This work investigates the complex political and administrative relationship between the New England colonies and the English government during the critical period following the Glorious Revolution. Philip S. Haffenden utilizes extensive archival research to examine how the transition of power in England influenced colonial governance, trade regulations, and the autonomy of the New England settlements. The author argues that this era was defined by a persistent tension between local colonial interests and the increasing centralization of imperial authority from London. By analyzing official correspondence and legislative records, Haffenden provides a detailed framework for understanding the integration of the American colonies into the broader English imperial structure.

Historians recognize this text as a specialized study of late 17th and early 18th-century imperial administration. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose, which serves as a foundational resource for scholars focusing on the evolution of British colonial policy.