The OAK grew here in perfection. It was chiefly manufactured into staves and ship timber. The original growth is now nearly gone, and the young trees do not thrive. Cowley has attempted to perpetuate its remembrance in connexion with a great achievement to which it was made subservient, in the following lines. "And Drake's brave Oak that past to worlds unknown, Whose toils, O Phœbus, were so like thy own ; Who round the earth's vast globe triumphant rode, Deserves the celebration of a God. O let the Pegasean ships no more Be worship'd on the too unworthy shore; A fixt star, shining equal with the Ram." These and the other forest trees are the same in general as described in the History of NewHampshire, as common to the state. CONCLUSION. If what is here offered to the public have a tendency to correct any prevailing erroneous opinions, or cause any to look to the important subject of the beginnings of their country, it is the end for which it has been written. Should it come under the eye of an inhabitant of the place upon which it is composed, much will occur to him that aught not to have been omitted; but let such remember that they should not neglect to record what is known to them, while in their power. If all that might, should do this, throughout a state, who could without any detriment to their ordinary concerns, we should soon have what is desired. We cannot have a good account of our state, unless we first have a good account of the parts which compose it. Should errors be discovered, it must be considered that such have been honestly committed, and that they are hardly to be avoided entirely, under the most favorable circumstances for such a work. Dec. 17, 1830. Yours truly, A-N BB. To the Publishing Committee of the New GENTLEMEN-Having met with several original papers, during my investigations into the early history of this section of the country, I select the following and submit them to your disposal for publication, if considered worthy of a place in your forthcoming volume of collections. They are faithfully copied from the originals, and contain, among other important facts, undoubted proof, that the assertion that Maj. Simon Willard "was cashiered" for his brave defence of Brookfield in Aug. 1675, and "died of a broken heart," first published by Rev. Dr. Fiske, of Brookfield, and repeated by other writers, and recently by Hon. Mr. Baylies, in his Hist. of Plymouth Colony, rested entirely on tradition, and is without foundation. If any thing had taken place, as represented, he certainly would not have been offered the office of commander-in-chief of the army more than six months after the court, and received 1278 votes for the office of magistrate, just at the close of life, and which were not counted till he was actually dead. Without further comment, I am, with great respect, yours, LEMUEL SHATTUCK. Concord, Mass. Dec. 25, 1830. I. [Return of the Commissioners "about the Beaver Trade.] The Returne of yr Committee, betrusted to Agree with such as presented to carry alonge yr Trade of furrs, Including In our agreements yr prohibitinge them of Trading Comodytyes by the Court prohibited. 1. Imprs. we Contracted with yr Worpll Major Willard and Mr. Brenton, William Wheel- 2. Thomas Broocks and petnors for yr Trade of Concord, 3. Mr. Pinchon for yr Trade of Springfield and 4. John Stedman for yr Trade of Cambridg, 6. John Parmiter for yr Trade of Sudbury, One put in for Jno. Stone for Whipsepheridge, The Trade to begin from ye 1st of the 5th moth 1657 to pay in Beuer. RICHARD RUSSELL, EDWARD JOHNSON, EDWARD COLLINS, EDWARD TYNGE. The Deputyes approve hereof and doe order the same to be recorded, desiring the consent of or honrs magistrates hereto. WILLIAM TORREY, Clerct. Consented to by the Magystrates. R. BELLINGHAM, Dept. Gour. II. [Letter from the Council to Major Simon Willard.] SIR, The Council receaved your letter, and are sorry for your excuse for not coming to the council, By reason of the state of Lancaster, which wee desire you to endeavour to the utmost of your power to Releive and succor. Wee are using our best endeavour to prepare more forces to send to distrest the enemy. You shall here more from us speedily and in the Interim: february being now come, we desire you to be in a readiness if you should have a full comand over the forces to be sent forth from this colony. EDWARD RAWSON, Sec. 11 febr. 1675. [11 Feb. 1676.] III. [Letter from the "Committee of the militia". of Chelmsford.] To our Honord Governor and Counsail in Boston. Mercy and peace May it please yor Honors. We have judged our Duty, to acquaint to you, with or present condition, and danger of following or Brethren and Neibors in the Horrible distructiens, ruines, and loss of our owne lives and or relatiens. The Savages have been for a day or two discovered to have ranged aboite or Borders and this morning about an hower and halfe after sunrising, Joseph Parker of this place, with his son, coming for the Hon'd Major Willard, about fower mile from or meeting house, along by some houses perteyning to this towne, now against one house standing nigh the way. way-layed, and had ye Indian Bullets thick (as they Report) about them, and were followed, by about 10 nilk guns, discharging at them and shouting: they rod fast to escape them: the young man was wounded in his shoulder by a musket Bullet, as cut out on the other side of his Arme, and as we conceive, by pistol Bullets his cloathes torne in several places. Or men, ye inhabitants of ye saide place, never came away into toune over-night, but some as we heare gone up hastyly this morning, to see after their cattle ; we are in such a posture, as without God's extraordinarye help, we see not how we can stand against the enemy. Or Garrisons are so weake, and or men so scattered about their personal occasions that we are without rational hope, for want of men, and what is otherwise necessary: Arguts. we shall not need to use to yr Wisdoms to consider or necessity of help : If or frontiere Towns be cutt off, what will be the consequence, 'tis not for us to say. We leave it humbly unto yr Hon'd to doe as God shall persuade yr hearts. Commending all yr and our concerns unto the Lord Almighty, and subscribe Yr Hon'dr to command. Chelmsford, 15 of 12. 75. [15 Feb. 1676.] Post Scr. May it please to understand, yt parte of or men are abroad with Majr Willard; upon public service, whereby we are the more enfeebled. SAM. ADAMS, SAMUEL FLETCHER, At the motion and request of Lieft Henchman of Chelmsford, about quitting his house at Merrimack, The Council declare yt they are willing for the present to continue the file of solders yt are there |