Norwich bulletin., 1921-10-20
ODD INCIDENTS EN AMERICAN
 HISTORY
W 4 POOR AMERICAN WAS
 KNIGHTED.


 The only way an American today can gain the order knighthood in England is to pay dearly for it, and most people with the price consider it an empty honor One American who obtained this honor on account of his worth was Will liam Phips, and the unusual circu1n- stance is worthy of noting in this se ries. Phips was born near Bristol, Me, in 1851, when that section of the United States was little more than a vast will derness. He was the son of a gunsrnith in humble circumstances and was one of 3. family of twenty-six children, of whom twenty-one were boys.
 At first Phips was a shepherd, but when he became IS years of age he bound himself to a ship carpenter, and on the expiration of his apprenticeship he went to Boston, where he first learn ed to read and write. He then built | himself a vessel and engaged in com l merce, and began amassing a fortune 1 through seeking for treasures that had been lost in wrecked vessels. There were many stories told at the time of the riches of the Spanish colo nies, and people began digging about the hills and along the seasllore in | search of gold buried by the pirates. Phips caught the infection. He knew that many Spanish ships had been sunk in the West Indies. and believed that millions lay there for the finding, Phips decided to go to England and make application to King James II for his right to search for treasure in that section. The king took quite a fancy to the huge Yankee sailor and gave him command of royal ship. Not finding any treasure, the crew demanded that 1 ipe4 1 capture 1t from Spanish ships. l Finally, after his, crew mutined sew 1 eral times, he returned to England and | the Duke of Albemarle fitted him out 1 for another tria', and this time he raised s1,500000 worth of treasure in | Santo Domingo, his share being S80.000.
 His project was such an unusual one, and so successful that King James made Phips a knight and induced him 1 to stay in England, with .'the prospect of advancement in the public service. 5 | In the meantime, Andros had been sent to America as governor of the Massacflu- setts province, and Increase Mather, president of Harvard College, had gone to Europe to plead with the king for l the restoration of the charter. Phips 1 took his side and the king told him i that amy favor he might ask would bu granted. He asked for the restoration l of the charter At first his request was refused and high position in the navy l was offered him.
 But in order to aid his native coun- try Phips asked that he be made high sheriff of New England Andros tried to keep him from qualifying for the of fee. and even tried to have him assas- sinated. In the meantime, King James had been deposed and William Of Orange was on the throne. When this news reached Boston Andros was ex- pe1led.
 1 Phips returned to Boston and raised an expedition in 1890 to capture the French colony of Acadia. His expedi tion was entire'y Q colonial affair. After
 he was successful ire raised an expedi
 ton against Canada, but this was un
 successful
 King William delayed giving Massa
 chusetts a charter, but Phips returned
 to England and. much to his surprise was appointed governor of Massa chu
 setts. Maine and Nova Scotia and nlfIi tary governor of all New England. Tn witchcraft trials were in progress whei
 Phips returned. He opposed the delu
 sion, pardoned the accuser and ended further action.
 1 Phips now began to have trouble, o
 his own He had made much m 6 ey
 
 ica and still he had remained democrat
 ic and unassun11ng. Every year he gay
 a big dinner to the carpenters in Bos
 ton, remembering his old trade Bu some of the people born to fortune an . opportunity resented the success of thi
 man who had raised himself from noth
 ing.
 , They occasionally resisted Phips' au
 thorSty, and the governor attempted t
 enforce it. He whipped captain in tn royal navy, and also a prominent Eng
 fish civil officer, and at various time
 whipped Americans. Complaints wer I carried to England and he was ordere to appear before the board control1in colonial affairs.
 Shortly after Phips reached Engfan
 he Was removed from office, and tn
 sneers of snobs may be said to hay - lost him the governorshfo. Probably h , would hae risen again if death had nc e removed him in 1895. within thre o months after his removal Few men
 A have accomplished as much as bray
 sturdy, sensible and patriotic Sir WI liam. Phips.
 CTomorrow-A Year Without a Sum- Q mer