The Present State of the New-English Affairs.
This is Published to prevent False Reports
An Extract of a Letter from Mr. Mather, To the Governour, Dated Sept. [...]. 1689 from Deal in Kent
The House of Commons Ordered a Bill to be drawn up for the Restoration of Charters to all Corporations. Some Enemies of New-England did bestir themselves on that Occasion. But it has pleased God to succeed Endeavours and Sollicitations here so far, as that N.E. is particularly mentioned in the Bill.
It has been read twice, and after that referred unto a Committee for Emendations. What concerns N. England passed without any great opposition. The Bill has been in part read the third Time, and the Charters of N.-Eng. then also passed without Objection. Only some Additional Clauses respecting Corporations here, caused Debates; so that the Bill is not as yet Enacted.
In the latter end of June, a Vessel from Mount Hope arrived here, which brought your Declaration of April 18. with an account of the Revolution in New-England. The week after I went to Hampton Court, and had the favour to wait on His Majesty, who told me, That He did accept of, and was well pleased with what was [...] in New-England, and that he would order the Secretary of State to signifie [...] Ancient Rights and Priviledges restored to them.
The King has sent a Gracious Letter (which was delivered to me, and if I return not my self, I shall take care that it be sent to you) bearing Date August 12. Wherein He signifies His Royal Approbation of what has been done at Boston, and assures you that the Government there shall be settled, so as shall be for the Security and Satisfaction of His Subjects in that Colony, and in the mean time bids you go on to Administer the Laws, and manage the Government, according as in your Address you have Petitioned.
My Lord Mordent (now Earl of Monmouth) bade me assure you that He would be your Friend, and he bade me tell you from him, That your Charters should be restored to you by Act of Parliament.
I have been with most of the Kings most Honourable Privy Council, who have promised to befriend New-England as there shall be occasion for it. The like I may say, of all the Leading men in the Parliament.
I have been in the Downs a fortnight, and Aboard Mr. [...], several Nights, but the Wind has been against us. And we now hear that the New-found-Land Convoyes (on whose Assistance we had a Dependance) are gone.
Superscribed To the Honourable Simon Bradstreet, Esq
Governour of the Massachusets Colony in N-England.
A Passage extracted from the publick News-Letter, Dated July 6. 1689.
The people of New-England having made a thorow Revolution, and secured the publick Criminals. On Thursday last, the Reverend and Learned Mr. Mather, President of the Colledge, and Minister of Boston, waited on the King; and in a most Excellent Speech laid before His Majesty, the State of that People; saying, That they were sober, and Industrious, and fit for Martial Service; and all with their Lives and Interests were at His Majesties Command, to tender the same unto His Majesty: That they desired nothing but His Majesties Acceptance of what they had done, and His Protection; and that if His Majesty pleased to encourage and Commission them, He might easily be Emperour of America. His Majesty assured him, that He was pleased with what was done for Him, and for themselves in the Revolution, and that their Priviledges and Religion should be secured unto them.
Extracted from a Letter of Mr. Mather, to his Son, Dated Sept. 2. 1689.
On July 4. The King said unto me, That He did kindly Accept of what was done in Boston. And that His Subjects in New-England should have their Ancient Rights and Priviledges Restored and Confirmed unto them. Yea, He told me, That if it were in his power to cause it to be done it should be done, and bade me rest assured of it.
The Charter-Bill is not finished, because some Additional Clauses respecting Corporations here in England caused a Debate; and the Parliament is for some weeks Adjourned.
Besides the Letter from the Kings Majesty, whereof we have notice as above; there is now arrived, an Order from His Majesty to the Government, bearing Date, July 30. 1689.
Requiring, That Sir Edmund Andross, Edward Randolph, and others, that have been Seized by the people of Boston, and shall be at the Receipt of these Commands, Detained there, under Confinement, be sent on Board the first Ship, bound to England, to answer what may be objected against them.