 Randolph 's threats to report the colonial legislature 's <unk> prompted it to dispatch agents to England to argue the colony 's case ; however , their powers were limited . Shortly after their arrival in late 1682 , the Lords of Trade issued an ultimatum to the colony : either grant its agents wider powers , including the ability to negotiate modifications to the charter , or risk having the charter <unk> . The general court responded by issuing the agents instructions to take a hard line . Following legal processes begun in 1683 , the charter was formally <unk> on October 23 , 1684 . 
