Pemaquid. They signified to the President, that he was a mighty prince, holding in obedience all the sachems from Penobscot to Piscataqua,* and that he expected all the stran- gers, coming into his dominions, to pay him their court, as a cus- tomary usage. Yielding at last to their importunities, the Pres- ident proceded along the coast eastward, several leagues, till obliged by adverse winds and inclement weather to return ;- equally to the disappointment of himself, of the great Chief and the Sagamores.
Trade with the Natives.
When the Bashaba was informed of what had taken place; he sent his own son to visit the president, and make an arrange- ment with the company, for opening a trade in furs and peltry. Such was the conduct of this frank and forbearing people ; though several of them, but a short time before, and in this vicinity, had been forcibly carried away to places unknown to their tribe. As an instance of manly generosity, an Indian named Amenquin, to reward the strangers for a straw hat and knife "given him," stripped himself of a beaver mantle worth 50 or 60 shillings ster- ling, and presented it to the President.+
The winter months were fraught with various trials. The season was extremely severe in England as well as in this country ; their habitations were poor; and they before spring suffered much from the cold. For though they had left a country in a higher latitude than this, they were nevertheless strangers to an atmosphere equally keen, and to unrelenting snow and ice, through five months in succession.
Events of the Winter.
Still they might have enjoyed security and peace in their forti- fication, and lived comfortably upon the provisions brought from home, together with the fish and game taken by themselves or purchased of the Indians, had they met with no misfortunes, and been guided, at all times, by the maxims of prudence and econ- omy. But a traditional story is related and transmitted to us, as coming from the old Indians,-that at some time in the winter, " a quarrel fell out between the colonists and the natives," wherein one of the former was killed, and the rest all driven out of the fort, leaving their provisions, arms, and several " barrels of pow-
* Belk. Biog. p. 351.
t From this creek to the mouth of Kennebec river is 10 miles .- 1 Coll. M. Ilis. Soc. 254. # Purchas Pil. p. 939.
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der." The Indians opened the casks; and being unacquainted A. D. 1608. with the peculiar properties of their contents, carelessly scattered the kernels, which, taking fire, blew to pieces the most of what was in the fort, and " destroyed several of the Indians" them- selves. Struck half dead by the report, and the disasters wit- nessed, they supposed the Great Spirit was angry with them for doing harm to the strangers ; and made immediate proposals for a restoration of mutual friendship. Another tale, which comes to us in the form of a memoir*, is also worthy to be told : -Being collected at the fort to traffic, the Indians, it is said, were requested to draw a small mounted cannon by the drag- ropes. They laid hold, and when in an attitude most exposed, it was discharged, giving them all a frightful shock, and actually killing and wounding some of them.
Whether these stories have any connection, or foundation in truth, we cannot at this distance of time ascertain with certainty : and we might especially wish the latter one for the credit of the colonists to be a fable ; yet both were believed to be true, by the ancient and well-informed inhabitants on Sagadahock river. It is, moreover, certain, that their store-house took fire in mid-winter, and was, with a great part of their provisions, reduced to ashes.
As soon as the ships returned to England, Lord Popham per- suaded his associates of the Plymouth Council, to provide anoth- er immediate outfit and send them back without delay. But, while waiting for a wind, the mariners of one ship heard of his Lordship's sudden death ; and the master of the other, before he sailed, was informed that Sir John, the brother of Raleigh Gil- bert, was likewise dead ;- and thus became the bearers of these melancholy tidings to the plantation.
Besides these deaths, happened that of George Popham, Pres- ident of the colony, who had also lately deceased ; and who was the emi- Return of succeeded in that office by Gilbert, the official admiral. Being his end of the brother's heir, he believed the estate required his immediate at- colony. tention ; and therefore he concluded to return home. The reso- lution at this crisis, and the deaths of the two Pophams and Gil- bert, three principal patrons of the enterprize, together with some additional disappointments, proved fatal to the colony. The cli-
* Supplement to King Philip's wars, A. D, 1675-p. 75.
VOL. I. 14
Deaths of Lord Pop- ham and J. Gilbert.
grants and
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A. D. 1G08. mate was cold ; the wilderness appeared to them impervious ; the land wholly unyielding to the toils and arts of cultivation ; and probably the Indians had become again unfriendly. Nay, one account represents, that in consequence of the resentments of the natives, occasioned by the gun powder plot, or some ill treatment ; the emigrants were induced to re-embark, for the sake of their own safety, and durst not return.
Having resolved to quit the country, whatever the cause might have been, they all entered, with their effects, on board the re- turning ships, that brought them, and cheerfully departed ; taking with them, as the only fruits of their winter's enterprize, several kinds of fur, a small vessel built by them, and some native pro- ducts of the place .-- To Gorges and others, the promoters and patrons of this colony, the return of the planters was altogether unexpected and extremely unwelcome.
In vindication of their conduct, they framed excuses with what ingenuity they possessed ; and though they had lost only one of their number by natural death,* they told very unfavourable sto- ries of the country, its climate, soil, and healthfulness ; represent- ing it to be an intolerably cold and sterile region " not inhabitable (they said) by our English nation."+
This colony, the first ever attempted to be established by the English in North-Virginia, was planned and begun with the cour- age, zeal and beneficence which do not fear to encounter difficul- ties, or hazard expense. Its projectors and friends believed a colonial establishment, well organized and prosperous, would be the common resort and asylum of all adventurers to this country ; and the means of promoting and spreading other settlements to a wide extent. But its untimely end, some further deaths, and ad- ditional discouragements, gave a deadly check to the spirit of colonization for several years. Yet Sir Francis Popham, son of the late " baronet," sent a ship annually into these waters, for several years ; in anticipation of benefits from the fishery and fur trade, and, possibly, from his father's advancements ; till over-
* Prince's Ann. p. 23 .- Though " they ascribed it to a prevailing sick- ness, occasioned by the severity of the winter."-1 Coll. Mass. Hist. Soc. p. 252. + Prince's Ann p. 25.
# But " of plantations we have no more speeches."-Smith's Ilist. p. 18, 19, 24.
CHAP. I.] OF MAINE.
203
come by discouragements and losses, he was obliged at last to A. D. 1608. give up the pursuit .* Some adventurers may have met with better success ; for it is confidently asserted, that the coasts were never afterwards, for any considerable length of time, entirely deserted by Europeans, until the country became settled.
* Hubbard's N. E. 37 .- He says, ' the French were here soon after Popham's party left the place.'-Gorges' Hist. 19 .- 5 Purchas, 1828,- Prince's Ann. 25.
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CHAPTER II.
The settlement of Port-Royal abandoned by the French-Resumed- Mount Desert visited by them-It is the abode of two jesuits- Gorges sends Vines to Saco-South- Virginia-Newfoundland- Argal's, Somers' and Harlow's visits-Natives carried to Eng- land-The French settle Mount Desert-Argal removes them- He takes Port-Royal-Capt. John Smith-His character-His voyage to Sagadahock-His Map and History of New-England -Hawkins' voyage-War and pestilence among the eastern na- tives-Vines at Saco-Smith, Admiral of New-England-Ro- croft's and Dermer's voyages-Settlement of New-Plymouth.
A. D. 1606. Acadia.
THE infant colony at Port-Royal, in the winter of 1605-6, after its affairs were committed, by de Monts to Dupont, was plentifully supplied with corn and venison by the Mickmak In- dians ; and carried on with them quite a profitable fur trade. To encourage them, de Monts and Poutrincourt returned, in July, (1606) with fresh supplies. The former then took Dupont with him and sailed again for France, committing to Poutrincourt the management of the colony, and the survey of the country.
The latter proceeded as far as Cape Cod; where he had a skirmish with the savages, in which they killed two of his men and wounded others. From this circumstance he conceived a most unfavourable opinion of their dispositions ; and in retaliating their wrongs he committed wrong himself, by seizing five of them, who came to trade with him, and then cruelly putting them to death. Returning, he and his companions passed the ensuing time at Port-Royal, in a social and festive manner; till intelli- gence was received, by an early arrival in the spring, (1607,) of a transaction which proved fatal to the colony. This was an official report, that the Hollanders, piloted by a treacherous Frenchman, had obtruded themselves into the Canada fur trade ; that the king had revoked the exclusive right, a privilege pre- viously given* to de Monts, by which he was entitled for ten years, to that kind of traffic in Acadia and the Gulf of St. Law-
* See A. D. 1603, ante.
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rence; and that even the vessel which brought the news, was A. D. 1608. forbidden to purchase any furs or skins ; being allowed only a fishery about Canseau-in the waters between the peninsula and Cape Breton. Poutrincourt was so much disheartened by these and some other discouragements, that he with his party left Port- Royal, Aug. 11th, and returned to France.
The king, to recompense de Monts, gave him, the next year, De Monts a patent of the fur trade for twelve months in the St. Lawrence, province. quits the without restriction ; merely upon his agreement to settle a colony in that region. He now quitted all connexion with Acadia, and, procuring three ships and several families, furnished them with supplies and gave the whole in charge to Samuel Champlain, who had been his companion and agent in Acadia. In the execution of his trust, Champlain selected the site, early in July of this year, and laid the foundations of Quebec ;*- and after this pe- riod we hear no more of de Monts.
Poutrincourt, wishing to revive his plantation at Port-Royal, Poutrin- procured the king's confirmation of the grant, upon condition of Port-Royal. f court at his endeavours to convert the natives to the Catholic faith. In view of both purposes, this adventurer, his son Biencourt and two jesuits, Biard and Masse, with several families, intending to be- come settlers, embarked for America. While on the passage, a severe controversy arose between him and the Ecclesiastics; in which he boldly told them,-" it was his part to rule them on earth, and theirs only to guide him to heaven."
He tarried a short time at Port-Royal; and returning to France left his son in command. Disdaining to be under the control of these priests, who were merely invited by his father to reside in the plantation, Biencourt threatened them with corporeal punishment, in return for their spiritual anathemas. In such a state of society, the three could hardly continue together until the spring. At an early day, therefore, the jesuits bade him fare- well and proceeded westward to Mount Desert.t
* Quebec was the Indian name .- 1 Holmes' A. Ann. p. 163 .- 1 Charleroix N. F. 121 .- 5 Purchas, 1640-1 .- L'Escarbot's Account.
+ " Monts Desart"-so named by Champlain .- 1 Holmes' A. Ann. 178, and Note .- Here were taken various kinds of fish and game ; and on the mar- gin of the sound grew abundance of cranberries-500 bushels in a year .- [Mount Desert was incorporated into a town by that name Feb. 17. 1789, divided, and Eden incorporated, Feb. 23, 1796.] " Mount Desart." _? Belk. Biog 52.
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Biard and Masse at Mount De- sert.
A. D. 1609. This was the highest, largest, and consequently the most noted Island upon the coast. It was " so named by the French," per- haps by Champlain, " on account of the thirteen high mountains," it exhibited ; which were the first lands seen from sea. It is sup- posed, the place of residence selected by the Missionaries was on the western side of the Pool-a part of the sound which stretches from the south easterly side to the heart of the Island. Here they constructed and fortified an habitation, planted a gar- den, and dwelt five years ; entering with great zeal and untiring perseverance upon the work of converting the natives to Chris- tianity.
Sir F. Gor- ges sends hither Rich- ard Vines.
Meanwhile, Sir Ferdinando Gorges, a man never overcome by discouragements, was equally bold, and ardent in his pursuits, though of a different character. " As to the coldness of the " climate, (says he) I have had too much experience in the world " to be frighted with such a blast. Many great kingdoms, and " large territories, more northerly seated, and by many degrees " colder, are plentifully inhabited ;- divers of them being stored " with no better commodities than these parts afford-if like in- " dustry, art, and labour be used."* He was confident ; yet so strangely had the passion for adventures abated, that he could find nobody willing to engage with him either in making settlements, or discovery. He however purchased a ship with his own money, and procured a master and crew to make a voyage hither, pos- sibly to keep possession of the country against the French ; though avowedly for the purposes of fishing and traffic,-the only objects, supposed to be sufficient, at this time to induce them to cross the Atlantic. On board the ship, he sent Richard Vines, and some others of his servants, in whom he had the most con- fidence ;- and this was the course he pursued, several years.t
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