Chap XLI.} 1769. May. |
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of a year's salary,1 and who, for the moment, mixed
some distrust of Hutchinson2 with his sudden recall, met their complaint of the presence of troops by adjourning the Legislature to Cambridge; and insisting that by the King's instruction the grant of salaries must be the first Act of the Session, he chid the House for ‘a fortnight's non-activity,’ and a consequent waste of ‘time and treasure.’3
‘No time,’ replied the House, ‘can be better employed, than in the preservation of the rights derived from the British Constitution; no treasure better expended, than in securing that true old English liberty which gives a relish to every enjoyment;’4 and in earnest and distinct resolves, they iterated their opinions.5
The impatient Governor, eager for his salary, again places before them his own support as their first object.6 The House paid no heed to his entreaties; but by a unanimous vote, one hundred and nine members being present, petitioned the King to remove him for ever from the Government, enumerating many and just grounds of complaint.7 All this while Bernard, sure of the royal protection and blinded by avarice, was mainly intent on getting a year's salary.
Another week passes.
Contrary to the advice of all about him, he communicated to the Assembly8
1 Hutchinson to Bollan, 13 June, 1769.
2 I. Williams of Hatfield to Hutchinson, 3 May, 1769.
3 Message of Governor Bernard, 15 June, 1769. Bernard to Hutchinson, 17 June.
4 Message from the House of Representatives to the Governor, 19 June, 1769. Bradford, 172, 173.
5 Resolution of the House of Representatives, 21 June, 1769; Bradford, 174.
6 Message of Governor Bernard to the House of Representatives, June 21, 1769, Bradford, 175.
7 Petition of the House of Representatives to the King, 27 June, 1769; Bradford, 188 and 195. Samuel Adams to Dennys De Berdt, 13 July, 1769.
8 Message
Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1859.
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