The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1894-04-06
HARRIsoN's LAW LECTURES.

Ex-President Harrison delivered the
fourth of his series of law lectures be-
fore the students of the Leland STAN
ford University, at Palo Alto, Califor-
MIA, on Monday, April End. Following
is an approved synopsis of the lecture
as published in the San Francisco Elk
aminer:
The earlier attempts at union were
upon the basis of a continued allegi
ance to the King. The first American
confederation-the New England con-
Ifederacy-took form in 1913. Menaced
by the French province of Canada and
by the Dutch province of New York,
and thred .ensd by near and strong
tribes of Indians, with no hope of aid
from England, the federation was nat
ural and reasonable. Massachusetts,
New Plymouth, Connecticut and New
Haven comprised the union. Rhode
Island was excluded upon the objec-
ton of Massachusetts.
The name assumed was THE United
Colonies of New England" The league
was described as a firm and perpet-
uaT' one. 1t was not made dependent
on the consent of the King; an indi-
rect reference only being made to him
! in the articles 1t was "for mutual
! help and strength in all our future con-
lcernments' Its expenses were appOr-
toned and its affairs managed by two
commissioners from each colony, six of
the eight being authorized to act. Pro-
lection against unfriendly neighbors
was not the only purpose. The COM
mission was authorized to take meas
ures for preserving peace among the
colonies and preventing as much as
possible differences with others, and
for securing the free and speedy pas
sage of Justice in every jurisdiction"
Through the Commissioners this
union exercised the sovereign power of
war and peace, and negotiated treaties
with the Indians, the French and the
Dutch. The provision for the admis-
sion of new members was similar to
| the provision in the national constitu-
ton for the admission of new States.
An equal voice was given to each col
ony. as in the confederation of the thir-
teen colonies. This did not prevent
Massachusetts, however, from attempt
ling to exert a superior influence The
confederacy was regarded with sus-
Ipicion by the crown, and the commits
sioners of Charles II held that the
union was a violation of the Kings
| prerogative. Nevertheless the advan-
tage of a union from royal stand
point was recognized; and in 1860 a
commission was formed for the pur-
nose of bringing the colonies into a
more certain civil and uniform gov
eminent" James II. before his de-
position, made an effort in this direc-
! ton.
In 1896 the Lords of Trade and Plan
tations resolved that Eve humbly con-
ceive that the strength of the English
there Gin America) cannot be made use
of with that advantage it ought for
the preservation of these colonies, IN
less they be united In 1877. 1854 and
1850 joint conferences of the colonies
had been held; and William Penn had
also appeared before the Lords of
Trade with a plan of union of the col
lonies, which provided for a congress
of deputies for adjusting matters of
difference between the colonies and
disputes with foreign enemies, to be
presided over by the Kings commits
sioner; and providing that in time of
war the Kings high commissioner
should be commander-in-chief
In 1896 Massa chusetts proposed that
the Governor of Massachusetts should
be also the Civil Governor of New
York and New Hampshire and general
of all the forces of the New England
colonies, New York and the Jerseys.
Lord Bellemont's appointment as can
tain-general of Massachusetts, New
Hampshire, New Jersey and New
York in 1897. followed those discus
sions. The objects of these efforts on
the part ofthe crown were to make a
more effective use of the military re-
sources of the colonies against the
Kings enemies, and to weaken, by the
institution of stronger royal govern
ment, the local control of the colonists
| In 1721 another proposition for union
was made by the Lords of Trade. and
during the whole period there were
| frequent conferences between the
colonial Governors. between appointed
DELEGATES. and between the general as
| semblies of the different colonies. for
the discussion and determination of
matters of common interest.
In 1853 the Lords of Trade directed the