Upon the whole this man's government in the colony, will rather be
tolerated upon considerations of its expediency and utility, than
applauded for its moderation and justice--impartiality will assent to
the wisdom of his economy, illustrated by his subversion of the system
of common stock, by which, without diminishing the amount of
contribution exacted from the idle, he offered inducements and
encouragements to the diligent, and thus effected the assurance of
ample provision, independent of the natives--but aggressions upon the
chartered and natural rights of mankind, find willing apologists
enough among the sycophants and satellites of power, without receiving
the sanction of history; and however his conduct may be extenuated by
the admission that his office was rather one of ministry than
authority, and that the forbidden power was precedent in the colony,
that he rarely resorted to it, and only in extreme instances, there
yet remains much to condemn in the adoption of martial law, and much
to deplore in the fate of Abbot.