by Emily Ross
Hey, history lovers!
Welcome back to "Why Wars Happened," your weekly podcast for understanding the chaotic and often dramatic events that led to war throughout history.
Grab your favorite drink, settle in, and let’s get into it!
Ok. Now the goods.
Contents
Setting the Stage
Where we left off in the last episode: Parliament began dictating who the colonists could trade with, sparking all sorts of problems. The first significant protest against England emerged around the issue of taxation without representation. Things began heating up, and after Governor Bennett left office, a series of governors came and went.
Enter Governor Matthews, who became governor in 1657. Things seemed fine initially, but in 1658, about a year after he took office, the Assembly passed an order stripping the Governor's Council of their taxpayer-funded luxury housing during sessions. Governor Matthews and his Council retaliated by dissolving the Assembly - an act that didn’t sit well with the elected side.
A Showdown Over Authority
The Assembly wasn’t about to be kicked out so easily. They issued a short, polite letter saying, "Yeah, no. Maybe governors in the past had the power to dismiss us, but we decided that we elect the governor and define his powers. Dismissing us isn’t one of them." They voted to stay, and any member who left would be charged with treason against the people. Surprisingly, Governor Matthews accepted this without much fuss. He perhaps genuinely believed he had the authority to dissolve the Assembly.
In his formal response, Governor Matthews agreed to let the Assembly continue its work, on the condition that they ask Oliver Cromwell, the Lord Protector in England, to make the final call on this dispute.
A Struggle for Recognition
Despite this, the Assembly wasn’t looking for permission to resume work. They wanted the governor to revoke his dissolution order. They essentially told Governor Matthews, "You need to retract your order because you don't have the authority to issue it in the first place."
The matter boiled down to whether the people's representatives could be dismissed at the governor’s whim. This was a contentious point, echoing the recent English Civil War over similar issues. Interestingly, even with the democratic spirit setting in, the Assembly acknowledged England’s ultimate authority.
Reinforcing the Assembly's Power
The Assembly formed a group to draft a report affirming their power and detailing why the governor lacked the authority to dissolve them. They carefully examined the colony’s constitution, history, and laws. The report reinforced the idea that the power to convene or dissolve the Assembly rested solely with the Assembly, not the governor.
The report further mandated that the police only follow orders from the Speaker of the House, thereby safeguarding the Assembly’s independence. Despite asserting their autonomy, the report still deferred to England’s supreme power - a sign of the ingrained colonial mindset.
The Governor and Council Power Struggle
Governor Matthews was allowed to stay, but the Governor’s Council wasn’t so lucky. The report blamed the Council for the power grab and stated that future Council members would be elected by the Assembly.
However, the tug-of-war was far from over. A letter from Oliver Cromwell's office threatened to tip the balance of power back in the governor's favor. The Assembly declared that they would follow the Lord Protector’s orders but would also request exclusive power to dissolve themselves.
The Aftermath and Moving Forward
Ultimately, the resolution from England didn’t arrive. Oliver Cromwell's death and the subsequent political changes overshadowed the dispute. The restoration of Charles II to the throne ended this episode, but the struggle for autonomy in the colonies continued.
That wraps up this week’s deep dive into the political conflicts in Virginia. Thanks for joining us on Why Wars Happened.
Don’t forget to subscribe to our podcast so you don’t miss next week’s episode, where we'll discuss Governor Berkeley's return, the king’s comeback in England, and the harshly enforced Navigation Acts.
See you next time!
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