led for Halifax, March 17,
1776.

Nothing could exceed the indignation of Governor Bruere when he received
intelligence of the plundering of the magazine; he promptly called upon
the legislature to take active measures for bringing the delinquents to
justice. No evidence could ever be obtained, and the whole transaction
is still enveloped in mystery. The Governor let no opportunity escape
him to accuse the Bermudians of disloyality, and no doubt severe
punishment would have been inflicted on the delinquents could they have
been discovered.

Two American brigs under Republican colors arrived shortly after this
and remained some weeks at the west end of the islands unmolested, and
Governor Bruere complained bitterly of this to the assembly.[A]

[Footnote A: These were probably the vessels sent out from Rhode Island
under the command of Captain Whipple.]

Governor George James Bruere died in 1780, and the administration
devolved on the Honorable Thomas Jones, who was relieved by George
Bruere as Lieutenant Governor, in October, 1780.

Governor Bruere was soon openly at variance with the assembly, and did
not hesitate to accuse the people of treason in supplying the revolted
provinces with salt, exchanging it for provisions. Mr. Bruere extremely
exasperated at their trading, which he considered to be treasonable
conduct, commented on it in his message to the assembly in no measured
terms. Some intercepted correspondence with the rebels added fuel to the
flame, and on the fifteenth of August, 1781, he addressed them in a
speech which could not fail to be offensive, although it contained much
sound argument. This was followed by a message more bitter and
acrimonious, all of which they treated with silent contempt, until the
twenty-eight of September, when they discharged their wrath in an
address, in which the Governor was handled most roughly for his attacks
on the inhabitants of these islands. In return he addressed a message,
equally uncourteous in its tone, and dissolved the house.

The arrival of William Browne, whose administration commenced the fourth
of January, 1782, put an end to Mr. Bruere's rule.

The high character of the new Governor had preceded him in the colony,
and he was joyfully received on his arrival. He was a native of Salem,
Massachusetts, and was high in office previous to the Revolution, was
Colonel of the Essex regiment, judge of the Supreme Court, and Mandamus
Counselor. After the passage o