ABSTRACT
The presiding genius of the first period of Charles' reign was, of course, Clarendon, and when greater England shall care to commemorate its makers, the great representative of the Via media will doubtless occupy a place by the side of Raleigh, Cromwell, Ashley, Pitt, Carleton, Sir George Grey, and the many distinguished Englishmen, who have carried forward the torch of colonial development. The Act of Navigation attended the Colonies from their infancy, grew with their growth, and strengthened with their strength; they were confirmed in obedience to it even more by usage than by law. At the moment of the Restoration the old committee of the Privy Council for Plantation affairs had been restored, but, after the enactment of the Navigation Act, a new standing Council or Commission for dealing with Colonial affairs was set on foot. The Commissioners were, of course, made welcome in Rhode Island and Connecticut, but in Massachusetts they practically effected nothing.
