Governor Winthrop wrote to Captain Stagg "to know _by what authority_ he had done it in _our_ harbour." Stagg produced his commission from the Earl of Warwick to capture vessels from ports in the occupation of the King's party, as well in harbours and creeks as on the high seas.

Winthrop ordered him to carry the paper to Salem, the place of the Governor's residence, there to be considered at a meeting of the magistrates.

_Of course the public feeling was with the Parliament and its officers_; but it was not so heedless as to forget its jealousy of _foreign encroachment_ from whatever quarter.

"Some of the elders, the last Lord's Day, had in their sermons reproved this proceeding, and exhorted magistrates to maintain the people's liberties, which were, they said, _violated by this act_, and that a commission could not supersede a patent.

And at this meeting some of the magistrates and some of the elders were of the same opinion, and that the captain should be forced to restore the ship." The decision, however, was different; and the reasons for _declining to defy the Parliament_, and allowing its officer to retain possession of his prize, are recorded.