To the preface, we have only this to say, that we desire you would improve that liberty, which you have reserved to enlarge upon, as particulars shall arise, and we shall readily attend some, and propose other expedients for the more speedy and happy despatch of the affairs depending in court. To the first head of your answer, the opportunity you seem so willing to lay hold of, is brought to your hands, accompanied with all the circumstances of the clemency and kindness, which the rich heart of a gracious prince can bestow upon his subjects, and we doubt not, that his majesty (when you have answered his expectations) will exceed yours. To the second, a further discourse is unnecessary, for the report is remitted to his majesty. To the third, there are many things of great moment, which cannot be heard or issued before we have a perfect map of the limits of this jurisdiction, as they are expressed in the charter. To the fourth, we shall not aggravate any neglect which is so solemnly disowned, but surely the publication of his majesty's last letters, ought have had a better influence, and given a new life to the contents of his majesty's letter of June 28, 1662, which hath slept so long in some hands, that we hope now this General Court will see great cause, by practical assertions of their tender duty and obedience, to give his majesty more full satisfaction therein. To the fifth, we are fully persuaded, that the printing of the results and conclusions, which shall be made between us on his majesty's part, and yourselves, will be the best means of removing all jealousies; but for the silencing of scandalous and false reports which have been raised, we suppose, that the committee already appointed by you will not only prepare some remonstrance of detestation against such former practices, as false and malicious, but take such due examinations and depositions, as shall be tendered against any particular person, or persons, whom we shall leave to your justice, though we have very candid intentions of a charitable construction, where either weakness or folly have been the chief ingredient of their venomous discourses; but in the mean time, we think it necessary, that it may be known what hath been said, or can be made appear before the committee, to whom we shall give the names of some witnesses to one particular, without raking into the ashes of any more. To the conclusion, we suppose your expressions fall as short of your intentions, as they are in truth of that loyalty, which Englishmen owe to their king. We think fit therefore to remind you, that although there remains a particular obligation upon this colony to his majesty, for his grace and favour in granting such privileges and immunities as are expressed in the patent, yet the limits of that obligation are too narrow to circumscribe all that duty and allegiance, which, from natural born subjects, is due to his majesty, and yourselves have in former papers more suitably expressed. Gentlemen, we shall, at any time or place, debate, consult and advise with any members of your court towards the despatch, and the right understanding of our public negociations, and in all other things you will find us disposed to all those acts of cheerfulness, openness of heart, and sincerity of action, which, by the blessing of God, will undoubtedly produce that mutual confidence, which is necessary to the welfare of this colony, and of ample satisfaction to his majesty. RICHARD NICHOLLS, GEORGE CARTWRIGHT, To the General Court of his majesty's colony of the Massachusetts. Many papers following, on the same subject, may be united together for convenience of reference as Document No. XII. Sent by the Court to the king's commissioners, May 9th, 1665. Gentlemen, UPON perusal of the papers you have delivered us, as also a copy of a warrant to John Porter, said to be signed by three of yourselves, we apprehend our patent and his majesty's authority, committed unto us, to be greatly infringed. Your answer, for help to a right understanding thereof, will be very acceptable to us, and greatly facilitate our return to what you have already presented unto us, Superscribed, EDW: RAWSON, Sec'ry. To the Honourable Colonel Nicholls, and the rest of his majesty's commissioners. Here follows the Court's answer to their 5th instruction. Gentlemen, It is no strange thing to us, that have been so long acquainted with the falsehoods and barbarous practices of the Indians, Narraganset and others, to hear them make complaint, when themselves have done the injury, we have been conscientiously careful, ever since our coming hither, so to demean ourselves towards them, as to prevent and cut off all just cause of complaints. We know not of any wrong done them by this government, or any particular person therein. All differences relating to the Indians for more than twenty years, have been transacted and issued by the joint consent and agreement of the United Colonies, and to be seen among the acts of the commissioners, together with the grounds and reasons of their proceedings, the perusal whereof may give the best information that we can suggest. EDW: RAWSON, Sec'ry. 10. 3. 1665. Gentlemen, Here follows a paper, sent by the king's commissioners to the Court. In answer to yours of the ninth, wherein his majesty's instructions, and the warrant to John Porter are misinterpreted, we desire you will appoint some persons, with whom we may have a conference, to the better information of the General Court, that your patent is not in the least infringed. MAY 10, 1665. RICHARD NICHOLLS, GEORGE CARTWRIGHT. To the General Court of his majesty's colony of the Massachusetts. 10. 3. 1665. Here follows a copy of a paper, delivered by the commissioners to the Court, by them said to be the oath of allegiance. I, A. B. do truly and sincerely acknowledge, profess, testify and declare in my conscience, before God and the world, that our sovereign lord, king Charles, is lawful and rightful king of this realm, and of all other his majesty's dominions and countries; and that the pope, neither of himself, nor by any authority of the church and see of Rome, or by any other means with any others, hath any power or authority to dispose the king, or to dispose any of his majesty's kingdoms or dominions, or to authorise any foreign prince to invade, or annoy him, or his countries, or to discharge any of his subjects of their allegiance or obedience to his majesty, or to give license or leave to any of them to bear arms, raise tumults, or to offer any violence or hurt to his majesty's royal person, state and government, or any of his majesty's subjects within his majesty's dominions. Also, I do swear from my heart, that notwithstanding any declaration or sentence of ex communication or deprivation, made or granted, or to be made or granted by the pope, or his successors, or by any authority derived, or pretended to be derived from him, or his see, against the said king, his heirs, or successors, and him and them will defend to the uttermost of my power against all conspiracies and attempts whatsoever, which shall be made against his or their persons, their crown and dignity, by reason or colour of any such sentence or declaration, or otherwise, and will do my best endeavour to disclose and make known unto his majesty, his heirs and successors, all treasons and traitorous conspiracies, which I shall know or hear of, to be made against him or any of them. And I do further swear, that I do from my heart abhor, detest, and abjure, as impious and heretical, this damnable doctrine and position, that princes, which be excommunicated or deprived by the pope, nor any other person whatsoever, hath power to absolve me of this oath, or any part thereof, which I acknowledge by good and full authority to be lawfully administered unto me, and do renounce all pardons and dispensations to the contrary; and these things I do plainly and sincerely acknowledge and swear, according to these express words by me spoken, and according to the plain and common sense and understanding of the same words, without any equivocation, or mental evasion, or secret reservation whatsoever. And I do make this recognition and acknowledgment, heartily, willingly and truly, upon the true faith of a christian. So help me God. Gentlemen, In answer to his majesty's instruction, No. 6, and your proposition thereupon, you may please to take notice, that there is a small college in this jurisdiction, at the town of Cambridge, called Harvard College, the first and principal benefactor and founder thereof being of that name, there hath been and is several sums disbursed by the treasurer of this jurisdiction, both for the building and maintenance thereof; some small additions have |