His eldest son was the one chosen for this purpose, but he unfortunately died on the voyage. With great promptness, the father sent his second son, Augustus, who was then barely twelve years old, to take his place. This happened A. D. 1677. The troubles and persecutions wliich Mr. Jay seemed to have foreseen, and which preceded the revocation of the Edict of Nantes, now commenced, and in January, 1(385, the Protestant church at Rochelle was pulled down, pursuant to a decree passed at that time. Finding that the Protestants still continued the exercise of their religion, and were i:ot to be forced to change it by any ordinary means, a regiment of dragoons was despatched to that portion of the country, and quartered upon the Protestant inhabitants. "VVe have full evidence that these armed missionaries had free license to make their hosts as uncomfortable as possible, and were encouraged to practice upon them those insults so easily perpetrated by unrestrained and licentious soldiery.

We can easily im.agine what must have been the situation of a pious family, and what the feelings of a husband and a father under such circumstances. Mr. Jay determined that those nearest and dearest to him should no longer be exposed to insult and contamination ; and, finding a safe opportunity, he secretly sent his family, together with several articles of value, on board a vessel bound for England. This vessel arrived in safety. The departure of his family did not long remain undiscovered ; and