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Litigations relating to Boundaries.

the inhabitants of Connecticut, called the Susquehannah and Delaware companies, of a large tract of land lying west of Delaware river, and thence spreading over the east and west branches of Susquehannah river, on which considerable settlements were shortly after made. These settlers were incorporated afterwards by the general assembly of Connecticut, and made a distinct town, by the name of Westmoreland, and annexed to the county of Litchfield.

The charter of Pennsylvania, granted to William Penn, in 1681, covered these settlements. This laid the foundation for a dispute, which for a long time was maintained with warmth on both sides. The matter was at last submitted to gentlemen chosen for the purpose, who decided the dispute in favour of Pennsylvania. Many, however, still assert the justice of the Connecticut claim, in whose favour there was once a decision of the court. It will not be considered as out of place here to observe, that although Connecticut was forced to yield her claim to the lands within the limits of her charter, which were comprised within that of Pennsylvania, she did not relinquish the right her charter gave her to the lands lying west of Pennsylvania, and between that state and the Mississippi. At the close of the revolution, she ceded all her charter claims west of Pennsylvania, to Congress, reserving only a tract the width of the State of Connecticut, and one hundred and twenty miles in length; bounded east, on the western line of Pennsylvania, and north by Lake Erie, containing nearly four millions of acres. This cession was accepted by Congress, which established to Connecticut her title to these lands. The legislature of Connecticut, in 1793, granted to the sufferers in the several towns that were burnt during the war, a tract of half a million of acres, on the west end of this reservation; and in the summer of 1795, sold the remainder, consisting of about 3,300,000 acres, to Oliver Phelps, William Hart and associates, for 1,200,000 dollars. This sum, by an act of the legislature of Connecticut, passed in June, 1795, is appropriated to the support of schools in the several societies constituted by law, within the state; and also, in such societies as may request it, and by leave of the general assembly, for the support of the Christian ministry and the public worship of God.

Two persons have been employed to explore the tract of Land of which we have been speaking. They represent "that the shore of the lake (Erie) is bold, and has several good harbours; that the land in general is level, descending a little

Union of New Haven and Connecticut.

f83

to the north west; that it is watered by two large, and a number of small rivers; that it rises into waving hills, but that there is not a mountain of any size on the whole tract; that the soil, generally speaking, is of the first quality; and that there are several salt springs, whose waters, it is asserted, yield as much salt in proportion as sea water." The native right to half this territory was extinguished by a treaty held several years ago, by General Parsons, A great part of this tract falls east and south of the boundary line between the United States and the Indians, as settled by the late treaty, by General Wayne. The colony of New Haven, though unconnected with the colony of Connecticut, was comprehended within the limits of their charter, and, as they concluded, within their jurisdiction. But New Haven remonstrated against their claim, and refused to unite with them, until they should hear from England. It was not until the year 1665, when it was believed that the king's commissioners had a design upon the New England charters, that these two colonies formed an union, which has ever since amicably subsisted between them.

In 1672, the laws of the colony were revised, and the general "that every court ordered them to be printed; and also, family should buy one of the law books; such as pay in silver to have a book for twelve pence, such as pay in wheat, to pay a peck and a half a book; and such as pay in peas, two shillings a book, the peas at three shillings the bushel." Perhaps it is owing to this early and universal spread of law books, that the people of Connecticut are to this day so fond of the law. In 1750, the laws of Connecticut were again revised, and published in a small folio volume of two hundred and fifty-eight pages. Dr. Douglass observes, "that they were the most natural, equitable, plain, and concise code of laws for plantations, hitherto extant." There has been a revision of them since the peace of 1783, in which they were greatly and very judiciously simplified. The years 1675 and 1676, were distinguished by the wars with Phillip and his Indians, and with the Narragansets, by which the colony was thrown into great distress and confusion. The inroads of the enraged savages were marked with cruel murders, and with fire and devastation.

Connecticut has ever made rapid advances in population. There have been more emigrations from this, than from any of the other states, and yet it is at present full ofinhabitants. This increase may be ascribed to several causes. The bulk of the

84

of

Character of the People

inhabitants are industrious, sagacious husbandmen. Their farms furnish them with all the necessaries, most of the conveniences, and but few of the luxuries of life. They of course must be generally temperate, and if they chose, can subsist with as much independance as is consistent with happiness. The subsistence of the farmer is substantial, and does not depend on incidental circumstances, like that of most other pro fessions. There is no necessity of serving an apprenticeship to the business, nor of a large stock of money to commence it to advantage. Farmers who deal much in barter, have less need money than any other class of people. The ease with which a comfortable subsistence is obtained, induces the husbandman to marry young. The cultivation of his farm makes him strong and healthful. He toils cheerfully through the day, eats the fruit of his own labour with a gladsome heart, at night devoutly thanks his bounteous God for his daily blessing, retires to rest, and his sleep is sweet. Such circumstances as these have greatly contributed to the amazing increase of the inhabitants in this state. Beside, the people live under a free government, and have no fear of a tyrant. There are no overgrown estates, with rich and ambitious landlords, to have an undue and pernicious influence in the election of civil officers. Property is equally enough divided, and must continue to be so as long as estates descend as they now do. No person qualified by law is prohibited from voting. He who has the most merit, not he who has the most money, is generally chosen into public office. As instances of this, it is to be observed, that many of the citizens of Connecticut, from the humble walks of life, have arisen to the first offices in the state, and filled them with dignity and reputation. That base business of electioneering, which is so directly calculated to introduce wicked and designing men into office, is yet but little known in Connecticut. A man who wishes to be chosen into office, acts wisely, for that end, when he keeps his desires to himself.

Connecticut had but a small proportion of citizens who did not join in opposing the oppressive measures of Great Britain, and was active and influential, both in the field and in the cabinet, in bringing about the revolution. Her soldiers were applauded by the commander in chief, for their bravery and fidelity. The revolution, which so essentially affected the government of most of the colonies, produced no very percep tible alteration in the government of Connecticut. While under the jurisdiction of Great Britain, they elected their own

governors, and all subordinate civil officers, and made their own laws, in the same manner, and with as little control as they now do. Connecticut has ever been a republic, and perhaps as perfect and as happy a republic as ever existed. She has uninterruptedly proceeded in her old track, both as to government and manners; and, by these means, has avoided those convulsions which have rent other states into violent parties.

At the anniversary election of governor and other public officers, which is held yearly at Hartford on the second Thursday in May, a sermon is preached, which is published at the expence of the state. On these occasions a vast concourse of respectable citizens, particularly of the clergy, are collected, froin every part of the state; and while they add dignity and solemnity to the important and joyful transactions of the day, serve to exterminate party spirit, and to harmonize the civil and religious interests of the state. Connecticut, as well as Massachusetts, has been highly distinguished in having a succession of governors, eminent both for their religious and political accomplishments.

CHAP XIII.

Settlement of Rhode Island---This Colony refused Admittance into the Confederation--Narraganset Indians surrender their Country to the King of England-Roman Catholics--Charter sur rendered.

Motives of the same kind with those which are well known to have occasioned the settlement of most of the other United States, gave birth to the settlement of Rhode Island. The emigrants from England, who came to Massachusetts, although they did not perfectly agree in religious sentiments, had been tolerably united by their common zeal against the ceremonies of the church of England. But when they were removed from ecclesiastical courts, and possessed a charter allowing liberty of conscience, they fell into disputes and contentions among themselves. Of the principle of uniformity, the majority here were as fond as those from whose persecution they had fled. The true grounds of religious liberty were not embraced at this time, nor understood by any sect. While all disclaimed persecution for the sake of conscience, a regard for the public peace, and the preservation of the church of Christ from infec

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Settlement of Rhode Island.

tion, together with the obstinacy of the heretics, was urged in justification of that, which, stripped of all its disguises, the light of nature, and the laws of Christ, in the most solemn manner condemn.

Mr. Roger Williams, a Puritan minister, came over to New England in 1631, and settled at Salem, assistant to the Rev. Mr. Skelton. His settlement was opposed by the magistrates because he refused to join with the church at Boston, unless they would make a declaration of their repentance for maintaining communion with the church of England, while in their native country. In consequence Mr. Williams removed to Plymouth, where he remained assistant to Mr. Smith three years, or, as others say, two, and others, not one; when he disagreed with some influential characters in that town, and by invitation returned to Salem and succeeded Mr. Skelton, who had lately deceased. His settlement was still opposed by the magistrates, who charged him with maintaining," That it is not lawful for a godly mau to have communion in family prayer or in an oath, with such as they judge unregenerate;" therefore he refused the oath of fidelity, and taught others to follow his example; "that it is not lawful for an unregenerate man to pray; that the magistrate has nothing to do in matters of the first table; that there should be a general and unlimited toleration of all religions; that to punish a man for following the dictates of his conscience was persecution; that the patent which was granted by King Charles was invalid, and an instrument of injustice which they ought to renounce, being injurious to the natives, the King of England having no power to dispose of their lands to his own subjects," On account of these sentiments, and for refusing to join with the Massachu setts churches, he was at length banished the colony, as a disturber of the peace of the church and commonwealth. He left his house, wife, and children, at Salem, in the dead of winter, and sought a residence within the limits of Massachusetts. Fortunately for Mr. Williams, he had cultivated an acquaintance with the Indians, and learned their language, and before he left the colony, he had privately treated with Canonicus and Osamaquin, two Narraganset sachems, for a tract of land within their territories, provided he should be under the necessity of settling among them. These circumstances, together with the advice of Governor Winthorp, induced him, with four of his friends, after his banishment, to direct his course toward Narraganset bay. He with his companions established them