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to the world their gratitude ‘to the good providence
of God, which had wonderfully supported their predecessors and themselves through more than ordinary difficulties and hardships.’-‘We take it to be our duty’— thus they continue—‘to lay hold of our former gracious privileges, in our charter contained.’
And by a unanimous vote, the officers, whom
Andros had displaced, were confirmed.
But
Walter Clarke wavered.
For nine months there was no acknowledged chief magis-
rate.
The assembly, accepting
Clarke's disclaimer, elected
Almy.
Again excuse was made.
Did no one dare to assume responsibility?
All eyes turned to one of the old Antinomian exiles, the more than octogenarian,
Henry Bull; and the fearless
Quaker, true to the light within, employed the last glimmerings of life to restore the democratic charter of
Rhode Island.
Once more its free government is organized: its seal is renewed; the symbol, an anchor; the motto, hope.
Massachusetts rose in arms, and perfected its revolution without concert; ‘the amazing news did soon fly like lightning;’ and the people of
Connecticut spurned the government, which
Andros had appointed, and which they had always feared it was a sin to obey.
The charter, discolored, but not effaced, was taken from its hiding-place; an assembly was convened; and,
in spite of the Finis of
Andros, new chapters were begun in the records of freedom.
Suffolk county, on
Long Island, rejoined
Connecticut.
New York also shared the impulse, but with less unanimity.
‘The
Dutch plot’ was matured by
Jacob Leisler, a man of energy, but passionate and ill-educated, and not possessed of that happy natural sagacity which elicits a rule of action from its own instincts.
But the common people among the
Dutch, led by
Leisler and
