Royal Mandate for the Release of the Quakers (December, 1661)
Charles R.
Trusty and Welbeloved, we greet you well. Having been informed that several of our Subjects among you, called Quakers, have been and are imprisoned by you, whereof some have been executed, and others (as hath been represented unto us) are in Danger to undergo the Like: We have thought fit to signify our Pleasure, "in that Behalf for the future, and do require, that if there be any of those People called Quakers amongst you, now already condemned to suffer Death, or other Corporal Punishment, or that are imprisoned, or obnoxious to the like Condemnation, you are to forbear to proceed any farther, but that you forthwith send the said Persons (whether condemned or imprisoned) over to this our Kingdom of England, together with their respective Crimes or Offences laid to their charge, to the End such Course may be taken with them here, as shall be agreeable to our Laws, and their Demerits. And for so doing, these our Letters shall be your sufficient Warrant and Discharge. Given at our Court at Whitehall, the 9th Day of September 1661, in the thirteenth Year of our Reign.
Subscribed, To our Trusty and Welbeloved John Endicot, Esq: and to all "and every other the Governour or Governours of our Plantation of New-England, and of the Colonies thereunto belonging, that now are, or hereafter shall be: And to all and every the Ministers and Officers of our said Plantation and Colonies whatever, within the Continent of New-England.
By His Majesty's Command.
WIL. MORRIS.
[Upon the arrival of the Royal Mandate at Boston the following order was issued:]
To William Salter, Keeper of the Prison at Boston.
You are required, by Authority and Order of the General-Court, forthwith to release and discharge the Quakers, who at present are in your Custody: See that you dont neglect this.
By Order of the Court.
EDWARD RAWSON, Secretary.
Boston, the 9th of December, 1661.