293 INTRODUCTION. chap. vni. nor to negative the speaker, and the right of 1726. the house respecting the subject of adjourn- ment. An explanatory charter, therefore, passed the seals, affirming the power claimed by the governor to negative a speaker, and denying to the house of representatives the right of adjourning itself for a longer time than two days. It was left to the option of the general court to accept or refuse this charter; but it was at the same time intimated to them, that in the event of their refusing it, the whole controversy between the governor and house of representatives would be laid before parlia- ' ment. The conduct of the house on the other subjects of contest had been so generally con- demned in England, and the ministry were so incensed at it, that it was feared, the conse- quence of a parliamentary inquiry would be an aet to vacate the /charter. The temper of the house too had greatly changed. The vio- lence and irritation which marked their pro- ceedings through the contest with governor Shute, had, in a great degree, subsided; and although several members who had been active in support of those measures which led to the present difficulty, were ready to risk every thing rather than relinquish a single pri- vilege they had claimed, the majority deter- mined to accept the new charter. 1727. The trade of the province still languished, and complaints of the scarcity of money were
