with the United States after the War of Independence, and with the Dominion, the Commonwealth, and the Union of British South Africa, the British Empire has already reached a stage of development at which its component parts consist of communities with most of the attributes of distinct nations. The most keen-sighted of imperialists now recognize that what is necessary is a federation of nations, not of provinces. In this state of things past precedents count for very little; and a new form of Constitution must needs be evolved to meet a condition of affairs wholly new. A consensus of opinion seems to regard the Imperial Conference as the point of departure, from which may be evolved a more systematic organization of the Empire.1 But the British Empire of which Lord Salisbury spoke has not yet risen from the sea, and the consideration of its probable form still belongs to the field of speculation and theory. Meanwhile all that we can say with regard to the precedents of the past is that if they teach no practical lesson, at least they are of excellent omen as showing the spirit and the temper in which the problem should be approached.

1 These words are left as they were written more than thirteen years ago; but it must be confessed that after the expectations raised by the successful experiences of a time of war, 'the systematic organization' of the British Commonwealth of Nations seems as far from realization as it was in 1911.

BETWIXT THE PLANTATIONS UNDER THE GOVERNMENT OF THE MASSACUSETTS, THE PLANTATIONS UNDER THE GOVERNMENT OF NEW PLYMOUTH, THE PLANTATIONS UNDER THE GOVERNMENT OF CONECTICUTT AND THE GOVERNMENT OF NEWHAVEN, WITH THE PLANTATIONS IN COMBINATION WITH ITT.1

[The text is as given in New Haven Colonial Records, 1638-1649. Edited by C. J. Hoadby. Hartford, 1857; pp. 98-104.]

2

WHEREAS We all came into these parts of America with one and the same end and ayme, namely, to advance the kingdome of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to enjoy the libertyes of the Gospell, in purity with peace; and whereas in our settling (by a wise providence of God) we are further dispersed upon the sea-coasts and rivers then was at first intended,3 so thatt wee cannott (according to our desire) with conveniencie communicate in one government and jurisdiction; and whereas we live incompassed with people of severall nations and strange languages which hereafter may prove injurious to us and our posterity: and forasmuch as the natives have formerly comitted sundry insolencies and outrages upon severall plantations of the English and have of late combined against us and seeing, by reason of the sad distractions in England, which they have heard of, and by which they know we are hindered both from thatt humble way of seeking advice, and reaping those

1 No stress is to be laid upon the fact that the agreement was in form between the Plantations of the Governments and not the Governments themselves.

* The aim of the New English settlers was not so much idem velle de re publica as idem velle de rebus sacris.

* These words allude to the separate foundation of Plymouth and Massachusetts, and to the further dislocation caused by the foundation of Connecticut and New Haven.

The French and the Dutch.

After the destruction of the Pequot Indians there was at this time no serious risk of an Indian combination against the English.

comfortable frutes of protection, which att other times we might well expect! We therefore doe conceive it our bounden dutye without delay to enter into a present consociation amongst ourselves for mutuall help and strength in all our future concernments, thatt, as in nation and religion, so, in other respects, we bee and continue one, aecording to the tennure and true meaning of the ensueing articles.

I. Wherefore itt is fully agreed and concluded by and betweene the partyes, or jurisdictions above named, and they joyntly and severally doe by these presents agree and conclude thatt they all be, and henceforth be called by the name of The United Collonyes of New England.

II. The said United Colonyes for themselves and their posterityes doe joyntly and severally hereby enter into a firme and perpetuall leage of frendship and amyty, for offence and defence, mutuall advice and succour, upon all just occasions, both for preserving and propageating the truth and libertyes of the Gospell, and for their owne mutuall safety and wellfare.

III. Itt is further agreed thatt the plantations, which att present are or hereafter shall be settled within the lymitts of the Massacusetts shall be forever under the government of the Massachusetts; and shall have peculiar jurisdiction amongst themselves in all cases as a entire body; and thatt Plymouth, Conectecut, and Newhaven shall, each of them, in all respects have the like peculiar jurisdiction and government within their limmitts; and in referrence to the plantations which allready are settled or shall hereafter be erected, and shall settle, within any of their lymmits respectively, provided, thatt no other jurisdiction shall hereafter be taken in as a distinct head or member of this confoederation, nor shall any other, either plantation or jurisdiction in present

1 It is impossible to say how far these words were written in earnest; the people of New England assuredly never showed any desire that England should interfere with their local concerns.

being and nott already in combination or under the jurisdiction of any of these confœderates, be received by any of them, nor shall any two of these confœderates joyne in one jurisdiction without consent of the rest,1 which consent to be interpreted as in the sixt ensuing article is expressed.

IV. Itt is allso by these confoederates agreed thatt the charge of all just warres, whether offensive or defensive, upon whatt part or member of this confœderation soever they fall, shall both in men, provisions, and all other disbursments, be borne by all the parts of this confoederation in different proportions according to their different abilityes in manner following, Thatt the commissioners for each jurisdiction from time to time as there shalbe occasion bring a true account and number of all the males in each plantation or any way belonging to or under their severall jurisdictions, of whatt quality or condition soever they be, from sixteene yeares olde to three score, being inhabitants there, and thatt according to the different numbers, which from time to time shall be found in each jurisdiction, upon a true and just account, ye service of men and all charges of the warre be borne by the pole: each Plantation or Jurisdiction being left to their owne just course and custome of rateing themselves, and people, according to their different estates, with due respect to their quallityes and exemptions among themselves, though the confœderation take no notice of any such priviledg. And thatt according to the different charge of each jurisdiction and plantation, the whole advantage of the warre (if it please God so to blesse their endeavours), whether itt be in lands, goods or persons, shall be proportionably divided among the said confœderates.

V. Itt is further agreed thatt if any of these jurisdictions, or any plantation under or in combination with them be invaded by any enemy whomsoever, upon notice and request of any three magistrates of thatt jurisdiction so invaded, the rest of the confoederates without any further meeting 1 See Introduction for cynical disregard of this Article by Connecticut.