"That James Franklin, the printer and publisher thereof (the Courant), be strictly forbidden by this Court to print or publish the New England Courant, or any other pamphlet or paper of the like nature, except it be first supervised by the Secretary of this Province; and the Justices of his Majesty's Sessions of the Peace for the County of Suffolk, at their next adjournment, be directed to take sufficient bonds of the said Franklin for twelve months' time." The result was, that James was arrested and confined four weeks in the "stone gaol," from which he was released by his voluntary pledge to regard the honour of the Court. Benjamin was arrested, also; but was discharged on the ground that he acted as an apprentice, and was obliged to do the bidding of his master. It appears that there was considerable dissatisfaction in the Province with the British government, under which the people lived. The Courant espoused the cause of the dissatisfied party, and, perhaps unwisely, attacked the government and its officers, together with the ministers of the Gospel, whose sympathies seemed to be with the dominant party. It was a time of considerable excitement, so that a little firebrand thrown into the community was sure to make a great fire. But the immediate cause of his arrest was the appearance of the following article in his paper, which was a slur upon the government for tardiness in fitting out a ship to cruise after a pirate seen off Block Island. The article purported to be written by a correspondent in Newport, R. I., and read thus:-- "We are advised from Boston, that the government of the Massachusetts are fitting out a ship to go after the pirates, to be commanded by Captain Peter Papillon, and _'tis thought he will sail some time this month, wind and weather permitting_." This well-pointed censure, in connection with the many flings and attacks that had preceded it, aroused the General Court to act in their defence without delay. The club under whose auspices the Courant was conducted, assembled at the office as soon as they knew the decision of the Court, to consider what should be done. "It is certain," said one, "that you cannot continue to issue the paper against the action of the Court." "Not in his own name," suggested another. "It may still be published in the name of another person, and thus the legislative order will be evaded." "How will it do to issue it in Benjamin's name?" inquired James. "That cannot be done, for he is only an apprentice, as could be very readily proved," was the reply. "I can easily meet that difficulty," answered James, who was usually ready for a shrewd evasion in such a case. "Pray, tell us how," asked one of the number, who was disposed to think that the days of the Courant were numbered. "By changing the name?"