To enter into the minute particulars of this disastrous period would be surperfluous; suffice it to say, that now commenced a renewal of the outrageous proceedings of former years. Commissioners were sent into the provinces to dispossess the Reformed of all they held as citizens ; nothing awaited them but fines, humiliation, and poverty. Troops of soldiers were quartered among them, who inflicted the most horrid barbarities, while others scoured the country, and dragooned men into false confessions. And not only this ; hundreds were condemned to the gal-

Anna of La RocheUe.

a Sketch of the Huguenots, Christian Intelligencer, Mr. Disosway.

HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.

leys, and sent to the French provinces in America. One of their 6\vn ministers, Jurieu, informs us that a friend of his saw a great number of men, at Aries, fastened to the horses, underneath, by means of cords, followed by long carts filled with men and women, tied by their waists to the carts ! and these were carried to Marseilles, to be shipped to America ; others again were sent to the islands of this country in the king's ships, to be sold, like slaves, to those who would give most for them.'1 Wearied with the incessant persecution, and despairing of repose around their native hearths, the Huguenots began to leave France for more secure regions. Their well-known industry and skill made them welcome in every Protestant country. No less than five hundred thousand thus escaped, and found homes in Germany, Holland, and England. "b King Charles II. granted letters of denization in council, under the great seal, and assured the exiles that, at the next meeting of Parliament, he would introduce a bill by which they should be naturalized; relieved them at the moment from importation duties and passport fees, and encouraged voluntary contributions for their support.