INTRODUCTION. 291 wards this vote was reconsidered, they would chap, vnr. only give ten pounds. 1720. It had been usual, at the beginning of the session, to make a grant to the governor for his salary for half the year. This business was deferred until an adjournment was about to take place, and then, notwithstanding the depreciation of the money, the salary was reduced from six, to five hundred pounds per annum. In July the governor adjourned them without taking any notice of these proceedings. During the recess, some depredations were committed by the eastern Indians, in conse- quence of which the general court was con- vened before the time to which it had been adjourned. The house of representatives im- mediately passed a resolution, which was deemed tantamount to a declaration of war, and consequently an invasion of the governor's prerogative, and was therefore negatived by the council. The ill humour of the house of representatives continuing, and the council not joining them, they made attempts, in some instances, to act alone; and at this session, one hundred pounds were again deducted from the usual allowance made semi-annually to the governor. On this occasion, he laid before them instructions from the crown, di- recting him to recommend to the assembly to establish for him a fixed and adequate salary. To this they replied, ' ' that they humbly con- p p 2
