e it will be graciously accepted by your Majestie, and
that as the high place you sustain on earth doth number you here among
the gods, for you well imitate the God of heaven, in being ready to
maintain the cause of the afflicted, and the right of the poor,[135] and
to receive their cries and addresses to that end. And we humbly beseech
your Majestie with patience and clemency to heare and accept our plain
discourse, tho' of somewhat greater length than would be comely in other
or lesser cases. We are remote,[136] and can speake but seldom, and
therefore crave leave to speake the more at once. Wee shall not largely
repeat how that the first undertakers for this Plantation, having by
considerable summs purchased the right thereof granted to the Council
established at Plimouth by King James, your Royal grandfather, did after
obtain a patent given and confirmed to themselves by your Royal father,
King Charles the First, wherein it is granted to them, and their heirs,
assigns and associates for ever, not only the absolute use and propriety
of the tract of land therein mentioned, but also full and absolute power
of governing[137] all the people of this place, by men chosen from among
themselves, and according to such lawes as they shall from time to time
see meet to make and establish, being not repugnant to the laws of
England (they paying only the fifth part of the ore of gold and silver
that shall here be found, for and in respect of all duties, demands,
exactions, and service whatsoever), as in the said patent is more at
large declared. Under the encouragement and security of which Royal
Charter this people did, at their own charges,[138] transport
themselves, their wives and families, over the ocean, purchase the lands
of the natives, and plant this colony, with great labour, hazards, cost
and difficulties, for a long time wrestling with the wants of a
wilderness and the burdens of a new plantation; having, also, now above
30 years enjoyed the aforesaid power and priviledge of government within
themselves, as their undoubted right in the sight of God and man,[139]
and having had, moreover, this further favour from God and from your
Majestie, that wee have received several gracious letters from your
Royal selfe, full of expressions tending to confirme us in our
enjoyments, viz., in your Majestie's letter bearing date the 15th day of
February, 1660, you are pleased to consider New England as one of the
chiefest of your colo