They called themselves the United Colonies of New England." "Were they under a government like that of the United States ?" inquired Laurence.
"No," replied Grandfather; "the different colonies did not compose one nation together; it was merely a confederacy among the governments: It somewhat resembled the league of the Amphictyons, which you remember in Grecian history.

But to return to our chair.

In 1644 it was highly honored; for Governor Endicott sat in it when he gave audience to an ambassador from the French governor of Acadia, or Nova Scotia.

A treaty of peace between Massachusetts and the French colony was then signed." "Did England allow Massachusetts to make war and peace with foreign countries ?" asked Laurence.
"Massachusetts and the whole of New England was then almost independent of the mother country," said Grandfather.

"There was now a civil war in England; and the king, as you may well suppose, had his hands full at home, and could pay but little attention to these remote colonies.