A

SUMMAR Y,

Historical and Political,

OF THE

First Planting, Progreffive Improvements,
and Present State of the BRITISH Set-
tlements in NORTH-AMERICA.

CONTAINING

I. Some general Account of an-
cient and modern Colonies, the
granting and fettling of the
British Continent and Weft-
India Inland Colonies, with
fome tranfient Remarks con-
cerning the adjoining French
and Spanish Settlements, and
other Remarks of various Na-
tures.

II. The Hudfon's-Bay Company's
Lodges, Furr and Skin Trade.
III. Newfoundland Harbours and
Cod-Fishery.

IV. The Province of L'Accadie
or Nova-Scotia; with the Vi-
ciffitudes of the Property and
Jurifdiction thereof, and its
prefent State.

V. The feveral Grants of Saga-
dahock, Province of Main,
Maffachusetts-Bay, and New-
Plymouth, united by a new
Charter in the present Province
of Maffachusetts-Bay, com-
monly called New-England.

By WILLIAM DOUGLASS, M. D.

VOL. I.

Ne quid falfi dicere audeat, ne quid veri non audeat.

BOSTON, NEW-ENGLAND, Printed:

CICERO.

LONDON, re-printed for R. BALDWIN in Pater-nofter-Row.
M.DCC.LV.

T

HIS HISTORICAL SUMMARY concerning the British continent plantations in North-America, we published in loose sheets by way of pamphlet, feuille volante, or los-blad; which in their nature are temporary, and foon loft: but as it is generally well received, that it may be more permanent, we publish it in two large octavo volumes.

Vol. I. part 1. contains general affairs, viz. fome account of ancient and modern VOL. I colonies,

A

colonies, the first grants and fettling of our continent colonies and Weft-India islands, and the adjoining French and Spanish settlements, with remarks of various natures.

Vol. I. part 2. contains, 1. The Hudfon's-bay company's fettlements, factories or lodges, and their furr and skin trade. 2. Newfoundland cod-fifhery. 3. The province of Nova-Scotia; the viciffitudes under the British and French jurifdictions. 4. The feveral grants united by a new charter in the province of Maffachusettsbay.

Vol. II. concerning the fundry other British provinces, colonies, or plantations, in the continent of North-America, viz. New-Hampshire, Rhode-Island, Connecticut, East and Weft-Jerfies, Penfylvania higher and lower, Maryland, and Virginia. Throughout is interfperfed feveral mifcellaneous affairs, fuch as the natural history, the distempers at times epidemical, and the endemial diseases in these various climates, with their paper currencies; as alfo fome addenda and corrigenda, particularly, if by historical free

doms

doms used, any just offence (humanum eft errare) is given to perfon or perfons, it shall be candidly rectified.

The writer with candour acknowledges that in the affair of commodore Knowles's impress in the harbour of Boston, Nov. 1747, there was somewhat of paffionate warmthand indiscretion, merely in affection to Boston, and country of New-England, his altera patria; but not with rancour or malice, having no perfonal acquaintance nor dealings with Mr. Knowles; therefore from common fame, he (as historians do) only narrates his peculiar temper, his feverity in discipline, and not so much regard as fome other fea commanders have for the mercantile interest, by impreffing their men, when he thought the publick service required it his general courage as a fea officer is not queftioned; the infinuation concerning his perfonal courage, has been conftrued amifs; the refufing of paffionate challenges from private masters of merchant fhips, whofe men he had impreffed, which perhaps might deprive the nation of his fervice, is no flur.