Page:History of the United States of America, Spencer, v1.djvu/97

] rooting out of heretical pravity, a species of work which they were constantly called upon to undertake, but which, however well done, seemed very frequently to require to be done over again. One beneficial effect resulted certainly from the stringent regulations in Massachusetts, and that was the causing emigrations in different directions. Roger Williams, as before related, had laid the foundation of Rhode Island, and Davenport, in 1638, desirous of enjoying a separate community, which should be for ever free from the innovations of error and licentiousness, established the colony of New Haven. Wheelwright, banished for his participation in the heresies of Mrs. Hutchinson, went forth and planted Exeter. Captain Underhill, involved in the same quarrel, and charged moreover with a license in regard to creature comforts quite unbecoming in austere Massachusetts, was expelled, notwithstanding his services in the field; upon which he retired to Dover. Others also departed as occasion demanded, and thus separate congregations and settlements were sprinkled over the face of the country. Among these, was that of Rowley, in Massachusetts, formed by a company of Yorkshire clothiers, under the pastoral care of Ezekiel Rogers.

In the spring of 1637, a proclamation was issued in England to put a stop to the emigration of Puritans; and a year afterwards, when a squadron of eight ships, which were in the Thames, was preparing to embark for New England, the privy council interfered to prevent its sailing. It has been asserted that Hampden and Cromwell were on board this fleet; but there seems no good ground for the assertion, neither of them being likely to take such a step in the then position of affairs at home. The ships were delayed only a few days, when the king removed the restraint, and the vessels arrived in safety in Massachusetts Bay.

The coast of Maine had also, here and there, a few settlements, but their progress was for some time extremely slow. Sir Ferdinando Gorges, who, during thirty years had persevered in his efforts at colonization, and had sunk in these efforts nearly $100,000, obtained a royal charter for his American provinces, in 1639. On the receipt of this charter, Gorges drew up an elaborate scheme for the government of Maine, and sent out Thomas Gorges, as deputy, with subordinates, to administer it. A Scotchman, Sir William Alexander, had obtained from James I. the territory of Acadie, in 1627, and given to it the name of Nova Scotia. During the war between France and England he had taken forcible possession of the province; under the treaty of peace, however, Canada, Cape Breton, and Acadie were restored again, in 1632, to the French. These were rivals to the English colonists in trade, and worse than all, were papists, a fact which led the Massachusetts people to apprehend that they might prove "ill neighbors."

The progress of the colony, in spite of internal dissensions and troubles, was, on the whole, steady and rapid. Trade continued to increase, vessels were built, mills were erected, and