August 2, 1634, Mr. Endecott was called to mourn the death of his early and particular friend, the Rev. Mr. Skelton, who had become endeared to him as his spiritual guide, in first opening to his view the way of truth while in England, and who had followed him to this country to counsel and direct him in paths of piety and happiness. This event must have been to him a severe affliction.
About this time a Military Board of Commissioners, with almost unlimited powers, was established by the General Court, and Mr. Endecott was appointed one of its members.
On the 18th of September, this same year, the Colony was thrown into consternation, and alarmed for its liberties, by the news from England, that a commission had been granted to two Archbishops, and ten others of the Council, conferring on them the authority to regulate the Plantations of New England; to establish and maintain the Episcopal Church in this country; to recall its Charter; remove its Governors; make its laws; hear and decide its legal cases; and appoint its punishments, even death itself.[11] Intelligence was also received at the same time, that a new Governor was being secretly conveyed to Massachusetts, with orders which, if executed, would prostrate all its civil and ecclesiastical rights. Gov. Cradock had already informed them that the King's Council had demanded their Charter. Such was the universal anxiety this news awakened, that the idea of resistance appears immediately to have possessed the minds of the inhabitants,[12] and the fortifications were hastened forward, and an assessment laid of an additional rate of five hundred pounds for defence. These tidings were received with indignant feelings by Mr. Endecott. He saw by this step that all their dear-bought privileges, purchased at such immense sacrifices, which none could better appreciate than himself, were about to be violently, as with a ruthless despotism, wrested from them. His independent spirit could not quietly brook such high-handed infringements upon their chartered rights, and he resolved in all the affairs of the Colony, in which he had any share or influence, to pursue that course which he deemed most for her interests, whether it led him over plains or mountains, through flowers or thorns. There was exhibited in his actions, on all occasions, a fortitude, which shows him formed for great emergencies. Probably under the influence of feelings produced by this intelligence, and excited by that ardent zeal which marked his character through life, he shortly after cut the red cross from the King's colors, deeming it a relic of Popish idolatry. This bold and daring act was considered an insult, as well to the established Church of England, as to the King himself; and the Colony dared not refrain from taking cognizance of it, lest it should call down upon their heads the vengeance of the whole British hierarchy. There is ample evidence in the records of the Colony, that most of the principal men, including Governor Winthrop,[13] agreed with him on this subject, in sentiment and feeling. "The only difference between him and others was, he manifested his opinions by his acts, while they, with more prudence and safety, retained theirs in secret." Had it not been for fear of the consequences, instead of being censured, his conduct would have been openly applauded. His boldness of action was made known in England, and looked upon there in the light of rebellion. It was the first blow struck in defiance of royal authority, and would no doubt have cost Mr. Endecott his life, had it not been for those troubles which were then beginning to gather thickly, like a tempest, about the devoted head of the unfortunate Charles I., and which eventually burst upon it with a fury which nothing could resist, involving in its course the ruin of his government, and the destruction of his own life. The sword, with which this rebellious act is said to have been performed by Mr. Endecott, has been preserved, and is now in possession of one of the family, to whom it has descended in direct line, by right of primogeniture. It is a plain, unornamented rapier, emblematical of the Puritan simplicity of our Forefathers.
While these events were passing in this country, the Puritans in England were experiencing the most unmitigated persecution, at the hand of Archbishop Laud and his confederates. As their numbers increased, the various modes of punishment were multiplied; exorbitant fines were imposed; the pillory witnessed bloody scenes of human agony and mutilation; the scaffold and dungeon had their victims; the lash, the shears, and the glowing iron were most cruelly applied to individuals of this proscribed sect.[14] But the faith of the Puritans rose superior to oppression, and could not be overcome. The most bloody persecution served only to add new converts to their cause.
In 1636, Mr. Endecott was appointed an Assistant, and was also sent on an expedition against the Indians on Block Island and in the Pequot country, he acting as General of all the forces in the detachment. During this year his views relative to the cross in the King's colors triumphed over all considerations, and the Military Commissioners ordered it to be left out. On the ensigns at Castle Island, in Boston harbor, they substituted the King's arms for the cross.
During the year 1641, Mr. Endecott was chosen Deputy-Governor, and was continued in office for the two succeeding years. He was also appointed one of a committee to dispose of all lands or other property belonging to the company at Cape Ann; and was commissioned by the Court, in conjunction with two others, Mr. Downing, the brother-in-law of Gov. Winthrop, and Mr. Hathorne, to procure the transcription of nineteen copies of the laws, liberties, and forms of oaths, and to subscribe them with their own hands, the Court having decreed that no copies should be considered authentic which were without their signatures.
In 1642, he was chosen one of the Corporation of Harvard College.
Passing over some minor things in the life of Governor Endecott, we arrive at the year 1644, when his increasing influence and popularity ensured his election as Governor, and Mr. Winthrop was chosen Deputy-Governor. The claim of Salem to be made the seat of government, was now again revived, and it would be fair to infer from his well-known attachment to the place, that the project met with his hearty coöperation. But the effort was not successful, and Boston still continued to be the capital. The Governor's salary was one hundred pounds.
During this year of his administration, improvements in the mode of transacting business in the Legislature were introduced. The Magistrates and Deputies, for the first time, now held their sessions apart, and it required the concurrence of both bodies, to make an act valid. The office of a speaker to the Deputies was also this year ordained, and filled by an Essex man, Mr. William Hathorne.
The conflicting claims of D'Aulney and La Tour, two Frenchmen at Acadia, which had produced considerable excitement, were finally settled during this year, by the government of France supporting the claim of D'Aulney. His deputy came to Boston, and concluded a treaty with Gov. Endecott, which was subsequently ratified by the Commissioners of the United Colonies of New England.