elected representatives in their different districts, authorizing them to appear in their name, with full power to deliberate and decide on all points that fell under the cognizance of the general court. This court asserted their right to a greater share in the government than they had formerly possessed, and provided that the whole body of freemen should assemble but once a year for the election of magistrates, while the deputies from the several districts were to assemble in general court four times a year. They also provided against arbitrary taxation, by enacting that the disposing of land and raising of money should be done only by the representatives of the people.

opinion; but continued to enforce the laws which they had enacted, looking upon heresy as the most dangerous enemy of society. Among the emigrants of 1630 was Roger Williams, a Puritan minister, who officiated for some time as a pastor in New Plymouth, and, subsequently, in Salem. His bold assertion of the liberty of conscience had early attracted the notice of the leading men of the colony, and excited the hostility of a majority of the people. His doctrines are thus stated by the colonial historian, Grahame:

"He maintained that it was not lawful for an unregenerate man to pray, nor for Christians to join in family prayer with those whom they judged unregenerate: that it was not lawful to take an oath of allegiance, which he had declined himself to take, and advised his congregation equally to reject: that King Charles had unjustly usurped the power of disposing of the territory of the Indians, and hence the colonial patent was utterly invalid: that the civil magistrate had no right to restrain or direct the consciences of men; and that anything short of unlimited toleration for all religious systems was detestable persecution."

HESE were startling doctrines for that age, and Williams was bold and persevering in the assertion of these logical and liberal opinions, and, in consequence, he became separated from his pastoral charge. A few admirers clung to him in his retirement; and when he demanded the use of the cross on the British flag, the fiery Endicott cut the Popish emblem, as he styled it, from the national standard. A conference was at length held, but without producing any amicable settlement of the controversy; and sentence of banishment was pronounced against Williams. This sentence was so unpopular at Salem, that a large number of the people were preparing to follow him they regarded as a martyr. But they were persuaded to give up their intention. As Williams continued to disseminate his doctrines, the government determined to ship him to England; but on learning that a warrant had been issued against him, he collected a few followers and set out to seek a refuge in the bleak and vast wilderness.

Roger Williams entertained by Canonicus and Miantonimoh.

In the midst of winter, without any shelter but the hollow of a tree, Williams and his followers proceeded to form a settlement at Seekonk; but they were informed that that place was within the jurisdiction of Plymouth, and were accordingly obliged to leave it. In the hour of their sufferings, the pilgrims experienced the friendship and hospitality of Canonicus and Miantonimoh, the sachems of the Narragansetts. They assured Williams that he should not want for land, and directed him where to form a settlement. He proceeded down the Seekonk River and established himself near its mouth. There he and his followers began a settlement which they called Providence. In 1638, a deed from Canonicus and Miantonimoh confirmed Williams in possession of the land. Thus was Rhode Island founded.

During the summer of the same year, twenty ships arrived at Massachusetts, bringing about 3000 new settlers. Among them were Hugh Peters, the chaplain and counsellor of Oliver Cromwell, and Sir Henry Vane, son of a privy counsellor at the English court. Peters became minister of Salem, where he remained until 1641, when he returned to England to transact some business for the colony, and never again visited America. He was a zealous Puritan and a warm advocate of popular rights.

Sir Henry Vane acted so conspicuous a part during the civil troubles of England before and after the death of Charles I., that a short sketch. of his character will not be considered superfluous. When he came to the colony, he was little more than 24 years old. Of a patrician family,