of May, and reached Hartford on the 10th, where they called on Governor Winthrop. He told them that the two gentlemen in question had passed through the town several days before, but he would nevertheless make a thorough search. The officers passed on, delighted with the governor, and the next day arrived at Guilford, where William Leete, deputy and acting governor of the New Haven Colony, lived. They found the governor at home, and with him a number of gentlemen. When the papers were laid before him, he began reading them aloud, much to the chagrin of the two officers. They finally interrupted and asked, 'Would his Honor please not read so loud? It is convenient to be more private in such concernments as these.' The governor then took them aside and told them he 'had not seen the two colonels, not in nine weeks.' They informed him that they had reason to believe that 'the two colonels' had been seen in the colony much more recently than 'nine weeks,' and demanded fresh horses and a warrant for their arrest. Governor Leete appeared to them very deliberate.
"In the mean while news of what was afoot had spread through the town, the result of the 'reading aloud.' While the officers were waiting at the inn for the govenor's decision, a man named Scranton (or Crampton) told them that the two colonels were at that very moment at the house of Mr. Davenport in New Haven, and 'without all question Deputy Leete knew as much.' He said that Mr. Davenport had 'put in ten pounds' worth of fresh provisions at one time into his house, and that it was imagined it was purposely for the entertainment of them.' Others corroborated Scranton's story, and said that Whalley and Goffe had been seen lately between the houses of Mr. Davenport and Willian Jones, and they supposed one was staying at each house. The officers hastened to the house of Gov. Leete with this information and demanded the horses and the warrant at once. The governor told them they might have the horses, but he wished to consult with Mr. Gilbert, one of the magistrates of New Haven, before issuing the warrant; that it was now
Saturday night, and of course nothing could be done until Monday. The officers stamped and swore, but the governor was firm. They declared that they would go to New Haven Sunday morning and make investigation without a warrant, but were told that if they did they would be arrested for Sabbath breaking; so there Was nothing left to do but sit down and shiver in their discontent.
"Over Sunday, Scranton kept them informed of every movement. At one time he came in and reported that 'there was an Indian of the town wanting.' This caused great excitement. Later he told them that 'one John Megges' (Meigs) was preparing to start for New Haven Sunday night on horseback. Then they rushed over to the governor's and demanded that he summon Meigs before him and inquire his business to New Haven.
"'Has Mr. Meigs committed any misdemeanor?' inquired the governor.
"'None,' replied the officers, 'but we have suspicion that he goes to give information.'
I have no authority to detain him except upon complaint and information of some misdemeanor,' replied the governor.
"The regicides had undoubtedly been in hiding for several weeks at the house of Mr. Davenport, which stood on the south side of the present Elm Street in New Haven, about half-way between Orange and State. Directly opposite lived Mr. William Jones, son-in-law of
Governor Theophilus Eaton, whose father, a brother-in-law of Cromwell, was one of
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