Background of Crisis.v Less

dramatic than the Boston Massacre or Boston Tea Party, the mysterious case of Thomas Hutchinson's letters to British political figures, meant to inform them of American affairs and to suggest ways to handle the crisis of the 1760s, led directly to the crisis of the 1770s. The episode also demonstrates the differences between American and English conceptions of politics.

Francis Bernard.

Massachusetts governor Francis Bernard returned to England in 1769, determined to change the province's government, which gave too much power to the elected assembly. For example, the Governor's Council was elected by the assembly, and so instead of advising the governor, acted against him. The towns had far too much political power. Bernard wanted to reform this government, giving more power to the governor and less to the assembly and town meetings. In England, he found allies among the...