governments of the several colonies. It lasted till regularly superseded by the confederated government under the articles finally ratified in 1781. They adopted a declaration of rights, similar to that of the congress of 1765, affirming that the colonies are entitled to the common law of England, and to the benefit of such English statutes as existed at the time of their colonization. They signed articles containing an agreement of 'non-importation, nonexportation, and non-consumption,' in order to carry into effect the preceding resolves, and also an agreement to discontinue the slave trade.

In May 1775, a second congress of delegates met from all the states. These were chosen as the preceding had been, partly by the popular branch of the state legislatures when in session, but principally by conventions of the people. Amongst other acts, they authorised the raising of continental troops, the issuing of two millions of dollars in bills of credit, prohibited the receipt and registration of British government bills, framed rules for the government of the army, erected a general post-office, recommended Massachusetts to consider the offices of governor and lieutenant-governor vacant, authorised the equipment of armed vessels to intercept supplies to the British, and passed other such acts pointing to separation from the mother country, and evincing a

determination at all hazards to maintain their rights. (Story's Com. i. 141.)

1. None of the colonies pretended to be independent States.

2. The colonies did not severally act for them selves, and proclaim their independence.

3. The power of the congresses to act was not derived from the State governments.

Dr. Franklin, in July 1775, submitted to congress a sketch of articles of confederation. In June 1776, the committee for preparing the Declaration of Independence was appointed, and another to propose the form of confederation to be entered into between the colonies. In 1778 the articles of confederation were ratified by all the States except Delaware and Maryland--by Delaware in 1779, and by Maryland in 1781, and adopted by the thirteen States in 1781.

The chief articles of the confederation were1. That the name should be the United States of America; 2. That each State should retain its sovereignty; 3. That the States severally entered into a league of friendship; 4. That the free inhabitants of each State should be entitled to all the privileges of free citizens in the several States; the fifth points out the manner of organizing congress, that the delegates should be chosen as each State directs; and the re

maining articles give power to congress to determine on peace and war, to form treaties and alliances, to decide differences between two or more States, to regulate the value of coin, establish post-offices, and make laws relating to trade. This confederation, however well adapted to the exigencies of the times, fell to pieces from its imperfections, upon the restoration of peace. It gave no power to raise a revenue, to levy a tax, to enforce any law, to regulate trade, or to pay its own ministers at foreign courts. United States by this compact may make treaties, but can only recommend their observance; they may appoint ambassadors, but cannot pay them; they may borrow money, but cannot pay a dollar; they may coin money, but cannot buy an ounce of bullion; they may make war, but cannot raise a single soldier. In short, they may declare everything, but do nothing.' (Am. Mus. 1786, p. 270.)

The

The Constitution--the new government of the United States-which took the place of the confederation, was finally adopted by all the States, in May 1790, Rhode Island being the last to assent to it. (See APPENdix B.)

C

CHAPTER III.

COLONIAL GOVERNMENTS, ANCIENT AND MODERN.

First Charters-Powers Claimed-Repudiated Acts of Parliament Disputed Authority of King's Commissioners Self-made Governments- Greeks and Tyrians Modern Colonizations-Self-Government in Europe-Colonial Governments of European States. Pp. 18-35.

THE charters granted to the first settlers in North America, in the beginning of the 17th century, were peculiarly adapted to the circumstances and characters of those bold pioneers of English colonization. The Stuarts regarded those colonies as parts of their own domain, and not as subject to the authority of Parliament; hence, when the House of Commons attempted to pass a law for establishing fisheries on the coasts of Virginia and New England, they were told by the Ministers of the Crown' that this Bill was not proper for this House, as it concerneth Americait was not fit to make laws for those countries not annexed.' The charters contemplated the establishing of commercial companies rather than the founding of

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new States. The Crown claimed them as part of our manor of East Greenwich, of our Castle of Windsor, . or of Hampton Court.' While thus free from the control of Parliament, they could annually elect and remove their governors and other officers; their general assemblies, also elected, could make and repeal such laws as to them shall seem meet, so as such laws shall not be contrary unto but agreeable to the laws of England,' raise an army, make war, 'invade and destroy the natives, Indians, or other enemies.'

Clothed with such powers, the colonists gave themselves little concern about King or Parliament in establishing such a polity as would suit them, considering,' in the words of their charter, 'the nature and constitution of the place and people.'

They assumed the liberty to dispense with such provisions of the charters as were found unsuitable to their position; and even to establish representative governments, when these were not, and it was seldom that they were, granted in express terms.

They carried with them the conviction that they were shorn of none of the rights of Englishmen by leaving their native land, but that they had freed themselves from many unnecessary restrictions, and that they breathed a freer air and enjoyed a more enlightened practical liberty.