Joseph Dudley - Patronage

Patronage

Returning to England in 1693, Dudley embarked on a series of intrigues to regain an office in New England. He ingratiated himself to the religious elements of the London political establishment by formally joining to the Church of England. He acquired a patron in Baron Cutts, who engineered his appointment as lieutenant governor of the Isle of Wight, where Cutts had been appointed governor. Dudley and Cutts assisted each other politically: Cutts worked to advance Dudley's agenda in London, while Dudley worked to promote that of Cutts on Wight. The principal activity he was engaged in that has been documented is the manipulation of parliamentary election processes in the island's constituencies to see that Cutts' chosen candidates were elected. This process made Cutts highly unpopular on Wight, although he continued in its governorship until his death in 1707. Dudley also tried to assist Cutts with some financial difficulties, unsuccessfully scheming with Cutts' father-in-law to gain permission to mint coinage for use in the colonies.

Dudley's principal object of intrigue was the removal of William Phips as Massachusetts governor, something he did not hide from the colony's agents. Phips, whose rule in Massachusetts was unpopular, was recalled to England to answer a variety of charges his opponents made. Dudley caused Phips to be arrested shortly after his arrival, on inflated charges that Phips had withheld customs monies from the crown. Phips died in February 1695 before the charges against him were heard, and Dudley was optimistic that he would be named the next governor.

At this point Dudley's enemies from New York and Massachusetts joined forces against him to deny him the opportunity. Jacob Leisler's son was in London, attempting to have the attainder against his father's estate reversed. With assistance from Massachusetts agent Constantine Phips, a bill to do this was introduced into Parliament. The debate included a review of Leisler's trial, and Dudley was forced to appear and defend his role in it. Afterward, Phips wrote to Cotton Mather, " is not so much talked of to be governor." The appointment to replace Phips went instead to Lord Bellomont.

Cutts continued to be active on Dudley's behalf, and secured for him election as a Member of Parliament representing Newtown in 1701. This made it possible for Dudley to further expand his own political connections in London. He managed to at least temporarily mend political fences with Constantine Phips and Cotton Mather, and began lobbying for the Massachusetts governorship after the death of Bellomont in 1701. In this he was successful, receiving commissions as governor of Massachusetts and New Hampshire on 1 April 1702 from Queen Anne.