Two Addresses from the Governour, Council and Convention of the Massachusets Colony/Report on the delivery of the addresses to William III on August 7, 1689
TWO
ADDRESSES
FROM THE
Governour, Council, and Convention
OF THE
Massachusets Colony
Assembled at BOSTON in New-England.
Presented to His Majesty at Hampton-Court,
August 7. 1689.
By Sir HENRY ASHURST Baronet.
THE People in New-England having groaned under the Violation of their Charters and most undoubted Rights, and the Illegal and Arbitrary Government imposed upon them by the late King, in the person of Sir Edmond Androß, and his Creatures, for about Three Years.
Hearing what was done in England, and how the then Prince of Orange, in Conjunction with the Nobility and Gentry, had most gloriously rescued themselves, their Religion, and Country from the Inundation of Popery and Slavery.
They in imitation of so great an Example, upon the Eighteenth of April last, as one Man, rose in Arms, and seized the said Sir Edmond Androß, and the rest of their most notorious Oppressors, and them secured in safe Custody: Setting forth in Print a Declaration of the Reasons necessitating them to this way of proceeding.
And for the Safety of the People, and Conservation of the Peace, chose a President and Council, who on the 20th of May 1689, being Assembled at Boston, drew up, and subscribed a very Loyal Congratulatory Address to Their Majesties.
After which they setled the Government upon their Charter-Foundations, Electing their late Governour, a Council, and Magistrates; and they immediately summoned a Convention of the Representatives of the People to Boston, where being Assembled, they on the 6th of June 1689, unanimously drew up, and subscribed a Second Address to Their Majesties.
As also an Instrument impowering Sir Henry Ashurst Baronet, and a Member of the Honourable House of Commons, to be their Representative to Their Majesties, in all Matters concerning the Colony of the Massachusets: Withal, desiring Sir Henry to present the said Addresses to Their Majesties, in their Names and behalf, in all humble and dutiful manner.
Which said Addresses, Powers, and Instructions arriving here last week, on Wednesday the 7th of this Instant August, Sir Henry went to Hampton Court; where being by that Great and Steady Patron of the Laws, Religion, and Liberties of his Country, the Right Honourable Henry Lord Delamere, introduced into the Royal Presence, Sir Henry acquainted His Majesty with the Happy Occasion of his present Attendance, the State and Condition of His Subjects in New-England, and of the Powers they had entrusted and honoured him with; at the same time presenting the said Addresses hereafter following; which, at his Majesty's Command he distinctly read. After which His Majesty accepted them very graciously, and was pleased to express himself with great kindness to the said People, assuring Sir Henry, That he kindly accepted their Tenders of Loyalty and Duty, and would take Them and their humber Requests into his particular Care, &c.