The Charter itself, be it remembered, provided that they should not make any laws or regulations contrary to the laws of England, and that all the settlers under the Charter should enjoy all the rights and privileges of British subjects.

The King could not know whether the provisions of the Royal Charter were observed or violated, or whether his own prescribed conditions of continuing the Charter were ignored or fulfilled, without examination; and how could such an examination be made except by a Committee of the Privy Council or special Commissioners?
This was what the King did, and what the Governor and Court of Massachusetts Bay resisted.

They accepted with a profusion of thanks and of professed loyalty the King's pardon and favours, but denied his rights and authority.

They denied any other allegiance or responsibility to the King's Government than the payment of five per cent.

of the proceeds of the gold and silver mines.