setts Bay, Vol. I., p.
114.]

[Footnote 76: The following is the Act itself, passed in 1644: "Whereas
the civil wars and dissensions in our native country, through the
seditious words and carriages of many evil affected persons, cause
divisions in many places of government in America, some professing
themselves for the King, and others for the Parliament, not considering
that the Parliament themselves profess that they stand for the King and
Parliament against the malignant Papists and delinquents in that
kingdom. It is therefore ordered, that what person whatsoever shall by
word, writing, or action endeavour to disturb our peace, directly or
indirectly, by drawing a party under pretence that he is for the King of
England, and such as join with him against the Parliament, shall be
accounted as an offender of a high nature against this Commonwealth, and
to be proceeded with, either _capitally_ or _otherwise_, according to
the quality and degree of his offence." (Hutchinson's History of
Massachusetts Bay, Vol. I., pp. 135, 136.)]

[Footnote 77: It was not until three years after this, and three years
after the facts of the banished Roger Williams' labours in Rhode Island
(see note V. below), that the _first_ mission among the Indians was
established by the Puritans of Massachusetts Bay--seventeen years after
their settlement there; for Mr. Holmes says: "The General Court of
Massachusetts passed the _first_ Act (1646) to encouraging the carrying
of the Gospel to the Indians, and recommended it to the ministers to
consult on the best means of effecting the design. By their advice, it
is probable, the first Indian Mission was undertaken; for on the 28th of
October [1646] Mr. John Eliot, minister of Roxbury, commenced those
pious and indefatigable labours among the natives, which procured for
him the title of The Indian Apostle. His first visit was to the Indians
at Nonantum, whom he had apprised of his intention." (Annals of America,
Vol. I., p. 280.)]

[Footnote 78: Hazard, Vol. I., pp. 533, 534. The provisions of this
remarkable Act are as follows:

"Governours and Government of Islands in America.--November 2nd, 1643:

"I. That Robert Earl of Warwick be Governour and Lord High Admirall of
all the Islands and other Plantations inhabited, planted, or belonging
unto any of his Majestie's the King of England's subjects, or which
hereafter may be inhabited, planted, or belonging to them, within the
bounds and upon the co