Justice William O. Douglas wrote that King Charles II adopted severe measures against noncomformists. One of those acts was the Conventicle Act of 1664. This forbade “conventicles” or religious assemblies of more than 5 people, outside of the Church of England. This act, part of the Clarendon Code, aimed to discourage nonconformism. One group raided …
My Country – William Bradford In February 1689, William Bradford was charged with printing the Charter without permission. Justice Douglas argued, based on the transcript of the hearing before the Governor, that this case gave life to the First and Fifth Amendments. In his trial, Bradford, first, asked to know his accusers. William Bradford also argued …