42. In 1692, William granted to Massachusetts a new charter, which extended her jurisdiction over the provinces of Plymouth, Maine, and Nova Scotia. By this charter, the king reserved to himself the right of appointing the governor of the colony. On the 14th of May, Sir William Phips, the first royal governor, arrived at Boston with the new charter; which in many respects was not so acceptable to the people as the old one. By an express provision, the new charter granted entire liberty of conscience to all, excepting Roman Catholics.

43. About this time the colonies were greatly harassed by the French of Canada, combined with the northern and eastern Indians. A fleet was fitted out under the command of Sir William Phips, to proceed against Quebec; and land forces were raised to march directly to Montreal. These movements were unsuccessful; and, instead of relieving the colonists, increased their burden of debt.

44. In the midst of these calamities, New-England was thrown into panic and distress by the strange delusions of witchcraft. A few years before, in England, persons called witches, were tried, condemned, and put to death in great numbers. Many highly respectable men had declared their belief that some persons were actually possessed with evil spirits. The people of New-England, therefore, were prepared to receive, with the utmost credulity, the absurdities of this imaginary witchcraft.

45. The evil commenced in Salem. Two little girls in the family of Mr. Paris, the minister of that place,

42. What did Massachusetts receive from the king in 1692? Who was the first governor under the new charter?

43. What expedition was undertaken about this time? Its result? How did Massachusetts pay off her troops on their return? A. By bills of credit, or paper money. This was the beginning of the paper money system.

44. What strange delusion seized upon the minds of the people about this time? Where had it prevailed before?

45. Where did it cominence in this country? How were the sufferers affected?

were taken sick and strangely affected. The physicians could not account for their complaints, and declared them bewitched. The children ascribed their sufferings to an old Indian woman, who lived in the family. Their condition was soon reported through the town, and many came to see them. Everybody's sympathy was excited. The old woman, being accused and terrified, partly acknowledged that she was guilty. 46. So great was the excitement, that others soon imagined themselves affected in the same way; and all the magistrates being alarmed at the progress of the evil, a special court was established to try those who were accused. The sufferers declared that the witches came into their rooms through the cracks of the doors and windows, or through the keyhole, and tormented them, by pinching, scratching, pricking as with forks, shaking, beating them, &c. Many of the accused were tried, condemned, and hung.

47. The infatuation had now extended to all classes in society. Twenty had been put to death, and more than a hundred were in prison, awaiting their trial. At length the magistrates, finding that their own families were exposed to the same accusations, began to suspect that it was all a delusion. Those in prison were

released. The witches soon fled.

48. Thus ended the Salem witchcraft. It is astonishing to us that our forefathers, with all their learning, should have been thus deluded. But we should remember, that this was an age of superstition; that many good men really believed in the existence of witches. The same delusion had prevailed extensively in England and other parts of Europe.

49. The English settlements were still harassed by the French and Indians. Peace followed for a few

46. What did the magistrates do?

47. How many were put to death? How many imprisoned? How did the delusion end?

48. What is it now called? How can you account for this delusion? Do you believe in witchcraft?

49. What happened in 1704?

years. But war breaking out anew between England and France, hostilities at once commenced between their colonies. In February, 1704, the town of Deerfield, Mass. was attacked in the night, by the Indians and French. The town was set on fire, and the inhabitants killed or carried prisoners to Canada. More than twenty, unable to bear the fatigue of the journey, were killed by the way; among whom was Mrs. Williams, the wife of the minister of Deerfield. For ten years the people of Massachusetts and New-Hampshire endured all the cruelties of an Indian war.

50. In 1711, a large fleet, under the command of Admiral Walker, left England for the purpose of subduing Canada. Having entered the river St. Lawrence, and disregarding the advice of the American pilots, he was driven upon the rocks and many of his ships dashed to pieces. The cries of the drowning were heard, through the darkness of midnight, but no relief could be afforded. Before morning, more than 1,000 of their number had perished. This dreadful calamity defeated the object of the expedition. The remainder of the fleet returned to England. The Indians continued their cruel depredations upon the colonies till 1713, when peace was concluded between England and France.

51. In 1716, Samuel Shute was appointed governor of the colony. During his administration, much contention prevailed between him and the house of representatives, respecting the governor's salary. The house contended for the right of rewarding him according to his services, while the king had ordered the governor to establish a permanent salary. This contest continued for many years, and was finally settled by a vote of the house of representatives, to grant a definite sum for the pay of the governor.

50. What in 1711? What in 1713?

51. What took place in 1716? What under his administration? In whose possession was Canada at that time? In what direction from us is that country? In whose possession is it at this time?

52. In 1744, war was again declared between England and France. During the time of peace, the French had strongly fortified the port of Louisburgh on Cape Breton. This port gave French privateers every advantage for ruining the important fisheries on that coast, and for breaking up the trade of the colonies. A plan was conceived by one of the colonists for taking this port, and communicated to the governor of Massachusetts. Having imposed an oath of secrecy upon the members of the general court, the governor made known the plan to them. At first the enterprise was considered as altogether hazardous and impracticable; but when made known to the people, all hands and hearts were ready for the undertaking.

53. An army of more than 4,000 men, under the command of William Pepperell, was soon landed on the island; while a fleet under Commodore Warren, blockaded the harbor. A detachment marched round to the northeast part of the harbor, in the night, and set fire to the buildings containing naval stores, tar, pitch, wine, brandy, &c. The flames and smoke pouring into the grand battery, so terrified the French, that they spiked up their guns, and fled to the city.

54. The next morning the New-England troops took possession of the battery. They spent fourteen nights up to their knees in mud and water, drawing their cannon through a marsh, from the landing to the camp. They now turned their cannon with great effect upon the city. The fleet in the harbor captured a French 64 gun ship, laden with stores, and five hundred and sixty men for the relief of the garrison. This threw the besieged into great distress, and with other adverse

52. When was war again declared between England and France? What is a privateer? A. It is a ship or vessel owned and fitted out by a private man, or individuals, and commissioned by government, to seize the ships of an enemy in war.

53. What expedition was fitted out about this time? Who commanded the army?

54. What was the result of this expedition?

events, led the French, on the 16th of June, to surrender the city.

55. This expedition displayed the spirit of New-England, and excited the jealousy of Great Britain. The next summer a large French fleet of forty ships appeared on the coast, which spread great alarm through the colonies. But the French, after many serious disasters, which destroyed nearly half their fleet, returned to France. In 1748, peace was concluded, and Cape Breton was restored to the French. Nothing more of special importance occurred in Massachusetts till the next French war.

NEW-HAMPSHIRE.

1. The first permanent settlement in New-Hampshire, was made by the English, in 1623. John Mason and Ferdinand Gorges obtained from the New-England company a grant of this territory, and sent over a few pioneers, who made new settlements on the west side of the Piscataqua river: one, near the mouth, called Little Harbor; the other, further up the river, at Cocheco, now called Dover.

2. Portsmouth was settled in 1631; and in 1638, a settlement was made at Exeter, by the Rev. John Wheelwright, who had before purchased the land of the Indians. The first settlers of this State were mostly occupied in fishing and trade.

55. When was peace concluded?

1. When was the first permanent English settlement made in New-Hampshire? Who obtained a grant of this territory? How long since Dover was settled?

2. When was Portsmouth settled? How were the first settlers mostly occupied ?