The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1892-07-08
Popular Talks on Law.
NO. 3.

Prior to 1858, the date OF the aces
ion of Queen Elizbeth, England had
not claimed the coast of the new con-
tinent south of the 44th degree OF
north latitude, i. e. south Of q line
passing in the neighborhood OF the
southern boundary line of New Hamp-
shire. During the reign of Queen
Elizabeth there arose an impulse to
colonization, Influenced by desire to
limit the power of Spain in the new
world, and to extend the territory OF
England and the protestant religion
This colonization impulse had its first
fruit in the colonies of Virginia and
New England, the colony at James
stown being the first important Eng
lish colony, For the purpose OF a
brief study of the early colonies, they
may be divided into three classes, the
northern, middle and southern; the
northern colony inclu ling the Ply
mouth, Massachusetts,, Connecticut,
Rhode Island and New Hampshire col
onies; the middle including New York,
New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Della
ware colonies; the southern including
Virginia, Maryland, the Carolinas and
Georgia. A few words regarding the
founding Of Carolinas and Georgia.
The first permanent New England set
Element was at Plymouth, in 1920.
The Pilgrims composing this colony
had no grant of land, They were in
trudes settling on the territory OF the
Plymouth company, to whom the king
had given n charter. covering the con-
tinent from ocean to ocean, lying be-
tween the 10th and 48th degrees OF
latitude, Il strip of land including all
the continent embraced between par
allel east and west lines passing neal
Philadelphia and the northeast point OF
Maine. In the charter this IS called
New England. The Plymouth com
pany to whom this grant had been made
tried to found u colony on the coast OF
Maine, but failed. 1t then ceased Ia
attempt to found colonies, and conten-
ted itself in granting lands to Others
who did found them. 1t finally dis
posed of the whole New England
coast, and finally in 1886 surrendered
its charter to the king. The Pilgrims
as stated, settled upon the Plymouth
companY's grant rs intruders, but il
1921, the year after they landed, ant
in 1929, they received charters from
the Plymouth company from which
however, the Crown withheld an mp
proyal which was necessary to its lie
galitY, The Pilgrims however, con
tinued an association, making its Ow,
laws, even although its governmen
was irregular and unauthorized
There were IL adult males in the com
pany of the Pilgrims, and before land
ing they signed the following compact
'In the name of God. amen; W.
whose names are uuder written, tn
loyal subjects of our dread sovereig
King James, by the grace of God, {
Great Britain, France and IRELAND
King, defender Of the faith, etc. hay
ing undertaken, for the glory of Got
and advancement of the christian faitl
and honor of our king, voyage
plant the first colony in the norther
parts of Virginia, do by these presen
solemnly and mutually, in the pre-
ence Of God, and one of another
covenant and combine ourselves I
together into civil body polite, I,
our better ordering and prescrvatio
and furthurance of the ends aforesaid
and by virtue hereof, to enact, col
stitute and frame such Just and euui
laws, ordinances, acts, constitution
and offices, from time to time, as sha
be thought most meet and conveniel
for the general good Of the colon
unto which We promise all due su
nilsson and obedience. In witne
whereof, we have hereunder subscl
bed our names, at Cape Cod, the Ii
day of November, in the year of Il
reign Of our Sovereign Lord, Xii
James Of England, France and II
land, the eighteenth, and of ScOtlal
che iiftyfiourth, Ammo pouini, 1920,