them were deemed
"seditious and mutinous," and for which they were adjudged "criminals'"
and banished. Looking at all the facts of the case--including the want
of good faith to the Browns and those who agreed with them--it exceeds
in inquisitorial and despotic prescriptive persecution that which drove
the Brownists from England to Holland in the first years of James the
First.]

[Footnote 40: Collection of the Massachusetts Historical Society.

Mr. F.M. Hubbard, in his new edition of Belknap's American Biography,
iii. 166, referring to Endicot, says: "He was of a quick temper, which
the habit of military command had not softened; of strong religious
feelings, moulded on the sternest features of Calvinism; resolute to
uphold with the sword what he had received as gospel truth, and fearing
no enemy so much as a gainsaying spirit. Cordially disliking the English
Church, he banished the Browns and the Prayer Book; and averse to all
ceremonies and symbols, the cross on the King's colours was an
abomination he could not away with. He cut down the Maypole on Merry
Mount, published his detestation of long hair in a formal proclamation,
and set in the pillory and on the gallows the returning Quakers."]

[Footnote 41: The words of the Company's letter are as follows:

"And for that the propagating of the Gospel is the thing we do profess
above all to be our aim in settling this Plantation, we have been
careful to make plentiful provision of godly ministers, by whose
faithful preaching, godly conversation, and exemplary life, we trust not
only those of our own nation will be built up in the knowledge of God,
but also the Indians may, in God's appointed time, be reduced to the
obedience of the Gospel of Christ. One of them, viz., Mr. Skelton, whom
we have rather desired to bear a part in this work, for that we have
been informed yourself formerly received much good by his ministry.
Another is Mr. Higgeson (Higginson), a grave man, and of worthy
commendations. The third is Mr. Bright, sometimes trained up under Mr.
Davenport. We pray you, accommodate them all with necessaries as well as
you may, and in convenient time let there be houses built for them,
according to the agreement we have made with them, copies whereof, as of
all others we have entertained, shall be sent you by the next ships,
time not permitting now. We doubt not these gentlemen, your ministers,
will agree lovingly together; and for cherishing of love betwixt the