The Lordly Prelate: Gurdon Saltonstall against His Times

Abstract

IN 1721, when Gurdon Saltonstall opened the spring Assembly, he had served fourteen years as governor of the corporate colony of Connecticut. For a decade longer he had wielded public influence as the closest confidant of his predecessor, Governor Fitz John Winthrop. In the land of steady habits, a backwater colony noted for piety and conservatism, an observer might have expected deference towards the chief magistrate and calm in the land. But in that spring, Saltonstall angrily threatened to quit his office; That which very much discourages me, he protested, that there is as little order and government left among us, as there is respect shown to them. Dismissing the prerogatives asserted by the Deputies of the Lower House as lacking a good foundation, and complaining of abuse to me, the governor warned, these things are notorious and they cannot but be grievous.'1 Saltonstall's Connecticut was in fact abandoning traditional values of order, deference, and consensus, fashioning a society characterized by competition, diversity, and contentiousness.2 Ironically, this trend was often hastened by the obstructionism of the lordly magistrate; but was also frustrated on occasions by his tenacious opposition. Bewildered and distressed by half-perceived changes he neither comprehended nor approved, Saltonstall devoted his abilities to prevent change. Such change would come eventually-even to Connecticut-but came more slowly, moderately, and imperfectly because of the man who, admitting he was accused of being too strict, severe and lordly, answered, it is impossible for me to do otherwise.3