Its odd title was suggested by a remark made by the Reverend John
Cotton, in a Thursday-Lecture, preached November 5, 1646, just previous
to the departure of the vessel which was carrying back to England some
of the dissatisfied signers of a Petition to the General Court, who
rumor gave were taking with them this and other incriminating documents
against the Government of the Colony. The learned preacher took for his
text, Canticles, II: 15. “Take us the foxes, the little foxes, which
destroy the vines,” and made pointed allusions to the current rumors,
and the punishment which their acts would receive in a stormy voyage,
and how it could be averted. But later we shall let Vassall tell the
story in his own words. The effect upon his hearers was so great that
some who had engaged passage withdrew rather than risk the dangers of a
stormy voyage in the winter season.
After a brief summary of the reasons for publication the Preface states
that the Relation is made up of the following particulars:
First, the Petition of the greater part of the Inhabitants of
Hingham, and the proceedings therein.
Secondly, a Petition of Doctor Child and others delivered to the
General Court at Boston with some passages thereon.
Thirdly, the Capital Laws of the Massachusetts Bay, with the
Freemans Oath, _as they are printed there by themselves_.
The italics are mine. Here, then, we have direct proof confirming the
statement of John Winthrop that the Freeman’s Oath was printed at
Cambridge in 1639, and, in the body of the work, is given the full text
of The Oath of a Free man as printed. It is probable that only the
number of copies necessary for officials authorized to administer the
Oath were printed, and the copy taken to England was surreptitiously
obtained from some member of the Government. Its importance lay in the
fact that it afforded printed evidence that nowhere in it is any
reference made to the King’s Majesty, or of allegiance to any power on
earth save that of their own Government as constituted.
[Illustration:
FAC-SIMILE OF ORIGINAL MANUSCRIPT
in the Handwriting of John Winthrop,
in the Public Library of the City of Boston