but
also the lives of ourselves and our posterity, both in the voyage at sea
(wherewith we were unacquainted), and in coming into a wilderness
uninhabited (unless in some few places by heathen, barbarous Indians),
we thought it necessary to procure a patent from the late King, who then
ruled all, to warrant our removal and prevent future inconveniences, and
so did. By which patent liberty and power was granted to us to live
under the government of a Governor, magistrates of our own choosing, and
under laws of our own making (not being repugnant to the laws of
England), according to which patent we have governed ourselves above
this twenty years, we coming hither at our proper charges, without the
help of the State, an acknowledgment of the freedom of our goods from
custom," etc. "And for our carriage and demeanour to the honourable
Parliament, for these ten years, since the first beginning of your
differences with the late King, and the war that after ensued, we have
constantly adhered to you, not withdrawing ourselves in your weakest
condition and doubtfullest times, but by our fasting and prayers for
your good success, and our thanksgiving after the same was attained, in
days of solemnity set apart for that purpose, as also by our sending
over useful men (others also going voluntarily from us to help you), who
have been of good use and done acceptable services to the army,
declaring to the world hereby that such was the duty and love we bear
unto the Parliament, that we were ready to rise and fall with them; for
which we have suffered the hatred and threats of other English colonies
now in rebellion against you, as also the loss of divers of our ships
and goods, taken by the King's party that is dead, by others
commissioned by the King of Scots [Charles II.], and by the Portugalls."
"We hope that this most honourable Parliament will not cast such as have
adhered to you and depended upon you, as we have done, into so deep
despair, from the fear of which we humbly desire to be speedily freed by
a just and gracious answer; which will freshly bind us to pray and use
all lawful endeavours for the blessing of God upon you and the present
Government." Appendix viii. to the first volume of Hutchinson's History
of Massachusetts Bay, pp. 516-518.

The "General Court" also sent a letter to Oliver Cromwell, enclosing a
copy of the petition to Parliament, to counteract representations which
might be made against them by their enem