Hutchinson, _Papers_, vol. I, pp. 223 _ff._; J. Winthrop, _History_, vol. II, pp. 348 _ff._ Prof. G. L. Kittredge has recently written an elaborate account of Dr. Child—"Doctor Robert Child the Remonstrant," reprinted from _Publications, Col. Soc., Mass._, 1919. It is a strong brief in defense of the action taken by the Massachusetts authorities, and contains the fullest and most accurate account of the Petition and the subsequent trials yet written. Prof. Kittredge is a firm supporter of the old theory that Child was plotting to overthrow the government in the interests of Presbyterianism. While this may be so, it seems not to cover the cases of the other remonstrants. The main interest of the affair for our present work, however, lies in the evidence afforded of discontent with the Puritan regime, and in that connection, Prof. Kittredge, after showing the extreme diversity of views held by the signers on most matters, speaks of “their discontent with the administration which was the sole binding element common to all the Remonstrants” (p. 29). He also states (p. 52), that “there was more or less public sentiment in favor of the defendants.” Footnote 520: _Massachusetts Records_, vol. II, pp. 196, 199, 205, 241. The tide of popular rights in the colonies was rising, however, and “all the troubles of New England” were “not at the Massachusetts,” as Winslow wrote to Winthrop, nor were high-handed proceedings wholly limited to that commonwealth. In Plymouth, a written proposal, favored by many of the inhabitants and of the deputies, was presented to the General Court, “to allow and maintaine full and free tollerance of religion to all men that would preserve the civill peace and submit unto government.” “You would have admired [wondered] to have seen,” wrote Winslow, “how sweet this carrion relished to the pallate of most of the deputies.” “Notwithstanding it was required, according to order, to be voted,” the Governor would not permit any vote to be taken; and the effort thus to extend to others the same freedom that the leading founders of the colony had availed themselves of for twelve years in Holland was summarily suppressed.[521] Footnote 521: Letter of Winslow to Winthrop, in Hutchinson, _Papers_, vol. I, p. 174.