peace of society are disturbed to such a degree, that the restraint of the offender becomes an act of necessity.'

During this high excitement in the colony, and the still greater in that of Massachusetts, Mr. Cudworth, Mr. Allerton, and some others, appeared in opposition to the measures pursued against the quakers, in consequence of which they became so unpopular that they were left out of their offices of magistrate.* At length, the court were disposed to try the effect of a more conciliatory treatment. For the purpose of bringing the quakers to a sense of their mistakes, the laws were so far relaxed as to permit certain persons to attend their meetings, 'to endeavor to reduce them from the error of their ways; ' this permission was given to Isaac Robinson, the son of the celebrated Leyden pastor, and three others. 'But,' says Mr. Baylies, 'the government were not aware of their danger. The fanaticism of a new sect is always an overmatch for that which has been cooled and tempered by time.' Isaac Robinson, an excellent and sensible man, who had received the permission of the court to attend these meetings, instead of convincing the quakers of their errors, became self-convicted, and embraced many of their doctrines, and consequently rendered himself so obnoxious, that he was dismissed from civil employment, and exposed to much censure and some indignity.

In 1660, the alarm not having entirely subsided, the court of Plymouth were induced to pass additional laws to stem the torrent of quakerism. All persons were now authorized to apprehend such quakers, and to deliver them to the constables, that they might be carried before the governor or some magistrate. And to prevent their speedy passage from place to place, to 'poison the inhabitants with their cursed tenets,' all persons were prohibited from supplying them with horses, on pain of forfeiture, and their own horses were also made liable to forfeit

ure.

It was also enacted, that any one who shall bring in any quaker or ranter, by land or water, into this government, viz., by being a guide to them or any otherwise, shall be fined, to the use of the government, the sum of £10 for every default. 'If the quakers or such like vagabonds, shall come into any town of this government, the marshal or constable shall apprehend him

* Captain Cudworth was tried for being a manifest opposer of the laws of the government, and sentenced accordingly, to be disfranchised of the freedom of the commonwealth, and deprived of his military command; to which he submitted with dignified magnanimity.

or them, and upon examination so appearing, he shall whip them, or cause them to be whipped with rods, so it exceed not fifteen stripes. It was also enacted that all persons permitting the quakers to hold meetings in their houses, on conviction before the general court, should be publicly whipped, or pay £5.'

But I am exceeding my intended limits on this theme; and however interesting may be the sequel, I shall only add that 'in a few years there appeared a revolution in the popular feeling, and Mr. Cudworth, Mr. Brown, and Isaac Robinson were restored to favor,' under the administration of Governor Josiah Winslow.

The tragedy at Boston produced a deep sympathy for the sufferers, and when it was seen that the quakers could die for their faith, the people could not resist the belief that they were sin

"The book of the General Laws and liberties of the inhabitants of the jurisdiction of New Plymouth, out of the records of the General Court, was lately revised and established and disposed into alphabetical order, and published by the authority of the General Court held at New Plymouth the 29th day of September Anno Domini 1658." It was enacted 1658, that all opposers of the laws of the colony, or who shall speak contemptuously of the laws, or of the true worship of God, or such as are judged by the court grossly scandalous, as liars, drunkards, &c., shall lose the freedom of this corporation.

It was, in the same year, enacted, 'that as in many towns the number of freemen was less than the number of inhabitants,

* In July, 1656, Mary Fisher and Ann Austin, both of the denomination of quakers, arrived at Boston from Barbadoes, and about a month afterwards eight more came into that colony from Rhode Island.

The first quakers who appeared in New England, arrived in July. The general court of Massachusetts considered them alike hostile to civil and to ecclesiastical order, and passed sentence of banishment on twelve persons of that sect, the whole number then in the colony. The most sanguinary laws were passed against the sect by the Massachusetts general court, which may be found in Hutchinson, Hubbard, and Hazard. In 1659, two men and one woman were tried before the general court of Massachusetts, and sentenced to die. The two men were executed, and the woman, Mary Dyer, was reprieved, on condition of her departure from the jurisdiction in fortyeight hours and if she returned, to suffer the sentence. She was carried, however, to the gallows; and stood with a rope about her neck until the others were executed. This infatuated woman returned, and was executed in 1660. Many of these deluded people actually courted persecution.

and as all had an equal right to vote, it may come to pass that very unfit and unworthy persons may be chosen that cannot answer the court's trust in such a place; that as all such as magistrates and deputies, are to act in making of laws, and being assembled, the court in the first place take notice of their members, and if they find any unfit for such a trust, that they and the reason thereof be returned to the town from whence they were sent, that they make such, choice of more fit and able persons to send in their stead as the time will permit.' This assumed right of expulsion of members would at the present day be deemed arbitrary, and meet the most decided opposition. The public officers were to be paid in corn for their services, and all corn delivered in to pay the current expenses of the country to bear one price.

August 21st, 1658.-Died William Paddy, aged 58 years. Mr. Paddy for several years was elected deputy to the general court of Plymouth, and was also a deacon of the church, and possessed considerable wealth. He sustained an irreproachable character, was devoted to the best interests of the colony, and was useful in both church and state. He removed to Boston in 1651. He had two sons born in Plymouth, Thomas and Samuel, but the name appears to be now extinct.*

It was this year ordered that whosoever profaned the Lord's day by travelling, carrying burdens, &c. should be fined twenty shillings, or set in the stocks four hours.

M. B. having been sentenced for telling a lie, the court having examined particulars, have cleared her, but desired Mr. Hatherly, from the court to admonish her to be wary of giving offence to others by unnecessary talking. J. W. to be sharply reproved for writing a note on common business on Lord's day. E. H. for telling a lie, and R. J. for neglecting public worship, fined ten shillings each.

The court appointed Josiah Winslow and Constant Southworth, with the treasurer, to agree with workmen to erect a house of correction, to be added to the prison, fourteen feet in length, with a chimney to it.

1660.-The council of war ordered, that during any appear

* A singular incident occurred at Boston, in the summer of 1830. Some workmen employed in removing the earth from the north side of the Old State House, dug up a tombstone, considerably broken, on one side of which was the following inscription:

'Here lyeth the body of Mr. William Paddy. Departed this life Angust 1658.' From the records it appears that he was one of the selectmen of Boston at the time of his death.

ance of danger, a military watch be kept in each town in the most convenient places for giving an alarm, and also to watch the sea coast and observe the motions of any ships that may appear. The firing of three muskets shall make an alarm in the night, and fires to be made where the alarm is given. The Dutch and French were to be considered as common enemies. The following instance of marriage may perhaps be ascribed to quaker influence. R. W. and M. C. for marrying disorderly, and without parent's consent, were sentenced to pay £10 fine, and be imprisoned during pleasure of court; and being desirous of being orderly married, were accordingly, this 9th of March, 1660. E. M. for accompanying and countenancing the above mentioned persons, fined twenty shillings. R. B. summoned to appear to answer for speaking contemptuously of singing psalms, and was convicted of the fact, and promised that he would be warned of so doing for the future. The court sharply admonished him, and that he should acknowledge his fault, which he engaged to do, and was discharged.

1661. At the court which assembled in June, a loyal declaration was made in favor of King Charles II. who had been restored to the throne of his ancestors.

R. Smith for lying concerning seeing a whale and other things, fined twenty shillings. A. Bessey for her cruel and unnatural practice towards her father-in law, G. Barlow, in chopping of him in the back, fined twenty shillings, or to be whipped.

D. B. and M. B. for the like towards their father-in-law, not in so high degree, both sentenced to sit in the stocks during the pleasure of court, which was performed.

The colony during this year sold, for £400 sterling, their lands on Kennebec river, to Antipas Boyes, Edward Tyng, Thomas Brattle, and John Winslow, and they originated the celebrated Plymouth company.

£60 was assessed for purchasing a place for the minister at Plymouth.

1662.-S. H. for carrying a grist of corn from mill on Sunday, fined 20 shillings, or to be whipped.

W. F. for suffering him to take it from the mill, fined 10 shillings.

William Randall for telling a lie, fined 10 shillings.

Clark's island was now abandoned, and not improved by any

one.

Town expenses, £25. 5s. 3d. Ten pounds was assessed to procure bellows and tools for a smith, for the use of the town. Philip, sachem of Pokanoket, made his appearance at the court of Plymouth, and solicited the continuance of the amity

and friendship which had existed between the government of Plymouth and his father (Massasoit) and brother. To that end he desired, for himself and his successors, that they might forever, remain subject to the King of England, his heirs and suc⚫cessors; and promised that he and his would truly and exactly observe and keep inviolate such conditions as had formerly been made by his predecessors; and particularly that he would not, at any time, needlessly or unjustly provoke or raise war with any of the natives; nor give, sell, or dispose of any lands to strangers, or to any others without their privity or appointment; but would in all things endeavor to live peaceably and inoffensively towards the English. The court expressed their willingness to continue the friendship; and promised to afford the Indians such friendly assistance by advice and otherwise, as they justly might, and to require their own people at all times to maintain a friendly conduct toward them. The original name of Philip was Matacomet. Mather says, 'it was at this time that he desired an English name, and that the court named him Philip.' Judge Davis says, 'After the death of Massasoit, about the year 1656, his two sons, Wamsutta and Metacomet, came to the court at Plymouth, and professing great respect, requested that English names might be given them. Wamsutta, the eldest brother, was thereupon named Alexander; the youngest, Metacomet was called Philip.'-Note on Morton. The agreement in court was soon after the death of Alexander.-Holmes's An.* 1663.-Mr. John Brown, who had frequently been an assistant in the government, having been elected in 1636, and continued by successive elections to 1656, died this year at his residence in Rehoboth. He was also one of the commissioners of the United Colonies from 1644 to 1655. James Brown, who was chosen an assistant in 1665, and lived at Swansey, was his son. 'We find the same remark made respecting Mr. Brown as of Mr. Winslow and Captain Standish, that, while on their travels, they became casually acquainted with the refugees at Leyden, and were so attached to them, on acquaintance, as to unite themselves to their society. A connexion, thus formed and continued through so many difficulties, is alike honorable to all parties; we are led to infer, that there was something prepossessing in the deportment of the pilgrims, interesting and congenial to generous minds.'

* Some very interesting particulars respecting the subsequent conduct of these two Indians, and the origin of the memorable contest, denominated Philip's war, may be found in Judge Davis's note in the Memorial, p. 287, and also in the appendix to this volume.