ENGLISH COLONIES IN AMERICA VOLUME II. THE PURITAN COLONIES IN TWO VOLUMES-VOL. I. BY J. A. DOYLE, M.A. FELLOW OF ALL SOULS COLLEGE, OXFORD 'The ages of monotony had their use, for they trained men for ages BAGEHOT, Physics and Politics NEW YORK HENRY HOLT AND COMPANY PREFACE. THE purpose and scope of this book have been explained in the preface to an earlier volume. I have however deviated from the plan there laid down, in that I have given two volumes to a portion of my subject which I hoped to dispose of in one. I shall probably make a still further deviation, and instead of concluding my work with one more volume, give one to New York and the Quaker colonies, and one to the whole body of colonies while under the first and second Georges. In this I propose to deal chiefly with the relations which existed between the colonists and the English government. It may not be amiss to say a word as to the sources from which I have taken my materials. I have endeavored throughout to act on the sound legal principle of never adducing inferior testimony where better could be had. On that principle I have endeavored invariably to consult an original authority where such could be found. But where, as sometimes has been the case, writers who cannot claim to be original authorities have used materials which are now lost or inaccessible, I have not scrupled to rely upon them, if I could satisfy myself that they were to be trusted. A writer who does so no doubt runs the risk of being called a compiler. It appears to me that he is blameworthy only if he uses the work of other men to save his own trouble, not if he uses it as the only means of giving completeness to his work, without |