CHRONOLOGICAL EVENTS. 143

influence had long preserved peace with the
colonies, being dead, is succeeded by Ope-
chancanough, a chief of very contrary cha-
racter. Taking advantage of the confidence
inspired by habits of amicable intercourse, a
cold and barbarous project was formed to
massacre the whole of the colonists at the
same time. On the 22nd March, at the ap-
pointed moment, 347 men, women and chil-
dren were murdered, & an exterminating war
succeeded. The settlements were in a short time
reduced from eighty to eight in number.

The colonists thus far owed nothing to the
Royal Government. Individuals or small
associations had originated all the enterprize
for colonising—had paid all the expense of
lives as well as of lands exacted in the under-
taking. The moment that the energy of indi-
viduals and associations, and the resources of
the colonies had rendered the latter of some
importance, the loving kindness and fatherly
care of the king was extended to deprive the
corporation of their charter and of the reward
of their adventures, and the colonists of their
rights and privileges.

1623. New Hampshire settled by a small
English colony, near the mouth of Piscata-
qua river.

1624. King James taking advantage of politi-
cal disputes amongst the members of the
chartered company whose funds and enter-
prise had established the colony, arbitrarily