[May 31, 1763.] Both houses in their address to him expressed themselves thus: “We congratulate your excellency upon that unanimity which your excellency recommends, and which was never greater in the province than at that time.”—The governor at the close of the session, declared his great satisfaction, in having observed, that the unanimity they assured him of, had fully evinced itself throughout all their proceedings. But the lieutenant governor, Mr. _Hutchinson_, gained after a while too much ascendency over him, and encouraged him in the pursuit of wrong measures, highly offensive to the colony. He had indeed done him an irreparable injury, not long after his coming to the chair. Colonel _James Otis_ (who was repeatedly returned for _Barnstable_, in _Plymouth_ county, notwithstanding the strenuous efforts which had been made to prevent it, on account of his siding with government) being a lawyer, had been promised by Mr. Shirley, when in the chair, to be made a judge of the superior court, upon an opportunity’s offering. The first vacancy which happened, was filled up by the appointment of the secretary’s son-in-law; for which Mr. Shirley apologized by pleading a promise made to the secretary, and his having forgotten the former one. Mr. Otis was satisfied with a fresh assurance of the next vacancy, which was considered by him in the light of a governmental promise; and it was expected that whenever a new vacancy happened, Mr. Otis would be appointed. There was no new vacancy till a short time after governor Bernard entered upon his administration, when chief justice _Sewall_ died.—Upon this death, Mr. _James Otis_, the son, of whom there will be a call to make frequent mention, expressed himself as follows: “If governor Bernard does not appoint my father judge of the superior court, I will kindle such a fire in the province as shall singe the governor, though I myself perish in the flames.” Mr. Hutchinson, however hurried to Mr. Bernard, procured a promise, which being once given, the governor would not retract, and got himself appointed chief justice, by which he gratified both his ambition and covetousness, his two ruling passions. The friends of government regretted the appointment, foreboding the evils it would produce. The governor lost the influence and support of colonel Otis. The son quitted the law place he held; would never be persuaded to resume it, or to accept of another; joined himself to the party which was jealous that the views of administration were unfavorable to the rights of the colony, and stood ready to oppose all encroachments; and soon became its chief leader. He signalised himself by pleading in a most masterly manner, against granting _writs of assistance_ to custom-house officers. These writs were to give them, their deputies, &c. a general power to enter any houses, &c. that they would _say they suspected_. The custom-house officers had received letters from home, directing them to a more strenuous exertion in