in Fox's Appendix, p. vii., _et
seq._ In 1685 Halifax, who had been friendly to the rights of the
colonies, was dismissed from his office; Sunderland, their enemy, had
a pension from Louis XIV. of L5,000 or L6,000 a year; p. cxxvii.,
cxxx. _et seq._, cxliii., cxlviii. Not the last instance of a high
functionary pensioned by a foreign hand!]

He sought to wrest the charters from the Colonies; that of Rhode
Island fell into his hands; Connecticut escaped by a "miracle:"

"The Charter-Oak--it was the tree
That saved our sacred Liberty."

The Charter government of Plymouth was suspended. Massachusetts was
put under arbitrary despotism. Towns were forbidden to meet, except
for the choice of officers; there must be no deliberation; "discussion
must be suppressed." He was to levy all the taxes; he assessed a
penny in the pound in all the towns. Rev. John Wise, one of the
ministers of Ipswich, advised the people to resist the tax.
"Democracy," said he, "is Christ's government in Church and State; we
have a good God and a good king; we shall do well to stand to our
privileges." One of the Council said, "_You have no privileges left
you, but not to be sold as slaves._" Even that was not likely to last
long. The town of Ipswich refused to pay the tax, because invalid; the
governor having no authority to tax the people: "they will petition
the King for liberty of an assembly before they make any rates." The
minister and five others were arrested; they had "obstructed an
officer." The Rev. Mr. Wise was guiltiest of all; he did it with a
word, an idea. They were brought to Boston, and thrown into jail, "for
contempt and high misdemeanors." They claimed the _habeas corpus_;
Chief Justice Dudley refused it, on the ground that it did not extend
to America! They were tried before a packed jury, and such a court as
James II. was delighted to honor. The patriots plead the laws of
England and Magna Charta. It was all in vain. "I am glad," said the
judge to his packed jury, "there be so many worthy gentlemen of the
jury, so capable to do the king service; and we expect a good verdict
from you, seeing the matter hath been so sufficiently proved against
the _criminals_." The jury of course found them guilty. They were
fined from L15 to L50 a piece. The whole cost to the six was over
L400. "It is not for his majesty's interest that you should thrive,"
said one of those petty tyrants,--a tide-water of despotism.[101]

[Footnote 1