A declaration was drawn up by order of the Court, in answer to the petition, and in vindication of the Government--a proceeding which at this day would not appear for the honour of the supreme authority.
The petitioners were required to attend the Court.

They urged their right of petitioning.

They were told they were not accused of petitioning, but of contemptuous and seditious expressions, and were required to find sureties for their good behaviour, etc.

A charge was drawn up against them in form; notwithstanding which it was intimated to them, that if they would ingenuously acknowledge their offence, they should be forgiven; but they refused, and were fined, some in larger, some in smaller sums, two or three of the magistrates dissenting, Mr.
Bellingham,[85] in particular, desiring his dissent might be entered.
The petitioners claimed an appeal to the Commissioners of Plantations in England; but it was not allowed.

Some of them resolved to go home with a complaint.