H-to suffer imprisonment-and to be put to labour. For the third, to be branded in the other hand, imprisoned, &c. as before. For the fourth, the offender was to have his tongue bored through with a red hot ironimprisoned and kept to labour, until sent away at their own charge. Any person who should attempt to defend the sentiments of the Quakers, was, for the third offence, sentenced to banishment.*

12. Earthquakes.

The first Earthquake since the settlement of this country, took place in New England, on the first day of June, 1638. The earth shook with such violence, that in some places, the people could not stand, without difficulty, in the streets; and most moveable articles in their houses were thrown down. It occurred between the hours of three and four, P. M. The weather was clear and warm, and the wind westerly.

"It came with

a noise like continued thunder, or the rattling of coaches in London, but was presently gone." It was felt at Massachusetts, Connecticut, Narraganset, Piscataqua, and the circumjacent parts. It shook the ships which rode in Boston harbour, and all the adjacent islands. The noise and shaking continued about four minutes. The earth was unquiet twenty days after by times."

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On Jan. 6th, 1663, a great earthquake was felt in the northern parts of America. It was felt throughout New England and New Netherlands, (now New York;) but Canada was the chief seat of its concussions. It be

Though these severe laws cannot be justified, yet we ought to make much allowance for the framers of these laws: they endured many hardships, privations, and sufferings, in order to establish a settlement in the wilderness, and a civil and religious government, under which they could enjoy their civil aud religious privileges in peace and tranquillity. The principles of the Quakers were considered by the Colonists not only as destructive to true religion, but also destructive to their civil government, and hazarding their existence as a people.

† Holmes' Annals.

+ Winthrop's Journal.

gan there about half past five o'clock, P. M. While the heavens were serene, there was suddenly heard a roar like that of fire. The buildings were shaken with violence. "The doors opened and shut themselves— the bells rang without being touched-the walls split asunder-the floors separated and fell down-the fields put on the appearance of precipices-and the mountains seemed moving out of their places." The first shock continued nearly half an hour. Several violent shocks succeeded this the same evening, and the next day; nor did the earthquake cease till the following July. The effects of the first, in January, were remarkable. "Many fountains and small streams were dried up. In others, the water became sulphurous. Many trees were torn up, and thrown to a considerable distance; and some mountains appeared to be much moved and broken."

On the 29th of October, 1727, there was a great earthquake in New England. This earthquake commenced with a heavy rumbling noise about half past ten o'clock, P. M. when the weather was perfectly calm and tranquil. The motion was undulatory. Its violence caused the houses to shake and rock, as if they were falling to pieces. Stone walls, and the tops of several chimneys, were shaken down. The duration appears to have been about two minutes. Its course appears to have been from northeast to southwest.

The most violent earthquake ever known in this country, took place November 18th, 1755. It was felt at Boston a little after four o'clock, in a serene and pleasant night, and continued nearly four and a half minutes. In Boston, about one hundred chimneys were levelled with the roofs of the houses; and about fifteen hundred shattered and thrown down in part. Many clocks were stopped. "At New-Haven, the ground, in many places, seemed to rise like the sea; and the houses shook and cracked." The motion of the earthquake was undulatory. Its course was nearly from northwest to southeast. Šlight shocks of earthquakes have occurred in many instances since the first settlement of this country.

13. Indian Cunning and Sagacity.

The Indians have ever been remarkable for their cunning and sagacity.

The following will serve to illustrate this part of their character.

A Pequot Indian, in time of war, was pursued by a Narraganset. Finding it difficult to escape, he had recourse to the following stratagem. Retiring behind a rock, he elevated his hat upon his gun just above the rock, so that nothing but his hat appeared. The Narraganset, who was some distance off, perceiving this, crept up softly, within a few feet, and fired, and supposed that he had shot his enemy through the head. But he soon found out his mistake, for the Pequot immediately sprung around the rock, and shot him before he had time to load his gun.

Such is the sagacity and habits of nice observation which an Indian possesses, that it is said, he can tell whether his enemy has passed any place-will discern foot-marks which an European could not see; he will tell what tribe it was, and what were their numbers.

On the smoothest grass, on the hardest earth, and even on the very stones, will he discern traces. In the pursuit of game they will track their prey in the same manner, and see which way to go in pursuit.

14. Expedition against the Pequots.

The year 1637 is memorable in the history of Connecticut for the war with the Pequot Indians—one of the most warlike and haughty tribes in New England. Previous to the breaking out of the war, the Pequots had much annoyed the English, and murdered a number of them, whereupon a court was summoned at Hartford who determined upon a war with the Pequots. Ninety men were mustered from the towns of Hartford,

Windsor, and Wethersfield, being about half of the effective force of the whole colony. This expedition was commanded by Capt. Mason, assisted by Capt. Underhill. Previous to their marching, the Rev. Mr. Hooker, of Hartford, addressed them in the following

manner:

"Fellow Soldiers, Countrymen, and Companions, you are this day assembled by the special Providence of God; you are not collected by wild fancy, nor ferocious passions. It is not a tumultuous assembly, whose actions are aborted, or if successful, produce only theft, rapine, rape, and murder: crimes inconsistent with nature's light. inconsistent with a soldier's valour. You, my dear hearts, were selected from your neighbours, by the godly fathers of the land, for your known courage to execute such a work.

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Your cause is the cause of heaven; the enemy have blasphemed your God, and slain his servants; you are only the ministers of his justice. I do not pretend that your enemies are careless or indifferent; no, their hatred is inflamed, their lips thirst for blood; they would devour you, and all the people of God; but, my brave soldiers, their guilt has reached the clouds; they are ripe for destruction; their cruelty is notorious; and cruelty and cowardice are always united.

"There is nothing, therefore, to prevent your certain victory, but their nimble feet, their impenetrable swamps and woods; from these your small numbers will entice them, or your courage drive them. I now put the question-Who would not fight in such a cause? fight with undaunted boldness? Do you wish for more encouragement? more I give you. Riches awaken the soldier's sword; and though you will not obtain silver and gold on the field of victory, you will secure what is indefinitely more precious; you will secure the liberties, the privileges, and the lives of Christ's Church in this new world.

"You will procure safety for your affectionate wives, safety for your prattling, harmless, smiling babes; you will secure all the blessings enjoyed by the people of

God in the ordinances of the gospel. Distinguished was the honour conferred upon David, for fighting the battles of the Lord: this honour, O ye courageous soldiers of God, is now prepared for you. You will now

execute his vengeance on the heathen; you will bind their kings in chains, and their nobles in fetters of iron. "But perhaps some one may fear that a fatal arrow may deprive him of this honour. Let every faithful soldier of Jesus Christ be assured, that if any servant be taken away, it is merely because the honours of this world are too narrow for his reward; an everlasting crown is set upon his head, because the rewards of this life are insufficient. March, then, with Christian courage, in the strength of the Lord; march with faith in his divine promises, and soon your swords shall find your enemies; soon they shall fall like leaves of the forest under your feet."

Being now joined by Uncas, the sachem of the Mohegans, they all proceeded down the river to Saybrook, where they formed their plan of operations. It was determined to attack the enemy in one of their principal forts, (in the present town of Stonington,) where Sassacus, their chief sachem, had retired. Previous to the attack, Capt. Mason was joined by about five hundred Narraganset Indians, who, when they understood that they were to fight Sassacus, betrayed much fear, and retired to the rear, saying, "Sassacus was all one a god, and nobody could kill him."

The time fixed at length arrived-the dawn of the 26th of May, which was to decide the fate of the colony of Connecticut. The barking of a dog, when within a few rods of the fort, announced their approach, and aroused the Pequot sentinel, who cried out, Owannux! Owannux! i. e. Englishmen! Englishmen! The captains, followed by their men, courageously pressed forward, found an entrance, and fired upon the enemy in the fort, who made a desperate resistance. The destruction of the Pequots was terrible, yet the victory seemed doubtful. Captain Mason (who with his men were now nearly exhausted) seized a firebrand, and set