“I humbly conceive it to be the _Duty_ of the _Civil Magistrate_ to break down that superstitious _wall_ of _separation_ (as to Civil things) between us Gentiles and the Jews, and freely (without this asking) to make way for their free and peaceable Habitation amongst us.” “As other _Nations_, so this especially, and the _Kings_ thereof have had just cause to fear, that the _unchristian oppressions_, _incivilities_ and _inhumanities_ of this Nation against the Jews have cried to Heaven against this _Nation_ and the _Kings_ and _Princes_ of it.” “What horrible _oppressions_ and horrible _slaughters_ have the _Jews_ suffered from the _Kings_ and peoples of this Nation, in the Reigns of _Henry 2_ (1133‒1189), K. _John_ (1167‒1216), Richard I. (1157‒1199) and _Edward I._ (1239‒1307), concerning which not only we, but the _Jews_ themselves keep _Chronicles_.”¹ ¹ The fourth paper presented by Major Butler to the honourable Committee of Parliament for the propagating the Gospel.... Also a letter from Mr. Goad, to Major Butler, upon occasion of the said paper and proposals. Together with a testimony to the said fourth paper. By R. W. Unto which is subjoyned the fifteen proposals of the Ministers. London, 1652. _4to_. He returned to Providence in 1654, and in September, shortly after his arrival, was elected President or Governor of Rhode Island, one of the thirteen original states of the Union, and the first to accord Jews rights and privileges similar to other colonists. He held office until May, 1658, and it is worthy of note that one who took a significant part in securing the admission of Jews to England in the Old World, was the founder of a state in New England in the New World, which was the first to grant equal rights to Jews at a time when he was its President. He died at Providence in the early part of April, 1683.¹ ¹ Roger Williams, The Pioneer of Religious Liberty. By Oscar S. Straus.... New York.... 1894. In 1899 a tablet, with the following inscription:―― In Memory of Roger Williams, Formerly a Scholar of Charterhouse Founder of the State of Rhode Island, and the Pioneer of Religious Liberty in America. Placed here by Oscar S. Straus, United States Minister to Turkey, 1899. was presented to the Charterhouse, where Williams was a scholar in the year 1624. In 1649 two Baptists of Amsterdam, Johanna Cartwright and her son Ebenezer, presented a petition to Lord Fairfax (1612‒71) and the “generall Councell of Officers” in favour of the Jews (Appendix xxix). Religious fervour had been stirred to a high pitch, and there were few men whose minds had not been influenced by Messianic beliefs and other religious and mystical ideas.