The Massachusetts Government Act created the position of royal governor.
The Massachusetts Government Act was passed by the United Kingdom Parliament and became law on May 20, 1774. This act was one of the Intolerable Acts, whose purpose was to secure British jurisdiction over the Thirteen Colonies of North America.
The Act alienated the election of the Massachusetts Bay Colony Councilors and Assistants by appointment terms, created by "Her Majesty's Commission, under the seal of Great Britain", whose terms of office were left to His Majesty's pleasure. " This left the settlers powerless against clientelism and corruption. Before the vote on this Act, the Council had a veto or the right to appoint such advisers and assistants.
It also provided that Her Majesty's Governor would appoint "all lower court judges, auditors, attorneys general, provosts, marshals, justices of the peace and all other officers of the courts" and "any vacancy of the offices of president and judges of the superior court of that province, since and after July 1, 1774". The members of the Council were elected annually by a joint commission chosen by the people, thus giving it some control over those who would hold these positions.
