summated in 1643. The parties to it were the colonies of Massachusetts Bay, Plymouth, Connecticut, and New Haven. Massachusetts, as we have seen, had taken civil jurisdiction over the colony of New Hampshire. The colony of Rhode Island was excluded on account of its religion.

The title assumed for the union thus formed by these four distinct colonies was, "The United Colonies of New England." The declared object of the Confederation was, a protection of the lives, liberties, and property of the whole, against foreign or domestic enemies. Each colony was to be perfectly free in the management of its own internal affairs, while external matters that pertained to the general welfare of all were entrusted to the management of eight commissioners, two of whom were to be selected by each colony. The only qualification required of the commissioners was church membership. The measures adopted by these commissioners were not to be binding upon the several colonies, without their subsequent express sanction and ratification. Fugitives from service, or slaves, were to be delivered up on demand. This was the first confederation between any of the British colonies in America, and continued with general harmony until the attempted annulment of all the charters of the colonies so confederated, in 1685, as we shall see.

10. One of the principal powers entrusted to the commissioners, under the articles of confederation, was the regulation of Indian affairs; and very soon after their organization, a very important duty in this respect devolved upon them. Uncas, the chief of the Mohegans, attacked one of the subordinate chiefs of Miantonomah, then Sachem of the Narragansetts. This Sachem, as has been stated, was the nephew of old Canonicus. He appealed to the commissioners of the confederation for permission to make war

10. What was the first important duty that devolved upon the commissioners? What is said of Uncas and Miantonomah? What was the decision of the commissioners as to Miantonomah after Uncas had him as a prisoner? What became of him?

against Uncas and his tribe, for the outrage he had committed, without being interfered with by the colonists. The permission was given, and he invaded the Mohegan territory; but was lefeated, betrayed, and taken prisoner. Uncas carried him to Hartford, Connecticut, where his fate depended upon the decision of the commissioners. They held their session at Boston. This was in September, 1643. A decision of the commissioners was, that Uncas could do with his prisoner as he pleased, provided, that if he chose to put him to death, the execution should be without torture, and not in the jurisdiction of any one of the colonies; and if he should not put him to death, then Miantonomah was to be sent prisoner to Boston. . Uncas instantly resolved upon the execution; and just as soon as he had his victim beyond the border, he struck a hatchet into his head, and before life was entirely extinguished, cut a piece of flesh from the shoulder of his "fallen foe," which he eagerly devoured, "declaring that it made his heart strong, and was the sweetest morsel he ever ate."

11. In 1653, the English Council of State having declared war against Holland, the people of New Haven and Connecticut were anxious for the United Colonies to declare war against New Netherlands. To consider the subject, a special session of the commissioners was held at Boston in May. Six out of eight of these were in favor of the measure. This was a constitutional majority, according to the articles of confederation; but Massachusetts insisted that, according to the articles of union, the commissioners had no power to declare an offensive war," and this, therefore, could only be done by the unanimous consent of all the colonies; and as Massachusetts would not give her consent, the war was not declared.

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12. The first American edition of the Bible was Eliot's

11. What important question came before the Confederation in 1653, and how was it decided?

12. When was the first American edition of the Bible published, and what was the character of this edition?

translation of it, in the Indian language, printed at Cambridge, Massachusetts, in 1661.

13. On the restoration of Charles II. of England, in 1660, Whaley, Goffe, and Dixwell, three of the regicide judges, who had pronounced sentence of death against Charles I., made their escape, and came to New England. A royal order for their arrest soon followed them. The commissioners for the United Colonies of New England issued their proclamation against these fugitives; but they, through the aid of faithful friends, remained undiscovered, and were never taken. "Dixwell lived openly at New Haven, under a feigned name; the other two remained in concealment, sometimes in Connecticut, and sometimes in Massachusetts."

14. In 1661, Governor Winthrop, of Connecticut, went to England, to see after the charter of his colony under the restoration of Charles II. Through the influence of the aged Lord Say, he succeeded, in 1662, in getting a confirmation of a charter for his colony, with exceedingly liberal provisions, in securing the rights of self-government to the people of Connecticut, and with boundaries including the whole of the New Haven colony. The people of New Haven were very much opposed to this invasion of their independence on the part of Connecticut. They appealed to the commissioners for the United Colonies of New England for redress; but none was obtained.

New Haven being thus absorbed in Connecticut under this new charter, the two colonies henceforth sent but two representatives to the meetings of the commissioners for the United Colonies of New England, instead of four, as before. Connecticut was now divided into four counties, New Haven, Hartford, Middlesex, and New London.

13. What are the names of the three regicide judges who fled to New England on the restoration of Charles II. of England, in 1660? Where did Dixwell live, and how? How did the other two escape arrest?

14. What did Governor Winthrop of Connecticut do in 1661? Through whose influence did he succeed? In what year was his new charter obtained? What affect had it upon the colony at New Haven?

Under this new charter, the colony of Connecticut enjoyed great liberty for a number of years. The entire population of the confederation was at this time something over one hundred thousand.

15. Some important facts connected with the history of the colonies composing this confederation, of another but not less interesting character, will now be mentioned.

On the 1st of June, 1638, there was a great earthquake, which extended throughout all these colonies. Its centre seemed to be in Connecticut. It shook the ships which rode in the harbors, and the islands around about. It lasted but a few moments, but the earth was unquiet at times for twenty days afterwards. There were two great tempests also this year. The one on the 3d of August raised the tide on the Narragansett shore fourteen feet above the common Spring tides, and the one on the 25th of September caused the highest swell of the sea ever before observed on that coast.

16. The winter of 1641-42 was the severest ever experienced by the colonists. The bay of Boston was frozen so hard that teams, with loaded wagons, passed from the town to the neighboring islands.

17. In 1658 another notable earthquake occurred; but in 1662 there was still another, of which the accounts are much fuller. This was followed up by a succession of shocks, which occurred at intervals for more than six months, extending into 1663. During these shocks, it is said that in Canada small rivers and springs were dried up, and that a large ridge of mountains subsided to a plain.

18. In 1668 a great comet appeared, with an immense coma or train, which greatly alarmed the superstitious,

15. What remarkable event happened throughout New England on the 1st of une, 1638? What is said of the two great tempests also the same year? 16. What is said of the winter of 1641-42 {

17 What is said of the winter of 1662-63? What is said of the great earth quakes that occurred?

18. What is said of the great comet?

especially as an unusually hot summer and a very malignant disease, which occurred at the same time, were attributed to its baneful influence.

CHAPTER XI.

SETTLEMENT OF MARYLAND.

1621-1660.

Lord Baltimore-His charter-Religious liberty first establishedThe Clayborne insurrection-Prosperity and peace of the colony.

1. CAPTAIN SMITH, of Virginia, as we have before said, was the first to explore the Chesapeake Bay. In 1621 the country now known as Maryland

was explored by Virginia settlers, and trading posts were established. William Clayborne, the agent of a company formed in England, endeavored to monopolize this trade, and for this purpose obtained a license, under which he claimed rights for years after, as we shall

see.

2. In 1628 Sir George Calvert, Lord Baltimore, visited Virginia with some intention of founding a colony within its limits, but the government of Virginia was at that time intolerant towards the religion of the Roman Catholic Church, of which he was a member; he therefore turned his attention to some region beyond the jurisdiction of that colony. In 1629 he explored the country lying on the Chesapeake Bay; with which being much pleased, he returned to Eng

CHAPTER XI.-1. In what year were trading posts established in Maryland? 2. Who visited Virginia in 1628? For what purpose? Why did he not settle In that country What were the boundaries prescribed by his charter?