George Bancroft, History of the United States from the Discovery of the American Continent, Vol. 6, 10th edition.

[40] correspondent, ‘they may be perfectly easy about

Chap. XXVII.} 1766. Nov.

the enjoyment of their rights and privileges under the present Administration.’ He enjoined moderation on every Governor, and was resolved to make no appointments but of men of ‘the most generous principles.’ To Bernard, whom he directed to pursue conciliatory measures,¹ he wrote no general approval of his conduct, no censure of the Assembly, no unqualified assertion of the legislative power of Parliament; but invited the colonial Legislature of itself to fall upon measures for terminating all local difficulties. The country people, as they read the letter, which was printed at the request of the Council, agreed with one another that the compensation it recommended, should be made. ‘The King,’ said they, ‘has asked this of us as a favor; it would be ungenerous to refuse.’²

On the re-assembling of the Legislature, Hawley's

Dec.

Bill prevailed by large majorities; yet it was also voted that the sufferers had no just claim on the Province,³ that the grant was of their own ‘free and good will,’⁴ and not from deference to ‘a Requisition.’ The Governor assented to an Act in which a colonial Legislature exercised the prerogative of clemency; and Hutchinson, saying ‘beggars must not be choosers,’ gave thanks, at the bar of the House, to his benefactors. But he treasured up the feeling of revenge, and the next year taking offence at some ex