[1722.] The house of assembly attempted to take from colonel _Shute_, those powers in matters relative to the war, which belonged to him by the constitution, and to vest them in a committee of the two houses. They by degrees acquired, from the governor and council, the keys of the treasury; and no monies could be issued, not so much as to pay an express, without the vote of the house for that purpose; whereas by the charter, all monies were to be paid out of the treasury, “by warrant from the governor, with the advice and consent of the council.” The ministry were greatly offended at the governor’s being made uneasy; for colonel _Shute_ was known at court and the offices of state, under the character of a very worthy gentleman, of a singular good temper, fitted to make any people under his command happy. When, therefore, they found the contrary in the _Massachusetts_, they concluded, that the people wished to have no governor from _Great-Britain_, but wanted to be independent of the crown. The cry of the city of _London_ ran exceedingly against them; and a scheme, that had been long planned for taking away the charter, had nearly been executed; but was fortunately frustrated by the indefatigable pains of Mr. _Dummer_, their then agent. Their own council at home were obliged to a confession of their illegal proceedings. [Jan. 15, 1725.] An explanatory charter was prepared, proposed, and accepted. Had it not been accepted, the design was to have submitted to the consideration of the British legislature, “What further provision may be necessary to support and preserve his majesty’s authority in the colony, and prevent similar invasion of his prerogative for the future.”[55] It had been usual to give instructions to the several governors, to recommend to the assembly the establishing of a salary suitable to the dignity of their post; but the house had always declined complying, prudently apprehensive, that disagreable consequences might ensue, from the independency of the governor on the people over whom he was placed. These instructions were renewed when governor _Burnet_ was appointed to the chair, who adhering to them, and showing a fixed determination not to part with govermental rights, warm disputes followed between him and the house of representatives; whose treatment of him was so unwarrantable, that the council board [1729.] within a week after the affair, expressed their concern at the unbecoming and undutiful treatment given to his excellency, in the message of the house on the sixth of December. In divers instances they showed such a disposition to encroach upon the prerogative, to wrangle with their governor, and to dispute with the crown, that the ministry and other persons in public offices, as is natural for those who look for submissive compliance, were much irritated; and improved to the utmost all advantages to excite prejudices against them.