Their Majesties colony of Connecticut in New-England vindicated from the abuses of a pamphlet, licensed and printed at New-York 1694. Intituled, Some seasonable considerations for the good people of Connecticut / by an answer thereunto.

An Answer to A PAMPHLET , Intituled , Some Seasonable Considerations for the Good people of Connecticut , Printed at New-York . 1694.

IT becomes an Honest Writer , to introduce his Book into the World , with a Title fitting the Scope and Intendment of it : But whosoever hath Perused this we are answering would rather have thought , such a Title as this , Proper to it :

Viz.

1. Unreasonable Essayes , to Represent Connecticut to be Inconsiderate , Irreligious , Rebelious &c. or something Equivalent ; which is the Argument of the Book , as is but too manifest by it . Whither under this Pretence of Seasonable Advice there be not the greatest Violence and Injury , offered to the Reputation , and Interest of Connecticut : will be in part seen , by what we have to say on this account . We would Unmask it therefore , only with this intimation here , that another thing than Seasonable Advice to us , is intended , and prosecuted in that Piece .

2. As to its Seasonableness : It is evidently otherwise ; the cause therein Agitated , depending now before Their Majesties , and not Issuable by a Pamphleters Advice ; which is wholly disproportionate to that concern : yet indeed in some respects , it may be very Seasonable : namely , to stir Factions ( though it hath missed that too as yet ) and to make us odious to the World ( which seems to be mainly intended in it ) and to prejudice our cause ( which he that Wrote might have been too late , for had he staied the Result ) in England ; and if Occasion serve , for after Severities ; this is a Seasonable fore condemning of us : If these , and the like , make it Seasonable , and Suiting its writers , and Licensers designs upon us , Seasonable it is . But it may appear , that the whole work in its design and management , hath little of Justice or Charity , whatever it hath of the contrary .

3. The Epithet of Good People , he gives here ; he utterly takes away , and contradicts all along after : the kindness of it here therefore is worthy no notice , but onely , that in his Title he begins not Sincerely .

We must come to the work it self : he saith ,

Pamphlet . Advice was given us in the Year 1689. when we were about to make our Revolution ( as t is called ) and for ought I know , it had been good for us that we had taken it .

Answer . 1. By what is most probable ? he that gave that Advice , dwells not far from him that gives these aleadged Seasonable Considerations : and is but his own Patron and commender here .

2. That Advice is well enough known , to have been given in the other Colonies , as well as here : the substance of it was ; to manage the Government ( by Commissions granted by Sir . Edmund Andross ) after the Revolution made at Beston ; and to decline Charters .

3. This Advice was not followed in Massachusetts , Plymouth , Rhead-Island , no , nor York , the Reasons have formerly been Rendred : we think to the Satisfaction of all , but only the Irreconcileable Enemie ; of Charter Government , which is so well known to be dear to the People of New England .

Pamphlet . But we are so unwilling to be Advised , and so ill Affected to any , that tell us the truth , that there is little Incouragement , to any to Expose themselves in that kind for the future .

Answer . 1. Unless this Person would be attended , as the only Oracle of New-England ; and impose on all other mens understandings and Consciences : there is little Reason for him thus Complainingly to charge the body of the People , with being unwiling to be Advised : and being ill affected , to any that tell us the truth ; his notions were considered and advised on largely . But other Reasons did preponderate , in the Judgment of the most , in a manner of all : as is well known .

2. The Publick accounts given by the Reverend Mr. Mather , of His Majesties Approbation , of that Revolution at Boston ; with a now above five years implicite allowance off the measures here taken , might have taken of the fondness here paid to that advice . But some Counselers , if not attended will be angry [ so was Achittophel ] and seek revenge some where .

Pamphlet . And it is he sayes , An Evil time , and the Prudent shall keep Silence — Cast not your Pearls before Swine &c.

Answer . 1. It s great Pitty he did not keep Silence , or speak better : but if he follow not his own Advice , it will impede others to follow it .

2. It is not over modest to Emblaz on his own Advices , thus as Pearles ; and how unworthy this his Composure , is of such a Representation ! will not be difficult to an Impartial Reader , to Judge of .

3. To compare a Colony , to harmful Swine , is hard , and yet harder ; when if we be so , in respect of the Advice in 1689. in a manner all the People of New-England are so . But such a whole Sale Champman , that thus Barters all our Credite ; will deserve an Examination .

4. Here begins , what is carried on all along his Book : namely , a misapplication of Holy Scripture . Whether this be not a great Prophaning the Holy Name of GOD , is more meet for others to Consider ; than for us here to say . What ? are his Advices to be Similized with the truths of the Gospel ? which are the Pearls there spoken of : or is New-Englands not attending those things from him , and others of his Opinion ; to be represented and made abominable , by the fellest Persecution against the Gospel ? The Excesses of this kind , and the Rating and Blemishing ( if not Curssing us ) by the mouth of Scripture ; are no small Scandal to us ; and we desire it may be well considered by the Pious Readers .

But this notwithstanding , he proceeds to tell us ;

Pamphlet . That he hopes the case is not so desperate .

Answer . We hope so too , yet he all along , gives us up as in the most desperate hopeless posture .

Pamphlet . He then pleads it his duty ; Thou shalt not hate thy Brother in thy heart , but shall Rebuke him &c.

Answer . If any can reasonably judge , that more of hatred , and less of Love could be exerted , by the Pamphleter , than is to be found in him here : they may believe he hath performed this , as his duty . But we may not dwell on every Particular . Let it be noted that the Scripture here aleadged as a warrant to this Book , is Levit 19.17 . and the verse next before it Viz. 16. is , Thou shalt not walk about with Tales among thy People ; thou shalt not stand against the Blood of thy Neighbour , I am the Lord . Which seems as full and direct a prohibition of this his work as redily can be found in the Bible .

2. Having thus Prefaced himself ; our Adviser or rather judge ; and Connecticut People the Objects of his pleasure : in the Second place , in Page 1st . 2d . He calls to a Serious Attention , by Scriptures and Arguments , no less weighty , than his Occasion and use of them are Slighty ; as will appear , we need not transcribe him .

Answer . All the things he proposes ( that are true ) are Obvious , and have been considered , and needed not his Repetition .

2. This ( like many other things ) is a Representing us to the World ; as Ignorant and Inconsiderate to an Excels . But these Artifices , every candid Reader will easily detect ; to whom we refer it to consider , whether the following things in that Pamphlet , be adapted to our Advice and consideration ; or to Breath out his own Spirit against us , and to furnish ill minded men , with matter and words , to defame us ; to ensnare the more unwary , into hard thoughts ; and many into groundless fears .

3. His Prefacing thus ended , in Page 3. He tells of the Commission of Leiutenancy over the Militia of this Colony ; His Excellency Sir . William Phipps had : and saith :

Pamphlet . But upon notice hereof , a General Assembly was called , and met , and there it was Resolved : Not to submit to it , nor to take any notice of Sir . William Phipps in that capacity .

Ans. 1. That His Excellency Sir . William Phipps , in His Commission had such a Leiutenancy Granted by Their Majesties and that the General Court met , is true .

2. That His Excellency did give an account of it , and desired to know what Officers were in Commission , and at length sent a Copy of that His Commission , is also true .

3. That the General Court , at their meeting did send His Excellency an account , what our intentions were , as to Addressing Their Majesties , in that behalf ; and that in the Interim , the Military Officers , were to good Satisfaction , is also true .

4. As to the Resolve of the Court , here asserted : We say these things . ( 1. ) That it seems to be of absolute necessity , to the ends of the Pamphlet , to charge such Resolves , and Acts of the Court , upon them with Rising in Arms &c. Else , they could not make out , Opposing Their Majesties , and so lay a foundation large enough , to Superstruct all the revilings and menaces , that for the ends he had before him , must be used . ( 2. ) If such a Resolve were , our Governour , who was then in Court , must put the Question , which it did Resolve , and this is an high Reflection on him . ( 3. ) Since this Pamphlet was Licensed at York , and things of this nature Asserted in it ; it behoved in Justice , that he had Attested Copies , or other Equivalent assurance of it ere he thus expose us . ( 4. ) We love not such course words as to tell the World that what is so said , is an absolute Lye : and yet this we must say ( if we will say the truth ) for there was no such Question put , nor no such Resolve made ; and we challenge them to prove it , that say it : and who that finds such things , so certified , and hears no other , would doubt the truth of it ; or demurr to conclude us Direct Opposers of Their Majesties . But we have more of this kind , to come in yet , wherein an amazing , Impudent Falsifying , is used against us . ( 5. ) It will not heal the evil to make a Subterfuge of any inferences from other things , as arguing such a Resolve : for 't is matter of Fact , that is here asserted , and not brought in as a Consequence of what was matter of Fact : for that had been but Opinion ; whereas this is Exhibited , as a Court Act , or Resolve .

Pam. He saies further , At another General Assembly , we resolve to to Address Their Majesties forthwith — ( and ) yet no Address is made to Their Majesties .

Ans. It is not true to say no Address is made , we did forthwith , with all possible diligence , send our Address : that we have no account of it , is from other causes than our not sending . It is a very sad thing thus openly to be rendred as meer dissemblers , with Sir . William , and Their Majesties Especially : but this is the measure that is mete us , and surely Mr. Clarkson gave his Imprimatur on very fallible grounds to this .

Pam. After which , Sir . William Phipps making some further demands in the Spring 1693. we promised to pay him some Hundreds of Pounds , and to take upon us the defence of the upper Towns , upon the River , belonging to the Massachusetts . As if these things would Satisfy Their Majesties Commission ? ( and these things , in Page 6. ) he calleth a Composition with Sir . William Phipps , which gives his meaning , and what he would suggest , and have believed in the World , as to the Transactions between His Excellency , and this Colony .

Ans. 1. He that hath only this Pamphlets information in this , and Credits it , will be tempted to think ; that those Hundreds of Pounds were a Bribe , engaged and accepted . This is an Affront to His Excellency as well as to us , to Represent a thing after this manner , which was in some sort true .

2. The truth was , in Effect only this : His Excellency designing to disrest the Enemy Indians , at the Eastward , sent to us for men to Aid therein ; and because we could not ( without great inconvenience ) send men so far ( by two Gentlemen that were sent down on purpose ) we tendred 400. Pound , for furthering that Expedition , if it went on as was propounded : but not a Penny to compound with him , about his Commission , as the Pamphlet would insinuate : and the Offer was made openly to His Hxcellencies Council ; not secretly to His Excellency : and which was done sincerely for Their Majesties Service : and we must complain of this partial account , and Representation of the Pamphlets ; as setting a false face on , and misconstruing that Action .

3. We undertook not absolutely , the defence of the upper Towns ; but only to such a number of men , as occasion should be : which was accordingly performed , to our no small charge : but to an envious eye , will pervert the best actions , in accounting them to the World for what they never were .

4. Here we must remark , the observable difference , between the Treatment we had with His Excellency and the Gent. of Boston , and what we now have from this writer , on these Occasions . We may believe , that they had as more to do with it , so as much Integrity and Prudence , to manage such a thing with us , and much more , than this medler , yet never handled it as he has done .

5. Notwithstanding this seeming care for this first Commission , it is to be noted , that in all the time of it , our Adversary never gave us any such Seasonable Advice , to comply with it , as now , in a Month ( as it is intimated in Page 7. ) he is all on a light fire against us , why were not the dangers of delaying , and addressing , then set before us ; since himself saith , that sincere Obedience is Universal . So would his to Their Majesties , and Love to us , have been in a then advising , if he had been Equally poised . But this his partiality , may make some suspect that all this kindness for the first Commission , is but a meer Shooing horn to his designs by the second : and that he Loves Massachusetts , and Connecticut much alike .

6. What is fit , in answer to this Pamphlet , to be said why we gave such an Answer , as we did to this Commission , will occur afterwards , on account of the Commission of His Excellency of York ; which being the contest with that writer , we do refer to what will follow .

Pam. In Page 3d. he begins , and so goes on , with an account of the like Commission of Leiutenancy , given by Their Majesties to His Excellency Col. Benjamin Fletcher ; and remarks upon it , That upon notice hereof , the Freemen and Souldiers in the several Towns , are Convened ; to see how they stood affected , and what they will Contribute , towards Addressing Their Majesties in this behalf . A General Assembly also is called and meets , and there it is resolved , forthwith to send an Agent for England : Money is provided &c.

Ans. 1. And was not this Lawful and necessary ? It hath been declared with sufficient Authority , That it is the right of the Subject to Petition the King . Let the Bishops case and what the Convention Parliament declared , be remembred ; and might not in Lawful peaceable meetings , the Peoples minds be inquired into ? and if they are found ( as they were ) so sensible of their concernment herein , that ( in a manner ) they Unanimously declare for an Address to Their Majesties , is it not thereupon just to take care for the Charges to defray it : and if this Unanimity and Vigorousness , grieve the Pamphleter and his Abettors , we are not therefore to be blamed . But this Arrow will not peirce , unless he head it . Wherefore he adds , as a part of that Courts Conclusion .

Pam. And Lastly , That if any such Commission do come , in the mean time they will not submit to it , but oppose it , till they have answer from Their Majesties .

Ans. 1. He seems to be very sensible , that all his labour will be lost , and his whole design ( of Defaming Connecticut ) frustrate , if he do not charge us with Explicite Resolves against Their Majesties ; and therefore if truth will not aford him matter for it ; Lyes must and shall .

2. We say of this , as of the other Resolve , charged on us about the Commission to Sir . William ; that it is a meer falshood , forgery , our Records , and the whole Court are Witnesses of the contrary of it ; and this , though for its truth , it could not have an Imprimatur , yet for its usefulness , it must be passed to the Press . It was said of old by Cyprian , that some went abroad with Lyes , as if truth could not follow them . And as one sayes of him that wrote the Romish Legends ; That he had an Iron Forehead . So we may say of him , that Asserts as here a matter of Fact , which never had any being ; and that of the Representative Body of the Colony : and to such perverse ends . The Court Resolved or Concluded , only of an Address to Their Majesties , with what was necessary to it , as the charges , Person &c.

3. If these two great falshoods , of the writer of that Book newly mentioned , and a third of Riseing in Arms ( which we shall meet with afterwards ) be set aside , as they ought to be , for stark Lyes , that have not a Ragg of truth to Cover their Shame : all the rest affirmed against us ( whither true or false ) is too weak to bear the weight of his Reproaches cast on us .

Pam. By these methods ( sayes he ) the Freemen of the Corporation , and as many of the People as will fall in with them , are ensnared , and strengly Preingaged , to make Opposition against Their Majesties Commission .

Ans. They engage only hereby in an Address ; not in , or to , an Opposition .

Pam. Insomuch that one Jeers , another will spend his Blood to keep off His Excellency &c.

Ans. 1. There is not much ( if any thing ) to be believed on his Credit , nor his Imprimaturs , in this business ; who have so departed from truth in what they affirm , and pass , of the General Court .

2. Though we have heard of no such speeches ( from any persons of Credit ) yet can we not say , but some Rude Persons , may have talked at this Rude Rate , and possibly on the as rude Provocations of some others . But still , is this fit to be used in reproach of a whole Colony , when yet none of the offenders were brought to any of the Majestrates , to answer such things ? the particular Persons ( if such there were ) should have been named , and the evil confined to them : we take it as a wrong , to have these things indefinitely and Promiscuously cast on us , as if it were a common and general Practice ; and hereon to ground in great part , the heavy imputations that follow . We shall oft meet with these kind of things : let this stand for an Answer to them , wherever they occur in the Pamphlet .

Pam. In Page 5. he gives an account of His Excellencies coming to Hartford , Reading his Commission , leaving a memorial of it &c. and in Particular , that he Assures us , That he hath neither power , nor intent to invade our Civil Liberties ; That in case of our Submission , he would Commissionate all that were in Commission before , and take our Advice for the supply of Vacant Places . And particularly tender a Commission to our Governour , for the Command of the Militia in the Colony ; only in Subordination to this Their Majesties Commission .

Ans. We must defer the answer to this a little while , and see first his account of the Success of it , on the Court , in these words .

Viz.

Pam. The Deputies ( divers of them at least ) being so prepared as aforesaid , are Resolved before hand , and have determined the Question before the Court meets ( God hath given them such a priviledge ) and therefore if Their Majesties put such things upon them , they must oppose , and hold their own , they are bound in Conscience to do it .

Ans. 1. This Representation of the Deputies , as preresolved to Oppose Their Majesties Commission , is unlimited , and unproved , and therefore as here and afterwards improved , is an evil Surmise , and asperses all the Deputies , and the whole Colony , and opens a wide Door to any such Calumnies ; but as long as it is wound up , to Resolving to oppose , it must be worthy of an Imprimatur .

2. The Court Act on this matter , shews what the Deputies minds were in it ; and in honesty he should have produced that ; and then they had spoken for themselves , and not out of the mouth of an Adversary . But that answer of the General Court , speakes not Opposition to Their Majesties , loud enough , he perceives , but Subjection ; therefore in all his Book he recites it not , but in stead of it pops off his Readers with this Surmise , and other misaccountings of it .

Pam. He then troubles himself with the Halberteers ; as if they were designing to Conceal the Commission from being known &c.

Ans. T is a silly thing thus to imagine as he doth , why should any desire , or with what hopes endeavour a concealment ? There were but four Halberts , and it was only to prevent a throng at first ; the People were instantly admitted . But he adds .

Pam. And no marvel the General Court not overwilling to give the Commission a hearing .

Ans. This is another tacit Scandal cast on the General Court , who waited many dayes to give it an hearing ( and this our Records and the Printed account of those Transactions , Published by His Excellency do prove ) and sate several dayes on it : and therefore for him to say , as he does on it ; That the Court take no great notice of His Excellency , wave the business , would bring him to Composition , as they had done Sir . William &c. is apparently a mistake ; we did take notice and attend as the account mentioned shews .

Pam. But he thought ( it seems ) that it would manifest Opposition to send , as he sayes , Orders to such as Command the Forts , to prevent their Seizure .

Ans. This misconstruction of Actions , is a frequent thing in this Pamphlet . The order he should have Printed , if there were any thing of an Opposition to His Excellency in it . The truth , and all of it is , That at that time , there was a Pyrate or Enemy on the Coast ; that took many Vessels ; and it is usual with our General Courts , when they sit , to renew Orders of that kind , and that was what was then done : yet this is Rattled into the World , as a kind of Rebellion , and afterwards we are told of holding Forts against the King , wherein he seems to refer to this , but all that know our two poor Forts , may well Judge us all mad if we should attempt to hold them against the King .

Pam. He goes on saying , And it seems ( if the common Fame be true ) it is their Opinion , That Their Majesties have nothing to do with us .

Ans. 1. One would have thought that the Topicks of Lyes , evil Surmises , misrepresenting things , misconstruction of Actions , misapplications of Scriptures , and Laws ; which are the Nervous parts of this Pamphlet ; had been enough to furnish the Railery of it , without taking in Fame , and wronging it too ; for it may be truly answered , that unless this Pamphlet by defaming , have so famed us , we never were so Reputed , in a common way , or at all as we know of .

2. What could he say worse of us , than that it is our General Courts Opinion ( for of them he speaks ) that Their Majesties have nothing to do with us ? It is fitter indeed to be answered with renting our Cloaths in detestation , than with words . Do we not professedly and practically , hold all under Their Majesties ? and Serve them to our Capacity as the rest of Their Subjects do ? Say it be doubtful as yet , in this one point of the Commissions ? is all Allegiance renounced , in one demur ( on just Reasons as we trust ) and about which we have ( at great charge ) sent with all speed to Their Majesties .

3. Let it be considered , what these his dealings with Their Majesties poor afflicted Subjects will prove ; of his and his Imprimaturs Subjection to Their Majesties ? however highly they word it for their Allegiance ?

Pam. He adds , in Page 6 & 7th . That hereon Commissions from His Excellency are declined , abuses offered him , and such of the Assembly as moved for Submission , thought unfit for their places ; such as yeild obedience traduced as Rogues ( and with the rest ) yea some rise in Arms to Oppose him , and others are in readiness upon Occasion to do the same .

Ans. 1. This of rising in Arms to oppose His Excellency here Asserted ; is as false as any thing that can be told : that some came to Hartford with some Arms to list under His Excellency hath been said : but this cannot be the thing charged ; also that some Troopers were appointed and went to wait on His Excellency to conduct him into Hartford , is true ; but His Excellency came not at the time Expected , and they went no more . A Training was in hand but put by , by the Governours Order . Besides these ( by all the enquiry we can make ) no one man was in Arms in the Colony , while His Excellency was here : unless the Halberteers mentioned afore , and our usual Guards on the Lords Dayes ; much less did any Rise against His Excellency , and least of all , yea not at all , as is here suggested to Strangers as a general thing .

2. This false charge , is by its confident Asserting , and Licensing past into the World ; and down to Posterity , as a real truth .

3. We are by it greatly wronged , rendred ( as the Pamphleter hath to effect his designs a necessity ) as in open Rebellion . As to that of others being ready to Rise , it is only Surmised . The same we say of what was said of some of the Members of the Court , being thought unfit for their places ; and the traducing of some as Rogues ; and abuses offered His Excellency ; these things we have answered afore , that t is the particulars ( if any such be ) that are blameable not the whole or body of the People . As to the not taking Commissions , it will occur afterwards to be spoken unto .

Pam. In Page 7 & 8. Several things are said of a Proclamation , left with Coll. Allyn , imparted to the Governour , and fault is found that it was not published , and so of a second Proclamation sent from York .

Ans. 1. Let our General Courts Answer be considered ; and that will shew how improper it was for our Governour to Publish those Proclamations .

2. Was it not enough that no hindrance was given His Excellency when here , and that he yet did not do it ?

Pam. In Page 8 he takes it for granted , that all former Military Commissions are Expressly determined , by the Publication of this : and therefore finds fault with Trainings , and adds , 't is said , we have made a Major too .

Ans. 1. His Opinion differs from the General Courts , in the first point , but that being Controversal , it is before Their Majesties .

2. As to Trainings in the interim ; it was it seems thought meet by some Officers , not to desist , and thereby let the Souldiers grow unfitted for Service , but attend what the Law requires in a time of War as this is , here being none in Commission neither , but what had Commissions from the General Court ; and a Vacancy at this junture , seems not safe .

3. As to a Major ; the Major Winthrop being gone for England , the General Care of New-London County , which is most exposed to danger from the Sea , required somewhat of a Special Order in that respect . Our duty to Their Majesties in our present Circumstances do admit , and require , that we omit nothing wherein we may best Serve them . But these Trainings &c. in his usual heat he ill resents , and declares against .

Pam. Thus we make all the defiance to Their Majesties , and Their Commission , trample them into the very dirt , and offend with as high an hand , as is well possible for us to do .

Ans. It is time now to say somewhat more , to take of these heavy Imputations , and we will promise to do it ; that there are several important things , that are not convenient on the Provocations of this Pamphlet , to be made Publick . Nor may a few , undertake to give the whole sence of the General Court and Country . We shall content our selves , and we hope satisfy the Reader , with what answers this Pamphlet .

1. Then we say , the Militia is the Kings . So says he in Page 25. and onwards .

2. This is so declared by two Acts of Parliament , 13 & 13th . and 14th . of Charles II. So saith he , Page 26.

3. The Militia that is the Kings , and so declared in those Acts , is the Militia intended in the Commission to Sir . William Phipps , and now to His Excellency of York : So he Argues , Page 26. saying , It is declared by two several Acts of Parliament , of 13. & 13. and 14. of Charles II. and of this His Maiesty was pleased to put us in mind , by express mention of the first of these Statutes in the Commission to Sir . William Phipps . And in Page 3. he calls the Commission to His Excellency of York , a like Commission ; and argues in Page 26. and onward , our duty to obey this Commission , by Vertue of those Acts.

4. The latter of those Acts , do to determine the whole Regulation of the Kings Militia , in 36 Articles ; according to which His Majesties Leiutenants , we conceive must Execute their Office : this we think is indisputable , unless that Act be void , or vainly urged on us by our Antagonist . We desire that a special notice may be taken , that this Act of 13. & 14. of Charles II. is the Limit , and Boundary of the Kings Militia , as it is Committed to , and is to be Commanded by the Kings Lieutenants , as such : and that if this be plucked up . ( 1. ) The very Leiutenancy is taken away , being as to Law founded only hereon . And ( 2. ) That if the Kings Leiutenants as such , can claime , and Command a Militia as the Kings , beyond the measure of this Act , what shall stop them from Commanding , who when , and in what manner so ever they please ? ( 3. ) The word [ Militia ] as it relates to the King and His Leiutenants , is restrained to this Act , and does not take in all that strictly may be denominated [ Militia ] for in a large sence , Corporations , Towns , Families , yea single Persons ; have , and may have , that Furniture for War , offending and defending , as their respective Capacities do require , and admit , that may be called truly and properly [ their Militia ] and yet neither the things so called , nor that name , shall incorporate them into the Kings Militia ; and put them under His Lieutenant . ( 4. ) That when the King makes His Leiutenant , that Leiutenancy is necessarily refered to this Law , and stands in Connexion to it ; and all words and clauses , in the Leiutenants Commission , must be accomodated to the tenor and true intent of this Act ; and not otherwise : for as it is Leiutenancy , so t is but Leiutenancy , and what Leiutenancy shall be , and how far extend , this Act provides ; these things we refer to the Readers notice in this whole contest .

5. In the third Article or Paragraph , as Wingate renders it , is said , that the Leiutenants &c. May charge any , where their Estates be , with Horss , Horsman , and Arms , that have 500 Pound Per. Annum in Posession , or 6000 Pounds , in Goods or Money besides furnitue of their Houses , and so Proportionably : And any with a Foot Souldier and Arms , that have 50 Pounds Per. Annum , in Posession , or 600 Pounds in Goods or Money , other than Stock on the ground , and so Proportionably ; they shall charge none to find both Horss and Foot in the same County .

We need recite no more here , only in the close of the foregoing Paragraph ; it is said , And the said Leiutenants , and in their absence or otherwise by their directions , the deputy Leiutenants , or any two or more of them , may Exercise and Conduct the Persons so to be Armed &c. as is here after expressed .

And in the 25. Article or Paragraph , we find to the same Effect . Viz. The Leiutenant &c. May from time to time Lead , Train &c. all Persons Raised and Arrayed , according to the Act of 13 and 14. of Charles II. Chap. 3. Here it seems very plain , ( 1. ) What the Kings Militia is . viz. Persons of such Estates as are mentioned . ( 2. ) That the Kings Leiutenants as such , and by Law have only those Persons of those Estates under their charge and power . As yet nothing is offered us to prove it otherwise .

6. There is no such Militia so constituted , yet formed in Connecticut ; therefore no Subject or Object of such a Leiutenancy , yet formally Existing here ; this is well enough known .

7. His Excellency nor Sir . William , ever went about forming such a Militia here , by and according to the 3d. 4th . 5th . and 10th . Articles or Paragraphs , of the said Acts of Parliament : therefore were not opposed in Executing their respective Leiutenancies according to the Acts referred to in their Commissions : and Consequently not opposed in their Commissions rightly understood and applyed ; and as the Pamphlet argues for them .

8. The Militia of Connecticut , as now constituted by the General Court , by vertue of the Charter , and as our need requires ; consists of all Males from 16 to 60 years of Age , some few , as Majestrates , Ministers &c. only excepted , be their Estates what they will .

These things being thus , the Question is whether the Kings Militia constituted , and to be Governed as by said Acts , or the Corporation Militia , of another constitution , and Government ( and therefore so constituted because so to be Governed ) be the Object of the Leiutenantcy ? the disputes of the Pamphlet run for the latter ; but still wholly on grounds taken only from the former ; but that will not hold : for what Their Majesties claime by Law ( that is by those Acts ) they furely Execute upon , according to the same Law or Acts of Parliament . 'T is an happy truth , that all the People are Their Majesties , yet are not all by Act of Parliament from 16 to 60 years of Age ( that is Males ) His standing Militia .

If this had come to practice here and His Excellency had called all from 16 to 60 to the duty of Souldiers , and they had refused as not having Estates to Oblige them by the Laws , his Commission is dependant on and must be exercised by ; and the Corporation Militia strictly so called had been severed there from ; what a poor posture had that been in ? when it may be the Colony would not have yielded an Hundred Souldiers to that part , it may be not half an hundred ?

But it may be said , doth not the Commission say ; the Militia of Connecticut , all the Forces &c. And this answers all . We say no : For we know His Majesty Governs by the Laws of the Realm ; and this our Adversary not only yields us , but makes it the Basis of all his Arguing , in Page 23. where he saith , In this case , ( Rex praecipit & Lex praecipit ) the Kings Commands and the Laws Commauds , is all one . So that by his own account the Laws Command and the Kings Command in the case are Mutual , and Reciprocal and do expound each other ; that is the Statute of 13 & 13 and 14 of Charles II. do expound this Commission of Leiutenancy , and all others of that kind and in the sence and under the Limitations of those Acts , it is to be taken and no otherwise . And this alone with the Consideration of the Constitution of Connecticut Militia , at once over throws utterly his whole Hypothesis in the Pamphlet . And he might have spared the labour of all his Sophistications , in arguing and concluding as he doth from the one to the other , when as not the same thing , or a thing of the same Constitution is in both .

And here we must note his misrepresentation of those Statutes as intending a Militia , which they do not by applying them directly to another kind of Militia , as he doth evidently all along . It is like he knew that they are but few Comparatively that Read those Laws , and yet fewer of his Readers that know or will be informed what a different Militia from that , Connecticut Militia is : and so the Ambiguity of the word Militia would not be dicovered ; and so it must and would be concluded , that if we hold any Militia , it was the same in the Statutes , ( this is no fair dealing in him ) His Majesty claimes His right according to those Laws , and what is by Patent Granted to His Subjects , and is of another Constitution , we may be bold to hold that , till we can enquire His Majesties right and pleasure to be otherwise , and in this we claim not His Majesties Militia , as it is distinguished from , our Corporation Militia , it is all His Majesties in Service .

In a word , what is the Kings Militia so settled by the Laws of His Realm , we never gave the least hindrance unto His Leiutenants in : if they had clamed the Command of that and that only , and had been refused ; some such Charges , as now we are laden with , might have had a colour , whereas now they have none . To a full management hereof , many other things should and might be added ; but this may suffice to show that the Pamphlet by not distinguishing between Militia and Militia , runs into all manner of confusion ; and chargeth us with claiming the Kings right , when we claim it not ; but a distinct thing , and not that neither , but in Subjection to Their Majesties ( what of the Kings Militia is involved in the Corporations we know not , till it be distinguished as the Law requires ) if these things be not clear to others , they are so to us , and will bear at least an enquiry in England , before we be put on , to what we are not clear in ; and this may be the better born with , since as he said in Page 5th . His Excellency offered to continue the Militia in the hands it was then in , which shewed a good Satisfaction in the Military Commission Officers ; the odds of being under the Corporation , or His Excellency , till we could here from England , needed not the Sharpness of this Pamphlet ; which hath nothing helped ; save to render us as bad as possible , and beyond truth , or peace .

And here we might end our answer ; but because of the long and bitter Harrangue that continues in that Book , and some things that must be cleared , we must attend it . And at once we will insert the Courts Answer to Coll. Fletcher , that all may see what it was , and not take it in the disguises that are put on it ; and it shall be as it was Printed at York . Viz.

To His Excellency Benjamin Fletcher , Captain General , and Governour in Chief , of Their Majesties Province of New-York &c.

IN Return to your Excellencies demands of the Millitia , of us Their Majesties General Court of Their Colony of Connecticut : we say : That finding in your Excellencies Commission no Express , Superseding of the Commission of the Millitia in our Charter , nor Order to us from Their Majesties to Surender the same : And being sensible of the great importance of this matter , and finding it in several main things which do need a particular Explication , and Settlement , as we shall ( God willing ) manifest to Their Majesties : cannot but conceive it our duty , both with respect to Their Majesties Service , and our own peace , and preservation in this time of War , to continue the Militia as formerly ; till by our Agent now sent for England , we shall receive further Orders from Their Majesties .

And in obedience to Their Majesties Gracious Letter of March 3d. 1692. We shall be ready upon all just Occasions , to yield Assistance to His Excellency Coll. Benjamin Fletcher Esq His Majesties Captain General , and Governour of New-York &c. and to the Commander their in Chief , for the time being : for the defence of the said Province , against the Common Enemy , according to our ability , and in proportion with our Neighbouring Colonies and Provinces ; although we have already been out about Five Thousand Pounds , for the defending our Neighbours of Albany , since the War began , besides the loss of Lives . And further , this Court does see reason to grant the Sum of Six hundred Pounds in Country pay , out of our Country Rate , towards the Charge of maintaining the Garrison at Albany , onwards of what shall be our proportion of that charge , in Obedience to Their Majesties Letter of 3d of March last .

By Order of the Governour and General Court of Connecticut .

Signed by Iohn Allyn Secr. HARTFORD October , 25th . 1693.

On the 27th . of October 1693. was sent this Memorial following .

Excellent SIR .

WE have in our former to your Excellency , tendred you Six hundred Pounds , in Country pay out of our Rates ; towards the charge of maintaining the Garrison at Albany , onwards of what shall be our proportion of that charge . We desire your Excellencies answer , whether that be acceptable to you . But if you judge it more for Their Majesties Service , to have men , we shall raise about Fifty men to Assist in Garrisoning Albany , who we shall raise and send forth , with what speed we may , to continue , there till the Spring to the end of March , or first of April next . We Crave your Excellencies Answer , who are ,

Your Humble Servants the Governour and General Court of Connecticut . By their Order signed Iohn Allyn Secr.

HEre is what can be charged truly on our General Court ; and the Spirit of it is in that clause , where it is said , We cannot but conceive it our duty both with Respect to Their Majesties Service , & cur own Peace , and preservation in this time of War , to continue the Militia as formerly , till by our Agent now sent for England , we shall receive further Orders from Their Majesties . And this is spoken only with respect to the Corporation Militia , not at all with respect to a Militia Constituted as by the 13 and 14 of Charles II. which for distinction we call the Kings Militia , and on the reasons there aleadged , the full import of which is for Their Majesties special Audience : and with a provision to do our duty as to aiding York and Albany . And what does this amount to but our Courts sence , Judgment , or Opinion , in the matter of their duty .

Let any man cooly Consider , whether this be not justifiable , whether this will bear all the Mountainous weights of Reproach , which this wretched Pamphlet casts on us on this accout ? And had the Pamphleter dealt with any honesty , he should have proved that for our Court thus to declare their sence is Opposing the King , and what else he loads us withal ; and not publish Horrid Lyes of us , and then argue from them . We know that sins and vices are Immergent as well as Graces and Vertues . Lyes evil Surmises misconstructions and the like , will yield Misapplications of Scriptues and Laws , and these then will yield a torrent of Infamy . But had he derived only from truth , it had been otherwise then now it is , and better for him and us .

In Page 9 , 10 , 11. He tells us of two sorts of People among us . Viz. The Deceivers and the Deceived , and compares the best of these to the Rebels on Absoloms side , and their case and danger like the Regicides , and adviseth them to take the course of Peter , who had denied his Lord and Master , the other sort are desperate &c.

Ans. 'T is to much to Transcribe it , but the Reader that hath that Pamphlet may examine it .

1. He is over what is matter of Fact , as to the main of it ; and this , and what follows , for the Substance being only his own sence of the things fore mentioned ; we shall pass through them more briefly : And we shall once for all , desire the Candid Reader to take notice ; that all his loud Openings and Noise , are upon a wrong scent ; for he pursues us as with-holders of the Kings Militia , settled by Parliament ; when as but newly declared we meddle not with that , but another thing only .

2. It would and should make any one tremble , to read such things , such Comparisons made on such wrong grounds ; but we would know not only the words , but the power of these men , thus to Arraign , Condemn , and Execute ( as far as Pen and Imprimatur Malice can go ) Their Majesties Subjects and the People of God . Surely if the double Fence of Sacred and Civil Laws , had been at all regarded , we had not been thus Broken in upon , and devoured in some of our choisest Interests : the Holy ninth Command in its several Branches by the things mentioned , and to be mentioned is by the Pamphlet Violated Lyes , Reproaches , evil Surmises , Misconstructions , Misrepresentations , and the like , do Violate that Rule . The fifth Command to Honour Superiours , Equals , Inferiours &c. Requires the hiding real Blemishes , not with Ham to see and deride , were that the case with us , much more it injoyns not to Invade our just Repute , with Falshoods . By the Civil Law we are Their Majesties Subjects , and as such his Honour is in a degree concerned in ours , and Sugestions against the Subjects ought to be made to the King , not to the World , to defame the Kings Subjects openly , in the Face of His Enemies , sorts with no Law or Policy : nothing is to be done in terrour of the People , the Kings Peace is to be kept by all , the King hath a Judicature to Issue Controversies , and our cause , is at Caesars Judgment Seat where we ought to be judged : who made this man a Censor over us ? But all these things notwithstanding to tear and worry us is what that wretched Tract seems designed to .

3. What Colour is there that we are with Absoloms Rebels pursuing Their Majesties , or with the Regicides about their work , or have we denyed with Peter our Lord and Master .

4. May we not for his thus Comparing us retort his own Interogations ; and say , Consider how he by these carriages Elemishes Religion and Scandalizes the Gospel . Hath he thus Learned Christ & c. ? The Tables thus turned would stand the righter way .

5. Our Gracious KING and QUEEN , nor any of Their good Subjects , we do believe do like a Phalaris with his Brazen Bull to Torment men in , to Extremity ; which this Pamphlet is but too like unto .

6. The Pamphlet goes on , to tell of the Fountain of good Principles , and what his are , Page 12 to p. 21. We will give only the heads of them , and his Inferences from them against Connecticut .

Pam. 1. That Allegiance to our Prince is a Morral and necessary Duty .

2. That Religion Comprizeth both Tables of the Law .

3. That the Second Table of the Law is like unto the First .

4. That the Morral Law is not abolished by Christ .

5. ( To abreviate it ) That the King is next to God Supream upon Earth , Chief Governour in all His Dominions .

Ans. 1. The manner , and end of Exhibiting these Principles , is to Suggust , that we in Connecticut are Heterodox in these points , and so little distant from meer Infidels : this perverse Insinuation we detest .

2. We own , and desire to live by these Principles , though we are as yet so unhappy , as not fully to understand our duty in the one point Controverted .

3. Therefore all the pains taken in these 11 Pages , may justly be called , The New-labour-in-vain ; a washing a white man , as if he were a black-more , to make him white , when as he never was other-wise .

Pam. But he infers on the first Principle , that now it seems this Sound Doctrine will not be indured , Page 15th .

Ans. 1. When or wherein was the Doctrine of Allegiance to our Prince , so Opposed or Punished among us , as not to be indured ? The present contest turns not on that hinge , whether we shall be Subject to Their Majesties , but what is the true intent of this Commission ? this we may enquire without renouncing our Allegiance .

2. Since the 40 years mentioned , it is well known who Preached an Election Sermon , on Rom. 13.7 . Honour to whom Honour ; and how well he Prest Obedience to the Colony Government thence , and it were well if some were still as willing to be minded of their duty to God , and their Brethren , as the body of this People are to be Subject to Their Majesties .

Pam. On the Second Principle , Page 17. he sayes , But we have seen that of late in Connecticut , which if Abraham himself had been here , would have made him say as once he did to Abimelech , because I thought surely the Fear of God is not in this place .

Ans. This is like the most of the Pamphlet , a bitter Censure , and Causless ; and we doubt not but he hath deeply wronged therein , many a Son of Abraham .

Pam. On the Third , he glances on the Pastors of the Churches , and I may add , then , and not before will Religion too be sound and safe , when Obedience due to Princes , shall be thought to be a part of Piety ; and when the Pastors of the Church shall Train up the People by the Word of God , to perform Obedience to them .

Aus . The Emphasis seem to lie in the word [ then ] whether the meaning be not that it is not so [ now ] or as yet , we refer , but these Persons he is aware of , and therefore comes so on , as he may Retreat .

Pam. On the Fourth Principle thus , That a Godly Rebel is a Scolecism , a Prodigious Monster in Religion .

Ans. Who this is spoken to , and of , is Obvious : and what he bated the Reverend Pastors , he gives in over weight to their Flocks , and but that some Tongues are unruly Evils full of deadly Poison , it would not have been thought , that such Reflections should have been made on us .

Pam. On the Fifth , If our Religion be so over grown , to that pass that it teaches us to deny Kings and Majestrates &c.

Ans. Is it not too much that our Civil and Military benifits , have been so struck at by some , but must our Profession of Religion be also prostituted to Contempt in this manner ? We profess no Religion that teaches to deny Kings and Majestrates : but of this enough before . Yet we would tell the Pamphleter , that he is Suspected of other Principles , such as aforded all the untruths and Ranchors of his Book ; and that Leven hath spoyled the use of these his Principles herein ; and however high his Credit hath run abroad , and formerly , we will here tell him : that it is no good Principle for any to hold that a man may Lawfully Marry with his Deceased Wives natural Sister : nor no good Practice to write a Book to justify one that hath so done ; which its said will be Printed ; this is contrary not only to the Current of Protestant Divines , but even of Papist ; and the Pope himself , save as he holds that he can dispence with the Law of God for the good of the Church , and the Manuscript is now extant to prove this .

Pam. In Page 20 He refumes what he had said of us from Fame , Viz. That it is our Opinion , that the King hath nothing to do with us ; and thereupon proceeds to prove that His Majesty hath to do with us , as if this last were a denyed , or doubted Principle with us .

Ans. It is too long to Transcribe , for it begins in Page 20. and ends in Page 25.

1. But it is Coincident with that aleadged opinion as ( represented by him , by us denyed ) and also with his fifth Principle but now answered ; and therefore we need here only say what in effect we have said ; namely that it is a falsity , and figment of his own , to say and insinuate that we deny Their Majesties Authority over us , and therefore all his Interogations , and wretched conclusions on that Suppositions of our denying Their Majesties we detest , and if he will go on with a Labour in-vain ( unless it be to wrong us in the highest ) he must , we can but Vindicate our selves .

2. We can tell him , that the highest word Assertors of Soveranty , are not alwayes the truest Subjects : Haman under pretence of exal●ing and benifiting his King , sought his own Revenge , and used the Royal Bow to shoot down good Subjects : And no Age has been free of this Pestiferous mischief , when Subjects are leveled at , while they are on their Knees before their King , as now we are ; it is no great Indication of Obedience to Their Majesties , or Love to Their Subjects .

Pam. In Page 22 he saith : It is a manifest thing , that this and the other Homunculus hath a thousand times more Authority , Respect , and Obedience in Connecticut than Their Majesties have . If a man come in Their Majesties Name , and with Their Commission , he will not be received by us ; but if a man come in his own name without Their Majesties Authority and Commission , him we will receive : This is not the behaviour of good Subjects .

Ans. Either this is a base Reflection on those worthy Persons of the Neighbouring Jurisdictions with whom we have for the Publick been concerned ( it can intend no other ) for who have we received Viz. Aided but his Excellency of the Massachusetts , and before him the Administrators of that Government , and those of Albany and York at the Instance of them and by the advice of the Massachusetts , to call these as he will have it Homunculus ; we received also Mr. Livingstone of Albany when Mr. Leisler vexed him ; these were the Homunculus the little men we received , but not in their own names , it was only to serve the Publick ; or else we are here taxed as if we used Their Majesties Authority to serve private Persons and Interests , which is a gross Slander : he should have named some of the [ Homunculus ] that we received in their own names and prefered before Their Majesties , that our answer might have reached it particularly ; as for Mr. Leisler it will be spoken to afterwards .

Pam. In Page 25 he moves us an Objection as made by us about the Lawfulness of Coll. Fletchers Commission , and this he returns over into an Asserting the Kings Right in the Militia .

Ans. 1. As to Their Majesties right in the Militia , it hath been owned , and that he may grant Commissions accordingly is not to be doubted . But this is not the difficulty , but whether this Commission do reach any other Militia than what the Laws of the Realm do constitute , and this the Pamphlet in words at least yields in our sence , for in Page 29. thus he saith , This Commission is therefore a Lawful Commission being founded upon the Antient and standing Laws of the Realm .

If then there be an Inseperable Connection between this Commission and the standing Laws of the Realm , and it be founded on them , and that Act of 13 & 14 of Charles II. be such a standing Law ? then this Commission is measured and limited by that Law , which extent of it , was never denyed that we know of . But ( 2. ) If they will extend it to a Militia of another Constitution , Viz. The Corporation Constitution ; then there is matter of Law in it , not only to be disputed , but to be tryed , or at least to be inquired of Their Majesties , whether it be Lawful or no in that Extent . ( 3. ) Their Majesties pleasure may be sought , even as to that which the said Act ( if applyed ) would take out of our Constitution of the Militia ; wherein many things may be , and we hope are said before them . ( 4. ) If men that have neither 50 Pound Starling Per. Annum , nor 600 Starl . in Money or Goods ( as most with us are such ) shall refuse the duty of a Souldier in the standing Militia , what Law that this Commission is dependant on , will condemn them for so doing ? and this as has been hinted will be our case ; if the Colony Militia ( so to call it which is the Kings too in a sence ) be disolved ; but of this we gave an account before ; yet could not well omit this further notice of it .

Pam. In Page 31. he reflects on the Government as Severe and Sharp , Upon any disacknowledgment of our disputable Authority . How Bragg and Peremptory should we have been if this Commission , in terminis had been given to us ? Certainly Fire and Faggot , or the Noose of an Halter , had been good enough for any one that should have offered to oppose it &c.

Ans. 1. Himself sayes , that Male contents never want Complaints and Commends a throughness in Government . Page 54. p. 58.

2. It is the general complaint , that Connecticut Government is too Mild ; and possible those that know it best , will laugh most at this . Imagination of Fire and Faggot , and the noose of an Halter . What error is in Connecticut , in these things , lies on the other hand .

Pam. In 31 and 32 Page , he speakes of Greedy catching at the Kings Letter of 3. of March last .

Ans. This Their Majesties Letter was very Graciously sent , and we hope thankfully and dutifully received and obeyed by us ; and he needed not speak so of it as Greedily catching ; but we know to whom that Letter hath been an Eye sore .

Pam. In Pag. 32 , 33 , 34. he charges Ingratitude to Their Majesties on so hard , that it is intolerable . It was an old Saying : Say I am Ingrateful , and say any thing ; but the best of it is , he is no fit Judge of any thing concerning Connecticut , who is thus Fire hot against us with Rage ; and we have Their Majesties and moderate Persons to judge herein ; we acknowledg ( and wish we could do it better ) Their Majesties kindness to us , and were it not transcendent , as the Sky is above the Earth , to this mans Spirit ; we were very Miserable . But whether he be within bounds of truth , Sobriety , or Charity , let any one Judge ; when he saith , Shall we requite Love with Hatred , Tender Bowels with Malignanty ? for what else can our behaviour signify , but a Malignant Spirit and Inveterat Hatred , against the King as King , and who ever comes from him as such ? We have sufficiently declared our Affections to the King , and what we should have done if we had Him in our Hands ; we should soon Rid the World of Kings , if we had them in our Power ; Remember Hazael , Is thy Servant a Dog , sayes he , that he should do this great ( i. e. this abominable ) thing ? Yea , but when Temptation and Oppertunity met together , he did it notwithstanding , and verily so should we .

Ans. This is such a Charge as shows the Pamphleters Spirit , in Lively and yet Blackest Colours . To take the Altitude of this Promontory ; this Charge or Surmise : Let it be considered . ( 1. ) That to Imagine the Death of the King , is by Law High Treason . ( 2. ) To Imagine the Death of Kings in General is yet higher or highest Treason . ( 3. ) That such Imaginings are Sins of the most heinous nature before God . ( 4. ) That such a People so Spirited are justly to be abhorred of all man-kind . Wherefore to Tax a Colony with such Treasons and Impiety , to render them an abhorance to all men , is so abhorredly Injurious to them , That if Cerberus had been brought to Bark at us , it is not imaginable he could more Hellishly have performed this task . Let Leviticus 19.16 . Be here again remembred , Thou shalt not walk about with Tales among thy People : Thou shalt not stand against the Blood of thy Neighbour : I am the Lord . We will set against it the mind of Excellent Owen , in his Book of the Dispenssing of the Holy Spirit Fol 517. Where Truth is not universally Observed , according to the utmost watchfulness of Sincerity and Love , there all other Marks and Tokens of the Image of God in any Persons , are not only Sulied but defaced , and the Representation of Satan is most prevalent .

Pam. In Page 34 , he demands an Example of us , who so ingratful who so disobedient as we &c.

Ans. Supposing us to be such as he just afore affirms us to be , we think none are like us or should be so , nor do we know any like him for misusing the Kings Subjects , in such an horrid degree .

2. But if the meaning be , who ever did Address a King before they obeyed an Order they had to inquire further on ( which only is pertinent here ) as we have done Examples in a greater Latitude then that abound every where . For one let Dan. 2.24 , 25. Compared with the 13 , 14 , 15 , 16. Verses be seen ; Scores might easily be produced , that have acceptably done this , as well as we .

Pam. In Page 35 , he thus Interogates us , What ? do we indeed intend to fall off to the French &c.

Ans. When men are thus forming and feeding Chymeraes , it is endless and in vain to follow them ; we are not falling to the French , nor from the King , and yet for diversion we will tell him that his Counsel [ If we intend so to do let us speak out ] is very weak .

Pam. In Page 36 he urges us with the unseasonableness of our Acting , from the time in which we are Addressing Their Majesties , and with his usual Severity .

Ans. If we should for once gratifie his humor , and say we mist it therein , yet what is he better than Esops Doctor to the Dead man ? the case was sent away to England , and that before he wrote , and he is too late to help it .

Pam. In Page 36 , he grows Jocous , and t is all that he is pleasant in , in the whole Book , and but sour there too , he Masquerades , tells us that our Great Champion , our Goliah leaves us in the Lurch , the Stone is Sunk in his forhead , &c. And shall we yet harden our selves &c.

Ans. He uses a great Liberty , we know none that have so Lurched us , though the Stone of a Slander , that one took a great Bribe at York has been cast at one of us ; but it s most like to be found in another forehead .

Pam. In Page 37 , he propounds the Event to Consideration , and this he Predicts will be ( 1. ) That Friends will be ashamed of us , Enemies will Insult .

Ans. We think his Friends ( if he have any wise ones ) will be ashamed of him , for his Trifling , and abusive use of Sacred and Serious things ; and that his and our Enemies will insult upon us with this weapon he hath so unadvisedly or maliciously , put into their hands .

Pam. His Second Prognostick is , That the King and Councel expects better things of us .

Ans. He is all along too bold to give the Kings sence : it has been said of a Chancelour in some cases , that he that knew the Chancelours mind , knew the Kings mind ; but we have no assurance that this mans Perception is so deep .

Pam. His Third Presage is that , That we Prejudice Their Majesties Interests , frustrate Their Intentions , defeat Their Counsels &c.

Ans. 1. As we justly dislike his fore Staling Their Majesties Judgment , so we do but a little fear it , though that be evidently designed by his Book , and he may move in his own Orb , and not Soar with his Icarian Wings so near the Sun ; alass little thing why thus Cheek by Jole , with the Soveraign power ? will he perform the thing through thee ? we know a divine Sentence is in the Lips of the King , and that our Judgement cometh forth from the Lord .

2. Let it be remembred that we do take care of our duty in respect of the War , and are out great charge as hath been said .

We will pass over his fond Conceits in Page 39 , of the French Concluding that , they have Connecticut to Friend , at least in a posture of Neutrality ; and that of the Maquaes being put to go to the French , as Instances only of one that wants to Sleep ; and that of the Commission as what we had before , with this Intimation ; that Connecticut hath also the Kings Broad Seal for their Corporation Militia .

Pam. In Page 40 he falls afresh to rating at us , Do we not know , That to Levy War against the King is High Treason &c. That an Actual Rebellion or Insurrection is a levying War against the King . That a gathering Forces for the Removal of Councellors Altering of Laws &c. is levying of War against the King . That the holding a Fort or Castle by force of Arms against the King and His Power is a levying War against the King &c.

Ans. 1. We must refer to what hath be said chiefly for answer to these things ; to avoid vain and tedious Repetitions ; but as these things are applyed unto us , we may say as Nehemiah to Sanbalat Chap. 6. v. 8. There are no such things as though sayest , but thou feignest them out of thine own heart .

2. Hath not Connecticut an uncondemned right to somewhat of a Militia ? Why may we not in the reverss , charge as hard those that interupt us ; especially considering that the General Government is ( under Their Majesties ) yet in the Corporations hand , to which particular Officers ( though by Patent ) one would think should stand in some Subordination .

But it may be said , that we mistake him ; he doth not charge us with Treason , levying War against the King ; he layes it only as a ground to argue from , as he doth .

Pam. What Construction then do we think it will have , If we shall be found to Rise in Arms against the Kings Lieutenant Publishing His Commission , and Commanding Obedience unto it ; and by Force and Arms , to with-hold the Militia , and all Forces by Sea and Land , and all Forts and places of strength , in a whole Colony , or Province , from the King against His plain Commission Published under the great Seal ?

Ans. 1. The [ if ] that all this is propounded with , makes it like a wet Eale , hard to take any hold on , or how to use it ; but he intends not to beat Air , but to strike us in these things ; and because here he seems to clench most of his Coblery we say .

2. If he argue from the former of Treason &c. to this of our holding ( which he will call with-holding ) the Militia , that the latter is as great , as bad , as the former or worse ; then we did not mistake him ; and indeed his sence Suites best his Scope in the whole Book . But ,

3. If he argue from the greater to the lesser , there is no great force in it : for though it be Fellony to kill a Man , yet it is not so to kill a Fly ; though a man may not Rob , yet he may stand a Tryal in Law , for what he hath held quietly a long time ( on a good tenure ) ere he Surrender ; and if finally he should be Ejected , yet a Tryal is due to him , ere a delivery is due from him .

4. All a long the Pamphlet beggs , and not proves the main question ; for he still runs away with this , that our Charter now gives us no use of any Militia at all ; and on that Supposition he builds in a manner all his discourse : but this we differ from him in , and take it our right to have Their Majesties , and the Laws descission in .

5. What if after all this his Scuffle to bring our heads within his halter ; the Charter and his Excellencies Commission , should be found to refer to divers Militia's , the one to a Corporation Militia , as formed by the General Court to our necessity , and without which we are undone ; and the other to the Kings Militia , according to the 13 and 14 of Charles II. Or , which is almost the same , that they should refer to the same Militia , in divers respects : Namely , the one to what of our Militia falls not within the verges of that Act forementioned , and the other to what of it that Act will on tryal be found to Comprehend ; will not this reconcile the Charter and Commission ? Or what if the Law , or Their Majesties Grace , will firm our former and present Station in these things ? these things are not only possible , but hopeful , and he might have staid his hand , and not have run out upon us as Traitors , as worse than Turks as dispisers of the King , as he doth , Page 40.41 .

6. A Contest with His Excellency , is not a Contest with the King ; if Ajax and Ulisses strive for Achiles Armour , this makes neither an Enemy to Achiles nor the Greeks : if Herod and Pilate differ abut Jurisdiction , neither is hereby a Rebel against Cesar : Are not Contests about Rights to particular Commands frequent in the Courts of Princes ? And though but one can prevail , yet is not the other made a Traitor for holding what he had till a decission be . The Pamphlet over charges , in saying ( in a case thus Circumstanced ) That disobedience and Contempt offered to the Kings Ministers , redounds and is done to the King Himself ( for Connecticut is the Kings Minister also )

Pam. But he is bold at all adventures , to affirm that besides , other vile Indignities ( not fit to be named ) His Excellency is in danger of his very Life , such as assert their Allegiance and declare their Submission , run the same Hazard .

Ans. This is not the first nor second time we have found him at the trade of Impudent Falfifying , as is before noted ; there was no appearance to give ground of such sayings ; His Excellency was with all freedom and safty among us , nor were his Servants or any hurt or assautled in the least degree , that ever we heard of : true it is he lodging at a Publick house and Inn , there was a concourse of People of different perswasions , and that discourses , and disputes were many is without question , as there are on many Occasions : yet to raise such things to an hazard of His Excellencies Life , or others ; is a false Inference ; Can he say that any man shouldered a Gun , girt on a Sword , lift up so much as a Staff , or hand in such a way ? we have a full account of the contrary , we are deeply injured therefore , thus to be represented to the World , as a Company of Assasmates ; and he that gave his Imprimatur to this , had reason enough to know the Contrary .

Pam. In Page 42 , thus he sayes , Some may Imagine they have found a Neat way to defeat the Kings Commission , they will not take Commissions from His Lieutenant themselves , but will also deter others &c. — What! do we think he is to be put off with our Scurvy little tricks &c.

Ans. Here he finds he touches ground , for all this while he hath been but floating , and hath contended only with words of the Courts &c. but when as not withstanding that Indeavours were used , to find persons to take Commissions , and such an universal adherence to what was settled by the Charter was found in the People , as that those proposals would not take , and that this gave a Remora to all present further proceedings : the Observation of this puts the Pamphleter into this Rage , and passionate Exclamation against ( whom he knows best ) perhaps he meanes the Governour first , and then the Court , as thus perswaded . But this is a groundless Surmise ; it was the set and Spirit of those to whom such Commissions were offered , and of the whole Country in a manner , which they were sensible of that stood in the way ; and needed not the adjuvancy of any of the Court to perswade to it .

2. Since the proceedings stoped here , he might have spared most of his Labour in taxing the Court with opposing ( as he will call it ) that Commission , and laying its present Ineffectiveness there where it centred not . Let this be well noted , and it will ease most of the other difficukies that are urged against us : Since it is run a ground here in our Pamphleters own account , though it rubbed else where .

3. Yet is there reason enough to believe , that those few that were asked to take Commission ( and they were very few indeed by all we can learn ) and that at a second third or forth hand way ( which may clear the most , and those few too , of refusing ) none did it , nor any others would do it , in the least unwillingness to Serve Their Majesties , ( for Them they Serve with their present Commissions ) but as well understanding their previledg and Interest , from which a Pamphlet has not moved them ; and the general sence and set of the People , is an argument of more weight in this affair , then we shall now insist on .

4. Yet the this using their Liberty , doth not render their Obedience to Their Majesties Arbitrary neither ; nor is it a putting Them off with Scurvy little tricks ; it is but a waiting to have that made clear in their Alteration ( if it must be so ) which yet is doubtful it seems to some .

5. Nor will this not taking Commissions merrit Their Majesties displeasure , as he suggests , Page 43.

6. Nor is it a necessary Consequence from not taking the Commissions so offered ( if any were ) that such are like , the Citizens in the Parable that hated their Lord and that would not have Him Reign over them ( Nor that therefore His Majesty should or will say ) Those mine Enemies that would not that I should Reign over them bring hither and Slay them before me , as p. 43.

7. Nor yet that we and our posterity shall be ruined , be declared Rebels , put out of Protection , be shut out of Commerce , be reduced by force , kept under a strong Garrison be sorely Fined , fetch over some to England ; as he gives his Judgment in his way Page 44.

We must confess these things though hard , are a great abatement of what went before , of being Slain : But they only signify and are Effects of an Incendiary , and Horrible prejudication , on weak grounds , without any Authority ; and for a close he shews how loath he is , that these things ( or some of them ) should not befall us ; in these words , and it is a new sort of Grace if They ( Their Majesties ) do nothing .

It may be thought this man hath forgot that he writes in the Reign , and within the dominions of Just and Gracious KING WILLIAM and QUEEN MARY .

Now at last , we have the Fish that has all this while , and with all this Baiting and Angling for been sought , as the prey , brought out ; and the white all these Arrows Aimed at ; set open in Page 44 , 45.

Pam. Let all good Subjects then Consider , and as they would deliver themselves from the Common Guilt , so let them distinguish themselves , and make hast to yield their due Obedience . And as for the Rest , we may say , Father forgive them they know not what they do .

Ans. We believe it will not be found in any Instructions from Their Majesties , that Their Commission to His Excellency should be forwarded in these turbulent wayes , moving for Commotions among Their Subjects , who are in Peace among themselves ; Save this and a few more Male contents ( and so on other grounds than this business ) and we perswade our selves , that it will displease them and all good men that shall Consider it , that private Persons should over the heads of those that here Serve Their Majesties in the Government . ; thus bespeak the People of this Their Colony : make such distinctions between them , and especially that the Holy Scriptures , the Laws and Their Majesties name , have been put to such ill uses , as are every where obvious , and that the same should have an Imprimatur also .

2. What he means by due Obedience , is evident from his Scope ; but if any should ask how , or in what way shall we yield it , as the case now stands ? he sayes nothing by way of direction , for if he had its most probable that the executing it , would openly have Violated Peace , and Order , to beget an ill affection therefore against the present dispensations in the Government , and so to make way for some other , seems to be the drift of all this ill taken pains with the People . But surely our Settlement , or changes , must or should come from Their Majesties ; and not by these meanes .

What follows is only several Objections ( most of which are his own , not ours ) and his Answer to them , to which we will briefly Reply .

I. Objection .

The Militia is very well disposed of all ready ; King Charles the Second of happy Memory , did by His Charter for Himself and His Successors , Grant it to us and our Successors , in the Year 1662.

It is too much to Transcribe his whole answer , the Sum of it is , First , That we overween our Charter . Secondly , That the King knows our Charter , and how the Militia was disposed thereby . Thirdly , That the Charter never granted us a standing Militia . Fourthly , Nor to send men abroad . Fifthly , That what was granted was not to the General Court . Sixthly , Nor no places of Strength , Forts &c.

Ans. To all these things we need say no more , but that the clauses in our Charter , and those Equivalent , in the Massachusetts former Charter , and Rhoad-Island Charter , were alwayes understood and practized upon , as Commissionating a standing Militia , and the Rule of it to be next the King , first in the General Court , and that we could aid our Neighbours , hold Forts &c. without which we had been undone in the Indian War , and in no safty at any time .

But the discussion of these points is large , and of little use here : where the dispute is confined to the Supposed Competition of our Charter , and His Excellencies Commission , for the Militia .

2. He reasons all the Charter granted is void , because the Militia is a Jewel of the Crown not to be granted by the King from His Successors , it is like Abishag &c.

Reply . 1. We need not it is in vain , and therefore we will not here medle with that Question , how far in a Charter to a foreign Plantation a King may make a grant of the Militia , for and from His Successors : it is plain that such a grant there is ; but we wave that here .

2. Yet we have before shewn , that the Kings Militia as settled by 13 and 13 and 14. of Charles II. is a distinct thing from the Militia as settled here ; so that though the grant may not hold as to the former , against His Successors , yet it may as to the latter , as being no part of that undemissible Jewel of the Crown , as we suppose , and withal , that as yet that is undistinguished in this Colony , from the other .

Pam. It is Answered by him in Page 47 , That our Succession was determined in 1688. So that we cannot talk of Succession or Successors , without some new grant .

Reply . This indeed if it would hold does all the business at once , for our Charter is gone then , and we know who hath played on this String all along since that Year . T is a large field , we will enter it no further now , than to say that as Good Judgments as we could get in England or New-England are otherwise . Nor have Their Majesties so declared yet of it , but rather otherwise : but this is in England where we leave it .

His II. Objection , which he makes in our name , is ,

But we Suspect that this Commission is a Cheat● because the King was in Flanders at the Date of it .

Ans. This is to put a Cheat upon the World , and an abuse upon us , to render us as thus Objecting , like much of what is already detected , begetting Brats and Fathering them on the body of the People , on whom he does reflect in his Promiscuous Charge ; to Render us Odious and Rediculous ; he claps a fools Coat on us , and then derides us in his Answers ; but this is no disappointment to us whatever wrong it be , we could look for no better from a Person so ingaging as he in this Pamphlet . He and his Imprimatur may be ashamed of such things . What if some few should quere at the rate of this Objection ? Is it thereby a General Court or Colony Objection ? the Court never in their answers , took it for other then a reality : as is plain by the Printed account of those Transactions .

His III. Objection .

The King hath given us no command to Surrender the Militia to His Excellency .

This he slights as a poor Shift , as if Their Majesties Commission to His Excellency to Command were not Command for us to Obey &c.

Reply . It is one thing for a Command to come to the Objects of it immediately , and another for it to come to them by a Medium ( as the Government is where under they are ) Again , t is one thing for a Command to come without a Competiting Command , and another when t is otherwise . Thirdly , It s one thing for a Command to be clear and indisputable in its intent , and another thing where t is not so .

If this Command must influence . ( 1. ) The General Court and by them the People : if withal the General Court have a power to the same Command , and these powers are not cleared from interfering , in such a case , and when these also are depending for Issue , we say a Commission to Command is not imediately a Command to Obey , till those incumbrances are removed .

2. We have cause to believe , that the not nuling our right in the Militia , nor giving Orders for Surrendering : was done by Their Majesties , to give us the opportunity of applying to Them , in reference to it , in both the Commissions , or else as well our power as Sir . William Phipps , we think had been determined expresly .

3. Common reason suggests , that every one in trust , is to mind his own Orders , and Instances of this are plentifully discourst .

4. A Charter Grant is of that nature , that ( so far as it is good ) we think a particular Order does not null it , wherefore we lay not the stress of this matter chiefly there .

Pam. He sayes , His Excellency Demands no Surrender of the Militia : But Obedience to His Commission , &c.

Reply . We ask , what was that Obedience he demanded of our General Court ? or what Obedience were they Capable of herein as a General Court but a Surrender ? Or why is our Court so faulted with opposition and disobedience all a long ; if they were capable of no Surrender ? or had no demand thereof as here he saith ? by this account their Audience , of the Commission , and not actually resisting his Executing it ; was our Complyance , and discharge , and this he had to the full ; and yet complanes .

Pam. The last part of his answer to this Objection , stands thus , Did Their Majesties ever give Their Subjects any Command to yield Obedience to our resumed power ? We lately received a Letter from Their Majesties ; did Their Majesties therein or any otherwise give the People any imediate and express Command to obey us , in what we were thereupon about to do ? Yet we expect Obedience from them , without any such Command , and are not we Their Majesties Subjects as well as the rest of the People ?

Reply . This is a poor shift indeed : Is it reasonable or possible , that every Individual Subject , in his private capacity , should have His Majesties particular command ; as it is reasonable and possible , that a Body Politick or Publick Person should ? Every Inferiour is to attend the Orders of his Superiour , but Their Majesties are our Superiours , we may expect Their Orders therefore , though our Inferiours must take up with ours .

His IV. Objection . But we cannot manage our Government without the Militia .

Ans. This Objection is of great weight , and requires a large Consideration to handle it , but it s to no purpose here to insist on it ; only this is the general sence , that if all Militia be taken from us , the Civil part of the Government will be extreamly weakened , if not desolated thereby ; things in this respect are not here as in England , as might be demostrated if that were here to be done . The hitherto constant Conjoying of the Civil and Military power in the foreign Plantations , is evidence enough of the necessity of the one to the other . What is a Body without some what defensive and offensive , but a prey , or at anothers Arbitriment ?

His V. Objection . Is Coincident with the former , only he adds some-what about our annexing to York .

Reply . We shall wave this for the most of it , as being no present inquiry whether it be good for us to be annexed to York ? that is not our bufiness ; and though he speak of it as indifferent , or desireable , yet our People t is well known desire their old Station .

2. Whereas some mention is made there , of our Aiding Leisler , which some may take in a wrong sence ; we say that what we did therein , was only out of a sincere respect to Their Majesties , at the Solicitation of Albany , and of Massachusetts ; and it is known that Persons of Honour came from Massachusetts , and one from Plymouth , and joyned with our Agents there , in that matter ; and the State of that Province , and of affairs in general needed it , and it was not out of any sinister or personal respect to Mr. Leisler .

3. His Suppositions of our Shouldering out the Kings Government , which he insists on , are meer Imaginations of his own , without any ground given , to it by us .

His VI. Objection about Rates are impertinent ; and the complaints of the Long-Islanders , though loud , is not our business ; unless it be to wish that others espoused no more the complaints of Male contents here , than we do theirs , who they give that name to there .

His VII . Objection .

That the Governour of York is a Proud Moross Stearn and Austeer Man &c. And His VIII . Objection , That he is a Papist .

Reply . We say to these in Sum , what we said to his second Objection ; Let the Reader turn to it , and when these are not our Objections , 't is hard to be falsly taxed and thereupon to be further reproached as there ; Viz. Who knows when the Devil and his Children , will have done Lying and Slandering — ( and calls us ) a Rude , Proud , Ungoverned , Disorderly People , as we have declared our selves to be : And more to that effect as there it follows .

Reply . If these his dealings with our Colony be not Rude , Proud , Ungoverned and Disorderly , we think never any such will be found in Paper and Ink.

As to what Encomiums he is pleased to give His Excellency , we need to say nothing of it .

Pam : For a farewell , and as the Sum of all , to give our Carracter as we stand in his account , he cites at large 1 Sam. 10.26 , 27. There went with Saul a Band of men whose hearts God had touched , but the Children of Belial said , How shall this man save us ? and they dispised him &c. But he held his Peace .

Reply . Who these Comparisons intend is notorious ; we have only this kindness from him therein ; that he tells not the World how small a number that Band he aludes to , was ; for then in all probability , it would have been known , that he had called almost all the men in Connecticut Colony , Children of Belial : And there is one thing in it , that is Extreamly and to Admiration strange , and that is ; that since his Saul was so wise as to hold his Peace , that he ( one of his followers ) should be so very foolish , as to write so much ( and in the manner as he hath ) about it .

Pam. Lastly , he cites , John 1.46 . Nathaniel said can any good come out of Nazareth ? Philip sayes to him , come and see .

Reply . We leave it to the Sober and Pious , whether he did not begin , go on , and hath not ended in a dreadful prophanness ; Contrary to the Third Commandment , which enjoyns the true and Reverend use of the Holy Scriptures .

FINIS .