Political Career
Possibly through the influence of his brother Charles, Boone was appointed Governor of New Jersey in 1759, but he did not arrive in New Jersey until 10 May 1760. He did not meet with the colonial assembly until 30 October 1760. Six months later, he was appointed Governor of South Carolina. He arrived in Charleston in December 1761, and replaced acting governor William Bull II.
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.
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.
Boone replied 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, refusing even to pass tax bills or appropriate money to pay the salaries of the various administrative staff.
Finally, Boone gave up. Taking advantage of a previous offer of a leave of absence, he sailed to England and the matter passed. In May 1764, he left lieutenant governor Bull to fill in as acting governor, and went home to England.
He served for many years as commissioner of customs, resigning the post in 1805. His properties in South Carolina were confiscated after the American Revolutionary War. He died at Lee (then part of County Kent) on 25 September 1812.
Read more about this topic: Thomas Boone (governor)
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