The public authorities interfered and threatened them with prosecution.

But the young women were resolute.

They insisted that they were performing a religious duty, and declared that they should disobey the law and take the consequences.
A good deal of sympathy was aroused in their behalf.

The New Haven authorities had to face the question whether they would imprison the daughter of a Signer of the Declaration of Independence, who had affixed his signature to the great affirmation that all men are created equal, the daughters of two Framers of the Constitution, and the daughter of James Hillhouse, then the foremost citizen of Connecticut, for teaching little children to read the Bible.

They gave up the attempt.