New England -- History -- Colonial period, ca. 1600-1775
So far, in the Puritan colonies, mainly in Massachusetts, over forty had
been whipped, sixty-four imprisoned, over forty banished, one branded,
three had had their ears cut off, five had had the right of appeal to
England denied them, four had been put to death, while many others had
suffered in diverse ways.[694]
Footnote 694:
Besse, _Abstract of the Sufferings, etc._, cited by Jones, _Quakers_,
pp. 91 _ff._
There are many contemporary evidences, however, to show that the
sympathy of the people went out more and more to the victims. At the
time of the execution of Robinson and Stevenson, a heavy guard had been
necessary to allow the sentence to be carried out, and the Court had
found it needful to prepare a long defense of their action against such
as might feel “pitty and comiseration,” and others who might look upon
the magistrates as “bloody persecutors.” Apologetic broadsides were
printed to the same effect.[695]
Footnote 695:
_Massachusetts Records_, vol. IV, pt. i, pp. 384 _ff._; _Mass. Hist.
Soc. Proceedings_, Series III, vol. II, p. 203.
While the trial of Leddra was in progress, a banished Quaker, Wenlock
Christison, suddenly appeared in court, and after declaring his
identity, looked into the stern face of Endicott, and solemnly said to
him, “I am come here to warn you that you should shed no more innocent
blood, for the blood that you have shed already, cries to the Lord for
vengeance to come upon you.”[696] He was immediately arrested, and at
his trial protested that the colony had no authority to make laws
repugnant to the laws of England, and that there was no law there
providing for capital punishment against Quakers. But by this time even
the magistrates had begun to hesitate in their course, and several
refused to vote for his death. Endicott, in a fury, pounded the table,
and ordered another vote, thundering out, “You that will not consent,
record it: I thank God I am not afraid to give judgment.” It is said
that the result was uncertain, and that the Governor himself
precipitately passed the sentence of death.[697]
Footnote 696:
W. Sewel, _History of the Quakers_ (New York, 1844), vol. I, p. 338.
Footnote 697:
_Ibid._, p. 344; _Massachusetts Records_, vol. IV, pt. ii, p. 20.
The sentence, however, was never executed. Not only had the people of
Massachusetts now risen in revolt against the persecuting tyranny of the
ministers and magistrates, but the colony was to be stayed in its course
by a stronger power. The English monarchy had been restored a year
before, and the relations of Massachusetts to the mother-country were
about to undergo a marked change.
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