George Bancroft, History of the United States from the Discovery of the American Continent, Vol. 4, 15th edition.

[431] enjoyed a full third of all the fines imposed on goods

chap. XVIII.} 1762.

that were condemned. The legislature, angry that Hutchinson, as chief justice, in defiance of the plain principles of law, should lend himself to the schemes of the crown officers, began to perceive how many offices he had selfishly accumulated in his own hands. Otis, whose mind was deeply imbued with the writings of Montesquieu, pointed out the mischief of uniting in the same person executive, legislative, and judicial powers; but four or five years passed away before the distinction was much heeded; and in the mean time the judges were punished by a reduction of their salaries. The general writs of assistance, which were clearly illegal,¹ would have been prohibited by a provincial enactment, but for the negative of the governor.

The commotion, which at first was confined to Boston, was expected to extend to the other ports. The people were resolved that their trade should no longer be kept under restrictions; and began to talk of procuring themselves justice.²