INTRODUCTION. 49 



quence ; nothing being more known, than the aptness of such bodies to assume 

 to themselves many privileges which prove destructive to, or very often disturb 

 the peace of the government, where they are allowed ; neither do I see any use 

 for them. Things that need redress may be sure to find it at the quarter sessions, 

 or by appeals to myself." The discontent of the colonists was not allayed by this 

 answer. The governor proceeded to England for instructions, and returned with 

 the information that the proprietor had condescended to limit to a term of three 

 years the existing arbitrary imposts ; a concession, which only served to excite 

 universal disgust. The influence of William Penn, however, prevailed upon the 

 Duke of York, and he granted, in 1683, what was called a "charter of liberties." 

 It declared that supreme legislative power should forever reside in the governor, 

 a council, and the people ; and gave to freeholders and freemen the privilege of 

 voting for representatives. The assembly consisted of seventeen members, a 

 number which was gradually increased to twenty-seven before the commencement 

 of the revolution ; and the charter declared that no tax should be assessed on 

 any pretence whatever, without consent of the assembly. But the governor was 

 appointed by the proprietor, and the council were appointed by the governor, 

 and both the governor and proprietor retained the right to negative all bills, and 

 to prorogue and dissolve the assembly. No sooner had the duke ascended the 

 throne of England, than he sought to overturn the constitution which had thus 

 been founded. He decreed a direct tax upon the colony, by ordinance, and 

 instructed the governor to reorganize the council, and to make laws, levy taxes, and 

 control the militia, with the consent of the council alone ; and added to these 

 instructions an injunction to suffer no printing press to be established in the colony. 



The revolution of 1688 was hailed throughout the colony as the harbinger of 

 liberty. The general assembly was again reorganized, and the government 

 assumed forms somewhat conducive to the maintenance of law and order; but 

 still denying to the people rights enjoyed by their fellow subjects in England, 

 and maintaining a policy injurious to the growth and prosperity of the colony. 

 The governor was directed by queen Anne to take especial care that the Al- 



Intr. 7 



