JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY STUDIES IN HISTORICAL AND POLITICAL SCIENCE HERBERT B. ADAMS, Editor History, is past Politics and Politics are present History.-Freeman The Colonial Executive Prior to the Restoration BY PERCY LEWIS KAYE, Ph.D. Instructor in History, University of Iowa THE JOHNS HOPKINS PRESS, BALTIMORE PUBLISHED MONTHLY MAY-JUNE, 1900 PREFACE. In studying the history of the colonial executive during the period with which this article deals, I have found it necessary to approach the subject from three points of view. In the first place, the various documents, such as charters, commissions and letters of instruction to the governors, have been considered in order to determine the scope and character of the power conferred on the executive officers in the several colonies, the means by which they were limited in the use of the executive prerogative, and the instruments at hand with which to enforce their commands. In other words, executive powers in the various colonies are studied comparatively. Second, the connection between the executive in the colonies and the mother country is examined to see by what means the English administration was carried out; and, finally, the executive is discussed in its relation to the popular assemblies and legislatures as they rose to prominence. It is believed that only by this threefold consideration can the real position of the executive be understood. I take this opportunity of extending my sincere thanks to all those whose kind assistance, by advice or suggestions, has so materially aided me in the preparation of this paper. P. L. K. |
