John Usher's Report on the Northern Colonies, 1698

Abstract

A N imperialist ideal was growing in the minds of British colonial officials by the end of the seventeenth century. The passage of the Trade Act of i696 and the formation of the Board of Trade marked a definite turn from the lax policies of the Stuart rulers to a series of attempts at royal control. British administrators began to take a comprehensive view of inter-colonial problems and looked toward greater efficiency in regulation. The result was a movement for royal colonies. Recommendations and reports on conditions in the colonies came to the Board from a variety of sources. However, William Blathwayt, member of the Board of Trade and auditor general of royal revenues in the colonies, corresponded personally with many colonial officials. He had a desire for authority and influence independent of other administrators.' The following letter and report of i698 came to Blathwayt from John Usher, former lieutenant governor of New Hampshire. It seems likely that the relations of Blathwayt and Usher were friendly. Samuel Allen, the father-in-law of John Usher, was probably made governor of the colony through the influence of Blathwayt,2 who likewise supported Usher against William Partridge, rival contender in i697 for the office of lieutenant governor. Underlying these actions may have been Blathwayt's interest in the New Hampshire land claims which Allen had purchased from John Mason and which were championed in the colonies by his son-in-law.3 After difficulties with the colonials, John Usher went out of office as lieutenant governor in December, i697, and retired to his permanent home