The joy of the colonists, on receiving their noble charter, was extreme. George Baxter—could it be the same who was so active among the revolutionists of New Amsterdam?—arrived with it on the 24th of November, 1663, and the whole body of the people gathered together for its solemn reception. “The letters of the agent were opened, and read with good delivery and attention; then the charter was taken forth, from the precious box that held it, and was read by Baxter, in the audience and view of all the people; and the letters, with his Majesty’s royal stamp and broad seal, with much becoming gravity were held up on high, and presented to the perfect view of the people.” When the gifted sons and daughters of America begin to express their patriotism and national pride by means of the fine arts, this noble incident will inspire a patriot artist. The scene itself, on the shores of a beautiful island; the great sea beyond; and the congregated people, “a very great meeting and assembly,” men, women, and children beholding, with deep emotion, the upheld charter, with the broad seals, that insured to them those sacred liberties which were dear to them as life. A more beautiful subject could scarcely be found; and yet American history abounds with many such. One day they must of necessity become eloquent through the arts. As regards the other states, the effect of the Restoration was not so favourable. In Maryland, as we already know, the claim of Lord Baltimore being confirmed, a temporary tranquillity was established throughout the state. Virginia was less fortunate, though she had been the most loyal of all the states; and though her homes had opened themselves to the exiled royalists, many of whom were now established on her soil. In April, 1661, Sir William Berkeley, the governor, embarked for England as agent for Virginia to obtain relief from the Navigation Act, which office he very unworthily performed. Instead of favour, instead of the repeal of onerous laws imposed by the Commonwealth, commercial restrictions were multiplied, and the reward of loyalty was dismemberment among greedy courtiers. But to this we shall return in the order of date. As regards New Hampshire and Maine, we have already stated that Charles conferred upon his brother, the Duke of York, the country between the Pemaquid and the St. Croix; yet the proprietary claims of these provinces were revived with the intention of obtaining them for the Duke of Monmouth, and the fine extent of country from Connecticut River to Delaware Bay, then partly in possession of the Dutch, and partly included in Winthrop’s patent, was also given to the Duke of York. We now return to Massachusetts. CHAPTER XV. MASSACHUSETTS UNDER CHARLES II.