Page:The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 11.pdf/150

 Secession and Annexation of Nantucket. the Dutch which even Louis XIV would have found it hard to believe, and Nantucket resolved to have no more dealings with New York. What dealings Dutch New York might have forced upon Nantucket, it re mains only to conjecture, for just at this juncture, 1674, Holland gave up the Prov ince and New York again became English. But this did not in the least change the sentiment of Nantucket. She permanently withheld her tax of codfish and for a time enjoyed a real if unrecognized independence. The more serious men, however, knew that this condition could not continue. Soon or late Nantucket would be looked to either by New York or Massachusetts and meanwhile the island court was supreme and island quarrels as bitter as ever. The desire for a more responsible government grew stronger, and those who favored joining Massachusetts realized their opportunity. James Coffin made numerous visits to Boston and ex plained the situation so ably that finally the Governor appointed him first judge of Pro bate on the island. No one questioned his authority and so Nantucket tacitly came to consider herself as distinctly connected with Massachusetts Bay. But the final and official act in the annex ation of Nantucket arose from a joint resolu tion of her two great rulers. Rebecca Macy and Mary Coffin were conscious of impend ing changes. Some years now had passed since the capture of the Swallow, history is made but slowly and Nantucket al ways has been deliberate in deciding state issues, and during these years both Rebecca and Mary had learned wisdom and had come to regard each other as a power to be conciliated rather than aroused, so they now sought sweet counsel together when public affairs demanded. It happened they were drinking tea one afternoon when Mary told Rebecca of rumors which had come from Boston that the king might grant a new charter to New England. "We'll be like to lie in New York or

129

Massachusetts," said Mary, " and we ought to make known where we'd prefer." "I'm thinking none of us is much be holden to New York," Rebecca answered, thinking of the old loss of the rum and salt and sugar. " You and James were right about it, Mary." She said this with the conscious tone of one making a large concession; time had not wholly softened the Dutch defeat, but the tea was exceptionally good and Mary seemed unmindful of her superior judgment. "There was mistakes with all of us," said Mary, generously. " But it's ourselves, Re becca Macy, that should guard against more of them, for the men will be minding our words. Set Edward up now to petition the governor to annex us, and I'll talk to James." "I'm thinking you're right about it, Mary," said Rebecca, thoughtfully stirring her tea. " A petition would be the best way of fixing it and I'll talk it up to Edward. Just give me a taste more of that cream." So the matter began and so it really ended, for Edward Macy and James Coffin found themselves filled with the same pur pose about the petition. Each secretly won dered at the other's sagacity and was inclined to attribute it to his own enlightening influ ence, but each welcomed the other's aid and the petition was carefully drawn up and sent to Boston, and thence made its way to the king and queen far over the sea. Months passed before Nantucket heard the decision upon her appeal, for by a strange coincidence her petition appeared at St. James just as a new colonial policy was be ing framed. But finally an official docu ment arrived from Boston. A few of the leading men inspected it and then summoned all the inhabitants to assemble that it might be publicly read. When all were gathered at the inn, James Coffin rehearsed the incidents which had led to this final scene. Their gracious Majesties, William and Mary, had directed that the bounds of the Province of Massachusetts