There
his ability soon brought him forward, he was made lieutenant-governor of
the Isle of Wight, was returned to Parliament, and at last appointed
governor by Queen Anne. Though Massachusetts owes a deeper debt to few of
her chief magistrates, there are few who have found scantier praise at the
hands of her historians. He was, it is true, an unscrupulous politician
and courtier, but his mind was broad and vigorous, his policy wise and
liberal, and at the moment of his power his influence was of inestimable
value.
Among his other gifts, he was endowed with infinite tact, and when working
for his office he managed not only to conciliate the Mathers, but even to
induce the son to write a letter in his favor; and so when he arrived in
1702 they were both sedulous in their attentions in the expectation of
controlling him. A month had not passed, however, before this ominous
entry was made in the younger's diary:--
"June 16, 1702. I received a visit from Governour Dudley.... I said to him
... I should be content, I would approve it, ... if any one should say to
your excellency, 'By no means let any people have cause to say, that you
take all your measures from the two Mr. Mathers.' By the same rule I may
say without offence,' By no means let any people say, that you go by no
measures in your conduct, but Mr.
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