In the year 1665, the king sent out three commissioners, to enquire into the state of the colonies; these were kindly received in Connecticut, and their report to the crown, called forth the following complimentary notice from the king "We cannot but let you know how much we are pleased, although your carriage doth of itself most justly deserve our praise, and approbation; yet it seems to be set off with more lustre, by the contrary deportment of Massachusetts. We shall forever be mindful of your loyal and dutiful behaviour."

In 1667, Governor Winthrop declined the office, upon the ground that the emoluments were not adequate to the support of his family; and the legislature cheerfully made him a grant of 100l. with an exemption of his estate from taxes, and he accepted the appointment, to the joy of the colony. In 1666, 7, 8, and 70, the towns of Haddam, Simsbury, and Wallingford, were incorporated. In 1670, Governor Winthrop again declined the office, and again the assembly retained him, by a grant of 150l. together with sundry grants of lands, from time to time, which, with the voice and affectious of the people, induced him to hold, or continue in office, until his death. In 1671, the town of Danbury was incorporated, and in '72, his Honor John Mason, was at his request, excused from serving as lieutenant-governor, and John Nash, Esq. was chosen in his place. His Honor Governor Mason, was bred a soldier, in the wars in Flanders, and came early into Connecticut ; and in the united capacity of the soldier, and the statesman, became one of the first champions in this modern Canaan.

In 1672, the MS. laws of Connecticut were digested into a regular code, and printed at Cambridge, in Massachusetts, in a small folio, with duplicate blank pages, for the insertion of all subsequent laws; and in 1699, the blanks were filled. The solemnity of the prefatory introduction to

this code of laws, expresses fully, the solemnity of the work, as well as the religious character of its founders.> Extract. "To our beloved brethren, and neighbours, the inhabitants of Connecticut, the general court of that colony, with with grace and peace, in our Lord Jesus Christ." It next proceeds to recommend the maintaining "these foun-is dations of religion, according to the gospel of our Lords Jesus Christ, to the latest generation,"

as tiso In 1673, a Dutch squadron surprised and captured the fort at New-York, which commanded the submission of the colonies of New-York and New-Jersey, This opened a war, which occasioned a meeting of the general assembly at Hartford, and a general preparation for defence through out the colony,This invasion, was in consequence of a declaration of war, between England and CO Holland, in the year 1672. This storm was layed by the peace between England and Holland, in the winter of 1674. The same d year Woodbury was incorporated. Here commences the reign of Sir Edmond Andross, the tool of the Duke of on York, who now claimed all the lands west of Connecticut River, as a part of his patent. The administration of Andross, has been noticed under Massachusetts and New. b9 Hampshire. Here commences, also, Philip's also, Philip's wars, which to have also been noticed. Andross did not attempt to remove the charter of Connecticut by a peaceable commission, but by force and arms, and with a strong military force, attempted to subdue it, under the dominion of the Duke of York.

This hostile attempt of Major Andross was made at Saybrook; where it was met by Captain Thomas Bull of Hartford, at the head of the military force upon that station, with such a manful, dignified, and soldier-like resistance, that Major Andross withdrew his force, and embarked for Long-Island.

The general assembly resented the outrage offered to the sovereignty of the colony, and published a spirited resolution, calculated to support the dignity and spirit of the colony, and appointed commissioners, or agents, to represent the whole transaction to the king. At the same time the confederates entered into a treaty of amity with the Naragansets, at the point of the bayonet; but it was only momentary; hostilities soon commenced, and the war raged with all savage violence. The particulars of this war were noticed under Massachusetts.

Upon the close of this war, 1677, Connecticut set up a claim to that part of Rhode-Island, called Naraganset, in defiance to the act of the commissioners, who declared the Colony of Rhode Island to be the king's colony. This opened a collision between Connecticut and Rhode Island, which was settled by commissioners, specially appointed by the king, and the claims of Connecticut were confirmed, 1683.

The assembly entered a protest against Sir Edmond Andross, for fishing on Fisher's Island. At the same time Sir Edward Randolph, Esq. claimed á grant of the controverted lands, in the country of the Naragansets, under a power of attorney from the Duke of Hamilton, the grantee. This claim was rejected, and Connecticut held her jurisdiction. This year Colonel Dungan arrived at New-York, to succéed Andross, in the government of that colony, and an amicable adjustment took place between Connecticut and New-York, in establishing the boundary line as it now stands." 1685 James II. succeeded to the throne of England, upon the death of his brother Charles II. who issued a writ of quo warranto against the governor and company of Connecticut, to remove their charter, which occasioned the governor to convene a special assembly, who petitioned his majesty in the most suppliant manner to withdraw his writ of quo warranto, and graciously continue their charVOL. I.

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ter, 1686; but without effect; the writs were brought over by Edward Randolph, and served in due form upon the governor of Connecticut, which occasioned him to convene another special assembly, who appointed Mr. Whiting their special agent, to present their petition to the king, &c. In October following, another writ of quo warranto: was issued from the crown, and in December it was duly served upon the governor, and another special assembly was called in January. This assembly vested the governor and council, with full powers to negociate the business, to the best advantage for the colony. At the annual May session, very little was done; all was anxiety, distress, and alarm. Mr. Whiting sent over a report of his agency, in January 1687, and requested an assistant agent; this occasioned another special assembly, who thanked Mr. Whit ing, and requested him to continue his agency; but declined sending out another.

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Sir Edmond Andross had arrived at Boston in December, 1686, with a special appointment from the crown, as governor general of New-England; and great efforts were made to persuade Connecticut to resign her charter, and place herself under his administration. At the usual October session, 1687, Sir Edmond arrived at Hartford, with his suit, and a military escort of more than 60 men ; demanded the charter, and declared the government dissolved. Cool deliberations ensued, with strong remonstrances against the measure, until evening; when the candles were lit, and the charter brought in, and laid upon the table, ́amidst a great collection of spectators, and an anxious, dis'tressed assembly, awaiting the awful crisis for the surrendry of their liberties. But the fatal hour had not yet come, the motto of our fathers, Qui transtulit sustinet," was here most conspicuously illustrated the lights were instantly 'extinguished, the charter was instantly removed by some (then) unknown hand, some daring son of freedom, and

placed in the hollow of an oak, standing in front of the seat of the Honorable Samuel Wyllis, then one of the assistants, All was quiet, the candles were relit; but the charter was irrecoverably gone, and no one knew where. Stung with rage and disappointment. Sir Edmond issued the following notification, or proclamation.

"At a General Assembly at Hartford, October 31, 1687, His Excellency Sir Edmond Andross, Knight, and Captain General, and Governor of his Majesty's territories, and dominions in New-England, by order from his Majesty King James II. King of England, Scotland, France, and Ireland, the 31st of October, 1687, took into his hands the government of the Colony, of Connecticut, it being by his Majesty annexed to Massachusetts, and other colonies under his Excellency's government," &c.

In this form this modern Nero entered upon his administration. Smooth were his promises; but bitter and severe were his measures, and his government was truly despotic. In 1688, he was appointed governor of NewYork, and the same imperious sway reigned throughout the whole. The people mourned.

"Whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth' evey son whom he receiveth." That God who had transplanted this vine into the wilderness, had witnessed the eins of his people, and often chastised them with cruel, and bloody savage wars, as well as strife and contentions amongst themselves; but the rod of Andross was a scourge more severe than all others; it was the same rod that drove them from the land of their fathers; it was a rod laid upon their civil, and religious liberties, and it was grievous to be borne. This rod, although severe, was not of long duration. God heard the cries of his people, both in England and America, and raised up William, Prince of