interests. But I think
every candid man in this age will admit, that there was much more
dignity of sentiment and conduct of those loyal colonies who adhered to
their Sovereign in his adversity as well as in his prosperity, who
submitted to compulsory subjection to the Cromwell power without
acknowledging its legitimacy, and were the first to recognize and
proclaim the restored king.[109]

The reader will be better able to appreciate the professions of the
Massachusetts Bay Government, in regard to the restored king, after
reviewing its professions and relations to the Government of the Long
Parliament and of Cromwell.

It has been shown above, that when obstinate silence could not prevent
the inquiry by a Royal Commission into the oppressive and disloyal
proceedings complained of, and that resistance was fruitless, the
Massachusetts Bay Government, September 1638, transmitted to the Lords
Commissioners for the Colonies a petition in which it professed not to
question the authority of their Lordships' proceedings, but only to open
their griefs; that if they had offended in anything, they prostrated
themselves at the foot of authority. They begged for time to answer,
before condemnation, professed loyalty to the King and prayers for his
long life, and the happiness of his family, and for the success of the
Lords of his Council. Two years after, when the King's power began to
wane, the Massachusetts Bay Government sent home a Commission, headed by
the notorious Hugh Peters,[110] to conciliate the support of the leading
members of the Commons against the King's commission, and to aid the
opposition to the King. In 1644, the General Court of Massachusetts Bay
enacted, "that what person so ever shall draw a party to the King,
against the Parliament, shall be accounted a high offender against this
Commonwealth, and shall be punished capitally." (See this Act, quoted at
large in a previous page.) This proceeding was as decisive as possible
against the King and all who adhered to the monarchy.

Again, in the Massachusetts General Court's address to Parliament, in
1651, occur the following words:

"And for our carriage and demeanour to the honourable Parliament, for
these _ten years_, since the first beginning of your differences with
the late king, and the war that after ensued, _we have constantly
adhered to you_, not withdrawing ourselves in your weakest condition and
doubtfullest times, but by our fasting and prayers for