History of Northampton, Massachusetts, from its settlement in 1654;

1661-16(33.] POPULATION.—TAXATION—REPRESENTATION. 151
puWished by the General Court in June, 1661. The posi-
tion of the colony and the views of its leaders were set
forth in this document with all the fearlessness of patriotic
determination. In it they declare that their liberties under
God and their patent are "to choose their own governor,
deputy-governor, and representatives ; to admit freemen on
terms to be prescribed at their own pleasure ; to set up all
sorts of officers, superior and inferior, and point out their
power and places ; to exercise by their annually-elected
magistrates and deputies, all power and authority, legisla-
tive, executive and judicial ; to defend themselves by force
of arms against every aggression ; and reject as an infringement
of their right any parliamentary or royal imposition,
prejudicial to the country, and contrary to any
just act of colonial legislation." The duties of allegiance
were narrowed to a few points, which conferred neither
profit nor substantial power on the mother country or its
sovereign.
'
TheKingPro- It was uot till two mouths after the promulciaimed.Commission
sent to
England. The
gatiou of this manifesto, that the restora-
p tt-- r^\. i i i j j i.
tiou ot King Charlcs was acknowledged by
King's Letter in
Reply. Februpublic
proclamation.
.
The formalities of the
-i jt t ^ re •
ary to October, occasiou werc meager, and the whole attair
1662. heartless and devoid of enthusiasm. The
enemies of the colony in England were ac-
tive and influential, and orders were received from the
crown in the autumn for the appointment of a commission
to be sent over to meet their accusations. Rev. John Norton
and Simon Bradstreet were appointed, and after much
delay finally departed on their mission. Received with
courtesy and treated with respect, the messengers were permitted
to return in a few months, with a letter from the
King. This missive was perhaps less unacceptable than
had been feared, but still it was not altogether satisfactory.
The charter was confirmed conditionally, and a general
amnesty for all past political offences except treason, was
granted. The King demanded the revision of the laws of
the colony. The rights of citizenship were to be conceded
to peaceable Episcopalians ; all persons of honest life, Quakers
excepted, were to be admitted to the Lord's Supper,
1 Bancroft's History of the United States, vol. 2. pp. 73, 74.