294 INTRODUCTION. chap, viii. midst of these measures, the assembly was 1722, dissolved, with an angry speech which had no tendency to conciliate parties. The new legislature met in the same temper, which had been manifested by the old. To pre-existing causes of difference, fresh matter was now added by an Indian war which had become inevitable. The general court entered into measures directing the mode of conduct- ing the war, and the disposition of the militia to serve in it, which were objected to by the governor, who insisted that by the charter, the government of the militia was exclusively vested in him. Not content with regulating militia affairs while in session, they resolved " that a committee to consist of eleven mem- bers of the two houses, seven of the house of representatives, and four of the council, should meet in the recess of the court, once in four- teen days, and oftener if occasion should re- quire, to concert what steps and methods should be put in practice relative to the war, and having agreed on any projections or de- signs, to lay them before his excellency for his approbation, who is desired to take effectual care to carry them into speedy execution." In the midst of the contest for the power of managing the existing war with the Indians, the governor who had privately solicited and obtained leave to return to England, suddenly embarked on board the Sea Horse man of war,
