=Massachusetts=, U.S. 42N. 73W. One of the 13 original states of the Union. The land along the coast of Massachusetts Bay is identified as the Vinland of the old Norse saga of 'Eric the Red,' 10th-11th centuries; Cabot off coast, 1498; Verazzani, 1524; first recorded English expedition to under Gosnold, 1602; bay explored by Champlain, 1604; by John Smith, 1614; first colony planted by Puritans from the 'Mayflower', 1620; the colony of Massachusetts Bay was settled with Endicott as governor, 1628; Winthrop elected governor, 1630; first code of laws drawn up by John Cotton; New Plymouth incorporated with, 1692; religious revival in under Cotton Mather and Jonathan Edwards, 1727. =Matamoras=, Mexico. 25N. 97W. Mexicans defeated by Americans, 1846 (Mex. W.). =Matto Grosso=, prov., Brazil. 13S. 56W. Southern part captured by Lopez (Brazil-Paraguayan W.), 1865. =Mechanicsville=, Chickahominy, Virginia. 37N. 77W. Sanguinary engagement between McClellan and Lee, and defeat of Confederates, 1862 (Civil W.) (battle also known as that of Ellison's Mill). =Mecklenburg Co.=, N. Carolina. 35N. 80W. Declaration of independence, 1775. =Medfield=, Mass. 42N. 71W. Bp. Hannah Adams ('View of Religious Opinions,' etc.), first woman in America to make literature a profession (1755-1832). =Melville Island=, Polar Sea. 75N. 110W. Here Parry wintered, 1819-20. =Melville Sound.= 73N. 110W. Reached by Parry, 1819. =Mendoza=, Argentine Republic. 32S. 68W. Destroyed by terrible earthquake, 1861. =Merida de Yucatan=, Mexico. 20N. 89W. F. by Spaniards, 1542. =Mexico=, state, N.A. 24N. 102W. Legend of Buddhist mission to in 5th century; coasted by Cordova, 1517; coast explored by Grijalva, 1518; landing of Cortés for conquest, 1519; further exploration of coast by De Avila, 1522; Antonio de Mendoza first viceroy of Mexico, 1535; revolt under Hidalgo, 1810; under Morelos, 1811-15; Royalist commander Iturbide joins forces with revolutionary chief Guerrero, and 'Plan of Iguala' promulgated, 1821; Iturbide declared emperor, 1822; forced to abdicate, 1823, and shot, 1824; constitution under a president established, 1824; civil dissensions and Santa Ana made dictator, 1835; continuation of civil war, and war with U.S., 1847; Upper California and New Mexico ceded to U.S., 1848; continued civil dissensions, and standard of revolt raised by Juarez, 1858; forces of England, Spain, and France occupy Vera Cruz, 1861; French take possession of Mexico city and crown accepted by Archduke Maximilian, 1863; Maximilian captured and shot by Juarez, 1867; further revolutions, and Diaz made president, 1877. (See also Yucatan.) The country is rich in fine ruins dating from an earlier and later (Aztec) period.