Nations. 49 well as either the French or the English, how important they were to both, and that their true policy was to play off their powerful Confederacy neighbors against each other. To this policy they adhered of the Six with what may be called a savage cunning, but which was in fact wise statesmanship, till half a century later, when France was no longer a power in America, and all that was left to England was the comparatively little she had acquired from France. Death of The opposition aroused by Burnet's measures was strong enough to effect his removal. The royal assent was withheld to the act prohibiting trade with Canada. A new Assembly was chosen, a majority of which was hostile to the Governor, and he was trans- Governor ferred in 1727 to Massachusetts Bay. He died in Boston two years afterward from fever brought on by falling into the water when thrown from his carriage on a causeway in Cambridge. Burnet. Governor Burnet said of himself, that his genius did not bud till late; that his father, Bishop Burnet, despaired till he was twenty years of age, whether he would make any figure in life. To the reader, in an age which has wholly forgotten him, the bishop's doubt, through his son's boyhood, seems well founded. But, as compared with other royal governors, it can be well understood how many of the people of New York and of Massachusetts looked back on him with a certain respect. To write poor commentaries on the book of Revelation, as he did, is an occupation more worthy of the lieutenant of the King, than, like Fletcher, to sell licenses to pirates, or, like Cornbury, to steal appropriations made for fortifications. These commentaries, however, were not thought unworthy of condemnation — that highest evidence sometimes of worth. If we may believe Smith, the New Jersey historian, an act was proposed in the Assembly of that province with special reference to the Governor's book. Its title was "An Act against denying the divinity of our Saviour, Jesus Christ, the doctrine of the Blessed Trinity, the truth of the Holy Scriptures, and spreading Atheistical Books." But no other mark appears of any want of harmony between him and the people of that portion of his government. Under him, as under most of the Governors of the viceroyalty of New York and New Jersey, the smaller province was neglected for the larger, and thrived with neglect. Burnet's ad ministration in New Jer sey. tional politics, still fighting, with their backs to the Pacific, inch by inch for possession of their hunting-grounds. 1 He was received at the Rhode Island boundary line by a delegation and escorted to Boston with unusual marks of welcome. It is said that he was annoyed by the long graces before meat, and asked when these lengthy ceremonies would come to an end. Colonel Tayler of Boston, one of his escort, replied: "Please your honour, the graces will increase in length until you come to Boston; after that they will shorten till you come to your government of New Hampshire; there you will find no grace at all." VOL. III. Governor John Montgomerie, Burnet's successor, probably owed his appointment to the personal favor of George the Second, to whom Montgomerie. he had been groom of the chamber. He is said to have refused to act as chancellor, as his commission.bade him, until specially ordered to do so. He arrived on the 15th of April, 1728. His administration was short and uneventful, and he died on the first of July, 1731. After an interregnum of thirteen months in which Mr. Rip Van Dam, as senior member of the Council, acted as governor, Colonel Cosby, who arrived August 1, 1732, succeeded to the office. PHILIP LUDWELL AND VIRGINIA AT THE CLOSE OF BERKELEY'S ADMINISTRATION. OVER-PRODUCTION OF TOBACCO. WRETCHED CONTHE "PLANT-CUTLORD EFFINGHAM A CHANGE FOR THE BETTER UNDER GOVERNOR NICHOLSON.- WILLIAM AND MARY COLLEGE. - NICHOLSON REMOVED TO MARYLAND. AFFAIRS IN THAT COLONY.-LORD BALTIMORE DEPRIVED OF POLITICAL POWER. MARYLAND A ROYAL PROVINCE. - CHURCH OF ENGLAND ESTABLISHED BY NICHOLSON. EDMUND ANDROS, GOVERNOR OF VIRGINIA. - SUCCEEDED BY NICHOLSON. HIS SECOND ADMINISTRATION, AND CAUSES OF HIS RECALL. GOVERNOR SPOTSWOOD. HIS EXPEDITION OVER THE BLUE RIDGE. SETTLEMENT OF THE SHENANDOAH VALLEY. GREATER RELIGIOUS TOLERATION. - PROGRESS AND PROSPERITY OF VIRGINIA. SUCCESSIVE GOVERNORS, TILL THE ARRIVAL OF DINWIDDIE. ter Bacon's THE suppression of Bacon's Rebellion did not necessarily bring tranquillity to Virginia. The leaders on both sides - Bacon Condition of and Berkeley were dead, and a heavy retribution had Virginia affallen upon many who had vainly hoped that in an appeal Rebellion. to arms they would find a redress for all their grievances. There was rather sullen acquiescence than cheerful submission in the restoration of order; for many who were too prudent or too timid to give to |