Whalley and Goffe reached Boston in July, 1660.  The vessel that brought them brought also tidings that Charles II. was on the throne.  The fugitives were well received.  They had stood high in the Commonwealth, brought letters of commendation from Puritan ministers in England, and hoped to dwell in peace in Cambridge, where they decided to fix their residence.  But the month of November brought a new story to Boston.  In the Act of Indemnity passed by Parliament the names of Whalley and Goffe were among those left out.  They had played a part in the execution of the king, and to the regicides no mercy was to be shown.  Their estates were confiscated; their lives declared forfeited; any man who befriended them did so at his own peril.

These tidings produced excitement and alarm in Boston.  The Puritans of the colony were all warmly inclined towards their endangered guests.  Some would have protected them at all hazards; others felt inclined to help them to escape; a few thought it might be their duty to take them prisoners.

The illustrious fugitives settled this difficulty by privately leaving Cambridge and making their way overland to New Haven.  Here they were well received.  In truth, the Rev. John Davenport, one of the founders of the colony, did not hesitate to speak to his congregation in their behalf.  We quote from his bold and significant words, whose slightly masked meaning his hearers failed not to understand.

“Withhold not countenance, entertainment, and protection from the people of God,—­whom men may call fools and fanatics,—­if any such come to you from other countries, as from France or England, or any other place.  Be not forgetful to entertain strangers.  Hide the outcasts, betray not him that wandereth.  Let mine outcasts dwell with thee, Moab.  Be thou a covert to them from the face of the spoiler.”

Mr. Davenport was not afraid to live up to the spirit of his words.  For several weeks the regicides dwelt openly in his house.  But meanwhile a proclamation from the king had reached Boston, ordering their arrest as traitors and murderers.  News of its arrival was quickly received at New Haven.  The fugitives, despite the sympathy of the people, were in imminent danger.  Measures must be taken for their safety.

They left New Haven and proceeded to Milford, where they showed themselves in public.  But by night they covertly returned, and for more than a week lay hid in Mr. Davenport’s cellar.  This cellar is still in existence, and the place in it where the fugitives are said to have hidden may still be seen.

But their danger soon grew more imminent.  Peremptory orders came from England for their arrest.  Governor Endicott felt obliged to act decisively.  He gave commission to two young royalists who had recently come from England, empowering them to search through Massachusetts for the fugitives.  Letters to the governors of the other colonies, requesting aid in their purpose, were also given them.