"Why should that alarm us? The fellow, though given to boasting, is not dangerous, or liable to put his threats into execution."
"But he has grown dangerous!" declared Mr. Prince. "The liberties of the colony are involved. Andros appears as a usurper of authority—the willing instrument of King James the second, who, it seems, has determined to hold absolute rule over all New England."
Captain Wadsworth became a little uneasy, though he was still inclined to treat the matter lightly. Mr. Prince, to convince him of the danger they were in, continued:
"You remember that on his arrival in New York as governor of New Netherland, he demanded the surrender of all the colonial charters into his hands."
"I remember such an order, and furthermore that all the colonies complied with his infamous demand save Connecticut. We have stubbornly refused to yield our charter voluntarily, for it is the guardian of our political rights."
"That is true, Captain Wadsworth," continued Mr. Prince, "and, to subdue our stubbornness, this viceroy has come to Hartford with sixty armed men, to demand the surrender of the charter in person."
Captain Wadsworth bounded to his feet in a rage and, placing his hand on the hilt of his sword, declared:
"He shall not have it!"
Arriving at Hartford on the 31st of October, 1687, Andros found the general assembly in session in the meeting-house. The members received him with the courtesy due to his rank. Before that body, with armed men at his back, he demanded a formal surrender of the precious charter into his hands.
The members of the assembly were alarmed and amazed at his request.