Three years later these four towns joined in a sort of federal union and took the name of the New Haven colony.[1] [Footnote 1: Fiske's _Beginnings of New England_, pp.

134-137.] [Illustration: NEW ENGLAND AND NEW NETHERLAND] %44.

"The United Colonies of New England."%--There were now five colonies in New England; namely, Plymouth, or the "Old Colony," Massachusetts Bay, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New Haven.
Geographically, they were near each other.

But each was weak in numbers, and if left without the aid of its neighbors, might easily have fallen a prey to some enemy.

Of this the settlers were well aware, and in 1643 four of the colonies, Plymouth, Massachusetts Bay, Connecticut, and New Haven[1] united for defense against the Indians and the Dutch, who claimed the Connecticut valley and so threatened the English colonies on the west.
[Footnote 1: Rhode Island was not allowed to come in, for the feeling against the followers of Roger Williams and Anne Hutchinson was still very strong.] The name of this league was "The United Colonies of New England," and it was the first attempt in America at federal government.