But, to make matters worse, he wrote a pamphlet in which he boldly stated 1.

That the soil belonged to the Indians.
2.

That the settlers could obtain a valid title only by purchase from the Indians.
3.

That accepting a deed for the land from a mere intruder like the King of England was a sin requiring public repentance.
In the opinion of the people of New England such doctrine could not fail to bring down on Massachusetts the wrath of the King.

When, therefore, a little later, Endicott cut the red cross of St.George out of the colors of the Salem militia, the people considered his act a defiance of royal authority, attributed it to the teachings of Williams, and proceeded to punish both.