A50149:106
Pietas in patriam the life of His Excellency Sir William Phips, Knt. late Captain General and Governor in Chief of the province of the Massachuset-Bay, New England, containing the memorable changes undergone, and actions performed by him / written by one intimately acquainted with him.
London: printed by Sam. Bridge for Nath. Hiller, 1697
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
First, The Success of this Design, will greatly add to the Glory and Interest of the English Crown and Nation; by the Addition of the Beaver-Trade, and securing the Hudson's Bay Company, some of whose Factories have lately fallen into the Hands of the French; and increase of English Shipping and Seamen, by gaining the Fishery of Newfoundland, and by consequence diminish the number of French Seamen, and cut off a great Revenue from the French Crown. ⟨p. 54⟩Secondly, The Cause of the English in New-England, their failing in the late Attempt upon Canada, was their waiting for a Supply of Ammunition from England until August; their long Passage up that River; the cold Season coming on; and the Small-Pox and Fevers being in the Army and Fleet; so that they could not stay fourteen days longer; in which time probably they might have taken Quebec; yet, if a few Frigates be speedily sent, they doubt not of an happy Success; the strength of the French being small, and the Planters desirous to be under the English Government. Thirdly, The Jesuits endeavour to seduce the Maqua's, and other Indians (as is by them affirmed) suggesting the Greatness of King Lewis, and the inability of King William, to do any thing against the French in those Parts, thereby to Engage them in their Interests: In which, if they should succeed, not only New-England, but all our American Plantations, would be endangered by the Great Increase of Shipping, for the French (built in New-England at easy Rates) to the Infinite Dishonour and Prejudice of the English Nation.
First, The Success of this Design, will greatly add to the Glory and Interest of the English Crown and Nation; by the Addition of the Bever-Trade, and securing the Hudson's Bay Company, some of whose Factories have lately fallen into the Hands of the French; and increase of English Shipping and Seamen, by gaining the Fishery of Newfoundland, and by consequence diminish the number of French Scamen, and cut off a great Revenue from the French Crown. ⟨p. 54⟩Secondly, The Cause of the English in New-England, their failing in the late Attempt upon Canada, was their waiting for a Supply of Ammunition from England until August; their long Passage up that River; the cold Season coming on; and the Small-Pox and Fevers being in the Army and Fleet; so that they could not stay fourteen days longer; in which time probably they might have taken Quebeck; yet, if a few Frigats be speedily sent, they doubt not of an happy Success; the strength of the French being small, and the Planters desirous to be under the English Government. Thirdly, The Jesuites endeavour to seduce the Maqua's, and other Indians (as is by them affirmed) suggesting the Greatness of King Lewis, and the inability of King William, to do any thing against the French in those Parts, thereby to Engage them in their Interests: In which, if they should succeed, not only New-England, but all our American Plantations, would be endangered by the Great Increase of Shipping, for the French (built in New-England at easie Rates) to the Infinite Dishonour and Prejudice of the English Nation.
But now, for the Success of these Applications, I must entreat the Patience of my Reader, to wait until we have gone through a little more of our History.
THE Reverend INCREASE MATHER, beholding his Country of New-England in a very Deplorable Condition, under a Governor that acted by an Illegal, Arbitrary, Treasonable Commission, and Invaded ⟨p. 55⟩Liberty and Property, after such a manner, as that no man could say any thing was his own, he did with the Encouragement of the Principal Gentlemen in the Country, but not without much Trouble and Hazard unto his own Person, go over to White-Hall, in the Summer of the Year 1688. and wait upon King James, with a full Representation of their Miseries. That King did give him Liberty of Access unto him, whenever he desired it, and with many Good Words promised him to Relieve the Oppressed People in many Instances that were proposed: But when the Revolution had brought the Prince and Princess of Orange to the Throne, Mr. Mather having the Honour divers Times to Wait upon the King, he still prayed for no less a Favour to New-England, than the full Restoration of their Charter-Privileges: And Sr. William Phips happening to be then in England, very Generously joined with Mr. Mather, in some of those Addresses: Whereto, his Majesty's Answers were always very expressive of his Gracious Inclinations. Mr. Mather, herein assisted also, by the Right Worshipful Sr Henry Ashurst, a most Hearty Friend of all such Good Men, as those that once filled New-England, solicited the Leading Men of both Houses in the Convention-Parliament, until a Bill for the Restoring of the Charters belonging to New-England, was sully Passed by the Commons of England; but that Parliament being Prorogued, and then Dissolved, all that Sisyphaean Labour came to nothing. The Disappointments which afterwards most wonderfully Blasted all the hopes of the Petitioned Restoration, obliged Mr. Mather, not without the Concurrence of other Agents, now also come from New-England, unto that Method of Petitioning the King for a New Charter, that should contain more than all the Privileges of the Old; and Sir William Phips, now being again returned into England, lent his utmost Assistance hereunto.
THE Reverend INCREASE MATHER, beholding his Country of New-England in a very Deplorable Condition, under a Governour that acted by an Iilegal, Arbitrary, Treasonable Commission, and Invaded ⟨p. 55⟩Liberty and Property, after such a manner, as that no man could say any thing was his own, he did with the Encouragement of the Principal Gentlemen in the Country, but not without much Trouble and Hazard unto his own Person, go over to White-Hall, in the Summer of the Year 1688. and wait upon King James, with a full Representation of their Miseries. That King did give him Liberty of Access unto him, whenever he desired it, and with many Good Words promised him to Relieve the Oppressed People in many Instances that were proposed: But when the Revolution had brought the Prince and Princess of Orange to the Throne, Mr. Mather having the Honour divers Times to Wait upon the King, he still prayed for no less a Favour to New-England, than the full Restoration of their Charter-Priviledges: And Sr. William Phips happening to be then in England, very Generously joined with Mr. Mather, in some of those Addresses: Whereto, his Majestie's Answers were always very expressive of his Gracious Inclinations. Mr. Mather, herein assisted also, by the Right Worshipful Sr Henry Ashurst, a most Hearty Friend of all such Good Men, as those that once filled New-England, solicited the Leading Men of both Houses in the Convention-Parliament, until a Bill for the Restoring of the Charters belonging to New-England, was sully Passed by the Commons of England; but that Parliament being Prorogu'd, and then Dissolved, all that Sisyphaean Labour came to nothing. The Disappointments which afterwards most wonderfully Blasted all the hopes of the Petitioned Restoration, obliged Mr. Mather, not without the Concurrence of other Agents, now also come from New-England, unto that Method of Petitioning the King for a New Charter, that should contain more than all the Priviledges of the Old; and Sir William Phips, now being again returned into England, lent his utmost Assistance hereunto.
The King taking a Voyage for Holland, before this Petition was answered. Mr. Mather, in the mean while, not only waited upon the greatest part of the Lords of His Majesties most Honourable Privy Council, offering them a Paper of Reasons for the Confirmation of the Charter-Privileges granted unto the Massachuset Colony; but also, having the Honour to be Introduced unto the Queen; he assured Her Majesty, That there were none in the World better affected unto Their Majesties Government, than the People of New-England, who had indeed been exposed unto great Hardships for their being so; and entreated, That since the King had referred the New-English Affair unto the Two Lord Chief Justices, with the Attorney and Solicitor General, there might be granted unto us, what They thought was Reasonable. Whereto the Queen replied, That the Request was Reasonable; and that She had spoken divers times to the King on the behalf of New-England; and that for Her own Part, She desired that the People there, might not merely have Justice, but Favour done to them. When the King was returned, Mr. Mather, being by the Duke of Devonshire brought into the King's Presence on April 28. 1691. Humbly Prayed His Majesties Favour to New-England; urging, That if their Old Charter-Privileges might be restored unto them, his Name would be Great in those Parts of the World, as long as the World should stand; adding,
The King taking a Voyage for Holland, before this Petition was answered. Mr. Mather, in the mean while, not only waited upon the greatest part of the Lords of His Majesties most Honourable Privy Council, offering them a Paper of Reasons for the Confirmation of the Charter-Priviledges granted unto the Massachuset Colony; but also, having the Honour to be Introduc'd unto the Queen; he assured Her Majesty, That there were none in the World better affected unto Their Majesties Government, than the People of New-England, who had indeed been exposed unto great Hardships for their being so; and entreated, That since the King had referred the New-English Affair unto the Two Lord Chief Justices, with the Attorney and Solicitor General, there might be granted unto us, what They thought was Reasonable. Whereto the Queen replied, That the Request was Reasonable; and that She had spoken divers times to the King on the behalf of New-England; and that for Her own Part, She desired that the People there, might not meerly have Justice, but Favour done to them. When the King was returned, Mr. Mather, being by the Duke of Devonshire brought into the King's Presence on April 28. 1691. Humbly Pray'd His Majesties Favour to New-England; urging, That if their Old Charter-Priviledges might be restored unto them, his Name would be Great in those Parts of the World, as long as the World should stand; adding,
Sir,
Your Subjects there, have been willing to venture their Lives, that they may enlarge Your Dominions; The Expedition to Canada, was a great and Noble Undertaking.
Your Subjects there, have been willing to venture their Lives, that they may enlarge Your Dominions; The Expedition to Canada, was a great and Noble Ʋndertaking.
May it Please Your Majesty, In your great Wisdom also, to consider the circumstances of that People, as in Your Wisdom you have considered the circumstances of England, and of Scotland. In New-England they differ from other Plantations; they are called Congregational and Presbyterian. So that such a Governor will not suit with the People of New-England, as may be very proper for other English Plantations.
May it Please Your Majesty, In your great Wisdom also, to consider the circumstances of that People, as in Your Wisdom you have considered the circumstances of England, and of Scotland. In New-England they differ from other Plantations; they are called Congregational and Presbyterian. So that such a Governour will not suit with the People of New-England, as may be very proper for other English Plantations.
Two Days after this, the King, upon what was proposed by certain Lords, was very inquisitive, whether He might without breach of Law, set a Governor over New-England; whereto the Lord Chief Justice, and some others of the Council, answered, That whatever might be the Merit of the Cause, inasmuch as the Charter of New-England, stood vacated by a Judgment against them, it was in the King's Power to put them under what Form of Government He should think best for them.
Two Days after this, the King, upon what was proposed by certain Lords, was very inquisitive, whether He might without breach of Law, set a Governour over New-England; whereto the Lord Chief Justice, and some others of the Council, answered, That whatever might be the Merit of the Cause, inasmuch as the Charter of New-England, stood vacated by a Judgment against them, it was in the King's Power to put them under what Form of Government He should think best for them.
The King then said, That He believed it would be for the Advantage of the People, in that Colony, to be under a Governor appointed by Himself: Nevertheless (because of what Mr. Mather had spoken to Him) He would have the Agents of New-England nominate a Person, that should be agreeable unto the Inclinations of the People there; and notwithstanding this, He would have Charter-Privileges restored and confirmed unto them.
The King then said, That He believed it would be for the Advantage of the People, in that Colony, to be under a Governour appointed by Himself: Nevertheless (because of what Mr. Mather had spoken to Him) He would have the Agents of New-England nominate a Person, that should be agreeable unto the Inclinations of the People there; and notwithstanding this, He would have Charter-Priviledges restored and confirmed unto them.
The Day following, the King began another Voyage to Holland; and when the Attorney General's Draught of a Charter, according to what he took to be his Majesty's Mind, as expressed in Council, was presented at the Council-Board, on the eighth of June, some Objections then made, procured an Order to prepare Minutes for another Draught, which deprived the New-Englanders of several Essential Privileges in their other Charter. Mr. Mather put in his Objections, and vehemently protested, that he would sooner part with his Life, than consent unto those Minutes, or any thing else, that should infringe any Liberty or Privilege of Right belonging unto his Country; but he was answered, That the Agents of New-England were not Plenipotentiaries from another Sovereign State, and that, if they would not submit unto the King's Pleasure in the settlement of the Country, they must take what would follow.
The Day following, the King began another Voyage to Holland; and when the Attorney General's Draught of a Charter, according to what he took to be his Majesty's Mind, as expressed in Council, was presented at the Council-Board, on the eighth of June, some Objections then made, procured an Order to prepare Minutes for another Draught, which deprived the New-Englanders of several Essential Priviledges in their other Charter. Mr. Mather put in his Objections, and vehemently protested, that he would sooner part with his Life, than consent unto those Minutes, or any thing else, that should infringe any Liberty or Priviledge of Right belonging unto his Country; but he was answered, That the Agents of New-England were not Plenipotentiaries from another Soveraign State, and that, if they would not submit unto the King's Pleasure in the settlement of the Country, they must take what would follow.
The dissatisfactory Minutes were, by Mr. Mather's Industry, sent over unto the King in Flanders; and the Ministers of State then with the King were earnestly applied unto, that every mistake about the good Settlement of New-England might be prevented; and the Queen Her self, with Her own Royal Hand, wrote unto the King, that the Charter of New-England might either pass as it was drawn by the Attorney General, or be deferred until His own Return.
But after all, His Majesties Principal Secretary of State received a Signification of the King's Pleasure, That the Charter of New-England should run in the Main Points of it, as it was now granted: Only there were several Important Articles, which Mr. Mather by his unwearied Solicitations obtained afterwards to be inserted.
But after all, His Majesties Principal Secretary of State received a Signification of the King's Pleasure, That the Charter of New-England should run in the Main Points of it, as it was now granted: Only there were several Important Articles, which Mr. Mather by his unwearied Sollicitations obtained afterwards to be inserted.
