Page:The American Cyclopædia (1879) Volume V.djvu/265

 CONNECTICUT sary legislation. As there were to be two ses- sions of the legislature annually, one in the spring, called the court of elections, and the other in the fall, for enacting laws and other public services, the towns chose their deputies serai-annually. In this constitution, and in the subsequent administration of it till 1661, there is no recognition of any higher human power than the people, and practically Connecticut was an independent government. But when Charles II. came to the throne, fears began to be entertained for the future, and the general court determined to make a formal avowal of their allegiance to the crown and apply for a charter. This charter, embracing the colonies of Connecticut and New Haven, was obtained in 1662, and the union between the colonies was completed in 1665. The charter granted the colony jurisdiction over the lands within its limits ; provided for the election of a gov- ernor, deputy governor, and 12 assistants, and two deputies from each town, substantially the same as provided for under the previous con- stitution ; allowed the free transportation of colonists and merchandise from England to the colony ; guaranteed to the colonists the rights of English citizens ; provided for the making of laws and organization of courts by the gen- eral assembly, and the appointment of all ne- cessary officers for the public good, the or- ganization of a soldiery, providing for the pub- lic defence, &c. This charter was of so gene- ral a character, and conferred so large powers, that no change was necessary when Connec- ticut took her stand as one of the independent states of the Union, on the declaration of in- dependence in 1776 ; and it continued, without alteration, as the constitution of the state till 1818, when the present constitution was formed. Until 1670, at the general election, all the free- men assembled at Hartford and personally voted for the state officers and assistants. There- after they voted by proxy or sent up their votes. In July, 1685, a writ of quo warranto was issued by the king's bench, and served on the governor and company, with the design of taking away the charter and uniting the New England colonies in one government under a royal governor. Sir Edmund Andros arrived in Boston, Dec. 19, 1686, with his commission as governor. In October. 1687, he came to Hartford while the assembly was sitting and demanded the charter. According to current history, it was produced and laid upon the table, but was subsequently seized and con- cealed in the famous' charter oak. (See ANDKOS, SIE EDMUND.) Andros seized the government, which he administered, or rather it was ad- ministered under him, in a very oppressive manner. On the dethronement of James II., and the consequent deposition of Andros, the government, on May 9, 1689, resumed its func- tions as if the period since the usurpation of Andros to that time were annihilated ; and as the charter had not in the king's court been declared forfeit, it was after a struggle allowed CONNECTICUT RIVER 261 to continue in force, the freest constitution ever granted by royal favor. Until October, 1698, the general assembly constituted but one house, consisting of the governor, assistants, and depu- ties, over which the governor presided, and the secretary of state was clerk. At that session the governor and assistants, or council, were constituted the upper house, and the deputies from the several towns the lower house, with power to appoint their own speaker and clerk. Every bill must pass both houses before it could become a law. Soon after this separation of the general assembly into two bodies, the superior court was constituted a distinct judi- cial body. From the union of the colonies till 1701 the general court had met in Hartford. Thereafter it was ordered that the May session should be held in Hartford and the October in New Haven. While the early laws of Connec- ticut were in general liberal and enlightened, it is not denied that many extreme penalties were prescribed by the early statutes. There were twelve offences punishable with death, while there were severe laws against Baptists, Qua- kers, witchcraft, &c. The authenticity of the code commonly called the blue laws of Con- necticut is denied by the best authorities. Du- ring the revolutionary struggle no other state in the Union furnished so many men according to its population, or so much aid according to its means, as Connecticut ; and Gen. Washing- ton had no coadjutor more efficient than Jona- than Trumbull (Brother Jonathan), governor of Connecticut. On June 14, 1776, twenty days before the declaration of independence, the general assembly of Connecticut .unani- mously instructed their delegates in congress to propose to that body "to declare the united American colonies free and independent states, absolved from all allegiance to the king of Great Britain." The whole number of soldiers enlisted in Connecticut during the civil war was 54,882, being equivalent to 48,181 men for three years. There were 2,340 enlistments for three months, 5,602 for nine months, 529 for one year, 25 for two years, 44,556 for three years, 26 for four years, and 1,804 not known. The organizations were 30 regiments of in- fantry, 2 of heavy artillery, 2 light batteries, 1 independent battery, and 1 regiment and 1 squadron of cavalry. During the war 1,094 men and 97 officers were killed in action ; 666 men and 48 officers died from wounds; 3,246 men and 63 officers died from disease ; and 389 men and 21 officers were missing. CONNECTICUT RIVER, the largest river of New England, has its sources in the highlands on the borders of New Hampshire and Canada, and after a general southerly course falls into Long Island sound at Saybrook, Conn., in lat. 41 16' 15" N., and Ion. 72 21' W. It was called by the Indians Quonektacat, signifying Long river, and has always been noted for its beauty. It rises by two head streams near the N. boundary of Coos co., N. H., 1,600 ft. above the sea, flows within a few miles through