but the colony of New Haven refused, for some time, to accept the charter, and the union did not take place till 1665.

but it was

The charter was suspended, in 1687, by Sir Edmund Andros; restored again after the Revolution of 1688 in England; and it formed the basis of the government till 1818.

The charter granted in 1662, by Charles II., formed the basis of the government of Connecticut till 1818, when the present constitution was framed.

Every white male citizen of the United States, 21 years old, who has gained a settlement in the state, has resided six months in his town, is possessed of a freehold of $7 yearly value, or has done military duty for one year, or has been excused therefrom, or has paid a state tax within the year, and who has a good moral character, may vote, on taking the oath. Every voter is eligible to any office, unless it be expressly excepted. Duelling forfeits the right of suffrage. Representatives, chosen by towns, on the first Monday of every April; and ṣenators (in number not less than 18, nor more than 28), chosen at the same time, by districts, and by a plurality of votes, or, in case of an even vote, selected from the highest candidates by the other House, constitute the general assembly, which meets alternately at Hartford and New Haven, on the first Monday of May. The governor must be a voter, and 30 years old, and is chosen annually by a majority of votes; and, in case there be no choice, one of the two highest candidates is chosen by joint ballot of the assembly. He may grant reprieves, except in case of impeachment, but not pardons. He may veto a bill; but a majority of both Houses may pass it again in spite of his veto. A lieutenant-governor, secretary, treasurer, and comptroller, are chosen in the same way as the gov ernor. The judges of all the courts, and justices of the peace, are appointed by the assembly; the judges of the supreme and superior courts during good behavior, or until 70 years of age, removable by address of two-thirds of each House; and the others for one year, unless they reach 70 years of age before that time. Sheriffs are appointed for three years, by the assembly. In all libel cases, the truth may be given in evidence. When a majority of the House of Representatives propose amendments to the constitution, they shall be printed with the laws; and if two-thirds of each House, at the next session, approve them, they shall be submitted to the people, at a special town-meeting, and, if approved by a majority of votes cast, shall be adopted.

GOVERNMENT

For the year ending on the 1st Wednesday in May, 1848.

A term of the Superior Court is held by one judge semi-annually, in each county of the state; and the Supreme Court, constituted of the five judges, meets annually in cach county. The judges of this court hold their offices until seventy years of age. This court has jurisdiction in all cases where the damages, or matter in dispute, exceeds $70.

A County Court is held by one judge three times each year, in the several counties. The judges of this court are appointed annually by the legislature. They have jurisdiction in all civil actions where the damages, or matter in dispute, exceed $35. In civil cases, appeals lie in all cases from the County to the Superior Court, where the matter in dispute exceeds the sum of $70.

school fund,

847.66 Am't borrowed from school fund, 11,565.68

The whole amount of state debt (borrowed from school fund) is $11,565.68. The permanent fund of the state, on the 1st day of April, 1847, consisting of

bank stock not transferable, or subscriptions to the capital of sundry banks, which may be withdrawn on giving six months' notice, amounted to $406,000. Valuation in 1846 of real estate, $88,963,321.08; personal estate, $15,888,483.933. Aggregate, $104,851,805.02.

Common Schools. No. of school societies, 215; school districts, 1,663. The capital of school fund in September, 1845,* was $2,070,055.01. Amount of dividends to school societies, year ending March, 1847, $125,710.65. Rate for each child, between ages of 4 and 16, in 1847, $1.45.

VII. NEW YORK.

The settlement of this state was commenced by the Dutch, in 1614, who named the country New Netherlands, and established a colonial government in 1629. In 1664, Charles II. of England granted to his brother, the Duke of York, a patent for a large tract of country, forming the present states of New York and New Jersey; and, during the same year, Colonel Nicolls with a considerable force, in the service of the Duke, made a conquest of the country; and the name of New Netherlands was afterwards changed to New York. In 1673, the colony was recaptured by the Dutch, and held by them a few months; but, with the exception of this short period, it was in the possession of the English from 1664 till the American Revolution, in 1775.

DUTCH GOVERNORS.

Wouter Van Twiller, appointed 1629 Peter Stuyvesant, appointed 1647

* The schedule of the property constituting the capital of the school fund is prepared and audited biennially.

[The colonial government was suspended in May, 1775; from which time to April, 1777, New York was governed by a Provincial Congress, of which Nathaniel Woodhull was President. A Constitution having, at length, been formed and adopted, the government, under this Constitution, went into operation April 20, 1777.]

GOVERNORS ELECTED BY THE PEOPLE.

1777 Nathaniel Pitcher, Lieut.-Gov. 1828 1795 *Martin Van Buren, elected

George Clinton,

elected

John Jay,

do.

1829

Adopted in convention October 9, 1846, and ratified by the people November 2, 1846.

Every male citizen, twenty-one years of age, ten days a citizen, one year next preceding any election an inhabitant of the state, for the last four months a resident of the county where he may offer his vote, and, for thirty days next preceding the election, a resident of the district of his candidate, may vote in the election district of which he shall at the time be a resident, and not elsewhere. No man of color shall vote unless he shall have been for three years a resident of the state, and, for one year next preceding the election, shall have owned a freehold worth $250 above all incumbrances, and shall have paid a tax thereon. And no person of color shall be taxed unless he shall own such real estate. Persons convicted of any infamous crime, and those who have made, or become directly or indirectly interested in any bet upon an election, may by a law be deprived of their vote therein.

The state shall be divided into thirty-two districts, each of which shall choose one senator to serve for two years. A census of the state shall be taken in 1855, and in every ten years afterwards. The legislature, at the next session after such census, shall re-organize the districts on the basis of population, excluding aliens and persons of color not taxed; and the districts shall remain unaltered until the next census. Members of the assembly, one hundred and twenty-eight in number, and apportioned among the several counties according to the population, excluding aliens and persons of color not taxed, shall be elected annually and by single districts. Each county, except Hamilton, shall have at least one member of the assembly; and no new county shall be made unless its population entitle it to a member. The

*Martin Van Buren was governor from January 1 to March, 1829, when he resigned the office, on being appointed Secretary of State for the United States.