LAST ROYAL GOVERNOR OF MASSACHUSETTS 15 



setts regarded as mere deputies, in duty bound to give 

 voice to the wishes or whims of the voters that sent 

 them to the legislature. The liberty accorded to them 

 of using their own judgment was narrow indeed. In 

 spite of his independence, Hutchinson was reflected 

 in 1738; but soon afterward in town meeting a set of 

 instructions were reported, enjoining it upon the rep- 

 resentatives of Boston to vote for the further emission 

 of paper. This measure was intended to curb the 

 refractory young man, but it only called him at once 

 to his feet with a powerful speech, in which he de- 

 nounced the instructions as foolish and wicked, and 

 ended by flatly refusing to obey them. Indignant 

 murmurs ran about the room, and one wrathful voice 

 shouted, " Choose another representative, Mr. Mod- 

 erator!" But this was too silly; it was not for the 

 presiding officer of a town meeting to seat or unseat 

 representatives. There was no help for it until next 

 year, when Hutchinson, who had been as good as his 

 word, was defeated at the polls. About this time a 

 typhoid fever struck him down, and for several weeks 

 he was at death's door. He had three very eminent 

 physicians, either of whom might have sat for the 

 portrait of Dr. Sangrado, but by dint of an ample 

 inheritance of vitality he withstood both drugs and 

 disease ; and presently, taking counsel of a sensible 

 friend, threw physic to the dogs, and recovered strength 

 by means of a judicious diet and horseback rides in 

 the country. One of the doctors lost his temper and 

 stormed about empirics and quacks ; the others showed 

 more candour. When Hutchinson found himself able 

 again to attend to business, the general confidence in 

 his uprightness and ability prevailed over the dislike 



