officers and ministers, civil and military, and all other inhabitants of our said territory and dominion, to be obedient, aiding and assisting unto you, the said Sir Edmund Andros, in the execution of this, our commission, and of the powers and authorities therein mentioned; and upon your death, or absence out of said territory, unto the Commander-in-chief, to whom Wee do therefore by these presents give and grant all and singular, the powers and authorities aforesaid, to be exercised and enjoyed by him during our pleasure, or until your arrival within our said territory and dominion. And if in case of such death or absence there be no person on the place appointed by us to be Commander-in-chief, our will and pleasure is that the then present Council of our said territory aforesaid do take upon them the administration of the government, and execute this commission and the several powers and authorities herein contained, and that the first councillor who shall be, at the time of your death or absence, residing within the same, do preside in our said Council, with such powers and preeminences as any former President hath used and enjoyed within our said territory, or any other of our plantations in America, until our pleasure be further known, or your arrival as aforesaid. And lastly, our will and pleasure is that our Commission, bearing date the seven and twentieth day of September, in the first year of our reign, constituting our trusty and well-beloved Joseph Dudley, Simon Bradstreet, William Stoughton, Esqrs, and others, to be our President and Council of our territory and dominion of New-England, do, from the publication of these presents, cease and become void. And that you, the said Sir Edmund Andros, shall and may hold and execute and enjoy the office and place of our Captain-General and Governor-in-chief in and over our territory and dominion aforesaid, with all its rights, transfers and appurtenances whatsoever, together with all and singular the powers and authorities hereby granted unto you, for and during our will and pleasure.* In witness, &c.

Passed in May, 1686.

In witness whereof we have caused these our Letters to be made Patents.

Witness ourself, at Westminster, the third day of June, in the second year of our reign.

Per bre de Privato Sigillo.

BARKER.

Respecting the administration of Andros in New-Hampshire, Belknap says (Farm. Belk., pp. 119-120): "By this commission, the Governor, with his Council, five of whom were a quorum, were empowered to make such laws, impose such taxes, and apply them to such purposes, as they should think proper. They were also empowered

Documents relating to Governor Andros's Admin

istration.

[From Mass. Hist. Coll., vol. vii. 3d series, pp. 164-174.]

Confirmation of Colonial Officers.

By His Excellency, the Governor in Council.

These are to declare and publish, that all officers civil and military, and the officers of his Majesty's Revenues together with all duties and imposts as now settled in this town of Boston, and other parts of this Government, are continued till further order, and all persons are required to conform thereunto accordingly. E. RANDOLPH, Secretary.

COUNCIL HOUSE, Dec. 20, 1686.

[Mass. Hist. Coll., vol. vii. 3d series, p. 164.]

Order for the first Colonial Meeting under Sir Edmund Andros. Sir,

His Excellency Sir Edmund Andros, Knight, Captain General and Governor in Chief, arrived here yesterday, at which time his Majesty's commission, bearing date the third of June last, was published, his Excellency has appointed a General Council, to be

to grant lands on such terms, and subject to such quit-rents, as should be appointed by the king. Invested with such powers, these men were capable of the most extravagant actions. Thereupon Andros, like his master, began his administration with the fairest professions, yet, like him, he soon violated them, and proved himself a fit instrument for accomplishing the most execrable designs.

"To particularize the many instances of tyranny and oppression which the country suffered from these men is not within the design of this work; let it suffice to observe, that the press was restrained, liberty of conscience infringed, exhorbitant fees and taxes demanded, without the voice or consent of the people, who had no privilege of representation. The charter [of Massachusetts] being vacated, it was pretended that all titles to land were annulled; and as to Indian deeds, Andros declared them no better than the scratch of a bear's paw.' Landholders were obliged to take out patents for their estates, which they had possessed forty or fifty years. For these patents extravagant fees were exacted; and those who would not submit to this imposition had writs of intrusion brought against them, and their land was patented to others. To hinder the people from consulting about the redress of their grievances, town meetings were prohibited, except one in the month of May for the choice of town officers; and, to prevent complaints being carried to England, no person was permitted to go out of the country without express leave from the Governor. But, notwithstanding all the vigilance of the Governor, his emissaries and his guards, the resolute and indefatigable INCREASE MATHER, minister of the Second Church in Boston and President of the College, got on board a ship and sailed for England, with complaints in the name of the people against the Governor, which he delivered with his own hand to the King; but, finding no hope of redress, he waited the event of the Revolution, which was then expected."

holden here on Thursday the 30th of this instant, December, and directed me to acquaint all the members thereof, that they may be present accordingly. His Excellency presents his humble services to you, and would be glad to see you at Boston.

I am, Sir,

Your humble servant,

EDWARD RANDOLPH.

[Mass. Hist. Coll., vol. vii. 3d series, p. 166.]

The first Meeting of the Council under Andros.

At a Council held in Boston, New England, on Thursday, December 30, 1686, present

His Excellency, Sir EDMUND ANDROS, Knight Governor:

JOSEPH DUDLEY,

THOMAS HINCKLEY,

RICHARD WHARTON,

EDWARD TYNG,

WAIT WINTHROP,
JNO. USHER,

BARNABY LOTHROP,

JOHN WALLEY,

JOHN COGGESHALL,

RICHARD ARNOLD,

WILLIAM STOUGHTON,

JONATHAN TYNG,
WILLIAM BRADFORD,

DANIEL SMITH,

NATHANIEL CLARK,
WALTER NEWBURY,
JOHN ALBORough,

EDWARD RANDOLPH, Sect.

Upon opening of the Council, his Excellency commanded the members to be called over by their names, and take their places, as set down in certain articles of instruction from his Majesty, to his Excellency the Governor.

The members of the Council being accordingly seated, his Majesty's commission for government of this his Territory and Dominion of New-England, was read, and also, the instructions under his Majesty's sign Manual empowering his Excellency to revise the Charter of Rhode Island and Providence Plantation, was likewise read.

His Excellency proceeded to administer the oath of allegiance, and the oath, also, for the due administration of justice, and commanded such persons of the Council, as had not already taken these oaths, to stand up and answer to their names, viz. Thomas Hinckley, Walter Clark, Barnaby Lathrop, William Bradford, Daniel Smith, Jno. Walley, Nathaniel Clark, John Coggeshall, Walter Newbury, Richard Arnold and John Alborough, who (all of them) Walter Clark and Walter Newbury excepted, did take the oath, and showed assent thereto, by holding up their right hands.

Walter Clark and Walter Newbury, gave also their express consent to the oath of allegiance, and the oath for the administration of justice in the Government, according as directed in his Majesty's late commission to the President and Council, professing themselves obliged in all good conscience before God so to do, and that, under the utmost penalties of perjury in all respects, the

members of the Council, being severally asked their opinion, did allow of their protestation. His Excellency in a short discourse, encouraged the members to freedom in debates.

Walter Clark and Walter Newbury, acknowledge the surrender of the Charter made to his Majesty at Windsor, but fearing that surrender was not effectual for avoiding all mistakes, they had presented another humble address to his Majesty under the public Seal of this Colony, and had sent over agents to pray his Majesty's favor towards them, and W. Clark further added, the Charter of Rhode Island was in his custody at Newport. It was moved that a Proclamation should be made through all the Colonies and Provinces of this Government, that all officers both Civil and Military, should be continued in their places of trust, that the laws not repugnant to the laws of England in the several Colonies, should be, and observed during his Excellency's pleasure.

Ordered, that the proclamation be drawn up and presented to his Excellency in Council to-morrow by nine of the clock in the morning.

On Friday, John Fitz Winthrop and John Jenks took their seats, as members of the preceding Council.

JAMES REX.

[Mass. Hist. Coll., vol. vii. 3d series, p. 161.]

Commission to Edward Randolph.*

James the Second by the Grace of God, King of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, and to all to whom these presents shall come, greeting. Whereas we have thought fit to appoint a President and Council, until we shall send over a Governor-in-Chief to take care of all our Territory and Dominion in New-England, commonly called or known by the names of the Colony of the Massachusetts Bay, the Provinces of New-Hampshire and Maine, and the Narraganset Country, otherwise called the King's Province, with all the islands, rights and members thereunto belonging, Know ye, that we reposing especial trust and confidence in the loyalty and abilities of our trusty and well-beloved Edward Randolph, Esq, have given and granted, and, by these presents, do give and grant unto him the said Edward Randolph, the several and respective places and offices of Secretary and sole Register of our Governor and Council, and of our government there, for the time being, of and in our Territories and Dominion aforesaid, and him, the said Edward Randolph, Secretary and Register of our said Territory and Dominion, we do, by these presents, make, ordain, and constitute, to have, hold, exercise and enjoy the said places and offices, or to him, the said Edward Randolph, by himself or his deputy or deputies during

* Edward Randolph, whose commission is here given, was, like Andros, a man of an arbitrary and tyrannical spirit. His agency in behalf of Robert Mason, in NewHampshire, is given in Prov. Pap., vol. i. p. 339. His office and character rendered him peculiarly odious to the people of this Province.

our pleasure, together with all fees, rights, privileges, profits, perquisites and advantages, to the said places and offices, or either of them, belonging or in any wise appertaining in as full and ample manner to all intents and purposes, as the Secretary and Register of our Island of Jamaica, or of any other of our Plantations in America have had or do now receive and enjoy. And hereof all persons, whom it may concern. are to take due notice, and yield obedience thereunto accordingly.

Given at our Court at Windsor, the 21st day of September, 1685, in the first year of our reign.*

[Mass. Hist. Coll., vol. vii. 3d series, p. 154.]

Letter from Edward Randolph to the Lord Treasurer.

May it please your Lordship.

BOSTON, IN NEW ENGLAND, }

1686.

By the blessing of God and your Lordship's favour, I have performed his Majesty's commands, and brought this people to a nearer dependence upon the Crown. I have likewise served 2 writs of Quo Warranto, upon the other 2 Colonies of Connecticut and Rhode Island, who are preparing to make their humble submission to his Majesty. But unless his Majesty please, in a very short time, to send us over a General Governor from England, all that is already done, will be of little advantage to his Majesty's interest. The independent faction still prevails, and persons of dangerous principles from England, Ireland and other places are here received and highly encouraged. They have put Captain Blackwell Oliver, treasurer in London, son-in-law to Lambert, excepted in the Act of Indemnity, and a violent Commonwealth's man, to be of the commission of the peace, and a man consulted with in all public affairs. The independent ministers and others, make every ill use of his Majesty's indulgence and liberty of conscience, some of them have spoken treasonable words in their pulpits, of which (to no purpose) I have complained to the President and Council, so that I am humbly of opinion, that liberty of conscience will much obstruct the settlement of this place, unless duly regulated by the authority of a prudent Governor sent hither. Your Lordship may please to remember, that this commission was but temporary, and served only to unhinge the Commonwealth, which, for many years, was usurped and managed by a faction. All the members of the present Council, Mr. Mason and myself excepted, are either church members, or strong abettors of that party, and even Mr. Dudly, our President was not long since a zealous preacher amongst us, and though, while in London, he pretended to be of the Church of England, yet, since he is made President,

* Though this commission is dated before the suspension of our Charter government, yet it was prepared for the "Usurpation Administration," and, therefore, is located with its documents.