Social and Political Systems in the Thirteen English Colonies

Social and Political Systems in the Thirteen English Colonies

Settlements in the new world were made in the following order: St. Augustine, Florida, was settled by Spaniards, under Pedro Menendez, 1565, and was the first European settlement. It was occupied by the Spaniards, except for a few years, until Florida passed from their control. While Florida was the area first settled by Europeans, it was not one of the original 13 colonies, as it was controlled by Spain.

The first English colony settled in America was the one sent in 1585 by Sir Walter Raleigh. Raleigh dispatched Sir Richard Grenville, with seven ships and lots of people, to form a colony in Virginia.  Ralph Lane was to serve as their governor. Grenville left 107 men at Roanoke Island to form a colony. The colony suffered from lack of supplies. The following year, Sir Francis Drake was sailing up the American Coast, and found them in distress. He generously provided them with supplies, a ship and small boats. He also left enough seamen to stay and further explore the country.  The generosity was accepted, but a storm shattered his vessels, and discouraged the colonists. They decided to take passage for home with Drake. The colony sailed from Virginia June 18, 1586, and arrived at Portsmouth, England, July 28.

Madame de Guercheville, a pious lady in France, eager to convert the American Indians, convinced De Monts to surrender his patent. She then obtained a charter for "all the lands of New France." In 1613 she sent out missionaries. They sailed from Honfleur March 12, and arrived in ACADIA. Her agent proceeded to Port Royal (now Annapolis), where he found only five persons, two of whom were Jesuit missionaries who had been sent earlier. They went to Mount Desert Island. Just as they had begun to find provisions, they were attacked by SAMUEL ARGALL, of Virginia. They made some resistance, but were overwhelmed and had to surrender. One of the Jesuits was killed, several were wounded, and the rest were made prisoners. Argall took fifteen of the Frenchmen, besides the Jesuits, to Virginia; the remainder sailed for France. This success motivated the governor of Virginia to send an expedition to destroy the power and influence of the French in Acadia, under the argument that they were encroaching upon the rights of the English. Argall sailed with three ships for the purpose. He arrived at St. Saviour, and broke up a cross the Jesuits had set up there. He sailed to St. Croix and destroyed the remains of De Mont's settlement; and then he went to Port Royal and burned what was left of that town. The English government did not approve of his actions, nor did the French government resent it.

Though the revolution in England (1688) found supporters among the Low Churchmen and Nonconformists there, who composed the English Whig party, the high ideas which William entertained of royal authority made him naturally coalesce with the ...