In NEWMARKET, William Perkins died in 1732, aged 116. He was born in the Weft of England. Governor Burnet visited him at Newmarket, and examined him refpecting many facts and occurrences during the civil wars in England in the last century. His fon died in 1757, aged 87. Several of his grand children have lived above 70 years.

In BARRINGTON, fourteen of the first planters were living in 1785, who were between 80 and 90 years of age. The fettlement began in 1732.

In ATKINSON, Ebenezer Belknap died at the age of 95, and his wife at the age of 107. In WAKEFIELD, Robert Macklin, a native of Scotland, died in 1787, at the age of 115. He lived feveral years in Portsmouth, and followed the occupation of a Baker. He frequently walked from Portsmouth to Boston, 66 miles, in one day, and returned in another. This journey he performed, the last time, at the age of 80.

In SALEM (a town adjoining the southern boundary) Abiel Aften, one of Lovewell's brave company, who behaved gallantly at the Battle of Pigwacket, in 1725, was living in 1790, aged 86.

The two eldest Minifters of the gospel now living, are the Rev. James Pike of Somerf worth, aged 88, and the Rev. Ebenezer Flagg of Chefter, aged 87.

CHAP.

С НА Р. XV.

Political Character, Genius, Manners, Employments and Diverfions of the People.

is much lefs difficult and dangerous to defcribe the character of the dead than of the living; but in fo great a variety as the inhabitants of a whole State, there cannot but be fome general traits which all must allow to be juft; and which, however difagreeable, if applied particularly, yet will not be difrelished by any, when delivered only in general terms. It is not my wish to exaggerate either the vir tues or defects of my countrymen; but as an American, I have a right to fpeak the truth, concerning them, if my language be within the limits of decency.

The genius and character of a community are in fome measure influenced by their government and political connexions. Before the Revolution, the people of the different parts of New-Hampshire, had but little connexion with each other. They might have been divided into three claffes. Thofe of the old towns, and the emigrants from them. Thofe on the fouthern border, most of whom were emigrants from Maffachusetts; and those on Connecticut

Connecticut river, who came chiefly from Connecticut.

Of the first class the people might be subdivided into those who, having been trained in fubjection to Crown Officers, were expectants of favours from government, and ready to promote the views of the ariftocracy ; and those who, from principle or habit, were in oppofition to thofe views. A long and intimate connexion with Maffachusetts, both in peace and war, kept alive a democratic principle; which, though it met with the frowns of men in office, yet when excited to action, could not be controled by their authority, The people of the fecond clafs were naturally attached to Maffachusetts, whence they origi nated, and where they were connected in trade. Some towns had fuffered by the interference of grants made by both governments and by controverfies concerning the line; which gave birth to law fuits, carried on with great acrimony and expense for many years. Those of the third class brought with them an affection and refpect for the colony whence they emigrated, and where the democratic principle had always prevailed. They entertained an inferior idea of the people in the maritime parts of the State, whilft thefe in return looked with an envious eye on thofe emigrants to whom were fold the lands which had been promised

to

to be given to them as a reward for the exertions and fufferings of their parents and themfelves in defending the country against its endmies.

Another fource of difunion was the unequal representation of the people in the General Affembly. As late as the year 1773, of one hundred and forty-feven towns, forty-fix only were reprefented, by thirty-four members; and several towns were claffed, two or three together, for the choice of one. The towns of Nottingham and Concord, though full of people, and of above forty years ftanding, had not once been admitted to the privilege of reprefentation; and this was the cafe with many other towns; which, though not of fo long fettlement, yet contained more inhabitants than fome others, which had always enjoyed the privilege. No uniform system of representation had been adopted. None could be established by law, because it was claimed by the Governor as part of the royal prerogative to call Reprefentatives from new towns; and this prerogative was exercised without any regard to the rights, the petitions, or the fentiments of the people.

Before the year 1771 the Province was not divided into counties; but every caufe from even the most remote parts was brought to Portsmouth, where the courts were held and

the

the public offices were filled by a few men, most of whom were either members of the Council, or devoted to the intereft of the Governor, or perfonally related to him. In the administration of justice, frequent complaints were made of partiality. Parties were fometimes heard out of court, and the practice of watering the jury was familiarly known to those persons who had much business in the Law. The dernier refort was to a court of appeals, confifting of the Governor and Council; of whom seven were a quorum and four a majority. Here the final fentence was often paffed by the fame persons who had been concerned in the former decifions; unless the cause were of fuch value as to admit of an ap peal to the King in Council. During the adminiftration of the laft Governor, fome of thefe fources of difaffection were removed ; but others remained, for an experiment, whether a cure could be effected, by a change of government.

The Revolution which called the democratic power into action, has repreffed the aristocratic fpirit. The honors and emoluments of office are more generally diffused; the people enjoy more equal privileges, and, after a long dif fention, are better united. Government is a fcience, and requires education and informa tion, as well as judgment and prudence. In

deed