The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-11-03
HE WAS A COLONIAL
GOVERNOR.
Thomas Dudley OF Massachusetts,
Bay.
Interesting Extracts Read Befor. Rhode
Island orical Society.

AT the meeting of the Rhode Island Histori'
cal Society. Augustine Jones read extracts
from a book he has in preparation on
Thomas Dudley, the Second Governor of the
Colony of Massachusetts, Bay, as shown from
an Unpublished Sketch Of His Life. "
Thomas Dudley was the real second COVER
nor, since Endicott was not a governor under
"A charter, but operated from authority in
England. Winthrop was, in fact, the first
governor under the charter. The Dudleys'
ancestry is somewhat uncertain. His mother
was Puritan. but his father was not 1t is
the duty Of every public man 20 write his
autobiography, so as not 10 leave posterity
uncertain of real acts. The Dudleys were
noted family and their descendants havo
given US some Of New England's most famous
men. Dudley was one Of the eminent families
Of New England.
The youth OF Dudley was spent in wealth
and splendor and gaioty, aud Dudley took his
share in this life. when in later years Dudley
was puritan and governor, how he must
have looked back on his early days. As page
OF the second Lord Compton, we are uncertain
just what his duties were, but he had oppor'
tunity TO learn courtship ana good behavior
in great measure hore, and later also with the
Earl Of Lincoln. He used vigorous English in
his adherence Of wrong doing later al Cover
nor. We next find him in the army with
Henry Nv. This was a critical and eveDtful
period and he became familiar with great
events,
He next became clerk OF Judge Nichols of
the Court Of Common Pleas His training
there we can hardly overestimate. He met
the vital questions of the day.
We find him next ~ steward Of the Earl of
Lincoln. He was intrusted with tho most
delicate diplomatic services OF the earl. He,
wi h others, came here for the freedom TO
worship God, and England was glad TO get rid
Of them. Ho still had % years Of life before
him. Dudley took leading part in the
colony during its first years. Their arrival in
1880 was great event They came TO stay
and to set up Christs religion and free
state. Dudley was of the props and
pillars OF the colony. He was firm and up
right. He was the first founder Of Cambridge
and first fortified IL. He placed the first
seal on the charter of Harvard University.
The hrst use OF the ballot for public election
was used ut Dudleys election He was prom
inent in educational matters. He and tn,
colony were inseparable. from 1859 TO 1853. he
attended every session but one. His work
les at the beginning Of all the building up of
the colony.
IF thou seekest his monument, look
around" Massachusetts, is the everlasting
monument of her founders. She did not seek
advice abroad but was Independent. She
coined her own money, taxed her citizens,
judged on life and death, raised armies. forti
fiod her ports, made treaties and authorized
agents 10 act with foreign powers. In 1853
Massachusetts, was a representative common
wealth. She built up n public school system
with compulsory attendance.
Plymouth was tho mother colony from her
all the others sprang; but she did not play SO
important part as her daughter, Massa
chusetts. Massachusetts, has always been in
the lead.
/ reverence the Revolutionary heroes, but we
should go back 10 tho real founders of tho
state God sifted three nations TO furnish
men for New England. IL we compare the
founders of Massachusetts, wo find Endicott
was not so frank and open: more intriguing,
more reckless and not so constructive i'm
policy a. Dudley. They were both of one
mind about public affairs Dudley cared not
for his future fame Winthrop died and TO
him has been given ali the credit Dudley
deserves just as much as Winthrop Dudley
had no personal, selfish ambition. but worked
only for the good of the colony, regardless OF
himself. He was the peer Of any man among
the founders Of New England in virtue.
A vote Of thanks was extended TO Mr.. Jones
for reading the selections from his work soon
TO be published, which has so well established
the real character, worth and Importance of
one Of the unders of the colony. and gives
him his proper place in New England history.
II brings him out OF the oblivion in which he
has rested.
The next paper win DO read by NIB. weeden
on Tuesday, November l6, the subject being
Extracts From the Diary and Unpublished
Memoir of Rev. Enos Hitchcock, ID. d., n
Chaplain In the Revolutionary War and for
Twenty Years Pastor Of the First Congrega.
tional Society of Providence.