history.
"I have entirely sympathized with the Colonists in their remonstrances, and even use of arms, in defence of British constitutional rights, from 1763 to 1776; but I have been compelled to view the proceedings of the Revolutionists and their treatment of the Loyalists in a very different light.
"After having compared the conduct of the two parties during the Revolution, the exile of the Loyalists from their homes after the close of the War, and their settlement in the British Provinces, I have given a brief account of the government of each Province, and then traced the alleged and real causes of the War of 1812-1815, together with the courage, sacrifice, and patriotism of Canadians, both English and French, in defending our country against eleven successive American invasions, when the population of the two Canadas was to that of the United States as one to twenty-seven, and the population of Upper Canada (the chief scene of the War) was as one to one hundred and six. Our defenders, aided by a few English regiments, were as handfuls, little Spartan bands, in comparison of the hosts of the invading armies; and yet at the end of two years, as well as at the end of the third and last year of the War, not an invader's foot found a place on the soil of Canada.
"I undertook this work not self-moved and with no view to profit; and if I receive no pecuniary return from this work, on which I have expended no small labour and means, I shall have the satisfaction of having done all in my power to erect an historical monument to the character and merits of the fathers and founders of my native country."
E. RYERSON.
"TORONTO, Sept. 24th, 1879."
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
INTRODUCTION.--TWO CLASSES OF EMIGRANTS--TWO GOVERNMENTS FOR SEVENTY YEARS--THE PILGRIM FATHERS, THEIR PILGRIMAGES AND SETTLEMENT.
PAGE
The writer a native Colonist 1
Massachusetts the seed-plot of the American Revolution 1
Two distinct emigrations to New England--the "Pilgrim Fathers" in 1620, the "Puritan Fathers" in 1629; two separate governments for seventy years; characteristics of each 1
Objects and documentary character of the history, which is not a popular narrative, but a historical discussion (in a note) 2
The "Pilgrim Fathers;" their pilgrimages and settlement in New England 2
Origin of Independents 2
Flight to Holland, and twelve years' pilgrimage; trades and wearisome life there 3
Long to be under English rule and protection 3
Determine and arrange to emigrate to America 3
Voyage, and intended place of settlement 4
Landing at Cape Cod; constitution of government; Messrs. Bancroft and Young's remarks upon it 5
Settlement of "New Plymouth" 6
What known of the harbour and coast before the landing of the Pilgrims 7
Inflated and extravagant accounts of the character and voyage of the Pilgrims (in a note) 7
Results of the first year's experience and labours; a week's celebration of the first "harvest home"--such a first harvest home as no United Empire Loyalists were ever able to celebrate in Canada 9
CHAPTER II.
GOVERNMENT OF THE "PILGRIM FATHERS" AT NEW PLYMOUTH DURING SEVENTY YEARS, FROM 1620 TO 1690, AS DISTINCT FROM THAT OF THE "PURITAN FATHERS" OF MASSACHUSETTS BAY. 11-23
Two governments--difference between the government of the Pilgrims and that of the Puritans 11
Compact, and seven successive governors of the Pilgrims 12
Simple, just, popular and loyal government of the Pilgrims and their descendants 13
Illustrations of their loyalty to successive sovereigns, and the equity and kindness with which Charles the First and Charles the Second treated them 14
Complaints against the unjust and persecuting conduct of the government of Massachusetts Bay, the cause of Parliamentary and Royal Commissions in 1646, 1664, and 1678 17
Four questions of inquiry by the Commissioners of Charles the Second, in 1665, and satisfactory answers by the Plymouth Government 18
Opposition of the Puritan Government of Massachusetts Bay to the Pilgrim Government in seeking a Royal Charter in 1630 and 1678 21
Absorption of the Plymouth Colony into that of Massachusetts Bay by the second Royal Charter; the exclusion of its chief men from public offices 21
Reflections on the melancholy termination of the Plymouth Government; the noble and loyal character of the Pilgrim Fathers and their descendants 22
CHAPTER III.
THE PURITANS OF MASSACHUSETTS BAY COMPANY AND THEIR GOVERNMENT, COMMENCING IN 1629. 24-84
PART FIRST.
First settlement--Royal Charter granted 24
Causes, characteristics, and objects of early emigration to New England 25
The Puritan emigrants to Massachusetts Bay professed members of the Established Church when they left England 26
Professed objects of the emigration two-fold--religious and commercial; chiefly religious, for "converting and civilizing the idolatrous and savage Indian tribes" 26
Endicot; Royal Charter 27
Second emigration; Endicot becomes a Congregationalist, and establishes Congregationalism as the only worship of the Company at Massachusetts Bay, and banishes John and Samuel Brown for adhering (with others) to the old worship 28
PART SECOND.
The question involving the primary cause of the American Revolution; the setting up of a new form of worship, and abolishing and proscribing
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