Author’s Note: Writing about the arrival of the Europeans on the North American Continent, some readers criticized me for not telling the story of the Indians also. I believe firmly that the story of this continent and the founding of this country is the story of all of us—not one to the exclusion of any other. I would be happy to be inclusive; however, members of the Mohican Nation, recently returned to Stockbridge, have made it clear that they wish to tell their own story. I respect that and, therefore, limit this article to the Europeans.
Our forefathers were literate and also prolific. Forgotten Books, a classic reprint service, offers books written from the first landing of the pilgrims in Massachusetts in 1620 through 1760. They wrote it all down so we could trace our beginnings.
One of the most interesting pieces is tracing how the principles of our government progressed from the initial “solemn covenant” signed by all before disembarkation in 1620, to the first Continental Congress, November 15, 1777, where the Articles of Confederation were adopted, to the Constitutional Convention in 1787 and the ratification of our Constitution 1789.
It took 169 years to form the greatest democracy on Earth—the government of the Age of Enlightenment. It was born out a craving for religious freedom and matured into a government ruled by laws and the majority.
The first solemn covenant, written by “loyal subjects of our dread sovereign, King James…,” expressed no desire to form a new government but to support the old—a monarchy.
“Before God and this company, we combine ourselves together into a civil body politic for our better ordering and preservation and ends mutually agreed upon.” There it was. From the first day, before foot was set on soil, a commitment to form into a whole body with an agreed upon goal. It was the first hint of democratic order. Perhaps it was recognition that the king was far away, perhaps the first step toward rule by the majority, not a powerful individual, was prompted by physical distance.
In London, 1628, “…the council for New England sold to Sir Henry Roswell, Sir John Young and 4 associates a patent [title] for all that part of New England in the vicinity of Dorchester.” That vague description of the land grant created confusion about what was Massachusetts and what was not for 200 years.
In 1629, King Charles incorporated the grant and called it Massachusetts Bay. As for governance, on April 13, 1629, a form of government in the colony was settled upon.
“The governors and company in Massachusetts Bay in New England, with power to elect forever, out of the freemen of said company, a governor, deputy governor, and 18 assistants to be newly chosen and to make laws not repugnant to the laws of England,”
Same issue different year
Thus, the first uprising began. People in Massachusetts Bay, and those ready to emigrate, were not satisfied with the form of government that England had adopted. The conclusion sounds good, but the process—decisions made half a world away that imposed laws that would govern them—was not acceptable. Moreover, and much worse, decisions were made without their input or consent.
Sounds like no taxation without representation—same issue different year. They lost 144 years later (Tea Tax of 1773), but they won this round. It was resolved that the governance would be transferred from London to Massachusetts. It was resolved without the shot heard round the world (1775), and therefore, emigration continued. They “set forth for Naumkeag.”
A word about the name Naumkeag
Cotton Mather suggested that “Naumkeag” was Hebrew, therefore, Biblical, and sacred. Mather said it meant “haven of comfort.” He proposed that “naum” in Hebrew meant haven, that “keag” in Hebrew meant comfort.
I do not speak Hebrew. I am just one who delights anytime the Reverend Mather is wrong. I agree with more modern historians who conclude Naumkeag is not Hebrew. It is Algonquin and means “fishing place.”
Final note: There was tacit agreement among the crowned heads of Europe that “Property inhabited by savages should become the property of the discoverer.” The discovery by John Cabot, sailing under the flag of King Henry in 1497, of the northern part of the North American continent opened the door to English settlement.
