244 triously setting things in order, which they had confounded, they at London were as mallitiously active to make more confusion. They contriv'd many false and frivolous articles and petitions against him, and proceeded to that degree of impndence in desiring alterations, and casting reflections upon the sub-committee itselfe, that they , grew weary of them. Mr. Picrrepont and Sr. H. Vane, being now taken notice of as leaders of the Independent faction,' when those gentlemen out of mere iusticc and honor rliscountenanc'd their envy and mallice, they applied themselves to the Presbyterian faction, and insinuating to them that the iusticc of those gentlemen was partiallity to the governor, because he was a protector of the now hated separatists, they prevail'd to have Sr. Philip Stapleton and Sr. Gilbert Garrett, two lierce presbyterians, added to the sub-committee, to ballance the other faction, and found this wicked invention not a little advantageous to them: yet Mr. Hollis, who was a person of honor, did not cornplie with their factious spirits, but gave the governor all iust assistance against their mall ice which lay in his power.' But they quitting all modestie, and pressing the committee with false affirmations and forgeries, that all men would lay downe their arms if the governor were not remoov'd, at length they prevail'd, that he was the second time sent for to London to iustify hirnselfe against them. In that blank, to which they had by fraud and threats procur'd so many hands, they writt a petition, alledging that the governor was so generally detested, that if he were not remoov'd all men would fling downe their arms, and the subscriptions they thus abus'd were those they procur'd to vindicate rProbably it was the experience these two excellent politicians had of Col. Hutch· inson's ab ilities and integrity ou this trial which induced them afterwards to take him for the~r associate. g l\1rs. Hutchinson, who in other places speaks with much disnpprobation of Mr. Hollis, here most candidly gives him his due.
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