Complaints had been made to King Charles of the persecutions in New England, and word of this had been received privately in Massachusetts. Partly from fear of his possible action, and partly in deference to the evident opposition of the people, a new law was passed, which, while still preserving the death-penalty, evidently intended to make it less necessary of enforcement.[698] Under this new act, Christison and twenty-seven others were released from prison, though two were stripped to the waist, and whipped through the town.[699] Footnote 698: _Acts Privy Council, Colonial, 1613-1680_, p. 312; _Massachusetts Records_, vol. IV, pt. ii, p. 20. Footnote 699: Sewel, _Quakers_, vol. I, p. 345; _Massachusetts Records_, vol. IV, pt. ii, p. 24. On receiving news of Leddra's death, Edward Burrough, an English Quaker, had secured an audience with the King, and told him that “there was a vein of innocent blood opened in his dominions, which if it were not stopped would overrun all”; to which the monarch answered, “but I will stop that vein.” His secretary was called, and an order at once prepared to be sent to the Massachusetts government. As no royal ship was then sailing, the Quakers hired one and dispatched the “king's missive,” by Samuel Shattuck, a banished Massachusetts Quaker. In six weeks, the condemned man, now a King's messenger, confronted Endicott, and delivered the letter, ordering that no further proceedings be taken against Quakers, and that such as were under charges be sent to England. Endicott read it, and with what must have been the most painful emotion of his life, he looked at the hated heretic and said, “We shall obey his Majesty's commands.”[700] Orders were issued for the release of all Quakers, and Shattuck, speaking of the colonists, said that “many mouths are now opened, which were before shutt, and some of them now say, Its the welcomest ship that ever came into the land.”[701] Footnote 700: The account is from Sewel, _Quakers_, vol. I, pp. 345 _ff._ The letter has often been reprinted. _Cf._ Jones, _Quakers_, p. 98; _Cal. State Pap., Col., 1661-68_, pp. 55 _f._ Footnote 701: The laws were temporarily suspended. _Massachusetts Records_, vol. IV, pt. ii, p. 34. A popular ballad, supposed to have been written about 1676, is interesting, not only for its confirmation of other contemporary sources as to where the blame rested, but as showing the popular feeling. But may we know the Counsellors that brought our Rulers in, To be so guilty as they are, of the aforesaid sin? They were the tribe of Ministers, as they are said to be, Who always to our Magistrates, must be the eyes to see. * * * * * * * And I am not alone herein, there's many hundreds more That have for many Years ago spoke much upon that Score. Peter Folger, “A Looking Glass for the Times”; S. S. Rider, _R. I. Tracts_, Series V, vol. XVI, pp. 6, 12.