Mason and Gorges, as well as the jurisdiction of Massachusetts, they suppressed the existing anthorities, and erected a new system of government, directly dependent on the crown, in each of these provinces. This proceeding, however, was rendered nugatory immediately after their departure from the country, by the provinces returning to their former state of dependence on Massachusetts.

On the return of the commissioners to Boston, the general court declared that the measures they had pursued tended to the disturbance of the public peace, and demanded a conference, which was refused with an asperity of reproach that put an end to all further communication. The king soon after recalled these functionaries, expressed his satisfaction at the conduct of all the colonies except Massachusetts, and commanded the general court of that province to send deputies to answer in his presence the charges preferred against the colony. This order was evaded, however, and soon after the king was conciliated by professions of loyalty, and presents from the people whose determined temper he well knew and did not think proper to excite.

The New England colonies had suffered in a very slight degree from the hostility of the Indians up to this period (1674). The treaty between Massassoit and the first settlers of Plymouth, the amicable and humane policy of the colonial government, and the noble efforts of the Christian missionaries, were the principal causes. The whites now greatly outnumbered the Indians in New England, and the knowledge of their own strength perhaps led them to fancy themselves secure from attack, and to tyrannize over the red men.

ASSASSOIT, dying, left the government in the hands of his son Alexander. The bad treatment of this prince by the Plymouth government is said to have hastened his death,

and caused those vindictive feelings to inflame.

his brother, the celebrated Philip of Pokanoket, which afterwards made the colonists feel the horrors of Indian

warfare. Philip had sternly rejected all persuasions to

Chistianity, and possessing a bold and active spirit, he resolved to do his best to injure or exterminate the white invaders of the soil of his fathers. He formed a plan to unite the tribes of New England, and such were his abilities that he secured the assistance of all whom he called upon. The struggle, however, was precipitated before he was quite ready.

Sassamon, an Indian who, after professing Christianity, had apostatized and entered his service, had played the spy upon him, giving information of his intended movements. It was through his treacherous letters that

the colonists learned that Philip and his countrymen had at length resolved to adopt measures for their destruction. "He could write," says the historian, "though the king, his master, could not read." Fearing the consequences of what he had done, the renegade returned to the protection of the settlers, and was soon after slain by two of the Indian leaders. The perpetrators of this deed were arrested, tried, and executed by the colonists.

HILIP was alarmed by the condemnation of his counsellors; and finding that the war would inevitably be forced upon him, he resolved to be first in the field. His tribe, the Pokanokets or Wampanoags, having sent their wives and children to the Narragansetts for security, commenced hostilities at Swansey. They menaced and insulted the inhabitants, and after killing some of the cattle in the fields, they broke open and rifled the houses. One of the Indians being shot by the English, who were highly exasperated at such proceedings, the former, in revenge, killed eight of the settlers. This was the beginning of King Philip's war, June 24th, 1675.

As the war was hastened before Philip's arrangements were fully made, the English were in most respects superior to their enemies. The Christian Indians took part with the whites, and were valuable allies.

The usual modes of warfare were practised by the Indians. Creeping cautiously through the woods which surrounded the scattered towns, they would suddenly start up from their lurking-places in the dead of night, or during the quiet of the summer Sabbath, and rush upon the unguarded villages with their wild war-whoop, and before the fighting men could be collected, the village would be burnt, its inhabitants butchered, and the Indians, laden with scalps and plunder, far away in the swamps or forest. Rapid marches, sudden attacks, merciless cruelty and quick retreat, characterized nearly all their operations. The English sent detachments after them, but the ambuscade ensnared the whites, or the foe retreated too rapidly to be overtaken. Parties on their way to church or at the fireside were suddenly attacked and slaughtered in cold blood. The towns of Taunton, Namasket and Dartmouth were laid in ashes. In July, a party of English attacked Philip at Pocasset, and drove him into a swamp, which they surrounded. But the wily chief escaped into the western part of Massachusetts, the country of the Nipmucks, whom he incited to take up arms against the colonists. This tribe soon after set fire to the town of Quaboag, and massacred many of the inhabitants.

The little army of the colonists now marched into the country of the

Narragansetts, who, though professing neutrality, were known to give shelter to the enemy. They were forced into a treaty, and promised to surrender the hostile Indians who should retreat to their territory. But this treaty did not affect the progress of the war. The eastern tribes took up the hatchet, and those on Connecticut river also joined in the war on the side of Philip. The towns of Hadley, Hatfield, Deerfield, Northfield and Sugar-loaf Hill bore witness to their treachery and cruelty. In

October, the Springfield Indians deserted the alliance of the English, and after burning three quarters of that town, joined King Philip. The Narragansetts soon broke the promises contained in their treaty, and in September, 1675, the commissioners of the three colonies, convinced of their treachery, declared war against them, and ordered one thousand men to be sent into their territory.

The time chosen for the operations of this force was the depth of winter, and their commander was Josiah Winslow. The abode of the Indians was on an island of about five or six acres, situated in an impassable swamp; the only entrance being upon a long tree, lying over the water, "so that but one man could pass at a time; but the water was frozen; the trees and thickets were white with their burden of snow, as was the surface of the earth; so that the smallest movement of the Indians could be seen. Within the isle were gathered the powers of the Narragansett tribe, with their wives, families, and valuable things; the want of leaves and thick foliage allowed no ambush, and the savage must fight openly beside his own hearth-stone. It was the close of day when the colonists came up to the place; a fort, a blockhouse, and a wall that passed round the isle, proved the skill, as well as resolution of the assailed; the frozen shores and water were quickly covered with the slain, and then the Indians. fought at their doors and around their children till all was lost, and a thousand of them fell.”*

The loss of the English was about 230 men. It ended the offensive operations of the Narragansetts, and, indeed, destroyed their power forever. The remnant of the tribe removed to the Nipmuck country. Many battles were now fought with the Indians in quick succession, and though the English suffered some severe reverses, their foes were gradually diminished till but a shadow of their former power remained. Canonchet, chief of the Narragansetts, was captured, and offered his life and freedom if he

would betray Philip. But he proudly refused, and was condemned to die by the hands of three young Indian chiefs. On hearing his sentence he said, "I like it well, for I shall die before my heart is soft, or I have spoke anything unworthy of myself."

*Carne. Life of Elliot.

Philip, with a small band of faithful warriors, sought shelter among the Mohawks; but they forced him to fly from their country, and once more he returned to the burial-place of his fathers, Mount Hope. His wife and son accompanied him; and they were snatched from his side by a party of English, who narrowly missed taking Philip himself. In August, 1676, his camp in the swamp was surprised by a party of English under Captain Church, and Philip was shot by a treacherous Indian. His youngest son, the last of the family, was sent to the West Indies, and died in slavery. Thus was the race of Massassoit requited for its friendship to the whites. The conduct of the colonists during the latter part of the war was as cruel and unsparing as we might have expected from the Indians themselves. Although the contest lasted but fourteen months, 600 of the inhabitants of New England had perished, twelve or thirteen towns were entirely, and many others partially destroyed, and the loss of property and expenditures amounted to half a million of dollars. The eastern Indians continued their hostility until 1678.

URING this destructive war, New England had received no aid from the mother country, and the fact that she had not asked for it, was deemed by the king's ministers an evidence of insubordination. The claims of Mason and Gorges with respect to New Hampshire and Maine were revived, and Edward Randolph, the agent of Mason, was sent out to demand from Massachusetts the relinquishment of her jurisdiction over those colonies. He arrived before Philip's War was, terminated, and the people of New England found themselves obliged to contend against the king of England and the savages at their firesides. Stoughton and Bulkley were despatched as agents to England, to support the interests of Massachusetts. The result of the legal proceedings was, that the jurisdiction of Massachusetts over New Hampshire ceased; but her agents succeeded in purchasing the Gorges title for £1250. New Hampshire received a royal governor, Edward Cranfield, who was avaricious and oppressive. After involving himself in controversies with the settlers, he was recalled, and New Hampshire again came under the jurisdiction of Massachusetts.

Another controversy now began between Massachusetts and the crown concerning the operation of the Navigation Act. In 1683, a quo warranto was issued, and the colonial agents, Dudley and Richards, returned to Boston, followed by Randolph, with the dreaded writ. The general court remained firm. The legal process was then advanced with all possible expedition. At length, in Trinity Term, 1684, judgment was pronounced by the Court of King's Bench, against the governor and company of