They returned home, and arrived in Boston the 23rd of October, 1683; and the same week Randolph arrived with the _quo warranto_ and the King's accompanying declaration.

The announcement of this decisive act on the part of the King produced a profound sensation throughout the colony, and gave rise to the question, "What shall Massachusetts do ?" One part of the colony advocated _submission_; another party advocated _resistance_.

The former were called the "Moderate party," the latter the "Patriot party"-- the commencement of the two parties which were afterwards known as United Empire Loyalists and Revolutionists.[188] The Moderate party was led by the memorable Governor Bradstreet, Stoughton, and Dudley, and included a majority of the assistants or magistrates, called the "Upper branch of the Government." The Independence party was headed by the Deputy Governor Danforth, Gookin, and Nowell, and included a majority of the House of Deputies, over whose elections and proceedings the elders or ministers exerted a potent influence.[189] Governor Bradstreet and a majority of the assistants, or magistrates, adopted the following resolution: "The magistrates have voted that an humble address be sent to his Majesty by this ship, declaring that, upon a serious consideration of his Majesty's gracious intimations in his former letters, and more particularly in his late declaration, that his pleasure and purpose is only to regulate our Charter in such a manner as shall be for his service and the good of this his colony, and without any other alteration than what is necessary for the support of his Government here, we will not presume to contend with his Majesty in a Court of law, but humbly lay ourselves at his Majesty's feet, in submission to his pleasure so declared, and that we have resolved by the next opportunity to send our agents empowered to receive his Majesty's commands accordingly.

And, for saving a default for non-appearance upon the return of the writ of _quo warranto_, that some person or persons be appointed and empowered, by letter of attorney, to appear and make defence until our agents may make their appearance and submission as above.
"The magistrates have passed this without reference to the consent of their brethren the deputies hereto.
(Signed) "EDMUND RAWSON, _Secretary_.
"15th November, 1683." This resolution was laid before the House of Deputies and debated by them a fortnight, when the majority of them adopted the following resolution: "November 30, 1683 .-- The deputies consent not, but adhere to their former bills.
"WILLIAM TERRY, _Clerk_."[190] "They voted instead," says Mr.Hildreth, "an Address to the King, praying forbearance; but they authorized Robert Humphreys, a London barrister and the legal adviser of the agents, to enter an appearance and to retain counsel, requesting him 'to leave no stone unturned that may be of service either to the case itself, or the spinning out of the time as much as possibly may be.' No less than three letters were written to Humphreys; money was remitted; but all hopes of defence were futile.

Before the letters arrived in London, a default had already been recorded.