EDWARD RANDOLPH’S COMMISSION as COLLECTOR, SURVEYOR, AND SEARCHER OF CUSTOMS IN THE COLONIES OF NEW ENGLAND

15 October, 1681

Charles the second &c. To all to whome &c.

Whereas by severall Acts of Parliament vizt the Act of Tonnage and Poundage made in the twelfth yeare of our Reigne the Act for encouraging and increasing of Shipping and Navigac̃on made in the same yeare the Act for p^rventing Frauds and regulating abuses in our Customes made in the Fowerteenth yeare of our Raigne the Act for encouragem^t of Trade made in the Fifteenth yeare of our Raigne And the Act for encouragem^t of the Greenland and East land Trades and for better securing the plantacon trade made in the twenty Fifth yeare of our Raigne for the Keepeing of our Plantac̃ons beyond the Seas in a more firme dependance vppon this our Kingdome of England in asmuch as they are peopled with the subiects thereof and for the makeing this Kingdome a staple not onely of the comodities of those Plantac̃ons but alsoe of the Comodities of other Countryes for the supplyeing of them Provision hath beene made that noe comodities of Europe should bee carried to any the said Plantac̃ons but what should be bona fide shipped and laded in England and alsoe that the Comodities of the plantac̃ons ꝑticulerly therein enumerated and named should bee brought into this our Kingdome of England or Ireland Principality of Wales or towne of Berwicke vppon Tweede and that for such of the said Plantac̃ons Comodities for which bond should not bee First given before the ladeing thereof to bring the same to England Wales or Berwicke and to no other place certeine rates and duties are imposed on the said Comodities payable to us our heires and successors in our said plantac̃ons before the ladeing thereof to bee levyed and collected by such persons as should bee appointed in our said respective plantac̃ons vnder the managem^t of the Comissioners of our Customes in this Kingdome vnder the authority of our high Treasurer or Comissioners of our Treasury for the time being for the Collec͞cion of which rates and Duties in our severall Colonies of New England and alsoe to the End the said lawes may bee duely observed and obeyed according to the true intent and purport thereof and alsoe that Wee may be duely answered our parte and share of all such Forfeitures as ought to accrew to vs by virtue of the said lawes Now Know yee that Wee for the considerac̃ons aforesaid and of our especiall grace certaine Knowledge and meere moc̃on have created and erected and by these presents for vs our heires and Successors doe create and erect the Office which shall bee and shall bee called the Office of Collector Surveyor and Searcher of our Customes within our Colonyes of New England vnder the management of our Commissioners of our Customes in this our Kingdome of England And that further alsoe Wee reposeing especiall trust and Confidence in the Fidelity care and Circumspec͠con of our trusty and well-beloved Edward Randolph Esq^r of our more especiall grace certeine Knowledge and meer moc̃on have given and granted and by these p^rsents doe give and grant vnto the said Edward Randolph the said Office of Collector Surveyor and Searcher of our Customes within our Colonyes of New England vnder the management of the Commissioners of our Customes in this our Kingdome of England and him the said Edward Randolph Collector Surveyor and Searcher of our Customes within our said Colonyes of New England vnder the management of our Com̄issioners of our Customes in this our Kingdome of England Wee doe by these p^rsents Ordayne and Constitute To have and to hold the said Office of Collector Surveyor and Searcher as aforesaid vnto the said Edward Randolph dureing our pleasure to bee executed by himselfe or his sufficient Deputy or Deputies And Know yee further that Wee of our more especiall grace certaine Knowledge and meere moc̃on have given and granted and by these presents doe give and grant vnto the said Edward Randolph for the Execuc̃on of the said Office the yearely sum̄e of One hundred pounds payable quarterly att the Fower most vsuall Feasts or termes in the yeare (that is to say) the Feasts of Saint Michaell the Arch Angell the Birth of our lord Christ the Annunciac̃on of the blessed virgin Mary and the Nativity of Saint John Baptist by even and equall porc̃ons To bee paid vnto the said Edward Randolph out of our Customes Subsidies and other duties ariseing vpon goodes and merchandizes imported or to bee imported into this our Kingdome of England or exported out of the same from time to time by the hands of our receivor generall Farmers or Collectors thereof the said Salary or allowance to comence from the Feast of Saint John Baptist now last past and the First payment to bee made for the quarter ended at the Feast of Saint Michaell the Arch Angell last past giveing and by these presents granting vnto the said Edward Randolph his Deputy or Deputies full power and authority to Collect and receive to our vse all the aforesaid rates duties and Imposic̃ons and to search for and seize all such Europian goods as contrary to the said lawes or any of them shall bee carried to any of our Colonies of New England which shall not have beene bona fide laden in this our Kingdome of England Dominion of Wales or Towne of Berwick vppon Tweed as alsoe all such of the said plantac̃on Comodities which shall come to any of our said Collonyes of New land210 and not have first paid before the ladeing thereof in any other of our said Plantac̃ons the rates and duties as aforesaid respectively imposed on the said Comodities and alsoe to seize all such shipps and vessells and theire lading respectively which contrary to the aforesaid lawes or any of them shall lade or shall have laden any of the said plantac̃on Comodities not haveing first given bond with condic̃on as is provided in the Act of Parliament made in the twelfth yeare of our Raigne for the encouragement and encrease of shipping and Navigac̃on and alsoe to search for seize and proceed against any other goods or Marchandizes shipps or vessells whatsoever as are or shalbe any otherwise lyable to Forfeiture as vncustomed or prohibited or any otherwaies whatsoever by virtue of the said Acts of Parliament or any of them or any other law now in force or that shall bee in force and to vse all lawfull wayes and meanes in relac̃on thereunto And Wee doe hereby Authorize Will and Comand the said Edward Randolph for his due Execuc̃on of the said Office to pursue and observe all such Orders rules and direc͠cons concerning the same as hee hath already received or shall from time to time receive from vs or from y^e Comissioners of our Treasury now being or our high Treasurer or Comissioners of our Treasury which hereafter shall bee or from the Comissioners of our Customes in England which now bee or hereafter shall bee strictly chargeing and requireing all Governors Deputy Governors Magistrates Officers and persons whatsoever to be ayding and assisting to the said Edward Randolph or his Deputy or Deputies in all things concerning the due Execuc̃on of the said Office and Wee doe also Comand and require all our Judges Justices of the peace and other Officers and Ministers That these our letters pattents bee allowed of in all Courts of Record or elsewhere within our said Colony of New England or any other our Dominions In Witnesse &c. Witnesse our selfe att Westminster the Fifteenth day of October.

By writt of Privy Seal

— Public Record Office, Patent Roll, 33 Charles II, Part 7, No. 15.

THOMAS FLUCKER’S COMMISSION as SECRETARY OF THE PROVINCE OF THE MASSACHUSETTS BAY

12 November, 1770

George the Third by the Grace of God [of Great Britain, France and Ireland King, defender of the Faith] &c. To All to whom these presents shall come Greeting

Whereas We did by Our Letters Patent under Our Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date at Westminster the Tenth day of April in the First Year of Our Reign give and grant unto Our trusty and Welbeloved Andrew Oliver Esquire the Office or Place of Secretary of Our Province of Massachusets Bay in New England in America To have hold Exercise and enjoy the said Office or Place unto the said Andrew Oliver by himself or his sufficient Deputy or Deputies (for whom he sho^d be answerable) for and during Our Pleasure and his residence within the said Province, with all [Fees] [the] Rights Profits Priviledges and Advantages whatsoever thereunto belonging as by Our said recited Letters Patent (relation being thereunto had) may more fully and at large appear Now Know Ye that We have revoked and determined and by these presents do revoke and determine Our said recited Letters Patent and every Clause Article and thing therein contained And further Know Ye that We of Our [e]special Grace certain knowledge and mere Motion have given and granted and by these Presents Do give and grant unto Our trusty and Welbeloved Thomas Flucker Esquire the said Office or place of Secretary of our Province of Massachusets Bay in New England in America And him the said Thomas Flucker Secretary of Our said Province of Massachusets Bay in New England in America We do make ordain and constitute by these presents To have hold exercise and enjoy the said Office or Place unto the said Thomas Flucker by himself or his sufficient Deputy or Deputies (for whom he shall be answerable) for and during Our pleasure and his Residence within Our said Province with all [Fees] [the] Rights Profits Priviledges and Advantages whatsoever thereunto belonging in as full and ample manner as the said Andrew Oliver or any other Secretary of Our said Province hath heretofore held and enjoyed or of right ought to have held and enjoyed the same In Witness [&c] [whereof We have caused these Our Letters to be made Patent] Witness Ourself at Westminster the Twelfth day of November [in the eleventh year of our Reign]

By Writt of Privy Seal.

[COCKS]

— Public Record Office, Patent Roll, 11 George III, Part 1, No. 8. Compared with the record of Royal Commissions (Crown Commissions, 1677–1774, p. 117) in the office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth.209

Province of Massa^s Bay Boston 11^th March 1771

Thomas Flucker Esq^r within named took the Oaths appointed by Act of Parliament to be taken instead of the Oaths of alligiance & supremacy, repeated & subscribed the Test or Declaration therein contained, together with the Oath of Abjuration; and also an Oath, that he would faithfully discharge the Duties of the Office of Secretary of the said Province

Before T. HUTCHINSON

Examin^d ꝑ Jn^O Cotton D. Sec͞r͞y

— Crown Commissions, 1677–1774, p. 118.

ANDREW OLIVER’S SECOND COMMISSION as SECRETARY OF THE PROVINCE OF THE MASSACHUSETTS BAY

10 April, 1761

George the Third by the Grace of God [of Great Britain France and Ireland King Defender of the Faith] &c. To all to whom these presents shall come Greeting

Whereas Our late Royal Grandfather George the Second of Glorious and happy Memory King of Great Britain &c did by his Letters Patent under his Great Seal of Great Britain bearing date at Westminster the second day of March in the Thirty first year of his Reign Give and Grant unto his Trusty and Welbeloved Andrew Oliver Esquire the Office or Place of Secretary of His Province of Massachusets Bay in New England in America To have hold Exercise and Enjoy the said office or place unto the said Andrew Oliver by himself or his sufficient Deputy or Deputys (for whom he should be answerable) for and during his said Majesty’s Pleasure and his Residence within the said Province with all [Pees] [the] Rights, Profits Priviledges and Advantages whatsoever thereunto belonging as by the said recited Letters Patent (relation being thereunto had) may more fully and at large Appear In which said Office by Virtue of the Statute in such case made and provided he is continued for the space of Six Months from the time of the Demise of His said late Majesty unless he shall by Us be sooner removed and discharged from the said office Now Know Ye that wee have Revoked and Determined and by these presents Do Revoke and Determine the said recited Letters Patent and every clause Article and thing therein contained And further Know Ye that Wee of Our Especial Grace certain Knowledge and mere Motion Have Given and Granted and by these presents Do Give and Grant unto Our Trusty and Welbeloved the said Andrew Oliver Esquire the said office or place of Secretary of Our Province of Massachusetts Bay in New England in America And him the said Andrew Oliver Secretary of Our said Province of Massachusetts Bay in New England in America Wee do Make Ordain and Constitute by these presents To have hold Exe[rcise][cute] and Enjoy the said Office or place unto the said Andrew Oliver by himself or his sufficient Deputy or Deputies (for whom he shall be Answerable) for and during Our Pleasure and his Residence within Our said Province With all Fees Rights Profits Priviledges and Advantages whatsoever thereunto belonging in as full and ample manner as he the said Andrew Oliver or any other Secretary of Our said Province hath formerly held and Enjoyed or of Bight ought to have held and Enjoyed the same In Witness [&c] [whereof We have caused these Our Letters to207 made Patent] Witness Our self at Westminster the [eight &] Tenth [Eight] day of April [in the First Year of Our Reign]

By Writ of Privy Seal

[COCKS]

[The Great Seal of England Appending]

— Public Record Office, Patent Roll, 1 George III, Part 8, No. 38. Compared with the record of Royal Commissions (Crown Commissions, 1628–1663, pp. 209–210) in the office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth.208

Thomas Hutchinson Esq^r appointed by his Majesty to be Lieutenant Governor, and Andrew Oliver Esq^r appointed to be Secretary of the Province aforesaid severally took the Oaths appointed by Act of Parliament to be taken instead of the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy repeated and Subscribed the Test or declaration therein contained together with the Oath of Abjuration and an Oath that they would respectively faithfully perform the Duties of the respective Offices to which they are appointed as aforesaid according to the best of their Skill and Judgment.

before me

FRA BERNARD

— Crown Commissions, 1628–1663, pp. 209–210.

By His Majesty’s Command,

W^M PITT.

To Our Attorney or Sollicitor Gen^ll

—Public Record Office, Colonial Office, Clan 5, Vol. 920, pp. 27–38.

ANDREW OLIVER’S FIRST COMMISSION as SECRETARY OF THE PROVINCE OF THE MASSACHUSETTS BAY

2 March, 1758

George the second by the Grace of God [of Great Britain France and Ireland King Defender of the Faith] &c; To All to Whom these presents shall come Greeting

Know ye that Wee of our Especial Grace certain Knowledge and meer Motion have Given and granted and by these presents Do Give and Grant unto Our Trusty and Welbeloved Andrew Oliver Esquire the Office or Place of Secretary of Our Province of Massachusetts Bay in New England in America And him the said Andrew Oliver Secretary of our said Province of Massachusetts Bay in New England in America Wee do Make Ordain and Constitute by these Presents in the Room and Place of Josiah Willard Esquire Deceased To Have Hold Exercise and Enjoy the said Office or Place unto the said Andrew Oliver by himself or his sufficient Deputy or Deputies (for Whom he shall be Answerable) for and during Our Pleasure and his Residence within Our said Province with all Fees Rights Profits Priviledges and Advantages whatsoever thereunto belonging in as full and Ample manner as he the said Josiah Willard or any other Secretary of our said Province hath formerly held and Enjoyed or of right ought to have held and Enjoyed the same In Witness [whereof we have caused these our Letters to be made Patient] Witness Our self at Westminster the Second Day of March [in the thirty first Year of Our Reign]

By Writ of Privy Seal

[COCKS]

[Province of the Massa Bay — June 1. 1758 Sworn in Council

Before T. Pownall Govr

Rec Received Recorded and Examined

ꝑ Thos Clarke Dpty Sec͞r͞y]

— Public Record Office, Patent Roll, 31 George II, Part 3, No. 2. Compared with the record of Royal Commissions (Crown Commissions, 1628–1663, pp. 165–166) in the office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth.206

G. R.

Our Will and Pleasure is that you prepare a Bill for Our Royal Signature to pass Our Great Seal of Great Britain, containing Our Grant of the Office or Place of Secretary of Our Province of the Massachusets Bay, in New England, in America, unto Our Trusty and Wellbeloved Andrew Oliver Esq^r in the room and place of Josiah Willard Esq^r deceased, To have, hold exercise and enjoy the same unto him the said Andrew Oliver by himself or his sufficient Deputy or Deputies (for whom he shall be answerable) for and during Our Pleasure and his Residence within Our said Province with all Fees, Rights, Profits, Privileges and Advantages whatsoever thereunto belonging, in as full and ample manner as he the said Josiah Willard or any other Secretary of Our said Province hath heretofore held and enjoyed the same and for so doing this shall be your Warrant Given at Our Court at S^t James’s the day of 1758 in the 31^st year of Our Reign.

By His Majesty’s Command.

To Our Attorney or Sollicitor General.

— Public Record Office, Colonial Office, Class 324, Vol. 51, p. 117.

JOSIAH WILLARD’S SECOND COMMISSION as SECRETARY OF THE PROVINCE OF THE MASSACHUSETTS BAY

28 March, 1728

George the Second by the Grace of God [of Great Britain France & Ireland King Defender of the Faith] &c. To all to whom these Presents shall come Greeting

Whereas Our late Royall Father George the First King of Great Britain &c Did by his letters Patents vnder his Great Seal of Great Britain bearing date at Westminster the sixteenth Day of June in the third Year of his Reign Give and Grant vnto his Trusty & Welbeloved Josiah Willard Esquire the Office or place of Secretary of his Province of Massachusetts Bay in New England in America To have hold Exercise and Enjoy the said Office or Place unto the said Josiah Willard by himself or his sufficient Deputy or Deputies (for Whom he should be Answerable) for and during his Pleasure and his Residence within the said Province with all Fees Rights Profits Priviledges and Advantages Whatsoever thereunto belonging As by the said recited letters Patents (relation being thereunto had) may [more] [now] fully and at large appear In which said Office by Virtue of the Statute in such Case made and Provided he [was] [has] continued for the Space of Six Months from the Time of the Demise of his said late Majesty and by virtue of our Royall Proclamation for that purpose Issued bearing date the Fifth Day of July in the First Year of Our Reign He is continued untill Our Pleasure be further known or other Provision be made concerning the said Office Now know Yee that Wee have Revoked and Determined And by these Presents do Revoke and Determine the said recited Letters Patents and every Clause Article and thing therein contained And Further Know yee that Wee of our Especiall Grace certain Knowledge and meer motion have Given and Granted and by these Presents do Give and Grant unto Our Trusty & Welbeloved the said Josiah Willard the said Office or place of Secretary of Our Province of Massachusetts Bay in New England in America and him the said Josiah Willard Secretary of Our said Province of Massachusetts Bay in New England in America Wee do make Ordain and Constitute by these Presents To have hold Exercise and Enjoy the said Office or Place vnto the said Josiah Willard by himselfe or his Sufficient Deputy or Deputyes (for whom he shall be answerable) For and during Our Pleasure and his Residence within Our said Province with all Fees Rights Profits Priviledges and Advantages whatsoever thereunto belonging in as full and ample manner as he the said Josiah Willard or any other Secretary of Our said Province hath formerly held and Enjoyed or of Right Ought to have held and Enjoyed the same In Witness [&c] [whereof We have caused these our Letters to be made Patents] Witness Our Selfe at Westminster the [eight &] Twentieth [Eighth] Day of March [In the first year of our Reign]

By Writt of Privy Seal

[COCKS]

[Prov. of the Massachusets Bay Sworn before me in Council June 18. 1728.

W^M Dummer

Examined per J Willard Se͞c͞r͞y]

— Public Record Office, Patent Roll, 1 George II, Part 4, No. 14 Compared with the record of Royal Commissions (Crown Commissions, 1628–1663, p. 34) in the office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth.205

George R.

Our Will and Pleasure is, that you prepare a Bill for Our Royal Signature to pass Our Great Seal, containing Our Grant of the Office or Place of Secretary of Our Province of Massachusets Bay in New England in America unto Our Trusty and Welbeloved Josiah Willard Esq^r to have, hold, exercise and enjoy the same by himself or his sufficient Deputy or Deputies (for whom he shall be answerable) for and during Our Pleasure and his Residence within Our said Province, with all Fees, Rights, Profits, Privileges and Advantages whatsoever thereunto belonging, in as full and ample manner as he the said Josiah Willard or any other Secretary of Our said Province hath formerly held and enjoyed the same; And you are to insert in the said Bill a clause for revoking the Letters Patents whereby We constituted the said Josiah Willard Secretary of Our said Province. And for so doing this shall be your Warrant. Given at Our Court at S^t James’s the 29^th Day of February 1727. In the first year of Our Reign.

By His Majesty’s Command,

HOLLES NEWCASTLE.

To Our Attorney or Sollicitor General

— Public Record Office, Colonial Office, Class 324, Vol. 50, pp. 53–54

JOSIAH WILLAED’S FIRST COMMISSION as SECRETARY OF THE PROVINCE OF THE MASSACHUSETTS BAY

17 June, 1717

George by the Grace of God [of Great Britain France & Ireland King, Defender of the Faith] &c. To all to whom these presents shall come Greeting

Whereas Wee did by our letters Patents under our Great Seal of Great Britain bearing date at Westminster the three and Twentieth day of June in the first year of our Reign give and Grant unto our Trusty and Welbeloved Samuel Woodward Esquire the Office or place of Secretary of Our Province of Massachusets Bay in New England in America To have hold Exercise and enjoy the said Office or place unto the said Samuel Woodward by himselfe or his sufficient Deputy or Deputies (for whom he should203 be answerable) for and during our Pleasure and his Residence within Our said Province as by our said recited Letters Patent (relac̃on being thereunto had) may more fully and at large appear Now know yee that Wee have Revoked and Determined and by these presents do Revoke and Determine our said recited Letters Patents and every clause article and thing therein contained and further know yee that Wee of our especial Grace certain knowledge and meer moc̃on have given and granted and by these presents Do give and grant unto our Trusty and Welbeloved Josiah Willard Esquire the said Office or Place of Secretary of Our Province of Massachusets Bay in New England in America and him the said Josiah Willard Secretary of our said Province of Massachusets Bay in New England in America Wee do make Ordain and Constitute by these presents To have hold Exercise and enjoy the said Office or place unto the said Josiah Willard by himselfe or his sufficient Deputy or Deputies (for whom he shall be answerable) for and during our Pleasure and his Residence within our said Province With all Fees Rights Profits Priviledges and advantages whatsoever thereunto belonging in as full and ample manner as the said Samuel Woodward or any other Secretary of our said Province hath formerly held and enjoyed or of right ought to have held and enjoyed the same Provided always that if the said Josiah Willard shall not transport himselfe to our said Province of Massachusets Bay in New England in America within the space of Twelve months from the date of these presents or if he shall be absent from Our said Province for the space of one month at any one time from the time of his arrival there without Our especial leave and lycence under Our Signet or Sign Manual in that behalfe first had and obtained Then and in such case these Our Letters Patents and every thing herein contained shall cease determine and be void any thing herein contained to the contrary thereof in any wise notwithstanding In Witnesse [&c.] [whereof We have caused these Our Letters to be made Patents;] Witnesse our selfe at Westminster the seventeenth day of June. [In the third Year of Our Reign].

By Writ of Privy Seal.

[COCKS]

[Examined p J. Willard Se͞c͞r͞y]

— Public Record Office, Patent Roll, 3 George I, Part 4, No. 14. Compared with the record of Royal Commissions (Crown Commissions, 1628–1663, p. 33) in the office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth.204

SAMUEL WOODWARD’S COMMISSION as SECRETARY OF THE PROVINCE OF THE MASSACHUSETTS BAY

23 June, 1715

George by the Grace of God &c To all to whom these p^rsents shall come Greeting

know yee that Wee of Our especiall Grace certain knowledge and meer mocon have Given And Granted and by these p^rsents Do give and Grant unto Our Trusty and Welbeloved Samuel Woodward Esq^r the Office or place of Secretary of our Province of Massachuset’s Bay in New England in America And him the said Samuel Woodward Secretary of Our said Province of Massachuset’s Bay in New England in America Wee do make Ordain and constitute by these p^rsents To have hold Exercise and enjoy the said Office or place unto the said Samuel Woodward by himself or his sufficient Deputy or Deputys (for whom he shall be answerable) for and during Our pleasure and his residence Within Our said Province with all Fees Rights profits priviledges and advantages Whatsoever thereunto belonging in as full and ample manner as any Secretary of Our said Province hath heretofore held and enjoyed or of right ought to have held and enjoyed the same provided always that if the said Samuel Woodward shall not transport himself to Our said Province of Massachuset’s Bay in New England in America within the space of nine months from the date of these p^rsents or if he shall be absent from Our said Province for the space of one month at any one time from the time of his arrivall there without Our especiall Leave and licence under Our Signet or Sign Manual in that behalf first had and obtained Then and in such case these Our Letters Patents and every thing herein contained shall cease Determine and be void any thing herein contained to the contrary thereof in any Wise notwithstanding In witness &c. Witnesse Our self at Westminster the twenty third day of June.

By Writt of Privy Seal

— Public Record Office, Patent Roll, 1 George I, Part 10, No. 4.

EDWARD RANDOLPH’S SECOND COMMISSION as SECRETARY AND REGISTER OF THE TERRITORY AND DOMINION OF NEW ENGLAND

25 April, 1688

James the Second & Ireland Defender of the faith &c. To all to Whom &c

Know yee, that Wee for divers good Causes and Consideracon̄s Us thereunto moving have Created Erected and Established and by these presents for vs our Heires and Successors do Erect Create and Establish an Office which for ever shall be and be called the Office of Secretary and Sole Register of Our Territory and Dominion of New England in America And Wee doe also for vs Our Heires and Successors hereby Ordeyne and Declare that the Person who shall from time to time be appointed to Execute the said Office shall have and enjoy all Priviledges Fees p^rheminencies Rights Profitts and Advantages which any other Secretary or Register of or within any of Our Plantacon̄s or Colonies in America hath Enjoyed or doth or ought to enjoy in respect of such his Office And further Know yee that Wee reposing speciall Trust and Confidence in the Fidelity Prudence and Circumspection of Our Trusty and Welbeloved Edward Randolph Esq^re of Our Especiall grace certain Knowledge and meer mocon̄ have given and granted and by these presents doe give and grant vnto the said Edward Randolph the said Office or place of secretary and Sole Register of our Territory and Dominion of New England in America aforesaid And him the said Edward Randolph secretary and sole Register of our said Territory and Dominion of New England Wee doe name make Create and Ordeyne by these presents To have hold exercise and enjoy the said Office and place of secretary and sole Register of New England aforesaid vnto the said Edward Randolph by himselfe or his Sufficient Deputy or deputies during Our Pleasure and further Wee have given and granted and by these presents do give and grant vnto the said Edward Randolph all and singuler such and the like Fees Rights Powers Preheminences Perquisites Profitts and Advantages for and in respect of the Execucoc̄ of the said Office or Place as any other of Our Secretaryes or Registers of Within or belonging to any of Our Plantacon̄s or Colonies or other Places Whatsoever in America aforesaid now doe or doth or at any time or times heretofore have or hath of Right taken received or Enjoyed for the Exercise of his or their said respective Offices or Places To have receive perceive and enjoy the the same unto the said Edward Randolph by himselfe or his Sufficient Deputy or Deputies during Our Pleasure In Witness &c Witnesse the King at Westm̄ the five and Twentyeth day of Aprill

By writt of Privy Seal

— Public Record Office, Patent Roll, 4 James II, Part 4, No. 22.

EDWARD RANDOLPH’S FIRST COMMISSION as SECRETARY AND REGISTER OF THE TERRITORY AND DOMINION OF NEW ENGLAND

21 September, 1685

James Rex

James the Second by the Grace of God king of England Scotland France & Ireland defend^r of the Faith &c. to all to whome these presents shall come greeting

Whereas we have thought fitt to appoint a President & Councill Vntill we shall send over A Governor in Chiefe to take Care of all our Territory & Dominion in New England Commonly Caled or knowne by the names of the Collony of the Massachusetts Bay the province of New Hampshier & Maine and the Narragansett Country otherwise Caled the Kings Province with all the Islands Rights & members thereunto belonging. — Know yee that wee reposing Especiall trust & Confidence in the Loyalty & Abilities of our trusty & well beloved Edward Randolph Esq^r have given & Granted and by these presents do give and grant onto him the said Edward Randoiph the severall and respective places & Offices of Secretary and Sole Register of our Governor & Councill and of our Government there for the time being of and in our Territoryes and Dominion afore said and him the said Edward Randolph Secretary and Register of our s^d Territoryes & Dominions wee do by these presents make Ordain and Constitute to have hold Exercise and Enjoy the s^d Places and Offices onto him the s^d Edward Randolph by himselfe or his Deputy or Deputies during our Pleasure together with all fees Rights Privilidges Proffitts Perquisits and advantages to the said Places & Offices or either of them belonging or in any wise appertaining or which shall belong or in any wise appertaine in as full and ample manner to all Intents and Purposes as the Secretary and Register of our Island of Jamaica or of any other our Plantations in America have had or doe now receave and Enjoy. — and hereof all persons whom it may Concerne are to take due notice and yeild obedience therevnto accordingly. Given att our Court att Windsor y^e 21 day of September 1685 in the first year of our Reigne.

—Massachusetts Archives, Vol. 126, pp. 95–96.

M^r Randolph’s petition is read to their Lo^ps praying that he may be recommended to his ma^tys favour, that in Consideracon of his past Services he may have a grant of the office of Secretary and Register of all those Places w^ch are or shalbee brought under his ma^tys Governm^t in New England, Whereupon their Lo^ps agree to Consider further of this Petition when the Governm^t of all the Colonyes of New England shall be setled.

— Public Record Office, Colonial Office, Class 5, Vol. 904, p. 251.

THOMAS OLIVER’S COMMISSION as LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR OF THE PROVINCE OF THE MASSACHUSETTS BAY

28 May, 1774

George R

(L. S.) George the Third by the Grace of God of Great Britain France and Ireland king Defender of the Faith &c To our trusty and well beloved Thomas Oliver Esq^r of Cambridge in our Province of Massachusetts Bay Greeting.

We reposing especial trust and confidence in your Loyalty, courage and prudence do by these presents constitute and appoint you to be our Lieutenant Governor of the Province of the Massachusetts Bay in New England in America in the room of Andrew Oliver Esq^r deceased, to have, hold, exercise and enjoy the said place and office during our pleasure, with all rights, privileges, profits, perquisites and advantages to the same belonging or appertaining. And further in case of the death or absence of our Captain General and Governor in Chief in and over our said Province of the Massachusetts Bay in New England now and for the time being; We do hereby authorize and impower you to execute and perform all and singular the powers and authorities contained in our Commission to our said Captain General and Governor in chief according to such Instructions as are already sent or hereafter shall from time to time be sent unto him, or as you shall receive from us and from our said Captain General and Governor in Chief of our said Province of the Massachusetts Bay now and for the time being; And all and singular our Officers, Ministers and loving Subjects of our said Province and all others whom it may concern are hereby commanded to take due notice hereof and give a ready obedience accordingly. Given at our Court at S^t James’s the twenty eighth day of May 1774 In the fourteenth year of our Reign.

By his Majesty’s Command

DARTMOUTH

Thomas Oliver Esq^r Lieut Gov^r of Mass^a Bay.

Province of Mass^a Bay

Sworn before me in Council this 8 day of August 1774

THO^S GAGE Governor.

— Crown Commissions, 1677–1774, pp. 155–156.