A Briefe Discription of New England and the Severall Townes Therein

A Briefe Discription of New England and the Severall Townes Therein, together with the present government thereof, is from a manuscript written in 1660 by Samuel Maverick. The preface calls an account of New England by one of the first white men who ever settled on the shores of Massachusetts Bay certainly of extraordinary interest to all students of our colonial history. The preface says Maverick's letters show the persistency displayed by Maverick in his efforts to deprive New England, and particularly Massachusetts, of the right of self-government which had so long been enjoyed here.

The text says that within two years they sent over John Winthrope as Governor with a Company of Assistants, all chosen in England without the Knowledge or Consent of those then living there. The text says that a law was made that no man should be admitted a Freeman, and soe consequently have any voyce in Election of Officers Civill or Military, but such as were first entered into Church covenant. The text says the great abundance of English Fruite, as Apples, Pears, Apricocks, Plumbs, Cherries Musk-Mellons, Water-Mellons, is not to be believed but by those that have seen it.