A Brief review of the rise, progress, services and sufferings, of New-England, especially the province of Massachusetts-Bay. Humbly submitted to the consideration of both Houses of Parliament. : (Lately published in England.)

A Brief review of the rise, progress, services and sufferings, of New-England, especially the province of Massachusetts-Bay. Humbly submitted to the consideration of both Houses of Parliament. : (Lately published in England.)

Table of contents

Title page

ADVERTISEMENT, BY THE ENGLISH EDITOR.

A BRIEF REVIEW OF THE RISE, PROGRESS, SERVICES AND SUFFERINGS, OF NEW-ENGLAND.

[Page]

A BRIEF REVIEW OF THE RISE, PROGRESS, SERVICES AND SUFFERINGS, OF NEW-ENGLAND.

AMERICA, New-England in particular, was first settled by a pious People from England, who were not allowed to worship their Maker according to his Institutions, in their native Country, without the Mixture of human Inventions. Animated therefore by the best of Principles, they were spirited to attempt a Settlement at a Distance from Britain, that so they might enjoy a Worship purely Scriptural, and leave the same to their Posterity. They accordingly provided all Things necessary for their Removal, at their own Expence, and sailed for an unknown Country. Their first Arrival was at Cape-Cod, which is situated in the Massachusetts-Bay; and they sat down at a Place they call New-Plymouth, utterly unknown, and in the advance of Winter. Wherever they turned their Eyes, the utmost Distress surrounded them: Fatigued with their boisterous Voyage, disappointed of their expected Country, Virginia; without any Prospect of human Succour, without the Help or Favour of England, without a Patent, without a Promise of their religious Liberties, without [Page] convenient Shelter from the Weather, and their Hardships almost beyond the Power of Language to describe. Clambs, Oysters, and Lobsters were their daily Food; their Cloathing soon became Rags and Skins of Beasts; their Prospects on the Sea were extensive, but afforded no Relief; on the Land their Views were limited to a few Rods, by a Wilderness altogether in the Dress of uncultivated Nature. Their only Neighbours, the most savage, cruel and Bloodthirsty of all the human Race, over numbered them a Thousand to One, and were united to destroy them while few and weak. These are a Few of the numberless Sufferings which attended their first Setlements; so that, in less than five Months after their Arrival, above half the Company died; yet the Survivors bore all their Misfortunes with a christian Fortitude and Patience, as extraordinary as their Trials. "Brown Bread and the Gospel is good Fare," they used to say to one another, for their mutual Encouragment to Patience and Endurance. Thus they were carried on, and soon began to encrease in Numbers; so that when the French at Port-Royal, in Nova-Scotia, disturbed them, they raised an Army in 1690, under Sir WILLIAM PHIPPS, and took that Fort, and therewith the whole Country of Acadia, which was afterwards ceded to the French, at the Treaty of Ryswick.

The same Year the New-Englanders raised three Thousand Men, to make an Attempt upon Canada, but failed of Success; after having sustained the Loss of a Thousand Lives, and the Expence of fifteen Thousand Pounds.

About eighteen Years after they made another Attempt against Port-Royal, but had not the former Success.

Near the same Time, Queen ANNE signified her royal Intention to reduce Canada; and making the same known to the New-Englanders, they acceded to every Measure with great Alacrity; but the Parliament did not proceed on the Design.

The next Year, New-England raised an Army, and took Port-Royal, with the Assistance of only five Hundred British Troops; since which Time the Massachusetts Province, by the Vigilance of their late [Page] Governor SHIRLEY, in sending Provincial Troops to their timely Assistance, has saved that Fort two or three Times from falling into the Enemy's Hand; and it is owing to their Aid that it is now in the Hands of the English; together with the whole Country of Nova-Scotia.

Soon after, they raised more than their Quota, in the unfortunate Expedition against Canada, under General HILL; and sustained a great Loss of Men, together with an heavy Expence.

In 1703, Jamaica being threatened with an Invasion, applied to Massachusetts-Bay for Help; the Inhabitants of that Province raised two Companies, and sent them under the Command of Colonel WALTON and Captain LARAMORE; which timely aid arrived safe to the Island, but very few of them ever returned to their own Country.

In 17740, they raised many Hundred Men, and made an Attempt upon the Island of Cuba; but failing of Success, most of those Men were unhappily buried on that Island.

In 1745, the New-England Provinces set on foot an Expedition against Cape-Breton, under General PEPPEREL; and raised three Thousand five Hundred Men, who were embarked on board a sufficient Number of Transports, with Provisions, Artillery, and every Necessary for a Campaign, guarded by a Number of armed Ships. In this important Business they were successful. Great-Britain knew nothing of this Attempt, neither did any other Colony afford any Assistance; nor was there any, except from Admiral WARREN, who came from the West-Indies with four Ships of War, and joined the Fleet before Louisbourg, when the Conquest was half compleated; so that he did not fire a Gun at any of the strong Fortresses of the Enemy; and the City of Louisbourg, together with the Islands of Cape-Breton, and St. John's surrendered to the New-England Forces. And although the Land and Sea Forces went forth as equal Adventurers (according to a previous Agreement at Boston) yet when a great Treasure, viz. a French Ship from the South-Seas, two French Ships from the East-Indies, and several other Ships of immense Value (which put into Louisbourg [Page] to recruit in their way Home) fell into our Hands by Means of this Capture; the Admiral ordered them to England for Condemnation, and the Property was all divided among the King's Ships, and not one Farthing of it was ever enjoyed by the New-England Troops; except a small Sum which Capt. FLETCHER received after near as much expended in his Application to obtain it. Thus, by Means of this Undertaking of New-England, double, if not treble the Cash was brought into England, that ever England paid for this important Piece of Service; and the Conquest itself was very soon after given up to the French, to buy a Peace for the Dutch. New-England was indeed paid the Expence of this Expedition by the Crown; but at such a low Rate, that many were ruined in their Fortunes. The Benefit of all these Conquests accrued to this Nation, and New-England was obliged to set down where it began, with this Difference only, that they lost nineteen Hundred of their best Men.

In 1746, Great-Britain set on foot an Expedition against Canada. New-England was desired to raise its Quota of Men, and a great Expence was incurred for that Purpose; but Westerly (some say, F—h) Winds blew so hard, and so long, on the British Ports, that the Fleet destined for that Service did not get out of the Harbours, and this Expedition came to nothing. Here it may be mentioned, that near the same Time, the Duke D'Anville, with about 20 Sail of French Ships of the Line, was suffered to approach the Coast of New-England, undisturbed; though he came to revenge the taking of Cape-Breton, and the Reduction of Louisbourg by the New-Englanders. Divine Providence was pleased to interfere; the Fleet was scattered, and only a few Ships returned to France, having done New-England no Damage, except putting them to a considerable Expence in watching their Motions, and preparing to give them a proper Reception; and making Captures of a Number of the Fishing Vessels.

During the last War, New-England at every call, raised its Quota of Men, and joined the British Troops. The Numbers raised, and the Chearfulness with which they were raised, will hardly find Credit [Page] in the Annals of History. And although at the Beginning of the War, through a Mistake in Measures, the Nation met with great Discouragement, and was almost ready to fall a Prey into the Enemy's Hand; yet no sooner was that great Minister (yet living) advanced to the Helm of national Affairs, and the best and most faithful Officers appointed to command the Troops, but it set New-England in Triumph. Every Measure proposed, was adopted; and, as one Instance, the Massachusetts Province raised seven Thousand Men to serve in one Campaign, and paid and cloathed them; besides three Thousand more which were, at the same Time, in pay on their own more immediate Service. All these together amounted to a Fourth Part, of all the Men in the whole Province, capable of bearing Arms. In this spirited Manner they proceeded, until the War was finished; which swept away a large Proportion of their fighting Men, and involved the Province in a Debt, which will not be paid in fifty Years.

It may now be enquired, how New-England behaved under all the Sufferings and Services before-mentioned? Did they despair? No. War was almost their continual Employment, when the Mother Country was at Peace, us well as when it was at War. From their first Arrival to the End of the last War, scarce a Village was settled, but what was broken up once, or oftner by the Savages. Men, Women, and Children, whole Families, Villages and Towns, were murthered, scalpt, and captivated, and their whole Substance committed to the Flames. It may be said with Truth, that most of the inland Towns were once or twice, soaked with the Blood of their Inhabitants. Did they Murmur at being thus oppressed, while wholly neglected by the Nation? No. Did they grow disaffected to the national Interest? The contrary to all this was manifest. They loved and revered the Nation to a Degree of Excess and Enthusiasm. New Glory to the Crown, new Acquisitions of Territory, Happiness, and Wealth to England, were ever as much a Source of Joy to New-England, as to the Nation itself: And every Misfortune that befel the Parent Country, as deeply affected the New-England Colonies. [Page] However strange this may seem, it is an undoubted Truth. If the Nation prospered, they fought with reiterated Vigour, and bore Hardships with Patience and Fortitude; nay, such was their Sincerity, and the Strength of their Affections and Regard for the Mother Country, that the News of any dark Cloud gathering over England, would most visibly sink their Spirits and distil in Tears. On such Occasions, the adverse Aspect of Affairs was the melancholy Topic of their Consultations at the General Court; and whether any thing could be done by them to prevent the approaching Danger, became the principal Object of their Attention. If you went into their Churches, they would be often found Praying, Fasting, and Weeping, that the impending Evil might be averted; and the fame was observable in private Families.

Thus they went on, from Year to Year, and from Age to Age, with an invincible Attachment to a Country, to which, besides Love, they owed nothing but a dear bought Charter, and the Birth of a few of their Fore-Fathers.

It may now be considered▪ of what Advantage New-England is to the Mother Country, more especially above the West-India Islands, considering the Charge the Nation, has been put to, to secure and defend them separately. At first Glance, the Difference is nearly, as Something is to Nothing; at least, till the Commencement of the last War. What numerous Fleets and Armies have, at all Times, been employed in the West-India Islands, both in Peace and War? Who can tell the Millions Sterling, those Islands have cost the Nation, to secure, protect, and defend them? Even in a Time of general Peace, an Expedition must be set on foot, to suppress a few Caribbs (of late) St. Vincent's; the very Thought of which creates a Blush. New-England has, for all that Time, been intirely left to its own Fate. In common there was not so much Sea Force, as would amount to an armed Long-Boat, provided at the Cost of the Crown; not a single Officer, or private Man in Pay of the Crown (till since the last Peace) though the War was ever so hot, and Danger ever so threatning. God alone appeared to be the [Page] Guardian of New-England, and carried the Inhabitants through the many Difficulties which attended their Struggle, under the Auspices of his gracious Providence—a Struggle, which has raised, as it were, an Empire to the British Crown, and a vast Fund of Wealth and Glory to the Nation.—Rivers of Blood were laid in the Foundation, at the sole Expence of the Inhabitants of New-England.

Great Numbers of New-England Men are trained up to the Sea, in Fishing Vessels, and on other Voyages; so that it is a good Nursery for the Royal Navy. The Refuse of their Fish, together with all Kinds of Provisions, Horses and Lumber, they carry to the West-Indies, without which the Islanders could not make Sugar, &c. so cheap as they now do. And should New-England stop the Trade to the Islands, a Plantation there would hardly be worth Acceptance, if the Islanders must be supplied with Provisions from Europe.

The best Sort of Fish is sent to Spain, Portugal, and the Straits; the neat Proceeds of which are remitted to England in Cash. Oil, Bone, Masts for the Royal Navy, Timber of all Kinds (which is now sent home in Rafts) Ships of every Kind, Pot-Ash, Furrs, &c. &c. (many of which England was obliged to other Nations for, before New-England was knows) are the immediate Exports to Great-Britain. In return for all, they receive the Manufactories of England, and thereby give Bread to Thousands of British Subjects. Thus all their Labour centers in England, excepting their daily Food.

It is manifest, that some of the most northern Colonies (especially Massachusetts-Bay) while the national Debt has been contracting, have been at almost an infinite Expence of Blood and Treasure, to defend themselves; and in a Number of Instances, to carry their Arms into the Enemies Country, by which his Majesty's Service has been greatly promoted for a Century past, until the Commencement of the last War. With a very little Help from Connecticut and New-Hampshire Colonies only, they have been the grand Barrier of many of his Majesty's other Colonies on the Continent; at least so much, that it may be affirmed, had they not exerted themselves, more than all the other Colonies together, with the Nation's Assistance, the laying Duties [Page] on the Colonies had been a needless Business seventy Years ago, LOUIS the 14th of France, who first projected the Conquest of America, might have accomplished his Designs, if Massachusetts-Bay had not effectually covered the whole Country. New-York and New-Hampshire (both of them Royal Governments) were by their Situation somewhat exposed. As to the former, their Trade and Intercourse with the French, and Indians, gave them great Advantage, in turning the Heat of the War from their own Doors, to those of Massachusetts-Bay. Respecting the latter, near a Fourth part of Massachusetts Province, was added to New-Hampshire, and after this Addition of Territory, which was so much exposed to the Enemy, and which New-Hampshire was unable to defend; the Province of Massachusetts-Bay, at a very great Expence, defended it for them; New-Hampshire has not yet paid one Farthing of the Expence, although Application was made to England for that Purpose, and Restitution was promised, or else that the Territory should be returned; neither of which Promises hath ever been performed.

Let us now inquire, whether New-England hath not a just Right to expect some peculiar Advantages, as the Fruit of their Sufferings, Services, &c.

First, have they not Reason to expect, and an unquestionable Right to claim, a national Confidence in their future Attachment to the British Interest? This is a Question of great Importance; because if they had good Reason and clear Right to expect this Opinion from the English, then every oppressive Measure is unjust, arbitrary and cruel. And if it be considered, how unnatural any Oppression of our fellow Subjects must be, who have given such unparallelled Evidence, of their Adherence to the national Good; and how likely to introduce Distraction, and beget Distrust and Disaffection, surely, common Prudence will direct a British Minister to avoid or Repeal such impolitic Ruinous, and oppressive Measures.

Again, have they not both Reason and Right to expect some peculiar Advantages, particularly such, as were not balanced, much less [Page] over-balanced, by any pecuniary Advantages? Doth not the Loss of fourteen or fifteen Thousand Men (which they sustained during the last War) besides a very heavy Debt yet remaining, after twelve Years Taxes, to the Amount of at least four Shillings in the Pound, deserve some Compensation, at least such as will place them on an equitable Adjustment with the other American Provinces.

Again, have they not good Reason to expect, as all their Labour centers in England, that it should excuse them from being taxed, to pay the national Debt? especially while they Support a Government of their own. And that all Taxes should be laid consistently with British Liberty, and be void of all Partiality, no just Man can possibly deny. Ought not the English Nation to rest satisfied, and content, with the same Kind of Services from them, as from his Majesty's other Subjects? This is certain, they have done as much for the national Glory, and have exulted in it. Why then, should they not share in the same Immunities? At least be exempted from the same Oppressions? And why submit to Taxes, unless by their own Representatives?

Let us now inquire, into the Necessity of taking or imposing Duties, on the Colonies; or whether there was any Authority for such a Step, while their Charters continued in Force? The Question shall not be, about the Necessity the Nation was under, of Assistance from the Colonies. No doubt, it stands in need of Help from them; but such Help should be in Proportion to the Ability of the respective Colonies, and to the Expences the Nation hath been put to, in protecting, securing, and defending them severally. But the true Inquiry seems to be, what was the Necessity of raising this Money by Authority of Parliament.

To say that this Measure, so extremely alarming, to the Colonies, was necessary, in order to obtain their Help, is very strange. The Reason is, that the Colonies were never asked, if they would raise a Sum themselves, on a Requisition from England. This Method was taken in Time of War, in raising Men; and when it is considered, [Page] how cheerfully they complied with every Request, although heavy, and burthensome to the last Degree, and, with what an entire Confidence in his Majesty's Wisdom, this was done; it must needs creat some Wonder, that this Method for raising Money, to discharge the national Debt, never was proposed to them. There was the greatest Probability from long Experience, as well as from the good Disposition the Colonies then manifested, that it would have been complied with, and the Money paid into the Exchequer, without Half the Distress on the People; and with Three Parts in Four of more clear Revenue to the Crown, than by the present Duty, or Tax in the Way since adopted. There would have been no Infringement on Charter Rights, no Disaffection from the Parent Country; and no Regret, that they had fought and bled for Chains, would have been heard among the Inhabitants. Supposing this Method had failed, the Steps which have been taken, might have had some seeming Appearance of Necessity.

It may now be enquired, whether the Crown has received any Benefit from these Duties or not?

Here then let it be considered, what vast Sums of Money are first paid to the Officers, and others who receive their Saleries out of this Revenue (and the unlimited Power the Board of Commissioners have, of increasing the Number of Officers under them) which are so many, that there were but about Eighty-five Pounds paid into the Exchequer, the last Year. Farther what Numbers of Men of War, and Swarms of armed Vessels, and armed Boats, and how many Regiments of British Troops are also emyloyed, under Pretence of of protecting the Officers of this Revenue, whose Pay comes from another Quarter? This must necessarily leave a large Ballance against the Nation.

Did not the People of New-England undergo such Hardships and Sufferings as have been stated, in the first Settlement of the Country? Did they not make a Conquest of Nova-Scotia, once and again? Did they not always exert themselves for the national Interest, by complying with every Requisition for that Purpose? Have they not behaved themselves dutifully, and ever loyally to the Crown of England? [Page] And have their Services and Sufferings been attended with the Expence of so much Blood and Treasure, that they have even raised an Empire to the Crown of Great-Britain, and are they allowed to have and maintain a Government of themselves, by a Charter under the Crown of England, and all this at the sole Expence of the Inhabitants? If so, then every Measure already taken, or which may be about to be taken by the Parent Country, that is grievous to them, is but an unkind Return; it is not treating them as every Father is wont to treat his Children, and if such Treatment should be continued, it will, perhaps, end in the utter Ruin of the whole Family.

If the foregoing Representation of New-England be true, (as all unprejudiced Men, who have Knowledge of the History, will witness,) the following Remarks may be made.

First. Can it be for the Interest of the Nation, to continue the Duties on the Colonies, when the Expence of collecting them, is double, if not treble, the Amount of the whole Duties collected?

Secondly. Can it be for the Inetrest of the Nation, to lose the Affections of four or five Millions of brave, loyal and loving Subjects, always inured to manly Freedom, who have never thought it too much to venture their Lives and Fortunes, and every Thing dear and valuable to them, if by any Means they could add to the Glory, Wealth and Oppulence of the Nation? This they have done, at all Times, where there was the least Probability of Success.

Finally, Can it be for the Interest of the Nation, to keep up an armed Force in New-England, especially in Time of Peace? How vauge is the Pretence, for thus affronting, and even murthering some of the Inhabitants, corrupting their Morals by Debauchery, Drunkenness, Prophaneness, &c.! Sins but little known among them, until Troops were quartered upon them. Surely such a Torrent of Evils, as has rushed in upon them by Means of the Measures taken by the Mother Country, is a far greater Punishment, than all the Hardships and Difficulties they endured, from their first Settlement, to the End of the last War. In all those Hardships and Sufferings, there was no general Complaint or Murmurings. But [Page] how far this is from being the Case at present, is manifest to the World; and there is no Doubt, but they would rather have continued, to have fought Canada to the Knees in Blood, with their Charter Rights in full Possession, than to be freed even from so dreadful a Calamity, and have the Evils before-mentioned heaped upon them. Let me add, that all Men of Sobriety, who have the national Interest at Heart, tremble to think, what the End of these Proceedings will be.

Upon the whole, notwithstanding the hard Treatment the Colonies have met with of late Years, viz. In having Duties or Taxes imposed upon them, by the British Parliament, quartering Troops in the capital Town, wresting Castle-William * out of the Hands of Massachusetts-Bay, which built, furnished and maintained it, at their sole Expence; without either paying the Province for the Fort and its Artillery, or so much as promising that the Crown of England would pay for it; besides the numerous other dreadful Evils which have attended these Measures.—Nothwithstanding these Things the Colonies do not wholly despair, but continue to be loyal and loving Subjects to his present Majesty, hoping that the Influence of Individuals will be of short Continuance. They never have doubted, that if the Nation should seriously and dispassionately once attend to the Services which the Colonies have done it, of what Importance they must ever be to its Interests, and that all their past Services have been effected in the Enjoyment of their civil and religions Rights and Privileges, the Nation would grant them the full Possession thereof for the Time to come. In this Hope, under God, they have hitherto persevered; nay, so well grounded do they suppose this Hope to be, that however strange it may seem, though the Measures which have so much aggrieved them, were adopted by the representative Body of the Empire, they do not yet give it up; although it is like hoping against Hope.

FINIS.

Notes

*

A Fortress built on an Island, three Miles from Boston, commanding all Ships that enter the Harbour; it has upwards of 100 large Cannon, a Number of Mortars, and every Necessary suitable for a Fortification.

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A BRIEF REVIEW OF THE RISE, PROGRESS, SERVICES and SUFFERINGS, OF NEW-ENGLAND, ESPECIALLY THE PROVINCE OF MASSACHUSETTS-BAY. Humbly submitted to the CONSIDERATION of both HOUSES of PARLIAMENT.

[Lately published in ENGLAND.]

NORWICH: PRINTED BY ROBERTSONS AND TRUMBULL. M,DCC,LXXIV.

ADVERTISEMENT, BY THE ENGLISH EDITOR.

[Page]

IT is far from being the Design of this Pamphlet to calumniate private Characters, or to inflame the Passion of the Reader, by any bitter, personal Invectives. The Author intends nothing more, than to lay before the Public a fair and impartial State of Facts; and submits the Propriety of the Conclusions drawn from those Facts, to the cool Determination of every unbiassed Understanding. The Editor most heartily concurs with the Author, in wishing that a due Attention to the several Considerations herein suggested, may serve to convince the unprejudiced, that the Opposition of the Colonies to certain Measures, did not owe its Rise to any Disaffection to the Mother Country, or Disloyalty to their Sovereign—that it may also prevent the undue Influence of Misrepresentation—and prove, in some Degree, the happy Occasion of tempering the Decisions of the British Parliament, with an equitable Respect to the Claims of past Services; and a candid Regard to the Jealousies and Resentments, natural to a People who [Page]are descended from British Ancestors, who have struggled so hard, fought so gloriously, and bled so freely, to procure and defend their civil and religious Liberties. That so the Honour of his Majesty's Crown may be most effectually secured, his Name endeared to his American Subjects, and the Union, mutual Affection, and Prosperity of Great-Britain, and the Colonies, be happily restored, and established upon the most honourable Basis.

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Title statement

A Brief review of the rise, progress, services and sufferings, of New-England, especially the province of Massachusetts-Bay. Humbly submitted to the consideration of both Houses of Parliament. : (Lately published in England.)

Publication

Publisher

Text Creation Partnership,

Place of publication

Ann Arbor, MI :

Date

2007-10.

ID [DLPS]

N10396

ID [TCP]

N10396

ID [STC]

Evans 13177

ID [NOTIS]

APY2962

ID [IMAGE-SET]

13177

ID [EVANS-CITATION]

99030050

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Early American Imprints, 1639-1800 ; no. 13177.

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(Evans-TCP ; no. N10396)

Transcribed from: (Readex Archive of Americana ; Early American Imprints, series I ; image set 13177)

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Source

— A Brief review of the rise, progress, services and sufferings, of New-England, especially the province of Massachusetts-Bay. Humbly submitted to the consideration of both Houses of Parliament. : (Lately published in England.), Great Britain. Parliament..

Extent

16 p. ; (8vo)

Printed by Robertsons and Trumbull.,. Norwich [Conn.]: :: M,DCC,LXXIV. [1774]. (Parentheses substituted for square brackets in title transcription.)

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