C. M. Andrews, _British Committees, Commissions, and Councils of Trade and Plantations, 1622-1675_, J. H. U. S., 1908, pp. 16 _f._ Footnote 376: _Acts Privy Council, Colonial_, vol. I, p. 199. The order is given in Hubbard, _History_, p. 153. Footnote 377: J. Winthrop, _History_, vol. I, pp. 161, 163. Meanwhile, Gorges was plying the English authorities with letters advising that a governor, “neither papistically nor scizmatically affected,” be appointed for New England, modestly suggesting that he himself was an eminently proper person for the office, and urging that the Massachusetts charter be repealed.[378] His wish was gratified as to the first two points, and it looked as if he was at last to see the shores of that land which had been the chief object of his thoughts for thirty years. Winslow, whose suit, at first, had seemingly prospered, was suddenly and dramatically confronted, in the presence of Laud, with his old enemy Morton of Merry Mount, and, as a result of the latter's accusations, was temporarily committed to prison.[379] Footnote 378: Baxter, _Gorges_, vol. III, pp. 261-75. Footnote 379: Bradford, _Plymouth_, p. 330. The grandiose scheme that Gorges had conceived contemplated the division of all New England among certain members of the old Council, and the validating of the individual assignments by legal sanctions. It was also arranged that the charter should then be resigned by that body, which had only too truly become, as the declaration read, “a Carcass in a manner breathless.”[380] This was done in April, and in the following month a writ of _Quo Warranto_ was entered, to deprive the Massachusetts company of its own charter, as the final step in the transformation of New England. Aside from the play of conflicting influences involved, the leaders, by their handling of affairs, had, without question, violated the terms of that instrument, and so had given their adversaries a reputable cause to plead. The verdict was adverse to the Company, judgment was entered against such of the patentees as appeared, and the remainder were outlawed. The patentees, however, refused to acknowledge the action of the courts, and the charter was not returned, though again demanded two years later.[381] Meanwhile, Gorges's new-risen hopes had been wholly dashed. Though he had been appointed governor, the King had provided him with no funds from the empty treasury, and Gorges's own resources were always inadequate for his undertakings. Mason, who was aiding him, suddenly died. The ship which was to have carried the knight to his new province broke as it was being launched, and delay followed delay, while the aspect of public affairs was rapidly changing. Footnote 380: Hazard, _Hist. Coll._, vol. I, p. 391. Footnote 381: Hutchinson, _History_, vol. I, p. 85; Hutchinson, _Papers_ (Prince Soc., Albany, 1865), vol. I, p. 119.