The Massachusetts Spy

For the MASSACHUSETTS SPY.

Mr. THOMAS,

Worcester, June 20, 1772.

MANY of us, (in this tory county as some are pleased to call it) carefully and constantly look into the political debates of the present day. In general, we are alarmed at the independency of the Gentleman now in the chair. It is very striking to read in Mr. Hutchinson's message to the House of June the thirteenth current—"I am now able to acquaint you that his Majesty has been graciously pleased to make provision for my support in the station in which he has thought fit to place me, and, as this is thought to be an adequate support, I must conclude it cannot be his Majesty's pleasure, that, without his special permission which has not yet been signified to me, I should accept of any grant from the province in consideration of the ordinary services of government done or to be done by me."

We all know that this adequate provision to render the person in the chair independent on the people, over whom he is appointed to preside as Governor, constitutes a tyrant and not a lawful or constitutional Governor.

We have often been informed, that according to the charter, the King has a right only to nominate and appoint, a governor; and that the representatives are in duty bound to originate and pass laws, to assess and levy taxes not only for the defence, "but also for the support of the government, in the which the support of the Governor is involved."

This solemn compact between the King and the people of this province, the charter, is violated by the parliament of Great-Britain, who have taken it into their heads to make this assessment and levy those taxes upon us, although we never empowered them thus to do; with just as much reason may the parliament of France or Spain do it!—The privilege of the Honourable House of Commons of this province is hereby violently invaded, and if I am rightly informed they feel the INSULT and are determined to resent it.

If they do not resume the right of supporting the Governor of this province, they betray an essential part of the trust reposed in them, for they do not preserve that dependence on the part of the Governor, that is necessary to form a just balance in the three branches and without which our system of government is dissolved.

The right claimed by the parliament of Great-Britain, to tax us without our consent, is the source of all the evils that we suffer as a people, luxury is arrived at such a height in the nation, that the whole current cash of the kingdom is not sufficient to support it, hence they are obliged to cross the Atlantic, and pillage us, and in order to do it effectually, the chief magistrate of this province must assist, but this assistance they cannot expect from him, unless he be allowed to share in the plunder, adequate provision is therefore made for his support in his station. So that unless we comply with every requisition, and make every concession he may, by instructions, be ordered to make upon the General Assembly, the house must be exiled, disgraced, or dissolved, and this poor people have no remedy but such as the law of nature provides.

Are we not reduced to a more abject and deplorable state than that of the aboriginal natives of America? I cannot but hope that the present General Court will find out some means to procure a restoration of our former privilege of paying our governor. If this cannot be obtained and their constituents be relieved from paying the unconstitutional tax laid on them to make him independent, we are, assuredly, of all men, called free, the most miserable. There is wisdom in the House, there is wisdom in the council, which if united may devise means to remedy this evil, if in the attempt Mr. Hutchinson should be offended and proclaim a dissolution of the Assembly, they will doubtless consider, that if he is no constitutional Governor, he cannot dissolve them; if this should appear to them to be the fact, they well know where the compact devolves the chief command.

HORATIO.