was ordered by the general Assembly "That no per son under the age of twenty, or any other who had not already accustomed himself to the use of it, should take any tobacco until he had obtained a certificate from under the hand of an approved physician that it was useful for him, and until he had also obtained a license from the court. All others, who had addicted themselves to the use of it, were prohibited from taking it in any company, or at their labours, or in travelling, unless ten miles, at least, from any company; and though not in company not more than once a day, upon pain of six-pence for every such offence. One substantial witness was to be sufficient proof of the crime. The Constables of the several towns were to make presentments to the particular courts, and it was ordered that the fine should be paid without gainsaying."

În 1658, the general court of New-Haven passed a severe law against the Quakers. They introduced their law with this preamble-" Whereas there is a cursed sect of heretics lately sprung up in the world, commonly called Quakers, who take upon them that they are immediately sent from God, and infallibly assisted by the Spirit, who yet speak and write blasphemous opinions, despise government, and the order of God in church and commonwealth, speaking evil of dignities, &c.," ordered "That whosoever shall bring, or cause to be brought, any known Quaker or Quakers, or other blasphemous heretics, shall forfeit the sum of 501." Also, "If any Quaker come into this jurisdiction on civil business, the time of his stay shall be limited by the civil authority, and he shall not use any means to corrupt or seduce others; on his first arrival he shall appear before the magistrate, and from him have license to pass on to his business. And (for the better prevention of hurt to the people) have one or more to attend upon them at their charge, &c."

The penalties, in case of disobedience, were, whipping, imprisonment, labour, and a deprivation of all converse with any person. For the second offence, the person was to be branded in the hand with the letter

H-o 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."‡

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 Slight 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.

"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? figh with undaunted boldness? Do you wish for more en couragement? more I give you. Riches awaken th soldier's sword; and though you will not obtain silver and gold on the field of victory, you will secure wha 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