Thomas Boone (governor)
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Thomas Boone was the 7th Royal Governor of New Jersey (after the position became solely "Governor of New Jersey) and the 28th Royal Governor of South Carolina.
Little is known of Boone's ancestry or history before becoming Royal Governor of New Jersey. His date of birth and even date of death are not known for certain. [1]
[edit] Political Career
Boone was appointed Governor of New Jersey in 1759, but he did not arrive in New Jersey until May 10, 1760. He did not meet with the colonial assembly until October 30, 1760. Six months later, he was appointed Governor of South Carolina, as he owned an estate there.[1]
In 1762, Boone refused to administer the oath of office to a newly-elected provincial assemblyman named Christopher Gadsden, stating that his election was not valid. Without taking the oath, Gadsden could not take his seat. When the Assembly objected, Governor Boone dissolved the Assembly and called for new elections.[2]
When the Assembly reconvened that winter after elections (in which Gadsden was able to take his seat), they drew up a resolution condemning Governor Boone's actions. The Assembly then produced a resolution stating clearly that the Assembly held sole authority to determine the validity of any elections of its members.[3]
Boone replied saying that he was acting under his authority as the representative of the British Crown. Ultimately, Boone and the Assembly could not come to an agreement, and the Assembly refused to conduct any business at all with the Governor until their complaints were addressed,[4] refusing even to pass tax bills or appropriate money to pay the salaries of the various administrative staff.[5]
Finally, Boone gave up. Taking advantage of a previous offer of a leave of absence, he sailed to England and the matter passed. [6]
