powers and limits; and the king commanded that all such laws, ordinances, &c. should be published, in writing, under the common seal of the company, and thereupon be carefully observed and put into execution, according to their true meaning. The charter[4] does not once mention _liberty of conscience_ or _toleration_; tho’ one[5] historian has inadvertently advanced, that “free liberty of conscience was likewise granted to all who should settle in the _Massachusetts-Bay_, to worship God in their own way;” and another[6], “the charter granted toleration to all christians, except papists.” The assertions apply only to the charter granted by king _William_ and queen _Mary_. [April 30, 1629.] The company, in the exercise of their chartered powers, determined that a governor and council of twelve, residing on the plantations, should have the sole ordering of its affairs and government. They appointed Captain _Endicott_ governor, and seven gentlemen going from England to be counsellors, and directed how the other five should be elected, together with a deputy-governor and secratary. Messrs. _Higginson_, _Skelton_, _Bright_, _John_ and _Samuel Browne_ were of the seven counsellors nominated by the company. The three first, being ministers, had declared themselves to be of one judgment, and to be fully agreed on the manner how to exercise their ministry. The company’s committee in the letter to governor _Endicott_, expressed good hopes on account of it; and at the same time recommended Messrs. _John_ and _Samuel Browne_ as men who they much respected, being fully persuaded of their sincere affections to the good of the plantation.[7] The ministers and passengers coming to settle in it were episcopally inclined when they left England, though they could not conform to many ceremonies and customs, nor submit to what they judged different corruptions, imposed upon their consciences by the king and prelates. They were also strongly prejudiced against the _separatists_ in which class the _Plymouthians_ were numbered. But long before they arrived, or even sailed, a Dr. _Fuller_, a deacon of the church at Plymouth, and well versed in its discipline, having been sent for, on account of a fatal sickness which broke out among the emigrants after their arrival at _Salem_, had, by his conversation with Captain _Endicott_, taken off the ill effect of common report, and brought him to think favorably of the outward form of worship espoused by the _Plymouthians_. The influence of the doctor’s intercourse with the _Salem_ settlers cannot be thought to have been confined to the Captain. When the business of organizing a church was brought forward after the arrival of the consellors, the matter was frequently canvassed, and at length it was determined to form it, nearly upon the plan of the one at Plymouth; and to invite the latter to be present by their messengers, at the solemn ordination of the ministers Messrs. _Skelton_ and _Higginson_, [August