Relation of the State of New England

A BRIEF RELATION OF THE STATE OF New England.

I Have received yours, wherein you desire me to give you a Brief Account of the past and present State of New England, which in as few words as I can, and as straits of time will permit me, I shall endeavor your Satisfaction in.

New England contains that Tract of Land which is between forty and forty five Degrees of Northern Latitude; It was for some time known by the name of the Northern Plantation; but King Charles the First (then Prince of Wales ) gave it the name of New England.

The first settlement of the English there, was in the year 1620, viz. at New Plymouth.

New England differs from other Foreign Plantations, in respect of the Grounds and Motives, inducing the First Planters to remove into that American Desert; other Plantations were built upon Worldly Interests, New England upon that which is purely Religious; for although they did, and do agree (as is evident from their Printed Confession of Faith) with all other Protestant Reformed Churches; and more especially with England, in Matters of Doctrine, and in all Fundamental Points of Faith; yet as to the Liturgy, Ceremonies, and Church-Government by Bishops, they were, and are Non-conformists: It was grievous to them to think of living in continual difference with their Protestant Brethren in England; upon which account they resolved on a peaceable SECESSION into a corner of the World; and being desirous to be under the Protection of England, about twenty worthy Gentlemen obtained a Charter from King Charles the First, bearing date from the year 1628. which giveth them Right to the Soil, for they hold their Titles of Lands, as of the Manor of East-Greenwich in Kent, and in Common SOCAGE, which, notwithstanding, they purchased their Lands of the Indians, who were the Native Proprietors: By their mentioned Charter, they are Empower'd to Elect yearly their own Governor, and Deputy-Governor, and Magistrates, as here in London, and in other Towns Corporate, the Freemen choose their Lord Mayors, Mayors, Aldermen, &c.

They have also Power to make such Laws, as shall be most proper and suitable for the Plantation: Nevertheless, as an acknowledgment of their dependence on England, by their Charters, they are obliged not to make any Laws, which shall be repugnant to the Laws in England.

Also, the fifth part of all Oar, of Gold or Silver, found in that Territory, belongs to the Crown of England.

The Report of this Charter, did encourage many very deserving persons to Transplant themselves, and their Families, into New England; Gentlemen of Ancient and Worshipful Families, and Ministers of the Gospel, then of great fame here in England, Tradesmen, Artificers, and Planters, to the Number of about four thousand did in twelve years time go thither.

The hazards they run, and the difficulties which they encountered with, in subduing a Wilderness, cannot be easily expressed in a large Tract: But the Almighty God, by a wonderful Providence, carried them through all.

In the year 1637, they were in imminent danger of being cut off by the barbarous Heathen; but when it came to a War, mighty numbers of the Indians were slain, by a few of the English, which caused a terror of God to fall upon the Heathen round about; so that after the Pequod Indians were subdued, there was peace in the Land for forty eight years together; and being settled under a good and easy Government, the Plantation increased, and prospered wonderfully; yea, so as cannot be paralleled in any History: never was place brought to such a Considerableness in so short a time; that which was, not long since, a howling Wilderness, in few years time, became a pleasant Land, wherein was abundance of all things meet for Soul and Body, which can be imputed to nothing else, but to their Religion, the Gospel bringing a fullness of Blessings along with it: Some have observed, that since the year 1640, more Persons have removed out of New England, than have gone thither. Nevertheless, the four thousand, who did, between that and the year 1620, transplant themselves into New England, are so marvelously increased, as that, if the Computation fail not, they are now become more than Two hundred thousand Souls.

There are Towns and Villages, on the Sea-Coasts, from Long Island to Boston, which is Three hundred English Miles, and the like from Boston to Pemmaquid, which is Two hundred Miles more.

In the year 1662, Conecticot Colony, as also Read Island, with the Plantations thereunto belonging, had Charters granted to them by King Charles the Second, being much of the same Tenor with the Patent of the Massachusetts, whereby these Colonies were made distinct Government.

In the year 1675, the Indians began a second War with the English; the Issue of which was, that whole Nations of them were destroyed.

Never did men show greater Courage and Bravery in their Encounters with the Barbarous Heathen, than they did. Although it must be acknowledged that the Indians advantages were such, as they could not have been overcome, if God had not fought against them, by sending the Evil Arrows of Famine, and Mortal Diseases among them. I have often thought of an Expression ofan Indian there: We could easily be too hard for the English, but (said he? striking on his Breast) The Englishmens God makes us afraid here.

As long as they enjoyed their first Government, no Enemies could stand before them; but since that they have not been able to subdue an hundred Indians, who did the last year commit some outrages among them, having been (as I am credibly insormed) designedly provoked thereunto by some Injuries done unto them by those then in Power, who intended the Ruin of the English, and Advancement of the French Interest in that Territory.

As for your Enquiry, By what means they came to be deprived of their Charters, Rights and Liberties; please to understand, that in the year 1683, a Quo Warranto was issued out against them, and with the Notification thereof by the then King's Order there was a Declaration published, enjoining those few particular Persons mentioned in the Quo Warranto, to make their defense at their own particular Charge, without any help by a public Stock: By this it was easy to see that some Persons were resolved to have the Charters condemned, quo jure quaque injuria: Nevertheless, the Governor and Company appointed an Attorney to appear, and answer to the Quo Warranto, in the Court of King's Bench.

The Prosecutors not being able to make anything of it there, a new Suit was Commenced by a Scire facias, in the High Court of Chancery.

But though they had not sufficient time given them to make their Defense, yet Judgment was entered against them for Default in not appearing; when it was impossible, considering the remote distance of New England from Westminster-hall, that they should appear in the time allowed.

Thus illegally was the Charter of the Massachusetts Colony wrested from them: as for the Colonies of Plymouth, Conecticot, and Road Island, there was never any Judgment against them, nor any Surrender; but by a mere Rape, in the year 1686, their Charters and Privileges were violently taken from them.

Since that time the Country hath mightily declined, and gone to ruin daily, not being now like the place it was Five Years ago, which is not much to be wondered at, considering the IntollerableOppressions they have been Labouring under, since their Charters were Ravished from them.

In the Year 1686. Sir Edmond Andros, was sent by the late King James to New England; with a Commission absolutely destructive to the fundamentals of the English Government, Impowering him with Four more (none of them chosen by the People) to Levy Money, and make Laws, nay, and in case of War in the Plantations to send as many of the Inhabitants as he would, two Thousand Miles out of the Country: This Commission being Illegal and so in it self void, the People not being able to Continue longer under those Oppressions, did this last Spring assert their English Liberties, Rights and Privileges, and Unanimously Declare for the Prince of Orange, and the Parliament of England.

And it is greatly to be observed, that as long as New England enjoyed their Charters for more than Fifty Years together, they never put the Crown of England to a Penny Charge; which is more than can be said of any other Forreign Plantations dependant on England.

But since they have been under a Government not by Charters, but by Commission, the Country hath been Chargeable, and less Beneficial to the Kings Revenue than in former times.

It hath indeed been objected, that in New England they did many Years a go Transgress the Act of Navigation. But the Trasgression of some few particular Persons ought not to be charged as the fault of the Government there, who did in the Year 1663, make a Law that the Act of Navigation should be Strictly observed, and their Governors are Sworn to see that Law Executed, and have to the uttermost of their power been careful therein.

Many other Things have been suggested against New England, he most of which having no footsteps of Truth in them, but being the Malicious Inventions of the Tobijahs and Sanballat’s of the Age, are not worth mentioning.

Not but the People there being but Men, have had their failings as well as other Men in all places of the World. The only thing (so far as I can learn) which can with any Coluor of Truth be justly reflected on them as a great fault, is that in some matters relating to Conscience and difference of opinion, they have been more rigid and severe than the Primitive Christians or the Gospel doth allow of.

Yet this is to be said in their behalf, that things are reported worse than indeed they were, and that now many Leading Men, and the generality of the People are of a more moderate Temper.

I know many that have a great Interest there, do abhor the Spirit of Persecution as much as any Men in the World.

It is certainly for the Interest of England, that New England be encouraged; and preserved in all their Rights, Privileges and Properties, and those ill Men who have given or shall give contrary advice (notwithstanding all their vain pretences to the contrary) have and will prejudice the Interest of the Crown more than they are, or ever were, or can be able to make amends for: which I evince by the Arguments following.

• I. The Kings Revenue, all things considered, is as much or more augmented by New England, than by any other of the Foreign Plantations. This will seem to some a strange Assertion: But consider what I say, and then judge if it be not true.

  The other American Plantations cannot well subsist without New England; which is by a Thousand Leagues nearer to them than either England, or Ireland; so that they are supplied with Provisions, Beef, Pork, Meal, Fish, &c. And also with the Lumber Trade, Deal Boards, Pipe-Staves, &c. chiefly from New England.

  Also the Carribbe Islands have their Horses from thence. It is then in a greater part by means of New England that the other Plantations are made prosperous and beneficial; they pay Customs in the Plantations for the Goods they Export from thence into New England, and when those Goods are brought into England, they pay the same again the Second time, by which means not a little is contributed to the Crown.

  Some Manufactures there are amongst them, but not a Twentieth part of what the Country hath need of, or is consumed there, most of their Cloathing as to Woollen and Linnen, all sorts of Upholstery Wares, Haberdashers and Silk Wares, Stuffs, Silks, &c. they have from England; and make returns in Plate, Pieces of Eight, Beaver, Moose and Deer Skins, Oil, and Iron, all which, but the Bullion, the Country affords.

  Also by Sugars and Tobacco, Indico, and indeed all the Productof the other Plantations, which with their own Vessels they fetch and transport to England.

• II. I know not whether in the World there be a better place for shipping, nor can I say how many, (but many hundreds there are) hundreds of Vessels of their own building do belong to the Country, (besides great Numbers built and sold into England, ) for they yearly build many good Ships, some of which for London, and other places in England.

  The Country abounds with Pine-Trees, Excellent Cedars, and Oak for building of Ships, and Ship-Masts in abundance; by those that are proper Judges, the best in the World, and come yearly from thence for the Use of the King's Ships.

  And it hath been affirmed by knowing Men in Navigation and Building, that whenever the King of England pleases, he may in New England on such easy Rates as is scarce imaginable, build Navies of Ships: There being no better Timber in the World, and in such quantities as are inexhaustible, and in such convenient Places, as if God and Nature had adapted these vast Timbers for the said use; which is worth consideration, for that Timber is generally wanting in England, and in Ireland; what is, is too far from Waters and Places fit for Carriage, and the East-Land Oak is spongy and unfit.

• III. The English born in New England, have the true inherent Spirit of the Old, apt and fit for Martial Employs; and as an addition to their Natural Courage and Sobriety, are well instructed in Martial Discipline.

All the Inhabitants from sixteen to sixty Years in each Town, are by the Law and constant Custom of the Country to bear Arms, if occasion shall require, and that they may be fit so to do,

They have in each Town and Village their Training-days, eight Times every Year, wherein they are exercised in Military Discipline, that so they may be expert in War, on all occasions, for their own Defense, and Service of their Prince; who will find whenever he shall please for to command, and commissionate them, that they are able (by the Blessing of God) to secure and enlarge his Dominions, and to bringtheir French Neighbors into an entire Subjection to the Crown of England.

And from this Consideration it was, that the French Ministers, (who all the World knows had a mighty Ascendent over White-Hall, in the Two Late Kings Reigns) ceased not in their Negotiations, until amongst other Articles agreed on; One was, that in Case of a War betwixt England and France, there shall be a Neutrality in the Plantations: They wisely foreseeing, that if the King of England, should arm and commission his Subjects in New England, the Frenchmen in those parts could not stand before them.

In the Time of the Late Protector Cromwell, they did by order from England, take several Forts from the French, which by King Charles the Second were restored to them again; no ways to the Honor or Interest of the English Nation.

And it's hoped, His Majesty and the High Court of Parliament, will put that value upon New England, as so vast a Tract of Land and Body of People deserve from a Government on which they depend, and are so great and useful a Member, as they have manifested themselves to be: And that in so Eminent a manner as calls for Protection, Encouragement, and Restauration to all their Rights, Privileges and Proprieties, and what Additions more, as in His Majesty great Wisdom, shall be thought fit for his Service, the Protestant Religion and the good of that People; who on the 18th. of April, 1689. Unanimously rose in Arms, and after having seized upon their Illegal Governor, and the rest of their Oppressors; declared for the Prince of Orange, and the Parliament of England, the Protestant Religion and their Ancient Constitution, and to this day do keep the Country for our Present Sovereigns, King William and Queen Mary, against King Lewis, and the Abdicated King James, waiting His Majesty's Commands, &c.

Which Declaration is in the words following:

The twelfth Article of New England is the Key of the New World America; if the French King had got it into his Possession, he might soon have made himself Master of America, and this in all Probability would have been done this Summer, if the New Englanders in and about Boston, penetrating into the Designs carrying on, had not risen as one Man, and seized Sir E. A. (who is as of a French Extract, so in the French Interests; being sent to New England by the Late King James, with an Illegal and Arbitrary Commission) and those ill Men who joined with him in his Tyranny.

All men do acknowledge, that those brave Souls whom God hath so wonderfully assisted, and spirited to preserve London-Derry, (and perhaps thereby to save all Ireland ) by securing it, and declaring for King William and Queen Mary, deserve great Favor and Protection from the Government.

And the same must be acknowledged due unto the People of New England, and more especially, when it is considered of what Value and Consequence to England, New England is, and that they so early as it were, rescued the Country out of the hands of the French, even before they knew the Prince of Orange was King of England, and that at a Time when theyknew no more, than that His Highness was landed in England, with a design to endeavor the delivering the Kingdom, and the Churches of God from Popery, Slavery and Arbitrary Power, which as they looked upon as an Heroic and Glorious Undertaking; so they also accounted it their Duty to embark themselves in the same Cause; though they knew not what the Issue of so mighty a Work would be; which hath caused some Persons of no Mean Figure to say,

And indeed New England, hath upon the best Accounts which can be mentioned, out-done all America.

For there they have erected an University, which began in the year 1642, wherein things are managed, pro more Academiarum in Anglia: Several Persons of more than ordinary Learning; yea, and many scores of able Ministers, of the Gospel, have there had their Education.

There by the Statutes of the College, none is to be admitted, before he can write Latin in a pure Style, and translate any ordinary Greek Author.

It is customary with them, every Morning in the College-Hall, to read a Chapter out of the Hebrew Bible, and at Night a Chapter out of the Greek Original.

The Tutors there instruct their Pupils in Logic, Natural and Moral Philosophy, Metaphysics, Geography, Astronomy, Arithmetic, Geometry, &c. and the Learned Men there have a corresponding communication with other Learned Men in divers parts of the World, where the Reformed Religion is professed, and by them highly reverenced for their Learning and Sobriety; an Instance of which appears by the following Letter, written by the Eminent Mr. Kick, to the Queen's Majesty that now is, in February last, by way of Supplication for New England.

Nay, I will be bold to say, that New England hath out-done the whole World; for among the Indians, who a while since were mere Heathens, there are not only many Congregations of them, who are converted to the Christian Faith, and the Protestant (which is the only True) Religion: But no less than Four and twenty of those Heathens, are now not only Christians, but Preachers of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. And I challenge the whole World to produce me the like Instance, as more fully appears by the following Relation, abstracted out of a Letter written about two years since from Boston, by the Reverend Mr. Mather, President of the College there, at the request, and unto the famous Dr. John Leusden, Hebrew Professor in the University of Utricht, and since translated into divers Languages in New England. The whole Bible hath been translated into the Indian Language, and there also printed: It's above forty five years since, that truly pious and godly Man, Mr. John Elliot, Minister of the Church at Rocksborough (a Mile from Boston ) being warmed with a Compassionate and Holy Zeal for the Conversion of the Americans, set himself to learn theIndian Tongue, that he might the more easily, and successfully open to them the Mysteries of the Gospel; on account of which he hath been (not undeservedly) called the Apostle of the American Indians. This Reverend Person was he that, with indefatigable Labor and Study, translated the whole Bible into the Indian Tongue, and also several English Treatises of Practical Divinity and Catechisms.

About Twenty eight years since he gathered a Church of Converted Indians, in a Town called Natick. These poor Indians were brought to such a sense of God and Religion, that they confessed their Sins with Tears, and professed their Faith in Christ; and afterwards they and their Children were Baptized, and they were Solemnly joined together in a Church-Covenant: And Mr. Elliot was the first that Administred the Lord's Supper to them. The Minister of that Church is now an Indian named Daniel.

Besides this Church at Natick, among our Inhabitants in the Massachusetts Colony, there are Four Indian Assemblies; where the Name of the True God, and Jesus Christ, is solemnly called upon. And these Four Assemblies have American Preachers: Mr. Elliot formerly Preached to them once in Fourteen Days; but now being Weakned with his Labors, and in the Eighty Sixth Year of his Age, doth not Preach to them more than once in Two Months.

About Fifty Miles from Boston is another Church consisting only of Converted Indians; in an Indian Town, called Marshippang, the first Minister of which was an Englishman, who being skillful in the American Language, Preached the Gospel to them in their own Tongue; but this Minister is lately Dead, and they now have an Indian Preacher.

There are besides that, Five Assemblies of Indians professing the Name of Christ, not far distant from Marshippang, which have Indian Preachers, and also are Preached unto in their own Language once every weak by Mr. John Cotton, Son of the Famous Mr. John Cotton, sometimes Minister of the Church at Boston. In Plymouth Colony of the Inhabitants of Saconet there is a great Congregation of those who for distinctions sake, are called Praying Indians; Because they Pray to God in Christ.

Not far from a Promontory called Cape Cod, are Six Assemblies of Heathens who are to be reckoned as Catechumen; amongst whom are Six Indian Preachers. Mr. Samuel Treat Minister of a Church at East Ham, Preacheth to these Congregations in their own Language.

There are amongst the Islanders of Mantucket, a Church, with a Minister who was lately a Heathen, and several meetings of Catechumen, who are instructed by the Converted Indians.

In the Island of Martha, which is about Twenty Two Miles long, are two American Churches planted, which are more Famous than the rest, for that over one of them presides an Ancient Indian Minister, called Hiacooms: John Hiacooms, Son of the said Indian Minister, also Preaches the Gospel to his Contrymen in _____ Church: in that place John Tockinosh, a Converted Indian Teaches.

In these Churches Ruling Elders of the Indians are joined to the Ministers: The Ministers were chosen by the People, and when they had Fasted and Prayed, Mr. Elliott and Mr. Cotton laid their hands on them, so that they were solemnly Ordained.

All the Congregations of the Converted Indians, (the Catechumen and those that are in Church-Order) every Lord's Day meet together, the Minister always beginning with Prayer, and without a Form, because from the heart; when the Ruler of the Assembly hath ended his Prayer, the whole Cogregation of Indians, praise God with Singing; in which many of them are excelling. After the Psalm, he that Preaches reads a place of Scripture, and Expounds it, gathers Doctrines from it, proves them by Scripture and reasons, and infers use from them after the manner of the English, of whom they have been taught: Then another Prayer to God in the Name of Christ concludes the whole Service, in which manner they meet twice every Lord's Day; they observe no Holy Days, but the Lord's Day, except upon some extraordinary occasion; and then they solemnly set apart whole Days, either in giving thanks, or fasting and praying with great fervor of Mind.

Before the English came into these Parts, these Barbarous Nations were altogether ignorant of the true God; hence it is, that in their Prayers and Sermons, they use English Words and Terms.

He that calls upon the most Holy Name of God, says, Jehovah, or God, or Lord; and also they have Learned, and borrowed many other Theological Phrases from the English.

There are six Churches of Baptized Indians in New England, and eighteen Assemblies of Catechumen, professing the Name of Christ.

Of the Indians there are four and twenty who are Preachers of the Word of God, and there are also four English Ministers who Preach the Gospel in the Indian Tongue, and there are many of the Indians Children, who have learned by heart the Catechism; either of that samous Divine Mr. Will. Perkins, or that put forth by the Assembly of Divines at Westminster, and can in their own Mother-Tongue answer to all the questions in it.

Thus Sir I have endeavored to gratify your request with as much Brevity as the Subject will admit, and exceeding the Bounds of a Letter, am forced to be so prolix, and the rather for that most of what I have written is upon my own knowledge, Truth (and the rest undeniable fact) though not the twentieth Part of the Truths might be said of the Almighty's most wonderful blessing and prospering New England, and his Gospel among the Heathen there, which to me looks like the Beginnings of the fulfilling those many Prophecies in Holy Writ concerning them.

And after all this, I cannot but admire there should be (as you say there is) any Man in England, who owns but even the bare name of a Protestant, at such a time as this, when God seems to have begun the Reformation of the whole World, and eminently to appear for the True Reformed Religion, should be an Enemy unto such a People as are in New England, and their Discipline, as to the Religious Worship: When as to all knowing and unprejudiced persons, its consonant to the practice of the Primitive Church, and of the Reformed Churches throughout the World: Which one would think should not find an Enemy among any sort of Christians, but those called Papists, or else among such, as Papist like can give up their Religion, Rights, Liberties, and Properties, nay, their very Senses to the conduct of their Fellow Creatures.

Books lately Printed for R. Baldwin.

• THE History of the most Illustrious William, Prince of Orangc: deduced from the first Founders of the Ancient House of Nassau: Together with the most Considerable Actions of this Present Prince.
• Fourteen Papers, viz. 1. A Letter from a Gentleman in Ireland, to his Fri • nd in London, upon occasion of a Pamplet, Entituled, A Vindication of the present Government of reland, under his Excellency Richard Earl of Tyrconnel. 2. A Letter from a Freeholder, to the rest of the Freeholders of England, and all Others, who have Votes in the Choice of Parliament M •• . 3. An Enquiry into the Reasons for Abrogating the Test imposed on all Members of Parliament. Offered by S. Ox. 4. Reflections on a late Pamphlet, Entituled, Parlimentum Pacificum, Licensed by the Earl of Sunderland, and printed at London in March 1688. 5. A L • tter to a Dissenter, upon occasion of his Majesty's Gracious Declaration of Indulgence. 6. The Anatomy of an Equivalent. 7. A Letter from a Clergy-man in the City, to his Friend in the Country, containing his Reasons for not reading the Declaration. 8. An Answer to the City Minister's Letter, from his Country Friend. 9. A Letter to a Dissenter from his Friend at the Hague, concerning the Penal Laws, and the Test; showing, that the Popular Plea for Liberty of Conscience, is not concerned in that Question. 10. A plain Account of the Persecution laid to the Charge of the Church of England. 11. Abby and other Church-lands, not Assured to such Possessors as are Roman Catholics; Dedicated to the Nobility and Gentry of that Religion. 12. The King's Power in Ecclesiastical matters truly Stated. 13. A Letter of several French Ministers fled into Germany upon the account of the Persecution in France, to such of their Brethren in England as approved the King's Declaration touching Liberty of Conscience. Translated from the Original in French. 14. Popish Treatise not to be Fely'd on: In a •• tter from a Gentleman at York, to his Friend in the Prince of Orange 's Camp: Addressed to all Members of the next Parliament.
• The Way to Peace amongst all Protestants: Being a Letter of Reconciliation sent by Bishop Ridley to Bishop Hooper, with some Observations upon it. By Samuel Johnson.
• Purgatory prov • d by Miracles: Collected out of Roman Catho • ick Authors. With some remarkable Histories relating to British, English and Irish Saints. With a Preface concerning Miracles By S. Johnson.
• An Historical Relation of several Great and Learned Fomanists who did embrace the Protestant Beligion, with their Reasons for their Change delivered in their own words. Collected chiefly from most eminent Historians of the Roman Perswasion. To which is added, a Catalogue of sundry great Persons of the Roman Catholic Religion, who have all along opposed the Tenets of the Church of Rome.
• The Character of a Trimmer: His Opinion of, 1. The Laws and Government. 2. Protestant Religion. 3. The Papists. 4. Foreign Affairs. By the Honorable Sir W. Coventry.
• A Seasonable Discourse, showing the Unreasonableness and Mischiefs of Impositions in Matters of Religion, recommended to serious Consideration. By Mr. Andr. Marvel, a late Member of the Honorable House of Commons.
• The Revolter. A Trage-Comedy acted between the Hind and Patter, and Religio Laici, &c.
• The Absolute Necessity of Standing by the Present Government: or a View of what both Church-men and Dissenters must Expect, if by their Unhappy Divisions Popery and Tyranny should return again.
• An Impartial Relation of the Illegal Proceedings against St. Mary Magdalene College in Oxford, in the Year of our Lord 1687, containing only Matters of Fact as they occurred. Collected by a Fellow of the said College.