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is merely sufficient to state what enactments were made against them. One of the first imposed a penalty of £100 upon the master of any vessel who should bring a known Quaker into any port of the colony, and required him to give security to carry him back again; in the mean time, the unfortunate man was sent to the house of correction, and whipped twenty stripes, and afterward kept at hard labor, until transportation. They also laid a fine of £5 for importing, and the like sum for dispersing, their doctrinal books, and for defending their heretical opinions. The next year, an additional law was made, by which all persons were subjected to the penalty of forty shillings for every hour's entertainment given to any known member of the sect; and any Quaker, after the first conviction, if a man, was to lose one ear, and the second time, the other; a woman, each time to be severely whipped, and the third time, man or woman, to have their tongues bored through with a red-hot iron; and every one who should become a convert in the colony was subjected to the like punishment. Afterward, a fine of ten shillings was laid on every person present at any of their meetings, and £5 upon any one speaking there.*

* That these poor zealots were superior to the gloomy bigots who persecuted them, appears from the following extract from W. Leddra's address to his brethren, written the day before his execution, which, considering the station of the man, and the circumstances under which it was written, is singularly beautiful:

"MOST DEAR AND INWARDLY BELOVED,

"The sweet influence of the morning star, like a flood distilling into my innocent habitation, hath so filled me with the joy of the Lord, in the beauty of holiness, that my spirit is as if it did not inhabit a tabernacle of clay, but is wholly swallowed up in the bosom of eternity, from whence it had its being.

"Alas, alas! what can the wealth and spirit of man that lusteth to envy, ag gravated by the heat and strength of the king of the locusts, which came out of the pit, do unto one that is hid in the secret places of the Almighty, or to them that are gathered under the healing wings of the Prince of Peace? O, my beloved, I have waited as the Dove at the windows of the Ark, and have stood still in that watch, which the Master did at His coming reward with the fullness of His love, wherein my heart did rejoice that I might speak a few words to you, sealed with the spirit of promise. As the flowing of the ocean doth fill every creek and branch thereof, and then returns again toward its own being and fullness, and leaves a savor behind it, so doth the life and virtue of God flow into every one of your hearts whom He hath made partakers of His divine nature, and when it withdraws but little, it leaves a sweet savor behind it, that many can say they are made clean, through the word that He hath spoken to them. Therefore, my dear hearts, let the enjoyment of the life alone be your hope, your joy, and your consolation. Stand in the watch within, in the fear of

Notwithstanding all this severity, their number, as might well have been expected, increased rather than diminished. When brought up for judgment, one of them observed, " for the last man that was put to death here, are five come into his room; and if you have power to take my life from me, God can raise up ten of His servants, and send them among you in my place, that you may have torment upon torment."

All these tortures, imprisonments, corporal and other punishments were inflicted without remorse, and endured without producing any other effect than feelings of horror or pity in the beholder. Four of them suffered capitally. To the positive orders of the king that these dreadful barbarities should be discontinued (after having first satisfied themselves of their inefficiency), they yielded compliance, so far as mutilation and death were employed, and the persecution of vagabond Quakers dwindled down into mere whipping, with the merciful limitation attached to it, that the culprit should be only flogged through three towns. The Baptists who had also been treated with great severity, joined in the universal complaint against them.

Finally the Lords of the Council, who were daily besought for relief by so many different interests, represented to the king, (January, 1662-3), "that New England hath in these late times of general disorder, strayed into many enormities, by which it appeared that the government there have purposely withdrawn all manner of correspondence, as if they intended to suspend their absolute dependence to his Majesty's authority."

Not wishing to proceed to extremities with these intractable people, Charles resolved upon sending commissioners to report upon the actual state of the colonies; and accordingly Colonel Nicholas, Sir Robert Carr, George Cartwright, and Samuel Maverick, were authorized to proceed to America, "to visit the

the Lord, which is the entrance of wisdom. Confess Him before men; yea, beGreater is He fore His greatest enemies. Fear not what they can do to you. that is in you, than he that is in the world; for He will clothe you with humility and in the power of His meekness you shall reign over all the rage of your enemies."-Duval's History of Quakers.

Mary Dyer addressed from the jail a remonstrance to the Court:

"Were ever such laws heard of among a people that profess Christ come in the flesh? Have you no other weapon but such laws to fight against spiritual wickedness withal, as you call it? Woe is me for you. Ye are disobedient and deceived. Let my request be as Esther's to Ahasuerus, 'You will not repent that you were kept from shedding blood, though it was by a woman.'"

provinces of New England, hear and determine all causes of complaint, as well as appeals in matters military, ecclesiastical, and civil, and to settle there peace and security."

The instructions given them were of a kind well calculated (as far as such a proceeding was capable) to maintain no more than the due observance of the terms of the charter on the one hand, and the royal authority on the other. They were particularly charged to encourage no faction, to solicit no present profit, to countenance no change inconsistent with ancient usages, and to do nothing that might be considered an invasion of liberty of conscience. Finally, not to shock their religious scruples beyond all endurance, or to run the hazard of driving a people already highly excited, into irretrievable madness, they were commanded not to suffer their chaplain, when officiating for them, to wear his surplice.

As these gentlemen were expected in Boston early in July, a day of fasting and prayer was appointed to be observed throughout the whole province, to implore the mercy of God upon his people under their sore trials and afflictions. As it was thought not impossible some attempt might be made by the Commissioners to seize upon their charter, it was ordered to be brought into court, when it was formally delivered, together with a duplicate, to four confidential persons, who were empowered and enjoined to deposit them in a place of safety and concealment. The Governor and Council then resolved "to bear true allegiance to his Majesty, but to adhere to a patent so dearly earned and so long enjoyed." A committee was also appointed, whose duty it was, immediately on the arrival of the ships, to present their respects to the board, and request that strict orders should be given to the subaltern officers, sailors, and soldiers, on their coming on shore for refreshment, to land only in very limited numbers, without arms, and that they should be admonished to conduct themselves in a meet, orderly manner, and abstain from giving offense to the inhabitants, or violating the laws for the preservation of the peace. Having taken these precautions, and mutually encouraged each other to exercise great coolness and deliberation, in any step it might be necessary to take in this trying emergency, they awaited with patience the arrival of the formidable officers of the Crown.

CHAPTER IX.

The Commissioners arrive at Boston-Deliver a Royal Letter to the Government, and proceed to the Hudson to attack the Dutch Settlements-The General Court in their Absence petition for their Withdrawal, and solicit the Aid of the Puritan Noblemen-Answers of the King and Lord ClarendonGeneral Effect of Commissions of Inquiry--The Franchise extended-The Clergy and Demagogues prepare the People for Resistance-False Rumors put into Circulation-General Court refuses to summon the People to assemble-Commissioners inquire whether they admit the King's Authority-They decline to answer, and refuse to attend before them, or to submit to an Appeal-They summon the Commissioners-Close of the Inquiry-Accidents to Commissioners reputed to be Judgments of Heaven-The King orders the Governor and other Members of the General Court to appear before himThey decline, affecting to doubt the Genuineness of the Order-Distinction taken between Obedience to beneficial and injurious Orders-The New En gland Colonies renew their Confederation-Effect of it-Complaints of English Merchants against the Infraction of the Laws of Trade-The Oath of Allegiance ordered to be taken, and the King's Arms set up-Agents sent to England, but ordered to yield Nothing-A Custom House Officer appointedOpposition to him-He is obliged to return to England-General Court reenacts Trade Laws-Its Members take modified official Oaths-Collector sent out again, but they threaten to execute him-Is obliged to quit the Colony-General Gloom in Massachusetts-People terrified by Comets-The Credentials of Agents found deficient-They offer a Bribe of two thousand Guineas to the King-Agents return, and are followed by Randolph with the quo warranto-General Court refuses to surrender the Charter-Their Arguments-They again petition and pretend there has been no Service of the Writ-Judgment given against them-Remarks on their Conduct-Natural effects of Dissent.

THE Commissioners arrived at Boston on the 13th of July, 1664, and having laid before the Governor and Council their letters patent, and called their attention to the last mandatory communication from his Majesty, proceeded to the Hudson, for the purpose of reducing the Dutch settlements, that interposed so inconveniently between the English provinces.

During their temporary absence, the Generat Court petitioned the king to revoke their authority, and once more besought the aid of all those influential persons in England, who, at one time or another had shown them any kindness. To the former they said, in their usual adulatory language, "As the high place you sustain on earth doth number you among the gods, so you will imitate the God of Heaven, in being ready to maintain the cause

of the afflicted, and the right of the poor, and to receive their cries and addresses to that end." The rest of the memorial was a lamentation, at once humble in language, and obstinate in purpose, filled with the most dutiful expressions of loyalty and obedience, but containing no pledge of fulfilling any one of the reasonable conditions, on which alone his Majesty had promised to confirm their patent. To their patrons and friends they represented the commission as an attempt to destroy their privileges, to deprive them of liberty of conscience, and to impose burdens. upon them that they were unable to bear. The king, who saw through their evasions, assured them that his object was, not to infringe upon their charter, but to see that its provisions were fully and fairly complied with; that their neighbors, the inhabittants, and the savages, as well as the emigrants, made accusations against them, into which it was his duty to inquire; that they might rely upon the fullest protection and support that the best subjects ever received from the most generous Prince; and finally, that he would renew the patent for them, but must first insist on a full and free toleration for Churchmen and Dissenters, and a repeal of such laws as were repugnant to those of England.

Lord Clarendon, who was one of the noblemen to whom they had addressed themselves, indignantly declined to be the medium of their double-dealing.

"I know not what you mean," said his lordship, "by saying that the Commissioners have power to exercise government inconsistent with your rights and privileges, since I am sure their instructions are to see and provide for the due and full observations of the charter, and that all the privileges granted by it may be equally enjoyed by all his Majesty's subjects there. I know they are expressly inhibited from intermeddling with, or obstructing the administration of justice, according to the forms observed there; but if, in truth, the proceedings have been irregular, and against the rules of justice (as in some particular cases, recommended to them by his Majesty, they seem to be), it can not be presumed that his majesty hath, or will leave his subjects of New England without hope of redress by an appeal to him, which his subjects of all his other kingdoms have free liberty to make. I can say no more to you, but that it is in your power to be very happy, and to enjoy all that hath been granted to you; but it will be absolutely necessary, that you perform and pay all

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