Page:History of the United States of America, Spencer, v1.djvu/88

 

1631—1640.

unfavorable report carried back by those who returned from the first emigration, operated for a while greatly to discourage others. The number of new-comers consequently, in 1632, was comparatively small. Among them, however, was the son of Winthrop the governor, and John Eliot, afterwards the celebrated missionary to the Indians.

In virtue of the authority which they supposed was vested in them, the magistrates had, on several occasions, levied taxes. This soon excited attention and complaint, and the next General Court, in May, 1632, took the matter in hand. Two deputies were chosen from each plantation to agree upon "raising a common stock." The tenure of office of the assistants was expressly limited to one year, and the choice of governor and deputy-governor was reassumed by the freemen. Boston was determined to be the best place for public meetings of the colonists, and a fort and house of correction were ordered to be built there.

In 1633, several hundred settlers arrived; among them were John Haynes, and those ministers so distinguished in New England history, Cotton, Hooker, and Stone. Cotton settled in Boston, as colleague with Wilson, and Hooker and Stone settled at Newtown.

Difficulties having occurred in consequence of some stringent acts of the magistrates, two delegates from each town met and requested a sight of the charter, on examining which, they concluded, that the legislative authority rested with the freemen, and not with the magistrates. When the General Court met, in May, 1634, that body claimed for itself, under the charter, the admission of freemen, choosing officers, raising money, etc. Notwithstanding a pulpit appeal from Cotton against the rash changing of those in office, Dudley was chosen governor, in place of Winthrop, though this latter was retained as an assistant. During Winthrop's four years' administration, the infant colony had taken firm root. There were already seven churches, eight principal plantations, 