Note 213 — Chapter II
Reading edition
As early as 1685 an ecclesiastical offender was offered an opportunity to emigrate to the new colony, as appears by the Privy Council minutes: “Whereas it has been this day represented to his majesty that Christopher Sibthorpe, brazier, is a prisoner in Woodstreet compter upon a capias on the Writt de excomunicato capiendo, his majesty was pleased to order the sheriffs of the city of London (taking good security that the said Christopher do forthwith transport himself and family to Pennsylvania in America and paying the charges of the court) sett him at liberty in order to his sayd voyage.” Acts of the Privy Council of England, Colonial Series (1910), Vol. II, p. 79, § 176. The exile was an active Friend.