Scarcely had this arrangement been made, when it became known, that, if
dangers still existed, at least the chief danger was over. On the
twenty-sixth of May a ship arrived from England with an order to the
authorities on the spot to proclaim King William and Queen Mary. Never,
since the Mayflower groped her way into Plymouth harbor, had a message
from the parent-country been received in New England with such joy.
Never had such a pageant as, three days after, expressed the prevailing
happiness been seen in Massachusetts. From far and near the people
flocked into Boston; the Government, attended by the principal gentlemen
of the capital and the towns around, passed in procession on horseback
through the thoroughfares; the regiment of the town, and companies and
troops of horse and foot from the country, lent their pomp and noise to
the show; there was a great dinner at the Town-House for the better
sort; wine was served out in the streets; and the evening was made noisy
with acclamations till the bell rang at nine o'clock, and families met
to thank God at the domestic altar for causing the great sorrow to pass
away, and giving a Protestant King and Queen to England.

The revolution in Massachusetts determined the proceedings in the other
Colonies of New England. On learning what had been done in Boston, the
people of Plymouth seized the person of their townsman, Nathaniel Clark,
one of Andros's Counsellors and tools, and, recalling Governor Hinckley,
set up again the ancient government. When the news reached Rhode Island,
a summons was issued to "the several towns," inviting them to send their
"principal persons" to Newport "before the day of usual election by
Charter, ... there to consult of some suitable way in this present
juncture." Accordingly, at a meeting held on the day appointed by the
ancient Charter for annual elections, it was determined "to reassume the
government according to the Charter," and "that the former Governor,
Deputy-Governor, and Assistants that were in place ... before the coming
over of Sir Edmund Andros, the late Governor, should be established in
their respective places for the year ensuing, or further order from
England." Walter Clarke was the Governor who had been superseded by
Andros. But he had no mind for the hazardous honor which was now thrust
upon him, and Rhode Island remained without a Governor.

On the arrival in Connecticut of the news of the deposition of Andros,
the plan of