The emigrants, or, as they deservedly styled themselves, the Pilgrims,
belonged to that English sect, the austerity of whose principles
had acquired for them the name of Puritans. Puritanism was not
merely a religious doctrine, but it corresponded in many points with
the most absolute democratic and republican theories. It was this
tendency which had aroused its most dangerous adversaries. Perse-
cuted by the Government of the mother-country, and disgusted by the
habits of a society opposed to the rigor of their own principles, the
Puritans went forth to seek some rude and unfrequented part of the



_ - *ftb ■ &.^^^^A.^_..
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29

World, where they could live according to their own opinions, and
worship God in freedom.
