What followed may be briefly told.  The charter lost, Sir Edmund Andros assumed control, declared the privileges granted by it to be annulled, and issued a proclamation in which the liberties of the colonies were replaced by the tyranny of autocratic rule.  The colonists were forced to submit, but their submission was one of discontent and barely-concealed revolt.  Fortunately the tyranny of Sir Edmund lasted not long.  The next year the royal tyrant of England was driven from his throne, and the chain which he had laid upon the neck of Britannia and her colonies was suddenly removed.

The exultation in America knew no bounds.  Andros was seized and thrown into prison in Boston, to preserve him from a ruder fate from the mob.  Early in the next year he was shipped to England.  Captain Wadsworth withdrew the charter from the hiding-place which had safely kept its secret until that hour, and placed it in the hands of the delighted governor.  Jurists in England had declared that it was still in force, and the former government was at once resumed, amid the most earnest manifestations of joy by the populace.

Yet the liberties of Connecticut were soon again to be imperilled, and were to be save once more by the intrepid daring of Captain Wadsworth.

It was now the year 1693.  William of Orange had been for some years on the English throne.  While far more liberal than his predecessor, his acts had somewhat limited the former freedom of the New England colonies.  He did not attempt to appoint royal governors over these truculent people, but on Governor Fletcher, of New York, were conferred privileges which went far to set aside the charter rights of the neighboring colony.

In brief, this royal governor was given full power of command over the militia of Connecticut, an act in direct contravention of the charter, which placed the military control in the hands of the colonial authorities.  Fletcher pressed his claim.  The governor indignantly refused to yield his rights.  The people ardently supported him.

Filled with blustering indignation, Governor Fletcher left New York and came to Hartford, determined that his authority should be acknowledged.  He reached there on October 26, 1693.

He called upon the governor and other authorities, armed with the royal commission, and sternly demanded that the command of the militia should be handed over to him.

“You have played with me in this matter,” he asserted.  “Now I demand an answer, immediate, and in two words, Yes or No.  And I require that the militia of Hartford shall be instantly ordered under arms.”

“As for the latter, it shall be as you wish,” answered the governor “As for the former, we deny your authority.  Nor will I, as you suggest, consent to hold command as your representative.”

The train-bands were ordered out.  The demand had been expected, and no long time elapsed before these citizen-soldiers were assembled on the drill-ground of Hartford,—­an awkward squad, probably, if we may judge from the train-bands of later days, but doubtless containing much good soldierly material.