of controversy, and for a while eclipsed the brilliancy of his own richly merited and hard-earned popularity in a community of which he was the founder and the patriarch.*

* The following are Williams's own words. "It was not price and money that could have purchased Rhode Island, but it was obtained by love, -- that love and favor, which that honored gentleman, Sir H. Vane, and myself, had with the great Sachem, Miantonomo, about the league which I procured between the Massachusetts English and the Narragansetts in the Pequot War. This I mention, as the truly noble Sir H. Vane had been so good an instrument in the hand of God for procuring this Island from the barbarians, as also for procuring and confirming the charter, that it may be recorded with all thankfulness."— Hist. Coll. Vol. X. p. 20, note.

Winthrop in speaking of a difficulty, in which, in 1645, some New England men were involved, in the admiralty courts in London, on account of their connexion with certain proceedings of the government of Massachusetts, and which was of such moment, that the bonds they were required to give amounted to four thousand pounds, mentions the active and disinterested exertions of Sir Henry Vane in their behalf, and says that "although he might have taken occasion against us for some dishonor, which he apprehended to have been unjustly put upon him here, yet both now, and at other times, he showed himself a true friend to New England, and a man of a noble and generous mind."— Savage's Winthrop, Vol. II. p. 248.

But Sir Henry Vane proved his real friendship for New England most effectually by the pains he took to save the country from the destructive influences of reli

gious bigotry and intolerance. In Hutchinson's "Collection," p. 137, the reader will find an excellent letter from him to Winthrop, exhorting the Congregational churches in America to exhibit such an example of the spirit of peace, charity, and forbearance, as would promote the great cause of Christian liberty and truth in the older world.

Perhaps it was owing to these rebukes of their uncharitable proceedings, that Sir Henry rendered himself so unpopular among the leading men of the dominant party in the colony. Certain it is, that some of them regarded him with prejudiced minds, and transmitted to their descendants the most uncandid and unjust accounts of his character and conduct while at the head of the colonial administration.

Far different was the feeling with which he was regarded by the inhabitants of Rhode Island. Sir Henry, having heard that a contentious and intolerant spirit had gained admission into the hearts of some of the active leaders of that colony, wrote them a letter on the 8th of February, 1653, expressing his regret at the intelligence, and urging them to a more consistent practice of the principles upon which their society was founded. An answer was drawn up by Roger Williams, and signed by the principal people of Providence, which shows with what truly Christian sentiments Sir Henry's friendly and faithful remonstrances were received. It concludes by expressing the hope, " that, when we are gone and rotten, our posterity and children after us shall read, in our town records, your pious and favorable letters, and lovingkindness to us.". Hist. Coll. Vol. IX. p. 194, 2d Series.

CHAPTER VI.

Sequel of Mrs. Hutchinson's History. Her Memory calumniated. - The Spirit of Persecution.

BEFORE I proceed to sketch the career of usefulness, glory, and suffering which awaited Governor Vane in his own country, it will be but an act of justice to those readers whose interest and curiosity may have been excited respecting it, to relate the result of the controversy in which he had so large a share.

It was extinguished and extirpated only by the direct application of mere power. Mr. Wheelwright was banished, and the same sentence was carried into execution against Mrs. Hutchinson, after an examination and trial, in which she exhibited the most extraordinary degree of talent, learning, skill, and fortitude.*

She removed to Rhode Island with her family, where her conduct did not incur reproach, although she continued faithful to her principles;

*The "Examination of Mrs. Hutchinson" may be found in the Appendix to the second volume of HUTCHINSON'S History of Massachusetts, 11

VOL. IV.

neither did any injury or inconvenience result from her influence there. How clearly does this illustrate the important maxim, that no heresy need be regarded as dangerous to the state, when the state does not meddle with it!

Upon the death of her husband, she transferred her residence to Long Island, where, in the year 1643, her sufferings and persecutions were brought to an end in a manner so awful and tragical, as would have softened the hearts, we might suppose, of the bitterest foes, and have buried for ever all feelings of anger and bigotry, in one wide-spread and profound sentiment of pity and sorrow. She and all her family, consisting of sixteen persons, were murdered by the Indians, with the exception of one daughter, who was carried into captivity.

Such was the fate of Anne Hutchinson, one of the most remarkable persons of her age and sex,

learned, accomplished, and of a heroic spirit. Her genius was as extraordinary, as her history was strange and eventful. Her abilities were equalled only by her misfortunes. With talents and graces, which would have adorned and blessed the private spheres, within which they ought to have been confined, she aimed to occupy a more public position, and to act upon a more. conspicuous theatre; and the consequence was, that she was hated where she would otherwise have been

loved; a torrent of prejudice and calumny was made to pour over her; an entire community was thrown into disorder and convulsions for years; a most cruel persecution drove her from the pale of civilization; and she fell, at last, beneath the bloody tomahawks of murderous savages.

Immediately after her exile from Massachusetts, the flood-gates of slander were opened against her character. Every species of abuse and defamation was resorted to, and tales of calumny were put into circulation so extravagant, disgusting, loathsome, and shocking, that nothing but the blackest malignity could have fabricated, or the most infuriated and blinded bigotry have credited them.* Every mouth seemed to be open to asperse her, and every heart hardened against her. And when the news of her tragical death arrived, it was readily believed and proclaimed that it

judgment of God upon her sinful heresies, and the people seemed almost to take satisfaction in reflecting upon the dreadful fate, which had befallen her in the distant wilderness to which she had been driven by their intolerance.

In contemplating the furious and desperate virulence of the colonists towards Mrs. Hutchinson, we discern a striking illustration of the destructive influences of bigotry and persecution

* MATHER'S Magnalia, Book VII. Chap. III. § 11.