Province of the Massachusetts Bay Augt 2. 1760 His Excelly Francis Bernard Esq3 took the Oaths appointed by Act of Parliament to be taken instead of the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy, repeated & Subscribed the Test or Declaration therein Contained together with the Oath of Abjuration, and an Oath for the due Observance of the several Laws and Statutes now in force for the regulating Trade & navigation in America, likewise the Oath for the due and faithful performance of his Duty in the respective offices to which he is appointed. Which Oaths were administred by the Lieut Gov Before his Majesty's Council and the House of Representatives Attest A OLIVER Secy 1 Clergy, and merchants as aforesaid; all the Kings Officers, and Officers of the Customs as aforesaid the Gentlemen of the Law, and other Gentlemen of Distinction be invited to be present, at the Proclaiming of his majesty to morrow. noon And that Provision be made for his Excellency the Governor, his Honour the Lieutenant Governor, the Gentlemen that are, or have been of his Majesty's Council, the members of the House of Representatives, and the Gentlemen before mentioned, to drink the Kings Health at Faneuil Hall, in the Evening. And that the Court House be illuminated on the Occasion (Court Records, xxiii. 505). The following account appeared in the Boston News Letter of January 1, 1761: L BOSTON, January 1. 1761. AST Thursday we had a Report from Europe of the Death of His Britannick Majesty King GEORGE the Second; which Report was confirmed on the Saturday following by the public Prints brought by the Race-Horse, Captain Samuel Partridge, who arrived here that Day from London, but in 40 Days from Portsmouth: - .. Tuesday in the Forenoon, His Honour the Lieut. Governor, the Honourable his Majesty's Council and House of Representatives, and a Number of other Gentlemen, waited upon his Excellency the Governor at the Province House; from whence they walked in Procession to the Council-Chamber, being escorted by the Company of Cadets, commanded by Colonel Jarvis: The Regiment of Militia, commanded by Colonel Phillips, were mustered on the Occasion, and appeared under Arms in King-Street. About XII o'Clock the Proclamation (which follows in the next Column) was read, and repeated with a loud Voice from the Balcony of the Court-House; and on finishing with GOD save the KING, three Huzzas were given by a vast Concourse of People of all Ranks, assembled on this Occasion; which was followed by three Vollies from the Regiment of Militia and Company of Cadets: And upon a Signal given, 63 Pieces of Cannon were discharged at Castle William, and also a Round at each of the Batteries in this Town and at Charlestown. In the Evening there were publick Illuminations, and a handsome Entertainment provided at Faneuil-Hall, where the Health of his Majesty King GEORGE the Third, the Royal Family, and many other loyal Healths were drank. - The whole Ceremony was carried on and concluded with great Decency and good Decorum (p. 1/1). 1 Crown Commissions, 1628-1663, p. 184. Bernard was Governor from August 2, 1760,' to August 1, 1769. The Boston Evening Post of August 7, 1769, said: On Monday last His Excellency Governor BERNARD left his Seat at Roxbury and went to Castle William. The next Morning about Nine o'clock he embarked on board His Majesty's Ship Rippon, then lying in King-Road. The Wind being fair the Ship came the 2 sail, but soon after the Wind shifting to the East, she anchored again a Mile or two below her former Moorings, where she lay till Friday Morning, when she came to sail again and went out with a fair Wind (p. 3/1).3 With the departure of Governor Bernard, the government again devolved upon Lieutenant-Governor Hutchinson; and on August 2 His Excellency Sir Francis Bernard Bart Governor of this Province having embarked for Great Britain, His Honor the Lieutenant Governor came into the Council Chamber, and in the presence of the Council took the Oaths appointed by Act of Parliament to be taken, instead of the Oaths of Allegiance & Supremacy, repeated and subscribed the Test or Declaration therein contained, together with the Oath of Abjuration, as also an Oath that he would do his utmost that all clauses matters and things contained in the Acts of Parliament passed as well since as before the enacting of the Act of the 7th and 8th of William the Third and at this time in force, relating to the Colonies and Plantations, and that all and every the clauses contained in the said Act intitled "An Act for preventing Frauds and regulating Abuses in the Plantation Trade" be punctually and bona fide observed, according to the true intent and meaning thereof: And that he would faithfully perform the duties of his Office of Commander in chief of said Province, according to the best of his judgment and skill. After which His Honor took the chair.4 1 The Boston Evening Post of August 4, 1760, said (p. 3/1): Saturday last about one o'clock, came to Town by land from Providence, his Excellency FRANCIS BERNARD, Esq; with his Majesty's Royal Commission to be Captain-General, Governor and Commander in Chief in and over his Majesty's Province of the Massachusetts-Bay; as also a Commission from the Right Honourable the Lords of the Admiralty, to be Vice-Admiral of the same, &c. 2 Error for "to." The same paper of August 7, 1769, said: His Excellency upon his embarking, having delivered the Province Seal to the Lieutenant Governor, Wednesday last His Honor in Council took the Oaths appointed by Acts of Parliament in order to take upon him the Administration of the Province (p. 3/1). Council Records, xvi. 431. Hutchinson was Acting Governor from August 2, 1769, to March 14, 1771, when he became actual Governor. THOMAS HUTCHINSON was commissioned Governor by George III on November 28, 1770. On March 11, 1771, The Lieutenant Governor acquainted the Board that he had received His Majesty's Commission, appointing him Captain General and Commander in Chief of the Province, and had received orders therwith to cause his Commission to be published in the usual form. That it had been usual on such occasions to have the Regiment of the Town of Boston in Arms, but that as the Streets are at this time full of Snow and water, he thinks it would be very inconvenient to assemble such a body of men, as their health must be much exposed by being so long on foot in the Streets at such a time. He therefore thought it would be sufficient to be attended only by the Troop of Guards and a Company made up of Non-Commissioned Officers of the Regiment, together with a Detachment of the Train of Artillery, which under the present circumstances, he apprehended might answer all the purposes of a Military appearance on this occasion:- Upon which the Board expressed their intire approbation of the proposal, and His Honor signified that he should give orders accordingly. His Honor likewise proposed that instead of having a Publick Dinner on the day when the Commission should be opened, there should be the usual preparation made as when the King's health is drank, in the Council Chamber, for entertaining the Company that may be then present. To which His Majesty's Council did Advise and Consent. And further Advised, that Thursday next, be appointed for observing the Ceremony aforesaid.1 Accordingly, on March 14 Hutchinson was sworn: Province of the Massachusetts Bay } March 14. 1771. His Excellency Thomas Hutchinson Esq' having published his Com1 from his present Majesty to be Captain General and Governor in Chief of his Province of Mass Bay, took the Oaths appointed by Act of Parliament to be taken instead of the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy, repeated and subscribed the Test or declaration therein contained together with the Oath of Abjuration; and an Oath that he would do his utmost that all the Clauses, matters and things contained in the Acts of 1 Council Records, xvi. 532–533. Parliament passed as well since as before the enacting of the Act of the 7 and 8 of William the third and at this time in force relating to the Colonies & Plantations, and that all and every the Clauses contained in the said Act intituled "An Act for preventing frauds and regulating the abuses in the Plantation Trade" be punctually and bona fide observed according to the true intent and meaning thereof: and that he would faithfully perform the duties of the office of Captain General and Governor in Chief of the Province aforesaid according to the best of his Judgment and skill; Before us S DANFORTH WILLIAM BRATTLE Members of his Hutchinson was Governor from March 14, 1771, to May 17, 1774.2 THOMAS GAGE was commissioned Governor by George III on April 7, 1774. He reached Boston May 13,3 and on May 14 His Excellency the Governor introduced the Council to General Gage, who arrived from England the preceding day, and acquainted them that His Majesty had been pleased to appoint him Captain General and Governor in Chief of the Province, & that the General proposed to open his Commission as soon as might be. Whereupon they Advised that the Commission be published at the Council Chamber in Boston, on Tuesday the 17th Instant, and that His Excellency the Governor order the Regiment of the Militia of the Town, the Company of Cadets, and the Troop 1 Crown Commissions, 1677-1774, p. 124. 2 The following extract is from the Boston Evening Post of May 16, 1774: WHITEHALL, April 2. THOMAS HUTCHINSON, Esq; Governor of the Province of the Massachusets Bay, in North-America, having humbly requested his Majesty's leave to come to England, the King has been graciously pleased to comply therewith, and to appoint THOMAS GAGE, Esq. Lieutenant-General of his Majesty's forces, to be Captain-General and Governor in Chief of the said Province, and Vice-Admiral of the same, during his Majesty's pleasure (p. 1/3). Hutchinson himself left Boston June 1. The Boston Gazette of June 6 said: "Thomas Hutchinson, Esq; sailed Wednesday Morning with Capt. Callahan for London. Jonah laid three days in the Whale's Belly, on his Passage to Nineveh, that great City" (p. 1/1). "Friday last arrived here his Majesty's Ship Lively, Capt. Bishop, in 26 Days from England, in whom came his Excellency General GAGE" (Boston Evening Post, May 16, p. 2/3). of Horse Guards to appear in arms: that a public dinner be provided and a list of the Company proposed to be invited to dine on this occasion, be prepared for his approbation: and the Councellors present were appointed a Committee to see that suitable provision be made accordingly.1 His Excellency Thomas Gage Esq' having published his Commission from his present Majesty, to be Captain General and Commander in Chief of the Province aforesaid, took the Oaths appointed by Act of Parliament to be taken instead of the Oaths of Allegiance and supremacy, repeated and subscribed the Test or declaration therein contained together with the Oath of Abjuration, and an Oath that he would do his utmost that all the clauses, matters and things contained in the Acts of Parliament passed as well since as before the enacting of the 7 & 8 of William the third and at this time in force relating to the Colonies and plantations, and that all and every the clauses contained in the said Act intitled "An Act for preventing frauds and regulating the abuses in the plantation Trade," be punctually and bona fide observed according to the true intent and meaning thereof. And that he would faithfully perform the duties of his office of Captain General and Governor in Chief of the Province aforesaid according to the best of his Judgment and skill Before us SAMUEL DANFORTH JAMES BOWDOIN Members of his Majesty's Council 2 General Gage, the last Royal Governor, left Boston on October 10, 1775.3 1 Council Records, xvi. 794. 2 Crown Commissions, 1677-1774, p. 143. 3 The following paragraph appeared in the Boston News Letter of Friday, October 13, 1775: Last Tuesday, at 12 o'Clock, His Excellency General GAGE, accompanied by the principal Officers of the Army and Navy, and a large Number of the most respectable Inhabitants of this Town, proceeded to the Long-Wharf, where he embarked for England, having received his Majesty's Orders to repair thither to lay before his Majesty the State of Affairs in this Province. That kind and humane Disposition which his Excellency has discovered through the whole |