aforesaid, the 28th day of May, in the year of our Lord God, 1655. JOHN PAGE, _Mayor_.’ [8] _Exon is an abbreviation for Exeter.--Transcriber._ By this may be seen under what frivolous pretences those called Quakers were imprisoned, viz. because of an ordinance made against duels, &c. and as for their having refused to give security, how untrue this was, as well as other accusations, may appear from the following certificate. ‘We whose names are hereunto subscribed, do testify, that the several particulars in an answer made by our friends, are true, to wit. That they did not at all disturb the public peace, nor were they at any other meeting, (but that which was appointed by us,) to disturb any ministers, or other Christians in their assemblies and meetings; nor were they guilty of any challenges, duels, and provocations thereunto, in the least measure, whilst they were amongst us. And as for their refusal to give security, two of us, whose names are Robert Cary, and Arthur Cotton, had given security to the mayor, by entering into recognizance for their appearance at the next sessions, the day before their sending to prison, but that the town-clerk made it void the next day, pretending it could not be according to law. _Ralph Fogg_, _Arthur Cotton_, _Robert Cary_, _Richard Smith_, _Anthony Todde_, _John Harris, jun._ _Thomas Faulkener_, _Nicholas Cole_, _John Martindale_, _Richard Lepincote_, _John Harris, sen._’ Now to what a height of confidence the aforesaid mayor, Page, was come, in saying, that Thomas Salthouse and Miles Halhead had refused to give bail, nay, that this was the cause of their confinement, may also appear from the following letter he writ to general Desborough, to excuse his proceedings against him. ‘_Plymouth, June 1, 1655._ ‘Right Honourable,