Page:History of the United States of America, Spencer, v1.djvu/189

] but the temptation appears to have been too great, and so he turned pirate himself. As it was an object to seize on Kidd, Lord Bellamont was charged with the duty of accomplishing it if he could find him. His own reputation and that of several of his friends depended upon his seizure, that being the only effectual way of removing the jealousies and sharp surmises, not only against several of the ministry but even the king himself. Kidd having buried his treasures on the east end of Long Island, burned his ship, and was daring enough to appear openly in Boston. He was arrested, sent to England for trial, where, with Bradish and others, he was executed.

Bellamont by his prudent course succeeded in obtaining a vote for a more liberal salary than any of his predecessors or successors, for the General Court voted him about $9,000 for the fourteen months he was with them. But he was not able to prevail upon them to rebuild the fort at Pemaquid, or pass ordinances enforcing the acts of trade. A like unwillingness to be shackled in their commercial interests operated in Rhode Island and Connecticut, and caused Bellamont a great deal of trouble and vexation. In 1701, while in New York and engaged in pretty sharp controversy growing out of the navigation act, Lord Bellamont suddenly died.

Joseph Dudley, an ambitious, but by no means a popular man, obtained the appointment of governor from the king. Having received his commission from Queen Anne, who succeeded William on the throne, Dudley reached Boston in 1702. In his first speech to the Council and Assembly, he informed them that he was commanded by her majesty to observe to them, "that there is no other province or government belonging to the crown of England, except this, where there is not provided a fit and convenient house for the reception of the governor, and a settled stated salary for the governor, lieutenant governor, secretary, judges, and all other officers; which, therefore, is recommended to you. And since this province is so particularly favored by the crown, in more instances than one, their more ready obedience is justly expected in this and all other occasions." The House, in their answer the next day, observed, "As for those points which, in obedience to her majesty's command, your excellency has laid before this House, we shall proceed with all convenient speed to the consideration of them." Having resolved that the sum of £500 be at this time presented out of the public treasury to the governor, the House, in their answer to some parts of his speech, observed, "As to settling a salary for the governor, it is altogether new to us; nor can we think it agreeable to our present constitution, but we shall be ready to do according to our ability, what may be proper on our part for the support of the government." The sturdy Bostonians had no intention of saddling themselves with any such burdens as these. Dudley could not bring them to the point, and indeed from this time it became a fruitful source of contention between the governor and the