Massachusetts Bay 



air becomes dryer and more wholesome, in propor- 

 tion as the woods are cut down, and the ground is 

 cleared and cultivated; but the cold is not less pierc- 

 ing, nor the snow less frequent. I think therefore 

 upon the whole, that America, though it may with 

 particular care and attention, produce small quan- 

 tities of tolerably good wool, will yet never be able 

 to produce it in such plenty and of such a quality 

 as to serve for the necessary consumption of its 

 inhabitants. 



The government of this province is lodged in the 

 hands of a governor or lieutenant-governor, ap- 

 pointed by the king; a council of twenty-eight per- 

 sons, chosen annually, with the governor's appro- 

 bation, by the general assembly;* and a house of 

 representatives f annually elected by the freeholders. 

 The governor commissions all the militia, and other 

 military officers; and, with consent of the council, 

 also nominates and appoints all civil officers, except 

 those that are concerned in the revenue. He calls 

 and adjourns the assembly, and has in every respect a 

 very extensive authority. His salary, with per- 



* They are chosen by the new representatives, and the last year's 

 counsellor; so that each counsellor has a vote in his own re-election. 

 The governor has a negative to every counsellor's election, with- 

 out being obliged to assign a reason. 



f Each representative must be resident in the township for which 

 he is elected; he must also have a plurality of votes respecting the 

 number of voters, and not in comparison only of the other candi- 

 dates; he is paid for his attendance and services, and subject to a 

 fine if he neglects them. 



[137] 



