USA > New Hampshire > Gazetteer of the state of New-Hampshire > Part 2
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GENERAL VIEW.
taking fish was either by entangling them in wears or in scoop nets, or striking them with spears. They took quadrupeds in traps or pitfalls, or shot them, as well as birds, with arrows. For the construction of their canoes and houses they used hatch- ets, chisels, and gouges of stone. In cooking their meat they ei- ther broiled it on coals or on a wooden grate, or roasted it on a forked stick, or boiled it in kettles of stone. Their corn was pounded in mortars of wood, with pestles of stone. Their bread was baked on flat stones set before the fire, or in green leaves laid under hot ashes. Clam shells served them for spoons, and their fingers for knives and forks. They had no sharper instru- ments than could be formed of stones, shells, or bones. Of these, the two last are of a perishable nature ; but of the first, rel- ics are often found in the places of their former residence, generally in the neighbourhood of waterfalls and other conven- ient fishing places. There is in the possession of a gentleman of this state, a piece of bone, on which is engraven the bust of a man, apparently in the agonies of death. The countenance is savage, and the work well executed. The bone with the figure on it was found on the shore of Little-bay, in the river Piscataqua.
The cellars in which they preserved their corn, are discovered in the new settlements, and their graves are frequently seen. Most of the skeletons appear to be in a sitting posture, and some remains of the instruments, which were supposed necessary to their subsistence, ornament, or defence, in the "country of souls," are found with them, particularly the stone-pipe for smoking tobacco, of which there are several varieties.
In a piece of interval land near Ossipee pond, is a mound of earth overgrown with pine, in which, at the depth of two feet, several skeletons have been discovered, buried with the face downwards. At Exeter, about 23 years ago, the remains 'of an infant skeleton were dug up. It was in a perpendicular pos- ture, and had been enclosed in a hollow log. Some strings of wampum were found near it, and several spoons, apparently of European manufacture.
Forest trees & Vegetable productions .- The botany of this state, would furnishan extensive subject ; if treated scientifically, and with the minuteness due to its importance. It would of it- self deserve a volume. After attending to the following de- tails, the great variety of our vegetable productions may be eas- ily imagined.
The native forest trees grow to a degree of luxuriance, and in profuse abundance and variety. The common forest trees are elm, sassafras, wild cherry,bass wood, locust, and birch, of which we have four species ; of the oak four, walnut three, one of
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which, called oil nut or butter nut, the extract of the bark of which, is a most excellent cathartic. It neither produces grip- ings nor leaves the patient costive, and may be made efficacious without hazard,by increasing the quantity administered. Its ope- ration is easy and safe,even to the most delicate constitution. It is a most excellent family medicine,and well calculated for hospitals, navies, and armies. Of the beech and pine : there are three spe- cies of the former and seven of the latter ; hemlock, spruce, fir, chestnut, hornbeam, button-wood, red and white cedar, poplar, and red, white, and black, or rock maple, which last has obtained the name of sugar maple, and a variety of other trees not nam- ed, are also common in our forests.
It is not our intention to treat systematically of the natural his- tory of the state, or describe with botanical accuracy, the indi- genous vegetables, which it contains ; but briefly to notice such as are endowed with remarkable qualities, either salutary or noxious.
Those that are salutary, are the grape, black and red currant, wild gooseberry, cranberry, common and superb raspberry, brambleberry, running and upright blackberry, strawberry, and bayberry. The ginseng, so much esteemed by the Chinese, is found in great plenty in the western part of the state, and the further north it is found, the better is its quality. It was for- merly thought that the ginseng grew only in China and Tartary ; but it was discovered in America about 1750, and some speci- mens of it sent to England, and from thence to China, and was, on trial, acknowledged, by the Chinese themselves, to be the same with the oriental ginseng. The prickly ash is a shrub, the bark of which, is esteemed an excellent remedy for chronic rheumatism. The garget or American night shade, root, leaves, and berry is used in various diseases common to the human frame, and the root is in high repute among farmers for the use of cattle. There are two species of elder, black and red, snake- root, maidenhair, sarsaparilla ; three species of tobelia, one of which is a powerful emetic. The buck bean grows near the Monadnock, and the skunk cabbage, which is very efficacious in asthmatic complaints, grows in many parts of the state.
It may be proper to close this account of indigenous vegeta- bles with the names of those plants, which, under certain circum- stances prove poisonous ; some of which however have been brought into medicinal use, and are valued for the cure of dis- orders attended with spasmodic affections. Of this latter class are the hemlock, thorn apple, henbane, and night-shade. Others are poisonous, such as the ivy, commonly called mercury, swamp sumach, water-elder, herb christopher, stinking snake weed, and white helebore or poke.
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Soil & Agriculture .- There is a great variety of soil in New- Hampshire. The interval lands on the large rivers, are con- sidered the most valuable, because they are overflowed and en- riched by the waters from the uplands, which bring down a fat slime or sediment of the consistency of soap. These lands pro- duce every kind of grain in great perfection ; but are not so good for pastures as the uplands. The wide spreading hills of a moderate elevation and of a rocky, moist, warm, rich soil are most esteemed for pastures. Drained swamps have a deep mellow soil, and the vallies between hills are generally very productive. In the new and uncultivated parts of the state, the soil is dis- tinguished by its various kinds of trees ; thus, white oak land is hard and stony, the under growth consisting of brakes and fern ; it will not produce grass till it has been ploughed and hoed, but is good for indian corn : white and pitch pine lands are dry and sandy. Spruce and hemlock in the eastern part of the state denote a thin, cold soil ; but in the western parts, when mixed with birch, it is a moist soil, good for grass. When the white pine and oil nut are found on the same land, it is commonly a deep moist loam, and considered very advantageous for cultivation, as it bears grass, corn, and other grain without ploughing.
The mode of clearing and cultivating new lands, has been much improved within the last forty or fifty years. Sixty years ago it was thought impossible to raise indian corn without the plough and hoe. The mode of planting it among the burnt logs was practised with great success at Gilmanton, about the year 1762, and this easy mode of culture soon became uni- versal in the new plantations. In interval lands on Connecti- cut river, wheat often yields 40 or 50 bushels to the acre ; but on the uplands 20 is considered a good crop. Indian corn will average more than 40 bushels to the acre. Of all grains winter rye grows best on new lands, and indian corn and barley on the old. Barley does not flourish in new lands ; nor is flax cultivated to any advantage, until the land has been under preparation for some years. The same may be said of oats and pease ; but every kind of esculent roots is much larger in the virgin soil than in any other.
The first inhabitants of New-Hampshire came principally from the south-western counties of England, where cider and perry were made in great quantities. They took much pains to set out apple and pear trees on their plantations, which flourished well and grew to a great size. The first growth is now decayed ; but a succession has been preserved, and no good husbandman thinks his farm complete without an orchard.
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GENERAL VIEW.
Agriculture is, and always will be, the chief business of the people of New-Hampshire, if they attend to their true interest. Every tree that is cut down in the forest opens to the sun a - new spot of earth, which, with proper cultivation, will produce food for man and beast. It is impossible to conceive what quantities may be produced of beef, pork, mutton, poultry, wheat, rye, indian corn, barley, pulse, butter, and cheese ; arti- cles which will always find a market. Flax and hemp may be also cultivated to great advantage. As the country becomes more cleared, pastures increase, and the number of cattle is con- tinually multiplying.
Domestic Animals .- This state presents a long catalogue of such domestic animals, as have been found useful in all parts of the world, situated in similar latitudes. The first neat cattle im- ported from Europe into New-Hampshire, were sent by Capt. John Mason and his associates, about 1633, to stock their plant- ations and to be employed in drawing lumber. These cattle were of a large breed and a yellow colour, procured from Den- mark. At what time and by whom the horse was first im- ported does not appear. Sheep and swine were first sent over from England, by Laconia. Sheep have greatly multiplied, and are considered the most profitable stock that can be raised on a farm. The breed has been renewed and much improved by the introduction of merinoes from Spain, and other parts of Europe. While therefore the best lambs shall be reserved by the farmer for their select flocks, well fed, sheltered from storms and care- fully managed, our breed will continue to improve. Of other domestic animals, we possess all those that are useful, conven- ient and common to our climate. The following computations of neat cattle and horses are founded on the invoice taken in 1812. The neat cattle according to the above information may be computed at 211,534 ; the horses 32,161, and the sheep* according to the best calculation will amount to 364,892. (The American statistical writer, the indefatigable Blodget, computes the whole number of neat cattle in the United States in 1809, 3,660,000 ; horses 1,400,000.) We have no returns of the number of swine in this state, but may compute the number of fatted swine killed annually at 35,000, and of oxen killed or dri- ven to market 100,000.
* With regard to the number of sheep, letters were directed to the represent- ativesof each town in the state, requesting them to send to us the number of sheep in their respective towns ; but we have to say in 'many instances our requests were neglected, but in proportion with the number returned, the above statement iş correct.
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Wild Animals .- The wolf first claims notice ; this animal has been very common and noxious in the new settlements. A bounty of 20 dollars is paid for its head. The bear has been one of the mosttroublesome animals of our forests. In the months of August and September, he makes great havoc in the fields of indian corn in the new settlements. There is the wolverine and wild cat, and the other animals common to New-England. The only mammillary biped, which we have is the bat, which forms the connecting link between beasts and birds.
Birds .- The birds of New-Hampshire, are those common in the New-England states, for a catalogue of which see Belknap's history of N. H.
Serpents .- Of these our number is but small. The rattle- snake is the only one that is poisonous ; its numbers have been great, but are now diminishing. The black snake, small water snake, small brown adder, house adder, (said to be poison- ous,) water adder, striped snake, and green snake, are the princi- pal kinds.
Fish .- Of fish we have a numerous list. A bare enumera- tion of which would be equally useless and uninteresting. The cod comes into the Piscataqua in the spring and fall, and is tak- en at sea in all months of the year. The haddock, hake, and pollock are taken at sea in the spring and summer, and being dried are sold under the denomination of scale fish. Halibut is the largest fish that is taken for food ; and when full grown it exceeds 500 pounds in weight ; those of 200 pounds are fre- quently brought to market and sold. See Portsmouth.
Caverns, Stones, Fossils,& Minerals .- This part of our history must be extremely imperfect ; as many parts of our state are yet unexplored in these respects, and of those parts that are known the knowledge is mostly confined to its surface and veg- etation. Such things however of this kind as have occurred, shall be noticed under their respective names. Mineralogy is a branch of science, that is but little cultivated. Men of gen- ius and science have not leisure to pursue objects from which immediate advantage cannot be drawn. . The disappointments which have attended some expensive attempts, the air of mys- tery thrown . over the subject by some ignorant pretenders ; . and the facility with which every mineral may be imported, have discouraged inquirers. But from the specimens that have appeared, there can be no doubt of the existence of 3
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mineral and fossil treasures, in the search of which future generations will find employment.
Constitution,* Government,& Laws .- ARTICLE I. All men are born equally free and independent ; therefore all government of right originates from the people, is founded in consent, and in- stituted for the general good.
II. All men have certain natural, essential and inherent rights-among which are the enjoying and defending life and liberty, acquiring, possessing and protecting property ; and in a word, of seeking and obtaining happiness.
III. When men enter into a state of society, they surrender up some of their.natural rights to that society, in order to en- sure the protection of others ; and without such an equivalent, the surrender is void.
IV. Among the natural rights, some are in their very nature unalienable ; because no equivalent can be given or received for them : of this kind are the rights of conscience.
V. Every individual has a natural and unalienable right to worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience and reason ; and no subject shall be hurt, molested, or restrain- ed, in his person, liberty, or estate, for worshipping God in the manner and season most agreeable to the dictates of his own conscience, or for his religious profession, sentiments, or persua- sion ; provided he doth not disturb the public peace, or dis- turb others in their religious worship.
VI. As morality and piety, rightly grounded on evangelical principles, will give the best and greatest security to govern- ment, and will lay, in the hearts of men, the strongest obliga- tions to due subjection ; and as the knowledge of these is most likely to be propagated through a society, by the institution of the public worship of the Deity, and of public instruction in morality and religion; therefore, to promote those important purposes, the people of this state have a right to empower, and do hereby fully empower the legislature, to authorize, from time to time, the several towns, parishes, bodies corporate or religious societies, within this state, to make adequate provis- ion, at their own expense, for the support and maintenance of public Protestant teachers of piety, religion and morality.
Provided notwithstanding, That the several towns, parishes, bodies corporate, or religious societies, shall at all times have the exclusive right of electing their own public teachers, and of
* The Constitution of New-Hampshire was approved by the people, and es- tablished by convention, fifth of September, 1792. The former constitution hav- ing been approved by the people, was established by Convention 31st October, 1783, and took effect on the first Wednesday of June, 1784,
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contracting with them for their support and maintenance. And no person of any one particular religious sect or denomination, shall ever be compelled to pay towards the support of the teach- er or teachers of another persuasion, sect or denomination.
And every denomination of christians, demeaning - them- selves quietly, and as good subjects of the state, shall be equally under the protection of the law : and no subordination of any one sect or denomination to another shall ever be established by law.
And nothing herein shall be understood to affect any former contracts made for the support of the ministry ; but all such contracts shall remain, and be in the same state as if this con- stitution had not been made.
VII. The people of this state have the sole and exclusive right of governing themselves as a free, sovereign and inde- pendent state ; and do, and forever hereafter shall exercise and enjoy every power, jurisdiction and right, pertaining thereto, which is not, or may not hereafter be by them expressly dele- gated to the United States of America in Congress assembled.
VIII. All power residing originally in, and being derived from the people, all the magistrates and officers of government are their substitutes and agents, and at all times accountable to them.
IX. No office or place whatsoever in government, shall be hereditary-the abilities and integrity requisite in all, not being transmissible to posterity or relations.
X. Government being instituted for the common benefit, pro- tection and security of the whole community, and not for the private interest or emolument of any one man, family, or class of men ; therefore, whenever the ends of government are per- verted, and public liberty manifestly endangered, and all other means of redress are ineffectual, the people may and of right ought to reform the old, or establish a new government. The doctrine of nonresistance against arbitrary power and oppres- sion, is absurd, slavish, and destructive of the good and happi- ness of mankind.
XI. All elections ought to be free, and every inhabitant of the state, having the proper qualifications, has equal right to elect and be elected into office.
XII. Every member of the community has a right to be pro- tected by it, in the enjoyment of his life, liberty and property ; he is therefore bound to contribute his share in the expense of such protection, and to yield his personal service when necessary, or an equivalent. But no part of a man's property shall be taken from him, or applied to public uses, without his own consent, or that of the representative body of the people. Nor are the
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inhabitants of this state controlable by any other laws than those to which they, or their representative body, have given their consent.
XIII. No person, who is conscientiously scrupulous about the lawfulness of bearing arms, shall be compelled thereto, pro- vided he will pay an equivalent.
XIV. Every subject of this state is entitled to a certain rem- edy, by having recourse to the laws, for all injuries he may re- ceive in his person, property, or character ; to obtain right and justice freely, without being obliged to purchase it ; completely and without any denial ; promptly and without delay, conforma- bly to the laws.
XV. No subject shall be held to answer for any crime or of- fence, until the same is fully and plainly, substantially and form- ally described to him ; or be compelled to accuse.or furnish ev- idence against himself. And every subject shall have a right to produce all proofs that may be favourable to himself : to meet the witnesses against him, face to face ; and to be fully heard in his defence, by himself and counsel. And no subject shall be arrested, imprisoned, despoiled, or deprived of his property, immunities, or privileges put out of the protection of the law, exiled or deprived of his life, liberty, or estate, but by the judgment of his peers, or the law of the land.
XVI. No subject shall be liable to be tried, after an acquit- tal, for the same crime or offence. Nor shall the legislature make any law that shall subject any person to a capital punish- ment, (excepting for the government of the army and navy, and the militia in actual service) without trial by jury.
XVII. In criminal prosecutions, the trial of facts, in the vi- cinity where they happen, is so essential to the security of the life, liberty, and estate of the citizen, that no crime or offence ought to be tried in any other county than that in which it is commit- ted ; except in cases of general insurrection in any particular county, when it shall appear to the Judges of the Superior Court, that an impartial trial cannot be had in the county where the offence may be committed, and upon their report, the leg- islature shall think proper to direct the trial in the nearest county in which an impartial trial can be obtained.
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XVIII. All penalties ought to be proportioned to the nature of the offence. No wise legislature will affix the same punish- ment to the crimes of theft, forgery and the like, which they do to those of murder and treason ; where the same undistinguish- ing severity is exerted against all offences, the people are led to forget the real distinction in the crimes themselves, and to com- mit the most flagrant with as little compunction as they 'do the lightest offences : For the same reason a multitude of sanguin-
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ary laws is both impolitic and unjust. The true design of all punishments being to reform, not to exterminate mankind.
XIX. Every subject hath a right to be secure from all un- reasonable searches and seizures of his person, his houses, his papers, and all his possessions. Therefore, all warrants to search suspected places, or arrest a person for examination or trial, in prosecutions for criminal matters, are contrary to this right, if the cause or foundation of them be not previously sup- ported by oath or affirmation ; and if the order, in a warrant to a civil officer, to make search in suspected places, or to arrest one or more suspected persons, or to seize their property, be not accompanied with a special designation of the persons or objects of search, arrest, or seizure ; and no warrant ought to be issued, but in cases, and with the formalities, prescribed by law.
XX. In all controversies concerning property, and in all suits between two or more persons, except in cases in which it has been heretofore otherwise used and practised, the parties have a right to a trial by jury, and this method of procedure shall be held sa- cred, unless in cases arising on the high seas and such as relate to mariners' wages, the legislature shall think it necessary hereafter to alter it.
XXI. In order to reap the fullest advantage of the inestima- ble privilege of the trial by jury, great care ought to be taken, that none but qualified persons should be appointed to serve ; and such ought to be fully compensated for their travel, time and attendance.
XXII. The LIBERTY OF THE PRESS is essential to the security of freedom in a state : It ought therefore to be in- violably preserved.
XXIII. Retrospective laws are highly injurious, oppressive and unjust. No such laws therefore should be made, either for the decision of civil causes, or the punishment of offences.
XXIV. A well'regulated militia is the proper, natural and sure defence of a state.
XXV. »Standing armies are dangerous to liberty, and ought not to be raised, or kept up without the consent of the leg- islature.
XXVI. In all cases and at all times, the military ought to be under strict subordination to, and governed by the civil power.
XXVII. No soldier in time of peace, shall be quartered in , any house, without the consent of the owner; and in time of war, such quarters ought not to be made but by the civil magis- trate, in a manner ordained by the legislature:
XXVIII. No subsidy, charge, tax, impost, or duty, shall be established, fixed, laid, or levied, under any pretext whatsoever,
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without the consent of the people, or their representatives in the legislature, or authority derived from that body.
XXIX. The power of suspending the laws, or the execution of them, ought never to be exercised but by the legislature, or by authority derived therefrom, to be exercised in such partic- ular cases only as the legislature shall expressly provide for.
XXX. The freedom of deliberation, speech and debate, in either house of the legislature, is so essential to the rights of the people, that it cannot be the foundation of any action, com- plaint, or prosecution, in any other court or place whatsoever.
XXXI. The legislature shall assemble for the redress of pub- lic grievances, and for making such laws as the public good may require.
XXXII. The people have a right in an orderly and peacea- ble manner to assemble and consult upon the common good, give instructions to their representatives, and to request of the legislative body by way of petition or remonstrance, redress of the wrongs done them, and of the grievances they suffer.
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