Part 2

John Craven = ---- | +-------------------------+----------------+ | | Henry of = ---- dau. of William = Beatrix, dau. of Appletreewick. | ---- Sherwood. | John Hunter. | +--------+----------------+ | | | Robert = Mary, dau. Sir William = Elizabeth, Anthony = ---- | of ---- Lord Mayor | dau. of | | Brockden. of London. | Wm. Whitmore. | | | | | +--------------+--------------+ | | | | | | | William John Thomas | | Earl of Lord Craven d. _s.p._ | | Craven. of Ryton. | | d. _s.p._ d. _s.p._ | | | +-------------+-----------------+-------------------------+ | | | | | Sir William = Mary, dau. of Sir Thomas = Anne, dau. Sir Anthony | of | Ferdinando, | of Francis = | Lenchwike, | Visct. | Proctor, Elizabeth | d. 1665, | Fairfax, | of dau. of Baron | æt. 46. | of Cameron. | Beckwith. Pelnitz | | | d. _s.p._ | +-------------+ | | | | | | William Elizabeth = Theophilus | | d. _v.p._ Leigh. | | Aug. 13, 1665, | | æt. 16. | | | | +--------------------------+------+--------++ | | | || | Sir William = Mary, dau. Mary = Sir E. Alice = Wm. Topham | b. 21 Aug. 1638. | of Sir Andros. Margaret = Christopher | d. 24 Oct. 1695. | Christopher Dauson. | | Chapham of | | Beamsley, | | co. York. | | | +----+------------+++ +--------------------+ | ||| | William, Thomas = Margaret Craven, b. 4 Oct. 1668, | dau. of Robt 2d Lord Craven, | d. 23 Feb. 1702, of Hampsted Marshall. | aged 80. | +----------------------+------------------------+ | | | Sir William = Mary, Sir Robert = Margaret. Sir Anthony = Theodosia, of Winwick, dau. of d. 4 Oct. Bart. of dau. of d. Mch, 1707, George 1672, Spersholt, Sir Wm. æt. 73. Clerke. æt. 40. 1661, d. 1713. Wiseman.]

It is possible that Andros came to England for the marriage, and returned to Barbados; but we think it more probable that the regiment had been recalled to England. DUNCAN states that in April, 1672, a regiment raised for Prince Rupert was armed for the first time with the bayonet, that Andros was made Major, and the four Barbados companies then under his command were incorporated in it. In the same month, the proprietors of the Province of Carolina, of which the Earl of Craven was one, conferred on him the title of Landgrave, with four Baronies, containing 48,000 acres of land.

In April, 1674, Andros succeeded his father in his estates in Guernsey, and 30 June, was sworn as Bailly of the island, the reversion of that office having been before granted him.

We do not find mention of the occasion which recommended him to the attention of the Duke of York, but from his early attendance on the royal family, and his exceptional loyalty, he had probably long been known to that prince. Andros was accordingly selected to be the Governor of the Province of New York, which was claimed by the Duke, and had recently been restored to him by the Dutch. He arrived in this country, November 1st, 1674, accompanied by his wife.

A brief notice of the events which had occurred in this country immediately before his arrival, may render his subsequent proceedings more intelligible to the reader.

On the 27th of August, 1664, the Dutch Colony of New Netherland was surrendered to an English force under Col. Richard Nicolls. The King, Charles II., had already granted it, by patent dated 12 March, 1664, to his brother, the Duke of York. After it had been held by the English for over nine years, the Dutch had recaptured it, August 9, 1673; but under the terms of the treaty of peace, it was restored to its English owners. In a letter dated 7/17 July, 1674, the Dutch embassadors wrote that they had complied with the orders from the States-General to notify the King that the Province would be delivered to his agent; that Edmund Andros had been designated as the person, and was to sail before the end of the week. (N.Y. Col. Doc. ii. 733.) The Colony at that time was estimated to contain between six and seven thousand white inhabitants, to which number were to be added the English settlers on Long Island. Andros's commission, which was dated July 1, 1674, made him "Lieutenant and Governor" over that part of Maine which was styled Pemaquid, Long Island, Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard, and the territory from the west side of Connecticut River to the east side of Delaware Bay. This latter territory comprised not only the State of New York, but Delaware, New Jersey and a large portion of Connecticut; the claim of the Duke of York to which domains was by no means undisputed.

Andros was at the same time commissioned as captain of a regiment of foot, raised by the Duke of York for service in the Colony, and received the necessary money for the expenses attendant upon establishing the new government. He was accused by some of the Dutch colonists of having exacted a new and unlawful oath of allegiance from them, but this difficulty seems to have speedily subsided. His instructions had been explicit that he should not disturb those colonists who desired to remain in good faith, and we see no reason to doubt that Andros fulfilled his orders. He has left an account of his administration for the first three years (N.Y. Col. Doc. iii. 254-7) from which we take the principal items.

In October, 1674, he says, that having received possession of New York and reduced the east end of Long Island, he took in hand the turbulent at various other places; these once quieted, the country had been peaceful ever since. The next summer he commenced to press the Duke's claim to that part of the country between the Hudson and Connecticut rivers. He therefore wrote several letters to the Governor and General Court of Connecticut, but it may easily be believed that the claim was only a matter of form. In fact, both parties had a patent for the same land, since the Connecticut Charter covered all the land from the Narragansett Bay, due west to the South Sea, and the Duke of York's territory was to be carved from this domain. Andros indeed says with truth that the English claim had been abandoned, since under that patent Connecticut might claim "New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Carolina and the Spanish West Indies," as well as all New York. The Duke of York was not disposed to press the matter, and wrote to Andros in January, 1675-6, that he approved of the demand, as preserving his title entire, but hoped for some more convenient method of adjusting the boundaries in the future; the only stipulation he made, was that the Connecticut men should not approach within twenty miles of the Hudson River. Within a month, however, the hostile attitude of the Indians compelled the eastern colonists to apply to Andros for aid in the alarming position of affairs. On the 1st of July, 1675, a letter was sent by Gov. Winthrop of Connecticut to New York, and Andros not only was "much troubled at the Christians' misfortunes and hard disasters in those parts," but he proposed to start at once, with a force "ready to take such resolutions as may be fit for me," and to make the best of his way to Connecticut River; "his royal Highness's bounds," as he significantly termed them.

This was more than the colonists had anticipated; yet they were unwilling to bring the dispute of boundaries to an open rupture, especially at such a time. Andros, therefore, was allowed to come to Saybrook with his two small vessels, and was met by Robert Chapman and Thomas Bull in behalf of the Colony. Various protests were exchanged, and Andros caused the Duke of York's Charter and his commission to be read. After this ceremony, he declared he should depart immediately unless desired to stay. In return, the agents of the Colony, who had studiously disavowed any share in these proceedings, read a protest on the part of Connecticut. And so "his Honor was guarded with the town soldiers to the waterside, went on board, and presently fell down below the Fort, with salutes on both sides." (TRUMBULL, Col. Rec. Conn. ii. 584.) Thus both sides parted in peace, each content with its own performance; and a few years afterwards the boundary was settled by mutual concessions.

Andros pursued his plans for protecting his Colony, furnished the necessary arms and ammunition, and disarmed the friendly Indians. Returning to New York, he called together the neighboring sachems and renewed the treaties with them; and in August, 1675, he proceeded to Albany, where he succeeded in gaining the friendship of the Mohawks and other powerful tribes. For nearly a year, till the death of Philip, August 12th, 1676, Massachusetts and Connecticut suffered from the barbarous incursions of the Indians. During this time, Andros, by his own account, had remained unwillingly idle, his offers of assistance having been rejected by his neighbors. He would have brought into the field his Mohawk allies, but the offer being slighted he could only keep them true to their allegiance, build forts and boats, and prevent any increase of Philip's forces. He seems in fact to have been greatly offended by the assertions of the Massachusetts Colony, that it was at Albany, and through his connivance, that the hostile Indians had obtained their supplies of arms and ammunition. He sent two gentlemen to Boston to obtain satisfaction, and received only a letter "clearing the magistrates, but not the generalty, still aspersed without any known cause, complaint or notice." So indignant was he at this false accusation, that after his arrival in England, he petitioned the King in Council to cause inquiry into the truth of the matter; to which the agents, William Stoughton and Peter Bulkley merely replied, that they were not furnished with the information, and that evil-minded persons might have sold ammunition to the Indians despite the Governor's prohibition; in short, while evading all concessions or apologies, they insinuated the truth of the charge.

Towards the end of the summer of 1676, the Indian troubles broke out in the settlements in Maine, and though Massachusetts had taken possession of the Duke of York's territory of Pemaquid, Andros exerted himself to protect the settlers there, and sent an armed sloop thither.

In June, 1677, he sent a force to Pemaquid and constructed a fort there, which he garrisoned with fifty men; and he undoubtedly contributed much to the pacification of that country for the next few years.

In August, 1677, he visited Albany with an agent from Maryland, and there received anew the assurances of the friendship of the western Indians. At that time and place he received permission from the Duke of York to take a brief leave of absence, and we transcribe a few passages from the letter. "I am glad to find the quiet condition of your government notwithstanding the late troubles that have been in your neighbourhood." "In regard you express a desire to come for England for some time to look after your own concerns, if you shall towards the end of this summer continue to be of that mind, (not doubting your care to settle all things during your absence from your government in the best and safest manner), I do agree that you come away with the latest shipping, so as having the winter to yourself, you may be ready to return to your government with the first ships that go hence in the spring."

Andros indeed, up to this time had merited the thanks of his employer. He had kept the country at peace, and had already made its revenue equal to its current expenses. The former laws in force during the English rule had been re-established, and it would seem that he had even tried to persuade the Duke of York to concede to the settlers some form of a legislative Assembly. (N.Y. Col. Doc. ii. 235.) He therefore communicated to the Council and General Court of Assizes, in October, the permission he had received to visit England, and arranged all matters likely to arise in his absence. On the 17th November, 1677, he sailed from New York, not accompanied by his wife probably, as we find no mention of her.

During his stay in England at this time, Sir Edmund Andros was knighted, a sufficient proof of the favor in which he was held at court. On the 8th April, 1678, he was called before the Committee for Trade and Plantations, and was examined in regard to affairs in New England as well as in his own Colony. His answer was quite elaborate, and is printed in the New York Colonial Documents, iii. 260-265. In regard to his own Colony of New York, he estimates the towns, villages, and parishes at about twenty-four in number, the militia as numbering 2,000, the value of all estates at £150,000. He thinks a substantial merchant is one worth £500 to £1,000, and a planter is rich who has half as much in moveables.

His opinion of the settlements in New England certainly does not seem unfriendly. He states indeed that "the acts of trade and navigation are said, and is generally believed, not to be observed in the Colonies as they ought," yet he adds, "I do not find but the generality of the magistrates and people are well affected to the King and Kingdom, but most knowing no other government than their own, think it best and are wedded to and opinionate for it. And the magistrates and others in place, chosen by the people, think that they are obliged to assert and maintain said government all they can, and are Church-members and like so to be chosen, and to continue without any considerable alteration and change there, and depend upon the people to justify them in their actings."

Andros at this time brought before the Council the matter of the false charge that he had supplied the Indians with ammunition, and the Agents for Massachusetts, William Stoughton and Peter Bulkley accordingly replied, promising "To do their utmost endeavour" to remove any misunderstanding between Sir Edmund and their government.

On the 27th of May, 1678, he sailed for New York in the "Blossom," taking with him William Pinhorne, James Graham, John White, John West and others, including his chaplain, the Rev. Charles Woolley, whose Journal was published in 1701.[4]

[Footnote 4: It has been reprinted (New York, 1860) with notes by Dr. E.B. O'Callaghan.]

He arrived on the 7th September, 1678, and found his Colony at peace, though there were still difficulties to be apprehended in dealing with the Indians. During the next two years Andros seems to have been much disturbed by controversies with some of the leading merchants, and complaints were freely made to the Duke of York that his Governor was dishonest. Accordingly, James wrote, May 24, 1680, to Andros, (N.Y. Col. Doc. iii. 283,) that he wished him to return to England "by the first convenience," turning over the government to Anthony Brockholst, the Lieutenant-Governor. Mr. John Lewen was sent hither as a special commissioner to investigate the accounts of the government, and his report (printed in N.Y. Col. Doc. iii. 302-8) was decidedly unfavorable to Andros. The Governor, however, who had sailed from New York, January 7, 1681, was able to refute the charges made against him, and ends his reply as follows:--

"Lastly, I answer to the whole report, I do find all the imputations upon myself to be wholly untrue and deny every part thereof."... "But if any objections or doubts remain, I am still ready to subject them to the greatest scrutiny his Royal Highness shall think fit, not doubting his Royal Highness's justice and my own vindication." (N.Y. Col. Doc. iv. 313.)

We have learned nothing respecting Andros's position in England for the next five years, except that he was in favor at Court, being, in 1683, sworn Gentleman of the Privy Chamber to the King, Charles II. He very probably devoted his attention to his estates in Guernsey, as in this year he and his wife received from the Crown a grant of the Island of Alderney for ninety-nine years, at a rent of thirteen shillings. In 1685, he was made Lieutenant-Colonel of the Princess of Denmark's Regiment of Horse, commanded by the Earl of Scarsdale.

The accession of James II. however, February, 1685, opened a new prospect of advancement. Andros seems to have been a staunch member of the Church of England, but his long intimacy with the Duke of York had doubtless given that Prince a favorable impression of his abilities. The Charter of Massachusetts, after a contest extending through many years, had been declared vacated, October 23rd, 1684. The notorious Col. Piercy Kirke[5] had been designated as the new Governor by Charles II. and confirmed by James, but New England had been spared the affliction of his presence. Joseph Dudley had been commissioned as President of the Council, and served as chief magistrate from May 15th, 1686, till December 19th following.

[Footnote 5: Not much is known of Col. Piercy Kirke. His father was Col. Lewis Kirke, who in 1642-3 commanded the Royal forces in the defence of Reading against the troops under Hampden. (Lord Nugent's Life of Hampden, ii. 339-343.) Some account of Kirke is given in "Notes and Queries," 2nd S. viii. 472. It seems that Piercy Kirke, in 1673, served under the Duke of Monmouth in the army of the King of France. In 1675, he was Captain-Lieutenant in the Royal regiment of Horse-Guards; and in 1680, he was made Lieutenant-Colonel of the 2nd Tangier regiment. He was soon after made Colonel of this regiment, and in 1682 was transferred to the Queen's regiment. In 1684, he came with his regiment to England, and was employed under the Earl of Feversham during Monmouth's rebellion. His conduct after that revolt was quelled, has covered his name with infamy, and Macauley has drawn his character in vivid colors. He was made Brigadier-General in 1685, was one of those who joined William of Orange, and distinguished himself at the battle of the Boyne in 1690. He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-General in the same year, was sent to the army in Flanders, and died at Breda, October 31, 1691.

He married Lady Mary Howard, daughter of George, fourth Earl of Suffolk. From the identity of names it is probable that his son was the Percy Kirke who in 1735 was a Brigadier-General, commanding the King's Own Regiment of Foot.]

Andros was commissioned Governor in chief in and over the dominion of New England, June 3, 1686, though his appointment is spoken of as settled, in a letter from Randolph, dated at Boston, July 28th of that year. (Hutchinson Papers, ii. 288, Prince Society's edition.)

It would seem as if Andros had received less than justice from the historians of Massachusetts. HUTCHINSON (Hist. i. 353) writes of him, "he was less dreaded than Kirke, but he was known to be of an arbitrary disposition. He kept a correspondence with the Colony whilst he was Governor of New York. His letters then discovered much of the dictator." So PALFREY (iii. 517) in his admirable History, says that James "had known Andros many years as a person of resolution and capacity, of arbitrary principles, and of habits and tastes absolutely foreign to those of the Puritans of New-England; and could scarcely have been ignorant of his personal grudge against Massachusetts, on account of old affronts. It was not to be doubted that here was a man prepared to be as oppressive and offensive as the King desired."

It is certainly but justice to an officer who filled so many important positions to the entire satisfaction of employers so different as James II. and William of Orange, to scrutinize with deliberation such charges against his character, and to insist upon undoubted evidence of his personal iniquities.

One thing seems evident, the government now imposed on New England was not the act of Andros, nor is there any proof that he sought the position of Governor. Randolph indeed had labored for years to effect the downfall of the Charter government; and as PALFREY has shown in successive chapters, in aid of the same purpose were the efforts of English merchants whose trade was injured by the commercial enterprise of Massachusetts, and the denunciations of English politicians, who considered the Charter government an infringement of the Royal prerogative. We have seen no evidence of Andros's complicity with these enemies of New England, and no proof of an unfriendly disposition when he accepted office.

It will hardly be imputed to Andros as a fault that he took the view of the Royal authority which prevailed at Court. As a subordinate, appointed to a certain position to carry out a certain policy, he had no choice but to obey or resign. In carrying out the commands of his master, he can only be blamed if his conduct was cruel or even harsh, in excess of his instructions. It will certainly be difficult, we think, to fasten any such stigma upon Andros. Leaving his political offences, for which the King was responsible, what personal charges can be substantiated against him?