The very first act of Abraham Woolston, on being sworn into office, was to make a registry of the entire population.  We shall give a synopsis of it, in order that the reader may understand the character of the materials with which the governor had room to work, viz:—­

Males,                  147
Male Adults,            113
Male Children,           34
Male Married            101
Females,                158
Female Adults,          121
Female Children,         37
Female Married,         101
Widowers                  1
Widows,                   4
Seamen,                  38
Mechanics,               26
Physician,                1
Student in Medicine,      1
Lawyer,                   1
Clergyman,                1
Population,             305

Here, then, was a community composed already of three hundred and five souls.  The governor’s policy was not to increase this number by further immigration, unless in special cases, and then only after due deliberation and inquiry.  Great care had been taken with the characters of the present settlers, and careless infusions of new members might undo a great deal of good that had already been done.  This matter was early laid before the new council, and the opinions of the governor met with a unanimous concurrence.

On the subject of the council, it may be well to say a word.  It was increased to nine, and a new election was made, the incumbents holding their offices for life.  This last provision was made to prevent the worst part, and the most corrupting influence of politics, viz., the elections, from getting too much sway over the public mind.  The new council was composed as follows, viz:—­

Messrs. Heaton,
Pennock,
Betts,
C. Woolston, }
A. Woolston, } the governor’s brothers
Charlton,
Saunders,
Wilmot, and
Warrington.

These names belonged to the most intelligent men of the colony, Betts perhaps excepted; but his claims were too obvious to be slighted.  Betts had good sense moreover, and a great deal of modesty.  All the rest of the council had more or less claims to be gentlemen, but Bob never pretended to that character.  He knew his own qualifications, and did not render himself ridiculous by aspiring to be more than he really was; still, his practical knowledge made him a very useful member of the council, where his opinions were always heard with attention and respect.  Charlton and Wilmot were merchants, and intended to embark regularly in trade; while Warrington, who possessed more fortune than any of the other colonists, unless it might be the governor, called himself a farmer, though he had a respectable amount of general science, and was well read in most of the liberal studies.