In the second year of the colony, Governor Winthrop and Wilson, the minister of Boston, made a journey on foot to visit the brethren of the older colony at New Plymouth. There is something apostolic in the narrative of this visit. They arrived at Plymouth in the evening. “Mr. William Bradford, the governor, a grave and discreet man, with Mr. Brewster, the ruling elder, went forth to meet them outside the town, and conducted them to the governor’s house, where they were well entertained for several days. On Lord’s-day they partook of the sacrament, and in the afternoon a question was propounded by Roger Williams, which was spoken to by the pastor; then the preacher prophesied, and after that the governor of Plymouth, who was skilled in Hebrew and antiquities, spoke to the question, and after him the elder, a learned man, and others. Then Governor Winthrop and Mr. Wilson were asked to speak, which they did, and so the service of the Sabbath ended to the edification of all. On the following Wednesday, before daybreak, Governor Winthrop and his company left Plymouth, being accompanied by the governor of Plymouth, the minister and divers others, near half a mile out of the town in the dark.” About the same time the colony of Virginia, now flourishing, sent a rich cargo of corn to Boston, and trade was commenced with the Dutch on the Hudson. The news of this increasing prosperity reached England, where persecution remained unabated, and renewed emigration was the consequence. The Griffin, after a long voyage, brought hither “a noble freight, of two hundred, amongst whom were the fathers of Connecticut, Hooker and Haynes, the latter a man of a heavenly mind, and the pious and learned Cotton.” The congregation to whom Hooker had ministered in England had already preceded him, and now thronged to meet and welcome him. “Now I live,” exclaimed he, embracing them, “if ye stand fast in the Lord.” Spite of the growing prosperity of the colony, serious apprehensions were caused regarding its safety in consequence of reports made to the English government, by persons who at various times, for discordant sentiments or misconduct, had been expelled. The colonists were threatened by the privy council, strengthened by Laud, with the revocation of their charter. They resolved to defend themselves by force of arms if necessary, and fortifications were at once commenced in Boston harbour, at Charlestown, and Dorchester. Thus early were they prepared to assert their own independence.