The five nations weft of Albany were very useful in aiding the fettlers to check the incurfions of the Canada. tribes under French influence. The firft fettlements in Carolina, which might have been easily destroyed, were fecured and left to thrive, by means of a bloody war between the two neighboring tribes, which nearly extinguished both. While we may rejoice at fuch divifions which were favorable to our ancestors, in the infant state of the colonies, yet we are to learn from them the great danger to a people from difunion. Nothing renders the conqueft of a country fo eafy, as disunion and controverfies among the inhabitants.

Of the War against the Tuscaroras. In the year 1712, the Tufcaroras, a confiderable nation of Indians on the frontiers of North Carolina, with fome other tribes, made war on the infant fettlements in that colony and threatened it with extirpation. Their first inroad was kept fo fecret, that they fell on the unfufpecting planters by furprize, killing all without mercy. About Roanoke one hundred and thirty seven perfons were flain in one night, among whom were most of the Germans who had then lately arrived. Governor Cravan of South Carolina, as foon as he heard of this plot, fent Col. Barnwell against the favages at the head of fix hundred men, and a body of Indians of other tribes. Marching thro a hideous wilderness, Col. Barnwell furrounded the Indians in their town, flew many of them and compelled the remainder to ask for peace. Such of the Tufcaroras as efcaped, abandoned their country, fettled among the Five Nations; and added a fixth tribe, fo that they afterwards were called the Six Nations.

Of the Confpiracy of the Yamafees. The fouthern border of South Carolina, along the Savanna, was inhabited by a numerous and powerful tribe of Indians, called Yamafees. Thefe lived, for many years, in friendship with the Carolinians; but in 1715, inftigated, it was believed, by the Spaniards of Florida, they formed a general confpiracy of all the neighboring

tribes, to destroy the English fettlements. Not lefs than fix or seven thousand warriors of the Congarees, Catawbas, Cherokees, Yamafees and other tribes were engaged in this plot. On the 15th of April, at day break, they began their horrid work of maffacre and torture, and ninety perfons who went to Pocotaglio, one of their towns to trade, or were in the neighboring plantations, fell victims to the first attack. The Indians approached within a few miles of Charlestown, deftroying all the people who had not efcaped to that town. Of the Defeat of the Indians. At that time Charleftown could mufter but twelve hundred men fit to bear arms; but Governor Craven took vigorous meafures; laying an embargo, proclaiming martial law, and procuring an act of affembly, authorizing him to impress men, ftores and amunition, he marched against the favages, and found the main body of them in their great camp, at a place called the Saltcatchers. There a fharp and bloody battle enfued, but the Carolinians repulfed the barbarians, and closely pursuing them, drove them beyond the Savanna river, where they were received by the Spaniards. The colony being thus delivered from most imminent danger, the troops returned and were received with unbounded joy. The favages remained vindictive and frequently made incurfions into the English plantations, exercifing their ufual barbarities; but never was Carolina again expof ed to equal danger.

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SECTION VIII.

POLITICAL EVENTS.

Of the political Hiftory of the Colonies.

HE charters granted to the first planters of New England, gave them ample powers of government. The freemen elected their own governors,

councils and reprefentatives; by whom all laws were enacted, fubject however to be abrogated by the king and council, if found repugnant to the laws of England, But the numerous emigrations to America foon alarmed the English government, and repeated orders were iffued by the king to restrain fuch emigrations. Many jealoufies and controverfies alfo arofe among thofe concerned in the plantations, and numerous complaints were made of the disorderly conduct of the fettlers, their encroachments on other patents, and their arbitrary proceedings. The principal author of thefe complaints against the Maffachüfetts colony was John Mafon. In 1634 the king and council, had been induced, by these complaints, to iffue an order requiring the colony to fend their charter to England. On confultation, the governor and magiftrates gave anfwer that this could not be done, without the direction of the general court, which was to be held in September following.

Of the Surrender of the Patent of the Plymouth Company. The council of Plymouth, being diffatisfied with the proceedings of fome of the company, and efpecially with the Maffachusetts colony, which, as they alledged, had extended their jurifdiction too far, and rendered themselves independent of the company, refigned their grant to the crown by an act dated June 11, 1635. In 1636 the king iffued an order of pro-. cefs against Maffachusetts, demanding the authority by which the colony exercifed the powers of government, and tho not ferved on any perfon in New England, judgment was rendered against the colony. In 1638, April 8, the king and council fent an exprefs order that the colony fhould deliver up their patent. This was not obeyed, but an answer returned with a petition, ftating that the procefs had not been ferved on them; that they had fettled under the authority of their patent; and if obliged to refign it, they muft remove to fome other place and the country would fall into

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the hands of the Dutch or French. No answer was returned, and the troubles in England prevented a further demand.

Of the Plan of a General Government. Gorges and Malon, the enemies of the Maffachusetts colony, were the principal inftruments in procuring the furrender of the Plymouth patent. Their plan was to procure a furrender or repeal of all the patents, and form the whole northern part of America into twelve provinces, with a general governor over the whole. This plan was nearly matured in the year 1635; but by the death of Mafon, the winter following, it was fruftrated. The colonies however were held in a state of alarm for many years, apprehending a lofs of their patents, and a fubjection to the arbitrary proceedings of the king and the high commiffion court.

Of the Diffolution of the Charter of Maffachusetts. The controverfies between the heirs of Gorges and Mason, and the Maffachusetts colony, refpecting the bounda ries of their patents, gave rife to many complaints against the colony; and in 1676, Edward Randolph was fent from England, by the king's authority, to inquire into the ftate of the colonies and the grounds of complaint. The colony fent agents to England; the parties were heard; Gorges was fecured in his claim to Maine, and the colony purchafed his property. The claims of Mafon were also adjufted. But Randolph made continual complaints against the colony for vio lating the laws of trade, coining money and the like. The colony appointed agents to make answer to these complaints; but without fuccefs. The king and council were prejudiced against the colony, and in 1683 iffued an order demanding that the colony fhould anfwer to the charges against them. After deliberation, the reprefentatives declined to appear and make defenfe. Of courfe in 1685, judgment was rendered against the colony, and their charter was declared to be vacated.

Of the Proceedings against the other Colonies. Similar

orders were iffued against other colonies. Rhode Ifland affembly submitted to his majesty's pleasure, and agreed to furrender their charter which was accepted in 1684. Plymouth, expecting to be compelled to refign their patent, fent a copy of it to the king, with an addrefs full of expreffions of loyalty, and praying for the grant of a charter. No further proceedings were had against Plymouth. In July 1685, process was iffued by the king and council against Connecticut. In July 1686, the affembly of the colony agreed upon an addrefs to his majesty, in which they befought him to recal the writ against them, intreated his pardon for any faults in their government, and requested the continuance of the charter.

cut.

Of the fingular Prefervation of the Charter of Connecti When the writ of quo warranto arrived, Connecticut fent Mr. Whiting as an agent to negociate for the preservation of their colonial charter and rights. But in vain; for the king and council had determined to vacate all the charters, and unite the colonies to the crown, under a governor of royal appointment. Sir Edmond Androfs was appointed the first governor gen-. eral over New England and arrived at Boston in December 1686. Soon after his arrival he wrote to Connecticut to refign their charter; but without fuccefs. In October 1687, while the affembly was in feffion, Governor Androfs arrived at Hartford with a company of troops, and demanded a furrender of the charter. While the principal officers of government were debating with Androfs, on the subject, and many people were collected, a garment was fuddenly thrown over the candles, by which they were extinguished, and the charter, which lay on the table was fiezed by Mr. Wadsworth of Hartford, conveyed away and fecreted within a large hollow tree, ftill ftanding before the houfe of Mr. Wyllys.

Of the fubfequent Proceedings in Connecticut and Maffachusetts. The charter was fecured, but Governor Androfs proceeded to take formal poffeffion of the gov