The Preservation of the Woods. 93 



New England as Governor Dudley's successor, brought against 

 the surveyor formal charges of neglect of duty and bribery, of- 

 fering as evidence written vouchers from Mr. Mico, Benjamin 

 Wentworth, Thomas Coram and others.^ An investigation of 

 the charges was ordered, but Bridger succeeded in clearing 

 himself to the satisfaction of the Board of Trade.- It appears 

 that, aside from the accusations against Bridger, numerous rep- 

 resentations had been made from time to time of the uselessness 

 of the office of surveyor now that the French and Indian wars 

 were over; so that the Admiralty had induced the king to issue 

 an order in council (December, 1714), that Mr. Bridger's allow- 

 ance should be discontinued.^ Bridger expressed his own 

 views of the importance of the surveyorship,* and one Archibald 

 Cummings, who himself aspired to the office, prepared a me- 

 morial to the efifect that, in his opinion, it was of greater conse- 

 quence than ever to the public service to keep up the care of the 

 w^oods, because in peace the inhabitants extended their farms, 

 cut up more timber and made new settlements in the timber 

 regions. He further suggested that the office was not so ex- 

 pensive in peace as in war, and closed his discourse with re- 

 marks on Bridger's mismanagement, intimating that he him- 

 self was eminently qualified to undertake the office and would 

 be pleased to receive the appointment.^ The first part of this 

 memorial seems to have made more impression on His Majesty 

 than the last suggestion; for, while it was decided to continue 

 the office, it was Bridger, and not Cummings, that received the 

 appointment." 



'Communications from Col. Burgess, B. T. New Eng., V: 51, 52; 

 deposition of Benj. Wentworth, V: 53; representation of Thos. Coram, 

 shipbuilder, V: 54. 



^Letter from Mr. Bridger defending himself from the charges 

 made against him, B. T. New Eng., V: 59. 



^Petition of Mr. Bridger, B. T. New Eng., V: 96. 



^Communication from Mr. Bridger relative to the requisites of a 

 surveyor, B. T. New Eng., V: 65. 



'Petition of Archibald Cummings, B. T. New Eng., V: 66. 



^His Majesty orders the Board to continue Bridger in his office 

 and prepare his commission, B. T. New Eng., V: 83. 



