th me were.
I told him I could not tell, being afraid to let him have them, because
he would not let the people know any news. He told me I was a
saucy-fellow, and bid the Sheriff carry me away to the Justices of the
Peace; and as we were going, I told the Sheriff I would choose my
Justice. He told me, No, I must go before Dr. Bullivant, one picked on
purpose (as I judged) for the business. Well, I told him, I did not care
who I went before, for I knew my cause was good. So soon as I came in,
two more of the Justices dropped in, Charles Lidgett and Francis
Foxcroft, such as the former, fit for the purpose. So they asked me for
my papers. I told them I would not let them have them, by reason they
kept all the news from the people. So when they saw they could not get
what I bought with my money, they sent me to prison for bringing
traitorous and treasonable libels and papers of news, notwithstanding I
offered them security to the value of two thousand pounds."

The intelligence which reached Winslow at Nevis, and was brought thence
by him to Boston, could scarcely have embraced transactions in England
of a later date than the first month after the landing of the Prince of
Orange. Within that time, the result of the expedition was extremely
doubtful. There had been no extensive rising against the King, and every
day of delay was in his favor. He had a powerful army and fleet, and it
had been repeatedly shown how insecure were any calculations upon
popular discontent in England, when an occasion arose for putting
English loyalty to the last proof. Should the clergy, after all, be true
to their assertions of the obligation of unqualified obedience,--should
the army be faithful,--should the King, by artifice or by victory,
attract to his side the wavering mass of his subjects, and expel the
Dutch invader,--there would be an awful reckoning for all who had taken
part against the Court. The proceedings after the insurrection under
Monmouth had not entirely shown how cruel James could be. His position
then had been far less critical than now. Then he enjoyed some degree of
popular esteem, and the preparations against him were not on a
formidable scale. Now he was thoroughly frightened. In proportion to his
present alarm would be his fury, if he should come off victorious. The
last chance was pending. If now resisted in vain, he would be
henceforward irresistible. Englishmen who should now oppose their king
must be sure to conque