CHAPTER XIII.

THE NEW-ENGLAND CONFEDERACY.

Its Foundation.

Not only did the New-England colonies lay broad and strong the foundations of local and individual governments, but they also inaugurated the policy of union. In 1643 articles of confederation were drawn up and adopted by the four colonies of Massachusetts, Plymouth, Connecticut, and New Haven. They gave as reasons for the act, the disturbed condition of affairs in the mother country, and the troublesome character of their neighbors. There was evidently the purpose to prepare for the worst in case the opening conflict between their enemy the king, and their friends the Parliament, should result unfavorably to the Puritan cause. The measure was certainly an assumption of a degree of sovereignty to which, as subjects of England, they had no claim. When, after the Restoration, their enemies endeavored to prejudice the king against them, they pointed to this league as conclusive evidence that the colonies meditated independ

ence.

Nature of the
Union.

The four colonies were bound together in a league of friendship for offence and defence, for mutual advice and succor in preserving and propagating their religious faith, and for their mutual

safety and welfare. The name of the confederacy was The United Colonies of New England. No new member could be admitted to the union, nor could two of the colonies be united, without the consent of the rest; and each colony was to be independent within its own limits. い

Commissioners.

The business of the confederacy was intrusted to commissioners, -two from each colony. No action could be taken without the concurrence of six members of the board. If so many could not agree, the business was referred to the general courts of the colonies for decision. This board. chose its own president, who had no powers beyond those of any presiding officer. The meetings were held annually, or oftener, in the principal towns in the colonies.

War Quotas.

For carrying on war, supplies of men and means were furnished in proportion to the number of male inhabitants between the ages of sixteen and sixty in the respective colonies. The spoils taken in war were distributed in the same proportion. In case of the invasion of any one of the colonies, the others sent aid on request of the local magistrates. If but little aid was needed, only the nearest confederate was called upon; but Massachusetts might be required to send at once one hundred armed men with provision, and each of the others forty-five men. No larger draft could be made until a meeting of the commissioners had been held, when they might call for such troops as they deemed necessary.

The articles authorized the commissioners to frame such agreements and orders as should promote peace between the colonies by secur

General Powers.

ing justice to the citizens of the different jurisdictions, by adopting a uniform policy towards the Indians, and by restoring runaway servants and fugitives from justice. No colony might engage in war, and thus endanger its associates, without the consent of six commissioners. A breach of the articles of confederation by any member of the league was to be considered by the commissioners of the others, who should determine the course to be pursued.

Articles.

These articles were adopted by the General Court of Adoption of the Massachusetts, and by the commissioners from New Haven and Connecticut, and were submitted by the General Court of Plymouth to the townships of the colony; by each of which they were ratified. Rhode Island was denied admittance to the union, on the ground that its territory belonged to Plymouth. It is estimated that the population of the four colonies at this time was almost twenty-four thousand; of which Massachusetts had fifteen thousand, Connecticut and Plymouth each three thousand, and New Haven twenty-five hundred.

While the commissioners met frequently, and made Dissensions in suggestions respecting such matters as the Confederacy. have been mentioned, the inherent weakness of the confederacy was shown in the controversy with Massachusetts about a war with the Dutch. New Haven was troubled by the demands of her neighbors of New Netherlands, and suspected that the Dutch governor was inciting the Indian tribes to a general war upon the English colonies. On the strength of this suspicion, she appealed to the commissioners, who proposed to declare war. The General Court of Massachusetts, knowing that that colony would be obliged to bear the

largest part of the expense, refused to be governed by the action of the commissioners, declaring that the articles of confederation gave them power only in defensive warfare, and that no agreement could bind a colony to perform an act which her conscience told her was wrong. The other colonies protested against the action of Massachusetts, accusing her of violating her faith; but she was firm in her refusal to be forced into what she thought a causeless war. After several months spent in angry discussion, the matter was settled by partial concession on both sides. But things had taken a more peaceable turn: there was now no occasion for war, and Massachusetts gained her point. The whole affair showed that any of the colonies might at pleasure disregard the voice of the commissioners, and that they could do no more than recommend and advise.

The same weakness appeared when Connecticut obtained her charter, which gave her jurisdiction over New Haven. The articles of confederation stipulated that no two members should be united without the consent of all. New Haven protested against the demand of Connecticut, that she should surrender her independence; and she was sustained by Massachusetts and Plymouth. necticut insisted, and finally carried her point, thus virtually dissolving the confederacy (1665).

Cause of Dissolution.

But Con

A Second Union.

After several years, a new and similar league was formed between Massachusetts, Plymouth, and Connecticut. The only business of importance transacted by this second confederacy was the management of King Philip's war. When James II. overthrew the popular governments in New England, this colonial union perished; to be succeeded by a

more enduring one when the general safety was endangered, not by neighboring savages, but by England itself.

SUMMARY.

1. In 1643 the colonies of Massachusetts, Plymouth, Connecticut, and New Haven formed a league for mutual counsel and aid.

2. The business of the union was intrusted to two commissioners from each colony.

3. In case of invasion of any colony, the others were to assist with men and means. The colonies were to furnish supplies in proportion to their fighting population.

4. There was no power in the confederacy to compel obedience to the decisions of the commissioners.

5. The league came to an end in 1665, by the union of New Haven with Connecticut.

6. A second league was formed by the three colonies, and by it King Philip's war was carried on.