no by
any other way or means than by sending Commissioners thither to examine
the truth and grounds of all the allegations, and for the present to
compose the differences the best they can, until, upon a full and clear
representation thereof to his Majesty, who cannot but expect the same
from them, his Majesty's own final judgement and determination may be
had. And it hath pleased God so far already to bless that service that
it's no small benefit his Majesty and his English colonies in those
parts have already received by the said Commissioners in the removal of
so inconvenient neighbours as the Dutch have been for these late years,
and which would have been a more spreading and growing mischief in a
short time if it had not been removed. To conclude, I am commanded by
his Majesty to assure you again of your full and peaceable enjoyment of
all the privileges and liberties granted to you by his Charter, which he
hath heretofore and doth now again offer to renew to you, if you shall
desire it; and that you may further promise yourselves all the
protection, countenance, and encouragement that the best subjects ever
received from the most gracious Prince; in return whereof he doth only
expect that duty and cheerful obedience that is due to him, and that it
may not be in the power of any malicious person to make you miserable by
entertaining any unnecessary and unreasonable jealousies that there is a
purpose to make you so. And since his Majesty hath too much reason to
suspect that Mr. Endicot,[147] who hath during all the late revolutions
continued the government there, is not a person well affected to his
Majesty's person or his government, his Majesty will take it very well
if at the next election any other person of good reputation be chosen in
the place, and that he may no longer exercise that charge. This is all I
have to signify unto you from his Majesty, and remain,

"Your very humble servant,
"WILL. MORRICE.
"Whitehall, February 25th, 1665."

But this courteous and explicit letter had no effect upon the Governor
and Council of Massachusetts Bay in allaying opposition to the Royal
Commissioners, whose authority they refused to acknowledge, nor did it
prevent their persecution of their brethren whom they termed
"Sectaries"--the "Dissenting party." The Commissioners having executed
the part of their commission relative to the Dutch and Indians, and
finding their authority resisted by the Governor and Council of
Mas