Page:History of the United States of America, Spencer, v1.djvu/133

] with such of their requisitions as they thought proper; but, professing sincere loyalty to his majesty, declined acknowledging their authority, and protested against the exercise of it within their limits. In consequence of this assertion of their rights, an angry correspondence took place between them, at the close of which the commissioners informed the General Court, that they would lose no more of their labors upon them, but would represent their conduct to his majesty. From Boston, the commissioners proceeded to New Hampshire, where they exercised several acts of government, and offered to release the inhabitants from the jurisdiction of Massachusetts. This offer was almost unanimously declined. In Maine, they excited more disturbance. They encouraged the people to declare themselves independent, and found many disposed to listen to their suggestions; but Massachusetts, by a prompt and vigorous exertion of power, constrained the disaffected to submission to her authority.

Connecticut appears to have been the favorite of the commissioners. She treated them with respect, and complied with their requisitions. In return they made such a representation of her merits to the king, as to draw from him a letter of thanks: "Although," says he, "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 behavior of the colony of Massachusetts."

The commissioners were recalled in 1666. Under the influence of mortified feelings, they had made such a report, that the king issued an order that Bellingham, the governor, and some others, should proceed to England to answer for their defiance of his majesty's authority. The summons created no little excitement, and it was earnestly debated whether to obey or not. They who advocated seeming obedience without really giving up the points at issue, prevailed; and, fortunately, just at this juncture, by sending a timely supply of provisions for the fleet in the West Indies, and also a present of masts for the English navy, they were able to put off the immediate danger. The king's designs upon the liberty of the colonies were suspended, if not abandoned; the great plague and the fire in London intervened, and for several years after this New England remained undisturbed in the enjoyment of her ancient rights and privileges.

At the end of fifty years from the arrival of the emigrants at Plymouth, the New England colonies were supposed to contain one hundred and twenty towns, and probably some sixty or seventy thousand inhabitants. The acts of Parliament not being rigidly enforced, their trade had become extensive and profitable. The habits of industry and economy, which had been formed in less happy times, continued to prevail, and gave a competency to those who had nothing, and wealth to those who had a competency. The wilderness receded before adventurous and hardy laborers, and its savage inhabitants found their game dispersed, and their favorite haunts invaded. This was the natural