The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-01-17
TIE sun, SUNDAY, JANUARY *, 5FS97sT7T-77- -1---

r~ovsrznshs tnsdsr the titis. -Ths Governor
ard Cpnpsny Or the Msssschpsstfs Bay in New
England" which passed the seals March 4.
1899. Months before the ~grantSof tne' Royal
Charter, preparations had been begun for q
large emigration in the spring. The records of
the Company state the different contracts
made with skiifed workmen. and with the min
listers who we're to TO over; they also give in
detail the various articles to be purchased for
the use Of the emigrants and the support OF tho
plantation. In q letter from the Governor aud
Deputy.G Governor OF the company. dated April
IL, 1920. Endicott IL notified that they have
confirmed him as Governor Of the plantation
and have Joined In commission with him, as q
council. three ministers, namely. Mr.. Francis
HigGinson. Mr.. Samuel SHELTON. and Mr.. Fran
els Bright, together with four raymen: that
the body Of the Government was to con-
sist OF thirteen persons; that the old plant
era might choose two and that the seven
above named might choose tho other
three from the men on the plantation
or from those who should come over. The
writer's further stated with regard to the old
planters that they had no wish to mske them
slaves. but. IN the contrary. desired to give
them the privileges Of tho company, and to let
them enjoy not only the lands they had ma
nured. but such further lands as the rest of the
council should think At. They directed, In
order to strengthen their titlc by possession.
that. as soon as any OF the ships should arrive.
Endicott /" should send forty or nifty PERSONS to
Massachusetts Bay to inhabit there"
or the ships provided at this timo for trans
porting emiErhnts and cattle three sailed In
April. 1929. carrying over two hundred planters.
together with cattle. Implements. and provis-
Ions. and these were presently followed by three
moro HhiDa. Mr. HiuUInson xxlthlu n f.y
months after his arrival. wrote . glowing &C
count OF the plantation. which was published in
England. In which he eaid: when, we came
nrrt to Naumk Gag We found about half n score
Of houses and q fair house newly built for tho
Governor" and there nre In all OF us. both old
and new planters. about three hundred, whereof
two hundred are. settled at .Naumkesv. now
called Salem. and the rest have planted them
selves At Massachusetts, Bay. beginning to build n
town there which we will call Charlestown."
Up to this time religious services had been prob.
ably conducted IN these settlements under tho
Episcopal forms. but Immediately after their
arrival SHELTON and Higginson took measures
for forming n church organization. They pro.
ceedcd. with the approval Of the body OF the
colonists. to establish a church government
entirely independent OF the Church Of England.
They believed that, under their charter. they
had n right so to do. II Is certain that there is
nothing In the charter which In terms forbids
such an establishment. The emlgrants I'M
doubtedly feared that II they should adopt
the ritual or any part OF tho govern
ment OF the Established Church, the time
might come whom they would have i'm
posed upon them n Bishops Court, tho Court
OF High Commission and all tho detested forms
and ceremonies OF the Establishment. Deter
mined 10 prevent this. II possible, they pro-
ceeded to establish . Congregations Church.
Thus the first great step was taken toward q
new religious organization. When com pleted
1t was to be the Church OF the colony. To the ex-
clusion OF oil other ecclesiastical bodies Mr..
Northend deems II probable that. from pruden-
tiai considerations. the work which the minis
tiers intended to accomplish was not promul-
gated In England before their departure. and,
perhaps, was not fully disclosed in advance
even to the majority OF those who camo over.
IL Is certain that the course pursued was a sur
prise TO some Of the company. including two
members or Gov. Endicott's Council.
At meeting OF the General Court OF the Mas
sachusetts Bay Colony. held in England on
Oct. 20. 1929. the transfer OF the government
TO New England was fully decided upon, and "A
new Governor, Deputy-Governor. and assistants
were elected. Mr.. John Winthrop was chosen
Governor. Thomas Dudley Deputy.G Governor.
and Sir Richard Saltonsiall and sixteen others
were made assistants. The ques Son Of the right
OF the company to transfer its chief govern
ment to tho plantation has been much dis
cussed, In the charters Of all similar corporn-
tIons preceding that& tho Massachusetts Bay
Colony. IL was specifically required that the
chief governments thereof should DO and
remain In England. Tho principal purpose
OF this requirement. was that tho corpora
lions should remain within tho Jurisdiction
OF the English courts. The condition, how
ever. was not included In the charter OF the
Massachusetts Bay Colony. and there SCENE TO
be no doubt not only that the omission was
Intentional. but that the attention Of tho
King and Council was especially called to tie
subject In 1877 the two Chief Justices. Lord
Rainsford and Lord North. announced the
opinion that tho charter made tho I'D venturers
"a corporation upon tha place" and the Attor-
ney.General. Sir Robert Sawyer. In 1854, gave
II as his Official opinion that the patent having
created the grantees ana their assigns a body
corporate. they might transfer their chartsr
and act In New England"
The great emigration headed by winthrop,
who brought tho charter with him. took place
In 1880. The number OF emigrants that ar.
rived during the year was computed by q DOLL |
temporary historian at about !, 800. II 10, how
ever. as we have here shown. a mistake to sup
pose that the settlement of Massachusetts be-
gan at this time. There were already moro
white Inhabitants within the limits Of tho col
ony than the Pilgrim Fathers had been nble 10
collect at Plymouth during tho ten years fol-
lowing 1890.
The British Royal Navy.
There are several histories of tho British
Royal Navy extnnt. hut THAR nuthors have die,