Octoer 30th '93.
Sir:
I have been in this Collony 20 dayes laboreing to perswade a stubborne people to theire dewty. I Publis'd their Majesties [William and Mary] Commission in theire General Court att Hartford. Assured them I had noe pretentions to their civell adminestration. But the mallitia being lodged in the Crowne ... I came with commission under the greate seale to take that ... charge. They refused all obedienc. Have sepperated not only from the Church, But Crowne of England; and allowe of noe appeale from theire Courts, nor the Lawes of England to have any force amongst them. Some of the wiseest have saide "Wee are not permitted to vote for any members of Parliamt, and therefore [are] not lyable to theire lawes." [Expresses military dangers due to refusal.]
I never sawe the like people. ... I could not force obedience haveing noe Company but a few servants and two friends; nor did I think it the King's service to carry on the contest to Bloude, tho they threaten to draw mine for urging my Masters right ... I have just now a letter from a sure freinde acquainting mee the mobb have a designe upon my life. I must not goe out of the way, tho' very thinly attended....
[The following November 10, Fletcher wrote from New York to the Committee on the Colonies urging that the Connecticut Charter be proceeded against under a writ of quo warranto, with a view of uniting that colony with New York. The same letter describes in detail the serious perils from French and Indians. One paragraph should be quoted: "Our hardships grow upon us. Canada ... hath received seven hundred men and stores of Warr from France this last Summer. Our Indians falter ... These small Colonies ... are [as] much divided in theire interest and affection as Christian and Turk. ...">[
112. Commission of a Royal Governor
New Hampshire Provincial Papers, VI, 908 (edited by N. Benton).
This commission, in compact form, describes the government of a royal colony just before the Revolution. The omissions (indicated by ...) are mainly tautological phrases.
George the Third, by the grace of God of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, King....