[1] It took away many of its rights of self-government that had previously been enjoyed by Massachusetts and Plymouth authorities, transitioning the power in Boston from elected to royally appointed governors.

These proposals were dismissed by the Privy Council on the grounds it gave too much control to the colonists and diminished the rightful authority of the Crown.

Despite opposition from many colonial leaders, when Phips arrived, he assembled the General Court, and the majority of members approved the charter and declared a day of prayer and thanksgiving.

The lower house of the General Court was to remain intact and allowed to continue to pass governmental rulings, with the condition that the Royal Governor had veto power.

The political tension culminated in the Boston Tea Party, which resulted in the cancellation and dissolution of the General Court by Thomas Gage.

The members of the General Court cited the 1691 Charter as their constitutional authority and did not recognize the actions of Gage as legitimate.