certain date, like that of the United States, or an aggre gate of laws and usages which have been formed in the course of ages, like the English constitution In France, it is called a charter. In Great Britain it is called a constitution; but it is not written.

The constitution of the United States was established by the people for their own regulation. It prescribes the duties and powers of officers who may be chosen to make and administer the general government. All laws enacted by the representatives of the people must be in conformity to the constitution, which is the foundation of such laws, or they are not binding upon the people. The constitution restrains our rulers, and secures to every citizen his rights. It is also essential in assigning to each branch of the government its power and limits. It is a representative constitution; and as it was formed and adopted by the people, they alone have the power to amend and alter it whenever it shall be found defective. This, however, can be done in such manner only as the constitution itself prescribes.

What is a constitution?

What is said of the constitution of

France? Of that of England? Of the constitution of the United

States?

PART SECOND.

HISTORY OF THE COLONIES-AFTERWARDS INDEPENDENT STATES-FROM THEIR FIRST SETTLEMENT TO THE ADOPTION OF THE CONSTITUTION.

CHAPTER I.

Discovery of America and Settlement of the Colonies.

IN 1492, America was discovered by Christopher Columbus; an expedition having been fitted out for that purpose by the Spanish government, at his earnest solicitations. His discovery, however, was confined to the West Indies. The English were the first people that discovered the continent of America. This discovery was made in the year 1497, by Giovanni Cabot and his son Sebastian, who were commissioned by Henry the Seventh to sail in quest of new countries. Of the thirteen colonies whose delegates signed the Declaration of Independence, all but Georgia were settled in the seventeenth

When and by whom was America discovered? By whom was the expedition fitted out? To what islands was his discovery confined? What people first discovered the continent of America?In what year? By whom? By what king were they commissioned?

century. [A colony is a settlement of persons gone from a country to inhabit some distant place, but who remain subject to the parent country.] With few exceptions, the colonists were Englishmen. The settlements were chiefly made at a time of great political excitement in the parent country, caused by encroachments of the crown upon the liberties of the people. Multitudes annually fled hither to find a refuge from oppression. The attempt on the part of the government, to enforce conformity to the established church, also brought many to this country, where they might enjoy freedom of conscience in matters of religion.

In the following sketch of the colonies, their political institutions previous to the adoption of the present constitution, will constitute the principal subject of notice, as being more compatible with the design of this work.

In 1606, two companies of merchants and others were incorporated under the names of the London company, and the Plymouth company, with the exclusive right of settling and trading within their respective limits. In 1607, the London company sent to Virginia a colony of 100 men, which, in consequence of war with the natives, scarcity of food, and disease, was reduced in a few months to 38. In October, 1609, the number had been increased by new colonists to 500; but a famine reduced them in about six months to 60. In 1613, the land which had before been held in common, was distributed to each individual.

The supreme government of the colonies, on their first establishment, was vested in a council which resided in

What is a colony? From what country, principally, were the colonies first settled? What were the causes that brought many to this country?

What companies were incorporated, in 1606? For what purpose? Relate the circumstances attending the first settlement in Virginia. What is said of the government of the colonies on their first

England, and was nominated by the king; the subordinate jurisdiction, in a council which was to reside in America, also to be named by the king, and to act in conformity to his instructions. This charter being found inconvenient, a new one was granted by James, enlarging the colony, abolishing the council in Virginia, and vesting the government in one residing in London. In 1619, a great change was effected in the government of the colony. A general assembly, the first that was held in Virginia, was called by the governor. Eleven boroughs sent representatives to the convention. The supreme authority was divided between the governor, a council of state appointed by the company in England, and a general assembly elected by the people with the power to enact laws. In 1622, 347 men, women and children were massacred by the Indians; an Indian war followed, which reduced the number of settlements from eighty to eight. It may here be remarked that this disaster, and the many that followed, together with the settled hostility of the Indians which afterwards subsisted, were doubtless owing to the imprudence of the first settlers, rather than to the bad disposition of the natives. In 1624, the displeasure of James having been excited by the change that had been. made in the government of the colony, the charter was declared forfeit, and the company dissolved. [A charter is a writing that grants privileges or rights to the subjects of a government.]

The Plymouth company, which had the exclusive right to trade and settle in North Virginia, did nothing effectual towards colonizing their territory. But in 1620, a number of Puritans embarked on a voyage with a

establishment? What changes took place? What befel the colonists in 1622? What was the probable cause of this event? What is said of the charter in 1624? What is a charter?

design of settlement on the Hudson. But by accident, as some suppose, they were landed on Cape Cod, within the limits of the Plymouth company: or, as others think, by the treachery of the Dutch, who themselves contemplated a settlement at that place, they were, against their intention, compelled to land on the shores of Cape Cod. Puritans was a name given to those who dissented from the established church, because they wished for a purer form of discipline and worship; as many of the ancient forms and ceremonies of the Romish church were still continued. Not having contemplated any plantation at this place, they had not obtained any charter from the company. Destitute of any right to the soil, and without any powers of government, on the 11th of November, before they landed, they drew up and signed a compact, in which, after acknowledging themselves to be subjects of the crown of England, they declared as follows: "Having undertaken, for the glory of God, and the advancement of the christian faith, and the honor of our king and country, a voyage to plant the first colony in the northern parts of Virginia, we do, by these presents solemnly and mutually, in the presence of God and of one another, covenant and combine ourselves together into a civil body politic, for our better ordering and preservation, and furtherance of the ends aforesaid; and by virtue hereof do enact, constitute and frame such just and equal laws, ordinances, acts, constitutions, and offices, from time to time, as shall be thought most meet and convenient for the general good of the colony; unto which we promise all due submission and obedience." This was the earliest

When and by whom was the first settlement made in the territory of the Plymouth company? How were they compelled to land at Cape Cod? Why were they called Puritans? Had they a charter from the company? What peculiar form of government did they adopt? By how many was this covenant signed? What was