Sir Francis Bernard, 1st Baronet

thumb|Sir Francis Bernard Sir Francis Bernard, 1st Baronet (1712 – 16 June 1779) was a British governor of the colonies of New Jersey and Massachusetts. His harsh tactics in Massachusetts angered the colonists and were instrumental in the building of broad-based opposition to the rule of Parliament leading into the American Revolution. Quotes The present expectation, that a new regulation of the American governments will soon take place, probably arises more from the opinion the public has of the abilities of the present ministry, than from any thing that has transpired from the cabinet: It cannot be supposed that their penetration can overlook the necessity of such a regulation, nor their public spirit fail to carry it into execution. But it may be a question, whether the present is a proper time for this work; more urgent business may stand before it; some preparatory steps may be required to precede it; but these will only serve to postpone. As we may expect that this reformation, like all others, will be opposed by powerful prejudices, it may not be amiss to reason with them at leisure, and endeavour to take off their force before they become opposed to government. Select letters on the trade and government of America; and the Principles of law and polity, applied to the American colonies, p. 68, Preface Quotes about Sir Francis Bernard My friends, these are the words, the plans, principles, and endeavours of Governor Bernard in the year 1764. That Hutchinson and Oliver, notwithstanding all their disguises which you well remember, were in unison with him in the whole of his measures, can be doubted by no man. It appeared sufficiently in the part they all along acted, notwithstanding their professions. And it appears incontestibly from their detected letters, of which more hereafter. Now let me ask you—if the parliament of Great-Britain, had all the natural foundations of authority, wisdom, goodness, justice, power, in as great perfection as they ever existed in any body of men since Adam's fall: and if the English nation was the most virtuous, pure and free, that ever was; would not such an unlimited subjection of three millions of people to that parliament, at three thousand miles distance be real slavery? John Adams, Novanglus, and Massachusettensis, p. 241-242 External links Category:1712 births Category:1779 deaths Category:People from Massachusetts