In fact, he was rather good-natured, thinking more of pleasures and beautiful mistresses than of vengeance; but it was only natural that he should feel anxious to bring the murderers of his father to the scaffold.
He had no love for Puritan Massachusetts and threatened to deprive them of their liberties, demanding the retiring of the charter, which they refused to surrender.

Various rumors went to England to the detriment of the people of Massachusetts.

The New Englanders were not ignorant of the great dangers they incurred by refusing to comply with the demand of the sovereign.

In January, 1663, the council for the colonies complained that the government there had withdrawn all manner of correspondence, as if intending to suspend their obedience to the authority of the king.

It was currently reported in England that Whalley and Goffe were at the head of an army.