[From the book "America and West Indies"] - Page 197

1693
Paragraph 650 XIX

Abstract of Colonel Nicholas Bayard's journal of his journey to
Connecticut with Governor Fletcher.

Oct. 13 - The Governor left New York arriving at New Haven on the 15th, 
and after some days' waiting for his horses, reached Hardford on the
23rd. He took his lodging at the ordinary, where he was first saluted
by Mr. Allyn and Mr. Pipkin, and afterwards by Governor Treat and 
several others.

He told them that he had come to take command of the militia, as he
had already written to them, and for that purpose desired to meet the
General Court. Governor Treat said that next morning at 10 o'clock they
would be ready to hear him. 

Oct. 24 - At 10 o'clock the Governor went to General Court, said that
he was come to publish his commission in obedience to the King's commands,
and asked Governor Treat that it might be read. Governor Treat avoided
the reading and said they were ready to hear what he had to say, where-
upon the Governor ordered Mr. Clarkson to read it, and to avoid all
misunderstandings, gave in a memorial (No. VIII), which Mr. Treat promised
to answer in writing, only desiring that the Governor would hear their
charter read. 

His Excellency replied that he had no business to concern himself with
their charter or with civil affairs, but only with militia, and so took
leave. Then one of the members cried out, "Let the charter be read that
all the people may hear it" ; and it was observed that when the Governor's
commission was read, the sergeants kept the people out with their halberts,
until several made their way by force, saying that they would hear it.

Oct. 25 - Mr. Clarkson and myself went with a message to the General
Court, and some time afterwards Governor Treat, Mr. Allyn, Mr. Pipkin
and Mr. Stanty had a conference with His Excellency, desiring that he
would suspend the execution of his commission until they could hear again
from Their Majesties through their Agent, now preparing to go to England.

His Excellency declined with such prevailing arguments that they seemed
to be convinced, and in particular Mr. Allyn. They asked whether, if they
submitted to the commission, they would on invasion or other urgent occasions
be obliged to send to New York for orders, to which the Governor answered
No ; for he would give Mr. Treat a commission granting him full powers
in his absence.

Oct. 26 - Several letters (Nos. IX.-XIV) passed between the Governor and
the Court. 

Oct. 27 - The Governor called on Mr. Yealls, one of the deputies of the
General Court, and told him how dangerous the consequences of their 
obstinate refusal would be, and that they would repent it ; to which
Captain Yealls said he could not help it, for if they parted with the
militia they might just as well part with the civil power for the one was
nothing without the other, which words the Governor told him were factious
and seditions. 

Yealls also refused to accept a commission from the Governor as Captain
of Wallingford (his former post) and was thereupon warned not to take
upon him that office at his utmost peril.

At noon came an offer of the General Court to supply 50 men or £600, 
country pay, (computed to be about £250 sterling), which the Governor
answered. That evening about twenty men came to the Governor offering
their obedience to the commission and desiring that the same might be
noted. 

Several others crowded in, but the Governor called upon all who would
not acknowledge his commission to leave his room, which they did except
one who remained boasting that he held a commission under the charter and
so forth. The Governor bade him begone, but as he continued his impertinency,
the Governor took him by the arm and led him out ; and as he dared the 
Governor to do the like inside his chamber His Excellency made towards him
and threw him down the stairs.

Oct. 28 - This morning came intelligence that the Court was broke up and
the members dispersed, also that many men had been in arms round the 
Governor's lodging at night, some threatening to insult him, others to
shoot him if he published his proclamation in the streets. The Governor
therefore sent Clarkson and myself with the proclamation to the Chief
Magistrate at Hartford, to require him to publish it, also to report the
affronts put on him since he landed and to ask if the Court had prepared
any answer to the Governor's last memorial.

We went therefore to Mr. Allyn, who said that he thought the proclamation
would not be published, but that he would deliver it to Mr. Treat, who
was expected to return next day. He expressed sorrow for the affronts put
on the Governor but said he could not help it, as the people were in a
ferment ; and he knew nothing of any answer from the General court. Toward
evening about twenty more people came to signify their obedience to the
commission.

Oct. 29 - Being Sunday, the Governor went and heard sermon in one church
in the moring, and in the other in the afternoon. In the evening came a
letter from Mr. Bulkeley that the people were in great ferment.

Oct. 30 - Another letter from Mr. Bulkeley to the same effect. The Governor
gave orders to prepare to start to-morrow.     Signed.  N. Bayard.
3 1/4 pp.  Endorsed as No. III